Hiram looked up with bloodshot eyes. “It’s just a temporary setback. I gambled on the horse race and lost a lot of money to a man who apparently takes his gambling wagers seriously.”
“How much do you owe?” Urias pushed away from the desk and sat down across from his father-in-law. It seemed impossible to believe that he was now related to this man. But family is family, and even if it was only on a temporary basis, there were ways a man should treat another even if the other didn’t treat you the same.
“Fifteen hundred—if Sawyer Bishop doesn’t deduct the value of the items he removed from the house.”
“And where can I find him?” Urias stood up and grabbed his coat.
“What are you planning to do?”
“I’ll offer him a compromise on your debt. I can’t pay it all, but I can come pretty close. That should appease him long enough for you to raise the additional $250.”
“I don’t know when I can pay you back.”
Urias placed his hands on his hips. “Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I’m not giving you a loan, nor am I paying a dowry for your daughter. You did not ask for one when we were forced to be married, thus it is not required of me to pay you one. However, with that being said, you are family, and I will help you this one time. I will not expect to hear from you again concerning any financial arrangements between us. I will pay what is due for my sister’s debt. The additional funds are a gift.”
All sorts of admonitions and exhortations begged to come out of Urias, but he held his peace. Only God could convict a man like Hiram Greene. No amount of human reasoning would get through to him. He looked at life through the narrow focus of his own needs and didn’t notice anyone or anything around him unless it served his own personal gain.
“Before I leave, I want my sister’s release from your bondage.”
Hiram dipped a pen into a small jar of ink, tapped it on the rim, then wrote a simple note. He blew it dry and handed it to Urias.
“Thank you.”
“You can find Sawyer Bishop a couple towns over in Salyersville.”
“I’ll return tomorrow evening.” Urias slipped out of the office with the paper in his pocket.
Prudence met him in the hallway with tears in her eyes. “You don’t need to do this.”
“For your parents’ sake, I must. Now, you and Katherine get ready for our trip to Jamestown. We’ll leave day after next at first light.”
“What about the annulment?”
Urias’s back stiffened. They had agreed on an annulment. But that kiss still blazed in his memory. She was right. An annulment was best. “We’ll take care of that in Jamestown, after I get you out of harm’s way.”
He turned to leave.
“Urias.”
She stood there shaking. He wanted to take her in his arms and chase away her worries and fears. “It’ll be all right, Prudence. Pray for safe travel.”
“I already began.”
He chuckled. “Your father doesn’t know about that closet?”
Prudence smiled.
“What closet?” Hiram Greene asked.
❧
If it hadn’t been for her father’s contrite spirit after coming so close to death, Prudence was certain she’d be unable to sit for a week once he’d heard how she’d eavesdropped on his business meetings.
The next evening, she and Kate were packing their bags in Prudence’s room. For the first time, Kate hadn’t had to work to serve the family. Prudence wanted to treat her as an equal. Admittedly, she had treated her as a servant even though she’d been a close friend. “Kate, the weather is getting colder. Wear two dresses. That will give us another layer and an additional dress for when we arrive in Jamestown. Without a wagon, we can’t bring much.”
“Tell me. What’s my brother like?” Kate pleaded.
“He’s a kindhearted man. And I’ve never met anyone so aware of what’s happening around him. The night we ran into a couple of robbers—”
“Robbers?”
“Yes. Oh, Kate, I was never so scared. But Urias stayed in complete control. I felt so calm and peaceful around him. I’ve never felt that before, even with my own father.” Prudence stopped herself from revealing her heart. She and Urias would be filing for an annulment as soon as possible. No need for Kate to know the truth. “You’ll be proud he’s your brother.”
“It’s all so strange. I know he’s my brother, but my brother was this small, gangly boy that left home years ago.”
Prudence held off the images floating in her mind of just how handsome and rugged Urias was. Her heart actually quickened its pace when she saw him. “It must be. But he’s a caring man. He stayed an extra day in Flatlick just to help a widowed friend.”
