Will of Steel

by Lynn Landes

  “I’ll give you another one, newly hatched chicks, warm from their Mama’s nest.”

  “That’s nice,” Erin smiles and her eyes close. “What else?”

  “A barking pig named Dog,” Ryder says softly, and Erin laughs again. “Silly man,” she balls a fist up in his shirt holding onto him tightly and lays her head against his chest listening to his heartbeat. Ryder’s hand covers hers gently.

  Jordan watches, and in that moment, she wishes. Wishes for a man willing to give up his night to soothe away her fears and fight for her.

  “A goat that thinks he’s human. He likes to walk on two legs and wear a hat,” Ryder teases and Erin sits up and looks at him with a frown. “Now you're teasing,” she jumps down and runs back to Jordan and snuggles into the bed with her.

  “What’s your happy thought, Jordy?” Erin asks.

  “You sweetie,” they snuggle down and Ryder covers them with the blanket before sitting back in the chair.

  “That’s not good enough, you need another one,” Erin holds her sister tight.

  “How about a blonde bear with a pony for a pet?” Jordan teases and they laugh when Ryder grumbles.

  “A pony named Saint,” her words slur, and Erin sleeps soundly.

  “Thank you, Ryder,” Jordan whispers. “You don’t have to stay,” she sniffs back tears.

  “Go to sleep, Jordan,” he replies.

  “Bears,” she huffs and falls asleep with a smile on her face.

  Chapter 29

  Tony slips from the room just as the sun rises, drawn by the sound of someone walking in the hall. Saint is gone, and he passes the room and checks on Jordan and Erin. He smiles when he sees Mr. Ryder asleep in the chair.

  Silently, he slips down the stairs and moves towards the kitchen. Something smells delicious, and the scent of coffee is heavy on the air. “Well Saint, are you ready?” Donovan asks.

  Saint whines and pads over to the door, while he slips his feet into his work boots. “Getting cold outside, you will need a coat,” he says.

  Tony frowns, why would a dog need a coat? “You’ll find some gloves in the box by the front door,” he continues and now Tony is really confused.

  “Those shoes will do until we can get you something sturdier,” Donovan grins over his cup when the child pokes his head around the corner to see who he’s talking to.

  “Dogs don’t need boots,” Tony insists with a frown of concern.

  “No, but eight-year-old boys do when they are feeding the animals,” Donovan sips and waits.

  “I don’t know how to feed animals,” dark wary eyes watch the man as he grabs a biscuit and butters it.

  “Do you like marmalade?” he asks the boy.

  “Yes, Sir,” he stammers and walks slowly forward.

  “You better eat up, it’s heavy work feeding the animals and if we time it right, we’ll be finished just about the same time as the bacon.”

  Tony’s eyes fly open wide, “I love bacon.” He accepts the plate and eats fast, hunched over his plate, reminding Donovan of a puppy fighting for scraps.

  “I’ll get you some gloves,” Donovan sets a second biscuit on his plate and hurries to get a coat and gloves. Tony grabs the biscuit and wraps it in a napkin for later, quickly stashing it in his pocket. The coat is way too big, but he rolls up the sleeves, “It’ll do for now,”

  Donovan says as he helps Tony put it on.

  “But I don’t know anything about animals,” Tony says nervously as they walk to the door.

  “Treat them with respect and care for them the way you did your friend, Erin, and you’ll do fine. Animals know a good heart and, you, my boy, have a great heart.” Donovan announces.

  Tony blushes under the praise and nods, “I’ll do my best.”

  “I’m sure that you will. Just watch out for the goat, he thinks he can walk on two legs and he’s always stealing my hat.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Tony laughs, not sure what to think about that.

  Erin smells bacon and climbs from the bed. She stares at her sister, then at Ryder, both sleeping soundly, and smiles. She just found a new happy thought she thinks and skips from the room.

  “Good morning,” Loren says and offers a quick hug. Erin revels in the attention and sniffs the air.

  “It smells like home,” Erin announces and misses the look between Loren and Mrs. Perry.

