“You don’t suppose she got cold feet and left town, do you?” Ben chuckled.
A shaft of anxiety rammed straight to Micah’s heart. Amy wouldn’t up and leave, would she? Knowing the truth, he turned to Ben. “No. She would never leave without saying good-bye. You stay here and help with the girls. I’ll go find her.” He passed Missy to her uncle and stepped off the boardwalk into the dirt street, his gaze scanning the crowd.
As he entered the mercantile a few minutes later, he gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the dimmer lighting then scanned the crowded building. The aroma of coffee, spices, and all manner of things tickled his senses, but he didn’t see the one thing he’d hoped to find. A wave of disappointment washed over him and his concern grew. When the last customer left, Micah stepped up to the counter.
“How long has it been since you last saw Amy Rogers?” he asked Mrs. Maples.
“Don’t rightly know. Been purty busy here, what with all the folks in town. If I had to speculate, I’d say it’s been well past an hour. She gave me her list—which I haven’t had time to fill yet—bought a few items, then left.”
“Did she say where she was going?”
Mrs. Maples shook her head. “No, just that some folks were waiting on her somewhere.”
Micah thanked her, stepped outside, and studied the crowd. Here and there, people gathered at booths where the townsfolk sold food items, quilts, and handmade goods, but he didn’t see Amy anywhere. It would take too long to search the whole town alone, so he headed back to the schoolhouse.
As he crossed the street, he saw the Chambers’s wagon pulling up in front of the small building. Tierney stood, holding her stomach. “Did we miss the wedding? We had a mare giving birth and couldn’t leave until the foal was born. Where’s Amy?”
Micah nodded hello to Sean, who’d not yet said a word, and reached up to help Tierney down. He set her on the ground then lifted his arms to Sophie.
“Where’s Beth?” The little girl kicked her feet, anxious to be down.
“Inside with Sookie.” Micah nudged his head toward the red building.
“Can I go see her, Mama?”
Tierney nodded, and Sophie skipped toward the school-house door. After watching the girl go inside, Tierney turned to face him. “Is something wrong?”
Micah shoved his hands in his pockets, waiting for Sean to tie up the wagon and join them. When he did, Micah said, “I can’t find Amy. She was supposed to be here an hour ago for the wedding. I dropped her off at the store and haven’t seen her since.”
“Perhaps she’s shopping at the booths.” Tierney gazed down the street, looking for her friend.
“That’s what I thought, but I checked the booths when I went to the mercantile.”
“We can help.”
Micah nodded. “Let me get Ben, too. Sookie and Jonah can watch the girls.”
After Ben joined them, they fanned out with Sean and Tierney going one way, and Ben and Micah another. Ben disappeared in the crowd to check the booths again, and Micah decided to walk around the outskirts of town. Amy had no cause to be there, but he had to rule out that she might have wandered out back for some reason.
As he walked, he prayed, hoping maybe she had just stepped inside a store and lost track of time. He passed the back of the restaurant just as Selma Spencer tossed out a bucket of water. Micah jumped back, and an arc of dirty, soapy water landed at his feet.
“Sorry ’bout that.” The graying, heavyset woman gave him a toothless grin. “What’cha doing back here?”
“I’m looking for a friend. Amy Rogers.” Micah described her.
Selma shook her head. “Haven’t seen her.”
“Thank you.” Micah tipped his hat and strode off, determined to find Amy. He came to the back of the livery and stopped to jiggle the door handle. Most of the time, Hank kept the front and back doors open to allow a breeze to cool the inside of the livery. Micah stuck his ear to the wall and listened. He was certain Amy wouldn’t come within a hundred feet of Hank’s livery. When he didn’t hear anything, he continued on, trying to shake the feeling that something bad had happened to her.
He continued praying, hoping he was wrong. Pain pricked his heart at the thought of someone hurting Amy. Fear gripped his chest. What if he never saw her again? What if she’d decided not to marry him and had hightailed it out of town?
