by Bonnie Leon
“We have to stop them,” she said.
“Them?”
“Mr. Marshal and his men. They’ll destroy Douloo if we don’t.” She looked up at Daniel. “When do you plan to talk to him again?”
“Tomorrow. Afterward we’ll spend the night at a hotel and then take the train the next morning.”
Rebecca nodded. “I’d like to speak to him. Would you mind?”
“I’d rather you didn’t. He’s an unsavory bloke. It’s not fitting for you to be involved.”
“I know, but you’ve already talked with him and managed to get nowhere. I thought that maybe a woman . . . well, a woman might be able to appeal to him.”
“I doubt anything will budge him.” The blue in Daniel’s eyes cooled. “I don’t want you having anything to do with a man like him.”
“Please. Let me try. You’ll be there. I won’t be alone.”
Daniel kicked at a rippling wave. “All right. You can speak to him.” He looked grief stricken.
“Daniel, don’t torment yourself.” Rebecca moved close to him. “Everyone makes mistakes.” She circled her arms about his waist. A breeze ruffled his blond hair, and she smoothed it back. “You can’t do everything right. No one does.”
“Yeah, but why this mistake?”
Rebecca caressed the worry lines out of his forehead. “We must trust the Lord.”
“Wish I’d done that from the beginning.”
Staying close to Daniel, Rebecca stared at the broad shoulders of the surly man who’d met them at the front desk of Marshal’s office. His gait was fast and determined. Following him into the darkness of the building made Rebecca uneasy. Were they doing the right thing? Or were they merely giving Marshal the opportunity to carry out another of his despicable deeds?
The man didn’t stop at the office door. He turned the knob and walked inside. “Someone ta see ya.”
“Ah, Mr. Thornton. Come in.” Marshal’s small mouth turned up in a deceptive smile. His cold gaze landed on Rebecca. “This must be Mrs. Thornton?”
“Yes.” Daniel kept his face a mask of determination. “We’ve business to discuss.”
“With your wife present?”
“My wife’s my partner, and I welcome her involvement.”
Rebecca felt a surge of love and pride for Daniel. She’d never find a finer man.
“Have a seat,” Marshal said, dropping into a plush chair. Draping one leg over the other, he lit a cigar. He puffed, and the acrid smoke swirled about him.
Daniel and Rebecca remained standing. “Are you aware of the damage your men have done?” Rebecca asked.
Marshal’s eyes went to Daniel. “You allow her to speak for you?”
“She can have her say.”
Rebecca continued, “Your men frightened our entire household, and they hanged one of our roustabouts.”
“Oh yes. I heard about that. He was just a blackfella, right?”
“He was a man with a wife and children,” Rebecca said.
Marshal leveled a detached look at her. “I can understand your being upset, but that was the point, wasn’t it?” He studied his cigar, then put it to his lips and puffed. “I figure you’re here to pay your loan.”
“I can’t pay you right away,” Daniel said. “I’ll need two more months. As I said before, it takes time to get a station back on its feet after a drought. And we had the fire as well.”
“I thought I made it clear.” Marshal pushed his cigar into an ornate glass ashtray. “There will be no more delays.” He stood. “I was quite specific when we started this venture. I can’t have blokes thinking they can pay me whenever they feel like it—whenever it suits them. Then where would I be?”
“And I thought you understood that I wasn’t sure when I’d be able to pay you but that it would be soon. I’m good to my word. You’ll have your money.”
“Soon is not soon enough.” Marshal leaned on the table, resting his weight on bent knuckles.
“Mr. Marshal, what my husband is trying to say is that we have every intention of paying you. We always pay our loans. However, if you insist on using heavy-handed tactics, we’ll be forced to have you arrested.”
“Arrested?” Marshal chuckled. “Go right ahead, little lady. You try.” He narrowed his eyes and looked at Daniel. “I believe your husband and I already discussed the topic of the police. There’s no one in Brisbane who’ll touch me.”
