Jude stood by the fireplace in the sitting room of the Northern Hotel surrounded by eight men he would trust with his life—which was what he might end up doing. The evening sun had slipped beyond the horizon, taking with it the last trace of daylight. Jude struck a match and lit the lamp in the corner.
“I like Jude’s suggestion,” Abram Cooper said from his chair near the door. As the founder of Little Falls, he was highly respected and commanded attention wherever he went. “We’ll need to gather several more men and rotate nightly shifts.”
“Are you willing to volunteer?” Judge Barnum asked. His gray whiskers and balding head should be a sign of wisdom, but his red cheeks and watery eyes hinted at his penchant for alcohol. “I don’t trust Hugh’s men. They have no respect for authority and no regard for humanity. I wouldn’t put it past them to shoot one of you in the back if they had a hankering.”
“What do you suggest, judge?” Timothy Hubbard stood on the other side of the fireplace. He and Abram owned the Little Falls Company and they had more to lose than anyone in the room. “We can’t sit idle while they destroy everything we’ve worked for. I personally know of two gentlemen who had looked at moving their businesses to Little Falls, but chose to go elsewhere because of this lawlessness.”
“We must take matters into our own hands,” Jude said. “I’ll be the first to volunteer.” He’d been in his fair share of dangerous situations. This one was no different. “If people are scared to come to Little Falls, I lose customers.”
“I’ll be the second,” Abram said. “If the sheriff won’t do his job, we’ll do it for him.”
“What do you think, reverend?” Judge Barnum turned to Ben, who sat quietly. He hadn’t said a word since he walked in, listening to each man’s opinion.
“I would never advocate violence,” Ben said evenly. “However, I don’t support passivity, either. We must fight for justice, no matter the cost.”
“So you think a vigilance committee is necessary?” Judge Barnum asked.
Ben nodded slowly. “I do.” He looked at Jude. “And I’ll also volunteer.”
“So will I,” Dr. Jodan said.
“And I,” said Roald Hall.
“You have my cooperation,” Timothy added.
Jude looked at Judge Barnum. “You know the outlaws better than most of us, so I understand your concern. But we need to do something before it’s too late.”
The judge sighed and ran his wrinkled hand down his forehead. “I wish you Godspeed and great success, but I’m too old and too tired to fight.”
No one in the room debated him.
“I have no power to grant you,” the judge continued. “You are taking the law into your own hands and I won’t try to stop you. If the legislature refuses to remove Sheriff Pugh from office, then it’s every man for himself.” He grabbed his cane and rose from the sofa. “I think I’ll mosey on home. You young men carry on.”
“Good night, judge,” Abram said.
The others echoed Abram’s farewell and the judge left the room.
Timothy took the judge’s spot on the sofa. “Now all we need to do is gather about a dozen more men and create a schedule, allowing for two men to patrol the town each night.”
Pascal appeared at the door and nodded at Jude, indicating he had some news for him. It wasn’t like Pascal to interrupt a meeting, so Jude knew it must be important.
“If you’ll excuse me,” he said. “Have another cup of coffee and one of Martha’s cookies. She has more where these came from.”
The others helped themselves to the refreshments and continued to talk as Jude left the sitting room.
Pascal waited patiently near the counter, but when Jude entered the lobby, he nodded his chin toward the corner.
Jude turned and found a young man standing there. He crushed his hat in his hands and after meeting Jude’s gaze, he lowered his eyes, his countenance filled with apprehension.
“May I help you?” Jude asked.
The man looked around the lobby like a skittish animal. “Is there somewhere we could speak in private?”
Jude led him to a small parlor off the ballroom. He lit a lantern and closed the door.
The young man swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing several times. Under the light of the lantern, Jude saw the man’s right eye was swollen and bruised. “I—I heard you could help.”
Jude crossed his arms. “It depends. What do you need help with?”
The man leaned in, his eyes desperate. “I need help...for my friend.”
“What’s your friend’s name?”
His skin looked pale and waxy. “Her name’s Maggie Ray and she’s in danger.”
The name sounded vaguely familiar and an alarm went off in Jude’s mind. He’d seen enough men like this to know he had come on behalf of a prostitute he loved.
“Where does she live?”
“In Crow Wing...a-at the brothel, sir.”
Jude had to step carefully. He was always leery of traps set by brothel owners trying to discover if he was the one responsible for helping their prostitutes escape. The man looked truly upset, but he could never be sure.
“You gotta help her, mister. She’s being held against her will.” His voice shook with fear. “I went to see her tonight and asked her to marry me, but One-Eyed Pete won’t let her go. When she said she was leaving, he hit her so hard, she passed out.” He swiped at his cheeks with the back of his sleeve. “I tried to get her, but Pete hit me, too, and then he kicked me out and wouldn’t let me back in.” His voice broke and he twisted his hat back and forth. “I’m afraid he’ll hurt her real bad if we don’t do something.”
“How’d you hear about me?”
The young man wiped his cheeks again. “One of the other ladies told me about you. Said I should come to the Northern and get you.”
