Turner's Vision (26 page)

My Dearest Little One,

I hate to leave you this way, but I must go. There are too many lives at stake for me to stay. You know as well as I, that Stephen is an evil that must be stopped before he hurts anyone else. I pray that I am not too late to prevent any further harm from happening to my sister.

I have asked Cain to watch over you. Should you or either of the boys need anything, please get in touch with him.

If you aren’t able to reach him, then send word to Nathan in Doverton, Colorado. He’ll be able to find me.

I’ll miss you all very much, but you know this is for the best. Tell the boys to make me proud, and to help you as much as they can.

They both asked me if I thought you would mind them calling you ma. I told them they might as well, since you were already their mother.

Try not to hate me too much for leaving you like this. I’m taking the memories of our last night with me to help keep me warm. You did me a great honor by becoming my wife. And even though we had such a short time together, I feel as if we were together a lifetime.

Micah

She prayed God would watch over him and Noah as they traveled after Stephen and Julia. Knowing firsthand their treachery, she wouldn’t rest until her husband was back, safe and sound. There was little she could do to help them, so her prayers would have to suffice.

Done with her tears, she folded the letter, slipping it under her pillow to read again when she needed to be close to Micah. She climbed out of bed, determined to be productive. First, she’d see to Adam to make sure his fever was indeed under control. Then she planned to see her solicitors. She wanted to be ready to move her family out west as soon as Micah returned.

The idea of being out in the country near Laura put extra spring into her step. She slipped on a white shirtwaist and brown skirt, making a mental list of the things she’d take with her from her room. She wondered how much furniture Micah had and if the cabin had more than one room. If there was a loft, the boys would be delighted to sleep there.

Maybe she could leave things here in Washington, close the house up until she knew exactly what they needed. Then she’d arrange for her solicitors to ship them to her.

Her plan of action decided, she ran the brush through her hair and thought about Micah’s son, Hank. Even though the boy thought of himself as Micah’s half brother, and despite the years of separation, Micah was proud of the young man his son had become. She wondered how tied to the land in Georgia the boy truly was. Perhaps she could extend an invitation to him to travel out west with them.

If they spent some time together perhaps Micah would reveal to Hank their true relationship. Even if he never did, they could still develop a stronger tie. She set the brush aside and headed downstairs. Perhaps she’d ask Robert what he thought about Micah and Hank.

Stopping at Adam’s door, she discovered him sitting up in the bed, playing a one handed game of soldiers with Joey. His face was still pale, but the flush of the fever was gone.

He’d be all right.

She watched the boys play, knowing she would always thank the day they had come to live with her. Having them here had given her life a sense of purpose.

“Mornin’, Ma.” Joey hesitated slightly in his greeting, waiting to see if she approved of their decision to call her their ma.

“Good morning to you both.” Claudia smiled at the new title. She sat on the bed next to her sons. “You’re both up early today.”

“It’s after noon already.” Both boys laughed at her surprise.

“It is? Why didn’t anyone wake me?”

“Because Micah told us to let you sleep as long as you wanted.” Joey went back to attacking Adam’s left flank.

“You saw him before he left?” Claudia tried to hide her jealousy.

“No. He left us notes. He said he had to go find the rest of the crums who shot me. And he asked us to take care of you for him.”

Adam maneuvered half of his center troops around to help protect his flank.

“Then I’m glad you did what he asked. Now, how are you feeling today?”

She felt his head. Cool. Dry.

“Hungry. Henderson only let me eat three bowls of oatmeal this morning.” Adam counterattacked on Joey’s central column. “What’re we having for dinner?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps chicken soup and fresh bread would be in order. What do you think?” She returned their enthusiastic smiles. “Good. I’ll ask Robert to make some for you. Then I think we have some important business to discuss.”

“What kind of business?” Joey finally conceded defeat, concentrating his attention on Claudia, instead.

“The business of moving west with Micah, when he returns.”

“Yippee!”

“Hooray!”

