“No. No, I came to find some answers.” Wills eyed the big cross that hung on the wall at the front of the chapel.
The preacher placed a hand on his arm. “Do you want to talk to me, or would you like to sit in the chapel and talk to the Lord?”
Wills stared at the man. There was no way he could tell him what he’d done, at least not to Sally. “I don’t know.”
“Come, let’s sit in the chapel and pray. Perhaps you’ll know after a few minutes.”
Wills didn’t want to. He wanted to turn and run. Yet, he followed the pastor to the front of the chapel and sat next to him.
Folding his hands, the preacher bowed his head. “Father, You know all things. There is nothing hidden from You, and there is nothing that we can do to erase Your love for us. Jesus paid for all the sins of the world. None are too hard. And in Jesus’ words, He declared it finished. Give this man wisdom and peace. Amen.”
Wills’ heart thundered inside him. Finished? Was it? Jesus paid for the sins, but did that include his? Couldn’t be that easy.
The kind man put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m Pastor Jim Travis. If you feel you need to talk and get something off your chest, you can talk to me and I promise, no one will ever know.”
Wills stared at him. “How can that be? Every time you see me, you’ll be reminded of it.”
“The Bible tells us if we confess our sins, the Lord will forgive us and cleanse us, making us whole and righteous. That is available to you here and now. Sometimes, it helps to share your burden with another. By all that is Holy, I would never tell another soul. After I take your petition to the Lord, I leave it in His hands.”
Wills stared at the cross. Words tumbled inside him until they forced their way out. “I was a good man. Went off to war and saw so much killing. I started drinking to dull the memories of blood and gore. I was discharged because I’d become a drunk. The days slipped from one to another. I barely knew when one started or another ended.”
He paused, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. “Then came a day that I’ll never forget, I was drunk and shooting my gun. Not at anyone or anything, but I heard a piercing cry. People ran. Then others threw me to the ground. It wasn’t until two days later after I sobered up that I learned I killed a girl.
“Carly. She was a saloon girl. Nothing but trash to many, but a woman trying to survive in this hideous world. I took her life. My bullet meant for nowhere crashed into her heart, killing her. I was a murderer. Convicted, I spent two years in prison.
“The judge had mercy on me. Took me under his wing and taught me about the law. After I was released from prison, he helped me finish my schooling. I earned a law degree. I can’t ever practice in Illinois, but in Texas, my license is good.
“I swore to God that I’d take care of a saloon girl in exchange for killing Carly. Give her a good life and take her off the streets. I owe her that. To pay for my crime.” He looked up at the pastor.
Love and acceptance shone from the pastor’s eyes. “Son, Jesus paid for that crime on the cross, and you did your time for the state. You’re free. Taking pity on a saloon girl can’t atone for your past actions. She’d come to resent you, and you her.”
He’d believed so clearly in his cause to get free from the guilt. Even to go so far as to answer Nettie’s ad, believing that if he married Sally, he’d be cleansed from the killing. Yet, the pastor made sense.
“I … well, that just all sounds too easy. I feel like I need to pay for killing her. I didn’t even know her. Don’t even know her last name. Just Carly.”
“Son, yours is a crime of negligence. There was no malice in your heart toward her. No matter what you do, you can’t undo that day. What the Lord would want from you, is to confess to Him, and accept His free gift of grace. Your slate is wiped clean in His eyes. And as an attorney, you must know that by serving your sentence, you are now free. Never to be charged again for that crime.
“Accept the gift that the Lord has given you. You are free. Free to marry whomever you choose.”
Wills shuddered as if a weight had been lifted from him. He nodded. “I’d like to be alone to pray.”
Pastor Jim smiled and rose. “Sure. I hope to see you at church on Sunday.”
“Maybe.”
After the pastor left, Wills knelt, prayed a little, and then sat basking in a peace so wonderful, he felt like a new man. Finished, he rose and walked toward the door of the church, surprised that his first thoughts were of Sally.
Chapter 12
Justin had gotten back later than he’d wanted from the Box X. Ben had met him at the barn and said that his horse was back. Not believing, he’d gone and looked and there was the big bay in his stall. The only thing amiss was a string of peach colored yarn in the horse’s mane.
