The Anonymous Bride (Texas Boardinghouse Brides 1)

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The Anonymous Bride (Texas Boardinghouse Brides 1) Page 33

by Vickie McDonough


  Luke leaned his face into his hands. “None of that matters now. I need to get out and search while it’s still daylight.”

  Quick footsteps sounded on the boardwalk, and one of Jack’s friends skidded to a stop at Luke’s door. He stood, and the boy leaned his hands on his thighs, head hanging down, and sucked in air like a suffocating man.

  “What’s going on? Did you find something?”

  The boy held up his hand, chest heaving. “Water.”

  Luke glanced around the office then handed the boy his coffee. The kid took a big gulp and then spewed it out, all over Luke’s floor. “That’s hot! I said water.”

  Mark jumped up, rushed outside to the hitching post where his horse was tied, and yanked the canteen off his saddle. He leaped up the stairs and shoved it at the boy. The kid gulped down several swigs then drew his sleeve across his mouth. Several of the townsfolk who must have seen him running were gathering outside Luke’s office.

  Luke took hold of the boy’s shoulders. “Take several deep breaths.”

  He did as ordered. “I saw a stranger ... at an old shed ... on our property ... two days ago.”

  “So?”

  “Jack told me and Ricky ... about some man taking her ma, and they’ve gone ... to see if she’s there.”

  Luke tensed. If the man who kidnapped Rachel and Miss Blackstone was at that shack with them, Jack and her friend could be in danger. He tightened his grasp. “Where is this shed?”

  “A mile or so past my house. Southwest of town. I can show you.”

  Luke glanced at Mark. “C’mon, this might be the break we’ve been waiting for.”

  Both men grabbed their rifles and followed the boy out the door. The crowd parted and let them pass. Luke touched the kid’s shoulder. “You’re that Jones boy, aren’t you?”

  “Clarence Jones, sir. But most folks just call me Jonesy.”

  Luke nodded and mounted Alamo. “Put your foot in the stirrup, and I’ll pull you up.”

  Jonesy attempted to do as Luke ordered, but the boy was too exhausted to get his foot up high enough. Mark dismounted and boosted Jonesy up behind Luke.

  “You got some news, Marshal?” Dan Howard, the broad-shouldered livery owner asked.

  “Maybe. This boy thinks he knows where a stranger’s been holing up.”

  “You want some of us to come?”

  Luke shook his head. “No, I need y’all to keep searching closer to town. This might be a dead end, and I don’t want all our eggs in one basket.”

  Dan nodded.

  Luke reined Alamo around. “Hold on tight.”

  He kicked his horse, and in seconds, they were on a dead run down Main Street. The boy nearly swerved off as Luke turned Alamo down Bluebonnet Lane and headed out of town, his hope building for the first time that day.

  Please, Lord. Let me find Rachel at that shed. And let her be safe.

  ***

  Rachel felt as if she were falling down a deep well, and she jumped. The tiny cabin came into focus as she awakened. Her mouth was as dry as if she’d been sucking cotton, and her head ached. If only she could have a drink.

  Carly had also fallen asleep. The heat from the cabin had wilted them both like summer flowers in a drought. Occasionally a hot breeze blew through the holes where the window panes once rested, but that did nothing to cool the room. At least the sun was no longer overhead and was making its western plunge toward sunset. Nighttime would bring cooler temperatures, but she dreaded it. How long could they survive without water?

  She tried to work up enough saliva to dampen her mouth and started sawing again. “Carly. Miss Payton. Wake up.” She kicked the table leg, and it screeched across the floor, making the young woman stir.

  “Did I fall asleep? Oh, ow. My shoulders are killing me.”

  Rachel didn’t voice that hers were, too. “We need to keep working. I don’t know where your brother went or why he’s been gone so long, but we’ve got to get free before he returns.”

  “Maybe he just left us here to die.”

  Rachel shook her head. “Don’t think that—and even if he did, that’s not going to happen.”

  The dullness in Carly’s eyes disappeared all of a sudden, and then she winced. “I’ve nearly sawed through the rope. But I keep cutting my fingers and dropping the glass.”

  “I’m sorry. Just do your best. I’m not having much luck here. I broke off the point on the chair leg, so now there’s nothing sharp to cut my bindings.”

  Carly looked to be sawing with renewed vigor. She worked hard for a few minutes; then she turned her head to face Rachel. Something she’d said earlier was grating on Rachel.

  “Did you tell me that there was a fourth shirt entered in the bride contest?”

  Carly blinked and stared at her. “You mean you didn’t enter it?” Rachel shook her head. “No. I decided that if Luke wasn’t willing to forgive me for how I wronged him in the past, there was no chance he’d want me for a wife, so I didn’t enter the second contest.”

  Carly rocked back and forth. “That’s strange. There was four entries. If you didn’t enter, then who else could’ve? I’m certain that blue shirt was the same one you kept in your drawer.”

  Rachel pursed her lips as the truth dawned. “It was Jacqueline. She argued up one side of the wall and down the other, wanting me to enter that contest. I told her I wouldn’t, so she must have taken the shirt and entered it without anyone knowing.” Rachel shook her head at her wily daughter.

