The Lumberjack's Bride (15 page)

“She says two men came and stole your woman.”

Caleb straightened so quickly he stumbled. An Indian man stood beside Morning Star.

He wanted to kick himself. He'd been studying the tracks, worrying about Julianne, and hadn't paid attention to his surroundings. That was the second mistake in one day. In the wild, that was a good way to get killed.Morning Star spoke once more to the man. She said Caleb's name and pointed to him and then to Jonathan.

“My woman says you are friend, Caleb. I am Runs Swiftly.” He stepped forward and gasped Caleb's forearm. After several long seconds, he dropped Caleb's arm and crossed his over his chest.

“Does Morning Star know where they took Julianne?” Caleb asked. While Morning Star talked to her husband, Caleb bent once more to study the tracks.

Who had her and why? Once more the woman pointed into the woods then looked at Caleb. “They took her two sunsets past.” The man shifted as if worried. “Caleb is a good tracker?”

Two days ago?
The words sank into Caleb's heart. They could be anywhere by now. The trail was cold and in truth, Caleb wasn't sure whether he could track them or not.

“I've never tracked men, only animals. I'm not sure…” When he'd tracked animals, there had been no urgency or danger. But, for Julianne, he would try.

A firm hand landed roughly on his shoulder. “Runs Swiftly is a good tracker. We will find your woman, Caleb.”

Caleb breathed a quick prayer of thanks heavenward for sending Runs Swiftly to him in his time of need. “Thank you. When do we leave?”

Runs Swiftly turned to Morning Star. He spoke quickly, motioning to the baby and then back to her.

“Morning Star and your woman are sisters.” The Indian seemed to search his mind for the correct words. “Friends.” He stood tall and powerful, like a towering spruce. “Morning Star will care for the papoose till we find your woman.”

Indecision ate at Caleb's confidence. For all he knew, this was a trap. His instincts told him he was running out of time but the voice of reason insisted he take Jonathan to Maggie's and round up some of the men to help him.

Then, he looked at the tear tracks on Morning Star's face and remembered how lovingly she'd handed the baby to him back at the barn. If what she said was true, Morning Star had taken care of Jonathan for two days while she'd waited for his return.

“Lord, I need you,” he whispered, running a hand through his hair. He looked down at the babe sucking on his thumb and made his decision. He placed a kiss on Jonathan's forehead and handed him to Morning Star.

Morning Star enfolded Jonathan in her arms and caressed his tiny head with her cheek. She came closer to Caleb and said something he did not understand then ran into the woods before he could stop her.

Caleb started after her but Runs Swiftly placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “Morning Star is going to our village. She will send others to follow the trail.”

“I want my son back, Runs Swiftly.” Caleb had lost Julianne he didn't plan on loosing Jonathan too.

Runs Swiftly nodded. “Morning Star will take care of your son until you bring his mother home.”

* * *

Julianne stumbled over a root that protruded out of the ground. Her hands took the worst of the fall. She sat up and dusted them off on her skirt.

Her uncle stopped and looked down at her. His face turned purple with rage. “Enough of this stalling, Julie girl.”

“I tripped.” She studied her bruised and bleeding palms.

He stomped back to where she sat on the ground. His rough hands grabbed her and jerked her to her feet. His boot caught the hem of her dress and it ripped. “You're stalling. We both know it.”

Julianne didn't argue with him. She took a deep breath and wiped her hands on the ruined dress. “Uncle Edmond, are we lost?”

His gray gaze darted around the dense woods. “Of course I'm not lost.” He pulled her along behind him, not caring that briars scratched her legs and tree limbs caught her cheek more than once.

The only parts of the forest she'd been in had been the path to the creek where she washed clothes and small sections where Caleb had cleared the cedar and pine to make room for their future apple orchard. They weren't on a path now, and the trees were so close she felt she might just suffocate.

Not a ray of sunshine filtered through, making it difficult to guess the time of day. The underbrush had gotten worse and sharp roots stubbed her toes. How much longer would her uncle deny being lost and stop to get his bearings?

“Can we rest, please? I'm tired.”

