by Jo Noelle
“I heard something at Tuesday Tea that I wanted to ask you about. I don’t think it’s something that needs to be common knowledge in town, and I believe Beth told me in the strictest confidence.” Everything at Tuesday Tea was considered so. She twisted her hands in her lap. She hoped she wasn’t betraying their friendship but believed that if Beth knew what Clara knew, she would agree it was important to tell. “It might have something to do with your brother.”
Bernard set the sweet roll down. “You have my attention.”
“Beth mentioned that the banks that have been damaged are sending their money to Creede for safekeeping. The mining companies are sending the money for their payrolls to the Creede bank, too. Seffi thinks the money is being herded here by thieves so that it will be a bigger robbery than if they had tried to rob several little banks. Since your brother was looking at the bank the other night, I thought that might be of interest to you.”
Clara saw something register in his expression, and his eyes narrowed. “Yes it is,” he said. “And I’ll bet it’s of interest to KC, too. Thanks for letting me know. I think you put some pieces together that we didn’t see before, and it’s time for me to watch my brother a little more closely,” Bernard said as he squeezed her hand.
Her heart clenched as she realized that would put her husband in harm’s way. The danger was great even if half of what he’d told her about his family was true.
Chapter 11
Bernard
Jess stood on the platform at the train station as porters assisted passengers, and workers filled the freight cars. The engineer was beside him, talking as if they were old friends. Bernard looked closely to see if he recognized the engineer at all. He wondered if the man would be in on the job, but Bernard couldn’t see a resemblance to anyone he used to know.
Rex and Chet milled around with the waiting passengers to board.
While his brother, uncle, and cousin got on the front passenger car, Bernard stepped into the back of the second car. He might have been more comfortable if there had been a few more cars between them, but there were only two. The next car was an express and mail car. Then there were cars with freight, ore, and livestock after that. Bernard sat behind a woman with a rather large black hat and hoped he wouldn’t be seen but could observe them without them changing what they would normally do.
His brother’s group sat at the front, closest to where it coupled to the coal car directly behind the engine. The train picked up speed as they passed the Wagon Wheel Gap Guest Ranch and pulled into the mountains. It wasn’t a tight canyon until they passed the Topaz turnoff. Then the passage narrowed considerably. At one point, either a train or a wagon could go through but not both at the same time.
They passed the turnoff, then the train slowed as if it would stop. Chet, Rex, and Jess stood at the open door, then jumped from the train. The train accelerated. Bernard had never noticed that pause before when riding the train. It must have been something they’d worked out with the engineer. Why would they need to get off here? The answer came to him—because the rest of his family was near there.
Scenarios began running through his mind of the many ways someone might rob a train—an inside job by hiring the employees, boarding the train at the first corner while leaving town, an ambush near the guest ranch, diverting it off the tracks through the canyon, a cattle herd plugging the narrow gap. Every few feet, he saw a new possibility. It frightened him a bit to think of all the ideas he had. The monster within him, created from his past, snarled as if to come off the leash and take control of his life again. Had he not chosen his future long ago, he worried that the temptation would be strong enough for him to take advantage of one of them. Sadly, his training had been thorough. He’d use it against them now.
He tried to focus on how he would isolate the express car. That’s where the money would be. Many of the imagined scenes involved great risk to the passengers. He knew from experience, though, that his family didn’t calculate the loss of innocent lives. They only thought about how many guns and mercenaries they could buy for their range war with the stolen money they’d gain. Everything was a means to an end.
Soon, the train approached the Narrows. Vertical rock walls rose on each side. The cliff to the south was longer than that on the north side. The passengers went silent as they rode through the gap, the snowy walls towering above them. Snow that had been piling up for the past couple of weeks now leaned over the top like a giant wave. The passengers were looking out their windows, and again Bernard calculated a robbery scenario at this point of the ride.
