“I do know that,” Janie nodded. “and I am sorry for not saying it sooner. I want Tom to be innocent as much as anyone, but I’m finding it hard to put my hopes in that. My world shattered during Tom’s trial, and my nerves are still fragile in its wake.”
“I understand. Hearing the judge’s verdict shook me to my core as well. But I only want to help you. What about Logan?” Sara asked. “I don’t know what your past together held, but he seems to genuinely care about your family.”
Janie hesitated. “I know that as well, though I am still hurt by the consequences of his actions. Tom is a grown man and should not need to be watched over. But I still place the blame for this on Logan’s rash decision to leave. Nonetheless, I will speak to him.”
“Thank you,” Sara smiled. “We will all need to be in agreement if we are going to be of any help to Tom.”
Janie nodded and stepped inside the house, sending Charley and Carter out to Sara. Logan rose to his feet as she came into the sitting room.
“Janie, I am sorry I have upset you, but Tom needs us now,” he began.
Janie held up a hand and quieted him. “Whatever differences we have, I am willing to lay them aside for the time being. I want to see my husband freed, and Sara deserves my cooperation.”
“Thank you, Janie,” Logan replied, holding out his arms.
Janie accepted his embrace before leading Logan out onto the veranda. Sara met them there, allowing the boys to play in the yard where she could keep an eye on them. Logan leaned against the railing, looking for his opportunity to present his plan to Janie.
“Are we in agreement, then, that we believe Tom was framed?” Sara asked.
“Yes,” Janie nodded. “But what is to be done about it? Sheriff Graves will undoubtedly be of no use. If he planned on standing up for Tom, he would have done it at the trial.”
“We will need to make our appeal to the circuit judge,” Logan interjected. “I have dealt with the law enforcement of this region for long enough that the judge would know me. But I cannot go to him without a solid case. We need either evidence or a witness.”
“And how are we supposed to obtain either of those?” Janie asked, taking a seat.
“I believe that the best place to start would be with Tom. He will give us the truth about the incident. At least then we’ll know what we need to prove.” Logan looked to his sister. “If you will give your approval, we should be able to see Tom tomorrow, and the sooner the better.”
“Alright,” Janie agreed. “I have no need for the wagon tomorrow. You and Sara should go to him as soon as possible.”
“Don’t you want to go see him?” Sara spoke up.
Janie sighed. “I do want to see him, but I don’t think I could bear seeing him in a prison cell. It’s just all too close to me. Logan needs to be there, and I believe that you will manage to be more level-headed about it than I would. There is still so much work around here that has been put off lately. I’ll be fine here for the day, knowing that you are working on a plan to exonerate Tom.”
“Very well, then Sara and I shall leave first thing in the morning. It will take us several hours to get to the prison, but leaving early enough should bring us back here by nightfall,” Logan agreed.
Though still strained, the day went a bit more smoothly once everyone was convinced that they were making progress. Knowing that she would not have the chance the next day, Sara took the morning to tend to her washing. Charley and Carter enjoyed being able to stay out in the yard while Sara hung her clothes out to dry. They chased their puppy around, laughing as he stumbled over his own feet, which were still much too big for his size.
“Alright, you two,” Sara called when she had finished, “call the puppy and come inside. I think a break is in order.”
The boys hurriedly clapped their hands against their legs, bringing the puppy running after them. They all piled onto the couch next to Logan. Even while deep in thought over the days to come, Logan welcomed the boys in all their excitement.
Hodges and Peterson rode in from the pasture later that morning, leading a cow behind them. Always within a few feet from its mother, a calf tagged along. Janie stepped outside to find out what was going on.
“Is everything alright?” she asked, meeting them in the yard and quickly looking over the animals.
Hodges nodded and slid out of the saddle. “Yes, ma’am, everything is fine. The calf was born a few days ago, but the heat we’ve had lately is wearing on the mother. She hasn’t been nursing him properly. We just plan on keeping them in the barn for a few days until she regains her strength.”
“Alright,” Janie nodded. “Do you need me to do anything with them? I try to keep up with the barn while you are out to pasture.”
“They should be fine as long as they have enough food and water. The mother knows what she is doing. It’s all serving as a good sign, though, ma’am. This is the fifth calf born within the last two months. The herd is looking better each day. As long as we can survive the coming winter, I think we’ll be back on track.”
A momentary glimmer of hope spread across Janie’s face. “I can’t thank you enough for all you do for us,” she smiled.
