Chapter 31
Chapter
James unlocked Noreen’s cell at nine forty-five on Friday morning.
She’d been pacing when he arrived but now stood by the door, eyes large in her face, hands clutching the sides of her dark blue skirt.
The high-necked ivory blouse she wore enhanced her prim and proper appearance while the cameo brooch pinned at the base of her throat added a touch of femininity that would hopefully play to the judge’s sympathy.
The local schoolmarm had lent her the brooch and recommended Noreen leave off the temperance ribbon she always donned, but true to her uncompromising nature, she wore the white temperance bow as well, pinned to the left side of her bodice, over her heart.
She’d tamed her curls into a tight, unforgiving knot at her nape, and while James agreed that the conservative style would help her look more contrite and less likely to cause trouble in the future, he missed the uninhibited nature of the curls that matched the feisty spirit of the woman he loved.
James swung the door outward and stepped inside. “Are you ready?”
She hugged her arms around her. “Ready to have this behind me, but not ready to face Judge Lynch.”
Smiling, James moved close and rubbed one of her arms. “Despite his name, JC’s not a hangin’ judge. He’ll give you a fair hearing. The man’s got three daughters similar in age to you. That should soften him a bit. He’s a deeply religious man, as well, and one who is quick to help those in need.”
Noreen’s gaze dropped to the floor. “He’s also a leader in the Masonic lodge, and many of his Mason compatriots frequent the Salt Fork.”
Not sure what to say to calm her nerves, he stroked her arm a final time, then held his hand out to her. She hesitantly fit her palm to his, and he tugged her toward him. Bending close, he placed a kiss on the top of her head.
“It’s going to be all right, sweetheart. Whatever the outcome, we’ll handle it together.”
She leaned forward until her forehead rested against his chest. “There is no we, James. There can’t be.
” She lifted her face, that spark of passion he’d been missing from her eyes flickering back to life.
“God has called you to the life of a lawman. I know it in my soul. He’s made you a gifted peacemaker.
Honorable, courageous, and just. You are already making a difference here in Albany, and that impact will multiply when you are sheriff.
But the townsfolk won’t give you the chance to make that difference if you tie your name to mine. You need to let me go.”
Not a chance. He tightened his grip on her hand as a wave of arguments rolled through his mind, eager to combat her assumptions. But Noreen didn’t need him to argue with her right now. She needed him to help her find peace.
Loosening his grip on her hand, he brought her knuckles to his lips and brushed a kiss across them before releasing his hold and stepping back.
“We can discuss my career prognosis later.”
Her eyebrows dipped low over the bridge of her nose, and he figured she had a few arguments of her own running through that head of hers. He grinned and gave her a wink, earning a huff from her that sounded as if it were disguising an involuntary chuckle. His grin widened. Mission accomplished.
“May I escort you to the courthouse, Miss O’Sullivan?” He sketched a brief bow and held out his arm. “Being cognizant of my career, as you are, I know you wouldn’t wish for me to arrive late to the proceedings.”
“Indeed not, Deputy Paxton.” Her eyes danced as she pointedly ignored his proffered arm and maneuvered around him to exit the cell on her own.
“Nor would I wish to add tardiness to my list of charges.” She marched down the walkway to the stairwell.
“Are you coming?” she called over her shoulder as she descended the stairs.
James chuckled as he pushed the cell door closed and hurried after her. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” For today or for a lifetime.
Noreen managed to hold on to her independence until they reached the courthouse steps.
James led her around the back to avoid the people streaming in the front doors, and when he offered his arm to steady her as she climbed the steps, she didn’t refuse.
Heart pounding against her sternum like a frenetic woodpecker, she latched on to his bicep.
The strength evident in the hard muscle proved a comfort as she struggled to grasp the mental strength she’d need to face what lay ahead.
Once inside, James led her to the back staircase near the door, keeping her arm securely tucked against his side.
She ran her palm along the dark, polished handrail, seeking to steady herself in any way possible.
When they reached the first landing, however, he pulled her next to the wall and bent his face close to her ear.
