A Clean Slate (Kansas Crossroads Book 4)

by Amelia C. Adams

  Robert didn’t answer right away. He glanced down at the ground as though he, too, was looking for the right words. “Jail doesn’t change a man,” he said at last. “Jail only keeps him away from others so he can’t hurt them too. Change has to come from the inside, and often, the catalyst is love. If he feels for even one minute that someone loves him, despite it all, maybe that would be all it takes.” He paused again. “Mr. Cannell isn’t a bad man. I’ve never thought he was. He’s a man full of grief of the kind that only some of us will have to bear, and he shouldn’t have to bear it alone.”

  Olivia’s eyes filled with tears. She blinked rapidly, and none fell. “You’re quite a remarkable human being,” she said before turning and entering the home, Robert following.

  It took a moment for Olivia’s eyes to adjust to the dim light. The curtains were drawn, and no lamps were lit. “Light hurts her eyes,” Dr. Wayment explained, even though Olivia hadn’t asked.

  Mrs. Cannell lay on a low sofa in the corner, her husband at her side. He held her hand and murmured soft words to her. Deputy Hanks stood nearby, but Olivia could tell that he was trying to remain as unobtrusive as possible. Robert hung back as though he didn’t want to interrupt either, but Mrs. Cannell caught sight of him over her husband’s shoulder and beckoned him to come closer.

  “Pastor,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Thank you for coming.”

  “You’re very welcome,” Robert said. “Dr. Wayment said you’d like to see me.”

  “Yes. I wondered . . . I wondered if you knew what heaven is like.”

  “You’ve just asked me my favorite question.” Robert glanced around, grabbed a chair, and brought to Mrs. Cannell’s side. He sat, and then leaned forward a bit so he could look into her eyes. Olivia edged nearer, eager to hear his answer. “God is a being of love, and heaven is where He dwells, so I believe that heaven is full of love. I believe that we’ll be surrounded by all the things we love in this life. My grandmother loved irises. She had planted them four and five deep all around the outside of her house, so when I picture her in heaven, I picture her surrounded by irises.”

  Mrs. Cannell closed her eyes and smiled. “My mother liked roses,” she said. “She’d bring them in the house and put them in every corner. I remember that fragrance from my childhood, and it’s the strangest thing, but I’ve been smelling roses all day. None of our neighbors grow them, so I don’t know how I could be smelling them.”

  “You rest assured, Mrs. Cannell, that heaven is far beyond anything we could ever imagine, and there’s nothing to fear about passing to the other side. You will be welcomed there.” Robert stood and moved back, allowing Mr. Cannell a few more minutes alone with his wife. He and Olivia stood side by side, silent witnesses to what was taking place. Mrs. Cannell whispered a few things to her husband, then her breathing stopped and became still, and the room fell into a reverent hush.

  Mr. Cannell lowered his head to his wife’s shoulder and sobbed, his back heaving as he cried out his grief. Olivia wished there was anything more they could do for the man, but they had already done what was reasonable and possible. They couldn’t bring her back to life and they couldn’t erase the pain. But Robert had given them this time together and, with any luck, offered them some hope.

  No one moved for several minutes until Mr. Cannell finally sat up. Dr. Wayment stepped in and lifted the sheet over Mrs. Cannell’s face, then spoke to Mr. Cannell in a low voice. Robert turned to Olivia, whose fingers were pressed against her mouth.

  “Are you all right?” he whispered.

  “I’m fine. I’ve just never been present when someone died before. It was like . . . you’ll think I’m silly.” She shook her head. She shouldn’t have brought it up.

  “I doubt that. What were you going to say?”

  Olivia considered her words. “Well, even though the room is dim, when she died, it was like a portion of light went out of it. It’s darker in here now because she’s gone.”

  Robert nodded. “Every soul brings light to the world, even if it’s a light we can only see with our spiritual eyes. When that soul moves on, the light moves on as well, and the world is a little darker without them.”

  “That’s a beautiful way to put it. I’d honestly never thought about that before.”

