A Gathering of Memories (36 page)

It was a large group that headed for Larry Brooks’ land the next morning. Mr. Brooks, Silas, Ross, Mandy, Carrie, and Rufus, Baxter’s sheriff. All gathered at the designated spot a little before eight o’clock.

The sky was clear and the snow not too deep. But the air was frigid so everyone was bundled to their eyes in an effort to keep out the cold.

By unspoken consent Mandy led the way. Her memory was keen and with very little searching she took the group down a snowy path that led between the rocks.

“Mandy,” came Carrie’s muffled voice as she clutched at her sister’s coat, excitement surging through her as she recognized her surroundings.

The group came to a silent halt in a small clearing, and solemnly watched as the girls gazed at the rock they hadn’t seen for years.

A near-perfect butterfly with outstretched wings greeted their eyes. The ledges kept the snow blocked and all but one corner of the wings showed perfectly.

Both girls felt tears sting their eyes, and their mittened hands met. The years slipped by in their minds and they were once again little girls on a summer picnic with Mama and Pa at their family’s secret spot.

Mandy’s memory was serving her well and she moved, almost instinctively, around the side of the rock to a good-sized opening. She had just ducked her head to enter when a hand stopped her.

“Mandy, I wanted to remind you of what I said as I left last night. This is my land, but whatever you find in that cave is yours. Just as your father would have wanted.”

“Thank you, Mr. Brooks.”

“Amanda.” Ross’ voice stopped her when she turned again to enter the cave. “I’ll go first.”

Mandy didn’t object. Ross, Silas, and Mandy entered the cave and stood quietly out of the wind waiting for Silas to light the lantern. He turned it high and stared at the illuminated cavern, about 15 feet wide and as yet, impenetrably dark at the back. Silas started forward.

Five minutes later the three of them exited the cave, Silas carrying a small chest.

“Look what we’ve found!” Silas exlcaimed. “The cave looked empty at first, but Ross spotted some loose rock on the floor. Right above it was a small ledge cut into the cave wall.”

Mr. Brooks was holding a shovel that Silas had brought along. He handed it to Rufus, who used the handle to pound the lock. The wind had picked up and even though the clearing was sheltered, it whistled and whipped above them in an eerie whine.

Again, by an unspoken vote, Mandy took the lead. She removed the lock, flipped the catch, and opened the lid. The group stood speechless. The small chest was laden with pouches. The top of one pouch was open and the group stared in silent fascination at the sparkling nuggets and dust. Gold!

Mandy’s hand moved out to pull at some papers at the edge of the chest. She and Carrie looked at them before passing them to Ross and Silas.

“They’re claim deeds. One in your father’s name and one in Aaron Marks’ name.”

“And look here,” Ross added. “Marks’ is stamped worthless.”

“I’ll take that.” The group turned as one at the sound of Aaron Marks’ voice. He held a rifle and Rufus’ own gun was
out before anyone could blink. Ross and Silas simultaneously reached for the girls and pushed each behind them.

“We don’t want any trouble, Marks,” Ross told him, never once taking his eyes from the gun or the man holding it.

“Then what are you doing on my land?”

“It’s not your land,” Larry Brooks spoke up. “And I can prove it.”

“You’ll get your chance, but not out here and not with guns.” Rufus’ tone was firm, almost angry.

Everyone watched Marks for his decision on the sheriff’s words. They were all surprised when he nodded and led the way back to the wagon and horses.

“You mean it’s really ours?” Levi asked in shock.

“Yes, it’s ours. Silas put it all in the bank,” Carrie answered as she stood by the bed, where a pale Mandy, who was drained of all energy and thought, lay.

“I was so worried when you were gone all that time,” Amy added as she put her arm around Silas. “I was afraid something like this might happen.”

“I’m just sorry it had to end the way it did. It really looked as if Marks was going to be reasonable, but when he realized the gold wasn’t his, he went for his gun. It was hidden up his sleeve.”

Amy bent over Mandy’s bed with a quilt in her hand. “Maybe if I took your shoes off you could sleep.”

“I don’t want to sleep. Every time I close my eyes I can see that gun pointed at me.”

The scene played again in Carrie’s mind—the papers on Ross’ desk, the men discussing everything so calmly, and then Mr. Marks getting furious. Before anyone could move, a gun appeared in his hand. He shouted something at Mandy about
it being her fault. The bullet would have caught her in the chest if Ross had not thrown himself at her and moved them both out of the way. The sheriff’s gun was out in the next instant and Mr. Marks crumpled to the floor.

Silas had left everything in Ross’ hands then, bringing his girls directly home.

