Cord stared down at the mug he now clasped between his hands. “I reckon we both had other things on our minds.”
“Like who’s going to win this battle over what to do about Jacob Caldwell?”
Irritation surged through Cord. He jerked up his head, his glance slamming into his brother’s. “Not to sound rude or anything, but this really isn’t any of your business.”
“Oh, really?” Nick leaned back in his chair. “That might be true, if this little fight of yours wasn’t affecting the entire household. In case you didn’t notice, it pretty much ruined Thanksgiving for most of us.”
“And what do you expect me to do about it?” Cord snarled, his temper fraying by the second. “Are you suggesting I give in, and tell Sarah I’ll defend her father and brothers in court? The same people, lest you forget, responsible for our father’s death.”
“As hard as this may be to hear, little brother, that was an unfortunate accident.”
“Hogwash!” Cord gave a derisive snort. “Jacob Caldwell has wanted Pa dead for years now, and you know it.”
“Maybe so, but I don’t think that thought necessarily entered his mind when he started the stampede. I think he was just desperate to escape.”
“Well, we’ll never know, will we? And Caldwell is just as easily convicted on the robbery and cattle rustling.”
“Cattle rustling, yes. He was caught red-handed with our cattle. But the robbery . . .”
“What do you mean?” Cord impaled his brother with a steely glance. “Sarah admitted to . . .”
His voice died away. Sarah admitted to it because she, of all of them, was the only one who hadn’t been masked. She was the only one he could identify. And her father had never returned the money. He could claim in court that he didn’t have it to return, because he hadn’t taken it.
“Sarah’s your only suspect, isn’t she?” Nick asked softly. “So I guess it comes down to the question of whether you really want to force her to testify against her own family, doesn’t it?”
Nick was right. Only Sarah could corroborate his story of the robbery, and Cord knew he couldn’t—wouldn’t—force her to do that. He risked far, far too much in such an attempt, not the least of which was losing Sarah once and for all.
“What does it matter?” he asked. “Cattle rustling is, at best, a prison term. At worst, it’s punishable by hanging. And I, for one, am hoping Jacob Caldwell gets sentenced to hang.”
“That’s pretty bloodthirsty, Cord.”
“Yeah, well, this feud isn’t going to be over until that crazy old man is dead. And the hold he has on Sarah . . . well, I’m beginning to think we don’t have a chance to make it even to a wedding, much less have a successful marriage, unless Caldwell’s out of the picture.”
“So, now we’re finally getting to the heart of the matter,” his brother said. “You’re afraid you’re going to lose Sarah.”
“Wouldn’t you be, considering what’s been going on? I thought she loved me, but I’m beginning to think it’ll never hold a candle to her foolish, self-destructive devotion to her family.”
Frustration coiled within Cord like some knot twisting on itself, and it hurt. Hurt bad. He fisted his hands so tightly his nails dug into his palms.
“She isn’t making a lot of sense of late. I’ll give you that.” Nick sighed. “But I do see her struggling with it too. Sarah’s just not the sort of person to turn her back on those she loves, no matter how badly they’ve sinned.” His mouth quirked. “Kind of like God’s unending love for his errant children.”
“Yeah, well, God has also been known to mete out punishment where it’s due. But just try convincing Sarah her family deserves punishment for what they’ve done.”
“I don’t think Sarah would claim what they’ve done doesn’t merit punishment. I just think it goes deeper than that.” Nick paused to finger the rim of his glass. “For some reason, Sarah imagines she’s responsible for saving her family. And, as unfair a burden as that is, she keeps hoping against hope that she can do it.”
“Well, she can’t. In the meanwhile, she’s ruining her own chances at happiness.”
“So, I reckon the dilemma is how to get her to see that and finally step back from this mess her family has created. To accept that what they choose to do of their own accord carries consequences they alone must bear.”
“The same also applies to her.” Cord shoved back his mug. “These are choices she’s making, and though the consequences might not be the best for her, I can’t—I won’t—stop her from making them.”
