The Courageous Brides Collection

by Johnnie Alexander, Michelle Griep, Eileen Key, Debby Lee, Rose Allen McCauley, Donita Kathleen Paul, Jennifer Uhlarik, Jenness Walker, Renee Yancy

  “My pa says the same.” She idly wondered if Benjamin knew of that verse. Probably not. His family went to church every Sunday. Almost everyone in Neligh did. But she couldn’t think of a time when he quoted scripture. Or anything his pa had taught him as a boy. In fact, their relationship sometimes seemed tense. She’d said something to him once about it, and he’d laughed at her. Told her she was imagining things.

  She’d accepted his reassurance at the time. But now she wasn’t so sure. It was as if she’d created her own set of blinders. Focused only on what was good about Benjamin—his gallant flirting, the way he spoiled her with gifts, the pride he took in having her beside him—she’d ignored his faults.

  Her eyes closed. Not to shut out the river but to shut out her own shallow heart. Had she really convinced herself she loved a man because he gave her presents?

  Toby scrambled up the bank, and Joel spoke into her ear. “Look. There’s the cabin.”

  She opened her eyes and gazed upriver toward a clump of trees growing along the bank. Nestled among them was a cabin and lean-to. “I see it.”

  I see a lot of things.

  Joel had taken the blinders from her eyes. Whether he meant to or not, he’d also taken her heart.

  He might not have Benjamin’s social status, but in every way that mattered, he was the better man. Everything that had happened since Joel walked into Doc’s office had showed her what she really wanted. What she needed.

  Not gifts and prestige, but a comforting shoulder for her grief. An understanding spirit for her outlandish schemes.

  Someone who stayed beside her during a monstrous thunderstorm and a hazardous river crossing. During a long, sleepless night with a dying child.

  Joel. She needed Joel.

  For about the tenth time in less than two minutes, Joel pulled his pa’s gold watch from his pocket. The cabin provided shelter but little warmth. Marcy had managed to light a fire while he tended the horses, but she could only use the kindling in the fireplace. The few logs stacked by the hearth were damp. The incessant rain seemed to permeate everything.

  Marcy sat beside the fire, feeding it sticks and scraps of paper she’d found. She didn’t complain about the cold or the damp, but she was obviously chilled.

  Joel peered through what passed for a window in this abandoned place—a chink between two logs. The rain had stopped, but the skies threatened more to come. Perhaps they should stay in the cabin. Perhaps they’d already stayed too long.

  They’d be at the village in five or ten minutes, but they still had to find the doll and then make the long trek home. The day didn’t hold many more hours.

  “Rain’s let up,” he said.

  Marcy rose and brushed dirt from her pants. Not that it did any good. “We should go then.”

  “We don’t both need to go.”

  Her mouth gaped open, and he hurried to speak before she did.

  “You can stay here. At least you’ll be dry. The village isn’t far, and I promise you, if the doll is there, I’ll find it. I won’t be gone long.”

  “You want to leave me?”

  Her voice sounded surprised, which he expected. But also hurt. It lay in her eyes, too, and her questioning gaze told him the question went deeper than a temporary departure. He took a step toward her then stopped and clenched his fists. As much as he wanted to take her into his arms, to whisper that if she’d have him he’d never leave her, he wouldn’t do it.

  “I can go faster alone.”

  “This is something I have to do.” She blinked then stared at the dying fire. “I thought you understood.”

  “It won’t bring her back, Marcy.”

  “I know.” Her voice cracked, and her shoulders sagged. “But at least I’d have succeeded at something.”

  His willpower broke. Next thing he knew, she was in his arms, her head buried in his shoulder. Right where she belonged. Right where he needed her. He held her tight, his jaw pressed against her temple, while he regained his composure.

  “We’ll go together,” he finally said and pulled away. “I’ll saddle the horses.”

  He grabbed his hat and walked out the door. The chilled air, scented with rain, enveloped him as he braced against the wind on his way to the lean-to.

  No matter what, they had to find that doll.

