The door opened, revealing the drowsy mayor topped by a striped sleeping hat that matched his nightshirt. His mouth was stretched in a yawn as he opened the door. “Who’s out—” He spotted Thad and gave a strangled yelp that almost knocked him backward.
Thad held out his hand. “I need the key for the padlock on my cellar door.”
The mayor shook his head, the tassel on his hat swinging like a pendulum. “W-w-what?”
“The key,” Thad repeated. “I need to open the cellar door.”
Hanaman looked right and left, his face cloudy with confusion. “Where’d you come from?”
“Clay Centre. Now . . . the key? I’m gonna need it if I’m to lock Baxter down there.”
“You caught Baxter?”
Thad blew out a short breath. “Not yet. I’ll be going after him soon as I have a way of locking him up.”
Hanaman finally seemed to come out of his stupor. “Oh! The key! Yes, yes, wait here. I’ll get it.” He scurried off, and Thad tapped his boot toe, impatiently waiting. Finally Hanaman returned. “Group of us rode out to Baxter’s house late this afternoon, but he wasn’t there. We think he might have hightailed it out of the county.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find him,” Thad vowed. He held out his hand.
The mayor dropped the key into Thad’s waiting palm. His ruddy face glowed with wonder. “Good to see you, Sheriff. We all thought—”
Thad already knew what they all thought. He just didn’t know why. But he wanted to hear the story from Sadie rather than the mayor. He turned and bounded off the porch, then ran the distance to his office. His feet skidded on the floor as he rounded the corner, and he dropped to his knees to release the padlock. “I’m back! Sadie, I’m here!” His trembling fingers gave him some trouble, but he finally managed to pull the padlock free. Thad yanked the door open. “I’m coming down!”
He used only two rungs of the ladder, jumping the remaining distance. The moment he turned, Sadie dove into his arms. He held her close, just like he had the day she’d learned of her stepfather’s death. Now, as then, her tears soaked his shirt. But last time she’d wept in sorrow. He sensed these tears were ones of relief and joy. Feeling her shoulders heave and listening to her deep sobs, however, made tears prick in his own eyes. He rubbed her back, murmuring, “Shh, now. Everything’ll be all right. Shh, Sadie.”
“You’re alive. I can’t believe it. I thought . . .”
He guided her to the cot and sat, pulling her down beside him. His arm curled around her waist, and she nestled her head on his shoulder. Her soft yellow hair, shining in the lantern light, caught in his whiskers, but she made no move to pull away.
“Sadie, how’d everybody get the idea I was dead?”
Tears continued to rain down her cheeks as she shared about hearing a shot, Sid’s lone return, and then the other clues that had led to her belief that Sid had killed him and buried him.
Finally, she hiccupped, sucking in several breaths. “I’m so relieved Sid didn’t . . . I’m so relieved you’re alive.”
He embraced her again, kissing her hair. How he lamented the pain she’d borne, thinking him killed at the hands of her beloved cousin, but he couldn’t begrudge his time in Clay Centre. He’d needed that growing time.
“Here now, sit up.” He gently pushed her upright, then removed his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her face. She sat trustingly beneath his touch, her blue eyes locked on his as if she couldn’t get enough of him. He understood. He wanted to sit here holding her forever, but he couldn’t. He had a job to do. But as sheriff, he had the power to make a slight change.
“As you can see, I’m alive and well.” She rewarded him with a wobbly smile, and he went on. “And the first thing I’m gonna do is get you out of here.”
She drew back, alarm on her face. “No, Thad! I did wrong, and I have to pay for it.”
He crushed her to his chest. “Sadie, I know you gotta pay for it.” Oh, God, let the judge be merciful to her, please. . . . “But I can’t leave you down here in this hole.”
He rose, drawing her up with him and urging her toward the ladder. “I trust you not to run off. I’m taking you to the mercantile. While we wait for the circuit judge, you can keep working for Miss Melva and Miss Shelva.”
She paused at the bottom of her ladder, uncertainty marring her face. “Are you sure? I don’t want to get you in trouble with the town council.”
“Town council’s gonna have to learn to trust my judgment.” He gave her a little nudge. “Go ahead now, get up there.” He waited until she started up the ladder before adding, “Besides, there’s somebody else who’s gonna need to take up residence here. Soon as I get you settled in your room, I’m aiming to bring him in.”
