"Yes."
"In that case, it is my duty to inform you that I am required to instruct the bank that the funds are not to be released unless Harald agrees. Of course, should you divorce, an equitable arrangement could be made whereby you retain your funds and Harald retains ownership of the mercantile. He is not legally required to do this, however I expect I could persuade him of the wisdom of such an agreement in your favor."
" Thank you Mr Garret. I will need to think about what you have said. It is not my intention to make life easy for that man and his little Norwegian harlot, so would prefer not to divorce him. On the other hand, the funds my father has given me are mine and mine alone. He is not entitled to one penny."
Jeb cut in. "According to law, anything you own is his."
"Well I see you are not inclined to assist so I will take care of the matter myself. Good day."
Emmaline slammed the door on her way out. Jeb let out his breath and decided Jake needed to know about this and he would go over to the bank right now to place a hold on Emmaline's supposed funds. The woman was trouble.
As always, Emmaline was furious. She was tired of the husband she didn't want and enraged that he had legal power over her. There must be a way to thwart him and his little helper. She just needed to think of a way to hurt him where it mattered most. Of course, the store itself. Idea after idea was popping into her head now and she knew at last what she was going to do. It was all in the planning and engaging the correct people.
First she needed somewhere to stay though.
"I'm sorry, there are no rooms available at the moment. Perhaps if you try the saloon? Sometimes they have a room or two unoccupied." Emma's husband would do nothing to accommodate the odious woman.
Emmaline slammed out and headed for the saloon.
"Yes, we have one room for a respectable lady such as yourself, although you might be more comfortable at the hotel?"
"They have no vacancies."
"Ah. I see. Well you can take the room for as long as you need and I'll let you have it for $1.00 a night."
Emmaline slapped $10.00 on the bar. There is a trunk at the mercantile that needs collecting. See to it will you."
"Yes Lady Emmaline, right away Lady Emmaline." The man was snickering behind his hand at the joke and he actually burst out laughing when he realized she thought he was serious.
Emmaline was happy. At last someone treated her with the respect she deserved. Now, to settle in and see about finding a couple of men keen to make some fast money and who didn't have a conscience about what was required to earn it. Maybe some of the low life's who used to hang out at Big Jim's place would do their drinking here now and she could make an arrangement with them, this very afternoon. Oh, yes, those Norwegians would be sorry if she had anything to do with it.
~#~#~#~
Chapter Eight
Meantime, at the the mercantile, Ingrid had spoken with Harald, Abigail and Hetty about her idea for an evening of Christmas singing. With Emmaline gone out visiting, the kitchen was an oasis of baked goods once again.
"It smells heavenly in here, Harald. You know you can smell it from the street too. It's no wonder everyone comes in here."
"I know," answered Harald. Ingrid just won't stop baking. I'm worried the stove will wear out."
"So what do you think about about her idea of an evening of Christmas songs for the children, Harald. I think it is wonderful and Hetty and I are happy to organize it. We were thinking the schoolhouse might be warmer than the church for it though... it's got a bigger stove, mused Abigail."
It would be Hetty's first official job as the new school teacher and she was keen to work with Ingrid and Abigail to create a magical evening for the children.
"Would you have some candles, Mr. Larson? Some that are no good to sell in the store? I thought the children might like to hold a candle while they sing and it would be so very pretty."
"I believe I could find some, Miss Hetty. I'll let you know."
"Thank you so much Harald," said Abigail. It is a wonderful thing to do for the town and will help to unite our community even further. After the court hearing today, the fellowship will be very welcome. Now we mustn't keep you from your work Harald."
Ingrid came out from the kitchen. "Oh Abigail, before you go, could I borrow Hetty for a couple of hours this afternoon to set up a Nativity scene in the front window? Only if you are not otherwise engaged of coarse."
"It's a wonderful idea. I might even come myself. There are a few bits and pieces in the parsonage that would suit perfectly. We'll see you in say, an hour?"
"That would be perfect. I can't wait..." the shop bell interrupted her next words as little Jim from the respectable saloon stepped in.
He held the door for them and doffed his hat. "Afternoon ladies."
"What can I do for you Jim? Come to sample Ingrid's pies?"
"Well no, Harald. The thing is, that Clem sent me up here to collect the Lady Emmaline's trunk. Apparently it's packed and ready to collect... begging your pardon."
"You don't need to beg my pardon about that woman, Jim. If she's decided to live elsewhere, I couldn't be happier. Now just wait for a moment and I'll bring it down."
Harald deposited the trunk on the floor beside Jimmy and held the door for him while he hefted its weight and departed.
"Ingrid, while it's quiet, I'm going over the see Jeb Garret. Will you be alright while I'm gone? I won't be long."
"I'll be fine Harald. I'm going to put on another batch of pies before Hetty and Abigail come back. I just know you're going to love the front window. Oh, and if you bring me back a joint of beef, or some such like from the butcher, I'll put on something warm and filling for your supper."
"That sounds lovely Ingrid, thank you but I don't want you to work too hard."
"I promise I won't. See you soon."
