“She did. I think it’s a great idea. You definitely won’t be lonely anymore. Hannah will see to that.” He looked over at Joe and grinned. “You know you’re going to have to wash up a lot when you’re working around food.”
They both laughed, Joe bobbing his head. “Yep! It’ll take everything inside of me to stay clean, body and soul, but I’ve made a vow that I won’t touch a drop. ’Cept water.” Another shared chuckle.
“I’ll send up a few prayers,” Jedediah said, turning serious. “You’re gonna need them, for sure.” He slowed Charlie to a walk. “Yes, this looks like the place John was found.” They dismounted, and Jed said they should keep an eye open for any clues that might have been missed.
“You know,” he mused as they searched, “I just don’t understand what would motivate someone to kill John when they already had his cattle.”
Joe’s mouth pulled down at the corners as his eyebrows drew up. “Mebbe that no-good varmint wants more’n jes cattle—mebbe he wants the whole ball o’ wax.”
“You mean the whole ranch?” Jedediah thought about that for a moment. “I hardly think that’s the case, Joe, but I’ve heard crazier things in my life.”
“Somethin’ ta think about,” Joe said. “John have any enemies ya know of?”
“I’ve done a lot of asking around, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about him.” Jed turned toward their horses. “I see nothing here, so we may as well go check on Judith, since we’re near the Cross Bar.”
As they headed that direction, Jedediah turned over the list of ranch hands in his mind, wondering if one of them had a motive. He couldn’t think of any. John always said Monty was a good foreman, and he trusted him with his life.
The Cross Bar looked strangely deserted as they neared the sprawling ranch buildings. Jedediah guessed the hands were out somewhere on the range. As he and Joe left their horses at the hitching post a few yards from the house, he thought he heard arguing. Jedediah put his finger to his mouth, signaling to Joe to be quiet as they crept to a side window.
“Now see here, Judith,” they heard through the opening, “all you have to do is sign on this line right here. The document I got from the bank is all legal, giving me the power to run the ranch. Which I’m already doing for you.” Jedediah recognized the voice. What was Monty trying to do?
“I don’t know, Monty,” Judith was saying, sounding upset. “John never mentioned I’d have to do this if something happened to him . . . of course I never dreamed—”
“That’s right—you couldn’t possibly know that it would come to this,” Monty interrupted, obviously trying to sound conciliatory.
“I think I should go to the bank and talk to them,” Judith replied. But her voice was a bit shaky. “To get a better understanding of what this document means for me.”
Jedediah peered through the window of the parlor. Judith and Monty were standing next to her writing desk, and Monty held a pen in his hand. That’s why Monty was coming out of the bank earlier. Probably made up some cockamamie reason. Could this be the same Monty he knew?
“Aww, there’s no need for that, Judith. You know John wouldn’t have suggested it if he didn’t trust me to run things for you.”
“That’s just it—John never mentioned anything like this to me.”
Jed watched Monty take a step closer to her. “That’s because he didn’t want to worry you about details. He wanted you to concentrate on having children to fill this house.”
“How—how could you know that?” Judith’s hand went to her mouth, and she seemed to sway slightly.
“He told me.”
Jedediah had no doubt Judith would be signing her rights away if she believed this lie. He and Joe stiffened and looked at each other with a nod of mutual understanding.
“That’s very odd, Monty.” Judith had recovered her equilibrium and stood straight, her voice firm. “We were very private about our life together.” She looked away sadly as if Monty weren’t even in the room.
Monty dropped his voice provocatively, no doubt attempting to sound tender. “You must know I have always had feelings for you since the day I came to work here. Now that John is out of the way, so to speak, it’s me and you running the largest ranch this side of Alder Creek. I know John wouldn’t have wanted you to be alone at a time like this . . .”
Judith gasped and stepped back, but Monty grabbed her and pulled her to his chest as she struggled to get away. “Now won’t that be sweet,” he was saying in a tone that made Jed’s blood run cold. “A foreman coming to the rescue of a wealthy widow.” Monty chuckled and stared into her white face.
