A Love Transformed

by Tracie Peterson

  “I’ve never known you to find anything that couldn’t be done. However, I’ll worry about it later. Clara and I intend to marry after a decent time of mourning, so perhaps there won’t be any need to worry ourselves over the trust. After all, once we’re married, I will be able to control her business affairs.”

  John got to his feet and gathered up the file documents. “I’ll get right to work on all of this. It should be easy enough to draw up papers showing that your brother signed over his ownership in the business, as well as the house. I have his signature on file as well as a good forger in my employ. The rest will take a little more doing. I’ll need to pay for witnesses and the proper recording of said documents with falsified dates.” He paused and rubbed his chin. “If you’ll write out a draft for say . . . hmmm, one thousand dollars, I will be on my way.”

  “One thousand dollars?” Otto shook his head. “You need one thousand dollars to bribe officials to make these changes?”

  John smiled and shook his head. “Five hundred is for my services . . . and silence.” He smiled in a self-confident manner. “The rest will be used for bribes and incidentals.”

  Otto sighed. “Very well. I’ll have Jack write out a draft, but it will very nearly clean me out.” He got to his feet and crossed to the door. “I’ll expect a quick turnaround—otherwise, I’ll be hard-pressed to pay my remaining salaries and rents.”

  “There’s a war on,” the lawyer said with a shrug. “Nothing but war efforts moves fast these days.”

  “Well, you need to find a way to make it move fast.”

  “Perhaps that check will need to be made out for fifteen hundred.” Bradley looked him in the eye and didn’t back down.

  Otto knew the lawyer had him right where he wanted him. “Very well. I want this resolved by the end of the week.”

  Jack wrote out the draft at Otto’s instructions, then turned the check over to Otto for his signature. It grieved him to part with so much money, but he knew in a very short time he would have the money from the stocks and bonds to help cushion the blow.

  He handed the check to Bradley. “Oh, and one more thing—you must keep this strictly between the three of us. I may be accompanying Harriet Oberlin to Montana. That’s where Clara and the children are at present, and Mrs. Oberlin wants me to aid her in bringing them back to New York. Jack will be able to handle matters in my absence—if I do decide to go. However, I don’t want anyone else to know where I’ve gone.”

  Bradley looked skeptical. “This hardly seems a wise time to travel.”

  “I know that, but it may be necessary.”

  “Very well. I will keep that in mind.” The two men shook hands. “I will endeavor to see you again before the close of business on Friday.”

  Once Bradley had gone, Jack rose from his desk. “When do you figure to leave?”

  Otto shrugged. “Like I said, I don’t know for sure that I will go. I’ll keep you informed, but it won’t happen before next week. I have too many things to do before I can leave.”

  The office’s outer door opened and a very angry Charles Weidel came into the room. “Vesper, I need to speak with you. Now!”

  He didn’t wait for permission but pushed his way past Otto and headed into the office. Jack looked at Otto in question.

  “See that we aren’t disturbed.” Otto started for the office, then stopped. “But first, bring us some coffee and add a healthy splash of whiskey.”

  He left the door open and went to take a seat at his desk. “What’s got you so riled up, Charles?”

  “This infernal war and a government who sees spies behind every bush.”

  Otto nodded. “Jack is bringing us coffee, but why don’t you go ahead and explain. Jack knows to keep his mouth shut.”

  “I wish that were true of everyone.”

  “And just what is that supposed to mean?” Otto frowned, hoping—almost praying—that Weidel wasn’t wise to his actions.

  “There is a traitor in our organization. That much is clear.”

  Jack appeared with two coffees. “Will there be anything else?” he asked, putting the cups on the desk.

  “No. Leave us,” Weidel ordered as if this were his secretary rather than Otto’s.

  Otto decided to allow for the command. “Just close the door behind you, Jack.”

  Jack made a hasty exit, and Otto waited until the door was shut tight before turning back to Weidel. “What has happened to make you suspect a traitor?” He picked up his cup and sampled the strong brew. The coffee wasn’t all that hot, but the whiskey warmed him all the same. Pity it wasn’t a cold day.

