Chapter Eleven
“Granny’s at the sheriff’s house,” the deputy said to Morgan and Rose. “She’s been mighty worried about you.”
Morgan picked up the valises and they walked to the sheriff’s house next door. Morgan knocked on the door before he cracked it open. He didn’t want Jack to get up if he was in bed.
Granny turned from the stove when she heard the door open. “Rose!” She ran across the room and wrapped her arms around her granddaughter. “How are you, child? The telegram said you were hurt.”
“I’m fine. I just have some broken ribs, but thanks to Mr. LeMasters, I made it safe and sound.”
Granny held her at arm’s length and looked her over with tears in her eyes. “You are a welcome sight. You’re nothing but skin and bones, and I think you need some good home cooking.” She wiped her tears with her apron. “I’m so happy you are home. I’ve prayed every night for your safe return. I knew the Good Lord sent Morgan to watch over you.”
“Granny, don’t cry.” Rose found herself tearing up at Granny’s emotional outburst. Granny was a stalwart woman, not one given to tears. Seeing her cry made Rose feel guilty that she’d been away so long. She certainly hadn’t expected her to look so much older, nor so frail. Granny had always been so healthy and strong, and she realized she’d never thought about her aging. “I’m so sorry I haven’t come home before now.”
They hugged again. “Nonsense, you’re home now and that’s what counts. I’m turning into a foolish old woman, crying at the least little thing. Just like Preacher. You remember how the smallest thing would make him cry.”
Rose smiled through her tears, thinking of her grandfather. They would always tease him about the way he would become emotional over the least little thing.
Granny moved to Morgan and hugged him. “Thank you for looking after my Rose.”
Morgan wrapped his arms around the older woman and held her. He saw how happy she was to see Rose, and it was nice to see her smile. “It was my pleasure.” Morgan wasn’t exaggerating; he’d enjoyed every moment alone with Rose. He was sorry she’d been injured, but it had given him time to get to know her. It was strange now that he thought about it. He’d known her since she was a little girl, but he’d never expected she’d become the one woman who would capture his attention these many years later.
Granny took Rose by the hand and turned toward Jack who was sitting up in his bed. “I told you she was a real beauty.”
“I can’t argue with you there,” Jack said, thinking she was the loveliest woman he’d ever seen.
“Rose, you remember the sheriff,” Granny said.
“Yes, I do. How are you?”
“Granny has been taking good care of me. I’m happy to see you are on the mend.”
Morgan walked over and shook his hand. “Jack, glad to see you looking so good.”
“Rose, come sit at the table while I finish lunch, and give the men some time to talk,” Granny said, taking Rose by the hand. Granny figured Jack would want to hear about Frank’s escape.
Jack pointed to the chair next to his bed. “Have a seat, Morgan.”
As the women walked to the stove, Morgan overheard Rose ask Granny if she’d met the new pastor, Clay Hunt. He didn’t hear Granny’s response, but he heard Rose clearly when she said, “He is a wonderful man.”
“Aren’t you going to sit down?” Jack asked.
“Yeah,” Morgan replied, but his mind was on Rose’s comment. So she thinks Clay Hunt is wonderful.
It was impossible for Jack to have a private conversation with Morgan since his home was only one room, but he wanted to let him know Murph had told him how Frank and his gang escaped the hanging. “Murph came to see me when he rode in.”
Morgan nodded in silent understanding. “Who shot you, Jack?”
“I don’t know. We rode into Purgatory Canyon and they were waiting for us. We didn’t see them, but they saw us.” Jack glanced across the room to see if the women were talking. He lowered his voice, and said, “They got away, but we know for sure that’s their hideout.”
Morgan leaned forward, braced his elbows on his thighs, and quietly asked, “Do you think they might be waiting to meet Frank in that canyon?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. They are probably just one gang out of many hiding out in there. They can see us coming a long way off. It’s a real witches’ brew.”
“Frank said he was headed to Mexico, but I don’t believe him.”
“When you stopped in Denver did you hear about the stagecoach robbery?” Jack asked.
