“No, Becky,” he said in a gentle way. “I don’t expect you to do anything for me. Not in there…” he glanced at the bedroom. “And not out here. I want you to relax for a while.”
“I will have to help out around the house. I can’t just sit on my behind all the time.”
“Maybe for a while, you should do just that. Maybe you should pick a book from my collection and read quietly. Maybe do a little sewing if you like.”
“I don’t have any of my sewing things.” Becky was instantly reminded of her stuffed animals. She missed them already. However, she didn’t miss them tremendously. They had always been her source of comfort when Bruce beat her down with his tempestuous accusations and insults. She needed no source of comfort here. Not yet. She was comfortable here. She hoped she would be comfortable for a very long time.
“That’s going to be a problem, isn’t it?” Kenny said reluctantly. “I grabbed one dress. You have underthings you need and possessions you want from your house. I will have to find a way to get those things for you.”
“Bruce works every day. You can go in with my permission and remove them when he isn’t there.”
Kenny looked lost in thought. He grunted and nodded. “I suppose I could do that. But I think I better come up with a better plan, so that he won’t know I’ve got you. I’ll figure something out.”
Becky found it oddly amusing when Kenny said “I’ve got you”. It didn’t sound scary in the least. The fact was, he had come into her home in the middle of the night and skirted her off under the sleeping nose of her brother. She didn’t want to go back, either. That fact nullified the illegal aspect of what Kenny had done. If it had been a real kidnapping, he would be hung by the neck. Her brother would see to that.
She was going to make sure nothing like that ever happened to him.
“Well,” Kenny said, coming out of his trance-like thoughts. “In either case, I insist you stick around and don’t clean and just relax.”
Becky sighed. “I don’t know how.”
“I’ll give you one suggestion, just to start,” Kenny set the rag he was still holding back on the counter where it had originally been and took Becky’s elbow. The feel of his skin against hers made her arm tingle. It sent waves of warmth through her entire body. She looked up at his blue eyes again and felt her heart skip a beat. He led her back to the couch. “Don’t clean. At least not today. Keep yourself from cleaning just today, okay? Try to relax. I might have some sewing stuff around here, in my shed maybe. I have had to repair clothes in the past. I don’t have a lot of money so I try to scrimp and save where I can. I don’t know what I have, but I will look.”
“I understand. That would be nice,” Becky replied. Money had never been a priority to her. Whenever she needed something, Bruce would buy it for her. She didn’t get anything extra, no new clothes or other amenities that some of the wealthier ladies could afford. However, she figured she didn’t need those things anyway. She had some pretty dresses. She made them all herself. Sewing was a passion for her.
“I have a lot of stuffed animals.” She said out of the blue. He just looked at her in expectation. “I… I would like to get them. If you do manage to get my things from my house, please don’t forget them. You may need to take along a couple of burlap sacks to put everything in. Do you think you can manage without anyone seeing you?”
“I’ll come up with something,” he repeated his phrase from earlier. His eyes were already wandering off and she knew he had something he wanted to do, but her presence was keeping him from doing it.
“Kenny, if you have things you need to do, please don’t let me stop you.”
He looked at her with worried eyes. “I don’t want you to feel lonely.”
Becky giggled. “I’ve been lonely all my life, Kenny. I know how to entertain myself. It is a comfort, I want you to know, being in a place where I can relax and know I’m not going to be yelled at or have anything demanded of me.”
Kenny shook his head. “I won’t tell you what to do. I won’t insult you. I will give you suggestions but if you don’t take them, the consequences are on you. You know?”
“I do, yes.”
“I don’t mind doling out that advice. It took me years to learn to take my own, so now I encourage others who are down on their luck. And, girlie, I’ve not seen anyone so down on their luck before as you. And to be such a charming, beautiful woman. It’s a shame to see that your brother has blocked you from any kind of happiness. Not just with a man, but with your life. You are like his slave.”
“I get some benefit from it,” Becky couldn’t help defending herself and her brother. “We do have our laughs. He lets me get groceries and…”
“Does he let you pick what you want from the market or only what he wants?”
Becky felt her cheeks getting warm. “What he wants.”
“Does he ever give you a special treat for anything?”
She shook her head. “No, nothing like that.”
Kenny shook his head, too. “Well, I don’t see that as brotherly love, and that’s what makes me mad at him. You are special. He should treat you as the special person you are.”
“You barely know me. You’ve only seen me from a distance. How can you know I am special?”
Kenny smiled. “Honey, it radiates from you. You have a presence and a beauty that is practically glowing. It made me want to talk to you so much but I was afraid because you seemed like such a delicate flower. I remember wondering if you ever talked or ever really left the house. I was very surprised to see you when you visited.”
Becky giggled. “I was equally surprised to see you, Kenny. I was expecting one of the Lewinsky’s.”
“It must have been fate that put us together, Becky,” Kenny said.
“Or God.”
Kenny shrugged. “Same thing really. His plan is our fate. You know what I’m getting at?”
“I sure do,” she beamed up at him.
He sat next to her this time and turned his body toward her. “You can’t tell me that you’ve been happy there, Becky. I can see it on your face.”
