“I usually don’t. William and I would spend all day searching for just the perfect blue spruce. But, I thought it might be better to use the artificial tree this year. Easier.”
Teresa understood what she meant. When a loved one was missing, nothing felt the same.
“Where do you want to set up the tree?”
“In front of the big window.”
The day flew by, and soon nighttime was upon them.
* * *
The sounds of birds chirping woke Tom from his restless sleep. Though he’d tossed and turned most of the night, he was surprised by the hypnotic state he’d fallen into come early morning. Already awake, Huston was fixing breakfast when Tom exited the tent. “Sleep well?”
“Yes, thanks.” Huston laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
Huston grinned. “You surely can snore.”
“Oh. I didn’t even think I was asleep most of the night.”
“Our bodies can fool us like that. Don’t worry about it. I snore myself. I bet the forest animals didn’t know what to make of the strange sounds coming out of that tent.”
“My wife always warned me if I were on a stakeout at night not to fall asleep. I would give myself away.”
“I wasn’t aware that you’re married, Tom.”
“Laurie died years ago from cancer. I moved here and took this job because I needed to get away. It was just too hard to stay in our hometown after she died.”
“Sad. I’m sorry to hear it.” Huston put his plate down. “I’ll start getting our gear ready. You finish eating, and then we’ll head out.”
By noon, they reached the end of the visible tire tracks. The first off his horse was Huston, followed by Tom. Stooping, the experienced tracker leaned in to observe the ground closer. “I believe they turned left. There appears to be a faint track along this way. The old logging road splits here. The right takes you back to the entrance. Where these tracks are headed leads you directly to the lake. We can cut through the woods and hopefully he won’t know we’re trailing him.”
Tom took a sip of water to quench his thirst and then followed Huston’s lead.
They rode about two miles when Huston stopped abruptly and held up a hand. Tom halted his steed, unable to tell what Huston had spotted. By the man’s reaction, he’d encountered something unnerving. Huston slid from his horse and dropped to the ground without a sound.
Tom did the same, securing the lead to a nearby tree. Thick brush slapped Tom as he crept to where Huston stood.
His eyes couldn’t believe what they saw. Blinking, he refocused on the sight of a little girl jumping rope in front of a white truck, a tent set up to the left.
Huston whispered, “Is that Emma?”
CHAPTER NINE
Waking early, Teresa showered and dressed. Today would be the day Emma came home—she believed that with all her heart. With her stomach alerting her to hunger pains, she went into the kitchen and started the coffee.
As Mary entered the room, her surprise was evident. “You’re awake early. I’m usually the first one up.”
“So I was thinking,” Teresa said, “I’d like to fix Emma a Barbie Doll Christmas tree. I saw it on a television show last year.”
“I think she’ll love it. I’ll get dressed, and we’ll go buy the dolls. I have a few gifts to shop for as well. I’ve got some funds I’ve been saving for a rainy day, and it’s time to spend them.”
The duo drove to the local store, where Teresa was able to purchase some inexpensive dolls and a four-foot pink tree. Noticing a glittering angel tree topper on display, she placed the decoration in her buggy.
Feeling especially hopeful and full of joy, Teresa also bought a kitchen play set and plastic dishes for her daughter.
Mary circled the store for what seemed forever, undecided about what to get Emma. Finally, she surprised Teresa by hauling a bicycle into her cart alongside the inexpensive four place setting of holly-leafed Christmas dishes she’d selected.
Mary and Teresa checked out and headed home, stopping to grab a burger for lunch.
* * *
The sheriff inched closer to score a better look at the little girl dancing around. “Yes, it’s her.”
Huston replied in a whisper, “We need to figure out a way to approach without scaring or endangering her.”
A man appeared, holding an armful of sticks he’d gathered from the forest. Haphazardly, he dumped them close to the fire pit that had been built.
“Daddy, I’m hungry,” Emma pleaded.
“It’s definitely her father.”
“Okay, Einstein, do you have any ideas on how we’re going to get Emma away safely?” Huston muttered.
“I’m thinking.” Tom ducked behind the brush. Huston followed.
