Chapter 17

"Everyone settle down," Charlie said, getting the dozen or so boys ready for Sunday school. "Remember when we talked about the Battle of Jericho? What did God call Joshua and the Israelites to do?"

The boys finished taking their places, and one boy raised his hand.

Charlie smiled. "Yes, Bobby?"

"They marched around the walls, and the walls fell down."

"Exactly right. God brought the walls down, and His people were able to lay claim to the city. This wasn't the way that the Israelites thought God would give them Jericho. Marching around the walls didn't seem at all a likely way for the obstacle to be removed. Yet sometimes that's how it goes with God. He does things in His own way, and while it doesn't always make sense to us, we need to do what God calls us to do."

The boys were listening much better than they had the week before, and Charlie was pleased to see they seemed genuinely interested.

"Have you ever been told to do something a certain way and it didn't make sense to you, so you didn't do it that way?"

Most of the boys nodded. Charlie smiled. "And what happened?"

One of the boys blurted out, "I got a whuppin'."

The other boys laughed, and Charlie nodded. "Remember to raise your hand if you want to speak. Anybody else?"

One of the older boys named Mark raised his hand, and Charlie called on him. Mark came to stand beside the desk. "Once, when we lived in Missouri, my ma sent me out to pick berries. She always told me to beat around the bushes to make sure there weren't any rattlers or other snakes. I thought it was silly and decided not to do it. Then I got bit by a rattler and almost died."

The other boys looked at Mark in surprise. Perhaps a little admiration too. Not many of them could boast of living through a rattlesnake bite.

"That's a very good example, Mark. Thank you for sharing it." Mark sat back down, and Charlie continued. "Sometimes the instructions or rules we're given to follow make no sense to us. God calls us to trust Him no matter what. It doesn't mean we'll have an easy time of it, but obedience to God is always best. Yielding to Him will always bless us in the long run, so do what God tells you to do, even if it doesn't seem right by the world's way of doing things."

"And we won't get bitten by a snake," another of the boys replied.

Charlie didn't reprimand him. Instead, he smiled. "Obedience often keeps us from bad situations. Today we're going to talk about a man who didn't want to obey God's calling, and he met up with some very bad times. His name is Jonah."

Charlie was still feeling exhilarated on Monday morning. He had declared his love to Melody, although she'd said very little in return. He knew her feelings were overwhelmed—a mixture of grief and surprise. He hoped he'd made things better for her ... more reassuring rather than confusing.

She hadn't been at church, so he'd had no chance to speak to her, and he felt that rather than go and impose himself on her at such a difficult time, he'd give her a day or so to think about all that had happened. It would also give him time to consider his next move.

He unlocked the bank door and let himself in. It was bittersweet to find the place empty. Jefferson used to beat him in and got things set up and ready to go for the first customers of the day. Now that fell to Charlie to do. Only his heart was not in it. Especially after his successful time teaching.

Last night he had written his father a long letter explaining his desire to teach. For the first time, he wrote in detail what teaching meant to him and why he no longer wanted to work in the bank. He promised his father he would stay with it until another man could be hired to take over the savings and loan, but he also asked that his father make it soon. Charlie intended to take money left to him by his grandfather and invest in building a small school. He wanted it ready for the fall so he could start advertising for students right away.

He knew it would take a lot of work to get teaching materials and books ordered for September, as well as desks and chairs. After writing his father the letter, he had started making a list of what he needed to purchase. First atop the list was a house and property where a school could be built. He saw no need for anything fancy regarding the school. A simple building, say, twenty by twenty, would be plenty big enough. He figured he could take on twenty boys at most. In his mind, he saw it set up with simple wooden tables and chairs, a large chalkboard, and maybe a big table where they could conduct science experiments. The very idea excited him so much that he could hardly focus on the day ahead when there was so much to plan.

For instance, where in town should the land for the house and school be? Charlie felt certain he needed to have Melody's thoughts on the matter. He was even more confident after their time together that she was the one for him. They might not marry for a while. He knew her focus right now would be her father, and there was no way of knowing how much longer he had on earth. Then there would be her time of mourning. She might be someone who didn't feel comfortable marrying before a substantial amount of time passed after her father's death. Still, he thought it only right that she know his intentions toward her and that he get her opinions on a place to live.

