Passage (Soul of the Witch Book 1)

by C. Marie Bowen

  Amy stood in the hallway dressed to travel with a bonnet and warm coat around her shoulders. She whispered through the opening. “Jim’s hitching the wagon. Do you still want to go?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll be down in a minute.” Nichole opened the door a bit more and looked down the hall. “Is anyone else awake?” Her voice was a low murmur.

  “No.” Amy grinned. “Everyone is asleep. But be as quiet as possible, and hurry. I'll send Jim up for your luggage.”

  Nichole closed the door and lit the lamp on the dresser. She snatched up the riding habit and underclothes she'd folded on top of the trunk. She dressed in record time, drew her hair back in a ponytail, and tied it with a ribbon. She pulled her flat-brimmed hat onto her head as another scratch sounded at her door.

  She peeked first, then opened the door gesturing to the trunk at the foot of her bed.

  Jim nodded and moved past her. “Go on down. I'll get the light and the trunk.” His voice was a low rumble. “Be sure to bring a wrap. It's a mite brisk this morning.”

  Nichole tipped her head and opened the wardrobe. She pulled a warm wool cloak out and wrapped it around her. With one more look of understanding between them, she picked up her boots and left the room.

  She tiptoed around the banister to the stairs and listened for any movement. A soft snore came from behind Amy and Jason's door. She hurried down the stairs and past the parlor on stocking feet. As soon as she was out the front door, she stopped and allowed herself to breathe.

  Moonset had left the western sky studded with tiny stars. To the east, a faint glow outlined the horizon. She stepped into her boots as she scanned the yard for the wagon. Then she saw it, obscured in the darkness beside the house, not far from where she and Merril had spoken last night.

  She had no more than stepped from the porch when Jim moved beside her.

  He carried her trunk on his shoulder, secured by one long arm. With the other, he guided Nichole to the buckboard. He set her chest on the wagon bed beside two others, and then he helped Nichole up to the seat beside Amy.

  Amy's hand found Nichole's and she gave it a reassuring squeeze. Jim stepped in front of the two horses hitched to the wagon. Grasping Sugar's harness, he led them at a slow, even pace toward the road.

  Nervous flutters plagued Nichole's stomach as Jim walked the horses down the drive.

  They'll catch us.

  The creak of the wagon and the chink of the harnesses seemed loud in the morning silence.

  Beyond the corral, a few of the overnight guests were breaking camp.

  As Jim crossed from The Highlands’ drive onto the road, a wagon pulled from the campsite heading west. Jim fell into line behind it, and another team pulled out behind them.

  After they crossed the Sandy Creek Bridge, Jim guided the team off the rutted path to a flat place beside the road.

  Amy took up the reins as Jim moved to the rear and untied his mount.

  “Do you think anyone saw us?” Nichole wondered aloud.

  Jim mounted his horse and moved onto the road ahead of the buckboard team.

  “We're just one of the guests heading home.” Amy shook the reins, and the two-horse team pulled the wagon onto the road behind Jim. “We have a long way to go. Let's hope Jason sleeps for a while. He'll be the first to notice we've gone.”

  * * *

  Jason Harris

  Jason moaned and tugged the covers over his head. He eased back into his dream. He and Amy were in Boston. So much in love, he could feel it in his bones. They laughed together and walked hand in hand to his parents’ house. They discussed the plans they had for their future. What happened to those dreams?

  Still half-asleep, he reached for Amy and found the mattress beside him empty. He pushed the covers away from his face and squinted around the sunlit room. No Amy. Jason sighed and rubbed a hand across his eyes.

  He didn't remember seeing her after Kevin's announcement last night, not until he found his way to bed sometime this morning. The fall of light across the room told him the sun was well up. His sweet dream called to him, but he pushed it away. With a grunt of resignation, he sat and swung his feet to the floor.

  How have I fallen so low? How do I fix this?

  His head shot up, startled by a loud knock.

  “Jason? You in there?” Tom spoke through the door.

  Jason rubbed his jaw. “Yeah. What do you need, Tom?

  “I'm tryin' to find Jim. Was he doin' somethin' for you this mornin'?”

