The Preacher's Outlaw Bride

by Mildred Colvin

  “That might be possible.” KodyAnne let Michael lead her to the table. She sat in the chair he pulled out, even as she protested. “Don’t fuss over me. I’m all right.”

  Her voice sounded strong. She liked that. If only she felt strong inside, she really might be all right. Truthfully, she felt as if she could crumple over like a rag doll if anyone pushed her the least bit. The concern in Michael’s eyes didn’t help either. If only she knew Tyler was all right, she’d be fine.

  Melanie carried a tray with four cups of coffee and set it on the table. They each took one before she slid the tray on another table and sat with them.

  KodyAnne took a sip of the hot coffee, made just the way she liked it. Melanie was a good friend. The best she’d had in a long time. She smiled. “Thanks, this is great.”

  “So tell me what happened to you all.” Melanie looked from one to the other. “You went looking for Tyler. Did you find him?”

  “No.” KodyAnne cleared her throat when it seemed to block. “The outlaws had been there. The house was a mess thanks to them looking for something that isn’t even there. They shot our dog. Probably thought they’d killed him, but he’ll be all—”

  The front door burst open and closed before KodyAnne could turn around. When she did, she squealed and jumped up so quickly her chair crashed to the floor. Tears filled her eyes as she threw her arms around her brother’s neck.

  “Tyler, you’re here. They didn’t take you.”

  His arms surrounded her, but she pulled back. “What are you doing here?”

  “It’s fine, Kody. Don’t worry.” He kept his hand around her shoulders as he strode across the floor to the table, taking her with him. “I’m here to see the sheriff. We have a problem.”

  Sheriff Barnett shoved his chair back and stood. Michael stood, too. Both faced Tyler.

  Tyler held a folded sheet of smudged paper out to the sheriff. “You must’ve missed this. It was tied to a rock and left on the front porch of the farmhouse. I wasn’t there when you came to call. Sorry I missed you, but I’d been away for a while. Seems you weren’t the only company we had unless your method of searching a house is to tear it up.”

  “No, we found it that way.” The sheriff took the paper and unfolded it. He barely glanced at it before spearing Tyler with his gaze. “How’d you know we were there?”

  “I saw you leaving as I was riding in. I’ve been working for the neighbor, helping put up hay. I stayed over last night because he wanted to get an early start this morning while it was cooler.”

  “Huh!” The sheriff grunted. “I don’t reckon your neighbor lives here in town, does he?”

  Tyler frowned. “Hardly. He’s got a farm several miles beyond our place the other direction from town. Why?”

  The sheriff shrugged. “You were accused of starting the fire in the livery today. You’d have a hard time doing it from way out there though.”

  “I didn’t do it!” Tyler’s arms crossed.

  “Didn’t figure you did.” The sheriff stared at the paper in his hands, his eyes moving back and forth. When he looked up, he sought KodyAnne. “Where’s your sister?”

  “At Widow Jenkins. Or she was.” KodyAnne turned toward Melanie. “Did she come back while we were gone?”

  Melanie shook her head, her gaze shifting between Tyler and the Sheriff. “No, I haven’t seen her. She took some blackberry pie to the widow this afternoon. She planned to stay and visit for a while. I assume she’s still there. What’s this about?”

  “She’s been kidnapped.” Tyler paced away a few feet and turned back. “They’ve got her or they wouldn’t have left the note. I’m going after her.” He looked at the sheriff. “Are you going to help me?”

  The sheriff looked at Tyler. “You’re under arrest, which means you’ll have to stay with me. We’ll go to Widow Jenkins’s house first. See what we can find there. Maybe Charlotte’s still visiting.”

  Tyler gave a brisk nod. “Fair enough. I just want my sister back unharmed. I can’t imagine what being forced to go with a bunch of foul—”

  His mouth snapped shut as he glanced at KodyAnne then turned away. “Let’s get going.”

  Chapter 17

  The Widow Jenken’s small, white frame house waited on the edge of town. KodyAnne followed Mike and the sheriff to the door while Tyler walked beside her. Nothing seemed out of place. Surely Charlotte was inside. She’d be embarrassed and annoyed to find herself the center of attention. She had to be there. The heat of anger rose in KodyAnne’s chest to even think of outlaws taking her sister. She knew what Tyler had almost said before he’d stopped, and she couldn’t agree more. Charlotte would be terrified with a bunch of men, foul-mouthed or not. Lord, if they took her, please keep her safe, and help us find her soon.

