Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage Agreement\Cowgirl for Keeps\The Lawman's Redemption\Captive on the High Seas (62 page)

Cold, even for Jasper.

“Won't Emma Jane miss them?”

Jasper shook his head. “Doubtful. When we were stuck in the mine, Emma Jane made it clear that she wanted nothing more than to be free of her controlling mother. That's why she pursued me so fiercely. To think I pitied her.”

“Now you'll have to pity yourself.”

Finally, a grin tugged at the side of Jasper's mouth. “You're telling me. I plan on staying as far away from the in-laws as possible. Which means...”

Will knew that gleam in his friend's eye. It had gotten Will into a number of scrapes when they were in Denver, and it had popped up lately when they spoke of Ben.

“I can't have a married man endanger himself by chasing down a gang that's not afraid to shoot to kill. I was fortunate to survive.”

The grin faded from Jasper's face. Finally the other man saw some sense.

“Even if the man Mary's sister ran off with is Ben Perry?”

It was like being gut-shot all over again.

Of course the savvy Jasper had put two and two together as Mrs. Logan had gleefully shared Mary's family shame. Ben would do anything to get what he wanted, even if it meant taking advantage of a good woman like Mary. And if Mary wasn't available, her sister.

Will had done it again. He'd allowed his focus on a woman to get in the way of pursuing a case.

Worse, another innocent woman's life was ruined because Will hadn't found a way to put Ben behind bars.

“How bad is it?” Will finally asked, ignoring the tightness in his chest.

“Mr. Logan said that Rose ran off with Ben and they're living in sin above The Pink Petticoat. Pastor Lassiter tried to get her to come home, but Rose says she's in love, and she and Ben are going to get married.”

At least they weren't married yet. The very worst thing for Rose would be marrying the scoundrel. Sure, her reputation would suffer for her mistake in allowing herself to be taken in by Ben, but it would be far better than being chained to him for the rest of her life.

Hopefully, he could convince both the good pastor and the aspiring bride of the fact. Not to mention the bride's sister.

Mary had been willing to risk her own life to marry Ben to protect her family, but would she force an innocent girl down that path?

No. Mary had seemed horrified at the idea of Emma Jane being forced to marry Jasper. And she'd seemed horrified at the idea of a future with Ben.

Maybe now, Mary would be willing to help him.

He just wouldn't allow himself to get caught up in feelings for her. She wouldn't distract him from his primary purpose—taking down Ben Perry.

They'd save her sister, find a way to get Ben in jail, and then Will would walk away. No attachments, no hard feelings. Ben Perry had ruined the last life he was going to ruin.

Chapter Fourteen

T
he wagon jostled along the still-muddy ruts of the road, preventing Mary from any coherent thought.

Why had Mary been so selfish as to think that she could have some time away from home? Why had she forsaken her family for a friend? She'd been utterly useless in helping Emma Jane out of her situation, but perhaps if she'd only gone home with Polly, this crisis would have been averted.

“It's going to be okay,” Will said softly as he scooted next to her. “I'm going to do my best to get your sister safely home. Jasper has promised to help.”

Mary didn't look at him. “There's not much you can do if she's already ruined. I should have been there.”

“And done what? If Ben's as determined to get at your family's fortune as he seems to be, you'd be ruined in her place.”

This time, she stared at him. “Which would have been my due, for introducing that serpent into my family's bosom. I made poor judgment in associating with Ben, and for all of my mistakes in dealing with him. Rose is innocent.”

But as she protested Rose's innocence, she couldn't help but remember the sting of Rose's hand across her cheek. Though it certainly was Mary's due, such actions were completely unbecoming of the kind of women they were brought up to be.

“Rose is capable of making her own decisions.” Will's jaw set firm as he stared at her.

A thought Mary had also had. The other, more sinister, reason lurked in the shadows of her mind. “What if she's not with Ben of her own accord?”

Her question silenced Will, as though he'd also thought of that possibility. Everyone, it seemed, knew what a bad man Ben Perry was. So how was it that she could have been so easily duped by him in the first place?

“The account Jasper heard would indicate she was with him willingly. But I suppose we won't know for sure until we are there and learn the truth for ourselves.”

Truth was miles away, leaving Mary too much time to consider and think the worst.

“I know you don't like me asking, but maybe it's time you told me the full details of your involvement with Ben. There might be something in your story that can help your sister.”

