A New Life In California: Book 3--Search For Meaning Series

by Angela Dempsey

  She was making breakfast when there was a knock on the door. Jesse went to answer it. When he opened the door, it was the sheriff. He had Elmer with him. The sheriff found him passed out on the street in front of the livery.

  Elmer had gone into town to play a game of cards and ended up drunk and passed out. Jesse found himself thinking about how his father stayed drunk. He was afraid that Elmer was going to be the same way. Jesse didn’t know if he was strong enough to be of help to him.

  The sheriff helped Jesse get Elmer to his room in the bunkhouse. Jesse thanked him for his help and for not arresting his brother.

  He sent his ranch hands out to the south pasture to work on a fence. He knew that would take them most of the day. Maybe he could spare Elmer the grief of being given a hard time about being drunk. Jesse hoped he would be able to sleep it off by evening.

  When he returned to the kitchen Emma looked concerned. “What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t want him to end up like our pa. He has a lot of hurt over Fenton not being there for him. I feel almost guilty. I would have been glad for him to leave. I couldn’t stand to have him around.”

  She walked over to Jesse, “I know having Elmer around has brought up a lot of old feelings. I am sure your pa did the best he could.”

  He pulled her into his arms kissing her. He held her for a long moment. “I am so thankful that I had you and your family. I better eat and get out to the cattle.”

  They ate in almost complete silence. Both lost in their own thoughts about Elmer and his future. Later that evening Jesse went to see Elmer. He wasn’t in the best of a mood. He still had a splitting headache.

  He finally admitted he got drunk because a girl he was sweet on ended up with another guy to court. Elmer was devastated. So, in true Fenton fashion, he hid his grief in the bottom of a bottle of whiskey. He didn’t want to admit that Elmer was just like their pa.

  Jesse told him he needed to straighten up his life. He didn’t want to be like Fenton. There was never an answer in the bottom of a bottle of whiskey. Elmer just groaned and lay back on the bed. Jesse shook his head and walked away.

  Jesse got back from town that afternoon. He had a letter from Virginia and a letter from Lydia for Emma. She sat down and eagerly read them both.

  Dear Emma:

  Houston is a larger city than I ever imagined. It has everything one could want. Derek and I are finally settled in a lovely house about ten minutes from the city. It is on a 30-acre plot.

  Derek’s business is going well. Better than we ever imagined. He has hired someone full time to help him. Derek doesn’t regret for a moment that he sold the ranch. It is funny how life turns out sometimes.

  The things we think we want, sometimes don’t work out like we wanted, because God has other plans for our lives.

  The church here is a little different than in Lawrence, Kansas. It lacks the small town feeling of family. I hope that we will settle in soon enough. I hope we will someday have a sense of family with the people here.

  We miss all of you terribly. Thank you all so much for helping Lucy. I was excited to get your letter about her marriage to Jake.

  The children are growing like weeds. I can’t believe how fast they change. I could go on forever about them, but since I need to start supper I will close for now.

  Write me soon. Tell Cooper and Elise hello. We love you all and miss you.

  Virginia

  She then read Lydia’s letter.

  Dear Emma:

  I hope this letter finds you and Jesse in good health. I wanted to write to you as soon Harold and I arrived safely in Tulsa, OK. His friends and sister had us a welcome home party. They are delightful people. We had such a lovely time. It was nice to be treated so warmly.

  His daughter, Cora, is a beautiful child. She has blonde braids. Her eyes are the brightest blue I have ever seen. She is a little bit of a tomboy. She goes fishing with the neighbor boy. Like we used to do with Jesse.

  Cora has been very accepting of me. I wasn’t sure how she would treat me. I was afraid she would resent me. I didn’t want her to feel like I was trying to replace her ma.

  I think things are going to work out here for us. I am so thankful for having met Harold. I really believe that we will have a good life together.

  Take care of yourself. Write soon.

