“I know.”
“Oh, heaven help her…” Annetta paled.
“What is it?” Jake immediately looked concerned.
“That man, Crawford…do you think he came back? Maybe he discovered Bethany is the one who helped Angie.”
She’d spoken aloud Luke’s worst fears. He turned to Annetta. “Would you bring the dinner to Angie and make sure she and the baby are cared for while we search for Bethany?”
Her eyes widened, then a determined glint entered her gaze. “I will. Go quickly, Luke.”
Bethany moaned and opened her eyes. Her head ached and her body hurt. She tried to focus, suddenly aware of the girl sitting beside her. “Lacey, is that you?”
“Yes, Miss Stafford.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I live here.”
“What?” Bethany lifted her pounding head and glanced around. The Jonas’s barn. “What am I doing here?”
“Warring Spirit brought you. Don’t you remember?”
“Warring Spirit…”
“He brought you on his horse, and you looked hurt real bad.”
“I don’t remember much after seeing Warring Spirit on the ridge.”
“Well, he’s right here.”
Bethany squinted into the dimly lit barn and could just barely make out the figure of the Indian brave standing nearby, arms folded across his chest.
Then her gaze fell on Ralph Jonas, who stood with his hands on his hips.
“I need to get back to the boardinghouse and help…my friend.”
“Miss Stafford, you can’t go anywhere right now.” Lacey put her hands on Bethany’s shoulders and pressed her back down into the straw. “Warring Spirit brought you here because he couldn’t ride into town for fear someone’d shoot him. Pa said you should stay here, and he’s even letting you rest in his barn.”
“I’m…grateful.” Bethany closed her eyes. She supposed this barn was a far sight better than the pitiful structure the Jonases called a house.
Except Bethany didn’t trust Ralph Jonas.
“But, no…” Again, she struggled to sit.
“Please rest, Miss Stafford,” Lacey pleaded.
“I have to get back to town. Warring Spirit, please take me back.”
The brave’s voice sounded nearer, and Bethany looked to see him kneeling at her side. “I no take you. The white men will see and say I hurt you.”
“I will say you helped me, not hurt me.” Bethany thought her voice sounded far away. Was she losing consciousness again?
“You’re staying here with me,” Mr. Jonas said. “So hurry up and get well. I got young’uns that need tending to.”
“Pa, speaking of…” Lacey’s voice sounded pained. “Where’s Michael if Miss Stafford is here?”
“He’s safe with my friend,” Bethany quickly said. “Except…I must get back. Warring Spirit, if you won’t take me, will you fetch Luke?”
He paused, but then agreed. “I will find Preacher Luke McCabe.”
“Oh, don’t bother,” Jonas said. “I’d say she’s right where she’s suppose to be.”
Bethany gasped, and her head began to pound.
Warring Spirit moved between Bethany and Jonas. “Touch her, and Preacher Luke McCabe will kill you.”
“Aw, I ain’t afraid of him.”
The brave stood chest to chest with the farmer. “Then be afraid of me.”
Lacey inhaled sharply.
“I go to find Preacher Luke McCabe.”
“Do what you like, but don’t expect me to play nursemaid.”
A moment of silence elapsed, and then Bethany heard a tussle ensue. A sickening thud hit the dirt floor.
Lacey gripped Bethany’s hand. “They’re fighting, Miss Stafford, and now Pa is…”
“Dead?”
“No. He’s getting up.” Lacey whispered in Bethany’s ear. “Warring Spirit hit him square in the jaw before he left. I ’spect Pa deserved it too.”
Bethany had seen her fill of violence today. Still, she appreciated Warring Spirit’s protection, and with Lacey close by, she felt a tad safer from Mr. Jonas.
“Pa’s leavin’ the barn now.” Lacey dipped a rag in a bucket of cold water, wrung it out, and placed it across Bethany’s forehead.
“You’re a sweet girl, Lacey.”
“Thank you, Miss Stafford.” Lacey changed sitting positions. “You’ve got a nasty gash on the side of your head. Your pretty blue dress is bloodstained. But I’ve got it soaking.”
