When You Are Near
Page 28
Jefferson came up out of his seat, cursing all the more. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Mother pushed him back into his chair. Wes left Lizzy’s side and stood behind Jefferson. He put his hands on the angry man’s shoulders. “I’ll help you stay still,” Wes said sarcastically.
“This is my own special concoction, Mr. Spiby,” Mother said. “It will help ensure you don’t get blood poisoning.”
This seemed to calm everyone down again, and the sheriff looked to Ella. “You say this man and your father were responsible for killing a man in Kentucky. Did you see them kill him?”
“No. I heard them talking about it as if they’d done nothing more than kill a rabbit.”
The sheriff looked at Ella’s father. “What about it, Mr. Fleming? What happened to the Brookstone wrangler?”
“He was trampled by a horse. Nothing more. The county sheriff was there, as well as the local doctor. If he was murdered, the authorities would never have said it was an accident.”
“Yes, they would have,” Ella countered. “Because you own them. They’re all so obligated to you and afraid of you that they wouldn’t dare have said otherwise.”
This seemed to silence the older man. He finally took a seat, shaking his head. “I have given you everything, and this is how you repay me.”
Jefferson balled his right fist and pounded it on his knee. “I’m telling you, it’s this place and these people. They’re all a bunch of hooligans.”
The sheriff shook his head. “Mister, I’ve known these folks for most of my life. I can’t say the same about you or your friend.” He looked at George Fleming. “As far as I can see, you have no rights where this young lady is concerned.”
“Well, I have rights,” Jefferson declared. “I have the right to file charges against that woman.” He pointed at Mary.
Ella stepped forward. “You do that, and I’ll press charges against you for this.” She opened the neck of her blouse to reveal the bruises that were already starting to show.
Jefferson clenched his jaw. The sheriff looked at him, as did everyone else in the room. “Very well,” he muttered. “Let the devil have them both.”
“He can’t, Mr. Spiby,” Mother said as she finished with his arm. “The Lord already has them, and the Good Book says He won’t let them be plucked from His hand. Seems to me you might want to seek Him out as well. Maybe then you wouldn’t be so inclined to anger.”
Jefferson pushed away from Wes and got to his feet. He grabbed his coat. “I’ve had enough of this place, George. Let’s go.”
The sheriff put out his hand. “Not so fast. There’s still this matter of murder back in Kentucky. I think you and Mr. Fleming better accompany me back to Miles City. I need to hear from the officials in Kentucky as to whether you’re wanted.”
“This is madness!” George Fleming got to his feet. “Pure madness. We are highly regarded in our state. You have no right to hold this man.”
Lizzy went to Ella. She clasped the girl’s hand and gave it a squeeze. With any luck at all, they’d soon be rid of these men and get justice for Mary’s brother.
“I am willing to testify to what I’ve heard Mr. Spiby say,” Ella said, causing everyone to turn to her. “And Father, if you have any decency left in you, you’ll bear witness as well.”
Her father shook his head. “You don’t know what you’re saying. You stupid little fool. You’ll be sorry for this.”
Lizzy pulled Ella close. “You’re hardly in a position to threaten her.”
“I’ll never forgive you if you go through with this nonsense, Ella.” Her father’s eyes narrowed. “You’ll never be welcomed back. You’ll be forever estranged from your family.”
Mother stepped forward. “She’ll always have a home with us. I’m happy to have her here with me or with the show. Whatever she chooses.”
“You’re all fools,” Fleming sneered. “You’ll be sorry for this.” He looked around the room. “I’ll destroy you and your show!”
“Mr. Fleming, you do what you feel you must, but I will tell you this much. We have long lived under the protection of God Almighty. Your threats are no concern to me.” Mother looked at the sheriff. “Now, I will take you up on the offer to escort them away from here.” Her gaze went from the sheriff to Spiby and then settled on Fleming. “Gentlemen—and I use that term with great hesitation—you are no longer welcome on Brookstone property.”
After the sheriff left with Fleming and Spiby, Wes wanted nothing more than to be alone with Lizzy. She’d kissed him, and in that moment, he’d known something had changed. But there’d been Spiby’s injury and Ella’s accusations to deal with. Then, just as he thought they’d have a moment to themselves, his brother had shown up, announcing problems that needed his attention. What in the world were they all going to do if he went on the road with the show?
