Kidnapped (Winds of Paradise - alternate tale)

by Vivi Holt

  “Fetch some water,” said Fala to the girl. She ran off to their horses and returned with a canteen full of water. She handed it to him, and he gulped it down, enjoying the sweet taste and the satisfaction of quenching his desperate thirst.

  “Thank you,” he said with a nod. She nodded back to him, her large eyes fixed on his.

  “Let’s get you on that horse now, and home,” said Fala.

  He nodded, but his mouth was grim. He was holding back the tears. A boy of his age didn’t cry, he knew that, and he was fighting against it with everything he had.

  Her voice softened, and she tipped his chin up with her finger to look into his eyes. “What is it, what’s wrong?” she asked.

  He swallowed hard. “I failed. I didn’t complete the rite, I’m not a man. And now everyone will know it.”

  He couldn’t say more without the tears finding their way onto his cheeks, so he closed his mouth tightly and stared at the ground.

  He heard her tongue, softly clucking her disapproval, and thought it was directed at him. He lifted rebellious eyes toward her and saw compassion in her face, instead of disapproval.

  “Never mind about all that, boy. You’re alive, and you’ll be fine. Just do as I say, and everything will work out. Sarah and I will get you to your horse. Sarah is a fine shot with a bow and arrow, and she’ll hunt for your kill. We’ll string it to your pony, and you can ride into camp alone. We promise we won’t tell a soul what happened, it will be our little secret. What do you say?” She smiled warmly at him, and tousled his hair with her finger tips.

  He nodded, and felt the lump in his throat abate. “You’d do that?”

  “We would, wouldn’t we Sarah?” She turned to the girl, who grinned for the first time and nodded her head slowly.

  “Sure. I’ll be right back,” she said, running off to fetch her bow and arrow. She disappeared into the woods, and Fala sat beside him to wait.

  “Here, you can have some of this cured meat while we wait. It’s a beautiful day, and soon will be a cool, clear evening. The perfect time for you to return the conquering hero.” She chuckled in a friendly kind of way, and he took the meat, chewing it slowly.

  “But what about my leg? Won’t people know?” he asked.

  “You can just tell them you did it all yourself,” said Fala with a wink. “They’ll be even more impressed with you.”

  Within the hour Sarah was back, with a large hare in her hands and a smile on her face. She held it up by the ears proudly. “Here you go, it’s all yours. I was gonna shoot one anyway for our supper, but I guess we can just have turnips again tonight, or more cured meat, hey Mother?”

  “Yes we can. All right, let’s get him up onto the pony. Help me please Sarah.”

  Fala and Sarah let him lean on their shoulders in place of crutches, and before long he was riding back to camp. Fala and Sarah galloped off ahead of him, since he couldn’t ride as swiftly and they couldn’t enter the camp together without giving themselves away. They waved goodbye as they passed him, and he called after them with a smile.

  “I’ll never forget this. I promise you — I’m in your debt forever!”

  Then they were gone.

  Chapter Ten

  Cora heard the clatter of horse hooves on the driveway outside the ranch house in the early hours of the morning. Birds were beginning to call, but it was still gray outside, and a blanket of dark clouds covered the valley. It felt as though it would rain, or perhaps even snow, it was hard to say. She was cozy warm underneath her blankets, but could feel the chill of the cold air against her face.

  She leapt from bed and dressed quickly, hurrying outside to find Dusty. He was there, with Sarah and Vacquero. And Sarah held something in her arms, a bundle. A squawk emitted from the bundle, and Cora’s gasped — it was Sarah’s baby! Genevieve flew by Cora with a cry, and threw her arms around Sarah. Thomas followed her, and they all congratulated Sarah, welcoming her home.

  Dusty’s eyes found hers, and he smiled at her. He looked tired. He was covered in dirt and grime, there were scratches on his face, and his eyes were ringed by dark circles. She walked over to him, and shyly took one of his big, calloused hands into her own.

  “Dusty, it’s so good to see you. I’m glad you’re back, I was worried…”

  He bent down and kissed her hard on the mouth, taking her breath away. She’d never been so glad to see anyone in all her life, and she inched her hands up around his neck to pull him closer, deepening the kiss.

  Whooping and catcalls broke through her thoughts, and she pulled away with a shy smile.

  “Now that’s a welcome home!” cried Thomas, slapping Dusty soundly on the back.

  Dusty laughed, and Cora ducked her head as her cheeks warmed.

  “So, where’s Bill?” asked Thomas.

  Dusty’s smile faded, and he glanced at Sarah before continuing. “He and Frank Drotherton led the Crow away so we could snatch Sarah. They were to meet as at the river, but they’re runnin’ a bit behind no doubt. I’m sure they’ll be back ‘fore too long.”

  Thomas exchanged a meaningful look with Vacquero and Dusty which Sarah didn’t see, since she was busy staring at the baby.

