Caught Between Love And Duty

by Clarice Mayfield

  “She might have a thing or two to say about that, sir,” James replied. “The fact is, Georgia and me are engaged too. Why don’t we let her decide whom she’s gonna marry?”

  “What?” Charles exclaimed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Well, we been movin’ along pretty quick tonight, don’t you think? I didn’t get a chance to tell you until now,” James smiled.

  Despite his dismay, Charles found himself amused by the distance their conversation had covered too. “Where is she staying now, McCloud? I’d like to see her as soon as possible.”

  “I understand, sir. Fact is there’s more to the story too. Georgia’s been prescribed a few days bed rest by the doctor.”

  “Oh, goodness! What happened? Is she ill?”

  “Your daughter took a Comanche dart yesterday and is recovering from the sedative,” James said simply.

  “A Comanche dart?!” Charles exclaimed in disbelief. “What is this, a dime store novel?”

  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree: that’s exactly what Georgia said.

  “A gang of desperadoes attacked the town a day ago. The Comanche was one of ‘em. Your daughter’s gonna be all right though.”

  “And where were you when all this happened, Sheriff?” Charles went on, his face reddening with shock and anger

  “Mr. Warton,” James shot back in exasperation at another insult, “I ain’t no tenderfoot. Me and my deputy were three blocks away when the attack happened. Georgia was taken away in broad daylight. We got there as fast as we could but it was already over and she was gone.”

  Charles stopped in mid-tirade, taken aback by the news that Georgia had been kidnapped.

  “We lit out for their hideout and killed two of ‘em, got her back the same day, safe and sound. But she just came to this afternoon and needs more rest.”

  Warton stared silently at the sheriff and his anger began to subside. “I’m sorry, McCloud. I can see you’re dealing with an extraordinary situation here. Thank you for getting her back. It was just such a shock finding out she was kidnapped. Please forgive me. I love my little girl so much, I couldn’t bear to lose her.”

  James saw tears welling up in the old man’s eyes and felt sympathy for him.

  “The Doc says she’s gonna be all right. Just needs a lot of rest. He says she can have visitors the day after tomorrow. You can come stay with us at the ranch while you’re in town, if you like, sir. That’s where Georgia is. We got the midwife stayin’ there and takin’ good care of her.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff, I appreciate that.”

  “Call me James.”

  “Fair enough. It’s Charles, James. Do you know why this attack occurred and my daughter was abducted?”

  “My brother was also kidnapped by the same gang. He got away on his own and unharmed. So we think it may be someone out for revenge on me or my family. A lawman often makes enemies just by doing his job but far as I know, all my enemies are either dead or in jail. So we don’t know who is behind it yet.”

  James stood up as Warton pondered this statement and what it might mean for his daughter’s future. The sheriff put on his Stetson and an oilskin slicker, then offered one of the spare rain-slickers to the old man. “You’re gonna need this tonight out in that storm,” he said, “can you ride?”

  “I’m not so genteel that I can’t handle a horse.”

  “Just makin’ sure. Wouldn’t want that Boston suit to get all covered in mud.”

  They blew out the lamps, locked the door, and left for the ranch.

  * * *

  “My goodness these eggs are delicious!” Charles exclaimed the next morning as he enjoyed a second helping of breakfast at the Golden Lane.

  “From our own chickens,” James replied. “Farm fresh. Though it might have somethin’ to do with starving on Sam’s stagecoach for a couple days too.”

  “I think you’re right,” Charles laughed. “That was a journey I won’t soon forget.”

  “How is your Aunt Martha doing today, Señor James?” Francisco said.

  “Better, Fran,” James replied. “She woke up yesterday just a few hours after Georgia did. The both of them are on bed rest for a few days – Doc’s orders.”

  “That is very good to hear,” the ranch hand replied, “the Lord grant them a good recovery.”

  “Fran, this here’s Charles Warton – Georgia’s father – just arrived from Boston last night and he’ll be stayin’ with us for awhile.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Señor Warton. How was your journey?”

  “Glad to meet you, Francisco,” Charles replied, reaching across the table and shaking his hand. “I confess, it felt like a very long journey for an older man like me. Over a thousand miles by train. And after that, two days and a night on your infamous stagecoach from San Antonio.”

  “Sí, señor,” Francisco smiled, “this is a very big country, no?”

  “No doubt about it. I never truly realized how large it is before – but now I can sure feel it in my aching bones!” They all laughed.

  “How ‘bout some more pancakes to help get your strength back, Mr. Warton?” asked Biddy Logan. She was a local midwife staying at the Golden Lane to help nurse the ladies back to health and take care of the household while they were recovering. A slim and pretty African-American woman in her late thirties, Biddy had arrived the day before and taken over Martha’s duties as head cook.

  “No, thank you, Biddy,” said Charles, “that was an excellent breakfast but I’m so full I couldn’t eat another bite.”