Someone was playing him for a fool. Yet, not many cowboys used yarn to rope horses. Well, at least he had a full-sized horse to ride now. To Ryker’s credit, he’d not laughed even when he had to look down to talk to him on the ride to his ranch.
The weather had changed last night halfway home, and the cold still chilled him. He heard Spencer snoring. That meant no one had stoked the fire. Justin dressed, put on his coat, and started the fire in the wood-burning stove in the corner of the jail. He heated up some coffee and got ready for a new day.
Sipping the coffee, he thought back over Ryker and his plans to deliver cattle to New York. It was a risky plan, but could pay off well. All the ranchers around could benefit. Ryker had brought down ten men from his old army outfit. He’d still need more hands.
After the New Year, he promised to help Ryker’s man, Charley Hunt, and his foreman, Phil Smith, hire seasoned hands that could be trusted. Spencer would be a big help. He knew most of the men who’d worked with Judge Wallace.
Justin went outside and a nasty cold wind nipped at him. He recalled seeing the wood box behind the Clark’s store nearly empty. Perhaps one way for Amelia’s parents to change their minds about him would be to do things for them.
He opened the door to the jail and shouted for Spence to wake up and put on some breakfast. Then he trotted behind the buildings and began splitting wood. After he’d gotten a nice pile, he filled the wood box.
He knocked on the back door, hoping Amelia would answer.
Instead, Mrs. Clark opened the door. “Yes.” No friendliness accented her word.
“I filled your wood box. It’s cold today and I thought you might need it.”
Her face softened. “Thank you, Sheriff.” She shut the door before he could get out another word.
Staring at the wooden door, Justin wracked his brain to figure out what he could have done to make them so angry with him. Yeah, they’d told Amelia it was because he was a sheriff. Yet, that hardly seemed right. They’d been good friends to Reed.
Yancy had told him to talk to her father. Well, maybe that’s what he’d do. It was time this was settled. He was going to marry Amelia. They’d already waited six months.
Justin went back to the jail. No breakfast, only snores. He marched into the jail cell where Spencer slept, and shoved his shoulder. “Spence, it’s time to get up.”
“Too cold.” The deputy grabbed the blanket and turned over.
Justin kicked a leg of the cot. “I’ve got the stove going. Come on. We have things to do.”
That got him up.
Sitting, Spencer blinked. “What? Did you find who stole your horse?”
“No. He’s back in his stall. Guess he was just borrowed.”
Spence rubbed a hand through his messy hair. “There a law against that?”
After getting another cup of coffee, Justin shook his head. “No, don’t think so. I want you to help Ryker pick out some good men for his ranch. Those that used to work for the Box X, but those you know weren’t in on the rustling. He’ll start hiring them after the New Year. ”
Spencer nodded. “They aren’t going to like working for a Yank. Sorry, forgot you’re from the north. Seems our town is getting
overrun with Yanks. Wills, Ryker, you.”
Justin frowned. “Just people looking to make a better life.”
“Maybe. I know there’s been talk. Ugly talk especially from the ranch hands that used to work for Judge Wallace.” Spencer scowled. “I don’t like it. You’re a fair man. Wills seems nice. Guess even this Ryker fella might be all right, but there’s a lot that don’t like what’s happening.”
“Spence, I’m depending on you to help keep the lid on this town. We don’t need to fight the war all over again. Ryker has some good ideas that will help all the ranchers.” Justin stared at the stove. “Tell you what. Let’s go get us some breakfast at the hotel. My treat.”
Spencer popped out of bed so quick that he nearly knocked Justin over. “Give me a minute to get dressed. I can smell bacon and eggs. Nothing better on a cold morning than a good breakfast.”
That was one thing Justin really missed from home. Ma cooked the biggest, heartiest breakfast in Minnesota. Could fill a man all day. Justin glanced out the window and saw a rider on a big black and white paint. Had to be Yancy.
“Meet you over there, Spence.” Justin rushed outside in time to see Yancy stop at the store, dismount, and go inside.