  “Well then, let’s all go inside. It’s time to celebrate — Sarah’s back, and we have a brand new baby as well,” said Genevieve, bustling Sarah inside. The men headed off to the barn with the horses, and Cora heard Genevieve asking if it was a boy or girl.

  “It’s a girl,” said Sarah quietly. Her eyes flooding with tears.

  “That’s wonderful, Sarah my dear. Don’t you worry, Bill will be back here before you know it. He’s weathered worse before, and no doubt will again. Keep up hope — he’s in God’s hands,” said Genevieve, kissing Sarah on the cheek.

  Sarah nodded and sat. Cora rushed over to the yarn basket and pulled the cap she’d crocheted out to show Sarah.

  “I made this for the baby while we were waiting,” she said, handing it to Sarah with a warm smile.

  “Oh, thank you Cora. It’s beautiful,” said Sarah, wiping her eyes.

  “Are you hungry?” asked Genevieve.

  “I’m starving,” said Sarah with a laugh. “I’m hungry all the time now. This little one keeps sucking me dry.”

  ***

  Three hours later another loud staccato of galloping hooves floated into the ranch house. Sarah had dozed off to sleep with the baby on her chest. She startled, and jumped to her feet with a cry, waking the baby and setting it into a loud howl.

  “Oh dear, I’m sorry darling,” she said, as she hurried to the window to look out. “It’s Bill!” she shouted.

  Everyone ran outside to greet him, and now it was a celebration indeed as he met his new daughter and reunited with Sarah. They all returned inside, and Ost took Bill’s horse to the barn. Genevieve and Hannah bustled about the kitchen fixing lunch for everyone, and Sarah sat beside Bill, her eyes full of adoration.

  “Tell us what happened?” asked Thomas.

  “There’s time for that later,” said Bill, turning serious. “They’re not far behind me. I didn’t know where else to turn. Frank and I led them on for hours, but we couldn’t lose them. Finally we split up, and some of them dropped away, but Bow Bearer and a few of his men stuck on my trail. I figured it was time we finally faced him anyway. I’m sorry to bring him here, but I was hoping maybe we could talk to him when he arrives. Try to make him see reason.”

  The room went silent as everyone took in his words. Then, Dusty leapt to his feet.

  “Let’s get ready then,” he said, striding from the room, followed closely by the rest of the men.

  Cora and the women stayed in the den with Cookie. Her heart pounded, and she stood up to pace the length of the room. They weren’t out of danger yet. What would they do? Were they all about to be killed, scalped or worse? She let out a long slow breath, then turned to face the other women. Her eyes rested on Sarah, whose face was resolute.

  “Sarah, what should we do?” she asked.


  “I have to talk to him.”

  “But how will that help? He’s already kidnapped you once,” cried Genevieve.

  “He will listen to me, and he won’t harm anyone if he sees me here. It’s our only chance.”

  Genevieve nodded, and a sob slipped from her throat. Sarah handed the baby to her, and stood to her feet. She slipped a coat on, and followed the men outside to tell them her plan.

  Before long, Bow Bearer was there. They’d barely had time to ready themselves for an attack, but everyone was in place when he arrived. Cora hid in a bedroom with little Will, but could see through a gap in the chinking. Sarah stood tall and straight in the middle of the front yard, and Bow Bearer dismounted to walk to her. His men hung back, their bows drawn, watching the house and yard with furtive eyes.

  “You are here?” he asked, clearly puzzled at finding her there. “How?”

  “The men you are following were a distraction,” she said. “I returned with the help of my friends.”

  His shoulders sagged. “Sarah, I want us to be a family.”

  She reached out a hand to lay on his shoulder. “Bow Bearer, I will always care for you. You know that. But this is my family now.”

  He shook his head. “But…”

  “Do you remember, when you were a boy? My mother and I once rescued you. You were celebrated as a hero that day, and we never said anything to discredit you.”

  “I remember,” he said, resignation in his voice.

  “You said that you were in our debt — forever. I remember those words as if they were spoken yesterday. And is this how you repay that debt? Tearing me from the arms of my family, my children, terrorizing my friends?”

  He shook his head, and waited several long, tense moments before replying. “No. I will leave you be. I remember my pledge to you, and will honor it as you have honored yours.”

  His eyes locked with hers, and there was a deep sadness there. He lifted a hand to cup her cheek. Then he turned on his heel, ran to the pony waiting for him, and leapt onto its back. The group of Crow warriors spun about, and galloped off south, back the way they’d come.

  Sarah sank to her knees, her whole body shaking. Cora grabbed Will into her arms and ran from the bedroom, and outside. Everyone else emerged from their hiding places, guns pointed skyward, and faces full of tension.

  “He’s gone?” asked Bill, running to Sarah’s side.

  She nodded, and sobbed into his coat. “He’s gone.”

  THE END