Hutch thrust the telegram at Clay and continued, “You have enough time to get to the bank and wire the lawyer the money. Ask him to wire back and tell us when the trial is. I want you to go to Cheyenne and be there. Regardless of what Wade’s done, he’s still family. He’s still your brother. I’m not sure I’m well enough to make the trip and hear his sentence. If that man dies, they’ll hang Wade.”
Clay said, “We’ll pray for the man and Wade. As it is, he’ll end up in the territorial prison. I don’t want to see him hang either, but we need to be prepared. I’ve been afraid of something like this after he took Grace. Maybe we should have filed charges then.”
“Maybe,” Hutch conceded, “but he could have been hung for that, too. He deserves whatever punishment comes his way, but I don’t know where I went wrong.”
“You didn’t go wrong, Grandpa. Wade’s been angry for a long time. He told me once when we were boys that he was angry with Ma and Pa for dying and leaving us alone. We had you, but for some reason, Wade felt cheated out of what he thought his life would become. I think losing the bet with me for the ranch, the annulment even though he didn’t care about Elizabeth, and then Lucinda leaving him was too much. Maybe when I go for the trial, I’ll get to see him.”
“I hope so,” Hutch said. “Let him know…just…tell him I love him, and I’m praying for him. It’s hard to stop caring about a child you helped raise.”
Clay nodded and left his grandpa to sit and deal with the guilt he felt for the way Wade had turned out.
Clay shared the information with Grace and Cora and then headed back to town to take care of the business his grandpa requested.
Once finished at the bank, Clay headed for the telegraph office and sent a telegram back to the lawyer. As he turned to leave, he thought of one more telegram he should send.
Mason Callen
Quincy Hotel, Chicago
Lucinda married gambler STOP
Wade shot him STOP
Gambler lived STOP
Wade on trial for attempted murder STOP
Attending trial in Cheyenne soon STOP
Will advise when safe to bring Elizabeth home STOP
Clay Hutchison
Prairieville Wyoming Territory
Clay returned to the ranch to check on his family and await the message from the lawyer in Cheyenne.
Grace met him at the door, smiling. “Come in and sit down. Have a cup of coffee and a piece of pie. Grandpa is resting, and I have news about Elizabeth and Mason.”
Clay nodded although his mind was on matters surrounding Wade’s trial and the impact it had on his grandpa’s health.
“How is grandpa?” Clay asked.
Grace set a cup of hot coffee on the table in front of Clay. “He’s just a bit tired. Cora made him a cup of her calming tea, and he fell asleep. He’s praying for that gambler to recover completely hoping they won’t hang Wade. He feels responsible for everything.”
Clay ran his hand over his face, “I know. He said as much before I left for town. All I can do is try and assure him he’s not responsible for Wade’s actions.”
“Cora did her best. She sat with him until he fell asleep and told him the same things. She reminded grandpa that she’s been here helping to raise both of you since your parents passed away, and she knows grandpa did his best,” Grace explained.
“I hope he listens to her,” Clay said as he lifted a forkful of pie to his lips. He mumbled through the bite, “Tell me about the letter.”
Grace smiled and said, “Mason is treating Elizabeth like a princess. He bought her a few new gowns that she could wear to the theater, dances, and out to fancy restaurants. He’s been kind and attentive. She says she feels guilty when he does all this for her and it’s only a temporary situation.”
Clay swallowed another bite of pie and said, “I don’t think Mason wants it to be temporary. He’s my best friend, and I’ve known him since before we could walk. I’ve seen him fall in and out of love a few times when we were teens, but never have I seen him look at anyone the way he looks at Elizabeth.”
Grace tapped her nails on the table and said, “I think that’s part of the problem. Elizabeth knows that he offered her marriage to protect her, but he’s acting more like a loving husband than a pretend one. She also heard from the ladies here in town before she left that he was a flirt as a teen and doesn’t know if she’s seeing the flirt or the real man.”
