Love Finds Faith

by Martha Rogers

  Levi sat back and furrowed his brow. He seemed to be trying to digest what had been said. He remained silent then gazed first at Ma and then at Micah. “You really tried to talk Pa into giving me half the ranch?”

  “Yes, so we could be partners. I would do the book work, and you would do everything else that you’re so good at doing.” Hope swelled in Micah’s chest. If Levi believed him and decided to come home, they had an even better chance of saving the ranch. Pa’s legacy would not be lost.

  Levi pondered Micah’s words a minute or so. “Where does this put Ma and the girls?”

  Micah glanced at Ma, and the joy of what she was hearing spilled from her face like spring rain overflowing the creek banks. “Ma will never have to worry about having a place to live. She’ll always have a place with one of us. Margaret will most likely be marrying James next year, and if what I’ve seen between you and Ellie is the same, we’ll have another wedding in the family. That will come later on for Rose too.”

  Levi grinned and let go a snicker. “Much later, I would hope.” Then his face went slack again. “This all sounds good now, but Pa is gone and the ranch is yours. So nothing’s really changed.”

  “But it can. We can go into town and meet with that lawyer Hightower and see how we can do this. Since we’re brothers, and the place is in my name now, or will be after we pay off the bank, I should be able to name you as partner.”

  “I forgot about the bank. That puts things in a different light.” Levi stood and rolled his hat brim through his fingers. “This is a lot to digest right now.”

  Ma reached out to grasp his arm. “Please don’t go yet. Besides, you haven’t given your side of the story.”

  Before Levi could reply, Margaret spoke from the foot of the stairs. “Ma, is it all right if we come down now and join you? We’ve been sitting up there wondering what was happening with Micah here. We heard your voices but couldn’t tell what anyone said.”

  Ma hurried to Margaret’s side. “Of course, come in.” She motioned to Rose standing a few steps up. “Both of you come on. This is a family meeting now, and you’re a part of the family.”

  As they trooped in, Margaret’s raised eyebrows and questioning glance sent threads of guilt through Levi. If Micah told the truth, then Levi had hurt the family more than he’d ever realized. He loved his sisters and Ma with all his heart, but accepting Micah back into the family had been more than he could take. How could he explain, much less excuse, those feelings of hurt and anger and the actions that had resulted from them?

  His sisters sat on the couch, their backs straight as arrows. He swallowed the sudden amusement at the picture they presented. They reminded him of the crows sitting on the back fence of the garden waiting to see what Ma planted. He cleared his throat to compose his thoughts.

  “Ma asked me to explain my behavior these past months, but I’m not sure I can.” He set the hat he had held all through Micah’s speech on the lamp table and stared at it for a minute or so as though he thought it would reveal what he should say. Waves of remorse washed over him to cover the emotions simmering in his heart and soul.

  Too much time had been spent in anger and resentment. He had to let them go and allow love for family to fill in the space. Anger had cost him a future with Ellie, but hope rose in his heart that love could bring her back when she learned of this reconciliation with his family. Determination to right his wrong set in and the words became clear.

  “I’m sorry for the hurt I caused the family with my attitude. The only excuse I can offer is that for so many years when we were younger, I worked hard to win Pa’s approval. He never seemed to notice what I did with him or what I accomplished. He only talked of you, Micah, and how smart you were.”

  Micah shook his head and his mouth tightened to a firm line. Whether Micah believed it or not, Levi told what he saw to be the truth. “No matter what you did, he never criticized or complained. He just went in and bailed you out and brought you home. When you left, he grieved hard.”

  Margaret face contorted with pain. “Oh, Levi, I’m so sorry you see it that way, but—”

  Ma cut her off. “Hush now. Same rule applies for Levi as it did Micah. We’ll hear what he has to say, and then we’ll give our opinions. Now, go ahead, son.”

  Memories of all the times Micah had been in trouble then rescued by Pa swarmed in and threatened to undo the desire to forgive his brother and work with him. Levi couldn’t let that happen. He’d been too late to make up with Pa, but he had time now to do it with Ma and the rest of the family.