  Your friend always,

  Lydia

  A week later Jesse was out early getting ready to check the cattle. Elmer didn’t come to breakfast. Jesse was concerned. He was afraid that he was drunk again.

  Jesse walked out the door going to check in the bunkhouse for Elmer when he heard a horse approaching. It was the sheriff.

  “Morning Jesse.”

  “What brings you by here this early?”

  “Elmer is at the doctor’s office. He was beaten up last night. It appears that he was in a fight over a poker game. I thought you would want to know.”

  “I am sorry sheriff. I hate that he is so much trouble.”

  “I thought you would want to go get him in a wagon when the doctor says he can travel. He may want to keep him at his office for a few days.”

  “He owes some bad people money. They will be looking to collect or they will beat him worse next time.”

  Jesse looked all down, “Thanks sheriff for telling me. I will take care of it. Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?”

  “Thanks, but I need to get back to town.”

  “Thank you for coming all the way out here.”

  Jesse went inside and told Emma what was going on with Elmer. She looked sadly at Jesse. She knew he wanted to help his brother. He was unable to save his dad. She wondered if it was a losing battle.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I will have to pay his debt to save his life. But he is going to work it off.”

  “I am so sorry sweetheart.”

  “Give me your letters; I will drop them off at the general store on my way to the doctor’s office. Then I have to go to the saloon.”

  She got her letters and hugged him tightly before he left for town. “I’ve got some good news. You look like you could use it. We are going to have a baby this winter.”

  As a smile spreads across his face, he pulled her close and kissed her lips. “You are right, that makes it better. I love you, Emma.”

  “I love you too. I will be back as soon as I can.”

  Three hours later Jesse returned with Elmer in the back of the wagon. Emma helped him into the house. The doctor sent instructions for Emma to change the bandages every day. He sent willow bark home with Jesse for the pain.

  Emma was not prepared to see him in that kind of shape. He seemed worse than she imagined. It would take him a long time to heal. After they got Elmer settled Jessie went to check on the cattle. Emma continued her chores.

  As if Jesse didn’t have enough problems with Elmer. He also had concerns for his cattle. It was a hot August. The dog days of summer were upon them. It had not rained in three weeks. The stream on his ranch was getting low. He prayed for rain and hoped relief would come soon.

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  Cooper was also concerned about his cattle. The stream by Elise’s prayer bench was getting low. They were praying too for rain, also.

  Cooper was starting to give Tom a little more responsibility. He decided to let him be responsible for three of the new calves. He would have to take care of them. He would raise them from a calf to full grown. When they took them to market he would give Tom part of the money. He was excited that his pa was giving him more responsibility.

  It was the middle of the night. The family was sound asleep. All of the sudden they were jolted awake by a large clap of thunder and another loud clap of thunder. Then Cooper heard rain, heavy rain hitting the roof.

  Elise whispered, “Rain, Thank God.”

  Cooper got up and walked to the window to watch it rain. The moon was bright in the sky. Looking down on the ranch below, he co
uld see the rain hitting the ground. He watched it for a long time before going back to bed.

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  Elise just completed her canning. They were getting settled in for the fall. The harvest festival was in a couple of weeks away. She noticed the children were growing up quickly.

  Elise was looking forward to getting into town for the festival. She enjoyed dancing with her handsome husband.

  She stood at the sink washing dishes. She remembered how they met. She was walking along the boardwalk; when she was hit in the face by a saloon door. She looked up from lying on her back, into those brown eyes of his with gold flecks. He asked if she was alright and she was immediately in love with him.

  She was so lost in thought that she didn’t hear him come in; he asked why she was smiling. She looked surprised he was behind her. Then she answered, “I was thinking about the day we met. I can remember looking up into those amazing brown eyes.”

  “I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I am even more in love with you today.”

  She hugged him. “I love you too. I am looking forward to dancing with you at the festival.”