There was already a property Charlie had in mind. A house was being built next to an empty lot where Charlie could easily put in a school. He liked the idea of keeping the school and house close together. That way he would never be all that far from home. The property was situated on the northeast side of town in an area that was just starting to see settlement.

He smiled at the thought of making his dreams a reality. As he went about his bank duties, he couldn't help but make mental lists of all he would need to do for the school. Maybe later in the day he could close the bank for a time and go visit the land agent.

Humming to himself, Charlie went to the small safe and unlocked it in order to put money in the teller's cage. The empty interior stopped his humming immediately. He went to the cash drawer in the teller's cage. Had he forgotten to put the money away on Friday?

He turned the key in the lock and gained access to the drawer but found that it, too, was empty. He hurried to his office. The door was still secure. He let himself in and looked around. Nothing appeared disturbed, but neither had the front office. He went to the larger safe and opened it. The money was there, much to his relief.

He pulled out the ledger and the notes he'd left himself last Friday. He counted the money in the safe and noted that it was all there. The only money missing was a little over one thousand dollars from the smaller safe.

There was only one other person who had access to the bank and to the small safe and cash drawer: Jefferson. Charlie hit his forehead with the palm of his hand. He'd forgotten to demand Jefferson leave his keys when Charlie fired him. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, but that seemed the only logical answer. Everything had been locked up tight. There was no sign of damage, and nothing but the money Jefferson could access was missing.

With a heavy sigh, Charlie grabbed his hat and headed out of the bank after relocking everything. He thought of going to see Jefferson first but instead made his way to the police station. It was probably best to let them confront Jefferson. Charlie might very well punch the man in the nose if left to his own doings.

After seeing the police and giving them his thoughts on all that had happened, as well as Jefferson Lane's address, Charlie went to the telegraph office and sent his father a telegram. The letter he'd written the night before would have to wait. Now was hardly the time to walk away from his responsibilities. Charlie might hate banking, but he didn't want to let his father down, especially given that he'd been the one who neglected to get the keys back from Jefferson.

He returned to the bank and shortly after found Judge Kuykendall at his door. The man was a part of the local vigilante committee, and he assured Charlie that a posse had been formed to go after Jefferson Lane.

"He's gone?" Charlie asked, not completely surprised by this news.

"Yes. The marshal went to question him and learned from his landlord that he'd departed on Friday. The marshal then checked with the railroad ticket master and with the stage company. It seems Jefferson was on the Saturday morning stage for Denver. Hopefully the posse will bring him back with the money still on him."

"I suppose there's a possibility that Jefferson didn't take the money, but I don't know how anyone else would have gotten in here and taken it without some sign of forced entry. Jefferson had keys."

Judge Kuykendall nodded. "It seems to point to him, but he will have a chance to defend himself. We don't want to jump to hasty conclusions, even when all the evidence points to him."

Charlie nodded. He felt the same way. If he was wrong, and Jefferson hadn't taken the money, Charlie didn't want the man to be unjustly punished. Still, there was the matter that Jefferson had already taken about six hundred dollars by adjusting the books. He felt compelled to tell the judge.

"There's something else about Mr. Lane that I didn't mention to the police."

By late morning, almost everyone in town had heard that the Cheyenne Savings and Loan had been robbed. Charlie wasn't surprised when people started coming in to demand their money, fearful that the robbery would keep them from being able to withdraw their savings.

"Rest assured, folks, the bulk of the money wasn't taken. You can withdraw your funds if you truly feel the need, but I can assure you that your money is safe, even if I must put my own money in to see you paid out. I would like to encourage you, however, to leave the money here with the bank." He knew a great number of people heard nothing he said. They were afraid, and the thought of losing their money was uppermost in their minds.

"Banking procedures will continue as before. You can make your loan payments and make deposits to your savings accounts. It's banking as usual," Charlie assured.