Jedediah wanted to rush in and knock him out cold, but he signaled to Joe that they should wait. If Jed gave him enough rope, Monty—his friend?—would surely hang himself.
“What are you talking about?” Judith tried to break free, but Monty held her tight. “Did you—it sounds like you had something to do with John’s death.” A sob escaped her throat.
Monty kept her against him. “John was in the wrong place that night.”
“Please, let me go! You’re hurting me,” Judith shouted.
That was all Jedediah needed. Motioning for Joe to stay put for now, he drew his gun and raced up the steps.
He flung the door open, and Monty spun around, drawing his gun at the same time. Judith screamed. The man pointed the gun at her head, his other arm around her neck.
“Now, what do we have here?” Monty sneered. “My friend Vigilante X coming to the rescue! Keep your nose outta what’s none of your business, Jed.”
“Monty, put down that gun and release Judith.”
“I can’t do that. She’s my partner now, see?” Monty’s wild stare looked more alarming to Jed than the gun.
“You and I both know that’s not true, Monty.” Jedediah held his tone steady, matter-of-fact, hoping he could talk some sense into this—this common criminal gone mad. “Now, step to the side and let go of Judith. Slowly put your gun on the floor,” he said in a controlled, even tone.
Monty shoved her aside and she fell against the desk. Her hand flew to her cheek, and blood flowed between her fingers. He growled, “Jed, just go away and let me work this out with Judith. No harm will come to her.”
“This is the way you intend to treat Judith?” Jedediah tried reasoning, keeping his plea even and calm though he felt like shooting the man in the chest. “Come on now, Monty—you know better than this.”
Monty fired, knocking Jedediah’s Colt .45 from his hand. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?”
Jed looked over at Judith. “Leave, Judith. While we talk this over.”
“Stay, Judith!” Monty shouted. “You know we were meant to be together.” But she slid away with her back to the wall and fled down the hallway.
“I can get rid of you right now. There’s no witnesses, and Judith won’t open her mouth when I get through with her,” he said through clenched teeth.
“No, you won’t, Monty!” came a voice from behind Monty. “Drop the gun, and I’ll spare your life,” Joe ordered, his gun held in a two-handed grip that filled Monty’s face with surprise and fear.
“Ha! I’m not afraid of an aging miner,” Monty spit out, but his voice belied the words.
“I may be a miner but I’m far from aging.” Joe had moved around to face the man, his gun level with Monty’s chest. “Funny thing,” he barked, “I’m so old I don’t have to answer to anyone. So if you value your life, you put down your gun now! Or I promise I’ll shoot you six ways from heaven before I see any harm come to Miss Judith or Jed. Your choice.”
Monty, his face full of rage, looked back and forth between the two men. If the man moved even a muscle, Jedediah knew Joe would shoot Monty point-blank. And if that didn’t stop him, Jedediah would already have his gun back in hand and finish him off.
Monty took a minute to decide, but in the end he dropped his gun. Jedediah kicked it aside while Joe kept his gun pointed at the man’s heart.
&
nbsp; Jedediah walked over and snapped handcuffs on his wrists. “You’re under arrest for the murder of John Hargrove.”
29
By the time Jedediah and Joe had gotten Monty’s horse ready, Judith walked timidly into the yard, her hair coming loose from its pins and fluttering around her battered face. She had fastened a cloth on her cheek, and the wound oozed red around the edges of the bandage and was already bruising. She was holding her stomach, and her hands were trembling.
Jedediah hurried over. “He can’t harm you now, Judith.” He patted her shoulder, feeling awfully sorry for her with this new turn of events on the heels of losing John. “Are you and the baby all right?”
She nodded through her tears. “I think . . . I think Monty must have lost his mind, Jed.”
“He surely must have—or something like it.” He patted her arm again. “I don’t like to require this, but we will need for you to come back into town with us. I’ll write a note and post it on the door for your men.” She nodded, folding her arms across her body.
