A Walk in Heaven (29 page)

“Red hair?”
Joshua leaned forward and grasped her arm. “Luther has red hair?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Miss Jones said the man asking questions about you had sandy hair – and a mustache the same color.”

Careen gasped.
“A mustache?
Luther would never wear a mustache. He’s always hated those things.”

Standing beside the couch, Elizabeth released a sigh. “Does this mean we’re talking about two different men?”

Careen nodded. “We must be.”

Joshua stood and faced Careen. “You also said he was a couple years older than you, but Natalie guessed him to be older than me. I’m twenty-seven.”

Relief washed over Careen. She jumped up and took Joshua’s hands in hers. “Although Luther is slightly older than me, his facial features make him appear much younger, I assure you.”

Gasps and cheers filled the air and William and Elizabeth hugged each other. Joshua pulled Careen into his arms and held her tight for a brief moment before releasing her.

The sheriff whistled softly and shook his head. “I believe this matter is solved.”

“Actually, it’s not,” Joshua said.
“If Luther isn’t the man asking around about Careen, who was?
And who was shooting at us last night?”

Sheriff Lawson frowned. “You’re right. We still need to figure that one out.” He scratched his chin. “But at least we can take Careen’s cousin off our list of suspects of the man who was shooting at you.”

Careen’s chest clenched with worry once again. If they didn’t suspect Luther, he could eventually come after her, and the sheriff’s men wouldn’t know to watch for him. Luther was still out there somewhere, and she must be wary. That only meant one thing – she
had
to leave the Grayson ranch.

“I’ll ride out to Miss
Checkett’s
house this morning,” the sheriff continued, “and get her guest list. We’ll ask everyone about the shooting last night. Hopefully someone will know something.”

Careen prayed they would discover the shooter’s identity soon. But she knew that leaving the ranch would guarantee everyone’s safety.

* * * *

Joshua still worried about Luther. Since he’d not heard from the South Dakota sheriff, Joshua assumed Luther was still on the loose. What were the odds that Luther was still the one who’d shot at them last night? Just because Luther wasn’t the one at Laura’s party, didn’t mean he hadn’t shot at them.

His parents walked the sheriff outside once again, and Joshua took Careen back in his arms where she belonged. Soon he’d be able to tell her and his family how much he loved her, but unfortunately now was not the time.

“I’ll accompany the sheriff when he goes to Laura’s house to get that guest list.”

Careen looked at him with wide eyes. “Why?”

“Because I want this matter settled quickly.
I’m tired of worrying every day if your cousin is going to try and get you.”

“I know what you mean.” Careen’s gaze softened. She lifted her fingers and caressed his lips softly. “You are such a wonderful man,” she whispered. “It’s hard not to believe you’ll find my cousin.”

“Then stop fighting your feelings.”

Joshua bent his head and captured her mouth with his. Before he got too carried away, he pulled back. “I’ll be back later tonight. Until then, stay close to my parents.”

She nodded.

He didn’t want to leave, only because he enjoyed holding her so much, but finding answers was more important right now. Joshua hurried outside and met the sheriff who was just mounting. “Hold up there,” he called to the man. “I’m coming with you.”

Once Joshua was in the saddle, he and the sheriff rode into town. During the ride, the sheriff asked him questions about Luther – which Joshua didn’t know. Some questions were geared toward Careen. His heart softened when he told the lawman what he knew about his sister-in-law. Joshua really didn’t want to think of her in any special sense, yet he couldn’t stop wanting her to be his soul mate and companion throughout eternity.

Sheriff Lawson chuckled and shook his head, bringing Joshua out of his daydreams.
“What so humorous?”

“That gleam in your eyes.” Lawson grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that expression on your face as long as I’ve known you.”

“Which expression is that?” Joshua arched an eyebrow.

“You’re smitten, my boy.”

Joshua groaned. That’s all he needed was for someone to notice. “So maybe I am.”

