“He was a bad man. He gambled away his money and lied and...and married another lady besides my mother.”
No doubt he referred to the woman—probably Benoit’s mistress—who’d forged Evangeline’s signature. Justice’s heart ached over a young boy knowing such a terrible thing about his father.
“He left us poor, and Mother had to sell my pony and my dog. I had to leave my house and my friends.”
Justice thought about using this opportunity to discourage his friendship with Deely and Cart, but better sense prevailed. When Gerard came to town, he was a desperate little boy aching over what he’d lost. No wonder he fell in with boys whose mischief gave him an outlet for his anger. Justice tried to see him through new, more understanding eyes.
“I understand how you feel. My father died when I was pretty young, too, and I also lost everything I cared about.”
Gerard twisted around to look at him. “What did your mother do? Did she take you away from your friends?”
A deep ache filled Justice, and he gazed across the landscape while he gathered his emotions. “No, my mother had already died. I was left alone.” If Evangeline had waited for him... No, he wouldn’t think about that.
Gerard stared at him for a moment before facing front again. “At least I have Mother and Isabelle.” He glanced back again. “What did you do?”
Justice managed a shrug that was more of a shiver. The icy, cutting wind had picked up, and the sun was nearing the peaks of the San Juan Mountains. “I left my hometown and looked for a new future. I worked as a cowboy for a few years, then became a Texas Ranger. After a while, I decided to come to Colorado.”
“Were you lonely?” An interesting question coming from a ten-year-old.
“Yep. Sure was.” An icy blast hit them from the north. Justice opened his coat and enfolded the boy inside its furry warmth. “Then I met a fellow named Jubal Tucker, another Texas Ranger. He talked to me about God.” Just as his father used to do. But he wouldn’t say it, seeing as how Gerard’s father was a crook, and the boy knew it. “He reminded me of what I’d learned in church as a boy. God loves me even though I’m a sinner. His Son Jesus Christ died to pay for my sins. If I accept Him as my Savior, I’ll be saved.”
“Like Reverend Thomas talks about.”
“Right.” Good. The boy had a head start on understanding salvation.
“I got mad when he preached about it.” Gerard wiped the handkerchief across his nose.
Lord, should I say something else or wait for him to speak? Riding quietly seemed the better option, so Justice held his peace.
“That cougar could have killed you,” Gerard said in a small voice after a few moments.
“Yep. You, too.”
Another silence.
“Hugo wouldn’t have helped me.” Gerard snorted. “He’d be scared of a spider.”
Justice tried to grin, but the icy wind had frozen his face.
“You saved my life.”
“Probably.”
“No. You did.” Gerard faced him again. “Like Jesus.”
Again Justice subdued his emotions before speaking. “I may have saved your life in the here and now, but Jesus can save your soul and give you everlasting life.” The words were getting harder to form, but he couldn’t lose this moment. “All you have to do is admit you’re a sinner and ask Him to save you.”
Gerard managed a nod before facing front again. In the following silence, he relaxed more and more against Justice until he fell asleep.
Snow began to fall, so Justice kicked Thunder into a canter. Thankfulness for the day’s events vied with disappointment for preeminence in his thoughts. Yes, he’d saved the boy’s life, but he wouldn’t be satisfied until Gerard trusted the Lord as his Savior.
Chapter Twelve
At the church after school, Evangeline tried to relax as she watched the children rehearse the play. Marybeth and Electra both had been solicitous when they heard Gerard had run away. Then everyone had rejoiced when Deputy O’Shea had arrived with news of finding him, including a horrifying report about a cougar.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Benoit, your son and the sheriff are on their way,” the deputy had said. “He sent me ahead to let you know your boy is safe.”
Evangeline had wept with relief, and Marybeth had given her a reassuring hug before continuing the rehearsal, leaving her to sit in the pew and ponder the day’s happenings.
