Chapter 12
Leanne marched into the house and found Jerry sitting at his desk going over the ranch ledger.
“Jerry, I need to speak with you,” she stated firmly.
He put down his pencil and motioned for her to take a seat. “I take it from the sound of your voice, you have decided to see reason.”
“Yes, I have.” Her voice was a bit softer. “But I want you to come over here where I can look right in your eyes, if you don’t mind.”
He sighed. He had tried to keep his distance emotionally and physically, but she was making it impossible. Maybe if he avoided eye contact, he would be able to stay strong. He just hoped she didn’t cry. Rolling his chair from under the desk, he made his way toward her.
She was still standing as he stopped and motioned her to the chair again.
He noticed a mischievous grin on her face as she slowly moved toward him and sat down on his lap.
“Leanne! This isn’t decent!” He began pushing her away.
“You’re my husband,” was all she said before wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him sweetly.
His heart soared as his mind whirled, not knowing what to do. But seeing she was rather convincing at the moment, he relaxed, wrapped his arms around her, and deepened the kiss.
“Jerry,” she whispered to him as she held him close. “I’m falling in love with you. Please don’t give up on us.”
“But Leanne, it’s not fair to you.”
She put her finger on his lips. “Will you pray with me about us?”
He nodded. “Now, stop being such a temptress, and behave yourself.”
“I kinda like it.” She winked at him and stood, taking his hand and kneeling beside him. “Let’s start praying for us right now.”
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Fred slipped quietly up the porch steps, peering in the windows to see if he could spot anything useful in his fight against his dear cousin. Jerry didn’t need the ranch, and certainly couldn’t tend to it. Why shouldn’t he have it? The feud between the family members a generation ago shouldn’t be held against him. His grandfather had no right to take sides with Jerry’s father and leave things like he did. If Montana ever became a state, maybe the laws would change around here.
Suddenly, he saw movement in the house …something that caught him totally off guard. Jerry was wheeling around in his chair from room to room, with Leanne sitting on his lap, laughing.
“Dag blast it!” he mumbled. This wasn’t good for him or his case.
He spun around when he heard someone approaching.
“May I ask what you’re doing, sir?” A woman snipped.
“Oh, I was just making sure I wasn’t disturbing anyone before I knocked.”
“Aren’t you Jerry’s cousin? We met the day I arrived, I believe.”
“Yes, that’s right.” He smiled, thinking everything was smoothed over.
“I suggest you use the door, not the window, and that you make your presence known, not spy on people. How rude!”
She motioned him to the door, following behind him. When they stepped inside, she had him wait while she went to find Jerry and Leanne.
Fred really felt like an intruder when she returned a moment later with Jerry behind her and Leanne following.
“There he is,” Catherine pointed an accusatory finger at him. “I was working the garden and saw him slither along to the porch like the sneaky snake he is.”
“Jerry, I just was checking to make sure I wasn’t disturbing anyone.”
“Every time you come here it disturbs me, Fred. What do you want?”
Fred bristled. “Okay, I want what is rightfully mine. Grandfather should have never left things the way he did, and you know it.”
“Then make an appointment with a lawyer and see if you have any rights. Don’t bring it to me, and don’t be sneaking around my place. There are four ladies living here now, and I demand you respect their privacy. Next time I will have you thrown off!”
“Jerry, I ask that you be reasonable before this goes any farther.”
“Leave Fred. I have nothing more to say.”
Catherine bent and looked to be adjusting her shoe, standing straight a moment later, holding a pistol.
“Move!” she demanded as she gave a quick motion with her gun toward the door.
Jerry and Leanne looked at the scene in front of them in silent surprise. They looked back at each other, grinned, and shrugged. Hearing the front door close, and then the big bell on the front porch being rung, they knew Fred would soon be escorted off the property.
When Catherine returned, Leanne questioned her. “Where did you get the gun? Why do you have one? And do you know how to use it?”
Catherine sighed. “A lot happened when we were separated back home, Leanne. I’d rather not talk about it now.”
Leanne took her arm. “You can talk to me, Catherine. We’ve been friends all our lives.”
Catherine glanced at Jerry, then back to Leanne. “A lot happened during the few months we were apart. I have some things I’m still trying to come to terms with. Until I do, I prefer to stay quiet. One day soon, Leanne, I promise.” She put her gun back in its place near her knee and walked back outside.
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Natalie and Miriam came in the house in great spirits, setting two boxes on the table.
“These are from Mrs. McTavish,” Miriam chirped as she blushed. “She said I’m the best help she’s had in a long time, and she wants to make sure I stay with her.”
She looked down and mumbled inaudibly.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Leanne asked.
Miriam took a deep breath and repeated, “She’s kinda hoping I may take a shine to her son. She wants me to find out who he should ask about courting me.”
Leanne looked at Jerry, both questioning each other.
Jerry cleared his throat. “I hadn’t thought about it, but I guess that would be me. McTavish you say? Would that be Ben? Or Brad?”
“Ben,” Miriam spoke shyly as she twisted a bit from side to side.
Jerry rubbed his chin and seemed to be in deep thought. “Good guy, as far as I know. But I haven’t seen him since I came home. I was gone for five years, and a lot has changed, I’m sure.
“Does his ma still run the bakery?”
“Sure does, and makes the most delicious bread, cakes, pies, and everything!” She opened the two boxes, revealing loads of delicious desserts.
“But Miriam,” Leanne cautioned. “You said you already have a beau. Someone you were corresponding with before we moved.”
“Oh, yes, him. I figured since we haven’t been allowed to write for so long, he’s probably already found someone else by now. It’s been over a month.”
