Ella saw Ol’ Indie’s still form and blood coming from her head. She wasn’t moving.
“You killed her!” Rage won. She reached into her pocket and grabbed her gun. She had one chance. With her pocket still covering it, she pulled the trigger and a shot went off, hitting Jason’s foot. “Damn it. Why didn’t I aim higher?”
Startled, Jason stared at her and down at his foot, the blood oozing all over.
Jason’s look of fury registered too late. “You bitch!” He slammed his fist into her face, and she fell backward to the floor.
Two shots rang out in the front of the cabin. Ella struggled to hold on. She heard something heavy fall.
Footsteps thundered towards them.
Jason grabbed her up and placed a knife at her throat. Slowly, he backed towards the window, keeping her nearly limp form in front of him. “Stupid woman. You better not move. I’ll kill you.” His voice was low in her ear and his breath was hot.
The door burst open. “Jackson,” she whispered, her eyes wide with fright.
“Drop it, Jason, and lower her…slowly.”
He had come for her! But where was her brother?
Jason pressed his knife into her throat. A small stream of blood oozed down her neck. He cut me!
The overseer yelled back and forth in English and in his native Creole. “Mister Colonel…you can just back out or this knife will slice her throat and there will be no soft, lovely Miss Ella.” He kept screaming orders, but quickly his words lapsed into rapid Creole.
Ella fought to stay awake, but the room had turned into a swirling picture of which she no longer felt part. Her body felt heavy and her vision narrowed.
Jackson pushed forward. “Let her loose and move away or I will shoot you where you stand.” Jackson aimed his gun at Jason’s head. His forefinger covered the trigger.
“No! I assure you that your bullet will go into her first, should you be foolish enough to shoot. And I will finish the job with my knife.” He sneered. “I have the upper hand, as you see.”
“Let her go. Your two accomplices can no longer help you. One is dead. The other is tied up. My men have surrounded this cabin. You will not make it out alive. Should you hurt her, I will delight in ripping you apart, limb from limb, and cutting out your organs for the buzzards—all before I free you to go to your maker.”
Jackson never stopped advancing. He moved slowly and seemed to be looking behind her.
Her heart pounded in her throat. She could not think with a knife to her neck. My gun…
Moving her free hand into her pocket, she grasped the handle of her weapon. He forgot to take it. There might be one shot left.
“She will never be yours, Colonel Yankee. She is mine. I intend to keep her.” Jason reverted to Creole again, his voice raising and lowering, as if in a conversation with himself.
Ella couldn’t understand a word, but she recognized he was losing control. That, and her arms were going numb. How could this work? She wasn’t sure she could fire her gun again and live. He would kill her, even knowing he would die as a result.
Trembling, she worked her gun into her hand. Ella thought hard. She had to do something. Squeezing her eyes, she found the trigger and—
BANG!
A shot rang out from behind her. Jason crumpled, pulling her to the ground with him. She never fired her gun.
Nolan.
“What the hell?” Jackson raced towards her, kicking Jason’s knife away. “My men were waiting for my order, so they didn’t…” He rolled Jason over with his boot. Blood poured from his head. “He’s dead.”
Ella succumbed to her panic and fainted.
She heard Jackson talking to her in the tunnel. “I know you are in there, Ella. Can you hear me, my darling? Open your eyes. Yell at me…anything. Just please look at me.”
She tried to get to him. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. Blood ran down her neck and over her shoulder. Ella tried to feel pain from where the bullet must have struck her. Her body was playing tricks. She could feel only the pain from the glass in her back. Were those cuts responsible for all of this blood? Was she…no, she couldn’t be dead. She could smell the fresh air that must have come in with Jackson and his men.
Jason’s face stared up at her, sneering. Even in death, he frightened her.
She recalled the soft voice that pleaded her name only moments ago. “Did…did you call me darling?” Ella whispered. She reached up and her trembling hand touched Jackson’s face.
A smile edged his mouth in answer. Lifting her chin, he drew her close and kissed her sending a tiny tremor running through her. She laid her head on his shoulder and took full advantage of his warm breath whispering soft words of endearment on her neck. She felt safe, finally.