  He took her by the hand, “Why wait?” He pulled her close to his chest and started dancing with her. He looked deeply into her eyes.

  Casey and David walked in just as Cooper kissed Elise. They covered their eyes. “Ew…stop…ew.”

  Cooper laughed, “Someday boys you will find an amazing gal like your ma and you will want to kiss her. Remember this moment when you do.”

  Elise laughed, “You boys go finish your chores.”

  Cooper kissed her again then he went back outside to finish some things he needed to do. He was preparing to butcher a large hog to put in the smokehouse. Emma was planning on helping her with the soap. Elise was getting things ready to make soap the next day.

  Emma had saved oil from a large field of lavender she grew every year. It gave the soap a nice scent.

  Emma and Rose showed up at the ranch bright and early; ready to help Elise. The men had already killed the hog and were hanging the meat in the smokehouse.

  Emma told her the good news about the baby. She was excited to be a grandma again. She knew Cooper would be excited too. The women started working on the soap.

  They stirred the soap in a large pot over an open fire outside. While they took turns stirring the soap, Emma told Elise the latest thing with Elmer.

  Elise looked concerned and told her she would be praying. She didn’t know what else to say about the situation. After Jesse had to deal with his father’s drinking. It is not fair that he now has to deal with his brother.

  Emma was feeling bad for Jesse that he had to deal with this mess too. She wasn’t happy about having to give up hard earned money to pay off Elmer’s gambling debt either. She knew Jesse was furious about it.

  After a long day of soap making, they made a quick bite to eat for the men. Jesse ate when he showed up to pick up Emma and Rose. They took food to Elmer and their two ranch hands.

  When they got to their ranch Emma was exhausted. She put Rose down to sleep for the night. She changed Elmer’s bandages and then fell into bed herself.

  The fall festival rolled around quickly. Emma made strawberry preserves earlier in the season. She entered those in the contest for preserves. Elise entered her pickles.

  Emma won second place with her preserves. Elise won first with her pickles. Many of the women do not even bother to enter their pickles any longer because Elise always wins.

  There were all sorts of fun things for everyone to do. Casey and David loved watching the calf roping and sharpshooting contests. There was lots of good food to eat as well as homemade lemonade.

  Cooper once again won the shooting contest. He was known to be the best shot in the territory. Elise was proud of him as usual.

  Jesse entered his best horse in a horse race. He missed winning by a horse length. He enjoyed the competition. At least he was having a good time. He felt a little guilty leaving Elmer alone at the ranch. But he was still recovering.

  A part of him resented that he had to take care of him. It took a lot of daily prayer for him to keep from throwing him out on the street.

  Chapter 20

  Lucy went to the general store to get a few items they needed. She noticed a couple of women in the corner whispering. She knew they were talking about her. By now the news of her baby had spread through the town like wildfire.

  She knew she would be judged harshly by some of the people in the town. Opal and Buck had been so supportive. Madeline and Roy were on her side and were not judging her. Clayton and Samantha were going to testify for her.

  She tried to act like she didn’t care, but she did. These people hurt her. Their opinions mattered. She hurried to get what she had to have and left as quickly as possible. As she walked back to the hotel where they were staying, she got some strange looks from passersby. She became more uncomfortable by the moment.

  When she got to their room she closed the door then leaned on it. Closing her eyes she breathed a sigh of relief. This room had become her sanctuary. She felt like she was finally free from the judgment and looks. It made her more nervous by the hour that their court day was approaching.

  Jake was learning a lot from Buck at the woodworking shop. He was starting to think that was what he wanted to do once they reached California. He was from Oakland, land of the oak trees. There would be plenty of wood to make nice pieces of furniture.

  He told her all about it over dinner. He seemed excited and she was happy he could escape a little bit of the judgment. He worked in the back of the shop so few people saw him. She wondered what the townspeople thought of him.

