* * *
Quincy found Clayton and Christopher at the arena and filled them in on what was going on. Richard and Jamie joined them, and once the news was repeated, they saddled horses and Richard handed them guns as Jamie led his horse out of the barn. The men mounted and took off toward the cabin. Quincy led the way in the front door and they found the small building ransacked.
“Holy—” Jamie said.
“Thank God Victoria got out,” Clayton said.
Quincy was having a difficult time breathing.
Christopher laid his hand on his back. “Are you all right, Quinn?” Quincy nodded, and Christopher squeezed his shoulder in support. “She’s safe. She got out and is with Hannah and Sophie. You married a smart woman.”
Quincy nodded again. “She knew something bad was going to happen.”
Clayton picked up an overturned chair. “Let’s sort out what happened.”
Jamie and Clayton worked at putting the furniture right. They searched for evidence as they cleaned up the mess. Checking their bags, Quincy found a few things missing, but didn’t say anything, knowing he wanted to speak with Victoria first.
“I can’t figure out if this is random,” Clayton said.
Christopher continued to walk the room. “It’s not public knowledge the cabin is here.”
“It may have started out random, but it may not be now,” Jamie said as he moved a few things around the room.
“What makes you think that?” Christopher asked.
“Things are missing,” Jamie said.
“What’s missing?” Clayton asked.
“A few personal items of Victoria’s,” Quincy interjected with a sigh.
“Well, I wouldn’t know about that,” Jamie said. “But the shotgun’s missing, and so are the fireplace irons.”
“All right. Let’s secure the place and get back to the house. We’ll figure out what to do when we get back,” Clayton said.
Christopher turned to Quincy. “I’m certain this goes without saying, but it would be better for the two of you not to return here tonight.”
Quincy nodded and the men extinguished the stove, locked up the cabin, and mounted their horses. Jamie and Clayton went on ahead, but Christopher stayed back with his brother.
“Quinn? Something else is wrong. Tell me.”
“They took the sheet,” Quincy said quietly.
“The sheet?”
Quinn stared at his brother hoping he wouldn’t have to spell it out.
“Oh!”
“I need to talk to Victoria before this information is repeated to anyone.”
“I understand,” Christopher said, and they rode back to the house in silence, arriving at the arena to find their wives waiting for them.
“Hannah!” Christopher admonished.
“What?”
He closed the distance between them. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
Hannah shrugged. “I got the okay from Michael.”
“He doesn’t know the entire situation, Hannah,” Christopher reminded her.
Hannah shrugged. “Well, he’s a doctor and he said I could come if I’m careful. I’m here, I’m fine, and I’m not going back to bed.”
“Then sit down, for God’s sake.”
She huffed, but sat on the bench outside the arena.
Quinn jumped from his horse and made his way to Victoria.
“So? What happened?” she asked.
“Come with me.” He led her to Rocky’s stall.
“What’s going on, Gus?”
He ran his thumb along her inner wrist. “They ransacked the cabin and stole several personal items.”
“Okay. What did they steal?”
Quincy frowned. “They stole your nightgown, sweetheart.”
“And?”
“And the sheet.”
“What sheet?” Victoria paused for several seconds and then gasped. “The sheet sheet?”
Quincy nodded. “Yes.”
“Why would they want a bloody sheet?” She slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m going to be sick.”
She rushed to the corner of the barn and Quincy rubbed her back, waiting for her to calm, then handed her his handkerchief and pulled her into his arms.
“Why would they take my things? Were they following me... us?” she whispered.
“I have no idea.”
“Does everyone know?”
“Just Chris, sweetheart. I told him not to tell anyone else until I spoke to you.”
She nodded, stepped away from him, and took a deep breath. “Okay. Well, in order for you to catch these people, I can’t be embarrassed about anything. I’ll help as much as I can.”
“Rebel?” Reaching for her again, he said, “Come here.”
She burst into tears and let him pull her to him. “What kind of sicko would do something like that?”
“I don’t know, but we’re going home.”
She pushed away from him. “We can’t! If we leave, you won’t be able to find out what happened.”
“It’s obviously not safe here, Victoria. And I need you safe.”
“Honey, if we stay at the Wades’ or the Maddens’, I’ll be surrounded by people and safe. If we leave, you may never find these guys.” At his frown, Victoria stroked his cheek. “You know I’m right. Come on. If I can get over the humiliation and pain, you can find these bastards.”
Rocky whinnied and Victoria went to his stall, reaching out to pat his muzzle and giggling when he pushed at her hand. “I know. I know,” she crooned as she let herself into the stall. “I promised extra sugar. Here you go, sweet boy.” Quincy followed and stroked Rocky’s neck as Victoria fed him. “He’s so calm with you,” Victoria observed.
“Why are you surprised?”
She shrugged. “He doesn’t like any other men and he certainly hates Bart.”
“We can refrain from speaking his name, Victoria.”
“He’s no threat, honey. It’s all about you.” Laughing, she kissed him quickly and wrinkled her nose when Rocky blew his lips in their direction. “Ugh. Rocks!” she admonished and kissed his muzzle.
