Skin Tight: A Red Tail Hawk Production

By Stuart I. Haussler

This is a story about Sam Hull, a United States Marshal, and the inner desires he set aside to bring Law and Order to wherever he was needed. Now, approaching the later years of his life, he wants to seek out those dreams of yesteryears that have eluded him as a Marshal. The dreams of starting a cattle ranch, marrying, and having children. Having been a part of the judiciary system for so long, he begins to periodically question if he has had enough of death, deceit, and the quagmire of sadness that goes along with being a United States Marshal. All the things he desires become his, but not without struggles that inevitably cause him to once again want to resign. However, with the right woman at his side and a renewed vigor, he finds what sustained all those who built the west. Courage, the courage to go on and initiate new dreams, ambitions, and to continue on as a Marshal at large, by putting aside any doubts about his ability to serve with Honor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 14, 2003
• ISBN: 9781469773551

Stuart I. Haussler

Stuart Haussler, a seventy-four year old, brings to his novels, Western and Military, knowledge acquired as a Rancher, Doctor, Teacher, and Naval/Marine officer. This novel, Skin Tight, is an intentional fabrication of the mind, based on imagination, experience, and the author?s abiding belief in Valhalla.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

United States Marshal, Sam Hull, left the trail heading west he had been on all day. Moving his horse up a slight rise, and looking down at what appeared to be a very small town, he exclaimed softly, Whoa’, Canal, we’ve sort of arrived in what I suspect is Hartville, Missoura’, Canal, Hartville, Missoura’. Or is it Missoura’ with an i’, ta’ sound like Missoure’? I’ll admit Hartville doesn’t look too big but after all these years of chasing the bad ones, our ole’ bones should enjoy the rest. Throwing his right leg over the saddle Sam slid down from the back of the horse and added, Let’s have a drink before we go any farther.

Removing his canteen and then his hat, the Marshal started to pull out the plug of the canteen but stopped, for he heard the all too familiar faint bubbling and gurgling sounds of an underground spring, and as he looked down for the spring he chided, Well, Conal, just like they told us from the beginning, Missouri’ is just one spring after another, if a body will look for ‘um. Dropping the reins, Sam moved to one side of the horse and after several steps could see the clear water flowing from the ground under several medium size rocks. He dropped to his knees and after removing one of the rocks, cupped his hand and quickly brought the cool clear water to his mouth. Turning back to Conal, he exclaimed, Well, come on, put your head down here, it’s just like all that other good water we’ve had…drink up.

The horse was quick to respond and drank his fill along with the Marshal. Enjoying the taste of the water and its coolness, the Marshal cupped his hands and splashed water on his face, and then ran his cooled hand around the nape of his neck. On standing, Marshal Hull placed his hat on and with one quick move remounted the horse and informed him, We’ll go down into town, find a place to put you up for the night, and I’ll find a place to eat and sleep. Then first thing in the morning, we’ll make our claim for the T bar Z homestead.

The sun was edging toward the horizon so the Marshal spurred Conal to a trot, and before long they were riding down the main street, in fact the only street, in Hartville, Missouri’. There was a small single storefront proclaiming,

Groceries∼Spirits∼Tin Ware∼Guns & Hartville Bank Lucas Kirby, Proprietor

The three other storefronts were boarded up. The town appeared deserted but there were flickering lights in the store. Dismounting and throwing the reins over a hitching post, Sam walked into the store and found it empty. He called out, Anybody about?

A voice from the back of the store called back, I’m here! Just keep your pants on and I’ll be with ya’ in a second.

Sam looked about the store and the stock seemed ample with everything neatly arranged. There was a small cage across the top of which read, ‘Bank’ with a safe up against the back wall. A smile broke out on Sam’s face, and as it did a crusty older man walked into the store proper saying, "Names Lucas Kirby, and yup, it’s a bank all right. Even registered with the State, and we have examiners look us over ta’ least once a year or so. They’ve never found, over these fifteen years, one smidgen of evidence that could say we don’t run an upright bank. Stranger, what can I do for ya’?

Name’s Marshal Sam Hull, Mr. Kirby. I’m looking for a place to put my horse and myself up for the night, and some food for us both.

Well, Marshal, call me Lucas, and Hartville here is a small place, and as far as the town itself, I’m it. No livery, saloon, hotel or boardin’ house for that matter. My place here is all them things wrapped into one, besides bein’ the Bank.

How do you make a living?

