Mail Order Blessing

by Maya Stirling

  Aaron got out of bed and went to the window. It was a beautiful sunny morning. There was a buckboard parked up outside the front of the house, but he didn't recognize it. He frowned and wondered whose it might be.

  He figured he and Rachel might spend some time in town. Aaron wanted to show off his new bride. He was so proud of her. Yesterday had gone a long way to convincing him that Sweetheart Falls was the place for him after all.

  As he got dressed in his casual grey cotton shirt and blue jeans, he shook his head when he considered his former reluctance to consider a life in Sweetheart Falls. How could he have been so stupid. This was where he was meant to be. He was sure of that now. Rachel had shown him that. Already life without her seemed unthinkable.

  With someone like Rachel by his side he was sure now that life in the small town would be anything but dull.

  And then he thought about the joy of their union of the previous night. It brought color to his face just thinking about it. He'd tried to be as gentle and considerate as he could be. The memory of their intimacy made Aaron feel a curious peace within himself. It was a sensation that was completely new. He liked it and looked forward to it being something he'd feel for a long time to come.

  His contemplations were interrupted by the sound of voices from downstairs. He could hear Rachel's voice. There seemed to be an animated discussion taking place.

  Aaron finished dressing and made his way downstairs. As he made his way down he recognized the voices of Martha and Cassie. Aaron wondered what Rachel's sisters were doing here so early. From the sound of their conversation it was clear there was something going on. At the bottom of the stairs he steadied himself.

  He heard Rachel's voice. "Aaron will be able to fix this. I'm sure he will. He knows the law. What that Pinkerton says in nonsense," he heard her say.

  Aaron frowned. The Pinkerton? Ryan had already brought that to Aaron's attention. Now it looked as if the Pinkerton had shown his hand. By the sounds of it the sisters weren't at all happy about something.

  Aaron stepped into the parlor. "Good morning Martha. Cassie." Aaron nodded to the two visitors. Aaron's first impressions were that the sisters all had the same terrified expression on their faces. This was bad. He could feel it in his bones.

  "Aaron, you have to help us," Rachel ejaculated, leaping up from the sofa. Aaron noticed that Martha and Cassie stayed seated. Martha had a reassuring hand on her pregnant sister's arm.

  Aaron took his wife's hand. "What's wrong? Cassie are you alright?" he asked.

  Cassie smiled wanly. "I'm fine Aaron. Thank you for asking. We seem to have a slight problem," she said.

  "Slight problem?" said Rachel. "I'd say it's more than a slight problem."

  Martha looked at Aaron. "Ethan's been arrested," she said bluntly.

  Aaron felt his legs go weak. "Arrested? For what?"

  "Abducting Rachel and I from our aunt and uncles care back east," explained Martha.

  Aaron let Rachel's hand go and ran his fingers through his hair.

  Aaron recalled that Ethan had gone back east soon after marrying Cassie and persuaded her two sisters to come to Sweetheart Falls. They had both agreed since Ethan had had letters and photos proving who he was. It was how the sisters had been freed from the harsh care of their aunt and uncle who had taken them in after the death of the sisters' parents.

  It was an amazing thing Ethan had done and Aaron had nothing but respect for a man who would go to such lengths to make Cassie happy. Aaron wondered if he would be able to show such commitment. In his heart, he really hoped he would be able to.

  Aaron frowned at Martha. "What do you mean? You both came here of your own free will. Didn't you?"

  Rachel nodded. "Of course we did. We only needed some help and persuasion. But Ethan was so amazing."

  "So how come the Pinkerton managed to get Ethan detained?" Aaron asked.

  Martha stood and clasped her hands tightly in front of her. "It seems our aunt and uncle complained about the circumstances of our coming here. They claim that we didn't come here voluntarily. But that is nonsense."

  Aaron nodded. "It sure is. What's in it for your aunt and uncle? Is there money back East that they stand to get their hands on if you are returned to their care?"

  Martha shook her head. "Our father died and left nothing."

  "So why are they doing this?" Aaron asked. He couldn't understand it.

  Martha took her seat next to Cassie. It was clear to Aaron that this was an immense strain on Cassie. He worried that the stress might affect the baby and he didn't want that. He had to act.

