She and America set about making gingerbread cookies, poking holes in some of them, and threading ribbons through the holes so the miniature gingerbread men could be hung on the tree. Even little Will kept repeating in his strange, high-pitched voice, “Twee. Twee. Twee.”
Stone would laugh loudly as his son repeated the word over and over, then he’d pull Will onto his lap and place the child’s hands on his throat. “Christmas. Say, Christmas.”
With a smile that touched his father’s heart, Will responded. “Kwis—mass. Aa Kwis-mass.”
Stone’s eyes filled with tears as he hugged the boy. “Hearing you speak is the most wonderful Christmas present a father could have. Oh, Juliette, you’ve done wonders with my son. I’m so grateful.”
Once the boys were settled down for the night and the house turned quiet, the couple sat on the floor in front of the tree. Stone leaned against a chair and pulled Juliette close to him. “We have quite a family, don’t we?”
She nodded and snuggled back into his arms contentedly.
“So, if you could have your pick of husbands, you would pick me?”
She sighed and pulled his arms closer about her. “Uh huh.”
“You still mean it?”
“I wrote it, didn’t I?”
“Sometimes folks say what they think other folks want to hear.”
“Is that what you think I did?”
“I hope not. I’d like to think you meant it.”
“I did.”
The next two days were busy as Juliette put the last few stitches in the quilt by lamplight, long after Stone had gone to bed. When it came time for them to open their gifts, the quilt had been finished, folded, and placed in a lovely box her mother had given her, ready to be presented to her husband.
❧
“Christmas is a special time,” Stone began Christmas morning as he pulled out his big Bible and gathered his precious family around him. “It’s when we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus.” He opened it to the second chapter of Luke and read the Christmas story. He prayed and asked God to bless each one present and draw each member of their little family close to Him and to one another.
The children unwrapped their gifts, then spent most of the day playing with the few toys Stone had either made for them or purchased in Topeka. Later that evening, Juliette clapped her hands to get their sons’ attention. “Time for cider and cookies, then off to bed. You boys have had quite a busy day.”
“I have a present for you,” Stone said with a grin, once the children had been tucked in for the night.
She smiled demurely. “A Christmas present for me?”
He took her hand and led her to his room. Her heart pounded. Was he going to ask her to share his bed? Lately he’d certainly shown signs of caring deeply for her. She wondered how she should respond if he did. Should she seem surprised? Resist his advances? Remind him again of their vows? Or fall into his arms and hope he showered her with kisses? After all, they were married. It would be perfectly proper for them to share his bed.
“Close your eyes,” he told her as they were about to enter his room. “Open them.”
There, in the middle of the room, stood a beautiful hand-carved chest much like the one she’d seen in Lucy’s room with flowers, birds, and trees adorning it.
“I made it for you. I hope you like it.”
She bent low and ran her fingers over the delicate carving, overcome by his magnificent gift. “But when did you do this?”
“I worked nights, after you’d gone to bed. Other times I’d get up in the early morning darkness and go to the barn to work on it. I wanted to make something special for you, something with my own hands.”
“Oh, Stone. I love it. Thank you.” She crossed the room and threw her arms about his neck.
His lips met hers and, for the first time, she felt the ghost of Lucy was no longer standing between them as his kisses trailed down her neck. It was as if suddenly his pent-up emotions had been released. As quickly as he’d pulled her to him, he pushed her away. “I’m sorry. I should never have done that.”
Disappointed but excited about the gift she had for him, she grabbed his hand and tugged him back to the living room. “Sit here. I’ll be right back.”
She hurried into her room and pulled the box from beneath her bed, then rushed back to him, her heart pounding with anticipation. “Here, this is for you.”
“Aw, you didn’t have to get me a present.”
“Open it.” She seated herself beside him and waited expectantly.
He untied the ribbon, removed the lid, and lifted the quilt from the box. But the appreciation and joy she’d expected to find on his face were not there. Instead, his face twisted with anger and took on a look of shock.
