A Question of Hope

by Lynn Landes

  Chapter 13

  “It isn’t possible, that she could just disappear. I mean how many Nuns do you have traveling on a train?” Clint demands of the clerk working at the train station in Chicago.

  “More than you’d imagine,” the clerk snaps.

  “Look, my sister is in trouble. The man she’s traveling with is dangerous.” Clint pulls out a stack of cash and counts it. “What will it take to find out all the connecting trains. I’d imagine they’d not be stopping in Chicago.”

  The clerk flips his sign to closed and licks his lips. “Twenty dollars,” he snaps.

  Instantly Clint pulls out the money and slides it through the cage. The young man grabs the money and flips through his book, dragging a finger down the pages. “Yes, Sir, let me look,” he grabs a pencil and paper and writes down three possible trains.

  “These are the three connecting trains. All going to different states, if you are looking for a married couple that helps narrow things down, but not much. Do you have a name?”

  “No. He made her travel under a fake name.”

  “I’m afraid I’ve done all I can for you, but if you check back tomorrow, I can speak to the porters of those trains and with a description we could narrow it down from there.”

  “Time is of the essence,” Clint glances at the name on the desk plate. “I can pay well for this information. Meet me tonight at the hotel restaurant, by seven.”

  “How much?”

  “Fifty dollars.” Clint knows he has him when the boy’s eyes light up. He walks swiftly to the hotel to check in and plan. Maggie is traveling with a protector. She will watch him die and then he will take his time showing her what happens when you cross a Hayden.

  Chapter 14

  Shep is up early the next morning to send a few telegrams and work. He stops in the restaurant and picks up muffins and coffee before heading back up to his suite. Sleep was difficult. Being separated from Maggie doesn’t sit well with him.

  He knocks on her door and waits for her to open. When she doesn’t immediately open up, he grows concerned. She wouldn’t have gone without him, would she?

  Maggie opens the door and his eyes trail over her from head to toe. Dressed in a navy blue, two-piece travel dress with a corseted waist and bustled skirt, she is a vision. Her hair is swept up in partial updo. Her long blonde curls are draped over one shoulder and her light blue eyes are full of worry.

  “Is it too much?” she sighs and steps back to allow him inside. “I didn’t have time to pack, and I only have the one dress,” she stops talking when he shuts the door behind him.

  “You look stunning, Maggie,” he drops his coffee and muffins on a small desk and walks over to her. Gripping her gently, he smiles at her. “They are going to be blown away.”

  “Thank you,” she sniffs and tries not to cry when he presses a soft kiss to her forehead.

  “My pleasure. I brought coffee and muffins.” He gestures and watches her compose herself as he walks inside her room.

  “I don’t think I could eat, but the coffee smells amazing,” she snags one and they sit down at the small table near her window.

  “I rented a wagon and horse to take us to the mill.”

  Maggie slowly lowers her cup and looks at him. “I imagine you’re ready to get back to San Francisco,” she murmurs.

  “I’m right where I want to be, Magdalaine,” he says.

  Her eyes flash and a blush rushes to her cheeks, “Are you going to call me that every time your frustrated with me?”

  “It’s a beautiful name, and I like the feel of it on my lips.” Shep brushes off her anger.

  “No one calls me, Magdalaine,” she smiles at him.

  “Most people call me Shep, but I admit I like it when you call me Shepherd.”

  “You may call me whatever you wish, Shepherd. I’ve never had a friend like you before,” she teases.

  His eyes flash, “I have enough friends, Magdalaine,” he reaches for her, but she leaps from her chair and backs away from him.

  “We should get going,” she avoids looking at him and grabs her bag.

  Shepherd smiles, “All right, let’s get this family reunion under way.” He stops in front of the door and lifts her chin with a finger. “Remember your promise to me, Magdalaine, say the word and we are on the next train.”

  A shiver runs through her body at the emotion in his voice. She grips his wrist with her cold hand. Tremors run through her body, revealing her nerves. “I remember.” Unshed tears shimmer in her eyes and she nods. “I’m ready.”

  “Together, then.”

