Lightning and Lace

chapter 35

Lester sat sprawled on Bonnie’s sofa, puffing on a cigar. A disgusting man smoking a disgusting cigar in her parlor. She loathed the very sight of him. And to think he sat in church every Sunday making contributions to all the varied needs of the community.

“Sylvia is far too good for you.”

“She would never leave me, my dear. What would her church friends say?”

Bonnie considered crashing a lamp across his head. Something. Anything to protect those she loved.

He patted the sofa beside him. “Come, sit down, dear. We have much to discuss.”

She lowered herself onto a chair across from him. “What must I do to stop you from taking Zack?”

“Nothing. I plan to take him regardless of what you say or promise. If you want that no-account boy of yours to stay alive, then you’ll do whatever I ask, when I ask.”

“How do you live with yourself?”

“Quite nicely, thanks to the bank and my investments.”

Bonnie chose not to respond. She needed time to plan how to stop him.

Juanita stood in the arch of the parlor. “Good afternoon, Mr. Hillman. May I get you something?”

“I’m fine, Juanita. Thank you for offering.”

She nodded and turned to Bonnie, giving her a questioning look. “Anything for you?”

A gun. Go for help. “Not at the moment.”

“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding,” Lester said.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Sylvia was telling me that she’d like to help with the preparations. I was certain we’d be invited.” He shifted on the sofa. “On second thought, I’m a mite hungry. Do you happen to have any eggs?”

Confusion wrapped around Juanita’s delicate features.

“I’d love a plate of scrambled eggs and some potatoes to go with them. Do you have time?” he said.

Juanita glanced at Bonnie, but Bonnie could not give away Lester’s threats. He’d hurt all of them.

“I will make them for you,” Juanita said.

When Juanita disappeared, he pulled out his pocket watch. “I give you fifteen minutes to pack his things. He shouldn’t have much here since he’s been living with Whitworth. By then Zack will be here, and you can tell him that you’ve changed your mind about military school.”

Bonnie would like nothing better than to claw his eyes out. “You’ll never get away with this. The law will be breathing hot on your every move.”

“Not if you want your boy to live. Now run along like a nice mama. Time’s wasting.”

With clenched fists, she rose from the chair. Lester was right. She had no choice but one.

“If I hear any noise or you take too long, I’ll be up the stairs.”

“I understand.”

“Don’t look so forlorn. You’ll come to enjoy this arrangement. No one else has ever regretted my advances except Rosie. She threatened to go to the sheriff one too many times until a good beating took away her stubbornness. I demand obedience. Perhaps I hadn’t made that clear.”

“You may have Laura and Daisy bullied into keeping their mouths shut, but not everyone in this town believes you’re a model citizen.”

He smiled and pointed to the hallway. “I doubt it. Go. You have a job to do. Oh, before you leave, let me give you a clue as to Zack’s new home.”

Her heart slammed into her bosom.

“I have a friend who has a farm in Arkansas. He needs good strong boys to work it. We made a nice arrangement for Zack.”

She sank her teeth into her lip to keep from saying anything that she’d regret later. Hurrying up the winding staircase, a plan began to form. She willed her body to cease shaking and her mind to clear. Papa and Mama would have splattered any man’s blood across the walls of their house if their children had been threatened. Mama would still do it.

And I’m an Andrews.

Bonnie crept past Lydia Anne’s bedroom, stopping briefly to make sure the door was closed. Fear made her dizzy. Later when Lester sat behind bars or was laid out cold in a pine box, she might give in to the terror. But not now. Sudden realization shattered her. She couldn’t put an end to Lester’s evil, not on her own. She needed God, and she hadn’t even prayed.

Lord, have mercy. You are the only one who can help me here. Guide me. Give me strength to see this through.

In the bedroom, she took a quick glimpse out of the window to see if any of the ranch hands had returned. The barns looked deserted. Taking a ragged breath, she turned her attention to the loaded rifle beneath her bed. She dared not make a sound, for she knew Lester had not made an idle threat. She didn’t really want to kill a man, but she would. The many times she’d slipped away for target practice now had meaning.

Once her fingers wrapped around the cold metal barrel, she scooted it to the rug beside her bed. Her gaze flew to the doorway and back. With the ease of a mother who practiced the art of working quietly, she checked to make sure the rifle was loaded. A shotgun would have cut him in two. Not a bad thought.