  “That’s part of what makes each person special—the light they bring to the world.”

  They stayed until Mr. Cannell indicated he was ready to go. He walked toward the door with Deputy Hanks, but paused before leaving. “Thank you, Pastor,” he said, his voice subdued. Then he slipped out the door.

  “Mrs. Cannell’s sister telegrammed this morning to say she was on her way,” Dr. Wayment said, walking up beside Robert. “She’ll be handling all the funeral arrangements and so forth. I imagine she’ll be contacting you when she gets here.”

  “I’ll be ready,” Robert replied.

  “Come—I’ll give you both rides back. Olivia, are you expected at the hotel?”

  His question brought her back to earth with a start. “Oh, yes! What time is it? I do need to hurry back before the train pulls in.”

  Dr. Wayment checked his pocket watch. “It looks like we have just enough time. Let’s go. The neighbor has promised to watch the house, so we can leave.”

  No one spoke as they drove to the hotel, which suited Olivia just fine. She kept rehearsing to herself everything Robert had just said about the light each person brings into the world with them. She had never thought of such a thing, but it did make sense. Everyone brought a different type of light—and some seemed to take light away from wherever they were. Her father immediately came to her mind. Whenever she was near him, she felt insufficient, worthless, as though nothing she did would ever meet his high expectations. He certainly didn’t bring light—but he must have it, if every soul on earth did. She would have to ask Robert about that sometime, but it would have to wait because the train was about to reach the station. Thankfully, she’d worn her black dress to the pastor’s house.

  “Thank you for the ride, Dr. Wayment!” she called out as she dashed into the hotel, grabbed an apron, and tied it on. Miss Hampton gave her an arch look, but didn’t scold her as she fell into place beside the other girls. If she had received a scolding, she would have deserved it entirely, and yet, for all the things she’d seen and learned, being late had been worth it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Mr. Perry stepped inside the hotel dining room the next afternoon and took a seat. Olivia nearly dropped the tray she was carrying when she saw him. She’d never meant for him to see her at work, although she supposed it was inevitable. Would he find her less interesting if he saw the menial tasks she performed every day? Would he think she wasn’t worth his attention? He was probably looking for a society lady, someone like she used to be, not the person she was now.

  Thankfully, he had seated himself at Rachel’s table, so Olivia didn’t have to wait on him. That would be far more embarrassing than she was prepared to deal with at the moment. After the meal service, she took off her apron and walked over to where he still sat, obviously waiting for her.

  “Hello, Mr. Perry. I hope you enjoyed your meal.”

  “It was definitely one of the better hotel meals I’ve had. How are you this fine day, Miss Markham?”

  “I’m well, thank you. What brings you to the Brody?”

  He grinned, and it made him look impish. “I’ve just received a last-minute invitation for a party being held at my business partner’s estate just north of town. It will be the gala event of the year, so I’m told—so much better than attending a play together. May I escort you?”

  “A gala event?” Olivia tried to imagine a gala in humble Topeka.

  “Yes, indeed. My partner hails from Chicago, where he surrounds himself with the finest of everything, and he likes to bestow a bit of that on his friends. Break out your New York society ball gown and join me, Miss Markham. We’ll have a splendid time.”

  “I’d love t
o,” she replied, not even having to think about it. “When is it?”

  “This very night. My partner is rather a spontaneous fellow. I can pick you up at eight, if that suits you.”

  “It certainly does. That gives me time to freshen up after the last train.” An unaccountable thrill ran down her spine. A real party—with big-city luxuries—and she’d be able to wear one of her gowns. She felt for a moment like Cinderella in the story her governess used to read to her, and Mr. Perry was her fairy godmother. She stifled a chuckle at the thought. He probably wouldn’t appreciate the comparison.

  “Then I shall be here. I’m glad you said yes, Miss Markham. The evening would have been entertaining, but not nearly as enjoyable without you there.” He bid her farewell and left, leaving her to gather up tablecloths and napkins in somewhat of a trance of happiness.