“You’ve been in Lucy’s room!” The sound of his infuriated voice echoed through the house.
He shouted at her with such wrath, it frightened her, and she pulled away from him. Her heart was broken by his outrageous response, and she feared he’d wake the children.
“What right did you have to go in there after I told you to stay out!”
“I only—”
“I had a padlock on that door! That room belonged to Lucy!” He moved about the room, knocking chairs over, brushing things off tables, kicking at anything in sight. “I forbade you to go in that room, and you disobeyed me!”
She stood and faced him squarely, needing him to understand her motives. “I’m your wife now! Me! Juliette! Not Lucy! Must everything be a shrine to her?”
“You’re only a substitute.” He clutched the quilt in his arms, grabbed his jacket from the hook, and rushed out the door, slamming it behind him.
Juliette stared at the door. What had she done that had been so awful? She’d only wanted to make him happy.
She waited up for him until after midnight, then went into her room to think. She could no longer live with this man. He’d offered to let her go. Perhaps she should accept his offer. But what’ll become of Will? And Eric? Will they have to go back to St. Joseph? And what about Andrew and me? Will I be able to find work that pays enough to support the two of us?
She crawled into her bed and wept most of the night, crying out to God for wisdom. She loved this man.
❧
Stone didn’t come back in the house until noon the next day. He’d spent the night in the barn, warring with himself about the gamut of emotions he’d been experiencing since Juliette had come into his life. On one hand, he’d been sulking about her blatant disregard for his orders. On the other, he’d battled with the overwhelming desire to rush back into the house, take her in his arms, apologize, and make her truly, completely his—despite what he’d promised her.
“I’m glad you’re back. We have to talk,” Juliette told him after they’d finished their lunch. “Tonight, after the chores are done.”
He nodded, keeping his face expressionless. “Fine.”
As he made his way back to the barn, Zach Nance rode into the yard and hurriedly dismounted. “Stone,” he said, trying to catch his breath. “The brothers of the man who died at the MacGregor place have been in town, bragging they’re gonna kill you to avenge their brother’s death. They also said their gang is gonna rob some of the banks in the area.”
“Got any idea which banks?”
The man nodded. “I’m afraid so. A rider came into town just before I left. He said they’ve already hit the Gordon City bank this morning. He overheard one of the men say the Bartonville bank was gonna be next.”
“Let me get my guns.” Stone ran to the barn, gathered up what he’d need, and returned riding Blackie. “Let’s go.”
“Aren’t you going to tell Juliette you’re leaving?”
Stone shook his head. “She’ll find out soon enough, not that she cares. Let’s go. Maybe we can intercept them before they get to Bartonville.”
❧
Juliette watched from the window. What had Zach Nance said to Stone? Why had they ridden off so fast? W
ell, if he’d wanted her to know, he would have told her. Obviously, he no longer thought of her as an important part of his life.
She told America to take the rest of the day off and went about tidying up the house. She took down the Christmas tree and the few decorations she’d placed throughout their home.
Several times during the long night, Juliette tiptoed down the hall to see if her husband had slipped in undetected. The empty bed confirmed her suspicions. If only she’d heard his conversation with Mr. Nance, she might have had a clue as to his whereabouts.
By noon the next day, worry had replaced her concern. She spent the afternoon packing up the things that belonged to her and Andrew and placing them in the buggy in preparation for moving back to the hotel. She’d just carried the last box to the buggy when a man she’d seen her husband speaking with in town several weeks earlier came riding into the yard looking for Stone.
“I’m sorry, my husband isn’t here. I’m not sure when he’ll be back,” she told the man, embarrassed at her lack of knowledge.
“Actually, I’ve come to warn Deputy Piper,” the out-of-breath man said hurriedly. “In the saloon last night, I overheard one of the Dighton boys saying they were going to find Stone and kill him to avenge their brother’s death. I’m sure they meant it. The deputy needs to know so he can be on his guard. Those men mean business. Tell him to be careful!”
