by Kari Trumbo
“Careful. If you slip on that slide, you’ll land in the water down here.” Her voice came stronger now, as if she were coming nearer.
“Thank you, that’s good. I have a lantern and I don’t want it getting snuffed out.”
She laughed but it was shaky and faint.
Hugh edged his way slowly down the formation on the side of the cave. It was slicker than wet clay. After what seemed like a long descent, he came to a slightly level area overlooking a large underground lake. The water was a beautiful turquoise blue in the soft light of the lantern. If circumstances weren’t so dire, it would’ve been almost peaceful.
“Where are you, Hattie? Have I lost you again?” he called out into the cavern.
“I’m over here, along the wall. I don’t want to get back in the water. I’m so cold. But I don’t know how to get out.”
“Just wait there. I’ll figure something out.” He set the lantern down near the edge to give Hattie light and tried to climb back up the slide. It was treacherous, but might be possible with help from Beau.
“Beau! Throw me down some rope. Whatever you can find, the longer the better.”
Beau’s head appeared above. “I’ll see what I can find. Did you find her?”
“I can’t see her, but I can hear her. She’ll be all right if we can get her out. She’s cold.”
“It ain’t exactly warm in here.” Beau tossed down a long coil of rope and it slid down the slide catching on Hugh’s feet. He collected the rope and slid carefully back down to the ledge.
“Hattie. I’m sorry, sweetie, but I can’t see you. I’ll be down there in just a few minutes. Can you wait for me?”
“Hugh.” She paused and he could feel the tension in her voice. “I don’t want you to see me like this.”
“It wasn’t your fault. I need to see you to know you’re okay.”
He tied the end of the rope in a loop and stood in the center, pulling it up his body. He guessed at how much slack he would need to make it to the lake and tied the rope around a pillar so he could lever himself back up after he found Hattie. He held tight to the rope and hung backward for a moment off the edge. Hattie screamed behind him, almost sending him falling off the edge.
“Don’t worry, I won’t fall, just hold tight. I’ll be there.” He jumped back a few feet and let the rope slide through his fingers. He gripped it tightly as he hit the water. The lake was colder than he’d expected. He couldn’t blame Hattie for not wanting to jump back in. The rope slid over his head and he tied the end loosely around itself so it would be there when he brought Hattie back. But first, he had to find her.
He bobbed in the water and turned until he saw her huddled along the wall, her pale face above her knees, her hair falling dark and damp around her shoulders. He drank in the sight of her as he swam toward her. He pushed himself up out of the water on the edge of the lake and crawled onto the ledge. Her booted feet made little clicking noises on the rocks as she ran toward him.
Hattie slid to a stop in front of him and he took in her face, fear made her eyes wide and her lips parted slightly. He didn’t want to scare her again. She waited for only a moment before she flung her arms around him and clung to him for dear life. Her body shook with chills and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, crushing her closer to him. He couldn’t seem to get close enough.
She tipped her face up to him and the invitation of her sweet lips was too much to bear. He lowered his face to hers, stopping a breath and waiting.
He could barely speak past his desire. “I’m sorry, Hattie.” He cradled her close. “I promised I’d never touch you, but you make me weak-willed.”
Her arm reached up over his chest and around his neck, pulling his mouth to hers once more. He wouldn’t take, but he’d give. Her lips trembled against his and he pulled her closer, enveloping her. He could think of nothing but the softness of her skin, the velvet of her lips against his and the heat that slowly built between them. She released her hold on his shirt and tangled her fingers in his short hair.
Hattie sucked in a deep breath and buried her face in his chest. “I’m sorry, Hugh. It’s just that I—”
He silenced her with a soft kiss and, when he pulled back, she was silent.
“I don’t want an apology, sweetie.” He caressed her cheeks and she leaned into his hand. “I just want you. I know that now. I can’t stand the thought of you ever offering your hand to anyone else. If you can’t love me, I won’t follow you back to Deadwood. I just couldn’t stand it, Hattie. Like I said, when it comes to you, I’m weak.”
