Letter Perfect ( Book #1) (42 page)
“And that’s what I see in you. God leads you on a path that is unique, and you don’t just walk on it—you skip with joy. How anyone could fault you for that is beyond me.”
She parted her lips but said nothing. Finally, Ruth smiled. “Mama was right to listen to God and send me here. I’ve missed her terribly, but, several times now, God has given you the words that are a balm to my soul.”
“I’m glad you came, Ruth. No matter what happens, I won’t regret your coming to”—he caught himself just before he said
me
—“the Broken P.”
“Josh, you love your father. You’ve looked past his faults and wanted only the best for him. You followed the commandment to honor your father. Please don’t consider anything that’s happened as your fault.”
“You’ve got a forgiving heart, Ruth.”
“Those of us who manage to make a lot of mistakes learn to forgive freely. We know what a blessing it is when others follow the Lord’s example and forgive us.”
“Honey, for now my big concern is your safety. Hilda’s so excited about living here with you, I’d hate to ruin it, but you have to promise me you won’t ever eat or drink anything brought here. Only stuff Hilda serves at the table or whatever the O’Sullivans have. And I don’t ever want you alone.”
“I’ll keep your concerns in mind, Josh. I’ll be careful.” She waited a beat. “I’ll continue to wear my knife up my sleeve, and I’ll keep the muff pistol at my bedside. Only you and Laney know I can’t aim worth a hoot.”
“You had me calmed down a bit until you mentioned the pistol.”
“My hairbrush is heavy. It would make for a good weapon.”
“I noticed you were trying to use it as a hammer again. Why don’t I help you hang that picture?”
“We can’t. I don’t know where the needle went.” She rose.
Josh stooped and retrieved her brush.
“I’ll put that away.” She went into one of the bedrooms. Ruth mumbled to herself, then he heard a drawer slide open. “What is this?”
Ruth drew the envelope out of the drawer and turned it over. Bernadette’s familiar loopy script across the top read,
This came after
you left. Hadley and I thought you might want it
.
Josh called, “Ruth, are you okay? Is everything all right?”
She stared at the shakily written address.
Leticia Caldwell c/o Mr. Hadley
with her old address. In the upper left-hand corner the same handwriting simply read “Broken P.”
“Ruth?”
She stumbled toward the doorway and over to Josh. He met her in the middle of the room. Concern creased his handsome, tanned face. “What is it?”
“Someone from the Broken P wrote to my mother.” She showed him the envelope.
Josh’s hands braced her waist. “Here, honey. You need to sit down.”
Because she hadn’t wanted to struggle with hoops as she worked on the cottage, Ruth didn’t need to tame her skirts. Three rows of petticoats whooshed beneath her as she half-fell back into a chair.
Josh hadn’t turned loose of her but knelt just a little off to her left. “Do you need a little water? Smelling salts?”
“I’m a strong woman, Josh. There’s only been once in my life when I felt in the least bit swoony.” She tore her gaze from his and stared at the battered envelope. “What I just said might be a lie. Maybe I’m not very strong. Josh, I’m scared. What if my father wrote this?”
“I recognize the writing, Ruth.” He paused, then added quietly, “Your father addressed the envelope.”
“The stories you and Laney have told me about him made me grow to like him. If he wrote something unkind to Mama, I couldn’t bear it.”
“When I first met your father, he had a severe problem.”
She nodded. “Grandfather told me my father was a blackguard.”
“I’d never say he was a blackguard. He had a terrible problem with whiskey. Even then, when he’d imbibed quite freely, I never saw him get mean. Part of the deal I made when Dad and I bought into the partnership was that Alan had to cork the bottle. He struggled mightily, Ruth. I wouldn’t say otherwise—but your father had given his word, and he adhered to it. From the time he made the promise, he never again took so much as one sip.”
“He was honorable, then. That’s good to hear. But if he was principled, why would he ever send my mama away?”
“I don’t know for certain.”
