Can He Love Me After This

By Wanda Folk Warner

Elizabeth was very happy living on her farm with her husband, Mark and baby girl, Cassie. Everything was good until the frightful day six cowboys came to her house when her husband was gone. She spends the next four years learning to forgive the unforgivable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Jan 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781489710444

Wanda Folk Warner

Wanda Warner has been writing for personal enjoyment for many years. She has traveled through many countries and has been in almost every state in the United States. She loves history and enjoys bringing historical fictional characters to life. She lives in California with her husband, a dog, and cat.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

EARLY JUNE 1870

It was a hot and dusty midafternoon as the men urged the cattle on. They could see Dodge City in the distance, which signified the end of another long cattle run.

Red rode up to the chuck wagon, What are your plans, Cookie?

Same as always, I suppose. What about you?

Same as always, the man with bright red hair chuckled.

What are you buying her this time? Cookie questioned with a sideways grin.

She wants something pretty. I’m thinking of a necklace.

Your wife is one lucky woman, Red.

I figure if she can put up with me being gone so much, I might as well get her nice things. We don’t live near a town ya know.

Not too many towns in Indian territory.

Red rode on while Cookie started thinking.

When they got to town, all the cowboys waited around for their money. As soon as they got paid, Cookie and his five good friends wished their friend Red a safe trip home and hit the baths which were in the brothels. All but Cookie paid extra for the extended bath, which included a trip to a girls bedroom.

Cookie had a regular bath, and then hit the bar. He milked his drink for a time before walking around the streets. He always made sure to be back when the others came downstairs and joined him at the bar.

Peterson came down first. He sat down next to his brother, ordered a beer, and inquired as to what Red was getting his wife.

I was thinking Eric, Cookie started instead. It’s time I found a good woman to settle down with.

You wanna be like Red?

Yea, why not. I would like to come home to a good woman, and good cooking that doesn’t come from my hands.

That sounds nice, Mike. Maybe I could find a good woman too and be a pop. I would make a good father.

That you would, little brother.

What are you two talking about? the trail boss questioned as he sat down with the two brothers. He ordered a whiskey, and rolled a cigarette.

We’re thinking we might wanna find a nice woman, instead of hitting the brothels, Peterson informed him.

But we always hit the brothels, Livingston complained as he joined them. These women rather enjoy pleasing a man, he finished with a grin.

I’m not saying we all have to do it, Cookie explained as the rest of his friends joined the group. I was just telling Peterson here, that I’d like to find a nice woman and settle down.

No more trail runs? the boss verified.

Nothing like that. I’d just like to have a woman to come home to after the runs.

Like Red, Peterson finished.

I’d like that, Marty smiled. Get a shave and a haircut, then head home, like Red does.

I’d like to settle down too, Tracker agreed. I envy Red having a woman waiting for him after every run. How many little ones does he have now?

Four boys, two girls, and another on the way, Cookie answered.

You know, it might not be so bad coming home to a beautiful woman and little ones running up to you as you ride up, Livingston imagined with a smile.

Livingston, I can’t see you with one woman, Marty joked with a smile. "You might want to move to Utah and become a Mormon.

You can’t even stick to one woman in the brothels, Boss laughed.

If it’s the right woman, I could, Livingston replied seriously.

The six men, finished their drinks, went to the barber for shaves and haircuts to look presentable to the nice girls, and hit the streets and stores. It didn’t take long for the friends to realize there weren’t many marrying types of women in Dodge City. They gave up, and rode to several other smaller towns. They spent several weeks looking before they finally found one in a small western Kansas town.

CHAPTER 1

MID-JUNE 1870

Elizabeth peered out the kitchen window at the clear blue Western Kansas sky. She gazed at the rows of corn that hadn’t nearly gotten to their full height yet, and the wheat fields that Mark had already started cutting. Although the land was fairly flat, there wasn’t a house in sight. From the window, she could see the three barns, which were fairly close to the house, and the few animals they had in the yard. From the back door, she could see the fields, corncribs, chicken coops, and several sheds for the animals and tools.

The beautiful summer morning was going to turn into a scorcher of a day as it was already quite warm and was only going to get hotter. They were in the middle of a heat wave, and as hot as it was already, Elizabeth could tell it wasn’t going to end anytime soon.

