To Wed In Texas

by Jodi Thomas

  Sleepy Germans followed him as though he were the Pied Piper. The children mumbled among themselves while they wiped the sleep from their eyes and pulled on robes.

  After opening the last cabinet, Daniel slammed his fists on the counter, rocking the walls with the blows. “I have to do something! They have Karlee!”

  He ran blood-covered hands through his hair and reached for a towel. “I'm going after her.”

  Ida's frail fingers reached out to stop him.

  “Don't worry. I'll be back before dawn.” Daniel patted her hand. “I'd tell you to go somewhere safe, but I'm not sure any place in this town is safe tonight.”

  Ida's older children moved around her, a youthful army. “We'll make sure that all in this house are protected,” one of the older boys said. In German, the young man began deploying his troops.

  Never in his life had Daniel wished his brothers were closer. Wes and Adam were organizers, fighters. He'd always been the thinker. Even when he'd been wounded in the war, he was helping load men onto a wagon when shot, not fighting.

  As he left the room, he asked one of the boys to hitch up the buggy. His leg was still too stiff to trust himself on horseback for hours, and when he found Karlee, he'd need something to bring her home in. He didn't even know if she knew how to ride.

  As he opened the bottom drawer in his study, he realized how little he knew about her. He'd never asked, and she was not a woman who talked about herself. Did she ride? Could she shoot? Had she ever told another man she loved him? Why hadn't he taken the time to ask?

  Daniel pulled out a gun belt Wes had given him for Christmas the year he'd turned eighteen. He'd shot the gun a few times at targets, but he'd never strapped on a weapon.

  He was a man of peace. But they had Karlee!

  Daniel belted the holster and checked the bullets.

  Karlee watched the men. She could see them in the moonlight, but she knew they couldn't see her hidden in the shadows of the tree. As they slept, she sawed the rope against the bark, praying she could get free before they woke up.

  Finally, the rope began to fray. Her wrists were raw and she felt near exhaustion, but frantically, she worked. She couldn't be sure of the time, but she guessed it was less than an hour before daylight when she freed her hands. The men would be waking any minute.

  If she tried for the horses, they'd catch her. Assuming she could find the road, she'd never make it to town before daybreak. All Whiteley would have to do was ride by and pick her up. If she tried to go across country, she could be lost for days.

  There was only one way to freedom. The river.

  Karlee moved to the water's edge and slipped off her clothes. She buried them in the brush and mud. She'd worry about her lack of dress if she ever reached safety.

  Slow as an alligator, she slipped into the water and began to swim toward the direction of town… she hoped.

  Daniel thought he'd go mad looking for her. The Union had posted troops on every road into town waiting for Baker, but none remembered seeing Whiteley or any other men leaving in a wagon.

  At the third post, Daniel ran into Wolf and told him what had happened.

  Wolf reported vigilantes in flour-sack masks had broken into the local jail, kidnapping several men they claimed were murderers and about to get away with the crime because of the courts. Every lawman in the city was busy hunting them down.

  To make matters worse, ruffians were looting, knowing their chances of getting caught were slim. They'd already broken into the bakery and several other businesses that had survived the fire. Wolf made sure they left the bakery empty-handed, but they'd still managed to damage the front of the store.

  “Thank God, Valerie and her mother were at your place,” Wolf said before he realized they might be no safer there than anywhere.

  “I'll get my horse and look west for Karlee. If I know men like Whiteley, they'll be headed for the least populated area to make camp. They won't want to go far, only far enough from town to feel comfortable. The west blockade had the fewest soldiers guarding it. If I don't find anything, I'll meet you back at your place an hour before dawn.”

  Daniel nodded. “I'll search every barn in town, then move to the docks. If Whiteley stayed in town, there aren't that many places he can hide a wagon with a woman tied up in it.”

  Wolf gripped Daniel's shoulder. “Don't worry, we'll find her.”

  Daniel nodded wishing he believed everything would be fine. “I have to,” he answered. “I'm not sure I can live without this woman.”

  Wolf grinned. “We'll find her. 'Til then, keep an angel on your shoulder, preacher, and your fist drawn until I'm there to cover your back.”

