Hope Rekindled (4 page)

“You’re a good man, Doc. I can’t fault you for caring about your folks. The delay is unfortunate. I suppose you two could have wed and she could have gone with you to help. There are always other alternatives.”

“Maybe I’m not the man Deborah needs me to be.” The thought troubled Christopher more than he cared to admit. He hadn’t given her feelings nearly the consideration that he should have. Being a husband would be quite different than being a single man who watched over his mother’s and father’s needs.

“Well, the Word does say that you are to cleave unto your wife. Now, I realize you aren’t married just yet, but that is something to consider. If you can’t separate yourself from your mother and father, you won’t be honoring the vows you make before God. Your wife must come first—not your mother and father. That doesn’t mean you don’t go on honoring them or caring about them.”

“And if I can’t put her first, then I shouldn’t take a wife.” Christopher stated matter-of-factly.

Brother Shattuck nodded. “That’s about the size of it. Husbands are admonished to love their wives as Christ loved the church. He died for the church—for us. His heart wasn’t divided.”

Is my heart divided?

Christopher gave a heavy sigh. “I feel like I’m making a mistake, but I don’t know what else to do. It’s not like I can pick up one of those new telephones and call to see what the problem is.”

The pastor smiled. “Those things surely are somethin’ else, aren’t they? I heard tell there are over a hundred thousand folks with telephones. I suppose someday everyone will have one, though I can’t imagine they will ever take the place of speaking face-to-face.”

“Neither can I,” Christopher agreed. “Still, such a thing would certainly make occasions like this much easier.”

“If it’s any consolation,” the pastor told him, “I’ve been praying for you through the night. I knew your heart was troubled, but you can trust God to direct your steps.”

“I fear what awaits me,” Christopher said, turning to the older man. “I feel like a coward.”

“A coward wouldn’t head into the heat of the battle. It’s only natural that the unknown should offer some concerns, but you needn’t let that build into fear. The Lord has promised to be with you wherever you go. He won’t abandon you to face this on your own. I want you to know that I’ll be praying for you while you’re gone.”

“The Vandermarks said they would do likewise,” he admitted. “I can’t say that I won’t be thoroughly prayed over.”

“Doc!” Jude Greeley called as he bounded down the street from the commissary. “Train’s just left Rhodes.” He stopped and shook his head. “No, I mean Burke. I can’t get used to them changing the town’s name. I mean, why was that necessary? Oh, and there’s a rumor that they’re getting a Farmer’s Alliance store.” He smiled and waved a piece of paper in the air. “But I digress. I got the telegram just now. You’d best get on out to the main track. They’ll do little more than slow down for you.”

Christopher got to his feet, as did Pastor Shattuck. “Well, I suppose I should make haste. I wouldn’t want to make the train wait on my account.”

Jude laughed. “Train makes everyone else wait on its account.” He turned and headed back down the dirt street. “Gotta get back. The missus hates it when I leave her in charge.”

“I’ll take my leave, too,” Pastor Shattuck said. His expression softened with compassion. “There’s no way of knowing at this point what you’ll face in Kansas City, but you need to remember you won’t face it alone.”

Christopher drew strength from the words and stood a little taller. “I know you’re right. I’ll remind myself of that at every turn.”

But deep within there was a nagging sensation that, in spite of the prayers and the knowledge that God would be at his side, Christopher was about to fall into a dark abyss—an abyss that promised to consume him, body and soul.

G
. W. Vandermark tied his horse to the hitching post outside the house Stuart Albright had taken for himself. The nervous bay sidestepped—almost sending G.W. to the ground—and he winced in pain. His leg injury was good to remind him of how quickly life could change. Who could tell? Maybe there would be another change after his discussion with Albright. The important thing was to keep a tight rein on his temper.

After regaining his footing, he stroked the horse’s mane. “Easy, boy. There’s no sense in either of us gettin’ our head up.”

Drawing a deep breath, G.W. gave the horse another couple of pats, then made his way to the door. He knocked and, while he waited, rubbed the tops of his boots on the back of his trouser legs just in case any dirt clung to them. No sense appearing shoddy.

A young Negro woman dressed in a simple black gown and white apron opened the door and smiled. “Mornin’, Mr. Vandermark.”

“Mornin’, Essie. I’m here to see Mr. Albright. Is he in?”

“Yessuh.” She stepped back and reached for his hat. “Please step inside and I’ll fetch him.”

G.W. entered the house, none too surprised at the extravagant decor. Statues and paintings adorned every possible space. While completely out of place in Perkinsville, no doubt Albright felt right at home.

