A Love Transformed

by Tracie Peterson

  “So can I stay here?” Hunter asked.

  There was no way Curtis was going to tell the boy no, even though he wasn’t at all sure he wanted him there. Since having the ability to get up and walk short distances, Curtis had seen less and less of Clara. She still came in occasionally, but Joe now helped him with his exercises to strengthen his leg and back, and Madeline often reverted to bringing his meals. If Hunter were to reside here as well, no doubt Clara would come more often. Curtis knew it could prove dangerous and thought to refuse, but instead acceptance came out of his mouth.

  “I don’t see why not,” he answered, hoping it wasn’t a mistake.

  Hunter nodded enthusiastically. “I knew you’d say yes. We can play checkers and you can read stories to me.”

  “Well, you need to keep in mind that Curtis is still healing,” Clara said.

  Curtis wondered if she too worried about the additional time they’d be together. He hated that he no longer knew what to do. A part of him saw hope in his healing, while another knew that healing his body wasn’t going to change the past. He thought she was wonderful to claim indifference to the man he’d once been, but he knew how his actions could damage her reputation and that of the children.

  Madeline took hold of Hunter’s good arm. “I’ll have Joe and Phil come in and move things around and bring his bed in. Meanwhile, Hunter, why don’t you come with me and show Uncle Paul your sling.”

  They left before Curtis could say anything. Even Clara seemed surprised by their hasty departure. Silence engulfed them as Clara seemed to look right through him.

  “Are you all right?”

  She slumped against the wall and let out a long breath. “I think so. I feel quite overwhelmed.”

  “Was that the first time something had happened to one of them?”

  She nodded. “It’s my fault for not watching them closer.”

  “Clara, they’re kids. They’re going to get hurt. We got hurt and we survived. Hunter and Maddy will do the same.”

  “But some children don’t survive. You and I both know that. I suppose I never really considered the dangers of ranch life before bringing them here.”

  Even though she was conversing with him, Curtis felt she was lost somewhere deep in her thoughts. He knew seeing her son injured had taken its toll, but he hoped she wouldn’t turn into one of those mothers who never let her children out of her sight.

  “Clara, you can’t keep them locked up in a box. Everything has turned out all right.” He looked at her standing there. She seemed so frail—so needy. He longed to go to her and pull her into his arms and promise her nothing bad would ever happen again. But, of course, he couldn’t guarantee that, and he didn’t dare let her think there was something more between them than what there was. They were just old friends living under the same roof. Two people who had once loved each other enough to plan a life together. Two people who were still in love.

  The thought slammed into him like a wild horse against a fence. No matter how hard he worked to convince himself that he didn’t love Clara, his heart refused to listen. I can’t love her, he told himself sternly. He lowered his gaze to the floor and sighed as the truth washed over him. I can’t not love her.

  For the next couple of days, Curtis continued to mull over his feelings for Clara and pray. He talked it out over and over with God, apologizing for his bad attitude and anger toward Him and seeking direction for what he should do. Now that he was on the mend and could see hope—the real possibility of getting back on his feet—Curtis found himself feeling less inclined to put Clara away from him. Whenever she came to tend to Hunter, he tried his best to be good-natured. He even started conversations, which he’d been hesitant to do before.

  “And Curtis told me about breaking his arm when he was five,” Hunter told his mother that morning when she came to bring them lunch. “He fell off a horse.”

  “I actually got bucked off,” Curtis corrected.

  Hunter’s eyes were wide in the retelling. “The horse started jumping up and down and went all over the place.” He tried to bob to one side but winced.

  Clara looked over her shoulder at Curtis. “Been filling his head with wild tales, eh?”

  “They’re true tales. I’ve had a bit of a wild past, that much I admit to.” He met her gaze, knowing she would realize he was speaking about more than his childhood.

  She nodded and quickly turned away. “We all have our regrets.”