Though Will's voice was gentle, it threatened to rip out her very soul. Yes, she'd planned on coming clean to Frank and asking for his guidance. But that was before her sister had run away with Ben. What had Ben told Rose? What was Ben using to hold her? And what could Mary say that would gain her sister's freedom?

Things she didn't know until she understood Rose's situation for herself.

“There isn't anything to tell. I met him in Ohio. We had a secret romance. I thought he loved me. He asked me to run away with him, but I wasn't able to abandon my family obligations.”

All true. The barest of facts. Scarcely scraping the surface of how deeply Mary had almost betrayed her family for love. Not almost. Had. Her family would be better off now had Mary only done the deed and run off with Ben.

“Why the scathing letter? Why the refusal to pick up where you left off when he announced your engagement?”

Those were the truths she couldn't share with Will. Only the excuse she'd given at the church. “Because I'd come to realize the importance of my faith. Despite his words at the church, I know Ben doesn't share my faith.”

A lump formed in Mary's throat. How important to her was her faith, really? As much as she said that she put it at the forefront of her life, it seemed that most of the time, her faith was more of an afterthought than anything.

Even now, in the midst of this trial, Mary's faith had been lacking. Though she knew it was wrong, she still found it hard to accept that the Lord would forgive her actions. What more could she do to make things right?

Will squeezed her hand. “It's okay, Mary. I won't judge you. You can tell me what happened with you and Ben, even if you think your actions compromised your faith. We serve a forgiving God.”

She yanked her hand away. “I did not compromise myself with Ben.”

Of all the horrible things to insinuate. Just because her sister had deemed it wise to visit a house of ill repute with the man didn't mean that Mary had made the same mistake.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you did.” Will sighed. “I just know how sometimes we do things that we don't mean to, thinking that we're doing the right thing. A little lie here, or hiding the truth...”

Silence filled the space between them. She'd done those things. Will knew it. Everyone knew it. Would she feel better confessing it? Perhaps. But not to Will.

He cleared his throat. “Again, I apologize. I'm just as much a sinner as you are. I have no particular knowledge of any sins you might be guilty of. I was trying to be helpful, and I had the opposite effect. So whatever it is that you feel guilty about, I hope you know that if you talk to God and confess your sins, He is quick to forgive.”

Mary wished it were so simple. The trouble with confessing and even receiving the Lord's forgiveness was that none of it changed the mess you'd made of your life in the meantime. It didn't fix the lives you'd ruined and the people you'd hurt.

The compassion in Will's eyes was genuine. For a moment, she could almost make herself believe that he understood. But he wouldn't understand the depths of what she'd done. Still, he didn't deserve her acting like a petulant child when he'd been trying so hard to be a good witness to her.

“Thank you, Will. I know you were trying to help. I appreciate your kind words, and I will think on them. If you don't mind, I'm going to spend some quiet time, doing what I should have done to begin with. I'm going to pray.”

Only, as she tried to form the words in her mind, they simply wouldn't come. Why would God aid her now, when her desire for Him was one of desperation and need? The Lord deserved better from her, and she prayed that she'd be able to be the kind of woman worthy of His regard. Especially in this matter. Rose shouldn't be the one to pay for Mary's sins.

* * *

Despite the rough roads, Will was pleased to see that they'd made good time heading back to town. As the wagon rolled down Harrison Avenue, nothing seemed to indicate it was anything but an ordinary day. He stole another glance at Mary, whose red eyes spoke of grief, though he knew she hadn't yet expressed it. He'd made a muck of things, trying to get her to talk to him. He'd like to say it was just as well, since the more time he spent with her, the more he found her to be an agreeable young lady of great moral—

What was he doing, letting his thoughts go that way? It did him no good to ponder Mary's finer qualities. She was a decent woman who didn't deserve the trouble her family faced.

Had Will done his job in putting Ben behind bars in the first place, none of this would have happened.

As they passed State Street, shots rang out in the distance. Everyone in the wagon jumped, and Will couldn't help but notice the deepening lines on her forehead. Someone so pretty shouldn't have to worry so much.

Will shook his head, trying to get whatever madness was inside to fall out. No one should have to worry like that, pretty or not.

“Looks like it came from The Brass Stallion,” Jasper said, looking past him to Mary.

“Is that near—” her voice dropped to a near whisper “—where my sister is?”

“The Pink Petticoat is several blocks away.”

Thankfully, Jasper's confident tone didn't reveal what both men knew. Mary's sister was still in a great deal of danger.

