CantrellsBride

by Suzanne Ferrell

  No one in this town or the last one had seen a woman fitting the description of the woman he’d tracked more than halfway across this godforsaken country. He needed to find her and put any chance she’d convince others of his connection to the senator’s death to rest.

  Put to rest. I’ll really put her to rest—permanently.

  Lightning flashed outside the smoke- and grease-smeared window, followed by another clap of thunder.

  The weather fit his mood.

  It had taken him six months to eliminate all but this last route from St. Louis, but he couldn’t go back East until he found her. He knew he’d have to see to the outcome himself. Otis taught him that lesson.

  The regular conductor for this route had been positive the woman he was searching for had been on the train up until Denver. That was where he got off and the relief man got on for the trip across the mountains to Sacramento. Then his leads dried up, mostly because the relief conductor had died two months ago.

  Now it was the beginning of November and his luck seemed to turn from bad to worse the more he pursued this woman. To top it off, his time was running out. With the final death of President Garfield two weeks ago, his partners would be stepping up their schedule.

  “Damn,” he muttered, staring into his glass.

  “What’s the matter, sugar?” asked the aging saloon whore standing at the bar near his table. “You in need of a female?”

  “Yes, I certainly am.” One particularly chubby librarian who doesn’t know when to mind her own business, to be exact. He flashed the whore his most charming smile. “I’d just love to see what you have under that red silk. Why don’t you join me?”

  She returned his smile, glanced at the barkeep, then back at him. “Well, Johnny doesn’t like us entertainin’ any of our friends here. How about you keep yourself busy ’til closin’, then I’ll be happy to give you a private show.”

  “I’ll work on this bottle of whiskey for a while. You go on and earn your keep. When you’re finished, just signal me and I’ll follow you out to your room.”

  “That sounds fine, sugar, but wouldn’t you like to walk out with me?”

  He shook his head and gave her another smile to reassure her. “I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

  “That’s mighty nice of you. I’ll be ready real soon.” She sauntered off to another table, wiggling her slightly sagging bottom as she went.

  Such a stupid woman.

  He didn’t worry about getting her into any trouble tonight. The kind of trouble he’d give her, she wouldn’t live to regret. The fewer people who saw them together the better.

  His prey’s trail going cold irritated him. He needed to work off some steam tonight in order to pick up her scent again tomorrow. Things would get a little messy tonight, and being detained in this town wasn’t in his best interest. Cursing the librarian again, he poured more whiskey into his glass. It was her fault he traveled these backwoods towns, sleeping on hard, dirty beds, eating tasteless food and drinking warm liquor.

  Yes, it was definitely all her fault. Initially, he’d planned to dispatch the woman as quick as possible, but the more time it took him to find her, the more she deserved to suffer a little first.

  He took another long drink. The foul liquid burned its way down his throat. When he got back to Washington’s civilization, he’d treat himself to a fine meal of lobster and steak, which he intended to wash down with French champagne. Then he’d spend the night in a soft, silky bed with a classy lady. Maybe he’d offer the deceased senator’s young mistress his protection. Yes, that’s exactly what he’d do. It suited his sense of irony.

  The saloon girl nodded his way as she started out the back door. He sat still and finished his drink, glancing around slowly to be sure no one watched her leave. Satisfied no one would see him, he took the half-empty bottle with him and started out after her.

  * * * * *

  Laura woke just after daybreak. After completing the necessary tortures related to an outdoor toilet, she stretched her stiff muscles. Every one of them complained about the prospect of not only saddling Ribbons this morning, but another day-long trip in the saddle.

  The ground beneath her makeshift room had soaked in all the previous night’s rain. Her quilt was near to sopping wet and her damp gown clung to her skin. She should change, but she didn’t have any idea what today’s weather might bring. She needed to keep her other clothes dry until she found a place to rest for the night. Hopefully her dress would dry while she traveled today.

