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

by Angela Dempsey

  Then he told Rick that he was giving the sheriff control of the assets like the money to keep the ranch going. He told him he could stay on as foreman until January. He would make a final ruling then.

  Lucy was disappointed but optimistic. She knew that they would have to find somewhere to live for the short term. The lady at the boarding house already rented their room to someone else. Lucy discussed it with Jake and he told her that there was a place near the wood shop.

  When Jake went to inquire about renting it until February the owner refused. She said she couldn’t allow that woman to live in her house. She started bad mouthing Lucy. She didn’t believe her story. This little lady went to school with Henry and thought he hung the moon.

  Jake was fuming by the time he returned to the wood shop. Buck offered to let them stay with him and Opal. Jake thanked him and told him he would tell him tomorrow.

  Jake ran into Roy at the general store. He told him about how Mrs. Simmons acted toward Lucy. Jake didn’t want to tell her. Roy offered to take them in until February. Then Roy made a good point. “That way if the baby comes and it is snowing she will already be with a midwife.”

  Jake promised Roy he would help him on the ranch. He knew Roy was short a ranch hand since Dustin left to buy Derek’s place with his brother Luke.

  Roy said he would appreciate the help. Jake said he knew Lucy would be excited to stay with Madeline. He told him Buck offered to let them stay with him, but Lucy wasn’t as close to Opal. He knew she would be more comfortable with Madeline. He thanked Roy and told him he would be in touch in the next couple of days.

  When Jake returned to the hotel he told Lucy that Roy and Madeline had offered to let them stay with them. He said he thought it would be a good idea since Madeline was a midwife. It could be snowing when the baby comes.

  Lucy was pleased and asked when they were moving in with them. She was looking forward to some time with little Matthew. Jake told her they were paid up for two more days at the boarding house.

  They took advantage of their time together to make plans. Jake knew he wanted to help a couple of the ranch hands that was always good to him.

  Chapter 21

  Emma finally got Elmer healed up from his fight. His first day back to working the ranch, he was right back to his troublesome ways. He had to go get a drink that evening. He didn’t return to the ranch until the early hours of the next morning.

  Jesse was awake most of the night, wondering what he could do to help him. He worried he was going to end up like their father; dead, because of one of his drunken episodes.

  Jesse recalled the day his pa fell down the steps to the first floor. He knew he was dead before he went to check. His body lay at an odd angle from his head. He had broken his neck.

  Jesse heard his horse come into the yard. He finally drifted off to sleep; thankful that Elmer was at least safe. Before falling asleep, he had a memory of his father screaming at him. He yelled about how he ruined his life. Jesse felt his heart break all over again.

  Emma was making breakfast the next morning when Elmer came in the kitchen. He looked horrible; she could tell he was hungover from a long night of drinking.

  She said, “Good morning. How are you today?”

  He quietly said, “Fine.”

  She looked at him, “Elmer, you have people that care about you. Jesse and I want to help you in any way we can. Why do you do this to yourself?”

  He looked at her for a long moment. “Emma, I really don’t know. It keeps me from having to think too much.”

  “I know you have had a lot of disappointments in life. I know there are a lot of reasons for you to be sad. But you can’t let the hurt consume you.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

  “Jesse is worried about you. He watched as your father destroyed himself. He doesn’t want to watch you do the same.”

  He looked at her for a moment, then got up and walked out the door. He didn’t even eat breakfast.

  Emma stood looking at the door. She knew they had a long way to go. It would take a lot of prayers to get him on the right path. She started praying immediately for Elmer.

  Jesse came in a few minutes later. She told him that Elmer left without breakfast. She told him she tried to talk to him. After they ate Jesse took a couple of biscuits and a couple pieces of ham. He wrapped them in a cloth and took them to Elmer.

  Elmer was out in the field checking on the cattle. Jesse rode up next to him. He handed him a cup of coffee and the biscuits. “Emma told me you skipped breakfast.”

