Woman of Courage (Four Full length Historical Christian Romances in One Volume): Woman of Courage Series

by Cynthia Hickey

  “Shut them up.” Bodine swung onto his horse. “These braves will have hangovers and might not be partial to the whimpers of little girls.”

  The Indian who’d ridden with Delly sat up and scowled in her direction. He groaned and cupped his hands around his head.

  “Shh.” Delly kept her gaze on him and scooted farther beneath the tree branches. “Nobody’s going to live with the Indians.” Not as long as she drew breath. She’d think of something.

  Zeke, where are you?

  15

  Delly’s muscles screamed in protest as the Indian yanked her to her feet. Pinpricks stabbed her feet as circulation resumed. She kicked the man’s shin and received the back of his hand to her lip in payment. The taste of copper filled her mouth. Her already swollen mouth throbbed.

  With all the anger she could summon, she glared at him. He could get her back on that horse, but she’d fight him every step of the way. Hopefully, her attempt at stalling the Indians would give Zeke the time he needed to find them.

  Blood dripped down her chin. The brave motioned her forward. Delly shook her head. With a grunt, he stomped away. With her hands tied behind her back, Delly couldn’t wipe her lip. She spit and raised her eyes to where the Indian towered over her again. In his hand he held a rope with a loop at one end.

  Her blood froze as he slipped it over her head like she was an unwanted dog. With another fierce tug that almost took her to her knees, the brave mounted his horse. Delly gasped. He intended for her to walk.

  Dorcas screamed and slid from the animal she’d been perched on. She pummeled the Indian’s leg. “You can’t make her walk.” The brave raised his fist.

  “Get back on the horse, Dorcas.” Delly lifted her chin. Her plan may have backfired, but she’d never let on the Indian had won, and she wouldn’t have her daughter in danger because of her stubbornness.

  “But, Ma.” Dorcas’s cornflower-blue eyes shimmered with tears.

  “Now.” She couldn’t bear it if he struck Dorcas. She’d endure whatever she needed to in order to prevent that from happening.

  The child nodded and allowed herself to be put back on the horse. Delly closed her eyes, prayed for strength, then stared into the face of her captor. He grinned and kicked his horse into motion.

  As the morning wore on, Delly’s spirit sagged. Obviously the previous night’s rain led Zeke down the wrong path. Each step took her and the girls farther away from him. Unless, by his coming, he’d put the rest of the train in danger. Could that be the reason for his delay? Would he allow the loss of three to save the others?

  She couldn’t see him doing that, but how well did she really know him? He thought nothing of jumping into a river to save a child, but to enrage a handful of Indians? Maybe Delly was expendable.

  By noon, sweat poured down her brow, her steps dragged. She could no longer jog to keep up. Perspiration burned the raw skin on her throat. She wished she’d decided on a more docile approach to captivity. Several times her legs gave out, only to have her hauled back up with a tough yank that left her neck sore. Perspiration burned like fire ants over her raw skin. She licked lips dried from the sun and squinted against the glare. What she wouldn’t give for a sip of water.

  It appeared they’d done nothing but follow what looked like a river bottom, full of rocks and bushes struggling to survive. Storm clouds gathered over head, filling the distant sky with rumbles. Delly glanced at her captor’s back. Surely, they knew the dangers of traveling a ravine during rain.

  The Indian up-ended a whiskey bottle, drained it, then tossed it to the ground where it shattered against a boulder. Delly’s skin prickled as lightening flashed and the first drops of rain began to fall.

  Her skirt tangled around her legs. “Please, stop.” She fell to her knees, then prostrate. The Indian dragged her a few feet before he stopped, yelled something to his comrades, then dragged Delly to a bush where he discarded her like a pile of wet laundry.

  She lay still and gave her tears free rein as despair threatened to wash over her with as much violence as the rain’s downpour. Zeke wasn’t coming.

  Within minutes, the girls were shoved toward her. They curled up against her, providing a semblance of warmth against the rising chill. The ground beneath them quickly turned into puddles of mud. Delly struggled to a sitting position. The last thing she wanted was to drown in the mud.

