Lawfully Taken

by Elle E Kay

Nate eased himself into a sitting position. “No.”

  “I’m Dr. Murphy. You’re at my clinic.”

  “What am I doing here? And why is your light positioned so close to my head?”’

  “I’m wanted to see better to check your pupils.”

  “Why?”

  “You haven’t been doing so well, Mr. Hayes. You lost a great deal of blood. We weren’t sure you were going to pull through.”

  “I remember the gunfight. I got back up after being shot.”

  “Therein lies the problem. If you’d stayed down and treated the wound, you’d have been able to minimize the blood loss.”

  “And both of my friends would be dead.”

  “As it stands, you owe your life to the lady detective who brought you in here with the sheriff. She treated your wound and did a fine job of it.”

  “It’s coming back to me. Another lady detective. This one was holding her Winchester on us.”

  The doctor chuckled. “I’m glad your memory is intact. I’m going to monitor you for twenty-four hours, but I expect to release you tomorrow.”

  “I have no intention of laying in bed for a full day.”

  “I don’t recommend leaving before we’re sure you’re healing.”

  “Sorry, Doc. I’m not about to stay any longer than necessary.”

  “I’m not going to hold you here against your will.”

  Nate laughed, then cringed at the pain it caused.

  The doctor handed him a bag of supplies. “You’ll need to change your dressings and keep the wound clean to avoid infection.”

  “You had the bag ready. You must’ve known I’d leave.”

  “I’ve never been able to keep a lawkeeper for monitoring once they’re awake. I didn’t figure you’d be the exception.”

  “Then why even try?”

  “Ethics.”

  Nate opened the door to the clinic and stood in the blinding sunlight for a moment as he waited for his eyes to adjust. The smell of meat cooking over a fire made his stomach rumble. He needed to eat something to keep from passing out again. He shuffled into the saloon and ordered. About halfway through his meal, the sheriff showed up.

  Jack strolled up to Nate’s table. “I see you survived the gunshot.”

  “Have a seat.”

  “Should you be out already? It’s only been a few hours,” Jack said.

  “It’s merely a flesh wound.”

  “It’s more than a flesh wound. I’m glad you’re doing better. I’ll send another telegram to Adeline to let her know you’re recovering.”

  “Another telegram?”

  “We sent one after we dropped you at the clinic.”

  “We?”

  “Sarah thought Adeline would want to know.”

  “Sarah?”

  “Sarah Jones. The lady detective who patched you up.”

  “Why am I not surprised to find out this was her idea? I’ll send Adeline a telegram letting her know I’m well, so she doesn’t do something foolish.”

  “What foolish thing do you think she’d do?”

  “Hop on the first train here. Most likely unaccompanied. And without informing her father or obtaining his consent.”

  “I don’t think she’d do such a thing. She seems to be a level-headed woman.”

  “A reasonable level-headed woman wouldn’t have stayed with the Glenn-Ricketts gang after being given an opportunity to escape. Would she have?”

  “She was trying to help get them caught,” Jack said.

  “Yes, and I respect her decision, but it was far from reasonable or rational. She could’ve been killed. If she did something else foolish, it wouldn’t shock me.”

  “If she hadn’t stayed with them, you wouldn’t have captured her at the Palisades Sill. If you hadn’t captured her, you’d still be a single man.”

  ∞∞∞

  Shortly into the train ride, Adeline realized Anna was enamored with James. It was clear the feeling was mutual. She wished there was somewhere she could go to escape Anna’s constant chattering. It had at first provided a pleasant distraction to Adeline’s own thoughts, but as the train ride wore on, she quickly wearied of it. Maybe she’d spent too much time in captivity. Having been the only female there was no idle chit-chat.

  Her thoughts kept returning to Nathaniel having been shot in the side. She knew nothing more of his condition. She wondered how long the recovery would take and if he would fully recover.