Clay scraped the last bit of pie off his plate, slid it in his mouth, and waved his fork in the air. “You write her back and tell her she’s seeing Mason as he truly is. He won’t put on airs around her nor will he trifle with her affections. If he acts like he cares, then he does. You tell her that.”
“Tell who what?” Grandpa Hutch’s’ voice sounded as he walked into the kitchen.
Grace explained about the letter.
“He’d better be honest with her. I told Elizabeth if he didn’t treat her right that I’d shoot him, and Mason knows I would keep my word. You don’t find many men better than Mason Callen. You’re fortunate to be married to another one like him, Grace. Those two boys grew up better than anyone could expect. We need more men like Clay and Mason in this old world. Now, if I just knew what I did wrong with Wade,” Grandpa Hutch said before he dropped onto a chair and drew in a deep breath.
“Grandpa, you don’t sound as if you rested well,” Clay offered. “Maybe you should lie down again.”
“No,” Grandpa insisted. “I’m all right. Maybe I need to go to Cheyenne.”
“Absolutely not,” Clay shouted.
Grandpa raised his eyebrows.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout. You’re still getting well. The strain would be too much. When we learn of the court date, I’ll go and represent the family. I can do this, Grandpa. Don’t you worry about it.”
“All right. Clay. I’ll leave this all in your hands,” Grandpa Hutch conceded.
~ * ~
Several hours later Mason opened the telegram delivered by the hotel’s runner and first shook his head then smiled. He had grown up with Wade as a neighbor and knew he was troubled but never expected him to try and kill a man. However, some good came from Wade’s crime. Elizabeth no longer needed to worry about Wade, and they could return to Wyoming when his contract at the hotel expired in two weeks. He immediately wrote a telegram out to his father, letting his family know he and his wife would return to Wyoming soon.
He looked at the clock and saw he still had nearly two hours before he could leave for home. Elizabeth didn’t prepare breakfast for him that morning, and Mason was determined to convince her that Victoria was not a threat, that they would soon be leaving for Wyoming, and leaving the troubles of Chicago behind.
Mason said a prayer that Elizabeth would see her best life was with him and once Wade was in prison she could safely return to Wyoming. She would be part of his family, and the Hutchison family would always consider her family. Elizabeth would have what she said she wanted most…a family that loves her.
Mason had trouble concentrating on the paperwork in front of him and began making notes of what he needed and wanted to do to prepare for the move and their new ranch. Life would be wonderful.
Chapter Eight
Chicago
Elizabeth hummed as she dusted the parlor wondering what to prepare with the two steaks she didn’t use the previous evening. Supper at the restaurant was wonderful until that woman showed up, but Mason deserved a home-cooked meal. After a night of tossing and turning, she decided to believe Mason. Her heart was filling with love for her make-believe husband and healing from the years of loneliness living at the orphanage.
A knock at the front door broke her out of her musings, and she swung the door open wide. “Did you forget your key?”
Elizabeth took a step back and said, “Oh, I thought you were Mason. Please come in, Victoria.”
Victoria bustled into the room, the scent of gardenia floating with her.
“Please sit dow
n,” Elizabeth offered. “Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?”
Victoria waved her hands in front of her as she sat in the chair nearest the window. “No, thank you, I only stopped by for a few moments.”
Elizabeth sat on the settee across the room and asked, “Is there something I can do for you?”
“No, my dear, but there is something I can do for you. I stopped by to offer you some advice before your heart breaks by Mason’s actions.”
“What? Why would Mason break my heart? We have plans to go back to Wyoming soon. He bought a ranch across the road from his father. It’ll be our home,” Elizabeth explained.
Victoria snorted most unflatteringly and said, “That old ruse again? When I met Mason, he was courting another woman, but we drew close so quickly he needed to break it off with the other woman. He told her he had to leave and head back to the tiny town he grew up in and help his father raise rattlesnakes.”
“Rattlesnakes?”
“Yes,” Victoria laughed. “The girl was born here in the city and had never seen a snake. The thought of living with thousands of them terrified her, and she broke off her relationship with Mason immediately. It was quite amusing.”