“You’re right about that, little brother.” Something enigmatic flashed through Nick’s eyes. “All anyone can do is learn to make their own choices in the best way they can. Just one word of advice. Before you judge the mote in your brother’s eye, be sure the beam in your own eye is gone. It’ll make things a whole lot clearer.”
Cord scowled. “And exactly what is that supposed to mean?”
His brother smiled. “Nothing. Or maybe everything, depending on what you care to make of it.”
“No, I don’t think it’d be a good idea for you to come with us to church,” Sarah said three days later as she buttoned her coat closed and looked down at her brother. “It’s frigid today, the winds are blowing pretty badly, and you’ve still got a slight fever. Next Sunday, maybe. But not today.”
Danny stomped his foot. “But I’ll miss out on the children’s service and the cookies and milk afterward. Plus, I want to see my friends!”
Sarah rolled her eyes. Children! Why do they all have to be so stubborn?
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Danny, but the answer is still no. You’ve done so well since you’ve come here, and I’m not going to risk your health. God will understand.”
“Well, my friends won’t!”
Behind them, Nick chuckled. “Easy there, young fella. How about I make a special point of explaining your absence to them. And, to top it off, I’ll also bring back a sample of any of the snacks they serve after services. You have my word on it.”
“Really?” Eyes bright, Danny turned to Nick. “That’d be swell, Mr. Wainwright.”
Amazing, Sarah thought, how everything always sounds better if anyone besides family suggests something to a child. She wasn’t about to take any chances of ruining what Nick had orchestrated, and held her tongue. She also held her tongue a few minutes later as Cord arrived to help Nick outside, down the porch steps, and into the carriage.
There wasn’t a whole lot to say to him these days at any rate. They’d slammed into a barrier that couldn’t easily be gotten around, and this time Sarah wasn’t about to budge. Whether Cord liked it or not, if they married, family was part of the bargain. Of course, she thought ruefully, his family these days wasn’t the problem.
“You’ve got the rifle, don’t you, Nick?” Cord asked as Sarah, followed by Emma, climbed into the carriage beside his brother.
“Yes, it’s right under the seat where it always is. As if there’s going to be any need for it on the way to town and back. Anyone with any grudge against us is in jail, or have you forgotten that, little brother?”
“Actually, maybe you’ve forgotten that one of Sarah’s brothers is still on the loose.” Cord assiduously avoided looking at Sarah. “And he might well be getting pretty desperate and willing to try just about anything.”
“Like what? Holding us for ransom?”
Cord’s jaw went rigid. “Don’t make light of this, Nick. Be on the lookout and have a care.”
Nick shot Sarah a quick glance, then nodded. “Okay. You’re right. I’ll keep my eyes open.”
“Maybe I should send a few of the hands along as escort.”
“Or maybe you could just come along yourself. Some time in the Lord’s house might do you a world of good.”
“No. It wouldn’t.” Cord stepped back. “Believe me, it wouldn’t.”
“Okay. Suit yourself.” Nick gathered up the reins and handed them to Sarah. “Want to drive the
team today?”
Pleasure filled her. “Yes. I’d love to.” She slapped the reins smartly over the two horses’ backs. “Let’s go!”
With a lurch, the carriage moved out. Nick turned and waved at Cord.
“See you in a few hours.”
She was never so glad to be gone from the ranch and Cord’s increasingly oppressive presence. The day was bright if cold, but the winds calmed after a time and it didn’t seem all that chilly. The heavy throws tucked around their middles and covering their legs and feet, combined with the warm hats, jackets, and scarves helped a lot too.
“You handle the team well,” Nick observed from beside her. “You’ve got a light but authoritative touch.”
Sarah beamed at his praise. “Thank you. I’ve had an excellent teacher. My papa was always so good with horses—”
Her cheeks burned, and she cut off further mention of her father. As kind and tolerant as Nick was, in sharp contrast to his brother of late, Sarah knew he must have mixed feelings about her family. It was just so hard to have to excise her family from her heart and mind. Hard and, in many ways, unfair.