  She admonished herself for worrying, knowing she should turn her cares over to Jesus, but she kept on fretting.

  The train flew past scenery which would’ve taken her breath away days earlier. Now she barely registered the views.

  Watching the flirtation between Anna and James was entertaining, but she wondered if he’d been interested in her servant the whole time they’d been seeing each other. It didn’t make a difference, but she found it mildly insulting. Her thoughts returned to Nathaniel. She hoped he wouldn’t be too distraught over her allowing James to accompany her on the trip. It wasn’t as if she had much choice in the matter. She told herself he’d understand. He’d have to.

  Chapter 7

  The door to the saloon swung open. Adeline walked in with a young Hispanic woman in tow. Following closely behind was a man he didn’t recognize.

  Adeline approached the table with a tentative smile.

  He took her hand and pulled her into the chair closest to him. “What are you doing here?”

  “That’s a fine greeting.”

  “I didn’t need you to travel back here. I’m not hurt.”

  “You certainly appear to be hurt. You didn’t even stand to greet me.”

  “I could have.”

  “I don’t doubt it, but I’m sure you would’ve been in excruciating pain. Besides, I’m here now, so there is no sense arguing about it.”

  “But why are you here?”

  “I left the moment we got the sheriff’s telegram.”

  “He didn’t ask me if he should send it first. Sent it at that woman’s bidding.” He indicated a woman sitting at a nearby table with the sheriff.

  “Who’s the woman?”

  “Another lady detective. It’s becoming an epidemic. Do you believe it?”

  “I do. It’s a wonderful thing.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “She’s over there talking with him now.”

  “She’s a lovely girl. Is he interested?”

  “I think so.”

  “I believe the feeling is mutual. Look at the way she’s touching his arm while she talks.”

  James approached the table and put his hand on Adeline’s shoulder. “Are you going to introduce me to your husband, Addy?”

  She made the introductions.

  “James? The same James who paid the Pinkerton Agency to rescue you?”

  “Yes. That’s me. And I was glad to do it.”

  “Except they didn’t rescue her. Instead they hired her and left her in a perilous situation.”

  “I certainly didn’t know they would do such a foolish thing.”

  “Didn’t you?” The stabbing pain in Nate’s side was made worse as he stood. He put his hand out to help Adeline rise. “Let’s go, Adeline.”

  Adeline stood. She pulled her hand from his and gave James an apologetic look, before turning back to face Nate. “What about Anna?”

  “Anna, please come with us. Rosa will have a room made ready for you,” Nate said. “Do you know how long you’ll be staying with us?”

  “I’m not certain. I was asked to accompany Addy on the trip, but Mr. McCarty didn’t say when I should return home.”

  “I’ll send him a telegram letting him know of your safe arrival and asking when he expects you to return.”

  Adeline turned back toward James. “Thank you for accompanying us, James. I know it was a great inconvenience.”

  “I enjoyed the trip. I’ll see you soon.” He tipped his hat.

  Nate approached Jack’s table and smacked it with an open h
and. “Jack, I’m taking your horse. You’ll have to walk home tonight.”

  The sheriff glanced up from his companion. “Are you certain you should be riding? Don’t forget how much blood you lost. Doc Murphy said it would take time for you to recover.”

  “I can ride him.” Nate shook Jack’s hand. “I’ll have Pa return your horse. Adeline and I are going home tomorrow. Good evening, Miss Jones.”

  Nate felt eyes on his back as they left the establishment. He turned around and caught James Cleveland glaring at him.

  ∞∞∞

  Nate wasn’t the jealous type. It was one of the reasons he hadn’t understood Emma’s fierce reaction years earlier. He was beginning to understand. The thought of his Adeline spending time on the train with her old beau agitated him. Anna’s presence was the only thing which kept his anger in check.

  “Do you ride, Anna?”

  “I do.”

  “You can take Sunfire. She’s easy to ride.” He helped her onto the horse, then turned to Adeline. “We’re going to take Jack’s horse, Bull.”

