In the glow of the flames from the rest of the building she could see people milling about below, but her gaze focused on one. Eli. Standing directly beneath the window, beckoning to her.
Maggie squeezed her eyes shut. Smoke swirled around her. Coughing, choking, she couldn’t make herself let go.
Eli shouted, “Come on, darlin’. I got you.”
A part of the ceiling collapsed behind her, sending flames, ash and debris in a cloud toward her. Maggie closed her eyes, breathed Please, God, and jumped.
The jarring impact left her disoriented for a moment. But she wasn’t dead. She eased up, only to realize she was lying on top of Eli. He was flat out on the ground, eyes closed. He’d broken her fall. And she’d broken him.
Was he dead? “Oh, Eli. I’m so sorry.”
Joy filled her when he mumbled, “I knew you could break my heart, but I didn’t realize you could break my bones.”
Then he lost consciousness again.
Chapter Forty-Two
Eli opened his eyes to see the asylum fully ablaze, and Caleb hovering over him. Trying to sit up, Eli looked past his brother for other faces. A searing pain in his left arm took him down again.
“Easy now,” Caleb said. “Your mother and Maggie are fine.”
Inhaling deeply, Eli waited as a coughing spell racked his body. “You sure they’re okay?” he wheezed.
“Yes, Nathaniel’s looking them over to be sure, but they’re well enough to be throwing conniption fits in their effort to get to you.”
Eli closed his eyes, thanking God with all his heart. When he opened them again, Caleb had moved back and Nathaniel was kneeling beside him.
“You hurt?” he asked.
“Feels like someone tried to rip my arm off.”
“Let me look at it.”
“In a minute. How are Mama and Maggie?”
Nathaniel proceeded with the examination, but he did answer the question. “They inhaled some smoke, and Maggie has lacerations to her hands and knees.”
“Lacerations? How?”
“She crawled through some debris. There are also rope burns on her wrists, and a bruise on her cheek. She got socked pretty hard.”
Eli ground his teeth together so tight he wondered if he’d cracked any. And it had nothing to do with the way Nathaniel was moving his arm. He was going to hunt Jasper Slidell down and end this once and for all. Now.
But not if he passed out. “Hey, careful there,” Eli growled, “that hurts like h—
Nathaniel cut him off. “Yep, and it’ll get worse before it gets better. You’ve got a dislocated shoulder.”
“Didn’t need a doctor to tell me that. How’s Mama doing?”
“Like I just told you, she took in some smoke. But she shouldn’t have any long term problems.”
Eli searched Nathaniel’s face. “How is she doing, though? As far as…oh, you know what I mean.”
Nathaniel nodded. “I know. Has it set her back? I don’t think so. But I think it’s aged me about fifty years.” Voice husky, he said, “When I realized that y’all were inside that burning building it took three people to hold me back. Caleb was literally sitting on me at one point. When I saw you coming out of there with her, I’ve never been so glad to see anybody in my life.”
He squeezed Eli’s good arm. “Now let me do what I need to do to fix you up, or I’ll have to sedate you.”
Despite his pain, Eli tried to grin. “It’s going to take more than three people to help you do that. By the way, why didn’t you go home when I told you to?”
Nathaniel shrugged. “You’re not my boss.’”
“Mine either,” Caleb said from over Nathaniel’s shoulder.
“How did you know to come here?” Eli asked.
“That little ragtag posse didn’t return home; they followed you to Hollis Anderson’s office and he told them about the asylum. When I got home, Abby told me what was happening. I took out after y’all. I still had a horse.”
“Any sign of Jasper?”
“No.”
“When I find him,” Eli said through clenched teeth, “and I will find him, I don’t want you interfering.”
Caleb raised his hands in surrender. “Nathaniel filled me in on what all this was about. Why didn’t y’all tell me what was going on?” Caleb’s glance slid back and forth between his brothers.
“We should have,” Eli admitted. “But it seemed personal, like something we needed to tend to.”
