Chapter Thirty-Five
Hannah stared up in wonder at the tall buildings that sat in the center of the city of Austin, Texas.
After so many days traveling in the flat desert plains, seeing such well-built structures seemed impossible.
Still, there were some blessings that came from traveling through the dry heat and nothingness.
After Garrett confessed that he was in love with Hannah, something old and broken inside of her began to heal.
She still wasn’t quite sure if she was sin or not, but through Garrett, she learned and accepted that she could be loved by God anyway.
It was a strange feeling to know something larger than herself or mankind in general could love her and her imperfections, but it was one she finally welcomed with open arms.
She and Garrett had stayed at the small desert oasis for a little over a day so she could recover from her heat exhaustion, and in that time Garrett had shared with her his favorite Bible stories and what they meant to him.
As she listened, and saw the pure love and devotion on his face as he spoke, she realized faith was not something she had to wait to be given.
It was there, offered freely and always, and all she had to do was accept.
“It’s a lot different in the city than it is back on the ranch, isn’t it?” Garrett asked, joining her.
Her face still tilted up toward the peaks of the tall roofs, Hannah hummed in agreement.
“It’s amazing,” she acknowledged, “But I prefer the ranch.”
They turned to one another, and Hannah’s heart swelled as she saw the loving smile on Garrett’s face.
“Me too,” he said, reaching for her hand. “And I promise, whatever we find out in there, we’re going to find a way to have our own piece of land. Whether it’s the Diamond W, or if we have to start all over again. As long as we do it together, I’ll be happy.”
“So will I,” she promised, squeezing his hand.
She then turned around, looking at the large stable where Garrett had just come from.
“Are Athena and Banjo all settled in?” She asked.
Garrett let out a wry chuckle.
“They’ll appreciate the rest after our journey, but I have a feeling they’d rather be home too,” he replied, giving her hand a gentle tug. “So, let’s go get this over with for all of our sakes.”
With a nod, Hannah allowed Garrett to lead her into the tall city building that housed the state’s land records.
As she entered the lobby and saw all of the fashionably dressed men and women, she sent up a quiet prayer of thanks that Grace was kind enough to pack more dresses for her.
Instead of sticking out as she was used to with her plainer clothing, she blended in with her buttercream dress with white lace trim, white bonnet, and dainty white gloves.
Garrett, too, had packed a suit jacket lent to him from Dean, and as they approached the elevator, neither was given a strange look.
That was, until the elevator started to move, and Hannah let out a startled gasp.
“Are you alright?” Garrett quickly asked, his hands moving to steady her.
She let out a girlish giggle as her smile grew wide; her stomach fluttering strangely as the elevator began to ascend.
“Yes,” she promised, “I’ve just never been on one of these before. It’s so fascinating!”
In front of her, a large man in a fine brown suit turned to her and chuckled.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” He asked, his smile friendly. “What some cogs and gears and a little creativity can accomplish?”
“It really is,” Hannah agreed, blushing as she realized she made a scene. “I apologize for my reaction. It just took me by surprise.”
“Ah, don’t be,” the man replied, “I think it’s wonderful. But uh, I’m guessing you folks aren’t from here?”
He turned fully around then, and as he saw Garrett and Garrett saw him, they both let out a loud laugh and quickly reached for one another to shake hands.
“You two know each other?” Hannah asked, surprised at their familiar greeting.
“Oh, we go way back,” the man chuckled, clapping Garrett on the shoulder. “This man saved my life a time or two. I was never as good of a cowboy as he was. If Mr. Dawson wouldn’t have taken him in, I’m pretty sure my Daddy would have. At least he would have had one son who knew how to run a ranch.”
“It’s good to see you again, Howard,” Garrett chuckled.
Hannah’s brows flew up as she realized that the man before her was the lawyer friend Garrett had been talking about, and she marveled at how easily they had found him. She’d suspected that they’d spend at least a day looking for and then convincing him to help them.
The elevator dinged as they reached the next floor, and as the rest of the riders stepped off, Howard crossed his arms and looked Garrett and Hannah up and down.
“Newlyweds?” He asked, smirking.
Hannah blushed as she glanced away.
“How did you know?” Garrett asked, reaching for her hand again.
“I can just tell,” Howard replied, reaching up to twirl his brown mustache, “You two have got a look of love about you. Glad to hear you found happiness, Garrett, mighty glad.”
Hannah glanced at Garrett and watched sadly as Garrett’s smile dimmed a little.
“Well, in terms of marriage, I’m very happy, Howard,” He replied solemnly, looking over at Hannah as he squeezed her hand. “There’s no other woman in the world for me. God blessed me when He sent me her.”
Happiness and relief soared through Hannah’s veins as she held his gaze. After everything they’d been through, after her troubles in the desert, to know he felt that way meant the world to her.
“But,” Garrett went on, turning his gaze back to Howard, “I wish we were here for such happiness. The truth is, Howard, I’m in trouble, and I came here because I need your help.”
A look of concern crossed over Howard’s rounded face as the elevator dinged once more, and the operator opened the sliding gate.
“Your floor, Mr. Rutherford,” the elevator operator said politely.
“Thank you, James,” Howard murmured, then nodded toward Hannah and Garrett. “Come to my office,” he invited them. “Let’s talk.”
Like the rest of the building, Howard’s office was shiny and new.