“I’m really looking forward to Pastor Ferguson’s Sunday sermon,” Emma interjected just then. “He always has such thought-provoking things to say.”
“Yes, he certainly does,” Nick added. “I’m so glad he’s blessed Ashton with his ministry.”
As Sarah drove along, she was grateful for Emma and Nick’s attempts to keep the conversation going. They had become such good friends and confidants. She appreciated their wisdom and gentle, nonjudgmental insights. If only her relationship with Cord was like the ones she had with Nick and Emma . . .
Sarah sighed. Would they never have peace between them? Would things always be so problematic, so volatile? If so, it didn’t bode well for a happy marriage.
Of late, she’d been considering what she would do if things continued so poorly between her and Cord. Going back home wouldn’t be good for Danny. But what other options were left them? Maybe she could get a job in town. But doing what?
There weren’t many decent jobs for single women in a small but growing town like Ashton. It already had a schoolteacher. And it wasn’t as if Sarah had the money to buy some empty house to set up a boardinghouse or start a dining establishment. But Ruth Ann had made mention, that day at the Wildflower Café, that she needed to hire an extra cook to help her in the kitchen. Maybe that might be the answer to her growing concerns over her and Cord.
Sarah spent the next half hour considering all the ramifications of possibly leaving the Wainwright ranch, and they were soon pulling up before Ashton’s whitewashed, clapboard church. Some of the church elders came out and assisted Nick in getting into the building, and the next hour was spent in prayer, song, and hearing God’s Word.
In the meanwhile, the weather had taken a decided turn for the worse. One look at the dark clouds churning overhead, and Nick made the decision to depart immediately after the services. Danny, he said, would just have to understand. Halfway home, a rider suddenly appeared from some trees near the creek and headed their way, racing toward the road before them as if to cut them off. Nick leaned over and pulled the rifle up from beneath the seat.
“I don’t like the looks of him,” he muttered. “He doesn’t resemble anyone I—”
Sarah pulled back hard on the reins. The horses came to a jerky halt.
“It’s okay, Nick. I know him.”
He gripped the rifle on his lap. “Who is it, Sarah?”
Her heart thudding in her chest, she swallowed hard. “It’s my brother.”
“Land sakes,” Emma whispered beside them. “Land sakes . . .”
“The one who’s still free?” Nick asked. “Caleb?”
“No.” Sarah shook her head, not quite certain she should believe what she was seeing or what it meant. “It’s not Caleb. It’s my other brother. Noah.”
15
“Sarah!” Noah’s voice echoed off the mountains looming behind him. “I need to talk with you. It’s important!”
He nudged his horse forward. “I just want to talk. That’s all.”
“Angel, I don’t think it’s a good idea to let him get too close,” Nick said beside her, warily eyeing Noah’s approach. “Best we just send him on his way with a little warning.”
She laid a firm hand on his rifle’s barrel as he began to lift it higher. “I’ve got a better idea. You cover me while I go and see what he wants. He won’t try anything foolish with you holding that rifle.”
“Child, I agree with Nicholas.” On her other side, Emma gripped her arm. “This could be some sort of setup, or even a trap. You don’t know if your brother came alone or if there are others hiding in the trees.”
“You’re right.” Sarah shot the older woman a quick smile. “I don’t know anything about why Noah’s here. But it’s obvious he’s escaped from jail. And with Gabe and a posse likely hot on his trail, Noah wouldn’t risk this if it wasn’t of the utmost importance. Besides, he won’t hurt me. You know that as well as I.”
Nick sighed and shook his head. “I don’t like it, Sarah. And if Cord finds out . . .”
“Well, I’m not asking you to keep secrets from him.” She wrapped the reins around the brake handle, stood, and climbed down from the carriage. “And it’s not as if either of you can stop me. So, let me bear the brunt of Cord’s ire. In fact, I’ll be the first to tell him what I did.”
“Make it fast then.” Nick raised his rifle and made a great show of cocking it before lowering it back to his lap. “Nothing good is served, for any of us, lingering out in the open.”
