“That’d be right nice of you, Miss Katherine. And thank you for letting me do the painting. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed something so much.”
“Then you have to do more,” Jake said as the women moved toward the wagon.
“Paints and canvas come dear, Reverend.”
“I’d be glad to put up the money for materials if we can find a market for the paintings,” Katherine offered impulsively.
“You think other people would actually pay for them?” Minerva asked in amazement.
Jake tilted the picture so he could see it even better. “I could almost guarantee it.”
“Why don’t you let us see what we can find out,” Katherine suggested, not wishing to raise the woman’s hopes too high if there wasn’t a ready market. But the quality and honesty of the painting seemed proof that others would sell easily.
They returned Minerva’s wave as the wagon pulled away from her house. The tired lines on her face seemed to ease with the prospect of earning extra money. Katherine’s own mood was one of optimism and concern. The needy children and a woman bravely dealing with desperate conditions tore her apart.
The sun set, and a dewy fragrance settled on the valley. Darkness descended as they traveled in companionable quiet, breaking the silence occasionally to ruminate about the visit and the extraordinary painting. Their ease with each other was complete as the prairie became blanketed in boundless, dense blackness. Katherine settled gently against Jake’s shoulder, content simply to be with him, not finding it necessary to voice the thought. The quiet was undisturbed except for the swish of wintered prairie grass and the chirr of an occasional cricket.
Then Katherine jumped in fright as a howl rang out. But Jake couldn’t reassure her because all of his concentration was suddenly poured into keeping the horses under control. Nostrils flaring, the gentle beasts pawed the ground and shook their heads nervously, trying to escape the reins holding them back.
“What is it?” Katherine finally asked.
“Coyotes or wolves. Maybe both,” Jake said tersely.
“They won’t attack, will they?” When he didn’t answer, she raised her voice. “Will they?”
“Stay calm, Katherine.”
“Answer me, Jake. Are they going to attack?”
“Not if we can outrun them.”
“And if we can’t?”
When he didn’t reply, Katherine had her answer. She’d heard tales about unsuspecting pioneers attacked by the marauding animals without provocation or mercy. A sense of primal terror seized her. Normally brave, she lost her courage when she realized they were unarmed and alone in the midst of rapacious animals.
Getting the team back under control, Jake snapped the reins with force, urging the animals into a full gallop. Holding on to the sides of the wagon, Katherine swayed with the motion. The cries suddenly seemed closer, and the horses snorted in fear. Tearing across the countryside, Katherine lost any perception of distance. She didn’t know how much farther the town was, and with frantic eyes she realized the blanket of darkness seemed to stretch forever. What was comforting before now provoked pure horror.
Glancing at Jake’s set face, she was immensely grateful for the strength in his arms. She wondered that the reins didn’t yank his limbs from their sockets, so great was the pull from the frightened horses. Racing along the dusty road, the horses heaved with exertion, white froth covering their mouths, the steam of hot sweat from their bodies swirling in the cold air. Howls pierced the darkness more insistently now, and Katherine resisted the urge to beg for a comforting word from Jake, knowing he needed all of his concentration if they were to survive.
When it seemed the wolves were about to overtake them, Katherine saw a speck of light in the distance. Blinking lest she imagined it, she opened her eyes wider and realized the town was really in sight. Wishing she could prod the horses even faster, Katherine hung on to the sideboard, praying they could outlast the carnivorous pack. When more lights appeared, she dared a glance at Jake, noting that he hadn’t broken his concentration.
A horrible thought struck her. What if the wolves followed them right into the midst of the town? She wanted to ask Jake but didn’t know if she dared. Another glance at his face told her it would be suicide to distract him now. Barreling toward the entrance to town, Katherine dared a look behind them. The pack seemed to drop back minimally. Not certain whether it was a trick of her mind, she twisted around again, the wind whipping at her hair and clothes.
