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Authors: Darlene Franklin

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BOOK: Darlene Franklin - Dressed for Death 03 - Paint Me a Murder

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People have continued to find a home in Grace Gulch over the years, until today the population exceeds 3,000. In addition to farmers and oil workers, professionals such as doctors, college professors and lawyers began settling in the town during the 1960s. Today those professions are represented by family physician Dr. Jack Johnson, county coroner Dr. 3More recently, The Grace Gulch Center for the Arts has brought in national talents, such Audwin Howe and Brad Merriman.

An average of thirty children a year are born in Grace Gulch. The future looks promising to those who wish to make their homes in this historic community.

From
A History of Grace Gulch

Tuesday, September 26

The OBI agent excused us, not that Audie gave him any choice. He insisted on holding my arm every step of the way. His “help” made going harder, at least when I crossed the stream.

“Are you sure? You weren’t acting?” Audie repeated for what felt like the tenth time.

“Of course she’s sure.” Gilda made a t’sking sound. With my slow progress, she could keep up. My earlier objections to her presence in the delivery room had faded away.

When the next contraction hit, I clung to my husband’s arm. He checked his watch for the time between contractions. “They’re coming too fast.” His normally controlled voice cracked.

“Stop manhandling her,” Gilda told my husband. “We’re almost there, and she can get there on her own.”

Amen. Preach it
.
We reached the lightning tree and the sanctuary of the Jeep. Audie called Dr. Johnson from the car. “He says he’ll meet us at the hospital.”

I shook my head. I was pre-registered at the Stroud Regional Medical Center, forty-five minutes away from the center of Grace Gulch, but I wasn’t sure I could get there in time.

“Doc, her contractions are three minutes apart. Is there any place closer?” Audie’s voice rose to high tenor, as if he were envisioning helping me give birth at the roadside.

“I know it’s her first child. . .you wouldn’t believe the day we’ve had. . .Okay.” He turned to me. “He said to bring you to the clinic. He’ll check you out there.”

Audie broke every speed limit into town, but with all the police force out at the cave, no one stopped us. The doctor got out of his car as we pulled in. A contraction came, and he looked a question. “Two and a half minutes.” Gilda answered quietly.

Dr. Johnson took a closer look at me and frowned. I suppose I did look horrid, covered as I was with branches and brambles and mud.

“We can explain.”

He shooed me inside where his nurse had arrived moments before, expecting a normal start to the day. Instead she helped me prepare for an examination. I insisted on cleaning up a little—I didn’t want to give birth covered in mud.

Gilda helped me change and held a cool cloth to my forehead. “It will be all right.” She smiled. “You have the doctor and the nurse and your husband and me. Most importantly, you have God!” Instead of irking me, her words reassured me—somehow I would never have believed possible only days before.

Never had the hospital johnny gown looked so welcoming when I slipped it on.. By now the contractions were coming every two minutes.

The doctor did his exam. His hands stilled “Six centimeters.” He raised his face high enough for me to see warm brown eyes. “Relax, Mrs. Howe. You’re having a baby.”

I wanted to make some snappy rejoinder about delivery dates and hospitals but I couldn’t. Pain took over my body, squeezing Junior into the world.

I lost track of time for the next little bit, wandering in a maze of contractions and shots and breathing. Audie held my hand. He had cleaned up a bit as well. I thought about our carefully prepared baby bag at home. No time for that now.

Gilda—the one person I thought I did
not
want at the birth—held my other hand and fed me ice chips.

“The baby’s crowning. . .”

Pain ripped through me and I pushed, hard. The pain ceased as suddenly as it had started. I heard a wavery cry, like all those you hear on TV shows when a baby enters the world.

“Congratulations! You have a son.” The doctor placed a blood-covered bundle in my arms. One tiny, miraculous hand curved across his forehead. Ten fingers. Ten toes.

Tears came into my eyes. “I told you he was a boy.”

The smile on Audie’s face let me know a boy suited him fine.

A week later, we took Ryan Michael (Michael was Audie’s middle name) to Gaynor Goodies for his first public appearance. My beautiful baby boy had dark blue eyes that Jenna predicted would turn hazel; and soft white hair that I hoped would remain blonde like his Daddy’s.

