A Courageous Bride to Bring Him Hope: A Historical Western Romance Book

by Cassidy Hanton

  The adrenaline rush mixed with pure dread returned her memory. "We were at the door when she screamed and that was when I got knocked out in the head. I remember it now."

  Clementine stood up despite Alexander's or her heads' protests. She had to find her. "We have to find her."

  "You look here and I'll go outside," Alexander provided and Clementine nodded.

  Her nausea mixed with vertigo returned yet she ignored it. Nothing mattered at the moment other than finding Pauline. "Pauline!"

  Sadly, there were no traces of her inside or outside the house, and they thoroughly looked inside every nook and cranny. Clementine's panicked levels doubled with each passing minute and then quadruplicated.

  Much to her despair, she had to face the music. Pauline was definitely missing. "Oh, what did I do?" Clementine cried out sitting down on the steps of her house. "This is all my fault."

  "Of course it's not your fault."

  "Yes, it is. You don't know."

  Alexander paused before replying. "What do you mean?"

  "I hid something from you, from everybody, and now Pauline's life is in danger."

  She’d tried everything in her power to prevent something like this and failed miserably. She should have confided in Alexander sooner.

  "Tell me everything," Alexander demanded. So she did.

  She gestured toward the front door and he went to inspect it. She knew when he spotted the hole. "What did this? Who did this?"

  Clementine started from the beginning. "A while ago, this man showed up at the bar. He informed me Steve owed him money and that because he is dead his debt is now mine. He told me I had one month to gather two hundred and fifty dollars or I'm dead." Clementine's voice was rather calm as she said all that. It surprised her she could do that.

  "That is preposterous," Alexander was outraged. "Why didn't you report him to the sheriff?"

  Clementine shrugged. "He threatened he would kill all of you first, every person I love." She looked at him in the eyes. "I thought I was protecting you."

  He embraced her. "I'm sorry you had to go through all of that alone. Did anything else happened?"

  "He left the knife at my doorsteps, actually he stabbed my door with it. I still have it. I am certain he took Pauline."

  "I fear you are right, but why?"

  That was the question Clementine had been asking herself over and over. "I don't know," she cried out, feeling utterly powerless. "This all turned into some kind of sick game for him." That was the only thing that came into her mind, at any rate.

  "Let's go," Alexander said helping her to get up as he did the same.

  "Where are we going?"

  "To see the sheriff."

  Clementine knew he had a point; she hesitated. That was one thing Mr. Brewer told her not to do.

  "What if he hurts her because of it?"

  "He won't," Alexander was adamant. "It's you he wants so we have to use that and act fast."

  Clementine nodded. "You are right," she decided to trust him, after all, if anybody knew what the right course of action was it was Alexander. Clementine prayed the sheriff could help them and that they would find Pauline before anything happened to her. She needed that little girl safe and in her arms so she could breathe again.

  Sheriff Drew O'Conner listened to everything Clementine had to say about Mr. Brewer with interest. He frowned every once in a while as she recounted the event. He sporadically asked a question or two to clarify some things.

  Clementine really went into details, not leaving anything out in fear the smallest detail she missed could result in Pauline being held against her will even longer. Some of the things she said were news to Alexander as well and she knew how enraged he was by the way he kept his jaw clenched and hands fisted the entire time.

  "You should have come to me sooner Miss Talley. Mr. Brewer and I go way back, he is a nasty piece of work," he said eventually. Sheriff O'Conner wasn't chastising her exactly but she felt like he did nevertheless. And he would have every right to do so. Clementine did an utterly stupid thing believing she could handle that nightmarish person on her own. She was overconfident and now because of it, Pauline was missing.

  A sob escaped her lips. "Just help me find her, please," she pleaded.

  "My men and I will do everything in our power to find that fiend and return your niece to you."

  "Thank you," Clementine was relieved. Something was finally happening. The sheriff was in change which meant she could expect some results and soon.

  "We want to help," Alexander spoke up. He remained quiet the whole time she spoke. Now he was once again ready to be involved.

  "Of course," the sheriff replied instantly.

  Clementine could not believe this was actually happening. It all felt like a bad dream she failed to wake up from. If anything did happen to Pauline because of her, if she got hurt or, Clementine could not even finish that thought, she would be beyond devastated.

  Alexander embraced her like he could sense she was falling apart. He participated while the sheriff barked orders, yet Clementine only partially understood what was going on. All her thoughts and prayers were about Pauline, thinking about her whereabouts, was she scared, hungry? She kept seeing her in some dark room crying for her Mamma.

  "I cannot beat this; I need her here with me."

  Every deputy available had been deployed in search of her but Clementine felt that was not nearly enough.

