I looked up from my desk as I heard shouting in the streets. It was just before lunchtime, and people sounded as if they were scared for their life. Walking over to the door to my office, I hear someone calling out my name from the main sales area. Rushing out, I meet with Davis, one of my sales clerks, in the hallway to the sales floor.
"Miss Abigail, we need to lock up and throw the shutters," He said as he locked the back door next to my office.
"Davis, please slow down, and will you tell me what all the shouting and noise is about?" I asked as I headed to the main sales floor.
"Miss Abigail, members of the Klan are running wild through town and are causing trouble," He said while shutting the blinds in the back of the store.
I turned around and went back to my office and grabbed my shotgun out of my office, and as a second thought, I also grabbed my pistol from my desk. Thankfully, I listened to my fiancé Marcus and kept them both loaded. Walking through the hallway, on my way through the main sales floor of my store, I saw a few town folks hiding in the store, looking out of the front windows. Walking right to the door, I was ready to go out and protect the store and the people inside when Davis asked me where I was going.
I smiled and said, "Davis dear, please bring these wonderful people some tea. Daddy taught me that you stand up to the bullies and do not tolerate this nonsense."
"Ma'am, Mr. Marcus will have my head if I let you out there on your own," Davis said
"Now, Davis, I will deal with Mr. Marcus, and you just take care of the people we have inside," I said as I stopped and grabbed the shotgun from under the counter. Handing it to Davis, "If anyone gets past me and comes in to try to harm any of these people, you shoot first, and we will get you to safety."
I walked to the door, took a breath, and walked outside. Looking around, I saw the Klan members going after everyone in town. Across from my store, I saw some Klan members trying to get into the school, which I knew was full of the town's children at this time of day. I raised my gun and took a shot at the bell right above the door. That was enough to get them to turn around.
"That was a warning shot. I will shoot you if you do not leave the school now." I yelled. Raising the shotgun again, I aimed at the first of the two on the stairs. "You know who I am, and you know I will shoot again. It's your choice, but you are not getting into that school."
I heard the men under the hoods yell something a lady would not repeat to polite society and ran off. I looked around and started to wonder where Marcus and the rest of the local sheriffs were. Then it dawned on me this has to be a distraction. Marcus said the Sheriffs were onto a local gang, and things were getting heated. I started worrying about Marcus when I saw him and a few other sheriffs coming down the walkway.
"Abigail, you should be inside," Marcus yelled to me.
"You want me to miss out on shooting practice?" I called back. "I thought you wanted me to be able to defend myself?"
"Abigail, I have no doubt you could defend yourself. However, the Klan is not something to be playing with."
I held my hand up, "Stop right there. Two of those Klan members were trying to get into the schoolhouse. Mrs. Sadie was in there with the kids. I was not allowing them to hurt anyone. Although if one of you would be so kind as to check on them and make sure I didn't break the bell, I would be thankful?"
Colin smiled and said, "Marcus, Mrs. Abigail sure did our job for us. But may I ask why you shot the bell?"
"Well, Colin. that's easy." I said as I gave a big smile, "Daddy always said to give at least one warning shot before I aimed for their heads."
Marcus groaned and walked into the store. I heard him tell everyone the danger was over, and they could continue their day. I saw Davis behind the counter chatting with one of his neighbors. Both looked very worried, "Davis, why don't you take the rest of the day and check on your family? Go ahead and get some sweets for the children and some tea for Milly. I am sure that will make them feel a little better. If you see any signs of trouble, you return here, and you all will stay with me. Mr. Reginald, I hope you are doing okay through all this too."
Reginald gave me his best smile, although I knew it was hard for him, "Mrs. Abigail, I am thankful for your store letting me in. I was heading this way to pay on the credit you extended me and to get Hannah some things she requested. Those Klan members are nothing but trouble. You do not understand how important you are to our community."
"That's kind to say, Reginald. You know you will always be welcome in my store. Also, let me know when your crops come in. As you know, I will always be glad to buy some of your wheat and grain. Your wheat is always sought after by all of my customers who buy it."
Reginald smiled, "Thank you, Miss Abigail. I do appreciate these kind words. I work hard for what I do. I am glad that everyone likes the wheat, and I will sell it when the time comes after Hannah gets her supply for the year first. Now, as you know, my reading skills are not the best. Can you make out Hannah's writing? I do not want to forget anything."
I put out my hand for the list, smiling. "Of course, Reginald, I would not want to see you getting into trouble with Hannah. Let me get the items you need."
I went through the list and packaged all of the items that Hannah had requested. I also added some candy for the kids and Hannah. I also added some tea and coffee to calm the family's nerves. When finished, I handed Reginald his family's items. I turned and gave a package to Davis as I said, "That is something for you and Milly as well."
