A Bride For Gideon

by Caroline Clemmons

  Keira nodded. “She wants Alf and me out of the way so she can marry Gideon.”

  Her husband growled. “As if that would ever happen.”

  Keira put her arm around her husband’s waist. “If she’s crazy enough to do this, she’s out of touch with reality.”

  “That’s true. Darren, do you need us to spell you tonight?”

  “No, but I’d sure appreciate Keira coming over tomorrow to stay with Orla.”

  Keira asked, “What about your supper tonight?”

  “I’ll have what’s left from last night. Since she couldn’t eat, there’s plenty left for me tonight.”

  “I’ll be here to make your breakfast. Gideon can come with me. Perhaps Orla will be able to eat scrambled eggs by then.”

  Darren looked near tears. “Thank you.”

  Keira hugged him. “Remember, make her drink liquids when she’s awake. The honey will help her throat.”

  Gideon led her toward the door. “Goodnight.”

  On the way home, Gideon exhaled. “Sure hard to see her looking like that. Scared me half to death.”

  “I know. When I got here with Dr. Norton, she was on the floor. I swear I thought she was dead. Instead, she was out of her head and decided to go to the privy. If this is because of Ella Price, then I hope that woman goes to jail for the rest of her miserable life.”

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Back at their home, Keira gathered leftovers and canned goods for supper. They had barely finished their meal when there was a knock at the door. Gideon rose and went to discover who was calling on them at this hour.

  After exchanging greetings, Gideon asked, “We’re happy to have you here, but I suspect there’s a reason you’ve come.”

  Sheriff Jim Evans’ solemn expression reinforced the idea. “I’ve come to ask what you know about Ella Price.” He nodded at Keira. “Beg pardon, Mrs. Ross. I wouldn’t be so rude but this is important.”

  Keira smiled. “Hearing her name doesn’t offend me, Sheriff. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  “As a matter of fact, I’d appreciate one, black.” He turned back to Gideon. “What can you tell me?”

  She brought the lawman a steaming cup.

  “Not much. She didn’t use a matrimonial agency but instead placed an advertisement. Her address was somewhere in Missouri. Orla will remember.”

  The sheriff shot Gideon a questioning glance.

  Gideon grimaced and told the story of how he came to be engaged to Ella. “I don’t have any of the letters or other information. Orla’s pretty sick but Darren might know.”

  “Thank you.” He drained the cup and handed it to Keira. “I’ll get over and talk to McVie. I have my suspicions and need to clear up a few matters.”

  When they were alone again, Gideon sat in his chair. “I sure hate people knowing the circumstances of Ella coming to Pearson Grove. I apologize again, Keira.”

  “That’s behind us, dear husband. I’m worn out. Let’s go to bed.”

  They’d been asleep several hours when Keira awakened suddenly.

  Gideon thrashed around in bed. “Travis, no, not you.”

  “Gideon? Wake up, Gideon. You’re having a bad dream.” No matter how much she shook him and tried to talk him awake, he continued to flail his arms.

  She had to duck to prevent being hit. She leaned in to get near his ear. “Gideon!”

  He grabbed her arms. “You won’t get away.”

  That was right. She couldn’t get away. She yelled again and again.

  As quickly as he’d grabbed her, he released her but his breath was in ragged gasps. “Keira? Did I hurt you? I’m so sorry. Please tell me if you’re all right.”

  She rubbed her arms, certain she’d have bruises. “I’m fine. You had that bad dream again. You shouted the name Travis.”

  He pulled her head to his shoulder. “The nightmare won’t come again tonight. You can rest easy.”

  She laid her arm across his waist. What kind of demon created such horrible dreams? How much worse that the nightmares were memories of actual events rather than his imagination. Her poor, sweet husband. She couldn’t envision the horrors he’d witnessed and endured.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  The next day, Keira was knitting in the parlor when her husband came home an hour earlier than usual.