“Don’t get too carried away. It could be months before he gets back.” She left the room in search of Henderson, leaving the boys to dream and plan about their future.

* * * * *    

Over the next four weeks the weather started to warm up slightly for late March in the east. Wet streets replaced the layers of snow as days of endless rain consumed the city. The damp gray gloom matched Claudia’s mood. She tried not to worry about Micah and the danger he was in by filling her days with preparations for their future.

She’d arranged for the closing of her house and the shipping of her favorite belongings to Colorado. She had warm coats sewn for the boys, herself and Henderson. Numerous pairs of denim pants were made for both boys and Henderson, who had decided to follow his dream of becoming a rancher in the west. Claudia also had herself fitted for more sturdy dresses and skirts. Many of her city clothes would not suit her new life in the mountains.

Adam had finally been allowed to begin using his arm again. The muscles had gone stiff with the limited use, and the boy suffered some pain at regaining their motion. Claudia sympathized with his anguish, even as she did the exercises the doctor prescribed. Despite the moaning and tears Adam displayed, she insisted he continue until the arm gained its full function again.

One morning, Henderson took the boys to the market, leaving Claudia at home packing boxes of her father’s books to donate to Mr. Goldberg’s library. He’d love the diverse subjects of her father’s collections, including those on politics, finance and treaty alignments. Claudia considered them all dry reading and was glad she wouldn’t be taking them with her to Colorado.

Smiling, she thought of the many fine prose and fictional works she’d already sent to Laura to hold for her. Laura’s enthusiastic telegram stating their arrival drew a smile from Claudia. Laura would use the books to pass the time until they were once again together. Then Claudia knew they’d fight over who would keep which ones.

The doorbell brought Claudia from her reflections. Brushing her dusty hand across her apron, she went to answer the door.

“Hello,” she said, greeting a tall man with dark-brown hair. He was dressed in a fine black linen suit and stood behind a very small, blonde woman with sparkling blue eyes. She was also dressed in a formal traveling suit. Claudia didn’t recognize either one. “May I help you?”

“We wish to speak with Mrs. Claudia Turner.” The man’s deep voice and somber attitude made Claudia wary.

“I am she. Please come in.” She stepped back to allow them entrance to her home. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“I’m Neil Cantrell and this is my wife, Elizabeth.”

“Oh, you’re Laura’s in laws.” Claudia relaxed slightly, smiling in welcome. “Please do come into the parlor. Have you heard from Laura?” Then a worry entered her mind as she took in the man’s continued stern countenance and their somber apparel. “Laura is all right, isn’t she?”

“Oh, yes, my dear,” the smaller woman rushed to reassure her from her perch on the settee. “Everyone is just fine out in Colorado.”

“That’s wonderful.” Claudia couldn’t help smiling at the woman, who reminded her of a little round canary with her dainty, yet plump, size, her bobbed yellow hair and almost twittering mannerisms. “I thought for a moment you were here to tell me some awful news.”

“We are here on some rather important business, Mrs. Turner.” Neil Cantrell sat in the chair opposite Claudia, with a mixture of business composure and something Claudia felt was almost sadness. “You see, Micah stopped by to see me on his way out west.”

His words and odd expression brought the wave of dread slamming back into her chest, harder than before. “He did?” A small buzz began in Claudia’s ears.

“He asked me to handle a very delicate matter for him. You see…er…he has come to the conclusion that he has placed you and your family in danger, and wishes to right the situation before any further peril might befall you.”

“The situation?” The buzzing grew louder.

“He asked me to draw up papers that he believes would ensure your safety.” Neil began pacing the room. “Once you’ve signed them, he is convinced his family and any of their conspirators will be prevented from harming any of you again.”

“Papers, Mr. Cantrell?” Claudia was having trouble watching him pace back and forth. She wished the man would stand still. It was difficult to concentrate on his words and fight the loud buzzing in her ears.

Neil stopped right in front of her. “Micah wishes to grant you a divorce, Mrs. Turner.”

