This Side of Forever (Book Five of the Brides of the West Series)

by Hestand, Rita

  She dug her heals into her horse's side and sped toward town once more. She couldn't see out of her bruised eye it was swelling shut.

  Terror gripped her. The pain of riding made her scream out in pain.

  The rain washed her tears and she felt numbed.

  Her lip had swollen; her eye had to be black and blue, and her ribs…oh her ribs hurt every time she took a breath.

  How could she ever believe that George Talbot loved her?

  She rode quickly from the ranch yard, but as she felt the bumps on the trail, she slowed, so as not to feel the pain, but every upturned rock sent pain through her.

  It was dark when she got into town, and she headed for the hotel.

  Several people saw her and stared. Some started to help her from her horse. One man helped her inside.

  She went inside the hotel and walked slowly up the stairs. All eyes were upon her now. Tears nearly blurred her vision. She had to make it to the room that was all she could think about. "Mother," she called out.

  "Mother," she kept calling hysterically.

  Some of the crowd building outside came in and watched, as she nearly passed out at the door of her room.

  As she turned the knob to the door, she saw a shadow in the room but she was in so much pain, all she could do was try to find the bed.

  She heard someone call her name…and then she fell onto the softness of the bed and the room blacked out.

  "My God, my baby, what's happened to you?" Beatrice wailed loudly.

  As the hotel manager banged on the door, Beatrice was in a tizzy trying to help her daughter. The door opened and several people peered in…"Mrs. Clark is everything alright in here? We saw your daughter…she looked…ill."

  "N-no…" Beatrice cried out. "My daughter…she's been beaten. Please…find the doctor…"

  "Of course, I'll be right back, don't you worry. I'll get the Sheriff too." The manager said backing away from the crowd at the door. One man, an older man looked on.

  "Who did this?" he asked as though he had every right to know.

  "I don't know…" Beatrice cried out, tears falling on her cheek and then down to her silk dress. "But I aim to find out."

  It seemed like hours before the doctor showed up. He pushed through the crowd and saw the bruised girl on the bed. "Dear God, who did this?"

  Beatrice shook her head, shrugged her shoulders and cried. "Please, help her. Oh God, please help her."

  "Of course, now you just relax, and the rest of you clear out of here, I need to examine this young woman." The doctor insisted.

  The hotel manager, Leroy Smith came toward Beatrice. "If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know. We all want to help Mrs. Clark."

  "Thank you Mr. Smith. I will…" Beatrice held her head up and wiped her eyes.

  When everyone left she turned to the doctor. He was very busy examining her.

  "Is she going to be alright?" Beatrice asked her voice shaking as she spoke.

  "Yes, I think so. She's got some busted ribs, they'll need wrapping, and a nasty bruised eye, and lip. She'll mend, but she's been through some trauma. Who brought her back like this?"

  "No one…she came alone, as far as I know."

  "After I take care of her, I want you to see that she gets some rest and takes it easy. I'm not worried about her physically, she's young and looks healthy, but, mentally, it might take some time. And she's not going to look her best for a while. That's a nasty hit on her face. Her breathing is erratic, but I'm sure it's from the pain of trying to breath. She has at least three busted ribs."

  "Of course…you are right. I will do whatever you say." Beatrice assured him.

  "You should report this to the Sheriff when she's able to tell you about it." The doctor told her.

  "You're right of course." Beatrice stared down at her daughter's bruised face, as tears washed her cheek. "Has she…has she been raped?"

  "Do you want me to check?"

  "Yes." Beatrice nearly shouted, then looked at the doctor in horror. "I'm sorry, I'm just so upset."

  "Alright, you'll need to leave the room for a while. Give me about an hour, and I'll be through here. Why don't you go get some coffee downstairs? I'll join you when I'm done."

  "Y-yes, that sounds good. Thank you."

  He nodded and continued to work on her, wrapping her ribs first.

  Beatrice found a small crowd of people standing in the lobby, discussing her daughter. She stared at them, helplessly.

