Another Chance

by Michelle Beattie

  "Excuse me." Silver said, wading through the crowd.

  Jillian let out a deep breath. Thank God, a friendly face!

  Mrs. Hollingsworth's lips puckered as she inched her knees to the side, allowing Silver to step into the pew.

  "Sorry I'm late."

  Though she sounded out of breath there was a look of determination in her eyes. "I haven't missed the lynching yet, have I?"

  "No. But I'm happy to see nobody is armed."

  The door opened again and soon Mrs. Hollingsworth's pucker came back full force. Eileen and Letty took their places next to Silver. Though Jillian didn't see Wade, and she couldn't help feeling disappointed about that, she felt better than she had since sitting down. She had friends at her side; she'd be fine.

  "I shut down the mercantile when Eileen arrived. I see we're just in time," Letty added when Steven took his place behind the lectern.

  The crowd shifted with anticipation. The energy in the room vibrated in Jillian's ears and flowed through her body from there. Whispers and murmurs escalated until Steven cracked his gavel against the wood.

  "I know you're upset, and you've reason to be," he added, his gaze skimmed over heads until it latched onto Jillian. "But we'll all have the chance to be heard."

  Silver grabbed Jillian's hand and squeezed. "That goes for you, too" she whispered.

  Eileen looked to the door. "He said he'd be right in," she muttered.

  "Now, as Doc is no longer here and Wade didn't deem your feelings important enough to show up this morning, I guess that leaves me to settle this matter."

  His greedy eyes scanned the church. Steven was already a tall man, but he seemed to grow taller as he addressed the people of Cedar Springs.

  "Now, then. I've been thinking on the matter and I am prepared, as you'll recall I was prepared to do the first time," he added with a self-serving smile, "to be the one in charge of hiring a new veterinarian.

  "I have the advertisement ready. Robert will send the telegrams out later today. Harvey," he gestured to the trapper, "will, out of the goodness of his heart, ride to Bozeman and see to it that advertisements are put up around the city." Steven puffed up like a bullfrog. "This time we'll get what we need."

  Comments erupted about the room.

  "Damn right!"

  "About time!"

  "Shoulda been Steven who hired one to begin with."

  "Let's find us a real vet!"

  Steven's smile was wide and overflowed with satisfaction.

  "Pompous weasel," Silver muttered.

  Jillian couldn't agree more. But he'd said folks would have a say so she came to her feet. It was past time she was heard.

  The gathering erupted again, throwing accusations and insults her way faster than she could absorb them all. However several words shoved through the melee to be heard: no-good, useless, and the worst, animal killer. Every time she opened her mouth to defend herself, she was bombarded with insults.

  Seeing nothing for it, Jillian grabbed her skirts and, with a hand on Silver's shoulder, stepped onto the pew. She had a good view from there and the astonished looks on everyone's faces would have been funny if she wasn't so angry. She did, however, use their temporary shock and silence to her advantage.

  "I believe you said everyone would have a chance to be heard," she reminded Steven. "And I have something I'd like to say."

  "We don't want to hear what you have to say, missy. You've done enough damage already."

  Feet stomped in approval. Hands clapped, the sound sharp as a bullwhip. Though Steven held the gavel, he did nothing but tap it against his palm. Jillian glared at him but all he did was sneer. Darn it, he could have kept the crowd under control if he'd a mind to.

  Jillian clamped her hands on her hips, sucked in a breath and tried again. "I-"

  "Miss Matthews has a right to defend herself."

  Mouths went silent and bodies shifted as a wave when Wade, flanked by James and Scott, with Shane taking up the rear, stepped through the door. Jillian's breath came out in a gush of gratitude. He came!

  With her standing on the pew, she was easily spotted. He pressed his lips together briefly, but not before she saw them tremble into a smile. Her face flamed; she couldn't imagine what she must look like, perched the way she was. She was thrilled he'd come, yet her pride wished he'd have done so when she'd been a bit less…conspicuous. Yet, now that the damage was done, she kept her position. She really did have a good view and the height advantage made her feel more in control. They'd have to look at her now, wouldn't they?

