At long last here is the final chapter of Esther and Grant's saga. This was my first story and I learned a ton (like next time I should finish writing the whole story before posting any chapters!). I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
-BRS
The early sunlight peaking through the delicate curtains woke Esther. Grant was gone from the bed, but a crystal drinking glass and vase of water had been left on the walnut bedside table. Esther drank deeply, parched from her first encounter with beer the night before.
Today was the day. Everything Esther did, or had done to her over the past several days was in pursuit of reuniting with Rob, the man whom she loved: the same man who took her innocence and unknowingly got her pregnant before moving away.
Grant was a stranger she'd made a deal with to guide her from Oklahoma to Texas and who happened to live close to Rob. In return, Grant had full access to her body on the journey. But that was about to all be behind her. She'd leave her wicked past and start anew with her family.
A pair of men's denim pants and a white collared shirt were folded in a pile on a bureau, along with a soft leather belt and socks.
Esther had never worn pants before. She put on the clothes, tucking the shirt into her pants. They were baggy and far too long so she rolled up the legs and arms. She noticed that extra holes had been cut into the belt so she was able to tighten it enough to fit her small waist. For shoes, she just wore her own leather boots with the fresh socks.
There was a large mirror in the corner of the room. It was the first time a mirror could reflect back her whole body. Esther smiled at the absurdity of her outfit. She didn't even dislike it.
Walking down the stairs and onto the porch, she saw the ranch was already well awake. Across the yard, she spotted Grant talking with some ranch hands. He glanced over at her and waved, turned to the hands and said something, and started walking towards Esther.
"Those clothes don't look half bad on you," he smiled.
"Surprisingly, I thought the same. Do the women ranch hands not get in trouble with the law?"
"They might if they go into town like that, but no one can come into this ranch and tell them what to wear. But I'm sure you'll want to be in a dress to meet Rob."
Esther nodded, smiling.
"Follow me."
They walked across the yard to one of the large barns. A young woman with tan skin and blonde hair came out just as they approached the door.
"Oh, hi Grant." She smiled at Esther, "And you must be Esther."
"I am," Esther replied.
"I'm Eliza," she stuck out her hand which Esther shook. "It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too," Esther replied.
"Grant said you're in search of a dress," she said smiling at Esther's oversized outfit.
"I do have one, but it needs to be washed and dried."
Eliza waved her hand, "I've got some lovely dresses that never see any use. Why don't I show you?"
"Thank you. You're so kind."
"I'll meet you at the dining hall for breakfast in a few," Grant said turning to go.
Esther followed Eliza to the main house, and up a couple flights of stairs. There was a long hallway with a over a dozen doors.
"This is my room," Eliza said, opening one of the doors.
It was a small but cheerful room with a bed covered in a multi-colored quilt, a baby blue striped armchair, tall dresser, and large window.
"It's hard to find a place that'll rent to a single woman, so most of us live here."
Esther felt intimidated by such an independent and confident young woman but she was too curious to resist asking about her life. "If you don't mind my asking, how did you come to work here?"
Eliza gave a sad smile. "There wasn't really a place for me elsewhere. My parents weren't too happy to call me their daughter when they found me with another girl when I was 18. I'd heard about this ranch through a friend so I packed a bag and showed up on Grant's doorstep begging for a job."
Esther knew that homosexual men existed, but it had never occurred to her there were also women. "And Grant let you stay?"
"Yeah, he gave me a job as a ranch hand and this room. I was one of the first girls here, and if anyone tried anything funny he'd dismiss them on the spot."
"I never knew places like this existed."
"There's not many, but the people who need 'em can find 'em." She bent and opened the bottom drawer of the dresser where several dresses were neatly folded under tissue paper.
One by one she unfurled them, holding them up for Esther to see. They were the most beautiful dresses Esther had ever seen. It made her wonder about the kind of life Eliza had led before the ranch.
"Which one would you like?" Eliza asked kindly.
Esther was most drawn to a light pink silk dress with long sleeves, full skirt, and tiny pearl buttons, but it felt impolite to select such a lovely dress.
Eliza shook the pink silk, "It's this one isn't it?"
"Oh, it's too nice for me to borrow. Which one do you like least?"
"No, I insist. These dresses never suited me anyway. They make me kind of sad to be honest. And a girl as beautiful as yourself deserves to wear beautiful clothes."
