Baby

the threat of Robert Doyle’s influence, he resolved to handle the matter himself. Carefully, he wrote a note for Netty. He carried it into her bedroom where Baby was watching her. He kissed her head, setting the note on her nightstand.
    “Baby, lock the door behind me. I will be back in four days. I will send one of the field hands to take care of the Jerseys. Stay in the house until I am back.” Patting Baby on the head he left the bedroom, stalking out of the cabin with one of their rifles.

Chapter 6
    Robert sat in his library, elegantly sipping from a hand blown crystal snifter. He enjoyed watching the color of his favorite brandy, looking through the glass as he rotated the crystal in the light of the fire. Eli was overdue but he should arrive momentarily. He’d better. Anticipation made him restless. He anxiously awaited the pleasure he derived from tabulating the income Eli collected from Netty’s tenement farmers. He smiled to himself, thinking of the windfall the land was bringing him, even though he lost the other deal on the acreage shortly after Netty ran off.
    He thought about Netty. He rarely worried about her. He knew how to find her. Where else would she be likely to go? He heard the rumors of the drifter she allowed to take up residence with her. Together, they apparently made quite an improvement to the property. Maybe he would not sell it just yet, after all. He did not fear Netty or her drifter. Well, well, she turned out to be a wanton trollop after all, didn’t she, he chuckled to himself, thinking of the rumored age difference between the two. He dismissed the strange tales of Netty’s produce and her orchards, along with the gossip about Netty’s looks. How the cow could even attract the drifter was beyond him. He thought seriously about killing them both. He could make it look like the drifter had done it. Then he would go in as the patient and forgiving husband, deftly claiming the property.
    The sale of some of the acreage would make things much easier for him. His sisters have developed quite a habit of stopping by to complain about their shortness of funds, expecting him to subsidize them after their wealthy husbands put them on leashes. Their expenses overwhelmed him. He thought of the horses, their yearly wardrobes, their entertaining and the extravagant galas, all pathetic attempts to stay relevant. Their husbands long ago exhausted their patience with their spending, but Robert found it difficult to say no. Perhaps, it was because as their only brother, he felt a familial obligation. Or maybe, as the youngest, he found it the only way to lord over them. Either way, they created a significant drain on his finances.
    A more pressing concern involved a rumor he heard at the courthouse. Only a whisper as of yet, but it appeared the federal government was weighing the benefits of legalizing alcohol, a ctually repealing Prohibition . That would be disastrous for him. If true, he might not have much time, although the feds were notoriously inept.
    Taking another sip, his housekeeper appeared. Big Martha’s name fit her precisely. She was big and black, her impassive face clearly having seen plenty, wisely knowing how to keep all to herself. “Mr. Eli done returned, Mr. Doyle, sir. He sent word up from the carriage house. Sure, sure. He says ta tell you he gone an picked up a present for you from one a the farms he visited. He said she be needin some supper. I kin fix them sum’un or would you be wantin ta see him right away?”
    “Feed the young lady, Martha; then send her up to my bedroom. Give her the usual garment to change into. Tonight, I think the blue. I trust it has been properly repaired since last time? And tell Eli to get in here, now.”
    “Yesum, sir. Sure, sure.” As Big Martha left, bobbing her head, Eli popped up behind her, sporting a big grin. He set the money bag down on Robert’s desk and pulled up a chair. Without asking, he helped himself to some of Robert’s brandy, gulping it down.
    “Easy there, bucko, that is mighty expensive stuff,” Robert said, clearly annoyed.
    “Relax boss, I deserve it after the ride I gave ol’ Netty.” Robert favored Eli with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah, I ran inta her by accident. Did ya know she got knocked up? I had a lucky chance ta show her what a real man looked like, so I took it. I did leave her a wee bit worse for the wear. I think the bastard babe might not a made it.”
    “Well, you may have saved me some