  Carly smiled a sad smile. “The mayor said that’s the one the marshal liked best. I bet you don’t get it back—oh!”

  The young woman’s shoulders heaved violently, and Rachel’s heart jumped. Was the heat getting to her?

  Suddenly, she pulled her hands in front of her and started rubbing her shoulders. “Look, my hands are free!”

  After some finagling, Carly managed to untie her ankles and staggered to her feet. Rachel noticed that both of Carly’s hands and wrists were covered in blood. “Oh, your poor hands.”

  Carly held them up and grinned as if they were a badge of honor. She turned and looked around on the floor, stooped, then plodded toward Rachel. “Now we just gotta get you untied.”

  “Maybe we should just get out of here and worry about that later.”

  “You cain’t run with your ankles bound together.” Carly shook her head, shoved the battered chair away, and squatted behind Rachel.

  “I’m worried about your hands.”

  “They’ll heal.”

  Carly worked for several minutes, and then Rachel felt the ropes loosen, and the tension in her shoulders released just a smidgeon. Suddenly, the ropes broke. Carefully, she swung her arms forward and rolled her shoulders. “My, but that feels good.”

  Rachel made quick work of freeing her feet and stood on wobbly legs. “We’d best get out of here while we can. Did your brother leave any water?” She searched the small room as Carly headed for the door.

  Suddenly, Carly froze. “I hear voices. Quick. Lie back down on the cot and pretend you’re still tied up.”

  Her frantic gaze made Rachel’s heart ricochet in her chest. Had they worked so hard only to have Ty Payton return now?

  Rachel didn’t take time to question her but did as ordered. The putrid scents of the thin mattress almost made her retch, but with no food or water for a full day, Rachel managed to keep from gagging. Reluctantly, she forced her hands behind her still aching shoulders and lay down. Carly seemed to be searching the room for something. She snatched up a leg that had come off the chair and squeezed in the small space behind the door with the weapon over her head.

  Rachel held her breath, praying that Ty Payton hadn’t returned. Tears threatened, but she blinked them back. She wanted to be ready if Carly needed her help.

  A shadow passed by the window, and then a face appeared. Jacqueline?

  Were her eyes playing tricks?

  And there was Ricky’s blessed face.

  Rachel bolted up off th
e cot so fast, her head swam. Carly spun toward her, looking at her as if she were having a conniption.

  “Ma?” Jacqueline squealed.

  Carly lowered her club, and Rachel yanked the door open. Jacqueline charged in, nearly bowling her over. She grabbed her daughter and clung to her.

  “Ma, I prayed we’d find you. I thought I’d never see you again.”

  Jacqueline’s tears wet the front of Rachel’s dress, and tears of her own streamed down her face. Suddenly, her relief was overpowered by the reality that her daughter was far from home. “Just what in the world are you doing out here?”

  “You smell awful.” Jacqueline pulled away, hurt darkening her eyes. “We were looking for you. Jonesy remembered seeing a stranger at this cabin two days ago and thought we should investigate it.”

  “Oh! I could just blister your backside, but I’m so happy to see you.”

  Ricky entered the cabin, looking shy. He held up a canteen. “Anybody need some water?”

  Rachel held Jacqueline close again while Carly drank. Then the woman passed the canteen, and Rachel savored the lukewarm water, gulping it down.

  “I don’t wanna spoil this family reunion, but it won’t be so happy if my brother returns before we get away.” Carly pressed her lips together, looking like a no-nonsense schoolmarm.

  “She’s right. We need to leave. Now.”

  “Maybe it’d be better if we all went to my house,” Ricky said. “There’s not much cover along the road, and if ’n that stranger returns, we could be in big trouble, even though I do have a gun.” He pulled out James’s old pistol, and Rachel gasped. She turned a stern glare on her daughter.

  Jacqueline ducked her head and then smiled. “Well, you did say a woman should never go far from town unarmed. I was just obeyin’ you, Ma.”

  Rachel grinned at her incorrigible daughter and looped her arm around her. “I’m sure that’s not exactly what I said, but we’ll talk about it when we get home.”

  Ricky led the way, keeping them in the tree line as much as possible. They passed what he said was the Jones farm and continued across a field to a farmhouse in the distance. All of a sudden, they heard horses’ hooves pounding down the lane. With no trees for cover, they bunched together. Rachel shoved Jacqueline behind her, and tried to put on a brave front. It had been one thing to face an outlaw knowing her daughter was safe in her bed, but another thing altogether when her child was in danger.

  “Give me that gun, boy.” Carly faced Ricky, but the kid stepped back.

  Ricky shook his head. “I’ll protect us.”

  Carly stomped toward him and yanked the gun free of his grasp. She winced but held the weapon in spite of her injured hands.

  “You’d shoot your own brother?” Rachel asked.

  “I don’t wanna, but I will if it means saving you and the kids. Get down.” They squatted in the thigh-high grass.

  “She’s gonna have to load it if she hopes to shoot anyone.” Ricky reached into his pocket and yanked out the bullets.

  Carly quickly loaded the weapon and ducked down, turned toward the road, and held the gun outward.

