28

It was late by the time Patience and Emily had gotten the supper dishes washed and put away. Patience was tired, but a good kind of tired, she decided. From all appearances Jedediah liked the food and the entertainment, and it seemed to her that he’d had something further than his stomach or enjoyment on his mind when she walked him to the door. Wouldn’t I love to be a mind reader, she thought, but then decided that could be dangerous.

“Emily,” she said over her shoulder as she reached a serving bowl up to a high shelf, “you should’ve asked Monty to supper tonight. It’s only a short ride to town from the ranch, you know.”

Emily removed her apron and hung it on a peg by the pantry door with a sigh. “I saw him at the post office, and he hurried right out with little more than a ‘hello.’ I got the feeling he wasn’t keen on spending time in town . . . at least not with me.”

“Hmm, I thought he was courting you.”

“Maybe it was all a misunderstanding on my part. At any rate, he was in a hurry and wanted to get back to the ranch. Said he didn’t want ‘to leave Judith alone, just in case, you know . . .’ It sounded kind of, well, mysterious to me.”

“I see. I do understand about Judith, but he seemed a little uneasy to me when Jed and I drove out to the Cross Bar for a visit. He considers himself in charge of the ranch now, and I’m sure Judith is glad to have his experience and all.”

Patience noticed the downcast look on Emily’s face. Why hadn’t she realized that Emily was troubled? Patience walked over to her and put her arm about Emily’s shoulders. “I’m truly sorry, Emily, if he’s hurt your feelings. I shouldn’t have brought up the subject of Monty.”

Emily looked at Patience. “It’s not like he ever said we were a couple. I assumed too much,” she said with a little shrug as they both started up the stairs to bed.

“I know exactly how that feels, Emily. Remember the man I hoped to marry that I told you about?” Emily nodded. “Well, once I got over my anger at Jed, and finding out Russell was guilty of theft, I realized that I’d assumed too much. I had it in my mind that Russell was going to marry me . . . and he’d never said so. I was being a little too optimistic.” Patience stopped as they reached the top of the stairs. “But think of where I’d be if I had married Russell the Rustler.” She stopped to chuckle with Emily joining in, and they quickly covered their mouths to stifle the sound for any sleeping guests before continuing down the hall to their rooms.

Patience stopped Emily at her door with a hand on her arm. “You see,” she finished in a whisper, “it hurts your heart, but one thing I can tell you, it’s not the end of the world. Russell certainly wasn’t part of God’s plan for me.”

Now Emily had tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry about all you went through. Thank you for your very good advice,” she whispered back. “You’re such a blessing to me—a sister I never had.” They said good night and slipped into their rooms.

As Patience prepared for bed, she stopped and thanked God for all the good things that had happened, even though there had been bad things too. Nathan had been found—and had told her important information, her mother had given her the piano and their relationship seemed to have started fresh, her partnership with Emily was fruitful. Lord, heal Emily’s tender heart, and thank You for healing mine, she whispered as she slipped under the covers. Please don’t let me make the kind of mistake I could have made with Russell. Guide my mind and my thoughts as I get to know Jed.

As soon as she closed her eyes, Jedediah’s image seemed to look back at her. Did he think of her at different times of the day, the way she did of him—wondering what he was doing or where he was? And did this mean she was falling in love with him?

She yawned and decided she would leave her future to God’s guidance. That means I need to be alert to hearing what He is saying to me, she thought as she turned over for sleep.

Jedediah had just saddled Charlie when he saw Joe approaching. “What’s up, my friend?” he called.

“I was in Helena yesterday an’ thought I’d stop by and tell you that Nathan didn’t confess to murderin’ John. He’s sticking by that. ’Course he could hang for cattle thievin’.” Joe scratched his beard. “You know, Jed, something about this whole thing about John don’t make sense to me.”

“I know what you mean,” Jed said as he cinched the belt tight underneath Charlie’s belly.

“So where are ya headin’?”

“Thought I’d do a little ridin’ this morning.”

“Mind if I come along? Wouldn’t take but a few minutes to get my horse.”

