Joline's Redemption

by McDonough, Vickie;

A screech rang out. Jamie!

  Baron dismounted and tied the black horse to a sapling. He made his way through the trees, moving slowly and trying not to step on a branch that would alert the kidnapper to his presence. Though just April, most of the trees already had a new growth of leaves. Redbuds and wildflowers dotted the area, which would be pretty any other time.

  He peered through the tree trunks, hoping to see Jo. His heart hammered in his chest and ears.

  “No!”

  Baron’s head jerked in the direction of Jo’s voice. He pushed his feet into motion. She was close.

  He caught a glimpse of her yellow dress up ahead. About fifteen feet from her, a stranger held on to Jamie with one arm wrapped around the boy’s belly. Wailing, Jamie tossed his head back and kicked his feet.

  “Just let me take him back to the windmill; then I’ll go wherever you want. He’s too small to leave here by himself.”

  “He’s stayin’ right here. I ain’t as stupid as you think. If I let you take the boy back, you wouldn’t return.”

  “I will. I promise.” Jo’s voice sounded frantic. “Just don’t hurt him. Please, give him to me.”

  “I reckon it won’t hurt to let you say your good-byes. Just make it quick.” The man looked away from where Baron was hiding.

  He ducked down, expecting the man to search his direction, too. Fortunately, he was slightly behind the kidnapper. He wasn’t certain, but he thought the man might have come into the store in the past week. Who was he? What could he want with Jo?

  Baron’s heart ached as he watched Jo comfort Jamie and kiss him good-bye. He wrestled with what to do. The kidnapper had his gun trained on Jo, and she was blocking his view of the man. He told Luke he could shoot, but his aim wasn’t all that great. If he tried to shoot the kidnapper, he might hit Jo.

  And what about Jamie? Should he go to Jamie if they left him alone and hope that Luke would find Jo and her captor?

  The answer became clear. Jo was able to protect herself, but Jamie wasn’t. With Jamie safe, Jo would be more likely to attempt escape on her own. He wanted desperately to save her, but he couldn’t take a chance on a wild animal or snake crossing paths with the one-year-old. God, protect Jo. Help her to get away. Help Luke to find her.

  “Put the boy down.”

  “Here? But my family won’t know where to find him.”

  “Down. Now. Or I’ll shoot ’im.”

  Jo did as told, though Baron could tell that her heart was breaking. Jamie whined and reached for her.

  The stranger yanked Jo away from the boy and pushed her toward his horse using the barrel of his gun to prod her. When she mounted, she looked at Jamie, her expression devastated. Jamie sobbed and crawled toward her, obviously confused.

  “We can’t leave him.” Jo looked back over her shoulder, her desperate expression tearing at Baron’s heart.

  He wanted to show himself to ease her pain, but he didn’t dare. The man swung up behind Jo and reached around her to gather the reins.

  Jo elbowed him. “I won’t go.”

  “You want me to shoot that kid?” One hand reached for his gun.

  “No! Fine. Let’s go.”

  The man grinned then reined the horse westward and crossed the creek.

  Good. Luke had gone that way, too.

  Jamie’s wails gutted Baron, but he had to wait. The moment Jo was out of sight, he rushed forward. Jamie sat and turned toward him. When the boy saw him, he puckered up and screamed.

  Baron hurried to his nephew and scooped him up. “Shh … it’s all right, Jamie. Remember me?”

  The boy cried, reaching toward where he’d last seen his mother.

  “You’re all right, Jamie. Your mama loves you. Shh …”

  Jamie clutched Baron’s lapels and slowly calmed. He breathed in a ragged breath. Splotchy red patches covered his face. The poor kid.

  Baron pulled out his handkerchief and wiped Jamie’s eyes and nose. He kissed the boy’s cheek and cuddled him, patting his back. He needed to get Jamie back home so he could go after Jo.

  “Lord, I don’t talk to You near enough, but thank You for letting me be here to help Jamie. Please protect Jo. Let me find her and bring her home. She needs some happiness in her life.”

