The sheriff left the room, walked back down to the saloon, and sat at a table in the corner. In less than three minutes, he watched Wade hustle down the stairs with his saddlebags over his shoulder and run out the batwing doors.
Stepping out onto the boardwalk in front of the saloon, the sheriff saw Wade running down to the livery. He crossed the street to see Hutch in the telegraph office. Hutch was explaining to the operator that when an answer came in to have someone ride out to the ranch immediately. The sheriff tapped Hutch on the shoulder and motioned over his shoulder with this thumb.
Grandpa Hutch turned to look out the window just in time to see Wade leaving the bank before galloping out of town. The sheriff whispered, “I put the fear in him. He thinks he’s gonna hang.”
Grandpa Hutch and the sheriff shook hands. “I’ll take it from here,” Hutch added. “looks like he took the time to get his money out of the bank. He has enough to get to Montana and start over.”
Grandpa rode back to the ranch wondering exactly what he’d say to Wade and how Wade would react. Meanwhile, Wade sat in the barn trying to decide what to do. If the sheriff was right and Grace was home, Clay would kill him or at least try. He needed to get into the house to retrieve his belongings and clothes before he lit out, but where to go? He heard a horse ride up and stop. Wade backed into a darkened corner of the barn doing his best to hide.
Grandpa flung the barn door open wide, “Wade,” he called. “I want you to come in the house. We have something to discuss.”
From his dark corner, Wade responded, “No, Clay’s in there. I just want my clothes, and I’ll leave.”
“I assure you no one in the house will speak to you. We need to discuss this matter in my office, now.” Grandpa said and turned his back to walk to the house.
Wade silently followed him to the house and through the quiet rooms to his grandpa’s office.
“Shut the door,” Grandpa said before sitting in his leather desk chair.
Wade complied and sat in a chair across from his father. “Listen, Grandpa, I didn’t hurt her and never would. I made sure she was safe, and she’d come home as soon as the lawyer returned to draw up those papers. I didn’t know what to do when you said I wouldn’t inherit. I love this ranch, Grandpa, you know I do. It’s the Hutchison legacy.”
“You love the prestige you think comes with ranch ownership. You hate the work. You’re lazy, and you drink too much. You have a beautiful wife and where do you go? To the saloon and that woman. You don’t deserve any of this. You deserve to be in prison, but the family is giving you a chance.”
“What chance?” Wade asked crossing his arms and sinking back in the chair.
“A chance to change and be the man you can be. You’re going to Montana to work for your father’s brother. I already sent the telegram. I saw you leave the bank, so I assume you took out your money. I want you on the next train out of Cheyenne heading north, and so does the sheriff. If you don’t, Grace will tell them what she knows. You owe her your life and should be grateful. Now, pack up and ride out. Cora left enough supplies for your trip to Cheyenne in a bag in the kitchen. You can buy more once you get there. Take your belongings and horse and leave.” Grandpa said with a determined look.
“You’re tossing me out over that woman?” Wade spat.
“She’s Clay’s wife, and if not for her you’d be in jail. On your trip to Montana, you should think about the gift of forgiveness she has given you.”
Wade glared at his grandpa as he left the office and grandpa finally gave in to his emotion and let the tears slip from his eyes. He prayed asking God to soften Wade’s heart and help him grow. He also asked forgiveness for starting the trouble that led to Wade’s leaving, Grace’s abduction, and Elizabeth’s unhappiness. A few minutes later, he heard the back-door slam and Wade’s horse galloping off.
Epilogue
Three months later:
The Hutchison sat down for Sunday supper and gave thanks. Grandpa Hutchison asked a special blessing for each member of his family.
“We certainly had a productive summer,” Grandpa began. “The ranch is doing well, and the family is happy. I’m not sure what else I could ask for.”
“I agree, Grandpa,” Elizabeth said. “When I first stepped off the stage in town, I never thought I’d marry, receive an annulment, and be happy being an unmarried lady working for the seamstress in town, but I am.”
Cora asked, “Could part of that happiness come from the letter you received from Chicago? I saw how you blushed when you read whatever Mason wrote.”
Elizabeth laughed, “Don’t tease me or I’ll have to ask you about that dinner you had with Sheriff Glyson.”
Cora blushed.
Grandpa cleared his throat. “Now, now, girls, no fighting. We’re all happy and doing well.
