A Love Transformed

by Tracie Peterson

  When they’d closed the distance, Clara fell to her knees, mindless of the silk dress. She opened her arms to her children and embraced them for a long time while all three cried.

  “What in the world is all this nonsense?” Clara heard her mother ask.

  There were other voices, but Clara didn’t care. She pulled back only far enough to see each child’s face. “Are you all right? Did they hurt you?”

  “We were so scared,” Hunter told her, tears streaming down his chubby cheeks.

  Maddy nodded. “But we prayed like you told us to.”

  “Yeah, but we couldn’t pray out loud because they put a handkerchief over our mouth,” Hunter added.

  “I am so sorry. I never wanted you to have to face anything so terrible.”

  Clara heard the voices growing louder and knew that other people were approaching. She couldn’t help wondering if Otto was among them. She hoped that someone had already taken him in hand so that she would never have to speak to him again.

  Wiping her eyes, Clara rose and drew the children close as she turned to face her family. Otto and her mother stood only a few feet away while Madeline and Paul remained with the judge at the bottom of the porch steps. To her relief she saw Curtis and the sheriff coming from around the house.

  “You act as though you hadn’t seen them in years,” Clara’s mother remarked and rolled her eyes heavenward. “Honestly, Clara, I do worry about the state of your mind.”

  “Some bad men took us,” Hunter said. “They tied us up and put us in a dark room.”

  “They hurt my hands,” Maddy said, lifting her arms to reveal her chafed wrists.

  Clara’s mother shook her head. “What imaginations those two have. I blame this cowboy country. The sooner we get them back to civilization, the better.”

  “I quite agree,” Otto said, smiling. “Come along, we should probably start back for town.”

  Shaking her head, Clara pushed her children behind her. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “But you must. You’re my . . .” He glanced at the children. “You know full well why you must.”

  “Hardly.”

  Otto turned to face Curtis. The sheriff and judge were right behind him, while Clara noted that a couple of other men she didn’t know made their way behind her. Otto looked at Clara and then laughed. “You’re too late, Billingham. I’ve made her my wife and you have no further claim to her.”

  “I’m afraid you’re wrong on that account,” the judge said. “You are the one who has no claim to Clara or her children.”

  “This is preposterous,” Clara’s mother said before Otto could speak. “I witnessed the marriage myself. That gives Otto all of the claim he needs.”

  “There was no marriage,” the judge replied. “I have long since retired from my judgeship and have no authority to marry anyone.”

  Otto turned and narrowed his eyes. “Do you mean to tell me this was all a farce?”

  Clara lifted her chin in a defiant pose. “It was nothing more.” She looked at the sheriff. “Sheriff, this is the man who took my children or arranged for them to be taken. He threatened I’d never see them again if I didn’t marry him.”

  “She’s quite insane,” Otto declared. “Her mother and I have long been concerned about her mind.”

  “She’s perfectly sound of mind,” Curtis said, coming to stand beside her. “Which is a wonder to be sure, given all that you two have put her through.”

  Clara’s mother began to sputter and turn red. “This . . . this . . . cowboy . . . is lying. Clara has never had a strong sense of reality. She’s quite weak-minded and needs to be cared for.”

  “Which I intend to do,” Curtis said. He smiled at Clara and then turned back to the others.

  “I may not have the power to marry anyone,” the judge interjected, “but I’ve known this young woman for many months now and I can attest to the fact that she is quite sound of mind. I would also be willing to make that statement for any legal purpose.”

  Otto shook his head as the sheriff took hold of him. “This is madness. Ask the children. They know I had nothing to do with them being taken.”

  “Maybe you didn’t do the deed yourself,” Curtis replied, “but you were behind it.”

  Otto sneered. “You have no proof of that.”

  The sheriff piped up at this. “There’s no need to ask the children. We caught the two men who had them, and they readily gave up your name as the mastermind.” Otto’s face fell and Clara’s mother looked at him in shock.

