“Katie,” he said, “will you come out into the courtyard with me?”
“Yes, of course.”
After asking Maria to excuse them, Katie followed Tom outside.
He lifted his hat and adjusted it on his head. “I’m going to ride into Stillwater to see the sheriff.”
“What about?”
“I’d like to set up a meeting between Jeremiah and Sarah Jane. I think she’ll be able to identify him as the man who assaulted Erin in Pleasant Valley. And after those shots were fired at us when we arrived today, we should have enough evidence for an attempted murder investigation—on you, as well as Caroline, especially if Erin has anything to add.”
Katie reached for Tom’s arm. “Please be careful. He might have been gunning for you.”
“I’ll be all right. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be back in an hour or two. But before I leave, Harrison wants me to have a couple of his men guard the house and yard.”
“Do you think Jeremiah will come looking for Sarah Jane here?”
“I doubt that he’d be that daring. But just to be on the safe side, keep Sarah Jane in the house until I return with the sheriff.”
“I’ll look after her,” Katie said. “And we’ll both stay in the house. I promise.”
Tom stroked her cheek, his gaze locking on to hers. “Watch yourself, too.”
“I will. And just so you know, I may not follow orders, but I always keep my promises.”
“So you told me.”
She thought he might kiss her before he left, but he merely smiled then walked away.
Still, they were a team. And she’d never been more committed, more determined to follow one of his orders, than she was today. She would stay inside the house. And she’d guard that child with her life.
After Katie returned to the sitting room, Maria rose from the chair on which she’d been seated. “I’m going to find some old toys and some scraps of cloth and ribbons for Sarah Jane to use to decorate the little house. Do you want to help me?”
Katie glanced at the child and saw her playing happily, the dog resting beside her. Knowing that guards were being placed outside the house, she felt comfortable leaving the room.
“Sure.” Katie followed the housekeeper down the hall, around the corner and into one of the guest rooms at the back side of the hacienda.
“We do not use this room much anymore,” Maria said, as she opened the door of an ornate mahogany wardrobe. “Just for storage.”
She pushed aside a stack of blankets on one of the bottom shelves, then pulled out a basket filled with small pieces of fabric and doodads.
“I thought these scraps would come in handy one day,” Maria said.
After she set the basket on the table, they began to sort through the ribbons, lace and pieces of cotton and flannel. Next they searched the wardrobe for other odds and ends Sarah Jane might find useful.
When Katie and Maria finally returned to the sitting room, carrying a doll, a wooden horse, a stuffed dog, the basket of fabric scraps and a box of buttons, they spotted the dollhouse in the middle of the floor but no little girl playing beside it.
“Sarah Jane?” Katie called. “Where are you, honey?”
She placed the basket on the settee. Where had she gone?
“Perhaps she went to the kitchen,” Maria suggested.
Katie hoped so, but an uneasiness settled around her. She’d promised Tom that she would look after the girl, but now she didn’t have any idea where she was. At least the dog was with her.
“She has not been gone long,” Maria said. “Maybe she wanted another cookie. Or some milk.”
“Maybe, but I’m not going to be happy until I know where she is. I’d better look for her.”
“I will start in the kitchen,” Maria said. “Then I will check the rest of the house.”
“I’ll go outside.” Again, Katie reminded herself that Lobo was with the child, and that Tom had instructed the dog to protect her.
Fortunately, two cowboys now stood at the edge of the courtyard. She assumed they were the men Tom had asked to guard the house, and she felt instant relief.
“Excuse me,” she said. “I’m looking for Sarah Jane. She was supposed to be in the sitting room, but she’s not there.”
“We just took up our post,” the taller man said. “But we haven’t seen her. Maybe she’s in the outhouse.”
“I’ll check.”
But Sarah Jane wasn’t there, either. She hadn’t been gone long enough to go very far. Still, Katie couldn’t shake a growing sense of dread.
