Holding on to Heaven (32 page)

The tall, gangly man rose and walked to the makeshift witness table.

The Chairman's deep baritone voice rang out in the cramped quarters. "Mr. Bates, you've been called to testify before the Commission concerning the events that occurred on August twenty-third. Do you swear to tell the truth?"

Harvey shifted in the chair. "I do."

"Proceed then, Mr. Bates, beginning with the first attack on New Ulm by the hostiles."

Harvey recounted the preparation the settlers made to defend themselves before the first raid. His concise descriptions of settlers hobbling and crawling into town after receiving grave wounds elicited a revengeful roar from the crowd. Creed looked at Lauren. As if recalling her own abuse at the hands of her captors, her eyes held a blank stare.

His mother remained stoic throughout most of Harvey's testimony until he talked about the scouting party that left New Ulm. "Sixteen men left town. Our mission was twofold: to alert the settlers who resided along the river and to find out what the hostiles were up to."

"Continue, Mr. Bates," the Chairman said.

Harvey lifted his chin and looked at Polly. "Brand Gatlin and Ferd led them. Brand didn't want the damn job. He wanted to return to Full Circle." He shifted in the chair. "But Ferd and Otto felt he was the best shot and had the wits to remain calm."

Lauren's head dropped and his mother dabbed at her eyes with a hankie.
Isn't that just like Brand
? Creed thought. He always thought of others first. They left him with one hell of a decision—save the town or the woman he loved.

Harvey cleared his throat. "We made it to Swan Lake and alerted the townspeople, but on the return trip, the renegades formed a line in front of us on the road and others hid in the woods. I wanted to back the wagon up, but our retreat was blocked too."

Hushed sobs and jeers filled the room.

"Five men rode in the wagon. The rest were mounted and trailing us. An arrow flew from the thicket, knocked Ben Markham clean off his horse, and then all hell broke loose. War whoops screamed through the woods and the next thing I know, Brand jumped from the wagon and ran into the fracas. I hollered at him to get back in the wagon, but he was already firing his rifle and running toward those red devils."

"Mr. Bates, did you witness Brand Gatlin...? Let me rephrase that. Did you see what happened to Mr. Gatlin or any of the mounted riders?"

"Yes, sir, I saw my friends slaughtered, pulled from their horses and scalped or knifed¾Colin Stokes, Bill Krueger, Matt Whaley¾all massacred." Harvey released a drawn out breath.

"What happened next, Mr. Bates? We're trying to get at an important fact here."

"I slapped the team into motion. We drove through their ranks, broke their line. They didn't expect us to advance like that. Screams echoed through the air, from them, our comrades and the dying mounts."

Creed cursed.
Would he ever get to what happened to Brand?

"The last time I looked back, three renegades had Brand surrounded."

"How can you be sure it was Brand Gatlin?" the Chairman asked.

"The only man wearing a red shirt that day, he stood out like an apple in a bushel of pears. He must have run out of rifle ammunition. He rushed the Indians, a pistol in one hand, his knife in the other."

"Did you see him killed, Mr. Bates?"

"No, I had my hands full trying to keep the team on the road." He shook his head. "I can use my imagination though—three-on-one." He looked at Polly, his voice low. "I’m sorry about your son."

His mother slumped into the chair with a long, drawn out breath, and Lauren wiped the tears from her face with a kerchief.

Creed didn't realize he too had been holding his breath until it rushed out of his lungs. At least they wouldn't have to listen to the gory details of Brand's death. Even Harvey admitted Brand couldn't have made it out, yet no one saw him die. To this day, his body remained undiscovered.

Memories from their childhood surfaced and Creed's heart swelled with pride. Brand never looked for trouble, but he never backed down from a fight either. He wouldn't cave in to defeat even when it stared him in the face.

"Do you have anything to add, Mr. Bates?"

"Brand would have made it if he hadn't jumped off, but that's him, always thinking of others. He's a hero as far as I'm concerned."

Lauren's skin took on a gray pallor and she looked faint. Emotions ran through her eyes so fast Creed had trouble keeping up with them. Sorrow. Pride. Guilt. He knew Lauren better than she knew herself, had made it his mission since the day he first laid eyes on the bewitching woman.

