He reached the open door of the stable and peered inside. Three of the children, two boys and a girl, were pulling at each other. It wasn't really a serious fight, more like a friendly tussle before lessons. Micah strode across and separated the children. Seeing that one was missing, he gazed around the stable. "Where's the other boy?" he asked the children.
He was met with blank stares from the three children. He shook his head. "Look. I've got big things to deal with this morning. The last thing I need is one of you going missing. Now, where is he hiding? I saw him come in here with you."
Micah saw the girl's eyes flicker in the direction of the small storage room which abutted the main structure of the stable. That was enough for Micah to go striding across and throw open the wooden door. Sure enough, the boy was crouched inside the small space. Micah thrust his hands against his sides and shook his head. "You know you could have gotten trapped in there," he said to the boy as he climbed out of the space.
"Sorry, Mr Buchanan," the boy said sheepishly.
Remembering an incident from the schoolhouse in town, Micah took hold of the boy's arm. "Aren't you the boy who gave Miss Ellsworth a fright when you hid in the annex at the schoolhouse?" he asked sharply.
The boy shrugged and then nodded. "I apologized to Miss Ellsworth, too. I didn't mean to scare her. She told me I could have gotten trapped in there."
Something struck Micah like a physical blow. He suddenly knew, with absolute certainty, where Rachel was. And he didn't have much time to save her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
She'd lost track of time, and the darkness was still impenetrable. Even with her dark-adjusted vision, she still couldn't see anything. Rachel had tried moving around inside the room, but it had proven to be dangerous. Once, she'd fallen headlong to the dusty floor and come perilously close to cracking her head open. Luckily, she'd managed to break her fall with outstretched arms. After that, she'd decided it would be wise to wait things out.
Micah would come for her, she told herself. Once everyone realized she was missing, they'd organize a search. They'd come to the schoolhouse. Eventually. Even if it took them a while to figure out where she was, Rachel was sure they would.
At least that was what she told herself in the darkness. God would guide her rescuers to her. He would not let this happen. Would not let evil triumph. She had complete, unshakeable faith in that fact. All she needed was patience. And faith.
She wondered why she had been locked in here and came to the conclusion that it must have something to do with the reason Calhoun had tried to trick her into abandoning her interest in Micah Buchanan. Calhoun had failed, and so he had resorted to this, she told herself. Confinement in the last place anyone would think to look. She asked herself what had forced Calhoun's hand, but she couldn't work that out. Maybe she'd find out if she was freed.
No. That was the wrong way to think about this, she chided herself. When she was freed. Micah would find her. She was certain of that.
A noise from outside the door cut through the silence. She froze in the dark, hardly daring to move. She listened intently.
There it was again. Movement. Footsteps. And they were coming closer.
Then a voice called out and her spirits lifted instantly. "Rachel! Are you in there?" His voice echoed out there in the schoolhouse. He'd come for her!
Micah.
Her heart leaped and she gasped. Standing up, she took two faltering steps toward the door. "Micah!" she exclaimed. "Is it really you?" Her voice cracked with emotion as she thrust her hands forward, laying her palms flat against the cool wood of the heavy door.
Rachel heard his footsteps outside the door. When he next spoke her name, she could tell he was mere inches away from her. The only thing which separated them was the wooden door. "Rachel. My love. I found you," he called out.
Emotion swept through her as she listened to his deep, decisive voice. And those two words. Had he called her his love? Joy leaped in her heart. There was relief in his voice. Almost as much relief as she felt in her heart. Now that he'd found her. Now that she knew she was safe.
She heard the door handle being twisted. Sensed the force of Micah trying to open the door. But, it wouldn't budge. "Stand back, Rachel. I'm going to get this open."
Rachel obeyed him, moving to one side away from the door. She didn't doubt for one second that he'd get the door opened.
There was a sudden crash as what sounded like a booted foot landed against the wooden door. Still it didn't shift. Three times more, his boot was thrust against the door. There was a pause, and then once more he kicked against the door and it flew open, slamming against the wall with an angry crack.
Light flooded into the tiny room. A plume of dust rose into the air. And there, standing silhouetted against the light, was the tall figure of Micah. Rachel threw herself into his arms. He wrapped her in his embrace, holding her tight, as if he never wanted to let her go. It felt so wonderful to be in his arms. At last. It had taken this terrible event for them to find each other. This trial. But, now they could embrace one another. Finally.
He led her gently a few steps away from the doorway, and then looked down into her eyes. "Are you okay? Tell me. Are you hurt?" he demanded, his concern plainly visible in his dark gaze as it ran across her features.
