CantrellsBride

by Suzanne Ferrell

  The little girl had been in the bed closest to the window. He’d simply covered her mouth with his hand and plucked her right out of her bed. The innocent blue eyes that had opened to look at him nearly brought him up short. There was no fear in them. He’d whispered into her ear that he was going to take her to her mama. He relaxed when she nodded and held still as he climbed out the window with her.

  Finding the needlework in the farmhouse had been the key to his plan. Once he saw it he realized there was a child he could use. Apparently this child belonged to the husband. The lettering on the material had given him an idea how to capture his prey. He remembered seeing the silent child in the store where he’d heard one of the storekeeper’s brats call her Rachel. When he’d run up the stairs to confirm his thoughts, he’d also seen the baby cradle in the spare room. Then the whole picture came into focus.

  Three nights before, Rusty, the ranch hand from the Circle B, had been well into a bottle of whiskey and kept talking about a baby whose crying was keeping the ranch hands awake at night. Once he discovered the cradle, he’d known who was staying out at the ranch and why.

  Finally he could clean up the mess left from the senator’s assassination and get back to the Embassy. More importantly his partners would be satisfied. Then he could get on with distributing their product.

  “Get down and get in here,” he yelled at Laura as he dragged Rachel with him into the opening of the mine.

  Careful not to let him see her, Laura slipped the derringer out of the saddlebag where David had hidden it and into her skirt pocket. She was unsure if the chance to use it would come, but it was the only advantage she had right now. She slid off the mare, turned her in the direction they’d just come, and slapped her on the hindquarters. The mare started back down the mountain. Laura was sure of one thing, Nathan would come for them, and she’d help him find them in any way she could.

  She lifted her skirt and hurried across the frozen ground, slipping on the ice. Finally she reached the opening where Blackwood stood holding Rachel.

  “That was a very stupid and useless thing you just did, my dear,” he sneered at her. “I’ll be long gone before they find what’s left of you.” He swung his closed fist and clipped her against the jaw.

  She crumpled to the floor in a heap.

  Suddenly the silent child in his arms burst to life. It was like trying to hold on to a wild cat. She clawed and wiggled, the noise that erupted from her like a devilish scream right from the pits of hell itself.

  “Damn it!” Nigel dropped her to the ground and backed away slowly. If he’d been a religious man he would’ve made the sign of the cross.

  The child stumbled to the woman’s still form on the mine floor. She calmed down immediately when she reached her and began crooning soulfully trying to waken the woman.

  Calm. Breathe deeply. It’s almost over.

  He took out a match and lit the kindling he’d left to start a fire to take away the chill he suddenly felt clear through. The haze of the dawn should cover any smoke made by the fire.

  He warmed his hands and watched the child and woman. Once the woman regained consciousness, he’d finish her. It might be easier to do it now, but he’d enjoy it more when he saw the fright in the meddlesome woman’s eyes.

  The five horsemen had just turned a bend in the road to the Circle B Ranch when they saw the forms of three riders coming toward them at a fast clip. Nathan signaled his riders to stop as the other men reined in near them. The dread he’d felt at Frank’s turned to internal terror. He already knew what Burnside was going to say.

  “I don’t know how he knew they were there, but he’s got them.” Burnside sucked in air.

  “All three?”

  “No. Just Laura and Rachel. The baby is safe at the ranch with Inga.”

  Nathan clenched his jaw in an effort not to shout his anger and frustration to the heavens. “How long ago did he get them?”

  “He left my place about fifteen minutes ago. I had to wait to be sure he wouldn’t see any of us leaving. He threatened to kill Rachel if we followed. He was headed into the trees west of my place.”

  “Isn’t there range land back of those woods?” asked Micah.

  “Sure is. Then the mountains rise up again behind there.”

  Micah turned to Nathan. “That old silver mine of Tom Jones, Senior is up that way. I’d bet my life that’s where Blackwood’s heading.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Nathan turned his horse in that direction. “It’s not your life we’re betting. It’s Laura’s and Rachel’s.”

  The armed group turned to the west and rode toward the mountains—Nathan and Micah in the lead. They wove their way through the fir trees and bare oaks, finally coming to the grazing range. Nathan set the stallion into a full gallop. When he reached the tree line at the foot of the mountains, he reined in long enough for the others to catch up, then silently signaled them to follow him in single file through the pines. They moved at a forty-five degree angle to the path Blackwood had taken from the Circle B ranch. Hopefully they’d catch up with them before any harm came to Laura or Rachel.

  Something moved in the trees ahead of the group and Nathan signaled the others to stop. He listened to the wind blowing through the trees. There it was again. Blaze snorted and pulled at his bridle. Nathan rubbed the horse’s neck. “What do you smell, fella?”

  Gently he nudged the horse forward. A minute or two later, Laura’s chestnut-colored sorrel mare appeared, standing in a thicket, still saddled and eating from the grass she’d unearthed from beneath the snow.

  “Micah,” he signaled his friend forward. “Laura knows we’re on our way here. She sent the horse after us.”

  “Blackwood knows we’re on our way too,” the quiet man pointed out.

  “Dammit, we’ve got to get to her soon.”

