There was the sound of ripping cloth, then Amelia screamed again.
Knowing Vince had torn her dress, Jed gritted his teeth and darted to the next tree.
“Come on, Wainwright. I want you to see what a real man can do with pretty Amelia.”
“Don’t come in, Jed,” Amelia cried. “They’re going to kill…”
“Shut up, bitch.”
There was the sound of a slap then Vince yelled, “Gag her, Smithy.”
Jed darted again, dropped to the ground and rolled to the edge of the side wall of the cabin. In a fluid motion, he was on his feet and pressed near the door. He looked back and saw Curt and Ward easing forward.
“Check outside, Smithy. He’s too quiet.”
“I want to watch you take her clothes off, Vince.”
“Damn it, fool. Look outside. I want him in here when I rape his wife.”
Smithy cracked the door and peered around. “Don’t see him. Maybe he left.”
“Left, hell. He’s out there. Start shooting.”
Smithy stuck his pistol out, but before he could get off a shot, the door slammed against him. He fell backward, shooting toward the roof as he fell.
“What the…” Vince whirled around, putting Amelia in front of him. “Now you’re here, the party can begin.” He grabbed Amelia’s right breast and she tried to cry out, but the gag stopped the sound.
Smithy was scrambling to his feet, but Jed kicked him in the groin and he crumpled, screaming in pain as he fell.
Jed started to spring toward Vince, but Callahan raised his pistol and placed it on Amelia’s temple. “Come a step closer and I’ll blow her head off. Wouldn’t you like to see her pretty little brain scattered all over this room?”
Amelia looked at Jed with pleading eyes. It broke his heart, but at the moment, Callahan had the advantage. If he could get to Callahan without hurting Amelia, he’d rip the man apart with his hands. It was the first time he’d felt such rage since Marie’s death. A rage he’d thought he’d never feel again, but he did. He felt it deep in his soul.
He knew Amelia must have seen his turmoil because she tried to smile at him through her tears and behind the bandana across her mouth. When he saw the smile in her eyes, it calmed him a little.
“Now I have you where I want you, Wainwright, and I’m going to put on a little show for you. You’ve had the pleasure of this beautiful woman for several months and now it’s my turn.”
“Touch her and you’ll die.”
“Oh, you mean touch her like this.” Vince grabbed her breast again and twisted it.
Amelia withered in pain.
“You bastard.”
Vince laughed. “If you think she has it bad now, wait until I start selling her body in California. Might start at the gold fields. Those miners will gladly pay a hefty price for something this pretty.”
“I’ll see you in hell first.”
Vince laughed again, but stopped abruptly when Amelia slumped in his arm. He was caught off guard and stumbled trying to hold her. Jed went for his gun, but didn’t get a chance to fire. Shots came through the door and Amelia was free. She staggered toward Jed as Vince fell backward. There was a bullet hole in his chest and one between his eyes.
Ward and Curt entered. One shoved Smithy, who was trying to get up, back to the floor. Elton and Andy ran in as Amelia fell into Jed’s arms.
He took the gag off her mouth and whispered, “It’s all right, honey. I’m here now. You’re safe.”
“Oh, Jed,” was all she could manage to say.
Holding her exposed breast against his chest to prevent her embarrassment, he said, “Let’s get out of here. The guys can handle it from here.” He picked her up and headed out the door.
He didn’t stop until he reached his horse. He only let her go long enough to remove his shirt and put it around her. He mounted then he reached down and lifted her into his lap and turned Devil toward their ranch.
Amelia put both arms around his waist and buried her face against his bare chest. He could feel her tears on his skin. “Jed, I never wanted any man to touch me except you.”
“They never will, Amelia.” He pulled her closer with his right arm.
It wasn’t long until the others caught up with them. Smithy was riding with his hands tied and Ward was leading his horse. Vince was tied in a tarp across the horse Curt led.