Well, now, Marshal, that’s a mite simpler than it would seem, as empty as this town is, but we have hereabouts, I mean by that within a fifty mile radius better than three hundred families. If I was to tell ya’ the amount of money in the Bank you’d understand this is a very prosperous area of Missoura’.

Missour…a’?

See you’ve been thinkin’about how it’s said, and like some been sayin’Missour…e’? If ya’ have…don’t.

If you say so, I won’t. Why is this area so prosperous?

We have a bunch of frugal Mennonites and Siberian Jews. They’ve all been around here for some years and they don’t consort, one to or with the other, but they tolerate each other and meet once a month to make arrangements.

Arrangements?

I don’t really know what that means myself, Marshal, but that’s the way they put it to me when I asked em’ one day. However, they only buy, bank, and deal with me for goods and services they need. You really want ta’ know about all this?

I best, ‘cause I’ve come to ranch here. I was left the T bar Z spread by a mite of a lady named Elizabeth Plowden.

Say, I knew Liz well, before she up and left some years back. Her lands been lying idle all these years. There’s quite a good size parcel of it. You get it all?

I did.

I’d ask just one question, Marshal, just what do you intend to do with it?

Run cattle on it.

I was afraid you’d say that.

Why?

It won’t set too well with the Mennonites and Jews. They’re farmers that run sheep and pigs. How’d you know Liz, Marshal?

She was my mother.

Thought you done said your name was Sam Hull.

My mother remarried when my father died many, many years ago.

I see. Well, you have the paper work for the land I would opportune?

I do, in my saddle bag, and it’s free and clear.

I would suspect that there, Marshal, cause Liz was a fru…gile person. I think we’ve wove far enough on this for tonight and should get back to your needs. I’m just about to close up, and I’ve been known to accommodate them that ride into Hartville lookin’ for a meal and a place to stay…if I like their cut. I own all three of these vacated storefronts, and the one next door I use to stable my horse. You’ll find it to be a very fine place to stay. I’ve put a might of work into it so’s Walter, my horse, has the best, ‘cause he’s the best, and has been my friend for these fifteen plus years, and besides, it’s where I live and there’s an extre’ bunk. Would ya’ be agreeable to such a condition?

Sounds fine to me.

Oh, good, and Marshal, what kind of Marshal are you?

United States Marshal.

A U…nited States Marshal?

Exactly.

Now I’ve had city, county and other Marshals come through here but never a U…nited States Marshal. Why, I’m proud to have ya’ with me.

Thanks, can I call you Lucas?

You bet, Marshal.

Call me Sam, I’m retired in a way.

No, Sir! Couldn’t do that, Marshal, it wouldn’t be fittin’, you are a very distinguished person and the title is yours as long as you live. What did ya’ mean in a way, being retired?

I’ll not be an active Marshal. I want to ranch, but like you said, the titles mine all of my life. I can still arrest people and try to uphold the law wherever I am, and in whatever I’m doing.

Sounds reasonable to me. I’ll lock the door and get ta’ cookin’ us up some grub. How’s a steak sound?

Mighty fine. Can I put my horse up so I can water, feed and rub him down?

Sure can, Marshal. Right through that door you’ll find everything you need. Lucas’s attention was momentarily diverted to the front window and he added, Hold on, Marshal, here comes Menno Hutter, he’s the head man in their society. He says they’re Mennonites, but really are Amish. I don’t really know what that means but a book I have says somewhere along the line they formed different groups named after different people. They live plain like but are hard workers. Are you familiar with ‘em?

I’ve run into them on occasions. They use shunning to discipline and won’t allow intermarriages with other faiths. But, as you said they’re hard workers and obey the law.

That about describes ‘em. They shunned me once, early on, ‘cause I was doin’ business on the Lord’s day, as they put it. So now I don’t open the door on Sundays or Saturdays.

Saturdays?

Yup! When the Mennonites got through shunning me for doin’ business on Sunday the Siberian Jews demanded I close on Saturday ‘cause that’s their Sabbath. I get two days a week off and I’ve come to like it. Every now and then they both invite me to their services and I have ta’ tell ya’, I kinda’ enjoy it. They treat me right and feed me good after the service.

Sam, looking toward the window asked, Who’s the woman?

That’s his daughter, Katrina. She’s never married and must be about your age, Marshal. I call her Kate when her father isn’t around, which isn’t very often. He’d have a conniptions fit, if he ever heard me call her that. They’re kinda’ strict and formal like about family matters.

