Charity's Promise

by Marianne Spitzer

  Jason sat back down at his desk, steepled his fingers, and stared at Gertrude.

  Gertrude's eyes flashed with rage, but she did her best to control her temper. “I know what you’re up to, Jason Sheppard. I spoke to an attorney concerning ways to keep you away from my brother’s money. We’ll see what the court says.”

  Jason's face lifted in a slow smile, and he answered, “I look forward to it. I believe you will be embarrassed in any court case if you choose to continue with this chain of thought. Now, once again, I’m going to ask you politely to leave my office. Good day, Miss Rossman.”

  “Regardless of your words, you will hear from me again,” Gertrude asserted, fisted her hands, glared at Jason, and left the office.

  Gertrude left Jason’s office in a huff and did her best to be polite to people who greeted her on the boardwalk as she hurried back to the hotel. She barely glanced at the manager before going up the stairs to her room. She mumbled under her breath that it had been a waste of time to come to Belle and give Charity a chance to do the right thing. Tomorrow she would catch the stage back to Cheyenne and allow her lawyer to handle the situation.

  ~ * ~

  Jason left his office a few minutes after Gertrude assuring his secretary that’s he’d be back for his next appointment. He strolled toward the café, not sure how to explain to Charity what had occurred or that Charles’ sister thought him a gold-digger.

  Charity had just finished taking an order when Jason entered the café. He could tell by the look on her face that she was surprised to see him in the late afternoon and possibly understood why he’d come to see her. She waved him back to the kitchen before disappearing to fill the customer’s order.

  When Jason entered the kitchen, Charity’s first words were, “Did you speak to Gertrude?”

  Holly took the coffee pot from Charity, saying, “Let me take care of the customer. You two should talk.”

  Charity sat at the small table, and Jason sat next to her and explained what had occurred in his office and his response to Gertrude’s ridiculous accusations.

  Charity wrung her hands in her lap and asked, “Do you think she can cause trouble for me? I don’t understand what she’s trying to do. Does she want Annie and Ben because of their inheritance?”

  Jason shook his head. “I don’t know what her intentions are, but she can’t take Annie and Ben from you. No one would ever say you aren’t a good mother, and money shouldn’t be an issue. I never asked you about your financial situation because I believed it was your business, and I never thought for a moment that I would do anything except support you and the children. Gertrude is after something. Do you have any idea what it might be?”

  Charity explained about Charles’ grandfather, and the inheritance and Jason nodded. “I believe she is after the money.”

  “But why?” Charity asked. “She and Charles shared that inheritance.”

  “I’m not sure. Have supper with me tonight at the hotel. We’ll send a note upstairs asking Gertrude to join us, and perhaps she’ll tell us what’s on her mind. If not, we’ll speak to our own lawyer and stop her from doing whatever it is she’s planning. I love you, Charity, and I will not allow her to ruin our wedding.”

  “I love you, too, Jason, and we’ll do what you think is best.”

  ~ * ~

  Charity and Jason settled at a quiet table in the corner of the hotel’s restaurant, and both hoped the note they asked the manager to deliver to Gertrude would be received well, and she’d agree to meet with them.

  Their waitress had just taken their supper orders when Gertrude appeared at the restaurant’s double doors. She strode to the table and allowed Jason to help her sit.

  “Have you eaten?” Charity asked.

  “I’m not hungry,” Gertrude answered. “I will have a cup of tea, however. What did you wish to discuss?”

  Charity cleared her throat. “I’m still trying to understand why you came to town with accusations about Jason taking Annie and Ben’s inheritance. Who or what gave you such an idea?”

  “No one in particular, but I have friends who know what men are capable of and not to trust them,” Gertrude confided. “I would never trust a man ever again.”

  Jason raised his eyebrows, and Charity said, “I’m sorry if you’ve had a bad experience, but Jason and I love each other, and he has assured me that he will support my children and me although I do have funds left from the sale of the ranch.”