  Marcy halted Buttermilk beside Joel and leaned forward in the saddle. The last time she’d seen the village, children had chased one another in the open area between the earth lodges and pine cabins. Women gossiped around communal cooking fires, and men encircled Pa’s wagon to catch their first glimpse of the table he’d made for Chief Standing Bear.

  The contrast between that sun-filled day and this dismal one pressed on her spirit. Debris blew between the dwellings, and a haunting emptiness filled the place.

  Blankets, kettles, even a bow—things the Ponca needed for the arduous trek south—were scattered in the mud and muck. Useless and ruined.

  The wastefulness, the heartlessness appalled her.

  “I don’t understand.” she said. “Why did the army have to be so destructive?”

  Joel shrugged, but the disgusted expression on his face spoke volumes.

  Doors stood ajar on a few of the houses. The adjacent gardens, once thriving with vegetables and colorful flowers, were now crushed as if the army horses had deliberately trotted through them.

  White Buffalo Girl’s doll could be anywhere.

  “Where do we start?” Marcy asked.

  “Perhaps the lodge. They might have gathered everyone there before setting out.”

  “It’s as good a place as any.”

  They walked their horses past an upended wagon. One back wheel had splintered, and its jagged spoke seemed to pierce Marcy’s heart. She maneuvered Buttermilk around the debris then dismounted in front of the long structure.

  Joel dismounted, too, and looped the horses’ reins at a nearby railing.

  Marcy entered the lodge but stopped in momentary confusion. A fire blazed in the central hearth, and two men emerged from the shadows.

  “Hello, Marcy,” Benjamin said. “What took you so long?”

  Chapter Ten

  Joel positioned himself slightly ahead of Marcy and kicked himself for leaving his rifle in its scabbard. Not that he planned to shoot anyone. But Hollingsworth and his pal both wore pistols strapped to their legs, and he didn’t.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked with more bravado than he felt.

  “Came to get what’s mine.”

  “What’s that?”

  “She’s standing right beside you.”

  He swaggered toward Marcy, a self-confident smirk plastered on his face. A smirk Joel ached to punch.

  Hollingsworth took Marcy’s hand and stroked it between his. “We have an understanding, you and I. And this”—he eyed Joel and gave a haughty sniff—“farmer isn’t going to interfere with that anymore.”

  “I haven’t interfered with anything,” Joel said, keeping his tone even. The best thing he could do to protect Marcy was to stay calm. “We’re here to look for a child’s toy. The sooner we find it, the sooner we can all go home.”

  “I don’t care about no Injun toy,” Hollingsworth said.

  “But I do.” Marcy insisted. “Since you’re here, you can help me find it.”

  “Did you hear that, Cade?” Though he talked to his partner, Hollingsworth never took his eyes from Marcy. Zachariah Cade had been Benjamin’s tagalong for years. He didn’t say much to anyone, but his cold eyes and grim smile told the world not to mess with him. Cade took a few steps closer to Joel then stood, legs apart and arms crossed.

  Hollingsworth continued, the polish of his voice giving way to a slow twang. “Marcy here wants us to help her find that Injun toy. Says then we can all go home. All friendly and companionable.”

  Cade grunted.

  Marcy glanced around the lodge, an uneasy smile pasted on her face. Joel looked around, too. The furniture in the large room—white man’s f
urniture introduced to the Ponca by hunters and trappers before Neligh was settled—had been pushed to the earthen walls. A variety of objects were scattered around the floor, items left behind by a people forced to leave in haste.

  “Might as well start in here,” he said.

  “Good idea.” Marcy tried to pull her hand from Hollingsworth’s grasp, but he didn’t let go.

  “We’re going back to town,” he said. “Now.”

  “I’m not going without that doll.”

  “Ellison can stay behind and look for it.” He glared at Joel. “Wouldn’t bother me none if he stayed away for good. What do you think of that, Cade?”

  “Fine plan.” Cade’s hand dropped to his side, threateningly close to his holster.

  Fear sliced like a razor down Joel’s spine. He didn’t doubt he could best either man in a fair fight. He might even hold his own against the two of them as long as fists were the only weapon. But Hollingsworth, like most bullies, depended on Cade to do his dirty work. And Cade appeared itchy to use that gun.

