The Redemption of Micah

by Beth Williamson

  Eppie couldn’t help the tears that pricked her eyes. “I’m ready.” She took Micah’s hand. “Let’s find her.”

  “No, you and Madeline will stay together and search in town. Teague and I can cover more ground without you.” He had apparently already made up his mind. With a quick, hard kiss, he turned to leave the two women alone. When he turned back, agony flashed in his eyes for a brief moment. “I love you, Elizabeth Archer.”

  She managed a smile. “I love you, Micah Spalding. Find our daughter, please.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He didn’t wait for Teague and started off at a run toward the church.

  Teague grunted and kissed Madeline on the cheek before he followed Micah. “I’ll try not to kill him,” he called over his shoulder.

  Madeline took Eppie’s arm in hers. “Let’s find your Miracle.”

  Together, they walked from house to house in a circle, recruiting four more people to help. Within thirty minutes, there were at least fifteen people searching for Miracle. Each moment that passed made the ball in Eppie’s stomach grow tighter and larger.

  She tried not to think about what Mathias had done to Candice, or what could happen to a girl barely out of diapers. She wasn’t even three, for God’s sake. Even if Miracle was stronger than any child her age, she was still a little girl, unable to fight against an adult man.

  Eppie couldn’t help but wonder how Micah and Teague were faring, if they’d found any information. That led her to think about whether or not Candice had received any response to her wire. Where was Miracle and why hadn’t anyone seen anything?

  “Stop it.” Madeline stopped in the middle of the sidewalk.

  Eppie turned to look at her. “Stop what? Let’s keep walking. We need to find her.”

  “Stop brooding and thinking so hard about what could happen. Miracle is an amazing child, with more courage than most grown people I know. She’s fine, but I’m sure she misses her family.” Madeline wagged her finger at Eppie. “Her mother wallowing in panic and self-pity isn’t helping at all.”

  Eppie opened her mouth to say she wasn’t wallowing but closed it without speaking. Madeline was right. Eppie had allowed herself to sink into a hole of dark thoughts, and it wasn’t helping Miracle one bit.

  She nodded instead, duly chastised for her selfish, maudlin behavior. The last thing Miracle needed was for her mother to lose sight of finding her, no matter what.

  As soon as Eppie took a deep breath, her head felt clearer and her thoughts much more focused. For the next fifteen minutes, they continued in their assigned circle and ended up back in front of the store with no information and no leads whatsoever. Eppie was disappointed until a sudden thought struck her.

  “Has anyone checked the church?”

  Madeline glanced toward the white building just off the main street. “I don’t know. I would have thought Teague and Micah did, but I don’t remember the sheriff assigning it.”

  “Then we’re going to check it.” Eppie marched down the street, determined to be the one to find Mathias. She heard Madeline behind her as they rushed to the church. Eppie was glad for the split skirt, which allowed her to almost run.

  When she got to the church, a light shone beneath the door. Her heart leapt into her throat as she ran up the steps. Madeline shouted behind her as Eppie slammed the door open.

  Micah’s head snapped up when he heard a woman’s shout. It sounded like Madeline and it wasn’t a happy sound by any stretch. He tried to figure out which direction the shout had come from, but with the clear sky and the trees scattered throughout town, sound bounced around quite a bit.

  They were at the school, searching the grounds and inside to see if Mathias had been there. Teague poked his head out the door.

  “Did you hear something?”

  Micah walked around to the front. “I did. It was a woman, but I couldn’t tell what direction it was from.” Dread became a companion to the fear, guilt, and fury that surged through him. He heard Eppie’s voice whip through his head.

  Give me my daughter.

  Something was definitely not right.

  “It’s Eppie. I think she’s found him.”

  Give me my daughter.

  Teague joined him outside and they started walking back toward the center of town. By the time they’d walked fifty yards, Micah started running. Teague’s strides were longer, but he kept pace with Micah, without asking questions or speaking. Micah wasn’t sure where he was going, but he followed Eppie’s voice. It was in his heart and his head, louder than the frantic sound of his blood rushing through his body.