Ingrid watched Harald as he walked across the street to the lawyer's office, a spring in his step. She guessed he wanted to find out about divorcing Emmaline, and a good thing too, seeing as she left him again without so much as a goodbye. Living in a saloon wasn't very ladylike though. She'd have been better off staying at the hotel, under Emma's watch. It was beyond Ingrid why Emmaline would choose the Saloon. She didn't have to wait long to find out.
Emma came in, glad to see there were no customers for a moment. "Do you know what that husband of mine did Ingrid? Only told Emmaline we didn't have any rooms vacant at the hotel. I wonder where's she's gone. Forgive me from barging in but I had to come and tell you."
"You know I'm always happy to see you Emma. But wait. A few minutes ago, Little Jim from the saloon cane to collect Emmaline's trunk. Seems like she's moved out of here and into the saloon. I was wondering why she'd choose the saloon over your hotel."
"Well now we know. I never realized my husband was so smart and she's moved herself into a whole lot of trouble if she thinks living in a saloon is a fit abode for a lady."
"Harald just went over to see Jeb, so maybe they can finally sort something out about a divorce."
"Well, I hope so. The whole town hopes so I think. That woman is seriously misguided. Anyway, I must get back."
"Before you go, I asked Harald to bring me some meat because I'm going to make a big pot of something for supper. If you send Sophie over, it should be ready to collect for supper at the hotel."
"Bless you Ingrid. I wondered what I was going to do tonight. Sophie is excellent at everything she does bar cooking."
"Bye then... and I'll send some pie as well. Your husband might have just done me the biggest favor of my life. The only one actually."
"You're a good girl Ingrid. I'm sure we'll be hearing wedding bells before you know it."
~#~#~#~
"Emmaline was in here an hour or so ago Harald, wanting to find out about buying Jim Olson's place. Said she wants to open a boarding house and she's got money from her father to buy it with. I thought you might like to know that, in case she hadn't told you. The bank is
putting a stop on it so she can't get a hold of it unless you sign for it. If she didn't spend so much time getting angry, she would've figured that out for herself."
"I wasn't aware she had any money... told me her father cut her off. To be honest, I was hoping she might have gone ahead and filed for divorce."
"The last thing she wants to do is divorce you... sat right there and said so. Doesn't want you and Ingrid to have a chance to be together is what it amounts to."
"Well, in that case, I would like to divorce her... as quickly as possible."
"The fastest way to proceed would be to cite her adultery with the Reverend J.T. Miller. It's easy to prove and beyond contesting."
"Seems the man has repented and threw Emmaline over. He wrote to Pastor Jeremy about how he's turned his back on the unsavory behavior he indulged in while he was here and has made a new start. I'm not of a mind to embarrass the man after he's changed his ways and repented of his sins."
"I understand and it's generous of you to respect his privacy, but please don't forget how he treated you. However, there might be another way. You told me just now she's moved into the saloon? Why not the hotel? I don't think anything good can come of a so called respectable married lady moving into a saloon to live. However, the situation could help us. I'll talk to the Sheriff and see if he can plant someone in there and keep tabs on her. There's a good chance she'll give us all the evidence we need. Meantime, I'll start on the paperwork for you. Do you happen to know how much cash she has?"
"I've no idea and thanks to you, the bank won't give her any either."
"We just need to be patient Harald. Sooner or later, she'll need to earn some money and because she's averse to working, it's more than likely she'll have to turn a few tricks to pay for her room and board at the saloon. When that happens, your divorce will be granted immediately."
"So, I have to wait. I thought moving into the saloon would be enough, but never mind. Thanks for organizing it Jeb."
"I know she is the one who abandoned you Harald, but the law of Texas is clear about the length of abandonment being three years or more. It's bad luck but I'm sure a little patience will secure the outcome you want."
Harald left, picked up the meat for Ingrid and went back to the store. True, the news about the divorce wasn't all bad and in time, he'd be a free man again.
But much as he wished otherwise, citing the Reverend J.T. Miller as Emmaline's partner in adultery was not an honorable thing do to a reformed man. No, he would have to take Jeb's advice and wait for her to slip up. There was no denying Emmaline was impulsive, arrogant and rash. That by itself would soon cause her to make a mistake.
~#~#~#~
Harald's step had lost its spring by the time he returned to the mercantile. He cheered up though when he saw the bevy of young women transforming his front window into a Christmas paradise. Ingrid was just removing yet another batch of pies from the oven and she thanked him profusely for remembering the beef.
"I'll put this on now so it will be ready when Sophie comes to collect some for the hotel. Emma came in while you were away and said her husband told Emmaline there were no vacant rooms for her at the hotel, so she went to stay at the saloon instead."
"Well that is a good thing, but not enough to divorce her... and abandonment must be for a period of three years. It seems I must wait for her to behave inappropriately before proceeding."
"I'm sure you won't need to wait too long Harald."
"No, but I was hoping to be free by Christmas."
"Let the Lord attend to it, that's the best way. Now cheer up, you've started proceedings and just need to be patient."
Hetty came into the kitchen. "I'm just going to slip down to the livery to beg a little fresh straw for our manger in the window. I'll take a shortcut and go the back way."
