Prudence's brows lifted even higher. "Guests?"
Grace nodded and peered at Prudence making it obvious that further explanation would be given later. In private.
Grace gestured toward Tyler and Jack. "I'm sure we can get a room ready for Katie and Jack." Grace gestured toward the bags tied up on the horse's. "We've got their things here."
The Circle T's housekeeper, Lucia emerged from inside the house. She halted, wiping her hands on a white apron, and peered quizzically at the two newcomers. Grace smiled at Lucia. "Could you prepare something to eat for these two? I'm sure they're hungry." Grace smiled at Katie. "Isn't that right?"
Katie nodded and said nothing.
Prudence held out a hand to Katie. "Pleased to meet you, Katie. Welcome to the Circle T."
Katie glanced quickly up at Grace who nodded back at the girl. Katie extended her arm and shook Prudence's hand. "Thank you, ma'am."
Prudence laughed. "You can call me Prudence." She looked across at Hope. "And that there is Hope."
Grace watched as Hope greeted Jack in a similar manner. Then she laid a gentle hand across Katie's shoulder and guided her and Jack toward Lucia who greeted the children with a broad smile.
The children still seemed unsure how to react to their new surroundings. But Grace was sure that the welcome they'd given the children had gone some way to allaying any fears they might have.
Once the children were inside, Prudence and Hope came rushing to Grace. "What's going on?" Hope asked.
"Where did those children come from?" Prudence inquired abruptly.
Grace lifted a hand. "I realize you're both dying to know what happened." She glanced at Tyler who was untying the children's two bags from the horses. "We'll tell you later. For now, all that matters is that we make them feel at home. They've been through a terrible ordeal."
Hope gasped. "What kind of ordeal? They weren't hurt, were they?" Hope asked. Being a nurse, Hope was always worried if anyone had suffered injury.
Grace shook her head. "They weren't hurt. At least not physically. But their emotions have taken a real beating."
"That's right," Tyler said as he strode across to them. He held the children's bags on both arms. "Those children are going to need some loving care for a while. And I'm sure they'll get exactly that while they're here at the Circle T."
"How long will they be here?" Prudence asked.
Grace scooped an arm inside Prudence's and started to lead her to the house. "I'll tell you about inside. First, we need to get the children settled in."
"I'll be leaving right away," Tyler announced.
Grace nodded. She knew he had work to do. Important and possibly dangerous work that could not be delayed a moment more than necessary. She took one of the bags from Tyler. Hope took the other. "You stay safe, Tyler. You hear?" Grace said. Her voice quivered with emotion.
Tyler smiled as he handed the bags over. "Don't you worry about me. I've got a job to do. I'll be bringing that woman back to safety."
Grace saw the eyes of both Hope and Prudence widen with alarm. She could see they both wanted to ask questions, but she shook her head at them and watched as Tyler strode to his horse. He mounted the animal and touched the front brim of his Stetson as he tugged on the reins. Then he rode off, heading down the trail toward the town of Testament Creek.
As she watched him ride away, Grace was suddenly seized by a powerful sense of anxiety. She knew Tyler was about to do something perilous. Riding down a gang of robbers and kidnappers might put Tyler into harm's way. But she knew it was his job. Knew he was capable of taking care of himself. He wouldn't be alone. The posse would consist of around a dozen men, all locals from Testament Creek. But that fact hardly lessened Grace's sense of worry as she watched Tyler's horse disappear down the trail.
She would have to wait until he returned. And, in the meantime she had a job of her own to do. Turning to the ranch house she sighed. There were children beneath the roof of the ranch house. And, right now, she didn't have a clue how she was going to deal with that.
CHAPTER FOUR
"Those poor children!" Prudence exclaimed a short while later in the parlor of the ranch house.
"They must have been scared out of their minds," Hope added and shook her head.
Grace wasn't in the least surprised by her friends' expression of sympathy for the children. All three women shared the long sofa in the parlor. From upstairs, Grace could hear the soft sounds of footsteps and the barely audible murmur of voices. Lucia was with the children, helping them unpack and settle into the room which had been given to them.
