by Mari Collier
He swung back into the saddle and they rode on.
“Why was that man after you all?”
Kendall let out his breath. “It's a long story, Pawpaw.”
“Well, try telling it.” The words were a command.
“People had a hard time accepting the fact that a blind woman could care for a baby, but she could. That's why when the war with Spain broke out; I thought I could go ahead and join up. My country needed men like me, and Teddy Roosevelt is a good man, maybe he'll be a great one. If one of my friends from the lumberyard (that's where I was working), hadn't got a telegram to me before I signed up, I'd be in Cuba.
“The president of the largest bank in town and his wife had petitioned the state for our little girl. The judge, he's a friend of the banker, gave Sarah away. Alice screamed and carried on so that they put her in an insane asylum.”
“I got back as fast as I could and broke Alice out of there. They weren't expecting that. Then we went back to Harlan, and I hid Alice along a creek with willows as a cover. I did have to tie a rope around her waist so she wouldn't go too far and fall in the water at night while I went after Sarah. I managed to sneak into the banker's house (I'd helped deliver the lumber and build the house), and I knew where the nursery was located. We'd all laughed about it when building it because we knew she was too old to be having any children. I didn't know they were planning to steal my daughter.” His voice was bitter.
“How the hell did y'all see in there in the dark of night?”
“There was moonlight that night, moonlight so bright it gave enough light to read by. The stairs were a little tricky, but I made it. Nobody was in Sarah's room and I just scooped her up and headed out. She didn't start crying until I mounted the horse. Alice was so glad to see us she didn't chew me out until the next day for not getting some clothes and blankets.”
They'd reached the area called Buster's Roost in honor of some long ago miner who had vainly searched for nonexistent silver or gold he was sure that the original land grant Mexican must have mined or hid to live this far from civilization. The pull of real silver in Mexico had eventually lured him away.
“There, he should be over there.”
Both men dismounted at the empty space. The ground here was dryer, sandier and the walking was easy. The outcrop of rock ended abruptly as though it was surprised at being in a portion of Texas that was more prairie than high, rocky ground, but there was the stain of blood on the rocks.
Lorenz swung back into the saddle. “It's a ride into town, son. Either y'all just winged him or someone found him and took him there.”
Kendall nodded glumly. “Pawpaw, I'm wanted up in South Dakota. I can't go into town.”
“Why are y'all wanted? Did y'all rob somebody after taking off with your wife and child?”
“No, Pawpaw, the charge is for kidnapping my our own little girl. I had enough money to keep us going until we got down into Colorado. I went to work for a ranch when this bounty hunter came into town about three months ago and started asking questions. We've been working our way here since.”
“Why the hell didn't y'all just write or telegraph?”
“I didn't think I'd be welcomed, but figured I could talk Mama out of some money. I know I ran like a coward when Marty was killed. I couldn't face you, Uncle Martin, or Aunt Brigetta.”
Lorenz stared at his son like a stranger and then exploded. “For God's sake, Kendall, you are my son! I'd let myself die before I'd let anyone hurt you or yours. And why you think Martin and Brigetta would blame you is beyond my comprehension. They've been as worried about you as we have.”
Kendall stared at his father. For the first time in his hearing, Lorenz had not said y'all. What did he mean, “let myself die,” or was that a slip of the tongue too?
Lorenz's eyes were blazing. “We're going into town. This is Texas. Thomas Jackson is Justice of the Peace. Do you believe he's going to toss you into jail because you took your own child?”
Kendall shook his head. “Why would Thomas be Justice of the Peace instead of his pa?” He closed his eyes against the bright, glaring sun. Hell, Thomas would be thirty or more now. He opened his eyes to find his father staring down at him.
“Forget what I just said, Pawpaw, this is Texas and you and Uncle Martin run this section.” He remounted his horse.
They rode single file until they were on the rolling prairie again. Once they were down, Lorenz turned and asked, “Do y'all see that rider coming?”
“Yes.”
“It's our hired deputy sheriff. The county didn't want to pay for a deputy sheriff out here, so Schmidt's Corner hired one and the sheriff in Arles swore him in. The surrounding ranchers throw in a few bucks every year to help keep the peace during the time we're taking our beeves to market. He looks like a man on a mission.”
