Linda Ford (20 page)

His parents exchanged a long look. Pa nodded. “I guess it’s time to fess up. I’ve been getting around pretty good the last while. Today I had decided to try riding. Already had the old nag saddled when Vern showed up.”

Colton’s jaw dropped so far he thought it might have come unhinged. He worked it back into place and swallowed hard. “Pa?” This didn’t make sense. He sought Rebecca’s gaze. hoping for enlightenment. She and Amelia darted a quick look at each other.

When she lifted her head, he saw guilt and apology.

“Everyone knew this but me?”

“He’s getting better,” Heidi said, full of staunch loyalty. “That’s good, even though he kept it a secret, isn’t it?”

Mason pushed to his feet. “I need to get back to town. Jakob, perhaps you’d better come with me. I’ll find you a place to bunk.”

Colton pushed aside his confusion. “He can stay here with his sister.”

Heidi sprang to Colton’s side and hugged him. “Thank you so much.” She danced across the floor. “I’m so happy to have Jakob back.”

Colton headed for the door. “I’ve got chores.” He stopped, glanced at Rebecca. “I— You—” He shook his head. He had to think.

“I’ll help,” Jakob said.

Colton needed time alone to figure out what to do, but he couldn’t refuse the boy. “Come along, then.”

Pa got up, too.

Colton sprang forward to help, then stopped himself. He didn’t know if his help was needed anymore. Seemed he’d been blind as to what his role was.

“I’ll take care of the chickens,” Pa said.

Colton nodded and the three of them crossed to the barn.

As he fed the horses in the barn and slopped the pigs, all the while explaining his actions to Jakob, he tried to shepherd his thoughts into some semblance of order.

He soon discovered that Jakob was quite capable and left him to finish the barn chores. Pa headed to the house with a basket of eggs.

Now was a good time to check on the rapidly growing corn crop and Colton slipped away. But he paid scant attention to the size of the plants or the moisture condition of the soil as his thoughts scattered like hail.

Heidi had Jakob. Amelia had a place at the orphanage. Seemed Pa didn’t need him nearly as much as Colton had thought. He floundered. Who was he? What did he want? What was he supposed to do if he wasn’t worrying about the needs of others?

Rebecca.
Her name lit up his mind with the light of twenty bolts of lightning.

But he had no reason to ask her to stay at the ranch. Gabriel had a mother. Heidi had a brother. Ma had Pa.

If he let Rebecca return to New York, he would have no one. But what could he offer her to compare with a thirty-room house?

Two crows flapped overhead, squawking as if scolding him.

He stared at the birds as they passed.

He had one thing to give, something he’d been denying for almost as long as she’d been staying at the ranch. He loved her.

He studied the notion. He was a strong man. A man used to caring for others, protecting them. He loved his parents. He loved Gabriel and Heidi. So why couldn’t he simply walk up to Rebecca and confess his feelings? But he couldn’t. Something dark and wide made it impossible...the difference between a poor rancher and a rich, city girl.

He kicked at the dirt on the edge of the cornfield until he’d dug a good-size furrow. He had nothing to offer her except a loving heart. How did that compare to what she had in New York?

* * *

Amelia waited until Jakob and the men departed, then burst into tears.

Rebecca rubbed her back. “Shh. It’s all over. He’ll never hurt you or your son again.” He’d go to jail for a good long spell.

After a few minutes, Amelia quieted down, sat up and wiped her eyes. “Heidi, your brother is very brave and very smart.”

Her eyes gleamed with pride. “I know.”

Rebecca was happy things had worked out for everyone. Jakob and Heidi were reunited and had perhaps learned that nothing was so bad if they were together. Amelia was free to pursue a fear-free life with little Gabriel. Colton’s parents were learning the benefits of remaining independent as long as they could—especially now that his ma’s new medication seemed to be working well. Since she had begun taking it, Mrs. Hayes had more energy and far less swelling in her legs. Certainly they would appreciate Colton’s continued help, but not as they had in the past.

And Colton didn’t need help from a city girl.

She would not dwell on what she couldn’t have. Instead, she would rejoice in what the community and she had accomplished. “I think we need to celebrate the way this day has ended. Let’s make the meal special.”

The others immediately agreed and sprang into action. Mrs. Hayes said she would make the meat loaf that her husband had always said was his favorite. Amelia promised another chocolate cake. Rebecca volunteered to make creamy mashed potatoes, which she knew was popular with everyone.