Bliss walked up, gun in hand, and a sober look on his face.
“What’s wrong Bliss?”
“Jasper Slidell’s out back there.”
Eli struggled to sit up again. “Don’t let him get away.”
“He’s not going anywhere. He’s dead.”
“What happened?”
“I saw him standing there watching the fire,” Bliss said. “Laughing. Didn’t figure that was happenstance. Knew he had to be involved. I drew my gun and called out to him. The idiot went for a derringer that he had in that fancy waistcoat. I filled him full of lead.”
Regret hit Eli. Not for Jasper, but for Bliss. “He’s a powerful man,” Eli said. “Killing him could bring all kinds of trouble and attention your way.”
“I’m not a bit worried about it,” Bliss said. “Nathaniel told me what this was about, and I wish you’d confided in me earlier. I coulda told you that Jasper Slidell had more enemies than he did friends. Some of them might make a show of grieving, but believe me there won’t be many a tear shed for the man.”
“You knew him?”
“We’ve had a few run-ins through the years.”
Nathaniel moved Eli’s arm just then, and Eli sucked in a breath between his teeth. “Hey, watch it.”
“Sorry, Eli, but this has to be done,” his brother said.
Maggie was now hovering behind Nathaniel. Eli stared at her as several emotions warred with each other in his mind: Regret that she’d been hurt again, happiness that she was going to be okay…and a deep sorrow that he’d have to let her go.
He’d never wanted a penny of her money, but he’d been glad she had it for her own sake—to live the life to which she was accustomed, which she deserved. He could not provide that for her.
Eli was thinking all that, but what came from his mouth was, “Maggie, love.”
He reached out to touch her face at the same time he heard Nathaniel say, “This is going to hurt.”
That’s the last thing Eli remembered.
* * *
Maggie gathered her hair in one hand, smoothed it and let it fall back to her shoulders. She’d washed it several times before the smell of smoke was gone, but it was finally clean. She’d pulled it back with a ribbon, a blue one that matched the dress she wore.
Eli would be here any moment. They’d not been alone since the night at the asylum, and had rarely seen each other even in the presence of others. She missed him.
When he tapped on the door, Maggie reveled at the sight of him. Even with one arm in a sling, and a worried, tense look on his face, he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
Wait, why was he worried?
For a few minutes they discussed all that had happened, and again Eli apologized for what Jasper Slidell had done. And again, Maggie assured him that it wasn’t his fault. Jasper, and only Jasper, was responsible for what had happened.
She wasn’t sure Eli agreed with her, but he finally moved on.
“What will happen to your father?” he asked. “Hollis made it sound like he was destitute. Sure am sorry about that.”
“It’s true that he’s nearly broke, but Papa had a few assets left. He should be able to stay in the house for several months as it’s readied for sale. Fortunately, it turns out he had some friends, real friends, not like Hollis Anderson. He’s a good man, helped many a businessman get his feet under him. Not everyone forgot that. His life will be different, that’s for sure, but he’ll get by.”
“Good,” Eli said. “Did he tell you about
Hollis Anderson?”
“Yes, he mentioned that Hollis had a sudden yearning to return to the east. Good riddance.”
Eli nodded, perched on the edge of the sofa—like he planned to bolt and run at any moment. What was wrong?
He drew in a deep breath. “Maggie, I think it’s time for our pretend engagement to end.”
Relief flowed through her. He was nervous about asking her to marry him.
“The sooner any talk about us dies down,” Eli said, “the easier it will be for you to get a real fiancé.”
Maggie blinked. “What? You don’t love me?”
He shrugged. “That doesn’t matter one way or the other. I’m not good enough for you, plain and simple. You’re an educated woman. You’re beautiful. You’ll have your pick of men. All better choices than me.”
Didn’t he realize how absurd that was?
“Don’t worry, Maggie, you won’t be alone for long. All you have to do is watch your attitude and temper. Remember, a little sweet talk can go a long way with potential suitors.”