“I suppose we should go.” Quincy held the stall door for her. As she walked out of the barn, he laid a hand on her shoulder. “How’s your hand? Are you in much pain?”
“It’s sore, but not nearly as bad as it was.”
“We’ll check it back at the house.”
Victoria nodded, and they made their way back to the group. Everyone started talking at once.
“Did you get a look at the men?” Hannah asked Victoria.
“Are you certain there were only three?” Chris added.
Victoria shook her head. “No, actually, I was trying to get some clothes on. I only saw three, but I suppose there could have been more.”
They continued to pass information back and forth until Quincy noticed the grimace on Victoria’s face. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Is your hand hurting?”
“Like the dickens.”
“All right, everyone. Let’s get back to the house. Michael needs to look at Victoria’s hand,” Quincy said.
Christopher turned and picked Hannah up.
“Seriously, Knight? I can walk.”
“You shouldn’t be here in the first place, so don’t push me.”
Hannah frowned. “Baby, put me down, this is ridiculous.”
“No.”
“I must weigh a ton. You’re going to hurt yourself.”
“I said don’t push me.”
Victoria turned and smiled at her and Hannah rolled her eyes. The group arrived at the Wades’ to find Stephen and Christine waiting in the parlor.
Stephen raised an eyebrow at Hannah. “How long have you been out of bed?”
“Less than an hour.” Hannah pushed at Christopher’s shoulder and he set her on her feet.
“Okay,” Stephen continued. “No more than another hour, though. And you should really sit down.”
“Stephen, I don�
��t think Michael is here, would you mind looking at Victoria’s hand?” Sophie asked.
Stephen nodded. “Of course. What happened?”
“Run in with a skillet,” Victoria said.
“Forgot about no plastic handles, huh?” he asked.
She laughed. “Exactly.”
He gently unwrapped her hand and examined the damage. “How painful? Scale from one to ten.”
“Nine.”
“Okay. Come into Michael’s office and we’ll clean it and put more balm on.”
Quincy followed them into the office and watched Stephen’s every move.
“Gus? You don’t need to hover.” He continued to stand in the corner and brood, and Victoria held her hand out. “Honey, come here.”
Quincy walked toward her and linked his fingers with hers, standing beside her and watching Stephen closely.
“Victoria, this might hurt a bit,” Stephen warned and waited until she nodded.
He poured warm water over her hand and she gasped. Quincy squeezed her hand and leaned forward.
“Quincy, he has to do this. Stop posturing.”
“He’s fine, Victoria,” Stephen said without looking up. “I have to admit, I’d do the same with Christine.”
Victoria winced again and turned tear-filled eyes to Quincy who leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“Sorry,” Stephen said. “All right, it’s clean. We’ll get the cream Michael used and then wrap your hand again.”
Victoria nodded and took a deep breath. “It’s not so bad.”
“Liar,” Quincy admonished.
“Seriously, honey. It’s much better.”
Stephen put the medicine on her hand and gently wrapped it, tying the bandage at her wrist. “You’re all set. You’ll want to clean and change it again before you go to bed. Perhaps, Quincy, you could do it for her.”
Victoria laughed. “Are you trying to give my husband a heart attack?”
“If he does it for you, he might feel less antsy about it.”
“Good point.” Victoria turned to Quincy. “Do you think you can handle that?”
“I’ll try.” Turning to Stephen, he asked, “You’re staying for dinner, right?”
“Yes, but we’ll be leaving well before you turn in.”
Victoria laughed at Quincy’s curse and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You can do it. I have faith in you.”
They joined the rest of the group in the parlor.
QUINCY SAT ON the sofa and Victoria squealed in surprise as he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her quickly. “We’re in public, Quincy,” she whispered.
“So?”
“Public displays of affection are frowned upon in this century, aren’t they?”
He shrugged. “We’re with our family, so the rule is slightly more relaxed.”
“Riiiight.”
Andrew, Gwen, and Charity walked in a few minutes later and the group stood to greet them. Jamie roped the men into helping him get drinks and Quincy kissed Victoria once more before he followed Jamie out of the room.
“Charity, how long are you staying?” Sophie asked.
Charity grinned. “Two weeks this time.”
“Have you set a wedding date?”
Charity sighed. “We’re thinking October, but we haven’t decided on the day yet.”
The men returned with drinks for everyone and Victoria no longer paid attention to the wedding details as Quincy sat down next to her again. Richard arrived a few minutes later and called him over, but Charity jumped up and made her way to him first. He leaned down to whisper something in her ear before kissing her on the cheek.
“What does Richard want?” Victoria asked.
Quincy shrugged. “I have no idea.”
* * *
Quincy followed Richard into the library. “What’s amiss?”
“There is something very wrong with Victoria’s horse,” Richard said.
“What do you mean?”
Richard pulled his gloves on and set his hat on his head. “He’s sick, Quinn.”
“How?”
“He can barely stand and won’t take food or water. It’s serious, and I thought you should be the one to tell her.”
Quincy nodded and made his way back into the parlor. He walked over to the sofa and took Victoria’s hand. “Come with me.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Just come with me please, Rebel.”
