by Barbara Goss
“No!” Laurel screamed. “Gram! Wake up, Gram! Don't be dead! Please, don't be dead!”
Jeremy pulled her away. “It's too late, Laurel. She was too old for that smoke. She didn't suffer, just never woke from her restful sleep.”
Laurel sobbed, “But I'll miss her terribly!”
“We all will,” said Angus sadly.
Wiping her tears, Laurel brightened somewhat. “She knew your Bible verse, Jeremy, and she showed me another one. I know she's in heaven with Dusty!”
Jeremy held her in his arms. “I know it, too, Laurel.” He led her over to her father. While they stood watching the inferno, Jeremy carried Maggie into the barn and laid her upon the straw and covered her with the blanket he’d carried her out in.
When he returned, Angus was on his feet and slapped Jeremy's back. “Young man, you saved our lives! How can I ever thank you?”
“When this is all over, I may give you the opportunity, sir.”
“What about Ada?” Angus suddenly cried.
“I tried, sir…” Jeremy began. “Her wing of the house went ablaze first—there was no way … he faltered again. “I'm sorry.”
Tears rolled down Angus's face. “She was a fine woman. I'll miss her.”
“We'll all miss her. What a horrid thing to happen.” Laurel comforted. Laurel silently shook her head then perked up and addressed Jeremy. “Jeremy, what made you come here tonight? How did you know about the fire?”
“Manuel came for me. He saw something suspicious and ran for me. By the time I arrived, the flames were already beginning to engulf the house.”
“What did Manuel see?” Laurel asked.
“We'll discuss it later,” he said with a warning glance.
Laurel turned to Jeremy. “Where's my grandmother?”
Jeremy signaled toward the barn.
“I need to say good-bye to her.”
“Are you sure you can handle it?” Concern filled his eyes.
“Now that I know she's with Dusty, I think I can.”
Laurel walked into the barn and stared at the sight before her. She lifted the blanket to see her grandmother’s face one more time. Maggie lay peacefully upon the straw, and Smoky had curled up against her. He, too, was saying his farewell.
Laurel kissed her grandmother's face. “See you in heaven, Gram. Say hello to Dusty for us, and tell him we miss him, too. I won't cry anymore for you, because we'll all be together again one day. Won't that be fun? See you!” Laurel kissed Maggie again and picked up Smoky.
“Oh, Gram!” Laurel exclaimed. “The Tatums told me that in heaven our bodies will be perfect. You'll be able to talk! You're probably talking right this minute to Dusty!”
Hearing a chuckle, Laurel looked up. “Jeremy! How long have you been there?”
“Not long enough. I'm afraid I probably missed the best funeral message of all time!” He wrapped his jacket around her. She'd forgotten she still wore only the pink nightgown. “I'm taking you and your father to our house.”
Jeremy handed Laurel up onto the wagon. Her father lay in the back, beneath a blanket, and Jeremy gave him Smoky to hold.
Before Jeremy started the horses, he and Laurel stared at the destroyed ranch. Flames still leapt up here and there, and smoke smoldered above some blackened objects.
“I'm sorry, Laurel. Your home is gone.”
She thought a moment, and then brightened. “We'll build another.”
Chapter 17
Angus held his cane in one hand and Laurel's arm in the other as he stepped up the few steps into the schoolhouse-church. Jeremy and Flora followed. As they found seats, Angus looked about uncomfortably. “The roof didn't cave in,” he whispered to Laurel.
She smiled. “You aren't sorry you came?”
“No, I'm glad I decided to come. I have much to be thankful for, and it took what happened this week to wake me up. I need to thank God personally.”
“But you could have done that at home,” she reminded.
“Yes, I could have. Always was a prayin' man until…. Anyway, I wanted to come to please you and to show God just how grateful I am. I'm going to come every week; I need to put God back into my life.”
Laurel merely smiled as the service began.
