“Maybe?” the Sheriff challenged. “I think it’s very likely that Norton noticed your friendship with Miss Ferguson and took her to get revenge on you. I’d say that she’s paying for your entanglements with the man.”
The Sheriff’s words struck a chord in Quinn’s heart. It had never occurred to him that Victor taking Zoe had anything to do with him, but as he thought of it, the Sheriff’s words had merit. What if Victor did take her because she was with him? He used her as a shield, something Quinn didn’t believe he would’ve done if there was any real connection between them. Then again, there was the woman he left penniless in Boston when he had skipped town. There was just no way of knowing.
If Victor did take Zoe because of him, then he had to do everything in his power to get her back, though that was limited at the present moment. He lifted his eyes to the Sheriff. “Find Miss Zoe,” he instructed firmly. “It doesn’t matter to me what you do to Victor, just find her.”
“And what about your bounty? You’re willing to lose that if we catch him, or kill him?” the Sheriff questioned.
“Just find her.”
The Sheriff stared at him for a long time, and Quinn matched him second-for-second. He wasn’t going to back down, and he didn’t care whether he lost the bounty on Victor or not. It wasn’t the bounty that drove him, it was the fact that everyone should pay for their crime, no matter how lowly the victim may be considered.
“Fine,” the Sheriff finally stated. “I’ll get the boys and we’ll head toward Richmond, Bone Yard Canyon, and the Gorge,” he stated. “We’ll let you know if we find anything.”
“I’d appreciate that, Sheriff,” Quinn replied sincerely. He wanted to know if anything had happened to Zoe. His own complaint was that he wouldn’t be the first to know it, he’d have to wait until others returned with the news.
The Sheriff left the doctor’s office and Quinn with Doctor Martin. The man looked at him with a smirk. “Well, that was something I’ve never seen,” he commented with a chuckle.
“What was that?” Quinn answered.
“A bounty hunter with a heart,” the doctor replied, as he turned and walked away. “I’ll be back later to check on your dressing.”
Doctor Martin left Quinn with a lot to think about.
Have I lost my heart chasing Victor? Have I become as single-minded as the man I’m pursuing? No, it can’t be. I’m nothing like Victor. Victor stops at nothing to get what he wants.
Quinn paused as the thought sunk.
But so do you.
He turned his mind from the unpleasant comparison and instead focused on someone infinitely more pleasant. Someone who needed him. Zoe.
I’m going to get you back Zoe. Hold on. We’ll find you.
His last thoughts were the only comfort Quinn had to hold on to as the days passed without a word. The Sheriff and his men had not returned and there was no message sent to inform the Deputy of their location or findings. It was driving Quinn mad.
“We should’ve heard something by now,” he stated in exasperation as Doctor Martin changed his bandages.
“We will when there is something to report,” the doctor answered. “Now keep still.”
“How can you be so calm?” Quinn continued. “A woman is out there alone with a maniac and you’re acting as if everything his just fine and dandy.”
The doctor looked at him calmly. “What would you have me do? Worry myself to death like you are? It doesn’t seem to be helping you any.”
Quinn looked at the man flabbergasted. “Don’t you care?”
“Of course I do. Miss Ferguson is a friend of mine, of this entire town. We are all worried for her safety, but working ourselves into a frenzy won’t bring her back any sooner. We have to trust the law to do what it’s supposed to.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the hurried entrance of a rider. The man wore the dust of many days ride on him. “Doc,” he called.
“Back here,” the physician answered. The man quickly made his way to them.
“I bring news from the Sheriff for Mr. Mortensen,” he said so quickly that Quinn could hardly make it out. The man, who upon closer inspection was barely older than a boy, was breathless and clearly in a hurry.
“Tell me,” Quinn demanded.
“The Sheriff wanted you to know that they’ve searched everywhere, but there’s no sign of Norton or Miss Zoe,” the young man stated. “He said they’ll continue searching for a few more days, but the men are tired and there’s nothing for them to go on.”
Quinn’s jaw clenched at the news. Doctor Martin stared at him in disappointment. “Thank you,” the doctor replied when Quinn did not. “Thank you for informing us. Are you going back to the search party?” he asked.
“Yes,” the young man replied.
“Make sure you get yourself a good meal and some rest before you do. Tell the Sheriff that our prayers are with them and Miss Ferguson, for her safe return.”
Quinn remained silent as the young man left them. Doctor Martin lingered for several seconds, but soon, he left as well. It was for the best. Quinn wanted to be alone.
He groaned his frustration into the empty room. Zoe had to be found. She had to be. He couldn’t imagine what would happen to her if they didn’t. How long would Victor keep her alive? How would he get any answers to the many questions he had if she didn’t return? How would he recover if she didn’t?
Quinn was torn between what he felt for Zoe, something he was sure could be love, and what else there might be between them. He had not forgotten the brooch or that it connected him to her in some way. Were they family or not? He needed to know.
