Cora Captures a Cowboy

by Linda K. Hubalek

  “Is Adam here as my brother or as the sheriff?” Sarah needed to know if they expected foul play on her part as Marcus did.

  “Both, Sarah.”

  Marcus eyed the doorways to the back porch and the dining room. Both were blocked by people standing in front of them. “I’ll go be with the other children now you’re all here to help with the babies,” Marcus said, ready to push his way through the dining room to get to the parlor.

  “Millie’s with the children, Marcus,” Isaac told his nephew as he moved into the room with the three other men. Thank goodness the kitchen was a large room.

  Adam stepped forward and looked at her and then Marcus. “Please tell me what you found in the foreman’s cabin when you arrived, and what happened afterwards,” Adam asked in his “marshal’s” voice. “Sarah, you first, then Marcus.”

  Sarah took a deep breath and explained what happened after arriving at the ranch. Marcus told the same story from his point of view, adding more details than she could remember at the moment.

  Doc Watson cleared his throat to speak. “I concur having triplets made the birthing come early, but Margaret’s falling and hitting her head caused her death. You can move her body now and I’ll check the babies.” The doctor motioned to the young women to bring the babies into one of the downstairs bedrooms so he could examine the newborns.

  “I also found this note in the bedroom,” Adam continued after part of the group left. He placed it on the kitchen table before her. “Why does it say you and Marcus are the guardians of all six children?”

  “Because,” Marcus spoke up before Sarah could open her mouth to explain, “Margaret wrote the note and insisted we sign it. We thought she’d recover so we signed it to ease her mind so she could rest. Moments after I signed the paper...she took her last breath.”

  “Is this legal and binding?” Isaac turned to Adam for his opinion.

  “Not sure, we’d have to ask a judge or lawyer. I can take it over to Ellsworth tomorrow since Clear Creek doesn’t have either in town.”

  Sarah noticed Cora hadn’t followed the other women yet, and was trying to catch her brother, Lyle’s attention. When they connected, Cora raised her eyebrows—as if asking him something?

  “Uh, I can look at it, Marshal,” Lyle said while moving up to the table.

  “And why’s that?” John Elison asked, looking perplexed as his son read the piece of paper.

  Lyle ignored his father’s question while answering Adam. “All six children are listed, plus the signatures of the mother and guardians she chose. Legal papers need to be filed. Would anybody contest this? Did either parent have any family you know?”

  “She said she had no family,” Sarah firmly stated.

  “We’ll search the house for their family Bible and any letters which may give us names of family, living or not,” Adam said.

  “Lyle, you didn’t answer my question. Why would you know the law in this matter?” his father, John, asked again.

  Lyle looked at his sister while answering. “Because I’ve been studying law since Carl and I moved back to Boston. I start working in a law firm when we return from this trip.” Only then did Lyle look at his parents.

  “Why didn’t you tell us sooner, Lyle?” his mother Elizabeth asked.

  “I wanted to be a lawyer instead of going into the family business. And I needed to prove to you—and myself—I could do this without anyone’s help.”

  “Well, Clear Creek needs a lawyer if you ever need a place to hang your shingle,” Adam stuck out his hand to Lyle. The two men had their problems when Lyle lived at the Bar E, his family’s ranch, last year. Maybe Lyle could become an upstanding citizen instead of a rabble rouser if he moved back to the area.

  “What if I was the only guardian? Could I adopt the children by myself?” Sarah asked, ignoring all the looks passing around the room.

  “That might be tough. It would be better if you were married and both you and your husband were listed,” Lyle answered truthfully.

  Sarah stared at Marcus, but he was purposely looking at the floor and remained silent, ignoring both her and the recommendation by Lyle. When Marcus held Mark, Sarah felt certain she witnessed a bonding between the two, but now she wondered if she was wrong.

  “The court might recommend the children be placed in several homes rather than stay with a single woman. They may ask for proof of support. Have you thought how you’d shelter and feed six children?”