If it was possible, Marshal’s expression became harder. “You’ll pay me and you’ll pay me now, or you’ll hand over your precious station.” Sweat beaded up on his face, and his nostrils flared.
“That’s impossible,” Rebecca said, straightening her spine and hoping her fear and disgust weren’t evident. “We’ll need more time, but . . . will you consider something as a down payment in the meantime?”
“Something? Such as?”
“I’ve a superb mare and her colt. They’re the finest in the district, possibly in all of Queensland. She’s worth a fair amount. I’d be willing to hand her over to you until we’re able to make our next payment.”
“There will be no ‘payments.’ You’ve gone beyond that. All I’ll accept is payment in full.” He sneered. “A mare and a colt? You expect me to take you seriously when you make offers like that?”
Rebecca didn’t know what else she could propose. “Please, Mr. Marshal, you’ll be far better off—”
“Rebecca,” Daniel said, his voice hard. “We’ve given him an offer, a fair one. He can take it or leave it.”
Marshal moved from behind the desk and stood directly in front of Daniel. “Your payment in full or the station. If not, anything more happening out your way will be your doing. And from what I’ve heard, you have a real nice little family out there on the flats. I’m sure you’d hate to see anything happen to them.”
“Don’t threaten me or my family.” Daniel glared at Marshal, then took Rebecca’s arm. “Come on. We’re leaving.”
He strode toward the door. The man who’d seen them in stood and blocked their way.
“Let ’em go,” Marshal said.
“I don’t give way easily,” Daniel said.
Marshal sneered. “But give way you will.”
Exhausted and discouraged, Rebecca sat in the surrey beside Willa. Although the morning air was cool, she didn’t feel refreshed. The journey home from the coast had not been pleasant. She and Daniel had argued. He wanted her and the children to return to Boston where they would be safe, and she’d refused. She couldn’t leave him, not while he was in the midst of this terrible strife. Her place was at his side.
Today’s gathering at the Taylors’ was meant to be a break from the day-to-day strain of living, but Rebecca could summon little enthusiasm for the social gathering and sheep shearing, although she did look forward to a good chat with Cambria. Perhaps her friend could offer guidance.
She watched Daniel, who rode alongside Jim. The two moved just ahead of the surrey. Daniel sat his horse well, holding the reins lightly, but Rebecca could see the tension in his shoulders. She knew his mind was on Marshal. He watched the landscape closely, looking for anything out of the ordinary.
Joseph leaned over from the front seat and planted a kiss on his mother’s cheek.
“Love you.” He smiled.
Rebecca tousled his blond hair. “I love you too. Now, you sit down. It’s not safe to be up and about while we’re driving.”
He sat down hard and folded his arms over his chest. “Does shearing hurt?”
“No. I don’t believe so.”
Joseph was quiet a moment, then asked, “Can I shear?”
“No. You’re too little.”
He stood and leaned over the seat again. “I’m big. I can ride a horse.”
“Yes, you can,” Rebecca said softly. “But shearing is different. The clippers are too sharp for a little boy.”
Pouting, Joseph turned around and dropped back down on the seat.
Willa looked at Rebecca. “Are you all right
, dear?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“Since returning from the coast, you seem preoccupied and a bit sad.”
“I’m just tired. I haven’t had time to rest from the trip.” Rebecca wanted to talk with Willa about all the events and questions that had plagued her since Marshal’s men first appeared at Douloo, but she didn’t want to worry her. And what good would it do to talk with her about it anyway?
“You know, the Lord admonishes us to share one another’s burdens.”
Rebecca smiled. “Yes. I know.” She let out a sigh. “All right, then. I am worried, about Mr. Marshal and what he’ll do next.”
“Even great challenges aren’t too big a problem for God.”
“I agree, but I can’t seem to stop fretting. And Daniel wants me and the children to go to Boston—just for a while. I don’t want to leave.”
“Perhaps you should.”
“What about the power of God you just declared?”
