Tracie Peterson (12 page)

Eighteen

W
hen Zandy and Pamela arrived at the jail, it was empty. Fearing that somehow the hired thugs had already coerced Jim from the cell, Zandy rushed through the office as fast as she could.

“Jim!” she called, stumbling through the darkness.

“Zandy? What are you doing here?” Jim questioned from his cell.

“Oh, Jim!” Pamela exclaimed, coming behind Zandy. “They plan to kill you. I heard them talk, and they’re going to stage a jailbreak and shoot you while you run.”

“Pamela?” Jim’s voice revealed his surprise. “You two shouldn’t be here, especially if what you say is true.”

Pamela came to the cell where Jim stood. She could barely see his face
in the fading light. “We had to come. We had to warn you and see if we could
n’t stop it. My uncle won’t listen to reason. I’ve tried to explain the matter to him over and over again, but he won’t listen. Now there isn’t time to go for help. He and his men planned for the jail to be empty except for you.”

“Look, you and Zandy have to go back to the safety of the house. I can take care of myself, and we have to trust God to look out for me as well. I’m not running anymore. The last time I did, I ended up causing more hurt and trouble than it was worth.”

Zandy stepped forward at this. “Jim, the past has been resolved. I forgive you, now you must forgive yourself. You have a great deal to live for, and I won’t see you putting yourself into the hands of those madmen.”

“Forgiving is the easy part,” Jim said softly. “The forgetting is a whole heap harder.”

“We haven’t got time to worry about it just now,” Zandy said firmly. “They mean to show up here any minute.”

Pamela turned to Zandy. “Would you mind giving me a minute alone with Jim? I think I can convince him that we need to help him.”

“I’ll be just outside,” Zandy said with a quick squeeze of Pamela’s hand. “I’ll keep watch.”

Pamela waited until Zandy had closed the door before she spoke again. “Jim, I’ve got to say something to you, and you’ve got to listen to me carefully. I can’t stand by and watch them kill you. I’ve come to care too much about you.” She paused for a moment, wishing she could better see his face. Stepping closer to the bars, Pamela was surprised when Jim’s hands reached out to touch her arms.

“I care about you too,” Jim remarked. “That’s why I don’t want you here.”

“But I can’t leave!” Pamela exclaimed. “I love you!”

The silence that fell between them caused Pamela to fear Jim would reject her feelings. He knew her foolishness over Bradley. Perhaps he’d give her declaration no consideration at all.

“Did you hear me?” she finally managed to whisper.

“Yes,” he replied. “I love you too.”

“You do?” Pamela questioned, leaning forward against the bars. Jim slipped his arms around her as best he could.

“I’ve loved you for awhile now. I guess I was just waiting for you to heed the heart’s calling, as you’d put it.”

Pamela pressed her face to his.

“Yes, I suppose that’s it,” she whispered.

Just then, Zandy came back and slammed the door closed. “Something’s happening out there!” she exclaimed and surprised both Pamela and Jim by pulling a small revolver from her skirt pocket.

“Zandy!” Pamela cried and moved to her friend. “You can’t mean to use that.”

“I’ll do what I must to keep them from killing Jim. He doesn’t deserve to die in a shoot-out.” Zandy strained her eyes in the dim light to see if there was anything she could use to keep the ruffians from entering.

“Look,” Pamela said and reached up to a small bolt on the door. She quickly slid the lock into place.

“I don’t remember that being there,” Zandy said, breathing a sigh. “It won’t keep them out, but it will slow them down. Now, Pamela, you get back in the corner by Jim.”

“Zandy, you’ve got to stop this,” Jim said, to no avail. “You can’t risk your life and your child’s for me. I’m perfectly willing to put my life in God’s hands.”

“That’s where all of us are at the moment, Jim,” Zandy countered. “You can’t protect yourself in there, so I’m just doing what I feel I must. You’d do no different if it were me or Pamela in there and you out here.”

“But that’s different,” Jim protested.

Just then shouting from outside the jail could be heard. The ruckus grew until several shots were exchanged. Zandy began to tremble. On the other side of the door, she could hear men’s voices. She slowly backed up against the bars of an empty cell and leveled the gun at the door.

