Linda Ford (19 page)

She fell on her knees. Was it possible God could forgive so great a sin as hers?

Oh God, is Your grace meant for a sinner such as I?

I was once an innocent believer.

Can I be a tarnished, forgiven believer?

My grace is sufficient.

The words were from the Bible but filled in the spaces between each heartbeat.

Sufficient even for someone with Red’s past?

Sufficiency from God’s almighty, powerful, everlasting hands. From the Creator of heaven and earth. The God that parted the Red Sea and could move mountains.

How much more could she ask?

Lord, forgive my sin, wash me until I am white as snow. Cleanse me from those awful things I was forced to do.

She pressed her face into her palms and let the words of the poem speak her heart and her pain.

Blessed, joyous release came. She laughed softly so as to not waken Belle. God did forgive sins, even those as loathsome as hers.

Free to now pray, she silently beseeched God to keep Ward safe. Then she fell into bed and slept.

* * *

Ward smiled into the empty landscape as he rode away from the ranch.

One of Eddie’s prize imported bulls was missing. He and Slim had been dispatched to locate him. He planned to ride far, wide and hard, find the bull if the animal was in his circuit and get back to the ranch as fast as possible.

His insides sang with anticipation. Would Red agree to marry him? He couldn’t imagine anything more pleasant than taking care of her the rest of his life. Just the thought of it oiled his insides with peace. He’d never lost the idea he’d failed his mother and brothers, but if Red gave him a chance, he would never fail her. Not so long as it depended on him. He wasn’t foolish enough to think he might not make mistakes, but he would certainly pray for God to help him. He would win her back to her own faith in God. She’d once believed. She would learn that God never changed and she could trust Him as much as she’d done as a child.

Marrying to keep her safe and take care of her made perfect sense. But could he keep her safe? He’d failed to do so with his brothers and mother. Instead, he’d abandoned them. He vowed if Red agreed to marry him, he would never leave her and Belle. He would do his best to protect them. And should he fail, he would simply keep trying.

The bull wasn’t in the lower pastures so Ward headed toward higher ground, his mount clattering over a rock-infested ridge. He rode through brush and searched around hills for the missing animal.

“Okay, bull, where are you? I’d like to get back as soon as possible.”

His search would take him within a couple of miles of his ranch and he veered in that direction. Could be the bull might take it in his head to pay the empty place a visit.

He reached the crest of a hill that allowed him a view of his ranch. The buildings sat in a natural clearing that was big enough for a good-sized farmyard. Like he’d told Red, he’d thought of building the cabin on the top of the hill but figured it might be buffeted by winter winds, so he chose a spot a little ways down. All he had at this point in time was a small log cabin, a wood shed and some corrals. He’d build a fine barn one of these days. He turned in his saddle. To the west lay rippling hills that crept up the side of the mountain. The mountains filled the horizon, shining in the sun. Dark pines draped from every crevasse.

“It’s a beautiful spot,” he murmured. “Red and Belle will love it here.” Only one dark spot remained in his plans. He had not heard from his mother and brothers. He longed to give them a home as well.

Ruminating would not find the bull and get Ward back to Red to hear her answer. He’d seen the acceptance in her eyes and already knew what she’d say, but he still longed to hear the word
yes.

They climbed higher. Reached a plateau, and Ward gave his mount a chance to relax a bit as he glanced about for any sign of the missing animal.

“Nothing,” he muttered. The sun had already dipped into the west. He’d have to turn back now to reach the ranch before dark.

Something stirred the bushes across the coulee. He urged his horse toward the rim of the plateau to get a better look. The purple shadows deepened so he couldn’t make out the dark shape. He needed to get closer, and searched for a way to get down the incline. Spotting a narrow ledge, he reined the horse toward the path.

The animal sidestepped and tossed his head, indicating he didn’t care for the direction Ward indicated. Why had he picked this particular horse to ride? Paddy was known to be a knucklehead who shied at shadows.

“Now, look here, Paddy. The sooner we have a look, the sooner we can head back. You won’t be getting any hay or oats until we’re done. So best you choose carefully where you put your feet and get us off this plateau.”

The horse responded to Ward’s firm hand and started down the trail. It was narrowed more than Ward anticipated. In hindsight, he should have ridden several miles to the east where he knew there was a gentler trail. But it was too late to do anything but keep going.

“Steady there, old boy.” He murmured encouragement to the frightened horse. “We’ll be okay.” But the sun had lowered enough to make it difficult to see.

