In Times Gone by

by Tracie Peterson

  She shrugged and eased back against the leather seat. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt to hear what you have to say.”

  It seemed the right thing to do for now. She didn’t like the idea of being manipulated, but she was quickly learning that sometimes it was best to appear cooperative. She could always make her desires known when the situation was a little more stable. Besides, he might very well be able to do what he promised. Then again, after taking nearly twenty percent of her inheritance, Ruef might have bought her freedom, but she had no desire to join him on his other schemes.

  “Will Mr. Morgan be joining us?” she asked.

  Ruef shook his head. “I have no idea where he is. Last I heard, he was to be married this morning.”

  Victoria frowned. “To Miss Gifford?”

  “I suppose so, if that’s the young woman he came to town to find.” Ruef smoothed his mustache. “He seemed dedicated to no other purpose.”

  Victoria considered the passing scenery as she thought about Arthur Morgan and his determination to marry Kenzie. She’d have known if a wedding were in the works. None of the women at the house seemed to have that in mind. There was still talk about the trio sharing their nuptials in one large, hideous arrangement, but Arthur Morgan’s name was certainly no part of it.

  She shrugged. Arthur’s situation with Kenzie wasn’t her problem. He, like Ruef, had served his purpose, and she couldn’t care less if she ever saw him again.

  CHAPTER

  24

  That afternoon, after Micah had seen his parents and changed into clothes of his own choosing, he escorted Kenzie to the Solid Rock warehouse. He wanted to tell her about his desire to add a hospital to the warehouse to serve displaced women and children.

  Mrs. Andrews, now Mrs. Lake, met them at the door of the warehouse. She was harried as usual, but happy to see them. “You both look quite jolly. I do hope that means you’ve come to your senses, dearie, and decided to marry this young man.”

  Kenzie looked at Micah and nodded. “I have. He’s finally worn me down.”

  The older woman had no idea what they’d just gone through, and Micah saw no reason to enlighten her. He wanted nothing more than to put it all behind them and plan for the future.

  “She finally came to her senses, Mrs. Lake. And I don’t mind saying I’m exhausted from all the effort. I’m going to see that she makes it up to me.”

  Mrs. Lake laughed.

  “How are you and Cousin George enjoying your new house?” Kenzie asked.

  The older woman smiled. “He’s concerned about the chimney. He’s not entirely convinced it remained undamaged from the earthquake. I told him I’d have it checked a second time, but you know how he can be.”

  Kenzie nodded. “Indeed. Well, if anyone can settle his nerves, it’s you. I’ve never seen him so happy.”

  “He’s happy with his work as much as with me. He seems to enjoy not having all that responsibility. Now he can just sit around dreaming up ideas and mess up my kitchen. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work. However, Mr. Murdock left you a ledger to write your ideas in, Dr. Fisher. It’s just over there on the table by the kitchen. He said to sketch out what you had in mind.” She pulled a pencil from her pocket and handed it to him. “I found this for you in case you didn’t have one of your own.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Lake.”

  Kenzie looked at him oddly. “What’s this all about?”

  Micah led her to the table where the ledger waited. “Have a seat. I want to talk to you about some ideas I’ve had.”

  She looked skeptical but nevertheless did as he asked. Micah sat beside her and opened the sketchbook. “I spoke to Caleb about a possibility and want to talk to you about it as well. After all, since we’re to marry, you have a say in the matter.”

  Her brow raised. “What matter?”

  “Living here.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “Here? At Solid Rock?”

  “Yes.” He kept his expression serious. “You see, I’d like to expand the operation to include a hospital. I did a lot of thinking while enjoying Mr. Morgan’s hospitality. A hospital focused on helping the poor—regardless of their ability to pay—is much needed. Not only that, but it ties in nicely with what Caleb and Camri hope to accomplish here. Caleb told me that he finally feels clear on God’s direction for him. He wants to make this entire area a haven for those in need.”

  “I see.”

  He couldn’t tell from her short statement whether she approved or not. “I’d like very much for you to be my nurse and help with the patients.”

  “Show me what you have in mind?”

  He smiled. “Just like that? No argument?”

  She crossed her arms. “I don’t always argue with you.”

  “You used to.”

  A thin smile touched her lips, and she batted her eyes in a coquettish manner. “All right. Would you like me to argue with you?”

  He laughed. “Not really. I suppose I’d do better to just explain my ideas, eh?”

  “Indeed.”

  Micah sketched out the dimensions of the present warehouse and then added on an entire wing. “I thought we could build our own quarters on the backside, overlooking the water. Caleb has an idea for buying up all the land around us. He’s working on it now. He wants to create a park, as well as a small house for himself and Judith. He wants to make a place of rest and tranquility that will minister to the hearts and souls of the poor women and children who come here for help. My father even plans to hold services here—after his regular services at the church, of course. Oh, and Camri wants a little school, as well.”

  “What a surprise.” Kenzie laughed, shaking her head. “She would put us all in school desks if she had her way.”

  “Patrick said she wants to start a free school for adults who had to quit at a young age. I think it’s a very good idea, myself.”

