The Rancher’s Bride Blessing

by Maya Stirling

  She strode back into the cave and halted, gazing down at the sack. Knowing that dynamite needed the fuse and blasting cap connected and lit to do its work, she lifted the bag. It felt heavy as she started to make her way back toward the cave entrance. Finally reaching the natural formation of the tunnel, she emerged into the soft light of the late afternoon sun. Rebel glanced at her, as if the horse had missed Abigail.

  Breathing steadily, Abigail hung the burlap sack across Rebel's saddle. Then she mounted the horse, taking care not to spill the contents of the bag. She started back toward the gorge. Her mind was a whirl of thoughts. She felt her hands shaking as she held Rebel's reins.

  Making her way up the narrow gorge, she came to a part where both sides of the cliff almost touched a few feet above her head. As she maneuvered Rebel through the gap, she saw loose stones tumbling down the cliff face on her right. As she turned, a movement caught her eye. She gasped as a dark shadow filled her vision. Abigail heard Rebel cry out. A heavy presence pulled Abigail to one side. Suddenly everything went dark as she felt dark fabric descending over her head and shoulders. Abigail screamed, then she felt herself tumble off Rebel.

  Her body crashed to the ground and she felt her head strike something hard.

  Darkness descended upon her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Noah was out in the yard when he saw a group of riders heading toward the ranch. Three riders, he guessed. Maybe it was Earl, wanting to discuss important business, Noah told himself.

  He stretched contentedly and gazed beyond the corral. It was getting toward evening and the sun was sinking near to the horizon. A cool breeze was sweeping in from the rangeland. It had been a long day and he'd planned to ride out to the herd and check up on the crew. Jake had been over earlier in the day. Learning what Noah needed about handling a gun hadn't taken long. He'd sent Mr and Mrs Lucas into town while Jake had been visiting the Double T.

  Jake had been surprised when Noah had insisted he only wanted to learn how to look as if he knew how to handle a gun. Without the need to use one. The appearance of expertise was enough as a deterrent, Noah figured.

  Eventually Jake had come around to Noah's way of thinking, and had showed him an easy way to convince doubters. Seemed like just placing your hand on the butt of a pistol in its holster was enough to dissuade even the most troublesome critter.

  Noah reached down to his waist and settled his hand on the gun jammed inside the holster. It still didn't feel right. Violence wasn't something Noah was interested in. He'd never been that kind of man. He planned on living out here for the rest of his days. He was determined not to become someone who had to resort to violent means to protect that with which God had graced him.

  Narrowing his eyes slightly, Noah peered at the advancing riders. Something shifted inside him as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. The riders were still a distance away. One rider seemed to have what looked like something placed over their head and shoulders.

  Puzzled, Noah advanced to toward the open gate, over which hung the sign declaring this to be the Double T ranch. The riders came on. Inexplicably, Noah felt his heart begin to beat faster as he watched the three riders. His brows furrowed when he finally made out the details of the rider whose upper body seemed to be encased in some kind of sack.

  Noah frowned and then, suddenly, his heartbeat quickened to a frantic pace. The horse. He recognized the horse. He murmured a disbelieving phrase and took a few steps forward. His hand drifted down to the gun at his waist, but he checked himself.

  It couldn't be!

  Rebel.

  The horse neighed loudly and tugged its head, trying to free itself from the rope in the hands of one of the other riders. Because the other rider, who Noah now recognized as Rufus, was holding onto a rope with which he was forcing Rebel to trail alongside him.

  Noah gasped incredulously. If that was Rebel, then it could only mean one thing. The rider enclosed, head and shoulders inside the gray sack had to be Abigail.

  Abigail!

  Indignation swept through every part of Noah's being. Muscles tensed and he fisted his hands. What was going on? For a moment, he thought about leaping on his horse and going out to face the two men leading Abigail to him. But he restrained the impulse, opting to to stay on his feet. If he was going to deal with this, he had to keep his head clear.

  The three riders were only a short distance away, now. Noah reined in the urge to yell his outrage at the men. What did they think they were doing? What was going on?

  Answers didn't matter, now, though, Noah told himself. Abigail was in danger, and he had to make her safe. Must protect her. That woman was too precious to him to allow this kind of outrage.

  Noah's jaw tightened and he planted his feet in the dust as the three riders drew to a halt barely a few feet away from him.

  Noah advanced on Earl. The foreman peered down at Noah and suddenly swept his pistol out of his holster. "That's far enough, MacKendrick," Earl barked.

  Noah halted. From inside the sack came Abigail's voice. "Noah!"

  "Abigail!" Noah pleaded. "What's going on? Are you hurt?"

  "Be quiet," Earl snapped, glancing over at Rufus who was still holding onto the rope connecting his horse to Rebel. Noah took a step toward Abigail's horse, but Earl called out again: "Stay right where you are, MacKendrick."

  Teeth gritted, eyes wide with indignation, Noah glared at Earl. "What do you think you're doing?" he demanded. He pointed toward Abigail, who was clearly tied up. "Let her go!" he ordered.

