by Tracey Lyons
Chase moved so that Hannah stood by his side. He gave his attention to the sheriff. “I was hoping we’d have heard something about Hank by now.”
Taking a red handkerchief from his shirt pocket, the sheriff wiped his brow. “Me, too. Looks like we’re just gonna have to be patient a while longer. In the meantime we’ve got us an outlaw to track down.”
Beside him Hannah shuddered. He took hold of her hand and gave it a quick squeeze.
She looked from him to the sheriff. “Just come back to us in one piece.”
“Don’t you worry none about us, missy. We’re gonna be just fine. I best be getting on in the house for my lunch. Good day to you, Hannah. Chase, I’ll see you at dawn.”
He stared at the man in stunned silence, it was the first time he’d ever called him by his first name.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The raindrops found their way through the thick covering of pine trees, falling in big drops on top of the soft pine needles that carpeted the forest floor. Huddled beneath a crude lean-to shelter, Amos pulled his worn coat over his head and shoulders. He peered out through the low-hanging branches at the pond. The only ones enjoying this dismal day were a small flock of mallard ducks bobbing along without a care in the middle of the pond. He wasn’t certain where he’d made camp, only that with the exception of the wildlife roaming about, it was uninhabited. The large pond afforded him all the water he needed for cooking. Today, though, Amos wasn’t giving much thought to cooking. No, siree, today he was thinking about his stash of gemstones.
He reached behind him to touch the lid of the slatted crate that held his future. Now if only he could see his way back to the city! Then he’d be able to unload the stones. Tyler could pay him his due and he’d be gone from the lovely state of New York for good. Of course there was only one problem with his scheme—Chase Malone.
Since he’d become a fugitive from the law, one day had blended into the next. The one thing he knew was that every day since hiding out here in these Godforsaken woods, his hatred of Chase Malone had grown with each passing minute.
The root of his problems always seemed to come back to Malone. He’d known from the very first time he’d met the man he was going to be nothing but trouble. He’d even warned Tyler about it. Tyler had told him to mind his business and do the job he was getting paid for.
And that’s just what he’d been doing until three weeks ago, when he came back from town to find that someone had gone through his cabin. He’d known the person responsible had to be Malone, otherwise the garnets would have been stolen. Any other fool would have seen their worth and taken them, but not Malone—he thought he was clever enough to set a trap for him. Amos had taken the box and hightailed it into these hills.
A man could be lost here forever; no one would find him.
Even though the air was warm, Amos shivered. He didn’t want to be lost here forever. He didn’t want to be found, either. Moving farther back into the lean-to, he thought about this. There had to be a way out of these mountains without anyone spotting him. Of course if he left, he would never settle the score with Malone. Malone had to pay for what he’d done, one way or the other. Amos was just going to wait it out, the rain and all, until a solution came to him.
Hannah pulled the oilskin slicker closer about her as she went out the back door, heading toward the barn. The roof trusses had been put in place, and yesterday her grandfather had finished nailing the cedar shingles over the sturdy beams.
Slowing her pace, she inhaled deeply. There was nothing quite like the smell of an Adirondack rainstorm. The sodden earth was sweet and clean. If it wasn’t for the fact that her grandmother had asked her to call the men in for the noonday meal, Hannah would have lingered longer in the farmyard.
She paused when she reached the threshold of the barn. It wasn’t as large as the previous structure, but it would more than suffice until next spring when additions could be added. The men who’d come by to help out had done a quick job of constructing the barn. As soon as the last nail was in place, her grandparents planned on hosting a celebratory barn dance to thank their neighbors for their kind generosity.
“What brings you out in this rain, Hannah?”
The dimness of the barn caught her off guard, forcing her to hesitate inside the doorway while her eyes adjusted. She walked across the dirt floor to where her grandfather and two men worked on the window sashes. “Gram wanted me to tell you that lunch is ready anytime you are.”
Her grandfather looked up from his task of hammering nails into the new windowsill. “Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I sure could eat a bear.”
The other men agreed and put down their tools, slipped on oilskins and headed for the house.
Grandfather placed the hammer in the toolbox and removed his worn work apron, exchanging it for an oilskin. “What do you think of the barn?”
“You’ve done a fine job of it. I think the animals will be happy to have a sturdy roof over their heads when winter sets in.”
He shrugged into the coat before they reached the door. Side-by-side they stood and watched the rain dripping off the new roof, where it splashed onto the ground under the eaves. “If this rain keeps up it will slow down the hunt.”
“I know.” Chase and the posse had pulled out early this morning. The rain had started just over an hour ago. She hoped it wouldn’t slow their pace, but knew that a hard rain would cover any existing tracks that Amos may have left.
“Gramps, why didn’t you go with them?”
“They had enough men. Besides, I don’t want to intrude on an official investigation.” He smiled at her. “I know how important it is for Chase to prove himself to the locals.”
She was quick to defend Chase. “He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. Besides, I doubt he gives much thought to what other people think.”