I had gone entirely too many days without my daily ration from Gaynor Goodies, although Gilda’s homemade pastries with family recipes ran a close second. For our first outing, Jessie had reserved a section for us. After all, half of Grace Gulch might stop by.

Jessie—dressed in baby blue stripes in honor of Ryan’s visit—cooed over our bundle of joy.

“How is Ham?” I asked after she had passed my son to the person behind us in line—my lawyer, Georgia Hafferty.

Jessie shrugged. She seemed at peace with what had happened. “Cursing everyone who comes close. I’ve turned him over to God. Should have done that a long time ago. Maybe he’ll finally hit bottom and go to the only place he can get the help he needs. I tried for years and failed. So did Finella, and a sweeter woman didn’t walk this earth.” A faraway look came into her eyes. “It was a terrible thing he did.”

“At least now his lawyer can bring up reasonable doubt.” After Dustin’s confession to the arson in front of eight witnesses, Frances didn’t have much trouble getting her to repeat it at the police station, in the presence of an attorney. The husband and wife tag team wasted no time ratting each other out, so neither would escape unscathed.

Jessie took our orders for a croissant-and-fruit breakfast with lattes for all, and Audie led me gently by the elbow. Jenna, Dina, Dad, and Gilda had put two tables together in the far corner. Brad and Noah would join us shortly for the public introduction of Grace Gulch’s newest citizen.

Jessie brought our food a few minutes later. In addition to the croissants, she added a plateful of frosted sugar cookies. “Since you won’t be buying any for the store today.” She winked at me. She had decorated them in pink and blue icing, with candy baby booties.

So many people stopped by to see Ryan—not to mention aunts and grandparents fighting over who would hold him next—that I might never have had him back in my arms except he decided he was hungry. Gilda helped me find some privacy in a back room.

She had been our mainstay for the last few days. I didn’t have to lift a finger. It was a pleasure to have three meals a day, all the laundry that Ryan seemed to multiply washed, and Audie’s nightly foot massage, without asking for anything. Something had happened between us in the birthing room, something I couldn’t quite identify.

“Do you mind if I join you?”

I shook my head, and she took a seat next to me.

“I’ve been wanting to talk to you all week, but there never seemed to be a good time. I know I’ve offended you.”

I remembered all my bad thoughts about Gilda and felt guilty. “It wasn’t you, it was me. I was too self-conscious. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I’m glad, truly glad, that you’re here. ”

Gilda smiled as if the sun had come out. “Good. I’m afraid I’ve never told you how much I
admire
you. You own your own business—you’ve solved several crimes—you stand by Audie in all his dreams. If I ever seemed like I was interfering, the truth is—” She coughed, a slight flush coloring her cheeks. “—I wanted to be like you.”

Gilda wanted to be like
me?
Did I hear her right?

“I am so proud and happy that my son found such a godly woman to be his helpmate. I only pray that Ryan find someone like you some day.”

At that, I started crying, which in turn upset Ryan. We laughed, we cried, and before long, we rejoined the others in the dining room.

By now Noah and Brad had joined the others at the table. Noah no longer wore sunglasses; he no longer needed camouflage to imply he used drugs. More customers came over to see Ryan.

The door opened, but I didn’t see who entered with the crush of people about me. A familiar voice repeated in clear tones: “The clue is: ‘Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.’ I’ll have some vegetable soup, please.”

I twisted in my seat in time to see Jessie smile in response to Enid Waldberg’s request. “And we have a winner!”

Dina jumped up from her chair and grabbed her ever-present camera. She captured the moment on film. Everyone in the bakery clapped.

Jenna hugged our pastor’s wife. “I’m so happy you figured it out. Come by my office on Monday for your lifetime membership papers.”

“I’m sure the mayor will want to be there.” Audie chuckled. “He never misses a photo op. Why don’t you join our celebration?”

“I’d be delighted.” Enid pulled up a chair.

