But as you’ve just awoken from your nap, that is my cue to stop for the day.
I love you, my sweet one.
Mama
As she closed the book, Jackie let the words sink into her heart. Shecouldn’t have known what was coming. But God did. Gratefulness filled her heart to overflowing that God had seen fit to place her here. Her mother had taught her first about God. And then Marshall Rivers had as well. He may not have been her father by blood, but he was her real dad. And she would never forget him.
Elijah opened his eyes a crack. The room was dark. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed two figures were with him. One was slumped in the chair across the room, and another—Jackie—had her head resting on the edge of his bed.
He reached out a hand and laid it on her head. The silken strands of her hair were as soft as he expected.
She roused and lifted her head to look at him. “Elijah?”
“Mm-hmm.”
A heavy sigh left her lips. “I’m so glad you’re awake. We’ve been praying for days.”
“What happened?”
“You had a puss-filled wound in your leg. Doc had to open it up around the break in your leg. He said the damage was close to getting into the bone itself.”
“No wonder it feels like my leg’s been run over by a hundred horses.” He leaned his head back and watched her. “It’s so good to see you, Jackie.”
“It’s good to see you awake.”
“Was Crowell here? I thought I remembered talking to him.”
She nodded toward the chair in the corner. “You did. Mr. Crowell?”
The sleeping man roused. “Elijah! You’re awake.” He jumped up from the chair. “Sorry, son. I came in on the stage and fell asleep almost immediately in the chair when I found you still weren’t awake.”
Jackie stood and offered Crowell her chair. “Please, sit. I’ll get you both some refreshment.”
“Thank you.” Crowell looked at Elijah after Jackie left the room. “She’s still having a difficult time with the fact that I shut the station down. But just so you know, I had to. To protect her.”
“I appreciate you doing that. Especially with a killer on the loose.”
“The sheriff told me that you were the only witness for the Sanders killing?”
“Yes, sir.” He tried to shake the cobwebs from his head.
“But you didn’t see anyone?”
“No.”
“What about the man who shot the stage driver—could you identify him?”
“I didn’t get a good look at him. His face was almost completely covered.”
“All right then. Tell me what happened at Sanders’s office.”
As Elijah recounted the conversations he’d had with Sanders before the man was shot, Jackie returned with a tray.
Crowell looked up at her. “You told me the night you came back from Virginia City that you saw the man you knew as Williamson shoot another man?”
“Yes, sir.” She nodded. “I was riding to the outskirts of town so I could let Romeo have his head. The snowstorm was moving in fast. I came around the corner of a deserted stable and saw it plain as day.”
“You’re sure it was Williamson?”
“Definitely. I can even describe the man he shot.”
“Oh, we’re pretty sure we know who he shot. The sheriff found the body. But right now we’re trying to figure out the connection.”
Elijah took a deep breath. “You’re pretty sure that the man Jackie and I saw as Williamson wasn’t the actual Williamson, right?”
Crowell’s jaw clenched and unclenched. “Yes. Especially after you told me what Sanders said before he was killed. We just have to catch whoever it was that was impersonating our man.” He stood and put on his hat. “I need to get back to Virginia City and meet with the sheriff again. But rest assured, we’ll take care of this.” He laid a hand on Elijah’s shoulder. “You need to heal. And take care of Miss Rivers here.”
“I plan to do just that.”
Jackie gave the man a stiff smile as she stood. “I’ll walk you out. Do you need a horse?”
“That would be wonderful, yes.”
As the two left the room, Elijah laid his head back on the pillow. It was exhausting just talking. But maybe once he got some food inside him, he’d be able to regain his strength.
Strange recollections filled his mind. Had he woken at all during the last few days? He couldn’t tell if he’d dreamed it or not. But he did know that his focus had been on Jackie. Even if he hadn’t woken, he knew he’d heard her voice.
The object of his thoughts returned, and her smile was genuine. “Mr. Crowell told me that he knows Dad was innocent of any wrongdoing. He said it might take a little time, but he’s going to prove it.”
“That’s wonderful news.” He furrowed his brow. “But I didn’t realize that anything was amiss.”
Sitting back down in the chair, she leaned forward with her elbows on her knees. “I told you while you were battling the fever. I’m sorry. Apparently several letters surfaced at different Pony Express stations, implying that my dad was the forger and kept forged treasury notes at the bank. When they went to the bank and found forged notes, they had to shut down the station.”
“Wow. Well, I’m glad that Crowell knows the truth.”
“Me too. I was beginning to worry.”
He reached out a hand to her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t a help to you during that time. I’m guessing that’s why it’s so quiet around here?”
Jackie let out a huff. “Isn’t it awful? I can’t wait until my boys are back. I’ve never wished for anything more in my life.”
Laughing with her, he looked deep into her eyes. “Well, I hope they come back soon, because I need to ask Michael a question.”
With a frown, she looked at him skeptically. “And what question would that be?”
“Well, as the man of the house—and your adopted brother—I need to ask him for his permission to court you.”
“Oh, do you now?” She quirked an eyebrow.