Juliette thanked him, then watched as he rode out of the yard. I’ve got to let Stone know!
Forgetting all about leaving for the hotel, she raced to the barn, screaming at Moses to help her saddle up Diamond. After grabbing a shawl, one of Stone’s heaviest jackets, and a woolen scarf from a hook by the door, she shouted out orders to Moses, telling him to have America stay with the children until she returned and to keep their guns handy. She waved, then rode out in search of her husband.
❧
Stone and his band of volunteers spent the rest of the day searching the area near Gordon City. The entire night, they hovered in the graveyard next to the bank in Bartonville. If the band of outlaws hit the place, as they’d said they were going to, he and his men would be ready for them.
The bank opened at ten as usual. Other than the few regular customers who showed up, there didn’t seem to be much activity.
“Think they’ve outfoxed us?” Stone finally asked Zach Nance several hours later. “Maybe they started that rumor to throw us off the trail. You think they might have lured us out of town so they could hit our bank in Dove City?”
“Don’t know.” Mr. Nance stretched first one arm, then the other as he arched his back. “There sure isn’t anything going on around here. I think we’d better head for home. That way, if we are needed, we’ll be a whole lot closer than we are now.”
Stone signaled the group of men, and they rode back toward town. When they reached the cutoff to Carson Creek Ranch, he saluted and headed Blackie toward home. “Let me know if you need me, and I’ll come running.”
But as he turned Blackie into the yard, Moses came rushing out of the house, his arms flailing about wildly. “Juliette’s gone!”
Stone let out a sorrowful sigh. So she couldn’t even wait for us to have our talk. She’s already left me.
“She rode off on Diamond lookin’ for you!” Moses cried out. “The Dighton brothers said they was gonna kill you!”
Stone’s heart sank. He reined up and leaped off Blackie. “Where are the children?”
Moses bent to catch his breath. “With America.”
Stone pounded his palm against his forehead. “I should never have left her like I did!” Reminding Moses to keep himself armed, he rode out on Blackie in search of his wife.
❧
Juliette maneuvered Diamond through the trees along the river’s edge, snagging her clothing, catching her long hair on the branches and brambles until exhaustion overtook her and she could go no farther. Why hadn’t she found Stone? Perhaps he hadn’t even come this way. Perhaps she’d been going in circles. Disgusted by her lack of tracking skills and growing more concerned over her husband, she began to cry. Why did I come out here all alone? Did I actually think I could find Stone?
The sudden hoot of an owl sent shivers down her back.
Lord God, she pled as her tears flowed freely. Protect me, please. You know how afraid I am. Most of all, protect my husband. His children need him. She wiped at her tears. I–I need him. I love him so much. I have to tell him.
Thinking she heard voices off in the distance, she paused to listen. The voices weren’t those of Stone and his men, but the voices of the band of outlaws! Maybe they had a lookout. Maybe two or three, and she’d be discovered! Terrified, she scrambled off Diamond and cautiously led him through the dense trees. She tried to be quiet, yet put as much distance as possible between her and her potential captors without attracting their attention. Those men would like nothing better than to find Deputy Stone Piper’s wife alone in the woods and at their mercy. She trembled at the thought.
Mounting Diamond again when she reached an open area, she rode for what seemed like hours until the late afternoon turned into evening. She constantly listened for sounds of riders, keeping an eye on the sky and the rapidly approaching storm. She was hopelessly lost and had no idea which direction she should go to reach the ranch.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky and thunder rumbled overhead, spooking Diamond. The horse reared, throwing her to the ground before taking off through the trees and disappearing into the darkness.
Excruciating pain consumed her body. Sure her arm had been broken in her fall, Juliette lay crying on the ground, her head bleeding from where she’d hit it on a rock. “Oh, Stone, Stone, where are you?” she whispered as she cradled her aching arm close to her body. She was afraid if she called out, the outlaws might hear her. “I need you!”
