Ilsa:

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Stop it, Delmon. This instant.” Ilsa squirmed to get away from him. Her efforts resulted in him pressing against her with more force. Nearing panic, she didn’t know what else to do besides scream. Delmon must have anticipated it because the moment she opened her mouth, he stuffed a rag inside and slapped her so hard her ears rang.

  The sound of fabric tearing filled her ears as he ripped away the top of her dress, while still holding her against the wall. She would never have thought him capable of that kind of strength but the man had surely gone mad.

  Trying to kick him, all she did was further enrage him. He beat her until she could no longer stand, then he let her drop to the ground and jumped on top of her. Cool air flowed over her as he yanked away the remains of her dress. She felt cold metal against her neck and opened her eyes as he pressed the knife blade against her skin.

  “You’re just too pretty for your own good, little one. I’m going to fix that for you.”

  The poke of the blade puncturing her skin made Ilsa jerk. It cut into her skin near her ear and she couldn’t stop tears from streaming down her cheeks.

  “Oh, look at the little thing cry,” Delmon taunted, grazing his fingers along her chest. “Are you feeling the pain, Ilsa, darling? I’m just getting started. When I’m through…”

  Whatever Delmon might have said was lost when a fist connected with his face and knocked him across the alley. Ilsa sat up and yanked the rag from her mouth, watching in shock as Tony pummeled Delmon until he lost consciousness. She could hear him muttering what had to be threats in Italian with each punch of his fist.

  “Tony, stop! For goodness sake, please stop!” Ilsa sobbed. As much as she hated Delmon, she didn’t want his blood or demise on Tony’s hands or heart.

  Tony heaved a huge sigh and stood, glaring at Delmon’s unmoving form for a moment before turning to Ilsa and using the knife Delmon dropped to cut through the rope binding her hands. He tried not to think about what the evil little man had done to her as he glanced over her beaten body.

  “Oh, chickadee, I’m so sorry.” Tony didn’t know where he could touch her without causing pain. He knew she needed medical attention but hesitated to take her through town with her gown missing to the doctor’s office.

  Stripping off his shirt, he carefully wrapped it around her and gently lifted Ilsa in his arms then hurried through the alley back to Caterina’s.

  Toeing open the screen door, multiple sets of eyes looked up in shock as he rushed in carrying Ilsa.

  “What happened?” Garrett and Kade both hurried to his side.

  “Some man attacked her in the alley. He’s still there, Kade. Nik, run and get the doc. I’ll take her up to my room,” Tony said, rushing up the stairs and tenderly placing Ilsa on his bed. Caterina, Aundy, and Nora followed behind while Garrett and J.B. went with Kade.

  “Who would do such a thing?” Caterina asked, wringing her hands at the end of the bed while Aundy sat down by her sister.

  Taking in the bruises and blood trickling from a deep cut along her jaw by her ear, Aundy couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt Ilsa. She was one of the sweetest, most innocent girls that lived.

  “I don’t know who he was, but I don’t think he’ll be going anywhere.” Tony glanced down at his bloody hands. A shiver wracked through him as he thought about how close he came to beating the man to death.

  If Ilsa hadn’t cried out to stop him, he may have taken the man’s life. Appalled by his lack of control and the depth of rage that swept through him, he worried about the state of his soul.

  When Ilsa didn’t immediately return from her shop, he volunteered to check on her. Walking past the alley, he thought he heard something and stared into the shadows, registering a man sitting on top of her. He didn’t think or reason, he just reacted.

  Looking at the girl, beaten and bloody in his bed, he closed his eyes and tried to block out all thoughts but what he could do to help her.

  Hurrying back downstairs, he filled a basin with the warm water Caterina had on the back of the stove and grabbed a couple of rags, carrying it back upstairs.

  While Aundy and Caterina seemed too upset to do anything, Nora quickly dipped a rag in the water and began sponging the blood from Ilsa’s face and neck.

  “What kind of monster could beat a girl this way?” Nora asked, not expecting anyone to answer.

  The thudding of footsteps let them know someone hastened up the stairs.

