Ethan grinned for the first time. “You have a good point.”
“You know this is the only way. You have to do this. We’ll be fine until you return.”
Maude cried out again at that moment. Ethan glanced to the direction of the wagon, then back to Anna. His lips set in a firm line.
“I’ll be back before dark, whether I find the animals or not.”
Anna clasped his face between her hands and kissed him. He pulled her into his arms, unwilling to let her go, but he had to. This was surely the hardest decision of his life. Slowly, he eased away from the woman who meant everything to him. He nodded, then reached for his rifle, and set off in the direction where he’d left his horse to graze the night before.
Ethan ran across the wide expanse of the prairie, dodging larger sage shrubs while keeping his eyes focused on the ground. The tracks led west, and were easy to follow in most places, while in others, the terrain was uneven and rocky. The black rocks in this landscape looked unusual but were reminiscent of some of the formations he’d seen in Yellowstone country.
By the time the sun had moved well past the zenith, Ethan slowed to take a drink from his canteen. Water was nowhere to be found here in this desolate area. The wind blew hot in his face as he swiped the sweat off his forehead. Squinting into the distance, a large stand of trees loomed on the horizon. Ethan corked his canteen and set off again.
No doubt Anton and Sabin had driven the livestock as far away as possible, thinking no one would follow them. They would most likely take the animals to the next trading post to sell to emigrants who were in need of fresh animals. This was probably not the first time they’d hired on as scouts and led a group of travelers astray and stolen their animals. They would then most likely go back and rob them again, once the families were desperate and had no choice but to abandon their wagons and set out on foot.”
As he neared the trees, it became obvious that his hunch had been right. A group of oxen, cattle, and mules, along with several horses picked at the sparse vegetation that grew in this area. Shrubs had been used to create a make-shift enclosure. Ethan slowed his approach. Other than vegetation, there was no place to take cover. There was also no sign of Anton or Sabin.
Ethan circled the small herd, using the animals to conceal himself. Satisfied that the thieves weren’t present, he searched out his horse. The lead rope dangled from its halter. He patted the animal’s neck, then led the gelding from the enclosure.
Where were Anton and Sabin? Ethan scoured the ground for more tracks. Two sets of hoof prints in the soil heading east sent a cold wave of dread down his spine. Gripping his rifle, he leapt onto his horse’s back and nudged the animal into a gallop, pointing him to where he’d left the wagons . . . and Anna.
Chapter Eighteen
Using the corner of her apron to grab ahold of the handle, Anna lifted a boiling kettle of water from the fire and carried it to Maude’s wagon. The young woman’s screams of pain had increased in the last couple of hours. Mildred had predicted that it wouldn’t be much longer for the baby to arrive.
“I didn’t have this much trouble delivering my two young’uns,” Marybeth announced. “They just slid right out. Maybe she’s not pushing hard enough.”
“Please hand me that wash basin, so I can pour the water into it,” Anna said to distract Marybeth. Her constant commentary surely wasn’t helping poor Maude, or her husband. The nervous man paced along the edge of their camp, his face pale and distraught.
“Don’t pour that water, yet. I’ve got a cleaner basin in my wagon, Anna.” Marybeth made a face as she peered into the washbasin Anna had taken from Maude’s supplies, and snatched it away and set it on the ground before Anna had the chance to pour the water. Her arms ached from holding the heavy kettle.
“Yes, Miss Know-it-all,” Anna mumbled under her breath when Marybeth was out of earshot. Why did she put up with her deplorable behavior, like everyone else? It was simply easier to let her carry on than constantly fret about it.
She set the kettle on the tailgate and swiped her hair out of her face. After Ethan had left earlier, she’d braided it into a quick rope and tied a kerchief around it to keep the dust off her head.
Anna straightened and held her hand to her lower back. The sun shone brightly overhead, already past its highest point. Maude had been in labor since early morning, her cries of pain piercing through the otherwise still prairie.
Earlier, Marybeth had insisted that Jeremy and some of the men go in search of the oxen, leaving only Maude’s husband and Pastor Howell in camp, along with the women and children. Thankfully, Millicent kept all the kids entertained at her wagon.