  Pain and fear quickly turned to alarm as the water continued to rise. The Indians whooped, drank, and splashed their drunken selves through the ankle deep water.

  “Girls.” Delly used a tree to push to her feet. To their right sat a waist high boulder with a flat top. “We’ve got to climb on that rock. You’ll have to help me. I can’t do it with my hands tied.”

  With the agility of monkeys they scampered up and both grabbed an arm to tug Delly beside them. Their perch offered no protection from the rain, but at least they were out of the water.

  ###

  Zeke spotted the ravine moments before they galloped to the edge. They’d lost half a day trying to track in the rain and ended up going off course. He reined in his horse and held up his hand for Luke to slow. They dismounted and belly crawled until they could peer over the ledge.

  “There they are.” Luke pointed.

  Delly and the girls huddled on top of a large rock while the rain continued to pour from the sky. A tattered rope hung from Delly’s neck. Biting back his anger, Zeke scanned the area, noting the six drunk braves and empty whiskey bottles. This would be easier than he’d thought. He motioned for Luke to draw back.

  “We aren’t going to wait for the others. They can’t be far behind, even if they did get lost like we did. But there’s no telling how long this group will stay here.” Zeke stared into Luke’s wide eyes. Fear and determination shone back. “I’ll sneak around to the other side. When I start firing, that’s your signal to do the same.”

  “I’m here.” Hiram squatted next to them. “ I out rode the others, and didn’t lose the tracks quite as easily as the two of you.”

  “Thank you, God.” Zeke clapped him on the shoulder, grateful for the other man’s tracking skills. “Shoot as fast as you can. Don’t worry about aiming. We want them to think there’re more of us. We may be able to get out of this without anyone getting killed. Got it?” The last thing he wanted was the retaliation of these Indians’s friends, unleashing their fury on the wagon train.

  “I’m not a very good shot, Mr. Williams.” Luke’s shoulders hunched.

  “Just pull the trigger.”

  Luke nodded and tightened his grip around the rifle. Zeke crouched and hurried to around the rim to the other side of the ravine, bringing him closer to Delly and the girls. His foot slipped on loose gravel and he paused, waiting for a cry of alarm. He slid more, sending a small avalanche down the hill. Please, don’t let them see or hear me descending. Don’t cry out, Delly. I’m coming.

  Would the Indians kill the girls if they thought they were surrounded? Zeke prayed not. He made his way more carefully until he estimated he hid opposite from Luke and Hiram, then ducked behind a boulder. He peered above the rock.

  One of the braves approached Delly and stroked her hair. She tilted her chin and said something. Zeke grinned, imagining the barrage of venom-spiked words she most likely spewed. The fact she and the girls still lived, gave him hope. If his plan failed, he prayed there’d be another chance to free them.

  He raised his arm and aimed. His first shot shattered one of the bottles. The Indians yelped and scrambled for their horses. Luke and Hiram fired from the other side. The Indians returned fire half-heartedly and leaped onto their mounts. Zeke fired again and the Indians galloped away, leaving their captives behind.

  Zeke smiled. The braves didn’t want them for themselves. If so, they would have fought harder to keep their prizes. Who did they work for? He slid his way down the hill.

  “Zeke!” Delly straightened. “Thank God.”

  He fell to his knees beside her and cupped her
face in his hands. “Are you all right?” He noted the rope burn around her neck and her swollen face. He second guessed his motivation of a peaceful rescue, instead his fingers wanting to curl around the butt of his pistol and put a bullet through the men.

  “I’ll be fine, but Abby’s face is bruised from where one of them slapped her.”

  Zeke pulled a knife from his belt and sawed at her ropes. “There’s no end to the trouble you get into, is there? Didn’t I ask you to wait until we reached Laramie?”

  “Very funny. Just cut me free.”

  The blade sliced through the fibers and he laughed when she lunged at him, throwing her arms around his neck. They fell back into the dirt. He returned her hold and kissed her, finally laying claim to the lips he’d desired for weeks. She tasted of dirt, tears, and something so sweet his heart thumped with a furious erratic beat. “You definitely keep life interesting.” She’d most likely regret her impulsive action the next day, but Zeke didn’t care. She fit in his arms, whether he wanted her to or not. He’d examine his feelings later.