Rising to her feet, she swung the rifle into her right hand. Her babies were at risk, and no one was going to hurt them. She’d die trying and take Lester with her.

“Mama.” Lydia Anne’s small voice shook Bonnie’s resolve.

“What are you doing up?” she whispered. “You’re supposed to be in bed.”

Lydia Anne pointed to the rifle. “Why do you have that?”

Bonnie laid the weapon across her bed. In an instant she knelt to her daughter’s level and grabbed her shoulders. “You get back to bed this instant, or I will whip you very hard.”

The little girl’s eyes filled with tears.

“Do you understand me?”

Lydia Anne nodded.

“Do not leave your room until I come to get you. Is that perfectly clear?”

Again, Lydia Anne nodded.

“Now go. If I hear as much as a whimper, I’ll not only whip you but take away your kitty.”

Never had she spoken so harshly to Lydia Anne. When this was over, she’d apologize. The little girl scampered across the wooden floor and slammed the door. The crash echoed over the house. Bonnie held her breath.

“Bonnie?” Lester called from the stairway. His boots thudded as he mounted each step.

“Lydia Anne got up from her nap. I’ll be right down.” Her voice sounded more like a frightened child than a confident woman. She snatched up the rifle from the bed and lifted it to her shoulder.

“I’ll see for myself.”

“No need. I’m on my way.”

She made her way to the hallway. Lester hadn’t gone back down the stairs. Maybe he needed a little help.

Lord, my thoughts are so brave, but I’m not. I’m not so sure I can squeeze the trigger, either.

At the top of the stairway, she saw him standing midway on the steps. His eyes widened, then he laughed.

“I didn’t know you knew how to hold a rifle.”

She took aim. “Lay your revolver at your feet. Now.”

His smirk turned to a frown, but he obliged.

“Get out of my house.”

“What are you going to do, hit me with the rifle?”

To reinforce her words, she started down after him. “When I was eleven years old, my father taught me how to shoot. No one else knew. The only reason I practiced and listened to Papa was because he said the day would come when I’d wish I knew how to use it. The day’s come. Your day of reckoning.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“You’d better, or your blood is going to paint my steps. I’ve never gotten over your spreading gossip about Brother Travis and me, accusing others of killing Rosie, and vandalizing the church and blaming it on Zack.”

He chuckled. “Breaking those windows and destroying a few hymnals hurt my bank account, but it was necessary.”

“What about the reverend’s Bible?”

“It’s in my office.”

“Is there anything you won’t do?”

“Try me.” He planted his foot on the next step.

“Get out, Lester. My finger’s itching to pull the trigger.”

Lester backed down to the entrance with Bonnie following him. She prayed Juanita would stay in the kitchen. The front door opened wide, and Zack walked in. He glanced up at her with a puzzled stare. Before Bonnie could warn him, Lester whirled around and grabbed Zack’s shoulders. His hand slipped to her son’s neck.

“Maybe you’d better drop the rifle.” Lester meant business, but so did she.

Bonnie’s mind raced back to all the times she’d slipped away in the past few months for target practice. With God’s help, she could save her son from this monster.

“What is happening here?” Zack attempted to shake off Lester’s hold, but the man appeared to hold him tighter.

“Don’t worry, Zack.” This time her voice did sound stronger.

“But you don’t know how to use a rifle, Mama.”

She forced a smile. “Remember the coyote that Thomas found dead outside the chicken house a few months back?”

Zack nodded. “Shot right between the eyes, and none of the ranch hands owned up to it.”

“That’s because your mama shot it, just like I’m going to finish up the coyote who has his filthy hands on you.”

She squeezed the trigger just as Lester threw Zack on the floor and reached for the door. The bullet lodged in the wood just above Lester’s head. She raced down the stairs after him, but when she reached the door, Lester had already been stopped. Travis had him pinned to the ground with his knee into his back.

“That woman is mad,” Lester said. “She tried to kill me.”

“I heard enough of the conversation to know you’re lying.” Travis glanced up at Bonnie. “Are you all right?”

She nodded. “He still didn’t acknowledge killing Rosie.”

“That’s because he didn’t do it.”

“Then who did?”

“Sylvia. She confessed earlier today. Laura and Daisy went to the sheriff this afternoon once they learned about the confession and revealed Lester’s dealings. He’s on his way out here now to arrest Lester for abusing Rosie and the others.”

“Sylvia killed Rosie?” Lester winced as Travis tightened the hold on his arms. “She couldn’t hurt anyone, not with her gentle spirit.”

