by Candi Fox
“Guess tonight’s going to be your claiming, girl. I for one can’t wait for the show.” Gideon laughed as he rode by, his words inciting similar responses from the men.
She bit her lip to keep quiet and fought to keep her posture lax. Her back rested against Wyatt’s chest. She became comfortable with him over the last few days.
“The boys don’t get much in the way of entertainment.”
If he meant the words as comfort, they were anything but. She dreaded having to pretend to be making love to Wyatt, much less with someone watching. Surely that wasn’t part of it.
No! She pushed the thought from her mind. Focus on the plan. Wyatt stopped the horse dismounting first before helping her down. A young boy of around eight took the reins.
Wyatt kept his hand on her back, guiding her into the house while giving orders. As they entered the wide doors, her eyes scanned the room. A large family area to the left, a hall to the right, a dining table, and beyond that should be the kitchen.
They continued down the hall to the back of the cabin, a lone door to the left. He escorted her inside before closing the door.
“I’m locking you in. I have the only key. You’ll be safe. I’ll be back with hot water.”
Silent tears flowed down her face the moment she heard the lock click into place. Making her way to the bed, she lay down. Beyond exhausted, she closed her eyes, allowing her body to relax for the first time in days.
A hand touching her had her sitting bolt upright. The scream died in her throat when she spotted Wyatt. “Bath’s ready.”
She sat up noticing a large copper tub filled with steaming water.
“I slept through all that?”
He smiled then looked concerned. “You did, which you needed, best not sleep like that again. I found you some clean clothes and better shoes. Not sure of the fit on either.
“I’ll keep my back turned while you bathe.”
Emma knew it’s the best offer she could hope for given the situation. She undressed quickly, slipping into the blissfully hot water. More than anything she wanted to soak in the tub until it began too cool. Instead she washed quickly so the water would still be hot for Wyatt.
She gave herself five scant minutes before lifting her tired, still bruised body from the tub. She quickly dried off before wrapping the robe on the bed around her body.
“Thank you, Wyatt.”
“Least I can do, seeing how I got you into this situation. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get to the water while it’s still hot.”
She immediately turned her back, giving him privacy to bathe. There wasn’t any place for her to go to change, so she sat on the far side of the bed and did the best she could to keep her modesty while she donned the borrowed clothing.
Well-worn but clean underthings and a blue gingham dress along with sturdy boots. Her hair she plaited into a single braid and left it hanging down her back.
“Ready to go for your foraging walk? The boys we traveled with have been bragging on your cooking. They are out looking for deer right now.”
“I haven’t cooked deer, is its lean meat or more like beef?”
“Lean with little fat. Lots of people, not a lot of time. I’d suggest stew.”
“All right. I’ll look for roots and tubers for the stew.”
“Might have a few things in the garden. I have baskets right outside the door.”
She followed him out the door grabbing the large basket from the floor. He led her further down through the kitchen and out the back door. Others looked in their direction yet said nothing. She kept her eyes straight ahead on Wyatt’s back.
He surprised her, taking her around the back of the house to the garden first which still had some winter vegetables. He even helped her fill another basket with carrots, turnips, parsnips, and radishes.
“We can pick this up on the way back.”
Wyatt led her to the back of the encampment and out through a well-hidden door. The woods lay not thirty feet from the wall. She took note of the unmanned walls.
* *
Emma stirred the stew. It would be done soon, along with the pans of cornbread that she’d just pulled out of the oven.
She hadn’t seen any other women and wondered if they were somewhere else in the camp. Lastly, she wondered who did the cooking. Gideon was the only one to come into the kitchen after Wyatt left. Emma managed not to look him in the eye or speak to him unless he asked her a question.
He stepped uncomfortably close on several occasions, insisting he taste everything before finally leaving the kitchen. Wyatt returned just in time to carry the heavy stew pot to the dining room, sitting it on an iron trivet on the table.
Earlier he told her to eat before everyone else. She would be staying in his room while everyone else ate. Thankful she wouldn’t have to sit at a table with the devil, she readily agreed. Once again, she laid down to take a nap, though this time she fell into a light sleep.
Voices in the hall woke her up. “Why is this door locked? I want to see her.”
Emma recognized that voice.
“Now, Nora you’ll have plenty of time to play with the girl later. Just remember she will be my wife.”
“What? When did you decide that?”
“The moment I found out how rich her parents are. Wyatt’s little oops played right into my hands. I can return the girl to her parents and offer to marry her. Save her reputation. After all, who else would take a soiled dove?”
“You don’t want to be her first?”
“I could care less. Wyatt will get tired of her soon, and I’ll be there to swoop in and save her. Make sure she’s not in the same room with either of us.”
Emma listened as the Frenchman and Evanora finished their conversation. She remained still in case they came back, or Wyatt opened the door. Several minutes passed before she moved.
