Convincing Lou

Burrton Springs, Kansas

December 3, 1877

Four weeks. Four weeks until Ellie Lou Williams lost everything her late husband had worked so hard to achieve. Her chest constricted and a sharp pain shot the length of her left arm. Where was her deep faith in God when she needed it the most? Dried up and crumpled like a dull, brown leaf separated from the tree in fall. Useless. Ground under a shoe until it became pulverized. No good to anyone. Where was the elusive peace she’d talked about with others, pointing them to scripture? Why did she feel like the Israelites during the four hundred years in the Bible where God was silent in between the Old and New Testament?

Her words from a few months ago rose to haunt her. “My life is in His hands to do with how He sees fit. I will do whatever I can to keep this ranch because it’s what Charles would’ve wanted, but if it somehow gets taken away, I still must trust God has a plan even when I can’t see it.” She snorted. That was easy to say until she had to actually live it.

I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime since I said those words, God. If I lose the ranch, I have nowhere to go. Nobody alive to rely on. She toed her boot in the thick dust along the street. Are you listening, God?

“Hi, Ellie Lou.” Mary Scott waved. “I haven’t seen you in town since all that excitement at your ranch a few months back.”

She wouldn’t call being held at gun point ‘excitement’. Too bad there hadn’t been any reward money for the capture of the outlaws who’d held her. If there had been she wouldn’t be in this mess.

“Were you planning to stop by Betty’s shop?” The elderly woman slipped her arm through Ellie Lou’s. “Or perhaps you were going to see Gertrude at her place instead.”

Ellie Lou glanced at the shop marked ‘Ruffles and Stitches’. She hadn’t seen much of her newly wedded friend, Gertrude Valentine, but a visit could wait until another time. “I can come in for a few moments to see Betty.”

“Oh good. She’s been in such a dither as of late.” Mary tugged her in the direction of her niece’s shop.

She held back a sigh. Best to focus on someone else’s troubles instead of her own for a bit. “What’s got her upset?”

The bell above the door chimed as they entered the ladies dress shop.

“There you are, Aunt Mary.” Betty Hadler fanned her flushed cheeks. “We’ve got to do something.”

Mary released Ellie Lou’s arm and patted her niece’s hand. “Now, dear, I’m sure your fiancé will show soon.”

“But he was supposed to be here weeks ago. He said he only had to make a short stop in Topeka. I’m afraid something’s happened to him.” Betty withdrew a handkerchief from the pocket in her skirt and patted her moist eyes. “The stagecoach has been coming regularly so he couldn’t have been delayed because of that.”

“Now, now. Don’t you fret.”

Ellie Lou cleared her throat, unsure whether to step away from the private conversation or to remain. She took a step backward.

“I’m thinking of hiring someone to go after him.” Betty sniffed and wiped her nose.

Ellie Lou’s ears perked. Could this be an answer to her prayers? Please, Lord.

“I’m sure that’s not needed.” Mary squeezed her niece’s shoulders.

Betty shook her head, her carefully pinned brown curls bouncing with each motion. “No. I’m going to see if I can pay someone seventy-five dollars to bring Jeffrey here. Our wedding is less than a month away. Something’s happened to him. I feel it in my bones.” A tear trickled down her pale cheeks.

Ellie Lou gasped at the extravagant amount. She swallowed. The sum would more than cover the money she owed the bank. She could pay off the loan and not have to worry about her home being taken away. Surely this was God intervening in her situation.

“That’s way too much, Betty.” Mary’s lips pinched together.

“He’s worth it. I’m sure he would do the same if I was the one missing.” Betty glanced out the window.

“If you tell me more about him, perhaps I can go and find your fiancé and bring him back to Burrton Springs.” Ellie Lou’s words escaped before she had time to fully weigh the decision. “I don’t have anything going on right now and can easily get away.” She could take her two remaining horses with her, which would enable her to leave the ranch for a bit. It wasn’t like she had fields needed tending to.

“Truly?” Betty’s eyes filled with additional tears.

Ellie Lou quickly calculated the mileage to Topeka. It was doable to get there and back and allow time for the search and still return to collect her reward and deposit it in the bank and pay off her loan before the end of the year. It had to be the Lord finally speaking to her. Finally, He was breaking His silence.

Betty withdrew something from her pocket. “I have a tintype of my fiancé. It should help you find him.” She handed it to Ellie Lou.

Ellie Lou studied the serious looking young man. “Do you mind if I take it along? I promise to take good care of it.”

Betty nodded. “You can’t tell it from the tintype, but he has light brown hair and blue eyes. He’s well-to-do. We’ve known each other since childhood.” She twisted her hands. “I just don’t understand what could be keeping him so long. I’m afraid…”

Ellie Lou touched Betty’s arm. “I’m sure he’s fine. Just hasn’t been able to get a message to you. Don’t you worry. I’ll find him for you. In fact, I’ll head home now so I can get an early start in the morning.” She tucked the tintype into her reticule.

“Are you sure it’s safe, dear?” Mary frowned. “I’ve never heard of a woman riding that far on horse by herself.”

Her heart stalled a beat. She’d learned the hard way trouble had a way of happening when you least expected it. Ellie Lou stood a little taller. If she took extra precautions, no harm would come her way. But it wouldn’t work to go dressed as a woman. She’d have to don her husband’s clothes and pose as a man. If she could perform this one job, her problems would be solved.