Lightning and Lace

chapter 26

“Lester what?” Morgan stood from the chair, his eyes blazing like hot coals.

Bonnie wanted to soothe him, but compassion for Zack ran even stronger. She swung her attention to Travis and then to Grant.

“You heard right,” Travis said. “How do we get Zack out of jail?”

“Lester’s gone too far this time,” Grant said. “He can ride the twenty-five miles to another doctor to patch him up once I’m finished with him.”

Morgan’s red face displayed the thoughts hammering in his brain. “Let me have the honor, little brother.”

Bonnie tapped her fingers on Morgan’s desk. “You two can tear Lester apart after you figure out a way to get my son out of jail.”

“I imagine the sheriff would release him to me as long as I accept responsibility for his actions,” Morgan said. “That’s probably a good idea since I could keep him at the ranch and away from Lester.”

“What about with his mother?” Bonnie said. Sometimes she thought her brothers didn’t understand her position in all of this. Zack was her son.

“Considering the problem at the livery when he ran away from you, I doubt if the sheriff would agree to releasing him to you. Good ole law-abiding Lester would make sure the whole town knew that Zack was released to his mother, who couldn’t handle him.”

“I’d gladly take him,” Grant said, “but he’d be confined to the house like a criminal.”

Bonnie gasped. She didn’t mean to, but the implication of the word criminal scraped at her heart. “When will all this end? Has anyone thought about going to Lester and asking him what he wants?”

“I have,” Grant said. “Remember I hid the knowledge about his sons from the whole town until he stepped over the line with the law. Maybe it has something to do with that.”

“Don’t think so,” Morgan said. “Lester would just as soon do away with all of us because we stand up to him, but I think Bonnie is what he wants. We’ve discussed this all before.” His gaze penetrated through her. “Be careful, little sister. He knows he can get to you through Zack.”

The thought made her want to throw up, but the idea wasn’t new. “I’m going to talk to Rosie again. I think she’s on the verge of telling all she knows.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m ready to tell Sylvia about the wine, and I understand she may take Lester’s word for it all. But at least I can plant a seed of suspicion in her mind.”

“Do you want me to escort you to the Hillmans’ home?” Travis said. “What if Lester is there?”

“This discussion will be woman to woman. I refuse to believe she’s blind to his actions.” She studied Travis before speaking. “Has anyone told you that Lester bought those stained-glass windows?”

Travis grimaced. “So our friend looks even more the saint.”

“Lester’s smart, and whatever he’s schemed has been carefully planned,” Morgan said. “Right now, I’ll see what I can do about getting Zack out of jail.”

“I’m heading back to the church to clean up glass,” Travis said.

“And I have patients to see.” Grant swung a grin at Bonnie. “Despite the mess we’re in, I can’t help but tease. If you blow a hole through Lester, make sure no one’s around.”

Morgan chuckled. “And I’ll give you legal advice—free.”

“Although you two are incorrigible, you’re still the best brothers a girl could ask for.”

A short while later, Bonnie knocked on the door of Lester and Sylvia’s stylish home. Lester was always adding and changing something to the two-story structure. Of late, a hexagon porch had replaced the previous one, and the brick home had been given green wood trim that twisted and curved in every area imaginable. Various shapes of stained-glass windows had been added when Lester purchased the ones for the church. She’d heard Sylvia speak of replacing much of their furniture and rugs. The Hillman home stood as the regal envy of Kahlerville. Bonnie took a deep breath and noted the chill.

She didn’t dare do this in a place where anyone could overhear their conversation, and she regretted the need to tell Sylvia about Lester’s behavior. Seemed like the poor woman had suffered enough from Lester’s actions. Before Bonnie had a moment to contemplate the mental state of Sylvia Hillman any further, Daisy, who worked as a maid for the Hillmans, answered the door.

“Hello, Daisy. May I speak with Sylvia?”

The young woman invited her inside just as Sylvia walked into the hallway. Surprise registered in the older woman’s eyes.

“My dear Bonnie, Lester told me about Zack. How your heart must be breaking. Please come in.” She turned to the young woman. “Daisy, you can continue in the kitchen.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Daisy neither smiled nor offered another greeting.

Bonnie stepped inside and noted the elegant furnishings. But fine things did not make a person happy. “I apologize for calling unannounced. The devastation at the church has distressed all of us. My brothers and I, along with Brother Travis, feel Lester mistook Zack for the culprit.”

