Travis knocked on the heavy door of Heaven’s Gate. He glanced at Bonnie, who offered a trembling smile. She should have stayed clear of this wolf’s den until the truth met the light of day. The fear in her blue eyes tore at his heart.
“I wish you’d have let me handle this,” he said.
“We’re in this together—my son . . . the gossip.”
“I’d like to spare you from every unpleasantness of this world. It—” He closed his mouth abruptly. Already he’d said too much.
About the time he decided to walk her to the parsonage and handle this alone, the door slowly opened. Rosie blanched at the sight of them.
“We’d like to talk to you and Laura,” he said.
“I—I don’t know.” She stole a look behind her.
“Are you ladies alone?” He smiled.
She glanced at her feet, then back to him. “Laura and Daisy are working right now. But—”
“Are you not supposed to talk to us?” he said.
Rosie nodded.
“Just a few minutes,” Bonnie said. “I think you, Laura, and I have more things in common than you may realize.”
Rosie tilted her head. The turmoil on her face spoke of years of suffering. He’d seen the indecision and confusion in Felicia when confronted by the haunting of her past.
“I’m afraid, too,” Bonnie said. “We have to stop him, or others will be hurt.”
A tear slipped from Rosie’s eye. “We could talk for a little while before I go to Mrs. Hillman’s.”
Inside the house, Rosie led them to the parlor. Travis seated himself in a chair while Bonnie and Rosie sat on the sofa. Polite conversation filled the air, but Travis longed to be finished with it. Heaven’s Gate still made him uneasy. He hoped that would change someday.
“I know why you’re here, and I’m sorry.” Rosie turned to Brother Travis. “You’re a fine man, and Bonnie is good and proper. I realize those rumors are lies.”
“Do you know who started the gossip?” Travis said. “I simply want to understand why anyone would want to hurt Mrs. Kahler and discredit me.”
Rosie stared down at her folded hands. Perhaps she reflected on Travis halting Lester’s brutality.
“Did Lester insist you, Miss Laura, or Miss Daisy spread the rumor?” he said softly.
“I ’spect you thought it was me after—”
“I’ve told Mrs. Kahler what happened the other night with Lester. So did he force you to make the claim about us?”
“I refused him,” Rosie said. “I couldn’t spread lies about you two no matter what Lester threatened or did.”
“I’m proud of you for standing up for what is right,” Bonnie said. “Especially when I’ve learned he’s beaten you.”
Travis stole a look at Bonnie. His silent message told of his caring and how he fretted over her safety. She needn’t display bravado on his account.
“He’s threatened me, too,” Bonnie said. “But I ignored him and clung to God to help me. You did what pleased God by not letting him force you.”
“I’m not a good person.” Emotion clung to her words like cobwebs in barn rafters. “And I must find a place to go, far away where he can’t find me. Like Martha did with her sons.”
Bonnie placed an arm around the young woman’s shoulder. “How long has Lester been beating you?”
Rosie leaned her head against Bonnie’s shoulder and sobbed. “Since Martha left. What he wanted from me is wrong. He claims I’m a wicked woman and will never be able to give up my past ways.”
“You’ve been forgiven,” Travis said. “He has no right to tell you such lies.”
“I keep thinking about how Ellen Kahler left the brothel and is so happy with Frank and her little son. I love Jesus, but I’m afraid of Lester.”
“Will you go with us to talk to the sheriff?” Bonnie said. “He’ll protect you, and I’ll help you find a place to hide.”
“I can’t. Do you have any idea how this would hurt Mrs. Hillman? And I don’t have any money. Lester is supposed to pay me for cleaning and cooking at their house, but he hasn’t. He tells her he doesn’t know what I do with the money, when the truth is that he keeps it all.”
“Sheriff Arthur will not let Lester hurt you, and someday Mrs. Hillman will learn about her husband’s actions. Better it be now when he can be stopped than later after he’s tried to destroy other people’s lives,” Bonnie said. “Brother Travis, don’t you think we could talk to Morgan about finding a place for her and Laura to stay?”