by Renee Ryan
They clambered up the slope. Rocks and loose soil gave way under their feet. Mary lost her balance, falling into Will.
He caught her in his arms. “Are you all right?”
“Fine.” Mary struggled in his embrace, making him slip farther down the hill.
“Calm yourself, or we’ll both go tumbling down. I mean no harm.”
Mary stilled, allowing him to get his bearings, then he let her go.
“The ground is unstable through here. Perhaps you should wait where we found the lace.”
“I’m fine.” She stepped away and began climbing back up the muddy slope.
Though she’d only been in his arms for a few moments, he missed her warmth almost immediately as she departed. She’d spent the night in a barn, yet all Will could think of was how sweet Mary smelled.
Maybe he was the addlepated one.
They reached the crest of the hill. Despite the rain washing away most of the evidence of human activity in the area, slide marks were clearly imprinted against the ground. Emma Jane had most likely slid down the other side of the hill. But what of Jasper? So far, there had been no sign of his friend.
Hopefully, they wouldn’t find a mangled body at the bottom. But as Will’s eyes followed the path, he couldn’t see finding anyone alive as being a likely outcome. Not with the jutting rocks and brush scattered about.
Mary seemed to follow his gaze. Seemed to understand his thoughts. “It doesn’t look good, does it?”
Her voice cracked a little, and Will wished he could spare her this pain.
“I can take it from here, if you wish.”
Mary shook her head. “No. She’s been alone for so long, I can’t bear for her to endure this alone, as well.”
Who was Mary Stone that she could love a near stranger so deeply? Will couldn’t help himself. He took her hand in his and squeezed hard. “I’ll take good care of her.”
“I know. But I still need to do this.” Mary squeezed back and didn’t let go.
Could this mean Mary was finally starting to trust him?
The crunch of gravel behind them reminded Will that they weren’t alone. Such familiarity with Mary would be seen as improper, even though he had no ill intent. He let go of Mary’s hand and turned in the direction of the sound.
“We think someone fell down the slope here.” Will pointed at the disturbance in the soil.
“I should get the horses.” Josiah’s solemn tone said what none of them could say. The horses would be needed to transport the body.
Will swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He’d seen dozens of dead bodies before. Had delivered the bad news more times than he’d care to remember. But he’d never had to be with a lady as she saw the body in its natural state.
He started to pray, to spare Mary the pain of what they would find. But then stopped himself. If God hadn’t helped him save innocents from a bank robbery, why would the Almighty lift His hand in the case of their missing friends? No, it was up to Will to make this right.
“We’ll follow the trail,” Will said, looking at Mary. He wouldn’t try talking her out of it, not when it hadn’t done any good before. But he’d do what he could to protect her.
Will and Mary followed the trail down the hill while the Haggertys went for the horses.
As they got farther down the mountain, Will could hear a faint cry for help.
“Did you hear that?”
Mary nodded and picked up her pace.
“We’re coming,” Will called back. “Keep talking, so we can find you.”
“Help!” A man’s voice.
“Jasper?” Will picked up his pace.
“Yes. We fell down an old mine shaft. Watch your step.” The voice, an echo, but clear.
Will held out his hand. “Mary, the ground is likely unstable near here. Walk slowly toward me and take my hand.”
She did as she was bidden, understanding the danger without having it spelled out for her. One more thing to admire about her. Will knew few women of that level of sense.
“Is Emma Jane with you?” Mary’s plea made him remember the object of their search. Finding both Emma Jane and Jasper would be a boon they desperately needed. At this rate, he could have both ladies safely delivered to town by nightfall.
“Yes, but she’s hurt.”
Hurt, not dead. The heaviness in Will’s heart lifted. At least that was one pain he could spare Mary.
“Emma Jane!” Mary’s yell echoed against the forest.
Will looked at the terrain around them, spotting a disturbance in the dirt a few yards ahead. He guided Mary in that direction, testing each step to be sure of the ground’s stability.
