A Life Restored (20 page)

Then she was gone.

Wake up, Betty.

The familiar voice stirred her from a deep sleep.
 
It wasn’t the first time the Lord woke her in the middle of the night.
 
She knew what the call meant.

Sliding from her bed, she kneeled down.
 
Clasping her hands together, she rested her forehead on them.
 
Who is it, Lord?
 
Who needs my prayers?

Ben Shepherd.

For a brief second, Betty thought she heard wrong.
 
She thought perhaps one of her children or grandchildren in Missouri needed covered in prayer tonight.

But, Ben Shepherd?

Lord, Jesus.
 
I don’t understand, but here I am.
 
Put your covering of grace and mercy on Benjamin.
 
You know his heart, his hurt.
 
You know what he needs at this late hour.
 
Send your angels to protect him and comfort him.
 
Fill him with your peace and love.

On and on she prayed for Ben Shepherd until her head began to droop.
 
Then she crawled into bed and fell back to sleep, warmed with confidence that God heard her cries.

Ben didn’t know how long he kneeled on the bunkhouse porch—only that the stiffness in his leg sent shooting pain up to his thigh.

He wasn’t exactly sure what just happened.
 
He’d been railing against God, mired deeply in his grief one minute.
 
Then the next, a strange peace fell over him.

He began talking to God, pouring out all of his pain.
 
Telling Him how much he missed his wife and children.
 
How he wanted them back.
 
How he was so sorry that his love for her caused her death.

Something changed in his heart.
 
He wasn’t the same.
 
He wasn’t drowning with grief any more.

Twenty-five years of not speaking to God were washed away as if they never happened.
 
He remembered the faith Sheila shared with him.
 
He remembered how it had once been his own—his lifeblood.
 
He reached out and embraced the loving Father that was so incredibly different from his earthly one.

Then he wept.
 
He wept tears of relief, tears of joy.

An image of Sheila bouncing two little boys, one on each hip, filled his vision.
 
The light around her glowed brightly.
 
Her smile was even bigger than he remembered.

Let me go, Benjamin.
 
It’s time.

And he did.

She was in love.
 
Betty sighed.
 
At the age of fifty-two, her husband long gone, all thought of loving another man pushed aside, and here she was as giddy as a schoolgirl waiting for Benjamin Shepherd to arrive.

A smile stretched across her face as she dished up another plate full of dinner for her hungry boarders and other diners seeking a hearty midday meal.
 
Paul had noticed her behavior more than a month ago.
 
He even told her that she had feelings for Ben.
 
He was right.

Two nights ago, her midnight vigil for Ben hadn’t really ended though she fell asleep.
 
When she rose yesterday morning, he consumed many of her prayers all the way through the present morning.

Then, just before serving dinner, she felt a calm peace.
 
Reassuring.
 
Gentle.
 
Something happened to Ben Shepherd and she was pretty sure it involved an encounter with God.
 
That realization broke open the lock she kept on her heart.
 
If Ben was truly walking with the Lord, as she knew in her heart that he was, there was no reason to hold back.
 
No reason at all.

“Got a few more, Ma,” Paul announced as he picked up four plates, skillfully balancing them in his arms before walking back into the dining hall.

Well, maybe there was one reason to hold back.
 
Her son.
 
What would happen to Paul and how would he manage this boardinghouse if she left?

Whoa there.
 
There’s a long distance to cover between opening my heart to Ben and becoming his wife.
 
Heat flamed her cheeks as she grew embarrassed by her rash thoughts.

“Betty,” Ben said, coming up behind her.

Her heart fluttered.
 
The glow in his gray eyes drew her in.
 
Something definitely changed in Ben Shepherd.

“Have a seat, Benjamin,” she said.
 
“I’ll bring you some dinner.”

In two blinks of her eyes, she was back.

A long, drawn out sigh escaped his lips.
 
He took her hand in his.

“Missed ya,” he said before brushing his lips across the back of her hand.

Betty’s heart picked up speed when his gray eyes searched hers.
 
For a brief second she thought he might kiss her.
 
But, he didn’t.
 
He led her to the kitchen, away from the few lingering diners.
 
