She threw the wadded clothing onto the bed, hugged herself against the chill and eyed the hearth. With no idea how long she’d be there, she wondered if she should light a fire. Maybe someone would see the smoke. She shook her head. Given the distance they’d traveled, the thickness of the trees and the gray skies, it wasn’t likely.
She glanced around the barren room and shivered. In the corner, she spied two buckets; one filled with water and the other empty. Her thoughts turned to her porcelain bowl and basin and the chamber pot beneath her bed. What she wouldn’t give to be in her own room with its colorful quilt and lacy curtains. Tears rimmed her eyes. This was beyond torture.
Ellie bent over and picked up the bundle Jeb left her. She pulled it apart and shook free a pair of denims, a faded checkered shirt and a heavy pair of woolen socks. Holding them by just her fingertips, as if they held pox germs, her lips curled into a sneer at the thought of donning something he had worn.
She reminded herself this wasn’t the time to be picky. Goosebumps dotted her skin and the air inside grew colder. With a deep breath and a muttered oath, she peeled her emerald gown off, folded it neatly and looked around for a place to put it.
Her choices were limited, the bed, the empty bucket, or the dusty shelf. She clutched her dress to her rumbling stomach and wished she’d gone to the food table with Ty.
If only she could go back and do things differently. Her “humph” summed up her feelings. As usual, she’d created her own mess. She tucked the dress beneath the dirty mattress.
As she stood nearly naked, Ellie’s teeth chattered. She started to slip her arms into a shirtsleeve, but glanced down at the corset. It, like the cabin, was a prison, but this was one she could escape. It wasn’t ladylike to trounce around without undergarments, but it sure would feel good to breathe.
She struggled with the laces and let the contraption drop to the floor. Bared to the cold, her already pebbled nipples turned to stone beneath her shift. Quickly, she pulled the soft flannel shirt around her and fumbled with the buttons. She cuffed the sleeves that were two inches longer than her arms.
“How nice of you,” she muttered, seeing a piece of twine on the floor. Evidently it was Jeb’s answer to a belt that she hadn’t noticed in the bundle. She slipped on the pants then holding the extra fabric out to the side, she sighed. As if being imprisoned wasn’t trial enough. Suddenly, the short rope seemed a small blessing.
As much as she hated to, Ellie sat on the dusty bed and pulled the socks onto her frigid feet. It was a struggle to get them back into her shoes, but looking down at her new outfit, she almost giggled at seeing her delicate dance slippers peeking out from the drooping pant legs.
What would Pa say if he saw her now? Not an image he would appreciate, she imagined. She rose and went to the fireplace, knelt and stacked kindling. Although freezing to death was preferable to dealing with Jeb Bryant, she wasn’t nearly ready to give up…not yet.
Chapter Eighteen
Joshua waited at the fork in the road, huddled against a tree in the faltering moonlight. His horse served as a buffer against the chilling breeze that floated occasional snow clouds through the sky. For a moment, the sporadic dusting had stopped. He hunched down in his jacket and wrapped his arms around himself.
“Where’ve you been?” He asked Jeb, when his twin finally appeared. “I’m about to freeze to death.”
“Well you didn’t. It took a might longer than I thought to make our guest comfortable.”
“You didn’t do anything stupid did you?” Joshua asked, his teeth chattering. He almost felt the need to laugh. The whole plan was stupid. He should’ve put a stop to it. But no one, certainly not he, could tell Jeb what to do. Joshua learned from an early age, it was better to go along with whatever his crazy brother said than to waste time trying to change his mind. This time, however, Joshua questioned his own sanity.
“If you mean did I get a little taste of Miz Ellie, no. I’m saving that for next time when I can give her my undivided attention.”
Joshua slowly shook his head. He stared up at his brother. “I don’t feel good about this, Jeb. It ain’t right to hold her against her will. Miz Ellie never did anything to you. You need to let her go.”
