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Perfect submission—all is at rest
Melvin’s courtship had been brief, but not altogether bad. He wasn’t as open to the things of God as Calvin had been, but he also wasn’t totally opposed to Him.
When Vincent came the first time, Adelaide was almost ready to throw him out the door.
Not only was Vincent crude, but he also kept trying to get closer and closer to her, and it made her very uncomfortable.
When he left, Mr. Reese warned him, “You do anything like that again, and I will not let you come back again. You will show Adelaide respect. She is not a saloon girl.”
Vincent sneered at him and stalked out of the house.
Adelaide shuddered. “Who does he think he is?”
“I’m not sure. I think the main problem is sin, just like it is for everybody else. We have to be patient and pray that he will treat you with more respect.”
Adelaide sighed. “I know. It’s just hard to do this whole thing. And praying for him will be hard, too.”
“I know it will, Addie. Just hang in there. Edward will be back next week and Bradley hasn’t seen Raskins anywhere.”
“I feel like I’m being watched all the time, though.”
Mr. Reese breathed a quick prayer. “I know, so do I. But there is nothing we can do except take the same precautions we have been. I keep praying this will be done soon.”
“Me, too. Very soon.”
“Has Bradley said anything about his friendship with Calvin?”
Adelaide smiled. “Yes, he has. They have become very close friends. I had thought Bradley and Benjamin would be closer friends since they’re both in law enforcement, but no, Calvin and Bradley are even closer.”
“Why is that?”
“I think they have more in common from their childhood.”
Mr. Reese nodded. “That is possible. Well, I’m tired from warning Vincent off. I’m going to head to bed. Goodnight, Addie.”
“Goodnight, Mr. Reese.”
***
Another week, another day, another trip to town with a shadow. When would this end? Adelaide was tired of always needing someone to go with her. She was tired of examining each face. She was just plain tired from the lack of sleep.
The night before, Vincent had been just as bad as the first week. Mr. Reese had made him leave early and spoken with his father that morning, telling Mr. Martin that Vincent was no longer welcome in his house.
Now, a couple of hours later, Mr. Reese and Adelaide were headed into town for some much needed supplies.
Adelaide was glad Mr. Reese didn’t try to talk on the way in. She wasn’t in a talking mood.
Mr. Reese left Adelaide at the general store and headed over to the sheriff’s office to talk to his friend, Leland. Adelaide gathered all the supplies she needed and looked at the fabric while she waited for Mr. Reese. When he didn’t come, she looked around outside. There were plenty of people around between here and the sheriff’s office. Surely she would be safe for the few feet she had to go.
She left her packages at the store for her and Mr. Reese to pick up on their way back and headed out into the warm, sunny morning. The feeling of eyes on her made her wish she had been more patient, but she saw a few friendly faces she knew as she walked along. Calvin Martin was across the street and smiled when he saw her. He looked both ways and hurried toward her.
Adelaide stopped and waited for him and he had almost reached her when a stricken look came to his face and he motioned for her to do something, but she didn’t know what he was trying to tell her.
He pulled his gun and shouted, “Run, Adelaide!”
Adelaide looked behind her and saw a handsome man behind her with a knife and gun drawn, staring at her. She froze for a few seconds, then with a startled scream, she ran toward the sheriff’s office. A gun went off and the people in the streets scattered. Adelaide felt a burning sensation in her right arm, but didn’t stop to find out what it was.
Just as she reached the sheriff’s office, the door burst open and Mr. Reese, Sheriff Granger, and Benjamin Paul rushed out, guns drawn. Adelaide sank to the boardwalk and tried not to watch what happened, but her eyes refused to stay away from the sight. Four men she had never seen before fought with their guns, fists, and knives against Benjamin, the sheriff, Mr. Reese, and an injured Calvin. Some of the other men from town who had been around joined in the fight.
The time that passed seemed like an eternity, but it also seemed like no time at all had gone by. The sheriff and Benjamin led the four outlaws to the jail, snapping Adelaide out of her daze. She jumped up, ignored the slight dizziness, and rushed over to where Mr. Reese knelt over Calvin Martin.
“Is he—?” Adelaide couldn’t finish the question.
“Not yet,” Mr. Reese said quietly. “But I’m not sure he’ll make it.”
Adelaide’s breath caught. He couldn’t die. Not yet.
Calvin’s hand touched hers. “I’m ready to die if I need to, Miss Adelaide.” His voice was raspy and he struggled to get the words out. “I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior over a week ago now. Was on my way to tell you when they came.”
Adelaide’s hand flew to her mouth. “Thank you for telling me.” She looked up at Mr. Reese. “Is someone getting the doctor?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
A minute later, the doctor came and did what he could to stop most of the bleeding until they could get him to the doctor’s office. Then they took him away. Adelaide wanted to follow, but was unsure whether she should or not.
Calvin reached out a limp hand. “Come, please, Adelaide?”
Adelaide ran to him and held his hand as they walked. “No matter what happens, God is in control.”
Calvin smiled at her and his smile faltered as they got closer to the doctor’s. The doctor let Adelaide stay in the room while he worked on Calvin. As the doctor worked, Adelaide talked to him and prayed with and for him. She forced herself not to think about what could very easily happen to Calvin.
A half hour later, Calvin fell asleep and the doctor finished his work. “Now we just wait and see,” the doctor said. “If you’d like to stay, you can. If not, that is fine, too. But first, we need to take care of your arm.”
Adelaide blinked. “My arm? What about it?”
The doctor took her right arm, rolled up the sleeve, and pointed to the blood-covered spot on her upper arm. “It looks like just a graze from a bullet, but it still needs cleaned up and bandaged.”
Someone burst into the doctor’s office before she had a chance to respond. “Doc?”
The doctor hurried out. “What is it, Bradley?”
Bradley tried to catch his breath. “Can Adelaide stay here with you?”
“Yes.”
Adelaide went to the doorway. “What is going on?”
“Theodore Raskins has fled. I don’t want to risk anything happening to her. Mr. Reese, Sheriff Leland, Benjamin, and I will all be gone.”
“I’ll keep her safe,” the doctor said. “And she can help me with Calvin.”
“How is he?”
“Not well,” Adelaide said.
“He has a fifty percent chance either way,” the doctor said.
Bradley sighed. “All right. Thank you, Doc.”
“Godspeed.”
Adelaide tried to smile. “I’ll be praying for you.”
Bradley tipped his hat. “Thank you.”
