by Sherry Kyle
A short time later, the click of the front door sounded along with Gabi’s retreating footsteps. If he wasn’t mistaken, his sister was crying. What had brought her to tears? A lover’s spat? The next few days were bound to be full of drama. Sabrina wasn’t here to help him decipher what was truly going on. And ma wasn’t here to offer motherly advice.
“I’m going to check the cows.” Jonas hollered down the hall.
He placed his hat on his head and turned the handle to the front door. Did Gabi call his name? He stood motionless. Nothing. It must be the wind. He stepped out on the front porch and walked toward the barn when something hard connected with the back of his head.
Pain exploded, and his surroundings turned black.
Chapter Fifteen
Mama and Papa would never approve.
How would Elena make them understand that the only way to catch a cattle rustler was to have more people on the job? Papa could only be one place at a time. She wiped the last remaining dinner plate dry, placed it atop the others on the shelf, and hooked the dishtowel over the sink. She’d need Samuel to go along with her plan if she were to succeed.
If the thief were caught, Elena would be able to concentrate on her upcoming wedding, and Mama would relax and focus her attention on her only daughter instead of spending all her time worrying. As it was, how could she have peace about moving to Cayucos? They couldn’t leave their parents in such a predicament.
Mama was crocheting a band of lace while Papa read by the fire. Loose skin sagged under Papa’s eyes. By the looks of him, he couldn’t take much more stress before he became sick. Elena’s thoughts turned to Jonas and his family. Their lives had turned upside down with their pa’s death. It would be the same for Elena and her family if they didn’t catch the cattle rustler.
“Where’s Samuel?” asked Elena.
Papa glanced at her over the rims of his glasses. “In the barn, I suppose. He wanted to help and I couldn’t refuse him.”
Her mother held up the delicate needlework. “What do you think, Elena?”
She approached and studied her mother’s handiwork. “It’s beautiful.”
“It would be lovely around the neckline of your wedding dress.”
“Oh, Mama! Yes.” Elena fingered the fine lace. Lars would approve of her mother’s handiwork. “When have you been working on this?”
Mama continued to crochet. “I started after you and Lars made your announcement. Now all I need is the fabric for the dress. Didn’t you see anything suitable?”
How could she tell her mother Lars said she could pick any fabric she wanted? Guilt crept through her like a spider’s web. Here she had blamed her mother for the delay with her preoccupation with the new calf. “I saw plenty. But how could I decide without you present?”
Her mother eyed her. “Since when have you not been able to make a decision on your own?”
“Samuel asked the same thing of me on the way home.” Elena laid a hand on her chest. The locket beneath her dress was warm from resting against her skin. A decision on fabric would be easy to make except for one thing—Jonas.
Mama laid her handiwork in her lap. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to go to Cayucos next. With the cattle rustler still prowling around, Papa and I need to remain here.”
A sickening feeling grabbed at her gut. Would her family ever be free to run the dairy farm as they had done before the cows started disappearing? Elena resolved to implement her plan tonight. “I’ll check on Samuel.”
“Don’t be in the barn long. Your father and I are heading to bed shortly.” Her mother stifled a yawn. “Tell Samuel to come in with you. He’s been out there long enough.”
Perfect. If she could sneak into her brother’s room unnoticed after her parents went to bed, she’d be able to gather the necessary supplies to carry out her plan. “Goodnight, Mama. Papa.” Elena kissed her parents on the cheek and slipped out the front door.
“Jonas. Jonas,” a woman’s voice called. Was he dreaming?
The back of his head throbbed, as if he’d been trampled by a herd of buffalo. His eyelids fluttered. Why must waking be so difficult? A moan escaped.
“He’s coming to.” A man’s voice this time.
“Come on, Jonas.” The woman’s voice trembled.
Someone put a cool cloth on his forehead. It was easier to slip into a deep sleep, but instead he opened his eyes.
“Thank God above.” Gabi dabbed his face with the cloth.
Jonas’s mouth felt like dried hay. He licked his lips and attempted to swallow.