As she cleaned up after the morning meal, she thought about her husband, Mark, with a sly smile. He was such a handsome man at twenty-six. He was a very good, hardworking, prosperous farmer. Elizabeth knew she was lucky to have a man like him. He was a strong, kind, and devoted husband, who loved her as much as she loved him. His muscular body, attractive deep blue eyes, and blond hair didn’t hurt any either, she reflected as her smile grew.

Cassie played beside her mama in the kitchen. Elizabeth watched her baby, who was just short of two years old. Mark and Elizabeth loved to watch her toddle around the house, and her funny expressions made them laugh. As Elizabeth observed Cassie, she compared her light brown hair to her own, and her dark blue eyes to Mark’s. Cassie’s eyes were the shape of Elizabeth’s, and they shared the same short, stubby nose. Elizabeth was thankful for that, since Mark had somewhat of a long, pointed nose. Cassie shared Mark’s defined chin and facial structure. She was slightly chunky, which was mostly baby fat that would slim down with age, and maybe a little taller than other babies her age. For that reason, Elizabeth thought Cassie might grow to be closer to Mark’s height of five feet nine inches instead of Elizabeth’s five feet. Elizabeth liked to talk, but had no one to communicate with for most of the day, so she gabbed to her baby. This in turn made Cassie a fairly good talker for a twenty-three month old.

Mark had to go into town this morning to fix some issues with their property. Elizabeth knew nothing of these types of things, and preferred to keep it that way. Mark had lived on the farm since 1865. He and Elizabeth had worked hard for the past five years to establish the land, which was required by the Homestead Act, so they could own their own farm.

They had a small house at first since it was just the two of them. But since the farm was doing so well, they built a larger one. They were still young at twenty-six and twenty and had plenty of time to have more children.

This house had two floors. The back door led into the kitchen from an open porch with an overhang. When the air was cooler outside, there was a bench swing on the porch they could sit on that was connected to the overhang by some chains. From the kitchen table, Elizabeth could see the swinging door that led to the sitting room. Most company, however, stayed in the kitchen. That was proper for family and good friends.

Elizabeth had just finished wiping down the counters when Mark crept up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He squeezed tightly while smelling her neck.

Mmm, you smell good this morning.

Oh, Mark, I stink.

Mama ’tinky? Cassie laughed as she wrinkled her nose.

No, Cassie, Mama smells pretty, Mark told her with a hearty laugh.

Yes, Cassie, Mama stinky, Elizabeth confessed.

Cassie ran out of the kitchen and returned with a small bottle of perfume.

Mama p’etty, Cassie announced as she handed the bottle to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth smiled as she put a dab behind her ears, a little on her neck, and a dab on each wrist. She then bent down and did the same to Cassie.

Now Cassie is pretty too, she chuckled. Go put it back, now.

Cassie ran out of the room to put the bottle away.

While she was gone, Mark gently kissed his wife’s neck. It tickled, which made her giggle and bring her shoulder up. He laughed, and then gently kissed her good-bye on the lips. He hugged her so tight she couldn’t breathe. She loved his hugs. She felt so secure in his arms, as if nothing could ever hurt her.

I’ll be home for dinner, Betty, Mark smiled.

He then picked up Cassie and tossed her into the air. Cassie squealed with delight, but clutched onto her papa when he caught her again, gasping with wide eyes. He kissed her all over her face before putting her down. Elizabeth didn’t think anyone could be happier than they were. Life was good.

Mark went outside to saddle up Cocoa, their Morgan, and rode toward town.

Elizabeth glanced around the kitchen, as this was her favorite room in the house. She loved this room with the new stove, big wooden table, inside plumbing, and lots of storage cabinets.

The stove was on the opposite wall from the front door. This allowed it to not only cook their food, but also keep the kitchen warm and toasty in the winter.

The table had a bench on either side that was big enough for three adults and a single chair on each end. The table was set in the middle of the room, toward the back door just a tad. She had a checkered tablecloth on it, and a small vase of fresh flowers she picked from the garden every morning in the middle, which she removed during meals.

Mark had made counters and cabinets for her when he built the house, and her pa had made them a china cabinet that she had put on the other side of the kitchen from the counters and stove. She didn’t have a lot to put into it, as she would get pieces of china as time went on for Christmas and such. It would be a while before she would have a full set, which was fine with her.