“Joe, go hitch my horse to Judith’s wagon—she’s coming with us.” Jed held the horse and shoved Monty upward, hands still cuffed, onto the mount. Jedediah noticed something blue in Monty’s vest pocket. “Hold there a minute.” He reached over and pulled out a blue kerchief, exactly like the one Cody wore and that he’d found when he searched the boardinghouse.
“How do you like that, Joe?” he called as the man led Judith’s horse over to her. “Here’s one of the clues I’ve been looking for.” Jed looked up at Monty astride the horse. “Bob told one of the drovers about seeing something blue that night the cattle were stolen. No doubt you were wearing this at the time—hoping to incriminate Cody for your crimes. Sounds like you and Nathan were in cahoots to me.”
Monty’s voice was full of venom. “Cody came swinging into the Cross Bar like he was the new foreman and had John wrapped around his finger. We couldn’t let that happen.” He swung his head to stare at Judith. “Take care of that baby, darlin’ . . . I’ll be back.”
Jedediah saw Joe give Judith a look of sympathy, then help her into the wagon that he’d hitched Charlie to. As he took a seat next to Judith, he ordered Monty to sit behind them. “Let’s let Judith stay in front so she doesn’t have to see her attacker,” Jedediah said to Joe, keeping his voice low. “And by the way, thanks for saving my life.” Jedediah reached over to clap Joe on his back.
Joe beamed at him, his smile splitting his beard. “Anything for a friend.”
“You’re the hero today.” Jedediah glanced back at the silent and stone-faced prisoner. He never said another word. Jedediah didn’t know what to think about Monty’s mental state. At least now the townsfolk could rest easy, having the likely killer caught. The judge in Helena would take care of the rest.
As soon as Jedediah returned to the jailhouse and locked Monty up, he took down an official statement from Judith.
Word had gotten around quickly, and Patience wasn’t surprised when Jedediah arrived with the distraught Judith. Patience quickly came down the steps to bring the woman into the parlor. “I’m so sorry, Judith, and with you barely recovering from your loss,” she murmured as they made their way up the steps and into Creekside.
Emily, her face still blanched white with shock at the news about Monty, told them she’d make some tea and get proper dressings for Judith’s wound. The abrasion wasn’t deep, but Patience cleaned it and covered it with a fresh bandage. “I believe you’ll have a black eye tomorrow, but I’m not certain of that.”
“Patience,” Judith said, her lips trembling, “it was like Monty suddenly had these grandiose ideas that he and I were meant to be together. Nothing could be further from the truth!” Judith glanced over at Emily. “Oh, dear girl, I’m so sorry you had to hear this.”
Emily’s hands shook as she poured the tea. “I’m so shocked—that’s all. I suppose we never really know someone, do we?”
“Well, not always, I’m afraid,” Judith replied, shaking her head. “I fear if John were alive today, he would have done some serious damage to his foreman—if he’d gotten to him before the law did.”
“Well, thank the Lord you didn’t miscarry and you still have a part of John to love and nurture when your baby comes,” Patience said. “But you’ve had a most dreadful experience, so after you finish your tea, I want you to go up to my room and lie down for a while,” Patience said.
They helped Judith upstairs and got her settled. “Judith, may I pray with you?” Patience asked. At her nod, Patience laid a hand on Judith’s head and asked for the Lord’s healing and protection—body, soul, and spirit—as she recovered from her ordeal.
Not long after supper, Jedediah returned to Creekside and asked Patience if she’d like to take a walk with him.
“I certainly would,” Patience said as she stepped outside. “Have you had anything to eat?”
“Yes, Joe asked Hannah to bring over something for both—” He stopped abruptly, then sighed and finished, “for both the prisoner and me.”
She slipped her arm through his. “Jed, I’m so sorry you’ve lost a friend, and in this horrible way.”
He patted her hand on his arm. “I think I found a true friend today—Joe.” He told Patience the story of the day’s confrontation and ordeal, then about Joe saving his life.
“Then I’m deeply grateful to Joe as well, Jed.” She turned her head and smiled at him.
