The Cowboy's Amish Haven, page 2
“Well, I certainly can’t let my guests go unfed. I insist you both stay for breakfast.” Reaching for her apron, Gail knotted the ties around her slender waist. “Let me get the child something to tide him over.”
Attempting to rub the exhaustion out of his eyes, Levi nodded gratefully. “That would be a real treat. Been a long time since I’ve had a home-cooked meal, so I am going to say yes.”
“I remember you used to eat like you had a hollow leg. Mamm couldn’t fill you up,” she said as she opened a bread box. Slicing off a piece of sourdough she toasted it on top of the stove before adding butter and a smear of pure strawberry delight. Stopping to fill a stoneware mug with milk, she delivered the items to the table with a deft hand.
Abandoning his bear, Seth grabbed the toast and stuffed in a large bite. “Mmm,” he said, smacking his lips.
Levi frowned. “Mind your manners, son.”
Mouth stained with jam, Seth used his sleeve to wipe away the mess. “Sorry, Dad.”
Levi rolled his eyes. “He didn’t learn that from me.”
A flicker of amusement passed over Gail’s face. “Now don’t be too hard on the youngie,” she said. “A good appetite is a good sign he’ll grow.” She turned her attention to Seth. “Do you like eggs with bacon and hash brown potatoes?”
Seth bobbed his head appreciatively, licking sweet strawberry jam off his fingers. “Mmm-hmm,” he said before gulping down a mouthful of cold milk.
Gail returned to the stove, emptying the coffeepot and discarding inedible pieces of charcoal welded to a pan. Whatever she had attempted to make earlier had turned into a disaster.
“Problem?”
“Not my best morning.” Exasperation knotted her brow. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
“Oh?”
Gail waved off his concern. “It’s nothing,” she insisted. “Let me get some fresh coffee going.”
Filling the pot with cold water and home-ground coffee beans, she set it on the stovetop to heat before rolling out more sourdough with a deft hand. The scent of a strong Colombian roast soon filled the air.
As she was otherwise occupied with her task, Levi snagged a mug off the counter before claiming a pot holder. “May I?”
She lifted hands covered in flour. “Ja, help yourself.”
He tipped the metal percolator over. No modern machine could beat coffee brewed over a wood fire.
Looking up from her dough, she eyed him. “I’d forgotten you were so tall.”
Levi gazed down at her. Her features were strongly etched, and her eyes evenly spaced over the slope of a perfectly straight nose. Dusty freckles spattered her cheeks.
“Guess if I say you’re pretty again, you’ll slap me.”
Her cheeks heated, going ten shades of red. Her mouth twisted wryly. “Flattery won’t get breakfast on the table any faster.” Biscuits rolled out, she slid the pan into the oven.
Levi took the hint, backing off. It probably was not right to be saying such words to her anyway. Surely she had a husband somewhere nearby? And he most likely wouldn’t take to a strange man making eyes at his wife, no matter their past connection.
He sat at the table and added cream and sugar to the tarry brew before taking a hearty sip. He let his gaze wander. Throughout the living space, sturdy handmade furniture filled the rooms. Crocheted afghans covered the sofas. Beneath the vaulted ceiling, the floor was solid oak with a scattering of handwoven area rugs. White lace curtains framed wide bay windows.
Save for Gail, the kitchen was empty. Normally, the house would be bustling with activity. Now it was strangely quiet, almost tomblike.
Having finished his snack, Seth yawned. His eyes drooped, struggling to stay open.
“Do you mind if I lay Seth down?”
“Not at all.”
Levi slipped his arms beneath his son and carried him to a nearby sofa. He put him down and snagged an afghan to lay it on the boy. While Seth napped, it would give him a chance to talk to Gail.
Little pitchers have big ears, he reminded himself.
“Is he oll recht?”
Levi returned to his chair, finishing his coffee. “He’s just worn out. I think being on the road so much is grinding him down. Getting to be time for a break.”
“Oh?”