Just outside one of the walls, Mark had dug a well with a pipe that went through a hole in the wall that led into the kitchen. The pump was inside the house. Mark had made a hole in one of the counters under the pump that was just big enough for a bucket to fit into without dropping through. Elizabeth was able to remove the bucket to dump the water out when she was through with it.

There was a window over part of the counter by the bucket and another next to the door. Along the walls, she had barrels with food, a butter churn with a stool beside it, and a rack to hold her aprons. With all of this, there was still plenty of space to move comfortably around the room.

She would start dinner in a bit, but for now, she took off her apron and sat at the long table, watching Cassie play with the pots and pans. She started pondering the idea of Mark going to town and was glad to be home on the farm today. She thought about washing off the perfume, but the thought of having it on for Mark when he came home was more appealing.

Her family had come to Kansas from Georgia when Elizabeth was ten. She had seen the area build up from farms to a thriving town after the war, and saw how the town was becoming more violent and vulgar with the population growth in just the short five years since the war had ended. More cowboys, gamblers, and thieves were coming, and the town was earnestly catering to them. There were more brothels, dance halls, hotels, and, to her dismay, more women catering to the men’s needs. Elizabeth saw this more as their desires rather than needs, but that’s what everyone called it, so that’s how she expressed it as well.

She became uneasy about Mark heading to town with all the ruffians, but figured he could take care of himself. He didn’t stand out in a crowd and didn’t bring attention upon himself, so she figured he would be fine. But as she contemplated the situation, she realized that she hadn’t brought attention upon herself the other day either, but it had found her all the same.

A week earlier, they had gone to town because Mark had to talk to someone about their land. He had met with two neighbors who had offered to be witnesses to testify that they did, indeed, live on the land, which was another condition of the Homestead Act. Elizabeth took advantage of the trip to go to the store to get food and other necessities. She was very uncomfortable in town with all the rowdy men around. Farmers didn’t cause her to feel ill at ease, but the cowboys did. She classified all the ruffians in with cowboys since they all seemed to dress somewhat alike. The professional gamblers were the exception. They dressed very fancily, tended to stay in the bars, and left her alone. The cowboys were a much more rowdy bunch and usually a younger group of men, while the farmers, even if they were young like her and Mark, were more reserved and proper.

Before she got too far, she bumped into a young cowboy who was about twenty like herself, or perhaps a year older. He seemed to have been preoccupied, as was she. She had Cassie in one arm and was reading her list with her other hand. She hadn’t even seen him until she walked right into him.

Oh! Excuse me, She blushed as he grabbed her around the waist with one hand, and Cassie with the other, to keep them from falling.

No, no, I’m sorry, he returned the apology with a sly smile and sparkling eyes. I wasn’t paying attention.

He kept her stopped for a moment, holding onto her to steady both of them as he locked eyes with hers. She couldn’t help but notice his slightly crooked smile. His gaze never swayed from hers. His behavior caused her great displeasure since it was impolite to keep eye contact with someone. It would start a fight with a man, and meant your intentions were not the most honorable toward a female. His straight, dark brown hair came out from around his black felt hat which he wore toward the back of his head. This gave her a clear view of his dark brown eyes. As he stood over her, Elizabeth saw that he was much taller than Mark. He was probably close to, if not over, six feet and perhaps weighed a little more.

Mark has a good build for himself with all the work he does on the farm, she thought to herself. This man must do a lot of work on the trail also.

The man was polite enough, just tipped his hat when he saw that neither of them were going to fall, and nodded with a courteous, Afternoon ma’am as he stepped back to let her pass by.

She was uneasy, but tried to convince herself that she was being troubled for no reason. After all, they had just bumped into each other, and surely he was just making sure she didn’t fall or drop Cassie. Perhaps he held her a little longer than necessary, but certainly that was all. Perchance the devious smile and the direct eye contact on his face is what made her so ill at ease.

She held Cassie tighter, but at the same time tried to act proper to show she was not a daughter of sin, or more commonly called, a hurdy-gurdy girl. There were many of these women in town, and she wanted to make clear that she was definitely not one of them.

To be polite, she replied, Afternoon.

His smile broadened as she continued on her way.