"Miss Abigail, there is no need to give me anything extra," Davis said, "You know how I feel about that."
"Now, Davis," I said calmly. "This is not charity for you or Reginald. These are extra treats courtesy of me as a gesture of friendship and goodwill. I added some sweets, tea, and coffee to both bundles. Also, you mentioned you wanted to bring some salt pork home for Milly to make her pork and beans. Consider it a bonus for being so fast and getting everyone into the store to protect them."
"Well, Miss Abigail," Reginald started as he handed me his payment. "This is for my list, and I will make sure the children come in and thank you properly later this week. It is much appreciated."
Reginald looked at Davis, "Well, young man, why don't we head home to our families and check to see they are not frightened."
"Are you sure you don't need me, Miss Abigail?" Davis asked.
"She will be fine, Davis," Marcus said, coming around the corner. "I will help her with moving anything she needs to have moved. You are fine for the day. Unless you gentleman want me to escort you to your homes?"
"No Sir," Reginald said. "My wagon is around back, and we will be fine. Thank you for the offer. It is so good to have such compassionate people in our town."
After Davis and Reginald left, I started working around the shop, and Marcus said from behind the counter, "So, my love, when do you think we are going to get married?"
I turned towards him with a smile and said, "I thought you wanted to wait till your family could make it to town?"
"I did," He said sadly, "However, my mother and stepfather keep making excuses, and I am sick of delaying it any longer. I am thinking you and I set a date. Plan the wedding, and I will send them a wire asking them to come. If they do not come, it's on them. Since my sister married, it's always been about Sarah and her husband. I feel like if they cared, they would come."
Walking over, I put my arms around Marcus and said, "Well, I care, so let's plan our wedding."
Marcus kissed me and said, "How about the end of August? That gives us enough time to honeymoon before the holiday season and harvest starts."
Looking over the calendar, I said, "The last day of August is on a Saturday. So go ahead and send the wire to your parents. Let's see what they decide."
Marcus helped me organize the store and write plans for the wedding for the rest of the day. He took a few minutes to write what he wanted to have wired to his parents as an invite to the wedding. After we ate dinner, he headed home, and I checked the store and house, checking everything was locked, and headed to bed."
The following morning, I woke up to find Marcus waiting outside the store with pastries from the town bakery. As I started to ready the store for the day's business, Davis arrived and checked in with the farmers waiting to deliver their goods. I heard Farmer Grant yelling at Davis, and I walked over to see what the issue was.
"Farmer Grant, is there a reason why you're louder than the choir on Sunday right now?" I asked, coming up next to Davis.
"Your clerk," He spit out, "Is trying to say he did not get any deliveries from me yesterday."
Looking at the log sheet, I smiled and said, "That's correct, Farmer Grant. I accepted all the deliveries yesterday, and you did not come in."
He raised his hand, pointing at me, and said, "Listen to me, lady. I will not have a darkie or a woman tell me I was not here."
I got in his face and said, "Farmer Grant, you can leave now and take your produce. You are no longer selling through my store after your behavior."
He screamed, "You can't do that. I have a family to feed."
Quietly, I said, "You are trying to steal from me and accuse a trusted employee and friend of theft. I am asking you to leave and take your belongings. If you prefer to argue with me, I will call the local law to remove you."
He stepped closer and said, "Do you know who I am, little girl?"
Smiling, I said, "You are the man who is leaving and will not return. I know now you were not here yesterday as I never saw you. Also, most of your fellow farmers use the back porch to talk and smoke your tobacco after you finish your deliveries. You would have seen me taking a shot at the Klan members trying to get into the school. If I am not afraid to fire shots at the Klan, do you think I am scared of you?"
Farmer Grant stepped back and said, "You know, little girl, you are gonna make a lot of enemies if you don't back down."
Raising my head, I said, "I would rather make an enemy instead of a fake friend, sir. Now you are finished causing a scene, I am asking you to leave and take your goods with you."
Farmer Grant grabbed his boxes and went to his wagon. I walked over to Davis and said, "Are you okay?"
Davis smiled and said, "Abigail, you are braver than most men. There have been rumors about that man and the gatherings he holds on his farm."
Nodding, I said, "Of the white robe variety?"
Davis nodded and walked to the store room to get more stock while I finished accepting the deliveries. I knew he was nervous to say anything as times are difficult and tensions are high. Marcus returned a while later, and one of the local farmers took Marcus outside and spoke to him about my stand-off with Farmer Grant. When Marcus came in, he asked Davis to watch the counter so he could discuss with me what he heard. When we closed the office door, he said, "Abigail, did Farmer Grant threaten you?"