“Don’t mention it, ma’am,” Hodges replied, tipping his hat. “I’ll get these two settled into a stall. Will Logan be available this afternoon? We could use an extra set of hands.”
“Yes, sir,” Logan answered for himself, coming out of the house. “What can I do?”
“I want to try to repair that section of fence on the south end of the property. I think we might be able to make do with the supplies we have, they’ll just have to be stretched a bit thinner. With the herd finally returning to decent shape, we can’t afford to take any chances.”
“I can be saddled in a just a minute,” Logan agreed. He glanced back at Janie, who was taking in all that the foreman was suggesting. “You see? It isn’t always as bad as it seems. We’ll do what we can for Tom, but for now, the ranch is in good hands.”
Janie flashed him a brief smile, silently thankful for his levelheadedness. Even in those dark hours of her life, Logan had always been a constant source of light. She waited on the veranda until the men had ridden out of the yard, listening to their new barn residents with a renewed hope.
It wasn’t long before Charley and Carter heard the cattle’s cries carrying across the yard. They eagerly bounded out onto the veranda.
“Can we go and see them, Mama?” Charley begged.
“I suppose,” she nodded. “But you may only go when there is someone with you. That mother is not going to want you around her calf.”
“I understand,” he agreed, taking his mother’s hand and tugging her across the yard.
Sara watched from inside the sitting room, smiling as the boy’s innocent curiosity soothed his mother’s stress.
That evening, Janie allowed Charley and Carter to wait up until Logan returned from the south pasture. They had missed their uncle dearly and were eager to make up for lost bedtime stories. When Logan finally came through the front door, he was tired and dirty from the fields. His exhaustion went unnoticed by the boys, however, and they enthusiastically rushed toward him.
“Mama said we could wait for you!” Carter exclaimed.
Charley waited until Logan had removed his boots before taking him by the hand. “Do you have more stories of cowboys and bad guys?”
Janie quickly shot Logan a look that told him he should choose a different topic. She got her point across clearly.
“Hmmm,” he said, looking down into their bright eyes. “How about I tell you a different sort of story? I know a tale of a wild horse that no cowboy could tame…,” he began, leading them toward the bedroom. They were captivated before he even closed the door behind him.
“You’ll have an early morning tomorrow, Sara. Don’t feel like you have to wait up for my sake,” Janie said, taking a seat near the fireplace.
“It’s alright, I’m sure I will sleep much better once I’ve
learned what tomorrow will bring,” Sara replied, filling a pot with water and placing it over the fire. “There’s too much spinning in my mind tonight. I want to finally hear Tom’s side of things and put my mind at ease.”
“Yes, I understand. Even the things that I thought I was sure of have been put to the test lately. I don’t feel like Tom was able to tell his entire story at the trial. It seemed to me that the judge didn’t want to hear it.”
“I agree,” Sara nodded. “Warren and Williams painted a vivid enough picture that no one believed there could be another side to it.”
Soon, the boys’ bedroom door crept open, and Logan slipped out. Finding the women in the sitting room, he joined them briefly.
“Do you want tea?” Janie asked. “I believe Sara is brewing some.”
“No, thank you,” he shook his head. “I’m too tired tonight. Hodges and Peterson had their work cut out for them today, but they planned things out well. The fence has been mended.”
“That’s a relief,” Janie nodded. “I didn’t know where I was going to come up with the funds to pay for new materials. But I can’t afford to lose any more of the herd.”
“They’re secure now. Hodges knows what he is doing. I think I’ll go ahead and turn in.” Logan stood up, stretching his aching back before pulling his boots back on.
“Goodnight,” Janie called. “We’ll have breakfast ready early.”
He nodded before closing the door behind him. Janie and Sara lingered over a cup of tea before finally relenting and heading to bed themselves.
Chapter 8
By the time the first light of day began to stretch across the sky, Sara had coffee brewing. Janie had water heating for the boys’ oatmeal, while bacon sizzled for the adults. Logan was out in the bunkhouse, informing Hodges that Janie and the boys would be alone at the house for the day. Though he did not believe that Moran would show up at the ranch, his behavior had surprised even Logan as of late. Logan soon joined the family in the house for breakfast.
“You might want to take an extra shawl with you,” Janie suggested to Sara as she dished out their breakfast. “Even if it does not look like rain, riding wet would make for a terribly long day. The weather here is rather fickle that way.”
