by Ginny Aiken
Eli tapped the bowl of his pipe into the small tray on the table at his side, then used a sharp, wicked-looking tool to scrape the inside. “It occurred to me, as well.”
“I’m afraid too much of the town’s sentiment will be set against her. The men I’ve spoken with haven’t shown much compassion for her, and they are the leaders of the community.”
Eli began to defend his fellow citizens, but Nathan held out a hand to halt his objection. “I understand the reason for their concern.”
“I can’t argue with them, either.” Eli sat back. “I hope you realize that, even if she is found innocent, as I believe she is, their suspicion could make life here tough for her.”
Nathan frowned. “Are you saying you don’t believe we will prove her innocence?”
“No, no. I haven’t given up, but innocence isn’t always all that’s needed to bring about acceptance. Her days might turn into an ongoing nightmare, no matter what. Olivia was the one who pointed that out. She faced a certain amount of the town’s condemnation before we married. She knows what might await Faith.”
“Let’s hope they don’t repeat that history.”
“I agree.” Eli stood, crossed to the hearth, stirred the glowing embers, and, while gazing into the red coals, continued. “I’m merely trying to think ahead. I wouldn’t be the kind of man I strive to be, the kind of Christian I hope I am, if I didn’t look at all sides of Faith’s situation. You know me. You know I tend to plan for the worst while I pray for the best.”
“Are you saying you have a plan? What is that plan?”
Eli laid an elbow on the mantel, turned toward Nathan again, but failed to meet his gaze. “It involves you.”
An uneasy feeling lodged in his gut. “Me?”
“Indeed.” The banker shot him a glance then shifted his gaze back to the window fire. “I fear the worst, to be honest. Too many of the men in town are suspicious of a woman they see as shrewd, greedy, and a possible killer. The jury will be picked from that crowd. They could always find her guilty of murder because fear clouds their better judgment. I don’t blame those who don’t know her for not wanting her around their families.”
Although something inside him again went against logic, Nathan had to agree with Eli—to a point. “You know my experiences in the war. They marked me for life. I admit I’ve struggled with that, myself. Killing is a sin, one I can’t stomach. But…” He shook his head and shrugged, unable to continue.
“I don’t think you have anything to fear in that regard, Nate—”
“But?” he cut in, impatient as his unease grew.
“But I’m increasingly certain Faith is innocent. I’ve dealt with any number of clients at the bank and with members of my late first wife’s family, and have become fairly able at sniffing out dishonest folks. Faith doesn’t fit the mold, and she’s too straightforward. Besides, Olivia assures me of Faith’s decency, and I tend to believe my wife’s intuition. I can tell you to rest at ease in that regard. It’s just that I can’t reassure the whole town.”
Unexpected relief seeped through him. He stood and made for the door. “Well, then. You’ve echoed my deepest feelings. We’re agreed Faith’s innocent, and we’re committed to prove her so. I need some cool air—”
“We need to double our efforts to uncover the culprit,” Eli continued as though Nathan hadn’t budged from his chair. “That means we need to learn more, ask more questions, speak to those who might know something about that night. Or the poisoning at church.”
“Don’t forget the cash box and the runaway horse.”
“Indeed. We can come up with a plan. We need the facts before the judge arrives. Besides, it would give you something to do, instead of saying you’re just wasting time.”
“I completely agree.” Nathan smiled, feeling encouraged. “I do feel better when I take action. I’m not one to just sit and wait for things to happen. It’s a relief to know we’re agreed, that we’ve settled—”
“No so fast, Nate. That’s not all we need to discuss.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Another problem?”
“I’d rather you don’t see it as a problem. It’s more a matter of setting up the best outcome for any verdict at trial. It’ll be especially important if we can’t persuade the jury of her innocence, a jury we both feel could be poisoned against her.”
He gave his friend a tight smile. “I’m not a complicated fellow, Eli. What are you trying to tell me while still not saying it straight out?”
