Chapter 22

"Let me grab my sunbonnet, and I'll help you with the laundry," Melody told Marybeth after they finished up the breakfast dishes.

Edward had gone to work before sunup, and now at nearly eight thirty in the morning, Melody felt she'd been lounging around all day. It wasn't Marybeth's normal routine to sleep so late either, but she said that Edward had encouraged her to go back to bed that morning since Carrie was still asleep, and she had complied.

Melody was glad for the extra rest. She'd been tired for so long. Da being sick had prevented her from sleeping deeply as she worried about his needs. These last few days since the funeral had been hard to face, but at least sleep had come.

Between sleeping and praying, there was always Charlie. His love and gentle encouragement had seen her through the worst of times. Marybeth and Edward's love had also helped. And that, along with Carrie's happy-go-lucky spirit and antics, was enough to chase away most of the sadness that surrounded Melody like a heavy blanket.

She had just started back from her upstairs bedroom when a loud knock sounded on the front door.

"I'll get it," she called out in case Marybeth was still in the house.

She opened the door and found Charlie standing there, handsome as ever, hat in hand. "Good morning, Charlie. I was just about to lend Marybeth a hand with the laundry."

"I want you to meet someone." Another man stepped up from the side. "This is my father, Mr. Bertram Decker."

"But you can call me Father, if you like," the man offered. "I hope that isn't out of line, but Charlie tells me the two of you would like to marry."

Melody smiled uncertainly. "Yes, we want very much to marry." She said nothing about calling him father. While she had never called Da father, it wasn't easy to think of this stranger as such.

"Won't you come in?" Melody said, stepping away. "As I said, I was just going to go help Marybeth with her laundry, but I can take a few minutes to visit with the two of you."

The men came inside, and Melody led them into the front room. "Have a seat, and I'll bring tea."

"Don't bother. We just had breakfast and drank an entire pot of coffee," Charlie said. "Sit with us for a moment."

She took a seat in Marybeth's rocking chair while Charlie and his father took the sofa.

"I've told my father all about Jefferson Lane and the robbery. The embezzlement too," Charlie explained. "I've also told him about us and my desire to own a school and teach."

She immediately feared the worst. Charlie had warned her about his father and his attitude toward having each of his sons follow him in banking.

"I can tell by the worried expression you wear," Charlie's father interjected, "that you're concerned I would disapprove." He chuckled. "I must say that the old me very well would have."

Melody found his comment even more concerning. What did he mean by the "old me"? She shifted her weight and let the rocker move back and forth at a slow pace. It comforted her. She needed to let go of her growing fears that Charlie's father might start arguing for his side of the matter.

"You need not fear, my dear. I am a changed soul, as Charlie can confirm. Goodness, I wouldn't have even called him Charlie before my remaking. No, I assure you, God has taken hold of me, and I am a different man."

"It's true, Melody."

Charlie's smile caused her to immediately relax. Melody looked at the older man and could see the sincerity in his expression. "I don't know quite what to say."

"Don't worry about saying anything," Charlie began again. "Father and I talked long into the night. He is quite supportive of my plans. He even wants to help with the school."

"That's wonderful." Melody knew her tone was still guarded. She looked at Mr. Decker. "Charlie is quite good at teaching. I've heard nothing but enthusiasm for his Sunday school class endeavors. I would imagine running an entire school would suit him quite well."

Charlie's father nodded. "I believe Charlie would make an excellent teacher."

"Father has been so encouraging that he's offered to pay for the school to be built. I told him that I needed to discuss things with you first. And given all that you've been through this last week, I have no desire to burden you with it now."

"I don't think your dreams for the future are a burden, Charlie. You know I support them. I know that you've never enjoyed..." She fell silent. It wasn't right for her to comment on how Charlie felt about banking. That was entirely up to him.

"You know that my son has never enjoyed banking," Charlie's father said with a gentle smile. "Isn't that what you were about to say?"

Melody bit her lower lip and nodded. She felt terrible for having related such thoughts because now Charlie's father would know that he'd told her everything.

But instead of anger, Mr. Decker leaned forward. "Miss Doyle ... may I call you Melody?"

"Please do." Melody continued to rock.

"Melody, I know that you must think me a terrible man."