“You need to shut up. This is my plan and it’s gonna work if you do what you’re told. Right now, we’re gonna go home and get some sleep. Early tomorrow we’re going pay a visit to Fountainhead, and then ride into Sparta. When we hear that Ellie is missing, we’re gonna act shocked and very eager to lend our help in findin’ her. Of course, there’s no way anyone will suspect that the wheels are in motion for Ben Fountain to sell Pa his land. Got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.” Joshua hung his head and mounted his horse. For the moment, Miz Ellie was safe. He had no choice but to do what Jeb said. Besides it was late and he was cold and tired. Pa wanted Fountainhead and if Joshua did anything to stand in the way, he’d have more than Jeb to contend with. He remembered Pa’s temper all too well.
* * * * *
Winter’s early touch had blanketed everything with a thick coat of snow during the night, and the morning sun yielded a savage reflection, bouncing off the stark whiteness. A frigid gust blew powder from the pine trees, dusting Jeb and his brother as they urged their mounts through the two-foot drifts, toward Fountainhead. Their story had been rehearsed, so all they had to do was deal with Ben and then return to town, making sure as many people saw them as possible.
Jeb pulled the brim of his hat down further, blocking the sun, and nestled down in the warmth of his sheepskin coat. “I don’t think Pa believed me when I first told him Ben was ready to sell.” His spoken words floated through the cold air in a foggy mist. “But after I told him I’d talked with Ben and arranged a meeting, Pa just nodded. I expected him to ask a lot more questions.”
Joshua slapped clear a tree branch. “Yeah, that surprised me, too. How do you plan to handle things if Ben decides to spill the beans?”
“He won’t. I’ll make it perfectly clear he’d better go along with what I say or he’ll not be seeing his pretty little daughter again.”
“You wouldn’t really kill Miz Ellie, would you, Jeb?”
“Hell no! But it won’t hurt for them to think I might if they force my hand. I aim to keep her nice and healthy ‘cause I have plans for her, and they don’t include letting her go.” Thoughts of Ellie’s sweet body warmed him inside.
Joshua’s breath escaped his lips in a loud whoosh, turned to fog and lingered in the air. He kept his eyes trained on the trail ahead, his shoulders hunched against the cold.
“Don’t worry, little brother,” Jeb said, reaching across to slap Joshua on the back. “It won’t come to me hurtin’ Ellie. I’m pretty positive that Ben treasures his baby girl more than his land. Besides, like I said, I have plans for her.”
“I’m not your little brother.” Joshua said, his voice sullen. “We were born on the same day.”
“Yeah, but I came first, leading the way, like always.”
Joshua took a deep breath. “You plan on forcing yourself on Miz Ellie?”
“Just you never mind.”
Joshua rolled his eyes. “What about Ty?”
“You just let me handle him. Ben will probably keep Bishop in line, but if he doesn’t this will be a perfect opportunity to take him out. Somebody needs to remind him of his place. He ain’t even a Fountain.”
Joshua glanced at his brother. “It’s not too late to call this whole thing off. I think you’re bitin’ off more than you can chew.”
“Will you stop bein’ such a yellow-belly? For once, act like a man.”
“If being a man means stealing women and forcing old men to sell their land,” Joshua muttered.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just nothing. It don’t matter what I say anyhow.”
They rode in silence the rest of the way to Fountainhead. At the gate, a guard pointed a rifle at the two. “Stop and state your business.”
Jeb kep
t his face buried deep in his jacket, Joshua did the same. With hats low and faces partly covered, Jeb hoped they weren’t recognized. Their previous visits to Fountain land hadn’t been what one would call social.
“We’re here to talk to Mr. Fountain. It’s important,” Jeb said to the man perched on the fence rail.
The guard kept his rifle trained on the pair. “Who are you, and what’s so all-fired urgent?
“Do we get to see Mr. Fountain or not?” Jeb spat. “I don’t suppose he’ll be very happy if you turn us away without his seeing us. How well do you like your job here?”
“Hey, Pete,” the guard yelled at another approaching hand. “I need ya to cover the gate while I ride up to the house with these two.”
When Pete was in position at the ranch boundary, the other hand mounted his horse and fell in beside the twins. They rode in silence through the compound, and when they reached the house, the man stepped down. “Wait here. I’ll let Mr. Fountain know he has company.”
Joshua whispered to his brother. “I hope things don’t turn rough when Ben discovers who his callers are.”