  Daniel smiled as Wolf repeated the old oath his brothers always said when leaving. “I'll do that.”

  Dawn danced off the surface of the bayou. Whiteley's camp was in a full panic. They were all running around like squirrels in a well, as if they'd somehow just misplaced Karlee.

  “Where is she?” Miller yelled in frustration. He beat his bony fists against even bonier legs. “She couldn't have gone far in the dark.”

  Whitely studied the ground looking for clues. Others paced to the water's edge and back.

  “Maybe a gator came up from the bank and ate her,” Miller reasoned. “These cuts in the rope look like they could've been made by gator teeth.”

  “What about blood, you idiot? If she were eaten, there'd be blood everywhere.”

  Miller thought for a moment, then smiled a toothless grin. “Maybe the gator was real hungry and licked up all the blood when he finished. Kind of like a cat cleaning himself.”

  Whiteley slapped Miller on the side of the head with the butt of his rifle. “Shut up! You're as dumb as a wart on a dead frog.”

  Rubbed his scalp, Miller tried to act like he took offense at the remark. “Well, you got any better ideas?”

  “She'd be too scared to go running through the dark and ever'body knows a woman can't swim.” He picked up the gag lying a few feet from the tree. “She's hiding around here somewhere. Spread out, men! We'll find her.”

  Ten minutes later, all they'd found was Karlee's skirt and blouse.

  “She done drowned herself!” Miller whined. “What a waste of a good killin'.”

  Whiteley shook his head. “A woman don't strip and hide her clothes before she kills herself.”

  Miller's eyebrows wrinkled together. “Then she's running around here naked!”

  “Not likely,” the sergeant replied as he scratched his head in thought. “I don't think preacher's wives are allowed.”

  Miller brightened. “Maybe the gator spit her clothes out after he ate her.”

  Whiteley swung the butt of his rifle again, but this time Miller ducked. He was still smiling when the return flight caught him unexpectedly.

  “Forget about the gator,” Whiteley ordered. “We can't go into town without the hostage. The preacher wouldn't give us the guns even if he has them.”

  “What are we gonna do?” Miller rubbed both sides of his head. “What are we gonna do without the woman?”

  The sergeant shook out the clothes and held them out toward Miller. “Get dressed.”

  Three blows later, Miller decided it could be a plan after all. He was still mumbling about the gator when he lifted his skirt and climbed into the wagon.

  They made it to within sight of town before Whiteley saw something in the road that made him pull up short.

  One man, covered in hair and wearing a Ranger badge, stood before them. He looked like a giant. If God sent an avenging angel, this surely was one. Twin Colts hung from his waist, and a rifle rested against his shoulder.

  “Morning, Sergeant Whiteley!” Wolf growled. “I almost didn't recognize you in civilian clothes.”

  “This ain't your concern, Captain Wolf.” Whiteley was in no mood to visit. He'd tangled with the giant a few times in saloons. Rangers like him considered being outnumbered six to one as about even odds.

  “There's where
you're wrong, Sergeant. You see, Daniel McLain is as close to a brother as I got. I'd take it real unkindly if any harm came to his wife.”

  “We ain't got his wife.” Whiteley shook his head so hard everything before him blurred… except the giant.

  Wolf's rifle leveled at the men in the wagon. “I'll see for myself, but first, everyone out.”

  Whiteley knew the six of them could all fire and kill Wolf before he could get more than two, maybe three of them. But he was too close to retirement to chance being one of the two or three. Besides, everyone in Texas knew Rangers were too mean to die. He'd heard rumors of a Ranger being wounded a half dozen times and still firing until his gun emptied.

  Whiteley raised his hands and stepped down. One by one, the others followed. They were good at following orders, but not acting on their own.

  Wolf took all their weapons and tossed them into the tall weeds fifty yards away like he was scattering half-pennies. When he was satisfied they were harmless, he moved to the back of the wagon and peeped inside.

  The sight before Wolf made him laugh so hard he almost shot himself in the foot.