After the sermon, the Reverend Billy Childs asked the congregation if anyone had anything special to add to the service. An old man stood. “I thank the Lord for answer to prayer. My wife took sick with a high fever. I spent a great deal of time in prayer, and this morning her fever was gone.”
Several people “oh-ed and ah-ed,” and a few said, “Praise be.”
Others acknowledged God working in their lives. Then much to Laurel's surprise, Angus stood and faced the congregation. “God answered my prayer before I even asked!” he nearly shouted. Once he had everyone's rapt attention, he continued, more calmly, “Almost twenty years ago, my wife was killed in an Indian raid right here in Fort Worth. My daughter was taken by these Comanche, and I hadn't seen or heard from her until about a month ago. During that whole time I never prayed, because I stubbornly blamed God and pouted because I hadn't gotten my way. I felt sorry for myself.”
Angus gazed at his audience. “Yet deep within me I felt myself crying out to Him. I tried to deny it, but now know I must have been praying with the part of me that didn't know I'd quit Him.” He laughed. “Quit God! As if that were possible. How can someone quit God? Once you know Him, as I did, and He is a central figure in your life, there is no quitting Him. The human part of you, perhaps, shuts Him out, but your soul can never quit Him. Deep within He remains your God, forever. And the wonderful part of it is, despite everything…” Angus's voice cracked with emotion, and his eyes filled. “Despite everything, He never quits you.”
A sudden stirring rustled through the audience as handkerchiefs were put to use, and people murmured in agreement.
“I came here today to thank God for several things. This week He spared my worthless life, spared the life of my precious daughter, whom I'm just getting acquainted with, and gave me the opportunity to share this with you.”
Angus dabbed his eyes and sat down.
On the way to the wagon, after the service, several people came to Angus and thanked him for sharing his story. Jeremy patted his back. “I'm proud of you,” he said.
“I still owe you, Jeremy.”
“Yes, and I plan to collect soon.” Jeremy laughed. “Very soon.”
Flora outdid herself with a delicious dinner, but Jeremy was called away during the meal by an army messenger. While she served coffee in the living room, Flora worried about Jeremy's errand. “I wonder what's happening now. Do you suppose he has to return to Fort Sill?”
“Surely they'll let him stay for the funeral, won't they?” Laurel asked.
“Maggie's is tomorrow and Ada's, Tuesday. I don't expect they'd call him back before then,” said Flora.
“Has anyone seen Ram or Melita since the fire?” Angus wondered.
“No one,” Flora and Laurel chorused.
“Now, Angus,” Flora shook her finger at him. “I want you to know that you and Laurel are welcome here as long as you wish. If you decide to rebuild, you can stay here until you finish—no matter how long it takes. We love having you both.”
“That's kind of you,” said Angus. “We are indeed fortunate to have friends like you and Jeremy.”
A slamming door brought Flora to attention. “Is that you, Jeremy?” she called. “We're in the living room.”
Jeremy entered with a pale face.
“Jeremy! What is it?” Flora cried.
Angus and Laurel merely stared.
Jeremy sat down beside Laurel on the sofa. He gazed at each of them for several seconds. “I don't know how to tell you this.”
“What?” begged Flora. “What has happened now?”
Jeremy played with his hands nervously. “The army men I brought back with me from Fort Sill have been investigating the fire and Ram's criminal actions. They think they've found Mel
ita and Ram and need me to identify them.”
“Identify them?” Angus, Laurel, and Flora said at once.
Jeremy sighed. “It seems that two bodies have been found in the old shanty—a man and a woman. They seem to be quite dead. It appears to be murder-suicide. The woman had the gun in her hand. The man was shot through the temple; the woman through the chest.”
“Dear God!” breathed Flora, holding her own chest.
“And they think,” said Laurel, “that she—”
Jeremy nodded.
“They were both acting strange,” Laurel offered.