Last time there was an avalanche in this canyon, it took a couple of days to clear. The noise and vibration of the train seemed to shake some snow from the rock around them. Bernard wondered—if enough snow moved, would the rest come crashing down? That would seal up the track behind them, making for a clean getaway.
The north side opened up, although if he put his hand out a door on the south side, he’d still be able to touch the rock. A few hundred yards more, and The Narrows were behind them.
Bernard considered the possibility that the robbery wouldn’t involve the train at all but take place at the bank. He had thought about that before, but given that Creede was nestled in the middle of high mountains on all sides, it made quick escape difficult. He shook off those ideas. He was still convinced it would be on the train.
Bernard got off at South Fork when the train stopped to take on more water. He waited a few hours in the station, mulling over how he would overcome each of the scenarios he’d created on his ride out there until he caught the next train going back into Creede.
He was surprised that the train slowed in the same place. This time, Chet and Jess boarded. Chet took a seat in the front, and as Jess looked down the aisle, Bernard and Jess looked straight into each other’s eyes. A wry smile cracked across Jess’s face, and he walked toward where Bernard sat, stopping in the aisle two rows ahead. Chet turned around in his seat, watching the two men.
“I talked to Pa today. He wants to meet your wife. Says you can have your old place in the family back.” Jess’s voice sounded tight.
“He’ll be disappointed.”
“He thought you might say that, and he said you should bring her to Arizona—or I should.”
Bernard was on his feet, ready for a fight.
“Now, don’t get yourself killed on a train.” He leaned back and slouched a bit. “Truth is, I don’t want you to come back, either.”
“Then leave Colorado, and we’ll never have to see each other again.” Bernard’s jaw tightened.
“I’ll do that.” Jess tipped his hat. “Yes, sir. I’ll just do that.” He walked a few paces away, then turned back. “I’m going to need your help first. You’ll do something for me, and I’ll make sure we leave you and your new wife alone. If you don’t, well, I’m a crack shot, too. I’ll send you a message when I need your help.”
Bernard went home that night and rose the next morning feeling like lit dynamite was on his back. What would they ask him to do and when? He tried to do as he normally did by meeting with clients. Then he met with the marshals to formulate some kind of plan. Marshal Wheeler would receive word when the money would be delivered. KC reported on the plans for securing the perimeter of the town. Bernard didn’t have a job to do as a deputy, but he’d decided that he’d be following his brother. That was where the action would be.
He watched Jess, Rex, and Chet for a few days. They didn’t vary much in what they did. They arrived in town about the same time each day. They ate in different restaurants and stopped along the street and talked with people. Bernard knew they were making themselves blend in and become forgettable. When they pulled off their heist, they wouldn’t stand out or be noticed as new faces. They could walk into the bank and back out, and no one would take notice. That was something Bernard had taught them.
Chapter 12
Clara
When Clara woke up, her eyes were sensitive, and her head pounded. Sh
e’d been going to bed feeling extra tired for the last few days, and each morning when she woke, she didn’t feel rested. She knew exactly what it meant. Three times before in her life, she’d had these symptoms, and each time she’d soon learned that she was pregnant. She tried to keep hold of her fragile control. Heat flashed through her. She told herself that it would be fine—that this time would be different. Even if their baby died, Bernard would still love her, but she didn’t believe it herself.
Bernard came upstairs with a breakfast plate. The smell reached her as soon as he opened the door. He’d cooked eggs and bacon.
Clara’s stomach rolled over, contracting. She pressed her hand to her nose and mouth and raced down the stairs to the water closet. Although she had nothing in her stomach, she leaned over the porcelain bowl and threw up, heaving yellow mucus.
The kittens meowed, hoping she had come to pick them up as she stayed over the toilet until the heaving ended and the heat in her face cooled. Then she sat back on her heels. Air chilled the sweat on her neck and body.
“Are you all right?” Bernard asked from outside the door. Since she didn’t know how to answer that, she paused, and he knocked again. “Clara, are you sick?”