She was relieved when she didn’t see him anymore, but she did almost bump into several other men who also made her feel uneasy. She had made sure to pay better attention after the first man, but wanted to go over her list before she reached the store to make sure she didn’t miss anything. Each of these men were equally polite, but kept eye contact too long, and smiled a little more when she responded with a pleasant but uncomfortable, Afternoon. She was agitated, but she didn’t want to be impolite.

One such man came into the store while she was shopping around to see what was new. He gave the traditional greeting to Mr. Smith, the storekeeper, before fastening his eyes on her. She hurried to Mr. Smith to order the items on her list to avoid staying in the store any longer than she had to. As she began to speak, she noticed the young man lean against the counter a few feet from her. As she read off her list, the young man continued to stare with an annoying grin. Mr. Smith had noticed him also. He interrupted Elizabeth politely to ask the young man if he could be of some help.

The young man kept his eyes on Elizabeth, as he responded, Just lookin’.

Elizabeth returned an irritated glare before continuing with her order. She glanced over at him a couple of times, becoming more anxious of his behavior each time. With each glance, their eyes met. He never turned away, and his smile never left his face.

He was a scrawny young cowboy, maybe a few years younger than her, and about five inches taller. His curly hair was a shade or two lighter than hers, while his light brown eyes matched hers. His tan hat hung down his back connected by a small rope. His blue jeans, chaps, and boots were very dusty, as was his shirt and vest.

Mr. Smith was an older man, with gray hair. He was only about three inches taller than Elizabeth and weighed around thirty pounds or so more than she did. She knew he didn’t want to start a fight with this young cowboy, nor did he want to lose either customer, her or this man.

Mark had told her that Mr. Smith had made several comments about not always liking the behavior of these wild boys, but they usually spent their money foolishly, not only on drink and women, but also in his store.

She noticed Mr. Smith take a deep breath to muster up his courage, then, in an authoritative voice, Sir, it would be much appreciated if you would please stop bothering Mrs. Miller.

The young man moved just his eyes toward Mr. Smith with a grin, then back to Elizabeth. I’m truly sorry to have bothered you, Mrs. Miller, he apologized with a nod.

He continued to smile as he moved away from the counter.

Elizabeth was glad Mr. Smith used Mrs., and hoped the young man, realizing she was married, would move along.

A few moments later, Cassie started laughing. Elizabeth quickly turned around to see what was so funny. She caught him playing peek-a-boo with her baby. She gawked at him curiously as he blushed and tried to pretend he was just shopping around the store. She turned back around and quickly finished her ordering.

The young man stayed in the store when she left, but another cowboy was by the front door and opened it for her. Usually, this would be just fine, but he was the fifth cowboy she had run into in just the short time she was in town who stared at her with an impish smile. She was getting very aggravated. She still gave a polite Afternoon after his greeting, but could feel him watching her as she headed toward the wagon.

Men were usually cordial in town, but they didn’t make and keep eye contact, and stare at you with a sly smile. Each time, she had to turn away, which seemed to make them smile all the more. They all made her feel very awkward, although strangers in general made her uncomfortable which was why she liked the farm. She didn’t have to converse with strangers at home.

A drunk stumbled out of the saloon almost falling on her. She stepped back quickly bumping into another man. He quickly grabbed her waist to steady her and gently moved her to the side.

The drunk grinned mischievously at her as he gazed into her eyes. Howdy ma’am, he slurred.

Before she could respond, the man behind her stepped up to the drunk and moved him back. This man was darker skinned and was wearing a black cowboy hat. He was just a tad shorter than Mark and very muscular.

Hold on, Marcus, this here’s a fine woman. She ain’t lookin’ at the likes of you. Now, go back and have another drink.

Marcus was already too drunk to realize he had already had too much, and allowed the Mexican man to push him back into the saloon.

Howdy, folks, I’m back!

Elizabeth couldn’t help but chuckle when she heard the groans of the other patrons.

He’s not so bad when he’s sober, the Mexican explained as he escorted her to the wagon. It’s just he don’t know when he’s had enough.

She was happy to see Mark waiting for her. As Mr. Smith put her items in the wagon, the Mexican helped her onto the wagon next to her husband. Mark asked her what was wrong.

Nothing, She replied. Thanked the Mexican and Mr. Smith before turning back to Mark inquiring how everything went with him.

He told her he had to come back in a week to sign more papers. This was why he was going to town now.

