The Granite Heart (An Ozark Mountain Series Book 2)

by Alan Black

  Art laughed. He reached across with his free hand and patted Susanne’s hand. “Just teasing.” His laughter brought on a fit of coughing.

  Clare said, “LillieBeth. So get that jug-”

  “No,” Art interrupted. He cleared his throat. “I don’t need that stuff anymore than I never needed nothin’ else. A little is too much and too much is not enough.”

  Clare said, “Doctor Rawlins told us it would help with your pain.”

  Art said, “Then she can drink it. I’ll take some if I need it but not before.”

  Clare said, “Good. Then, Elizabeth O’Brien Hazkit...” She looked across the table at Susanne. “And Susanne Polly Elizabeth Annabel Christina Harriet Harbowe…”

  Susanne had not heard anyone address her by her full name in so long; she had almost forgotten all of her middle names. It brought back the same feeling as when she had been in trouble as a young girl, getting scolded by her mother. Still it was better than when her mother called her by the amalgamation of her middle initials. She had always been so embarrassed by her youthful nickname.

  Art said, “Your joking, all of that?”

  Clare said, “The Harbowes only had one child. I guess they had a lot of names they wanted to get used up. Besides, I think the initals spell out such a sweet thing.”

  Art said, “Wheeooo. What a load for any child to carry around! Wait, Susanne P.E.A.C.H.? Oh, I do wish I had known your parents. Clare, why didn’t we think of that?”

  Clare said, “That is for a later time, right Peachie? Right now, we need to hear the rest of it. Mr. Buckner said you were headed toward Oasis, but he refused to tell us exactly where or why.”

  Susanne said, “Mr. Buckner suggested that on a Friday night, we might find the Braunawalls in Oasis.”

  “Why would you want to find them?” Clare asked.

  Susanne said, “The only plan we had was to capture them and hold them for transport to Galena for trial.”

  Clare nodded.

  Art said, “Did you see them?

  Susanne cleared her throat, but LillieBeth spoke up first. “We saw Dangle with his cousin Ike. They were drunk. Ike fell down some steps. Dangle tripped and stabbed him. We don’t know whether Ike broke his neck in the fall, passed out drunk and drowned in the floodwater or died when Dangle stabbed him. Dangle went crazy and jumped into the White River. He must have drowned.”

  Susanne said, “That is the truth. We saw all of that.”

  Clare said, “Well, you sure could not make that stuff up.”

  Susanne shook her head. “It does sound like something out of a bad dime novel, but that is what happened.”

  “And Trance?” Art asked.

  Susanne said, “We heard Trance and Zeke were headed to the Taneycomo dam to cross over to the other side and head home.”

  Art said, “Good. Let them go for awhile. That will give me time to heal before I go after them.”

  LillieBeth lifted her head from her father’s hand. She glared at the adults around the table, defying anyone to contradict her, “Not if I get to them first.”

  SUNDAY – EARLY MORNING

  Susanne stood watching the early mist evaporate away from the grass. The sky was already a deep blue and was threatening to turn the day into one of those beautiful spring days that only pop up in the Ozark Mountains once or twice every two or three days. The asters were tight little buds, waiting for the warmth of the sun before spreading their pedals.

  A couple of young foals gamboled about their mothers, seeking a morning teat and chasing butterflies with equal zeal. Her chestnut mare saw Susanne standing at the foot of the path to the meadow. She raced up, kicking up her heels, skidded to a stop and lowered her head to get her ears rubbed.

  Susanne was tempted to give this horse a name, but she remembered Clare’s warning about naming farm animals. It was not really her horse to name. She rubbed it’s ears anyway. It only took a few rubs before the mare wandered back to the nearby grass for grazing. She also remembered Clare’s warning to keep an eye on Roy Turner and LillieBeth.

  Roy had slept over, using the hammock in Hoffman’s old lean-to. At their breakfast of toast and coffee, he said he had not slept so well since his parents died.

  He and LillieBeth had already yoked Ruth and Naomi to the mule cart.

  LillieBeth had expressed her desire to ride Fletcher to church, but Clare declared it would not be lady-like. Susanne wanted to ride the chestnut mare also, but she did not want to ask after Clare’s proclamation.