Once again the animals seemed a bit farther behind, but they certainly hadn’t turned away. Horrified, Katherine stared ahead at the town they approached. She thought of the cowhands who could be walking down the middle of their tiny street. At the speed they were traveling, they could easily kill someone. Terror loomed ahead and behind, she realized. When it seemed Jake would plow straight through the town, he braked abruptly, hauling at the reins. Darting a glance behind them, Katherine saw that the pack had split and melted into the darkness.
Stopping with a shudder that should have shaken the town, Jake turned and pulled Katherine into his arms. “Are you all right?” His voice was husky, thick with his fear for her.
Burying her head in his shoulder, she nodded in reply.
“What the hell was all that about?” Ralph Turner, owner of the mercantile, demanded after running out to the boardwalk in front of his store.
“Wolves,” Jake explained briefly. “They caught up with us outside of town.”
“Well, it’s no wonder,” Ralph answered.
“What do you mean?”
“Come see.”
Jake jumped down and walked to the back of the wagon. Scrambling down unassisted, Katherine wanted to see what they were looking at. She and Jake stopped still as they looked at the back of the wagon.
A freshly butchered piece of beef was tied to the back of the wagon. Blood trailed the ground where the wolves had bitten at the meat. Tearing their gazes from the damning evidence, Katherine and Jake stared at each other. The sabotage was deadly and cunning. If it had gone as planned, the carcass would have been devoured along with their own bodies, leaving no trail to whoever wanted them dead. Cold fingers of dread gripped Katherine as she gazed at Jake. A sudden memory of the threatening notes she’d received in the last few months struck her. Had someone wanted her dead so badly that he was willing to sacrifice Jake as well?
Chapter 34
Morgan poured liberal glasses of brandy, insisting that Katherine drink hers. Jake needed no encouragement. Their faces were grim, their hands shaking as they gripped the glasses.
“What were you doing out there?” Morgan demanded as Beth tucked a quilt over Katherine’s trembling body.
“We told you. We visited Minerva Atkins to get my painting.” Katherine’s voice dulled as the shock continued to set in.
“Did she have any reason to do this?” Morgan asked.
“Of course not,” Jake answered. “Besides, she was in the house with us the whole time.”
“What about her husband?” Beth questioned, still hovering over Katherine.
All eyes turned toward her, and she flushed under their scrutiny. “I just thought…”
Katherine patted her hand. “It’s all right. The Atkinses had no reason to want to harm us. I paid her for the painting and offered her more work in the future.”
“That’d be like killing the golden goose,” Jake added, draining his glass. Without being asked, Morgan refilled it, seeing Jake’s exhaustion.
Hattie bustled in, her usually cheerful face wreathed in concern. She carried the balm and bandages Morgan had requested. “It’s for Jake,” Morgan told her, watching as she handed the medicine to Jake. “For your hands. You’d better get those gloves off before the swelling sets in.”
Jake glanced gratefully at Morgan. Perceptive as always, he alone had realized that the strain of keeping the horses under control had bitten into the flesh beneath his gloves. Once inside the warm room, the pain had begun to intens
ify. Stripping off the leather gloves, he heard the women’s gasps of dismay as the red, swollen flesh came into view.
“Oh, Jake!” Katherine cried out.
“It looks worse than it is. In a day or so they’ll be fine.” Jake tried to ignore the three sets of horrified feminine eyes. Only Morgan seemed able to keep a cool head.
“Let me help you with that, Mister Jake,” Hattie insisted, opening the tin and holding it while Jake dipped his fingers in the soothing medicine.
“That meat didn’t get tied to your wagon by accident,” Morgan commented.
Jake smoothed the balm on his hands as he listened to the verbalization of his own thoughts. The rope had been knotted and secured tightly so that the meat could not be easily dislodged. The deliberate plotting seemed even more evil as they spoke of it in the well-lit, civilized parlor, far removed from the dark, terror-filled prairie. It occurred to him suddenly that someone had been watching. And waiting.
“Do you think Mr. Browning did it?” Beth ventured timidly.