  Nik appeared with Doctor Reed right behind him.

  “If everyone but Aundy and Nora can clear out for a while, I’ll see what we need to do,” Doc said, setting his bag at the foot of the bed and motioning for Nik and Tony to leave.

  “Tony, go on and wash up and then come down to the kitchen. I’ll make some tea. Maybe that will steady everyone’s nerves,” Caterina said, patting his arm before taking Nik’s hand and going downstairs to the kitchen.

  Tony went in the bathroom and turned on the faucet. Blood coated his hands while splatters flecked his chest and face. Scrubbing it away, he rubbed his skin vigorously with a towel then stood staring in the mirror, remorseful that he hadn’t insisted on accompanying Ilsa earlier.

  If he had, none of this would have happened. She’d still be chattering like a happy bird about her shop and fabrics, basking in the excitement of her new adventure.

  As fragile as she was, Tony feared what this would do to her.

  Tossing his towel at the bathtub, he sedately walked down to the kitchen and sat by Nik on a stool at Caterina’s worktable. She was just pouring the tea when Kade, Garrett and J.B. came in the back door.

  “Is he still alive?” Tony asked Kade, realizing if the man wasn’t, he could spend some time in jail.

  “He’s still breathing. I don’t think you broke anything vital but whatever he looked like before, he sure won’t now,” Kade said, putting a hand on Tony’s shoulder. “I can’t say that I blame you for beating him like that, but let’s not have a next time.”

  Tony nodded in agreement, grateful the man hadn’t died.

  “We took him to the jail and left a wet towel on his face. Doc can patch him up later,” Garrett said, accepting the tea Caterina handed him.

  “Did you find out who he is?”

  “He had some information on him. His name is Delmon Bertrand. Garrett said Ilsa was engaged to marry him before she sent the telegram asking to be rescued from her aunt,” Kade said, hugging Caterina tightly, as if he needed the reassurance only she could give. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, then handed him a cup of tea.

  “How’s our girl?” J.B. asked, taking a seat at Caterina’s kitchen table next to Garrett.

  “Doc is up with her now. He shooed the rest of us out.” Caterina set a plate of cookies on the table. “I just can’t imagine anyone treating a woman that way, especially one as tiny and delicate as Ilsa.”

  Kade sat down at the table and pulled Caterina across his lap, kissing her temple. “I can’t imagine it either, Cat, but there are men out there who do terrible, awful things, especially to people they know are smaller and weaker than them. I’m surprised Delmon, if that’s who he really is, was able to inflict as much damage as he did because he’s quite small for a man. I bet he’s not even as tall as you.”

  “But even I could overpower Ilsa. She’s just a tiny slip of a girl,” Caterina said, resting her head against her husband’s strong shoulder.

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine. Doc will fix her up and she’ll be ready to open that store before we know it,” J.B. said, trying to infuse some optimism into the somber group gathered in the kitchen.

  “I’m going to be a doctor,” Nik blurted out unexpectedly, bringing all conversation to a halt.

  “What’s that, Nik?” Garrett asked, leaning forward to look at his adopted son.

  “I want to be a doctor and help people. People like Ilsa who are hurt through no fault of their own,” Nik said, looking around the group. Caterina wiped at her tears and the men smiled at him.


  “That’s a fine plan, son.” Garrett found it difficult to speak around the lump in his throat. Fatherly pride made him smile at the boy and he knew whatever Nik decided to pursue, he’d do it with compassion and love.

  “Oh, Nik, that is a wonderful ambition.” Caterina rose from Kade’s lap and stepped across the room to hug the boy. “You’ll be a fine, fine doctor.”

  “Who wants to be a doctor?” Doc Reed asked as he came down the stairs.

  “Nik,” Garrett said as they all got to their feet, waiting to hear what the doctor had to say.

  Caterina poured him a cup of tea and motioned for him to sit at the table. The rest of them gathered around him, anxious for him to dispel their fears of the worst about Ilsa.

  “Will she be okay?” Garrett finally asked as the doctor took a sip of the tea and helped himself to a cookie.

