Chapter 24
24
It was such a relief to be home again. Micah almost chuckled out loud. He was at the Aldrich house, yet he had called it home, and truly that was what it was. He felt a lot of comfort here in this house ... with Charlotte.
There had been little they had wanted to discuss on the uneventful ride home. It was almost as if all the discussions related to the past had completely drained them of words. When they arrived home, Micah took a hot bath while the ladies saw to supper. When Micah was finished, he went to the kitchen in search of Charlotte.
“Supper’s nearly ready,” Lucille told him. “I think Charlotte took herself on a little walk. She’s probably close by.”
Micah found her easily enough. She was walking out under the shade trees. He couldn’t help but smile. He remembered that once, years ago when the trees were only half the size they were now, he and Frank Jr. had dared Charlotte to climb one of them. She had severely admonished them saying that she and her mother had worked too hard to get them to grow to threaten the tree’s safety by climbing it. She had been most serious about the matter and added with a grin that if they wanted to have a climb ing contest, she’d happily challenge them to see who could climb to the top of the barn roof the quickest. Even though she had suggested it, Micah and Frank got into the most trouble when Lucille found the trio on top of the barn. Lucille reprimanded them, reminding the boys that they were older and knew better. Therefore, they bore the lion’s share of the responsibility.
“I’m glad you’re out here alone,” Micah said when Charlotte noticed him making his way to her.
“I was hoping you might join me,” she replied, having no idea how alluring she was.
Micah didn’t slow his step at all but made his way to her and pulled Charlotte into his arms. At first, he just hugged her close, breathing in the scent of her perfume and cherishing the moment. She was truly the love of his life. He pulled away just enough to press his lips against hers. The kiss was passionate but brief.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to start all of our conversations like this?” Charlotte said with a sigh.
Micah was hesitant to release her but did. “I can’t believe you’ve been here all this time, and I never really saw you for who you were.”
She gazed into his eyes. “And who am I?”
“My heart—the very air I breathe.”
“I’ve felt that way about you for most of my life. I’m glad you’re finally catching up.”
He ran his finger along her jawline. “I can’t help but think of how many years we missed out on just because you didn’t do what you usually do and speak your mind.”
She stepped back and frowned. “Are you calling me outspoken?”
“On everything but matters of the heart.”
Charlotte seemed to consider this a moment and then gave a nod. “I suppose you make a good point.”
Micah laughed and put his arm around her. “So what are we going to do about this matter of the heart?”
Charlotte walked with him in silence for several minutes. “I suppose,” she finally said, “that will all depend on you.”
“Why me?”
“Because the man is the one who usually does the proposing.”
They moved beyond the shade of the trees just as the sun dipped below the horizon. The western skies were mottled in hues of orange and yellow against the fading blue.
Micah dropped his hold and turned Charlotte to face him. “Then I’d best get right to work. I don’t want another day to pass without staking my claim.” He knelt on one knee and reached up to take her hands in his. “Charlotte Aldrich, will you marry me?”
Her expression softened the way he’d seen it do so many times before, never realizing it was love for him that made her look that way. At least not until now.
“I will, Micah Hamilton.”
He got up and pulled her close once again. Charlotte wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her face to his.
“And you’re sure you don’t need me to build you a castle like the Nagle house?” he asked in a teasing tone.
“Goodness, no.” She smiled. “Do you need me to order a bunch of Worth gowns and drape myself in diamonds as Lewis Bradley said needed to be done?”
Micah chuckled. “Hardly.” He gazed for a long moment into her blue eyes. “You sure you can be happy being a rancher’s wife?”
“Can you be happy being a rancher’s husband?” she countered.
Micah moved closer to her lips. “Never thought about marrying a rancher.”
“It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of,” Charlotte murmured just before Micah’s mouth covered hers.
Church on Sunday was a somber occasion. The pastor preached about judgmental people, the Christians who felt it was their duty to make sure everyone else walked a narrow line but worried little about themselves.
“In Matthew seven, Jesus makes it very clear what He thinks about us passing judgment,” the pastor continued. “‘For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.’”