  “Because all of my efforts are failing. At every point I’m met with complication and interference. I’ve barely managed to keep myself from coming up suspect. If not for my strong political allies, I might well find myself hauled in for questioning.”

  Otto gave a casual smile. “Now, why would anyone consider a staunch American such as yourself a possible threat? You’ve done much for this state, and your friendship with James Gerard, our esteemed ambassador to Germany, is well known.”

  “Yes, but Gerard has resigned and will no doubt retire to that Montana ranch of his. You know he married the daughter of that Marcus Daly fellow. They called Daly the Copper King because of his vast holdings in various mines. No doubt they will benefit greatly from this war.”

  “I wasn’t aware of Mrs. Gerard’s background. Even so, it can only help. Gerard is known to be American through and through, and tying him to the West and ranch life will make him seem ever more the faithful citizen living out the dreams of his forefathers. So you see, your close friendship with him will hold you in good stead. They once questioned his loyalty as well and it proved a moot point. No doubt it will be the same if they try to implicate you, and you can always call upon Gerard to speak on your behalf.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Weidel looked most uncomfortable. “The fact is, however, our own associates are quite distressed with me. Perhaps they will believe me to have turned coat.” He nursed his drink a moment.

  “I’m sure our associates are smart enough to realize the game you must play. You have access to men that are critical to our cause—even if those same men fail to realize how they are helping us. It isn’t easy to have a foot in both worlds, but we definitely need for you to continue doing so.”

  “So will you teach me how to dig up sapphires?” Hunter asked Curtis over a game of checkers.

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever be returning to the mine.” Curtis moved his piece, then straightened. “In fact, I’m thinking I’ll probably give it up altogether.”

  Hunter frowned. “Why?”

  Curtis leaned back against the chair. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be up to such work. The doctor told me it will be a long while before we’ll know for sure if I’ll be able to walk properly. It may also be a long time before my back stops hurting me.”

  “I heard you tell Mama that you wanted to join the soldiers going to war.” Hunter looked at him as if expecting him to deny it.

  “I did want to join them. As an American I feel it is our duty to serve our country when called upon. This war is going to require a great many men to fight.”

  “I don’t want you to go. You might get shot like my father.”

  Curtis had never heard the boy speak of his father before now. He dared the same question he’d posed to Maddy. “Do you miss him?”

  Hunter frowned. “Father didn’t come play with me, and he was quite cross when we were too noisy. I don’t miss him, and now he’s never going to come back. I don’t want you to go away and never come back.”

  Maddy’s attitude about her father’s lack of interest in their lives came to mind. Curtis had thought perhaps this was due to her being a daughter rather than a son. He had figured that perhaps Vesper had at least given something of himself to Hunter, but apparently not.

  “I’d like a father like you,” Hunter said with a smile. “Even when you’re hurt you tell me stories
and play games with me. You’d be a good father.”

  His comments so stunned Curtis that for several seconds he couldn’t reply. After all, what could he say to the boy?

  Maddy saved him from having to comment as she came bounding into the room. “Mama said to tell you she’s bringing you some cookies and milk.” She climbed up on Curtis’s empty bed and smoothed out her new calico skirt. “Auntie Madeline made this for me. Do you like it?”

  Curtis smiled. “I like it very much, Miss Maddy. The blue matches your eyes.”

  She nodded. “I like it too. It feels better than my other dresses. Auntie Madeline and Mama are making me some more dresses like this so I won’t tear my city clothes.”

  Hunter, not to be outdone, chimed in. “They made me these pants that go all the way down to my shoes just like a grown-up man.”

  “Ranch clothes are pretty different from city clothes.” Curtis could tell that the children were more comfortable in their new clothes than they had been in their finery.

  “Mama said that’s ’cause you have to work in them,” Hunter replied. “They gotta be strong and bend every which-a-way.”