The rain began to fall, as thunder growled fiercely and lightning flashed across the night sky. I have to find shelter, she told herself as she struggled to her feet. After much searching, she discovered a huge, fallen tree with a rotting cavern in its side just big enough to hold her. Feeling woozy from the bump on her head and clutching her arm tightly to her, she bent low and worked her body into the elongated opening. “I–I’m so co–cold. I’m not sure I can ma–make it through the ni–night,” she mumbled through chattering teeth, working to pull Stone’s wet jacket close about her to ward off the brisk night air. Stone will never find me here, but I can’t stay out in the storm all night.
After pulling a few leaves and brush about her to fend off the cold, Juliette closed her eyes and tried to sleep. But sleep wouldn’t come. I was stupid to have ridden out here by myself! It was a crazy thing to do. I should’ve gone into town and tried to find Thomas Ward. But I had to come! I was so worried about Stone. What if that man found him?
Suddenly, she felt something touch her side—something furry. She froze with fear, remembering the look on the wolf’s face as he’d bared his teeth in her yard that day. Oh God, she prayed, holding her breath and trying hard not to move. Have I escaped those men only to be eaten alive by some wild animal? What will become of my baby without me there to care for him? Help me!
A single flash of lightning made her worst fears a reality. An animal of some kind was creeping low across the ground, circling her, and she knew her life was about to come to an end. She closed her eyes and held her breath. Oh, God, please don’t let me die! Not now! Not yet! Not this way!
Instead of attacking her, the animal began licking her face! Her heart pounded furiously, and she tried to back away, but the stump prevented it. As another flash of lightning split the sky, she caught sight of the gentle, one-eyed face of Kentucky.
“Oh, Kentucky, you dear, sweet dog,” she told him as she wrapped her good arm about him. “You followed me!”
Kentucky licked at her wounds, then settled down beside her, sharing the warmth of his body. She praised God for answering her prayer and sending the big dog to comfort her and keep her warm.
“You’re almost as good as an angel.”
❧
“Not much use looking for her in this darkness. Let’s go. Maybe Juliette’s already back home waiting for us.” Faint with feelings of discouragement and defeat, Stone turned Blackie around and headed for the ranch.
“Sorry, Stone, I ain’t seen Juliette,” Moses told him as he rode into the yard. “She never came home.”
Shaking the rain off his hat, Stone turned and rode out of the yard again. “She’ll freeze out there. I’ve got to find her!”
Hours later, he dismounted Blackie, tied his reins to a sapling, and fell on the ground, striking it with his fists. “God,” he called out, confident the God of heaven would hear his cries. “I’ve sinned against You something awful, and I’ve sinned against others. There’s been so much unrighteousness in my life. More’n most folks would believe.”
He swallowed at the lump in his throat as tears of repentance flowed down his cheeks. “Only You know what a fake I’ve been—pretending to be this fine, upstanding Christian man, when deep inside, I was nothing but a lying scoundrel. The Bible says You are faithful and just to forgive our sins. I’m begging You to forgive mine. I’m accepting Christ as my Savior. Cleanse me, Lord. Come into my heart. Come into my life. Take over, God. I’m Yours now. My life is in Your hands now.”
As he lay in the rain, communing with God, a sweet peace came over him. He knew God had heard and answered his plea. With a newfound faith, he began to pray again.
“God, I’ve done wrong to the finest woman I’ve ever known. Don’t let her suffer because of me. She’s got a little boy who needs her.” He paused and lifted his eyes heavenward. The rain fell upon his face and his shoulders, soaking his jacket. “I need her. I–I—love her. Watch over her, please. Bring her back to me. Give me another chance to do right by her. I promise I’ll tell her everything.”
He stood and listened to the night, hoping for a sound that would lead him to his wife. But the only sounds he heard were those of the whining of the wind as it whipped through the trees and the thunder rolling about overhead.
Lucy's Quilt Page 15