by Tracey Lyons
Pressing her head against the trunk of the pine tree, she tried to break free of his hold. Believing he would break her jaw if she didn’t tell him who Chase was, she managed to whisper, “He works for the government.”
He looked at her with fury in his eyes. “What part of the government?”
“Customs. He…works for customs.” She choked out the words, hating herself for the tears that trickled down the sides of her cheeks and puddled against Amos’s hand—hating herself even more for revealing Chase’s true identity.
Off in the distance, thunder rumbled, echoing across the pond. The lightning flashed. Hannah shivered in the darkness. Where was Chase? Why hadn’t he found her yet?
Pushing his hat off his brow, Chase looked out into the dark woods. It was so damned quiet he could hear the sound of his heart beating.
“How much further?” His saddle creaked as he twisted around to look at Hannah’s grandfather.
“I’d say at least another hour’s ride. These horses are a little skittish out here tonight. The storm has them spooked.” His face was taut.
The horse danced nervously from side to side as another streak of lightning shot across the black sky. Chase held fast to his mount’s reins. “Whoa, there, boy. That storm is nowhere near us.” The thunder rolled across the mountaintop like a piece of tumbleweed caught by a breeze.
He sat back and waited for Matthew to move in front of him. Slowly the caravan of lawmen made their way, single file, up the slope of the pathway—the same rock-strewn path they believed Hannah had traveled hours ago.
As Chase rode behind Matthew, he wondered for the hundredth time why Hannah felt she could go off on her own. Even if she thought she had to somehow prove herself to him, he found it hard to believe that she’d be headstrong enough to do it alone. Matthew’s voice came to him out of the darkness. “We heard Julia drive in. I thought she was just coming out to visit. She left a short time later. We were all around the homestead. Then when Hannah didn’t come in for supper…” Matthew’s voice broke.
“Matthew, she’s a strong, brave woman. I imagine she’s giving Amos a hard time as we speak.” Chase knew now just how true that statement was.
Matthew’s voice filled the muggy night air. “It wasn’t until Bonnie came into the yard without her that we knew our girl was in trouble.”
“How much longer?” Radley’s graveled voice came from behind them.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The terrain was beginning to look familiar to Chase. Though he’d only been here three times, he knew from the rise ahead that they were almost to the opening of the pond.
“We’re here,” Matthew, still in the lead position, called back to them.
He’d already dismounted and was feeling his way along the damp ground. “There seems to be more than one set of tracks. See this one here?” He pointed to the right of his foot. “This one appears to be the freshest.”
Chase dismounted and knelt near Matthew. Tipping back his hat, he looked out across the narrow inlet of the pond. He knew where she was.
“Come on, we’re going around the east side of the pond.”
“What makes you think that’s the right direction? It’s a pretty big body of water, and if you take us the wrong way it could be daybreak by the time we come back around.” The sheriff stood next to his mount, his hands resting on his hips.
“You’re just going to have to trust me, lawman,” Chase shot back into the dewy air.
He knew she’d have gone to the spot where they’d made love. He wasn’t about to share that particular piece of information with anyone in this group. They’d just have to believe that he’d developed some kind of uncanny Adirondack sixth sense.
Mounting up, he led them up a steep embankment and started around the pond. From up ahead on the trail came the sound of a lone owl hooting. Glancing overhead, he saw the whites of the owl’s big round eyes. The bird sat perched safely on a thick branch. Aside from an occasional snort from the horses, it was the only sound. They’d just crested the hillside when the moon burst through the clouds.
Light spread across the still water and spilled into the woods. Chase scanned the area in front of him and saw nothing. Tensing, he continued on. They were almost to the spot where he’d discovered Hannah swimming. A cool breeze rustled the tree branches, releasing the raindrops that clung to the leaves. In seconds the men were showered with mountain rain.
His horse pulled to a stop. “What’s the matter, boy? You smell something in the wind?” He ignored the discomfort of the wet shirt clinging to his chest and arms.
