Hannah shook her head. “We don’t know. I know this sounds ludicrous, but someone took her two days ago. She went to the outhouse, and that was the last anyone saw of her. We found some tracks, but whoever took her worked to cover them. Then the rain obliterated any further signs before Berto could get very far. You can speak with him about it, but he said that once the tracks made a wide circle around the ranch, the rider headed southwest.”
Tyler thought surely she was joking. Who would have any reason to take Carissa? “Indians?” he asked aloud.
“Berto doesn’t think so. The horse was shod, the man wore boots, and there wasn’t any other indication of Indians. The person did try to cover their tracks.”
“Then who would want to take her?”
She looked at William. “I think I might have an idea. Herbert Lockhart escaped jail some months back. The sheriff told me he’d be crazy to come here, but I know the man is crazy—and it wouldn’t surprise me at all for him to have been the one to take Carissa.”
“He wouldn’t have done it himself,” William said. “He’d probably hire it done. But why take Carissa? Why not wait it out and nab you?”
“If he sent someone to do it,” Tyler said, “could be they didn’t know what Hannah looked like. The two aren’t that different in build. Might be, too, they weren’t expectin’ any other white women on the ranch. After all, Lockhart would have no way of knowin’ that Carissa and her sister were here. He probably told his men to grab the only white woman on the place.”
“That would make sense.” William looked back at his wife. “Two days ago, you say?”
She nodded. “Yes. It was about lunchtime.”
“Did the sheriff have anything more to say about it?” Tyler asked. He moved toward his horse. “Never mind. I’ll ride into town and talk to him myself.”
William gave Hannah’s arm a squeeze. “I’ll go with him.”
Tyler shook his head. “You don’t need to.”
“Neither of you need to go. The sheriff is with his men looking for Carissa right now. He promised he’d stop in on his way back to town if he had any news at all. So it would be better if you’d come inside and wait rather than head out aimlessly. Juanita and Pepita are getting supper on.”
Everything in him protested doing nothing, but Tyler knew the futility of just heading off on his own without any real understanding of the situation. Especially since they were losing the light. He would talk to Berto and see if he could get the man’s fix on what happened, and then perhaps he would head out to search for Carissa after he had a good night’s sleep.
“Like I could sleep now,” he muttered.
Just then the children came running out the front door with Marty close behind. Robert made his way to William, squealing with delight as his father hoisted him up and tossed him high in the air.
Gloria made a beeline for Tyler and clapped her hands. “Papa Tyer! Papa Tyer!”
He looked at the child in wonder and lifted her in his arms. He hugged her close, and she nestled her head against his neck. “I think you’ve grown a foot,” he murmured.
“I got a foot,” she said, her head popping back up. She stuck out her leg. “See.”
He smiled. “You sure do. And I got you a present.” He tried not to think of the ring in his pocket and the woman who was so evidently absent.
“Mama goed away,” Gloria said matter-of-factly. She didn’t even seem to care that he’d brought her a gift. “Did you see Mama?” Her expression grew quite serious.
He shook his head. “No, but I will find her for us.”
Gloria smiled and nodded. “I come with you.”
Tyler shook his head again. “No, you’ll have to stay here. But when I find her, I’ll bring her right back.”
The little girl gave a pout, and Tyler wasn’t sure if it was the prelude to tears. So he again brought up the fact that he had a gift for her. “Don’t you want your present, Miss Gloria?”
“A pwesent for me.” It wasn’t a question, but rather a statement of fact.
“Yes, a present for you. Come on. I think I put it in the wagon. Let’s go see if we can find it.” Despite his desire to talk to Berto, he knew Gloria needed the distraction at the moment.
They retrieved the doll, and Gloria hugged it close. She said very little but studied the doll long and hard. She kept touching the golden hair and china face.
“So what will you name her?” Tyler asked.
“Mama,” Gloria replied.
He felt his throat tighten. He hadn’t thought of the doll looking similar to Carissa, but apparently it touched that chord in Gloria. He put her on the ground and watched her continue to assess the toy.
