Sarah's Heart

by Marianne Spitzer

  The woman smiled, and Nell said, “I’m Nell Callahan. My husband and I own the restaurant. Welcome to Gentle Falls. Can I get you anything else?”

  The woman looked around the restaurant and answered, “No, we’re all right. I’m Hattie Morey, and this is my son Jed.”

  “Morey? Are you related to Sarah Morey’s husband Harold?”

  The woman squinted at Nell. She pressed her lips into a tight line before she spoke. “I am Harold Morey’s wife, and this is his son. We are here to meet the woman who stole my son’s inheritance. Do you know the woman?”

  Hattie Morey’s words filled Nell’s heart with dread. Her eyes appeared more than tired. Nell saw anger and perhaps danger.

  “If you mean Sarah Morey, yes, I know her. If you would stay and drink your tea, I can see if she’s home. I know she’d want to see you.” She spun on her heel and headed for the kitchen.

  Cal looked up when he saw Nell rush inside. “Something wrong?”

  “Keep an eye on the woman and little boy in the dining room. She claims she’s Harold’s wife.”

  “Sarah’s dead Harold,” Cal lifted his eyebrows.

  “Yes,” Nell answered as she ran out the back door. She lifted her skirts and ran along the back of the building, turning the corner, and headed for the street. The street was quiet, and Nell continued her run across the street and behind the buildings that housed Sarah’s shop. She stopped to catch her breath before she pounded on the back door with her fist. She wanted Sarah to hear her. Nell knew the shop was closed, and Sarah and Molly would be upstairs.

  A few moments later, Molly opened the door pulling her blue wrapper around her tighter. “What on earth, Nell. Is there a fire?”

  “No, but I think there’s trouble. Is Sarah upstairs?”

  Molly nodded and opened the door wide.

  Sarah met Nell and Molly at the top of the stairs. “What’s wrong Nell? I was about to take a bath when I heard you pounding on the door.”

  Nell dropped onto the chair next to the small fireplace and answered, “There’s a woman at the restaurant. She came in on the last train. She has a little boy about two years old with her. She claims to be Harold’s wife, and the boy is Harold’s son. She said she’s here to see you because you stole the boy’s inheritance.”

  “What?” Sarah stammered. “Harold’s wife died in childbirth about eighteen months ago. He and the people in town told me about her before I married him. I saw where Harold buried her and the baby. It’s impossible, isn’t it? I should go speak with her.”

  “Not alone,” Molly called as she rushed in her room. Pulling on her day dress, Molly added, “I lived in saloons with my mother most of my life and one thing I learned is that women are more ruthless than men. The woman is either a gold digger or crazy. Either way, you need people around you. I’ll go first and pretend I’m a customer. You come over with Nell in a couple of minutes.” She pulled on her shawl and disappeared down the stairs.

  Sarah paled and sat on the settee. “Do you think it might be true? Could an entire town lie to me? Maybe he beat her, too, and she escaped. Wouldn’t someone have warned me? She must be lying. Let’s find out.”

  Nell, watching out the front window said, “Molly just entered the restaurant. We should go now if that’s what you want to do.”

  Sarah nodded, and the two women walked downstairs, through Sarah’s shop, out the front door to the street. They strolled across the street and stopped in front of the restaurant. Sarah peered through the window.

  “That woman has dark brown hair like the boy. Harold said his first wife had pale nearly white hair. Of course, that could be a lie, too. Only one way to find out,” she said and opened the door to the restaurant.

  Sarah walked straight up to the woman and stated, “I’m Sarah Morey. I understand you want to speak with me.”

  Hattie Morey looked up from where she was seated and answered, “Yes, I don’t know who you think you are, but I am Harold Morey’s wife. This is our son Jed, and you stole his inheritance. I intend to see that you return every penny.” She began to gather her things and picked up her child. Looking straight at Nell, she asked, “Where is the sheriff’s office?”

  Nell pointed in the direction of the sheriff’s office and said, “Right across the street from the saloon.”