"Thank you, Mr. Bates. Are you able to identify any of the attackers sitting here today?"

Lauren, Polly, and Estelle rose and Creed followed them out.

Before they reached the wagon, his mother placed her hand on his arm. "He could have made it, Creed. Harvey didn't see him killed."

He wouldn't give her false hope. "It would have taken a miracle for Brand to fight his way out, Ma."

"Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage. Wait for the Lord,
Psalm 27:14
," she said.

Lauren broke, buried her face in her hands and wept. "I want to go home; please take me home."

Estelle put an arm around her niece's shoulder. "Please, Creed, we must leave now."

On the journey home, the perverse irony of the sordid mess hit Creed hard. Passive civility existed between him and the woman he loved, for Finn's sake. Yet, every time she came into view, his heart bled. He had tried to suppress his wild, crazy feelings for her, tried to take comfort in her nearness, and failed.

Chapter Twenty-Two

On the last day of September, Lauren watched the morning mist hover over the land. The invitations for Belle's wedding went out weeks ago. Full Circle fell headfirst into the throes of preparation. Determined the wedding should take place despite the sadness, Creed's mother led the charge with gusto.

"Estelle," Polly said with a smile. "Belle's gown arrived yesterday and I must say Mrs. Drinsdale has never turned out a finer piece of work."

"A beautiful time of year for a wedding. The mums are in bloom. I've asked Nelly and Biddle to dig them up and put them into containers."

"Have we heard from Reverend Wilson?" Polly asked.

"Yes, he's agreed to officiate." Estelle looked out the kitchen window, and Lauren knew her aunt had wandered back to a time her husband had conducted all the weddings at Full Circle.

"I'm sorry, Estelle. I didn't mean to dredge up painful memories."

Estelle turned to her with a smile. "I’ll think of Mason during the ceremony, hear his voice when they're pronounced man and wife."

"And I'll be thinking of a day long ago when Sam and I married." Sorrow crossed Polly's eyes. "I do hope Creed shows, but you know how he hates crowds."

"He'll be here," Estelle said confidently. "I won't allow anything to dampen the ceremony after what we've been through."

Sage entered the kitchen with Mataya in her arms and Storm clutching her hand.

Polly rose from the table and took the girl from her mother. "You're just in time for flapjacks, honey."

Sage settled into a chair with Storm in her lap and stared at her plate. "Really, Aunt Estelle, I'll be as plump as a dumpling if I stay here much longer."

"Do your best, dear, and I'll be happy."

"I wish Lauren would get down here and eat her share."

"Did I hear my name mentioned?" Lauren said, breezing into the kitchen carrying Finn.

Nelly trailed behind them, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Good morning, dears. Your sister claims she'll be... What was it you said again?"

"Plumper than a dumpling if I stay here much longer."

"Estelle," Wanapaya called from outside. "Someone comes."

Estelle led the parade of curious onlookers to the porch. At the end of the long drive, a horse whinnied and kicked up a cloud of dust.

Polly fanned her palm across her forehead and called out to Creed. He appeared from the side of the house with a pail of whitewash in one hand, rifle in the other.

"Now who'd come calling so early in the morning unannounced? Estelle said.

Creed set the paint down and cocked the rifle. "We're about to find out."

After the horses stopped in front of the porch, two people covered in dust stepped from the buggy and brushed themselves off.

Lauren clasped a hand over her mouth and rushed forward. "Father, is it really you?"

"By the Saints, you're alive." He lifted her from the ground with a bear hug. "I've been worried sick. Read about the uprising and knew it took place near Stella and Mace's place."

Estelle rushed forward to greet her brother-in-law and Nelly's mother, Daphne. "No one has aged better than you, Drew McCain."

"My lovely Stella, I do believe you look younger now than the day you left the Carolinas."

Lauren snorted. No one charmed women better than her father.

"Oh, bah!" Estelle said. "Not a minute in my presence and you're already sweeping me off my feet." She turned to his traveling companion. "Daphne, welcome to Full Circle."

"I sure is glad my feet are on solid ground again."

Nelly's arms flew open as she scurried down the steps to greet her mother.