She poured two cups of coffee and set them on the table.

“Got so much to tell ya.”

He motioned for her to sit then he took the seat across from her.

“I… I’m not sure where to begin.”
 
His gaze dropped to the table, one hand firmly gripping a coffee mug as if it would give him the courage he needed to speak.

She wanted to suggest he start with whatever happened two nights ago.
 
But, she knew better than to push the Lord’s timing.
 
She just wanted to know.
 
More than anything.

“I never apologized to ya for my abrupt departure from yer dinner table a while back.
 
I’m truly sorry.
 
I know how much ya love having friends and family around a table and I know I caused some trouble that day.”

She could hardly believe what he was saying.
 
Why he had to be talking about the Sunday he came to church and left in the middle of dinner.
 
It’s the only time she’d seen him angry.
 
Or was it afraid?

That had been almost a month ago.

Reaching for his hand, she curled her fingers around his.
 
His eyes looked up from the coffee mug and connected with hers.
 
She smiled.

“All has been forgiven, Benjamin.”

“I know I ain’t said much about my life,” Ben said.
 
“But, I’d like to tell ya more.”

“I’d like that.”

“Might take me some time.”

She laughed.
 
“We’ve got plenty of it.”

He smiled, but it faded too quickly.
 
His gaze fell back to the barely sipped coffee again.

“I was married.
 
Long time ago.”

Of all the things he could have confessed to her!
 
She just never thought, not even for a second, that he had been married once.
 
As she recovered from her shock, she kept her lips sealed in an encouraging smile.

He glanced up then his eyes darted away again.
 
“She died.”
 
His voice cracked and tears reddened his eyes.
 
“Along with my son and unborn child.”

Lord, send your comforting love to this poor man who has lost so much.

He swiped at the tear that rolled down his face.
 
“My son, Elijah, would have been twenty-six a few days ago.”

“I’m so sorry, Ben.”

She stood and pulled him to his feet.
 
Then she wrapped her arms around him.
 
He eagerly accepted her embrace, burying his head on her shoulder.
 
Other than the slight tremor of his shoulders, he made no sound.

Minutes ticked by as she held him.
 
Finally, he lifted his head and looked into her eyes.
 
His were red and tear streaked.
 
A shy smile turned up the corners of his mouth as he took a step back.

“Don’t know why I just told ya that.”
 
He pinched the bridge of his nose then pulled his hat down lower to shade his eyes.

A small laugh escaped his lips.
 
“Guess I’d tell ya just about anything, Betty Lancaster.
 
Better keep my secrets guarded.”

Though he was teasing, she wanted to allay his fears.
 
“Your secrets are safe with me.
 
I am honored you told me.”

“Ain’t told anyone besides Eddie, Will’s pa.”

She wanted to ask more.
 
What was his wife like?
 
How long had they been married?
 
How old was his son when he died?
 
How did it happen?

Yet, his posture stiffened.
 
The nervous way he fidgeted with the coffee mug after he hastily sat down again told her he was retreating.
 
But she did have one answer.
 
It was on his son’s birthday that she woke to pray for him.
 
The Lord was doing some mighty work on him.

“Anyway,” he was saying, “I wanted to let ya know I’ll be coming for Sunday dinner… If ya might have me.”

Hope soared within her chest.
 
Joy barely restrained itself in her smile.

“I’d be delighted to set an extra plate.
 
And to save you a seat at service?”

“Appreciate it.
 
‘Course I’ll see ya at the wedding first.”

She smiled.
 
She was looking forward to time with him on Saturday, but now she had even more to look forward to.

Chapter 22

“Eddie, ya’d be so proud of Julia,” Ben whispered as he led Sheila from her stall.
 
“She asked me—can ya believe it—to stand up fer her in yer place.
 
Wish ya were here, but I’m right proud to be doin’ it.”

Ben hurried through brushing down his black horse before he saddled her.
 
Leading her outside, he tied her reins to the top rung of the corral.
 
Then he went back inside to ready a horse for the wagon.
 
He and Will had to get the women on their way to Prescott before the boys would let Adam out of the bunkhouse.
 
