by Sandy James
“Drew needs to cut the firewood into smaller pieces. Some are too big for the stove.” Grace placed one more log on the fire then shut the door on the little black stove. “Ty knows how. He should show Drew.”
“I shall be sure to tell him, but I chopped most of those pieces myself. I will take more care next time.” Smoothing her hands down her skirt, she smiled at Grace. “I cannot thank you enough for everything you and Adam have done for Drew and me.”
“We did it for Ty,” Grace said almost absentmindedly before she grabbed a saucepan from the wooden crate.
Her words burned like fire licking Cassie’s skin. Despite their generosity, the Morgans were never going to be able to forget who she was. How could she ever win Ty if his family couldn’t learn to accept her?
They’d been polite. They’d been kind. But the emotional distance they kept from her was as obvious as a red satin dress at a funeral.
They didn’t want her in White Pines, and they didn’t want her with Ty. Their tolerance of her had been at his insistence or because they simply wanted to please him.
“Has he seen your new dress?” Grace set another pan down next to the last of the dishes.
“Not yet. I had hoped to see him—” Cassie dragged her teeth against her bottom lip.
Grace’s smile showed she knew what Cassie had been about to reveal. “Soon, Cassie. Ty will be here soon. He had to ride the fence line and then help Adam in the barn. I’m sure once his chores are done, he’ll be heading right over here.”
“Really?” The insecurity was plain in her voice, but where Ty was concerned, Cassie had trouble concealing her feelings.
“Really. I should be heading back home now. Benjamin will be driving his father daft.”
“How old is your son?”
“Almost three.” Her face shone like sunlight as she talked about her child. “He asks the most curious questions. Wants to know why the grass is green, why the sun has to set, why birds can fly when he can’t. His favorite word is why. Keeps Adam and me on our toes just to find answers to placate him.” A proud smile crossed Grace’s face. “He can already read.”
With a chuckle, Cassie let a quote slip. “‘The low vice, curiosity!’”
Grace tilted her head. “Byron or Tennyson?”
Her cheeks flushing hot, Cassie replied, “Byron. I fear that I have a habit of quoting great writers. I would imagine it is a tiring trait for people to tolerate. My mother grew quite weary of it.”
“‘Better a witty fool than a foolish wit,’” Grace replied with a lopsided smile. “My brother and I share the same vice.”
For the first time since she’d met Grace, Cassie felt the spark of a connection. “Twelfth Night. One of my favorites.”
“Mine as well.”
Before she could enjoy the newfound common ground, the door burst open. The women whirled to face two men, both dressed in dirty clothing and carrying guns.
Cassie reacted with little thought, kicking the gun out of the first man’s hand before whirling to slam her arm against the other man’s wrist. Pain shot from elbow to fingers, but she pressed her advantage and drove her knee into the first man’s groin.
He backhanded her hard across the cheek, knocking her to the floor before he dropped to his knees, shielding his injured area with his hands.
Brushing aside the painful throbbing in her face, Cassie scrambled to help Grace where she struggled on the ground with the first man.
Grace reached for the second gun, but the injured intruder dropped forward and got his hands on it first.
“Stop!” He rolled over and pointed the gun at Cassie. “Stop or I’ll kill her!”
Grace muttered a curse as she backed away from the man she’d fought and rose to her knees.
Cassie kept an eye on the threatening gun as she scooted closer to Grace. They helped each other to their feet. “What do you want?” she asked.
Still groaning and rubbing his injured groin, the man ignored the question and turned to his friend. “Bud?”
He nodded at Grace as he wiped his bleeding cheek with his sleeve. “That bitch scratched my face, Jimmy.”
“Yeah, well the other damn bitch busted my balls.”
“I insist you tell me what you want.” Cassie was grateful her voice didn’t quiver despite her fear.
“You.” Jimmy flashed her a menacing glare. “We’re takin’ you back to your grandpappy.”
