Chapter 18

Grant grimaced. He hadn’t wanted to get involved with Alvin and his friends and their schemes against Louis Hill, but Alvin demanded it. Grant thought about refusing, but he was in no mood to get beaten to a pulp again.

No longer was he the older brother and in charge. Alvin made that clear. The sooner Grant could start his new job and get away from his brother, the better.

He had met Alvin at the house of one of the younger members of Alvin’s association, Jimmy Hutchins. Well, it was the young man’s parents’ house. His mother had actually cooked them a big pot of chicken and dumplings!

Did Jimmy’s parents know what their son was up to?

They were gone for the evening helping to set up some of the Fourth of July tables in the park. Tomorrow would be a big celebration, and most of the town members seemed to have their parts to play.

“Ma said to make sure your boots were clean.” Jimmy, a long lanky boy, stepped back as the men glanced down at their boots and then entered the house.

Grant didn’t know the boy well. He looked to be about eighteen or nineteen. Seemed a shame that Alvin had wrangled someone so young into this venture. Jimmy had hardly begun to live his life. If they were caught, it was certain to be prison for them.

Jimmy closed the door, then led them to the kitchen. It wasn’t a big house, and they ate in the kitchen, like most of the folks Grant knew. The small table and chairs didn’t have room enough for all six of the men who’d come, but Jimmy grabbed a stool from a room off the kitchen and handed it to Grant.

“I’ll just stand. Go ahead and help yourself.”

The pot of chicken and dumplings, along with bowls and spoons, were already on the table. The men lost no time in grabbing up the food. Once everyone had their bowl and had settled down to eat, Alvin spoke.

“Hill gives a speech tomorrow at noon. Sort of a farewell to Kalispell with the false encouragement that eventually we’ll have service again.”

Grant turned to Alvin. “How do ya know that?”

Alvin frowned. “I have my sources. Don’t you worry. I know what I’m talking about.” He ate a little of the soup and then continued. “We’ll shadow Hill all day if necessary. We’ll watch for an opportune time to grab him. Everybody wear a bandanna so you can quickly put it over your face. Grant will keep the horses for us down at the rail yard. After we get Hill, we’ll take him to the old huntin’ cabin on the Flathead River. The one we used last year. Everyone know where it is?”

The men nodded. Alvin continued. “While we take him there, Grant will break into the telegraph office and send a telegram to James Hill in Minnesota and tell him our demands.”

Too bad Alvin knew that operating a telegraph was one of the first jobs Grant had back when Alvin was just a boy. He’d thought about staying with it, but it didn’t pay as well as working for the railroad. Especially since he was just an assistant, and the head man had no thoughts of leaving the job.

“Once they have our telegram, they’ll know what we require.”

“And what exactly are we requiring?” One of the men helped himself to a second bowl of dumplings.

“That James Hill agrees to keep the Kalispell line operational—several times a week—as well as keep a small shop here in town. We’ll demand immediate confirmation or threaten to kill his son.”

“And how are we gonna keep Hill from changing his mind after we let his son go?” another of the men asked.

Good question.

But Alvin just shrugged. “We’ll make it clear that they do things our way or James Hill will be our next victim. We’ll threaten the whole family. Louis Hill has a family. We’ll threaten to kill them all. That ought to be a good enough reason to do things our way.”

How could Alvin be so casual about threatening anyone’s life? He should just walk out—

“We’ll take Hill when he’s alone. We’ll throw a sack over his head so he can’t see us. Just in case, though, we’ll have our bandannas on.”

“Why don’t we just knock him out when we find him? It’ll make him much more cooperative,” one of the men threw out.

Alvin nodded. “That’s a good idea. We can sneak up and hit him from behind. That’ll keep him from crying out for help. The real problem is going to be getting him out of town without anyone seeing. Grant, once you send that telegram, you should do what you can to cover up our tracks for a ways.”

So much for walking out. Grant nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”

“Jimmy, did you get some supplies out to the cabin?”

The young man nodded. “I stole a case of canned beans and a couple tins of crackers and a bag of coffee. That’s enough to get us started.”

