A wife. That's what he needed. He couldn't believe he was thinking this way after 40 years.
Benjamin Aldino had accomplished every goal he'd set for himself when he'd left his family's plantation in GA at 17. He'd headed out West in 1860, following the gold rush.
His 2 older brothers were running things; well, trying to. They wrote him often now, encouraging him to come back. They'd had to free their slaves, but Ben doubted he'd ever return there.
Benjamin was happy with his life in California. He had a sprawling ranch estate, 4 employees and plenty of money in the bank. He enjoyed his routine and farm life, but he was tired of whores.
He wanted someone who belonged to him, totally. Preferably a young, inexperienced female, he could train in his 'particular taste'. But, where to find her? Not many females came this far West. Women out here were outnumbered 4:1.
Ben's mind was mulling these thoughts as he rode into the sleepy town he'd been riding 2 days to reach.
'Town' may have been a stretch. There were a few sad buildings and plenty of tumbleweed. It looked abandoned, except for a few buildings that had men standing in front.
Benjamin road straight through 'town' and out to the River's farm. The man had missed 3 payments on the equipment Ben had sold him; enough was enough! Old man Rivers was in arrears for over a 60 bucks and Ben wanted it. Today.
No, he didn't NEED it, but it was the principle. He refused to let anyone get over on him. Ever.
Ben was a large man; 6' 4 and pushing 300 pounds. He ate well and looked as prosperous as he was. His full brown beard had gray streaks now, and his intense brown eyes put fear into most men. His hair had started thinning, so he had his barber shave it off every week.
He'd never had anyone blatantly disrespect him the way old man Rivers had; lying to his workers and avoiding them. Jimmy told Ben the man had literally run from him when he went to collect Ben's money. The old man had jumped on his horse and rode away!
Ben got directions to the farm from his foreman; he would make this collection himself.
When he arrived at the farm, one look told Benjamin, this man would not have his money. The house was leaning heavily to 1 side; there were boards missing from the porch. Ben looked around as he climbed the rickety steps.
Animals and kids of all ages, in potato sacks, were running around unattended. There were at least 5 kids, all mulatto with Cafe Olay skin and bright green eyes, so he knew they were Rivers' kids.
Rivers had come from out East to the West, like Benjamin. He had brought one of his family's slaves with him. She'd been very young and bore him all these children. Ben had heard she recently passed away; that's why he gave him some time. But when Jimmy, his foreman, reported his discreet behavior, he'd decided enough was enough.
A lot of people considered old man Rivers eccentric, to say the least, but Ben took a chance and sold him 2 steel plows. The mark up Ben charged was ridiculous, but without him, he reasoned, none of these small farmers would have access to 'modern technology'.
The door fell in as Ben knocked. He was enraged to see Rivers fall out drunk on the floor. It was 11 AM!
He stormed out of the house and went searching the property for his plows, kicking junk and debris out of his way. The kids all followed behind him, begging. They were filthy and obviously hungry. He couldn't tell which were boys and which were girls. They were covered in layers of dirt. They stunk to high heaven and all had wild, curly, hair, that was more huge than long.
Ben felt a pang of pity and he gave them his bread and salted meat. They were immediately so grateful. An older child was dividing it up amongst the brothers and sisters as Ben searched for his plows.
Finally, a child around 12 spoke to Ben.
"You looking for them iron horses?" the boy asked. "Ma' daddy sold 'em."
Been rushed back to the house, ready to do some serious harm to the old man. He jerked him off the floor and began smacking him around viciously.
"What the hell? What the hell's going on?!" Rivers stuttered, waking up. The old man sputtered to life. Coming out of his drunken stupor to a vicious beating was not a good feeling. He briefly tried to fight back.
His face immediately changed; went soft and apologetic when he saw Benjamin Andino was was his assaulter.
Rivers started immediately mumbling and apologizing. He was swaying on his feet, clothes hanging off his narrow frame. His gray hair was wild and his light blue eyes blood shot. He smelled worse than the kids.
"Ma wife died!' he sobbed, drunkenly. 'I'on know what ta do!' He cried bitterly, smelling like moonshine.
"Run your damn farm!' Ben yelled in his face. He dropped Rivers to the floor in disgust.
"I know.. I know!" Rivers said, sadly. He just laid there, looking pitiful.
"I just need a little help; a little money." Rivers whispered. "I can get the plows back! I just lent them to Lenny. I owe 'em $5. He'll brings 'em right back when he gets his $5. I'll give you ya' money, then! I just...".
River's face brightened.
"I got something for you Mr. Benjamin!" he said excitedly. "I got something real nice!"
"Grace! Grace, come here girl. I know you out there listening! Grace!" he yelled.
A very short girl stepped into the doorway.
"Yes sir?" she said, softly.
Ben glanced at her, then did a double take.
Damn. The girl was in a potato sack, and he was still blown away.
She had light brown colored skin, and light blue eyes, just like the old man's! All the other kid's eyes were green. Her hair was a wild curly mane, pulled into a big messy ponytail behind her head that hung to her mid back. Wild curls sprouted everywhere. She was gorgeous. Smooth skin, thick lips, long lashes... dainty hands and cute, bare feet. He couldn't see her body underneath the sack, but she looked too skinny. Short as she was, he reckoned she was around 100 pounds.
He became vaguely aware that Rivers was speaking.
