Inherited

by Gabrielle Meyer

  Great sobs rose in Elizabeth’s chest until she felt she would be choked by them. Her sister’s chance at happiness was forever gone. The grief she felt over that knowledge was as great as she felt when Mama had died.

  She curled up on the floor and let the tears overwhelm her. Her emotions were already so frayed she couldn’t stop them if she tried.

  “Lizzie?” Rose sat up, her sleepy brown eyes filled with fear. “Why are you crying?”

  Elizabeth rose on shaky legs and went to the sofa. She pulled her sister onto her lap and held her tight, feeling as if Rose was the only anchor in her tumultuous world. How could she hold on to Rose’s innocence? Why was the world such a cruel and wretched place?

  “What’s wrong?” Rose asked.

  Elizabeth would need to pull herself together for Rose and for Gretchen. Dr. Jodan would be in soon to see her and he’d need to know everything she knew to help the young woman.

  She wiped at her face to remove the tears and took a deep breath to steady her emotions. “Everything will be all right. Don’t worry.”

  Rose looked up at Elizabeth, her lips puckered in sadness.

  “When was the last time you saw Grace?” Elizabeth asked.

  Rose lifted her shoulders. “I don’t know.”

  “Did she come in here last night?”

  “Nellie put on my nightgown.”

  “Did Nellie talk to Grace?” Elizabeth tried to be patient as she asked her questions, but she needed to know everything.

  Rose nodded. “Grace told Nellie she could leave and then she packed her bag. She told me to sleep on the sofa. I said I wanted Edgar.” She nodded decisively. “Grace said go ahead.”

  “And then what?”

  Rose shrugged again. “I went to the sofa.”

  “Do you remember Grace writing a note?”

  Rose shook her head.

  “Do you remember anything else?”

  The little girl screwed up her face as if she was thinking hard. “I remember Edgar tried to scratch me.”

  “But nothing else about Grace?”

  “No.” Rose frowned. “Where is Grace?”

  Elizabeth didn’t want to tell her—at least not yet. “I don’t know right now. But hopefully I’ll know more soon.”

  “Miss Bell?” Dr. Jodan spoke on the other side of the sitting room door. “Are you available?”

  “Yes.” Elizabeth set Rose on the sofa and said, “I’ll be back soon to help you get dressed. For now, I want you to stay here and play with Edgar. All right?”

  “I’m hungry.”

  “I’ll bring you downstairs for something to eat soon.” Elizabeth showed the doctor into her bedroom, conscious of how she might look to him with her tear-stained cheeks, and closed the door softly behind them.

  “Mr. Doucette told me a little about this lady,” Dr. Jodan said as he studied Elizabeth’s face. “It seems you were both in a bit of trouble lately.”

  “It’s a long story,” Elizabeth said. “But I’m fine. Gretchen is the one who needs attendance.”

  “I can see that.” Dr. Jodan opened his medical bag and pulled out his stethoscope. “I need to know everything from the beginning to the end.” He looked at her over the rim of his glasses. “And don’t leave anything out. Even if you’re embarrassed or it seems unimportant, tell me everything. It might be exactly what I need to treat her correctly.” His eyes and voice were gentle as he spoke. “Whatever you say will be held in the strictest confidence.”

  Elizabeth nodded, hoping she could recall all that Gretchen had told her—even as her thoughts were far away with Grace.

  Remorse hit her all over again. Why had she left with Jude? Her place was with her family. She’d always known that. Now she would have to live with the reminder of her mistake every day of her life.

  Chapter Twenty

  Jude walked into the Northern and was immediately greeted by a few dozen people who all looked up with wide eyes.

  “It’s safe to go home now,” he told everyone. “Hugh’s gang was seen riding west out of town and the sun is almost up.”

  The relief on their faces put a smile on Jude’s. “You’ll be happy to know that we’ve arrested four men and the fifth is under guard here, being attended to by Dr. Jodan for a gunshot wound to the leg.” He glanced at Ben, who’d entered just behind him, but he could see by the look on Ben’s face that he didn’t want to take credit for the shooting—at least, not yet.

  Jude spoke to a few people briefly as he made his way over to Pascal, who stood in his customary place behind the front counter.

  “Did Dr. Jodan go up to see Gretchen?”

  “He’s with her and Miss Elizabeth now.”

  “Good.” Jude was anxious to hear how they were both doing. “I’ll head up there.”

  Jude maneuvered between people as they gathered their loved ones and left the hotel. He climbed the stairs and met Dr. Jodan as he came down the hall.

  “How is Gretchen?”

  “She’ll live.” Dr. Jodan’s face was grave. “But she has a long way to go. I’ll come in and check on her periodically, but it could be several weeks before she’s out of bed.”

  With the threat of Dew out of the way, Gretchen could stay for as long as she’d like. “Thank you, doctor.”

  Dr. Jodan patted Jude’s shoulder as he moved past him in the hall. “As for Miss Bell—she’s been through quite an ordeal. See that she gets some rest.”

  “I will.”

  Jude walked the rest of the way down the hall and knocked softly on Elizabeth’s bedroom door.