  “If he’s got her in the mineshaft, there’s only one way in there.”

  “Not really,” a young voice said behind them.

  Both men turned to see the oldest of the Jones-Jensen boys had moved his horse closer.

  “What do you mean, Tom?” Nathan tried not to get his hopes up.

  “Before my pa died, he used to bring me up to this mine when I was little. I remember he’d built himself an emergency tunnel, what with all the claim jumpers in the area back then.”

  “You mean to tell me there’s another way in there?”

  Tom nodded. “If it hasn’t caved in yet. It’s further up the mountain and this side of the main entrance. I’m pretty sure I could find it.”

  “Micah,” Nathan turned to his friend as the remainder of the group circled around, “this butcher has never seen me and as far as we know he didn’t really identify you in the saloon the other night. Do you think you could get his attention in the front of the shaft?”

  Micah nodded. “I can create some kind of commotion out front. What are you planning?”

  “I think Tom and I’ll try to enter from the escape shaft. Hopefully we can locate Laura and Rachel while you distract him in front. Frank will come with us in case I need help getting back out once I have them.” He wouldn’t even consider the possibility that Blackwood had already killed them. He couldn’t let his mind go there. “The rest of you men need to circle around the perimeter to prevent him from somehow escaping.”

  “Be careful up there.” Micah grasped his hand then moved his horse.

  “Whatever happens, don’t let him get out of there.” He didn’t say the word alive, but he knew Micah understood what he meant.

  The bees wouldn’t stop buzzing. If she could get the stupid things to leave her alone, she could go back to sleep.

  Someone patted her cheek and called her mama in a small cracking voice. Now what? Laura tried to focus on the voice.

  William? William was calling her?

  No, that didn’t make any sense. She shook her head. It couldn’t be William. He’s too small to be calling for me. Then who?

  “Mama,” the voice call
ed again.

  Laura shook her head once more and tried to open her eyes. There wasn’t much light and she was cold. She felt along the floor, touching rocks and dirt. Cold dirt. With her other hand, she grabbed the hand patting her face. It was a small hand—a child’s hand. She pulled it closer.

  Suddenly she knew who it was.

  Rachel.

  They were trapped in the mine with Nigel Blackwood. Her eyesight began to clear. She could see the little girl’s lips moving.

  Rachel was talking?

  She called her mama!

  Laura hugged her closer and whispered in her ear, “That’s right, little one. I’m your mama. But now we have to be very quiet. Your papa will be here for us soon. Do you understand?” She pulled back to look at her daughter.

  Rachel nodded.

  Cautiously Laura looked in the direction of the fire. Blackwood squatted on the ground and watched the mine entrance. For a while she did nothing more than study him. He’d stare outside for a while, then talk to himself. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but his lips moved and his hands made gestures.

  The man had lost his sanity. She needed to get Rachel away from him, and quickly.

  “Blackwood!” Suddenly Micah’s voice shouted from outside. “Blackwood, I know you’re in there.”

  “I’m in here. Who are you and what do you want?”

  This was her chance. On her knees, Laura slowly eased herself farther into the shadows, holding Rachel against her as she felt along the mine walls. When they crouched completely in the dark, she stopped to see if Nigel had noticed their movements. His attention was completely focused outside.

  Good. She needed to find a place to hide Rachel until Nathan could stop Blackwood. She stood and pressed her back to the mine wall. Clutching Rachel to her, she inched her way deeper into the mine. Every few feet she’d look back over her shoulder to see if their captor was behind them.

  She could still hear him talking out the mine entrance to Micah. Micah’s voice gave new courage to her spirit. If Micah was outside the mine, then Nathan was somewhere near.

  “You’ve got my wife and child in there, Blackwood. I want them back.”

  “That must make you Cantrell. I must tell you, sir, that if I were you, I’d be grateful someone took both of them off my hands.” Nigel laughed at his own humor.

  “How do you mean?”

  Was the man stupid? “Why, sir, I’m giving you the opportunity to get yourself a new wife. One more, how shall we say? Pleasing to the eye?” He couldn’t help the derisive laugh.

  “Even if that were true, you still have my daughter.”

  “There again, I’m doing you a favor, sir.”

  “How so?”

  “There is something very wrong with that child. I wouldn’t want a defective child like her if I were you. Once she’s gone people will never know you fathered an imbecile.” Pistol in hand, Nigel moved closer to the mine entrance as he taunted the voice in the woods.

  Curse the man. He couldn’t see him, but if he stepped outside, the fool could see him. He’d just have to show the farmer he meant business. Turning, he went to where he’d left the woman and child.

  They were gone.

  No!

  She must have awakened and taken the child into the mine. Foolish woman.

  “You can’t get out, my dear,” he called into the darkness. “There’s no reason to hide back there.”

  He picked up a branch near the fire and lit the end. “Laura, you really should come back this way. Think of the little girl. You wouldn’t want her to fall down a shaft back there. She might never get out.”

  He kept creeping back into the mine. His irritation mounted every time he stopped to look into each crevice for them.

  Her mouth dry with fear and the hand she clutched Rachel with sweating, Laura inched farther back into the darkness, her other hand her only guide. Every now and then she stopped to reassure her daughter. She turned a corner to her right.