  He saw her shifting, twisting frantically, trying to free herself. But there was nothing she could do. "Noah," he heard Abigail's muffled voice pleading from inside the sack which covered her all the way down to her middle.

  Emotion flared inside Noah and he flashed a deadly look at Earl. "Release her, now," he yelled, his voice echoing across the empty yard.

  Earl shook his head. "When I'm good and ready."

  "Now!" called out Noah. His hand went to the gun at his side. Noah hesitated, watching Earl carefully.

  Earl was still pointing his own gun at Noah. Seeing the movement of Noah's hand, Earl's eyes narrowed. "I wouldn't if I was you," Earl suggested.

  Abigail squirmed again. "Noah, they're going to do something terrible," she announced, her voice cracking with emotion. "We have to stop them."

  Noah frowned. He took one more step toward Abigail, but this time Rufus drew his pistol and shook his head. Noah froze on the spot. Now he had two pistols trained on him. The odds weren't in his favor. Forcing himself to stand still was just about the hardest thing he'd done in his life. He desperately wanted to go to Abigail. Free her. Loosen her bonds. Rip that sack from over her head. But, he knew if he did that, he might end up lying on the dusty yard with bullets in him. And then what would happen to Abigail. He couldn't even think about that.

  "Take that sack off Abigail," Noah barked pointing at her. "Do what you want with me, but let her go."

  Unfazed by Noah's demand, Earl simply shook his head and smiled. "I've got plans for the two of you."

  Abigail hollered from inside the sack. The sound of her distress cut deeply into Noah. He'd never felt pain like it. Noah saw Rufus jump and glance at Earl. Worry swept through Noah as he turned back to Abigail.

  Something shifted inside Noah. A sudden certainty swept through him. It was like there was a presence by his side, coaxing him to act. Encouraging him. Murmuring in his ear that these evil men were weak. That everything they'd done since riding into the yard had been an act. That they were simply bluffing. Noah had seen men like these before. Back East, in the drawing rooms of expensive homes; in the smoky dining rooms of clubs.

  They weren't going to shoot, Noah told himself. These men had other plans for him and Abigail. Shooting would ruin those plans.

  Noah drew in a deep breath and resolved to do what was right, trusting in the hidden guidance he'd received. Acting with faith, he strode toward Rebel. He ignored Earl's voice when the man call
ed out: "I'm warning you, MacKendrick." Noah didn't even look at Earl. Just kept on going.

  Noah reached Rebel's side. He stretched up his arms and took hold of Abigail. When she jerked at his touch, Noah murmured softly: "Abigail. It's me. It's okay."

  He felt the tension in her body drain away as he lifted her off the horse. He savored the sensation of her body settling against his. Taking her weight, he placed Abigail gently down onto her booted feet.

  Noah peered defiantly toward Earl and Rufus. Neither of the men moved a muscle as they stared at Noah and Abigail.

  Noah untied the rope around her wrists and then quickly removed the sack from over Abigail's head and shoulders. His heart leaped with joy as he gazed upon the woman who now meant more to him than anyone. She blinked and then shook her head, clearly relieved to be free. Rubbing her wrists, she gazed at Noah. Finally, to his heart's delight, she smiled and then did the most incredible thing. She threw her arms around Noah.

  He hugged Abigail, holding her tightly, feeling her shake with emotion. When she leaned her head back, and he could look more closely at her beautiful features, he drew in a sharp breath. A bruise, about the size of his thumb, on the right side of her forehead. He lifted a hand up to it and frowned. "How did this happen?" he asked breathlessly.

  Abigail's eyes flickered toward Rufus. Outrage seized Noah, once again. He glared at Rufus. "You laid a hand on this precious woman, Rufus?" Noah shouted.

  Rufus' head lowered, an obvious admission of guilt, as far as Noah was concerned. "She put up a fight," he admitted.

  Noah looked at Abigail. A curious mixture of consternation and admiration took hold of Noah. She nodded. "I fell off Rebel when Rufus threw that bag over my head." She lifted a hand to her forehead, rubbing the bruised area. "I banged my head."

  Noah wanted to nurse that wound any way he could. Take away Abigail's pain. But, for the moment, it was enough she was in his arms. Again.

  Curving his hand around Abigail's waist, Noah led Abigail away from Rebel and halted in front of Earl. "You still haven't told me what this is all about, Earl," Noah said sharply.

  Earl's gaze settled on Abigail. "Maybe that woman who means so much to you would like to say a word or two," Earl suggested in a voice dripping with sarcasm.

  Noah peered at Abigail and lifted a brow. Abigail looked calmer now. Still rubbing her painful wrists, she looked from Rufus to Earl, pointing at a bag which was hanging over Earl's saddle. "I found that bag down at the cave by the river," Abigail said. "There's dynamite inside it," she added with an awful fear in her voice.

