No-one was at the livery but two horses stood in stalls, already saddled. “Dear Lord. Please forgive me for stealing but I have to find Larissa. Help me to find her and return the horse quickly.”
The stall door squeaked but Penny ignored it. She grabbed the reins and led the horse out to where she could mount. Luckily she was agile and mounted easily. The bag of supplies was tied to the pommel and the blanket placed across her lap. Penny kicked the horse into a gallop and left town followed by a cloud of dust.
The morning was cold. Light snow fell. She pulled the hat down further and the collar of her coat up high. As they approached the hills, she slowed the horse to a walk. It wouldn’t do to have it stumble and for her to be thrown and hurt.
She studied the area around her as the horse climbed the rocky path. She had no idea where she was headed. Didn’t care, as long as it lead to Larissa. Oh baby, where are you? Have they hurt you?
Chapter Five
Eric sat on the ground and Zac deposited Larissa into his arms. He brushed the tangled hair away from her face. His little princess was pale, cold and, he was terrified they had arrived too late.
“Do you want us to keep looking for the outlaws?” Zac asked.
Eric didn’t answer. He ran his fingers lightly over Larissa’s cheek as a tear slid down his own.
One of the other men crouched beside the distraught Marshal. “Marshal, we need to get her to Doc. From the looks of those dark clouds, we’re in for a bad snowstorm. Won’t do for any of us to be caught in it.”
Using one hand, Eric unbuttoned his coat, held his daughter against his chest and pulled the coat around her.
When his boss failed to answer, Zac gave the order for the tired men to return to town and their families. “Those outlaws will be long gone now. No use risking our men if a snowstorm blows up. I’ll telegraph Chambers description to surrounding towns. Hopefully someone will spot them.”
The men didn’t need to be told twice. Snow was falling harder. They mounted up and galloped towards town.
“Finny, my leg hurts.”
The voice was whisper quiet but Eric heard it as clear as day. He held her away so she could see him. His heart thumped. He rejoiced. His baby girl was awake and seemed okay, apart from the injury to her leg. Her face was pale, distorted by pain. She started crying. The sight of his daughter in distress, broke his heart. So many conflicting emotions.
“I know baby. Doc will make it better when we get back to town.”
She smiled weakly. “I’m hungry too.”
Eric chuckled. She was going to be okay.
Zac crouched down. “We need to move, boss. The sky is getting darker. We’re in for a bad storm real soon.”
Eric glanced up. Dark, angry snow clouds swirled overhead. He clutched Larissa to him and stood.
“What now?” Zac gazed into the distance. A rider approached fast.
The horse skidded to a stop and the rider jumped down.
“Randy, what are you doin’ out here?” Zac asked.
Randy Jenkins was the Livery owner. He had no reason to be out in the wilderness.
“Marshal, Deputy. One of my horses were stolen out of its stall about an hour ago. I asked around town if anyone had seen anything. I thought it might have been those outlaws you’re chasing. Thought one of ‘em might have circled back and stolen it.”
“I don’t understand,” Eric said.
“April Kelly said Penny Adamson disappeared around the same time. She told me the little one had been taken and she thought Penny may have stolen the horse to search for her. April said Penny slipped away when she was running some errands. She was supposed to be napping.”
“Goddamn it. I asked her to stay put. I warned the other girls not to let her out of their sight. Penny and her daughter are like goddamn magicians the way they disappear from under ya nose. Where the hell will she be? If this storm hits it’ll be impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.”
“You take Larissa to Doc and I’ll go and search for Mrs. Adamson.”
Eric stiffened on hearing the woman he loved referred to as Mrs. He was torn. He didn’t want his daughter out of his sight but couldn’t bear the thought of Penny being caught in a storm. Alone. Lost. God forbid, injured.
“No. You and Randy take Larissa back to town. I’ll go and look for Penny. Have you got supplies, blankets I can take?”
