“We’re going to check down near the creek,” Jessie said. “Caleb and Montana were around the northwest section land rescuing a cow that was stuck. Its calf wouldn't leave her and now it’s stuck, too.”
“You said we’re going down by the creek?” Pa asked.
Jessie nodded.
“Ain’t there chances of flash flooding around there?” Pa’s eyebrow arched a fraction.
Jessie couldn’t quite read his expression, ‘cause he thought the man almost sounded happy.
“A person could just about drown if they got washed away,” Pa said.
“Yeah, and that creek is a lot deeper than most around these parts. That’s why we built a wooden bridge across it. Too bad the animals didn’t have the fool sense to use it to get out of harm’s way in this weather.” Jessie pointed toward the cabinet in the corner of the room. “Zeke, you want to grab a couple ropes out of that cabinet? Wouldn’t hurt to make sure we all have one with us for safety.”
Zeke did as instructed, and handed his brother and Pa a rope, keeping one for himself. Jessie already had one on his saddle. They headed out and rode down to the creek. Flashes of occasional lightning and thunder reverberating loudly through the open land made Jessie tremble. He’d heard tales of people being hit by lightning, and even one person’s body burned beyond recognition. The quicker they got their tasks done, the quicker they could all get back inside and stay safe.
“Up ahead,” Sarah’s pa shouted, pointing up the creek near the wooden bridge. “There’s a calf. Its ma is stuck on the other side.”
They were on the same side as the ma. “Why don’t you stay here with the cow, and I’ll take Elijah with me across the bridge to get the calf. But we better hurry. This water is already lapping at the banks.”
Pa nodded. “I’ll come with you both. Zeke should be okay. It’ll be quicker this way.”
Jessie’s lips pursed tight. He didn’t want to stop and argue. Leaving the older boy alone with the cow wasn’t something he felt akin to do, but it might be faster having the extra pair of hands. Jessie led the way.
Halfway across the bridge, Sarah’s pa clasped his shoulder and pointed over the side of the bridge. “What’s that in the water? I think it started to go under.”
Jessie leaned over the edge, straining to look. The water was raging with the speed and strength of a river. Any person or critter that got caught up in the water was sure to be drowned. “I don’t see anything.”
“Maybe ‘cause it hasn’t happened yet,” Pa shouted.
Jessie started to turn, but lost his balance as his legs were hoisted out from under him. He shouted and ended up taking in a mouthful of water as his body went underwater. He fought his way back above the water, coughing as he came up for air.
Sarah’s pa stood on the bridge watching Jessie’s arms flail as he tried to fight to stay afloat. Her pa was holding Elijah’s shoulders, keeping the boy back. It looked like Elijah wanted to help Jessie because he was wrestling in his father’s arms.
“Hold on, Jessie.”
Jessie looked to the side of the creek where he heard the shouts coming from. Zeke was running along the creek, trying to keep up with Jessie while he was making a lasso. At least the boys wanted to save Jessie. Thankfully, they weren’t a part of their father’s plan. And Jessie had a feeling this wasn’t a last minute idea he came up with either. Sarah’s pa had been acting peculiar from the moment Ma put him in his place last night.
It took Zeke three attempts and throwing the lasso to Jessie before Jessie could grab on. He quickly wrapped it around his torso and tried swimming toward the creek bank. An undertow caught Jessie and pulled him under. He fought hard against the current. Once he was free of the water’s undertow, he looked over toward shore, but no one was there.
“Help,” Zeke shouted.
He must have fallen in when Jessie was pulled under. With even more determination, Jessie swam against the current to reach Zeke.
Elijah and Pa were at the bank of the creek when they reached the side. Their pa reached for Zeke’s hand. Jessie struggled on his own to climb out of the water, his body weak from fighting the current. He could barely stand, let alone wring Sarah’s pa’s neck. Which is what he wanted to do. The fool man almost cost Jessie his life.
Jessie grabbed Pa’s arm. “What in tarnation were you trying to do?”
Sarah’s pa’s response was a punch to Jessie’s left cheek. Jessie squeezed him tighter, trying to keep his balance. The effort was futile, because Sarah’s pa stumbled toward him and they both landed in the creek.
Jessie let go of him. The last thing he needed was for the man to hold him under water. He didn’t have the strength to fight the man. As is, he’d be lucky to make it back to shore.
CHAPTER TEN
Jessie felt warm. His head hurt too much to open his eyes.
“Jessie?” Sarah squeezed his hand tight. Her voice sounded frantic.
Water. Drowning. Was Sarah all right? Jessie moaned as he struggled to open his eyes. The first thing he saw was his wife’s face. She was crying. She did that too much. “Don’t cry.”
Sarah was sitting on a chair next to him on the settee. She leaned over and planted kisses all over his face. “Oh, thank goodness you’re all right.”
“You had us plum scared, Boy,” Ma said.
“Thank goodness Jessie is a better swimmer than the rest of us.” Jessie’s gaze followed the sound of Marshall’s voice.
Everyone was standing around him, and they were safe inside.
“How’d I get here?” Jessie strained to sit up.
“Don’t get up,” Ma said and handed Sarah another pillow to put beneath his head.
Jessie brought Sarah’s hand up to his lips and kissed it. What he had to tell her wasn’t going to be easy. But she needed to know. He’d also talk with his ma later about letting Sarah’s brothers stay with them, but her pa had to go. Jessie didn’t want that man around any of his family. “Your pa tried to kill me.”
