The robust crowd, who had earlier been so vocal, remained silent as they beheld death in the making. The same men who’d placed the nooses about the Indians’ necks slapped the rumps of the Kaws’ mounts. They took off in a run, leaving the braves dangling from the tree at the end of their ropes.
Life was a precious commodity. Everyone present had just been witness to the end of two young braves’ existence. Their lives had been traded for the lives of Charles Stark and Mr. Morgan. Justice had been done.
“This is a sad day for Dove City,” Stone whispered in Juliette’s ear. “A sad day, indeed. One death is avenged with another, and the chain goes on. Where, oh where, will it all end?”
❧
The day dawned gray, cool, and cloudy. It was as though nature itself mourned for the men who had died so needlessly at the Indians’ hands.
Nearly all of Dove City’s citizens attended the funeral of Charles Stark.
Juliette clutched Andrew tightly and tried not to cry as she agonized over the grief on Charles Stark’s widow’s and children’s faces. Just being there among Mr. Stark’s family and friends made her think of David and his funeral only a few short months before. “Your daddy loved you,” she whispered as Andrew’s pudgy fingers played at her lips.
“Anyone sitting here?”
Taken aback, she looked up into the clear blue eyes of her father’s friend. Although she would have preferred the seat remain vacant, she shook her head. “No, no one.”
Stone sat down beside her. “Then, if it’s all right with you, I’ll be taking this seat.”
He balanced his hat on one knee and whispered softly as he leaned toward her ever so slightly, “He was a good man.”
“I know.”
“Too bad about his death.”
“Yes, it is.” Filled with sudden, unexpected emotion, Juliette pulled a hanky from her bag and dabbed at her eyes.
“Should’ve been me.”
She turned quickly and lifted her face to his. “What? What did you say?”
He swallowed hard as deep furrows formed on his forehead. “Been better if it’d been me instead of Stark.”
Her eyes grew wide. Surely she’d misunderstood. “Why would you ever say such a thing?”
He let out a deep sigh. “Stark has people who’ll miss him. No one would miss me.”
Juliette found herself without words and simply stared at the man seated beside her.
“Seems God always takes the best for Himself and leaves the rest of us to mourn.”
Before she could respond, Pastor Tyson stepped up and the service began. Men blinked and women wept as the Scripture was read and the pastor spoke. After his message, several folks, including Stone and her father, said kind words about the man they’d come to bury. After that, Emma Fritz sang “Amazing Grace.” There was not a dry eye in the huge room. By the time the final words were spoken, a heavy rain began to fall and lightning split the sky.
“You girls get the buggy and take your mother on home,” John Baker told his daughters. “I’m afraid this has been too much for her.”
“Can’t Caroline and Molly take her, Father? I want to go on to the cemetery,” Juliette explained as she stepped away from him. It was as though going to the cemetery would put an end to her grieving for David. She’d been so numb at his funeral, she could barely remember a word that had been said. Now, despite the tumultuous storm outside, she felt drawn to Lone Tree Cemetery. Perhaps there she could say the good-bye she felt she’d never said to David and have the peace she so desperately sought.
“I don’t think it’s a good—”
“I need to go, Father,” Juliette interrupted with deep conviction. “Please.”
“Then let Caroline take the baby back with her,” her father advised as he reached for Andrew.
“No.” Juliette turned away, clutching her baby tightly. “I want him there with me. He needs to be there when I—”
Her father reached for Andrew again. “He’s much too heavy for you to carry for so long. Let me have him.”
She twisted to one side, avoiding his grasp. “Don’t you see, Father? Andrew is all I have left of David. I want him near me. I’m his mother. I know he’s just a baby, but—”
She felt a strong hand on her shoulder. “I’ll help her with the baby, John. Don’t worry about her. I’ll see she gets home all right.”
The kindness in Stone Piper’s eyes and his consideration of her feelings touched her deeply. Was he the only one who understood the ache in her heart?
