Amelia's Marriage

by Agnes Alexander

  Sheldon began to examine Elizabeth. “Did she tell you what she drank, Delores?”

  “She said it was wine. Mr. Donahue gave it to her.”

  “When did she drink it?”

  “Last night. After she got ready for bed, I guess. She went straight up to bed after supper. I didn’t know anything was wrong until she couldn’t get up this morning. Mr. Donahue said to let her sleep and not try to wake her up. But it got late and I was worried so I went to check on her. When I finally got her to talk a little she told me about the wine.”

  “Where is Donahue?”

  “He came to town early this morning. I haven’t seen him since.”

  The doctor nodded and glanced at Lance and Frank. “Would you fellows step outside for a minute, please?”

  “Sure,” they said almost in unison.

  Delores hovered as the doctor continued his examination. When he finished, he looked up at her. “When Amelia got married I gave Rafe some drops to help his wife relax and sleep. I think she may have taken too much of it last night. Was she upset about something?”

  Delores hesitated.

  “Please, Delores. You must tell me everything. I don’t want to give Mrs. Donahue the wrong thing. It could be fatal.”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Donahue had a misunderstanding. She was upset because he hadn’t told her Miss Amelia was living nearby on the Lawson place. She planned to go visit her daughter today and I’m sure Mr. Donahue didn’t want her to. I think he gave her something so she wouldn’t be awake enough to go.”

  “I see.” The doctor looked back at Elizabeth. “Then we need to make sure Mr. Donahue doesn’t upset her anymore.”

  “I agree, Sir. Will you tell the sheriff not to send for him? He wanted to.”

  “I sure will.” Dr. Wagner turned back to Elizabeth and put his hand on her cheek. He patted it firmly. “Elizabeth, you need to wake up. Come on. You’ve slept enough.”

  She stirred.

  “Delores, go see if you can get some strong black coffee brought up here.”

  “Mrs. Donahue likes tea better than coffee.”

  “This time I want her to have coffee. It’ll be better for her in this case.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “And, Delores.”

  “Yes.”

  “I think you should tell the sheriff exactly what you told me and let Mr. Olsen know I said Mrs. Donahue is to have no visitors, including her husband. If they question you, tell them to see me.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Wagner. I’ll tell them right now.” She stepped into the hall.

  “How is she?” Lance asked.

  “Dr. Wagner said he wants me to get some strong black coffee. He also told me to tell you and Mr. Olsen that she’s not to have any visitors, including her husband.”

  “I’ll see she’s not disturbed,” Frank said. “I’ll also go send up a pot of coffee. You don’t have to go get it, Delores.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  Lance asked, “Does the doctor think Rafe gave Elizabeth something?”

  “I know he did, Sir. She kept mumbling, ‘I don’t want to drink the wine, Rafe’ so I know he gave her wine. The doctor said it looks like she’s had too much sleeping powder.”

  “Damn. I never dreamed Rafe Donahue would hurt his wife.”

  Mrs. Olsen came into the hall with a steaming pot of coffee and a cup. “Frank said you needed this.”

  “Where’s he?” Lance asked.

  “He stayed downstairs in case anybody tried to come up here.”

  “I see.”

  Delores opened the door. “Take the coffee in here, Mrs. Olsen.”

  In a minute the doctor came out. “Thanks for waiting, Lance.”

  “I needed to see what’s going on.”

  “I think the woman’s been given too much sleeping medicine. I can’t prove Rafe gave it to her, but she keeps saying she doesn’t want to drink the wine.”

  “Should I arrest him?”

  “Not yet. Wait until she comes around. We’ll get a clearer story then.”

  “So, she’s going to be all right?”

  “She’s going to be weak and sluggish for a while, but with the proper care, I think she’ll pull through.”

  “Is there anything I can do? Should I go tell Amelia?”

  “Let’s wait, Lance. I’ve got Mrs. Olsen and Delores pouring black coffee in her. I hope that will help flush out the medicine. I don’t want to alarm Amelia if there’s no reason to.”

