by Bobbi Smith
“I know, but I needed to talk to you first. We didn’t get much of a chance earlier, and I wanted to thank you for saving Abbie.” Her voice was full with emotion.
He smiled up at her, and her heartbeat quickened in response.
“You’re welcome,” Trent said softly. “You know, you’re a very lucky woman to have such a wonderful family.”
“Yes, I am lucky—but I’m also lucky because I have you.” Her gaze met his.
Trent stood up to face her. He knew the time had come to tell her the truth of his feelings for her. “I’m lucky to have you, too,” he said with quiet intensity. “I love you, Faith.”
Faith’s heart was racing, and tears filled her eyes at his words of love. She lifted one hand to caress his cheek, and he pressed a warm kiss to her palm.
“I didn’t think this night could get any more wonderful,” she said breathlessly, “but it just did.”
Trent drew her to him and kissed her. It was a hungry, passionate kiss that told her without words how much she meant to him. They clung together, treasuring the beauty of the moment and the knowledge of their feelings for each other.
There in Faith’s arms, Trent found the peace his soul had been seeking. Faith was innocence and beauty. She was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. He did love her.
When at last they ended the kiss and moved apart, Faith felt almost lost. She longed to stay close to him, but knew this was not the time. Not with her sister and the men so nearby.
“We’d better try to get some rest. It’s going to be light in a few hours,” Trent said regretfully, feeling the same way Faith did.
“I know you’re right, but if I had my way, this night would last a lot longer,” she whispered.
Trent gave her one last, gentle kiss; then, together, they made their way back to the camp. He watched until Faith was safely bedded down before seeking out his own solitary bedroll. The sweet memory of Faith’s kiss stayed with him, and the knowledge that they loved each other stirred thoughts within him of what the future might hold for them.
Trent frowned in the darkness, wondering what he should do. He’d made his living as a hired gun for so long now, he wasn’t sure he knew how to do anything else. He never stayed in one place for any length of time. He went where he was needed, and then he moved on. Since his brother’s death, he’d had no family, no home.
But now, because of Faith, all that had changed. He found himself wondering if maybe the time had come for him to give up his wandering lifestyle, to get married and settle down.
The thought of spending the rest of his life with Faith left him smiling. He’d never met another woman like her. She was beautiful and smart. He’d learned firsthand that once she set her mind on achieving something, she did it. She let nothing get in her way. Faith was one special woman.
Across the campsite, Faith lay quietly, offering up a silent prayer of thanks. When they’d started out on the trek to find Abbie, she’d hoped she would be able to rescue her sister, but she’d also known how dangerous the situation really was. Their search had been successful because of Trent. It was his expert tracking ability and his unfailing determination that had led to her sister being found alive and well, along with Ellie and Caroline, too.
Faith’s heart swelled with emotion at the memory of Trent telling her he loved her. He was the man she’d always dreamed of. The recollection of dancing with him in town that first night sent a shiver of awareness through her. They hadn’t even known each other’s names when they’d parted. She’d thought she was never going to see him again, and now she knew she loved him—and he loved her.
Faith wondered what the future held for them. He had made no mention of marriage, but she hoped he would—and soon. There was nothing she wanted more than to spend the rest of her life with him, loving him. With that last happy thought, she drifted off to sleep. It was to be her first good night’s sleep in weeks.
In the bunkhouse at the Lazy R Ranch, Sykes woke up. It was the middle of the night, and he lay in his bunk trying to figure out what had awakened him. No one else was stirring in the bunkhouse, and he was glad.
He didn’t want any conversation.
He didn’t want any companionship.
He just wanted his quest for revenge to be over.
He wanted Trent Marshall dead.
The satisfaction he’d gotten from taking care of Cal Harris had appeased his need for revenge for a time, but Trent Marshall was the man he really wanted to face down. Sykes hoped nothing had gone wrong on the search for the raiding party and the missing woman. He hated to think some renegade Apache might have gotten to Marshall before he did.
Roused now by the direction of his thoughts, Sykes got up and pulled on his pants. He left the bunkhouse and went outside, walking a short distance away from the building. Sykes stopped there and looked up at the star-studded sky. The night was clear and moonless. He would have thought it was a pretty sight, if he hadn’t believed that somewhere out there, the hired gun was probably staring up at the same view.
The rage that he barely managed to keep under control flared back to life within Sykes, and he swore violently and impatiently under his breath.
He wanted this to be over.
He wanted Trent Marshall to pay for what he’d done.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Everyone’s mood had been good on the ride back, but as they neared the Grays’ ranch on their third day of travel, the group grew somber. When the ruins came into view, they all fell silent. Memories of the horror that had happened there haunted them. They slowed their pace as they rode in and finally reined in near the burned-out remains of the main house.
John, Ellie, Pete, and Caroline all dismounted and just stood there, staring in misery at what was left of their home.
Ellie looked up at her husband, her eyes filled with tears, and asked, “Where did you bury the men?”
“There,” John told her, pointing out their graves.
