Chapter 27

27

Two men Beth didn't know burst into the jailhouse, shoving Dr. Horecroft in front of them. Dr. Snider was right behind them.

The deputy looked befuddled as one of the men took the keys off a nail in the wall, unlocked the door to the cell Rutledge was in, and pushed Horecroft inside with him.

When the jail door clanged shut and the key twisted hard in the lock, Beth was swamped with a feeling of intense satisfaction. But she was confused, too. "What did he do?"

"You found men on the jury who'd been bribed." Judge Nolte sounded profoundly satisfied.

Dr. Snider smiled a rather mean smile. Father and his cronies hadn't made friends in this town, not including the men Dr. Horecroft had bribed.

"The sheriff had us asking questions all over town. We found six men, mostly loafers at three different saloons, who had money they'd never earned and flashed it around. Two of them—the ones you noticed and talked to the sheriff about—were heard bragging about taking a twenty-dollar gold piece and not even having to sit on the jury. Another who was on the jury was sow-drunk on the boardwalk outside a saloon, and a fourth was busy buying rounds for the house."

"Dr. Horecroft spent his money very unwisely," the judge said with disgust.

"You mean that's a crime?" Ginny sounded dubious. "I suspected many times that Thaddeus had done that. He had lawsuits brought against him a few times, but he never seemed to worry about it, and he always won his cases."

"It's obstruction of justice, Mrs. Rutledge," Judge Nolte replied.

"Please, call me Ginny."

Judge Nolte gave a little tilt of her head as if she understood and approved of Ginny not wanting the name Rutledge attached to her. She went on, "Obstruction of justice can mean several things, one of which is bribing jurors to come to the decision the man bribing you wants. So yes, it's a crime all right."

One of the men stepped forward and said, "I'm Owen Riley, U.S. Marshal. Dr. Horecroft did the bribing for Mr. Rutledge's case. That makes both of them criminals. I'm going to enjoy locking them up, and not just in a jail in Cheyenne. They're going to the territorial prison."

"This is nonsense." Rutledge approached the bars, glaring at Marshal Riley. "I'll destroy you for this."

Riley looked supremely unafraid.

"You won't destroy anyone without money." Ginny stood straighter than Beth had ever seen her. "And you're never getting your hands on my parents' honestly earned money." Mama's blue eyes flashed with hope as she turned back to Marshal Riley. "I'm safe then? I'm free?"

"You're safe, Ginny." Mr. Etherton gave her a confident smile. "He won't get a life sentence, but seeing as he's an old man, five years or so will no doubt amount to the same thing. He doesn't have that many years left, and the harsh confines of prison won't be easy on him. Since he committed the bribery, Horecroft should get ten years, but we'll see what Judge Nolte says. You'll have your chance to go set those women free he's got locked up back in Chicago. And help them any way you can." Etherton walked toward the cell. "Sykes is the only one with the good sense to be afraid of what could happen to him. He may get the lightest sentence, but he'll do time nonetheless."

Sykes, sitting on a cot in the cell on the left side, set his mouth in a grim line.

The lawyer studied him. "I hope you'll go straight, but whether you do or not, without Rutledge to pay your salary, I'd say you'll be leaving Ginny alone."

Sykes didn't respond other than to slump back against the wall.

Father shouted an insult at the judge, which to Beth's mind was just plain stupid.

Horecroft settled on his cot with his nose in the air. Perhaps a few years in the territorial prison would knock the arrogance out of him.

Judge Nolte, who'd been brandishing a weapon since the men entered the jailhouse, checked her gun in a way that was so slick and polished, Beth decided it was a trick she'd have to learn herself.

"It's a decision you have to make for yourself," said the judge, "but you should divorce Mr. Rutledge, Ginny. Such a thing is rare around here, but it can be done—especially when a husband has behaved violently toward his wife."

Mama frowned. "It's such a terrible sin, though. I made vows before God to love, honor, and cherish Thaddeus till death us do part."

"Yes, I know those vows well as I've performed a few wedding ceremonies and been married twice myself. But honestly, you don't love him, nor cherish him."

Mama visibly shuddered, then shook her head. "Good heavens, how could I?"

"You vowed to obey him as well, and you've certainly not done that for a while. Same goes for honoring him."

"Not for a long while." Mama nodded slowly, then added, "What it comes down to is ... I've broken my vows already."

Judge Nolte didn't say anything more. Instead, she offered a kind smile, reached over, and squeezed Ginny's hand.

"Jake, will you go on ahead, catch up with Oscar and Brand? I need to talk to Maeve for a while."

Jake looked at Dakota, then at Maeve. "Is it safe for you two to ride without me?"

Dakota knew, if Raul had the right of it, that the Darnell feud against him had just ended with the death of Ezra Darnell. "Yep, I think the feud is done now."