  Leon went up the stairs and helped her down to the café. "I think I could use some coffee, Leon." Beatrice said in a daze. "Did anyone see her when she came in? What direction did she come from? Was anyone was with her."

  The man that helped Amy up the stairs came forward as the waiter brought the coffee. "South of town, I think. She was plastered with rain, her lip was bleeding, her eye, dear God her eye. And she seemed to be in such pain…" he nearly choked himself. "A man that would beat a woman should be hung immediately with no trial."

  Beatrice looked up at him. "Thank you young man, would you like a cup of coffee?" She asked.

  "Yes ma'am that would be good."

  Beatrice talked with the people for a long while, and then they all seemed to scatter. The Sheriff Bill Tinsley walked in.

  Bill had known Beatrice for a lot of years and somehow he was one of the few that didn't find what happened strange.

  "So…you got any idea who did this to her?" Bill asked, sipping some coffee that Leon brought to him at the table.

  "No…but I aim to find out."

  "Me too. Where was she headed when she left you?"

  "To see George Talbot."

  Bill nodded slowly, as though he had already figured it out.

  "What was she seeing him about?"

  "She….she was breaking her engagement to him."

  "Uh huh. She's still sweet on Clay Reno, isn't she?"

  Beatrice looked at the Sheriff.

  The Sheriff look straight into her eyes. "It don't take much to figure that out. She thought he was dead, and he walks back into her life big as brass. She's got a lot of history with Clay."

  "Do you think George done it?" he asked her.

  "I'm not sure…" Beatrice looked up at him again. "I'm not. But I'll find out. If he's the one, I want him arrested for assault."

  Bill tensed, "I was afraid of that. Well," he scratched his chin. "Let me know as soon as you find out."

  "Thank you, I will…"

  An hour later, the doctor came down the stairs to the café. Most everyone had gone now, and the café was about to close. The doctor set his bag down in a chair and joined her. He ordered himself some coffee and he looked at Beatrice. He reached into his bag, took out something, and handed it to her. "I want you to take this tonight. It will help you sleep. I'll check on her tomorrow. I've doctored her all I can for now. And to answer your question, no…she wasn't violated. Although from the looks of her clothes, she barely escaped that."

  Beatrice nodded numbly, "Thank God."

  "Do you have any idea who did this?" the doctor asked.

  Beatrice looked at him for a moment, she didn't know the doctor that well, she had very little need of doctors, but she knew instinctively he wanted to help.

  "I wouldn't want to name someone and accuse falsely. I'll wait until she's able to talk to me about it." Beatrice said carefully.

  "That's probably a wise decision, Mrs. Clark. I only hate that the scoundrel might get away with it."

  "I assure you, he will not get away with this." Beatrice firmed her lips and sipped the rest of her coffee. "There's one person I know that will get to the bottom of it quickly."

  "Clay Reno?"

  "Yes…but how did you know?"

  "He's a friend of mine. I know a lot about Clay. He's a good man. And he loves Amy, that much I know. And she loves him."

  Beatrice nodded. "Yes, I believe he does."

  "What are you doing here at the hotel, Mrs. Clark?" The doctor asked.

/>   "I don't care to discuss that either, doctor. Now…what do I owe you?"

  The doctor looked at her and smiled. "Your daughter was brutally attacked. I would never charge a woman for something like that. I only want to help…" The doctor laid a hand on Beatrice and smiled.

  "Thank…you." She tried to smile.

  "Get some rest. And see that she does. I've given her something to help her sleep; I'll be by tomorrow to check those ribs. Right now, I can't tell if she has any interenal bleeding or not. That's why I need to keep a close eye on her for a day or two. Tomorrow she'll need something for the pain. I'll bring you something to give her."

  "If I've been rude, you'll simply have to excuse me, doctor. I'm so worried about her."

  "A couple of weeks and she'll be fine."

  "I hope so…" Beatrice knitted her hands together. "My daughter is a trusting kind of soul. I hope this doesn't change her."

  "Quit fretting, she'll be fine…" He smiled and got up paid his bill and left. "Just give her lots of love and attention, and if I were you, I'd get word to Clay as soon as possible."