Heavy footsteps announced Marshall’s arrival. He pushed Nolan into the room, one hand gripping his collar, the other pointing a gun into his back.
“Found this one lurking outside, Jackson. He fired the gun. We were waiting for your order.”
Jackson glanced up. “Private White,” he uttered in a whisper.
Ella pushed away with remarkable force. “Nolan! Oh my God, it’s Nolan. Let go of my brother! Can’t you see he isn’t a threat to you?”
She strode to Nolan, slapping Marshall’s gun away. “Get that gun out of my brother’s back. He is my brother.” Anguished, she turned to Jackson, her face streaming tears.
“Marshall, we don’t need that. He’s not going anywhere. Put your gun down.”
“Colonel…” Marshall nodded at Jackson and holstered his gun.
Undeterred by Marshall’s grip on her brother, Ella clung to Nolan and buried her face in his chest, crying. “Nolan, it was awful. Jason killed Ol’ Indie. We tried to escape but he caught us and slammed her into the wall.” Her chest heaved with sobs.
“Shhhh. My brave little sister, look! He didn’t kill her, Ella.”
Ella lifted her head. “But I saw her hit the wall, her head had blood…”
The old woman stirred. She rustled around and pushed herself up into a sitting position. “Now there. You both know it takes more than a wisp of a man to kill Ol’ Indie.” Using her hand, she winced at the pain as she wiped the blood from her face.
“Marshall, it’s true. This one—” Jackson nodded at Jason’s lifeless body “—held a knife ready to slit Ella’s throat.”
He pushed Jason’s body with his booted foot. “Just checking. Habit. He’s gone.” He moved over to Ol’ Indie and helped her up.
Chapter 19
Jackson watched the sister and brother. He didn’t miss the lack of surprise he thought should have been there for two people who haven’t seen each other for over a year. He debated whether to mention his recognition of Private White. Sweat collected over his brow.
Not an easy decision. To give this information could cause a lot of trouble. If he arrested Nolan, the arrest would be in front of his sister. That would be the first bad move. He struggled to read Ella’s face. She seemed in shock— understandable. This had been traumatic. Jackson exhaled, releasing a calming breath. He rotated his shoulders, releasing the buildup of his own tension. Any longer and Ella could have been…
He forced the thought from his mind.
Where had this man been hiding? He noticed the clean clothes and the absence of facial hair that should have been there by now. Something else was going on here, something he could not quite figure out yet. He stayed quiet about the identity right now. She would hate him if he carried out his orders in front of her. Did Marshall recognize him?
Nolan’s reckless nature won out, and he pushed himself out of Marshall’s grip. Marshall pulled his gun.
“Allow me to calm my sister without a gun in my back.” Turning slowly, Nolan looked Jackson in the eye, defiant, and then glared at Marshall. “As you can see, I’m not the enemy.”
“You may.” Jackson returned in an even tone. He stepped aside, ignoring Nolan’s unrestrained challenge, and allowed the two to have time together.
Disregarding the other two men, Nolan gently pulled his sister nearer, holding her shoulders. “Your neck is cut.”
She put a hand to her throat. “His knife nicked my neck.”
“I saw him pull you both away from the window. I was so worried, Ella.” He squeezed her shoulders affectionately. “You may not believe this…Bo led me here.” He nodded his head towards the window. “He’s a good dog. Our little brother has a smart companion.” He snickered. “The pup’s is a natural tracker, but I hold little hope you will allow him to hunt, considering what happened to Rover when we were younger.”
Nolan whistled, and a yellow flash of fur bounded into the room.
“Bo!” Ella bent down and held out her arms. The puppy jumped on Ella, nuzzling her and giving her kisses.
Self-conscious, she grabbed the torn shoulder of her dress and pulled it up, covering her exposed skin. The movement caused her to wince. “My back, it hurts. I think I may have a bad cut from the window.”
“I have sump’um for that.” Ol’ Indie reached into her pocket and pulled out a small brown jar of salve. “I always have some ointments with me.” She handed it to Nolan.