Rose was sleeping when they stopped in Denver, so Morgan didn’t leave the coach. “No.”
“They were transporting a lot of money by coach, and they said one man pulled the job. No one saw his face, but they said he was a small fellow, and he sounded very young.” Jack repeated everything he’d heard about the robbery from some of the local cowboys who had heard the details in a Denver saloon. “Hobb Devers was the driver, Cal Pickett was riding shotgun, and Boyd Larsen was inside the coach.”
Morgan knew the men, and Cal and Boyd’s reputations as excellent marksmen. They had a good record dealing with robberies. “And one man got the drop on them?”
“They didn’t know it was one man.” Jack explained the ploy the man used to make it appear he had accomplices. “But they said he was one heck of a shot. Even carried a pearl-handled pistol, so he must think himself to be a real outlaw.”
“He must be pretty good to take those three men,” Morgan agreed.
“Devers was winged. I didn’t figure it was . . .” Jack turned his head to make sure the women weren’t listening before he finished his thought. “I guess it could have been one of his men, because he’s not small, and he doesn’t sound young.”
Morgan nodded, indicating he knew Jack meant Frank hadn’t robbed the coach. He leaned closer and said, “They always rob as a group. If you hear any news about him, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll ride to Purgatory Canyon soon.”
“I may not be able to ride for a while,” Jack said.
“Am I still deputized?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I’m going after him.” Morgan glanced at Rose and saw her carrying two plates in their direction. “I’ll tell you more when we can talk.”
While they ate their lunch, they discussed what was happening around town with all of the newcomers settling in the area. Not one word was mentioned about Frank, and for that, Morgan was thankful.
* * *
“Granny, I’ll take you and Rose to the farm,” Morgan said when they were ready to leave.
“Morgan, the buckboard is out front. Webb picked Granny up earlier. Just bring it back to the livery when you have time,” Jack said.
Granny walked to Jack and patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t you do too much. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you.”
“That’s not necessary. I plan to start moving around more tomorrow. You stay home and visit with your granddaughter. If I need anything, I’ll send Webb to the farm.”
“You have enough food for a few days, so if you promise me you’ll take care, I’ll trust you,” Granny said.
“I’ll be in town tomorrow and I’ll look in on him,” Morgan said. He’d planned on coming back to town tomorrow so he could speak to Jack alone.
Granny trusted Morgan’s judgment. “Good. I know you will let me know if he is resting.”
Morgan grinned at Jack. “Yes, ma’am, I will.”
On the way to the farm, Granny noticed how considerate Morgan was of Rose’s condition. He’d asked her several times if she was doing okay, or if she needed to stop. To Granny’s surprise, her granddaughter couldn’t keep her eyes off of Morgan. Knowing Rose had always shied away from Morgan when she was younger, she wondered what had transpired between the two. If she didn’t know better, her granddaughter had the look of a woman in love. Granny hoped it wasn’t because Morgan had been the one to look after her while she was injured. One thing for sure, she didn’t want Rose to have her heart broken. As much as Rose adored Frank, Morgan hated him just as much, and Granny couldn’t see Morgan changing his mind. Morgan was a good man, but he could be a hard man. Admittedly, it wasn’t without cause. But Morgan had harbored this anger a long time, and he hadn’t had gentleness in his life. Rose could give him that if he would let her. She wondered if Rose might help Morgan forget about his vendetta against Frank, and allow the law to handle him. It was probably wishful thinking. Perhaps if Rose had been here before Frank shot Joseph Longbow there might have been a chance. Frank’s past transgressions might have been forgotten, but shooting Joseph was something Morgan would never get over. No amount of wishing would make it so.
“Have you seen Joseph?” Morgan asked.
“Yes. As a matter of fact, he came to look at the sheriff’s wound,” Granny replied.
“You mean he actually rode into town?” Morgan knew Joseph liked Jack, but he didn’t normally go into town for any reason.
“Yes. I asked the deputy to go get him, and when he arrived at your ranch, Joseph was waiting for him.”
