Amelia's Marriage

by Agnes Alexander

  Both Elizabeth and Delores nodded. Elizabeth went on, saying, “There was no other way I could have gotten them, honey.”

  “What in the world has come over Daddy?”

  “He has certainly changed.” Elizabeth leaned back into the cushion of the sofa. “After I went to sleep, your father must have carried me to our room because Delores found me there.”

  “Found you?”

  “When Mr. Donahue came down for breakfast, he said to let Mrs. Donahue sleep, but I got worried and went up to check on her. I didn’t like what I saw. She was so groggy she couldn’t hold her head up and she kept muttering something about not wanting to drink the wine. I was afraid to let her keep going on like that so I got her dressed and took her to the doctor.”

  “Where was Daddy?”

  “He went to town after breakfast and said he’d be back later,” Delores explained.

  “What did the doctor say?”

  “Like your mother said, he told her to rest and drink a lot of coffee, tea and water so the sleeping drug would get out of her system.”

  “This is almost unbelievable.” Amelia held onto her mother’s hand.

  There was a moment’s silence. Elizabeth broke it. “I hope you don’t mind me coming to you, dear. I was afraid to go home. I didn’t know what kind of mood your father would be in.”

  “I’m glad you came, Mother. You must know how much I’ve wanted to see you, but you surely understand why I couldn’t come to the ranch.”

  “I do understand.” She looked sad. “Your father has always been hard on you, but he’s acting completely unreasonable about your marriage.”

  “I’ve thought a lot about it, Mother. I wonder if Daddy has always been like he is now and we only ignored his outbursts. I know I went on with my life and said he’d get over it when he would march around the house cursing and yelling.”

  “I think I did the same thing, because he would calm down and things would get back to normal.” Elizabeth smiled when Juanita came in with a tray of tea. “If you could say living with a dictator was normal.”

  “I’m going to finish supper, Amelia,” Juanita said after serving them.

  “I’ll help.” Delores stood.

  “Before you cook, Juanita, will you please set up the extra bedroom upstairs for my mother?”

  “Of course.”

  A knock on the back door interrupted. Juanita hurried to open it. In minutes she came back with two valises in her hand. One was expensive looking, the other was slightly tattered. “Mort said these were in the buggy.”

  “I thought we’d be at the hotel for a while so I packed us a few clothes. When the doctor said Mrs. Donahue would be all right to come here, I decided it would be better to be with you, Miz Amelia.”

  “I’m glad you both came, Delores.” Amelia smiled at her.

  “I asked Mort to ride out and tell Mr. Wainwright your mother was here,”

  “Thank you, Juanita.”

  “I hope your husband won’t mind if we stay the night.”

  “He won’t mind at all, Mother. You can stay as long as you like.”

  Juanita and Delores headed for the kitchen, leaving mother and daughter alone.

  Elizabeth reached for Amelia’s hand. “I’m sorry your father has treated you so mean. I want you to know, I never thought Vince Callahan was right for you, but for some reason your father couldn’t understand why I felt that way.”

  “I don’t see how Daddy can think he’d be a good husband for me. I couldn’t stand the thought of marrying him. He’s too old and I know he wants the Double D. I also know he was behind Roberto Garcia’s death.”

  “I think the same thing, but Rafe won’t listen to any criticism of the man. It’s as if he thinks Vince is perfect. I don’t understand it.”

  “Neither do I.”

  “Now,” Elizabeth took a sip of her tea, “that’s enough about your father and Vince. Tell me about you and your husband. Are you happy, Amelia?”

  Amelia blushed. “I never dreamed I’d be as happy as I am, Mother.”

  “I’m so glad. Like everyone else in town, I’ve heard tales about Jed Wainwright. He’s sometimes called the nefarious bounty hunter and I have to admit, when I first heard you’d married him, I was concerned for your safety.”

  “Jed’s nothing like people say. He’s the kindest, gentlest man in the world. No woman could ask more of her husband.”

  “I’m so glad. A happy marriage is all I ever wanted for my daughter.”

