Chad And Halie
Written by Holly Custer
Copyright © 2000

It was the month of December in Tucson, Arizona.  I sat at the wooden desk in the schoolhouse for the last time because I was to be married at the end of the week.  A joyous occasion that I was looking forward to with great delight

Right now, though, I felt completely frazzled.  I was hurriedly trying to finish the grading of the weekly spelling test.  I had a date with my fiancée and he hated to be kept waiting.  I graded a few more tests and suddenly realized that I was no longer alone.  Slowly, I looked up and found myself staring into the handsome face of my sheriff fiancée.  He didn’t look too happy.  In fact, he looked downright upset.

Carefully, I laid down my pencil.  My nerves were thoroughly on edge, so I made the supreme effort to keep control of my emotions.  I stood to my feet.  I smoothed down my calico skirt and clasped my hands tightly in front of me.  I had a feeling that I was in trouble.

“Chad, how wonderful to see you.  I thought we were going to meet at the restaurant at seven?”

“Honey, do you realize what time it is?”  I shook my head in the negative.  My eyes strayed to the window.  It was dark and apparently well after the seven o’clock hour.

“Oh dear!  I didn’t realize how late it was.  I had these papers to grade.  Two of the boys decided to get into a fight, so they had to stay after school.  Nothing seemed to go right today.”  I turned my back to Chad.  I was afraid that I was going to burst into tears right in front of the manI loved.

“It’s all right, Halie.  I understand.  I was just worried when you didn’t show up.”  I felt strong, gentle hands on my shoulders.  I was turned around and pulled into a warm, loving embrace.  It was such a wonderful feeling being held like this.  Chad’s lips found mine in the semidarkness.  The kiss was warm, wild and wonderful!  Reluctantly, though, I pulled away knowing that if we were seen it would be all over town before morning.  It would not do to have the sheriff and the schoolmarm gossiped about just days before their wedding. 

Chad helped me on with my coat.  I tied a scarf over my hair and pulled on my woolen mittens.  We walked from the schoolhouse.  I locked it carefully.  We then went around to the stable where I kept my horse.  Chad saddled her for me and helped me mount.  I watched as Chad swung up on to the back of his black stallion.  What a handsome man my fiancée was.

We rode straight to the restaurant.  Chad stabled the horses at the livery which was next to the restaurant.  He came in and sat down across from me in a private corner of the wooden establishment.  I looked around appreciatively at this cozy place where people dined.  A few months ago this would have seemed very primitive and uncivilized to me.  I had been born, bred and raised a city girl.  Now, this was a warm, homey place to spend an evening with my handsome fiancée.  I turned and smiled brightly at Chad.

“So, when are your parents supposed to be here?”  Chad asked around a mouthful of warm, freshly-baked bread spread generously with freshly-churned butter..

”They’re supposed to be on the afternoon stage tomorrow.  I am so nervous, Chad.  Did I tell you that my sister and her------husband are coming too?”  I asked trying to be nonchalant, but failing miserably.

“No, but is there something wrong with that?”  Chad asked noticing the hesitation in my words.  His jungle-green eyes met my sapphire blue ones.  I saw the puzzlement in his eyes and knew that I would have to clarify myself.

“Heather, my sister, married my ex-fiancee’ shortly after I left Chicago.  I just hope it’s not too uncomfortable for everyone.”  I looked down at my plate and surveyed the thick slice of bread thoughtfully.

“Halie, do you still have feelings for him?”  I stared up at him in sheer astonishment.  I couldn’t believe Chad had actually asked that question.  My first impulse was to get up and leave.  And------that’s exactly what I did.  I grabbed my coat and bag and walked out into the freezing twilight.  I jerked on my coat and started walking towards------I don’t know where.  I saw the livery stable just ahead so I went inside.  I walked to Charlie’s (the horse Chad had bought for me) stall and slipped inside.  That was when I noticed I was crying.  I wiped the tears away on the sleeve of my jacket.  I picked up a soft rag and started rubbing Charlie.

“Halie, I’m so sorry.  That was a stupid question and------a jealous one.  Please, don’t be mad.”  Chad said softly coming up behind me and placing his arms around my shoulders and resting his cheek against mine.

“I’m not mad, Chad.  I-it just hurt that you might think that I would be so shallow as to accept your ring when I might have had feelings for someone else.”  I had stopped rubbing Charlie, but continued when Charlie nudged me with her soft muzzle.

“You are anything but shallow, my love.  You are the most loyal person I know.  You would never accept my ring if you cared for someone else and I know it.  I love you so much, Halie.  My life would be nothing without you.  Forgive me?”  He implored.