Ruth sucked in as deep a breath as her stays permitted, then let it out. Whether Laney was right about Josh having more than just friendly feelings for her, Ruth didn’t know. What she was certain of, though, was that she wanted him to be here now. “Would you remain with me while I read it?”
“Of course I will. Let me move the lamp over here so you can read it more easily.” Josh rose, brought the lamp to her side, and put it down on the very table he’d delivered. July evening sun filtered in through the windows, but he still lit the lamp. Ruth wondered if he was trying to give her an opportunity to marshal her wits. As he pulled the other chair close to hers, he said, “I understand this is a private moment. You needn’t feel any pressure to share any of the contents with me.”
Ruth gathered her resolve and opened the envelope. She unfolded three sheets of paper. After moistening her lips, she read the date aloud.
Josh cleared his throat. “Ruth, your father fell into a coma that very day. These were his very last thoughts and words.”
Already nervous, that one last fact tipped her over the edge. She hiccupped.
Josh reached over and tilted her face up to his. “Ruthie, you don’t have to read it if you don’t want to. We can put the letter aside, or you can burn it. If reading this will upset you, you can simply ask me to make it disappear. I’ll honor your wishes.”
She shook her head. “No. I have to read this. I really do.”
Josh laid one big hand over the letter while his other hand continued to cup her jaw. He bowed his head. “Lord, come join us. Prepare Ruth’s heart for whatever is written in this letter and equip us for what lies ahead. We ask this in Jesus’ precious name, amen.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. She took another slow breath and realized her hiccups were gone.
Josh removed his hand and she looked down at the page. “‘My dearest Leticia,”’ Ruth looked back up at Josh. “He still held feelings for her?”
“Yes, I believe he did. The one possession he treasured was his cigarette case. Until her letter came, saying you were to arrive, I hadn’t known Alan’s wife’s name. From the inscription on the inside of the case, I knew it was from her.”
“That cigarette case is the one you asked someone to test to see about poison?”
“Sadly enough, yes. As soon as this whole mess is over, I’ll make sure you get it.”
“No. I have no need for such a thing. With everything that’s gone bad, I want you to have a memento.”
“That’s mighty sweet of you, Ruth. I’d treasure it, but if you change your mind, I’ll understand.”
She looked back down. “I don’t want to read his words just to myself. Do you mind if I read them aloud?”
“I’m honored that you want to share this with me.”
Ruth blinked and promised herself she would make it through the whole letter without crying. She started reading the spidery script.
“My dearest Leticia,
A gentleman came to the Broken P. I ascertained his services had been engaged by a Mr. Hadley to make inquiries about me. A very discreet individual, he would say nothing more about his task. I assumed Mr. Hadley had undertaken this on your behalf.
My wife, you were all a man could ever pray for in a mate. It is to my everlasting shame that I was not the husband you deserved. For selfish reasons, I would have kept you by my side all these years; but I could not. I sent you away in hopes that you would not bear the brunt of my weakness for the bottle. Very belatedly, I beg your forgiveness.
A young man named Joshua came into my life and with a mixture of impressive kindness and indomitable spiritual strength, he showed me God was far greater than my problem. In giving my heart over to the Lord, I found the strength necessary to eschew my weakness. Unfortunately, by then, it had been so many years since you’d left—a whole lifetime that could not be recaptured. My sins, though forgiven by the Almighty, still carried consequences. I’d lost the only woman I ever loved.
The agent left, and months went by. A man by the name of Hadley sent me a short note. He said it was with your consent. In it, he revealed that you’d borne me a child—a delightful daughter. From the date of the birth he listed, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ruth is ours—yours and mine. For all the grief I put you through, it humbles and gladdens me to know you’ve said you’d have married me again—knowing the pain I would cause you—just to be gifted with such a loving, enchanting daughter.
Were my health better, I would travel to you. As it is, I pray you might consider coming west to permit me the honor of your presence and the joy of meeting our daughter. All I have is at your disposal.
