To Know Her by Name (37 page)

“Yes, sir, but I've noticed that all of Phipps' mines are completely out of the area, yet he sells to investors in Denver. Enough of the mines are legitimate so he hasn't gained a bad reputation, but the ones that aren't let him collect money that goes straight into his pocket. Then a few months ago we turned up the heat, and that's when I think he involved Stuart and Brinkman in Longmont. Their banks are just far enough out of Denver to be out of reach, and they seem too small to be a threat.”

“And how does this tie into the William Tell?”

“I think Stuart decided to try the scam on his own. I think he happily accepted the false stock certificates and money that went with them when Phipps offered them to him, but that was for the earlier mines. I think he recently decided to cut out the middle man.”

“So how does this deliver Phipps to us?” Nick went straight to the point.

McKay looked resigned as he admitted, “Probably a bargain, sir. I've lived in Longmont my whole life, and I know that Richard Stuart enjoys his place in the town. I would hate to see him walk for these crimes, but he's the perfect man to sing like a bird about his business dealings with Duncan Phipps—especially if it means he can get off with a light sentence. I believe that Stuart's testimony alone could put Phipps away.”

The older men exchanged a glance. McKay had no way of knowing exactly what they thought of his idea, but he'd certainly gotten their attention.

31

Boulder

On Saturday afternoon Pup arrived at the ranch certain she would hear the news of a new little Buchanan, but this was not the case. Rebecca smiled at her from the deep cushions of a living-room chair and invited her to sit down for a chat, but she was still obviously with child.

“How are you feeling?” Pup asked when she'd made herself comfortable.

“Like it's time. Earlier in the week I had energy, but along about Wednesday evening I went dry. For the past three days I've done nothing but sleep and wander from one chair to the next.”

“Your color is good,” Pup commented honestly, “but you do look a little drained.”

Rebecca couldn't help but agree. “It's true, and the sad part is I just woke from a two-hour nap.”

“Sounds like your time might be soon.”

“The next hour would be fine with me.”

“Did you have hard labor with the boys?”

“About normal I would say. I'll have to tell you after I've done this for the second time.” It was no surprise that she didn't sound excited over the prospect.

Travis came into the room just then with a tall glass of water for his wife. She took it with a grateful if weary smile, and Travis turned to offer some to Pup.

“That sounds good, but I can get it myself.”

“No, I'll get it for you,”Travis told her and was gone in the next moment.

Before he arrived back, the boys joined them.

“Hi, Miss Jennings,” they greeted her cheerfully and then went to hang on the arms of their mother's chair. Rebecca had a soft touch for each of them, and they smiled at her in a relieved sort of way.

Pup sat quietly while they told their mother what they had done that day and what they'd seen. A bird's nest was among their explorations, but a dead hawk was the most exciting topic.

“I think someone shot it,” Garrett proclaimed.

Rebecca didn't argue with him, but her amused gaze met Pup's just long enough to cause Pup to bite her lower lip to keep from laughing.

“Do you have animals at home?” Wyatt suddenly asked their guest.

“Oh, yes,” she assured them. “Mice and deer and everything in-between.”

“Do you have raccoons?” Garrett asked, moving closer to her chair.

“Yes. They can be pests.”

“Are they big?”

“Some of them are huge.”

“Have you ever been bit?”

“No, never, but I've shot a few.”

Both boys flanked her side now, their eyes huge as they listened. Pup glanced over to see that Rebecca's eyes had closed. With a finger to her lips she silenced the boys and then rose. They followed her quietly from the room and nearly ran into Travis, who was returning with Pup's water. The four of them settled into the kitchen, sitting comfortably around the table.

“I drew a picture of a raccoon,” Garrett informed Pup.

“I wish I could see it.”

She knew in a moment that she'd said just the right thing. Garrett jumped up and dashed over to the bookshelf, returning proudly with a drawing of the animal.

“This is very good,” she told him honestly. “Do you get to draw in school, or did you do this here?”

“At school.”

Pup whistled in appreciation. “It's been years since I've drawn anything.”

“Do you want to draw with us?” Wyatt asked, enthusiasm lighting his little face.

“I'd like that.”

They were busy until dinner. Even Travis, with occasional checks on his wife, took up paper and pencil. The boys begged Pup for a picture of her cabin, and she did her best. Travis turned out a horse that looked just like Feather, and the boys nearly woke their mother in their excitement.

When Rebecca did join them, she was delighted with the work they'd done, as well as with the gentle camaraderie she witnessed between Pup and her sons. The three of them volunteered to ready the table for the meal, and dinner was eaten with even more fun. As Pup was coming to expect, Lavena turned out a perfect meal, everything cooked to a turn.

The boys were ushered off to bed soon after the meal. The adults spent some time talking in the living room. Rebecca told Pup about growing up in Pennsylvania, and Travis entertained her with a story that happened right after he'd met Rebecca. It was a time years earlier when he'd been put in jail and kept there for weeks, all over a mistaken identity. Pup started to laugh in amazement, but cut off when she saw that Rebecca had fallen asleep at Travis' side.

“What did you do?” she asked softly.

“I waited it out.” His face was rueful, his voice hushed as well. “What else could I do?”