She stared at him in disbelief. He couldn’t have made her angrier if he tried. Then it hit her. That’s exactly what he was trying to do. Why?
“What’s really going on here, Eli?”
“I’m trying to be a friend to you, and Lucinda. I’ve come to care about you both. Once you get back to Fair Haven you’ll not be lacking for masculine attention.”
There was something about the way he looked when he said Fair Haven that had her puzzled. “So you really want me to go?”
His shoulders relaxed. “Yes. I want you to go.”
Maggie pushed to her feet. “I think I’m starting to see the light here. You want me gone because it’ll be better for me.”
Eli nodded.
“And easier for you.”
He tensed up again, but didn’t say anything.
“You’re a chicken,” she said softly.
He stood. “I am not.”
“Yes, yes you are. You’re scared.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Hands on her hips she glared at him. “This has nothing to do with my attitude or my temper, or your imagined shortcomings. Or even your ability to provide for a family. You are scared. Plain and simple.”
“Now wait just a minute. The reason I want you to go is because that’s what’s best for you and Lucinda.”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Looking as if she’d hit him, Eli reached out to her, then lowered his hand and stepped back. “Please don’t cry, Maggie. It’ll work out better for everybody this way.”
Maggie swiped at her eyes. “I’m not going to cry. I’m frustrated and angry. I can’t believe that you’re going to let your past ruin any chance of a future.”
His eyes widened. “My past? What’s that got to do with anything?”
“That’s why you’re scared. You said that you learned never to get attached to anybody, and never to get your hopes up. People leave. People die. Isn’t that what this is really about?”
Lips a thin line, he said nothing.
She poked a finger at his chest. “Admit it.”
He stood there, clutching the brim of his hat, knuckles white now.
“You’re not the only one who worries about the past,” she said. “I was a pawn of my father and Hollis, but I’m willing to take to a chance on marriage.”
She couldn’t stop the little sob that escaped her. Why was he being so stubborn?
Well, if she couldn’t make him change his mind, she sure wasn’t going to make it easier for him.
“I’ve got news for you, Elijah Calhoun. I’m staying right here in Moccasin Rock and I’m going to marry the first man that asks me. And we’re going to have a dozen more babies.”
He jammed his hat on his head and glared at her. “You’d better be on that train tomorrow morning, Maggie.” His tone turned pleading. “If you don’t, you’ll regret it someday. When you find the man you want to spend the rest of your life with.”
I found him.
“And no matter what you’re thinking, it’s not me.”
Despite Maggie’s best effort, the tears she’d fought brimmed over and ran unchecked down her face.
Eli turned and ran.
Chapter Forty-Three
He’d made Maggie cry. Eli knew she’d probably shed many a tear in private, but she’d never let him see. She hadn’t cried when he met her—despite what she’d been through—and she’d not shed a tear over losing her fortune. And yet she’d cried because of him.
He turned over and stared at the ceiling, calling himself every name he could think of, and then starting over. He was spending the night in the cabin so he wouldn’t be tempted to show up at the train station in the morning. She and Lucinda had to go. But he couldn’t watch them leave.
Every time he closed his eyes he was assaulted by mental pictures of Maggie growing older, and more beautiful, and the baby growing up. Who would be there for them? He’d been trying to do the right thing by making her leave. Hadn’t he?
But it had definitely not turned out right. What if Maggie really did marry the first man who asked her? What if the fellow was a scoundrel? A criminal? Worse than Hollis Anderson? What would become of her and Lucinda?
By the time morning rolled around Eli’s head ached nearly as much as his heart. He waited until he was sure the morning train had come and gone, and then headed into town. At Bony Joe’s he drank two cups of coffee, and poked his fork around in the food placed in front of him, but he had no appetite.
After leaving there, Eli stopped by the mercantile to make sure Brody was okay. He’d spent the night with Jamie Wilson’s family and was spending the day helping Silas Martin. The boy would start school after the new year, but for now he was excited to earn some money for Christmas presents.
