Using the hankie she had stashed in her sleeve, she blotted the wetness away. Her red hair had always been blamed for her temper, were her green eyes now at the root of her jealousy? Ty was her escort. He was supposed to spend his time with her, not Clare. How could he be so downright mean?
Ellie wished she had ridden Chessie so she could go home and not have to face Ty again tonight. There was absolutely nothing he could say that would make things better. But she didn’t have a mount. Maybe she’d ask Betty Jo if she could sleep over at her house. Yes, that’s what she’d do. She had no desire to ride home with that two-timing Tyler Bishop.
The icy air cut through her wrap like a knife, and Ellie reached for the door to go back inside. Suddenly a hand came from behind and covered her mouth while an arm circled her waist, locking her in a firm hold.
She struggled, but to no avail. Only muffled noises escaped the muting fingers across her face, and she was no match for the strength of her captor. Her feet barely touched the ground as she felt herself being dragged away from the building.
Chapter Fifteen
“What the hell are you doing, Jeb?” Joshua’s voice echoed in the dark alley over the muffled tones of music. “I thought you came out to take a nip. Let her go.”
“Shut up and mind your own business. I’ve got a plan.”
There was the word “plan” again. Ellie shuddered, wishing she had told Pa or Ty, anybody, about Jeb’s earlier threat.
She kicked viciously at Jeb’s shins and tried to scream for help but it was no use. His hand tightened across her mouth, allowing only muted sounds no one could possibly hear.
“What are you gonna do with her?” Joshua looked nervously over his shoulder. That very question burned in Ellie’s mind. He turned back to his brother. “Whatever your plan is, it sounds like big trouble to me.”
“It would to a coward. If you don’t want to help me, then go back inside and keep your mouth shut.”
If only it wasn’t so dark, Ellie thought, Joshua could see the pleading look in her eyes. Even if he was the strong, silent type, surely his soft side would choose to help her if he could. Unfortunately she wouldn’t have a chance to know. She continued kicking and squirming, but Jeb’s grasp only tightened. His fingers dug into her waist, and his large hand covered not only her mouth but her nose, making it difficult to breathe.
Exhausted, she ceased fighting and sagged against her captor. Her legs and arms felt like Pa’s old anvil was tied to them.
“Go get the horses and bring them around,” Jeb ordered. “I’ll be needin’ mine now, but you can leave your mount here for an easy get-away later.”
Joshua unquestioningly complied, and within a few moments, he returned leading the saddled animals.
“Now,” Jeb barked, “I want you to go watch the front door. I’m sure Mr. Bishop is going to be coming through it anytime now, looking for his lady. I have to take my hand from Ellie’s mouth and if she dares to scream, I want you to shoot Ty on the spot.”
Ellie’s heart stilled. God no, don’t let her foolish actions be the cause of Ty’s death. She’d rather Jeb shoot her. Oh, why had she acted so rashly and ventured outside in the first place?
He turned his attention to Ellie. “Do you understand? One word out of you and your beau is a dead man.”
She nodded, focusing all her anger at Jeb. No matter how enraged she’d felt at Ty a few minutes ago, there was no way she wanted to be the cause of any-thing happening to him.
Jeb slowly removed his hand from her mouth. “Not one word outta you, or else.”
Ellie dared not speak. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, relieved his palm no longer ground her lips into her teeth. A discernable shudder moved through her.
Jeb hefted her up onto his saddle and mounted behind her. She faced front, avoiding his whiskey breath, struggling to think of a way out of this horrible mess.
Would Ty even notice she’d gone? She felt torn with wanting to pray he did, or thinking it might be better if he didn’t—at least, not right away. Her safety wasn’t the only concern. She chewed her bottom lip, shrinking away from Jeb’s nearness.
He nudged his horse back to the corner of the building where Joshua stood keeping watch, and reined in next to him. “Here’s the deal. If Bishop doesn’t come out, you go back inside and make yourself as visible as possible. If anyone asks where I am, tell them I’m outside getting a breath of fresh air.”
