She tossed the memory of their words out. Rose knew Ben loved her. His words lived in her heart, keeping her hope alive. She walked around the table he’d made and rubbed her fingers along the polished wood. She could almost feel his hand as he sanded and worked to make it a thing of beauty for their home. For her.
She remembered when he wrote to her about making the table. He wanted her to have the best and spent days searching for the perfect wood. He’d written how he imagined the wonderful dinners they’d have together. The friends they’d have over.
Her cheeks grew warm as she recalled how he’d written in large letters about the children they’d have. She grinned at the large table he’d made for her. He had written that he wanted children. By the length of the table, he meant quite a few.
She sat down on one of the chairs and closed her eyes, imagining what a dinner might be like. Him at the head of the table, smiling and joking with his children scattered on either side of him. All blond like him. And blue eyes. Strong and sturdy, their children would be. She glanced toward the kitchen. She’d be bringing out a turkey. He’d written there were flocks of the wild birds around.
Her children would clap at the fine dinner she made for them. All strong and handsome looking like their father. She paused in her tale, it seems some should look like her. There would have to be a few with dark hair. A good mixture of boys and girls.
“I’m going to look around the place. You stay here.” Rand exited but left the door open.
Her gaze followed him. She prayed he’d find something to let him know where to find Ben.
A painful thought stabbed her. What if Ben was dead? What if Rand found a grave, a body?
“Stop!” She put her hands on either side of her head and forced the thoughts to end. Rose stared at a cross Ben had placed over the door. One of the first things that he’d asked in his letters was if she were a believer and knew the Lord Jesus as her savior. With joy, she’d answered that just the month before, she’d been baptized into the faith. That the Lord had indeed saved her. Saved her soul as well as her body from the horrid life she’d grown up in.
Yes, she’d written, Jesus had set her heart and soul free. She was poor but free from the sin that had bound her to a fallen life. She’d told him about everything. How she’d been raised in a brothel by a prostitute mother and then grew up to work in the same degrading filth, but now, her life was new, and she was a new creation like the preacher had promised it said in the Bible.
Yet, she’d understand if he wanted to find another woman. His answer had caused her to fall in love with him.
Dear Rose, I appreciate your honesty. And I know there will be hardship because of the life you were forced to endure. But this I know, when I got your letter and read how you had been given a new life and baptized into the faith, you were grafted into my heart. I loved you from that moment. Now, whenever I think and pray for you, that love grows. … Love now and forever, Ben.
She took in a deep breath. Yes, she loved him, too. And it was that love that would bring him back to her. She believed it. Her faith proclaimed it. Their love settled it.
She looked around the cabin. Everything she saw and touched spoke of his care and love. She’d find him. Their love would lead them to one another.
Rand’s shadow darkened the door.
She glanced. “Did you find something?”
“No.” He looked past her.
She wasn’t fooled. He’d found something he didn’t want to tell her. Her faith wavered. Then she thought of Ben and his love for her and walked to the bounty hunter. “What is it?”
He looked at her. “Tracks. They must have come for his stock. Of course, no way of telling if it was the ones who took him or strangers passing along the way and helping themselves.”
She swept her hand towards the room. “Nothing is disturbed. If it had been scavengers, they’d have ransacked the place.”
Rand nodded. “Thought of that, too.”
“So, where did they take him?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “And why?”
She stared at him. Yes, all the questions. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s find him.”
He whirled to face her, his eyes hard with anger. “Let’s? I told you I’d take you here and then leave you while I looked for him.”
Rose shook her head. “Whether you take me with you or not, I’ll follow. I can help you find him.”
He sneered. “And how are you going to do that? What secret have you got that would help me find your Ben?”
“My love for him and his for me.” Her heart burned with the truth of her statement whether he believed her or not. “You can laugh, but I know it will draw us together.”
He stared at her. Started to answer but stopped, turned away, and saw to the horses. When he came back in, he stared at her and uneasily nodded. “We’ll leave in the morning. Early.”
