Lincoln County Series 1-3

by Sarah Jae Foster

  The sheriff was kind enough to sit with her, holding her in an awkward hug until she could gather her mind around this.

  “How are the other passengers?”

  Clearing his throat, he answered bleakly, “Some didn’t make it to be sure, but most of ‘em we took to the nearest town where they were being looked at by the kind folks there.”

  She couldn’t believe it. Her husband stolen away? Her thoughts were everywhere, plotting out different scenarios, all of which weren’t good.

  “Why was Andrew taken? I mean, I know why they wanted Bethany but why him?” She sniffled.

  It was the first time he looked like he didn’t want to tell her something.

  “Be straight with me, Ed.”

  He shifted position to lean on his other knee and she waited as patiently as possible.

  “They uh… thought they were traveling together.”

  “Well that’s absurd, she was going to get off in the town you took the others to and get on another train home!”

  “Witnesses claim that’s what she told the man who had her, assumingly her husband. He didn’t believe her and said the preacher would be worth something.”

  She bunched her arms across her chest. “That’s good, right? They won’t hurt Andrew if they can use him for the chance to have their freedom!”

  Doubt flickered across his face but she held firm. “Nothing will happen to our preacher, the Good Lord would never allow it.”

  Lacey returned, already hearing the news while she was out and about. “This is just awful!”

  The sheriff inched away, giving them room. He paced the foyer. Lacey took in the carpetbag with a questioning expression.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Cameron said softly.

  Without a word Lacey returned the bag to Cameron’s room and said what they all knew to be true. “Our men are experts in this. They’ll bring him home.”

  *** *** ***

  Since news of the event, Cameron had been on her knees like never before. A week had passed since she released her husband to that train and still no word from Jake or Thomas. In the beginning, she spent the better part of her days dealing with guilt over not being wise enough to report what Bethany had shared. Believing everything was her fault and could have been avoided. She beat herself up with this dreadful knowledge until Lacey pointed out that Andrew had the same information as she and did not think it necessary to report Bethany’s husband.

  “Still, the stranger.”

  Lacey grabbed her and looked ready to slap away all nonsense. “I saw him, too. I didn’t realize he was scouting the train’s passengers. You cannot do this to yourself. Andrew wouldn’t want it. And you need to be at rest for his baby, think on that.”

  Lacey’s words were tough and she tried to find the truth to them. Andrew wouldn’t want her blaming herself but was it unreasonable to do so? Either way, she was unsure and found it better to repent just the same, and when she did, a peace settled upon her, and the desire to lay blame on anyone other than Mr. Hoffman, departed.

  Rather than give in to agitation and fear, though she had some lingering moments of both, she decided to be led by her husband’s example and continued to pray. The more time she spent in prayer, the closer she felt to God—proof of what Andrew meant when he said his life changed for the better every time he believed. Cameron had never sensed such calm in times of trouble as she did now. The idea of going through trials without believing was now an unbearable thought. If her faith was being tested, she could imagine what was happening to Andrew’s. She sobbed for the turmoil he was going through and wished it upon herself if she’d had a choice. “Please God. Save my husband.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  They had been riding hard for days, and finally, the outlaws seemed to feel it safe to take it easy. Andrew was saddle sore and his throat parched. He knew they’d been heading north, but had no idea where they were. He and Bethany had been blindfolded the entire time but now their captors removed their blindfolds and his eyes were painfully adjusting to the light. They’d separated him from Bethany the moment the blindfolds were released and he sat at the fire being guarded by a man with dirty black hair and an overlong mustache.

  Cautiously, he stretched out his legs. With hands still bound, he used his elbows to massage kinks out of his thighs. He didn’t think his guard looked trigger happy, but he’d not make any sudden movements just the same. The green plant life budding up around them suggested they were near water, even though they were tucked away between large boulders and partially nestled into something akin to a cave. He couldn’t see Bethany, but could hear her speaking with her husband. At least she was still alive.

