“All right, I’d like to ask Ivy and Rosie what they saw.”
“Absolutely not,” Miss Ethel insisted. “Those girls are frightened. Your questions would only frighten them further. They said they saw a man in dark clothes on a dark horse pick Katie up and ride off with her.”
Miss Edie added, “A few boys at the church picnic tried to scare them about a man in dark clothes and a dark horse that likes to steal girls. They believe something evil stole Katie away. We need to help them get over their fears, and you need to look for Katie. I believe it might be Eli Warren. He didn’t handle Katie’s rejection well. He told her he would get her away from Benjamin. I would suggest you look for him, too.”
Nodding his head, Marshal Sewell said, “I’ll get my horse and follow the trail. Go home and wait. I’ll let you know what I find as soon as I can. And, put that rifle away.” He turned and strode down the street.
“Can you believe the nerve of that man asking me where I learned to track. Anyone knows a horse will leave deeper hoofmarks with more weight on its back,” Miss Edie said.
Miss Ethel raised one eyebrow. “You have been reading those books again haven’t you?”
“What if I did. They are exciting, and I enjoy them. If I didn’t read them, we never would have known about the horse tracks and who knows how long it might have taken the marshal to figure it out. At least now he’s on his way to find Katie.”
Miss Ethel agreed that her sister was probably right. She did help the marshal by pointing out the tracks. Perhaps the man will pay attention to what they shared with him and not be so concerned about her rifle. She could shoot better than most men she knew, and she shot in the air as a warning and a message. Where is the harm in that?
Miss Edie slipped her arm through her sisters and said, “Come along. Let’s see to the girls and say a prayer for Katie’s safety. She’s a strong young woman, I’m confident she will find a way home.”
“I’m sure she could if this was a normal situation. If Eli took her, she’s in terrible trouble. That man is controlling, and I saw signs of his temper. I fear for her safety,” Miss Ethel confided. “But you are right. We need to say a prayer for her safety, and I think it will help the girls to pray, too. They need to feel useful.”
Chapter Eighteen
As soon as Katie was scooped off her feet. She knew exactly who had taken her. His arm squeezed the breath from her, and her scream died in the air. Each minute they galloped further from town along the uneven ground and through the fog, Katie prayed Eli wouldn’t drop her. About a mile from town he slowed the horse and did exactly that. He dropped her on the ground and glared down at her.
“Get up,” he snarled. “My arm is tired. You’re going to have to ride behind me.”
Katie refused to move. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” Her hair had tumbled out of its pins, and her new green dress was torn. “Look what you did to me.”
“You have two choices. You either swing up behind me, or I’ll knock you out and drape you over the saddle. Your choice. Either way, you’re coming with me.” Eli’s eyes had turned dark with fury, and Katie feared for her safety.
Katie realizing it would be better to be alert when she rode with Eli relented and stood. “I’ll ride with you.”
Eli grinned at her. “Good choice. You might make an obedient wife after all.”
Katie shuddered but allowed herself to be lifted and positioned herself behind Eli. Her hands shook as she slipped them around his waist to hold on while he rode away. She couldn’t understand why he was racing away from town, the rail tracks, and houses into the empty plains. He was heading in the wrong direction if he expected to find a town.
“Where are we going,” she yelled as he once again kicked the horse into a gallop.
“Just a spot I found to hide out until they realize you aren’t coming back. Then we’ll head for the nearest town and catch a train to somewhere far from here, your snoopy guardians, and that so-called fiancé of yours. Someplace where you will finally realize you belong to me.”
Katie didn’t answer. She watched their surroundings so that she would be able to find her way back once she escaped and escape she would if it killed her. She prayed hard for the strength to run when she had a chance.
At least five miles out of town, Eli reined in the horse behind a few stately pines standing near a small creek. They dismounted, and the horse hurried to the water to begin drinking.
Katie tried to reach the horse's reins, but Eli stopped her.
“You’re not leaving,” he snapped.
“I wasn’t trying to, but if you don’t stop the horse, he’ll drink himself sick, and we won’t be going anywhere.” She yanked free from his grasp and led the horse away from the stream. “Don’t you know anything?”
