A Question of Hope

by Lynn Landes

  Conner is talking to Shepherd in his office when Donna comes inside. “Where Maggie?” she asks with a worried look.

  “Why?” Conner asks as Shep stands up.

  “I left her in her room and she’s not there,” Donna points to the back door. “I checked the house and I can’t find her.”

  Shep runs for the front door, just as Ian pulls up in the wagon. “What’s wrong?”

  “Have you seen Maggie?” Shep asks.

  “No,” a shout erupts from the Mill. Ian leaps down and draws his pistol. The man points and starts to run, just as Maggie’s scream erupts.

  Shep runs shouting her name and praying that they will reach her in time. Ian snarls, “Follow me! She’s at the fishing hole,” they run down the path as her second scream pierces his heart.

  “Please, let’s go now. We can take the wagon. I know a shortcut back to the house, Clint,” she begs.

  “No, let them come. You must be punished, my rose,” he crushes his mouth down on hers causing her to gag and sob. Laughing he releases her. “Where’s your hope now?”

  Stepping in front of her he lifts a pistol, knowing they will not expect what’s coming next. He has a boat waiting to take them down the river. Ian steps around the corner as she pushes to her feet. Maggie staggers under the weight of the chains and steps back until the edge of the dock is at her feet.

  “My hope is in the Lord,” she smiles at them and leaps back.

  Ian’s eyes fly open wide when he sees her and Shep roars her name. Clint realizes his mistake a second too late. He whirls around, and leaps for Maggie as she shoves herself backward into the water.

  Maggie closes her eyes and holds her breath as the water embraces her and drags her down. The weight of her dress combined with the chain cause her to sink faster than normal.

  It’s so dark, she thinks as her lungs begin to burn. Panic sets in and she struggles to free herself from the chains.

  Shep swings and his punch sends Clint off the dock and into the muddy ground at Conner’s feet. He sinks fast especially with Conner’s foot on his chest. Clint stops struggling the moment the pistol touches his forehead.

  “Give me another reason,” he snarls.

  Ian leaps for Shep before he can dive head-first into the water after Maggie. “No! Feet first!” Ian releases the enraged man, “The water is only about five feet deep.”

  “What!” Clint snarls as the two mill workers drag him from the mud. Ian and Shep both drop into the water and dive for Maggie.

  “Jack, we need rope!” Conner tells his son. Jack runs for the house while the men try to subdue Clint.

  Shep feels for her and finds a foot, just as Ian finds her head. She’s thrashing about, unable to move due to weight of the chains. Shep wraps up on her and Ian grabs her legs and they lift her out.

  They drag Maggie coughing and spitting towards the shore and her father screams her name, “Maggie!” The thick heavy mud makes it difficult for them to climb out. Knee deep in mud, they struggle to get to the shore.

  “Rope is coming, just wait,” Donna shouts.

  Maggie stops struggling and coughs out river water. “The water is deeper than I remember, Ian.”

  Shep lowers her to her feet as Ian starts to laugh. “You’ve been gone a while, Mag’s.” Shep steadies her on her feet as Ian unwraps the chain. She starts to laugh which sets off another round of coughing.

  Shep holds her with trembling arms, and pats her back as she coughs, and coughs.

  Conner shouts and throws the rope to Ian. Jack helps him slowly drag them from grasp of the riverbank. The moment her father pulls Maggie into his arms, Shepherd whirls on the man tormenting her for months.

  His roar of rage sends birds fleeing and has Maggie shouting in surprise. He leaps at Clint being held by the two men on the ground. “I’ll kill you!” his hands wrap around his throat and he squeezes.

  The mill workers step back nodding in understanding. Shep lifts the man from his feet, “You’re not so bold now, are you!” he rages and shakes Clint who is starting to turn blue.

  Maggie shoves from her father’s arm, coughing, and scrambles to him, “Shepherd!” she tries to drag him back, but he won’t budge. Clint struggles and tries to punch and kick but Shep is much taller than him. He simply can’t reach him.

  “Stop him,” she shouts at her father and brother.