The thought had struck them all. He was the one who’d openly voiced that he wanted to be rid of Katherine and the Crystal Palace. But would he be willing to kill them to get what he wanted?
Katherine tried to control her horror at the thought. “I know he’s a bitter man. But is he capable of murder?”
“We’ve tromped straight through his domain since we got here. Starting with Jake, then Sadie, and now David and Rebecca.” Morgan shook his head slowly as he uttered the last. “I don’t know the man well enough to judge, but we’ve tested his limits.”
“I’m not ready to accuse him,” Jake said slowly. He held his hands out as Hattie bandaged them. “He can be a mean—” Pausing, he looked at the ladies present and considered his choice of words. “But I’m not sure I believe he’d try murder.”
“Well, somebody did,” Beth pointed out.
“From now on, we all stay on guard,” Morgan stated. “Vance and the floorwalkers have to be told so they can keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Katherine, you and Beth are the most vulnerable. Don’t go anywhere alone.”
“He’s right,” Jake said. He knew Katherine’s natural obstinacy could be set in motion if she thought she was being ordered about. But apparently the fear was still too real for her to argue. Jake watched her gaze dart fearfully over her sister.
“Beth will need to return to Boston immediately,” Katherine said, still shaking under the second quilt that had been wrapped around her.
“Normally I’d agree,” Morgan answered. “But I’m not sure it’s a good idea to put her on a train alone right now.”
“You don’t think…” Katherine’s face reflected more sheer terror than when they’d been on the wagon pursued by wolves.
“Morgan’s just following sound precaution, Katherine. Until we know who’s behind the attack, it wouldn’t be wise to assume anything.” After Hattie completed bandaging Jake’s hands, he rose and walked over to Katherine’s chair, squatting down beside her. “Morgan and I will watch out for her, won’t we?” Jake directed his gaze to his friend and saw him swallow before nodding his agreement. The love of the same woman had almost torn their friendship apart. Now it would serve to bring them back together.
Without thinking, Jake took Katherine’s hand in his clumsy grasp, the starkness of the painful-looking bandages standing out in the revealing lamplight.
“You fool.”
“It should have worked.” Frustration filled the voice.
“They’ll be watching now.”
“I’m not stupid. I know that.” Angrily a hand moved out to knock the glass to the floor.
“You said it would be simple.”
“It would have been with anyone else at the reins besides Jake Payne.”
“I thought you said he would be easy to get rid of.”
“Stop telling me what I said!”
Contempt filled the face before the wick was blown out and darkness descended on the room.
“I won’t make the mistake again. I’ll take care of it myself.”
Shoes scraped the floor as they left, locking the door behind them, sealing away any evidence.
Chapter 35
Katherine filled the feeder with seed, knowing the birds left in the area needed it more now in the cold than they had in the summer. Still not used to the eyes that watched her every movement, she thought of a multitude of excuses to escape. Since weeks had passed without another incident, Katherine had become impatient with the enforced security. It had made time alone with Jake almost impossible, and she chafed at the restraints.
Seeing Sadie walking up the path, she smiled in relief. Glad that she had kept her suspicions about Able to herself, Katherine was able to enjoy Sadie’s friendship without the hint of awkwardness or resentment. Sadie had been as horrified as any of them by the incident that had instantly become fodder for gossip on the lonely prairie, but she didn’t know that her own husband was the primary suspect.
“Feeding your birds?” Sadie greeted her.
“I know it seems silly. I’m sure they found food before I came here, but I feel responsible for them.”
Sadie gazed at the bird feeders and now empty garden. Katherine’s changes seemed destined to leave their impact on the tiny town. “You have the ability to take many things to your heart.”
“Why don’t we go inside?”
“Can we sit out here for a minute?” Sadie asked.
Sensing there was something on her mind, Katherine agreed, walking with her friend to the bench that had been surrounded by blooming flowers during the summer. The wind whistled about them, and Katherine realized suddenly that Sadie didn’t want their words overheard. So many people roamed through the Crystal Palace that it was difficult to secure privacy inside.
