Change of Heart (20 page)

Even though groans escaped the man, the gag prevented him from speaking. Matt shook his head. The murderer deserved to suffer. He waited until the sheriff and men left with the prisoner and then joined Becca.

Becca slid her arm through his. “I'll ride with you.”

“I have missed having you close.” He mounted the horse and reached for her hand. “Ruth must be beside herself with worry. I left Mother with her when I told her what happened. I did not want to inconvenience Ruth, but I did not have time to make other arrangements. I was frantic to find you. I hope it was not too awkward for Ruth.”

Becca stepped back. “I can't imagine your mamm being nice to my sister. I hope she didn't argue with Ruth. You did put her in an awkward position.”

“It was not the best idea, but time was of the essence. As soon as we reach Massillon, I will take her home. It was awkward for me, too. I have not talked to my mother for a while now. I wanted nothing to do with her.”

Becca mounted the horse and rested her chin on his back. She wrapped her arms about him and didn't say another word.

Isaac followed the sheriff and deputies and rode alongside Becca and Matt. “How are you two holding up?”

Matt slowed the horse. “Glad Becca is safe, and none of us were shot. I felt better having you there, friend.”

Becca said, “
Yes,
thanks again, Isaac.”

The horses' hooves pounded against the dirt. They rode in silence.

Matt warmed at having her arms around him. She had been through a dangerous situation. The blood-stained dress and splats on her arms and face had scared him. Those outlaws had no conscience. She had protected others and shown courage and strength most women could not have mustered in such a terrifying situation. He loved her even more, if possible. She was too quiet. What was on her mind? Would she allow him to court her again?

His heart broke for Becca. She was exhausted.

He should have taken his mother to the office. Dorothy would not have liked taking care of her, but she would have done it for him. Becca was tired and weak. His mother was the last person she would have wanted her sister to have to deal with, let alone having to face his mother herself. He would get his mother out of their house as soon as possible. He was relieved his mother was all right, but he meant what he said. She had done enough meddling in his private life. He wanted nothing to do with her.

Chapter Seventeen

Becca, Matt, and Isaac, breathless and disheveled, stepped inside Ruth's house.

Ruth's tears stained her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around Becca. She stepped back and held her sister's shoulders. “I am happy to see you. Why is there blood on your dress? Were you shot?”

Becca hugged her sister. “Don't worry. It's the robber's blood, not mine. One's dead and one's in jail. I'm fine. It must've been horrible for you to wait and wonder about me, but the ordeal is over. I'm blessed Matt, Isaac, the sheriff, and his deputies rescued me.” She missed Benjamin and couldn't wait to wrap her arms around him. “Where's Benjamin?”

Ruth's body relaxed. “He is at Hattie's. We will let him stay with her tonight. You can see him in the morning. You need to rest.” She moved to Isaac and held him tight. “I am glad you are home safe. Thank you for bringing my sister back to me.”

Isaac kissed her cheek. “I consider Becca my sister too.” He rubbed his forehead. “Since I have had my hug, I must get home and catch up on my chores. You and Becca have plenty to talk about and will want some time alone. I will stop by your shop and see you tomorrow.”

Ruth blushed. “Becca and I might take the day off from work. If I am not there, visit us here.” She kissed his cheek, then closed the door behind him.

Matt clasped Becca's hand and led her to the chairs near his mother. Her eyes were closed. “Mother, I would like to hear your version of what happened.” Eloise opened her eyes wide. “Do not be ridiculous. We can talk later. You need to take me home and let Becca rest. This ordeal has worn her out.”

Mrs. Carrington must not have been sleeping. She was too quick to answer Matt's question. It was hard to tell if she had softened after what they had been through together. Maybe she would have a change of heart toward her since she had saved her life. If she did, at least something good would come of this horrific experience.

He shook his head. “This will take but a few minutes. Start talking.”

“We were robbed, and you know the rest.”

Matt shook his head. “Why did they take Becca and not you?”

“Becca suggested they leave me, since I was wounded, and take her.”

Mrs. Carrington's voice was laced with regret. Becca liked this side of Matt's mother.

His eyes went from Becca to his mother. “Let me get this straight. Becca offered herself instead of you?”

“Yes, she did.”

“After all the petty and mean things you have said and done to her, she saved you?”

Eloise put a hand to her heart. “Yes, and I appreciate what she did more than I can say.” She spoke in a quiet voice and looked at Becca. “I would not be here if it was not for you. I do not know where you found the courage to stand up to those men.”