"No!" she exclaimed, shaking her head. "I don't think that at all. I believe you to be firm, fixed in your thoughts. A man of opinion."

He chuckled. "Yes, to be certain, and those opinions were usually quite negative. But God has dealt with my bitter heart. As I told Charlie, much of my bitterness came from not seeking my own dream, but rather following the plan that my father put in place for me. I don't want to do that to Charlie any longer."

She glanced at her husband-to-be and found him smiling. She cocked her head to one side to silently ask the reason for his amusement.

He leaned forward and lowered his voice, as if trying to keep his father from hearing. "It's just so strange that he's calling me Charlie. He never would before. He said it wasn't fitting."

Mr. Decker leaned forward as well. "A lot has changed by the grace of God."

Melody felt the last of her tension ease. "God is good."

"To be sure, my dear." Mr. Decker eased back against the sofa. "Charlie has told me about your recent loss, and I am heartily sorry. He said that you were very close to your father."

"Yes." Melody folded her hands. "Da was a good man who always saw to our needs." She hesitated to say more lest she burst into tears. "I loved him very much. I still do."

Mr. Decker nodded. "It is never easy to lose anyone we care about, and even harder when it's someone who has touched your heart so deeply. I didn't have that kind of relationship with my earthly father. He was a man of rules and regulations who held no mercy for those who failed him." His joyful expression was replaced by a look of sorrow. "I am so sorry for having repeated his mistakes."

"Father, you were honoring Grandfather as you should. He was deserving of your respect."

"Yes, but I didn't have to become the very things I detested. Thank God you were strong enough to resist my bitter heart, Charlie."

Melody had never expected such confessions, and yet for a reason she couldn't explain, it comforted her. To see a man like Mr. Decker humble himself before her and his son was evidence of true contrition.

"You are forgiven, Father." Charlie squeezed his hand. "Now, let us speak of it no more. You have a new heart, and God will direct the days to come."

"I agree, son. Let us talk of your plans to marry this beautiful young lady."

"Melody and I haven't had much time to plan anything. I want to give her time to mourn. So many of our first experiences, even my asking her to marry me, have been mingled with sorrow. I want her to have all the time she needs."

Melody was again touched by Charlie's consideration of her feelings. However, she knew that her father had hoped to see her married right away. He hadn't wanted to leave her to manage alone and had said merely living with friends wasn't good enough to give him peace of mind in her remaining in Cheyenne. Not only that, but he had chosen Charlie for her.

"I'd like us to marry right away, Charlie. I don't want a big wedding. Something very small, with our friends. Maybe we could just get married on Sunday night after the church services. We wouldn't even need to announce it to anyone."

"But I've already heard about it," Marybeth said from the open doorway. She held Carrie in her arms, and the child was amazingly quiet. She looked at Melody. "When you didn't come out, I feared something was wrong."

"No, not at all. Charlie and his father stopped by to see me. Mr. Decker, this is my dear friend Marybeth Vogel and her daughter, Carrie."

Mr. Decker and Charlie were already on their feet. Charlie's father spoke in greeting. "It's very nice to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Vogel."

Melody didn't wait to continue. "Marybeth, I don't mind you knowing because you won't force me to have a big wedding with parties. You understand my feelings. You had a quiet ceremony yourself and have told me you didn't regret it at all."

"No." Marybeth shook her head. "I didn't. It was perfect for us."

Melody turned back to Charlie. "I've never worried about having a big wedding and fancy dress. The only thing that was ever important was the man I would wed. When Da suggested advertising for a husband and testing each applicant out, I wasn't certain it could work. But here we are, and I know you are the choice Da had for me. Let's marry Sunday, if Dr. Scott will do the deed." She looked at Charlie's father. "And maybe you would stand with me since my own father can't be here to be at my side?"

Bertram Decker gave her a solemn nod. "I would be proud to do so and even prouder to call you daughter."

The next day, Charlie was still struggling to get used to his father's change of heart as they sat at breakfast. Bertram Decker was a completely changed man. The father Charlie had known in the past would never have allowed for a quick wedding, much less been an enthusiastic participant. And all of this in light of the bank robbery made it all the more impressive.

"Your mother will be upset that she couldn't be here for the wedding," Father declared. "However, I know we could never get her here by Sunday."

"I wish she could be here. If you really think Mother is up to the trip here, I'll talk to Melody and see if we might wait a week."