  Elmer reached for the coffee and food. “Thanks. I just wasn’t in the mood for company.”

  “What about now? Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not really.”

  “I might be able to help, but I can’t if you don’t let me.”

  “Maybe someday, but not today.”

  Jesse smiled, “I am here anytime. Since you don’t want to talk I am going to check the south field.” Jesse rode off leaving Elmer to his thoughts. He thought about how his ma hurt every day; longing to be with Fenton. He often caught her looking at the ring he gave her. He wondered if he would ever find love.

  Meanwhile back at the house, Emma is at her prayer bench praying for Jesse to know how to reach his brother. She is praying for Elmer to find a way of making peace with the past.

  Emma is interrupted with sounds of a wagon in the yard; Lilly came to visit with her. She wanted to tell her about her parent’s latest letter. She also had some good news to share.

  Emma invited Lilly into the house. She was getting ready to make lunch. As she worked on the food; Lilly shared her good news about a baby in the spring. Emma stopped what she was doing and went over to hug her. They both laughed because Emma’s belly was in the way. “See what you have to look forward to, a watermelon under your dress.” They both laughed.

  Lilly went on to tell her how well her parents are doing in California. Her pa loves being a preacher. Mary Ellen, of course, is the perfect preacher’s wife. She has always had great faith. She is kind, strong, encouraging and helpful.

  Emma was preparing to ring the dinner chime for the hands when Jesse came in the kitchen. She sent him back out to ring it. Lilly stayed and visited with Emma. She helped her wash the dishes after the hands were finished and back out on the ranch.

  Lilly told her about the mix-up with the hats. She was excited about all the people that she had seen in the store lately. Emma could tell she loved helping Zain run the store.

  She knew they had argued over a few points. Zain had expanded his stock to include electric lights. She was a little annoyed with it because the town council had not voted to work on adding electric. He said it was just a matter of time and he would be ready.

  She was amazed that they had already sold several lights and wiring. People want what is new and exciting. Lilly was sure the town would soon give in and build what they needed to provide electric to the stores and townspeople.

  She decided to take it a little easier on Zain. He seemed to have good ideas and know what was going on in the world. Lilly enjoyed visiting with Emma. But she realized it was time to go home and make supper. She hugged her cousin and wished her well. Then she was on her way back to the store.

  As she drove along, she came across a man lying in the road. She stopped to see if he was hurt. When she got closer she realized he was passed out. She recognized him as Elmer. She tried to wake him. He looked up at her, “Oh no, have I died.”

  Lilly said in annoyance, “No you aren’t dead.”

  “Well, you look like an angel.” Lilly got up from where she had knelt.

  “You are drunk. I will send someone for you.” She got back in the wagon and steered it back to Emma’s.

  Jesse was in the front yard when she returned. She pulled up and told him Elmer was on the road about a quarter of a mile. Jesse told her he was concerned since Elmer’s horse had just returned to the ranch.

  Jesse thanked h
er for coming back to tell him. She said she would be praying for them all. Jesse mounted up and followed her to where he was lying in the road. She waved to Jesse before going around Elmer and continuing on home.

  CHAPTER 22

  Winter was quickly approaching. Emma was preparing for Thanksgiving. There was going to be a large gathering at Elise and Cooper’s ranch. Emma was making pies and sweet potatoes. Jesse teased her she was making enough to feed an army.

  Lilly and Zain were also going to be at Cooper’s for dinner, all the ranch hands from both ranches were there too. Elmer was very quiet.

  Cooper said the prayer over their food. He thanked God for all their friends and family. Once he was finished praying they all had a good meal of turkey and all the fixing.

  Lilly brought a potato dish that everyone loved. It was made potatoes fried until they were crispy, then she added a thick gravy and baked it. She told them it was a recipe her mother had sent her from California.

  After dinner, the men went to the living room, while the women cleaned the kitchen. Everyone decided to wait a little while for pie and cake. Cooper was happy to have so many friends. He was truly thankful for the blessings he had in his life.