  “Auntie Madeline made me two aprons,” Maddy interjected. “That way I won’t get stuff on my dress.”

  “Well, it sounds to me like you two plan on sticking around.” Curtis hoped that was true. He had come to accept the truth of how much he wanted to play a part in this family.

  Maddy jumped off the bed when her mother appeared with a tray of milk and cookies. Clara smiled at her children and placed the tray at the foot of the bed. “I’m sure you boys could use some refreshment.”

  Curtis chuckled. “Yes, we worked up quite an appetite playing checkers.” He leaned forward and made a final move with the checkers. “Crown me. And I just won the game.”

  Hunter looked at the board and frowned. “One of these days I’m going to win.”

  “You’re getting better all the time,” Curtis assured. “Why don’t we clear the game away and we can have our milk and cookies here.”

  Hunter did his best, and with Curtis’s help, they made quick work out of it. Clara stood watching them, her expression tender. Curtis thought she was more beautiful than ever, and his desire to be with her had taken over his concerns about his physical problems. Even the past no longer seemed like an insurmountable obstacle. There was something about her that gave him hope. The only thing that really worried him was Clara herself. She’d stopped saying anything about her love for him.

  With the table cleared, Clara brought the tray over and placed it between her son and Curtis. “We just made these cookies this morning, didn’t we, Maddy?”

  The girl nodded. “It wasn’t hard at all, but I couldn’t take the pans out of the oven. Mama was afraid I’d get burned.”

  Curtis picked up a cookie and held it up as if inspecting it. “You’ll be old enough to do that before you know it. Say, I believe these are some of the finest cookies I’ve ever had. This one is perfectly round.” He bit into it and savored the flavor. Maddy continued to watch him as if trying to gauge his pleasure or displeasure. Curtis swallowed and nodded. “This is the best cookie I’ve ever eaten.”

  Maddy smiled and looked up at her mother. “Can we go make some more?”

  Clara shook her head. “No. Remember I told you we’re going to help Aunt Madeline in the garden. In fact, we’d best get out there or she’ll have done all the work.” She moved to the door and smiled at her son. “Hunter, when you finish you need to lie down and rest.”

  “Does Curtis have to take a nap too?”

  Curtis lifted a brow and gave her a questioning smile. She shrugged, the smile leaving her face. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t tired, but it’s not my job to tell him what he’s feeling. He has to figure that out for himself.”

  Curtis was taken aback at her tone. What had changed her mood? One minute everything had been light and friendly, and the next she looked . . . well . . . she looked sad.

  After she’d gone, Curtis continued to try to figure out what was wrong. He finished his cookie and chased it down with some milk. Was she worried about him getting enough rest or concerned that he was in pain? He sighed and drew the glass to his lips as Hunter sighed too. Curtis glanced over to find Hunter was doing his best to mimic his actions. It made Curtis only too aware that children were easily influenced.

  “I’m sure glad they thought to bring us cookies and milk.” Curtis picked up another cookie. “Your mama is a good woman.”

  Hunter nodded and picked up a second cookie as well. “She smells good too.”

  Curtis laughed. “Is that what you like best about her?”

  “No. I like it when she plays with me or reads me a book. She does different voices sometimes.” He giggled. “She read us The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. That was my favorite, and she made all sorts of voices for the people. Have you read it?”

  Curtis shook his head. “I haven’t. Maybe we could talk your mama into reading it to us while we’re getting well.”

  “I’ll ask her, but I don’t think she brought the book.” Hunter didn’t wait for Curtis to start eating his second cookie. With his mouth full, he added, “Mama doesn’t make me eat liver. I don’t like liver.” The boy’s face was scrunched up at the very thought.

  “I don’t like it either,” Curtis replied.

  Hunter smiled and nodded. “Then we’re just alike.”

  18

  The day of the twins’ birthday arrived and the atmosphere at the ranch was one of celebration. Throughout the day the adults bestowed little birthday surprises, much to Hunter and Maddy’s delight.