  “I understand. The woman has enough trouble with her father as it is. I sure don’t want to tell her that her father tried to kill her mother.”

  * * * *

  Amelia heard something shift in the bed of the wagon and turned around to be sure everything was secure. It was then she saw the rider coming up behind them.

  “Andy, somebody is following us. Maybe you should speed up.”

  “Who is it?”

  “I don’t know, but he’s riding hard.” She leaned forward and took the rifle from under the bench. “I have a feeling he’s up to no good.”

  “You can’t shoot him, Miz Amelia.”

  “I don’t intend to shoot him, Andy. I’m only going to be ready just in case he is trouble for us.”

  “Do you know how to shoot a gun?”

  “I sure do. My grandfather taught me a long time ago, but I won’t shoot at him unless he fires first.”

  “Oh, my lord. Mr. Wainwright will kill me if anything happens to you. If anybody gets shot, please let it be me.”

  “Let’s hope nobody gets shot. We’re close enough to the ranch that a gunshot can be heard. I’m going to let Jed know what’s happening.” Amelia raised the gun and fired two shots into the air, the signal to anyone who could hear she needed help.

  Andy glanced around and said, “He’s pulling back, but he’s not leaving.”

  “You drive. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” He slapped the reins over the horses and they sped up.

  They went for several minutes and Amelia watched the rider. The man raced his horse forward and she saw him take his gun from his scabbard.

  “Duck, Andy. He’s raising his gun,” Amelia shouted and turned the rifle toward the rider. Without a second thought she pulled the trigger.

  The rider jerked his horse around and grabbed his shoulder. He’d been hit, but she could tell he was hesitating as if he still wanted to come after them. Eventually, he turned his horse and headed in the other direction.

  Amelia turned back and faced the front. “I think I nicked him and he’s given up, but don’t slow down yet.”

  “I’m not going to.” Andy’s voice was shaking.

  They rode in silence for several minutes then Amelia said, “I think you can slow down now. He’s not following us.”

  “I want to get you back to the ranch as quick as I can. Lord, I don’t want anything to happen to you. Mr. Wainwright would kill me for sure.”

  “Jed’s not going to kill you, Andy, and you don’t need to wear the horses out. I’ll keep watching behind us and if he appears again I’ll let you know. You can then speed up again.”

  Andy slowed the horses. “Maybe going for supplies can be as exciting as branding cattle.”

  “Yes, it can. I guess… Look, Andy. Somebody’s coming in the other direction.”

  “Better get the gun again, Miz Amelia.”

  “I have it across my lap, but I don’t think I’ll need it this time. Jed’s on one horse, and one of the hands is on the other.”

  Andy stopped the team and Jed reined Devil up on Amelia’s side of the wagon. “What’s going on?”

  Before she could answer, Andy’s shaky voice blurted, “A man was chasing us on a horse aways back and Miz Amelia shot the signal in the air. Then he kept coming and when he started to shoot us, she shot him before he had a chance to pull the trigger, but she didn’t kill him and she kept watching to make sure he didn’t come back after us. She’s very brave.”

 
Jed dismounted, came up to the side of the wagon and took her hands. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. As Andy said, after I shot at him, he turned and went in the other direction.”

  “Did you know him, Amelia?”

  “I’m sure it was one of Daddy’s hands. The one who’s always with Vince.”

  “I wonder what he wanted with us.” Andy frowned.

  “He was up to no good, I’m sure,” Jed said.

  “It was probably the hand we called Smithy,” Ward Kyler spoke for the first time. “He and Vince Callahan were always tight.”

  Jed frowned. “We’ll escort you back to the ranch, honey.”

  “Thank you,” Amelia whispered.

  Jed squeezed her hands, then climbed back in his saddle and dropped back as the wagon pulled away. He began a conversation with Ward as they rode behind the wagon.

  * * * *

  Rafe Donahue glared at Richard. “What do you mean you let Delores leave with Mrs. Donahue? I told you not to let Mrs. Donahue leave this ranch.”