Eli shrugged. “My brother took care of any horse’s needs. I told you I detest farm chores. Caring for horses is too much work.”
Katie rolled her eyes. She chided herself for sending that ad to the paper. She should have known she would attract the wrong sort of person. Looking around, she noticed that Eli must have planned this well. She saw bags of food, bedrolls, wood chopped for fires, a coffee pot, a heavy frying pan, and a second horse.
“Start a fire and cook me some breakfast. I’m hungry,” Eli demanded.
“All right,” Katie agreed. “Take the coffee pot and get some water from the creek, please.”
When Eli returned with the water, Katie was bent over the fire blowing on it to get it going. Eli leaned down next to her and placed the coffee pot on the ground next to the kindling.
Katie said a quick prayer asking God for forgiveness as she stood up with the heavy pan in her hand, swung it, and connected with the side of Eli’s head. As soon as he crumpled to the ground, she ran and climbed onto the still saddled horse and began a slow trek toward Silverpines. She didn’t want to put added strain on the horse, and she knew Eli wouldn’t follow. Eli was dead. She began to cry and beg God for forgiveness again. What would happen to her now? She’d be sent to prison and what about the children? Miss Ethel and Miss Edie would never allow them to be sent away. Ella Grace said husbands were coming to Silverpines for her dear guardians, but how could they marry and take care of the girls especially the infants? What about Benjamin? They planned on getting married. What would he think of her now?
Tears blurred her vision, and she didn’t pay attention to the rider approaching her until she heard the hoofbeats. It was Alexzander. Time for her confession and to head to jail.
Alexzander reined up next to her. “Katie are you all right? Are you hurt? Where is Eli? He did take you, didn’t he?”
Katie nodded and pointed behind her. “He’s at that stand of pine trees about four miles back. I killed him. I hit him with a skillet. I can see the town now. I’ll just ride to the jail and sit in a cell until you get back with his body. I won’t run, I promise.”
“Katie,” Alexzander said quietly. “You aren’t going to jail. I can see Howard House from here. Do you think you can ride there? I’ll see about Eli, and then I’ll come and talk to you.”
“But he’s dead.”
“Even if he is, you were protecting yourself. I’m not taking you to jail. Go home. Your little sisters are worried,” Alexzander explained.
“All right, I’ll go and see the girls,” Katie answered turning the horse toward home.
Alexzander watched her until she was on the Howard property and then turned back to the trail and headed toward the pine trees in the distance.
Katie took in the view of the back of Howard House. She rode past the pet cemetery and Miss Edie’s rose garden slowly making memories to take to prison with her. Seeing the partially constructed wing, her heart broke knowing she’d never live there. The fog still shrouded the house and Katie sighed wishing the sun was shining and Benjamin was working on the wing. Maybe Eli wouldn’t have come for her and she wouldn’t be a murderer. Dropping her head, she let the tears fall for what she did and for wha
t she was about to lose.
Cindy Lou, who had been sitting near the front parlor window trying to entertain Rosie and Ivy with stories, was the first to see Katie ride up. She jumped up and called out to the rest of the house, “Katie’s home.” She rushed out followed closely by Rosie and Ivy.
Hugs and tears and Katie’s insistence that she was all right finally settled the house and the younger girls returned to their studies while Miss Edie and Miss Ethel quietly spoke to Katie. They needed to be sure she wasn’t harmed in any way. Plying her with tea, scones, and loving words finally calmed Katie. Despite her guardian’s insistence that she was not headed to prison, Katie had her doubts and enjoyed each bite and sip as she waited for Alexzander’s arrival with handcuffs or shackles in hand.
Two hours later Alexzander arrived at Howard House with Eli tied to the saddle of the second horse. Eli was very much alive and complaining constantly.
Katie stood on the front porch with Miss Edie and Miss Ethel. Eli nodded toward Katie and said, “I want that woman arrested. She tried to kill me.”
Katie took a step back and felt fear grip her again. Eli wasn’t dead, but she would still spend a long time in prison.
