The Ways of Heaven

by Lindsey Barlow

“My guard is slowly falling, but it’s not quite down,” she teased.

  “Well when I was reading the report, something was off. There was bruising on his left cheek and right ribs,” Cade said enthusiastically, as if it explained everything. At Rose’s frown, he chuckled and pulled her in closer to him. “I was looking for a southpaw, and by the placement and precision of the punches, a boxer most likely.”

  “Southpaw?” Rose asked, draping her arms around his neck and twirling the hair at his nape.

  “Left-handed. Like a southpaw pitcher or boxer.”

  Rose raised her eyebrows. “Oh, of course, I certainly am familiar with that term,” she said playfully enjoying the sigh escaping his lips when she began to play with his ear lobe. “So did you know any left-handed boxers?”

  “It was a start. I began looking for left-handed boxers who’d fallen out of favor, made losses. You know, men who would be desperate and resort to crime, but who would know high-end names.”

  “I tracked a man by the name of Moses Campbell. He frequented a gambling house in Colorado Springs, which is why I had to leave for a month. I joined his little group in order to ask some questions and solidify my theory.” He gave a crooked grin. “He tried to pull a gun on me.”

  Rose pulled back a little and Cade tightened his grip in protest. “He pulled a gun?” she asked with a worried expression. “Did he shoot?”

  “Tried to. Poor fellow didn’t know that I have the fastest draw in Colorado.”

  Rose shook her head. “I still worry about you, despite how fast you are.”

  Cade grinned wickedly. “I am fast, but there are certain things that I take my time with. Allow me to demonstrate.”

  /

  “Miss Rose?” Meg’s voice made her jump. How much time had passed? The spade in her hand was frozen to her fingers. The weeds were nowhere near being pulled. Daisy had been so calm and she so lost in her thoughts. She had been doing that too much these last couple of days.

  Rose felt flustered, her skin hot—from the sun surely.

  Meg frowned as Rose smoothed her skirt. “You alright?”

  “Fine.” Rose swallowed.

  “Mrs. Castle wants to know if you are coming along into town after lunch. I’ve put her off as long as I can, and Frank didn’t help by informing everyone that dinner was nearly done and all he had to do was watch it simmer.”

  Rose laughed, “Jeffries says they hang on you like chicks to a mother hen, and you can’t escape my mother forever. Just give me time to clean up.”

  /

  An oval sign in red letters anouncing Kyle’s Bakery hung on a black cast iron bar curved in a flower design at the end. Outside the door was a chalkboard easel telling the specials of the day.

  “Everything here is divine,” Rose commented to Meg as Anna hurried forward with anticipation.

  “I don’t have any money,” Meg whispered.

  Rose paused, pushing the pram. “Meg, is that why you wouldn’t let mother buy you the dress? She is not expecting you to pay for new clothes. I am aware, as is my mother, that you do not have finances of your own.”

  “But I can’t have your parents pay for me.” She looked desperately at Anna who was reading the chalkboard, “I want them to think well of me.”

  “Meg, trust me when I say that having a woman to shop for will bring my mother great joy,” she smiled with tender amusement. “Not to mention my father prefers your food and has freed her from all formal meals. You cannot put a price on that.”

  “But—” Meg began to protest, but Rose held up her hand.

  “It’s an order Meg,” she winked, “an order to enjoy today.”

  “Is Meg refusing to eat cake?” Anna had walked back towards them. “It may not be as good as your cooking, but trust me when I say Kyle’s baking is worth trying.”

  “Meg is feeling guilty over you potentially spending money on her,” Rose explained.

  Anna’s eyes twinkled and the fine lines sprouted out again, Meg was beginning to really like those lines.

  “Hmm, well I do know the perfect cure for guilt: chocolate.” She took Meg’s arm and led her into the bakery.

  It felt unreal walking into the bakery where a gramophone was playing a classical minuet. Teacups and coffee mugs clinked with silverware as two lovely girls hurried back and forth, bringing out plates with cakes and buns. One of them, a tall dark haired beauty, gave them a wide grin and a brief wave.

  “Miss Rose,” she called out balancing two large trays on one arm with the grace of a ballerina. “It is good to see you again.”