  “She will. She’s got a few cracked ribs and multiple bruises,” Doc said, looking around the worried faces. “I put a few stitches in the cut by her ear. It’s gonna scar, but her hair should hide it for the most part. He gave her quite a beating, especially on her face, but fortunately, he didn’t break any bones. She’ll need to rest for a couple weeks, until the ribs heal. I’m much more concerned about the psychological damage done than the physical. Like I told Aundy and Nora, keep her spirits up and keep an eye on how she’s behaving. An attack can really take a toll on a woman’s confidence in herself and her trust in others. I’ve seen things like this, and much worse, more times than I care to think about among the working girls in town. Just give Ilsa time and space. I’ll check on her in a few days. I’d like her to stay here tonight, but you can take her back to Nash’s Folly tomorrow.”

  “She can stay where she’s at,” Tony said, looking from Doc to Garrett.

  “That settles it, then.” Doc stood and picked up his bag. “I’ll head on home. If anything changes, you know where to find me.”

  “Can you stop by the jailhouse, Doc? Tony apprehended the man who did this, but he’s a little worse for wear.”

  “A little?” Doc asked, wondering what kind of damage the good-natured Tony inflicted.

  “I’ll walk you over.” Kade stood and kissed Caterina’s cheek before he went out the door with Doc.

  “I’ll go see what Ma and Aundy want to do,” Garrett said, climbing the stairs with a weary tread to his step. He soon returned with Nora.

  “J.B., we might as well go home. There isn’t a thing we can do to help that poor girl tonight. I’ll come over as soon as you bring her home tomorrow and help Aundy at the house,” Nora said, hugging Caterina then Tony. “Thank you for rescuing our girl.”

  Tony just nodded his head and watched the older couple walk out the door.

  “Aundy’s going to stay with Ilsa.” Garrett picked up his hat and motioned for Nik to join him. “Let’s go home and get a little rest then we’ll come back in the morning to get them both. Do you want to come home with us, Tony?”

  “No. I think I’ll stick around here. Aundy can sleep on the bed in the spare room. I can always sleep on the sofa upstairs.” Tony walked Garrett to the door.

  Garrett grinned. “Have you ever tried sleeping on that sofa? I can tell you from experience, you might as well start out on the floor because you’ll end up there anyway.”

  Tony laughed, in spite of his inner turmoil. “With that in mind, I’ll probably sit up then.”

  “You can come home with me,” Caterina said, washing the last of the dishes and drying them.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I’d feel better staying here.” Tony held the door as Garrett and Nik left.

  “You really should come home with us and get some rest.” Caterina patted Tony’s shoulder as she walked by him to wipe down the table.

  “I’ll be fine here.”

  “You might want to at least put on a shirt,” Caterina suggested, pointing to her brother’s bare chest.

  Tony forgot he’d wrapped his shirt around Ilsa and hadn’t bothered to get a clean one before he came downstairs.

  “Good idea.” He walked upstairs and tapped quietly on his bedroom door. Opening it a crack, Aundy motioned for him to enter.

  “Doc gave her something for the pain that knocked her out. He thinks she’ll sleep all night,” Aundy whispered as she stepped away from the bed to stand next to Tony.

  “That’s good.” Tony opened his closet and removed a shirt, slipping his arms in the sleeves. “If you want a break, I can sit with her for a while.”

  “Thanks,” Aundy said, smiling as Tony stood next to the bed looking down at Ilsa. “I think I’ll go get a cup of tea.”

  “Caterina and Kade haven’t gone home yet. She’s still in the kitchen. You can probably talk her out of a few cookies, if you like.”

  “Thanks, Tony.”

  Aundy left the door open behind her and Tony listened as she made her way down the stairs.

  Staring at Ilsa’s bruised face, he worried what would have happened to her if he hadn’t shown up when he had.

  Carefully sitting down on the bed by Ilsa, he reached out and brushed his fingers along her hairline. Looking at the stitches near her ear, he felt his stomach clench with anger, fear, and regret.

  He wished, for the hundredth time in the last hour, he hadn’t allowed Ilsa to leave by herself.