Asa tightened the last bolt, taking care not to crimp the copper tubing. Then he stepped back to admire his work. It had taken him most of the day, but he’d finally repaired all three stills. By morning, he’d be ready to start filling jugs again.
He turned toward the back chamber of the cave for one more look at the biggest still, snorting softly. He didn’t have any jugs to fill, thanks to Sid’s rampage. But he had barrels in his barn. He’d bring them over after he’d gotten some sleep. He could fill barrels, then transfer the beer to jugs when he’d gotten a new shipment.
That was something else he had to do—find somebody to operate his freight wagon. He cursed again, tweaking the coil on the still so it lay just so. Might not be easy to find somebody as easy to fool as that dumb kid from Indiana, but he’d manage. He always managed. He was like a cat—always landed on his feet.
He yawned, a mouselike squeak escaping his throat. It was late. Time to go home and get some sleep. Ambling toward the front chamber of the cave, he inwardly rejoiced at how well everything was working out. Sid was long gone, no doubt hiding after doing away with the meddlesome sheriff. The little singer gal was too scared to tell what she knew.
He grabbed a burlap bag and dropped in the tools he’d used to repair the stills. The metal tools clanked together in the bottom of the bag, echoing through the chamber. A spooky sound. Asa gave himself a little shake. No need to be acting like his goosey sisters, afraid of underground places. He slung the bag onto his back and headed through the opening into the star-speckled night.
A coyote howled, his lonely voice carrying on the light breeze. Asa hurried out of the cave. He had a gun strapped to his hip, but he didn’t care to use it. A gun blast at night carried for miles and would surely rouse somebody. He entered the clearing where he’d left his horse and wagon and came to a startled halt. He looked around in confusion, the bag’s weighted bottom bouncing against the backs of his knees. “Where’n tarnation is my wagon?”
“I moved it.”
Asa yelped in shock as someone stepped out of the shadows and directly into his pathway. He squinted through the murky light. Then he let out a grunt of irritation. “Sid Wagner! What’re you doin’ sneakin’ around here? I figured you were nigh on into Oklahoma Territory by now.”
Sid stopped within several feet of Asa. His unsmiling face glowed white in the muted light of the moon. “I’ve been around. Watchin’ you. Makin’ sure you didn’t skedaddle.”
Asa let out a bold laugh. “Why would I need to skedaddle? I got no reason to run.”
“Yes, you do. ’Cause I’m aimin’ to turn you in.”
Asa dropped the bag and balled his fists. He sneered at the boy. “You forget you’re in as deep as me. Deeper now.”
Sid’s brow furrowed momentarily, then cleared. “You’re right, I’m in deep. I been busy—collapsin’ your tunnel to the gamblin’ room—”
“You what?”
“—an’ stealin’ your bottles. But I did all that to keep you from doin’ more wrong.”
Fury boiled in Asa’s middle. He tasted bitter acid on the back of his tongue. “Why you miserable, ungrateful cur. After all I done for you, givin’ you a good job an’ bringin’ your cousin in? This is how you repay me?”
Sid went on calmly, as if Asa hadn’t spoken. “I already told the sheriff what you’ve been doin’. Now I’m willin’ to turn myself in. Take my licks.”
The boy’s final statement made no sense. “Sheriff? What sheriff? He’s dead an’ buried!”
Sid drew back, his jaw flopping like a fish gulping air. Color drained from his face. “McKane . . . is dead?”
Asa snorted. Had the boy gone loco? “Sadie told us—you put him in the ground yourself!”
“That’s where everyone’s mistaken.”
The voice came from behind Asa. He spun around. His boot caught in the discarded bag at his feet, tripping him. The fall took hide off the heels of his hands. He rolled over, cradling his hurting palms against his middle, and stared, wide-eyed, as a tall man topped by a cowboy hat stepped from the trees. Moonlight shone on the silver star pinned to his chest.
Asa gasped. “McKane! You ain’t dead?”
“That’s right, Baxter. I’m not dead. And I’m here to take you in.”