  “Sheriff, if you’ll wait a moment, I have some other evidence you’ll need in order to see that this man answers to the proper authorities for his acts of treason.” Clara turned to the children. “Come with me.”

  They started for the house with Otto calling out after them. “You know this isn’t going to work. You know that I will see you answer for your part.”

  “She has no part in your treason and murderous actions,” Curtis replied.

  Clara heard nothing more as she went into the house with the children and Uncle Paul following close behind. “Maddy, Hunter, I want you to go to your room and stay there. You’ll be safer there, and Uncle Paul will sit with you until the sheriff takes Otto away.”

  “Did he really have those bad men take us?” Maddy asked.

  Looking down at her daughter’s tearstained face, Clara could only nod. She was afraid to say much more for fear her emotions would take over. Instead, she left the children with her uncle and hurried to Curtis’s room, where she’d hidden her case. She retrieved the four journals and took them to the sheriff.

  “You’ll find here a detailed accounting of my brother-in-law and deceased husband’s acts against this country.”

  The sheriff nodded. “I’m sure that will help the proper authorities to put him away for a very long time.”

  Clara looked at Otto for a moment. “He’ll try to tell you that I was also a part of this, but as the journals will bear out, I knew nothing. Furthermore, I am happy to be questioned or even to testify regarding what I did or didn’t know.”

  Otto was kicking up a fuss, but the sheriff’s men had him in hand, and when he refused to remain silent, one of the men threatened to gag him. Clara thought that very appropriate, given he’d had her children gagged.

  The sheriff took the books and motioned his men to take Otto to the carriage. His hands were now bound by irons, which gave Clara a sense of relief knowing he couldn’t hurt anyone anymore.

  “I don’t understand.” Clara’s mother came to her. “What is the meaning of this?”

  “Otto is a traitor, Mother. He and Adolph were working with the Germans. They were responsible for giving over information that led to the deaths and injury of many people.” Her mother’s mouth dropped open, and for once she was struck silent.

  Clara felt Curtis’s reassuring touch as he put his arm around her shoulder. She moved closer, relishing his presence. “Now, Mother, unless you wish to walk back to town, I would suggest you join Otto in the carriage.”

  Her mother looked to the carriage and then back to the house before letting her gaze settle on Clara. “So you aren’t going to return to New York?”

  “No, Mother. I’m staying here and marrying Curtis, and together we’ll raise Hunter and Maddy and any other child who comes along.”

  “And if you know what’s good for you,” Madeline said, “you’ll do nothing to cause Clara further trouble by threatening to have her declared unfit and put in an asylum.” She put herself between Clara and her mother. “Or I’ll see to it that you are the one who gets put away, and I think I can rally plenty of witnesses who can vouch for your unstable mind.”

  “Why, I never in my life! I am appalled.”

  Madeline nodded. “As was I when you started threatening our Clara.” She emphasized the word our and looked at Harriet Oberlin as if daring her to say something in protest.

  Clara’s mother gave a huff and stalked off toward the carriage, mutte
ring and sputtering all the way. One of the sheriff’s men offered to help her into the carriage and she all but beat him away.

  “He won’t make that mistake again,” Clara said, looking up at Curtis with a grin.

  “Not if he’s smart.” Curtis tightened his hold on her. “Now, what say we go see to the children and then . . . well . . . I think it’s about time we had a real wedding—with the right couple.”

  Clara nodded. “So do I.” She elbowed him slightly. “I hope you won’t forget the ring.”

  “No chance of that. I have it right here in my pocket. I have had it there since you demanded I marry you.”

  Clara shrugged. “Sometimes a girl has to assert herself.”

  27

  November 1917

  Clara sketched various ideas for jewelry while Curtis showed the children the outside of the sapphire mine where he’d been injured earlier in the year. Catching sight of her children caused her to smile. They adored Curtis.

  “Daddy, are all the sapphires gone now?” Hunter asked.