“We should wait until it gets darker before we try anything. For now, let’s watch and wait. An opportunity may arise.”
Huston wiped away the sweat from his forehead. “You’re the boss.”
* * *
Teresa and Mary arrived home and quickly started to work on Emma’s Christmas tree. From the basement, Mary retrieved an old crate, upon which she arranged a red quilt. Teresa then placed the tree on top. In no time, Emma’s doll tree was finished, pink angel and all.
“Beautiful.” Teresa wiped a tear from her eye. “I can’t wait for her to see it.”
“Soon, sweetheart. It’s getting late. I’ll whip something together for us to eat. I just know she’s going to walk in that door any moment.”
* * *
Several hours passed. Tom and Huston ate another sandwich and weighed their options. Periodically, they snuck through the woods and evaluated the situation.
With dusk now upon them, Peter had started a fire and opened a can of soup to warm. The little girl sat on a log near the flames. Peter handed her the jacket. “Put it on.”
“Daddy, when is Mommy coming?” Emma asked.
“I’m not sure.” He passed her a bowl and spoon. “Eat your soup before it gets cold.”
“You said Mommy would be coming!”
“Hush!”
The girl sniffled back tears. Quietly, she finished her soup, scraping the bowl in a manner that displayed her hunger.
In a harsh tone, Peter told the youngster to go to bed. Immediately, she fled into the tent behind the truck. Child-sized sobs filled the night, clearly annoying Peter. “Enough with the racket!” he hollered. “Quiet!”
An uneasy silence followed. “Brat kid,” Peter muttered to himself. “I’m going for a walk. Stay put!”
This was their chance. Nerves wracked Tom. What if Peter returned too quickly? What if the situation became violent with the child in the midst? Bowing his head, Tom began to whisper.
“What are you doing?”
Tom looked up. “I’m talking to God.”
“You’re wasting time!”
Ignoring Huston, Tom continued to pray.
When he finished, he stood and rushed into the campsite. Without delay, he dipped inside the tent and gently woke Emma. “Shhhh…”
The little girl leapt into his arms. “Where’s Mommy?”
“We are going to see her right now.” The sheriff lifted Emma to carry her out of the tent where Huston waited. When Tom eased out with the child, the rough tracker smiled. “Okay, let’s get out of here fast.”
“Time’s wasting.” Huston spun to leave. Tom followed closely behind as the group fled into the brush. Before Tom and Emma were in the clear, he heard a gun cock.
“Now what is going on here?”
Tom froze, worried for Emma’s safety. Slowly, he turned so not to alarm Peter. Thank God Huston had made it without notice—he’d get them out of this somehow.
“Put my daughter, down.” Gently, Tom set the fearful child on the ground.
“Get back to bed, Emma.”
The youngster quickly ran to the tent, her sobs uncontrolled.
* * *
Alone and terrified, Emma curled in a ball a
nd wished for her mommy. Suddenly, a knife appeared through the tent, tearing a slit all the way down. She was too scared to react. The stern-looking man peered into the hole. “Shhhh…”
Emma nodded. The man was Mr. Tom’s friend, and Mr. Tom was nice. He was going to take her to her mommy.
Emma jumped when she heard her father scream at Tom, “You should have stayed away from me and my family. Nobody crosses me and lives to tell about it!”
Huston whispered, “It’s okay. I know you’re scared, but I am a friend of your mother and Mrs. Mary. They sent me here to bring you home. Be very quiet and come through this opening.” The four-year old obeyed and climbed out. The man lifted her, and crouching low, ran for the trees. Seconds later, he placed Emma on the saddle of the horse.
“Is Mr. Tom coming? Daddy won’t hurt him will he?” she whispered.
The man glanced back and made a face. “Emma, if I leave you here with the horses, can you be a good girl and not go anywhere until I get back?”
“I know not to yell. It can scare the horses.”
“You’re right.” He transferred her to the ground, away from the animals. “Sit here and be a good girl. Remember, don’t leave. No matter what you hear.”
“Okay. I will.”