He gently urged Paddy to put one foot in front of the other. “Look, I’m not enjoying this any more than you are. But the sooner we get to the bottom, the better for both of us.” Every nerve tensed for the smallest clue to guide them safely.

Without warning the ground gave way beneath them. Ward’s heart jolted as they dropped into nothingness. His heart bounced to the roof of his mouth and stayed. He kicked free of the stirrups and threw himself off the saddle. He might fall a hundred feet and land on rocks but he still preferred his chances on his own to being rolled on by a horse.

For an immeasurable moment he hung in the air, and then landed on one shoulder, his air leaving his body in a whoosh. He rolled several times and came to rest on something solid. Pain crisscrossed his chest.

He blinked to clear his vision but all he saw was shapes. He squinted, saw a dark shape to the side. The cliff. He shifted carefully, uncertain if he had stopped partway down or reached the bottom.

Before him spread a gray blanket. He tried to get to his feet but swayed as pain shot through his head. He sank back to the ground.

“Paddy? Come.” Through the deepening darkness he saw the horse trot away and settle down to enjoy the green grass. Stupid animal. He wouldn’t even go home and alert Eddie and the other cowboys of Ward’s dilemma.

Ward turned and tried to make out the cliff but his eyes refused to focus. He’d never be able to navigate a climb without proper light.

He’d have to spend the night here. He shivered. If only he had the slicker tied to his saddle. “Paddy,” he called again, forcing false cheerfulness to his voice. “Oats, boy. How about some oats?” But he couldn’t shake a bucket and tease him closer.

With a sigh that tore at his bruised ribs, he shifted about and got as comfortable as possible. He groaned. His situation left something to be desired. Determined to ignore his discomfort, he shifted his thoughts to other things. What would Red think when he didn’t show up as he’d promised? Likely that he’d changed his mind. No doubt he’d have his work cut out for him convincing her he hadn’t.

The cold stole up his legs. Thoughts of Red warmed his heart.

Why hadn’t she jumped at the chance to marry him? It provided the perfect solution to her problems. Safety and the protection of his good name.

He couldn’t see anything but the blackness of the night but he squinted as he considered his question. Should he have offered her more? Should he have said he loved her? He rubbed at his cold chin. Love was a highly overrated commodity in his thinking, though the love he’d seen between his ma and pa had been real enough. Yet his stepfather had vowed he loved Ma and her sons. His actions proved otherwise. Ward loved his ma and his brothers. Yet what did it mean? He’d left them. Perhaps with the best of intentions. But still, he’d left and had no way of knowing if they were safe or suffered the daily beatings meant for Ward.

Nope, far as he could see actions meant a whole lot more than words of love. He figured what Red needed he could provide without letting love cloud the issue.

The air grew colder. He was high enough up the mountain that he’d have to endure a long, cold night.

Several hours later his head jerked to his chest and he bolted awake.
You must get back to Red. Take care of her. She needs you even if she won’t admit it. You can give her what she needs. Safety. Protection.
It was enough. It had to be. Would she ever tell him her real name? Wouldn’t she have to if they married?

Something stung his eyes. He blinked. Sunshine. His limbs ached with polar ice. Cold sunshine. But at least he could find his way out of there. The sun was already high in the sky despite the fact it seemed to lack warmth.

He staggered to his feet, pins and needles of pain informing him of returning circulation. He had to get to Red. Had to tell her something. He shook his head. He couldn’t remember what he was supposed to tell her.

He swayed as he fought for balance. “Paddy, come here. That’s a good boy.” His words were mumbled sounds but the horse understood his meaning. But would he trot to Ward so he could ride out of this predicament? Of course not. He tossed his head and ambled several more yards away to make sure Ward couldn’t catch him.

Ward looked about him. A hundred yards to the east he made out what appeared to be a path wide enough to allow a man to the top. Stepping gingerly on tender feet, he climbed to the top and headed across the plateau in a direct line to his ranch. Every bone in his body hurt. Every breath ripped from his lungs. But he pushed aside the pain. He had to get back to the ranch and Red.

The sun shone bright enough to hurt his eyes but failed to warm him. Several times he staggered and righted himself. How long had he been walking? He squinted at the sky. The mountains were at his back. He turned and the sun hit him in the eyes. Already afternoon. He checked the pain in his leg, saw a deep gouge that oozed blood. Wondered about the pain in his arm. Nothing he could do for it. Had to keep going. Get back to Red.