  He helped Adeline mount the stallion and then climbed up behind her. “If we hurry, we can make it to the ranch before full dark.”

  They rode in relative silence. A raccoon spooked Bull and the horse reared up. Nate was able to calm him, but not before he tore a stitch in his side. When they reached the ranch, Rosa prepared a room for Anna.

  Once Anna was settled, Adeline turned on him. “What is wrong with you?”

  “Pardon?”

  She kept her voice low. “You were a complete cad back there to James Cleveland.”

  “I said nothing untrue.” He paced back and forth in the living room.

  “Do you honestly believe he planned for some ill thing to happen to me?”

  Nate raised his voice and stopped pacing. “How would I know? I wouldn’t put it past him.”

  “You don’t even know him,” she whispered.

  He glared at her. “But you do. Maybe a little too well.”

  “You’re not being fair. You know he courted me.”

  Pa appeared in the doorway and gave him a stern look before disappearing back into his room.

  Nate softened his tone when he recognized the hurt look in Adeline’s eyes. “What I didn’t know was that the relationship was so close your father would trust him to take a trip with you.”

  “I knew you wouldn’t like it and I told my father so.”

  “Yet you still came.”

  “Because I wanted to be by your side. Are you going to make me regret my decision?” She glowered at him, clearly agitated.

  He took a deep breath and walked to her. He put his arms around her and pulled her to him. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just can’t stand the thought of another man near you.”

  She pulled away from his embrace. “Then you shouldn’t have left me behind.”

  “Please, love, I truly am sorry, don’t do this.”

  “Do what?”

  “Withhold forgiveness.”

  “So, you get to have a tirade and hurt people I care about and I’m supposed to pretend it never happened. Can you imagine how uncomfortable Anna must’ve been?”

  “No. I cannot.”

  “You give me an insincere apology, and I’m expected to move on.”

  He tried again. “Honestly, Adeline, I don’t want him anywhere near you, but I am sorry I embarrassed you and that I hurt you. I’m not insincere.”

  She softened a little. “Fine.”

  “Will you forgive me?”

  “I haven’t decided.”

  “Do you honestly want to spend our first night back together fighting?”

  He saw the fight go out of Adeline as she relented. He once again tried to draw her into his arms. She submitted to his embrace, laying her head on his chest, and wrapping her arms around his waist. The throbbing in his side was relentless, but his need to be near her was greater.

  She leaned back. “I felt you flinch. Are you in pain?”

  “I’m all right.”

  “No you’re not. You’re clearly in pain. Riding the horse here made it worse. You weren’t planning to come back to the ranch tonight, were you?”

  “I was planning to stay at the St. James.”

  “I’m sorry. I should’ve realized you’d been planning to stay in town.”

  “It’s not your fault. If it was only you, we would’ve stayed there, but I didn’t want Anna to stay in a room by herself. The hotel gets wild at times. It’s not safe for a woman to be alone.”

  “James was there.”

  “He wasn’t going to share her room.”

  “No, but he would’ve liked to.”

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “It seems the upper-crust James is in love with a servant girl. His mother would be mortified.”

  “How does Anna feel about him?”

  “She’s smitten.”

  “If I’d known this a few hours ago, we could’ve avoided that scene back there.”

  “Oh?”

  “My jealousy got the better of me. Had I known his heart was toward another, I would’ve been more gracious.”

  “You could tell him you’re sorry.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Will you consider apologizing?”

  “Shall we take this discussion to the bedroom?”

  “You need to rest and recover from your wound.”

  “I can handle a little pain.”

  “Behave yourself.” She lifted his shirt to look at the wound. “You’re bleeding. We’re going to need to change the dressing.”

  “That wasn’t what I had in mind.”

  “Sit. I’ll go find the supplies.”

  “I felt a stitch tear. It’s probably going to bleed for a while. No need to mess with it.”