  Rachel hoped in the waning light of dusk that the riders might pass on by and not see them in the field. She held her breath and kept an arm around her daughter. “Please, Lord, make us invisible.”

  Two horses rounded the wide bend in the road at full-gallop. Rachel studied their silhouettes as the setting sun illuminated them. She couldn’t make out their faces, but she recognized the lead rider and bolted up.

  “Get down.” Carly waved her hand behind her.

  Rachel cupped her hand around her mouth and yelled, “Luke!”

  Jacqueline jumped up and took off running, waving her hand. “Luke, over here.”

  Rachel jogged past Carly, half worried that she’d accidentally shoot Jacqueline. Her heart soared with relief to see Luke. He would protect them from the outlaw. Thank You, Lord!

  Luke reined his horse to a stop so fast that it nearly sat down. Someone riding behind Luke flailed his arms and rolled off onto the ground. The second rider’s horse jumped him and skidded to a halt. Luke vaulted to the ground and ran to Jacqueline.

  “What are you doing out here? I told you to stay home.”

  Rachel could see the white of her daughter’s teeth as she smiled. “I found Ma.”

  “Yeah, and you could have gotten hurt.” Luke hugged Jacqueline and then stooped down and kissed her cheek.

  Rachel slowed her steps. She was thrilled to see Luke, but he might not feel the same way. Oh, he’d be happy to find her safe—

  Luke’s gaze captured hers, and all thoughts ceased. He set Jacqueline aside, tweaked her nose, and strode toward Rachel, his eyes smoldering. Her heart leapt at the intensity of his gaze. He stopped and placed his hands on her shoulders, looking both sorry and relieved. “Are you hurt?”

  She shook her head, barely able to breathe. Afraid to allow hope to take wing.

  “I’m so sorry, Rach. Sorry for not forgiving you. It was all my fault.”

  “This wasn’t your fault. Carly’s brother is the one who kidnapped us.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Luke’s brow wrinkled. “Who’s Carly?”

  Rachel peered over her shoulder. Mark stood next to Carly, relieving her of the gun. Rachel heaved a sigh. “It’s a long story, and we’re starving and exhausted. Can it wait until we get back home?”

  Luke pressed his lips together and nodded. “Rachel, there’s so much I need to say. I—”

  Fast approaching hoofbeats silenced whatever he’d been about to tell her. He shoved Rachel behind him. “Jack, hit the dirt!”

  Rachel tried to see past Luke to find her daughter in the twilight, but all that caught her eye was a lightning bug. Her heart choked. Jacqueline was between Luke and the road.

  Luke shoved Rachel down. “Stay here.” He strode forward, gun in hand.

  Had they been rescued, only to be caught again? Rachel shook her head and prayed hard.

  A rider rounded the bend, and Luke shouted out. “Stop where you are, or I’ll shoot.”

  The horse pulled up, snorted at the quick stop, and pranced in circles. “Luke? That you?”

  Relief surrounded Rachel like the growing darkness as she recognized Garrett’s voice.

  “Yeah, I’m sure glad it’s you, cuz,” Luke said.

  “Well you won’t be glad when you hear my news. The bank’s been robbed.”

  CHAPTER 33

  Though anxious to get back to town and check things out, Luke rode back into Lookout at a slower pace than when he’d been searching for Rachel. He wouldn’t risk injuring his horse by galloping in the dark. Besides, Garrett had explained that the outlaw was secure in Luke’s jail with Dan Howard keeping watch.

  He hated leaving Rachel, but his cousins would see her, Miss Blackstone, and Jack home safely. The two boys were close enough to their homes to walk, so all Luke needed to concentrate on was the robbery.

  But his rebellious mind kept wandering back to Rachel. She was filthy and exhausted, but was that hope he’d seen in her eyes? Did he dare think she felt something more than friendship toward him after the way he’d treated her?

  He’d been such a fool.

  There was so much more he wanted to say to her, but that would have to wait.

  The lights of town glimmered in the black night. He rode into Lookout a few minutes later and headed straight for the bank. The lights were on. Was Ray Castleby still there, or had he decided to go home and left a lantern burning to discourage others tempted to relieve the bank of its funds?

  Luke dismounted, secured his horse, and then knocked on the bank door. “Ray, it’s me, Luke. You in there?”

  He heard the jingle of keys; then the lock clicked and the door opened. Ray Castleby looked more haggard than Luke had ever seen him. Luke studied the serene bank. The wood shone even in the flickering light of the lanterns, and the room smelled of beeswax with the faint hint of gunpowder. One of the floor pl
anks contained a splintered hole where a bullet had been fired into it.

  “I’m sure glad to see you, Marshal. Though all the excitement’s over now, I still can’t quit shaking.” Ray motioned him to come in. The thin man’s clothing was rumpled, and one sleeve had blood on it. Ray pushed his wire-rimmed glasses up his pointy nose.

  “Did you get hurt?” Luke pointed at the banker’s sleeve.

  Ray glanced down and stared at the spot that blemished his snow white shirt. His hand trembled as he reached toward the stain. “Uh ... not my blood. Belongs to that thief.”

 

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