They turned toward the church and Pastor Lassiter's house, and Will steeled himself. He needed to be sure the other man knew the truth about Ben Perry. And even if the pastor were uncomfortable, Will had to see the case through.

The wagon had barely stopped before Mary jumped out and ran toward the house.

The door opened, and Pastor Lassiter stepped out, an older matron following quickly behind. While the moment should have been reserved for a more private reunion, they didn't have any time to waste.

“Mr. Lewis, I am much obliged to you for the ride into town as well as for your hospitality at the hotel. I'm sure you'll understand that I have to—”

Mr. Lewis waved him on. “Do what you have to do, son. We'll be praying for you.”

Will and Jasper climbed out of the wagon and followed Mary to the porch.

“You don't need to stay. I'll take it from here,” Mary said, her voice quivering.

Will gave her a hard look. “That's where you're wrong. You're no match for a man like Ben Perry. Jasper and I will go after him.”

Pastor Lassiter nodded slowly, looking at Will as if he was trying to size him up. Yes, they needed to talk.

Then the pastor turned his gaze to Jasper. “Aren't I performing your wedding ceremony this afternoon?”

The Logans sure didn't waste any time. Will glanced at his friend, who shrugged.

“I'll be there. Then I'll be back out helping Will.”

If Pastor Lassiter saw anything wrong with the situation, he didn't voice his opinion. A wise move, considering. Will had tried telling Jasper to take more time before marrying Emma Jane, but apparently this shotgun wedding was almost as literal as a man could take it.

Thoughts of his friend's impending nuptials reminded Will of the nuptials they had to prevent. A woman might think that losing her reputation was the worst thing that could happen, but truth was, marrying Ben Perry was a far worse fate.

Chapter Fifteen

T
he rumors were true. Every last one of them. Mary had hoped that at least some of the venomous words from Mrs. Logan were exaggerated, but if anything, the stories Mrs. Logan told were missing the worst of the details.

“I don't understand how this could have happened.” Mary sank into the comfortable sofa in Frank's study.

“You never told me he was a scoundrel.” Polly's voice rose above the noise in Mary's head.

Her fault. That was what Polly was saying. Polly was right. This was all completely Mary's fault.

“I was ashamed.” Mary looked at her lap, wishing she had a cup of tea so that she'd have something to do with her hands. This would have been so much easier had the room not been so full.

Frank, Maddie, Gertie, Polly, Will and even Jasper all stood around, discussing Rose's ruin, but only Polly had voiced the one truth they were all thinking.

Mary's shame had led to Rose's downfall.

Gertie sat beside Mary and took her hand. “He didn't—”

As the older woman's eyes searched her face, Mary turned away and refused to meet her gaze. “No. Ben took advantage of me in other ways.”

Even admitting she'd been taken advantage of was almost too much to bear.

“I can't see why Rose would...” Mary stared at the pattern on her dress. Her own dress, for the first time in days, and she couldn't enjoy it. Worse, she resented it. Because the time it had taken her to change and freshen up at Maddie's insistence was time wasted in getting her sister back.

“It's my fault,” Maddie said, her voice sounding almost as dull as Mary's heart felt. “I saw them embracing in the side yard, and I told Rose that if she was going to act like a doxy, they ought to go down to State Street.”

Maddie began sobbing. “I never meant for her to do it. I only thought to shock her into realizing the error of her ways.”

Unfortunately, the housekeeper had not yet learned that Rose would have taken such a taunt as a dare. But even Rose should have had more sense about things.

“It's not your fault.” Gertie got up and put her arm around Maddie, then looked around. “Nor is it anyone else in this room's fault. Rose has a brain, and she should have used it. There was something about Ben I didn't like from the moment he announced his engagement to our Mary.”

Though Gertie's words were meant to make everyone feel better, and they seemed to have calmed Maddie's hysterics, they did nothing to ease the ache in Mary's heart.

“I should have been more open with my sister,” Mary whispered, knowing that the failure to confide in Rose began a long time ago, for too many petty reasons she should have let go of years ago.

“As if Rose would ever listen to you.” Polly took the seat Gertie had vacated. “If you said something was black, Rose would say it was white, just to be contrary. When I got back, she was already batting her eyelashes at him, probably just for the thrill of stealing your beau.”

Which wouldn't have happened if Mary had made it clear that Ben wasn't her beau. Polly was right, though. Rose often wanted things simply for the sake of taking something from Mary.

“Assigning blame isn't going to solve anything.” Will's voice broke through the melancholy threatening to swallow Mary.