“Well, Lester, she did.”

“But . . . but Sylvia cared for my no-good brothers when they came begging for handouts.”

“Love and jealousy often rule a person’s judgment.” He glanced up at Bonnie. “I’ll tell you the whole story later. Right now I need a rope.”

“What did you ask me?” Slow down. You’re angry with Lester, not Travis.

Travis startled. “A rope. I need a rope to tie up Lester.”

“I’ve spent the past hour with a man who was threatening me and my children, and now all you do is ask me for a rope?”

“I’ll get one,” Zack said. “I want him tied real tight.”

All the fear and fury from the ordeal sent shivers up and down her arms while her face flushed hot. “And to think I wanted you to ask me to marry you.”

Travis sputtered. “What?”

Realization of what she’d just said hit her like a blast of cold air. Maybe she was mad. He hadn’t made an unreasonable request. What was wrong with her? She shook all over. “I’m sorry. Oh my, I must go see about Lydia Anne.” She whirled around in time to see Juanita staring with her mouth open. Instead of making one more ridiculous statement, Bonnie avoided them all and hurried after her daughter.

*****

Travis went through the motions of tying Lester’s hands while his mind spun with what Bonnie had said.

“Did you see what my mama did? Why, she sent a bullet into the front door right where Lester had been standing,” Zack said. “But why did she get so mad about the rope?”

“I have no idea, but I’ll find out when the sheriff gets here. He was right behind me. I was afraid of this when your uncles and I found Lester gone from the bank.”

The sound of horses’ hooves punctuated his words. Within minutes, Sheriff Arthur had Lester in custody. “I’ll take him into town,” he said. “Thank God our womenfolk can now live without fear.”

“A prayer answered.” Travis stood and glanced at Zack, who happened to be grinning.

“What are you smiling about?” Travis said.

“The look on your face when Mama said she wanted to marry you.”

“She must have been real upset,” he said.

“You mean upset enough for the truth to come spurtin’ out?” Zack laughed. “You best go see what you can do to make her happy. And be careful. She’s a good shot.”

Travis trembled all over. Without another word, he made his way into the house.

“Bonnie, I need to talk to you.”

No answer.

“Bonnie?” He still shook like a scared rabbit. Maybe because he felt like one.

“She’s upstairs,” Juanita said from the front porch.

Travis made his way up the staircase, all the while rehearsing what he should say, yet realizing the words would refuse to come. One thing he knew for sure: He loved Bonnie Kahler.

“Bonnie?” he called softly. He didn’t want her aiming that rifle at him.

“I’m right here.”

He glanced up and saw her holding Lydia Anne. Both were crying. How was he supposed to handle that? Lord, I’m in trouble here, and I need help.

“Is she all right?” he said

“I scared her,” Bonnie said with a sob. “I said ugly things to her when I was afraid Lester might hurt her.”

Lydia Anne snuggled against Bonnie’s shoulder. It looked to him like the little girl was doing better than her mama.

“We need to talk,” he said.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I was upset about Lester and said things I didn’t mean.”

Standing there in the hallway with the western sun shining through the window, Bonnie looked like an angel, his angel. “I think you meant every word. I’ve been in love with you for a long time, but I never thought you’d have any feelings for a man like me.”

She tilted her head, and a fresh glazing of tears sprinkled her cheeks. “That’s not true, Travis. You are a fine man, and I love you.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” She sniffed, and he pulled out a handkerchief for her. “You’re always doing this.”

“I’d like to do it permanently. Take care of you, I mean.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m more than sure, and I want your children as mine.”

“What is Brother Travis saying?” Lydia Anne said.

“I’m asking your mama to marry me and let me be a papa to you, Zack, and Michael Paul.” There, he’d said it, and the words came out just fine.

“Say yes, Mama.” Lydia Anne lifted her head from Bonnie’s shoulder.

Bonnie sighed, then smiled through her tears. “I don’t think I have a choice.”

“Do you mind if I come up there and give you a kiss?” he said.

“Mama or me?”

Travis laughed. “Both of you.”

*****

Travis walked by the barber shop. How many times had Hank offered him a haircut and a shave? He should get himself fixed up. And he should tell Bonnie the truth about his past. Should have done so the afternoon she agreed to become his wife. In fact, his whole congregation needed to be told what had happened in Tennessee. The days of hiding from the past were over.