“There’s no sense everyone sitting around with nothing to do,” Marybeth had proclaimed. “Mr. Wilder is only one man. He can’t find the livestock all by himself. And I still say it was Indians who took them. Maude’s husband should stay here, and let’s have Albert stay with us, too. The rest of you men go and help find those animals.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Anna had said. “If anyone can find them, Ethan will. He can track anything in the mountains and I’m sure he’s –”
“Nonsense, Anna. The more people we have out looking, the faster we’ll have the animals back and we can be on our way.”
Anna shook her head when Marybeth once again had to have it her way. Her husband probably obliged her and left camp simply to get some reprieve from his wife. She’d never wanted to think badly about anyone, but this woman sent her over the edge and really tested her patience.
Ethan was completely correct. How could anyone put up with her for an extended period of time? No doubt Marybeth meant well, but she needed someone to put her in her place. Anna smiled.
Ethan hadn’t had any problems doing that. Marybeth may not have even been aware of the subtle way Ethan dealt with the woman. She didn’t like Ethan, probably because she knew he wouldn’t play to her tune.
“We’ll need that water soon,” Mildred called from inside the wagon.
“Just a minute.”
Anna reached for the discarded basin that hadn’t been good enough for Marybeth. Since the woman hadn’t come back yet with the one she deemed much better, Anna wiped out the one at her disposal, then poured some hot water into it. Inside the wagon, Maude screamed. A second later, the loud wail of a newborn pierced the air.
Anna peered into the wagon, setting the basin on the ground next to Mildred, who held up the crying newborn.
“She’s got a strapping boy,” Mildred announced, a wide smile on her face. “You can send the proud new father over in a few minutes, Anna. Just let me clean the baby up a bit.”
Anna left to find Maude’s husband, who still paced at the outskirts of camp. He shot an anxious look her way when Anna waved to him.
“You can go and see your wife and baby in a minute,” she said. His face lit up in a wide smile and he thanked her, then rushed to camp.
Anna smiled, staring after him. Perhaps someday Ethan would wear the pleased smile of a proud new father, too. Turning to head back to the wagons, she thought better of it when Marybeth rushed through camp, barking something at the poor man. She changed course to walk behind the wagons and out of camp.
Anna shook her head. She stood with her arms wrapped around her middle and stared out at the vast prairie. A mild breeze blew warm air in her face, and she closed her eyes. Ethan would be back soon. There was no doubt he would find the livestock.
A shiver passed through her as apprehension grabbed her. How would he get the animals back from the thieves? She shook it off. Ethan was as confident in the mountains as those two lowlifes. And they didn’t know he was coming. No sooner had she thought it when a shot rang through the air, followed my Marybeth’s loud scream.
Anna spun on her heels, her eyes darting toward camp. The thunder of hoof beats sounded in the distance as two men came galloping toward the wagons. One held a rifle in his hand, ready to fire.
“He’s been shot,” Marybeth scr
eeched. “Lord, he’s been shot.”
“Oh, no.” Anna ran toward camp. On the ground by Mildred’s wagon was Pastor Albert, clutching at his arm. The burly man sat against one of the wagon wheels, gasping for air.
“Albert?” Mildred’s frantic call came from the wagon where Maude had recently given birth. She climbed from the back of the rig and ran to her husband.
The two men on horseback had almost reached the wagons. Anna ran for her rig. She reached it at the same moment the men rode into camp. There was a spare pistol somewhere in the bed.
“Don’t anyone move,” the man with the eye patch called out. His rifle was pointed at Marybeth, who knelt by Pastor Albert. A chill raced down Anna’s spine at his cold, sinister voice.
She darted behind her wagon, her heart pounding against her ribs. If Sabin and Anton had returned, where was Ethan?
“I want to know what the meaning of this is,” Marybeth called loudly. “You desert us, then you come back and shoot Pastor Albert. You just wait until my husband gets back.”
