The Redemption of Jake Scully (7 page)

“I wanted to stop by and tell you how much I enjoyed your sermon last Sunday.” She had slipped into a back pew alone. She had wished Scully would offer to accompany her, but when he did not, she had left for Sunday services with a smile on her face and a strong hope for the future. She added, “I’ll be there next Sunday, of course.”

“I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed my sermon and we certainly look forward to seeing you again, but you needn’t have made a special trip to tell me that.”

Lacey hesitated. “I came for another reason, too, Reverend, but I can see this isn’t a good time.”

“Anytime is a good time, Lacey.”

“I just…need some advice.”

Reverend Sykes’s expression sobered.

“About how to help someone who’s in trouble without embarrassing that person with my concern.”

Reverend Sykes responded bluntly, “Is this person in desperate need of help?”

“I think she is.”

“She?”

“Yes.”

Reverend Sykes nodded. “You might send her to me. I’m experienced in helping people, both socially and spiritually, and Leticia is especially good in dealing with women.”

“No, Reverend, I can’t do that. I don’t want to embarrass her. It would damage our friendship.”

“And if the friendship was damaged, you wouldn’t be able to help her at all…is that it?”

Lacey’s brief nod was her only reply, and Reverend Sykes’s expression grew thoughtful. “You’ve caught me off guard here, Lacey. I don’t know this person, so advice is difficult to give.” He hesitated at her frown. “You want to hear my thoughts right now, is that it?”

Lacey nodded again.

“Well, I could tell you to pray for this woman. Prayer is powerful, but it’s apparent you don’t need me to tell you that. You obviously want to use the gifts God gave you to do more.”

Reverend Sykes paused again to scrutinize Lacey’s expression, then continued. “So, my advice is to do just that. You know this woman better than I. Use the gifts the Lord gave you, and use them well. I can see you have many. You’re honest and concerned about someone who needs your help, yet with all your good intentions and determination, you are also conscientious enough to recognize this person’s need to retain a sense of dignity, however limited it might be. From my observation, the particular gift you bring to this situation is your realization that God’s work is sometimes a very delicate task, that we occasionally need to tread lightly in order to bring Christ into the lives of someone we wish to help. Pete mentioned to me that you spent a good portion of your journey toward Weaver reading the Bible. I would encourage you to use what you’ve learned there to guide you.”

Searching Lacey’s gaze a moment longer, Reverend Sykes quoted softly, “‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.’” He smiled. “I don’t think I could give you better advice than that.”

Of course. She should have known. The Lord would show her the way, just as He had shown her the need. She need only remain open to the opportunities he presented.

Intensely relieved, Lacey said sincerely, “Thank you so much, Reverend.”

A few pleasantries then concluded the visit, and Lacey turned back toward Weaver’s main street. She had come for advice and had received the best that could possibly be offered.

Lacey looked up at the position of the sun in the cloudless sky, then hastened her step. But for now, Scully was waiting.

Barret stood at his office window. He had walked away from his desk in exasperation a few minutes earlier. He was tired of the inane paperwork that seemed to comprise the sum total of his work as Weaver’s only attorney. He looked out at the main thoroughfare, at the unfashionably dressed citizenry who trod the boardwalk, then at the traffic of bearded horsemen and broken-down wagons on the unpaved street. He remembered the gaiety and color of San Francisco…the excitement around every corner that awaited a man of imagination and means. His imagination had not faltered over the years. It was only the means that had made those wonders unavailable to him.

He had always known how to fix his situation with the law in San Francisco. All he had needed to erase any connection to his father’s crimes was a sum sizable enough to convince a chosen few that he’d had no part in his father’s illegal activities. Had not suspicious deaths been included in that list of illegal activities, he knew his situation could have been resolved more easily, but that recourse still was not available to him. An adequate incentive was the only answer to his problem.

An adequate incentive…

It galled him that his life was being wasted because of his inability to accumulate a large enough sum of money to erase the charges against him—and he had little patience for delay.

