Rapture's Tempest (46 page)

“Good. The sooner he comes, the sooner I can start helping Mark.”

“How is your leg this morning?” Renee asked.

“It’s stiff and still sore, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was those first couple of days.”

Delight was relieved by his answer for she’d feared that their late-night activities might have put a strain on his leg. She smiled a bit dreamily to herself as she thought of the
hours just past. It had been nothing short of heavenly, and she hoped every night for the rest of her life would be as wonderful.

Jim noticed Delight’s contented smile and was tempted to take her in his arms, for the memory of that look stirred him, but Renee’s presence and the untimely arrival of their meal kept him regretfully restrained. The maid served their food, and they were just about to eat when Clara arrived.

“Mother!” Delight rushed out into the hall to hug her in a tearful embrace.

“Oh, darling. I’m so glad that you’re safe.” Clara held her protectively, relieved that the worst was over for them both. “When I heard about the explosion I was beside myself with worry….”

“I can imagine,” Delight sympathized. “I’m sorry you had to go through all this because of me….”

“No, Delight. Not because of you, but because I love you. Nothing is more important to me than your happiness.” Clara loved her daughter with all of her heart.

“Thank you, Mother.” Her mother’s heartfelt words freed Delight from the guilt she had been carrying deep within her. “I know how much you cared for Martin. And I was afraid…”

Clara understood Delight’s sentiments. “You were afraid that I would blame you for Martin’s actions?”

Delight nodded.

“No, darling. In the beginning of our marriage, I cared for Martin. But as time went on, I found out what he was truly like. I could forgive his indiscretions up to a point, but I could not forgive what he tried to do to you,” she said firmly. Then, smiling, she added. “But, that’s all in the past. Things will be better now.”

“Oh, yes, Mother. They will.” Delight hugged her again.

“Where’s Jim? How is he?”

“He’s in the dining room with Renee. He’s doing very well,” she told her as they walked into the room where Renee and Jim awaited them.

“Jim….” Clara went to kiss him. “It’s good to see you. Are you feeling all right?”

“I’m doing much better. Thank you.” It set his mind at rest to know that she was a strong enough woman to deal so well with the truth about her husband.

“I’m glad.” She joined them at the table. “You have to tell me everything that’s happened. I know you got married, and I think it’s wonderful. I’ve never seen anybody more in love than you two.”

Delight looked at her husband with obvious affection, and he returned her visual caress. “It hasn’t exactly been a normal marriage so far,” he laughed, reaching over to take his wife’s hand. “But we’re working on it.”

“And you have the rest of your lives to do that,” Renee added, smiling at the openness of their love.

“Has Mark heard anything about Martin yet?”

“No, not yet. But they’re still out looking for him. Hopefully he’ll turn up something soon.”

“If you find him, I want to know,” Clara stated with determination.

“Not if, Clara, when,” Jim corrected, and she nodded as his own fierce need to discover who’d been behind the plot surfaced. “We’re going to find him, and, when we do, we’re going to break the spy ring that was responsible for the attack against the
Enterprise
.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be happening.” The sound of Marshall’s voice cut through their discussion, and they glanced up to see him and Mark standing in the doorway, looking ominously defeated. “At least, not right away.”

“What’s happened?” Jim asked, knowing by their expressions that they were the bearers of bad news.

“We found Martin.”

“But that’s good news,” Renee started to protest, but Mark interrupted her.

“He’s dead.”

Clara gasped and paled at their revelation. “Dead?”

“His body was found this morning north of town,” Mark supplied.

“Was he robbed?” Jim asked.

“It could have been a robbery,” Mark said, frowning, “but I don’t believe it.” Piecing together all that had happened, he knew that Martin had been murdered to cover up the plot. He felt furious and totally frustrated. Martin had been their only possible connection….

“He was murdered,” Marshall stated flatly, with finality. And a heavy silence descended on the room.

Sarah was busy serving Danny and Charlie their breakfast when she heard a hoarse call. Dropping everything, she hurried with the boys into the bedroom to find the man she’d been so tenderly caring for awake at last. She paused in the doorway while her sons eagerly went forward to meet him.