“That’s where you’re dead wrong.” He pulled the leather collar of the coat high around his neck. “He cares a great deal about what you think of him. You might not appreciate this, but I’m going to say it anyway; it took a lot of courage for him to tell you about himself. I don’t know of any man who likes keeping secrets from the woman he loves.”
She stuffed her hands into the deep pockets, and leaned against the doorjamb. While they talked the rain turned to a light drizzle. Weightless clouds of fog swirled around the earth. “I still can’t sort out my feelings for him. Some days I’m so angry I could spit and other times I just want him to be near me.”
He looped his arm about her shoulders. “He’s got a job to finish. Let him do that and then, I guarantee, he will come back to you.”
“How can you be so sure, Gramps?” She leaned against him, taking comfort and support.
“I lived a long time, Hannah, and I know two people destined to spend the rest of their lives together,” he quirked a bushy eyebrow and gave a stern look at her, adding, “whether or not they’re willing to admit it, when I see them. You and Chase will work this thing through. But first, young lady, you’re going to have to learn to trust in him.”
She knew he was right, and wasn’t certain what was holding her back from believing in Chase completely. She’d told him before he left that she trusted him, but if her grandfather could see through her, then Chase would be able to also. The thought bothered her more than she cared to admit. Chase was so good at knowing what people were thinking, and if he loved her the way he said he did, he would know that she was still doubting him.
“Come on, girl, let’s go have some lunch before your grandmother comes looking for us.”
They left the barn and hurried along through the barnyard. By the time they reached the porch they were covered with a fine sheen of rain. She brushed a strand of damp hair from her eye and walked into the house. The scent of beef stew and fresh-brewed coffee greeted them.
“I thought I was going to have to come get the two of you.” Grandmother came to the door to meet them. “You hang those coats up in the mud room. They
’ll be dry in no time.”
Hannah handed her coat to Grandfather. He brushed a light kiss on Grandmother’s cheek on the way to the back of the kitchen. She followed them and found a place at the table. The men who’d come to help were already halfway through their bowls of stew.
Her grandmother served up the rest of the stew and joined them at the table. Hannah spooned the stew into her mouth while listening to the conversation at the table. It was mostly about the search for Amos and Hank. She was careful not to offer up any opinions even when asked directly what she thought Chase was going to do about finding the men.
Close to three quarters of an hour later the table was cleared. Grandfather had thanked the men for coming out to help and told them to go on home to their families. Hannah was relieved to be out from under such scrutiny. She wasn’t comfortable with all the talk about Chase and his work for the government. After helping with the dishes, Hannah reached for her mug of coffee.
Carrying the mug with her, she went out to the front porch to sit and breathe in some of the sweet rain-cleansed air. Her grandparents had gone out to the barn. Grandfather was diligent about making sure Gram was included in all of the barn construction. That’s what loving someone was all about, caring for them and making sure they never felt left out of your life. She sipped the last of the coffee, worried about Chase and hoped he was safe.
By mid-afternoon the rain had begun to let up and by four o’clock the sun poked through the remaining rain clouds. Sunlight played across the porch, causing tiny rainbows to appear in the drops of water as they dripped off the roof.
Hannah sighed. It was time to stop lazing about and get back to work. Just as she was going into the house a surrey came barreling into the yard. She set the mug down on the rail, recognizing Julia. She hurried out to meet her.
“Julia Curtis, what ever are you doing? You are lucky you didn’t break your neck.”
Julia tossed the reins to Hannah and jumped from the seat. Her blue skirts swirled about her ankles as she landed on the ground next to Hannah.
“This arrived a short time ago.” She thrust the crumpled sheet of paper into Hannah’s hand.
“What is it?”
“Just read it. I don’t know if Chase has gone too far into the woods, but he needs to know about this.”
Quickly Hannah scanned the words on the paper. The message sent shivers down her spine. Julia was right; Chase had to be informed about this news.
She tossed the reins into Julia’s hand and held on to the paper. “Does anyone else know about this?”
“No. I was in the mercantile when the message was delivered. Mother was working in the house, so I took it.”
Hannah started to walk around to the backyard. Julia looped the reins over the porch rail and caught up with her. She grabbed hold of her arm and spun her around to face her. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to find Chase.”
“You can’t be serious?” Julia took a quick moment to push her hair into place.
Hannah shrugged out of her hold and continued around back. “I am serious. Chase needs to be told about this, it could make all the difference in the investigation.”
“Send your grandfather.”
“No. I’m going.” She had to get Bonnie from the makeshift barn. If she hurried maybe she could catch Chase and the posse.
“Hannah, don’t do this alone.”
Hannah ignored Julia’s anxious tone. She could take care of herself, hadn’t she reminded Chase of that often enough? She looked at her friend and saw the fear in her eyes. “I’m going to be fine.”
They shared a quick good-bye hug. “Chase is going to be furious with you.”
“He’ll get over it soon enough when he reads this.” She held the note out in defiance.
As they approached the lean-to, Bonnie pawed at the moist earth. Taking the bridle from the hook, Hannah placed the bit in the mare’s mouth and looped the reins over the horse’s neck. After securing the saddle, Hannah turned to face Julia. She could have sworn she saw her wipe a tear from her eye.
