“How are you doing with all that’s happened, Jacob?” Xavier asked.
“How do you think I’m doing?” Jacob asked angrily. “Ever since you and my father agreed on this deal, my life has been nothing but one spiraling hell.”
“Well, none of us could possibly have anticipated this horrible event,” Xavier said, shocked.
“Oh? What if one of your many debts is being called in the only way they can think?” Jacob looked at Xavier’s shocked face. “What, you think I didn’t know? My father told me what a sad state your business is in. How you were all but sunk, before he agreed to take on some of the debts for you, in exchange for my marriage. Now I’m stuck in this god-forsaken town, being shaken down for every penny I’ve got.”
“Mr. Fisher, I can’t believe you could possibly accuse us of this misfortune!” Xavier said, in an angry whisper, attempting to not draw attention to them.
Jacob continued on, seemingly unphased. “You know the worst part? When this is all over, what do I get? Your ungrateful daughter who would rather swoon at that brute of a rancher than show me one ounce of affection after all I’ve tried to give her.” He took a big swig of his drink and tapped on the bar for another.
“She’ll come around! She just wasn’t…expecting all of this. She’s a high-spirited girl but when duty calls, she’s loyal and hard-working,” Xavier said strongly.
“Oh, save it. I know she’ll never care for me. And now I’ll be stuck with that, and her pathetic in-laws. That’s my life now,” Jacob said bitterly.
Xavier didn’t know what to say.
Who is this man I’ve promised my daughter to?
“Well, we can sort all of that, once we get her back. Did your business associates come through?” Xavier asked coldly.
Jacob silently took a drink and glared at Xavier. “Is that why you came here? Hoping that my money would bail you out?”
“Jacob, this is important. Did you get it?” Xavier could feel anger building up inside him.
Jacob looked away and drank. “Of course, I have it. It’ll be here, over the wire, in the morning.”
Xavier felt a wave of relief wash over him. “Well, that’s excellent news, because the Sheriff has a plan.”
Jacob set his drink down and stared at Xavier. “What?”
“Come on, I’ll tell you outside,” Xavier said, as he put a few coins on the bar for the drinks.
Jacob followed him out to the street. Xavier leaned in close.
“The Sheriff is planning on staking out the drop off point and apprehending the kidnapper,” Xavier told him.
“But…He’ll see them! There’s no way they can catch him without endangering Laura’s life!” Jacob stuttered.
“They seem confident they can do it. There’s no saying this man will release her once we pay him the ransom,” Xavier said confidently.
Jacob stood there, stunned. “I see. Well, let’s hope by this time tomorrow, this entire horrible affair is behind us.”
“Indeed. Of course, it’s important that we keep this within the family,” Xavier said.
“Of course, of course,” Jacob muttered quietly. He straightened up and looked Xavier in the eye. “Well, thank you for telling me, I best try to get some sleep tonight.”
With that, he shook Xavier’s hand and stumbled off toward the hotel. Xavier could feel a sinking knot in his stomach.
What have I done?
He rode back to the house, where Dorothy and Aunt Ethel were still up, knitting by the fire. Dorothy smiled at him when he walked in the door.
“How did it go with Mr. Fisher?” she asked.
Xavier sat down and lit his pipe. “Not as well as I would have hoped. I’m not so certain about him anymore Dorothy.”
He saw worry cross her face. “He’s a bit arrogant but, Xavier, isn’t he our last option? Who else in Tucson has the money we’ll need to save the store?”
“Indeed. But Laura is our daughter and I’m afraid I’ve given her to a man whose constitution is less than what I would have hoped,” Xavier said sullenly, as he puffed away on his pipe.
Dorothy put her knitting down and walked over to him. She took his hand and looked into his eyes.
“You’ve always done what’s best for our family, Xavier. I’m certain whatever doubts you’re having about Jacob are only due to this incredibly difficult situation. Once this unpleasantness is over, I’m sure he will be a fine husband to our daughter.”
Xavier patted her hand. “I appreciate your faith in me Dorothy, I’m just not certain of that anymore.”
Aunt Ethel quietly continued her knitting. Xavier looked over at her.
“What do you think Ethel?” he asked.
“If I’m being honest, I haven’t cared much for him. Far too arrogant for my taste. But I’ve never had much of a taste for the well-to-do folks,” she replied.
“Well, by this time tomorrow we should have our baby girl back! That’s something to be happy about!” Dorothy said with a smile.
“Dorothy, it’s a bit early to be celebrating, there’s still quite a bit more in front of us before that happens. We just have to place a lot of faith in the Sheriff and his men, that this all goes well,” Xavier said quietly.
“I’ve known Sheriff Oratius for years, there’s no reason not to place our faith in him. He’s a good and intelligent man,” Aunt Ethel said confidently. “And say what you like about Abe, but I’m glad to have him helping as well. He’s a strong, brave man.”
“Outside of that unpleasantness with Mr. Fisher, I have to say he’s given us no reason not to trust him,” Xavier admitted.