Returning to the drawer, Eliza picked up a box. Inside was a corset, white stockings and delicate, white boots with small heels. "You'll probably need to use this. That dress doesn't really button without a corset. And I absolutely cannot let you wear it with those boots you have on."
Esther laughed. "Are you sure? I'm afraid I might ruin something."
"Nonsense. The dress is yours to keep so do whatever you want to it."
"I don't know how to thank you," Esther stammered. Eliza's kindness was making her emotional.
"I'm not going to pretend to know your life, but I know you're a young, unmarried woman on her own. All I ask is that you look out for yourself."
Esther was unable to speak lest she cry. Eliza seemed to understand.
"I'll let you have your privacy now. It was wonderful meeting you, Esther. I hope you find whatever you're searching for."
She turned to go, then stopped. "Oh, and there's pins on the dresser if you want to do your hair up."
After Eliza left, Esther undressed. She put on the corset, pulling the tightening strings taut.
Reverently, she slipped on the silk dress and buttoned up the many pearls. Eliza was right about needing a corset. It was the tightest dress Esther had ever worn, hugging her waist and chest. When she looked down, the shadow of her cleavage was partially visible. Her mother would never have approved of this dress.
With some difficulty, she slipped on the stockings and white boots.
There was a small mirror on the top of Eliza's dresser. Esther used it to pin up her brunette waves into an updo that framed her face.
She went downstairs, carrying the jeans, shirt, and boots to the dining hall where Grant was already waiting.
"Damn, Eliza really did you up."
Esther blushed. "She insisted I wear this one."
"And I don't blame her. Come on and have your breakfast now. Everyone else has eaten but I saved you a bowl."
Breakfast consisted of milky oats drizzled with honey. Esther was too nervous to eat more than a few spoonfuls. The corset didn't allow for much eating anyway.
Grant sat at the table while she picked at her food, reading a newspaper. When she pushed her bowl away and cleared her throat Grant looked up.
"I know you only agreed to take me to Branden County. But can you give me directions to town, or draw a map? Do you know how long the walk will be?"
"It'll be too far for you to walk all the way. Why don't I drive you in the buggy to town, no strings attached."
"Thank you."
"We should be off soon. Your clothes are still damp, so be sure to hang them later to finish drying."
Esther was impressed by his attention to detail.
"Oh, and I was serious about that robe," he continued.
"I was drunk when I accepted it. And I think Rob will find it suspicious if I show up with too many nice things."
"Fair enough. I'll bring the buggy 'round."
Esther watched him leave.
Time was suddenly moving too fast. She was nauseous with nerves.
She heard Grant's voice outside. It was time for her to go.
Grant had pulled up in a small, two-person buggy drawn by two chestnut horses. Her bag was in the back, which Esther set her boots next to. Grant jumped out of the buggy to help Esther up, and tucked her skirt well away from the wheel since her corset made it too difficult for her to do so herself.
Esther couldn't understand why, but she felt a little sad to be leaving the bustling ranch.
As they drove through the flat, grassy pasturelands toward town, Grant tried to engage Esther with conversation. He asked how she was doing, if she could feel the baby yet, and how she liked the ranch, but Esther could only give terse answers. Eventually he gave up, and they lapsed into silence.
After about an hour, Grant turned onto a large dirt road. Esther could just make out the silhouette of the town of Branden. The first buildings loomed larger and larger. Esther quickly realized this was no small town. It was closer to a fully fledged city.
The dirt road turned to smooth paving stones as they passed by the huge wooden sign welcoming them to Branden, Texas.
The enormity and energy of the town took Esther's breath away. She'd never seen so many people in one place. And she'd certainly never been to a town with paved roads.
Grant stopped the buggy in front of a red-brick post office so large Esther could only gawk. Grant laughed.
Inside the post office, a line of mail clerks in visors stood behind a long, wooden counter. Rows and rows of cubby shelves full of letters and packages stood behind them.
Grant and Esther waited in a small line until they were called forward by a mustached clerk.
"Name, sir?" the man addressed Grant.
"We're looking for the address of an acquaintance. A Mr. Robert Cole."
Esther was surprised he remembered his name.
"A middle name?" the clerk clarified.
"Nathaniel," Esther spoke up.
"I'll have to check the deliverables. Please wait a moment," the clerk responded, walking away.
After a few minutes, he returned with a couple letters in hand addressed to Robert N. Cole.
"Is this your man?"
