Morning Sky

by Judith Miller

  Her hand trembled as she carefully followed the directions for spinning the dial and then moving it first in one direction and then the other, stopping at each designated number. She inhaled and pulled on the handle. It didn’t budge. Beads of sweat formed across her forehead as she once again twirled the knob and followed the exacting directions. Again the handle remained fixed.

  Lilly glared at the steel box and back at the combination. “Come on! I don’t have all day.” Determined, Lilly sucked in another deep breath, twisted the dial, and carefully moved from number to number as the directions stated. When the arrow pointed to the final digit, she heard a muted click. Her pulse quickened and her hands trembled as she reached for the handle. This time it moved. Bending forward, Lilly lifted the handle and pulled the heavy door outward.

  She wanted to shout with joy but dared not make any noise. After all, she didn’t want to waken the children or alert anyone to what she was doing.

  After opening her carpetbag, Lilly turned her attention back to the safe. Amassed inside were neatly banded stacks of bills, a pouch filled with silver coins, and another pouch containing what she thought were gold nuggets. She opened a case that lay beneath the leather pouches and gasped aloud at the sight. Mrs. Nelson’s jewels? How could that dowdy woman possibly have chosen the diamond-and-sapphire necklace and matching earbobs? They must have belonged to Mr. Nelson’s mother, for Lilly couldn’t imagine her employer ever having worn anything so strikingly beautiful.

  Carefully lifting the necklace from the case, Lilly examined the piece. The twinkling gems beckoned to her like fireflies on a moonless night. All thought of leaving the jewelry behind immediately faded. The necklace would show to great advantage on her long, thin neck.

  Moving quickly, she wrapped the necklace and earrings in her handkerchief and returned the velvet case to the safe. One by one, she situated the stacks of money along the bottom of her valise. As she dumped the contents of one pouch into her bag, footfalls sounded in the hallway. Lilly quickly tossed the leather pouches into the safe and jumped to her feet.

  “Aunt Lilly! What are you doing?”

  “Jarena!” Lilly attempted to gather her wits about her. She must remain calm. “You startled me. Do you make a habit of entering houses without knocking?”

  “I did knock. The door was open, and I thought you were likely in the kitchen and didn’t hear me. I knew Mrs. Nelson would be at the temperance meeting.” Jarena glanced back and forth between the carpetbag and open safe. “What are you doing, Aunt Lilly?”

  With an air of bravado, Lilly picked up the carpetbag. “I suppose you could say I was cleaning the safe.”

  Jarena remained in the doorway. “I think you are cleaning out the safe.Whatever are you thinking? You’ll go to jail. Surely you realize the Nelsons will have you arrested.”

  “If you keep your mouth shut, it may be at least a week before Mr. Nelson realizes anything is missing from the safe. I can be far from Kansas by the time he discovers the loss.”

  Lilly reached for the bag, and Jarena promptly grasped her hand. “Don’t do this! You’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

  “You listen to me, Jarena. I must leave town. Terrible things happened back in New Orleans before I departed—unspeakable things that now cause me to fear for my life.”

  “And you think this is the way to solve your problems?” She dropped her aunt’s hand. “Stealing from the Nelsons? They’ve been good to you. Gave you a decent position so that you could earn a living and be a respectable member of the community. Is this how you plan to repay them? By stealing their savings and then running out?”

  Lilly’s harsh laugh echoed throughout the room. “You’re young and nave, Jarena. You have no idea about life outside the protection of your little world. There is no way I can make you understand the urgency of this matter. This money is necessary if I’m going to save my life. And if I remain in Hill City, the lives of others will be placed in jeopardy.”

  “And so you were going to empty the safe and leave the Nelson children unattended while you run off to some unknown destination to live on the Nelsons’ money? And I’m supposed to believe this is all for the best? What can be so terrible that you would go to these lengths?”

  The clock on the mantel chimed, and Lilly looked out the front window. No sense hoping to see Charlie pull up in his fancy wagon— a full hour remained until he was due to arrive. Lilly’s plans with Charlie had been based upon her regular daily schedule. Most days the children would just now be falling asleep, but they had played hard all morning. If only they had maintained their normal routine, this confrontation with Jarena could have been avoided. But how could she have known that they would take an early nap today? Children were completely unreliable!

