Romans 8:31 NLT
Emmett had never been so worried in all his life, with the prospect of Caroline, Ma and Felicia all in danger. He reached the general store and peeked in the window. Caroline, Felica, Ma and the store owner were sitting on the ground at the front of the store with their hands tied behind their backs.
God, please help us, he prayed while studying the area to plan his move. Then he remembered there were always back entrances through the alley. When he visited the general store in Pelican Rapids, there was a door right behind the front counter leading to the storage area in the back and living quarters above the business.
Emmett snuck around the building toward the alley while pulling his revolver out of his belt and checking the cylinder to see how many bullets he had. There were three—just enough to defend himself and the girls if needed. The rest of his ammunition was in the wagon, so he’d have to make his remaining bullets count. Emmett had never believed in shooting to kill, but he was prepared to severely injure anyone who threatened his family.
When he reached the back of the store, the door was locked, but he saw an open window about eight feet off the ground. After tucking his gun in his belt, he scanned the alley and spotted some large empty crates. He dragged two over and stacked them on top of each other, climbing on top to reach the window. Emmett used his pocket knife to slice through the screen and then climbed inside, ending up in the store owner’s water closet.
After navigating around the residence for a minute, he managed to find the door leading to the store entrance. He removed his revolver from his belt and snuck down the narrow hallway, cringing at every minuscule creak from his leather boots. When he reached the door leading to the store, it was open, much to his relief. He slunk to the floor and crawled under the counter, peeking around to observe the situation.
Caroline had her back to him a few inches away and while the bandits were distracted talking to each other, he tapped on her shoulder. She lurched and craned her neck to look at him, eyes filling with relief when she recognized him.
He put his index finger to his lips before taking out his knife and cutting her restraints. Afterwards he did the same for Felicia, but both of them kept their arms behind their backs as if still restrained.
Emmett hid behind the counter again when he heard Clem’s voice. “There’s the sheriff. Joe, you go to the door and tell ‘em our demands.”
He heard the other bandit open the door and shout they wanted all the money from the bank vault across the street and a coach to transport them out of the town limits safely.
“Let me talk to Clem,” the sheriff shouted. “I’ll only negotiate with him in person.”
The leader of the gang muttered some curses under his breath and approached the door. “You heard what we want, sheriff. There’s no negotiation.”
As the sheriff argued with Clem over the terms, Emmett snuck back around the counter, untying both his mother and the store owner. Then he motioned for all the ladies to go around the counter. When they were out of sight, he turned to Caroline and whispered, “Lead everyone out the back entrance to the alley. I’ll be right behind you.”
The reluctance was evident in her terrified gaze, but she obeyed and disappeared down the dim hallway with the other three. He remained by the entrance to make sure they weren’t discovered before making it to the alley.
Clem was still arguing with the sheriff and then growled in frustration. “Joe, this man needs some extra persuasion. Bring me one of the hostages.”
He heard shuffling feet and then a long pause. “They’re gone.”
“They’re what?” Clem growled. “How in the world? They can’t of gone far. Joe, the door to the back is open. Go find them. Now!” Joe obeyed, only to be met with Emmett’s revolver, pointed at his chest.
“Put your hands up. Both of you,” Emmett demanded. “If either of you try anything, I will shoot.”
Joe obeyed, but Clem’s eyes narrowed as he aimed his weapon right back at him. “I know you, don’t I?” He paused and snarled with hatred in his eyes. “You’re the man who shot me in the leg. I lost three of my men because of you and your wife.”
“You had it coming, Clem. Your thieving days have come to an end.”
“So, you think.” The bandit’s finger tightened on the trigger. “Hope you kissed your wife goodbye.”
Several shots rang out along with the sound of shattering glass. Clem fell to the ground, holding his shoulder. The bullet from his gun had struck above Emmett’s head, striking a glass candy jar, sending the sugary treats cascading over the shelf.
As the sheriff entered and subdued the gang leader, Emmett kept his revolver aimed at Joe. “Don’t move a muscle or you’ll end up like your friend over there.”
Joe shook his head with wide eyes. “I don’t intend to, sir.”
A minute later, the sheriff’s deputies were inside the store, preparing to transport the bandits to the Lebanon jail, freeing Emmett to leave. He tucked his revolver back into his belt and stepped outside.
Caroline appeared first and rushed to his side, eyes red and hair mussed, but unharmed. She rushed into his embrace, crying tears of joy before stepping back to look him over. “Are you all right? I heard gunshots.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m fine, my wife.” He cupped her cheek in his palm. “Are you all right?”