Yours most humbly and sincerely,
Alan”
Slowly, Ruth folded the papers and tucked them into the envelope. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry you never met him. Alan was a wonderful man. I hope you take heart in what he said, though—that your mother cherished you and spoke so lovingly of you, and your father longed to claim you as his daughter.”
Ruth looked at Josh. “Can you believe this? It’s a treasure, Josh. God sent this to me as a gift, proof that my daddy cared.”
“Yes, He did. I’m sure, had Alan not fallen into that coma, he would have told us all about you.” Josh nodded. “And he would have wanted to provide for your future, Ruth. That letter is more than sufficient proof for your claim.”
“I don’t care about that, Josh. Truly, I don’t. My father credits you with leading him to the Lord. That is priceless. Though God will reward you in heaven, I want to show my appreciation. I want you to have my share of the Broken P.”
“Ruth, leading your father to the Lord was a privilege. The thirst that once held him in bondage turned into a thirst for God. He blessed me constantly by sharing his insights and quoting a verse that applied to something we were dealing with.
“All along I’ve said we needed to settle the will according to what Alan would have wanted. That letter tells me very clearly how he felt. Your generous spirit is incredible, but we ought to respect your father and abide by his wishes.”
“Josh, if I sign over my share to you, you’ll still command control over the ranch.”
“First off, I’d enjoy having you as my partner.”
Ruth stared at him. “Are you running a fever? Were you out in the sun too long today?”
Josh chortled. “I’m fine. After being around you, I’ve learned life is a lot more than saddles and grit. I got so entrenched in making my way through each day, I didn’t pause to appreciate what surrounded me. God’s used you to open my eyes.”
“I’ve never received a finer compliment. Thank you.” She waited a moment, then mused, “Even if I want to make a gift to you, I have to legally pursue my inheritance. If I withdraw the claim, your father will still have equal footing with you.”
“That’s true.”
“Oh, I apologize! I’m so sorry, Josh. I didn’t mean—” Ruth groaned.
“You haven’t offended me. What are you upset about?”
“I didn’t want you to infer that I was saying your father is your equal in any way. When it comes to integrity, intelligence, and character, you stand head and shoulders above him.”
The corners of his mouth tightened.
“I haven’t been around many men, Josh.” She decided to be bold. “Of any of the men I’ve ever known, none could compare to you when it comes to your sense of ethics or the way you walk with the Lord. At times when I’ve been upset, you’ve held me up in prayer and lent me your strength. Please know how deeply I admire you.”
Josh stared at her in silence. Ruth wished she could tell what he was thinking.
Then again, maybe I don’t
.
“Let me escort you back to the house.” He stood, helped her rise, and blew out the lamp.
Tucking the letter up her sleeve, Ruth sought to change the topic. “What do you think of the cabin now?”
“I think Hilda will love living out here.”
“I agree,” McCain said from the front step.
M
cCain invited himself in. Crossing the threshold, he looked around the dim room. “I would have never imagined this place could look so inviting. You’ve done a wondrous job, my dear.”
“Thank you,” Ruth murmured, wondering how long he’d been standing there.
Intent as I was telling Josh how I felt, I didn’t pay any
attention. I’ve had the creepy feeling that someone has been following me, watching
me. It’s McCain
. Josh moved so close to her just then that she could feel the tension singing through his muscles.
McCain drew nearer. His eyes narrowed. “Have you been weeping, Ruth?”
She nodded.
“I understand. Seeing all of these lovely belongings probably made you homesick.” He patted her arm.
Ruth wanted to jerk back and rub away his touch.
“My, my. If I’m not mistaken, that chair is a Chippendale. So is the highboy.” McCain walked away and stood directly in front of the furniture. “Exquisite work. Flame mahogany and those wonderful cabriole legs.” He patted the front of the highboy just as he had patted her arm—a possessive move that made her shiver. As he continued to stare at the piece he said, “You must be relieved that the shipment arrived. Quality like this is unmistakable and worth a small fortune.”