  The woman nodded and strode out of the restaurant. Cal, who had listened to the conversation from the kitchen, quietly left through the back door. He hurried around the side of the building and climbed the stairs. He noticed the lights still on in Giles’ office and knocked on the door.

  Giles opened the door and asked, “What brings you here so late? Was I being a loud neighbor? I’ll try to read quieter.”

  “No,” Cal answered. “I think Sarah may be in trouble. A woman came in claiming to be her dead husband’s wife. She’s on her way to find the sheriff. Sarah is down in the restaurant now.”

  Giles grabbed his hat and said, “Let’s go. I won’t allow anyone to hurt Sarah.”

  Giles and Cal returned to the restaurant and found the three women sitting in the restaurant kitchen drinking tea. Nell had turned the dining room lamps out.

  Sarah looked up and sighed, “Giles, I never thought to ask you for advice tonight. I don’t understand what’s going on.”

  Giles responded, “From what I understand, a woman came in claiming to be your dead husband’s wife? Does she believe him to be alive? Did she say why she came here looking for you?”

  “Yes,” Sarah answered. “She told me she was married to Harold and has their son with her. She said I stole the boy’s inheritance. If he is Harold’s child, then he would be the rightful heir to Harold’s legacy. She went to find the sheriff. Will I be arrested? I never stole anything. I honestly believed I inherited the ranch. I was in Harold’s will.” She wiped a tear with a shaky hand.

  Giles took her hand and said, “No, Sarah, no one will arrest you. You told me your past. You did not seek out Harold Morey. You answered the ad he placed with a third party at the matrimonial agency. My feeling is this woman is trying to get money from you with unfounded threats. I understand you and Harold were considered to be upstanding citizens in your town. You were called upon to answer questions in front of their judge to aid Nell. He would never have you answer them if there was a question of your honesty or legal marriage to Harold. Don’t worry. The absolute worst thing that can happen is she sues you in court and wins. You will lose your shop and money, but you’ll not be arrested. I promise. If Harold married you while still married to another, it’s his crime, not yours.” He squeezed her hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “Trust me.”

  “I will,” Sarah said but jumped in her chair when a loud banging was heard coming from the front of the restaurant.

  Cal looked out and said, “It’s the sheriff. I’ll let him in.”

  Sarah gripped Giles hand tighter, and he didn’t let go.

  Sheriff Clay followed Cal back to the kitchen with his hat in his hands. “Good evening everyone. I wanted to stop in to tell you I received a complaint from a Mrs. Hattie Morey against you Mrs. Sarah. I advised her she did not have a valid complaint here in Gentle Falls. Even if she did, there’s no reason to arrest you. It’s a legal matter she should resolve back in Kansas. She’s settled at the hotel for the night and plans to speak to Judge Magarey in the morning. Mrs. Morey claims she doesn’t want you arrested; she only wants the money she believes belongs to her son which is why she’s here. Let the Judge decide what to do. Have a good night all.” He smiled and looked a bit longer at Molly than the rest of them. He turned and left the kitchen. Sarah sighed when she heard the front door close behind him.

  Nell leaned toward Molly and said, “I think our new sheriff finds you enchanting.”

  Molly’s laughter at the idea lightened the mood in the kitchen.

  Giles held onto Sarah’s hand. “Let me escort you and Molly home. It’s getting late. I told you not to worry. Promise me you’ll not lose any sleep over this.�
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  “I’ll try,” Sarah promised.

  Sarah and Molly hugged Nell, and everyone exchanged goodnights. Sarah and Giles followed Molly through the restaurant. As soon as Molly reached the boardwalk, she ran across the street and disappeared into Sarah’s shop.

  “I think she’s giving us a little time to be alone,” Giles said taking Sarah’s arm.

  “I believe you may be right,” Sarah answered letting the warmth of Giles' arm seep into her easing her fears and stirring her heart.

  At the doorway of the shop, Giles released her arm and leaned forward. Was he about to kiss her? Sarah’s heart beat faster hoping he might want to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss him. He leaned forward, his lips close to hers and whispered, “You promised not to worry. Have a good night, Sarah.” He straightened, and she did her best to enter her shop on shaky legs.