  He had no idea what the plans were for their fate. He’d seen all their faces and didn’t understand how they could keep him alive. Until now, it hadn’t dawned on him to leave any traces as clues to their whereabouts. And why would he? The last thing he’d ever thought could happen in his lifetime was to be kidnapped off a train and held at gunpoint. Hoping it wasn’t too late, he picked at the hem of his pants with plans to leave something behind in case someone was out to rescue them.

  Stretching forth his bound arms caused the guard to get a bit jumpy and he made a gesture of surrender, no harm intended. He’d be crazier than all of them put together if he thought to escape. That was a death sentence in itself, being of cold temperature and no sign of a town anywhere as far as he could see. Once the warmth of the fire took the shivers away he lay back against the support of a rock. Thoughts of Cameron came easily, and despite his circumstance, the image of her peaceful beauty brought comfort. He hoped the stress and worry of his absence wouldn’t hinder the baby’s progress. Their safety was the most important thing. Oddly, he felt God was with him. In the direst situation, He had fulfilled the promise of never leaving or forsaking. Despite Hoffman and his gang of tormentors, there was no doubt in Andrew’s mind that God was there, too.

  Andrew’s dry throat begged for water, and out of desperation, he dared to ask the guard. He was no coward but still he flinched when the guard left his post abruptly and gave him a drink from the canteen. Andrew eyed the man’s rifle. If only his hands were free. Bethany’s voice began to escalate and the guard turned towards the volume of her tone with unease. Andrew couldn’t afford to displease him in any way so he remained calm. Under his breath, he prayed for Cameron, he prayed for baby Jackson and he prayed for Bethany to have wisdom and to not stir the pot.

  “What are you yammering on about?”

  Andrew took in the guard towering over him. “I was… praying.”

  His answer was met with laughter. “Sure then! It’s done ya good so far, eh, Preacher?”

  There was no point in rousing up an argument so he took to praying inwardly. Nobody was going to keep him from communicating to God.

  The guard refused to relent. “So tell me, Preacher. What’s it like praying to the air? No God has come to help ya so far and I don’t see how praying is going to get you home anytime soon.”

  “I’m not praying for me.”

  He didn’t seem to like that answer and frowned. “Well that just appears to be stupid. What are ya praying about then?”

  Carefully, Andrew kept his eyes cast downward on the ground and the guard had settled into a squat at his level for a nice, personal, intimidating conversation.

  “For my wife.”

  He laughed again. “Mighty nice of you. Though she ain’t the one in danger presently.”

  Bethany was in full blown yelling mode now and his guard ordered him to get up. With wobbly balance, Andrew used the rock to help him to a standing position.

  He was warned, “Don’t do nothin’ foolish and I won’t have to shoot you.”

  What he did do was take notice of their surroundings as they crept along the crest and walked in a semi-circle to where Bethany, her husband and the man who’d helped in taking them stood in a shouting match. He dropped a piece of pant material behind him, knowing it was a futil
e effort but he had to attempt something. She wasn’t making their situation easy being disruptive and rebellious. He was still making out how they were going to get away. They needed to work together on this or at least communicate somehow. Piercing her with a look, he determined she was causing havoc for no good reason. He needed more time to form a plan. He had every intention of getting away from these criminals and spending the rest of his life with Cameron. He stared her down until she looked his way, then, discreetly, he made a hand gesture, his palm towards the ground, signaling her to compose herself.

  Hoffman pointed at him. “Tell me again that you weren’t running off with him. He looks like a lovesick puppy. Look at him!”

  “I’ve told you a thousand times over, Jimmy. I hardly know him!”

  It was difficult for Andrew not to weigh in but it was wise to be mute for her sake.

  “And I say you’re lying.”

  “I can’t convince you otherwise?” Bethany took two steps towards him. “Please forgive me for running away. I was frightened.”

  Relief poured over Andrew. She’d heeded his plea to not be confrontational. He would work out a plan if she could placate her husband a little while longer.