  “Why?” Ian asks.

  “Please,” Maggie begs.

  “Shep, Maggie needs you!” Ian shouts and he jerks.

  “Fine,” Shep release Clint and steps back. Ian waits knowing Clint will try to escape and the moment he moves Ian kicks him in the stomach. Clint groans on the muddy ground.

  Conner snarls, “Tie him up and throw him in the wagon. If he tries to escape on the way to the Sheriff, shoot him.”

  “Wait!” Maggie walks over to Clint, trusting them to keep her safe. “Why are you doing this?” she asks, needing to understand.

  “Why? You have to pay!” Spittle flies from his mouth and he lunges for her. “I’ll never stop, Maggie Rose. You’ll never be safe. I’m coming back for you …” Maggie rears back and punches him in the nose. His blood spurts and Clint rocks back on his heels. Stars erupt and he folds up and drops to the ground. Jack whoops and runs to her wrapping her in a hug.

  “Get him out of here!” Ian laughs and they drag him from the yard.

  Her family surrounds her, crying and laughing while she sobs in relief. “It’s over.”

  Shep watches and tries to stop the trembling in his body. He looks down at his hands and shakes his head. He almost lost her.

  Maggie pushes from her family and shivers in her mud-caked dress. She walks over to grip his hand. “Magdalaine,” he wraps her in his arms, and sighs. Tremors wrack both of them and he scoops her up into his arms and follows them. Shep doesn’t trust himself to speak, he can’t even bring himself to look at her.

  Exhaustion beats at her, and she leans against his shoulder. “Thank you, Shepherd,” she whispers and fights to stay awake.

  Shep carries her into the house with Donna fussing about a hot bath and he releases her to be cared for.

  “You can use the outdoor shower at the Mill, Shep, it has hot water, Ian will meet you. He’s already over there,” Conner suggests.

  Shep nods and walks out with a grim look on his face. Maggie stares after him with a frown.

  “Is he going to be okay?” Jack asks as helps carry in water.

  “Yes, he was terrified for her,” Donna replies walking into the bathing room.

  “Not as terrified as I was,” Maggie replies. Jack laughs and hurries from the room.

  Maggie waits for Jack to leave and drops her new dress to the ground with a sigh, “Another dress down.” Donna laughs and drops it in a bucket.

  Chapter 30

  Shep goes to the mill and anger simmers. He uses the outdoor shower set up for the days when Mill work demands it. The hot water is a relief after the frigid grasp of the river. Ian leaves him a towel.

  “I’ll bring you a change of clothes,” Ian says and leaves him to shower. He washes up quickly but stands under the hot stream of water until the water starts to go cold.

  “Clean clothes,” Conner says as Shep cuts off the water. He drags a towel over the top and dries his hair before scrubbing at his body. Shivering from exhaustion, cold or adrenaline he dresses fast and steps outside.

  “Shepherd, I need to thank you for all you’ve done for my girl.”

  Shep stares at him and nods. “You’re welcome. You should be with your family.”

  Conner walks him back to the house and watches as he excuses himself and heads to his room on the back of the house. Shep drags out his bag. He packs and rolls up all of his designs, sliding them inside the leather roll.

  “Does she know your leaving?” Ian asks from his doorway.

  Shep doesn’t answer instead he continues packing.

  “That’s a cowardly thing to do to her. She’s been hurt enough. She
p.”

  Shep sits on the side of the bed and holds his face in his hands. “Her eyes, Ian! Did you see it? The moment she made the choice that should have been mine!”

  “Would you have done any different for your own family?” Ian shouts.

  “That’s not the point!” Fury has him leaping to his feet. “How many times do I have to watch her get hurt? She makes decisions without thinking them through, regardless of how many people it hurts!”

  “I’ll answer that, Ian.” Maggie steps into the room and Ian, mumbles “Idiot,” under his breath and leaves them.

  “You don’t have to watch over me anymore, Mr. Millard,” she snaps.

  Her long damp blonde hair is braided over her shoulder and he stares at the dark smudges under her eyes and swollen split lip and sighs. “You shouldn’t have heard that.”