If he planned to marry Bonnie and wanted God to bless him and his new family, then the story must be told. Tomorrow morning just before the sermon seemed like the best time. Bonnie always arrived a little early. Then he’d tell his flock. He glanced down at his clothes. Morgan had given him a fine suit, one that would fit. High time he wore it.

Travis retraced his steps on the boardwalk and twisted the knob on the barbershop door.

“Welcome, Brother Travis,” Hank said, glancing up from a newspaper. “What can I do for you?”

“That offer still open for a haircut and a shave? I thought the town might want to see what their preacher looks like.”

Hank laughed until he held his sides. “Just set yourself right down.”

*****

Travis wished Zack still lived with him, but he’d stayed with his mama since the day Sylvia and Lester had been arrested. Travis needed someone’s opinion about his appearance this morning. Freshly groomed and wearing Morgan’s suit, he looked like his old self. But his heart had changed. God had slowly taken care of his relationship with Him during the past year, from his time alone in the mountains on through his pastoring of Piney Woods Church. This morning he needed God’s guidance more than ever. Before lunch today, he’d know whether he still had a church and a future bride and family.

The thought occurred to him of heading over to see the reverend and Mrs. Rainer before church, but did that mean he didn’t trust God for the outcome today? No point in taking a chance. He snatched up his Bible and stepped out into the early January air.

His habit was to be at church before anyone else considered getting there. That way he could pray. This morning he needed prayer. He should have left the house before daylight. After all, he’d been awake.

At eight o’clock, the door swung open, and the reverend boomed his familiar, “Morning.” Travis swung around from the front pew.

“Is Brother Travis here?” the reverend said.

“It’s me.” Travis managed to stand. “I decided it was about time I looked more presentable.”

The reverend’s eyes widened. “My land. I never thought . . . Why, you’re a fine-looking man.”

Travis smiled. “We’re going to talk about my change in church this morning after I tell Bonnie. I’m going to need a few prayers while I confess to everyone what happened in my last church.”

The reverend walked toward him. “I knew right from the start what caused you to leave Tennessee. When you answered the call, I wrote one of your brothers, and he told me the whole story. He has regrets about the way he and your other brothers handled the problems there.”

“And you still asked me to pastor this church?”

“We have a merciful God, and I wanted to give you an opportunity to start over. I knew someday I’d hear your side of the story.”

“Thank you. I’m a mite nervous, but my mind’s made up.” He glanced about. “No one’s seen me but Hank, so we’ll see how many other folks won’t recognize me.”

The reverend chuckled. “My guess is no one, except maybe Bonnie.”

Travis stayed seated in the front pew until the church filled up. Why hadn’t Bonnie come early? A few folks shook his hand, and Morgan even called, “Good morning,” not recognizing his own suit. Travis took the steps to the pulpit, hoping his heart didn’t jump from his chest before he got there. Seemed like since he came to Kahlerville, his heart had taken a beatin’. Help me, Lord. I have to be honest.

Glancing at the pew where Bonnie and the children always sat, he watched as she and the children made their way down the aisle and took their seats. She stared at him oddly. The color drained from her face. Oh, how he loved this woman. Would she and her children trust him after this morning?

“Good morning,” he said to his congregation.

Immediately the room hushed.

“I see that you don’t know your own preacher. Hank kept offering me a haircut and shave, so I finally took him up on it.”

Everyone laughed.

“I also had a good man give me a suit. So I guess on the outside I’m a new man. What I’m about to tell you is about the man I used to be, the man who was asked to leave his last church. When I’m finished, if you choose to have me step down as your preacher, I’ll do so.” He stole a look at Bonnie. “I never meant to deceive any of you. I simply wanted to forget about my past and start my life over by serving the Lord with a clean heart and a clean slate.”

“Doesn’t matter what you say, Brother Travis,” Jake Weathers said. “We wouldn’t trade you for all the preachers in Texas. Without your help, a lot of wicked things would still be going on.”

“I appreciate that, Jake. I hope you still have a high opinion of me once I’m finished.”

“Just tell us whatcha got to say,” Eli said.

Travis cleared his throat, rubbed his clammy hands together, and prayed for the proper words.

“I led a church back home in Tennessee. It was my parents’ church, and my brothers were deacons. I preached there for ten years. Not a single soul found the Lord during that time. I became desperate. Didn’t know what I was doing wrong. That’s when I started calling on people who wouldn’t darken the church’s door—not for them to be saved, but for me to look good. I was sure I’d be blessed for all my work.” Travis took a deep breath. His mouth tasted like dirt. Women and children were listening. How much dared he say?

