The Tracker (20 page)

Fear tightened Ellie’s face. “Please, Frank, this is no way to treat your little girl.”

For a moment his face softened, but Rose’s cries triggered fresh anger. “If she can’t be quiet, I’ll be teaching her a lesson.”

“She’s a baby!”

“Born to that bitch-whore Jade. We might have to go it without her, Ellie.”

“Please, Frank, I love her.”

“Your duty is to me. Now make that brat shut up or I’m killing it.”

Nick hurried to the front door. He glanced in. He could see Frank and Ellie’s shadows on the wall but he didn’t have a clear shot.

“Let me give the baby to Annie,” Ellie suggested. “We’ll go outside where it’s cool. You just need a moment’s peace and then you will be fine.”

Frank hesitated and then nodded.

“I’ll need to untie Annie so she can care for the baby.”

“No. Just lay the baby down on the floor in front of her. That brat can scream herself hoarse as long as I don’t have to listen to her.”

Nick pulled his gun and retreated to the side of the house once again.

Ellie and Frank moved outside. Frank slammed the cabin door closed. The distant drone of Rose’s cries could still be heard.

Nick cocked his rifle, ready to fire, but Ellie stood between him and Frank.

Frank grabbed Ellie by the arm and pulled her against him. “Tell me you love me,” he said.

Ellie’s face was only inches from Frank’s. Her auburn braid snaked down her back, teasing the top of her narrow waist. “I can’t.”

He twisted her arm. “Why not!”

She cried out in pain. “I love Nick.”

Nick’s heart twisted.

“He’s the past,” Frank said. “I am the future. Tell me you love me!”

“I can’t!”

Frank’s face turned red with rage. He slapped Ellie. The force of the blow knocked her to the ground.

Nick didn’t hesitate. He fired. His bullet struck Frank in the chest, knocking him backward off the porch and into the dirt. He was dead.

Ellie screamed and scrambled away from Frank.

Nick went to her and cradled her in his arms. “Ellie, are you all right?”

She clung to him. “Nick! Thank God! I’m so sorry!”

“For what, darlin’?” The sadness in her voice shattered his heart.

She lifted her tear-streaked face up to his. “I was so hateful to you before you left. I love you.”

“Ellie, I know that.” He wiped a tear from her cheek with a gloved finger. “I’m the one who should be begging forgiveness. I love you so much and I never told you.”

Tears streamed down her face as the baby’s cries rushed out of the cabin.

He smiled. “Let’s go inside and get our daughter before she shatters Annie’s eardrums.”