Song of My Heart (40 page)

The circuit judge, seated at Thad’s table in lieu of a bench, glared at the twins. He brought down his gavel with a resounding bang. “Silence!”

With strangled gulps, the women obeyed the judge’s command, and the murmurs from the gathered townsfolk also abruptly ceased. Sadie’s pulse tripped faster and faster, making her feel lightheaded. The man’s lack of compassion heightened her fear. She clutched her hands together and stared at the judge, hardly daring to breathe. Would Sid’s and her sentences be as harsh as the one given to Mr. Baxter?

The judge turned his dark gaze on Sid. “Sidney Wagner.”

Sid bolted to his feet, his shoulders square and chin high. “Yes, sir.”

“And Sadie Wagner.”

Sadie clumsily rose. She tried to stand as proudly as her cousin, but her knees quivered. She licked her lips and rasped, “Y-yes, your honor.”

The judge’s dark brows formed an intimidating V. “It is within my power to hold both of you accountable for your association with Asa Baxter and his illegal practices and bring a judgment of imprisonment.”

Sadie’s fingers tightened painfully on her own palms. She wished she could cling to Thad. “ ‘
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee . . .
’ ” The promise from God’s word whispered through Sadie’s heart. Peace washed over her. She aimed her unwavering gaze at the judge and placed herself in her Father’s hands.

The judge cleared his throat. “However, taking into account Mr. Wagner’s willingness to make known the unlawful dealings to the authorities, and having heard testimony pertaining to Miss Wagner’s initial innocence concerning her participation, I find myself leaning toward leniency.”

Sid’s shoulders sagged, and from behind Sadie, a chorus of exhaled breaths told her how many people found relief in the judge’s statement.

“I sentence both of you to one year’s supervision by Goldtree’s sheriff, Thaddeus McKane. If, at the conclusion of the year, he can verify you have conducted yourselves as upstanding, law-abiding citizens, then there will be no further penalty.” The judge brought down his gavel. “Court is adjourned.” He snatched up his belongings and hustled out the door to his waiting carriage.

The townsfolk, mumbling loudly, filed out after the judge. Those fortunate enough to hear the judge’s verdict with their own ears would spread the news to those who’d been forced to wait on the street, outside of hearing. Only Sadie, Thad, Mayor Hanaman, Miss Melva, Miss Shelva, and Sid remained in the small office.

Sid turned to Sadie, relief etched on his features. But before his arms could reach her, she found herself swept into a hug by someone else. She didn’t need to see to know who’d captured her—the familiar essence that spoke
Thad
filled her senses. She clung, happy tears raining down her face.

“He chose mercy, Thad,” she whispered, her face pressed to Thad’s neck. “He chose mercy.”

Thad set her down and cupped her face in his broad, warm palms, smiling at her through a shimmer of tears. “Thank God for His mercy.” Somehow she knew they both acknowledged God’s mercy rather than that offered by the earthly judge.

A hesitant
harrumph
reached her ears, and she turned to Sid, who stood sheepishly to the side. He held out one hand to her. “Sadie, guess this means we’re both out of a job. I’m sorry.”

Sadie clasped his hand between hers. “It’s not your fault, Sid. You couldn’t know we’d be caught up in all this. I’m just glad”—she whisked a smile over her shoulder at Thad—“the truth came out. Now we needn’t hide our faces in shame.”

“Well, I’m surely feelin’ shameful.” Miss Melva sniffled, holding tight to her sister’s hand.

Miss Shelva added, “How can we show our faces in town now, knowin’ what Asa done? Nobody’ll look at us the same again.”

“We gotta make it right somehow,” Miss Melva declared.

Thad stepped forward and embraced the pair. “You’ve done no wrong.” Emotion deepened his tone. His warm-eyed gaze found Sadie’s and held her as securely as his arms now held the Baxter twins. “Asa must make atonement for his own sins. You aren’t accountable for your brother’s choices.”

Sadie’s heart fluttered within her chest. In Thad’s eyes she glimpsed freedom. Her soul rejoiced at the release of his long-held burden. Gliding forward, she curled her arms around the twins’ waists, forming a circle with the three people who meant so much to her. “Let’s make a pact—no more regrets over yesterday.”

Her eyes locked with Thad’s. The warm tenderness reflected in his green eyes nearly melted her. He offered a slow nod, granting his agreement. With difficulty, she tore her focus from Thad to the twins.

“Miss Melva? Miss Shelva?”

