A Bride For Clay (The Proxy Brides Book 2) Page 10

  “Wade…” was all she could answer before Clay took a step back and Grace saw the anger flash in his eyes.

  “I’m all right, Clay. He didn’t hurt me. Can we go home and talk? Is Wade there? I think he’s losing his mind. He frightens me,” Grace blurted before drawing in a deep breath.

  “Of course, we can go home. Wade moved into town. It’s a long story. Let’s get you home safe and fed. I doubt you’ve had a good meal since he took you,” Clay said.

  “I had apples, bread, and water. Wade also provided me with a few potatoes and green beans. I didn’t get hungry enough to eat the raw onion. I don’t know what he was thinking.”

  “I don’t think he was. Can you ride more?”

  “Yes, especially since we’re headed home,” Grace answered.

  They mounted their horses and rode back to the ranch house. Cora, grandpa, and Elizabeth had heard Clay gallop past the house and were waiting on the back porch when Clay and Grace rode up.

  “You’re home,” Elizabeth cried tears streaming down her cheek. “I knew you didn’t leave forever.”

  Cora and grandpa were asking questions at the same time. “Let’s get Grace inside,” Clay suggested.

  When they were settled around the kitchen table, Grace explained what happened to her and how Wade forced her to write the note. She assured everyone especially Clay that she never for a moment meant to leave the ranch or her new life.

  Clay took Grace’s hand. “I didn’t believe for a second that you left. Wade was the only answer, and once he threatened grandpa, we knew for sure.”

  “What? Wade threatened grandpa?” Grace stammered. “Why?”

  Clay explained Wade’s desires to own the ranch and how he convinced grandpa to sign it over, but that the lawyer was out of town.

  “But when he comes home he’ll see me,” Grace said standing quickly and clutching her throat. “He’ll kill me. It’s the only way he can guarantee that I’m not a problem.”

  Cora spoke quietly, “Calm down, Grace. There’s more to the story. Hutch never changed his will. Both boys would inherit equally. Wade knows that now, but he decided he wanted it all and used your disappearance to force Hutch to sign over the ranch. He moved to town away from us and won’t be back until he returns with that lawyer. You’re safe.”

  “Maybe, but I’m afraid. If he does come back and finds me, I’m in danger. I’m the only one who can prove he abducted me,” Grace said clutching her hands together to keep them from trembling.

  “He won’t find you,” Cora insisted. “When you disappeared, I spent the night in your bed helping Elizabeth to feel safe. If Wade does come back and looks for you, he’ll find me in your bed. You’ll stay in Clay’s room. He won’t check there afraid to face Clay. If he asks about Willow, we’ll say she wandered back to the ranch sometime today.”

  “That’s a good plan. I’ll send one of the hands for the sheriff in the morning. He can arrest Wade wherever he is,” Clay said.

  Grandpa’s head dropped, and he shook it back and forth. “I never meant for this to happen,” he mumbled. “Wade will spend years in prison if they don’t hang him.”

  “Hang him?” Grace exclaimed. “No, I can’t be a party to anyone hanging. I won’t tell the sheriff anything, and I’ll refuse to testify if they have a trial. You can’t guarantee a judge won’t sentence him to hang even if they say he’ll only go to prison. I have heard terrible stories about justice going wrong. No, I won’t say a word. There must be another way. I prayed hard on my way back here for God to bring me home safely and He did. I forgive Wade for what he did, and I can’t be responsible for his death.”

  Grandpa looked up at Grace with tears in his eyes. “Do you forgive me, too, Grace? This is all my fault.”

  “Of course, I do,” she answered and rushed around the table to hug the elderly man who was now a part of her family and heart. “We all make mistakes. You didn’t mean any harm.”

  Clay nodded his agreement, “All right, but what do we do about Wade? He expects to live here with Lucinda. That puts all of us, but especially Grace and Elizabeth in danger.”

  Cora suggested, “We take the sheriff into our confidence and when the lawyer returns he can draw up some papers to keep Wade from harming anyone or he’ll be arrested and charged with Grace’s abduction.”

