The red ribbon, p.1
The Red Ribbon, page 1
PRAISE FOR THE RED RIBBON
“The tragic history of a little-known small-town is honored and infused with hope in The Red Ribbon. Pepper Basham’s inviting storytelling will challenge the way readers view mountain culture, clans, feuds, sparkin’, and kisses.”
–Beth Erin, Faithfully Bookish
“Pepper Basham brings characters to life like few authors I know. She drew me in, made me care about her story and the characters living on the page.”
–Mary Connealy, author of the bestselling Woman of Sunlight
“Every book from Pepper Basham gets better and better, and this gripping tale drew me in from the first page. Basham brings the Appalachian Mountains to life with authentic turns of phrase, heart-thumping danger, and a romance so sweet you may just swoon.”
–Misty M. Beller, USA Today bestselling author of
the Hearts of Montana Series
“It wouldn’t be a Basham book without a perfect mix of heart fluttering kisses and Appalachian shenanigans, and The Red Ribbon delivers on both. With a clever and gutsy heroine, an industrious and devoted hero, a heap of scoundrels, and a mess of quirky characters, The Red Ribbon unravels the true story of the Hillsville Courthouse Massacre and will keep readers racing through the pages until they reach the thrilling conclusion.”
–Lynn H. Blackburn, award-winning,
bestselling author of the Dive Team Investigations series
“With red ribbons, Pepper Basham offers readers a gift of strong characters, vivid setting, and a plot that will engage. Step back to the turn of the century in Appalachia, when feuds were real and long-standing. Work with the heroine to bridge the divide between the factions while trying to stay alive and wrestle with her past. Reach for the future alongside her … and learn with her that kissing can be mighty fun. This book is filled with heart, hope, and history. Highly recommended to readers who love their historical romance with a layer of suspense.”
–Cara Putman, bestselling and award-winning author
The Red Ribbon ©2020 by Pepper Basham
Print ISBN 978-1-64352-649-2
eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-64352-651-5
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-64352-650-8
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, (ESV) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Cover Photograph © Ildiko Neer / Trevillion Images
Published by Barbour Books, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com
Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.
Printed in the United States of America.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Dedication
To the folks in my hometown of Carroll County, Virginia
For the many told and untold stories we will never know
Cast of Characters
Ava Burcham - orphaned at twelve when her father was murdered and her mother and brother died shortly after. Best friends with Jeremiah Sutphin.
Jeremiah Sutphin - carpenter and school friend of Ava Burcham, though Jeremiah has a bit more than “friend” on the mind when it comes to Ava.
Granny Burcham - Ava’s grandmother and only living relative. Though a recluse, she’s a voice of wisdom and humor.
Mr. & Mrs. Temple - the couple who took Ava in after her family died. Mrs. Temple taught Ava how to sew, and Ava works at the Temples’ Alteration shop in Fancy Gap.
Abraham & Tucker Burcham - Ava’s deceased father and brother.
Ellis & Jennie Sutphin - Ellis is Jeremiah’s cousin and close friend. Jennie is Ellis’s wife.
The Allens & their crew
Floyd Allen - patriarch of the Allen family and known for his quick temper. A local businessman and farmer, Floyd also held various law offices during his lifetime.
Sid Allen - Floyd’s brother, and shopkeeper of a popular mercantile in Fancy Gap. Sid was also said to have had a temper, but not one as infamous as his older brother.
Wesley & Sidna Edwards - Floyd and Sid’s nephews by their sister, Alverta. When Alverta’s husband died prematurely, Floyd became a father figure to the boys. Sidna was named after his uncle.
Garland Allen - local preacher, brother of Floyd and Sid Allen.
Claude Allen - son of Floyd Allen.
Victor Allen - son of Floyd Allen.
The Courthouse Clan
Sheriff Lew Webb - high sheriff of Carroll County who took office in January 1912 after being a deputy for many years.
Sheriff Blankenship - resigning sheriff, left office in December 1911.
Dexter Goad - county clerk of Carroll County and known rival of the Allens due to political differences and some unfriendly history.
William Foster - Commonwealth attorney for Carroll County and another perceived rival of the Allens.
Casper Norris - deputy of Carroll County and acquaintance of Jeremiah.
Pink Samuels - deputy of Carroll County and one of the main lawmen involved in the Allens’ story.
Peter Easter - referred to as “Easter” in the story, was “deputized” to help Pink Samuels bring the Edwards boys from North Carolina to Hillsville for trial.
Judge Thornton Massie - respected judge of Carroll County and the region around it. He wanted to ensure justice and do so peacefully.
William Baldwin - lead of the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency.
Sheriff Bud Easter - replaced Sheriff Webb after the courthouse shooting.
Others
Keen Gentry - local whose reputation isn’t the best.
Mooney Childers, Luther, and Martin - “coworkers” of Keen Gentry
Zeb Daniels - one of the Daniel clan—a local group known to be dangerous moonshiners. Zeb is also working with Keen Gentry.