“We'll never know exactly what happened,” said Jeremy, “but that's how it looks. They also found a considerable amount of kerosene on Melita's clothing, and her skirt was scorched. Ram didn’t have any kerosene on him at all. The army men think the shooting took place just hours after the fire, and we had no way of knowing until now.”
Laurel's head swung quickly toward Jeremy. “You never did tell us exactly what Manuel said that made you come to the ranch the night of the fire.”
“Manuel ran all the way to our house, and by the time I realized what he was blabbering about in half Spanish and half English, I feared being too late.”
“How do you think I felt,” added Flora, “left here alone to wonder?”
“What did Manuel see or hear?” Laurel asked.
“Manuel saw Melita pouring something all around the house. When I asked him what she poured, he shrugged and said something that smelled like a lamp.”
Laurel shook her head. “But why would Melita set the house on fire? Last time I talked to her, she didn't want anyone to be hurt or die.”
“Maybe Ram told her to do it. If he made her think she had to choose between losing him to you or taking your life, in her state of mind, burning the house might have seemed the best thing to do.”
“But then Ram would have had to order his own mother's death.” Laurel objected. “She was in the house, too.”
“ It looks like Ram didn't intend to share his wealth with anyone.” Jeremy shrugged. “Perhaps Ada was not supposed to be there, or one of the army men suggested that perhaps Melita only poured kerosene on your wing of the house. But the wind was blowing toward Ada's wing, which is a detail Melita and Ram may not have considered.”
“God rest their troubled souls,” murmured Flora.
Jeremy had to return to Fort Sill for his final year of duty, and Laurel wrote him daily. How she missed him! Her love grew by leaps and bounds now that the troubled waters had stilled. Remarkably, she and Angus thrived under Flora's attention, and everyone got along wonderfully. Flora became the mother Laurel never had. Under her tutelage, Laurel learned to knit, crochet, bake bread and other useful things, and to cook almost as well as Mrs. Grant herself. Yet, they all missed Jeremy.
At Christmas, much to the joy of everyone, Jeremy came home for two weeks. Laurel cooked the festive Christmas dinner as a surprise gift to him.
After dinner Jeremy addressed Angus McCallister, “Angus, you claim you owe me because I brought your daughter back and saved your life. Remember I said one day I'd ask to have the deeds returned?”
“I do, and I shall honor that promise,” said Angus proudly.
“Then come with me to the outside, for I am ready for my reward.” Jeremy walked to the back door and Angus followed, closing the door behind them.
“What do you suppose that's about?” Laurel asked. “I can't believe Jeremy is going to ask Father for a reward! That’s not like him.”
Flora smiled, knowingly. “I hope it's what I think it is.”
“You know?”
“No, just hoping.”
“They're coming in already. That didn't take long,” remarked Laurel.
Jeremy addressed Laurel, “May I see you in the living room?” He looked at Angus and Flora, “Alone.” Then he smiled at them with a wink.
“Sure,” she replied, following him.
When the door was closed, he took her into his arms. “Laurel, how I've missed you,” he whispered huskily.
She looked up into his eyes and admitted, “I've also missed you.”
“I've asked your father for one favor, and he has granted it, but only if you agree.”
“I—agree?” she repeated.
He got down on one knee, “Will you marry me?”
“Oh-h! That's the reward? You asked for my hand?”
He nodded. “What is your answer?”
She studied him. “Well, that depends.”
“Depends?”
“Do you love me, truly love me?”
“More than I ever thought possible.”
“And will you love me forever?”
He smiled, “Forever and ever.”
“I will marry you, for I never knew such love. My heart feels like it will burst with all the love.”
Jeremy pulled her close and hugged her like she’d always dreamed he would… he was squeezing her tightly. She hoped he’d never let her go.
When he finally let her go, he kissed her deeply.
Laurel sighed. “I can hardly wait to wake up to you each morning and when I can get hugs and kisses any time I need them.”
Jeremy saluted. “At your service. Any time.”
Pulling away from him she grew serious. “There are a few things I need to know.”
Jeremy nodded.