  Gideon wore a solemn expression. “Alf Price died this morning, poisoned. The sheriff has arrested Ella.”

  She put aside her needles and yarn. “That’s horrible. Do you know what kind of poison was used?”

  “Doctor Norton found arsenic in Alf’s blood and in the sugar from our place. I swear, when I think of Orla almost dying, I get weak in the knees. Doc said there was enough that one more dose might have killed her.”

  She stood and went to him. “I repeat, Ella must be insane. She’d have to be to do such a horrible thing.”

  He pulled her into his embrace. “I agree. I’m grateful you don’t use sugar in your tea.”

  She returned his hug, clinging to his strength. “What drove her I wonder?”

  “I’m sure there’s more to be learned. For now, I want to have our dinner and stay here in our home together.”

  Pulling from his embrace, she immediately sensed the loss. Admit it, you love being near your husband. To cover her musing, she quickly dished up their meal.

  Gideon sat at his place and said grace. “The entire town is buzzing with speculation about her trial and possible sentence.”

  “Do they keep women in a cell as they would a man?” She sipped her milk.

  Her husband shook his head. “The jail isn’t equipped for women. Sheriff Evans has her locked in a hotel room.”

  Keira shivered. “That doesn’t sound very secure. I hope she can’t escape.”

  “She’s on the second floor and it’s a steep drop to the ground. The sheriff has assigned three men to work in shifts so there will be someone stationed outside her door around the clock. The deputies will be armed.”

  “Don’t you wonder what caused her mind to snap?”

  Gideon rested his fork on his plate. “I haven’t told you everything yet.”

  Keira leaned back in her chair. “Good heavens, what else have you learned?”

  “She was married in Missouri and her husband died under mysterious circumstances. What tipped off the sheriff was a handbill he received. The description fit Ella and Alf had already been suffering with gastric fever. Apparently, many times that’s a misdiagnosis of arsenic poisoning.”

  “Don’t you wonder how many times murder is successful? Oh, poor Orla could have died. But, if Ella had only poisoned Alf, she might have been successful.”

  “I don’t know. Doctor Norton is sharp and was already suspicious when he learned about Orla being sick. I think he would have tested Alf’s blood or whatever they do to determine if there’s arsenic in the body.”

  “Arsenic is so easy to come by. I’ve heard besides most people using it for rat and mice poison, it’s in wallpaper and paint and a lot of things we use daily.”

  “Not in deadly amounts. That sugar was the final piece of the puzzle for him.” He shook his head. “Enough about that dismal subject. What are you knitting with that red yarn?”

  She grinned at him. “I’m making a sweater for you that was supposed to be a surprise.”

  He gave her a sheepish smile. “Guess me coming home early was a surprise for you.”

  She reached over and squeezed his hand. “A welcome one. I’m happy to have more time with my husband.”

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Keira waked late into the night. Beside her, Gideon thrashed in another of his nightmares. She tried to wake him.

  “Travis, not you. No!” Gideon rolled to his stomach. He sobbed in his sleep as he pounded the bed with his fists. “No, I can’t do it.”

  This was far worse than any of his previous bad dreams. She stroked his back in an effort to soothe him. “Gideon, wake up. You’re having a dream, Gideon, on
ly a dream. I’m Keira, your wife, do you remember?”

  He showed no signs of responding to her efforts. This time, he required more time to wake. She rose and lit the lamp before she dampened a towel. Back in bed, she smoothed the towel over his forehead and his eyes.

  Gradually, he woke. Ragged breaths came almost as if he were still sobbing. He rolled to his side and pulled her close. “Thank you, let me hold you like this.”

  She didn’t intend to be put off again. “Gideon, what happened to Travis that haunts you?”

  “He… he died in the war.”

  That much she knew. “I suppose you saw him die.”

  “Yes, but I can’t talk about it, not even to you, so don’t ask me.” His voice held finality.

  She intended to persist until she had an answer. “You must or you’ll never stop this recurring nightmare. Tell me what happened, please, Gideon. Explain to me so I understand and can help you.”