“Hugh, you’re the strongest man I’ve ever known and I don’t want anyone but you, ever again.”
He ran the tip of his finger along the bottom of her lip. “I’m sorry our first kiss was in the bottom of a hole. I’ll make that up to you.”
She smiled and returned to her spot, where she fit just perfectly under his chin. “We’ve got our whole lives for you to show me how it’s done right.”
He laughed and kissed the top of her head. “Beau is waiting for us. We need to get back up there and I don’t know any other way but back through the lake.”
“Beau is here? With Ruby?” Her eyes grew wide and a smile lit her face.
“They are. You’ll be on your way home before you know it. But first, we have to cross this lake.”
Hattie shook her head. “It’s so cold and I almost drowned with my petticoats and boots.”
“Come.” He drew her to his side. “I’ll help you. We’ll do this together.” They stood on the edge of the water. “I’ll jump in first, then help you in.”
She nodded her agreement and he stepped into the water. It was fairly shallow and he held his arms up to help her. She sat in front of him and slipped her feet into the water, her knees knocking and teeth chattering almost instantly. When she was in the water, he swam next to her so that, if she wasn’t strong enough, he could pull her right back up. He reached the looped rope and untied it, then turned to find Hattie. She bobbed next to him, but fatigue lined her face.
“I need you to hold your breath and float for a moment while I put this around you.”
She held her breath and tried to float, but it didn’t work.
She shook her head. “I can’t. My petticoats pull me down. They weigh so much.” Her words were gasps for air.
The blasted clothes would be her death. “Hattie. Please, you’re more important to me than a petticoat. Take it off.”
“I can’t do that Hugh!”
He looked around, frantic for something he could do. He kicked as hard as his booted feet would allow, and wished he’d have left them up by the lantern. His muscles screamed at holding his own weight and hers. He slipped the loop around her body as quickly as he could then tied the other end around himself. Now she couldn’t sink or fall any further than she was. He’d have to carry up a soaking wet Hattie.
He rested her head against his. “I’m going to pull you to the top. As soon as you’re on the ledge, I need you take off the rope and toss it back to me.”
She nodded and held tight to the rope. His muscles screamed as he began to swim against the weight, away from Hattie, as he slowly pulled her up to the ledge. When she reached the top, he waited, kicking in one place made his legs throb and he was ready to get out of the frigid water, but Hattie was safe now.
She tossed the rope back over the ledge and as he swam back to it, it lowered to him. He threaded it through the loop at his waist and pulled himself up, hand over hand. His muscles protested with each movement, but he couldn’t wait any longer, they needed to get out of the cold cave and warm up. Hattie waited for him at the top.
She was stark white, the only color to her was her eyes and her hair dark from the water. She reached for him as he approached her and he clasped onto her hand. He sat heavy on the ground next to her, every muscle in his body exhausted. He pulled her softly over on his lap and looked her in the eyes.
She touched his cheek and wiped the moisture
from his brow. “You came for me. I didn’t think you would.” She was shivering against him, the cold air from above pouring over them.
“Why would you ever think that? I’ll always be here for you, Hattie. I wish you would’ve come to me for help, instead of Roy. I thought you trusted me.” The betrayal cut the deepest. He’d given up a year of his life to find her, and yet, she hadn’t come to him.
“I do trust you. I only went to Roy to tell him to leave me alone. I want nothing to do with him anymore.” Her lips were purple and he wanted to turn them back to their lovely pink the best way he knew how, but now was not the time. He slowly ran his hands down her face, neck and shoulders, then tucked her head under his chin to keep from kissing her senseless. She didn’t need another man forcing himself on her and he still couldn’t accept that she’d want his kisses.
She sighed and clutched the front of his coat.
He wouldn’t let her go, but he could offer her a covering. It was wet, but thicker than what she had on. He lifted her up and shrugged out of his coat, swinging it around her shoulders. “Here, it’ll warm you.” He couldn’t help tipping his chin and kissing her head. He felt her gasp and regretted it immediately. “I’m sorry, Hattie. I shouldn’t have.”
