Two weeks later, the wedding day dawned bright and early. The house was abuzz with life and visitors as neighbors came from all over to wish them luck and offer their congratulations. Women came bearing food and to ooh and ah over Esme and Sophie. The men gathered in the other side of the house to rib Kade about his last minutes of bachelorhood. Sophie, who was coming out of her shell more and more with each passing day, played rambunctiously with the other children.
The whole day was a day of festivities and laughter. The preacher and his wife came to the house at ten that morning and the ceremony was held in the yard under a makeshift gazebo. There in the sight of all of their family and friends, Kade Scott and Esme Higgins pledged to love and honor one another all their lives through all the good and all the bad. When the pastor declared them man and wife, Kade swept Esme off her feet and kissed her soundly to boisterous applause and scandalized –but indulgent – laughter.
The day swept on in the same fashion and as dusk settled, the guests began to leave. Philip, Crystal and Sophie would be staying with a neighbor for the night to give the two newlyweds some much appreciated privacy.
That evening, as they crossed the threshold into their new room as man and wife for the first time, a veil of intimacy seemed to surround them. They were caught up in each other and oblivious to all else. Through touches and kisses they learned more about each other and drew closer together in an intimacy neither had imagined or experienced before. The love that was already developing between them deepened into so much more until they felt as if all of them, heart, body and soul were entwined to such a degree it was impossible to know where one began and the other ended.
The next morning, even as they cooked breakfast and spoke of the mundane, the veil did not disappear. They continued to indulge in each other, physically and emotionally, without restriction throughout the day. Each of them thanked the Lord who had brought them together as they prayed and laughed and loved and talked.
Even after Philip, Crystal and Sophie arrived home that evening, the connection between Kade and Esme continued to deepen and the bond between them only matured as the days turned into weeks.
***
Two months after their wedding, the glass bubble was shattered in the middle of the night by Sophie’s screams. Her heart in her throat, Esme jumped out of bed and pulled on a wrapper as she ran out of the room, Kade on her heels. They opened the door to find Sophie’s bed empty and the window shattered.
Shouts and gunfire resounded outside followed by Crystal’s horrified screams and the barking of the dogs. Kade and Esme rushed out the door just in time to see a lone man riding off into the night on a horse with Sophie screaming for her mama and papa.
“Sophie!” Esme screamed as she ran out, trying in vain to catch up with the horse.
Kade pulled her back and pushed her to Crystal. “Go inside now, both of you,” he said, gesturing to the hired hands and Philip, “we will go run him down.”
“Bring her back to me Kade,” Esme sobbed as she clung to him.
Kade kissed her forehead. “I will sweetheart. That bastard won’t get away with our little girl, whoever he is!” As he was still speaking, Philip came up with the horses. Kade mounted and the men all followed him as he set out.
A badly shaken Crystal held tightly to a sobbing Esme as they both made their way back inside the house. Crystal made some tea and they both sipped it as they silently prayed for the safety of the men and Sophie and the capture of the kidnapper. Neither said a word. What was there to say, after all?
As the hours passed, some of the neighboring women, whose husbands had ridden out with Kade and the men came over to sit with Crystal and Esme. No one talked much. Each woman understood the power of silent camaraderie and Esme was grateful for it.
When dawn began to touch the night sky, the sound of horses’ hooves could be heard in the distance. Esme and Crystal ran out on to the porch with hopeful hearts, followed closely by the other women. But the party of men who came over the ridge was not a victorious one.
Kade didn’t say a word as he dismounted. He walked over to Esme and gathered her shaking body in his arms and just held her. Both were crying silently. Crystal gazed imploringly at Philip but he could only shake his head. The other men departed silently, one by one to the bunk house and the neighbors also departed with their husbands in silence.
Philip whispered to Crystal, “We searched everywhere for them but the man just seemed to disappear into thin air. I don’t understand it. We were hot on their heels.”