  Jarena stepped into the room and drew near. “Won’t you sit down and discuss this with me? Perhaps if we reason together, we’ll be able to find a solution that won’t cause harm to anyone.”

  Rejecting Jarena’s suggestion could prove risky. If Lilly refused, Jarena would no doubt hurry off to seek assistance from Moses or, worse yet, the sheriff. With any luck, she could placate the girl by appearing repentant. Twisting the velvet cord that encircled her neck, Lilly motioned Jarena toward one of the leather-upholstered chairs in front of Mr. Nelson’s desk.

  “Why don’t we sit down and discuss the matter. I don’t think you fully understand the depth of my difficulties.”

  Jarena sighed. “Thank you. That’s all I ask, for the moment—an explanation.”

  Keeping Jarena at bay for the next hour was going to take both creativity and a silver tongue. However, both were a part of the vast repertoire of skills and abilities Lilly had developed throughout the years.

  She pulled a handkerchief from her skirt pocket and clutched the lace-edged square in one hand. “I truly do not know where to begin. Please give me a moment to gather my thoughts.” She bowed her head and dabbed the cloth to the corner of one eye.

  “Do take your time, Aunt Lilly.”

  Lilly spent several minutes sniffling and staring at the patterned wool carpet. When she realized Jarena would wait no longer, she wiped her eyes and looked up into the young woman’s eyes. “You know, I’ve always wanted to do the proper thing, Jarena. And strange as it may seem, at those times when I’ve done what I thought was correct, I’ve later regretted my decision.”

  “Sometimes that happens to all of us, but you can’t honestly tell me you believe it’s the right thing to steal from the Nelsons, can you?”

  “No, stealing isn’t right. But I’m not taking their money because I covet their wealth. I need it to escape from Kansas.”

  Jarena pressed the folds of her skirt with one hand. “I don’t know where you’re planning to go, but it appears as if you’ve taken much more than enough to purchase a train ticket.”

  Lilly couldn’t deny that Jarena had concluded the truth. Oh, she’d considered taking only enough for a train ticket and room rent until she could find work—far less than she’d finally stuffed into her case.

  But once the safe was open, the jewels had shimmered and winked in a seductive dance that caused her heart to race, and the crisp banded cash had tantalized her with thoughts of luxury and excess—with remembrances of her life with Bentley. How could she explain such thoughts to a girl who had lived a life of poverty and wanted nothing more?

  “I hadn’t planned to take so much. But I suppose if I’m going to be labeled a thief, I might as well be a prosperous one, don’t you think?”

  Lilly’s attempt at levity seemed to fall flat as Jarena solemnly shook her head.

  “It’s not too late, Aunt Lilly. If you’ll just return the items to the safe, no one will know except you and me. I promise to never speak of this again, and I give you my word I won’t tell a soul.”

  Lilly took Jarena by the shoulders and peered deep into her eyes. “Listen to me, girl. There’s a woman dead and a child missing down in New Orleans. The man who’s on his way here bel
ieves I killed that woman and had something to do with his son’s disappearance.”

  Jarena pulled back, her eyes wide with fear. “And did you?”

  “No need for you to know any details. Bentley believes I did, and that’s all that matters. He won’t hesitate to kill me. I’ve led a terrible life, Jarena—one you can’t begin to imagine. And now my sins are catching up with me. I must leave Hill City, and this money is the only way out.”

  “You’re only making matters worse. There’s forgiveness for your sins, if you’re willing. There are lots of verses in the Bible that I could show you. Maybe if you’d consider asking God to forgive you, things would turn around in your life.” Jarena jumped up from her chair and grabbed the Bible lying on the far corner of Mr. Nelson’s desk.

  “Don’t begin pointing out Scripture to me, girl. If you think everything is going to be fine because I throw myself on God’s mercy and say I’m sorry, you’ve been wrapped in cotton wool way too long.” Lilly held out her thumb and forefinger with just a small space between them. “You’ve got these little bitty wrongdoings that need to be forgiven, while me—well, I’ve got sins that are vile enough to make a grown man blush.”