“Shut up, Eli.” Alexzander’s voice was low and intimidating. “Katie acted in self-defense. You, on the other hand, will spend many years in the Oregon State Penitentiary for abduction. Be happy it isn’t a hanging offense.”
Eli began blubbering and threatening Alexzander with every legal challenge he could remember. “Wait until my father hears about this. You’ll lose your job and end up in a cell, but I will walk free.”
Alexzander shook his head and addressed Katie “I’ll send a telegram and Eli will be transferred to Portland or Oregon City for trial. I’ll keep you informed. Don’t worry. Things will turn out well.” He tipped his hat and led the still complaining Eli toward the jail.
Miss Edie slipped her arm around a trembling Katie. “Come along, child. The worst is over. You weren’t hurt, and Eli will be gone for quite some time. It’s time to smile and let your sisters see that you’re doing well. If you find you need to cry, go off to your room and cry until you feel better.”
Katie wrapped her arms around Miss Edie, “I love you, Miss Edie. You and Miss Ethel are the most loving guardians I could have hoped for.”
Miss Ethel smiled. “We try, Katie, and we are blessed by you and all the girls God has brought into our lives. Come along now. You need a bath and hair wash to get all the dust off. You’ll feel better and look better. Once word gets around town, I’m sure Benjamin will be at the door to check on you. I’m surprised Ella Grace hasn’t hurried over already.”
Katie followed her guardians into the house. A hot bath sounded lovely, and the thought of seeing Benjamin warmed her heart.
Chapter Nineteen
Ella Grace looked out her front window to check if the fog was clearing and saw the marshal ride by with Eli tied to a second horse. She knew something terrible must have happened, and her heart ached with worry for Katie. She called out to Clara that she was headed to Howard House, grabbed her shawl, and rushed out of the house.
Arriving at Howard House, she opened the door just a bit and called out to her sisters not wanting to upset them at a time that might be difficult.
Ivy swung the door open wide and threw herself into Ella Grace’s arms. Tears spilled down her small cheeks as she blurted, “That man with the scary eyes took Katie, but she’s home now, and Miss Edie said she’ll be all right. She’s taking a bath, and Miss Ethel made her some tea.”
Ella Grace drew in a deep breath and blew it out. Ivy let her know what she needed to know. Katie was all right, but she still needed to see her. She took Ivy’s hand, and they went into the kitchen to see the other girls. They were all sitting around the kitchen table reading or writing on their tablets.
Anna looked up when Ella Grace entered the kitchen. “Hi, did you come to see Katie? Miss Edie said she’ll be finished with her bath soon, but we should all be quiet so Katie can rest.”
Frantic knocking broke the silence. Ivy and Rosie began to cry. “He came back for Katie.”
Ella Grace answered, “No, I saw the marshal take him away. I think it might be Benjamin. Let me check.”
Opening the front door, Ella Grace was correct in her assumptions and looked into the face of an extremely distraught Benjamin.
“How is she? Did he hurt her? Can I see her?”
Ella Grace patted the air in front of her. “Calm down, she’s all right. She’s with Miss Edie and Miss Ethel. I don’t know anything else. Please come in and sit down. You look like you’re ready to collapse.”
Benjamin dropped into one of the parlor chairs and said, “It’s all my fault. If I’d have been here this morning working on the wing, I would have heard her or seen him take her. It was too foggy and damp, and I decided to spend the time planning out the finishing touches on the wing and my office on the farm.”
Ella Grace did her best to comfort Benjamin and convince him it wasn’t his fault. Eli would have tried at another time if he didn’t succeed today. Benjamin just shook his head.
Their attention was drawn to the parlor doorway when Katie appeared and said, “Benjamin, Ella Grace.”
Benjamin bolted from his seat and flew across the room pulling Katie into his arms. “I can’t breathe,” Katie whispered.
Benjamin loosened his hold just a bit, and Katie held out her hand to Ella Grace. “Thank you both for being here. I’m all right. I’m not hurt in any way except I was frightened when Eli grabbed me, but not as frightened as I was when I thought I killed him. I saw myself spending the rest of my life in prison.”
