“Well, hear me out.” Hank took a drink and put the mug on the table. “I honestly don’t know why I didn’t think of this earlier.”
Nick joined them. “Maybe we should offer grace, and then you can explain.”
Hank nodded. Nick gave a quick prayer, then both he and Simon looked to Hank for answers.
“Well, you and I know that Rafe never does anything unless it profits him. I think I’ve found a way to do just that and hopefully get him to release Ellie from her contract.”
“How?” Simon asked. He hadn’t even touched his food.
“Land.” Hank smiled. “Rafe wants land. He was very angry that Vanhouten sold me his land without considering Rafe’s desires. Rafe wants that piece that stretches out behind his property. I own that now.”
“And you’re thinking that if you offered to sell it to Rafe, he would give up his hold on Ellie?” Nick asked.
Simon frowned and he shook his head. “I doubt he’d do anything that appeared helpful to me. Especially if it involves having to buy something.”
“I’m not going to offer to sell it,” Hank said. “I’m going to let him have it, free and clear.”
“What?” the brothers questioned in unison.
Hank laughed. “It came to me in a dream. I’d been praying about it.” He sobered a bit. “I was wrong to suggest you just steal Ellie outright. I’m about as new to this Bible and faith stuff as you are. To me, it made sense to defeat evil by taking Ellie out of Rafe’s grasp, but now I can see that it’s better to do it in such a way that he allows her to go. That way, you can stay here if you like and continue with your business.”
“Hank, I could never hope to repay you. I don’t have that much money,” Simon said, looking worse than when Hank had started.
“You wouldn’t need to repay me, Simon. It would be our wedding gift to you and Ellie. Gwen thinks it a fine idea.”
“It’s too much.”
“Oh, stop it,” Nick declared, pounding his fist on the table. “We’ve been praying for an answer, and now Hank comes with one, but you don’t want to take it because of your pride?”
Simon looked rather sheepish. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it that way. I didn’t mean it to sound prideful. I . . . well . . . I don’t like having to be in anyone’s debt. Pa always said—”
“To honor your commitments and help those in need. Ellie is in need—probably in the worst possible way. You love her, and this is how you can help her.”
“And you won’t be in my debt.” Hank downed the last of his coffee and got to his feet. “Surely your pa taught you that you don’t owe for a gift.”
“How do we go about this?” Simon asked, still looking doubtful.
“We don’t. I’ll negotiate the entire thing with Rafe this morning. He won’t like being disturbed before noon, but I plan to use that to my advantage.”
“Are you sure we shouldn’t be there?” Nick asked. “At least Simon?”
“No. I think seeing Simon will only irritate the situation, and Rafe might decide to stand on pride just to spite us.” He grinned. “Men can be like that, you know.”
Nick laughed. “I think we’ve all been guilty of that.” He punched Simon’s arm. “What do you say? Are you going to take this gift from God and Hank?”
Simon nodded. “I won’t let worries about my dignity stand in the way. I guess sometimes a man has to sacrifice that in order to better the lives of other folks. Ellie is worth it.”
“Then we’re agreed. I’ll have Cubby wake his father and send him to the store to discuss the situation with me. I’ll let you know as soon as I have Rafe’s decision one way or the other, but knowing Rafe as I do, I feel confident he’ll do anything to possess that land.”
Hank strolled across the way toward Gallatin House. He could see Cubby chopping wood on the north side of the saloon—as if God had it all planned out. Hank chuckled to himself. He supposed God did have it all arranged—there was no “almost” to it.
“Don’t you wish it would just cut itself?” Hank asked with a smile.
Cubby nodded. “I was just trying to think of a machine or something I could build to cut the wood for me.”
“Well, if anyone could come up with something like that, I’m sure it would be you.” Hank glanced back at the saloon. “I don’t suppose your pa is up yet, is he?”
Cubby snorted. “Nah, Pa doesn’t get up this early. Even on slow nights like last night, he’s up almost till dawn.”
“Well, I need for you to wake him,” Hank said. He could see Cubby’s face contort in discomfort. “It’s important. I want you to tell him that I’m willing to discuss a deal to get him the land he wants so he can build his hotel. Tell him to meet me in half an hour at the store if he’s interested.”
Putting the ax aside, Cubby nodded. “I guess he might be willing to get up for that. He’s been powerful mad since you bought out all of that property.”
“I know.” Hank headed toward Gallatin House. “Tell him to be on time. If he’s late, I very well may change my mind.”
Half an hour later, to the minute, Rafe stumbled into Bishop’s Emporium with a scowl on his face. He looked like a half-drowned rat with his wet hair plastered to his head. He squinted against the light and seemed to grunt thanks when Hank closed the shop door.
“This better not be a joke, Bishop,” he muttered.
“It’s not, Reynolds. Come into my office, and we’ll talk.”
Hank led the way and waited for Rafe to join him before pointing to a mug of coffee. “I brought this over from Gallatin House. Thought maybe you could use it.”
“I don’t intend to be awake any longer than it takes to find out what this is all about. Cubby said you were talking about the land I want.”