Crow Wing was only twenty miles north on the river and Jude hated to bring a woman to the Northern from somewhere so close. Too many people would talk. But he had little choice. There was no time to find someone else to get her. If what he said was true, she had probably been beaten into submission by now. “Why don’t you ride on home and I’ll see what can be done about your friend.”
“Will you help her?” The pain and desperation in the man’s voice was so raw, Jude suddenly pictured Elizabeth in his mind’s eye. If she was hurting and afraid, he’d do everything in his power to help her. This man was no different.
“What’s your name?”
“John Sloan.”
“And where do you live?”
“Near Belle Prairie.”
Jude put his hand on John’s shoulder. “I’ll do what I can and I’ll get word to you, either way.”
John nodded and shoved his hat back on his head. “Thank you, sir. I’m going to marry Maggie and take care of her. She’ll never have to step foot in a brothel again. You just gotta get her out of there.”
Jude nodded, praying he could help. “Go home now.”
Jude followed John out of the parlor and into the lobby.
Elizabeth was standing at the counter speaking with Pascal. She handed him the ledger, which they kept under the counter, and looked up when Jude entered.
John opened the door, his eyes full of tears. “I’m in your debt.”
After John closed the door, Elizabeth turned her curious gaze to Jude. “What was that about?”
“It’s too complicated to explain.”
Jude couldn’t leave now, not with the meeting still running in the sitting room. But he could have Pascal get his things ready for him. At least then he could leave as soon as the meeting ended.
But Elizabeth stood there, her blue eyes watching him closely.
Pascal waited for a signal, which Jude gave with a quick nod, and then he turned his attention to Elizabeth. “Is there something you need?”
She shook her head. “No.”
For some reason, he wished she had said yes, because then he wouldn’t need to return to the meeting right away but might have a few more moments with her.
Pascal sat poised for action. He would need to saddle Jude’s horse and put a few things in his saddlebags, including Jude’s pistol.
“Actually, there is something you could do,” Jude said. “Would you mind taking over behind the desk for Pascal? He has a few things he needs to take care of.”
Elizabeth glanced at Pascal and then back at Jude. He could tell she wanted to ask about Pascal’s business, but since she was a lady, she’d probably refrain. “Of course.”
“Good.”
Pascal moved away from the counter and immediately walked toward the back of the hotel. After so many years with Jude, he knew what was needed.
“How is the meeting?” Elizabeth asked.
“It’s going well.”
“Will you be forming a vigilance committee?”
“Yes.”
She paused for a moment, her eyes searching his face. “Will it be safe?”
He wouldn’t lie to her. “Probably not.”
She looked down at the counter and moved something from one spot to another. “Will you try to be safe?”
Was she worried about him? The thought made him smile. “Of course I’ll try to be safe.” If a vigilance committee worried her, what would she think if she learned he was about to enter a brothel to try to rescue a woman?
She dropped her gaze again. “I’ll pray for you.”
Martha had said the same thing to Jude countless times—but, for some reason, it felt like an entirely different matter to have Elizabeth’s prayers covering him. “Thank you.” He hated to leave her, but he needed to get back to the meeting and hurry things along so he could get to Crow Wing.
He walked away, but turned to look at her one more time.
She was watching him and her cheeks filled with color at being caught.
What was happening between them? Whatever it was, it must stop before one of them was hurt...or disillusioned.
* * *
Elizabeth smiled politely at the two men standing on the other side of the counter, though she didn’t want to encourage them.
“Ah, Miss Elizabeth.” The one named Hank put his hand over his heart. His curly blond hair made him look younger than he probably was. He was cute, to be sure, but he couldn’t be a day over seventeen. “Why won’t you marry me? I know I ain’t got much more than the clothes on my back, but what more do two people in love need?”
“A house, a little furniture, maybe a meal once in a while.” Elizabeth had grown used to men like Hank. Almost every day she turned down one marriage proposal or another. “As much as it breaks my heart, I can’t marry you.”
“What about me?” the one named Alphonse asked. He was tall and gangly with jet-black hair and eyes to match. “I got me a little money saved up to buy a cabin and a piece of land. I could provide real nice for you.” He looked at her with such longing, Elizabeth truly felt bad.
“I appreciate the offers, gentlemen, but I’m staying right here with my sisters.”
Hank slapped Alphonse on the shoulder. “That’s it. Let’s go ask Miss Grace again.”
“Grace is in the dining room,” Elizabeth said, only too happy to send them on their way. Grace didn’t seem to mind the attention or the marriage proposals. She’d received even more than Elizabeth, and hadn’t turned anyone down yet. Instead, she pretended to consider each one. It remained to be seen if she’d accept any she’d received.
Elizabeth still had the list of men she considered suitable for Grace. Ben and Roald were on the list, though Grace had shown no interest in either one. The other three were men who had respectable jobs, attended church and appeared to be gentlemanly in all respects. Grace never once turned her attention to any of them.
Hank and Alphonse left the lobby and passed Pascal in the hall as he walked toward the front counter.