Nicolas stood on one side of the bed and Gabi sat on the other. They looked at each other with relieved grins. “Let’s give him water.” He motioned to the side table.
Gabi poured water into a cup and brought it to his mouth. “You had quite a blow to your head. Nicolas was ready to put you in the wagon and drive you to see the doc.”
Jonas lifted his head from the pillow. Pain seared the back of his skull and shot down his neck. His shoulders ached. He brought his hands to his sides and tried to push himself up to a seated position. It took all his might to scoot his body back against the pillows.
“Whoa, partner.” Nicolas held firm to Jonas’s arm. “I don’t think you’re ready to jump out of bed yet. Take a sip of water. It’s good to know you’ll be all right. May take a few days, but you’ll feel like your old self again.”
Few days. He couldn’t be in bed for a few days.
Gabi rested her hand on his shoulder. “Good thing I’m here. I’ll do the cooking while Nicolas tends to the milking.”
Jonas glanced from Gabi to Nicolas. He sank his head back into the pillows. “Did you catch who did this to me?” Jonas rubbed the back of his head. “He clobbered me good.”
“No,” said Nicolas. “Gabi found you out cold and fetched me from the barn. We carried you to your room and made you as comfortable as possible. Your breathing was steady and you had a strong pulse. Even so, I came within minutes of hitching the wagon.”
Jonas gritted his teeth. “I know who hit me.”
Gabi’s eyes widened. “It wasn’t Peder—”
“How can you be so sure?” Jonas winced.
Gabi tucked the quilt around Jonas’s shoulders. “Because after he broke my heart I stood by the window and watched him ride away.”
Broke her heart? So that’s the reason for his sister’s tears.
“You need your rest, boss.” Nicolas made a move toward the door. “If everything’s under control, I’ll head out to the barn. Morning will be here before you know it.”
“Thanks, Nicolas. Don’t know what I’d do without you.” Jonas closed his eyes.
Gabi spoke to Nicolas in hushed tones. “I’ll have breakfast on the table after you do the morning milking.”
“Goodnight, Miss Gabi.” The sound of Nicolas’s boots against the wood floor grew distant.
Gabi let out an exaggerated sigh. “Now, that’s a real man.”
If Jonas’s head didn’t hurt, he’d have laughed out loud. Only Gabi could get over one man and have her sights on another in such a short time.
Jonas had better get well soon.
Elena stood on the front porch, watching for her parents to head to their bedroom through the slit in the curtain. Precious time was wasting. She wrapped her hands around herself and rubbed her arms to ward off the evening chill. Why hadn’t she grabbed her shawl?
After slowly twisting the knob, Elena pushed the front door open. With measured steps across the wood floor, she avoided the creaky spot and tiptoed into her brother’s bedroom.
As fast as she could, she stripped out of her dress and replaced it with Samuel’s shirt and trousers, cinching a belt tight around her waist. Would the cow thief notice she was a woman? Elena gathered her hair up in a tight knot and shoved it under a hat.
With a backward glance over her shoulder, she grabbed her father’s shotgun and flew out the door. She’d get in trouble with Papa, but his wellbeing was more import
ant.
She stopped short of the barn. Would Samuel recognize her? She didn’t want to scare him. It would’ve been better to tell him of her plan before she dressed up in men’s clothing. As she opened the barn door, she called out his name. Twice. Three times without a response.
“Samuel?” She held the gun against her body. The smell of cows, hay, and manure tickled her nose. Where could he be? She quivered. The glow of the kerosene lamp cast shadows on the barn floor.
She continued walking toward the back of the barn and nearly tripped over her brother’s still form. Samuel was fast asleep. Her father was nearly killing himself to run this farm, and her brother was asleep on the job? She nudged him hard with her boot.
Samuel rolled over and wiped the sleep from his eyes.
“Get up!” Her tone was harsh, and she instantly regretted it.
“Don’t kill me.” His hands shot over his head. “Take a cow, but don’t hurt me.”