Barret’s thoughts came to an abrupt halt with Lacey’s unexpected appearance on the walk a distance away. She was dressed in riding clothes, and if he didn’t miss his guess, she was presently hurrying toward the livery stable.

Barret’s heart began a slow pounding. In this desolate country, she could have only one destination in mind.

Barret searched the street for a sign of Blackie or Larry. Where were they? He had given them instructions not to let Lacey out of their sights.

Panicking, Barret stepped out onto the boardwalk as Lacey neared. He stood boldly in her path as she approached, searching his mind for a way to delay her. If his hirelings didn’t show their faces soon…

Barret smiled as Lacey approached. He said, “Riding clothes. Are you intending an extended foray into Weaver’s countryside?”

“Yes, I suppose I am.” Lacey’s smile was tight. “Scully’s waiting for me.”

“I expect Scully’s not a man to tolerate being kept waiting, but I’m sure he’d make an exception for you. He does seem to be concerned about you, although his behavior isn’t exactly in your best interest.”

Barret saw the flicker of displeasure that crossed Lacey’s face at the casual negativity of his comment. He knew he had made a mistake even before she responded levelly, “I think you’re mistaken in that observance, Barret. Scully’s behavior
is
in my best interest, because he cares about me. He was responsible for my education and welfare. His concern for me has never lapsed, and he’s now intent on helping me reestablish myself in Weaver.”

“Of course, Lacey, dear. Scully’s devotion to your well-being is obvious. It’s just difficult sometimes when good intentions go astray.”

“Astray?”

Barret took a conciliatory step toward her. “He means well, I know.”

“He not only means well. He’s
done
well.”

“Yes, but, dear…” Barret made his handsome, patrician features sober. He glanced at the street behind Lacey and noted Larry’s appearance in the doorway of the Gold Nugget. He saw Larry’s momentary panic when he noticed Lacey on the street wearing riding attire.

Larry and Blackie stepped out onto the walk and began approaching as Barret continued casually, “Well, I don’t expect we should be discussing these matters on the street when you’re obviously pressed for time, Lacey. But I would like an opportunity to discuss your situation in Weaver with you in the near future. I knew your grandfather only casually, but I know he’d want the best for you.”

“You’re right. My grandfather wanted the best for me. That’s why he sent me to Scully.”

“But that was then, Lacey. This is now. Circumstances have changed since you’ve matured. Association with Scully could prove detrimental to your future.”

“No.”

Uncertain of the meaning of Lacey’s response, Barret said, “What was that, dear?”

“I said, no. Association with Scully could never prove detrimental to me.” Lacey paused, her gaze direct. “I hope I’ve made that point plainly enough.”

“Of course you have, but inexperience sometimes guides one falsely.” Barret offered his most concerned smile. “You’re a lovely young woman. I wouldn’t want you to find yourself in embarrassing circumstances because of a situation that’s not of your making.”

“I’m sorry. I’m in a rush.”

“Now you’re angry with me.”

“Yes.”

Marveling at her boldness, Barret said earnestly, “Now it’s my turn to be sorry. It wasn’t my intention to offend you. I hope you’ll accept my apology.”

“Perhaps I will when my anger fades, but right now it’s impossible for me to accept your apology since I consider your observations ignorant and untrue, and your intentions questionable.”

“My intentions questionable?”

“You obviously don’t like Scully.”

“I admit to that.”

“Well, he doesn’t like you, either. That said, I bid you good day.”

“Lacey, please…” Forcing himself to stay her with a touch on her arm and a conciliatory expression, Barret offered, “Please accept my apology. It is sincerely meant.”

“I’ll consider it.” Lacey shook off his touch. “Good day.”

Barely concealing his silent ire at Lacey’s abrupt dismissal, Barret stepped back into his office as she continued on down the street. She would
consider
accepting his apology, would she? Who did she think she was talking to?

Barret took a firm grip on his temper. He had intended his conversation with Lacey to be a casual flirtation that would delay her long enough for his insipid hirelings to appear. She should have been flattered. After all, he was good-looking and still in his prime. There wasn’t a young woman in town wouldn’t have been flattered to have a man of his stature show an interest in her. He had actually even briefly indulged the thought of a casual liaison with her.

