“One is a few hours walk from here. There’s a rocky formation and the entrance is half hidden by a boulder which must have rolled down from above many years ago. I doubt anyone other than my people would know about it. The other is further up the mountain and I don’t know how anyone would reach it. The ground is steep and mostly loose rocks, one step in the wrong place would send you over the edge. There could be other caves but I’m not familiar with where they are. If we don’t find Abigail today, I will speak with my father and uncles. They may have more knowledge about this part of the mountain.”
“Abigail can’t spend another night out here. If she’s hurt and still alive, she may not survive much longer. We have to find her today.” I heard the desperation in my voice. I couldn’t leave the mountain without her. Wouldn’t leave without her.
Josiah clapped me on the shoulder and stood. “Ready to go? The trail is clear, and my hunch would be that your woman is hidden in the first cave I spoke of. We’ll find her.”
Feeling reassured, we gathered the horses and started following the trail once more.
As the sun began sliding toward the horizon, I started to panic. “How much further to the cave?”
Josiah swung around. “We’re here.” He pointed off to the right and I saw the large, smooth boulder he’d spoken about.
The ground was uneven, loose rocks slid under foot, so we proceeded toward the cave with caution. The last thing any of us needed was to slip and bust a leg. So as eager as I was, and as much I desperately wanted to set off running, I carefully followed the other men.
It seemed like hours instead of mere moments before we reached the cave entrance. Securing the horses, we ventured inside.
Light was blocked by the boulder and we waited until our sight adjusted before continuing in. Abigail was near, I could feel it. There was a strong odor, but it wasn’t of death.
“Abigail.” My call echoed and bounced back at me.
I waited, praying for an answer and when it came, I barely heard it.
Josiah held his hand up, bringing us all to a stop. “Call again.”
“Abigail, sweetheart, where are you?”
“Max.” This time I heard my name clearly and Josiah dashed off to our left.
Lester and I followed closely behind. The deeper we ventured, the darker it became, but it was light enough to follow Josiah’s outline.
“Here,” Josiah shouted, and I saw him drop to his knees.
I raced up and joined him. My heart broke at the sight of the woman I cared for deeply. It was obvious she had been bound for a couple of days. Unable to move. No food. No water. I ran my fingers over her face.
“Abigail, sweetheart. I’m here, you’re safe.”
“Max, I knew you’d come.”
We cut away the ropes and I lifted Abigail into my arms. She screamed out as I gathered her close and fear shot through me.
“Where are you hurt?”
“Ribs. Pain. Hard to breathe.” Her breath came in short labored gasps.
“Hang on sweetheart, you’ll be okay when I get you to Doc Bright.”
She rested her head against my chest as I carried her back to the cave entrance and out into the sunlight.
Lester lay a blanket, which he’d pulled from his saddle, on the ground and offered Abigail a canteen of water. She took several small sips before pushing it away.
“Set her down and I will check her injuries.” Josiah waited for me to do as he’d asked.
I sat back on my haunches, Abigail’s hand in mine, while Josiah proceeded to check her over. Anger bubbled inside me, Abigail’s face was bruised an ugly purple, one eye black and swollen, her lips cracked and spotted with blood. The dress she wore was torn and soiled. When Josiah pressed against her ribs, her back arched and a blood curdling scream filled the air.
Josiah turned to me. “She has broken ribs, but she can breathe which is good.” He ran his fingertips over her ankles and wrists. The skin had been stripped and was bleeding from where she’d been bound by ropes.
“We need to get her to town so Doc can look at her. I think she’ll be okay after some rest and food.” Josiah’s words made me feel a little less worried.
He helped me wrap Abigail in the blanket and lifted her into his arms while I climbed back on Phantom. As soon as I was seated, Josiah handed her into my arms. I secured her against me with one arm and lifted the reins in the other.
Lester rested his hand on my thigh. “I know you want to hurry back but you need to be careful.”
“I know, I’ll take it easy.”