Charlotte had to admit that most of the congregation looked rather uncomfortable. It wasn’t often they got a dressing down from the pulpit, but this time the pastor’s comments were well understood. Before Micah, Charlotte, and her mother had even taken their seats, several people had come to ask them about the rumor they’d heard that Micah had been thrown into jail days earlier. The pastor had managed to overhear the last conversation, where one of the nosier ladies of the church had made a point of asking Charlotte’s mother why it was she had been seen at the city jail, further commenting that she’d heard someone say Micah had murdered his father. She demanded to know if it was true, but the pastor moved her along to her pew in order to start the service.
Micah reached over and took hold of Charlotte’s hand. He squeezed it reassuringly but kept his gaze on the pastor.
“It’s easy enough to judge another person. Easy enough to condemn or approve of what others do or say. It takes very little effort to speak our mind about the conduct and choices made by those around us, while hiding away the things we’ve done, choices we’ve made.
“Many of you came to church today having heard rumors about members of our congregation, but rather than offer support or encouragement, you came with questions, perhaps even judgments.”
Charlotte could hear some shifting of bodies in the congregation. It sounded as though more than a few people were uncomfortable with the direction of the sermon.
“This is a serious matter that must be addressed. We are the church, the living body of Christ. We have accepted Jesus as Savior, doing nothing on our own merit to earn our salvation. It was a gift, free and clear for those who accepted it. However, now that we’ve taken that gift for ourselves, there is responsibility. Now we are to live a life in Christ, following, emulating, and desiring the things that He desired.
“Jesus calls us to compassion, mercy, and grace. He poured out forgiveness from the cross on the very ones who condemned Him. His example should compel us to pour out mercy and grace rather than condemnation and judgment. His Word tells us that the measure we use will be used on us. This should terrify some of you.” He fell silent and looked out over the congregation.
“It should also encourage us to offer grace and mercy, if for no other reason than our own protection. Hopefully, it means more to you than that, however.
“We are one body with many parts, just as the Word says. When one part hurts, we all suffer, whether we realize it or not. Today, I’ve been asked to let a part of our body speak about something that happened, something that wounded them deeply. I am hopeful that you will extend grace, compassion, kindness, and love because those are the things they are being given by our Savior. Remember the Scriptures spoken here this morning. ‘For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.’”
He let the words sink in for a moment, then turned to Mama and Micah. “Mrs. Aldrich, Micah, would you come forward?”
Charlotte gave Micah’s hand one last squeeze and then gave her mother a smile of reassurance. She had offered to come forward with them, but Mama had told her no. She wanted to be able to look to Charlotte for encouragement if things got bad. Charlotte whispered a prayer. Their story wasn’t going to be easy to share, but hopefully God would take this sacrifice of obedience and honesty and bless them despite their original choice.
It had definitely taught Charlotte that the truth, although difficult to bear at times, was always the more beneficial to the soul.
After church, Micah found himself encircled by most of the congregation. Most of the women were in tears, and many of the men had the telltale signs of dampness in their eyes. Most came with words of encouragement, and some even offered thanks for the honesty, explaining that they, too, had known family members who had taken their own lives.
Micah felt the final bits of hardness fall away from his heart. It was truly as if a physical band had been removed. The love and mercy they offered was enough to give him real hope for the future. Even the nosy old woman who had confronted Lucille regarding her going to the jail came to Micah.
With an expression of shame, she took hold of his hands. “Micah, I want to apologize if my ways caused you to hide the truth. I would have been one of those to condemn, I’m sorry to say. I want you to know what you said about the eighth chapter of Romans and how we can’t be separated from God’s love convicted me in a way no preacher’s sermon has ever done. I don’t want to be one of those things trying to separate someone from God’s love, yet I can see how my pride, condemnation, and gossip would have tried to divide. Please forgive me.”
Micah fixed gazes with the woman and then surprised her by embracing her. “I forgive you.”
He glanced up and caught sight of Lucille. She smiled and gave him a nod. It was almost as if his own ma were standing there. Micah could just imagine her in heaven, smiling down on him in approval, and for the first time, he could imagine Dad standing there beside her.
