Linda Ford (19 page)

As expected, Pauline raised all sort of questions. “Can we hope to keep Vern from being involved?”

Again, Rebecca explained how Amelia would not often be alone at the orphanage.

“I don’t like to put the children in danger.”

Rebecca sat back. “Is Vern more than loud and argumentative?”

Pauline nodded. “He’s unpredictable.”

Curtis had been listening to the discussion. “If I may, Pauline?”

“By all means.”

“It seems to me that a woman in her position needs a chance to get free of her husband. If we enlist Mason’s help, as Rebecca suggests, and alert as many people as we deem appropriate, then surely she deserves this job.” He turned to Rebecca. “From what you say, it would appear she is well qualified.”

“I believe she is. In fact, I would appreciate her help now, but I realize it’s best for her to remain hidden on the ranch until she moves into the director’s room.”

“I know her well enough to feel comfortable giving her the position without an interview.” Pauline nodded.

Colton thumped his fist on the desktop. “We’ll keep Mason informed of developments.”

Curtis nodded. “By all means.”

Their business satisfactorily complete, Rebecca and Colton left town hall. Miss Ward marched by, thankfully without noticing them.

They hung back until she turned the corner out of sight.

Rebecca sighed. “Is it just me or is that woman always lurking about?”

“She’s always lurking. No doubt making sure the town is operating according to her standards.”

“And hoping to find it isn’t so she can fuss about it.”

Colton chuckled. “She needs a different hobby.”

They returned to the orphanage, and he began helping build cupboards in the kitchen, while she went to work making more lists.

Her job here would soon be over. She’d done everything she’d planned to except find a home for Heidi. For a few days she’d hoped the Hayeses would come forward to officially take her in, but now it seemed she would stay at the orphanage. It certainly made sense for Heidi to go with Amelia. She could help with the baby. She would be closer to school. She would be surrounded by her friends.

Everyone’s life seemed to be sorted out satisfactorily.

Except Rebecca’s.

But she had her duties back in New York. That had to be enough.

Chapter Seventeen

T
hree days later, Amelia watched as Colton and Rebecca prepared to leave for town. “I wish I didn’t have to stand around and wait.”

“Only a few more days.” They’d told her about the position and she had embraced the idea.

Rebecca sat beside Colton in the buggy, quiet as if lost in thought. Or distancing herself from the community.

“I suppose—” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the thought.
I suppose you’ll be planning to return to New York now that the orphanage is nearly finished.
“Wyatt will soon return.” He’d sent regular telegrams informing them of his progress.

She nodded. “In yesterday’s cable he said the judge was due to arrive in two days—that would be tomorrow. He expected the judge to order the release of the boys he found in the Colorado mines.”

“There will be some small details to finish on the orphanage, but the boys’ dorm is done.”

“The ladies’ society is making quilts for the beds. The curtains will be hung today.”

“Your job will soon be finished.” He swallowed back a lump of despair. “You should be proud of yourself.”

She studied him unblinkingly and without a smile. “I am.”

Would she take advantage of the opportunity he’d provided and say her job had just begun? That she saw herself as part of the community, the ranch and—dare he hope—his life?

She seemed very interested in the horse pulling them toward town. “I hope my father will be pleased.”

His shoulders sank. That was her answer, then. It mattered more what her father thought than what he thought. Or wanted.

Good thing he’d never voiced his longings. He stuffed them into the depths of his heart.

Shortly after they arrived, a group of ladies descended on the place. He recognized many as those who had taken in the other orphans Rebecca had brought to Evans Grove. Holly and Charlotte were among them. Their arms full of material and bedding, they trooped upstairs. In a few minutes the buzz of female conversation and laughter drifted to the kitchen, where Colton and Ted continued to work. Rebecca had suggested a long table with benches for the children and Ted constructed one while Colton made a worktable for the kitchen. He wondered if Rebecca’s hands would ever touch the surface as she rolled out pie crust or kneaded bread.

Only, it wasn’t at this table he longed to see her. It was at the ranch.

With determination, he settled into the rhythm of work, hoping the labor would clear the foolish daydreams from his head. Toward noon, the women trooped back down the stairs and left for their homes.

Rebecca followed, her face glowing with joy. “The boys’ room is ready. It looks lovely. The women are going to prepare quilts for the girls’ dorm now.”

“I want to see.” He followed her back up the stairs. Cots stood along one wall, facing the windows that allowed a view of the street. Colorful quilts covered each bed, and beside each cot was a narrow set of shelves that the men had built. They’d also constructed a chest to go at the foot of each bed for personal belongings.

“It looks very welcoming,” he said. The newly hung dark green cotton curtains would shut out some light. He went to one window to check how easily they pulled back and forth. A block away, the church steeple stood like a beacon. The trees in the town square waved their green heads. On the ground below, one of Ted’s helpers cleaned up debris. A rider approached on horseback.