“It’s me, Elena.” She set the shotgun down and removed her hat.
“Why’d you have to go and scare me like that?” Samuel lumbered to his feet. “That wasn’t nice.”
The simple phrase caught her off guard. Samuel had the mind of a child. He wasn’t cut out for this type of work or responsibility. How did her father think her brother could stay awake and keep watch for cow thieves? “I’m sorry, Samuel. So, you thought I was a man, huh?” She chuckled.
“You look like a man in those clothes.”
“Hope you don’t mind I borrowed a few of your things.”
“What for?” Samuel’s brows furrowed.
“I’m helping you, that’s why. We’ve got to catch whoever is stealing from us.”
Samuel stretched his arms out and yawned wide. “I’m tired.”
Elena picked up the shotgun. “You can go on to bed because I have a plan.”
“Should you be doing this?” The concern in Samuel’s eyes bolstered her resolve.
Elena mounted Starlight. “I’ll be all right. I’ve got papa’s shotgun. Nothing will happen to me.”
“I’m thinking about who you’re going to shoot with that thing.”
“I won’t shoot anyone. It’s for my protection.” Elena held the reins and settled into the saddle. “Now remember, this is our secret. Papa doesn’t need to know. I’m going to ride around the outer edge of our property and stake out by the old oak tree near the creek. Horses need water. And whoever is stealing from us will want to give their horse a drink.”
“I don’t feel good about this.” Samuel’s mouth twisted like he had eaten a sour apple.
Elena situated her hat low on her head. “Samuel, listen to me. I’ll be fine. Remember, this is our secret.” Before her brother could reply, she kicked her heels into the horse’s flanks and propelled her mount forward.
Any other night, she’d relish a night ride with the moon to guide her way. She enjoyed the sounds of the crickets and the smell of wildflowers. But tonight her ride was anything but pleasant. Every sound reverberated in her ears and the moon was only a small crescent. Lord, give me peace.
A rustling sound to the right whispered in the breeze. All was still, then the swishing of tall grass fluttered past. Elena’s heart tripped. Was that someone running through the open field?
She brought Starlight to a halt and laid her hand on her father’s shotgun, listening for further movement. Nothing. She pressed her knees against the horse’s sides. Slowly at first, the horse trotted toward the direction of the sound. Elena’s heart beat a staccato rhythm. Was she prepared to meet whatever was making that noise? A few seconds went by before she spotted a lone coyote, which ran away the minute he spotted her.
What would Lars think if he discovered his fiancée was traipsing around at night? He definitely wouldn’t see her as a lady. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind and concentrated on the task at hand.
She headed in the direction of the Bollinger farm. Lights illuminated the family’s house and smoke billowed from the chimney. Was Jonas still awake? How nice it would be to sit by the fire and share a cup of tea. Her cheeks heated at the memory of the last time the two were together at the boardinghouse. She had made a fool of herself while Yvette made her intentions clear. Elena brushed away the image.
She turned to head home. Her pulse quickened and her palms grew moist when she heard another rustling sound. Had she been followed? She pulled back on the reins, bringing Starlight to a halt. There it was again. She glanced over her right shoulder and didn’t see anything but the silhouette of trees. Darkness hovered overhead.
Her plan to dress like a man and hunt for the cow thief might not have been the wisest thing to do. A lone woman on a horse late at night could only spell trouble. She’d better get back home. The sooner the better.
When Elena made it to the creek, she hopped off her horse to give him a drink. As she led him to the water, he pulled and whinnied. “What’s wrong, boy?” She glanced over her shoulder.
A burlap sack came over her head. She fought blindly to grab the edge of the bag and tug it off, but her attacker held her tight, securing the sack and her arms in place. A man’s strong arms grabbed her by the waist and threw her over the back of his horse.
“I’ve got you now!” His voice was as gruff as his actions. He straddled behind her and kicked his heels into the horse’s sides, pushing the animal forward.
Every bump and movement thrust horse muscle against Elena’s ribs. The air whooshed out of her lungs. If she screamed, he’d know she was a woman. And that was the last thing she wanted him to find out.