  Delly leaned an elbow on his chest and stared into his eyes. “Did you come alone?”

  “No. Luke and Hiram are with me. The others are less than an hour behind us.” He wanted to kiss her again. But the other two faces staring imploringly into his stopped him. “Let’s get you three home.”

  He whistled for his horse and the others. Within minutes they rode to join them. Zeke mounted, then pulled Delly onto the saddle behind him. Luke and Hiram each lifted a girl up behind them.

  Delly nuzzled against his back. “You smell better than my last companion.”

  “Thanks.” He patted her hands which were wrapped around him. “That doesn’t say much for the other guy.” The odor of his perspiration rose in a cloud. Didn’t say much for her sense of smell, either.

  “Bodine was behind this. He was going to sell the girls to the Indians. He said he had another buyer for me. He wanted to lure you here with a trade, then kill you. Me for the deed.” Her voice shook. “Thanks for coming after us.”

  Bodine! Zeke’s hands trembled where he held the reins. Everything in him wanted to head out after the man and leave the wagon train in Hiram’s capable hands. But, he couldn’t leave Delly behind. Not after what she’d gone through. He forced his voice to remain calm.

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t imagine reaching Oregon without you. It would be a mighty boring trip if you weren’t here.” He flicked the reins and sent his horse into a slow gallop. His heart stopped when he thought of what might’ve happened had they not got there in time. He’d have to do something to keep his family safe, even if it meant checking on the other emigrants less often.

  They met the other men as they headed back. Abby’s father slid from his horse and ran toward them. He pulled her from in front of Luke and wrapped her in a big hug. Tears streamed down the man’s face. “Thank you, men.”

  Zeke nodded and continued toward camp. By the time they reached the wagons, Delly’s head bobbed with sleep, and he tightened his grip around her to prevent her falling. By morning, she’d most likely regret their kiss, but for this moment, he’d savor the feeling of her arms wrapped around him.

  Sadie sobbed and covered her face when they approached the fire. Junior wiped his eyes and thrust out his chin in an obvious attempt to look tough and unflustered. At the sight of the sleeping Dorcas, Sadie struggled to her feet then rushed the child into the wagon to feed her and change her into clean clothes.

  Junior handed him a cup of hot coffee. “I’m sorry I didn’t look out for them better. I know I promised you I would.”

  “They’re fine, son. You can’t watch over them every minute.” He clapped the boy on the shoulder. “These things can happen. If you’d have been there, they would have taken you too.” Or worse, killed him. They wouldn’t have had much use for a half-grown boy.

  Zeke extended his hand to Luke. “Good job out there. I’d be proud to ride with you anytime.”

  Luke’s teeth flashed, and he returned the hand shake. “Didn’t know I could ride like that.” He patted his backside. “I’m going to feel it tomorrow. Never rode anything but a farm horse or a mule before, and then nothing more than a trot.”

  “Well, again, I’m glad to have you along.” Zeke slid from his horse and patted Delly awake. “You should go in the wagon and get some sleep.”

  She nodded. “I don’t think I really knew what this trip would entail. It’s one trial after another.”

  “Trials make us stronger.” Sadie joined them and handed Delly a cup of coffee. “Mr. Williams is right. You need to get your rest. Dorcas fell back asleep right away, poor thing. Luke and I will take care of things out here.” She smiled up at him. “And my man deserves a fine dinner.”

  “I’m pretty hungry too,” Zeke spoke up. “Think you could fix me something before the two of you get all mushy?”

  “It’s already cooked, Mr. Williams. I’ll fetch you a plate.”

  After a meal of beans and rice, he leaned against the wagon wheel and stared into the fire. Now that Delly and the girls were out of danger, anger and fear overtook him. His hands shook. He knew what he’d be capable of if he ever saw Bodine again and the thought took his breath away.

  It wouldn’t be the first time he’d shot a man, but that was in the past. Now he did everything he could to prevent another’s death. But that was before he found himself head over heels about a slip of a girl. He’d have to do something about her, and fast. Before she got one of them killed.

