Quickly but carefully, Esme began to walk. The last thing she needed was for Marsh to come back at that very moment and find her missing from both the room and lavatory. He would see the open window and put two and two together. When she cleared the train, she saw the Sheriff’s office up ahead, she knew she could send a message from there – and tell them about Marsh too. Maybe they could help her get home. Walking faster now, Esme approached the building and entered it.
Samuel whistled as he shopped and paid for his purchases. In the next town, he planned to take Esme to the nearest preacher to wed her and then settle there. If Kade Scott went searching for Esme, he would go to her old home. He’s probably on his way there now! Laughing to himself at his own cleverness, Samuel made his way back to the train and boarded. When he entered the cabin he had bought for Esme though, she was not there. He checked the dining area and did not find her there either. When he saw the open window in the lavatory, Marsh became angry.
The chit has some nerve, thinking to take off like that! How dare she?! And here I tried to be civil and give her free reign of the train. Well no more. She’s going to be locked inside the compartment from here on out!
Samuel quickened his face when he heard the warning whistle. He stopped by the compartment to take his bag and money before disembarking. As the train pulled out of the station, he caught a glimpse of Esme stepping into the sheriff’s office.
Kade ran his horse hard. The innkeeper said he would need to arrive at the station at sunrise or he would miss the train – it was barely there for fifteen minutes! Even though he was practically flying towards the town, Kade knew it was hopeless. At best, it would take him another hour to reach the station and it was nearly sunrise now! The horse could only go so fast and he knew she was almost through. If only she hadn’t thrown a shoe in the middle of nowhere! I could be there by now!
Thirty minutes later, Kade had to accept defeat. The horse refused to budge, she was out of strength and he was out of time. They were in a deserted area, there was no place he could go to get another horse, not even a place he could go to water the poor miserable beast. Kade sank to his hunches behind the animal and leaned against her.
“Help me, Lord!” he pleaded. “I just want to hold her again.”
Esme tried to reign in her elation as she left the sheriff’s office. She had managed to send the telegram and the train was gone – she prayed it had taken Marsh with it. She needed to find an inn where she could stay while she waited for Kade. She still had some of the funds she had swiped from Marsh the previous night. As she walked, her stomach rumbled. She had not eaten since the night before and she was starving.
She saw a market ahead and entered. The boy at the counter told her they had biscuits and eggs available and she gratefully ordered it. As she sat at the table in the back corner, she thanked the Lord for his protection. Her gratitude was short-lived, however, when the front door chimed. Craning her neck, she barely managed to keep quiet when she saw Marsh’s distinctive figure enter the store. She couldn’t be sure it was him but she couldn’t take the chance of waiting. Quickly, she quietly eased out of her seat and covertly made her way to the front of the store. She knew the bell above the door would chime when she left but there was nothing she could do about it.
As she feared, she heard a shout of recognition behind her as soon as she opened the door. Esme stepped out into the street and began to run. She saw merchants ahead of her setting up their carts for the day and ran for them praying they would provide some sort of cover for her. Esme heard Marsh shouting behind her and ran with all her might. She was not used to running and Marsh had longer legs than she. They were beginning to attract attention.
She got to the merchant stalls and, as she had hoped, the crowd provided a measure of cover she could lose herself in. She hid herself in a narrow alley and ducked behind a pile of garbage. She sighed with relief when she saw Marsh walk by as he searched for her in the crowd of people.
The sound of horses caught her attention; across the street, two horses were tied to a pole. A plan formed in her mind. Softly and carefully, Esme left her make-shift protection and stepped out onto the street under cover of the crowd and made her way to the horses. Furtively, she glanced around but did not see any sign of Marsh. Praying no one could see what she was doing, Esme calmed the horses and let them catch her scent. She tried to remain calm so she wouldn’t spook the animals. They were friendly enough and calm when she untied the rope tying them to the pole. She led both of them away in the opposite direction, hoping no one would question her or stop her. But she need not have been worried, everyone was too caught up in the morning bustle to pay her or the horses any attention.
She didn’t dare mount one of them immediately, it would put her above the crowd in height and Marsh would be able to see her clearly. So she continued to walk until she got to the tracks. Quietly, she led them into the cover of the forest. Praying forgiveness for stealing the horses, she clambered on the back of the one who seemed stronger and set the other one free.
Once again Esme set out in the opposite direction, going back the way she had just came, using the trees for protection. She passed the crowd in minutes and made her way to the outskirts of the town, following the tracks. The trees were starting to thin; she knew she would need to move fast to avoid detection. Heart in her throat she led her horse into the open when she crossed the town line and began to quickly pace him into a near run.
After ten minutes without hearing the sound of perusal, Esme breathed a sigh of relief. She stopped and checked all around for any lurking figures but did not see anyone in the open area. Praying that she was going in the right direction, and giving the horse reign to gallop, she continued to follow the tracks.