“I’m fine now that I’ve thrown up. You know how that always makes you feel better. I think I’ll stay in bed today.” Clara opened the door and leaned against the jamb. The cool wood felt good against her hot face. “Would you send Doctor TJ or Hannah to visit me?”
“I will. I’ll send word to Millie as well. Get better.” He kissed her forehead. “Will you be all right by yourself here? I could cancel my appointments and stay.”
“I really think this will pass.”
His hand touched her cheek. “Go to bed. I’ll feed the beasties before I leave.”
True to her word, she felt much better a few minutes later. Maybe she really was just sick. She hoped so. She didn’t want Bernard to be disappointed with her. Although she went back to bed for a while, it seemed ridiculous not to get up and dress. She stood and stretched. She could probably even go to work. Then she considered putting on a corset. She’d noticed that it had been painful across her chest the last few days.
Clara sat back on the edge of the bed. She didn’t need JT or Hannah to tell her. She was pregnant.
How long would it last this time? A few months? A few weeks? Long enough for a happy expectation to crumble from beneath her. She wouldn’t tell Bernard. Tears filled her eyes, and she brushed them away only for new ones to roll down her cheeks. She couldn’t crush Bernard with her failure. She’d rather leave. She lay on her bed and gave in to the sorrow. All morning, she mourned the loss of her prior children and the one she would lose soon. Darkness crushed her chest when she considered the depth of the loss of her new husband’s love. Her heart broke over and over as she imagined the life she could have had with Bernard and now wouldn’t. Her friends would be left behind, and she would truly be alone again.
When she got up again, she pulled her sewing bag from the closet and emptied it on the bed. The bag would only hold one change of clothes, a shawl, and some extra socks, but she could make do with very little. She also took a few potatoes and dropped them into the bottom of the bag and tied an apron over her dress before she pulled on her coat. The money she’d saved from working at Hearth and Home would buy a train ticket and several weeks’ stay in Denver until she found work.
She stood in line at the ticket office, keeping her head down, hoping not to be noticed. Dread and sorrow mixed in her chest. If she hadn’t felt sick before, she would now. Leaving him was the worst thing she’d ever experienced, akin to losing a child.
Lightning flashed around her, and thunder blasted. Clara knew what that meant and turned to see the gunslinger beside her. Beyond the woman, horses froze in mid-prance. People became statues. Even the wind stopped.
“You quittin’?” she asked Clara.
Clara felt the shame of failure again and nodded her head.
“You going to tell Bernard?”
“I left a note.” That wasn’t enough, but it was all she could do. She should have looked him in the eye and told him herself. But she knew that if she’d done that, she wouldn’t have left. He might have held her and whispered that it would be all right. Maybe he would have promised to comfort her. He might have reaffirmed his love for her. Each of those would be a knife in her heart when he turned cold toward her when his child died. No, she wouldn’t have left, and it would have wounded them both.
“That’s right, you wouldn’t have left,” the lady gunslinger answered her thoughts.
“I would have let him down.” Her hands folded over her belly protectively. “I would have broken him.” Clara felt the tears slip from her eyes. “And myself.”
The gunslinger holstered her guns. “I have to be blunt about this. We’ve got thirty seconds left. You didn’t fail those many years ago. You gave love freely, and you still love your children deeply even though they’re in God’s bosom. In your sorrow, you have judged yourself harshly. The Lord can make more of your life than you could ever imagine. Think on the story of when He blessed the fishes and loaves, making enough to feed the multitude and gather a leftover feast. He multiplied it a thousand fold. He can take care of your needs now, and there is much more for your future feast. You are His, and He is mighty. You can trust Him. And you can trust Bernard.”
The time ran out, and all the statues sprang to life. People bustled about as they readied themselves to meet the train.
“That’ll be ten dollars,” the man in the ticket window said.
When she thought of staying, of telling Bernard about his child, her heart burned. When she thought of leaving, she felt confused and scared.
