Chapter 4
It had been two weeks since Max had visited, but he had sent word a few times that he was making progress. Tonight, he was coming to supper with information to share.
Jerry wrung his hands as he sat in the wheelchair on the front porch. Time was running out, and he had to save his ranch. His father had worked so hard to make it into the fine place it was. Walt had worked equally hard in his place while the war raged on for four long years.
He held no malice toward any of his cousins, but this was his home, not theirs. Max had to come up with something quick.
Walt stepped out on the porch. “Mrs. Cooper has a fine supper cooking. It should be ready by the time Max gets here.”
Jerry looked down the road again. “Wonder what’s keeping him?”
Walt chuckled and patted Jerry’s shoulder. “His office just closed ten minutes ago. He’ll be here. For now, you need to get washed up for supper.”
He stayed back out of the way and pretended not to watch as Jerry maneuvered his wheelchair into the house.
“Looks like you’ve got the hang of that thing, but don’t be getting too comfortable in it. From what the doc said earlier, I hope you’ll be shed of it before too long.”
Jerry grinned. “Wouldn’t that be nice. I never appreciated having pins poked in me until today. It was nice to feel something finally.”
“I think I hear Max,” Walt announced as he turned toward the door. “You get washed up and meet us at the table.”
Jerry could hear the boisterous greeting between the two men as they walked toward the dining room. He rolled his chair to join them.
“Hey, Max, good to see you. Sit and give me some good news.” Jerry motioned him to a chair.
“It’s good to see you, Jerry. I do have lots of news for you, but,” he winked at Mrs. Cooper who was setting food on the table. “Most of it will have to wait until after supper. Ever since you stole Mrs. Cooper from the diner, I’ve been undernourished. Half the town is threatening to come out here and beg a meal.”
Mrs. Cooper laughed heartily and patted Max on the back. “You go on with your handsome self and slick lawyer tongue. It’s good to know I’m appreciated.”
She left them as they said the blessing and started filling their plates.
Max looked at Jerry as a broad smile spread across his face. “I have good news, not so good news, and depending how you look at it, some great news, at least for you.”
“That’s good to hear, I think, but I’m so nervous about losing my home, I would rather you not speak in riddles.”
Max nodded. “There are more women in need of husbands than you could imagine. This mail order bride thing is a huge business. That’s the good news.
“The not so good, is that most don’t feel comfortable enough to leave everything and everyone behind until they have corresponded for months and feel like they know the man they are going to.”
Jerry paused his fork and responded, “I can’t say that I blame them. But that’s not going to work for me.”
“No, it won’t. But in the areas where there was a lot of destruction during the war, there are certain places that are being overtaken by carpetbaggers, scallywags, and some unscrupulous wealthy men. When I say overtaken, I mean the property of these women is being practically stolen from them, there are no jobs to support themselves, and the wealthy men own the town and make the laws.
“There is one sizable town that is undergoing some surveillance right now because of probable criminal activity.” He leaned forward. “And one of my father’s closest friends is right there to help us any way he can. This is the town he has lived in all his life. Most of the women he sees being victimized are widows and daughters of his deceased friends.
“He started helping matchmaking agencies about a year ago, allowing some of these women to escape.”
“That’s too bad about those women being treated that way. Can’t our great government go in and straighten things out for them?” His voice was filled with sarcasm, and he shook his head in disgust.
“I figured it would take someone really destitute to choose me. But go on with the story.”
Max cleared his throat. “My father’s friend, Mr. Deaton, is most concerned about two girls right now. I have their applications they filled out a couple of months ago. They are good friends, which may complicate things.
“The criminal who practically runs the town has decided to force one of these young women to marry him. She fought against it until her best friend was held hostage for a night, threatening to make the friend work in the saloon if the woman refused to marry him.
“Of course, the young woman was willing to sacrifice herself for her friend.” Max paused and shook his head. “This man is really something. He has everyone in town believing he is just one notch under God. He’s kind, charismatic, and helpful. But inside the walls of his saloon, he’s a monster. All of his good is for show. But it is working to our advantage.
“He wants the town to see him openly courting this woman, with her convincing everyone of her love and devotion for him. He keeps her watched at all times. He even set the wedding date for May twentieth, so he has time to impress everyone.”
“Okay, Max. Send her my application and see if she will trade him in for a cripple. Problem solved.”
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong. The woman is thoroughly convinced that if she is able to slip away, her friend, and two others that are helping her, will be hurt or imprisoned in that terrible kind of life. I don’t think she’ll leave them. I’ve read a stack of reports about all of this, and every time she’s mentioned, I admire her even more.”