“I don’t find it amusing. What do you want, Victoria? Certainly, you didn’t drop by to tell me about women Mason has dated in the past?”
Victoria leaned forward. “No, I didn’t. Actually, I hoped that by telling you that story you might reconsider remaining married to Mason. I want him, and I will stop at nothing to get him.”
Elizabeth stood and motioned to the door. “I want you to leave now. Mason and I are leaving here soon, and you can’t scare me off that easily. We’re going to his ranch, and that’s final.”
Victoria scoffed and remained seated. “Listen, foolish girl, I had lunch with my father today. He, the hotel’s owner, and Mason had a meeting this morning. Mason told my father about his plans to move to a farm someplace in Wyoming.”
“Ranch.”
“What?”
“Mason purchased a ranch, not a farm.”
Victoria waved her hand dismissively. “It doesn’t matter. I understand his father arranged some sort of mortgage. My father is quite influential, and if he speaks to his banker and the banker then contacts Mason’s bank, the mortgage will be forfeited. Mason will have no reason to return home, and if he doesn’t marry me, my father will make sure he loses his job at the hotel, and no one in town will hire him.”
Elizabeth shouted, “Get out.”
Victoria ignored her and said, “You seem to be a smart girl. Pack your bags, leave Mason a note, and go away. It’s that simple.”
Elizabeth took a step toward Victoria and said quietly, “I don’t believe Mason has told you much about me. I grew up in an orphanage where we had to fight to survive at times. I’m strong and am not the least bit afraid of you or your father.”
Victoria stood and brushed the wrinkles down the front of her dress. “Perhaps, I used the wrong approach. Maybe you’d like to wake up one morning in the back of a wagon on your way to your new job in a brothel.”
Elizabeth’s hands turned into fists, and she took another step closer to Victoria. “Let me tell you about fighting for survival. It wasn’t pushing to get in line first, or a silly hair-pulling between girls on the schoolyard, it was, at times, literally fighting for our lives as we walked to and from our assigned jobs away from the orphanage. I learned how to fight the way boys do in a street brawl, and right now, I’m ready to show you how much I learned.”
“Well,” Victoria stammered. “I am leaving, but you heed my warning.”
Victoria scampered to the door and slammed it behind her as Elizabeth laughed. She’d never been in a brawl in her life, but the look on Victoria’s face was worth the tiny lie.
Elizabeth took a moment to compose herself and headed for her room. First, she dropped to her knees and asked God to forgive her for threatening Victoria and for the strength to do what she must to save Mason from the grips of Victoria and her father. Second, she needed to find a job and leave Mason before Victoria’s father ruined his life.
~ * ~
Mason ran up the stairs to their apartment and rushed in ready to share his excitement with Elizabeth. He stopped short when he saw Elizabeth’s brown satchel and carpetbag sitting next to the sofa. Her coat and hat laid carefully over the arm.
“What’s going on?” Mason asked confusion coloring his face.
“I thought about this long and hard. Wade will never think of finding me here in Chicago. I went to the employment agency today and found a job as a live-in maid that I can start tomorrow. For tonight, I’ll stay in a hotel.”
Mason’s heart broke. She couldn’t leave him, not now. Deciding on a different tactic, he insisted, “I forbid it. You are my wife, and you can’t work unless I allow it.”
Elizabeth stood and faced him, “Mason Callen, what has come over you. We are married in name only, and you know as well as I do that you can’t forbid me to do anything.”
Mason shrugged, “I know, but I can tell the employment agency that you’re not allowed to work for them. They will agree with me.”
Elizabeth sat on the sofa and asked, “Why would you do that?”
“Because we said we would court, and we’re heading back to Wyoming soon. I received two telegrams today. One was from Clay. Wade’s been arrested in Cheyenne for shooting Lucinda’s gambler husband. The man’s alive, but Wade’s going to trial for attempted murder. He’s going to prison for a long time. The second was from my father. The mortgage and ranch purchase are complete. All I have to do is go back home and finalize the papers. You can’t leave me now,” Mason pleaded.
“It’ll never work,” Elizabeth said.
