Endless Mercy

by Tracie Peterson

Raising an eyebrow, she pointed a finger at him. “You seem awfully opinionated and judgmental, Daniel Beaufort, when you’d promised you wouldn’t be.”

  She was miffed at him. Again. Great.

  “And besides, not that I’m making excuses for him, mind you, but they do perform quite late into the night on Saturday. There are two shows you know.”

  Daniel shook his head. “Things like that don’t matter when you’re in love.”

  “You sound like you’re an authority on such things,” Madysen snapped. “Just how many times have you been in love, Daniel?”

  “Once.” For all the good it would do him. “Just once.”

  At the farm, John walked up to the sleigh as Daniel handed Madysen down.

  “Daniel, Chuck would like to speak with you. Do you have a few minutes, or do you think tomorrow would be better?”

  “Tonight’s fine.” He hopped down from the sleigh and handed the reins to John. “Just leave them tied up here for a bit.”

  Maddy had already said good night and gone inside. What could Mr. Bundrant want to speak to him about?

  Havyn greeted Daniel inside the door. “You know where Granddad’s room is?”

  “No, I don’t believe I do.”

  “I’ll show you.” Eli waved him down the hall.

  “Thanks.”

  Eli stopped in front of an open door. “Here it is.”

  Daniel nodded at the young man.

  “Come in.” A husky voice greeted him.

  The man in front of him sat up in the big bed, propped up by numerous pillows. The lines etched in his face attested to years of hard work, lots of laughter, and plenty of grief.

  “Good evening, Mr. Bundrant.” Daniel took off his hat and gloves. “I hear you wanted to see me?”

  “Yes.” He motioned for him closer. “Close door.”

  “Oh, certainly.” Daniel felt his heart accelerate at the seriousness.

  Chuck held out a piece of paper.

  It’s wearisome to try to form all the necessary words, so this will have to do. Do you know anything about this Buddy Merrick fellow?

  Daniel passed the paper back. “No, sir, I’m sorry, I don’t.” It rankled him. A lot. Especially considering the conversation he’d just had with Maddy. Did anyone know the mysterious Mr. Merrick?

  Chuck wrote for several seconds and handed the paper back.

  No one seems to know much. Which disturbs me greatly. The man hasn’t even come to meet me or speak with me . . . which seems awful strange because I hear he visits Madysen all the time.

  “It is strange.” The paper went back and forth. “In fact, I just talked to Maddy about it, and now I think she’s peeved at me.”

  I had a feeling you would say that. John tells me you might be interested in my Madysen?

  “I . . . well, that is . . . I think she’s wonderful . . .” he swallowed and cleared his throat. Best to just come clean. “That is to say, yes, I care for her a great deal.”

  Chuck shifted a bit and wrote again.

  I’ve always admired your father. He could have given up when that wagon crushed his leg, but he didn’t. Instead, he found something else he could do. That’s admirable.

  Daniel had never thought of it that way. “Yes, sir. You’re right about that. Dad’s not one to give up. Neither am I.”

  John tells me he’s asked you to come on permanently?

  “Yes, sir. He has.”

  Please call me Chuck. Have you given John an answer?

  “I agreed to come.”

  I’m glad. Would have hated to have to chase you down and talk you into it.

  Daniel smiled. He liked Chuck. A lot. The man must have been quite the force to be reckoned with. The older man continued to write, then handed the paper over to Daniel.

  Well then, that’s that. I want you in charge of the cheese making from the sheep’s milk. Madysen is in charge of the sheep. That should give you plenty of time together and lots to talk about.

  Daniel laughed. “We just had a tiff, so who knows how long that will last. But I find it entertaining that you’re playing matchmaker.”

  I’m good at it too. It worked with John and Havyn. Why wouldn’t it work with you and Maddy?

  “I would hope that she could come to care for me on her own.” He tilted his head back and forth as he considered the conversation they’d had on the ride home. “Then again, I’ll take all the help I can get.”

  Smart man.

