by Peterson, Tracie; Davis, Mary; Hake, Kelly Eileen; Stengl, Jill; Warren, Susan May
Marty just growled.
“I didn’t think so.” He adjusted her on his shoulder and marched on.
Once back at camp, he set her down by a tree. He took the rope from his saddle that lay by the fire and tied her to the tree.
He admired her courage. “You have a lot of tenacity and spunk, little lady. I like that,” he said with half a smile.
She gave him a warning look like she wanted to strangle him with her bare hands. She struggled against the rope.
He broadened his smile at her puny effort to get free. “I’ll be right back. I have a couple of girls to locate.” He collected both rifles before he left camp.
“Run, Dani and Davey. RUN!” she yelled as he left after them.
She thought they were close enough to hear her yelling. That told Reece a lot. He shook his head. If the twins were anywhere near the stream, the rushing water would gobble up her warning. He suspected they were waiting on the other side.
He crossed the water on some stepping stones. He stopped and looked around. Which direction? “You can come out now, girls.” He closed his eyes and listened for rustling sounds. Nothing. He called in another direction and listened. There. He heard it. Movement. He turned toward the approaching sound.
Daphne and Daniella on top of his horse came out from hiding. He heaved a sigh of relief. They were safe, and he didn’t have to go chasing after them, worrying. He approached the girls cautiously. The last thing he needed tonight was for them to get scared and take flight. He reached out and took hold of the bridle.
“Where’s Aunt Marty?” the one in the front asked.
Aunt? Interesting. “She’s waiting for you two back at camp.” He knew it sounded like she was there willingly but couldn’t risk telling them the whole truth. He climbed up behind them and headed back.
When they got back to camp, he helped the two girls off the horse. They ran over to Marty. “She’s tied up,” one said angrily to him.
“Let her go.” The other immediately worked on the knots.
They sounded a lot like their aunt when they growled at him. He pulled them away from his hostage. “Let’s not bother your aunt.”
“But she’s tied up,” One Tail said.
“It’s for her safety.” And mine. “This way she won’t hurt herself.” He sat Two Tails down across the fire from Marty, then spoke to One Tail. “Could you go over and get your aunt’s horse?” He pointed in the direction of Flash.
One Tail’s eyes grew big. She shook her head, looking into the night beyond the campfire.
“I’ll get Flash,” Two Tails said, marching into the darkness at the edge of camp to spare her sister from the misery. She tethered Flash to a nearby tree.
“Can you bring me the bedroll?” Reece hoped his luck with the girl being compliant would hold.
After he settled the girls back down, he unrolled Marty’s bedroll and covered her with it. He tucked it in behind her shoulder so it would stay. When he looked her in the face, she closed her eyes and turned away. He had won…for now.
“You aren’t going to cry now, are you?” he asked her. He detested it when women used false tears to gain sympathy and manipulate.
Marty snapped her head. “I don’t cry.”
He raised his eyebrows in surprise, but he believed her. She was too tough of a lady to ever show weakness.
Just the thought of crying appalled Marty. It was true, she didn’t cry anymore. She had cried at age four when her parents died. She cried so hard she thought she would never stop. Less than a year later, when her sister married and left for what seemed like the end of the world to her, a world she was now headed for, she had cried and begged her to stay. Her sister left without a care for her baby sister, and Marty cried for a week. On the eighth day, she didn’t cry anymore. Her five-year-old reasoning determined she had used up all the tears she had for her life. She hadn’t shed a tear since. Not even when she broke her arm falling out of a tree. Nor did she cry when her sister returned, only to die. Marty didn’t cry, ever.
Chapter 7
Marty sat awake the remainder of the night, a vigilant eye on her nieces. She drifted off near dawn, but movement in the camp woke her. Reece was up. Dani and Davey were still sound asleep. Marty pretended to be asleep as well. He stirred the fire and put on a few pieces of wood. Then he took the coffeepot and headed for the river.
Fool! She would take every chance he gave her.