“Kade,” Esme whispered, “What do we do now?”
“All we can do, honey, is pray and wait. Philip will go and tell the sheriff about what happened and a watch will be spread throughout town. If that man is anywhere nearby – and I can’t imagine that he’s not – we will find him.
Crystal cleared her throat. “In that case, Philip, hurry quickly and inform the sheriff. You two,” she said to Kade and Esme, “try to get some sleep. You’ve been up all night and only the Lord knows what we need to do now. Go rest as we wait for word from the lawmen.”
Kade nodded wearily and guided Esme inside to their room. They knew sleep was far out of reach but at least they could lie down and rest and comfort each other. With every hour that passed, they continued to pray and wait.
Life around the ranch went about normally that day. The hands did the work they needed to do, same as every other day. Within the house, food was cooked but none was consumed. Everyone was sick with worry.
The sheriff came by to get something that belonged to Sophie so that the bloodhounds could try to get her scent to track her down. Esme gave them Sophie’s favorite rag doll.
Two days passed by without any word or trace of Sophia. On the third day, something arrived in the form of a post. It was brief and to the point.
‘Esme, I have Sophie. You denied me when you ran out on me and now I will deny you your daughter. Unless you leave that bastard you now call a husband and come back home with me, you will never see your daughter again. Get on the train to go back on Thursday and I will meet you at home with Sophie. If you don’t, she dies.
S. Marsh’
“Marsh?” Kade said, after reading the card. “Isn’t he the man who was harassing you when you saw my ad?”
Esme was trembling in anger and fear. She nodded. “He was a mean drunk of a man. There were times when he would force himself into our home to live with me, even though I made it very clear I wanted nothing to do with him. Once I caught him raise a fist to strike Sophie because she was humming a lullaby! I can’t imagine my baby in that monster’s grasp! Oh Kade, what will we do?”
Kade smiled grimly. “The man has showed his hand, Esme. It’s quite simple. You will leave me to go back to your old town, just as he demanded.”
“What?!” Esme gasped in shock. “I’m not leaving you. There must be another way!”
Philip stepped in, “I see what you mean. This Marsh man, whoever he is, is going to be at that station one way or another to see if Esme will get on that train on Thursday. When he shows up, we will capture him and get Sophia back.”
Kade nodded in agreement as understanding dawned on Esme.
“If it’ll get Sophie back,” Kade said, “I am willing to try it.”
“As am I.” Esme seconded.
On Thursday morning, Esme and Kade went to the station. Philip, the sheriff and other townsmen wandered nearby keeping a lookout for Marsh. As the train blew its final call, Esme and Kade made a show of saying goodbye. Esme boarded the train and sat down, as if to leave.
Everyone was on high alert, looking for Marsh.
Suddenly, dogs began to bark as they caught a familiar scent and shouts filled the air. Esme got up to look, in anticipation, but was struck by a heavy blow from behind. As she crumpled to the ground, the train began to pull out from the station.
Philip was the first to see Sophia wandering the street after the dogs caught her scent. His shout attracted Kade’s attentio
n and he quickly spotted Sophia as well. Kade ran to his daughter and swept her up in his arms, checking her for bruises. His anger soared when he caught sight of a black eye, swollen cheeks and cut lips. When I get my hands on that man, I will kill him!
Philip caught up with them and he swore under his breath when he saw the state the poor little girl was in. The sheriff and the deputy came over in short order. “We couldn’t find the guy who took her. No one has seen him.”
Kade just nodded. He was just glad Sophia and Esme were safe. Esme. Where is she?
Kade turned around to find Esme and was startled to discover the train had left while they were so distracted. No matter. She must have gotten off when she heard the commotion. Where did she go?
He asked Philip and the Sheriff if either one had seen Esme but both had not, they searched the station as he had as if realizing for the first time Esme was not there.
Kade’s heart sank. “We played right into that Monster’s hands.”