  “I hope you are hungry, dove.” She slides a biscuit to Erin at the table. “I made bacon and we will have eggs as soon as you bring them to me.”

  “Erin, would you like to help me collect the eggs?” Loren asks.

  “Will the chickens bite me?” she frowns and wrings her hands.

  “Of course not, they don’t have teeth,” she teases and Erin giggles. “If we throw some feed out, they will jump off the eggs. Then we just have to gather them.”

  “We have to make sure to get enough for Ryder and Jordan, they are sleeping in my room.”

  Mrs. Perry drops the pan and whirls around to look at Loren, who covers her mouth in shock. “What?”

  “I had bad dreams, and he gave me some happy thoughts,” Erin says as she eats her biscuit.

  “Oh, my goodness me,” Mrs. Perry covers her mouth and struggles not to laugh at the look of shock on Loren’s face.

  “Let’s go get those eggs,” Loren offers a hand and they hurry to draw on coats and walk to towards the barn.

  Jordan stares at Orson and the hatred burns in her heart, swelling, until it is a raging fire, engulfing every thought, dream, and hope for her future, leaving only revenge.

  She lunges at him with her bare hands, and he laughs. The moment his hand wraps around her throat, she starts to fight. A strangled scream builds in her throat, but she can’t breathe!

  Ryder jumps awake at the garbled sound coming from across the room. “Jordan?” he rushes to her side, noting the thrashing and color of her skin. Just as he reaches for her, she swings out, and jerks awake.

  He seizes her wrist before she can hit him, “It’s okay,” he whispers and she shoves back against the headboard, terror written on her face. He releases her hand and watches as she clutches her throat. Heart pounding, she doesn’t say anything as the first tear breaks free.

  “Happy thoughts, remember,” Ryder reaches for her, but she jerks away from him.

  “I’m sorry, I’ll leave you alone,” he moves to the door, and she stops him with her next words.

  “A barking pig, named Dog?” her hoarse voice asks.

  “Yep,” he pauses at the door, “get dressed and I’ll take you to meet her,” he leaves before she can say anything else.

  A strangled laugh erupts, and he’s grinning as he goes to his room.

  Who is this man? She wonders as he leaves.

  “She’s your client,” Ryder tells himself in the mirror as he’s shaving. “A client in danger who needs your help, not another man failing her,” he taps the blade and continues lecturing himself.

  Jordan is having the same conversation with herself as she dresses for the day and works on her hair. Grumbling to herself, she struggles to find her shoe. “Where could it be?”

  She finds it behind the door and smiles with success as she slips it on. Stepping from the room into the hallway, Jordan is surprised to see Ryder walk into the hallway from his room.

  “I don’t like be indebted to someone,” Jordan steps towards him, “but I find myself repeatedly thanking you.”

  “You don’t have to…”

  Jordan steps closer to him, and his eyes drop to her lips. “Thank you, for giving my sister new dreams, for protecting her, and for helping us. I could really use a friend right now,” she smiles at him.

  “I’d like that,” but his heart calls him a liar. He wants more than friendship. “I smell bacon, let’s eat and then you can meet Dog.”

  “Dog is real!” she gapes at him.

  “Oh, yes, and the sweetest barking pig you’ll ever meet.” His laughter wraps around her heart and causes her to stare
at him in wonder.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” Jordan whispers, “it’s just that laughter has been rare lately.”

  “We will have to fix that,” he gestures for her to walk ahead of him.

  Chapter 30

  Jase walks inside the lobby of the First Presbyterian Church and walks around until he finds an office. Knocking on the door, he watches the older woman jump.

  “Welcome to First Church, how may I help you?”

  “I need to see Pastor Greigh regarding the Sunshine Orphanage.”

  “Give me a moment,” she hurries down a hall and returns quickly.

  “Pastor Greigh will see you now,” she guides him down the hall into a small office where an older man sits at his desk. Jase relaxes and takes a seat.

  “Thank you for seeing me, Pastor, I was told to speak to you about the Sunshine Orphanage and the orphan trains.”