  “I like the sound of that, Shepherd,” he grins at her and puffs up with pride.

  “It’s all a part of my plan to win your favor,” he teases as they step from the room.

  Maggie shuts the door and allows him to carry her bag for her. She laughs as she follows him to the elevator.

  The closer they get to the mill the more nervous she becomes. “Tell me about the business,” Shep asks, hoping to keep her talking.

  “We built Falls Mill on the banks of the Mississippi River. The location was chosen because of its proximity to the river. The dam created a boom where logs could be stored and sorted.”

  Shep glances at the sign indicating the turn leading towards the business. They turn down the hard-packed dirt road leading down towards the large Mill. A large three-story high barn looking building sits on a huge platform overtop of the river below.

  “It’s much bigger than I remember,” she whispers. “They built it on platforms over the millponds. Water rushing beneath the structures turns turbines connected to belts and pulleys. They operate the saws Dad uses to cut the wood. It’s all very technical, he can explain it better than I can.” She smiles at the look of awe on his face.

  “Genius design,” Shep murmurs. Anger begins to simmer in his soul. They are clearly doing well. Why would they not fight for her?

  Pride fills her heart as she looks with fresh eyes at what her Father has built. “Go to the Mill,” she asks, and he nods passing the main house.

  “You don’t want to stop at the house first?” he asks softly.

  “No, I’ll go to the office, first. Dad will be in his office this time of morning.” Maggie stares at the looming wooden structure with the large paddle wheel. The sound of the blades running fill the air and Maggie smiles through tears. “I’d forgotten…” she murmurs.

  Shep pulls the wagon to a stop and jumps down, locking the wheels in place. He lowers Maggie to the ground and offers her his arm. She grips it like a lifeline, and they walk slowly towards the main building.

  “His offices are on the main floor, facing the river,” she explains, and they walk inside. Maggie ignores the stares of the saw men working. The noise of the blades and pulleys instantly takes her back, and she smiles. Memories flood in as the scent of sawdust penetrates.

  Shep stares in awe around him at massive pulleys, and belts, ropes, chains, and drive wheels all connected in a network and working for one purpose to move and cut logs. Beneath the wooden floor of the mill a constant rumble of water roaring as it drives the inner workings.

  One by one, the workers stare, but they can’t stop cutting and she wouldn’t expect them to. Someone yells over the blades, “You can’t be in here!”

  Maggie points to the offices and he nods but doesn’t stop working. Shep stays close to her as she guides him through the mill, down a long hallway to stop at a door.

  “Let me go inside first,” Shep says and knocks quickly, pushing it open without waiting for them to call out. Maggie follows and jumps when her father shouts.

  “Shut the bloody door!” and slams his hand down on top of drawings on his desk. Three men are standing with him and they glare at Shepherd waiting for him to speak.

  “Who are you?” a deep voice demands.

  “He’s with me,” Maggie steps out beside Shep.

  It takes him a moment to recognize her, but he moves swiftly behind his desk with
a shout of recognition.

  “Maggie-girl?” his hoarse cry is met with one of her own.

  “Hi Daddy,” she runs into his open arms and sobs when they wrap around her. Maggie drinks in the smell of wood and man, of home.

  Shep smiles and whispers a prayer of thanks.

  “Magdalaine?” A younger man says and whoops with laughter, when she steps back and looks up at him. He jerks her up into his arms and she squeals with her own laughter.

  “Ian!” Matching blonde hair and ice-blue eyes and Shep recognizes her brother’s name. Both men are large, and Shep almost laughs as he understands why she’s never balked at his size.

  The two men slip quietly from the room leaving them with a soft whisper to Shep that they will continue the meeting later. He nods and shuts the door behind them as Maggie tries to stop crying. Shep isn’t surprised when she rushes back to his side and he wraps an arm around her shoulder, offering her his handkerchief.

  The O’Malley men watch with narrowed eyes and her father steps forward, “I’ll ask again, who are you?”

  Maggie almost laughs, until she sees the look in Shepherd’s eyes as he gently sets her behind him and places himself in front of her.

