Jude walked into the Northern and was immediately greeted by a few dozen people who all looked up with wide eyes.
“It’s safe to go home now,” he told everyone. “Hugh’s gang was seen riding west out of town and the sun is almost up.”
The relief on their faces put a smile on Jude’s. “You’ll be happy to know that we’ve arrested four men and the fifth is under guard here, being attended to by Dr. Jodan for a gunshot wound to the leg.” He glanced at Ben, who’d entered just behind him, but he could see by the look on Ben’s face that he didn’t want to take credit for the shooting—at least, not yet.
Jude spoke to a few people briefly as he made his way over to Pascal, who stood in his customary place behind the front counter.
“Did Dr. Jodan go up to see Gretchen?”
“He’s with her and Miss Elizabeth now.”
“Good.” Jude was anxious to hear how they were both doing. “I’ll head up there.”
Jude maneuvered between people as they gathered their loved ones and left the hotel. He climbed the stairs and met Dr. Jodan as he came down the hall.
“How is Gretchen?”
“She’ll live.” Dr. Jodan’s face was grave. “But she has a long way to go. I’ll come in and check on her periodically, but it could be several weeks before she’s out of bed.”
With the threat of Dew out of the way, Gretchen could stay for as long as she’d like. “Thank you, doctor.”
Dr. Jodan patted Jude’s shoulder as he moved past him in the hall. “As for Miss Bell—she’s been through quite an ordeal. See that she gets some rest.”
“I will.”
Jude walked the rest of the way down the hall and knocked softly on Elizabeth’s bedroom door.
The door creaked open after a moment and Elizabeth stood on the other side. Her face was red and streaked with tears. Jude wanted desperately to take her into his arms and apologize all over again for causing her such pain.
“Is everything all right?” he asked, instead.
She opened the door a little wider and stepped out into the hallway. The pink morning sky filled the window just behind her with a soft glow.
Elizabeth bit her bottom lip as a tear trailed down her cheek. “Everything is not all right.”
Dread knotted in his gut. Had she lied to him about Dew? Had he misused her in a way that she was now feeling the need to confess? He took her by the shoulders. “What is it?”
“It’s Grace. She left with Hugh last night. I—” She broke off with a sob and stepped into his arms.
He held her close, wishing he could do more to comfort her. “How do you know?”
“She left a note.”
“What did it say? Maybe there is a clue to help us locate her.”
“She said they’re going west to start over and not to worry, because she’s a grown woman and she knows what she’s doing.” Elizabeth pulled away and put a little distance between them.
He hated how it felt when she left his embrace, but it was for the best. Yet the thought of never holding her again was almost more than he could bear. “I’ll be meeting with the others in a couple hours and we plan to put a posse together and ride after Hugh’s gang.” He lowered his voice, wanting to reassure her. “I’ll do whatever I can to find her for you, Lizzie.”
She studied him for a moment, her eyes filled with doubt and hope and a range of other emotions too painful for him to identify. “I’ve made a decision. You were right all along. Little Falls is no place for me.”
“Elizabeth—”
“If the offer still stands for transportation costs, I’d like to take my sisters back to Rockford.”
He shook his head, desperate to change her mind. “You have a home here. You don’t need to leave.”
“It’s the only way to preserve Grace’s reputation and save her from the shame and embarrassment of her actions.”
“There has to be another way. I’ll get her back to you without the others knowing.”
“It’s no use. People will talk.”
He wanted to reach out to her again, but refrained. “Don’t make any rash decisions. I’ll find her and we’ll work it all out.”
“I should clean up and then get downstairs to start breakfast.” She put her hand on the doorknob, but he reached out to stop her.
“Get some rest first. Everything will look better after you’ve had some sleep.”
She shook her head. “I won’t rest until I know Grace is safe.”
He let go of her hand and took a step back. “I’ll see to that myself.”
She slipped into her room and closed the door, leaving Jude alone in the hall. The thought of never seeing her again was too much to think about right now—but wouldn’t it be better for both of them? Having her so close, without having her completely, was driving him mad. He needed to focus on rescuing Grace and then he’d worry about what he would say to Elizabeth.