Funny how sentimental cowboys could be when one of their own was getting married.

After hitching the horse to the wagon, he climbed up on the seat and drove the wagon the short distance from the barn to the ranch house.
 
Setting the brake, he climbed down, trying not to muss his suit.
 
A smile teased the corners of his mouth.
 
Wouldn’t Betty be surprised to see him all gussied up.

“Is Adam out there?” Julia’s excited voice sounded from the other side of the door as he neared.

“Naw, little Jewel.
 
Covington, Jed, and Hawk won’t let him near a door or a window.”

Julia opened the door and let Ben in.

“Can you help us get all these things in the wagon?” Hannah asked him.

“Yes ma’am,” he answered trying to keep the awe from his voice.
 
He knew the womenfolk had been baking and cooking up a storm, but never expected the huge spread on the table.
 
Why there wasn’t hardly an inch of the tabletop showing.
 
He wondered if one wagon was going to be enough.

“Wait,” Hannah stopped him as he reached for a few of the food items.
 
“Maybe we should put Caroline’s things in first.”

Caroline ran back to the room she shared with Julia and returned with a carpet bag.
 
Ben took it from her, his brow wrinkled in confusion.

“I’m moving to town,” Caroline said.
 
“You think Betty will let me stay with her for now?”

“I’m sure she’ll let ya stay long as ya need.”

Her shoulders lifted then sagged as she let out a huge breath.
 
“Good.”

He took her carpet bag and headed outside, placing it towards the front of the wagon.
 
Guess it made sense, her moving to town.
 
He’d feel a bit awkward living in a small cabin with two married couples.
 
Though, Will told him the big house would be ready in a few more weeks.
 
He shrugged.
 
Not really any of his business either way.
 
Long as Adam was fine with it, him being her nearest kin, then no one else had much to say.

Will neared the wagon with an armload of food stuffs which he deposited in the wagon.
 
Ben followed him back inside to retrieve more items.
 
In no time they had the wagon full of food, leaving some space for Caroline to ride in the back.

“Ready?” Will asked his wife and sister.

Julia let out a little laugh.
 
“I’m as ready as any girl can be on her wedding day.”

Ben noticed the slight sheen in Will’s eyes as he pulled his sister close for a hug.
 
When he seemed to hold on longer than Julia wanted, she pushed him away.

“It’s not like I’m moving away.
 
I’ll be back in a few days,” she said.

“We’d better get going,” Hannah said.

Will escorted her to the wagon and lifted her onto the seat.
 
Then Julia handed baby James up to her before climbing up onto the wagon.
 
Ben helped Caroline get settled in the back.
 
Then Ben and Will mounted their horses and led the way to town.

Since Julia insisted on getting there before noon, Ben and Will would have some time on their hands before the afternoon wedding.
 
His preference would be to spend that time with Betty.
 
But, she would be much too busy serving up dinner for her boarders and with any last minute preparations for the wedding.

Maybe he would stop by the barber shop for a cut and shave.

Caroline lifted her face to the warm sun, enjoying the gentle breeze tickling her cheeks.
 
Julia would have a perfect day for her wedding in the town square.
 
Though she wondered at first why Julia wanted to have the wedding in town instead of at the ranch, she understood after she told her about the number of friends she made during her time working at the Juniper House.
 
Both the hotel manager and owner, along with many of the staff, planned to be in attendance.

She lifted her hand to her lips to stifle a giggle.
 
If anyone would have asked her two years ago which one of them would be married first, she would have said herself.
 
Strange how God has a way of changing the most obvious of plans.

Look at her.
 
A year ago she never dreamed she would be in the Arizona Territory with her brother and her best friend.
 
She would not have thought she would have met a man who caused her heart to race every time she saw him.

She hadn’t asked if Thomas would be there today or not.
 
From what Hannah told her, his schedule for the Express only allowed him one weekend a month in Prescott.
 
His other stays were midweek.
 
She didn’t think that either Julia or Adam were close enough to him to make sure the wedding fell on his weekend in town.

Regardless, she hoped he was there.
 
None of Hannah’s warnings kept her from thinking of him.
 