  Noah drew in a sharp breath and stared at the bag. "Dynamite!" he exclaimed. "And you brought it out of the cave on your own?" he added disbelievingly, staring at Abigail.

  She nodded. "They were planning on blowing up the outcrop that hangs over the river. You know the huge mass of rock over the cave entrance." Abigail's eyes widened and her face turned pale. "They were going to try and block the river that runs into the other spreads over to the east. Including my uncle Caleb's ranch." Abigail's voice cracked. "You know what that would mean. No water for cattle. Caleb and the other ranchers along the river would be out of business in no time. Or at least suffer terrible hardship."

  Noah felt Abigail shake with emotion as she spoke. He scowled at Earl. "Is this true?"

  Earl shrugged. "That's one smart little lady you have there, MacKendrick." Earl leaned on the pommel of his saddle and looked wearily at Noah. "Pity she can't control her curiosity. But, you know what that did to the cat, as they say." Earl concluded.

  Rufus let out a loud guffaw. When Noah glowered at Rufus, the man's laughter died to a nervous smile. "Who put you up to this?" Noah demanded.

  Earl frowned. "Now, why would you think someone else has a hand in any of this?"

  Noah tilted his head and stared evenly at Earl. "Because I don't think you and Rufus are smart enough to have come up with something like this on your own."

  Earl straightened in the saddle. "That's rich coming from someone who doesn't know a thing about ranching. Dudes like you are rich pickings for people like us," Earl confessed. He looked at Rufus. "Ain't that right, Rufus."

  Rufus guffawed again and nodded enthusiastically. "Sure is, Earl. Reckon we got ourselves a chance to get enough to retire out of this one," he said waving his pistol in Noah's direction.

  Earl nodded. "I figure Mr High and Mighty here might have a few things hidden around this here ranch." He peered at Noah. "Or am I wrong, Mr MacKendrick?" Earl pointed the gun at Noah. "Where's the stuff?" he asked in a deep, threatening voice

  Noah remained tight-lipped. Abigail had been right. There were men in these parts who must reckon that someone like Noah would have a hidden stash of money or valuables. Noah's attention shifted to the gun at his hip. His hand eased toward it.

  "I'll be taking that," Earl declared, as if reading Noah's mind. Earl slid down from his horse and advanced to Noah. "Nice and easy, now," Earl said slowly. He stretched out a hand while pointing his pistol straight at Abigail. Noah felt his throat tighten. He drew in a deep breath, realizing he had no choice but to hand the gun over.

  Noah drew the pistol slowly out of the holster and handed it to Earl. Noah felt Abigail settle against him. Once again, he felt her shaking slightly. The thought that she might be frightened made Noah grit his teeth. Rage boiled momentarily within him. Drawing in a deep, calming breath, he held onto Abigail even more tightly than before. She needed him to be composed. Steady in the face of danger. He owed that to her. Especially after she'd put herself in danger. He wondered how she had found out about the plan to set off an explosion down at the cave. That was for later, he told himself. If there was going to be a later.

  Earl pointed his gun in the direction of the barn. "In there," he instructed.

  Noah and Abigail walked over to the barn and entered. From behind them, Noah heard Earl murmuring to Rufus. Whatever the two were planning, it involved keeping Noah and Abigail locked up for a while. Maybe they were going to search the ranch house for money or valuables. Noah knew there wasn't anything. Everything of any value was already deposited safely in the Inspiration town bank. That wouldn't stop the pair of criminals trying to satisfy their greed by rummaging through the house, Noah told himself.

  Noah and Abigail stood in the middle of the barn and watched as Earl started to close the doors. As he did so, he peered at them. "Don't get any ideas. Rufus will be here. Waiting. Just in case you decide to act like a fool and try to escape."

  Then the doors were closed and the inside of the barn was plunged into semi-darkness, the only light provided by the cracks in the wooden walls.

  Noah was alone with Abigail.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Abigail threw her arms around Noah and buried her face against his shoulder. "Noah, what are we going to do?"

  Noah didn't answer. She sensed his strength as he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her against him. For a moment, she savored the feeling of being in his warm, immensely reassuring embrace. She felt safe. For now. The semi-darkness of the barn's interior was strangely reassuring. It was as if they'd locked the real world away from them. And, for a brief moment, they could share a private moment.

  Ever since she'd woken a short time ago, trussed up on Rebel, and with her head covered in a burlap sack, she'd asked herself how this was going to end. Being safe with Noah lessened those worries. But not by much. When she'd regained consciousness after her fall, she'd found herself sitting on Rebel, somewhere out on the rangeland, and listening to Rufus and Earl debating what they could do, now that their plan had been uncovered. Seems their idea was to get as much as they could for themselves and high-tail it out of the territory. Simple plan, she thought. Better than winding up in Sheriff Cameron's jailhouse.

  She leaned her head away from Noah and gazed up at him. He lifted a hand and caressed the side of her face with the gentlest of touches. He shook his head. "Don't ever do something like that again, you hear?" he murmured.

>