“I guessed.” He smiled and met Luke’s gaze. “I know our little schoolteacher here has made friends with a certain young woman of questionable reputation.” Montaño considered Bethany openly, wearing an expression of obvious fondness that set Luke’s jaw on edge. But his jealousy dissipated somewhat when Beth had the good grace to lower her gaze.
Montaño looked back at Luke. “I understand you two are betrothed. Trudy Winters told me.”
“That’s right.” Luke set his arm across the back of Beth’s chair. “Setting the date soon.”
Beth gave a nod. “But we haven’t made a public announcement because we’re still waiting for my father to give us his permission.”
“I don’t expect problems.” Luke felt confident about that.
“Nor do I.” Beth met Luke’s gaze and smiled.
“Ah,” Montaño said with a slight grin. “Love is in the air. There will be wedding bells ringing soon.”
“That’s right. But, Sheriff, we didn’t come here today to discuss Beth and me,” Luke stated. “We came here to discuss Miss Angie Brown.”
Montaño folded his tanned arms across his chest. “What about her?”
“Well,” Beth began, “she wants to begin a new life—a decent Christian life. But she can’t stay here because she fears Chicago Joe will send that blackheart Crawford back for her. She fears he’ll kill her…and possibly others.”
“Sí, chiquita, he will try.” A troubled look wafted across the sheriff’s dark features. “However, I expect more soldiers from Fort Yuma today. While they are here, Crawford will not try anything. He is a coward.”
Luke figured. “You planning on going after the cattle rustlers with those soldiers?” He knew the subject had been on the minds of many.
Montaño nodded. “A couple of outlaws has been robbing, looting, and murdering in towns and ranches up and down the river and making the scene look like Indian raids. I suspect they are renegade half-breeds who know Indian customs and yet are well versed in the white man’s ways.”
“So it’s pretty much just as you suspected.”
“Sí.”
“Do you mind?” Exasperation lined Beth’s tone. “I came here seeking assistance and protection for Angie—perhaps even the entire town.”
Luke raised his brows, but then supposed Beth had the right to be a bit testy.
“Yes, of course.” Montaño inclined his head. “As you were saying?”
“Angie said that man named Crawford has friends in Arizona City and they’re bad men too.”
“Very bad men.” The sheriff grinned and fingered his slim mustache.
“You’re not taking me or this threat seriously.”
“Oh, but I am.”
Beth shot to her feet before Luke could stop her. “You’re patronizing me.” She sent a stone cold look his way. “Maybe you both are.”
“Now, Beth, I’m doing no such thing.”
“Neither of you is taking this matter to heart. But if you could just stop laughing at me long enough to hear what I have in mind, some lives might be spared.”
Luke stood and placed his hand on Beth’s shoulder. “No one’s laughing.” He looked at Montaño, grinning. “Leastwise not me.”
Beth shook off his hold and stepped toward the sheriff. “Angie has a relative in San Francisco, a stepsister who will take her in.”
“San Francisco, California?” Montaño did laugh at that one, with head tipped back.
Beth glared at him. “Your behavior is despicable.”
“I’d have to agree, Sheriff,” Luke put in.
The man in black sobered. “My apologies, Miz Stafford.” He bowed and his expression showed traces of genuine remorse, although the spark of infuriation in Beth’s eyes said she thought he mocked her once more.
“Fine. Have your fun.”
“Beth, hold on now…” Luke reached for her elbow.
She sidestepped him and moved to the door. “I’m going to take my intended’s advice and find some breakfast. Then I have school to teach. I trust that while I’m teaching you two men will come up with some kind of plan to help Angie escape.”
“We will, Beth. I promise.”
Luke caught the grateful look in her eyes before she whirled out of the sheriff’s office, closing the door behind her with a resounding slam.
Montaño’s chortles caused him to turn slowly back around.
“Are you loco, man?” Luke gritted his teeth. “I’ve lived through one war and don’t expect to live through another with my usually very sweet-spirited fiancée.” He watched her safely cross Main Street.
