by Kit Morgan
“No, I wasn’t,” the marshal interrupted. “I got a burr in the seat, and aimed to get it out of my pants when I heard you and took stock of the situation.” He glanced between Dorcas and Vernon with his bulging brown eyes. “So what is the situation?”
Dorcas rolled her eyes and tossed her head at Vernon as she mumbled through her gag, “Nge abmumphted mwhe.”
“What?” the marshal asked. His pants slipped from his grasp, and he quickly pulled them up again.
Dorcas blushed at the sight of his red long johns and mumbled, “Why couldn’t it have been Sheriff Draven?” Only it came out, “Mwy mwoudm ing be Merimv Maven?” But alas, Sheriff Draven was nowhere in sight, or anyone else for that matter. Her only hope was that the notorious “Bad Luck Chuck” lived up to his nickname – for Vernon, not her.
Chapter 14
“That’s it, Mr. Hunter – yer doing great!” Jasper said as he rode beside him.
Elwood fumbled with the gun in his free hand. “Can’t thank you enough for coming with me, Jasper.”
“Better holster that ‘til ya need it,” Jasper suggested. “Um, ya ever shot one before?”
“No, but no time like the present to learn.”
Jasper screwed up his face. “Ya must love that li’l gal a lot. Yer likely to get yerself shot, ya know.”
“I know. But I’m going to save her from that Fink!”
“Fink, is he? I can think of stronger words.” Jasper nudged his mule to speed up.
Isabella naturally followed, thank Heaven. They’d gone at least two miles already and Elwood began to feel confident he’d find Dorcas. And he’d been told that Sheriff Draven and Marshal Gant were also out here somewhere, though they were searching for Gertrude. At this rate, someone would turn up Dorcas and that snake Vernon. “Fink’s the man’s last name,” Elwood clarified. “But it fits.”
Jasper laughed, then brought his mule Big John to a stop. “Look, tracks.”
Elwood stared at the fresh horse tracks. “But whose? Looks like only one horse.”
“Yep, but he’s carryin’ a load. Two people.”
Elwood looked at Jasper with respect. “I didn’t know you could track.”
“Lotta things folks don’t know about me. Let’s go.”
They followed the trail off the road and into the woods. “Won’t we lose them in here?” Elwood worried.
“Nah. The fella that took yer gal was in a hurry, but he slowed down through here. We’ll catch up to ‘em. In the meantime, ya better figger out what yer gonna do when that happens.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean yer gonna have to use that iron, boy.”
Elwood stared at the firearm in his hand, holstered it and took a deep breath. “Lead on, Jasper. I’ll be ready.”
Jasper eyed him. “Hope so, ‘cause I ain’t that great a shot myself.” He bent his head and continued to follow the trail.
Dorcas wanted to scream – not just because of her precarious situation, but because Marshal Gant seemed like such a blithering idiot. Now Vernon was going to kill him, and she would be no better off.
“You didn’t think this through very well, did you?” Vernon asked as he tightened the ropes around the marshal’s ankles.
“What’s to think about?” Marshal Gant barked. “I’ve got you right where I want you.”
Vernon chuckled. “Really sir, you amuse me to the point where I may loath your passing.” He looked at Dorcas. “He’s entertaining, he really is.”
Dorcas rolled her eyes. This was not how she pictured getting rescued by the famous marshal.
“You’ll see,” Marshal Gant went on. “I’ll have you out of those ropes in a jiffy, little lady. And you, mister … any criminal that meets Marshal Charles S. Gant gets what’s coming to him.”
Vernon laughed, clearly amused. “Is that so?”
The marshal leaned toward him with a menacing smile. “That’s so.”
Now Vernon was laughing so hard he slapped the marshal on the back. “Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Why, I’d go so far as to say …” THUMP!
Dorcas jumped. From her position she couldn’t see what had just happened. She tried to twist around, but Vernon had placed Marshal Gant behind her.
