He ran his hands up and down her arms trying to comfort her.
“Lorena, stop it. You can’t torture yourself over what happened nearly thirty years ago. You were a young girl who lived in the middle of a horrible system. Think of what you did for those people. You gave them hope. You showed them how to read, how to make a life for themselves once they escaped. Most of all, you showed them you valued them as people, not as beasts of burden.”
She hiccupped.
“We can’t change the decisions we made in the past. We have to learn to live with them and find a way to move on.”
“Is that what you did?” she asked, her question making him wish he hadn’t opened his mouth.
Chapter 48
“Me?”
“Billy, he’s the boy who rode with Seamus. He said Seamus believed you killed his wife. I don’t believe you could kill a woman.”
“I didn’t. She died when the Kansas City prison collapsed. She didn’t die immediately but suffered terribly from all accounts. Seamus decided all Union soldiers were responsible.”
He glanced at her, wondering if now was the time to tell her.
“What? You are hiding something from me. Tell me, please?” she asked.
He looked into the distance seeing his wife and son. How they’d looked when he marched off to war determined to do his bit for his country. He should have stayed at home to protect his family. What would she think when she knew he hadn’t done that.
“Braddon?”
“I marched off to war leaving my wife and son behind. They didn’t want me to go. They said they needed me on the farm. I insisted it was my duty. Teddy, he was twelve, promised to look after his ma until I came back home. I told him I wouldn’t be long. The war would be over soon. But it wasn’t.” He took a deep breath trying not to break down. “Gettysburg was every bit as horrific as you may have heard about. I was lucky to be injured and treated by a good doctor or I could have died. I thought, when they took me away, the worst thing I would face was that prison.”
He took a deeper breath in an effort not to let the images of his past crowd his head.
“When the war was over I headed home. I couldn’t wait to see Teddy and his ma. I pictured their faces, smiling when they saw me at last. I hoped they’d been told I was alive. I hoped they didn’t think me a coward or a failure for being a prisoner. All I thought about was what they would think about me. I never, for a second, considered the war had come to them.”
She held his hand tighter. He turned to look at her and saw the unshed tears in her eyes.
“They weren’t there when I got home. They hadn’t been there for a long time. Seamus confirmed today, he rode with Anderson.”
“Bloody Bill Anderson?” the horror in her voice told him she knew who he was and what he had done.
“Neighbors told me they rode through. They didn’t show any mercy to anyone they caught. One neighbor cried as he told me how he buried my family. I was away when I should have been there. I should have protected them.”
“Braddon you know you couldn’t have done anything. You would have been killed too. I am sure your wife and son were proud of you for fighting. “
“I wasn’t fighting. I was sitting in prison going out of my mind. They were still alive in early 1864,” he shouted.
He couldn’t look at her, he swiped a hand across his eyes.
“Braddon, you couldn’t have done anything. It wasn’t your fault you got shot or were taken prisoner. Seamus, Anderson, and the men who rode with them, they were the villains. Not you.”
She held him as he broke down, something he had never done before. He hadn’t cried in front of another person since he was a young ‘un. Not even in front of his wife. But now, he was bawling like a baby in the arms of Lorena Grey.
He eventually got a hold of himself. “I apologize. I have to go,” he couldn’t stay. Not after embarrassing both of them that way. He didn’t look back at her.
“Braddon, please don’t leave. Stay with me.”
Ignoring her pleas for him not to leave, he almost ran back to his horse. He rode out of there like someone possessed.
Chapter 49
She watched him ride away, tears on her cheeks, but she wouldn’t shout after him. He had his own demons to deal with. She went to her room managing to avoid Annie and Cook. She didn’t want anyone seeing her so emotional.
Sometime later, there was a knock on her door.
“Aunt Lorena, are you awake?”
“Come in, Isabella.”
“Please tell me you are all right. Mrs. Doherty wouldn’t let me come until Sheriff Wallis told her it was safe. I hated the thought of you being alone. I was worried about you.”
Surprised, but pleased to find her niece’s arms around her, she hugged the girl back.
“I am fine, Isabella. How are you? Were you frightened?”
“A little, but we didn’t see anything. Mrs. Doherty insisted on locking the doors, keeping everyone inside. Including some customers. They weren’t happy, so Ruth gave them free pie. I ran to the clinic, thinking you would be there, but then someone told me you had been out here all the time. They said… they said…”
“Isabella, calm down. Annie is fine, so am I. Cook and Jim are fine too.”
“Thank God for that. Davy Sullivan will be fine in a few weeks according to Doc Erin. He has broken ribs and a sore head. The man you shot is still in the jailhouse. Erin strapped him up, but the sheriff wouldn’t let him go to the clinic.”
Mrs. Grey could see the curiosity in her niece’s eyes. She had obviously heard the rumors about her and the sheriff. But what could she tell Isabella? She had no idea what was going to happen now between her and Braddon.
“You look like you were crying, Aunt Lorena.”
“I was, but I am fine now. What happened to Annie brought back some memories from when I was younger than you.”