  Sarah rubbed her face, fear creeping into her mind, questioning her ability to raise the children. Was she being selfish, wanting to keep them all when there were families in the area who could provide for them better than she could alone? How in the world would she do it? She had no home or income. What was she thinking?! She was dreaming these children could be an instant family for her and Marcus.

  “Sarah, I’m sure we could find loving homes for these children. They are all young, so they’d adjust to a new family. Couples who can’t have their own children would welcome them,” Pastor Reagan added his own advice.

  “Oh, I’m sure Mrs. Paulson is recruiting parents as we speak,” Sarah said bitterly. “She insisted I give up the children and marry Ethan as planned.”

  “That woman was out here with Ethan?!” Sarah was shocked at her mother’s outburst. Sarah had never heard her speak ill of anyone in such a tone.

  All Sarah could do was sigh and shake her head yes. She didn’t want to replay the scene again by telling about it.

  “I never said anything about your marriage to Ethan, Sarah, because it had to be your own decision…but I am so glad you didn’t marry into that family today,” her mother huffed.

  “Ah hum. Cate? How about you step out on the porch a bit to cool down?” Isaac held out his hand until she complied by marching out the door in front of him.

  Doc Watson came back into the room and stood by Pastor. “The babies are tiny, but I think they will all make it, barring any complications. I know you don’t like the idea, Sarah, but, at least the smallest baby should be with a wet nurse for a while, if not all of them. Mr. Taylor opened up their store for me, so I brought cans of evaporated milk and suckling bottles.” Sarah had noticed her sisters–in–law had already prepared bottles and left the room again to feed the infants. She was exhausted, but Sarah wished she was feeding them herself.

  “Pastor Reagan, I suggest you baptize the babies while you’re here, not knowing for sure they’ll survive,” the doctor continued. “We’ll take Margaret’s body back to town with us, and arrange the funeral for tomorrow. Cora graciously offered to pay for her burial and order a tombstone for the couple’s graves.”

  Everyone turned as Isaac and Cate entered the room again.

  “I’d like to offer Sarah and the children a home here on the Cross C for the immediate future. The older ones are used to all who live and work on the ranch, so life wouldn’t be disrupted right away for them,” Isaac reassured Sarah, then turned to Cate.

  “And I’m also moving into Isaac’s house to help with the children,” her mother said in her typical matter–a–fact way, staring at the doctor and preacher as if they’d dare object.

  Before anyone could make a comment on Isaac’s and Cate’s announcements, Marty weaved through the adult legs to reach Marcus, holding up his arms, wanting to be picked up. Marcus hoisted the boy into his arms as he had many times over the past months. Marty laid his head on Marcus’ shoulder, stuck his thumb in his mouth and sighed.

  Marcus was already becoming a caregiver and father figure to Marty and his sisters. Could Sarah convince him to take on the role permanently?

  Chapter 7

  Marcus wasn’t surprised when Sarah’s family charged in to help Sarah. They always supported each other, always ready to lend a hand. Cate had taught her family well and it showed in their willingness to help others. He wasn’t sure whether it was his uncle’s or Cate’s idea for Sarah and the children to move into the ranch house, but there was room for all of them. Marcus never
understood why his uncle built a huge house for only himself. Maybe he had planned to marry and have a family when he moved from Illinois, but it never happened.

  As big as the house was, at the moment there were too many people in it, and they were all staring at him. They seemed to be waiting for him to step forward and make the declaration to take care of the children, too. In their eyes, his signature on the scribbled piece of paper was proof he’d always be there for the orphaned children, and for Sarah.

  “Marcus, will you step into my office, please?” his uncle asked as he turned, assuming Marcus would be following him. The sea of people parted to let the two men walk through the dining room to Isaac’s office. Cate snagged Marty out of Marcus’ arms when he passed her.

  Isaac sat down in the leather chair behind this desk and motioned Marcus to sit across from him.

  “I was surprised to see you still here when we came back to the house, although I’m glad you were.”

