What Comes My Way

by Tracie Peterson

  Robert rode up even with Phillip while Abe fell behind. “What do you see? Did they come this way?”

  Phillip had been paying close attention to the trail for tracks and signs of Spiby’s leaving the path. “Yeah, just like you thought. Spiby didn’t do anything to cover his trail.”

  “He probably figured no one would remember how to get there. We haven’t gone to the lodge in over ten years. I wasn’t even sure the family still kept it. It was starting to fall into disrepair the last time I was there.”

  Phillip only nodded. He kept his gaze glued to the trail in case something changed.

  “You do know that Spiby isn’t an honorable man.”

  Robert’s comment surprised Phillip. Why would he bring up something like that now? Phillip threw him a quick glance. “I know enough. I was at the ranch when your pa and Spiby came to take Ella home. Spiby tried to kill her.”

  “Yes, but unfortunately I was thinking of other things he might well have done to her by now. They’ve been together at least two nights.”

  Phillip frowned as he began to understand Robert’s meaning. The thought of that man touching Ella left Phillip with little doubt that he could commit murder. The very idea of Spiby forcing himself on a helpless woman—much less Ella—was more than Phillip could bear.

  When Phillip didn’t respond, Robert continued. “Jefferson Spiby takes what he wants. He’s never concerned himself with his reputation or that of others. He’s been known to have multiple mistresses and to impose his will on women no matter their walk of life. He may well have . . . forced himself on Ella.”

  Phillip’s gloved hands tightened on the reins. He didn’t even try to hide his anger. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because I want you to be aware of the kind of man you’re dealing with, and because . . . I know you are in love with my sister.”

  “I am.” Phillip drew in a deep breath and nodded. “And nothing will change that.”

  “You can’t know that,” Robert replied. “You may find Ella so changed that you won’t want to continue the relationship. I’m just saying these things in order to help you prepare yourself for what might be.”

  Frowning, Phillip turned to Robert. “I don’t like to think of that man taking Ella and tormenting her in any fashion. I pray to God she’s still alive and that she’s unhurt, but no matter what has happened, nothing is going to change my love for her. If Spiby has forced himself on her, I won’t love Ella less. I will, however, most likely kill him.”

  They rode in silence for several minutes, and then Robert cleared his throat. “I didn’t say those things to make an enemy of you. I just want to be sure you truly care for her. After all, I don’t know you. Ella’s gone through so much, and this is no doubt worse than anything else. She’s going to need a strong and powerful love to see her through—especially if she’s been used in such an ugly fashion.”

  “I understand,” Phillip said, having already considered this might be Robert’s angle. “I keep thinking about something Ella once told me when I was drunk. She said that God didn’t expect us to clean ourselves up before we came to Him. He just wanted us to come. She said we’re all broken and dirty and sinful, but God loves us so much that He looks past all that and sees what we could one day be with His help. God is the only one who can take the ugly things and make beauty out of them. I can’t make Ella whole or take away the bad that’s happened to her. Only God can do that. But”—he glanced at Robert—“I intend to look past the ugly things that may have happened and see only the beauty that she is.”

  Robert’s expression softened. “I think I understand why my sister loves you.”

  Phillip looked back at the road. “There’s nothing of myself to recommend, but God in me changes everything. I love Ella, and no matter what happens I’ll still love her and want her as my wife.”

  “Well, I must say you are an admirable man. I think I can speak for our father as well when I say that I can’t imagine anyone worthier of Ella’s hand. I shall look forward to the day when I can call you brother.”

  Robert’s words were filled with admiration, but Phillip knew that while he’d never think less of Ella for what might have been done to her—he would most certainly see to it that Jefferson Spiby paid for his crimes.

  Ella awoke and stretched as well as she could against the confines of the ropes Jefferson had used to tie her to the bed. He had been so preoccupied making sure no one had followed them that he paid her very little attention. Throughout the night, Ella heard him pacing and checking doors and windows. He was no doubt exhausted, and for this Ella was grateful. Without sleep, Jefferson wouldn’t be able to think clearly. Hopefully that would give her an edge.

  She tested the ropes just as she had the night before. They held fast. The bed creaked and groaned as she pulled against the bindings. Unfortunately, the noise brought Jefferson to the room. He looked haggard as he made his way to the bed.

  “I see you’re awake. You didn’t cough as much last night, so I presume you are better for having spent the night indoors.”

  “Yes, I’m sure the warmth was beneficial. Now if I can just regain my strength.” She tried not to sound too excited or too morose. Jefferson was no one’s fool. He might be momentarily uncertain, but that wouldn’t last. “I hope you’ll untie me and allow me to use the facilities.” She forced herself to look him in the eye. “I really must go.”

  He didn’t question her but undid the ropes in silence. When he’d finished, he surprised her by lifting her from the bed and standing her up beside him. She tried not to grimace or show any fear, but in truth she was terrified. Jefferson was a murderer and an abuser of women. It was only a matter of time before he decided to have his way with her. Ella knew that if he tried to take liberties, she would die defending her honor.

  “Is it far?” she asked, hoping to break the tension she felt.