“We have no idea how long we’ll have to wait it out.” Alvin seemed to enjoy being in charge. “Hopefully Hill will respond quickly to our telegram.”

Grant finally jumped in “How are we gonna get his reply?” Alvin hadn’t said nothing about that.

“You’re gonna leave instructions at the telegraph office for them to print his answer in the paper. Then you’re gonna watch the paper for us. We’ll take turns guarding Hill. We can’t very well all stop showing up for work, or they’re gonna know it’s us.”

“We ought to ask for a ransom,” one of the men declared. “Wouldn’t hurt me none to have some extra money in my pocket.”

Alvin gave a hard shake of his head. “No, that’s the kind of thing that will get us arrested for sure. This has always been about our jobs and staying put in Kalispell. We all have reasons for not wanting to relocate to Whitefish. All we need is for Hill to agree to keep things running here. The town will call us heroes. Nobody wants to lose the railroad.”

Grant finished his chicken and dumplings. It sat heavy in his gut. He looked at Alvin and the others. “Look, if we get caught, we’re all gonna go to prison. You know that. Someone might even get killed. Hill might die from the blow on the head. We should think of another way to make our point.”

Alvin pounded his fist down on the table, making the soup bowls jump and broth slosh out onto the table. “I don’t want to hear your worries about how we’re gonna go to prison if we get caught! The point is, don’t get caught. You all know what you need to do, and it’s just a straightforward and simple plan. Do what I told you to do, and we will all be fine.”

If only Grant could be as sure of that as Alvin was, but the truth was, Grant’s job wasn’t going to be easy. He had to break into the telegraph office and send the telegram and then leave word for the regular operator regarding the reply. Not only that, but the telegraph office had a large open window where people on the street could see the operator at work. He would be a sitting duck. Alvin told him no one would even notice because of all the festivities, but there was always the chance someone could wander past and spot him inside.

The chicken and dumplings in his stomach churned something fierce. Didn’t matter if someone recognized him at the telegraph office or not.

There was no way out of this mess.

Ellie tied the sash of her dressing robe around her waist with a sigh. It was good to be back at the Ashburys’ home, though the Andrewses were kind hosts. Tomorrow Father would return, and she’d sit down and talk to him about her thoughts on the Bible and God. But right now, she just wanted to crawl in bed.

A light knock sounded on her bedroom door and Ellie went to answer it. Marvella stood on the other side of the door and smiled. Sir Theophilus was in her arms and wiggled as he tried to move toward Ellie.

“I just wanted to tell you good-night, my dear.”

“I’m glad you did.” She bit the corner of her lip, then pressed forward with her request. “I wonder if I might trouble you for something.”

“Why, Ellie, you know you can. What do you need?”

Ellie gave Sir Theophilus a scratch on the head. “I wondered if I might borrow your Bible. I want to do some reading.”

Marvella’s smile broadened. “Wait right here.” She put Sir Theophilus on the floor. “I’ll be right back.”

The dog danced between Ellie and his mistress as if trying to figure out whether to stay or go. He finally chased after Marvella while Ellie tightened the ribbons on her robe and waited.

It wasn’t long until Marvella reappeared, and in her hands was a leatherbound Bible. “You may have this. The Judge and I buy extras to give away for just such an occasion. I am so delighted that you want to read God’s Word.” She stifled a yawn, raising the back of her hand to her mouth. “We can discuss it in the morning if you like. We won’t have a lot of time because of the celebration activities, but if you have questions, just let me know.”

“I will.” She took the Bible, then paused ...

The oddest sense of peace had just settled upon her.

She blinked, then met Marvella’s eyes again. “Thank you for the Bible. I’ll cherish it.”

“Mine is my dearest possession. But for now, I’ll bid you good-night. Your father will return in the morning, and I know you’ll also be anxious to see him.”

“Yes. I’ve missed him very much. We’ve not been separated from each other for long periods since before Mother died.”

The older woman scooped up her dog and gave a little wave. “Until the morning, then.”