38
Finding you guilty of knowingly and deliberately producing illicit alcoholic beverages for the purpose of sale and profit, and for knowingly and deliberately providing the opportunity to indulge in games of chance, I seize for Five Creek Township all of your assets including your home, your businesses, and your personal belongings. I also sentence you to ten years of hard labor in the Kansas Penitentiary in Lansing.”
Two men bearing deputy badges took hold of Mr. Baxter’s arms and ushered the blubbering man out of Thad’s office. Behind Sadie, Miss Shelva and Miss Melva broke into wails of anguish. Sadie’s heart ached. She wished she could comfort her dear employers—they loved their brother so much. His punishment would no doubt hurt them as much as it did Asa. But she couldn’t leave her chair, where she’d been placed at the beginning of the trial as a defendant.
The circuit judge, seated at Thad’s table in lieu of a bench, glared at the twins. He brought down his gavel with a resounding bang. “Silence!”
With strangled gulps, the women obeyed the judge’s command, and the murmurs from the gathered townsfolk also abruptly ceased. Sadie’s pulse tripped faster and faster, making her feel lightheaded. The man’s lack of compassion heightened her fear. She clutched her hands together and stared at the judge, hardly daring to breathe. Would Sid’s and her sentences be as harsh as the one given to Mr. Baxter?
The judge turned his dark gaze on Sid. “Sidney Wagner.”
Sid bolted to his feet, his shoulders square and chin high. “Yes, sir.”
“And Sadie Wagner.”
Sadie clumsily rose. She tried to stand as proudly as her cousin, but her knees quivered. She licked her lips and rasped, “Y-yes, your honor.”
The judge’s dark brows formed an intimidating V. “It is within my power to hold both of you accountable for your association with Asa Baxter and his illegal practices and bring a judgment of imprisonment.”
Sadie’s fingers tightened painfully on her own palms. She wished she could cling to Thad. “ ‘When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee . . .’ ” The promise from God’s word whispered through Sadie’s heart. Peace washed over her. She aimed her unwavering gaze at the judge and placed herself in her Father’s hands.
The judge cleared his throat. “However, taking into account Mr. Wagner’s willingness to make known the unlawful dealings to the authorities, and having heard testimony pertaining to Miss Wagner’s initial innocence concerning her participation, I find myself leaning toward leniency.”
Sid’s shoulders sagged, and from behind Sadie, a chorus of exhaled breaths told her how many people found relief in the judge’s statement.
“I sentence both of you to one year’s supervision by Goldtree’s sheriff, Thaddeus McKane. If, at the conclusion of the year, he can verify you have conducted yourselves as upstanding, law-abiding citizens, then there will be no further penalty.” The judge brought down his gavel. “Court is adjourned.” He snatched up his belongings and hustled out the door to his waiting carriage.
The townsfolk, mumbling loudly, filed out after the judge. Those fortunate enough to hear the judge’s verdict with their own ears would spread the news to those who’d been forced to wait on the street, outside of hearing. Only Sadie, Thad, Mayor Hanaman, Miss Melva, Miss Shelva, and Sid remained in the small office.
Sid turned to Sadie, relief etched on his features. But before his arms could reach her, she found herself swept into a hug by someone else. She didn’t need to see to know who’d captured her—the familiar essence that spoke Thad filled her senses. She clung, happy tears raining down her face.
“He chose mercy, Thad,” she whispered, her face pressed to Thad’s neck. “He chose mercy.”
Thad set her down and cupped her face in his broad, warm palms, smiling at her through a shimmer of tears. “Thank God for His mercy.” Somehow she knew they both acknowledged God’s mercy rather than that offered by the earthly judge.
A hesitant harrumph reached her ears, and she turned to Sid, who stood sheepishly to the side. He held out one hand to her. “Sadie, guess this means we’re both out of a job. I’m sorry.”
Sadie clasped his hand between hers. “It’s not your fault, Sid. You couldn’t know we’d be caught up in all this. I’m just glad”—she whisked a smile over her shoulder at Thad—“the truth came out. Now we needn’t hide our faces in shame.”
“Well, I’m surely feelin’ shameful.” Miss Melva sniffled, holding tight to her sister’s hand.
Miss Shelva added, “How can we show our faces in town now, knowin’ what Asa done? Nobody’ll look at us the same again.”