  “Miss Hattie says sin is sin, and God will forgive it all, if we’re truly sorry.”

  “And what do you say, Jarena? Do you think all sin should be forgiven?” She nodded. “Of course I do. There’s no sin too great for God’s forgiveness.”

  “But what about you? I listened to all those verses when I was growing up. I know what the Bible says about God forgiving sin, but I don’t see too many people willing to forgive each other for those sins.”

  “It’s God’s mercy and forgiveness we need, Aunt Lilly, not that of people.”

  “Sometimes we need both. For instance, let’s say that a long time ago I asked God to forgive me for not coming to help out before your mama died. And let’s say I believed God forgave me, but I knew your pappy was still holding a grudge. Isn’t it hard to believe God’s forgiven you when those you wronged are still angry—especially when they’re the ones saying you need to get right with God?”

  Jarena laid the Bible back on the desk. “When I was having trouble understanding forgiveness, I thought God should prove He had forgiven me by fixing everything. I wanted proof I was forgiven. I think it’s the same with you. You think asking God’s forgiveness will erase the past.”

  “How about you, Jarena? Do you always forgive those who wrong you?”

  Jarena bobbed her head. “Maybe in the past I didn’t do so well. However, God’s taught me a lot about forgiveness since we moved to Kansas. If I expect Him to forgive me, then I’ve got to forgive others.”

  “Saying those words is easy, but acting on them is a whole other story, now, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but that’s what God calls us to do.”

  Lilly studied Jarena. Her eyes spoke volumes. She was a lovely young woman—so untarnished, so inexperienced. The girl truly believed she could forgive the transgressions of others with merely a word or a nod, a simple act of obedience to God. How little she knew.

  Lilly heard the sound of a horse and wagon in the distance. She glanced at the clock and then bolted to her feet. It wasn’t yet time, but Charlie was likely early—worried that all might not go according to plan or that she might need assistance. Lilly stooped down and grasped the handles of the valise.

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Jarena. What you’ve asked me to do may be the right thing. However, I’m afraid it’s impossible.” Lilly flashed a smile as she looked over her shoulder. “Tell your pappy he was right about me all along—I’m no good.”

  Jarena lunged forward and grabbed hold of Lilly’s arm. Her fingers clawed into the fabric of Lilly’s shirtwaist. “Please don’t leave like this!”

  Lilly pulled loose and hurried down the hallway with Jarena close on her heels. Why wouldn’t the girl accept the fact that she wasn’t going to succeed? Lilly raced out to the porch and down the steps. It was indeed Charlie’s buggy approaching from the right. She pushed open the front gate and ran forward. Her eyes widened and fear gripped her as she caught sight of an unrestrained horse and buggy careening toward her from the left.

  Jarena screamed. A shrill, ear-shattering cry. The girl’s piercing wail was the final sound Lilly heard as she crashed to the ground.

  CHAPTER

  20

  Charlie Holmes had become a weekly regular at the general store in Hill City. Jarena had seen him plying his wares at the local mercantile or traveling house to house, stopping wherever he might make a sale. He had always been courteous, but they had exchanged no more than a few words during their brief encounters. However, when he jumped out of his buggy and raced down the street to lend aid, Jarena sighed with relief.

  “Who does that runaway horse and buggy belong to?” Charlie came to a panting halt and dropped down on one knee beside Lilly. He stared at Lilly’s lifeless form. “She needs medical attention.”

  “Dr. Boyle is in his office. Please go and fetch him—tell him to hurry!”

  Jarena feared the horse had stepped on Aunt Lilly’s midsection. In addition, her face was cut and swollen, and her clothing was ripped and covered in dust. Jarena cradled her aunt’s lifeless form in the crook of her arm. She leaned over Lilly’s face and listened. Her breathing was shallow and irregular. Jarena wanted to breathe for her, somehow make her more comfortable. After all, this was her fault. Had she done as Aunt Lilly bid and remained in the house, none of this would have happened.

  “Dr. Boyle will be here soon, Aunt Lilly. You hold on.” She doubted whether her aunt could hear what was being said. In fact, Jar-ena knew she couldn’t. But speaking the words somehow soothed her and provided a sense of peace.

