Love is Patient

by Kay P. Dawson

  Kathryn walked over, holding her hands in fists by her side, no longer willing to stand back and let this woman speak like this. “Mercy is finally asleep, and if you think she could have ever done anything like this, then you can turn around and leave this instant. I don’t need her to wake up and hear any of your hatred being spewed.”

  “I’m not leaving until I know what happened.” She turned back to Colt. “I’m going to make sure you’re arrested for this. I know you had your hand in it. Just because your family was one of the founding settlers of this community, doesn’t mean we can turn a blind eye to what you’ve done. Constantine told me how much you harassed him.”

  Colt had been quietly leaning against the rickety table that looked like it would fall apart at any moment, with his arms crossed over his chest. The only thing that gave away his own anger was the flash in his eyes as he listened to the woman ramble.

  “I never burned anything down, so you go ahead and tell anyone you want. No one will believe you. I have my own land, and my own barn. The last thing I needed was anything from Constantine.”

  “Oh, I promise you, by the time I’m finished, everyone will believe me. I’ll find the proof I need. Since you were the first one here, I believe you were already here when it started. Because you were the one who set it.”

  Kathryn stepped forward, unwilling to let Colt be blamed for something he had nothing to do with. He caught her eyes with his and gave a subtle shake of his head, telling her without words to step back.

  “Well, Sheriff Harkins is due in town tomorrow. So, we’ll let him settle this. I’m not going to let you get away with this.” With those words hanging in the air, the plump woman turned and walked out the door.

  Kathryn turned to look at the men who’d been left watching in shock. “What’s going to happen?” She was terrified to hear the answer. Mrs. Pembrooke didn’t seem like the kind of person you wanted to trifle with.

  Colt just shrugged and pushed himself up. “She’s just riled up. By morning, she’ll calm down and see reason. If you’re going to stay here with Mercy, we’ll all get going so you can try to get some sleep too.”

  But as the men walked out the door, just as the rain was letting up and leaving her with the smell of smoke all around her, Kathryn knew she wouldn’t be getting any sleep.

  And even though Colt was determined to keep her from telling the truth about where he was when the fire started, Kathryn knew if Mrs. Pembrooke wasn’t going to let this go, she must say something to clear his name.

  Even if it meant smearing her own.

  Chapter 21

  Colt leaned against the rail on the steps as he watched the procession come up the road toward the house. Dust hung in the air already, even after the rain last night. The ground had been so dry, whatever moisture had accumulated was quickly soaked into the dirt.

  He recognized the buggy belonging to the Pembrooke’s, and he knew the horse riding alongside would be Sheriff Harkins. As acting sheriff in this area, he rode from town to town, spending time wherever he was needed. But, with the amount of settlers flooding the area, it was just a matter of time before Promise needed to have their own full-time sheriff on hand to keep the peace.

  Colt wasn’t really worried about what would happen, because he knew Mrs. Pembrooke didn’t have any kind of evidence. She was all fired up right now, and likely Sheriff Harkins knew he just needed to appease the woman so she would give it up.

  Thankfully, Colt had known Jackson Harkins for a while now and they had a good friendship. Colt had even helped a few times with tracking and escorting prisoners when needed. So, he knew whatever happened, Jackson would be fair and wouldn’t just listen to the words of a woman who was clearly off her rocker.

  His mother came out and stood on the step beside him with her hands on her hips. He was glad the children were both playing down by the creek, enjoying the unexpected day off from school after Kathryn had been up all night with Mercy.

  “This woman isn’t going to let this go, is she? I swear, every day she gets a little bit more ornery and unbearable. Since the day we mentioned opening our school back up, she’s had a bee in her bonnet and just can’t be satisfied until she gets it closed back down so hers is the only school in the district.”

  “She can accuse me all she wants, but she’s got no proof to back her words.”

  His mother now wiped her hands on her apron nervously. “I don’t know, Colt. The Pembrookes have a lot of money and sometimes, that’s enough to swing people to their way of thinking.”