He reached an open area where he’d chopped trees not long ago. He’d soon be at his cabin and he picked up his pace in anticipation.

In his haste, he fell.
Get up. Get up.
His body slowly obeyed.
Red.
He breathed her name in and out on each breath. Each breath hammered against the inside of his skull.
Red.
He focused on her name and found strength to continue.

He staggered and righted himself. Was that the cabin? He squinted. Tried to bring his vision into focus. The walls of the cabin wavered ahead of him. It was only a few yards away. He ran. More precisely, he lurched toward the cabin. Reached the door and leaned on it. The latch released and he tumbled to the floor and lay there, beyond caring.

Inch by inch he pushed his face off the floor, got to his hands and knees and looked around. The bed beckoned and he crawled to it, pulled a blanket over himself and fell asleep.

Chapter Fourteen

S
omething nudged Ward from his dreams. A blow to his boot. He surfaced slowly, loath to leave the dream he’d been having about Red. They were married and living in this cabin. Only it had many, many rooms. Each room seemed to evolve from the previous one until he was lost and calling for her.
Red. Red.
Her voice answered, telling him he was safe but he couldn’t find her.

His first conscious thought was how strange that she was telling him he was safe. Wasn’t it the other way around? Wasn’t he the one who promised safety?

The blow to his boot came again. Someone was in the cabin and it wasn’t Red. It was a man.

Ward was instantly alert but he calmed himself and faked being half-asleep as he studied his guest. Thorton. Holding a gun and wearing a self-satisfied smirk.

A thousand fearful thoughts clogged Ward’s brain. How had this man escaped? Had he harmed Red and Belle? Best move slowly. Find out what was going on before he did something he might regret. Like choke the man with his bare hands.

“Well, lookee here. If it ain’t the man who stole my girls from me.” Thorton’s smile belied the evil in his eyes.

Ward edged his feet over the side of the bed to face Thorton. Sleep had helped to restore his strength. “There’s laws against owning people. Or keeping them against their will.”

Thorton’s laugh rang with embedded evil. “Red could have left anytime she wanted.”

“You know she would never leave Belle in your clutches.”

“Poor Belle. You taking care of her as well as I did? How about Red?” His eyes glinted with knowing mockery.

Ward curled his fists. He must not fly at this man even though he ached to. He had to outsmart him.

“At least I don’t have to force her to stay by locking up her little sister.”

Thorton’s amusement died. “Thought you’d have them here with you. Where are they?”

Ward allowed his eyes to give away nothing. Thorton didn’t know her whereabouts? Or was he only taunting Ward? “How’d you find me?”

“Told the land agent I was your long-lost brother. He readily told me where you had this ranch.” He snorted. “Looks like your ranch is only in your imagination. You figure on bringing Red here to live?”

Ward shrugged.

“Well, sonny, you ain’t never gonna get the chance. Where’s my girls?”

“Can’t say.”

Thorton’s gaze was as cold as the metal gun in his hands and Ward wasn’t fooled. He was just as dangerous with or without a gun. “You’ve got her, and I want her back.”

So he didn’t know where Red was.

“You’re going take me to her or else.”

Ward leaned back, guessing his expression was as mocking as his feelings. “And if I don’t?”

“I could shoot you on the spot.”

“Wouldn’t help you find Red though, would it?”

Thorton considered the question for several seconds.

Ward used the time to mull over his options, but trying to figure out several things at the same time with a brain that hadn’t had enough sleep and was distracted by having a gun leveled at his heart proved a challenge.

“Where are they?”

What would best serve to get Thorton distracted from searching for Red and Belle? Besides a bullet straight through his heart.

Thorton jammed the gun up Ward’s nostrils. “Take me to them.”

Ward sucked back caution and a goodly dose of fear that drained his heart of blood and left him as cold as the dead of winter. He tried to gauge the time of day. A slice of a glance toward the window showed the sun gleaming on the Rockies. He must have slept several hours.

“I expect they’re with friends.”

“And where exactly might that be?” The gun bit into his flesh. Ward knew hatred like he’d never known in his life, not even when his stepfather had beat him. Not even when the man had beaten Travers just to get a reaction from Ward. Thorton wanted Red for all the wrong reasons and Ward would not allow it. He could only pray that Eddie knew of Thorton’s escape and had taken Red and Belle into his house for protection. “I might take you where they are.” He would never take him to the ranch but perhaps he might get a chance to disarm the man if they rode down the trail.

“You take me there. Then I’ll decide what to do with you.”