  The sound of pounding feet coming toward her caused Jarena to look up. Dr. Boyle and Mr. Holmes were running down the street with Walt Johnson, Jeb Malone, and Virgil Kramer following close behind. Dr. Boyle dropped his black leather bag nearby and leaned down beside Lilly. He pushed back her eyelids and listened to her labored breathing.

  Dr. Boyle signaled to the other men. “Let’s take her to the office.”

  Jarena looked toward the house. “The Nelson children are alone inside. They’re napping.”

  “You had best stay with them, Jarena. The men will help me get her down to my office, and there’s nothing you can do for your aunt right now. I’ll send word if there’s any change. You can come to the office once Mrs. Nelson returns home.”

  Walt Johnson unfolded a long, narrow piece of canvas. They used the heavy cloth as a stretcher, with each of the men grasping a corner, while Charlie and Jarena stood in the middle of the dusty street and watched the bewildering sight.

  Charlie leaned down and reached for Lilly’s carpetbag. “I’ll put this in my buggy and go down to Dr. Boyle’s office to await word on Lilly’s condition.”

  Before Charlie could gain a good hold on the bag, Jarena snatched it from him. “This doesn’t belong to you, Mr. Holmes. I’ll take care of my aunt’s satchel.”

  His stare remained fixed on the bag for a moment. “I don’t want any trouble, Miss Harban, but I do believe I’d like to take that with me.”

  Suddenly Jarena understood. Charlie Holmes knew what was in the bag. He was providing Aunt Lilly with a method of escape. Jarena narrowed her eyes and glared at him. “I don’t think that would be wise. You see, I know what’s in this bag, Mr. Holmes, and I wouldn’t want to send the sheriff after you. You were planning to take Aunt Lilly out of town with you, weren’t you? The two of you set up this entire thing, and that’s the only reason you happen to be in Hill City today, isn’t it?”

  Charlie backed up a few steps and pointed his finger at Jarena. “You can’t prove none of that. Now, I’m leaving town like you asked, but don’t you start no trouble for me or I’ll see to it that you pay—you understand?”

  “I’ll mention your abiding concern to Aunt Lilly once she’s up and about.”

  The peddler
tugged on the brim of his felt bowler and pulled it forward on his head. “You’ve got no reason to cast aspersions, Miss Harban. If you hadn’t chased after her, your aunt would be fit as a fiddle. Besides, I doubt she’s ever going to regain consciousness. Truth be told, I figure you’ll be burying her in a day or two.”

  Jarena faded at the man’s angry words. How could he utter such cruel remarks while her aunt lay unconscious on the way to Dr. Boyle’s office? Obviously, he cared little for Aunt Lilly. Her aunt had partnered with a man willing to compromise honest behavior for his own gain— a man who would help her steal from the Nelsons—a man much like Lilly. What else could Jarena expect of such a person? Clasping the carpetbag in her hand, Jarena started back toward the Nelson home.

  Mrs. Nelson should be back within the hour, and the children might awaken at any moment. Jarena hurried into Mr. Nelson’s office. What if she couldn’t open the safe? She stared at the black monstrosity and uttered a silent prayer before she pulled back on the handle. The heavy door swung open, and Jarena sighed with relief. Apparently Aunt Lilly had failed to secure the lock when she shut the door. Jarena opened the valise and then peered inside the safe. She had no idea how to arrange the items, but she would do her best.

  After pouring the silver coins into one of the leather pouches, she placed the gold nuggets in the other pouch and returned the necklace and earrings to the velvet case. Only the cash and a packet of letters remained. She placed the stacks of money side by side and then balanced the jewelry case and pouches on top. The letters in the packet were addressed to her aunt, so she returned them to the valise.

  Jarena dropped Aunt Lilly’s bag behind the front door and stood nearby to greet Mrs. Nelson as she entered the house. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Nelson.”

  Jarena detected a hint of fear in Mrs. Nelson’s eyes. “Jarena.Whatever are you doing here? Are the children all right?”

  “Indeed. They’re still napping. My only concern is that they’ve slept so long this afternoon, they won’t sleep tonight. I had planned to awaken them within the half hour if you hadn’t returned.”