  Beatrice sat there in the darkened room, as the employees shut down the café. They saw her and knowing her troubles, they let her stay without a word.

  Leroy came into the room, and saw her sitting there in the dark and came to stand beside her. "May I escort you to your room, Mrs. Clark?"

  "Oh…yes, thank you Mr. Smith." She sighed heavily.

  He took her arm and guided her up the stairs. "Call me Leroy, ma'am. Everyone else does."

  She turned to look into his kind dark eyes, "Thank you, Leroy. And goodnight."

  "Goodnight, ma'am." He waited until she went inside to leave. Shaking his head all the way down the stairs, he glanced back up to her door. It would seem the Clark women were having a bad time of it, he told one of the maids as he closed up for the night.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Billy came charging into the yard the next day, out of breath and dust all over him. He rode so hard there was lather on his horse.

  Clay came running out in the yard to see what the ruckus was about.

  "What in the world are you riding like the devil is after you for? And I thought you were going into town for some supplies." Clay scoffed.

  Billy took a deep breath. "I have been to town, that's why I'm here." There was a hint of impatience in his voice, as exasperation lined his face.

  "What's wrong?" Clay's brows knitted.

  "It's Amy. There's talk in town." Billy stood watching his brother's reactions. "She's been beaten, Clay."

  "What? What are you saying? Did you see her?"

  "No, her and her Mom are at the hotel from all that I could gather, but everyone in town was talking about it. Someone beat her up…" Billy shouted.

  "Who?" Clay's voice thundered.

  "I don't know. All I heard was that she was hurt, so I came back here as fast as I could to tell you."

  Clay didn't bother asking any more questions. He grabbed Billy's horse and mounted. "We'll get the supplies later. Be back as soon as I can."

  "Let us know if we can help." Billy yelled as Clay rode like lightning toward town.

  Clay's heart was pounding from fear for Amy. Who would do such a thing, and why? His heart was heavy with emotions. He had no right to go to her. He should stay away. It was George's place to take care of this, but nothing could stop Clay from getting to the bottom of it. He had to assure himself she was all right, and then he had to get whoever did it.

  Amy wouldn't hurt a fly. She had one of the sweetest nature's he ever known. So why would anyone want to harm her?

  As he rode full speed into town, he headed straight for the hotel. People saw him coming for miles and watched his bold determination with awe.

  "That's Clay Reno, I figured he'd be showing up," someone said as he ran into the hotel. "Guess we all know now who didn't do it."

  "Beatrice and Amy Clark's room?" Clay frowned at the desk clerk as he stormed into the hotel lobby.

  "Two-Twenty-Four," the clerk glanced at his register then at Clay. He stared with his mouth open as Clay took the stairs two at a time.

  However, as he approached the door, he tried to calm himself. It would do Amy no good to burst in on her. He had to be calm and collected and get all the information.

  Taking a deep needed breath, he knocked on the door.

  Beatrice answered as though expecting him. "Clay, I'm glad you've come."

  "Beatrice, Billy said Amy has been hurt?" Clay tried to sound calm, but he knew he didn't come off that well.

  She stared into his eyes, and a light came into hers, as a slight smile broke on her lips and her hand reached to cover his. "Yes, sit down, if you will, for a moment."

  Clay didn't want to sit down, he wanted to see Amy, but with due respect, he took a seat in the straight back chair and stared into Beatrice face.

  "Is she alright?" He asked, the desperation in his voice belied his emotions.

  Beatrice's emotions were obviously on edge too. He saw how she'd aged lately and wondered what might have caused that. She'd always been a lovely older woman to him. "Well…yes, but…there's no pretty way of telling this. But I'll try. She went out to break her engagement to George…"

  "Was she attacked on the way or something?"

  Beatrice felt a tear slip down her cheek. She shook her head. "No. From what's she's managed to tell me, George flew into a rage. She's got broken ribs, a black eye and swollen lip."

  Clay stood up and looked at the door to the bedroom. "Can I see her?"

  "Yes, but the emotional shock of it all, has her in some sort of strange depression. Perhaps you can help…"

  "I'll do my best."

