Captive Heart (26 page)

Chapter 43

Thayne found Christina resting in the clearing just past the thugs he’d taken care of the previous morning. He’d been surprised to find both still there, tied as they had been when he’d left them. He checked their bindings to make sure it wasn’t some kind of trick. Christina had either come a different way or ignored them as she passed, displeased as she was with their service. He guessed it was the latter. It had always been like that with her. Men were for using, one way or another.

Drawing his gun, he walked toward her. “Get up. You’re not done walking yet.”

“Good morning, Thayne.” She took her time stretching before she stood, the bag with the gold nuggets in it dangling from her fingers. “I’ll walk, but it won’t be to Rapid City. You want your divorce, then show me where your new mine is.”

He laughed. Keeping his pistol aimed at his wife’s heart, he took a step closer. “You think I
just
want a divorce now—after you tried to kill Joshua and Emma?”

“I didn’t try to kill anyone,” Christina said. “Your servant is the one who did the killing last night.”

“Marcus isn’t a servant.”

Christina shrugged and turned away from the gun, unconcerned. “The fact remains that my friend is dead, and a colored man shot him. It won’t go well for your man in court, you know.”

“I know that you’re a vile woman who deserves to die for the things you’ve done.”

“But you won’t be the one who kills me,” Christina taunted, turning to face him again. She moved closer, still out of his reach but easily within range of his gun. “You loved me once. Part of you still does.”

“Not anymore.” Thayne took another step.
If I could just reach her.

“I gave you a son. You’ll always love me for that.”

“My son can’t hear because of you. He can’t
walk
.” Thayne lunged at her, but she darted out of the way.

“This is kind of fun—just like old times.” Christina flashed him a brilliant smile. It hardened his heart more.

“Except in the old times, there was always another man waiting in the wings. That smile was never for me.”

“It still isn’t, darling. You should know by now. There will always be another man waiting in the wings.”

Thayne turned around too late.

* * *

“I really don’t care to get involved in matters such as these.” Orville crossed his arms, scratching furiously on either side as he stared down at Emma, who was blocking his way in the middle of the road. “Look what happened at the barn raising. If your—cousin—finds us together now, who knows what he’ll do.”

“He’ll thank you, that’s what.” Emma cradled her injured arm and gritted her teeth against the pain. “
Please
, Orville. What happened to Citizens for Law in the Hills?”

“Too many citizens and too little law, that’s what.”

“If you won’t help, then lend me your wagon,” Emma demanded. Coming around to the side, she reached up with her good hand, somehow managing to haul herself into the seat next to him.

“You’re hurt,” he gasped, staring at her limp, bloody arm.

“I told you that five minutes ago,” she said, exasperated. “Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said?” She grabbed for the reins.

Orville held them out of her reach. “You can’t drive with that arm.”

“Then drive for me,” Emma pled. “Thayne’s life may depend upon it.”

“You were serious with all the gibberish about his wife and the fire and—”

Emma nodded vigorously. “Dead serious. Please, Orville. The shortcut is that way.” She pointed to an opening in the woods up ahead.

“Oh—all right.” Orville snapped the reins. “What’ll we do if we find them there? If there really is trouble?”

“One thing at a time,” Emma said. “Sometimes you don’t know how everything is going to work out. You just know where you’re supposed to go.”

Chapter 44

Orville slowed the wagon. Removing his hat, he nodded to the woman walking along the road and spoke in a surprisingly even voice. “Excuse me, ma’am. I’m new to these parts and am trying to find a claim up near Deadwood. Might you tell me if I’m headed in the right direction?”

“You might be. Depends on which claim you’re headed to.”

“A Mr. M. Jones has sold me his claim.”

From her hiding place beneath the canvas wagon cover, Emma heard Christina’s laugh.

“You’d best turn around and go back home. The Jones mine has never yielded anything but dirt.”

“There’s an actual mine there?” Orville asked excitedly.

He’s playing his part well. Just don’t overdo it.
Emma lifted her head the tiniest bit, peering through a hole in the canvas. There was no sign of Thayne anywhere that she could see.

“Listen, greenie.” Christina looked up at Orville. “There’s no way to break this gentle to you, but you’ve been had. Whatever you paid for the Joneses’ place was too much. Make it easy on yourself and give up now. Go home before you lose years of your life along with the money you’ve already wasted.”

“But—but I haven’t wasted anything,” Orville said. “I’ve already found a gold nugget. On my way here. Want to see?” He hopped down from the wagon.