  “Curtis told me he’d teach me to ride a horse when he gets well, and Unca Paul said maybe for our birthday he’d take us out for a ride. If my arm’s all better.”

  Clara said nothing but turned away from her son’s animated face to serve Curtis his lunch. He could see the idea wasn’t sitting well with her.

  “When is your birthday, Hunter?” he asked.

  “July the twenty-sixth. Maddy was born first, but I was the boy and Mama said that was important too.”

  “You both have your importance,” Clara said, stepping back. “Each person is important to God.”

  “Your mama is right,” Curtis said, picking up a piece of cold fried chicken. “And since we aren’t able to go to the Fourth of July picnic in town, I think we should plan up a big birthday party for you and Maddy. What do you think?”

  “I think it sounds great,” Hunter declared. “We never had a birthday party.”

  “Well then, I think it’s about time.” Curtis smiled up at Clara. She smiled back, no longer looking fearful. “Hunter and I will start thinking up ideas for the party.”

  “What party?” Maddy asked from the doorway.

  “Hey, just the gal we need,” Curtis called out. “Your brother and I figure to plan a birthday party for you two. We’re going to need your ideas.”

  Maddy walked across the room to where Clara stood. She looked up at her mother and then to Curtis. “We’re going to need a big cake, ’cause Auntie Madeline told me Unca Paul really likes cake.”

  Curtis laughed. “He does. I think he could eat a whole cake by himself.”

  Maddy frowned and looked momentarily perplexed before saying, “Then maybe we need two cakes.”

  As Curtis and Hunter ate, the trio continued to discuss ideas for a birthday party. After lunch, Curtis wasn’t surprised when the twins nodded off. Hunter and Maddy had rambled on and on about the party, and it wasn’t long before Maddy curled up at the foot of her brother’s bed and closed her eyes. It was only a minute or two later when Hunter too fell asleep.

  Clara showed up at the door with a couple of books and a newspaper shortly after that. She handed these things to Curtis, then turned toward Hunter’s bed. “Paul thought you might want to read when the opportunity presented itself.”

  She smiled with great tenderness as she covered each of her children with a quilt. “Maddy has missed having Hunter in her room. They’ve never slept apart until now. Used to be you couldn’t even get them to sleep in separate beds.” She straightened and met Curtis’s eyes. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  He shook his head. “No. I don’t mind. I kind of like having them around.” She nodded, then hurried from the room.

  Curtis knew his heart was changing where Clara and the children were concerned. He wasn’t at all sure how the future was going to play out, but he was starting to allow himself to think about the possibilities.

  Picking up the newspaper, he thumbed through the pages. Seemed Montana’s own Jeannette Rankin had been condemned for being the only person in Congress to vote against entering the war. The woman was the first to hold such a high position in the government, and people loved to find fault.

  Curtis turned the page and scanned the story of an eastern railroad facing bankruptcy, and then his eye caught sight of a tiny article in the corner. He might not have noticed it at all but for the title.

  “Vesper Genius”

  He read the brief announcement that the real creator of the Vesper collection of jewelry was not Adolph Vesper, as originally thought, but rather
his brother, Otto. The twin had displayed several new pieces as proof of this and gave the public the promise of more. Curtis lowered the paper, wondering if Paul had seen the notice.

  “What kind of game is Vesper up to?”

  He put the paper aside and wondered if Clara knew her brother-in-law was taking credit for her creations. Perhaps she was aware of it and didn’t care, but there was an equal chance she knew nothing about it and Vesper was taking advantage of her absence.

  For several long minutes Curtis pondered what, if anything, he should do about this news. Clara had made it clear that she hoped to remain in Montana. Perhaps this was her arrangement. She’d create jewelry here and send the designs east for her brother-in-law to develop and sell. It made sense, but his claiming the glory didn’t. Clara deserved to have people know that it was her creativity that had designed such beautiful pieces.

  “But if I tell her and she didn’t know, she might want to return to New York.”