  He needed to get Marcy out of there, even if it meant sending her back to Neligh with Hollingsworth. She’d be safe…as long as she cooperated.

  “I’ll stay,” he said. “Just take Marcy home.”

  “No,” Marcy exclaimed. “I’m not leaving.”

  “Go with him, Marcy.” Joel held her gaze, willing her to understand he only wanted to protect her. “I won’t be far behind.”

  “Joel …”

  “Go.”

  She bowed her head, and a triumphant smile creased Hollingsworth’s gloating expression. “Told you they’d listen to reason, didn’t I, Cade?” He released Marcy’s hand and gripped her arm.

  “Your horse out front?”

  “Yes. Where’s yours?”

  “Not far from here. We hid them so as not to ruin the surprise. You were surprised to see me, weren’t you, Marcy?”

  “Very. I never expected you to travel in weather like this.”

  “I’d travel through Noah’s flood to get back what’s mine. So you can imagine what I’d do to someone who tried to take what was mine. That’s why we’ve got to teach Ellison here a lesson. Don’t we, Cade?”

  Joel clenched and unclenched his fists, shifting his focus from Marcy to Cade and back again. Marcy’s eyes were round with fear, and she turned to Hollingsworth.

  “What are you going to do to him?”

  “Teach him his place is all.”

  She stared at Joel, and he gave her an encouraging smile. “Just do what he says, and you’ll be fine.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’ll be fine, too.”

  “Don’t be so sure.” Hollingsworth nodded to Cade. Marcy squirmed, trying to escape from his grasp, but he held her by both arms and pushed her from the lodge.

  Joel focused on Cade, who slowly circled him. Pretending to back away, Joel shrugged off his slicker and maneuvered close to a broken chair near the central fire.

  “Shooting an unarmed man is murder,” he said. “That’s a hanging offense in these parts.”

  “Not going to shoot you.”

  “Then why’re you still wearing that gun?”

  Cade smirked, slowly pulled the gun from the holster, and pointed it toward Joel. “Got rope back there.” He waved the gun’s barrel toward a far corner. “Going to tie you up.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  Cade’s cold eyes blinked, and he pointed the gun toward Joel’s feet and fired. Joel leaped back, grabbed the chair, and flung it at Cade. When Cade raised his arm to block the blow, Joel rushed him. The men fell, tripping over each other and the chair. They grappled, and Joel managed to connect his fist with Cade’s jaw. The gun fell to the dirt floor, and Joel wrestled Cade away from it.

  Marcy struggled to free herself from Benjamin’s grasp, but he held her too tightly. When the door of the lodge closed behind them, he shoved her against the exterior wall.

  “Enough of this nonsense,” he said. “Do you have any idea what people are saying in town about you? What do you think you’re doing riding off with that farmer? It’s indecent.”

  “What about what you’re doing? Treating me like a child. As if I didn’t have a brain of my own.”

  “I’m not marrying you for your brain, Marcy.”

  “I’m not marrying you at all.”

  He stared at her, and all her bravado faded away under the chill of his glare. He leaned close and whispered. “You don’t know me very well if you think that decision is yours to make. It’s not too late for Cade to arrange a little accident for your friend in there. Do you understand me?”

  Marcy’s voice failed her. She had never before thought Benjamin capable of such cruelty. But there was no mistaking his threat. To protect Joel, she had to do what he said.

  Taking her silence for acquiescence, Benjamin pushed her toward Buttermilk and boosted her into the saddle. Then he loosened Toby’s reins from the railing and smacked him on the flanks with his hat.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Looks like Ellison’s horse ran off. Guess he’ll have to walk back to Neligh.”

  “In this weather?”

  “He can hole up here in the village till the rain clears up.” He took hold of Buttermilk’s bridle. “Might be several days before he makes it back to town.”

  Marcy looked over her shoulder at the lodge as if her watchful eye could keep Joel safe. It was nonsense, of course. But what else could she do? When she turned around again, she realized Benjamin was leading Buttermilk toward the Niobrara.

  “Aren’t you going to wait for Cade?”

  “He knows how to get home.”