  “Thank you Christabel,” Rose laughed as Kyle’s sister hurried to the back. Kyle Lampton had several sisters. Some were now in other parts of the country, and a few were still in town. All were unfairly talented when it came to the creation of pleasurable things: food, music, gardens.

  Rose could remember when Kyle Lampton had surprised his sisters, and all of Tall Pine, by opening the bakery. No one had thought it would do well, not with the economy being what it was. Yet, the bakery grew and now was run more like a café than the small bakery it had started out to be.

  Anna was telling Meg her favorite pastries as they waited in line. Rose scanned the room feeling like the black sheep as conversations grew quiet and eyes darted towards her. A familiar voice called her name, and Rose looked up to see a sandy-haired man approaching her while holding a bag tied up with red ribbon.

  “Sheriff Ben!” she exclaimed and shook his hand warmly, “I saw you leaving just as I was arriving the other day.”

  “I figured your parents would not want to share you with any one.” He released her hand and looked at Daisy. “She’s a beautiful child,” he said.

  Rose wanted to hug him, knowing he was making a point of letting her know that he would be accepting towards Daisy. “Thank you, Sheriff,” her eyes misted over, but she restrained any tears threatening to fall. “Are you leaving? Could you stay to have tea with us?”

  He shook his head. “Sadly, I must be off. I’m on my way to the post office.” He frowned. “I have some important information to send, but Kyle’s bakery is always such a distraction.” He held up the bag, “At least he always sends me away with cookies.”

  Rose laughed. “Is everything alright?”

  “Oh yes, I have been chasing down some cattle thieves that I believe are connected to a group driving them to Texas. Some ranchers pay for renegade cowboys to bring them good breeding studs or simply to bring them numbers when their own are low. Regardless, Joseph Silver sent me some information on the case, and I had some questions about it.”

  “Aaah,” Rose suppressed a smile knowing Sheriff Ben was talking out loud more to himself than to her.

  “Sorry,” he shook his head. “Long day. I am beginning to miss the days when Tall Pine was just a quaint little town.”

  “Good luck, Sheriff,” Rose said as he excused himself. She watched him leave, remembering the time when Cade had said he’d wanted to be a law man in a small town, but the tradition in his family was railroads and their business was in the city. She wondered if things would have been better had they stayed in Tall Pine, not that his family would have allowed it.

  Rose walked over to the glass counters and scanned the food. Christabel was behind the counter now smiling patiently while a customer was trying desperately to ask her out on a picnic.

  “What would you like, Rose?” Anna asked. “I convinced Meg to get the raspberry, and I am getting the blackberry cobbler.”

  Rose scanned her options. “Mmm, I think the peach cobbler.”

  Anna scrunched her nose. “Not the carrot cake? That was always your favorite.”

  Rose grinned. “Different person, different pastry. Either way, pastries are good for the soul. Doesn’t the Bible say something about that?” she said teasingly.

  Anna chuckled. “Your interpretations of the Bible will get you in trouble one day, missy.”

  At that moment the jingle of bells to the front door was disturb
ed by a mother calling out to her daughter.

  “Bless, wait up love.”

  Rose saw Eliza Lampton, Kyle’s wife, hurry after her daughter Bless who had grown into a beautiful toddler with peachy skin and a large smile.

  Eliza’s pregnant belly seemed to overpower her, and her hands were occupied with a baby boy, no older than a year, who had discovered his body could go limp in Eliza’s arms.

  Anna quickly stood up and walked over to assist her.

  “Oh, thank you, Anna,” Eliza gave a helpless laugh, regaining her alacrity after casting one last look at Bless who now disappeared behind the counters and into the back kitchen. “I love my children to death, but oh, do they keep me on my toes.”

  Anna had taken the little boy into her arms. “Well, I would imagine they are awfully hard to discipline when they are just so adorable.” She ruffled the hair of the mischievous looking boy.

  “Dada?” the boy mumbled.

  Eliza nodded, “Of course you can go see Daddy.” She kissed his cheeks and looked up to the counter where Christabel had finished with the last customer. “Christabel!” Eliza called out, “Can you come take Tucker?”

