Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho

by Janelle Mowery

  Rebekah collapsed against her father, sobs shaking her shoulders. Nate read the note once more. Never before had the blackmailer kidnapped someone. But to take a child was pure evil.

  He held the note in front of Perry. “Do you recognize the handwriting?”

  Perry wiped his eyes and took the note from him. After examining it for several moments, he handed it back. “No.”

  Nate held it in front of Rebekah. “How about you?”

  In much the same manner as her father, Rebekah dabbed at her eyes so she could see. “I don’t think I’ve seen it before.”

  Frustrated, Nate wanted to crumple the paper. He thought surely they’d say it looked like Thomas’s handwriting. When they came in and found Thomas gone, instead of watching the livery, Nate shoved aside his good will for the man. Thomas could be involved with the sheriff in this wicked scheme. He would have had the easiest time leaving the note behind.

  “What about the type of paper? I’ve noticed it’s different than any I’d seen before. Is this something everyone uses or a kind only you sell in town?”

  Frowning, Perry looked again, then rubbed the sheet between his fingers. He shrugged. “I just assumed it’s common. I order it out of my catalogue to use it in the livery, but I sell it too.”

  That wasn’t the answer he’d hoped for. If only Perry sold this particular type, it would have painted Thomas as an absolute party to the scheme. For now, he’d keep his suspicion to himself. No need to upset the Weavers further.

  Rebekah clasped her father’s arm. “Let’s go to the sheriff, Daddy.”

  Nate caught Perry’s eye and gave a slight shake of his head. He didn’t trust that man any more than he did a cat with a limping mouse.

  Perry finally grasped Rebekah by the shoulders and looked her square in the eyes. “I want you to lock yourself in the store.”

  She was shaking her head before he finished. “No, Daddy. Please. I want to help look for Andrew.”

  “But, honey—”

  “No, Daddy. It’ll kill my soul to have to stay here and not help.” Tears flowed down her cheeks.

  Nate watched Perry weaken and finally nod. “All right, but only if you promise to stay close to one of us. I can’t have you getting taken too.”

  Nate’s heart clenched with fear. He’d feel much better if Rebekah stayed with her mother.

  Before he could suggest just that, Perry chimed in with another comment. “In fact, you stay with Nate until I can let your mother know what’s happening.”

  Coming close to demanding Rebekah go with her father, he bit back the words when he saw the relief on her face. With her along, he wouldn’t be able to move very fast, but at least he’d know she was safe.

  “Perry,” he called before he disappeared out the doorway, “let’s meet up in about half an hour. The two of us will check with everyone along Washington Street while you ask those down Jordon Street. We can meet on the other end.”

  “Good plan.” Perry gave a wave and was gone.

  Nate dipped his head to gaze into Rebekah’s eyes. “You sure you’re ready for this?”

  She put her fingers over his lips, making his heart lurch. “Don’t even try to talk me out of this. I’ll go without you if need be. I want to help find Andrew.”

  Nate grasped her shoulders. “Either you promise me you’ll stay by my side, or I’ll toss you over my shoulder and take you to your mother.” He put his face inches from hers. “Do I have your word?”

  Blinking several times, she nodded her agreement. She looked so adorable with her messy hair hanging in limp curls, he had to force himself not to pull her close and plant a kiss on her lips. He released her and took a step away to fight the urge.

  With his hand on his pistol, he escorted Rebekah to the first building on their street. Just as he was about to enter, she stopped him by grabbing his elbow.

  “This would go much faster if we split up and each took one side of the street.”

  The idea of her going off on her own about stopped his heart. He leaned down to make sure she understood. “Don’t even try it, Bek. I’ll carry out my threat of throwing you over my shoulder and have you halfway home before you can even think about screaming.”

  Mouth open, she stared up at him with surprised wonder in her eyes, yet not a word was said. Returning her gaze, he couldn’t take it any longer.

  “What? You don’t think I’ll do it?”

  Slowly shaking her head, she never took her eyes from his. “You called me Bek.”