“I take it your family doesn’t know yet?”

“No, and I ask that you don’t say a word. I want this kind of news to come from me, not the gossip circles.”

The sheriff held up his right hand. “I promise not to breathe a word of it.”

Joshua nodded. “You don’t think badly of me, do you?”

“For wanting it kept quiet?”

“No, for…falling in love with my sister-in-law.”

“Not at all.
She didn’t know your brother long enough to fall deeply in love with him, so you don’t have to worry about her comparing the two of you.”

Joshua laughed. “I think she’s already compared us, and I came up lacking. Of course, that’s when we first met.”

Lawson slowed his horse and faced Joshua. “Do you honestly believe her cousin is out to get her?”

“Yes, I do – only because I have seen how the very issue of his name frightens her.”

“Do you think her cousin is here in Montana?”

Joshua shook his head. “I don’t want to think he’s here, but since he’s not in jail right now, and he’s searching for her, where else could he be?”

A jackrabbit darted across Joshua’s path, and he reined the horse to slow his speed.

“I think you’re right,” the sheriff said.

He urged his horse into a gallop again. “But I still want you to keep your men watching out for him, just in case.”

“Agreed.”

“And I still want to know who was shooting at us last night.”

The sheriff nodded. “That makes two of us.”

When they reached town, Joshua nearly beat the sheriff to Laura’s house, and was almost the first to arrive at her doorstep. Laura answered the door. When her gaze met his, she gasped, red blotching her cheeks.

“Joshua Grayson, what are you doing here this early in the morning?”

“Miss
Checketts
,” the sheriff said, doffing his hat, “I hope you don’t mind if we talk to you for a few minutes.”

“Not at all.”
She stepped back and motioned her hand for them to enter. “Would you like some coffee or tea?”

“No, Miss,” Sheriff Lawson said and Joshua shook his head.

Laura led them into the parlor and was the first to sit. Joshua quickly took a chair across from her while the lawman sat next to her.

“Last night there was some shooting that happened not too far from your place,” Lawson began, “so I wondered if you could get me a list of those in attendance last night so I might ask some questions.”

“But of course, sheriff. I’ll help any way I can.” She placed her hand on her throat. “Was anyone hurt in the shooting?”

“Luckily, no.”
Joshua adjusted in his chair, not really wanting small talk.

She eyed him curiously, tapping her finger on the arm of the couch. “Joshua? What are you doing here with the sheriff?”

He tried not to groan in irritation. She should have known Laura would want more of an explanation. “Because I was the one being shot at.”

She gasped again, this time bringing her hand to her mouth. “Then I certainly hope we can find the culprit.”

She stood and hurried to a roll-top desk and opened a drawer. She shuffled through a few papers before pulling out two pages with names scribbled in columns. “Here is the list, Sheriff.” She handed the papers to him.

Both Joshua and the sheriff stood. “Thank you, Miss
Checketts
.”

“You are welcome.” She glanced at Joshua and grinned. “It was a pleasure seeing you again.”

Joshua nodded and walked toward the door. Just as his turned the knob, Laura grasped his elbow. “You might want to ask Mr. Whittaker first.”

Joshua exchanged glances with Lawson,
then
rested his gaze back on Laura. “Why?”

“Well, after my guests had left last night, I’d heard Mr. Whittaker had gotten drunk again.” She shrugged. “Every time he has a little too much to drink, something in town gets shot up.”

“Very true.”
Lawson nodded as he scratched his chin. “I think we will visit him first. Thanks again, Miss
Checketts
.” He tipped his hat.

Joshua hurried to his horse and mounted. As Lawson climbed on his horse, he looked at Joshua. “How many shots were fired at you?”

“Three, maybe four.
Why?”

“Because
Mr. Whittaker usually only fires
a few shots before his wife comes out and stops him.” The lawman gazed toward the road leading out of town. “And, he lives not too far from where you and your sister-in-law were at when the shooting began.”