  The door creaked open after a moment and Elizabeth stood on the other side. Her face was red and streaked with tears. Jude wanted desperately to take her into his arms and apologize all over again for causing her such pain.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked, instead.

  She opened the door a little wider and stepped out into the hallway. The pink morning sky filled the window just behind her with a soft glow.

  Elizabeth bit her bottom lip as a tear trailed down her cheek. “Everything is not all right.”

  Dread knotted in his gut. Had she lied to him about Dew? Had he misused her in a way that she was now feeling the need to confess? He took her by the shoulders. “What is it?”

  “It’s Grace. She left with Hugh last night. I—” She broke off with a sob and stepped into his arms.

  He held her close, wishing he could do more to comfort her. “How do you know?”

  “She left a note.”

  “What did it say? Maybe there is a clue to help us locate her.”

  “She said they’re going west to start over and not to worry, because she’s a grown woman and she knows what she’s doing.” Elizabeth pulled away and put a little distance between them.

  He hated how it felt when she left his embrace, but it was for the best. Yet the thought of never holding her again was almost more than he could bear. “I’ll be meeting with the others in a couple hours and we plan to put a posse together and ride after Hugh’s gang.” He lowered his voice, wanting to reassure her. “I’ll do whatever I can to find her for you, Lizzie.”

  She studied him for a moment, her eyes filled with doubt and hope and a range of other emotions too painful for him to identify. “I’ve made a decision. You were right all along. Little Falls is no place for me.”

  “Elizabeth—”

  “If the offer still stands for transportation costs, I’d like to take my sisters back to Rockford.”

  He shook his head, desperate to change her mind. “You have a home here. You don’t need to leave.”

  “It’s the only way to preserve Grace’s reputation and save her from the shame and embarrassment of her actions.”

  “There has to be an
other way. I’ll get her back to you without the others knowing.”

  “It’s no use. People will talk.”

  He wanted to reach out to her again, but refrained. “Don’t make any rash decisions. I’ll find her and we’ll work it all out.”

  “I should clean up and then get downstairs to start breakfast.” She put her hand on the doorknob, but he reached out to stop her.

  “Get some rest first. Everything will look better after you’ve had some sleep.”

  She shook her head. “I won’t rest until I know Grace is safe.”

  He let go of her hand and took a step back. “I’ll see to that myself.”

  She slipped into her room and closed the door, leaving Jude alone in the hall. The thought of never seeing her again was too much to think about right now—but wouldn’t it be better for both of them? Having her so close, without having her completely, was driving him mad. He needed to focus on rescuing Grace and then he’d worry about what he would say to Elizabeth.

  He went to his room and changed out of his evening clothes into denim pants and a cotton shirt. He’d be riding with the posse and he needed to be ready.

  Four hours later, he sat in his saddle waiting outside the sheriff’s office. He’d been the first to arrive, too anxious to rest and wanting to get to Grace as soon as possible.

  Ben appeared down the street on his mare and trotted toward Jude. As soon as he came to a stop, Jude told him what he’d dreaded saying for the past few hours. “Grace left with Hugh.”

  Ben closed his eyes and rubbed his face with his hands. “Why would she do something so foolish?”

  “Who knows?” Jude made sure no one was close enough to hear. “She left a note and said they would make a life for themselves out west, but Elizabeth wants me to find her. If we can bring her back without anyone knowing, maybe we could save her reputation.”

  “That is, if she hasn’t done something even more foolish than simply leave with him.”

  Jude hated to think of the repercussions. “I don’t know how we’ll get her back here without the others in the posse knowing.”

  “If we find her,” Ben said, “it would be impossible for them to not see her.”

  Jude hated that Ben was right—but they still needed to try.

  “You had a chance to speak to Elizabeth, then?” Ben asked.

  “For a few minutes.” He could still feel her in his arms.

  “When this is all done, will you propose to her?”

  Jude tried to hide his disappointment. “No.”

  “Why not?” Ben’s horse sidestepped and he had to pull on the reins. “I saw how you two embraced after we rescued her last night. I thought you’d propose right there.”

  Jude looked off to the north, hoping for a sign of one of the other vigilantes so he could stop having this conversation with Ben.

  “Why are you scared?” Ben asked.

  “I’m not scared.”

  “I can see fear written all over your face.”

  Jude repositioned himself in the saddle. “Haven’t we already had this conversation? I’m not the right man for her. I could never ask her to marry me, because my life is too dangerous. I can’t give up my rescue work, and even if she agreed to let me continue, I would never put her through what she endured last night again.” He felt his shoulders slump, so he purposely straightened them.

  “What if she feels called to continue rescue work, too?”

  “Why would she?” Especially if she went back to Rockford.

  “I saw the way she worried over Gretchen last night. It’s obvious she realizes how important this work is. Maybe she’ll continue, even if she’s not married to you.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “And wouldn’t it be better if you’re there to protect her?”

  Jude shook his head. “You have no idea what she’s thinking.”

  “And neither do you.” Ben’s voice became serious. “Talk to her. Don’t assume you know what’s best for her. Don’t let fear keep you from telling her how you feel.”