  ***

  Robert stared at the telegram in his hand and read it over and over, but the words still didn’t make sense. He’d stopped in the middle of the road outside the telegraph office, oblivious to the world around him until he heard a voice and looked up.

  “Are you all right, Pastor?”

  It was Timothy Hancock, a young man who had just moved to town to work at the bank. Robert remembered meeting him at the picnic the previous week and was surprised that he could remember his name, considering that all his thoughts had come to a screeching halt like one of the trains coming into the station a little fast. “I’m fine, thank you. I’ve just received some news—that’s all.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Robert glanced at the young man’s earnest face. “No, I’m quite all right. But thank you.”

  He stumbled down the street, still clutching his telegram, until he came to his house, where he collapsed in a chair in the corner of his office. This time, the words made sense when he read them. His father was dead.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It had taken Olivia far longer than it should have to choose out a gown for the evening. She had finally settled on a silk of the richest peacock blue and hoped that none of the other ladies would be wearing the same shade. If she wanted to retain Mr. Perry’s attention, she had to be unique. Abigail helped fasten her up, and Rachel did her hair. Then the two girls stepped back and admired their handiwork.

  “This is far more fun than playing with a doll,” Rachel said, reaching forward to fix one errant curl.

  Olivia turned from side to side, studying her reflection. “Thank you for helping me. I’m so nervous, my hands are trembling.”

  “Why are you nervous? You’ve been to scads of parties,” Abigail said.

  “True, but it’s been a long time, and this is completely different society. Mr. Perry is the only person I know who will be there.”

  “You’ll win them over.” Rachel gave Olivia’s hair one last tweak, and then nodded her approval. “Just don’t say anything shocking.”

  “And that’s the entire problem. I’m still not sure what’s shocking and what’s not.” Olivia gathered up her gloves and fan. “Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck,” both girls said in unison.

  A slow, pleased smile spread across Mr. Perry’s face when he saw Olivia. “Very lovely. Very lovely indeed,” he said, offering her his elbow. “I’m afraid my carriage isn’t fine enough to do you justice.”

  “I’m sure it will do until you can find something better,” Olivia replied lightheartedly as she climbed into her seat. “Tell me about your business partner. What sort of man is he?”

  Mr. Perry flicked the reins, and they were off. “His name is J.J. Green, and he’s heavily into land investments. I met him while on business for my grandfather and his estate, and J.J. asked me to assist him with the management of other properties as well. He’s a rather earthy fellow, very much into fine wine and the best foods. He’s a little loud, so don’t be put off by his behavior. He’s the salt of the earth, in my opinion, but it can be hard to see past his exterior to the goodness beneath. Oh, and you’re to call him J.J. He doesn’t stand on any sort of ceremony.”

  “Does he have a wife?”

  Mr. Perry laughed. “Well, now, perhaps a more accurate question would be, does he have one currently? He’s a widower, and he’s also been divorced. A few times. At the moment, there is no Mrs. Green, although rumor has it that may be changing shortly.”

  When they pulled up in front of J.J.’s estate, Olivia held back a gasp. She hadn’t seen anything like this since leaving New York, and hadn’t dreamed that such elegance existed out here. But then, money can buy anything, and if J.J. was as wealthy as he sounded, he certainly could afford to turn a dusty prairie plot of land into something that looked as though it came out of an English countryside. The grounds were lush and green, although how they managed it on the prairie, Olivia had no idea, and the house would have made the queen herself feel at home. Olivia had thought that the Brody was the finest building in Topeka—clearly, she was wrong.

  Mr. Perry took her elbow and guided her up the walkway and into the house, where a full orchestra played in the corner of a grand ballroom. Thirty couples were dancing, while several more milled around the edges. A quick glance told Olivia that no one else wore her shade of blue, which was a relief.

  “Ah, there’s our host,” Mr. Perry said, nodding toward the west wall of the room. “Come. Let me introduce you.”