  Chuck smiled, but it was only the left side of his face that lifted.

  “I guess I should go.” Daniel stood. “Unless you wanted to discuss anything else?”

  You need to understand Madysen. She hates to think someone is being false. And until her father came back, I didn’t think she was even capable of not believing in people. So this is a tough time for her. You need to woo her. Try to win her heart. But just be you.

  “That doesn’t exactly sound easy.”

  Love never is, my boy.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Snow fell in fat, giant flakes from the sky above as they drove to church. Madysen stuck her tongue out for a moment and caught a few. It made her feel like a little girl, so she did it again. She and her family were piled into the sleigh on this chilly Sunday morning, which at least made it feel a bit warmer. John, Havyn, and Whitney were in the front, while Maddy, Eli, Bethany, and Ruth sat in the back.

  “I like to do that too.” Bethany tugged on Madysen’s sleeve, then demonstrated.

  “It’s fun, isn’t it?”

  Bethany snuggled up closer to her. The freckles on her nose made her look younger than she was. “Can I start helping you with the sheep? I’ve been watching for several days, and I think I could handle it. Eli’s helping John with the cows. I want to help too.”

  Madysen held back a grin. Bethany was a veritable fount of questions all the time.

  “Aren’t you helping Havyn with the chickens?”

  “Only in gathering eggs. And that doesn’t take all day. Besides”––she dropped her voice to a whisper––“I want to spend more time with you.”

  Madysen’s heart melted. She’d given Bethany a few music lessons so far, but the young girl hung on her every word and followed her around. Everywhere. Maddy put an arm around Bethany. “I would like that very much. Unless Havyn has given you another job.”

  “No. She suggested I ask you anyway. Something about how your hands were full to overflowing.”

  Laughing, Maddy nodded. “She’s right. Sometimes I wonder what I got into when I stole those sheep—”

  “You stole them?” Bethany pulled back, her brow furrowed. She crossed her arms. “You’re not supposed to steal.”

  Madysen giggled and told Bethany the tale.

  It even made Ruth laugh—something that hadn’t happened since the confrontation at the dining room table. And each time Dad came back with no news about Ruth’s husband, she grew quieter. At least she talked on occasion to Whitney. But she worked herself to the bone, even though they’d all told her it wasn’t necessary.

  Whitney seemed quieter too and had started having terrible headaches at night. Madysen and Havyn were both urging her to see the doctor again, but Whitney didn’t want to see anyone.

  The sleigh came to a halt. They’d reached the Roadhouse. Everyone climbed out and went inside. Would they ever manage to get their own church built? They’d been collecting money for over two years and had hoped to do it yet this fall, but John told her the lumber they ordered had been used to build Judas’s newest hotel. It was a mistake, but it nevertheless delayed any chance to build the church before winter set in. Herb Norris assured them it wasn’t a problem, and they could continue to meet at the Roadhouse. It wasn’t an ideal set up, but it was good enough.

  Voices hushed as Madysen and her family headed for a row of chairs. Why was it so quiet today?

  No one spoke to them. How strange. Normally the ladies flocked together near them, and they all caught up on the news. But today . . . />
  Something was wrong.

  Madysen took a chair and looked around the room.

  “Miss Powell?” Buddy’s voice captured her attention and made her smile. “Might I sit with you this morning?”

  See? The man was at church after all. Where was Daniel? Did he see this? “Why, Mr. Merrick. I certainly didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “Of late, I’ve been quite lonely. I found I missed church too much not to come today.” He gave her a smile. Was that the same smile he gave to the crowds each night? For some reason, she longed to have him share something special with just her. “When I was a boy, I was part of a choir. It really was one of my favorite things.”

  She shook off the negative thoughts. He was here. That was what mattered. “How wonderful. It pleases me to no end that you are a churchgoing man. I had an inkling, to be sure.”

  “My religious beliefs are important to me, but certainly not something that I wave around like a flag. They’re too deep and personal.”

  Madysen couldn’t contain the smug feeling. “How refreshing. As you know, my faith is very important to me too.”