  “My name is Shepherd Millard, and I have some questions of my own? Perhaps you can explain why this treasure is out in the word alone?”

  Maggie’s mouth falls open in shock and she drops into a chair. She’s never heard or seen Shepherd angry before and it makes her thankful that it’s directed somewhere else.

  Ian watches her face carefully and grins as he looks at his father.

  “You find this funny?” Shepherd growls. “I’d forgive the fact that you neglected your duties if you didn’t have the means to come to her when she needed you, but to find you obviously doing well, that just makes it more disgusting!”

  “Shepherd!” Maggie jumps to her feet, but he’s just getting started.

  “No, Magdalaine, we are going home,” he grabs her by her arm and starts walking her to the door.

  “Shep! I just got here,” she whispers through tears.

  “They don’t deserve you, Maggie. I can protect you.” Shepherd snarls.

  “I never doubted that, Shepherd, but it isn’t your job,” she whispers loudly.

  “No, it was theirs. This is a mistake,” he growls.

  “Stop!” Conner O’Malley demands, “Why does my daughter need protecting?”

  Shep turns to glare at him. “Are you serious? Have you never left this building? Do you know what kind of danger is out there lurking and waiting for a young woman!” he roars.

  Ian steps forward almost eye level with Shepherd and shoves him back a step. “You won’t be coming here yelling at my father,” he snarls.

  “You’re right about that,” Shep snaps glaring down at Ian, “I’m yelling at both of you! You’re old enough to have come for her!”

  Maggie watches in horror as her family turn on the man she loves and her heart drops to her feet. I love him, she thinks and all noise fades away. She drops, but Shep grabs her before she hits the ground.

  “Maggie-girl!” she hears her father cry out before the darkness threatens to take her.

  “Breathe, it’s okay,” Shepherd says, and snaps for them to back up and give her some room. Ian grabs a water pitcher and pours a cup of water and offers it to her.

  “I’m sorry,” Maggie sips and stares at them. “Maybe this was a bad idea,” she mumbles and Shep sighs in relief.

  “Exactly. My family will welcome us,” he straightens and turns to greet two angry men.

  “You’ll be taking your hands off my daughter!” Conner snarls. The larger man is flushed red with angry. His dark black hair is mostly white now, and he’s visibly trembling with emotion. “I just got her back.” His eyes trail over her pale face and he shudders.

  “Daddy,” Maggie stands and hands Shep the glass of water. When he starts to argue she turns on him and points a finger. “Shepherd Millard, stop. This was part of the deal. I need to speak to my family. You can stay or step outside, but I’m not going back to the hotel until I’ve had my say.” Her Irish lilt breaks through and he nods grimly.

  “Fine, but I’m not leaving you alone with them,” he snaps.

  “Thank you,” she turns to look at her family. “I’m in trouble,” she watches them closely as she explains. “I didn’t know where else to go. I tried to run. I left San Francisco and…”

  “And me,” Shepherd interrupts.

  “And took a job in Colorado,” she snaps ignoring the jab, “at the hospital, hoping that he’d leave me alone, but he followed.”

  “This man followed you?” Conner grumbles, pointing at Shepherd.

  “No, someone else.”

  “Maggie you’re not making sense,” Ian mumbles. “Who followed you?”

  “I changed my name, so he wouldn’t trace me to you. I’d never forgive myself if I put any of you in danger,” she rambles, and the tears start. “Shep,” she turns and reaches for him. “He will never stop hunting me.” The stress has her trembling, “Oh, this was a bad idea.”

  All three men move when she tries to run. “Not this time, Maggie-girl,” her father snaps and pulls her into his embrace. “No more running. Let’s go home and talk this out.” Shep nods at him over her head.

  Chapter 15

  It shocks Donna when the O’Malley men come home early until she sees Maggie. “Magdalaine?” she whispers and staggers forward. She grips her in a fierce hug, “Have you come home to us then?”

  Maggie starts sobbing in earnest then. “I’ve been such a fool,” she sniffs, and they cry together.