“Oh you think you are so clever, don’t you dear?” Samuel mumbled to himself. He had watched Esme untie the horses and had followed her to the tracks. She was smart, he gave her credit for that, but not as smart as he. He took the chance that she wouldn’t mount the horses in the crowd; he also knew she wouldn’t use both horses and would need to set one free. So he followed her carefully and bade his time. When she released the other horse, Samuel took it and set out after her. She was going along carefully but he knew she would follow the tracks so he sped up past her and crossed the town lines before Esme did. Now it was time to play cat and mouse. Let the poor creature think she had the upper hand and had bested him. When she stopped for the night, he would make his move.
Time passed slowly and quickly for Esme. She was tired and hungry and her body was starting to hurt, unaccustomed as it was to riding. She slowed her horse down to a gentle trot in an effort to soothe her aching muscles. When that did nothing to help her, she got down and walked the horse for some distance as she contemplated her options.
Suddenly, the noise of galloping hooves caught her attention. Heart in her throat, she looked all around her to see if Marsh had caught up with her after all. But the rider was not behind her, the horse that came to view was ahead of her. Esme mounted her own horse again, preparing to flee if she needed to. A single woman travelling alone could attract the wrong attention. But the horse raced past her without stopping. Esme only caught a brief glimpse of the rider. She whirled her horse around.
“Kade?” she gasped breathlessly.
“KADE!” she screamed, praying she was right. The horse and rider slowed to a stop just a few yards ahead of her and slowly turned. The rider pushed his hat off his head and stared at her. She saw his lips move but couldn’t hear the sound. It didn’t matter. She would know that face and form anywhere. They dismounted at the same time and ran towards each other. He opened his arms and she launched herself into them, laughing and crying at the same time.
Kade held Esme so tight she couldn’t breathe, but she didn’t complain. He picked her up and whirled her around in his joy, set her down and pulled her into another embrace. He kissed her all over her face and ran his hands over her body checking for bruises, relieved when he found
none.
“How touching.” A sneering voice said from behind them.
Both Kade and Esme stiffened as they turned to face Marsh. In their excitement neither one had noticed his approach. He had a gun leveled at Kade’s head. Kade slowly swept Esme behind him and pressed her to the ground without a word. Esme was too stunned to speak.
Marsh didn’t say anything more, he just cocked his gun. His face was a mottled mix of anger, hate and jealousy as he stared at Kade. The two men stared at each other, each waiting for the other to make his move. Kade was crouched low, arms open. He didn’t have a weapon on him, his gun was in his saddle bag.
Before either man could move, a whirl of pink and cream attacked Marsh and sent him sprawling, his gun flying out of his hands. Kade took his chance without hesitation and followed Esme’s move. He straddled Marsh and began to punch him in an effort to immobilize him. But Marsh was strong, he fought back and soon their positions were reversed. The men tumbled around on the ground, each desperate to get the upper hand. Suddenly a shot rang out and both men froze as the bullet flew haphazardly close to their heads.
Esme held the gun in between two shaking hands. Kade took advantage of Marsh’s distraction and struck a powerful blow to his head, rendering him unconscious. Esme nearly cried in relief when she saw the tall man crumple to the ground.
Kade opened his arms and she ran into them. Neither one said a word, they just held each other tight and reassured themselves the other was alright. After long moments, Kade broke away from Esme and told her to keep an eye on Marsh.
“If he moves even a little, shoot him in the leg, okay?”
Esme nodded her understanding. Kade went to his saddle bag and rummaged around until he found some rope. He came back and trussed up Marsh like a Christmas goose and tied him to the horse Esme had ridden. Miraculously, none of the horses had ran away amidst all the noise and gunfire, they had nerves of steel. Kade also tied the horse Marsh had used to his own. He helped Esme mount in silence and climbed up behind her. Neither one spoke, they were reveling in the chance to just hold one another.
Kade led them back to the town and delivered Marsh, still unconscious, to the Sheriff, explaining everything the man had done. Then he hunted down the merchant who owned the two horses Esme had stolen and paid him handsomely to purchase the horses - nerves of steel didn’t come easily or cheap and he was going to buy them while he had a chance.
Kade and Esme stayed in the town that night (and the next several ones), at the local inn. They both needed the rest after the tumultuous week they had been through. Kade sent a telegram home the first night to let everyone know he and Esme were safe and would be home soon.
They spent the next several days like new lovers, indulging in each other and satisfying themselves that the other one was alright. They put Samuel Marsh and his machinations behind them and focused on themselves. Esme explained to Kade what Marsh had done to her, but Kade reassured her beyond any doubt that he still loved her without reserve and did not blame her in the slightest.
Esme sighed contentedly as she laid her head on Kade’s chest. God was good. Despite all the upheaval of the last few days, the fears and worries and heart-aches and the anxieties, she and Kade were back together where they belonged – with each other. Sophie was safe, whole and free and Esme was happier than she had ever believed she could be. Growing up an orphan, she had thought her life was a waste but God had redeemed her and given her a life beyond anything she could have imagined. She would not trade all the struggles that she had gone through because it had blessed her with Sophie, her heart’s joy, and led her to Kade, her heart’s home.
*****
THE END.
Unwilling Father
Mail Order Bride
CHRISTIAN MICHAEL
Chapter 1
New York
“You get us the money, or else.”