“I had not thought of that,” Sara admitted. “I’ll grab one. Also, I was thinking, I doubt if we will be allowed to take much to Tom, but they might permit a change of clothes. Is there anything that you want to send for him?”
“Oh, yes, I am glad you thought of that!” Janie replied. She left Sara to carry the plates to the table while she put together a small pack of clothes.
The boys soon stumbled into the kitchen from their bedroom. Their little faces still looked sleepy, but the aroma of breakfast lured them in.
“Come on, you,” Sara laughed, watching the puppy jump at the boys’ feet. She led it to the door and let him out. “Would you care for coffee?” she asked Logan, who was just sitting down at the table.
“Yes, please,” he nodded.
Once Janie had returned with Tom’s things, they all sat down to their meal. “Should I pack a lunch for you both? Or is there somewhere to eat near the…um,” Janie stopped herself, remembering the boys were present. They need not know anything about the trip to see Tom in prison.
“There is a town a little distance from there. We should be able to get something to eat before starting on our way back,” Logan spoke up.
Charley quickly looked up. His little ears rarely missed anything. “Where are you going?” he asked Logan.
Logan looked to Janie before answering. “Your Aunt Sara and I are going to speak to a few people. We should be back tonight.”
“But I wanted to show you how well I can ride today,” the boy insisted.
“I’ll tell you what,” Logan said, pulling Charley into his lap. “I think, if you ask him very nicely, that Mr. Hodges might let you practice while I’m away. Then I will watch you first thing tomorrow morning. Alright?”
“Alright,” he sighed. “Mama, can I go and ask Mr. Hodges now?”
“I suppose,” she agreed, following him to the veranda where she could see him all the way to the bunkhouse.
After everyone had finished their breakfast, Logan went to hitch the wagon. Sara followed along with the pack for Tom. Before they left, Logan slid a rifle behind Sara’s feet and checked his revolver once more. Sara watched him, having not yet considered how much danger his job must put him in, even when he was not working. Once assured that he would be prepared for anything that might meet them along the trail, Logan climbed in and they pulled out of the yard.
As they rode along, the early morning sun glistened off of the dew that had settled in the fields. Their journey would be taking them past Oakmede, and Sara was surprised to see Logan turn off of the main path to avoid town.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, glancing back toward the town.
“No, ma’am,” Logan shook his head. “But Moran does not know that I have returned to the area just yet, and I would like to keep it that way for now.
“I see. Are there issues between the two of you as well?”
“You might say that he has an issue with anyone that might interfere with his business. And my connection to Tom draws his attention.”
Sara nodded, understanding that it would. Once they had circled around to the far side of town, they rejoined the main path and continued on their journey. They rode along in silence for a long while, but it was not the awkward silence that one might expect. Something about his presence put Sara at ease. He held calm confidence in his demeanor which made Sara enjoy having him near, particularly while out in the wilderness.
Even in the time that Sara had already spent in Kansas, she had not yet grown accustomed to such vast expanses of nothingness. Clumps of trees here and there suggested the presence of farmhouses, but they were tucked away out of sight and there was not a town to be seen anywhere around them. She was amazed at the stark contrast to Baltimore and its busy streets.
Still, the wilderness was far from lifeless. Birds flitted back and forth across the sky, and the occasional rabbit scampered away from the trail. The steady clopping of the horses’ hooves sent squirrels rushing for the trees that were scattered about the edges of the path, filling the leaves overhead with rustling.
Logan glanced at his passenger, amused by her amazement. He had shared in such awe, years ago, when he had first left the city, though his situation had been much different. There were not leisurely rides through the countryside during the war.
A man always had to be looking over his shoulder, and for Logan, not much had changed. He doubted if Tucker and his men would have followed him this far, but he kept a wary eye out nonetheless. Sara was blissfully ignorant of the danger that could be lurking in the trees, and Logan was content to keep her that way.
By the time the prison came into view on the horizon, the sun was high overhead. Its heat bore down on them relentlessly, and Logan pulled the wagon off of the path to give the horses a break.
“Would you care to stretch your legs?” he asked, offering Sara a hand.
She nodded, accepting his help. She stretched her back and kicked the stiffness from her legs. The shade was a welcome relief from the blazing sun, easing the tension in her eyes. “Will we be able to just walk in and see Tom?” she asked. “I had pictured something of a small-town jailhouse. The prison appears to be much larger than I expected.”
“There will be security guards, but they’ll let us through to see a family member. Their security measures will be stiffer than at a typical jail, though.”
Partners in Justice and Love: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 9