  Steven used his gavel now, and he rapped it soundly on the lectern. "You've done enough damage here, Parker."

  The gathering, slightly calmer now that the Sheriff was there, nodded their agreement.

  "So's she!" someone called out. "She's already killed one animal."

  "No, she didn't," Wade began. "She-"

  "Well, we heard you yourself admit that she killed your animal." This from the man who ran the post office.

  This wasn't news to Jillian, though Wade had no way of knowing that. The look he sent her was humble and apologetic. Her chest filled with warmth.

  "How many more do you want her to kill before you admit you were wrong in bringing her here?" asked the man from the livery.

  "I didn't-"

  "Jillian," Wade interrupted, "let me say this first."

  Since it seemed the least she could do seeing as how he'd come to her defense, she remained quiet. Nodding, he threaded his way up the aisle. James and Scott held back, though they stepped aside to allow Shane to pass and take his place next to Wade at the front. Steven's face went crimson when Shane gestured for him to move back from the lectern to allow Wade to take his place.

  Jillian pressed a hand over her thumping heart. His words, she knew, could make every difference for her.

  "First of all, I'd like to apologize for being late this morning. It seems I was one of a handful who, mysteriously," he added with a pointed look at Steven, "hadn't been told about the meeting. However, I'm glad I could attend as I know there's been a whole mess of scuttlebutt about Miss Matthews and what took place at my ranch. "Yes, I lost a cow. But no, it wasn't her fault."

  "How do you know?" someone yelled.

  "Because I saw her, covered in blood and soaking wet from the ride out, do everything she could to save that animal. Ask James and Scott if you don't want to take my word for it alone; they were there."

  Both men's gazes went around the room as they nodded their agreement.

  "She did a bang up job," James said.

  "As good as I've seen Doc do," Scott added.

  "Well, obviously not, as the cow died!" Steven took a step forward, clearly trying to reestablish his position as leader.

  Slowly, Wade turned to Steven. "And no animal ever died after Doc tended it?" Wade's gaze moved across the church. "Bill? Where's Bill at?"

  A few hands raised and pointed and finally Wade seemed to see who he was looking for. Jillian followed the direction and saw the thick-necked man. He looked about as happy as Steven.

  "Bill, as owner of the livery I know you've called on Doc before. Wasn't there a time when you had a sick horse and the night after Doc saw him he died?"

  "That horse was old. Doc said he might not make it."

  "And you trusted him?"

  "Hell, yeah. He knew what he was doing, didn't he?"

  "So does Miss Matthews."

  Wade's words gave her courage. As did the fact that folks seemed to be listening.

  "Jillian? If you're ready."

  She nodded, dried her hands on her skirt. She'd done it so often she was surprised it wasn't wringing wet by now.

  "Thank you. And like Mr. Parker, I'd like to take this moment to apologize. I deliberately misled him and all of you when I responded to the advertisement."

  "I knew it! She's nothing but a fraud!" Steven yelled. Of course this got the crowd all wound up again and within two breaths the sound was enough to wake the dead.


  Wade grabbed the gavel from Steven and smacked it down. He waited until the noise had subsided before he spoke. "Let her finish," he said.

  She swallowed the knot of anxiousness that had formed in her throat. "I am a vet. My father was one of the best in Pennsylvania and I learned everything at his side. I've had years of training and practice."

  "Then why didn't you stay there?" someone demanded.

  The crowd murmured and chuckled. Jillian pushed her shoulders back.

  "Because my father died. And, like you folks, most people aren't interested in a woman doctor."

  "You got that right," the voice was familiar. The trapper's.

  She glanced down at her friends, was reassured by their encouraging smiles.

  "Well, I'd hoped you folks would be more open-minded. But in case you weren't, I replied to the advertisement using only my initials, which are the same as my father's. Mr. Parker assumed he'd hired my father and I didn't do anything to dispel his belief. So he's as innocent in this as the rest of you. However," she raised her hand to let them know she wasn't done, "it doesn’t, or shouldn't, change the fact that I was hired for my skills. And those haven't changed."