Drew craned his neck toward the porch. Where's that old codger, Mace?"

Lauren and Estelle exchanged glances. "He's not here, Father¾"

"Don't tell me he's off to Dakota Territory buying more horses?"

Her aunt's words seemed to stick in her throat. "We lost Mace during the uprising."

The man's hand went to his chest. "Oh Stella, forgive me for being so crass. I had no idea."

"Mace is gone, Drew, but not forgotten. After you've rested, we'll walk down to the oak stand where he's buried and you can have a word with him." A solitary tear slid from her eye. "I suspect he'll be glad to hear from you."

"The hostiles came to Full Circle?"

"Please, come up to the porch and sit down. There's so much to catch up on."

Drew slipped his arms between Lauren's and Estelle's and they walked up the porch steps. With a promise to return soon with mint juleps, her aunt retreated into the kitchen the moment Lauren started making introductions.

"Polly," she said, motioning her forward. "I'd like you to meet my father, Drew." A wave of panic swept over her when she looked at Creed. He stood there with a mocking grin on his face, enjoying every minute of the predicament she found herself in now.

Aunt Estelle returned with the beverages, passed them around and set the tray down on the bench. Sensing her turbulent emotions, Estelle interceded. "So I see you've met Polly, our dear friend. Her husband Sam also died during the uprising."

"My deepest condolences over the loss of your husband, ma'am."

"This is Creed," Estelle said. "Polly and Sam's eldest. The other children are around here somewhere."

They shook hands and engaged in small talk about the ranch while Estelle leaned into Lauren's ear. "I think the next set of introductions calls for brandy. I shall return momentarily."

Lauren cocked her head and spied Sage hidden behind her husband's broad shoulders. Damnation this would be harder than she imagined. She might as well get the news about her child out first before calling her sister forth. Both would add gray to her father's dark hair.

"Father," she said during a lull in conversation. "I've a wonderful surprise for you!" She drew a breath and waited until Estelle handed him the brandy she brought from the kitchen. "You have a grandson."

"A grandson?" he replied, coughing into his drink. "Where is the little rascal?" Before she had a chance to answer, he said, "And I can't wait to meet the man who finally talked you into settling down."

"Yes," Lauren said. "Unfortunately, my husband is missing, another victim of the uprising."

"Missing?" he said, arching his neck back. "You said
victim
, yet claim the man is missing?"

She felt her back go rigid while trying to pose an explanation. Thankfully, Estelle interceded. "Drew, I'm sure you and Lauren will have a nice chat this evening after you've rested and had time to adjust to all the shocking news."

A suspicious line formed at the corner of his mouth, but always the gentleman, he nodded. "Very well, until tonight then."

With perfect timing, Nelly walked forward with Finn. Her father studied his face and for the first time since arriving, broke into a broad smile. "I think he looks like me, Estelle, wouldn't you agree?"

"I can see it, Drew, and what a handsome little man he is."

While her father fussed over her son, she pulled Sage from behind her husband's shoulder and literally dragged her forward. "Father, perhaps you should sit down. I've another surprise for you."

He took his gaze off the child and looked at the women standing side by side. His smile faded and disbelief took its place. He blinked and then his eyes narrowed. Looking to Estelle he asked, "What goes on here, Stella?"

"This is your daughter, Sage."

His brow furrowed. "Lauren, please explain this instant."

Silence ensued, yet Lauren felt certain everyone present could hear the mad beating of her heart. She skipped over the minor details, delivering only the essential facts for the time being. Estelle filled in when her voice faltered.

Drew scratched his head at the end of their lengthy discourse. "How is it possible? One was taken by the midwife?" His shouted. "The midwife!"

Lauren nodded.

"It explains why she disappeared so suddenly," he said to the clouds. "Of course, I've wondered for years what happened to the babe." He looked into Sage's eyes, stepped forward and drew her into his arms. "All these years gone by, daughter." He stroked the side of her head. "Our lost one has returned."

Sage slumped against her father's chest and wept.

"Listen to me." He brought her chin up with a gentle finger. "Words can't express what I'm feeling now—shock, yes, but abundant love." He kissed her forehead. "My little girl has come home."