First, she headed to the chest of drawers, pulling out a pair of smalls. They would be too big, but she could tie them. With care she investigated the entire room, taking only what she needed. Not only did she want to travel light, but she didn’t like the idea of stealing. Wyatt had gotten her into this damnable situation, but since that moment he protected her.
Still she had to take her chance and escape at the first possible moment. She stowed the small bundle in a cubby hole at the bottom of the wardrobe. The well-oiled doors didn’t make a sound when opened.
It would be easy to get to in the middle of the night. Being locked in for hours had given her a chance to memorize the path with her eyes closed. She’d tried a dozen times already.
The sound of the key sliding the lock open had her shutting the doors and hurrying to the bed. She just settled in when the door opened.
“Supper was good. Everyone had their fill, even Typhon’s woman friend.”
She sat up relieved he’d been the one to open the door, once again keeping his promise to keep her safe.
“I’m glad you liked it.”
“Very filling, makes me want to take a long nap.”
“I can read in the chair while you nap.” She smiled at him.
“Good idea.”
Emma sat in the chair, waiting for the sun to set as she read of all things a King James Bible. She was surprised to find it on top of his chest of drawers.
The sounds of soft snoring soon filled the room. When full dark fell, she got up carefully walking over to Wyatt. She shook him gently at first then harder. He didn’t wake. Her special stew had him out like a light, and hopefully everyone else, too.
Making her way through the darkened room, she grabbed the stashed bundle and headed out through the window. Since Wyatt’s room was in the back of the house, it would be closer to the opening he showed her earlier today.
Easing out of the window, she moved slowly from building to building. Not even the dogs were out; she briefly wondered if they ate the stew as well and hoped the dose wasn’t too much for them.
Emma made her way through the compound, slipping
through the wall and entering the forest. She only wished she had more time to get better acquainted with the woods, yet after hearing Jacque talking to Evanora, she knew the time had come to escape.
She took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves before heading east. They had ridden south, then west. Her journey would start east before heading north.
The hideout was located further in Indian territory than Cooperstown. While she hadn’t heard of any raids, she’d still have to be vigilant.
A howl close by startled her. She paused, listening. The howls were headed in her direction. She picked up the pace, throwing the idea of covering her tracks out the window.
As the howls grew closer, she ran faster, terrified she escaped the devil only to be devoured by a pack of snarling wolves.
Her foot caught on an exposed root causing her to lose her balance and crash into the ground and knocking the breath out of her. Without taking time to access for injuries she managed to get on her feet, grab the bundle and take off through the dark woods once again.
The pack closed in on her. She could hear their claws ripping up the earth as they tore through the forest. A chill ran down her spine, ripping a scream from her throat as the wolves surrounded her.
Yemoja save me!
Chapter 25
Cord
Before the sun rose, Cord had two horses packed and headed toward the Monteith’s. The sun split the sky in purples and pinks, bathing the landscape in soft hues. The Monteiths’ vibrant blue mansion looked purple in the dawn’s early light.
To his surprise, Phillip Monteith and his wife stood on the front porch of the house, waiting for him. Phillip further surprised him by being dressed appropriately for their outing. A rifle in one hand, barrel pointed to the ground, a pistol rested in a holster slung low on his hips.
Phillip, a large man, stood a few inches taller than Cord with shoulders just as broad. The man looked fifteen years younger than his actual age and appeared to be in the shape of a man half his age.
“Good morning, Sheriff.”
“Mornin’ Mr. Monteith. Mrs. Monteith.” He tipped his hat.
“Please come in, have a hot meal. It will be our last for a while. Mrs. Derringer has prepared some food for the road as well.”
“Thank you for the offer, Mr. Monteith. I’m eager to get started. I think I know exactly where to pick up the trail.”
“Call me Phillip, please. I’m ready if you are.”
“This here’s Dan, a right nice gelding. Sturdy and well behaved.”
Phillip smiled at him like he said something funny. “If you don’t mind. I have my own horse. He’s saddled and ready in the stable. You can leave Dan here if you want to.”
“Much obliged if you aren’t needing him.”
Cord followed the man around the back of the house and to the stables. A sleek black pony stood tethered at the end of the stables, fully saddled and ready to go.
Phillip took the gelding from Cord and led him into the stables handing him off to the stable boy before retrieving his horse.
“This is Pip, he’s a fell pony. Very rugged, I’ve ridden him all over the world.”
“He’s a little on the small side.”
“Only in stature. I assure you he has the heart of a lion.”
“Hope he travels well; we have a lot of ground to cover.”
Two hours later he managed to find and keep on Emma’s trail. It would have been much easier if he could have shifted and found Emma on his own. So far Phillip was able to keep up, they were making valuable time.
They made small talk as they went. Phillip recounting tales of trips to Africa, Indonesia, and even the Amazon.
“Did Emma mind you being away from home so long?”
“She traveled with us. I’d never leave my best girl at home.”
“She doesn’t mind getting dirty?”
“I’m not sure any woman likes it, my dear boy.” He chuckled. “She’s happiest when she can clean up after, but we have been out where no water would be available for weeks at a time for a proper bath.”
