They nodded in agreement and began to spread through the trees. Cory slipped among them as he had as a child playing hide-and-seek with his brothers. Just when he got close enough to hear their voices and see their faces, a series of birdcalls echoed through the air. All the men must be in place. Now it was up to him to keep his eyes open and run in for Abigail.
Then shots rang out, and two of the men went down. One held his knee with one hand and reached for his gun with the other. The other two spun around and snatched their guns from their holsters, firing in the posse’s direction. Cory took aim and shot the gun out of the hand of the one with the knee injury. The largest man grabbed Abigail from the saddle and threw her to the sandy shore, using her as a shield.
Cory growled. That no-good coward. Then the other two men were down and lay still. The one with the wounded leg nursed both his hand and his leg. The only one left was the big one holding Abigail.
Clanton called out, “McGraw, let the girl go. You’re surrounded with no way out.”
“You let me go, and I’ll let her go; otherwise I’ll shoot her right here.” He shoved the gun up under her throat.
Cory fumed. With his back to the river, McGraw effectively protected himself with Abigail. He scooted over behind a boulder, dragging Abigail with him. Cory turned and headed downriver to where a curve hid him from view. He crawled across the sand and into the water. If he could creep up from behind, he’d have a shot at McGraw. He could only pray the others would spot him and realize his intentions.
Marshal Slade’s voice reached Cory’s ears. “We don’t have all day, McGraw. Throw down your weapon and give up the girl.”
McGraw answered with two more shots toward the trees. “Not unless you let me cross the river and go free.”
Cory was almost even with the outlaw, who concentrated on the trees and not the river behind him. Holding his gun just out of the water, Cory managed to bend down and draw closer. Another shot rang out, and McGraw ducked and turned his head. At the same time he spotted Cory and swung his gun around to shoot.
Abigail screamed, and Cory aimed from where he was and hit McGraw in the shoulder holding the gun. He grasped the wound with his left hand and fired with his right. Abigail screamed again and rolled away from McGraw. The bullet hit the water inches in front of Cory, who dove to safety. Slade raced from the trees, gun drawn, and managed to subdue McGraw.
Slade yanked the outlaw to his feet and handcuffed him. He hollered at Rutherford and the others. “Check those other two there and take care of the leg wound.” He turned to Cory. “You all right?”
“Yeah, he missed me by a foot or two.” Cory slushed through the water to shore and grabbed Abigail to help her stand up. He untied her hands, and she threw her arms about his neck.
“I knew you’d come. I knew you would.” A floodgate of tears washed down her cheeks and onto his shoulder.
Cory wrapped his arms around her tight. Thankfulness filled his soul, and he fought back his own tears. He kissed her hair and whispered in her ear. “You’ve been out here long enough. Now let’s get you home.”
He flinched at the sight of the bruises to her face and neck as well as the scratches on her arms. He prayed those were her only injuries. First stop at home would be the infirmary for Doc Jensen to give her a good going-over.
Slade, Rutherford, and Frank secured the outlaws to their horses and were ready to head back to Porterfield. Cory set Abigail on his saddle and swung up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her to grasp the reins. She leaned back against his chest and closed her eyes. The warmth of her body took some of the chill out of his, and it took all the strength he had left not to lean over and kiss her right there.
He tapped his horse’s sides with the heel of his boots, and the group headed west through the trees. They were going home.
Early Tuesday morning the bedraggled group rode into Porterfield. Elliot and his uncle had walked down to the infirmary to open up and spotted the posse coming down the street. Elliot’s heart jumped with fear mixed with joy at the sight of Abigail with Cory. The sheriff and the marshal turned off and went to the jail with their prisoners, but Cory headed straight for the doctors.
Kate rounded the corner, and when she saw her brother, she ran toward him. “Cory, Cory, you found her!”
Abigail slumped against Cory’s chest with her eyes closed. A pang of jealousy shot through Elliot at the sight. Cory had rescued her and he was the hero, not Elliot.
Cory handed Abigail down to Elliot and his uncle. She stirred but didn’t open her eyes. “She’s worn out and hasn’t had much to eat since she was taken. Sheriff Rutherford stopped in Carthage and brought some food back to the camp, but she only ate a little.”
The concern in Cory’s voice and the emotion in his eyes plunged a knife into Elliot’s heart. Cory loved her, and he’d saved her life. What chance would a doctor have against a real live cowboy hero? With his uncle’s help he carried Abigail into the infirmary, his heart bleeding with the pain of knowing she couldn’t be his. Once again he’d lost.
Henry Wilder arrived just as Elliot laid Abigail on a bed. Of course he would be here. This was a big story for the Porterfield Gazette. Elliot hung back as his uncle began an examination of the bruises and cuts on Abigail’s face and arms. Elliot’s hands itched to care for her himself, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it with Cory standing by. He slumped against the wall. Kate raised her eyebrows as she passed him to get the supplies Doc needed.
Questions were bound to come, but Elliot left the building and headed back to his home. Abigail was in good hands, and if he stayed any longer, the feelings he’d repressed for the past week would surface and ruin everything. Better to stay out of sight and away from her. She’d want Cory to be by her side now.