  Molly waited in the shop and spoke to Sarah while they walked toward the back stairs. “I think Giles is sweet on you. I saw how he nearly kissed you.”

  Sarah’s cheeks heated, and she was grateful the shop was dark. “I don’t think he’s sweet on me at all,” she insisted. “If anyone is sweet on another it would be Sheriff Clay. He likes you, Molly.”

  Molly retorted, “No one will ever want me that way. I’ll never be anyone’s wife. You know people in town think the worst of me.”

  Sarah grabbed her arm. “Listen to me, Molly, everyone knows you sang and played piano at Underwood’s. You needed to support yourself the only way you could. You can’t blame yourself for where your mother chose to raise you. The fact you left Underwood’s when he wanted you to be an upstairs girl speaks of your goodness.”

  Sarah couldn’t see the tears in Molly’s eyes in the darkened room, but heard them in her voice, “Maybe, but even those who believe I never worked upstairs still think I’m soiled. I believe you lost customers because of my reputation.”

  “Nonsense, the only women who do not come here to shop, are the Widows Biggs and Mudd. Celia has had several dresses made and gushed over the handkerchiefs you made her trimmed in the lace that matched each dress. She couldn’t say enough nice things about you. We’re a good team Molly, and the sheriff likes you.” Sarah laughed while Molly stammered to answer her.

  Molly hurried up the stairs ahead of Sarah and called goodnight as she disappeared into her room.

  ~ * ~

  Judge Magarey’s clerk rushed into his office as soon as Hattie Morey and little Jed left.

  “That woman seems quite upset, sir. Is everything all right? Do you need anything,” he asked fidgeting from one foot to another.

  “No, I’m all right. What I need is a real bank robber or horse thief to appear in my court. The last time we had a trial, it was a breach of contract brought by that whippersnapper Matthew Bridges against Nell Callahan. Now I have one supposed wife suing another supposed wife for an inheritance. I need to retire,” the judge declared rubbing his hands over his face. “I also need a drink; I’m heading to Underwood's.”

  “Your honor, it’s barely past breakfast,” the clerk stammered.

  The judge shrugged and looked back over his shoulder. “At my age, you do what you can when you want. You might not get another chance. Right now I want a drink and an actual courthouse. With two women involved, we’ll have court in church again. I prefer court in the saloon. I left the details on my desk. Do the paperwork immediately, please.”

  The judge’s clerk watched him leave and head toward the saloon. Nell, sweeping the boardwalk in front of the restaurant, saw Hattie Morey and Jed leave the judge’s office and go back to the hotel. A few minutes later she watched the judge hurry to Underwood’s. “This can’t be good,” she murmured to herself.

  Sarah waved from her shop across the street. Nell marveled at how lovely Sarah looked first thing in the morning after what must have been a difficult night. She dressed impeccably to show her clients what she could do with her new sewing machine. This morning wasn’t any different.

  Sarah strolled across the street in a pale green dress with matching bonnet. The dark green shawl brought out lighter brown specks in her deep brown eyes. Sarah appeared happier than usual, and Nell wondered if Giles was the reason. Nell expected her to show sadness or worry.

  “Good morning, dear friend,” Sarah called out as she approached Nell.

  “Good morning,” Nell replied. “You look lovely today.”

  “Thank you,” Sarah made a small curtsy, and both young women laughed. “I slept fairly well, but I am still concerned. I thought I’d ask Giles a few questions this morning.”

  “Good idea,” Nell agreed. “Tell him I saw Hattie leave the judge’s office a while ago.”

  Sarah sighed, nodded, and frowned. “I will.” She walked to the stairs that led to Giles law office over the restaurant.

  Giles smiled when he saw the vision in green knock at his office door. He waved her in and asked her to sit. How a woman grew more beautiful overnight he wasn’t sure, but Sarah certainly had.

  “Good morning, Sarah. Is something wrong?” Giles asked.

  “I don’t think there is, but I’m a bit worried. I don’t know what that woman wants. She said she only wants Harold’s money, but what if she tries to harm me. Molly said women could be ruthless.” She twisted her hands in her lap.

