Morning sunlight streamed through the filthy window onto Adella’s face. She turned her head on the pillow to avoid the irritation. With the subtle movement, a cloud of dust stirred in the air and with a sneeze, she came fully awake. When she opened her eyes, the brightness in the room sent a splitting pain pulsing through her head.
Last night’s events had sapped every fiber of strength from her body, and she’d fallen asleep as soon as she lay on the bare mattress and rested her head on the meager excuse for a pillow in the abandoned room. She did, however, get a glimpse of the ranch house, and the high wooden fence that guarded the surrounding land.
When she remembered the flames leaping through Clint and Gage’s house, her heart cried out in angry protest. Although the proof of his death was the fire, she refused to accept that the man she loved was dead. Gage had heard her. She must believe the Lord allowed Gage to hear her and escape. Yet, the shouts of victory from the men who’d kidnapped her believed otherwise. She clung desperately to her hope that Gage had escaped his intended fate. And that the Lord had somehow answered her prayer.
She had no clue as to her kidnappers’ identity, but she was determined to change that as soon as possible...and she’d make them pay.
Adella struggled with the ropes around her wrists, but only managed to rub her flesh raw. She kicked her feet, but those ropes were securely tied as well. With a sigh, she decided to rest and then try again later. Her dry mouth tasted like smoke from last night’s burning house, but at least the bandits had removed the bandana before throwing her in this room last night.
She’d soon make them regret taking her prisoner. “Is anybody out there?” she shouted. “I know you’re there because I can smell you.” She paused in hopes of an answer, but heard nothing. “Hey, you mangy animals! You can’t ignore me. I’m hungry, and I have certain womanly necessities that have to be taken care of immediately.”
Hearing nothing, Adella tried again, this time yelling even louder. “Hey, you good-for-nothings! I know you’re there. Don’t think ignoring me will make me shut up, because I’ll keep yelling until I get some food and water.”
Soon, she heard the clanking of dishes, followed by heavy footsteps coming toward the room. She rolled over on the bed to face the door. It opened and a man stepped in, dressed in black with a red bandana around his throat. Recognition struck and Adella trembled. This was the redheaded man that had been arrested in Lewiston for killing Jimmy’s father. How did Harvey Jensen get out of jail? Her heart sank and she was afraid to even ask.
By the scratches around his cheeks and neck that were still red with blood, he looked as if he’d been attacked by a wild animal. Apparently, he was one she’d tried to fight off last night. She prayed he would not try to take his revenge on her.
“Well, li’l missy. Looks like we meet again.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s meet proper this time, shall we? My name is Harvey.”
Quickly regaining her composure, Adella glared at him. “Do you think I care what your parents named you?”
He chuckled. “You’re stubborn, that’s for sure. The whole town knew what a shrew you were in Lewiston, so I’m not surprised to see you haven’t changed a bit.”
“How did you get out of jail?” her voice trembled when she asked.
“Oh, I happen to have some friends who were able to break me free.”
“How...long are you going to keep me here?”
He gave her an evil grin. “For as long as we like. You’re a mighty pretty lady, and I’m sure we can find some use for you.”
She glared. “Over my dead body!”
“No, Miss St. James. We have no plans on killing you.”
“I’m sure my friends and family are gathering a posse right now to come find me. They won’t rest until the Buchanan Gang is dead.”
A smile touched his face. “I don’t think so. You see, I know something you don’t.”
“And what might that be?”
“Your friends are headed for a trap. Tomorrow, in fact. You are the bait, and those stupid fools have fallen right into our clutches.” He pulled at the bands holding Adella’s wrists and proceeded to untie them.
Terror paralyzed her and she could barely breathe, but she managed to ask, “What do you mean?”
“You’re right, and they are trying to find you at this very moment. They’ll come close, and because of their devotion, they will be killed.”
“Why—why are you doing this?” her voice broke.
Harvey dropped the ropes from her hands and moved to her ankles. “Because they have to be stopped. Buchanan is in charge now, not your almighty sheriff friend and his followers.”
Adella willed herself not to show fear. “Why did you burn down Clint and Gage’s house?”
A look of pleasure crossed Harvey’s face, and she wanted to tear out his eyes.
“Mr. Grayson was the one who got me arrested in Lewiston. I felt burning down his house could kill two birds with one stone. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the sheriff that time, but my revenge on Mr. Grayson was good, I think. Watching his house burn down was enjoyable.”
Adella fought back tears. “Are you sure he’s dead?”
“Very sure. His place burned to ashes, don’t you remember?” Harvey chuckled. “It’s a good thing he lives so far from town or else people might’ve come to help. Though I’m sure once help arrived, it was too late.”
“No. I don’t believe you.” Her voice broke. “Gage is alive, and he’ll be coming to get me soon.”
“Sorry, sweets, but although you tried to save him, it didn’t work the way you planned. When Buchanan makes a point, he doesn’t mess up. He doesn’t like people harming his men. Nobody wants to cross him, either. Too bad you risked your neck for the wrong man.” With a cynical laugh, Harvey left the room, shutting and locking the door behind him.
