“How bad is it?” Janie asked, placing a plateful of eggs and bacon in front of her brother.
“Some of the wood from the old roof can be salvaged,” he informed. “But none of the hardware will be reusable. It shouldn’t take long to repair once we can secure the materials needed.”
“And how much do you think that will set us back?” Sara asked, joining the others at the table with a pot of coffee.
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll need to go into town and check with the store. Hopefully, they’ll have the hardware we need. Otherwise, I think we can mostly make do with the lumber we already have.”
“I need to go into town and see Mrs. Langley anyway,” Sara said, pouring coffee for all three of them. “I’m hoping that at least one of my dresses will have sold by now. If so, that will offer at least a little money to cover the costs.”
“We’ll manage somehow,” Janie replied calmly. In light of the news concerning Tom, the confidence she had once boasted of was beginning to return to her.
Soon Charley and Carter joined them in the kitchen, eager to find breakfast of their own. Relieved to find that their uncle had returned safely after the storm, they both rushed to give Logan a hug. Once everyone had finished their meal, Logan looked to Sara.
“I plan on going to see about the hardware for the barn this morning. Would you like to come along and visit Mrs. Langley today?”
“That would be wonderful if you don’t mind waiting for me. I had dressed to go out and start picking up the downed branches and debris. May I go and change into something more appropriate for a trip to town?”
“Yes, of course,” he nodded. “I will just go and hitch up the wagon. There’s no need for us to be in a rush.”
Thanking him, Sara hurried off to her bedroom. She untied her apron from breakfast and searched through her dresses for something more suitable. She fiddled with the idea that her change of clothes had far more to do with spending the day in Logan’s presence than it did with whomever she might see in town.
Her heart was divided, and she felt embarrassed that such a thought had even crossed her mind. She knew it was not fitting for her to be thinking of drawing Logan’s attention, at least not while Tom was still in prison. There was much left to be done before his hopeful return. Deciding that she did not want to appear too forward, she settled on a plain blue dress. It was less ornate than the one she had been thinking of, but still suited her well.
With one last glance in the mirror Sara smoothed out her hair and pinched at her cheeks, giving them a bit of an added glow. She then hurried out toward the corral where the horses were being held. There was too much debris scattered about the barn floor for them to safely remain inside.
She soon found that Logan had finished with the wagon and was waiting for her. Seeing her approach, Logan’s eyes widened a bit. He’d not yet had the opportunity to see Sara in anything but her everyday working dresses. He eagerly stepped back down to the ground.
“May I give you a hand?” he offered.
Sara thanked him and graciously accepted. Once in the wagon, they set off for town. The sky shone a brilliant blue, as it often did after a storm. And Logan admired the way the sunlight shone off of Sara’s hair. He silently reprimanded himself, feeling that he should not be thinking about such things. Together, they rode along in the same sort of comfortable silence that suited them both so well.
A bit of movement off in the distance quickly pulled Logan’s attention away. Sara instantly noticed his stiffened demeanor. She studied him for a moment, watching his eyes follow the form of a rider until it disappeared into the trees. She waited for him to relax once more before breaking their silence.
“You’re never truly out of harm’s way, are you?”
Logan glanced over at her, meeting her gaze. “I would rather be cautious and safe than blindly in danger.”
“I’m glad that you are so careful,” she smiled, putting him back at ease. “But I assume that such risks of the job are why Janie despises it so badly.”
“Yes, she has always hated knowing that I was in harm’s way. In my eyes, such dangers are worth enduring if it means keeping her and others safe. But of course, she holds that it should be someone else’s responsibility. Though she can’t very well say that now,” he said, glancing down at his badge.
“But you’re not on anyone’s trail right now. Why do you instantly tense at the sight of any stranger? Is it Moran you’re concerned about?”
Logan sighed, not wishing to reveal too much about his whereabouts over the past several months. “Yes, I’m watching for Moran…and others. You have to understand that once a lawman makes an enemy, he is never far from his mind. A momentary lapse of attention could prove costly.”
Sara nodded, sensing his uneasiness over the subject. “Despite what she might say, Janie is glad to have your protection. Still, I suppose it is every sister’s wish to keep her brother safe. I know I would feel the same way toward Tom.”
“I can understand that,” he agreed. Driving the wagon into the outskirts of Oakmede, Logan cautiously eyed the saloon. The upstairs window stood empty, and Levi was nowhere to be seen. He had undoubtedly been angry over his men’s failure to return. Stopping the wagon in front of the inn Logan held out a hand, urging Sara to wait for his assistance. Hopping down, he quickly offered her help to the ground. She smiled and thanked him.