“We just drove down from Montana for some events here in Texas,” he explained. “There’s one in Eastland this coming Sunday. Then we’ll head to Fort Worth for the rodeo there at the end of the month.”
A faint smile haunted her lips. “Daed said that was what you would do. Join the rodeo.”
“I know Samuel wasn’t crazy about the idea.” He shrugged. “Just something I had to do, I guess.”
Gail’s expression tightened. “Daed did the best he could by you, Levi.”
As he caught sight of Samuel’s Bible, guilt gave him a sharp prod. “I guess he’ll tell me that when I see him.”
Gail sliced off a slab of bacon with a sharp knife and added it to a cast-iron skillet waiting on the stovetop. The meat sizzled, sending out the enticing aroma of pork cured in applewood. “I guess no one’s told you, but he isn’t with us anymore.”
Surprise lifted his brows. “Mein beileid an sie und ihre familie.” His pronunciation was rusty, but his offer of condolences sincere. “When did he pass?”
“Three months ago.”
“How?”
Her expression remained cautiously neutral. “Unexpectedly.”
Levi felt a twinge at the back of his throat. As hard as the old man had been on him, Samuel Schroder was never unkind. Gruff, maybe, but that was his way. “I know that must have been hard on your mamm. How is she?”
Gail’s lips momentarily flattened. “Cancer took her, shortly after you left.”
More news he had not expected. Sarah Schroder had always treated him well, sharing an uplifting thought or an encouraging word whenever he was discouraged or felt out of place.
“They were both good people. It doesn’t seem right they’re gone.”
“It was Gott’s will.” Quiet resignation tightened her words. “We can only accept it and pray they are at peace.”
Levi swallowed hard. Hands circling the large stoneware coffee mug, he tried to draw some comfort from its warmth. “How have your schwestern been?”
Gail’s gaze lifted from her cooking. “Gut. They’ve gone to town to deliver the morning produce, but they will be back soon.”
“They are all well, I hope.”
“Ja. Rebecca is a teacher. She is engaged and will be marrying in November. Amity has a little shop of her own. Her homemade soaps and candles are popular with tourists.”
Levi nodded. “The things she made were always too pretty to use.”
“She’s had a place in town for about two years now, and her business is starting to grow.”
“Dare I ask about Florene?”
Gail rolled her eyes. “Ach, that girl. She’s been trouble lately.”
“Really?”
A rueful smile flicked across her lips. “Seventeen and thinks she knows everything. Right now, she’s testing the waters of Englisch ways.”
Leaning into the table, Levi brushed his fingers through his hair. “Been there, done that.”
She eyed him. “I hope you will be honest if she asks you about your time away from Burr Oak.”
“I’ve got a story or two I could tell,” he said, but declined to elaborate. “And you? You are married now. Ja?”
Throwing up her hands, Gail made a scoffing sound. “Who has time to find an ehmann with all this to tend to on the ranch?” Claiming a fork, she deftly turned the frying bacon without missing a beat.
Levi had no chance to reply. A series of hard knocks hammered the front door.
“Well, aren’t we popular today?” Frowning, she lifted the skillet off the stove. Setting it aside, she wiped her hands on a dishrag. “Who could this be?”
Levi shrugged. “Guess you’d better find out.”
Gail straightened her kapp and smoothed her apron before greeting the visitor.
Glancing past her, Levi caught sight of the man standing on the veranda. Clad in an impeccably tailored three-piece suit, he looked to be a portly man in his late forties, with dark hair gray at the temples. His face was round and cheeks unusually ruddy for his pale complexion. His deep-set eyes peered through the rims of stylish gold wire-frame glasses. Beneath a thin, dark mustache, his lips compressed into a line. By the look on his face, he’d not come for a social call.
“Is this the Schroder property?”
Gail nodded. “Yes.”
Levi bristled. Something was not right. Men in dark suits didn’t show up out in the middle of nowhere in Texas to chat. Not wanting to pry into her business, he nevertheless turned an ear toward the conversation.