Becky reluctantly nodded. “I am very unhappy there, Kenny. I must be frank with you; it has taken all my courage and strength away. I feel so unhappy and depressed all the time. It’s not fair!”
Kenny shook his head. “You’re right. It isn’t fair. But maybe you will be even stronger for it, because after the abuse you’ve taken from your brother, I imagine you will be one strong, tough lady that will stay around much later then the years you even want.”
“That’s such a compliment. Thank you.”
“Would you like to tell me anything more about what Bruce has done and what his behavior has done to you?”
“I have never thought about it on those terms, Kenny,” she responded, smoothing out the skirt of her dress as if it was a complete and utter mess. “He’s done a lot of things, mostly insulting me and making me do extra chores for him. I don’t know what it’s done to me. I can tell you that I feel empty and lost. I feel like I am existing day to day. Just existing. Just cleaning, cooking, and working for a man who does not respect or love me.”
“It’s what you deserve,” Kenny said, following up quickly with. “The last part, not the first part.”
They chuckled about that but the joviality dissipated quickly. “I am very serious, Becky. I really am. We need to work on you, getting you on your own feet and finding your purpose. That’s been your problem so far. As human beings, we want to feel appreciated and loved, not something you are getting with your brother. I would show you as much love and attention as you needed or wanted.” When she gave him a curious look, he shrugged. “Just putting that out there.”
Becky chuckled.
He grinned. “I’m not going to pressure you into anything. I want you to know that. I just wanted you safe. I couldn’t take it anymore and had to do something about it. You needed to be saved. I feel like you would have been stuck in that place until the da
y Bruce died. Or you did. I don’t want that. I want you to enjoy the sunshine and sing while you put up laundry and smile when you tend to the flowers in your garden.”
Becky made a small ominous sound and said in a teasing voice, “You have been watching me.”
He tilted his head to the side and shrugged. “Maybe a little. Only because I am fascinated by you and don’t understand how can you not be taken by another man already. I don’t know how you can take the things he does to you.”
“I try not to think about it too much. I’m doing the best I can just to get by day by day.”
“Yes, just existing,” Kenny shook his head, looking down at his feet. “That’s what you’ve said. And I don’t want that for you! I know you will gain back your courage. I’m sure of it.”
“I just don’t know.”
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, dear.”
Becky was beginning to like the fact that he called her “dear” more than she thought she would. She had never heard any words of endearment toward her since her mama and papa died.
“I try not to. But it’s difficult for me.”
He didn’t leave her side but, in fact, seemed to draw closer to her on the couch. She could feel the warmth emanating from him. He put his arm around her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
“I’d like to give you a hug, if you will allow me.”
She turned more toward him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He moved his arm from her shoulders to her waist and let both arms wrap around her, pulling her closer to his chest. He bent down and kissed her cheek.
“If there’s anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask. I know I kidnapped you, but I only wanted to save you from what he’s doing to you. Maybe in a month, you will see things clearly and we will be happy together.”
“I’m happy with you right now, Kenny,” she looked up at him, pulling him closer to her and kissing his cheek. He proceeded to land several kisses on her cheeks, chin, and forehead. Before he knew it, he felt himself pressing his lips against hers. It was warm and deep. She had never experienced anything like that in her life.
When they pulled apart, he looked upset and worried. “I am sorry, Miss. I didn’t mean to be so inappropriate. Please accept my apology.”
She shook her head. “There is no need. I do know you a little. You needn’t apologize to me. What you have done for me… well, it’s something I will never be able to repay.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t do it because I had to. I did it because I wanted you to be safe and sound. At all times. All times.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
SEARCHES FOR BECKY
SEARCHES FOR BECKY
Sam watched as Adam slid out of the chair and headed to the door. He went back to stand in front of Bruce, who was still drowning his troubles in several “last” beers before he went on his search.
“I can think of a few men in town that will help you search, Bruce,” he said.
“I can probably find her on my own. I know this place.”
“You just said you don’t know any of her friends. Or if she even has any. Where will you look?”
“Behind every building and down every alley,” Bruce replied. “You never know where she might be, but I can tell you, I will be looking. I’ll find her.”
“Well, even if we don’t know her well, we know of her and how sweet of a woman she is. We will help you look.”
“Who is we?” Bruce asked, looking around him. The saloon was mostly deserted, only a few men at the tables, drinking or eating. “I don’t see anyone volunteering.”
“I know several men who will help. They haven’t come in yet, but they will.” Sam was confident Adam would soon be back with Mark and he could fill them in.
Bruce looked like he was going to slide off the booth seat and stumble out the door. Sam placed one hand flat on the counter in front of Bruce, distracting the drunken man. He looked at Sam’s hand, then up at the bartender. “What are you doing?”
Sam shook his head. “Don’t go yet. Surely you want a couple shots of vodka or whiskey before you go. You need to clear your head, right?” He spoke the words, knowing full well a shot of liquor would do nothing but put the man to sleep. Or at least keep him in the bar. Sam wanted Bruce to be accompanied by his friends so that if he did happen to chance upon Becky, he wouldn’t be tempted to do her harm for leaving him in the middle of the night.
