The Pursuit

by Elliee Atkinson

  Heath would have been gone already if he was not waiting for Mark to return. When Mark got down off the horse, he handed over the reins, saying, “You didn’t have to wait for me, Heath. I can take care of Journey. But I do thank you. If you want to go ahead and go home now, I’ll brush her down and make her comfortable.”

  “I’ll do it tonight, sir, since I’m already here. But I will keep that in mind for the future.”

  Mark nodded and turned away to go back up to his house, still disturbed by the events of the day. It had been a long Saturday for him and he was glad to be retiring early. He wasn’t very hungry anyway. He was looking forward to a Sunday afternoon meal with the Collins' and Molly tomorrow.

  Mark got dressed quickly. He put on some of his work clothes first to go to the stable and prepare Journey. Heath never worked on Sundays. Mark usually saw him at church with his family. When his horse was ready, Mark went back into the house and took a bath. While the water heated up, he picked out his best shirt, suspenders, and slacks. He searched under his bed and through his closet for the only pair of nice shoes he owned. He only wore them on special occasions, such as weddings, funerals and every now and then for church. There were plenty of men who didn’t try to dress up for church and went in their work clothes. He had done it before.

  Today wouldn’t be one of those days.

  He had a woman to impress.

  He bathed and brushed back his hair. He was disappointed by the stubble he saw on his chin and took his time with the blade, shaving as cleanly as he could. He dressed in his good clothes and scanned his reflection in the mirror. Satisfied, he went out to Journey and pulled himself up in the saddle.

  He rode directly to the little yellow house but didn’t go up on the porch or knock on the door until he made sure he was ready for her to see him. He brushed off his jacket as if it might have gotten dirty in the one minute ride. He stepped up on the porch and knocked.

  The house was silent. He didn’t hear her approaching the door or walking to it. He pulled in a breath, unsure whether he wanted to peek in through the window. Holding his breath instinctively, he leaned over and glanced in.

  There didn’t seem to be anyone there. He tried the door. It was not locked. He went in and called to her. “Molly? You here? I’m ready for church.” He hesitantly took a step into the living room and then began to walk through the house. She wasn’t there.

  “Hmm.” He glanced around once more before going out and closing the door behind him. “I guess she’s already at church. Maybe Alice picked her up.” He mumbled to himself as he went back to his horse. He was glad he hadn’t decided to take the carriage. If she was already at church, he didn’t feel the need.

  He rode to the church quickly, anxious to see her. He’d had a dream about her. It had been such a vivid dream, it was like he had just left her when he woke up from it. He smiled. It was a pleasant memory and something he hoped would happen in the future. They’d gone on a picnic. She laughed a lot. He didn’t remember now what he had said or done that made her laugh. He wished he did. He would try it in real life.

  The sun was bright and the sky was a clear blue. Not a cloud in the sky. He breathed in the fresh air. It was a beautiful Sunday. He was going to ask Molly to go on a picnic lunch with him after the service. Maybe his dream would come true.

  The church was surrounded by buggies, carriages, and horses. He dismounted and gave the reins to a handler, who would take care of Journey while he was in the church. He gave the boy a coin and said, “I’ll see you inside?”

  “Oh, yes, sir,” the boy replied with a smile. “My mama wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Mark nodded. “Good. Good.”

  He went inside and scanned the crowd for Molly. He didn’t see her but he spotted Alice and Adam in their regular place, the children flanking them. He walked quickly to them, nodding and greeting the other parishioners along the way.

  He rested one hand on Adam’s shoulder. Adam looked up at him. “Mark! Good morning. It’s going to be a nice day today.” He stood up and offered his hand, which Mark shook.

  “Yes, it is.” Mark agreed. “Did you pick up Molly this morning?”

  Alice looked up at him when he asked about Molly. Her face looked concerned, which made Mark also concerned. He gave Adam an inquiring look but his friend was looking back at him the same way. “Why would we do that? She lives right by you. We wouldn’t do that without you knowing.”