“I don’t see why not. I’ll wait for you right here. But be quick about it.” Jedediah looped the reins over the hitching post in front of his office and leaned against the porch, arms crossed, as he watched Joe move down the sidewalk like a younger man. Jed sure was tickled to see how things were working out for Joe and Hannah.

Jedediah gazed down the street, observing folks go about their daily duties. He stepped forward when he thought he caught a glimpse of Monty but couldn’t be sure. A moment later, he was able to make out Monty coming out of the bank, then leaving on his horse. Strange. In the past, Monty had always stopped by the office to say hello. Probably still peeved at me. Well, he’s just gonna have to get over it.

Joe came back, and the two set out. Jedediah had already decided he would go in the direction where he’d found John, see if there was anything he might have missed. It felt awfully good to be outside with the scent of evergreen and the slight breeze at his back, with the mountains to the west. He loved nature and lately had been giving some thought to buying a piece of land for a homestead. He’d been saving his money—what else did he have to spend it on?

They rode in silence until they were deep into the Hargrove property.

“Did Hannah tell you I’m gonna be helpin’ her at the bakery?” Joe asked, breaking the silence.

“She did. I think it’s a great idea. You definitely won’t be lonely anymore. Hannah will see to that.” He looked over at Joe and grinned. “You know you’re going to have to wash up a lot when you’re working around food.”

They both laughed, Joe bobbing his head. “Yep! It’ll take everything inside of me to stay clean, body and soul, but I’ve made a vow that I won’t touch a drop. ’Cept water.” Another shared chuckle.

“I’ll send up a few prayers,” Jedediah said, turning serious. “You’re gonna need them, for sure.” He slowed Charlie to a walk. “Yes, this looks like the place John was found.” They dismounted, and Jed said they should keep an eye open for any clues that might have been missed.

“You know,” he mused as they searched, “I just don’t understand what would motivate someone to kill John when they already had his cattle.”

Joe’s mouth pulled down at the corners as his eyebrows drew up. “Mebbe that no-good varmint wants more’n jes cattle—mebbe he wants the whole ball o’ wax.”

“You mean the whole ranch?” Jedediah thought about that for a moment. “I hardly think that’s the case, Joe, but I’ve heard crazier things in my life.”

“Somethin’ ta think about,” Joe said. “John have any enemies ya know of?”

“I’ve done a lot of asking around, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about him.” Jed turned toward their horses. “I see nothing here, so we may as well go check on Judith, since we’re near the Cross Bar.”

As they headed that direction, Jedediah turned over the list of ranch hands in his mind, wondering if one of them had a motive. He couldn’t think of any. John always said Monty was a good foreman, and he trusted him with his life.

The Cross Bar looked strangely deserted as they neared the sprawling ranch buildings. Jedediah guessed the hands were out somewhere on the range. As he and Joe left their horses at the hitching post a few yards from the house, he thought he heard arguing. Jedediah put his finger to his mouth, signaling to Joe to be quiet as they crept to a side window.

“Now see here, Judith,” they heard through the opening, “all you have to do is sign on this line right here. The document I got from the bank is all legal, giving me the power to run the ranch. Which I’m already doing for you.” Jedediah recognized the voice. What was Monty trying to do?

“I don’t know, Monty,” Judith was saying, sounding upset. “John never mentioned I’d have to do this if something happened to him . . . of course I never dreamed—”

“That’s right—you couldn’t possibly know that it would come to this,” Monty interrupted, obviously trying to sound conciliatory.

“I think I should go to the bank and talk to them,” Judith replied. But her voice was a bit shaky. “To get a better understanding of what this document means for me.”

Jedediah peered through the window of the parlor. Judith and Monty were standing next to her writing desk, and Monty held a pen in his hand. That’s why Monty was coming out of the bank earlier. Probably made up some cockamamie reason. Could this be the same Monty he knew?

“Aww, there’s no need for that, Judith. You know John wouldn’t have suggested it if he didn’t trust me to run things for you.”

“That’s just it—John never mentioned anything like this to me.”

Jed watched Monty take a step closer to her. “That’s because he didn’t want to worry you about details. He wanted you to concentrate on having children to fill this house.”