“Dani. Davey,” she called in a loud whisper. Neither one moved. “Dani!” she said louder. Still nothing. “Davey!” When she still got no response from the exhausted pair, she yelled, “DANI!”
Finally, Dani rolled over, forced one eye open, and looked over at her sleepily, trying to figure out where she was.
“Dani, come here and untie me,” Marty demanded of the confused girl.
Dani yawned as she made her way over. “Where’s Mr. Keegan?” Dani tugged at the knot.
“He went to the river to fetch some water. Hurry. We don’t have much time.” Marty’s words were curt. “He’ll be back any minute. Hurry.”
“I’m trying. The knot won’t come loose,” Dani said.
“In my boot I have a knife. Hurry!”
Dani found the knife. Before she put it to the rope, Reece returned.
“I see you ladies are awake.” His light tone was like a bawling cow in pain.
Dani dropped the knife between Marty and the tree, then stood. Biting the inside of her cheek, she couldn’t have looked more guilty if she had fallen down on her face and confessed.
He looked sideways at Dani. “I think I’d better check the rope.” He set the coffeepot on the side of the fire and walked over.
Marty pushed the knife against herself and tried to cover it with fall leaves. She would find out soon enough if she missed any part of it.
Reece inspected his knots. He seemed satisfied, but as he started to look away, his head snapped back. “It looks like I got back just in time.” He pulled the knife from behind her back.
Marty dropped her head. She couldn’t get a break. Just one break, God, and we could be on our way home. Not even Reece Keegan would be able to follow the path she would take. God Himself wouldn’t be able to trail her.
Reece made some coffee and rustled up some grub for everyone. He had One Tail feed Marty. He didn’t trust Marty, so he was forced to keep her tied up.
After they had eaten, Wylie came strolling into camp, drunk and singing saucy saloon songs.
“Wylie, that’s enough singing.” Reece cut him off before the song got too descriptive.
“But I like to sing, partner.”
Partner? Reece didn’t like being associated with this man and certainly not as his partner. They were nothing more than accomplices in a questionable deed.
“Singing makes me happy.” Wylie waved a bottle of whiskey in the air. “I hope those little mites weren’t too much trouble for you.” His words slurred. His gaze settled on Marty as he tried to focus. He staggered over to her. “I guess you did have trouble.” He spun around to Reece. “What’s she doin’ here?”
Reece raised his eyebrows and rubbed the back of his neck. “She wandered into camp last night.” He knew Wylie would be irritated by her presence. He had mentioned several times during the ride about Marty punching him. His pride had been wounded more than his stomach. He seemed to be the type to have a long memory about things like that.
“Wandered into camp? I suppose she just happened to tie herself to that tree.” He waved his bottle in her direction. “Whatcha gonna do with her?”
“I guess we take her with us.”
“Nope!”
“We can’t leave her,” Reece said.
“Sure we can. That rope will hold her,” Wylie said.
Reece could see Wylie wasn’t going to be reasonable in his state of mind. He poured Wylie the last of the coffee and handed it to him.
Wylie grimaced as he swallowed the first gulp. “You call this coffin varnish coffee?” He
spiked it with whiskey.
A drunk man was an unreasonable man. If he could get the bottle from Wylie, he would have a chance to sober up on the trail. “Put that down and go cool off. Splash some cold water on your face or something. We leave as soon as we are packed up.”
Wylie shook the bottle in front of Reece and stomped off toward the stream.
Reece took the twins to a different part of the stream, so they wouldn’t run into Wylie, to wash out the coffeepot. They didn’t want to go. He figured they would be easier to handle than Marty. They had wanted to stay with their aunt. Reece knew why. Given the chance, they would have her untied in no time and disappear, probably for good. He was no tracker. Once out of his sight, he would have no hope of finding them. With no alternative, they went with him, though reluctantly.
Soon after Reece and her nieces left, Wylie staggered back into camp. His sour mood had not improved. He looked around camp and saw Marty was the only one there. He leered at her, then turned his back to her.
“If it were up to me, I’d leave you tied to that tree for the wolves to feed on,” he said after a moment of contemplation. “You’re trouble. Nothing but trouble.”