  “I don’t have the impression she’s violent, but I’ll ask the sheriff to keep an eye on her and your shop. Since you’re here, I do have a few questions about this case she insists on bringing against you.”

  “Anything you need to know, I will answer.” Sarah tried to smile.

  “First, you and Harold were legally married. Do you have the marriage license?”

  “Yes,” Sarah answered. “I brought it with me.”

  “Good, did you also bring the will and are you mentioned in it by name?”

  “Yes, Harold told me he had signed his will before he picked me up the morning we married. I saw the will and he named me by my legal name, Sarah Mae Morey. Then we went to the church and were married by the pastor.”

  “Excellent. It’s good you have those papers. I assume you also have all the papers from the sale of the ranch?”

  Sarah nodded.

  “I’ll need to see them before we see the judge. Now that we’ve settled the legal questions, I need to apologize for last night.” Giles shifted in his chair.

  “Last night? For what?” Sarah bit her lip and tilted her head to look at him.

  “I nearly kissed you. I was merely walking you home, but I felt closeness between us.”

  “I felt it, too,” Sarah answered blushing. “You could have kissed me.” She lowered her head and glanced up at him through her lashes.

  “No, that would be wrong,” Giles insisted.

  Sarah gasped quietly and fought back the tears forming at the backs of her eyes. She’d been a fool.

  Sarah stood quickly. “I need to leave. I’ll send those papers over.”

  Giles hurried from around his desk and caught her arm.

  “Sarah, I think you misunderstood me. What I felt last night was wrong because you’re my client. When this is over, I intend to ask you to dinner, walk out with you about town, accompany you to church, and kiss you senseless; that is if you’re willing.” He smiled at her.

  “I’m willing,” she mumbled holding her red cheeks as she hurried out the door. He watched her lithe figure dressed in that lovely green dress rush down the stairs and head for the restaurant.

  Giles sat back in his chair a broad smile spreading across his face. She’s willing. He said a prayer thanking God for bringing him to Gentle Falls. Sarah would make his life complete.

  Giles looked up when he heard the knock on his door. He saw the Masters’ teenage son, Robert. He opened the door, and the boy said, “This is from Judge Magarey’s office. He said I didn’t need to wait for an answer.”

  “All right, thanks,” he replied and tossed the boy a coin.

  Giles rubbed his forehead when he read the
papers. The judge set a hearing date for three days at nine in the morning. He was ready, but he doubted Sarah would be on such short notice. He grabbed his hat and headed for the restaurant hoping Sarah was still there. He needed to give her the news and collect the papers he needed to read before the hearing.

  Chapter 9

  Even though Sarah had Giles on her side in this legal headache, Nell was not about to let her go through it alone. They walked side by side into the church being used as a temporary courthouse again. Judge Magarey usually held court in Underwood’s Saloon, but not when a lady was on trial. Nell remembered he was less than happy when Matthew Bridges tried to force her to marry him. The judge held court in the church that day, too. Nell hoped he was in a calmer mood today.

  Sarah wore a soft pink calico dress with tiny white flowers scattered across the fabric. Her matching pink bonnet made her appear younger than her twenty years. She clutched Nell’s hand when Giles opened the door for them. The church was dark except for the light coming through two small windows on either side. The sun wasn’t in position to cast the normally soft dancing colors through the only stained glass window in the church. Sarah glanced at Nell dressed in her pretty yellow dress and hoped it would be enough sunshine for the day. Giles led them to the pews on the left and told Sarah to sit in the front pew. She refused to let loose of Nell’s hand, and Giles smiled, “She can sit with you. I’ll sit next to you on your other side.” Sarah tried to return his smile and walked toward the front of the church.

  Sheriff Clay lit the lamp on the table set in the spot usually occupied by the pulpit and lit several others on the wall around the church. A short man sat at a tiny table near the center table and arranged paper and pens. He also lit a small lamp sitting on his table.

  Sarah turned at the sound of shuffling feet and clomping boots. Her eyes grew wide when she saw most of the town pushing in to get a seat. Many stood in the back.