The Life and Times Of Ralf Wylde! Chapter 9


Having made love until the wee hours of the morning, Rachael and Vincent slept until noon the following day.


Rachael woke up and turned toward Vincent.
"Good morning", he said.
"Good morning? It's almost afternoon", she said.
"Time is unimportant. We can stay in bed all day if we want", he teased.
"Maybe you can, but I've got work to do", she said.


"What's so important that you don't have time to give me a kiss?", he asked.
"I have to fix us something to eat. Aren't you hungry? I'm starving", she said.


Vincent gave her a long lingering kiss.


"I'm going to take a bath while you're fixing our meal", he said.
"Alright but don't take too long", she said.


Vincent took a quick bath, not wanting to displease Rachael.


"It's ready", she said, "Have a seat and I'll serve it."


"Will you be going to visit your daughters tomorrow?", he asked.
"Yes, you know I go every Sunday. They catch me up on the latest gossip", she said.
"And what would that be?", asked Vincent.
"Oh just the usual little things. Did you know that Jonathan Fenton's wife had a baby boy a few weeks ago?", she asked.
"Really, they must be happy about that. Is the child healthy?", he asked.
"I guess he's as healthy as can be expected with the conditions being as they are", said Rachael.


After they finished their meal, Vincent hugged Rachael and said "It's a beautiful day. Let's go sit in the garden."
"Vincent I have some cleaning to do today", she said.

There was a knock at the kitchen door. Rachael looked out and saw her daughter Beatrix standing on the stoop.
"It's my daughter", she told Vincent.
"Well ask her to come in", he said.


As soon as Beatrix stepped into the kitchen she said "Mother, Sarah Wylde died this morning."
"Oh no", said Rachael, "I had hoped she would get better."


"Lord Vincent, this is my daughter Beatrix. She came to tell me Ralf Wylde's wife died this morning", said Rachael.
"Ralf told me she was in bad health", he said, "I didn't realize how bad.".


"May I go back to Willow Creek with Beatrix? I'd like to be there for Sarah's family and my neighbors", she said.
"Yes of course", he said, "Be sure to give Ralf my condolences."
"Why don't you come and deliver them yourself?", she said.


Then Lord Vincent, Rachael and Beatrix left to go to the peasant village


Over at Willow Creek Ralf was planting some purple flowers on Sarah's grave. Purple had been her favorite color.


He stood at the grave and mourned for his wife. Ralf had been a good and faithful husband to Sarah for nineteen years, except for that one time with Anne Fenton.


Seeing Ralf standing alone by Sarah's grave, Anne came over to chat with him.
"Ralf if you get lonely and want to . . . well you know. I'm available.


"Don't you be talking like that right here at Sarah's grave. Your Jonathan ain't dead. Try being a good wife to him for a change. You're lucky to have somebody like him who accepts Caleb as his own. I don't know if I could have done it!", shouted Ralf.

To be continued . . .