  “So it doesn’t bother you that Jed is half Lakota Indian?”

  “No, dear. It doesn’t bother me.” Elizabeth dabbed her mouth with a napkin and smiled. “In fact, I think he’s rather handsome. You and he should make me some beautiful grandchildren.”

  Amelia blushed again, but she didn’t have to say anything. The sound of boots coming into the room caused them to look up.

  “Mrs. Donahue,” Jed smiled at her, “I’m glad you’ve come to visit.”

  “Thank you, Jed.” She reached out a trembling hand to him. “But this isn’t exactly a visit. I’m looking for a sanctuary for a day or so.”

  “What’s happened?”

  Amelia explained and Jed nodded. When she finished, he said, “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you wish, Mrs. Donahue. We feel honored that you came to us.”

  “Thank you, Jed, but I do have one request.” He raised an eyebrow and she went on, saying, “Please call me Elizabeth.”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  She turned to Amelia. “Honey, I feel a little shaky. Would you mind if I lie down for a little while.”

  “Of course not. Juanita has your room ready, I’m sure. I’ll show you to it.”

  Elizabeth stood, but was unsteady and had to grab the arm of the chair.

  “Here. Let me help.” Without waiting for permission, Jed picked her up and followed Amelia up the stairs.

  When they reached the room, Amelia turned down the bed and Jed put Elizabeth down gently. “Thank you, son,” she whispered.

  “You’re welcome and when you’re ready to get up, call out. We don’t want you falling down the stairs.”

  “I’ll take off your shoes, Mother.” When she finished, Amelia put the light quilt over her mother. “If you need anything, I’ll be downstairs. As Jed said, don’t try to come down on your own.”

  “Thank you, children.” She smiled, but her eyes were closed. “I feel safe now.”

  * * * *

  Rafe stopped his horse in front of Doctor Sheldon Wagner’s neat white house. He dismounted and threw the reins around the hitching post. He walked up the five steps to the front door and went inside without knocking.

  Esther Venable looked up from the desk in the entry way. “Hello, Mr. Donahue. How can I help you?”

  “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “I’m Doctor Wagner’s new nurse and as I asked, how can I help you?”

  Rafe ignored her question. “Where’s Sheldon?”

  “I’m not sure. He went out late this morning and he hasn’t come back.”

  “What did he do with my wife?”

  Esther looked confused. “Your wife?”

  “That’s what I said.” His voice was sharp.

  “I haven’t seen your wife, Mr. Donahue.”

  “Our housekeeper brought her to town to see the doctor. Did he see her or not?”

  “Mrs. Donahue didn’t see him at the office. She might have….” She didn’t finish her sentence because Rafe Donahue had walked out the door.

  With a curse, Rafe grabbed the reins and swung up into the saddle. If they didn’t come to the doctor’s house, where could they have gone? Somebody at Brown’s Mercantile might know. Or the hotel. If neither of them knew, I’ll try the sheriff’s office. Lance Gentry seems to always know what is going on in Settlers Ridge.

  Turning onto the main street, Rafe headed for the mercantile. Before reaching it, he saw the sheriff heading into the hotel. He decided to talk wit
h Lance Gentry first. After hitching his horse in front of the hotel, he stepped inside.

  Frank Olsen’s daughter was behind the counter. Rafe tried to keep his voice civil when he asked, “Is Mrs. Donahue here?”

  “I think she left sometime before Daddy asked me to watch the desk.”

  “When was that?”

  “About an hour ago.”

  Rafe nodded. He knew there was no need to question the little girl any further. “Did the sheriff come in here?”

  “Yes, Sir. He came in to eat just a minute ago.”

  Rafe nodded again and headed into the dining room. He paused at the door and looked around. Lance Gentry sat at a table near the back. He was laughing at something the waitress said.

  Walking up to the table, he said, “I need to talk to you, Sheriff.”

  “Have a seat, Mr. Donahue. How can I help you?”

  Rafe sat in the chair facing Lance. “Our housekeeper brought my wife to see the doctor, but she wasn’t at his office. I’m concerned about her.”