  Stunned, he stood up straight. “I did?”

  She nodded.

  He raised his brows. “Was that bad?”

  The sweetest smile crept across her face. “I guess not.”

  When they found Andrew, he and Rebekah needed to have a talk. Or at least spend time alone so he could sort through the feelings racing through him now. In the meantime, he gave her a wink and a nod.

  “Let’s find your brother.”

  He pushed open the door and questioned the owner about whether or not he’d seen Andrew. Over and over, as they worked their way along each side of the street, they received the same answer. No one had seen him. Several of them didn’t even know of Andrew. Most of them asked what was wrong, but Nate refused to be tied down answering questions. They didn’t have that kind of time.

  He stopped and grasped Rebekah’s hand. “You doing all right? Do you need to stop and rest or anything?”

  “No. Let’s keep going. I won’t go home without Andrew.”

  He nodded. “Let’s go then.”

  When they arrived at Henry’s shop, the door was locked. Nate cupped his hands and peered through the big front window. No light shone from the back and Nate couldn’t see anyone moving inside. He hoped Henry was just opening a little late. The alternative was that Henry had decided to go ahead and move away, and Nate wouldn’t accept that. Henry was too good a friend. Once they found Andrew, he planned to find Henry next and make sure he stayed in town. If Nate caught the blackmailer, Henry wouldn’t have to pay the money they demanded, which meant he wouldn’t lose his business.

  They continued down the street until they reached the end, everyone having given the same answer. No sign of Andrew. Empty-handed and with no more information than when they started, they went to meet Perry. They only had to wait a few minutes for him to arrive, but he wasn’t alone. Kate had joined him.

  Together once again, Perry motioned toward his wife. “Now you can see where Rebekah gets her stubbornness. I couldn’t persuade my Kate to stay behind. You find out anything?”

  Nate shook his head. “Not even a little bit. You?”

  “No. Now what?”

  Before Nate could come up with a suggestion, Kate stepped in front of her husband. “Call another meeting, Perry. You’ve got to get everyone looking for Andrew. We can’t do this alone.”

  Perry stared at her face for several moments, then pulled her into a hug. “You’re right. We’ll get started immediately.” He turned to face Nate but still held Kate with one arm. “Nate, go back down that street again and tell everyone to meet up at my livery. Tell them it’s important, that it’s an emergency.” He drew a deep breath. “You tell them whatever you need to get them moving. We need the help of every breathing soul in this town.”

  Not waiting for an answer, Perry marched back down Jordon Street, still holding Kate’s hand. He stopped at a shop, pounded on the door, and asked questions in his desperate attempt to find his son.

  Nate glanced down at Rebekah. Tears in her eyes, one hand covered her mouth as she watched her parents. Nate reached to take her hand, telling himself it was to make sure she stayed close and wouldn’t get hurt. Then he, too, marched toward Washington Street to alert the town to the new trouble facing them.

  Taking time to explain to the business owners and residents about the kidnapping and getting back to the livery took much too long, especially when Nate saw that Henry was now in his shop. He tapped on the window to gain his attention befor
e opening the door and allowing Rebekah to enter ahead of him.

  “Good morning, Henry. You had me worried.”

  “I did?” Henry struck a match and held it to the end of his cigar, puffing several times until it glowed. He shook the match, extinguishing the flame. “About what?”

  Nate shook his head. Henry and his cigars. He sure started early in the morning. “We were by earlier, and you weren’t here.”

  Henry lowered his head, then dropped heavily onto the chair next to him. “I had a rough night. Drank too much when I started thinking about this blackmailer.” He made a helpless gesture with his hands. “I don’t know, young Nate. I’m not sure I can stay here.”

  Before Nate could respond, Rebekah crossed the distance between them and knelt in front of him, putting her hands on his. “We’re going to stop him, Mr. Gilmore. Give us time. Don’t leave just yet.”

  Nate stayed back and let Rebekah do the talking. If it was possible to get Henry to stay, she could get it done. She had a way about her, a certain something he couldn’t explain. He could see by the softening expression on Henry’s face that he also thought so.