“What should be most important for us is to protect Faith. I can’t see them finding a lady like her capable of even attempted murder. It’s the other charges that worry me.” Eli gave Nathan a speculative look. “I know of a way to ensure her safety and her future, and you’re the only one who can carry it out.” He took a deep breath. “You can offer her marriage, and then assume her debts as your own. That will prevent the horse-thief hanging sentence. Once you clear the debts—once you make restitution for Theo’s losses and the church’s cash box, she’s out of danger. And your good name will go a long way to make people around here feel easier about her.”
Only two words penetrated. Both were critically important.
Hanging…marrying…
Nathan faced the need to weigh the horror of hanging a woman against the challenge of marrying that same woman. And paying off her substantial debts while still facing his need to invest in the logging camp.
He fought to force words past his tight throat. “Marriage is a serious matter.”
“So is death by means of a rope.”
He shuddered. “You didn’t have to be so blunt. You know I have no funds to cover the loss of the general store. And, since I know how she feels about them, Faith would want to buy the mules outright. Neither of us trusts Theo with the animals’ well-being. The animals are about all I might be able to cover. Unless things have eased even more at the bank and you can offer me some kind of mortgage.”
Eli shook his head. “We’ll go over the books as we discussed, but you know what these years have been like. We have few liquid assets. Still, whatever we have I could offer against some of your land as collateral.”
“I suppose we could reach an agreement, and Theo is the sort to take whatever he can get without having to put out too much effort.” Had he lost his mind? Could he possibly give this mad notion even the slightest consideration? Nathan couldn’t believe the words that poured from his mouth without any seeming thought behind them. “I just don’t know if we can come up with enough to suit Theo.”
Indeed. He had lost his mind. Thinking of restitution for Theo Nolan…
“That’s Theo, all right.” Eli barked out a humorless laugh. “But don’t forget how he doesn’t think of much besides his next drink. I suspect we might satisfy him with less than the whole amount up front. You could then agree to pay the rest in quarterly sums, or something of the like.”
So far, he’d responded to Eli’s suggestion with mild comments, and yet, Nathan’s thoughts were anything but mild. A dose of panic spurred them, and he didn’t know if he could see his way clear to offer Faith marriage.
Eli waited.
Finally, Nathan tugged his coat tight and made toward the door. “I need to take a walk, clear my head to think this through. And I’ll have to pray about it, Eli. It’s not something a man can agree to without seeking the Lord’s will. Marriage is a sacred covenant, as you well know. I’ll have an answer for you, but I don’t know when. I can’t rush an answer to prayer.”
“I don’t think we have the luxury of time. And yes, I do know how sacred a marriage vow is. Remember, though, sometimes the Lord answers our prayers in unusual and unexpected ways. I’d promised never to remarry after Victoria’s death. Then…well, God brought Olivia into my life.”
Nathan couldn’t stop a crooked grin at the memory. “On the heels of misbehaving boys and a runaway pig.”
Eli laughed. “Unusual and unexpected. But a true blessing, as I’m sure you’ll agree. Who’s to say th
e Father’s not brought Faith into your life for the same purpose? Who’s to say He’s not after blessing you as He blessed me?”
Nathan’s stomach churned as his thoughts spun. “I’ll take that into consideration, Eli. But I’m sure you, of all men, can understand when I tell you I won’t come to any decision lightly. It’s the rest of my life.”
“It’s her life.”
The truth hit him hard in the churning gut. He nodded and stepped toward the hall. “Let me think. And you do your part. Come up with a list of those you think we need to see. Maybe even some of the questions you and I have. Let’s see what we can learn, before…”
He didn’t finish the thought. He didn’t have to. Both men knew the rest. Both understood his reluctance.
As Nathan paced the length of Main Street in the nighttime chill, he couldn’t deny that reluctance. He’d never been one to jump into anything without a great deal of thought, planning, prayer, and consideration of all possible angles.