A knot of pain formed in Adella’s stomach, and her hunger disappeared. Should she believe this bandit? Was her beloved Gage dead? She watched the flames consume the house last night, and she knew that by the time her family or any of the townspeople could’ve arrived, it would’ve been too late to help. And, if Gage was alive, he would have rescued her by now.
Pressing the palms of her hands against her temple, Adella tried to squeeze out the horrible thoughts, not wanting to believe any of it. She couldn’t possibly accept that the man she loved was gone from her forever.
GAGE PACED THE FLOOR in his new cabin. The fire had burned Clint’s home to the ground last night, and that this moment, neither Gage nor Clint was worried about that. The only thing on their minds was Adella. Gage couldn’t bear the thought of losing the most precious thing in the world to him. He’d heard her screams for him to run, and he’d sneaked out of his house so Buchanan’s gang couldn’t see him. They needed to think they’d succeeded in killing him.
Unfortunately, Adella would think Gage was dead as well.
His gut clenched as tears blurred his eyes. He hadn’t been able to do anything to stop them from taking her. By the time he’d realized they had her, Buchanan’s gang were long gone with the woman Gage loved more than life itself.
Understandably, Marvin and Lillian were beside themselves. Gage assured her family he’d do all he could to rescue her. Yet he couldn’t do it alone. Clint and the other marshals were plotting and planning ways to trap the gang and rescue Adella all in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, their plan would take time, and Gage couldn’t stand the wait. What if those slimy bandits touched her improperly? Would she hate him for having failed her?
Frustration pushed him out the door and onto his horse. He urged the animal into a run and the cool wind slapped his face. He needed to find peace...and answers. Somehow, he would find help.
Through Gage’s twisting, agonizing worries for Adella’s welfare, lessons from his youth, back when he attended church, drifted into his mind. He’d been taught to rely on the Lord, to ask Him for help with a sincere heart and contrite spirit, and
to have faith He would answer prayers. Gage remembered many of the other church members relating experiences where the Lord had answered their prayers. Even in his own family, he’d witnessed firsthand when the Lord had answered prayers.
Now Adella needed his prayers. She needed the Lord to watch over her since Gage couldn’t be there to do it. Gage had faith God would protect her.
He stopped his horse in an orchard and dismounted. Clutching his hat against his chest, he knelt and gazed up into the sky. The clouds thickened and the wind kicked up a notch. Tears stung Gage’s eyes and his chest heaved with every ragged breath. He closed his eyes and opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. He took a deep breath and tried again. Finally, his heart opened and he prayed like he had never prayed before. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he asked God for help...for God to give Gage the guidance needed in rescuing Adella, and to give him peace if she was all right.
The more he prayed, the calmer he felt. His mind became clearer. When he ended the prayer, he nearly dropped to the ground from exhaustion. His eyes stung and his knees hurt, yet he knew he’d done the right thing. Now, he just had to trust in the Lord.
IN A DAZE, ADELLA SAT by the window and stared across the vast desert plains, looking past the dirty smudges on the glass. Her head rested against the wall, not caring about her filthy clothes or the unkempt room, or the fact that she hadn’t eaten since before she was kidnapped.
She had no idea where she was. Nothing outside her window looked familiar. For two days, she’d waited, hoping someone would come get her. As each day passed, her hope of rescue decreased, as did her faith in God. Perhaps she’d been wrong to blame Him for not saving her parents, but now she had no hope left. None.
She couldn’t eat. Her stomach refused any food. She couldn’t sleep, because every time she closed her eyes, her mind played back the flames that licked at Gage’s house as it burned to the ground. All night she stared at the grungy walls in the small room that held her captive. All day, she stared out the window as her chance of a rescue went from slim to none. Her captors had threatened to come in and manhandle her, and though she lived in terror of that moment, she wondered why they were holding back.
Her family surely thought she was dead. The last thing they knew, she was with Gage in his house. So, if everybody thought she was dead, she might as well be. Why then why was her body taking so long to wither away?
Three times during the day the foul-smelling redheaded bandit, Harvey, entered her room with a tray of food, which she left untouched. He said little, for which she was grateful. The third day when he came into her room, he looked much happier than before. His irritating whistle scraped on her nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard.
“I just thought you’d like to know that Buchanan has won again. Our plan worked, and your friend, Clint and the entire posse that tried helping him were killed in a bloody battle just outside Becker’s Pass. They were led into the pass like blind men. We trapped and shot them. Not one person was left alive.” Harvey shook his head. “Your friend, Clint, was one of the last to die. He was a tough old bird, though. We thought for sure he’d never give up. It was such a touching sight to see. You should’ve been there.”
Adella heard his words but tried not to let them register in her head. Not until the man left the room did she let her tears come. She sobbed hysterically, wrapping her arms around her waist as she rocked back and forth. She didn’t know what had happened to her will to live, but she couldn’t understand why her life would be spared to suffer through all of this heartache.
Once again, she felt the urge to pray again, but this time she wanted God to take her from all of this. At least if she died, she’d be with the people she loved. Memories floated through her head of kneeling with her brother and sisters around their mother as she read to them from the Bible. Her mother had been so religious—so ready to trust the Lord will everything she needed help with. Now Adella wished she’d held on to her faith. Perhaps then maybe the Lord would remove her from all this heartache.