When she returned to the courtyard, she checked inside the house. Maria hadn’t found her yet.
Back outside, one of the guards in front said he’d check the barn and the gardens while the other had to remain at his post. “If I don’t find her, I’ll gather up some of the men to go in search of her.”
“Yes, please have the men look for her,” Katie said. “In the meantime, I’ll check outside the perimeter of the courtyard.”
There was still no sign of the dog or the child.
Katie searched the horizon. To the east lay a grassy meadow, and farther ahead, a thick copse of cottonwoods.
Oh, dear. Had the girl gone in search of flowers to decorate her dollhouse, just as her mother had?
Had she left before Tom had sent the men to guard the courtyard entrance?
She spotted Abel heading for the barn, obviously searching for her there. And several men were striding toward the outbuildings.
Katie cupped her hands to her lips and called out as loud as she could. “Sarah Jane!”
No answer.
Well, for goodness’ sake. What did she expect? The poor child couldn’t speak.
Again, Katie looked ahead, hoping to see the black-haired dog or the blue color of the gingham dress Sarah Jane wore. But she feared Sarah Jane’s blond head would blend with the high, wheat-colored grasses swaying in the breeze.
Where in the world could she be?
When Katie had been that same age, she’d wandered off at least five times and had been brought home by the sheriff on one occasion. But then, Katie had always been a rebellious and adventurous child. On the other hand, Sarah Jane seemed quieter, more eager to please.
Picking up her skirts, Katie rushed forward, scanning the grassy areas while keeping her eyes on the trees ahead. Surely, her imagination had begun to play tricks on her, frightening her and goading her into overreacting.
Why, Sarah Jane might be at home this very moment, sitting safely in the kitchen, munching on oatmeal cookies and drinking a large glass of frothy milk. And here Katie was, gathering thistles and foxtails in her stockings and along the hem of her skirt. Perhaps they would all laugh about it later, about how Katie had come back looking like a frazzled wild woman.
Still, Katie couldn’t settle the knot in her stomach, the ache in her heart. Nor could she fight back the sting of tears in her eyes. After all, Maria would have called her back to the house if she’d found her, wouldn’t she?
Unseen insects, buzzing and chirping along the way, reminded Katie of the nasty rattlesnake she’d frightened nearly a week ago, with its ugly head raised, rattles shaking, eyes staring her down.
She blinked back the memory, fought the bone-chilling fear and took care in watching her steps while looking for the child.
Dear Lord, she prayed, I know it’s been a while since You and I have talked. And that’s my fault. I’ve drawn away from You—out of pride, stubbornness and just plain foolishness. I’m sorry for that. It’s just that I’ve always tried to do things on my own before, but I’m finally beginning to realize how much I need You. And how much I need others—like Tom and Sarah Jane. So please forgive me. I need You, Lord. Especially now.
“Help me find Sarah Jane,” she said aloud, raising her eyes hea
venward. “You know where she is. Be with her and protect her. Be with me, too. And guide my steps.”
* * *
Well, would you look at that? Jeremiah was in luck.
About a hundred yards from the hacienda, just inside the copse of trees where he hid, Sarah Jane peered to her right and then her left, as if she was searching for something.
“Lobo?” she whispered. “Come back, Lobo. Where did you go?”
When she turned her back, Jeremiah stole away from his hiding spot and grabbed her from behind. Then he clamped his hand around her mouth before she could scream.
“So we meet again,” he told her.
His arm circled her tightly. He could feel her little heart pounding like a runaway locomotive.
“I told you I’d be back. Remember what I said I’d do if I caught you talking about me? And what I’d do if you told anyone you’d seen me?”
Her head nodded.
“I ought to strangle you here and now, then leave your body for the wild animals to find.”