“Oh, sí.” The sheriff raised his hands, palms out. “You have your hands full, Reverend. I admire you.”
Luke tamped down his frustration and returned his attention to the sheriff.
“I will make you a deal.”
“What sort of deal?” Luke gazed back at Montaño.
“I was planning on riding out with the soldiers today to warn the tribes to be on the lookout for a couple outlaws posing as Indians and to assure them of our protection from vengeful white folk. If you take my place, I will take care of getting Angie out of town.”
“How do you aim to do that?”
He shrugged. “Dirk Crawford isn’t the only one with friends in Arizona City. Meanwhile, I will keep my eyes out for him.”
Luke tipped his head. “Think he’ll return?”
“Perhaps. It depends how valuable Angie’s services have been to Chicago Joe.”
Luke bristled and wished the saloon and brothel would have burned a long time ago.
“In either case, Angie will need respectable clothing and some money.”
“That’s right. She will.” Rubbing the back of his neck, Luke decided to entrust the clothing task to Beth. Perhaps it would suffice in letting her know he hadn’t taken her burden lightly. He really wanted to help.
“I will be in touch, Reverend.”
“Sooner than later, I hope.”
“I will do my best.”
Luke donned his hat and stepped out of the sheriff’s office. He let his eyes adjust to the bright sunshine before making his way to the boardinghouse, where he would tell Beth of the day’s plans over breakfast.
The day at the schoolhouse seemed never ending. The children fidgeted all morning, and the older ones wanted to talk about the fire last night and how Reverend Luke saved a “bad lady” from dying in the blaze. Bethany made time for a discussion, and once again she felt a connectedness to the McCabes, as though their ministry had now become her own. She loved the children, all of them. She admired their inquisitiveness. However, after ninety minutes of answering questions and surmising the will of God, Bethany steered her students’ minds to arithmetic and ignored the groans accompanying her decision.
Lunchtime came, and while the children ate, Bethany ran to the boardinghouse and had Rosalinda prepare a meal for Angie and pap for Michael. She felt relieved that the Hispanic cook didn’t ask questions. Then back at the schoolyard, Bethany called the students to return to the classroom. She’d hoped to see Luke in the course of the noon recess, but it wasn’t to be.
As the afternoon dragged on, Bethany tried to get the children to focus on their topics but to no avail. Finally she realized she felt as restless as her pupils.
At last the school day came to a close. Bethany dismissed the children and waited around for Luke. He usually walked her to the boardinghouse—even insisted upon it. But this evening he was nowhere in sight. His ride with the soldiers must have taken longer than he’d planned.
Frustration built inside her like a thundercloud as Bethany walked home alone. But as she entered the boardinghouse, she realized she wasn’t ready to face anyone, especially not Angie. Her gumption and patience were gone. Fear and insecurity had taken their places. She had no news to bring of any plans for escape, and the thought of disappointing her new friend was unbearable.
Making her way through the lobby and around the guests, Bethany headed to the back do
or and stepped out into the courtyard. Back home in Wisconsin, she’d often walk off her wayward emotions. She checked the timepiece pinned to the bodice of her simple light blue dress. She still had time before supper.
With purpose in each stride, Bethany headed toward the other end of town and made her way along the rocky pathway. She felt completely safe since the day had passed without Crawford or Chicago Joe showing up and looking for Angie. Besides, Luke had brought her out this way last week—when he’d proposed.
But had he meant it? Or had he been coerced by Mr. Winters’s threat to bring her before the school board? And all because of a certain swarthy sheriff.
Well, Luke had more in common with Sheriff Montaño than he realized. They both thought she was some hilarious joke. Why, those two behaved like naughty schoolboys this morning, smirking at their teacher. Even though over breakfast Luke had reassured her that Montaño had promised to work on Angie’s rescue, she still had her doubts.
Coming to the end of the trail, Bethany found a large rock to sit upon. Lord Jesus, I’m so confused.
Only moments passed before a decisive click came from somewhere behind her, shaking Bethany from her thoughts. Slowly, she turned and peered in horror at the gun leveled at her. Every muscle tensed while her gaze moved to the scruffy man behind the weapon.