He signaled the others to stop. He knew Amos was somewhere up ahead in the darkness. Every nerve in his body stood on end while he waited, listening for some sound. Any sound. Even the sound of her crying or struggling would be a welcome relief. At least then he’d know if she was alive.
“They’re here.” Matthew had maneuvered his mount up alongside Chase’s and spoke in hushed tones.
Chase’s only response was a sharp nod.
“I’m going the rest of the way alone.” Even though he wasn’t certain how much farther he’d have to go to find Hannah, he wanted to go alone.
He wanted Amos Smithson all to himself. Chase had waited four long years to bring the man to justice and no one, not even Radley, was going to deprive him of that satisfaction.
“Malone.” The sheriff’s gruff voice came from his right side.
Chase ignored the man as he dismounted and handed the reins over to Matthew, who gave him a tip of his hat. Taking his revolver out of the holster, he started off down the trail. His steps were sure and steady, careful not to step on any twigs, lest the sound of their snapping alert Amos.
The moon darted behind another cloud, plunging him into darkness. He felt like he was being swallowed up by the night.
There was no sound from the three men he’d left behind, but he knew their guns were drawn.
He kept moving in the direction of the spot where they’d lain in each other’s arms. His dear, sweet Hannah! Where was she?
There was no noise now; even the owl seemed to have quieted. The fear was all around them, enveloping them like a heavy fog. He could smell it.
He walked three more paces forward. To his left a twig snapped. He spun around just as the cloud cleared the moon. He saw the crude lean-to made of rotted pine logs piled atop one another. He heard a whimper.
“Hannah.” His mouth formed her name but no sound came out. Again the now familiar fear crept up his spine.
“Shut up!” The sound of Amos’s voice cut through the night.
And then he saw her. She was scrunched up against a tall pine tree and Amos stood next to her, the barrel of his shotgun resting against her temple. For a split second his heart stopped beating.
“Hey there, Malone. Been wonderin’ when you was goin’ to stop by for a visit.”
Smitty looked wild, crazed. His eyes were wide and he was grinning from ear to ear, like he’d caught the prize catch at a fishing derby. Chase said nothing.
“She’s a mighty fine woman, this one.” Lifting a strand of her hair, he ran it under his nose.
His insides went cold. The bastard was touching her. His trigger finger twitched. He wanted to gun the man down right where he stood.
“She feels right nice to me. As a matter of fact, I think Hannah here has taken a liking to me. Ain’t that right, darling?” Amos dropped his hand to her shoulder.
Chase’s stomach muscles tightened and his palms began to sweat. It took every ounce of willpower he had inside him not to rip Amos from limb to limb. His mouth went dry.
She said nothing. Her wide sapphire eyes never left his face. He could see the fright in the brightness of her gaze. How he longed to tell her that everything would be all right, that he would get her out of here!
Slowly, he raised the revolver, cocking the gun as he did so. “Let her go.”
Amos pressed the gun into Hannah’s temple and sneered. “No, I don’t think
I’m going to be doing that any time soon, Mr. Customs Man.”
Hannah closed her eyes tightly. Her face paled. “I’m sorry…I had to tell him who you were.”
He blinked in surprise at her words. At first he wasn’t certain she’d actually said them at all. But then her eyes opened up and she was looking at him.
“I’m so sorry.”
He took a step back, realizing that he didn’t care anymore. It didn’t matter who he worked for. The only thing that mattered was that they be together—forever.
“Put down your weapon, Malone.”
He didn’t hesitate to toss the revolver on the ground. If it meant buying more time, then so be it. The gun landed with a soft thud on the moist earth in front of him.
He splayed his hands out in front of him. “Look, it’s me you are after. Why don’t you let her go and then we can make a deal? Tell me what you want. I can get you anything.” It was hard to remain calm. He could feel Hannah’s gaze upon him once more, but dared not look at her. It would be his undoing if he did.
