Mail-Order Mismatch: Brides of Burlington County, Book Two

by Amelia St. James

  “Because Web is coming.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Angelica watched the door close behind Holden’s back, her anguish coming in waves. He had seemed compassionate enough when she was telling him of her past, but then he’d left in a hurry.

  Maybe Tilly was right. If Holden was offended by her previous engagement and unwilling to forgive her for walking away from a commitment, she had no way to know if he’d ask her to leave when he returned.

  She swiped at her tears and looked around the small ranch house that had become her home. Leaving it would be hard, but it was Holden she’d never recover from losing. She prayed Tilly was wrong, feeling childish for not knowing the answer for herself.

  Cam put his paws in her lap, stretching hard to lick her cheek when she leaned toward him. He yipped and began to jump, anxiously indicating that he needed to go outside. She stood with a start; the midday meal would be late if she didn’t begin the preparations, and it wouldn’t do to have the men ask questions before she knew the answers.

  Uncertain that Holden would be coming back to eat with her, she felt driven to be ready, just in case. She put on her apron and her jacket, grabbing her Stetson hat from the hook before she left. She’d be warmer in her fur hat, but wanted the feeling of having Holden near, even if it was in symbolism only.

  The path to the outdoor kitchen was covered by several inches of snow that had fallen in the night, churned into a dirty mixture from the morning’s foot traffic. Angelica’s eyes stung, and she was certain she looked a mess. At least the kitchen would be warmer now. The men had worked quickly one afternoon, building a semi-closed cook area to keep her warm.

  She walked to it absently, Cam bounding at her side. She ruffled his fur, thankful that she had some company. He was never far from her, the similarities between him and Shep soothing and heartbreaking in some ways. She felt vulnerable when she thought of losing Shep, and knew Cam had already stolen her heart.

  Angelica blew out a deep breath, trying to tuck down her worries. The frosty puff in front of her would have made her smile on an easier day, but it only served as a reminder of how cold she was. She pulled her Stetson lower, thinking she may need to turn back to get something to cover her ears after all.

  The door to the cook area opened easily, the path in front of it cleared of snow from breakfast. She stepped up onto the platform, careful not to catch her skirts. The structure was colder than it should be, and she realized the fire had gone out.

  She bent to restart it, her heart beginning to pound when she saw water inside the cookstove. A shovel leaned against the wall nearby in a puddle of water. Someone had shoveled snow into the cookstove, but why? She straightened, backing up quietly. She opened the door, wishing her boots didn’t crunch so loudly into the snow as she quickly headed toward the house.

  Cam’s paw prints were everywhere in the snow, but he yelped somewhere behind the cooking area. She picked up her skirts, poised to run back to the house to retrieve the revolver Holden had made her practice with, but Cam yelped again. She spun back toward the structure and ran.

  Cam’s brown fur flashed between the line of trees in the opposite direction of the barn, and she worried an animal might have wounded him. She pushed down the fear that seemed to make her legs leaden, and kept moving. He needed her.

  The snow was deeper now, unchurned there except for Cam’s prints and a set of boot prints much larger than her own and not like any she’d seen on the ranch before.

  She pulled back, her heart racing with fear. She focused on Cam’s prints, following them until she saw his still form in the snow. Swallowing hard, she pressed on.

  “Hello, Daughter.”

  Startled, Angelica dropped to her knees in the snow. She slid closer to Cam, putting her hand on his nose. He wasn’t moving but warm breath puffed onto her hand.

  She turned toward the voice she’d never forgotten, though his beard had been less white back at the commune. “Web.”

  “It’s time we honored the engagement you ducked out on.” He stood over her, his gun aimed at her midsection.

  “Please don’t shoot. I’m expecting a baby.” Angelica spoke through chattering teeth, praying that Web wouldn’t harm her or her child.

  “You’ve been busy enough.” He lowered the gun, aiming at Cam. “Come with me and your baby will be cared for in his rightful home.”