  Christabel nodded eagerly and hurried from behind the counter, her arms outstretched. “Oh, the Lampton women love spoiling this boy.” She grabbed Tucker and lifted him in the air, “Him and his sister.”

  “And they do spoil them.” Eliza shook her head as Christabel left with Tucker planted on her hip, “Especially Christabel. Ever since she has come back from Los Angeles she has been such a help to me, but she also tends to give Bless whatever she wants.”

  Anna chuckled and nodded to their table.

  “Come sit with us. Rose has returned and brought a friend from Denver.”

  “Oh, thank you.” Eliza straightened her hat. “I could use a cup of tea.”

  “How is your pregnancy? Any news if Esther will be able to make it out in time?” Anna whispered before they approached the table.

  Eliza gave a curt nod. “She believes she will.” Eliza grinned. “Selfishly I would love for her to deliver this one as she did my son, but I also told her to not burden herself. If coming out with her family puts a major strain on her, then I would rather her not come. However, we all know Esther’s stubbornness, and she is determined to deliver all my children.”

  Anna tilted her head. “How does Joseph feel about that?”

  Eliza shrugged. “Well, I think he plans on coming out with her since he firmly believes every man will try to steal her away. Also, he wants to help his sister and Will move to Texas. The timing works out perfectly.” She dropped the subject when she came up to the table and saw Rose. “Rose, you look lovely as ever. How are you?”

  Rose stood up, placed Daisy on her hip, and eagerly embraced Eliza tightly. “Oh, it is good to see you.” Eliza had often watched Rose during the times her mother and father were away. She had many fond memories of storybooks and tea parties. Eliza was not substantially older than Rose, but she was old enough to be a woman Rose had looked up to. She was strong, kind, and faced adversity with a grace that Rose dearly wished she could obtain.

  “It is good to see you as well.” Eliza smiled, stepping back and looking at Rose tenderly. “I want you to know that if you need help with anything, please let me know. I know this must be a difficult time for you.”

  Rose nodded. “Thank you, Eliza, but honestly I am doing well. After all I have Daisy, so I have nothing to complain about.”

  Eliza took the round little hands in her own. “Oh my, what a beautiful little girl. Oh, I wish Bless could see her: She has a weakness for little babies.”

  “Who doesn’t?” Anna motioned towards Meg as she sat down. “Eliza, this is Meg. She arrived with Rose from Denver. Meg, this is my good friend Eliza.”

  “Meg,” Eliza nodded. “It is always a treat when someone moves to Tall Pine, especially a friend of the Castles.”

  Meg smiled, and instinctively touched her face, although the bruises had mostly vanished by now.

  “Will you be in the shop today?” Anna asked. “We wished to bring Meg and your advice is always welcome when it comes to fashion.”

  “Oh, yes, I’ll be in later. I still own it, but Rachel practically runs it these days. You remember Rachel, don’t you Rose?”

  “Oh, yes. Is she still pining over Pastor Will?”

  “Sadly, but she never had a chance. Not with Abby’s gorgeous face and sharp wit... that girl still looks like an ethereal goddess plucked from a moonbeam. You should see her girls. They are exact copies of her.”

  /

  The waitress arrived with a tray of steaming tea and pastries. “Mrs. Lampton, will you be eating out here or in the kitchen? Mr. Lampton says he will be ready in five minutes.”

  “Tell him I will come to the kitchen.” She sighed and gave a subtle shake of the head. “We have family matters to discuss.” She pointed to her belly, “Matters that are coming soon.”

  Eliza turned to Rose. “Should you need work, my dear, you know I always have a place for you in my shop.”

  “Thank you, Eliza, that means so much.”

  The next few minutes consisted of small talk until Eliza took her leave to join her family.

  Rose found herself feeling more at ease. It was nice to be back in the bakery sipping tea with her mother. People stopped staring and returned to their conversations, and even Meg looked relaxed as she rotated between eating the pastries and studying them.

  “How does he make them so light?” she asked out loud.

  “It is a mystery to everyone.” Rose took a bite of her peach cobbler, and pushed it to Meg. “Finish mine; it is delicious.”