  “That is all well and good,” Gertrude replied, “but I know exactly what my brother’s inheritance was, and there is no way Charles spent all of that on your farm and stock. Jason will be able to live quite nicely on what’s left of that inheritance.”

  Charity slowly shook her head. “Gertrude, do you remember what the lawyer explained at the reading of your grandfather’s will?”

  “I remember exactly. My grandfather placed those funds in trust for Charles and me when we were still children. They were meant to be a family inheritance, and regardless of what other monies he did or did not acquire, we were assured an inheritance.”

  “Exactly,” Charity said. “Charles told me what your grandfather did, and after we purchased our ranch, stock, and home furnishings, Charles placed part of the money in our account in case of a bad spell and placed the rest in a trust for any children we might have. Even if Jason was the type of man to take advantage of the situation, which he is not, he can’t touch the children’s inheritance, and neither can I.”

  Gertrude’s mouth fell open, and her face began to turn crimson as she looked away from Charity and stared at the table.

  Charity spoke softly, “Gertrude, I think I understand your concerns. You could have asked me without accusing Jason of trying to take the children’s inheritance. I would have told you and saved us all a day of worry and hard feelings.”

  Gertrude looked up and nodded, “I, I don’t know what to say. I assumed. I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

  Gertrude started to rise from her chair, and Charity said, “Please, stay and enjoy your tea. I know you loved your brother, and you love the children. I can’t say I didn’t feel hurt when you thought the worst of us, but I forgive you.”

  Gertrude tried to smile, but her lip quivered, “Thank you, Charity.”

  “Now that we’ve settled this, will you stay for the wedding?” Charity asked.

  “Oh, my dear, I can’t. I spoke to people in town. I said things I shouldn’t. I couldn’t stay. I wish you both well, but I’ll be on tomorrow’s stage. Again, please forgive me.”

  Gertrude sprung from her chair and left the restaurant before Charity had a chance to say another word.

  Jason took Charity’s hand. “I’m glad we settled that before the wedding.”

  “I agree. Gertrude looked terribly embarrassed. I wonder if she’ll ever return to Belle. She didn’t even take time today to visit with Annie and Ben,” Charity said, shaking her head.

  “I’m sorry you went through this. From here out, we’ll enjoy each second of our time together. We can start by attending the sweetheart dance, and with all this snow, I’d like to go on a sleigh ride one afternoon.”

  “That sounds lovely,” Charity answered, holding tightly to Jason’s hand.

  Chapter 11

  Charity’s head hurt. She tried to move, but her knee and shoulder hurt, too, and her bed felt terribly uncomfortable. She slowly opened her eyes and stared at the roughhewn log ceiling and quickly closed them again. She must be dreaming.

  When she opened her eyes again, the strange ceiling was still above her head, and she realized the wall next to her was constructed of the same roughhewn logs. She closed her eyes again and took in a deep breath and blew it out slowly, hoping when she opened her eyes again, she’d be safe in her bed.

  Jason’s voice pulled her out of her musings when he said, “Thank goodness you’re all right. How do you feel?”

  Charity glanced towards his voice and realized she was in a strange small cabin.

&nb
sp; “Where are we?” Charity asked. “And, why am I lying down?”

  Jason pulled the rickety chair he was using closer to the cot she was lying on and said, “Don’t you remember the accident?”

  “Accident?” Charity asked.

  “With the sleigh?” Jason added.

  “Umm, yes, I remember the sleigh tipping, and I slid on the snow toward the creek. I tried to stop myself, but then everything went black until I opened my eyes here.”

  “You must’ve hit your head on a rock when you slid down towards the creek. By the time I was able to get to you, you had rolled into the creek, and you had a large lump on your forehead. How do you feel?”

  “A bit confused and cold,” Charity answered.

  Her eyes roamed the cabin, and she squinted when she saw her coat, dress, and chemise hanging near the fireplace.

  Her eyes shot to Jason, “Why are my clothes over there and not here on me?”