Laughing, I said, "Not really, but I did throw him out of the store because he accused Davis of lying, looking down on me for being a woman, and in general being an awful man."
Marcus closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge to his nose, "My dear sweet love, you do realize that Farmer Grant is a possible Klan member?"
I took his hand and said, "Marcus, I am aware of his affiliations, and I am also aware of who most of the Klan members in town are. However, when it comes to business, I will not and will never bow down to a bully or a racist. He not only tried to say it was Davis who was taking in deliveries but lied about him stealing. I stood my ground."
There was a knock on the door to the office, and Davis opened it and said, "Miss Abigail, we have a problem."
"What's going on?" I asked.
"There is a fully hooded Klan member in front of the store, and he requested to speak with you," Davis said. "What are we going to do?"
Smiling, I said, "Well, I will have a chat with him. Do not worry. Davis, if you feel uncomfortable, I will ask you to stay with Marcus."
I walked through the store, and the customers looked worried, "Relax everybody, and enjoy your shopping. I will deal with our guest."
Walking out of the store, I looked down and saw the shoes the Klan member was wearing, and I knew right away who it was and said, "Good Afternoon, you wanted to have a word with me?"
"Miss, we have been informed you lied to a farmer today and banned him from the store. I want you to clarify this and have you reinstate him to sell to you again," He said, "We don't want any issues."
"Sir Farmer Grant lied about who checked him in yesterday. My assistant was not even here yesterday until after all deliveries arrived, and Farmer Grant never came to deliver to my store." I started, "So he lied and accused someone of theft when I was the one who took deliveries. I also have my farmers sign when they are paid or take credit. He wanted to lie and cause a show, so he was not allowed back in my store. If you have a problem with that, why don't you remove your hood and face me instead of a coward, as I already know who you are."
"Are you threatening me, Abigail?" He said.
"Threatening?" I said, "No educating you. I will not have you threatening, harassing, or bullying when he is wrong. His wife can continue to shop here, but he will no longer be allowed to sell at my store. There are consequences for actions, and he will be subject to them. If he sent you to start trouble, I may say he could have been in town. However, he did not come here. You forget I am my father's daughter. I see and know more than I let on. Now, I would like to get back to my customers."
Turning to walk away, he said, "Are you sure about your decision?"
As I walked over, I looked around to ensure no one could hear me whisper, "Carl Phillips, does your wife know where you are and what you are doing? Especially since she hates the Klan with a passion only rivaled by her love for God. Like I said, I see everything and keep secrets, but let me educate you on what will happen. My secrets are kept quite hidden, and if anything were to happen to me, my fiancé', my store, or my workers. Those secrets will come out as the proper people have the information and check in with me weekly. All it takes is one word from me to have all the secrets come to light and put every one of you in the public eye."
Standing back, I smiled and said, "Are we clear on what I just said to you, Sir?"
"Yes, I think we are," He said. "I will have a word with him and pass along the message his wife may shop here if she so chooses. As I know the family, would it be possible for his wife to sell to you? They do need the income?"
"His wife may come to see me, and we will speak woman to woman. But he is not allowed at my store," I asked, "Is that clear."
"Very," He said, getting onto the awaiting horse. "Good day, Miss."
As he rode out of town, Marcus came outside and said, "What did you say?"
Leaning over, I whispered into his ear, "I told Carl Phillips I knew it was him, and if he wanted to continue with his crap, I would go to his wife and tell her. I also told him that if anything happened to you, me, my staff, or the store, my backup plans would expose everyone I know who is in the Klan, and it would be bigger than the Civil War."
Marcus took my hand and said, "My dear, you constantly amaze me."
"As I always plan to," I said. "Now, did you send the wire to your folks?"
He looked up and said, "I sure did, Abigail. I told them that if they did not want to come out for the wedding, it's their choice not to, but we are not changing the dates as plans have already started."
"Are you okay?" I asked. "I know you love your parents. I also know sending them the wire has been hard for you."
He lifted his head and smiled, "Yes, my love, I am okay. I know my parents, so if they do not show up, I will be disappointed but not upset. I will be surprised if they do come to the wedding. Now, speaking of the wedding, what do you say to doing a hog roast or three?"
"A hog roast, I never thought about that," I said. "You're right. It would have to be a hog roast or three because we did invite the entire town." We walked into the store and discussed the wedding.
"Nelly was saying the local tribe is saying a bad winter is coming," I said. "She has been using some of her stock to stock up I was thinking we can get that greenhouse in and stock up as well."
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