Becca's eyes drooped from exhaustion, but her heart soared. Mrs. Carrington had spoken kind words to her in a sincere and genuine voice. “Your words mean a great deal to me, but God was with me, and He deserves all the credit. I'm happy Matt found you and tended to your wound before it became serious.” Matt patted Becca's arm. “I have been thoughtless making you both talk about this now. It is time for us to leave. Mother, I will take you home. We can discuss the robbery tomorrow.” He opened the door. “The sheriff and his deputy must have picked up the stagecoach. Ruth, do you mind if I borrow your buggy to take my mother home? I will return it tomorrow.”

“No, of course not. Take it.”

Eloise asked, “Will you take me to your house? Your father will not be home until around noon tomorrow. He went to a meeting.”

“Yes.” He draped her shawl over her shoulders. “I'll bring the buggy to the front in a few minutes.” He went to the barn.

She supported her arm with her other. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

Hand on her hip, Ruth stared at Eloise. “After what my sister did for you, I hope you will search your heart and accept Matt and Becca as a couple.”

Eloise's face heated and she did not respond. Matt pushed open the door and helped Eloise from the sofa. He kissed Becca and Ruth on their cheeks. “Ruth, thank you for taking such good care of Mother. Becca, I'll check on you tomorrow.”

Becca kissed his cheek. “You coming to rescue me meant a lot to me. I'll never forget it.”

“I would not have had it any other way. Isaac was right. You and Ruth must want time alone to talk. Get a good night's rest.”

Mrs. Carrington nodded and left with Matt.

Would Mrs. Carrington express her regret for her rude behavior and apologize to Matt for all the trouble she had caused them? Maybe this was God's way of bringing them together with his mamm's blessing. She shouldn't get her hopes up just yet. She must wait and find out what Matt had to say about his conversation with Mrs. Carrington.

Becca settled on the sofa. “I can't believe Matt brought Mrs. Carrington to your house.”

Ruth sat next to her and covered her with a quilt. “He was in a desperate rush. He did not have time to take her anywhere else.”

“Imagine my unhappy surprise to see Matt's mamm in the stagecoach and no other passengers. If I could've walked to Massillon, I would have.”

Ruth fetched towels for her sister to wipe her face and hands. “How did she react?”

She shrugged and pinched her nose. “She insulted me as usual.”

“Did she know you two were no longer together?”

“She did but wanted to make sure I didn't change my mind and attempt to win him back.” Matt was the first person she wanted to behold after the robbery. In his arms, she calmed. She missed him every minute they weren't together. She'd considered having a change of heart concerning Matt, and then it all came rushing back as to why she ended their courtship in the first place.

Ruth sat in a chair close to Becca. “Do not let his mother steal another minute from you and Matt. You belong together.”

Becca closed her eyes for a moment. She didn't see any way possible out of this situation. “I'm at a loss as to what to do. I wish there was a way, but there isn't.”

Ruth sighed and raised her hands. “Maybe after she has time to reflect on how you saved her life, she will have a change of heart. Relax while I make us some tea.” She rose and went to the kitchen.

Becca pictured Mrs. Carrington. She was quiet, reserved, and her facial expressions looked less harsh. She seemed different. Was it because she was injured and tired, or was it something else?

A few moments later, Ruth returned with tea and offered her a cup. “I am selfish to ask after all you have been through, but I must. Please tell me more about the robbery.”

“It was frightening.” Becca rubbed the dull ache in her forehead. “The robbers threatened to abuse us, stole our money and Mrs. Carrington's jewelry.”

“How did she get shot?” Ruth's face flushed and she gripped her dress.

“She kicked one of the men and injured his eye. He recovered his balance and aimed his gun at her. I moved to shield her, but his shot caught her shoulder. The other bandit got nervous and wanted to leave. His partner suggested they take us with them. I convinced them to leave her behind.”

“You are a better person than me.” She waved her hand. “Mrs. Carrington did not deserve such kindness after what she has put you through. Where did they take you? Did they . . . touch you?”

Becca's hand shook as she sipped the tea. “No. They shoved me with their gun and pushed me around, but nothing like that. They stopped at a family's house outside of Massillon. Dewey and Nora Grayson are husband and wife. Their children are Luke and Patricia. Mr. Grayson joined me as I warmed by the stove. I told him the men were dangerous.”

Ruth gripped the arms of the chair, her knuckles white. “Where were the children during this?”

“The Graysons' son, Luke, approached the robbers.” Becca recounted how the child intervened during the time she and his family spent with the men. “It's a miracle he wasn't shot on the spot. I had no doubt they might shoot him to make a point. They proved they had no problem with killing people.” She sighed. “There was never a dull moment through the whole ordeal.” Becca pictured their leering and quivered. Their cold and scary eyes had frightened her. She was convinced they would have killed her and the Grayson family if she had not been rescued.