Mandy’s room emptied a little while later, but sleep did not come. “It’s over now,” her heart spoke to the Lord. “Thank You for taking care of us.”

Mandy eventually drifted off to sleep with verses about God’s protective care moving gently through her mind.

“Welcome back.” Ross’ deep voice was quiet as he watched Mandy open her eyes. She turned her head on the pillow to see him sitting beside her bed.

Unbidden, tears filled her eyes, and her hands came up to cover her face. Ross was instantly beside her, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed and taking her in his arms.

“Oh Ross, Ross,” was all she could say, and he felt her tremble. His own heart was none too steady when he again envisioned the gun pointed at her.

“I keep seeing it,” she finally said.

“I do, too.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Ross continued to hold her until someone’s steps were heard in the hall. Mandy tried to get up when Mr. Brooks stuck his head in the door.

“No, no, stay where you are. I’ve just come to say good-bye and thank you for all you did.”

“Thank me?” Mandy questioned him. “I didn’t do anything, Mr. Brooks. I should be thanking you.”

“Well, let’s just say I admire your courage, Mandy, and I’m glad we’re neighbors once again.”

He was gone with those words, and Ross smiled at her surprised look. “He told me he hoped his own daughters would grow to be half as lovely and sweet as you and Carrie are.”

“Oh!” Mandy was speechless.

“Now,” Ross said firmly, “are you up to hearing a little story?”

“Sure, I guess so.” She eyed Ross almost warily as he moved to the middle of the room and caught her eyes with his own.

“My story is about a boy who had a woman come into his life, a woman who was a few years older than he was. Well, this boy was sure he was in love with that woman. But she wasn’t the one for him. Instead she introduced him to the greatest love of all—Jesus Christ. The boy was hungry to be loved by God and know Him personally, and he reached out and was saved by grace.

“Then a miraculous thing happened—the boy had a chance to lead a girl to the Lord, a girl he’d cared about for a long time. The boy thought his life was complete. He knew Christ and this special girl knew Christ. It seemed a perfect match.

“But it wasn’t what God intended for the boy, and as the boy grew into manhood God asked him to move away from home and practice law in Baxter.

“He obeyed God and moved, believing as he did that he’d seen it all. But then he looked into the hazel eyes of a small brunette and realized he hadn’t seen anything.

“The man found those eyes haunting him—he saw them day and night. The man leaned on God for strength, and God was his support. Then, miracle of miracles, the woman with the hazel eyes came to know Christ. But life was still not complete.

“So afraid of making a mistake, this man held back and hurt the woman he loved. The woman he
now
knows he’s supposed to marry.”

Mandy’s eyes had grown quite round, and she pushed herself back against the headboard. She watched Ross draw a gold chain from his breast pocket as he came to sit beside her on the bed.

“Amanda, will you please take this man? This man who loves you from the very depths of his soul?”

Mandy didn’t look at the chain, or the lovely heart and pearl. Her eyes were locked with those of the most precious man on earth. Her hands came up and gently cradled his face. With loving fingertips she traced his cheeks and spoke in a whisper.

“Yes, Ross, I’ll take this man.”

They leaned toward each other and shared a soft kiss. Mandy’s eyes were wet, and she could feel Ross’ heart pound.

“You’re supposed to notice the necklace,” he teased, his voice not quite steady.

“It’s beautiful,” she answered still looking at him. “Just beautiful.”

Cameron
Family Reunion
August 1896

“Dad!” seven-and-a-half-year-old Becca called to Silas as she approached.

“What is it? Becca?”

“Eliza says I’m not an aunt. I am too an aunt, aren’t I, Dad?”

“Yes, honey, you are. Mandy’s baby is your niece.”

“I told her so,” Becca said with satisfaction. Mark, who was listening nearby, followed to have a talk with his daughter. Silas went back to his conversation with his sister-in-law, Abby.

“Amy and I have talked about visiting Bayfield, and I know we will. Has the church really doubled?”

“Yes, it has. Some weeks Paul cries tears of joy as he looks out over those full pews. I—” tears flooded Abby’s eyes and Silas touched her shoulder in understanding. Paul and Abby’s twin girls ran by then, followed closely by their brother Timothy.

“I’m in the same condition, Abby,” Silas spoke again. “Levi and Clovis spent most of the summer with Amy’s dad in Neillsville. They both came back having made decisions for Christ. Becca made a decision last year. Now all five of my—” his voice broke.

“Amy told me.” Abby was barely able to get the words out.

Paul came over then and took the baby from her arms. He easily guessed what they were discussing when he saw his wife’s and brother’s tears.

“I hate to interrupt, Red, but it’s our turn with the photographer.”