He continued on as if she hadn't spoken. Try though she may, she couldn't figure out why they were going away from the ocean. If he planned to make a return voyage, shouldn't they be near the water's edge, buying passage on one of the ships?

Julianne decided to use his ego against him. “Uncle Edmond, I'm not as used to the woods as you are. You're a skilled woodsman. Can we please stop for a short break? I really am tired.” She prayed her voice sounded weak and submissive.

Edmond stopped his rapid walk and stood a little taller. “Well, I guess we could rest a few minutes. That should give Marcus time to catch up with us.”

Julianne sat down under a tree, thankful her ruse had worked. Surely by now, Morning Star had told someone of her plight. Or maybe Maggie would send help. She refused to give up the idea that someone was looking for her.

If Caleb knew, Julianne was certain he would come for her. She wasn't sure when she decided that he was alive; she simply knew she could not survive without him.

“I wonder where Marcus is at.” Edmond looked around the area in which they had stopped.

Julianne didn't want to think about Marcus. He'd left right after a cold breakfast of hard biscuits and she hoped he never caught up with them again.

Under her lashes Julianne watched her uncle turn in a circle. She lowered her head to hide the satisfaction she felt over their situation. They were lost.

“Uncle, how did you meet up with Marcus in the first place?” If she could get him to talk maybe she could find a chink in his armor, a weakening in the mean stance he had demonstrated toward her so far. In the last years she'd lived with him, he had treated her unkindly, but he had never shown such open animosity.

“Oh, girly. A few pointed questions here and there and a person can turn up all kinds of information. A smile covered his face. “In looking for Sloan, your first intended, I found Marcus. And, I did it the very first day I arrived in Seattle. Bartenders know everything that's going on. And one who's been scorned is especially willing to tell what he knows.

“At first he was wary of me, but after a few drinks Marcus spewed forth all the hatred he felt for Julianne Maxwell and Caleb Hansen.” He turned and faced Julianne. His gaze studied her for several minutes before he added. “A man who hates that badly can be talked into anything if the price is right.” He shrugged matter-of-factly.

Julianne wondered just what Marcus had been talked into. She closed her eyes and silently prayed that the Lord would hurry and deliver her before the evil man returned to them.

“Don't go to sleep. We need to get going.” He barked the command.

“I won't, Uncle. Can't we stay for just a few minutes longer?” Julianne opened her eyes, pulled off her shoe and rubbed her foot.

From the corner of her eye, she watched Edmond ease his cumbersome body under a tall evergreen tree. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the trunk. “Don't think about running away, Julie girl.”

“I won't, Uncle. I'm too tired to run.” Julianne silently thanked God she didn't have to lie. Her back ached between her shoulder blades and her legs burned with fatigue.

The birds chirped happily overhead. In the cool of the trees, Edmond relaxed. Soon his soft snores reached Julianne's ears.

She watched him for several minutes and then eased to her feet. His snores continued uninterrupted. She moved as quietly as the leaves on the ground would allow.

When she was several feet away from him, Julianne turned to run. She prayed the Lord would forgive her for lying to her uncle. Surely her God would understand. Julianne ran right into Marcus's firm chest. He caught her up in one strong arm.

Julianne kicked and screamed as he tried to kiss her.

Edmond hurried to them. “Let her go!” He ordered breathlessly.

For the first time in days, Julianne was glad to hear her uncle's voice. She continued to fight Marcus, until he shoved her hard and her bottom hit the ground with a thud.

Julianne looked up just as her uncle's hand came down across the top of her head. Pain shot through her left eye. She felt as if her head might explode. She scooted backward out of the line of fire.

“Boss, we can't take her to town if she's all beat up.” Marcus stood off to the side.

To town? Which town? They were traveling away from Seattle. And why would they take her to town? Questions surged through Julianne's mind even as she cringed, expecting another slap.

A baby's cry split the air.

Julianne's head shot up. She ignored the pain in her eye. Where had the sound come from? Her gaze zeroed in on Marcus.

He scooped up a bundle from the ground and held it out to his side. An evil grin touched his lips but not his eyes. “I got it, boss.”