They hurried to Mr. Whittaker’s house, and Joshua realized the sheriff had been correct. This drunk lived not too far from where Joshua and Careen had been when the shots were fired. Strange, because in the dark it had appeared nothing had been close by last night.

The house was old and broken down. Shutters hanging on hinges, paint chipping from the house, and even the fence around their house was falling apart. Joshua shook his head as he and Lawson walked to the door. Some men just don’t understand that alcohol was one of Satan’s tools that ruined people’s lives.

Mrs. Whittaker came to the door, wiping her hands on her soiled apron. “Good day, Sheriff. Mr. Grayson. What can I help you with?”

The chubby woman with graying hair didn’t invite them in, but at this point, Joshua just wanted to ask questions and move on.

“Mrs. Whittaker,” Lawson began. “Last night there were shots fired at a buggy, not too far from here.” He pointed up the road. “I need to ask your husband if he remembers anything about last night.”

Frowning, she shook her head and wrung her hands against her large belly. “I’m so sorry, Sheriff. My husband was shooting late last night, I’m afraid. He’s still asleep now, and I think waking him up will only put him in a foul mood.”

Joshua stepped closer. “Mrs. Whittaker. Do you know where he was at – where he was shooting?”

“No. He was close enough for me to hear him from inside the house. Just as I ran outside to find him, he’d passed out.” She pointed toward the east. “He was over there.”

Relief swept over Joshua and he breathed easier. The spot she indicated wasn’t too far from where he and Careen had been shot at. “Thank you for your help.” He turned to Lawson. “I think we found our shooter.”

The sheriff smiled and nodded. “Yes, we have.”

Early the next day, Careen walked with the twins outside. They were anxious to show her some new calves that had been born. Each girl took a hold of Careen’s hands as they walked to the field. A brisk chill blew through the air, and she was glad she wore her fur-lined cloak. Still, she wished she’d thought to put her gloves on.

The weather in Montana was the strangest she’s ever experienced. Some days it felt like
Spring
was in the air, and yet others – like today – felt like it had the day of the blizzard.

Careen and the girls stopped by the wooden fence and watched the calf nurse from his mother. The calf jabbed his nose against the utter until he finally latched on. The girls giggled and pointed. Off in the distance, newborn colts wobbled beside their mothers as they learned to walk. Careen felt a sense of peace being part of the great miracle of life.

The twins took Careen by the hand again as they walked further into the ranch. A large pond stood frozen from winter. She longed to be with the girls in the summer, to go swimming and enjoy the warm outdoors. Maybe someday she’d return, after Luther was caught and hanged for his crimes.

“Aunt Careen? Look.” Frances pointed to the pond. “We go ice skating.”

“You do?” Careen asked, smiling.
“In the winter?”

“Yes.” The twins answered together.

“How wonderful.”

The three of them walked closer. Jessica stepped on the ice and Careen grabbed her hand to stop the little girl.
“No, sweetie.
Don’t go out there. I fear the pond is not as frozen as it was a couple months ago.”

Jessica flipped her hand in the air. “Don’t worry. We do this a lot.”

The girl’s hand wiggled of Careen’s hold before she could stop her. An uncomfortable disturbance swept over Careen, making her unsettled. “Please, Jessica. Come back. I don’t trust the ice. It’s been warmer the past few days. I fear the ice isn’t strong enough.”

Frances laughed and ran out to meet her sister. Careen tried to grab her arm, but the little girl was too fast.

Panic pumped through Careen as she tried to assess the situation. The girls would know if it was dangerous. Wouldn’t they? Then again, they were only three years old.

They smiled and slid on the ice as if this was something they did all the time. So maybe the ice would hold them and Careen worried for nothing.

Something deep inside her urged her to get the girls. The feeling was so strong it nearly pushed her into action. She stepped carefully on the ice. So far, it held her weight, so certainly it would hold the twins. Yet the panic grew and tightened in her chest. She
must
get them off the ice immediately!