  He grabbed her arm roughly, tugging her. She held her ground, weighing the possibility that one of the ranch hands would hear her if she screamed. Her guard, Syrus, had been sick today, and Holden was supposed to keep watch.

  Holden. He’d left her when she needed him the most. The thought was painful, but when the panic cleared, she realized that few things in her life were as certain as Holden’s honor. He’d come for her; she knew it.

  “I’m waiting.” Web pulled her again, his gravelly voice angry. “It’d be a shame for another good dog to die.”

  Still, she resisted. Holden couldn’t think she walked out on him. Stalling for time to figure out a solution, she said, “You don’t need an heir to keep the land my parents left. I’ll sign whatever you like to keep it in your hands.” He gripped her tighter, his unruly beard brushing against her hair.

  “Your father’s offspring is needed to unite us.”

  “Why don’t you just go your separate ways and live your lives?” She knew she’d antagonized him, his breath coming in quick, angry puffs now.

  “Let’s get moving before Jasper heads over to rough up Tilly.”

  Cold fear gripped her deep inside. Her voice was hoarse, the words barely moving past her lips. “How do you know about Tilly?”

  He laughed. “Living in rough country and making more enemies than friends, you don’t really have anyone to lean on, do you?”

  Angelica allowed herself to be led, hoisting herself onto Web’s horse before he mounted behind her. His arm tightened around her midsection, making it hard for her to breathe. Snow kicked up behind the horse’s hooves, and Angelica prayed Holden would be able to track her.

  He’d come. She knew he’d come. He had to.

  Tears fell unchecked, feeling like frozen rivers on her cheeks. She reached into her apron pocket, hoping for a tissue but finding the bundle of parsley that she planned to use for the midday meal. She pinched off a sprig and dropped it, feeling hopeful again. She dropped a sprig every chance she could, working carefully to avoid being caught.

  Bouncing and fear paired poorly with her hormones and emotions, making her nauseous. She shifted to try to ease her discomfort, making Web tighten his grip even more. She was no longer able to reach her apron pocket, and tears once again flowed freely.

  She was gone from the ranch long before the cowhands would be seeking their food, and Holden had no idea she’d been taken. Tilly could be in danger, or Holden, for that matter. She felt helpless to protect those she cared for, and couldn’t even leave a trail behind to help them find her.

  Her mind felt like a tangle of worry and fears, and she struggled to breathe with Web’s grip around her. Her nausea grew, her ability to control it diminishing quickly. She turned her head to the side and let her body do what it needed to, causing Web to stop the horse abruptly.

  “Of all the disgusting things I’ve seen done on the back of a horse, that’s the worst!” Web dismounted, angrily pulling her from the saddle. She collapsed to the ground, trying to steady her breathing.

  She didn’t recognize the area where they had stopped, and was angry with herself for not keeping better track of her surroundings. She wouldn’t be likely to find her way back to the ranch on her own, even if she was able to break free.

  Angelica looked up, finding Web’s dark eyes studying her with a glint of suspicion.

  “Wash up.” He opened his canteen and poured water on her hands, the cold sending shivers through her body. She tucked her hands into her pockets and closed her eyes, praying for a way to stall.

  Web began coughing, the deep, racking spasms l
eaving him gasping. He sat hard on a log nearby, his gun in his hand.

  Angelica bowed her head, feeling defeated, despite the hope she tried to hold onto. She prayed quietly, warmth and peace beyond her expectation edging out fear and desperation.

  Rhythmic sounds pounded out in the distance, moving closer before she understood what they were.

  “Riders are coming.” Web stood and grabbed Angelica, taking her further from the road and drawing his gun. “Decent-looking fellow who dotes on his wife is how he’s described. Ought to be easy enough to pick him out of the bunch.” Web pulled the hammer back on his revolver, holding Angelica at his side.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Holden pushed Lil harder than he ever had, his heart still hammering faster than her hoofbeats sounded on the ground. His Angelica was missing, and it was his fault. He never should have left her, not even to alert his guards.