He went to his room and changed out of his evening clothes into denim pants and a cotton shirt. He’d be riding with the posse and he needed to be ready.
Four hours later, he sat in his saddle waiting outside the sheriff’s office. He’d been the first to arrive, too anxious to rest and wanting to get to Grace as soon as possible.
Ben appeared down the street on his mare and trotted toward Jude. As soon as he came to a stop, Jude told him what he’d dreaded saying for the past few hours. “Grace left with Hugh.”
Ben closed his eyes and rubbed his face with his hands. “Why would she do something so foolish?”
“Who knows?” Jude made sure no one was close enough to hear. “She left a note and said they would make a life for themselves out west, but Elizabeth wants me to find her. If we can bring her back without anyone knowing, maybe we could save her reputation.”
“That is, if she hasn’t done something even more foolish than simply leave with him.”
Jude hated to think of the repercussions. “I don’t know how we’ll get her back here without the others in the posse knowing.”
“If we find her,” Ben said, “it would be impossible for them to not see her.”
Jude hated that Ben was right—but they still needed to try.
“You had a chance to speak to Elizabeth, then?” Ben asked.
“For a few minutes.” He could still feel her in his arms.
“When this is all done, will you propose to her?”
Jude tried to hide his disappointment. “No.”
“Why not?” Ben’s horse sidestepped and he had to pull on the reins. “I saw how you two embraced after we rescued her last night. I thought you’d propose right there.”
Jude looked off to the north, hoping for a sign of one of the other vigilantes so he could stop having this conversation with Ben.
“Why are you scared?” Ben asked.
“I’m not scared.”
“I can see fear written all over your face.”
Jude repositioned himself in the saddle. “Haven’t we already had this conversation? I’m not the right man for her. I could never ask her to marry me, because my life is too dangerous. I can’t give up my rescue work, and even if she agreed to let me continue, I would never put her through what she endured last night again.” He felt his shoulders slump, so he purposely straightened them.
“What if she feels called to continue rescue work, too?”
“Why would she?” Especially if she went back to Rockford.
“I saw the way she worried over Gretchen last night. It’s obvious she realizes how important this work is. Maybe she’ll continue, even if she’s not married to you.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“And wouldn’t it be better if you’re there to protect her?”
Jude shook his head. “You have no idea what she’s thinking.”
“And neither do you.” Ben’s voice became serious. “Talk to her. Don’t assume you know what’s best for her. Don’t let fear keep you from telling her how you feel.”
As the others arrived, Jude thought about Ben’s words, but he pushed it all aside as he focused on his mission.
“Milo Schmidt sent a runner into town an hour ago,” Abram addressed the men after they assembled. “He said the gang overran his farm about five miles west of here.” He looked at each man in turn. “They are armed and dangerous. Keep watch and don’t be foolish. We’ve agreed to let them go if they promise to never come back to Little Falls.”
There was some grumbling among the group, but the majority agreed.
“Let’s head out.” Abram and Timothy led the way and the others followed.
No one spoke as they galloped west. Within a half hour, they could see Schmidt’s farm at the base of a hill.
Abram brought the group to a stop. “I want to surround the place. There are fifteen of us, so I want to break up in groups of two or three. I have a white flag I’m going to hold up so they know we’re coming to talk—but I don’t trust these men, so stay out of sight and be ready to fire, if necessary.” He glanced around the group. “I’d like Jude, Ben and Timothy to ride with me.”
Jude nodded. Hopefully he’d get a chance to speak with Hugh directly.
The others split off while the four negotiators approached the farm on the main road.
White clouds filled an endless expanse of blue sky, and the stubble of grass waved under a gentle breeze. Milo Schmidt’s farm was one of the finest in the territory and boasted a large white house, an even bigger red barn and miles of endless croplands, which had been decimated during the grasshopper infestation. He was one who would benefit from the seed Jude would bring back from St. Paul as soon as he made the trip to retrieve it. At the moment, however, Jude’s mind was not on the government aid, but on finding Grace.
Abram held the white flag high overhead as they approached the farm. Slowly, gang members appeared in the barnyard and on the front porch.
Mrs. Schmidt stood at the window, her hands twisted in her apron. No doubt the lady was beyond frightened. Hopefully the gang would be gone soon and she could put her mind at ease.