Their shoulders rose in unison, and matching sighs whooshed from their lips. Then, as if in one accord, their heads bobbed in synchronized nods. “No more regrets,” they chorused.

Then Miss Melva released a soft titter. “ ’Cept for one.”

Miss Shelva frowned. “What’s that?”

Miss Melva’s thick eyebrows waggled. “Our givin’ up our fear o’ down-under places.”

“That’s right. We done it, didn’t we, Sister?”

“That we did.” The pair chortled together.

Sadie sent Thad a puzzled look, and he smiled. “Miss Melva and Miss Shelva visited Asa every day. While he was in the cellar room.”

Sadie gawked at the twins, who gazed back, satisfaction shining in their eyes. She shook her head, amazed. “But you said you never went into hidey-holes—not even if a twister was coming!”

The pair hunched their shoulders and tittered again. They stepped aside, exchanging a knowing look. “Reckon fears are overcome,” Miss Melva began.

“—when love goes deeper than the fear,” Miss Shelva finished.

“ ‘Perfect love casteth out fear,’ ” Thad quoted, and Sadie’s heart lifted. He’d make a wonderful minister someday. Except the judge had given Thad responsibility for overseeing Sid’s and her sentence. He wouldn’t be able to set aside his badge for at least a year. Had Thad realized that yet?

“Sister, we got a mercantile to run,” Miss Melva said.

“Then let’s go,” Miss Shelva said. The twins coiled their arms around each other’s waists and ambled out of the office.

At their departure, Mayor Hanaman stepped forward, propelling Sid along with him. “Sheriff, this young man’s going to have to remain in Goldtree under your supervision, but it seems he lost his job with Baxter.”

Thad slipped one hand into his trouser pocket, assuming the casual pose that was as familiar as breathing to Sadie. “I have a suggestion.” He stroked his finger over his mustache. “Since the judge also gave all of Baxter’s holdings to Five Creek Township, somebody is going to have to be in charge of maintaining his rental houses an’ taking care of his house an’ land outside of town until the council decides what to do with it. What do you think of making Sid the foreman of those properties?”

The mayor gave Thad a hearty clap on the back. “Why, that’s grand thinking, Sheriff!” He turned to Sid and aimed a finger at him. “You’re already familiar with Baxter’s holdings, so you shouldn’t have any trouble handling those duties, will you, Sid?”

Sid looked dumbstruck, but he bounced his head in a jerky nod. “Not at all. I’m glad to do it.”

“Good, good.” The mayor threw his arm around Sid’s shoulders. “Come to the bank with me, and we’ll get the details of your new position squared away.” They started out, but then Mr. Hanaman turned back and fixed Sadie with a serious look. “Miss Wagner? There’s something of importance I need to discuss with you. Soon as you’re”—he cleared his throat, a sly smile creeping up his cheek—“finished here with the sheriff, come on over and see me.”

Sadie nodded in reply, and the mayor and Sid left. The moment they departed, Thad pulled her snug against his length. She nestled, the feeling of homecoming sweeping over her once again. She would have been content to remain there in his arms for the rest of her life, but she needed to tell him something, and she wouldn’t hide against his chest as she said it.

Pulling back slightly, she peered into his dear face. “Thad, about my sentence . . . I’m so sorry you’ll be forced to remain as sheriff for another year.”

His low chuckle rumbled. “I’m not.” He drew her close again, resting his chin lightly against her temple. “You see, God’s been doing some speaking to my heart, an’ He let me know my wanting to be a preacher wasn’t for Him—it was all for me.” His hands moved up and down her spine, the touch warm and welcome. “I’ve been praying for Him to show me how I’m meant to serve, so the judge putting me in charge of you an’ Sid for the next year gave me my answer. I’m to be a lawman, Sadie. I’m meant to serve the town of Goldtree.”

Her fears about preventing him from achieving his intended purpose melted away beneath a wash of gratitude. “Oh, I’m so glad . . .”

“Me too. As for you . . .” His hands curled around her upper arms, moving her aside.

She blinked twice beneath his unsmiling gaze. “Y-yes?”

“You’re to sing.” His mild scowl dissolved, a gentle smile appearing on his face. “In the opera house.”

With Asa Baxter locked away, the opera house was no more. “But Mr. Baxter—”

“Not in the singing room under the mercantile, Sadie.” Thad’s mustache twitched, excitement glittering in his eyes. “In a
real
opera house.”

“But . . . but . . .” She couldn’t rein in her confusion to adequately voice the questions crowding her mind.