  She took Ribbons’ reins and led her to a new patch of grass that managed to grow in the rare open spot in the forest of trees.

  “There you go, girl. You’d better eat your fill. I don’t know when’s the next time you’ll get to eat today.” She sighed as she gently stroked the mare’s silky mane. Since coming to live at the farm, she’d learned to enjoy caring for her mare and the other animals.

  There were many other things she’d come to love too. The way Rachel felt all cuddled on her lap before naptime or bedtime. The scent of cedar logs burning in the fireplace. They smelled so much better than the coal she’d used back in Washington. She loved the cool soil squishing between her toes during the spring planting so much that Nathan teased her unmercifully about a grown woman going barefoot in the fields.

  And Nathan. How she’d come to love that man.

  The sight of his hard body working on the farm turned several parts of her to liquid heat. The way he teased her sent her blushing even if the temperature was ninety degrees. His helpfulness with household chores as her pregnancy progressed gave her a sense of value she hadn’t known she needed. Even the thoughtful way he watched her when he thought she wasn’t aware made her feel cherished.

  No use thinking of things you’ll never have again.

  She shook herself from her daydreams and walked to the lean-to. Some corn bread and a large drink of milk would have to suffice as her breakfast. She needed to conserve her supplies in the event it took her longer than today to find a shack. Hopefully, when she finally reached a cabin she’d find some food to add to her meager cache.

  After she ate, she gathered her belongings and shook out her quilt. She carried them to where Ribbons patiently waited, then dragged the saddle over too, hoping to figure out some way to saddle the horse.

  “Well, girl,” she confessed after pondering the problem a moment, “I guess the only way is for me to lift it. You know as well as I, that I wasn’t very good at this when I wasn’t pregnant, so this should be fun.”

  With a deep breath, she squatted and lifted the saddle’s end so it lay on her right knee. Grabbing the other end, she slowly righted herself. Then with one great effort, she lifted the saddle even with her shoulders and rested it against Ribbons’ side. While Laura caught her breath, she noticed the horse hadn’t moved a muscle.

  “Good girl,” she whispered, then slid the saddle onto the mare’s back. She rested her head on the animal’s neck while she caught another breath. “If Nathan saw me doing this, he’d have a fit.”

  Reaching below the horse’s belly, she grabbed the cinch and tightened it. Finally, she strapped on her quilt, supplies and belongings. She stood back and admired her work, her hand on the small of her back, putting counter pressure on the ache there. With a nod, she led Ribbons to a sturdy-looking log, stepped onto it, then hoisted herself onto the horse’s back.

  Well, that worked better than I thought.

  Once again she patted the mare’s neck. “Your cooperation was greatly appreciated, girl. Now let’s go.”

  She kicked at the horse’s side then, holding on to the reins with one hand, she buttoned her sweater close to her neck with the other. Ribbons wound her way through the trees and up the mountain slope. A shiver racked Laura’s body. The wind had a decided chill about it. The sun should have been coming through the leaves by now, but the thick clouds prevented any warmth getting to her.

  At first she watched the path ahead of her horse for an
y low-hanging branches or fallen trees that might prove hazardous. Realizing that Ribbons maneuvered a safe path for her, she began to scan farther ahead for any sign of a cabin or shack.

  The day progressed with no sign of shelter and her spirits drooped. The farther up the mountain they climbed the cooler the air became. Along with the chill, her back ached more, coming and going in a regular pattern.

  “Great,” she muttered. “Just what I need now, more of those early pains of Sarah’s.”

  Tears filled her eyes. She dashed at them with the back of her hand. She was tired, cranky, ached from head to toe, and frankly missed her husband, daughter and home.

  The horse’s gentle rocking motion lulled her with each step. She closed her eyes for small periods of time, then woke, trying not to fall asleep. Midafternoon, she woke from one of her small naps to find Ribbons had stopped next to a small mountain stream, drinking her fill.