  “Yes, I had planned to leave right after you left for church, but I stalled… then Sarah galloped into the ranch yard just as I was ready to leave. Before we had a chance to fully discuss her situation, Maggie came running out of the cabin to find help.”

  “How are you holding up?” his uncle quietly asked, and Marcus knew what he meant.

  Marcus rubbed his hands over his face before answering. “I hate to admit it, but I froze seeing Margaret bleeding on the floor. And Sarah cleaned the worst of the blood off the woman before I returned to the cabin.”

  “Could you help at all?”

  “Sarah talked me through getting Margaret into bed, then she took over with the birthing. I spent the afternoon with the children,” Marcus shrugged.

  “I’m glad you were here to help with that. What would Sarah have done with three little ones while helping with the birthing?” Isaac asked while shaking his head.

  He leaned forward to look at Marcus. “So what’s next, Marcus? I’m guessing you were heading west to get as far away from Sarah and Ethan as possible. But they didn’t marry and now you’re listed as a guardian to six children.”

  “I don’t know, sir. I have no home or a lasting means to support a family. I’ve saved from my years as a soldier, but I don’t know how well it would last feeding and clothing a large family. Military life is the only thing I know to do, and I can’t ask Sarah to tag along with six children from fort to fort, wherever I find work.”

  “You were given an honorary discharge because of your injuries and you don’t have to go back to that profession.”

  “I know, but I’ve pretty much healed, Uncle Isaac, so I could go back to the fort,” Marcus ground out.

  “Do you love Sarah? And, enough to take on six children at the same time as a marriage? She won’t let go of the children unless she absolutely has to do so.”

  “That’s all I’ve thought about since Margaret died. Yes, I admit I love Sarah, even though I shouldn’t because she was betrothed to another man.

  “We talked about marriage—’what if’ dreams—but…. Now she sees the Sullivan children as our ‘dream come true’. But I don’t feel capable of protecting a family. I failed in the skirmish…I couldn’t save families there, so I panic thinking it could happen again, only with Sarah and these children next time.”

  Isaac pulled out a desk drawer, took out an envelope and laid it on the desk in front of Marcus. “I realize this is bad timing, and it will look like I’m bribing you to stay…but I already had paperwork drawn for you to be my heir.” Isaac raised his hand to stop Marcus’ protest before it even started.

  “I have no one else to leave it to, and you’ve become a son to me as we’ve spent time together. I told Sarah that she and the Sullivan children could move in here, because there’s plenty of room in this big house for all of them. If you and Sarah should decide to marry, please consider this your permanent home, but I expect there to be room for your old uncle as long as I want to live here. Rusty and the ranch hands do an excellent job of taking care of the buildings and livestock. I’d like you to learn the management of the ranch so I can step back a little in my role running the Cross C. You’d earn a salary as everyone else here, and when I pass on, you’ll receive the deed to the ranch. Is this something you’d consider doing, rather than going back to the military?”

  Marcus stared at the man across the desk for a long moment. “I don’t know what to say, Uncle Isaac, besides thank you and I’m honored you feel that way about me. I appreciated a place to go when I needed to heal, and this ranch has become very special to me.”

  “So, do you feel ready to marry and take on an instant family?”

  “I’m definitely warming up to the idea. We’d have some challenging times with six young children, but you’ve given me a way to be able to marry and raise a family; just as you gave me a place to recover after my body was injured earlier in the year. I can’t thank you enough.” Marcus was on his feet pumping Isaac’s hand across the desk before he realized it. After the traumatic day, he couldn’t believe how good he felt now.

  “I’d wait a day or so before sharing this conversation with Sarah. Lyle needs to be sure you have the right to adopt the children first.”

  Both men looked up when Adam rapped his knuckles on the door frame. “You better come out to the kitchen,” he said grimly. “I found a letter in Margaret’s writing box we need to discuss.”