  Jo looked over her shoulder, trying desperately to see her son, but the trees blocked her view. Everything within her wanted to rush back to Jamie, but Ernie Slaughter might follow through with his threat to kill him. Please, God, send someone to find Jamie, and keep him safe until they do. Help me to get away.

  Not that she deserved to get away. Punish me, if You need to, but Jamie is innocent. Please protect him. The day was warm, but her son sat on the ground in only a thin gown. He had done nothing to deserve what happened to him, but she had.

  She thought again of how she’d hurt the ones who loved her, and how her bad choices had landed her in the pit of hell—a place no woman should have to dwell. If only she’d listened to Lara and Grandpa and hadn’t been so stubborn. She once heard someone say hindsight made things look sharper—and it was true. She’d been a miserable person most of her life, but God had changed her, and if He saved her from Ernie Slaughter as He had Badger, she planned to live a better life.

  But first, she had to get away.

  She listened for Jamie but could no longer hear his cries. Her heart clenched. Was he scared? Hurt? Jo squeezed her eyes shut. Those kinds of thoughts helped no one.

  She could only hope—pray—that Baron and Luke were out looking for her and Jamie. She’d learned Luke was tenacious and very loyal to Gabe. Certainly he’d come looking for her. But she wasn’t so sure about Baron. Would he try to find her or stay at the house with Sarah?

  Jo focused on her immediate problem. She had to figure a way to escape. Distracting her captor was her best resort. “Why are you doing this?”

  Slaughter chuckled. “I aim to get a whole passel of money for bringing you back to Badger.”

  She wanted to tell him that Badger was no longer a threat. That, in fact, he was back at the farmhouse, but doing so would mean she’d have to explain why he was there. And she wouldn’t tell him about Sarah’s connection to Badger, for fear it would endanger the girl somehow.

  “If we’re going back to Oklahoma City, why are we headed west?”

  “You don’t think I’m fool enough to ride across your sister’s land, do ya? We’re takin’ the long trail back to Oklahoma City.”

  A very long trail since they were headed in the opposite direction. And with each step the horse took, they were getting farther away from Jamie.

  Her thoughts raced. What could she do? How could she get free from her captor?

  The whisper of Ernie’s gun sliding into his holster boosted her determination. As he brought his right arm back around her, Jo grabbed the saddle horn and screamed, kicking the horse in the sides as hard as she could.

  “Hey—”

  The surprised horse leaped forward. Unprepared, Ernie Slaughter fumbled, grasping her waist with one hand. Jo grabbed one of the reins, jerking the horse to the left, and the sudden shift caused her captor to tumble off the back of the horse. Jo wrestled for the rein he’d taken with him. The frightened horse shook his head and jerked free of the man’s grasp then trotted away. Jo couldn’t reach the dangling rein and hoped that Ernie didn’t get up too fast.

  The sound of someone crashing through the trees spooked Jo’s horse again. He trotted away from the noise. She ducked under a low-hanging tree and looked back over her shoulder.

  Luke held a gun on Ernie Slaughter!

  “Thank You, God!”

  “You all right, ma’am?” Luke slid a quick glance her way but then refocused on his prey.

  “Fine. Thanks!” Filled with new inspiration, Jo tugged the horse in a sharp circle, until the confused animal had no choice but to stop. She slid off, keeping hold of the rein, then snagged the other one and cooed to the horse, hoping to calm him. When he settled, she led him back to where Luke was tying up Ern
ie Slaughter. The man glared at her.

  “I hope you like living in a jail cell, because that’s where you’re headed, buster.” Luke yanked Ernie to his feet and helped him mount Luke’s palomino.

  “I’m going back to get Jamie.” Jo mounted Ernie’s horse and told Luke where they had left her son.

  “I’m pretty sure Baron was headed that way.”

  Jo’s heart leaped at Baron’s name. “I sure hope he found Jamie.” She watched Luke climb up behind Ernie, so grateful for his help.

  Luke glanced over at her, and Jo nodded her thanks. There’d be time later for a more formal expression of gratitude. She reined the horse back in the direction she’d ridden, praying the whole way. “Please, God. Let Jamie be safe.”