  "Don't worry Clementine," Alexander tried to comfort her. "We will find her."

  She looked into his face and found no traces of deceit. She prayed with all her heart that they would.

  Just be brave for us sugarplum, we will find you.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  This was all Alexanders fault. He knew something was troubling Clementine, yet he did and said nothing. He was too wrapped up inside his head, his thoughts infused with all kinds of doubts and fears to see a simple truth. She needed help and he wasn't there for her.

  All the old fears, self-hate, and insecurities emerged back and once again he felt as though he was failing those he loved. He was a curse on the people around him, they always got hurt in the end.

  He grew rather fond of that little girl over a short period of time. Pauline held a special place inside his heart, and he could not imagine his life without her. Losing her terrified him to the deepest levels of his soul.

  He would do everything in his power to find this monster who dared to do such a thing and save Pauline. As he listened to Clementine recount the whole story, he barely contained himself not to barge out of there and hunt Mr. Brewer on his own. He was good at that, hunting people, so there was no place on this Earth that man could hide from him. Alexander would find him. He always did.

  He thought the sheriff's plan was good, so he went along with it. They started searching the streets of Courtfield with Sheriff O'Conner starting with all the places Mr. Brewer liked to visit since they found nobody at his house.

  When regular folk heard what happened they joined in the search, wanting to help, to provide useful pieces of information about the man who kidnapped Pauline. That returned Alexander's faith in humanity. No matter how many wicked people there were on the planet, there were a few good people more and so the good would always triumph over the evil.

  The problem that almost instantly arose was that the scoundrel who tormented Clementine in such a sadistic manner managed to intimidate a lot of people, other criminals, who were more afraid of him than they were of the sheriff and did not want to talk. Alexander had the perfect remedy for that, however, he would have to be left alone with these men for it to work. He could see Clementine's will was withering with each passing moment and he hated she was put in this position.

  "Do not worry, Clementine, we will find her." He couldn't say whom he was trying to reassure more in those moments.

  Another lead turned out to be just a rumor and Pauline was nowhere to be found. That troubled him. Why did Mr. Brewer go to such len
gths? He constantly returned to that question since nothing made sense to him. This action felt too personal to him. Why would a man she owed money to kidnapped her niece? Alexander felt like he was missing something. Something important that could shed some light on this mystery, explain everything.

  "I know we will," she replied despite being frightened for her niece's well-being. She managed to cloak herself in courage in order to keep going. Alexander was very impressed with her strength and resilience, fully realizing why he was so in love with this woman.

  "We have to," she concluded with such finality like there were no other options. And he shared that point of view completely.

  This proud stubborn woman almost got herself killed. Alexander could not be mad at her since he knew he would act in the same manner if roles were reversed. That did not mean they were not going to have a serious conversation once this emergency was resolved.

  Not bothering on placing the blame, he put all his energy into the most pressing issue, finding Pauline and punishing the man who dared to take her from her loving family. He wished he taught Pauline how to shoot instead of teaching her how to ride a horse.

  That and so many others plagued his mind as they searched every possible lead, every tavern, saloon, or a shady, illegal gambling establishments that men like Mr. Brewer visited. They looked all through the night without any success.

  When the sun started to rise again Alexander had to drag Clementine back to the store to rest for a bit because she refused to go home despite being dead on her feet. Her will to find Pauline trumped everything else.

  "Why don't you go to one of the rooms and rest for a bit. I promise I will come to you all the news," Alexander tried to coax her.

  The icy look he received told him plenty about her sentiment on such a topic, and much more. Garry poured all of them a drink and Clementine actually drank hers.

  Looking at Clementine, sensing she was not going to last much longer, he knew it was time to take the reins into his own hands. The whole day yesterday they simply followed the sheriff, and Alexander was not going to curse the other man, he did his job perfectly. Alexander would act in the same manner if he was the Chief in charge.

  The whole day passed, and they still did not have any news about Pauline. Not knowing if she was all right was maddening. To make matters even worse Mr. Brewer never returned to his home clearly having some other hideaway. And none of his associates were willing to talk with them. All that frustrated, troubled and frightened Clementine.

  Almost an entire day passed since she has been taken away. Pauline must be really scared of being held by that monster. Clementine just hoped Pauline knew in her heart and mind that her Aunt would never give up searching for her. Clementine would tear this whole town down if that was necessary to find her, and beware if anyone got in her way or tried to stop her.

  "I cannot stay here a minute longer," she announced. They were in the general store waiting for the sheriff to return yet she couldn't stay inactive and wait for something to happen. She had to do something, search by herself, if that was what it took to find Pauline.

  "Clementine."

  "Do not stop me."