He instructed her to wait until he could bring the buggy around to the front. Juliette watched as he strode out the door and wondered at his strange comment that it should have been him who died, instead. That no one would miss him. Whatever would cause a good man like Stone Piper to make such a foolish statement? He seemed to have a habit of making comments she didn’t understand.
When Stone returned, he bolted off the seat and up the steps with an open umbrella. Taking Andrew in one arm, he escorted Juliette to his buggy.
The rain had lessened somewhat by the time he halted his team. He offered his hand to help her down, and they joined the other mourners around the grave. She felt faint as her eyes fixed on the gaping hole and the mound of dirt surrounding it. She barely remembered David’s funeral. Had there been a mound of dirt like that beside his grave? Had it been sunny? Or rainy? She couldn’t remember. All she could remember was that her beloved husband left her that day, put into the ground like a faded flower.
“Maybe I’d best take you on home, Juliette. Perhaps your father was right,” Stone whispered as his grip tightened about her.
She managed to rein in her emotions and, with a quaver in her voice she hoped went undetected, answered, “No, I want to stay. I owe it to the Stark family.”
“Death is never easy for those left behind.”
His words cut through her being. They both knew the meaning of those words. Each had lost their spouse, just like the Widow Stark. “No,” she muttered softly as her eyes filled with tears. “It’s never easy.”
By the time the graveside service ended and mourners were making their way toward their wagons, the rain had stopped and the clouds were dissipating.
When they arrived at the hotel, Stone jumped down from his seat, hurried around to Juliette’s side, and took the sleeping infant from her arms. He handed him to Caroline, who’d come out of the hotel to greet them. Instead of offering a hand as he’d done at the cemetery, he reached up and lifted Juliette down from the seat. For a brief moment, their eyes met. To her surprise, Juliette felt as though she’d known this man all her life, and she knew she could trust him. He’d never do her any harm.
“Thank you, Mr. Piper,” she said sweetly, fully appreciating the efforts he’d made on her behalf.
“Stone.”
Despite the ruddy complexion on his suntanned face, she caught a glimpse of a slight blush as he fingered the brim of his hat.
“Remember? You’re supposed to call me Stone.”
“Of course, Stone. Thank you.”
“Glad you like the hanky, Ma’am.”
“Hanky?”
He reached up to the seat where she’d just ridden and picked up the soggy hanky she’d used to dab at her swollen eyes. The one he’d given her the day he’d said he was going to marry her. The one that had belonged to his wife.
“Oh,” she said, embarrassed that she hadn’t remembered she’d brought it. “Yes, I do like it. I carry it often. Thank you.”
“I’m glad. I wanted you to have it.”
“I’m honored you gave it to me.”
He moved away, nearly getting his big feet tangled in the process. “My pleasure, Ma’am.”
On impulse, Juliette stood on her tiptoe and gently brushed a kiss across his cheek.
“Ah—thank you,” he stammered as he continued to back away. “Gi–give my best to your family. I hope your mother gets to feeling better real soon. Guess I’ll be going now.”
&
nbsp; Juliette smiled as she watched him climb onto the buggy and ride off down the muddy street. What a nice man Stone Piper is. What a shame his wife died so young. He must’ve been a fine husband.
She laughed aloud as she remembered his comment about marrying her. Surely he didn’t mean what he said.
❧
“Good morning, Mrs. Stark. What a nice surprise.” Juliette rushed to assist the pale widow as she entered The Great Plains Inn. “I’ve been meaning to call on you—”
The kindly lady lowered herself onto the horsehair sofa with great effort. “You needn’t explain, Dear. I know how hard it is to call on someone who’s lost a loved one. It’s difficult to find the right words. As a widow, you probably understand more than most what I’m going through.”
Juliette knelt at her side and wrapped her arms about the trembling woman. “I do know, Mrs. Stark. If it hadn’t been for my wonderful family, I’d never have made it. I’m sure your family is there for you too.”