  He stared at Micah, who gazed back without a waver, waiting for Levi to continue. “When you returned, all those old feelings of jealousy rose up and clouded my judgment. All I could see was the repetition of all that had happened before you left. I was tired of being the good son who always did what his parents wanted, so the best thing for me to do was to get away from here before I did something worse.”

  Micah’s gazed remained glued to Levi’s. He swallowed hard and prepared for the words he must say next. “I might have killed you, Micah, just to keep you from getting control of the ranch and taking my place.”

  Ma’s gasp and his sisters’ murmurs of disbelief tore at Levi and cut his heart into shards. How had he fallen so far away from God that he would even consider taking his brother’s life? “My leaving was the best thing for all of us at the time.”

  Silence now ensued as each one seemed to collect his or her own thoughts about Levi’s revelation.

  Micah was the first to break the somber mood that had descended on the group like a shroud. “I had no idea you felt that way, Levi. I always thought Pa favored you, and the only way I could get his attention was by being bad.”

  Ma slapped her hands together. “You’re both wrong as sin. Your father loved you both and was so proud of both of his sons. Micah, your grades in school made him almost bust his buttons with praise. And you, Levi, how you rode around after him and dogged his footsteps to learn everything you could about the ranch pleased him no end. You may have disappointed him by your leaving, Micah, and you as well, Levi, but he always knew that you’d be home again, Micah, and he believed with all his heart that you would too, Levi. And he was right.”

  Margaret wiped away the tears on her cheeks with her fingers. “Pa didn’t know how to tell us how much he loved us, but he showed me in all kinds of ways, like teaching me how to ride and how to swim, and encouraging us to read and learn. He did with you too, but you were both too jealous of each other to see it.”

  Memories of Pa letting him take chances and try new ways of doing things flooded Levi’s mind. That was Pa showing his love and pride. He sneaked a peek at Micah, who now wore the beginnings of a smile.

  Levi stretched out his hand. “Truce, brother?”

  Micah grabbed it and pulled Levi toward him. “Yes, brother, we’ll be the partners we should have been from the beginning.”

  Ma clapped her hands with joy. “I knew we could work these things out if I could ever get you two to sit down and talk with each other.” She hooked her hands onto the elbows of her sons. “Now, I think it’s time for a little refreshment. There’s still some cobbler left from supper, so let me go warm it up and fix some coffee.”

  That sounded good to Levi, and he kissed her cheek. “Lead the way. My stomach’s calling out for that piece with my name on it.”

  Rose’s arms came around his waist. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you so much. Micah’s been too busy to talk to me. Now maybe I’ll have more time with both of you.”

  Levi leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “You will, little one, I promise.”

  After they had laughed and reminisced over coffee and cobbler, new contentment filled Levi like he’d never experienced before. Levi rose to leave. “I’ll need to go back and let Mr. Hudson know I’m coming back here, although I’m sure he won’t be surprised. He’s been after me the whole time to come home.” Then Ellie came to mind. That was one stop he looke
d forward to making.

  Ma grinned like someone had handed her the moon. “Good for him. I always knew that man had good sense.”

  “I’ll follow you out to your horse. Need to check on Smokey. I just left him standing there when I saw you were here.”

  Micah walked with him outside. Before Levi mounted his horse, Micah grasped his shoulder. “It’s good to have you home. We’ll save this place for Pa yet. We’ll go into town tomorrow and meet with Hightower. He’ll tell us how we can carry out our plans.” Then he grinned and slapped Levi’s back. “I know of a little gal you need to see pretty quick and let her know what’s going on.”

  “Yeah, I’m thinking the same thing.” Now it was his time to grin and give it right back to his brother. “And on that subject, she’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Finding the right girl to settle down with can make a big difference. I know things didn’t work out with Camilla, but then she’s really not for you.”

  “With more men than women in this town, finding the right girl will be hard to do.”