  As they pulled into the yard, Colt was glad to see Caleb had ridden out with them. At least he would have another ally beside him.

  Jackson tipped the front of his hat in greeting as they stopped in front of the steps. “Colt. Good to see you.”

  “Enough with the niceties. Do what you’ve been told to do out here.” Mrs. Pembrooke was already scrambling out of her buggy in a massive explosion of silks and ruffled skirts. “This man had every reason to want to be rid of Constantine, and I expect you to do your job and find out the truth.”

  Jackson held his gaze steady on the older woman, but Colt could see his jaw twitch as he fought to control his annoyance with her. “Mrs. Pembrooke, I assure you, I know my job. And, I also know that no matter how much you shout at me or anyone else, it’s not going to make me do anything different. Now, if you’ll just stand over there quietly, I will talk to Colt and see what he says happened.”

  Colt couldn’t hold back the smile as he watched Mrs. Pembrooke’s mouth open, then close as Jackson stared her down. The sheriff was a fair man, but he also wasn’t someone you wanted to argue with. He dismounted, then walked over to the steps where Colt stood. “Mrs. Pembrooke has some accusations about the fire last night at Constantine Brown’s. Can you give me your version of what happened?”

  “Not much to tell you, other than I smelled smoke so I ran through the field dividing our property to see what it was. By the time I got there, the barn was engulfed in flames. Mrs. Brown was outside, and she told me her husband was inside the barn, so I went in to get him. When I carried him out, he was already dead.”

  Mrs. Pembrooke gasped, and Colt felt a moment of guilt for being so blunt about her nephew’s condition. But he was also getting annoyed at having to explain himself after he could have been killed too.

  “So, you were at home when the fire started?”

  Colt swallowed as he nodded, not wanting to lie but he figured he was at home since he was on his property.

  “Don’t believe him. He’s been wanting to get that bit of land along the trees for years, and Constantine told me he threatened him numerous times. He wanted to get rid of him so he could keep plowing more and more of it for himself.”

  Colt took a deep breath to keep his anger under control. “That land you’re referring to is already mine, and it always has been. It was your nephew who couldn’t seem to understand that fact. So, you’re crazy if you think I needed to get rid of anybody to plow my own land.”

  Jackson was obviously just as annoyed as Colt, as he pushed his hands through his hair in frustration before turning to face Martha again. “Mrs. Pembrooke, I’ve already asked you once to stay quiet while I ask the questions. If you keep interrupting, I’m leaving.” He faced his mother and smiled. “Mrs. Hammond, can you verify that your son was at home last night around the time the fire started?”

  She swallowed hard and glanced at Colt with a panicked look. He knew his God-fearing mother would never be able to lie. “Well, he was here. He had stepped outside for some fresh air just around dusk and then went for a walk, from what I know.”

  “I told you! He wasn’t even in the house. He was at Constantine’s setting the fire, then he pretended he was the hero rushing in to save the day, knowing full well he would be too late.”

  She was giddy with excitement now that she thought she’d figured out her accusations had just been proven true. Jackson looked pained, knowing full well Colt’s mother had ju
st left room for doubt about his whereabouts. Even though Colt was sure the sheriff believed he was innocent, he was going to have to do his job and make sure he found out the truth.

  “No, he wasn’t at Constantine’s. He was with me. Down at my cabin by the schoolhouse.”

  In all the commotion, Colt hadn’t even noticed Kathryn walking up toward the house until they heard her voice. He cringed, knowing she had just destroyed her own reputation by admitting he was down with her.

  “Excuse me, Miss? Who are you?” Jackson turned to see who had just spoken, obviously confused at this turn of events.

  Mrs. Pembrooke stepped forward, her face red with anger. “She’s the new schoolteacher in town. The single schoolteacher, who shouldn’t be entertaining men—and especially not married men—in her home at all hours of the night. When I saw you last night, you were in your nightclothes. Are you admitting that Colt was with you when you were dressed like that?” Every word the woman spoke rose higher in volume as she realized the gravity of the situation she’d just caught Kathryn in.