The woman nodded. “Yes, my daughters have been with me constantly since Charles—” She gulped uneasily.
“I’m sure they’ll continue to take good care of you,” Juliette assured her confidently. “Families take care of their own.”
“They try to—”
“I’ll tell Mother you’re here. I know she’ll want to see you,” Juliette offered, rising. She sensed Mrs. Stark’s need to talk but felt inadequate to deal with the subject of Mr. Stark’s death.
The woman quickly grasped her wrist. “No, Juliette. It’s not your mother I’ve come to see. It’s your father.”
“Father? Really?”
“Yes, I need to speak with him. It’s very important.”
“I’m here, Mrs. Stark.” Her father stepped into the lobby with a gentle smile toward the woman. “I’ve been expecting to hear from you. I’m assuming this is about the hotel. Am I correct?”
“I’m sorry, John. I wish there was some other way, but I must sell the hotel as quickly as I can.” Her face brightened a bit. “Perhaps you could buy it.”
Father shook his head. “I could try to get a loan, but the bank requires collateral. I have none.”
“I hope you’ll be able to raise the money, John. If the bank wants a reference, I’ll be happy to tell them what a wonderful manager you’ve been.” She appeared thoughtful. “Or perhaps someone else would give you a loan. One of the local ranchers, maybe?”
“Hmm, I can’t really think of anyone with that kind of money who would part with it without adequate collateral.”
“Just a thought.” Mrs. Stark adjusted her hat and slowly walked toward the door. “Believe me, this is the only way.”
He nodded with a forced smile. “I’m sure it is. I’ll do what I can.”
“I’ll wait to hear from you before I take any further steps. Good day, John. I do hope Mary begins to feel better soon. Please convey my good wishes to her.”
“I will, and thank you for coming. Good day.”
Juliette found it hard to even say good-bye to the woman. She watched as her father lowered himself onto the sofa. “Father? Are you all right?”
Slowly, he lifted his worried face, his misty-eyed gaze pinned on her. “For the first time in my life, I feel totally helpless; but your mother can’t know, Juliette. I’m depending on you. We can’t let her discover the hopelessness of our situation. Tomorrow I’ll go to the banker, and if I don’t get any help there, I’ll begin looking for another job. I have no experience in farming or ranching, but I’m able-bodied and I can learn. I’m just not sure anyone will want to take the time to teach me.”
“You’ve never let this family down, Father. If you lose the hotel, Caroline and Reuben and I will find other jobs elsewhere. We may not make much, but whatever we earn will help until you find employment.”
He lifted his face proudly, his shoulders now squared. “My children work to support my family? Never. Helping here at the hotel is quite enough.”
“But, Father—”
“No. I won’t hear of it. The day John Baker’s children have to support his family will be his last day on earth. Do you hear me, Juliette? I’ll die first.”
Shocked by his statement, she gasped. She’d never heard such words from her normally soft-spoken, peaceful father. “But, if you can’t get—”
“If I can’t get the loan, I’ll feed swine, dig wells, clean stables—any job I can get. But I won’t lean on my children.”
“But—”
John’s fingers circled her wrist, and she winced. “That’s quite enough, Juliette. Now, go check on Andrew while I see to your mother. I don’t want to hear another word of such foolishness.”
She pulled away from his grasp, rubbing at the place. “Yes, Father. I’m sorry. I never meant it as an insult. You’ve been a wonderful father to me and treated me far better than I deserve. I just wanted to help ease the burden around here. I owe it to you.”
“You owe me nothing but respect, Daughter, and I have to earn that.” John’s face softened as he took Juliette’s wrist and gently stroked the area with the pad of his thumb. “I’m sorry, Honey. I didn’t mean to be so rough. Taking care of my own flesh and blood is important me. Trust me, all right?”
Juliette watched her father slowly climb the stairs as if each step were cumbersome. His normally straight body was hunched over, and she wanted to cry.
❧
“Good morning, John. What are you doing at the bank so early?”