The latch was tried, and when the door wouldn’t budge, Zandy, Pamela, and Jim could hear someone kicking against it. These outlaws would beat the door down, Zandy realized, then she’d have to face them. Could she do it? Could she actually take a life in order to save one? For the first time, she questioned the sanity of what she was doing. If Riley found out, he’d be furious. Smothered in guilt, Zandy waited for the inevitable.

The door gave in with a resounding crash, and from the doorway rose the shadowy figure of a man. Zandy lifted the revolver higher.

“Stop or I’ll shoot,” she said in a shaky voice.

“Alexandra!”

It was Riley. She’d nearly shot her own husband! Sickened from the entire episode, Zandy lowered her arm as her knees gave way.

Riley stepped into the room, secured the gun, and lifted Zandy into his arms. She shook so hard that her teeth chattered loudly.

“Are you hurt?” he questioned.

Robert rushed in behind him. “Are they all right? Where’s Pamela?”

“I’m here Uncle Bob, and I’m fine. I just couldn’t let you put an end to Jim’s life. I love him, and I won’t let you hurt him. He’s not responsible for those ransom notes,” Pamela said firmly. She stepped forward putting herself between Robert and Jim.

Robert studied Pamela for a moment, then shook his head. Turning, he saw that Riley was leaving with Zandy. “Is she all right?”

“I don’t honestly know,” Riley replied. “It’s the first time I’ve found her speechless, and the only time I’ve ever wished she’d rant and rave at me, if nothing else.”

“I’m not hurt,” Zandy managed to say, then added, “Just scared half-witless.”

“Good,” Riley retorted. “You deserve to be.”

Just then the sheriff returned, having just found several men tied up and face down in the dirt outside his office. “What’s going on in here?” he questioned, lighting a lantern. Turning up the light, he was surprised to find his jail so full of visitors.

Riley exited the cell room and deposited Zandy onto a chair with the order to stay put or else. Pamela quickly followed her uncle into the office, while Jim was forced to wait it out in the cell.

“I’m afraid you had a little problem here tonight,” Riley said.

The sheriff snorted in disgust. “I’ve had a little problem all over town tonight, Mister Dawson. I’m afraid you’re going to have to get yourself another sheriff. I quit.”

“You can’t!” Pamela exclaimed. “There are those who intend to see Jim Williams hang, and I’m here to tell you that he’s not the man responsible for my kidnapping. He didn’t send those ransom notes, and I will not be a part of any scheme to see him charged with such nonsense.”

“Ma’am, by your own admission, Williams is the man who took you from the Dawson grounds,” the sheriff replied.

“That’s true, but it was a mistake, and there were no hard feelings between us. He was bringing me back when I was taken by the Owens gang. You have to believe me!” Pamela pleaded. “Please, Uncle Bob, I know what I’m saying. I’m not addlebrained.”

“That’s for sure!” a voice called out from the open doorway.

“Caleb!” Pamela exclaimed.

“Hello there, Little Bitty Gal,” he said with a smile broader than Corner Creek during a spring flood. “Good to see you lookin’ so well. What’s all this about, Jim?”

“Oh, Caleb,” Pamela said and moved across to pull the man by the arm. “They mean to hang Jim because they think he’s responsible for my kidnapping. You know the truth. Please tell them!”

The sheriff eyed Caleb suspiciously. “Who’s this?”

“He’s Caleb Emerson,” Pamela said, suddenly remembering his last name. “He was drifting through the area when Jim and I ran into trouble. He helped Jim after the Owens gang nearly killed him. When they took me, Caleb helped Jim rescue me.”

“That true?” the sheriff questioned.

“All but the part about me drifting through,” Caleb said. He opened his worn out vest to reveal a badge. “I’m a U.S. marshal. Been after the Owens gang for some time now. Just happened that when they took Little Bitty here, I was around to help get her back. Old Jim was in pretty poor shape for several days, and I had to fight him down to keep him from stumblin’ after her and bleedin’ to death in the process.”

Pamela’s mouth dropped open at Caleb’s declaration. “You’re a marshal?”

Caleb laughed. “Yup. I’d been stakin’ out the Owens gang for some time. That’s how I knew about their hideout.”

“Then Williams is truly innocent?” Robert questioned, looking first at his niece, then at Emerson.