  She looked out across the meadow. She could see Roy lying on his back staring up at the sky. A Quarter Horse mare had put him into the grass. To his credit he was up and back aboard before LillieBeth could laugh. The mare gave a few hops, but this time he was ready and held on.

  Art offered him the use of a horse. Art said it was so he could get back and forth to his part-time farm labor and to his classes, but everyone knew it was so he could see LillieBeth without having to walk seven miles to and seven miles back.

  Clare walked up behind her. Her oldest friend, her surrogate big sister, wrapped warm arms around her. Clare squeezed her tight.

  “Oooof,” Susanne wheezed. “Can’t breathe, but don’t stop.”

  Clare kissed her on the cheek. They stood hand in hand watching Roy and LillieBeth gamboling about like the foals.

  Susanne said, “Ladylike or not, LillieBeth wanted to climb up on Fletcher even if she could not ride him to church.”

  Clare said, “What did you tell her?”

  Susanne said, “How can I tell her anything? She is as strong willed as her parents are. I just reminded her that she spent all yesterday afternoon trying to clean her good Sunday dress. Getting her dress dirty would negate all of that hard work.”

  Clare said, “I notice she is keeping her feet on the ground. Speaking of horses, have you named that mare of yours?”

  Susanne said, “I thought you did not like naming farm animals.”

  Clare shrugged. “I have never had so many farm animals around that I had no plans to eat. Name her whatever you want. She is yours and you just can’t keep calling her horse.”

  Susanne said, “Really mine? Can I get a dog, too?”

  Art made her jump as he spoke quietly in her ear. “No dogs. You can get a pet chicken, but only if it lays eggs for breakfast.”

  Clare and Susanne laughed.

  Art said, “Let’s get this show on the road. We have a long way to go before church.”

  Clare said, “Let me get the picnic basket.”

  Art shook his head. He grabbed his wife’s hand. “Nonsense, woman, get in the cart.” He cupped his hand. “Mr. Turner!”

  Roy raced up on the horse. “Sir?”

  “Please fetch Mrs. Hazkit’s picnic basket from the kitchen and close the door behind you when you come out. Everybody else, get your backsides into the cart.”

  LillieBeth was the last one to the cart. She jumped up and sat next to Susanne in the back.

  Art said, “No handful of rocks to throw?”

  LillieBeth glanced at Roy and then back at her father. “Daddy! I am not a child.”

  Susanne said, “Last time, Art. Are you sure you want to take me with you? We do not know how well I am going to be received.”

  Art glared at Susanne, but his eyes softened. “Susanne. You are my sister and my friend. Any church that will not have you will not have me or mine.”

  Clare kissed him on the cheek.

  SUNDAY – MORNING

  LillieBeth touched Susanne’s hand. She pointed to a large gray boulder. “The church is just around the next bend from that big rock.”

  Susanne grabbed her friend’s hand. She did not want to admit it, but she was scared. She was more afraid of this morning than she had been facing those men in the meadow south of Reed Springs. She was more afraid now than when she and LillieBeth faced down Dangle Braunawall and his cousin Ike.

  This church had been a huge part of her life. That was true not only in recen
t years, but as a young girl. The people had been her friends and companions. They had turned their backs on her as a teacher and a neighbor. She would be devastated if they rebuffed her at the door to God’s house. She knew they would not stone her or even chase her away, but to be ignored and shunned would be more than she could take.

  Clare said, “Well, look at this.”

  LillieBeth stood in the cart, grabbing her parent’s shoulders for support. Susanne could do nothing but follow suit, although she avoided touching Art’s wounded shoulder.

  At first, she thought it was the Grissoms, but that was not possible as Clayton Grissom was gone. It was Grace Grissom sitting astride one of her huge Belgian grays. The man sitting on the other was the Right Reverend David James. She smiled in spite of her worry. James looked regal and righteous, like a great Christian warrior. His face had a firm and determined expression.

  Art pulled the team to a stop next to the couple. Even injured Art would not have relinquished driving the team to Clare. It was the man’s job, fortunately Ruth and Naomi knew the way so well that Art had little to do except hold the reins in his good hand.

