by Kit Morgan
“We will,” a second man said. He wore a suit, though not a fancy one. The third was in overalls and shirtless.
“You gentlemen done?” Vernon asked.
“With our part, yes.” The one in the suit stuffed the money into his pocket. “Nice doing business with you. How fortuitous to have met you on the trail.”
“Very. Now if that’s all, gentlemen, the lady and I will be going.”
They all turned and looked at her. Dorcas sat still as a statue, a trickle of sweat running down her temple. This was very bad. Elwood, where are you?
“That’s a mighty fine-looking woman,” the railroad man commented. “No wonder you came all this way to fetch her.”
“I didn’t come this far because of her looks, gentlemen. I did it because she wronged me and now she’ll pay for it.”
Dorcas held her breath. Oh please, someone, anyone, help me! But there was no one to rescue her. The other men took their money and walked off, leaving just Vernon. And he didn’t look happy at all.
* * *
“Er … can you ride, Mr. Hunter?” Woody asked as Elwood held the reins.
“Been some time, but how hard can it be?”
Woody and Jasper exchanged a look. “Least he’s facin’ the right direction,” Jasper said.
Woody nodded. “Yeah …”
The mule started walking, and Elwood barely managed to keep his seat. Okay, so not having ridden since he was six wasn’t helping his cause. “Which way did they go?”
“That way,” Jasper and Woody both said – but pointed in opposite directions.
Elwood sighed. “Not helping.”
“Ya didn’t see ‘em, Jasper,” Woody said, pointing again.
Jasper made a face. “Oh yeah, right.”
“Thanks.” Elwood gave the mule a kick and was off.
Behind him, he heard Jasper say, “Shouldn’t someone help him?”
“Yer right – somethin’s goin’ on. Better tell Draven.”
“He’ll be lucky to make it outta town, way he’s ridin’.”
“Poor Isabella,” Woody added. “Hope he don’t yank those reins too much – she’s got a tender mouth.”
Now he heard them following him down the street. Meanwhile, Isabella seemed to want to turn around and go right back to the Red Bird Stage barn. “Come on, girl, you can’t do this to me!”
“Ease up on the bit!” Woody called. “Just give Isabella her head!”
Elwood, doing his best to just keep his balance, obeyed – and wished he hadn’t. Isabella wheeled around, tossed him off and headed straight for Woody, braying all the way.
“Whoops,” Jasper muttered.
Elwood jumped to his feet, thankfully unhurt. “Bring that animal back here! This is serious!”
Woody grabbed Isabella’s reins and walked the mule to Elwood as he brushed off the dust from his fall. “Let’s get Sheriff Draven, Mr. Hunter.”
“I’ve already spoken with Draven. He’s out with a posse looking for Gertrude.”
“That harpy from yesterday?” Jasper croaked. “He’s lookin’ for her on purpose?”
“Yes, to make sure she’s left town,” Elwood explained. “Which she probably hasn’t. That must have been one of her brothers you saw with Miss Minx. Who knows what they’ll do to her!”
Woody’s eyes went round. “Wait here, Mr. Hunter! I’ll be right back with some help …”
BOOM!
The three men turned to the sound. “What in tarnation?” Jasper cried, turning to the barn behind them. “That weren’t the fireworks, was it?”
“That wasn’t no fireworks,” Woody said. “That was a lot bigger.”
Men began running past them. “What in blazes?” Mayor Hardt said as he went by, then stopped and turned back to Woody. “Get some horses – saddle as many mules as you can!”
“Mayor, what is it?” Woody asked.
“The only thing it could be – the bridge!” He took off again, joining the rest of the crowd heading straight for the center of town.
Elwood could see people gathering near the Golden Nugget, and some men taking off on horseback up the road. He knew a railroad bridge was being built outside Noelle, and that the townsfolk were divided on its construction, but hadn’t ventured out to see it. He’d preferred to concentrate on getting his bookshop built. “But what about Dorcas?” he said over the ruckus.
“Ya heard the mayor!” Jasper cried. “Somethin’s happened to the bridge. Men might be hurt! We gotta go!” He started down the street, stopped, turned and ran back the other way. “I gotta help Woody saddle them mules!”