“He sure is,” Caleb confirmed. “In fact, he risked his life to go down into the box canyon the Owens gang used and pull this gal to safety.”

Robert shook his head. “I thought for sure. . .” His words died out. He’d nearly caused the death of an innocent man because of his unwillingness to believe Pamela’s story.

“Given the fact that the marshal here is backing up Williams’s story, I’ll have to let him go,” the sheriff told Robert.

“Of course,” he replied. “I’ll drop everything.”

“Well, that’s all fine and dandy, but you and me have a bit of business to settle, if I’m not mistaken,” the sheriff said.

“You’d better clear out your cells, ’cause you’ve got more company than you’d figured on,” Caleb stated. “I’ve brought in what’s left of the Owens gang. You’re gonna have to jail ’em for me until I can make arrangements to take them to Denver.”

Pamela looked up at Caleb and swallowed hard. “They’re here? Outside?”

“Yup, but don’t you worry,” Caleb added with a smile. “I’ve got ’em wrapped up prettier than Christmas presents. They aren’t gonna be any problem for you.” With that, he went to see to his prisoners.

The sheriff, in turn, went in to release Jim while Riley turned to speak to Robert. “Your hot-headed stupidity nearly got my wife and your niece killed. That same shoot-first attitude is what’s wrong with this entire town. I’m going to be mighty glad to be rid of it.” He moved to retrieve Zandy, when Robert reached out and touched his sleeve.

“I’m sorry, Riley. I truly am. I know I’m to blame for this, and I intend to take my due. I’d have never seen either of the women placed in danger. You have to believe me.”

Riley nodded, but the look of disgust still lined his features. Just then, Jim stepped into the room and, in spite of his bedraggled condition, Pamela thought him the handsomest man in the world. She threw herself into his arms.

“Oh Jim,” she cried, burying her face against his chest. “God did it. He sent the miracle we needed.”

“I heard, Little Bitty Gal,” he said with a laugh. Pamela pulled back at his use of Caleb’s nickname and joined his laughter.

Riley lifted Zandy in his arms, in spite of her protest, and started to leave. He turned to face Jim for the first time, and swallowing his pride, he spoke. “Williams, I want to see you at the house. There’s a room for you there, and I think it would do us all good to have a long talk.”

Jim nodded, knowing in his heart that he still needed to reconcile with Riley. “I’ll be there.”

Riley turned his face to Zandy and smiled. “Of course, first, I’m going to have a long talk with this young lady about wifely obedience and what I intend to do should she decide to go gunning for outlaws again.”

At this, everyone but Zandy laughed. Zandy bit her lip and tried to ignore the look in Riley’s eyes. It was the same kind of look that she’d seen some years earlier when he’d told Zandy he intended to be a part of her life forever. It was such a look of determination that it left Zandy in little doubt as to just who would have his way in the future.

Riley passed Caleb just outside the door. He was startled to find that one of the marshal’s prisoners was a woman. A rather beautiful woman, at that.

Caleb pushed Esther Owens and her two remaining cohorts through the door to the sheriff’s office. The men Riley and Robert had tied and left in the dirt were quickly retrieved by the sheriff himself, making the small jail office rather crowded.

Esther gave Pamela a curt nod of acknowledgement, and Pamela couldn’t help but feel sorry for the woman. She’d treated her well during her captivity and, in all truth, Pamela couldn’t really bring herself to hate the woman. Perhaps, in another time and situation, they might even have been friends.

When Caleb had secured his prisoners, he returned to greet Jim. “Sure good to see that you’re staying out of trouble, Son,” he said with a smile.

Jim extended his hand and gave Caleb’s a hearty shake. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. You were my answer to prayer.”

“God does work in strange ways,” Caleb replied, “but I don’t recall anyone, save my wife, ever saying I was an answer to prayer.”

“Well, you are,” Jim reaffirmed. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Just take care of that little bitty gal and stay close to the Lord. That’ll be thanks enough,” Caleb said with a laugh.

Jim grinned from ear to ear. “I intend to make that little bitty gal my wife. That is, if she’ll have me.”

All eyes, including Robert’s, turned to Pamela. Pamela squealed in surprise and threw herself into Jim’s arms. “Of course I’ll have you!”