"I'm fine," she reassured him. "Now that you've found me."
He caressed her features, wiping away the dust on her cheeks. She could see the emotion in his eyes. It was like nothing she'd ever seen before in him. Was this what losing her had meant to him? "I thought I'd lost you. Forever," he murmured.
She smiled up at him, and then shook her head. "You'll never lose me again, Micah," she announced knowing that it was true. She'd never felt such joy. Never experienced this longing.
His head dipped, his lips crashing down upon hers. Delight overtook her as he kissed her. Tender emotions flooded through her entire being. It was so sweet to be in his arms and to be kissed by him. She curled her arms around his shoulders, drawing him closer to her. She wanted the exquisite moments to last forever.
Then he lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. She saw indignation in his gaze. "How did you get locked in here?" he asked breathlessly. "Who did it?"
She shook her head. "I don't know. I got a note telling me to come here, this morning. It said it was from the mayor, but I didn't see him when I got here."
Micah frowned. His jaw tightened and she felt his muscles harden as he held her close. "They wanted you away from the ranch this morning."
Rachel squinted up at him. "Why?"
He sighed. She saw his eyes fill with sudden resolve. Something had happened while she was trapped inside the room. "Is Lily okay?" she asked abruptly.
"She's still over at the house with Nathan and Sophie," he told her.
The breath eased out of her, relief filling her heart. "Thank God," Rachel said.
Suddenly, Micah released her and walked a few steps away from her. He ran a hand through his dark hair and seemed lost in thought. "Is anything else wrong?" Rachel asked.
Micah smiled ironically and shook his head. "Everything couldn't be more perfect," he said.
She frowned at Micah. "What do you mean?" The memory of what he'd said to her through the closed door flashed into her mind. He'd called her his love. Had he truly meant that? Or had it just been said on the spur of the moment. Was he about to back off once again? Just like he'd done before?
Rachel wrapped her arms around herself and gazed at Micah. He advanced toward her, boots echoing on the wooden floor. Moving slowly, with a steady purpose, his gaze was locked upon her. It was as if he'd made his mind up to do something. Or say some words which might change everything for both of them. A thought flickered into her mind. Was he going to ask her to marry him? Her heartbeat quickened and she felt her throat tighten. Suddenly, it was hard to get a breath. She loosened her arms and dropped her hands to her middle.
Micah halted in front of her and took her hands in his, hold
ing her fingers gently. He gazed deeply into her eyes. Now there was no hesitation, she told herself. His gaze was steady. Unflinching.
Rachel's pulse pounded hard as she peered into his eyes.
"I need to tell you something, Rachel," Micah murmured. "Something really important for both of us." She readied herself, longing to hear him continue. "Before I ask you a question, it's important you know this."
She squinted at him, puzzled for a moment. This wasn't what she'd expected. "What is it, Micah?"
"The government man is on his way to the ranch, even as we speak. And I think Calhoun will be trailing along beside him," Micah said evenly. She heard nervousness in his voice. And it was no wonder, because those words had taken the wind out of her sails.
Rachel tried hard to compose herself. "But, I thought you said he wasn't due for days," Rachel said.
"He's come early. You know what that means. For my family." He paused for what seemed like an eternity. Her heart pounded frantically as she waited to hear what he was going to say next. "And for you and I."
Of course, she knew what that meant. The thought of Calhoun winning his long-fought war against the Buchanans made her feel indignant. They didn't deserve that. She gazed up into Micah's eyes. He didn't deserve it, either.
But, there was one other thought which wouldn't go away, no matter what she did to avoid it. The early arrival of the government man meant that a decision had to be made. A momentous choice for her. And for Micah.
Micah lifted her hands up and kissed the back of her fingers. She felt tingles trace their way up her spine. Micah lifted his gaze as his lips lingered on her skin. She could feel his breath against the back of her hand. She smiled at him.
He lifted his head and gazed at her. His eyes were suddenly soft, as if all his anxieties had been swept away. "Rachel. You know how I feel about you," he murmured, his voice a low growl in the quietness of the schoolhouse. He sighed. "I even told you before I bust down that door."
She said nothing at first, merely nodded. Rachel hadn't forgotten the words he'd used. "And I feel the same for you, Micah," she told him softly.
His brows shot up, and his features brightened. "You do?" he asked and then grinned.
Rachel nodded and smiled at him. "You've known that for a while now, haven't you?"
He shrugged uncertainly. "I wasn't exactly sure."
Rachel tugged on his hands. "You can be funny, sometimes," she said brightly.
