Hortons Bend

already spoken to her about it and she’ll do it. I just don’t want to speak with her since she’s ahhh… little bit nosey. You know?” Banner checked his watch and continued. “Steve we need to call a meeting and get the ball rolling on putting some pressure on them. I just want this to continue on a steady course so we don’t have anybody raising eyebrows. OK?” Banner felt relieved as he always did when dealing with Price. He finished his conversation arranging for a meeting of the committee as soon as Price could arrange it. Banner smiled to his secretary and told her he would be back in an hour. He felt better that the archaeologist had made the move at the Horton farm. It was time to make forward progress and the time couldn’t be better. If this thing went right it would mean a permanent vacation and he wasn’t getting any younger.
    The Horton’s ate their lunch in silence for the first time in many year s. Their grim mood had nothing to do with any disagreement between husband and wife but rather the uneasiness brought on by their visitor. Samuel Horton finally broke the silence. “Ah Ruby…. I know you’re worried. He’s gone and I don’t believe he’ll come back to bother us” he said to her. His wife looked at him with concern. “I’m not worried about the archaeologist. He means well but doesn’t understand anything about how sacred and special this land is” she said. Ruby put her hands on the table and looked at her husband. “I’m worried about the county. These forms of government are difficult to understand and sway. They made it crystal clear that they want the land and they want us off” she said on the verge of tears. Sam came to her and put his arms around her. “They’ve got no legal right and we’ll take it to court if they do try” he assured her. “Sam…..I’m not sure anybody will listen. The county……they’ve got everything on their side” she sobbed. “Ruby darling…it will all work out. We’ll wait this out and deal with whatever we have to. Now go on about your house chores. I’ll be out in the barn for a little while but I’ll be back shortly. I’m going to come in early this evening” he told her as he rubbed her shoulder. Ruby nodded and wiped away her tears. The old farmer walked to his barn but didn’t do any work for some time. He simply sat on an old bench and wondered what storm might be coming their way.
    Samuel Horton closed his eyes and tried to imagine a different world. He was a patient sort but it was in his nature. Ruby had surprised him with these outbursts but then the two of them hadn’t seen this type of pressure from outsiders in so very long. He smiled at the thought of their abilities to withstand the storms of the past. These “storms” had included a variety of intrusions, blatant lies, and unspeakable violations of those they had cared for. Ruby was his equal but she perhaps she had settled in and absorbed their culture a little closer than she had realized. It was not unknown to happen. The two of them had put a lot of effort in their protective care. The outside world thought them to be enigmatic and they found it amusing. It was their little secret and would remain so. Horton felt much better now. He opened his eyes and knew what must be done. The old farmer stood up and walked towards the farmhouse. His companion needed to be complicit in this matter. Right or wrong they had to make a stand now or it would soon be over. Horton smiled to himself as he went back into the house. He knew exactly what to do now and more importantly how to make it happen.
    Steve Price wasted no time calling the museum to speak with Mrs. Peabody. They had spoken at various functions but she knew it was unusual for him to call her at the museum. “Mrs. Peabody… the Commissioner is busy in a meeting but asked me to call you. He’s very concerned about your archaeologist. I believe his name is Brody. Did you know that Brody made a visit to the Horton farm earlier today?” Mrs. Peabody knew the commissioner was probably avoiding her by having Prior make this call but she also knew that she should have taken swifter action to make things perfectly clear to her staff member. “I understand Steve and please let the commissioner know that I will handle this situation immediately” she was quick to emphasize. They spoke long enough to express a few parting pleasantries and then hung up. Mrs. Peabody did not have the time to deal with