Ellie returned to her room, closing the door behind her. The evening was chilly, so she hurried to the bed and settled in under the covers to read.

She opened first to John and turned to the fourth chapter. She started reading about the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. The story was familiar, she’d probably read it with Mother. But now, she wanted to read it and understand it for herself.

Tears pricked Ellie’s eyes as she read about the woman—a sinner, who’d had five husbands. Yet Jesus was kind to her. He didn’t shame her. Instead, He offered her living water, the chance to worship God in spirit and in truth.

What exactly did that mean? She needed to know because, in some ways, she felt just like this woman.

Confused.

Thirsty.

But eager for a living water that would always satisfy her.

“Jesus, I don’t know how to have You as living water, but...” She sniffed, wiping her eyes with her handkerchief. “Help me. I think I want to know You again. But I’m afraid. Afraid what I might have to give up. Afraid ... I’ve run too far. Afraid You won’t take me back.”

What was she saying? How could she be scared of running too far when she’d all but given up her belief in God? She chewed her lip and reread verse twenty-nine: Come, see a man, which told me all the things I ever did: is this not the Christ?

Jesus knew that woman had previously had five husbands, yet He ministered to her. He seemed to want her to worship Him. And though she should have been ashamed that Jesus knew her secrets, she wasn’t. She just ran and proclaimed to the whole town that Jesus was the Christ.

Ellie shook her head. She wasn’t quite ready for that. But she admired the woman’s passion.

Paging through the Scriptures, Ellie saw snatches of Jesus healing the blind and having compassion on those who were hungry. He helped a lame man walk and called Himself the Good Shepherd. These stories were familiar, as though they’d been sitting on the edge of her memory just waiting for her. Like puzzle pieces that didn’t yet fit together to make a whole picture ... but she knew they would.

She turned the page and scanned John 11.

Her heart stopped.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

If He could do that for Lazarus, then why not for Ma—

Ellie closed her eyes. No. She wasn’t going back to those old feelings and hurts. With a steadying breath, she pressed on. Martha’s questions about Jesus’ absence and Mary’s tears of grief resonated deep within her. But then she read two words that turned her whole world upside down.

Jesus wept.

Ellie blinked and read the verse again. Jesus wept. He stood at the tomb of His friend, and He cried. She ran her finger across those words, a warmth spreading through her. The tears she’d been holding back began falling down her face.

Jesus understood! He knew what it was to feel grief. And loss. And that meant ...

He could handle her questions about why Mother had died and the confusion and anger she’d felt for so long. Just like He talked to Martha and Mary. He heard their questions and assured them with a truth that could not be denied.

Ellie sucked in a breath as she wept. The words blurred on the page. She pressed a handkerchief to her eyes and kept reading.

Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? The question froze her. It was so similar to the question she had asked. Why hadn’t God saved Mother? Helped her in her darkest time of pain and suffering? Why did Mother cling to Jesus with such unyielding faith when she could scarcely breathe?

Ellie didn’t understand everything. But as she read these verses, the love of Jesus poured off the page. He’d loved Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. He’d loved her mother, who wasn’t suffering anymore. According to what Jesus told Martha, Mother was more alive now than she’d ever been on earth. The thought settled in her heart, wrapping around her like a soft blanket.

And ... Jesus understood her grief. The Son of God, who could raise someone from the dead, understood her loss.

She pressed on in her reading, her heart leaping with joy when Jesus commanded Lazarus to come forth. She could only imagine the looks on Mary’s and Martha’s faces, on the faces of the people with them who had been mourning. She could see Lazarus coming from the tomb. Hear the voice of Jesus commanding the things that bound him to loose him and let him go.

As Ellie read what had happened for Lazarus, her bondage started to slip away. Her heart seemed to break and heal all at once. Peace flowed through her, filling all the cracks of hurt and confusion, restlessness and anger. She clutched the Bible to her chest, a smile breaking across her face.

Jesus.

He was the resurrection and the life!

Life.

That was how she felt right now. Like she had come to life again. More than that, Eleanor could feel the love of Jesus for her. The thought overwhelmed her and settled her at the same time.