Little by little the people headed home, some taking their money and others feeling confident enough of Charlie's words that they left their money in the bank. When noon rolled around, Charlie was once again alone. He couldn't help but fear this might well be the end of things for the little bank.

Melody arrived around one o'clock to brighten his day. She was dressed in a lightweight gown of blue and white. He'd never seen her wear it before and thought how pretty she was.

"Hello, Charlie." Her voice was just a whisper. "I hope you don't mind my interruption." She held a basket in front of her and shifted it to her left arm. "I heard about the trouble."

"It's good to see a friendly face." His smile almost immediately faded, however. "Unless, of course, you're as worried as everyone else and have come to withdraw your money. I assure you your money is safe."

"I wasn't worried about the money," Melody said, holding up a basket. "I guessed you probably wouldn't be able to get away for lunch. I know it's a little late, but I have fried chicken and fresh soda bread."

He hadn't gone to lunch for fear that if he closed the bank, even for half an hour, people might think the worst and start a riot. "Bless you. I'm starving. Bless you, too, for not being afraid that the bank doesn't have your money."

Melody shrugged. "We've never had much money and have always lived frugally. If the money is gone, I really don't know what I'm missing."

Charlie chuckled. "You are something special, you know that?" He wanted so much to take her in his arms, but he held back.

"I'm just me. Plain and simple." She nodded toward his office. "Would you like to eat in there?"

"Yes. Let me take that for you." He took the basket from her and led the way to his office. He was at odds as to how to broach the subject of all that had transpired between them but felt he should at least acknowledge what had happened.

He placed the basket on his desk and turned to face her. "I, uh, well, there's a lot I'd like to say, but given the circumstances, I don't want to rush you."

"Oh, Charlie." She smiled and pushed back her sunbonnet. "What else needs to be said?"

He chuckled. "Well, you never did say what you thought of the matter."

"I thought I did." Her brows raised as she stepped closer. "I specifically remember putting my arms around you like this." She stretched up and clasped her hands behind his neck. "Then I raised my face to you ... like this."

Charlie did what came naturally. What he'd wanted to do since she came into the room. He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.

Melody was the one to pull away this time. "Do you remember now?"

"I do. I guess you were plenty vocal on the matter."

She laughed. "Charlie, you are something else. Something so unexpected."

He wanted to kiss her again but held off. "You are as well." He crossed his arms to keep from taking her in them. "I never expected to find love in Cheyenne, but I've been thanking God all weekend that I did. That He sent you my way."

"I've been thanking Him as well, Charlie. For you. I wasn't at all sure how I could possibly get through this situation with Da, but knowing you're there for me helps a great deal."

"How's your father?" The intensity of the moment fell away as they focused on Clancy.

"About the same. He sleeps most of the time, but the doctor said that's to be expected. The medicine makes him sleepy."

Melody went to work pulling out a plate for Charlie. She had included some sugar cookies with the bread and chicken, and Charlie reached for one first thing.

"I'll start with dessert." He bit into the cookie with a wink.

"It would seem to meet with your approval. That is, if the look on your face is any indication." She put the food on his plate and handed it over. "I'm sure sorry Jefferson did this to you. Da told me he didn't think the man could be trusted. Jefferson had asked to court me, but Da refused him.

"Then Jefferson told me the other day that he wanted to spend time with me and help. What a laugh that is, considering what he did. I saw him on Friday night, and he had a large suitcase with him. Said he was leaving this town for good. I asked him about the fact that he supposedly wanted to marry me, and he said he had only been teasing. The man doesn't have any honor."

Charlie put the cookie aside and sat down to eat the fried chicken. "Of course, we don't know for sure that Jefferson Lane is responsible, but if not him, then I don't know who it could be. The place wasn't broken into. The person responsible appeared to have keys, and I'm afraid when I fired him, I failed to get those back."

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Charlie. It's not like you intentionally forgot. You had a lot on your mind."

