by Cyndi Raye
“I did. Although I wish I remembered more about the ride back to the ranch.”
She patted his arm with her other hand. “No need. We had an adventure, that’s for sure.”
He stopped at the front door, its intimidating size looming over them. “Are you ready?”
Callie nodded. “I think so. I want Uncle Jessie home.”
He turned to his brothers. “If this doesn’t work, let’s go with the plan we came up with last night.”
Callie looked surprised. “What plan?”
“I’ll tell you after the meeting with Dr. Wallace if we are not successful. We better get on inside.”
After ringing the bell, a large man in a white shirt opened up. The door opened in slow motion. Callie looked at Samuel, knowing it wasn’t as unpleasant inside since everything was relatively new.
The large, open foyer led to several wings. Construction was everywhere, causing some interference with everyday functions.
“Don’t mind the mess,” an orderly told them. “How may I help you today?”
Callie spoke up. “We are here to see Dr. Wallace.” She rocked up and down on her toes and heels, the excitement of freeing her uncle foremost on her mind.
“I’m afraid that is impossible. Did you have an appointment?”
Callie’s lungs closed. She coughed. “An appointment? No. We have come to take my uncle home.”
“I’m afraid that is impossible, also.”
Fear engulfed Callie. She was prepared for a battle but this was awful. How rude not to even be allowed a visit with Dr. Wallace. “Sir, I am the niece of Mr. Jessie Johnson and I insist on speaking to his physician about his release.”
The orderly shrugged. “Sure. But Dr. Wallace is gone.”
“Gone? I beg your pardon!”
“He took a leave to settle some of his affairs in Austin. He won’t be back for another month.”
“Then, I’ll speak with the next person in charge.”
“Fine. That would be Dr. Wartling.” He leaned over, his voice quiet. “I’ll warn you now, he is nothing like Dr. Wallace.”
Callie shifted her feet. “Well, then, let’s go find him.”
They followed the orderly down a long hall. A sign with the doctor’s name was pasted to the wall on a small plaque. The door they stood in front of was ajar.
The orderly knocked and entered at the bark of a man with a loud voice. “Enter.”
After several moments, Callie was about to burst into the room when the door opened wider and the orderly waved them in. “Thank you,” she told him.
“Good morning.” The doctor didn’t stand up to greet them. He looked up from a pile of paperwork on his desk, frowning.
Since the doctor didn’t offer a seat, she walked up to the desk, followed by the men. “Hello. I am the niece of one of your patients, Jessie Johnson. I’ll get right to the point of the matter. This is my husband, Samuel White and his brothers, Adam and Luke. We are here to have Jessie Johnson released into our custody.”
The doctor raised his head, tilting it to one side as if he were in deep thought. “That’s impossible!”
“I beg your pardon? I understand you are taking the place of Dr. Wallace. I spoke to him a few weeks ago and he told me to bring my husband here to have Uncle Jessie released into our custody.” The good doctor didn’t exactly say it the way she told this man but close enough. She was determined her uncle was coming home today. Nothing could stop them.
Samuel moved to the desk and handed Dr. Wartling the crumpled sheet of paper, showing their proof of marriage.
He scrutinized the paper then handed it back. “I see. That’s all well and good, except Mr. Johnson is no longer here.”
Callie’s throat tightened. She was told the only other way patients left here was when they died. She stumbled when her knees weakened but Samuel placed an arm around her waist, holding her up. “What do you mean he isn’t here?” Her words came out in a hoarse whisper.
The look on the doctor’s face appeared as if he were enjoying the conversation. Almost as if he wanted Callie to be upset. How could he behave this way? The man stood up. “Don’t worry, he isn’t dead if that’s what you were thinking. It’s an unusual case, I will say. Normally we bring the patients from the poor farm here to live out there days but Mr. Johnson didn’t seem as fragile as the rest. As a matter of fact, he insisted on wanting to work and keep busy.”