  Glaring at him, Hoffman ordered the guard, “Get him out of here!”

  “Let’s leave him behind. I want to be rid of him so we can be together again, just the two of us,” Bethany said within Andrew’s hearing, surely for his benefit to know that time was running out.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Never in all his days did Jake feel as helpless as he did now. Weary after two weeks of looking for Andrew, he rode through town, the weight of his failure dragging him near to hell. An hour ago he’d parted ways with Thomas after convincing him that he would tell Cameron. What he wondered now was why on earth he made that idiotic decision. Thomas was her brother—he should be the one to tell her! She was sure to despise the messenger.

  He reached Lacey’s Place, speculating Cameron would be there. He half hoped she wouldn’t be because he didn’t think he could do it. No one was in the foyer when he walked in, or the restaurant. His eyes took to the stairs, which held many memories of past times with her. He shoved those thought aside, and regretfully, headed to her room.

  After a light tap on the door she opened it. Upon seeing her solemn, beautiful face, his voice caught.

  Removing his hat he settled a repentant gaze on her. “Cameron…”

  She sobbed and backed away, deeper into the room. She threw his arms off of her as he tried to comfort. “Let me finish… Cam…”

  “No! He’s not dead, he’s not!”

  He blinked hard. “No. He’s not.”

  That got her attention.

  “At least,” he continued. “We don’t know… We lost their trail.”

  She turned on him. “What did you say?”

  “Thomas and I lost them. We’ve returned for more men and supplies and we’re going back.”

  Getting in his face she said angrily, “You are a bounty hunter, Jake! You never lose anybody you want to find!”

  The blame she’d thrown on him was exactly what he’d expected. It was what he deserved and more. It wasn’t true though. He’d calculated every decision, every move he and Thomas made. He wouldn’t have done anything differently. They had hunted them out, searching high and low. Hoffman and his gang were good at hiding. But they would be found.

  “We’ll get him back. I promise you.”

  She went to the window and he wanted to wipe away the tears streaming down her cheeks. Forever she would accuse him of being purposeful in not finding Andrew, that is, if he never found him. He had to get him home or he would die trying.

  Quietly he said, “He’s my friend.”

  As she looked upon him with hope and sorrow at the same time, the desire to do anything and everything to please her became cemented in his mind. Gladly, he’d give up his own life if it meant she could have Andrew back and be happy. His eyes slid to her stomach. She was holding her womb protectively.

  She became more herself. “I didn’t mean it.”

  He figured she did but allowed her the last word on it.

  “I know,” he said.

  “I’m so afraid for him, Jake. I mean…” She choked up. “It’s my fault!”

  Casually, he moved closer to her. “It’s nobody’s fault.”

  She disagreed. “I asked him to sit by Bethany, to keep her safe until they needed to part ways.”

  “He would have done that anyway. You know it, too.”

  For several minutes silence permeated the room. Fatigue was catching up to him.

  She must have noticed as she said, “You’re exhausted. Take my bed and I will share with Lacey tonight.”

  He couldn’t have been more tempted by anything else. He looked upon her bed and all he wanted to do was fall into it. “I need to prepare to leave. Thomas will be back for me in a few hours.”

  “Tell me what to do, Jake. I will get everything you need, and meantime, you will rest.”

  “I need to tend my horse.”

  “Done. You’re no good to Andrew if you are not at your best. Lacey and I will get supplies.”

  Stubbornly, she stood with hands on her hips until he relented. She was right and he figured Thomas was wise enough to get some shut-eye himself. He sat on the edge of her bed and she tended to him. With tears in continuous flow, Cameron assisted him and ease off his dusty boots. It was uncomfortable to receive her help, but he believed she was doing it for herself. Her way of saying sorry for what she’d said.

  *** *** ***

  Jake wasn’t happy to have been allowed to sleep until dawn and wondered how long Cameron would have let him sleep if he hadn’t woken up on his own. Cursing at the time, he threw on his boots, grabbed his rifle and hustled down the stairs.

