Lucy entered and placed a bowl of scrambled eggs on the dining table. To relieve some of the tension, Abby replied, with as much enthusiasm as she could summon, “Breakfast is delicious, Lucy.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Sutton.” She fretted over the flowers in the center of the table for a second before disappearing back into the kitchen.
Propped up in the basket at her side, Daniel cooed to get her attention. Mouth wide open like a baby bird, he demanded more eggs. She scooped some of the warm eggs from the bowl onto her plate. As she watched him gum the soft food, she smiled. One thing about her son, he loved to eat.
“We have an announcement.” Shock showed on Adam and Cord’s faces when Meredith and Nick arrived for breakfast arm in arm. Obvious from the glow on Meredith’s cheeks she fancied herself in love with Nick. In a strong, forceful voice, she said, “We are getting married.”
Both sat dumbstruck as Abby jumped up almost upsetting her chair, squealing with delight. “Congratulations.” Hugging Meredith and then Nick, she could hardly contain her excitement. “I’m so happy for you.”
Adam’s ominous voice broke the spell of excitement. “Have you lost your mind, Meredith?” Standing, he placed both of his hands on the table and snapped angrily, “Do you have any idea what life will be like on his farm? I’ve seen it. The house is no bigger than your bedroom. Nick is a dirt farmer. You wouldn’t last a week.”
Abby paled. She looked at her husband. “Say something, Cord. Don’t let him say those things about Nick. Tell him what a wonderful husband Nick will make Meredith.” At first he said nothing, so she hissed, “Cord!”
“I’m sorry, Abby. I agree with Adam. Have you forgotten how hard you worked? Have you forgotten the calluses that covered your hands?” He stood and moved toward her. Gently, he took her hands into his and rubbed them. “Meredith has never had to do a day’s work in her life. She gets up when she wants to and goes to bed when she wants too. She is spoiled. You were raised on the farm. It was the only life you knew until your circumstances changed and Uncle Taylor took you in.”
Neither Nick nor Meredith said a word. They stood listening to everyone talking about them as if they were not in the room.
Pain crossed Abby’s face. She let out a cruel laugh. “You don’t think Nick is good enough for Meredith. What is it Adam called him, dirt farmer?” She jerked her hand away from Cord, and stepped back. “If my brother is not good enough for your sister, then why did you marry me? I was raised a dirt farmer’s daughter. What is the difference?” She fought to keep the tears at bay, but lost her battle. She roughly raked her hand across her cheek to wipe the tears away. A deep sorrowful sigh filled the silence. “You married me because you wanted your son. If not for Daniel, you would never have proposed to me.”
Cord reached for Abby, but she moved out of his grasp. “Honey, you know not what you’re saying. Have you forgotten last night so quickly? I love you.”
Nick intervened. “Abby, calm down. Let’s all sit down and talk about this rationally.” Facing Adam and Cord, Nick stated, “Meredith and I stayed up half the night talking. I was honest with her and she knows how much her life will change. I promised her I would hire someone to help with the cooking and cleaning. Thanks to the farm equipment you gave us, we have a surplus of money.”
Rage showed on Adam’s face. “I think you did more than talk last night. From the look of you two I would say you did a lot more. Did you sleep with my sister?”
His voice calm, Nick ignored Adam’s question and anger. “We would love to have your blessings, but will be married even if you refuse to accept the fact I love your sister and she loves me. There is no reason for all this animosity. She is old enough to make her own decision.”
Abby visibly trembled at the realization that Cord believed Nick was beneath Meredith. Suddenly the room began to sway and she thought she would be sick to her stomach. If he thought badly of Nick, how could he really love her? Maybe he married her because of Daniel. Needing some fresh air, she turned and raced from the room.
When Cord bounded for the door intending to go after her, Nick stepped forward barricading his way. “Give her time to cool off. She will see how ridiculous she acted if you give her time to think about her actions. My sister is usually more sensible.”
“Nick is right, Cord. When Abby comes back we’ll sit down and discuss this like adults. You know she’ll be back soon because she’ll have to feed Daniel.”