He shook his head, knowing he couldn’t give in to those negative thoughts. He recalled a verse that the minister had quoted last time he came to town: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Drawing on the advice of scripture, he pushed aside his negative thoughts and continued his search.
Micah glanced around behind the saloon and still saw no one, though he could hear the ruckus of the crowd from Main Street. His heart ached that the town was making merry while Amy was missing. Where was she? Was she hurt?
If she was gone, she’d never know how he truly felt. How he loved her. Would it surprise her as much as it had him? He rubbed the back of his neck and knelt under an apple tree fully covered with tiny green fruit, not yet ripe for picking.
“Dear Lord, You know how I feel about Amy. How I’ve come to love her. She’s selfless, always doing for others. Caring for the girls, for Ben—and me. She loves Sookie and Jonah as if they were her true family. I need her in my life. Need her love. Lord, I want to take care of her, so she never has to worry about having a place to belong again. Please keep her safe until I can find her. Help me tell her how I really feel and to be the husband she needs.”
He stood, swiping his moist eyes. His heart felt lighter, but Amy was still missing.
As he continued his search, nothing looked suspicious or out of the ordinary. Several store owners had small homes behind their places of business, but they all looked as if nobody was home. Stewart’s Gap had few celebrations, but when it did, the whole town and folks from the surrounding areas attended. He reached the final building and turned, walking past the end of town. He would search behind the buildings on the other side of the street then stop at the school and see if Amy had been located. He prayed she had.
❧
Amy studied her prison in the dim light. Now that the morning sun had risen higher, it no longer shone directly through the thin cracks in the wall.
She had to find a way to escape. She shook the boards that made up the outer wall, but even though they looked old and weathered, they were secure.
Suddenly she heard footsteps outside and held her breath. Was it Hank, testing her to see if she’d cry out? Or was it someone who could help her?
Amy wanted to call out with all her being but couldn’t take a chance. If it was Hank and he heard her, he might hurt Beth.
Leaning against the rough wall, she prayed, “Lord, help me. Provide for me a way of escape.”
A shiver coursed through her body. Being locked in the dim room reminded her of the time she’d hidden in the wardrobe when her father had come home drunk. She would crawl in behind the long dresses and sit as quiet as a mouse, not stirring no matter what she heard. She knew that when her father had passed out or left, her mother would come and find her. Only this time Mother wasn’t coming. Maybe nobody was.
Tears burned Amy’s eyes and trickled down her cheeks. How could her wedding day have turned out so awful?
Taking care not to get too close to the cockroach-infested table, she slumped down on the rickety chair, which groaned under her weight. Sniffing, she brushed her sleeve across her eyes. “Lord, please send me help.”
She laid her hands in her lap, hoping to get more comfortable, and her elbow bumped the bulge in her pocket from the bag of candy. A peppermint would taste good and help soothe her upset stomach. As she removed the bag from her pocket, something fell out and thudded against the floor.
Leaning over, Amy stared at Micah’s wedding present, and a slow smile tugged at he
r cheeks. “Oh, thank You, God!”
She reached down and grabbed the razor she’d bought for Micah then turned toward the door. She flipped open the metal blade and started sawing at the leather that held her captive.
“Dear Lord, thank You for not letting me buy that pocket watch.”
Eighteen
Micah returned to the schoolhouse, hoping and praying Amy would be there. He took the steps three at a time then pushed his way through the door. Hopeful faces turned his way, but when they saw he was alone, each person’s expression saddened.
“No luck, I guess?” Ben asked.
Micah shook his head.
“Me neither.”
Tierney approached carrying Missy, with Sean close on her heels. Jonah stood and slowly crossed the room to join them. Micah was glad Sookie had Beth and Sophie occupied, drawing on slates with chalk.
“What now?” Sean looped his arm around his wife’s shoulders.
“We search again—and keep searching until we find her. Talk to everyone you meet and ask if they’ve seen her.” Micah tried not to let his anxiety show. He had to believe someone must have seen Amy.