“Oh, Chad!  Of course I do.  There’s nothing to forgive though.”  He pulled me close and kissed me.  We talked for a while sitting on a bale of hay and holding hands.

“I see the stage is late as usual.”  I jumped at the sound of Chad’s deep voice.  “I didn’t mean to startle you, honey.”  I smiled up at Chad as his hand settled on my waist.

“I thought you were working at our home today?”

“I thought that it was more important that I meet your family with you.  I figured you could use the support from your handsome fiancée.”  Chad said with a chuckle.  I laughed as I slid my arm around his waist and hugged him close to me.  Having him here meant everything to me.

Finally, the stagecoach arrived in a cloud of dust.  We watched and waited as the passengers exited.  They all happened to be my family.  My father, the most wonderful man in the world------next to my fiancée, of course-------came right up to me and enfolded me in his strong, fatherly arms.  He whispered words of reassurance in my ear.  I knew why when I looked up and saw Heather and Edward standing hand-in-hand next to my beautiful, untouchable mother.

With a genuine smile, I went to my younger sister and hugged her close.  I told her how glad I was to see her and how lovely she looked.  When we pulled apart, I saw the look of relief in her sweet face. 

Reluctantly, I turned to Edward.  I held my hand out to him.  He took it too eagerly, I thought, and commented on how well I looked despite the dreadful weather.  I looked into his eyes and was sickened by the lust I saw.  I turned quickly away and saw that Chad had seen it too. I also saw that he had his hand on his gun.  I caught his eye and shook my head ever so slightly and smiled reassuringly.  He smiled softly and dropped his hand from his gun.  I relaxed.  I had just saved Edward from a merciful death.  I chuckled counting my self fortunate that I had gotten out of the relationship with Edward.

Lastly, I turned to my mother.  I gently took her hands and kissed her softly on the cheek.  I then went back and stood next to Chad.  I proudly introduced him to the family and was pleased that everyone, including Edward, seemed to like him.

We showed the family to the hotel and helped them with their baggage.  My mother and Edward continually complained about every little thing that they saw.  I was so glad they would be going home right after the wedding.  It would be difficult enough dealing with their pettiness for a few days.  I sighed and bore it with a smile.  Chad and I finally left my family to freshen up and rest before dinner.

Later that evening, Chad and I met my family and Edward (I would never be able to think of Edward as family) at the restaurant for dinner.  This was when things began going downhill.

“Is there no other place to eat than this-this place?”  My mother asked staring down her nose at the plain, wooden tables with red-and-white checked cloths and chairs.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but this is the only place to eat in town.  We are out in the wilderness and there are few luxuries to have.  I apologize for any inconvenience this might cause you.”   Chad apologized so very sweetly.

“Very well, then.  This will have to do.”  I turned to my fiancée with a bewildered look on my face.  He looked at me with a smile and shrugged his broad shoulders.  He had actually been able to mollify my elegant mother.  No one had ever been able to do that!  Normally, she was never happy with anyone or anything.  I was in a complete daze.

As the evening wore on though, Mother and Edward continually found things to criticize.  I began to fidget when I started to feel  the urge to tell them both to be quiet.

“Really, Halie, how can you stand this dreadful town?  There aren’t any opera houses or theaters or anything visibly entertaining.  What do you do to keep yourself busy?”  Mother asked with barely concealed disdain in her musical voice.

“I did teach school, Mother.  Chad and I go for rides, we talk and read.  There are the church socials and barn dances.  There is really quite a lot to do when you look.”  I sat back pleased that I had kept control of my temper.

“Really, Halie, your manners have become atrocious since you moved here to this------this wilderness village.”  Edward put in with a great deal of contempt.  I was stunned that he dare speak to me like this.  I just sat there not believing what I had heard.  Fortunately, my wonderful fiancée jumped to my defense.

“Excuse me, Mr. Phelps.”  Chad said very calmly.  “But my fiancée is the most beautiful, well-mannered lady I have ever known.  I will not allow you to slander her.  Do you understand me?”  By this time, Chad was on his feet.  He was leaning on the table with his face just inches from Edward’s.  Edward nodded ever so slightly.  Chad straightened to his full six foot and three inches.  He turned to me and helped me to my feet.  I looked up at him with soft wonder on my face.  He wished everyone a ‘good-evening’ and we left the restaurant.

Chad and I walked arm-in-arm to my boardinghouse.  We went inside and into the parlor.  With extreme gentleness, he helped me off with my coat.  He laid both our coats over a chair and turned to me.  He pulled me into his strong arms and held me close to his heart.  Finally, peace at last.

