Lightning and Lace

chapter 9

“How did you fare your first morning with Zack?” Reverend Rainer said as he and Travis walked past the general store and on to Heaven’s Gate.

Travis laughed. Might as well find humor in the mess he’d gotten himself into, or he’d give up on the boy the first day. And he certainly didn’t want to think about stepping into Heaven’s Gate and living through his demons. “I roused him at five just as I warned him the night before. When he failed to acknowledge me the second time, I pulled back his quilt and shook him.”

“Whoa. I don’t know if I’d have been that brave.”

“Well, I’m questioning my sanity. Anyway, after he let me know about his displeasure, I lit the lantern and told him to get dressed or he wouldn’t get breakfast. Figured after going without dinner, he’d be right-smart hungry. That worked. We read the same Bible passage and took a walk before breakfast to discuss it.”

“What scripture?”

Travis grinned. “‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ We talked about what that meant.” He shrugged. “I talked, and he looked bored.”

“I probably would have chosen the prodigal son.”

“It crossed my mind. But I’m saving that whole chapter of Luke 15 for when I think he’s ready. So I asked Zack if he liked to fish and told him if he could behave himself for three days, we’d go fishing.”

“What did he say?”

“Said he preferred to go fishing by himself.”

The reverend chuckled. “I shouldn’t be laughing here, but I see the worms in what Zack’s doing.” He laughed. “Pardon my choice of words. But your plan does make good sense.”

“I was awake most of the night praying about it. I won’t give him any slack, but I will let him know I care.”

“What’s he doing now?”

“Writing a paper about one thing he likes about his mother. This will be the first of many, and I figure when we’re done, we’ll give them to the right folks. If he refuses, then he can go to bed without dinner again. I also see merit in having him write a paper about what he likes about himself.”

“You’re a good man, Travis. I hope Zack sees and understands what you’re doing real soon. And I hope this town treats you right.”

You wouldn’t be so certain about my character if you knew what happened.

“Are his other grandparents living?”

“Yes. Pete and MayBelle own the general store and the feed store.”

“I remember meeting them. Does Zack see them often?”

“He did until he was caught stealing candy from the store.”

Would the reports about Zack never end?

A few minutes later, they stood outside a fairly new two-story house. If not for the sign on the gate that read “Heaven’s Gate,” Travis would have thought a family lived there. Any mirth he might have felt earlier vanished in light of what had happened to one of the girls housed in this charitable home.

“A brothel once stood here,” the reverend said as though reading Travis’s mind. “It burned, leaving the occupants homeless. Jenny had this house built for the girls who were ready to begin a new life. She, Sylvia, Bonnie, and sometimes Casey, Morgan’s wife, teach the girls all kinds of things, from sewing and cooking to Bible study.”

Mrs. Hillman stepped out onto the front porch, hands perched on her hips. She was a tall woman, not comely, but her heart shone through her smile. He didn’t doubt for one minute that heaven had taken notice of Sylvia Hillman. Everywhere he turned, she was ministering to folks. Strange couple, Lester and Sylvia.

“I saw you two coming. Are you here to see my Rosie?”

“We sure are,” the reverend said. “I wanted her to have an opportunity to talk to Brother Travis personally.”

Mrs. Hillman stuck out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again. Rosie told me how she liked your preaching.”

“That was right nice of her.” Travis figured the poor girl must be deaf. His sermon last Sunday had been barely tolerable, and tonight’s prayer meeting had best be a sight better, or he’d lose his congregation before he even began.

“Is she feelin’ up to visitors?” the reverend said.

“I’m sure of it. Lester is with her now, reading scripture to her and the other girls.” She blinked. “He’s such a caring man. Why, he’s offered Laura a job at the bank and said he’d train her himself.”

“That is a fine man,” the reverend said.

The two men followed Sylvia inside and up the stairs. Travis plastered on a smile while his insides fought with his heart. Whoever had done this to a poor girl who was trying hard to live a right life ought to be horsewhipped. An image of Felicia flashed across his mind, and he shuddered. He’d done his best to keep her away from a brothel, but all it had accomplished was his losing his church—and any respect from those who mattered. Maybe he could do better this time. He prayed so.

