A Love Transformed

by Tracie Peterson

  “I demand that this wedding be stopped,” her mother declared loudly.

  “Madam, might I inquire as to your name?” Pastor Cosgrove asked.

  “I am Clara’s mother, Harriet Oberlin.”

  Clara couldn’t help but turn to see her mother marching down the aisle. She was clothed in a gray walking suit with a black-and-gray hat perched atop her head. She had all the grace of an approaching tornado, and when she reached Clara, she grabbed hold of her with her gloved hands.

  “You will not marry this . . . this . . . man. I won’t allow it.”

  Clara tried to pull away, but her mother held fast and continued, “You can’t marry him. I’ve had it on the best authority that he is a convict and a womanizer.”

  “Don’t hurt my mama,” Hunter said as he moved to put himself between the two women. Curtis gently pulled him to his side. Maddy quickly joined them.

  “You have raised hoydens who are most disrespectful to their elders. I knew you were unfit to keep them here.”

  For a moment Clara thought her mother’s eyes actually glowed red. She blinked hard to clear her vision and found they had returned to their normal color. Her mind was playing tricks on her. No doubt the result of her anxiety.

  Her mother pointed a finger at Madeline and Paul. “You knew this man was no good, yet you allowed him in your home.”

  “Mrs. Oberlin, if I might interrupt,” Pastor Cosgrove said, stepping down from the pulpit. “Curtis makes no attempt to hide his past. He paid the price for his indiscretion of youth—served time and bore the ridicule and despair that comes with a life of sin.”

  “So you don’t deny it.” Her raised voice made Clara cringe. “I would think you might at least have the good sense to hide it from decent folks.”

  Clara knew there was nothing anyone could say that would stop her mother’s rantings, but she felt she had to try.

  “Mother, decent folks don’t try to hide the truth, nor should they want it hidden from them. We all have things in our past that we’d rather folks not know or at least not dwell on—including you, Mother.”

  “Well, I never!” Her mother dropped her hold.

  “I have to say,” Pastor Cosgrove interjected, “I believe it is time to put an end to this.”

  Clara’s mother turned to look at him with such disdain that Clara felt sorry for the older man. “What are you saying?” her mother demanded to know.

  “Only that this couple has come to me without pretense and asked to be married. Both are of legal age and have met all the requirements of the state and church. I am going to have to ask that you either take your seat so that we may continue, or leave.”

  Her mother’s face turned scarlet as she sputtered out her protest. “I won’t . . . will not be . . . ordered about by you . . . or anyone else.”

  “If need be, madam, I will ask that my elders help escort you from the sanctuary. This is a house of God, and as such I require reverence and civility.” The pastor took a step toward Clara’s mother, and she backed away.

  “If you strike me, I will have you thrown into jail.”

  The pastor didn’t flinch. Instead, he stood still and simply laughed. Clara bit her lip, knowing it was the worst thing he could have done to her angry mother. She looked to Curtis for help, but it was too late. Her mother muttered something incoherent and turned on her heel to storm from the church.

  For several moments no one said a word. The shock of the scene was so much that Clara wondered if the pastor would even continue with the ceremony. She didn’t have long to wonder.

  Pastor Cosgrove went back to his pulpit. “Before we continue, I want to say that I am quite troubled at the knowledge that gossip has been allowed to run rampant in our little town. For a complete stranger to come to our community and be told all the details of one forgiven man’s past . . . well, I’m deeply ashamed for whoever is responsible. If that person is a part of this congregation, I hope you realize the gravity of what you’ve done.”

  Clara had a feeling she knew who might be responsible. Naomi Bittner never had any trouble sharing what she knew, but there was no sense in throwing out accusations. They’d had enough trouble for one day.

  “Can we still get married?” Maddy asked, breaking the tension.

  Several of the people near the front heard her question and laughed softly. Pastor Cosgrove’s expression softened and he beamed Maddy a smile. “I think that would be the best thing to do. Don’t you?” Maddy gave a solemn nod.