  Jason came slowly to his feet with a groan and opened the door. He studied Tom Baker through bleary eyes and shook his head. “He's probably still asleep.”

  “I checked his bunk first thing. The buckboard's gone along with two of the tan geldings.”

  “Maybe he ran an errand for Amy.”

  “Maybe, but his horse is gone.”

  Even befuddled with sleep, Jason knew that didn't add up. He rubbed his eyes and peered at Tom. “Is Nichole up?”

  “Jeanne said she hasn't come down yet.” Tom pulled off his hat and scratched his head. “It don't figure. Where the heck would Jim go with his own horse, two geldings, and a wagon?” Tom replaced his hat and turned toward the stairs. “Sorry to bother you. I thought you might know. We’re almost done cleaning up, and everyone that camped overnight has lit out for home.”

  “Thank you, Tom. If you see Amy, tell her I'd like to speak with her.”

  “Sure thing, Jase. Sorry to wake ya.”

  Jason nodded to Tom and turned back to the room. His brow furrowed as he tapped his lips with one finger.

  This is very odd.

  He pulled on his trousers and then crossed the hall to Nichole’s room. He hesitated before knocking. The look in her eyes when Clemens grabbed her rose to haunt his mind. Guilt made him grind his teeth in shame. How had he turned away? He pressed his lips together and knocked.

  “Nicki? You awake?” He paused to listen but heard no answer. He pressed his ear to the door. “You disappeared before I could ask you about Kevin's announcement last night. Are you all right?”

  He waited, but still no reply. He turned the knob and stepped into her room. The trunk that sat at the end of her bed was gone. Her wardrobe stood open, several drawers in her dressing table were open and empty. He stared at the evidence for only a moment, then spun on his heel and returned to his room.

  They wouldn't—Amy wouldn't leave, not like this.

  He stopped in the doorway, his gaze darting around his bedroom. Amy stored her trunk in the shed when she first arrived, but he doubted it remained there. He crossed to their wardrobe and opened both doors. Anguish and regret clawed up his throat, and he closed his eyes. Only his clothes hung in the space they shared.

  Amy had gone.

  On the heels of that thought came another.

  Jimmy Leigh.

  How often had he heard Jim praise his wife? Jim, who scowled at everyone else, always found a smile for Amy.

  Could it be?

  Jealous anger blazed through his chest. It made perfect sense. Worst of all, it was his own damned fault. He had told Amy to go.

  With a growl, he shrugged into his shirt and grabbed his seldom-used gun belt that hung on a peg near the door. He strapped it on and withdrew his Colt from the dresser drawer. He checked the rounds, slid the Colt into its holster, and pulled on his jacket. This foolishness would end. There was only one place the three of them would go.

  Denver.

  Jason took the stairs two at a time and grabbed his hat as he went out the front door. He raced across the porch and yard to the stable. “Lloyd!” he hollered across the barn. “I need my horse saddled. Tom? Are you in here?” He stalked past Muffin and her puppies.

  Lloyd's head leaned out of the last stall. “I hear ya. Can I finish what I'm doin' first?”

  “I’ll get it.” Tom wiped his hands on a cloth and then opened the stall across from the one he’d been cleaning. He led Jason's brown and white paint to the tack room. “Is this about Jim?
” Tom asked as he placed a soft blanket over the gelding's back.

  Jason glanced up from buttoning his shirt. “Jim and Amy. Nichole too. They've gone to Denver.” Jason unbuttoned his pants and tucked in his shirt.

  Lloyd stepped out of the stall and stared at Jason. “You plannin' to ride straight through or stop halfway?”

  “I don't know. I know where they're going.” Jason hung his head, hands on his hips. When he looked up at Lloyd, he shook his head. “You're right. No use killing myself or Checker. They'll be there tomorrow.”

  Lloyd bobbed his head in agreement. “Give him a bedroll Tom, in case he decides to stop near the creek. I'll get Cookie to make you a meal for the road.”

  Jason nodded, and Lloyd walked past him and headed toward the kitchen.

  As Tom lifted the saddle onto Checker's back, his gaze met Jason's.

  “Did you know they were planning to leave?” Jason asked.

  Tom dropped his eyes and adjusted the cinch strap. “I woke you up to find Jim, remember?” He looked over the saddle at Jason. “I didn't know, Jase. I'm sorry.”