“But Lester’s sure.” Sylvia touched Bonnie’s arm. “My sympathies to all of you in this grave matter. And we shared so much hope for Zack.”

“Thank you.” Bonnie took a deep breath and vowed not to take her anger out on this sweet lady. “We will not give up until we find out who committed the crime.”

“Let’s visit in the parlor. I see you’re very upset, and I want to help. We can pray that the resolution to this will be the end to Zack’s rebellion.”

Bonnie bit back a retort and followed Sylvia into the gold and deep purple parlor. “Everything has been changed since I’ve been here. It’s lovely.” The heavy drapes kept out the sunlight, but a cheery fire warmed the room. A three-tiered crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and an elegant rug dressed the floor.

She wanted to cry, not tell this woman about her and Lester’s indiscretion.

“Would you like coffee or tea?” Sylvia said.

“No. Sylvia, I have a confession to make.”

The woman tilted her head. Even in the shadows of the elegant parlor, the woman’s face paled.

“All I ask is that you let me finish before we discuss the matter.”

“Certainly.”

Suddenly Bonnie wished she hadn’t gone this far, but it was too late. Best the truth come from her. “After Ben died, you and Lester were some of the first people of Kahlerville to check on me. I appreciated your caring at a time when my loss was almost more than I could bear.” She swallowed hard. Her throat scratched raw. “I remember stating that I had difficulty sleeping. In the course of the conversation, Lester suggested I try a little wine before retiring. He stated the apostle Paul suggested Timothy use a little wine for his health. It seemed like a good idea, so when Lester brought me a bottle, I accepted.”

Sylvia’s face stiffened. She shook her head. “I don’t recall all of that conversation, only the part where you spoke of being unable to sleep.”

“Perhaps you were with the children at the time.” Which was true—some of the time.

“I see.”

“About two months ago, God shook me soundly, and I realized the habit had to stop. I spoke with Lester and told him I no longer needed wine.”

“And what did he say?”

Bonnie’s stomach rolled like storm clouds. “He thought I—I might still need assistance in going to sleep.”

Sylvia wrung her hands in her lap. “Did you collect the wine at the bank?”

“No, Sylvia.”

“Then he delivered it to your home?”

“Yes.”

“Without me?”

“Most times.” Bonnie dampened her lips. “Juanita was always present.”

Sylvia appeared to study her hands, then raised her gaze. “Bonnie, I know my husband better than you may think. He is very attracted to beautiful women.”

“Oh, Sylvia, believe me, nothing ever happened except the exchange of wine.”

“I believe you. You are too fine a woman to allow the charms of a married man to lure you. If it were otherwise, you would not be here today.”

“Thank you,” Bonnie whispered and noted her irritated throat felt worse. “I care for you very much, and although this confession may damage our relationship, I could not go on another day without being perfectly honest with you.”

“I appreciate your honesty, but this is very difficult.” Sylvia blinked and glanced into the red-yellow glow of the fire.

“I think I’d better leave.”

Sylvia continued staring into the fire. “I need to be alone.”

“I ask you to forgive me. I’ve received forgiveness from God for using wine to mask my grieving and for neglecting my children. I also asked Him to forgive me for accepting the bottles from a married man. Now I ask you.”

Bonnie arose from the chair. Her skirts rustled stiffly, like the tension between her and this dear woman. The moment she climbed back into her buggy and lifted the reins, she remembered someone else who might be able to help.

*****

Travis always looked forward to Wednesday night’s prayer meetings. This special time offered countless blessings to those who attended. He believed offering prayers for each other was a vital part of every Christian’s spiritual life.

Tonight Zack was the one in need, and the thought of his charge being blamed for the damage to the church nearly brought Travis to tears. Definitely to his knees. He stood and faced the congregation with broken windows on both sides of them and prayed for God to give him the right words.

“Folks, this is a grim occasion. Here we are looking forward to the Christmas celebration, and our building is vandalized. The Bible that has rested on the pulpit of our church is missing.” He held up his own worn Bible. “This is still the Word of God, and the gospel will be preached regardless of the building’s condition. What’s worse is that one of our own has been accused of the crime. Zack is in the custody of his uncle Morgan until those of us who love him are able to find the person who has done this horrible crime. I’m asking—no, I’m begging—for prayer tonight. I believe Zack Kahler is innocent of any wrongdoing. I am convinced that someone else broke the windows, tore our hymnals, and took the Bible. I’ve prayed that whoever has the Bible is reading it and that the Holy Spirit will bring another soul into the throngs of heaven.”