Essie disappeared for several minutes and G.W. continued to study the interior of the entry. A marble-topped receiving table near the center of the room was graced with a stylish silver vase and a huge arrangement of flowers.

“Mr. Albright say you can come to his office,” Essie said from the hallway arch.

G.W. squared his shoulders and let the young woman lead him. There would be nothing pleasant about this meeting—of that he was certain.

Lord
, he prayed silently,
please go before me. Give me the right words to say.

As they made their way, G.W. noted that the rest of the house was just as elaborate as the foyer. When Essie ushered him in to Stuart Albright’s office, he noted the room boasted pieces of art, including a huge oil of Jael dressed in a daringly low-cut gown. Embarrassed at the risqué piece, G.W. quickly glanced at the book-laden cases that lined one entire wall.

“Do you not care for my painting?” Albright chuckled. “I believe beauty should be appreciated. You can hardly appreciate what you cannot see.”

G.W. felt at a loss for words. He shook his head, but still couldn’t find his tongue.

Albright was not a patient man. “Why are you here?”

G.W. turned to address the man. Stuart sat behind a massive mahogany desk that very nearly reached from wall to wall. Of course, the room wasn’t all that big, but it was made even smaller by the ridiculous furnishings.

“We need to talk,” G.W. finally said.

Albright’s icy blue eyes seemed to lend a chill to the room. He motioned to the red leather chair. “Sit down, Vandermark, and tell me why you’ve come to disturb my day.”

G.W. tried not to let his temper flare at his host’s rudeness. He took his seat and folded his hands. For a moment, he wished he had his hat back so that he could twist the rim, as he often did when feeling edgy. Instead he rubbed his leg.

“I’ve come on behalf of Vandermark Logging. We want to know what your plans are for the future.”

Albright looked at him for a moment, then shrugged. “I’m afraid there is little to tell. We have been trying to decide what is most advantageous to our associates. Obviously much of the work force has already left the area. Getting them back might be difficult. Building another mill here . . . well . . . I haven’t yet been convinced that it would be to our advantage.”

“Then I’m here to demand you release Vandermark Logging from our contract. If the sawmill isn’t operating, we’ve gotta sell our logs to someone who
is
operating.”

The man laughed. “Whatever makes you think I would release you?”

G.W. leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. “You seem to be concerned with what’s best for you and yours. I’m thinkin’ this would be one of those things.”

“Is this your way of threatening me?” Albright fixed him with a hard stare. “Because if you think to intimidate me, you might as well give up. I’ve crossed better men and won.”

G.W. eased back in the chair. “Without a mill up and runnin’, neither of us are makin’ money.”

Stuart laughed. “You may not be making any money, but I’m doing quite well for myself. A wise man diversifies, Mr. Vandermark. It’s hardly my fault you’ve failed to do so. You’re the one who agreed to provide your logs exclusively to my sawmill.”

It was hard to remain seated, but G.W. managed somehow. “You need to know that we’ve talked to a lawyer. He tells us we are well within our rights to sue for breach of contract. You’ve taken longer than needed to make a decision regardin’ the mill. A court would most likely release us from the contract and allow us to team up elsewhere. We’re willin’ to take this as far as we need to if you won’t see reason.”

“My, my. You certainly get right to the point.” Albright leaned back in his chair as if completely unconcerned. “I suppose you think this comes as a surprise to me. That I have failed to plan for this possibility.”

“I don’t reckon I care one way or the other. If you’re surprised, then that’s the way it is. We still plan to do what’s necessary to take care of our business.”

“I see. Well, let me assure you, Mr. Vandermark, I’m not a man to be threatened or forced. When I feel backed into a corner, I simply come out fighting.”

G.W. shrugged and rubbed his leg. “That’s your right. I’ve cornered many a wild hog that felt the same way. The results weren’t in their favor.”

Albright clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes to mere slits.

G.W. knew the man was trying to intimidate him, but the only thing G.W. feared from Albright was the way he was bent on hurting the Vandermarks. And even then, it wasn’t so much fear as irritation.

“Mr. Vandermark, do you suppose that a country bumpkin such as yourself could best me at anything?”

G.W. couldn’t resist. He grinned smugly. “I got the gal, didn’t I?”

Albright’s face flushed scarlet, and his eyes seemed to bug out of his head.

With nostrils flaring, Albright got to his feet. “You think you can throw that in my face and win? It only serves to strengthen my resolve to see you destroyed. You have no power to stand against me. I will crush you like so many ants beneath my feet.”