  Kenzie nodded. “As do I. Don’t tell Camri, but I happen to agree with her defense of education.”

  “And what do you think of my idea for a hospital?”

  She looked at the rough sketch he’d made. “How big would you want it to be?”

  “I’d like there to be room for fifty beds in four different wards.”

  “Fifty? That big?”

  Micah nodded. “Caleb said we might as well think big and do it right the first time. Besides, there’s so much need. You have no idea what I see in my job, even before the earthquake. Many people don’t even attempt to get treatment because they don’t have the money to pay for doctors and medicine.”

  Kenzie considered this for a moment. “I think it sounds very wise to make it large.”

  “Judith wants to use her money to benefit the needy, so we have the perfect opportunity to do this in grand style. It would be a charity hospital. We would solicit funds from the wealthy and the government to help pay for things. We won’t get rich doing this, but I never figured to have a grand fortune.”

  She smiled in such a loving way that Micah knew her heart was in agreement with his own. “If I wanted money, I could have married Arthur.”

  “I would never have let that happen,” he said matter-of-factly. Micah looked down at the drawing, making it clear such thoughts weren’t even up for discussion. “I want a ward for men, one for women, and another for children. And the fourth will be for critical care and surgery. Over here we’ll have a small laboratory. Depending on the equipment we can purchase, we might very well be able to do almost everything the larger hospitals can do, but on a limited scale.”

  Kenzie looked up, and he could see the admiration in her eyes. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. But don’t you think I’ll need to get some better training before I’ll be of much use to you?”

  “Many nurses are doctor-trained. There are a growing number of nursing schools, but regulations and training haven’t yet been standardized.” He grinned. “I think I can teach you everything you need to know, and if the time comes that more is required, we’ll c
ross that bridge then. I’ve considered getting some additional training back east as it relates to blood typing and transfusion. We could go east while the hospital is being built, and you could take classes at the same hospital I’m studying . . . if you think me incapable.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You know very well what I think of your abilities. Now, is this where you would want our quarters?” She put her finger on the drawing.

  “Yes. I think we could arrange a lovely apartment of rooms. We could have our own private living and dining area, although Caleb did mention that shared meals here with the others would be more cost-effective and less time-consuming.”

  Kenzie nodded. “But we’d have our own private bathroom?”

  “Of course.”

  “And how many bedrooms?”

  He laughed. “How many do you need?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know, but it seems we should be mindful of children we might have.”

  His voice became soft and serious. “I am very mindful of that idea. I would love to have a large family. What about you?”

  She nodded but didn’t look up. “I suppose we should have at least a couple of extra bedrooms then . . . if you intend for this to be long-term.”

  He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her fingertips. “Ah, Kenzie. Where you’re concerned, I want everything to be long-term. I want it to be forever.”

  She finally raised her eyes to his, and he’d never thought her more beautiful—flushed and bright-eyed, a look of hope in her expression. “I want that too.”

  “Judith, this roast is meltin’ in my mouth,” Patrick said, helping himself to another slice of beef.

  She looked up in relief. “Thank you. I was nervous, leaving it to cook while we were dealing with Mr. Morgan, but I honestly didn’t know what else to do. It would never have cooked in time if I’d waited.”

  “I marvel at how tender it is,” Camri agreed. “You’re going to have to teach me how to cook. Otherwise my poor husband will starve.”

  Kenzie glanced up from her plate. “Well, now that Micah and I are making plans to live at Solid Rock, I wonder if the two of you won’t do the same. Then we could just all plan our meals together.”

  “’Tis a possibility,” Patrick agreed, ladling more potatoes onto his plate. “But with all that’s happened, we’ve scarce had time for talkin’ about it. Once Caleb is home, we’ll be discussin’ it for sure.”

  Judith looked at the clock for the tenth time and shook her head. “I don’t understand Victoria being gone all this time. Where could she be?”

  “My guess is that she’s gone out with friends,” Camri answered with a shrug. “She’s made it clear she won’t be kept as a prisoner.”

  “Yes, and I have no intention of being her keeper. I know that it’s my responsibility to look after her, but she’s two years from her majority. I don’t think I can endure her that long.” Judith put down her fork. “She’s making this so hard on everyone.”

  “God will be providin’ an answer,” Patrick assured her. “We have to have faith.”

  The diners startled as the front door opened with a bang.

  Patrick immediately got to his feet and moved toward the open hall.

  Victoria appeared in the doorway, followed by two broad-shouldered men. She smiled in that self-confident way they’d all come to recognize.

  “Where have you been?” Judith got to her feet. “We’ve been worried.”

  “Well, you needn’t ever do so again.” Victoria looked over her shoulder at the men behind her. “My trunks are upstairs. Turn left, and then the first room on the right past the bath.” The men nodded and took off up the stairs.

  “Wait just a minute, fellas,” Patrick commanded. The men stopped. “What’s this all about, Victoria?”

  “Today I received my freedom from Judith. Abraham Ruef and Arthur Morgan arranged for a judge to make me free of your guardianship. My inheritance was released, and I am moving to a hotel. Arthur secured me a suite of rooms there, and I won’t have to live in this abhorrent little house any longer.”