“The devil with that.” Cassie crossed her arms sternly over her breasts. Her face and arm seemed to throb in rhythm with her pounding heart, but she refused to show them how much she hurt.
Jimmy’s aim switched to Grace. “You’re comin’ with us, or she dies.”
“You won’t take her,” Grace insisted, trying to step in front of Cassie.
Struggling to mask her surprise, Cassie put her hand on Grace’s arm and tried to pull her back. “No, Grace…”
“Grace?” A low chuckle rose from the bandit’s chest. “Well, hell. You’re Grace Riley, ain’t ya?”
“Grace Morgan,” she corrected, raising her chin defiantly.
Jimmy grinned, revealing several rotted teeth. “You saved me a trip. We’re here for you, too, little lady.”
If her grandfather wanted Grace, it could only be to hurt her. Cassie couldn’t allow that. “Leave her be, and I’ll go with you without a fuss.”
“No.” Grace reached for Cassie’s hand. “We’re both staying put. If these men know what’s good for them, they’ll get out of here before my husband arrives. And my brother—the marshal.”
The fat man laughed in her face. “You ain’t scaring me none. Got a lot of money resting on gettin’ you two to Californie. You’re both goin’ even if we have to knock you out and throw you over the rumps of our horses.”
He stepped closer to Cassie, flipping her loose hair with the barrel of his gun. “A shame we cain’t…get to know each other better.” He licked his lips, making bile rise in the back of her throat. “You’re a mighty purty li’l girl. Heard you got a weddin’ waitin’ soon as we get you back. Your grandpappy says Mr. Putnam needs an heir.” He fluffed her hair again until she jerked her head back. “If he weren’t payin’ so well, I’d have an itch to put my cuckoo in his nest a’fore I return you.”
Cassie spit in his face, which earned her another slap across the cheek that knocked her into Grace’s arms.
Grace cradled her against her shoulder. “You won’t touch this girl again,” she ordered, her voice full of fury.
“Cain’t rightly touch neither of you, not the way I wanna. Strict orders. Can knock you ’round though if I gotta. A bruise or two won’t cost me none. Git your coats on. We’re leavin’.”
***
The ride had been rough. Trying to balance on a horse with her hands tied behind her took most of Cassie’s concentration, especially since she sat behind Grace in the same saddle.
Grace shifted her weight often, and the women had quickly learned how to lean on each other when they needed to so they could keep their seats. Because the area was unfamiliar, she couldn’t even form any kind of mental map to follow back if they managed to escape Jimmy and Bud. But if she saw any opportunity, she’d grab it—and Cassie knew how to keep them hidden until help came.
Guilt weighed on her, making her stomach lurch. Grace wouldn’t be in this mess it she hadn’t been helping Cassie. Once again, a Shay had put the woman in harm’s way. No wonder Matthew had greeted her with such anger. Cassie would do anything she could to rescue Grace from having to endure any more misery from her wretched family.
Using her training from Old Tim, she watched her captors closely for any sign of weakness, any drop in their defenses so she could take advantage and help Grace slip away.
Only the two men who’d kidnapped them held them captive—an advantage because that made the odds even. Cassie wasn’t sure if Grace could handle herself in a scrap, and she didn’t wish to put her to a test. Not every woman had the kind of training in protecting h
erself that Cassie had, although Grace hadn’t hesitated to grab for the dropped gun back at the cabin. If push came to shove, however, she would give Grace the opportunity to escape—even if it meant Jimmy and Bud dragged Cassie back to San Francisco.
She’d find a way to escape. Again.
Somehow…
“Stoppin’ here for the night,” Bud announced. “Get somethin’ to eat and some sleep.”
Neither woman replied to that edict.
The men dismounted, roughly hauling both women from their horse. Before too long, they were settled in front of a fire, their hands now bound in front of them and their ankles tied. At least they had their coats, but Grace had to be as cold as Cassie was.
