Page 53 of The Heart’s Charge

It was more cooperation than Jonah had expected, so he tipped his hat and thanked Porter for his assistance. “I’ll wire you if we turn up a lead,” he promised, even as he realized that wasn’t the only wire he needed to send.

Leaving the jailhouse, he headed for the telegraph office, only to pull up short when he heard his name being called. He turned to the east, his right hand inching closer to his weapon, but he relaxed when he recognized Dr. Hampton hailing him from the boardwalk in front of a barbershop.

“Mr. Brooks!” The doctor hurried down to the street and wove between two ladies out for a stroll and a farmer toting a bag of chicken feed on his shoulder as he crossed to meet Jonah on the other side. “Oh, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you.”

“What can I do for ya, Doc?”

Hampton took a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his face where perspiration had gathered after his short jaunt. “Did you and Mr. Wallace make it to Harmony House with the baby? How is she doing? Have you heard?”

Jonah nodded, impressed that the doctor took such a personal interest in a child who had never really been under his care. “Little one’s doin’ well, as far as I know. Miss Southerland found a wet nurse in the area, and we delivered the babe to her that very day. The ladies at Harmony House have pledged to give the child a home with them once she’s weaned.”

Had it only been a couple of days since baby Sarah brought him and Wallace to Harmony House? It seemed like ages ago. So much had happened since.

“Thank the Lord, she’s all right.” Dr. Hampton shoved his folded handkerchief back into his suit coat pocket. “I’ve been praying for her. Poor little thing, thrust into the world under such harsh circumstances. I should have known the ladies of Harmony House would set things to rights for her. They are a godsend to this community, I tell you. A godsend.”

“Yes, sir.” Jonah couldn’t agree more.

“I’m hopeful their services will not be needed permanently in this case, however.”

Jonah frowned. “What do you mean?”

Excitement lit the doctor’s face. “I’ve written to the Dawsons. Wendell’s folks. I’m hoping they’ll take Fern and her baby under their wing. I’ve been checking on Fern every day. She’s not the first expectant mother I’ve tended who has struggled with depressed mood, though her grief certainly compounded things. My prayer is that, in time, her mind will heal and she will want to be a mother to her child. If not, perhaps the baby’s grandparents will want to raise her.”

“It’d be good for the girl to have family.”

Though Harmony House could be that for her too. In fact, he’d kinda suspected that Wallace might want to adopt Sarah himself if he and Miss Katherine got around to tying the knot. Most kids were stuck with whatever parents biology dictated, but little Sarah had options. He prayed the Lord placed her with the best one.

“Will you be staying in the area long?” Dr. Hampton asked. “Last time we met, I got the impression you and your partner were passing through.”

“Something came up in Kingsland that requires our attention. We’ll be sticking around a while. If you hear from the Dawsons, you can send word to Harmony House. Wallace and I are helping the ladies there with some repairs.”

“Excellent! I’ll send word as soon as I hear anything. Thank you again for all you did for Fern and her baby.”

Jonah waved off the gratitude. Wallace had done all the work. All he’d done was fetch the doctor. But still, he was glad he’d made a contribution, no matter how small. Kids had a hard enough row to hoe in this world without adults making things worse. If he could help one of them get a fair shake, he was glad to do it.

Too bad helping the other kids God had placed in his path wasn’t quite so clear-cut.

Excusing himself from the doctor, Jonah hiked the rest of the way to the telegraph office, composing his missive in his head as he went. He had it slimmed down to close to a dozen words by the time he walked through the door.

Dropping sixty-five cents on the counter, he grabbed a telegram blank and filled out his message.

To: Matthew Hanger, Gringolet Farms, San Antonio, TX

KIDS MISSING IN KINGSLAND

STAYING TO INVESTIGATE

WILL SEND FOR HORSEMEN IF NEEDED

Matt would put Preach on alert. They’d be ready to come at a moment’s notice. Jonah hated pulling the captain away from his work and his new wife, but there was no one he trusted more to have his back.

Once he and Wallace figured out where Wart and the others had been taken, he’d call in the cavalry.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-TWO

You are not going to use yourself as bait!” Katherine dropped the wooden clothespin from her hand as if it had suddenly combusted into flames.