Several yards ahead, he spotted a hole in the terrain, a rough, jagged spot that looked as though the edges would cave in at any point.
“I think I see where you fell. Let me see what I can find to get you out.”
Mary started in the direction of the hole, but Will stopped her. “See the cracks in the ground there? It’s too unstable. If we get too close, we’re liable to make the cave-in even bigger and end up right with them.”
“Emma Jane!” Mary called again, but Emma Jane didn’t answer.
“She’s unconscious,” Jasper called back. “Still breathing, so I think she’ll be all right.”
Jasper had no medical training, but now was not the time for Will to let Mary know.
“I’m going to find some felled trees to put across the opening as support.” Will spoke loudly so Jasper could hear, but looked at Mary.
“What shall I do?” Mary’s voice was quiet, almost as though she finally understood the seriousness of the situation. But, because she was Mary, she wouldn’t be satisfied to simply sit and do nothing. How could he not admire her?
“Put our water together in one canteen, and whatever food we have left. Toss it down to them, but warn Jasper before you do so.”
He wanted to add a caution about not getting too near the edge, but as he watched Mary in motion, he could see that she’d already figured that out for herself. Smart, capable and honorable. What was not to like about Mary?
The sound of riders approaching in the distance brought Will back to attention. He started in that direction to warn them, grateful for the extra hands that would be available for the rescue.
Finding Emma Jane and Jasper had been much simpler than Will had imagined. And with happier results than he could have anticipated, even with Emma Jane hurt. He hadn’t needed the Lord’s aid in finding Jasper and Emma Jane; perhaps that was where he’d gone wrong the first time in his quest to bring Ben to justice. Too much time praying and not enough doing what his own hands could do.
Chapter Eleven
The Haggertys had decided that it was closer to bring Emma Jane and Jasper to the Spruce Lakes Resort rather than back to their ranch. This time of year, they had a doctor in residence at Spruce Lakes to cater to the wealthy families who frequented the vacation spot. The time saved in going directly to the nearest doctor would be well worth the expense of such an extravagance. At least that was Mary’s line of thinking. She’d already determined to cover the cost, no matter what it took. The last thing Emma Jane needed was another financial worry on top of her family’s ruin.
Will interrupted Mary’s pacing along the front porch of the hotel. “I sent word to town to let folks know Jasper and Emma Jane are safe.”
Mary nodded slowly as she watched the light breeze ruffle the water of the lake. “Safe is relative, I suppose. I would feel better if Emma Jane would awaken.”
“The doctor says she was hit pretty soundly on the head. Give her time.”
Time was a luxury she didn’t have. Even though her family knew she was safe, and Mary was confident in Polly’s ability to keep the peace in Mary’s absence, it didn’t make her any less nervous.
But how could she leave Emma Jane now?
“I should go sit with her.” Mary turned to enter the hotel, but Will stopped her.
“The doctor an
d Mrs. Haggerty are with her now. I heard Mrs. Lewis offer you use of a bathhouse and some clean clothes. You should take advantage while you can.”
Mary didn’t look at him. If he were Joseph, she’d make a joke about him telling her she smelled bad, but as much as she tried convincing herself to only have the sisterly sort of feelings toward Will, she couldn’t muster the ease of being a sister to the man.
The trouble was, Will was all man. The more time she spent with him, the more she saw him performing such noble deeds as rescuing a poor woman like Emma Jane, the more she couldn’t see him as anything but a man.
She should go. Do exactly what he mentioned. Yet, a part of her couldn’t bear to leave him.
“It’s nice out here. After all that rain, I can’t bear to not be in the sun.” It suddenly felt warmer on the porch but not because the clouds had moved. Will’s gaze seemed fixed on her, despite her resistance to looking at him.
“Why Ben Perry?”
The words came from Will quietly, but the force of their meaning was not lost on her.
“I told you. We’re no longer engaged. It’s a misunderstanding, that’s all.” Perhaps, if she stayed away long enough, Ben would set his sights on some other heiress. No, she wouldn’t wish that on anyone. But was it too much to hope that his misdeeds would catch up with him, and he’d be run out of town?