Emma gripped the handle of the rifle, bracing herself for the moment the canvas lifted. Her knees pressed into the splintery wood, and the balls of her feet tensed. She heard the rustle of Christina’s dress, and a second later the flashy fabric came into view. With all her strength, Emma pushed forward, ramming the tip of the rifle into Christina’s chest, knocking her to the ground.

Orville fell across her like a pancake. “In the name of the Citizens for Law in the Hills, you are under arrest.”

Emma jumped down from the wagon and held the rifle against her body, using her good arm and hand to point it at Christina. “Where is he? Where is Thayne?”

Christina was in obvious pain and spoke with a wheezing, gasping breath. “You’re too late.”

“She’s lying.” Thayne burst through the bushes on the side of the road. He had a nasty gash on the side of his face, and he looked as if he’d been rolling around in the mud.

He rushed to her. “Emma, are you all right? Where’s Joshua?”

“With Marcus. Oh, Thayne.” She let him take the rifle from her hands, then leaned into him, relishing the security of his arms around her.

“Help Orville tie her up,” Thayne said to the man emerging from the brush behind him. Emma looked up and saw that it was Marcus’s son, Samuel.

Thayne followed her gaze. “It was lucky for me Samuel came to replace his dad doing the chores at our place this morning. He had my back when we met up with Christina later. She almost fooled me, but I didn’t want to take a chance at facing her alone, as she’s never
been
alone. She ran off earlier, after leaving me in the care of one of her many admirers.”

Samuel pulled Christina to her feet, marched her over to the wagon, and held her there while Orville got rope from beneath the wagon seat. Thayne guided Emma down the road, away from the others.

Emma buried her face in Thayne’s chest and allowed herself to feel the fear she’d kept at bay the past hours. He stroked her hair, trying to soothe her trembling.

“I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “For all this and more.” His fingers gently brushed her injured arm. “If I hadn’t brought you here, none of this would have happened. You’d be whole and hearty and happy at your school in Sterling.”

“You’ve disrupted my life,” Emma agreed. She tilted her face to look up at him. “And given me the adventure I sought, the meaning I was looking for, the love I didn’t know I was missing.”

A corner of Thayne’s mouth lifted. “In that case, Miss Madsen, I’d say perhaps we’re about even.”

Epilogue

Black Hills, Summer 1880

Marcus pulled the gold chain from his pocket, checking his watch just as the shrill whistle of a train pierced the forest.

“Right on time,” he said, a slow grin of anticipation on his face. The steady click of the wheels along the steel track reached his ears, and he set the brake on the wagon and climbed down. He sauntered toward the platform, eagerly awaiting his first view of the Burlington Northern Line and the occupants it carried who were dear to his heart.

The sounds grew louder, then changed to a grinding squeal as the train prepared to stop. The whistle blew again as the locomotive rounded a bend and headed toward them.

“She’s a beaut, ain’t she?” the man standing next to him said.

Marcus nodded in agreement, though he still worried that the presence of a railroad in the Hills might destroy the real beauty nature had created. The engine chugged past them, then two more cars rolled by before the train finally came to a halt.

Marcus walked forward, nearer the passenger cars. It had been a long three months, and he could hardly wait to see Thayne, Emma, and Joshua again—not to mention the new addition to their family.

Emma was the first one to spot him. She paused in the doorway, one hand shielding her face as she searched the crowd. “Marcus,” she cried, then ran down the steps and into his arms. “It’s so wonderful to see you. We’re home!” she exclaimed. She didn’t allow him a chance to return the welcome. “Where’s Pearl?”

He laughed and stepped back from her embrace. “I left her back at your place. She wanted to be sure and have a fine meal all ready for you.” He looked up at Thayne, descending the train with more care than his wife had, a pink bundle in his arms.

“Pearl and I been so anxious to see you and especially that new little one,” Marcus said. He pulled his hat from his head and began twirling it nervously.

Thayne made his way toward them. “Marcus,” he called. “Good to see you. Thanks for coming for us.” He stepped forward, clapping the older man on the back.

“I didn’t come all this way to view your ugly face,” Marcus said good-naturedly. “I want a peek at this daughter of yours.”

“Well, here she is.” Thayne pulled the blanket back as he tipped his arm up, revealing their two-month-old. “Marcus Whitford, meet Jennifer Lynn Kendrich. We call her Jenny.”