  Lloyd returned with a cloth bag. He tucked it into the saddlebag, then turned to Jason. “What do you want me to tell the men? Jim thought at least a week before the drive, maybe two.”

  Jason mounted Checker and looked at Lloyd. “Tell them to come back in two weeks. If they have a mind to stay, the bunk is open. I think most will head to town.”

  “Check the cinch again at the road, Jase. Make sure it's tight.”

  “Will do, Tom. Thank you, both.”

  Jason dismounted and tightened the cinch strap at the main road and considered which route they would have gone. Jim would have taken the road due west toward Denver instead of the south road that went past The Shilo Ranch.

  Jason decided to head south. He wanted Kevin to know Nicki had taken matters into her own hands and left the ranch. All of Renata's careful planning had gained her nothing. He would have been ecstatic about Nichole slipping out of Kevin's reach if it weren't for Amy and Jim. Jason mounted his horse and pulled the reins to head south.

  Ninety minutes later, Jason dismounted in The Shilo yard. The bunkhouse was almost empty now that the roundup was over. He tossed Checker's reins over the corral fence, crossed the wide yard and stepped onto the porch. He knocked and waited.

  Katy answered the door, and when she saw Jason, she smiled a welcome. “Hello, Mr. Harris. Renata is still in her room, but if you want to wait, I could fetch her.”

  “Actually, I’m here to see Kevin.” He smiled at the youngster. “Do you know if he’s awake?” Katy's momentary surprise didn't escape Jason.

  Does everyone know about Renata and me? Does Amy?

  “Mister Kevin is in the library,” Katy replied and moved back from the door.

  Jason stepped past the girl and stopped at the open library door. His gaze swept the familiar room, noting the disarray of papers and books left discarded on the table and chairs. Kevin's gun belt lay across Philip's large oak desk. Jason’s attention settled on Kevin at the window, a whiskey glass already in his hand.

  “Kevin?” Jason removed his hat and stepped into the room.

  “Jason.” Kevin turned and stared at Jason. “What brings you here so early? Never mind my question; here, have a drink first,” He crossed to the mantel and fumbled with the decanters.

  Kevin didn't look well. The bruises from the beating Merril gave him had faded to yellow, but one eye was still swollen. It didn't look as though he'd been to bed yet. He wore the same clothes he had last night.

  “Thanks, but no. I can't stay. I wouldn't have stopped at all, but I wanted to be the one to tell you. Amy and Nichole have left The Highlands.”

  Kevin's head shot up from his glass, and he blinked to clear his vision. “They did what?”

  “They're gone, Kevin.”

  “Gone? Gone where? Is this some trick? Why didn't you stop them?” Kevin set his drink on the desk and advanced on Jason.

  Jason refused to step back. “You know why Nichole left, Kevin. God knows you gave her reason enough.” Jason looked down at his hat, then back to Kevin. “Amy knows a lot of folks in Denver. Nichole is beyond your reach. It's over.” Jason smiled at Kevin's stunned expression.

  “And what about you?” Kevin asked. “What are you going to do?”

  Jason slid his hat back on his head. “I'm going to collect my wife if I can. I've made enough mistakes already. I'm not about to make this one as well.”

  He turned to find Renata stood outside the library door. Her hastily donned robe gaped in the front as the sash slipped. The sparkle in her dark eyes no longer had the power to persuade him. He moved past her without a word and walked to the front door.

  “Jason! Come back here and explain what happened this instant!” Renata demanded.

  Jason paused as his hand touched the door latch, and he turned to look at Renata.

  Her fists clenched and unclenched at her sides, working in silent agitation. Her chin was set and angry, but there was just a touch of desperation in her normally smooth voice.

  Jason grinned. “Go to hell, Renata.” Then he walked out the door.

  “Don't you walk away from me, Jason Harris.”

  Jason slammed the door. He stopped and adjusted his hat, listening to the tirade inside the house. With a satisfied smile on his face, he walked across the dirt yard to Checker, mounted and glanced back at the front door. He half expected Renata to throw open the door and yell at him from the porch, but the door remained closed. He chuckled to himself and felt better than he had in days. With luck, he would see Amy tonight.