She appears to be a good looking woman.

Ah, Marshal, that she is. I saw her once, when I attended services, without that hat the women all wear, and her hair is beautiful. She must comb it ta’ death.

Sam smiled at Lucas’s description and asked, Ta’ death?

Just a sayin’ for excess, Marshal, here they come.

Menno held the door for his daughter and on entering she said, An early good evening to you, Mr. Kirby. It is good to see you.

Lucas bowed slightly and responded, The pleasure, Miss Hutter, is mine.

Menno Hutter frowned at the communication between his daughter and Lucas, for he felt women should not be the first to speak, especially to a man not a member of the family. He grumped, You are busy, Sir?

No, Menno, I’ve been makin’ the acquaintance of this gentleman, U…nited States Marshal Sam Hull.

Menno never hesitated and walking up to Sam, extended his hand while saying, Marshal, the pleasure is mine to meet such a distinguished person of the law. After shaking Sam’s hand, he turned back to take his daughter’s hand, and add, May I introduce my daughter, Katrina.

Katrina stepped forward, and as she did, her hand shot forward to take Sam’s hand in hers. There was a momentary delay before her hand dropped back to her side. She then curtsied and in a clear voice said, I am most pleased to make your acquaintance, Marshal Hull, for we do not have new people come to the area very often.

Sam never hesitated, The pleasure, Ma’am, is all mine.

It was clear to Lucas that Menno was disturbed that his daughter had taken the Marshal’s hand in hers, and hurriedly remarked, With introductions now past, what can I do for you, Menno?

I have come to inform you one of our young ladies, Elsa Kelmuth, has run off with a Jewish boy named Dembor, Nathan Dembor, to marry.

And?

They are too young to have done such a thing because it is not permitted by the Jews or by us.

How old are they?

Fourteen and fifteen.

That’s done all the time, Menno.

Not by us or the Jews, for we marry only our own kind.

Oh, then it wasn’t their age. What did the Jews say?

They and some of ours are out looking for them. It would seem they took two horses and headed South.

When do you think they left?

Early this morning.

Menno, they have a big head start on you and with sundown upon us, I doubt you’ll have much luck catching up with them. Where do you think they might be heading?

We have no idea but we can tell they did not wear the customary clothing for either religion. They are breaking away.

Breaking away?

In this day and age some of our Young do not want to conform to the ways of our Father’s. They want to change. Be more like those who do not share our views of life.

Menno, Lucas, insisted, I’m worried about them heading South. I’ve heard tell recently there’s been some drunkin’ renegade Indians and Whites that have gotten together and are causin’ a lot of trouble. I’d say trackin’ um’ as best you can in the morning is your best chance.

I’m afraid you are right, Mr. Kirby, we just wanted you to know.

If they did this, they must have been seeing each other. Does anyone know where they may have met? Sam volunteered.

I do not know of such things, Menno retorted, as if annoyed by the suggestion they had been meeting in the first place.

I know where they met, Katrina offered.

How would you know such things? Menno snapped.

Father, these things are common knowledge to those who care about such things.

Katrina, you care about such things?

Father, I… Katrina abruptly stopped because she could see the anger building in her father’s eyes. He did not believe women should engage in any matters not of their own making.

Sam was watching and insisted, What your daughter knows can be very important to our finding these youngsters, Mr. Hutter. Please permit Katrina to finish with what she knows.

I cannot believe my daughter knows of such things.

Father, I do, and Marshal, they usually met about four miles from here by a small stream. I have seen the place and can take you there.

Menno was furious and with a harshness in his voice, just short of bellowing, demanded, How can you know this?

They came to me, Father, for guidance about their affair.

Came to you? A woman? About such a matter? That is what the Elders of both faiths are for.

It was not easy for them, Father. They knew the Elders would not listen about the love they felt for each other, just as you would not, Father!

Katrina, we must go. I am your elder and will not have you speak to me so.

That Menno was now at his wits-end, about his daughters conduct, was evident to Lucas and Sam.

Sam felt he couldn’t let them go, for he felt Katrina had the information they needed so he pressured Menno by saying, Your faith is known to me and I know you are known to obey civil law. I am a United States Marshal, and I hereby direct you to obey my order to drive your daughter to the location she mentioned. If you will not honor my request, I will arrest you for obstructing justice and hampering an officer of the law from doing his duty.