“Thank you.” It took a second, and then another, but finally the shock registered. “My dress?” She ran a hand down her torso and realized she lay in a pile of hay wearing nothing more than her camisole and petticoat. “Mercy! I’m undressed in front of men!”
“Pa said it ain’t nothin’ he’s never seen before, and Warring Spirit…well, his people don’t dress and live like we do.”
Bethany wasn’t so injured that she couldn’t feel embarrassed. Her cheeks burned with indignation. Then suddenly she wanted to flee, run as fast and far from the Jonas ranch as possible.
Rolling onto her side, she pushed up onto her elbow.
“Now, Miss Stafford, don’t go writhing so. Just rest yourself.”
At last she gave in. Besides, how far would she get in her state of undress, unprotected from the elements, Indians, outlaws…and rattlesnakes?
Luke summoned the sheriff, and then he, Montaño, and Jake went out looking for Beth. The evening sun was setting rapidly, and Luke prayed God would make it stand still just as He did for Joshua and afford him extra precious time to search.
When they arrived at the eastern ridge, they found two dead men.
“Any idea who they are, Sheriff?” Jake peered at Montaño from on top of his horse.
“Sí. They are despicable outlaws. Malachi Espinosa and Juan ‘Digger’ Cruz. Both half-breed outlaws. I suspect they were our cattle rustlers.”
Luke dismounted. “Looks like the Indians made your job easier, Sheriff.”
Montaño inspected them. “Sí, but it was only one Indian, judging by the arrows.” He walked from where he’d been standing near a large boulder to around the brush. “And I see tracks from only two horses in this immediate area. Could be he took the outlaws’ horses.”
Something glinted in the late afternoon sun and caught Luke’s attention. He stooped to pick it up.
“What did you find over there, Luke?”
He glanced at Jake. “I believe this is Beth’s timepiece.” He turned the gold watch pin in his palm. “She always wears this on her dress.”
“You sure?” Jake dismounted Cannonball and walked up beside him.
“I’m sure. In fact…” He met his brother’s gaze. “I want to say Beth’s mother left this to her.”
Behind them Montaño groaned. “Did you look over the cliff? You may find our little schoolteacher there.”
Dread filled Luke’s being at the suggestion, but he managed to shake his head in answer. “Reckon I need to do that.”
“Sí, amigo.”
Jake touched his brother’s arm. “Want me to look?”
“No. I’d rather be the one to find her.” Luke strode to the edge of the ridge. Squeezing his eyes closed, he prayed he wouldn’t see her lying in the ravine. Opening them, he scanned the side of the bluff and the rocky arroyo below. Nothing.
He returned to Jake and the sheriff. “Praise God, she’s not there.”
Jake let out an audible sigh of relief and got back onto his horse.
Montaño nodded. “You two should keep looking. It could be the Indian took Bethany to his village to be cared for. However, I will not be able to accompany you. I need to put into action the plan to smuggle Angie out of town.”
Luke gave him a definite nod. “Very well.” Pocketing the watch pin, he mounted his horse and wondered where on this sweet earth Beth could have gone.
In Bethany’s room at the boardinghouse, Annetta watched Angie snuggling the Jonas baby and tri
ed not to think about the passing time. Nightfall was coming on, and an eerie hush fell over the town as stores closed up and families gathered around the supper table. Usually music and raucous laughter drifted through the opened front windows. But tonight Main Street stood silent.
“This baby’s so sweet.” Angie smiled at the infant, sleeping in her arms. “I always wished that I’d have children someday.”
“You’re young. There’s still time.”
“What decent man would want to make me his wife?”
“You may be surprised.” Annetta thought of Jake and turned away from the windows. Smiling at the young woman, she decided Bethany’s dress fit Angie nicely. She looked every bit the respectable woman. “You might meet a man who will understand about your past and love you for who you are.”
“A prostitute?” Angie snickered, and Michael stirred. She rocked him. “No, I don’t believe it’s possible.”
“I would guess you were forced into the profession. Most women are.” Annetta gathered her skirts and sat down on the adjacent bed. “I admire you for seizing this opportunity to escape it.”