“Looks like a doll,” Marcus whispered reverently as he leaned forward for a better look.

Thayne chuckled. “She’s no doll about nine o’clock every night, believe me.”

As if to prove her point, Jenny’s mouth opened in a yawn, which quickly escalated into a cry as she opened her eyes and took in the stranger a few inches from her face.

“Let me take her,” Emma said. Thayne placed Jenny into her arms. “There, there,” Emma soothed.

“Where’s Joshua?” Marcus asked suddenly, worry in his voice.

“Here,” the little boy said, and Emma and Thayne stepped aside so he could come forward.

“Who said that?” Marcus asked, partly serious.

“Me,” Joshua said, looking up at him. “My—legs—got—better,” he said, moving forward on his own with the help of a walker. “This—is—Grandpa.”

Marcus’s eyes traveled from the lad to the gentleman standing next to him.

“Marcus, this is my father, Daniel Madsen,” Emma said. “Papa, meet Marcus Whitford. He and Pearl are two of our dearest friends.”

“Their
only
friends,” Marcus teased.

“That too,” Emma agreed, laughing. “But they more than make up for the lack of other families in the area.” She tipped her head back, looking past her father at the tall pines towering over them. “Isn’t it exactly as I described? Take a deep breath and smell the fresh forest air.” She closed her eyes, doing just as she had instructed him. “It’s so beautiful here.” A serene smile lit her face, and she opened her eyes again. “Let’s get going. I don’t think I can stand waiting another minute. I want nothing more than to walk up the path to our home and go inside and sit at our own table.”

“And sleep in our own bed,” Thayne muttered under his breath.

Marcus shot him a sideways glance. “The wagon’s just over there. Let’s get your trunks.”

“Emma, why don’t you and your father take the children and get settled in the wagon,” Thayne suggested. “Marcus and I will be over with our things in a minute.”

“Thank you, dear.” She went up on tiptoes and gave Thayne a kiss on the cheek. “It’s so wonderful to be home. We won’t ever leave again,” she promised. “The next baby will be born right here.”

“
Next
baby,” her father said sharply.

Emma said nothing but smiled coyly at Thayne. He gave her a slow wink in return before heading back toward the train. Emma, her father, and Joshua disappeared in the crowd.

“Nothin’s changed, I see,” Marcus said. “Married a year and a half and parents of two children, and you two still carrying on like a couple of love-struck kids—can’t keep your eyes off each other.”

“Can you blame me?” Thayne asked. Recognizing their trunks sitting on the platform, he took the larger one and left the smaller one for Marcus to carry.

“Well,” Marcus said as he hefted it onto his shoulder. “Everything is done as you’d hoped. The sleigh bed arrived last week. It’s a perfect match to the crib, and Pearl finished up both quilts real nice.”

“I owe you, friend,” Thayne said. He smiled with happiness as he anticipated the changes in the upstairs room. From here on out, it would be for their children a place of only happy memories. They walked toward the wagon, and Thayne noted with satisfaction that Emma was seated in front, holding Jenny.

They were home in these hills he loved. It was his ranch . . .

Emma turned to him just then. She’d taken off her bonnet and was pulling the pins from her hair, letting it fall freely down her back. She caught his eye and smiled. Thayne’s heart constricted. Gone was the Boston Emma. His Emma was back.

“Mine,” he mouthed silently.

She nodded.

Emma’s mine,
he thought.
Forever. All mine.

About the Author

Michele Holmes spent her childhood and youth in Arizona and northern California—often with her head in a book instead of out enjoying the sunshine. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for more than twenty years, and they live in Utah, having traded the beach for the mountains.

Michele graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in elementary education—something that has come in handy with her five children, all of whom require food, transportation, or help with their homework the moment she sits down at her computer.

In spite of all the interruptions, Michele is busy writing, with more story ideas in her head than she will likely ever have time to write. Michele’s first published novel,
Counting Stars
, won the 2007 Whitney Award for best romance. The companion novel, a romantic suspense titled
All the Stars in Heaven
, was a 2009 Whitney finalist.
Captive Heart
is her first historical romance and has a character tied to
All the Stars in Heaven
.

To learn more about Michele’s writing, please visit her website at michelepaigeholmes.com, or at the Writers in Heels blog. You may also contact her via Covenant e-mail at [email protected] or through snail mail at Covenant Communications, Inc. P.O. Box 416 American Fork, UT 84003-0416.