****
Not stopping until she was out of sight of the house, Abby sat down by the pond and began to throw rocks causing little ripples in the water. Across the pond a big orange sun looked as if it touched the tops of the trees as it slowly climbed into the sky. It was so beautiful here and Cord called it her home. How could she have been so wrong about him? Just when she had been so happy last night, now that happiness seemed like it was lost forever. They had talked for hours and then made love again before falling asleep entwined in each other’s arms. Last night she felt he loved her.
How could Cord not respect Nick? She thought he admired her brother, considered him his friend. She pondered their conversation of only moments ago. Maybe she had been a little harsh. Most of the negative words were said about Meredith. She had to admit she didn’t know Cord’s sister very well. Both Adam and Cord said she was spoiled.
Maybe her own inadequacies caused her to become so upset. It baffled her how Cord could fall in love with a simple farm girl. She felt so unworthy of Cord’s love. Nevertheless, he did pursue her even before he knew Daniel existed. She sure made of muck of everything. Of course she would have to apologize to Cord for doubting him.
Slowly, she turned and headed back to the house when she heard a horse approaching. Facing the rider, Abby watched as he came into view and halted mere inches from where she stood. She tilted her head back and peered into the stranger’s face. Fright almost doubled her over when he stared back at her, each eye a different color. His wicked smile caused the hair to stand up on her arm. Abby raised her skirts and ran toward home as fast as her legs would carry her. She could feel the thundering hooves of the horse coming nearer, could feel it breathing down her neck. Too afraid to look back, she screamed when she felt a strong arm lift her off the ground. She found herself draped over the man’s lap like a sack of potatoes. Boisterous laughter vibrated in her ears as he turned his horse and galloped away, taking her from Cord and Daniel. Powerful hooves pounded away at the ground causing her head to throb. Would she ever see Cord and Daniel again?
The house was in an uproar as everyone looked for Abby. For the hundredth time, Cord stepped out on the porch and searched the horizon for his wife. If only he could see her in the distance, russet hair shining in the bright sun shine.
Daniel was hungry and nothing seemed to satisfy him because he wanted his mother. “Something is wrong, Cord. Abby would never leave Daniel this long. She knows his schedule.” Nick reached his hands out for Daniel, taking him from Cord.
“She was very angry. Maybe she has not cooled off yet.” Cord began to pace the floor.
“I know my sister. Nothing would keep her from Daniel.”
Nick was right. Never would she put anything before her son. But she was extremely angry. How could she believe he didn’t love her? Last night he shared his most painful memories with her, opened his heart to her. How could she still doubt him?
Adam raced into the kitchen. He almost had to shout to be heard over Daniel’s hungry cries. “I found this down by the pond.” Cord took the lace handkerchief. He saw Abby slip it into her pocket that very morning.
“There were fresh horse tracks leading away from the pond. I think someone kidnapped Abby.”
The color drained from Cord’s face as he sat down in a nearby chair. The only person he could think of that would take Abby was Bart Langley. He had probably been watching the house just waiting for an opportunity to cause them more pain. Seconds passed as he sat imagining all the despicable things Bart was probably doing to Ab
by at that very moment. His mother and father had not been his first victims. The man was known for raping and then killing women. Now Bart would rape then kill his beloved wife.
Roughly, Adam shook Cord and hissed, “Snap out of it, Cord. Come on we have to go get her. The longer she is with that animal, the less likely she is to survive.”
Still in shock, he rose to his feet, but seemed unsure of how to proceed.
“Who has taken Abby?”
Adam looked at Nick as he struggled with Daniel. “Bart Langley. He is the man that killed our parents. He was spotted in town the other night.”
Glaring at Cord, Adam snapped, “She is still alive. Bart will not kill her until he no longer needs her. He will use her to get to you.”
Something in Adam’s tone finally brought Cord out of his shock. He had to save Abby. “I’ll go saddle the horses. You pack our gear.” Fifteen minutes later, the three men were hot on the trail of Bart Langley and Abby.