  Laura took her canteen and sipped the water from the previous night’s rain. “Looks like you picked a nice place for a rest, girl. Too bad I can’t get down and give you a real one. I’m not sure I could get back on again later. Once we find a place to stop, I promise you’ll be free of your heavy burden.”

  She urged the horse on across the stream. Still climbing upward, she searched farther up the incline for any possible shelter. Just as she had about given up finding a real structure, a small clearing appeared, and on the far edge stood a small cabin.

  Relief poured through her. She stopped about twenty yards from the cabin.

  “Hello!” she called to anyone who might be inside.

  No one answered.

  She nudged Ribbons’ side to move her cautiously toward the house. At the porch, she stopped her and studied the dwelling.

  “Hello?”

  Still no answer.

  She waited a few minutes, listening for any movement. Finally, convinced the cabin was empty, she eased a leg over the side of the horse and lowered herself slowly to the ground. Her legs wobbled. She hung on to the saddle and horse’s mane for several frightening moments to keep from crashing to the ground.

  Once she regained the use of her legs, she tied the reins to the porch rail and looked in the only window to the cabin. She couldn’t see anything inside the dark building, so she nudged the door slowly open. A musty smell assailed her nose.

  She stepped inside.

  It took a minute for her eyes to grow accustomed to the dim evening light as it filtered into the one-room cabin. A large table with two benches on each side sat on one side of the cabin with one large wooden chair, a fur-lined bed in one corner and a large fireplace on the back wall. The fireplace actually looked as if there was kindling ready for her use. She walked closer to see if her eyes deceived her. No, someone had definitely prepared the cabin for his return. However, the amount of dust on the table suggested several months had passed since his last visit.

  “I hope tonight’s not the night they decide to come home. I could use a night or two in this bed.”

  She walked to the pantry and looked behind the curtain hanging in front of it to see if her hosts had left any food store for their return. She found a tin of flour, one of sugar and another one filled with coffee, some kind of dried meat and several canning jars filled with fruits and vegetables.

  “This is my lucky day.”

  She smiled and dropped the curtain back in place, then went back outside to unload her supplies from her tired horse. “I’ll just put these inside, girl, then take care of you. There’s some sort of outdoor horse stall on the far side of the house. It’s covered so you should fare better than you did last night.”

  She dumped her belongings on the table and spread her quilt on a bench. Hopefully it would dry out sometime soon.

  Then she went back outside to unsaddle her mare. Her hands and arms shook so much as she dragged the saddle off, she just left it where it lay while she rubbed her horse down like she had the night before. She led her into the horse stall and tied her reins to the fence post to keep her from wandering. A box of dried hay filled one corner and she fed Ribbons a healthy portion.

  Exhausted, she now shook from head to toe and her body ached all over from the intermittent pains in her back and two days of riding. “What I wouldn’t give to just climb on that bed and sleep a few days.”

  “Always take good care of your horse. Feed her, water her and rub her down, and she’ll always take care of you.”

  She made a face as she heard Nathan’s instructions as clear as the day he’d taught her to care for Ribbons. Even when she left him, he found ways to nag at her. God, her head hurt now too.

  Inside the house, she found a bucket next to the pantry, then walked around outside the house in search of a water source. She found a stream, smaller than the one they’d stopped at earlier in the day, about ten yards behind the house. Careful not to fall in, she dipped the bucket in the cold water, then carried it to the stall and filled the water trough.

  Having fed and watered her horse, she decided to see about her own meal for the night. Weary, she sat at the table and realized that she didn’t feel up to preparing any kind of hot meal. She poured the last bit of milk from her canteen into a cup, added some sugar to sweeten it, and drank her fill.

  “A fire would be nice,” she said, breaking the cabin’s silence. “But there’s no way I can stay awake to watch it tonight.” She glanced at the bed, hoping there weren’t any bugs or animals under that fur.