“You were once. Why?”
Though gently spoken, Will couldn’t have asked a harsher question. Oh, she knew what he was about. Trying to persuade her in all kindness and goodness to share things that she could not. Would not.
“My life was different then.” Mary smoothed her skirt, noting the mud caking the bottom. “I should go bathe.”
Will stepped in front of her, gentility lacking in his movement. “Why do you keep avoiding my questions?”
“For the same reason you keep asking them.” Mary met his gaze, refusing to flinch. “You say you can help me, but you have no idea what kind of man he is. What he’s willing to stoop to. There’s too much at stake.”
His eyes set firmly on her. “Don’t you think I know that? It’s the reason I aim to bring him down. But I need your help.”
“Who are you to go after a man like Ben Perry? If the law hasn’t caught up with him by now, surely an ordinary man such as yourself can do no better.”
Not that Mary wanted him to be anything other than an ordinary man.
He looked at her with the same intensity as the sheriff in Ohio who’d questioned her. Oh, why couldn’t she have just admitted to the truth then?
So many things she would have done differently.
Will’s expression had become more solemn and contemplative. Perhaps he, too, was realizing the foolishness of trying to do something best left to the authorities.
She turned to go back into the hotel. “I think I will take Mrs. Lewis’s generous offer now. I’m sure they’ll be needing me soon to help with Emma Jane’s care.”
“How can you be so mule-headed?” Will’s words tore into Mary’s retreating back.
Mary stopped. “I told you, there’s nothing I can do in the matter.” She brought her attention back to Will. “Leave the things of the law to the law. They’re equipped to handle the likes of Ben Perry. Not me.”
This time, she continued her trek to the cabin. She could feel the heaviness of Will’s gaze. But she wasn’t going to let him get to her. Not now, not ever.
Even if she could get someone to believe her side of the story, what good would it do? Speaking up was fruitless. In fact, with Rose’s rage at her secret engagement, it would only further strain family relations. Rose already didn’t believe the facts Mary had shared. There was no way her sister would believe that she’d had nothing to do with the thefts.
“Mary,” Will called.
She stopped but didn’t turn around.
“Despite the fact that Emma Jane was nothing to you, you risked your life and reputation to care for her. Why would you have compassion on a woman with such a prickly personality, but allow a man like Ben Perry to roam free?”
Mary took a deep breath. Saving Emma Jane, mostly from herself, was a penance that gave her soul some comfort for all the torment it suffered because of her actions with Ben. The wind whipped up around her, chilling her through the thin cotton dress Mrs. Haggerty had lent her.
Allowing Ben to roam free? Surely there was nothing she could do, save pray that the next time he crossed the line, the law would catch up to him.
*
As Will watched Mary leave, it was tempting to call her back. To finally confess the entire story. But he suspected that might only make things worse. Besides, he wasn’t a lawman. Not anymore. A disgraced lawman held little attraction to anyone looking for safety.
Footsteps crunched behind him, and Will turned. Jasper approached, leaning on a makeshift crutch.
“Should you be up and about?”
Jasper shrugged. “Better than having Mrs. Haggerty and Mrs. Lewis fussing about me. I appreciate Mrs. Lewis’s kindness, but if I have to hear another word about the eligible women here at the resort, not to mention her own daughters, I think I’ll go mad.”
“You’ll have to marry eventually.”
“I know.” Jasper kicked at a rock with his bum foot. “But is it so much to ask for a man to be allowed to have a little adventure first? My father wants me to learn the ins and outs of the business. My mother is so busy trying to keep me safe that I could suffocate from her efforts. Maybe if I help you bring down Perry, I’ll finally feel like I can settle down.”
Or it would give his friend enough of a taste of the life he craved that he couldn’t give it up. But Will would be stupid to not accept Jasper’s help.
“Could be,” Will said slowly. “You know I can always use an extra man. So long as the doctor says your leg is up to it.”
