Inherited by Gabrielle Meyer

Author:Gabrielle Meyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Love Inspired Historicals
Published: 2017-09-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Jude stood by the fireplace in the sitting room of the Northern Hotel surrounded by eight men he would trust with his life—which was what he might end up doing. The evening sun had slipped beyond the horizon, taking with it the last trace of daylight. Jude struck a match and lit the lamp in the corner.

“I like Jude’s suggestion,” Abram Cooper said from his chair near the door. As the founder of Little Falls, he was highly respected and commanded attention wherever he went. “We’ll need to gather several more men and rotate nightly shifts.”

“Are you willing to volunteer?” Judge Barnum asked. His gray whiskers and balding head should be a sign of wisdom, but his red cheeks and watery eyes hinted at his penchant for alcohol. “I don’t trust Hugh’s men. They have no respect for authority and no regard for humanity. I wouldn’t put it past them to shoot one of you in the back if they had a hankering.”

“What do you suggest, judge?” Timothy Hubbard stood on the other side of the fireplace. He and Abram owned the Little Falls Company and they had more to lose than anyone in the room. “We can’t sit idle while they destroy everything we’ve worked for. I personally know of two gentlemen who had looked at moving their businesses to Little Falls, but chose to go elsewhere because of this lawlessness.”

“We must take matters into our own hands,” Jude said. “I’ll be the first to volunteer.” He’d been in his fair share of dangerous situations. This one was no different. “If people are scared to come to Little Falls, I lose customers.”

“I’ll be the second,” Abram said. “If the sheriff won’t do his job, we’ll do it for him.”

“What do you think, reverend?” Judge Barnum turned to Ben, who sat quietly. He hadn’t said a word since he walked in, listening to each man’s opinion.

“I would never advocate violence,” Ben said evenly. “However, I don’t support passivity, either. We must fight for justice, no matter the cost.”

“So you think a vigilance committee is necessary?” Judge Barnum asked.

Ben nodded slowly. “I do.” He looked at Jude. “And I’ll also volunteer.”

“So will I,” Dr. Jodan said.

“And I,” said Roald Hall.

“You have my cooperation,” Timothy added.

Jude looked at Judge Barnum. “You know the outlaws better than most of us, so I understand your concern. But we need to do something before it’s too late.”

The judge sighed and ran his wrinkled hand down his forehead. “I wish you Godspeed and great success, but I’m too old and too tired to fight.”

No one in the room debated him.

“I have no power to grant you,” the judge continued. “You are taking the law into your own hands and I won’t try to stop you. If the legislature refuses to remove Sheriff Pugh from office, then it’s every man for himself.” He grabbed his cane and rose from the sofa. “I think I’ll mosey on home. You young men carry on.”

“Good night, judge,” Abram said.

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