Book Read Free

The Outlaws: Sam

Page 28

by Ten Talents Press


  St. Leo's rested forlorn and neglected on a arid patch of ground with nary a tree to shade its bleached wooden exterior. Chickens scratched lazily in the dirt near the front porch whose railing was missing several slats. Lacey felt her heart constrict for the unfortunate children residing within those barren walls.

  Sam pulled the buggy to a stop in the front yard. He leaped to the ground and lifted Lacey down. "Shall we?" he said, grasping Lacey's arm and guiding her up the front steps.

  Suddenly Lacey balked. "What if Andy isn't here? I'm so frightened, Sam."

  "There's only one way to find out, sweetheart," Sam said as he rapped sharply on the door.

  Long, suspenseful minutes passed before the door cracked open and a woman in a nun's habit peered through the opening.

  "I'm Sister Michael, how may I help you?"

  "I'd like to speak to your superior about one of your children," Sam said.

  The door opened fully, revealing a small, birdlike woman whose tiny frame was nearly swamped by her voluminous habit. "Please come in. You can wait in Sister Adele's office while I summon her. She handles the adoptions."

  "Oh, but we don't..."

  "Thank you," Sam said, interrupting Lacey in mid-sentence. As soon as the nun turned her back, Sam hissed into Lacey's ear, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

  The dun colored walls were depressing, Lacey thought as she followed Sister Michael. There were few children in sight and even less evidence of their existence. Lacey shuddered. Were they hidden away somewhere?

  They were ushered into a small, sparsely furnished room to wait. Moments later a round woman with red cheeks and twinkling blue eyes bustled into the room.

  She greeted Sam and Lacey with good humor. "I'm Sister Adele. According to Sister Michael, you were inquiring about one of our children."

  "Yes," Sam answered. "We're interested in recent additions to your establishment."

  "We've only had two children join us in recent weeks. Little Andy and baby John. How did you hear of them?"

  "Oh, God, he's here," Lacey whispered, collapsing into a nearby chair. "Where is he?"

  "Are you all right, my dear?" Sister Adele asked kindly. "Would you like a glass of water?"

  "No, nothing. Please, I want to see Andy. I want my son."

  Sister Adele looked perplexed. "We have only orphans in our home."

  "Let me explain," Sam began once he brought his emotions under control. "Andy was taken from us by force and brought to your orphanage. We're his parents."

  "But Mr. Harper said Andy's parents were dead, that he had no relatives and no one to care for him."

  "Didn't Andy tell you differently? He's usually quite outspoken."

  "The poor little tyke has scarcely spoken a word since his arrival. He's made s friend or two but doesn't respond to any of the sisters. We've been worried about him."

  "Where is he?" Lacey cried.

  "The children are at lessons this time of day. And those too young for lessons usually nap during the afternoon."

  "Could you please send for Andy?" Sam requested.

  Sister Adele eyed them narrowly. "Are you sure you're Andy's parents? We're very protective of our children. You can see we haven't much, but we do our best with what God has provided."

  "Very sure," Sam informed her. "Andy can provide the identification you require."

  "Very well, I'll fetch him myself."

  Sister Adele left the room in a swish of black skirts.

  "What if Andy doesn't remember us?" Lacey asked shakily.

  "It hasn't been that long, love."

  "Sister Adele said he's been unresponsive since he arrived. You know yourself what a little chatterbox he is. What if...what if the terrible experience damaged him in some way?"

  "Stop it, Lacey!" Sam said sharply. "You're worrying yourself sick for no reason. Andy may be young but he's a smart little boy. He probably had nothing to talk about, nothing in common with the poor abandoned children here."

  Lacey's reply was forestalled when Sister Adele returned with Andy trailing behind her. His head was bowed, his shoulders slumped. A cry of dismay escaped Lacey's throat. The sound brought Andy's head shooting upward. Sam was shocked by the vacant look in Andy's eyes. This wasn't the same Andy he knew and loved. This was a boy with empty eyes, a boy without hope.

  Neither Sam nor Lacey could move, frozen in place by the lost little boy who stared back at them as if he didn't know them.

  "Andy," Sister Adele gently prodded. "Your mama and papa have come to take you home."