She proceeded to tell her niece about Abraham and Venus. Isabella cried but she shared the same opinion as Braddon.
“It wasn’t your fault, Aunt Lorena. Old Sally was right. You did what you could, more than most girls your age. It didn’t help those two, but I am sure there are some who are living good lives now thanks to you, and others like you on the Underground railway. I hope I would have had your courage if I lived back then.”
With fondness and honesty, she hugged her niece. “Isabella, I think you have plenty of courage. I am so proud of you. I want you to know you have a home with me as long as you would like one.”
“Even if…” Isabella stopped herself.
“Even if what?”
“If you get married again? I don’t mean to pry but there are all sorts of rumors around town. He is a good man, the sheriff. Not like I imagined for a husband for you, but you are not much like I imagined either.”
She smiled at her niece’s backhanded compliment, but then her smile fell as she thought of how Braddon and she had parted.
“I am not sure anyone is getting married, Isabella. But your home will always be here.”
“I love you, Aunt Lorena.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
Her niece went downstairs leaving her alone once more. She washed her face and redid her hair. She loved Braddon Willis, but she wasn’t going to go find him. It was up to him to come to her. If he decided not to, she had to make the most of her life. She was a lucky woman. She had lots of friends, a lovely young niece, and Annie. She closed her eyes briefly. Having Sheriff Willis in her life would have made it complete but nobody got everything they wanted. There were no second chances for love.
Chapter 50
Sheriff Willis thundered around the jailhouse. Everyone was avoiding him, even Little Beaver. His deputy had suggested he take some time off. That was the last thing he needed. More time to think about what a fool he had made of himself.
“Sheriff, telegram came in. The Pinkertons will be here in two days.”
“That’s fast.”
“Seems the judge in New York doesn’t want to lose them again. Seamus and his friends have escaped before.”
Sheriff Willis eyed Flinty and his friend, both cooped up in the cell. Maybe the judge had information he didn’t have as neither of those men appeared to pose a flight risk. He was relieved they would be leaving.
“What about Billy?”
“He said the Pinkertons would speak to you about your telegram.”
He glanced up to see Billy staring back at him, the terror in his eyes hitting him hard. The twelve-year-old boy spent a couple of hours a day in a cell but most of the time, he took the boy with him. Flinty, in a rare moment of honesty, had told him Seamus had killed the boy’s parents and abducted him when he was about seven. The boy had never killed anyone. He had stolen property and got into scrapes with the law but nothing really serious. He was determined to help him. His telegram had suggested he would adopt the boy and give him a proper home. He had planned on doing it even before he found out Billy was younger than they had imagined.
He sat at his desk, going through the wanted posters. There was a reward for Seamus and his gang, together with another reward for Dawson. They hadn’t found any trace of Dawson. Flinty said Seamus had killed him and taken his money but there was no evidence of that. The man had disappeared, and he wasn’t wasting his valuable time looking for that varmint.
The door opened, admitting Isabella, Mrs. Grey’s niece. She looked around nervously. He guessed she had never been in a jailhouse before. Flinty whistled making her blush. He picked up his hat, told Flinty to shut it and escorted Isabella from the jailhouse.
“Ain’t no place for a lady like you, Miss Isabella,” he said. “What you doing here? Something happen?”
“No, sir. I just… well, I thought you and I need to talk.”
Amused, he looked her in the eye.
“We do?”
“Yes, we do. I insist you call on my aunt. I don’t think it is funny to… to trifle with her affections. Not at her age. I…”
“I beg your pardon?” he said, all amusement gone.
“My aunt deserves better,” she said, not appearing to heed his tone. “Good day to you.” She picked up her skirts and flounced off down the street.
“You heard her. Go see Mrs. Grey,” Little Beaver said, a smile on his face.
“You were listening to a private conversation.”
“I was here first. Not my fault you didn’t see me. The girl speaks true. You need to go speak to Mrs. Grey. Maybe then you stop biting heads off people.”
Little Beaver didn’t wait for his answer before he too walked away. He looked around him, but everyone else seemed to be minding their own business.
He should go and speak to her, but would she give him the time of day? He couldn’t blame her if she didn’t. A fine woman like that needed a strong man, not one crying in her aprons.
Chapter 51
.
Embarrassed at the fact he had cried in front of her, he wasn’t sure of her reaction. He asked Annie to tell her he was waiting. She took a while as he paced back and forth on the porch.
When she came outside, he launched into his speech.
“I’m sorry. The last thing you need is a crybaby, you must think I am pathetic.”
“Braddon Willis, you stop that this instant. You are not, and never will be, a weak man. The last few weeks have brought home painful memories. Now we know the best and worst about each other. I am honored you trusted me enough to tell me your secrets.”
He gazed at her, seeing the expression in her eyes, knowing she meant what she said.
“Lorena, I would be honored if you would marry me. I love you more than words can say. I want to retire as sheriff and spend the rest of my days with you.”