Menno’s whole persona changed. He stiffened but there was a calmness about him that caught Lucas’s and Sam’s attention. He promptly replied, I am aware, Marshal, that as a Marshal, you do not need a warrant for an arrest of my person. We do believe in obeying the law and following the commands of those who represent the law. I will obey your order, turning to Katrina he said, Katrina, we will lead the Marshal to where you say these children met. I would have you drive the carriage, for I am tired.

Are you all right, Father?

Fine, fine, fine my daughter…it was a long day in the fields.

After they left, Lucas turned to Sam and asked, Can I follow along with you, Marshal?

I think that would be best, Sam. Do you have a buckboard?

I do, Marshal, not that big but it can hold quite a bit. Are you thinkin’ what I think you’re thinkin’?

We’ll have to see what we see, Lucas. I’ll go hold up the Hutter’s until you get the rig ready and then we’ll ride out together. Oh, and Lucas, tie Conal, my horse, to the buckboard, we may need him, and bring a rifle just in case.

Jacob Dembor walked into his house with a very depressed look and his wife cried out, Jacob, I can tell by your look you haven’t found them…my Nathan and the girl. I heard about it from Ruth.

Not only did we not find them but we can’t even find a trail. Darkness has come but at first light we will continue our search.

Oh, Jacob, how could this happen?

They are young and there is too much talk about being a Jew and a Mennonite. The young want those things they are told they cannot have. We, the elders, make much of the issue of separation between our faiths, yet we coexist, and very well. Then, there is the spirit of any human, from which and with which he or she can experiment or love. I must eat, my talk will change nothing and I am weary from being in the fields all day.

But Nathan was with you.

He was, but then he disappeared. I thought he had gone to strip the field elsewhere, but when he didn’t return by noon, I started to look for him. The young girl, Elsa Kelmuth, she left a note for her mother. The mother came to me in the field, followed by the senior Elder Menno Hutter. He was ranting at me about what had happened and then Menachem heard him from the adjoining field, and came over. They wound up raving at one another. It was useless to try and get them to stop, so the mother and I rounded up others to start a search. I am so tired, my Ester. I must eat something and rest.

Katrina had stopped the carriage and when Sam and Lucas pulled up along side, Katrina half whispered, You go ahead, Father is asleep, I will wait to see what you find.

So as not to make any further noise Sam and Lucas stepped down from the buckboard and walked to what was a small glen by a stream. Immediately Sam grabbed Lucas’s arm and said, I was afraid of that, it’s historical. Lucas’s eyes swept to where Sam was looking and exclaimed, Oh, my God, Marshal, look at what these youngsters have gone and done!

I was afraid this is what we would find, Lucas. I’ll get my bedroll from my saddle and we’ll wrap them up, and then bring the buckboard down and take them to their families. I’ll tell Katrina what we found.

Sam walked back to the carriage and on approaching it saw a look of horror on Katrina’s face and thought ‘she must have suspected too’, but suddenly she screamed, He’s dead, Father is dead!

Sam ran to her and helping her down from the carriage swept his arms around her to comfort her and she sobbed uncontrollably. Her hat had come off and he stroked her head and felt the silkiness of her hair and smelled the sweet aroma of her body. He hesitated with the moment, then whispered, Did he have a bad heart?

Katrina stepped back and looking at Sam, whispered back, Not that we knew of.

There was a look in Katrina’s eyes that Sam had never seen before and informed, This may be too much, Katrina, but we found the youngsters and they are dead. It would appear the boy shot the girl and then himself. It is not a pretty sight. We will wrap them up and take them to their parents. You sit and I’ll have you ride with Lucas and I’ll take your father home first.

Katrina didn’t respond, and as Sam reached out to take her hands, she drew back to mutter, This is too much. Father, the two young people…all dead. Can you explain it, Marshal?

No, Katrina, I cannot, and I never have been able to explain death in general. We all know it is going to happen but we are never prepared, for death steals up on us many times and then suddenly, one day, cancels our existence, and to the observer it is often, seemingly, without reason. I do believe your father and the youngsters are with the Father of us all and are safe forever from the trials of life.

Katrina walked into Sam’s outstretched arms and throwing her arms around his neck mused, You are right, Marshal. They are safe and with our Heavenly Father, how wonderful of you to remind me. I am one with you, Marshal, and I do believe…I have been waiting for you. So I can love you.

Sam didn’t let go of her, but her words took him by surprise. He swallowed hard and replied, Thank you, and are you sure of what you just said?