“What does this man want with her? Money? An inheritance? Why her?”
He looked at Jerry seriously. “She was the only one he couldn’t break until he threatened her friend. Apparently, she’s beautiful and caught his eye, but when he couldn’t win her through kindness or even a few minor threats and bribery, he got tough.”
Mrs. Cooper brought in dessert and coffee, removing the dirty dishes from the table. They thanked her and stayed quiet until she left the room.
“Jerry, it may cost a bit more to get her here. You may have to pay for all four of them to travel. But, you could recuperate your expenses when they find husbands.”
Jerry nodded to Walt. “Take care of their expenses. Sounds like we need to practice a bit of charity. But just how do we make them all disappear when they’re being watched?”
Walt stood and walked out of the room.
“How soon can you find out something? I insist that she know what kind of man she’s marrying.”
Max nodded. “You need to read these reports for yourself. There’s a lot going on. These women aren’t the only ones being watched. There are undercover Pinkertons swarming the place, along with extra lawmen. They are attempting to gather enough information to put this man away. But he’s a slick one. After all this time, they’re still practically empty-handed. They hope maybe the woman can see something, witness something they can use.”
Jerry’s voice boomed. “You mean she’s an informant? That could get her killed!”
“Settle down, Jerry,” Walt soothed as he put a stack of money on the table and sat back down.
“No, nothing like that. She has no idea about anything to do with the law or the Pinkertons. Once they get her to safety, they will ask her about things she heard or saw.”
Jerry sighed. “Good. She sounds just headstrong enough to stick her neck out if she knew she could help. I would hate for her to be in any more danger.”
“Read the report tonight. You will understand things better afterwards.”
“Can you wire the money and send a telegram to the lawyer there tomorrow? Get things started?”
Max blew out in exasperation. “No, I can’t. Because that man owns the town, the telegrams are no longer confidential. The only way to get or send messages is by mail.
“My father just sent a letter reminding Mr. Deaton about a secret code they had a long time ago. When he gets that letter, he will send a decoded message to us, and we will have communication set up.”
“What a mess,” Jerry sighed. “For a change I feel sorry for someone other than myself. And I don’t even know her name.”
“Leanne. Her friends are Catherine, Natalie, and Miriam. I put all their applications in with the report in case you can think of anyone interested in a wife. Catherine is the only one that doesn’t have an application.”
********************
Jerry and Walt read the reports until late that night. By the time they finished and discussed the situation, both were angry, wishing they could go straight there and rescue those girls.
As Jerry laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, he could feel compassion filling his heart, but then he realized, it went even deeper than that.
“Lord? Is Leanne the right woman for me? Can you make her love me? Accept me? And if it’s not asking too much, please, I beg you, restore my legs and let me be the man she needs. One to love her, comfort her, and protect her.”
********************
Max came galloping up in the yard a week later, clutching a telegram.
“We have communication! Father got a letter also, explaining how he had to get messages to Leanne. It’s a long process, usually taking two days or so, but he’s trying to get your application in her hands. If he can’t, he will have to relay messages through her friends, a bit at a time.”
“At least things are moving forward, I suppose, but Max, I only have five weeks left.”
“I know, and it’s ironic, but that’s about all the time she has as well. We’re working on it as hard as we can. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything.”
“Thanks, Max. I do appreciate everything you’re doing. I’m trying to pray through it, but I’m nervous and doubtful.”
Walt came in from the barn. “Thought the town was on fire the way you rode up! Must be good news.”
“It is. But we still have a long way to go in a short time.”
Max waved and left.
Walt looked at Jerry. “You ready to do those exercises again?”
Jerry looked at him mischievously. “You must think I sit here and do nothing while you’re outside.”
He threw back the blanket covering his legs. “Watch this.” With a look of pure determination, Jerry watched his right foot and strained until he was shaking. Finally, he wiggled his big toe.
Walt let out a loud, victorious shout as Jerry blew out a breath and relaxed, exhausted from the effort.
“I knew you would get better! One of these days you’ll be running this ranch on your own, I just know it.”
Jerry grasped Walt’s hand. “Thanks for everything, my friend. Your faith in God has brought me back around. I feel myself getting closer to Him all the time.”
“Good to know. Now, speaking of faith, if we’re gonna have four ladies moving in here, don’t you think it’s about time to make room for them?”
Jerry’s eyes went wide. “You really think this is going to work out?”
“Sure I do.”
Jerry raised his eyebrows. “Do you have your sights set on one of those ladies?”
Walt’s face turned red. “Absolutely not! Now let’s get those exercises done before you go losing your head about things.”