“That will never happen. I saw the marshal when I left the Inn to ride out to the farm. He explained what happened to you and told me you were all right and Eli was in jail, but I had to see for myself.”
Katie assured them again that she was all right and explained what happened after Eli abducted her. Miss Edie and Miss Ethel joined them, and they discussed what might happen to Eli now and slowly the conversation changed to happier topics. They discussed the wedding, the curtains for the new wing that Katie would sew on Ella Grace’s new sewing machine, and the upcoming wedding.
Their conversation was interrupted by another knock on the door. Miss Ethel rose and said, “Don’t worry. It can’t be more bad news.” She opened the door and turned to smile at Katie, Ella Grace, and Miss Edie.
“It’s good news.” She held the door open wide and allowed the crate they received to be brought into the parlor. Miss Ethel tipped the young man from the train station for delivering the crate.
Ella Grace and Katie read the printing on the crate. “It’s from Abigail’s Gowns and Finery in Portland. Did you order wedding finery again?” Katie asked.
Benjamin stood. “That’s my cue to leave.” He kissed Katie and promised he’d see her at supper.
Ella Grace walked to the kitchen and motioned the girls to follow her into the parlor. “I think there’s a surprise for all of you.”
The five younger girls smiled when they saw the crate. They remembered the one that arrived a few months ago containing all new dresses for Ella Grace's wedding.
Miss Ethel held up her hands. “Don’t get overly excited. The dresses you wore to Ella Grace’s wedding still fit each of you well, and you can wear them to Katie’s wedding, but I think there might be new hats, gloves, and parasols in the crate for each of you.”
Giggles, ooh and ahhs, and clapping filled the room as Miss Ethel pulled off the top of the wooden crate revealing the royal blue boxes with gold filigree that filled the crate.
Miss Ethel removed the first two small boxes. “It appears there might be matching hats for Rosie and Ivy,” she said as she handed the boxes to the twins.
Rosie and ivy squealed with delight when they removed the dark pink hats decorated with tiny soft yellow and pale pink roses around the brim of the hats. They squealed once again when they placed them on their heads.
Lesser vocal outburst came from Anna, Meg, and Julia when they received their new hats, but they were just as pleased as their younger sisters.
Happy voices chattered and thanked Miss Edie and Miss Ethel as new gloves and small parasols were handed out to match the new hats.
Miss Ethel pulled a larger box out and set it aside. “Katie can open this one later.” Katie blushed, and Ella Grace winked at her.
The largest box left for last made Katie’s eyes grow large with excitement. “When did you order any of this? Benjamin and I just announced our betrothal.”
Miss Edie clapped her hands and gushed, “The day you sent your letter to the Grooms’ Gazette we also mailed our order to Abigail. She knew your size from the dress we had made for you to wear at Ella Graces’ wedding. Open it dear.”
Katie set the large box on the chair next to the fireplace and gently lifted the lid and the paper surrounding the contents. She carefully removed the ivory gown from the box and held it in front of her.
“This is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen,” Katie exclaimed. “Thank you, Miss Edie and Miss Ethel.”
Katie spun toward her sisters. “Look, there are ruffles on the cuffs and skirt, but the bodice is plain so I can add my three lace hearts. This gown is perfect.”
“Go try it on,” Miss Ethel encouraged, and Miss Edie followed Katie to help her.
Katie disappeared up the stairs with Miss Edie, and the younger girls ran off to their rooms. Ella Grace looked out the front window and saw her husband walking up the street toward the house.
“Michael is on his way,” she explained. “He must be worried about Katie. I’ll meet him on the porch in case one of the girls runs back in here wearing only bloomers and their new hat.”
Miss Ethel smiled. “That does happen around here on occasion. You talk to Michael, and I’ll make tea.”
Ella Grace nodded and left the house to meet Michael on the porch. She sat on one of the rockers and waited.
Before he could ask, Ella Grace explained that Katie was all right.
Wanted: Carpenter Page 9