The judge was on his way. The town wanted a speedy trial—a quick verdict. Faith needed protection. He needed guidance. Answers. From God and all those involved.
Urgency nagged at him. “What should I do, Lord? I need time to think, to look at all the problems that might arise. Eli wants an answer. Faith needs an answer. But…I don’t know if I can do it. I’m not one to rush into things that truly matter, surely nothing that matters this much.”
You’ve never had a life depending on your decision.
Although God didn’t yell at him, Nathan felt the response as though he’d heard it loud and clear through the cold, dark night. It brought him unexpected comfort. True, he didn’t know what he was going to do, but the assurance of God’s presence encouraged him. He’d have the answer in the Lord’s perfect time.
As had happened other times in his life, Nathan acknowledged he could trust in God, in his Father’s guidance and his Father’s wisdom. He’d need both this time more than he ever had before.
Marriage.
To Faith Nolan.
Was he about to marry her even though he knew it wasn’t the right time?
And what about the question, so loud in its unvoiced state? Neither he nor Eli had dared mention the most devastating possibility. What if the jury did return a verdict of guilty to the worst charge? What if they found Faith guilty of murder?
Would they hang a woman for that?
He couldn’t let that thought take root in his head. It was too ludicrous, too ridiculous. Too improbable. Too horrifying.
Father, don’t withhold your answer. Please don’t delay.
Chapter 15
Hours and hours on his knees later, Nathan watched the light of dawn slip in between the blue curtain panels over the window in the Whitmans’ guest room. The Bible in his hands had been his companion in the longest, most torturous night of his life.
Did he truly believe in Faith’s innocence?
Yes.
Did he trust the Almighty to work things out for Faith? For him?
Yes.
In the end, it all came down to one single truth. What did his heavenly Father want him to do? What did a righteous, just God expect of a man who claimed to honor Him? What was God calling him to do?
In the last hour, he’d begun to feel a weight on his heart. Could he let a mob of foolish, blinded men ruin a woman’s life? Could he stand by as a more than likely innocent woman’s life was stolen years before a Holy God would want it to end?
Could he stand by and let evil triumph when he could stop it?
When he stripped all the details out of his thoughts, he was left with only one question to answer. What if he were in Faith’s shoes? What if during the war he’d been caught, held on trumped-up charges by the enemy, sentenced to a firing squad? What if he knew someone could save him from that fate? What if that person didn’t act?
Before God, and with the thought of unjust but certain fate clear in his mind, he let the decision come on its own. He set the Bible back down on the nightstand by the bed, walked to the window, and opened the curtains to let in the morning light. Bathed in the rosy glow of the new day, Nathan admitted he’d known all along what he would do. He’d tried to deny it, had let fear and reluctance take the lead in his thoughts, but all along a part of him had held a kernel of longing.
There was something about Faith Nolan that drew him like a magnet drew a shard of iron.
Respect, admiration, and the normal recognition of the appeal a pretty woman held for him had melded into a true attraction. He could no longer deny it, not after all these hours face to face with his God.
But could he make Faith Nolan his bride?
Faith didn’t sleep. She’d spent the night hours storming the Father’s throne with prayer. She didn’t want to spend another minute in this jail, didn’t want to die. She loved God, wanted to someday see Him face to face when her life was done, but she hadn’t begun to live yet.
“Father God…if there’s a solution, a way for me to avoid this gruesome end, please show me what it is. Fill everyone involved with wisdom, convict the heart of whoever plotted against me, bring to light the evil that’s been done. As dreadful as the jail cell has been, the noose would be far, far worse. Please spare me such a fate—if it’s in your holy will.”
As the sun began its trip up the eastern horizon, she found herself oddly at peace. When the marshal led Mr. Folsom to her cell with a dish of eggs, bacon, and flapjacks from the hotel’s kitchen, she was able to offer the men a smile.
“Good morning,” she said. “And Mr. Folsom, thank you for your kindness. I do appreciate the good food you’re providing me while I’m behind bars.”