  Joe told them about how he was working with Cooper before he married Elise. They were kidnapped by outlaws. Some of the new ones there had not heard the story. Most of the men listened as Joe told them about Cooper being shot. Elmer however, quietly slipped off to go to the saloon.

  His leaving didn’t get past Jesse, but he decided to let it go and not make an issue out of it for today. He did go off by himself for a few moments to pray for Elmer that God would heal his heart. When he returned to the porch, Cooper asked if he was doing ok. Jesse asked all of them to pray for Elmer.

  Later that night, Elmer ended up in a fight behind the saloon and a man ended up dead. Elmer was passed out beside of the dead man’s body when he was discovered.

  The sheriff came to see Jesse early the next morning with the bad news. Elmer was still too drunk to even tell them what had happened. The sheriff told Jesse it didn’t look good, he may be facing murder charges.

  Jesse thanked the sheriff then went to Emma’s prayer bench. He prayed that God would use this for his glory and help Elmer to let go of all of his hurt.

  He knew they were in for a long winter with this turn of events. He hoped that there was an explanation for what had happened. He hoped Elmer didn’t kill that man. He prayed for a long time before going into the house to tell Emma. He then left for town to get some answers from Elmer and the people at the saloon.

  Jesse was determined to find out what happened. The sheriff had already been to the saloon. He asked all sort of questions. No one was too anxious to share details.

  It took Elmer a full day and night to sleep off his alcohol. The next day he was surprised to find himself behind bars. He was even more shocked to find out that he was being held because he was suspected of killing a man.

  Elmer became very worried. He didn’t know what to think. He remembered two men arguing. He tried to help then he woke up in jail. Jesse showed up later that day. He had a long talk with Elmer. He asked him what happened. Elmer told him he remembered two men arguing and he tried to stop them, then he woke up in jail. Jesse looked skeptical but tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. He asked him if he knew either of the men. He told him no.

  Jesse talked to him for a long time about his choices in life. They talked about Fenton and how he had treated each of them. It wasn’t fair, but there comes a time in a man’s life when he had to let go of the past and stand on his own two feet. He told Elmer he needed to let go of the past or it would destroy him.

  Jesse hoped he could get Elmer out of this mess and that he would leave the alcohol behind. Before he left Elmer alone with his thoughts Jesse told him they would be praying for him.

  Elmer was in jail for two weeks before there was a breakthrough. Jesse decided he wanted to do some investigating on his own. He went to the saloon. He talked to one of the saloon girls that said she knew Elmer didn’t kill that man. Elmer was trying to stop a fight. He was too drunk to be of much use.

  She didn’t know either of them they came into the saloon together. The next day one of them was found dead. The other was nowhere to be found.

  Jesse asked if she told the sheriff. She looked very nervous and shook her head no. When he asked her why she said she didn’t want to get involved.

  Jesse went to see the sheriff. He told him what the barmaid had told him about two men and a fight. The sheriff said he would go and speak to her. But it will still have to go before a judge.

  Jesse hoped he made a difference and Elmer would soon be set free. He had concerns when Elmer was first arrested that he may be guilty. Jesse was relieved when he talked to the barmaid and she confirmed that Elmer was trying to break up the fight.

  He went back to the ranch and told Emma the good news. She was excited that Jesse found someone to testify on behalf of Elmer. Maybe they would get him through his crisis after all.

  She prayed it would be the turning point for him to give up alcohol. She knows he will not have a good life while trapped in the bottom of a bottle of whiskey.

  Chapter 23

  Christmas was quickly approaching. Lucy was getting more and more anxious to deliver her baby. Madeline and Roy had been so good to her and Jake.

  Jake was working very hard he was up before sun up to help Roy on the ranch. Then he would ride to town and work all day for Buck at the woodworking shop. On his way back in of an evening, he would help Roy with the cattle.