“Where will you really be?”
“I’m riding up to the old line shack the drovers use during branding season. No one will think of looking there. I’m going to make Miz Ellie a comfortable place to rest a spell. Make sure you leave before the dance is over, before the crowd thins, so everyone will think we left together. I’ll meet up with you at the fork in the road.”
In the dim moonlight Ellie noticed the worried crease in Joshua’s brow. “That’s not gonna work,” he said. “The minute someone misses her, they’ll come looking for us, especially after the scene you caused in there.”
“Ah, hardly anybody noticed that, and we won’t be suspect if we make sure she’s stowed away properly. Who’s gonna question us if we ride into town tomorrow morning without her and go about our business?”
“Just what do you plan to accomplish by this?” Joshua’s lips thinned.
Ellie wanted to know, too. Her heart sagged at knowing Joshua was staying behind. She hoped he might be the voice of reason Jeb listened to. He had once before.
She decided to try one last plea. “Jeb, please let me go,” she said, careful to keep her voice low. “This is only going to get you into big trouble. You know my Pa and Ty will be furious.”
Jeb chortled. “Lady, I couldn’t care less about your pa and Tyler Bishop. We aim to own Fountainhead, and if using you as a bargaining chip is the answer, then I’ve got the deed in my pocket.”
“It’ll never work.” Ellie kept her voice in a whisper to appease her captor. “As soon as the Sheriff finds out you forced me to go with you, you’ll be spending a long time in jail, or maybe even getting to know the end of a noose up close and personal. You can’t just take a body against their will.”
“She’s right, Jace.” Joshua nodded.
“Shut up, and get back inside.” Jeb’s anger was hushed by clenched teeth. “It’s a good thing Pa has one son that has guts. Meet me where the road splits toward the ranch. I’ll get there as soon as I get Miz Ellie tucked in all nice and comfy.”
Comfy how? A coiled snake was less frightening than the horrible thoughts spinning through Ellie’s mind. She covered her mouth to keep from crying out.
It wasn’t just her in jeopardy.
Jeb clucked at his horse and moved cautiously out onto the main street. A dim light filtered out of the mercantile onto the walkway, but all the other store fronts were dark. Seeing no one, he spurred the animal into a gallop.
Ellie had no choice but to suffer in the crook of his arms to keep her balance. Frigid air sliced through her like a knife, and she yanked her wrap up over her nose to ward off the cold. She lifted her chin and peered over Jeb’s shoulder in hopes of seeing someone in pursuit. Only a thin haze of dust and the dimming lights of Sparta were visible as the distance between her and the town widened.
* * * * *
“Let go of me!” Ty shook free from Clare’s clinging grasp, and brushed at his long sleeves. He should have said it a whole lot earlier and wished he had. His jaw tensed and he leveled his eyes with hers. “How can I say this nicely? I only danced with you to be polite. I have absolutely no interest in you, Clare. Ellie is the lady I’m courting and aim to marry one day. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go see if I can apologize and set things right with her.”
He left Clare with her mouth agape. She reminded him of a tic, something that dug in and kept a firm hold. His tongue clicked against the back of his teeth while he edged his way through the bodies in the hall. It amazed him how many people remained. He’d expected the crowd to lessen befor
e this late in the night, but social events were so far and few between most people probably wanted to soak up all the fun they could, especially with winter closing in and limiting the opportunities. He stood on tiptoes, searching for Ellie, mentally planning his apology.
She was nowhere to be seen, but in his scan of the room he did notice a couple in the corner stealing a goodnight kiss. Oh if only…looking beyond a pair of older women who appeared to be sharing a bit of gossip, he finally spied Betty Jo. He made his way over to her and interrupted her conversation. “Excuse me. Do you know where Ellie is?”
Betty Jo shook her head. “I thought she was with you by now. Earlier, she came and got her wrap and said she was stepping out for a breath of air. I haven’t seen her since.”