  Pastor Cosgrove asked the congregation to bow in prayer. “Lord, we ask your blessing on this family. Marriage is a serious commitment that will require a great deal of patience and understanding. We ask that you would bless Curtis and Clara with both, as well as happiness and love. We ask that you would bless them along with Hunter and Maddy and make them a family strong in Christian faith and love for one another. Amen.”

  “Amen,” Clara murmured, hearing others do likewise.

  The pastor smiled. “Dearly beloved, we come here together in the sight of God and man to join this couple in holy matrimony.”

  Clara’s heart had just settled to a fairly even beat when she heard the church door open once again. She couldn’t help but turn to see if her mother had returned. She felt the blood drain from her face as her brother-in-law came forward with her mother not far behind.

  “I demand you stop this wedding!” Otto called out.

  Clara began to tremble. It was like a nightmare that wouldn’t end. It was all her fears rolled into one menacing threat. Curtis put his arm around her waist to steady her, but already Clara felt herself growing dizzy.

  “On what grounds?” the pastor countered.

  Clara began to sway. How could her mother and Otto do this to her?

  “On the grounds that the woman is already engaged to marry me.”

  That was all Clara heard. Her knees buckled and she felt Curtis’s strong arms wrap around her. Then there was nothing at all.

  23

  Did Uncle Otto kill my mama?” Clara heard her frantic son ask as she began to regain consciousness.

  “No, your mama just fainted. She’ll be just fine in a minute. See, she’s already starting to wake up,” Aunt Madeline explained. “Why don’t you and Maddy come with me and Uncle Paul? We’ll go for a walk so that your mama and Curtis can have a talk with your grandmother and uncle.”

  Clara opened her eyes as the cloudiness cleared from her mind. She found herself lying on the front pew with her head in Curtis’s lap. Seeing her mother and Otto scowling at her even as Pastor Cosgrove tried to speak to them, Clara sat up abruptly and fought the dizziness that resulted. In a moment it was gone and she squared her shoulders for battle.

  “Are you all right?” Curtis whispered, scooting closer.

  “I’m fine. Embarrassed to have fainted,” she admitted, “but fine.” She glanced around and found the church had been emptied except for her family and Pastor Cosgrove.

  “We’ve temporarily postponed the wedding,” Curtis explained.

  “It’s not postponed, it’s canceled!” Her mother broke away from the pastor and came to Clara. “You might not have listened to me, but Otto has a claim on you and you must listen to him.”

  “Otto has no claim on me. Not now—not ever.” Clara got to her feet and fixed her brother-in-law with an expression of displeasure. “How could you? How could either of you act in such an embarrassing manner?”

  “We’re acting for your good, Clara.” Otto stepped closer. “You aren’t making sensible decisions, and given that Adolph died only a few short months ago, it’s to be expected. However, that’s why more rational minds must intercede on your behalf.”

  “I have my aunt and uncle as well as Curtis to help me. I don’t need you or Mother to interfere. Neither of you have ever had my best interests at heart.”

  “How can you say that?” Otto looked quite hurt, but Clara was beginning to realize he was a consummate actor.

  “I say it because it’
s true.”

  “Clara, we need to talk. Alone.” Otto looked at her with pleading in his expression.

  “But I don’t wish to speak to you alone, Otto. There’s nothing you can say to me in private that you can’t say here in the company of all.”

  “I think there is. I know it will be easier for you to hear me without the distraction of the others. Just give me a chance, and if you still wish to stay, I will leave without another word.”

  “Nonsense!”

  Clara heaved a sigh at her mother’s declaration. She supposed the sooner she let Otto say his piece, the sooner she could rid herself of both.

  “Please, Clara,” Otto said in a hushed tone.

  “Very well.” She looked at Curtis. “Give us a few moments alone.”

  “Are you sure?” Curtis’s brow was raised in skepticism.

