Beauty And The Beast (Love Everlasting) Read online

  Beauty and the Beast

  (Love Everlasting)

  Written by Teresa Ives Lilly

  ~

  For everyone who believes in true love,

  which appreciates true inner beauty

  .

  1

  1861 Dobytown, Nebraska

  Griffin stared at his face in the small looking glass and growled. The revolting scar etched across his cheek was only a reminder of his own foolishness.

  Five years earlier, at age twenty-two, he’d been the son of a wealthy man, living in the lap of luxury and courting the fair-haired angel girl of his dreams until the evening he’d found her in the garden in the arms of his (or so he thought) best friend.

  Griffin had blindly attacked the other man without thought. Unfortunately, his friend was forced to defend himself with the stiletto he kept hidden in his boot.

  It was only after the fight, after the stitches on his face, Griffin learned she had been there only to console the man who had just lost his dear grandfather. The cold words she spoke to him at their last meeting had taken deep root in his soul. “You are a beast. A selfish and spoiled child. You will never find love again until you realize these things about yourself.”

  And with that, she was gone. His dreams of home, family and love all ripped away, leaving him a lonely, empty, scarred shell.

  For the next month, he’d stayed hidden away in his parents’ mansion, becoming an unapproachable monster of a man.

  Will I ever be able to control my anger? he often wondered, or is my life destined to be spent alone, like a caged beast?

  Finally, his father insisted Griffin leave home and attempt to make a life for himself. To save his family from further embarrassment, Griffin agreed and made plans to travel west, there to seek his own fortune.

  With a small loan from his father, Griffin moved to Dobytown, Nebraska, and opened a general store, which catered to families traveling west and to miners who were seeking gold in Colorado and California. With the 1859 Pikes Peak Gold Rush, he had quickly gained wealth selling to the miners. He was now one of the wealthiest men in town, but he was still alone. His scarred face and hardened exterior kept others at a distance from him. Women often turned in disgust, and children ran away in terror. He had no meaningful relationships, and his soul grew darker.

  It’s true what she said. I will never find love again.

  Griffin growled, and then he slammed the looking glass face down on the dresser. It shattered.

  2

  1861 Columbus, Nebraska

  Izzy stood on the porch of a small farmer’s shack and stared out at the dead crops with a sigh. There was no hope of replanting this year. Since her Pa’s departure, she’d scrimped along on the last few coins he’d left behind, but those too were almost gone.

  She wanted to cry, but there was no use. Her Pa promised to come home soon, with a pile of gold, but Izzy’d given up on that dream. His last letter, written by the hand of a fellow miner, was dated three months ago.

  If only he would just come home at all, Lord. We could start small, plant a garden, just to survive the winter. Then next spring…

  Her prayers were all that kept Izzy going each day. Watching and waiting for her Pa’s return. Had it really been two years already?

  When the wagon trains traveling west had begun to pepper the horizon, her Pa had discovered there was a gold strike in Colorado. He’d sold the team of oxen, bought a pack mule and headed west. Leaving behind his nineteen-year-old daughter with a promise to bring her home gifts of silk and gold.

  Izzy looked down at the small bush beside the porch, which her mother had planted the year before she died. It too was dry and dying. No roses had bloomed this year, which was sad because Izzy truly loved roses.

  What if he never returns? The thought frightened her. She had no friends or family to turn to. She was all alone.

  The town of Columbus was a three-mile walk, but only sixteen people lived in town. Luckily, there was a small store where she’d been able to purchase flour and sugar enough to keep herself alive. She’d learned to hunt for small game and to fish; and she did have a few chickens that, from time to time, would leave an egg for her to enjoy.

  But supplies were running dangerously low, along with her coins.

  I only have enough money and food to last another month, and then I too will wilt and die. Please, Lord, send my Pa home.

  The sunlight on her face was warm, and she was encouraged again. God would not leave her nor forsake her. Her Pa would soon be home.

  3

  1861 Dobytown, Nebraska

  The old man trudged into Dobytown. It wasn’t much of a town, only a scattered twelve to fifteen adobe buildings, but he hoped to find some food. It’d been three days since his mule died. Since then, he’d been on foot, without food.

  His eyes scanned the makeshift town. With a frown, he pushed forward. Dusk had turned into darkness, and he was unable to make out the crude wooden signs over the adobe doors. He remembered passing through this town on the way to the gold fields. At the time, though, he had plenty of supplies and was confident that he would be one of the men to strike it rich. However, two years of manual labor had given him little return. Not even enough money to pay for another year’s seed on the farm.

  He shook his head sadly. All the promises he’d made to Izzy had not come to pass, and he knew, without money, she could no longer survive on the farm alone. He’d bundled his pitiful belongings onto the mule and headed back home, only to have the mule die miles from any town.

  He stood silent in the darkness, trying to get his bearings, but from the look of the town, he didn’t expect to find a welcoming farmhouse or eatery.

  His shoulders sagged, and he moved closer to the buildings, squinting to see if any of the signs had pictures or letters he knew to indicate what they were. Finally, he found a sign with words that began with “G and S”. He shuffled to the door and tried to enter, but it wouldn’t open.