“Let’s get you home, Ella. We can sort all of this out.” Jackson moved out from behind Nolan, retaking charge.
Nolan pocketed the salve for later.
“Marshall, please help Ol’ Indie stand. Have the men come and pick up this body and put it with the other. Bring the one still alive and lock him up tight. We need to find out if there are others.” Jackson acknowledged Nolan with a curt nod.
Nolan stepped aside as Jackson moved to comfort Ella. He took his jacket off and draped it around her shoulders.
A tinge of elation hit her body when Jackson put his jacket over her shoulders. She realized that the animosity she once felt had faded. However, this was not a happy circumstance. Not with Nolan. Somehow, she would make sure her brother didn’t get punished. She wasn’t certain how or knew all his sins, but she had to try.
Ella nibbled her bottom lip. She hadn’t wanted to hurt Nolan, but she couldn’t help her reaction to Jackson. It made her happy to be around him, this same man that had once made her beyond furious. She still hated the damn Yankees, but…well…not this one.
Good grief! How did that happen?
Her thoughts struggled only a moment before Jackson gently directed her arms through the sleeves of his uniform jacket. It felt warm from him. She snugged the jacket around her front, covering up her torn dress, and put her arms around his neck to hold on as he lifted her.
“Wait, Ella, that would not be proper.” Her brother pushed past Jackson, who stepped aside. “I will carry my sister.” Nolan picked her up and carried her outside. Ella gave no objection. She needed to maintain proper decorum to anyone that could see them. She didn’t want her brother to get the wrong impression.
“Nolan, take the spare mount. You ride back with your sister. We will carry Bo.”
The dog barked and pulled closer to Nolan, who looked from his sister to Bo.
Ella recognized the conflict emerging with her brother’s dog. “Nolan, Bo will follow, but he gets too close to the legs of the horses. Aiden would be heartbroken if something happened to him.” She could not allow the pup to be hurt.
Nolan considered what she said. “Would you feel comfortable riding back with Colonel Ross? I feel sure he will treat you with high regard.”
Something passed between her brother and Jackson that she didn’t understand. Their nods to each other were subtle.
Jackson turned to his men. “Marshall, see to Ol’ Indie’s in the wagon. And please help Mr. Whitford secure the pup in the saddle.” He mounted Mason and reached out to help Nolan as he handed his sister up.
“Yes, sir.” Marshall nodded curtly at Nolan and indicated he and Bo should follow him.
Ella would have pinched herself from pure joy if she thought she could tolerate more pain. She sat in front of Jackson. With one arm around her waist, he held onto Mason with the other.
“Nolan, please take the mare tied to the back of the wagon for you and Bo.
Jackson smiled and clicked his steed. Ella was tucked tightly in his arms.
The door burst open when the posse pulled up out front, and Aiden ran out. Sara, Lizzy, and Carter followed him. The slamming door woke up a drowsy Ella.
“My sista is back!” The little boy ran down the steps and latched onto his Ella’s leg, still sitting on Mason.
Unchecked tears ran down Ella’s face. She knew Aiden could have been hurt. As it was, her head and back were the only casualties.
Well, there was also one dead overseer and one of his accomplices. She, however, couldn’t summon any remorse for either death. Jason would have killed her and Ol’ Indie—or Aiden and Bo.
Marshall dismounted and hurried over to help Ella down from the horse. Jackson alighted behind him.
Nolan handed the puppy down to Jackson. But Bo leaped out of Jackson’s arms and ran heedlessly to Aiden, jumping up and licking his face, glad to see him.
“Bo, where have you been? I woke up from my nap and you were gone. I looked everywhere.” He grabbed Bo’s neck and returned the kisses.
Nolan spoke up. “Bo led us to the bad guys. He helped save our sister, Aiden—your puppy is a hero!”
Before Nolan could dismount, Jackson walked over to him. Gripping the back edge of Nolan’s saddle, he spoke. “Nolan Whitford, we have things to discuss, you and me. Go nowhere.” He looked hard at him.