She nodded and hugged him again. “I’m fine and so are Ma and Felicia. Praise the Lord. He protected all of us.”
A moment later, Ma, Felicia and Thomas rushed over and joined in the hug, all crying tears of relief. He whispered a prayer of thanks for bringing all his loved ones back to the safety of his arms.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast at the restaurant under the inn, the people of Lebanon gave the Riley Family a joyous send off, showering them with praise and gifts for their part in apprehending the remaining members of the Sanders Gang.
The trip home was less energetic after they moved out on the open road, the children falling asleep soon after. The events of their long weekend had obviously worn them out, but Emmett didn’t mind with Caroline cuddling close to him in the front seat of the buggy. After stopping for lunch, Thomas and Felicia perked up and started retelling their own versions of the attempted robbery.
“I bet those men sure were surprised when we disappeared out of the store. Pa was so sneaky freeing us right under their noses while they were jawing with the sheriff.” Felicia said with a grin.
Thomas nodded in agreement. “When I went to fetch the sheriff, he was shocked when I told them our Pa had gone in alone. He was so brave.”
Emmett’s heart filled with warmth, hearing them both call him Pa. “I did what any father would do.”
“Now, don’t forget Ma,” Felicia piped up. “She was brave, too, standing up to those bandits and telling them to let me go.”
Thomas looked at Caroline with a shy smile. “Yeah, I agree with you. Thank you for protecting Felicia, Ma.”
Caroline wiped happy tears before hugging both children. “I love you very much. I’d do anything to keep you safe.”
Emmett’s eyes clouded over, watching them and he had to join in on the family hug, along with his mother. They were finally a true family.
Epilogue
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10 KJV
Thanksgiving Day arrived before Caroline knew it. The weather had taken a cold turn and they had woken up to a few inches of snow. However, it was warm and comfortable inside the log cabin with her beloved family.
She and Ma Riley spent the morning and afternoon preparing the turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, sweet potato soufflé and other dishes to enjoy with their family and close friends, including Solomon, Micah and their families.
When everyone finished eating and their guests slowly filtered out the door to go home, Caroline settled into her rocking chair by the fi
re and pulled out her basket of quilting supplies. She took out the pretty lavender fabric she had purchased in Lebanon and trimmed it before sewing one final patch onto her grandmother’s quilt. When Caroline finished with the last stitch, she spread the quilt over her lap to admire it. Half of the scattered patchwork told the story of her family in Atlanta and the other half she’d repaired told about her new life in Missouri—how she’d met Emmett, his mother and the children of his best friend who’d died in the war. Looking at it now, she saw the big picture—a patchwork of art, created from old and new.
Caroline looked up from the quilt to look at the beloved people sitting in the room with her. Emmett sat in a chair close by, dozing after filling his bread basket with too much blueberry pie. Thomas lounged on the rug in the corner of the room, carving a wooden horse with the carving set he’d purchased in Lebanon. Felicia rested on her stomach by the fire with the dogs close by, reading a new book. Ma Riley was in the kitchen, washing up a few dishes.
Caroline grinned, looking down at the quilt and then back at the wonderful gift God had blessed her with—her patchwork family. God had been piecing them together from the beginning without her knowledge. Now she saw the beauty of his plan before her, knowing it was only the beginning. Soon there would be more to add and experience. She could hardly wait.
Caroline whispered a prayer of thanksgiving while reaching into her basket for the pastel fabric she’d purchased in Lebanon. She’d cut them into squares the day before and now it was time to piece them together.
Emmett woke up and smiled while watching her work. “Is that for your grandmother’s quilt?”
She shook her head, trying to conceal a grin, but failing miserably. “No, this is a new project I just started.”
He yawned and rubbed his eyes before studying it more closely. “For Mrs. Clark’s store.”
Caroline shook her head again, enjoying their little question and answer game. “No, this is one is staying here to go in the crib…that is after you make one.”
Emmett furrowed his brow. “Are you trying to tell me you’re expecting?”
She nodded. “Come summertime I believe our family will be growing out of this little cabin.”