  Mark frowned. “That is strange. She wasn’t there this morning. Where could she possibly have gone?”

  By this time, Alice had stood up and moved closer to the two men. “Molly wasn’t at her house?”

  Adam looked at her. “Technically, Mark’s though.”

  Alice pressed her lips together, giving Adam a narrow look. “I think we all know that, Adam.”

  Adam scanned the room. “She wouldn’t have gone anywhere, would she? She wouldn’t just leave and not tell anyone, would she?” He directed his questions to Alice, who shook her head.

  “She doesn’t have anywhere to go. She doesn’t really know anyone in this town except us. Where would she go and who would she go with?”

  Adam shrugged. “Mark, did you check to see if her horse was gone? You did loan her a horse, didn’t you?”

  “I did loan her a horse,” Mark replied. “And I didn’t check to see if it was gone. But I think I would have noticed when I got Journey from the stable. I didn’t look, but I would have noticed.”

  Adam nodded. “You surely would have. You are right, this doesn’t make sense.”

  “You know,” Mark looked around the room again. “We aren’t the only ones Molly has become acquainted with since she got here. Alice, you told me yourself that she thinks someone is prowling around, looking in her windows. When I left yesterday, I went straight to the little house to tell Molly I am not the one doing that. But Luke McAllister’s wagon was out front and I didn’t stop. That man has been trying to get Molly’s attention.”

  The children made room to let the adults sit down and they all leaned forward to talk to each other quietly.

  “At first, I dismissed my feelings as jealousy because… as you know, I have developed some feelings for Molly. And I didn’t want to make a fool of myself in front of her so I didn’t stop.”

  Alice nodded. “Good. That is a good thing, Mark.”

  Mark looked down at his clasped hands. “Maybe. But later I did talk to her and cleared the matter up.”

  “Also good.” Alice smiled at him.

  “After that, I went to Luke’s.”

  Alice lost her smile. “Oh, no. Oh, Mark.”

  “He doesn’t come to church. I haven’t seen him here since he came to Wickenburg.” Adam said. “Do you think she went off with him?”

  “I’m not sure she would do that,” Alice objected. “She wouldn’t do that without telling anyone.”

  Adam looked at her. “She had Luke at her house without telling anyone. She’s a grown woman and can do what she pleases, isn’t she?”

  Alice sighed. “Of course, she is, Adam. But I know my cousin. I’ve gotten to know her a lot better since she moved here. She wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t take off with a strange man.” She looked at Mark. “What did she say about him? Did you ask her?”

  “I did ask her. She is not pleased with his attention, which was a relief to me. I did go to confront him, but only because Molly did not seem happy with him showing up at her house. She did agree to a date with him next Friday but I feel like he coerced her into it.” He looked at Alice. “Do you think that’s possible?”

  Alice nodded. “Definitely. She is a kind-hearted woman and wouldn’t want to hurt anyone. Especially not a stranger. For two reasons, really. The softness of her heart, and maybe a little fear that he might get angry if she turned him down. From the little I know of Luke, that seems like a possibility to me. He can be rash and rude. I’ve heard from the women at the schoolhouse how he yells at the children for getting in
his way while he works.”

  Adam shook his head. “Someone should have told me. I would have set him straight.”

  “Well, you might still have that opportunity, if we can find him.”

  “Do you want to stay for service or go looking for her?” Alice looked at her husband. “I know Mark is worried. Now I am worried. It would be a good idea for you to go help him find her. I’ll stay here with the children.”

  “How can I do that? I don’t have a horse.”

  Alice smiled at him. “Husband, I know you know everyone in this town. Borrow a horse during services from someone and go get yours from the house.”

  Adam nodded. “Do you really think something has happened to her?”

  “I don’t know,” Alice replied. “I certainly hope not. I can’t imagine why Luke… or anyone… would take my cousin. She doesn’t… doesn’t have anything to offer.”