  Fear tensed his muscles as he pushed on, thankful he’d been riding Lil that day. She was his most seasoned horse, the one who knew how to read his body language and respond. Every twitch or lean or movement communicated to Lil how he needed her to react, leaving him to focus on the tasks at hand. She was fearless, and he had never been more afraid.

  The prints in the snow were clear until he reached the road, with him barely registering the yells and whistles of the men following him as they communicated the same way they did on a cattle drive. They’d help him find Angelica or die trying, and he knew nothing he said or did would turn them away. Gratitude swelled within him, dulling the fear for a heartbeat.

  He slowed Lil when the prints crisscrossed others in the road, turning her to study the tracks. His men split up, with two of them skirting the tracks to ride in the direction of town. The rest stopped behind him, not disturbing the hopeless tangle of prints.

  Harry rode up next to him, his horse staying a healthy distance from Lil. He didn’t need to see her to know Lil’s eyes were wild as she sensed his worry. The ache in his throat made him want to yell.

  Pointing to the road, Harry said, “Thataway.”

  Holden scanned the snow, knowing any wrong move could cost Angelica her life. “You’re sure?”

  “Ain’t no parsley growing in the middle of the road. Your woman left you a trail.”

  Holden tightened his knees, balancing as Lil burst into motion. His jaw clenched. He wanted to make Web suffer for causing his wife harm. Even if he didn’t lay a hand on her, she hadn’t been geared up for an extended exposure to the cold. Especially not in her condition.

  His hands gripped the reins, his slight shift causing Lil to speed recklessly in the snow. He pulled back, bringing her to a safer pace. She’d push herself as hard as he let her, but he’d be lost without Lil. He’d find his Angelica, and only with Lil’s help. His eyes stung as he stared painfully into the snow, his heart leaping when he saw parsley.

  Riders came from the opposite direction, and he knew one was Paul from the way he balanced in the saddle. As they came closer, Sheriff Duran’s face became clear. Both seemed surprised when they saw the look on his face, but he passed them without slowing to speak. He heard yelling behind him, and left it up to his men to fill them in. He needed to keep on the trail before it was disturbed any more than it had been.

  Parsley blew in the wind, shifting awkwardly on the snow. He stopped Lil, standing in the saddle to look around. Off to the side, a small pathway could be seen when he stood, and prints littered the snow nearby.

  He took off, hearing his men pursuing from behind. He took comfort knowing they were close by, but until he had Angelica in his arms, nothing else mattered.

  “Slow down, there’s a drop-off up ahead.” Paul breathed heavily as he came close to keeping pace with Holden.

  “Thanks.” Holden slowed Lil as Paul sped past him, to the clearing ahead where a riderless horse paced. There had been a drop-off, but it wasn’t steep. Paul raced forward, putting himself in between Holden and danger once again.

  Holden stood in his saddle as Lil followed Paul’s path. Beyond the clearing, a man raised a gun and pointed it at Paul. With his heart thumping wildly, he scanned nearby for his wife. Angelica sat huddled on a rock nearby, her ashen face watching in horror.

  Holden dropped low into the saddle, leaning into Lil as he let her take the lead. She’d never let him down, and he knew she sensed his urgency as she sped up, putting Holden out in front of Paul. His heart raced as she moved fluidly, and he sat up straight to block Web’s line of sight to Paul. The man was like his brother in every way, and he’d rather die than let the man find harm again at his expense. Horses pounded the snow behind him, and he knew his men would take care of Angelica, even if he didn’t make it.

  Lil closed in on Web, the man firing off a round into the air as Angelica screamed. Despite the noise, Lil pursued the man, bumping Web with her chest as if he was a wayward calf in need of correction. Web fell over as the revolver slipped from his glove.

  Holden dropped to the ground before Lil stopped moving. His hands ached to punish Web. Blood rushed in his ears as he heard Angelica’s quiet sobs next to him.

  He kicked the gun away with his boot, not looking to see where it slid in the snow. Web scrambled to stand, his right hand reaching behind him. Holden’s fist made contact with Web’s cheek, knocking the man back down. Web looked like he thought about getting back up, but stayed down, sprawled in the snow.