“Logan! Am I ever glad to see you!” Genevieve exclaimed, rushing from behind the desk to greet him. “Janie has been so worried about you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m glad to see you again, as well. I’ve been back for a short while.”
“And Sara, I’m so happy you stopped by. All three of your gowns have sold! I had intended to come out to see you yesterday, but then the weather turned bad. I hope you all fared okay.”
“Thank you,” Sara nodded. “Everyone is safe. That’s the important thing.”
“Was there damage to the house?” Genevieve asked.
“No, ma’am. Only the barn was hit,” Logan spoke up. “Thankfully, even that can be mended. I’m glad to see that you’ve done alright here.”
“And what is this I see?” she asked, reaching out and carefully pulling his jacket away from his badge. “Have you really taken a position with the sheriff?”
“Yes, that I have. It’s time to make some changes around Oakmede.”
“Starting with Levi Moran, I hope,” Genevieve said, studying Logan’s expression.
“Not just yet, though I don’t doubt that will be coming,” he assured.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear that!” Genevieve took Logan’s hand. “We need some peace around this town again. Now then, Sara, I’ll get your money for those gowns. I’d say you have a good number of interested customers if you want to bring more dresses in. I had one woman come down and ask for one after they’d all sold already.”
“That’s certainly good to know. Perhaps this can be of some help after all.”
“Yes, I believe so.” Genevieve returned from the back with Sara’s fee. “Logan, you’ll have to stop in again soon. I’m anxious to know how things go, now that you’re back and on the job.”
Promising that he would be back soon, Logan and Sara bid Genevieve a good day before making their way down to the store. Logan was pleased to find that they had most of the things he needed in stock. The roof might need further securing in a week or two, once the store’s supply had been renewed, but what they had available would do for now.
Sara followed him around the store, glancing over a display of linens that caught her eye. Once Logan was back at the counter, Sara urged him to take the money she’d earned from her dresses. Though he hesitated to accept, Sara would be satisfied with nothing less. Logan thanked her and paid the clerk. With supplies in hand, they returned to the ranch.
The following few days were one long blur of work on the ranch. Logan, Hodges, and Peterson each took turns riding out to check on the herd each morning and night. Me
anwhile, the others were hard at work fashioning a new roof over the barn.
The use of new lumber would have made this task much more manageable, but it was necessary to make the repairs as cost-effective as possible. Logan spent a good deal of time prying old nails out of the beams of wood, while Hodges sanded down any rough edges that had been left. Being the youngest of the three men Peterson climbed through the rafters of the barn, beginning to secure a new framework for the coming roof.
While the men worked, Sara welcomed the opportunity to spend a few warm afternoons outside. The trees across the property had all felt the effects of the storm, and she worked tirelessly gathering the fallen branches. Charley and Carter pitched in alongside their aunt, playfully tossing the smaller sticks onto Sara’s piles of debris.
Though she tried to hide it, Sara’s attention regularly wandered over to where the work was being done on the barn. When Logan was intent on doing something, he focused in entirely.
She glanced his way as he lined up beams and made sure that they were using the straightest of the wood that they’d been left with. It seemed that he worked hard at everything he put his hand to. With Sara occupied Janie took back over the household chores, catching up on some long-overdue mending.
With the hands putting in more extended workdays than they had in some time, Janie also insisted on them all eating in the main house together. It simply wouldn’t do to have them fighting their exhaustion to cook their own supper.
Each morning, noon, and evening, the table in the main house was filled elbow to elbow with those hungry from long hours of work. But five days later, their hard work had paid off. The new roof was in place, and the horses would not need to be guarded through the night anymore.
One week after Logan had last ridden to Pine Ridge, he set out on the trail once again. This time, he held high hopes that Tom would be riding home with him. Expecting a passenger, he hitched the wagon instead of merely riding his horse. Janie opted to remain at the house with the boys and Sara agreed to wait with her, helping with last-minute preparations to welcome Tom home.
Having several hours to himself had been rare for Logan since his return. He had the family to care for, and the cowhands who shared his living quarters. He always thought more clearly when alone, and his thoughts rested on what would await him in the near future.
The idea of settling down for good had never much appealed to Logan, though it had far more to do with fear than desire. Truth be told, he had always refused to allow himself to grow fond of a woman, fearing that he might somehow stoop to his father’s pitiful efforts in marriage.