“If he isn’t here, sir, where is my uncle?”
“Callie, let him explain.” Samuel’s soothing voice didn’t help this time. She was clearly agitated and nothing Samuel or anyone else said to calm her would help until she knew where he was.
“Mrs.White, your uncle was sent to the Kaufman Poor Farm just yesterday. He is to live out his days working the farm to pay his way.”
Callie pursed her lips. “He doesn’t have to pay his way on a poor farm! He has a working ranch where he can live out his days.”
Dr. Wartling looked confused. “According to the brother, Mr. Johnson signed it over to him.”
Callie turned. She nodded to Luke who held the metal box. “May I?” She dished through the papers inside, placing the deed to her uncle’s ranch in the doctor’s hand. “Here is the proof to exonerate my uncle. There was no exchange, no signing over of properties. As a matter of fact, I am listed as his next of kin. The second document entitles me to the ranch, not Jacob.” She didn’t bother to explain the part where she was supposed to be dead.
The doctor read the documents and handed them back. “Everything seems to be in order but how do I know you didn’t falsify these papers for your own good seeing as you have something to gain in this case?”
Samuel came to her rescue. He leaned over the desk and looked the doctor in the eye. “You don’t, Dr. Wartling. But, I will tell you what is happening right now as we speak. The Texas Rangers have Jacob Johnson under investigation right now. There will be an arrest made within the next week. I suggest you write a letter to have Mr. Johnson released from the poor farm so your name does not become involved with this investigation.”
The doctor nodded. He dipped his pen in the ink and scratched a letter on the available stationary on his desk. Fanning the paper to let the ink dry, he held it out for Callie. “Here is your letter. I do not want to see you here ever again.”
Callie took the letter, turned and marched out of the room, not even saying good bye. The others followed, no one saying a word until they got to the front door. “Sir, if I may have a word with you?” Callie addressed the orderly who let them in.
“Yes, ma’am, how may I be of service once again?”
“Where is the Kaufman Poor House?”
He smiled. “It’s around about a mile and a half from the courthouse square.”
“If I knew where the square was, it would be more helpful.” Callie gave the orderly one of her gorgeous smiles. He blushed and offered directions.
As they walked out of the intimidating building, Samuel and his brothers began to laugh. “You are a charmer, Miss Callie,” Adam told her.
“Yes, sir, that smile you gave him made him blush.” Luke poked Samuel in the ribs. “You better watch out for her, she’ll have you eating right out of her hands.”
“Stop it, the both of you. You are embarrassing Callie.”
Callie laughed out loud. “Hardly, but thank you boys for the compliments. Now, he said to take a left first then go about a mile and a half so we best be on our way.”
The began in the direction they were told while Callie’s heart pumped erratically. She began to sweat profusely, dabbing her forehead with a handkerchief she pulled from the pocket of her blue jeans. She had worn the pants and same shirt she met Samuel in just in case they had to break out her uncle. It looked like that wouldn’t have to happen now.
“It won’t be long, Callie. Your uncle will be free and then what?”
She looked over at Samuel. He held the reins in his strong, muscular hands. Hands that worked his ranch da
y in and day out. She’d love to spend her entire life with him but now that her uncle was about to be free, she needed to be with him, to make sure he was always kept safe.
Although if her uncle knew she was falling for the man next to her, he’d be the first to tell her to follow her dreams. That was the type of man he was. Uncle Jessie lived life to the fullest. She smiled to herself. He was even making his stay at the asylum interesting, insisting they have him work for his room and board.
“I’m not sure what’s next, Samuel. It’s all so scary right now. I don’t believe we can go back to the ranch yet, not until the rangers arrest Jacob.”
“You and your uncle will come to the White Ranch for now and we’ll work out the details later.”
“Thank you, Samuel. Without you, I would have had to go to extremes to get Uncle Jessie out. What man is willing to help me like this? No one, except you.” She nudged him with her elbow. “You are a great man.”