  “I am. Now that they’ve ruined the wedding, I might as well deal with them so they can return to New York.”

  “I’m not leaving here without you!” her mother declared. “If you don’t cooperate, I’ll—”

  “Mrs. Oberlin, please refrain from making threats. I’ll talk sense into Clara, and then we can all arrange to go home,” Otto interrupted, offering Clara his arm.

  Clara walked past him, refusing to even touch him. She didn’t stop walking until she was out of the church and some distance away, where a small grove of aspen were rustling in the wind.

  She turned to face him, knowing he’d be on her heels. She crossed her arms against her body and narrowed her eyes. “So speak your mind.”

  “You don’t need to be angry, Clara. I only want to save you from a life of heartache.” Otto had the audacity to smile. “You know how I feel about you. You know I have loved you from afar—the children too. Haven’t I always been good to you?”

  “I’m sorry that you love me, for I do not love you. Furthermore, I will never love you. I have only ever loved one man, and he is Curtis Billingham. Even your brother knew that I was in love with someone else. I never lied to him about it. In fact, I used it to try to convince him to release me from our engagement, but he wouldn’t.”

  “He most likely knew that this man’s life wasn’t decent. Adolph no doubt loved you enough to keep you from this . . . degradation.”

  “Adolph loved himself—his business—and if he loved anything else, I was not privileged to know it.” She sighed in complete exasperation. “Otto, go home. Take my mother and leave as soon as possible. I’m not going to marry you, and I’m not going to return to New York . . . ever.”

  His expression grew dark, and for a moment Clara wanted to back away. She suddenly felt afraid, remembering that her own husband feared Otto would end his life. Nevertheless, she stood her ground—even when he moved closer.

  “I had hoped to keep our discussion civil, but given your misguided intentions, I have to allow that you are temporarily unable to make a rational decision in this matter. Therefore, I will make it for you.”

  “You aren’t in a position to make that choice, Otto. You are neither my father nor my husband. You are my brother-in-law. Nothing more.”

  He smiled in such a way that made Clara most uneasy. His eyes betrayed his anger as they narrowed. “I know that your mother threatened to take the children away from you if you refused to return to New York. I am prepared to stand beside her in that. Together we have enough friends and money to make any judge see that you are completely insane.”

  Clara shook her head in disbelief. “Why? Why would you do that? Why do you hate me so?”

  “I don’t hate you. I love you. Just as I said. I cannot let you make such a monumental mistake.” He fingered his mustache. “What parent would lead their children into something that wasn’t in their best interest, or something even dangerous? I don’t want to take these actions, believe me. But to keep you and your children from harm, I feel I must.”

  “I’m no child, Otto, and you are certainly not my parent.”

  “No, I’m not, but for the sake of my niece and nephew, I will do what I must.”

  Clara tried to think of some way she could reason with him. The contents of her husband’s journals came to mind. She might be making a mistake in bringing it up now—it might very well result in Otto fleeing the authorities—but Clara felt it was her only ammunition.

  “I don’t think you will.” She relaxed her arms and drew in a long, deep breath. “You see, I know all about you and the treasonous actions you and Adolph participated in. Not only that, but I know that you were responsible for killing him.”

  She had never seen such a look of shock on anyone’s face as Otto had on his. If she had pulled a gun on him he surely wouldn’t have looked more surprised. Clara took the opportunity to continue. “I know that you and Adolph belonged to a consortium of spies who were responsible for a great many tragedies, including the sinking of the Lusitania.”

  “And just how do you know this?” His tone suggested that she was simply making it all up.

  “It’s enough for you to know that I have proof and that I’ll use it.”

  “Even at the risk of your children’s lives?”

  Clara shook her head. “My children will face no risk.”