His father's face lit up. "I know she could easily make the trip. She loves to travel, and I've denied her so many adventures. I could arrange for someone to travel with her so that she wouldn't have to worry about anything. My valet, Bixby, and her maid, Claudia, might do the job."

"Let me speak to Melody when we go to see the property later today. I'm sure she'll understand and want to wait. She would give anything if her mother and father could be with us. I know she won't refuse me mine."

"Wonderful. By the way, I think she'll love the property you have in mind. The house is quite grand."

"Grander than I had imagined." Charlie and his father had inspected it late the previous afternoon. The house was well built and quite nicely situated. "And the builder was happy to get right to work on the school."

"It was fortunate for you that he owned the lot next door. The contracts will be less complicated working with just one person rather than two."

"I agree, but what about the bank, Father?" Charlie had put off talking about the matter in light of his happy plans to marry Melody.

"I've given it much thought on the trip here as well as after going through everything with you. I believe the best thing is to dissolve the bank, especially since Jacob has no desire to return to Cheyenne. There aren't that many accounts left to worry about, and we can help the customers transfer to another bank."

"I'd like to think they'll find Jefferson soon. I don't see how he could have gotten that far."

His father gave a little shrug. "That is one of the differences with transportation being so readily available. People will have a much easier time getting away from bad situations."

"The men who went after him were the best of trackers and know a great deal about the area. At least, that's what Edward Vogel told me. He has worked with many of these men since last year. Edward's at work right now, perhaps we could go and ask him if there has been any word on the matter."

His father drank the last of his coffee and dabbed his lips with the napkin. "I think that's a good idea."

They walked the few blocks to the jail only to find a large gathering of horses and men outside. To Charlie's utter amazement, Jefferson Lane was at the very center of the gathering, positioned on the boardwalk between two rough-looking characters. Jefferson looked terrified and small compared to his companions.

"That's him," Charlie told his father. "That's Jefferson Lane."

"Why, he's just a child. What a sad beginning to a man's life."

They watched a moment from across the street, then made their way to join the noisy bunch at the jail. The men led Jefferson inside, and Charlie wasn't surprised to see Nathan Baker, owner and editor of the Daily Leader, race in behind them. He and Jefferson were the same age, or nearly so. Both came to Cheyenne from Denver. Yet they were as different as two men could be. Baker was married with a child. He was an upstanding citizen and popular with the townsfolk. Jefferson was now an enemy to all, especially those who had placed their trust in the Cheyenne Savings and Loan.

Charlie and his father pushed through the crowd and into the jail. He found Edward standing to one side while the marshal took charge of Jefferson.

They made their way to where Edward stood. The first thing on Charlie's mind was to find out if the money had been recovered.

"Glad you're here," Edward said. "We would have sent for you, and this saves us the trouble. They just brought him in."

"I figured as much since he was still outside the jail." Charlie glanced around. "Did they recover the money?"

Edward nodded. "They did. I don't know how much of it, but I'm sure the marshal will talk to you as soon as they get Jefferson locked up."

They didn't have to wait long. Marshal Sweeney approached them, ignoring Nathan Baker, who was already asking questions. Another man was at the marshal's side.

"Mr. Decker," Sweeney said, nodding to Charlie. "This is Johnny Barnes. He led the posse." The man was covered in dust and looked weary from his ride.

"Good to meet you." Charlie shook the man's hand. "Thank you for what you did." He turned to his side. "This is my father, Bertram Decker. He's the bank's owner."

Sweeney and Barnes gave a nod. Sweeney used his thumb to motion back over his shoulder. "The money's been recovered. All of it's there. Lane had an additional two hundred dollars and some change on his person, but the amount you told me about from the safe was all together in his suitcase. I'll send a couple of armed men with you if you want to take it back to the bank."

"That would be wonderful," Charlie's father answered.

"Where did they find him?" Charlie asked.

"We learned he'd gotten off the stage in Fort Collins," Barnes replied. "He paid a fella to pose as him and get back on the stage and continue to Denver. The fella took the money and then changed his mind. From that we learned Lane bought a horse and gear. We were able to track him from where he bought it and followed a trail up into the mountains. Apparently, his pa owned the cabin where we found him."