Tom Hall - local hotel owner in Hillsville, Virginia.
Joe Creed - local boy and former schoolmate of Jeremiah and Ava. His mama is Elmira and his sister is Sadie.
Elmer Williams - older local man and friend to Jeremiah.
Judge Bolen - Floyd Allen’s lawyer and friend.
Doc Nuckolls - local doctor, pharmacist, and coroner.
Maude Iroler - local girl and former girlfriend of Wesley Edwards.
Rebekah McCraw - local girl and girlfriend to Will Thomas (Wesley Edwards kissing her started the whole mess).
Will Thomas - local boy and rival to Wesley & Sidna Edwards, especially when Wesley kisses Will’s girlfriend.
Elsie Combs (and the Combs family, Callie Mae, Laura Alice, Ezra & Rosie) - friends to Ava.
Chapter One
If you’re gonna court trouble, you’re bound to find a marriage of misery.
Granny Burcham
December 1911
The coming dusk cast gray shadows across the box-shaped buildings of Main Street, Hillsville, as Ava Burcham kept a vigilant watch toward Beaver Dam Road. The chill of the December evening slipped beneath the collar of her coat, inciting a shiver, but she shook it off. With a noiseless advance, she slid a few steps farther down the street toward the north of town, weaving in and out of shadows cast by the hodgepodge of rectangular buildings.
For three months, whenever she’d come to town, she’d kept watch on the events that took place at this particular corner. She’d finally narrowed down the peculiar events to a specific day. Thursdays. A young boy carrying a crate would run up to a clump of bushes, pause a moment at the edge, and then run off in the opposite direction, his crate much less cumbersome than before.
Clutching the strap of her ever-present satchel, Ava slid behind a tree as a dark figure appeared on horseback from Beaver Dam Road. She’d never gotten this close to the rider before, but he’d come every single time about an hour after the boy’s drop-off. If Ava guessed right, it was an exchange for liquor, likely the illegal sort, from the way they were behaving. She tugged her coat closer around her shoulders. With one good look at the man on horseback, enough to identify him, she could turn him into the law, but they weren’t likely to believe her without more to go on than vague accusations.
Especially from the likes of her.
The man slid from his horse and approached the bushes. Ava moved a little closer, carefully keeping to the shadows. His gait looked familiar and there was something about the way he wore his fedora, low, nearly covering his eyes. If he turned toward the fading sunlight just a bit, she’d glimpse his face.
The fewer illegal moonshiners in Carroll County, the better.
Just as the man turned from his crouched position by the bush, someone bumped into her, nearly toppling her to the ground. With a quick pivot, she faced a young man not much taller than herself.
A dark handkerchief hid half his face, and the low tilt of his derby concealed the shade of his hair, but a slight hint of blond curled at his collar.
He held the strap of Ava’s satchel in one hand and attempted to pull it plumb off her shoulders, the strap jerking her neck.
“Let go, and there won’t be no trouble.”
She jerked back, loosening his grip on her satchel and sending him a little off-balance. “It ain’t yours to take.”
He froze, blinking a few times at her refusal, as if he wasn’t quite sure what to do next, so she cast a glance toward the rider. He and his horse were disappearing into the woods. Shoot fire! She’d missed the whole exchange.
She turned her full fury on the rascal who not only wanted to steal her satchel but blew her opportunity.
“Give me your money, and I’ll let you go without any harm,” her assailant demanded, his voice hitching up into a higher pitch.
Was this thief even old enough to shave? “I don’t have any money for you to take.” She smacked at his hand on her satchel strap hard enough to sting her own fingers. “So you might as well let loose and go on.”
The young man proved stronger than she’d calculated, because with another twist he pulled the satchel off her shoulder, nearly decapitating her. Without a pause, he set off at a run up the street, his hand digging into her bag.
Oh no he didn’t!
She chased after him, kicking at her skirts, her voice in full working order. “Thief! Thief!”
With a glance back as he turned beside the hotel, the thief’s hat flew off, revealing a pale face and blond, spindly curls.
“Joe Creed!”
As if called by a mother’s reprimand, the boy slid to a stop. He turned, slowly, pulling a fistful of ribbons from her satchel, half of them red, since most gals seemed to prefer more dainty colors. “What—”
“Your mama would be horrified if she knew you’re the one who’s been goin’ around stealing women’s bags all over town.”
“You ain’t got nothin’ in here but ribbons and lace.” He sent a look of absolute disgust down at the colorful array streaming between his fingers.
“Lucky me, I’d say.” Ava drew up to his side, trying to catch her breath. “I’m a seamstress, not an heiress, Joe Creed.” She jerked the satchel out of his hands. “And what on earth are you doin’ thievin’? This ain’t like you.”
His chin tilted upward with the usual combination of mountain pride and youthful arrogance. Clearly not leavin’ much room for intelligence at the moment.