With me leading the way, we all headed for town. The moment we cleared the mountain and the ground flattened out. I held Abigail tight and urged Phantom into a gallop.
I slowed Phantom to a walk as we entered town and headed straight for the diner. Lester and Josiah dismounted, and I lowered Abigail into Josiah’s arms while I jumped down from Phantom.
“I’ll take your horse to the livery.”
Lester held out his hand for the reins and I gave them to him before taking Abigail from Josiah. She hadn’t opened her eyes and apart from the few words she’d spoken back at the cave, she’d remained quiet.
“I’ll let the sheriff know she’s been found and fetch Doc.” Josiah headed to Doc Bright’s office while Lester led the three horses away.
Ensuring Abigail was well covered by the blanket, I strode to the diner and knocked hard at the door. Being a Sunday, the establishment was closed for which I was grateful. The less people who saw Abigail, in this state the better.
Rowan opened the door and her eyes darted to the blanket before she paled. I pushed my way inside which forced my sister to step back and almost stumble.
“Sorry, I don’t want anyone seeing Abigail.”
Rowan nodded before closing and securing the door.
“Josiah has gone for Doc Bright, he should be here shortly,” I explained to my sister.
“Do you want me to wait here for him?”
“No, come upstairs and help Mrs. Miller clean Abigail up some before he arrives. She’d be mortified if she thinks he saw her in the state she’s in.”
We hurried through the diner and I followed Rowan upstairs to the residence.
“Mrs. Miller!” Rowan called as she dashed ahead.
I entered the living area to find Abigail’s mother. She had an anxious expression on her face. When she noticed the blanket in my arms and no part of her daughter visible, she jumped to the wrong conclusion and let out a distraught wail.
“Mrs. Miller, she’s alive.” I spoke loudly to break through her wailing.
She immediately stopped and stared at me. “She is?”
“Yes, but she’s in a bad way and needs to be cleaned up before Doc gets here.”
The two women sprang to life.
“Follow me.” Mrs. Miller led the way and we stepped into what I assumed was Abigail’s room. One of her skirts hung on the door of a closet.
“I’ll get a bowl of water, wash rags and towels.” Rowan called after us.
I set Abigail down on the bed and her mother peeled back the blanket, exposing her daughter’s bruised and bloody face. She gasped and tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I’ll go downstairs and let Doc in when he arrives.”
Mrs. Miller placed a hand on my arm and gazed up at me. “Thank you, Max. Please tell Josiah and Lester, I’m very grateful to them.”
“I will. She’s a strong woman to have survived this long. I’m sure she’ll be fine.” I only hoped what I said was true.
I headed downstairs as my sister entered the room with a bowl of water. Towels were draped over her arm.
A hard knock at the door rattled the surrounds and I strode over to open it and saw Doc Bright, holding a black leather bag, alongside Josiah. I threw the door open wider so the two men could enter and then secured it behind them.
“Upstairs, Howard. Mrs. Miller and my sister are with Abigail. I’ll wait down here.”
The Doc
nodded and hurried upstairs. I turned to Josiah. “Coffee?”
“Yeah. Do you think it would be okay to make something to eat? I’m mighty hungry.” Josiah’s stomach grumbled right on cue.
I laughed. “I’m sure there will be fixings for sandwiches, and I doubt Mrs. Miller would mind if we help ourselves.”
We both headed to the kitchen. I was pleased to have the man’s company while I waited for news from upstairs.
Chapter Twelve
ABIGAIL
I heard voices from far away, but couldn’t make out who was speaking, or what was being said.
Pain held me in its grip and darkness danced at the edge of my consciousness, threatening to pull me down into its black depths. I fought against it, I needed to know where I was.
Who was touching me? Was I dead? Why was I able to move my legs and arms?
The voices….. I strained to hear. Mama, she was upset, crying. Why? Rowan, she was crying too and kept asking who would do this.