She refused to gasp or to react at all.
He sneered. “Well, well, lookie here what I found.” His dark brown, shaggy hair brushed against his shoulders as he turned his head and called out. “Come see what I got, Digger!”
While the man holding the gun watched his comrade approach, Bethany removed her timepiece and slipped it into the sleeve of her dress. She felt certain she had run into two-bit outlaws, and once they discovered she had nothing of value, they’d set her free.
The man called Digger came into view. He was also dark-headed and resembled an Indian brave, although he appeared much less unkempt than his companion.
“Whadda ya think?”
“Boss won’t like it, Mal.” Digger combed his fingers through thick hair.
“Boss don’t gotta know. I aim to have my way with this little thing, and then I’ll kill her.”
Bethany felt the blood drain from her face.
Digger shrugged. “Well, just be quick about it. I don’t want Montaño on our heels.”
She slowly shook her head. This couldn’t be happening. Why had she felt so complacent…so safe?
Mal leered again and came toward her.
Bethany’s heart drummed out a frantic beat.
He inched closer, a diabolical gleam in his eye.
“Montaño? You mentioned him.” She didn’t know what she was saying, but buying time seemed the only way to stay alive. “Do you mean Sheriff Montaño?”
He paused.
Digger did too. “What about him, missy?”
“I recently left his office.” They didn’t have to know how much time had actually past. “We were discussing something of great importance.”
Both men gaped at her, and Digger’s face reddened in anger. “You got Paden Montaño’s woman, you fool! He’ll kill us fer sure!”
“She ain’t his woman. Look at her. Why, she looks like a…a schoolteacher!”
“I am a schoolteacher.”
“Well, what do you know?” Mal pointed his gun toward the sky and jutted out one hip. “One plus one equals two.” He laughed.
Bethany wasn’t amused for a second.
“Turn her loose, Mal. We got enough demons riding our backs. And if she’s some kind of acquaintance of Montaño, she’s not worth risking Crawford’s wrath.”
The man named Mal considered Bethany through a narrowed gaze. “Maybe we can strike a deal. A pardon in exchange for the sheriff’s sweet schoolteacher here.”
Bethany cringed. All she could think about was what Luke would have to say about this. She’d ignored his warnings, and even more, she’d let down Angie now for sure.
“All right. We’ll take her with us and then send a right fine message to the good sheriff. I s’pect that Crawford won’t mind us coming up with a plan of our own fer once.”
“Crawford?” Bethany knew that name. “Is he your boss?”
“The very same,” Digger told her.
Bethany’s gaze fell on each of the outlaws. Had they been looking for Angie?
“Enough talking.” Mal’s jaw dropped slightly as an indignant expression crossed his mangy face. “This little lady and I have unfinished business.”
Bethany folded her arms tightly and shuddered in disgust at his inference. Glancing around, she wondered how she’d ever manage to get herself out of this situation. Behind her a steep cliff descended sharply. Jumping meant certain death. Then again, she’d prefer it to enduring the profound depravity lurking in the minds of these two outlaws.
“I don’t care what you do,” Digger said. “But wait till we strike a bargain with Montaño. Then you can deliver up his woman any way you want.”
As the two conspired, Bethany stepped backward until she leaned up against three large boulders standing to the side of the embankment. The middle one stood at least five feet high. Mal, with his gun still drawn, strode toward her and grabbed her arm.
“Get your filthy hands off of me.” Bethany pushed him away with every ounce of strength she possessed. She no longer cared if he shot her. If he planned to kill her regardless, she’d fight him to the death.
Mal sneered, and she slapped his face with her one free hand.
In retribution, he used his gun to strike a blow to her head, knocking her to the ground. Her vision blurred, and then she was roughly jerked to her feet. Bethany staggered slightly.
“Do that again, missy, and I’ll put a bullet right through you.”
“Go ahead.” She tasted blood. “I’d rather die than let you touch me.”