  Clare reached across the gap and grabbed Grace’s hand. “God bless you, Grace Grissom. How is your heart?”

  Grace said, “Angry. But it is healing and will heal completely someday.”

  Clare said, “Time helps.”

  Grace said, “Time has nothing to do with it. I will heal when the Braunawalls pay for what they did to Clayton.” She looked at LillieBeth and Susanne. “Rail Howerbach came by. He said you two hunted down Dangle Braunawall and his cousin?”

  LillieBeth nodded. “We tried to take them into custody, but they died instead.”

  Grace said, “Mr. Howerbach said as much. He would not give me details, but he said it looked like Dangle killed Ike and then committed suicide.”

  Susanne nodded and glanced at LillieBeth before speaking. “Something like that.”

  “So what are you two doing sitting out on the road like this?” Art asked. “Taking up being highwaymen?”

  James laughed, “No. We were waiting for the Hazkits and Miss Harbowe. And I guess, you too, young man. You are Roy Turner, right? I met you last week.”

  “Thank you for remembering me, Reverend,” Roy said.

  Susanne looked at Roy. “Did you find out why I was terminated from the school?”

  Roy laughed. “Sure did. It must be big gossip around these parts, everybody knew but me. Well, me and my grandpa, but he doesn’t talk to anyone but me and the chicken buyer who comes up from Berryville. The story I heard does not worry me any. You know, I was mugged and beat up in an alley once in St. Louis. I sure did not do anything to deserve it and I did not ask in any way to be beaten. I do not imagine you asked for what happened either.”

  Art nodded.

  Turner said, “I guess that puts me on the Hazkit side of the fence, doesn’t it.”

  LillieBeth said, “There is only one side. Ours. Everyone else is fenceless.”

  James said, “They are just confused. I ought to know. I was deeply confused myself. Come on, folks. We have church to get to.”

  James led them up to the front steps of the church. He handed the reins off to the first passing boy and mounted high on the steps. Art handed his reins to Roy as they all climbed down from the cart.

  “Listen to me, please. Everyone?” James shouted. “I am here to publically admit I did wrong. I am admitting a wrong in public only because my mistake was public. Miss Harbowe came to me in private and told me that some local men had hurt her. She apologized to me and to God for any part she played. God forgave her, as His word promises, but I was stubborn and stiff-necked. I did not keep her secret as I am obliged to do. In breaking my word, I hurt Miss Harbowe and hurt every one of you as well, by putting a rift in your tight community and between friends.”

  Susanne looked down at the ground and blushed. Everyone was looking at her. She did not like being the center of attention. But she could not run away.

  James said. “Art Hazkit, you have taken Miss Harbowe under your protection, as is right. It was a godly and selfless act. I ask you now and in front of this whole congregation, may I have your permission to come to your place and court Susanne Harbowe with the intention of making her my wife?”

  Susanne did not hear Art’s answer over the applause and cheers. She knew that not everyone in the church would support David’s plan to court and marry her, but those who did support him were far louder than those who did not.

  It only took a moment before Grace Grissom and Clare Hazkit smothered her in hugs. Without their support, she might have collapsed to the ground. Even when she regained control of her knees she held on to their hands.

  The crowd melted slowly away, talking, laughing and in most cases gossiping. She still held onto Grace and Clare, refusing to let them go.

  LillieBeth was off talking with her friends; laughing with Roy, Pearl, the Schmitt girls and John Buckner. She saw Steve Buckner sheepishly ride into the churchyard. It must have been a long ride for him to reach Galena, confess to the law and get back this early. The Carvers followed him, slowly and hesitantly as if they were unsure of their welcome.

  Joe Carver gave his mount’s reins to his sons and as if following a ruler drawn line walked to them. He tipped his hat in Art’s direction, but he walked up to Susanne. Carver said, “Miss Harbowe, we done all that you ordered us so far. We are heading back around to Taneycomo. We will cross the dam and head for home. I feels the need for spiritual help. If you would not be offended by our being here, we would like to stay for services.”