“He doesn’t care about Sophie. He only wants Esme. He must have left Sophie on her own knowing we would find her and boarded the train while waiting for Esme. He would have known Esme would never abandon her daughter. Now they are both gone.”
Philip just stared at his brother in shock as comprehension dawned. The sheriff said he would send a telegram to the next several stations ahead to be on the lookout for Marsh and Esme but warned them that it would only have a chance of being effective if the train arrived after the telegram.
“And another train won’t pass through here until Monday.” Philip said morosely.
But a plan was already forming in Kade’s mind. “I will follow them on horseback. It’ll be faster than waiting until Monday. Besides, there’s no guarantee that Marsh is headed back to his old town. He could decide to stop anywhere.”
“Or get on another train heading somewhere completely different.” Philip pointed out.
Kade nodded despairingly. “I know, but what other chance do I have? If I wait till Monday, I may miss her entirely. Take Sophia home, Philip. I will set out from here and follow the tracks.”
Philip nodded and hugged his brother. “I’ll stop by the medical store and see if they have anything to put on her swelling. If Grandma sees her like this, she might have an attack!”
Kade nodded. Once Philip left, Kade made his way to the bank to get some money for the road. No telling how much he needed or how long he would be gone. Once the transaction was done, he headed to the general store to get a gear and clothing to protect him from the cold nights and any rainy days. Finally, he stopped at the market and stocked up on dried meats, breads, butter and water to keep him on his journey. He also did not know when he would come across a boarding home or inn to stay or eat.
He went back home briefly to say goodbye to Sophia and Crystal. He quickly ate some of the meal Crystal had prepared and gathered two horses and one of his trusted hired hands. When he got to a big enough town, he would need to trade horses and rent another one. He couldn’t very well ride one horse hard over hither and yon, the poor beast would die. Once he got another horse, the hired hand could bring his own back.
Once all the necessary preparations were in place, Kade set out.
Esme came to consciousness several hours later and found herself staring around at a private compartment. Confused and groggy, her head pounding like it had taken a severe beating, she gingerly raised herself up on to her elbows. Where am I? What happened? Oh God, Sophie! Is she okay? Where’s Kade??
“Ah,” said a voice she had hoped to never hear again, “Sleeping Beauty awakes. How are you, darling? Did you sleep well?”
“You!” Esme spat as she stared at Marsh. “What are you doing here? Where am I? Where’s my daughter?”
“That little brat?” Marsh sneered. “I daresay she’s home with that no good rancher you decided to marry. You didn’t really think I would want some other man’s spawn in my life, did you? As for you and I, well, we’re going to marry and live our own life. Don’t worry though, I will give you enough children to occupy your time and make you forget that girl.”
“I will never marry you. What on earth made you think that I would consent to such an atrocity? I don’t know why you are so thickheaded that you don’t understand that!”
Marsh advanced on Esme quickly in rage and pulled her up to stand next to him, practically nose to nose. He gripped her chin with one arm and said close to her face, “You will marry me, if you know what is good for you, Esme dear.”
Esme tried not to gag at the smell of unwashed breath, beer, tobacco and stale food. She covered her mouth in an effort to block the offending scent but Marsh snatched it away. Before she could react, his mouth was plastered on hers and his tongue was inside her lips.
Esme jerked away and slapped him as hard as she could before bending over in dry heaves. Before she could rise back up, Marsh had grabbed her hair and pulled her upright. He back-handed her so hard, she saw stars.
“Don’t you ever, ever hit me again. And if I want to kiss you or touch you, you will allow it. You are mine now, understand?”
Esme didn’t say anything, she spat in his face instead. Marsh’s face became purple with rage. He doubled up his fist and punched her in the same spot he had hit her before to render her unconscious.