  “I’m not sure if that’ll work, but we can try. Do we allow Wade back home? If so, I’m going to take Grace and move away from here,” Clay decided.

  Grandpa shook his head, “No, we can’t allow Wade back here where he can do more harm.”

  “He’ll end up drunk all the time in the saloon,” Cora added.

  “Wade needs to go somewhere and start over. I’ll tell him to go to your aunt and uncle’s place in Montana until he can change his ways. It’s either that or prison. Your father and his brother were always different. Your father was kind, and yet you boys knew when he was serious. My other son was always strict with his boys, and they grew up tough. It’ll be a good place for Wade. No one will listen to his complaining or put up with his laziness. Your aunt always says in her letters that she wants you boys to visit. This might be a good time to take her up on it. I’ll send a telegram to your uncle in the morning.”

  Elizabeth who had been silent listening to all the ideas and plans whispered, “Do I have to go with him?”

  “No, I told you before, you are part of the family and staying right here,” Grandpa assured.

  Elizabeth nodded and replied with a quiet thank you. She wiped a few tears from her face grateful that if her marriage was over that she still had a family that loved her.

  Cora began making biscuits to go along with the stew she started hours earlier and Elizabeth rose to help her. Cora looked over her shoulder at Grace, “You young lady, go take a relaxing bath, and by the time you’re done, supper will be ready.”

  Grace nodded and left the room with Clay on her heels. “Where are you going?” Grace asked. “I plan to sit right outside the door until you’re finished, so you feel safe. I’m not letting you out of my sight until Wade knows harming you will only make his life worse.”

  Grace kissed him before slipping into her room for clean clothes and then closing the door to the bathing room behind her leaving a grateful Clay sitting on the floor just outside the door as he promised.

  After finishing supper, Clay hurried out to do evening chores assuring Grace he’d be back as quickly as he could. The women cleaned the kitchen and grandpa retired to his room to read his Bible. When Clay returned, the thankful family settled in for the night.

  Clay smiled at his blushing wife when he closed their bedroom door. “Don’t worry, Grace. We may share a bed tonight, but I’ll sleep on top of the quilt while you sleep under it. We’ll know when we’re ready.”

  “Thank you,” Grace answered kissing him sweetly.

  Clay and Grace slept peacefully until the first rays of sun woke them.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Cora was humming in the kitchen preparing breakfast when she heard a knock at the door. Drying her hands on a towel, she opened the door to find the sheriff standing there.

  “Please come in Sheriff Glyson.”

  “Hugh, please, we’ve known each other long enough, Cora,” he smiled while removing his hat.

  “Hugh, please sit. I have fresh coffee.”

  Cora placed a cup of coffee in front of the sheriff as he took a chair at the table. “Is the family around, I have some information and questions.”

  “Oh, mercy, I should have told you as soon as I saw you. Grace is home. She’s safe and has a story to tell. Would you like some breakfast while I wake them?” Cora explained.

  “I ate before riding out, but I’d love to hear the story.”

  Elizabeth walked into the kitchen greeting Cora and the sheriff.

  “Good morning, Missus Hutchison,” the sheriff greeted.

  “Please, call me Elizabeth. I won’t be a Hutchison for long,” Elizabeth explained.

&
nbsp; The sheriff raised his eyebrows and Cora said, “Clay and Hutch will explain. You’ll understand better once you hear the entire story. Let me see if Hutch is awake.”

  Elizabeth and the sheriff chatted about the weather and how she enjoyed ranch life while Cora roused Clay and Grace and checked on Grandpa Hutch. Clay hurried into the kitchen and sat across from the sheriff.

  Clay began to explain the abduction, what led up to it, and how Grace escaped. He also did his best to get the sheriff to agree not to arrest Wade against the sheriff’s insistence that Wade pay for his crime. Clay promised that his grandpa would force Wade to leave the state for Montana if he ever wants to inherit any part of the ranch.

  Grace wandered into the kitchen sitting next to Clay and was adamant about not testifying against her brother-in-law. “I told the family last night that I can’t be part of any trial that could end with a chance of Wade’s death. I won’t do it. Please, sheriff, understand my convictions. Taking a life is wrong, and I won’t be a party to it.”