Sam certainly didn’t blame the young lady. The town already knew Bruce ruled Becky like a servant rather than a sister. However, no one had ever interfered. Until now. Sam felt like it was time the town stood up for Becky instead of keeping quiet about her predicament. She needed to be cared for and protected. It was the very man searching for her that put her in danger of being hurt. Sam wanted to make sure she was finally safe from him. The best way to do that would be for Mark and Adam to find her first, to make sure she was not handed over to the clutches of her mean brother.
“I sure do want a couple shots,” Bruce said, remaining in his seat. “But I gotta watch my money. I don’t have a lot to spare right now.”
“These will be on the house. You deserve them after all this worry you are going through.”
“Sure right I do,” Bruce said. “That woman’s gonna put me into fits. I swear she is nothing but trouble.”
“Then why go and find her? Why not be happy that you got your freedom back?”
Bruce frowned and shook his head. “She can’t be out there on her own. She doesn’t know how to survive without me.”
Sam set two shot glasses in front of Bruce and tipped whiskey into one and vodka into the other. Bruce stared at the glasses for only a moment before picking up the whiskey and knocking it back. He immediately went for the second glass and threw it back, as well. He gasped and smacked his lips afterward, making a sound of approval. “Ahhh, that hits the spot.”
Sam doubted seriously that a 27-year-old woman, even one who had been forced to stay in the house and have no friends and work for her brother, would not be able to handle life on her own. He didn’t want to argue with Bruce, so he put his following words as carefully as possible. “Does she have any problems with her mind? Is she all there?”
“You asking me if she’s crazy?” Bruce shook his head. “She’s not crazy. She’s no lunatic.”
“If she has all of her faculties, why wouldn’t she be able to make it on her own?” Sam asked.
Bruce was quiet for a moment. Sam could see him trying to process and formulate words. The drunker he got, the more nonsensical he would become. Sam had seen it before. He knew just what to do to make Bruce pass out, even though the man drank liquor like it was water.
“She needs me,” Bruce said, slurring his words slightly. “She needs me and she can’t live without my direction.”
Again, Sam doubted that statement very seriously. It was quite obvious that Bruce was the one who didn’t know how to live without Becky. She obviously did absolutely everything for him and that was what he was used to. He was used to having her there to bully and push around. He didn’t want to live without his sister/servant. The thought made Sam’s anger rise once again and he struggled to look at the bright side. She wasn’t there now. She had found a way to escape. However, since it was under such mysterious circumstances, Sam felt it best that someone search for her who didn’t have a grudge against her.
“You just keep drinking. I’ll bring you something to eat. I know you gotta be famished. No breakfast.”
Bruce slammed his fist down on the counter. “That’s right! I am hungry! She didn’t make breakfast or coffee! She let me starve and now she’s gonna let me starve for lunch, too!”
Sam shook his head. “No, I'm not gonna let that happen. I’ll get some food in that stomach of yours so that you’ll be better equipped to go search. You have lots of time. When my friends come in, they’ll help you look. In the meantime, lemme get you some food.”
“Well, I’m looking fo
rward to it!” The level of volume Bruce was using was steadily rising the drunker he got. Sam took his time making a plate of food for him and didn’t give him more alcohol while he cooked and prepped the plate. When he came out of the back kitchen with it, Bruce was hanging his head and staring at the top of the counter as if there was something fascinating about it.
“Here you go, mate,” Sam dropped the plate onto the counter, pushing it so that it was in Bruce’s line of vision. Without saying anything, Bruce picked up a piece of bread and shoved it in his mouth. He used some of it to sop up his eggs. He pushed the large piece of ham into his mouth. Sam was somewhat disgusted when Bruce grinned at him with a mouthful of food, his cheeks bulging with everything he’d stuffed in his mouth. Sam said nothing. He just grinned back, trying to make it look genuine, not really caring if it didn’t.
He moved away from the man, not wanting to see any more of his greedy eating. He understood Bruce was hungry, but there was no need to eat like a wild man who hadn’t had food in months. He cleaned the bar again with the rag, wiped off already clean glasses, took care of several used ones, and went in the back to straighten up his kitchen.
While he cleaned, he thought about Becky. He’d seen her on occasion in town, usually going to the market. She had not come to the Horse N Saddle, not once in her lifetime. She didn’t seem the type who would want to drink often. She was a lady in many ways, even if she was young and unrefined. She seemed to have a natural talent for bringing comfort with her wherever she went.
He supposed it was because she was an innocent in her heart, had never done anything to hurt anyone in her life, and had doted on her older brother hand and foot for so many years, she’d lost track. He thought back to when they lost their parents. He had just opened up the saloon, creating a challenge for the only other saloon in Wickenburg, but not really taking much of their business. The town was growing and one side of the residents went to the other saloon, while those on the west and south side of town frequented the Horse N Saddle. He enjoyed his business. It was a way to meet nearly everyone in town. If not the wives, he would at least get to know the men. Adam and Mark were two of his closest, genuine friends in town. Both were good men and tried to make things better for the people in town. They could always be counted on in a pinch. They were like deputies without badges.
Snatching The Bride (Family of Love Series) (A Western Romance Story) Page 6