  The day of the trial came. Lucy was so very nervous she could hardly breathe. Due to the delicate nature of the claim, no one was allowed in the courtroom except those that were to testify and the ranch foreman that though he should be given the ranch.

  The judge called the court to order. He said he had read the claim made by Mrs. Jackson. There were not a lot of details he needed beyond that claim. He asked for anyone with anything to say to come forward.

  Madeline testified about how she and Virginia had found Lucy in the woods. Lucy finally confided the story of what had happened to her. Later that afternoon when she got back to Virginia’s house, Madeline examined her. Since Madeline is a midwife she was qualified to testify as to the bruises that covered her legs and delicate area.

  Lucy testified that she didn’t know about the baby until she was already in Lawrence, Kansas. She then told the judge that she received a letter from Madeline telling her about Henry. Lucy knew her child was the only heir of Henry Daniels.

  The testimonies went on all day. Once everyone testified on Lucy’s behalf; it was time to hear the claim of the ranch foreman.

  Rick Black was a heartless man. His name suited him. He had a black heart and only cared about himself. He is the one that was responsible for seeing that all of Henry’s dirty work was carried out. Rick was greedy and determined to grab all that he could for himself.

  He testified that he saw Jake and Lucy down by the pond that evening. They were kissing and acting improperly. That is how Lucy ended up with a baby. He says Henry had nothing to do with it.

  Therefore, he says he has the only claim to the property. Rick says, Henry told him he was like a son to him and he wanted him to have the ranch if something were to happen to him. Henry didn’t have a will that anyone could find. Jake suspected Rick destroyed it.

  The judge let Jake testify about the accusations of Rick. Jake told him they were kissing by the pond. She had just agreed to be his wife. It was a happy occasion for the two of them.

  Jake said, “I went and told Henry that I wanted to marry Lucy. He yelled at me that there was no way he would allow it. I was just a ranch hand and she would never be mine. He told me he was going to marry her in a couple of years, himself.”

  The next day she was gone and I had to go to Lawrence,
Kansas to find her. She was hiding at a friend’s house from Henry. She was expecting a baby. Then we got word that Henry was gone. We knew he didn’t have a family. So we are here to claim what is rightfully Lucy’s baby’s birthright.

  The judge asked if there was anything else that needed to be said, no one spoke. He said he would give them a decision in two days.

  Two days seemed like an eternity for Lucy and Jake. She tried to eat for the baby’s sake but was so nervous she couldn’t keep anything down. Jake was worried about her and hoped that all of this would be over soon.

  He regretted ever starting this process. He wanted to walk away from it all before they got to Austin. Lucy insisted that what she suffered should not be in vain and she deserved to have it easy. That money should belong to her to make up for what he did to her.

  The morning of the court hearing finally came. Lucy and Jake along with their friends who were supporting them were waiting for the verdict. Rick and a couple of his hands were there too.

  Rick fired Clayton and Samantha after the hearing two days earlier. He was upset at their testimony in support of Lucy and Jake. Clayton and Samantha were waiting to see what was happening with Jake and Lucy before they got on the train going west.

  Clayton took her to the preacher and got married. They were leaving town on the next train. Jake hinted that Oakland was a nice place to live. He told them if they would go by and see Clorinda she would give them a meal on him.

  The judge took his seat. Lucy was filled with much anticipation. She wanted to be able to do this nice thing for Jake and make sure he would never worry about money. She wanted her baby and all the ones to follow to be secure.

  The judge sat with his hands in front of him in a tent shape, for a long moment. He looked like he was deep in thought. Then he spoke:

  “Mr. Black, I deny your claim to the property. There is no evidence to support your claim.” Rick was not happy; that made Lucy feel a little bit better.

  “As for The Jackson’s claim, I cannot award you the property either, not yet. Since the unborn child is the heir it will have to be born first for me to award it the property. For one I need a name to put on the award. When is the baby due?” Lucy answered, “December.” The judge set a new hearing for his January 6 visit to Austin.