Blood rushed to her head. Please, Lord, don’t let me faint.
A short while later, the man whipped her from the horse and set her on her feet. “Start walking.” He gripped her arm. She was certain he’d left a bruise. The scent of dirt rose beneath her boots. A door creaked, and the smells of cows, hay, and manure filled her senses.
“Sit down.” Her attacker was a man of few words.
Where had she heard that voice before? In Cayucos?
Elena bent down and sat on a wooden chair.
“Don’t move.”
She swallowed hard as her captor tied her to the chair. Would she ever get out of here? Poor Samuel would be sick with worry. How long would he wait until he’d wake Papa and come for her?
She chided herself for being stupid. This was her fault. An overwhelming urge to cry simmered inside, but she wouldn’t shed a tear.
“I’ll be back for you in the morning.”
Elena laid her head back against the wooden post behind her. In the darkness, her eyes became heavy, but she wouldn’t sleep. A shiver ran through her. It was going to be a long night.
Chapter Sixteen
A knock on the door woke Jonas. He rolled over on his side. The back of his head throbbed. Gabi walked in carrying a tray and placed it on the bedside table. “Can you sit up for tea and toast?”
“I can manage.” Jonas slowly pushed himself up to a seated position.
“Nicolas ate his fill.” There was a lilt in Gabi’s voice. “Hope you’re hungry.”
“After I eat, I’ll dress and help Nicolas with the milking,” Jonas said.
“You’ll do no such thing.” Gabi spread a cloth napkin across his lap. “Nicolas has already milked the cows.”
Would he be of any use today? Jonas’s shoulders slumped into the pillow. “He did say there was something important he wanted to discuss. I should talk with him now.” He made a move to get out of bed but Gabi held him firmly in place.
“The whack on the head must have addled your brain. Of course, Nicolas would want you to eat first. Whatever is on his mind can wait.” Gabi poured hot water into a dainty cup and set a tea bag to soak.
Tea? He preferred black coffee. Jonas didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but he’d enjoy eggs and bacon, too. Did Gabi fix his hired hand something more substantial than tea and toast? It was a fine breakfast for a lady, but not for a hardworking man.
“I foun
d Ma’s boysenberry preserves in the cabinet.” Gabi dipped the spoon in the jar and spread it on the bread.
It was sweet that his sister wanted to take care of him, but this was ridiculous. He wasn’t a child. “I can manage on my own. I’m a grown man, for pity’s sake.” His tone was sharper than he intended.
Gabi leaned back in her chair. “Of course you are.”
Hurt reflected in her eyes. He’d muddled their relationship again. Why couldn’t he allow his sister to take care of him? Here he was afraid he’d have to keep an eye on her for the next few days. It would be the other way around. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to snap at you.”
Gabi’s shoulders relaxed. “Think nothing of it. I know being bedridden is hard for you.”
“Can you fetch Nicolas? My mind won’t rest until I know what he needs to discuss.” Jonas picked up the toast and took a bite. Tasted good. He smiled at his sister to let her know he appreciated the small breakfast.
Gabi clutched her hands in front of her. “Do you need anything else?”
“No, not a thing. Thank you.”
Gabi swung around and sashayed from the room.
What did his hired hand want? Did he feel his time on the farm was over and want to be on his way? Please, Lord, not today.
Elena’s stomach growled, and she needed to use the out-house. Her wrists throbbed from the tightly bound rope tied to the post. If her kidnapper knew she was a woman, would he treat her more kindly?
Her body ached from sitting in the same position. The night wore on like the time her brother was sick with the fever several years back. The clock on the mantel had barely moved as her family waited for Samuel’s fever to break. This time, though, there was no clock to guide her.
When a rooster crowed and sounds of cows being milked and fed lingered in the air, Elena figured it was morning. Several times she had the urge to call out in case there was someone kind who could help her, but then her cover would be blown. Her family must be sick with worry. Where they searching for her? And what happened to her horse Starlight?