“Amazing,” Pup teased him. “You just don't look like the criminal type.”

Travis grinned but then asked, “Can I ask you something serious, Pup?”

“Sure,” she agreed, but prayed that it wouldn't be too personal.

“You said last week that you'd come to Christ. Can you tell me about it?”

Pup smiled with relief and did as he asked. His eyes were warm and slightly awed as she relayed the experience from her childhood, as well as the way McKay's words had brought it all back to her.

“That's wonderful,” he told her. “I must admit that I've never heard the like.”

Pup nodded, her face quiet, her manner humble. “I have a lot to learn, but then you know that. You must have wanted to laugh when I said I don't fall into sin and don't need to fight against it.”

Travis' expression told her he understood.

“What I battle with the most is the future,” she continued. “I worry about what's to come and how I'll handle it. Worry is a sin.”

“That's a hard one for all of us,” Travis admitted. “We're often tempted to try to do God's job. All He expects of us is to seek to know our own job and be very good at it.”

Pup heard more of what Travis was saying, but her mind was still on the statement about God's job.

Rebecca chose that moment to sit up and apologize about falling asleep, and Pup suddenly realized she was tired as well. Knowing Travis would be taking Rebecca up to bed any moment, she bid the Buchanans goodnight and headed to her own room, her mind still on the rancher's words.

Pup had no idea what time it was, but the sky was still black. She lay in bed for a moment and tried to figure what had woken her. She heard the sound again and decided it was pans being moved in the kitchen. She let her head rock to one side of the pillow and saw a faint glow under the door. Someone was working in the kitchen, and with Rebecca nearly out on her feet by bedtime, it wasn't hard to figure why.

Pup slipped out of bed and into her robe, her bare feet moving soundlessly on the floor. She opened the door just a little and saw Travis in a pair of jeans and stocking feet. He stood over the stove, his face serious and intent. He looked up as Pup opened the door and joined him.

“Sorry to wake you.”

“It's all right. Is Rebecca okay?”

“Her pains have begun.”

Pup nodded. “Is there anything I can do?”

“I don't know,” Travis answered honestly. “Have you ever assisted in a birth before?”

“No.”

“I haven't either.”

“Do you want me to go get Lavena?”

“She's already up there.”

Pup now understood and said, “She told you to boil water.”

Travis actually laughed. “No. I'm making coffee. I'm going to need it to get through the rest of this night.”

Pup had to chuckle as well. “What time is it?”

“About 3:30.”

They fell silent, both looking tired. Pup wasn't sure what to do next: go back to bed or pace downstairs waiting for word from the bedroom.

“I think you can help,” Travis said suddenly.

“Sure, anything.”

“Try to get some more rest. You're the only one who will have a chance, and whether or not the baby comes before morning, none of the rest of us are going to be up to handling the boys.”

Pup felt her heart lift. It felt good to be needed.

“I'll plan on that and say goodnight again,” she said softly. “I'll be praying for all of you, Travis.”

“Thank you, Pup. We can use it. Don't hesitate to ask God to use this baby to touch Rebecca's life. I know I will be.”

“I'll do that, too, Travis.”

With that she turned to the door, slipped inside her room, and climbed back into bed. It hadn't taken long to see that Travis and Rebecca were not of the same mind. She knew he loved his wife and even felt that they had a good relationship, but clearly Rebecca did not agree with God's Word or some other aspect of Travis' faith. Nothing had been said, but Pup thought she knew the signs.

She began to pray. It took some time, but she did fall back to sleep. Pup woke as the sun was coming up. By the time the twins joined her, she was in the kitchen with breakfast ready.

“Good morning,” Pup greeted Garrett and Wyatt as soon as they came through the door.

“Where's Lavena?”Wyatt asked.

This question stopped Pup because she assumed the boys had spoken to one of the adults before coming downstairs. She knew she had to be honest.

“She's helping your mother.”

They both froze.

“Did the baby come?” Suddenly Wyatt's voice was hushed.

“Not yet. Your father was down about an hour ago and told me everything is going well, but it's going to take some more time.”

“He's upstairs, too?”

“Yes, he, Lavena, and your mother are working together.”

“Can we see her?” Garrett wanted to know, his eyes looking a bit moist.

“I don't think just yet, but I'll tell you what—you eat some of the eggs and ham I fixed, and then we'll have time to get outside for a walk.”

“We can do that?”

“Sure. You boys are up early, so we won't have to leave for church for almost two hours.”

“Is Papa taking us to church?”

“No, it's just the three of us this morning.” They looked a little uncertain, so Pup thought fast. “I'm not sure I want to try and hitch the wagon on my own. I think maybe we should ride.”

“The horses?” they asked at once.

“Sure. I'll ride Ginny and you boys can share Dixie.”

“To church?” Garrett's eyes were huge. “We can ride to church?”

“I think so. I'll check with your father as soon as he comes down. Come and eat now.”

It was just the right medicine. The boys sat at the table and started on their breakfast as if they'd been told the circus was coming to town. It went well for the first few minutes, but then things slowed down. There were no comments, but the meal was not as distracting as she'd hoped. Watching them, Pup didn't think they were remembering their mother's plight. She simply had to face facts: There was just no comparing her cooking to Lavena's.