by Lynn Landes
Shep grips her hand gently, “Stop. You don’t owe them an explanation, they ought to trust your judgement.”
“That’s true, Shep, but…
“Your daughter is a perfect lady and a Christian. I won’t lie and say I’m not attracted to her, but she’s done nothing to make you question her virtue.” His eyes flash again, daring them to insult her.
“Magdalaine, will one of you explain exactly what is going on?” her father demands.
Donna returns with coffee and sits with her husband to listen. They sit quietly as Maggie gathers her thoughts. Shep starts with the story of his friend asking for help. She is quiet as he tells how they met and how Maggie cared for the baby his friends were adopting.
“It’s my turn,” she interrupts him by gripping his hand gently. “I agreed to help him, and I don’t regret it, but I never expected a monster to follow me home.” She tells the story of Clint following her to her apartment and the resulting attack.
Donna gasps and watches as Shep covers her hand with his. “Where were you?” Ian snaps.
“We’d only known each other a day, Ian. He was at his home!” She continues with her story, explaining how she ran from Shep and how Clint followed her to Colorado. “I hoped he’d forgotten me, but he said horrible things.” Maggie twists Shep’s handkerchief in her hand and stands up to excuse herself.
“I need a minute,” she hurries from the room.
“Why didn’t she come home?” Donna demands.
“You know why, love, because I was a fool. She didn’t trust me to keep her safe.” His troubled eyes meet Shep’s. “But she trusts you. How dangerous is this Clint Hayden?”
“He’s a killer and a robber. He beats women for pleasure and more I’m sure we don’t know about. He’s fixated on Magdalaine and he won’t stop. Now that she’s safe with you, I’ll go after him.”
“No. My daughter needs you here. What are your intentions with my girl?”
“I’m going to marry her as soon as she says yes,” Shep answers instantly.
Conner grins and claps his hands. “Good to know.”
Donna beams and Ian grunts, but they are all smiling when she returns.
“What’d I miss?” she asks.
“Nothing. I was just about to explain to your architect, here, that this man hunting you thinks that you’re an easy target. He chose you because he thinks you’re alone, Maggie-girl, but no O’Malley is every alone.”
“I’ve been alone a long time, Daddy.” Maggie sits next to Shep and leans into him. “I won’t have you putting your life on the line for me. I can easily lead him away from you if he finds me.”
“Running isn’t always the answer, Magdalaine,” Shep says to her.
“I know that, but what if he comes here…,”
“Let him come, Maggie, the sawmen are a family. Your family,” Conner reaches forward and grips her hand in his. “I was a fool to let you go, Magdalaine and you’ve forgotten what family means. Give us a chance to make it up to you.”
“I’d like that,” she whispers.
Chapter 16
Clint follows the trail left behind by Maggie Rose, or Maggie O’Malley, Irish immigrant, nurse, and the woman who scarred him and caused his father to die. She needs to pay. He can’t move on with his life until then. The money he stole during the robbery has funded his travels well.
Walking through the train station he is surprised by the heavy police presence. When he hears his last name, his heart pounds. Dressed in his new suit and hat, freshly shaved and trimmed, he believes that they won’t recognize him, but he’s not taking a chance.
His eyes trail around the station and he grins when he spots an older woman, dressed in black and struggling with a bag.
“May I offer assistance?” he asks removing his hat and smiling at the woman.
She smiles and nods, “Yes, please, it’s heavier than I expected.”
“Not a problem,” Clint slaps his hat back on his head and grabs her bag with one arm.
“So strong,” she gasps and laughs softly.
“Where too?” he asks.
“Ethel Nottingham,” she smiles and accepts the offered arm. “Don’t you need to get your bag, Mr.?”
“Travis Green,” he says, “and I’m only traveling through on business. I’m all yours.”
Together they walk through the train station and he keeps her talking as they exit the station. The police are looking for a single man, not a couple. He wonders what it will take to get her to have dinner with him. Cover is the most important aspect of the second part of his plan.
Ethel helps him by offering to buy him dinner for helping see her to her hotel.
“I’d like that, Ms. Nottingham,” he smiles as he walks her inside the lobby.
“Perfect. Have you ever been to the New York Kitchen?” she asks.
“No, Ma’am,” he quips.
“You’re in for a treat. I have reservations. Meet me out front in an hour,” she suggests.
“Wonderful.” Clint watches her go and decides to find out if Maggie stayed here.
It would seem that Maggie is still traveling with a man. Though no one was able to give him a name as he traveled under Maggie’s name. “Where are you headed Maggie Rose?” he whispers as he thinks about her.
Clint stops at a bar for a whiskey before returning to the hotel to wait patiently for Ethel. She’s twenty minutes late, as expected and he can’t say it wasn’t worth the wait. Even for a woman her age, she is lovely.
“Ms. Nottingham, you take my breath away,” Clint bends over her hand and presses a firm kiss.
Dressed in a low cut, purple corseted gown, she is glowing. “I hope I’m not overdressed, but I haven’t been out since my husband passed,” she sniffs and stops speaking.
“I’m sorry for your loss, but I must say it, you look stunning.” His voice deepens as he looks at the diamond around her neck. Lust flickers and she mistakes the intention.