  “Well, unfortunately, the Sunshine Orphanage is closed for the time being.” Pastor Greigh sighs. “It’s a pity because the orphan trains were very successful.”

  “Why did the orphanage close?” Jase asks.

  “The director up and left with no notice and the poor young woman left behind couldn’t handle it alone. Are you looking to adopt?” Pastor Greigh asks.

  “No, Sir,” he laughs softly. “My name is Detective Jason Daniels. I’m trying to determine what a local fire has to do with the orphanage and an orphan train.”

  “That’s interesting. Why would you think they are connected in any way?”

  “I’m not sure they are. My client asked me to research a possible connection. What can you tell me about Jordan Regent, she has gone missing? Do you know her?”

  His eyes fly open wide, and he leans forward. “What?”

  “You know her?”

  “Of course,” Pastor Greigh jumps up and leans forward intently. “She lost her family recently, in a fire. Can you tell me who is looking for her?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say, but I think she’s in trouble, Pastor. Anything you can tell me will help.”

  “Jordan was distraught after her parents and sister, Erin, died in the fire. I brought an orphan to visit, Anthony, or rather Tony, he was Erin’s friend. They were both hurting, and I wanted them to offer comfort to each other.” He tells Jase about the pressure to marry Orson Barnaby, giving him access to her business. “That name keeps coming up,” Jase frowns.

  “I’m sure it does. He’s wealthy, and his family is very invested in the city. Be careful who you speak to, Mr. Daniels.”

  They talk about the Orphan train and how it works. “I see, do you keep a record of the orphans placed?” Jase asks.

  “Of course, they always give me a copy.” He digs through his drawer and pulls out the file. “This is the most recent group. Twenty-five and all were placed, including young Tony,” he smiles proudly and slides the folder across the desk. “What does the orphan train have to do with the fire?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll get this back to you,” Jase stands with the file and shakes his hand. “Time to send a message to Ryder. This is getting complicated.” He needs to know that this Orson Barnaby is searching for her. After sending the telegram he returns to his hotel to go over the file and compare it to the list. Perhaps there’s a connection there.

  His eyes fly open wide when he recognizes Dr. Donovan Foster’s name on the list. He trails a finger over and finds Anthony’s name. “Well, that’s strange,” he frowns and decides to go back to the orphanage.

  Standing in front of the hotel waiting for a carriage, he overhears two men talking. “Barnaby wants us over at Regent’s house again.”

  “That’s twice now, not sure what he’s expecting us to find this time.” Their voices fade as they continue walking. They climb into a carriage just as his own pulls up.

  Jase has the driver stop a few houses down from Mrs. Regents home. He pays the driver and waits until he drives off to slip behind the houses and walk down the ditch to the home next to Jordan’s. An alley sits between them, and he walks silently towards the front of the house. “Mr. Barnaby, we’re all here.”

  “Good, let’s get started,” he says and they enter. Five men, all wearing black except for Mr. Orson Barnaby. He gives the orders and the brutes jump to his bidding.

  Soon the sound of furniture smashing has him jumping. They are trashing her house! Who does this man think he is? Jase sneaks around the back side of the house and squats in the bushes. Thankfully, the dark helps to hide his presence.

  “Find it! It must be here. Mark said she keeps all the paperwork in the office drawers.”

  “It’s not here!” A voice snaps.

  “Keep looking and look for anything that could indicate where she went.” A crash sounds out. “What about the trains, did we find anything yet?”

  “Frank is going through the books again, looking for any single females.”

  “A beautiful young woman like Jordan Regent couldn’t just disappear. She must have had help to get out of the city. Tell Frank to expand the search to every dark-haired female! What about her sister? A six-year-old girl couldn’t have escaped on her own!”

  “What about the couple at the orphanage?”

  “I’m headed over there now to interrogate Mark and his wife again. This time, I won’t leave without answers!” Orson slams from the house and the noise continues.