“I want to leave these mountains for good. I want to get my money from Tyler and be a rich man. But, see, Malone, I can’t do that with you around. So I guess I’ll just have to shoot you and be on my way.”
“No! No!” Hannah’s shriek pierced the night. She felt the pressure of the gun’s barrel ease off her head and knew Amos would kill Chase if she didn’t do something.
Her shout was enough to break the horrible tension that had held them in its grip. Just as Amos was leveling his gun at Chase’s heart, a shot rang out! She saw Chase diving to the ground, reaching out for his gun. In one swift movement he rolled across the ground. Amos’s bullet ricocheted harmlessly off the ground to the side of his body.
Amos slid to the ground in front of her, blood streaming down the front of him. How could this be? Chase hadn’t had time to fire. She searched the area in front of her and saw her grandfather emerge from the woods with the sheriff and another man.
“Hannah! Oh God! My dear, sweet, Hannah!”
Chase knelt before her on the ground. “Are you hurt?”
Quickly his hands ran down the length of her body, looking for any injuries.
“I’m numb. My hands…my feet…I can’t feel them.” She sobbed against his chest. Reaching around, he cut the ropes that bound her.
Her shoulders shook as she sobbed harder against him. “It hurts so much.” Shards of prickly pain shot through her feet and hands.
“I know. I know.” Gently he rubbed the circulation back into her hands. He stopped to cradle her face in his hands.
“Are you certain you’re unharmed?”
“Yes. I was so afraid he’d kill you,” she whimpered.
Hannah looked up as her grandfather came to join them.
“Hannah! Your grandmother is going to be mighty glad to see you.” Her grandfather’s expression was clouded with concern.
“I shouldn’t have broken my promise to you, Chase. You told me not to leave the farm alone and I did. I had the message from Radley. I thought I could find you.” The words were spilling out of her, she couldn’t seem to stop them. “I just wanted you to know—that you could trust me.”
“Hannah, the only thing that matters to me is you’re safe and sound.”
“It’s ruined, our place is ruined.”
Lifting her in his arms, Chase walked back to where his horse was waiting for them. “You and I will come back here. We’ll make it special again. I promise.”
The sound of his warm, soft voice caressed her, soothing her tired nerves.
Gently he swung her up onto his saddle and then he climbed up behind her.
“What about Amos?”
“I don’t care what happens to Amos Smithson. Radley and the sheriff will see to the man.”
“I’m cold. Hold me tighter, Chase.”
Wrapping his arms about her, Chase pulled Hannah to his chest.
The ride back to the homestead seemed to take an eternity. Hannah rested her head against Chase, she cried out as the feeling returned to her feet and hands.
“I’m so sorry. I should have taken your warning more seriously.”
“Hannah, let it go. It’s done with. Amos has been caught. We can get on with our lives.” He held her fast to him as they entered the barnyard.
Gram flew off the porch steps. “Hannah! Oh, my darling, Hannah! You just bring her on into the house, Chase. I have Matthew bringing the tub into her room. A nice warm bath will make you feel better, Hannah.”
Gram never stopped chattering the whole time Chase carried Hannah into the house. “Bring her right in here.” Leading him by the elbow, she opened Hannah’s bedroom door.
The lamp on her bedstand was turned up and the sheets on her bed were turned down. The bed looked so inviting. All she wanted to do was to lie down, pull the soft covers up to her chin, and go to sleep.
“Here, Hannah, let me help you, dear.” She shooed Chase out of the bedroom, leaving them alone.
Hannah striped off her shirt and riding skirt. She felt violated, and didn’t care if she ever saw those clothes again. “Burn those clothes, please, Gram.”
Every place that Amos had touched her felt soiled and stained. She couldn’t wait to soak in the tub of steaming water and scrub every inch of her body.
“I shouldn’t have gone. He could have killed Chase. I should never have left here…” Her voice broke into a sob.
