Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage AgreementCowgirl for KeepsThe Lawman's RedemptionCaptive on the High Seas

by Renee Ryan

  She’d thought the worst of her crime of silence was how it had hurt her family. But now she could see that so many others were hurt, too. Sure, she’d paid secret restitution, but how had that given them a feeling of safety? Had she given any thought to Ben’s other victims? The good people in town he’d stolen from? The bank that’d lost its money? Will, who had lost his badge? Who else had Ben hurt in the course of his crimes?

  No more.

  Mary wasn’t going to stand around anymore, waiting for Ben’s next move. That was fine if everyone else wanted to wait until it was safe. But who else would Ben hurt?

  She stared hard at Will. “I am not running away from this. It’s time to stand up to Ben and put an end to his hurting others, once and for all.”

  Will took her by the arm, pulling her into an alley. “Keep your voice down. No one said anything about running away. But going in there, tempers blazing, is only going to get you killed. If you die, your sister’s share of your family’s wealth gets bigger. Ben has no reason to not harm you.”

  The talk of armed guards had frightened Mary to be sure, but to have her death so callously discussed sent a darkness into her heart. Ben had done a lot of things, but to kill her? Over money?

  Her throat ached from unshed tears. Though she heeded Will’s caution to not attract attention, she wanted to shout from the rooftops and let everyone know of the grave injustice being done.

  “What if he hurts my sister?”

  Mary hardly dared speak the words, but if Ben wouldn’t be above killing Mary, what was to keep Rose safe?

  Jasper came around the other side of her and gently patted her arm. “They’re not married. She’s worthless to him dead. Until he has his money, your sister is safe.”

  His words weren’t as calming as she’d have liked them to be. “Has he asked for money?”

  The two men exchanged glances. When would they realize she wasn’t a delicate flower they needed to protect?

  “You can’t hide the truth from me for long. I’ll find out eventually, so just tell me.”

  “Yes,” Will said, his voice taking a more somber tone. “Ben asked Pastor Lassiter to give them her share of your father’s claim. He told them that only Joseph has that authority and that they’ll have to wait until Joseph returns. Ben wasn’t happy. I don’t know what he’ll do if Joseph isn’t back from his honeymoon soon. He’s not a patient man.”

  It would be several more weeks, at least. Not only were Joseph and Annabelle going on their honeymoon, but Joseph had also wanted to take care of some business that would help modernize their mining operations. Plus, Annabelle had mentioned wanting to spend time with her East Coast relatives. When they’d left, both Mary and Frank had assured them that they could take all the time they wanted. Gertie had moved into the Lassiter house with her family to help Mary take care of the children and get everyone settled. Between Gertie, Polly, Mary and Maddie, the housekeeper, no one had foreseen the need for Joseph and Annabelle to hurry home.

  A tear rolled down Mary’s cheek before she could stop it. She didn’t want to spoil Joseph’s happiness. Of course, that was what had caused so many of her problems in the first place. Though she’d let Joseph know that things with Aunt Ina weren’t good while he was gone, she’d kept the worst of Aunt Ina’s abuses from him. If Joseph had known that Aunt Ina was forcing the little ones to go without food so that she could have a new dress with the money Joseph sent, he’d have come straight home. And if Joseph had been home, she’d have told him about Ben, and Joseph would have set her straight.

  One more thing Mary should have done and didn’t.

  She swallowed against the coming tears and focused her attention back on Will. “Does Joseph know about any of this?”

  Will shook his head. “Pastor Lassiter said that he was waiting for us to return with news. Joseph and Annabelle are traveling right now, so the soonest he would be able to reach them is Monday.”

  Three days. And then the agony of deciding whether they would return. Well, of course they would return. But the journey home would take some time, even if they took the train.

  “We can’t wait until Monday to try to rescue Rose.”

  “Agreed.” Will glanced at Jasper, then back at Mary. “But we also can’t go charging in. Now that we know what we’re up against, we need a plan.”