“Mmm, mysterious,” she joked as she stood and followed him to the library.
Once Quincy closed the door, he put his hands on her shoulders. “Sweetheart, there is something seriously wrong with Rocky.”
She frowned up at him. “What do you mean?”
“Apparently, he can barely stand and won’t take food or water.”
“What? No, that can’t be right,” she said, and laughed nervously. “I just rode him less than two hours ago and we checked on him in the middle of the night.”
“Sweetheart, he’s sick, and Richard doesn’t know what’s wrong.”
“How sick?”
He didn’t speak.
“Quinn? How sick?”
“It’s not good, sweetheart.”
She rushed from the room and Quincy followed. “Victoria. Wait.”
* * *
Victoria ran toward the barn and straight to Rocky’s stall. Peering inside, she could see he was having a difficult time standing. “Rocky.”
He was too weak to move, so Victoria stepped into the stall and examined his eyes, her stomach dropping when she saw that they were yellow. He started to paw the ground but then gave up and groaned.
“Careful, Victoria.” Quincy ran his hands along the horse’s belly.
Rocky’s front legs seemed to buckle, but he caught himself in time as Victoria gasped and let out a sob.
“Rocky. Come on boy, I need you to lie down,” she crooned and tried to guide him down.
She was relieved he seemed to understand what she was saying and he lowered himself to the ground and onto his side. She sat and pulled his head into her lap.
And sobbed.
“Rebel.”
Victoria looked up at her husband. “Someone poisoned him, Quincy.”
“How do you know?”
“I know the signs. Who would do this?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart.”
Stroking his neck, Victoria sobbed, “I dreamed this! I should have watched him closer.”
Quincy stepped inside. “Rebel, you couldn’t have known.”
“Can you get Stephen, please? Tell him we need Thiamine.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s the antidote.”
Quincy raised an eyebrow. “To what?”
“Don’t ask me right now, Gus,” she begged. “Please, just get Stephen.”
“I’ll be back shortly, sweetheart.”
Victoria barely noticed Quincy left her as she leaned over Rocky’s neck and cried. She knew that if they didn’t get B-1 into him soon, he would die. The thought of this beautiful animal no longer in the world devastated her.
“Victoria?”
She looked up to see Stephen and Quincy standing at the stable door. Quincy stepped around him and into the stall.
“Stephen, its Bracken Fern.”
Stephen shook his head. “Victoria, I’m not a vet, you’ll need to tell me what that means.”
“It’s a plant that’s poisonous to horses.”
“Are you sure that’s what it is?”
“Yes.” Victoria glanced down at Rocky. “Two of the championship horses at our neighbor’s farm were poisoned this way. It was news for months. We need Thiamine. Lots of it.”
“Victoria, I’m sorry, but I don’t have a B-1 shot available,” Stephen said. “It hasn’t been invented yet.”
“Then something, damn it. Oatmeal. Something with B-1 in it. He can’t die,” she snapped.
“Rebel,” Quincy said softly.
“No, Quincy. Help him. Plea
se, honey, help him,” she begged.
“We’ll try oatmeal mixed with cauliflower,” Stephen suggested.
She nodded and leaned her cheek against Rocky’s. “Rocky, this better work. You have to figure out a way to fight this if it doesn’t. Be a good boy and get better, okay?”
She stroked his neck and watched Quincy let himself into the stall.
“He can’t die,” she said.
“I know, sweetheart. We’ll do everything we can.” He knelt down by Rocky’s head.
Victoria glanced at Quincy. “Who would do this?”
“How do you know it was deliberate, Victoria?”
“Because horses don’t just eat poisonous plants on their own,” she snapped.
Quincy squeezed her hand.
“Sorry,” she said, and then explained. “They don’t like the taste. It would have had to have been mixed in with his food to fool him.”
“All right, sweetheart, we’ll find out what’s going on. I promise.”
Stephen returned with his recipe and let himself inside the stall. “I added molasses for taste and brought a few sugar cubes with me, which I’m hoping will help.”
“Thank you, Stephen,” she said. “I’m really sorry for snapping at you.”
He chuckled. “Did you? I hadn’t noticed.”
Stephen put the bowl down next to Victoria. She scooped some of the mixture into her hand and held it near Rocky’s muzzle. He licked it from her hand, and she tried again. This continued for several minutes before Rocky refused any more. “Please, Rocky, one more.”
“He ate almost the whole thing, Victoria,” Stephen noted.
She looked into the bowl. “Oh. Good boy.” She stroked his neck and put a sugar cube in her hand, which he took from her. “Ah, my beautiful stallion, you’ll never turn down sugar, will you?”
“If it’s going to work, it’ll probably take another feeding or two, so it’s a matter of waiting now,” Stephen said. “I don’t know much about Bracken Fern.”
Victoria stroked Rocky’s neck. “It’s not pretty, but all the stables have B1 onsite in case, so we’ve never lost a horse to it.”
“We’ll put a man on watch duty,” Quincy said.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“And why is that, Victoria?” he asked.
The Rebel Bride (Civil War Brides Series, #5) Page 23