Samuel grinned. “Well, you aren’t so bad yourself.”
They rode in silence the rest of the way. Callie wondered what a normal life with Samuel would be like before she remembered after the three months were up, she was going to go back to her uncle’s ranch. Most likely alone.
How was she able to fall in love with Samuel so quickly? If it was love. Maybe she was feeling grateful for his help with her uncle. Yes, that’s it, she was grateful.
Then why was her heart pounding like a runaway train every single time she looked his way?
Chapter 5
Samuel wanted the best for Callie. Since when did he get all touchy, feely about a woman? His original plans were to annul the marriage after three months. How was it he was starting to think otherwise? His feelings were getting in the way.
How in the world was he going to stay married to this woman for three months without any emotions if he was heading down that path in just a few short days?
Samuel looked at his two brothers, one on each side of the wagon as it made its way down the country road. Acres upon acres of farmland surrounded them even though the sign a mile back indicated the Poor Farm was in this direction.
His thoughts went to his brothers. Luke and Adam seemed happy with their wives. Adam had Melody, a lifelong friend and Luke, well, he fell head over heels in love with Abigail and now they were going to have a baby.
Life had changed for them all. Was he willing to break his promise to himself in order to keep Callie close?
They passed a grove of Cedar Elms and a Mulberry Mott as the structures began to appear out of nowhere. A large two story shabby house stood out among the other structures scattered over acres and acres of land. Samuel slowed the wagon.
Without a sign it was hard to tell if this was the place. He turned towards the home with a rusty looking roof. “I’ll go check to see if this is the Poor Farm.”
Callie slid from the wagon before he reached the ground. “I’m going with you.”
His brothers stayed behind, alert, watching their surroundings. “I’ll be right back, keep your eyes open,” he told them, nodding to the men out in a field close by. It looked as if they were working the fields. He noticed some of the men staring at Callie, causing a wave of jealousy to overtake him.
Callie held the metal box in her hands. “I’m so excited to see my Uncle Jessie. It’s been so long.”
Samuel deliberately hooked his arm in hers, turning to the men in the fields for a long look. Some of the men turned away, understanding Samuel just laid claim to her. Others ignored his gesture, staring blatantly at her anyway. He almost stumbled over the step up to the wooden slab in front of the main door.
“We’re in the right place, it says, Farm Superintendent House on this sign.” Callie knocked before turning to look at Samuel with those beautiful eyes. They were filled with liquid, ready to pool over.
“It’s going to be fine, Callie.”
She smiled through her unshed tears. “I know, I’m so excited. Thanks for being here.”
After several knocks, the door was flung open by a short, round man who barked out, “What is it?”
Samuel took over, not wanting Callie to deal with the man. He looked as if he hadn’t washed in some time. Food dribbled from his chin. “Are you the Farm Superintendent?”
“Yeah, that’s for sure. What happened now?”
He made no effort to allow them inside.
Callie spoke up. “Mr. Superintendent, I have some documents here that will be proof so my uncle may be released from this farm.”
Callie was being kind calling this a farm. It looked more like a prison. He didn’t draw attention to the one building they passed, which looked as if it had some bars on the windows. The more he thought about things, Samuel realized this was probably a place where they kept prisoners, as well as indigents from the war.
Rumor had it no one ever left here.
He hoped in her uncle’s case they were wrong but they had a plan in case things got difficult.
“Is that a fact? What you got there in the box?” He stared at it, the greed oozing from his facial expression.
“That’s none of your business until you tell me if Mr. Jessie Johnson is in your care?”
The man’s face got beet red. It appeared no one ever talked up to him before.
Callie straightened her shoulders. “Mr. Superintendent, sir, I have a document here from Doctor Wartling of the North Texas Lunatic Asylum to release my uncle immediately if not sooner!”
His hand went to his hip. “Let me see.”