  She glanced at Grace, but did not introduce her to the man.

  “Mr. Joe Carver, this is God’s house. All are welcome.”

  “Thankee, thankee kindly.”

  Susanne said, “Please come see me later.” The man nodded, turned and she watched his retreating back for a moment.

  She looked at Clare. “Please tell me something. I did not hear Art’s response to David’s question. Did he give him permission to come call?”

  Clare laughed, “Art said no, but Reverend James just stuck his tongue out at him and said he was coming anyway.”

  Grace looked at Joe Carver’s retreating back, her puzzled expression evident. “Should I know that man?”

  Susanne had hoped Grace would not ask. But since she had asked, she had no option but to tell her. “His son’s were part of the group of men who helped get Trance and Dangle free from Clayton.”

  Grace’s face grew tight and her fists clenched. “What are they doing here?”

  Susanne said, “They were wrong. They are trying to made amends and they are seeking forgiveness.”

  Grace said, “I am positive I am not ready to forgive them.”

  Grace tried to pull away, but Susanne held on tight. “Please Grace. I have not forgiven the Braunawalls, nor should you, but these men are trying to make amends.”

  Grace nodded slowly and said. “I will hold their punishment for now. But if they knowingly helped Trance and Dangle kill my Clayton, then they can seek forgiveness directly from God.”

  Susanne was ready to answer, but they were interrupted by Rail Howerbach. “Sir?” Susanne asked.

  Howerbach looked embarrassed. He hemmed and hawed a bit. Susanne was not surprised he was embarrassed. She had caught him in Samson’s brothel. Still, to admit that to anyone, she would have to admit to being inside such a place herself.

  Howerbach said, “I guess you told everyone that you saw me…um…going into Samson’s Boarding House for Young Ladies in Oasis.”

  Susanne tried to stop him, but he interrupted. She was relieved at his phrasing. He was willing to admit where he had gone, but not implicate her or LillieBeth.

  “No,” he said. “I don’t blame you. The way I treated you, well…I just get what I deserve. I told Lotta the moment I got home where I had been and what I had done. I confessed I had strayed with women like that. She said she would forgive me, but…wel
l…we are still trying to talk about it.”

  Clare said, “Mr. Howerbach, we should not be listening to this.”

  “No, you should hear. I promised Lotta I would work to make amends to her and to everyone I have hurt by my actions,” Howerbach said. “I was wrong and foolish. You see, Lotta seemed to lose interest in…well, being with me about a year ago. I know that it is no excuse, but a man has his needs. Rather than talk to Lotta, I sought such comforts where I should not have.”

  Susanne said, “Mrs. Howerbach lost interest in her duties about a year ago?” She remembered that Lotta Howerbach had run from the room when the subject of the Braunawalls raping women came up at Grace’s house on the day of Clayton’s burial. “Clare, do you have that bundle of women’s things in your pocket?”

  Clare clasped her hands over her mouth in shock. “Oh, Heavenly Father. No!” She pulled her hand free from Susanne’s grasp, reaching into a pocket in her skirt; she pulled out a small package. She untied the strings and opened it up carefully.

  Susanne said, “Mr. Howerbach, please look at these things. Do you recognize any of them?”

  Howerbach shook his head. “No. Why should I recognize women’s baubles…wait. This button made of mother of pearl and bit of red cloth. Lotta had a dress with buttons like this. I always thought she looked pretty in it, but I haven’t seen it in a year. Where did you get this?”

  Clare said, “LillieBeth took this from Trance and Dangle Braunawall. These are things they took from women they raped.”

  Howerbach’s eyes glazed over as he made the connection.

  Susanne grabbed his hand before he could move. “Trust me, Rail. Lotta is hurting in her heart more than you can imagine. Talk to her; talk long and hard. Make her talk to you. Love her, she needs you.”

  Howerbach said, “I am such a fool.” Tears streamed down his face. He turned and ran to his wife, wrapping her in his arms, crying like a baby regardless of who might be watching.

  Grace said, “Susanne, you and LillieBeth may have tracked down Dangle and been a witness to his death, but someday, somewhere and somehow, I am going to escort Trance Braunawall to his end.”