“I’ll be quick. I promise.”
With that, she set out at a slow run across the snowy ground, heading straight for her brother. As she neared, she scanned the trees at the base of the mountain, searching for sign of others. There was no one there.
Relief filled her. If her father or Caleb had been hiding, just waiting until she was safely away to ambush Nick . . .
Even the consideration of such a possibility sent a shudder through her. Out here in the open, they were all sitting ducks. And if anything should happen to Nick, she’d never forgive herself.
“Well, what is it, Noah?” Sarah demanded, finally drawing up before him. “What have you gone and done to get out of jail and end up here?”
Her brother’s mouth quirked sadly. “A fine way to greet me. I thought you of all people would be happiest to see us free again. Considering what sort of fate awaited us at trial.”
“Oh, Noah! I’m sorry.” She expelled an exasperated breath. “Everything’s becoming more and more dangerous and complicated by the moment.” She paused to once again study the trees. “Where’s Papa and Caleb? Are they here too?”
“No, they’re not here.” Noah’s expression grew serious, worried. “Caleb was shot helping us break out. He’s with Pa at our hideout. Caleb’s shot bad, Sarah. Real bad. And though Pa’s not hearing any of it, I don’t think Caleb’s going to make it.”
“What?” For an instant, the world spun wildly and Sarah had to grab hold of Noah’s stirrup to steady herself. “Caleb’s d-dying?”
He nodded. “I’m no doctor, but he’s gut shot. And the blood . . .” Noah swallowed hard. “No matter what we try, we can’t stop it for long.”
“Then you shouldn’t have wasted your time on me. You should’ve gone straight for Doc Saunders!”
“As if Pa or I could’ve gotten close to Doc.” He laughed unsteadily. “That new deputy of Gabe Cooper’s a crack shot. We left a trail of blood behind us, until Pa finally packed enough snow in Caleb’s wound to stop the bleeding for a while. Even then, we had to back track a lot, and ride down a couple of streams before we finally lost them.”
“So, why are you here? What can I possibly do?”
“Caleb keeps calling for you, Sarah. I think he knows he’s not going to make it, and he wants you.” He paused, gazing down at her with imploring eyes. “Will you come?”
It took only the space of an inhaled breath for Sarah to decide. Her brother might be dying, and he needed her. What else could she do?
“Of course, I’ll come.” She lifted her hand to him. “Help me up on your horse, will you?”
Noah bent down, took Sarah by the hand, and pulled her up behind him. He then glanced back at her.
“Ready?”
“Just one minute more. Ride closer to Nick, will you, so I can tell them what I’m doing and why.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” her brother said. “How good is he with that rifle?”
“Very good. But Nick’s not the sort to back shoot a man, so you’re safe.”
“Guess I’ll have to trust you on that.”
“Just get closer, will you?” Sarah wrapped her arms about his waist. “Time’s short, if we’re to make it to Papa and Caleb before dark and”—she lifted her gaze to the ever-darkening clouds—“before this storm comes in.”
“You’re right about that, little sister.” As he talked, Noah urged his horse toward the carriage. “We’ve got a new hideout, and it’s even farther away than the old one.”
“I figured as much.”
His gaze narrowed, Nick watched them approach. Finally, he motioned with his rifle.
“That’s close enough.” He locked glances with Sarah. “What’s going on?”
“My brother Caleb’s been shot and is in a bad way. He’s asking for me, Nick, and I’ve got to go to him. Tell Danny . . . well, tell him that his brother’s sick and I’ll be home soon.”
“And what do I tell Cord?”
What indeed, Sarah thought. Will he even care what my reasons are, once he hears what I’ve done? Likely, he’ll imagine I’m relieved that Noah and Papa made good their escape. And a part of me is relieved, even if the other part dreads that now it’s going to start all over again, the feuding, the thieving, and the killing. Especially if Caleb dies. Oh, dear Lord, especially if Caleb dies!
“Tell him I’ve got to do this, Nick,” she finally replied. “Tell him, and ask him to please, please try to understand.”
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