“Miss, do you want to buy a ticket?” he asked.
She knew the right answer. The choice the Lord would have her make would be found in strength and not weakness.
“No, thank you,” she said and stepped to the side. Bernard was probably meeting with clients. She would have time to go home and prepare his favorite meal and even make Sticky Apple Cake. Clara would trust her husband. She would step into faith and not fear. Feeling much lighter, she picked up her bag and turned toward home.
“You’re gonna take a little train ride with me and Jess,” Arlo said. Clara jumped backward. He grabbed her by the arm, and she felt what she thought was a gun poking her ribs as he continued. “Once you get on the train, I’ll buy you a ticket. This is gonna make my job easier and make Jess real happy.”
Chapter 13
Bernard
Bernard couldn’t find Hannah or Doctor JT. He’d left messages around town and even sent a telegram to Topaz. He’d meet with Marshal KC and Marshal Wheeler before a couple of clients, and then send messages to the rest that he’d have to reschedule.
Bernard went back home at noon with a bagged lunch for Clara. He hoped she was feeling better than she had that morning. He stepped inside, and the closing door echoed behind him. “Clara?” There wasn’t a sound. Maybe she was sleeping. He walked up the stairs and checked in his room. She wasn’t there. Then he checked in her old room. The contents of her sewing bag were scattered on the bed.
Fear like he’d never known before flashed through him. He knew his family—how they operated. They would hold hostages or kill innocents if it furthered their purposes. Had Jess followed through on his threat against Clara? The man would pay for it if he had.
Bernard pulled his guns from his side and checked the bullets. He paused for a moment, realizing that today, he would undo all that he’d accomplished in the last ten years in turning from the past. His heart was broken but not his resolve.
A woman appeared in front of him, blocking his way to the staircase. “Bernard Newell, you will choose today.”
“Who are you? How did you get in here?” He looked at the woman. She looked like the kind of woman who belonged to his family. Guns rested in holsters at her hips.
“I’m an angel. Not yours—Clara’s.” B
ernard opened his mouth, but the gunslinger glowed with a brilliant light as she continued. “Clara is safe. You’ll see her soon, but you’ve got a lot to do before then. You’ll see me again, too. Have hope that it’s all in the Lord’s hands and in His grace.”
“I don’t even know what hope is,” Bernard mumbled to himself.
“Your life is following a different path than the one you’ve known. Why? You’re trying every day to be a good man, an honest man. That’s faith. You’re doing all of that because you think it matters now and in the future, and the world is a little better because of it. Pushing your faith into the future—that’s hope. The Lord’s grace flows on a sea of hope.”
The gunslinger disappeared, but her words resonated with him. Marrying Clara had been an act of hope. He hadn’t realized it before, but he’d brought her love into his life and looked forward to it in the future. He would do what he needed, but he wouldn’t destroy himself by living like he had in the past.
Bernard walked out of his home and saw Arlo sitting on a wagon across the street. He tipped his hat toward Bernard. “Your brother sent a message,” he said waving a piece of paper.
“Where’s Jess?” he growled as he ran across the street. “Where’s Clara?”
“Don’t know.” Arlo looped the reins around the end of the footboard, hopped off, and walked toward the station.
Bernard read the note which ended with, “glad to have your cooperation, brother.” He was to drive the hay wagon behind the bank when he heard the train whistle signaling all aboard. When the whistle sounded again, the train would be leaving the station, and he was to light the hay wagon on fire. If he didn’t, he had no doubt that Jess would harm Clara.
He had a few facts and a lot of conjecture based on his family’s history. Since he was to wait for the train’s whistle to depart, he knew that the money wouldn’t transfer to the bank. It was a ruse on the part of the banks to divert potential trouble. He also knew that if Jess was taking Clara on the train, it again confirmed his suspicion that the robbery wasn’t happening at the bank since he wouldn’t be there.