Marshall moved to Nolan’s side. His voice was low, but Ella still heard. “Let’s go to the library, Mr. Whitford. We will meet Colonel Ross there.”
Nolan nodded and forced his mouth into a terse smile.
Ella held her stomach, uneasiness stirring at the exchange. She looked up at Jackson with tear-rimmed eyes. “Surely you can allow my brother to catch his breath. He saved our lives.”
A noise sounded behind them and Ella turned in time to see Ol’ Indie stumble. Jackson and Ella reacted, each grabbing one of the older woman’s arms and steadying her.
“Come, Ol’ Indie. We’ll get you to bed.”
Jackson regarded Ella as she followed Carter carrying her old nursemaid up the stairs. This would be tough. He needed to meet with Nolan Whitford, or Private White. Whoever he was, he wanted answers.
Marshall had seen Whitford, as had the three other men in the posse. He had to remember his duties, even if it risked his heart. He stopped Ella as she returned downstairs, hoping his voice sounded stronger than his resolve felt. This was his responsibility.
“Ella, I have to talk to Nolan, and find out more about this. It’s my duty. You and I have things to talk about. Sara is here, and Aiden thought he lost you. You go with them. I will catch up with you soon.” He tried to offer a smile of assurance, but it came out tense and of no help. He reached down and squeezed her hand, almost as if he could signal to her that he would do all he could allow himself to do.
Damn! His heart was already involved.
Ella burst into tears and fled upstairs to her room.
Jackson looked over where the posse had been sitting quietly. The men had already taken the bodies and secured the remaining rogue slave for the time being. He dismissed them back to their duties.
Jackson wanted to say more. Instead, he tied up Mason and walked into the library, joining Nolan and Marshall.
Chapter 20
Jackson closed the library door and took his time getting comfortable in his chair, all the while taking in the mood of the room. Nolan sat across from his desk, a cynical smirk on his face. Marshall leaned against the fireplace with a look of expectation.
“Marshall, thank you for your help this afternoon. We may have captured the men responsible for some rapes and other violence around the outskirts of town. I had hoped that they were already dead, but that could be a false assumption.”
He looked at Nolan, his look hardening. “I suppose you are to be thanked for your help.” He extended a
hand to Nolan. “Thank you,” he said, shaking Nolan’s hand. He noticed that the grip was steady, not clammy or tentative.
“So…Whitford. Tell me about Rover.” Jackson smiled affably, his eyes watching Nolan’s reaction.
“Well, I would be glad to tell you about Rover. But I find it strange that you call me into my library to ask me about my dog that died years ago. How is that relevant?” Nolan unflinchingly responded and focused on Jackson.
“Humor me.” Jackson wanted to know more about this man. He suspected what Nolan had been doing as Private White, and it created a sense of dread in his stomach. He nodded tersely at Nolan, a reminder he was waiting.
After what seemed like too much silence, Nolan shrugged and started. “Rover was my dog. I was about twelve and Ella was about eight when we got him. Had him for several years. I think my father traded cotton for him. But that is not important. Fact is Rover was my Christmas gift.” He smiled in remembrance.
“He was a Tennessee tree-hound. Ever heard of them? They are made for the land. Smart dog. He was supposed to be my hunting dog. But Ella domesticated him—made him sweet.” He laughed.
“I know that breed,” Marshall interjected. “Jackson, remember they had two dogs like that back at the fort? The handler kept them in the cages. They were handsome dogs. But you let this animal in the house?” He laughed. “Why did I ask that? Bo is in the house and he will be a big dog.”
All three men laughed at that. It helped ease the tension.
“Well yes, we did. To go on, Rover did whatever Ella asked, followed her everywhere. The only thing he loved to do with me was fish. When I’d bring out my fishing pole, he would quit whatever he was doing and come with me.”
Fidgeting slightly, Nolan reached into his pocket and pulled out the jar of salve from Ol’ Indie.
He placed the salve on the desk. “We should get this up to Ella,” he said, and pushed the salve forward, towards Jackson. His head nodded towards the library door.
Embers of Anger (Embattled Hearts Book 1) Page 18