  “No, but they are getting harder to find,” Curtis replied. He bent over and picked up a chunk of dirt from one of the weathering piles. “They’re hidden in the dirt and rocks.”

  Hunter frowned. “Why did God put them there?”

  Curtis smiled. “Sometimes the most valuable things are hidden away like that. I think sometimes God just wants us to have to work for them because then we’ll really know just how valuable they are. Wouldn’t you agree?” He looked over at Clara.

  She nodded and thought of how much they had endured to be together. “But good things are worth working for—worth waiting for.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Curtis replied.

  “Are you going to look for sapphires again?” Maddy asked, glancing with great apprehension toward the open trench.

  “No. At least not for a very long time. You know the doctor is going to work on my leg again, so it’s going to be a while before I can do this kind of work.”

  “The doctor is going to break your leg again.” Maddy’s matter-of-fact statement summed it up.

  “He is, but then your father’s leg will be much, much better, and he might even be able to walk without a limp and so much pain,” Clara said.

  She put aside her sketchbook and stood. They had taken advantage of the unseasonably warm November day to bring the children out to explore the area. And it was such a beautiful area. Autumn had turned the grass a mixture of gold and brown, and the aspens—the ones that still had their leaves—were a bright yellow. Everything was transformed. Only the evergreens remained looking as they always did.

  “Can we climb up to the top of the hill?” Hunter asked, pointing to the left of the dike.

  Curtis gave Clara a questioning look. He was still trying to make sure he didn’t overstep his bounds when it came to her desires for the children, while at the same time trying to teach her how to let them take small risks.

  She nodded, and Curtis gave the children his approval. “You must stay away from the dike, however,” he told them. “The area isn’t stable enough to play around. The sides can give way without warning. Do you understand?”

  “Sure,” Hunter replied while Maddy nodded. “You almost died when it fell down, so Mama says we can’t ever go in there.”

  “At least not until your father tells you that it’s safe,” Clara said, coming to stand beside Curtis. “Who knows if maybe one day you’ll want to mine sapphires for a living.”

  Hunter shook his head. “Nope. I’m gonna raise sheep. Unca Paul said he’d give me some to start out with.”

  “I’m going to draw like Mama,” Maddy interjected. “I like to draw.”

  “Well, neither of you have to worry about it just yet,” Curtis told them. “So why don’t you go climb your hill and enjoy the warm weather, because it’s sure to change.”

  The children took off at a run, racing each other up the hill. Their laughter carried on the air, making Clara smile. They were happy.

  “Well, now I have you to myself, Mrs. Billingham.” Curtis wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. They’d been married since the first part of September, but to Clara it felt as though they had always been together.

  “And are you happy that you have me? Have us?” She sought his face for any sign of displeasure.

  He tenderly kissed her lips. “Does that answer your question?”

  “Yes.” She turned in his arms to watch the twins. “I suppose I just want to make certain you are as happy as I am.”

  “Well, now that we have your brother-in-law behind bars and your mother returned to Florida, I’m quite content.” He tightened his hold on her, pressing her back to his chest. “I never thought a man could be as happy as I am.”

  “I have some news.” Clara hadn’t had a chance to tell Curtis about her letter from William Badeau. “That nice government man who helped us with Otto and the journals wrote to tell me that the Vesper offices have been permanently closed and everything sold to pay reparations to those who have suffered because of the espionage done by Otto and his cohorts. He said also that Otto will probably be a long time in jail before they can bring him to trial. It might even have to wait until after the war is finally over. After that, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether he’ll be put to death as a spy or imprisoned.”

  “Well, I’m just glad to have him away from you and the children.”

  Clara nodded. “Me too.”

  “I’m also glad that you plan to keep on creating jewelry. I know you enjoy it.”

  “I do,” she admitted. “And now that we have interest from the jewelers in Chicago to continue making the Vesper collection, I feel that I can help to provide for our little family while you are laid up with your leg.”