Reaching over, she took Grace’s tied hands into her own and gently rubbed. “The fire will help.”
Grace raised her gaze to Cassie’s and gave her a weak smile. “I’m used to worse. Grew up running chuck wagons on cattle drives.”
“Cattle drives?”
“My brother and I worked cattle drives until we finally came to White Pines. Before I met Adam.”
“Why?”
Grace seemed lost in thought before she finally replied. “I needed to keep a low profile. Your uncle Stephen had a sort of…obsession. He had me followed for many years.”
The story didn’t come as a surprise, although Cassie’s heart ached for her mother. She’d always known his father had other women, but she’d assumed they were harlots or whores—not women like Grace.
How many other good women had he hurt in his life?
“I’m so sorry, Grace.”
“Wasn’t your fault.”
“Who followed you?”
“Detectives. Bounty hunters like these. Stephen himself. Matthew and I learned to recognize them quickly and flee when we had to.”
“Cowboys, detectives, and bounty hunters. You truly have seen the best behavior of men,” Cassie said with a crooked smile.
At least the captors were allowing them to speak freely. Perhaps between her wits and Grace’s obvious intelligence they could devise a way to escape.
“I would say your family was the one to introduce me to the worst that people can do or be,” Grace replied with a fierce frown before her features softened. “I’m sorry, Cassie. That was cruel of me.”
“No, no. I don’t wish for an apology, especially for my family. I know what they are capable of. Why do you think I ran away?”
“Why did you run?”
“Because I was to be married to a man who cast his lot with my uncle Derrick—a man who obviously sees nothing wrong with hiring bounty hunters to drag me back to where I don’t wish to be.” A small, rueful laugh escaped. “A shame they could not marry each other. I am quite sure Robert and Uncle Derrick would be very happy together.”
At least Grace smiled at the ridiculous remark before she reached up to brush her fingertips over Cassie’s cheek. “You have a bruise. It will likely turn into a black eye as well.”
She tried to give Grace a smile that said it didn’t matter, although even the woman’s light touch caused pain.
One of their captors dumped some jerky and bread in each of the women’s laps. They ate in silence, and Grace kept as close a watch over the men as Cassie did.
“Surely, they cannot be here alone, just the two of them,” Cassie whispered as she nibbled at the stale, brown bread.
“They’re alone.” Grace kept her voice as low as Cassie’s. “I’ve dealt with bounty hunters before. They’re too greedy to split the profit too many ways. No, they’re alone. I’m sure of it.”
“Drew should have returned to our cabin by now. He’ll find help.”
“Adam will come for me.” Grace’s voice held so much conviction and love it sent a wave of envy through Cassie. “As Ty will come for you.”
Cassie wanted to believe that—to know Ty would be so angry at these men taking her away that he came charging in like Lancelot to Guinevere’s defense. A silly romantic notion, but the hunger for him ate at her, as did her fear that he would do exactly that—come charging in and get himself hurt trying to rescue her.
Damn you, Grandfather.
The man had cost so many people so much. As had her uncle and Robert.
And, of course, her own father.
Cassie’s gaze settled on Grace again. The woman was a tower of strength, never doubting that her husband would come to her aid. To have faith like that in someone had to be a wonderful and fulfilling thing, something that would make life perfect. Grace was loved, and she knew that love was enduring.
With a shake of her head, Cassie tried to push aside her envy and focus on the present. Wistfulness would get her nowhere except standing before an altar next to Robert Putnam.
“Should we make a plan?” she whispered.
“My plan is to wait until one of them leaves long enough for us to untie each other and attack the other man. Then we do what we can to subdue him so we can slip away.”
“Do you know the way back?”
Grace hesitated before replying. “Well enough to get us away from here. Adam and Ty will do the rest.”
“And Drew.”
Her dark eyes settled on Cassie. “Yes, I’m sure Drew will be with them. What do you feel for him, Cassie? You live together, after all.”