  The sheriff, obviously in charge, knocked on the front door. After a second knock, he tried the door handle.

  The woman was hard-of-hearing. And old. He could’ve given her time to get to the door. Never-the-less, KodyAnne followed the men inside. At first she saw nothing out of the ordinary, although the house had a quiet, almost empty feel to it, and her heart pounded hard and fast. Where was her sister?

  “Charlotte?” She ran past the others to the kitchen door. And stopped with her hands clutching the sides of the doorframe. A loud snore carried her attention past the dry sink by the door, the old, black range, and the kitchen table in the center of the room to a rocking chair in the far corner. Widow Jenkins sat with her head lolled to the side, intermittent snores surging from her lips.

  “Mike.” KodyAnne called over her shoulder. “She’s in here.”

  Tyler shoved her aside. “Charlotte.”

  “No, it’s the Widow. I think she’s asleep. Charlotte doesn’t seem to be here.”

  Mike and the sheriff crowded into the kitchen. KodyAnne stood back while the sheriff knelt beside the rocker.

  “She’s tied to the chair.” He loosened the knot holding her wrist to the chair arm.

  She slapped his shoulder. “What are you doing now? I’ll have the sheriff here to stop this nonsense then you’ll be sorry for barging into my house.”

  “Mrs. Jenkins, it’s me, Sheriff Barnett. Take it easy, and I’ll soon have you free.” He worked at the rope again.

  “Oh well, you’re too late. They already left.”

  “Who do you mean, ma’am?” He slipped the rope from her feet. “Who tied you up?”

  “We weren’t introduced.” The old woman’s dark eyes snapped as she rubbed her wrist. “Not that I’d want to know the likes of them two rough hombres.”

  “Was Charlotte Delmont here with you?”

  “Was, yes, but not now. They took her.”

  KodyAnne stood between her brother and Mike fighting the energy that vibrated inside. Her impulse was to run out and leap on Pistol. Where was Charlotte? Obviously members of Uncle Mark’s gang had taken her. But where?

  Tyler stepped forward. “Sheriff, I know where Charlotte is.”

  The sheriff jerked his head around and stared at Tyler. He stood. “Why didn’t you say so right off?”

  “Because I didn’t want to believe they’d really taken her.” His brows drew together. “I’m not an outlaw, Sheriff. I certainly wouldn’t take part in kidnapping my little sister. Our family might not have come about the normal way, but we are family. The three of us is all there is now. We’ve got to stick together.”

  KodyAnne sensed Michael’s presence standing so close. His warmth seemed to surround her, giving her strength. Tyler’s declarations filled her heart, too. He was her brother, and she loved him.

  “Sheriff, I’m tired of all this. I don’t even know what I did wrong. Why am I a wanted man? If you can tell me, I’d appreciate it.” Tyler faced the sheriff with his head held high. “Looks like I’m caught in the middle of something I never started. The law wants to make a statement of some kind at my expense, and the outlaws want something they think I have. Which, by the way, I don’t have. I figure it’s
past time to put an end to this.”

  That’s true. Ty didn’t have what the outlaws were after. KodyAnne swallowed as she thought of Uncle Mark’s box hidden away. She had it.

  Sheriff Barnett nodded. “I agree. So are you going to tell us where your sister is?”

  “I done told you, Sheriff.” Widow Jenkins called out. “Two men came in here and took her.”

  Tyler glanced toward the elderly woman, then back to the sheriff. “I gave you the note the outlaws left, but I kept the map and directions. I’ll need to go with you to get Char.” He took a deep breath and let it out. “I need the assurance that after this I’ll be cleared of charges. I’ll do my best to help you catch your real outlaws. They asked me to join up with them. Said if I did, they’d release Char.”

  The sheriff’s gaze seemed to tighten as he set it on Tyler. “You planning on joining?”