“I had my father put your name on the documents. You’re not only my wife; you own half a ranch. It’s our home. Your home. You said you always wanted a home. I’m going back to Wyoming in two weeks, and I pray you’ll come with me.”
Elizabeth’s emotions played across her face. Happiness, love, excitement, and then fear. She blurted, “But Victoria said…” Elizabeth stopped and slapped her hand over her mouth.
Mason scowled. “What does Victoria have to do with us?”
Elizabeth gripped her left hand with her right tight enough her fingers turned white, and she looked directly into Mason’s eyes. “Victoria stopped here today. She said if I don’t leave you, her father’s banker will contact your banker and rescind the mortgage and you will not be allowed to buy the ranch. I can’t ruin your life.”
Mason laughed.
Elizabeth began to cry. “Don’t make fun of me. I’m serious.”
Mason smiled at his wife. “Please listen to me. Our banker back in Prairieville is my father’s cousin. He wouldn’t cancel the mortgage if the governor asked him. The mortgage will be paid in full in two weeks. It’s only in place to hold the ranch, so it doesn’t sell to someone else.”
Elizabeth scrunched her eyebrows. “I don’t understand. Victoria said you use the idea of buying a ranch and returning to Wyoming to convince women to leave you when you want to be free of them. She said you tell them you’re going to raise rattlesnakes and they’re too afraid to move with you.”
Mason shook his head, “The only rattlesnake here is Victoria. In the year I’ve been here, I haven’t dated anyone seriously. I told you about my suppers with Victoria. That was all. I needed to spend time working on my career and not waste time courting anyone. I realized I was unhappy here and knew I needed to return to Wyoming. I wouldn’t court a woman if I knew I was leaving.”
“Then she lied?”
“Yes, she did.”
“Oh my, I’m sorry.” Elizabeth’s eyes flew open wide. “What about my job?”
“I’ll stop on my way to work tomorrow and tell them you’re not going to work for anyone,” Mason suggested.
“All right. Are you sure Wade is going to prison? I’m afraid he’ll come back to Wyoming.”
Mason nodde
d. “His name won’t influence the judge in Cheyenne, and according to the telegram from Clay, he walked into the bar and just shot the gambler. That’s cold-blooded and I don’t think any judge will set him free. He has to pay for his crime. We’ll know the outcome of the trial before going back home. Now, how about we make those steaks we saved from yesterday.”
Elizabeth bit her lip. “I was starting to prepare supper when Victoria arrived. I was upset after she left, and I tossed the steaks out the window to the stray dog in the alley.”
Mason laughed. “Then I guess we’ll have breakfast for supper. Bacon, eggs, fried potatoes, and flapjacks sound good to me.”
He held his hand out to Elizabeth, she held it tightly, and they began making supper.
Chapter Nine
Wyoming
Clay kissed Grace and told her he needed to finish up a few chores. As he pulled open the door, he saw the young man from the telegraph office ride into the yard.
He waved a yellow slip of paper in his hand and called, “Clay, you asked for this as soon as it arrived. I brought it straight out here.”
“Thanks,” Clay answered and handed the boy a coin.
Clay opened the telegram and read it while the boy rode off toward town.
“Three days,” Clay mumbled. “I have three days before Wade’s trial begins.”
Knowing he had chores to finish, he headed for the barn. He’d have to ask the foreman and the other hands to take up the slack while he was gone and make sure his grandpa didn’t try to help. Clay said a prayer that all would go well and that the stress of worrying about Wade wouldn’t cause his grandpa more physical problems.
~ * ~
Clay walked into the house shortly before supper and washed up before kissing Grace and sitting at the table. He decided to wait until they’d eaten before sharing his news. After Cora cleared the last plate and offered everyone dessert, Clay cleared his throat.
“A telegram arrived a couple of hours ago. Wade’s trial starts in three days. I’ll take the stage to Cheyenne the day after tomorrow. I’ll get there by mid-afternoon and try to talk to Wade before the trial begins the following day.”
A Bride for Mason Page 4