Inwardly Kendall cursed. He knew he'd be arrested, possibly for murder, but running was out of the question. Why wasn't his father more concerned?
“Is this man one you and Uncle Martin picked?”
Lorenz shot his son a quizzical look. “Of course we didn't. The committee was Gerald, Thomas Jackson, and Ernest. Ernest has a house in town and runs the bank. Remember, when Margareatha stayed with us after losing her husband and children, she taught him accounting. Ernest never liked chasing after cattle.”
Kendall sat back in the saddle. Things had changed, but he couldn't see that this provided a way out.
“Uh, Pawpaw, I can't afford a lawyer.”
“I don't know why not. You've got close to eleven thousand dollars in your account at the bank in town.”
“I what?”
“Shouting isn't necessary, son. We, that is Antoinette, Papa, and Grandmère made sure there was ten thousand dollars in cash and stock in an account for each of our children at the age of twenty-one. The stock has paid enough dividends that the account has grown. Y'all can afford any lawyer y'all want.”
Kendall felt his stomach knot. Alice and Sarah were provided for no matter what happened. He knew the stock would be from the MacDonald Corporation, but he hadn't paid much attention to his father's involvement in business. He had followed Marty, and to Marty ranching and hunting were the only two fit occupations for a man.
The man on the roan pulled to a stop. A tan Stetson was set on graying hair. He was wide shouldered and stocky for a cowman. A grey mustache coved the lip area, and to Kendall the man appeared to be about forty-five.
“Howdy, Mr. MacDonald, have you seen…” and the man stopped in mid-sentence.
“Hello, Wade, y'all don't need to be so formal. This is my son, Kendall MacDonald; Kendall, Wade Gilliam.”
Gilliam nodded at Kendall. “How do.” He turned back to Lorenz.
“I'm on official business. A man was shot last night up around Buster's Roost. He's a bounty hunter out of South Dakota looking for a kidnapper. The kidnapper has a child and a mad woman with him. He's about thirty, dark haired, blue eyes, slim build, about six…” Gilliam suddenly looked back at Kendall as he realized the general description would fit.
“That would be me, except my wife isn't mad and I don't believe a man can kidnap his own child. I am guilty of shooting back at a man that shot at me first, and right now, I'm regretting that I didn't do more damage.”
Gilliam swung his gaze back to Lorenz. He was a Westerner and he knew this could be dangerous. MacDonald, however, was sitting easy in the saddle.
“Kendall has explained most of what happened, and we were coming in to straighten things out. I take it the man is not only well, but will live to make a nuisance of himself.”
“If y'all call someone with a valid extradition warrant from the state of South Dakota a nuisance, I reckon y'all are correct. I have to take him in.”
He turned back to Kendall. “Y'all are under arrest. The Justice of the Peace will conduct a hearing on the extradition warrant. If that man wants to press charges, I'll have to add attempted murder.”
“If so charged, it would just keep
Kendall right here.” Lorenz smiled at the deputy sheriff.
Wade shrugged. It had already entered his mind that Jackson was about the same age as Kendall. He started to pull out his handcuffs when Lorenz spoke again.
“Why are y'all pulling those out? We were already on our way into town after we discovered there was no one back at Buster's Roost. Just where do y'all think he's going to run when his wife and child are back at the ranch?”
Wade was torn. He detested MacDonald as a damn Yankee, but knew full well who helped the town pay his salary. He also harbored an unspoken love for Mrs. MacDonald. How could such a beautiful, Southern woman tie up with a damn Yankee? Wade was also aware of Mrs. MacDonald's search for her missing son. It was a given in his mind that any Southern lady doted on her sons. Handcuffing Kendall would just anger her. With a shrug he returned the cuffs to the saddlebag and nodded at them.
As they neared town, Wade rode a bit in front of them to stop their progress. “I can't allow you all to stop at the Jackson house. I have to put Kendall in jail and then fetch that other fellow and Mr. Jackson.”