I attempted to open my eyes, but they refused to co-operate. Now a man was speaking, it was a voice I’d heard before.
Something cold was pressed to my chest and then under my breast. I screamed when it was pushed against my ribs, the pain was excruciating. If I were dead, would I feel such excruciating pain?
“Abigail.” Mama whispered close to my ear. “Doc needs to check your injuries, honey.”
“Mama, no, please make him leave me alone.” Tears ran from the corners of my eyes.
Mama clutched my hand. “Honey, it will be over soon, and you can rest. Can you open your eyes for us?”
I tried to comply and managed to crack one eye open. The light blinded me, and I hurriedly closed it again. “The light hurts, mama.”
The man spoke and I recognized him as Doc Bright. “Keep them closed, Abigail. They are both bruised, and one is very swollen. You have probably had them closed for a considerable time which is why the light hurts. Try opening them again when the light is dim.”
“They feel sticky, doctor.”
“I’ll get your mother to bathe them in warm water when I’m done.”
“Thank you, am I hurt bad?”
“I think you have two broken ribs, but I can’t examine them properly without causing you unbearable pain. Do you have pain when you breathe?”
“A little if I try to breathe deeply.”
“That’s good, it means the ribs most likely haven’t entered your lungs. I’m going to bandage them, and also your ankles and wrists and leave a bottle of Laudenum with your mother. The medicine will help with pain and also assist you to sleep.”
“Has my daughter been, um violated?”
“No, I see no sign of it.”
“Thank the Dear Lord for that,” I heard mama say.
“What are all the little, bloody marks on Abigail, doctor?” Rowan sounded distressed when she spoke.
“They’re bites, probably insects. I’ll leave salve for those and would like it applied three times a day until they heal. It also needs to be applied to her ankles and wrists.”
“I’m thirsty, may I have water please?”
“You may have sips of water and small amounts of broth for the next two days. If you manage those without nausea or sickness, I’ll consider allowing solid foods.” The doctor answered my question while he treated my wounds. “Bess, Rowan, help Abigail to sit forward so I can bandage her ribs.”
I cried out in pain.
“I’m sorry you’re hurting, Abigail. As soon as I’m done you can rest.”
The doctor worked quickly and once he was done, mama and Rowan helped me into a nightdress and then a glass of water was held to my lips. I drank thirstily until the doctor reminded mama; I could only have a few sips.
Once settled into bed, I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Rest now and I’ll check on you again in a couple of days.” I cracked my eyes open and the doctor smiled.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll escort you out, doctor.” Rowan and the doctor left the room.
As I began to drift off, mama sat on the side of the bed and bathed my eyes. The water was soothing, and they felt so much better. I’d almost dozed off when I heard Max speak.
“Can I see Abigail please, Mrs. Miller?”
Mama stood and released my hand. “Of course, you can stay as long as you like. I’ll be downstairs with your sister. I think we could both use a coffee.”
“There’s a fresh pot on the stove, I made some for me and Josiah. I made sandwiches also, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course, I don’t mind. I owe you, Josiah and Lester my grateful thanks for saving my daughter’s life. Coffee and sandwiches seem a rather inadequate thank you.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Max approached the bed, sat on the edge, clasped my hand, leaned forward and kissed my forehead.
“I was so scared Abigail. I thank the Lord Josiah and Lester were back in town.”
“I knew you would find me, Max.”
My eyes were hurting with the light, but I couldn’t take them off Max. I’d never seen a sweeter sight. I squeezed his hand with what little strength I had left.
“You look exhausted.”
“I haven’t had much sleep. I couldn’t rest while you were out there somewhere.”
“How long was I gone?”
“About two and a half days. Do you know what time you were taken?”
“I was on my way to your ranch and I was attacked about ten in the morning.”
“It’s now a little after five on Sunday night.”
“Mama must have been beside herself with worry. I tried so hard to get free, but the ropes were too tight.”