“What can I do?” Heidi asked.

“What’s one of Jakob’s favorite dishes?”

Heidi grew thoughtful. “Some I don’t know English names for.” Then she brightened. “Potato dumplings. We always had them at Sunday dinner.”

Rebecca lifted her hands in defeat. “Amelia?”

She shook her head.

They all turned to look at Mrs. Hayes. “Child, do you recall how your mother made them?”

Heidi drew her eyebrows together in concentration. “Mashed potatoes and flour. Mama let me help. We squished the potatoes and flour together and then I made tiny snowballs. Mama said they had to be pea-size. Then we boiled them. Yummy.”

Mrs. Hayes nodded. “Mrs. Kruger made something like that. I think we can manage.”

Mr. Hayes returned shortly, as did Jakob, who stood awkwardly at the door.

“Sit, boy.” Mr. Hayes waved him to a chair. “Looks like we are in for a feast.”

“It’s a celebration,” Heidi said, brushing hair from her face. The movement smeared flour across her cheek.

Jakob laughed as he wiped the flour away. “You’re getting more on you than in the food.”

Rebecca tried to keep from looking at the door. Where was Colton? She’d thought her heart would burst from its mooring earlier when he bolted into the house following the gunshot. Not until she saw him holding Vern, breathing normally and not bleeding from any wound, did her heart settle into place again.

He returned in a little while, looking pleased with the sight before him. “Smells great in here.”

“It’s a celebration,” Heidi announced.

“And what are we celebrating?” He grabbed her hands and danced her around the table.

She giggled, but managed to get out the words, “I’m celebrating finding Jakob.”

“Seems as if he found you.”

She giggled some more.

Amelia grinned at them. “I’m celebrating my freedom. Tomorrow I am going to town to see the orphanage and learn about my new job.”

Colton released Heidi and went to his parents. “Ma and Pa are celebrating feeling better. Right?”

His pa clapped him on his back and his ma patted his cheek.

Heidi studied Colton. “What are you celebrating?”

Colton grinned from one to another. His attention rested a moment longer on Rebecca, or so she thought. “I’m celebrating that everyone is safe and sound.”

She shifted her attention back to meal preparation.

Now that everyone was safe and sound, where did she belong? She knew the answer. Nothing had changed. Her place was back in New York.

Why, then, did that feel like a prison sentence?

The meal was lovely. Jakob praised Heidi for the dumplings. Said they were the best he’d ever tasted. Colton insisted he tell them how he’d found Heidi.

“I just kept looking.” He ducked his head and ran his finger around the rim of his empty plate several times. “Miss Sterling, you know the orphans that were placed in Greenville from the groups that came through before ours?”

What had he discovered? “Yes. What about them?”

“You know they aren’t there?” The look he gave her revealed his concern. “I think that man—Mr. Baxter—sends them to work in mines and stuff. He’s not a nice man.”

“We found that out. Someone is tracking them down right now.” She told him about the new orphanage in Evans Grove. “It’s kind of you to be concerned for them.”

Several times throughout the evening, Rebecca caught Colton studying her with a great deal of interest. Twice he started to speak to her. Once he got as far as suggesting a walk, but each time she pretended to be distracted by something.

She did not want to provide an opportunity for him to explain how she was no longer needed.

Tomorrow would be soon enough. After she’d had time to get used to the idea and pray for God’s strength to deal with it.

In truth, she would never get used to it. It had been relatively easy for her to forget Oliver. Why, she couldn’t even recall his face any longer. To her shame, she knew she’d never loved him. Had only wanted to please her father. What a silly reason to enter a marriage.

But having her pride hurt when he eloped with another woman would surely be an easier pain to bear than leaving Evans Grove. And even the thought of saying goodbye to Colton forever made her heart feel as if she’d breathed in fire.

She managed to keep busy until Heidi’s bedtime and hurried after her, even though it was early. They prepared for the night, then climbed in beside each other.

Heidi faced her. Even in the darkened room, Rebecca could see her happy smile.

Heidi patted Rebecca’s cheeks. She’d miss those gentle touches. But she’d miss the child even more. Thankfully, it was too dark for Heidi to notice the tears stinging Rebecca’s eyes.

“I’m so happy,” Heidi said.

Rebecca hugged her. “I’m glad for you.”

“Remember when I cried because I didn’t think I’d see Jakob again?”