****
Abby’s body ached from all the bruises inflicted while jostled over the neck of Langley’s horse. Every time she struggled to sit, he gave her a hard smack on her bottom embarrassing her terribly. She gritted her teeth to keep from crying as the uncomfortable ride seemed to go on forever. After they arrived at their destination, he humiliated her further when he threw her over his shoulder like a sack of feed. Her long hair almost touched the ground as she dangled over his shoulder. Not wanting to see the faces of the men who laughed loudly at his despicable treatment of her, she shut her eyes. She squirmed and beat his back with her fists. “Let me go!”
The laughter of the men grew louder when Langley smacked her on the bottom and shouted, “Shut up!” It was degrading the way the man was treating her.
Even though Abby feared him, she still fought against the strong arms that held her in place. “Please let me go. Bart Langley, let me go.”
As he carried her inside a small cabin, his boots scraped across the boards. Suddenly, she found herself roughly dumped on a small bed. The moment he released his hold on her, she pushed back the hair that fell all around her. She pressed against the headboard and glared at him.
“So you know who I am.” A big man with coal black hair touching his shoulders, Bart stared at Abby. Eyes, each a different color, gave him a menacing look.
Her voice cracked, “Cord told me about your unusual eyes.” Thoughts of what he planned to do with her caused her to shudder. “I have a son. Please let me go home.”
Bart reached out, wrapped his hand into her hair, and pulled her close. A sharp pain tore through her scalp. He smelled of liquor and dust. Her stomach rolled and she took several deep breaths fearing she would be sick. The pain and fright in her eyes seemed to excite him.
“If you do what I ask, you can go home when I’m finished with you.” For some reason Abby did not believe him. When she looked into his strange eyes, she knew he would kill her without even blinking. The man had no soul. After all, he was the man who killed Cord’s parents.
Bart released his hold on Abby and she wiggled as far away from him as the small bed would allow. “Cord will come for me.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for. If he wants his lovely wife, he will have to go through ten men. Even the mighty Cord Sutton ain’t gonna survive ten guns pointed at him.”
All those men outside planned to kill Cord. Surely he wouldn’t come alone. He would have to get the authorities involved. He had tangled with Bart Langley before and knew there would be a trap waiting for him.
“Cord is no longer a threat to you. He wants a normal life. If you release me, he will no longer search for you.”
Bart’s cold smile made Abby shiver. “Cord will never stop until I am dead. He will never be content as long as he knows I am alive. He would walk into hell after me. That is why I must kill him before he kills me. He is like a damn cat with nine lives. I will not fail this time.”
The thought Bart might really kill Cord this time sent a chill up Abby’s spine. What if he didn’t notify the authorities and decided to come alone? Bart or his men would be waiting for him. Frantically, she thought of a way to save Cord. The only thing that came to mind was money. “My father is Ian McDonald. He will pay you if you let me go.”
For several seconds he fell silent as if trying to decide if she was telling the truth. She hoped he had heard of her father. “If you are McDonald’s daughter, then I’ll ransom you to your father after I no longer need you.”
“No, if you kill Cord, you are as good as dead. I will tell my father to hunt you down. I am trying to make a deal with you. Ransom me to my father and forget about Cord. You can take the money and start a new life in another country.”
Langley tilted his head back and laughed. “You are in no position to be making deals. I will kill Cord, and then ransom you to your father. At least this way you get to live and go back to your son.” Abby thought about Daniel. What would happen to him if she and Cord both were killed by Langley?
Even though fighting was futile, she still kicked and screamed when Langley tried to tie her to the headboard. No match for his strength, he easily bound her with arms stretched out wide. Abby cringed when Langley touched her cheek.
“You are very beautiful.” Jerking her head away, Abby released the tears and they flowed down her face. Her breasts hurt because they were filled with milk. In her mind she could hear Daniel’s pitiful cries wanting his mother to feed him.
Abby let out a gasp when Langley raised her skirt and fondled her thigh. Clenching her legs together, Abby hissed, “Get your filthy hands off me.” Lust in his eyes caused her stomach to knot with fear.
“Calm down, honey. I don’t intend to have you until your husband gets here. I want him to watch.” His evil smile caused her heart to ache.