“I’ll be happy to oblige.” Callie turned her back to the man, opened the box and locked it again. She didn’t want him to see the gold inside. She was smart as well as sassy.
Turning back to the farm manager, Callie handed him Dr. Wartling’s letter.
He wiped the food from his chin and stared at it. Then he took the letter, crumbling it up and dropping it to the ground.
Callie cried out.
Samuel took a step closer.
The man took a step backwards. “I got me a rifle right inside the door so no funny business. Now you be on your way.”
Samuel propped his foot in the door jam. There was no way they were this close to be turned away. “She showed you the proof, now we will collect her uncle and be on our way.”
The plump superintendent spat on the floor. “I ain’t seen no proof. Besides, can’t read. It don’t matter none anyway, Johnson isn’t here any longer.”
“What?” Callie cried out. “Not again! Where is my uncle!” Her voice sounded so desperate Samuel wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her everything will be okay. But, he didn’t know if it would be or not.
“Mister, I am not a patient man. Now, where is her uncle?”
The man grunted. “He took off, slid right out from under the watchman and fled. Yesterday evening. Stole one of our horses, too. Left an old pocket watch in exchange for the horse, so I ain’t gonna have him arrested for stealing since the watch looks more valuable. You happy now! Now, go on, get off this property.”
He slammed the door shut. Callie turned and knocked on the door before Samuel was able to stop her.
The door flew open. “Didn’t I say to get on out of here!”
“I have something more valuable to trade for the pocket watch.”
“What?”
“Gold.”
The scruffy man stared at Callie. “How’d you get gold?”
“None of your business. I’ll take a look at the pocket watch first.”
He slammed the door. The moment he did Callie opened her metal box, taking out a small pouch. Samuel knew it was worth a small fortune. She had separated the gold, placing them in several small pouches inside the box.
A few minutes later, he opened the door and stepped outside. Callie stuck her empty hand out. “Let me see?”
He complied. She opened the watch, staring at the inscription on the inside. Samuel was concerned she’d fall apart when he saw the look on her face. The watch was important.
Yet, instead of falling apart, she threw the little pouch to him.
The superintendent opened it up, grunted and went back inside.
Callie grinned. “Let’s get out of here.”
Samuel wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they made their way back to the wagon and helped her onto the seat. He gave the men in the field one more blatant look before riding away from the Poor Farm.
“I know where my uncle is going?”
At the end of the road, Samuel stopped so his brothers could catch up.
“What now?” Luke asked.
Callie had tears streaming down her face as she faced them. “I’m afraid we have to get to the Double J. He’s most likely on his way there to confront Jacob.”
“I wasn’t expecting things to go like this,” Samuel told her. “I figured we’d find your uncle without any issues. His escaping wasn’t in the plans. We need to contact the rangers and have them get to your ranch before your uncle does.”
Callie agreed. “We can probably get there sooner though. It’s only about two hours from here.”
“Well, then, let’s get moving!”
Luke rode alongside the wagon. “It’s be best if we get rid of the wagon.”
Samuel nodded. “I think Ma is going to have our hide. This will be the second wagon we left behind.” He drove into a grove of trees, unhitching the horse.
Adam and Luke helped while Callie stood on the sideline opening and closing the pocket watch.
Luke agreed. “We can come back for it later. If it’s even here. Let’s hide it further into the grove so no one from the road can see the wagon.”
After making sure it was well hidden, Samuel helped Callie onto the horses back. “Have you ever been on a horse without a saddle?”
Callie nodded. “Yes, plenty of times.” She flipped the pocket watch shut and placed it inside her metal box. “Adam, would you mind putting my belongings in your saddlebags?”
Since their horse had none, Adam placed her metal box in his saddlebag, tightening the rawhide to make sure it was secure.
“Let’s ride for the ranch,” Samuel yelled. They began a fast trot before breaking into a run. They’d go as far and as fast as possible until it was time to rest the horses.