  Henry reached out to caress her unscarred cheek. “My dear, you’ve been through so much and yet you still care what happens to someone as worthless as myself.”

  Nate could see moisture shimmering in Henry’s eyes. All the hardships were making him suffer. Nate had to get this blackmailer stopped before he hurt anyone else.

  Rebekah covered Henry’s hand with hers. “You’re not worthless, Mr. Gilmore. You’re a leader in this town, a model for others to follow.”

  Henry shook his head, but Nate stepped up to speak before he could deny Rebekah’s words. “She’s right, Henry. Don’t do anything yet. Give us some time. This town needs you. I need you. Look what you’ve done when it comes to people’s opinion about me.”

  Rebekah stood next to Nate. “And we won’t take no for an answer.”

  With a chuckle, Henry finally nodded. “You two are good for a man’s soul.”

  “Great,” Rebekah said before Henry could change his mind. “Now, in the meantime, we need your help. My brother is missing.” Her voice broke.

  Henry’s bushy brows touched as he frowned. “What do you mean, missing?”

  Nate put his arm around her and took over explaining. “Perry received another note from the blackmailer. He says he has Andrew. If the Weavers want him back alive, they have to come up with a lot of money. We’re getting everyone in town together to see if they’ll help find Andrew. That’s why we’re here. Everyone is meeting at Perry’s livery.”

  Henry pushed to his feet. “Then why are we still standing here talking about me? Let’s get going.”

  Nate had Henry escort Rebekah on to the livery while he notified everyone else down the street. He found them several minutes later and moved to Rebekah’s side. If it were possible, she seemed both strong and fragile. She gave him a tiny smile when he stood next to her and her mother. Perry decided to wait awhile to give everyone a chance to arrive so they’d have to explain the situation only once.

  All the curious chatter of the crowd produced a buzz like that of an angry beehive. If Nate had his way, he’d swat the residents away the same as he would the bees. In his opinion, getting everyone involved would do nothing more than create more confusion. But since Andrew was the son of the Weavers, they had every right to reach out to anyone they wanted. He hoped their plan worked.

  Perry jumped onto the back of a wagon he’d pulled from his livery and whistled for everyone’s attention. They all fell silent.

  “By now I’m sure you’ve all heard at least bits and pieces of what’s happened. Now you’re going to hear everything, and when I’m finished, I hope I can count on each of you helping me and my wife.”

  He motioned for Kate to move closer, and she came to stand right in front of him. He crouched down and placed his hand on her shoulder.

  “As most of you know, we received a note telling us to pay two hundred dollars if we didn’t want anything to happen to our businesses. We called a meeting asking everyone to help fight the blackmailer.”

  He lowered his head for a moment, giving it a slight shake before lifting it again to face them. “Because I called that meeting, that blackmailer decided to take my boy and ask for even more money. I—” His voice broke, and Nate saw his throat working to swallow. “I’m asking each and every one of you for your help once again. We’ve searched our home, businesses, and the town for Andrew, and haven’t been able to find him or any information about his whereabouts.” He paused. “I’m hoping—no, I’m begging all of you to help us search for our son.”

  Henry’s fist went into the air. “We’ll get your boy back for you, Perry.”

  Cheers went up from most of the crowd.

  Cora’s father stepped up to the wagon. “We’ll all close for the day. Then we need to put together a plan—who all is going to look in which directions. If we spread out, we’ll cover more area.”

  Perry reached to shake Mr. Peters’ hand. “Thank you, Carl. Will you help with getting everyone going out in the right directions?”

  “Sure will.” Carl Peters waved his arms to get everyone quiet. “I need eight men willing to lead search groups.”

  Several men crowded toward the wagon, ready to get their instructions. As they leaned down to watch Mr. Peters draw in the dirt, an explosion made each of them drop to the ground.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Heart thundering, Rebekah stooped and covered her head. As the blast echoed through town, she rose and looked to the west. A thin spiral of smoke climbed in the sky. She turned to her father, who’d also stood and looked at the smoke.