  A sound of disgust sounded from Tyler as he shook his head. “You haven’t been listening. I want my name cleared. I wouldn’t know how to rob banks, and I don’t want to learn. I come from a long line of storekeepers and men who worked with their hands. It’s what I enjoy. Why risk what I love on something I abhor?”

  “Okay.” The sheriff began walking toward the door. He stopped and turned back to the Widow Jenkins, who was talking quietly with Michael. “Are you all right, ma’am? Do you need to see the doctor?”

  “No, I don’t need a doctor. You go on and get that sweet girl back from those men.” She shook a finger at the sheriff. “And Sheriff, stop harassing this boy. He isn’t like those rough men that barged in here and pushed us around. I can see by the look in his eyes, he’s a good boy. Get on out of here and get that girl.”

  The sheriff turned to Tyler. “All right, I won’t lock you up. You help us get this gang, and I’ll do everything within my power to clear your name. Since the bank was involved, though, it’s still under the U.S. Marshal’s jurisdiction. We’ll have to wait and see what he has to say about it. But I’ll certainly put in a good word for you. That’s all I can do.”

  Tyler gave a quick nod. “I understand. Thanks.” He pulled a folded paper from his shirt pocket. “Here’s the map they left.”

  ~*~

  Michael stood in the shade of a tall oak and peered at the lone cabin Tyler had led them to. It sat in the middle of the prairie. If anyone was in that one-room cabin, they could see in any direction for several hundred yards.

  “Don’t know how we’re going to sneak up on them.” Deputy Dan Harris scratched his head.

  Michael agreed. It sure looked pretty grim. Outlaws with guns trying to protect what they believed was their rights were a dangerous bunch. Clint, Dan, and Tyler tossed out suggestions and as quickly rejected them. A flash of black fell to the ground beside Michael. He swung around but didn’t see anything.

  “I’ll have to go up there first.” The fear in Tyler’s eyes said he’d rather do anything else. A man willing to put himself on the line was to be admired. No wonder KodyAnne cared so much for him.

  KodyAnne.

  Where was she? Michael turned in a full circle looking for her. She’d disappeared into the air. Or behind a tree. He stepped toward the oak when he saw a faint ripple in the tall, waving grass. “Andy.”

  “Did you say something, Mike?” Clint turned to him. “Any good ideas would be appreciated.”

  “It’s An—” He shook his head. “It’s KodyAnne. She must’ve gotten tired of waiting for us to decide.”

  Tyler spun around. “What do you mean? Where’s Kody?”

  His face had been pale before, now it looked downright pasty.

  Michael nodded toward the ripple barely visible where she’d been. He couldn’t see her or any evidence of her now. Where had she gone? “I think she’s crawling toward the cabin in a wide arch. Either that or she’s crawling away. I’m going after her.”

  He took a step toward the grass line, but Clint held his arm. “No, you can’t go. You’re twice her size. I see where she is now, but she’s barely making a ripple. They won’t notice her. You’d look like a bull crashing through if you tried it.”

  “I can’t let her go up there alone.” Michael balled his fist, straining against the battle inside from Clint’s logic and his instinct to protect KodyAnne. “If I don’t go, we’d better make a move pretty quick, or we’ll have two girls to rescue.”

  “I’m going.” Tyler gripped his horse’s reins with white knuckles. “I’d appreciate it if you’d back me up. I’ll talk them into sending Char out. They don’t want her, anyway. They want me and what they think I have.”

  “All right, as soon as you have their attention, I’m following KodyAnne. I don’t want to lose—” Michael shook his head. He’d almost said he didn’t want to lose her. He’d probably already done that with his stupid pride. Why hadn’t he proposed to her as soon as her father asked him to?

  The knowing look in Clint’s eyes seemed to agree with him. He’d messed up, but if they got out of this alive, maybe he’d still have time to set things right. He waited until Tyler, leading his horse with a loaded rifle in a sheath beside him, made it about halfway to the cabin.

  “I’m going now.” Michael led Fireball to a tree and tied him.

  Clint nodded.

  “Hey, you in the cabin. Are you here?” Maybe the outlaws wouldn’t hear the tremble in Tyler’s voice. “I need to see my sister.”

  Michael took his rifle, and dropped to the ground at the edge of the grass. He crawled through the faint path KodyAnne had left and hoped he wasn’t as obvious as he felt.