Her heart beat all the faster, as if she knew the danger she was in. But he continued to hold her mouth shut, keeping her quiet until he could insure her silence for once and for all. “There’s a ravine not far from here. It would be a shame if you wandered off that way and fell to the rocks below. What a terrible accident. It would be even more tragic than your mother’s unexpected tumble down a flight of stairs, don’t you think?”
As he started across the grassy meadow toward the ravine, his grip loosened on her mouth. He started to adjust his hand, but before he could do so, she bit down on his finger as hard as she could.
Jeremiah swore, then struck her face, jarring her silly. The brat was as feisty as her mother, but he’d deal with them both in the same way.
He’d no more than taken two steps when he heard a bark. He looked to the sound and spotted a wolf racing toward him, eyes blazing, teeth bared.
Again he swore, then he drew his gun and shot the animal, dropping it in its tracks.
The kid let out a bloodcurdling scream. “No!”
“Shut up,” he said. “I’ve got another bullet just for you.”
“I hate you,” she cried. “You killed my mother, and you killed my dog.”
“Well, now. That surely hurts my feelings. Yes, it does.” Then he slapped his hand across her mouth again, quieting her, and headed for the ravine, where he would rid himself of her for good.
* * *
As Katie continued through the meadow, following what appeared to be bent and broken blades and stems of grass, she spotted a mashed spot up ahead that had been trampled down.
Was it fresh? Could Sarah Jane and Lobo have passed this way and stopped to play here?
She wished Tom was here to read the tracks, to relieve her fears, to hold her hand.
But he wasn’t, and Katie was all Sarah Jane had.
A gunshot sounded from where the cottonwoods grew in a thick cluster. Before Katie could consider her next move, she gathered her skirts and darted toward the trees.
“Sarah Jane,” she called, realizing the foolishness of charging head-on into gunfire.
She slowed her steps as she reached the trees, all the while looking for a sign of Sarah Jane—a footstep, a hair ribbon, something that would convince her to continue into the shadows.
A whimper sounded to her left. When she turned toward the noise, her heart turned inside out. For there, in the grass, lay Lobo, his head and shoulders bloodied.
“Oh, dear God,” Katie muttered. All her fear came rushing forth. If she had a gun, she would put the poor animal out of its misery, but she didn’t have a weapon.
No weapon....
What was she to do now?
She’d been so intent upon finding Sarah Jane that she’d marched forward without forethought and had fallen into a trap.
Lobo raised his head and slowly hobbled to his feet. The poor dog. Katie wished she could take the time to help him, comfort him, but as it was, she feared she might not find Sarah Jane in time.
She hadn’t gone far when a twig snapped under her foot, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. “Well, now,” a male voice drawled. “You have someone to keep you company, kid.”
Katie turned slowly, her eyes lighting upon the narrowed brown eyes belonging to Jeremiah Haney.
“Let her go,” Katie said, hoping her voice didn’t betray her fear.
Jeremiah cocked the hammer of his pistol. “Put your hands in the air.”
Katie lifted her arms slowly, her mind reeling at how to save Sarah Jane. She’d worry about her own life later. “Take me and do as you will, but let Sarah Jane go. She can’t talk, so she can’t possibly hurt you.”
He laughed, the tone hollow. “Oh, no? She didn’t have a problem telling me she hated me just minutes ago.” He glanced at the child he still held, his hand pressed against her mouth. “Isn’t that right, kid?”
Sarah Jane didn’t respond, but she didn’t have to. Her face, which had lost all color, and her eyes, as wide as those of a cornered wild animal, said it all.
Katie didn’t challenge the comment, either. She just watched Jeremiah warily, her heart pounding to beat the band.
Jeremiah chuckled. “The kid used to jabber all the time, just like a mockingbird. How Caroline could stand it, I’ll never know.”
“What are you going to do with us?” Katie asked, ignoring the issue of Sarah Jane’s speech and hoping to gain some time, time for someone to come to their aid.
“I can’t let you go. Start walking,” he said, nodding his head deeper into the grove. “I’ve got to get out of here before someone figures out where that gunshot came from.”