* * *
Remembering he had some candy in his gear—he’d always had a sweet tooth—Huston took out a bag of assorted candies and handed a few to Emma.
“Remember, stay here. I’ll be back soon.”
As if starved, she wasted no time tearing open a wrapper.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this. If Tom hadn’t stopped to pray, we would be headed home to the farm.” Huston headed toward the campsite. With a quick check of his gun, Huston ducked behind the truck, listening to Peter’s rant about his wife and daughter.
“Teresa is my wife! My wife, understand that? No stupid ‘decree’ can change that. She will do what I tell her to do. No one needs to be putting any ideas into her head.”
Tom stood in silence, observing Peter’s every move with watchful eyes. The tracker circled around to the side of the truck closer to Tom and contemplated how to communicate a plan.
Huston noticed Tom’s hands folded, his eyes looking upward toward heaven. Praying? Again? The man must be crazy. How would he get his attention when his head was in the clouds?
Out of nowhere, an animal figure charged into the campsite, growling and snapping on a straight course toward Peter. Surprised by the attack, Peter screamed and stumbled, and the beast leapt, knocking him down. The thunk of his head hitting a rock made a sickening sound. The canine retreated to the edge of the clearing.
Tom, startled, froze, only to snap back to life a moment later and seize Peter’s gun.
“Are you okay?” Huston replied, shocked.
“Yes! Go get Emma. That wolf might have rabies and attack again.”
“Emma is down the road some. While you were yapping with Mr. Unconscious here, I cut the tent and removed her.”
“Still—”
“Look! Over there, Tom. It’s no wolf. It’s a large dog. He seems to have no interest in attacking us. It’s as if he sensed we needed help.”
Tom’s gaze fixated on the animal’s shadow, his flashlight highlighting its glowing eyes. A white German Shepard. “No, it can’t be!”
“What are you talking about?” Huston felt Peter’s pulse. “Unfortunately, he’s alive.”
“The dog…it’s Major.”
“William’s German Shepard? Didn’t he die or disappear a while back?”
The beast vanished in the woods.
“I thought so too, but I’m telling you…that dog is Major.”
“Well, whether it’s Major or not, we need to haul Peter in.”
“How bad of shape is he in?”
“Bruised, maybe a concussion from hitting his head on the rock. We’ll have to get him to a doctor.”
Tom rolled the lifeless man to his side and handcuffed him. A non-sympathetic Huston obtained some water from a container near the fire and splashed it in Peter’s face. His eyes jumped open as he moaned.
“Now, that’s how you handle a prisoner.”
Huston gathered the horses and Emma, who was quietly waiting and eating her candy. Placing her in the saddle in front of him, Huston started back to the campsite.
CHAPTER TEN
Minutes later, Huston arrived with the horses and helped Tom load Peter on the Appaloosa. They wanted to shield Emma from the sight of her father handcuffed, and the lewd comments he spewed, so Huston rode ahead with her. A top priority for Tom was reuniting Emma with her mom, and the faster Huston made that happen, the better. Meanwhile, Tom could handle Peter himself—and he’d ensure the man was locked behind bars where he couldn’t hurt his girls again.
Nightfall crept upon the two riders. Tom debated whether to stop and set up camp, but truth was, his prisoner wasn’t the best company and he wanted to get home to see Teresa. He imagined that if Peter discovered his affection for Teresa, he wouldn’t be too pleased.
Midnight had come and gone. Aches and pains splintered Tom’s legs as the time passed deeper into the early a.m. A few more hours…they’d reach the farm soon. The prisoner had drifted in and out of sleep, but that was not something Tom could afford to do. Until he personally handed Peter over to the police, he would not trust that Teresa and Emma were safe.
* * *
Exhausted and hungry, Huston arrived just as the sun peeked over the mountain. The four year old lay asleep, resting against his chest. The rhythm of the horse’s stride long ago lulled her to sleep.
Stopping short of the front door, Huston gently aroused Emma. “You’re home, now. Sit up a sec, and I’ll help you down.”
Swinging his legs off of the horse, Huston turned and lifted the little girl safely in his arms.