Elwood spun in a circle. Woody was already gone. So was Isabella. He cursed under his breath and followed. He had to find Dorcas – and if he had to do it alone, so be it!
* * *
Dorcas tried to keep her breathing steady, but it was hard.
Vernon circled the rock with a triumphant smile. “Did you hear that explosion? That means no one is coming to save you. By the time they do, we’ll be far, far away.”
She narrowed her eyes at him as one traitorous tear ran down her cheek. Great. But she felt more angry than afraid. Oh, if she just had one hand free, she’d snatch him bald-headed …
“Frightened? Good.” Vernon pulled her to her feet. “Time to go.”
“I don’t think so,” a gruff voice said from somewhere nearby. Dorcas couldn’t see where, but she instantly knew whom.
Vernon shoved her back onto the rock and looked around, gun drawn. “Who’s there?”
“Drop that weapon, son, and you won’t get hurt.”
Vernon snorted. “You aim to see the lady harmed? Well, I’d be glad to oblige you.” He went behind Dorcas and put the gun to her temple. The cold barrel against her skin made her wince.
A snap of twigs, a jangling sound, and Marshal Charles Gant emerged from the brush. Dorcas’ eyes narrowed. Was he holding up his pants?
Vernon noticed it too and laughed. “Don’t tell me you were …”
“No, I wasn’t,” the marshal interrupted. “I got a burr in the seat, and aimed to get it out of my pants when I heard you and took stock of the situation.” He glanced between Dorcas and Vernon with his bulging brown eyes. “So what is the situation?”
Dorcas rolled her eyes and tossed her head at Vernon as she mumbled through her gag, “Nge abmumphted mwhe.”
“What?” the marshal asked. His pants slipped from his grasp, and he quickly pulled them up again.
Dorcas blushed at the sight of his red long johns and mumbled, “Why couldn’t it have been Sheriff Draven?” Only it came out, “Mwy mwoudm ing be Merimv Maven?” But alas, Sheriff Draven was nowhere in sight, or anyone else for that matter. Her only hope was that the notorious “Bad Luck Chuck” lived up to his nickname – for Vernon, not her.
Chapter Fourteen
“That’s it, Mr. Hunter – yer doing great!” Jasper said as he rode beside him.
Elwood fumbled with the gun in his free hand. “Can’t thank you enough for coming with me, Jasper.”
“Better holster that ‘til ya need it,” Jasper suggested. “Um, ya ever shot one before?”
“No, but no time like the present to learn.”
Jasper screwed up his face. “Ya must love that li’l gal a lot. Yer likely to get yerself shot, ya know.”
“I know. But I’m going to save her from that Fink!”
“Fink, is he? I can think of stronger words.” Jasper nudged his mule to speed up.
Isabella naturally followed, thank Heaven. They’d gone at least two miles already and Elwood began to feel confident he’d find Dorcas. And he’d been told that Sheriff Draven and Marshal Gant were also out here somewhere, though they were searching for Gertrude. At this rate, someone would turn up Dorcas and that snake Vernon. “Fink’s the man’s last name,” Elwood clarified. “But it fits.”
Jasper laughed, then brought his mule Big John to a stop. “Look, tracks.”
Elwood stared at the fresh horse tr
acks. “But whose? Looks like only one horse.”
“Yep, but he’s carryin’ a load. Two people.”
Elwood looked at Jasper with respect. “I didn’t know you could track.”
“Lotta things folks don’t know about me. Let’s go.”
They followed the trail off the road and into the woods. “Won’t we lose them in here?” Elwood worried.
“Nah. The fella that took yer gal was in a hurry, but he slowed down through here. We’ll catch up to ‘em. In the meantime, ya better figger out what yer gonna do when that happens.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean yer gonna have to use that iron, boy.”
Elwood stared at the firearm in his hand, holstered it and took a deep breath. “Lead on, Jasper. I’ll be ready.”
Jasper eyed him. “Hope so, ‘cause I ain’t that great a shot myself.” He bent his head and continued to follow the trail.