  "She's right," Wade concurred from the front. "We hired her based on her skills, not on her name."

  "Be that as it may, she is a woman, and that isn't what we hired. At least I know it's not what I agreed to," Steven added his words intended to once again rile the crowd.

  "Even if we let Robert send out the advertisements, it could be weeks, even months until we find another vet. Dr. Matthews is already here, I say we give her a chance to prove herself."

  Mrs. Hollingsworth, red as the ripest tomato, stood up. "I think this is preposterous. What kind of example are we setting for these children? Especially the girls."

  "Amen to that," chimed in the trapper.

  While Jillian knew it wouldn't help her cause to be argumentative, she wouldn't let them attack her character either.

  "I've never stolen or cheated anybody. I've accepted eggs, bread and chickens when that was all the families could afford. I work hard and have never disrespected my family. Is that the kind of example you mean?"

  "Well, I never!" Mrs. Hollingsworth sputtered, clearly not used to being spoken back to.

  "Well, maybe it's time you do!" Jillian answered, gaining a few snickers from those assembled. With the heat now unbearable, Jillian wiped the moisture from her lip, tugged at the collar that suddenly wanted to choke her. She didn't know what more she could do to plead her case but ask the same question she'd posed to the trapper.

  "Is your pride really worth the life of one of your animals?" Her eyes touched on as many faces as she could. "Would you truly let them suffer, die unnecessarily, because you're not happy I'm a woman?"

  She shook her head. "That's not only mean, it's short-sighted and, quite frankly, I expected more from people who've carved a life out here, where the winters are cold and long, where the land can be unforgiving. I imagined those folks to be the kind who band together, who do what's necessary to survive. Was I wrong?"

  "No," Eileen said as she came to her feet. "You weren't. That's exactly the kind of folks we are. We raise good children, we work hard, we go to church."

  Letty stood up. "We stand behind our friends."

  "We don't give up, no matter the odds against us." Silver stood as well.

  "I say we not only give Miss Matthews a chance to prove herself, but we give her a chance to see who we really are."

  Tears burned her eyes at Wade's words. He'd said more than she'd hoped and as many sets of eyes fell to the floor, as heads nodded and a few folks verbally agreed to give her a chance, she knew his words had made a difference.

  He hadn't swayed everyone, far from it, but he'd given her a start. With gratefulness pressing hard against her chest, Jillian's eyes met Wade's. Held. Her legs wobbled.

  And she knew, when he tipped his head toward her, that gratefulness wasn't the only emotion swelling within her.

  ***

  "We need to do more," Steven said. "That little trick you pulled with the saddle didn't even stop her from coming to the picnic. And now look at the mess we have."

  Steven once again held the gavel. Wade had tossed it back to him once he'd managed, yet again, to get the town to listen to him. Well, he hadn't swayed them all, but Steven had seen the moment when some of them had shifted their support back to Wade. Goddammit!

  "Shit," Bill agreed, "that saddle was a lame idea anyway. I told you," he said, pointing a sausage finger at Justin, "that it would take more than that."

  Justin crossed his arms. "And I told you I wouldn't hurt her, neither. Besides, it scared her. Even from where I was hiding in the bushes, I could see her face was white as milk."

  "Well, clearly she's not so easily rattled."

  "I won't have it," Steven said, thumping the gavel into his palm. "I won't be made a fool of. We need her out of this town before she and Wade convince the rest of them."

  "What about Wade?"

  Steven looked over at Bill. "What do you mean?"

  "Maybe if Wade stood to lose something, he'd reconsider supporting her."

  "Well, hell, Bill, now you're talking!" Steven said. His mouth salivated at the thought of Wade finally getting some comeuppance.

  "It's all fine to have Wade reconsider and all, but we can't ignore the Matthews woman either," Robert reminded them.

  Harvey snickered. "Don't you worry, we haven't forgotten about her. If she's still around when I get back from Bozeman, you just leave her to me."

