Chapter 14

"Jefferson, we need to talk." Charlie had been dreading the confrontation all day, but it was apparent to him after studying the books that Jefferson had been taking money from the bank for quite some time. Somehow the young man had managed to do it right under Jacob's nose, and knowing his brother's eye for details, Charlie was quite impressed.

"All right, but it's nearly closing time, and I have plans tonight."

Charlie nodded. "I understand, but this won't wait. Please take a seat." He motioned for Jefferson to take the chair in front of Charlie's desk.

Sitting behind his desk, Charlie straightened and put his hands on the stack of ledgers. "I went through these. I'm sure you're aware of what I found."

"No. I haven't a clue," Jefferson said, looking bored with the entire matter.

"Jefferson, it's clear you've been changing entries and skimming money from accounts. There's no one else who could have done it. Not only that, but your initials are beside each entry."

"Anyone can put down initials. I have done nothing wrong."

"There are erasures and hard-to-read markings," Charlie continued, "and it started shortly after the bank opened and has continued throughout the year."

"I sometimes transpose numbers and have to fix them. I'm sorry. It's always been a problem of mine, but I always make the corrections."

"Jefferson, this isn't just a matter of transposing numbers and correcting them. You know as well as I do that money is missing from the bank. I came in at five this morning and did a physical count. You're the only one who could have taken it."

"What about your brother? Mr. Decker could just as easily be to blame. He was always very secretive about what went on with the books."

Charlie sat back and shook his head. "I'm afraid I need to let you go. I would appreciate it if you would return the money to the bank so that I don't have to file charges against you."

Jefferson jumped up and pointed a finger at Charlie. "I'm not taking the blame for your brother."

"This has gone on even after my brother left. How do you account for that?"

The younger man shook his head. "I have no idea. You're the banking genius. I've done my job and done it well. I remained faithful to see the bank open and running each and every day, even after your brother left. But did I get any thank-you for my efforts? A bonus?" He shook his head again. "No! Nothing. And now you're firing me for something I didn't do. I see no justice in this."

Jefferson left without another word. Charlie remained at his desk as he listened to Jefferson storm around the front room, gathering his things. When the front door slammed shut, Charlie knew he had gone.

He didn't know what to say about Jefferson's charges toward Jacob. Charlie supposed anything was possible, but Jacob seemed the least likely to do anything underhanded. He loved banking and wouldn't jeopardize anything related to his job.

No, it was clearly Jefferson who had done the deed. The missing funds totaled some six hundred dollars. That was far too much money to be a mere mistake in the books. The carbon copies of the receipts showed the discrepancies clearly.

Charlie closed his eyes. Now Jefferson was his enemy as well as Melody. He'd certainly made a mess of things in such a short period of time. He let out a long sigh.

Lord, what am I supposed to do now? What is it You've planned for me? You know my heart isn't in this job, but I have to earn a living, and I want to honor my father that my days may be long. I don't want to disappoint him.

He sighed again. I didn't want to disappoint Melody either. I know once she thinks things over, she'll understand. She's a good woman, and she puts her trust in You, but right now she's dealing with so much. The news of her father dying is overwhelming, and I'm asking You to help her. Please, Lord.

The front door opened, and Charlie wondered if Jefferson had returned. He got up and walked out to find Dr. Scott smiling in greeting.

"Charlie, my boy. I hope you don't mind this intrusion."

"Not at all. The bank day is pretty much done. I was just getting ready to lock up."

"Wonderful. Then you can walk with me as I make my way back to my office on Fifteenth."

It wasn't in the direction Charlie had planned to go, but he nodded anyway. "Just let me get my keys and lock up." Charlie secured the bank and turned to Dr. Scott. "I'm ready."

"Wonderful. I know it might seem odd for me to show up here unannounced, but I wanted to talk to you about church."

"I've very much enjoyed your sermons. I like straightforward messages, the kind without pretense or show."

"Good thing, because I have neither pretense nor show to offer. For me the Word of God is strong enough to stand all on its own."

"I agree. I've attended church since I was born. My mother said even as a baby I was most attentive." Charlie chuckled. "I love hearing the Bible recited and preached. The lessons it has for us there are so vital."

"I completely agree with you and have been thinking of what you said about loving to teach. I'm wondering if you would consider teaching a Sunday school class of six- to fourteen-year-old boys every Sunday afternoon at two. You can speak on anything in the Bible that you like, but I can also let you know what the Sunday sermon will be, and you can teach on that to give the boys insight into what I'll be talking about that evening."

Charlie didn't even have to think about it. "I would love to. I'm honored that you would trust me with such a position."

"People speak highly of you, Charlie. Even in the short time you've been here, you have made impressions."

