He yanked his hand away and fisted it in the blanket. “Itook the store.” His eyes bulged. “That fool believed his God would help him. ButIwon!”
Her eyes burned. “Judas, please—”
“I’ll have the farm too. I’ll own it! I ownyou...”
She shut her eyes against the words. “No. Stop this nonsense. All you have to do is believe, Judas. Have faith. You know the truth.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He shook his head and paled. The man who had always been larger than life shrank against the bed. Terror filled his eyes.
“It does matter. I’m worried about your soul.”
“My soul ... is black.... Not... worth ... sav—” His eyes closed, and a long breath came out of his lips. Then nothing.
Peter rushed to the bed and put his head to Judas’s chest. “Come on, Reynolds. Fight! I know you’ve got it in you. Breathe!”
Whitney stepped closer and placed her hand on Peter’s shoulder. Moments passed.
Nothing.
“He’s gone.” Peter’s shoulders slumped.
A silent tear slipped down her cheek. “How could he refuse God like that at the end?”
“I don’t know. But I’m glad you were here to speak to him.” Peter wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
She put both hands over her mouth and cried. The hateful thoughts she’d had for the man over the past few days rushed into her mind.
Forgive me, Father.
She leaned her face against Peter’s strong chest and wept for Judas. And the loss of his soul.
Peter walked into the Roadhouse and scanned the crowd. Whitney waved to him from the front. Making his way through the tables surrounded by people, he gave her a smile.
Nome had recovered in more ways than one over the last month. The sickness was gone. Many people had died, like in the epidemic of 1900, but many more had survived.
He’d spent every spare moment he had out at the farm. Working with Whitney and the dogs. Taking long walks with the woman he loved.
When Daniel and John approached him about building him a house on the farm, he’d asked if it could be big enough for a family. When the two men had given their hearty approval, Peter couldn’t wait for the day when he could ask Whitney to marry him.
The day had finally come. At least he hoped tonight would be good. It depended on what happened in this meeting.
Judge Beck had taken over Judas’s freight business, stating that Reynolds had left it to him. Many people in the town called him a liar–– especially those who had owed Judas money and now supposedly had to pay the judge.
That was why they were at the Roadhouse. The “good” judge had called a town meeting.
Peter made it to Whitney’s side and greeted the rest of her family. “Any idea what all this is about?”
John shrugged. “Mr. Norris said that the judge is trying to save face with the town.”
The object of their conversation appeared on the stage and held up his hands. “Quiet, please. Everyone.” He nodded and smiled as he gazed around the room. Clasping his hands behind his back, he took several steps back and forth across the stage. “I want to make things right.”
The crowd hushed until they could hear each other breathing.
“I know how many of you owed Mr. Reynolds money. Many of you feel that he swindled you into the debt.”
Affirmation filled the air.
Beck held up his hands until they quieted again. “But I’m here to tell you that even though Judas left everything to me, and told me that I would also acquire the repayments, I’ve decided to release everyone of their debts.”