  He tugged Checker's reins and set a pace on the road to Denver.

  * * *

  Kevin Shilo

  Kevin flinched as the door slammed. The sharp noise reverberated in his skull. He put his hand on the desk to steady himself.

  “Stop him, Kevin.”

  Renata's screech scored his nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

  “Stop him yourself, you worthless bitch.” Kevin's words were slurred. He stumbled back to the mantel, picking up his glass on the way.

  Nichole was gone.

  She might have loved him, if not for Renata. “It’s over. I’ll never have her now. This is your fault. You and your schemes got in the way.”

  “You're such an idiot.” Renata tugged the tie on her satin robe tighter. “All she ever felt for you was pity and disgust. But if you had held up your end of the bargain, she would have been forced to marry you. Now, all our plans are ruined—because of you.” She slashed with her hand to emphasize her words and stalked into the library toward Kevin.

  Kevin growled and spun to face Renata. “I did everything you asked me to do—more.”

  “You scared her away, didn't you?” Renata hissed at him. She stepped toward him, pointing her finger. “Not only that, but you didn't go after Merril and finish him as I instructed. She would be here if you had only done what you were told.”

  Kevin’s chest was heavy, and his head pounded. He refilled his glass, drank it down, and choked in his haste. He turned to Renata and wiped the spittle from his mouth. “I did everything.” His voice was low and dangerous.

  Renata rolled her eyes and crossed to the decanters on the mantel. She took a glass and poured herself a shot. “You are as stupid as your father. Maybe I should have seduced Merril, instead. Now, there’s a man with enough ambition and follow-through to get the job done.”

  Kevin staggered to a standstill, his attention focused on Renata.

  I'm what? Stupid like Pa?

  He tilted his head and stared hard at the dark-haired woman. “What did you say?” he whispered.

  “Now that I think of it, my only real mistake was getting rid of Philip. I was too impatient. Too eager to take what should be mine. He would have married me eventually. I'm sure of it. As I said, he was stupid, pliable. I had only to wait —” Renata turned from the mantel, drink in hand and froze.

  Kevin stood besi
de his father's desk and glared at Renata.

  Her only real mistake?

  A sob rose in his throat, and he choked it back.

  She got rid of Pa?

  He brushed at his nose with one hand; in the other, he held his revolver. He thumbed back the hammer and scrubbed at the tears with his shoulder, his gaze never leaving Renata's face.

  “You lied to me.” His voice wavered, and he cleared his throat. “You never wanted me. You used me, just like you used Pa.” A drunken sob escaped him, and the gun lowered.

  Renata stepped away from the mantel and edged past the book-lined wall toward the door.

  Kevin raised the gun and followed her movements. His lips quivered, and he wiped his arm across his face.

  “Put the gun down, Kevin.” Renata's voice was soft and wary. “You’re drunk, my love. You need some rest. We will talk about all of this later.”

  “No. I won’t listen to you anymore. You’re poison.” He paused for a moment, his chest heaving in sobs. “Worst of all—the worst thing—you killed my father.”

  Renata shook her head. “No, no, love. You misunderstood me.”

  “I heard you say it, just now. He’s the only one who loved me, and you killed him.” Kevin's voice rose to a screech, and he pulled the trigger. Two more times he cocked the hammer and fired into Renata's body.

  That murdering whore.

  The first shot took her in the throat and stilled any cry or plea she might have made. The second and third rounds marked her chest. The bark of the Colt left a ringing in his ears that remained long after he stopped firing.

  Kevin crossed the library and looked down at her blood-spattered corpse. His breath sawed in and out, and he wiped at his face again, his sleeve soaked with tears and snot. He raised his head at a sound at the library door.

  Katy stood silent, her eyes wide. Her trembling hand rose to her mouth as she stared at Renata's body. Her gaze lifted to Kevin.

  Kevin stared at Katy for a few moments, then raised the barrel of the gun in her direction.

  With a shriek, she ran from the doorway.

  Kevin listened as her screams for her mother echoed through the house. Slowly, and with quiet deliberation, he checked the remaining bullets in his gun. Then he sighed in resignation and raised the Colt to his head.