  “I couldn’t stop Delores, Mr. Donahue. She said Mrs. Donahue was sick and she had to take her to the doctor. I don’t know what she would’ve done if I hadn’t let them leave.”

  “If Mrs. Donahue was sick, why didn’t she send you for the doctor?”

  “I told her I’d go get the doctor, but she said there wasn’t time.”

  Rafe frowned. “What was wrong with Mrs. Donahue?”

  “I don’t know, Sir. All I know is when I brought the buggy to the front of the house, Delores had to almost carry Mrs. Donahue down the steps.”

  Rafe continued to frown. “This horse needs rest. Saddle me a fresh one and bring him up to the house in fifteen minutes. Cool this one down and turn him in the corral.” Without giving Richard a chance to answer, he turned and stalked out of the barn.

  When he reached the house, Rafe went directly to the kitchen. Of course there was no fire in the cook stove. He looked in the warming oven over the stove. Though they were cold, there were three biscuits on a plate beside two pieces of cooked ham. He grabbed a biscuit, cut it open, slapped a slice of ham in it and began to eat. Since the coffee was cold and he didn’t want to make a fire to heat it up, he filled a glass with water.

  “One hell of a meal,” he muttered. “What good is it to have a cook if she doesn’t cook for you?”

  Gobbling down the last bite and drinking the last of the water, he sat the glass on the kitchen table and headed to his study. Unlocking the bottom drawer, he took out the bottle of sleeping drops. He had asked the doctor for the drug when Amelia married the bounty hunter. He thought Elizabeth would be so upset she’d need the drops. Nobody could have been more surprised than he was when Elizabeth didn’t swoon over the news.

  When she said she was moving out of their bedroom last night, he remembered the drug and decided he’d show her she wouldn’t desert him. He put some in her wine and brought it to the guest room. She didn’t want it, but he finally convinced her to drink it. When he was sure she was asleep, he’d then picked her up, carried her to their room and dumped her in the bed. He only wanted to show her she couldn’t disobey him by leaving their room. He thought she’d wake up this morning and see how foolish she’d been.

  Now he wondered if he’d done something wrong. He was sure the doctor said to give Elizabeth two or three drops when she became agitated. He figured it would take five or six drops to knock her out. Of course, it had put her to sleep, but was it too much? Yes, she was still sound asleep when he left, but he expected her to get up in an hour or so. Did he give her so much she couldn’t wake up? No, he couldn’t have. She hadn’t changed her will the way he asked her to. He couldn’t let her die. Things would be a mess if she did. Of course he didn’t want her to die, but if something were to happen to her, it had to be at a later date. After the will had been changed.

  Damn women. Why couldn’t they know their place and stay in it? Now he had to go back to town and straighten things out with Elizabeth and bring her home. When were things going to get back to normal? He’d envisioned a time when he could sit back and let Vince take on more responsibility of running the ranch. He wanted to spend time training the grandsons he expected Amelia to have. But it could never be if something unforeseen happened to Elizabeth. Why hadn’t he made her change the damn will before now?

  Slamming the desk drawer shut, he locked it, stood and stalked out the door. This was not the way he planned to spend this afternoon, but he had no choice. He only hoped to get Elizabeth home in time for Delores to cook a good supper. The biscuit and ham was the worst mid-day meal he’d had in ages.

  Chapter 18

  Amelia walked into the back yard as Juanita pinned the last sheet to the line. “I got the men off to the branding pit and came out to help, but it doesn’t look like you need me.”

  “It’s all done for the week.” Juanita smiled at her. “I saw the young fellow who took you to town ride off with the rest of the men.”

  “Jed said he felt Andy earned a chance to work on the range. He did a good job of protecting me when the rider tried to stop us.”

  “Who do you think is after you, Amelia?”

  “I thought I recognized him and Ward Kyler confirmed my suspicion. It was one of Daddy’s men. Even though he’s disowned me, I’m sure my father thinks he can have me kidnapped and brought home where he believes I’ll become his sweet little happy daughter. You and I both know he’s wrong. That will never happen. This is my home now.” She glanced around.