  ###

  Delly shook out her dirty dress, then hung it over the backboard. Zeke must think her wanton and addle-minded. Turning down his proposal one minute, and throwing herself at him the next. With a groan, she tugged her nightgown over her head.

  Widowed less than a month, had it only been that short a time? and her mind turned to a handsome man with shoulders that stretched a mile. How could she face him come morning?

  She’d tell him how grateful she was for his rescue, and skirt around the issue of her behavior. Hopefully, he’d chalk it up to a woman’s hysterics. She’d made it clear she had no intentions of marriage. He’d said the same. So, there shouldn’t be a problem, right?

  She grabbed her Bible and turned up the wick on the lamp. There had to be something in God’s Word to tell her what to do in a situation like this. Her fingers paused in flipping the pages. His will. Delly had not once stopped to ask God His will. Not when she promised Ezra to head west, and not in the situation with Zeke.

  The deed poked from under the leather front cover. What if Delly were never meant to come?

  16

  When they arrived at Fort Laramie, the sun sat high in the sky and beat with summer’s ferocity on Delly’s head. She removed her face rag and wiped her perspiring brow. “Finally, a few days of rest and fresh food.”

  The rectangular shaped fort wasn’t large enough to hold all their wagons so Zeke called for them to form their customary wagon circle outside the walls. Heat waves shimmered around the fort, causing it to appear like a desert mirage. A few trees managed to hold onto life, and someone, in an attempt to make the place more welcoming, had planted wildflowers by the gate.

  Zeke leaned against the wagon, his tilted face shadowed by his hat. “I’m going to meet with the captain. Would you like to go with me?”

  “I’d love to.” Delly held out a hand for him to help her down, while averting her face. Maybe he could act like nothing transpired between them, but she couldn’t. Even after almost a week of avoiding him, her face heated. She didn’t believe he was used to kissing women willy-nilly, but nothing more had been said.

  Zeke laughed and grabbed her by the waist to swing her to the ground. Obviously he did remember and felt the urge to poke fun at her red face.

  The captain greeted them with a smile and a handshake. Zeke wasted no time in filling the man in on Delly’s abduction. She blushed under his sharp scrutiny and tried to make light of her situation.


  “You’re lucky to be alive, Mrs. Williams.” He removed his hat and ran a finger down his handlebar moustache. “We’ve had some unpleasant encounters with the Sioux recently. Stupid, really. An incident over a cow that got out of hand. But it did result in deaths on both sides. They haven’t been particularly friendly lately. Took over the Platte ferry and killed the two men who ran it. We have to keep the cannon manned around the clock now.”

  Delly shuddered. “They didn’t seem to be on the war path. They captured us for a man named Ira Bodine. The Indians seemed more interested in whiskey than us.”

  The captain scowled. “That man brings trouble every time he rides through here. We’ll keep an eye out for him. He’s nothing more than a fancy hired hand. We’ll throw him in the stockade if we have to.” He replaced his hat. “Enjoy your stay and be careful. Our red-skinned neighbors are resenting the flood of white people moving across this land.” He tipped his hat and marched away.

  “I’ll leave you to your shopping, “Zeke said, his eyes sparkling. “I’ve business to attend to.”

  “I’ll meet you back at the wagons.” What did the man have up his sleeve now? With a skip in her step, Delly headed for the trading post, bypassing Sophia Miller who seemed to have an unwarranted interest in their conversation with the captain.

  Inside, Delly fingered a bolt of pink flowered calico and another of blue checks. Curtains for their new home, and clothes for the girls. She calculated the money she had stashed then grabbed the fabric, plus a bolt of plain muslin. She moved on to essentials. Soon, her arms laden with parcels, she stepped outside onto a wood plank porch.

  Sophia stormed up, dragging her young son behind her. “You’ll do just about anything to capture Mr. Williams’s attention, won’t you?”

  “Excuse me?” Delly shifted her parcels.

  Luke jogged to her side and took her packages. “I’ll take these back to the wagon for you.”

  “Thank you. They were getting heavy.” She transferred her attention to Sophia. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but you sound mistaken to me.”