If Julia broke down now, Hannah would never forgive her. “You must promise not to tell a soul where I’ve gone. Promise me, Julia.”
Hannah would find Chase soon enough. There was no need to send out an alarm. And surely if her grandparents found out what she was going to do there would be a search party out for her as well.
“I’ll do as you ask, Hannah. But I still think it would be better to let your grandfather handle this.” Julia started to wring her hands together.
“Try not to worry, I’ll be safe. I’ve got to do this.” That was the last thing Hannah said, for if she lingered any longer she would be apt to believe Julia’s fears and change her mind about going.
“Come on, girl. It’ll be just you and me.” Hannah mounted up, not giving another thought to the danger she might be facing.
The posse had to stop for a third time. They’d managed to search around the rim of the mine and then into the woods for two miles before losing what appeared to be Amos’s trail.
Chase accepted the canteen that Sheriff Curtis passed back to him.
“I can’t imagine where he went from here.” The worn saddle creaked as the sheriff turned to face him. “We could continue on up the hill or wait until tomorrow morning and try another route. It’s up to you, Chase.”
He wiped the water off his mouth with the back of his hand. The horses were getting tired, as were the eight men who made up the posse. They weren’t trained for this these men were just locals who’d given up precious harvest time for the cause.
“Seems to me, if he were around here that we’d have come across some definite sign that he’d been over this ground. I haven’t seen anything that would make me believe that. Let’s go back to town. We can all get a good night’s rest. Those of you that can join us again tomorrow morning can meet out in front of the sheriff’s office at six sharp.”
The men were agreeable to the plan.
The sheriff rode alongside him. “What are you thinking, Malone?”
“I wish the rain had held off. Then we’d have stood a better chance of coming up with a lead.”
“Yeah, it would’ve been nice. We can start searching on the other side of the hill in the morning. He won’t be moving around much once night falls.”
“I just can’t figure out where he went.”
“He’ll turn up.” The sheriff adjusted his hat. “You planning on visiting with Hannah tonight?”
“No. I’m going to eat supper and then turn in.”
The group of riders broke up as soon as they reached the edge of town. Chase left his horse in the stable, and then headed toward the hotel. As he side-stepped several mud puddles, he cursed the rain again. If it had held off just one more day, he was certain they would’ve caught up with Amos. As it was, now the man had gained another day.
Most of the merchants had closed up their shops for the day. He imagined the families gathering around their dinner tables, and felt the familiar tug at his insides. He hoped the day would come soon when he would be sitting at his own table, feasting his eyes on his lovely wife. Hannah.
Soon enough they would be able to settle all that had come between them in the past weeks. He wished he could put his arms around her right this very minute and tell her how much he loved her, how he couldn’t live without her.
The shadow of a bird passed over the ground. Chase looked skyward and spotted the hawk, its wings outstretched, soaring on the breeze. The bird circled overhead, its eerie screech filled the air. Chase shivered. The hawk flew away.
An unexplainable feeling of unease filled him. He tried to shake if off as he walked into the dining area of the hotel, but it was no use. Finding a quiet, out-of-the-way corner table, he ordered a bowl of venison stew and a beer. The food was set on the table fifteen minutes later. He ate mechanically, not giving any thought to the taste.
Downing the last of his beer, he called to Jeb as he left the din
ing room, “Add it to my bill.”
“Will do, Chase.”
Taking the stairs two at a time, Chase hurried to his room. He was still nervous. The only time he’d had this feeling was when things were about to turn sour. Slowly he unlocked the door to his room, entered and lit the lamp on the dresser. Quickly he scanned the room. Nothing was amiss, everything in its place. Returning the lamp to the dresser, he went to the window.
Lighting a cigar, he smoked while he studied the street below. Everything looked normal. Hannah was home with her grandparents, safe and sound. The feeling he had was nothing. In the morning it would be gone. He tossed the cigar out the window and decided to call it day.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The search for Chase had taken much longer than Hannah had anticipated. Anxious, she looked at her surroundings. Having just ridden down the back trail along the far edge of the mine, she was now heading in the direction of Crane Pond. In several hours darkness would be falling. She was certain that by now she’d have caught up with the posse. Chase had told her that they were going to start looking for Amos in the woods behind the mine. She’d covered that area and more since leaving the house. He had to know about the message and she had to be the one to tell him. This would prove that she would no longer stand in his way. It may have taken a long time for it to sink in, but Hannah now knew just how important this job was to Chase. Using her knee, she nudged Bonnie along the sodden pathway. Within the half hour they reached the opening of the trail that wound its way up to the pond. After several turns they burst out of the woods into the clearing marking the opening of the pond. Hannah’s breath caught in her throat. The sight that greeted her was breathtaking.
A rainbow with every color imaginable rose up out of the pines and arched all the way across the pond. The end of it was nowhere in sight. It would be perfect, if only Chase were here to share it with her. Her heart ached, without Chase nothing at all mattered. Even the rainbow, with all its luster, seemed to disappear, the colors blending in with the sky until it was no longer visible.