“Nearly the whole county is in town today. You want us to question everyone?” Ben asked.
Micah sighed, knowing that was impossible. “Has anyone seen Hank Foster? I can’t help feeling he’s behind this.”
Ben nodded. “He was eating pie at Mabel Perkins’s booth a while ago.”
“I saw him watching the horse race,” Sean said.
Micah rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, let’s search again. I’m going to check out Hank’s barn. He had the back of it locked up tight, but I want to get inside. Ben, you and Sean take opposite sides of Main Street and check again. Where’s the minister?”
“Said he had to visit a sick couple, then he’ll be back.” Ben put his cap on and started out the door. Sean followed.
Micah adjusted his hat so the afternoon sun didn’t shine in his face and block his view. Amy was somewhere in Stewart’s Gap—and she needed his help. He could feel it.
❧
Amy ignored the blister on her finger and continued sawing on the leather that Hank had used to tie shut the tack room door. Just a little more and she’d be through. With each sweep of the razor, she thanked God for providing a way of escape.
The blade zipped through the final thread, and the door swung open on a loud groan. She closed the razor and pocketed it. A sense of exhilaration surged through her, making her hands and feet tingle. As a child, there had been nothing she could do to help herself except hide. But as a woman, with the Lord’s help, she was free.
She jogged through the quiet barn toward the muffled sound of the townsfolk’s celebration. When she reached the livery doors, she gave a shove, but they didn’t budge.
“No!”
Hank must have locked them from the outside. She turned, intending to check the back door, but heard the bar being lifted on the other side.
Hank!
Her gaze darted from side to side, searching for a place to hide. While Hank made his way back to the tack room, she would slip out into the crowd and get away. She rushed into an open stall and pressed herself against the wall, hoping he couldn’t see her in the shadows.
The door crept open, allowing more light inside. The large silhouette of a man filled the triangle of light. Amy’s heart pounded such a ferocious rhythm she was sure Hank would hear it.
“Hank? Anybody here?”
Her breath caught in the throat. “Micah!” she managed to squeak.
“Amy?” Micah rushed inside, and then she was in his arms, being crushed in a bear hug. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. What happened?”
“Hank locked me in the tack room. I just managed to get out when I heard you rattle the door and thought it was him.”
“I’m so sorry. I never expected he’d do something like this. He’s always been harmless. Why didn’t you holler out? Someone would have heard you.”
Amy pulled out of his arms and wiped her eyes. “He threatened to hurt Beth if I did.”
A muscle tightened in Micah’s jaw, and then his eyes closed. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”
When he opened his eyes, his gaze took her breath away. “I was so worried you had left town, or that something bad had happened. You have to know that I love you, Amy.”
She swallowed the lump that was suddenly stuck in her throat. A giddy joy surged through her, making her limbs weak. Micah loved her! No man had ever loved her. She threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Micah. I love you, too!”
His lips met hers in an urgent kiss that threatened to turn her bones into pudding. If not for his crushing hold, she was sure she’d slip down into a puddle on the dirt floor. His breath quickened, and he deepened the kiss, taking her breath with it. Amy had never known such joy, except for the day she gave her heart to God.
Finally, Micah pulled back. “Amazing.”
Amy felt a shy grin tug at her mouth. “I agree.”
“I hate to leave here, now that I have you all to myself, but we need to let the others know I found you.”
Amy nodded and was glad when Micah kept his arm around her shoulders and held her tight against his side. She marveled at how different things seemed, knowing that he loved her.
She blinked against the bright light as they stepped outside. The town’s celebration continued as if nothing had happened.
Micah stiffened, and she looked up to see Hank stomping toward them with an angry glint in his eyes. She tightened her grip on Micah’s waist, wishing they could be rid of Hank Foster for good.
“Ben!”
Amy jumped when Micah yelled at his brother. Across the street, Ben looked up and smiled then jogged toward them.
“Go get the constable.”
Ben’s dark brows dipped at Micah’s order, but he turned and ran down the boardwalk.