"That's a great idea, thank you Hetty, remarked Ingrid. Please be careful..."
Hetty left the warmth of the kitchen and negotiated her way through the back yard, past the barn to the back gate which led to an alley that ran the length of the street. It took her around ten minutes to make her way to the livery and soon found herself wishing she could walk faster. But that was wishful thinking since her beating had rendered her weak. She was improving all the time, but still preferred not to flout the bruises on her face in public, hence the choice of the back alley rather than the main street.
At the livery, Tom Jenkins happily gave her an armload of fresh straw. "I'll stop by and see the window later... sounds like something the children will love to see at Christmas."
"Thanks Tom."
Hetty gave him a farewell smile and headed back into the lane. She needed to walk more slowly now she had the straw, even though it wasn't heavy. She figured she was almost up to the saloon when she heard voices from the barn in the yard behind the saloon. The woman's voice was not one she recognized, but the male voice belonged to one of Big Jim Olson's former employees. He must have decided to hang out there since the closure of what she privately called the Hell House.
It wasn't as if she wanted to eavesdrop, but she did need to rest a little before walking the remainder of the way down the alley to the mercantile. Besides, she didn't trust any of those men who worked for Jim Olson.
"So what do you want me to do and how much are you paying?" asked the man.
"I want you to create some mayhem... with fire. I want to teach a couple of people a lesson they will never forget. You will need to somehow throw a torch or something that will cause a fire, after you break the font window. I can't think of a better way to be rid of my husband."
"There are less obvious ways to do these things."
"No, it must be fire. You decide how it's to be done, but it must be fire."
"Alright then, I'll break in quietly and set several fires through the place, upstairs and down."
"Good. I'll meet you at the back of Big Jim's place and we can have a drink afterward, if you get my meaning. I'm supposing you still have a key?"
Hetty didn't wait to hear any more. She hurried down the lane to the back of the mercantile, gasping as she entered the kitchen, "We need to get the Sheriff."
~#~#~#~
Chapter Nine
Jake sat in the kitchen out the back of the mercantile trying to make sense of what Hetty was saying.
"So you had no idea who the woman was, but you recognized the voice of the man. Is that what you're saying?"
"Yes. It was one of Jim Olson's former employees, I'm sure. I don't know his name though, but I would recognize the voice again if I heard it."
"So you overheard a conversation between this man and an unknown woman who was hiring him to set fire to something."
"Yes, that's correct. And afterward they were going to meet up at Big Jim's place for a drink. The man said he had a key to get in."
"Thank you Hetty for acting so quickly on this. I can alert my deputies now. I'll organize some patrols to operate all night so we can catch this fellow before anything or anyone is damaged or hurt."
"Thanks for coming Sheriff. You'd think after today at the courthouse we'd be able to let our guard down a little," said Harald
"Yes," agreed Jake. But in every barrel of apples, you'll always find a couple of rotten ones. That's just how it is. Now you let me worry about this now. I want to go and round up my deputies so we can start alerting folks to the danger."
Abigail and Hetty said their goodbyes too and set off to the parsonage to help Jeremy secure the premises.
At the Sheriff's office, Jake briefed his deputies and soon they had a posse of twenty men to patrol the town and inform the residents of what was happening. "The first thing I'll do is secure the back entrance so his key will be out of action and well make sure that place is locked up tight as a drum. No-one will be able to get in there."
The afternoon passed quietly, lulling them into a false sense of security. So far so good and no one had been spotted acting suspiciously in the back lanes. But as afternoon passed into evening, Jake
began to worry. Night was always more problematic because of how easy it was to hide in the shadows. And tonight, there was little by way of moonlight. They would need coffee and lots of it, if they were to remain vigilant.
The townsfolk had lamps burning and would likely be awake all night as well. He thought it was a sign of a close community and boded well for somebody to catch the suspected arsonist. This was the kind of community he preferred and he found himself wishing they could catch the villain quickly so he could go back to bed with his wife. It was cold out.
So far, there was nothing and yet again he passed up and down the street in a slow sweep. He hoped there was nothing to this, but his gut told him otherwise. Never yet had his gut instinct betrayed him and that fact alone kept him awake. At least it wasn't snowing.
~#~#~#~
Emmaline didn't need a key to sneak inside Big Jim's place. After finalizing her arrangement with the man who was finally going to procure her freedom from Harald, she needed a drink. And what better place to find whiskey than in a saloon. She'd done enough secret drinking with Big Jim when she lived here before, to know her way around. She went inside, thinking to find a bottle and a glass. There was no one here and who would think to look for her here? She was Lady Emmaline after all.
In the kitchen she found bread and butter and decided to make up a tray to take upstairs with her. She'd have a few drinks, something to eat and then wait for Clem Williams to return. He'd get a surprise when he found her here already and waiting for him.
She desperately needed some time on her own to make plans to buy this place so the first thing she would do tomorrow, was to secure the funds her father had sent her. Her part of their bargain was met. She'd found a husband and stayed married for five years, and what a droll five years they were. One thing she'd learned from the experience was that she would never marry again, because who wanted a husband to take ownership of everything she owned.
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