  Wishing wouldn’t change anything, though.

  Bending over, Tony kissed Ilsa on the nose then picked up her hand and held it to his chest, willing her to take some of his strength.

  “Tony,” she whispered, surprising him.

  He sat unmoving, waiting to see if she was awake or asleep. When her eyes didn’t open, he assumed she was still sleeping.

  She whispered his name again then released a sigh. He watched as she seemed to settle into a deeper, more restful sleep.

  Continuing to hold her hand, he reveled in the feel of each delicate finger against the bare skin of his chest. Wanting to weep with relief that Ilsa would be fine and that he reached her before Delmon inflicted any permanent, lasting damage, he instead took a deep breath and bowed his head in prayer.

  He didn’t know how long he sat there, on the edge of the bed, but a light hand on his shoulder brought his gaze up to Aundy’s tear-filled eyes.

  “Go get some rest, Tony. You need it,” she said, noticing for the first time the cuts and bruises on his knuckles. “Do you want me to treat your hands?”

  “No. I’ve got it.” He gently placed Ilsa’s hand by her side, whispered in her ear then rose from the bed. “You can sleep in the spare room, I’ll take the sofa although Garrett warned me I’d be better off on the floor.”

  Aundy smiled. “I’ll stay in here tonight. You might as well use the spare bed and get a little sleep.”

  “I doubt I’ll be able to sleep, but I’ll give it a try. If you need anything, I’ll either be in the spare room or the sitting room.”

  “Thank you, Tony. You really should go home with Kade and Cat.”

  “No, I need to stay.” Tony knew Aundy would understand. “Just call if you need me.”

  “I will.”

  Shutting the bedroom door behind him, Tony buttoned his shirt on his way to the bathroom. He scrubbed his hands again using a bar of carbolic soap then poured witch hazel over the cuts. Sucking air through his teeth at the sting, he let his hands drip dry over the sink before going downstairs. Caterina and Kade sat at the table, waiting for him.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to go home with us?” Kade asked, getting to his feet then holding out his hand to his wife.

  “I’ll stay here tonight, but thanks for the offer. I appreciate it.” Tony walked them to the door. “Did Doc say anything while you were at the jail?”

  “Just that Delmon would be fine.” Kade wrapped Caterina’s shawl around her shoulders, then rested his hands there. Although the days were still miserably hot, once the sun set, the night air was cool. “He’s a mess but Doc didn’t think any of the cuts he sustained were bad enough to stitch. The
sissy cried like a baby when Doc disinfected them, though. He swears some wild animal attacked him in the alley and claims he was defending Ilsa. Since we all know better, he’ll be facing a very long future in jail.

  “That’s good.”

  “Try to get some rest, Tony.” Caterina patted his cheek as she walked out the door.

  “I will. See you both tomorrow.”

  Tony shut the door behind them and sat down at the table. Rufus sauntered over and brushed his legs, wanting attention, so Tony picked up the cat and rubbed his head, making the animal purr loudly in the quiet of the room.

  “Well, Ruf, there’s never a dull moment around here, is there?”

  The cat meowed, offering his agreement.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dreaming she was with Tony, Ilsa envisioned his bare chest, muscled and bronzed, as he swept her into his arms and kissed her cheek.

  Over and over, she heard him say “cara mia.” She wondered what it meant. Maybe Caterina would tell her, since she was sure it was Italian.

  Resting her weary head on Tony’s strong shoulder, her fingers reached out of their own accord to explore the solid angles and planes of his exposed tan skin. Expecting it to be rough like his callused hands, she trailed her fingers across the smooth, warm expanse of his chest and shoulders in surprise.

  He suddenly let go of her and she drifted off into quiet darkness.

  The next time she was aware of his presence, he clutched her hand to that magnificent chest. His strength and warmth soaked into her from his touch, and the steady beat of his heart made her feel relaxed and content.

  He quietly held her hand for the longest time before he let it go, placing it gently beside her. She heard him whisper “cara mia” again before he left her. She knew he was gone because she felt bereft of his presence, although his scent continued to linger all around her.