"That's for sure. I've been going over the books with a fine-tooth comb and realized Jefferson had been stealing money from the bank. When I confronted him, of course he denied it. Even suggested my brother was responsible, but then I reminded him the losses continued after Jacob returned to Chicago. Jefferson never did admit responsibility."

Melody sat in the chair opposite Charlie's desk. "So now what?"

"Now people are terrified that their savings have been lost. I told them even if I had to use my own money, they wouldn't be out. The bulk of the bank's money was locked in the safe behind me. Jefferson didn't have the ability to open it, so the money is still there. Unfortunately, that didn't do much to assuage folks' fears."

"People are that way. When we arrived here last summer, there were rumors of Indians attacking folks in the area. Someone thought they'd seen a bunch of mounted warriors on a nearby ridge, and even though there was no evidence of anyone being there, people were unwilling to listen to reason and wouldn't calm down until the army posted men around the town. When the army got back from searching for the Indians, they announced that the attacking warriors that had been spotted were nothing more than a small herd of dairy cows." Melody smiled. "People had just let their imaginations go wild."

Charlie grinned. "Attacking dairy cows, eh?"

She nodded. "It's always something. Da taught me to refrain from getting too excited about things until I have all the facts. ‘Be keepin' yar wits about ya, me girl.'" Melody did her best to imitate the older man.

Charlie laughed. "Sounds like him."

She sobered. "I'm going to miss him so much, Charlie. Dr. Latham came by and checked on him. He said Da will pass in the next few days. I don't want to leave him alone, so our neighbor is sitting with him now, even though he's just sleeping. I should get back."

Charlie hated to think of Clancy Doyle leaving them. He'd come to truly enjoy the older man's company, as well as his philosophies on life and spiritual insight.

"I won't let you go through this alone, Melody. I want you to know that."

She nodded. "I do. My friends are making known their desires to help me through, and I so appreciate their kindness. But there's an emptiness that Da's passing will leave that no one person can fill. A big emptiness that terrifies me."

"No person can fill that emptiness, but Jesus can. He'll be your comfort and assurance of better days to come. Your father wouldn't want to leave you with an empty spot in your heart. He'd tell you to let the Lord make things right."

Melody considered his words a moment. "I want to be strong like that, Charlie. I want to just give it to God and trust Him. I know He's good and able to ease my sorrow, but..."

"But what?"

She didn't answer for a long time and instead looked down at her hands. Charlie thought maybe she wouldn't answer.

"It's so much easier to speak the words than to walk the path." She raised her head and met his gaze. "I'm afraid, Charlie."

His heart nearly broke at the fear in her eyes.

"What if my faith isn't strong enough? What if I fail this test?"

"You won't. The devil wants you to think you will, but you won't. God has promised He'll never leave nor forsake you. You have Him at your side, and His strength will be enough. His grace will be sufficient, just as it was for Paul."

"When I was a little girl, I came to God out of fear. Fear of hellfire and eternal separation from Him. My mother told me that Jesus had died in my place to pay for my sins. That made me sad, but she said without that sacrifice I could never be right with our heavenly Father. I remember praying that Jesus would save me and that I would belong to Him. I've always found such comfort in that, and even in the pain of losing my mother, I found solace in knowing God was there for me.

"But Da was there for me too. I think I saw Da as God's representative on earth. Although I couldn't see God, I could see my earthly father and knew that I was safe and cared for. Now Da will be gone, and I don't know what will happen, Charlie. What if I walk away from God?"

"Do you really think that's possible? God has chosen you for His own. He knew that you would accept Him and choose Him in return. Do you suppose He'll let you just walk away now?"

"But people do. They leave the church and forget about God."

"Yes, but God doesn't forget about them. I've seen those people too. God doesn't just let them flounder out there alone. He's always speaking to them, wooing them to return home—to hear His voice and obey. They sometimes don't even know that it's God, but they know there's something familiar to it. They can't leave it or ignore it. You'll never forget God, Melody. You love Him too dearly. It wasn't your da who saved you. It was Jesus. And it was Jesus shining through your father that made him so loving and compelling to you. You might not see it right now, but you will in time. Trust God, Melody. He will never let you down. And He will never die."