Hugh came to the front door, his right hand wrapped in a bandage.
“We’ve come to negotiate,” Abram called out.
Jude pulled on Lady’s reins and came to a halt beside the others. He searched every window in the house, looking for some sign of Grace, but couldn’t find one.
Hugh stepped out of the house and let the door slam shut behind him. It was clear he was exhausted and his hand gave him pain. Something about the set of his shoulders also suggested he was ready to talk.
“Mr. Jones.” Abram nodded. “I won’t make this speech longer than necessary. We want to see you and your men leave town. Immediately. Judge Barnum will survive, so you are free from the threat of manslaughter. If you leave now, we won’t press charges.”
Hugh looked at each man, his gaze lingering on Jude for a second longer than the others. “I plan to head west, anyway.”
“This goes for all of your men,” Timothy added.
“I don’t care what they all do. We’re breaking up.” Hugh’s jaw tightened as he aimed his stare at Ben. “Before you go, I need a parson.”
“Why?” Jude asked.
“It’s between me and the parson.”
Jude dismounted and stood before Hugh. “I have a feeling I need to be in on this discussion, as well.”
Hugh narrowed his eyes, but he didn’t refuse. “Fine.” He turned and went back toward the house.
Abram looked a bit befuddled as Ben dismounted.
“You can head on back,” Jude told Abram and Timothy. “Ben and I will be along shortly.”
Ben cast a look at Jude. No doubt he was thinking the same thing. Hugh intended to marry Grace.
It was the honorable thing to do—but would it satisfy Elizabeth? More importantly, was there a chance he could talk Grace out of it?
* * *
Elizabeth quietly closed her bedroom door so she wouldn’t wake Gretchen, who was sleeping peacefully, maybe for the first time in years. Rose was also napping in the sitting room, blissfully unaware of Grace’s indiscretion. Elizabeth, on the other hand, knew it all too well and knew she would not sleep until Grace returned.
It had been at least an hour since she’d watched most of the posse members ride back to town—but Jude and Ben were not with them. What was taking so long?
She stopped by the window facing the back of the hotel and wrapped her arms around her waist, wishing she could have gone with them to talk some sense into Grace. Instead, she’d stayed where she was needed more and prayed every chance she could get.
The late afternoon sunshine was warm as it came through the window. All the clouds had drifted out of sight and now the sky was a perfect shade of blue. The Mississippi ran along the edge of town and disappeared behind one of the buildings at the end of Main Street.
When would Jude return? And when he did, would he have Grace?
She’d had a lot of time to think through the morning and afternoon. After speaking to Pascal, she’d decided to close the hotel dining room for the day. Martha was very ill and needed as much sleep as possible. With the responsibility to care for Gretchen and Rose, Elizabeth wouldn’t have the time or energy required to make all the necessary meals.
The attic stairs creaked and Elizabeth turned to find Martha coming down. Her face was pale and lines edged her eyes, but she looked a little better than she had earlier when Elizabeth checked on her.
“Any word?” Martha asked.
Elizabeth looked back out the window. “Nothing.”
“Don’t worry, lovey. All will be well.” Martha patted Elizabeth’s arm. “Let’s go have some coffee and pull together something for supper.”
“We closed the dining room.”
“I know, but we still need to eat.”
Elizabeth followed her down the back stairs and into the kitchen. The space was cool and lacked the usual aroma of Martha’s cooking.
“Sit down and let me get the coffee,” Elizabeth told her.
Martha took out a stool and sat with a sigh. “Even that little jaunt down the stairs about did me in.”
Elizabeth stoked the fire in the cookstove then found the smaller coffeepot and took off the lid. “You should still be in bed.”
“I couldn’t rest knowing Jude and Grace are still out there.”
Elizabeth took the coffeepot outside and worked the pump handle until a stream of water came rushing out. She filled the pot, went back inside and set it on the stove. While Martha looked on, she took a cup of roasted coffee beans, put them into the grinder and sat at the worktable.
She ground the beans, inhaling as the air filled with the refreshing scent.
“How is Gretchen?” Martha asked.