“And you’re a coward.” Marty immediately regretted her words. Wylie spun around with a crazed look on his face.
He stalked over and crouched down in front of her. “I figure I’m gonna have to kill ya anyway. I can save myself future trouble by gittin’ rid of you now.” He pulled out a ten-inch hunting knife. “I could jist slit your throat soes you wouldn’t have to suffer.” He twisted the knife in front of her face. “Then when them wolves come, you won’t feel them rippin’ at your flesh.”
Genuinely scared for the first time in her life, Marty felt helpless and vulnerable at the hands of this madman. She stifled the urge to call him any number of fitting names. Lashing out would only aggravate him more. There was no reasoning with a drunk. She struggled at the ropes and wished Reece would return. He seemed decent enough…for a kidnapper.
“The most humane way would be the jugular, right here.” He put the cold blade against her throat.
She pressed back against the rough tree trunk.
“That would be the quickest. And it’s pert near painless, so I hear. Do you reckon you deserve humane?”
Marty swallowed hard, unsure if his threat was serious or just a game. Her mind raced, trying to think of a way out. If she tried to talk him out of it, it might provoke him into doing something. If she screamed for help, he could use the knife, and she would be dead before Reece ever got here. So she remained quiet, silently pleading for her life. God, help me. Beads of nervous perspiration formed on her nose and upper lip.
“Just one quick, easy stroke.” Wylie sadistically moved the knife.
Marty heard the click of a gun cock. “Put the knife down.”
“Maybe next time,” Wylie whispered to Marty. He raised his hands slowly and stood up with the knife still in his hand. He turned around with a sinister smile on his face. “I was jist funnin’ with her.”
“Well, fun time is over,” Reece said with his gun still aimed at Wylie.
Wylie put away his knife and sauntered over to his horse.
Relief swept through Marty as she let out her captive breath. She hadn’t seen Reece approach but was glad he did at just the right time. She had never seen him so threatening. The fire in his eyes smoldered still.
Davey and Dani rushed over to her. “Are you okay?” they asked in unison.
Marty nodded. “I’m fine.” Just a little shaken.
Reece holstered his gun. “Keep your hands away from those ropes, girls.”
Reece took several slow breaths to calm his frayed nerves. His insides contorted when he walked back into camp and saw Wylie with a knife to Marty’s throat. Reece had never wanted to kill a man before; but if Wylie had hurt Marty in any way, his life would have been in serious jeopardy.
Reece didn’t know why he cared about Miss Marty Rawlings, but he did. There was something special about this young woman. She was unconventional, a little bit wild, and a complete mystery to him. He figured this attire of Levi’s suited her personality more than the dress she wore back on the farm. He longed to get to know this determined young lady. Anyone that devoted and selfless was worth knowing.
It wasn’t going to be easy to keep an eye on two little girls, keep Wylie from killing Marty, or Marty from killing Wylie, and keep Marty and the girls from trying to escape, all at the same time. It would have been easier to evade Miss Sadder.
He looked over at Wylie by his horse. Who was this William McRae he was working for? What kind of a man would hire the likes of Wylie? Mr. McRae had seemed sincere when he retained Reece’s services. But now Reece wondered if Mr. McRae had more on his mind than the welfare of his long-lost nieces. Why didn’t he send his own lawyer? Perhaps he needed him for something else, but what? What would be more important than his own nieces?
Two Tails brushed her hands together after her fifth attempt to catch Marty’s persnickety horse. “I can’t git him if he don’t want to be gitted.”
Reece stood in front of Marty and spoke cordially, “Miss Rawlings, would you please retrieve your horse?” Enough time had been wasted.
“No.” She looked him square in the face and with a challenge in her eyes.
Unbelievable. He figured he could conjure up all the politeness and manners in the world, and it wouldn’t make a difference. Was she purposely trying to irritate him and be difficult or was it just her way? He took in a slow, even breath. “No? Why not?”