  “Other than the obvious,” Adam replied somberly. “And that is a very scary thought.”

  Alice’s face reflected her fear and dismay. “Oh, Adam.”

  Adam pulled her into a hug. “We’ll find her, Alice. I’m sure she’s all right.”

  “How can you be sure?” Alice rested her head on his shoulder.

  Adam sighed. “I guess I can’t. But we’re going to find out. Try not to worry too much, my dear. It won’t do you any good and will only give you a headache.”

  Alice pulled away, nodding. “I’ll be fine. I’m not the one to be worried about, Adam. You two go find my cousin. If you aren’t back by the end of service, I will see you at home.”

  “All right.” Adam stood up and turned to the edge of the pew. Mark was already waiting at the end of it. Adam moved around his son to get to his friend.

  “Papa?” Max looked up at him. “Can I help?”

  Max was fourteen years old. Adam contemplated the dangers and the benefits before nodding. “You can help, Max. We can always use another set of eyes.”

  “Adam…” Alice stood up. “Are you sure? He’s just a little boy.”

  “I’m not a little boy,” Max replied in a firm but respectful voice. He looked at her with pleading eyes. “I am almost a full grown man. I want to help. I know I can. Please, Alice, I really want to help.”

  Alice pulled in a deep breath and stared at her nephew for a moment before nodding. “All right, Max. Adam, you better keep an eye on him.”

  “He doesn’t need to. I can handle myself. I’ve been practicing.”

  “You aren’t going to be shooting anyone, son,” Adam said, gripping the back of his son’s neck with one hand. “You’re just going to be another pair of eyes and I expect you to obey my every command. Do you understand? No hesitation, no running off to perform any heroics. You will listen to me. Do you understand?”

  Both times the question was asked, Max nodded. “I promise, Papa. I will listen to you.”

  “Be careful.” Alice called after them as they left.

  Mark looked down at Max. “You sure you want to be involved in this, son? You don’t know what’s going to happen. You could get hurt.”

  Max shook his head, looking up at his father. “Papa won’t let me get hurt. And I’m not stupid. I really will listen. Even to you, Uncle Mark.”

  The men laughed. Before they left the church, Adam stopped to ask a friend to borrow his horse. It was agreed upon. He went back to where Mark and Max were waiting for him at the door. “Sam’s gonna let me use his horse. You’ll ride with me, Max, and we’ll head straight back to the house to get our horses. Then I suggest we check the little house and Luke’s place. If we…”

  “What if they aren’t at either place?” Max said. Adam looked down at him.

  “I was going to say if we don’t find them there, we’ll check Luke’s grandfather’s cabin.”

  Mark gave him a confused, surprised look. “His grandfather’s cabin?”

  Adam nodded. “His grandfather used to live here back some thirty or forty years ago. It was only for a short time. That’s how his father came to be here and worked for your papa, Mark. You knew that, didn’t you?”

  Mark shook his head slowly. “I didn’t.”

  “I don’t know where it is. But I know people who do. If he’s got her, that’s where they’ll be.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  MOLLY WAKES UP

  MOLLY WAKES UP

  Molly woke up with a headache. She tried to sit up but felt dizzy and dropped back on the bed. She groaned and put a hand to her head, opening her eyes only slightly. Her surroundings were not what she expected and she was immediately awake. Her eyes focused on a man sitting in a chair near the bed. A window was behind the chair and she couldn’t tell who it was from the glare of the sun.

  She squinted. Her heart began to pound in fear when she realized who was sitting in the chair.

  “L… Luke? Where am I? What’s going on?” She tried to sit up again but her head throbbed and she pressed her hand against her forehead. “What did you do to me?”

  “I didn’t do anything to you…” Luke said. “Yet. You have some questions to answer for me. I hate to alarm you, Molly, but you stepped all over my plans when you came to Wickenburg and I can’t have that.”