  The sheriff finally agreed but added, “Wade is staying in town with Lucinda. I spread the word last night for people to look for Grace. Your grandpa needs to force Wade to leave town, but not until I put the fear of the law into him. I will return to town and threaten to arrest him as soon as I get enough information. He’ll run home, and I expect Hutch to assure that Wade is on the next train out of Cheyenne heading north.”

  “I can do that,” Grandpa Hutch said as he walked into the kitchen. “Morning Hugh, just scare that boy good, and he’ll run home. I’ll get him out of town. As a matter of fact, I’ll ride back to town with you and send a telegram to my brother in Montana. Wade won’t have a choice.”

  “That’s a good idea, but first you sit and eat breakfast,” Cora insisted. “I’ll not have you getting sick again. This plan can wait a few minutes.”

  Another knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Grace opened the door, and Mason stammered, “Grace you’re back? How? When?”

  “Yes, I am. Last night. Come on it,” Grace held the door open for Mason to enter.

  “I can’t believe you’re here. I was just coming over to ask Clay where he wanted to search today. Several of pa’s men said they’d search with us,” Mason explained not being able to hide his smile.

  “Sit down and have some coffee and we’ll tell you about it,” Grace offered.

  As Mason sat, the sheriff stood and said he needed to get back to town. Wolfing down the last of his eggs, Grandpa Hutch stood and joined him. As the two old friends rode into town, Clay explained to Mason everything that had happened with a few details added by Grace.

  ~ * ~

  Grandpa Hutch stopped at the telegraph office, and the sheriff continued down to the saloon. He walked in and asked the sleepy bartender if Wade was upstairs. The bartender nodded, “Room 3.”

  Sheriff Glyson walked up the stairs and down the narrow hall to Room 3. He pounded on the door until Lucinda opened it. “Sheriff, what on earth? You’ll wake the whole place.”

  “Is Wade here.”

  “Sure,” Lucinda answered and stepped away from the door.

  The sheriff drew his revolver and stepped into the room. “Wade Hutchison,” he hollered. “Wake up.” When Wade didn’t move, the sheriff kicked the bed.

  “What the…,” Wade started to say when he found himself staring down the barrel of the sheriff’s gun.

  “Wade get dressed and get out of my town. Grace is home and safe. I know you abducted her, but so far, she says she won’t testify against you. If I can get her to change her mind or find someone else to testify, I’ll arrest you. I should do it now. You better stay at the ranch and out of town. If I see you here again, I’ll arrest you without question. You should thank your lucky stars that girl has a good heart. Abduction is a hanging offense you know,” the sheriff said and bit back a smile at the shocked look on Wade’s face.

  The sheriff left the room, walked back down to the saloon, and sat at a table in the corner. In less than three minutes, he watched Wade hustle down the stairs with his saddlebags over his shoulder and run out the batwing doors.

  Stepping out onto the boardwalk in front of the saloon, the sheriff saw Wade running down to the livery. He crossed the street to see Hutch in the telegraph office. Hutch was explaining to the operator that when an answer came in to have someone ride out to the ranch immediately. The sheriff tapped Hutch on the shoulder and motioned over his shoulder with this thumb.

  Grandpa Hutch turned to look out the window just in time to see Wade leaving the bank before galloping out of town. The sheriff whispered, “I put the fear in him. He thinks he’s gonna hang.”

  Grandpa Hutch and the sheriff shook hands. “I’ll take it from here,” Hutch added. “looks like he took the time to get his money out of the bank. He has enough to get to Montana and start over.”

  Grandpa rode back to the ranch wondering exactly what he’d say to Wade and how Wade would react. Meanwhile, Wade sat in the barn trying to decide what to do. If the sheriff was right and Grace was home, Clay would kill him or at least try. He needed to get into the house to retrieve his belongings and clothes before he lit out, but where to go? He heard a horse ride up and stop. Wade backed into a darkened corner of the barn doing his best to hide.

  Grandpa flung the barn door open wide, “Wade,” he called. “I want you to come in the house. We have something to discuss.”