“Is he a good husband?”
How do I answer that one? Truthfully, she decided. “Given the right situation, I think he’ll make someone an excellent husband.” Prudence lowered her voice. “Urias and I will get an annulment as soon as possible. I can’t trap him in a marriage that isn’t a real marriage. He deserves a wife that will love him for the man he is.”
Kate stopped packing and put her hands on her hips. “I don’t understand. Why would he be paying your father’s debt?”
“Neither do I. He’s a man of honor and principles; that’s for certain. But I don’t begin to understand what goes on in his mind.”
“He sounds a bit like our father, from what I can remember about him. Pa knew our mother was drinking too much. And he tried to keep her away from the drink. Once he died, she had no one to stop her, and she got bad. Real bad. She never beat me as badly as she beat Urias, though.”
Prudence took in a deep breath. “Father hasn’t been the best man to live around, but he’s never laid a hand on either myself or my brother. I can’t imagine what it was like for you or Urias.”
“You don’t want to.” Kate placed her dress in the carpetbag. “What about these?” She held up the silver hairbrush and mirror that had been handed down from Prudence’s grandmother.
“I’ll wrap the mirror in one of my dresses. I can’t take many personal items, but that’s small enough and important enough to take with me. Perhaps in time I can return and pack some more of my things.”
“Did Urias speak of his home? What’s it like?”
“He lives with his adopted parents. But he mentioned he was going to build his own house soon. He said it was a large farmhouse. He didn’t go into details of how many rooms and such.” Prudence wondered if there truly would be room for her and Kate in the house. She also prayed for the hundredth time for Urias’s safety.
“When do you expect him back from his errand?”
“I don’t know. He seemed to think he’d be back in time for us to depart as soon as the sun rose over the horizon tomorrow. I hope he arrives soon.”
Kate cocked her head to the right and scrutinized Prudence. “You love him, don’t you?”
Feeling the blush rise in her cheeks, she turned back to her packing. “I’m simply concerned for him, is all.”
Kate chuckled. “You can try to deceive me if you wish, but I see that light in your eyes every time you speak of him.”
“I don’t know if I love him. I do care. But love takes time for a man and woman to discover. How can someone love a woman he was forced to marry? It doesn’t seem right.”
“I guess you’re right.” Kate went back to her packing. “I ain’t never been in love. Ain’t likely to happen, either.”
“You can’t say that, Kate. You never know.”
“Perhaps.”
Prudence saw that far-off look in Kate’s green eyes. Prudence vowed never to push Kate to tell her about her past. The bits and pieces she had shared were enough to know it had been a horrible time since she was sold into bondage by her mother. Mrs. Campbell had shared with her some of the things that could happen to servants and slaves by their owners. She prayed Kate could move beyond her past and feel the peace Prudence felt around Urias.
“
God may just surprise you yet.”
“You know I don’t give no never mind to Him. He ain’t helped me a day in my life.” The bitterness of the past tinged Kate’s voice.
Prudence reached over and lovingly placed her hand on Kate’s. “I know you have a hard time believing in God, but He’s real. And isn’t it likely that Urias finally finding you before you were sold again was God’s answer to Urias’s prayers?”
Kate softened. “Maybe. But I ain’t giving God credit. Urias found me.”
Prudence knew Urias to be a godly man. How would he deal with his sister’s unbelief? Would the MacKenneths accept Kate in their home, knowing she didn’t believe in God?
Prudence resolved that if the MacKenneths wouldn’t allow her to live there, she’d have Kate live with her. Together they would be able to provide for themselves. She hoped.
Prudence heard the sounds of approaching hooves. She glanced out the window. A solitary rider approached the house. Urias. Her heart skipped a beat. Kate was right. She did love this man.
Thirteen
Urias drove the wagon back to Hiram Greene’s estate. He’d been battling with the Lord and his anger the entire trip. He never would have guessed the cost would be so great. It was one thing to give a man money—quite another to give him your future. And for what? A man who hogtied me into marrying his daughter?