His jaw tightened. He didn’t like hearing Ellie had left the safety of the hall, but it was so cold outside, she wouldn’t tarry long. He smiled at Betty Jo. “I probably missed her in the crowd. I’ll go see if I can find her.”
“Do you want me to help?”
“No, I can take care of it. You go ahead and enjoy yourself,” he said, nodding toward Betty Jo’s prospective beau.
Ty flashed a knowing wink before turning to leave, but his mind was on Ellie. Stepping out in this weather? Was she daft?
He pushed through the herd of people, searching faces for Ellie’s, but had no luck. His pulse quickened, trying to imagine how her mind worked. He had, after all, danced with the enemy. But dang, what choice did he have? Clare wasn’t the kind to take “no” for an answer. Maybe Ellie left without him. When she got mad, there was no telling what she’d do. Great, now he’d be stranded.
He quickly maneuvered his way to the door and walked outside. The buggy was still secured where he parked it. He heaved a sigh. At least she hadn’t left him without a way home. The feeling of relief passed quickly with the realization he still had no idea where she was.
He looked up and down the sidewalk. His quick breaths hung in the icy air. The street was empty and eerily silent, given that the music inside had momentarily stopped. Coldness nipped at his cheeks and sent a shiver through him. No sane person would be wandering around in the unseasonably near-freezing temperature.
Ty scratched his head. Where was she? He went back inside and made one last sweeping search for her, stopping again to ask Betty Jo, “Has she been back yet?”
“No!” Betty Jo’s lip quivered. “Oh, Ty, now you have me worried. It’s not like Ellie to disappear into thin air. She was so excited about being here with you.”
Ty flashed back to how she had cuddled close to him in the buggy and jabbered like a jaybird about how she hated the Bryants. A horrible thought crossed Ty’s mind, and he craned his neck, looking for the twins. In the far corner he spied Joshua talking to a girl. Ty exhaled loudly. Where you saw one brother the other was always close by. He wiped his brow. “Whew, for a moment there, I thought–”
“You thought what?” Betty Jo’s brow rose.
“Nothing important.” Ty took a seat, his hands clenched. He stared at the floor. “I know Ellie has a bad temper, but this is ridiculous. All I did was dance one time with Clare Smith.”
“That was your mistake,” Betty Jo chided. “You know how she feels about Clare. You could have danced with anyone but her.”
Ty’s head snapped up. “It was only a dance, for heaven’s sake. You’d think I shot Ellie’s horse or somethin’. Where in the world could she be?”
“I wish I knew. Are you positive she isn’t in here somewhere?” Betty Jo craned her neck and scanned the room.
“I’ve looked everywhere. I’ll bet she’s hidin’ from me. She’s probably watchin’ me sweat right now.” He sat back, folded his arms over his chest and crossed his legs with one booted foot atop his knee. “Well, I’m not gonna play her silly game. I’ll sit right here and wait until it’s time to go home.”
The dance floor filled and emptied several times. Ty gazed at the waltzing couples and wished he and Ellie were among them, but the more he thought about Ellie’s antics, the madder he got. She couldn’t expect him to think like a female. He planned to tell her that as soon as he found her.
Little by little, the crowd waned. Ty continued sitting, but his gaze darted from one side of the room to the other, anxiously looking for Ellie.
Dang, she had him so frustrated. His jaw tensed and panic raced through his mind. Surely she wouldn’t have tried getting home on her own, but then this was Ellie he was dealing with.
Maybe she went to the livery and borrowed a horse. Lars, the owner, would certainly trust her with one. But the blasted woman would freeze to death, dressed in that thin frock with only a flimsy woolen wrap. Suddenly his worry tinged with renewed anger. How could she disregard his feelings? No one deserved to be treated this way.
He stood, and in one last attempt, surveyed the room, still hoping to find her among the few remaining guests. He had a few words to share with her.
Betty Jo tapped him on the shoulder. “Ty, I have to go now, but what about Ellie? I’m so worried about her.”