  Suddenly a hand grabbed her across her mouth, silencing her scream while another pulled her against the familiar, solid frame of her husband’s body.

  “Hello, darlin’,” Nathan whispered into her ear.

  In all her life she’d never been so glad to hear that pet name.

  “Have you got Rachel with you?”

  Laura nodded and squeezed the little girl’s hand in the dark.

  “Good. I’m going to let go of your mouth, but don’t say anything.” Releasing his grip and lowering his hand from her mouth, he planted a quick, hard kiss on her lips.

  “Tom is just outside this opening back here, waiting to take you both to a safe spot.”

  He led them to a crack in the mine wall. First he helped Laura through it, then lifted Rachel and carried her outside. He hugged her briefly before handing her back to Laura.

  “Tom, take them down to Frank. I’ll join you as soon as everything is taken care of here.”

  He turned to Laura and placed both hands on her shoulders. “Darlin’, for once I want you to trust me and go with Tom. What needs to be done here can be done without you.”

  She stared into his face. A face she’d never thought to see again when she left the Circle B in the wee hours of the morning. God, she loved this man. He was asking for her trust. No matter what, she’d prove to him that she trusted him.

  “Nathan I promise to stay down below. I trust you to do what you have to in order to stop this madman.” She fought to keep the tears out of her eyes. “Nathan, please be careful.”

  Without another word, she turned and followed Tom into the woods.

  Nigel edged his way along the wall farther into the mine. He passed by an empty side tunnel, then stopped. He returned to it. A glimmer of light drew his attention. As he approached, he gripped the handle of the gun tighter. He stepped through the crack in the mine wall then through some bushes and emerged into a small clearing. A very tall, very powerfully built and very angry man stood twenty feet away in the center of the clearing.

  “Cantrell, I presume?”

  “Damn right, Blackwood. I’ve come to claim what’s mine.”

  “How noble of you. A frontier knight of old, eh? I assume you’ve spirited them both away?”

  “They’re safe now. You’ve threatened my wife and child long enough. No one takes what’s mine without some sort of payment.”

  “Well, sir. Consider this payment then.” Without warning, he lifted his arm and fired. Cantrell dropped to the ground just a moment before the bullet slammed into the tree behind him. Before the man could return fire, he dropped his torch and dove back through the woods, then into the mine.

  “Blackwood!” the man shouted from behind him.

  Nigel slithered farther into the mine. “I don’t know where you have them hidden, Cantrell, but I will find them. She’s the one thing standing between me and absolute power.”

  “She won’t testify against you about the senator’s murder.” The man was nearer.

  “She told you about that, did she? I must say I’m rather surprised by that,” he laughed derisively, trying not to give in to the hysteria that ate at his mind as he hurried toward the mine’s main opening. If he could just get outside again. “I’m not worried about her testifying. With my connections at the Embassy, there won’t be a trial. Besides, she won’t live to tell anyone else, and neither will you. My partners don’t want anything to interfere with the power they’ll soon wield in this country.”

  The mine entrance should be just around the corner. Why couldn’t he see the fire? Had he made a wrong turn? He had to get out of here.

  “You have powerful friends in the government?”

  Was the man a complete dolt? Didn’t he comprehend the power that was his if he could just find the exit?

  “No. My partners will control them. The power that will take over your government is addicting. This backwoods country will cease to exist as it is. And I’ll be there to help take it away from you peasants.”

 
; “I don’t think so. Laura won’t be there to testify against you, because I’m going to kill you,” the deadly calm voice said from behind him.

  Cold dread slithered down Nigel’s back at the sound of the man’s promise. He tripped, then saw the silver light of morning peeking through the darkness up ahead.

  There it was—his escape.

  Suddenly a shape loomed before him, blocking out the light of freedom.

  “No!” He screamed and raised his arm, prepared to fire a second time.

  Three shots echoed against the mine walls.

  Blackwood fell forward.

  Nathan met Micah at the body. Kneeling, he studied the still form for any movement. Blood flowed from the two bullet wounds in his chest. After a moment, Laura’s predator stared back at him with glazed, lifeless eyes.

  Without a word, Micah grabbed the legs and dragged body deeper into the mineshaft. Nathan gathered up the man’s belongings and followed Micah. They came to the edge of a deep shaft and tossed the man and his remains into it.

  As they left the mine, the silently agreed never to speak of it again.

  Awaiting some news from the mine entrance above, Laura paced back and forth in the early morning light. They’d heard the shots ring out inside the mine. The quiet death knell that followed seemed to hover over the mountain.

  A noise sounded in the trees. Turning, she watched as Micah appeared through the trees. Her hand flew to her mouth to stop a sob from escaping.

  Where was Nathan?

  Before the question finished forming in her brain, her husband emerged through the pines. She couldn’t contain her tears any longer. The men crowded around the two asking for details of what occurred in the mine. She didn’t care what happened as long as her husband and Micah were unharmed. Nathan pushed his way past the group, heading directly to where she stood holding Rachel and openly crying in her relief to see him. He drew them both into his arms and hugged them tight.