“I will get you back,” he swore into the empty room. “By any means possible, I’ll get you back.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Get up,” Victor said gruffly, as he tossed a rag at her to rouse Zoe from her sleep. She occupied the corner of the room for the past seven days. She was no longer tied, once Victor was sure she wouldn’t run, he no longer saw the need for the rope. She had nowhere to go and no one had found them.
“What?” she asked groggily as she wiped the sleep from her eyes. The floor was a hard place to sleep and she was always stiff when she woke.
“We’re leavin’,” Victor answered shortly.
“Leaving? Where are we going?” She was still tired and wasn’t quite collected enough to understand him. She continued to sit in place as she tried to gather herself together.
“I said, get up,” Victor insisted. “I’m takin’ yah back.”
The words woke her up immediately. “You’re taking me back?”
Zoe could hardly believe her ears. Was Victor telling the truth or was this some kind of trick? A cold shudder ran through her. What if this was his plan to trap Quinn? He would use her to lure him out of town and kill him?
“Why?” she asked sharply. “The past few days you only spoke of me as bait. That’s what you want, isn’t it? You want to use me to kill Quinn. I won’t go,” she refused.
Zoe backed herself up against the wall and stared up at Victor, who was looking at her grimly. “I said, I’m takin’ yah back and that’s what I’m doin’.”
“No,” Zoe said defiantly. “What is this? A game you’re playing with me? You want me involved in someone’s death?”
“I’m takin’ you back, not to him,” Victor answered. “Now, get up!” he bellowed as he grabbed her roughly by the arm and dragged her to her feet. “I don’t have to explain nothin’ to yah and I don’t plan to. I’m takin’ yah back and that’s that.”
Zoe looked at Victor but he refused to meet her gaze. This was a trap, it had to be, and he was using her to get revenge. She tried to struggle against him, but it was no use.
“If yah don’t stop your strugglin’ I’m gonna tie you up and throw you over my horse,” he said sharply. “Now get goin’.”
“My purse,” she called as she turned back for the article which had almost been forgotten in their skirmish. She wrapped i
t around her wrist as Victor took her arm and urged her toward the door.
Zoe did as she was told, but every step was with reluctance. How was she going to get out of this? Victor marched her to his horse and deposited her on its back, then climbed on behind her. He growled and the animal started running.
It was daylight now, and Zoe could better see the surroundings than she had the night she arrived. The gorge was vast and complicated. There were so many twists and turns, it was no wonder Victor was confident in never being found there. She was confused just looking. It was a full day before they left the gorge. The giant walls of green rock were overwhelming, until they reached the top look out, with a breath-taking view of the gorge and valley. He brought them to an area of astounding beauty, the stone hills painted with rock-striped yellows, orange, red, tan, and black, absolutely beautiful. They rode through them, until the landscape turned into huge, massive boulders.
When they finally came out onto the plain, Zoe was greeted by a vast sea of dried grass and tumbleweeds, with terracotta colored hills in the background. It would have been beautiful to her if her mind could focus on them. The only thing she could think of was where Victor was really taking her, and what he had planned.
The disquiet remained with her for more than half a day following, as Victor did his best to evade those searching for him. He got wind from a caravan of lumbermen who were on their way from Richmond, that people were on his trail. They arrived in a small town a few hours later.
“Get down,” Victor demanded. Zoe looked at him cautiously and then did as he said. The moment she was away from the horse, Victor turned the beast about and kicked its flanks. The animal took off at an alarming speed out of town, leaving Zoe in shock as she watched it go.
He had really let her go. Zoe stood dumbfounded for several minutes as she tried to process what had happened and where she was. Victor set her free. Why? Nothing made sense to her. She stood looking around the meager town, which made Shaniko look like Boston or some other large city, and wondered what place it was that he’d left her.
“Excuse me?” she called to a man who passed near her. “Where am I?”
He looked at her curiously. “Mayville, Ma’am.”
“Where?” She never heard of the place, but there were so many small towns between Richmond and the canyons since the silver rush started.
“Is there a Sheriff’s Office here?” she questioned. If there was, she could get a message home. The man shook his head.
“Not yet,” the man answered. “We’re too small to need one of those,” he continued with a laugh. “Why? You in some kinda trouble?”
Zoe breathed quickly. Did she tell him the truth or did she leave it alone? She couldn’t risk bringing Quinn there, which might be what Victor wanted. No. She would get herself home. “Is there a coach or someone who can get me to Shaniko, or at least Richmond?” she questioned urgently.
“We don’t get another stage for two weeks,” the man stated as he looked her up and down. Zoe wasn’t flattered by his interest.
“What about a horse for hire?” she asked.
“You got the money?” he asked quickly, his interest clearly piqued.
“Enough,” she answered shortly. “Is there a horse? Someone who can guide me?”