Zac pulled supplies from his saddlebags and pushed them into Eric’s. He then lay two blankets over the saddle. Once he was settled into his saddle, Eric handed his precious daughter into his Deputy’s arms. Zac looped Spinner’s reins over the pommel.
Eric mounted and moved his horse close to Zac. He kissed his daughter’s forehead.
“Where are you going, Finny? To look for the bad men?” Larissa asked.
“No, baby. Mama is out here searching for you. She might be lost so daddy has to go and look for her. Zac will take you to Doc so your leg can be fixed. We’ll be there as soon as we can.” He kissed her cheek.
“I’ll take good care of her, boss,” Zac assured him.
“I know you will. Can you call past April Kelly’s and ask her to stay with Larissa at Doc’s and then take care of her until we get back? If the storm hits, we might have to take shelter so don’t worry if we’re out all night.”
The men nodded at each other. Zac turned his horse toward town, and with Randy by his side, trotted off. Eric watched until they disappeared from sight.
Where the hell do I begin looking? She could be anywhere. I swear I’m gonna wring her pretty little neck when I find her.
A horse stumbling from the hills caught his attention.
***
Penny rode hard until she reached the area where the steep hills rose out of the ground and soared skyward. She slowed the animal and allowed it to pick its way over the loose rocks. Dark clouds gathered at an alarming pace. The horse grunted with the effort required to push through the wind.
She glanced around hoping for a cave, some sort of shelter. She was beginning to regret her impulsive decision. But to find Larissa, she didn’t care what discomfort she had to put up with. As snow swirled around her she found herself lost. Disoriented. Terrified.
An ear piercing crack of thunder rent the air. The horse shrieked and reared. Penny screamed as she was catapulted through the air. Her head hit the ground. Pain pierced her skull before darkness descended.
***
The startled brown horse raced past Eric and headed for town at breakneck speed. Foam ribbons from the animals’ mouth flew through the air. It had run hard, quite a distance by the looks of it, but from where?
Fear pricked at his body. Was this the horse Penny had stolen? The horse she had been riding? Where the hell was she? If she was lying injured somewhere she could die if he didn’t find her, and soon.
The intensity of the snowstorm increased. Snow and sleet swirled around him as he urged his horse in the direction the other animal had come from. He pulled his hat down low, he could barely see more than a few feet ahead now. He shivered but, it wasn’t from cold.
The horse snorted in protest. Puffs of hot air burst from the nostrils. He allowed the animal to pick its way over the snow covered, rocky ground at a pace that was safe. Jester was sure footed and didn’t spook easily.
Eric trusted him with his life and he needed that trust now more than ever.
Minutes felt like hours. Eric scanned the ground around him as far as possible. Was it far enough? The snow cover was thickening. If Penny was out here somewhere, it was vital he found her soon.
He called Penny’s name until his throat burned from the cold and his voice became hoarse. They climbed higher. He prayed they were headed in the right direction. He fought to stay calm but panic pricked his nerves.
He prayed he would find the love of his life before it was too late. If it hadn’t been for Walt’s treachery, they would be happily married and none of this would have happened. He studied the ground, totally focused. He kne
w it was Penny out here. It was her the horse had been carrying. His gut was never wrong.
A speck of brown caught his eye and he pulled Jester to a stop. He jumped down. His heart thumped in his chest as he dashed to the object. It was almost covered in snow. He grasped what was exposed and wrenched it free. Walt’s hat! His favorite. Eric knew it well. Penny must have been wearing it. She had to be here somewhere. His resolve to find her, and quickly, intensified. Lying injured out here she wouldn’t last long. Maybe she was already dead? His legs nearly collapsed under him. She was alive. He would know if she wasn’t.
He started searching the area methodically in ever widening circles like he’d been taught when he’d first joined the Agency. Desperation clawed at him as he fought to push back the panic. This was a battle he had to win.
