Lightning and Lace

chapter 28

Bonnie turned to Michael Paul when the last “amen” rumbled through the church. “Please keep an eye on Lydia Anne for a few minutes. I want to talk to Uncle Frank and Aunt Ellen.”

“Yes, ma’am. Can we visit with Grandma and Grandpa while we wait?”

“If I’m not back by the time they’re finished bidding everyone good-bye, go ahead.”

She wound through the crowd and avoided the disapproving glances and frowns of some of the congregation. Those folks must have left their Christianity at home and decided to believe ugly rumors. Standing on the tips of her toes, she searched the crowd for Frank or Ellen. When the couple was nowhere to be found, she looked outside. Just as she decided they must have chosen not to mingle with the others this morning, she caught sight of Frank Kahler—a man hard to miss since he’d inherited his father’s huge frame.

Bonnie held back her impulsive nature and slowly made her way to Frank and Ellen. “Morning,” she said to Ellen and nodded at Frank. “How are you doing?”

“We’re fine. Just fine.” The strawberry blond shifted Frank Jr. to her opposite hip. “Oh, Bonnie, I’m so sorry about all the gossip. Is there anything I can do?”

Bonnie took a deep breath. “As a matter of fact, there is. Do you and Frank have a moment to talk to me?”

“Of course. I meant to ride out to the Morning Star yesterday, but Frank Jr. is cutting teeth and running a little fever.”

Bonnie touched the baby’s head. It felt warm. “Did he run a fever when cutting his other teeth?”

“Oh yes. I should have come by to see you. I’m sorry.”

“Ellen, that wouldn’t have been necessary. I know you too well, and listening to gossip is not you.”

Ellen tugged on Frank’s arm, and they moved away from the small crowd.

A few minutes later beneath a live oak on the far corner of the church grounds, Frank and Ellen waited for Bonnie to speak.

“I need help,” she said. “Lester Hillman is up to no good, and he’s getting bolder.”

“My brother would have skinned him alive for some of the things he’s done and said,” Frank said. “Whatever you need, count us in. Our family has had our fill, too. Lester crossed over into fightin’ territory when he accused Zack of vandalizin’ the church.”

“What I’m going to say might make you uncomfortable.”

Ellen nodded. “I have a feeling what this is about, and I’ll help in anyway I can.”

“Thanks.” Bonnie took a deep breath with a quick prayer. “Do you recollect what Lester was like back when he and Martha were . . . spending time together?”

“I sure do,” Ellen said. “He was bossy—tried to tell Martha how to run her business. That ended in a lot of arguments, but it was the only thing they fussed about.”

Bonnie’s next question seemed out of place in the churchyard, but it had to be asked. “Was he involved with any of the other women there besides Martha?”

Ellen frowned. “Oh yes. Shortly before I left, he approached me.”

“By any chance do you know if any of those young women were those at Heaven’s Gate?”

Ellen focused her attention on Frank, then to their baby.

“Honey, answer her question. If we can do anything to help, then we must.”

Ellen hesitated. “When Martha was out running errands, he’d find the time to be with all of them.”

Bonnie closed her eyes and nodded. That was the information she needed. Lester no doubt still used the residents of Heaven’s Gate as he’d done for years.

“Tell her the rest of it,” Frank said, then reached for the baby. “Tell her why you don’t volunteer at Heaven’s Gate.”

From the tone of Frank’s voice, Bonnie guessed the reason.

“Once Sylvia took over directing the home, Lester made it clear that I was not welcome there.”

“But you ministered to those girls before the brothel burned. You helped some of them go back to their families. You and Jenny are best friends.”

“Lester gave his terms.” She peered up at her husband. “Frank started after him, but then we got word about Ben not being expected to live beyond the day. So I told Jenny being around Lester reminded me too much of my own past sins.”

“I’m so sorry,” Bonnie whispered.

“It’s all right. Now I help with the older folks.”