Wearing a furious expression, Mal pressed the cold metal gun barrel hard against her cheek. His breath smelled rancid, but Bethany was unable to turn her face away. She braced herself for the inevitable. The thought that she’d soon be in the arms of her Savior brought a measure of comfort.
A heartbeat later, Mal’s gaze moved up over Bethany’s head. and the look on his face seemed a blend of surprise and terror. Just then an arrow caught him square in the chest, and he fell backward. Digger shouted and ran. Bethany dove to the ground and lay there, tense and unmoving, until very shortly all became deathly quiet.
Ever so slowly, gingerly, she lifted her pounding head. Her jaw ached terribly where she’d been hit. With blurred vision, she scanned the scene before her. She made out her attacker, Mal. He was obviously dead. Digger, too, an arrow protruding from his neck.
Endeavoring to stand, she caught sight of the coppery brave watching her.
“Warring Spirit,” she murmured. Was she safe now?
“Preacher Luke McCabe’s woman.”
Her knees gave way. The world spun crazily around her until it disappeared within a blanket of murky blackness.
TWENTY-FOUR
LUKE SAT THROUGH SUPPER WONDERING WHEN BETH would come down. He had spent the day with soldiers from the military outpost near the Yuma Crossing. They had visited several Indian villages, assuring residents of the soldiers’ protection and asking them to keep an eye out for the outlaws who were doing the cattle rustling.
Luke checked in at the schoolhouse on his ride into town but found it empty. He assumed that Bethany was with Angie, but when she didn’t appear for the meal, he began to wonder.
“’Scuse me.” Luke stood and politely left the dining room and took the stairs two by two. Upstairs he knocked on Beth’s door.
No answer.
“Miss Brown?” He kept his voice low. “It’s Luke McCabe.”
The door opened a crack, and a pair of blue eyes stared back at him.
“Is Beth with you?”
“No.” Angie opened the door a bit wider, and Luke saw that she held the Jonas baby in her arms. Apparently Ralph never came to pick hi
m up. “I haven’t seen Bethany since noontime when she brought me some lunch and pap for Michael.”
“All right. Well, I’ll see to it you and the baby get some supper now.” Luke’s gut crimped. It wasn’t like Beth to disappear like this.
“I hope Bethany is all right.” The concern in Angie’s tone echoed the growing unease in Luke’s heart.
Still, he prayed for the best. “I’m sure she’s fine. When she arrives, please tell her I’m looking for her.”
“You mean you can’t find her?”
“I’m just startin’ to look. She’ll turn up.”
“Alive, I hope.”
Luke refused to reply. “Keep this door closed.”
“I will.”
Back downstairs, Luke reclaimed his seat at the dining room table with Jake and Annetta, who were the only ones left in the room. When Rosalinda entered the room, he waved her over and quietly asked if she’d fix a plate that he could take to a friend. He would also need pap for an infant. The woman nodded and, thankfully, asked no questions.
“You got something on your mind?” Jake sipped his coffee. “You haven’t said a word in a long while, and I noticed Beth ain’t here. You two have a quarrel?”
Beside him Annetta chuckled quietly.
“No.” Luke sat back and pursed his lips. “Not that I’m aware of anyway. But there is a situation I haven’t told you about yet.”
Luke leaned forward, glad no one else was within earshot. “Last night Beth helped one of the working girls across the street escape. Chicago Joe left town without her. She’s upstairs in Beth’s room. But we’ve got to get her out of town before she’s missed.” He looked directly at Jake. “Montaño has been informed because there’s a concern that Crawford might come gunning for her.”
Jake sat back in his chair, a frown creasing his forehead.
Annetta looked alarmed.
Jake set his hand on the forearm of her blouse’s lacy sleeve. “I saw Montaño around town today. I’m sure he’s keeping a lookout.”
“He probably is. But Beth’s missing. I can’t find her anywhere. I’ve checked her room, and Angie said she hadn’t been in the room since lunchtime.”
Jake rubbed his whiskered jaw with his other hand. “Isn’t like her to go anywhere without leaving word.”
An Undaunted Faith Page 23