“I’ve always liked winter,” Katherine mused out loud, trying to ease the tension she saw on Sadie’s face. “Even storms—as long as I’m inside. It seems so comforting to be in a secure house when the wind’s blowing and cold. It’s as though you can defy the elements with a few boards and a snug roof.”
“Spring’s my favorite season. Everything’s new and fresh. It’s as though there’s a chance to start over.” Sadie’s words trailed away, and she sat with Katherine for a few moments in quiet before she began speaking again. “I have something terrible to confess.”
“Knowing you, it can’t be too terrible.”
“But it is.” Restless, Sadie rose and paced the small patch of barren grass. “You know, what I told you before about Able.” Katherine’s heart raced for a moment, thinking of the sabotage. “I still want what I did before.” Katherine cleared her head and realized that Sadie was referring to her hope of obtaining Able’s love. “Despite how he’s treated David and the lawsuit he brought against you, I still want him to be my husband.” She bowed her head. “You must think I’m terrible.”
“What I really think is that you are in a terrible position. You’re Able’s wife, yet you’re also David’s stepmother and my friend. You’re showing allegiance to all of us, but it’s ripping you apart.” Katherine made her voice deliberately gentle. “Your most important obligation is to yourself.”
“But that doesn’t resolve anything.”
“Maybe not directly. But to be happy, you need to pursue your relationship with Able. David’s been grateful for your support, but the time is coming for him to stand on his own. He’s made the choices that put him on his path, and it’s up to him to pursue it. And you don’t have to worry about him because Morgan and I will continue to back him no matter what happens. As for me, I know you’re a true friend. The only way I can return that friendship is to tell you truthfully that I would be happier if you made things work with Able, even if it meant that I wouldn’t see you anymore.”
“But—”
“We have so few chances in this life to find true love.” Katherine paused, thinking of Jake and their time together that dwindled each day. “Don’t let it escape without tryin
g to hold it together.”
Sadie silently contemplated her friend’s words. But Katherine’s mind vaulted to the other troubles that prodded her relentlessly. Packets of letters arrived from the solicitor on a constant basis. Mail, once so eagerly anticipated, filled her with dread. And now that danger shadowed their every move, each day was both precious and frustrating.
“Katherine,” Sadie repeated in a louder voice, interrupting the disturbing flow of thoughts.
She realized it wasn’t the first time Sadie had spoken. “I’m sorry. Like you, I have a lot on my mind.”
“I feel so selfish, prattling on about this when you have your entire livelihood to worry about.”
Katherine smiled a genuine smile, one of her first in several days. “You’re just what I needed today, and I have an idea. After lunch let’s go through my trunk. I received some new dresses on the last train, and I haven’t even looked at them yet, but I’m sure at least one of them might seem tempting on.”
“Are you planning to tempt anyone I know?” Sadie asked as they moved indoors.
Katherine grinned wickedly. “No, but you are.”
Jake barely refrained from slamming his fist into the table. Able Browning stared at him, daring him to respond. With a will he hadn’t known he possessed, Jake stood and stared at the group of men. “To use your positions to satisfy personal revenge is despicable.”
Able returned Jake’s glare steadily. Glancing around the table, Jake saw a flicker of response in John Peterson’s eyes. So Rebecca’s father wasn’t totally immune to the power of his seat on the town council. Jake wondered if there was a seed of guilt growing there.
“If you’re not comfortable as minister…” Able let the words trail away, his meaning clear. Jake could leave if he wasn’t happy. That would certainly please Able.
“Don’t get your hopes up, Browning. My job’s not finished here yet.” Jake let his gaze linger on each member of the town council in turn. John Peterson’s Adam’s apple worked, and Jake wondered if he was repressing a question that concerned his eldest daughter. But either pride or cowardice kept him quiet. Letting his eyes rest finally on Able Browning, Jake decided he was the sole authority who kept the others completely in line.
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