“How—how could you know that?” Judith’s hand went to her mouth, and she seemed to sway slightly.

“He told me.”

Jedediah had no doubt Judith would be signing her rights away if she believed this lie. He and Joe stiffened and looked at each other with a nod of mutual understanding.

“That’s very odd, Monty.” Judith had recovered her equilibrium and stood straight, her voice firm. “We were very private about our life together.” She looked away sadly as if Monty weren’t even in the room.

Monty dropped his voice provocatively, no doubt attempting to sound tender. “You must know I have always had feelings for you since the day I came to work here. Now that John is out of the way, so to speak, it’s me and you running the largest ranch this side of Alder Creek. I know John wouldn’t have wanted you to be alone at a time like this . . .”

Judith gasped and stepped back, but Monty grabbed her and pulled her to his chest as she struggled to get away. “Now won’t that be sweet,” he was saying in a tone that made Jed’s blood run cold. “A foreman coming to the rescue of a wealthy widow.” Monty chuckled and stared into her white face.

Jedediah wanted to rush in and knock him out cold, but he signaled to Joe that they should wait. If Jed gave him enough rope, Monty—his friend?—would surely hang himself.

“What are you talking about?” Judith tried to break free, but Monty held her tight. “Did you—it sounds like you had something to do with John’s death.” A sob escaped her throat.

Monty kept her against him. “John was in the wrong place that night.”

“Please, let me go! You’re hurting me,” Judith shouted.

That was all Jedediah needed. Motioning for Joe to stay put for now, he drew his gun and raced up the steps.

He flung the door open, and Monty spun around, drawing his gun at the same time. Judith screamed. The man pointed the gun at her head, his other arm around her neck.

“Now, what do we have here?” Monty sneered. “My friend Vigilante X coming to the rescue! Keep your nose outta what’s none of your business, Jed.”

“Monty, put down that gun and release Judith.”

“I can’t do that. She’s my partner now, see?” Monty’s wild stare looked more alarming to Jed than the gun.

“You and I both know that’s not true, Monty.” Jedediah held his tone steady, matter-of-fact, hoping he could talk some sense into this—this common criminal gone mad. “Now, step to the side and let go of Judith. Slowly put your gun on the floor,” he said in a controlled, even tone.

Monty shoved her aside and she fell against the desk. Her hand flew to her cheek, and blood flowed between her fingers. He growled, “Jed, just go away and let me work this out with Judith. No harm will come to her.”

“This is the way you intend to treat Judith?” Jedediah tried reasoning, keeping his plea even and calm though he felt like shooting the man in the chest. “Come on now, Monty—you know better than this.”

Monty fired, knocking Jedediah’s Colt .45 from his hand. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?”

Jed looked over at Judith. “Leave, Judith. While we talk this over.”

“Stay, Judith!” Monty shouted. “You know we were meant to be together.” But she slid away with her back to the wall and fled down the hallway.

“I can get rid of you right now. There’s no witnesses, and Judith won’t open her mouth when I get through with her,” he said through clenched teeth.

“No, you won’t, Monty!” came a voice from behind Monty. “Drop the gun, and I’ll spare your life,” Joe ordered, his gun held in a two-handed grip that filled Monty’s face with surprise and fear.

“Ha! I’m not afraid of an aging miner,” Monty spit out, but his voice belied the words.

“I may be a miner but I’m far from aging.” Joe had moved around to face the man, his gun level with Monty’s chest. “Funny thing,” he barked, “I’m so old I don’t have to answer to anyone. So if you value your life, you put down your gun now! Or I promise I’ll shoot you six ways from heaven before I see any harm come to Miss Judith or Jed. Your choice.”

Monty, his face full of rage, looked back and forth between the two men. If the man moved even a muscle, Jedediah knew Joe would shoot Monty point-blank. And if that didn’t stop him, Jedediah would already have his gun back in hand and finish him off.

Monty took a minute to decide, but in the end he dropped his gun. Jedediah kicked it aside while Joe kept his gun pointed at the man’s heart.

Jedediah walked over and snapped handcuffs on his wrists. “You’re under arrest for the murder of John Hargrove.”