  “You help by being here, by letting me cradle you like this.”

  “That’s not enough, though, because the dream comes again and again.”

  She rose to her elbow so she could look into his eyes. “Talk to me about his death. I know the war was terrible and that you saw horrors you want to forget. Help me understand why this one death troubles you more than any other.”

  “He was my best friend. I call Darren my best friend now, but Travis was until his death.” He broke into sobs again. “I can’t talk about it, please don’t ask me to.”

  “I have to, Gideon, you’re my husband. I’ll do anything I can to help you. Do you think I don’t realize this is too complex to be resolved in a few words? If you’ll talk with me, the healing will begin.”

  “There’ll be no healing. Never.” Gideon sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “Keira, Travis was gut shot. Do you know what that means?”

  “I know even though I’ve never seen it happen.”

  “I hope you never do. His was bad, really bad. When I found him he’d crawled a few feet while holding on to his insides. He’d lost his gun somewhere, I guess before he was shot. I couldn’t leave him like that.”

  What pain to see a close friend in such a dilemma. “So, there was no saving him?”

  “No chance. He was in awful pain and begged me to shoot him.”

  Her heart broke for her gentle husband. “I’m so sorry you had to do that, Gideon. What a burden for you to bear.”

  Surprise showed on his face. “You understand? You know what I did?”

  “What any friend would have done in your place. You couldn’t walk away from him and leave him suffering without hope.”

  “I’d shot men in the war but not men I knew. I don’t know how it’s different, but in my mind it is.” He slumped with his elbows on his knees. “I killed my best friend.”

  She crawled across the bed to reach him. “Gideon, forgive yourself. If you’ve asked God’s forgiveness, you’ve received it.”

  “I did at the time. I begged God’s forgiveness but I can’t forget what I did. The reason I have no faith is God deserted me or I wouldn’t feel this way.”

  “God didn’t desert you. You’re the one who’s punishing yourself now. If the situation was reversed, would you expect Travis to carry this weight forever?”

  He frowned at her and she saw doubt in his eyes. “No, of course not.”

  “Then why should you?

  He slumped again. “I don’t see how I’m better than Ella Price.”

  She grabbed his shoulder and gave a slight shake. She’d intended it to be a hard shake but he was too big and strong. “Gideon Ross, don’t make me hit you. The situation is entirely different. Did you profit by Travis’ death? Far from it. Did you plot to kill him? No, quite the opposite.”

  “I guess but it still seems the same.”

  “Why can’t you honor the memory of your friend without the guilt? You didn’t cause him to be severely injured. You delivered him from a slow, excruciating death and helped him pass over in peace with his best friend present.”

  He stared at her with a frown but she saw hope blossom in his eyes. “Can you really believe that?”

  “Yes, and if you talk to Reverend Wells I’m sure he’d tell you the same thing.”

  “I’ve dwelled on this so long, Keira. It’s a heavy weight that’s felt like that picture in the book with Atlas carrying the world. You truly believe God forgave me?”

  “I do and I believe that he’s been with you. Remember in Jeremiah 29:11 where the Scripture says ‘For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ That’s my favorite Bible verse.”

  “I haven’t heard it in a long time but I can see why you like that one.”

  “Come back to sleep, husband. You have a hard day tomorrow with McDowell’s wagon.”

  His burr was thick with emotion. “Aye, I do. I’m verra, verra lucky to have you as my wife. I’m sure you are a gift from God.”

  She snuggled against his shoulder. “I’ll remind you of that from time to time, husband.”

  Chapter Twenty Five

  On Thursday, Gideon told Mark Walker he had to leave for an errand then he walked to the parsonage. He’d wondered if Reverend Wells would agree with Keira regarding Travis.

  Surprise crossed the minister’s face but he quickly composed his features. “Come in, Gideon. Nice to see you.”

  He followed the minister to his small parlor. “I’ve a serious problem and I need your opinion.”