“What’s he gonna do?” Jeb scoffed. “We have the upper hand.”
Ben came out onto the porch in his stocking feet and coatless. “What’s all the—”
His eyes widened when he recognized the duo. He pointed an accusing finger at his hired hand. “Damn you, Curly. Why’d you let these two bastards on my land? You know the Bryants aren’t welcome here.” His breath vaporized and floated away.
“But boss, I—I didn’t know who—”
“You addle-brained idiot. You should have asked.” Ben embraced himself against the cold air.
Jeb waved his hands in the air. “Hold up! We didn’t come here to start a fight. Matter a fact, we’ll surrender our guns if that’ll make you feel better. We can leave or stay, it’s your call. But you might want to hear me out.”
Ben scowled. “You ain’t got nothin’ I want to hear.”
“Don’t be so sure. I understand your daughter is missin’. We may be able to help you find her. Let’s talk in private.”
“Curly,” Ben barked, “take their guns. Stay out here and keep an eye on the quiet Mr. Bryant while I have a word with this one.” He held the door open. “C’mon in, but you’d better tell me something that will bring Ellie home, or else.”
Without regard for the floor, Jeb followed Ben into the parlor, leaving snow and mud in his wake. There was no invitation to be seated and no formalities. Ben leaned on the mantle and glared. “Okay, we’re alone. Say what you came to say. If you’ve done anything to my daughter, I’ll—”
Jeb pushed his hat back on his head and held up a silencing hand. “I’m all for Miz Ellie coming home, but you’re gonna be the one to decide.”
“What do you mean?” Ben asked, his eyes narrowing.
“You know we’ve had a hankering for your land, and unfortunately, you haven’t been too eager to do any negotiatin’, so let me spell it out for you. I have your daughter tucked away where nobody can find her. All you have to do is agree to sign the papers to transfer Fountainhead over to my Pa and you get her back.”
Ben took a step forward, waving a furled fist. “Why you thievin’ underhanded bastard.”
Unflinching, Jeb crossed his arms. “Now, now, Ben. Is that any way to talk to the man who’s gonna get you a fair price for your property? We don’t aim to steal anything. My pa’ll get the money from the bank today and then we’ll be back. All you need to do is keep your mouth shut, and Miz Ellie won’t get hurt. Is it a deal?”
Ben’s jaw tensed. His arms hung limply at his sides. “What choice do I have? But I’m warning you, you’d better not harm her.”
“If you take me up on my offer, we can get the deal finalized and your daughter will be home in time for breakfast. But there’s one more thing.” Jeb cocked his hat lower. “You tell anyone and she’s as good as dead, and that includes my Pa. All he needs to know is that you’ve decided to sell. Do we understand each other?”
Ben nodded, hanging his head. “Just bring my daughter home.”
Jeb strode out of the house, letting the door slam. He loved being in control, having Ben Fountain under his thumb. What a fool. He actually believed his daughter was coming home. Jeb smiled up at this brother. “Seems Ben has decided to sell his ranch, after all. Let’s get Pa to the bank before it closes.”
Jeb took his sidearm back from Curly and mounted up. Digging his heels hard into the flanks of his horse, he left the compound. His spirited departure left his brother in a dusting of snow.
* * * * *
Ty and Sheriff Andrew Gamble, stood in front of his office, when Ty spied the Bryant brothers riding up Main Street. Their horses slogged through the slushy snow, now brown from being mixed with the underlying mud.
Ty curled his mouth into a sneer. “Hellfire, just who I need to see today. So help me, if they had anything to do with Ellie’s disappearance, I swear—”
“Hold on, Ty,” Andrew cautioned. “I don’t wanna have to arrest you for something stupid. You already spent last night in one of my cells because you needed a place to bed down, but the door wasn’t locked behind you. You’re just jumpin’ the gun ‘cause Jeb rubs you the wrong way.”
“I reckon you’re right,” Ty said, keeping his brow furrowed, “but once we find Ellie, I’m gonna dig up rock hard evidence proving they’re behind the dead cattle and recent gunshot at Fountainhead. Right now, I need to concentrate on finding Ben’s daughter.”
Andrew nodded. “I agree. We’ve got a posse going from ranch to ranch in the valley, where else can we look?”