  “You have a wonderful home, Amelia. I know you’re happy here. It shows on your face.” She smiled. “We’ve been so busy since I’ve been here that I haven’t even told you about your mother visiting me at the cabin.”

  “How wonderful. How is she?”

  “She was upset to learn you’d bought this ranch and her husband hadn’t told her where you were.”

  “Daddy knew?”

  “I guess so. I’m sure your mother will be here to visit soon.”

  “I hope so. I’m ready to see her.”

  “Now, I think I better go start supper.”

  “I’ve already peeled the potatoes and I put a roast in the oven.”

  Juanita shook her head. “You didn’t have to do that. I would have cooked everything.”

  “I know you would, but I want to help.” Amelia changed the subject. “Where’s Miguel?”

  “He wanted to help with the branding and Curt said he’d keep an eye on him.”

  “I’m sure he will. Curt is a dependable man. I think Miguel likes him.”

  Juanita nodded. “Miguel more than likes him. He thinks Curt is the smartest man in the world.”

  Amelia chuckled. “He’s smart, but I’m sure he’s not the smartest man in the world.”

  “Miguel would argue with you.”

  “I’m glad Curt is taking him under his wing. It’ll help Miguel accept what happened to his father.”

  Juanita nodded. “When I get it on my mind, I can’t believe your papa…never mind. Let’s go inside and finish supper. Those men will probably all come in hungry.”

  “I’m sure they will.” She was glad Juanita changed the subject. She didn’t want to think about her daddy having a hand in killing Roberto. Amelia turned to go inside, but paused when she glanced down the road leading to the ranch. “Looks like a buggy coming this way.”

  “I do declare. I spent months at my cabin and didn’t have a guest. I’ve been here only a few days and somebody has showed up almost every day.”

  “I can’t imagine who’s coming, but I don’t think it’s anyone who means us harm.”

  Juanita laughed. “I don’t know many bad men who drive buggies.”

  Mort came from around the barn where he was working on the cow’s stall “You sure have a lot of company, Miz. Amelia. I thought I’d check on who’s visiting now,” he said.

  “Thanks, Mort. Juanita was just saying the same thing.” Amelia wrinkled her forehead. “That looks
like my mother’s buggy.”

  When she realized it was her mother, Amelia walked to the front yard. It was then she saw Delores driving.

  Delores reined up in front of the porch. “Miz Amelia, will you help me get your mother down. She’s feeling poorly.”

  “Of course.” Amelia took her mother’s arm.

  “Hello, darling,” Elizabeth said. Her voice sounded sleepy.

  “Mother, what’s wrong.”

  “Let’s get her inside and I’ll explain,” Delores said.

  “Can I help?” Mort asked.

  “We’ll be here a while so you can take care of the horse and buggy,” Delores said.

  “Yes, Ma’am.” He took the reins and headed to the barn.

  Juanita ran to the front door and opened it. The women helped Elizabeth inside and sat her on the sofa. Amelia dropped to her knees in front of her mother.

  “You don’t look well, Mother. Have you seen the doctor?”

  “Yes, honey.” Elizabeth reached out and touched Amelia’s cheek. “I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll make some tea.” Juanita headed for the kitchen.

  Amelia nodded and looked at Delores. “Tell me what happened.”

  “When I saw your mother wasn’t well yesterday morning, I took her to Settlers Ridge to see the doctor. He said she’d had too much of the sleeping drops he’d given her and it would take some time for it to get out of her system.”

  Wrinkling her brow, Amelia asked, “Why were you taking sleeping drops, Mother?”

  “I wasn’t, dear.”

  “I’m confused. How…”

  “Your father and I had an argument last night. He hadn’t told me you were living close enough that I could visit and I was furious with him. I was going to sleep in the guest room, and it made him angry. After I was settling in the extra room, he brought me a glass of wine as a peace offering. I didn’t want it, but he insisted I drink it. I did, but told him I was still sleeping away from him.”

  “Then how did you get the drops?”

  Elizabeth looked at Delores and her maid said, “Mr. Donahue must have put the drops in the wine.”

  “Do you really think so?”