  “Yes, it’s one of the very things that attracted me to you.”

  “Of course it is,” a deep voice said.

  Madysen turned to Daniel, who stood on the other side of her pew. When did he arrive?

  “Daniel, good morning.” Even though she was still a bit angry with him for not taking her side, she gave him a pleasant greeting.

  “How are you today, Madysen?”

  Madysen beamed a smile. “I’m just fine.” After Daniel’s questions the other night, she had prayed about the situation. Unequally yoked marriages were no good. Just look at what had happened to her mother and father. So she’d been praying harder for Buddy, and here he was in church today.

  “Good morning, Miss Powell. Mrs. Robertson.” Daniel smiled as the others took their seat in the row in front of Madysen and Buddy. “And good morning, Eli and Bethany.” Then he waved to Havyn, John, and Whitney at the other end. He looked down at Madysen and grinned. “Might I sit with you today?”

  Buddy frowned. “I don’t think—”

  “We would love to have you join us.” Madysen spoke at the same time.

  “Thank you.” Daniel moved past Buddy and Madysen and sat on her other side. He winked at her.

  Well, this was interesting. Of course, Daniel had greeted the whole family. Buddy was here just for her. That made her feel special. And he was in church. That was good. And yet . . .

  Her family didn’t like that Buddy didn’t know any of them. How could that happen if he didn’t make an effort? Maybe she should talk to him about that. Might help ease everyone’s tension.

  But the tension grew during the service. Buddy and Daniel both held out hymnals to share with her. Then, during the sermon, Buddy fidgeted with his hat. Daniel seemed to get closer with every breath he took. But maybe she was imagining things.

  When the service was over, everyone stood. She wanted nothing more than to go outside and take huge, gulping breaths of the cold air. The two men confused her. A lot.

  Buddy blocked her path. “Miss Powell. Madysen.” His voice was low, and he stepped closer. “Might I speak with you privately outside, before you head home?”

  “All right.”

  He offered his arm and whisked her out the door and to the rear of the Roadhouse. Then he glanced around. “I’m hoping we won’t be interrupted.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”

  “Oh, sweet Madysen, I would never do anything untoward. I simply brought you out here so I could ask you to marry me.” He didn’t get down on one knee, but his eyes sparkled. Was that love she saw there?

  She covered her mouth with her hand.

  “I find that I can’t think of my life without you. I’ve been, as I mentioned before, so lonely. Being with you has filled an emptiness inside that I’d tried to fill with so many things. Even the show and the constant moving from place to place.”

  Poor man. What it must have been like to lead such a lonely life. And to think that she could bring him happiness!

  “I find that when I’m with you that void is gone. More than anything, I want you to be on my arm—to be my wife and take that emptiness away forever. And I will make you famous and can arrange for concerts all over. You are so very beautiful and talented.”

  “Thank you . . . but—”

  “Please don’t answer just yet. I know that you need to think about it.” He smiled down at her. “But let me give you this.” He pulled a large sparkling ring out of his pocket. A grand diamond surrounded by red and blue jewels.

  She’d never seen anything so beautiful in her life.

  He put it in her palm. “Think about it, please, Madysen. I pray that you can come to love me as I love you. I’ll give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of. But sadly, we will need to leave before the Sound is frozen. And the last scheduled ship heads back to Seattle in a few short weeks. Please don’t send me away alone.”

  The elation she felt a moment before dropped to her toes. “You want an answer and for us to be married in a matter of weeks?”

  “No, my dear. Don’t stress. We need to be married in Seattle so that my dear, sweet mother can be at the wedding. I’m on the road so often that it will break her heart if I don’t allow her the honor of being at our wedding.”

  “I don’t know. . . .”

  “Madysen.” Havyn’s voice caused her to turn around. Her face was covered in tears.

  Buddy looked at her sister and nodded. Then turned back to her. “Think about it.” He closed her hand over the ring and walked off without a word to Havyn.