“We gotta make it right somehow,” Miss Melva declared.
Thad stepped forward and embraced the pair. “You’ve done no wrong.” Emotion deepened his tone. His warm-eyed gaze found Sadie’s and held her as securely as his arms now held the Baxter twins. “Asa must make atonement for his own sins. You aren’t accountable for your brother’s choices.”
Sadie’s heart fluttered within her chest. In Thad’s eyes she glimpsed freedom. Her soul rejoiced at the release of his long-held burden. Gliding forward, she curled her arms around the twins’ waists, forming a circle with the three people who meant so much to her. “Let’s make a pact—no more regrets over yesterday.”
Her eyes locked with Thad’s. The warm tenderness reflected in his green eyes nearly melted her. He offered a slow nod, granting his agreement. With difficulty, she tore her focus from Thad to the twins.
“Miss Melva? Miss Shelva?”
Their shoulders rose in unison, and matching sighs whooshed from their lips. Then, as if in one accord, their heads bobbed in synchronized nods. “No more regrets,” they chorused.
Then Miss Melva released a soft titter. “ ’Cept for one.”
Miss Shelva frowned. “What’s that?”
Miss Melva’s thick eyebrows waggled. “Our givin’ up our fear o’ down-under places.”
“That’s right. We done it, didn’t we, Sister?”
“That we did.” The pair chortled together.
Sadie sent Thad a puzzled look, and he smiled. “Miss Melva and Miss Shelva visited Asa every day. While he was in the cellar room.”
Sadie gawked at the twins, who gazed back, satisfaction shining in their eyes. She shook her head, amazed. “But you said you never went into hidey-holes—not even if a twister was coming!”
The pair hunched their shoulders and tittered again. They stepped aside, exchanging a knowing look. “Reckon fears are overcome,” Miss Melva began.
“—when love goes deeper than the fear,” Miss Shelva finished.
“ ‘Perfect love casteth out fear,’ ” Thad quoted, and Sadie’s heart lifted. He’d make a wonderful minister someday. Except the judge had given Thad responsibility for overseeing Sid’s and her sentence. He wouldn’t be able to set aside his badge for at least a year. Had Thad realized that yet?
“Sister, we got a mercantile to run,” Miss Mel
va said.
“Then let’s go,” Miss Shelva said. The twins coiled their arms around each other’s waists and ambled out of the office.
At their departure, Mayor Hanaman stepped forward, propelling Sid along with him. “Sheriff, this young man’s going to have to remain in Goldtree under your supervision, but it seems he lost his job with Baxter.”
Thad slipped one hand into his trouser pocket, assuming the casual pose that was as familiar as breathing to Sadie. “I have a suggestion.” He stroked his finger over his mustache. “Since the judge also gave all of Baxter’s holdings to Five Creek Township, somebody is going to have to be in charge of maintaining his rental houses an’ taking care of his house an’ land outside of town until the council decides what to do with it. What do you think of making Sid the foreman of those properties?”
The mayor gave Thad a hearty clap on the back. “Why, that’s grand thinking, Sheriff!” He turned to Sid and aimed a finger at him. “You’re already familiar with Baxter’s holdings, so you shouldn’t have any trouble handling those duties, will you, Sid?”
Sid looked dumbstruck, but he bounced his head in a jerky nod. “Not at all. I’m glad to do it.”
“Good, good.” The mayor threw his arm around Sid’s shoulders. “Come to the bank with me, and we’ll get the details of your new position squared away.” They started out, but then Mr. Hanaman turned back and fixed Sadie with a serious look. “Miss Wagner? There’s something of importance I need to discuss with you. Soon as you’re”—he cleared his throat, a sly smile creeping up his cheek—“finished here with the sheriff, come on over and see me.”
Sadie nodded in reply, and the mayor and Sid left. The moment they departed, Thad pulled her snug against his length. She nestled, the feeling of homecoming sweeping over her once again. She would have been content to remain there in his arms for the rest of her life, but she needed to tell him something, and she wouldn’t hide against his chest as she said it.
Pulling back slightly, she peered into his dear face. “Thad, about my sentence . . . I’m so sorry you’ll be forced to remain as sheriff for another year.”
Song of My Heart Page 30