“Yore the first one we’re gonna kill if ya don’t stop yer jawin’, woman. Had about enough o’ ya in the last week. Plumb drive a man to kill hisself.” Sabin pointed his rifle at Marybeth. Her mouth flew open and she gasped. Sabin laughed.
“Everyone get out of yore wagons so we can see ya,” Sabin shouted. “Or this woman gets a bullet between her eyes.”
“Maude just gave birth,” Pastor Albert rasped from where he sat on the ground. His face was doused in sweat and his breathing labored. “She can’t leave her wagon.”
Millicent climbed from the back of her wagon and helped the children down. Anton pointed his gun at all of them and motioned for them to sit on the ground with the pastor. One of the little girls began to cry. Anton stuck his head inside Maude’s wagon, then yelled for her husband to get out. He grabbed the man by the shirt collar and shoved him roughly toward the others. Maude frantically called his name.
“If ya don’t stay quiet, I’ll drag ya out, too,” Anton warned.
“Please, don’t hurt us. We’ll give you whatever you want,” Marybeth cried.
Sabin laughed coldly. “Oh, I know ya will. I ain’t asking. I’m just here ta take it. Let’s start with yore things. Go fetch all the coins and silverware ya got from yore wagon, woman.”
Sabin fired off a shot directly at her feet, sending up dirt and dust. Marybeth screamed, then ran for her wagon.
“Where are the others?” Sabin demanded.
“The men have gone looking for our livestock,” Pastor Albert answered, glancing around. Even from a distance, his eyes appeared clouded with pain.
Anna crept to the back of her wagon while keeping her eye on the two men. They hadn’t seen her, yet. Slowly, she reached inside, groping for the pistol. Her hand made contact with her butcher knife instead. Her fingers curled around the handle once she touched cold steel. Quickly, she snatched the knife from the wagon and buried it under her apron.
“Hey, there’s another woman over there,” Sabin shouted. He fired his rifle. The shot splintered the wood near Anna’s head. She shrieked and ducked out of the way. A quiet curse escaped her lips as her heart dropped to her stomach.
The other man, Anton, rushed to her and grabbed Anna by the arm.
“Don’t try and hide. I’ve had my eye on you since we left Fort Hall.”
Anna squeezed her eyes shut as his hot breath grazed her cheek. She gagged at the stench coming from the man’s mouth.
“My husband will kill you,” she sneered, stumbling next to him as he dragged her away from the wagon. Anton laughed.
“So sorry we wasn’t invited to the weddin’ last night. Looks like ya gonna have a short marriage.”
He tore the kerchief from her head and dipped it into the nearest fire. He tossed it into the back of her wagon.
“No,” she cried, her eyes widening. She pulled away from him. “Everything I own is in that wagon. All my memories.” Tears ran down her face as the canvas of her rig caught fire, sending up smoke and flames.
“Don’t worry, darlin’. We’ll make new memories.” Anton laughed in her ear.
“Bring her over here,” Sabin ordered. He dismounted his horse. His one eye gleamed with pure evil as Anton shoved her in front of him.
“Go tie everyone up, so they can rot when we leave,” Sabin ordered his accomplice. “While I have a talk with this one.” He never took his eye off Anna.
She swallowed down the fear that ripped through her. Standing tall, she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. She was not going to cower to this evil man. Since her journey west had started over a year ago, she’d considered herself unfit for the harshness of the trip. Ethan had also regarded her as weak at one point.
This was her chance to prove to herself that she wasn’t weak. She might die, but she wouldn’t die begging for her life. Her only regret was that she’d never see her husband again.
He might be dead, too.
Sabin continued to stare at her. He smiled, making his one eye gleam even colder. “I’ve waited twenty long years for one special moment,” he said, his voice sending a chill down Anna’s spine. “And I have you to thank for making it happen . . . soon.”
“You’re insane,” Anna hissed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She pulled the knife out from under her apron, the steel blade inches from Sabin’s face.
Quicker than a snake striking out at her, Sabin grabbed her wrist. He twisted her arm until she dropped her weapon. Anna cried out in pain. The smile on Sabin’s face turned into a murderous leer.