“What will you do for a living? Surely you aren't going to stay in the army and be far away forever? And do you want children? If so how many? Will you allow me as many cats as I choose? Most important, are you sure you will love me forever?”
“Whoa,” Jeremy laughed. “I wondered when you'd get to the important parts. In answer to your first question, I plan to leave the army in six months. I'd like as many children as you want, preferably half a dozen. As to cats, I set a limit of two in the house, but you may have as many as you please outdoors. And, yes I’ll love you forever.”
Laurel hugged him. “There is one other thing I need to know. What about my father? Will I always be able to be near him?”
“There’s one question you failed to answer. What will you do when you leave the army?”
“Because I wanted it to be a surprise. I suppose I could reveal a part of it. Your father has offered me the job of running his ranch, and I've accepted. We’re going to rebuilt on his land.”
Laurel clapped her hands together silently. “Really? And will I always be near my father?”
“Nearer than you think,” he winked.
“My life so far as Laurel McCallister hasn't been much of a success. I'm anxious to try as Laurel Grant.” She looked up at him with dreamy eyes. “I think I need another hug,” she whispered.
Ten months later, Angus and Laurel again attended church, only the day was a Saturday. The bell that usually called children to class rang loudly, and sun poured over the little schoolhouse-church, spilling through the windows and streaking the interior with its beams. Amid the largest patch of rays stood Angus and Jeremy, nervously waiting by the makeshift altar, Reverend Billy Childs before them.
As music sounded, two brides appeared—one young with auburn hair, the other older and wearing a grin that stretched from ear to ear. Each took her place beside her prospective husband. Flora tucked her arm beneath Angus's, while Laurel placed a hand on Jeremy's sleeve.
Following vows and kisses, the couples received the congratulations of their well-wishers and happily hopped into the buckboard. A short ride brought their new home into view. Where the charred remains of a one-story ranch once lay, stood a white, two-story home, with pillars, French doors, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Flora and Angus headed for the wing on the east side of the house, while Laurel and Jeremy stood outside and watched the sun set over their side.
“You, Father and the men from the church did a splendid job on the house, Jeremy. It's beautiful. I cannot believe I've come from a drafty tepee to this magnificent home. I came from never knowing love to being smother
ed in it. I’m so happy, Jeremy… my dear husband.”
His arm tightened about her. “We combined our resources to make a new life together. A new life for you, me, Angus Flora, Smoky and God.”
Laurel smiled up at her beloved husband, “God has been good. He's answered my prayers before I've asked, just by knowing me, and what I needed. I've found my father and the most wonderful husband.”
Squeezing her husband's hand, she gazed up at him and asked, "Do you think Grandmother and Dusty can see our happiness?”
Jeremy chuckled. “They may have even put in a good word for us!”
Laughing, hand in hand, a gray cat prancing behind them, the couple walked up the path to their new home and new life.
Epilogue
Two years after the marriages, Angus and Flora are celebrating the birth of a seven pound granddaughter. Jeremy and Laurel both heartily agreed on her name: Margaret (Maggie) Brook Grant. The ranch has flourished under Jeremy’s supervision. The new home boasts a large room just for Smoky and his new brother Dusty. The room has wall-to-wall, ceiling to floor windows of which two are French doors leading to a balcony. The room faces east, giving the cats plenty of sunshine.
THE END
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraGossBooks“
“Likes” appreciated.
http://www.barbaragossbooks.com
Sign up for my newsletter on my website above.
DO YOU ENJOY SWEET WESTERN ROMANCES?
Sweet Wild West Reads is a Facebook group and a wonderful place for sweet western romance authors and readers discuss their favorite stories, thoughts, and authors. Join the group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1832790870336744/
Other books by Barbara Goss:
1. Forbidden Legacy
2. Captured Heart
3. Stolen Heritage
4. Dangerous Illusions
5. Silent Love
6. The Final Vow
7. The Kissing Bridge
8. Drawn from Darkness