Colton leaned closer to the window. “It can’t be.”

“What is it?” Rebecca joined him.

“That’s Pa’s horse. And that’s Pa!” He could barely get the words out. “He can’t ride.”

“But he has.”

“There’s something wrong.”

He crossed the room in long strides and descended the stairs in three steps. He flung himself out the front door and raced to his pa’s side. Seeing the pain on his father’s face, he reached up to assist him. “Let me help you down.”

“No time. No time. You got to get to the ranch right now.”

Rebecca caught up to Colton, her face emotionless but her eyes wide. “Mr. Hayes, what is it?”

“Vern. He’s at the ranch, drunker than a skunk. And waving a sidearm. Threatening to shoot everyone in sight.”

Colton’s heart kicked with the power of a raging stallion. “Where’s Ma and Amelia and the children?”

“He’s got them all in the kitchen, waving a gun at them.”

“Pa, give me your horse and I’ll take care of Vern.”

“I ain’t getting down until I’m back home. I can still take care of my own.” He reined out of reach. “Might need some help, but I’m not in my grave yet.” He flicked the reins and trotted away. “Best get going or I’ll have to handle this myself.”

Colton headed for the buggy before he finished.

Ted stood in the doorway, clearly having heard the whole conversation.

Colton called to him, “Go find Mason and tell him everything.”

He jumped into the buggy and grabbed the reins. Rebecca planted her hands on the other side.

“I’m coming.”

“Best you stay here.” There could be shooting. He didn’t want to worry that Rebecca might be in the line of fire.

She pulled herself up to the seat beside him. “There is no way I will stay in town and twist my hands waiting to hear if some mad drunk shot you or the others. I’m going.”

He didn’t have time to argue. He had to get back before Pa did. He had to save his ma from harm. And the others. Poor Heidi. She’d had enough bad things happen in her life without a drunk wielding a gun.

His chest muscles tightened until he could hardly breathe. If Vern hurt anyone... Blood drained from his face and settled in a thick lump in his heart. If something happened to any of them—

He gritted his teeth. He should have seen this coming. Done something to prevent it. How could he have failed everyone?

“How did Vern learn that Amelia was at the ranch?” Rebecca’s words were jerked from her as she clung to the seat, hanging on as the buggy raced toward home.

Colton had to loosen his jaw to answer. “I don’t know.”

“God preserve them.” Rebecca practically shouted the words to be heard above the rattle of the ride.

They slid around the last corner and headed for the house. Pa rode beside them. Colton couldn’t imagine the pain this frantic pace was inflicting on his injuries.

They reached the yard and Colton sawed back on the reins. Best if they didn’t race up to the house, announcing their arrival. Two riders caught up to Pa. Mason and Bucky Wyler, who helped Mason when it was called for. The man was steady and a crack shot. Colton couldn’t ask for anyone he’d sooner have on his side in this situation.

Colton jumped from the buggy before it stopped moving and raced for the door. Mason and Bucky dismounted at a run and followed suit.

Mason held up his hand, signaling them to stop. “Let’s be careful. Vern is drunk and unpredictable. If we can approach without him hearing us, we have the element of surprise on our side. Most likely, he’ll turn to the door when I throw it open so everyone stand back.”

Colton looked back to the buggy. He meant to signal Rebecca to stay put, but she was at Pa’s side, helping him to dismount. He couldn’t get her attention without calling out and that would alert Vern if he hadn’t already heard them approach.

“Ready?” Mason asked.

Colton nodded and the men crept toward the house. Colton strained to hear any sound from inside. Some sign that the occupants were safe.

A muted scream jerked through his senses and gave his feet wings. It had the same effect on Mason and Bucky.

Heidi’s cat raced past his feet, streaking for the barn.

A cow mooed, the contented sound such a marked contrast to Colton’s heightened tension that it jarred his nerves.

Two feet remained before they bombarded the door. Two feet before he could rescue those inside from an angry drunk. At least the scream meant someone was still alive.

Thunder drowned out all other sounds. All other thought. Colton didn’t bother to look at the sky. It was clear.

It was not thunder that battered his eardrums but a gunshot.

Had Vern shot someone?

Colton no longer cared for caution or surprise. He shouldered the door open and burst into the room. The smells of sulfur and fear filled the air. In a heartbeat he took in the situation.

Ma sat on her cot, clutching Heidi. Both were as pale as an old sheet. Only Heidi’s brown eyes gave her face any color. Amelia held little Gabriel in one arm. She clutched the back of a brown wooden kitchen chair with her other hand, her knuckles shiny white marbles. She stared at the floor, her mouth working soundlessly.

Colton jerked his attention to the floor and the source of guttural grunts. Vern wrestled with someone.