"Thank you. I pray I won't disappoint you or God."

"Do you really suppose you can disappoint God, Charlie? Disappointment suggests an unfulfilled anticipation. A hope that things will go one way only to find they've gone another. Since God is all knowing, how can He be disappointed?"

"I've never really considered that point, but it makes sense. I suppose instead of disappointment when we choose something other than Him, God is ... saddened."

"I agree. God must surely face sorrow knowing the choices we make that will lead us to pain and injury. Imagine Him at the beginning of creating the heavens and earth. He knew it wouldn't go well for man, and yet He continued to create. He had a plan beyond what He knew would be man's choices. The plan was always to bring Jesus to a dying world.

"Some people think that Jesus coming to earth to die for our sins was an afterthought, but God knew the choices man would make before He ever put them in the garden. Jesus was always a part of the picture. Disappointment didn't figure into it."

Charlie nodded as the entire explanation came together in his mind. "I can see that now. I will endeavor not to lead God to sorrow over me and my choices." He looked at Dr. Scott and smiled. "And I will endeavor to serve our little church faithfully."

By Friday, Melody could hardly look at Da without feeling her tears come up anew. She couldn't bear the idea of losing him. It terrified her and left her feeling like a small child, stranded and alone.

She argued with herself constantly about the situation. She was certain there had to be someone who could offer help. She knew there was money in the bank and more to come when the Ireland money was delivered. There was surely enough to travel to wherever they needed to go.

She hung up her kitchen apron and glanced over at Mrs. Cooper. "I need to check the garden before I go."

"You tend that plot like a mother with a new babe," Mrs. Cooper declared. "I'm impressed with all of your work, Melody. You've been the perfect employee."

Melody forced a smile. "Thank you for saying so."

"Are you all right? You've seemed preoccupied all week."

"I have a lot on my mind, but, yes, I'm fine." It wasn't really a lie, Melody told herself. Da was the one who wasn't fine, but she wasn't yet ready to share that information with Mrs. Cooper.

Making her way outside, Melody grabbed her gardening gloves at the back door. She pulled them on as she approached the large garden plot. She spied a few weeds starting to grow. Also, there was a faint line of green down some of the rows she'd planted. The soil was good, and the rain they'd had, though minimal, had helped to grow the seeds into tiny plants.

As she weeded, Melody couldn't help but wonder what she should do next. She needed to better understand her father's situation and had already figured to check in with the railroad doctor sometime soon. Since the garden was in good order, why not leave early and go see him now?

She straightened and looked around. Everything was taken care of, and she'd even helped Mrs. Cooper by making a cake for supper. There wasn't anything left, and if she went now, she might avoid seeing Charlie.

Charlie.

Now, there was a big disappointment. She had loved being his friend and enjoyed the things they talked about. Charlie had been a good friend. At least she'd thought he was a good friend. But good friends didn't lie to each other.

But Charlie hadn't really lied, a voice seemed to whisper. He'd not volunteered to share information with her that he knew she'd want to know, but that had been done because of a promise he'd given to Da. He hadn't lied.

He really was an admirable man. She had to admit that much. The next time she met with Marybeth and Granny Taylor she would ask their opinion of the matter. It just wasn't easy to understand the situation on her own. Her thoughts were far too jumbled, and underlying everything was fear.

Melody had never been one to be afraid. She'd always been ready and willing to rise to the occasion and face whatever there was to face, but not this time. She supposed it was because she'd always known she had her father to help her. Da would never allow her to face anything alone. She had felt safe and secure, even when their finances had been bad, because she knew Da would have an answer.

It came to mind that maybe she put more trust in her earthly father than she did her heavenly one. She frowned and pulled off her gloves. Surely that wasn't the truth of it. She knew that God was in charge of all. That He knew all. She trusted Him.

Didn't she?

She went back into the house and deposited her gloves. She found Mrs. Cooper in the kitchen spreading melted butter on top of the dinner rolls she'd just pulled from the oven.

"I'm taking off a little early," she told the woman. "Everything is done, however, and I'll stay a little longer tomorrow if need be."

"You've done a great job. I'm sure you probably have your own housekeeping and shopping to tend to. Thank the Lord it's safer now for a woman to walk alone in Cheyenne. There are still some unsavory characters out there, but it's so much nicer."

"Yes," Melody said, again forcing a smile. "Thank you for understanding. I'll see you in the morning."

She hurried out of the house, hoping to avoid any further discussion. She didn't want to explain matters to her employer. At least not now. Faith Cooper was a good woman and would be sympathetic and understanding, but Melody had no desire to share her sorrows just yet.

