Page 453 of Conveniently Wed
Josiah’s stomach twisted at the thought of broaching the two hardest subjects of his life.
“All right.” Colby paused and swiped at his sweating brow with his handkerchief, then turned a steady gaze on Josiah. “What’s going on here? And why the secrecy?”
Better to start with the easier subject. “We have trouble coming our way from some of the town folk. You know that Hinton Rowan, the big mouth at our Christmas party back when?”
“The guy who me and the boys escorted out?” Colby asked.
Josiah nodded. “For years he’s ruled the roost around here with his huge spread and slave labor. He doesn’t much like that I’ve hired both white and black workers and pay them all the same. He’s tried to talk me into doing things his way, but I guess the fact I didn’t capitulate has him angry. So, he’s been going around town stirring up trouble. And because most people have been getting away with paying their black workers far less, our practice is not going over well. I’m getting some nasty threats to lower our wages or else.”
“Or else what?” Jeb stopped and straightened with a hand to his lower back.
“This is the beginning…busting down our fences and stealing our cattle. Hank said his boys can’t find all the stock.”
“That could be any cattle rustler, couldn’t it?” Colby frowned.
“I thought the same, and didn’t pay them much mind until the threats started coming in the mail.” And now the important part. “Sometimes including the names of our family members.”
“Family members?” Jeb’s voice took on strength.
“Yes. Delilah, Abe, and Katherine. And your girls too, Jeb.”
The older man stepped toward him. “What can we do?”
“Sheriff Holden is aware and keeping me appraised of everything he hears in town. I’ve hired some extra cowboys, as you may have noticed, who’ll patrol the grounds. And I’m going to schedule night watches.”
He looked from one man to the other. “So, my question to both of you is, are you in? I have no intention of giving in to threats. I’ll understand, Jeb, if you want to take your family and go stay with your sister until this dies down.”
Jeb took off his hat and ran a hand over his hair. “If we give into fear and threats, they win. I have no doubt God will protect us.”
Colby eyed Jeb. “Didn’t think you were much of a religious man. Never heard you talk like that before.”
“I don’t know much yet. Learning a lot through reading the Bible. But when I took that one step of belief a couple months back, all I can say is the peace and love I feel right here”—he slammed a fist against his heart—“is more real than anything I’ve ever experienced before.”
Josiah and Colby exchanged raised eyebrows.
“You two laugh away or say it’s the ramblings of an old man. I don’t care. I’ve been changed.”
Josiah raised a hand. “You can believe whatever you want. I do think there’s a God somewhere up there. I just don’t think he cares much about the everyday down here.”
“He cares.” Jeb’s brown eyes softened. “But that’s enough preaching for one day, other than I’m going to ask you both to attend my baptism coming up. Hope it’s all right that I’ve volunteered the use of our creek down by the swimming hole.”
“You don’t have to ask,” Josiah said. “You know this place is as much yours as mine.”
“I’d be honored to see you dunked.” Colby turned to Josiah. “And I have no reason not to be in with your plan.” He raised a rail back into place, then readied a nail to hold it there.
“That might change after we talk about my next problem.” Josiah took off his hat and dug his hands through his crop of hair.
Both heads turned his way, and the work stopped.
Josiah gulped back a knot in his throat. “It’s about Katherine.” He pressed on the knuckles on one hand until they popped. “She’s been holed up in her room for too long now. I need one of you to go to talk to her. She’s not talking to me or anyone else in the house.”
Colby shook his head. “I’m not getting involved.”
“A little too late for that, don’t you think?” Josiah couldn’t stop the clip of his voice.
Colby raised his brows. “If you hadn’t neglected the best thing that ever happened to you, you wouldn’t be in this state.”
“You’re a fine one to talk, when all you’ve done is flirt with her from the get-go.” Josiah took a step toward Colby, hands fisted.