On the way home, Mark had started laughing. When she questioned why he was laughing, he had replied, I saw you walk right into that man. Is that why you were upset?

I almost bumped into several men, Mark, she had answered. It was very disturbing.

Betty, she cringed as she recalled him laughing harder, that man was just standing there. You walked right into him! He’s a wall! He’s taller than I am, and I tower over you. How did you not see him?

I was looking over my list! she had shot back. She couldn’t help but giggle as she recalled the conversation and his laughter.

Elizabeth couldn’t get the other day out of her mind, so she took Cassie into the sitting room, sat down on her rocking chair, and started reading a book to her. It was a simple alphabet book that Elizabeth had made. Cassie loved books and loved to hear stories.

When she read, E is for eggs we get from the chickens, she jumped with a start as someone started banging on the back door. She put Cassie down and started for the door as the pounding became more urgent.

As she hurried through the door that led to the kitchen, she heard a man yell frantically, Help, my friend’s hurt! I need your help!

She immediately noticed the cowboy’s face pressed up against the screen door as their eyes met. She knew the man was aware she was home. She glanced at Cassie worriedly who gazed up at her trustingly. Elizabeth knew she had to help this man.

Quickly, Elizabeth slipped on a pair of boots without tying them and ran outside. She hastily searched the area, but no one besides this man was in sight.

She cautiously inquired, Where is he?

The man seemed very worried and concerned as he pointed, He’s in the barn. Come quick! He’s hurt real bad!

Elizabeth didn’t question the man’s validity, instead she inquired, What happened? as she followed him to the biggest barn.

It wasn’t far, so there wasn’t any time to answer before they arrived at the barn door.

Elizabeth quickly hurried in and saw a man lying in the hay as if he had been put there. She hastily reasoned that he must have been carried by this other man and lain down on the hay before the first man came to get help. Elizabeth didn’t see any blood, which was a good sign, but he wasn’t moving which concerned her. As she eased toward him, she quickly took in everything about this man to figure out what was wrong and how to fix it. Elizabeth immediately realized that the man on the hay was the same man she had literally bumped into in town. She became weary a little too late, for, when she turned back to the man behind her, he was closing the barn door!

She immediately turned back to the man lying in the hay. He sat up with his slightly crooked smile and a sparkle in his eyes, Afternoon ma’am, he snickered.

She froze as she heard the barn door lock.

CHAPTER 2

Oh dear God! Elizabeth prayed to herself. She had heard of incidences where women were forced to please a man or found dead when their husband came home, but she never thought it would happen to her. She couldn’t move. Her whole body froze with fright.

Show no fear, show no fear… she breathed to herself over and over. She knew she was in trouble, but then she thought of Cassie! Cassie was still in the house, or was she? Elizabeth mumbled a short prayer that she was in the house and would stay there. She couldn’t recollect if she had closed the door when she followed this man and feared Cassie might wander off.

The man on the hay stood up as well as anyone could. He brushed himself off with his black, felt hat by hitting it against his legs, arms, and chest. As he put it on, she knew beyond any doubt that this was indeed the man she had bumped into in town.

The man at the door started inching toward her. Elizabeth felt her heart drop to her feet, but knew she had better do something quick, or she was going to be violated or killed or both!

Show no fear, show no fear…she continued to remind herself. Elizabeth knew that no one could think if they let fear take over, and she really needed to be able to think right now.

As she hastily glanced around, she noticed Mark’s pitchfork propped up against a pole that was somewhat close to her. She ran toward it, but by the time she grabbed it, the first man, who had run after her to keep her from getting a weapon, was almost touching her. He quickly jumped back with his hands up to block the pitchfork when she swung it around toward him.

His smile faded quickly as he exclaimed, Whoa! Hold on there, little miss. But it returned just as swift.

The other man chuckled, She almost gotcha there, Cookie.

Elizabeth took this opportunity to really observe the two men. Both men were tan and muscular. The man called Cookie wore a tan cowboy hat that came down toward his eyes to where she couldn’t see them. His light brown hair, which curled around his hat, was a shade or two lighter then hers. He was just a little shorter than Mark but not by much, and probably just a few years younger, maybe twenty-four.

She now noticed the rough oval face of the man she had bumped into and his strong defined chin. Elizabeth also noticed how strong these two men were, and became more frightened, as she wondered how she would be able to fight them off.