  “Just like I shouldn’t have heard you earlier today deciding to leave me on Monday.” Accusing blue eyes glare at him and he stares at her.

  “That’s why you were outside alone? How childish are you? You knew that he was looking for you, Magdalaine!” he shouts at her.

  Maggie jumps and steps away from him. “I didn’t know he was here, Shepherd.”

  “For such a smart, amazing woman, sometimes you are so careless and thoughtless,” he glowers at her.

  “I won’t be sorry for protecting the people I love. I wasn’t in any real danger. I knew the water wasn’t deep, but he didn’t. That was the point. It was a distraction, that’s all. To give you all time to help me. You would’ve done the same thing!”

  “That’s not the point, Magdalaine,” he glowers at her.

  “Of course it is, Shepherd. He wanted me to call you all! He planned on killing all of you and making me watch!”

  Shep walks away and stares out of the window.

  “He told me to run, so he could chase me,” she walks forward and lays her forehead on his back. “I thought about running to you,” she sobs and steps away from him, “but I’ve seen what death looks like and I couldn’t do it to all of you.”

  Shep turns and reaches for her, but she backs away from him with a shake of her head. “No!” swiping her tears angrily, she gives him his freedom. “Go home, Mr. Millard. You are free of the burden of caring for me.”

  Maggie runs for her room and cries herself to sleep while her Father paces outside her door.

  “Are we going to kill him?” Jack asks and Conner laughs until he realizes Jack is serious.

  “Son, we need to review the ten commandments with you,” he pulls him from her room and down into the kitchen where Donna is busy cleaning a clean pot.

  Conner looks at his family and calls to his wife. “Donna, I need to hold you,” he says. She whirls and runs to him, and cries into his neck. “I thought she was going to die,” they sink to a chair together while Jack paces.

  “I know. We’ve a lot to be thankful for. The worst part is over. We can start healing now.” Jack nods and wanders from the room.

  Chapter 31

  Denver, Colorado

  A pounding at the door has him jumping to answer. “Coming!” he grumbles. Shep stares down at his friend.

  “Harlan!” Shepherd Millard grins and pumps his hand. “It’s about time!”

  “I'm early, Shep.” Harlan follows him inside and closes the door. The suite is large and already set up for lunch near a Juliette balcony with double windows. Red velvet carpet, and a massive couch, with a desk along one wall. A private door separates the bedroom and bathing room.

  “It's good to see you, Harlan. If you're hungry, we can eat first, then go over business.”

  “I’m starved.”

  Standing at six foot three, Shepherd is hard to miss with his deep voice and hard staring eyes. They've been friends since the war. Harlan walks to the couch and sits down with relief as Shepherd rings for lunch.

  Stretching out his leg in front of him, Harlan rubs and waits for the ache to dissipate. It's a constant reminder to him of how lucky he was. Shepherd runs a hand over his bearded face, and Harlan cocks an eyebrow.

  “You look worn, Shep, are you well?” he asks.

  “Just female troubles.” Light blue eyes flash through his mind and he shakes his head. “It's a long story. Nothing I can't handle. Are you seriously going to move here?” He asks, changing the subject. He pours two cups of coffee and plates up the chocolates he bought earlier at the general store. Sitting next to his friend, he offers him a plate and sits back to wait for lunch.

  “Yes. Thank you.” Harlan takes the coffee and one chocolate. Sipping the strong brew, he continues, “I've grown tired of the constant travel. Denver is about to boom, and I'm excited to be a part of it, not to mention I have family here now.”

  “I see,” Shep watches and grins the moment he bites into the chocolate. His eyes fly open wide, and he moans as an explosion of flavor erupts on his palette.

  “Where did you get these?” He groans after he finishes his.

  “The General store. They are Thornton Candies. I bought four bags.” Shep laughs at Harlan's chuckle. “Don't laugh, I guarantee that by tomorrow you'll be heading to the general store to see if you can buy your own but be warned they sell out fast.”