“Should I tell ya what happened to the last person who used a knife on me?”
Anna sucked in several breaths. “If you’re going to kill me, then get it over with,” she said boldly. Behind her, the fire of her burning wagon crackled and spit.
Sabin’s laughter pierced the air. While still holding tight to her wrist, he bent to pick up the knife she’d dropped. He held it up, turning it in his hand and studying the reflection of the sun on the blade.
“A little dull,” he said. “That’ll hurt more.” He held the cold steel to the pulse throbbing in her neck, sliding it along her skin. Anna leaned her head back in an attempt to avoid the weapon.
“You’re nothing but a vile and evil coward,” she said through gritted teeth, staring into his good eye.
Sabin roared with laughter, then in the next instant, twisted her arm behind her back and spun her around. Anna pressed her lips together to suppress a cry of pain.
“You all get to see what’s going to happen to this pretty lady if you don’t cooperate. If anyone so much as blinks, she dies. Where’s that loud-mouthed woman I told ta get her coins?”
Anton rushed to Marybeth’s wagon and pulled her out. She screeched and squawked like a chicken on the butcher block as he dragged her through camp and tied her up with the others.
Sabin pushed Anna in front of him, keeping the knife held to her throat. She could barely breathe from the foul odor coming from the man holding her tightly against his chest, her arm pressed between them.
Anna glimpsed her wagon, which was now fully engulfed in flames. Several pieces of canvas fluttered in the breeze, and one landed on one of the other wagons. Millicent cried out.
“Anna,” a child’s voice called.
Anna strained her eyes to see little Hattie poke her head out of the wagon that had just caught fire.
“Dear God, no.” Anna gasped. “Please, someone get her out of there.” She turned her head as far as it would go, straining against the tight hold Sabin had on her. The blade of her knife pressed harder against her neck. “Please, she’s just a baby.”
Millicent cried, as did Mildred. Pastor Albert pleaded for Anton to have mercy on a little child. He strained against the rope that tied him to the wagon wheel. Anton simply laughed. He headed for the wagon that had caught fire when a shot rang out. The trapper dropped like a fly and lay dead on the ground. Behind Anna, Sabin cursed loudly. He grippe
d her tighter, pushing her toward his horse.
Anna strained her eyes to look around frantically without moving her neck. Off in the distance, a lone rider galloped toward them. His rifle was raised, but he didn’t shoot.
“Ethan,” she whispered. He was alive and he’d come back!
Sabin held her firmly in front of him, clearly using her as a shield. Anna struggled, kicking at the rifle that lay on the ground when they reached his horse. The weapon slid out of his reach.
Sabin cursed loudly as Anna fought to get away. By the sound of the horse’s hooves, Ethan was almost to camp. The outlaw must have realized it, too. He shoved her roughly to the ground and jumped into the saddle, leaning to the side of his horse.
“Anna stay down,” Ethan yelled. Another shot rang out.
Anna raised her head. She scrambled to her feet.
“Hattie,” she yelled. “Ethan, please save Hattie.”
Ethan must have heard her. Rather than following Sabin, his horse thundered past her to the wagon where the little girl was trapped. Sabin had kicked his horse into a run, creating a cloud of dust in his wake. Hattie’s cries grew louder over the spitting of the fire.
Ethan leapt from his mount and up into the wagon. He disappeared beneath the canvas that had erupted fully in flames, only to emerge seconds later, carrying the little girl. Anna’s limbs barely supported her as she ran toward him.
“Ethan,” she cried as she fell into his arms, little Hattie between them.
“It’s all right. I’ve got you,” he murmured, his voice weak with relief. His arms trembled as he held her close. “I’ve got you.”
“Someone please untie us,” Marybeth pleaded, her voice unusually weak.
Anna stepped out of Ethan’s embrace. The look in his eyes was a mixture of anguish and relief. In the next instant, cold fury darkened his gaze. He stared off into the distance in the direction where Sabin had escaped. Ethan’s body tensed.
Anna's Heart (Wilderness Brides Book 2) Page 17