  He sighed and released her. “I wish we didn’t have to worry about my leg.”

  She turned and caught sight of his worried expression. “It won’t be so bad. You’ll see. The pain you have with it now will diminish greatly after it’s set right. Dr. Cosgrove felt certain of that.”

  “I know, but it’s time-consuming, and I feel pretty useless in the meantime. Not only that, but I have to go all the way to Billings to get the work done.”

  “But it won’t be forever. My aunt and uncle are happy for us to stay on with them for the time. Just think, we’ll all be together for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Won’t that be nice?”

  He nodded. “I suppose so. But I would like to have our own place one day.”

  She reached up and pushed back the hair that had fallen over one eyebrow. “I’d like that too.”

  He finally smiled. “What else would you like, Mrs. Billingham?”

  “Hmm, that’s a very interesting question.” She glanced to where Hunter and Maddy were starting to make their way down the hill. “Mostly I just want to be a good wife to you. And, of course, a good mother.”

  He nodded. “And you are certainly that.” He grinned and reached out to pull her back into his arms. “No two kids ever had a better mother than you. One day, I hope we have a whole houseful of children.”

  She smiled up at him. “Do you?”

  “Absolutely. Of course, that will mean I’ll definitely need to get us a bigger place to live. Madeline and Paul won’t be able to house too many more people.”

  She gave a little shrug. “Well, I would suggest you get to work planning it out and see what we can do about getting it built, then, because in about seven months we’re going to need a little more room.” She watched him for a moment, waiting for her words to sink in.

  For a moment he said nothing but returned her gaze with just a hint of questioning. “What are you saying?”

  Laughing, Clara put her hands up to his face and pulled him closer. “I’m saying that we’re going to have a baby.”

  “Truly? So soon?”

  She frowned. “Are you upset that it’s so soon?”

  Curtis looked at her in wonder and shook his head. “No. Not at all. I’m just
amazed.” Then full understanding hit and he gave out a whoop that caused Hunter and Maddy to come running.

  “What’s going on?” Maddy asked. “Why is Daddy hollering?”

  Curtis gave Clara a quick kiss, then turned to the children. “I’m hollering because you’re going to have a baby brother or sister come summer.”

  Maddy and Hunter exchanged a momentary look of confusion. Finally Hunter posed the question. “Where are we going to get a baby?”

  Clara looked with great amusement to Curtis, since he was the one who made the announcement. He shrugged. “God’s gonna give us one. The Bible says children are a gift from God.”

  “Is He going to give us twins?” Maddy asked.

  Clara shook her head. “I doubt it. You see, God gave me twins because your father was a twin, and I suppose God thought that would be nice, and it was. This time, however, I would imagine God will send us just one baby.”

  “Will it be a boy or a girl?” Maddy pressed.

  “It will be a surprise. We won’t know until the baby gets here,” Clara replied. “But no matter if it’s a boy or a girl . . . I know you’ll love the baby.”

  “Well, I think we ought to gather up our stuff and head back to the house,” Curtis said, slipping his arm around Clara’s waist. “I need to talk to Uncle Paul about building us a house.”

  “A house?” Hunter asked, eyes wide. “Can I help build the house?”

  “I don’t know why not,” Curtis replied. “I figure we can all work at it together.”

  “Because we’re a family,” Maddy said, looking quite serious. “And that’s what families do.”

  “Indeed, Miss Maddy.” Curtis gave her a broad smile. “That’s exactly what families do.”

  Maddy and Hunter nodded, making Clara smile. She sighed, feeling her happiness complete. Only a few short months ago, she’d lived with servants and all that money could buy, yet a cloud of gloom had hovered perpetually over her. She’d hoped that the love of her youth would save her, but it too had become tarnished and disappointing. Finally, through patient endurance, she and Curtis had found a love transformed into something deeper, a love centered on forgiveness. An eternal love that Clara intended to cling to forever.