Still stunned over Tolley’s revelations, she thanked the Lord that Justice had been skeptical about Hugo’s claims. Hugo, like Lucius, had a way of winning people over, yet Justice had seen through him. He’d even gone to the trouble of having Tolley investigate the legal issues, including securing a circuit judge’s decision to grant her custody of her children. And risked his life in this bitter cold weather to search for her son. Any one of those kind deeds would have been enough to make her grateful. Added together, they changed her gratitude into something stronger. Not love, exactly, because she didn’t dare give him her heart, at least not yet. But if he was willing, perhaps they could reclaim their long ago friendship and see where it led. Unlike her father, Lucius, Hugo and almost every other man she’d ever known, Justice was honest and noble. While he’d failed to save her from marrying Lucius, he’d made up for it by saving her son’s life.
In the midst of her musings, Justice and Gerard entered the front door of the church, a snowy wind blowing them over the threshold. Evangeline hurried to meet them and pulled her son into a fierce embrace.
“Oh, Gerard, why did you worry me this way?”
“Aw, Mother, you worry too much.” His voice sounded sleepy, and the expression on his dear face wasn’t that of a boy caught in mischief. Instead, he had a certain assurance about him, perhaps even peacefulness.
“What—” She looked up at Justice, whose frozen cheeks appeared to make it hard for him to smile. Next to his right eye, a bruise was beginning to form. While Gerard had only a small scratch on his cheek, Justice had apparently taken a hard blow to his face. She wouldn’t ask about it now, but if Gerard hit him, she’d punish her son for the first time in his life. “Both of you, over to the stove right now.” She bustled Gerard over to the potbellied stove in the front corner of the church, expecting Justice to follow.
Instead, he approached Marybeth and spoke stiffly. “Looks like we might be in for a blizzard. You need to send the children home right away. O’Shea, you make sure the ones who live in town get safely home. I’ll get the large sleigh from the livery stable and take care of the ones who live farther out.”
“Yes, of course,” Marybeth said as she and the other mothers gathered the children and bundled them into their coats. “Boys and girls, tell your parents we’ve cancelled tomorrow’s rehearsal. Weather permitting, we’ll meet again on Monday after school.”
While Electra and some older children put away props and cleared the podium for Sunday services, Deputy O’Shea sorted out his group and herded them from the church.
“I’ll be back shortly with the sleigh.” Justice headed up the aisle.
“But you’re freezing.” Evangeline followed him. “Come get warm before you go back out.”
He turned to her and managed a tight smile. “Gotta get these youngsters home.” His gray eyes twinkled. “I’ll take you out to the ranch last. We can talk then.” Before she could object, he strode from the building.
“Rand will be here soon.” Marybeth sat with her two children on the front pew. “Do you want to ride with us?”
“No, thank you.” Evangeline shook her head. “Justice said he’d take care of us.” And this time, she knew he would keep his promise.
* * *
After delivering several children safely to their homes east of town, Justice drove Evangeline and her charges back to Main Street to connect with the southbound road. W
hen they were halfway to Four Stones Ranch, the snow stopped but the temperature lowered. The four children snuggled between Evangeline and Justice under layers of woolen blankets. Despite the cold, Isabelle, Lizzie and Natty questioned Gerard about his adventures and listened wide-eyed as he told his story. Evangeline was no less enthralled than they, as much for her son’s dramatic flair as for Justice’s courage.
“After the sheriff shot the cougar, I fell out of the tree and he caught me. I didn’t mean to, but I punched him right in the eye.”
While the children stared up at the evidence on Justice’s face, Evangeline gasped. Gerard weighed at least seventy pounds. Looking at him over the heads of the children, she was rewarded with his wry look.
“All part of the job.” He tried to chuckle, but coughed instead.
That was it. She’d tell Nate to hogtie him and not let him return to town until the morning. If he became ill because of Gerard, she’d blame herself for letting Hugo influence her son only to disappoint him. Gerard never would have fled into danger if not for his anger against his cousin. Even more, she should have trusted Justice from the moment she arrived in Esperanza. Yet she’d let Hugo’s lies consume her.