Shona O’Malley leaned as far back as she could from the ugly, smelly man who had her arm in a viselike grip.
“Let go of me you oaf.” She tried to struggle away but he pulled her closer.
“One month’s time or I come for you and your children. Ya hear me?”
Her children? Was this man insane?
“I’ve got no children, you fool. Let me go.”
He squeezed harder, staring her down then released her with a shove to match. She went stepping backward, nearly falling but catching herself just in time. The man turned and stalked off but Shona stood still in shock. Who did he think she was? She had no children and she owed no one money but—
Reality crashed in upon her like a wave upon the shore. He thought she was Shannon. Her sister, who looked almost like her twin, had indebted herself to save her children more times than Shona could count on one hand. That had to be it. But that meant…
Shannon had moved away not but two weeks before. She’d married some man who had a house in the country and could take her away from it all. And now Shona was in danger of being harmed for debuts she hadn’t incurred.
Feeling sick she placed her hand on her stomach. The feeling soon turned to anger, as it usually did. How dare Shannon leave without telling her of the possibility of this? What was worse was that the man had caught Shona leaving the house where she worked. He obviously knew her habits to have found her there. Did that mean he knew where she lived as well?
Nell walked out from the side of the house and Shona had an idea. “Nell?”
The woman looked startled to hear her name but quickly joined Shona in the shadows of the alley. “What is it, dear?”
“I know this is a lot to ask, you’ve got a family of your own, but could I stay with you for tonight?”
“What’s wrong?” Nell’s brows drew together and Shona knew she could see how shaken she was. “You’re as pale as a Mrs. Grey’s fancy, white cotton sheets.”
“I just…there was a man…” she couldn’t bring herself to shame her sisters name. “He may know where I live.”
“Come home with me, dear,” she said, wrapping a warm arm around Shona’s shoulder. “You’ll have to sleep on the couch though.”
“’Tis fine,” she said and fell into step easily with the woman.
The feeling of dread didn’t leave though. The man knew where she worked, likely knew where she lived, and would be back. He’d given her a month. How could she escape in a month?
Her mind flew to what her sister had done. She’d gotten married. Maybe that was the answer? Shona bit her lip as they crossed a busy street. She’d seen the mail order bride advertisements many times but hadn’t found the courage—or the need—to publish her own. Until now.
***
Golden Hills, Nevada
Calvin Wilkes ground his teeth as he watched yet another governess leave, her back ramrod straight indicating just how much she would miss her position. Not at all.
“Levi!” his tone left no room for argument and his son stepped warily around the corner.
“What did you do to poor Miss Sneed?”
“Nothing, honest.” His bright blue eyes looked upward in what the boy hoped was an innocent look, but Calvin knew better.
“Was it frogs or worms?”
Levi dropped his gaze. “Frogs.”
Calvin let out a defeated sigh. “Son, what have I told you about your pranks! Ladies do not find them humorous. What will I do with you? Go to your room.”
The boy turned, his little shoulders slanted in penance, and trudged up the stairs. Calvin felt a twinge of regret for his harshness but then he remembered that his son had effectively pushed away not one, not two, but five governesses in the span of six months. Calvin had lost count of how many had left before that, but it had been nearly a constant turnover the past two years since his wife’s death.
Calvin ran a hand through his hair, at a loss of what to do next. His housekeeper had suggested marrying again, as if he could somehow just up and pick a wife out of thin air, but that type of commitment was possibly the only thing that would gu
arantee someone would stay despite Levi’s little-boy affinity for reptiles, rodents, and bugs.
He paced the hallway then stopped short.
Maybe that was it. If he brought a woman from the East out to the West, wouldn’t she feel obligated to stay? He wouldn’t necessarily have to marry her, just hire her to take care of his son. It seemed like a reasonable assumption. Though it would mean bringing someone out on false pretenses, but if he chose someone with few other options, maybe it would be worth it to them. Besides, it would almost be less expensive bringing out a woman from the East knowing that she would stay longer than a month. His time was precious and he needed every ounce of it to run his ranch successfully.
Calvin nodded, his mind made up.
Walking into the kitchen he asked if Mrs. Otero, the housekeeper, would watch out for Levi while Calvin ran into town. She frowned at him, one hand stirring the soup on the stove and the other resting on her hip. “Will that child behave?”
He cringed, but assured her that he would make sure. Levi usually did fine with the housekeeper, it was only when Calvin announced a new governess that the child acted crazily.
After a stern lecture to his son and the promise they would talk more later, Calvin rode into town and straight to the general store that also acted as the post office for the town. He picked up the matrimonial journal and, as soon as he was outside, sat on a beach beneath a tree and began to thumb through, stopping to read every few entries.
Then he came across an entry he thought might just work. It was for a Miss Shona O’Malley. She had housekeeping skills and mentioned that she was good with children. It almost sounded like an advertisement he would look at to hire a governess.
He would write to her that night and have it in the post by the morning. The question remained: should he mention that it was for a governess position or for marriage? Which was she most likely to respond to? He needed her to come as quickly as possible…
[2015] Western Love Page 6