Charlie wasn't surprised that Jefferson had planned it all out. Lane didn't strike him as someone who would act willy-nilly.

"May I speak with him?" Charlie asked.

Sweeney shrugged. "Don't know why not. Ed, take Mr. Decker to Lane's cell."

Edward nodded. Charlie turned to his father. "I'll be right back, I just want to ... I don't know ... say something to Jefferson. I hate how this all turned out."

"Go ahead. I'll be here."

Charlie followed Edward to the cells. Jefferson sat on a cot, staring at the wall. "Jefferson, I'm sorry things came to this," Charlie said, gazing through the bars of the jail cell.

Jefferson barely glanced up. He quickly went back to looking at the wall. "I don't want to sit here and listen to your lecture or have to endure your gloating over me."

"I didn't come for either of those reasons," Charlie replied. "I came to tell you that I was sorry things went the way they did and that I'd be praying for you."

"Don't bother. I don't believe in God."

"Well, I do, and since I'm the one doing the praying ... I think that's enough for the time being."

Jefferson fixed him with a hard look. "I'm not sorry for what I did."

"Not even a little sorry?" Charlie asked in surprise. He couldn't imagine being in Jefferson's position without having a great deal of regret.

"I'm sorry I got caught," Jefferson replied. He got up and walked over to where Charlie stood. "You don't know anything about anything."

"I know that you're about to face a worse life than what you had. It seems like such a waste for someone like you. You're obviously capable, even smart in some ways."

"I'm very smart," Jefferson countered. "Smarter than most."

"I don't know that I would say that." Charlie could see his comment irritated Jefferson. "A smart man wouldn't have landed himself here in jail."

Jefferson's eyes narrowed. He seemed on the edge of speaking, then returned to his place on the cot. "Like I said, you don't know anything."

"I suppose when it comes to throwing your life away, you're right. I don't know anything about it, nor do I want to." Charlie looked to Edward. "I guess I'm done here."

Two hours later, the money was back in the safe at the bank, as well as the keys. Charlie's father had agreed to an interview with Nathan Baker, while Charlie finally showed Melody the property he wanted to purchase for their future.

The builder worked upstairs while Charlie escorted Melody through the downstairs rooms. She was amazed at the size of the place.

"It's bigger than Marybeth's house, and I thought that was huge."

"You've been living in a tent for what, two or three years? Any other place would seem big," Charlie said, laughing. He showed her to the second of two parlors. "This could be a library or music room or whatever you want it to be."

"It's beautiful, Charlie. I can't imagine living here."

"But would you like to? I won't buy this house and the property next door if you don't like it."

"I like it very much. It would be a wonderful home."

She looked at him, and Charlie's heart skipped a beat. She was so beautiful, and he could easily lose himself in her blue-eyed gaze. Planning a future with her wasn't hard at all.

"There are four large bedrooms upstairs," Charlie said, moving her into the dining area. "The kitchen is just beyond this room."

"The dining room is quite big—and has its own fireplace," Melody said, looking around in awe. "I've never lived anywhere with this much room. Even the houses we lived in were much smaller."

"I figure we'll need the space. After all, I'm hoping for a large family," Charlie said, wondering how she'd react. They hadn't discussed having children, but he figured it was about time.

"Oh, I do too, Charlie," she said, giving his arm a squeeze. "I want an entire houseful. I was always so lonely as a child. There were always families around us with dozens of children, and I envied them so much." She met his gaze and smiled. "I'm so glad you want a large family."

"That brings me to another matter. I have a favor to ask you," he said, remembering what he and his father had discussed. "Would you mind if we married a week later than we discussed?"

She frowned. "Why?"

"I'd like my mother to be here. Father believes he can send for her and have her here by the end of next week, but not by this Sunday."

Melody's worried look faded as she reached up to touch his cheek. "Of course. How thoughtless of me. She must be here."

He pulled her into his arms. "I knew you'd feel that way, and I knew you'd love this house as much as I do. I'll get the details worked out, and we'll secure it and have the builder start on the school. I can't tell you how happy this makes me."

"It makes me happy too." She put her head against his chest and sighed. "I know Da would be happy as well. I can almost hear him saying, ‘Good on ya, Charlie boy. Good on ya.'"

Charlie laughed and lifted her far enough to swing her in a circle. "I can hear him saying it too."