“I procured a driver for us,” he offers his arm, and she smiles as she takes it.
“Thank you, Travis.”
Dinner is lively conversation and delicious food. When she steps away, the waiter returns to remove the dishes and offer desert.
“No, check please,” Clint insists. “Tell me, does this restaurant cater to only men?”
The waiter smiles. “You noticed the glances? While we seem to attract mostly male diners, you are the second in a few days to bring a female. The last woman had unique eyes,” he is smiling as he stacks his tray.
Clint’s gaze narrows. “Describe her!” he offers cash, and the waiter gives a description. “I need the name of the man she was traveling with. Discreetly, of course.”
“We require reservations. Management is strict about our record keeping. Let me see what I can do.”
Clint is vibrating with excitement. “Finally, a lead.”
Ethel returns and argues with him over the check. He finally relents, but only if she’ll have breakfast with him.
“That sounds lovely,” she pays and hands the waiter the bill with cash tucked inside.
Clint stands to help, and the waiter pulls her chair out for her, discreetly slipping Clint a piece of paper. He tucks it inside his pocket and grins.
I’m on my way, Maggie Rose, he thinks.
Chapter 17
Maggie offers to help Donna with the dishes while the men retreat to the office.
“Tell me Shep, have you ever designed a sawmill?” Conner asks with a glint of interest in his eye.
“I’ve designed two flour mills,” he replies with a smile.
“Not the same thing. We’ve been offered a grant by the state to build a new Mill. They offered the money to fund the mill, but I have to agree to build next to the railroad.”
“I see. Do you have land picked out?”
“I do. It’s across town near the railroad. Perhaps you’d care to look it over with us. We’re going in a few days to see if it will fit the requirements.�
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“I’d like that, but Magdalaine is the priority,” Shep says.
“I like the way you watch over her,” Conner says. “How long are you here for? How can you just leave your job?”
“I take my work with me. I’m here for as long as Magdalaine needs me,” he responds.
“I like the sound of that.”
Maggie watches him go and Donna nudges her. “Tell me about him,” she teases.
“Donna he’s much too good for me. It’s going to break my heart when he leaves me,” she scrubs a plate and hands it to her.
“He’s not going to leave you, Maggie. Shep didn’t take his eyes off you throughout dinner.”
“That’s because he feels guilty. He has a strong sense of responsibility. I just wish I hadn’t robbed him while he was sleeping.”
Donna drops a cup in the sink with a splash, “What?!” she shouts.
Jack giggles from the table, “Dad’s going to kill him,” he teases.
They laugh as Maggie tells the story of the train and little boy with the paper.
“What an adventure you’ve had Magdalaine,” Donna sighs.
“I’m not sure I’d call it that,” Maggie says. The memory of Clint’s beating her has her closing her eyes in horror.
“One day you will tell your children these stories and they will swear you made them up.”
“I hope so,” she offers the last plate.
“Maggie, you should know that George and Mary are coming to dinner tomorrow night. They always come to dinner on Friday. I can cancel it,” she hurries to say.
“Thank you for the warning, but Shep and I need to go to town to see the Sheriff. I’ll have Shepherd take me out to dinner. Please don’t change your plans on my account.”
“Word will spread that you’re here, Maggie. You can’t avoid them forever. You should go to church with us on Sunday. Neutral ground would be a good place to visit.”
“I’d like that,” she says.
Shepherd is bent over the plans for the mill with interest. “This is an incredible, tell me your plans.”
“It will be the first steam-powered Sawmill in the state. If we build with a connection to the railroad, our output will double. We will have one bandsaw here…”
“What size cut will this one make?” Shep interrupts.
Ian leans forward and sketches out a belt, “It’s made of steel. They work faster and leave less wood waste.”
Maggie watches from the doorway, listening and enjoying watching them together. Could this be her future? Hope flutters in her heart and it terrifies her. Shep glances over and finds her staring at them. When he smiles at her, the emotion reflected in his eyes stuns her.
Hope is dangerous, isn’t it? Fear whispers in her mind, reminding her of the betrayal and hurt caused by those who claim to love her. How long will it be until he hurts her too?
Maggie turns and walks away without saying anything. Shep watches her go and sighs.
“How patient are you Shepherd Millard?” Conner asks. “I’m afraid we damaged her deeply. It’s my biggest regret.”
Shep turns back, “Her faith has been tested, and she’s lost her way, Conner, but it’s really just a question of hope.”
“What do you mean, Shep?” Ian asks.
“I mean Maggie’s afraid to hope again. Fear is winning out and not even I can combat that. She will have to come to that on her own.”
“So you aren’t willing to fight for her?” Conner demands.
“Of course I am, but I think only the Lord can heal the damage that’s been done,” Shep watches Conner sit heavily.
“Then we will continue praying for her,” Ian says and keep her from running he thinks.
“Tomorrow we will ride to town and speak to the Sheriff. I want them to be ready if Hayden comes to town,” Shep says.
“I’ll speak to the workers to keep an eye out for strangers. We protect our own out here,” Ian snaps.