  "I need to go and see Ethan. Ryan's my friend. He'll let me visit with him. I have to ask Ethan some questions," Aaron said. He smiled at Rachel, trying to reassure her, but it didn't seem to have much effect. She was so pale looking. He started to feel concerned for her.

  Aaron went to the fireplace and leaned against it. "I'll have to shake some sense into that Pinkerton. Those guys are just troublemakers."

  Martha nodded. "He was so unpleasant when we tried to demand answers from him. The sheriff says the Pinkerton might be taking Ethan back East on the next train."

  "Not if I have anything to do with it. The Pinkerton has to follow due process, whether he likes it or not. Ryan'll help me out. I'm sure of that."

  Cassie started to sob and Martha wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulders. Rachel sat down next to Cassie and started whispering reassuring words. Aaron felt the ire rise up inside him. He looked at the three sisters and felt his throat tighten. These women had been through so much. Some of the stories he'd heard about how hard they'd worked since arriving in Sweetheart Falls made him feel ashamed of his own former feckless attitude. These women personified what it meant to create a new life out in the West, battling against all the odds, and doing it all with a strong sense of integrity and honesty.

  Standing there looking at them, Aaron felt proud that he was a part of their lives. He was one of the three men they had chosen as husbands. The other two men would surely have learned what he had learned since knowing Rachel; that he would have to be as strong as his wife if they were to have any chance of having a life together.

  He wasn't going to let some vile relatives and a despicable lawman ruin the happiness these three women had fought so hard for.

  Aaron's heart started to pump faster as he thought about how the law could be used to ruin as well as help. That was what it meant to live in Sweetheart Falls. It wasn't just about the dignity and goodness of the folk who'd settled here. It was also about standing up against injustice so that good people would prevail over the bad.

  He'd fixed the mistake his father had made about Beatrice's house, but that was trivial compared to this. He'd let Rachel take the upper hand with that one. Now it was his turn to show Rachel just how much their life together in Sweetheart Falls meant to him now.

  "I'm going to the jailhouse," Aaron announced firmly.

  Rachel looked up at her husband and there was a look of surprise in her eyes. Aaron could tell she'd noticed the tone of his voice, and he was glad that she had.

  Aaron started to make his way out of the parlor. Rachel stood. "I'm coming with you," she said.

  Aaron stood firm. "No. I'm going to sort this one out. I'm the man with the law on my side. This has to be fixed with clear heads and cool hearts."

  Rachel looked at him. Her lower lip dropped for a moment, as if she were about to disagree. Aaron fixed her with a look that told her straight that he would brook no disagreement. Rachel paused and then smiled. She leaned up and kissed Aaron on the cheek. "You're right," she whispered. "I'm needed here with my sisters."

  Aaron placed a hand on her arm and wanted so badly to draw her close to him. But, he knew this wasn't the time nor the place. There was a job to be done and he was the only one who could do it.

  Aaron looked at Martha and Cassie. "I give you my word that Ethan will be free within the hour," he said, surprising himself that he could speak in such a manner.
But, when he looked at the two women and saw the light in their eyes, he knew he was about to do the most important thing he'd ever done.

  ****

  Aaron would have to brazen it out. That's what he thought. There had to be a way to stop the Pinkerton from taking Ethan away. There was no way he was going to allow that to happen. If Ethan went with the Pinkerton that would be a disaster not only for Ethan and Cassie and their newborn, it would also get Aaron and Rachel's marriage off to a terrible start. He wasn't sure it would ever recover from such a catastrophic blow.

  Aaron strode along the dusty road and thought about what he'd read just before leaving the house. He'd gone into his father's study and taken down one of the principle texts on family law. His father was nothing if not methodical when it came to owning the most up to date legal tomes.

  Aaron had recalled a time when he'd been studying the laws around marriage. From the moment he'd gone back upstairs to get properly dressed, something in the back of his mind had been whispering to him.

  There was something not right about the actions of the Pinkerton. He felt it in his bones. But, he knew those guys had a reputation for riding roughshod over the law. He'd heard stories that had shocked him; tales of judges throwing out cases for lack of evidence; accounts of Pinkerton's being accused of bending the law.