That didn’t surprise Morgan. Joseph had a sixth sense that no one could explain. “I guess that hard head of his suffered no permanent damage.”
“No, he’s fine.”
“Granny, how’s Stevie? You’ve said very little about him in your letters,” Rose asked.
Granny wasn’t sure how to respond, but she supposed it was time for truthfulness. “Stevie told me he’s not going to stay on the farm. He says he hates farm work.”
“What does he plan on doing?” Rose asked.
“You’ll have to ask him.” Granny wasn’t going to bring up Frank’s name, at least not for a while.
Morgan pulled in front of the house, and was surprised by the condition of the farm. He figured his men had had little time to come over and help her since he’d been gone. But he didn’t comment as he climbed out of the buckboard and helped the women to the ground.
Granny opened the door and invited Morgan inside.
Morgan grabbed Rose’s valises from the buckboard. “I’ll carry these inside, but I need to get to the ranch.”
He set the valises inside the front door and looked at Rose. “Take care of those ribs. It’ll take a few more days for them to heal properly.”
“Thank you for everything, Mr. LeMasters,” Rose said.
Granny glanced from Rose to Morgan. Something was definitely going on there. “Rose, go on and sit down. I’ll see Morgan out.”
Rose had the feeling Granny wanted to speak to Morgan alone, so she said good-bye to him.
Morgan tipped his hat and walked out the door with Granny.
“Why don’t you go ahead and tell me what happened?” Granny asked as soon as they reached the buckboard.
“I’m sure Jack told you Frank got away,” Morgan said.
Granny stared up at him. “What I want to know is how he slipped through your fingers, Morgan. You aren’t a careless man, and I think there is more to this story than anyone is telling.”
“Your granddaughter was on the stagecoach when they happened on us as we were about to hang Frank. You have her to thank for keeping Frank alive a while longer.” Morgan wasn’t angry about his decision not to hang Frank in front of Rose. He’d made it, and he would have kept his word to take Frank to jail and let a judge deal with him. But it wouldn’t happen the next time.
“God works in strange ways,” Granny said softly.
Morgan looked at her. “What do you mean by that?”
“Of all the people to place in your path to keep you from seeking your vengeance, don’t you wonder why it was Rose?”
Morgan shook his head. “Granny, you call it vengeance, I call it justice.” He took a deep breath and softened his tone. “We’ve been over this. Why don’t we agree to disagree? It was a coincidence Rose was on that stagecoach.”
Placing her bony fingers on Morgan’s forearm, she said, “I might understand your feelings if you’d tell me what happened between you and Frank years ago.”
“Frank can tell you,” Morgan said. He didn’t want to talk about that day on his ranch. To this day, every time he thought of it, he wanted to kill Frank.
“You’re a good man, Morgan. But you’ve got to let some things go, or they’ll eat you alive and keep you from true happiness. You recall the Bible says vengeance is the Lord’s and He will repay.”
“I won’t let this go, Granny. You remember the verse, ‘an eye for an eye.’” Morgan had never given much thought as to whether he was a happy man or not. He was too busy working to worry about such things. “Maybe true happiness isn’t for everyone.”
“You don’t believe that, Morgan. What about Rose?”
Morgan arched his brow at her. “What about Rose?”
“I saw how you two were looking at each other. I’m not so old that I can’t see that glimmer in your eye when you look at her. I’ve always thought you two would make a fine match.”
Morgan wished it were as easy as Granny made it sound. “Rose is a lovely young woman, but like I said, I won’t let this go with Frank. Rose loves her brother, and she would never forgive me for what I will do when I find him.” Morgan had a question of his own. “Why is it she doesn’t seem to know anything about Frank? She seems to look at him through a child’s eyes. I’ve been wondering why you haven’t told her the truth about him.”
Granny had often alluded to Frank’s darker side, but she’d never told her granddaughters the unvarnished truth about the evil that resided inside Frank’s heart. Maybe she’d hoped her prayers would get the Lord’s attention and He’d put Frank on the right path. She finally figured the Lord needed Frank’s cooperation, and that was one thing Frank would not relinquish. “I didn’t know how to tell her the truth. The girls were crazy about Frank, particularly Rose. She worshipped the ground he walked on. I just didn’t have it in me to break her heart.”