She wasn’t sure how much she trusted Hannah’s opinion of him.
 
After all, she had said that she and her first husband left Ohio to get away from him.
 
That sounded like she didn’t care for him as much as she might try to convince others she did.

Caroline sighed.
 
Though the day was about Adam and Julia, if Thomas was there, she would try to spend more time with him.
 
His kisses left no doubt that there was something between them.
 
He even seemed more agreeable after she suggested they start over.

Julia pulled the wagon to a stop in front of Lancaster’s boardinghouse.
 
She hopped down before Will or Ben dismounted, reaching up for her nephew.
 
Will helped Hannah down while Ben assisted Caroline from the back.

Brushing the dust from her skirt, she looked up when she felt eyes staring at her.
 
Was her skirt accidentally caught on the wagon or something?

“Need some help?” Thomas’s voice sounded behind her.

She glanced down noting there was nothing wrong with her attire.
 
When her gaze connected with his, he smiled then pointed towards the items in the wagon.

“Oh.
 
Sure.”

“Hannah, dear!”
 
Betty’s voice announced her presence near the wagon.

“Betty,” Hannah said.
 
Anything further was cut off by a huge embrace.

“Let me see that grandson of mine.”
 
She fussed over the baby then turned her fussing toward Julia in the form another big hug.
 
“Are you excited, dear?”

“Very.”

“Caroline, dear,” Betty greeted, headed her way.
 
She barely blinked before being crushed against Betty’s bosom.
 
“Hannah tells me you are looking for a place to stay.”

When had she mentioned that?
 
“Ah, yes.
 
On Monday I’ll start looking for a job.”

“You are more than welcome to stay with me as long as necessary.
 
Paul will move out to one of the open bunks.”

Thomas stopped next to her, grinning.
 
“You’re moving to town?”

She swallowed and nodded, her stomach fluttering in response to his happy reaction.

He didn’t stay still for long.
 
With arms full of wedding feast food, he hurried inside.
 
Paul, Will, and Ben helped with the rest of the goodies.

Caroline reached over the side of the wagon to grab her carpet bag.
 
Betty led her to the private rooms near the kitchen in the back.

“You can just toss your things over there on that chair for now.
 
I’ll fix up Paul’s bed for you later.”
 
Turning to Julia and Hannah, Betty asked, “So what are the plans?
 
Are we styling hair?
 
Or would you like some dinner before the primping begins?”

Baby James fussed in Hannah’s arms.
 
“Looks like one of us is hungry.”

“You go ahead and nurse James, dear.
 
Ladies, come with me.”
 
She led the way to the kitchen.

“I’m not sure how much I can eat right now,” Julia said as Betty placed a huge helping of food in front of her.

Caroline was about to suggest they could share when Betty placed an equally large plate in front of her.

“Just eat your fill, dear.
 
Don’t want you swooning from hunger in the middle of your wedding.”

Julia’s eyes widened before she lifted the first bite to her mouth in an exaggerated fashion.
 
Caroline giggled.

“Where’s your man?” Betty asked.

Caroline nearly choked until she realized the question was directed towards Julia.

“He’ll be along later.”

Thomas allowed his heart to soar as he set the last crate of food on one of the dining hall tables.
 
Caroline was moving to town today.
 
After the wedding and the feast she would not be returning to Colter Ranch.
 
She would stay here.

It had been three weeks since the picnic with her, Adam, and Julia.
 
Three weeks since he kissed her—the second time—and he could not get her out of his mind.
 
He thought about her when he was on the trail.
 
She said she wanted to start over.
 
So did he.

He wanted to talk to her, to spend time with her, without being irritable or goading her on.
 
He wanted to learn more about the mysterious Caroline Larson.

Now she would be here in town.
 
The weeks where he was in town on Mondays and Tuesdays, he could see her in the evenings.
 
The weeks where he was here for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, he could see her in the evening and plan an outing with her.
 
Hopefully he would be able to control his attraction and get to know her as Paul suggested.

He was trying so hard to be a better man.
 
He hadn’t been to the saloon in over a month.
 
Well, there was that one night in La Paz.
 
But he had not gotten drunk or done anything others would think shameful.