When Tolley had told her all those supposed debts were a sham, an attempt to both extort money from her and force her to surrender custody of the children, she’d been overwhelmed with relief. Then he added the astounding news of Arthur Pettigrew’s bequest. She never would have imagined the austere, reclusive old man thought so kindly of her children. She knew he’d despised both of his nephews, Lucius and Hugo, so he must have changed his will after her husband died.
With this information in hand, Tolley promised to tie up any loose legal ends and see their futures were secure. Among other things, his lawyer friend felt certain Hugo had mishandled the sale of the house and Lucius’s valuables, meaning Evangeline and the children would perhaps receive more good news. She permitted herself to hope at least part of her late husband’s books belonged to her, for she would have them sent to Esperanza for its library.
Justice coughed again but tried to hide it by turning away from her. Good thing they soon turned down the lane to Nate and Susanna’s house so he could get inside where it was warm. The jingle of the bells on the harness announced their arrival. Nate and Wes met them in the barnyard and sent the whole party into the house while they tended the sleigh and horses. Susanna greeted them in the mudroom with relief in her eyes. This late homecoming must have worried her. Susanna and Evangeline helped the children remove their wraps and hang them on the pegs, with Susanna clucking over them all like a mother hen.
“Now, Sheriff, don’t you even think about leaving.” She wagged a finger in his face. “You’re staying for supper. Go on, now. Take off that duster and hat.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Looking too frozen to argue, Justice removed the items and hung them beside the others, then gratefully accepted a cup of hot coffee.
Later over supper, Gerard regaled the other adults and his youngest cousin with the story of his adventures. This time, he added more details, some Evangeline knew were exaggerated.
“And the cougar tried to bite my foot off.” He paused for dramatic effect. His sister and cousins listened with rapt attention. “Had it right between his teeth.” He clamped his teeth on a chicken drumstick and growled. The other children stared in amazement.
“That’s new.” Evangeline looked at Justice sitting beside her.
“Let him tell it as he saw it.” Justice’s cheeks had thawed but still were red. “He has the makings of a pretty good storyteller. The cougar’s teeth will get longer with each new listener.”
She rewarded his observation with a roll of her eyes.
“Let him be. He’s behaving himself.” His eyes lit with a familiar twinkle, and she felt a little kick near her heart.
Of course, it was merely admiration for the man he’d become. He may have failed to save her from marriage to Lucius, but he’d risked his own life to save her son. If she hadn’t already respected him, she would now. Not only for what he’d done but because of what he was: a good, honest Christian gentleman who thought of others before himself. Unlike her father, Lucius and Hugo, who’d sought wealth and position for themselves, he’d become a sheriff to protect people. How could she not highly esteem him and regard him as a good friend?
After supper, the weary children were put to bed, and the adults gathered around the fireplace in the parlor. Susanna served hot chocolate, and then she and Evangeline sat on the settee and picked up their sewing baskets to work on the day’s mending. Gerard’s coat needed a patch, but if that was the worst to come of his encounter with the cougar, Evangeline was grateful.
“What I don’t understand,” said Nate, “is why Gerard was over by the river on a school day.”
Evangeline traded a look with Justice. Then, between the two of them, they explained Gerard’s suspension and Hugo’s purpose in coming to Esperanza.
“If not for Justice and Tolley, I don’t know what I would have done.” Evangeline gazed across the room at the man who’d done so much for her and her children. The smile he returned hinted at something she couldn’t quite read.
“Oh, my dear.” Susanna wiped a tear away and hugged her. “Why didn’t you tell us what you were going through? We could have helped you.”
“I’d have run that crook out of town days ago,” Nate growled, his green eyes blazing. “Evangeline, you’re family, and nobody hurts a Northam relation and gets away with it.”