Curt said, “We’ll go to town and turn this vermin over to the sheriff. I’m sure he’ll hang as soon as the circuit judge comes through. The town will take care of burying Callahan.”
Jed nodded. “While Curt and Ward take care of things in town, Andy, you and Elton go by Donahue’s place and tell him what’s happened. He has a right to know. Amelia and I’ll see all of you back at the ranch later.”
They nodded and rode away.
When they were out of sight, Jed said, “They’re gone, honey. It’s just you and me now.”
“I knew you’d save me, Jed.”
“I’m glad I was able to. I couldn’t stand the thought of that man touching you.”
“He said he was going to rape me in front of you.”
“Thank God, he didn’t get that chance.”
They rode a little way in silence. Jed knew she needed to relax and he was trying to decide if he could tell her what he knew he should. Finally he broke the silence. “Do you feel like talking?”
“I don’t know anything else to tell you.”
There was a short pause. He then said, “Amelia, I swore if I found you before Callahan hurt you I’d confess to you why I’ve been so adamant about our relationship not lasting longer than the six months we agreed on.”
“You don’t have to, Jed.”
“Yes I do. Curt says I’ll never accept what happened to me if I don’t share it with you. I’m beginning to believe he’s right.” He took a deep breath and continued. “I thought Marie’s death left me unable to love again, but almost losing you made me realize that’s not true. Still, I want you to know why I didn’t think I could love another woman.”
When she didn’t reply, he went on. “Marie and I were kids when we fell in love and got married. I was eighteen and fresh from school in the east. Marie was only seventeen, but we were very much in love. Aunt Prudence bought us a small farm in Kansas. We built a cabin and began tilling the fields. We wanted to be farmers because we knew it was a good and honorable life. Our baby girl was born within a year of our marriage. She was a pretty little thing and we loved her very much. We named her Lily.
“Lily was a few weeks old when the tragedy happened. It was in the spring and we’d just eaten supper. I went out to do the chores in the barn while she fed the baby. Four rough-looking men rode up. I knew we were facing trouble and started running to the house, but I didn’t make it. A bullet caught me in the side and I fell. The men dismounted and began laughing and cursing. They said things like, they had a half-breed cornered and how I thought I was living the life of a white man. One of them brandished a whisky bottle and asked if I had a wife who might need some company. I started for him and was shot again. One of them went into the house. I was screaming and cursing at them, but it did no good.”
Amelia shuddered, but didn’t say anything.
Jed’s voice was filled with sorrow as he continued to speak. “He came out, dragging Marie. She was holding the baby to her breast, but they didn’t care. They kept saying how she was nothing but a breed, too, and she should be honored to be with a white man. I tried again, to get to her, but they shot me a few more times and began beating me until I was in a semiconscious state. I was barely awake and close to death when one of them grabbed Lily and said they should rid the world of one more Indian by using it for target practice.”
He swallowed and his voice got shaky when he said, “He tossed the baby in the air and they began shooting it. By this time Marie was hysterical, but that didn’t matter. They began pawing at her and ripping off her clothes. When she was naked, they took turns raping her. That we
nt on for a long time. They’d make a trip in the house, get something to eat, then come out and take turns on her again. I was in and out of consciousness, but somehow I memorized every one of their faces. I vowed those men would die for what they’d done to my family.
“Before they left, they set fire to the cabin. The leader looked down at me trying to crawl to my wife. I can still hear his ugly laugh as he shot me a couple of more times, then rode off.”
“Oh, Jed.” Amelia held him tighter. She wanted him to know she was feeling his pain with him. “The physical and mental pain must have been excruciating for you.”
He responded by drawing her closer to him. “When I came to, twelve days had passed. My wife and child had been buried. When I realized I wasn’t going to die, I let the hate and revenge fill my soul. I knew I’d never be satisfied until I caught those men. At first I thought being a U.S. Marshall was the answer, but the law moves too slow. I quit and became a bounty hunter. It took me five years, but I caught every one of those bastards and put them six feet under.”