  Despite being partially shielded by the alley, a spray of water from a too-fast buggy in the street hit Mary, soiling her dress.

  “We need to get you to a safer part of town,” Will said, taking her by the arm again.

  Mary tugged away. “It’s just muddy water. After all we’ve been through, I can take a little mud.”

  She brushed away the worst of it, only then realizing that she should have taken off her gloves to complete the task. She could feel Will’s eyes on her, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

  “It’ll wash.” The gloves, anyway. Her new dress was probably ruined. She should have changed out of her wedding clothes and into something more practical, but that would have kept her from following Jasper out the back door and finding Will.

  As much as Mary had been prepared to go it alone in recovering her sister, and as much as she’d prefer Will not knowing the truth of her background, it was clear that she needed him.

  Unbidden, a verse from the last meal they’d had as a family, before Will and Ben came to town, came to mind. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.”

  Mary had made a lot of mistakes leading up to this moment—from the day she’d allowed Ben Perry to walk her home from the mercantile, to the day she’d lied to her sister about running an errand so she could meet Ben and every single moment in between.

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The real reason they were all in so much trouble was because of Mary’s poor judgment. At the core was her failure to rely on God. In all of this, she’d trusted her own judgment. She’d thought her ways the best way, and not once had she considered that the Lord would have a better way.

  With every bit of strength Mary had in her, she prayed. Help me. Help us. Show us how to bring back my sister safely. Lord, I’m willing to do this Your way. Please, show me.

  *

  Will watched as Mary closed her eyes and murmured softly to herself. Probably praying. Such a virtuous girl should not be caught up in this. He glanced at Jasper, who nodded over his shoulder.

  Someone was watching them.

  Will turned and glanced behind him. Mad Mel.

  “I know her,” Will told his friend. “I’m going to talk to her and see what I can find out.”

  He left him with Mary, who’d apparently ceased praying and now watched him with wide eyes. Hopefully, Jasper could get her to understand that this was not the time for her to be involved.

  “Mel,” he said as he approached. “Are you looking for me?”

  Mel glanced around, as though to make sure she wasn’t being watched. “I saw you from the window. They’re expecting you. Ben figured you’d try coming after Rose, and he’s got men waiting for you. He left orders that he wants you alive, but the men are joking about how alive is alive. They have something big planned, but I don’t know what.”

  “What do you know of the situation with Rose?”

  “He keeps her locked in a room upstairs. She acts like it’s some kind of game and plays the princess role to the hilt. The other girls are getting tired of her antics.”

  Will didn’t know Rose, but from the conversations he’d heard, he could see where this would happen.

  “So, is she there as a prisoner or is she free to go?”

  Mel shrugged. “If there weren’t a lock on the door, one of the girls would probably sneak in and slit her throat. But when she throws one of her hissy fits because Ben isn’t giving her enough attention, Ben doesn’t let her leave.”

  He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, trying to focus on saving Rose
, when really, he wanted to throttle her for being such a spoiled brat. Her family was worried about her, and she was holed up in a brothel throwing fits because she didn’t get her own way.

  “Any chance we’re going to get her out?”

  “Not without a fight.”

  Will figured. He’d handled his share of fights. Then he glanced over at where Mary stood waiting with Jasper. He’d just never had so much at stake before. “Any idea how we can make the fight go our way? I have a young woman standing over there who would do just about anything to rescue her sister—including walking right into The Pink Petticoat.”

  Mel made a noise in the back of her throat. “That’ll just get her killed.”

  She looked around him, studying Mary before bringing her attention back to Will. “Maybe not right away. She’s a pretty young thing. Ben would like her.”

  “She used to be engaged to Ben.”

  The noise around them seemed to stop as Mel stiffened. “She’s the one?” A dark look crossed Mel’s face. “There’s no way Ben will let her out alive.”

  Not the best news, but Will could have figured that out for himself. “Mary is determined to rescue her sister.”

  As annoying as it was to have her follow him, endangering herself, he couldn’t help but give her respect for being willing to do what others weren’t.