“I should have known that.” She sniffed back annoying tears. “After the way you rescued Susanna and Uncle Edward all those years ago, I should have trusted you.”
“It’s all settled now,” Justice said. “Giles is gone, and he knows better than to show his face around here again. I told O’Shea to check at the train station and make sure he left. If he didn’t, he’ll be spending the winter in my jail.”
His reassuring words settled something deep inside Evangeline. If nothing more came of this situation than their friendship, she would treasure it. Oddly, against all reason, she couldn’t help but wish for more.
“Sheriff, you’ve had a busy day,” Nate said. “Instead of riding back to town, why don’t you stay the night. Wes and I brushed down Thunder and the sleigh horses and fed them. You can bed down in the bunkhouse or sleep on a cot in the boys’ room.”
Justice hesitated, glancing at Evangeline. He must have seen the hope in her eyes, because he nodded. “I appreciate it, Nate. O’Shea is on duty tonight, so I’m not concerned about getting back to town.”
“I’ll go make up the cot.” Susanna set down her mending basket and stood. “Evie, you stay here. Nate, I need your help.” She gave him a meaningful look.
“Uh, sure.”
Nate followed her, and silence descended on the room.
“Justice—” Evangeline began.
“Evangeline—” He spoke at the same time.
They both laughed.
“You first.” Justice propped his elbow on the chair arm and his chin on his hand. The look of interest in his eyes warmed her more than Susanna’s fried chicken and mashed potatoes.
“Where to begin?” She blew out a breath. This was so hard. “I will always be grateful for everything you’ve done for me. Not only for saving Gerard’s life, although that was more than enough. Tolley told me you were skeptical about Hugo from the beginning. Thank you for trusting your instincts. For trusting in me.” She laughed softly even as tears came to her eyes. “And to think all this time, I expected you to arrest me and send me back to New Orleans.”
A mock-wounded look came over his face, and he put a hand on his chest. “Oh, the miseries of being a lawman. Even innocent people feel guilty around me.”
She tried to laugh, but more tears came. “You heard what I said to Susanna and Nate. I didn’t know I
was innocent. Hugo convinced me I had to pay those debts and leaving town was a crime. Lucius always told me I was wrong about everything, so it wasn’t hard to believe.” The memory of her husband’s brutality brought more tears, but she had to know one more thing. “Lucius claimed your father embezzled money from their business.”
Justice joined her on the settee, where he took her in his strong arms and gently pressed her head to his chest. His tender gesture broke the dam of her emotions, and she wept harder.
“Shh. It’s all right.”
He brushed a rough thumb across her cheek, but somehow it didn’t hurt. “My father was a man of integrity. It was Lucius who embezzled the money to cover his gambling debts. A friend told me about it before I left New Orleans, but I was too young, too inexperienced to do anything about it.”
She sighed. “I never could understand how such a godly man could have done something so wrong.”
They sat quietly for a few moments, her head still resting against his chest. If she closed her eyes, maybe eleven years would disappear, and they’d be young again, and this time he’d rescue her from Lucius. Such a foolish thought. She sat up and wiped away her tears with her handkerchief. “Why didn’t you come for me?” She hadn’t meant to give voice to the question, but there it was.
“What do you mean?” Frowning, he released her and moved back on the settee. “Why didn’t you wait for me? You knew I was coming home to marry you that June, as we’d planned. I reminded you in my letters.”
“What letters?”
Understanding dawned on Justice’s face the same instant Evangeline realized how far her father had gone to prevent their marriage.
“I never received your letters.” Grief over lost years of happiness brought her to tears again. “My father must have found out when you were coming home and wanted me to think you’d forgotten me so I would willingly marry Lucius. When I refused, he locked me in my room, then forced me to go through with the wedding.”
He stared off, the ripple in his jaw the only indication he sought to control his own grief and anger.
Cowboy Lawman's Christmas Reunion Page 18