Grant shook his head. “I did some looking around. They never made it to the creek at all. I suggest we take a few men first thing in the morning and double back.”
First thing in the morning? They could be dead by then. Or hurt, or scared. Fannie would never forgive him if he let anything happen to those twins. They were everything to her. All she had in the world, and she had entrusted their well-being to him. Their futures. And what had he done? Put them in probable danger by being an idiot.
“You’re not thinking of going out in the dark?” Grant asked.
“It crossed my mind.”
“I’d advise against it.”
“I can follow the wagon trail back to where we stopped for our noon meal and make camp. I’ll be that much closer and should be able to pick up their trail at first light.”
“Should I tell Vern Cooper to keep an eye on things until we get back?”
“We?”
“You can’t go alone. It’s not a good idea, being as how you’re the wagon master and all. If something happens to you, we’re in big trouble.”
The former sheriff was smart. And had a point. “I’d appreciate the company.”
While Grant prepared Vern Cooper and the rest of the train captains for Blake’s absence, Blake made a stop at the Kanes’ wagon. He dreaded telling Mrs. Kane that the children were missing but knew the news needed to come from him.
She began to weep as soon as the first words were out of his mouth. “I knew it. I just knew it was too good to be true. I’m just not meant to be a mother.”
Vern placed an arm around his wife. “We’ve lost four children, Mr. Tanner. Three to illness and Becca.” His voice broke. “We thought God had given us another chance. But…”
“Don’t give up.” A surge of determination shot through Blake. He would most certainly bring back those children and, after a good reprimand, he’d turn them over to this couple who would love them as much as any child had ever been loved. Fannie had made a good choice.
Fannie’s wrists burned raw and red from the tight ropes binding her hands together in front of her. She stumbled as Tom led her into camp by a leash. Toni wasn’t faring much better as George shoved her forward.
If only she had waited a few more minutes to reveal the gun. There were only George, Tom, Clay—the pseudomarshal—and one other man, who remained in the shadows as they entered the camp. Clay had tied his horse to the back of Fannie’s wagon and drove the oxen himself, taking no chances Fannie had something else up her sleeve.
Tom shoved Fannie to the ground and tied the rope around her middle, firmly securing her to the wagon wheel. George followed his example with Toni. Thankfully, he secured her on the same side of the wagon as Fannie. They were on the side of the wagon closest to the fire, so no wild animals would venture close.
Tom stuffed a filthy handkerchief in her mouth. “How do you like being tied up and gagged?”
Wishing she could call him every name that entered her mind, she gave him a steady glare.
“Well, now,” he mocked. “Don’t have nothin’ to say?”
She had plenty to say if the coward would take this foul handkerchief out of her mouth. Anger eclipsed fear at the thought of Tom’s getting the better of her. The idiot couldn’t even balance his own books, and yet he’d devised a plan to capture her. One that even Blake had fallen for.
“What are you planning to do with us?” Toni asked.
George gave an evil chuckle. “That’s gonna depend on you, now ain’t it?”
“On me?”
“I lost me a bunch of business when you left. Yer gonna be workin’ day and night to make it up.” He squatted in front of her and took her chin in one palm. “Where’s my money,” he hissed.
Toni jerked her head up and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Fannie watched in horror as he reared back and struck with such force that Toni’s head slammed against the wagon wheel.
Without thought, Fannie fought against her bindings, twisting, her raw throat issuing a scream behind the gag.
“Now, look. You have Fannie all upset,” George said, his fist wound around Toni’s hair. “The money.”
“I don’t have it anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“I gave it away before your fake marshal kidnapped us.”
A guttural roar bellowed from George. “You gave my money away?”
Toni’s lips curved ever so slightly, and even as they did, Fannie’s heart filled with dread. “Every last cent.”
Toni didn’t so much as flinch as George drew back his fist and unleashed his fury.
Helpless horror overwhelmed Fannie and tears of anger welled up inside of her. One word repeated over and over in her head as George meted out his punishment with more force than anyone should have to endure: No! No! No!
When Toni’s head finally lolled in unconsciousness, George pulled back, his breath coming in gasps.
Tom turned to her. “Is my money gone too?”
She nodded, bracing herself for the same punishment Toni received. Instead, Tom turned to the man in the shadows. “This is yer fault, Willard. If you’d got hold of her the first time. Or the second time ya had her, I’d have my money.”
Fannie fought her nausea as Willard James stepped out of the shadows. He stared at Fannie. “Told ya I’d see ya again.”
Tom gave him a shove. “Don’t sound like you had anythin’ to do about it. Because of you, I’m missin’ my money and the other two.”
The twins. Fannie should have known he wouldn’t be satisfied with just her. He wanted Kip and Katie back too. After all, one slave wouldn’t suffice when a man was accustomed to three, she thought with outrage. Bitterness.
Then a thought struck her. They were still wanted. She thought of the poster with the images of herself and Toni sketched onto the paper. Grim satisfaction sliced through her. Tom might not get the pleasure of her company for too long. Because the first real lawman she came across, she intended to turn herself in. Better to face the end of a noose than life with that stinking, miserable pig.