Katrina’s arms broke away and Sam’s did likewise as she answered, I am sure but we must resolve what has happened and then one day talk. I will wait with Father, until you are ready.

Sam smiled, then went to where Conal stood; took his bedroll and returned to Lucas. Lucas was disbelievingly shaking his head at what he saw and said, I just can’t believe it, Marshal.

Sam undid the bedroll and they wrapped the bodies. When finished, Sam offered, What you said about not being able to believe this, I can’t either, Lucas, but it happens, are you familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet?

I am, enough said.

Sam followed Lucas and Katrina to her home and they put Menno in his bed until arrangements could be made. Katrina reassured them she was all right and would prefer to go with them so she could console the parents. Sam agreed, for he did not want to leave her alone with her father. Elsa’s parents were stoic about what they were told and what they saw. The young girl was laid on a couch until such time she could be prepared for burial. The Dembors were taken by surprise by the news of their son’s death and there was much emotional upheaval as the body was carried into the house by Lucas. Several neighbors heard the wailing of Gela Dembor and immediately showed up to help prepare the body for burial the next morning. Sam took Jacob aside and spoke of the young girl and Jacob was horrified to learn his son had shot her before turning the gun on himself. He went to Gela and told her and insisted they must go to the Kelmuth’s house to ask their forgiveness for what their son had done.

Sam, Jacob, and Katrina went with them and after arriving and offering their apologies, which were gracefully accepted, Deventer Kelmuth, Elsa’s father, attempting to console them said, They acted together in this, no one of them is to blame. If there is anyone to blame, it is we, who failed to demonstrate to them understanding and tolerance of others who are different. I know your religion would have your son buried as soon as possible. Our daughter and your son died as one with a love for each other. I believe we should join together to bury them side-by-side as they will spend eternity together. I would lead us in prayer and, Jacob, you must do the same and then return to be with your son. I will make all the arrangements if this is satisfactory to you and your wife.

Jacob was stunned by the suggestion, but after looking for approval from Gela, who quickly agreed by saying, Oh yes, oh yes, they must be together.

Jacob nodded his agreement and Katrina interrupted by saying, If you could agree, my father passed away this evening and I would like him to be buried at the same time as the youngsters.

This was agreed to also but Jacob warned, We’ll have to seek Menachem’s approval to have a Jew buried in your cemetery. He will not be inclined to allow this but we will prevail, or…do it anyway.

The hour was late and everyone left. After taking the Dembors and Katrina home, Sam and Lucas returned to the store and on entering Lucas asked, It’s late, but Marshal, are you as hungry as I am?

That I am, Lucas.

Well then, you tend the horses and I’ll get some grub cookin’ so’s we can satisfy our stomachs.

When Sam returned from rubbing down and feeding the horses Lucas had pan fried two large steaks, sliced potatoes, and peas. There was the smell of steaming hot coffee and bread. A large crock of butter caught Sam’s eye and he asked, Where do you get your butter?

I buy the cream from the farmers and churn my own, fresh every day.

The smells in here have caught my attention, let’s eat.

The two men devoured their food and when through Sam pushed his chair back, poured a cup of coffee and asked, Who do I see about my land?

Me, I’m the more or less everything ‘cause the county seat is thirty miles that-a-way, as he pointed over his shoulder.

How could I sell it?

Sell it? You just got here.

I don’t like what I’ve seen and heard.

I’m sorry about that, and I realize they’re different but you can get use to them and you won’t really see that much of them. If you really want to you could sell the place easily. Menachem has wanted it and so did Menno because it separates their holdings and has a good supply of water and grass. They’d put it all under the plow. You’d really do this? Where would you go?

Territory of Nebraska. North and west of Fort Calhoun. There’s land on the Snake River, about twenty five-thousand acres at fifty cents an acre from a person who acquired it.

You need a lot of land out there to run a unit. Plus there’s wild Injun’s all over the place.

I know it. That’s why the twenty-five thousand acres interest me. I’m told you need about ten acres to run a unit on. I want a big ranch ‘cause I want to more or less be alone and have room to grow. How much can I get for the place here?

You’ve got better than four hundred acres and it’s all in grass, good grass and an acre here could take care of a unit. I’d say you could get about eight to nine thousand for the whole kit an caboodle without any trouble.

I’ve got to make up my mind about another decision.

What?

Katrina.

Katrina? What about her?