  She rode for several long, tense minutes, and then a noise to her right grabbed her attention. She saw a man and horse through the trees—Baron! “Hey!”

  He spun around, his gaze snapping to hers, and he started toward her, carrying Jamie. Jo’s heart exploded with love, and for the first time, she knew what true love felt like. She slid off the horse and ran to her men. Baron slowed his pace then wrapped his empty arm around her, pulling her close to her son.

  Jamie looked up, and his expression crumpled. Tears started anew, as if he were upset at her for leaving him. “Mama!”

  She laughed and took him from Baron, whose arms enveloped her and Jamie.

  “Thank God you’re all right. I’ve never prayed so hard in my life.” He kissed her forehead then her temple.

  Jo tilted her head up to receive his lips, and he pressed them against hers in a kiss so precious she would always remember it.

  Baron held her as close as possible with Jamie in between. His breathing and his kiss deepened. Jo found herself lost in his embrace. She’d never felt so safe except for the night she’d cried out to God.

  Jamie squawked and pushed at her chest. Jo stepped back, laughing. “We must be squashing him.”

  Smiling, Baron ran his hand over Jamie’s head. “The poor little guy has had a rough morning.”

  “Him and me both.”

  “We should get you two home.”

  He ran his knuckles down Jo’s cheek, his look making Jo feel cherished—special.

  “I was so afraid I’d never see you again.”

  Her chin wobbled as she pressed her hand to his chest. “I know.”

  “This isn’t the greatest place and probably a terrible time to ask, but will you marry me, Jo? I can’t stand the thought of life without you by my side. I’m so sorry for my stubbornness and not chasing after you the other day.”

  She blinked, stunned by his question, but her heart sang. This was what she truly wanted. Marriage to a good man—a kindhearted man who served God and respected others. A man who loved her son. A man who loved her in spite of all she’d done. But she had to be fair to him. “You do understand that Ernie Slaughter might not be the only man who will recognize me from Badger’s place, especially if we stay in Guthrie.”

  He nodded, reaching for her hand. “I do. I’ve thought about that a lot, and if that does occur, we can close the store and go somewhere else. All that matters is that you, me, and Jamie are together.”

  “What about Sarah?”

  “She’s welcome to live with us, too, if that’s what you want. Even with my parents at the house, it’s plenty big—” He stopped and stared at her, his mouth partly open. “I … uh … would you want to return to the house you shared with … um … Mark?”

  She hadn’t considered that. Could she return to the house that held so many bad memories? In that moment, she knew she could. The house didn’t matter. It was the people who lived in it. But the house did boast many of Mark’s particular likes. “Could we make some changes? Make it ours?”

  He smiled. “Of course. That’s a grand idea.”

  She longed to say yes, but there was one more thing she had to know. “You understand about my past?”

  He nodded.

  Her cheeks warmed at the idea of voicing her thoughts, but she was nervous about performing her marital duties. What if she couldn’t after all she’d been through? “I … it might … um …”

  He squeezed her hand. “We’ll take things as slow as you need them to be. I know your past was hard on you, sweetheart, but I’m not like Mark.” He cleared his throat. “Or those others you’ve … been with.”

  “I certainly know that.” She smiled, hoping her expression conveyed how much she cared for him. Baron’s neck and ears were as red as the cardinal that just landed in the tree behind him. He was such a good man—and he deserved to be with a woman who’d never been with a man before. But God had changed her. She wasn’t the woman she used to be. The Bible said that she had been made as pure as snow. It was a hard concept to comprehend, and she desperately longed for it to be true.

  “I just wanted you to know that your past doesn’t matter to me, but I do understand there may be issues we’ll have to face in the future because of it.”

  Jo’s eyes burned. “You’re so much more than I deserve.”

  His smile widened. “Is that your roundabout way of saying yes to my proposal?”

  Jo laughed—and it felt so good to be truly happy. “Yes, Baron. I’d love to marry you.”

  Chapter 25

  As Jo rode back into the ranch yard, she couldn’t believe all the changes that had occurred in a few short hours. Her life had completely changed. And she was getting married!

  She couldn’t stop smiling.