  Jason put up his hands as if he were surrendering and said, “You were soaked to the bone and unconscious. I couldn’t right the sleigh, and the only thing I could do was unhook the two horses and ride us to this line shack. I remember it being here when I was a kid, and they must still use it. There’s a lot of firewood and some food and coffee. We’ll be warm and safe until daylight.”

  “Daylight,” Charity stammered. “We have to remain here all night? And, tell me how you got me here if I was unconscious?”

  Jason began explaining. “I placed you on one horse, and then I climbed on the other.”

  “How could you put me on a horse if I was unconscious?”

  “I draped you gently over the horse’s back.”

  “Like a criminal or a dead body?” Charity exclaimed.

  “Not exactly. There weren’t any saddles, and I had to climb onto the horse bareback, but I couldn’t do that carrying you. I placed you on one horse, climbed on the other, then pulled you on my horse, and we rode here.”

  “All right,” Charity said. “Why didn’t we go to town?”

  “You were soaking wet and freezing. This line shack was less than a mile. Town is over five miles away. I couldn’t take the chance you’d freeze.”

  “I can understand that I think, but please tell me why my clothes are hanging by the fire.”

  Jason shrugged, “They need to dry.”

  Charity blew out a breath. “I understand that. Tell me how they got there.”

  Charity stared straight into Jason’s eyes, and he frowned. “It isn’t what you think.”

  She continued to stare at him, and Jason swallowed before saying, “You were shaking from the cold. I put you on the cot and pulled off your boots and socks, but I knew if you didn’t get out of those heavy layers, you’d never get warm. I removed your dress, but first, I covered you with a blanket and made sure as I pulled off the dress and chemise that I kept you covered. I only looked if I needed to make sure I was doing it right and then just quickly. Honestly, I didn’t sit here and stare at you.”

  Charity bit back a smile at the seriousness of Jason’s explanation and finally burst into laughter. “I believe you, and I understand, but when we don’t return, my brother may come looking for me. If he finds me here with my clothes hanging across the room, he may shoot you.”

  Jason paled. “Joseph wouldn’t shoot me, would he? We’re friends. We’ve known each other since we were in school. Maybe he might shoot me.”

  “I’m not sure. I remember you and Joseph were quite adventuresome as boys. What else did you do?”

  “Nothing. Wait,” Jason exclaimed. “You know how you tease me about carrying my satchel everywhere I go, and I tell you it’s because there are things in it that I might need as mayor? While that’s true, I also must keep up proper appearances. I keep a change of clothing in it just in case I can’t get back to my home or office if something happens. I have a shirt and pants you can put on. You’re already wearing my socks.”

  Charity was still giggling at Jason’s concern.

  “Stop worrying. We’re getting married in less than a week, and I doubt Joseph would shoot you. He might punch you, but not shoot you.”

  Jason did his best to smile and said, “Joseph has always been protective of you. I remember one Sunday after services when we were kids, and I commented that you looked pretty in your new bonnet, and he threatened to punch me and said I shouldn’t think about his sister like that.”

  “You thought I was pretty as a kid?”

  “I’ve always thought you were pretty. I was jealous of Charles when he caught your eye, but I would never have wished what happened to him on anyone. He was a good man, and I hope someday you’ll think the same of me.”

  Charity glanced lovingly at Jason, “I already do.”

  “All right let me get you the pants and shirt. You should feel warmer, but you’ll need to keep your feet covered. Your boots are wet. There are some rocks by the fireplace that I’m warming, and I’ll fill your boots with them. I hope it’ll help dry them by morning. If not, we’ll cut coverings out of the blanket to keep your feet warm on the way back to town,” Jason was mumbling as he pulled out the shirt and pants.

  Maybe, Charity thought, I shouldn’t have teased him about Joseph shooting him. He’s a bit nervous. Or maybe being alone here with me is making him nervous. I’ll never understand men.

  She smiled when Jason turned around, holding a white shirt and black pants.

  “These might be a little big for you, but they’ll help keep you warm,” Jason said as he handed the clothes to Charity. “I’ll just step outside while you change.”