She lifted her face and searched his eyes in the dim light of the lantern beside them. “Hugh, you don’t need to apologize.” She shook her head. “I’m yours if you want me.” She ducked her face and buried herself in his coat.
He ran his finger under her chin and over her sweet, soft lips. “I’ve never wanted another,” he breathed.
Her eyes met his and she leaned forward, tentatively brushing her lips against his. They were as cold as they looked and his heart beat faster than a reel at a barn dance. He ached to pull her closer and take the time to show her what a kiss could be like. Because he’d wager she’d never had one from someone who cared. In that respect, she was still as pure as snow.
He smiled down at her and held her cheek, trying to brush warmth into the chill beneath his hand. “You need to hold onto my hand as tightly as you can so I can walk us up. It might take a while. Can you do that?”
She was shivering but managed to nod. “That’s my girl. We’ll have you up top in no time.”
Chapter Thirty
SHE WATCHED HUGH CLOSELY as he moved slowly up the incline, careful so they wouldn’t slip. Each step was measured and she had to make sure she had her footing before they could move on. His patience with her warmed her through. No man had ever treated her with such respect. When they reached the upper ledge, about seven feet from Roy’s home, Hugh leaned against the wall to rest and she stood in front of him.
He searched her eyes and the pain in his gaze had her wishing she’d sat closer to him.
“When Roy told me you were dead, I—” He glanced away and his mouth hardened.
“No you don’t, Hugh. You will not block me from hearing.” She had to see his eyes, had to read in them what she wanted so desperately to know.
He closed his eyes and his voice turned to a harsh pained whisper. “I thought I’d die right along with you. I couldn’t bear even thinking about it.” He didn’t look at her and she couldn’t force him to. She stepped over to his shoulder and gazed up into his darkened eyes. They were stormy, for sure, but she saw more care there than she’d ever seen before.
“Hugh, I don’t think I ever thanked you. Not for rescuing me the first time, not for caring for me in the cabin, and not for risking your life to save me just now. Though, a thank you doesn’t seem quite adequate.”
He sucked in his breath as if she’d punched him. The heat pouring off him was welcoming and she ducked under his arm and held him tight. When his arms fell heavy and solid around her, she finally let the tears escape.
“I’m so sorry, Hugh. I didn’t drink anything, I promise. Roy sent Lola to lure me back into town for more. I came out here to tell him to leave me alone. I thought you’d hate me if you found the flask. I couldn’t stand that. I hated myself for what that bottle did to me.”
“I could never hate you.” He rasped in her ear; his mouth just a breath from her head. He kissed the ear Roy had bitten earlier.
“He’ll never touch you again. If I’d known he did this to you when I found him, I’d have flogged him.”
She touched the spot on her ear and realized Roy had left a small nick in it. She’d been so terrified, she hadn’t noticed.
He sighed and rested his head against hers. “We need to get back up. Beau is waiting.”
Beau’s voice came from above. “I’m not that far away.”
Hattie’s cheeks burned and Hugh laughed. “All right, Beau. I’m going to toss this rope up. Can you haul us out of here?”
“I reckon I can.”
***
Hugh climbed out and back into Roy’s cave. Hattie, draped in his coat, stood in the corner. As far away from the bound Roy as she could. He was mumbling something, but Hugh didn’t care enough to listen.
“Beau, before we go any further. I want to ask permission to court Hattie.”
Beau’s eyebrow shot up. “Bit late for that, isn’t it?”
Hattie giggled nervously from behind them. “We haven’t done a thing, Beau.”
Now both eyebrows rose. “You mean you two didn’t live together for a week? If you think for one moment I’ll let you dishonor my wife’s sister, you’ve got another thing coming, Hugh Bradly.”
Hugh could see the amusement in Beau’s eyes, but Hattie couldn’t. She crumpled to the floor. “No. I won’t force him. I didn’t want him saddled with me in the first place and he shouldn’t have to now.”
“Saddled with you? Sweetie, I want to marry you. Granted, at first it was because I felt led to, but now I want to.”