  “Are you sure?” Meg asked dabbing a napkin on her lips.

  “Please do, especially if I can have a bite of your raspberry tart.”

  Meg shrugged in compliance and the two switched plates.

  Rose was ready to stab her fork into the juicy berry and pasty concoction when a head of black locks caught her eye. “Meg, is that Jonathan? Has he been sitting at the back table this whole time and we didn’t notice him?” Rose’s eyes lit up, “It is.” She waved and called out his name, “Jonathan—Dr. McPherson.”

  When he looked up, both Rose and Anna ecstatically waved their hands beckoning him to join them. Rose leaned over and whispered to her mother, “I feel bad I didn’t notice him when we walked in.”

  Meg suppressed a smile. She’d spotted him from the moment they walked in.

  /

  Jonathan had noticed them—or rather, he had noticed her. He had recognized her the moment she had stepped down from the carriage. The elusive beauty who had healed his heart with one smile. His heart had been hers from that moment on. After supper he had tried to track her down. The manager had said she’d gone home, and then the next day Jonathan was told she’d left Denver. He knew it was a lie. As was his experience, a woman had rejected him, most likely asking the others to make up some story should he come calling. He thought her sudden appearance in Tall Pines to be the sweetest tender mercy of God, until he realized that she did not remember him; there was no recollection at all. His flicker of joy vanished, and all he could think of was that his father’s words had been true—he was not the type of man women wanted. Not like his eldest brother Sean who was tall and confident with a witty tongue and a way with women.

  Their father had always admired Sean and pressed Jonathan to be like him. Jonathan clearly remembered his father goading him to jump off a steep drop into a lake. Sean had done it in an instant, but Jonathan, at age twelve, was frightened.

  “How do you expect to get a woman one day,” his father shook his head, “if you’re too scared to be a man?”

  His past consisted of a fiancée who left him, a midwife who never loved him, and now Meg, who’d felt sorry for him for a brief moment, but didn’t even remember him.Jonathan greeted all of them, his eyes resting on Meg for only a moment. “This is a lovely surprise. I have an hour where no bones need to be s
et,” he laughed. “What a delight to spend it in the company of such fine ladies.”

  Grinning, Rose said, “Harvard did good things for your manners, Jonathan. Of course you were always such a fine young man.”

  He chuckled and looked away shyly. “Well, that is kind of you to say.” He looked at Meg and said, “I noticed the other day you favor your left rib—from the stairs?”

  Meg blinked. “Yes,” her voice was clipped, “but I am fine. It is just some slight bruising. Nothing to be concerned over.”

  “Would you mind if I came and looked at it in a few days?”

  Rose’s eyes were darting between the doctor and Meg. “How about tomorrow?” she asked.

  “I’m afraid I can’t,” Jonathan sighed with weight suddenly resting on his shoulders. “I am visiting a mining town up in the mountains. Those folks don’t have a doctor so I try to make regular visits.”

  Meg wanted to throw her hands up in frustration. Was this man real? Could he show some vice to help her not fall for him?

  “It must be awful for them,” Rose shuddered. “They have so little there, and we have so much here.”

  Meg bit her lip. She knew what it was like to have nothing and to hope someone would help her. She knew she was not brave or strong, but perhaps there was something she could do. “How can I help?” she found herself saying.

  Jonathan locked eyes with her, looking at her curiously. “Help?” he asked.

  Meg nodded. “I’m not a doctor or nurse, but there must be some way I can help.”

  Jonathan squinted his eyes and clicked his tongue. “One family I know has seven children who always ask me for sweets. They are as skinny as twigs. Do you think you can bake up several dozen cookies when I come over in three days? I’ll take them the next day so they are fresh.”

  “Is that all?”

  Jonathan looked at her for a moment, trying to read her expression. “That is more than enough.”

  Meg nodded. “Very well, you shall have your cookies.”

  Jonathan held out his hand. “It’s a deal then.” He felt himself color instantly. It was a ridiculous gesture and so blatantly clear he was looking for a way to touch her hand. When she took his hand, the coolness of her skin spread over him like chilled cream on a hot cherry tart.