Each day he sent a gift, all unique and so appreciated. Maggie had never felt so special in her entire life. In addition to the chocolates and basket, she received a book, a crocheted doily, and a thimble.
Carefully working her fingers into a pocket of her vest, Maggie removed the thimble and smiled.
In a rush that morning, she’d unlocked the back door and gone down the street to get a pastry from the bakery. When she returned, she discovered a tiny green box tied with a plaid ribbon on her worktable. Delight spiraled through her when she opened the lid and found the thimble. Embossed with a pattern of thistles, Maggie wondered where Ian found such a distinctive design.
Thimbles and thistles.
What an unlikely yet beautiful and functional combination.
Maggie thoroughly missed Ian. She missed his cocky grin and the little swagger in his walk she was sure he didn’t even know existed. She missed the way his sun-streaked hair fell over his forehead. She missed the way he’d look at her with amusement and love in his eyes.
Those looks full of love were what she missed the most.
Ian MacGregor loved her, of that she was certain. In spite of her vow to never love another, he’d somehow worked his way past her defenses and made her come back to the land of the living. Made her care. Made her want to feel again. Made her fall in love.
Finally admitting to herself she was in love with Ian, she wouldn’t do anything about it. She’d rather spend her life alone than go through the stark misery of losing another husband. If she wed Ian and something happened to him, she’d climb right into the grave beside his body.
No, losing him wasn’t something she could face.
The very notion that she’d fallen in love again riddled her with guilt, as if she’d somehow betrayed Daniel. It was ridiculous, especially when she’d been a widow for a decade. However, the thought of openly giving her love to another made her feel as if she would somehow sully the vows she had made to Daniel.
She’d vowed to love, honor, and obey him until death do they part. The parting came much sooner and so much more tragically than she’d ever expected. When Daniel died, she’d still been such a child.
As Maggie reached her spot in the hills, she tucked the thimble inside her pocket and tied Danny Boy’s reins to a branch.
All the times she’d stubbornly disobeyed Daniel marched through her memories. He’d often teased her about being, “Maggie the mule,” but he’d coax her into seeing things his way.
The thing Maggie would never forget or forgive herself for was fighting with Daniel the day he died. That morning, she’d made him breakfast then packed a hearty lunch. When he asked her to pack extra food for dinner, she angrily refused.
Daniel, Tully, and Thane had stayed late every night for weeks, certain they were close to finding the vein of gold they’d worked so hard to unearth in their mine.
Convinced he loved gold more than her, she told him she was tired of him spending so much time in the mine. Heartbroken when he told her she was crazy, she pleaded with him to give up the far-fetched idea of striking it rich.
After accusing him of stupidly wasting his time and what little resources they had on the ‘God-forsaken hole in the hill,’ she’d turned her back when he tried to give her a kiss on his way out the door.
It was the last time she’d seen him alive. Daniel died without hearing her say how much she loved him and that regret would haunt her the remainder of her days on earth.
If it were possible to go back to that day, she’d hold Daniel tight and never let go. She wouldn’t let him leave the house, keeping him safe inside with her, wrapped in her love.
Unfortunately, no matter how much she wished she could relive that day and create a happy ending, nothing would bring back her husband.
With a remorseful sigh, she glanced down at the valley below her, taking in the rugged beauty. Wildflowers blossomed in profusion, providing lively spots of colors among the green grasses.
Although she never thought she’d consider Baker City home when she and Daniel first moved to Oregon, there was no place she’d rather live.
When Daniel died, his family urged her to move back and live with them. She supposed one of his brothers would have eventually offered to marry her and life would have continued much as it had before she and Daniel moved to Oregon.
Nevertheless, moving to Baker City had been something so important to Daniel, he’d died trying to make a new life for them there.
Thanks to Thane and Tully’s support and encouragement, she’d opened her dress shop and done well for herself, despite her lonely days and nights full of forlorn torment.
Dread of a long, lonesome future made her wish things were different, that she was different. The past ten years had been hard. The next ten would be nearly unbearable, especially now that she’d done the unthinkable and fallen in love with Ian MacGregor.
Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around her knees and pictured him. He had such an honest, open face, most often with a mischievous smirk on his enticing lips. Adventure and humor danced in his expressive sapphire-colored eyes. Ruggedly handsome and visibly powerful, it was more than Ian’s outward attractiveness that drew her to him. It was his kindness and willingness to help others that whispered such endearing words of love to her heart.
He was wonderful with children. The way he interacted with Lily and Jack was proof enough of that.
Although he tried to keep his benevolent acts secret, he often helped those in need. She’d even caught him leaving a box full of groceries on the back step of old Mrs. Jepson’s tiny house one evening.
He wasn’t one to sit idly by if there was a way he could help. Just like the day of the mine explosion. If he hadn’t been so quick to offer his assistance, he wouldn’t have been injured.
In some ways, Ian reminded her so much of Daniel. Yet, in other ways, they were nothing alike.
Ian was always so confident, charming and friendly. He was full of life, laughter, and light-hearted fun. Daniel had always lived in the shadow of his older brothers and never seemed completely sure of himself. Shy and quiet, her husband was never one to seek out attention while Ian didn’t seem to mind having all eyes on him.