The men soon began to pass a flask back and forth between them. They kept the fire low and ate jerky. Fannie swept her gaze to Toni. Her bruised, bloodied face nearly broke Fannie’s heart. She prayed for the only friend she’d ever had. Please, God. Don’t let her die.
Their plight had been dire enough when it appeared they’d be facing a judge for a crime they hadn’t committed. But to be sentenced to a life in Hawkins with these two men would be worse than before. Especially if Toni’s present condition was an indicator of what was in store for them.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel a measure of satisfaction that the twins were safe. She closed her eyes, picturing them snug within the Kanes’ tent, sleeping soundly, bellies filled and loved.
Life would have been wonderful if their plan had worked out, and they had reached Oregon together, but for this one small favor, she would be ever thankful to God. She vowed that for the rest of her life, however long or short, no matter if she hung for murder or remained Tom’s captive, she would picture smiles on the twins’ faces and remember that their happiness was well worth her sacrifice.
Blake found where the twins had doubled back after barely heading toward the creek. How on earth had they gotten past every scout and lookout in the wagon train? Not to mention himself? The only thing he could figure was that the distraction of the broken wagon axle had given them just the opportunity they needed to slip by undetected.
Fannie’s body ached miserably as the sun burned through the top of her head and her mouth begged for something moist. The drunken fools had stayed awake laughing and mocking and feeling very pleased with themselves. Tom appeared to have forgiven Willard for being inept, and the two did a little jig sometime after midnight. The sun had been up for hours, and still, all four lay close to cold ashes where the campfire had long since died.
“Psst.”
Fannie swung aroun
d, her heart leaping. Toni? She frowned. Toni’s eyes were still closed—unconscious, sleeping, or…Her chest rose and fell, to Fannie’s relief. Just as well she remained unconscious. The pain would probably be more than she could bear if she woke up.
“Psst. Fannie.”
She twisted enough to look behind her. Kip! Katie! What in blazes were they doing?
Kip stayed low and slithered close while Katie hung back, hiding behind the wagon wheel on the other side of the wagon. Kip reached her swiftly and took the gag from her mouth. “What are you doing here? Where’s Blake?”
“Shh.” Kip frowned and went to work on the bindings.
“I mean it, Kip. What are you doing here?”
“We ran off. Blake thought we were going swimming.”
“Kip, you have to stop trying to untie me. You’re never going to get them loose without a knife anyway. Go get help.”
“I’m not leaving you.” His brows pushed together in fierce determination.
“You have to. Listen to me. Toni’s hurt real bad, and I can’t sneak off and just leave her here. If you go back and get Blake, at least he’ll know the marshal wasn’t a real marshal.”
“You come with us, Fannie,” Katie said, her voice trembling. “Let’s go get Blake together.”
“Honey, you two need to go now, before the men wake up.”
“Well, if this ain’t just like Christmas. Lookee what Santa brung me.”
Fannie groaned at the sound of Tom’s voice. “Run!”
“Don’t do it,” Tom shouted. He pointed his rifle at Fannie’s head. “She’s dead if you run.”
“I think Sam trained that boy a little too well,” Grant said, amusement thick in his voice. “Look, he tracked the wagon off the trail.”
“I wonder why the marshal took the women away from the trail,” he mused aloud. By the time the afternoon gave way to twilight, it was all too clear. Other tracks joined the wagon’s, and Blake’s stomach sank lower and lower.
“They’re in trouble,” Grant said grimly.
“We have to find them.” A sense of urgency swept Blake. He had a feeling if he didn’t find them before another night passed, not all of them would make it back to the wagon train alive.
They knelt on the ground examining the tracks to gauge the situation when the grass crunched behind them. Blake swung around. How on earth had two trackers allowed themselves to be taken by surprise?
Fannie grabbed the canteen of tepid water with both hands. Tom still hadn’t given them anything to eat, but at least he’d finally given them water. “I went a whole day without water,” he said. “How’d it feel?”
She didn’t bother to answer. All she knew was that her plans had changed. She couldn’t turn herself in to the nearest lawman when Kip and Katie were in Tom’s clutches along with her.
Nineteen
Blake’s relief knew no end as he stared into the face of his best friend. “Sam! I thought you’d be gone at least another three or four days.”
“We finished up sooner than I figured.”
“I’m going to scout the area while the two of you catch up,” Grant said.
“Good idea. We have to be getting close.”
When Grant was gone, Blake turned to Sam with puzzlement. “What are you doing here?”
“Caught wind of a couple of fellows who had bragged about a scheme. The saloon keeper and storekeeper from Hawkins worked together to make us think Toni and Fannie are wanted by the law.”
“What do you mean?”
“Barnabas went into the saloon and started up a conversation with a fella. When this man found out Barnabas was from our wagon train, he started talking about a couple of men who were bragging about how their women had left them, but that they were going to get them back.”
Blake’s heart nearly stopped. “You think Tom and George have the women?”
Sam gave a solemn nod. “But it’s worse than that.”
“How?”