Bonnie smiled. Ellen was always taking a meal to someone or making sure Grant knew about one of the elderly who felt poorly. “Did Lester ever threaten you?”

“Frank would never have stood for it.” She laughed lightly. “I think he’s afraid of my Frank.”

Bonnie glanced at the huge man devoted to his wife and son. “Thanks, Ellen. Do you mind if I pass this information along to Morgan and Grant?”

“Not at all. From the gossip I’ve been hearing, best Brother Travis hear it, too. I want Lester stopped. So many people think he’s a good Christian man, but he’s proving he’s not.” Ellen’s voice quaked.

“Bless you. We’re trying hard to end all of this.”

“I pray it’s soon. He has a temper.”

“Did he ever hit any of the girls at Martha’s?” Bonnie said.

“A few times. One of the girls threatened to tell Martha, but she left before Martha found out.”

Or did Lester make sure she left?

*****

By Thursday of the following week, Travis had endured as many nasty comments about Zack as he could handle. The newspaper article blaming him for the church’s damage had turned more folks against the young man. Travis even heard a rumor about the church voting again on dropping the charges.

Travis knew he must pay Lester a call as soon as he settled Zack into his lessons. He wasn’t sure what he’d say. God would have to put the words in his mouth. Forgiveness perched at the top of his list along with finding love for Lester. Christ called Travis to love all men—no matter what they’d done or would do in the future.

Being a man of God sure could test a fellow’s patience.

“I’m going to see Lester,” Travis said.

“Leave your rifle here,” Zack said, not lifting his eyes from a page of arithmetic.

“Very funny. I’m going on God’s business.”

“Lester won’t listen to anything you or God has to say.”

“Maybe this time he will.”

Zack picked up his Latin book. “I think you’re wasting your time.”

“God’s time.”

Zack shook his head and seemingly turned his attention to his lesson. He started to say something, then closed his mouth abruptly and focused on the Latin.

Travis left him to his studies and made his way to the Kahlerville Bank in the business part of town. He had no problem determining Lester Hillman owned it. The floors were polished so bright that if Travis took a mind to, he could see himself reflected where his boots rested. Deep wine and gold wall coverings framed a huge chandelier, and the wooden partition leading to the tellers’ area was in dark mahogany. He clasped his arms behind him and studied the walls. Ornately framed pictures of the different aspects of Kahlerville’s history hung for all to see—and Lester stood in every one of them. Travis nearly laughed. He moved his attention to Laura standing behind the teller window and scribbling on a pad of paper. They were alone.

“Good morning, Miss Laura. Is Lester around?”

She lifted her sad eyes and smiled. “He’s in the back. Would you like for me to fetch him?”

“If you don’t mind. And if he’s busy, I can wait.” Now that Travis was at the bank, he was eager to make his peace with the man.

She disappeared and returned a few minutes later. “I can show you back to his office.”

Travis took long strides down a hallway to a fine office, an even more flamboyant representation of Lester Hillman. Right behind his desk hung another stained-glass window. The man probably had his own glass factory.

Lester hunched over a ledger but straightened when Travis stepped inside his office. “I have considerable work to do, so make this quick.”

“I appreciate your allowing me a small bit of your time.”

Lester nodded at Laura. “Please close the door behind you.”

It shut with a certain finality that caused Travis to wonder if he’d ventured into a lion’s den. Sure glad he’d read the whole story and knew who won.

“You can sit down if you like.”

“Thank you, I will.” However, Travis questioned if he was dressed appropriately.

“So does the church need money?”

“No. We’re fine.”

“I said I’d replace the Bible, stained-glass windows, and the hymnals. Are you wanting something else, too?”

“This has nothing to do with the church.”

Lester sat back in his leather chair, which resembled the color of dried blood. His suit fitted perfectly to his frame, every hair in place, his mustache perfectly waxed. “I don’t have all day.”

“I’ve come to tell you that I forgive you for all you’ve done to me, to those I care about, and especially to Zack.”