Thoughts of her eyes on the Scotsman brought to mind an image of Ian the day she’d caught him bathing in the river. Even now, visions of his masculine form made her cheeks heat while her stomach fluttered with weightless excitement.
She wondered if he knew she’d seen him. The teasing she’d have to endure if he did brought a wistful smile to her face.
For just a moment, she decided to let herself indulge in her daydreams of Ian. She closed her eyes and leaned back, letting the sun warm her face while thoughts of Ian warmed her heart.
“Well, look at this purty little bird, just sittin’ here waitin’ for us to come by, fellas.”
Maggie snapped her eyes open and glared at the man she’d kicked in the face out near a mine a few weeks ago. His cheek still bore the bruise from where her foot made contact with his skin. The discolored spot, combined with the scar on his face, made for a gruesome sight.
She scrambled to her feet and started to draw her gun from her pocket, but one of the men grabbed her arms and pinned them behind her back.
“Ain’t she a dandy,” one of the other men said, slapping his leg and cackling. “We’re gonna have us a high time, girlie.”
Sick with fear and revulsion, Maggie kept her face impassive, like Tully and Thane had taught her. To struggle against the men would only waste energy she needed to conserve for later, when a chance to escape presented itself.
“Tie her hands and get her on that horse. We ain’t got time for fun now, but we’ll save her for later.” The man she kicked tipped his head in the direction of Danny Boy.
She opened her mouth, ready to scream, when someone shoved a filthy bandana inside and tied the ends behind her head. A second man bound her hands with a length of rope.
About to gag, she choked down the bi
le in her throat and glowered at her captors. There were five men, each one as dirty, smelly, and nasty as the others.
Two of them boosted her on Danny Boy while a third took his reins. Maggie was glad she was a good rider, since she’d have to hold her balance entirely with her legs.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Maggie assumed they’d ridden for hours, but a glance at the sun let her know it hadn’t been nearly that long. The men had talked amongst themselves as they rode, unaware she’d managed to pull her handkerchief from inside her sleeve. In hopes of leaving a trail for someone to follow, she tore away bits of the fabric, letting them float to the ground beside her horse.
While they rode, she learned the man she’d kicked was called Jonas and he seemed to be in charge. She also learned her captors were the outlaws who’d robbed the bank in Sumpter and planned to lie low with the money before skedaddling out of the area.
If she had anything to say about it, Tully would haul their sorry backsides to jail and let them rot in prison.
Maggie ran out of bits of her handkerchief to toss on the trail. Just as she considered how much it would hurt if she threw herself off Danny Boy and started running, the outlaws separated. Three of them headed in the direction of the mine where she’d first seen Jonas. He and one of his cohorts led her northeast. A short while later they rode out of the trees into a small clearing toward a cabin that looked more like a condemned shack.
“Tie her up inside and leave the money here,” Jonas said, spitting a stream of tobacco to the side after he dismounted. “We need to get some grub and then head over for our shift at the mine. We don’t want no one fingerin’ us for that robbery by showin’ up late.”
Forced inside the smelly abode, Jonas’ partner pushed her down in a chair and tied her to it.
The two men carried in bags of money, piling it inside a trunk in the corner. When they finished, Jonas locked the trunk and pocketed the key. He sat down at the table while the other man made coffee and served hardtack and salt pork for breakfast.
The two men ate with fewer manners than Maggie had seen hogs exhibit, so she kept her gaze on her lap and wished they’d hurry up and leave. As soon as they disappeared, she planned to figure out a way to get loose and rush back to town to let Tully know where to find the robbers.
After a round of gusty belches, the men got to their feet, leaving dirty plates on the table, and started to amble out the door.
Jonas walked over to Maggie and grabbed her face with his dirty hand. “I look forward to gettin’ real acquainted with you later, girlie. Once we’ve had our fun, I plan to pay you back for kickin’ me in the face the other day. Your momma should’a learnt you better manners.”
Maggie tried to twist away, but Jonas gripped her face tighter. Although she thought her cheekbones might crack, she didn’t wince or whimper. Finally, he let her go with a jerk. He leaned down so his fetid breath washed over her, making her fight back the urge to be ill.
“I’ll be thinkin’ about you all day, girlie. All day.”
Jonas walked out the door, slamming it behind him. Left alone, Maggie was terrified of what the men would do if she remained there when they returned.
The moment the sound of their horses’ hoofbeats died away, she began struggling with the ropes binding her hands and feet to the chair.
They’d tied them so tightly, she could barely move her fingers. Certainly not enough to free herself.
She stopped and looked around her. The men had left out the knife they’d used to slice the salt pork. If she could just reach it, she’d figure out a way to cut the ropes.
It was impossible for her to stand, so she bounced in the chair, scooting it an inch or two at a time in the direction of the table where the knife rested.
Giddy with her success, she put more effort into her next bounce and tipped the chair over, hitting her head on the stove.
As she slid into a consuming darkness, her mind cried out for help.
Ian glanced up when Tully Barrett stormed inside his office. A scowl rode the man’s mouth while anxiety etched lines around his eyes.