Morgan heard the sadness in her words. He was in no position to pass judgment on Granny’s decision. He hadn’t told Rose about Frank threatening her life when she was unconscious. He didn’t want to hurt Rose if he could avoid it. He understood the reason Granny didn’t tell her the truth. “I’m sure she will find out soon enough.”
“Sadly, I’m sure she will.”
They were silent for a minute, then Granny said, “Since you’re going back to see Jack tomorrow, why don’t you stop for dinner on your way home?”
Morgan accepted her offer, and as Granny walked inside the house, she started formulating a plan. She might not be able to help Frank, but she would make sure he didn’t ruin Rose’s chance for happiness. She found Rose in the room she’d shared with her sisters, unpacking her clothing. “You should have waited for me to carry your valise.”
“It’s not heavy, and I am feeling much better. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Granny took the dress Rose was holding. “Now sit down and rest. I will put your things away.”
Rose took hold of Granny’s hand. “I’m not tired. Sit with me a moment so we can chat.” Rose had noticed the sad state of the farm as soon as they rode in. Granny had always had a huge garden, but now it wasn’t even a quarter of its normal size. “Granny, hasn’t Stevie been helping at all on the farm?”
Granny hated to give Rose depressing news on her first day home, but it couldn’t be helped. She didn’t know if Stevie had left again, or if he would be home later. “I guess you know what Frank has been doing since you were about to see him hang. He doesn’t come around much. And Stevie . . . well, he hasn’t been around much over the last year either. He leaves all the time, and won’t tell me where he is going. I never know when he will return. When he is here, he doesn’t do anything but sleep and eat.”
“Granny, is it true what Mr. LeMasters says about Frankie?”
Seeing the hope in her eyes, Granny hated to reveal the truth about her brother, but there was no way around it. “Yes. Frank and his men have been rustling cattle from Morgan for a long time. Oh, no one could prove it was Frank before, but everyone knew it was him. This last time, Frank made a big mistake. Joseph Longbow saw them and Frank shot him. Thankfully, he just grazed Joseph’s head.”
“Are you sure it was Frankie?” Rose realized she questioned everyone’s word when it came to her brother.
Granny squeezed her hand. “Yes, honey, it was Frank. I’m not sure all he’s done is rustle cattle. Frank’s always got money, and Lord knows he’s never worked for it.”
Rose’s worst fears were confirmed. Deep down she knew Morgan had told her the truth about her brother. Tears streamed over her cheeks. “Granny, what are we going to do?”
“I’ve tried everything I know to get Frank to listen to reason, but he refuses. Now, I’ll tell you what I’m going to do.”
Rose looked at her expectantly. “What? Morgan is determined to hang Frank. He told me as much.”
“I know. But we can’t continue to worry about Frank, and what might happen. His fate is in the hands of the Lord. What we can do, and what we will do, is make sure he doesn’t keep you from your happiness.”
Rose was puzzled by her response. “What do you mean?”
“Why don’t you tell me what happened in Kansas?”
Rose told her about everything that happened, leaving out the part where Morgan kissed her.
“So you were unconscious when Frank left?” Granny asked.
“Yes.”
Granny was furious at Frank for leaving Rose without knowing if she would even survive her injuries. She thanked God for Morgan LeMasters. “So Morgan looked after you the entire time instead of going after Frank when he had the chance?”
“Yes. He was very good to me. After what you’ve told me about Frank, it’s hard to believe Morgan treated me so well. He had every reason to leave me there. I was hoping he was wrong about Frankie.”
Granny smiled at her. “Are you in love with Morgan because he was kind and took care of you, or do you love him because he is a good man?”
Expelling a loud breath, tears welled in her eyes again. “Oh, Granny.” She wasn’t surprised Granny saw right to the core of the problem. “I think I love him because he is a good man. But I can’t turn my back on Frankie.”
“Frank is not allowed to ruin your happiness. That’s where I draw the line.”