Micah cleared his throat. "I know I've made a might fine mess of courting you," he said.
"You haven't, Micah," she responded sharply. "It can't have been easy. What with all that's going on with your family."
"Nevertheless, I feel a powerful love for you, Rachel." He grinned. "One that I'm sure happy about."
Her heart filled with joy as she listened to his words. It was all she could do to stop herself from throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. But, she could see he had more to say.
"As far as Lily goes, I can only say I'd do my best to look after her like the father she deserves," he said thoughtfully. He lifted his brows, as if realizing he'd got ahead of himself. "If you say yes," he added abruptly.
She tilted her head at him and smiled. "Say yes to what, Micah?" she asked, although she knew fine well to what he was referring. Her pulse was pounding and her mind was racing. She'd never known anticipation like this.
Micah leaned forward. When he spoke, his voice was quiet and sure. "Rachel Ellsworth. Will you do me the very great honor of agreeing to become my wife?"
Her gaze met his and she smiled. What could she say to such a man? She'd waited a long time for this moment. Longer than she'd realized. But, finally He had delivered her into the arms of a man she could love. A man she could cherish. "I will, Micah," she replied softly. "I will marry you."
His mouth opened and his eyes widened. "You will?"
Rachel grinned and nodded vigorously at him. "I'd be honored to become your wife, Micah," she announced, hearing the words echoing all the way up to the roof.
Micah swept Rachel into his arms and kissed her. She let herself sink into his embrace. He held her firmly, as if he never wanted to let her go. Emotion swirled around every part of her being. Never felt joy like this. His kiss was warm and tender. When he lifted his head, she could see the delight in his eyes.
"I love you, Rachel," he murmured. "I'll be the best husband I can be to you. God has brought you and Lily into my life and I intend to do everything I can to make sure you both are happy and safe. I don't care what it takes."
Every word he uttered made her happiness blossom. Emotion swelled in her heart. "And I love you too, Micah," she whispered.
"You do?" he exclaimed. He rolled his eyes upwards toward Heaven. "Thank you, God," he yelled. His voice filled the room with unbounded joy. He laughed and then kissed Rachel one more time.
When their lips parted, Micah leaned back. "We have to go," he declared. "We don't have much time."
He took hold of her hand and started running toward the front door. Holding onto him, Rachel did her best to keep up with him. "Where are we going?"
"We need to get the pastor to marry us," he announced.
Sliding to a halt at the front door, she stared at Micah. "Now?"
Micah nodded. "We have to get to the ranch as quick as we can. If we're married and on Buchanan land, then there's nothing they can do to take the place away from us." He smiled. "We'll have fulfilled the conditions of occupation."
Rachel looked down at the yard and saw Micah's carriage sitting there. She glanced down at her dust-covered gown. "I can't get married looking like this."
Micah smiled. "You look beautiful, Rachel," he stated. "Even with all that dust on you."
She felt her cheeks flush with heat. She shook her head. "Still. I need to go to the Cameron house. I want Lily to be with us. She's expecting us to get married."
"She is?" Micah exclaimed looking like he found that statement mildly astonishing.
"Lily is the one who helped me see the truth," Rachel explained. "She knows how much I love you. And, I think she loves you, too, Micah."
"Now you are kidding me," he said incredulously.
Rachel shook her head. "She's got a real affection for you. I think you'll make a perfect pa for her."
She saw Micah's eyes moisten with emotion. "That means a whole lot to me, Rachel," he said. He tugged on her hand. "We need to go."
Rachel followed him to the carriage. Sitting alongside him, she curled her arm inside his as he flicked the reins, sending the carriage roaring down the street at a furious pace.
Within minutes they were at the Cameron house. The door opened revealing Nathan and Sophie standing there with Lily clutching onto Sophie's waist. When Lily saw Rachel she screamed with joy and leaped into Rachel's arms. Rachel held onto the little girl and told herself she'd never let herself be parted from her ever again. Lifting Lily up, Rachel smiled at Micah. "We got some news, Lily," Rachel said.
Rachel saw Micah exchange a look with Sophie and Nathan. Rachel gazed into Lily's bright eyes. "Micah and I are going to get married. Isn't that exciting?"
Once again Lily screamed with joy. "Is that true?" she asked excitedly. "Really?"
Rachel nodded. "It's true. And it's going to happen right now. As soon as we find the pastor to carry out the ceremony."
Sophie and Nathan came to Rachel and Lily, offering congratulations. Nathan shook Micah's hand. Sophie hugged Micah gently.
The Rancher’s Bride Surprise Page 20