  “She was here when the doctor saw her.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He said she’d had too much sleeping medicine and almost died. He said the tiniest amount more and he couldn’t do anything for her.”

  Rafe tried to hide his shock. “I’m sure she only misjudged the dosage.”

  “It’s possible.”

  Grace arrived with the sheriff’s plate of food. As she sat it before him, she asked, “Could I get something for you, Mr. Donahue?”

  Though Rafe was hungry, he wasn’t in the mood to eat. “I’ll have some coffee.”

  Grace smiled at him. “I’ll be right back with it.

  Rafe put his hat on the empty chair. “Where’s my wife, Gentry?”

  “How would I know? As I said, she was here in the hotel earlier.”

  “Don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes. You know everything that goes on in this town.”

  “Most everything, I guess.”

  Grace set a cup of coffee in front of Rafe. “If you decide you want something else, let me know.”

  Rafe ignored her and asked again, “I said, where’s my wife, Sheriff?”

  Lance cut a slice of roast beef. “I’ll say it again. She was in a room upstairs when I last saw her. Is she not there now?”

  “You know damn good and well she’s not.”

  The sheriff grinned. “I guess I did know that.”

  “Damn it, Gentry. I want to know where Elizabeth is. I need to get her and take her home.”

  “I don’t think it’ll happen, Donahue.”

  “What do you mean?” Rafe squinted at the sheriff.

  “When the doctor said he thought she’d be all right as soon as the sleeping drops were out of her system, she said she was going to visit a friend of hers.”

  “What friend?”

  “I’m not sure. All I’m sure of is that Elizabeth made it clear she didn’t want to go home.”

  Rafe gritted his teeth. It was all he could do to hold his anger inside. “Why would she say that?”

  “I think you’d know more about why she wouldn’t want to come home with you than I would, Mr. Donahue.”

  “You’re talking in circles, Lance Gentry. Why won’t you answer my questions?”

  “Let me ask you a question. Were you trying to kill your wife when you put too many sleeping drops in the wine you served her last night?” Lance’s eyes bored into Rafe’s.

  “How dare you ask me that!” Rafe slammed his cup so hard on the table it sloshed coffee on the checkered cloth. “I love Elizabeth. I’d never hurt her.”

  “Undoubtedly, she thinks you might. She says she’s afraid of you and has asked everyone to keep you away from her.”

  “This is ridiculous. She has no reason to be afraid of me.”

  “I only know what she told me. When she feels better, I’ll talk with her again and see what’s causing her fear.” He put a fork full of potatoes in his mouth. “Of course, by putting those drops in her drink, she may have reason to be afraid. She almost died.”

  “Damn you. If you think I tried to kill my wife, why don’t you arrest me?”

  “I wanted to, but Mrs. Donahue asked me not to. She said she couldn’t prove you caused her illness, though she was sure you did.”

  Rafe stood and shoved back his chair. “I’ll not stay here and listen to any more of this. If you won’t tell me where Elizabeth is, I’m sure somebody in town will.”

  Without speaking to anyone, Rafe went out on the dusty street. Looking in all directions, he wondered where he should look next. Noticing the church, he wondered if Elizabeth could have gone to her friend, Margo Ellsworth. He decided it was worth a try and headed in that direction.

  * * * *

  Smithy picked up the coffee pot from the potbellied stove in the cabin on the secluded section of the Double D Ranch. He poured a half cup then filled the rest from the whisky bottle sitting on the table. Though his wound was only a scratch, it hurt like hell. He almost grinned as he thought of how Amelia Wainwright, or should he call her Donahue, had raised the gun and shot him without a second thought.

  She must be some woman. Most of the women he knew didn’t know which end of the gun to point at someone. They were only interested in what they could get from a man, and that usually meant money. Of course he had to admit the women he was familiar with worked in dance halls and bordellos and were willing to do anything a man wanted for a dollar or so. Then there were the promiscuous wives and daughters whose husbands and parents tried to make slaves of them on farms and small ranches. These women were different. All they wanted was a man to appreciate them enough to make them feel beautiful, even if they looked worse than the back end of the mules they owned. Of course, a man could luck up and find a pretty one now and then. It was a special treat when he did.

