“John, no one blames you. And I dare say, even if Lizzie were here to ask, she wouldn’t blame you either. No man can know the exact time and place a woman will deliver her baby. That’s God’s business not man’s and certainly not a working man who has to leave his home on occasion to make a living for his family.”
“Maybe. But I can’t help feeling responsible somehow. I should have been there for my wife and child when they needed me the most.”
The sheriff turned down another street and looked inside a couple of business windows, waving to people inside. Checking out an alley or two, they made their way down the street and turned toward the general store.
“I’d like for you to meet my wife, if you’ve got a minute, Sheriff.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
John and the Sheriff walked the short distance to the general store.
24
Grace’s heart stopped in her chest. She sucked air into her lungs to jump start her heart.
“What are you talking about?” She searched the man’s face.
“Grace Sinclair is wanted for the shooting death of the son of the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. The picture of the woman looks just like you.”
He pulled a folded piece of paper from his vest pocket and unfolded it handing it to Grace.
Grace took the wanted poster from the man. Her fingers shook uncontrollably. There she was. A picture of her on the wanted poster. There was a five-hundred-dollar reward offered for her capture.
The mayor’s son. Now she knew where she had seen the dead man before. He was a regular troublemaker at Rosie’s. “Where did you get this?”
“I ripped it off the sheriff’s wall.”
“Why would you do that? How could you know my picture was on the wall? Are you planning to turn me in for the reward money?”
Billy looked at her and grinned.
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t turn you in? After all, John is a friend of mine. Don’t you think he should know he’s sleeping with a murderer?”
“I didn’t kill anyone. I swear as God is my witness I’m not guilty.”
John’s voice spoke behind her. “You are not guilty about what?”
Grace’s heart sank. Fear squeezed her lungs restricting her breathing. She crushed the wanted poster and hid it between the folds of her skirt.
“Hey, John. How’s it going?” his friend inquired.
John nodded to Billy. “I’m better than the last time we saw each other, that’s for sure. What’s going on here? What are you and my wife talking about? Not guilty about what?”
John turned to Grace.
She was at a loss how to answer his question. She had hoped to have an opportunity to tell John about her past and how it had come about she was wanted by the law and that she was innocent, but as usual, her life was one big disappointment.
Billy spoke up.
“I was asking Grace if she was responsible for tricking you into getting married again.”
John looked at Grace and then met Billy’s gaze.
“Of course not. It’s a long story, but it seems someone wrote a letter requesting a bride for me. I can’t imagine who would do that knowing my history. But I have to admit if I ever find out who it was I will definitely thank them. I would have never met Grace and would certainly never contemplated getting married again if I hadn’t been strongly encouraged.”
Grace couldn’t believe Billy remained silent about the wanted poster. She wondered why he would keep it a secret from John when he had already told Grace he believed John deserved to know.
“Grace, I’d like you to meet Sheriff Grayson. Sheriff, this is my lovely wife, Grace Malone. You saw her the day of our wedding but things were a little—complicated that day so you may not remember her.”
“Of course I remember your lovely wife. Mrs. Malone. Nice to see you again.”
Grace curtsied to the sheriff, hoping he didn’t remember her face from the wanted poster when he pinned to his wall.
“It was nice seeing you again, John. Mrs. Malone. I need to get going. I’ve got another batch of wanted posters to sift through.”
John turned to her.
“Are you ready to get going? I need to stop by the feed store and pick up my rig. Once the supplies have been loaded, we should stop by the Hanovers for a quick visit after all they did for us. And then we need to head home so we won’t be out after night fall.”
Grace looked between John and Billy. She waited to see if Billy would say something but he kept quiet. She had to wonder why.
“I’ll be ready to go as soon as I pay for the supplies I ordered.”
John called out to Mr. Craddock, the general store owner.
“Hey, Joe. Will you put everything my wife ordered on my account, please?”
Mr. Craddock came out of the back room and walked behind the counter.
“Yep. Here’s your invoice. Just sign it and I’ll put it on your account.”
John signed the invoice and pushed it back across the counter to the shopkeeper.
Mr. Craddock put the invoice under the counter.
“Thanks, John. I’ll pack your supplies into a crate. It won’t take but a few minutes and then I’ll have my stock boy load it into your wagon as soon as you bring it around. Make yourself comfortable. There is some rock candy on the counter. Help yourself.”
Mr. Craddock moved off into the back of the store to begin preparing their order. Grace stood frozen in place with the wanted poster wadded into the folds of her skirt. She glanced at Billy wondering if or when if he was going to tell John about the poster. Instead he said his farewell.
“Well, I better get going. I’ve got an appointment with the sheriff. John. Miss Sinclair. Or rather Mrs. Malone”
Billy tipped his hat to the both of them and made his way to the door.
Grace had to know what Billy was planning but she needed time to prepare John for the news she was wanted for murder and to explain to him what had actually happened and why her face was on a wanted poster.
“John. Will you pick me up next door at the milliner? I wanted to look at some dress patterns.”