Not a muscle moved on Lester’s face.

“People I care about have been hurt. I can’t help them or you as a preacher with bitterness in my heart. That’s the reason for my visit, to ask for your forgiveness.”

Lester leaned forward and folded his hands on his desk. “If this is a ploy for me to retract my statement about Zack breaking the church windows, you can leave my office now. I’ve done nothing in my dealings to be ashamed of.”

“What about the young women at Heaven’s Gate?”

“What about them? I assist my wife in Bible studies there and make certain they are gainfully employed.”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Travis recalled word for word what Ellen Kahler had said to Bonnie. And he hadn’t forgotten about the night Lester struck Rosie.

“Keep this up, Brother Travis, and you’ll be looking for another church.”

“Lester, let’s talk sensibly.”

“Grand idea. I’ve been trying to get you to see my way of doing business since you arrived. You do your preaching and visiting sick folks, and I’ll run Kahlerville. If I need you, I’ll come calling.”

“No thanks. I’m not interested.”

“I’ve lost patience with you, preacher man. Leave my bank before I throw you out.” He made his way to the door and opened it wide. “Good day.”

“God loves you, Lester. Let Him heal and lead you.”

“Mind your own church affairs, and you’ll not get hurt.” He walked to the bank’s entrance and opened that door.

The walk home gave Travis time to pray for Lester—the first time he’d honestly sought God to touch the man’s heart. Until today Travis had believed Lester could be reached, but his heart was rock hard. He had the most money in town. He had a wife who adored him. He owned much of the land in and around Kahlerville. He had the power to persuade others for Christ if he’d let the good Lord work through him. Instead, Lester chose to satisfy his lusts.

Back at home, Travis called for Zack. No answer. He made his way to the backyard and called again. No answer. Back in the kitchen, the Latin book lay facedown on the table. No vocabulary words copied. No note.

He spent the next several minutes doing chores. Everything Zack owned was in its place. When Zack had still not returned, Travis sat on the front steps and watched the road while he clutched his pocket watch in his left hand and his Bible in his right.

*****

“A wedding in February?” Bonnie said. “Juanita, are you telling me that you and Thomas are getting married in February?”

The Mexican woman’s eyes shone like the stars had been plucked from the sky and mounted in her dark pools. “Sí, Miss Bonnie. He asked me this morning when I brought him coffee.”

“Just like that? He was romantic, wasn’t he? I mean, did he get down on one knee and tell you of his undying love and beg you to marry him?”

Juanita covered her mouth. She laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks. “You do not know Thomas very well.”

Bonnie laughed, too. Just thinking of Thomas on one knee was hilarious. “Are you going to tell me how he proposed?”

Juanita lifted her lovely face, the color of coffee with lots of rich cream. “I gave him a biscuit with honey, and he said they’d be busy today.”

Bonnie waited on the edge of the kitchen chair. “And?”

“Then he asked me if I liked living in the big house with you. I said very much. Then he asked me if I could be happy living with him in his cabin. I asked why, and he said he’d like to get married.” Juanita shook her head. “He didn’t get on one leg. His knees hurt.”

Bonnie giggled. “Didn’t he tell you he loved you?”

Her eyes widened. “Sí. I forgot that part.”

“That’s the most important part.”

“I think ‘Sí’ is the most important. But he told me he loved me after he said he like to get married.”

“Good. I can see you love him, too. Why wait until February? Why not a Christmas wedding?”

“Thomas want to fix up the house for me.”

Bonnie hugged Juanita and planted a kiss on her cheek. “You will be the prettiest bride this territory has ever seen.”

“I’ll be the happiest. I’ve loved Thomas for long time. Now God has blessed me with his love.”

Bonnie chatted on about having a grand wedding and making sure Juanita and Thomas had a few days to themselves after the ceremony. She allowed herself to dwell on Travis for a slight moment, then shooed the thought away. Silly woman. With all of her problems, why ever would Piney Woods’s preacher be interested in her?