“The real question is, what are we going to do to get Rose back?”

Mary looked up, noticing the grim expressions on everyone's faces, her gaze landing on Frank, who wore the grimmest expression of all.

“I'm not sure that's possible. When I went to The Pink Petticoat to try to talk some sense into her...”

The poor man looked more uncomfortable than Mary had ever seen him. Which was saying a lot, since he often went to places like that to help the women get out of that profession.

“She was dressed like the worst of them, imbibing strong spirits and sitting on Ben's lap.” Frank coughed.

Mary didn't want the picture he was trying to avoid painting. But it came anyway, eating at Mary's soul. Would things be different had Mary been honest with Rose, back when Rose had a beau herself? Would they have shared confidences and been able to see the truth about the men they'd fallen for?

“All that matters,” Gertie finished for him, “is that Rose refuses to come home. I'm not sure there is anything we can do if she doesn't want to be here.”

A single tear trickled down Mary's cheek. After everything they'd been through as a family, now that things were finally going their way, Rose didn't want to be a part of the family. Where had Mary gone wrong?

“We can't let her stay there,” Mary said.

Polly snorted. “Why not? If that's where she wants to be, then let her stay at The Pink Petticoat. They'll be tired of her whining soon enough and send her packing.”

“Polly!” Gertie's tone was usually reserved for the younger children. But even Mary shrank back at the chastisement.

Mary had often wished for Rose to go somewhere far away. Had been impatient with Rose far too many times to count. Though Mary claimed to love her sister, the truth was, she hadn't treated her sister with very much love at all. Certainly Rose had always been difficult to love, but it didn't make her any less worthy of Mary's compassion.

Mary swallowed the lump in her throat. “Gertie's right. I know Rose has been difficult, but what have we given her in return? I hurt my sister with my secret romance and countless other things, I'm sure. But right now, she's hurting herself, even if she doesn't know it. We have to help her.”

Polly looked doubtful, and Mary didn't blame her. Rose had done a lot of awful things to Polly, like spilling things on Polly's dress or stealing her ribbons and being downright mean to her.

Mary thought of Emma Jane, who had been one of the most hated girls in town because of her sour attitude. Once Mary had gotten to know Emma Jane, she'd realized that Emma Jane was, in fact, a sweet woman who had been crushed by her circumstances.

Could Rose be the same?

* * *

Will had handled a lot of criminals in his day, but nothing caused him more fear than Mary Stone all riled up. Her face had turned a shade of red that wouldn't even be complementary to a beet.

“I'm sorry, Mary. I can't allow you to go with them.” Pastor Lassiter's voice was gentle, but it did nothing to ease the pinched look on Mary's face.

“She's my sister.”

Will met her glare with a hard one of his own. “And you're a lady. Ladies don't belong in brothels.”

“I visit Miss Betty's all the time.” Mary puffed up her chest and stuck out her chin as if she thought it made her look tougher.

Only it made her seem all the more vulnerable.

“You visit the parlor and kitchen during daylight hours,” Frank said calmly. “But The Pink Petticoat has no parlor. It's a saloon. I can't allow an impressionable young lady to go there.”

“It's also not safe,” Will added. “The men are all armed, and not one of them would stop someone trying to take advantage of you.”

“You'll be there to protect me.” Another stubborn lift of Mary's chin. Unfortunately, stubbornness got people killed. Or worse.

“I would try. But more likely than not, they'd just shoot me or knife me, and call it an accident. I'd be dead, and you'd be some man's—”

No way was he going to risk Mary like that.

He'd gladly take lead for her, but it wasn't going to be because she was too mule-headed to stay home where she belonged.

“We need to get ready for the wedding,” Gertie interrupted. She sent a glance in Jasper's direction. “Especially you. Why, you haven't even washed the trail dust off you.”

“Wasn't planning on it.” He gave Gertie the same kind of stubborn look Mary wore. Will wanted to laugh out loud at the two petulant children in the room, but that wouldn't have done anyone any good.

“I've never heard such foolishness.” Maddie reached forward and grabbed Jasper by the collar. “You're either going to go get yourself a bath and change your clothes, or Gertie and I are going to take you out back and scrub you down ourselves.”

A tiny smile broke through the clouds on Mary's face. The first smile he'd seen since she'd received confirmation of her sister's fate. Her loveliness further prodded him to keep her safe. He wouldn't have her sullied by being forced to confront the ugliness at The Pink Petticoat.