“See, I told you,” the marshal said calmly. He struggled against her a moment. “Huh – that fellow ties a good knot.” He moved around some more. “Oh, hello. You wouldn’t happen to be able to untie us, would you?”
Who on Earth was he talking to? Dorcas again tried to turn, then saw who it was. Oh no …
“Well, if it isn’t Elwood’s little bride, as I live and breathe!” Gertrude Van Housen stepped over Vernon’s prone body and stood in front of Dorcas.
“Gertie, who’s this fellow on the ground?” one of her brothers asked.
“Who cares?” she replied. “Boys, you heard the gentleman – untie … wait. Not yet.”
Dorcas glared at her and groaned into the gag. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another! Now she was at the mercy of this shrew!
All three of Gertrude’s brothers were in front of Dorcas now, staring. “She sure is pretty, isn’t she?” one said.
“Oh, do shut up.” Gertrude stepped forward and removed Dorcas’ gag. “Well? What are you doing out here with these two men? Wouldn’t Elwood like to hear about this?”
Dorcas coughed a few times. “He abducted me!” she growled, tossing her head at Vernon.
Gertrude’s eyebrows shot up. “He what?”
“Abducted her,” Marshal Gant repeated. “Is something wrong with your hearing?”
Gertrude ignored him. “So you’re the one that got away.” She threw her head back and laughed. “My goodness! I suppose if I wasn’t so upset with Elwood, I’d be enjoying this. Well, congratulations, honey. You win.”
For a moment, Dorcas felt confused. But her discomfort quickly superseded it. “Um … I don’t suppose you could untie me?”
Gertrude shrugged. “Certainly. Herman, untie her. Lucas, untie the marshal. Jake, tie Sleeping Beauty up.”
“Thank you kindly,” Marshal Gant said to Lucas.
“Gertie,” Lucas mused, “what happened? You’re giving up just like that?”
“Yes.” She tapped a finger against her chin. “I suppose I am.”
“Good thing we came along when we did,” Herman commented.
“Not really,” the marshal said. “You all are just a tool of divine intervention. Things always work out for me.”
Gertrude arched an eyebrow. “Do they? Interesting.” She helped the now-freed Dorcas off the rock. “Are you all right?”
Dorcas stared at her, surprised she’d asked. “Yes, thank you.”
“Good. I wouldn’t want Elwood to accuse me of letting you get hurt.” She gave Dorcas a sheepish look. “I’m sorry about what happened in town. I was very angry.”
Dorcas stared at her in shock. “I can understand why.” She looked at Vernon. “He was angry too.”
“Yes, I imagine he was. And now he’s probably going to prison for a long time.”
“Well, let’s see,” Gant observed. “Abduction, resisting arrest, threatening a U.S. Marshal … yes, he could be in there a while. Why am I not untied yet?”
“I’m trying, but these knots are, mmph, tight,” Lucas complained.
“Keep working on it,” Gertrude said, shaking her head as she turned back to Dorcas. “Well, I can’t say I’m not disappointed, but that’s for me to deal with, not you. I wish you and Elwood all happiness.”
Dorcas blinked a few times. Was this really happening? “But … you seemed so determined yesterday …”
Gertrude smiled ruefully. “Oh, I was. But Elwood was right. We’d barely spoken to each other since childhood – and I was a very odd child. I chased him here because I couldn’t live with my hurt pride.”
“And we couldn’t live with her,” Herman muttered.
Gertrude glared at him before going on. “But sometimes a girl just has to see what battles
she isn’t going to win. If a man insists on traveling two thousand miles to avoid marrying me, that’s a sign I need to look elsewhere. Besides, with my family’s money I’ll have other, more willing suitors. I’ll be just fine.”
“Thank you for being so … sanguine about this,” Dorcas replied.
Gertrude pointed at Vernon. “So who’s this blackguard?”
“His name’s Vernon Fink. My parents were forcing me to marry him. That’s why I ran away to Noelle.”