Upstairs there were three rooms. Hope and Grace occupied two. And now the children had moved in to the room which had once belonged to Prudence.
Prudence and her husband, Cal lived on a recently constructed cabin about a mile from the main ranch house. Grace had visited it many times and seen how happy Prudence was there. It was a delightful log cabin, big enough for Prudence and Cal. He and some of the ranch hands had worked hard to build it. It consisted of a large single living space, an alcoved kitchen area, and one separate bedroom. It was cozy and perfect for a newly-married couple like Prudence and Cal. Perhaps, some time in the near future, it would also be expanded to accommodate Cal and Prudence's own children. Grace was sure children wouldn't be long in coming for her friend and her handsome husband who was the foreman of the Circle T ranch.
"That poor woman, Miss Hardesty," Prudence moaned. "Those terrible men just took her away from the train?"
Grace nodded. "That's what we heard. Tyler is getting together a posse, even as we speak. He reckons there's a good chance they'll find the gang."
"Hopefully Miss Hardesty won't come to any harm," Hope said with obvious emotion in her voice. She sighed heavily. "It is absolutely shocking."
Grace leaned closer to her two friends and spoke quietly. "While the children are here, I'd avoid mentioning Miss Hardesty too much. At least until Tyler gets some answers. We don't want to upset them."
Both Prudence and Hope nodded. "Of course," Hope agreed. "Did Tyler say how long it'll take?"
Grace shook her head. "He didn't. But I figure he and his men will act quickly to stop the gang from getting too far. Tyler has that part-Indian man, Grant, in his posse. Apparently he has great tracking skills. If anyone can pick up their trail, Grant can."
Hope and Prudence seemed momentarily reassured by that information.
"So the children are going to be staying with us for a while?" Hope asked Grace.
Grace nodded. She was still trying to figure out how she was going to deal with having two boisterous young children around the ranch. "It could be for a day or two," Grace replied. "Or it could even be for much longer."
Prudence's eyes widened. Then she glanced nervously toward the parlor door. She was clearly anxious that she not be overheard. When she spoke it was almost in a whisper. "Have you thought about what will happen if Miss Hardesty doesn't return?" Prudence lifted a knowing brow.
Grace swallowed. Of course she'd considered that terrible possibility. It was an awful scenario because it would mean that some harm had come to the unfortunate woman. Grace couldn't even begin to think how the children would react to that.
"We'll just have to deal with such that situation if it comes to pass," Grace declared.
Prudence's brows furrowed. "The Lord will not allow it to happen," she stated firmly. There was a sudden conviction in her voice. Her eyes filled with a steely look and her jaw tightened. Grace recognized that look.
Grace peered at her friend. Prudence's faith was the strongest of all three women. In many ways, Grace envied Prudence her unshakeable faith. She was sure it was a great help in times of trial. And she'd seen the joy and delight it brought into the life of Prudence and Cal.
Prudence clasped her hands and glanced at Grace and Hope. "Will you both join me in a prayer for Miss Hardesty?"
"Of course," Hope replied. Grace smiled at Hope.
Prudence reached out
and took hold of their hands. It wasn't the first time Prudence had asked them to join her in prayer. It had become a regular feature of life on the Circle T. And, according to Prudence, prayer had become an important part of her daily life with Cal.
"Lord. We ask You to protect Miss Hardesty. Save her from the evil which has taken her away from Jack and Katie. Bring her back to the children You placed in her charge. Also, Lord, we ask that You bless Tyler with the wisdom and courage he will need to do his duty and recover Miss Hardesty safely. We ask for this is Your name. Amen.
Prudence smiled at Grace and Hope. Grace saw the brightness in Prudence's eyes. The room was filled with a sudden peace. Much of the tension of the last few minutes had gone, now that Prudence had spoken her quiet and devout words. Prayer was so important to Prudence. And, Grace admitted, it was beginning to become important in her own life, too.