  Wishing the pain in her back would ease a little, she stood and stretched. Her exhaustion finally took over. She climbed into the bed and shivered for what seemed an eon before the fur warmed her body enough to let her relax. As she drifted off to an exhausted sleep, she dreamed she floated in a leaky boat.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Nathan studied the natural lean-to where Laura had obviously spent the night. It probably kept her dry and prevented him from finding her half-frozen this morning. The knot that had lived between his shoulder blades since he started out today eased a touch.

  Last night’s rain made tracking her very difficult this morning. He’d headed in the general direction she’d traveled before stopping for the night. When he didn’t pick up her trail, he doubled back, heading in a more northwesterly direction. Frustrated, he’d just about given up on that route too, when he found a freshly eaten apple core.

  God bless her love of apples.

  Now he saw how she’d spent the night. At least she showed good sense in her choice of resting places, though not necessarily in her timing for a camping trip. By the drag marks on the ground, she’d apparently managed to saddle Ribbons by herself.

  “Lifting the saddle in her condition,” he muttered as he climbed back onto Blaze. “Shows how much she listens to me. Of course if she’d listened to me, she never would’ve gone to town yesterday and we wouldn’t be traveling around the countryside right now. She’ll be hearing about this trip for years to come.”

  Fat flakes of snow fell and stuck to his leather gloves as he started Blaze up the incline. The wind started to pick up. Damn, he’d hoped the weather would hold a few more hours. He searched the ground for hoofprints or broken branches to guide them as they climbed higher. The tedious work to maintain her trail showed him how much she’d let Ribbons have her way. By noon, he wasn’t sure which one he wanted to strangle more, his dear little wife or her crazy horse. As the sun settled in behind the trees, he came upon the stream where a freshly eaten apple core and the horse’s tracks showed they’d stopped to rest.

  “This is the stream that runs down from Micah’s lower cabin, boy,” he remarked as his horse drank his fill. “We’ll just head that direction.”

  If Laura wasn’t there, it would be too late tonight to find her anyway. Lord, he prayed that horse found Micah’s cabin. He didn’t like the idea of Laura being alone another night.

  Crossing the stream, he continued toward Micah’s place. The fading light made tracking impossible. If Laura wasn’t there, he’d doub
le back to this spot early in the morning to begin searching again.

  It was near dark and about an inch of snow covered the ground when Blaze’s ears picked up and he sniffed the air.

  “What’s up, boy?” Nathan asked the excited animal. “You catch your lady’s scent? Well, go find her. Where your mate is, mine is bound to be.”

  He gave the stallion his lead. After a few minutes a small clearing and a low log cabin came into view nestled right in the middle of a huge pine forest.

  Thank God, she found it.

  He climbed down and untied his supplies then smacked his horse on the rump. Blaze entered the horse lean-to next to Ribbons. She greeted him loudly, then turned away as he helped himself to the last of her dinner.

  Nathan shook his head. “Just like a woman. Lead a man a merry chase, then ignore him when he catches up to her.”

  In a hurry to get to his wayward wife, he strode toward the cabin.

  “Laura?” he called as he opened the door.

  She didn’t answer.

  For a moment his heart stopped, then he saw her carpetbag—the one she’d thrown into his chest when he threatened to take her back to the train station—sitting on the table. He set his things down beside it. Walking to the bed, he smiled when he found his wife sound asleep beneath Micah’s prized buffalo robe.

  Relieved, he checked the fireplace. As always, Micah had provided kindling and firewood for his next trip down the mountain or for any traveler trapped during a winter snowstorm. Good thing. The way the wind picked up outside and rattled the door, he suspected they were about to be stranded here.

  Better get a fire built and the cabin warmed before he woke his wife to give her a piece of his mind. And she was going to get just that.

  Shaking his head, he lit the fire and stoked it to life. Crazy woman. Taking off on a horse up a mountain in her condition. He stared into the fire, then rubbed his hands over his eyes and thanked God for letting him find her.