The room became very bright. A deep heat rushed through her. The buzzing drowned out all further sound and finally darkness swallowed her.

* * * * *    

The buzzing grew faint in Claudia’s ears. A cool cloth was placed on her forehead. Strange, unrecognizable voices argued quietly above her. She listened to them as she tried to regain her senses.

“I told you to be tactful, dear.” A feminine voice spoke.

“I was being tactful, Beth.”

“I meant tactful with a young wife, not a room full of board members for a law firm. You just don’t blurt out the words,
Your husband wishes to grant you a divorce.
I could tell she was going to faint by the way she lost all her color during your speech. You should’ve watched her more closely.”

“Dammit, Beth. You know I’m not very good at handling these types of things. That’s why I brought you along.”

“Shh. I think she’s coming around.”

Claudia blinked her eyes to adjust to the light in the room, taking in the couple before her. As her mind cleared she remembered greeting them at her door.

The woman smiled hesitantly. “You’re back with us. Would you like to sit up now?”

“I…I believe so.” Claudia put her hand behind her to push herself up against the pillows. The sudden movement caused her to close her eyes until her equilibrium returned.

“Take it easy.” The man behind her helped to steady her. “Would you like a glass of water?”

“Yes…yes, I would.” Claudia opened her eyes, appreciating the fact that her world had stopped spinning. “The kitchen is that way.” She directed the man who was already headed out of the room.

“Neil found it earlier when I sent him for a cool cloth. You gave the poor man such a fright.” The small, round woman giggled as she watched her husband disappear. “He never was much good with swooning females.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I’ve never fainted in my life, Mrs. Cantrell.” Claudia slowly eased herself further up on the settee.

“Please call me Beth, Claudia.” Beth Cantrell leaned forward to take her hand, all amusement gone from her face. “You were given quite a shock. I would’ve been surprised if you hadn’t fainted. You do remember what happened, don’t you?”

Claudia closed her eyes, thinking back over the earlier incident. Neil had said that Micah wanted to protect her, and was therefore giving her a divorce. “Yes, I do.”

“Here you are, Mrs. Turner.”

She looked up to see Neil handing her a glass of cool water. She sipped it and allowed herself time to adjust to the news.

He began pacing again. “I’m sorry the purpose of our business has caused you such distress, but I did feel you should hear the news in person. I also wanted to take the time to explain Micah’s request to your full understanding.”

“Neil, dear,” his wife interrupted his speech. “Let’s leave the terms until we find out how Claudia feels about all of this.” She turned to see what Claudia was going to say.

Claudia thought for a moment, letting her thoughts roam as they may. She felt the hurt through to her core. Knowing she was no great beauty had kept her from becoming involved with any man all her life. Then a whirlwind named Micah Turner swept into her life, changing her status as a spinster and a virgin. He introduced her to passion, teaching her more than her body had ever thought possible. He taught her to trust a man, something she thought never to do. Now, in the space of an afternoon, he was attempting to destroy that trust.

Even though our time together was short, I feel as if it were a lifetime.

Those were his words, and he’d been saying farewell—not just goodbye.

The more she thought, the faster her hurt turned to anger.

How dare he?
He was doing it again, making decisions regarding her and her family, without ever taking her feelings into consideration. Not only that, he was running away. He wasn’t going to give her family a chance to hurt him as his family had. No, he’d leave them first.

Well, not this time.

“I’ll tell you how I feel, Beth.” She pushed herself up to a full sitting position, her indignation taking over. “I’m incensed. How dare Micah decide for me what would be best for me and my sons, without ever once asking me what I thought about his plan? And he’s not going to get away with it.”

“Good.” Beth nodded her agreement.

“What?” Neil stared at both women.

“I said good,” Beth repeated for her befuddled husband. “She shouldn’t let him get by with running away.”

“He’s not running away, Beth. He’s trying to protect her and her sons from any further danger.”

“Hogwash.” Beth turned to smile at Claudia, adding conspiratorially, “We both know what he’s doing, don’t we, dear?”