The day was warmer than usual. Melody worried they'd have an unbearably hot summer and further Da's misery. Would he even be around for the summer months? How much time did he have left? She bit her lower lip. No matter how much time, it wouldn't be enough.

Melody headed to the railroad's hospital. Dr. Latham had been with the railroad for some time and knew the physical conditions of most of the UP employees. She knew her father respected the man.

When she arrived at the hospital, Melody learned that Dr. Latham was busy with a patient. She told the nurse she would wait—that it was important she speak with him. She sat and thought of exactly what kinds of questions she might ask. Her list was quite long by the time the doctor agreed to see her.

"Miss Doyle, it's a pleasure to see you." He ushered her into a tiny office and motioned to an empty chair. "Please have a seat."

"Thank you."

"What can I do for you?" he asked, taking a seat at his cluttered desk.

"Da told me about his kidneys. He said there's nothing that can be done, but I find that hard to believe."

Dr. Latham frowned. "It's sadly the truth. Your father's kidneys haven't been functioning well for some time. We just didn't realize it."

"Could something have been done if you had known sooner?"

"It's doubtful," the man replied. "There are so many things we just don't know about the body. We might have been able to stave it off for a time, but even that is uncertain."

"I can't believe there isn't a doctor somewhere who specializes in this kind of thing. We could travel to him, if I knew where he was."

The doctor nodded. "Your father and I discussed that very possibility, and I put out word to several colleagues back east and in California. No one could offer me much in the way of help. So, you see, we aren't just relying on my limited knowledge."

"But there has to be something we can do," Melody insisted.

"I'm afraid there isn't. His body isn't functioning well. His appetite is very low, and you know for yourself he's lost a lot of weight. I've given him medicine to help with the pain, but it doesn't help much."

She had no idea of Da having medication for the pain. He had said nothing about it. But then, he'd said nothing about being ill.

"I'm truly sorry, Miss Doyle. But even if there were a doctor elsewhere who had advanced treatments, I'm afraid your father is too sick to even make the trip."

Melody shook her head. "He doesn't seem that bad. He seems tired and isn't eating a lot, but..." She fell silent, seeing the look on the doctor's face. The truth of the matter was fixed. There was no hope of Da getting better.

"So there's not much time left?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"No. Like I told your father last week, it could be just about any time. The kidneys are an important organ in our body, and when they fail, the body cannot survive. I'm so sorry."

Melody drew a breath, but it was more of a sob. She barely managed to make it outside before she burst into tears. Her mind refused to accept the truth, but her heart knew there was nothing more to be done.

She did what she could to control herself and headed home. What else could she do? She had to be there for Da. Had to make his final days as comfortable as possible. A cloud seemed to come over her mind, and she found reasoning and planning impossible. In something of a daze, she continued walking.

"Melody?"

She heard her name called after a time. She stopped and looked around, uncertain of where it had come from. Then she spied him. Charlie. Where had he come from? How did he know she needed him more than ever?

But he hurt me. He lied to me.

No. He hadn't lied.

He drew near, and Melody felt her knees buckle. Thankfully, Charlie was close enough to catch her.

"What is it? What's happened?" he asked, helping her to stand.

She felt his arms strong and capable around her body. How she wished she could trust him.

"Melody, what's going on? Are you ill?"

"I ... I talked to Da's doctor." Her vision blurred from the tears.

"I'm so sorry."

He hugged her close, his strong arms encircling her in a protective fashion. In that moment, Melody wanted nothing more than to remain where she was. Charlie might have kept information from her, but Da had made him give his word. Charlie had honored his promise. He wasn't a bad man.... He was her friend, and she could trust him.

She wrapped her arms around him, not caring what anyone thought. "He's going to die, Charlie. Da is going to die, and I'm going to be alone."

"Never alone, Melody. You have Jesus, and you have me. I'm not going to leave you, and neither will He."

For a time, all she did was cry. She let out all the pent-up misery and sorrow as if she could hand them over to Charlie and be done with them. Her entire world was falling apart, and she didn't know what she would do.

Charlie just let her cry, and when she began to calm, Melody straightened. "I'm sorry for being angry with you." She pulled away and drew out a handkerchief from her pocket. Dabbing her eyes, she shook her head. "It wasn't right. Da told you in confidence, and you kept his secret. That doesn't mean you lied to me. I understand that now."

"I'm glad. I never wanted to hurt you."

She regained control of herself and squared her shoulders. "I know you didn't do it to hurt me. Just please don't keep things from me in the future."

Charlie frowned. "I don't want to keep anything from you, so I need to let you know—"

"Melody! Melody!"

A young boy who lived in the tent community came running and waving his arms. "Come quick. Your pa is sick. He fell down on the ground."