The Bride Price

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  Jamie slid his arm through the remaining sleeve but instead of attempting to button it, he crossed his arms over the open shirt. “Gentleman,” he began slowly. “Is there a reason you’re on private property?”

  The man who seemed to take the lead sent a shiver down Sophie’s spine. His badly pockmarked face held eyes that resonated evil. “Well looky here, Carl, we got us a bona fide Yankee.”

  Confederates, maybe? Southern accent, definitely.

  Carl was dressed in nondescript tan pants and black boots. His shirt and jacket, although worn, appeared to be clean and neatly pressed. Sophie noted that everything about him seemed somewhat average. His dirty blond hair, short back and sides, and his height, which even in the saddle looked quite a bit shorter than Jamie’s.

  The only thing Sophie took as distinguishable was the way he held his gun. No different than anyone else, she supposed, yet, it was. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

  “Ain’t he one of the ones we was trackin’ the other night?” Carl droned.

  If that guy’s southern, I’m Miss America.

  “I do believe you’re right, Carl.”

  Meanwhile, Sophie frantically tried to get dry enough to get her clothes on. Good old Ben stood next to her, not making a sound. It was almost as though he knew they needed silence. She got her breeches on and realized she wouldn’t get her corset on without assistance, so she put her blouse on with nothing underneath.

  She was able to get her socks on and one boot when she heard the conversation get louder and more intense. She took the blanket and tried to wrap her thick hair up in it, just to keep it from soaking her clothes. She was having a difficult time not tilting her head to one side with the weight of it, however. She successfully got her second boot on and then found a small opening in her makeshift hiding place to see what was going on.

  “What are ya doin’ there, son?” Carl asked Jamie.

  “I was taking a swim. Now, gentlemen, would you please answer my question?”

  Carl’s cohort sneered. “This ain’t your property, so it don’t matter to you none.”

  “No, you are correct, this is not my land. However, it is Richard Madden’s, and I don’t think he would appreciate you trespassing.”

  Sophie watched Jamie turn slightly, as though he were going to pick up the remains of his lunch. When they were first married, they had volunteered to build houses with a group of deaf students, and they’d gone through a quick but rigorous American Sign Language course. Most of it stuck. They used to sign to each other whenever they weren’t in a quiet area, or not within shouting distance. Jamie was signing now. Sophie didn’t like what he was saying, but Jamie was insistent.

  Get Richard and a few of my men. Take Ben and hurry back.

  Sophie left her skirts on the ground so that with just her breeches on she was able to mount Ben without aid. The fancy turban holding her hair bobbled, and she tugged it off, dropping it to the ground. She quietly made her way from the trees in the opposite direction of the intruders. When she knew they wouldn’t be able to catch her, she dug her heels in and Ben flew.

  They had more than one fence to jump this way, and Sophie was grateful he was so responsive to her. She got to the arena and saw that Richard and a few of the men were working the horses. Andrew was also there.

  “Richard! Andrew!” They turned quickly at her terrified voice. “Come quick, please! Jamie needs help. He’s out at the lake and the two men that you met on the way back from Mr. Powell’s are with him. Get guns.”

  Richard and Andrew didn’t waste any time and, as luck would have it, several of the horses had already been tacked up, so they grabbed two and mounted. They were handed pistols and took off toward the lake. Sophie was hot on their heels.

  Richard pulled up. “Sophie, what do you think you’re doing? You need to stay here.”

  “Like hell I will. You’re the one who shouldn’t be on a horse with that leg!”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Good. Follow me.” She dug her heels in. “If you can keep up.”

  The men had no choice but to follow. The threesome arrived at Sophie’s starting point. Richard motioned for her to stay where she was and he and Andrew walked their horses towards Jamie.

  Sophie dismounted and then snuck to her original hiding place. Hunkering behind a rock, she had a sweeping view of the scene unfolding before her. Jamie had his hands up, and Sophie could tell he was doing his best to keep the men talking. The two men, still mounted but now pointing guns at Jamie, turned their heads toward Andrew and Richard.