He passed the church and paused, tempted to go in. Had it been God who led them to Abigail or Hawkeye’s experienced tracking abilities? Elliot fought the emotions rising within him and picked up his pace to go home. The Monroe and Muldoon families would have a happy Thanksgiving after all.
When he entered the house, he headed straight up to his room and closed the door. His breath came in short spurts and his heart raced. The full realization of what could have happened with Abigail hit him in the chest like a sledgehammer, and he slumped into his chair. Why couldn’t he have rescued Abigail instead of Cory? This newfound love for her poured through his soul like a balm. Why had he waited so long to admit it was there? Would it have been different if he’d admitted it to her? Now he wanted her to love him. But it was too late. Cory had not only rescued her, but he’d undoubtedly also captured her heart.
A lump rose in his throat, and he fought the tears welling in his eyes. Then he finally let it all go, and sobs shook his body in release of all the grief and despair he’d stored up for the past two years.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
JOY FILLED THE Muldoon home on Thanksgiving Day. Though still somewhat tired and sore from her ordeal, Abigail basked in their love as they all gathered to celebrate. The physical wounds would heal quickly, but it would take the love of God and this family to heal her heart and soul.
Laughter rang out around her as she soaked up the camaraderie of this loud, fun-loving group. They treated her like a princess today, and all she had to do was sit back and enjoy it.
The only dark note on the entire day was the fact that Elliot had not spoken to her or even been to see her since her return. When she had awakened in the infirmary on Tuesday, he’d been nowhere to be found, and Doc Jensen treated her.
Kate sat down beside her. “Everything’s all cleaned up, and the younger ones are down for a nap, so we have time to talk and visit.” Kate tilted her head and peered at Abigail. “I sense there’s something not quite right for you. Did something happen out there that you haven’t told us about?”
Abigail shook her head. “Oh, no, it would have if the posse hadn’t caught up to us, but other than getting banged up and bruised, I’m OK.”
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p; “Then could it be the two men who care so much about you?”
Abigail’s mouth dropped open. Two men? How could that be? Neither Cory nor Elliot had given that impression. “What do you mean by that?”
“I’ve seen the way Cory stares at you and the look on his face when he brought you into the infirmary. Elliot saw it too, and he wilted on the spot. I thought it was because of your injuries, but now that I’ve had a chance to think about it, I believe it was Elliot seeing you in Cory’s arms and how Cory looked at you. They both care a great deal about you.”
“But neither of them has shown any indication of that.” Abigail bit her lip. That wasn’t exactly true. Cory had been paying her more attention and had shown great relief and concern when he rescued her. She’d been paying so much attention to Elliot that she’d completely missed the depth of Cory’s feelings.
“If I’ve seen it, others have. So you need to make a decision. I’d love for it to be Cory, but you must follow your own heart.”
What Kate said made sense, and she did have to decide. She did love Cory, but it wasn’t the love on which she could build a life. How much should she tell Kate? The truth was usually the best way, so she’d go that route now. “The plain fact of the matter is I’ve come to care about Elliot, and I’m disappointed he wasn’t there at the infirmary to treat me.”
“I figured as much. When you came in, a look of such desperation came into his eyes that it almost frightened me. He was in no condition to treat you or anyone else, although I believe he did go over to the jail later to treat those men who’d been shot.”
“But he didn’t come back to the infirmary the whole time I was there. It was like he was doing everything possible to avoid me.” Cory had stayed around until he was sure she was all right, but Elliot’s absence hadn’t meant anything to her then.
“Most likely he was. I think he’s hiding something from his past, and it must be about someone he cared for. I guess he hasn’t put it behind him yet, and you reminded him of it when you were injured.”
Guilt clutched Abigail’s heart. “Oh, dear, I’ve made it worse for him. I really care about him, and I’ve tried to help, but nothing seems to get through to him.”
“Something happened to cause him to isolate himself and to lose faith. But I want you to know that the Sunday you were missing, he did come to church. He sat in the back and didn’t talk to anyone, but just his being there says something is going on in his heart.”
Kate placed her hand on Abigail’s shoulder. “I think the shock of your disappearance and then the way you looked when Cory brought you in was too much of a reminder of whatever it was that happened in his past.” She paused then said, “If you care that much for Elliot, you must be prepared to let Cory know.”
Kate stood. “I have to go help Ma with the table.”
Abigail squeezed her eyes shut. Two men she cared about a great deal, but only one of them could she love with all her heart and soul.
Cory waited until Kate left Abigail sitting alone before going to sit beside her. “It doesn’t look right for you to be alone.”
Abigail looked at him with a dazed expression filling her eyes. He must have interrupted something. “I’m sorry, you look like you were thinking about something far away from here.”
Her eyes opened wide, and the depth of emotion in those liquid brown pools caused his heart to thump. She gestured to him. “I’m sorry, and don’t go. I guess I do need your company right now. I’ve never truly thanked you for your bravery in rescuing me. I was never so glad to see anyone as I was you and that posse.”
He reached for her hand and clasped it in his. “And I was never so scared for someone else as I was you in that man’s clutches. I was determined we were going to find you and bring you back before you could get to Louisiana.”