  As the others arrived, Jude thought about Ben’s words, but he pushed it all aside as he focused on his mission.

  “Milo Schmidt sent a runner into town an hour ago,” Abram addressed the men after they assembled. “He said the gang overran his farm about five miles west of here.” He looked at each man in turn. “They are armed and dangerous. Keep watch and don’t be foolish. We’ve agreed to let them go if they promise to never come back to Little Falls.”

  There was some grumbling among the group, but the majority agreed.

  “Let’s head out.” Abram and Timothy led the way and the others followed.

  No one spoke as they galloped west. Within a half hour, they could see Schmidt’s farm at the base of a hill.

  Abram brought the group to a stop. “I want to surround the place. There are fifteen of us, so I want to break up in groups of two or three. I have a white flag I’m going to hold up so they know we’re coming to talk—but I don’t trust these men, so stay out of sight and be ready to fire, if necessary.” He glanced around the group. “I’d like Jude, Ben and Timothy to ride with me.”

  Jude nodded. Hopefully he’d get a chance to speak with Hugh directly.

  The others split off while the four negotiators approached the farm on the main road.

  White clouds filled an endless expanse of blue sky, and the stubble of grass waved under a gentle breeze. Milo Schmidt’s farm was one of the finest in the territory and boasted a large white house, an even bigger red barn and miles of endless croplands, which had been decimated during the grasshopper infestation. He was one who would benefit from the seed Jude would bring back from St. Paul as soon as he made the trip to retrieve it. At the moment, however, Jude’s mind was not on the government aid, but on finding Grace.

  Abram held the white flag high overhead as they approached the farm. Slowly, gang members appeared in the barnyard and on the front porch.

  Mrs. Schmidt stood at the window, her hands twisted in her apron. No doubt the lady was beyond frightened. Hopefully the gang would be gone soon and she could put her mind at ease.

  Hugh came to the front door, his right hand wrapped in a bandage.

  “We’ve come to negotiate,” Abram called out.

  Jude pulled on Lady’s reins and came to a halt beside the others. He searched every window in the house, looking for some sign of Grace, but couldn’t find one.

  Hugh stepped out of the house and let the door slam shut behind him. It was clear he was exhausted and his hand gave him pain. Something about the set of his shoulders also suggested he was ready to talk.

  “Mr. Jones.” Abram nodded. “I won’t make this speech longer than necessary. We want to see you and your men leave town. Immediately. Judge Barnum will survive, so you are free from the threat of manslaughter. If you leave now, we won’t press charges.”

  Hugh looked at each man, his gaze lingering on Jude for a second longer than the others. “I plan to head west, anyway.”

  “This goes for all of your men,” Timothy added.

  “I don’t care what they all do. We’re breaking up.” Hugh’s jaw tightened as he aimed his stare at Ben. “Before you go, I need a parson.”

  “Why?” Jude asked.

  “It’s between me and the parson.”

  Jude dismounted and stood before Hugh. “I have a feeling I need to be in on this discussion, as well.”

  Hugh narrowed his eyes, but he didn’t refuse. “Fine.” He turned and went back toward the house.

  Abram looked a bit befuddled as Ben dismounted.

  “You can head on back,” Jude told Abram and Timothy. “Ben and I will be along shortly.”

  Ben cast a look at Jude. No doubt he was thinking the same thing. Hugh intended
to marry Grace.

  It was the honorable thing to do—but would it satisfy Elizabeth? More importantly, was there a chance he could talk Grace out of it?

  * * *

  Elizabeth quietly closed her bedroom door so she wouldn’t wake Gretchen, who was sleeping peacefully, maybe for the first time in years. Rose was also napping in the sitting room, blissfully unaware of Grace’s indiscretion. Elizabeth, on the other hand, knew it all too well and knew she would not sleep until Grace returned.

  It had been at least an hour since she’d watched most of the posse members ride back to town—but Jude and Ben were not with them. What was taking so long?

  She stopped by the window facing the back of the hotel and wrapped her arms around her waist, wishing she could have gone with them to talk some sense into Grace. Instead, she’d stayed where she was needed more and prayed every chance she could get.

  The late afternoon sunshine was warm as it came through the window. All the clouds had drifted out of sight and now the sky was a perfect shade of blue. The Mississippi ran along the edge of town and disappeared behind one of the buildings at the end of Main Street.

  When would Jude return? And when he did, would he have Grace?

  She’d had a lot of time to think through the morning and afternoon. After speaking to Pascal, she’d decided to close the hotel dining room for the day. Martha was very ill and needed as much sleep as possible. With the responsibility to care for Gretchen and Rose, Elizabeth wouldn’t have the time or energy required to make all the necessary meals.

  The attic stairs creaked and Elizabeth turned to find Martha coming down. Her face was pale and lines edged her eyes, but she looked a little better than she had earlier when Elizabeth checked on her.

  “Any word?” Martha asked.

  Elizabeth looked back out the window. “Nothing.”

  “Don’t worry, lovey. All will be well.” Martha patted Elizabeth’s arm. “Let’s go have some coffee and pull together something for supper.”

  “We closed the dining room.”