“She’s sleeping, but she looks much better now that she knows she’s safe from Mr. Dew. I told her he’s behind bars and will be facing prosecution.”
“I wish I could have been the one to help her.” Martha clasped her hands together on top of the table. “But, then again, maybe not. I think it was good for you to see that side of Jude’s life.”
Elizabeth didn’t meet Martha’s gaze but continued to grind the beans. “I shouldn’t have left Grace and Rose by themselves. If I hadn’t...” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the statement.
Martha reached out and squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “We all make mistakes we have to live with. Some are worse than others. But—” she paused “—I don’t think you made a mistake.”
“If I hadn’t left, Grace would still be here.”
“Maybe.” Martha shook her head. “Or maybe not. Remember the night Jude and Ben caught her with Hugh by the barn? She could have left that night, or any other night, for that matter. Grace is a grown woman. You’re not responsible for her forever.”
Elizabeth brought the ground coffee to the pot. “But I made a promise to my mother.”
“How long was that promise intended to last? For the rest of Grace and Rose’s lives? Even your mother wouldn’t have been responsible for that long.”
Elizabeth poured the coffee into the basket and put the lid on the pot. Martha was right. How long did her mother intend for her to be responsible for her sisters? Surely, one day Rose would be grown and capable of making her own choices. Would Elizabeth have to follow her around for the rest of her life to make sure she made only good ones? That was preposterous and would be unfair to her sister.
“As much as we hate to see our loved ones make bad choices,” Martha continued, “there comes a point when we must let them go. Grace is responsible for what she’s done and she’ll have to pay the price. Yes, you and Rose will, too, in some ways, but Grace has to walk out her journey. Only God can direct her steps. Not you.”
It was true—but it still hurt.
“And what about you?” Martha asked.
Elizabeth came back to the table and sat across from Martha. “What about me?”
“No one can make choices for your life, either, save you and God.” Martha lowered her chin and looked intently at Elizabeth. “Have you decided what you’ll do concerning Jude?”
The very thought of Jude forced Elizabeth off her chair. She needed to be doing something. She didn’t want to sit around all day and mope about what she couldn’t have. “What should we make for supper?”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“What is there to say?” She took a deep breath. “I’ve decided to leave Little Falls and go back to Rockford.”
Martha didn’t look concerned, but rather curious. “Why would you do that?”
“To spare Grace her embarrassment.”
“And to run away from Jude?”
Elizabeth swallowed and looked down at her hands.
“He loves you, Elizabeth.” Martha stood. “Just tell him how you feel. I know you can work things out.”
“There’s Rose to consider, too.”
“He loves Rose, just as you do. Tell him how you feel and let him decide what’s best for him.”
The thought of being rejected by Jude, just as she’d been rejected by James, left a sour taste in her mouth. But what if he didn’t reject her? What if Martha was right and he did love her?
The sound of horses’ hooves seeped through the walls of the hotel and Elizabeth’s heart picked up its pace. She raced to the back door and saw the barn had been opened.
With a trembling hand, she turned the knob and stepped out into the alley. Was Grace with him? Had he found her? The questions begged for answers, so she ran across the alley and entered the barn.
Jude stood beside Lady, unbuckling the saddle. His hair was tousled by the wind and his casual clothes made him look as handsome as ever.
But he was alone.
“Did you find her?”
Jude looked up and she wanted to melt into his beautiful brown eyes. They held so many emotions, some good and some bad, but over it all, they were full of pleasure at seeing her. “I did.” He walked away from Lady and pulled a letter out of his pocket. “She wanted me to give you this.”
Elizabeth took the letter, disappointment tightening her chest. Why wasn’t Grace with Jude? “Where is she? Was she with Hugh? Did she look well? Was she scared?”
“I’ll tell you all about it once you’ve read the letter.”
She quickly opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. It was written in Grace’s handwriting and was less rushed than the one she’d left last night.
Dear Elizabeth,
I’m sorry I left the way I did. I can imagine you’re worried for me and rightly so. As I laid awake in a stranger’s parlor last night, I had time to think. I realize I made a hasty decision to run away with Hugh, but given enough time, I would have married him either way. I love him and I know that’s hard for you to understand. When I look at Hugh, I don’t see the anger and recklessness that others see. Instead, I see the pain and sorrow of childhood memories he’s shared with me. He made poor choices, just as I have, and he regrets many of them.