Katie had no alternative but to advance in the direction he indicated, hoping and praying someone found them in time.
With each step through the trees, Katie’s fears intensified. She had to think of something to distract Jeremiah, to slow him down. If she could buy some time, someone might find them before he killed her and Sarah Jane. For she had no doubt that was exactly what he intended to do.
“Why did you murder Caroline?” she asked.
Her question seemed to take Jeremiah aback. He slowed his steps but continued to point the gun at Sarah Jane’s head. “I didn’t. She fell down the stairs.”
Katie decided to take another line of questioning. “Why are you keeping Martha medicated?”
At that he stopped. “What are you talking about?”
“I was at your house. I saw your wife, and I spoke to Olivia.”
She had his attention now, because he stopped walking altogether. And her only hope was to stall for time until someone found them.
“Martha isn’t sick,” Katie said. “And she isn’t crazy. Why did you imprison her in the house like that?”
“Because she accused me of marital infidelity. She would have gone to her father, who’s been holding her inheritance over my head, even though he had his own share of indiscretions. And I need to keep her quiet, at least for a while longer.”
Apparently, Jeremiah hadn’t gone home yet. So he didn’t know that his wife had left with her father. Either way, Katie had to keep him talking. “Martha accused you of having an affair with Caroline?”
“Oh, I was willing. I’d always had my eye on her, but she went out of her way to avoid being alone with me. I’m not really sure what kind of game she was playing.”
“Perhaps she wasn’t interested in you.”
Jeremiah’s eyes narrowed as though he could see something Katie couldn’t. “She was a natural-born harlot. She wore those britches by day and low-cut gowns at night. So one day, when I caught her in the hayloft with one of the cowboys, I ran the guy off. Then, when she and I were alone, I had my chance. She struggled some and pretended she didn’t want it. But I knew that she did. And when it was over, I wiped her tears and t
old her it would be better next time.”
“You forced yourself upon her,” Katie said, her fists clenching at her sides.
“Like I said, she only pretended not to want it. Besides, I wasn’t her first. When Harrison had caught her and that no-account cowboy kissing, he’d threatened to kill the kid if he ever caught them together again. So I told Caroline that I would tell her grandfather I found them both in the hayloft.”
“That kept Caroline quiet?” Katie asked, not sure why the young woman wouldn’t have approached her grandfather first and simply told him what Jeremiah had done to her.
“Before that preacher started coming around here, talking about love and forgiveness, Harrison had a fierce temper. He would have shot that kid before Caroline could blink an eye and she knew it. And she would have done anything to protect him.”
“How old was Caroline when all of this happened?”
“Old enough to bear a child.” Jeremiah glared at Sarah Jane, then chuffed.
“So when Martha hired that investigator and found out about Caroline’s baby, she thought the child was mine. But look at her. Anyone can tell she’s not. She’s too pale and scrawny. She doesn’t look at all like me.”
Katie swallowed back the bile that had risen in her throat, trying hard not to imagine the painful thoughts going through Sarah Jane’s mind. But before she could speak, the little girl turned her head, freeing her mouth from Jeremiah’s grip.
“My daddy’s name was Davie. And he was strong and brave. Mama never would have loved a man like you. My daddy was good and kind.”
Jeremiah glared at her, “Oh, yeah? Well, your good ‘daddy’ left her when he found out about you.”
“That’s not true,” Sarah Jane said, lip quivering slightly.
“What would you know? You’re just a couple years out of a diaper.”
“I know a lot,” Sarah Jane said, small chin lifting. “I know my mama hated you, and I know why she fell down the stairs. She was trying to get away from you, and you pushed her.”
“Yeah, I pushed her all right,” Jeremiah said, all signs of humor leaving him. “And I’m going to give you and your pretty friend a push, too.”
The Rancher's Courtship & Lone Wolf's Lady Page 45