“And he’s right.” Hank took a seat behind his desk and motioned for Rafe to sit in a wooden chair opposite him. “I have a proposition for you.”
“All right, I’m listening.” Rafe sat down and eyed Hank with contempt. “But it better be good.”
“Oh, I think you’ll be pleased. I propose that we each have something the other wants. I have the land that stretches out behind your place to the river and beyond.”
“Yeah, and what do I have that you want?”
Hank smiled. “Ellie.”
Rafe laughed out loud. “That little Gallatin gal giving you a bad time of it, Bishop?”
“Don’t be crude, Rafe. I want her contract so that she’ll be free to marry Simon. I want her released from your employment, and I’m willing to give you the land in return.”
“You mean sell it to me, don’t you?”
Hank shook his head and toyed with a pencil. “No. I mean give it to you, free and clear.”
Rafe slapped his knee. “You’d give good land for that waste of womankind?”
“If she’s such a waste, then it shouldn’t be difficult for you to make up your mind about this.”
“Why would you do this? That girl don’t mean nothin’ to you.”
“She means a great deal. My wife and her sisters have taken a liking to her and worry about her well-being. Not only that, but they are complete advocates for true love.” Hank shifted and looked Rafe in the eyes. “I can’t see a smart man like you letting pride stand in the way of a good business deal, but I suppose I could be wrong.”
“So if I tear up Ellie’s contract and let her go, you’ll deed that land over to me? How soon?”
“Let Cubby come over and help with the store, and I’ll go today and have the lawyer draw up the papers. With any luck, you can have them in a couple of days.”
Rafe leaned back and rubbed his chin. “Seems you want this signed and done awfully quick. You need to give me time to think it over.”
Hank shook his head. “No. This is a limited offer. You either decide here and now that you will agree to my terms, or I’ll let Simon Lassiter have the land.”
“What!” Rafe jumped up. “You no-good two-timer. I knew there was more to this
than you were letting on.”
Hank got to his feet and shrugged. “Rafe, I came to you and posed my proposition. Either you want the land or you don’t. I’m not going to play games. Give me your decision.”
Lacy found Cubby watching her with such intensity that she stopped dusting the shelves of Bishop’s Emporium and put her hands on her hips. “What’s with you, Cubby? You keep staring at me like I’ve grown a second head.”
“I was just wondering how I could win your heart, Miss Lacy.”
“I thought we talked about this. I’m much too old for you.”
He looked at her as if he’d just gotten a brilliant idea. “If I killed that mean ol’ black bear, would you want to court me then?”
“No. It’s not about seeing you perform heroic deeds.” Lacy came to where Cubby was arranging a display of tools. “You are a sweet fella, Cubby, but you have to put this from your mind. I think of you as a little brother—not as a suitor.”
“I’m not that young!” he protested. “You aren’t that old. I could make a good husband for you. Besides, you’d marry me fast enough if I found your pa’s killer,” he countered as she turned to go back to her dusting.
Lacy whirled around and looked at him with barely contained anger. “That’s not funny, Cubby. You shouldn’t joke about something so serious.”
“I wasn’t joking.” He smiled rather satisfactorily and crossed his arms against his chest. “I heard something.”
She didn’t want to give in to his smug enticement, but she couldn’t help herself. “What did you hear?”
He grinned in full. “First tell me you’ll marry me if I catch your pa’s killer.”
Lacy shook her head. “I can’t marry anyone, Cubby. I don’t love you or anyone else in that way. If you were as much a man as you claim to be, you would know it wasn’t right to try to force a lady to do such a thing.”
His face lost its joyfulness as he considered her words.
“Tell me what you heard, Cubby. Please.”
He lowered his head. “I heard Pa and Wyman say something about what really happened the night your pa died. I didn’t hear anything else ’cause one of the girls came to ask Pa a question. But I’m thinking that if I worked it right, I might be able to get them talkin’ about it again, and maybe I could find out what they know.”
“Are you absolutely sure that’s what you overheard?”
“I’m sure. They were talking about all the problems they’ve had since that night. I’m sure they know plenty.”
“I’ve always suspected they did,” Lacy said, biting her lip to keep from saying more. There was no need to tell Cubby everything she thought. “So do you suppose you could get them to talk when another adult is in earshot? Maybe Dave or someone could listen in from the back room while you get them to talk at the bar?”
Cubby flailed his arms like a small child having a tantrum. “I’m man enough to overhear anything they got to say. I’m tired of you seeing me as a kid and nothing more.”
He stormed out of the store, muttering and cursing all the way.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Fourth of July Sunday started much as any other Sunday might have. Services were held at Gallatin House, and afterward, folks moved outside to set up for the regular after-church dinner. The warm weather made it a perfect day for Beth to don her new gown. She’d worked on it for weeks in between mending and other chores. Now, knowing what she planned to do, it all seemed perfect. A new gown for a new life.
She had taken such special care with the pattern. The dress was stylish and fit her like a glove, with its short, puffed sleeves and rounded neckline. The blue-green calico was a good color for her eyes. With a quick glance in the front-room mirror, Beth smiled. Her sun-kissed face glowed with health and happiness.
