[2016] A Wanting Bride

by Christian Michael

  Well, not anymore.

  The morning sunshine mirrored Simon’s heart as he bounded up the steps to open the hotels front door.

  “Morning pastor,” someone said and he nodded their way. His mind was focused on his bride though. Sweet Alta with her hair like gold, her eyes like sapphires, and her lips pink like primrose. He laughed at himself, he was a lovesick fool—but that was all right with him.

  Inside the hotel he made his way past the front desk and down the hall, stopping at the second door and knocking twice. There was no reply. He frowned, knocking harder just in case Alta had somehow missed the first knock. When she didn’t reply that time either he wondered if she’d fallen asleep.

  Glancing left then right, he tried the door, but it was locked.

  His pulse picked up and he strode back to the entrance. Maybe he’d missed her and she was sitting in the lobby or in the restaurant? He looked around but didn’t see her. He even walked through the restaurant but saw now sign of her. Had she taken a walk maybe? Decided the morning air was too nice to pass up?

  That thought worried him. White River wasn’t a town where a young, unmarried woman should be walking around alone in. He expected that she understood that after the incident yesterday but maybe…

  Heart pounding and palms sweaty with worry, he raced to the front desk. “Have you seen the young woman from room three this morning?”

  The older, bespectacled man peered up at Simon. “Miss Bishop?”

  “Why, yes,” he said, surprised the man remember her name.

  “I know all of my customers, Pastor Lynch.”

  Simon forced a smile. “Yes. I see that you do. Could we please go check her room? I’m afraid she may have fallen ill or something.”

  “I’m not in the habit of opening up customer’s rooms…” He looked displeased and Simon could understand, but there was something wrong. He just knew it.

  “Please, sir, we were supposed to meet this morning. We’re…” he swallowed, “we’re getting married today.”

  A warm smile washed over the innkeepers face. “I see. Well, we can go check—together mind you. I’ll not be giving you the key.”

  “Oh, no sir. I wouldn’t ask that of you.”

  They made their way back down the hall at an infuriatingly slow pace and finally the man opened the door after knocking several times again.

  The room was in disarray, a chair toppled over and the bedcovers mussed, but not from sleep. On the other side of the room the window stood open.

  “No,” Simon gasped.

  It was clear what had happened. Someone had kidnapped Alta.

  ***

  Alta groaned, her head pounding. She tried to open her eyes but they felt glued shut. Why did she hurt so much? And why was the world shifting under her? Trying to move, she felt her stiff arms connected behind her.

  She was tied up!

  Her eyes flew open and she gasped in surprise. She was in the bed of a moving wagon. Above her the canvas covering was stained from the weather and had been patched many times. She could just make out blue sky from the back opening and the shape of a large man sitting at the front.

  The urge to cry out, to scream for someone to help her, was strong but she didn’t want the man to know she had woken up just yet. There had to be a way for her to escape—

  The thought died just as quickly as it rose in her mind. She had no idea where she was and, by moving her arms to and fro, she could feel the shackles that bound her wrists. Actual metal cuffs, not rope that could be untied or possibly sawed through with a knife. This was…impossible.

  How had she gotten here? She thought back to the day before. It had been wonderful—the picnic with Simon, the leisurely walk back to the hotel, the dinner they had shared before he dropped her off at her room with a light kiss on the check and the promise of their wedding in the morning.

  It had all been too much to bear. She couldn’t sleep and instead paced her room back and forth until finally she had turned out her light, about to get into bed when there had been a sound at the window. In her haste to escape, she hadn’t been able to unlock her door and the key had fallen to the ground, hidden by the dark.

  Then the window had gone sailing up and a large man had come in. She’d tried her hardest to get away but he’d eventually knocked her out. Even at the memory her temple pounded in response making her feel sick to her stomach.

  She moved her arms again, rolling further onto her side until her numb limbs could gain better circulation. They were indeed shackled by metal and it seemed as if her feet were tied with rope. Pulling slowly, she found that her shackles were connected to the side of the wagon through a metal loop. There wasn’t even hope that she could pull free.

  “Yer awake.”

  The man’s voice startled her and her eyes flew to him. It was the same man from the day before. He was half turned in the bench seat, a scowl on his face and three red scratches running down one side of his face. She realized that they were from her nails. At least she’d fought back.

  “What have you done? Where are you taking me? Let me go!” She knew she sounded frantic, but she couldn't help it. Every part of her was trembling and she desperately wanted to be free—from the chains and from his gaze.

  “I’m taking you to Keystone—to be married,” he spat the last words out then turned his attention back to the road.

  To be married? But she was already engaged!

  “No! I’m already promised to someone. Take me back to White River immediately,” she demanded.

  Keeping his back to her he merely laughed. “Not likely.”

  “I demand—”

  He cut her off. “I don’t think yer in any place to demand anything, girly.”

  He was right and she knew it. She had to escape—somehow. Had to get back to Simon. Where was he? Had this man done something to him first? Hurt him in some way? She closed her eyes, resting her pounding head back against the hard wooden boards that covered the floor of the wagon.