  “After three rounds, most people tell him what he wants to know. I almost feel sorry for them.” Laughter floats around and Jase knows he has to help them.

  He quickly makes his way from the house using the back alley. When he arrives back at the orphanage, he is surprised to see it lit up. Orson Barnaby is inside, and he can hear a female voice yelling. The guards are busy at the house and train station.

  Jase sneaks around the back of the building and tries the door. He finds it unlocked. He hurries through the house, following the sound of loud voices. He slips into a closet, leaving it cracked so he can hear.

  “I don’t care what you think you know, Ms. Alcott, I don’t have time for games. A child is missing, and I have…”

  “Orson, I thought we were exclusive! You promised me that if I did this job for you that we would be married. Instead, you send some dark-haired girl here for a job!”

  “What did you just say?” Orson grabs the young woman by her upper arms and jerks her close.

  “Orson! You're hurting me,” she whimpers.

  “I’m sorry,” he loosens his grip and rubs her arms. “I didn’t send a woman here, Martha,” he guides her to the sofa. “What are you talking about?”

  “That’s what I was trying to tell you, Orson. The woman claimed you offered her a job and asked questions about the orphan train.”

  Orson frowns as he thinks. “Tell me everything she said, leave out no detail. Start at the beginning.”

  “Fine.”

  Jase listens and thinks about the list he has and the child the Pastor was talking about. “Could it be?” They have no way of knowing that the child and Anthony were friends.

  “She had help. Who released the rats?” Orson demands.

  “That’s the strangest part, Orson. The children said it was Anthony, but he was on the Orphan train and adopted the week before. It couldn’t have been him,” she snaps. “He was forever sneaking out through the third bedroom window. All the children do it. They think we don’t know, but the truth is we didn’t care.”

  Jase glances up the side of the house.

  “Martha you’re a lifesaver,” Orson kisses her firmly on her mouth causing her to smile.

  “I’m glad I could help, Orson,” she says.

  “I need you to do something else for me,” he strokes a finger down her cheek.

  “Anything,” she giggles.

  “Perfect answer.”

  Orson leaves without talking to his guests upstairs. “First, I have to babysit a burned child and now a couple.” Martha huffs in frustration and sits down in the sitting room.


  Jase grins in the dark. “Time to get rid of her.”

  Martha is in the sitting room sipping on a cup of tea when the lights go out in the hallway. Frowning, she sets her cup down and steps to the door to investigate. The light goes out in her room, leaving her in a room illuminated only the low burning fireplace. Something heavy hits her feet, and she jumps back, and the door slams shut.

  A hissing, scratching sound erupts from the squirming bag before they pour out. Martha’s scream could shatter glass. She leaps for the door and shouts in terror. It’s locked!

  Whirling around, she watches as the rats boil out, and does the only thing she can think to do, she runs to the window. Throwing it open, she doesn’t hesitate to jump out. Orson can take a leap! She runs screaming hoarsely.

  Jase doesn’t waste time. He knows he won’t have much. He runs upstairs and hisses in frustration when he finds it locked. He beats a fist on the door shouting, “Get back!”

  Then shoots the door lock and kicks it open, slamming the wood into the wall. A terrified couple stares at him. “I’m here to free you, but we need to move now! I’ll explain later.”

  Mark grabs his wife’s hand, “Thank you!”

  “Don’t thank me yet, we’re running out of time,” Jase leads them to the stairs only to hear footsteps and shouts below.

  “Third-floor window,” he whispers, and they run for it.

  Jase guides through the abandoned house to the alley and they run a few blocks until he spots the church. “There!”

  The back of the church is dark as they quietly watch Jase check the door. He nods in relief at finding it unlocked. Mark gives Felecia a gentle push, and she runs up the stairs and inside the dark hallway, followed by the men. Jase locks the door and gestures for them to be quiet.

  “Wait here,” he orders and hurries away from them to find help.

  Pastor Greigh is finishing up with a couple when Jase knocks on his door. “That’s all for this week, we’ll talk more next week.” He guides them past Jase and waves as they leave.