Beth thought back on the conversation she’d shared with Patience Shepard that morning. Jerry had been handling the sermon and reading over his notes when Beth took Patience aside for some advice.
“I’m in love with Nick,” she told the older woman.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Patience replied with a broad smile.
“Well,” Beth said, drawing a deep breath, “I wondered if maybe I should tell him.”
Patience laughed. “I suppose that would clarify the matter.”
“I love both of them—Nick and Justin,” she continued. “I just don’t want to waste any more time. Nick thinks I expect to be courted. Do you suppose it would be all right to explain to him that I don’t need the time to make up my mind? I know what kind of man he is, and I know my heart. I think the extra time would only cause Justin more heartache.”
“If this is what your heart is telling you to do, I think you should talk with Nick. After all, folks on the frontier have little opportunity to stand on ceremony,” Patience counseled.
Beth thought briefly of the bold and confident Lady Effing-ham and wished she could feel as capable. But Lady Effingham was just a character in a book.
Over the weeks, Beth had gradually lost interest in her books. Real life seemed far too interesting, and at night her mind was too full of questions and concerns to lose herself in anything other than her Bible reading. She hadn’t expected the change to come so quickly, but in fact, she found she didn’t really miss the romantic and intriguing tales at all. She had her own romance, and God was more real than ever.
Throughout the festivities that day, Beth observed Nick and Justin as they joined some of the other men and boys at play. They seemed happy to participate in the makeshift baseball game and later teamed up against Simon in horseshoes. Though she could still sense their hesitation around each other, Beth could clearly see that they were becoming a family. And she wanted to be a part of it.
By early evening the games gave way to dancing, singing, and, of course, more food. Beth danced with both Nick and Justin, as well as a bevy of others. She felt light as a feather and imagined that being at the grandest European ball could not begin to equal the joy she had in this simple celebration. It was nearly nine-thirty when Hank set off the first of the fireworks. The children were notably impressed and cheered for more. Silver ribbons cut across the skies, bringing even more approval from the observers. Over the next half hour, Hank arranged a display to rival that of Bozeman’s yearly festivities.
“Are you having a good time?” Nick asked Beth.
She glanced up from where she sat on the ground. “I am. It’s been a wonderful day.”
Nick sat down beside her on the blanket. “I’m glad you’re sitting back here away from the others. I had hoped to get a chance to talk to you privately.”
Beth laughed softly. “I have to admit I had the same thing in mind when I chose this spot.” She looked around. “Where’s Justin?”
“He fell asleep, and Simon offered to take him back to the house for me.” He reached out and brushed back a wisp of hair that had fallen down around Beth’s cheek. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”
Beth knew the moment of truth had come, and she wasn’t about to play coy and timid. This matter was much too important. “I don’t want to waste time courting you, Nick.”
He looked momentarily confused and started to protest when Beth put her hand to his mouth. “I already know I love you,” she said with a smile. “I just think for Justin’s sake, we shouldn’t wait to marry. If you and I need to get to know each other better, we can just do it as a married couple. Justin needs to have a family in full, and I want very much to be his mother.” She paused and let her hand trail against Nick’s jaw before adding, “And your wife.”
Nick just stared at her for several moments. There was enough of a glow from the moon to make out his features. Beth thought him more handsome than any other man in attendance. When he took hold of her hand and pulled it to his lips, she thought she might very well forget to breathe.
“You know, I thought all day long about how I might convince you to marry me right away. I went through at least a dozen ideas, but none of
them seemed just right. Then I come over here to bare my heart and soul, and you just propose to me, calm as can be.” He laughed, and Beth could see the pleasure in his expression. “Someday I’m going to enjoy telling our children how you offered to marry me, just as bold as brass.”
Beth laughed then. “For a moment I thought I’d offended you—that you were going to tell me you’d changed your mind, that you and Justin didn’t need me in your lives.”
Nick took hold of her hands. “That will never happen. I need you for more reasons than I can attempt to express.”
“So what should we do now?” Beth asked.
“The pastor will be here in two weeks. Do you suppose you can wait that long?” He leaned in close and pulled her to him. Their faces were only inches apart.
“Can you?” she whispered with a smile.
He shook his head and pulled away. “It won’t be easy, but I’ve heard it said that good things are worth waiting for.”
“Two weeks will seem like an eternity,” she said finally, “but I suppose it will give Justin time to get used to the idea.”
“If anyone’s already used to the idea, it’s Justin. He’s asked me twice today if I intended to marry you soon so that he could have a mother.”
Beth felt tears come to her eyes. “Oh, Nick. I already love him so much. He reminds me of myself—the pain and sadness. I just want to make it all go away.”
“And I want to make it go away for you,” Nick said, gently stroking her cheek, “and for me. I want it more than you can possibly know.”
The crew that assembled to eat breakfast at Gallatin House the next morning was a bit subdued after the previous night’s festivities. Beth’s announcement, however, changed that. “I’m getting married in two weeks to Nick.”
Gwen dropped her fork. It clattered against the plate. “You’re what?”
“I’m getting married,” Beth said matter-of-factly.
“In two weeks,” Lacy offered, and Beth nodded.
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