Maintaining her calm, Willa said, “He asks us to be prudent. And if you were to go, Daniel wouldn’t be so worried about you and the children.” She looked at her hands folded in her lap, then at Rebecca. “I must say, if Bertram were facing similar circumstances, I’d stay.”
Audry started to cry. Rebecca was thankful for the distraction. “You can’t be hungry already, little lady.” She bounced her gently, and she quieted. “What about now?” she asked Willa. “Will you stay?”
“I have to.” She smiled slightly. “Not everyone can leave. I’ll be needed.”
Once more Joseph climbed halfway over the front seat and draped his upper torso between his mother and grandmother.
“There, now. There’ll be none of that,” Willa said sharply.
Immediately Joseph retreated to his place beside Woodman, his pout in place once more. It was well understood that when Willa used that tone, she meant business and one would be wise to obey.
“That’s better,” Willa said. “We haven’t far to go.”
“If you stay, I can’t leave you.”
Willa patted Rebecca’s hand. “I’ll be fine. The real concern is the children. Perhaps sending you off to Boston is what the Lord wants, and Mildred would be so pleased to have you there. She’s not seen Audry yet.”
Rebecca didn’t answer. She watched Daniel, and her heart ached at the thought of leaving him.
Without looking at Rebecca, Willa asked, “How was your holiday? You’ve barely said a word.”
“It was quite nice. The cottage was charming, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier place. The beach was an unbelievable color, nearly white. And the aqua seas made the sandy beaches look even more spectacular. In some places the water is so clear you can see right to the ocean floor. And of course, there are lush forests. They were a delicious change.” She glanced at the flat grasslands, which stretched away in all directions.
“I’ve always enjoyed the coast,” Willa said.
“Did you and Bertram visit Brisbane often?”
“Yes, years ago. The boys always loved it.” Willa’s expression turned wistful.
“I wish it weren’t so far to travel.”
Willa remained quiet a few moments then said, “You told me about the scenery at the coast, but you didn’t say anything about you and Daniel. Did you enjoy yourselves?”
“Yes. We had a wonderful time while at the coast.” Rebecca didn’t want to even think about her encounter with Marshal, but before she could stop the words, she was telling Willa about it. “I met that horrible Mr. Marshal.”
“Oh. Really?”
“Yes. Foolishly I thought he might listen to me and make some sort of reasonable compromise. But he’s just dreadful. He didn’t hear a word I said. He doesn’t care about anything or anyone. And he’d like to get his hands on Douloo. We were told to either pay him on the spot or he’d come and take the station.”
“Oh dear. Why didn’t you say something about this?”
“What good would it have done?”
“I would have known how best to pray. And I could have been a better support to you and Daniel.”
“I didn’t want to worry you. I’m sorry.”
“I understand, dear, but we must be honest with each other and uphold one another.” Willa clasped gloved hands in her lap. “We’ll pray. And then wait to see what God does.”
Rebecca nodded. “I’m scared. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“God knows. And we can trust him.”
“Daniel feels responsible.”
“The responsibility does rest on him. All of it, including Dusty’s death.” Willa was quiet a moment. “I love my son and admire him, but he did make a terrible mistake.”
Rebecca knew that Willa spoke the truth. She’d thought it more than once. But she couldn’t bear to think on it for the pain it caused. “Daniel would never have signed a contract with Mr. Marshal if he’d known what was going to come of it.”
“Of course not, but we can’t rely on our hindsight. He should have paid heed to God’s Word. He knew what the Bible said about seeking earthly solutions to our problems.” Willa’s eyes teared. “It is a harsh lesson, for us all.”
Rebecca looked at her husband, her heart aching. “He’s suffering, and there’s nothing I can do.”
“God is compassionate and knows Daniel’s heart. My son may have a rough go of it, but the Lord will see to him and to us.”
Rebecca glanced at Joseph. He looked up at the sky and quickly opened and closed his eyes several times. She chuckled. “To be young again and discovering the world for the first time.”