  She shouldn't have allowed Alexander to convince her to return to the store in the first place. Clementine should have been out there, searching, helping. She promised to keep that little girl safe after all.

  Clementine felt like pulling her hair out while thinking about how she would have to break this terrible news to Viola. Her friend asked one simply favor of her: to keep Pauline safe. And she couldn't even do that. Clementine felt like an utter failure, and she was hopeless to change that.

  Because of her foolishness and Steve's sins, a little girl could pay the ultimate price. Do not dare think like that, she snapped at herself.

  "Go where? The sheriff told you to stay here," Garry tried to reason with her.

  She started to shake her head even before he finished that sentence. "I don't care."

  Clementine wasted too much time on doing nothing, waiting. Pauline depended on her and she was going to find her no matter what. Period.

  "She is right," Alexander joined in, rising from his stool. "Let's go."

  She was grateful she had Alexander by her side. Clementine knew there was a strong possibility she would completely fall apart without him. She drew strength from his calmness. Also, she appreciated he didn't scold her, get angry she didn't tell him everything about what was going on from the start. Alexander simply accepted everything with dignity and then proceeded on helping. He was a wonderful man and she owed him an apology.

  They were at the door when Sheriff O'Conner appeared with Lee Brewer in toe. A few deputies followed behind them. Mr. Brewer was not happy to be in such company. Clementine's blood boiled when she saw him, walking inside as though nothing was amiss.

  "I found him on Yarrow Lane and brought him here, knowing you would want to hear what he had to say."

  She jumped on him. "Where is she?" she demanded, banging with her fists against his sternum. Yarrow Lane was a known place for its many vises. Did he hide Pauline in the house of ill repute? "She is just an innocent, little girl, how could you?"

  Alexander had to peel her off the other man. Mr. Brewer looked at her with mixed feelings. Naturally, there was anger, but also confusion and mild amusement.

  That enraged her further. Once Alexander made sure she wouldn't try anything silly again he grabbed Mr. Brewer so fast nobody got a chance to react. By the looks of it, nobody would at any rate.

  Alexanders grip against Mr. Brewer's neck was unwavering. His strength was rather impressive. Mr. Brewer looked at him as though they already knew one another. Clementine understood this was not the time nor the place to ask if her speculations were true.

  "I told you, you wouldn't like me if our paths ever cross again," Alexander practically growled, answering Clementine's unspoken question.

  "Now tell me where Pauline is and perhaps I won't snap your neck in return," Alexander threatened with ease.

  "I want her back, you monster," Clementine cried out not being able to contain herself.

  Very slowly, deliberately, Mr. Brewer looked at Clementine and then at Alexander again. "I do not know any Pauline," he replied.

  Clementine cried out in outrage pressing a hand across her lips to stop herself. As it appeared, based on his reply, he was going to torment her some more.

  "Is she your sweetheart?" Mr. Brewer taunted Alexander.

  Alexander hit him with his other hand without missing a beat and since he already held him with his left, Mr. Brewer remained standing upward. The blood poured from his nose and he did nothing to wipe it.

  "Lee, I would play nice if I were you," Sheriff O'Conner warned, "We all had a long night and have very short fuses."

  "I can see that," Mr. Brewer replied trying to take a deep, moist breath through his nose than spitting some blood on the ground. "And I am not playing. I don't know anything," he insisted stubbornly.

  Or at least Clementine thought he said that. It was hard to tell since Alexander was apparently pressing his vocal cords somewhat hard, slowly choking him. Clementine worried he would kill the other man before they got a chance to learn anything.

  As it turned out her worry was unfounded. He was a professional after all and knew what he was doing. Alexander knew just the right time to press and release.

  Clementine approached them again. "You are lying," she accused. "I found your knife. I know you took her."

  Lee Brewer smiled ever so slightly. "So you found the knife," he looked pleased.

  Did he hear a word she said after that? Before she had a chance to ask Alexander started shaking him, vigorously. "Forget about the darn knife," he boomed. "Tell us where the girl is."

  Mr. Brewer matched his levels of anger while replying. "For the last time. I do not know what you are talking about."

  This was maddening, Clementine felt like screaming in frustration. Mr. Brewer turned his head, much to his ability
at the moment, to look at her.

  "I came here for the money. I took no girl," he sounded sincere. That meant nothing, he could be lying. Clementine couldn't be sure one way or the other.

  "Then all those threats about killing me, hurting the people I love were just empty words to get the money?" she demanded in utter disbelief.

  He tried to reply to her. Alexander was squeezing him so hard at the moment, only choking sounds left his mouth. Apparently, Alexander did not like hearing about those threats Lee Brewer made. Clementine tapped Alexander on the shoulder and he immediately loosened his grip but didn't let go.