He eyed the young man obviously waiting for Betty Jo. “There’s no need for concern,” Ty lied. “I’ll find her. It’s that darned red-headed temper of hers. She’s just being overly jealous and trying to teach me a lesson. You run along home and don’t fret.”
“Fine, but have her ride over tomorrow and let me know she’s all right. Will you do that?”
“Sure thing, Betty Jo.” He patted her shoulder.
Ty hurried across the room to where his belongings hung. He donned his heavy coat, plopped his hat atop his head, and went outside.
The Fountain buggy was the only one remaining at the hitching rail. The dappled mare nickered a greeting that echoed in the stillness. Ty momentarily stroked her nose while pondering what to do. He shook his head. Where did he start? There was no way he could go home and confess to Ben that he lost his daughter at the dance.
“Damn!” Ty muttered and clambered aboard the rig.
He headed toward the livery. It was the only place he could think to look. He reined the mare to a halt and jumped down to secure the leather straps to a nearby post. It was awfully late to wake someone, but he had no choice. He banged on the splintered door of the room adjoining the barn.
A sleep-tousled Lars appeared in the portal, squinting through half-slit eyelids. “Ty, what are you doing here at this hour?”
“Lars, have you seen Ellie?” Ty rubbed his hands together to warm them.
The man shook his head. “Why on earth would you think she would be here?” he asked through a yawn.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m running out of places to look. I thought she might have borrowed a horse from you.”
Lars scratched his head. “Ty, you’re not making any sense. Why—”
“Never mind, Lars. I’m sorry to have bothered you. Go back to bed.”
Ty turned and walked back to the buggy, stopping to stroke the mare’s muzzle and voice his fear. “What do I do now? I’ll be damned if I know where else to look.”
Glancing down the dark street, he saw a lone light flickering in the Sheriff’s window. “I guess I have no other choice.” Ty raised his eyes to the sky and whimpered, “Oh Ellie, why did you do this to me, and where the heck are you?”
Chapter Sixteen
Ellie shifted in the uncomfortable corset but endured the pain without complaint. There was no way she wanted Jeb to know anything bothered her. Now was the time to be strong and in control, even if her insides trembled like jelly. Surely, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to actually harm her. A voice in her head screamed differently, but she tried to ignore it.
Between the icy air finding every loose stitch in her woolen wrap and the fear of what lay ahead for her when Jeb reached finally his destination, the discomfort of her undergarment was the least of her worries.
As much as she hated him, she had no choice but to endure his closeness, but she didn’t have to nestle next to him, or soak up the warmth coming
from his body. How she wished for the warm quilt Cook had sent along in the buggy. While trying to maintain a rhythm with the horse and rider, Ellie clenched her teeth to keep them from chattering and prayed someone would find her, hopefully Ty.
If only she had hadn’t been so foolhardy and gone outside.
Heavy hoof beats sliced through the silence of the night as Jeb spurred his horse along the thickly wooded trail. Veiled moonlight cast eerie shadows through the trees, and the smell of moisture hung heavy in the air.
A delicate flake fell and perched on Ellie’s eyelashes; she batted them, realizing it was snow. The cold temperature predicted it, but it was far too early for even a dusting of powder. Usually it was well into November before winter coated the ground with white.
She hunched against the chill, her mind racing.
Where was this line shack of which Jeb had spoken? It seemed they had ridden forever, but she knew better. It was the eternal cold.
At least she knew the direction in which they traveled, since as a child she had learned to tell from the stars. Clouds blanketed most of the sky, but like a beacon, the Northern Star shone brightly through a break.
Ellie feared it would be of little help since she wasn’t at all familiar with the Bryant’s land. Most likely, no one outside their family was either. Jeb and his kin didn’t appear to be the type people visited. It might fall to her to save herself. But how?
If only she had her gun. A lot of good it did her hidden away at home. The proud look on Pa’s face upon seeing her dressed in her finery flashed through her thoughts, he’d been so impressed. She could only imagine the uproar if she had appeared with a revolver strapped to her hip. Despite her tenuous situation, she chuckled, but her levity lasted only a second before reality slapped her in the face.
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