Rose wanted to clap, but she saw the struggle in Rand. She’d watch him in case he tried to slip away without her.
Chapter 6
Ben stepped off the horse.
John shoved him toward the campfire that Ed had going. A few straggling steers with altered brands showed the fire had also served branding irons.
“Sit down. Put your feet out.” John spoke gruffly. He’d been getting harder as they moved the herd down a winding trail.
Ben put his legs out. “I’d like to walk a little.”
John just shook his head as he tied Ben’s feet together and then his hands. Finished, John barely looked at him, said nothing, and left.
No one needed to tell Ben that his time was drawing short. Jingo had wanted to kill him the first day. Ed and John had stopped him. Then John began showing signs of displeasure that they had to drag him along. Ed remained his sole hope of surviving, and even he was getting edgier by the day.
Ben stretched his back, longed to get his hands free and stretch his arms. His stomach rumbled. He was at their mercy. Food was growing scarce. Yesterday, they’d only given him one meal.
Jingo walked by him, sneered, and went past. At least he hadn’t kicked him like he normally did.
And that bothered Ben. Were they going to do him in tonight? Had he reached the end of his trail?
Ed came into camp. “Jingo, watch the herd.”
The big man started to argue, glared, and left.
“I could use some food.” Ben hoped Ed had kept some of his decency.
“We’re running low.” He glanced at him. “Best you keep quiet and don’t cause any trouble.”
Ben understood. Ed was losing his bid to keep him alive. Jingo’s daily perverted lust for killing was wearing on him. Like a steady drip of water, Jingo battled Ed daily by saying how they could get away but not with a witness.
Unfortunately, Ben would have to agree with the outlaw. He might keep quiet for a time, but eventually, he’d let on what happened. Give out names and descriptions and then if the money was right, men like Rand Ketcham would hunt them down.
Ben thought to the few times he’d met Rand. He didn’t like the carefree way he went about his business. Some outlaws he brought in alive, others came in beat up, and some draped over a saddle.
The man seemed to have little feeling for those he brought in. Then that awful night when one of the outlaws came to avenge his brother and shot at Rand. The bounty hunter shot back and missed. Another of the outlaw’s bullets struck flesh, but it was Rand’s wife. A lovely woman who couldn’t be more different than her husband. She died that night.
Rand had quit the business. The bounty had been good, but he’d lost his wife. Ben remembered the look in Rand’s eye at the funeral. That outlaw’s bullet had ended two lives that night. They buried one. The other buried himself in a bottle of whiskey.
Ed cleared his throat and walked past him. “We’ll reach the Territory in a few days.”
Ben tried to catch his eye. “You’re not a murderer. Not yet. Don’t let Jingo make you one.”
Ed didn’t
look at him but stared out at the herd. “I said I’d let you go.”
Ben’s insides chilled. Yes, he said the right words, but there was no longer conviction attached to them. The words had been tossed out with little care or meaning. Ben decided to take Ed’s advice and stay quiet.
Instead of his predicament, Ben thought of Rose. What she must be like. He could almost imagine how she sounded. Her voice would be soft and caring. She’d smell of roses like the letters she sent him. Her soft skin, the warmth of her touch, he could feel her if he thought hard enough.
He recalled her second letter. They’d agreed to write one another and see where it took them. He already knew after her first letter where she’d written how she’d come to know the Lord and changed.
That she’d been a harlot bothered him at first. Then the second letter came. He knew it was hers without reading the envelope. He opened it. Her words, written on yellowed paper as if she’d found it in a drawer where it’d been stored for years, touched his heart.
Dear Ben,
I can hardly sleep at night because of the hope you’ve ignited in my heart. It is a fire that burns bright and pure. I can see you working hard on your land. I know you. You’re a good man. Hard-working and strong. I can sense that about you.