When Esme was out, again, Samuel began to take off her clothes. I’ll show her. She is mine. That cowboy she married won’t want to have anything to do with her once I claim her and put my seed in her. Even though she was unconscious, it was not a deterrent for Samuel and he proceeded to violate her. Once finished, he straightened his clothes, buttoned his pants and smoothed his hair before heading out the door, pleased with himself. He knew that once she woke, Esme would know exactly what he had done to her. She’ll never go back to that man again. She will be mine forever.
Kade was tired. He had been following the tracks for three days and still he had not caught up with the train. Please, God, let her be okay. Let her know that I am coming. Please help me find her. I can’t live without her now that I have had the joy of knowing her. Please keep her safe.
All he could do was continue to pray. He didn’t know what he would do with the animal who was trying to destroy their lives when he found him. He prayed for strength to do the right thing. It won’t do us any good to find Esme only to land myself behind bars for the rest of my life. But his anger against Marsh was so strong, he had a hard time controlling himself.
Kade groaned when he felt the rain pelt his head once again. He was completely wet and soaked through to the bone. The horse he was using was also tired. He had sent the hand back with his own horse the day before and Kade knew he had to find shelter and another horse soon.
An hour later, he found himself in a town that boasted of a saloon and an inn. He docked at the inn and went inside. The place was pretty run down, but it would suffice. He asked the man who introduced himself as the owner to house the horse in the stable for the night before ordering bread and stew for dinner and a room to sleep in. The owner, apparently a man of few words, obliged silently.
The next morning, Kade woke with renewed energy and ordered breakfast. As he ate, the innkeeper told him that the next town was a day’s journey ahead and the train would be passing through there very briefly. If he was lucky, and arrived by morning at the town, he would be able to catch it. Kade tipped the man well and set off once again. He hoped he could not only find Esme, but a new horse as well, when he arrived at the town.
Esme struggled to contain her anxiety. She had heard the conductor say that they would be arriving at the next town in a couple hours. She hoped to make her escape there. When she had woken again after the beating Marsh had delivered, she had discovered to her horror the liberties the man had taken with her. She didn’t know what she would tell Kade, or how to explain it. She hoped the love they shared was strong enough to overcome what had happened to her.
After that day, she had made an effort to tolerate Marsh, afraid he would
try to violate her again if she stood up to him overtly. Luckily, he seemed to believe he had cowed her with his brutality and she would not act against him again. She hoped that confidence on his part would serve her well and make her escape possible.
Marsh arrived in the room as the whistle which announced their arrival blew. He told her that he would be going to the store to get some items once they stopped at the station. She didn’t say anything, just nodded. Several minutes later, as the train rolled to a stop, Esme feigned the need to go to the lavatory. She thought she may have overacted, but Marsh seemed to buy it and let her go without incident while he headed to the front to disembark.
Esme knew she had to be quick; the train would only be at the station for fifteen minutes. The next stop was in more than three days and she didn’t know what she would do if she had to stay another moment more with her captor.
The lavatory was a foul-smelling place. It consisted of a hole in the ground where anyone was free to “go”. It was barely tolerable when the train was in motion, but whenever there was a stop like this, the smell of the accumulated waste and urine that had built up for years was nearly unbearable.
Breathing through her mouth and the handkerchiefs she had tied around her face, Esme opened the long window that was in the lavatory and climbed on the sill. Bracing herself for impact and praying she didn’t break anything, Esme jumped. The force of her fall winded her and she laid prone on the ground for several minutes. When she was able to catch her breath and stretch her back without pain, she gingerly got to her feet.
Surveying her surroundings, Esme felt the thrill of victory. She had done it! She was free! Now she needed to get to the post so she could send a telegram to Kade. He must be so worried! And my Sophie, my darling Sophie! I am coming, my loves! Behind her there was a forest but she didn’t know what was in front of her because the train blocked her view. The train blew a warning whistle that jerked her out of her contemplation. Good grief, has it been ten minutes already?! Think Esme, where do you go?
[2015] Western Love Page 5