  “Mrs. Pembrooke. I’m not going to ask you again.” Jackson looked over at Clarence Pembrooke, before taking her by the arm and gently pushing her back over beside him. “Either you keep your wife quiet, or I’ll take my hankie and tie it around her mouth to keep her that way myself.”

  “Well, I’ve never…” Her words stopped as Jackson stared her down, and she finally stepped back beside her husband, crossing her arms angrily over her chest.

  Kathryn wouldn’t meet Colt’s eyes. He wanted to go over and grab her by the arms to shake some sense into her. Why couldn’t she have just listened to him? Martha Pembrooke would never have had enough evidence to get him arrested for killing Constantine, but obviously Kathryn was going to make sure of it.

  And now she was going to be accused of things she hadn’t done either.

  “I’m Kathryn Reeves, the schoolteacher who lives on the property. Colt came along, and we were outside talking for a while before we smelled the smoke.” She briefly glanced his way, and he knew she was thinking about the moment they’d first noticed the smoke in the air. Thankfully, she hadn’t revealed that part of the story or what they’d been doing.

  “So, you can verify that Colt would have been with you in the time before the fire broke out?”

  She nodded. “Yes, he was with me.”

  Mrs. Pembrooke gasped loudly. “Well, young lady, you can be sure your teaching career is over. I’ll make sure of that.”

  This time, Jackson wasn’t as gentle as he took her arm and led her to her buggy, almost pushing her up into the seat. “Clarence, take your wife home before I arrest her for being a nuisance.”

  If not for the severity of the situation, Colt wouldn’t have been able to hold back his laughter when Mrs. Pembrooke sputtered, trying to speak as the buggy finally pulled away. Even as they drove down the lane toward the road, they could hear her voice hollering at her husband to take her back. Colt cringed knowing the ear-lashing the poor man was going to endure on the way home.

  Jackson faced them again and shook his head. Through all of it, Caleb had stood back quietly, and now he walked forward to stand next to them. “I’d say it’s just a matter of time before all of Promise hears about this, so I’m going to head back into town and try to stop things from getting too far.”

  “Miss, thanks for your honesty. And, Colt, I never did believe you’d done it, I hope you know that.”

  Colt was still watching Kathryn, who stood perfectly straight, not looking any of them in the eye. He knew she was embarrassed, and he wished he could fix all of this to save her reputation somehow.

  But the damage was done, and no matter what he said now, he knew Kathryn was never going to be able to stay, even if she wanted to.

  Chapter 22

  “Oh, Kathryn. I wish you would stay at least until the community board members have a chance to meet with the superintendent of the district. I’m sure everything will be sorted out in your favor. Caleb and Fae certainly will be on your side, and I know they don’t want you to leave.”

  Kathryn smiled sadly at her dear aunt. She’d packed up her few belongings in the cabin earlier and had come to spend her last night in Promise at the boardinghouse so she could catch the stage tomorrow.

  After her announcement yesterday, it hadn’t taken long for Mrs. Pembrooke to share the information with the entire town. Even though Kathryn knew most of the people who lived here were kind and forgiving, she didn’t want to put them in the position of having the scandal of a teacher who had done something improper.

  So she’d announced she would leave and let them find another teacher who could take over.

  It had been hard to tell Delia and Owen, and Mrs. Hammond too. She’d let them know about her decision yesterday after everyone had left. Colt was gone, and she hadn’t seen him since. She figured he was glad she’d made everything easier by just leaving. Although she admitted she was a bit hurt that he hadn’t come down to talk to her at all, or even say goodbye, but she knew it was likely for the best.

  In her heart, she knew she’d fallen in love with him, and knowing that, there was never going to be an easy way to say goodbye.

  She’d told all of the children in her class this morning she was going home and let them know how much she would miss them all. It had been so hard to give them all one last hug. While some of the girls cried openly, she could tell there were even a few boys who were struggling to keep their tears back.