Julianne watched her uncle's face change from rage to surprised pleasure. With fearful clarity, understanding dawned. Edmond had sent Marcus after Jonathan. An even more terrifying realization washed over her. They were going to use the baby against her.

“No.” The whisper tore from her parched throat.

Edmond took the baby from Marcus. He unfolded the blanket from the child's face. “Oh, he's a cute one, Julie girl.”

She sat up and watched as her uncle cooed down at the infant. She couldn't see Jonathan from where she sat on the ground. Her throat closed.
Oh Lord, how could this have happened?
“Can I see him, please?” Julianne hated begging but knew it was the only way her uncle would listen to her.

He walked within reaching distance of her. “I'm not an unreasonable man, Julie. All I want you to do is come home with no more trouble. I'll even let you keep the brat.” Edmond stared down at the baby. A frown marred his face as he turned that gaze on her, one eyebrow raised.

“I'll go, just please let me have my baby.” Julianne scooted along the ground, inching closer to her uncle.

He moved farther away, taunting her. “If I let you keep him, will you come home with no more of this nonsense?” His eyes searched her face.

Julianne nodded. She'd do anything to keep Jonathan safe.

“I guess we could say I adopted him.” Edmond's hand rubbed the blanket over the baby's back.

Lord, please let me have Jonathan. Don't let them hurt him,
Julianne prayed silently. Her gaze moved to Marcus, and she stiffened with shock. He stared at her uncle with something akin to murder in his eyes.

“I don't care what we do with it, boss. But, we need to get moving. It's gonna be dark soon.” Marcus pushed away from the tree he'd been leaning against and walked off into the woods.

Julianne watched her uncle stiffen, and when he turned to face her, his face seemed pale. Was he afraid of Marcus? What was going on between the two of them? This situation had the potential to become even more dangerous. She had to protect Jonathan, even if it cost her life.

Her uncle rewrapped the baby, and then placed him gently into her arms. “Come on, girl.”

Julianne cuddled the baby against her chest. Tears of sorrow flowed down her cheeks as her thoughts clarified. Jonathan was here with her, and that could only mean one thing. Marcus had killed Morning Star to get him.

Edmond jerked her to her feet. “Keep up or I'll bash the brat's head against one of these trees. Do you hear me, Julie?”

Julianne nodded. She didn't take time to inspect Jonathan. It was enough to know he was alive and in her arms. As long as he was with her, he would be safe. She followed her uncle into the woods and rocked the baby until she herself no longer cried.

Chapter 15

R
uns Swiftly slowly approached the run-down shack. He motioned for Caleb to follow. No sound came from within.

Caleb entered first. The darkness inside blinded him. He pressed his body against the wall and listened.

“They are gone from this place, my friend.” Runs Swiftly moved about the room. He picked up some discarded rope and held it out to Caleb.

Caleb took the rope and studied it. The thought of Julianne being tied made his stomach turn. He tossed the braided cord to the ground. “How long do you think they have been gone?”

The Indian studied the ground in front of the door. “We are still a day behind them.”

Caleb headed for the door to leave. “Then we better get going.”

“You need rest.” Runs Swiftly answered. He walked away from the cabin and sat down.

“I need to find my wife. We'll rest when we find her.” Caleb watched Runs Swiftly stretch and lean back against the bark of the tree.

Runs Swiftly tilted his head and said. “Runs Swiftly needs rest.” He crossed his arms over his chest and shut his eyes.

Caleb walked back to the shack. He knelt by the door and looked for tracks. As far as he could tell, there were none. He moved further away from the shack. After searching for several minutes, Caleb became disgusted with himself. If there were any tracks, he couldn't find them.

He marched back to where Runs Swiftly reclined. The Indian rested peacefully but opened his eyes mere slits to acknowledge Caleb's presence. “Rest, friend Caleb. We will look more in the morning.”

How could he rest? Caleb doubted he would sleep a wink. He sank to the ground and pressed his back against a tree. No way could he sleep in the hut. Julianne was out in these woods without protection. He prayed for her safety. Sometime during the prayer, Caleb fell asleep.