“Yah.” He snapped the reins and encouraged the horses forward. Bullet had been his future, his farm—his stock. Now he’d have to wait another season or two to get another stud like Bullet. Thankfully, he still had the mare and stallion back on the farm. But you never knew if you’d end up with a male or female or one with lines as excellent as Bullet’s.
“Lord, I can’t begin to understand why I had to sacrifice the horse for Hiram Greene. But Sawyer Bishop wouldn’t hear of any other arrangement once he caught sight of Bullet. I still have a substantial amount of money after exchanging Bullet for part of the debt, but it’s a cold compromise.” Urias took in a deep breath and watched the white vapor rise from his mouth. “I’m sorry, Lord. I’m just having a hard time accepting how much this is costing me. First, I get tied down with a wife I don’t want. Then, I get involved with another man’s troubles. When is it going to end?”
The stars flickered in the black velvet sky. There was little Urias could do. He could have left Hiram Greene to the repercussions of his own making, living out his own bad decisions. But that wouldn’t be fair to Prudence. Not that she would have known. Well, besides the fact that he and Prudence had come upon her parents near death’s door. How long would they have survived in those chairs?
The memory of Kate’s pale face and bluish hands still made him tremble. To do business with a man who could do that to others seemed wrong, terribly wrong. And yet there had been little choice. If he were to live with himself, he had only one option and that was to give up Bullet and his future. He was beginning to wonder if he’d be tied down to Prudence the rest of his life, as well.
He’d never know the kind of love his parents knew. He was destined to live out a life of servitude for the sake of others. “How unfair is that, Lord?” he called out to the heavens.
A single rider passed him on the road to Hiram Greene’s estate. “Nice night,” the stranger called out.
“Bit chilly,” Urias replied.
“Grows hair on the chest.” The stranger chuckled and headed off.
Five minutes later, Urias found himself in Hiram Greene’s barn, unfastening the horses and settling them with some fresh water and oats.
“Urias?” Prudence called as she ran into the barn. “You got Father’s carriage and horses back.”
“Yup,” he mumbled.
“Are you all right?”
“Fine. Fine.”
“I saved some dinner for you. Come back to the kitchen and I’ll heat it up.” She flitted out of the barn as swiftly as she came in.
He wasn’t in the mood to play husband and wife. She could try all she wanted, but she really wasn’t his wife.
If she didn’t care, would she have bothered with your dinner? he challenged his own wayward thoughts.
“Urias,” another feminine voice gently called. Katherine came into the barn a bit more timid than the last time he’d seen her.
“Katherine, you’re looking better.”
“Thanks to you and Prudence. She says you are going to build your own house when you return to your family’s farm. Is this true?”
I’d been planning on it. “Not until spring. More than likely it will take me a year or two.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, where will I be staying?”
“I’ll set you up in my room. I’ll make a spot for myself in the barn. You and Prudence can share my room. It’s a busy household. I’ll enjoy the peace.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love my younger brother and sisters, but they can be a handful. Little Nash gave me this for the trip.” Urias reached in and handed Katherine the arrowhead. “It’s in case I run out of bullets and run into a bear. Of course, the poor boy doesn’t know I wouldn’t have time to fashion a bow and arrow first, but it’s the thought that matters. You’ll like him, Katherine.”
Katherine hunched her shoulders. “I’m nervous about going there, Urias. I won’t fit in.”
“You’ll fit in just fine. Remember, these folks have been praying for you and your safety for years.”
Katherine opened her mouth to speak, but closed it instead. How peculiar, Urias thought. It’s the second time he’d referred to God and had a negative response from her. Urias pinched the bridge of his nose. His sister had been through a lot. She didn’t say anything about it, but she didn’t have to. The way she walked, the way she held her shoulders, her head—everything pointed to a life of abuse and little encouragement. “It’ll be all right, Katherine. Trust me.”