“Come on. Let’s head back to the house.”
As they walked, Gloria chattered to the doll and occasionally stumbled over her own feet. Tyler was poised to right her, knowing she couldn’t be bothered with the ground and her feet when such a toy awaited her inspection.
She was such a precious child, and the fact that she was now calling him Papa had touched him in a way he hadn’t expected. He wondered if Carissa had encouraged the title, or if Gloria had come up with it herself. It wouldn’t have been likely that Carissa would promote such a thing. After all, when they parted company, Carissa had seemed almost indifferent to him. Almost. But not quite.
Now she was gone, and Tyler couldn’t help but wonder what they would do if Carissa didn’t return.
Don’t be borrowin’ trouble, he chided himself silently. Won’t do any good to think that way. I need all my focus to be on finding her. Not on what to do if I don’t. He continued to berate himself about how to handle the matter until Hannah interrupted his thoughts.
“Tyler?”
He looked up and met her concerned expression. “Yeah?”
“I’m so sorry. I feel like there’s something more I could have done, but I honestly thought we were taking all the necessary precautions.”
“Don’t go blamin’ yourself, Hannah. This is the fault of an evildoer, not some lackin’ on your part.”
Gloria held out her doll. “See Mama?”
Hannah’s look of confusion caused Tyler to speak. “Gloria says she’s callin’ the doll Mama.”
“Oh, I see. For a moment I thought she was calling me that. I couldn’t . . . well . . . never mind. I understand now.” She smiled and leaned down. “She’s a beautiful doll.”
“Papa Tyer got her for me.” Gloria beamed.
“She’s quite lovely. Now why don’t you go inside and get washed up for supper. Ask Marty to help you put the dolly up until after you eat.”
“No, Mama’s gonna eat with me.”
Hannah bit her lip and nodded. “All right. Go get washed up.”
Tyler watched Gloria head into the house. He turned back to find tears running down Hannah’s face. He shook his head and handed her a handkerchief from his pocket. “Don’t be cryin’, Hannah. It won’t help a thing, and you’ll just upset yourself. No sense causin’ that baby any grief.”
“Oh, Tyler. I wish it had been me.”
“No. Don’t be sayin’ such things,” he said, putting his arm around her. “God’s got a plan in all of this. I don’t begin to understand what it is, but I know He’s got a plan. We gotta trust Him with Carissa.”
She nodded and wiped her eyes. “I do. It’s all that’s gotten me through.”
“Oh, Brandon,” Laura sobbed. She clung to him, refusing to let go. “I prayed so hard for your return. I’ve been so afraid.”
“I was afraid myself. When I learned you were so sick . . . well . . . all I wanted was to be home,” he said, smoothing back damp hair from her face. “I’m so glad you’re on the mend.”
“I am, but Carissa is gone.” She pulled back just a bit. “She’s been missing for two days.”
“What are you talking about—missing?” He shook his head. “Surely she didn’t just take off.”
Laura grasped his hand as he sat beside her. “Someone took
her. We don’t know who did it or where they’ve taken her.” Her voice broke. “I just feel like the entire world has turned upside down. What are we to do?”
“I can tell you what we’re not going to do: We’re not going to let you get yourself all worked up over this. This is bad, but not so bad that we can’t find hope in God. Right?”
She lifted her tear-filled eyes to meet his gaze. “I know you’re right, but Carissa is so fragile. She doesn’t know how to do much for herself. Even if she managed to escape her captor, how would she ever find her way home?”
“A body usually does what they have to when put to the task. Your sister is stronger than you give her credit for. We’ll find her, but you have to calm down. Or is this problem too big for God?”
She looked rather shocked at his question. “Of course not.”
“Good.” He nodded to the sleeping baby in the cradle beside the bed. “He needs for you to get strong and be back on your feet. Daniel needs you to be there for him. And I need you, Laura. I need you more than I could ever imagine needing anyone.” He caressed her cheek, then leaned forward to place a gentle kiss upon her lips. “We will see this through together, and God will oversee it all.”