Ruth bolted upright and clutched her apron. “What did they do?”

She exhaled through her teeth and recounted the entire episode to Ruth.

Ruth held her face in her hands and wept. “I prayed God would bring you back to me unharmed. You have spoiled me. I never thought we would live together again after I left home. Yet, here you are. I treasure our time together. I do not know what Benjamin and I would do if anything happened to you.”

Becca caressed Ruth's hand. She thought several times her life might end. All the faces of the people she loved flashed before her more than once when the robbers pointed their guns at her. She planned to shove this horrible nightmare out of her mind. “Everything happened fast. I didn't have time to panic. Besides, I learned firsthand, God does provide us with the courage and words to say when we need them. If I hadn't had my faith, I would've panicked.”

Ruth wiped her face with the back of her hand. “You have always been the strong one. I had Caleb when I left home. You came alone. It is another reason I admire you. I wish I had one ounce of the strength you do.”

Becca patted Ruth's knee. “Caleb dying young was much harder for you. You had to survive without help from anyone. We are both strong.” She flexed her arms and giggled. “As for Mrs. Carrington, she's almost as bad as the bandits.” They laughed. Becca slapped a hand on her mouth. “I shouldn't say such things, it's not proper.”

Ruth giggled and reached to smooth Becca's messy hair. “It was at Mrs. Carrington's expense, but the remark caused us to laugh and we needed it.”

She set her teacup on the table. “I never want to experience anything like it again. Hester begged me to take the later stagecoach because it doesn't carry the bank's money. I should've taken her advice. Tell me about
your
time with Matt's mamm.”

“She infuriated me when she insisted you and Matt were not right for each other. I let her know how much I detested her behavior toward you. I could not stand the sound of her voice and told her to stop talking. I told her if she did not, I would dump her off at the Inn.”

Becca put her hand to her mouth. “I don't blame you for speaking what was on your mind. The woman brings out the worst in me, too.”

Ruth sneezed and pulled a handkerchief from her apron pocket. “I have to admit she would be a terrible mother-in-law. Enough talk about Mrs. Carrington. How was your visit with Hester?”

Becca told Ruth about her time with Hester and Grace, delivering the young couple's boppli. Her eyes widened. “With all the bad news, I almost forgot my exciting news. I visited with Mamm and Daed.” She recounted how she came to visit them.

Ruth's chin snapped up. “I am relieved Mother is all right. Were they worried their neighbors might see you there?”

She hadn't encountered the bishop or familiar faces while walking to their house. “No, they didn't mention it. It was understood I shouldn't be there, but Mamm's fall prompted the visit. The Amish mamm we helped had no problem with me assisting Hester. The other mamms we helped weren't Amish and lived outside of town.”

Ruth put a hand to her heart. “I am thrilled you told them more about Benjamin. I am anxious for them to meet him. I hope they visit soon.”

“They're happy we were able to help him. They can't wait to meet him.” She drew a breath and put a hand over her heart. “They want to come, but Daed told me it is hard for him to leave home because of taking care of the farm. He assured me they will visit in the near future.”

Ruth scooted to the edge of her chair. “I understand. I am thankful we are a family again. I love receiving Mother's letters. When they do come here, Benjamin will light up their lives with his big brown eyes and sweet personality.”

“Yes, and they will light up his life as well.”

“Speaking of family, Benjamin has been asking about Matt. To him, Matt is already a part of this family. Where do you stand with him?”

She wanted to marry him, but she chose not to. She had shown Mrs. Carrington she was willing to do anything to protect her during the robbery. Would it mean anything to the woman? She had to put Mrs. Carrington out of her mind. There was no use guessing what the woman would or wouldn't do. She appeared to have a heart of stone. “You got a taste of Mrs. Carrington's manipulative personality. Nothing has changed there. Maybe now you understand my dilemma and why Matt and I can't be together. You must take Benjamin to visit Matt. It's best if I stay away from him.”

Ruth crossed the room and selected a clean nightdress from the laundry. “Nonsense. You cannot let Mrs. Carrington dictate your life. After what you have been through, you must realize now more than ever, life is too short. You need to marry the man you love and honor Matt's request he not communicate with them. Do not coax him into trying to fix things with them. Let him be.”

Becca lifted her arms and Ruth pulled her soiled dress from her. “I am going to pray and hope God intervenes in my situation with Matt.” She winced. “Oh, I ache.”

Ruth grimaced and touched Becca's side. “You have bruises the size of small plates.” She slipped a clean nightdress over Becca's head. “I am praying God will find a way to bring you two back together.”