  Harlan reaches for a second and laughs when Shep glares at him. “I’m a guest,” he sits back and happily munches on a second one. “Is that cinnamon?” he wonders as someone knocks at the door.

  “Lunch,” Shep announces, and they step aside and let them inside. The room is large enough that a small table and two chairs along with crisp white linens are set up before the food tray is rolled inside.

  Heavenly aromas fill the room, and they sit to catch up and enjoy a meal. Afterward, the dishes are removed, but Shep requests the table to be left so they can work. He grabs a rolled-up tube and draws from it his designs. Nerves flutter even though he knows it’s one of his best designs.

  “You told me that you wanted a unique design, Harlan, and that's what I've given you. I've experimented with round tower designs. This is a three-story home with towers and turrets. On the first floor, you'll notice the wide wrap-around porch you requested. Decorative railings and turned posts. I've experimented with colors, which you'll find on the last few pages. With Denver having a rail hub, you will have access to unique supplies to build with.”

  “Show me the inside,” Harlan requests. He removes his overcoat and runs a hand through his chin-length medium blonde hair. The wrinkles around his eyes deepen as he studies the design and reaches for a third chocolate.

  “This floor plan is unique and rambling in some places. Of course, you will have a grand entry, a library with a sprawling fireplace. I've included spacious parlors located on each level, along with a formal living area for welcoming guests. This home has five bedrooms. The master suite is located on the top floor. It is the only bedroom on that floor, with a private bathing suite, double doors, and an ornate stairway.

  Harlan nods and grins as he points to the plans, “What's this?”

  “That is a private nook. I hate wasted space. You will find three of those in different places. They can be utilized in multiple ways, reading, etc.”

  “Is it wired for electricity?”

  “It will be, yes and plumbed for hot water. That’s a major cost Harlan, are you sure you want to do that?”

  “Of course, it’s only a matter of time till it’s in every business and home. I’m thinking ahead.”

  Shepherd laughs as Harlan stands and looks down at the design. Excitement flutters in his chest. This will be his forever home, he's hoping. “This is exceptional work, Shepherd. I'm going to the bank in the morning to finish up the paperwork on the land. I hope to start building in the spring. He hands him a check and watches as he puts it away in his coat pocket.

  “Thank you. You don’t waste time, do you?” Shepherd laughs after he signs off on the designs.

  “No. I’m going to church on Sunday with my family. You’re welcome to join us,” he offers.

&n
bsp; “Thank you, but I’m heading to Arizona to visit my family in the morning.” A dark looks enter his eyes and Harlan frowns.

  “I understand. Thank you for meeting with me.” Harlan reaches for a fourth praline, but Shepherd beats him to it.

  “Get your own,” he snaps.

  “I happen to know the owner of the general store, and they didn't have these the last time I was in town,” Harlan says as he walks to the door.

  Shepherd rolls up the designs and puts them in the protective tube. “Things change. I’m glad you’re happy with the design. You know where to find me with any questions.”

  “Thanks again, Shep, and if you ever need anything, let me know.” Harlan shakes his hand and gathers his coat and hat.

  “I will. If you get bored, there's a friendly game of poker tonight in the Cattlemen's room downstairs. All the proceeds go to the children's charity. You should check it out.”

  “I don’t gamble, but I could go for a whiskey. I might stop by. It’s a good way to get to know some of the locals.”

  Shep says goodbye and walks him to the door. He wants to get cleaned up and see if he can get an early train. He doesn’t want to get stuck from the storm.

  Chapter 32

  “I don’t think this is part of the healing process,” Jack says as he watches his sister destroy the weeds in the vegetable bed.

  “Perhaps, but our beds have never been cleaner,” Donna laughs softly.

  “Mom, this is stupid. They belong together,” Jack grumbles.

  “I know, but it’s not our place to step in,” she glances at her husband.

  Conner sips his coffee and sighs. “I don’t want to lose her again.”

  “That’s selfish, Dad.” He insists, “It’s been two weeks. We need to do something!”

  “Like buy her a train ticket?” Conner asks and holds up the ticket. Donna rushes over to him with a squeal and peppers his face with kisses.