Quickly rising to his feet, Ian held out a hand in greeting. Tully shook it but seemed upset.
“May I help you with something, Sheriff?” Ian asked, wondering what brought Tully to his door looking so grim.
“I hope you can.” Tully glanced around Ian’s tidy office. “You haven’t, by chance, seen Maggie today, have you?”
“No. I dropped by to see her earlier this morning, but she wasn’t home. Why?”
“She went for a ride, although I practically begged her not to, and I’m getting worried. She promised she’d be back within three hours and that was more than an hour ago. It’s not like her to be gone so long.” Tully sighed and looked around again, as if he hoped Maggie would magically materialize.
“Maybe she rode out to see Jemma. She sometimes spends the day out there, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, but Thane sent one of the hands in for some supplies a while ago and Ben said he hasn’t seen Maggie either.”
Ian reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a revolver along with his gun belt. He fastened it around his hips then walked over to the door and retrieved his hat from a peg. “I suppose we better go look for her, then.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Tully grinned at Ian as they walked outside.
Ian let his manager know he’d be gone for an indefinite amount of time then hurried to catch and saddle his horse while Tully went to get his. The two men met at the edge of town and started riding toward the distant tree line.
“Does Maggie ride out here often?” Ian asked as they left behind the grassy floor of the valley and began climbing into the trees.
“Once in a while, she comes out here. She says it helps her think.” Tully waved a hand around him. “I think she likes the scent of the trees and the view.”
Ian glanced back at the valley behind them. It was easy to see why Maggie appreciated the scenery. With everything green and blooming, it was quite spectacular.
They rode the rest of the way in silence. Tully stopped when they reached the rock where Maggie liked to sit. Tully and Ian both noticed the churned up soil and multiple sets of tracks.
“It appears Miss Maggie wasn’t up here alone.” Tully dismounted his buckskin and looked around. “Dang that hard-headed woman. I told her not to come up here.”
“What do you think happened to her, Tully?” Ian stood beside him with concern etching grooves along his forehead.
“I think she got right in the path of the bank robbers I’m determined to catch. They robbed a bank in Sumpter last night. We thought they might be headed toward Baker City, but weren’t sure. I sent out two deputies to see what they could find and stayed in town just in case they got it in mind to rob one of our banks.” Tully sighed and bent down to look at a set of tracks. “I warned her not to ride up here until I caught ‘em, but that woman is so mule-headed and stubborn, you can’t tell her anything.”
“From what I’ve observed, she does seem to hold strong opinions and isn’t easily swayed.” Ian watched as Tully took a few steps in the direction the hoof prints led. The rain they had a few days ago moistened the soil, making the tracks visible.
“On the bright side, they left a good trail.” Tully mounted his horse and started in a northeast direction.
“Even I can follow this trail,” Ian said as he rode beside Tully. “Do you want to ride to town and bring back some help?”
Tully grinned at him and cocked an eyebrow. “There’s only five of them. I think you and I can handle it.”
Ian hadn’t ever been in a gunfight and didn’t particularly anticipate the opportunity, but he’d do whatever was necessary to rescue Maggie, if she, in fact, did need rescued.
A few minutes later, he noticed the first bit of white on the ground. He reined Rob to a stop and picked it up. The piece of fine linen looked like part of a handkerchief. A deep whiff of it confirmed it bore
Maggie’s fragrance. “It’s Maggie’s.”
Tully took the tiny bit of fabric and held it to his nose. “Yep.” He refrained from commenting on how well Ian seemed to recognize Maggie’s scent. Instead, he nudged his horse forward. They’d gone another hundred yards or so when they found another piece.
Ian and Tully rode for the better part of an hour before Maggie’s handkerchief trail disappeared. Not long after that, the tracks separated into two groups of three.
“Do you mind following one set while I take the other?” Tully looked at Ian and waited for his response.
“It makes sense to split up. If I find them, I’ll ride back here and wait for you. Unless they shoot first, I don’t plan on engaging them.”
Tully nodded his head in approval. “Good. Just meet me back here when you figure out where they’ve gone. If I’m not here when you get back, ride into town and get my deputies to form a posse.”
Ian started to turn his horse away, but Tully stopped him.
“Here, before you ride off we better make this official.” Tully took a badge from his pocket and tossed it to Ian. “I hereby deputize you.”
Ian glanced down at the bronze star in his hand then back to Tully. “Isn’t there some swearing in ceremony I need to complete or something along those lines?”
“I think this is close enough, considering the circumstances.” Tully grinned as he urged his horse forward. “Just don’t go breaking any laws while you’re wearing that or you’ll answer to me.”
“Yes, sir.” Ian pinned the star on his vest and turned his horse to follow the northeastern trail left by the robbers. Rain began to fall, making him wish he’d taken time to grab a slicker when he tied a bedroll behind his saddle.
He hadn’t ridden more than half a mile when he arrived at the edge of the trees around a clearing. A hastily slapped together shack that some might consider a cabin stood near a lean-to. Ian led his horse over to a grouping of trees with some brush that provided good cover and watched for any sign of movement.
Thimbles And Thistles (Baker City Brides Book 2) Page 17