Travis surveyed the crowd. Sylvia and Lester were there, and the pews were filled except for Bonnie and her children.

“Not so long ago, Zack came forward to publicly acknowledge his decision to live the rest of his life for Jesus. Many of you remember the angry young man who came to live with me. He grieved the loss of his father and had a bushel of sadness and regret weighing on his heart. I realized only God could change him, and He did. During the recent twister, Zack, his brother, sister, and I were caught outside with no shelter. God spared our lives while trees fell around us. That was when Zack reached out to Jesus. He was saved from the twister and from the wrath of God. Now I’m asking God to save him from injustice. Would you join me in this prayer?”

Some of the folks scowled. Couples exchanged glances. One man nodded, but Travis couldn’t tell if his look was for or against Zack. Lester stood, and Travis feared what he planned to say.

“You all know I saw young Zack throw the rocks. Because of me, the boy was put in jail. What I want to say is that I don’t know why he chose to destroy the house of God, but I will pay for all the repairs.”

How was Travis to respond to that? He nodded at Lester. “Thank you for your generous offer.”

Jake Weathers slowly pulled himself up on shaky limbs. “I’ve seen a change in young Zack. I haven’t much money, but I’d rather see what little I have be used to replace hymnals and fix broken windows than send a boy back to the misery he knew before finding Jesus.”

Bless you, Jake.

“He needs to be punished for this tomfoolery. After all, Lester Hillman saw him break one of the windows,” Eli Palmer said. “My boys never did half the things Zack Kahler has done. And to think his father was the best sheriff this town ever knew. The poor man must be twisting in his grave.”

“I believe Lester made a mistake, and whoever did this could have been passing through town. It was before sunup,” Travis said. “To show my sincerity in the matter, take the repairs out of my pay instead of allowing Lester to carry the burden of the repairs.”

Zack’s family said nothing—neither the Kahlers nor the Andrews—and that was good. If the people of Piney Woods Church were to open their hearts to the boy, it must be without persuasion from family members. His grandma Kahler dabbed at moisture beneath her eyes.

“Whoever did this hurt God more than us,” Miss Scott said. “I remember how difficult Zack was in school, and I haven’t decided if he’s really living for the Lord or not. But the truth is clear. Zack or someone hurt God’s house.”

“What are you suggesting?” Travis said.

“I’d much rather answer to one of you than anger God. If Zack’s guilty, God will deal with him. And if he’s guilty, he’ll resume the same type of behavior, and the next time none of us will have any doubts. Like Brother Travis, I’d like to give him another chance.” She smiled, causing Travis to question whether her position was because she believed in giving second chances or because she wanted him to think better of her.

“We’re the ones who need to decide,” Jake said. “I’d like for us to drop the charges. About half of the hymnals are all right. Folks like me can’t read ’em anyway, with the print being so small. And we got along just fine before Lester bought those fancy windows, although I do feel sorry for him.”

Eli stood. “Yer wrong, Jake. That boy’s guilty as sin. I think we ought to take a vote.”

Travis silently prayed for God to direct his flock to the truth. “That’s fair, Eli. First let’s have a few moments of silent prayer. Then we’ll have a show of hands to decide whether we drop the charges against Zack. If the vote goes for him, then he returns to my home. If the vote goes toward his guilt, then he stays at Morgan’s ranch until the judge decides what should happen. Would a paper vote suit you better?”

“I’m not ashamed of how I feel,” Eli said.

“Me, either,” Jake said.

“But none of Zack’s family can vote in this. You, either, Brother Travis. We already know how you folks feel. This is church business.” Eli raised his fist as though he had the confidence of the Almighty.

The prospect of having two old men fighting in the middle of church crossed Travis’s mind. Both men had long since determined never to agree on anything, and this matter was no different.

The reverend and Pete Kahler, Zack’s other grandfather, stood at the same time. “We agree.”

The prayer time seemed to last for hours instead of minutes. Finally, Travis asked for those who believed Zack was innocent to raise their right hand. He purposely didn’t ask for those who believed he deserved a second chance. He wanted Zack free of any accusations.

The show of hands was three over half. Travis’s shoulders lifted.

Praise God.

“He’ll be murderin’ us in our sleep.” Eli shook his fist. “Mark my words.”