“Shh.” Thad touched her lips with one finger. “Just listen. The town council met last week, and after seeing how many people came to your performances, they’ve decided having an opera house would be a real benefit to the town. Since Asa won’t be building one, they’ve taken it upon themselves to erect one in the open lot south of the Congregationalist church. Mr. Hanaman owns the property, and he’s donated it for the town’s use.

“Miss Melva and Miss Shelva gave permission to have all the chairs and light fixtures removed from the cellar singing room and placed in the new building. Roscoe Hanaman has already ordered lumber and stone to build the opera house, and he hopes to have construction completed in time for a special Christmas performance.”

Sadie listened, enthralled. She’d spent the three weeks of her time under arrest working at the mercantile or holed up in her room, per Thad’s instruction. The Baxter twins had to have been aware of the plans, yet they hadn’t uttered a word of it to her. “Are you sure Mr. Hanaman means for me to sing? After I . . . I . . .” She gulped.

Thad’s expression softened. He gently cupped her jaw. “Mr. Hanaman, as well as the entire town, has been given a view of your soul through your music. They know your involvement in the illegal happenings wasn’t intentional. They’re willing to forgive an’ forget.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “So now you must forgive yourself.”

Sadie tipped her head, pressing her cheek more fully into the sweet pressure of his palm. Her eyes slipped closed as she absorbed his steady presence, his tender touch. Her soul ached to agree to singing in the new opera house, but there was something she must do first. Opening her eyes, she looked into Thad’s dear face. “I want to sing, Thad—you know how much I want to sing. But I need to pray about it, to make sure it’s what God wills for me.” She swallowed happy tears, experiencing complete peace in waiting. “I want to sing for Him, not to please myself.”

The approval shining in Thad’s eyes told her he understood.

She drew in a deep breath. Now that the weeks of tension—of wondering what the judge would deem appropriate—were past, tiredness claimed her. She hid a yawn behind her hand. “Oh my . . . I don’t suppose Miss Melva and Miss Shelva would allow me the afternoon to nap.”

Thad chuckled. “You don’t have time for a nap just yet. You need to talk to Mr. Hanaman, remember?” He caught her hand and raised it to his lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. The soft tickle of his mustache sent tremors up her arm. He placed her hand in the bend of his elbow. “Let me escort you to the bank, and when you’re finished talking with him about the new opera house, I’ll return you to Miss Melva and Miss Shelva. Give them a yawn like you just gave me, and they’ll be the ones to suggest a nap.”

Sadie giggled as Thad led her onto the boardwalk. He was right—the twins cared about her. They’d assumed a motherly role toward her, and even though they were sometimes brusque, she didn’t doubt their affection.

When they were halfway across the street, someone called Sadie’s name. Mr. Rahn trotted toward them, waving a piece of paper. He panted to a halt and pressed the paper into Sadie’s hand. “This here telegram just arrived. Figured you’d want to see it right away.” He touched Sadie’s shoulder. “Me an’ the missus are awful happy you aren’t headin’ to jail, Miss Sadie. ’Specially now that—” He backed up, waving his hands. “Well, never you mind. Read it for yourself.” He spun and trotted off.

Sadie watched him go, the telegram fluttering in the light August breeze. His words of congratulations touched her. She hoped the rest of the town would be as accepting.

Thad gave her a gentle nudge. “Aren’t you going to read your telegram?”

Sadie hunched her shoulders, releasing a self-conscious giggle. “Of course.” She unfolded the paper and read the brief message: CHILDREN   AND   I   COMING   TO   GOLDTREE   STOP   WILL   ARRIVE   FIRST   OF   SEPTEMBER   STOP   CAN’T   WAIT   TO    HEAR   YOU   SING   ON   STAGE   STOP   ALL   MY   LOVE MAMA.

For a moment, Sadie stared at the paper in confusion. Mama moving the family to Kansas? Then she gave herself a little shake. Why shouldn’t she move? With Papa gone, nothing held them in Indiana. And coming here would give them all a fresh start—a chance to be together again.

Mama would get to hear her sing on the stage of a real opera house. A bubble of laughter formed in Sadie’s throat, and her eyes slipped closed.
Thank You, God, for new beginnings and fresh chances.

Thad’s soft voice intruded in her thoughts. “Sadie? Everything all right?”

Sadie let out a whoop and threw her arms around Thad’s neck, knocking his cowboy hat askew. “My mama and sister and brothers are coming here, to Goldtree!”

“What?”