Justin wanted to go over there and tell him to keep away from Amelia. For a moment, his trust in her wavered, but she loved him and he knew it. So, why was Yancy there? Not pleased with the idea of Yancy and Amelia together, Justin walked inside the store and heard Yancy and then Amelia in the back.
Justin let the door shut hard. “Yancy? Reed know you’re here?”
Shuffling footsteps marked Yancy’s coming. “Well, well. Sheriff, maybe you’re getting paid too much if all you have to do is see what I’m up to? If you got to know, Reed sent me to get some beans and flour. Thought I’d say hello to my girl, too.”
Amelia stepped out from around a tall shelf. “I am not your girl. I love Justin. Stay away from me, Yancy.” She skittered around him and ran to Justin.
Justin put an arm around her. “You heard her. You cause any problems, and I’ll tell Reed. I’m not so sure he’d send you into town. Didn’t think your horse would be healed enough to ride?”
“My paint needed the exercise. He’s tough.” Cocky and sure of himself, Yancy grabbed a couple cans of beans and walked to the counter. “If you don’t trust me, ride back and ask Reed yourself. Amelia, I want to pay for these.”
Justin stopped her. “Put it on Reed’s tab. Yancy, I have some things I need to go over with you. I’ll meet you at the jail.”
Yancy grinned, blew Amelia a kiss, and sauntered out of the store.
“He scares me, Justin.” Amelia leaned against his chest.
“I’ll protect you. He’s not going to hurt you.”
She stiffened.
“Amelia, I have told you and told you. I don’t want to see you with him.” Mrs. Clark came from the living quarters and stabbed him with a challenging glare. “Sheriff, I’ve told you I didn’t want to see you with my daughter. Please leave.”
Amelia pulled from his arms. “It’s all right. Go.”
Justin met Mrs. Clark’s angry gaze. “Someday, you’re going to tell me why.”
Her face paled. “Please, just leave.”
Justin looked to Amelia.
She nodded.
“Someday.” Justin left. Why Mrs. Clark disliked him, he couldn’t understand. Tamping down his temper, he strode to the jail to deal with Yancy.
Inside, he found the scoundrel in his chair with his feet propped up on the desk. “What can we possibly have to discuss, Sheriff? If it’s about Amelia—”
“It’s not. The new owner of the Box X is in. His name is Darrel—”
Yancy sat up and dropped his feet to the floor with a thud. “Ryker. I know that already. He’s trespassing on my ranch.”
Justin shook his head. “It’s all legal. He owns the Box X. All of it. But he’s a good man and willing to crate up any family things you might want to keep.”
“Isn’t that nice, for a dirty Yank?”
Justin tapped his fingers against the door. “Have you had breakfast yet?”
Yancy frowned. “No.”
“Let’s go meet Spencer at the hotel. I’ll buy you breakfast, and then we’ll ride to your old ranch. Maybe once you meet Ryker, you’ll change your mind.”
“Doubt it. But I could eat breakfast.”
Justin led the way to the hotel. He’d get Spence to ride to Reed’s and let him know where Yancy was, and then Justin would escort him back to Misfit Ranch. Reed had his hands full, that was for sure. The name he and Nettie picked out for the ranch was turning out to be a perfect fit. And Yancy was the perfect misfit to baptize the ranch in trouble.
Yancy mounted his horse and passed by.
Justin pointed at Yancy’s horse. “You sure that horse is all right?”
Patting the animal’s sleek neck, Yancy scowled. “He’s a mustang. Texas breeds her horses and men tough.”
Letting the remark pass, Justin only hoped his horse was in the stall and he’d not have to borrow the small one again. If that happened, Yancy would never let him live that down.
After breakfast, Justin gave instructions to Spencer, and then went to the livery. Fortunately, his horse was there.
The ride to the Box X was quiet. Justin gave Yancy time to ponder things and come to terms with losing his father and the ranch. They came to the familiar gate but the old Box X sign was gone.
Yancy’s face darkened, but he kept quiet.
They rode to the main house, dismounted, and walked up the steps. Justin could only imagine what Yancy was going through.