Grace heard the thundering of footsteps on the stairs. The voices of Lucia and the children echoed throughout the lower part of the ranch house. Grace's heart swelled with a fresh, new feeling. She told herself it was somehow wonderful that the usually quiet ranch house was filled with the sounds of young voices. It made the place feel different.
Lucia led Jack and Katie into the parlor. Grace stood and went to the children. "Have you organized all your things in your room?" she asked both children.
Lucia nodded. She rested a hand on a shoulder of each of the children. "There was just about enough room in the drawers for their clothes."
"Who claimed the bed near the window?" Grace asked brightly and smiled down at the children.
Katie grinned. "Jack gave it to me."
Grace lifted a brow and peered at Jack. She saw his eyes brighten. "That is so kind of you, Jack," Grace declared. "I can see you're a gentleman."
Jack's face flushed as he smiled tentatively. Grace's compliment was making him blush.
"I promised them some cakes and milk," Lucia said.
"I think they deserve that," Grace agreed. She turned to Hope and Prudence. "Do you agree, ladies?"
Hope and Prudence stated their agreement in perfect unison.
"It'll take me a little while to make the cakes," Lucia revealed.
Grace started to guide Jack and Katie toward the hallway. "What do you say I show you around the ranch while Lucia bakes those cakes for you?" she suggested to the children.
Both children nodded enthusiastically. Grace led them outside onto the porch. The late afternoon sun was still bright. The children didn't seem to be tired. Grace wondered where Tyler was, right now. Probably he'd be putting together the posse. Or they might even already be riding out and trying to pick up the trail of the gang. Worry flamed into life in her middle. The thought of Miss Hardesty coming to harm was too distressing to contemplate. Tyler will save them, she told herself.
Glancing down at the children, she told herself that she'd have to pretend that none of that unpleasantness was happening. Right now, it was her duty to try and lessen the children's fears.
"What would you like to see first?" Grace asked the children.
"Horses!" they both said at exactly the same time.
Grace laughed. "Come on then. Let's go to the stable and I'll introduce you to some really fine horses."
And, with those words, she rested her hands on the backs of each of the children and started to lead them across the yard.
CHAPTER FIVE
It was getting dark when the posse found the gang. A thin line of gray smoke rising into the darkening sky had led the posse to a shallow valley.
When they'd discovered the gang's encampment Tyler had dismounted and crept forward to confirm that they had caught up with the robbers. From a vantage point high up on a rocky promontory, Tyler had gazed down into a gorge. There he'd seen a group of six men gathered around a small fire. Their voices had drifted up from the gorge, echoing off the rocks. Laughter had mingled with coarse remarks.
Huddled against a rock, not far from the burning flames, had been the figure of a solitary woman. Seeing the fear on the woman's features had awakened a fierce indignation in Tyler. He'd had to restrain the urge to fire upon the men and rescue the woman. But Tyler knew the wisest course would be to rely on the help of the posse. The element of surprise and greater numbers would ensure a better outcome, he'd told himself. That way the odds would be in their favor.
Tyler had made his way back to the posse. After some quiet discussion a plan had been agreed. One of the posse knew that the trail they were following would eventually lead to the bottom of the gorge. Exactly where the gang was currently gathered around their fireplace.
Now, the posse was making its way with stealth and quiet toward a northerly position from which Tyler figured the surprise attack on the gang could be made.
As he rode in absolute silence, Tyler recalled the last few hours. Grant, the part-Indian posse member with the tracking skills had picked up the trail west of the railway line. That had been three hours ago.
The ride had taken all eleven men across some of the Hill Country's most beautiful land. Luckily there had been no rainfall to wipe clear the traces of the gang's hasty getaway. Finally, they'd arrived at a low sweep of tree-covered hills which ran southward. The tree line ended about halfway up the hillside. The posse had worked its way south, following an old trail through the groves of sparsely forested slopes.
Tyler was grateful that Grant had been at home when he'd ridden into town earlier that afternoon. After hearing about the robbery at the train, Grant hadn't hesitated to get himself ready and join the hastily-gathered posse. Every one of the men had realized that time was crucial. The sense of urgency had driven them on, keeping up a relentless pace across the hauntingly beautiful Texas land.