Ty rubbed his brow. He hadn’t slept a wink all night, and his mind was numb from worry. “I think we oughta fan out on the trail leadin’ up to the ranch.”
His thoughts flashed to the dance, and how mad at him Ellie had been. She wasn’t above doing something dumb when her temper flared. Shaken by the thought, he shared his fear. “God forbid that hard-headed gal tried to walk home in freezin’ weather.”
The lawman shrugged. “I’ve known Ellie since she was a babe, and I swear she was born with the beauty of her ma, but the temper of her pa, when he’s riled.”
“That’s what scares me,” Ty said, cracking his knuckles. “Ben don’t show it often, but when he does…”
Joshua and Jeb rode up and dismounted. Ty took a deep breath and fought the urge to jump down and grab Jeb by the throat. His cocky attitude made him as different from his twin as night to day. This wasn’t the time, but come hell or high water, Ty swore to take Jeb Bryant down a peg or two.
“Mornin’ Sheriff, Ty.” Grinning, Jeb touched the brim of his black hat. Joshua stood silently behind his brother and gave a quick nod.
Jeb leaned against the hitching rail and glanced up at the two. “We passed Cole Harding on the way into town and heard ‘bout Miz Ellie. We thought maybe we could lend a hand in findin’ her. Awful, her missin’ and all. I’ll bet her pa’s plumb worried out of his mind.”
Ty’s moved his jaw from side to side, easing the ache from clenched teeth. He held his temper in check and stared down at Jeb. “We don’t need help from the likes of you.”
“Whoa!” Andrew held up a hand, and looked at Ty. “We need all the men we can round up. If the boys want to help, what could it hurt?” The sheriff grabbed his hat as an icy wind gust ruffled the brim. Ty shivered and pulled his coat collar a little higher. Maybe Andrew was right. More men, more ground covered. If Ellie was out in the weather, how much more of this cold could she stand? He gave a reluctant shrug.
“Tell us what you want us to do,” Jeb said. “We’ve got an important errand to run, but afterwards, we’ll meet you wherever you say.”
Ty looked from Jeb to his twin, wondering if there was any chance he might be wrong about the two. He did a subtle headshake. Joshua might be on the up and up, but Jeb…never.
The Sheriff interrupted his thoughts. “The rider we sent out should be back with the Porte
rs and the Simpsons.
When they get here, you take charge and lead them up the trail. I’ll wait for the Bryants here, and we’ll search the town again, including re-checking the hotel, and Ma Brown’s boarding house. It never hurts to be thorough.”
Ty rubbed his brow. “I just wanna find her.”
Andrew placed a sympathetic hand on Ty’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, we will.” He turned to the twins. “You two take care of your business and get yourselves back here, pronto. I’ll be in my office.” The sheriff stomped snow from his boots and went inside.
Ty eyed the empty street, anxiously waiting to see riders. With the turn in the weather, people had drifted indoors and stayed there. He prayed wherever Ellie was, she was inside. His gaze wandered to the mercantile in time to see the Bryants enter. The feeling that Jeb was somehow involved stuck in Ty’s craw. Joshua, always a meek shadow, following his brother, and saying little, must know something.
Growing suspicion niggled at Ty. He walked a little further down the street, and then cut back to the store. Sidling up to the window, he peered inside, watching the two brothers gather canned goods, flour, coffee and a blanket.
He continued watching as Percy added a side of bacon and what looked like a few pieces of hard candy to the Bryant’s purchase.
As soon as he started to bundle the lot, Ty quickly crossed the street while fumbling in his pocket for his knife. He stepped back up on the walkway, ripped a small piece of splintering wood from the edge, and leaned against the sheltering wall of the Sheriff’s office, pretending to whittle. His mind raced with thoughts of Ellie and his blade bore the frustration of not being able to do a damned thing.
Ty glanced up from slinging splinters when the brothers came back to their horses. He cast a suspicious eye while Jeb secured the package to the back of his saddle, still wondering what made this “errand” so darned important.
Joshua stepped up next to Ty, holding his hat in his hands. “I’m surely sorry ‘bout Miz Ellie.”
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