“You were led to?” Her head snapped up and she stared at him.
He held his breath. Hattie always turned defensive when anyone spoke about the Lord. More than anything, he wanted to share his faith with her, just as much as he wanted to share his heart.
“He saved me. When I needed my knife, I asked Him and I found it. When I was scared and couldn’t find the way out, He told me which way to go. When Roy came back and I knew he was going to do something awful, He spoke in my ear and told me to jump. So, I did. Fairytales don’t talk to you. They don’t care if you live. There are two reasons I will never forget my time in the cave. Fear and peace. I was scared the whole time, but every time I heard that voice, I knew what I was doing was right.”
Hugh wanted to burst with happiness. It wasn’t an admission of belief, but she had admitted to faith. The obedience part was always the hardest, but she’d obeyed the Lord and it saved her life. They could learn about Jesus together. He held out his arms and she dashed toward him, flinging her hands around his neck. He’d never get tired of that.
Beau lifted Roy up off the floor by his arm. “I think it’s time we get Roy here to Deputy Peterson.”
Hugh relished the feel of Hattie in his arms for one more moment. “And let Hattie see her sister and her new nephew.”
Hattie squealed. “Ruby had a baby? Why didn’t you tell me?”
He ran his finger under her chin. “You’ve been gone a long time. Welcome home, Hattie.”
Chapter Thirty-One
HATTIE HUNG HER HEAD out the window of the stagecoach and saw Deadwood ahead. Before leaving Keystone, Beau had wired the owner of the ranch, Brody Ferguson, so he could meet them with a wagon. Hugh was nowhere in sight but she ached to see him. It was the longest they’d been apart in two weeks. He’d warned her that it would take him much longer by horse, since he couldn’t keep pace with the stage.
Baby Joseph squirmed in her arms and rooted around for something to eat. Ruby hadn’t been able to nurse him at the last stop and now he was fussy and hungry. She handed her nephew back to his mother and her arms immediately ached to hold him again. It would be wonderful to have a child. By the grace of God, she’d managed to avoid pregnancy the year she’d been gone. Now she
worried that perhaps she was barren. She stuffed her fear far back in her mind. They’d tarried a week in Keystone to get all the loose ends tied up with Roy, Ros, and Ezzy. The seamstress finished the dress that was to become her wedding gown. During that time, Hugh had shown her the story in Hosea he’d read right after he’d gotten the telegram. It had warmed her heart to know that the Lord could have a plan for a prostitute, even one who wanted that life, which she hadn’t. Hugh explained that not only was the story real it also paralleled God’s redeeming love for His people, Israel. He told her that her past need not hold her back, not from him and not from God.
She smiled as she thought on all Hugh had brought into her life, including this new knowledge of the Lord. Living without Hugh, even for the day or two it would take him to make the trip, weighed heavily on her heart. She tried to remember to give it up to the Lord, but faith was so new and so foreign to her.
Ruby touched her arm and pointed just out the window at the house they’d lived in before she’d foolishly left, romance and whiskey on her mind.
The stage stopped at the station. They let the passengers disembark before Beau stood and took his wife’s hand, leading her out. He then waited by the door to help her down. She thanked him and took a look around. The town had grown in the year she’d been gone. More women, though still not many, walked down the street, arm in arm with men. Their smart hats and walking suits a burst of color in an otherwise drab landscape of browns.
Beau spoke with a man she didn’t recognize. He tossed their bags in the back of the wagon and held out his hand to help her up into the back. Apprehension prickled at the back of her neck.
He smiled and held out his hand, “I’m Brody Ferguson and I own the ranch Beau and Aiden work on. Any family of Beau’s or Aiden’s is welcome there.” He took her hand and brushed his lips gently over her knuckles. She couldn’t quite move from the spot, afraid to say anything. No one had ever kissed her hand before. Like she was a woman worthy of consideration and respect. A new strength sprouted deep within her. She could be that woman. “Thank you, Mr. Ferguson.” He helped her up the side of the wagon.