“We only live in the same home because we have no one else who—”
“What about Ty?”
Cassie released a sigh. “Ty. He’s an entirely different kettle of fish. I still don’t know what we share.” If we share anything at all...
“Do you love Drew?”
“Yes, I do.”
“That makes no sense. How can you love two men?”
Grace’s question told her a lot about Ty’s character—he hadn’t revealed Drew’s secret. It also told her that her feelings for Ty were far too transparent, even to people who didn’t know her well.
She chose to let the observation about her love for Ty Bishop pass without clarification. “I love Drew as a friend.”
“Yet you live in the same home. People talk.”
“Hang the gossip. I have been proper my whole life. To hell with propriety!” She lowered her voice when she realized how loud she’d become. “Drew and I need each other right now.” How could she explain it to Grace in a way the woman would understand? “He protects me.”
“Ty would protect you.”
One of their captors stomped over to them and handed them a canteen. “Drink.”
Since he shoved it toward Grace, she took it first, taking a long drink before handing the canteen to Cassie.
The water felt wonderful to her parched throat, but before she had a chance to drink her fill, the man snatched it back.
“Sleep now. We start ridin’ at sunrise.” He headed back to the small fire and kicked dirt on it to drown it.
“It’s cold tonight. We need the fire,” Cassie insisted
Grace put her bound hands over Cassie’s. “Don’t show them any weakness.”
Drawing strength from Grace, she nodded.
Their time would come.
***
Ty signaled to Adam that there were only two men before he scooted back into the underbrush. Everything inside him ached with the need to charge into the campsite, guns blazing. Blood lust like he’d never felt raced through him. He wanted to kill both the filthy men with his bare hands.
And he wanted them to suffer.
Robert Putnam had to be behind the kidnapping, probably in cahoots with Derrick Shay since Grace had been taken as well. Both women appeared well, but it was dark and hard to see much. A good thing for the men, because if he’d seen that they’d hurt Cassie, they’d both have bullets through their brains.
He reached Adam, and the two men worked their way back to Drew, Gideon, and the horses. Since they weren’t sure about how many threats they faced, Jake and Matthew had remained in White Pines to protect the other women and the children. Adam and Ty reluctantly took Drew because he refused t
o be left behind. It seemed wherever Drew went, Gideon followed. Since Ty had grown up hunting with Adam and Jake, he knew how quietly he and Adam could move. Drew and Gideon were unknowns.
“How many?” Drew asked once they reached him.
“Two,” Ty replied.
“And the women?” Gideon asked.
“Fine. Tied up, but it don’t look like they’ve been hurt.”
Adam set his jaw. “We need to think this through.”
Ty was grateful for his presence because his own anger made it difficult for him to think logically. Allowing his emotions to take charge might get Cassie and Grace hurt.
“Drew, Gideon,” Adam said, “We’ll wait ’til one of them slips away to piss. Ty will move to take the one left behind while I get to the women. While Ty takes down that man, you grab the other when he comes back.”
They nodded in reply.
“I don’t want any killing unless we have no choice. Let’s just get them disarmed and give them a message to send back to the Shays.”
Clenching his hands into fists, Ty tried to rein in his temper. “They’ll just keep comin’ if we don’t—”
Adam was already shaking his head before Ty even finished the thought. “No killing. We’re not putting Matthew in the position to have to arrest us. Getting the women back is most important. We’ll let the men know that this is the only time anyone walks away from trying to get to Grace or Cassie.”
Ty finally conceded with a nod. “Next time, they’re carried away in a pine box.”
Chapter Thirteen
Grace nudged Cassie with her shoulder. “Bud’s gone.”
Lifting her head and blinking the sleep from her eyes, she looked to where Grace pointed. “How long?”
“Not sure, but look at Jimmy.”
The man had fallen asleep leaning against a tree.
They’d never have a better opportunity to try to escape. Cassie reached for her ankles and started working on the knots as Grace did the same.