“Lord, I’m so sorry for running. For being so angry.” She wiped at her face with her free hand. “I remember Marvella telling me that I had to turn to You and repent for my sins and give my life to You.” She choked back her tears. “I repent, Lord. My life is Yours, Jesus.”

MONDAY, JULY 4, 1904

Ellie didn’t know when she’d finally drifted off to sleep, but when she awoke, the sun was already up, and she could hear Marvella shouting instructions to her servants. Ellie shifted and paused. Why were her arms so heavy? Ellie glanced down and a smile burst across her lips. Her arms were still wrapped around the Bible.

Father. She couldn’t wait to talk with him.

They had grown so close over the years since Mother died. Would he be offended that she’d turned back to God? She didn’t want to alienate him. He was all the family she had left. Surely he would understand and see the change in her and be happy for her.

She got out of bed and pushed the curtains back. The heat of the sun warmed her face and she smiled.

It was going to be a delightful day.

Carter dressed for the day in his old bedroom at the farm. He’d spent Sunday night with his folks. He hadn’t originally planned to go back to the farm, but he also hadn’t really had much of a chance to talk to his mother or father about Ellie. He wanted their advice as to how he should conduct himself, what with her attitude toward the Lord changing. He was feeling drawn to her and kept praying to hear God’s clear voice on the matter. But he had to wait for her. Wait like Jacob waited for Rachel, even if it took years.

Whatever happened or didn’t happen between them, he continued to pray that God would draw her close and that she would stop fighting and pushing Him away.

At the same time, he had to stand back and let the Holy Spirit work. If he pushed her too hard, for the sake of his feelings, that wouldn’t be right. Not that he wouldn’t want to encourage her to make peace with God for her spirit’s sake. However, he knew his heart for her, and it would be far too easy to focus on that instead of what mattered most.

That was why he wanted to talk to his father and mother. Although maybe the Fourth of July wasn’t exactly the right time to do it. He chuckled and did up the buttons on his shirt. His mother would tell him that anytime he felt the need of their counsel was the right time.

He went to the mirror and brushed his hair into place and grabbed his lightweight tan jacket. The day promised to be warm, and he wasn’t looking forward to wearing a suit, but he didn’t want to appear shabby. After all, it was a celebration.

Making his way downstairs, his mother greeted him first. “Don’t you look nice.” She stretched up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

“And so do you.” He took her arm and gave her a twirl.

Mother laughed and fell into step when Carter led her in a little two-step. “You are certainly full of vim and vigor today. I suppose the holiday is worthy of excitement.”

“My delight in the day has more to do with something else.” He released his hold on her. “I hoped we might talk about Ellie.”

Mother nodded. “I’ve been expecting that. You love her, don’t you?”

The words hit him in the face. Did he?

With all the thoughts he’d had on the matter, he hadn’t admitted it. “I believe I do, or that I care for her a great deal.”

His mother’s expression sobered. “I’m glad you care for her. Your father and I adore her too. I’ve encouraged her to read the Bible. To remember those things she once knew to be true. Her mother trained her in the Word. She knows the truth, but she fears it at the same time. I’ve been praying for her. Your father has too.”

“I’ve prayed for her just about every day since meeting her.” He sat down at the table, where there was already a bevy of breakfast foods awaiting. “Where’s Dad? I’m starved.”

“He said to start without him. He had to help one of the workers with something on the number four combine.”

“He should have called me. I would have helped too.”

“We know that, but he said to let you sleep. He’s been gone for over an hour, and I expect him to be back almost anytime. But you go ahead and eat. You’ll be wanting to get into town, and we won’t be headed there until closer to noon.”

Carter snapped his napkin open and placed it on his lap. “Pray with me?”

“You know you don’t need to ask.” She took a seat beside him and extended her hand.

Taking hold of it, Carter bowed his head and prayed. “Lord, thank You for this day and for the bounty You have provided. Bless this meal to the nourishment of our bodies. Lord, please give me wisdom in dealing with my feelings. Continue to draw Ellie back to You, Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”