  They didn’t know the details of why she was leaving, and she hoped even as they got older and learned the truth, they wouldn’t judge her too harshly.

  She’d been avoiding Fae and anyone else she knew would try convincing her to stay until the superintendent arrived to discuss the situation tomorrow. She just couldn’t face the humiliation of everyone talking about her, while she waited to hear her fate. Even though she knew she hadn’t really done anything inappropriate, and she was sure a lot of her friends in town knew it, having all of her transgressions discussed in a room full of people wasn’t something she wanted to deal with.

  So she would leave and make it easier for everyone.

  It irked her that Mrs. Pembrooke would see this as a victory, but Kathryn hoped the community would be able to find another teacher who could come out here and take over so the school could keep operating. The children shouldn’t have to suffer for what happened.

  “It’s for the best, Aunt Lucy. They can find a new teacher, and in a few months, everything will be forgotten. I could never live with myself if Delia or Owen ever heard anything bad about their father due to gossip in town. This is his home, so if I go, people will forget in time.”

  “But you didn’t even do anything, and we all know it.”

  “I know, Aunt Lucy, but it’s just the way of the world. Besides, I can get a good job back in Boston and will make a lot more money than I ever could out here.”

  Her aunt clucked her tongue and shook her head. “Kathryn Reeves, I wasn’t born yesterday. We both know money has never been the reason for what you’re doing. You love teaching, and you also love being out here in the country. This is where you belong.”

  Kathryn was too tired to argue anymore, so she turned back to look out the window at the darkening street outside. Promise had only a few gas lanterns lighting up the streets at night, and she knew Old Tom would be going around soon to light them. But right now, the street was empty from the usual bustle of wagons and people throughout the day.

  She could see a light on across the street at the mercantile, and she wished she could go over to visit her friend, but she knew it would only make leaving harder.

  She was going to miss the quiet life she’d started to get used to. The fresh summer air, so unlike what she’d lived with growing up, was something she would miss the most. In the city, the smell of horse manure, sweaty bodies, and smoke left her longing for air she could breathe deeply of without ever needing to carry a kerchief to cover her nose from t
he stench.

  As she watched, a wagon hurried into town and stopped in front of the mercantile. Her eyebrows pulled together, and she stood up, immediately recognizing the figures quickly jumping down.

  “Is that Winnie, and little Delia?” Her aunt had come over to see what she was looking at.

  “It is. Colt must still not be home, but where’s Owen? And why are they coming into town so late?”

  Something in her stomach just wasn’t sitting right. The way Mrs. Hammond had driven the wagon into town and then jumped out as though she was a spry child, and not an aging widow, told Kathryn something was wrong.

  She hurried out the door, lifting her skirt as she ran across the street to the mercantile. As she raced up the steps, she almost collided with Caleb as he threw the door open and ran out.

  “What’s going on? Is Colt all right? Owen?” Kathryn gasped out.

  Caleb kept going, stopping just long enough to look at her seriously and shake his head. “Owen’s gone missing. He left a note and said he was leaving. Go on inside. Fae is with Mrs. Hammond and Delia. I’m going to gather some men and head out to find him.”

  Kathryn ran inside, with her aunt right behind her. As soon as she got through the door, Delia ran over and threw her arms around her waist.

  “Miss Reeves, Owen ran away, and Pa’s not home, and we don’t even know where he is. Everyone is leaving me!”

  Kathryn pulled the small arms from around her and crouched down, holding both of Delia’s hands firmly in her own as she looked into her eyes and smiled. “Delia, don’t worry. I know Mr. Bailey and all the men in this town won’t stop looking for your brother until they’ve found him. And I’m sure your pa will be home soon too.”

  Tears streamed down the girl’s face from red-rimmed eyes. She sniffed and shook her head. “You’re leaving too.”

  The little voice sounded so grief-stricken, that every single word she spoke tore at Kathryn’s heart.