A good man that the Lord has had His hand on since you were little. You said you have blond hair. I bet it shines gold in the sun. I long to run my fingers through it. To tell you how you have made me feel welcome.
Most people condemn me, but your letter opened my heart to possibilities. To you. That you might want to marry me. I promise I will make you a good wife. To love you always. But only if you want me. If you can’t get over my past, I will understand.
Hoping,
Rose.
Ben smiled as he recalled her words. He loved her more deeply than he thought possible. Heart to heart their words had come together. He stared at the dying sun. He and Rose were supposed to be starting their life together. The last rays dimmed, and twilight began. Their love wasn’t supposed to end this way. He prayed it wouldn’t.
***
Rose awoke with a start. She’d spent the night in the bedroom. In Ben’s bed. She blushed. Like everything else about the cabin, it was perfect. More than she could have ever dreamed possible for her. She gazed out the window and sighed. What a beautiful sight. Trees caught the bulk of the sun’s rays. But some came through and streamed in the window brightening the room.
She held the blanket to her chest. Rand had slept in the barn. A sudden fear that he’d left her jolted her out of bed. She’d just put her hand on the door when she smelled bacon.
He hadn’t left.
Rose opened the door. Light streamed through the windows and danced on the floor. Such a happy home. Ben had made this place as if he’d seen into her dreams.
“I thought about waking you. Was hoping the bacon would.” Rand set a plate of bacon on the table. “Ben has a well-stocked kitchen. He was expecting you.”
She smiled. Yes, he was. She sat in the chair that looked out the eastern window. It was perfect except Ben was missing.
“Eat up. We leave as soon as we’re finished. I’ve got the horses saddled and ready.”
Rose nodded and began eating the eggs. The sooner she finished the sooner she’d see Ben.
Rand sat down and ate his breakfast. Slow and steady. No hurry in him. Then she saw that the muscles in his neck were taut. A vein bulged. He was wound tight as a cougar on the prowl. He cared in his own way, and she took solace in that.
Finished, she took her plate and waited for his. “I’d like to clean them. In case he comes back. I want him to know how I care about this wonderful cabin he’s built.”
Rand handed her his plate. “I’ll be outside.” Gruff and no-nonsense, he answered her.
She was tempted to berate him but stopped when she caught his eye. He was all business. This is what she’d hired him for. Yet, not hired as she had no money. Instinctively she knew it best to keep out of his way. Follow him, quietly. Let him do his job.
Finished with the dishes, she went outside and mounted Pansy. The horse was a doll, and she hoped Ben would have enough money to buy the animal.
Rand came from around the barn. “Let’s go.” He mounted and trotted Black Jack away from the road and through the woods.
She followed, hoping he’d tell her what he thought. Or found. She followed behind him, staring at his back. Rand was a big, strong man. His every manner reminded her of an animal on the prowl. She’d seen the look of a hunter in his eyes, a look that made her thankful he wasn’t after her.
After several hours, she had to stop. She tapped Pansy’s sides and rode up beside Rand. “I need to stop. Just for a few minutes.”
He growled and halted his horse. “Make it fast.” He dismounted and led his horse. Always looking around them, he stopped maybe twenty yards from her and took something from the ground.
Rose walked stiffly to him. “Did you find something?”
“Maybe. He held his hand open. “You’ve never met Ben, could be from his jacket. We’ll know if we find another.” He smiled at her. “Perhaps, he believes you would come looking for him.” He tossed the item to her.
She caught it and held it in her hand. She knew it was Ben’s. Could feel him in it. “Ben. I’m coming.” She mounted Pansy and caught up to Rand. “So, you believe me now?”
He glanced at her. “Maybe. Not that I never disbelieved you. He’s been missing more than a week, probably two. They could be anywhere.”
“But you found this. You’re on their trail.”
“Yeah. Maybe.” He kicked his horse and loped away from her.
Rose watched him ride away. More like running away. But then, she’d lived most of her life that way. Running from feelings. Running from life really. Well, she was running toward life now. And Ben held that life for her.