“Dear Lord, give Noreen peace and help her to feel your presence beside her throughout these proceedings. In Jesus’s name, amen.”
Then, as if he hadn’t just done the most beautiful thing any man had ever done for her, he led her up the remainder of the stairs to the second floor. The men in her life usually spoke demands and criticism over her, not prayerful blessings.
She was accustomed to men trying to bend her to their will, but time after time, James had bent his own will in order to serve and support her.
Taking her in when others cast her aside, helping her plan a temperance march, rescuing her from her own folly, climbing into the depth of her despair to offer comfort, and standing by her side today and reminding her that another stood beside her as well.
God was with her. How she’d needed that reminder. Her true Father would never leave her or forsake her. Even when she stumbled and made a mess of things.
She lifted her gaze to the ceiling, her heart pulsing with gratitude. Thank you for being here. And for sending James.
“Ready?” Her deputy’s soft voice echoed in her ear as he paused outside the courtroom’s private entrance.
Noreen peered into his warm blue eyes and absorbed the encouragement he offered so freely. She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Ready.”
James escorted her inside. A loud hum of conversation filled the space and set her nerves to buzzing.
In all the years she’d lived in Albany, she’d never actually been inside this courtroom.
The ceiling stretched upward to cathedral heights, shrinking her to insignificance.
The room itself was as large as the church she attended.
The gallery section boasted three rows of wooden benches on an inclining floor, backed by large windows framed in dark wood that contrasted with white walls.
Stained glass winked at her from the top of the windows, adding to the cathedral feel.
Floral carpet runners cushioned the walkways and aisles, muffling footfalls as people entered to witness the spectacle of Noreen O’Sullivan’s fall from grace.
Goodness. Had everyone in town turned out for this event?
Milton Taggert sat in the front row of the far-left section, his pointed glare finding her in an instant.
Men she recognized from the Salt Fork surrounded him.
Witnesses to her crime and others who were frequent patrons of his establishment.
Wait . . . was that Arthur? Her own stepfather sat among Taggert’s supporters?
Her cheeks warmed. At least her mother wasn’t sitting beside her husband.
Had she come? Noreen scanned the other two sections of benches.
She failed to find her mother, but other dear faces met her gaze and smiled encouragement.
Martha and Jane sat together in the front-center row and nodded to her when her eyes found them.
A bit of the weight lifted from her shoulders.
Hortense Lockwood and two other spinsters from the society sat near the aisle on the right, chatting quietly among themselves, not yet aware that she’d entered the room.
They were here, though, and she felt herself grow a little stronger simply from their presence.
Even her landlady had come. Though Mrs. Barker’s appearance likely had more to do with collecting gossip fodder than supporting her troublemaking tenant.
Noreen recognized a few people who had marched in her temperance parade scattered throughout the gallery along with several scowling business owners.
So many people.
A warm hand settled at the small of her back. “You have friends here, Noreen,” James murmured softly. “Focus on that and ignore the rest.”
Right. Noreen took a breath and allowed him to guide her to a chair at a large table positioned directly in front of the judge’s bench. A half wall of dark balustrades hemmed her in from behind but did nothing to protect her from all the eyes peering at the back of her head as she took her seat.
“I’ll be right over there the whole time.” James tipped his head toward a chair to her left that afforded him a view of the entire room—judge, audience, and the accused. Her.
She nodded to him, yet the moment he stepped away from her, she longed to call him back.
You’re not alone, Noreen. You’re not alone.
The clock tower directly above their heads bonged out the ten o’clock hour, the sound vibrating her bones and quieting the onlookers.
A court official called the session to order and announced the arrival of Judge Lynch.
Noreen rose to her feet as the gray-haired man entered the room from a side door.
He wore a simple black suit with a white shirt and black string tie and carried a paper file in his hand.
Thankfully, he wasn’t a man she recalled ever seeing in the Salt Fork.
Judge Lynch climbed the dais to the judge’s bench and sat in the black leather chair positioned between two narrow windows. “Have a seat, folks.”
Shuffling ensued as everyone, including Noreen, took their seats.