The Trouble with Patience (26 page)

“Monty, put down that gun and release Judith.”

“I can't do that. She's my partner now, see?” Monty's wild stare looked more alarming to Jed than the gun.

“You and I both know that's not true, Monty.” Jedediah held his tone steady, matter-of-fact, hoping he could talk some sense into this—this common criminal gone mad. “Now, step to the side and let go of Judith. Slowly put your gun on the floor,” he said in a controlled, even tone.

Monty shoved her aside and she fell against the desk. Her hand flew to her cheek, and blood flowed between her fingers. He growled, “Jed, just go away and let me work this out with Judith. No harm will come to her.”

“This is the way you intend to treat Judith?” Jedediah tried reasoning, keeping his plea even and calm though he felt like shooting the man in the chest. “Come on now, Monty—you know better than this.”

Monty fired, knocking Jedediah's Colt .45 from his hand. “We'll see about that, won't we?”

Jed looked over at Judith. “Leave, Judith. While we talk this over.”

“Stay, Judith!” Monty shouted. “You know we were meant to be together.” But she slid away with her back to the wall and fled down the hallway.

“I can get rid of you right now. There's no witnesses, and Judith won't open her mouth when I get through with her,” he said through clenched teeth.

“No, you won't, Monty!” came a voice from behind Monty. “Drop the gun, and I'll spare your life,” Joe ordered, his gun held in a two-handed grip that filled Monty's face with surprise and fear.

“Ha! I'm not afraid of an aging miner,” Monty spit out, but his voice belied the words.

“I may be a miner but I'm far from aging.” Joe had moved around to face the man, his gun level with Monty's chest. “Funny thing,” he barked, “I'm so old I don't have to answer to anyone. So if you value your life, you put down your gun now! Or I promise I'll shoot you six ways from heaven before I see any harm come to Miss Judith or Jed. Your choice.”

Monty, his face full of rage, looked back and forth between the two men. If the man moved even a muscle, Jedediah knew Joe would shoot Monty point-blank. And if that didn't stop him, Jedediah would already have his gun back in hand and finish him off.

Monty took a minute to decide, but in the end he dropped his gun. Jedediah kicked it aside while Joe kept his gun pointed at the man's heart.

Jedediah walked over and snapped handcuffs on his wrists. “You're under arrest for the murder of John Hargrove.”

By the time Jedediah and Joe had gotten Monty's horse ready, Judith walked timidly into the yard, her hair coming loose from its pins and fluttering around her battered face. She had fastened a cloth on her cheek, and the wound oozed red around the edges of the bandage and was already bruising. She was holding her stomach, and her hands were trembling.

Jedediah hurried over. “He can't harm you now, Judith.” He patted her shoulder, feeling awfully sorry for her with this new turn of events on the heels of losing John. “Are you and the baby all right?”

She nodded through her tears. “I think . . . I think Monty must have lost his mind, Jed.”

“He surely must have—or something like it.” He patted her arm again. “I don't like to require this, but we will need for you to come back into town with us. I'll write a note and post it on the door for your men.” She nodded, folding her arms across her body.

“Joe, go hitch my horse to Judith's wagon—she's coming
with us.” Jed held the horse and shoved Monty upward, hands still cuffed, onto the mount. Jedediah noticed something blue in Monty's vest pocket. “Hold there a minute.” He reached over and pulled out a blue kerchief, exactly like the one Cody wore and that he'd found when he searched the boardinghouse.

“How do you like that, Joe?” he called as the man led Judith's horse over to her. “Here's one of the clues I've been looking for.” Jed looked up at Monty astride the horse. “Bob told one of the drovers about seeing something blue that night the cattle were stolen. No doubt you were wearing this at the time—hoping to incriminate Cody for your crimes. Sounds like you and Nathan were in cahoots to me.”

Monty's voice was full of venom. “Cody came swinging into the Cross Bar like he was the new foreman and had John wrapped around his finger. We couldn't let that happen.” He swung his head to stare at Judith. “Take care of that baby, darlin' . . . I'll be back.”

Jedediah saw Joe give Judith a look of sympathy, then help her into the wagon that he'd hitched Charlie to. As he took a seat next to Judith, he ordered Monty to sit behind them. “Let's let Judith stay in front so she doesn't have to see her attacker,” Jedediah said to Joe, keeping his voice low. “And by the way, thanks for saving my life.” Jedediah reached over to clap Joe on his back.

Joe beamed at him, his smile splitting his beard. “Anything for a friend.”

“You're the hero today.” Jedediah glanced back at the silent and stone-faced prisoner. He never said another word. Jedediah didn't know what to think about Monty's mental state. At least now the townsfolk could rest easy, having the
likely killer caught. The judge in Helena would take care of the rest.

As soon as Jedediah returned to the jailhouse and locked Monty up, he took down an official statement from Judith.

Word had gotten around quickly, and Patience wasn't surprised when Jedediah arrived with the distraught Judith. Patience quickly came down the steps to bring the woman into the parlor. “I'm so sorry, Judith, and with you barely recovering from your loss,” she murmured as they made their way up the steps and into Creekside.

Emily, her face still blanched white with shock at the news about Monty, told them she'd make some tea and get proper dressings for Judith's wound. The abrasion wasn't deep, but Patience cleaned it and covered it with a fresh bandage. “I believe you'll have a black eye tomorrow, but I'm not certain of that.”

“Patience,” Judith said, her lips trembling, “it was like Monty suddenly had these grandiose ideas that he and I were meant to be together. Nothing could be further from the truth!” Judith glanced over at Emily. “Oh, dear girl, I'm so sorry you had to hear this.”