“I know, and I’m so thankful to be back home and safe.” She covered their clasped hands with her free one.
Her touch burned like a branding iron, and his heart beat a faster. He took a deep breath and decided to speak. “Abigail, that adventure and the thought of losing you made me realize that I cared more about you than I could have imagined before. I love you, Abigail.”
Her eyes opened wide, and she pulled her hand from his. “I . . . I love your family and the way they’ve taken me in and made me feel like a part of it, but—”
Now his heart sank. “But” was not a good word coming from a girl he had opened his heart to. He swallowed hard and waited for her to finish. The hollow place in his gut rolled with hunger, but it stormed even more in fear of what he was about to hear.
“I do love you, Cory, but it’s not the kind of love on which we can build a relationship. You’re a wonderful person, and someday you’ll find a girl worthy of your love and attention.”
There it was. The rejection, but the pain he’d expected didn’t come right away. “I see.” But he didn’t. He should have guessed she’d choose Elliot over a cowboy lawman. He steeled his heart against whatever might come next. He stood. “I think Ma is about ready to call us into dinner.”
They entered the dining room together, but Cory sat away from Abigail. He had to think about what had just happened, and he couldn’t do it sitting beside her. If he could do so with a legitimate reason, he would leave the house and ride back to town.
After a dinner of turkey, cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie, Elliot helped Aunt Maggie with the dishes. She’d spent so much time preparing the meal, she deserved some help with the cleanup.
Someone knocked on the door, and Aunt Maggie left to answer it.
“Sophia and Philip. How nice to see you. Come in. Do you need Doc for something?”
Elliot dropped the towel he was holding and grabbed the plate he was drying. What was she doing here? It couldn’t be good. His stomach churned with the meal he’d just eaten threatening to come back up.
“Actually I need to speak with Elliot. Please don’t let him refuse.”
“I . . . I’ll do my best. Go in and have a seat, and I’ll get him.”
Elliot wanted to hide, but the only way upstairs was through the hallway where they’d be sure to see him. He eyed the back door, but he was too late. Aunt Maggie returned.
“I suppose you’d rather not see them, but it might be best for you to find out what she wants.”
After a few minutes Elliot all but stormed into the room “What do you want, Sophia? Why is he with you?”
Sophia stood and reached into her handbag. “I wanted to bring this to you.” She handed him the letter. “It’s from Mr. and Mrs. Dupree, and I think you need to read it.”
When he refused to take it, she hastened to add, “No, I didn’t read it, but I got one from them too, and they told me what they were going to tell you.”
Elliot grasped the letter but didn’t look at it and let his hand fall to his side. “Was there anything else?”
“Please read the letter, Elliot. It can make a difference.”
Philip stepped over and placed his hand on Elliot’s shoulder. “Listen to her. This young woman has more wisdom and goodness in her than I could ever deserve. God has seen fit to bring her to Porterfield to marry me, but I sense a far greater reason for her being here. Talk to God about it, and you will find the answers you need.”
Elliot said nothing, but his jaw tightened and the veins in his neck throbbed.
Sophia came closer, her gaze calm but determined. “That’s all I have to say. The rest is up to you. If you ever want to have peace, you must resolve this issue with Angela. When you do, you’ll be amazed at the doors God will open for you.” She grasped Philip’s arm. “Come, it’s time for us to leave.”
Elliot crushed the letter with his fingers and turned to march up the stairs to his room. What nerve Sophia had to write to Angela’s parents and tell them where he was. He never wanted to see or hear from them again. Their attitude at the funeral had been all he needed to know that they’d forever blame him for the death of their daughter.
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He entered his room and all but slammed the door behind him. Tears of rage and heartache filled his eyes. Elliot swallowed hard and clenched his teeth. He would not give in to weakness and cry again. He tossed the crumpled letter onto his desk and sat on the edge of his bed. His hands hung between his knees as he stared at the paisley-patterned rug on the floor.
Life had become as complicated as the swirls and whirls of the design that swam before his eyes in a blur. All he thought he’d escaped by leaving Cleveland had come back in a tide he couldn’t stem. First Abigail with all her accidents had begun to work her way into his life despite his efforts to lock away his heart. Then Sophia had come, and with her all the memories and horror of that one night.
Once again he questioned how a loving God could be so cruel as to allow the events of the past to happen in the first place. Then, just when he’d begun to think maybe the future could be good, He’d sent a reminder of how tragedy could strike at any moment, destroying happiness in one blow. Elliot slammed his fist against the mattress. God had punished him two years ago, and now He was at it again. Would it never end?
A knock sounded on the door, followed by his uncle’s voice. “May I come in?”
Elliot’s first impulse was to say no. All Doc would do was tell Elliot how wrong he was and how he had to get over it, but then he realized his uncle always meant well. “Come on in.”
Doc entered and sat in the chair at the desk. He spotted the balled-up letter on the desk and picked it up to smooth it out. “So this is what Sophia had for you.” He stared at the envelope a few minutes.
Finally Elliot responded. “Yes, it is, but I don’t care to read more accusations and blame from Mr. and Mrs. Dupree.”
Winter Promise Page 19