The stranger grumbled. “Even with a GPS, these county farm roads are confusing. I hate being out this early, but it was necessary.”
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience. It is easy to get lost.” Stepping back, Gail invited him in. “Come in, please.”
Entering, the man didn’t offer his hand or a smile. His features were guarded, his eyes intense in their perusal. “My name is Andrew Wilkins. I work in the loan delinquency department for the bank in Burr Oak. I was hoping you could explain why the mortgage payments haven’t been made in the last three months.”
“I—I don’t understand.”
Wilkins’s gaze narrowed, as if she were a hardship he had to force himself to tolerate. “The payments on this property are ninety days overdue.” Reaching in a pocket, he extended a white legal envelope. “Your notice of default is enclosed. This will be your final notice.”
Puzzled, Gail accepted his offering. “I’m sure there’s some misunderstanding, Mr. Wilkins. Daed never missed a payment.”
“Samuel was always a good customer,” Wilkins said. “We’ve never had any qualms loaning him money over the years. When he passed, we had every confidence his survivors would honor his debt.”
“Of course, we intend to keep paying,” she said with quiet determination. “We wouldn’t cheat the bank.”
“Then perhaps you might explain why the account the payments are debited from has not had adequate funds in months.” Pausing, he gave a prod. “I sent out written notices, but no one responded.”
Gail shook her head. “That’s not right. We sent cattle to auction after Daed passed and collected over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars for their sale. That was at the beginning of March and should have been more than enough to carry us through next year. Our manager, Mr. Slagel, should have taken care of it. He always has.”
Wilkins’s lips pursed into a sneer. “No significant deposit has been made to that account for months. Certainly not anything close to that amount.”
Gail visibly paled. The unopened envelope slipped from her fingers, but she didn’t retrieve it. “Oh no...” Barely able to speak, she pressed shaking hands to her mouth.
Wilkins’s brows rose. “Excuse me?”
She took a breath to steady herself. “Slagel must have taken the money.”
“Now, hold on—” Andrew Wilkins held up a hand. “Are you accusing him of embezzlement?”
Seeing Gail flounder, Levi’s protective instincts kicked in. Having followed the conversation, he didn’t have to struggle to put together the story she was trying to tell. He didn’t know who Slagel was, but he intended to find out what was going on.
Rising to his feet, Levi stepped up, towering over the shorter man. “She has no reason to lie.” Hands fisted at his side, he moved to shield Gail. “If she says the man took the money, it’s true.”
Blinking behind the rims of his glasses, Wilkins huffed. “Excuse me. I don’t believe I was talking to you.”
Levi refused to back down. The man was a bully, and he was using his position to intimidate. He refused to be cowed.
“Well, you are now.”
Wilkins sniffed. “And you are?”
“A friend of the family,” Levi returned in a cool tone. “A knowledgeable man could easily forge a bill of sale on livestock and collect a check in his own name. I doubt anyone would have questioned it if he was someone people trusted.” Unfortunately, the theft of cattle was common.
Peeved, Wilkins responded, “What do you mean was?”
Moving like an automaton, Gail retrieved the envelope. Her composure hung by a thread. “Mr. Slagel disappeared. I don’t know where he went.”
Unmoved, Wilkins leveled her with a stare. “What you have going on with Walter Slagel is a legal matter you’ll have to settle with him,” he snapped. “Regardless of the circumstances, you will still need to make restitution for the amount owed.”
Levi bristled. “What if she can’t?”
“Then the bank will foreclose.” His unrelenting gaze scraped every inch of the room. “Of course, that will include the house. Samuel put the primary acreage up as collateral, so this entire property will go to the bank.”
“You would take our home?” Gail asked, aghast.
Wilkins unleashed a snarky grin. “Unless you catch up, I certainly intend to.”
Struggling to keep his expression neutral, Levi looked over the rude man who apparently no had problem treating people like dirt. The entire situation left a bad taste in his mouth. He’d never had a stomach for fighting, but there came a time when a man had to stand up and do what was right.