Guiding his horse along the trail through the trees, Tyler was glad he had the support of every one of the men riding behind him. Each was prepared to put his life on the line and do whatever it took to keep law and order in Testament Creek. Tyler had only been sheriff a few months. But, already he sensed that he was winning the battle of gaining the confidence of the townsfolk.
The posse edged its way down into the northern end of the gorge. They all dismounted, careful not to make any noise. The high stone walls of the gorge would carry even the slightest sound all the way to the gang.
Tyler led the way. Although everyone of the posse members was armed with pistols, Tyler hoped this situation could be resolved without any shooting. The sand-covered floor of the gorge ensured there were no sounds of footsteps.
Finally, the posse reached a bend in the gorge. Tyler lifted a hand and the men halted behind him. From beyond the curve in the rock Tyler could hear the voices of the men. Tyler gritted his teeth and glanced at the other men. Each gazed steadily back at Tyler. They were ready.
Tyler nodded and stepped around the curve in the gorge. He pointed his pistol at the men gathered around the camp fire. "Don't move!" Tyler barked, his voice echoing in the enclosed space of the gorge.
The men at the fire whirled around and stared, wide-eyed at Tyler and the posse as they emerged from their hiding place. The gang members were frozen, their hands hovering, their gaze filled with disbelief and hate.
Tyler heard a gasp and glanced to his right. The woman was staring at Tyler and the posse. Her face was white with fear. Up close, Tyler saw that the woman was young, probably in her late-twenties. She was even-featured and her dark hair hung loose at her shoulders. She wore a gray gown and black boots.
Tyler didn't say anything to the woman. He merely frowned and shook his head abruptly, hoping she'd understand that danger still hung in the air.
Tyler strode forward. He was flanked on both sides by a posse member. Ray to his right; Luke to his left. Tyler peered at the gang members who were beginning to glance at each other. Maybe they were thinking to draw on the posse, Tyler told himself. The last thing he wanted was a gun battle here in the gorge. Flying bullets could go anywhere down here, he told himself.
Tyler halted in front of
the men who were still seated. The posse members gathered around Tyler. He peered at one of the men and gestured for the man to stand. "You. Up on your feet. Keep your hands where I can see them."
The man stood slowly. Tyler saw the man's jaw tighten. His gaze burned with hate. "Take his pistol, Ray," Tyler said.
Ray stepped forward quickly and reached for the man's holstered pistol. Tyler saw the man's body shift as Ray's hand stretched for the pistol. Then, with a sudden move, the tall gang member lurched back away from Ray. His companions moved at the same moment, each of them reaching for their pistols.
"No!" the woman cried as she realized what was happening. But Tyler had figured the men might do something like this. The posse members had been instructed.
Decisively, the men of the posse raced toward the gang members who were taken aback by the speed of the posse. At exactly the same moment Tyler lurched forward, leaping for the dark-haired man who'd stepped away from Ray. Tyler threw himself at the gang member and collided with the man. Both men tumbled backwards over the fire, and thudded onto the sandy ground beyond it.
Tyler gasped as he felt the wind being knocked out of him. The gang member grunted, his body taking the full weight of Tyler tall, well-muscled physique.
The gang member and Tyler rolled in the dust for a few feet and then came to a halt. Tyler managed to hold onto the man's jacket as they careened across the gorge floor. From behind him Tyler heard three shots ring out. There was a cacophony of voices and the sounds of struggle as the posse and the gang fought each other. The noises of men struggling mixed with the harsh breathing of the man Tyler was tangling with.
Tyler heard the man curse. Forcing himself to his feet, Tyler kept hold of the man's jacket with his left hand. Then Tyler threw a punch with his right which landed squarely on the man's jaw. There was a grunt and the man's heavy body softened in Tyler's grasp. The man staggered and sank down onto his knees. Tyler held onto the man's jacket and peered down at him. The man's eyes were rolling and his jaw was sagging.
The Texas Sheriff's Family Blessing (Testament Creek Book 2) Page 3