  You bastard, give me my daughter.

  Within ten minutes, Micah brought them to the church. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of the door wide open. He thought he heard a muffled voice coming from within, which only made him run faster. Even Teague didn’t catch up, but Micah didn’t care. He heard Eppie screaming, and this time it wasn’t in his head.

  He flew up the steps into the church, his feet barely touching the wood. Micah burst into the building, momentarily blinded by the dimness of the interior after being in the sunlight for so long. He saw someone struggling near the altar and realized there were three people.

  Micah reached the altar and was flabbergasted to find Eppie and Madeline holding Mathias down. His woman’s face was a mask of hatred and anger, her lips pulled back into a snarl. “Give me my daughter.”

  One foot pressed his wrist into the floor while the other stood on the minister’s neck. Madeline kneeled on his chest and other arm. Micah couldn’t have imagined a more shocking scene.

  “What the hell is happening?” Teague boomed from behind him.

  “We found him sneaking around in here and he won’t,”—Eppie pushed down on Mathias’ wrist, making him screech—“tell me where Miracle is.”

  “So you decided to hold him down and beat him until he gave you the information you wanted?” Micah wouldn’t have thought Eppie or Madeline would or could have the backbone to do such a thing.

  “Yes.” Eppie looked up at Micah, the fierce expression of a mama lion on her face.

  “Have you checked the church to see if she’s here?” Micah glanced around at the pews askew, bibles scattered on the floor. “Is there a root cellar?”

  “No, nothing like that,” Madeline pushed her braid to her back. “The only other place to search is the rectory. It’s next door.”

  Micah squatted down and looked into the reverend’s face. What he wanted to do was join in the fun of beating the man, but he held himself back, keeping the beast chained deep inside. It howled, however, so loudly Micah could barely hear anything else. “I’m not sure why you think it was acceptable to steal my daughter, but you picked the wrong man to cross, Mathias. Tell us where she is, and I won’t kill you.”

  Judging by the look in the minister’s eyes, he believed Micah. Yet Mathias didn’t say a word, or even blink his cold blue eyes.

  “Teague, go search the rectory. Madeline, you help him. I’ll take over guarding the prisoner.” His smile was apparently as frightening as it felt because Mathias shook his head. “Too bad you don’t appreciate my selection of guard, because it’s not your decision.”

  Eppie looked at him, wisps of hair from under her hat tickling the perspiration drops on her forehead. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me, too.” Micah didn’t know how he’d face Miracle’s disappearance without Eppie.

  Madeline wanted to protest, he could tell by the expression on her face, but she allowed him to take over and left with Teague. When their footsteps had faded from the church, Micah turned back to the prone minister.

  “I didn’t want my friends to hear this, but believe me when I tell you that if anything has happened to my daughter, I don’t care what the law does to me, you will be dead.” Micah leaned in close, hatred for the man nearly overwhelming him. “Until she is safe in her mother’s arms, I hold you personally responsible for everything. I plan on seeing you imprisoned for your
crimes and if I had my druthers, strung up on that big oak tree at the edge of town. Do you understand me, Mathias?”

  He blinked his eyes twice, then gave a slight nod.

  “Good, then let’s start again.” He looked at Eppie, who watched him with an intense dark stare that sent a shiver up his spine. “Are you all right?”

  She didn’t answer Micah’s question. “Make him tell us where she is.”

  “I will.” Micah hadn’t told her everything he’d done during the war, but fortunately or not, he would be able to use those skills on Mathias.

  “Good.” She took her foot off the minister’s throat. “You don’t have any more chances, Reverend. I suggest you tell us what we need to know.” Eppie’s body shook as she moved back another step. “I won’t stop Micah.”

  Micah closed his eyes, thankful for the God who had seen fit to give him a woman who accepted him with all his faults, or his demons. She simply acknowledged what he could or would do without condemning him. He’d always known Eppie was strong, yet this was even more than he imagined.