“A wise move.” Gertrude stared at Vernon a second. “Of the Denver Finks?”
“The same.”
“I’ve heard about them.” Gertrude made a face that defied description. “A very wise move.”
“I hope my parents figure that out eventually.”
“Give them time – it took me a while to take a hint, but I came around eventually. Well, this morning. Now you go find Elwood, show him you’re okay and patch things up. Take Vernon Fink’s horse.”
Dorcas looked at the animal and smiled. “Thank you. I will.”
“What’s taking so long untying me?” the marshal grumbled.
“I’m trying,” Lucas griped.
Jake offered Lucas a penknife. “Just use this.”
Gant was free within seconds. “Would you like some water, marshal?” Gertrude asked.
“Yes, please.”
Gertrude headed for her horse as Dorcas mounted Vernon’s. “Thank you again.”
Gertrude smiled back. “You’re welcome. Now make like a marshal and go get your man.”
Dorcas kicked Vernon’s horse, and he took off like a shot.
Elwood and Jasper dismounted and studied the trail, but there were so many hoofprints it took a minute for Jasper to tell which ones belonged to the horse they wanted. “There!” he finally said. “That’s ‘em!” He climbed back onto Big John. “Let’s go!”
“Wait!” Elwood warned. “I hear something.”
Jasper cocked his head, and heard a horse approaching. “Maybe it’s Draven.”
“Maybe it’s Gertrude’s brothers,” Elwood drew his gun and cocked it.
Jasper did the same. “Careful with that thing.”
A horse suddenly crashed through the brush and almost ran over Elwood. He jumped to the side, fired, the horse reared …
… and Dorcas fell right on top of him!
“Dorcas!” Elwood hugged her by reflex. He was flat on his back, the wind half knocked out of him, and he didn’t care. “Darling, are you all right?”
She took one look at his grinning face and kissed him soundly.
“I’d say she’s just peachy,” Jasper commented.
Dorcas broke the kiss. “Where have you been?”
“Looking for you! What happened?”
“Vernon captured me.”
“Vernon!” He put his hands on either side of her head and kissed her back “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, but he certainly got himself in trouble.”
“Trouble?” Jasper said. “Sheriff Draven find ya?”
“No.” She struggled to her knees and climbed off Elwood. “Marshal Gant.”
Jasper cringed. “Aw, poor fella. Did the marshal stake him out so the wildlife could take their time with him? Maybe string him up by his thumbs? Ya know I heard tell that one time Marshal Gant …”
“He didn’t do any of that,” Dorcas said as she helped Elwood to his feet.
He took her in his arms and held her close. “I was so worried.”
“I’m safe now,” she said softly. “And I’m sorry for not trusting you.”
He studied her face. “What made you change your mind?”
She smiled lopsidedly. “Gertrude. She and her brothers rescued me from Vernon.”
“Wha-a-a-at?!” Elwood squeaked.
Jasper stared at them. “Who’s gonna rescue Vernon from her?”
Dorcas laughed. “Marshal Gant will. I think they were leaving Vernon for him.”
Elwood blinked a few times. “Well … that wraps things up nicely. So what is Gertrude planning to do next?”
“I didn’t think to ask. But she implied she’d be going back home to sort through suitors.”
Elwood shook his head. “I don’t believe what I’m hearing.”
Jasper shook his head. “Neither do I. She’s just gonna leave like that?”
“She said she was. She even apologized for losing her head yesterday. I guess she decided that if you didn’t want to marry her, there was no point fighting it.”
“And she’ll find someone else,” Elwood said. “Her family’s bank account will guarantee that. And Vernon …”
“… Shouldn’t have messed with Bad Luck Chuck,” Jasper finished, then burst out laughing.
So did Elwood and Dorcas. “Now we need to get back to town and see how we can help,” Elwood said.
“Help?” Dorcas said. “With what?”
“The bridge done blew up,” Jasper explained. “At least we think so.”