  Judith shook her head. “Do you have proof of this?”

  “I do, but none that I feel inclined to show you. I don’t owe you anything, cousin. I am a woman in my own right. I have a lawyer who will happily sue you, should you try to impose any of your restrictions on me.”

  “This house still belongs to Caleb Coulter,” Patrick reminded her. “So before ye have yer goons traipsin’ upstairs, ye’d do well to get Miss Coulter’s permission, since he’s absent.”

  “I say good riddance,” Camri said, putting aside her napkin. “Let me show you the way, gentlemen.” She got up and brushed past Victoria without another word.

  Judith remained in place. “I’m sure you realize by now that Arthur Morgan is under arrest.”

  Victoria laughed. “He was detained but not arrested.”

  “What?” Micah jumped to his feet. “What do you mean, he wasn’t arrested?”

  Kenzie took hold of his arm. She felt a tremor run through her. Of course Arthur wouldn’t be arrested. He was wealthy and could pay his way out of anything. Especially when a corrupt government was otherwise preoccupied with the city’s resurrection.

  Victoria laughed. “Honestly. Did you think you could defeat a Morgan?” She shook her head. “You have no idea what that man is capable of. The two men who held you hostage told the judge they alone were responsible. They assured the judge that Mr. Morgan was in no way their acquaintance nor their employer. They threw themselves on the mercy of the court, explaining that sheer hunger and loss drove them to their woeful deeds.” She offered a smug smile before adding, “Arthur is happily dining with Abraham Ruef this evening to discuss filing charges against you all for your terrible treatment of him this morning.”

  “Of all the nerve!” Micah declared and looked down at Kenzie. “Are we never to be rid of this miscreant?”

  Kenzie didn’t want to add to Micah’s discomfort, so she merely shook her head. “It’s not important. We needn’t let Arthur or Victoria ruin our happiness.”

  “What’s this about ruined happiness?” Camri asked, returning to the dining room as the two men carried Victoria’s trunks to the door.

  “Apparently Mr. Morgan is free from responsibility in holding Micah against his will,” Judith told her. “He’s even considering suing us for our part in rescuing Micah and having him arrested.”

  Camri looked at Victoria askance. “I’m sure once Caleb returns, he’ll be able to manage all of this easily. Mr. Morgan isn’t the only one with friends.”

  “Friends can’t accomplish what money can. Arthur has enough wealth to see you all ruined,” Victoria reminded them.

  Judith crossed the room to her cousin as the men stomped back upstairs. “You might remember that I have plenty of money now, myself. I won’t let you or anyone else cause problems for this family. Now, take your things and go. I hope in time you will mature into a woman half as noble as our grandmother, but I have my doubts.” She grabbed Victoria’s shoulders and turned her without warning. “Leave. You may wait in the car for your things.” She gave Victoria a hard push, which caused the younger woman to gasp.

  “And you claim to be such a good Christian,” Victoria said sarcastically as she moved toward the front door.

  Judith shook her head. “No, not at all. I’m a sinner saved by grace. Nothing more. If not for the love of Jesus in my heart, I would do more than show you the door.”

  Victoria paused and glanced over her shoulder. Apparently Judith’s look of fierce determination was her undoing, and the younger woman hurried from the house without another word.

  Judith went back to the table and took a seat, while Patrick waited in the hall until the last of the trunks had been delivered from upstairs. He locked the front door and returned to the dining room just as Micah sank back into his chair beside Kenzie.

  For several minutes, all they could do was look at each other in stunned silen
ce. It was hard to look back on the day and all that had happened without feeling a sense of disappointment in the news that Arthur was free. Kenzie wanted nothing more than to see him pay for his treatment of Micah. What if he’d ordered Micah killed? How could she have ever survived that pain?

  They all slowly began eating again, but there was no real enthusiasm or conversation. No doubt everyone felt the same way Kenzie did.

  Lord, we need Your comfort and guidance.

  Kenzie glanced at Micah and could see the tic in his cheek. He was so angry. No doubt he had thought catching Arthur in the act would assure legal justice.

  Calm his spirit, Lord. Help him to see that none of this matters anymore.

  After several minutes of uncomfortable silence, Judith jumped to her feet. “I nearly forgot.” She rushed from the room with everyone gazing after her. When she returned, she held a pie pan aloft and smiled. “I made dessert.”

  This broke the tension, and one by one, they burst into laughter.

  “For sure, a little sugar should put a better taste to the day,” Patrick said.

  Kenzie took Micah’s hand and smiled as he turned to face her. “Don’t give Arthur any kind of hold on our life. I won’t allow him to come between us.”

  Micah nodded. “I had just hoped that he would pay for his wrongdoing and the way he hurt you.”

  She shrugged. “He is paying, whether he realizes it or not.”

  A look of understanding broke across Micah’s face. “Indeed, he is. He doesn’t have you.”

  Caleb returned late the following Tuesday, and after a night of rest, agreed to go with Judith to the hotel to check on Victoria. To both their regret and relief, they learned that she and Arthur Morgan had departed on Sunday. They were bound for Kansas City, the clerk explained.