More tears trickled down her cheeks. Her dainty hands tightened around his. “I know. I’m sorry, Jessie.”
“It’s not your fault.” Jessie strained to speak. All the creek water, he swallowed, must have irritated his throat. But he needed to finish this. “But we can’t let him stay here any more.”
Sarah closed her eyes and glanced away a moment. When she looked back at him, a single tear trickled down her cheek. “He won’t be.”
Jessie nodded, thankful that she agreed.
Ma moved next to Sarah and put her arm around her. She leaned down to kiss Sarah on the head, offering soothing words. “It will be all right, sweetheart.”
“What’s wrong?” Jessie looked at Ma, and then at his brothers. “What aren’t you all telling me? Where’s your brothers, Sarah?”
“They’re at the bunkhouse,” Ma told Jessie. “They are still shook up over their pa trying to kill you.”
“If it wasn’t for them,” Marshall said. “You might have drowned.”
“Elijah rode out to find us and told us you wouldn’t wake up,” Montana’s voice was tense. “We were so afraid we’d lost you.”
“I’m fine,” Jessie assured them. He glanced at Sarah. She looked pale. “Where’s your pa now?”
Everyone was silent. You could have heard a raindrop hit the ground as quiet as it was in the house. Marshall was the first one to break the silence. “He drowned, Jessie.”
“I’m sorry, Sarah.” Jessie struggled to a sitting position and hugged his wife. She melted into his embrace and cried. He rubbed her back and held her close until her sobs subsided. “It will be okay, sweetheart.”
She sniffed and pulled back enough to stare into Jessie’s eyes.
His insides ached at the pain he saw there.
“Pa got what he had coming to him,” Sarah said. “But while I wanted to get away from him, I didn’t want it to be like this.”
“I understand.” Jessie nodded. “But at least now your brothers may have
a chance. If Ma and my brothers will help, we can be a better example for them to see the type of men they need to be and undo all the bad your pa instilled in them.”
“I love you, Jessie.” Sarah kissed his cheek and hugged him. “You’re going to be a wonderful father.”
“Thank you.” Jessie smiled and whispered next to her ear, “I look forward to making babies with you.”
Sarah’s cheeks flushed and she smiled. “Well, we’ve already made the first one. We just have to wait for it to get here.”
It took a moment before her words registered with his foggy brain. “You’re pregnant?”
Sarah bit her lower lip and nodded.
Jessie shouted in joy and pulled her close into his embrace. The sadness they felt for the loss of her pa could be dealt with later. Right now was time to celebrate new life.
He claimed Sarah’s mouth with his. The kiss he gave her warmed him inside in a good way. When the kiss ended, she was a little out of breath. He had to admit he liked having that effect on her. Jessie kissed her again, then trailed kisses down her cheek to her neck so he could whisper in her ear again. “Do you think maybe we could go practice making babies for a while?”
“If that will make you feel better,” Sarah whispered in his ear.
“Oh, it will make me feel much better.” Jessie slowly stood. Taking her hand, he led her away from the others.
“Where are you both going?” Caleb asked.
Marshall elbowed Caleb. “They’re tired.”
Caleb frowned. “But he’s been asleep since yesterday.”
Montana took his hat off and hit Caleb upside the back of the head with it. “Shut up, Caleb.”
Everyone laughed.
“Good night,” Ma said and winked at them. “Make sure my grand baby gets lots of rest.”
Jessie laughed. “We will.”
If you would like to read about the rest of the Kincaid brothers and their ma, you can find them here:
Mail Order Brides novelette series~
JESSIE’S BRIDE –Book 1
MONTANA’S BRIDE –Book 2
CALEB’S BRIDE –Book 3
MARSHALL’S BRIDE–Book 4
HUSBAND OF THE BRIDE–Book 5
All of Susette’s Books
Mail Order Brides novelette series~
JESSIE’S BRIDE –Book 1
MONTANA’S BRIDE –Book 2
CALEB’S BRIDE –Book 3
MARSHALL’S BRIDE–Book 4
HUSBAND OF THE BRIDE–Book 5
Texas Wildflowers novelette series~
FREE TO LOVE –Book 1
FREE TO HEAL –Book 2
FREE TO PROTECT –Book 3
FREE TO SERVE –Book 4
FREE TO ROAM –Book 5
FREE TO FORGIVE –Book 6
The Amish Ways novelette series~
THE WIDOWER’S NEW WIFE –Book 1
ROAD TO REDEMPTION –Book 2
Seasons of the Heart novella series~
FALLING IN LOVE – Book 1
WINTER CHILL – Book 2
SPRING BREAK – Book 3
HEATED SUMMER – Book 4
Maid for Murder series ~
Maid for Murder: DEADLY BUSINESS – Book 1
Maid for Murder: DEADLY CONFESSIONS – Book 2
The 12 Mysteries of Christmas ~
IN THE NICK OF TIME – Book 1
STARR WITNESS – Book 7
Novellas ~
ACCIDENTAL MEETING
SCROOGE FALLS IN LOVE – Typecast Christmas series
SHADOWS OF DOUBT
MORE THAN FRIENDS
LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE
A STITCH IN TIME
GATEWAY TO THE WEST – Thanksgiving Books & Blessings series
Novels~
SOMETHING ABOUT SAM
HONORABLE INTENTIONS
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