“Yep. I’ll be back in less than ten minutes. Bye, Billy. See you at the house soon.”
“Bye. John. I look forward to it.”
“Mrs. Malone. I’ll walk you out.”
Grace gathered her skirts hiding the wanted poster and made her way to the door allowing Billy to take her elbow.
She looked back at John and smiled. She loved that man and she was going to do everything she could to keep him. But she had to convince Billy she was innocent and not to turn her in until she had a chance to explain to John what really happened.
Stepping out onto the wooden plank sidewalk, she dropped her elbow and walked side by side with Billy until they were out of earshot of the general store.
“What are you planning on doing, Mr. Buchanan? Will you give me some time to explain to John what really happened? I didn’t kill anyone. My sister shot the man in self-defense but I didn’t know the man was the mayor’s son. He looked like a bum. But regardless who he was, he attempted to rape my sister and she protected herself.”
“Why is your picture on the wanted picture instead of hers?” Billy seemed interested in learning the truth.
Grace was grateful to him for the chance to explain.
“My sister is not my blood sister. We were raised in an orphanage together. And she’s a half blood. We were afraid no one would believe she shot the man in self-defense so I decided to leave Kansas City in hopes of deflecting any suspicion from my sister, Faith. I had hoped his death would be blamed on a bad business deal or gambling debt. Apparently, that didn’t happen.”
“Is that why you answered the letter proposing marriage? To escape from Kansas City?”
“Yes, that and create a new life for me and my sisters. When we left the orphanage, we had to fend for ourselves. A woman who ran the local saloon hired all four of us to work in h
er saloon.”
“You worked in a saloon? Does John know you were that kind of woman?”
“And what kind of woman are you accusing me of? You are assuming me and my sisters entertained the saloon customers. We didn’t. I dealt cards. My sister Charity worked as the bookkeeper. Hope did the laundry and housekeeping. And Faith ordered supplies and kept the saloon running. We also worked as tutors for some of the children in town. But we never sold our bodies if that’s what you are implying.”
“I see.”
“Do you, Mr. Buchanan?” Grace could tell Billy was weighing the truth of her words. “What are you going to do about the wanted poster? I guess you could probably use the five-hundred-dollar reward. All I’m asking is give me some time to explain to John what really happened and devise a plan to defend myself. Please, Mr. Buchanan. Billy. He’s happy and I don’t want to see him hurting again.”
“He’s my best friend. I don’t want to see him hurting again either. So, here’s what I’ll do. You’ve got one week to tell him the truth about your situation. I’ll be paying you a visit. I think you will agree it’s only fair John know what’s coming. As his wife, what affects you will affect him. He has a right to know.”
“I promise I’ll tell him. I swear.”
“Then I’ll keep it to myself until then.”
“Thank you. I’m grateful to you.”
Billy nodded and left her standing on the sidewalk. She tore the wanted poster into bits and walked inside the milliner’s business finding the rubbish container just inside the door. She put the torn paper in the container and pulled other rubbish on top of it to hide it completely. She picked up a dress pattern and was studying it while she fretted about how she would tell John and what she could say that would make him understand the situation she was in was not of her doing. Well, not entirely of her doing.
John stuck his head inside the door.
“Ready to go home?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Grace suddenly felt sick to her stomach. She hadn’t eaten much this morning for breakfast. That must be it. Mrs. Hanover would have some tea. That always made her nervous stomach feel better.
She inhaled a deep breath. A little better. At least Billy was going to give her time to tell John the truth. About the wanted poster. She prayed he would understand. And she hoped against hope Mr. Hanover could defend her and prove she was innocent without implicating her sister.
John escorted her out of the shop and down the sidewalk toward his wagon loaded with supplies. He put his arm around her waist and drew her close.
“I’m ready to get you home.”
He looked down at her with heat in his eyes. Grace felt that heat all the way to her core. The feeling was exquisite and she wanted nothing more than to divest herself of her clothing and join her husband in bed feeling his skin next to hers.
“I’m ready to get you home too.”
Grace hugged her husband back and then allowed him to help her up on to the wagon seat. He hopped upon the seat beside her and took the reins up and steered his team to the feed store. It didn’t take long to load his order.
Three blocks later, they stopped in front of the spacious home of the Hanovers. Grace would swear it had been a lifetime since she had been here last, preparing to marry a stranger—a drunk one at that. And now, she could no more live without him than she could her own life. The thought both thrilled her and terrified her.
Aggie met them on the porch and welcomed them into the home.
“Welcome. Welcome. Come on in. I have tea waiting. Hiram has something a little stronger for you, John.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hanover. We can only stay a little while. We want to get home before dark.”
“Of course. Come on in. Mr. Hanover is waiting for you in the library. Grace, you come with me into the parlor.”
Sarah led John to the Hanovers library and Grace followed Aggie to the parlor. Grace waited until Sarah returned and served them tea and left the room. Grace got up and closed the door behind her.
Aggie look concerned.
“What’s going on, Grace? Why did you shut the door? You look quite ill.”