“There, there. Sssh now. You just step into that tub and in a little while you’ll feel better.”
Hannah slid her weary body into the steamy water. The hot water lapped against her chin as she leaned her head back. She’d almost gotten herself killed tonight. Silently she vowed never to doubt Chase again. Never again would she do that—never again.
The ache slowly left her muscles, and for the first time in many hours she finally allowed herself to relax. She drifted off to sleep, and was awakened a short time later by grandmother’s light tap on her shoulder.
“Hannah, wake up, dear. Come, let me help you dry off and then you can put on a fresh nightgown and climb into your bed.”
She accepted her grandmother’s help without protest and in a few minutes was safely tucked into her bed. Hannah snuggled down under her buttercup quilt.
“There, that should make you feel much better.” She tucked the coverlet under Hannah’s chin with a smile.
“Yes, it does. Thank you.”
Her grandmother kissed her lightly on the forehead.
“What time is it?”
“Almost dawn.”
“You and Grandfather must be exhausted. Go to bed, Gram. I’ll be fine.”
“Yes, dear.” She rose from the bedside and went to stand in the doorway. “Do you want me to leave the door open a bit?”
Hannah nodded. Still feeling shaken by what happened to her, she didn’t want to be left alone in her room, but she knew her grandmother needed to rest. “Leave it open a crack, please,” she managed to say bravely.
“I’ll sit with her until she falls asleep.” Chase’s frame filled the doorway.
She managed to smile and invited him into the room—relieved to see him. “I thought you’d gone back to town.”
“Nope. I’m still here. Radley and the sheriff can handle Amos.”
“You look exhausted.” His hair was rumpled and he could barely keep his eyes open.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Is Amos dead?”
“No, just a wound to his left shoulder.”
“Oh.” Pressing a hand to her mouth, she did her best to hide her yawn.
Chase sat on the edge of her bed and, taking her hand in his, kissed the tip of each of her fingers. “Go to sleep, Hannah. We can talk about this tomorrow.”
“It is tomorrow.” They both turned to look out the window at the pinkening sky.
“So it is. Well, then we can finish this conversation later today. I love you, Hannah.”
“I love you, too.” With that Hannah
closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The sight of Hannah sitting in the rocking chair on her grandparents’ front porch made Chase smile. She looked up from the book she was reading when he came into the yard.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” He dismounted, careful not to crush the bouquet of wildflowers that he’d picked on his way here.
“Hello, Chase.” Gently, she placed the book next to the chair. “Are you going somewhere special?”
“I’m coming to visit you.” He’d chosen his wardrobe with great care this morning because he wanted the day to be perfect. He wore simple black pants and a crisp white shirt. She watched him as he tried to smooth down an unruly curl.
“I think you look a bit rakish.”
He laughed at her comment and walked up to the porch steps. Dressed in a midnight-blue riding skirt and a simple white linen blouse, she looked like a princess to him. He handed her the flowers and was pleased by the smile she bestowed upon him.
“Thank you, they’re lovely.” Hannah tipped her head slightly and smelled the delicate purple blossoms. “What did I do to deserve these?”
“You told me that you loved me.” Though he tried to appear casual by leaning against the post, his heart pounded wildly against his chest. He hoped she would never take back those words.
With the flowers in hand, she came down the steps. She smelled sweet and clean, like the Adirondack air. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but he decided to wait for her to make the next move. She surprised him with a kiss. Her warm lips brushed ever so slightly against his.
“I do love you, Chase Malone, with all my heart and soul.” He was lost. Reaching out, he pulled her into his arms. This was so right. Her heart beat against his chest. “You can tell me that a thousand times a day and it will never be enough.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.”
“But?” He frowned at her.
“I need to talk to you about what happened last week.”
Together they sat on the bottom porch step. “All right.”
With great care, she stroked the flower petals. Chase waited patiently, he knew of the struggle she was having. It wasn’t so long ago that he, too, had been forced to face the same thing.