  Lucy was very concerned by the fact that her baby was conceived in violence. She was afraid the child would grow up to be like Henry. She prayed that the evil of Henry not be passed to her child. She prayed every day that the baby is born healthy. She tried to not worry about the future but there were so many uncertainties.

  Jake was always sweet and encouraging. He was excited about the baby too. She felt like he had accepted and embraced this child. What an amazing man he was to take on someone else’s child and embrace them as his own. She knew that he was going to make a wonderful pa.

  A week before Christmas Jake got up early to start his normal routine. Lucy said she was really tired so he let her sleep. Three hours later she woke with a sharp pain in her abdomen. She yelled for Madeline.

  Madeline examined her and decided she was in labor. She got started gathering the things she would need for the delivery. She told Lucy to rest while she could.

  Madeline went downstairs and started a stew for dinner. She knew she would be busy and the men needed to eat. She sent one of the hands to let Jake know the baby was coming. She knew it would be a while before the doctor was needed, she sent for him anyway. She thought it would be better to be safe. She asked the hand to let the doctor know.

  An hour later Jake was in the living room; Madeline went to check on Lucy. She told Jake he could go up and be with Lucy for a while. He entered the room. She smiled at him. “Our lives are about to change.”

  “I know, Madeline sent for me.”

  “I will be excited to have this part over.” She smiled at him.

  He lay down on the bed beside of her and held her for a long time. He talked soothingly to her when she had a contraction. “I love you, Lucy.”

  “I love you too.”

  She fell asleep for a few minutes, as he held her. He looked down at her and thought about how much he loved her. He was happy to be sharing a life with her.

  Her eyes flew open as another pain shot through her body. She asked him to get Madeline. He kissed her on the forehead, before leaving to get Madeline.

  The next few hours seemed to go by so very slowly. He thought a whole month had passed while he was sitting there waiting. Roy came in from the field. He took one look at Jake and said, “Come on, let’s eat. Madeline made stew. This could take all night.”

  Jake looked at him, “All night? It seems like it has already been a month.”r />
  Roy smiled at him, “Come on…let’s eat.”

  Jake got up and followed Roy to the kitchen. Roy got some stew out for each of them. Jake was praying for this to be over quickly for Lucy. He didn’t want to lose her to childbirth. It was one of the biggest fears he had. He felt totally helpless to do anything about the situation. So he prayed for it to be a quick delivery.

  They heard Lucy cry out a few times. Each time Jake closed his eyes as if that would make Lucy’s pain lessen. Roy remembered when Madeline was in labor. “Hang in there, it will be fine. Then the fun starts.”

  Jake looked at him with a blank expression. “That is what worries me. What if I am not a good pa? I know nothing about raising children. What if…”

  Roy laughed, “You will learn, my friend…you will learn.”

  Madeline came to the top of the stairs an hour later, “It’s a boy…they are fine.” She turned quickly and went back to Lucy.

  Twenty minutes later she came back down to get Jake. He took the stairs two at a time. When he looked in Lucy was feeding the baby. He stood in the door and smiled at her. She looked up smiling back. She never looked more beautiful to him.

  He walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at the tiny baby that God had given them. “He is a fine baby boy.”

  She smiled up at Jake. “What should we name him?”

  “I really didn’t think about it.”

  She looked at him and smiled, “What was your dad’s name?”

  “Clifford Eugene Jackson.”

  “I kind of like Eugene…we could call him Eugene Jake Jackson.”

  “Really you want to name him Eugene?”

  “Why not?” Then she got a sad look in her eye. “Never mind I understand.”

  He knew she was thinking because this child was not actually his. “No, you don’t. I think my pa would have been very happy about it. I am happy that his name will be Jake also.” He took her chin and lifted her face until their eyes locked. “From this day forward this is my son. I never want to think about or hear about Henry Daniels again except for the meeting with the judge. Once that is done, we will never speak of it again. I love you and I love our son.” He leaned down and gently kissed her lips. “I love you and Eugene, you are my family.”