  “They will if you go to the authorities.” The shocked expression was replaced by one of renewed confidence. “If you say anything against me, I’ll tell them that you were just as much a confederate in our organization as anyone.” He smiled again. “I’ll offer to give up all kinds of evidence that will incriminate you and bring in half a dozen witnesses. You’ll be jailed and probably sentenced to die . . . because, although extremely rare, they do execute women in New York.”

  Clara felt her breath catch. She knew that the journals made clear that she knew nothing about the espionage. She knew her husband had commented in them more than once that he hated the risk he’d put her and the children in. But would that be enough if Otto gave sworn testimony to suggest otherwise?

  “I can see you realize the severity of such a declaration. Perhaps now that we both understand what’s at risk, you will give up this nonsense and return to New York to marry me.”

  It was hard not to strike the man. The smug look on his face left Clara no doubt that he was enjoying the situation. She forced herself to say nothing for the moment. She had to have time to think. She definitely needed a plan.

  “I can’t give you an answer right now. I need to pray about it.”

  Otto looked as if he might refuse her, then nodded. “You have until morning. I will come to your aunt and uncle’s ranch for your answer, but we both know what it will be. What it must be.”

  Clara gave the slightest nod and headed back to the church without another word. She saw her aunt and uncle at the wagon with her children and Curtis. Everyone seemed to be waiting with great interest to know what had transpired between her and Otto Vesper.

  She forced a smile and let Paul help her into the wagon, where she joined her aunt and the children. Curtis sat on the driver’s seat with Paul, but that didn’t stop him from questioning her.

  “What happened? What did he say to you?”

  Clara glanced at the children, whose expressions were ones of fear mingled with curiosity. She couldn’t talk about any of this in front of them. Still, she needed to say something that would put them at ease.

  “Uncle Otto was just worried about Hunter and Maddy and whether they were really happy in Montana. I assured him they were, but he plans to come see the ranch in the morning and get his final answer.” She looked at her aunt. Madeline seemed to realize the impact of Clara’s statement. She nodded and reached out to pat Clara’s hand.

  “We will all be praying, I’m sure.”

  “We don’t have to pray,” Hunter declared as if the matter were unimportant. “Mama already knows that we’re happy. She doesn’t have to ask God.” Maddy nodded, but her expression had grown quite serious as if she too knew there was far more to this.

  Curtis had turned to look at Clara. The frown on his
face left her little doubt that he understood the gravity of the matter. Once the children went for their Sunday afternoon nap, Clara would explain the entire situation to him as well as Madeline and Paul. Until then, it was best she keep things as calm as possible.

  “I never heard of anything so underhanded.” Madeline paced her front room, shaking her head.

  “I ought to go into town and horsewhip him,” Paul added.

  “He won’t get away with this,” Curtis assured. It was hard for him to keep from riding back into town to deal with Otto personally, and had it not been for his physical limitations he might have done exactly that.

  “I appreciate your support, but I don’t think anything will keep Otto from making good on his threat. Perhaps if I promise him that I won’t go to the authorities regarding his espionage, then he’ll be satisfied. Maybe I could give him the books as proof.”

  “No, because once he has those, you’ll have nothing with which to restrain him,” Paul said.

  “Paul’s right. You can’t give him those journals, and I don’t see how you can withhold the information from the authorities. His actions have cost the lives of many,” Madeline replied.

  Clara shook her head. “I don’t know what I can do, then. He seems to have no qualms about joining Mother on her threat to have me declared insane so that they can take the children. They know the children are the only thing I would fight for—give my life for.” She sighed. “I can’t help but feel the situation is impossible.”

  “With God, all things are possible,” Madeline murmured.

  “She’s right,” Curtis said, coming to Clara. He hated seeing her so troubled. He took hold of her hands. “We know the truth and so does God. I think we have to trust Him to give us the wisdom to deal with this. Perhaps we should spend the afternoon in prayer—here—together.”

  Paul nodded. “I think you’re right, Curtis. The sheriff plans to visit us soon and then we can explain the matter to him, but if we spend the time between now and then praying, we’re sure to find a greater peace.”