“I’ll help Prudence warm up your dinner.” And that was that. She was gone as quietly as she arrived. Only this time, Urias knew what she was thinking. Trust.
❧
Prudence placed the cast-iron frying pan on the woodstove in the kitchen. She took off the kettle of hot water and poured it over some coffee grains.
Kate stepped into the kitchen and removed her shawl. “Did you see Urias’s horse in the barn?”
Prudence thought for a bit. “No, I don’t think I saw Bullet. You don’t suppose…” Her words trailed off.
“I don’t know horses, but the way your father was carrying on about Urias’s horse, I figure he was worth something.”
“Yes, he was. Urias was planning on using that horse to start his farm for breeding horses.”
Kate went to the cupboard and pulled down a plate for Urias. “Do you think he had to trade his horse for your father’s debt?”
The back door creaked open.
“Yes, but we won’t speak another word on the matter, is that clear?” Urias said as he scrutinized Kate and Prudence.
Prudence nodded and turned away. Father not only cost Urias and me the chance of ever having a real relationship, he’s now cost Urias his future. Prudence took the wooden spoon and stirred the beef and gravy stew.
“Smells great.” Urias gave a mock smile when she looked up.
Kate put her hands to her hips and said, “If we be of a mind to question you, you ought to be of a mind to tell us. What happened?”
Urias pushed up his sleeves and dipped his hands into the washbowl by the back door.
“Let’s just say there was little negotiating with Mr. Bishop. I had to pay in full. He wouldn’t accept a partial payment, no matter how large it was. Now, I don’t wish to discuss the matter again. I did what needed to be done, and that is all.”
Her stomach quivered, and Prudence fought the shakes at hearing the great sacrifices Urias continued to make for her and her family. He didn’t need to. He just did. She’d never met a man like him. But she also felt terribly guilty for the actions of her father, for the condition
of his financial affairs, and for the abuse Urias had taken out of concern for his sister. Her disappointment in her father rose once again. “You should tell Father. Perhaps he’ll pay you back.”
“As I said, ladies, I will not discuss this further.”
Prudence’s back stiffened at Urias’s firm tone. He’d seldom been that sharp with her on the trail. She glanced over to Kate and noticed her shoulders squared.
“Forgive me.” Urias sat down at the kitchen table. “It’s been a long day, and I’ve had little sleep. If you’ll be so kind as to serve me up a plate of that wonderful stew, I’ll be more fit for company.”
Prudence filled the plate. Kate cut him a thick slice of bread and placed it in front of him.
“Thank you, ladies. This is a fine meal, indeed. How is the packing coming?”
“We’re just about ready,” Prudence offered. “Without Bullet, perhaps we should consider bringing less.”
Urias scooped a forkful of his supper, then put his fork back down on his plate. “Please sit down and join me.” He reached out both of his hands. “Pray with me.”
They joined hands, and Urias led them through a brief prayer, thanking the Lord for His many blessings and asking for safety on the trip home.
“How long will the journey last?” Kate asked.
“By horseback, three days—possibly a piece of a fourth. Walking it will take several days more. However, I have a mind to speak with Thomas Hagins again and see if I might be able to purchase another horse and a small wagon. Because Bullet was so valuable, I still have some money.”
Prudence looked over to her husband. What was he thinking? Obviously, he was upset to lose Bullet, but how could he be upset one minute and calm the next? She looked over to Kate, who seemed just as puzzled about Urias’s behavior.
“What’s all the tongue wagging going on in here?”
Prudence watched her father walk into the room.
“Mr. O’Leary, you’ve returned.”
Urias wiped his mouth on the cloth napkin. “Yes, sir. Your debt is paid in full.”
Prudence watched the silent communication that flowed between Urias and her father. Something else, or some greater sum of money, was owed. Her father’s face brightened to a deep crimson shade. His shoulders slumped, and he looked down at the floor. “Thank you. I’ll pay you back.”
Hogtied Page 10