Cord stopped talking to consider Phillip’s words before thinking back to the day he took her to his cabin. Emma surprised him by being in love with the place. He was skeptical about her sincerity. Now he wondered if he misjudged her.
They set up camp before the sun began to set. Thanks to the provisions Mrs. Derringer packed, there’d be no need to cook, allowing them to ride an hour longer than they normally would.
“Shall I take care of the horses while you get the fire started?”
“Fine with me. I’ll get the coffee going, too.”
After a small meal and a few strong cups of coffee, they bedded down for the night.
The next morning had them off before the sun. Best he could figure it, the gang would hole up a couple of days’ ride from the town. That meant they had at least one more day of riding, possibly two before they could find Emma.
He couldn’t help but wonder how she fared; he prayed to God she would be found alive. The gang had yet to kill a woman, but they’d roughed up a few.
Besides, Gideon Doolin was as mean as the devil himself. If his brother Wyatt hadn’t tempered his brother over the years, he had a feeling the robberies would have been a lot bloodier.
He hadn’t pieced the whole group together yet. He had a man on the trail. One that could travel in animal and human form. Chances are he’d find Typhon, and possibly Emma, before Cord could.
Chapter 26
Chandler
Three days on the road had him sore, frustrated, and on the edge of getting mean. The detour he’d taken around a band of Indians cost them a few hours. Luckily, no one knew but him.
After the memory transfer, he headed straight to Cooperstown. Unfortunately, he arrived a couple of hours after the bank robbery. Nik’s mother ran out into the street, sobbing.
He did his best to comfort her, thankful for the memories he now held. As soon as he calmed her down, he’d sent her off to pack provisions while he gathered a posse.
Personally, Chandler would have felt better alone, he had powers and skills that most did not. Even if they did, they, like him, would never use their abilities in front of others.
Hours later he and five other men were on the robber’s trail. Nik’s tracking skills were invaluable in trailing the robbers.
Chandler signaled for a stop, pulling the big buckskin to a halt before retrieving his binoculars. Scanning the range, he spotted smoke not far off.
Searching Nik’s memories, he recalled an abandoned fort near here. It would be the perfect place for a hideout.
“I know where they are but you’re not going to like it.”
Lars Hellström, the town’s butcher, moved his bay to Chandler’s left flank.
“What is it I’m not going to like?”
“I think the robbers are holed up in Fort James.”
“Fean!”
“I’ll head to Warren and get backup.”
“Take the boys with you. I’ll stay here and gather information.”
He nodded. “Easier for one to hide than five.”
“My thinking.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
* *
He waited an hour before making his way toward the Fort. Nik knew a back-way in. Allowing the memories to guide him, he tied the horse off a quarter a mile away from the old fort.
Chandler took the time to hide his tracks as he made his way to the back of the fort. Pausing at the edge of the woods, he studied the wall around the fort. Two armed men, deep in conversation, stood on the parapet behind the wall.
He needed to wait until dark to enter the fort. Settling against a tree he kept an eye on the guards just out of their sight.
A few minutes into the wait he heard the dinner bell ring. The men on the wall disappeared. He waited for someone to take their place. Dusk fell with the wall unattended.
Chandler made his way to the back of the wall. He knew there was
a hole located there. The hole obscured by an overgrowth of brush and scrub would be difficult to find if you didn’t know where to look. He slipped through it easily, making his way from cover to cover around the camp.
The streets were deserted. A cockier man would have started strolling down the middle of the streets by now. Instead he went from building to building methodically. He found the same thing in every building.
Every occupant, man, woman, and beast were sound asleep. There were twenty men and five women. Besides the outlaws, he recognized Evanora Standhope, and Jacque Beaufort.
The sheriff would be interested in knowing his “beloved” Nora… He shuddered the thought of Evanora being Cord’s “beloved.” It wanted to make him puke.
A thought came to him. He bet the woman had used magic to trap Cord into falling in love with her. From Nik’s recollection of her she wasn’t his friend’s type.
It took someone special to hold the man’s attention. Realness, honesty, and above all else, loyalty. Those traits were something he and Cord both looked for in a mate.
A strange word that he rolled around in his head a thousand times since the first day he met Emma. Something he didn’t believe in. Love, marriage, romance, sex, and lust. He believed in all those things. He never believed in the idea of a mate, or mates.
The mating call is something only animals are supposed to feel. No star-crossed lovers, and twin flames were often a friend, sibling, or parent. Soulmate, something of a fable to him.
He saw the same spark ignite inside Cord when in Emma’s presence. It’s highly doubtful his friend admitted it to anyone, not even himself. When this was over, and everything was righted, he intended to have a lengthy conversation with his co-mate.
The sound of movement brought him out of his reverie. The Frenchman was regaining consciousness. Damn. His thoughts cost him precious time. He hadn’t found Emma.
Moving quickly, he found the kitchen and left through the back entrance. He made a beeline for the back wall and then the edge of the woods.