* * *
Dorcas wanted to scream – not just because of her precarious situation, but because Marshal Gant seemed like such a blithering idiot. Now Vernon was going to kill him, and she would be no better off.
“You didn’t think this through very well, did you?” Vernon asked as he tightened the ropes around the marshal’s ankles.
“What’s to think about?” Marshal Gant barked. “I’ve got you right where I want you.”
Vernon chuckled. “Really sir, you amuse me to the point where I may loath your passing.” He looked at Dorcas. “He’s entertaining, he really is.”
Dorcas rolled her eyes. This was not how she pictured getting rescued by the famous marshal.
“You’ll see,” Marshal Gant went on. “I’ll have you out of those ropes in a jiffy, little lady. And you, mister … any criminal that meets Marshal Charles S. Gant gets what’s coming to him.”
Vernon laughed, clearly amused. “Is that so?”
The marshal leaned toward him with a menacing smile. “That’s so.”
Now Vernon was laughing so hard he slapped the marshal on the back. “Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Why, I’d go so far as to say …” THUMP!
Dorcas jumped. From her position she couldn’t see what had just happened. She tried to twist around, but Vernon had placed Marshal Gant behind her.
“See, I told you,” the marshal said calmly. He struggled against her a moment. “Huh – that fellow ties a good knot.” He moved around some more. “Oh, hello. You wouldn’t happen to be able to untie us, would you?”
Who on Earth was he talking to? Dorcas again tried to turn, then saw who it was. Oh no …
“Well, if it isn’t Elwood’s little bride, as I live and breathe!” Gertrude Van Housen stepped over Vernon’s prone body and stood in front of Dorcas.
“Gertie, who’s this fellow on the ground?” one of her brothers asked.
“Who cares?” she replied. “Boys, you heard the gentleman – untie … wait. Not yet.”
Dorcas glared at her and groaned into the gag. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another! Now she was at the mercy of this shrew!
All three of Gertrude’s brothers were in front of Dorcas now, staring. “She sure is pretty, isn’t she?” one said.
“Oh, do shut up.” Gertrude stepped forward and removed Dorcas’ gag. “Well? What are you doing out here with these two men? Wouldn’t Elwood like to hear about this?”
Dorcas coughed a few times. “He abducted me!” she growled, tossing her head at Vernon.
Gertrude’s eyebrows shot up. “He what?”
“Abducted her,” Marshal Gant repeated. “Is something wrong with your hearing?”
Gertrude ignored him. “So you’re the one that got away.” She threw her head back and laughed. “My goodness! I suppose if I wasn’t so upset with Elwood, I’d be enjoying this. Well, congratulations, honey. You win.”
For a moment, Dorcas felt confused. But her discomfort quickly superseded it. “Um … I don’t suppose you could untie me?”
Gertrude shrugged. “Certainly. Herman, untie her. Lucas, untie the marshal. Jake, tie Sleeping Beauty up.”
“Thank you kindly,” Marshal Gant said to Lucas.
“Gertie,” Lucas mused, “what happened? You’re giving up just like that?”
“Yes.” She tapped a finger against her chin. “I suppose I am.”
“Good thing we came along when we did,” Herman commented.
“Not really,” the marshal said. “You all are just a tool of divine intervention. Things always work out for me.”
Gertrude arched an eyebrow. “Do they? Interesting.” She helped the now-freed Dorcas off the rock. “Are you all right?”
Dorcas stared at her, surprised she’d asked. “Yes, thank you.”
“Good. I wouldn’t want Elwood to accuse me of letting you get hurt.” She gave Dorcas a sheepish look. “I’m sorry about what happened in town. I was very angry.”
Dorcas stared at her in shock. “I can understand why.” She looked at Vernon. “He was angry too.”
“Yes, I imagine he was. And now he’s probably going to prison for a long time.”
“Well, let’s see,” Gant observed. “Abduction, resisting arrest, threatening a U.S. Marshal … yes, he could be in there a while. Why am I not untied yet?”