  Movement to his left caused him to pivot, still keeping Web in his sight.

  “Whoa, Holden. I’ll take it from here.” Sheriff Duran stood over Web, his gun drawn.

  Holden’s breath came in puffs, his adrenaline pumping. He scanned the tree-line, dropping to comfort Angelica only after he’d reassured himself there were no more threats.

  She leaned into his body, sobbing and clutching his shirt.

  “Are you hurt?” He stroked her hair, anxious to get her home and warm but her sobbing alarmed him. Torn between comforting her and rushing her back to his ranch, he held her tight. Only when her sobs began to subside did he feel like he could breathe again.

  “No.” She shook her head, smiling weakly, though the trails of tears on her face made him ache deep inside. He’d failed to protect her, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to forgive himself.

  “I should have been there with you. I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

  She leaned up, kissing him tenderly. “I knew you’d come for me.”

  Her lips were cold and her teeth chattered. He stripped his jacket off, tucking it around her. “Your hat is wet from lying in the snow. Take mine.”

  “It’s too big.” She grinned, her face starting to get some color. She stood, a little wobbly at first but let him help steady her. She pulled his jacket collar closer to her and tucked her hands into the pockets.

  Paul and Sheriff Duran were waiting for him next to Lil, and beyond them, his men formed a protective circle around them, watching for danger.

  “Sheriff, how did you get here so quickly? My men didn’t have time to get to you.”

  “We were coming to warn you.” Sheriff Duran nodded toward Web. “That one’s son, Jasper, thought it would be a good idea to go and make trouble for Tilly.”

  Alarm rippled through Holden. He turned to Paul, who gave a slight shake of his head. Holden’s gaze dropped to Paul’s bruised hand.

  Paul raised his chin, the look on his face as fierce as when they marched into battle. “She’s fine.”

  Sheriff Duran laughed. “He’s not.”

  Web grunted. “What did you do to my boy?”

  “Your boy got lucky, Web. If Preacher Paul hadn’t given his life over to God, I don’t think your boy would still be alive.” Sheriff Duran glanced at Paul with a look of admiration before patting Lil. She snorted, and he stepped back, laughing. “Well, fellows, it’s been eventful, but now we’d better be off.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff.” Paul nodded his appreciation, then took a long look at Holden.

  “What?”


  “I underestimated you.” He swallowed hard. “For a split second, I was afraid for you.”

  “Thanks for always looking out for me, brother.” Holden held his hand out, shaking Paul’s when he extended it.

  “Likewise, brother.” Paul turned toward Angelica, saying, “You’re safe now. There won’t be any more trouble coming from those two, I guarantee it.” He waited for her nod before he mounted and rode off, following the sheriff and his prisoner. Several of Holden’s men followed behind, with the remaining men all turning outward to give Holden and Angelica privacy.

  Her eyes held the strength he saw in her that first day, along with love that seemed to deepen each day. He reached for her, peeling his glove off and pulling a small box from the breast pocket of his jacket. “My whole world stopped when you were taken, my love. I thought I’d never breathe again.” He felt his voice tighten. “You are my everything.” He opened the box containing a pair of rings, kneeling in the snow.

  She gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, his large jacket bunching up around her wrists.

  “My Angelica, would you do me the honor of wearing my ring, showing the world that we belong to each other?”

  She nodded, her hand shaking as she held it out to him. He slid the ring on her finger, holding her hand in his to warm it.

  She gazed at him, her eyes warm with love. Her gentle smile eased the ache that started the moment he realized she was missing. Angelica reached up to stroke his jaw, running her hand along his stubble. He took her hand, kissing her palm as he breathed in her scent.

  “Allow me.” She reached for his ring, staring at his hand as she put it on him. “It’s perfect.”

  “You’re perfect.”

  “Not a mismatch, after all?”

  He laughed. “Not even close.”

  He helped her onto Lil, holding her gently against him as he directed his horse to take his bride home.

  Chapter Twenty-Six