  “You like her.”

  The intense look Mel gave him made him want to deny it, but he couldn’t. “Yes.”

  “They say she helps with the pastor’s ministry.”

  “She does.”

  Mel’s lips pressed together, hard, as if she was trying to keep from saying more. Instead, she turned her gaze back to Mary.

  “Think she can climb a rope?”

  If Mary were any other woman, Will would have given an emphatic no. No respectable woman, certainly not one as fine as Mary, would be willing to so scandalize herself. Not to mention not having the kind of strength to accomplish such a feat. But something in Will told him that Mary would do it. If not of her own strength, but of the sheer determination to see her sister safe.

  Will nodded.

  “Go around the block so you aren’t passing The Pink Petticoat. I’ll lower a rope from one of the upstairs windows of the boardinghouse on the far side. Ben’s men won’t see you from that direction. I’m not supposed to have guests, but if Alma catches us, she’ll be delighted to know I’m associating with one of the pastor’s girls.”

  “I’m assuming you’ll get us into The Pink Petticoat via the passageway you took me?”

  Mel nodded. “They don’t know you know about it, and as far as I know, it’s not being guarded. I’ll watch and be sure it’s safe, though.”

  Will looked up at the building, noting that even with a rope, getting to the second floor of the boardinghouse wasn’t going to be easy. “There’s no way we can go in one of the doors?”

  “Not without Ben’s men seeing you.”

  He supposed, as far as a plan went, it was the best they were going to do.

  After glancing again down the street at Ben’s men, Will turned his attention back to Mel. “You need to get back before they notice you’re gone.”

  “I’m not working tonight. Far as they know, I’m at the boardinghouse where I’m supposed to be.”

  “Still, I don’t want them seeing us talking here on the street.”

  Mel pulled the cloak tighter around her. “I’ll be fine.”

  She turned to leave, then grabbed him by the sleeve. “You know I’m risking my own neck here. When this is over, I expect you to find my sister.”

  Looking her square in the eye, Will gave a nod. “You have my word.”

  Understanding passed between them, and Mel let go of his sleeve, disappearing into the night.

  Will returned to where Jasper and Mary waited. Even as he crossed the street, he could see the tension and anxiety in Mary’s pose. Mel’s assistance was the break they needed. Still, as he relayed the plan, he couldn’t help the feeling of dread that came with bringing them all into danger.

  Chapter Eighteen

  In all her days, Mary never imagined she’d find herself ensconced in the room of a notorious lady. She’d been scandalized enough delivering food to Miss Betty’s kitchen, but this…

  Mary shook her head. It didn’t matter. She’d known this was what rescuing Rose would come to; only now that she was sitting in Mel’s bedroom, Mary wondered if perhaps this was more of her foolishness. Still, she’d prayed, and what had happened next was that Mel had approached them and told them that the only way in was through her window at the boardinghouse.

  If God wouldn’t open a door, well, didn’t they say you were supposed to go in the window? She’d asked the Lord for guidance, and this had been the answer to her prayers.

  “I’m afraid I don’t have any tea,” Mel said, her voice like sandpaper. “Don’t want to get Alma involved unless we have to.”

  Mary swallowed. “I’m fine, thank you.”

  A loud banging sounded at the wall. If the person on the other side hit the wall any harder, surely it would break. Mel motioned for them to get behind a changing screen in the corner of the room. Will went first, pulling Mary with him. Then Jasper followed, sandwiching her between the two men.

  “There’s a secret door leading to the brothel,” Will whispered in Mary’s ear. “It could be one of Ben’s men.”

  Mary shivered, despite being pressed between Will and Jasper.

  “It’ll be all right,” Will whispered. “Just be still. If something goes wrong, Jasper will take us out the other door to safety.”

  “Now, Colt, you know I can’t see customers here.” Mel’s voice cut through the worries going through Mary’s head.

  Mary tried to turn to Will, but he held her still. Surely Mel wouldn’t do…that…while they were trapped in her room?