  James finished his coffee and pushed back from the table. “Charles, I’ve got to head to work now. If you’d like to look in on Georgia later or pop in to meet Aunt Martha, Biddy will show you where their rooms are. Some of the ranch hands will be around the place today too if you need anything.”

  “Thank you kindly, James. I can’t wait to see my daughter. And I’m looking forward very much to meeting your Aunt Martha.”

  “Can you handle a shotgun?” James asked.

  “Yes. I’ve done some duck hunting in my time.”

  “Good. That there is Martha’s scattergun leaning on the kitchen wall. It’s loaded. More ammunition is in the cupboard over there. Those outlaws have never showed up here at the ranch yet, sir, but we have to take precautions and be ready for anything. There’s at least two of ‘em still at large: the Comanche and a white man.”

  “I understand, Sheriff, and I will be sure to keep a close eye out.”

  As James left for Sonora, Charles walked over to the shotgun and picked it up. He broke open the barrels and confirmed that it was loaded, then checked the ammunition cupboard. It was filled to the top with lead. “Enough shells in here to fight a war,” he chuckled.

  The first rays of dawn were lighting the Texas sky and he stepped out onto the veranda to enjoy the view. It had been too dark the night before to see anything but now Charles was taken aback by the beauty of the land around them. Spring was in full bloom. The fresh green of oaks and junipers stood out among the hills and savanna pastures. Here and there rocky outcrops of limestone punctuated the verdant landscape. “Good Lord,” he whispered, “this place is beautiful.”

  After a few minutes of breathing in the fresh air and admiring the view, he went back inside and found Mrs. Logan finishing up the breakfast dishes.

  “What magnificent countryside this is, Biddy.”

  “Isn’t it gorgeous in the springtime?” she smiled. “My favorite time of year.”

  “I can certainly see why,” Charles remarked. “James tells me you’re the local midwife?”

  “Midwife, nurse, cook, and chief bottle-washer sometimes. For over ten years now. Must’ve delivered half the babies in Sutton County, Mr. Warton. Black, white, or brown – I brought ‘em all into the world.”

  “What an outstanding and important job for a person to do, Biddy. Where are you from?”

  “Georgia,” she smiled. “That’s where I learned the trade.”

&n
bsp; Charles was delighted. “Georgia! Our girl was born just at the end of the war, you know. Naming her after your state was our little way of helping with reconstruction, I guess. Plus we just loved the sound of it.”

  “Yes, sir, she is truly a beautiful state too. I miss it sometimes. But me and my husband settled here fifteen years ago and this is our home now.”

  “That’s wonderful. I’m so glad you are here looking after the women. How is my little girl doing?”

  “Miss Georgia woke up yesterday afternoon. Very groggy. Don’t know what’s in that Comanche medicine but it sure knocked her out for a spell. They’re both still very tired, sleepin’ alot. But they is strong women, Mr. Warton. Doc Simmons says they’re on the mend and ought to be up and about in a couple days.”

  “That’s good to hear. I just got into Sonora last night and it was such a shock to hear what had happened,” said Charles.

  “Yes,” Biddy replied, “this town ain’t never seen the like. Oh, we seen outlaws before, but never any kidnappin’ going on. Nobody knows what to make of it.”

  “Would you show me where their rooms are so I can see how they’re doing, Biddy?”

  “Of course. Follow me.”

  10

  Charles was led to the main floor hallway and a set of rooms situated directly across from each other. “This is Miss Georgia’s room on the left, and Aunt Martha’s on the right.”

  The door to Georgia’s room was slightly ajar. Charles gingerly peeked inside and saw his daughter sleeping peacefully. He looked at her for a moment to be sure she was okay and then closed the door. “She’s sleeping,” he whispered to Biddy.

  He stepped across the hallway and quietly opened the other door. Inside was a red-haired lady sitting up in bed reading a newspaper. She was wearing a dressing gown. He started to withdraw and leave her to the newspaper when the woman looked up. “Why you must be Charles Warton from Boston!” she grinned. “David told me this mornin’ that you was here. Come on in and have a seat if you like. The Doc says I need one more day of bed rest – ‘til then folks gotta come into my room to see me, dressin’ gown and all. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, no, not at all,” Charles said, somewhat embarrassed at greeting a lady in her bedclothes nonetheless. “I’m Georgia’s father,” he said, then looked over his shoulder at Biddy. She smiled, waved at him, and walked back in the direction of the kitchen. Charles sat down in the chair beside the bed.

  “I’m Martha Gainey. Sorry about what happened to your daughter, Mr. Warton. She’s a good gal. I’ve taken quite a shine to her myself.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Gainey,” he said.

  “Please, call me Martha. We don’t stand much on ceremony here.” She looked at Warton’s well-cut clothing and wondered how the father of a seamstress could afford such expensive items. But Martha let it pass without comment. Folks out west didn’t pry about such things.

  “Well all right then, Martha: call me Charles. I’ve heard that you’ve had quite a time of it lately too.”