“That explains all those scars on your body.” Amelia was crying as she held Jed. “I’m so sorry for all you’ve suffered.”
“I’ve been filled with hate so long I didn’t think I knew how to love.”
“I think you can’t help but love, Jed. You’re a good man who has had a terrible past.”
“No, Amelia. I’m jaded and…”
“I believe you care more than you admit. If not, why were you determined to get me away from Vince?”
“When I got to the house and found he’d taken you, everything in me screamed with the same pain I felt ten years ago. Though I have no right, I’ve known for some time that I love you, Amelia, but I wouldn’t admit it, even to myself. Then when Vince kidnapped you, I knew I couldn’t stand the thought of losing another wife.”
“I’ll be here as long as you want me, Jed.”
“We have two months to work something out. Is that all right with you?”
“Yes, darling. Two months will give us all the time we need.”
* * * *
After hot baths and supper, Amelia and Jed went to bed. They were exhausted and went to sleep with their arms wrapped around each other.
Curt was waiting for them when they came down for breakfast the next morning. After they were served, he broke the news about the Donahue ranch.
Tears came into Amelia’s eyes. “How’s Mother?”
“She’s a strong woman and she’s looking after your father. Wayne Rivers is keeping the ranch running.”
“Did she want me to come?”
“Yes.”
She looked at Jed and he said, “We’ll go right away.”
“Thank you,” she whispered and squeezed his hand.
It was midday when they got to the Double D. Amelia’s heart sank when she looked at the charred house where two men were working. The Wainwrights left their horses with Richard and Jed put his arm around her shoulder as they walked to the house.
Delores came out to meet them. “Oh, Miz Amelia, I’m so thankful you’re all right. Your men came by and told us all about your rescue.”
“I’m thankful to be away from that horrible man, Delores.”
“We all are thankful.” She looked at Jed. “You’re Miz Elizabeth’s hero, Mr. Jed. She said she’d love you like a son forever since you saved her girl.”
“I appreciate that, but I would’ve tried to save Amelia if it was only for myself.”
“I know that. Ain’t a doubt in my mind how much you love your wife.”
They reached the house and Delores said, “Your parents are in the downstairs bedroom, Miz Amelia.”
“I think it’s best if I wait in the kitchen with Delores,” Jed said. “I could use another cup of coffee anyway.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You know how your daddy feels about me.”
“I won’t be long.” She kissed his cheek quickly and headed down the hall.
Tapping on the bedroom door, Amelia didn’t know what to expect. Would her Daddy greet her or would he turn her away? She prepared herself for either.
The door opened and Elizabeth threw her arms around Amelia. “Oh, darling, I’m so glad to see you. Jed told me he’d bring you back safe and he did. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, but how are you, Mother? You must be devastated about the house.”
“I’m not as upset as you’d think. I have my daughter back and your father is beginning to see the light at last.”
“How is he?”
“Come see. He’s awake.”
“Will he want me to come in?”
Elizabeth took her arm. “Yes, dear. He’s been expecting you.”
Amelia moved to the bed and almost gasped. Rafe looked sick and hollow-eyed. His hand shook as he reached for hers. “I’m glad you came.”
“I’m sorry you were hurt, Daddy.”
“I’ll be all right. I’m the one who is sorry for what I almost did to you. I was a blind fool, Amelia. Can you ever forgive me?”
Amelia knew she was telling the truth when she said without hesitating, “Yes, Daddy.”
“Your mother told me what happened. Did Callahan harm you in anyway?”
“No. Jed got there in time to save me.”
Rafe nodded. “Amelia, I want to ask you something and there have been enough lies between us. I want you to tell me the truth about this.”
“All right.”
“Did you marry Wainwright to keep from marrying Vince or do you love the man?”
Amelia decided she would tell him the truth. Maybe he would listen this time. “A little bit of both.” He frowned and she went on, saying, “I didn’t want to marry Vince, so I made a play for Jed, but it wasn’t long until I realized he was the only man I’d ever love. I want to give him children and grow old with him.”