“I met a man just now. A friend of John’s named Billy Buchanan.”
“Did he say something to upset you?”
“Yes. No.”
Aggie’s brow furrowed.
“He knows.” Grace was distraught with panic.
“He knows what?” Aggie seemed genuinely puzzled.
“He has the wanted poster from the sheriff’s office. He showed it to me.”
Aggie looked like she was going to pass out against the back of the sofa.
“How? And why?” Aggie shook her auburn ringlets in disbelief. “How on earth would he even know to look for a wanted poster for you? Something isn’t adding up. If he knows about it, then the sheriff should also know because wouldn’t he be the one to pin up the poster to the wall to begin with?”
Grace couldn’t think. “I think so. I’m not sure. I just spoke with the sheriff a few moments ago. John came to pick me up in front of the general store and the sheriff was with him. He didn’t act like he thought anything out of the ordinary. He probably thought I looked familiar because he saw me the day he brought John to your home for the wedding. Oh, I really don’t know what to think.”
Aggie stood and joined Grace in pacing on the carpet.
“There’s no doubt about it then, the law is after you—and for something you didn’t do but how do you prove that and keep your sister safe? Oh this is a fine kettle of fish.” Aggie declared, hands fisted on hips.
“Aggie, I’m really scared. I’m afraid of what could happen.” Grace let a single tear slip down her cheek.
Aggie squeezed her and brushed the tear away.
“Not to worry, Hiram will know what to do. There’s no doubt about it. Hiram will get to the bottom of this without alarming the sheriff or Mr. Buchanan. What did this boy want from you? Is he blackmailing you to keep quiet? Wouldn’t he be in more coins if he took the reward money instead? None of this is making sense.”
Grace listened at the door. “He said his concern was for John and he will give me one week to tell John the truth or else he will.”
“I need to get you and your husband out of town so I can bring Hiram up-to-date on this puzzling and precarious situation.”
Grace nodded her agreement and opened the parlor door.
Aggie followed her and knocked on the library door while Grace retrieved her bonnet and shawl.
“Hiram? Hiram. The Malones need to be going. It will be dark in a few hours and they have quite a way to travel home.”
The door of the library opened, Hiram stood back to let John exit first. Grace’s heart ached at the look John gave her when he laid eyes on her in the entry way. There was no doubt about it, her new husband was in love with her and she was in love with him. She must do everything possible to keep their marriage from dying an untimely death.
John met them in the hallway.
“Grace, sweetheart, I didn’t mean we had to rush. You have some time to visit with Mrs. Hanover.”
“No, I think we should get going. Goodbye, Aggie.” Grace kissed Aggie on her chubby cheek. “Goodbye, Mr. Hanover. I’m sure we will see each other soon.” She gave Mr. Hanover a daughterly hug. Blushing, the little man opened the massive front door of their home.
Standing on the porch was Sheriff Grayson. Grace felt as if she were going to throw up and she knew she was falling toward the floor before the blackness overtook her.
John paced back and forth in the Hanovers’ library between Sheriff Grayson and Doc Howard.
“What do you mean she’s wanted for murder?” He shot the sheriff a dark look as he passed by him.
‘And what do you mean she’s with child? That’s not possible.”
John stabbed the doctor with a death stare.
“Have you consummated your marriage, John?” The doctor inquired matter-of-fact.
&nb
sp; “Well, yes, of course, but…”
The doctor packed up his medical instruments and closed his bag with a snap.
“Then it’s entirely possible. By my calculations, it’s been almost a month since the wedding. That’s more than enough time to make a baby. Tell the missus to take it easy for a few weeks. The morning sickness will lessen in time. Soda crackers in the morning will help with the nausea. And I have used these herbs in the past. Tell your wife to steep them, you know, make it into a tea. That should help too. Has she ever been pregnant before?”
John stared at the doctor as if he had two heads.
“I’ll take that as a no. Well, I wouldn’t worry, John. Women have been having babies for thousands of years. They know what to do.”
“Doctor, perhaps you haven’t heard about John’s first wife’s tragic death…” Mrs. Hanover whispered in the doctor’s ear but John could hear and the thought of Grace being with child made his blood run cold. Not again.
“Oh, yes. Sorry Mr. Malone. That was very insensitive of me to say. I do apologize.”
The doctor nodded to him and let himself out the door.
The room was eerily quiet. The fire crackling in the grate was the only sound to be heard in the Hanover house.
Sheriff Grayson stood, his hat in his hand. Waiting.
“I don’t know how any of this could happen.” John scrubbed his shaking fingers through his hair and pulled at his beard.
“How can it be possible that Grace is a murderer? It just isn’t possible. She’s too open. Too kind.” John paced back and forth across the carpet talking to anyone who would listen.
“Mr. Malone—John. I think you should hold to that thought. Of course, Grace wouldn’t kill anyone. This is all some sort of misunderstanding.”
Mrs. Hanover crossed the room to stand by her husband. “Isn’t that right, Hiram?”
The attorney hugged his wife close and nodded his agreement.
Grace Page 16