“Wade, y'all know that isn't necessary. We'll stay away from Thomas, but we are stopping to say hello to the elder Mrs. Jackson and then we're going to the bank. When y'all have everything set up, just let us know and we'll be there. Y'all will know where we are by where our horses are.”
Wade felt bile rising in his throat. He could have objected, but he also knew this town (at least the ones who hired him) would back MacDonald. His mind seemed to clear. Oh, hell, he thought, if this was one of Tillman's kids, he would have thought that a perfect solution.
“Fine, I'll let you all know when we're ready.”
They rode past the holding pens for cattle and the small depot. Kendall realized that the town had spread out. The taverns were still by the blacksmith shop where the sounds of a hammer slamming against an anvil rang out, but while Ward rode on into the town proper, Lorenz led the way to the other side where houses had been built.
“There's a doctor's office, town jail, small Justice of the Peace office, a newer bank, Gerald's building a drugstore, there's also a post office, a regular school, and the railroad station with a telegraph. The other new building going up is the library. Gerald and Emily have the biggest two story home, Ernest the next, and the others belong to the people in town. The clerk at the general store rents the house portion over the store.”
Kendal remained silent as he followed his father to the front of the Jackson home and up the steps to the opened front door. Lorenz pounded on the jamb.
“Hello, the house,” he called out in the old greeting.
Olga appeared wiping her hands on her apron. Her figure was still blocky, and her gradually graying hair pulled into a tight bun. She took one look and swooped down on them.
“Kendall, you're alive.”
Ward found them still there thirty minutes later. Olga was plying them with her famous angel food cake and black coffee. Her face was aglow from all the compliments about her baking abilities, and she kept hugging Kendall as they left.
They followed Wade into the Justice of the Peace office set next to the jail. It was a plain one-story room filled with a desk, several chairs, a built-in cabinet, and two men. One man wore a suit that had seen considerable wear and had his arm in a sling. It looked like there was a bulky dressing under his shirt and suit coat. His hair was blond and sparse, his eyes a greenish-blue, and his nose a bit bulbous for his face.
Thomas Jackson was seated behind his desk. His hair was straight and dark. His shoulders and body were enormous from the years of being a black smith, and the brown gabardine suit was under a great strain. One look at Kendall and he was on his feet.
“Kendall, my God man it's good to see y'all.”
He was about to come out from behind the desk when he saw the look on Ward's face.
“Don't tell me he's involved in this.”
“Here's the extraction warrant, but it looks like I need to take this to a regular judge.” The new comer laid the warrant on his desk.
“Shut up and sit down or I'll throw you in jail for contempt. In fact everybody sit down.” Thomas banged his fist on the desk top rather than the gravel.
Lorenz's scar pulled up the corner of the right side of his mouth as he tried to keep from smiling and sat. Kendall did likewise. Ward cleared his throat before speaking.
“Mr. Bellingham, this is Texas. A Justice of the Peace has the right to rule on that piece of paper. I'd sit down and speak when spoken to.”
“Now then, Kendall, tell me what's going on.” Thomas became official.
Kendall explained his situation to Thomas, his voice bitter at the justice received in South Dakota.
“Y'all are charged with kidnapping your own daughter?” Thomas was outraged. “What kind of place is South Dakota?”
Bellingham leaned forward. “Now, look Mr. and Mrs. Jensen are the legal parents of that child; plus, he's got a blind, crazy woman for a wife. What kind of care is that child getting?”
Thomas looked at Lorenz. “Is that true, Uncle?”
Bellingham was on his feet. “Uncle? What kind of law are you people practicing? Give me that warrant back and I'll take it to a real court.”
“Mister, if y'all don't sit down, I'll throw y'all in the jail myself. Now let Mr. MacDonald have his say.”
Lorenz tried to keep his face solemn as he answered. “Well, I'd say my daughter-in-law is blind and totally exhausted from the hard riding they've done, but little Sarah is just fine. Right now Mrs. MacDonald probably has the whole household fussing over her. I've an extensive list of purchases to make at the store before going back home.”
“Which means there are umpteen dozen servants doing her every bidding.” Thomas grinned at them and turned to Bellingham.