Mason scooped up the gun from near the stove, grabbed the collar of one of the combatants and dragged him from the melee. Colton lifted Vern by the front of the shirt and shook him hard. “You crazy drunk. How dare you venture into my house and threaten my family. I ought to—”

“Easy, Colton,” Mason warned.

Rebecca helped Pa through the door. He hobbled over to Ma and sat down, pulling her into his arms.

Rebecca hurried to Amelia. She pried Amelia’s clenched hand from the back of the chair and pushed her onto the seat.

“Now, who is this young man?” Mason asked.

“Jakob!” Heidi broke from Ma’s arms and threw herself at the young man. Her sobs filled the stunned silence.

Mason released Jakob so he could hold and comfort his sister. “So you found her? We wondered how long it would take.”

Colton studied the boy. Tall and lanky. Longish light brown hair that curled about his head. Jakob measured the situation with brown eyes so like Heidi’s there was no mistaking that they were brother and sister.

Mason took Vern and shoved him into a chair. “Vern, you’ve crossed a line here. You can’t use your fists or your gun to control people.”

Vern, somewhat sobered, scowled at Mason. “She’s my wife. I tell her what to do and nobody better interfere.”

Amelia finally found words to fill her empty mouth. “Vern, I am leaving you.”

“That old biddy said you planned to. Said you thought you could walk out on me and get a job at the orphanage.”

Colton leaned close. “What old biddy? Who told you?”

“Miss Ward, of course. That bird knows everything going on in town. Thought you could hide my wife from me, did you? And that baby? She says he’s mine.”

The color drained from Amelia’s face. She swallowed hard, then faced her husband with boldness. “He deserves better than you for sure.”

Vern surged to his feet and reached across the table toward Amelia.

Mason shoved him back. “Bucky, take him to town and lock him up.” He glowered at Vern. “Enjoy your stay in my jail. It will be temporary until you get transferred to a bigger one. I expect the judge will send you away for a good long time.”

Dirtying the air with his curses, Vern was dragged from the house.

Mason pulled out a chair and sat down. “Jakob, I’d like to hear what happened.”

“I been looking for my sister.” His speech revealed a stronger German accent than Heidi’s. “I promised our
mutter
and
vater
that I’d look after her—that is why I ran away.” He looked at Rebecca as if begging her to understand. “I had to make sure she was okay. That people weren’t being unkind to her.” He touched his face as if thinking of Heidi’s scars. “If she was unhappy, I figured to take her and go west, where we could live on our own.”

Heidi’s gaze shifted from adoring her brother to giving Rebecca a pleading look.

Did she want to go west with Jakob?

Colton got the sinking sensation that everyone he cared for was about to leave him. Except his parents. He’d have them for a few years yet. The thought normally consoled him, but today it failed to do so. For a few weeks he’d shared his life with a woman and children. He’d known family. And something more. But words to describe it eluded him at the moment.

Jakob continued, “I found her here and she was so happy I decided to move on. Figured I’d write her from someplace farther west and tell her I was okay. I was headed down the road a spell when that man rode past. I was walking in the field so he never seen me. I didn’t like the look of him so I waited and watched. He barged into this house with a gun in his hand. Then that man—” he indicated Pa “—rode away so fast I knew there was something wrong. I had to make sure Heidi was okay. And everyone else. Took me a few minutes to get back here, then I peeked in the window and seen that awful man waving his gun around and threatening the ladies. I sneaked in the other door.”

Colton couldn’t remember when the door in the parlor room had last been opened.

“He never seen me. All I had to do was tackle him down.”

Mason narrowed his eyes. “He could have shot you or one of the others.”

Jakob smiled confidently. “I knew enough to get his hand first and make sure a shot wouldn’t hurt anyone.” He nodded toward the ceiling.

Every pair of eyes followed the direction he indicated and saw the hole overhead.

Mason chuckled. “You’re a smart fella.”

Jakob grinned at Heidi. “Not so smart that my little sister couldn’t trick me. I can’t believe you got the other children to help you so a family would take me. You knew I didn’t want to be separated from you.”

“But no one wanted me. I didn’t want you to be sent back to New York.”

The adults exchanged glances. They knew now that no orphans would have gone back to New York. If Felix Baxter had had his way, though, they might have ended up in his clutches.

Colton studied his parents, still sitting on the cot with their arms around each other. “Pa, I can’t believe you rode to town. How did you manage to get away from Vern?”

Pa got the look of a guilty child. “I was outside when he came. I heard him. He’s not very subtle. I heard him yelling at the women, and when I saw he had a gun, I knew I’d need help. I’m not as agile as that young man.”

“But to saddle your horse and ride to town— Pa, it doesn’t seem possible.” Certainly people did amazing things under stress, but this was beyond Colton’s imagination.