  It hadn't taken Aaron long to find the answer. Truth was, it wasn't the complete answer, but it might just do. He hoped it would because it was all he really had to go on, right now.

  He arrived at the jailhouse. Sweat had broken out on his forehead. Aaron hoped it didn't show too much. He didn't want the Pinkerton thinking he was weak. Ryan would help out though. He was sure of it.

  Aaron entered the jailhouse and found Ryan seated behind his desk and the Pinkerton sitting in the corner of the room with a glass in his hand. The flush on the Pinkerton's face told Aaron that man was enjoying an early morning celebration. Aaron could smell the whiskey from where he stood.

  Ryan stood and came round the desk, shaking Aaron's hand.

  "Aaron. Good to see you," Ryan said. Aaron saw that his friend's face was lined with worry. Ryan looked relieved to see Aaron.

  The Pinkerton scowled at Aaron. Ryan gestured toward the inebriated man. "Aaron, this is Mr Fowler. He's from the Pinkerton agency."

  "I know that," Aaron said flatly. "I might say I'm pleased to meet you sir, but I wouldn't be telling the truth if I did."

  Fowler waved a dismissive hand at Aaron. "Never mind. I'm used to people hiding their disgust," he said, his words drawling.

  Ryan's eyes flashed a cautionary warning at Aaron.

  "I'm here to speak to Ethan Macleod," Aaron said.

  "Well you can't. He's my prisoner and ..." Fowler blurted out.

  Ryan interrupted Fowler. "That's not strictly true. While he's within these walls he's in my custody. What I say goes."

  Aaron smiled at his friend. "I'd like to speak to him right now. I've got three women back at home who want something done about this. And I'm here to make sure that the right thing is done," Aaron said, fixing Fowler with what he hoped was a withering look.

  Fowler frowned and tried to stand up, but sat back down after the failed first attempt. "Well, hold on there. I'm not sure there is anything that's going to be done about this. It's a straight case of abduction as far as I can tell. The evidence is stacked against Macleod."

  Aaron shook his head. "Well that's where you're wrong Mr Fowler. The evidence isn't quite as clear cut as you think."

  Fowler scowled and took another swig of his drink. "He took the two women against their will, and that's all there is to it."

  "On who's testimony?" Aaron demanded. He wanted to go up to Fowler and shake some sense into the man, but that wouldn't help matters. It might even land him in a cell with Ethan.

  "The testimony of their loving aunt and uncle," Fowler slurred, a wry grin creasing his mouth.

  Aaron glanced at Ryan."Are you sure about that. The way I figure it those two misers must have been pretty upset when Martha and Rachel left. Especially since the sisters left so suddenly."

  Ryan leaned back against the edge of the desk and folded his arms across his chest. He looked like he was enjoying watching a new side to his friend that he'd never seen before. Aaron the lawyer, going head to head with a lawman.

  "When two young women disappeared under unusual circumstances I'd imagine that questions must have been asked about their whereabouts," Aaron took a step closer to Fowler. "Particularly awkward questions for those miserable old critters."

  Fowler leaned back in his chair and shook his head. "The only thing that mattered was that a stranger had appeared in town and taken two young, innocent women away with him."

  "But he didn't take them. That's the point."

  Fowler squinted at Aaron. "What do you mean?"

  "Those women came here of their own free will," Aaron stated.

  Fowler let out a loud grunt. "They did not. They were abducted against their will. There were witnesses."

  "Who?"

  "The aunt and uncle have testified themselves that they saw with their own eyes the women being dragged to the station," Fowler blurted out.

  "You know that is nonsense, sir," Aaron said. "You have the testimony of two people against whom there would have been charges of abuse and neglect if Martha and Rachel had been allowed to live with then much longer. Besides I would have imagined that the prime suspects connected with Martha and Rachel's disappearance would actually have been their abusive relatives."

  Fowler shook his head. "It took us weeks to find out where the girls had been taken to. We had to use the finest resources of the agency to track them down."