  “Gentlemen, you are on my land without permission. Perhaps you could tell me what you’re doing here,” Richard said.

  Carl apparently didn’t want to answer Richard’s question and fired his gun in the air. Andrew ducked. That’s when all hell broke loose. Both Richard and Andrew fired. Uglier than Carl, hit in the middle of his forehead, was dead on impact. Carl was able to avoid a bullet, but his spooked horse threw him and he ended up sprawled on the ground. Recovering quickly, he jumped up and rushed at Jamie, gun drawn.

  It didn’t matter that Carl had a gun. Jamie had several years of mixed martial arts on his side. He was able to wrestle the gun from Carl’s grip and had him on the ground in a chokehold in a matter of seconds. Richard and Andrew jumped from their horses and came to assist Jamie with his captive.

  Sophie didn’t stick around to find out what might happen next. She stumbled out of her hiding place, her heart in her throat. “Jamie!”

  She saw his head whip around, but then she went down hard. She’d tripped over Carl’s partner and fell flat on her face. Jamie rushed over to help her up and she fell into his arms.

  “Sweetheart, we’re all okay.” Jamie held her close. “Look.”

  She took a moment to compose herself and took a couple of deep breaths, turning to see that Richard and Andrew had Carl well in hand and they appeared to be unhurt. They had him tied to a tree. She ran over to Andrew, and he lifted her off the ground in a bear hug.

  “You scared me to death!” She punched him as he walked her back to Jamie. Then the three men started to gather up the horses. Jamie’s horse had bolted, and she was pretty sure Ben probably had as well, so they prepared to walk back to the stables. Andrew gave Sophie his horse and then joined Jamie and Carl.

  “I think I’ll take Carl’s horse back to the barn. We’ll make him walk, what do you think?” Jamie said.

  “Excellent idea,” Richard said.

  “I have information!” Carl yelled as they tied his hands together.

  “Save it,” Richard snapped.

  Richard mounted his horse and pulled Carl by a rope attached to his secured hands. Jamie cornered Andrew. “Let’s leave this guy where he is and send a coroner’s wagon back for him. I don’t want Sophie to have to think about a dead body close to the house.”

  Andrew nodded. “I’m going to stop in at the jail, so you take Sophie back, and I’ll meet you at the house later.”

  Jamie helped Sophie mount and then climbed up behind her. Sophie glanced over her shoulder with a concerned frown. “Where’s Andrew going?”

  Jamie pulled her close. “He’s stopping at the jail. Don’t worry, sweetheart, he won’t be long.”

  She leaned back against him with a sigh and let him take the reins. Arriving back at the barn, Sophie handed Andrew’s horse to the groom.

  “The large black horse made it back, ma’am.”

  Sophie smiled at the groom. “Thank you, Jimmy. Is someone seeing to him?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Topper is brushing him down.”

  Sophie nodded. “Thanks.”

  She made her way to Samson’s stall. She needed to check his injury and she needed to hug her pet. Jamie came in to check on her about an hour later. Sophie stood inside his stall with her arms looped around his neck.

  Jamie pulled her into his arms for a kiss. “Should I be jealous?”

  She smiled up at him. “No, you’re a better kisser.”


  “Are you ready to go? We’ll just make it in time for dinner.”

  “I need to change first. I can’t wear these breeches to dinner. Poor Nona would faint from embarrassment.” She added in a whisper, “I also don’t have a corset on, which would probably kill her.”

  Jamie chuckled as they started back to the house for dinner. “I’m sure everyone will wait for you.”

  They ran into Andrew on the way out of the barn.

  “Are you coming up to the house for dinner?” Sophie asked.

  “Yes, I’ll be there shortly.”

  “Invite Richard, would you please?”

  Jamie took her hand in his and led her to the house. They let themselves in, and Sophie rushed up to her room to change. She found Christine at the top of the stairs. “Hi! You are not going to believe the day we had. Can you please help me back into a corset?”

  Christine followed Sophie into her room and assisted her with her dress. Sophie filled her in on everything that happened, Christine laughed at the animated way Sophie flailed her hands the more excited she got.