Even though Mr. Cookie backed up, the man from town slowly crept forward.

Get back or I’ll kill you, she hissed determinedly with a glare to match as she pushed the pitchfork toward him. She needed him to know that she meant business and would really kill him.

Okay, Okay, he complied verbally, but continued to move forward slowly, never letting the smile leave his face and never taking his eyes off hers.

She wanted desperately to turn away since she had been taught to never keep eye contact with a man like this, but she knew he would grab her only weapon as soon as she allowed her eyes to wander. She held on to the pitchfork tighter. Her heart was still in her stomach and she still felt somewhat frozen. She knew she had to be ready to act and actually kill a man, possibly two.

"Watch it, Tracker. She will stab you with that," Cookie warned from almost behind her.

Elizabeth quickly turned around to see what Mr. Cookie was doing and then forward again to Mr. Tracker.

Tracker stopped. Elizabeth knew she had better do something quick. She hadn’t realized that Mr. Cookie was quickly coming up behind her.

Take off your guns and throw them over here, she demanded as she turned so she could watch them both. She wasn’t sure where the confidence came from, but she was glad it was there.

They both immediately unhooked their holsters, but instead of throwing the guns to her, they threw them the other way.

I said toward me! she shrieked, with a little more fear in her voice than she wanted.

You must think we’re muttonheads, Cookie laughed.

Show no fear, show no fear…she repeated in her head, wondering what she should do, and trying desperately to push the fear away.

She got up her courage again and demanded, Open the door. We’re going to the house. When my husband gets home, we’re taking you to the sheriff.

Both men glanced at each other as they shrugged their shoulders with a grin and started toward the door.

Before they could open it, someone started banging on it.

All three stopped.

Y’all done in there? a man from outside called out.

Yeah, Tracker answered flatly while gazing at Elizabeth, we’re coming out.

They heard the door unlatch from the other side and open slowly. There stood four more men on the other side. Elizabeth’s eyes widened, as she gasped and her knees started to buckle.

Oh my dear Lord, she whispered. It was all she could say as she dropped the pitchfork.

The other men started snickering.

Tough one? a man asked as he threw down his cigarette and gave Cookie a playful punch. Don’t worry, he continued with a laugh, we’ll take care of that.

The men continued snickering while Cookie and Tracker picked up their guns. Elizabeth felt sick and weak in the knees. She didn’t know how her legs were going to hold her.

They all turned toward the house without another word. Elizabeth knew she had no choice but to follow when the two youngest men moved behind her, Tracker and another man with dark skin stepped on either side of her, and Cookie and the oldest man, led in front of her. Elizabeth stared at the ground. She knew she had been defeated. She would take on two men, but not six.

As they headed toward the house, Tracker asked if they had better luck on their end.

The oldest man laughed, Yeah, it’s all taken care of.

Elizabeth wondered what that meant, but wasn’t about to ask. All she could think of was that there must have been another woman, possibly one of her neighbors, who had been made to please these men or worse. She couldn’t think of why they were all now here and why they were all going to her house?

Is that why they laughed and were so compliant about going to the house? Is that what they wanted anyway? she wondered.

As they neared the house, they saw Cassie watching out the door. Thank you Lord, she didn’t run off, Elizabeth prayed silently. It would be impossible for her to go search for her. As they entered through the door, she was horrified as one of the younger men picked up Cassie and tossed her up in the air. She squealed with delight and gasped while clutching hold of him with wide eyes when he caught her.

What a beautiful little girl, he acknowledged with a sincere smile as Cassie reached for his white hat.

She wanted to grab Cassie and run, but she was afraid. An angry, Thank you came out of her mouth instead. Please don’t pick her up again, she added harshly.

Completely ignoring her tone of voice, he put her down and asked, What’s her name?

Elizabeth hesitated. She didn’t want to tell him, but all eyes were on her, so she replied, Cassie…uh…Cassieanna she corrected. It was too late. They knew right away what they called her. Elizabeth promptly turned away as anger mixed with her fear. Cassie was Mark’s daughter, not this man’s. He shouldn’t be picking up another man’s child.

The men sat down at her beautiful table without being asked. She thought the whole sight was disgusting. She hated these men and wished Mark would come home and force them out of here.