On the ride back from church, Micah talked to Rich Johnson as he rode along beside the wagon, where Charlotte and her mother were talking about the future.
“We want to be married at the ranch,” Charlotte told her mother. “A simple ceremony with friends and family and lots of good food. A kind of roundup without the work.”
Mama chuckled. “Well, I like the idea of no work. But since Barnabus and Simon have gone back to Illinois, I doubt we’ll have any family who are able to come and attend.”
“You and Nora are the only family I need.” Charlotte nodded toward Mr. Johnson and Micah. “Of course, Mr. Johnson is like family too.”
“What was that ya said, little gal?” Rich asked from atop his horse.
“I said you were like family to me. I was kind of hoping you’d come to my wedding. Micah and I plan to get married at the ranch.”
“I’ll have to check my schedule. What date did you have in mind?”
Charlotte smiled. “We thought the last Sunday of the month, September thirtieth.”
“Hmmm, well, that could be a problem unless I can work out something.”
Charlotte had been driving the horses but reined back on the lines to bring the wagon to a stop. “Well, I’d very much like for you to be there. In fact, I thought maybe you could give me away since I have no father to do so. I want it so much, in fact, that Micah and I could change the date if it means the difference between you being there or not.” The men paused their horses and exchanged a glance.
“I feel the same way,” Micah said, nodding at Rich.
“There’s just one thing that might interfere,” Rich said a hint of amusement in his tone.
“And what is that one thing, Rich?” Mama asked, looking around Charlotte to better see the men.
“I was just telling Micah here that I had a question I wanted to ask you, Lucille. Seems like your answer might complicate my schedule or maybe fix it up just right.”
“And what question would that be?” Mama asked, shaking her head.
“Whether or not you’d like to make it a double wedding and marry me when the children hitch up.”
Charlotte turned to her mother. Her mouth had fallen open. The men were already grinning, and Charlotte couldn’t help but laugh. She gave her mother a sideways hug.
“Well, what do you say, Mama? I think it sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day.”
Her mother still had her gaze fixed on Rich. She nodded. “I’d like that very much, Rich. I think it’d be the perfect way to spend that day.”
“Yippee!” Rich gave a holler. “She said yes!”
“I told you she would.” Micah laughed. He gazed at Charlotte and shrugged. “I figured they belonged together.”
Her heart nearly burst at the joy she felt. “Then I guess we’d better have Rich stay to lunch so we can expand on our wedding plans.” Charlotte snapped the lines, and the horses moved out. She couldn’t help but smile all the way home. Her mother was going to be loved and cared for, and she was finally going to marry the man she’d loved since she was four years old.
“I felt like I needed to give you this news myself,” Edward Vogel said as he took a cup of coffee that Nora offered.
Charlotte and Micah sat opposite the police chief and Mama at the dining room table. Chief Vogel had arrived shortly after lunch and looked more than a little out of sorts.
“The judge dismissed everything against Bradley and Hendricks?” Charlotte felt Micah tense as he continued. “Seems the legal system has failed us this time.”
“I thought the same thing. Seems Bradley has dirt on quite a few of our town fathers and the judge. He’s been collecting information on folks since he first arrived in Cheyenne,” Chief Vogel replied. “At least he’s making plans to leave town. He’s already put the house up for sale, and I’m told there are three people vying to purchase it. Marybeth said that his aunt told her they were heading back east, where some of the other family resides. She and the baby left yesterday. Seems Bradley realizes his reputation is ruined here, and it won’t serve him well to stick around.”
Micah shook his head. “What about the fact that Kit set fire to the birthing shed?”
“He swears it was an accident, and there’s no proof to suggest otherwise. Bradley sure isn’t going to admit he hired it done. There’s still a lot of corruption to overcome in Cheyenne, but it’s definitely improved since the early years. We just have to keep striving to weed out the evildoers.”
“I can’t say that the idea of Mr. Bradley getting off without repercussions sits well with me.” Mama looked thoroughly disgusted. “He threatened to kill Micah. He had a gun aimed at him—at all of us.”