  “We have to change the dressing.” Adeline stood with her hands on her hips.

  “Fine, but can you be quick about it. I’m exhausted. I would like to get to bed.”

  “Yes. I’ll hurry.”

  ∞∞∞

  Mere minutes after she changed the dressing on his wound, Nathaniel fell asleep. She extinguished the light, laid beside him, and pulled the thin covering over them both. In the darkness, she concentrated on his breathing. It was a relief to be at his side. He’d never know what she’d gone through since getting the telegram. She hadn’t known about the excessive blood loss or how close the bullet had come to his heart, but now she did, she recognized the miracle and thanked God for sparing him.

  He’d upset her with his earlier behavior, but still, her heart filled with love for him. She snuggled closer, careful not to bump his wound.

  When she awakened the following morning, he was gone from the bed. It felt empty without him. She rose and walked to the window. The sun had risen and the rooster was crowing. It was no wonder Nate had left the room. She quickly dressed and hurried into the kitchen.

  Nates father greeted her. “Good morning, Addy.”

  “Good morning, sir,” Adeline replied.

  “What do you call your father, Addy?”

  “Dad.”

  “Call me Dad or Pa, whatever is comfortable. You can’t keep calling me sir and Mr. Hayes.”

  “All right, sir, I mean, Dad.”

  “You’ll get used to it.”

  “Do you know where Nathaniel has gotten off to?”

  “He’s out in the stables getting a couple of horses ready.”

  “Ready for what?”

  “My foolish son thinks he’s healed enough for the ride home.”

  “Oh no. I saw his wound last night. He needs to rest.”

  “I’ll let you tell him that. He won’t listen to reason.”

  “This is my fault, isn’t it? If I hadn’t come, he’d still be recovering at the St. James.”

  “It’s difficult to know his mind, child. Don’t blame yourself. Besides, hanging around that wild saloon he’ll wind up getting himself shot again.”
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  “Do you think he’ll listen to you and stay put a few more days?”

  “I tried to convince him to rest, but he’s a grown man, if he wants to leave, there isn’t much I’m going to do to stop him.”

  “Did he tell you he ripped some of the stitches out last night?”

  “He didn’t mention that.”

  “Nate thought it was only one stitch at first, but it was five. He ripped five of his stitches out. How many more is he going to tear out on the way home?”

  Mr. Hayes tilted his chin toward the doorway. “Why don’t you ask him?”

  Nate stood in the opening watching her.

  “I didn’t see you come in,” Adeline said.

  “That is obvious, love.” There was laughter in his eyes.

  “I’m concerned.”

  “I know.”

  “Would you be willing to stay a few more days?”

  “For you?”

  “Yes.”

  “We can stay two more days. Then we’re going home.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You must have power over him. Use it for good,” Mr. Hayes said.

  Adeline giggled. “I’ll do my best, Dad.”

  Nate shook his head. “She doesn’t have power over me.”

  “Sure she doesn’t.” The older man left the room, but his laughter filled the house.

  ∞∞∞

  The ride home was painful as anticipated. He’d longed to bring his beautiful bride home since they’d said their vows. It was finally time and he was fretting over whether she’d like it. What would he do if she hated it there? Would he be willing to move for her? To Kansas City to be near her father or back to the ranch?

  Nate took a deep breath to settle his nerves. The man made these choices, and he was the man. He chuckled to himself. If she was unhappy, he’d want to remedy that even if it meant moving away from the home he’d grown to love.

  Anna was staying with them until they returned to her father’s for the wedding celebration, and he was glad of it. Having her with them would give Adeline the support she needed while she adjusted to new surroundings. The girl’s enthusiasm was delightful. He hoped it would work out between her and James. It was clear the girl was enamored with him.

  He brought the horse to a stop and Anna stopped alongside him. The views still captivated him even after several years of living here. “Well, this is it.”