  Lacey stepped forward, her face suffused with joy. "Andy, Mama and Papa are going to take you home."

  Unsmiling, Andy blinked. "Take me home?"

  Lacey knelt on the threadbare rug and held out her arms. "Yes, darling. We've finally found you. We're going home. We're going to be a family again."

  Sam cursed beneath his breath. The experience had so traumatized Andy that he couldn't grasp what had happened to him. For one uncertain moment Sam feared Andy would refuse to recognize them. His eyes focused first on Lacey, kneeling with her arms open, and then on Sam. He remained unresponsive, and pain tore through Sam.

  "Andy, remember me? I love you, son. I won't let anything bad happen to you again, I swear it."

  An eternity passed before Sam saw a change in Andy. Joy chased away hopelessness, illuminating Andy's expressive face. A ragged cry ripped from his throat as he launched himself into Lacey's arms.

  "Mama!" He hugged Lacey fiercely. A sound very close to a sob was torn from Sam as he knelt and enclosed them both in his arms.

  "Mr. Harper told me you were both dead," Andy said tearfully. "I knew it couldn't be true, but when you didn't come for me I thought you didn't want me because I was bad and ran away. I know it was wrong, but I didn't want mean old Cramer to be my new papa."

  Lacey's voice trembled with emotin. "Oh, Andy. You didn't gave me a chance to explain. I never intended to marry Mr. Cramer. It's over, honey. Your papa and I are going to be together forever, and you're going to be with us."

  Andy smiled at Sam through his tears. "Is that true, Papa? Are we going to be together?"

  "You have my word on it, son. Are you ready to go home now?"

  Andy glanced at Sister Adele, who was beaming at the trio with undisguised pleasure.

  "I'll admit I had doubts when you two first arrived," the nun said, "but Andy's response to you was genuine. You are indeed his parents. I don't know how this all came about, and I don't really want to know, but I'm happy your little family is reunited. Andy is a dear little boy. We tried to make him happy, but in his heart he knew he didn't belong here."

  Andy smiled at Sister Adele. "I didn't mean to be bad, Sister, but I missed my mama and papa. You were all very good to me."

  Suddenly the halls echoed with the laughter of children, transforming the ramshackle dwelling from a dreary abode to one of impoverished happiness.

  Sister Adele's face lit up. "Ah, the children have finished their classes for the day. Would you care to come out to the yard and watch them at play? We don't have much but we try to keep them occupied and well fed, though sometimes the latter is difficult when the townspeople are sluggish with their donations."

  "I'd like that," Lacey said, holding tightly to Andy's hand. "Are any of the children ever adopted?"

  "We tend to be very careful about adoptions," Sister Adele said. "We don't want the children used as slave labor and screen prospective parents carefully. Some are genuinely interested in taking a child to love, while others consider it a cheap way to get hired help."

  Sam's heart went out to the children who would never know a parent's love. He and Lacey exchanged a speaking look, as if their thoughts ran in the same direction.

  "There's Betsy," Andy exclaimed. "Can I say good-bye to her and some of my other friends?"

  "Of course," Lacey said as she watched Andy run off.

  "Sam and I are eternally grateful for the care you've given Andy," Lacey said, "an
d we'd like to make a small donation to your institution."

  "That's not necessary," Sister Adele protested. "God usually provides, sometimes in ways we don't understand, but we've always managed to put food on the table."

  "Perhaps we can help God in a small way," Sam said thoughtfully. "We'd like to arrange a donation of..."

  "Five thousand dollars," Lacey blurted out.

  Sister Adele teetered on the balls of her feet. Sam reached out to steady her in case she decided to faint. Of course she did no such thing. "Fi...five...thousand dollars? Oh, my, I don't know what to say. We can spruce up the building, add a dormitory, buy toys and take in more children. The good Lord truly did send you to us."

  Andy came trotting back a few minutes later, having made his farewells. "I'm ready to go home now."

  Chapter Twenty

  Andy sat between Sam and Lacey in the buggy on the ride back to town, chattering like a magpie. He relayed everything that had happened to him since he'd run away and asked about all his friends at the ranch. He said nothing more about Taylor Cramer and neither Sam nor Lacey offered information about Cramer's fate at the hands of an assassin.