At this moment, Travis needed to put aside his personal feelings about Lester and praise God for a man who went out of his way to help society’s unwanted.

Lester closed the Bible and stood when the reverend and Travis entered the bedroom. He shook hands with both of them. Two other young women stood and greeted them politely and then bent over Rosie to kiss her cheek. A moment later, the other young women left the room.

“Good for you two to come.” Lester smiled down at Rosie. “We just finished reading from the Psalms. I’ll leave you, since I need to get to the bank.” He smiled at Rosie. “You’re doing fine. Remember all we talked about, and I’ll check on you soon.”

Lester left them alone. A tear trickled down Rosie’s cheek, and she whisked it away with her right hand. Her left arm lay bandaged against the side of her body. The injured young woman with jet black hair and olive skin looked to be from Mexico.

“Hello, Rosie, I brought Brother Whitworth with me.”

“Appreciate you coming,” she said.

“Do you feel up to a visit?” the reverend said.

She hesitated and nodded. Why had she refused to name the man who had attacked her? The reverend pulled a chair close to her bed, and Travis did the same.

The reverend took her hand. “Won’t you tell someone who did this to you?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“I can’t.” Another tear slipped from her eye, and the reverend wiped it away.

Jesus, help her.

“Are you afraid?”

She nodded. “It’s not just me but others who might get hurt.”

“Not if the sheriff arrests him.”

“I can’t take that chance.”

“And what if it happens again?”

“Please, Reverend. It’s impossible. All I can do is mend and forgive . . . and forget.”

“I understand, but you’re letting a cruel man go unpunished.”

“Look at what I once was. It’s fittin’.”

Travis wanted to come out of his chair, but he swallowed the indignation threatening to boil over. “Miss Rosie, no one deserves this.”

She offered a faint smile. “Tonight’s prayer meetin’, and I’ll miss your sermon.”

“We’ll pray for you,” Travis said.

“Thank you.” Rosie’s eyelids fluttered. “Don’t know why I’m so tired. Must be the medicine Doc Grant gave me.”

Travis glanced at the reverend, who nodded toward the door.

“Brother Whitworth and I’d like to come back and see you. Is that all right?”

“Of course,” she whispered through closed eyes. “You are my Jesus. You and Mrs. Rainer, Mrs. Hillman, Jenny, Bonnie, Casey . . .”

The two men left the room. Nothing settled. No name to bring to Sheriff Arthur.

*****

Bonnie basked in the cool wind blowing against her face. How long had it been since she had felt this content? Lydia Anne sat in front of her, laughing and giggling, not the least bit afraid of racing over the pastureland with the spotted mare heaving beneath them. They’d ridden over most of the ranch with Thomas this morning, seeing parts of her land that Bonnie had long neglected. A spirit of newness and anticipation had taken hold, and she treasured it.

Finally, she pulled the mare to a walk. “We’re going to wear out Indian Sun,” she said.

“Can I ride by myself?” Lydia Anne said.

“Very soon. In fact, we might start this afternoon when you wake from your nap.”

Thomas laughed. “I think the Kahler womenfolk might be entering the horse races next Fourth of July.”

“We might,” Bonnie said. “And we might win.”

“Would Zack be able to watch us?” Lydia Anne said.

For a little while, Bonnie had pushed aside her concern for her oldest son. “I should hope so. We’d need him to cheer us on.”

She glanced at Thomas, and he gave her a reassuring smile. Bonnie appreciated this fine man, weathered with the knowledge only experience could give. Juanita was one lucky woman.

As they rode back to the house, two riders approached them. She recognized the men as her brothers. Fear tightened her throat. Had something happened to one of her sons?

“Everything is fine with Zack and Michael Paul,” Morgan said when they were within talking distance. “I saw that look on your face.”

She sighed and praised God at the same time. “What brings both of you out here?”

“First of all, you look wonderful,” Grant said.

“Thank you, Doctor. Lydia Anne and I were checking on the cattle and horses.”

“We had fun,” the little girl said. “More fun than baking cookies or planting flowers.”

“More fun than the new kittens we found this morning?”

Lydia Anne tilted her head. “I can’t decide.”

The men laughed, but obviously the little girl didn’t understand. Bonnie kissed her wind-flushed cheeks.