“Yes, I do.”
She gripped his hand. “Well, this may be considered completely inappropriate in polite society, but I need to tell you something.”
“Go ahead.” It was his turn to be caught by surprise.
“I love you.”
As the words washed over him, he felt like he’d heard them from her before. “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear you say that.”
“I don’t know if you remember telling me that when you were so sick, but I’ve been begging God to heal you. And I told you last night that I loved you in hopes that you would wake up.” A smile split her face. “I guess it worked.”
“It most certainly did.” As he stared into her beautiful green eyes, he prayed for the Lord to heal him quickly. Because he wanted to wrap his arms around this woman forever.
November 26, 1860
Charles sat on the edge of the seat in the stage and stared out the window.
“Sir, I don’t believe that will help us arrive any faster,” Colson teased.
“Oh grief, man. Give me the courtesy of letting me be excited. We’re almost there.”
“My apologies, sir.” His man leaned forward as well. “I must say that it has been good to see you have such a zest for life again.”
“We’ll have to tell good ol’ Newberry that my heart just needed something to look forward to.” He clapped his hands together. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
“What if Elijah hasn’t told her anything? What if it’s not her?”
“I’ll have to take that as it comes. For right now, let me dream.”
“Of course.” Colson leaned back against the seat. “I’m looking forward to a hot bath and a decent bed. Do you think we’ll be able to find that out here?”
“It doesn’t matter to me.” He wanted to bounce on the seat, but thatseemed childish. “I’ll sleep in the barn if I have to.”
The driver pounded on the roof of the stage.
His voice bellowed through the walls. “Carson Sink comin’ up.”
Charles leaned back and told himself to breathe. After all these years. He swallowed and choked down his fear.
The stage rocked and swayed as it came to a stop.
Colson opened the door and stepped out.
Charles put on his hat and followed.
After the driver handed their bags down, he leaned over the edge. “I think they’re closed for business right now.”
“Doesn’t matter. This is where we need to stop.”
“Suit yourself.” The driver lifted the reins and put the team back in motion.
Charles turned toward the adobe structure that must be the way station. The door opened and out stepped a young woman who was the spitting image of his Anna.
His breath caught in his throat.
“We’re closed, but may I help you?” Her puzzled expression was endearing as she tilted her head and wrapped her red shawl about her shoulders a bit tighter.
“My apologies, miss, but my employer and I were hoping we could find some rooms at your establishment.” Colson had stepped forward with his starched manners in place.
Not able to contain himself any longer, Charles stepped forward and stuck out his hand in greeting. “My name is Charles Vines. And you are?”
Jackie gasped and covered her mouth with both of her hands. Blinking rapidly, she felt tears pooling in her eyes. Before her stood … her father. She couldn’t take it all in.
“Miss?” The taller man who’d asked for rooms looked as if he wasn’t quite sure what to do with her reaction.
Clamping her lips together for a moment, she lowered her hands and let out her breath slowly. “I’m so sorry. Please come in.”
The men came in with their bags, and she shut the door behind them. “My name is Jacqueline Rivers.”
Mr. Vines nodded with his hat in his hand.
“I know who you are,” she blurted. Not the best way to start a conversation.
“I know who you are too.” He swiped at a tear that slipped down his cheek. “You look just like her.” He looked around. “Anna?”
Silence hung for a few seconds before she could respond. “She’s dead.” Those two words stabbed her in the heart as if she’d just lost her mother yesterday.
“Perhaps I should give you two a moment alone.” The other man who had obviously traveled with her father started for the door.
“No, please. That’s not necessary.” Charles held up a hand. The man’s hat was shaking in his hands as he took a deep breath.
Taking pity on them both, she pointed to the parlor. “Perhaps we could sit down?”
“That would be nice. Thank you.” Her father walked toward thefireplace but didn’t sit.
Jackie sat in her favorite chair and placed her hands in her lap. She’d been praying about this very moment but had no idea it would come so soon. She’d thought it would be months down the road.
“If you know who I am, then you know that I sent Elijah to find you.” He paced in front of the fire as his man took a seat across from her.
“Yes.”
“I came as soon as I received his letter stating that he hoped he’d found my daughter. Colson here thought I was a bit out of my mind for taking such a chance, but I could no longer sit and wait.”
She managed a nod.
He stepped closer. Then to her surprise, the older man got down on his knees in front of her. “I can’t take it any longer. Jacqueline, I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m asking you for it—no, I’m begging you for it. It took your mother’s courageous act to finally get through to my stubborn self. I hate the man that I was. But if not for her—and for you—I never would have found that I needed a Savior.”
Tears rushed to her eyes. “So you found Him?”
“I did. Or rather, He found me.”
She came out of the chair and knelt with him there in the middle of the floor. “Mama prayed for you every day. That’s all she ever wanted for you.” A new emotion filled her heart for this man she’d just met. It bubbled up inside of her. She grabbed his hands.
He sobbed at her touch and placed his forehead on their clasped hands. “I didn’t deserve her. She was such an amazing woman. And I will have to live with my regrets for the rest of my life, but will you—my daughter—forgive me?”