Quietly, Ellie and Caroline walked over to the burial site to pay their respects to the men who’d died trying to save the ranch from the raiding party that day.
Faith and Abbie watched them, sharing in their sorrow. The sisters knew how they would be feeling right now if Mason had been killed. Wanting to comfort the women in some way, they dismounted and went to speak with the family.
“John, Ellie,” Abbie began. “We know how horrible this must be for you, and we want you to know that you’re more than welcome to come to the Lazy R with us and stay on for a while, if you like.”
“Oh, Abbie.” Ellie sighed as she gave her a teary, grateful smile. “You are so kind to offer.”
“We just want to help you if we can,” Faith told them.
“We appreciate your kindness, but this is our home,” John said.
Ellie looked lovingly at her husband. They had discussed their future on the trip back and had decided they would not be run off their own ranch by renegades.
“It won’t be easy for us to rebuild, but we’ll do it,” Ellie said.
Abbie gave Ellie a quick hug, completely understanding their reasoning. There was nothing she wanted more than to get back home.
“Be safe,” Abbie told them.
“You, too,” they replied.
John and Pete walked over to where Trent, Jake, and Hank had dismounted and were standing a short distance away.
“You’re one fine tracker, Trent,” John told him. “Thank you for helping me save my wife and daughter.”
The two men shook hands firmly, knowing how fortunate they’d been that things had turned out so well.
Everyone said their good-byes then, for it was time to ride out. They still had a long way to go to reach the Lazy R.
“I can’t wait to see Mason,” Abbie said to Faith as they made camp later that night.
“I don’t know who’s going to be more excited—us or him,” Faith said, eagerly looking forward to the joyous reunion. “You know what? I think once we get back, we sho
uld have a really big party to celebrate. What do you think?”
Abbie absolutely lit up at her suggestion. “I think it’s a wonderful idea! I’ll get to wear my dress again!”
They both laughed, remembering their conversation after the dance in town.
The men were tending to the horses when they heard the happy sound of laughter.
“Now, that’s what I like to hear,” Hank said, knowing things were finally getting back to normal.
“Me, too,” Jake agreed.
Trent didn’t say anything, but he was smiling.
The days and miles passed.
As they rode ever closer to home, Abbie grew quiet and her mood darkened. She found herself worrying more and more about what she was going to face when they got back. True, Mason would be glad to see her, and her other close friends, too, but she’d heard of the cruel way some freed Indian captives had been treated once they’d returned home. She feared she would be shunned, and if that happened, she worried Jake might come to feel differently about her. She loved him with all her heart. He had been loving and attentive on the trek back, but he hadn’t had to face the hatred and ugliness yet. Her troubling thoughts stayed with her, and when the group stopped for the night, she wandered off by herself for a while to try to think things through.
Faith had noticed that Abbie had seemed a little distant that day, and she wasn’t sure why. When Abbie wandered away, she didn’t follow. Faith figured she just needed some time by herself. She waited for her sister to return, but when she didn’t come back after a while, she decided to go look for her. Faith found Abbie sitting on some rocks a fair distance away from the campsite.
“What are you doing way out here?” Faith asked.
Abbie had seen her coming. “I just needed some time alone to think.”
Faith sat down beside her. “Think about what?”
Abbie drew a ragged breath and looked over at her sister. It was hard for her to admit, but she knew she had to tell someone about her feelings. “Faith . . . I’m scared.”
“Oh, honey.” Faith put her arms around Abbie to hug her, and hastened to reassure her. “Don’t be afraid. Another raiding party isn’t going to get us. Not with Trent, Jake, and Hank taking care of us.”
“Oh, no, that’s not what I’m afraid of.”
Faith frowned, drawing back and trying to read her sister’s expression. “Then what is it?”
“We’re going to be home soon,” she said tentatively.
“Yes, I know. Trent said with hard riding we should be back home in a few more days. I can’t wait.”
“But, Faith, what if everyone treats me differently now? What if they think terrible things about me?” The fear she was feeling showed in her eyes. “You know what it’s been like for other women who were taken captive and then rescued. You’ve heard the terrible stories.”
“Some people can be cruel, but we won’t let that happen to you. Everything is going to be fine. You’ll see.”
“I hope you’re right,” Abbie said tearfully.
Faith hugged her again. “I am. Jake loves you. You should have seen how upset he was when he heard that you’d been taken. He was determined to find you and bring you home. He rode out with me the first time, before we hired Trent, and helped me search for you. Nothing was going to stop him, and I believe nothing will ever change the way he feels about you.”
Abbie struggled to pull herself together. “He is a wonderful man.”
“With good taste in women,” Faith said, trying to lighten her mood.
“You could say the same thing about Trent. It’s obvious you two care about each other.”
“I love him,” Faith said simply.
“What about him?”
“He did tell me he loves me.”
Abbie smiled at the news. “That’s wonderful!”
“I think so, but I don’t know if we’ll ever have any kind of future together.”
“Why?”