Rebecca smoothed Audry’s dark hair. The little girl rested against her mother’s chest. “I’ve heard that some of the men want to make a stand against Mr. Marshal. How do you feel about that?”
“I’ve heard the rumors. And I can’t say, really. There’s a part of me that wants to fight, but Daniel did borrow the money. He owes it to Mr. Marshal. He must make good on the loan.”
“But Mr. Marshal’s an evil man, and his terms are making it impossible for us to pay. He wants every penny we owe. Right now.”
“Then I believe God will provide in the way he sees best.”
“We can’t live our lives honorably if we yield to bullies,” Rebecca said, feeling her anger and hurt well up.
“I agree. But there are grave consequences to be considered.” Willa reached across and patted Rebecca’s arm. “We aren’t going to solve this today. I think we ought to enjoy ourselves. It’s time we had a bit of fun.” A breeze caught Willa’s hair and whipped it into her eyes. She brushed it back off her face. “Put your worries aside, at least for today.”
Wagons crowded the Taylor yard, and a paddock was congested with horses. Women set out food on long tables beneath a patch of trees, while children climbed wooden fences, chased one another around wagons, and clambered over a pile of hay. The men had gathered inside the woolshed. Two large corrals were crammed with bleating sheep waiting to be sheared.
Rebecca hadn’t expected such a turnout. “I had no idea,” she said, clutching Audry while she stepped out of the surrey.
Joseph squeezed past her and charged toward the woolshed.
“Joseph,” she called.
He stopped and turned to look at his mother.
“You’re not to go in there.”
Daniel strode up to the youngster. “I’ll keep an eye on him,” he hollered so his voice would carry over the din of complaining sheep and laughing children. “You’ve a shoe untied, lad.” He quickly tied the lace and then lifted the boy onto his shoulders.
“All right,” Rebecca said. “Have fun.”
Cambria set a pot on the table and straightened. “G’day,” she called.
“Hello,” Rebecca said loudly so she could be heard.
Willa looped an arm through Rebeccca’s and guided her to a table. “It’s a good thing the weather has been dry and the sheep won’t need to be washed.”
“Good ta see ya,�
� Cambria said. Her eyes moved to Audry. “She’s growing like a weed. I can hardly believe how big she is already.”
“I can feel it too. My arms are tired from carrying her.”
“Oh, let me have the bybie,” Elle said, joining them. “What a precious lamb,” she said, lifting Audry and smiling into her face. “She’s a beaut, just like her mum.” Audry smiled. “And bright too, eh?” She planted a kiss on the baby’s cheek. “I wish I’d had bybies of me own. Although I must admit to never having missed the company of a man.” With a sigh, she added, “Now days I’m too old for me own bybies, but I love ’em just the same.” She grinned.
“She’s taken with you,” Rebecca said.
“Mind if I take her with me while I have a bite ta eat?”
“No. Go right ahead. She’s content with you.”
Elle winked at Rebecca before turning and walking back to a group of women sitting at a table. Her attention on her granddaughter, Willa followed Elle. Rebecca smiled as she watched the ladies fuss over her daughter.
“Hey there,” Jim said to Cambria, striding across the yard and joining the two women.
“G’day ta ya.” Cambria smiled. “It’s grand ta have ya ’ere. Maybe ya can give one of them sheep a tussle, eh?”
“Nope. Cattle’s all I know. Don’t like sheep much.”
“Thought I’d seen enough of ’em ta last me a lifetime, but I’m going ta miss ’em after we’re married.”
“We’ll keep one or two around for company, then,” Jim said, resting an arm on Cambria’s shoulders and giving her a squeeze.
Cambria laid her head against his shoulder for just a moment. “It won’t be the same, but I s’pose I can get used ta cattle.” She smiled, her blue eyes bright with mischief and affection. “Course, I still don’t know when me wedding day is going ta be.”
“Just as soon as I find a piece of land for us and build a house. I’m doing my best.” Jim grinned. “I better get over to the shed. Always like to watch the shearing. Those fellas are pretty amazing—single-minded and fast.”