  I’m defeated, Lord. I know you impressed on me that seeking gold was a fool’s errand, but I tried anyways; and now I probably won’t be able to make it home. With no mule, no food and no money, I can’t travel the last hundred miles. I’ve little to show for the years I’ve been away. Will I die here in Dobytown?

  He leaned his head against the glass window of the general store. He could see inside the dim building. There were canned items, sacks of beans, and warm blankets on the shelves.

  Everything a man needs to survive,

  The man trudged around the building, finding his way in the dark by keeping one hand on the building at all times. He finally reached the back door. It too was locked, but with one last burst of energy, he smashed a shoulder into the door, and it flew open. He tumbled in, falling on the cold, wooden floor.

  For several moments, he lay still, shivering. Then slowly, he stood and began to make his way to the front of the store. When he reached the shelves, he pulled a blanket off and wrapped it around his shoulders, then began to pull down items he could eat.

  After satisfying his belly, the man rested on the counter where he noted a small glass case. Inside were several brooches. One, a beautiful, single pink rose.

  I must have this for Izzy.

  He reached out a trembling hand, opened the case and snatched the rose brooch. He tucked it into his pant pocket, closed the case and slipped down beside the counter where he fell into an exhausted sleep.

  ~

  Griffin frowned at the back door. He was sure he’d locked it the night before, but now it stood ajar. He stepped inside and moved toward the front, suddenly tripping over a bundle of old blankets on the floor.

&
nbsp; “Umph.” The sound came from the heap.

  “What?”

  Griffin stepped closer and pulled back the edge of the blanket to reveal a thin, bearded man.

  Griffin growled. “What are you doing in my store?” He reached out and grabbed the man by the collar, drawing his face close.

  The man’s eyes opened, then suddenly filled with fear as he stared at Griffin’s face.

  Griffin released him and straightened, turning his scarred cheek away. “I asked what you are doing in my store.”

  The man sat up then stood, his body weak and shaking.

  “I was starving; I was cold. If I hadn’t broken in, you would have found me dead by the front door.

  “That’s none of my concern. What are you? A miner?”

  The grey haired man’s head nodded slowly.

  “Let me guess. You came west to strike it rich, but you’ve had nothing but bad luck. Now you think you have the right to steal from me? Well, I’m not going to take it. I’ve had enough of you bums, coming in from the mining fields. It’s not my fault you were a fool.”

  The old man slumped again with a nod. “You’re absolutely right. I was a fool. Didn’t listen to Izzy and wouldn’t even heed the warnings from God.”

  Something of truth rang out in the man’s word. Griffin took a deep breath and tried to relax. He ran a hand through his chestnut colored, shaggy hair.

  “I guess I can have you work to pay off the things you took. But from the looks of things, you ate so much food it’ll take a month for you to pay your debt.”

  “I can’t stay. If you let me go, once I get the money, I’ll send you the price of what I’ve taken.” The scraggly man stood again, leaving the blanket on the floor. He took a step away from the counter. He looked like a tower about to topple over.

  “Old man, you are in no condition to go anywhere.” Griffin reached out and grasped the man’s shoulders to keep him from falling over then felt the heat radiating from him. “You’re burning up with fever. I best get you to the doctor.”

  “No, no,” he tried to pull away but was too weak to fight the large monster of a man. “I’ve got to get home to Izzy. She’s out of money. There are no crops. There’s no place she can get a job. If I don’t go home and help her, she’s going to starve.”

  Griffin assumed the man was referring to a wife he’d left behind. “You aren’t going to make it home in this condition. Sorry, but you have to get some doctoring.”

  Griffin placed a steady hand under the man’s arm and steered him toward the door. “The doctor’s office is right next door.”

  The older man tried to protest, but his strength was completely gone. “What about Izzy?”

  “I’ll send for her. Looks to me like you are going to take some mending. She can help.”

  “But, I haven’t got any money to send for her. I haven’t got a place to stay.”

  A muscle twitched in Griffins cheek, a sure sign he was about to explode.

  “You say she can’t survive if she stays where she is so it’s best she comes here. I’ll allow her to work for me and pay off your bill. I’ll add the cost of the stagecoach passage for her to the bill. I’ve got some extra rooms above the general store where you both can stay.”

  The old man’s feet stopped moving, and he stared at Griffin for a moment then smiled. “Hmm, at first I was a bit afraid of you, with that scar and all, but now I see you aren’t a monster. You’re more like an angel of mercy.”

  Griffin smiled grimly at the thought.

  “Come on; I need to get you to the doctor.”

  “But how will Izzy get here?”

  “I want you to write her a message I can send with a ticket for the stagecoach. Do you think she’ll come?”

  “’Course; she wouldn’t dream of disobeying me.”

  Griffin’s brows drew together. He wondered if the man was worth helping at all. Perhaps Izzy was better off without him.

  The man began to shake again, and Griffin pressed him to move along. There was nothing else for him to do but get the man to the doctor and send for his wife.

  When they stepped into the doctor’s office, a tall, lanky gentleman stood, surprise written across his face.