  Daddy pointed. “That came from the direction of my mine.”

  Mama grabbed his arm, her face filled with terror. “Andrew might be in there.”

  Rebekah’s heart tripped over a couple beats before slamming to a start again. Eyes wide, Daddy gathered Mama close. “And now it’s probably closed up tight.” He glanced around. “I need everyone who can dig to come with me. I think that explosion came from my mine, and my boy might be inside. I know my partner is in there.”

  Rebekah stood back as everyone opened Daddy’s livery and grabbed horses and mules, wagons, shovels, and anything else that might help dig Andrew out of the mine. Daddy and Mama climbed onto the wagon seat.

  Nate ran for his horse, only to be stopped by Daddy. “I need you to stay here with Rebekah.”

  Rebekah ran up to her father. “But I want to go. I want to help.”

  Daddy handed the reins to Mama, jumped to the ground, and took her by the arms. “Sweetheart, I need you here more than I need you out there.”

  “But—”

  “Listen to me, Rebekah. If another note shows up, I need you here to find it and let me know what it says. You have to stay, for Andrew and for us. Please don’t fight me about this. We don’t have the time.”

  Nate moved to Rebekah’s side and put his arm around her shoulders. “We’ll stay. We’ll do whatever we can from here.”

  Rebekah didn’t get a chance to respond. Daddy nodded at Nate and climbed back onto the wagon and slapped the reins against the rumps of the horses. In seconds, they disappeared behind the livery along with most of the town’s residents.

  She stared at the spot she’d last seen her parents. Her heart ached so much, she thought it might explode and cave in like the mine. “What if Andrew really is in there?” Her words came out in a hoarse whisper.

  Nate gave her shoulders a squeeze. “If he is, they’ll get him out.”

  Horrible visions went through her mind. “But what if—”

  Nate stepped in front of her, dipped his head to look into her eyes, and put one finger over her lips. “Stop right there, Bek. It’s never a good thing to think the worst. Pray and ask God to protect him until we get him back.”

  The tears she’d been fighting finally won and ran down her cheeks.

  Nate’s gaze sof
tened. He put his hands on her cheeks and wiped away her tears with his thumbs.

  “Oh, Bek,” he whispered as he held her against his chest. “We’re going to find little Andy and get him back to you. I won’t stop looking until he’s safely back home and throwing snakes and frogs at you again.”

  Rebekah laughed through her tears. “I’d give anything right about now to see Andrew tossing a snake at me.”

  Nate held her away and gazed into her eyes. “You’re going to eat those words when we find him.”

  Rebekah dabbed her face with her sleeve, sucked back a sob, and nodded. Like a balm, Nate managed to soothe her raw emotions. The fear remained, but with him by her side, she’d get through this awful day. He took her hands in his and bowed his head.

  “Dear Lord, we ask that You watch over Andrew and keep him safe, along with all those looking for him. Give us wisdom and strength as we continue fighting the evil in this town. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  Rebekah nodded. “Amen.” She wanted to hug Nate for his thoughtfulness. Instead, she peered up at him. “Now what?”

  He released one of her hands but kept hold of the other as he led her toward the store. “Now, you’ll lock yourself inside and not open it for anyone until I get back.”

  Her heart thumped. He was leaving her. “Why? Where are you going? I can come with you.”

  He never stopped walking, nor did he look at her. “Nope. Not this time.”

  Something was wrong. She could feel it. “Why, Nate? What are you going to do?” she called after him. He didn’t answer so she caught up to him and pulled him to a stop. “What are you thinking, Nate?”

  He looked at her for several long moments before blowing out a loud breath. “I think Thomas is involved, and I’m going to find him and learn the truth once and for all.”

  Stunned, Rebekah yanked her hand free of Nate’s. “I told you he’s a good man.” She huffed several times, ready to explode again. “What do you have against him that makes you keep attacking him?”

  He reached for her, but she pulled away. “I don’t have anything against him, Bek, but you’ve got to see it from where I stand.”