  “Plans? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Where am I? What have you done?”

  “You’re only here to help me with something, Molly. I won’t hurt you. Unless I have to.”

  Molly frowned. She managed to sit up and swing her legs over the bed, though her head was spinning. She put one hand on the back of her head and felt a lump there. That was what was causing her pain. She was engulfed in a mixture of fear and anger.

  “You came into my house in the middle of the night and hit me on the head, kidnapped me, and now I’m in a strange place with you demanding my help. With what? What could I possibly help you with? And this is not causing me harm? What have you done?”

  Luke sat forward, suddenly out of the glare and in her view. He didn’t look the same as he had the day before. Something was different.

  “I’ve been looking for something and I think you know what it is, where it is, and I think you have it.”

  Molly attempted to shake her head, but it only made her dizzier. “Luke, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I told you my father rented out that house when he worked for Mark’s father.”

  “Yes, I remember that. What about it?”

  “Enough of your questions, Molly. Shut your mouth and listen to me. I have questions for you. I know you know the answers.”

  Molly pulled in a deep breath, saying nothing.

  “That’s better. Now, years later when my father told me about this place, he said he put money in a tin box and saved it up over time. It’s buried somewhere on that land or it’s in the house. I want it. It’s my money.”

  “That may be so, but I don’t know where it is. And why didn’t he take it to begin with? Why would he leave a box of money behind?”

  Luke frowned. “That is none of your concern. I want the box. You know where it is.”

  Molly returned his frown. “I don’t know where it is. And if you are going to force me to look for it, I want to know why he didn’t take it to begin with. Or at least tell you its exact location. Surely he knew.”

  “He died before he could tell me,” Luke responded.

  Molly shook her head. “That doesn’t make sense to me.”

  “You don’t need to know the details!” Luke’s voice rose in volume. “I want that box and you are going to give it to me!”

  Molly sighed, realizing she was not going to get through to this man. “Luke, I don’t know where it is. I am surprised you don’t know where it is. You are the one who’s been prowling around the house at night, aren’t you?”

  “What if I am? I have been looking for that box since before you came to Wickenburg. It’s mine and I want it.”

  “You keep saying that like I didn’t hear you the first time. I understand you want the box.
Why didn’t you just ask Mark and the both of you can search the land for it?”

  Luke shook his head, sneering. “I’m not sharing my fortune with anyone.”

  Molly almost laughed but a slice of pain cut into her head when she did. “Mark doesn’t need your money. And I most certainly don’t need it.”

  “I don’t believe that. Everyone needs money.”

  Molly shook her head. “Some people don’t. I don’t. Mark doesn’t. I was given enough money when my husband passed away to keep me for the rest of my life. I don’t need your money. And Mark doesn’t owe on his land. He has money of his own, passed down from his own father. I can help you look for the money, but I don’t know where it is.”

  Luke dropped his head and stared at the floor for a moment. When he looked up, Molly was almost surprised by the look of mixed rage on his face. That was what was different. He was not trying to be sweet to her anymore. He had ceased being nice. She bit her lips together and tried to think quickly. What would make Luke calm down?

  “I can give you some money if you like. I do have it and I don’t mind.”

  “Keep your money!” He bellowed. “I want mine. You have been living there for long enough. You must have looked through the house. I’m sure you searched it for anything valuable.”

  Molly shook her head again. “No, Luke. I haven’t searched the house. I didn’t need to. You frightened me, prowling around at night like that. I…”

  “I want that box. I want it now. Tell me where it is.”

  “Luke, I don’t know where the box is. I didn’t search the house or find anything outside.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Molly sighed. “Be that as it may, I still don’t know where the box is. If I help you look for it, will you let me go? I won’t take any of the money from it. I promise.”

  Luke stood up and approached the bed. He stood over her menacingly. “I’ve made it a point not to trust anyone in my life. I don’t know why I would start now.”