“Extradition denied.” Thomas scribbled across the page, stamped it and signed his name after entering the date.
“Here's your extradition warrant. Y'all can take it anywhere y'all like, but Kendall MacDonald isn't going anywhere. That paper ain't worth the money it cost to print it in Texas. No judge in their right mind will send Kendall back. Y'all can't kidnap your own child.
“Kendall, Uncle, do y'all have time for a drink before y'all go back to the ranch?”
* * *
Antoinette was waiting on the porch as Lorenz and Kendall rode up with their purchases late that afternoon. Kendall was sporting a fancy, new grey Stetson.
“Did y'all bring the material I ordered last night and the cotton stockings?”
Lorenz smiled at her as he rode closer and handed her a wrapped bundle. Antoinette simply presumed he'd overridden any problem about a shooting.
“Of course, and Kendall has another package.”
“Mama, how are Alice and Sarah?”
“They're fine. Sarah's taking a nap and Alice is making her way here.”
Alice appeared in the doorway. Her blond hair was washed and braided. She was wearing one of Antoinette's old dresses of blue chambray. The dress was a bit long and it hung on her slender form.
“Kendall, is everything all right? Are we leaving? Sarah's sleeping naturally for the first time in ages.”
“We aren't leaving, Alice. I've got to help Pawpaw put up the horses, but everything is fine. The Justice of the Peace didn't honor the extradition paper and the deputy sheriff in town doesn't think the sheriff or judge in Arles will bother once they find out the true story. As far as he is concerned, I shot in self-defense last night. We just need to stay in Texas until Pawpaw's lawyers take care of things in South Dakota.”
“Dinner is at the usual hour.” Antoinette handed the packages to the serving girl behind Alice. “At which time, you all may explain what you all are talking about.
“We have been sewing up a storm. Alice and Sarah may even have some clothes that fit by tonight.” With that she led Alice back inside.
“Mama seems to have everything under control.”
They'd swung their
horses towards the barn. “Surely y'all didn't expect anything different. She's been taking care of things for years. Tomorrow we'll take another ride. There's something I need to show y'all. I had intended to take y'all there on your nineteenth birthday.”
It was like a jolt hitting Kendall. All these years it had gnawed at him. His parents hadn't trusted him. “And the explanation of what you two were hiding from me.”
“Not hiding, son. We just hadn't explained everything. Do y'all remember Mina's Story?”
“Most of it, but what does a fairy tale have to do with it?”
“It's not a fairy tale. Except for the ending, it's God's truth.”
Kendall pulled his horse up, but his father kept riding. He dug his heels in and caught up.
“You're telling a bad joke, right?”
“Nope, but like your mother, y'all aren't going to believe me until y'all see the proof. I've already spent one entire night explaining about ships that can fly and I'm not going to waste another. That will have to wait until tomorrow. We can't talk about it now.” They'd reached the barn and Lorenz dismounted.
“Tonight we'll explain to the ladies how things went in town and deliver the various messages, and let your mother know we've invited everybody here for the weekend.”
Kendall was left completely baffled. Mina's Story was a fairy tale about creatures that weren't really human. He yanked the saddle off fully intending to ask his father more. It proved impossible. Men were crowding around and from the distance he could see a horse coming at full gallop.
“Son, it looks like August to me. Y'all better go greet him.”
Chapter 33: A Visit to the Golden One
They rode out next morning shortly before daybreak. Kendall's head was still buzzing. He wasn't accustomed to whiskey any longer. Alice was angry with him for drinking and wanted to leave this vile place. According to her, these people were not teetotalers and therefore not Christians. Leaving, he knew, wouldn't set well with his mother. Alice wasn't placated with the promise of a house of their own on the ranch, plus servants while he took over as foreman. She was certain that his parents were hypocrites. Their professing to be Christians and giving thanks before a meal was meaningless. Everybody knew Lutherans drank and smoked. Even their woman drank. He had no arguments for her strict Methodist ways. Alice was beginning to chaff at the idea of how much they owed his parents. When he explained about their new found wealth, she was dumbfounded.