  Lord, protect me.

  Chapter 4

  Simon drained the last of the water from his canteen. He’d need to find a stream to refill soon, but he was close. Very close.

  After overcoming his initial shock at finding Alta taken, he’d questioned everyone he could find. No one had known anything until he’d come to a stable hand at the blacksmith’s shop that had seen a man taking a woman to his wagon. The boy had noticed the sight because it looked like something was wrong with the woman besides the fact that it had been past midnight when he’d seen them.

  It gave Simon something to go on until he’d found someone else saying they’d seen the wagon leave town headed toward Keystone. It wasn’t much to go on but Simon had run out of options. He’d borrowed a horse, amassed a few provisions, and taken off after the wagon.

  The longer he was on the road the more clues he’d picked up. Passing one outpost, a haggard woman had said she’d looked in the back of the wagon and seen a woman tied up. She was old and couldn’t do anything about it, but Simon knew God had caused her to look so that he would know he was on the right path. That was the only explanation.

  Now though, he’d been riding for days and hadn’t caught sight of them. Had he passed them somehow? Had the man taken another direction?

  His horse slowed down as they came to a steep hill. Urging the beast on, they crested the ridge and he pulled the horse to a stop. The valley spread out below him and several miles ahead, he saw a wagon. His heart leapt in his chest. It had to be them! For fear of being seen, Simon directed the horse to the side of the main road, riding near trees and making his way as quickly as possible down the slope. Once there, he urged the animal on at a fast past. He wouldn’t come up on the wagon right away, but he needed to be close enough to determine what was happening. If Alta was all right. What type of precautions the man had taken.

  The ride was hard and by the time they were close enough to see the wagon through a corpse of trees, his horse was exhausted a
nd he was thirsty, his mouth bone dry.

  Thankfully though, it seemed as if the man had pulled the wagon over. Were they stopping for the night? Simon prayed so.

  After drinking his fill, Simon tied up his horse near the small stream and made his way as soundlessly as possible toward the wagon. The man, a large, tall fellow with board shoulders and a perpetual scowl, lumbered around the camp, tossing out a bedroll and starting up a fire. Then, from the back of the wagon, he saw the man yank Alta out.

  His pulse surged and it took everything within him not to race forward and rescue her right then and there. But the six-shooter at the man’s hip and the rifle propped up against the wagon wheel told Simon that this guy was prepared—for anything.

  Despite the distance Simon could see how pale Alta’s features were. If the man had laid a hand on her—

  Simon had to tamp down his anger, the emotion boiling in his veins. He had to think with a clear, strategic head, not one bent on revenge or blinded by rage.

  The man yanked her toward a seat by the fire and, despite the dimming light, Simon could see her wrists were chained. Not just tied, but in chains. Who was this man? What was his intent? It seemed more planned out than just some man looking to steal a wife.

  They spoke, but he could see the distain on Alta’s face. She barely looked up from where her gaze drilled into the fire and he prayed that she wouldn’t lose her hope. He was so close; he would find a way to rescue her.

  Climbing up into a tree for a better vantage point, Simon watched. Soon the sun went down fully and, after a little while by the fire, the man hauled Alta up and shoved her into the back of the wagon again. Then, taking his rifle with him, he laid down by the fire.

  This was it. This was Simon’s chance. He had to go to her.

  ***

  Alta heard the man—Ed—snoring in his sleep and gave in to her tears. She wouldn’t let him see her cry, but when he was asleep she allowed herself to truly feel the fear she had. Though she hadn’t gotten much more out of him, it seemed he was taking her to Keystone to a man who had purchased a wife from him.

  Purchased. As if she were a cow or a horse.

  She could only assume that Ed spent his days traveling to distant towns stealing women for a profit. It sickened her and terrified her, because he was good at what he did. Thankfully he had an interest in keeping her relatively safe for the men, his clients as he said, so he hadn’t laid a hand on her. That was God’s protection she was sure.

  She shivered, the coldness of the night not completely staved off by the thin blanket Ed had given her.

  Where was Simon? Was he all right? She had thought about him constantly through the grueling days of wagon travel, her stiff joints protesting at every bump and jolt. She prayed he was all right.

  She also prayed that she would have the strength to escape the first chance she got. Chains or no chains, she would run away from Ed the minute she could. The Lord would protect her, she knew it, she just needed the opportunity.

  Closing her eyes, the sound of nighttime creatures surrounded her. It was still out here on the road and, though she wanted to be anywhere but with Ed, she had to admit the limitless sky full of stars held her attention every night.

  Then something not fitting the normal nighttime sounds alerted her to a change. A branch cracking. The rustle of leaves. Was it an animal? Should she wake up Ed?

  No. She wouldn’t call out to him no matter what.

  Then she heard it again, but closer to the back of the wagon. Heart pounding, she tried to slow her breathing to hear more clearly. What was—

  “Alta.”

  The whisper was so faint she almost thought she’d imagined it.

  “Alta?”

  Then she heard it again and knew she wasn’t dreaming. Wasn’t making this up. “Simon?”