  ***

  It took Wade longer than he expected to get back to the ranch after the meeting. First his mother caught him outside, launched herself in his arms. Silver and Letty patted his back, told him he'd done the right thing. Then, as he knew she would, Angela Hollingsworth told him how disgusted she was with him; how she hoped he was using better judgment raising her grand-daughter.

  Feeling the sting of his mother-in-law's words, Wade told his ma he'd stay in town to take Annabelle--who would be ecstatic when she saw him waiting for her--home from school. Wade then asked Shane to join him at the restaurant for dinner.

  By the time they ate and Wade had brought a chattering Annabelle home, it was mid afternoon. With a few hours yet before supper, Wade joined Scott and James, who'd been working on the barn while Wade stayed in town. Filling his pockets with nails, Wade carefully climbed into the rafters. A few more supports and they'd be ready for the roof.

  "We did good today," James said after pounding in a nail. "I'd hate to think what would have happened if Annabelle hadn't heard about the meeting. Hell, can you imagine the damage Steven would've done?"

  "It's what he'd hoped for." Scott said. "I don't know him as well as you do, but it made me happy to see his face when we walked in."

  Wade chuckled. Seeing Steven's face hadn't been as rewarding as seeing Jillian's, but it had given him satisfaction to see the shock, and then understanding creep over Steven's face.

  "Your mother-in-law wasn't very happy with you either," James commented.

  "You got that right," Wade answered. He'd tried. From the time he'd begun courting Amy, he'd tried to win over her mother. A widow, she'd fussed over her only child and had wanted much better for Amy than to marry a rancher. Then, that Amy had gone one step further and pursued midwifery… well, that was just one more thing she blamed Wade for. As though he'd encouraged her--which he hadn't. As though he'd wanted her to be a midwife--which he hadn't.

  As though he wasn't enough to keep her daughter happy.

  Which, clearly, he hadn't been.

  "Well, I'm proud of you, son." James leaned forward, slapped his shoulder.

  Wade, who'd just positioned himself on a beam, tensed and tightened his grip on the rough wood. Just that little tap by James had sweat breaking out along his forehead. Wade hated heights.

  "You think they'll come around?" Scott asked. He was perched on a beam parallel to Wade's.

&nbs
p; "I have no idea. But I'd like to think folks are going to be smart enough to call on her when their animals need help."

  Time, and only time, would eventually tell in the end. And with nothing more to say on the matter, they got back to work. Soon, sweat was stinging Wade's eyes. The pounding of three hammers echoed in his ears. The vibrations made his palm tingle and itch at the same time. Nevertheless he enjoyed looking around--around, not down--and seeing progress. Loved the smell of freshly cut wood, one of his favorites. Taking another nail, Wade drove it home.

  "What do you suppose Jillian will do next?" Scott asked between hammering.

  Wade lowered his arm. "What do you mean?"

  "Do you think she'll leave Cedar Springs if she doesn't get work?"

  He hadn't considered that option but he supposed it would make sense. She needed income to survive. Still, the idea of her packing and moving didn't sit well with him.

  "I don't know," he answered simply. "I suppose she could."

  "Be a shame if she did," James said. He straddled the wood, rested his hammer on his thigh. "Who knows when we'll get another one?"

  "And one as pretty," Scott added. He'd moved into a position that would have made a monkey proud. With one leg wrapped around a beam, he reached into his pocket, drew out some nails and placed them between his lips.

  "Be careful. I don't want you falling or we'll be picking nails from your cheeks for a week."

  Wade looked down, a good fifteen feet. His stomach clenched. Not a good idea. He knew better than to look down. Feeling the world tilt, he wrapped his hands around the wood, hammer and all, and looked up. Through the frame of the rafters, small puffy balls of clouds floated by lazily. He concentrated on their movement until his stomach settled back into position.

  "Hey, are you going to daydream all day or are you going to carry your weight?"

  Wade pulled himself together and looked at James, who seemed as comfortable on the narrow board as he would in a saddle. He took the jab for what it was, a distraction from his fear. James had known since he'd offered to build him a tree house when he was six that Wade couldn't stomach heights.

  "Yeah, keep your shirt on. I just need to get some more nails."