“He still seems a bit brutish to me.” Dorothy scoffed. “And I don’t like the way he looked at her before she disappeared.”
“Oh, don’t be like that, Dorothy,” Aunt Ethel scolded. “Xavier used to look at you the exact same way.”
“Ethel!” Dorothy exclaimed, as a blush appeared on her cheeks. Xavier let out a hearty laugh.
“She’s not wrong. I tried to hide it when I met you, but you were so beautiful, I’m sure I had it written all over my face.” Xavier lovingly touched Dorothy’s face. She blushed even further before returning to her knitting.
“I cannot stop thinking of her tonight. Where she might be, what horrible place she may have to sleep in, if she can sleep at all.” Dorothy’s hands shook as she attempted to continue knitting, but clearly struggled with her emotions.
“She’s a strong girl Dorothy, stronger than you realize. She’ll take care of herself. She’ll be smart,” Aunt Ethel reassured her.
“How can you be so calm, Ethel?” Dorothy asked.
“Nothing’s achieved from too much fretting, I just try to have faith in what the future may hold,” Aunt Ethel said, the wisdom landing heavily on the room.
“You’re an impressive woman Ethel, remaining so strong through all that’s happened,” Xavier chimed in.
“Thank you, Xavier,” Ethel said, with a smile. “This of course, doesn’t mean worry can’t take hold of me. Like Dorothy, I worry about what horrible place she might be in and what kind of horrible man she might be with. But I try to put it out of my mind and focus on praying for her safety.”
Xavier settled into his chair and began thoughtfully puffing on his pipe. His thoughts returned to his earlier meeting with Jacob.
Something just doesn’t seem right about Jacob, I don’t know what though.
Chapter Thirty-One
Abe kept Bruce at a quiet trot as he traveled through the inky darkness that enveloped them after they left the glowing lamps of the town. Bruce tossed his head anxiously.
I know boy, we’ll be there soon.
After a while, he could barely make out the entrance to the mine. He dismounted and carefully led Bruce inside the opening. Just down the tunnel, he could see a faint light glowing. He tied Bruce to a stake just inside the entrance and headed toward the light. As he rounded the bend, he saw Ottie and two of his deputies sitting around the glow of a lantern.<
br />
“Evening, gentlemen,” Abe said.
“Evening,” Ottie replied. “Take a seat.”
Abe sat down on the ground across from Ottie.
“Does the family understand what’s expected of them?” Ottie asked.
“Seems so. I guess now we just wait,” Abe replied, as he pulled a piece of wood out of his jacket and began to carve away with his knife.
Ottie turned to his deputies. “You two take the first watch outside, make sure no one sneaks up on us, or heads to the drop point. We’ll relieve you later.”
The two deputies nodded and headed toward the entrance to the tunnel, leaving Abe and Ottie alone.
“How are you doing?” Ottie asked.
“Fine,” Abe replied, as he whittled.
“You sure?” Ottie pressed.
“What are you getting at, Ottie?” Abe asked, without looking up.
“Well, all goes well, tomorrow we’ll have caught this bastard and Laura will be back home where she belongs. Which is also with Mr. Fisher,” Ottie said.
“All I’m hearing so far is facts. I’m not hearing any questions,” Abe replied.
“Well, I’m asking if I’m going to be breaking up any more fights once she’s back. I’ll need to clear out room in the jailhouse just in case,” Ottie said.
Abe continued to carve as he tried to collect his thoughts.
What am I going to do? I can’t let her marry that bastard, but what can I do about it?
“I can’t think about that yet, Ottie. I just want to focus on getting her back safely,” Abe replied.
“I understand. If it helps, I can’t stand the man either,” Ottie chuckled. He reached behind him and pulled out his hip flask and took a swig, then handed it to Abe.
Abe grabbed it and took a sip. “Since when did you become the talkative one?” he asked Ottie, with a smile.
“Well, not that I’d wish what’s happened on anyone, but between your lovelorn attitude and trying to solve this case, I finally have a good reason to talk to folks,” Ottie replied, as he grabbed the flask.
“Took you long enough. If we don’t watch out, you’ll be hanging a shingle as one of those ‘private investigators,’” Abe said, with a chuckle.
“Nah, I’ll be happy for this all to go back to normal soon. Just a normal, quiet life with the family,” Ottie said.
“Your wife still with you, given how much time you been away from home lately?”
“Oh, I’ll have quite a bit of apologizing to do, that’s for damn sure.” Ottie laughed. “We still roping on Jubilee day?”
“I forgot all about that. Other boys might have a fighting chance this time.”
“Hell, no, even rust-covered, the great Abe Mavor will still stand above all. That’s why I fought Thomas Singleton to be your roping partner.”
Abe looked at Ottie, shocked. “You what?”
“That’s right. We had a fistfight over it back in school before our first competition,” Ottie grinned.
“How did I never find out about this?” Abe asked, flabbergasted.