Fear escalated as Langley’s touches became rough, almost painful as he dug his hand into her thigh and squeezed. “Please stop.”
Abby didn’t know if it was her pleas or he tired of the game he played with her, but suddenly Langley pulled her skirt down and stood. With a gentleness that surprised her, he wiped the tears from her cheeks. Her stomach lurched and she thought she would retch. At least she knew why he had not already raped her, he was waiting for Cord.
Chapter Nineteen
The front porch boards creaked under someone’s weight so Abby stopped struggling to get out of her restraints. If only they would have waited several seconds before entering the cabin, she felt she could have loosened the ropes enough to pull her wrists free. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears from her efforts. With her eyes downcast, she tried to look relaxed so the man standing in the doorway would not know she almost gained her freedom.
“What do we have here? Maybe I need to tighten those ropes because it looks as if you have almost wiggled free.”
Abby wanted to scream out her frustration when the man sat down on the bed beside her. Unable to keep her eyes downcast any longer, Abby met the eyes of the man tightening her bonds. The look he gave her with his dark intense stare caused her to shudder. “Please let me go. I have a baby boy and I need to get home to him. My husband will pay you if you release me.”
The man chuckled as he removed his hat, laying it on the end of the bed at Abby’s feet. His brown hair matted flat with sweat, smelled pungent and caused her stomach to churn.
“Bart would skin me alive if I let his prisoner go.” He leaned in so close Abby could feel his breath on her cheek. “You sure are pretty. How about a little kiss?”
She flinched and struggled to get her hands loose. “Get away from me!”
“I’m not going to hurt you, honey. I just want a little kiss.” He brought his lips forcefully down on hers. To keep him from thrusting his tongue in her mouth, she clinched her lips together tightly. One hand slipped behind her head, and he pulled her closer. Not getting the response he wanted from her, he pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Come on honey. A woman that looks as good as you do knows how to kiss a man properly.
”
“You try to kiss me again and I’ll bite your tongue off.” Near panic, Abby swallowed the bile rising into her throat. The man’s hand touched the hem of her skirt and she stiffened.
“If you won’t give me a kiss, I’ll get my pleasure another way.”
She began to kick at his hand as he tugged on her skirt trying to get it above her knees.
“Charlie, why are you in here?” Instantly, the man stood and faced Bart standing in the doorway. “My orders were for no one to come into the cabin.”
“Sorry, boss. She’s just so damn pretty. I just wanted a kiss. I swear I wasn’t going to do anymore than kiss her.”
A fist landed in his gut and Charlie bent over gasping for breath. The next blow, an uppercut, connected with his cheek and knocked the man on his backside. Bart picked up Charlie’s hat at Abby’s feet and put it back on his head. “Now get back to your post and remember the girl is off limits. Tell the other men no one is to touch her.”
Charlie scurried from the tiny cabin obviously worried Bart might punch him again. Bart sat on the bed beside Abby. “Did he hurt you?”
Surprised at his concern Abby snorted, “Why do you care? Didn’t you say you were going to rape me when Cord gets here? What’s the difference in him or you? I can’t stand the thoughts of either of you touching me.”
Worried about Daniel, Abby wanted to go home. Becoming hysterical, Abby screamed, “I want to go home!” Tears flowed down her cheek.
“Calm down, Abby. I am going to let you go.” Bart cupped her tear soaked cheek. At least I am going to let you live. That is more than I did for Cord’s mother.” Gut wrenching sobs didn’t bother him in the least. He stood and walked out the door leaving her to wonder what horrible fate awaited her.
****
It was obvious Bart was setting a trap. Anyone could follow the trail he left behind. The trail narrowed as Cord, Adam, and Nick neared a dense forest. Instinct told Cord if they rode into the woods together they would be killed. The sun was setting and there would be little light in the thick trees. They would be picked off like ducks on a pond by men waiting on the dark trail to ambush them. Halting Pepper, he turned in the saddle and faced Adam and Nick. “If my hunch is right, they’ll be waiting to kill us when we enter the forest.”
Love Me Again Page 24