God doesn’t give us trials we cannot handle. The words from Adella’s mother echoed in her head. There is a reason for everything that happens. Yet, Adella couldn’t think of one possible reason she was being put through this torture.
The next day passed slowly. Adella dozed a few times, but vivid pictures of Gage’s burning body filled her mind and kept her from resting. When she tried putting aside those thoughts, she envisioned Clint and the others who’d helped him being shot, and it sapped away the small amount of strength her body had left. Violet probably blamed Adella because of Clint’s death. Her cousin had every right.
The room darkened at nightfall, and the door opened again and in walked Harvey, but this time another man followed, carrying her dinner. The man looked older—middle aged, perhaps. His gray-streaked auburn hair hung long over his shoulders, and blocked her from really seeing his face.
Harvey looked at the untouched tray of food left from lunch and shook his head. “Why aren’t you eating? Don’t you know you need to keep up your strength?”
Adella didn’t answer, just continued to stare out the window as she sat on her bed.
He moved by her. “You’re probably wondering what’s going to happen to you, right?” He waited for an answer, but she didn’t reply. “Well, it just so happens that Buchanan has taken a liking to you. In fact, he sent me to make you an offer.”
Adella slowly lifted her eyes to his face, but she still refused to speak.
“Buchanan wants me to tell you that if you become his woman, he’ll set you free once he tires of you. It might take a couple of months, but he’ll eventually get bored. I’ve warned him about your stubborn temper, and he thinks it’s intriguing. He’s looking forward to taming you.”
Anger boiled inside her, and somehow she found the strength to speak. “You can tell him I’ll never become his woman. I’d rather suffer a long agonizing death than to give myself to a murderer!”
Harvey shrugged and stood. “All right, I’ll tell him. He won’t like it and might decide to take you anyway, but at least he gave you a choice.”
Harvey took the untouched plate of food and left. The second man remained in the room. He stood against the door staring at the plate of fresh food he was holding. Soon, he walked toward her and placed the plate of food on the small table.
“You really need to eat something and get your strength back,” he said softly.
Although he kept his voice low, it held a familiar tone. She blinked and shook her head, wondering why she would think that. Perhaps she’d made friends with one of the gang members without knowing his true identity.
“I realize you don’t know me, and you certainly don’t trust me, but I’m telling you everything will be all right. You just have to eat and keep up your strength.”
She swallowed then licked her lips. “I want to die.”
The man hesitantly touched her hands, folded in her lap. “No. I won’t let you die. People are waiting for you to come back home.”
A tear slid from her eye. “They think I’m dead.”
“No, they don’t.”
“Gage is dead. Clint is dead. I want to die, too.”
The man glanced at the closed door, then back at her before whispering, “Clint’s not dead.”
She snapped her head up. “What did you say?”
“Clint’s not dead.”
The rhythm of Adella’s heart sped up a notch, and blood rushed to her head. “Are you certain?”
“Yes. Now gain your strength before he comes to rescue you.” He stood and walked to the door, but stopped before reaching it.
She studied him closer this time; the way he stood, the shape of his face and the curve of his cheeks, mouth and chin. Familiarity struck her again, but she couldn’t remember where she’d seen him before. “Why are you telling me this? You’re one of them. You helped kill my friends.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Why are you telling me thi
s?”
“I’m trying to give you some hope. I’m trying to help you gain your strength before Clint comes.” He kept his voice low.
“Who are you and how do you know him?”
“I’ve known Clint for several years now, and he’s saved my life once. I was the one who warned him about the trap Buchanan set for him and the others.”
“How did they escape? Harvey says they were all shot.”
“I substituted blank bullets for real. Buchanan had me go check the bodies to see if they were all dead.”
“Why would he have you do that?”
He glanced her way quickly before turning his head again. “I’m Buchanan’s personal physician.”
She nodded. “You lied to him about everyone being dead?”
“Yes.”
Adella’s hopes lifted. “What about Gage? Is he alive too?”
The man shrugged. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know if Gage is alive or dead, but from the talk I’ve heard around this compound, Gage died in the fire.”
Tears burned her eyes again. She wished the man would face her fully and wipe the hair out of his eyes so she could see him. Deep inside her, she felt as if she knew him somehow. “Why are you telling me this? If Buchanan finds out, he’ll kill you.”
“As I see it, Clint and his friends will capture Buchanan, and he won’t have time to punish me.” He sighed heavily. “And if you must know, I’m his prisoner here, too. I want the man dead. I want to be free.”
A noise came from outside the door, and the man jumped. “Sweet Adella, please eat. Clint will need your help in the rescue.”
When the man said her name, recognition slammed into her, shaking her body senseless. Gasping, she slapped a hand to her mouth. Her eyes grew wider by the second. Memories from her youth resurfaced. She used to sit on her father’s knee while he told her bedtime stories. Lovingly, he’s stroked her hair, her cheek, and rocked her on his rocking chair, cooing the words: sweet Adella.
“Father?” Her voice broke, and she couldn’t control the buckets of tears running down her cheeks.
Reach for Heaven Page 26