  Miller swore loudly as he lifted his skirt and climbed out of the wagon to join the others.

  “Where's Karlee?” Wolf asked when he finally gained control of himself.

  “Miller lost her!” Whiteley shouted like a child caught in a playground fight. “I told him to tie her up, and he lost her.”

  “Gators ate her.” Miller tried his theory again. “Must have spit out the dress.”

  Wolf leveled the rifle once more. “I'll kill you all. Then when you're resting in the ground, I'll dig you up and shoot you again if you harmed that girl.”

  “We didn't touch her.” Whiteley sounded offended that Wolf would even think such a thing. “The gators didn't eat her, neither. She just got away. I figured we'd try to get the guns by making the preacher believe that Miller was her in the wagon.”

  Wolf reached in and tossed a rope to Miller. “Tie them up better than you did Karlee, or I swear I will feed you to an alligator myself.” Miller didn't move so Wolf added, “You know a gator doesn't like to kill you fast. He'll keep you alive for days chewing off one arm or leg at a time.”

  Miller moved so fast he looked like he was dancing. When he finished tying the others, he held his hands out for Wolf. “You'll have to tie me.”

  Wolf grabbed Miller's roll of clothes and tossed them as far as he could. “Nope. You ain't going anywhere dressed like that but to jail. All right, men. Start walking.”

  “I can't go to jail in this!” Miller whined. “I'd rather die!”

  Wolf cocked the rifle.

  Miller's face paled. Quickly, he dusted the skirt off and started walking toward town with the others.

  TWENTY-NINE

  EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE WAS READY. THE TWINS were tucked away safely upstairs with the younger of Ida's children. Any boy over twelve had been given a window to guard. Each had some kind of weapon and was told to start yelling the moment he heard anything. The girls turned the kitchen table over and hid behind it. They took turns watching the back door. They would throw every piece of china and pot at anyone trying to enter.

  Gerilyn sat at the top of the stairs with an umbrella. She'd proclaimed herself the general of this army of children. From the way she shouted orders and arranged everyone, Daniel would have thought she'd seen combat.

  The Reverend Daniel McLain, in his proper black coat and vest, stood waiting on the porch. The Colt strapped to his leg looked like a part of him. He had no intention of allowing one of Whiteley's men past the front door. Ida's menagerie of children were not naive little souls who frightened easily. They were fighters, or they wouldn't have survived this long. They'd lived through an ocean crossing with little food, no room and a body count of almost fifty percent to fever. They'd lost both parents and camped out on Caddo Lake, where most grown men were afraid to go alone.

  Yes, Ida's children would fight, but Daniel knew that, if they had to take to arms, he'd be dead.

  Full daylight came and still no sign of Whiteley with Karlee or of Wolf.

  “You think Wolf found them?” Ida asked from her perch on the huge pile of Gerilyn's luggage.

  “Maybe.” Daniel was afraid to hope. Last night he'd thought he'd go mad searching for Karlee.

  The town came alive like a Saturday night drunk who had to teach Sunday school. Mumbling, cranky, resigned. Daniel could hear the sounds from the dock a half-block away, voices shouting and wagons rolling. Valerie and her mother had left to check on the damage to their store. He'd told them not to return until the trouble was over.

  The world turned despite Daniel's problems. He'd thought of notifying the Army or the sheriff about the kidnapping, but he could no longer be sure who was involved with Baker. If he told the law about the rifles, he or Ida might be arrested. These days, there was no predicting what would happen.

  During the night, he'd heard several men mention they'd seen Baker about town. From the rumors, Daniel pictured a gentleman who changed his demeanor and language at will. He was reported to have played cards last night with Union officers, who had no idea who he was, and supposedly joined in a saloon fight near the docks that left two men dead. Baker was a man of many talents and one flaw. He never allowed anyone to best him. He never backed down or backed away.

  Footsteps, running fast, drew Daniel's attention from his thoughts. Valerie hurried toward them, her colorful skirts flying.

  “Daniel!” she cried. “Daniel! Come fast.”

  He stepped into the light of morning, fearing more for her than for himself. “What it is?”