“Does he love you?”
She smiled. “Yes, he loves me.”
“I want to talk to him, but I’m a little tired right now. It will have to be later.”
“Why don’t you take a nap, dear? Amelia and Jed will eat dinner then you can talk with him this afternoon.”
“Will he come to see me?” Her daddy looked at her.
“If I ask him to, he will.” Amelia smiled at him.
“Good. I’m glad he respects you that much.” He closed his eyes. “Why don’t you go eat with them, Elizabeth? You need to get out of here for a while.”
“I’ll do that.” She straightened his covers. “Sheldon said he or his nurse would be back to check on you after dinner.”
Amelia leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry Vince shot you, Daddy. I’ve never trusted him, but I never dreamed he’d do that.”
“I did trust him, honey and he shot me anyway, but the important thing is he didn’t hurt you.”
Amelia patted his hand and went out the door with her mother.
* * * *
After a special dinner Delores served them, Jed and Amelia stood with Elizabeth around Rafe’s bed. He was saying, “Now that I’ve admitted what a fool I’ve been and apologized to Wainwright for my actions toward him, I’d like for you ladies to leave the room. I need to talk to him alone.”
“But Rafe, shouldn’t we…” Elizabeth started.
“Don’t worry, dear. He’s the only one wearing a gun.”
Jed winked at Amelia.
She smiled back at him and turned to her mother. “I think they’ll be fine. Let’s go see how the men are doing with the repairs on the house.”
Jed watched the door close behind Elizabeth and Amelia. He couldn’t understand why Rafe Donahue wanted to talk to him alone, but he’d go along with it. He waited for Rafe to break the silence.
“There are some things going on I don’t want my wife and daughter to know right now,” Rafe said.
“I don’t like keeping things from Amelia.”
“Humor me. It won’t be long until she knows all about it.” Jed nodded and
Rafe went on. “I’m not long for this world, Wainwright.”
“Why do you say that?”
“The doctor told me I’m dying. I asked him not to tell Elizabeth for a few days. I want to make things right for her and I need your help.”
Jed couldn’t hide his surprise. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Then let’s see if we can come up with a plan we both can agree on.”
* * * *
“Mother, they’ve been talking for almost two hours. What in the world could they be saying?”
“I don’t know, honey, but I haven’t heard any yelling.”
“They won’t be talking or yelling much longer. I see the doctor coming.”
The doctor climbed out of his buggy and helped his nurse down. He introduced Esther to Amelia, then Elizabeth led the two of them down the hall to Rafe’s bedroom.
In a matter of minutes, Jed joined Amelia on the porch.
“I’m glad to see you alive. I hope Daddy is.” She looked at him with a laugh.
Jed chuckled. “We’re both fine.” He reached for her hand. “Come on. Let’s take a ride. I want you to show me this ranch.”
Richard saddled Rambler while Jed saddled Devil. Soon they were headed across the land. Jed had very little to say and Amelia concentrated on pointing out different sections of the ranch. She knew it would take several days to show him all of it, but she had special places she wanted him to see on this first time out.
Two hours later, they dismounted and tied their horses in a hidden glade near a stream with a small rocky waterfall. “This has always been one of my favorite spots. When I was little, I’d come here and play. As I grew older, I’d come here to pout when I didn’t get my way. As an adult, I’d come here to reflect and think.”
“Let’s sit awhile.” He took a blanket from his horse and spread it under a cottonwood tree.
She sat beside him in silence. She knew he wanted to talk with her, but she wouldn’t ask questions. She wanted the lead to come from him.
Sitting with his back against the tree, he put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. Without preamble, he said, “Your father wants me to take over the Double D Ranch.”
Shocked, Amelia looked up at him. “Really?” When he only nodded, she added, “What did you say?”
Amelia's Marriage Page 28