  “Nonsense, your home now, that’s all that matters,” Donna stares at her husband as he wraps them in his arms.

  “Ah, this is what a man needs, now. Both of his women in his arms,” he doesn’t try to wipe his own tears.

  “Who died?” a young voice says from behind them. Donna laughs, and they break apart.

  “No one died, Son, come say hello to your sister, Magdalaine. She’s come home to us.” Conner says.

  “Jack?” Maggie stares at the young man standing where a boy used to be and her heart breaks for all she’s missed. “Oh, how tall you’ve grown.” Dark hair, dark eyes with the build of her father.

  Jack glances at her, obviously unsure how he’s supposed to respond. “That happens when you haven’t seen someone in six years.”

  “Jack!” Donna gasps in embarrassment.

  “Seven, almost seven years.” Maggie walks forward and stares into his eyes that are now level with her own. “I’m sorry, Jack. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  He nods, “You didn’t just hurt me, Mags, you hurt the whole family.”

  Shepherd watches and can’t imagine what strength of character it takes for a child to stand up to a family member and waits to see how she responds.

  “I see that now,” Maggie says and glances at all of them. “All I can say is that I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

  “Don’t do it again!” Jack snaps and grabs her roughly in a hug.

  Maggie shudders and burrows into his neck. “I won’t,” comes her garbled reply.

  “Who’s the giant?” Jack asks as his eyes meet Shep’s.

  “He’s mine.” Maggie replies and blushes when they all look at him and he’s grinning proudly. “I mean he’s with me!” she stammers.

  “Okay then,” Jack laughs.

  “Shepherd Millard meet, Jack and Donna,” Maggie says when she realizes she forgot to introduce him.

  “Welcome to our home, Mr. Millard,” Donna says.

  “Thank you,” Shep replies.

  “When’s dinner, I’m starved,” Jack demands.

  Donna laughs, “You’re always hungry.”

  “I’m cooking tonight, Mama. You visit with Mag’s,” he hurries from the room.

  “He’s cooking?” Maggie asks.

  “I can’t keep him out of the kitchen,” Donna quips.

  “We’
ve also learned a few things since you left us Maggie,” her father says quietly. “The first of which is to never question the calling the Lord places on our lives. It drove you from us and I won’t lose Jack the way we lost you.”

  “Exactly.” Donna looks to her husband with pride. “Ian and Jack will bring in your bags. Mr. Millard,” Donna says, but Shep interrupts her.

  “Call me Shepherd or Shep, ma’am.” Donna smiles at him. “Shep you are welcome to stay with us,” she turns and look at Ian pointedly until he jumps up and marches from the room, grumbling.

  “I’ll make coffee,” Donna leaves them.

  The family home is a three-story brick home with a large sitting room, kitchen and five bedrooms. On the back is a huge sunroom overlooking the expansive yard and gardens which supplies the family. Shep turns around and finds them staring at him.

  “You can go now,” Conner snaps.

  Shep laughs, “Not a chance,” he watches Maggie stiffen and hurry to his side. She pulls him with her into the room and they sit on the couch and wait for them to follow.

  “Daddy, Shepherd left his work to escort me home and when I foolishly ran from him, he followed, staying with me to make sure I arrived safely.”

  Conner stares at Shepherd’s unwavering gaze and nods.

  “Let’s start over,” Conner says. “What kind of work do you do, Mr. Millard?” he asks.

  “I’m…”

  “Is this all there is?” Ian snaps from the doorway. “Two bags?”

  “Yes, we left in a hurry,” Maggie says.

  “You could say that,” Shep grins at her.

  Both men glare at him and his smile falters. “What?”

  “What exactly do you do, Mr. Millard?”

  “I’m an architect, based out of San Francisco. I have clients all over the United States.”

  “You should see his house, it’s beautiful,” she beams with pride.

  “I see. What kind of trouble are you in exactly?” Ian glares at Shep and back at Maggie.

  “Really?” Maggie blushes when she realizes what he’s asking. “I’m a nurse for goodness sake,” Maggie snaps and stammers when they say nothing. “Not to mention…”