  As they made their way around to where J.J. stood, Olivia had the opportunity to study the man without being obvious about it. He was a bit fleshy around the middle, which confirmed his love of fine food, and the ruddiness of his cheeks spoke to his appreciation for wine. He threw back his head and laughed at something said by one of his friends standing nearby, so Olivia determined that he must have a good sense of humor. All in all, he seemed to be everything Mr. Perry had said, but until she’d spoken with him herself, she wouldn’t be sure what to make of him.

  “And here we are,” Mr. Perry said, placing his hand on the small of Olivia’s back. “Miss Markham, this is my friend and partner, J.J. Green. J.J., this is Miss Olivia Markham.”

  J.J. looked at Olivia with appreciative eyes. “Well, now, Miss Markham, you are most welcome at our party. Most welcome indeed. I must say, when Leo said you wouldn’t be able to make it up from Wichita for tonight’s activities, I was quite disappointed. I’m glad you changed your mind. Do help yourself to all the food and wine you can hold, and I reserve the right to a waltz, if I may.”

  “I’d be delighted,” Olivia replied, all the while quite confused. After J.J. had turned his attention to someone else, she tugged on Mr. Perry’s sleeve and led him over to an alcove. “Wichita? What have you been telling him about me?”

  Mr. Perry looked decidedly uncomfortable. “I mentioned to him that I might ask a lady friend of mine from Wichita to attend. He must have gotten confused.”

  Olivia raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t learn about this party just today, did you? I’m your second choice for the evening.”

  Mr. Perry held up a hand. “It’s true, I admit. I did ask someone else first, but this was last week. After meeting you at the picnic and then enjoying our cookie feast down by the lake, I realized that I’d much rather spend this evening with you anyway. The young lady in Wichita is a friend, nothing more, and we have no commitment to each other whatsoever. I promise you, I’m breaking no troth by being here with you tonight, and you being my second choice was merely how fate decided to play her hand. I’ve known you a week, Miss Markham—it was impossible for me to have asked you before that.”

  Olivia studied his eyes. He was definitely a scamp, and she wasn’t about to be lured in by his fancy words and dashing mustache. “I find myself thirsty all of a sudden,” she replied, deciding neither to forgive him nor censure him at that moment and see what else happened. “Shall we go find the refreshment table?”

  Mr. Perry, most likely thinking he was out of trouble, flashed her a smile and offered his arm. “Indeed, we shall.”

  Olivia was quit
e impressed by the variety of foods and drinks spread out for the taking. Her father’s wealthy friends often threw parties like this, but their selection wasn’t nearly so broad. J.J. must have had this food shipped here specially, which was another piece of evidence against Mr. Perry’s insistence that this event was spontaneous. More likely than not, his other date had cancelled that morning, leaving him in a bind, and she had been a convenient replacement. She shook her head as she set a strawberry on her plate. He was foolish to believe her so naïve.

  After they had eaten, Mr. Perry took her around and introduced her to several of his associates. It seemed that few of the men had brought their wives with them, and were instead introducing their companions as “Miss” rather than “Mrs.” Were they not married, or had they left their wives at home in favor of other women? She’d never been in a group where so many of the men seemed to be unattached.

  A short time later, J.J. came to claim his waltz, and Olivia decided to ask him about it. “I noticed that many of the gentlemen here seem to be unmarried.”

  J.J. gave one of his hearty laughs as he swirled her around in a corner. “This is rough land, and a rough business. Sometimes a woman will decide she wants to go home, back to the more comfortable life she knew in the east. Or she’ll take sick, sometimes dying. This part of the country really is no place for a woman.”

  Olivia raised an eyebrow. “And yet, here I am, and I don’t seem to be dead or dying.”

  He laughed again. “This is very true. Not many women could withstand it, though, Miss Markham. You’re quite unique.”

  “No, I don’t think I am. There are thousands of women living in the city of Topeka, sir—which, by the way, is where I live. Mr. Perry misinformed you if he said I was from Wichita. Either that, or I’m the wrong girl entirely.” She didn’t like J.J.’s tone or his entirely odd excuses, and she didn’t mind making him feel a little uncomfortable.