“Fine. I don’t have a horse.”

“I found one a ways from here. Might be yours or not. Don’t matter. It will serve the purpose.”

“I need to give him a few oats if he’s going to make the trip back to the ranch.”

“Forget the oats.” Thorton urged him to the door without any kindness in the way he jabbed the gun in Ward’s ribs. At least it was out of his nose. He had a rifle on the saddle. Always carried one in case he met a pack of wolves or an injured animal. If he could distract Thorton long enough to get it...

The horse that Thorton had found was knuckleheaded Paddy, all right. Ward approached the horse.

“Hold up there.” Thorton’s voice rang with warning. “I think I’ll relieve you of this.” He reached around and removed the rifle from the horse. “Don’t guess you’re going to be needing it. I got all the firepower we need.” He tied a rope around Ward’s waist and pushed him to mount.

“You best keep an eye out for wolves, then. I saw a pack several times in the past week. Other cowboys have seen them, too,” Ward said.

“You’re just saying that to make me nervous. Hoping you might distract me.”

“Don’t deny that I might not like to see you take that gun off me, but I ain’t making it up about the wolves. Just saying you ought to keep your eyes on more than just me, seeing as you’re the only one with a gun. I ain’t got no desire to be wolf bait.”

Thorton laughed, a sound full of evil mockery. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you devoured by a pack of wolves. Seems fitting after you stole my girls away as sneaky as any wolf I ever saw.”

“Be that as it is. I ’spect if they get me, they’ll get you as well.” He enjoyed the way Thorton’s eyes darted from one side of the clearing to the other. He didn’t mind a bit seeing the man get all nervous and swallow hard at the thought of wolves on his trail. Despite Thorton’s pretense at being convinced that Ward joshed him, it was plain he didn’t fancy being wolf food, either.

Ward decided to take advantage of Thorton’s nerves. “You ever seen a wolf up close? Man, when one of them bares his teeth it’s enough to make the bravest man cry for his mother.”

“You, maybe,” Thorton said. “I ain’t never cried for my mama.”

Ward bit back the remark burning the tip of his tongue. He doubted the man had a mama. At least one he could remember.

Ward decided he’d pushed hard enough, but he hoped he’d given the man something to fret about. A man tensed up was a dangerous man. But Ward counted on Thorton taking chances that would give him an opening.

“Get in your saddle and show me where Red and Belle are. I intend to get back what is mine.”

Ward swung up and headed down the trail. Somehow Thorton’s little brain hadn’t noticed there was only one trail out. ’Course he might have come that way and discovered the fork in the trail.

He led the way, but Thorton kept a firm hold on the rope around Ward’s waist to make sure he couldn’t pull any “funny stuff,” as Thorton called it.

Ward’s mind clattered with all sorts of ways to distract Thorton. If he could get the gun...

But Thorton didn’t give him an opening.

Ward prayed.
God, help me stop him. I don’t want him to ever find Red and Belle.
In fact he would not let it happen. He would die stopping Thorton if necessary. He hoped it wouldn’t be. He wanted to spend years and years with Red. Loving her. The truth caught his breath and stopped it halfway up his throat. He loved her. He didn’t care if love was risky or foolish. He didn’t care if Red ever loved him back. It was enough to love her and spend the rest of his life showing her. Or die protecting her. He chuckled. How ironic that he’d discovered the truth about love only to face never having the chance to live it.

Thorton jerked on the rope. “What you laughing at?”

“Thinking of Red.”

Thorton yanked the rope so hard Ward had to turn the horse to keep from being pulled from the saddle.

“You keep your thoughts off her. She’s mine. Why, I bet she never even told you her real name.” His voice grew low. “I could tell you.” He laughed a sound so harsh and bitter that it sent cold fingers up and down Ward’s spine. “But then I’d have to kill you.”

Ward reined his horse forward and continued down the trail. He had no mind to discover Red’s real name from the poisoned mouth of Thorton. No, sir. He wanted to hear it from Red’s lips. He knew the day he did it would signify that she had let her past go.
God, help her find release from her past.
He smiled at the thought of sharing his life with her. Would he fail her as he’d failed his family?
And help me be strong and make the right choices.

A dark shadow in the trees to the side caught his attention. He stared after it. Saw another. “Thorton, don’t look now but there are wolves following us.”

“Yeah, like I’d fall for that trick.”

Ward kept his eye on the trees. “Give me my rifle.” His low, controlled voice must have said something to Thorton.