  “Oh, I don’t think you have to look farther than the doc’s office to find one who would be perfect for you.” Levi swung up onto his horse before Micah could react except to open his mouth and gape. The expression on his brother’s face was priceless.

  Levi yanked on the reins and laughed. “I see that’s been more than a passing thought with you too. See you tomorrow.” Then he spurred Maverick up the road, leaving Micah to ponder that last statement. Tomorrow might turn out to be a more interesting day than any Saturday in recent history.

  CHAPTER 26

  THE NEXT MORNING Micah took more time to think about Levi’s parting words last night as he rode to town to meet Levi. Hannah was a smart, talented woman. He’d heard her playing the piano one Saturday afternoon he’d been in town and passed by the doc’s house. Not only that, but she was also pretty to look at. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t get the image of her last night at the saloon out of his mind. Feisty and ready to speak her mind described Hannah Dyer perfectly.

  God had played a cruel trick on Hannah by giving her that short leg. No one should have a burden like that. He must overlook it and look instead to her heart and her love of people.

  His fingers touched the cheek where she had kissed him the other night. Light and soft as a feather her lips had brushed his cheek. The soft spot she had opened grew until he had to admit that the real barrier to a relationship with her was her love of God and her faith. After all he’d been through and all he’d done, he didn’t deserve God’s love, much less the love of a woman like Hannah.

  Micah shook his head to clear it of those thoughts and images of Hannah. A clear head was necessary this morning to talk with Alex Hightower and Mr. Swenson. When Micah turned the corner onto Main Street, he spotted Levi dismounting his horse in front of the lawyer’s office. He waved then stepped up to the boardwalk to wait for Micah. Just like his brother to be ahead of time, but then that would be an asset in the future.

  Levi had grown into a strong young man, and now that Micah had spent time with him, he saw his brother’s deep love for the family and the ranch. If things worked out as Micah hoped, together they could restore the Circle G to its former heights as one of the most successful ranches in the county.

  Micah tied Smokey’s reins and grinned at his brother. “Right on time as usual.”

  “This is too important a day to waste time. Before going to Hudson’s last night, I stopped and made sure Hightower would have time for us this morning. He’s waiting for us in his office, but Mr. Murphy has returned and is there with him.”

  “Didn’t Murphy handle Pa’s affairs before he left?”

  “Yes, but Ma had the will, so Hightower handled it for us.”

  “Then let’s get to it.” Micah followed Levi into the office where Hightower sat with Mr. Murphy going over a folder of papers. He rose and gestured for them to have a seat.

  Sitting in the same chair where he’d listened to the attorney read his father’s will sent a chill of anticipation down his spine. This would be the beginning of a partnership that would have made Pa proud and would give Ma assurance about her future.

  Mr. Hightower cleared his throat. “Levi gave me some idea of what you two are planning with your father’s estate, but Mr. Murphy has something from your father you need to hear.”

  Micah leaned forward in his chair, his hat between his hands. His heart pounded as he stared at the man who had handled the Gordon affairs for so many years. He glanced at Levi and shook his head slightly to indicate he had no more idea of what Murphy had to say than Levi did.

  Mr. Murphy cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I was away when your pa passed away. With my grandparents’ death in St. Louis, I had to be there to help settle the estate, and it took much longer than we expected.”

  He paused and looked from Micah to Levi and back again. “Your father was very much into tradition, and that meant the ranch would go to the oldest son. Micah, he was sure you’d return someday, and he was adamant about leaving the ranch as your legacy. But recently he left a message with the clerk in my office to see him on my return in regards to changing a part of his will concerning Levi. Your mother confirmed that, but unfortunately he did not have a chance to specify the changes before he died.”

  Micah furrowed his brow. “I want to give at least half of the ranch to Levi. We want to be full partners in the Circle G. Does the will allow that?”

  Alex Hightower picked up a folder. “That’s what I figured you’d want to do. You do realize that right now the bank owns the ranch and will continue to do so unless you can pay off the loan. If you aren’t able to do that, then you can’t divide half of nothing.”