He knelt before the rocking chair and pulled her into his embrace. “Oh, my lovely Caroline, you keep surprising me. What wonderful blessings God has brought us.” He leaned forward and kissed her before sitting back and raking his fingers through his blond hair. “I have so much work to do. I’ll have to start cutting lumber and buy more nails, not to mention roofing materials. I could ask the neighbors to help out when it comes time to raise up the walls, but the baby will need that crib to sleep in and…”
“Emmett,” she interrupted, touching his cheek. “Sweetheart, slow down. Don’t forget, we have about eight months or so to plan and do all of this. Let’s just take time to celebrate tonight. All the other plans can wait until tomorrow.”
He nodded and released a contented sigh. “Should we tell everyone our news?”
Caroline grinned, while looking up at the smiling faces around them. Even Ma Riley was there, having heard the commotion from the kitchen. They had all gathered while they were talking. “Something tells me, our little patchwork family already knows.”
Civil War Era Terms Used
Bread basket- stomach
Bully- terrific, hurrah
Bummer- someone who lagged behind to steal
Highfalutin- highbrow, fancy
Jawing (s)- talking
Let Drive- go ahead, do it
Muggins- scoundrel
Scarce as hen’s teeth- rare, hard to find
Skedaddle- leave, escape, run away
Author’s Note
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading Caroline’s Quilt. Of all the stories I’ve written, this time period has been one of the most fascinating. Researching old train routes through the Midwest was a challenging, but fun task and I learned a wealth of information about my home state of Missouri in the process.
During this time period, St. Louis, Missouri, known as the “Gateway to the West,” was a popular hub for travelers. From there, train routes branched off in all different directions. In this particular story, Emmett and Caroline chose the southwestern route toward Rolla, Missouri, where the train made its final stop. From there, travelers had to take stage coaches, wagons or ride horseback for the remainder of their journey.
We don’t often think of Missouri as being part of the Wild West, but it had its share of excitement during this period of history. I took my inspiration for the Sanders Gang from the infamous Jesse James Gang. James was born near Kearney, Missouri. Starting around 1866, he and his band of outlaws robbed stagecoaches, trains and banks in the Midwest until eventually most of his gang members were apprehended in 1876, attempting to rob a bank in Minnesota. Jesse James continued committing crimes until his death in 1882.
Both Pelican Rapids, Minnesota and Emmett’s hometown of Niangua, Missouri are real towns that existed since before the Civil War Era. The town of Niangua and the Niangua River hold a special place in my heart because of attending church camp there and canoeing trips with my family as a child. I did have to take some creative liberties to imagine what 19th century Niangua, Missouri may have looked like, since there is limited information about this area during that time, but I tried my best to be historically accurate. These days, the scenery around the Niangua River is still breathtaking with views of the Ozark Mountains, tall cliffs, trees and wildlife. It is still a wonderful place to camp and enjoy weekend canoe trips with family. On a good day, it is common to see Bald Eagles soaring overhead and river turtles chirping as they dive off logs into the water. The river is also an angler’s dream, especially near Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Missouri, where fly fishing for trout is popular. This inspired Caroline and Felicia’s amusing fishing excursion at the river by their Ozark home.
Quilting played a major part in Caroline’s story. Her grandmother’s quilt was a treasured family heirloom, but quilting was popular during the middle and late 19th century for other reasons, too. During the Civil War Era, both woman from the north and south made soldier quilts to donate to soldiers and to sell for fundraisers to support their cause. After the war, crazy quilts became popular among upper class woman, using a variety of fabrics, such as velvet, silk and satin. Eventually the quilting style became popular with woman in the lower classes, using less expensive fabrics. Fancy stitches, such as the feather stitch, cross stitch and other embroidery the woman came up with were used to sew their quilt pieces together.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about Caroline’s journey through the “Gateway to the West” and hope you will continue reading more stories in the Brides of Pelican Rapids Series.
Blessings.
Rachel
Books by Rachel Skatvold
Ladies of Ardena
Lady Airell’s Choice
Lady Reagan’s Quest
Brides of Pelican Rapids
Caroline’s Quilt
Whispers in Wyoming
Guardian of her Heart
A Forgetful Heart
Melodies of the Heart
A Searching Heart
Hart Ranch Series
Escaping Reality
Chasing Embers
Riley Family Legacy Novellas
Beauty Within
Beauty Unveiled
Beauty Restored
About the Author
Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness and the Ladies of Ardena Series, set in medieval times. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming and Brides of Pelican Rapids Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young s
ons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Civil War Era Terms Used
Author’s Note
Books by Rachel Skatvold
About the Author
Caroline's Quilt (Brides 0f Pelican Rapids Book 2) Page 10