  Clara had surprised them first thing with the announcement that they wouldn’t be required to do chores that day. Hunter asked if this extended to not having to wash up as well, but that idea was rejected. Next Clara served them a breakfast of their favorites. Pancakes rolled up with sugared berries and topped with whipped cream.

  After breakfast they begged to go to the barn to feed their lambs, declaring that it wasn’t work—it was fun. So Paul took them out and helped with that bit of fun. When that was completed, Paul and Madeline took them fishing, something Maddy wasn’t at all sure she wanted to do until Madeline told her that inevitably they would end up in the water themselves and Uncle Paul would teach them how to swim. This intrigued her enough to go along quite willingly.

  With all of them gone, Clara set up an outdoor picnic for their lunch. Madeline had made them a large chocolate cake, and together with Clara’s help they had created a meal of the children’s favorites. Corn on the cob, fresh tomatoes, fried chicken, and sweet pickles were to accompany the birthday cake, and Clara knew it would more than meet with Maddy and Hunter’s approval.

  And, of course, there were the gifts. Shortly after their arrival at the ranch, Clara had written to Perkins, requesting that he locate a box of children’s books she had purchased prior to Adolph’s death. She enclosed cash and asked him to please mail the books as soon as possible, being careful not to allow anyone to know where she had gone. She knew she could trust the man, and only a few days ago the box had arrived, brought from town by the sheriff, who was coming out that way to pay Paul and Madeline a visit.

  Perkins had written her an interesting letter, telling her that her mother had taken herself back to her own house a few weeks after Clara’s departure. She had ranted and raved at the staff, confident that they knew where Clara and the children had gone. She had even threatened them with losing their positions, but many of them had already accepted jobs elsewhere and weren’t concerned. Since then he’d seen nothing of her or Mr. Vesper. Clara knew that could either be good or bad.

  Seeing that it was almost time for the children to return, she gathered up the gifts she and her aunt had wrapped and brought them out to the table. After that she asked Phil and Joe to let Curtis know it was time for the party. She had done her best to avoid him ever since the doctor removed his remaining cast. With him back on his feet, even though
he had far to go before being fully recovered, Clara felt there was no need for her to spend time with him. In fact, she had come up with the idea that perhaps Curtis again needed to see what it was like to be without her. Absence might make the heart grow fonder. Or maybe it would help him to finally figure out what he wanted where she was concerned.

  With this new plan in mind, Clara turned any Curtis-related duties over to her aunt, explaining that it would be better for her to do household and ranching chores. To her surprise, Aunt Madeline had agreed. Her aunt’s reaction had also disappointed Clara, although she would have never admitted it. A part of her had almost hoped her aunt would insist Clara continue caring for Curtis. At least that would make it her aunt’s command and not Clara’s desire. But Madeline had cheerfully taken on the arrangement, and Clara was relegated to housework. She told herself this was how she wanted it. She even advised the children not to visit Curtis as much, as he needed to focus on healing. She didn’t tell them that she hoped the separation might also help him realize that he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life without them being a part of it.

  She had Hunter’s bed moved back to his shared room with Maddy once his arm had healed, much to the boy’s disappointment. She eased his misery and her own by reading her children bedtime Bible stories. Of course, that did nothing to assuage her loneliness when she was back in her own room.

  Clara caught sight of Curtis stepping out onto the porch. Joe was right behind him, offering support if needed. The doctor had given Curtis strict limitations, including the need to use a cane, which Curtis hadn’t liked at all. She noticed, however, that he leaned pretty heavily on the cane when stepping on his left leg.

  Then without warning he looked up and met her gaze. Clara felt his eyes burn through hers as if searching for something deep within. She braced herself. It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen him at all during the last week, but seeing him only served to remind her of what she couldn’t have. Her longing for what might have been had eaten at her, and the more Curtis recovered, the worse she felt. She was lonely. Lonely in a house of people. Lonely for a man who swore he cared nothing about her.