John turned to see Stone tying his horse’s reins to the railing. “Didn’t expect to see you in town.”
“It’s America’s fault. That housekeeper of mine had a long list of supplies, and Moses couldn’t come. I told her I’d ride in, take care of some business, and pick up her needs.” He walked up to John and gave him a friendly slap on the back. “You don’t look so good. What’s wrong?”
John shook his head. “Had some trouble sleeping last night, that’s all. Mary isn’t doing very well. I’m worried about her.”
“She has looked pale lately. I just thought she’d overdone. Taking care of those twins has got to be hard work.”
“Those two are a handful all right, but Juliette and Caroline are a big help. And Molly too. But I’m afraid it’s more than overdoing. She hasn’t been well since we left Ohio. I guess we need to have Doc take a look at her.”
“Probably a good idea. Well, I’d best be tending to my chores. I sure don’t want to upset America by making her wait on her flour and sugar.” Stone added with a grin, “You know how women can be when they’re out of supplies. Good cooks are hard to find. I have to pamper that woman.”
“As if she’d ever leave you. You brought her all the way from Kentucky, and you treat her like a queen—probably better than most men treat their wives. But you’re lucky to have America and Moses. Those two are as loyal as they come.”
Stone gave his friend a grin and a tip of his hat. “That they are. See you later.”
❧
Stone finished his shopping and was putting the supplies in the wagon when the door to the bank opened. John appeared, his face drained of all color.
“John? What’s wrong?”
John leaned his back against the stone building, his shoulders hunched, his chin resting on his chest.
Stone hurried to him. “What is it? Are you sick?”
John didn’t answer. He just stared at his feet in silence.
“Speak to me. Do I need to go get Doc?”
“I’m—fine,” a weak voice responded.
“Let me walk you to the hotel,” Stone offered as he forced his arm around John’s shoulders.
“No. Not the hotel. Not now.” This time John’s voice was firm. “I can’t face my family right now.”
“All right. Then let me help you into my wagon, and we’ll go somewhere we can talk.”
Stone led him to the wagon and assisted him onto the seat, then drove out of town, reining up under a large sycamore tree. “Gonna tell me about it?”
John let out a moan as his hands covered his face. “They said no, Stone. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“Who said no? What are you talking about?”
“The bank. They refused to give me a loan. Mrs. Stark is going to sell the hotel. She thought I’d be the logical person to buy it. I explained I had very little money and no collateral, but she suggested I go to the bank for a loan.”
“That’s what you were doing when I saw you there earlier?”
John nodded.
“They turned you down?” Stone’s eyes widened. “Just like that? Knowing the fine way you’ve managed the hotel?”
“Didn’t seem to matter to them. Collateral—that’s what they want, and I don’t have any.” With a mocking laugh, John pulled out his empty pockets.
“So, what are you going to do?”
“What can I do? Look for a job.”
Stone frowned. “I don’t mean to pry, John, but what skills do you have?”
“You know me well enough to know the answer to that one. None.”
“What can I do to help you? I’ll do anything.”
John removed his hat and scratched his head. “Can’t think of a thing. If I do, you’ll be the first to know. But I appreciate your offer. Your friendship means a lot.”
“Remember when we were riding out to meet the Kaws? You said you might lose your job over Stark’s death?”
“Uh huh, I remember. What about it?”
“Remember what I said?” Stone grabbed the man’s shoulder and stared straight into his eyes. “I said, ‘Your family would be welcome to stay with me as long as necessary.’ ”
John grinned. “And I said, ‘Even with three squalling infants?’ Remember?”
The two men laughed together.
“Exactly. I meant it, John. Come and stay with me for as long as necessary. I’d welcome the company.”
John’s face grew somber. “As much as I appreciate the offer, Stone, I could never accept it. I’m an independent man, always have been. I would never take advantage of you.” He climbed down from the wagon. “But, thanks. You’re a good friend.”
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