“I think that is great,” Royce whispered. He placed an arm around the shoulders of each girl.
Reverend Gaines stood in the doorway watching Royce and his daughters. He would never understand the female heart. Mr. Hargadon had brought havoc to his home yet all the women not only forgave him but took him into their hearts. Well, he was not so forgiving.
“Reverend Gaines,” Royce said. Reverend Gaines grudgingly shook Royce’s hand. “I have come on business.”
“Oh,” Reverend Gaines replied cautiously. “I understand dinner is ready. I suppose Faith has set another plate.”
“Yes Father,” Lydia replied. She took Royce’s hand and led him into the dining room. “Look who is here,” she announced gaily.
“Mr. Hargadon,” Mary Gaines greeted. “How are you feeling? You do look much better than the last time I saw you. I quite forgive you for scaring me half to death,” she admonished softly.
“I was not worried,” Lydia said pulling out the chair on her father’s right and motioning for Mr. Hargadon to be seated. “You told me not to worry,” Lydia said taking the chair next to him. “Then you were taken ill,” she confessed, “I didn’t know what to do. I was sure you knew where Faith was only being so ill I didn’t want Sheriff Walden taking you off to jail. So, I didn’t say anything.”
“Lydia,” Reverend Gaines reproved. “You knew all this time and never said one word.”
“Sorry Father,” Lydia looked contrite. “If Mr. Hargadon knew Faith’s whereabouts she was not in any real danger,” Lydia explained.
“You trusted Royce,” Faith asked.
“Yes,” Lydia replied. “After all, I saw you kissing him. You wouldn’t let just anyone kiss you so Mr. Hargadon had to be special.” Lydia explained in a very grownup way while all her sisters laughed and Faith flushed a deep crimson.
“Lydia such matters are not to be spoken about at the dinner table,” Reverend Gaines glowered at his youngest daughter. “As for you Faith, we will talk later.”
“Yes Father,” Faith replied leaning to kiss her father on top of his head. “I will explain everything.” She bubbled with excitement now that Royce had returned.
“I am teaching school,” Elizabeth said as the bowls of food were passed around the table. “Miss Carter says I have an aptitude for teaching. She wants me to continue my education so that when I turn sixteen I can take my Teacher’s Examination. Mr. Cobb has promised me a position. This semester’s enrollment in elementary classes has doubled. He, Mr. Cobb that is says he’s seeing his grandfather’s dream come true. The children of Junction City are attending school.”
Not having any siblings Royce marveled at the fast moving conversation between the sisters. He was sure by the time the meal was finished he had heard all the local news and gossip.
“Miss Pillsdale has married Mr. Cook,” Valerie said before standing and gathering dishes off the table. “Mr. Cook has taken over running the Freight Company. He seems content married to his second choice,” she added softly.
Reverend Gaines darkly scowled at his daughter.
Royce knew this latter was aimed towards him. Valerie was the sister to answer his concerns. “Now that supper is over,” Royce said standing and drawing everyone’s attention. “I have business to finish concerning the Frank Barlow Gang.”
“I thought that business was behind us,” Mary Gaines said with a deep sigh. Concern over Faith’s safety showed in her eyes.
“Not yet,” Royce replied. “There are no reasons for alarm,” he added reassuringly. Reaching inside his vest pocket Royce took out a small black book. “This is for Lydia. Her comment about never seeing Miss Ferguson and Milton together led to the Barlow Gang being apprehended. Marshal Tinsley felt you should receive the Territory’s reward of six hundred dollars. It has been deposited in the Junction City bank. Mr. Jordan assures me it will draw two percent interest yearly. You will earn enough money to keep you in pretty ribbons and bonnets.”
Lydia blushed as she accepted the bank deposit book and looked over the entry in Mr. Jordan’s legible handwriting. “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered looking towards her mother.
“How about thank you,” Mary suggested.
“Oh yes! Thank you,” Lydia said shyly.
“You are welcome,” Royce replied. He took a five dollar gold piece out of his vest pocket and handed it to Lydia. “This is from Marshal Tinsley. To use until the bank pays interest on your account. He has been trying for years to put an end to Barlow and with your help he has now succeeded.”
“Father,” Lydia turned to Reverend Gaines. “May I keep the five dollars,” she asked.
“Yes,” Philip replied with a smile. “You have earned it.”
“Now we come to my next reason for being here.” Royce turned towards Faith. Saw her catch her breath and hold it for a long moment. She was pale with nervousness. “Marshal Tinsley has persuaded the Railroad to give Faith the reward offered for capturing Frank Barlow and his gang. Without her going to Carrington City the outlaws might have gotten away.” He took an envelope from his vest pocket and handed it to Faith. “Rather than a cash reward Marshal Tinsley convinced the Railroad you should receive ten thousand dollars worth of railroad stock currently paying six percent yearly dividends. You now have a personal income for life.”
Faith gulped for air her eyes widening in shock. She was now independently wealthy. She could marry anyone she wanted and still provide for her younger sisters if the need was to arise. “Ten thousand Dollars,” she whispered having trouble realizing there was that amount of money in the world. More importantly, she possessed the amount. Before she had time to think about the consequences of her actions Faith was out of her chair wrapping her arms around