  He barely whispered the words, but it caused Maddy to stir and roll over. Curtis decided it might be better if he contemplated the matter later. Maybe after supper he could get a chance to speak with Paul alone, and together they could figure out if they should tell Clara.

  17

  Montana!” Harriet Oberlin stormed around the room, huffing and puffing. “I should have thought of that. She used to spend her summers in that wretched place with her father’s sister and her husband. They have a ranch there where they raise sheep.” The final word was delivered with much disdain. “Sheep—of all things. They couldn’t even have a respectable cattle ranch. It’s an abominable place in the middle of nowhere.”

  Otto nodded, marveling at the various colors Harriet Oberlin’s face had turned. “So my man tells me.”

  Harriet seemed to momentarily run out of steam. She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve. “It was quite useful for ridding myself of Clara each summer.” She dabbed her forehead, then tucked the lace-edged cloth back where it had been. She blew out a breath, and Otto steeled himself for another onslaught of Oberlin temper.

  “Well, there’s nothing to be done but for me to bring her back.” Harriet shook her head, looking thoroughly disgusted. “I dread even thinking about the trip out there. It’s such a miserably long train ride, and then one must go by wagon because a carriage never holds up on that rough terrain.”

  “Perhaps things have changed in the last fourteen years. Hasn’t it been at least that long since you were last there?”

  “Yes, but Montana is such a backward state.”

  Otto chuckled. “Not so backward. They are after all the first state to elect a woman to Congress. That in and of itself is an amazing feat, given women don’t even have the right to vote in elections.”

  Harriet harrumphed and shook her finger at him. “This isn’t about that ninny; it’s about Clara and getting her back. Clara has never known what’s good for her. She’s like a child who requires constant guidance. I’m sure she drove your brother half mad.”

  Otto didn’t believe Clara was all that helpless, and he knew full well his brother considered her an asset, even if he didn’t love her. Not only that, but she’d made her way with two children clear across the country without the benefit of her mother’s help and apparently was just fine. He thought for a moment of throwing that in Harriet’s reddened face, then decided against it. Better to put his anger at Harriet—and Clara, for that matter—aside.

  “When will you go?”

  Harriet tapped her chin. “Well, I have quite a few engagements this week, but I could see my way to going next week.” She muttered something incoherent and shook her head. “I had hoped to never make that trip again.”

  “I don’t suppose if we sent her a letter requesting she return—”

  “Ha! She’d never obey. She didn’t stay here when she knew it was expected of her. Why would you ever imagine she’d come at our beck and call? No, I’ll have to go get her. You might even consider joining me. It may well take us both.”

  Otto thought about it a moment. It might be a good way to remove himself from all the espionage and Weidel’s demands. Ever since the foiled attempt to blow up the naval yards, thanks to Otto sending an anonymous tip to the authorities, Weidel had been almost impossible to deal with. Otto feared he might even suspect him of causing the problem.

  “I’ll see what my schedule will allow,” Otto told the woman. “For now, however, I must return to my office. I have a meeting at one.” He glanced at the clock on the mantel. “I’ll telephone you later and let you know if I can accompany you.”

  Harriet nodded. “Well, just keep in mind that you were the one who wanted to marry her. You have just as much at stake here as I do.”

  “Indeed I do, but as I also told you, it will be worth your time and trouble to assist me in making this marriage happen.” He ran his finger along his mustache. “I don’t think you’ll be sorry.”

  “You’ve been rather vague on how this is to benefit me,” Harriet said, her gray eyes narrowing. “However, I suppose we can work out those details on our trip west.”

  Otto considered that statement all the way back to the office. He had no intention of giving Clara’s mother anything more than he absolutely had to give. However, she was a menace—and the sooner he rid himself of her interference the better.

  He entered his office to find his lawyer, John Bradley, waiting with a cup of coffee. “Sorry, the traffic was quite tangled.” He looked at Jack. “See that we aren’t disturbed.”