“You’re awake!” Danny cried out in excitement as he approached him without fear. “We were wondering when you were going to wake up.”

“Hi!” Charlie spoke timidly from behind his brother, a little afraid of this stranger who’d been in their home for so long now.

“Hello.” Sam’s voice was gruff from lack of use, and he braced himself up weakly on his elbow to look at the two boys and the woman who stood hesitantly back.

“I’m Danny, and this is Charlie. And this is my mama.”

“I’m glad to meet you, Danny and Charlie. I’m Sam Wallace.” He smiled at the youngsters and then glanced over at their mother. “Does your mother have a name?”

“Sure,” Danny told him easily. “Her name is Sarah, and she took real good care of you, huh?”

Sam’s gaze swept to the door to look at the woman who stood there in silence.

“Yes, Danny. Your mother took care of me real good.” His eyes met hers across the room. “Thank you, Sarah.” His words were only for her.

“You’re welcome, Sam Wallace. It’s so good to have you back among the living,” Sarah was saying as she came into the room. “I’m Sarah Webb, and these are my two sons.”

He lay back as he felt himself weakening. “Where am I?”

“This is my home. We’re on the river road a little north of town.”

“How did I get here?” He frowned, trying to remember all that had happened.

“We found you in the river!” Charlie finally found his tongue.

“The river…?” Sam suddenly groaned, holding his head. “Oh, God…”

“Are you all right?” Sarah asked worriedly, quickly moving to his side.

“No…yes…” He was confused and overcome by the memories that had just returned. “How long have I been here?”

“Almost a week, now.”

“Oh, no…” He closed his eyes.

“What’s wrong? Can I help?”

“I’ve got to get back to town. I’ve got to get to Captain Clayton…” He struggled to sit up, but fell back as he was overcome by dizziness.

“But Mr. Wallace, you’re not strong enough. How could you possibly sit a horse, when you can’t even sit up in bed? Please, try to rest. I’ll send for Doc Simpson.”

“Dr. Simpson?”

“He’s been coming to check on you every day. You’ve been seriously ill.” Leaving the room momentarily with the boys, she instructed them to go for the doctor.

Sam watched her leave and knew she was right, but it
didn’t lessen his determination to search out Mark Clayton. He had to find out what had happened. He had to get back to town.

Looking around the room, he spotted his clothes folded neatly, lying on top of the dresser. Sitting up in bed, he swung his legs over the side and got to his feet, keeping the blanket wrapped around his waist. But after so many days of being flat on his back, he was shaky and unsteady and could manage only a few staggering steps.

Sarah heard a noise and was coming back through the door when she saw him try to cross the room. Gasping, she rushed to his aid, just as he started to lose his balance. It took all of her strength to keep him upright as she held him tightly around his waist.

“Mr. Wallace! You shouldn’t be up!” She scolded, supporting him and trying to get him back into bed.

“I’ve got to get into town” he argued, but his voice lacked some of its original conviction as he realized now that he really was too weak to travel.

“Let’s get you back in bed,” she directed.

“All right,” Sam finally agreed.

“Please, call me Sarah.” Her voice was breathless.

“Sarah…” he whispered her name. “Thank you, Sarah.”

“I’ll go fix you something to eat, while we wait for the doctor.”

Sam watched her as she came back into the room with his tray of food a short time later.

“Does anybody know I’m here besides the doctor?” he asked.

“Just the few neighbors who’ve been helping me,” Sarah answered. “Why?”

“Because I’m sure there are people who have been looking for me.” He didn’t want to involve her in what he knew to be a dangerous situation.

“Would you like me to send a message to them for you?”

“Yes. Right away, if you could.”

“I can send Danny as soon as he gets back.”

“Good.”

“You go ahead and eat, while I get you some paper and a pencil.” She helped him to sit up and then placed the tray on his lap.

Sam’s appetite had not yet returned, and he only picked at the food while Sarah went to find the writing materials.

“Here you are.” She came back a short time later, took the tray and she handed him the stationery and pencil.

Sarah took the food back to the kitchen while he wrote out a short, concise message for Mark, and, just in case Mark was still gone on the
Enterprise
, one for Marshall Westlake, too. Stuffing them into envelopes, he sealed them tightly and addressed them.