There, by a tree, a snow covered lump. He rushed over. It was a small body! He brushed frantically at the snow. Golden hair appeared. Penny! He wasted no time and snatched her up into his arms. She was pale, her lips blue and her breathing shallow. He knew he needed to warm her up, or she would surely die, and that wasn’t going to happen, not while there was still breath left in his body.
Eric whistled for Jester who obediently trotted over. Using nearby rocks, he mounted with Penny secure in his arms. Dried blood marred her beautiful face but he didn’t have time to check the injury. There was a large cave he knew not far away. It was large enough to house them and Jester out of the worsening weather. He clicked his tongue and turned the animal in the direction of the safe haven.
Within minutes they entered the cave. Dismounting, he lay Penny on the ground. Near the entrance of the cave, drifts of twigs and leaves had built up over the years. They were mostly dry thank goodness, and would easily catch alight. With the fire burning brightly, warmth seeped into the cave. Eric pulled blankets from Jester and lay Penny on one by the fire. The other he draped over her. Rubbing her hands briskly, and being close to the fire helped warmth to slowly enter her body. Her color started to return, but she was still pale.
Jester’s loud snort reminded him, the animal was patiently waiting. Saddle bags, saddle and bridle were removed. Oats in a small hessian nose bag were put in place and his horse happily munched.
Eric filled a metal container with snow and melted it near the fire. Dipping a cloth into the cool water he bathed Penny’s face. A large gash became evident above her right ear. The hair in the area was soaked with blood. He carefully cleaned it before pulling salve from his saddlebag. A thick layer was dabbed onto the wound.
Her lips were returning to their normal rosy pink color and, her face didn’t seem so pale but, she still didn’t wake.
Eric rubbed her hands between his own. “Come on, sweetheart. Please wake up for me.” He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her plump lips.
Penny moaned.
“Penny, can you hear me, sweetheart?”
Her eyes fluttered open. “Yes.” Her hand lifted to the wound on her head. “What happened?”
“I think you were thrown from your horse.”
“Yes. It was spooked by thunder and reared. How did you find me?”
“Randy from the Livery said him and April reckoned it was you that had stolen a horse from its stall to come looking for Larissa. He came out to tell me. They were worried about you with the storm coming. I saw a loose horse running from the hills and headed toward the direction it came from. I spotted your hat and then found you.”
“Larissa!” Penny struggled to sit up and gripped Eric’s hands. Terror saturated her eyes.
“She’s fine. We found her. Zac took her back to town to see Doc and then he’ll ask April to care for her until we get back.”
“Doc? I thought you said she was fine.”
“She has a swollen leg. Broke her ankle I think. Apart from that she was cold and complaining loudly she was hungry. I took that as a good sign.”
“I swear that child is always hungry.” Penny relaxed knowing her daughter was safe. Tears sprang to her eyes, she gazed up at Eric. “Thank you.”
“I told you we would find her. I promised you I would. Why on Earth did you go and steal a horse and come out here on your own?”
“I couldn’t sit around doing nothing. I had to come and find her. I was desperate. Am I going to go to jail for horse theft?”
“You could.”
“What about Larissa? Who will take care of her?” Penny’s whole body shook as she cried.
Eric pulled her onto his lap and held her tightly. “I’ll speak with Randy. He’s a good man and I’m sure he won’t press charges under the circumstances. It was a dang fool thing you did, though.
“Are you angry with me?”
“I could never be angry with you. I understand it must have been hard for you not knowing where our daughter was. Hell, I was out here and I was terrified.”
“No. Are you angry with me for not telling you about Larissa?”
“I know I should have. I wanted to tell you when you came back to town but I didn’t want it to destroy your friendship with Walt. I watched how you were with her, how much you love her. I thought you would want to be in her life even more. It would have caused trouble.” She squeezed Eric’s hands. “I’m so sorry I denied you your daughter.”
“Can’t go back now. When did you find out you were expectin’?” Eric froze as realization washed over him. “You married Walt because you were pregnant and thought I wasn’t coming back. Goddamn it. If Walt wasn’t dead, I’d punch him in the nose for not telling you what I’d said.”