Jim looked over Pamela’s head at Caleb. “I kind of thought she would,” he said with a laugh.

Nineteen

A
long, hot August gave Jim and Pamela many fine days in which to get to know one another better. It seemed as though their close calls with death had produced changes and maturity in each of them that made all their old problems seem unimportant.

Three days before Jim and Pamela’s September wedding, Riley signed the final papers that would give Horace Tabor ownership over all his holdings in Dawson. He felt much as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Zandy, finding her movements greatly restricted, was growing restless to bring her child into the world. Even so, she gave her best efforts to help with Pamela’s wedding plans, fussing over the blond beauty as though she were her own daughter.

Horace Tabor had agreed to wait until the end of the month before the actual transfer of property would take place. Riley had insisted on this due to his concern that Zandy would need time after the baby’s birth to rest before she could travel back to Missouri. It also allowed for Pamela to have her wedding in the mansion, something that seemed to give Zandy a great amount of pleasure.

When the wedding day finally appeared and the house had been decorated from top to bottom with orange blossoms, orchids, and ribbons, Zandy stood at Pamela’s side and helped her to place the wedding veil on her carefully pinned and curled hair.

“You make a radiant bride, Pamela. I’m sure I’ve never seen another who could rival you.”

“I’m so nervous. I’m afraid I’ll pass out on the stairs,” Pamela admitted.

“Nonsense,” Zandy said with assurance. “I made it through my wedding under considerably more pressure and tension than you’ll have. I never fainted once, although I felt like I might. You’ll do fine. Now let me look at you and make sure everything is perfect.”

Zandy stepped back, her emerald green, high-waisted gown rustling soft
ly as she walked. She appraised Pamela’s appearance for any flaw and found none. Her wedding gown was elaborate and completely current with the latest fashion. In a gesture that surprised everyone, Pamela’s parents had
arranged for the dress to be shipped from Paris, using Pamela’s measure
ments to place the order. Even more surprising was their acceptance of her marriage to Jim, even though they declined to attend the wedding. They were, after all, invited to share company with a visiting Viscount and could not tear themselves away.

Zandy knew that Pamela was hurt at her parents’ absence. She had confided in Zandy that the only reason they weren’t making a fuss about her marriage was that Robert wholeheartedly approved of Jim as a husband. It seemed that after many hours of conversation, Jim and Robert had put aside their differences. Robert had even agreed to help Jim get established in some type of business, and in a bizarre stroke of fate, they had become the best of friends.

Studying the silk gown trimmed in Brussels lace, Zandy could only smile her approval. “You look beautiful. I can’t imagine a more perfect bride.”

“You don’t think the gown is too much?” Pamela asked, suddenly fearful that she was unreasonably overdressed for such a small wedding.

“Never!” Zandy declared. She reached out and smoothed one of the many satin bows that trimmed the collar of the dress. “A bride can never be wrong in what she chooses to wear. It is her wedding, after all. Now turn around and let me make sure that the train is lying properly over the bustle.”

Pamela turned, and Zandy ran a careful hand beneath the veil to straight
en the lace cap of the silk overdress. “There! Now it’s perfect!” proclaimed Zandy, arranging the veil to fall gracefully behind the bride. “Now, where are your flowers?”

“Over there,” Pamela replied, pointing, and she took a deep breath.

Zandy brought the bouquet to Pamela, then turned her to the cheval mirror. “See for yourself.”

Pamela moved to the mirror and gasped. “Oh,” she whispered in awe.

“My thoughts exactly,” Zandy said. She put a supportive hand to her back. Her burden was daily growing more uncomfortable.

Just then a knock sounded, and Pamela’s uncle announced that it was time to come down. Zandy opened the door, and Robert, in his resplendent morning suit of dove gray, entered the room to admire his niece.

“Pammy, you look smashing!” he exclaimed.

Pamela beamed under his attention. “I’m so glad I have you to give me away. Mother and Father,” she nearly choked on the words, “have never cared for me like you have.” She moved to her uncle, lifted her veil, and bestowed a kiss upon his cheek. “I shall always love you for all that you’ve done.”