She fingered the jacket latch and put it in her pocket. It was a piece of Ben. Something she could hold. With a determined smile, she urged Pansy past her usual trot and loped after Rand.
***
Rand hated to see the hope in Rose’s eyes. Yes, he’d found a man’s coat latch. Could be anyone’s. He shouldn’t have tossed it to her. If he found another one, that would mean something. He’d really not counted on finding a trail. Now that he had, he regretted allowing her to come along. So far, the trail had been easy to follow. But whoever they were, they were getting cagier.
Four riders by the hoofprints he saw. Rand wasn’t sure if they’d taken Ben or if he was part of their gang. He thought gang because as they came out of the woods and brushy thicket, he saw signs of cattle being driven.
Not cattle grazing on the grassland, but cattle being driven. Rustlers if he had to guess. The sheriff had said Duston had lost cattle. By the looks, it was a small herd. Maybe a hundred at most. But enough to give a few men a substantial amount of cash.
If Rose’s Ben was taken prisoner, they’d not let him live. If he was part of the gang, he’d hang. Either way, it meant heartache for the woman. He should have never let her come with him. He thought the trail would end at Ben’s cabin.
A cardinal flitted past him. Twilight was nearing, and they needed to make camp. He glanced back at Rose. He didn’t have time to take her back to town, and it wouldn’t be safe to send her back alone. She’d have to stay with him. Not a decision that pleased him.
He scouted for a suitable campsite. Riding to a stand of trees, he saw where the men he was chasing had made camp. He dismounted and ran his hand through the old campfire. Stone cold. By the looks, he was a day, maybe two behind them.
Rose caught up to him. “Is this where Ben camped?”
Her voice, so full of hope demanded he keep his back to her, not wanting her to see the lack of faith in his face. Whether Ben was with them or not, he had no way of knowing. “We’ll stay the night here. We won’t have a fire just in case they’re watching their back.”
“We have jerky and tack. I even
found a couple of apples in the cabin.” She reached in her saddlebag and pulled one out and threw it to him. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
He liked her grit. She’d make someone a good wife. He looked away from her, not wanting to dampen the hope in her eyes. Yes, they’d found a campsite. Could be the rustlers. Could be a hunter or a drifter. The land was still full of men roaming about trying to make sense out of their lives since the war and poor times. Many had lost too many loved ones to understand how to go on. Rand knew that only too well.
He tethered the horses and turned them loose to graze. Even though the day had been pleasant, it was going to be a cold night. Without a fire, a beastly cold night. He gathered leaves and branches and piled them on the ground near a boulder. It would help keep her warm.
As the sun left them, she stood on the edge of the camp looking out across the prairie. He could feel her desire to find Ben. Looking out, hoping against hope. If he could honestly give her a word of encouragement, he would. But he couldn’t.
They were nearing Indian Territory, and more than likely, Ben’s time was nearing an end. No outlaw would leave a loose end. If they’d trusted Ben to keep quiet, they’d have released him already. There was the slight hope they needed him to help with the herd. Then again, Ben could be part of the gang.
“Rose, I fixed you a bed. I’ll stand guard.” He waited for her to settle down and then left her with his blanket.
She held it up, sweet innocent caring in her eyes. “Rand, don’t you think you’ll need it?”
He forced his gaze to break with hers. “I’ve got my jacket.” He turned from her.
If only he’d told Susanna to stay away. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. He couldn’t. He waited a few minutes until he heard her breathing steady, in the rhythmic peace of sleep that comes after a hard day. Probably a week of hard days for her. He strode to the edge of camp and looked across the expanse to see if there were any campfires.
Nothing but blackness met his gaze. Then he looked up. The stars shone bright against the velvet sky. No moon tonight. No light but the twinkling stars. He lay back in the grass and gazed upward.
Lawfully Saved: Inspirational Christian Historical Page 5