“All finished? ”

“Yes. Now all we have to do is get them delivered.” He gave her the notes.

“I’ll make sure Danny delivers these as soon as he gets back with the doctor.”

“Thanks.” Sam wanted to talk with her more, but he was growing tired. “I’ve got to rest for a while,” he told her as he lay back down.

“Fine. If you need anything…I’ll just be in the other room.”

It was almost an hour later when Danny and Charlie returned, riding with Doc Simpson in his carriage, their horse tied to the back. She hurried out to meet him.

“Doc, thanks for coming.”

“So, our mystery man has finally regained consciousness?”

“Yes. His name is Sam Wallace, and he seems quite well, considering.”

“Well, let’s just go see. You boys wait out here,” the doctor instructed as he disappeared indoors with Sarah. “Has he eaten anything?”

“Yes. I fixed him some food about an hour ago, and he ate some of it.”

He nodded silently and followed her into the bedroom. Sam stirred and opened his eyes when they entered the room.

“Hello, Mr. Wallace. I’m Dr. Simpson. I’ve been taking care of you since Mrs. Webb rescued you from the river.”

“Thanks, Doctor. I appreciate it.”

“How do you feel, young man?”

“Weak and dizzy, mostly,” Sam answered honestly.

“I see. Have you gotten up?” The doctor sat down on the side of the bed and took out his stethoscope.

“Only once,” Sam chuckled. “I won’t try that again for a few days.”

“Wise decision,” the doctor agreed. “Between your head injury and the pneumonia, you’ve been very sick. How did you happen to end up in the river? Were you robbed?”

Sam was grateful for the way out the doctor had inadvertently provided. “Yes—I was….”

“We ought to report this to the authorities, then. Do you have any idea who did it?”

“No. I don’t…it was dark and I didn’t see a thing,” Sam lied. He knew exactly who’d done this to him, and he fully intended to see that they got what they deserved.

The doctor seemed to understand his reluctance to talk about the whole ordeal and let it drop. “All right,” he told him as he completed his examination. “You’re just about healthy again, but I don’t want you up and about for at least two more days.”

“Yes, sir.” Sam agreed.

“I’ll be back the day after tomorrow to check you over one more time. Until then, I want you to stay quiet,” the doctor ordered.

He shook hands with Sam as he stood up to leave.

“Is there anyone you’d like us to contact for you?”

“I’ve already taken care of that for him, Doc,” Sarah told him.

“Good. Well, I’ll see you in a few days. Good-bye, Mr. Wallace. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

Sarah walked with him to the door. “Do you really think he’s going to be all right, Doc?”

“Yes, my dear. You did an admirable job nursing him. Once he gets his strength back, he’ll be just fine.”

“Thanks.” She was pleased with the news. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Good-bye.” He waved as he drove off.

Sarah went back inside, this time taking the boys with her.

“How is he, Mama? Is he all better?”

“Yes, Charlie, darling. He’s all better.” She smiled down at her youngest son.

“Is he going to leave soon?” Danny asked.

“Probably as soon as he’s able,” she explained. “The doctor says he’s still too weak to move around yet, so he’ll be here at least a few more days.”

They both nodded their understanding.

“Danny?”

“Yes, Mama?”

“I’ve got a very important job for you to do.”

“Can’t I help, too?” Charlie begged.

“Not this time. This is something only a big boy can do.” Charlie looked crestfallen, but Danny swelled with pride.

“What is it?” he asked, eager to please her.

“Mr. Wallace has written two notes that have to be delivered in town right away. I want you to deliver them for me.”

Sarah got the letters. “This one is to be delivered to Captain Clayton in the quartermaster’s office.” She handed him Mark’s.

“Yes, Mama,” he told her solemnly, knowing that this was important.

“And this one is to be delivered to a Mr. Westlake at this address.” Sarah gave him the other envelope.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good boy. You be careful.”

“I will.” Danny said, with a firmness that belied his years. “And I’ll hurry back.”

Sarah watched as he rode off on their only horse in the direction of town before going back to check on Sam again.

“He’s gone?” Sam asked, a certain tenseness reflected in his voice.

“Yes. He just left.”