  The girls made their way down to dinner. Nona was already seated, but Michael stood as the ladies walked in the room. Jamie waited by the door for Sophie, greeting her as though he hadn’t just seen her twenty minutes ago. He bent down and gave her a quick kiss and then escorted her to her chair. Once she was settled, he sat next to her. Andrew and Richard arrived a few minutes later.

  Dinner was a highly animated affair, as everyone talked at once. Now that the danger was over, they could relax and focus on the positives of the day. Andrew and Jamie regaled the table with their confrontation, embellishing more and more as they added to the story. Sophie noticed that Richard didn’t do much other than drink. He picked at his food and rarely interjected into the conversation. He’d look at her on occasion, but she couldn’t read what was behind his eyes.

  “Are you okay?” Jamie leaned over and whispered as he squeezed her hand under the table.

  She nodded and forced a smile. He raised an eyebrow, but she shook her head and took a sip of her wine. Dessert came and Sophie couldn’t stomach the bread pudding. She pushed her plate aside and laid her hands in her lap.

  Dinner wrapped up, and rather than the men and women separating, they decided to congregate as one in the parlor.

  Jamie took Sophie’s hand in his, lifting her palm to his lips as they left the dining room. “We’ll talk later, love. I know something’s bothering you.”

  She smiled up at him, but before she could respond, Andrew grabbed her elbow. “Sophie, you and Christine must perform for us this evening.”

  “Only if Jamie sings with me.” Sophie sent him a pointed look. “I even taught Christine one of the songs we wrote together.”

  Jamie nodded, so Christine sat down at the pianoforte. Sophie started out strong and Jamie joined her with his harmony. By the end, you could have heard a pin drop. Then Andrew jumped out of his seat and started clapping. The rest of the group followed suit.

  “Incredible!” Andrew clapped Jamie on the shoulder and gave Sophie and his sister a kiss on the cheek. “I can’t wait to hear more.”

  The rest of the night was filled with chess, cards, and pleasant conversation. Sophie noticed that Jamie and Christine had their heads together a few times in frantic whispering. At that moment, she was too tired to care.

  * * *

  The next morning, Jamie almost didn’t make it out of the house in time for the cavalry drills. He’d overslept, obviously due to his complete comfort in the Wades home. Dressing quickly, he kissed Sophie and then made his way out to the arena. Andrew met him halfway, anger written across his face.

  “What’s going on?” Jamie asked.

  “The prisoner says he has information that will be of great interest to you and the Union, but he will only speak to Sophie.”

  Jamie frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”

  “He won’t elaborate.”

  “Well, he’s not getting anywhere near my wife.”

  “I explained that to him, but he believes what he has to say will be of great interest to you—” Andrew stalled.

  “And?” Jamie pushed.

  “And will also save Sophie’s life.”

  Jamie cursed as he ran his hands through his hair. “Take me to him.”

  “I had a feeling you’d say that.”

  Andrew led him to horses that were ready to go and the two mounted and took off toward the town jail. Jamie’s mind raced with what this low-life could possibly have to say that would save Sophie’s life. By the time they pulled their horses to a stop outside the small, brick building that housed the occasional drunk, Jamie shook with anger.

  “Do you need a minute?” Andrew asked as they stepped onto the wooden walkway.

  Shaking his head, Jamie pushed the front door open and was met by Joe Roberts. The sheriff reminded Jamie of a bulldog. Stocky, with not one ounce of fat on his body, just solid muscle, Joe was the perfect enforcer.

  “Sheriff.” Jamie held out his hand.

  Joe shook his hand and then led the men to the room that housed several holding cells. Carl had been placed in one of the middle cells, bars on three sides, brick wall at the back, with a window large enough to see outside but not big enough for a body to escape. A small cot sat against the back wall and a bucket next to it. Watching Carl closely as Joe led them into the anteroom, Jamie waited for him to demand release but was taken aback by his smugness and appearance of absolute confidence.

  “Where’s the woman?” Carl stood and approached the bars.