By the time he was free to seek Lizzy, she was busy training in the arena. He thought of what Rebecca Brookstone had said about not trying to change her daughter. Wes had prayed a great deal about this matter and knew she was right. Lizzy was nearly ready to give up the show on her own. What Wes needed to do was give her a reason to leave trick riding. He smiled to himself. She had kissed him, so she must love him. He just had to persuade her that she loved him more than performing.
In the arena, all the trick riders were gathered to go through their acts from beginning to end. Lizzy was critiquing and instructing from the sidelines as Ella, Debbie, and Jessie went through their Roman riding and acrobatics.
“That’s good. Really good,” Lizzy called to them. “You’ve got that looking smoother than ever.”
Wes watched as Jessie stood atop a team of horses. She held them in a steady line while Debbie and Ella did a variety of maneuvers. It was funny how he didn’t feel at all nervous watching them, yet their tricks were just as dangerous.
The ladies finished their act and came to where Lizzy stood. “I think you’ve got a winner. The more motion, the more the audience will perceive danger and thrills.” Lizzy grinned. “It’s all about making the ladies faint and the men cheer for more.”
“It does look good,” Wes offered.
Lizzy turned and met his gaze. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“I came to see you.”
“I’m glad you did.” She looked back at the trio of riders. “Go on with your practice. I’m going to speak with Wesley.” She pulled on her coat and motioned him toward the door. “Shall we?”
He followed her outside. The skies were filling with clouds. Cookie had told him that morning to expect snow because his lumbago was acting up. In Montana, it could snow most any time of year, but you could be guaranteed of its arrival if Cookie said as much.
They walked a ways down the long drive before Wes worked up the nerve to stop Lizzy. He turned her and looked into her eyes for a long moment.
“I love you.” There. He’d said the words, and now the chips could fall where they would.
She grinned. “I’ve waited nearly a lifetime to hear you say that.”
“You’re only twenty-eight, so it hasn’t been that long.”
Lizzy laughed. “You were just telling me the other day how twenty-eight was ancient.”
“I said no such thing.” He could see the change in her. “You’re different. Something’s happened to you.”
She nodded. “Yes. It has. You might say I had a ‘come to Jesus’ moment.” She shrugged. “I’ve been wrapped up in fear ever since Father died. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing one more person, so I tried to close myself off to everyone . . . including God, although I didn’t realize it at the time.”
“What happened to change that?”
“Everything. You. Mother. I suppose even Ella and her troubles all moved me to see that I couldn’t stop loving people just because of my fears. Then last night I was truly at a crossroads. I couldn’t bear it anymore. I realized I hadn’t even picked up my Bible in months . . . not since my father’s death.
”
Wesley nodded. “I know how that can be. With me it was shame and guilt that made me want to hide from God. Just like Adam in the Garden of Eden.”
“We’ve both come through a great deal, and I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t perform very well.”
He chuckled. “If we’re being rated on performance, then we’re both in trouble.”
“Thankfully, God doesn’t do business that way.”
He shoved his cold hands in his pockets. “So what happens now?” She still hadn’t declared her love for him, and Wes felt a little concerned. In her new understanding of heart, was there room for him?
She stepped closer. “It’s cold out here. You do realize there are much warmer places to be.”
He drew out his hands and wrapped his arms around her. “Like here in my arms?”
Lizzy nodded. “For one. Wes, when you are near, I feel whole. Complete. The way Father made my mother feel. When he died, I was heartbroken, but it was nothing compared to what my mother was going through. I didn’t want to love you if it meant hurting so badly. Then Mother talked to me. She said she wouldn’t trade what she had with my father for anything. She said the pain was unimportant compared to the love they’d shared, and I started to see that she was right. I want your love, no matter the pain.”
“No doubt there will be some.” He reached down to cup her chin. “But I know that with God, there is nothing we can’t face.”
“I agree.” She gazed into his eyes. “I love you, Wesley. I’ve loved you since I was ten years old, and it amazes me how that love has changed and grown and become what it is today.”
“And what’s that?” he asked, almost afraid to know the answer.
“Ours.” Her voice was filled with tenderness. “It’s not just mine or yours. It’s ours.”
“I like the sound of that,” he said, lowering his mouth to hers. “I like it lot.”
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling HEIRS OF MONTANA and ALASKAN QUEST series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie’s website at www.traciepeterson.com.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title Page
Books by Tracie Peterson
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Epigraph
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About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
List of Pages
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