“Thank you, Mr. Huston,” Emma’s dainty voice said as she laid her head on his shoulder.
“You, sweet angel, are quite welcome.” The words did not match his gruff tone.
Huston knocked on the door with no response. He pounded harder.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Emma!” Teresa stumbled toward the pounding, feeling as though she was moving in slow motion. When she finally reached front entryway, her racing heart proved too much and she collapsed as the door opened in her hand.
“Mommy?” Emma climbed down from Huston and ran the few steps to her mother.
“My baby, you’re back!” Teresa was crying so hard she was afraid she made no sense. Her stepmother stood several feet behind her, frozen in surprise. Suddenly, she regained her composure and hurried to Teresa and Emma, looping her arms around them both.
Mary started to praise God out loud, thanking Him for delivering their little girl home. Even Huston took off his hat in a show of respect. Once Mary finished her prayer, she stood and turned toward Huston. “Please come in and warm up. Would you like some coffee?”
“Maybe one cup. My bed’s calling my name.” As the tough man smiled at the sight of Emma wrapped in her mother’s arms, an unexpected tear rolled down his cheek. Quickly, he wiped it away, and cleared his throat.
Mary brought a cup of coffee to Huston and sat beside him. “Do you know where Tom is?”
“Yes, ma’am. He’s coming in behind me. The youngster’s dad had her all along and the sheriff is bringing him in on kidnapping charges.”
Teresa looked up. “Peter had her in the woods.” Lifting Emma’s face toward her, she asked, “Did Daddy treat you okay?”
“I guess. Only he did get mad sometimes. Mommy, I don’t like to be with Daddy when he is mad. He yells.”
“I know, baby. You don’t have to stay with Daddy anymore.” Pulling Emma close, Teresa never wanted to let her go. This was the moment she had dreamed of for so long, but there was only one thing missing—Tom. Pray he was safe, but she’d made the mistake of underestimating her ex once.
“How far behind you were Tom and Peter?” Mary asked.
“N
ot much, unless Peter was slowing him down. But, I seriously doubt that. Tom wanted to get back home as soon as possible.”
“I hope so.” In reality, the thought of having Peter around her, Emma, or Tom sickened Teresa.
* * *
As Mary poured Huston another cup of coffee, she sensed his agitation and restlessness. Though he’d insisted he needed to be getting home, he hung around, as if waiting for something. Mary’s guess? Tom.
Several times, when Huston thought no one was looking, he glanced out the window, his gaze searching the forest edge. Clearly, he worried. It’d been almost an hour since he’d arrived with Emma, and Tom had not shown.
Another half-hour passed. Mary cooked a big breakfast and brought Huston a plate.
After they ate, Teresa decided to give Emma a bath. Mary stayed with Huston, who no longer tried to hide that he waited, and worried, for Tom.
“What should we do? It’s been two hours now. Do you think he would have stopped and camped for the night?”
“No. He wanted home too badly.” Standing, Huston handed Mary his empty plate. “I’m going back out there. My gut is telling me something’s wrong. Mrs. Mary, would you mind calling my wife and letting her know? Also, could you wrap up some of those delicious biscuits and ham? No saying how long this’ll take.”
Mary nodded. “I’ll call your wife shortly and explain.”
She disappeared into the kitchen, only to return a few minutes later with a sackful of food, along with a thermos full of hot coffee.
“Thank you. Mrs. Mary. If I’m not back in a couple of hours, contact the sheriff’s department.”
“Very well, Huston. Please be careful.”
“I always am. Don’t worry, Mrs. Mary, I’ll find them.”
Mary watched him ride off, then retreated inside to make her phone call. Soon, Teresa floated into the living room with Emma cradled in her arms and wrapped in a towel.
“Where’s Huston?” Teresa asked as she started to comb Emma’s hair.
“He went out for a while. He’ll be back soon.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Orange and pink hues rose in the sky as daybreak made its appearance. In a few hours, Tom would be with Teresa and Emma. The ex-husband would be in jail and out of their lives. The thought of Teresa and Emma brought a smile and his body relaxed.
A Christmas Gift for Mary Jones Page 5