“Because of the way he makes his living. He’s a hired gun by trade. He doesn’t have a home or family. He just keeps traveling, doing his job.”
“Maybe he’s ready for a change. Maybe he would like to settle down, now that he’s met you.”
“You know, I did sense there was something special about him the first time I saw him.”
“When was that? When you hired him on for the tracking?”
“No. Actually, Trent was already in town the night of the dance, and we danced together. It was the ladies’-choice dance, and I think you may have danced with him then, too.”
“I don’t remember. I guess I was too busy thinking about Jake,” Abbie said with a smile, her mood lightening.
“No doubt,” Faith said. “I had no idea who he was then. I learned only his first name while we were dancing, and then it just seemed like he vanished. I never expected to see him again, but when the sheriff found out who he was, he brought Trent out to the ranch, thinking he could help me find you.”
“And he did.”
“Yes, he did.” She looked seriously at her sister. “I honestly don’t think we would have ever have been able to track down the raiding party without him.”
Abbie’s gaze met Faith’s. “Well, my prayers were answered. You found me.”
They were quiet for a moment, just thinking about all they’d been through over the last long weeks.
“So what are you going to do about Trent?” Abbie challenged.
“There’s not much I can do.”
“You love him,” Abbie stated simply.
“Yes.”
“Then you just have to make sure he doesn’t ever want to leave.”
“I wish I knew how to convince him of that.”
“You’ll figure it out.”
“I hope so. I don’t want to even think about the possibility that he might move on and I’d never see him again.”
It was getting late when Mason returned to the house. He had been feeling stronger and was able to work longer hours now, and he was glad. He wanted to keep busy. He couldn’t stand just sitting around worrying about Abbie and Faith. It left him feeling guilty because he wasn’t out there helping.
The lack of news had left Mason so frustrated that he had been ready to just pack up and take off after the search party. Only Tom’s sage advice had calmed him down and helped him to see that he wouldn’t be doing anyone any good that way. They’d hired the best possible man in Trent Marshall, and they had to believe he would get the job done.
Mason knew he was needed on the Lazy R to run the ranch, but even so, that knowledge didn’t ease the feeling that he could be doing more to help find Abbie. He made his way into the kitchen and found the dinner Rose had prepared waiting on the table. He sat down and ate his solitary meal. When he’d finished, he got cleaned up and went to bed. He had to be up at first light. There was work to be done on the ranch.
Mason lay in bed, staring out the window at the night sky, praying that he would hear something about Abbie soon—and that the news would be good.
“If the weather holds and we manage to keep up the same pace, we should have you home in two more days,” Trent said the following morning as they broke camp.
“I still can’t believe it,” Abbie said. “I thought I’d never get to go home again, and now . . .”
“Now we’re almost there,” Jake finished. “It won’t be long before everything will be back to normal.”
As they saddled their horses, Abbie’s darker thoughts came back, and she wondered if her life would ever be normal again. Faith’s reassurance the night before had helped some, but Abbie still harbored a deep sense of unease about what the future held.
Faith had been watching her sister and noticed the slight change in her expression. She went to talk to Abbie before they had to mount up.
“Just keep in mind what we talked about last night,” Faith told her. “And remember—you’re a Ryan. You can handle whatever comes your way. Look at what you’ve been through already. Th
ere aren’t many women who could live through that. You’re strong, Abbie. You’ll be all right.”
They shared a quick hug before mounting up.
They were heading home.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
It was late afternoon, and everyone was hard at work on the Lazy R.
“Somebody go get Mason!” The unexpected shout went out from one of the hands down by the stable. “Fast!”
“Why? What’s wrong?” another yelled back. They were busy working stock and didn’t want to stop.
“Take a look for yourself!”
The ranch hands looked up to see what the other man was concerned about, and it was then that they spotted the riders in the distance.
“Is it . . . ?”
“I don’t know. They’re still too far out to tell.”
Mason was up at the house when he heard all the yelling. He thought it sounded like trouble, so he hurried outside.
He stopped when he saw the riders approaching.
And he recognized Faith and Abbie.
Deeply powerful emotion filled Mason, and he stood unmoving, watching as they rode ever closer.
“Faith! Look! It’s Mason!” Abbie called out to her sister when she saw her brother come out of the house.
“Thank God he’s all right!” Faith’s relief at seeing him up and moving was great.
Tears were streaming down Abbie’s face as she spurred her weary mount to a breakneck pace. The last time she’d seen Mason, she’d thought he was dying. True, Faith had told her he’d survived the attack and was healing, but actually seeing him filled her with unbelievable joy. She raced straight toward him and then all but threw herself from her horse’s back.
“Abbie!”
Mason ran to her and grabbed her up in a big hug. The moment was powerful, and they were both too filled with emotion to speak.
Mason couldn’t believe Abbie was actually there, let alone that she seemed to be fine. He held her tight for a minute, then took her by the upper arms and held her away from him so he could look at her. His gaze went over her as he reassured himself that she really was there.
“You’re back,” he managed in an emotion-choked voice.