“One of the places I visited . . .” He paused. “Well, women of questionable reputations lived there. I started visiting regularly. One of them was interested in knowing more about Jesus. In my enthusiasm to bring a new convert to church, I spent too much time with her. She made a profession of faith, and I thought I’d fallen in love with her. I wanted to marry her, so I told my family. They were very upset, especially my brothers. They said this woman would not be a good preacher’s wife. They told me to choose between this woman and my church. When I refused, my brothers went to see her and informed her that she wasn’t fit to be my wife. Not only did I not have any converts in my church, but my only one went back to her previous occupation and refused ever to see me again. She disappeared from the community. My brothers said I wasn’t fit to lead their church and asked me to leave.”

Travis studied his flock, his congregation. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Bonnie. Not now. He couldn’t bear to see her disappointment. Zack sat beside her, and he alone knew the story. He smiled and nodded, giving Travis a little more courage.

“After I left my church, I spent six months in a mountain cabin. I needed to find out where I went wrong. Why hadn’t I been able to bring folks to God? What was wrong with me? God spoke to me there. He said I was full of pride—that He wasn’t my first love. I also realized I hadn’t loved that woman at all. I’d been in love with the idea of bringing a woman out of her past and makin’ myself look good in my church—not understanding it was God’s church, not mine. At the end of the six months, I learned about your church needing a preacher. I felt God wanted me to take it, giving me another chance.” He swallowed hard.

“I was afraid of allowing anything to get in the way of following God, so I let my hair and beard grow, bought spectacles, and wore those big clothes. I’m sorry to have deceived you, folks. You’ve been better to me than my own family. You’ve given me a fine house, sung in the choir, given me the privilege of baptizing some of you. Treated me like family. I’ll be forever grateful.”

He wanted to look at the reverend, Mrs. Rainer, the Andrews, and Bonnie, but his insides froze, and he couldn’t. Travis stepped away from the pulpit and set his sights on the door. A flash of the first day he’d walked into this church swept across his mind. He blinked and took another step.

“Brother Travis, I came here expectin’ a sermon this morning,” Jake said. “What about the rest of you folks?”

“Me, too,” another man said.

“Me and Jake never agree, but I do on this one,” Eli said.

Travis glanced at Miss Scott. She dabbed her eyes.

“Confession is good for the soul,” Pete Kahler said. “Now, let’s get on with worshippin’ God.”

“Weren’t you listening?” Travis said.

“Sounds to me that any problems you might have had got worked out,” Morgan said.

Travis glanced at the reverend. He smiled. His attention moved on to Mrs. Rainer. She nodded as though she knew his turmoil. His gaze ventured to others in the church. No condemnation looked back at him. Zack grinned and nodded again. With his stomach churning, Travis turned his attention to Bonnie.

He met her gaze. She placed her hands on the pew in front of her and slowly stood. “Brother Travis, I believe you have an announcement to make before you give the sermon.”

Heat flooded his face. “Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.”

“Would you come up here with me?”

Bonnie made her way into the aisle. Her sweet blue eyes never left his face. She held out her hand. Travis hesitated. He didn’t feel worthy of this woman, these people, and they were not rejecting him. Just as God had not rejected him. Travis grasped her hand, and she took her place beside him.

“You’re completely sure about this?” he whispered. “Don’t be saying yes because you feel sorry for me.”

“If you don’t make the announcement, I’m going to be very disappointed,” she whispered. “And you already know what I can do with a rifle.”

He chuckled. “Oh, life with you will never be dull.” He turned back to the crowd. “Folks, I, or rather, we, have something to tell you. Looks like this morning is full of news. Bonnie Kahler has agreed to be my wife.”

A clap rose from somewhere in the church. A whoop and a holler came from the back. Zack and Michael Paul grinned like somebody had given them a whole bag of jelly beans. Lydia Anne clapped her little hands.

“I still came to hear some good preachin’,” Jake said when the clapping died down.

“And you will.” Bonnie squeezed Travis’s hand and walked back to the pew and joined her children—soon to be his children. With eyes filled with tears, she sat down.

Travis couldn’t believe his blessings. He had a church, a home, a God who loved him, and a future wife and family who knew his faults and still loved him.

“When’s the weddin’?” Jake said.

Travis dared a look at his future bride.

“Tomorrow?” she said. “I’m ready.”