“Yes, I do.” There’d been a few teary sessions.

“You said I could trust God to provide what I needed. Remember?”

“Of course.” She had wanted to give the child something to hold on to.

“You warned me that sometimes God allows things that seem hard to help us grow strong. Since then, I’ve prayed for God to make me strong, but I never stopped missing Jakob. I guess God thinks I’m strong enough for now.” She sighed deeply. “I’m glad.”

A few minutes later Heidi’s measured breathing indicated that she had fallen asleep.

Rebecca stared into the darkness. It seemed as if she was going to have to trust God herself, even when things were hard. She would need to be strong. Stronger than she’d ever thought possible.

Chapter Eighteen

T
he next morning Amelia and the baby accompanied Rebecca and Colton to town. At Heidi’s request, she and Jakob remained at the ranch, where Mr. and Mrs. Hayes welcomed their company.

Rebecca was no more prepared this morning to hear Colton explain why she was no longer needed at the ranch than she had been last night. Amelia’s company and questions provided a buffer for her.

They arrived at the orphanage and she escorted Amelia upstairs.

Amelia fairly glowed with excitement. “I can’t thank you enough for hiring me for this position. I am going to love working here and caring for the children. It’s like a dream come true.”

Rebecca smiled, though her heart felt like a lump of clay in her chest. “I’m glad.” She led Amelia toward the boys’ dormitory. “The ladies have done such a nice job of decorating.” She stepped into the room and gasped.

The shelves were all overturned. The beds stripped of their new quilts. The bedding lay in a heap against the far wall.

A rat had been nailed to the wall, its throat slit, and blood ran down the wall to stain the quilts. A scream pushed past her teeth and filled the room. Bile burned up her throat.

She backed up, pushing Amelia from the room, and slammed the door.

“What’s wrong?” Amelia asked.

Rebecca rolled her head back and forth. She couldn’t find her voice.

Colton burst up the stairs. “Did I hear you scream?”

Still unable to speak, she waved toward the room.

He edged past her, his eyes full of curiosity. He stepped into the room and made an angry sound. “I thought this was over.” He didn’t sound as surprised as she expected. Rebecca signaled Amelia to wait as she inched inside.

“This has happened before?”

He yanked the rat from the nail and tossed it out a window. “Not like this.” He told her about the dead rat hanging in the orphanage and the one on the pump at the ranch.

“But why? How could anyone be so mean as to ruin the prepared room?”

“I think it’s meant to be a warning.” He seemed distracted by the streak of blood on the wall.

“What for?” Then she realized what he meant. Horror widened her eyes. “Someone is this opposed to the orphanage? Miss Ward?”

“I can’t believe she’d do this. It’s disgusting. And this takes someone who doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty.”

Rebecca gave a mirthless chuckle. “That would exclude Miss Ward.”

Colton sprang for the door. “Did you check the other rooms?”

“No.” She followed hard on his heels.

Amelia glanced over his shoulder and saw the damage. Her expression hardened. “Did Vern do this?”

Colton grabbed her shoulder. “This had to happen after the workers left yesterday. By then Vern was in jail, so it can’t be him. Take the baby downstairs. And be careful.”

He and Rebecca crossed the hall to the girls’ room. He held her back as he examined it, then lowered his arm to let her in. The bedding was torn off three beds. No other damage had been done.

“It looks like the culprit was interrupted.”

Rebecca’s knees turned to rubber and she sank onto the nearest bed. “But who could have done this?”

Colton sat beside her, put an arm about her shoulders and pulled her close.

She barely restrained herself from burying her face against his chest. In a few more days, such comfort would be unavailable to her. “I feel like I’ve been touched by something evil.”

He tightened his hold on her. “I’d hoped whoever it was had given up.”

“The orphans will soon be here, but they won’t be safe with this sort of thing going on. What are we going to do?” She sat up straight, letting his arm slip away. It left her weak and frightened. But she would not let fear or inexperience stop her from creating a safe, welcoming environment for the children Wyatt would soon be bringing. “Maybe we can set a trap.”

He turned to consider her full-on. “What do you have in mind?”

“I don’t know if it will work, but what if we clean this all up, soak the quilts and make all the beds again? If this person is set on destruction, won’t he return, most likely after dark, to finish the job? You said yourself that he must have been interrupted before he could destroy the girls’ room. We could wait and catch whoever is responsible for this.”