  His face appeared at the back of the wagon, a dark shape highlighted by faint moonbeams and the embers of the dying fire.

  Her world skidded to a halt. This couldn't be. How had he found her? Tears flooded her vision but she couldn't move, frozen to the spot.

  “Are you all right?” he spoke quietly so as not to wake up Ed.

  She couldn’t move. Could hardly breathe. He was here!

  “S-Simon, is that really you?”

  “It is,” came his soft reply. She wanted to rush forward and wrap her arms around her but more than her chains held her still. Her fear of Ed hearing him was even greater than the pain that would come from tugging against the restraints.

  “I’m c-chained up,” she said.

  “I know. I saw.” His voice, impossibly soft, still held the heavy weight of grief. But he was alive. That kept circling through her thoughts. Thank the Lord; he was alive!

  “Ed has the key.”

  She waited a moment and could imagine him debating the best thing to do.

  “Can you hold out one more day?” She heard the tension in his voice and felt her own response of despair. She didn’t want to wait another day.

  “Yes,” she managed. It was the only thing she could say. They couldn’t risk attempting to break the chains because it would wake up Ed. They couldn’t search for the key on him because that would also awaken him as well. There was no other option.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, reaching a hand out.

  She moved to feel his touch but the chains clinked and they both froze. No sound came from Ed and she had to hope that, if he’d heard it at all, he assumed she was moving around to get comfortable.

  “Stay strong my love,” Simon said.

  His words, though simple, imbued her with purpose and fortified her resolve. “I will. For you.”

  Then he was gone, a shadow melting into the night.

  Chapter 5

  Alta awoke with the morning light and felt the frustration of being so close to Simon and yet remaining chained up. Her hopes had risen then crashed to the ground, scattered into tiny pieces like stars in the sky. How was Simon going to get her out of this? Ed was always there, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight except to relieve herself and even then he stood nearby.

  She groaned thinking of the possibility he would never have the chance to free her. But no, she couldn’t give in to despair. Hope, fragile as it was, had to remain alive in her. It just had to.

  “You awake?” Ed’s voice was rough against the softness of the morning light and made Alta jerk.

  “Yes.”

  “Come on. Get out.” He let her do her business and then shoved her roughly down onto the ground near the small fire. Shivering, she huddled closer to it and stretched out her arms, the chains falling awkwardly around her.

  “Can’t you take these off for just a little bit?” she said, hoping that he would give in and she’d either have a chance to run or at least see where he kept the key, but he shook his head.

  “Are you kiddin’? No way.”

  They ate the meager breakfast quickly then she noticed Ed stood and prepared his gear as if they were going to go. Were they leaving the camp?

  Just then he turned to her saying, “I’m going into town. Got things to prepare before your arrival tomorrow. You’re staying here.” Before she could protest he linked her chain through the sturdy wheel of the wagon and pointed to a bucket. “There’s water and yer lunch. I’ll be back before nightfall. Behave,” he said with a laugh. Then he mounted his horse and rode off.

  Watching him go, Alta wasn’t sure if she should be excited or terrified. On one hand she was alone which meant Simon could come and talk to her—she prayed he was watching and had seen Ed leave. But on the other hand, she was still in chains and Ed said he was going into town but that he would be back before nightfall. That meant the town was close, which meant she was that much closer to being sold off as a bride.

  Her limbs began to tremble as she gave into the fear. The chains were solid. There was no way she would be able to free herself.

  Then the sound of running steps caused her to jerk her attention to the woods. Peering through
the dense tree trunks, she caught sight of movement. Then suddenly Simon burst from the tree line, running at full speed toward her.

  Hope and joy exploded in her chest as he nearly ran her over in his excitement. He pulled her into his arms and she felt the security of his embrace. He smelled of the forest and campfire smoke, a heady combination that made her knees weak despite the situation.

  “Simon,” she breathed out.

  “Are you all right?” He cupped her face between his large hands and peered into her eyes as if he could drink her in just by looking at her.

  “Yes,” she managed but thick tears rolled down her cheeks.

  Then his lips were on hers in a hungry kiss. It was at once passionate and gentle, a reminder of his love and care for her as much as it was his promise that he would protect her.

  When he pulled back she saw tears reflected in his eyes too.

  The softness left his eyes. “I’m going to get you out of here.”

  “But the chains,” she said, pulling back to show him how she was locked up. “They are sturdy—so is the wagon wheel.”

  “I’ll get a rock, something—anything—to free you.”

  Looking down at her wrists she knew it would be impossible. “It won’t work.”

  ***

  Simon frantically searched around the campsite for a rock big enough to break the chains. Though, as he looked, he felt reality take root. There was no way he could break them without hurting Alta. The writs manacles weren’t as thick as the chain itself, but he couldn’t crush it without crushing her wrists. The chains that connected them were thicker and wouldn’t easily break.

  “Simon,” she said, causing him to still, “It’s no use.”

  He refused to give up. Refused to admit that Ed had won. It couldn’t be like that, God had to have some sort of plan for him to save Alta. Simon hadn’t been led to where she was for no reason.