After Ryan’s birth, the doctor insisted on sending us to the hospital for a thorough checkup. He confirmed that Ryan was full-term; we had miscalculated the due date. Enid came by with the pastor during our short time there.

The hospital felt like Wilde family Central for a day since the doctors insisted on keeping Brad and Dina overnight. They replaced some of the fluids lost due to dehydration, and made sure all the sleeping drugs had left their systems. The four of us left the same day.

Enid sat next to Gilda. Of course she wanted to hold the baby.

For years I had felt like half an orphan, without a mother. Looking at the two woman, I realized God had filled that gap. Enid had been my mentor and good friend ever since the Waldbergs came to Word of Faith Fellowship. Over the last few weeks, my mother-in-law had become the mother-of-my-heart. I smiled.

“What are you grinning at?” Dina snapped a picture of the table. I could imagine the caption. Wilde family joins Enid Waldberg in celebrating her win. Or maybe Treasure hunt winner Enid Waldlberg joins the celebration of Grace Gulch’s newest citizen, Ryan Michael Howe.

“Enid, I’m glad you solved the clues to the treasure hunt. But everyone here knows the real treasure. We found it in the cave,” I said.

“Larry Grace’s Bible. The wisdom he found there.” Jenna nodded.

“‘By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.’” Audie looked at Dad for the reference.

“Proverbs 24:3-4.” He came through, as usual.

“In the King James it reads ‘Precious and pleasant riches’,” Audie said. “The verse that started us on the right track.”

“Jelly tarts and pie crusts.” Dina grinned at her original interpretation of the handwriting.

“None of us expected things to turn out the way they did. For one thing, Ryan was supposed to be an
October
baby. But I’m glad you made an early appearance, yes I am.” I cooed at my darling boy.

“But God led us every step of the way. God, and Brad, thanks to that marvelous mural he’s creating.” Jenna looked as goofy as only a woman in love could.

I hadn’t finished. “Then there’s my other treasure. My family.” My gaze wandered the table, fixing each one as I said their names.

“Dad. Our solid rock. You might be a Wilde, but you have always been the unshakeable foundation of our family.”

“Jenna.”
Hurricane
Jenna? Not lately. “I’m so glad you came back to Grace Gulch.”

“Dina.” Since Dina’s harrowing experience at the cave, she had returned her hair to its black-with-rainbow-stripe color. “You have grown up into a beautiful woman, and I know you’ll make a wonderful aunt.”

“Enid. We may not share the same ancestors, but you have been my precious sister in the Lord since the day you arrived. And Gilda. . .God didn’t just give me my husband. He gave me you, and I’ll thank Him for that every day from now on.”

“Noah. . .without your help, we might not have made it out of that cave alive. Brad. . .although we’ve just met, I feel as though I already know you.”

I looked at Audie, who held our son in his lap. Tears welled in my eyes, and I couldn’t say anything for a moment. “And to my beloved husband and our son, and
our
family, which God is creating day by day. I will always praise God for the day He brought you to Grace Gulch.”

“That calls for a toast.” Jessie appeared at my elbow and refilled our coffee cups.

“To the Wildes!”

“Don’t forget the Howes.”

I had everything I could ever want, right here.

Epilogue

Sunday, November 23

Around the first of November, Pastor Waldberg called us about including Ryan in the fall baby dedication service at Word of Faith Fellowship.

“Of course! We’ve been counting on it.” He gave us the relevant details, as well as reminding us to choose godparents for Ryan.

“Do you think we made the right decision?” I decided against dressing Ryan in his adorable miniature suit until after we arrived at church. In spite of some serious teasing, I didn’t want to dress him in an old-fashioned christening gown—although I had several beautiful examples in the store. Experience soon taught me babies dirtied their clothes almost as soon as you put them on. Instead, I put the outfit in his diaper bag. Time enough once we arrived at church, along with the rest of the Wilde clan. Gilda had flown in for the occasion from Chicago on Friday.

“About his godparents?” Audie bent over his son and tugged a Onesie over his kicking legs. He let Ryan grab hold of his fingers and lifted him to a sitting position. “You’re such a smart boy, you are.”

“Yes, about his godparents.”