She nodded. “I know you’re right. I want to be strong and have faith. Hannah and Juanita have been so good to pray with me. They saved my life, you know.”
“I figured as much.” He smiled. “William told me Hannah is quite handy with sick folk. I’ll admit, I wanted for you to have a doctor and a good hospital for all the best of care, but then I got to thinking about how competent Hannah is—and I figured you had the best.”
“I did. The doctor did come, but he said I was beyond his ability. At least that’s what Juanita told me. She said the doctor did what he could, but said it wasn’t likely for either Lucas or me to make it.”
“I’m glad you proved him wrong.” William caressed her arm. “I don’t honestly know what I would have done if you hadn’t made it. I couldn’t imagine living my life without you here. I don’t care if we never have another baby—but I can’t lose you, Laura.”
It was her turn to reach out to him. She put her hand against his cheek. “I love you, Brandon Reid. I promise you, I’ll do my best not to cause you any more worry.”
He grinned and covered her hand with his own. “You’d better not—if you know what’s good for you.” The baby stirred, drawing Brandon’s attention. “He’s so little.”
“Yes, but he’s got a good appetite, and he’s eating quite well on a goat milk mix that Juanita came up with. I couldn’t provide for him because of the sickness.” She frowned. “It’s my deepest regret.”
“Don’t let it be, Laura. God has provided another way, and the most important thing is that you are getting well. That is all I want.”
“And all I want, now that you’re back, is for Carissa to be found unharmed. Oh, Brandon, what will we do if they have . . . if they . . .” Laura couldn’t finish. She lowered her face and shook her head.
“I thought we agreed to trust God.” She looked up, and Brandon continued. “We will do whatever needs to be done, Laura.”
“But what about Gloria?”
“Listen to you. You’re already thinking the worst. Now stop it. You need to have faith that God will get us through this. It might not turn out the way we expect or want, but we will trust in Him.”
“She did what?” Tyler said as the supper discussion turned to his ranch.
Hannah looked momentarily upset. “I suppose I shouldn’t have said anything. I know Carissa wanted to surprise you herself.”
“She bought the ranch?” Tyler asked. “How in the world did she do that? Why did she do that?” He didn’t know whether to be relieved or angry. Right now what he mostly felt was confused.
“Because the county was going to sell it out from under you,” Hannah answered, seeming to put aside all of her doubts regarding the secret. “Judge Peevy came and told us what was happening.”
“And she just up and bought it?” Tyler shook his head. “But why?”
“Carissa said she had to try to save it for you.”
Tyler tried to imagine Carissa’s logic in the matter. “For me?”
Hannah smiled. “Yes. She knew what the ranch meant to you. She had some money her father had left for her and Gloria to live on. She pooled all of her resources, and Judge Peevy secured the property for her.”
Tyler was stunned by her generosity. “Then she can just sell it back to me.”
“No.” Hannah shook her head. “She signed a contract saying she wouldn’t.”
Tyler frowned and looked at William. “Why would she do that?”
Hannah continued. “It was the only way. They wouldn’t allow purchase for those who fought for the Confederacy. The contract required that she never sell it to anyone who’d done so.”
“Maybe she figured she could sell it to me and then I could sell it to you,” William offered. “After all, I didn’t sign any such contract. When we find her, we’ll figure it all out. I’ll get Judge Peevy on it.”
“The contract also said she couldn’t sell it for five years,” Hannah interjected. “It states that Carissa has to live there for that time.”
“Five years?” Tyler asked. “What in the world was she thinking?”
Hannah looked at him with a smile. “Well, personally, I think she had it in mind to save it for the both of you. The contract didn’t say anything about marrying a Confederate. If you two marry, the place will automatically return to your ownership. At least in part.”
Tyler warmed at this thought, but it still seemed impossible to believe that the ranch hadn’t been put out of his reach. “We heard it had sold. I despaired of even returning to Texas.”