  “Aw, it’s nothin’ but a little sleepin’ potion from a Comanche dart,” she winked. “Still a bit tired from it but Doc Simmons says both me and Georgia are gonna be fine.”

  “I’m glad you two are on the mend. Who would do such a terrible thing to a couple of ladies?”

  “Nobody rightly knows who’s behind it yet. Could be somebody has a grudge against James.”

  “Yes, he told me that it’s an occupational hazard for a lawman.”

  “It’s happened before,” Martha said. “Not a kidnapping, I mean. But some outlaw or his family getting upset that their boy got caught and went to prison. So they try and get some pay back against the lawman. They usually end up gettin’ shot or sent back to prison for their trouble.”

  “A very dangerous profession sometimes,” Charles said.

  “Yes, sir. But our James has been at it for seven years now. He knows how to take care of himself. One of the best trackers in west Texas too,” she said proudly.

  “You said you’ve grown very fond of Georgia, Martha. How about James? Does he care for her as well?”

  “Oh, yes. I reckon those two hit it off right out of the gate! When she got into town that girl had him in stitches the first time they met. He was tickled pink when he showed her how to shoot too.”

  “Georgia? Shooting a gun? She absolutely loathes weapons of any kind. Always has.”

  Martha chuckled. “Yep, that’s for sure. She told James she’d rather rope a steer than fire a gun. He loved it! But I give her credit: she was game to give it a try. Yes, sir, that’s quite a gal.”

  “And does Georgia feel the same about him?” Charles asked. “Does my daughter care for the sheriff?”

  “Well now, she ain’t come right around and said it to me as such. But I ain’t so old that I can’t remember what it looks like when two people are in love. The way they are when they’re together, the look they have for one another. Yes sir, they’re in love all right, Charles. Me and her was in town the other day lookin’ at weddin’ dresses in the catalog at the Mercantile. She was all tickled pink about it. Very happy like. Georgia asked me to get a special dress for the occasion too, so we both ordered one.”

  Charles thought about what Martha had said. It certainly seemed that his daughter’s relationship with the sheriff had been good for her – and good for James. By all accounts they were happy together. He felt guilty about wanting to interfere with that.

  “I’ve known both James and David since they were babies,” Martha continued, “raised ‘em after their mother died. And Charles, believe me, I ain’t seen James so content in years.”

  “What happened to their mother?” he asked.

  “Killed on the Texas frontier during the Indian wars. Comanche raided their farm while her husband was away. She hid the babies and saved their lives. I was a neighbor and a family friend, a few years younger than Marie. I volunteered to look after the young’uns until Josiah – their father – could get back on his feet. He never remarried and I ended up stayin’ so long they just started callin’ me Auntie! But anyways, like I says: I haven’t seen James so happy since his first marriage. He loved Margaret and was crushed when she died ten years ago. Took him years to get over it. When he met your daughter I saw that same kind of happiness come into his life again.”

  Charles felt another stab of guilt at the prospect of interfering in the joy of two young people in love. What right did he have to do that? Yet the fact remained that if Abraham Bishop did not become Georgia’s husband then he – Charles Warton – would lose the family business. His wife Emilia would take it very hard. He knew it would be possible to earn a living by working for another firm in some way. They would get by, he was sure of that. But Emilia would be devastated at the loss of status and comfort she had enjoyed her entire life. She was born into luxury and had never known anything else.

  Charles, on the other hand, was a “self-made” man and was sure he could survive such a setback. He did not truly know if Emilia could do the same, and that troubled him very much. Or is there more to it than that? Could I be exaggerating her condition, using it as an excuse to try and justify keeping our fortune by any means? He pushed the thought away impatiently.

  “I’m surely glad to hear that those young folks care for each other, Martha. I really am. Frankly it also puts me between a rock and a hard place.”

  “Oh? How’s that?” she said with surprise.

  “Last night James and I had a long conversation about it at his office in town. You see, I arrived in Sonora searching for a runaway from an arranged marriage in Boston. Georgia came here already engaged to another man.”

  “Land sakes, Charles! That don’t seem like somethin’ Georgia would do.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I agree. But there are extenuating circumstances...”

  He told her the whole story of the wrecked freighter, Abe Bishop’s conditional bailout, Georgia’s determination to save the family business, her true identity
as a debutante – and the utter loathing for Bishop that drove her from Boston. He also explained about his fragile wife and the possible effects on Emilia if the business failed.

  “So that’s where it stands now, Martha,” Charles sighed heavily. “I’m in a difficult position. On the one hand I’m very glad that our daughter has found love and happiness here in Texas. Yet I’m also facing financial ruin if Georgia’s engagement to Bishop falls through.”

  Martha looked at the man and felt sorry for him and his predicament. She felt even sorrier that Georgia was caught in the middle of it all. “That is one dandy of a pickle you’ve got yourself into, Charles. I’m truly grieved to hear it. When it comes right down to it though, seems to me you got to make a choice between two things.”