As he was leaving the store, Eli saw Adger Wilson’s pig and mule pass by, headed in the direction of the church. That was all he needed today. Stalking after them, Eli was determined to get them off the street, even if he had to lock the silly critters up to do it. He slowed when he realized that a couple of boys were running along behind the animals—two of Adger’s sons.
“Sorry, Sheriff,” Jamie panted, “they followed me when I headed to town.”
It took only a few minutes to help the boys herd the animals in the direction of the Wilson’s house.
After they’d gone and the dust had settled, Eli stood near the picket fence at the grave yard, looking at the markers. There were men, women and children buried here. At least one old preacher and two outlaws. Except for the youngest among them, they’d probably all had plans, hopes and dreams. Some lived to see them, others didn’t.
But they all had one thing in common. Whatever they did or didn’t do, it couldn’t be changed now.
Whatever had been left unsaid, or undone, was that way forever.
That’s when it hit him. Maggie was right. He’d wanted an absolute guarantee that everything would work out. That there’d be no loss and no heartache.
Eli had wanted it all, and he’d wanted it his way. But he’d been losing control for weeks—of his life, his emotions, his thoughts and actions. Control he’d fought hard for since he was old enough to fight.
And the tighter he’d held on, the harder it had gotten. He had to let go. Truly surrender everything to God.
Pastor Wilkie’s message from Matthew flashed through his mind. Don’t worry about tomorrow.
Eli turned on his heel and headed straight for the train station.
If Bliss hadn’t been walking by, Eli might not have told him his plans.
“Where you going?”
“I’m going to Fair Haven. To get Maggie and the baby.”
The old man grinned. “Sounds like a right fine idea to me.”
Despite his confident air, Eli wasn’t sure of Maggie’s reaction. He’d hurt her. She might need time to get over that.
He also wasn’t sure exactly what he’d
say, but it would start with an apology and end with a proposal. Eli practiced both all the way to Fair Haven.
Unfortunately, Maggie wasn’t easy to find. It hadn’t occurred to him that he didn’t know where she would live. Once again, Nelson Radford was alone in the big house, surrounded by boxes, crates and barrels. Obviously he was preparing to vacate the premises.
“Where can I find Maggie?” Eli asked.
“She told me she was staying with the woman who’s taken her in. A Mrs. Harmon, I believe. That’s the last I heard.”
Eli didn’t want to worry him unduly, so he nodded and turned to leave. Then he stopped. He wasn’t sure he liked Nelson Radford, but the man was Maggie’s father. Best get things settled now.
“I plan on marrying your daughter when I find her,” Eli said. “Do you have any problem with that?”
Nelson eyed him with a look of amusement. “No objection. But it seems to me you’ll need to do a better job of keeping up with her. You’ve already lost her again.”
Grumbling, Eli left, stopping next at the sheriff’s office. Shiloh Clark hadn’t seen Maggie either. After several other stops, Eli went by Maggie’s friend Avalee’s house. It was of similar size and style to the Radford place.
Even from the front porch Eli could hear the buzz of activity inside—she must be hosting some sort of gathering. The door was opened by a frazzled looking man who pointed to a door on his right when Eli asked to see Miss Quinn.
Eli stepped through the doorway and nodded to Avalee. She was surrounded by other giggling girls of every shape and size. But none of them was Maggie.
When every eye turned his way, Eli tugged on his collar and thought about backing out into the hall. There was a table full of food laid out, and Eli had a feeling that a single man would be snatched up faster than one of the little pink cakes piled up in the center.
“I haven’t seen her,” Avalee said when Eli asked. “She sent word that she was okay and had survived her ordeal. That’s the only thing I’ve heard.”
Avalee clutched her throat and closed her eyes. When she opened them there were tears. “You don’t think she was abducted again, do you?”
A Texas Promise Page 27