“I know, and I agree it’s not right,” Chief Vogel replied. “But I know God has a way of dealing with men like Bradley. One way or another, he’ll answer for what he’s done.”
Mama gave a heavy sigh and softened her expression. “And we need to not judge, lest we be judged. I’m not very good at that when my family has been threatened.”
Chief Vogel smiled for the first time since his arrival. “You’ve got a good heart, Lucille. Your kindness and restraint from judgment is well-known around here. I think God understands where you’re coming from.” He finished his coffee and then got to his feet.
“I need to be on my way. I have a long ride back to town and a particularly ornery horse that I’m trying to ride the meanness out of so that my youngest can get him in time for his birthday.”
Everyone got to their feet and followed Chief Vogel to the front door. Mama stepped forward and extended her hand. “Thank you for coming all this way, Edward.”
Just then, Nora came hurrying into the room, waving a bag. “I thought you might like to take home some fresh doughnuts. Made them just this morning, and if you’d been here just a couple of hours earlier, you could have had them for breakfast with us.”
Edward Vogel didn’t hide his appreciation. He took the bag and immediately peeked inside. “I’m not sure these will even make it back to Cheyenne.”
Nora waggled her finger at him. “There is a dozen in there ... but nobody said you had to share them.”
Everyone laughed and followed the police chief outside. Charlotte and Micah remained even after the man and his horse were out of sight and Mama and Nora had returned to the house.
“It doesn’t seem right that Lewis could do all that he did and get away with it. I told Mama we should have the lawyer fight him to get my dowry back. That money should be yours.”
“I don’t want it,” Micah replied, putting his arm around her shoulder. “He may have gotten the money, but I got the prize.”
Charlotte leaned her head against his shoulder. “Do you think we’ll be safe? I mean what if he—” She fell silent when Micah put his finger to her lips.
“There are a lot of what-ifs in life. I think it’s always best to avoid them. I’ve given this all to the Lord, and I trust that He’ll take care of us. I’m not afraid for our future. Are you?”
She lifted her head and looked into his eyes for a long moment. “Not with you and the Lord by my side.”
Late on the afternoon of September thirtieth, nearly forty people stood gathered under the golden autumn leaves of the Aldrich cottonwood trees to see two couples exchange vows.
A light breeze blew across the open landscape. There was just the right amount of warmth without a hint of clouds in the sky. The day could not have been any more perfect.
Rich’s youngest daughter, Emma, had traveled up from Texas, where she lived helping her sister, Clara, with her six children. She had been the Johnson family’s wilder child, with a reputation for trouble that many remembered. Still, her father was happy to have her home.
“I think you two make a great couple. Maybe you can travel and have some fun together,” she told them the first night they’d all shared dinner together. Mama then surprised Emma by telling her that she and Rich planned to do exactly that and make a trip to Texas after they got the cattle to market. The announcement seemed to double Emma’s joy.
Mama and Charlotte stood up for each other, and Micah and Rich were each other’s best man. The pastor teased the two couples about the double wedding but praised God for His infinite goodness in bringing love to both.
The ceremony itself was surprisingly short. They’d agreed beforehand that the pastor would ask one bride and groom the pertinent questions before moving on to the second and then joining them together in one final act. Everything happened in perfect order without anyone missing their cues.
“I now pronounce that Lucille and Richard Johnson are husband and wife, and Charlotte and Micah Hamilton are husband and wife. Men, you may kiss your bride.”
The crowd cheered as Rich dipped Lucille and gave her a very showy kiss.
Micah gave an ornery grin and winked at Charlotte. “I can’t let that old man outdo me.” He grabbed Charlotte and lifted her into his arms before settling his lips on hers.
Their guests roared with delight, and Charlotte wrapped her arms around Micah’s neck. “I’ll go anywhere you go, my love. Just like I always have.”
Micah glanced up with a grin. “But this time, I want your pesky attention and undying devotion.”
“It’s a good thing, ’cause I aim to see you have it for the rest of your life.”