“I have Bethany to thank for that, but I haven’t escaped it yet.”
Annetta lowered her gaze, studying her now-folded hands.
“I hope she’s all right,” Angie said.
“Yes…” Annetta couldn’t dwell one more second on the alternative.
Angie looked down at the baby sleeping peacefully in her lap. “Tell me why this baby boy’s father hasn’t come for him yet.”
Annetta shrugged. “I suppose he got busy with his chores. Ralph Jonas has five other children, all of whom have been sorely neglected since the baby’s birth.” A surge of anger flared up inside of her. “I’m afraid Mr. Jonas values a goat over his own child.”
“Typical of men in general, I’d say.”
“A week ago I might have agreed with you.” Annetta hadn’t been able to stop long enough to marvel at the events from the last two days. “But I’ve had a change of heart.”
“Mm-hmm, I know. You’re in love with that ambitious preacher—the older one, with the bad leg. A few of the girls liked to say that if God looks like one of those McCabe brothers, then—”
“Yes, yes, I get the idea.”
Angie pressed her lips together.
However, Annetta couldn’t deny her growing feelings for Jake.
Now if he’d only return unharmed—and Bethany and Luke with him!
Restless, Annetta stood and wandered to the door. “Would you like some tea? I could brew some.”
“That would be nice.”
Annetta hurried down the stairs. Just as she reached the first floor, the door opened and the sheriff entered.
“Dr. Cavanaugh,” he said. “Just who I was looking for.” His gaze quickly appraised their surroundings. No one was nearby. Still, he lowered his voice. “I have come for Angie. Where is she?”
“Upstairs.”
Annetta led him back up to Bethany’s room. Angie still sat in the chair, holding the baby. But she stood as soon as she saw Montaño enter. A light of recognition entered her pale eyes.
“Good evening, Sheriff.”
Annetta hated to think the man might have been a customer.
“Ándale pues. We do not have much time.” He motioned for Annetta to take Michael, and she hurriedly gathered the baby into her arms. “But I must insist you change into these.” Montaño shook out first the dark blue shirt with gold banding, a pair of gray trousers, and a coordinating cap. “Pin up your lovely hair. I’m afraid you will be a soldier tonight.”
“What do you have in mind?” Annetta wanted to know.
“I have requested military assistance in patrolling the outskirts of town tonight. Angie will be my partner. But instead of an all-night vigil, she and I will ride south to a secluded dock used by the Confederates years ago. A friend of mine will be waiting with his river steamer. When I explained to him that my sister—”
“Sister?” Angie giggled.
Montaño ignored her. “—had entangled herself in a most unfortunate situation, he agreed to waive his ninety-dollar passenger fee. He has also promised to see my darling sister safely onto an ocean vessel at the mouth of the Colorado.”
Angie inhaled sharply. “I’m on my way to San Francisco?”
“Sí.” Montaño’s mustache twitched.
Squealing with delight, Angie flung herself into his arms. “Thank you. Oh, thank you!”
As she watched, Annetta got the feeling Paden Montaño rather liked the attention in spite of his annoyed frown.
“No time for this now. Change your clothes. Roll your dress in a woolen blanket. I will ready the horses.”
The sheriff strode to the door. “We ride in an hour’s time.”
“Sheriff?” Annetta followed him down the stairway. “You left town with Jake and Luke…did you find any sign of Bethany? And where are the McCabes now?”
“They are still searching for her. Now, if you will excuse me. Everything is happening all at once. But I will return for Angie soon.”
After he left, Annetta replayed their conversation over in her mind. She had a hunch the sheriff didn’t tell her the complete truth. Was Bethany in danger? She closed her eyes and prayed again that Jake and Luke would find Bethany safe and unharmed.
TWENTY-FIVE
DARKNESS SETTLED OVER THE TERRITORY. IT WASN’T easy, but Luke finally agreed to ride back to Silverstone. Earlier they’d followed the tracks at the ridge for about a half-mile, but then they’d lost them.
Reaching their cabin, Luke dismounted. Behind him, Jake slowed his horse.