The next day was the day before our wedding.  That day would be the straw that broke the camel’s back, so to speak.

I was in Chad’s and my new home putting up curtains that I had sewn on the windows.  As I was finishing, I heard the door open.

“Don’t they look beautiful, Chad?  I made them all by myself.”  I said stroking them gently.

“They look stunning.”  I whirled in surprise.  Edward stood in the doorway with a very lustful look in his eyes.

“I think you need to leave, Edward.  I have nothing to say to you.”  I turned back to my curtains.  This was a mistake.  Edward came up behind me and grabbed my shoulders.  He turned me around and pulled me up against him.  I struggled desperately, but Edward was an amazingly strong man.  Edward put one hand behind my head and the other around my waist.  He proceeded to kiss me even though I continued to struggle.  I started to cry.  My hands and arms were trapped between my body and his.  When I thought I might pass out, Edward was wrenched away from me.  I fell to the floor too weary and exhausted and-------ashamed to move.

I looked up and saw Chad punch Edward in the nose.  He dragged him to the door and threw him out on to the dirt path.  I turned my face away and started to cry again.

Chad came over to me and picked me up in his arms.  He set me down on the bed and held me in his arms.  I buried my face in his shirt and cried some more.

“I’m sorry, Chad, I’m sorry.”  I cried over and over again.

“Hush, my love.  It’s not your fault.”  Chad soothed rocking me back and forth.

“What is going on here?  Edward comes back to the hotel with a broken nose whining that you beat him up.  Why?”  My father was not accusing.  He was a very diplomatic man and always tried to find the truth.  He was a very fair man.  ‘Why is my daughter weeping in your arms. young man?”  He asked seeing me.

“Sir, Edward came into my home and proceeded to ravage my fiancée.  When I came in he was kissing her without her consent.”  I could tell Chad was struggling to maintain his temper.  I myself struggled to gain control of my emotions.  Edward had not hurt me physically or even mentally for that matter.

“Father,  it happened just as Chad says.”  I turned to my father.  Chad kept his hands on my shoulders, for support.  I reached up and covered one of his with one of mine.

“All right, Halie and Chad, I apologize for Edward’s inappropriate behavior.  He will be sent home on the next stage.”  Douglas Lockerbie came over and shook Chad’s hand.  He then came to me and looked deep into my eyes.  “Are you all right, my daughter?”  He asked gently.

“I’m fine, Father.”  I answered simply.  Once my father had left, I turned to Chad. “Chad? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Halie.  I’m still angry.  How dare he touch you!”  I let Chad rant and rave for a few minutes.  I knew he would be fine once he got out the anger.
 
Slowly, his anger subsided.  He turned to me with a rueful smile.   He sat down next to me and cupped my face with his hand.  “I love you, Halie, you are my life and my joy.  You are my heart.’  He leaned forward and kissed me.  I put my arms around his neck and drew him closer to me.

“I love you, too, Chad.  I can’t wait until we’re married.”  I whispered my lips brushing his unshaven cheek.  “You will shave for me tomorrow, won’t you?”  I asked looking up into his face with a mischievous grin.

“Anything for you, sweetheart.”  Chad chuckled.  We hugged and then went back to our chores to prepare for our life together.

I woke up the next morning full of excitement.  I dressed carefully with the help of my sister.  She did my hair in the latest style from Chicago.  I put my veil on and turned around for inspection by my sister and mother.

“Oh, Halie!  You look heavenly!”  Heather exclaimed she said clapping her hands happily.
   
“Yes, Halie, you look very fine.”.  My mother said playing with my veil.  I heard the tears in her voice and was stunned.

“Mother, are you all right?”  I asked turning to her.

“You are my firstborn daughter and I am very happy for you.  Chad is a lovely man even if he is from this wilderness town.”  She said with a smile.  I knew then that my mother wasn’t all snobbery.  I hugged her gently. 

We met my father outside of the hotel and walked to the church which just happened to be next door.  Mother and Heather went into the church and sat down at the front.  Father and I waited for the music to begin.

“Halie, my daughter, you are so beautiful today.  I am proud of you.  You have made a life for yourself here.  You have also made our family proud by choosing a mate worthy of you.  Chad is a good man and I wouldn’t want any other for you.”  He kissed my forehead then pulled the veil down over my face.  “I love you, Halie Marie Lockerbie.”

“I love you, Daddy.”  I answered with a loving smile.

I took my father’s arm as the music began and walked down the aisle to meet the man who would be my husband in just a few minutes.
 

THE END