  Beatrice opened the bedroom door and Clay went inside. Beatrice watched him move toward the bed, and closed the door behind her. She allowed them some privacy.

  "Amy…" Clay called her name like a whisper.

  She moved and turned to see Clay staring at her.

  He reached to move her hair from her face. The touch sent rivers of awareness through him.

  "Clay…" she murmured.

  He bent to kiss her forehead, not wanting to hurt her any more than she already was. As he moved away to look into her eyes, he grimaced at the black eye, as he tried to stash his anger away for the moment. "Did George do this?" He asked, firming his lips.

  To see her like this broke his heart.

  "I guess I wasn't very tactful about breaking it off with him." She tried to smile. "I'm not sure there is a good way to do that. I expected him to be upset, angry even, but not this angry."

  He wanted so badly to hold her in his arms again, but he didn't want to hurt her and instead, he took her hand. "Tell me what happened."

  She blinked hard, a tear running from the corner of her eye to her hair, alerted him that she was hard pressed to answer.

  "After I saw the fire at your place, I knew…in my heart, I couldn't marry George. I guess I knew the day you came back. I just didn't know how to break it off with George. He's a lot like my father in some ways. Anyway, I came home and found my father had kicked my mother out of the house…. My first concern was mother. But I knew what I had to do. I had to talk to George, and try to make him understand. So much has happened the past week, it's like waking up from a twister or something."

  "And?"

  "He didn't want to talk. He was so angry…," she cried.

  "What did he do, exactly?" Clay wanted to hear it all.

  "He grabbed me, and threw me against the wall. Then he slapped me across the eye and lip. As I tried to get away, he tore my dress. At that point I was afraid, and I ran out of the house and got on my horse and that's about all I remember for a while…"

  Clay felt immediate tension flowing through him. He wanted to kill George for touching Amy like this. No man had the right to hurt a woman. No man.

  "Clay…" Amy rose up and looked him in the eye. "Promise me you won't go after him."

  "What?" Clay's face was
a storm cloud.

  "Please…I've told the Sheriff what happened. He's going to take care of it. He's gone out to arrest him now."

  Clay frowned. "Is that how you want it?"

  "Yes…please." Amy said sighing with pain. "There's been enough violence. The Sheriff will take care of things, I'm sure."

  "Why'd you decide to break it off? Or is it any of my business?"

  Amy looked saddened.

  He stared into her eyes and felt the slight squeeze of his hand. "Nevermind…we'll talk about it later. I just want you well. Now…what can I do for you?"

  "Just stay with me, a while…" she cried.

  He smiled into her eyes, "I'm right here, and I’m not going anywhere."

  She smiled and closed her eyes. It looked as though she were drifting off to sleep, but her hold of his hand was secure and he rubbed the top of her hand gently, letting her know he was there.

  Just being this close to her was pure heaven. But seeing her in so much pain hurt him as well.

  Beatrice came in after a while, followed by the doctor.

  Clay didn't move away.

  Beatrice's eyes flew to their hands and she smiled. "That's the most rest she's had since it happened," she said looking at Clay.

  "Is she in a lot of pain, doc?" Clay asked.

  The doctor nodded. "I'm afraid so. Broken ribs make it difficult to breath, and that eye will need care too. If the two of you will excuse me, I need to examine her…" The doctor looked from one to the other. "I need to check the bruising, make sure there are no internal problems."

  Beatrice moved toward the door, Clay started to get up, but she tightened her hold of his hand. "Doc,…." Clay intimated her hold of his hand.

  "Well now, I guess she doesn't want you to leave. But since you aren't her husband, I think I must insist." He chuckled. He took her hand away from Clay's and she moaned.

  "You can have her back, soon." The doc smiled at him.

  Clay nodded.

  As he followed Beatrice back to the parlor he glanced at her emotion ridden face. "I'm sorry Beatrice, about everything." Clay said.

  "No need for you to be sorry. None of it was your doing." Beatrice sighed as she sat down once more. "I suppose she told you about me and Martin?"