  Jamie shook his head. “What’s this information you have?”

  “I’ll only speak to the woman.”

  Jamie’s fingers twitched, aching to form a fist. “That’s not going to happen.”

  Carl laughed. “Well, then. She’ll die.”

  Jamie rushed the bars, but Carl moved too far back for him to reach him. “Open the door, Joe.”

  “You don’t want your pretty wife to die, do you, James William Ford?” Carl taunted.

  Jamie scowled. “How do you know my name?”

  “Sophie Jane Wellington Ford is your pretty little wife, and her baby sister, Emma, is a dead ringer for her.”

  Jamie whipped his head around. “Joe, open the door.”

  “I’ll tell you how I know what I know, but then I talk to your wife.” Carl crossed his arms. “You may want everyone else to leave, don’t you think?”

  Jamie turned to the men. “Joe, Andrew, give us a minute.” Once the men left, Jamie moved closer to the cell. “What do you think you know?”

  “Your wife is in danger.”

  Jamie took a deep, silent breath, his heart beating rapidly as he glared at Carl. “Explain.”

  “I know where you’re from, I know why you’re here, and I know who doesn’t like it.”

  “You’re speaking in circles.” Jamie scowled. “What do you want?”

  Carl stepped closer to Jamie. “You are not from this time. Your wife is not from this time,” he whispered.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Trains, planes, and automobiles are all familiar forms of transportation for you. Our president is George W. Bush.”

  “Our president?” Jamie whispered.

  “Now, I need to speak with Sophie.”

  “Who the hell are you?”

  Carl stepped back to the tiny cot and sat down. “Get your wife.”

  Jamie swore as he yanked the door to the main office open and stormed away from Carl. He mounted his horse and took off toward home, somewhat surprised to hear hooves barreling down on him seconds later.

  “Jamie!”

  “I’ll explain later, Andrew. I have to find Sophie,” Jamie shouted back without slowing.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Arriving back at the Wade house, Jamie dismounted almost before the horse stopped moving and ran inside. “Sophie!” He rushed through the house, ending his search at the library. His breath caught in
his throat as his eyes scanned the room and found her up on a ladder, reaching for a book. “Sophie Jane, what are you doing?”

  Sophie let out a quiet screech, grabbed for a rung on the ladder, and only just caught her foot from slipping as the book she was holding fell to the floor.

  Jamie climbed up behind her and drew her back against his chest. “What the heck are you doing?”

  “I needed to return this book and Daniel’s busy.”

  “Baby, you should not be climbing ladders, especially without someone to spot you.”

  “Oh, please. I was fine. If you hadn’t come in here and scared the dickens out of me, you would have never known.” Sophie pushed back against him. He didn’t budge. “Jamie, move, baby. I can climb down without you.” Rather than acquiescing, Jamie kept a firm hold around her waist and stepped down with her. Sophie giggled. “Overprotective, much?”

  Turning Sophie to face him, Jamie kissed her. Sophie slid her hands up his chest and sighed when he broke the kiss. “I love kissing you.”

  “Me, too.”

  “What are you doing here, by the way? I thought you were going to be at the arena all day.” Sophie smiled and added quickly, “Not that I’m not thrilled to see you.”

  Running his hands through his hair, he let out a groan.

  Sophie placed her palm on his chest. “What’s wrong?”

  Taking her hand, Jamie led her to a chair, settled her down, and then sat on the hearth facing her.

  “Baby, what’s going on?” Sophie asked.

  “Something strange.”

  Jamie filled her in on his conversation with the prisoner, and Sophie slumped back in the chair in shock. “What does he want to talk to me about?”

  “I don’t know, sweetheart. He won’t tell me. Only you.”

  “Okay, so take me to the jail.”

  “Ten-Cow, this is serious, and could even be dangerous.”

  Sophie snorted. “The man’s in jail. Danger doesn’t apply.”

  “Jamie? Sophie? What’s going on?”

  The couple turned as Andrew rushed into the room.

  “Hi, Andrew.” Sophie smiled. “We’re on our way to the jail. Did you want to join us?”