  “What about the river? How did you get across?”

  “Those Injuns keep boats on both sides of the shore. It wasn’t easy to get across, but I’m a determined man. And I was determined to come after you.”

  “Your horses are on the other side?”

  “That’s right. We saw the tracks where you and Ellison went to the upper ford. Figured I’d get to the village before you did. Then all we had to do was wai—”

  A shot exploded behind them, and both Marcy and Benjamin seemed momentarily paralyzed.

  “Was that …?” The words clogged in Marcy’s throat.

  Benjamin’s eyes flicked toward the village. “I didn’t mean…I told Cade not to shoot.”

  Marcy slid off Buttermilk, and Benjamin grasped her arm. “You have to believe me. No one was supposed to get hurt.” He gave her a shaky smile. “Cade’s probably just having some fun. To shake Ellison up a bit.”

  “Let go of me.”

  “You can’t go back there, Marcy.”

  “Don’t you tell me what I can and can’t do.” She shoved him, and he loosened his grip. “Ever again.”

  “I’m not.” He blocked her path. For the first time that day, he sounded sincere. Almost apologetic even. “I’m, believe it or not, I’m trying to protect you. Cade can get mean when he’s riled.”

  Tears burned Marcy’s eyes, but she didn’t cry. “I thought I loved you. But I don’t even know you.”

  She pushed against him and ran toward the earth lodge. The slick mud caused her to fall, and her knee scraped against a partially buried rock. Dismissing the pain, she stumbled to her feet. Only one thing mattered. Getting to Joel.

  Joel and Cade rolled and punched, rose to their feet and punched again. Joel brushed blood from his chin as Cade slashed the air with a knife. The silver blade gleamed in the firelight. Joel instinctively raised his arm to block the attack. The blade gashed his forearm, and he cried out in anguish. Cade struck again, sinking the blade into Joel’s shoulder.

  The searing pain caused him to stagger. Starbursts momentarily blinded him. Sensing Cade closing in, Joel rammed him. The sudden attack pushed Cade to the edge of the fire. Flames licked his foot. He dropped the knife and hurriedly removed the burning boot. Joel used the distraction to retrieve the knife and the gun.

  Ignoring the blood s
eeping from his shoulder and arm, he took several deep breaths to calm his racing heart. He directed the gun at Cade’s chest.

  The door burst open and a gust of rain-chilled air swept through the lodge. Marcy stood at the entrance, her eyes focused on him.

  “We heard a gunshot.” The words tumbled out in a rush. “I had to be sure. …”

  He backed toward her, keeping a wary eye on Cade. “Are you hurt?” he asked, wincing in pain.

  “I’m fine.” Her expert fingers lightly touched the cuts and bruises on his face. Her eyes widened as the blood from his shoulder and forearm caught her attention. “Were you shot?”

  “Knife.”

  She glared at Cade, who held his burnt boot at his side.

  “I need to tie him up.” Joel didn’t know how much longer he could stay upright, let alone keep the gun pointed at Cade.

  “I need to tend your wounds.”

  “Cade first.” He thrust the gun toward him. “Take off your other boot.”

  Cade’s stone-cold eyes flashed with resentment, but he sat on the earthen floor and removed his boot.

  “Where’s Hollingsworth?” Joel asked.

  “I don’t know. We were headed for the river when we heard the shots.”

  “He let you go?”

  “He didn’t stop me.” She touched his injured arm. “We need to get you home.”

  “What about the doll?”

  “You’re more important.”

  “I’ll be fine. Let’s do what we came here to do.”

  She started to protest, but he cupped her face in his hand. Her blue eyes, tender and soft, gazed into his. Despite the agonizing pain, the oozing blood, and being chilled to the bone, there was no place he’d rather be.

  Chapter Eleven

  It’s no use,” Marcy said after they returned to the earthen lodge. They had searched every house and walked the grounds but to no avail. “The doll isn’t here.”

  “She may have dropped it on the way to the camp.”

  Hope flared inside Marcy, but one look at Joel and she let it die. She couldn’t ask him to follow the trail from the village back to Neligh. Not in his condition.