  Cate sat at the table reading the letter in question. Marcus noticed Sarah’s face was drawn and pale when she came into the room. She must be worried about the infants, or maybe Adam had already told her about the letter in question.

  “What did you find?” Isaac asked immediately.

  “A letter postmarked from Kansas City, dated three weeks ago, giving Margaret condolences on the loss of her husband. It’s signed ‘Love from your grandmother and family’. The return address on the envelope is from a ‘Mrs. Henry Rayburn’,” Cate announced.

  “Margaret never said anything about her family at all. Maggie asked if she could call me ‘grandpa’ because she didn’t have grandparents,” Isaac mused.

  “I asked Margaret if there was someone to contact about the children and she emphatically said ‘no’,” Sarah stated as she rubbed her forehead. She was on the verge of tears, realizing she may not be raising these children after all. But then again, Margaret’s family should raise the children if they could.

  “Where did you find the letter?” Isaac asked again.

  “In the bottom of her writing box,” Adam replied.

  Sarah looked up in puzzlement. “I saw this letter on top of the stationery when I left, so why did she hide it in the bottom of the box while I was gone to retrieve Marcus? Why didn’t Margaret mention she had family? When she asked for her box, I assumed she was wanting to write to someone about her new sons, but then she asked me to go find Marcus. What if Margaret didn’t want her family to be their guardians?”

  “She was very insistent we sign the paper, Adam,” Marcus added.

  “I realize that—but—we also found a note in the Sullivan’s Bible dated three years ago listing a Henry and Martha Rayburn as guardians of Maggie and Marty if anything happened to their parents.”

  “But our paper lists all six names, so would the Rayburns be in charge of Maisie and the triplets then, too?”

  “The first paper lists it as ‘Maggie, Marty and future children’,” Cate answered.

  “So, would the Rayburns be in charge of finding a home, or homes for the children?” Sarah worriedly asked.

  Cate laid a hand on Sarah’s forearm. “At this point all you have to think about is taking care of the children until we find out who’s their true guardian. They will keep you busier than you ever dreamed possible.”

  Lyle spoke up again. “Carl and I will start traveling back to Boston tomorrow and we’ll be going through Kansas City. Would it be all right if we stop and visit the Rayburns?”

  “How will you prove you’re connected to the Sullivans so they don’t think
you’re trying to swindle them or something?” John Elison asked.

  “This letter is addressed to Mrs. Sullivan, in care of Isaac Connely at the Cross C Ranch, Ellsworth County, Kansas. Could I take and show them this letter to prove I’ve been with the Sullivans? And then Isaac, if you would write a letter telling the Rayburns about the passing of their granddaughter and the need for guardians of her children, I can give it to the Rayburns also. It would likely save at least a week’s time if I visit them instead of you mailing a letter.”

  “Thanks for offering to do that, Lyle. The sooner we get this settled, the better for the children,” Adam said, looking at his sister before turning back to Lyle. “Please send me a telegram to let us know if you find the Rayburns. I realize they may not know right away if they, or other relatives, can take the children, so ask them to mail a letter back to Isaac stating how we should proceed.”

  Adam continued, thinking of things needing to be done. “We can’t postpone Margaret’s funeral with this hot weather, so Pastor wants to do it at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.”

  “Should we take the older children to the service?” Marcus asked. “They were at their father’s burial.”

  “How are we going to tell them their mother is gone, too?” Sarah lamented.

  “You and Marcus do it together, reassuring them they will stay here with you,” Cate answered. “We’ll move their family’s belongings and clean the cabin this afternoon while we have help here. There may be a few keepsakes we can save for the children to remember their parents—photographs, jewelry or mementos from past generations.

  “Make the beds here with their own bedding so it will smell like their own beds. And don’t wash Margaret’s clothing right away either because you may have to wear it also.”

  “Oh, no. Clothes! We moved my clothing and personal belongings to the Paulson’s hotel yesterday,” Sarah said while rubbing her forehead. “Will Mrs. Paulson let me retrieve them?”