  He shrugged. “No farther than any outhouse. Come on.” He headed for the back door.

  Jefferson had put her in the downstairs bedroom off the main living area. He’d not attempted to join her there but did keep the door open as he took up his place in the front room. Ella hadn’t thought it possible to sleep, but her own exhaustion soon overcame her, and she had woken only when Jefferson’s pacing disturbed her. Now, amazingly enough, she felt more like her old self.

  Jefferson led the way through the kitchen and out the back door. He pointed to the outhouse. “I’ll be right here,” he promised, “so don’t try anything stupid.”

  Ella nodded and made her way to the small two-door contraption. For people with money, it was surprising that the Spibys hadn’t built better facilities. Maybe it was because only men came here.

  She opened the door and realized that with the door open, Jefferson couldn’t see if she stepped inside the outhouse or went around to the back of it. She could use that to her advantage later, she decided. She tended to her needs, then made her way back toward the house. There was a pump just off the back steps, and she stopped there as Jefferson watched her. “Is there water in the house?”

  He nodded. “I’ve heated some over the fire. You’ll have more than enough unless you want to take a bath.” He gave her a leer. “I’ll gladly heat more if that’s your desire.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “It’s much too cold. I simply wish to wash my face and hands.”

  He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

  Ella let him take her by the arm and lead her back through the house to the front room. He pointed to the water and then to a stack of towels. “I found those in the chest. Use what you need. There’s a bowl on the shelf.”

  “When are we leaving?” she asked, trying to sound disinterested. Her heart was pounding so hard, however, that she was certain Jefferson knew how important the answer was to her. She spotted the bowl and reached for it, but it was too high for her petite frame.

  Jefferson saw the dilemma and came to her aid. “Soon. We can’t waste time. Your people will be looking
for you, so it’s best to get you out of here as soon as possible. With you sick, it was difficult, but now that you’re better, we can move more quickly.” He handed her the bowl and then reached out with his other hand to touch her hair.

  Ella shivered and gave a cough. “I’m not completely well. You can hardly expect me to heal overnight. Especially after all you’ve put me through.” She stepped away and reached for the ladle. She didn’t know what Jefferson might be thinking, but she prayed for God’s direction and filled the bowl with hot water.

  She took the water to the table and then grabbed one of the folded towels. All the time she looked for anything that might suggest a weakness on Jefferson’s part. He was clearly nervous. He knew that his situation was grave and that not only were the authorities looking for him, but Ella’s people as well.

  As she cleaned up, Jefferson paced from window to window. He seemed to be trying to figure out what they should do. Ella decided to offer her own thoughts. She would have a better chance of escape once they were back in civilization.

  “I suppose Lexington isn’t all that far. People would be less likely to notice us in a big city like that,” she suggested.

  He grunted but said nothing. Ella watched him as if keeping track of a snake. She was wary of making sudden moves to draw his attention but also knew the importance of keeping him in her sight at every moment. All the while, she tidied herself.

  “Do you suppose there might be a brush in the house?” she asked.

  “I doubt it,” he said, glancing up at her. “The women we had here weren’t overly concerned with such things.”

  Ella could only imagine. “I can hardly show up in town looking like this. People would definitely notice. Perhaps you could ride ahead and bring back a brush and clean clothes. These are filthy.”

  He laughed. “You could just shed them and give them a good washing. I know I wouldn’t mind. I’ll even build up the fire so you don’t chill.”

  Ella decided to try another tactic. “Why are you doing this, Jefferson? You know it’s going to be harder to travel with me. People are looking for me. You’d have a much easier time of it on your own. Why not just kill me and be done with it?”

  He seemed surprised by her question. “I’d much prefer not to kill you.”

  “I presume, given your past record, you’ll kill anyone who interferes in your plans.”

  “And you figure to interfere?” He grinned and moved closer.

  Ella chose her words carefully. She still wanted him to believe her too weak to be much of a threat. She shrugged. “I can’t help but slow you down. That in and of itself will be an interference.”

  “My dear Ella, I plan to disappear into the wilds of the West. I will disappear for a long time, until folks have forgotten about me. I will change my name and appearance, and Jefferson Spiby will cease to exist. Such an ordeal could be quite lonely without someone to keep me company. I figure you’ll do nicely. In the meantime, folks might do what they can to find you, but they’ll do it very carefully, because they know if they push me too hard, you will pay the price.”

  “I’ll pay the price no matter.”

  He had reached out to take hold of her but stopped. For a moment all he did was look at her, and then without another word he marched back to the window.

  To Ella’s relief, he ignored her until late in the afternoon, when he instructed her to fix him something to eat. Otherwise he seemed completely lost in his thoughts and plans.

  Ella found crackers, canned meat, and fruit in the kitchen. From the way Jefferson had talked earlier, she figured he’d made arrangements for this escape a while ago. Perhaps he knew there was a possibility he would be imprisoned prior to her father going to the authorities. Even so, the provisions weren’t that good, so chances were better than not that he’d had no real plan in mind.

  By the time evening came, it was raining. Ella knew it might very well turn to snow, given the temperatures, and wondered if she could use the weather to her advantage. Jefferson would never expect her to make a run for it in these conditions. She’d given him no reason to think she was anywhere near strong enough to escape.