Emily's hands shook as she poured the tea. “I'm so shocked—that's all. I suppose we never really know someone, do we?”

“Well, not always, I'm afraid,” Judith replied, shaking her head. “I fear if John were alive today, he would have done some serious damage to his foreman—if he'd gotten to him before the law did.”

“Well, thank the Lord you didn't miscarry and you still have a part of John to love and nurture when your baby comes,” Patience said. “But you've had a most dreadful experience, so after you finish your tea, I want you to go up to my room and lie down for a while,” Patience said.

They helped Judith upstairs and got her settled. “Judith, may I pray with you?” Patience asked. At her nod, Patience laid a hand on Judith's head and asked for the Lord's healing and protection—body, soul, and spirit—as she recovered from her ordeal.

Not long after supper, Jedediah returned to Creekside and asked Patience if she'd like to take a walk with him.

“I certainly would,” Patience said as she stepped outside. “Have you had anything to eat?”

“Yes, Joe asked Hannah to bring over something for both—” He stopped abruptly, then sighed and finished, “for both the prisoner and me.”

She slipped her arm through his. “Jed, I'm so sorry you've lost a friend, and in this horrible way.”

He patted her hand on his arm. “I think I found a true friend today—Joe.” He told Patience the story of the day's confrontation and ordeal, then about Joe saving his life.

“Then I'm deeply grateful to Joe as well, Jed.” She turned her head and smiled at him.

“And Monty's cooked his own goose with his threats to Judith, then all but admitting in front of Joe and me that he is responsible for John's death. That if he had to, he'd let Cody take the fall for it.”

“Could there be another mob demanding revenge?” she wondered aloud.

“I don't think so, but I deputized Joe earlier. He's on the job so I could pay you a visit.” They continued to stroll in the evening light. “He'll stand trial. I'll take him over to Helena, and he and Nathan can share a cell.”

“Judith certainly is relieved,” Patience said, “and she told Emily and me that she can feel safe at the Cross Bar again.” She paused. “But I get a distinct feeling that she may sell and go back East where John's family is.”

“Wouldn't surprise me,” he said.

After his recounting of events, Jedediah fell silent. Patience wondered if he was still mourning his lost friendship. They strolled until the boardwalk ended, greeting folks as they passed. Patience enjoyed being on his arm and was proud to be seen with one of the heroes of the day. He squeezed her arm against his side, and they headed back to Creekside in companionable silence.

“Patience, after I get things settled with all this, I hope we'll get the chance to have that picnic we've talked about.” Jedediah had paused at her front door, taking hold of her hands. “And now with Cody at the ranch, let me know if there's anything you need repaired or done around the boardinghouse. I did make that promise to you . . . you know, back when . . .” They looked at each other, then started laughing at the memories of their early sparring.

“You have enough to take care of right now,” she told him when she had caught her breath, “but later I have a few cabinet doors in the kitchen that need tightening at the hinges. I could probably fix some of them myself, but I don't have the proper tools.”

He smiled. “I don't doubt you could, Patience, but I'm your man. I've got the tools, and that won't take any time at all.” He squeezed her hands, still in his.

“That . . . would be great,” she managed to say. “I'd better go now, and you need to make sure Joe is fine on his own. I'll be praying that there's no trouble tonight before you leave.” She turned the doorknob to go in, but he stopped her.

“Thank you for believing that I'm a changed man now,” he said, his voice low. “I'll be going now, but very soon we need to have ourselves a good, long talk.” He let her hands go, slowly backed away, then strode up the boardwalk.

A good, long talk sounded more than good to her. And she had a good, long talk with God before finally falling asleep that night.

Half the morning was spent turning Monty over to the sheriff in Helena. Since Sheriff Thompson knew Jedediah from earlier days, Jedediah decided to sign his name one last time as “Vigilante X.”

It gave him a feeling of a job well done seeing those two men, Nathan and Monty, in jail cells. Two men likely to be hanged for their crimes, but this time the court would decide.

He tapped Charlie on the flanks and took off in the direction of the Cross Bar. He had one last piece of business there.

Judith answered the door. “Jedediah, I was not expecting to see you today,” she said with a surprised look. Her fair skin was discolored near her eye, turning several shades of the rainbow.

“Sorry to bother you again, Judith. I hope you're feeling better.”

“Please, won't you come in?” She stepped aside, and he removed his hat and followed her to the parlor. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, ma'am. I wanted to see how you are doing, but also I wondered if I might speak with Cody.”

“Of course. A moment ago he was in the barn. He may still be there.” She looked anxious. “Is anything the matter?”

“No, no, nothing at all. I merely need to return something.” He turned back to the door. “Patience tells me you might be going back East. Are you planning on selling the ranch?”

“It's a possibility. I'm going to stay with John's mother until after I have the baby, but I'll be leaving the Cross Bar in Cody's capable hands until I decide. Why?”

“I'd like you to keep me in mind, if you decide to sell. I've been saving for a place of my own.”

Judith smiled. “Rest assured you will be the first one to be informed. Thank you again, Marshal, and to Joe for what you did. I probably wouldn't be here . . .”

“Just doing my job, ma'am,” he said quietly when she didn't finish.

“Still, I'm very grateful to you and to Patience for taking care of me. She's a jewel, you know.”

Jedediah felt pleasure at simply the sound of Patience's name. “Yes, I do know that.” He tapped two fingers against his hat brim. “Let me go catch Cody before he takes off. You take care now.” He turned, walked out the door, and strode over to the barn.