  Aaron fixed Fowler with a look. "The truth is Mr. Fowler that you have no case. For one very good and very obvious reason which you seem to have overlooked."

  Fowler stiffened and frowned. "What reason?"

  Aaron turned to Ryan and smiled. "They are all happily married. That's why."

  Fowler shook his head as if trying to clear the jumbled thoughts away. "What's that got to do with anything?"

  "You don't have a case against Ethan Macleod because he was acting as a matchmaker on behalf of Mrs Hettie Longfellow."

  Fowler's face reddened. He tried to take a last swig of whiskey but there was none left in the glass. "What on earth do you mean?"

  "I mean that Ethan Macleod was acting in the capacity of arranging marriages for Martha and Rachel. In case you haven't noticed, Rachel is my wife."

  "But that doesn't change the fact that he took them against their will."

  "On the contrary. It changes everything. Mrs Hettie Longfellow will confirm that she contracted Ethan Macleod to help arrange the marriages of Martha and Rachel. He did so at her behest and with the full agreement of Martha and Rachel who knew exactly what they were doing and went with him voluntarily for the purpose of finding husbands, one of which you see standing before you."

  Mr. Fowler threw the empty glass across the room. It smashed against the door. Ryan leapt forward. "We'll have none of that," he said. "Aaron's right in what he says Fowler. Looks like you came all the way out to Sweetheart Falls on a pointless errand. Maybe when you get back East you might want to inquire about the treatment the girls suffered at their hands."

  Aaron looked at his friend and nodded. Ryan continued, taking encouragement from Aaron. "Looks to me like you might have been sent here to deflect attention from that. Don't you think?"

  Fowler stood and jabbed a finger at Aaron. "You think you're clever don't you?"

  Aaron shook his head. "Not at all. But the law is the law. You have an innocent man in the cell there. He did nothing wrong and you were about to try and take him back East to answer charges that have no basis in law."

  "It's not that simple."

  "It is. Ethan Macleod is innocent and his detention here is not legal. So I have to ask the sheriff here if he is willing to release Mr. Macleod. I am sure that the three women in question and Mrs.
Longfellow will provide testimony that supports what I've said to you."

  Fowler frowned and shook his head. "No. You can't do this."

  Ryan went to the wall and took down a bunch of keys. "I can. And I will."

  Aaron liked the sound they made. It was the sound of victory.

  Aaron looked at Fowler. "Have you met Mrs Hettie Longfellow?"

  Fowler shook his head. "No. Who's she?"

  Aaron smiled at Ryan. "She's the person who will give you all the information you need to confirm what I've told you. I think you'll find she's a very reasonable person to talk to. Wouldn't you say, Ryan?"

  Ryan smiled and lowered his head, trying to contain his laughter. "Oh. She's reasonable alright. I think you'll find her very persuasive Mr. Fowler."

  It was all that Aaron could do to prevent himself from bursting into a belly laugh. Fowler looked from Aaron to Ryan. "I think I'll go there right now. I need to get to the bottom of this," he said.

  Fowler headed for the door. Aaron caught him by the arm. "I wouldn't go and speak to Hettie right now, if I was you."

  "Why not?"

  Aaron lowered his voice. "She doesn't take too kindly to the smell of drink. Maybe you could visit her after you've had a chance to rest. Mmmm?"

  Fowler grunted angrily. He shook off Aaron's hand and left the jailhouse, mumbling to himself.

  After the door slammed shut Aaron and Ryan gave each other a triumphant smile.

  "We both know who's going to come out on top when Mr. Fowler visits Hettie. Don't we?"

  Ryan nodded. "No contest. Now. Let's get Ethan out of that stinking cell. His wife must be out of her mind with worry," he said heading for the back of the jail.

  Aaron followed Ryan. Ethan was seated on the low bed inside the cell. His eyes were wide with curiosity. Aaron realized he'd probably heard every word of his exchange with the Pinkerton.

  Ryan jammed the key in the lock. "You're free to go, Ethan," he said, opening the door wide.

  Ethan stepped out of the cell and took Aaron's hand, shaking it firmly. "I can't thank you enough, Aaron. I heard everything. That Pinkerton had no chance."