“That would be the same as helping you. I’ll have no part in kidnapping my own nieces. You’re a bigger fool than you look if you think for one moment I will cooperate with the likes of you.”
Now what was he supposed to do? He couldn’t leave her here; without her horse she would likely die, and with her horse she would come after them again. Looking over his shoulder was no way to live even if it was only for a few days.
She was smart enough to know he wouldn’t hurt her, so a threat wouldn’t work. The best thing was to take her with them and let her go once they reached Seattle. He felt like hauling her up and throwing her over his horse, but he already had one of the twins to carry on his horse. They just needed her horse or someone would have to walk.
“Would you rather walk to Seattle?” Maybe that thought would bring her to her senses.
“Yup.”
He stared at her a long moment. She was serious. He threw up his hands. “Fine. Have it your way.”
Chapter 8
Marty’s wrists were tied together in front of her with Reece’s bandanna. One end of a rope was tied around her waist, the other end secured to Wylie’s saddle horn. Though Wylie wasn’t happy about taking her along, he did seem to get some sort of pleasure out of dragging her behind him.
Reece looked back at Marty. Right now she was the safest place she could be—at the end of that rope. He wished it could be different, but Wylie would just as soon put a bullet in her at this point, and Reece wasn’t about to let that happen. So for now, until he could think of something, she was stuck plodding along after them, though she didn’t look as though she were merely “plodding” along. She held her head high like a queen, and her steps were sure and strong. But he knew she had to be tired, not only from the rigorous jaunt but from going on so little sleep if she had gotten any at all. She probably had been watching and waiting for her opportunity last night. Luckily, he was a light sleeper. He had felt watchful eyes on him all evening but figured it was just a coon or some other forest creature keeping an eye on what food it could scavenge. He had hoped it wasn’t a hungry bear. But now, in hindsight, a ravenous grizzly would have been friendlier.
He had thought by allowing Marty to have her way and walk that she would see he would leave her horse behind. After they headed out she would ask, perhaps even beg, for her horse and behave herself. Well, her horse had followed them, and Marty walked with determination. He figured she woul
d walk around the world before she would give in. He had to think of a way to get her horse and force her to ride.
Lord, I know I have been lax in praying lately, but if You could manage to get that stubborn woman on one of these horses, I would be mighty grateful.
Daniella and Daphne practically sat backward, turning around to look at their aunt with pitiful expressions. Reece, too, looked back often to check on Marty. He was concerned she would fall and hurt herself, but she had too much grit for that. However, over the two hours she had been walking, her head had begun to droop and her stride had weakened.
Twice Reece had tried to get Wylie to stop for a break for Marty’s sake. Wylie either didn’t hear him or was ignoring him. She had to be exhausted from lack of sleep. She couldn’t have gotten any more than Reece, and he got precious little. How she was still going at all was a mystery to him.
He looked back at her again. She stumbled, but caught herself, barely, from falling all the way to the ground. His heart lurched. That was it! They were stopping. He brought the group to a halt, even though Wylie bellyached.
“What are we stoppin’ fer?” Wylie was obviously perturbed.
Reece knew if he said his real reason, to let Marty rest, Wylie would keep on going. “The girls need to go to the privy.”
Wylie reluctantly stopped, grumbling and cursing under his breath.
Reece grabbed hold of Wylie’s arm and spun him around. “Watch your mouth! I don’t think Mr. McRae will appreciate hearing about the foul way you have been talking in front of his nieces.”
Wylie jerked free and stalked off.
Reece handed his full canteen to One Tail. “Would you take this water back to your aunt?” Reece would have done it himself but thought she might be stubborn enough to refuse to take it from him.
She eagerly took the water and rushed back to her aunt.
In one fluid motion Marty sank weakly to the ground in a cross-legged fashion. She didn’t want the two men to know how utterly tired she was. Her feet burned, and her body ached. She wanted to lie down where she was and not move for a week. She couldn’t give up, wouldn’t give up until her nieces were free. The only thing that had kept her on her feet was formulating her plan. She didn’t quite have all the details worked out, but the plan was good.