Jake's eyes shifted to Maeve again. "I'll ride ahead enough to let you talk in private, but I'm not going far. Rutledge may still have trouble in store." With a gentle kick, he urged his horse into a trot.

Dakota and Maeve kept walking. He didn't wait for long. "Those two men were named Darnell."

Maeve's brow furrowed. "You said some men were after you. Or there was trouble following you. Something like that."

Dakota wished he could just forget the whole thing now that his troubles seemed to be over. No one had to know what all he'd been through. No one had to know about those unmarked graves back in his valley.

Then he saw her brow furrow more deeply. Nope, there was no way to avoid speaking of it.

"Ezra Darnell was the one who grabbed you and forced us to go out the back door of that fabric store. He and his family have been after me ever since I was part of the crowd that killed Ezra's grandson Vic in a shootout while he was robbing a bank."

"Part of the crowd? So was Ezra after every man who'd killed his grandson?"

Dakota shook his head. "I don't know what else that family was up to. I was in a town in Oregon on my way to find Jake. I found homesteading in Oregon didn't suit me, so I headed for Idaho and the mountains and my old friend. Vic Darnell picked the town I was in to rob a bank."

"You were there?"

"Yep, I was coming down the boardwalk when gunfire erupted inside the bank. I ducked into an alley in time to see this tall, black-eyed man drag a woman outside the bank with his arm around her neck and a gun to her head."

"Just like Ezra had me."

"The woman screamed and clawed Vic across the face. He roared, and the gun went off. She fell right in front of me. Vic didn't notice me, but he saw every man in town come running, the sheriff included. Vic leveled the gun and fired into a gathering crowd, and I, along with the sheriff, his deputy, a bleeding and staggering man who came out of the bank, and at least two men in the crowd all shot him dead. Vic collapsed beside the woman. Men out front were on the ground and bleeding. Two men in the street died. He'd killed another one inside the bank."

Dakota paused and shook his head. "Terrible thing to see. I had to stay in town and answer some questions. I suppose that's how I became the focus of a family feud. But I knew nothing about it until a second man came hunting me and tried to kill me in my meadow. He had a letter on him, written by Ezra Darnell, telling him to find me and kill me. Ezra was calling on his whole family to do the same." Dakota reined in his horse to a stop. Maeve pulled up beside him.

He shifted in the saddle to face her. "I couldn't begin any kind of life in that mountain valley so long as the Darnells were coming after me." His chin lowered, and he stared at his hands. "I've got two graves there. A testament to my surviving by my gun. That is how it's been up in those mountains for the last three years." He forced himself to look up and meet her eyes. "Raul told me that he and his grandpa Ezra, the one who you ... that is, the one who had you—"

"You mean the one I killed."

Dakota felt nothing but regret that his actions had led to Maeve having to pull a trigger in such a way. "Yes, and I'm so sorry. Raul and Ezra are the last of the Darnells." He swung down off his horse and in two strides reached her, caught her waist, and lifted her to the ground. "Maeve, you saved me. You saved us both. You knew it was life or death. I heard you scream and turned to see you falling. Raul went after Ezra instead of me."

"I had a gun Ezra didn't know of. Beth insisted I carry it with me at all times."

Dakota felt his brow rise until his hat lifted. "Me too. She gave me an ankle holster, so I had a gun even after Raul disarmed me.

"Your courage saved me. You saved yourself. We came out of this unharmed." Dakota gently touched the raw scrapes on her face. "Mostly unharmed, thanks to your quick mind and brave heart. Thank you, Maeve, and now..." He gazed into her beautiful blue eyes. "What I mean to say is, my home should be safe now. A decent place where I can dare to think of the future. And I'd like to spend more time with you, see if we could have a life together. Maeve, do you ... could you...?"

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

He was doing such a terrible job of asking to court her, he figured she was saving him again. Then he didn't think of much else at all. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off her feet.

It was a long time later—after he'd forgotten his question, forgotten where he was, and possibly even forgotten his own name—when the kiss finally ended.

"Yes, Dakota Harlan," she said, "I'd like to think of a future with you."

Dakota grinned. "I thought you were the prettiest thing I'd ever seen on our way west on that wagon train. But then your pa died, and you were so hurt by what happened. And I was stubborn and foolish and..."

He quit talking when he saw the memory of deep grief in her expression. He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her again. Talking was only making things worse.

When this kiss ended, Maeve looked a little dazed.

Dakota decided to slip in a few more encouraging words. "I love you, Maeve O'Toole."

"I've one more year left on my homestead before I prove up on it. We could sell it to Ma and Bruce or just give it to them. Either way, I have to live on the land for another year."