The agony in his eyes as he lifted his face to look at her was almost her undoing. Hot tears streamed down her face, and as her vision blurred, a new picture appeared before her.
It was her.
At the foot of the cross.
Watching her Savior be the willing sacrifice for her sins.
Pleading with Christ to forgive her.
She was no more deserving of forgiveness than the man who’d humbled himself before her now. Yet Jesus had forgiven her. The power of the image in her mind made her heart pound. There was no decision to be made. She blinked so she could see. “I forgive you.”
He laid his forehead back on top of their hands and sobbed.
Jackie leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the man who’d carried this burden for so long. As they cried together, Jackie released all her anger, fear, and doubt. She felt clean and whole.
As Charles Vines—her father—cried with her, he kept thanking God. Over and over.
The tears came in earnest then. Yes. Thank You, God. For forgiveness. For grace. For a wonderful mom and dad. And for bringing my other father to me. She imagined God had looked upon His child—her father—in all his misery and shame and welcomed him with open arms. Like the prodigal who had come home. She wanted to rejoice. Looking to the ceiling, she smiled through her tears and could imagine her mom and dad rejoicing as well. What a beautiful picture. Jackie smiled through her tears at Charles Vines. A man she didn’t know … yet loved.
Her father lifted his face and stood to his feet, pulling her to stand with him. Wrapping his arms around her, he said, “For this child I have prayed.”
Jackie hugged him back and closed her eyes. God had done an incredible thing, and she would be forever grateful.
Elijah sat on his bed and tried to listen to what was happening. All he knew was that a stage had come in and Jackie had gone to see who it was. It worried him a bit. Especially since the station was shut down. Hopefully there wasn’t an emergency.
But as he listened, it didn’t sound like there was a flutter of activity or chaos. Only voices.
But then they stopped.
After the quiet lasted for several minutes, Elijah worried a bit more.Then the minutes stretched even longer. He couldn’t wait any longer and shouted as loud as he could from the bed, “Jackie?”
Footsteps sounded down the hall.
Her tearstained, joy-filled face was the first thing he saw.
“What’s happened?”
“My father is here.” She clamped her lips together as the tears flowed down her cheeks.
“Elijah, my boy!” Charles entered the room behind his daughter and came to the bed with open arms. “What’s happened to you?”
Shock at the health he saw in the man’s face—which was also a bit tearstained—Elijah stammered, “Wha–what are you doing here?”
“Colson and I took the stage. It was awful if I do say so myself. But it got us here.” Charles hugged him hard. “You found my daughter. Thank you.”
His gaze shot back to Jackie, who glowed. “I did. And I’m so glad I found her.”
Charles’s eyebrows shot up. He looked to Jackie and then back to Elijah. “Oh, this is perfect. My two favorite people have met.” He sat on the edge of Elijah’s bed. “Now, who’s going to tell me what happened to you?” He looked toward the door. “Wait just a moment. Colson! Colson, come in here.”
As they spent the afternoon catching up on all that had happened since Elijah arrived in Carson Sink, laughter and a few more tears filled the room. And even though he couldn’t walk, he felt so much better.
“You look
like you have something to say.” Charles knew him quite well.
Elijah wiggled his eyebrows at Jackie and turned back to his mentor and partner. “Yes, sir. I believe I do.”
“Well, let’s hear it.”
“I’d like to ask your permission to court your daughter.”
Charles crossed him arms over his chest. “Oh, well now. I’m not so sure about that. I might have to think on that for a while.”
Colson and Jackie laughed.
“That’s not funny, sir.” Elijah gave his partner a pointed glare.
“I know. I’m sorry.” The man looked a bit sheepish. “Of course youmay.” Then he clapped his hands together. “So it appears we’ll be staying in Carson Sink for quite some time.”
Elijah nodded. “Not only is it necessary for my leg here, but the place has grown on me.” He smiled at Jackie.
Vines grinned. “It doesn’t matter where we are. As long as we’re together. I say let’s stay for as long as you like.”
“Then maybe one day we can travel to Kansas City?” Jackie gave a sweet smile.
“Whatever you want.” Elijah took her hand. He wanted to spend every moment with her that he could.
“And it’s not like we have any responsibilities. Goodness knows we’ve made enough money over the years.”
Jackie’s brow furrowed as she sent Elijah a questioning look.
He lifted her hand and kissed it. “It seems there are a few details I might have left out.”
November 28, 1860
The pounding of horses’ hooves sounded outside the station. Jackie put down the darning she was working on and looked at the men around the room. “I’d better go check on that.”
“I’ll come with you.” Her father followed after her.
As she opened the door to the station, she saw Mr. Crowell, Mark, Timothy, Michael, John, Eddie, and another man she’d never met dismounting their horses.
Mr. Crowell looked over his horse at her. “Your station is back in business, Miss Rivers.”
Clapping her hands together, she ran to greet each of her boys. “I’ve missed you all so much! Where are Paul and Luke?”
The Express Bride Page 24