  The minister chuckled. “I have plenty of opinions. I’ll be happy to share. Sit down and tell me about what concerns you.”

  Gideon explained his nightmares and the cause. “My wife believes God forgave me and says I’ve no reason to bear the weight of guilt as I have. She said you would no doubt concur if I talked to you. You being a minister, I thought you’d have a proper opinion.”

  “Keira is a good wife to offer the advice she has. Your concern does you credit.”

  The minister leaned back in his chair with a solemn expression. “I, too, served in the war and bear the burden of things I did and saw. Some men will never recover. Some have taken their own lives because they can’t forget or forgive.”

  He exhaled and shook his head as if blowing away a terrible vision. “You are fortunate that you have a loving wife who understands and wants to help you.”

  Gideon recalled her saying she’d remind him of his good fortune and smiled. “I realize that and am grateful.”

  The minister spoke to him of the power of forgiveness. “Your wife gave good counsel, Gideon. The minute you sincerely asked God’s forgiveness, you were forgiven. You are free of this burden you’ve carried as soon as you forgive yourself.”

  A great weight lifted from Gideon. He took a deep breath. “Can forgiveness be this simple?”

  “Not simple for Christ, but simple for us. Remember that He paid for our sins. I am quite serious when I say you are forgiven. Go and live your life in peace.”

  “Thank you, Reverend Wells.”

  “I wish you’d call me Joe. I’d like to think we are friends.”

  “Right you are, Joe. I’ll treasure your friendship and not forget a word you’ve said.”

  Gideon walked to the smithy with a new spring in his step. He felt years younger. If he were Atlas, he’d tossed the world aside and no longer carried that burden.

  With her compassion and caring, his wife had restored his faith. She had given him what he thought was lost forever. He gave thanks for Keira in his life.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  That evening, Keira opened the door to see Sheriff Jim Evans.

  “I need to talk to both of you so I thought it easier if I came here than having you come to the office at the jail.”

  Keira ushered him into the kitchen. “Sit down, Sheriff.” She took down a cup from the cupboard. “We have peach pie to go with the coffee. If you haven’t eaten, I can serve you a dish of what we h
ad for supper.”

  “Thank you, I ate supper but I sure won’t turn down pie and coffee.” He hung his hat on a corner of a vacant chair.

  Gideon winked at his wife. “I could eat another slice.”

  She smiled at him. “Of course you could. I never doubted that for a moment.”

  When they were seated around the kitchen table with their dessert, Keira looked expectantly at the sheriff. “Is something wrong?”

  “Nothing unusual. I wanted to let you know the judge will be here next week. You’ll be expected to give testimony, Mrs. Ross.”

  “Please call me Keira. I thought probably I would and I’m prepared.”

  The sheriff sent her a speculative gaze. “You may think you are but I have to caution you. The defense attorney will try to confuse you and get you upset, hoping you’ll make mistakes or appear unreliable. Don’t let him. It’s a ploy he uses at every trial.”

  “I don’t get ruffled easily but I do have a temper.”

  He nodded and grinned. “I remember the dance.”

  She sensed a blush spread across her face. “I’m less defensive if someone attacks me than someone close to me.”

  “He will attack Mrs. McVie and, if he can think of a way, he will draw in your husband. He was at the dance and knows that is a topic you defend. Keep calm and remember that is his way of doing his job, which is to prove her innocence.”

  Keira protested, “But she’s guilty. We know she is.”

  “We do, but in America everyone is innocent until proven guilty. At least that’s what the law says.”

  The sheriff scraped up the last bite of his pie. “In some communities vigilantes have taken over and skipped the court, but not here. I won’t tolerate that sort of thing even when I know the person is guilty. Law and order is important to our quality of life. Otherwise, we have chaos.”

  He took a swallow of coffee. “Well, didn’t mean to go off on a tangent and philosophize. Just want you to be prepared to be roasted and turned.”