“It might work, but
we?
Sounds a little dangerous for both of us to stay.”

She rose to her feet in a way she hoped communicated her determination. Silently, she thanked her mother for lessons in hiding her emotions. “This orphanage is my responsibility until I turn it over to Amelia. The idea to trap the culprit was mine. I will be part of the plan.”

He shook his head, prepared to argue further, but Rebecca spoke again.

“We’ll enlist Mason’s and Bucky’s help. Besides, we have no guarantee that it will succeed.”

He studied her a full, long minute. “I don’t suppose there’s any point in saying no.”

“Not really. Now let’s get to work.”

They recruited Amelia to help. The bloodstained bedding was soaked, scrubbed and hung to dry. Like flags of challenge to whoever had done this.

The beds were remade. The rooms tidied.

Several hours later, Rebecca surveyed the rooms. “We’re ready.”

Colton had slipped away to consult Mason, and they had agreed it would be best if Rebecca, Amelia and Colton headed home as usual. Bucky would watch the place until dark, then they would all slip into the building under cover of night.

On the way home, the adults agreed that they would tell Colton’s parents the truth about what they were doing, but they’d tell Jakob and Heidi only that they had business to attend to in town.

Rebecca had to force herself to sit calmly through the meal and tend to the various chores around the house when her nerves jumped and her limbs twitched. She had never done anything like this before, and she was both nervous and excited.

* * *

Colton fought an inner battle. He wanted Rebecca to stay home with the others, where he could reasonably hope she’d be safe. But he wanted her at his side, too. He couldn’t have it both ways and eventually decided to follow his heart, rather than his head. He smirked in the dark. As if telling her to stay home would have done anything but instigate an argument.

He sat beside her on a bed in the boys’ dorm. Mason waited in the girls’ room and Bucky sat in a corner of the kitchen. The culprit would have to be a shadow to enter without someone noticing.

She leaned close. “Isn’t this exciting?”

Her breath caressed his cheek, filled him with longings to the center of his being. Would she stay in town if he asked her to? He let his dreams gallop apace. If she did, he could see her every day...or at least often. He could court her. They could grow close, share dreams and wishes...

A sigh filled his thoughts. What was the point in dreaming?

He turned, caught her chin in the dim light coming through the windows so he could speak close to her ear. “This person is dangerous. I should have left you at home.”

She turned and their cheeks brushed. He closed his eyes, caught her shoulders, telling himself it was only to steady her, but his arms crept about her and he held her gently, his heart so full of longing he couldn’t breathe.

“I wouldn’t have stayed.”

He righted his thoughts as best he could. But he could not think of a reply other than to tip his head to hers, their foreheads touching. It wasn’t his imagination that she sighed and lifted her face slightly.

As if asking for a kiss?

A sound came from downstairs. Like someone stepping on a loose board.

He tightened his arms around Rebecca. Had the culprit slipped past Bucky? Was he outside the door? Though he hated to do so, he eased his arms from around Rebecca and tensed, ready to spring into action.

She grabbed his hand and squeezed.

They sat tense and alert. The silence filled his ears, the only sound his own careful breathing.

A crash from downstairs brought them both to their feet.

Colton’s heart thumped against his ribs. “What was that?” No need to be quiet with the noise below.

“Got me someone,” Bucky called.

Holding Rebecca’s hand, Colton rushed from the room. Mason headed down the steps ahead of them. He lit a lamp and they stared at the man Bucky held with an arm twisted behind his back.

“Let me go.” The prisoner twisted and fought Bucky.

“He’s just a boy,” Rebecca said.

The lad looked to be about fourteen, about Jakob’s age. His dark eyes glinted with anger.

“A dangerous boy.” Wyatt snapped on handcuffs. He and Bucky held him on either side. “Another dead rat.” The carcass lay two feet away. “What were you planning this time?”

“Let me go.” He squirmed so much that both men clamped down on him.

“What’s your name?” Rebecca asked.

“What does it matter?”

Ignoring Colton’s restraining hand, Rebecca stepped forward. “Let me help you. I am an agent for the Orphan Salvation Society.”

The boy snarled. “Know all about them. Don’t need their kind of help.”

Rebecca glanced over her shoulder toward Colton and mouthed the words
Felix Baxter?

He understood her message. Had this boy been victimized by Baxter?