  Madysen shook her head. What had just happened? But one look at Havyn’s face said something was terribly wrong. “What is it?”

  “You noticed how it was so quiet when we walked into the service?” Her sister looked mad and hurt all at the same time.

  “Yes?”

  “Someone has spread a horrible rumor that Whitney is a . . . is a . . . loose woman.”

  The ride home had been eerily silent. When they got back to the farm, Dad was there waiting for them.

  He had his hat in his hands and looked furious, which was not a good sign.

  Havyn and Ruth took Whitney inside with the kids. All Madysen could do was watch.

  Dad looked at her. “Tell me that what I just heard in the mining camp isn’t true.” His face was red.

  So it was all over town.

  “How could you even begin to think that your daughter would . . . would . . .” Madysen couldn’t even voice it.

  “I punched three different men in the mouth. I couldn’t believe it would be true. But I need an explanation, and I need one right now.” Spit flew from his mouth.

  “Chris, you need to calm down.” John joined them and took him by the arm. “Let’s go inside. Whitney needs to tell you what happened.”

  When they entered the parlor, Whitney was sitting in Mama’s favorite chair. Back ramrod straight. A distant expression on her face. “Everyone has heard, haven’t they?”

  Madysen knelt in front of her and grabbed her hands. “We’re not going to stand for this, Whit. We’re not.”

  Whitney looked at their father. “If you knew me, you’d know it’s not the truth.”

  Havyn cleared her throat. “I think I should explain. I shouldn’t have told you only bits and pieces of the truth. When I said that Whit was injured, I was trying to spare you the details. Garrett Sinclair came out here under the guise of purchasing dogs. Whitney took the dogs for a run to show Mr. Sinclair how they handled. He . . . tried to take advantage of her.”

  Dad’s face had gone ashen. He looked at Eli and Bethany. “Go to your room, please. I’d rather you not hear what I have to say.”

  The two children nodded and got to their feet and left. Dad turned back to Whitney. “I’m truly sorry this happened to you, but you must be honest with me about what he did to you.”

  He
r older sister shivered. “He touched me and kissed me. He had me pinned and started . . .” Whitney lowered her head.

  Havyn went to her side. “It’s all right, Whit. Just take your time.”

  “I pushed him away and fell. I stopped him . . . well . . . the dogs did. I’d taught them to attack on command. If I hadn’t . . . I don’t know if I would have escaped.” She looked up, and there were tears in her eyes. “I got my rifle. I think I would have killed him if he hadn’t left.”

  Dad jumped to his feet. “Someone needs to teach that man a lesson. And I intend to do it. No one touches my daughter like that. And then to spread such lies!”

  “Sit down, Chris.” John put a hand on Dad’s shoulder. “I agree that Sinclair needs to be confronted, but we’re not going to do anything rash. Whitney didn’t want anyone to know—not even the sheriff because of the way women are treated when these things happen. We went along with her wishes to save her reputation, but obviously things have changed. We need to involve the sheriff now, so he knows the facts of the situation.”

  “It’s not going to do any good, you know.” Whitney stood. “People have already formed their own opinions. My reputation is ruined. End of story.” She walked toward the door. “Please don’t bother me. I need to be alone.” She rubbed the back of her neck as she left them. No doubt her headache was back.

  After Whit was gone, everyone started talking at once. They all wanted to come to Whitney’s defense. But the more everyone talked about it, the angrier they became. The noise was deafening.

  Madysen sat frozen in her chair. She could scarcely breathe for the pain clutching her heart. If she were capable, she’d find the man and punch him in the nose herself!

  The cacophony in the room made her want to scream. Madysen stood and clapped her hands together, the way she did to get her sheep’s attention. “This is not helping. Whitney needs us. We need to restore her reputation. But we can’t go flying off the handle with Sinclair. More than anything, we better get down on our knees and pray for God to show us what to do. I know we’re all angry and would like to beat that man to a pulp. But that’s not what we should do.”

  She stomped out of the room and headed to the sheep pens.