“I’m all done, Miss Elizabeth,” Pascal said. “I can take my spot again.”
“We had one guest register.” Elizabeth pointed to the large book they kept on the counter for their guests to sign in. “I put him in room eighteen.”
Pascal nodded and resumed his seat on the stool.
The sitting room door opened and Jude led the way out of the meeting, deep in conversation with Abram Cooper.
Ben walked out behind them, his gaze meeting Elizabeth’s. His eyes filled with delight at seeing her and he crossed the lobby. “Hello, Elizabeth. I’ve been hoping to get a chance to speak with you.” He stood before her with his hat in his hands, a gentleman in every way. It endeared him to her all the more. “Do you have a moment?”
“If you’re done in the sitting room, we can meet in there.”
“I’d like that.”
Jude stood by the front door and said goodbye to all the others as they left. He barely glanced at Elizabeth and Ben as he turned toward Pascal. “Are my things ready to go?”
“Are you leaving?” Elizabeth asked.
Jude looked back at her. “I am.”
“It’s late. Will you be back tonight?”
He paused. “I’m not sure. I hope so.”
“A routine run?” Ben asked.
“Yes. Up to Crow Wing.”
Ben studied him for a moment. “Do you need help?”
Help? Elizabeth looked between both men. Why would Jude need help?
Jude shook his head. “Thanks, but I don’t need help.” He turned to Pascal. “Are my things ready to go?”
“Everything’s waiting for you in the barn.”
Jude nodded once and grabbed his hat. He tipped his head at Ben and Elizabeth, and strode down the hallway out of sight.
Ben watched him for a moment and then opened the door into the sitting room.
Elizabeth walked in, her thoughts jumbled. Was Ben aware of Jude’s mysterious activities? Would Ben know what the note meant that she had put in her trunk? If Ben knew what Jude did, and he seemed to approve, was it all that bad?
Ben followed Elizabeth into the sitting room and motioned to one of the chairs. “Would you like to sit?”
She took the chair across from the sofa and he sat facing her.
He clasped his hands together and looked everywhere but at her.
Was he nervous? Why?
Unless...was he going to be like all the others and speak of love and marriage? She would much rather spare him from disappointment.
“Ben—”
“Elizabeth—”
They both paused and he smiled. “Go ahead,” he said.
His brown eyes sparkled with pleasure at seeing her, yet there was no heat or hunger in his gaze, not like the others who had asked to speak to her. What if he wasn’t going to talk of love and marriage? Would she embarrass herself if she brought it up?
“No, you go.” She sat up straighter and braced herself for whatever he had to say.
He nodded. “I’m not practiced at these sorts of things, but Jude encouraged me, so I thought I’d give it a go.”
“What sort of thing did you have in mind?”
“I admire you, Elizabeth, and I would like to get to know you better. Would you allow me the honor of calling on you?”
It wasn’t a marriage proposal, thankfully, but it was still more than she was willing to grant.
She moved to the edge of her seat, hoping to turn him down without hurting his pride. Nerves bubbled in her stomach, because despite the fact that she had refused dozens of men, she liked and respected Ben more than all the others. She couldn’t agree to a courtship, but she hoped to preserve their friendship—and maybe she could encourage him to court Grace.
“I’m honored by your request and flattered that you would want to get to know me better. I’d like the same thing.”
He unclasped his hands, his face shining, so she continued quickly.
“However, I would like to get to know you as a friend and nothing more. It bears no reflection on you, but I’m simply not interested in a romantic relationship. I want to focus on the hotel and raise my sister, nothing more.”
Ben offered a disappointed smile, but he didn’t look defeated. “Thank you for your honesty.”
“I would like to be friends, though.” She smiled and hoped she conveyed the truth behind her words.
“Of course.”
“And...” She was even more nervous now than before. “May I make a suggestion?”
“Anything.”
“My sister is a lovely woman...” She wanted to tell him that Grace would be honored if he asked her to call, yet she couldn’t make such a statement in all honesty. She had no idea what Grace wanted and that was part of the problem.
“She is a lovely woman.” He smiled and stood. “I won’t take up more of your time.”
She also stood and watched him move toward the door.
“Ben.” She said his name softly.
He stopped and looked back at her.
“I truly meant what I said. I’d like to be friends.”
Ben put his hat on and nodded at Elizabeth. “I would, too.”
She followed him out of the sitting room and into the lobby.
“Goodbye, Elizabeth.” He opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.
“Goodbye.” The door closed and she stood in the lobby alone with Pascal.
She felt bad about Ben and she hoped he would take the hint to call on Grace...but at the moment her thoughts returned to Jude and his mysterious whereabouts. “Pascal, where did Mr. Jude go?”
Pascal looked up from whatever he was working on. “Mr. Jude likes to keep his business to himself.”
“Yet you know where he went.”
“I do, because Mr. Jude trusts me and I help him when I can.”
“He can trust me,” she said with a smile. “You can, too.”
“You’ll have to ask him.”
Elizabeth sighed. It was beyond time to ask Jude some questions. As soon as he returned, she’d do just that.