Leanne looked at Jerry. “Seems you get to practice some early parenting skills.”
He rolled his eyes. “Thanks, darling, but I thought we were supposed to do everything together.
“Let me speak to Walt and see what he knows about Ben, okay?”
Miriam squealed with delight, then ran to him and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, pa!” she teased.
He swatted at her playfully. “Get out of here, you little imp!”
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Montana had been their home for a month, and the girls seemed to be adjusting well. Natalie and Catherine had decided to get a room at the boarding house after Catherine finally found work to suit her.
Natalie was working at the dressmakers part-time and taking some shifts at the diner.
Catherine had a bit more schooling than the others and insisted on finding a job that was worthy of her. The first choice being to work in a law office, but that was shattered by her distaste for Max. She didn’t want to work for him, and she’d rather not work for the other lawyer and run the risk of working against him.
She hit pay dirt when she found the town printer was also the postmaster and ran the telegraph. He was always in need of good help; someone intelligent, hard worker, with impeccable English skills.
Miriam was the youngest of the group, only seventeen, and was very impressionable. Leanne talked her into staying at the ranch for now, especially with her beginning to be courted.
Max hadn’t visited the ranch for two weeks, and it was always nagging in the back of their minds what had happened back home. The last they heard, it was too dangerous to send a telegram.
The girls promised they would join Leanne for lunch at the ranch every Sunday after church, at least until they had a better offer.
Going to church was the only time Leanne would leave Jerry. He adamantly refused to be seen by a crowd at one time. All the pity and well wishes, weren’t things he wanted to hear. He knew the people meant well, and anyone was welcome at his ranch at any time, but he felt on display in a crowd.
He was making progress that he hadn’t even shared with Leanne, hoping to surprise her one day by standing and walking to her. Both legs would move from the knee down, with great effort, and he could stand on his own, without Walt’s help, bearing his own weight for a bit over two minutes now.
Leanne was medicine for his soul. Every effort he made was for her. She had his heart and would do anything for her.
“Ben is going to drive Miriam and me to church today. Are you sure you won’t join us?” Leanne sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around him.
“Ma’am, if I’m not mistaken, you’re trying to bribe me.”
She kissed him sweetly. “Is it working?”
“It’s working, but not in the direction of church yet. Don’t misunderstand. I miss church, I just…”
“I know, and I understand. I also have the feeling it won’t be for much longer. But even if it takes a while, I insist you only go with me.”
He pulled her closer and kissed her. Oh, how he loved this woman. There was nothing better.
“Max sent word he would join us today, if you don’t mind?”
“That sounds good, I think.” Leanne tried to hide a look of fear. “Has he got any news?”
“I don’t know. But you don’t need to worry about anything. You’re safe here. I will protect you with my own life.”
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“I don’t know how Staley had a penny to his name with as many people he had working for him. We’ll probably never know how far his reach was, but it has come to an end.” Max took a sip of water and looked around the table at the expressions of everyone.
Catherine was the only one who looked a bit too calm. She had no questions, no opinions, no off-handed remarks. Very unlike her.
“Staley and most of his goons are sitting behind bars. Several of them are up for murder, including Staley, which will mean the death sentence.”
Catherine snapped to attention. “You said most of his goons. Do you know which ones? Are any of the ones still walking around free capable of finding us?”
Max leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “Why would they want to find any of you?”
“I…I just know how Staley hated to be crossed. I’m sure he’s going to find out that we aren’t really in jail in Arkansas. Like you said, you have no idea how far his reach is.”
Max looked at Jerry, Walt and Ben. “I guess I need to be completely honest then. There is still a slight possibility of a threat, but only as long as Staley has money to pay for things to happen. None of his kind are loyal without being paid.
“Right now, all of his assets are frozen to make retribution for all the wrong doings. No one is getting paid for anything, but his men still hold on to hope that the judge will free him on a technicality, with him regaining his freedom. They won’t walk out on him, fearing he will be back, but they have disbursed to earn money somewhere else for now.
“The saloon is closed, along with his other businesses in four other towns. His houses are locked tight, and his bank accounts frozen. I don’t see where anyone would risk taking on a job of any kind for him right now. Plus, he’s in solitary confinement, so, he can’t give orders.”
“Ladies, that was a wonderful lunch,” Jerry said as he wiped his mouth and placed his napkin on the table. “Men, would you care to join me on the porch. It’s such a beautiful afternoon.”
“Oh no you don’t!” Leanne snipped. “Don’t think you all are going out on the porch to hear something you think we’re too delicate for. We need to know everything.”
“Darling, you’re safe here on this ranch. No one can hurt you.”
“Oh, Jerry, as much as I appreciate that, I can’t hide forever. And what about the other girls? I literally would rather die and get it over with than walk around in fear. I can’t bring that kind of danger to you and the girls! I just can’t.” She finished with a sob.
He pulled her to him and held her. “Max didn’t say anything about you being sought out. Did you, Max?”
Max tugged at his collar. “When the trial starts, he will find out what he’s thinking isn’t true. The Pinkertons have watched him for almost a year. There were several lawmen before that.”
Leanne turned her face from Jerry’s shoulder. “What is he thinking?”
Max huffed. “He thinks you sold him out.”
“Me? I didn’t know anything he was doing. I never saw anything but that gold on his desk and those four men in his office. I told the Pinkerton, and he said they already knew.”
Max nodded. “Like I said, he will find out the extent of their investigation when the trial starts. Your name won’t even come up.
“But what troubles me,” he paused and turned toward Catherine. “He also thinks you sold him out. I don’t know why. Do you?”