  “Should I bring you coffee?”

  Otto shook his head. “Just leave us be.” He turned to the awaiting man. “Come on, John. I have a great deal to discuss.”

  He led the way, then stood back at the door to allow the thin man a chance to enter first. The man was neither tall nor distinguished in appearance, but there was a look about him that left no doubt he was capable and used to getting his way.

  “Have a seat.” Otto closed the door, then divested himself of his hat. It was quite warm and so, without thought as to what the older man might think, he took off his coat as well.

  If Bradley was offended, he said nothing and merely sank into the offered chair. Otto had known the man for over thirty years, and this wouldn’t be the first time he’d sought John to help him on some underhanded deal.

  Otto opened his desk drawer and pulled out a file folder. Inside he revealed the deed to Clara’s house, the stocks and bonds he’d taken from his brother’s safe, and a copy of his brother’s will.

  “I find the business in desperate straits due to my brother’s foolish choices and this infernal war. Imagine the government shutting down the mining of gemstones in order to put those men to work mining metals. It’s oppression of the worst kind in a country that prides itself on freedom.” He pushed the papers toward John. “I had to let most of my workers go. It seems our business is less than necessary for the war efforts. Never mind that my creditors continue to want their pay.”

  “And that’s where I come in?” John asked in an almost amused tone.

  Otto glared and slammed his hand down on the desk. “I’ve been striving to straighten out the mess, but unfortunately there is still much to be done and it’s going to take a bit of discretion.”

  “And what is it you think I can do?”

  “As you might remember, my brother’s will left me nothing of importance. He left everything to Clara and the children. And while Clara knows this about the will, I’ve already made it clear to her that Adolph died without a penny of his own.” Otto swallowed hard, fearing that his lawyer would figure out this was not the whole truth.

  John chuckled. “You mentioned that once before. She must be quite naïve to believe you. Good thing too. In this day and age of women asserting themselves, demanding the vote and wanting to stick their noses into every aspect of man’s business, I’m surprised she trusts you at all.”

  “She is too concerned about her children to worry overmuch about whether I’m telling the
truth or not. What I need from you is to arrange all the proper papers to prove my case. I managed some time ago to get into my brother’s safe. I have the house deed here, and you already have the corporate papers. These stocks and bonds I need to have sold, even if you do so pretending to be acting on Clara’s behalf.”

  “That’s easy enough—for the right price. There will be plenty of palms to grease. There is just one matter that I won’t be able to risk altering.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The trust your brother set aside for his children.”

  Otto frowned. “I didn’t even know he had a trust for them.”

  Bradley nodded. “He told me that when they were born he arranged it, should anything happen to him. I offered to oversee it, but Adolph told me he was content to have it handled elsewhere.” He held up his hand. “Before you ask me who is handling it, I don’t know.”

  “Does Clara know anything about this?”

  “I have no way of knowing, but I would venture a guess that she does not. After all, when you told her that her husband died without anything left to his name, she surely would have asked about the trust.”

  “I suppose you’re right on that account.” Otto had never heard his brother mention the trust, and certainly Clara had never commented on it.

  “Unfortunately, as I mentioned, the trust wasn’t set up by me. However, as I understand it, Mrs. Vesper will handle the funds and have access to use them for the benefit of her children until the twins reach their majority. It’s quite a hefty sum of money, but it won’t be possible for us to touch.”

  This news didn’t sit well with Otto. “How much money are we talking about?”

  “Over one million dollars.”

  Otto narrowed his gaze. “Where in the world did my brother get that kind of money without my knowing?” He picked up a pencil and broke it in two. “Why did you never say anything about this?”

  The lawyer shrugged. “There was never any need. Your brother’s affairs were his own, just as you had yours. I certainly didn’t make him privy to all of your doings. I only mention this now because you want all of these other changes. I figured if you knew about the trust, you’d expect it changed as well, but it can’t be done.”