Jasper's scowl deepened as Mary's smile widened. “They'll do it, you know. Go, have a bath and change into something nice. Neither you nor Emma Jane may want this wedding, but don't go into it with such an ugly attitude. I know you don't deserve being forced into a marriage, but don't make it worse for Emma Jane by further humiliating her.”

The gentility in Mary's expression strengthened Will's resolve to bring Rose back safely. She'd defended Rose against Polly's attacks, just like she'd been defending Emma Jane. Neither woman likely understood what a faithful friend they had in Mary, but Will did. And even Jasper seemed to understand the implications of Mary's words.

Jasper nodded slowly. “You're right. I'm sorry. Emma Jane doesn't deserve further dishonor. I'll behave, I promise.”

Then he turned and looked at Will. “But I'm still helping get Rose back. I owe Mary for her friendship and wise counsel.”

Mary started to make a sound of protest, but Jasper kept her from speaking. “Don't bother. There's only so many fights you can win, and you've hit your limit.”

Then Jasper sobered. “Besides, I've courted a number of the young ladies in town, and not one of them deserves to be treated the way Ben Perry has treated your sister. If we don't stop him now, who's to say that he won't move on to the next victim? Men like him who take pleasure in hurting others won't quit unless someone stops him.”

Jasper was right. Ben wasn't going to stop with Rose. He hadn't stopped with Daisy, after all. Lord only knew who else Ben had hurt along the way. He thanked God that the damage to Mary had been minimal.

Gertie seemed just as determined to lighten the atmosphere in the room. “But first, we have a wedding to attend, and I expect that there will be nothing to ruin the happy occasion. Mary, I know you bathed and changed, but you could do with a prettier dress to brighten up the occasion.”

“What I'm wearing is fine.”

“Your brother put me in charge of this family while he and Annabelle are honeymooning, and I'm telling you that you will go change your dress. Despite everyone acting like they're about to attend a funeral, Mrs. Logan is billing this wedding as the social event of the season, and I'll not have it written up that one of our girls went dressed in rags.”

If it weren't for the absolute determination on the faces of both Gertie and Mary in this showdown, Will would have laughed at the absurdity of it all. Gertie was worried about a mention in the newspaper's social column over Mary's dress when they all should be worried about mention of Rose's new residence.

Or maybe that was Gertie's way of distracting Mary from the foolishness of thinking she could help with Rose's rescue.

Women. He'd never understand them, but at least in the battle of wills with Mary, he had a few allies he could count on.

Pastor Lassiter coughed, and Will turned his gaze to the other man long enough to catch his wink. He'd remain to talk to the older man alone.

As soon as the others left the room, Will turned to the pastor. “I'll find a way to leave them behind.”

“I'm counting on it.” Pastor Lassiter nodded slowly. “Jasper's father says that there's no better man for the job than you. You'll be in my prayers.”

Clearly the news of Will's downfall had not been passed on. “Sir, I appreciate your faith in me, but you've got to know—”

“Henry Jackson believes you were set up.”

Will let out a long breath. Of course Jasper's father would have good things to say.

“I've made my share of mistakes.”

“Of course you have.” The pastor gave a slow nod. “We all have. Which is why I'm grateful for a forgiving Lord.” Then his expression hardened. “What do you know of this Perry fellow?”

“There's no greater evil walking this town than Ben Perry. He was the mastermind behind the Century City bank robbery and, as far as I can tell, behind a lot of other crimes.”

Will neglected to mention Ben's propensity for harming women. The pastor didn't need to have more to worry about with Rose being in Ben's clutches.

“Sounds personal.”

The sympathy in the other man's voice was a balm to Will's soul. “My life was ruined because of that robbery. But many others have been harmed as well, and I won't rest until Ben is brought to justice.”

His words seemed to change the expression on the pastor's face. “Justice? Or vengeance?”

Will wasn't sure how to respond, but then the pastor continued.

“Don't fool yourself into taking a vengeful path. Vengeance turns a good man into the kind of man who needs taking down himself. We serve a good God, and even when our human plans fail, God will always prevail. Don't make the mistake of taking what is God's into your own hands.”

Easy enough for the pastor to say. Will had been asking for the Lord's assistance in the matter, and the Lord had not seen fit to step in and stop Ben. An evildoer like Ben Perry had to be stopped. If the Lord wasn't going to do it, well, Will was up for the challenge. He'd take care of Ben. No matter what the cost.