“I had to marry. I didn’t want to leave town and I didn’t want Larissa being labeled as a bastard. She was so tiny when she was born it was easy for people to think she was early. They didn’t suspect Walt wasn’t her father.”
Eric pulled her close. “Sweetheart, if I’d known I would have come back and married you. Nothing on earth would have stopped me.”
Penny sobbed into his chest.
“I never stopped loving you. Even though you were married to Walt, I still loved you. Wanted you, but I would never steal another man’s wife.”
Penny leaned back and their eyes met. “I never stopped loving you either. You’re the only man who has ever had my heart and my body.”
Eric was confused. “How can that be possible? You were a married woman.”
“When I found out about Larissa, Walt offered me marriage. I accepted but made it quite clear I didn’t love him and probably never would. He said that was fine. He loved me and he could wait. He was sure I would fall in love with him. Thought every woman he met loved him. He was very vain. I never did. We shared a bed while I was pregnant and I used the excuse that I was unwell to stop him from touching me. When I was eight months pregnant, I heard gossip in town that he was satisfying himself with whores, that he had been frequently using whores before we were married. He used to say he liked using them, because he could treat them rough if he felt like it, and they couldn’t complain. I moved into the guest room and told him not to come near me. We stayed together to give Larissa a home. Of course it suited Walt too, having someone to cook and clean for him. Give him an air of respectability. It broke my heart to hear her calling Walt, daddy. It should have been you.”
“We can’t change the past but we can make things right in the future. Was Walt good to our daughter?”
“He didn’t care about her. He never treated her badly although he would shout at her and tell her to go away. It was clear, she was a bother to him.” Penny yawned.
Eric offered her a mug of water and she drank greedily.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“No, just weak and tired. My head aches.”
“Get some sleep. Hopefully the storm will clear by morning and we can go home to our little girl.”
“I want to see her. Can’t we go after I’ve had a nap?”
“No. The storm is bad. Night is coming and we’d risk getting lost. I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
“I
’m sorry we’ve been such a bother.”
“You are never a bother, neither of you.” He kissed her lips. It brought his body to life. “Go to sleep. I’ll be right here.” Eric lay down on the blanket near the fire.
“Will you hold me?”
“Scoot over.” He settled beside his love and pulled her into his arms. He placed butterfly kisses all over her face.
Penny rested her head on Eric’s chest and drifted to sleep with his heart beating in her ear.
Eric reveled in having Penny’s soft body tucked against him. Why had Walt crossed him? He knew Penny was the love of his life and he wanted to marry her upon his return. Why had he taken his letters? Had they really ever been friends?
Eric wished Walt was alive so he could ask the questions that bombarded his brain. Knowing the kind of man he had really been, the Marshal wasn’t sorry he was dead. It had spared Penny, their daughter and him, a lifetime of hell.
Chapter Six
Two Weeks Later
Christmas Eve
Larissa hobbled to the sitting room to join her mother. Her ankle was heavily strapped and healing well. She was already able to place enough weight on it to get around and, repeated attempts by her mother to rest were in vain.
Eric had brought in a huge pine tree, so tall it nearly brushed the ceiling. Penny and Larissa had decorated it with painted pine cones, green and red ribbons. Small candles were tied to branches, they would be lit when Eric arrived.
Eric had insisted Penny and Larissa move into his ranch house. They’d had to vacate their rented home in town anyway. Penny hadn’t wanted to take advantage of Eric’s generosity but, after much begging and pleading from Larissa, she relented. They had moved in three days after their rescue.
Penny had added feminine touches to the stark, masculine home and the Marshal had commented it now felt warm and inviting, more homely. He told the girls it would be their home for as long as they wanted.
Eric visited every evening. His love for both Penny and his daughter grew stronger and stronger. He would often stay to supper but refused to tarnish Penny’s reputation by spending the night. The twenty minute ride each way gave him time to think and plan the future. A future which included both Penny and Larissa.
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