  “Karlee!” Valerie folded at her waist, trying to breathe. “She's in the water.”

  Daniel stilled, his body numb with fear. In his mind's eye, he could see Karlee floating in the bayou, her red hair circling her. Dead.

  Valerie gulped air. “She won't come out, and she won't let anyone near her in a boat.”

  Daniel breathed.

  “Hurry,” Valerie cried. “She looks like she's been swimming for hours.”

  “Go!” Gerilyn yelled from the doorway. “I'll handle this front.”

  No pain from his leg reached his mind as he ran the half block to the docks. A crowd had gathered around, almost pushing one another in the bayou in their efforts to see.

  The sight of a preacher wearing a gun made several women gasp as Daniel stormed onto the dock like a warrior.

  “Where is she?” he yelled to no one in particular.

  “Out there, Preacher,” a man answered. “We told her to swim in, but she won't.”

  “I offered to row out to her, but she wouldn't hear of it,” another added. “She keeps yelling for you.”

  Daniel stared hard at a head of wet, red hair bobbing up and down in the deep water.

  “She's gone crazy,” someone mumbled, and several agreed.

  “Trying to kill herself. A loveless marriage, I'd guess. She'd only known him for a few days before she married him.”

  “I knew she weren't right when she let all them worthless Germans live with her.”

  “Heard tell she arrived packed in a trunk.”

  Daniel paid no attention to the talk. He no longer cared what anyone in town said. All he cared about was Karlee and why she wouldn't come into shore and out of danger. She was a strong swimmer. As strong as him. But she stayed away.

  He raised his hand and waved.

  Karlee did the same.

  And then he saw it! Her bare shoulder. And he knew why she kept her distance.

  Without saying a word, he unstrapped his gun belt and dropped it on the dock. Then he pulled off his coat and tied it around his waist. His boots landed next to the Colt.

  As he moved to the water's edge, he caught Valerie's eye. “Find a blanket. I'll be needing it.”

  She nodded and vanished into the crowd.

  Everyone watched as he dove into the choppy water and swam out toward his wife.

  Daniel
reached her in long steady strides. When he stopped in front of her, he smiled. “Good morning, Mrs. McLain.”

  “Reverend,” she answered politely.

  “May I offer you my coat?” He wrapped his coat around her as he folded her into his arms. “Welcome home.”

  “I'm sorry about this.” Karlee pushed hair from her face. “I know I've embarrassed you greatly. It appears everyone in town is watching.”

  Daniel began to swim to shore. “It doesn't matter,” he answered as he pulled her along. “You're safe.”

  When he reached a place where he could touch bottom, he pulled her to him and carried her the rest of the way. Valerie danced into the shallow tide and handed him an old packing blanket for Karlee's legs.

  When the water was at his waist, Daniel stopped, unable to resist any longer. He kissed her full on the mouth in front of everyone.

  Several of the women in the crowd gasped as if about to faint. Many of the men cheered.

  Her lips were cold, and she shivered in his arms. “Let's go home,” he whispered. They left the dock without explaining to anyone what had happened.

  Karlee laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She didn't have to go anywhere. She was home.

  When they reached the house, everyone talked at once, asking about Karlee and telling of Wolf coming by with men tied on a rope.

  “Wolf wants you to meet him at the sheriff's office as soon as you can,” one of the older German boys told Daniel.

  “Tell Wolf Karlee's safe, and we'll be there directly.” Daniel sat Karlee down in the rocker by the fireplace. “After I get my wife warm.”

  When he looked up, Gerilyn stood behind the children holding an armload of dry blankets and several towels. Prepared as always, she hurried forward, dropped her load by the fireplace and wrapped Karlee in one of the quilts.

  “I was so worried about you, Cousin. It must have been horrible beyond words.” She grabbed a towel and patted Karlee's hair. “Remember now, dear, a lady never talks about such unpleasantries. I'll stand beside you. After all, you're blood. But for fate it could have been me who those terrible men kidnapped.” She clenched her hands to her heart. “I won't allow anyone to disgrace your name, no matter what happened during the kidnapping.”