G.W. crossed his arms against his chest and hoped he looked as though he hadn’t a care in the world. “Seems to me, Albright, that you’re the one without a leg to stand on. You’re used to bullyin’ folks to get what you want—includin’ women. Folks out this way don’t much appreciate that kind of thing. You might have all the power in the world back East, but here in Texas, things are done different and folks look out for one another. My suggestion is that you get over losin’ Lizzie and love the woman you married. You’d think with all that money you’re always braggin’ about, you could afford to buy her whole dresses.”

Albright rounded the desk and stared down at G.W. with intense hatred. “I will see an end to you and your family.”

G.W. got to his feet and stood nose to nose with the man. “This is between you and me. It’s got nothin’ to do with my family, and I’d thank you to leave them out of this.”

“Your family took in Elizabeth when she ran away from me. They deserve to pay for their part—especially that sister of yours. If she hadn’t interfered, Elizabeth would never have changed her mind. Your sister is as much my enemy as you are.”

“I’m warnin’ you, Albright. Leave Deborah out of this. You have a problem with me, then deal with me. Otherwise, back off.”

Stuart’s face seemed to relax and to G.W.’s surprise, he smiled. “You really have no idea what I’m capable of doing. I find it rather amusing.”

“I hope you’re just as amused when I beat that smirk off your face.” G.W. felt a hint of satisfaction as Albright took a step back. “You’ve threatened my family and imposed your will on the good people of this community, but I’m gonna see that it comes to an end. Hopefully, I can do it with legal means, but if not . . .” He let the words hang in the air before turning for the door.

“Your threats mean nothing! Nothing!” Albright yelled after him. “I have more friends and power than you can even imagine. I’ll see you destroyed if you dare try to break this contract.”

G.W. paused at the door and shook his head. “Don’t seem I have much to lose then, seein’s how your actions threaten to destroy us if we sit idle. I’d rather go down with a fight. We’ve got a saying around here when things seem darkest. ‘Remember the Alamo!’ ”

Stuart took three steps forward. “As I recall, Mr. Vandermark, your precious Texans lost that fight.”

With a smile, G.W. nodded. “But I reckon we redeemed ourselves at San Jacinto. You mighta won the first battle, but you only managed to get our dander up to win the war.”

“I can’t help but feel like all of this is my fault,” Lizzie said, tears forming in her eyes.

Deborah embraced her. “Now, we’ve had this talk before. Stuart Albright is a vindictive man, and he is the only one to blame.”

G.W. placed Rutger on the floor and came to stand beside his wife. Deborah backed away to let her brother take charge. She knew his love for Lizzie ran deep and he would protect her and their family no matter the cost. Would Christopher offer her the same support? He gave it readily enough for his family.

“We’re not gonna let him win, Lizzie.” G.W. stroked her cheek. “We’ve got the Lord on our side. His evil ways won’t stand against God’s truth.”

“Oh, G.W., you don’t know how Stuart can be. He has all the money he needs to ruin us.”

Annie started fussing, as if sensing her mother’s fear. Deborah went to the little girl and picked her up. “There, now, you mustn’t fret. Your mama and papa are right here.” She bounced the child on her hip and looked to Lizzie. “G.W. is right. God is stronger than any Albright. We need to put this to prayer and trust that God will help us. It’s not like we’re seeking to hurt Stuart; we simply want what’s right.”

Lizzie took her daughter from Deborah and hugged her close. “I wish that I had your faith, but I don’t.” With that, she all but ran from the room.

Deborah looked to her brother and sighed. “She has no blame in this, but only time and the Lord will convince her.”

Rutger crawled to his father and began to whimper, pulling himself up by G.W.’s pants leg. G.W. lifted the boy and rubbed his head. “I think it’s nap time. I’ll take him in and help Lizzie get them to sleep.”

She smiled. “You’re a good father, G.W. I always knew you would be.”

He shook his head. “Sometimes I question whether I am or not. It seems Pa would never have allowed Albright to have this kind of control over us. I wish I had his wisdom.”

“You can have the wisdom you need, G.W. The first chapter of James says that if anyone lacks wisdom they have only to ask God and He will give it freely.”

G.W. put Rutger to his shoulder. “Maybe I should spend a little bit of time in that book.”

Deborah patted his shoulder. “It couldn’t hurt.”

She waited until he’d left the room to let down her guard. Her shoulders slumped. “I would do well to take my own advice.”

Christopher’s absence weighed heavy on her mind even though it had only been a few days. She tried not to let her heart lose hope. Surely everything would soon be back to normal.