He asked me to be his wife and Ben married us just a short time ago. Jude tried to talk me out of it, but when he realized I wouldn’t change my mind, he looked on as our witness. We are leaving for Montana now and will break away from all the others. Hugh wants to try his hand at ranching and I want to start over with him.
I pray, given some time, you will come to understand why I chose this path for my life. Don’t hold any regret or guilt over me. I knew what I was doing and I’d do it all over again. I’ll write when we’re settled.
Love, Grace
Elizabeth lowered the letter and found Jude watching her. “She’s married?”
He nodded. “Ben performed the ceremony.”
Her legs felt weak and the exhaustion from the past twenty-four hours had finally taken their toll. She sank onto a clean pile of hay. “I can’t believe she’s married. This whole time I thought she’d return to me and we’d leave here together.”
Jude walked over and took a seat beside her. “Are you unhappy?”
Elizabeth looked at the letter again and couldn’t deny her sister’s excitement. “I’m sad that I might never see her again and I didn’t get to say goodbye, but I’m happy that she and Hugh are hopeful.” She met Jude’s gaze. “I pray they have a good life together. Grace and Hugh have a lot to learn, but then, we all do, I suppose.”
Jude picked up a piece of hay and played with it between his fingers. “Some of us more than others.”
Martha’s words floated back into Elizabeth’s mind. She needed to speak honestly with Jude, but the words froze on her tongue as nerves bubbled up inside her.
He dropped the piece of hay and reached over to take her hand.
The simple gesture was all the invitation she needed to lean against his shoulder, thankful for his courage and perseverance. “Thank you for finding her.”
“You’re welcome.” He ran his thumb over the top of her hand. “Lizzie.” He paused. “I don’t want you to go.”
She closed her eyes, wishing she could stay close to him forever, but frightened it might not last.
He turned her hand over and traced each fingertip with his own. “I have something I’d like to say to you.”
His touch was like nothing she’d ever felt before. “I have something I’d like to say to you, too.”
He sat up straighter and faced her. “Please let me speak first.”
His face was so dear to her she wanted to memorize every line of his features. “All right.”
“I love you, Lizzie.”
She inhaled a soft breath. “You do?”
“I know I don’t have much to offer. No respectable past, no family and nothing of great value but a hotel that you rightfully own, as well.” He smiled, yet she could see the fear of rejection in his eyes. “I don’t have much but a heart that adores you and arms that yearn to hold you for the rest of my life.”
Tears gathered in her eyes, yet she smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek. “You have more than you realize, my love. You’ve captured my heart and it will be yours forever.”
“Truly?”
“I love you, too,” she whispered. “And I don’t have much, either. But I have full confidence in you and I know we can do whatever we set our hearts and minds to.”
He put his hand over hers, joy in the depths of his gaze. “I feel called to continue helping women like Violet and Gretchen, but I cannot ask you to risk your life like you did last night.”
“I was called last night, too, Jude. I can’t deny God’s will. I want to help.” She dropped her hand from his cheek and paused. “But there is one more thing.”
Concern edged between his eyebrows. “What is that?”
“Rose.”
He grinned and all the worry left his face. “What about Rose?”
“Will you love her like I love her?”
His eyes caressed her face. “I already love her like a daughter and I look forward to watching her grow into a beautiful, capable young woman, just like her older sisters.”
“Do you mean that?”
“With all my heart.” He leaned forward and set his forehead against hers. “There’s just one more thing to discuss.”
Her stomach filled with butterflies. “What’s that?”
“When shall we get married?”
“As soon as possible.”
He shook his head in amazement. “I never imagined I’d ever be so blessed to hold you in my arms and one day call you my wife.”
“Are we done talking?”
“Why?”
“I’d like to be kissed now.”
He laughed and pulled her close, his eyes full of the love she could no longer deny. His lips touched hers and she melted into his embrace, loving the strength in his arms and the softness in his kiss. She had never felt as warm or complete as she did in that moment, and she marveled that it was just the first of countless kisses that would fill her life.