Zoe watched the man carefully. She was uneasy with him. She was a woman alone and she knew no one in the town. If the man decided he wished to part her and her money, there was little she could do.
“I got a horse you could rent. I could also be yer guide, but it’ll cost yah,” the man continued. He smiled at her and Zoe could see he was missing several of his teeth, and several more were unpleasant to look at.
“What’s your name?” she questioned as she studied him. She liked knowing people’s names. It also helped to know his name if for some reason she needed to report him later.
“Burt,” he answered. “Burt Jones.”
“All right, Mr. Jones…”
“Burt,” he corrected. “Mr. Jones was my Papi.”
“Very well, Burt, how much?” she asked.
“Three dollars,” he said.
Zoe reached into her purse. “You get the money when I get the horse,” she answered as she folded her hand around the coins. “Now where is it?”
“Right this way, lil’ lady,” Burt replied as he walked toward what looked like a blacksmith’s shop, but on a very small scale. There was only one small furnace and anvil, and only enough room for one person to work comfortably. The rest of the space was occupied by various stabled animals, including a goat. The smell was atrocious, but Zoe didn’t care, as long as she got a horse healthy enough to get her home.
Burt walked into the back of the space and came out a few seconds later with an old mare and a younger stallion. The latter was for him. The mare was chestnut in color, but she looked strong. Zoe stepped forward to check her shoes. They were intact, she didn’t have to worry about the horse losing one along the way.
“I’ll take her,” Zoe answered. She took the reins. “Shall we go?”
The man grinned. “Well, you’ve paid fer the horse. You haven’t paid for me to guide yah yet,” he stated.
Zoe laughed internally. “I see. Another three dollars would it be?” she asked. Burt continued to smile.
“The horse is three. I’m five,” he stated boldly.
Zoe’s teeth clenched together. He was trying to fleece her. He knew she was desperate and willing to pay, and he was doing his best to extort as much as he could from her. Usually, Zoe would never agree to such a ridiculous offer, but she needed the guide home.
“Very well. Eight dollars it will be,” she answered. She placed the three dollars in Burt’s hands and then retrieved an additional five. He smiled brightly as he received his extorted gains.
“Thank you very much, Miss…”
“I don’t think my name’s necessary. You got your money. Now lead me home,” Zoe said shortly. She ripped some of the skirts out from under her dress, and knotted the remaining fabric together to make it easier to ride. Then, she threw her leg over the animal’s back and urged it toward the door. She wasn’t giving him her name, not after what he just pulled. It was unlikely they’d see each other again, anyway.
Burt climbed onto his horse’s back. At least he was keeping his word to guide her. Zoe yelped and pressed the mare forward. The horse was slow to get moving but once she did she made good time. She followed Burt and unfamiliar lands whipped by her. She was riding for some time when a band of men on the horizon got her attention. Zoe’s heart began to beat faster as she watched them. Who were they? Bandits?
The closer they got, the more nervous she became. What if they weren’t bandits? What if they were the men who were looking for her, and Quinn was with them? Zoe hesitated. Should she call to them? Avoid them? In the end, she had no choice in the matter. The man at the head of the group turned his horse in her direction and minutes later she was face-to-face with more than half a dozen of her neighbors from Shaniko.
“Miss Zoe!” the Sheriff called out when he was close. He stopped his horse and jumped down to meet her.
“Sheriff Watts,” she answered breathlessly, as her eyes searched the faces with him. Quinn wasn’t amongst them, and for that she was glad.
“Thank God we found you. Are you all right?” he asked quickly.
Zoe nodded. “Very well,” she replied. “I was just trying to get home when you found me,” she stated. She looked at Burt.
“Seems you’ve got yerself a guide after all,” he commented. “Since yah won’t be needin’ me—” he stated as he turned the horse around.
“Wait a minute,” Sheriff Watts called, but Zoe stopped him.
“Let him go, Sheriff. He was just trying to help me get home,” she stated.
“Well, we can escort you back to Shaniko,” the Sheriff answered with a smile. “But first, where’s Norton?”
“I don’t know,” Zoe answered honestly. “He dumped me in a town back there an
d rode out of town.”
“He just let you go?” the Sheriff questioned her.
“I’m as perplexed by it as you, Sheriff. He just woke me up this morning and informed me he was taking me back. I didn’t even believe him until he left me in the town.”
“Any clue which direction he was headed?”
“I have no idea,” Zoe answered. “I didn’t see.”
“All right, let’s get you home. There’s a number of people waiting for you, including that Mr. Mortensen,” the Sheriff said, with a nod and a gentle pat to her horse’s neck.
The sound of Quinn’s name made her heart leap. He was waiting for her, there was no doubt of that, but what were his reasons? Did he want to condemn her for her lies? Zoe was very sure that was the case. She had a lot to answer for when it came to Quinn.
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