Whether I should ask her to marry me.

Marry you? How did this ever come up, you just met her.

I know but when I was holding her she said she loved me and I felt the same thing.

Well, I’ll be a ring-tailed polecat. You’ve been busy. Ever been married, Marshal?

Nope, but it’s about time I get on with it, ‘cause I want some youngsters.

She’s a Mennonite.

And?

There’s a lot of stuff that goes along with that.

Like what?

Customs, habits and the like.

She’s alone and needs somebody, just like I do. We could work it out. I’ll speak of it tomorrow when I see her at the funeral.

If there’s a funeral.

Why do you say that?

Menachem, that’s why. He’s not gonna’ take kindly to buryin’ that Jewish boy in a Mennonite cemetery next to a Mennonite girl.

The Dembors said it would happen and they’re the boys parents.

Menachem is a bully and gets away with it.

Let’s get to sleep. We’ll have to get up early and see what’s happening. I’ll go over to Katrina’s and see if I can help with her father.

I’ll go with you. You really goin’ to sell out and marry Katrina?

Time will tell, Lucas, time will tell.

The pounding on the door took the Dembors by surprise. They had been cleaning their son’s body and preparing him for burial in the morning. Gela, at the sound of the pounding, bent down to kiss her dead son’s cheek and standing back up exclaimed, It can only be Menachem. I will answer the door.

On opening the door, Gela was surprised to not only see Menachem but the Kelmuths and Katrina. She merely said, Sholem, please come in.

Menachem barged through the door and directing his remarks to Nathan bellowed, You, a Jew, are going to permit your son to be buried in a Mennonite cemetery in the morning…next to the Christian girl he killed?

Nathan instantly angered and bellowed back, It was a suicide pact and the answer to your question is…YES! You cannot, nor will I permit you to bully us into any other arrangement. To separate them now, tell me, what purpose could that serve?

We are Jews and we have our own traditions to abide by.

They will be buried side by side, Nathan concluded.

Deventer Kelmuth, with tears streaming down his cheeks, stepped forward, hand in hand with his wife, Ida, and repeated, Side by side. Their love must not be denied.

Katrina spoke out firmly, And, I would have my father buried tomorrow, also. I can see no reason why as a community of Jews and Mennonites we cannot join together and bury our dead with grace. I believe there should only be one Cemetery and since they are adjoining, this could be simply done by taking down the fence that should have never been put up in the first place.

Menachem, now challenged by a second condition of merging the cemeteries, was beside himself with indignation, and he screamed, Why then don’t we all merge our religions and forget our heritage and traditions?

Katrina, with her eyes ablaze, snapped, That is the best idea put forth so far. I cannot for the life of me understand the nit picking that goes on about a man who was born a Jew, lived as a Jew and died a Jew. His Heavenly Father who gave him to us, is to all of us our Father, and we call him God.

You, young-lady, are callow.

Callow is it! I don’t know what that means but I would imagine its meaning is not favorable to me. Therefore, I say we vote here and now and then make the necessary preparations so we can be ready by sunup.

Menachem never waited for a vote, he left, and there wasn’t a need for one, for the parents and Katrina set about finishing the preparation of Jacob’s body and when done, together prepared the other two bodies, and they did it all together.

Nathan and Deventer, before sunrise, found several Jewish and Mennonite neighbors who helped them dig graves. A young Rabbi, much to Menachem’s displeasure, with a Mennonite Elder, conducted the service for the young couple. At the conclusion of the service Katrina led the assembled in singing ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ as they returned for her father’s wake. There was much food and some drinking of wine by the Jews. When it was time to return to the Cemetery to bury her father, Sam walked with her and took her hand in his. Katrina shed many tears and this moved Sam very much. When the service was concluded, they remained alone to stand over the grave of her father. Katrina took a handkerchief from her sleeve and after wiping her face, turned to

Sam and said, It is over, for Father, but we must go on.

Sam turning to face Katrina, simply asked, Will you marry me?

Katrina was moved but not seemingly overly surprised by what Sam had asked, she replied, Yes, as I said last night, I love you and nothing will get in the way of that love. I will have an Elder marry us now.

We’ll need a license.

Lucas can do that, and if you prefer he can marry us, for he is a notary and a Justice of the Peace.

I’ll be darned, seems like Lucas is a lot of things.

He is the real stability of this community.

What about your being a Mennonite, Katrina?

"I believe in God and always will but I intend to be your wife