“Made him swear never to tell anyone. Had him tell everyone he fell off his horse and got that black eye,” Ottie took a long, victorious drink from the flask.
“I can’t believe I bought that story. Hell, I wasn’t even planning on partnering with him, he just seemed so desperate, I had to practice a few times with him.” Abe laughed.
“Well, gave me a chance to work on my right hook.” Ottie chuckled.
The two men sat quietly for a bit. Abe continued to carve by the glow of the lamplight. He worked his knife into the soft wood, shapes and forms beginning to appear in the surface.
If only life was as easy to shape as this wood. I’d carve out a life very different from this one. A life with her. A life without Jacob.
Flowers like the ones on Aunt Ethel’s cane began to take form. He carved delicate details into the stems and petals. His mother loved flowers. The first thing he had ever carved was a rose in the top of a little wooden box he had made for her. After a while, Abe broke the silence.
“So, what’s the plan tomorrow?”
“Family will drop the money off about midday, like we discussed. You and I will stake out just outside the mine until we see our man approach, then ride in and grab him,” Ottie said.
Abe’s brow furrowed with concern. “He’ll see us coming a mile away, Ottie. We don’t know how good or how fast a rider he is.”
“Well we can’t get any closer or he’ll see us.” Ottie said, exasperated.
“Us, yes. Me, maybe not,” Abe replied.
“What are you suggesting?”
“I leave Bruce here and walk out there tonight. I’ll hide somewhere in the shack and wait for him. Hopefully, I can hold him there until you and the deputies can ride in.”
“Seems risky, he could see you. He could also, you know, shoot you,” Ottie said, with concern.
Abe unholstered his pistol. “Roping ain’t my only talent. I believe I out shot you in two-gun more than a few times.”
“I don’t love it, Abe,” Ottie said.
“I thought this was the new sheriff. Bold, throwing caution to the wind,” Abe pressed.
“Yes, this was that sheriff. This plan. Not putting you three feet away from someone who’s definitely a kidnapper, and might be a murderer, for all we know.”
Abe stood up. Ottie sighed and looked at him.
“I know, I can’t stop you,” Ottie said, as he shook his head.
“Not a bit. Sorry friend,” Abe said. “Keep a good eye on Bruce for me, he’s been pretty anxious lately.”
Abe grabbed a lantern and strode out of the mine. Before he left, he gave Bruce a firm pat.
“I’ll be back later for you, boy. You can’t go with me this time.”
Bruce snorted in what felt like a solid protest. Abe turned and headed out of the mine into the dark night.
* * *
Laura lay on the floor of the stall, straw poking into numerous bits of her skin. Somewhere else in the barn, Harry’s snores rattled and wheezed with growing intensity.
Tomorrow. One way or another, this will all be over tomorrow.
She could feel the telegram folded against her chest. It might as well have been folded gold.
I just need to get out of here. I’m sure Abe is close. I can feel it. And I can’t wait to tell him what I’ve discovered.
She tucked her hands underneath her head and tried to get comfortable. Her stomach growled in anxious protest. She felt sick.
I need to sleep. I need to be sharp in case something goes wrong. I need to be sharp in case Abe finds me before tomorrow evening.
Harry let out a huge snort. An owl hooted in the ceiling rafters. Somewhere close, something shuffled in the straw. Laura sighed.
I don’t know how much sleeping could possibly happen.
Laura shivered in the cold. To distract herself, she tried to think of home. But funny enough, home materialized as Aunt Ethel’s house. It was clearer in her mind than Tucson. Her memory materialized scenes from the past year. Painting with Abe. Making marmalades. The cozy warmth of the fire on Christmas.
As the night closed in, her mind focused on that fire. The warmth that radiated from the hearth and from Abe’s presence.
* * *
As Abe approached the shack, he blew out his lantern.
Better to be safe from prying eyes.
He gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the blackness. Moonlight was spilling across the landscape and the faint blue outlines of the world began to come into view. He continued to walk toward the shack. When he arrived, he gently pushed the door open, hand on his pistol. The moonlight began to shine into the shack, barely illuminating the small interior.
Abe looked corner to corner, his heart pounding as a realization came over him.
What’s to say he’s not in here waiting, just in case?
He paused and listened. Nothing stirred. He carefully took a few steps inside the sha
ck. Still nothing. He shut the door behind him and re-lit the lamp, keeping the flame low. The flickering orange light revealed the cabin exactly as it had been before, the cans on the floor undisturbed, the dust still laying thick over every surface.
In the corner was a ladder, leading up to a small attic in the shack. Abe put one foot on it and leaned against it to test its sureness. It held, so he began to scale the ladder, and hoisted himself into the attic. It was small, no more than a storage alcove, with only enough space for Abe to lay down. Abe turned himself around so his head was facing the ladder and extinguished the lamp. He settled himself into the darkness, his saddlebag tucked underneath his head with a day’s worth of provisions stuffed inside.
The Salvation 0f A Runaway Bride (Historical Western Romance) Page 22