  Then again, she felt certain it would be easier to escape him once they were in the city. With other people around, she could plead for help or at least demand someone send for the authorities. But that might get an innocent bystander killed if Jefferson felt desperate enough.

  Ella wrestled with her thoughts all evening, and by bedtime she had convinced herself to do nothing until they attempted to get to a train. But Jefferson changed all that with a single statement.

  “I believe I’ll share your bed tonight.”

  Her blood went cold. She looked up to find him watching her with that same leering smile she’d come to hate. She knew there was no argument she could make to change his mind.

  “Do what you will. You know I’m too weak to fight you.” She hoped the matter-of-fact statement would put him at ease.

  He chuckled. “I’m really not so very bad, my dear. I can make things quite pleasant for you.”

  “Might I use the facilities before we retire?” She kept her gaze fixed on his.

  “But of course.”

  Ella got to her feet and went to where her coat hung by the fire. She started to slip it on, but Jefferson took it from her. “No. Leave it here. Your boots too. That way you won’t be tempted to run away.”

  “You’re right here where you can easily stop me,” Ella said. “How could I possibly run away?”

  He gave a soft chuckle. “Nevertheless, I figure this will be proper incentive for you to obey. You’ll be so cold by the time you return, you won’t mind my warmth at all. In fact, you’ll beg for it.”

  She bit her lower lip to keep from throwing a sarcastic reply back in his face. It wasn’t going to be easy to go on the run in pitch-black night without coat or shoes, but Ella wasn’t about to wait around and be Jefferson’s bedmate. Not so long as she had breath in her body.

  Jefferson followed her to the back door. Ella could hardly see for the darkness and rain. She turned to her captor. “Might I have a lantern?”

  “There’s no need. The outhouse is at the end of the path. Just go and get back.”

  Ella gave a curt nod and headed out into the rain. Icy drops pelted her face as she squinted to better see. She reached the outhouse just as Jefferson shouted to her.

  “Hurry up!”

  “I am. I can hardly see.”

  She drew a deep breath and opened the door. Hopefully he wouldn’t be able to tell that she’d left it open. Without rethinking her plans, Ella slipped around the back of the outhouse and made her way to a line of trees that she knew stood at the edge of the clearing. She sighed with relief as her hand touched one of the trunks. For a moment she stood perfectly still. The darkness allowed her to see only in shadows. The house was across from her to the south. The forest led off to the north, and that was the direction of the river.

  “Hurry up, Ella. It’s freezing out here.”

  She cringed at the sound of Jefferson calling to her. He was still much too close. Ella moved deeper into the trees.

  Pain coursed through her as she stepped on a jagged rock. She rarely ever walked in her stocking feet, and the rocks and roots felt like daggers against her frozen flesh. It couldn’t be helped. She had to hurry and get as much distance between her and Jefferson as she could.

  “Ella! Where are you? Get back in this house!”

  He’d realized she was gone. Now there was no turning back—not that there ever was. Ella whispered a prayer and moved through the trees.

  twenty-four

  Phillip awoke with a start. He sat up and looked around the camp. Abe and Robert slept soundly under the canvas lean-to they’d made for protection. At least, they had been until Phillip stirred everyone to life. The fire had long ago burned out, and although the rain had stopped, everything was waterlogged. Phillip pulled his blanket close and struggled to see in the darkness beyond the c
amp. He thought he’d heard something, but now there was only silence.

  He prayed again for Ella and that God would give them insight to find the lodge and save her before Spiby could take off for parts unknown.

  “What time is it?” Robert asked.

  “I don’t know, but I figure we ought to get moving if we’re going to try to surprise them while it’s still dark.” Phillip rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

  They had pushed on through the daylight hours until the rain made it impossible to see. Robert had suggested they retire early for a few hours’ rest and then attack the lodge at night while Spiby and Ella slept. Catching Spiby off guard would be key.

  “How much farther you figure, Mr. Robert?” Abe asked, sitting up.

  “No more than a mile or two.” Robert got to his feet and began to pack up his bedroll. “At least I don’t think so. It’s been a long time.”

  Abe and Phillip rolled up their blankets without waiting for Robert’s instructions. They all knew the plan and their roles.

  “A hot cup of coffee would be good about now,” Robert said as he made his way to his horse.

  “And a thick beefsteak.” Phillip’s voice carried his amusement. He remembered often commenting about wishing for one thing or another as a child. Ma always said he was wishing for what he couldn’t have rather than being grateful for what he did. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of jerked venison. “But I guess dried deer meat will have to do.”

  Abe laughed. “Couldn’t get much of a fire going even if we could catch us a cow to butcher.”

  Robert and Phillip saddled the horses while Abe took care of the canvas they’d used for shelter. Within a few minutes they were ready to head out. Phillip knew the going would be slow in the darkness. He felt confident that as long as they pointed the horses in the right direction, their mounts would choose the open path rather than venture into the trees.

  “Since you said the trail leads right to the clearing where the lodge sits, I suggest we move in as close as we can while maintaining cover,” Phillip said.