  They boarded the stage the next day and arrived in Denison two days later. Andy seemed excited to be home again, and he skipped beside them as they walked to the livery to get their horses. Suddenly Andy stopped and went very still.

  "What is it, son?" Sam asked, instantly alert.

  "That man," Andy said, pointing to a cowboy slouched against the saloon wall, rolling a cigarette.

  "What about him? Have you seen him before?"

  Andy nodded slowly. "I saw him at the ranch, the day someone shot at mean old Cramer. I was supposed to be taking a nap but was looking out the window instead. He was hiding behind the barn. I saw his face when he poked his head out and aimed his gun at mean old Cramer. Everyone said you tried to kill mean old Cramer, Papa, but I knew better."

  "Why didn't you say something before now?" Lacey asked.

  "Nobody asked me. I thought it was a secret. But I did tell you Papa didn't shoot at mean old Cramer."

  "Get the horses, Lacey," Sam said. "I'm going for the sheriff."

  "Why is Papa going for the sheriff, Mama?" Andy asked.

  "Someone killed Mr. Cramer, honey. It could be that man you pointed out to us. He shot at Mr. Cramer once so he must have had reason to do it again. This time he didn't miss. Hurry, there might be gunplay when the sheriff arrives to question him and we shouldn't be on the street."

  Lacey hustled Andy inside the livery, then turned and peeked out the door. "What's happening, Mama?"

  "Papa and the sheriff are crossing the street to talk to the cowboy. He doesn't appear apprehensive so maybe he'll surrender peacefully."

  Lacey had spoken too soon. When the cowboy realized that Sam and the sheriff were honing in on him, he bolted. The sheriff drew his gun.

  "Halt or I'll shoot!"

  The cowboy kept running. The sheriff fired a warning shot over his head. The cowboy whipped out his gun, turned and fired. The shot went wild. Sam reacted swiftly. Drawing his six-shooter, he shot the gun out of the cowboy's hand. The cowboy clutched his hand to his chest and cursed violently. The sheriff collared him while he was still nursing his hand and prodded him toward the jailhouse. Sam followed close on their heels.

  Relieved that it had ended without anyone being seriously hurt, Lacey paid the hostler, set Andy atop Galahad and led the horses from the livery.

  "Are we going home without Papa, Mama?"

  "We're going to the jailhouse, honey. As soon as Papa is through there, we'll all ride home together."

  Sam followed the sheriff and the protesting cowboy inside the jailhouse.

  "What's this all about, Sheriff?" the cowboy asked. "I ain't done nothing. I was just standing there minding my own business when came after me. You can't put a man in jail for minding his own business."

  "Why did you run?" Sam asked.

  "None of your business, Gentry."

  "You know me?"

  "Yeah, I know you. Your foreman refused to hire me after that bastard Cramer fired me."

  "Now we're getting somewhere," Sheriff Hale said. "What's your handle, cowboy?"

  "Most everyone calls me Monk."

  "Very well, Monk, did you kill Taylor Cramer?"

  "I didn't killed nobody."

  "You were seen shooting at Mr. Cramer."

  "That's a damn lie! Nobody saw me!" Suddenly realizing what he said, he added hastily, "I never shot anybody."

  "Maybe a few days in jail will loosen your tongue," Hale said. "Move, Monk, there's a nice cozy cell waiting for you."

  Sam followed the sheriff and his prisoner into the jailhouse and down the corridor. He wasn't going to leave until the killer confess. As they passed the cell holding Sid Harper, Sam was surprised to hear Harper called out Monk's name.

  "If it ain't Monk! I'm not surprised to see you here. It was only a matter of time before the law caught up with you."

  "You know this man?" Hale asked.

  "Sure. He used to work for Mr. Cramer. He was fired several weeks ago for stealing from the hands."

  "He shouldn't have fired me," Monk muttered. "I was gonna pay them back. I lost heavy at poker and had to redeem my IOU's."

  "No wonder Rusty wouldn't hire you," Sam said. "He has a canny ability when it comes to judging a man's character."

  "Cramer shouldn't have fired me," Monk repeated.

  Hale nudged Monk into the cell next to Harper's and closed the door. "Sounds like you had good reason to want Cramer dead, Monk."

  "Cramer had enemies," Monk muttered. "Anyone could have shot him. Why pick on me?"