Hank straightened. “You and me’s got business, Walsh.”
“I don’t imagine we’ll ever do business again. You kidnapped my bride.”
Hank scowled, and his gaze darted back and forth from Micah to Amy. “Aww, I didn’t harm her. I just wanted to make you see reason and let me in on your slave dealings.”
Amy felt Micah stiffen again. She’d never seen him truly mad and couldn’t help the anxiety that made her stomach churn. Would Micah harm her in his anger, like Amy’s father had hurt her mother?
Micah kept his hand securely on her shoulder, and with relief, Amy realized his wrath was directed at Hank, not her.
Ben and the constable jogged toward them, and Amy relaxed a smidgen.
“What’s the problem here?” the constable asked.
“He’s dealing slaves, and I want in on it,” Hank whined.
The constable eyed Micah. “That right, Walsh? I didn’t figure you to be a slave trader.”
Micah shook his head. “No, it is not correct. But for some reason Hank thinks so. He kidnapped Amy and threatened my daughter as a way to try to sway me into working with him.”
The constable spat a stream of tobacco juice at Hank’s feet, and Ben chuckled when Hank leaped backwards. “You do that, Hank? You took this woman against her will?”
“I didn’t hurt her none.” Hank kicked the dirt and shoved his hands in his pocket. “I’d have let her go. I just wanted Micah to pay attention to me and cut me in on his business.”
“There’s no law against slave trading in Virginia, but there are laws about kidnapping. I’m gonna have to lock you up, Hank.”
Amy watched Hank wilt. The constable took Hank’s arm and dragged him off into the crowd. Ben accompanied the law officer, holding Hank’s other arm. She sagged in relief.
Micah turned to face her. He ran his hand down her cheek, and she closed her eyes at his gentle touch. “That feels nice.”
“Good, I plan to do it often.”
She lifted her lids to see a twinkle in the blue-green eyes she loved so much. Micah leaned forward and kissed h
er right there with half the town watching.
Some men let out a couple of whoops, making Amy giggle.
“Do you feel like going ahead with the wedding today? Or would you rather wait until the preacher comes back to town next month?”
Amy stuck her hands on her hips and stared up at the man she loved. “Micah Walsh, you are not getting rid of me that easily.”
Micah’s grin tickled her insides. “All right then, let’s get hitched.” He held out his arm, she looped hers through it, and they headed for the church.
❧
Amy wasn’t certain how much longer her trembling legs would support her. First they had shaken from the fear of being locked up, and now from the nervous excitement of her wedding.
“Do you have a ring?” the minister asked Micah.
“Yes.” Micah released her hand, reached into his trousers pocket, and pulled out a silver ring that bore a small ruby.
He held it up, and Amy’s heart beat double-time. She was relieved to see it wasn’t the same ring Kathryn had worn.
“Place the ring on her finger as a token of your love and commitment.”
Micah’s steady gaze sent shivers of delight charging through Amy’s body. He slid the ring on her finger then smiled, making her heart stampede.
“In the name of God Almighty and the Commonwealth of Virginia, I pronounce you husband and wife.”
Amy stared up at Micah—her husband. She’d never expected to marry, not after watching the way her father treated her mother. She’d never wanted to be dependent on a man, until she had gotten to know Micah.
The pastor cleared his throat. “Uh-hem. This is the place most folks kiss.”
A spark ignited in Micah’s eyes, and he waggled his eyebrows up and down. Amy giggled but felt like melting into the floor. She wasn’t used to being kissed, much less in front of her friends and family. Before she could fret more, Micah pulled her closer and leaned down, claiming her lips.
Behind her Ben shouted, “Yahoo!”
To her side, Amy heard Tierney murmur, “Praise be to God.”
Finally, Micah released her but kept his arm around her shoulders. Good thing, because her legs still refused to behave as normal. Cheeks aflame, Amy looked into the smiling faces of her friends and family.
Spinning Out Of Control Page 14