“He will never touch her again,” Shep says grimly. “He didn’t just beat her, he terrorized her. If she wasn’t carrying that blade it would have been worse.”
“Blade?” Ian demands.
Shepherd grins proudly and explains about her affinity for blades. Conner chuckles and smiles at Ian.
“Yes, and she hit him with a pot of boiling water too. He wants revenge and I hate to think what will happen if he gets another chance.”
“We will protect her. I’ll arrange for guards to be on the lookout for strangers. He’d be a fool to make a move against her with all these men around.”
“Let’s hope your right,” Shep says.
Chapter 18
They skipped church to recover but news has spread of her homecoming and people are asking if they can visit. Over the past week they’ve fallen into an easy routine. Morning’s Shep works on his designs and learns how the Mill works while Maggie rests, helps Donna and spends time with her family. It is a much-needed break. Walking into her Father’s office she finds Shep working. “Good Morning,” she smiles at him as he looks up at her and stands up slowly.
“It is now,” he looks at her in her pink floral jacket and matching skirt and stretches. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did. There’s something about being home that makes you sleep better.”
“I remember. Do I smell bacon, I’m starved?” he asks, and her mouth goes dry.
Lifting his arms, he almost touches the ceiling and her eyes trail over his body. Shep is a fine figure of a man, tall, dark and handsome with muscles that have her feelings itching to touch.
“If you keep looking at me like that I’m going to give your father a reason to shoot me.”
Maggie jumps and blushes, “I can’t seem to control myself around you.”
“That’s music to my ears,” he reaches for her, but she scoots away. “Oh, no you don’t. Donna and I are going to town to get supplies. I need some clothes. I only have the two dresses left. I’m desperate, especially if I’m to be presented at church on Sunday.” She glances at him. “Do you want to come with us?”
“As tempting as that is, considering my own desperate need for clothes, I need to work. I have a design due soon, can you wait until I can go with you?” he asks with a frown.
“Ian will be with us, Shep. It’ll be fine. Clint hasn’t shown up yet, and the Sheriff has his description. I’m just going to the dress shops and have lunch at the Little Falls Restaurant.” Maggie walks over to look down at his design. “What are you working on?” Interest gleams in her eyes and he spends a few minutes explaining the design to her.
“This is for a friend from the war, named Harlan. He’s asked for a unique home design. That’s music to my ears. Most people aren’t willing to take chances, but he’s given me an opportunity that I’m not going to waste.”
“It’s lovely and exceptional! I love the detailing. He’s going to be thrilled with it,” she glances up at him and Shep pulls her against his body and kisses her soundly. This time she doesn’t pull away.
“Thank you for saying so, now go enjoy shopping, while I finish this.”
Her heart is pounding as she walks away from him and she frowns when she realizes that she forgot to ask him about tomorrow night. Mary and George will be coming to dinner and she has no intention of seeing them yet.
Why would anyone think that she wants to see them? Anger simmers at the thought of how some things haven’t changed. Her family wants to pretend like old friends are coming to dinner! How can they not see that she will never be friends with the people who betrayed her?
Ian is smiling when she climbs into the wagon with Donna. Jacks sits in the back of the wagon, excited to visit the restaurant in town.
The mill is full of activity and Ian steers the horses close and stops for a moment to let her take it all in. Lumbermen are rolling logs in the water or stacking the freshly cut pieces into a wagon to take the lumberyard where they age and harden. Inside the saws are busy cutting and loud voices can be heard as
everyone works. “It’s amazing isn’t it?” Donna asks.
“It truly is. He’s built a legacy that you should all be proud of,” Maggie says.
“It’s yours too, Maggie,” Ian snaps the reins to pull away, only to pull back on them when a bells goes off. The horses stop swiftly almost throwing them from their seats.
“Ian!” Donna shouts and leaps for the reins shocking Maggie. He’s already leaping down and running.
“What’s happening!” Maggie demands.
“That’s the emergency bell, it’s only rung when someone is injured,” Jack says from the back of the wagon. Donna climbs into the driver’s seat and struggles to steady the horses. The sawmills stop whirring and a quiet falls, save the screaming of panicked men.
“Injured!” Maggie leaps down lifting her skirt and runs up the steps and down the dock towards the shouting. “His arm! Pull it out!”
A worker runs down the dock shouting, “I’m going for the doctor!” he leaps on to a horse and thunders from the yard. They are fifteen minutes outside of town. Maggie’s mind is already running over the possibilities.
“He’ll bleed out!” Someone shouts as three men carry out a well-muscled man with a chunk of a blade embedded in his neck beside the collar bone. Blood is spurting and staining his clothes. They quickly lay him on the wooden dock and just before a man grabs the metal to jerk it out, Maggie shouts at them.
“Don’t touch that!”
“Magdalaine, you shouldn’t be here,” George steps in front of her and she glares at him. Blonde and muscular, he’s grown older and stronger, still handsome as she remembers, but Maggie doesn’t have time for this right now.
“I’m a nurse. If you pull it out, he will die. Get out of my way,” she steps around him and drops to her knees in front of the patient.
“Ian, get my medical kit, it’s the smaller black bag in my room.” He runs for the house without hesitation.