That was a mistake.

Barret reviewed their conversation again in his mind. In retrospect, a simple, pernicious phrase had turned Lacey against him.

Although Scully’s behavior isn’t exactly in your best interest.

With those words, their conversation had taken a fast track toward disaster.

Barret waited until Blackie and Larry reached the walk outside his office. His anger erupted when they appeared intent on walking past. He opened the door and snapped, “Get in here!”

Waiting only until the door had closed behind them, he said, “Incompetent…that’s what you both are!”

“You don’t need to get upset, boss. Blackie and me was right behind her. She wasn’t going nowhere without us.”

“That isn’t what it looked like to me.”

“We was watching from the Gold Nugget window.”

“You were, huh?”

Blackie chimed in, “You don’t have nothing to worry about with me and Larry on the job. We aren’t going to let nothing go wrong like it did last time.”

“I suppose you know she’s off to ride with Jake Scully.”

“Sure…” Blackie attempted a smile. “That’s what we figured when we saw her riding clothes.”

“I don’t want you to let them out of your sight…
out of your sight,
do you hear?”

“We hear you, boss. I told you—”

“I don’t care what you told me. Mess this up, and you’re on your own—both of you.”

Barret watched as the frowning duo continued down the street, agitation twitching inside him. He had meant what he said to those two fools. What they didn’t know, however, was that if they failed this time…if they lost him his opportunity to return to the life he had been born for, they wouldn’t need to apologize—because they would not live to regret it.

Careful trotted briskly behind them as Scully and Lacey rode slowly along the narrow trail. Scully glanced around at the flat, broad valley spotted with cholla, prickly pear and barrel cactus, at the giant saguaros and the palo verde and mesquite trees outlined against rugged mountains in the distance. He was familiar with the trail. It would lead them to one of the occasional running streams where they would water their horses and where small trees would provide a measure of protection against the relentless sun as they spent a few leisurely moments.

Engrossed in her thoughts, however, Lacey seemed to be paying little attention to the passing terrain. She had apologized for keeping him waiting when she arrived at the livery stable for their ride, but the apology had been unnecessary. He knew whatever had been on her mind and had necessitated the delay was important to her, or she would not have kept him waiting. He wondered, however, if that important matter was the cause of her silence and preoccupation since the beginning of their ride.

“What’s wrong, Lacey?”

Snapped from her reverie, Lacey turned toward him. Her expression still sober, she replied, “What makes you think something’s wrong?”

“You’re quiet. If there’s one thing I’ve learned since you came home, silence is not one of your characteristics.”

“Scully…are you saying I’m a chatterbox?”

“No, but you normally speak up when something’s on your mind.”

“Oh. Well, nothing’s wrong.”

Choosing not to reply, Scully turned his mount toward the distant stream. Careful made his way directly to the water when they dismounted beside it minutes later. The horses and the small burro were ankle deep in the refreshing stream when Scully joined Lacey in the limited shade. She was still frowning.

“You might as well tell me what’s wrong, Lacey. You’re not doing a very good job of hiding the fact that you’re upset.”

“I’m not upset.”

“Really?”

She looked up at him, still sober. “I suppose I owe you an apology.”

“Another one?”

His reply meant humorously, Scully was surprised when Lacey responded seriously, “Yes, another one. I guess I’m not as good a judge of people as I thought I was.”

Scully felt a heat unrelated to the temperature rise inside him. He snapped, “If that Todd Fulton can’t take no for an answer—”

“Oh, it isn’t Todd. He’s a nice fellow.”

Scully went silent.

“You were right. Barret Gould doesn’t like you.”

“Barret Gould.” Scully paused to rein back an angry response, then said, “What did he say?”

“I talked to him briefly on the way to meet you. I think he intended to give me what he believed was some well-needed advice, but his dislike of you took over somewhere. It shone through bright and clear.”

“What did he say?”