  “Doc, I found this man in my shop. By the heat coming from his body, I’d say he’s mighty sick.”

  The doctor looked confused. “Found him in your shop? Is he a thief? Best take him to the jail.”

  Griffin’s lips pressed together in a thin line, and the doctor’s attitude changed. With a gulp, he said, “But, if you want me to have a look, of course. Bring him over to the table.”

  Griffin sat the man down at a desk first. “I need him to write a message first,” his voice deep and dark.

  The doctor rushed over, pulled a piece of parchment out of the drawer, but the man shook his head.

  “I can’t read or write too good.”

  Griffin slammed a hand down on the table.

  The man gulped. “I’ll just tell you what to say, and you write it.”

  Griffin took the paper and began to print:

  Dear Izzy…

  4

  Columbus, Nebraska

  Izzy’s hand shook as she stood holding the letter, which had been written by a person named Griffin, from Dobytown, Nebraska. According to the missive, her Pa was gravely ill, and there was a stagecoach ticket included for her to use as soon as possible to come and care for him. If she hadn’t come to town to purchase the last supplies she could afford, she wouldn’t have received the letter at all. She crushed it to her chest in wonder. Surely, he must be very sick to have sent for her, especially after two long years in which he’d survived the hardships of a mining camp.

  Without further thought, she turned back into the small store and asked when the next stagecoach was due.

  With that knowledge, Izzy hurried back home to begin her packing. There was little she owned, but the house needed to be closed down since she had no idea how long it would be before she returned.

  She couldn’t help but feel a small flutter of excitement in her chest. She’d never been further away from home than the three-mile walk to town. But she wondered how long she would be gone. If it were too long, someone might move in and take over.

  ~

  Izzy’s heart raced as she looked out the window of the stagecoach. Dobytown and the scattered buildings, all made of adobe, offered no hint of friendliness.

  She grasped her small suitcase’s handle, sat back with closed eyes and prayed.

  Lord, is this part of your plan for my life? Was it right for me to come here?

  The stagecoach entered town and came to a stop. Dust swirled all around the windows. Izzy sat still, her heart pounding. In a few minutes, the driver had safely tied the horses to a post and opened the stagecoach door.

  The other passengers pressed to get out of the hot coach. Finally, Izzy leaned forward, placed a hand on the edge of the door and pulled herself out. She had barely stepped onto the wooden walkway, which ran in front of the nearest building, when the door to the coach was closed and the driver was back on the seat whipping the horses with a loud, “Gidd-up.”

  Izzy found herself coughing in the swirl of dust left behind. She watched as the stagecoach disappeared and felt a tightening in her chest.

  I’m alone now, Lord. What if my Pa already died? What if it’s all a hoax of some sort and he’s not even here?

  She scanned the area, wondering if this Griffin person would be waiting for her? There were several men standing around. Just then a large man stepped out of the general store. The movement caught her eye. He seemed a giant, compared to the others. With thick, wavy brown hair and a wide chest. He reminded her more of a bear than a man.

  When the man turned his head, his eyes met hers and seemed to bore right through her. She lifted her hand and covered her mouth as a small gasp came out. His very being emanated strength, something her Pa’s presence had never done.

  The man began to move across the mud
filled street, his eyes locked on hers.

  As he drew closer, she felt herself stepping back, as if his presence alone were pressing against her. When he was a step away from her, she lifted her head and, with startled eyes, moved back several steps. Unfortunately, she had moved beyond the wooden walkway. Suddenly, Izzy found her arms flailing all around and her body falling.

  ~

  Griffin stomped around the general store, glaring at his customers and slapping their purchases on the counter. The word “Beast” touched his ears several times as the people whispered to one another about him.

  I’ve got to get control. I’ve been trying to convince my customers I’m not a monster, but my attitude today only confirms their worst thoughts.

  He stepped over to the glass window and peered out, wondering when the stagecoach would arrive. Frederick, the man who had recently robbed his store, laid deathly ill in the doctor’s office. It could be minutes or days, but he was sure to die.

  And I was foolish enough to send for his wife. What will she do if he dies before she gets here? What will she do if he dies once she gets here? From what he told me, she was out of money and had nothing left. But I’m sure she had friends who could help her. What will she do here, in this Godforsaken town?

  As he stood there, he heard the sound of an approaching coach. He watched as the stagecoach pulled to a stop across the street. He was unable to see the passengers as they got out so he waited.

  What will Frederick’s wife look like? Old and grey? Someone frail? Will she have the strength to handle his death?

  The stagecoach driver jumped on the seat, clicked the reins, and the horses trotted off. Griffin squinted so he could see more clearly. It appeared three passengers had gotten out. Two men and one woman. He could only see her from the back, but something didn’t seem right. Her hair, which streamed down her back, was not grey. It was a deep mahogany.

  Griffin grabbed a jacket off the nearby hook and headed out the door. When he stepped onto the walkway in front of his store, he decided she couldn’t possibly be the old man’s Izzy. She was obviously much too young. He was about to re-enter the store, but something made him stop and turn again. He lifted his head, and his eyes fell on her face.