“I know. Bless the sheriff and his good intentions, but again . . . I wish he would never have sent that telegram.”
Tyler’s mind whirled about the idea that Carissa had purchased his family’s ranch. What was she planning? Did she want the ranch to be their home?
“When I left, she was hardly speakin’ to me,” Tyler said aloud. Then he looked around to see if anyone had heard him. Of course they had.
“She was upset about Ava, that’s all,” Hannah replied. She helped Daniel with some green beans, then turned back to Tyler. “She thought Ava was a rival, but I set her straight. She’s completely gone over you, Tyler. She and Gloria both.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “Truly?”
William rolled his eyes. “And he’s gone over her. Show them what you bought Mrs. Lowe when you were in Abilene.”
Tyler felt his face grow hot, but he did as William instructed and pulled the ring from his pocket. He opened the leather box and revealed the contents. Hannah and Juanita gasped.
“A wedding ring! Oh, she’ll be so happy,” Hannah declared, then just as quickly fell silent. She looked at her plate and Tyler could see that she was thinking of Carissa’s circumstances.
“I will get her back,” Tyler said, replacing the leather box in his pocket. “If Herbert Lockhart arranged to take her, he’s got no reason to keep her. He’s after you and, well . . . we ain’t gonna let him have you or Carissa.”
“That’s right.” William cut into a piece of ham and avoided Hannah’s gaze. “If the sheriff hasn’t sent word in the next two days—we’re heading out on our own. I’ll need for you to pack us some supplies.”
To Tyler’s surprise, Hannah didn’t protest. “I’ll have it ready.”
“Tyler and I will go alone. The rest of the men will stay on here at the ranch to offer protection. I’ll see to it that they’re paid, and I know Ted Terry will spare his fellas. We’ll see Ted tomorrow and let him know what’s going on.”
Tyler cut into his own ham steak and tried not to think about what Carissa might be having for supper that evening. Perhaps her captors weren’t even feeding her. He frowned and tore at the steak with a little more effort than was needed. If they hurt her, he’d see to it that they paid the price.
Lockhart wouldn’t allow Carissa to prepare supper. Instead, he instructed Long Knife to tie her to the chair and free her hands. At least this way her sore wrists were relieved of the tight leather straps.
The man called Jesse was a puzzle to her. He looked as if he might be part Indian, but he wasn’t as dark as Long Knife, so he certainly wasn’t full-blooded. Jesse called Long Knife “brother” more than once, however, so Carissa was confident they were related at least by one parent.
The real puzzlement was Lockhart himself. Carissa couldn’t quite figure him out. He seemed amiable enough with his men, but there was a meanness and a hatred that he held toward her that she couldn’t understand. Perhaps he hated all women. Or maybe he just hated her because she was a constant reminder of his failure to capture Hannah. Either way, Lockhart made her skin crawl.
She remembered Hannah’s comments about Lockhart arranging for the death of her father. Then he had threatened to kill her brother and sister if she didn’t marry him. Apparently it all had to do with his desire for money. She studied Lockhart as best she could without him noticing. He didn’t seem suited for this rough kind of life. He wasn’t in the best of shape; he looked like he could stand to lose a few pounds. His hair had thinned and was balding on top, making him look quite a few years the senior of any other man in the room. It seemed so strange that he would risk being recaptured by sticking around the area, and yet here he was.
Supper passed with the men rambling on about one thing or another related to their mistake in taking her. Carissa tried her best to focus on every word while appearing completely uninterested. She was pleasantly surprised by the rabbit stew. The men had proved to be well skilled in the kitchen. One had managed some very edible biscuits to go along with the stew, and all in all the meal was filling and flavorful. Carissa ate, even though she wasn’t hungry, determined to keep her strength up. She didn’t intend for these cowards to get the better of her. In fact, with every passing hour she was getting angrier.
“You don’t say much for a woman,” Lockhart said, eyeing her over the table. “That’s a nice surprise.”
Tracie Peterson - [Land of the Lone Star 03] Page 21