“Is that what that sound was?” Dorcas said. “Oh dear. Well, let’s go.” She paused to kiss Elwood again.
Jasper sighed. “At this rate, we ain’t never gettin’ back to town.”
Elwood broke the kiss, took a look at the old miner and laughed. “Don’t worry, we’re going. We have people to help, a celebration to prepare … and a lot of things to talk about.” He refocused on Dorcas. “I love you, Dorcas Minx. And from now on, no secrets.”
“I love you too. And I agree. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you when you tried to tell me about Gertrude. I … I should have listened.”
“It’s over now and you’re safe – that’s all that matters.” He bent to kiss her.
“Can we go now?” Jasper whined.
Elwood smiled, his lips on hers. He took a few more seconds despite Jasper’s protest, then helped her onto her horse, handed Jasper Isabella’s reins and climbed up behind Dorcas. “Let’s go lend a hand.”
“Finally!” Jasper gave Big John a nudge and the trio headed back to town.
Noelle, July 10, 1877
Dorcas stood next to Elwood in the lamplight of the new train station platform, wearing a simple blue day dress and the little veil Birdie made for her. What with everything, there hadn’t been time to finish a wedding dress, but she didn’t care. Marrying this man was all that mattered.
The week before had been tense and busy, but in the end everything had worked out. She’d escaped a horrible situation unscathed but for a few rope burns. No one got hurt in the explosion (which badly damaged the railroad bridge but failed to bring it completely down. This of course meant even more delays on the part of the railroad) and the Fourth of July celebration had come off without further hitches. Even better, Vernon Fink was in the jail in Junction and would get what was coming to him and Gertrude was on her way back to Boston with her three brothers to find a groom that wouldn’t flee across the continent.
Most importantly, Elwood loved her. Everything else was just details.
“… And do you, Dorcas, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Rev. Hammond asked.
She smiled at Elwood. “Yes, I do.”
More words were exchanged, but all she could do was think of how she’d refused to listen to Elwood when she had the chance, of how stubborn she’d been and how quick she was to judge him. Much of her misery could have been avoided if she’d told him about Vernon, and heard him out about Gertrude, sooner. But fear held her back. She never wanted to live that way again. Thank Heaven she was more confident now, not to mention wiser. And they’d spent the last week telling each other everything they could think of. No secrets, not anymore.
“And do you, Elwood, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
That got her attention. She looked at him as he let his eyes roam over her before meeting her gaze. “I do.”
“Then by the power vested in me by Almighty God and the great state of Colorado,” Rev. Hammond said. “I now pronounce you husband and
wife. Elwood, you may kiss the bride.”
Elwood smiled, leaned toward Dorcas and …
“Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!” Jasper cried. He spun on his heel and began to run up the street.
Everyone turned. “What is it, Jasper?” Rev. Hammond called after him.
“I done forgot to blow out a candle. It’s next to the leftover fireworks!”
“Jumping Jehoshaphat indeed,” the reverend echoed. “Fire!”
Everyone looked around. “Mmm, not yet there ain’t,” Sheriff Draven said.
There was a sudden pop and whiz, followed by a high whistle. The evening sky lit up in reds, whites and blues.
“There it is,” Draven grumbled. He ran toward the Red Bird Stage barn, other men jumping off the platform in pursuit. Woody Burnside was already there, tossing a bucket of water behind the structure.
Rev. Hammond sighed. “Well, now that that’s being handled, where were we? Oh yes – Elwood?”
“I may kiss my bride.” He took Dorcas in his arms, kissed her, then said, “Come on, darling. Let’s go put out a fire.”
About the Author
Kit Morgan has been writing for fun all of her life. Her whimsical stories are fun, inspirational, sweet and clean, and depict a strong sense of family and community. Raised by a homicide detective, one would think she’d write suspense, but no. Kit likes fun and romantic westerns! Kit resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in a little log cabin on Clear Creek, from which her fictional town from her Prairie Brides and Prairie Grooms series is named after.