Robert offered Pamela his arm, and Zandy hurried ahead of them. “You realize,” Zandy stated at the top of the stairs, “you will have to give me ample time to descend as gracefully as this child will allow. That could very well take hours,” she teased.

Pamela smiled and shook her head. “Jim and I have a lifetime, thanks to all of you. Take your time.”

Zandy nodded and, in spite of the pain that tightened her abdomen, she smiled sweetly and gripped the banister for support. She wasn’t about to spoil Pamela’s day by announcing that she’d just had her first contraction.

In the large, front, morning room, Jim and Riley waited beside a short, balding man whose flowing black robe marked him as the preacher. Pastor Brokamp smiled broadly as Zandy appeared in the archway.

Zandy looked across the room to where Riley stood beside Jim. Both
men were handsomely dressed in black claw-hammer tailcoats, with silk
waistcoats and gray striped pants. She couldn’t help but smile at the natural way Riley wore the clothes, in contrast to the most uncomfortable-looking Jim. She was grateful that Jim and Riley had put aside their differences to such a degree that Jim had asked Riley to stand up with him at the wedding.

Riley had easily forgiven Jim when he pointed out that someone as precious as Zandy deserved to have folks looking out after her happiness. Riley had realized then that Jim’s only concern hadn’t been for himself but for Alexandra.

Burley, Ruth, and their children were the only other people in attendance. Both Jim and Pamela had hoped Caleb could attend, but he’d made it clear that his marshaling duties wouldn’t permit the break. He promised to be there in spirit, however, and expressed happiness that the young folks were tying the knot. Taking her place across from the gentlemen, Zandy joined the others in watching Pamela process forward.

Jim’s face bestowed a look of radiant approval as he gazed upon his bride. Zandy was more convinced than ever before that theirs was a love match.

Coming to stand in front of Pastor Brokamp, Robert presented Pamela’s small hand to Jim. Jim stared down at Pamela through the veil and winked at her. Pamela smiled.

The ceremony was short and simple, for which Zandy was most grateful. She stood without a word or movement through four very painful contractions.
They were coming closer together, and Zandy remembered from the times her stepmother had given birth that the closer the contractions came, the soon
er the baby would be born.

❧

“You may kiss your bride,” Pastor Brokamp said, and Jim lost little time in lifting Pamela’s veil to do just that.

Everyone in the room rushed to congratulate the couple. The boys were laughing and shouting, while Molly squirmed out of Ruth’s arms and ran to the various decorative flowers to pick her choices from the arrangements.

The cook and housekeeper appeared, bringing in two large serving carts. One boasted a two-tiered wedding cake, and the other held a silver punch bowl and glasses.

“Oh boy, cake!” George declared and made his move to be one of the first to be served.

Riley was speaking to Robert when he happened to glance up and see Zandy’s contorted face. She quickly turned to hide the pain she was feeling and tried to appear as though she were interested in the lace that edged her
neckline. With one hand clamped securely against her stomach, Zandy wait
ed for the pain to pass and nearly jumped out of her skin when Riley whispered against her ear.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” Zandy replied. She nearly gasped from the intensity of the pain.

Riley tried to turn her to face him, but Zandy couldn’t move. “Please, wait a minute.” Her voice held an unmistakable tone of pain.

Riley took his hand from her shoulder and moved to face his wife. “What is it?”

“The baby,” Zandy whispered. Just then, her water broke and hiding the fact that she was in labor became impossible. “I’m sorry!” she gasped and gripped Riley’s arm for support.

Riley stared dumbly for a moment. Then a grin spread across his face. “I’m going to be a father,” he announced, lifting Zandy in his arms. The children were oblivious to his announcement, while six adults, including the cook and housekeeper, dropped open their mouths in surprise.

Zandy winced against the pain, while Riley laughed, “Leave it to Alexandra to upstage the wedding.”

“Oh, Pamela,” Zandy moaned from her husband’s arms. “I’m so sorry.”

“Please, Zandy, don’t be. This is a wonderful thing. I’ll always remember my wedding as being the birthday of your first baby,” Pamela reassured her. “But what can I do to help?”

Riley glanced at Ruth with a helpless look on his face. Zandy’s stepmother appeared to recognize the need and instantly organized everyone into their appointed duties.