“Nothing a few days’ rest won’t fix. He’s leaving now. You can go ask him.”
Will turned and watched as the doctor left the house. “I hope Emma Jane is going to be all right.”
The air stilled around them. “I don’t know what I’ll do if she’s not. I owe Emma Jane my life,” Jasper said quietly. “I mean, sure, she was the one who got herself trapped in an old mine going out in the dark by herself. She was fortunate I happened to be outside and heard her cry out. But I didn’t do any better, falling in while trying to save her. Still, when the mine caved in, she risked herself to push me out of the way. If she hadn’t…”
Jasper’s voice trailed off, and he turned toward the lake. Will recognized the speech of a man who’d faced death and was looking for redemption. A far better calling than having to apprehend an outlaw.
Then Jasper looked back at Will, his face contorted with pain.
“Emma Jane’s not as bad as everyone thinks she is. She even apologized for throwing herself at me. Said talking to Mary made her realize that she’d pursued me for the wrong reasons. I think Mary needs to have that same talk with all the ladies in town.”
With that last sentence, Jasper’s voice lost its solemnity and returned to the old Jasper Will had known. The accompanying wink told Will Jasper was going to be all right.
That Mary had played such a role didn’t surprise Will. In fact, it served to grow his admiration for her. If only she would trust him enough to be an ally against Ben. Surely Mary had more sense than what he’d witnessed Daisy possessing. Despite his vows not to compare the women, he was beginning to wonder if perhaps he should. Mary wasn’t the same woman as Daisy. She was a stronger, much more rational woman. If only Will understood her connection to Ben. That was the only area in which he could accuse Mary of being completely clueless.
“Speaking of Mary…” Jasper’s voice almost matched that of the silly girls he’d so recently put down. “You two seem awfully close for her only to be part of a case you’re working on.”
Trust Jasper to know the leaning of his thoughts. He’d make a good investigator, and if he weren’t the sole heir to a large bank
ing fortune, Will could see Jasper having a promising career in law enforcement.
“We’re—” Could he venture so far as to call Mary his friend? In other company, he’d do no such thing. He wouldn’t dare risk a stain on her reputation. But this was Jasper.
“I don’t know,” Will said instead. Probably the closest to the truth if he knew what that truth was. “I need her help, but she won’t talk to me about Ben Perry. I find that the more time I spend with her…”
He glanced in the direction of the hotel. If he had to be honest, he’d say that he enjoyed her company, and not just because he hoped to get information from her. Mary Stone was a good woman. He admired her. He respected her.
“You’re falling in love with her, aren’t you?”
Will’s head whipped around at Jasper’s question. “I can’t afford to fall in love with anyone.”
He knew he was wrong to keep bouncing back and forth in his opinion about comparing the two women. But he’d tried love once, and all it had done was leave him gut-shot and badgeless.
“Didn’t you just tell me that I was going to have to marry sometime?”
Before Will could answer, Jasper nodded slowly. “You’re like my father, then. You don’t think love and marriage have anything to do with one another.” He let out a long sigh. “Perhaps it’s just as well. My mother’s old school friend has a daughter of marriageable age coming to visit next week. She’s been hoping for a match between the two of us. I suppose it’s time I resigned myself to my fate.”
Jasper turned and started toward the house. Will wanted to call out to him and tell him that Jasper had misinterpreted his words. True, he did not believe in the power of love, but neither was Will willing to accept a marriage based on someone else’s wishes. Which was why Will had determined never to marry.
These thoughts, however, seemed more appropriate for the giggling young women Will and Jasper so disdained. Love and marriage. Subjects they were ill-suited to manage. Jasper had the family business to carry on, and of course he’d need sons. But Will had no legacy to pass on, other than that of a disgraced lawman.
Yes, it was best for Will to never marry. To not examine any positive feelings toward Mary. He’d do what he could to foster a cooperative relationship with her so that he could put this case with Ben Perry to bed, and then he’d move on.