“Want me to take Cannonball to the stables?”
“Sure.” Luke tossed his brother the reins. But when Jake didn’t move, Luke followed his line of vision.
A man stepped out of the shadows.
“Warring Spirit.”
“Who is this one who rides with you?” The brave took two guarded steps forward.
“This here’s my older brother, Jake. He’s a preacher too.” Luke turned to him. “And this is the Indian I told you about. We met over at Harlan’s place.”
“Pleased to meet you, Warring Spirit.” Jake slowly got off his horse.
Warring Spirit stepped toward them. “You look for your woman, Preacher Luke McCabe?”
Luke’s senses heightened. “Beth? You’ve seen her?”
“She rests at Jonas ranch.”
“Rests?” Luke hurled a glance at Jake and then looked back at Warring Spirit. “What’s she doing at Ralph Jonas’s place?’
With hand motions and broken English, Warring Spirit explained how he’d happened upon the two miscreants on the ridge. Luke didn’t wait for details. He was ready to ride.
Warring Spirit pulled his horse from its hiding place and mounted up. “You bring medicine woman.”
“Beth’s injured?” Luke’s sense of urgency grew. “Is she going to be all right?”
“She will live. But we go now,” he said, pointing to himself and then Luke. “And you bring medicine woman tomorrow.” He motioned to Jake.
“We’ll be there bright and early.”
Luke turned his horse around. “Ready, Warring Spirit?”
He mounted up. “I am ready.”
The drumming in Bethany’s head lessened, and she felt herself becoming more awake and aware of her surroundings. She opened her eyes only to meet more darkness. The sweet scent of hay tickled her nostrils, and she heard an animal’s soft munching nearby.
Slowly she pushed herself up into a sitting position and felt the lightweight quilt that covered her. She felt disturbed by the fact she’d been undressed in front of Ralph Jonas. Bethany cringed. Had the man been any kind of gentleman, he wouldn’t have looked.
Feeling too weak to rise, she lay back down on the quilt that had been thrown over the hay. Shafts of moonlight filtered through the narrow cracks in the walls. Somewhere beyond the barn, she thought she heard the soft beat of approaching horse
s’ hooves. Minutes later, the door creaked open.
Fear and dread crept over Bethany. She wouldn’t be able to fight off Mr. Jonas or anyone else for that matter. But perhaps it was only one of the children.
“Beth?”
She heard the whispered voice and knew at once to whom it belonged. “Luke?” Relief spread through her. “I’m over here.”
“Shh…” His boots crunched along the dirt.
Then he came into view, and Bethany pulled the quilt up higher.
Luke hunkered down beside her. She could barely make out his expression as his hand moved over the top of her head and down to her shoulder. “You all right?”
“I think so, except my head hurts. A vile man hit me in the head with his gun.” Bethany shuddered. “He’s dead now.”
“I know.” Luke held his canteen to her lips. “Jake, Montaño, and I found the bodies. Then tonight Warring Spirit told me what happened.”
Bethany gave in to the urge to gulp down the cool water.
“Easy. Not so fast.”
When she had enough, she pulled back and wiped the moisture off her chin with the back of her hand. “Where’s Angie?”
“She and baby Michael are safe with Annetta.”
“Good.” She strained to see his features in the dark. “Forgive me, Luke, for leaving town alone. I thought that since Crawford hadn’t come back that I was safe.”
“Shh…I don’t want that snake Jonas hearing you and creeping in here.” Luke sat down a respectable distance away with his back up against the side of a stall. “I’m afraid of what I’ll do to him.”
“I feel safe now that you’re here.”
Luke reached for her hand. “Then go on back to sleep. I’m not going anywhere soon.”
A sense of relief filled her. She reclined and closed her eyes. But soon her conscience pricked. “Luke?”
“Hmm?”
“Remember last night when I said I’m ready to marry you any time?”
“You change your mind?”
“No.” She thought she heard his weighty sigh. “But I need you to know that I wasn’t completely honest with you about my father.”
“How so?”
An Undaunted Faith Page 24