  “You haven’t slept yet?” he asked, seeing Cameron’s silhouette in the darkened restaurant. She sat there, hands folded, fingers touching under her chin. She’d been praying.

  She eased out of the booth. “I was going to wake you before long.”

  She must have sensed his displeasure and he was sorry for his haste. “Just hate wasting time is all.”

  “I’ve got everything ready for you. Thomas and his men came some time ago and I sent them to bed as well. I’ll wake him now.”

  “No need.” Thomas said groggily, coming into the room.

  Lance, Mack and Jesse filed in behind him to say their good-byes to Cameron before heading out.

  She looked at Thomas and Jake, her voice grave. “Please, find him for us. I don’t… I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.”

  Propriety be blasted! Jake stalked up to Cameron and held tight her shoulders. “On my life I will bring Andrew back.”

  Her voice was barely above a whisper and she halfway smiled as she said, “I know.”

  Thomas urged his men to move on out. Cameron pulled herself from Jake and went to her brother. Standing on tiptoes, she pecked his cheek. “Be safe.”

  Revenge began to settle in the pit of Jake’s stomach. He was itching to find and kill the men who could bring such evil turmoil to human lives.

  As Jake and Thomas began to leave she handed them a couple of burlap bags. “You two return home to me, too. I need you both in my life.” She patted her abdomen. “We need you in our lives.”

  Jake made sure that last image of Cameron Jackson pleading, hand on her belly, was seared into his mind. It would keep him going until he was successful at bringing Andrew home. Never again, would he return without him.

  A HEART FOR LOVE

  SARAH JAE FOSTER

  Chapter One

  One month. Cameron Jackson rolled from her side onto her back and wiped the wetness from her cheek. Today marked the thirtieth day she hadn’t seen her husband, the town’s preacher, and the ache she had within was tearing her up. She hugged his pillow over her belly, where their baby was growing, oblivious in the knowledge that his father had been stolen off of a trai
n and held hostage. The tears poured in force as she realized Andrew’s scent was no longer prominent in their bedding. Squeezing the pillow tight with anger, she tossed it aside. A moment later she grabbed it and buried her face deep in it, trying to inhale the last of him. “Oh God! Please bring him back to us.”

  Too soon, she had to exit their bed. Morning sickness pushed her out before she was ready to leave the warmth of it. After rinsing bile from her mouth she pulled a piece of bread from the loaf on the table, foregoing taking time to slice it properly. No sense in formalities in this desolate place. Against the chill of fall creeping through the floorboards, Cameron pulled her wrap snug against her thinning frame and contemplated what to do next. There had been too many long nights of loneliness bathed in fear and thoughts filled to overflowing with uncertainty, and she could contend with it no more. She placed the last chunk of bread into her mouth and decided she would fare better at Lacey’s Place, where she would not be able to dwell solely on Andrew’s absence. Lacey Jennings was Andrew’s cousin and like a beloved sister to her, and Cameron yearned to be near her. Looking around her pathetically unwelcoming home, she steered herself towards the simple wardrobe in her armoire and sought out a plain gray dress. It was the perfect fit to her mood.

  As she did every morning, faithful as the sunrise, she cried out in prayer until her hope increased and her faith renewed. Girded up, she believed wholeheartedly that God would deliver Andrew home safe and sound.

  She soon delivered her buggy and single horse to the livery and crossed the street, just as Lacey came out of the hotel. Cameron curved a tiny smile. It was as though Lacey had been waiting for her to tire of being alone.

  At least Lacey had enough discernment to be gentle. With a gloved hand, she cupped Cameron’s chin and searched her eyes, perhaps to determine if she was resigned to the fact that Andrew might never return.

  “Coming to stay with me?” she asked carefully.

  Cameron said nothing, lest the tears fall again. She nodded instead. Lacey plucked the tapestry carpetbag from her grip and brought her inside the grand hotel.