“Girls, please come back,” she said in a firmer tone. “I’m cold and I’d like to return to the house.”

“Ah, really?”
Frances whined.

“Yes,” Careen answered. “Now come back and take my hand.” She held her hands out for them to take.

They shrugged and turned back, but continued to slide their feet on the ice. Careen sighed with relief, but still watched to make sure they would be all right.

“I’ll race you.” Jessica broke away from her sister and started running.

Frances tried to keep up, but slipped and fell. The sickening crunch of breaking ice ripped through the air. Careen’s heart dropped and she moved toward the twin with careful feet. Just before she reached her, the ice broke away, and Frances’ foot dropped in the frigid water.

The little girl screamed and reached for Careen. Fear engulfed her, knowing she couldn’t get to Frances fast enough. Taking another careful step, the ice moved beneath her foot. Panic choked her throat, and she prayed she could reach the child and bring her back to safety. But when the ice continued to crack, Careen knew it wouldn’t happen as she’d wanted.

“Hang on,” Careen called out to Frances who held onto the ice the best she could, but every time she tried to pull herself out, she’d slip back in.

“Jessica.” Careen glanced at the other twin who stood on the grass, her eyes wide with fright. “Run to the house and get someone.
Quickly!”

Careen carefully lay on the ice and moved toward Frances slowly. Stretching her arm as far as she could,
Careen
reached for her. The little girl also reached for her hand, but their fingers barely brushed together. She held her breath and tried again. This time she was able to grasp Frances’ fingers.

“Hold on to me,” Careen instructed in a calm voice, hoping to sooth the frightened girl.

Frances’ gloved fingers were damp and very cold. Slowly, she pulled until she could grasp her whole hand. Careen reached a second hand out. “Take my other hand.”

Soon she held both of Frances’ hands in her own. She tugged until the small body was pulled from the hole. But the closer Frances slid toward Careen, the more the ice beneath her cracked.

Underneath her bosom, the ice shifted. Careen held her breath, praying she wouldn’t fall in.

* * * *

Joshua darted toward the pond. Jessica’s words echoing through his head.
Frances…ice…she’s fallen in.
With every step, he prayed he’d make it there in time. He could not have his daughter taken from him!

His mother, Jessica, and Betsy trailing behind him with blankets in their arms.
As a boy, he’d fallen in the icy water and was rescued by his father. Joshua knew how serious the situation would be once he reached his daughter, but he wasn’t prepared to see Careen lying flat on her belly, pulling Frances away from the hole.

Once he reached the edge of the pond, he heard the crunch of the ice breaking. He knelt on the thin sheet then slid on his stomach toward Careen. His daughter’s eyes were wide as she switched her attention between him and her aunt.

“Papa!”

Careen glanced over her shoulder. “Be careful, Joshua. The ice is cracking.”

“I know.”

He grabbed Careen’s ankle and gently pulled her toward him. Thankfully, she held onto his daughter’s arms. Soon, they were close enough that he could stand. He lifted them off the ice, carrying them both to safety.

After Careen stepped away from him, he wrapped Frances in his embrace as she cried. Her wet arms wound around his neck, holding him tight. Careen gently stroked his arm, her expression marred by worry. He pulled Careen against his side, holding her along with his daughter. Ma and Betsy reached them and threw blankets around them.

“Oh, thank the Lord,” his mother praised. “What were you thinking to be out of the ice?”

Careen bundled the blanket around her tightly. “Frances and Jessica ran out on the ice before I could stop them. I had a horrible feeling they shouldn’t be out there, but before they could come back, the ice broke.” Tears burned in her eyes. “I was so…frightened I wouldn’t be able to save...”

Her voice cracked as she turned toward Frances still in Joshua’s arms. Careen stroked his little girl’s hair. “I prayed so hard that you’d be all right. I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened—” She sobbed.