“And Monty’s cooked his own goose with his threats to Judith, then all but admitting in front of Joe and me that he is responsible for John’s death. That if he had to, he’d let Cody take the fall for it.”
“Could there be another mob demanding revenge?” she wondered aloud.
“I don’t think so, but I deputized Joe earlier. He’s on the job so I could pay you a visit.” They continued to stroll in the evening light. “He’ll stand trial. I’ll take him over to Helena, and he and Nathan can share a cell.”
“Judith certainly is relieved,” Patience said, “and she told Emily and me that she can feel safe at the Cross Bar again.” She paused. “But I get a distinct feeling that she may sell and go back East where John’s family is.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me,” he said.
After his recounting of events, Jedediah fell silent. Patience wondered if he was still mourning his lost friendship. They strolled until the boardwalk ended, greeting folks as they passed. Patience enjoyed being on his arm and was proud to be seen with one of the heroes of the day. He squeezed her arm against his side, and they headed back to Creekside in companionable silence.
“Patience, after I get things settled with all this, I hope we’ll get the chance to have that picnic we’ve talked about.” Jedediah had paused at her front door, taking hold of her hands. “And now with Cody at the ranch, let me know if there’s anything you need repaired or done around the boardinghouse. I did make that promise to you . . . you know, back when . . .” They looked at each other, then started laughing at the memories of their early sparring.
“You have enough to take care of right now,” she told him when she had caught her breath, “but later I have a few cabinet doors in the kitchen that need tightening at the hinges. I could probably fix some of them myself, but I don’t have the proper tools.”
He smiled. “I don’t doubt you could, Patience, but I’m your man. I’ve got the tools, and that won’t take any time at all.” He squeezed her hands, still in his.
“That . . . would be great,” she managed to say. “I’d better go now, and you need to make sure Joe is fine on his own. I’ll be praying that there’s no trouble tonight before you leave.” She turned the doorknob to go in, but he stopped her.
“Thank you for believing that I’m a changed man now,” he said, his voice low. “I’ll be going now, but very soon we need to have ourselves a good, long talk.” He let her hands go, slowly backed away, then strode up the boardwalk.
A good, long talk sounded more than good to her. And she had a good, lon
g talk with God before finally falling asleep that night.
Half the morning was spent turning Monty over to the sheriff in Helena. Since Sheriff Thompson knew Jedediah from earlier days, Jedediah decided to sign his name one last time as “Vigilante X.”
It gave him a feeling of a job well done seeing those two men, Nathan and Monty, in jail cells. Two men likely to be hanged for their crimes, but this time the court would decide.
He tapped Charlie on the flanks and took off in the direction of the Cross Bar. He had one last piece of business there.
Judith answered the door. “Jedediah, I was not expecting to see you today,” she said with a surprised look. Her fair skin was discolored near her eye, turning several shades of the rainbow.
“Sorry to bother you again, Judith. I hope you’re feeling better.”
“Please, won’t you come in?” She stepped aside, and he removed his hat and followed her to the parlor. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, ma’am. I wanted to see how you are doing, but also I wondered if I might speak with Cody.”
“Of course. A moment ago he was in the barn. He may still be there.” She looked anxious. “Is anything the matter?”
“No, no, nothing at all. I merely need to return something.” He turned back to the door. “Patience tells me you might be going back East. Are you planning on selling the ranch?”
“It’s a possibility. I’m going to stay with John’s mother until after I have the baby, but I’ll be leaving the Cross Bar in Cody’s capable hands until I decide. Why?”
“I’d like you to keep me in mind, if you decide to sell. I’ve been saving for a place of my own.”
Judith smiled. “Rest assured you will be the first one to be informed. Thank you again, Marshal, and to Joe for what you did. I probably wouldn’t be here . . .”
“Just doing my job, ma’am,” he said quietly when she didn’t finish.
“Still, I’m very grateful to you and to Patience for taking care of me. She’s a jewel, you know.”
The Trouble with Patience Page 22