  He took a sip of the coffee he’d poured and stirred the stew. His mind remembered the pretty raven-haired fifteen-year-old daughter of that mean old devil in Colorado. The bastard was determined his daughter would stay pure and untouched until he could get her married to one of their neighbor boys.

  Smithy laughed out loud as he remembered how he’d found the pretty little thing in the barn while her daddy had gone to town for supplies. She was crying because he wouldn’t let her go with him and of course Smithy had to comfort her. He comforted her too long, because the old man came home and caught them naked in the hayloft. Her old man was irate and demanded they get married. Of course, Smithy agreed, but after everyone was in bed, he slipped away in the middle of the night. He kind of hated to leave because she sure was a sweet little thing and she learned fast what it took to please a man. Too bad he didn’t remember her name.

  Taking the pot from the stove, Smithy sat at the rough wooden table and un-wrapped the bread he’d made earlier. Pretty good meal, but when I get that pretty Amelia here she’ll make me some fancy food. Of course, if I thought I could get away with it, cooking is not the only thing I’d get from her. He chuckled. I better quit thinking like that. Vince would kill me if I touched the woman. He says that’s all going to belong to him when he gets here.

  He took a bite of the stew and burned his tongue. “Damn,” he muttered and pushed the pot back to cool a little.

  Yep. When I kidnap Mrs. Wainwright and Vince gets back, things are going to get a lot hotter around here. He said he was going to keep her here until she begged him to marry her and take her home to daddy. Of course, the way Vince has it planned Jed Wainwright will be slapped in jail for killing Miss Amelia. After his hanging, Vince will bring her home and be the hero of the whole state of Wyoming. The Donahues will head for Europe and Vince will take complete control of the ranch and I’ll be the new foreman. Life couldn’t get any better than that.

  He smiled to himself and decided to give his shoulder another day or so to heal, then he’d make his move. He’d spy on their ranch again tomorrow and it would tell him when he needed to act.

  Reaching for h
is pot again, he took a bite of stew and found it the right temperature.

  Smacking his lips, he muttered, “Yep, old Donahue will be surprised when I don’t bring his baby girl to him, but he’ll never know Vince and I are the ones who made her disappear.”

  He laughed out loud and spoke once more into the air, saying, “Not bad for a couple of guys who are wanted in three states for rape and murder.”

  * * * *

  Amelia came into their room and smiled at Jed, who was already in bed. “Mother’s tucked in.”

  “Is she feeling better?”

  “I think so.” She took off her robe and placed it on a chair.

  Jed lifted the covers and she slipped in beside him. “I hope she knows I mean it when I say she’s welcome to stay here as long as she wants to.”

  “I think she does. You sure charmed her at supper. I could tell she likes you.”

  “I like her, too.” Jed put his arm around Amelia. “You’re a lot like her.”

  “Thank you. I consider that a compliment because I think my mother is wonderful.”

  “It was meant as a compliment.”

  There was a slight pause then Amelia snuggled closer to him. “It upsets me knowing Daddy gave her so much sleeping medicine, Jed. She could have died.”

  “Maybe he didn’t mean to.”

  “Or maybe he intended to kill her.”

  “You don’t really think he’d try to kill her, do you?”

  “I don’t want to think it, but right now I wouldn’t bet against it. My father has done too many things I didn’t think he’d ever do.”

  “Do you think he’ll come here looking for her?”

  “Oh, my lord. I hadn’t thought of that. What will we do if he does?”

  Jed slid his hand up and down her arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “I’m not upset. I was a little surprised because it never entered my mind that he’d come here.” She took a deep breath. “I guess I’d better plan what to do in case he shows up.”

  “There’s really nothing we can do about it tonight.”

  “I’m the one who’s sorry now. I’m rattling on and you want to go to sleep.”

  “I’m not so sleepy. And you’re right. We should have a plan.”