The door opened and Ryker stepped out. “Sheriff, what can I do for you?”
“This is—”
Yancy strode past Ryker. “Yancy Wallace. This is my ranch. Where’s the Box X sign?” He turned and faced the man.
Ryker’s eyes narrowed. “Everything was done legally. I bought the ranch for taxes owed. I’m afraid your father hadn’t paid them in some time.”
“You should be afraid. Texans don’t take kindly to strangers coming to take over their land.”
Justin stepped onto the porch. “I was telling Yancy that you set aside some things that he might like to have.”
“Yes, that’s right. I’ve had them put in the small room.”
Yancy stiffened. “You can keep them. Throw them away for all I care.” With hatred in his eyes, he stomped down the stairs, jumped on his horse, and galloped away.
Justin slapped his hat against his knee. “Sorry, I thought he’d appreciate you saving his things.”
Ryker nodded. “Hard thing for a young man to face. I’ll keep his things in case he comes around.”
“I better see where he’s going.”
“Oh, Sheriff, I have a thousand head of cattle coming from Mexico this spring. I wonder if you’ve had time to help me find some good ranch hands. Come the first of the year, I want to round up wild cattle. I hear they are everywhere.”
Justin tipped his hat. “Spencer is working on the men for hire. Longhorns scatter the range free for the taking. They aren’t worth the grass they eat.”
Ryker grinned. “In New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, steak is at a premium. Just have to figure a way to get the cattle north.”
“I guess so. I better see to Yancy.” Justin mounted his horse and followed Yancy’s wild trail. He hoped it led back to Reed’s ranch. If not, well, Yancy would be a wanted man. Reed had been nice enough to offer to take him in to serve his time and keep him out of jail.
Justin scanned the horizon. No sign of him, and the weather was getting colder. Angry at Yancy for causing him trouble not to mention bothering Amelia, Justin considered throwing him in jail if he caught up to him.
A gust of wind blew sleet against him. Justin glared at the darkening clouds and headed for Reed’s ranch and hoped Yancy was there.
###
Amelia left the store without telling her parents. She needed to talk
with Pastor Jim. This time, she’d not be distracted. She chuckled, thinking of the McGruder sisters and their sweet gift for Justin and his horse.
A gust of cold wind swept over her. She wrapped her cloak tight about her and put her head down. Her heart was broken and torn. There didn’t seem to be any solution that wouldn’t hurt someone she loved.
She fought the wind as she walked up the hill to the church, but she was determined. This had to end soon. She dearly loved her mother, but the tension between them over Justin was ruining their relationship.
Strangely, Father was the most supportive of her love for Justin. Why? She couldn’t understand why mother was so fearful about Justin’s job.
Amelia walked up the steps to the church. She knocked on the door and entered. “Pastor Jim?”
She hoped he wasn’t at the small parsonage behind the church. Quiet answered her. Staring at the cross, she walked to the front of the church. She knelt, bowed her head, and prayed.
After a time, she rose and sat on the front pew. Although the peace of the Lord rested upon her, she had no answers.
A door opened and closed softly. “I thought I heard someone.”
Amelia turned to see the pastor’s wife, Anna. Her plump arms had hugged most of the people in Bluebonnet as she lived up to her title as the town’s grandmother. She was soft and smelled of cookies.
“You must be half frozen. The sleet is really coming down, now. Can I help you, dear?”
Tears blurred Amelia’s vision as she nodded. “It’s my mother and Justin. I love him, but Mother doesn’t want me to marry him or even see him anymore. I can’t go on this way.” Sobs halted her words.
Anna sat beside her and wrapped her in a hug. “Oh, that is a hard place to be. One that I remember all too well.”
Amelia looked at her. “You?”
Anna pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to her. “Yes, my mother told me not to marry Jim. Said that preachers couldn’t take care of their families and I’d be poor as a, well, a church mouse.”
Wiping her tears with Anna’s hanky, Amelia shuddered in a breath. “What did you do?”
A Bluebonnet Misfit Christmas: Sweet Historical Christian Western Romance (Mail Order Brides of Misfit Ranch Bluebonnet, Texas Book 2) Page 10