  From his dark corner, Wade responded, “No, Clay’s in there. I just want my clothes, and I’ll leave.”

  “I assure you no one in the house will speak to you. We need to discuss this matter in my office, now.” Grandpa said and turned his back to walk to the house.

  Wade silently followed him to the house and through the quiet rooms to his grandpa’s office.

  “Shut the door,” Grandpa said before sitting in his leather desk chair.

  Wade complied and sat in a chair across from his father. “Listen, Grandpa, I didn’t hurt her and never would. I made sure she was safe, and she’d come home as soon as the lawyer returned to draw up those papers. I didn’t know what to do when you said I wouldn’t inherit. I love this ranch, Grandpa, you know I do. It’s the Hutchison legacy.”

  “You love the prestige you think comes with ranch ownership. You hate the work. You’re lazy, and you drink too much. You have a beautiful wife and where do you go? To the saloon and that woman. You don’t deserve any of this. You deserve to be in prison, but the family is giving you a chance.”

  “What chance?” Wade asked crossing his arms and sinking back in the chair.

  “A chance to change and be the man you can be. You’re going to Montana to work for your father’s brother. I already sent the telegram. I saw you leave the bank, so I assume you took out your money. I want you on the next train out of Cheyenne heading north, and so does the sheriff. If you don’t, Grace will tell them what she knows. You owe her your life and should be grateful. Now, pack up and ride out. Cora left enough supplies for your trip to Cheyenne in a bag in the kitchen. You can buy more once you get there. Take your belongings and horse and leave.” Grandpa said with a determined look.

  “You’re tossing me out over that woman?” Wade spat.

  “She’s Clay’s wife, and if not for her you’d be in jail. On your trip to Montana, you should think about the gift of forgiveness she has given you.”

  Wade glared at his grandpa as he left the office and grandpa finally gave in to his emotion and let the tears slip from his eyes. He prayed asking God to soften Wade’s heart and help him grow. He also asked forgiveness for starting the trouble that led to Wade’s leaving, Grace’s abduction, and Elizabeth’s unhappiness. A few minutes later, he heard the back-door slam and Wade’s horse galloping off.

  Epilogue

  Three months later:

  The Hutchison sat down for Sunday supper and gave thanks. Grandpa Hutchison asked a special blessing for each member of his family.

  “We certainly had a productive summer,
” Grandpa began. “The ranch is doing well, and the family is happy. I’m not sure what else I could ask for.”

  “I agree, Grandpa,” Elizabeth said. “When I first stepped off the stage in town, I never thought I’d marry, receive an annulment, and be happy being an unmarried lady working for the seamstress in town, but I am.”

  Cora asked, “Could part of that happiness come from the letter you received from Chicago? I saw how you blushed when you read whatever Mason wrote.”

  Elizabeth laughed, “Don’t tease me or I’ll have to ask you about that dinner you had with Sheriff Glyson.”

  Cora blushed.

  Grandpa cleared his throat. “Now, now, girls, no fighting. We’re all happy and doing well. Doc says if I stay warm this winter I shouldn’t get sick again. I think I’ll take him upon it.”

  Clay who had been busy eating his roast and potatoes while listening said, “the more I care for the horses the less I want to ranch cattle. I wonder if e should switch.”

  “No,” Grandpa stated emphatically. “This will always be a cattle ranch. If you want to work with the horses, hire another hand or two to help with the cattle.”

  “I suppose that’ll work,” Clay said. “You wouldn’t mind?”

  “Not at all. I want you to be happy, Clay. After all we’ve been through we deserve happiness and I can’t imagine anything that would make life better.”

  “How about a great-grandbaby,” Grace asked smiling.

  The End

  Thank you for reading A Bride for Clay. A new book in the series will be released every two weeks. Watch for Elizabeth’s story in A Bride for Mason in mid-winter.

  If you have a free moment, I would love it if you could leave me a review. If helps me know what you liked or didn’t and how to improve my stories. You can find me on My Amazon Author Page, my website at mariannespitzer.com, and my Facebook author page. Thanks, and God bless.

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