“Not going to happen.” But he turned to follow the direction of Ward’s gaze.

Another shadow flitted past.

Thorton let out a cuss. “Sneaky things. Why don’t they come out in the open where a man could shoot ’em?”

Ward thought that was reason enough for them to hide, but knew Thorton wasn’t looking for an answer. Another shadow slipped by. “That makes four. There’s probably more.”

Thorton shot into the trees. Aiming at shadows made for poor target practice. Ward knew he missed hitting anything but trees. He shot five more times. Ward counted the shots. When he knew the gun was empty he spurred Paddy toward the other man. Paddy leaped forward in surprise. Before Thorton could realize his danger, Ward grabbed his wrist and whacked it across the saddle horn. The gun went flying.

Ward roared in rage and grabbed Thorton by the throat. The pair tumbled to the ground. Both horses snorted and backed away. Thorton twisted and punched and cursed. No doubt he feared for his life, and well he should because Ward didn’t intend he should continue to threaten Red and Belle. The man fought hard but Ward had far more at stake. Ignoring the pain in his ribs and limbs, he pummeled the man. He intended to live to tell Red he loved her. He planned to marry her and enjoy many, many years with her. She needed to know she was loved as a woman should be. Forever and always.

Riders approached. Were they friends of Thorton’s? “Hello, it’s Constable Allen. You can let him go now.”

But Ward wasn’t letting anyone go. Not until he was done with the man.

Hands pulled him off.

Constable Allen slapped cuffs on the struggling Thorton. Ward was pleased to see Thorton’s nose bleeding and a lump swelling his eye.

“Good job of stopping him.”

Ward shrugged away from the restraining hands. “If you hadn’t come along I would have given him what he deserves.”

“Don’t worry. This man will get what he deserves. He killed a Mountie.”

Ward’s laugh was short and bitter. “See he doesn’t escape again.” He leaned as close to Thorton as the men would allow. “You ever show your face around here again and you’re a dead man. Stay away from Red and Belle or you’ll regret it. For about a minute as you draw your dying breath.”

The Mountie dragged Thorton to his horse. “Get him out of here.”

Constable Allen gave Ward serious study. “You’re looking a little ragged around the edges. Eddie has men searching for you.” He nodded toward two men. “See that he gets back to the ranch safely.”

“They’ll just slow me down.” Ward swung into his saddle and kicked Paddy into a gallop. He had to get to Red and Belle.

Vaguely he was aware of the throbbing in his side as he rode for the ranch.

He leaped from his horse as he approached the barn and left the animal to fend for itself. He dashed for the cabin and threw the door open without pausing to knock. “Red!” he bellowed. The word echoed. “Red? Belle?” They must be out back.

He dashed around to the fire pit. Nothing. He kicked the ashes. Cold. They hadn’t been there today.

He returned to the cabin and slowly began to notice details. The stove was cold. The corner where Belle played, empty.

The cold gripped his insides as the information seeped into his thoughts. No dolly. No doll clothes. Not giving any thought to intrusion, he strode over to the bedroom door. No clothing items hung on the hooks. The whole place had the air of being uninhabited.

His legs turned to cotton and he fell against the wall. Was she up the hill with Linette? But wouldn’t someone have told him? Had she gone to the mission? Was this her answer?

He’d stop her. Tell her he loved her. Persuade her to change her mind. He spun about and raced from the room, not even bothering to close the door behind him. His pace increased as he headed for the barn.

Cal appeared in the doorway.

“Saddle me a horse,” Ward called.

Cal jerked back. “Ward? Where did you come from?” Then he laughed. “You look downright awful. Like you’ve been dragged by a horse.”

“Never mind. Get me a horse.”

“There ain’t much here in the way of mounts. Everyone is out scouring the country for you and that escaped criminal.”

“Constable Allen has the man in custody. And I’m okay, as you can see. There has to be something left to ride.” He headed around the barn to the pasture where they kept a string of horses. About half of them were gone. “One of those will do.”

“I don’t know what Eddie will say. They were rode hard all day yesterday.”

“One of them is going to ride hard again today.” He slipped through the gate, eyed up the horses and chose the sturdiest-looking one of the bunch. He grabbed a halter from the fence where someone had carelessly left it. Roper would have something to say to the culprit. Then he eased about and dropped the halter over the horse and led him into the barn.

Cal followed him. “You mind telling me where you going in such an all-fired hurry?”

“How come you aren’t out looking for me and Thorton along with the others?”