Polished wood paneling and floors, brass fixtures, a large oak desk and equally large chairs that sat atop a bright wine red rug.
Across from Howard’s desk and behind were shelves upon shelves of leatherbound law books, and to the left was a window that overlooked the bustling city below.
Despite the urgency of the situation, Hannah couldn’t help but go to the window and look out into the view.
It amazed her to see the world from such a different view, and it was then a thought struck her like a lightning bolt.
There were so many views a person could take, and she’d been stuck on the wrong one.
“Have a seat,” Howard invited, waving toward the two cushioned chairs across from his desk, “and tell me what’s going on.”
Howard listened intently, his clasped hands pressed to his mouth as Garrett told him everything, starting with the surveyors from Southern Pacific Railroad showing up, to the lost court case and ruling a few days ago.
When Garrett finished, Howard got out of his chair without a word and went to the door.
He threw it open with gusto and called for secretaries.
Not even a minute later, two women in matching black, modest dresses appeared, asking what they could do for him.
“Ms. Chalke, Ms. Evans. Would you two please gather the secretaries from Mr. Crane, Mr. Loch, and Mr. Trawley’s offices? I want you all to go down to the land records department and bring me up anything that has the name Dawson, Mercer, or Diamond W Ranch,” he politely ordered.
“Yes, Mr. Rutherford,” the two secretaries replied in unison.
“Thank you, ladies,” he replied with a grateful nod, and the two secretaries left.
He then turned toward Hannah and Garrett with a determined grin.
“This won’t take long,” he promised.
***
A half hour later, with the evidence spread across Howard’s desk for them to see, Hannah stood by Garrett’s side in shock.
“So…” she breathed, glancing up at Garrett’s shocked expression as his eyes remained fixed to the proof spread out before him. “You’re saying that Diamond W Ranch really is Garrett’s?”
“That’s not all I’m saying,” Howard said with a rueful grin.
“If I can get my hands on the fraudulent paperwork this Mr. Blackwood or the Southern Pacific Railroad submitted, then I have grounds to sue on Garrett’s behalf.
He could not only get his land back, but also get a huge settlement for his trouble. ”
Garrett’s head shot up as he heard that.
“Sue?” He echoed.
“It’ll take time,” Howard said as he nodded, “But yes. I can start the paperwork now. Of course, you’ll have to remain under Judge McCall’s ruling until it’s settled. I’m afraid there is no immediate solution to this problem.”
Hannah’s shoulders drooped, disappointed that despite the proof they found, they couldn’t yet return to Diamond W Ranch.
“I can’t thank you enough for your help with this, Howard,” Garrett said, offering him his hand. “But I can barely afford the services you provided today. I couldn’t possibly pay the months of work you’re talking about.”
Howard accepted Garrett’s handshake as he chortled.
“Please, after all the times you saved me when we were younger? Consider this my debt being paid to you,” Howard replied.
Hannah and Garrett’s eyes both grew wide.
“I- I can’t accept that,” Garrett stammered. “I didn’t help you out when we were younger because I wanted you to owe me a debt. If I took your help now, I’d feel like I’d be taking advantage of you.”
Howard grinned as he turned to Hannah and pointed to Garrett.
“He’s a good one, isn’t he?” He asked.
Despite the news that they couldn’t immediately take back Diamond W Ranch, Hannah managed a smile.
“He certainly is,” she replied, turning her loving gaze toward Garrett.
“I’ll tell you what,” Howard went on, turning back to Garrett, “If you insist on paying me something, let me take it out of your settlement after I win you that money and get you your land back. I’ll take a fair cut, and no one will be taking advantage of anybody.”
Garrett looked to Hannah and she gave him an approving nod.
“Sounds fair to me. More like a blessing, actually,” she told him.
His smile was slow, but warm, and he gave a nod.
“You got yourself a client then, Howard,” he said, turning to Howard.
Howard let out a booming laugh as he reached for Garrett again and clapped him on the back.
“Wonderful!” He exclaimed, “Now, where are you folks staying tonight?”
“Nowhere,” Garrett replied, “We’ve got to head back to Twin Rivers as soon as possible. Our friends are watching the children and we have to figure out where we’re going to stay until this gets sorted.”
Howard quickly shook his head.
“Ah, you can’t leave now! You’ll only get a few hours in before you have to make camp!
Stay at my place tonight and sleep in a real bed.
I’m having a few people over for a little dinner party.
You can have some fun, some good food, and in the morning after a good night’s sleep, you can head back to Twin Rivers. What do you say?”
Although Hannah immediately loved the idea of having the opportunity to spend one night in a bed again before three days of camping, she waited patiently for Garrett to think it over.
She wanted to get back to her siblings just as much as Garrett wanted to get back to his friends, but Howard was right.
“You sure?” Garrett asked hesitantly, “We wouldn’t want to put you out.”
Howard chuckled as he shook his head.
“You’re not,” he promised, “And besides, I want a chance to catch up with an old friend. I’ve heard about your life, but maybe you can tell me how Twin Rivers is doing. It’s been a long time since I visited.”
Garrett looked at Hannah again as if asking what she thought.
“I wouldn’t mind,” she said encouragingly.
“There you have it,” Howard said boisterously, putting a hand on each of their shoulders as they walked toward his office door, “You’re staying the night. Now come on, let me show you my house. I’m quite proud of it.”