Dakota knew about homesteading. "You have to live there six months out of the year. Maybe by June of next year, you'll be able to decide if we suit each other."

A smile bloomed on her face, and he knew he had a matching one. "That sounds good. It sounds good because I love you, too, Dakota Harlan." Then Maeve's smile turned into a frown. "I can't think of a way to be a judge in Idaho—it's not allowed there. And we'll be living a long way from a town. Not much need for a judge when you're alone in the mountains. But I like the judge. I admire her."

Dakota did his best to conceal a wave of relief that Maeve wasn't right now deciding to move to Wyoming and become a judge. Or a sheriff, or the governor ... or who knew what else?

Then, because she was so close and so pretty and he was so in love, Dakota drew her close and kissed her once again.

"Hey!" Jake said. "Enough of that. Let's get to town."

Dakota pulled back and turned to see a grinning Jake, watching him kiss the living daylights out of Maeve. Heat crawled up his neck, and he knew for a fact he was blushing like a shy schoolgirl.

"Are you two thinking of getting married maybe?" Jake leaned forward, resting his forearm on the saddle horn.

"You're getting a bit ahead of us, but we are definitely thinking we want to find out if we have a future together." Maeve spoke pretty boldly for a woman who was blushing as badly as he was.

"And is your trouble with the Darnells over?" Other than Maeve, Jake was the only one Dakota had told about the family feud.

"It's over. Raul told me that he and his grandpa were the last of them, and Raul wants peace. I can finally have a life I can invite someone to share." Dakota looked down at Maeve.

She looked up at him.

He considered sending Jake back to town on his own just so Dakota could have a little more time alone with Maeve.

Jake seemed to think he was in charge. "Then let's get back to town and hold a trial, then jump on a train home."

The door to the street opened, and Beth turned to see Maeve come rushing inside. Bleeding and pale, but alive. She went straight for Ginny, threw herself into Mama's arms.

"Oh, Ginny, I shot someone." Maeve's voice broke, and she wept.

Mama held her close and murmured comforting words to her.

Dakota came next and went over to Mama to pat Maeve on the back, Jake right behind him. Then came Oscar and Brand.

Brand saw his daughter and son in the outer office. "I thought you were going to the hotel."

Michaela said, "Mrs. Rutledge wanted to wring information out of her husband in hopes of finding her kidnapped friends. I see you saved them."

"They saved themselves, but we rode back to town ahead of them to protect you. The hotel was empty, so we headed over here in time to meet up with Jake, Maeve, and Dakota."

"I think the trouble is mostly done here." Michaela had all the children corralled and seemed to be handy at it. "Can we go back to the fabric shop now?"

Jake looked at the three men in jail, then looked at Beth.

Beth said, "Mr. Etherton says all these men are likely going to jail. Father, and Dr. Horecroft especially, for bribing a jury."

"I won't spend another night in this cell." Father shook the bars as if he'd tear the cell apart. "I demand to speak to the governor."

Beth studied him for a minute, a bit alarmed by his beet-red face. Then she went back to telling Jake what had gone on while he was after Maeve and Dakota. "I'd say Mama doesn't even need to bother proving herself sane anymore. No one outside of Father and Horecroft is making such an absurd claim."

Judge Nolte shook her head. "I'd still like to have a jury decide and make it official so long as we've already started the proceedings. That would be the orderly thing to do. Afterward we need to hold a few more trials. We can get these men locked up permanently by the end of the day." She turned to the deputy. "I'll get another jury gathered, and I'll send for the prisoners soon."

"Can we go to the hotel while you get things arranged?" Beth asked.

The judge nodded.

"So," said Beth, turning to Dakota, "tell us about the men who kidnapped you?"

Dakota sagged a bit, looking as battered as the weeping Maeve, who still clung to Mama. "It's a long story."

The judge clapped him on the shoulder. "My favorite kind."

"I'm not going to be locked up permanently." Father shook the bars violently, his face red with fury. "I'm going to see that you're fired as justice of the peace for this. I know the president of the United States."

Judge Nolte stood a bit straighter and looked genuinely interested. "You know Ulysses Grant, Mr. Rutledge? Truly? Tell me, what's he like? Have you been to the White House?"

Father reached through the bars, but no one was within grabbing distance. "You let me out of here! I want to speak to the governor."

"You know John Campbell, too? I intended to meet with him while I'm here in the capital. I can send for him if you want."

Judge Nolte showed no sign of concern about the governor interfering with her trials, including her seeing that Father was thrown in prison. Beth thought the woman seemed as steady as the mountains. She was deeply impressed with her.

"Yes, send for him right now. I will not put up with—" Father's tirade cut off. The vivid red of his face turned darker.

Beth took a step toward him. Jake caught her arm and held her back, which Beth had to admit was wise.