“Good to see you, Thomas,” Morgan said. “Glad you’re here with Bonnie. We wanted to talk to both of you.”

Bonnie looked down at her daughter. Lydia Anne didn’t need to hear anything that could frighten her.

“Hey, little lady,” Grant said. “How about riding back with your Uncle Grant and showing me those new kittens?”

Lydia Anne glanced up at Bonnie. “Can I, Mama?”

“I don’t see why not.” She rode closer to Grant so he could lift the little girl onto his horse.

“Can we run like Mama and me?”

Grant’s gaze flew to Bonnie’s. “You were racing with her?”

She laughed. “We’re tough, aren’t we, Lydia Anne?”

“Yes, ma’am. This afternoon Mama is going to teach me how to ride real fast.”

“Walk first.” Bonnie smiled into the sky blue eyes of her precious daughter. “Have a good time.”

Grant rode away, leaving her alone with Morgan and Thomas.

“Is there something I should know?”

“Rosie was beaten again,” Morgan said.

Bonnie gripped the saddle horn. “How is she?”

“Grant patched her up, and she’s at Heaven’s Gate. She won’t tell anyone who did it—just like the last time.”

“That makes no sense.”

“I agree.” He turned to Thomas. “Sure glad Bonnie has you to watch over things.”

“I promised Ben before he left that I’d keep an eye on his family.”

“Good. Guess you figured that’s why Grant and I rode out here. We’re worried about our little sister.”

“No need. I always have someone guarding the house.”

Bonnie’s eyes widened. “Thanks, Thomas. I had no idea.”

He grinned. “Ben told me to be sly as a fox.”

She could almost hear Ben giving those instructions. In the past, she’d have shed a few tears, but today the thought warmed her.

“My thanks to you.” Morgan’s shoulders lifted and fell. “We’ll sure sleep a lot better.”

“You’re welcome. We’ve all sort of adopted Miss Bonnie and the young’uns.”

“See, I’ll be fine,” she said.

“Grant’s right. You’re looking much better. We both want to apologize for the way we’ve handled things. I haven’t been very understanding.”

“You two were simply being the big brothers you’ve always been. I’m trying real hard to get on with my life. Not that I won’t be making mistakes.”

“Let us help in any way we can.”

She swallowed a lump in her throat. “Would you continue to look into a military school for Zack? I have to be prepared in case Brother Travis isn’t able to work a miracle.” She attempted to sound objective, but her voice broke.

“Sure. All of us are praying for him. Chad feels real bad about what’s happened.”

“They used to be close. Maybe they will be again.”

“I hope so,” he said. “A long time ago, I vowed to stop hovering over you and let you make your own decisions.”

“I was eighteen when you made that statement. And you were courtin’ Casey at the time.”

“I’m still working on it.”

Bonnie laughed, then sobered. “Papa spoiled me. So did you. Then Ben. Mama and Grant attempted to make me strong, but it never happened. Now I have three children to raise, and I intend to make my family and Ben proud. After all, I have Andrews blood flowing through my veins.”

“Do Ben’s folks know about Zack?”

She nodded. “I stopped there after I left the sheriff’s office. I think they would have liked for me to bring him there, but they’re getting up in years too. I regret my assumption that Mama and the reverend would take Zack.” She glanced away. “I regret so much, but God is talking to me.”

“Much has happened in a few short days.”

“I guess so. Morgan, I appreciate all you and Grant have done for me. I love you.”

“Haven’t heard that in a long time.”

“I haven’t loved myself in a long time. And I have miles to go. I’m sure we’ll share a few more disagreements.”

“You’ll make it, Bonnie. I’m sure of it.”

But her words had sounded braver than what she felt. Her mind said she needed a drink, deserved one after the past few days. Her heart told her otherwise, and she clung to God like a newborn. Think about others. Be gracious and compassionate.

She’d planned to stay home from prayer meeting tonight to avoid Zack, but now she wondered if she should sit with Rosie. Seemed like there was always something to be doing. She wanted to talk to Brother Whitworth to see how Zack was doing. She didn’t want to put too much hope in what the man was attempting, but to have her son happy and at peace seemed like a dream. Would life ever get easier?