  But she still had to face Badger again—and doing so in Baron’s presence would be awkward. Perhaps she’d get lucky, and he would be gone. How could sweet Sarah be his daughter? It wasn’t until she knew the truth of their relationship that she could see Badger in the shape of Sarah’s eyes and her rounded chin.

  She glanced over to check on Jamie, who’d fallen asleep in Baron’s arms on the ride home. It warmed her heart that he was so comfortable with Baron, especially after the traumatizing day he’d had. Baron would be a wonderful father and a great example for him.

  Gabe and Lara’s wagon crested the hill on the other side of the yard. My, oh my, do I have some stories to tell them at dinner. She hoped the roast that was still in the oven wasn’t burned to a crisp.

  The door of the house opened, and Sarah rushed out. When she locked eyes with Jo, a joyous smile spread across her pretty face. Jo realized then that she’d come to love Sarah like a sister in the short time they’d been together.

  “Whoa …” Gabe pulled the wagon to a stop in front of the house and helped Lara down, casting curious glances at them. The cowboys who’d gone to church with them reined their horses toward the barn.

  Lara hurried around the wagon and made a beeline for Jo. “Did you go for a ride?”

  Jo chuckled. “You could say that.”

  Lara frowned and looked at Baron and then Jo. “Did something happen?”

  “Many things have happened. Let me get Jamie into bed, and I’ll explain. And sorry about dinner.”

  “What about it?”

  Jo slid off her horse. She walked over to her sister. “I’m so sorry for all of the trouble I’ve caused you.”

  Lara’s eyebrows popped up. “Oh my. Now I’ve got to know what happened.”

  Gabe strode toward them with Michael on his heels. His gaze shot past her to Baron. “Why are you riding my horse?”

  “It’s a long story. Could you take the boy?”

  Gabe reached up, and Baron passed Jamie to him.

  Jo glanced at Baron, feeling suddenly shy—something she wasn’t sure she’d ever felt before. She looped arms with her sister. “Have I got a tale to tell!”

  Jo crawled into bed beside Sarah, completely exhausted after the day’s events, but she doubted she’d fall asleep for a while. Sarah was still awake, with McGuffey’s Second Reader in her lap. “Crazy day, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes. I am glad Badg—my father—did not stay to see you again.”

  “Me, too. Hi
s presence would have been extremely awkward.” She wrapped an arm around the girl’s shoulders. “But I’m so grateful to God things turned out so well. I never could have dreamed they would.”

  “Nor I.”

  “Have you always known Badger was your father?”

  Sarah nodded. “He came to visit my mother and me every few years. When he bring me home with him, he told me not to tell you and the other ladies back at—you know. He think you not treat me nice.”

  Jo thought Badger had probably been more embarrassed to admit that he was her father than he was worried about his daughter. The ladies lived a rough life, but they weren’t cruel. “I wish he had told us, but then, if I’d known the truth, I doubt I would have encouraged you to leave him.”

  Sarah turned and looked up at her. “I am glad you did. I learn much here.”

  Jo smiled. “I’m glad, too. You’re like a second sister to me.”

  Sarah ducked her head. “I not know what big family is like before coming here.”

  “I don’t think I did, either. Remember, I ran away from this.”

  “Why?”

  Jo leaned her head against the wall. “I was young, dumb, and thought I knew what was best for me. Kind of like when you told your father that you wanted to stay here. Only I made bad choices where you made a good one.”

  Jo hoped that Sarah would make another good choice. She longed for her to find God like she had. “You know when we left here and you got so sick?”

  Sarah nodded. “I remember most of that time.”

  “I was so worried about you. I knew we had to get away, but I was afraid you might die if I didn’t get help. I cried out to God and told Him I didn’t know what to do.”

  “He help—and He change you.”

  Jo sucked in a sharp breath. “You can tell?”

  “Yes. You are much different. More at peace. More happy.”

  Jo smiled. “You know, you’re right. Even with the awful events of today, I felt more at peace than I can remember. God certainly was with us today.”

  “I think so, too. I also want God’s peace.”

  Jo’s heart leaped. “You do?”