The hotel owner, who’d worn a frightening scowl, blushed and set his jaw. He wouldn’t meet her gaze as he handed her the covered plate and utensils. “You’re welcome, I’m sure.”
The moment she took hold of the tray, he scurried out faster than necessary. Faith chuckled. The Good Book did say a kind word turned away wrath. She was glad she’d spoken kindly.
After she’d eaten and washed up, Marshal Blair approached her cell again. Faith expected him to gather her breakfast things, which he did, but he didn’t turn to leave right away. Instead, he studied her for a moment.
“You’ve an early visitor,” he said. “May I bring him back?”
“A visitor?”
The lawman nodded. “Nathan Bartlett’s here to see you.”
She was torn at the news. On the one hand, she couldn’t deny how kind the logger had always been to her. On the other, she knew he harbored doubts. Somewhere in the depths of her heart, she’d longed for him to stand behind her, to champion her innocence. But he’d not taken that strong a stance.
Still, she couldn’t refuse. He’d come to see her. His actions spoke volumes.
“You can let him in,” she said.
As the lawman went after her visitor, Faith prayed for the Lord’s hand to rest on the meeting, for Him to give her the right attitude toward Nathan, and for the Holy Spirit to measure her words. In spite of her better judgment, anticipation made her heart beat faster.
Nathan walked in wearing his brown coat open down the front to reveal a navy, black, and white plaid flannel shirt and his usual jeans. His gold-shot hair was ruffled by the wind and his cheeks ruddied by the cold. He looked, if possible, more attractive than he ever had. If only….
“How are you?” he asked in a subdued voice.
She blinked, setting her fanciful thoughts aside. “It may surprise you to know that I’m quite well. I’ve rarely felt the Father’s presence as strongly as I did last night.”
He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “It might surprise you to know that I understand. It’s on account of a night of prayer that I’m here today.”
She arched a brow. “Prayer brought you here?”
“Prayer, and the conviction that I’m doing the Father’s will.” He took a breath so deep his shoulders lifted the open coat enough for her to take note. “It all became
clear during the night. I now know what I’m called to do.”
“And that is?”
“I know this isn’t what you’d want, but I know the Father’s led me to you. Please marry me, Faith.”
She gasped. “Wha—what did you say?”
His features still cast in serious lines, Nathan nodded. “I can’t bear the thought of a jury sentencing you to hang. Not without anything solid to prove you’ve done any of what Theo says you did, and, well…I’d like you to be my wife.”
Confusion filled Faith’s thoughts. “I’m trying to make sense of your explanation, but I’m afraid I don’t understand. Are you saying that marrying you has something to do with whether they hang me or not?”
He blushed. “Something like that, only I didn’t say it all quite so well. I’m not a fellow for a lot of fancy talk. I have nothing but respect for you, and I can’t abide the thought of all that’s happened to you. If I were to legally take up your debts and make good on them, you’d be freed from here, and you wouldn’t face a hanging.”
“Take up my debts? What do you mean?”
“If I marry you, I can become responsible for paying up for you, since Theo’s main complaint is the loss of the store—well, it’s also Roger’s death, but it’s unthinkable that anyone would convict a lady like you of murder, much less sentence you to hang. Especially since there’s nothing to tie you to Roger’s killing. Besides, Theo himself was there that night, and the soldiers, too. Who’s to say if they all left as they insist they did?”
She took the time to think through what he was trying to say. What struck her most was how embarrassed he appeared, how vulnerable, and yes, kind. As always, Nathan Bartlett spoke with a depth of kindness that touched her soul, came through in all his words.
She’d not allowed herself to ponder what life might have been like had she married someone like Nathan rather than Roger; she’d dismissed the thoughts as pure foolishness. Now, he was offering her the chance to learn.
But sadly, she couldn’t accept. “I appreciate your kind offer, but I can’t marry you. I understand what you’ve said, and I don’t want to face that mob again, but this”—she waved vaguely—“this isn’t right.”