  Thank you,” Charity answered and watched as Jason slipped his jacket on and stepped out into the snowy evening shadows. She quickly buttoned the shirt and pulled the pants on, hoping she could find some rope to help hold the pants in place. If she couldn’t, she’d rip a piece of fabric from her petticoat to keep the pants in place.

  Charity called out to Jason. “I’m dressed. You should come back in before you freeze.”

  Jason hurried back inside, closing the door behind him quickly before the cold took away what heat the small fireplace offered. Shaking the snow from his jacket, he asked, “Are you hungry? There isn’t much here, but there are a few cans of beans and peaches, and the coffee will be ready soon.

  “I’m not hungry, but a cup of hot coffee would be good right now. I’m still a bit cold,” Charity explained as she drew the blanket around her shoulders.

  “I’ll get you a cup and put another piece of wood on the fire, and I think this place will heat up soon. It’s windy outside, but I don’t feel much of a draft in here.”

  Charity shivered and gratefully took the cup of coffee that Jason handed her.

  “Sorry I couldn’t find any sugar,” Jason said before pouring himself a cup.

  “I can drink it without sugar. I’m happy for the warmth. Do you think we can get out of here in the morning?”

  “I think so. The snow isn’t heavy right now, and if it keeps up this way, we can manage. When we don’t return the sleigh, someone from the livery is going to look for us, and that means going to the café.”

  Charity bit her lip. “Joseph will worry. He and Holly are watching Annie and Ben. He’ll know I’m not coming home now that it’s dark. I expect he’ll be out looking in the morning.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. The livery will also be looking for the missing sleigh. Don’t worry, we’ll get home safely,” Jason said.

  “I’m not worried about that. I just don’t want my children or brother to be concerned about what might have happened to us.”

  “I understand, but I think Joseph knows I wouldn’t let anything happen to you now or ever,” Jason told her.

  “I’m sure he does, and I like hearing you say it,” Charity answered, smiling at the man she loved.

  “I’ll say it every day of our lives. I’m so sorry this happened. After missing the sweetheart dance because Ben wasn’t feeling well, I thought this sleigh ride would be romantic. I m
essed up,” Jason confessed and dropped his head into his hands.

  “No, you didn’t. You didn’t plan on the horses spooking and the sleigh sliding off the road. We’re warm and safe. You did well.”

  Jason met her eyes, “I tried.”

  Chapter 12

  Charity was sleeping soundly when a loud pounding on the door woke her, and she could hear her brother’s voice.

  “Charity? Jason? Are you two in there? Open the door this minute, or I’ll break it down.”

  Jason quickly lit the only lamp and strode to the door and pulled it open.

  Joseph pushed past him and entered the shack calling Charity’s name.

  “I’m here, Joseph, and I’m all right.”

  Joseph looked at his sister sitting on the small cot wearing a man’s shirt and her clothes hanging by the fireplace. His eyes cut to Jason, and he asked, “Exactly what is going on here, and what have you done to my sister?”

  Jason raised his hands as if he were being held up instead of questioned and did his best to explain the situation.

  Joseph glared at him and said, “You had to make her take off her clothing?”

  Not wishing to upset Joseph more than he already was, Jason simply said, “Her clothing was soaked from falling into the creek and needed to dry. By the time we arrived at this line-shack, her dress was beginning to freeze.”

  “Joseph, calm down,” Charity said as she rose from the cot. “I’m wearing some of Jason’s clothes. I’m dressed and unhurt. Besides, I’m a grown woman, and you shouldn’t come in here assuming anything. It’s my life.”

  Joseph snapped, “Not just your life. Annie and Ben are worried when you weren’t home this morning. Holly is doing her best to convince them you’re all right and just having a bit of trouble with all the snow.”

  Charity took a step toward Joseph with her fists firmly planted on her sides. “That’s the truth. We did have some trouble with the snow. If you think this was intentional, you should rethink whatever ideas you have. If you believe I would plan some romantic outing by coming to this old shack, you don’t think much of me.”