“I saw your injuries darlin’, I know you tried but no one would have been able to get loose. It wasn’t only your mama who was distressed. My heart was breaking, not knowing where you were, or if you were still alive.”
“I was so scared, Max. There were bats in the cave and I was sure a wild animal would tear me apart.” Tears streamed over my cheeks.
Max leaned forward and hugged me gently.
“I can’t begin to imagine how frightened you must have been.”
“I missed our supper last night.”
Max laughed. “Darlin’, missing supper was the least of your troubles. I’m glad we’ll have the chance to plan another.”
A silence lingered between us before Max spoke quietly. “Who was it darlin’? Who took you and left you to die?
“Mildred’s brother – Albie Sims, he said his name was.”
“Mildred’s brother?”
“That was who he said he was. He said Mildred was unhappy about you calling on me and needed me out of the way. Mildred told him if I was gone, you’d go back to her.”
I saw the tension wrinkle Max’s face. “I was never with her to begin with. We were friends, nothing more. Me being with her was never gonna happen.”
“Mildred seems to have been convinced you were hers.”
“I need to speak with Sheriff Wayne, I sent word with Josiah to let him know you were found, but he’ll want to know who was responsible for your disappearance. I don’t want them getting out of town, I want them to pay for what they’ve done.”
I’d never heard Max so angry. He stood and kissed my cheek.
“I’ll be back as soon as we’ve spoken.”
“Oh, Max, go home and get some rest. You must be very tired.”
“I’ll head home later, I want to spend time with my gal.”
“You still want me to be your girl after causing you so much trouble?” My voice broke as tears trickled from my eyes.
Max sat and gently gathered me into his arms, rubbing his hand soothingly over my back and kissing the top of my head.
“You haven’t caused me any trouble, darlin’ and of course I want you as my gal. I need to go, but I’ll be back. Get some rest while I’m gone.”
Another kiss to my cheek and Max left the room.
The s
hakes set in as I recalled memories of my capture and imprisonment in the cave. I’d been terrified I would never see mama, Max and my friends again.
I sent a quiet prayer to the Lord above, thanking him for giving me a second chance at life.
December 23, 1875
ABIGAIL
Max had left to return to the ranch and when I stood at the door to the diner watching him go, I’d felt the pull of the town well. My first wish had been answered a few months before, did I dare hope another would be granted?
After grabbing a penny from a jar we kept on the counter, I pulled on a warm pair of boots, coat and bonnet and ventured the short distance to the stone structure.
The night was cold, snow was in the air. I huddled deeper into my coat and ensured the bonnet covered my ears. Tilting my head back, I gazed at the half moon, it wouldn’t be full until a couple of days after Christmas, maybe the magic of the well wouldn’t be as strong as it had been in August. Nevertheless, I resolved to make my wish and fixed my eyes on the stone of the well.
I stood reflecting on the past few months since Max had asked to court me and my kidnapping. Mildred and her brother had still not been located, by the time Max had spoken with Sheriff Wayne and they’d gone to arrest them, the two were long gone and hadn’t been seen since. Now when I rode out to the Long ranch, I did so with a gun which Max had taught me to fire. He had stated he wasn’t prepared to risk having me taken again.
Our courtship was wonderful, Max was every bit the gentleman and always attentive. We held hands, attended church socials, where we danced a little closer than we should, and had shared many a supper. Max’s kisses never failed to awaken the woman within me, but I wanted so much more.
I rested a hand on the surface of the gouged stone, closed my eyes and made a wish before tossing the penny in. A few moments later, I hurried back to the diner.
Tomorrow was Christmas Day and mama, Christopher and I had been invited to Mykita for three days. Mrs. Long insisted we were almost family and we should all spend the holiday together. I couldn’t wait to spend my first Christmas with Max as his girl.
After dressing in a warm nightgown, I crawled into bed, sent a prayer to the Lord above and fell into a sleep full of dreams of Max.
Country Wishes Page 17