“You do?” she looked so unsure, he knelt on the ground in front of her. Taking her hand, he said, “It may not be the most romantic proposal, but I do love you. Please say yes.”
“Yes,” she said, tears rolling down her face.
“I would like for us to do something else. I want to give Billy a home.”
“Billy?”
“I know he’s on the wrong path, but I think I can steer him right. Meeting him, getting to know him in the jailhouse over the last few days, well it seems…” She would think he was nuts.
“It seems?” she prompted.
“Like I got a second chance. He’s not Teddy but if I had died in the war and my son had survived, I’d like to think someone would step up to help if he’d got in trouble.”
She smiled but he couldn’t tell if she was amused by his explanation or saying yes.
“He’s too old to go to the orphanage and anyway Wilma has enough orphans.”
“I would love to do that. But on one condition.”
“Which is?”
“Annie and Isabella have to agree. I promised them both a home and I won’t go back on that.”
“I wouldn’t want you to. Anyway, that big old house of yours is large enough to accommodate a family like ours.”
“We will be a family,” she said wistfully.
“Yes, we will. In time, we could go visit your daughter and son and see if you can repair that relationship too if you like.”
She shook her head.
“My children took their leave of me long ago. Some things happen for a reason and I believe our views would only cause further friction. I am here if they ever need me, but I shan’t seek them out.”
He nodded his agreement. He would be at her side if she changed her mind, but he wasn’t going to force her to do anything. She had her own ideas on what was right and wrong.
“Braddon, are you sure you want to retire?”
“After the pleasure of dealing with Seamus and his gang, I most definitely do. I want to tend to that garden of yours. It is most overgrown.”
“Don’t let Jim hear you saying that,” she replied with a smile.
There was one more thing he needed to set straight with her.
“Lorena, I know you are a wealthy woman, but that money is yours.”
She opened her mouth, presumably to protest but he put a gentle finger on her lips.
“Let me finish, please. I have savings. I didn’t spend much of my wages and I have the money my land got when I sold it. So, I am financially secure and can afford to retire. I don’t want anyone thinking I married you for your money.”
“I don’t think you can control what people think,” she said softly.
“I don’t care about anyone else, but I wanted you to know. It is you I want to marry. If you were the poorest church mouse I would still want you.”
“Oh, Braddon,” she murmured right before he kissed her.
Epilogue
Father Molloy looked up as she walked in, the roses in her hand. She was delighted to see the church looked beautiful. The ladies of Clover Springs had been hard at work, polishing the seats, and washing the windows. Everything shone and there was a pleasant smell of beeswax and lavender in the air, mixing with the scent of the fresh flowers on the altar.
“Mrs. Grey, not often I see you within these walls. The roses are beautiful, just in time for the weddings.”
“The girls deserved something special, so we chose a color for each one. White, pink, and red. They got to pull a petal out of Braddon’s hat.”
Father Molloy smiled at the image. Was it the time to ask the question? Her mouth was dry and her heart beating so fast, she wished she could sit. He was her friend, not just a man of the cloth.
“Father Molloy?”
“Yes, Mrs. Grey?”
“Would you, I mean, if you could, as I don’t really understand the rules and don’t want to impose.” Oh, this wasn’t easy. It had sounded better in her head.
“Mrs. Grey, why don’t you take a seat and tell me what’s on your mind. I don’t think I have ever seen you in a tizzy.”
“Would you bless my marriage? I mean when Braddon and I get married, are you able to bless it?”
His smile was so warm, she wondered why she had made such a fuss over asking him.
“Lorena Grey, I would be honored. I can’t marry you as neither of you are Catholics. But there is nothing to stop me blessing your vows. Thank you for asking.”
“You have been a good friend to me, Father.”
“You are a wonderful woman and one easy to befriend.”
“I don’t think you would have said that the first time we met.”
“I don’t remember what you were like back then. Failing memory is an issue at my age,” he said, his eyes twinkling, making her laugh. “When would you like the blessing to take place?”
“We thought sometime next week. Depending on how your diary is looking.”
“My diary is flexible. I am very glad you and Braddon are taking this step. It is nice to have something to celebrate after the past few weeks.”
That was the understatement of the century. It had taken some time for the little town to recover from the shock of young men dying in the town. The loss of innocent young lives always hit hard.
Braddon had shocked her when he’d told her of his wish to adopt Billy. At first, she had been reluctant although she hadn’t let Braddon know, but it hadn’t taken long for her fiancé to win her round. Billy was already flourishing under Braddon’s direction. In the few short weeks since his arrest, the boy had made progress at school, and also had put aside most of his bad habits. She would handle the tobacco chewing when they moved into her home.
“Penny for them?”
“Sorry, Father, I was just thinking about Billy.”
“Braddon has done a fine job with that boy already. If any man was born to be a father, it was Braddon Willis. Billy is lucky to be getting a wonderful mother too.”
“I am not sure he agrees with you on that point, Father.”
“He will when he is older. Now, we best get moving or the couples will be here.”
Mrs. Grey Page 13