We had decided months before Ryan’s birth that Jenna should be his godmother. Lord willing, nothing would happen to either of us before Ryan’s maturity. But if it did, we wanted my older sister to lead our children’s spiritual development. Hurricane Jenna had gentled into a refreshing rain, steady and dependable.

“I think so.”

We struggled with naming a godfather. The only male family member was Dad, and we felt we should ask a peer. We considered Cord, but it seemed wrong to ask him and not Frances.

In the weeks following the scene in the cave, however, Brad and Jenna spent a lot of time together. At first they pretended they were simply restoring what the fire had destroyed. Then they started spending evenings and weekends together as well, all day every day when they weren’t working or at home asleep. Dina spent a lot of time with them. I had never seen either sister so happy.

Jenna confided I could expect an official announcement by Christmas. They didn’t want to be accused of rushing into anything.

With that in mind, we asked Brad to be Ryan’s godfather.

“I’m honored.” He stammered. “But I’m such a new Christian. I’ve made such a mess of my own life.”

“We’re not worried about your past,” Audie said.

“And we believe in your future.” I beamed. Of course I couldn’t come out and say “Since you’ll be marrying my sister.” Dina might say something like that, but not me.

“I don’t even know how long I’ll be in Grace Gulch.”

“A little bird told us you might make Grace Gulch your home base.” Of course a muralist would always travel to the place his work required, but he had to live somewhere. Why not in Grace Gulch? Landing an internationally-recognized artist would put the Center for the Arts on the national map.

“Well.” Brad’s eyes darted in Jenna’s direction. “I just might.”

And so the decision was made.

At the start of morning worship, Pastor Waldberg invited all the participants to come forward. Since he included grandparents and godparents in the baby dedication service, half the people present surged to the front. In our case, the only family member
not
standing at the front was Dina. She sat next to Noah in the front row, her ever-present newspaper camera in her hands.

“Everybody loves babies,” she had explained. No one had objected to the pictures of baby Ryan in recent issues of the
Herald.

Two other couples joined us at the front. The pastor addressed us. “Standing before us are three generations. Seeing this brings to mind
Proverbs 17:6
which tells us that 'Grandchildren are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of children.

“Grandparents, we know you're very proud of these grandkids. And parents, we trust that the step of faith you're taking today will make your children proud of your actions one day.”

The pastor asked us to commit to “provide Ryan a Christian home of love and peace, to raise him in the truth of our Lord's instruction and discipline, and to encourage him to one day trust Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.”

Next, Jenna and Brad pledged to help us fulfill our vow. Jenna looked as radiant, joyful, and serious at the same time, as a bride.

Gilda and Dad, as grandparents, vowed to share the stories of God’s faithfulness through all the generations to their grandson. I remembered the honey almond cake Gilda had told me about, and smiled. Ryan had a godly heritage.

The pastor had given us a copy of the ceremony he was using but each word seemed new, fraught with meaning. I kept looking at Ryan’s face, memorizing its soft contours, pleading with God to help us with the awesome responsibility of raising this precious gift to love Him and serve Him.

Last of all, the pastor reminded the church at large of their responsibilities. I could see Dina out of the corner of my eye, her hand entwined with Noah’s. Were they envisioning a family of their own some day? Perhaps. Now that I knew the truth about the art professor and OBI agent, the possibility of a serious relationship didn’t bother me as it once had.

The church resounded when the congregation agreed “we do!”

Who could ask for anything more?

Not me.

The End

Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over thirty books and has written more than 250 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont. You can find Darlene online elsewhere at
https://www.facebook.com/Poet.Darlene.Franklin
and
http://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Franklin/e/B001K8993A/
.

Upcoming books:

The Reformed Cowboy
in
The Cowboy’s Bride Collection,
Barbour, 2016

A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas
, in Brides of the Old West,
June 1, 2015

The Face of Mary
in
A Texas Christmas,
September 1, 2015

DRESSED FOR DEATH SERIES

Gunfight at Grace Gulch

A String of Murders

Paint Me a Murder

MAPLE NOTCH SAGA

Maple Notch Brides

Prodigal Patriot

Bridge to Love