Father staggered back from the bars and sat down hard on the cot right next to Dr. Horecroft.

The snobbish doctor frowned at Father for intruding on his claimed spot. Horecroft quickly rose and moved away.

Father clutched his chest. Pain cut across his expression. He went rigid, then tipped sideways and collapsed on the cot.

"Doctor, help him." Beth slipped away from Jake, who didn't hold her back this time. "He looks like he's having a heart attack."

Horecroft shook his head. "Like I said before, I'm not that kind of doctor."

The deputy fumbled for the keys. Marshal Riley strode to the jail cell and drew his gun. He aimed it at Horecroft, who, for once, didn't sniff.

"Get Rutledge out of there, Deputy," Riley said. "Is there a doctor in town?"

"There is."

"Once we get him out and the door relocked, you can run for him."

They were a few minutes getting Father dragged from the cell and stretched out on the floor and the jail door locked again. Rutledge lay there unconscious.

Beth remembered that Kat had some doctoring skills, but she wasn't there. Neither was Seb. Where were they? Where was the sheriff?

Marshal Riley crouched down beside Father and pressed one of his broad hands to Father's chest over his heart. "I think he's dead." Riley looked up at the deputy. "Go for the doctor, I reckon. But there ain't no rush anymore."

A sudden flutter behind her made Beth spin around in time to see Mama's knees give out. Before anyone could utter a shout, Oscar stepped forward and caught Mama.

Beth noticed that Maeve, who had stepped away from her when Father collapsed, now stood in the circle of Dakota's arms, her eyes still puffy and her nose red from crying. He handed her a kerchief and kissed her on the forehead.

What had happened there?

Jake ducked out of the room and came back with the sheriff's rolling chair. Brand had gone to help care for the children. Beth had probably better go out there soon, but right now she rushed to Mama's side as Oscar eased her onto a chair.

Beth found herself held back. She glanced up to see Jake had her. Their eyes met. He shook his head and gave Mama and Oscar a strange sort of look. Beth didn't understand it.

Oscar crouched in front of Mama. "Don't look at him, Ginny. No sense in seeing anything more. You've been through enough."

Mama closed her eyes. Though she spoke at barely a whisper, Beth heard every word.

"Can it really be over? Is it possible he's dead and gone? And I'm free of him at last?"

Judge Nolte said, "He's dead for a fact, Ginny. You're free, and now I only have two trials to hold this afternoon." The judge left the room, picked her son up, and said, "We need an undertaker in here. Brand, can you hunt one up? I'll watch Buck."

"Strange day. Have we even told you one of the men who kidnapped Dakota and Maeve is dead, and the sheriff has the other one?"

"I heard Maeve say she shot someone. I figured it was one of the men who took them. But I haven't heard any details."

"The sheriff is bringing the body in and his prisoner, along with Seb and Kat and the two Marshals who came out with him."

"Yes, I assumed the sheriff was busy with them."

Brand nodded. "That's what Maeve's tears are about. She killed one of 'em. I'll go find someone to knock together a pine box and dig a hole. Come to think of it, we'll need two boxes and two holes. And I'll see about a parson."

Brand left. The deputy went with him. Beth wondered if it wasn't time for all of them to clear out.

She looked down at her father's remains. It hurt to consider where the man might spend eternity, but he'd used up his time on earth chasing money and power. He'd spent none of this mortal life on faith and love. The things God called His people to do.

Oscar got Mama to her feet. He turned to the room. "I'm taking her to the hotel. Beth, you should come along. We'll take the little ones. Maeve, you'd be a big help with that. And, Jake, you should stay and see to Mr. Rutledge. Find out when the funeral will be."

Oscar left with Mama leaning heavily on his arm.

Beth said, "He was my father in many ways. I went to him with my troubles when I was young. And now, since we set Mama free and went into hiding..." Her words trailed off as she looked down at him. After all these years, his face was finally calm. "Why couldn't he have been better to me, to Mama? We didn't ask for much from him. A few words of kindness would have made so much difference."

Jake drew her into his arms. Beth saw Maeve rounding up her children.

"Go on now, Maeve," said Beth. "We'll see to things here."

Brand returned with the doctor, who knelt down to examine Rutledge.

Judge Nolte said to Dr. Horecroft, "You can sit there looking down your nose at me if you like, but I'm going to make the necessary arrangements to see that you're sent to the territorial prison. After spending a few years there, maybe you'll stop thinking you're so superior to everyone else in the world."

Mr. Etherton, who was still there, left the jailhouse with the judge.

Beth heard Dr. Horecroft sniff and turned to see the man crying quietly into a white handkerchief.

It seemed the judge had finally convinced him that his future looked bleak. Beth suspected it was sinful just how much she enjoyed that thought.