Joshua set his daughter down as his mother finished wrapping her in the blanket. Frustration poured through him, mingling with the shock – and fear – of what had just transpired. His daughter should have known better. Both daughters should have known. How many times had he lectured them for stepping on the ice when it was this time of the season?

Images ran through his head, those he wished he could forget. His wife Emma had known about the softening ice as well. Emma purposely walked out on the ice hoping to fall through. Hoping the trepid temperatures would kill her quickly. Her wish had been granted.

Anger roared through him. He knelt in front of Frances and grasped her shoulders. “What were you thinking?” He shouted with all the frustration – all the sadness and helplessness consuming him from the memories. He shook his daughter. “You could have been killed.”

Frances sobbed and shook her head. “I…didn’t know.”

“How could you not know? Are you insane?”

“Joshua, stop it.” His mother’s stern voice snapped, but he continued to glare into his daughter’s frightened eyes.

Anger melded into doubt. Worry suddenly became the all-powerful force guiding his actions and his tongue. Did Frances have her mother’s disease?

“Joshua,” Careen’s gentle voice whispered beside him as she touched his arm and crouched to the ground beside him. “It’s not her fault. She’s only three years old and she doesn’t think like we do. She truly didn’t know the danger.”

He peered into Careen’s kind, understanding eyes. Sweetness painted her face through her smile, through her loving glimmer in those wondrous eyes. His heart softened.

Shame washed over him for his quick temper. He gathered Frances against his chest once more, pressing her face against him. “I’m so sorry, sweetie.” His voice broke. “I didn’t mean to yell at you.”

Joshua gazed into Careen’s compassionate face once again and his throat tightened as his heart swelled. He wrapped his other arm around her, pulling her tight against him again. “Thank you for saving my daughter.”

Nodding, Careen buried her face in his shoulder. Although she didn’t make any noise, he knew she was crying because of the way her body shook.

“It’s all right now.” He rubbed his palm up and down her arm still being covered by the blanket. “The Lord was watching out for both of you.”

As they walked back toward the house, he silently thanked the Lord for His help. But Joshua also couldn’t believe how much more his heart softened toward Careen. She genuinely cared about the welfare of his daughter. The concern was in her eyes and written on her face.
And to have her calm his temper – his doubts and concerns – as quickly as she had.

They hurried in the house and he took them right to the fireplace. While his mother helped warm the twins, Joshua quickly stripped off Frances’ wet clothes. Betsy had another blanket waiting to wrap his daughter in.

“Sorry, Papa.”
Frances frowned. “We shouldn’t have done that.”

Jessica sat beside him on the couch and hugged his arm. “I’m sorry too, Papa.” She blinked her big blue, innocent eyes. “We told Aunt Careen it would be all right.”

“She didn’t want us to go,” Frances added.

Careen watched Joshua and his daughters with tears glistening in her eyes. He wished he could hold her next to him as he did his twins, but he worried his family wasn’t ready for him to tell him of his love for his brother’s widow.

Joshua switched his gaze back at the girls. “I think you owe your aunt an apology for not doing as she’d asked.”

“Sorry, Aunt Careen,” the girls chimed.

Careen smiled and walked closer. “Thank you. I really love playing with you, but let’s not go toward the pond until the ice has thawed.
All right?”

The girls nodded and smiled.

His mother ushered the twins upstairs to change. Careen pulled away from the fireplace and slowly walked toward the door.

“Wait.” He touched her arm, stopping her. Her caring gaze held to his. “I want to thank you again – for everything. I’m sorry you had to see my temper. It doesn’t come out often, but when it does, I fear it makes me look ridiculous.”

She faced him, tightening the blanket around her. “Tell me, Joshua. What possessed you to say what you did, and to get so upset?”

He glanced toward the door, then back at her. She didn’t know about Emma, and at this moment, he wanted to tell her everything. For some reason, he knew Careen wouldn’t judge him or think badly of his daughters.