  He had known they were a good match when he met her so long ago, but he hadn’t known they had been made for each other. Now he knew.

  “Farm.” It was the first sound Mathias had made since Micah had entered the church.

  “What was that?” He leaned in close to the minister, his nose wrinkling at the smell of fear emanating from the older man’s body.

  “Farm, ten miles east.” Tears ran down from the reverend’s eyes. “A colored couple couldn’t have children. God gave them Miracle.”

  Micah took hold of the man’s shirt and pulled him up off the floor. His entire body shook with rage as he barely retrained himself from strangling the bastard. “No, you son of a bitch, God gave Miracle to her real parents.”

  “They’ll kill to keep her.” The reverend managed to grin.

  “What does that mean?” Micah twisted the shirt harder in his fist. “What did you tell them?”

  “That God had seen fit to bless them and they must do everything they can to keep her safe, and to make sure their guns were loaded and ready.” He managed a strangled chuckle. “She wanted a child so badly, she was willing to pay for it with her life and what little money they had.”

  Dammit, it would make getting Miracle back in their arms that much harder, and would require weapons. He glanced at Eppie and knew she had come to the same conclusion. Micah didn’t know why Mathias would do such a thing. Perhaps he was one of those miserable people who liked to make others miserable, too.

  It didn’t matter, because Micah was determined. “I’m going to drag you to the jail and make sure you are behind bars, then I’m going to go find my daughter. If she isn’t on a farm ten miles east of Plum Creek, I will be back and then you and I will have our reckoning.”

  Teague and Madeline reappeared in the doorway of the church. Madeline looked relieved to find the minister still alive. Micah wanted to be angry with her for it, but he couldn’t. He’d promised the sheriff he’d let the law take care of Reverend Mathias, but it was a hard promise to keep.

  “He’s told us where she is.”

  “Thank God.” Madeline took Eppie’s arm. “What’s next?”

  “We bring him to Daniel, then we go get Miracle. She’s with a couple that apparently were warned to protect her, by force if necessary.” Micah glanced at Teague. “She’s out at a farm ten miles east of town.” His stomach jittered with the knowledge he’d have his little girl back in an hour.

  Eppie walked over to him and cupped his face. “I’m coming with you, Micah, and there’s nothing on earth that will stop me.”

  Micah leaned his forehead against hers, then closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them, he managed to make his voice work, even as emotions threatened to break his self-control.

  “Will you marry me?” he whispered.

  Her eyes widened. “Now?”

  “No, not now, but soon. Please. I want Miracle to know she has a home with a mother and a father, a family who loves her.” Suddenly, making Eppie his wife was crucial. “Please.”

  This time, there was hope in her gaze as she nodded. “I’d be honored.”

  Micah breathed a sigh of relief.

  When they turned to Mathias, he’d been helped to his feet by Teague. The tall, potbellied man was stooped, apparently defeated in his madness.

  There were so many things Micah wanted to say to Mathias, but he wasn’t what was important. He would save his questions for the minister until later. Micah took Eppie’s hand and squeezed. “Let’s go find our daughter.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  They arrived at the sheriff’s office in record time. It seemed Mathias kept trying to slow them down, but Teague simply dragged him along regardless of what he did. The last five minutes, Teague literally picked the minister up and threw him over his massive shoulder.

  Eppie, satisfied the evil man would have no opportunity to run, ran ahead of the group. Daniel wasn’t in the jail, but his keys were lying on the desk. She opened the cell and waited for the rest of the group to arrive. Fortunately she didn’t have to wait long. A good thing for the floor, as she’d paced a hundred times in two minutes.

  “This idiot needs a muzzle,” Teague groused as he ducked to step into the jail.

  Reverend Mathias was apparently giving a sermon from his perch on Teague’s back. Quite loudly. Eppie didn’t know what to make of the man’s behavior, and if she were honest, she didn’t care at that point. All she wanted was to find Miracle and leave the minister locked up until Daniel came back to take care of arresting him. Teague dropped his prisoner on the cot in the cell, exited, and slammed the door shut. Eppie had never been so glad to hear keys turning in a lock.