“I’m trying, but these knots are, mmph, tight,” Lucas complained.
“Keep working on it,” Gertrude said, shaking her head as she turned back to Dorcas. “Well, I can’t say I’m not disappointed, but that’s for me to deal with, not you. I wish you and Elwood all happiness.”
Dorcas blinked a few times. Was this really happening? “But … you seemed so determined yesterday …”
Gertrude smiled ruefully. “Oh, I was. But Elwood was right. We’d barely spoken to each other since childhood – and I was a very odd child. I chased him here because I couldn’t live with my hurt pride.”
“And we couldn’t live with her,” Herman muttered.
Gertrude glared at him before going on. “But sometimes a girl just has to see what battles she isn’t going to win. If a man insists on traveling two thousand miles to avoid marrying me, that’s a sign I need to look elsewhere. Besides, with my family’s money I’ll have other, more willing suitors. I’ll be just fine.”
“Thank you for being so … sanguine about this,” Dorcas replied.
Gertrude pointed at Vernon. “So who’s this blackguard?”
“His name’s Vernon Fink. My parents were forcing me to marry him. That’s why I ran away to Noelle.”
“A wise move.” Gertrude stared at Vernon a second. “Of the Denver Finks?”
“The same.”
“I’ve heard about them.” Gertrude made a face that defied description. “A very wise move.”
“I hope my parents figure that out eventually.”
“Give them time – it took me a while to take a hint, but I came around eventually. Well, this morning. Now you go find Elwood, show him you’re okay and patch things up. Take Vernon Fink’s horse.”
Dorcas looked at the animal and smiled. “Thank you. I will.”
“What’s taking so long untying me?” the marshal grumbled.
“I’m trying,” Lucas griped.
Jake offered Lucas a penknife. “Just use this.”
Gant was free within seconds. “Would you like some water, marshal?” Gertrude asked.
“Yes, please.”
Gertrude headed for her horse as Dorcas mounted Vernon’s. “Thank you again.”
Gertrude smiled back. “You’re welcome. Now make like a marshal and go get your man.”
Dorcas kicked Vernon’s horse, and he took off like a shot.
* * *
Elwood and Jasper dismounted and studied the trail, but there were so many hoofprints it took a minute for Jasper to tell which ones belonged to the horse they wanted. “There!” he finally said. “That’s ‘em!” He climbed back onto Big John. “Let’s go!”
“Wait!” Elwood warned. “I hear something.”
Ja
sper cocked his head, and heard a horse approaching. “Maybe it’s Draven.”
“Maybe it’s Gertrude’s brothers,” Elwood drew his gun and cocked it.
Jasper did the same. “Careful with that thing.”
A horse suddenly crashed through the brush and almost ran over Elwood. He jumped to the side, fired, the horse reared …
… and Dorcas fell right on top of him!
“Dorcas!” Elwood hugged her by reflex. He was flat on his back, the wind half knocked out of him, and he didn’t care. “Darling, are you all right?”
She took one look at his grinning face and kissed him soundly.
“I’d say she’s just peachy,” Jasper commented.
Dorcas broke the kiss. “Where have you been?”
“Looking for you! What happened?”
“Vernon captured me.”
“Vernon!” He put his hands on either side of her head and kissed her back “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, but he certainly got himself in trouble.”
“Trouble?” Jasper said. “Sheriff Draven find ya?”
“No.” She struggled to her knees and climbed off Elwood. “Marshal Gant.”
Jasper cringed. “Aw, poor fella. Did the marshal stake him out so the wildlife could take their time with him? Maybe string him up by his thumbs? Ya know I heard tell that one time Marshal Gant …”
“He didn’t do any of that,” Dorcas said as she helped Elwood to his feet.
He took her in his arms and held her close. “I was so worried.”
“I’m safe now,” she said softly. “And I’m sorry for not trusting you.”
He studied her face. “What made you change your mind?”
She smiled lopsidedly. “Gertrude. She and her brothers rescued me from Vernon.”
“Wha-a-a-at?!” Elwood squeaked.
Jasper stared at them. “Who’s gonna rescue Vernon from her?”