“Boys, take your little sister to the playroom and keep her occupied. Stay there, and I’ll have cake and punch brought to you. Burley, go for the doctor. Riley, come with me. We’ll get Zandy to bed.”

Pamela, Jim, and Robert stood by helplessly while everyone else seemed to have some task to busy themselves with.

“I think I’d like to change my clothes,” Jim announced.

Pamela hated to put aside her wedding finery, but knew she’d be of no help to anyone dressed as she was. She blushed slightly and followed Jim upstairs. Robert trailed after the couple and, finding nothing better to do, took himself to his own room to change.

Some minutes later, when everyone hurriedly reappeared in the hallway, they found Riley nervously pacing outside his own room.

“Ruth told me to wait out here,” he said with a sheepish smile. “I told her I thought I ought to stay with Alexandra, but she said I’d done enough already.”

Robert and Jim laughed and pulled Riley along with them. “Let’s go downstairs and wait this out together.” Riley threw a glance back over his shoulder, but Pamela only waved him on.

“She’ll be just fine, Riley. I’ll let you know the minute the baby comes,” Pamela reassured him.

Throughout the day, Pamela moved back and forth from Zandy’s bedside to the waiting men below. She gave what little help she could in the way of reports, and she finally convinced Robert and Jim to get Riley into some more comfortable clothes.

“All my clothes are in our room,” Riley announced with an upward glance.

“I’ll bring you whatever you want,” Pamela said. “Just tell me where to find them.”

All four of them progressed up the stairs with Riley trying to remember where he’d put the things he wanted. Pamela finally directed Robert to take Riley to his room with the promise that she’d find the needed articles and return to them there.

She had just reached out to open the door when the unmistakable cry of a baby rang out, filling the hall. Riley blanched slightly, while Jim and Robert let out a whoop.

Pamela went into the room only long enough to make certain nothing was amiss.

“It’s a boy, Riley!” she announced, coming back out. “You have a son, and Zandy is just fine.”

Riley moved to the door, but Pamela put out her hand. “They aren’t ready for you yet. So just relax. I’ll call you when you can see them.”

Riley turned to face his friends. A broad smile parted his lips to show his perfect teeth. “I told you,” he laughed. “I told you it would be a boy!”

❧

Ruth saw the doctor out, while Pamela stayed with Zandy. She smiled over
the downy-headed child at his new mother. “He’s a beautiful baby,” Pamela declared.

Zandy nodded in complete awe.

“I want to apologize to you,” Pamela added, getting to her feet. “Looking at him, I can’t believe I could have ever been so thoughtless as to endanger your life, much less his. Please forgive me.”

Zandy looked up in surprise. “There’s nothing to forgive. I did what I had to do. I’d do it again.”

Pamela nodded. “I know what you mean. It’s just that you and Riley have come to mean so much to me. I can’t believe all of the trouble I’ve put you through. In so many ways, I could have been responsible for driving a wedge between you.”

Zandy shook her head. “No, the only walls that could come between us are the ones we put up ourselves. Riley and I are learning, just like you and Jim will learn, that marriage is a great deal of work and compromise.” She snuggled her sleeping baby close and added with a nod, “But, it’s very much worth the effort.”

Pamela touched the tiny boy’s head. “I’ll keep that in mind. And you remember that, should you ever need anything, I am your dearest friend, forever.”

“I’ll remember,” Zandy assured her.

Just then the door opened and admitted a proud Riley. He marched into the room as though he were taking charge of a meeting, and Pamela quickly made an excuse to depart. Standing for only a moment at the door, Pamela couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter at the loving look on Riley’s face as he reached out to take hold of his son. Someday, she’d give Jim a son and maybe even a daughter.

With a light heart, Pamela nearly danced out into the hall and fell headlong into the arms of her husband.

“Umm,” she sighed, as he bent his head to hers. “Don’t I know you?”

“I should hope so,” he replied and kissed her soundly.

Pamela threw her arms around her husband’s neck. “I’m glad you kidnapped me,” she declared. Jim only laughed.

“I know I’d have never given up my selfish, little-girl ideals if you hadn’t come along to offer a little direction and guidance,” she stated honestly. “I could never see how immature I truly was. Now that I have, I hope never again to be so self-centered.”