  “I ain’t no ordinary customer, and you know it. I set you up here real good, and you’d best not forget it.”

  The bed creaked as someone, presumably Colt, sat upon it. “I gots me one of them headaches, and you’re the only one who knows how to make it better with the stuff you rub on my neck. Help me so’s I can get back out there and stand watch. Ben’s sure that dunderheaded Lawson’s gonna show up tonight. He may have lost his badge, but I’d still like that trophy.”

  Mary fought the urge to gasp. Fought the desire to turn to Will and…and what? A man wanted to kill Will. Such a thing was hardly news to any of them. But hearing it from a would-be murderer made the situation all the more dire.

  “All right.” Mel let out a long sigh. “Take off your boots and lie down. I’ll get my special cream.”

  “And whiskey,” Colt croaked.

  The sound of bottles clinked in the background as Colt shifted and took off his boots. One of the boots landed close to the screen. If Mary thought the smell was bad before, it was nothing compared to the odor coming from the empty boots.

  “You know Alma doesn’t allow whiskey in here,” Mel said. “Drink this instead.”

  Whatever she gave him made him cough.

  “Now lie back. I’m sure it’s just your neck all tensed up from being on watch. You must really want to get this Lawson the way you’re all worked up.”

  “He messed things up good for us in Century City. We were going to own that town, but he had to step in with his refusal to look the other way. We even had a pretty plum to tempt him, but not even she was enough to distract him.”

  Mel made a soothing noise. “Pretty plum? I don’t recall you gentlemen having a lady with you when you arrived in town.”

  “She’s at the ranch.” Colt let out a groan. “Oh, not there. That spot hurts real bad.”

  Will tensed next to Mary. She wished she could do something to ease whatever was causing him discomfort, but with the man who wanted Will dead so close, she couldn’t risk giving away their position.

  “It’s all the tension,” Mel said softly. “Just relax. Tell me about this plum of yours.
Should I be worried?”

  “Nah. She’s in the family way. Don’t know why Ben doesn’t just get rid of her and the brat, but I think he thinks it might be his. I s’pose a man needs someone to carry on the family name.”

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever been to the ranch,” Mel said, her voice gentle.

  “I’ll take you there, baby. Just help me get rid of this headache.”

  “Is that where he’s taking the new girl he’s got locked up? He doesn’t seem to be sending customers her way.”

  Colt gave a soft snore, then snorted, as though he’d been falling asleep but jerked awake. “Her? No. Once he gets her money, we’ve got an accident planned.”

  Mary drew in a breath, and Will’s hand immediately came over her mouth.

  “What was that?” The bed creaked.

  “Shh…lie down.” Mel’s voice came again, as sweet as honey. So different from the gruff woman who’d grudgingly welcomed them into her room. “I had a bit of a tickle. Didn’t mean to distract you. Now close your eyes. Let’s think nice thoughts. That ranch sounds real nice. I always wanted to live on a ranch.”

  “You?” Colt’s voice sounded far away. “I never took you down for the domestic type.”

  “Oh, yes. I was raised on a ranch, don’t you know? I always thought that, someday, I’d like to be around animals again.”

  “Mmm…” Colt sounded almost asleep. “You’d like this ranch. Down near the river, with a right pretty view of the lake. I’d like…”

  It seemed as if Mel was putting the man to sleep. Mary didn’t blame him. Despite her own discomfort, the melodic sound of Mel’s voice was almost hypnotic. Relaxing. The warmth of Will’s body next to hers, comforting.

  And, as she burrowed closer to Will, Mary couldn’t help but notice that he smelled far better than whatever she’d been smelling. He smelled of clean, of good soap and something a little tangy.

  Colt let out a long, loud snore, jerking Mary out of her reverie.

  What had she been thinking?

  She tried moving away, but wedged between Will and Jasper, Mary had no place to go. Why had she been thinking these things about Will? After all, Jasper was right on the other side of her. True, he’d just married her friend. But why couldn’t she have moved closer to Jasper instead?