“The Wanted posters were fake. They made two and took them to Blythe Creek because that was the next town we were likely to stop. When they saw me, they paid a man to be sure I saw it.”
“And we fell for it.” Blake felt like a fool all over again. Condemnation whittled away at his confidence until he felt like something less than a man.
“So,” he said, “if the posters were fake, that fella back at the wagon train wasn’t a U.S. Marshal.”
“Looks that way.”
“How’d you know where to find us, Sam?”
“Before they left town, Tom and George let it slip that they’d be camping out south of the trail waiting for their partner to bring the women. I followed the trail until I saw the tracks that veered off and took a chance.”
“All right. We know Fannie and Toni are with the two men. But maybe we can get to the twins before they catch up to them.”
“The twins?” Sam asked.
“I’ll explain on the way.”
Grant came back into view. “We’re close like you said. Their camp is over the next hill. I suggest we go the rest of the way on foot.”
Fannie was growing more and more concerned about Toni. She had yet to regain consciousness, and she looked so bruised and broken that Fannie feared she was close to death.
“Tom,” she called.
It was already noon before all of the men awakened, and the lazy ne’er-do-wells had decided to remain in camp another day. Fannie was relieved that Toni wouldn’t have to endure a wagon ride. Still, it was heartbreaking to see her slumped over. George insisted she remain tied up even though she hadn’t moved.
“Tom!” she repeated.
“What do you want?” His words were already beginning to slur.
“Tell George that Toni’s going to die if she doesn’t get some water.”
“She’s unconscious. She won’t be able to drink it.”
“Let me help her. You know I’m not going to go anywhere and leave the twins here alone with you.”
“Let her do it.” Fannie knew George’s grudging words were more concern for his own investment than for Toni’s well-being, but she was grateful just the same.
Both women were untied, and Toni slumped to the ground, limp as a rag.
Tears nearly blinded Fannie as she studied her friend’s injuries. Purple-black bruises covered her, and her face was swollen nearly twice its size. Her nose was twisted and bloody, clearly broken. Swallowing hard, she noted the sunken cheek. At this moment, she hated George. He had smashed Toni’s face in. Even if there were a doctor nearby, the shattered bones would never heal properly. If she pulled through, Toni would never be the beauty she had been hours before.
Fannie shook herself from the thoughts. Beauty wasn’t the immediate concern. Life and death. Those things were all that mattered for now. Once again, she found herself calling upon God’s mercy. For the first time in her life, she was utterly hopeless. I can’t save her alone, God.
Turning to the men, she spoke around a choking lump. “Give me something to wipe the blood off.”
None of the men moved. “I have to have something to clean off the blood.”
“Here.” Willard handed her a clean handkerchief and a canteen of water. “I wouldn’t have hurt her.”
“Shut up, Willard, you measly coward,” George sneered.
“I wouldn’t have.” He directed his words to Fannie. “Why do you think I didn’t take you? I would have had to hurt you or Mrs. Barnes that night, and I wasn’t willing to do that.”
“If you’re looking to apologize, it’s a little late, Willard.”
His eyes clouded over. Desperation. In a beat, his pistol came out of his holster and he stepped back, pointing his gun from George to Tom to Clay. “Don’t move.” He turned to Fannie. “Get their guns.”
Head spinning by the turn of events, Fannie was too stunned to disobey. One by one, she divested the men of their weapons.
“Now. I have a proposition for you two,” Willard said to Tom and George.
>
Fannie swallowed her disappointment and went back to tending to her friend while the men negotiated which dismal future she and Toni and the twins would face.
She wiped the damp cloth over Toni’s face, cleaning the dried blood from her nose and mouth. She put the canteen to Toni’s lips and let the liquid dribble in. Toni gave a soft moan. Tears welled in Fannie’s eyes again, and she nearly fainted with relief.
“Let’s go.” Willard grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“It appears these two men aren’t in the mood to negotiate, so you are coming with me. I’m sure Blake Tanner will pay a pretty penny to get you back.”
“Willard!” a voice echoed off the hills. Fannie’s heart raced as she recognized the source.
“Willard,” Blake called again. “Drop the gun.”
“I’ll shoot her!” Willard’s voice had taken on a high-pitched tone of panic. “I mean it.”
“I don’t think so. You want to see your wife and children again, don’t you?”
“My wife doesn’t want me, thanks to you.”
The three men standing defenseless in the middle of camp snickered. Willard swung around. “Shut up!”
A gunshot cracked through the air, and Willard’s pistol flew from his hand as he let out a startled yell. He lunged for the weapon. Blake strode into camp on one side, Sam on the other, and another scout whose name Fannie did not know. “You four are surrounded. Do you really want to go for that gun, Willard?”
He didn’t even have to consider the question. Willard backed away and lifted his hands up high.
“You’ll have to shoot us,” George said valiantly. “I’m not going to stop trying to get her back until I get all my money.”
“Same here,” echoed Tom, with more bravado than bravery, as evidenced by the tremor in his tone.
“I have a proposition for you,” Blake said.
Tom scrutinized him. “I’m listenin’.”
Defiant Heart Page 18