  The buzz of an insect in the grass was Tyler’s only answer, and only Michael heard it as it circled his ear. He swatted at the annoying mosquito and the buzzing stopped. He crept a few more feet forward. KodyAnne was probably already at the cabin as fast as she was going.

  “I’m not coming any closer until you show your faces.” Tyler’s voice rang out again. “And send my sister out first.”

  Something slithered through the grass ahead of Michael and he paused. Lord, when You called me to preach Your word, I didn’t know I’d be doing anything like this. But rescuing those in need is what You do, and I’d sure like to help. Protect Andy. Keep her safe from harm—and from herself. She’s your child. I trust You to see us through this. Stop the hand of evil. Confuse them so they can’t do harm to Tyler, Charlotte, or Andy, or any of us. I pray in Your holy name.

  When his prayer ended, Michael moved forward again. Then the creak of hinges sounded and he fought the urge to lift his head high enough to see. Unless he missed his guess, someone was coming out of the cabin.

  ~*~

  KodyAnne held her breath. She was near the cabin. Obviously these men had better things to do than cut their grass. They’d trampled a semi-circle in front of the door, but on the side where she was, the trampling had ended not far from the outside wall of the building. She knelt under a window and listened to Tyler yelling for the outlaws to come out. Their hushed voices inside let her know they didn’t trust him. Maybe they were smarter than she’d guessed. She couldn’t hear Char. She wanted to look through the window, see if she could see in, but did she dare? Then she heard the front door open. She’d never have a better chance.

  Rising into a crouch, KodyAnne peeked through more dirt than she’d seen up close in a long time. Char would hate being in such a dirty place. She saw the light from the open door then it closed. That must have been the last of them.

  She studied what she could see of the room. Not much there. Some bunks and a table. Ah, that lump looked a lot like Char. She sat slouched over on one of the bunks. Tied to it no doubt. The skunks. They weren’t sending her out like Tyler told them to. Fine, she’d let her out.

  The window rose with a little tug. Once she got it up a few inches, she could see clearly that Char was tied. Her past life of entering places without permission served her well. In fact, this was easier than most of the houses in New York had been. Certainly easier than the doctor’s clinic. She was inside be
fore Char looked her way.

  Charlotte’s eyes widened, and her mouth formed a circle.

  KodyAnne put her finger over her lips and shook her head. They needed to get out before one of those men found them. Lord, please help me get Char untied and out of here. Show us a way to confound the evil intent of these men. Amen.

  KodyAnne set to work on the knots holding her sister. They weren’t tight. Just once around her ankles tying her to the bedpost. They knew she couldn’t go anywhere with them all there. Ha! That was before. They were in for a surprise now.

  As soon as the rope fell from her ankles, Charlotte stood and headed toward the window without a sound.

  KodyAnne stopped at the table. Well, well, God had already answered her prayer. She picked up two sticks of dynamite and a match. To make sure she didn’t need a second one, she lit the match and held it to one of the wicks until it glowed and smoked. Good. This was exactly what she needed to scare a few men. Too bad the good guys would probably be even more frightened than the bad ones. Oh well, some things couldn’t be helped, and they’d forgive her when they understood what she was doing.

  ~*~

  Michael stopped far enough back from the house so he could see both the window KodyAnne had gone through and the front door where the men now stood. He waited, holding his rifle ready, poised to go either direction. He was several yards away, and they hadn’t seen him yet. Their attention seemed to be centered on Tyler. If they stayed outside, Andy would be all right inside. Lord be with her. He couldn’t remember ever praying so much.

  The three outlaws stood in various positions in front of the house. They acted as if they were ready for trouble, but they hadn’t brought Charlotte out, so they probably thought they still had the upper hand. Maybe they did. Tyler had to be nervous, not only for himself but for his sisters. Michael understood because he felt the same way.

  A foot and then a leg stuck out the window. Charlotte. She climbed out and adjusted her skirt without so much as a bump against the side of the cabin. He motioned to her, hoping he was far enough behind the outlaws so they wouldn’t see the movement. She ran through the grass that stood past her waist. The outlaws didn’t seem to notice, but Tyler glanced toward her and back.