  “I’ll stay here with him.” Madeline offered, earning an enormous sigh from her husband. “You go find the sheriff.”

  “Thank God. I might have to uh, put him to sleep if I stayed here.” Teague didn’t wait for a response and went back out the door in seconds.

  Micah kissed Madeline on the cheek. “Thank you, my friend.”

  “Anything for you.” Madeline’s eyes were suspiciously moist. Eppie gave Madeline a quick hug, then took Micah’s arm.

  “We’ll be back as soon as we can.” Micah looked down at her. “Ready?”

  “You shouldn’t even have to ask.”

  They hurried to Candice’s store to retrieve the carriage. Ten miles was too far to cover on foot and Eppie was glad to be riding instead of walking. The day had exhausted her beyond measure and if she didn’t calm down, she was afraid she would collapse.

  Lord knew what Micah would do if Eppie had a fit of the vapors. He’d likely tie her to the bed to keep her in one place. It was too important for her to be there when they found Miracle. The reunion would be a pivotal moment in their family’s future, and now that she and Micah were to be married, it was even more important.

  “Do you know where you’re going?” Eppie managed to ask without wheezing.

  “Not sure, but we’ll ask Candice. She’ll know what farm he was talking about.” Micah bounded up the few steps into the store and held the door open for her.

  Eppie took a deep breath and tried to pretend she wasn’t on the verge of falling on her face. Candice rushed toward them with hope and worry on her face.

  “Did you find her?”

  “Not yet, but we did find the good reverend. He told us Miracle is at a farm about ten miles east of town. A couple who couldn’t have children apparently took his word she was a child without parents.” Micah’s razor-sharp tone told Eppie exactly what he thought of someone who would simply accept a child without question. There was no doubt Miracle would have told them she wanted to go home to her mama and daddy.

  Not having children might turn folks selfish and Eppie could imagine turning away from what she knew was right when it came to children. Funny how she didn’t even think she could ever be a mother a month ago. Now she couldn’t imagine ever not being a mother
.

  Candice, to Eppie’s relief, nodded. “Eloise and Homer Prentiss. I know them, but not well. Probably around thirty or so. They have dairy cows, chickens, goats and a highly productive vegetable garden. Bought some of her canned beans last year.”

  Eppie could hardly focus on Candice’s appraisal of the Prentiss family. She only thought about the fact that Eloise and Homer had her daughter and she wanted her back.

  “Do you think they’ll be any trouble?” Micah clenched his jaw so hard Eppie heard it pop.

  “I’m not sure. They were always polite, but not friendly. I know I’ve sold them bullets and cartridges.”

  “Dammit.” Micah ran his hand down his face.

  “What’s wrong? What did he tell you?” Candice frowned at them.

  “He said they would kill to keep her.” Eppie felt a chill creep across her at the thought of having to fight to the death for her daughter. How did things get so upside down?

  “Sweet Jesus,” Candice breathed. “You’re welcome to take whatever you need. Anything I can do to help.”

  “Thank you.” Eppie gave her a quick hug.

  Candice met Eppie’s gaze. “Where is he?”

  “Locked up under Teague’s guard.” The fear in her friend’s eyes made Eppie’s heart ache for her.

  “Good. I just wanted to say thank you for listening to me. I know most womenfolk don’t let on when something bad happens for fear it might happen again.” The shopkeeper ducked her head, shame replacing the fear.

  Eppie took her by the shoulders. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. He does. That bastard put his hands on you without permission and committed a crime. You are the victim. Do you understand me?”

  Candice nodded, but Eppie had a feeling the other woman didn’t believe a word she heard. It was too bad women were told to keep their mouths shut and endure.

  Eppie would never allow herself to be a victim, no matter how loud she had to be in order to be heard.

  “We’re headed out then to the Prentiss farm.” Micah glanced at the rifles hanging on the wall. “Can we borrow one of those?”