He refused to answer.
“You just wait until your mama finds out about—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Joe pulled a pistol from inside his jacket and pointed it toward her. “My mama ain’t got nothin’ to do with this. And I want your money, Ava. I know you got some.” The face of her old schoolmate hardened as he turned the gun toward her. Some dark mood fell over his expression, dulling his eyes, drawing his mouth tight. She knew that look. Had lived with it for a good portion of her childhood. But at least Joe’s eyes held a little bit of sense. Something Ava’s mama rarely had.
Well, she’d attempt to appeal to the sense. “Joe, why don’t you come with me to Mr. Temple and see if he has some extra—”
“Speakin’ of the Temples …” His gaze trailed down to her bag. “I’ve heard tell from my mama what money you make sewin’ at their shop. One of the best sewin’ gals I’m told.” He slid a step closer, one golden brow raised in challenge. “I bet you ain’t come all the way up to town without some of it on you, so, if you don’t want trouble, you’ll hand it over.”
“Have you been the one all this time?” Maybe a little distraction could get him to lower that revolver. “The thief goin’ around stealing womenfolk’s belongings?” Ava pinched her fingers around her satchel strap to keep them from quivering. “Why on earth would you do somethin’ like that, Joe?”
“Best that you don’t know all the reasons.” He grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward him with more force than she’d expected. “I won’t ask again, Ava.” The youthful lilt of his voice dropped to a warning growl. “I got places to be, and your money’s gonna help me get there. Now.”
“Whatever you’ve got yourself into, this ain’t the way to solve it.” Ava pulled against his hold, glancing behind her toward the street, a sliver of fear branching like ice through her chest. Maybe, if someone had heard her yell, they’d come looking. She just needed a little more time. “If you really need help, I know there are folks—”
“There ain’t no folks to help. Not now. I got to get the money on my own and fast.” He waved the gun as he spoke, his lack of care with the weapon sending a tremor up Ava’s spine. Desperation and inexperience weren’t good company. “There ain’t no other way.”
“Put down the gun, Joe, and I’ll give you the money.” Ava moved her hands to the satchel, fingering the secret pocket she’d sewn into the side to hold her cash. “’Cause if anyone sees you pointing that gun at me, you’ll get into a heap more trouble than just thievery.”
“Won’t matter if I don’t set things right.”
Ava’s fumbling paused, and she searched his face. “Are you beholden to somebody?”
“Stop talkin’ and get the money.”
“Who is it? The Hawkses? The Allens? Daniels?” Was he part of the liquor run? Had he gotten caught up in it like so many others in these parts? “Maybe you can talk to the law and—”
His laugh took a dark turn. “Ain’t you lived in this place long enough to know most of the law is connected with one of them families?” He leveled the revolver on her again. “Stop talkin’ and get me that money so we can both get on with our business.”
A sliver of fire rose through her chest in rebellion against his threat. “I’ll give it to you when you lower that gun, else you’ll have to either shoot me or try to take my satchel back one-handed.” She narrowed her eyes at him in hopes of hiding her fear. “And, if you recollect, Joe Creed, I don’t hit like a girl.”
His brows shot north, her reference to an unexpected brawl with a school bully reflecting in his eyes. She attempted to keep her breathing steady. A sudden vision bled past the memory of the school brawl—Mama in the same position as Joe, gun outstretched, eyes wild, just before pulling the trigger. Ava’s shoulder twinged, as if she felt the bullet graze over her skin once again.
Oh, how she wished Tucker hadn’t taken that death shot for her.
After a stare which lasted for nigh eternity, Joe released a sigh and began lowering the pistol. “Fine. Now get to it.”
Ava tugged five dollars from her secret pocket, payment for two shirtwaists and a skirt she’d mended. Five whole dollars.
“Joe Creed. You put that gun down, boy.”
A gravelly voice boomed through the dusk from the direction of Main Street. Joe jerked from the unexpected intrusion, firing his pistol. Ava froze, and something like ice trailed beneath her skin toward her heart as she waited for the sting of the bullet to strike. Joe’s bottom lip dropped and he stared at her as if he was waiting for the same thing.
She turned to see sheriff-elect Lewis Webb marching toward them, his gray brows drawn together. “See, that’s the trouble with guns, boy. Half those that got ’em don’t know how to use ’em.”
Joe’s hand trembled as he looked from his gun to Ava and back to the sheriff. Then, with a shake of his head, he dropped the gun and set off at a sprint down the road.
Ava released her stilled breath on a quiver.
“Well, blast it all.” Sheriff Webb came to a stop beside Ava, his height almost matching her own. With a narrow-eyed look in her direction, he called behind him, “Go on and get ‘im, Casp. We’ve been after some hard evidence for a few weeks now, and I reckon Miss Burcham’s gone and found us some.”
“You got it, Sheriff.” Newly appointed Deputy Casper Norris ran around the other side of Ava and pulled his revolver from his belt holster.