She turned back to the boy. “I know some bad things have happened to children placed by the Society. We only recently discovered the truth. We’re doing our best to remedy the situation. That’s why we’ve built this orphanage.”

The boy growled, “I know all about orphanages. Hate ’em.” He shot a look to the ceiling. “Mean to warn the others to avoid this place.”

“But why? We only want to help. Give the children a safe place.”

“I heard that song before, lady. I ain’t about to believe it twice.” He fought his restraints.

“Settle down,” Mason said. “You aren’t going anywhere except to jail.”

“Were you involved with Felix Baxter?” Rebecca asked.

“Not me.”

“Then what are you so angry about?”

The boy glowered, but Colton wondered if he detected a sheen in his eyes. “I got my reasons.”

“I’m sure you do, but maybe we can help you.”

He snorted. “It’s too late for anyone to help me.”

“Surely not. If you have a friend or relative in Mr. Baxter’s clutches, he can be rescued. There is a man finding orphans. He’ll bring them here, where I guarantee they will be safe. If you tell us who—”

“Lady, I said it’s too late. He’s dead.”

Rebecca fell back a step. Colton caught her and steadied her.

“Dead?” Shocked hollowed out the word. “Who was it?” Her voice grated from her throat.

“My little brother.” The fight left the boy so quickly that he sank toward the floor, and Mason nodded to Bucky to let go but stand by in case he tried to run.

Rebecca sat beside the boy, her legs tucked to one side. “I am so sorry to hear that. I wish I could have arrived in time to stop it from happening. What was his name?”

“Kenny. He was only eleven. Baxter sent us both to a farm. The owner was cruel. I tried to protect Kenny, but in the end I failed.” Challenge flared in his eyes. “I don’t aim to stand by and see a bunch more kids treated the way we were.”

“Nor should you.” Rebecca’s agreement with him deflated his anger. “I feel exactly the same way, which is why I personally took on the challenge of seeing that the orphans will have a safe, happy place here. This man—” she turned to Colton “—is a good friend of mine. He helped build this place.”

The boy nodded. “I seen him.”

A
friend?
Somehow the word lacked warmth. He wanted so much more, even though it was out of reach. A vast chasm separated them. It was not just a matter of who she was or the luxuries she was used to. His own dark walls held his heart tight. Could he look after her, protect her? Or would he fail, as he had with his parents?

“His cousin Amelia is going to run the home. She’s a kind and brave woman. The whole town is set on taking care of the orphans.”

The boy studied Rebecca, shifted his gaze to Colton. His expression clearly indicated that he wasn’t about to trust any of them.

Rebecca touched the boy’s arm. “My name is Rebecca Sterling. What’s yours?”

The boy looked at Rebecca. He must have seen something he liked. “Sam Johnson.”

“Sam, I’m glad to meet you.”

Colton held back, knowing Sam wouldn’t accept any kindness from the men at this point.

“I’d like to help you.” Rebecca spoke so gently.

“What could you do?”

“Get you a safe place to live.”

“I ain’t living in no orphanage ever again.”

Colton stepped forward. “Sam, you’re a big, strong boy. And resourceful, as we’ve seen. I know of a farmer or two who would welcome a boy like you.”

“I done seen how a farmer welcomes boys.”

“Not all people are cruel. I know lots who aren’t. Do you like cows and horses?”

“Lots better than weeding turnips.”

“I know a man who runs a herd of horses and is always looking for someone to help with them.”

Eagerness flared in Sam’s eyes, but he quickly tamped it down.

Mason nodded toward Bucky. “We’ll be taking him to the jail now.” They helped the boy to his feet.

Rebecca sprang up. She turned to Colton, grabbed his arm and looked up into his face. “Jail is no place for a boy.”

“Won’t hurt him none,” Bucky said as they headed for the door.

“Colton, stop them.”

“I doubt it’s safe to turn Sam loose. Besides, as Bucky says, it won’t do him any harm.” He hated the idea as much as Rebecca did, but letting the boy continue on his vendetta was not the answer. “Sam, I’ll be by in the morning. We’ll talk.”

Rebecca waited until the trio was out the door before she jammed her fists on her hips and glowered at him. “How can you stand by and let them do that?”

“Do you really think Mason will let any harm come to the boy? Or that he would tolerate my interfering?”

She spun away. “There must be something we can do.”

He followed her. “Maybe a night in jail will give him time to consider his options. I fear if he continues to let anger rule his actions he will end up in jail for more than a night.”