  "As I said before, there's a witness."

  "You're bluffing."

  "Am I?" He turned to Sam. "Would you object to bringing Andy here to identify the prisoner?"

  Sam hesitated. "Look, the boy's been through hell. Is this necessary?"

  "It is if we want to bring Monk to trial."

  Sam decided to cooperate with the sheriff. He found Lacey and Andy waiting for him outside.

  "Did he confess, Sam?" Lacey asked anxiously.

  "Not yet. Are you sure that's the man you saw, Andy?"

  "Yes, Papa."

  "Would you mind looking at him again and telling the sheriff what you just told me?"

  Andy's eyes widened. "Can the bad man hurt me?"

  "No, son, he's behind bars. Remember what I said? I won't let anyone hurt you again. You believe me, don't you?"

  "Sam," Lacey began, "I don't think Andy should..."

  "It's Andy's choice, love. I won't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do."

  "I'll do it, Papa. I want you to be proud of me."

  "I'm proud of you no matter what you decide. Are you sure?"

  Andy nodded solemnly.

  "That's my boy," Sam said, lifting Andy from Galahad's back. "Let's get this over with."

  Sam took Andy directly to Monk's cell. Lacey trailed behind. Sheriff Hale was waiting for them.

  "Do you know this man, Andy?" Sheriff Hale asked, standing aside so Andy could view the prisoner.

  Andy clung to Sam's hand as he stared up at Monk. "He's the man who shot at mean old Cramer," he said with unshakable conviction. "I saw him from my bedroom window."

  "He's lying!" Monk shouted.

  "I don't lie!" Andy retorted. "Do I, Mama?"

  "No, honey, you don't lie," Lacey concurred.

  Suddenly Andy spotted Harper in the next cell. He showed no fear as he marched over to his cell and glared up at him. "You're the mean man who took me to the orphanage. I don't like you."

  "I didn't hurt you, kid. Tell them I didn't hurt you."

  "You took me far away. That's the same as hurting me."

  Can we leave now, Sheriff?" Sam asked. "I want to take Andy home. He's been through enough today."

  "I reckon it's all right. Andy seemed pretty positive about what he saw. Leave Monk to me. I'll have a confession fro
m him before this day is over."

  Andy rode home perched in the saddle before Sam. Exhausted from the long journey from Fort Worth, he soon fell asleep, his small body curled trustingly against his father. He didn't stir until they rode into the yard and the whooping and shouting awakened him.

  "We're home, son," Sam said.

  "Welcome home, scamp," Rusty said, scooping Andy from the saddle and whirling him around. "We sure did miss you."

  Rita came rushing from the house, alternately weeping and hugging Andy. The hands' welcome was just as jubilant. At first Andy seemed overwhelmed, but after a while he appeared to thoroughly enjoy being the center of attention.

  "Can I go to the barn to see the kittens, Mama?" Andy asked when he grew tired of being fawned over. "I'll bet they've really grown."

  "Aren't you tired?" Lacey asked.

  "Not anymore. I slept on Galahad."

  "Run along, then."

  "I'll fix you something special to eat," Rita promised.

  "Something with chocolate?"

  Rita laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised."

  Andy trotted off to the barn, trailed by several cowboys, each of whom had something new to show Andy.

  "Sure is good to have him home," Rusty said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "He seems no different. Most lads his age would be traumatized by the experience, but not our Andy. How did it go in Fort Worth?"

  Lacey and Sam took turns telling Rusty everything that had happened since they left home. How they found Andy at the orphanage, how unresponsive he was at first, then how happy he'd been to see them.

  "But that's not all," Sam confided. "The mystery of who shot Cramer has been solved."

  "Well I'll be danged. Did you recognize the killer in town? I thought you said you didn't see his face."

  "I wasn't the one who identified the killer. We had just gotten off the stage and were walking to the livery for our horses when Andy spotted a cowboy loitering near the saloon. He suddenly recalled seeing the cowboy on the B&G the day someone took a shot at Cramer. He saw the whole thing from his bedroom window. I fetched the sheriff and Andy identified the cowboy as the man who shot at Cramer. Since no one asked Andy about it, he never mentioned it to anyone before now."

 

‹ Prev