The man claimed to have loved his mother, yet his actions told a far different story. Even knowing he had taken many of his traits from his mother, he feared what parts of his father might come out through him in a marriage relationship. He took a deep breath of fresh air, striving to clear his jumbled thoughts.
Despite his best efforts to push Sara from his mind, she lingered there. Her genuine compassion toward Janie during Tom’s absence had proven her character. And her beauty was undeniable. Somehow it had seemed indecent to pursue Sara, considering the situation that had brought them together. But soon, Tom would be home, and there would be no further need to remain at a distance.
By lunchtime, Pine Ridge came into view on the horizon. Under any other circumstance Logan would have stopped in for lunch, but Tom’s retrial was scheduled to start within half an hour. Logan rushed to the courthouse, tying the wagon out front. He removed his hat and stepped inside the building. He’d been here so many times before, but today he was here with a different purpose. Seeing Tom so dependent on having justice served gave Logan a view of an entirely different side of the law.
Always before, things had seemed so clean cut. In Logan’s mind there had always been good and evil, right and wrong. But Tom was at least partially guilty, though not for the part that had imprisoned him. The lines had been blurred, and that was hard for Logan to accept. He took a seat near the front of the courtroom, watching as his brother-in-law was escorted in.
Being led to the front of the room, Tom stood near the same lawman that had been guarding the prison. He looked utterly confused as his reason for being there was explained to him. Tom knew Moran’s men well enough to know they rarely backtracked on their actions. Finally catching sight of Logan, he breathed a sigh of relief. Before he’d had a chance to greet his brother-in-law, the judge entered and called the room to order.
“Tom Bailey, please approach the stand,” the judge ordered.
Tom glanced back at Logan before stepping forward.
“We are here today for a rather unusual reason. Two critical statements in the case of Warren and Williams versus Bailey have been retracted,” the judge explained, shuffling through several notes on his desk. “Disregarding the statements that have since been retracted, no further charges remain against Tom Bailey. This court hereby considers all charges to be dropped, and the verdict of ‘guilty’ to be overturned. Congratulations, Mr. Bailey, you are a free man.”
Without any concern for appropriateness, Tom enthusiastically shook the judge’s hand before rushing for Logan. “I don’t know how you managed it, but I will be forever indebted to you,” he swore, shaking Logan’s hand. “Is Janie here?”
“Congratulations!” Logan exclaimed. He couldn’t help but smile at the sheer joy on Tom’s face. “No, Janie kept the boys home because they are unaware of any of this. But they will be waiting for you.”
Together the men walked out of the courthouse, setting off for home and a return to life as they had known it. They stopped briefly at the restaurant, grabbing a bite of food to take with them on the trail.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Charley and Carter could sense the excitement in the air. Though they did not yet know of the reunion that awaited them, their mother’s bustling around the house caught their attention.
Struggling to keep quiet on the matter herself, Sara busied herself with mopping the floors. Lunchtime had come and gone, making both Janie and Sara aware that Tom’s trial was over. The only thing left to be seen was whether or not he would be accompanying Logan that evening.
By the time supper neared, Janie was pacing the floor. A meal would need to be started, but the dreaded question of how many servings would be needed lingered in the air. Unable to settle herself enough to cook, Janie decided that food could wait. Sara opted to take the boys for a walk down the path.
Their puppy excitedly bounded ahead of them, sending the boys into bouts of giggles as it pounced at bugs flitting along the road. Sara picked up her speed a bit, enjoying the boys’ grins as they hurried their little legs to keep up with her.
Janie watched from the veranda, laughing at the small figures in the distance. Even with the concern that had weighed on them since Sara’s arrival, Janie had enjoyed her presence in their home.
A part of her wished that she would stay, even after Tom’s return. Women close to her own age were scarce in Oakmede, and friends as close as a sister were rarer still. But, Sara and Tom’s mother still needed to be cared for, and Sara had been more than generous in staying as long as she had.
Just as Sara and the boys chose a place to turn around, a wagon came into view in the distance. The cloud of dust that it kicked up rose high into the sky, and it was clearly holding a fast pace. Sara strained her eyes, desperate to make out whether there was one rider or two. Finally making out the silhouette of a second passenger, Sara rushed the boys toward the yard. The dog hurried after them, barking at their excitement.
Janie ran to the edge of the yard, meeting the wagon at the path where Tom hopped down and threw his arms around his wife.
“Tom!” she cried, clinging to him. “Oh, thank goodness!”
Partners in Justice and Love: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 15