  Hope dissipated like the morning dew in the sunshine. The loan muddied the waters. It had cost Pa his life, and now it may cost Micah and Levi their futures. “But if we pay off the loan?”

  “Then we can talk about this again when that happens.”

  Levi jumped up and paced back and forth along the width of the room. “That means we have to get a full herd to market and get it there ahead of others. The earlier we’re there, the higher the prices will be per head.”

  Micah nodded firmly. “We’re getting those cattle to market, and we’ll come back and pay the loan. Right, Levi?”

  “Right.” Levi jammed his hat onto his head. “Maybe we need to talk to Swenson about this.” He turned on his heel and headed out the door.

  Micah jumped up to follow but leaned on Alex’s desk and addressed the two men. “Know this about the Gordon family. We’re not going down without a fight, and with Levi’s help, we’re going to save everything. You may as well get started on making us both a part of that deed.”

  “We’ll do all we can on our end.” Mr. Murphy nodded toward the door. “Right now you’d better go after your brother and see Mr. Swenson together.”

  “I will.” He jammed his hat on his head and strode from the office. Getting the cattle to market and getting a fair price for them now became more important than ever.

  A commotion of shouting and running came from the street. Micah stepped onto the boardwalk outside the lawyer’s office with Alex right behind him. Mr. Swenson stood in the middle of the street with the sheriff and a small crowd of onlookers.

  Had the bank been robbed again? Micah headed toward the group, but Levi spotted him and ran over.

  “They finally caught the bank robbers and got back almost all the money. They’re over in the next county, and the sheriff there is bringing them back here to stand trial for robbery, assault, and murder. Soon as Mr. Swenson is finished talking with the sheriff, he’ll sit down and listen to what we have to say.”

  That meant with the money being returned, they’d have back the part stolen from Pa too. Their debt would be cut in half. Although Mr. Swenson had not asked it, Micah had planned to pay back what Pa had borrowed plus the amount stolen. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. I think I need a drink after all we�
�ve found out this morning.”

  Levi grabbed Micah’s shirt sleeve. “You’re not going to the saloon. It’s too early in the morning for one thing, and drinking is bad for you anyway.”

  Micah bellowed out a laugh and wrapped his arm around Levi’s shoulder. The saloon was the last place he wanted to be. “Right on both counts, little brother, but a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun from the bakery would sure hit the spot. Don’t you think so?”

  “That I do. My stomach’s rumbling for it now.”

  They both laughed, and Micah kept his arm on Levi’s shoulders as they walked across to the bakery. A few more problems had cropped up, but with the two of them working together, a little understanding from Mr. Swenson, and a successful cattle drive, he and Levi could handle anything that came their way.

  Hannah paced the floor in Ellie’s parlor. “How long do you think it’s going to take them to get through at that lawyer’s office? I can’t stand the suspense.”

  “I have no idea, but Levi said they’d come here as soon as they had taken care of business. We’ll have to be patient and wait.”

  “I’m so happy Micah and Levi have made up. I just hope Micah isn’t mad at me for showing up at the saloon last night. I was so embarrassed, but I was also determined to make him see how wrong he was in not making a move to reconcile with his brother. But I hadn’t planned on making a scene in front of such a crowd.” Even now her cheeks burned with the way she had conducted herself last evening. Still, Micah had taken her words to heart and had gone home.

  Ellie picked up a piece of cross-stitch work and sat down in a rocking chair. “When Levi came by last night and told me what had happened, I was so happy and cried so hard that it scared him. I had to tell him they were happy tears. When he asked if there was still a chance for us, I said of course.”

  Hannah had heard this all once if not twice before, but she didn’t intend to mar Ellie’s happiness by pointing out that little fact. “I’m so glad you asked Levi and Micah to come to dinner at your place today. I only pray that Micah will come. If he doesn’t, I’m going home. I’m not about to spoil your time with Levi.”