Angling his chin, he folded his arms across his chest and stared the agent down.
“No, you won’t,” he returned with calm precision.
* * *
Still unable to process what had just happened, Gail stood rooted to the spot. Shock buffeted her from all sides. Her ability to think, to speak, had deserted her. She could only stare, numb with dismay and disbelief.
Levi, on the other hand, didn’t seem to be affected.
Taking control, he grabbed Andrew Wilkins by the elbow. Propelling the shorter man across the room, he escorted him out of the house.
“We’ll be in touch,” he said, shutting the front door with a slam. Deed done, he brushed his hands together with satisfaction.
Relieved, Gail forced herself to relax for the moment. She gave him a grateful look. “Thank you for making him go, Levi.”
“It was no problem. How could he come in here and speak to you like that?”
Gail’s gaze dropped to the envelope in her hand. No need to open it. Wilkins had made it perfectly clear what the paperwork inside would say. “Does it matter? The bank is going to take our home if we don’t catch up.”
“Now, hold on. Don’t panic just yet.”
Her facade of composure cracked, revealing her fear. “How can I not?” A shiver curled up her spine, causing her to tremble uncontrollably. Her vision blurred, misting with tears.
Levi stepped forward, grasping her arms and giving her a little shake. “Just calm down and tell me what’s going on. Who is this man you’re talking about?”
“His name is Walter Slagel. Daed hired him last year to oversee the cattle operation. His health was beginning to decline, and he needed the help.”
As she broke free of Levi’s hold, guilt pummeled her. When her father had needed her most, she had let him down. In so many ways. At her age, she should have been married. A son-in-law might have been able to take the burden off her father’s shoulders.
“You said Slagel was gone,” Levi said, prodding for more.
“Yes. He packed his things and left a few days ago. Before that, all our ranch hands quit.”
“They give any reason?”
An anxious sensation squeezed her insides. “They were upset because he was behind on payroll. They complained about having to wait for their money.”
Levi’s brows furrowed, and the lines between his eyes deepened. “That doesn’t sound right. There’s no good reason to pay your crew late.”
Dropping her gaze, Gail bit her lip. Through the last few weeks she’d had the strange feeling something was not right with Walter Slagel. He’d become secretive, brushing off her questions about the day-to-day operations of the ranch. Her inquiries about the cattle, the crew and the books had gone unanswered, leaving her with a bitter taste in her mouth. But there was no chance to speak with him as to why he wasn’t doing his job. He vanished without a word.
Regret choked her as she looked back. She should have acted sooner, confronted Slagel when the chance presented itself. “I know I made mistakes.”
A somber look darkened Levi’s gaze. “Sounds like walking out was probably the best thing he did.”
“I was planning to fire him and hire someone else.” She lifted the crumpled envelope. “But how do I fix this? How do I run a ranch without any money?”
Levi fished the envelope from her fingers. Tearing it open, he unfolded the papers inside. “I am no expert, but I do know how banks work, and how ranching works. It isn’t as dire as Mr. Wilkins made it sound.”
Grateful someone had answers, Gail relaxed. If Levi had the knowledge to help her, she would listen.
“You want to tell me what’s going on with the bank?” he prodded.
Lowering her gaze, she sighed. “A few years ago, Daed was offered the chance to buy some acreage from our neighbor, Abram Fletcher. Abram wanted to retire, and he offered a fair price for his land. Daed saw it as a chance to expand the herd because beef prices have been good and there is a high demand for Longhorn meat. Mr. Fletcher wanted to be paid in cash, so Daed borrowed the money.”
Levi nodded. “And Samuel put up his own land as collateral?”
“Yes. I can’t see how we can keep the property now.”
“You would be surprised what you can accomplish when your back is against the wall. Where there is a will, there’s a way.”
“Really? Then there is a chance we won’t lose the house?” Grateful, Gail reached out, laying a hand on his arm. “Oh, Levi, if you would help me through this trouble, I would be so grateful.”
