“Paul knows, or he guesses, you weren’t treated kindly. I am guessing he doesn’t want to do anything to scare you. He may just be waiting for a sign from you. Give it time. You haven’t been together very long. It will happen.” Emer moved slowly and lowered herself into a chair. “Is he doing anything to make you think he regrets getting married?”
“No, not at all. He brought home Blackie. He takes me on picnics and we go swimming in the creek. He’s kissed me a couple of times, but it hasn’t, you know, developed.”
“Have you encouraged him?”
“Emer, I couldn’t do that. He would think I am wanton.”
Emer burst out laughing. She didn’t stop even when Laura stood up.
“I don’t see what’s so funny. I’m sorry I even asked. Forget we had this conversation.”
“I’m sorry, Laura. I didn’t mean to offend you. But you are married. Paul is your husband. It isn’t wanton to show your husband some affection. You need to tell him he is welcome to share your blanket.”
Her confusion must have been obvious, as Emer explained.
“Nandita uses that term for married couples.”
Laura noticed Emer massaging her back. She was also squirming a bit in the chair.
“Emer, are you in pain?”
“It’s nothing. It’s coming and going. It’s too early for the baby. She isn’t due for another three weeks or so.”
“She?”
“Lawrence decided the baby was a girl. He’ll be disappointed if it turns out to be a boy.”
Laura didn’t comment. She doubted Lawrence Shipley would be upset with anything his wife did. She watched Emer closely. She wasn’t an expert on birthing babies, but something told her Emer was closer to having this baby than she was letting on.
“Where’s Doc and Mrs. Grey?”
“Doc went to visit Ma Kelley. Yes, again! He has a path worn in the dirt road up to her place. Mrs. Grey will be here in a little while. She went out to check on Sorcha.”
“Sorcha is due before you, right?”
“Yeah, she should have the baby any day now. Nandita is staying close. She has a lot of experience birthing ba— Ow, that hurt.”
“Emer Shipley, that baby is coming. You’re the nurse. You should know these things.”
“I don’t know anything about birthing babies. Wasn’t much call for it with the Bainstreet gang, and Mrs. Grey wouldn’t let me go with her when I was single. Said it wasn’t proper. Then she wouldn’t let me— Ow. Laura, go get Lawrence, please.”
“Lawrence has no place at the birth of his child. I know that much. You better go and lie on the bed. I’ll go get Katie. She’ll know what to do.”
Laura picked up her skirt and ran to the door. She didn’t like seeing Emer frightened. The woman was usually so much in control. She opened the door and walked straight into a man’s chest. The familiar odor of musk filled her senses. Oh no, he’s here. Her gaze moved slowly up as she prayed hard it was someone else wearing the same cologne. But it wasn’t.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Dawson. You took quite a while to track down. Although I must say it was worth it. You are even more beautiful than when we last met.” He raised his hand as if to caress her face, but she shrank back from his touch. That angered him. He pushed her back into the office. Two men followed after him.
“Lock that door. We don’t want any interruptions. Search the premises. I don’t want any surprises,” Coleman ordered as Laura moved quickly toward the back exit. “No point trying to escape that way, Mrs. Dawson. One of my men is standing right on the other side.”
Laura stifled a scream. Emer hadn’t appeared, but she was in no state to help her. She was alone. She had to play for time.
“What do you want, Coleman?”
“Is that any way to greet a long lost friend?”
“We’re not friends. Leave me alone.” Laura moved toward the door, but she had only taken one step when his hand snaked around her wrist, pressing it tightly.
“You have spirit. I like that in my women. Johnny said you did, but you didn’t show much of it that night in the club. You behaved like a scared rabbit. But then Johnny was known for beating his girls into submission.”
Just hearing that name again was enough for Laura to break out in a sweat. Her mouth filled with bile, and she fought the impulse to gag. She had to get them out of here. Emer and her baby were depending on her.
“What do you want?”
“I should think that’s obvious,” Coleman said, jeering her
“I don’t have any of Johnny’s money. There was gold in the safe. I don’t know what happened to it.”
“I don’t want money, Laura.”
She went cold at the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice.
“We both know it’s you I came for. I intend on taking you back with me to Boston.”
“But why?”
He pushed some hair back from her face before stealing a kiss. She gagged in response, causing him to slap her. It wasn’t too hard, but the look in his eyes warned her it was a taste of what could come.
“I won’t go anywhere with you. I won’t leave my husband.”
“He’s dead.”
Laura’s stomach lurched. “He can’t be.” An image of Paul smiling at her that morning filled her mind. I killed Paul, too. A lone tear escaped before she swallowed hard. She wasn’t going to let Coleman see he was scaring her.
“Didn’t they tell you at the hospital? Dawson died the night you got hurt.”
Laura exhaled sharply. Johnny. He was talking about Johnny. He doesn’t know about Paul. She couldn’t tell him. She sensed a wedding ring wasn’t going to stop him.
“Boss, we got another one here.”
One of Coleman’s men pushed Emer roughly toward his boss. Laura watched in admiration as Emer stood up straight.
“I don’t know who you are, Mister, but you best leave here quickly. My husband won’t take kindly to any man putting his hands on me,” Emer said in a cold but calm voice.
You wouldn’t guess she had been writhing in pain minutes before.
“Don’t they teach you ladies manners out here? Threatening a guest is no way to behave.”
“It’s not a threat, but a promise. Get out. Now.”
“Who’s going to make me? A little girl like you?” Coleman laughed harshly before turning to his men. “She’s not my type. Too near to having that baby, but if any of you want her, feel free.”
Laura saw Emer blanch at Coleman’s words. With a stricken look, she backed away slightly as his men looked her up and down.
“Been such a long time since I had a woman, I don’t mind if I do.”
Laura watched the scene in slow motion, although everything happened so fast. The man who’d spoken took a step toward Emer. Her friend put her hand in her skirt. Laura thought she was going to run, but instead a loud bang rang out. The man fell flat, blood pouring from his face.
The other men stood stunned, their mouths open at the vision of a pregnant woman shooting their friend. Coleman reacted first. He grabbed Laura and pulled her close to him, using her body as a shield.
“That was a lucky shot, Miss. Put the gun away or my men will kill you.”
“A lucky shot? I’ve been shooting since I was a young’un old enough to hold a gun. You don’t know who you’re dealing with. Now let Laura go and get out of here while you still can.”
Laura’s admiration for Emer soared as her pregnant friend faced down Coleman and his gang. She could see the pain in Emer’s eyes, but nobody else seemed to have guessed she was in labor. She couldn’t hold on much longer. I have to do something.
“I’ll go with you. Just let Emer go. I’ve had enough of this small town anyway.” Laura forced herself to touch Coleman and look up into his face. “Take me with you, please.”
“Laura, no.”
“I told you plenty of times, Emer. I don’t fit into this town. The women hate me ‘cause their men fancy me. I want some fun
. I’m too old to be watching every step I make.” Laura moved toward the door. “Are you coming or not? We don’t have much time before someone comes to find out what the gunshot was.”
Coleman was staring at her so hard, she wasn’t sure whether he was buying her act or waiting for her to do something. She didn’t have any tricks up her sleeve. She just knew she had to get him and his men away from Emer.
“You heard the lady. Come on, boys.”
“Boss, what about Mikey and the other lady?”
Laura shot a glance at Emer, who had turned pale and was now holding the pistol in both hands, her knuckles white. Why had the doc moved his office to the edge of town? The bigger premises came at a cost. Nobody was close enough to hear the gunshot.
“Her husband will be here any second. He’s the sheriff.”
“We don’t need any more trouble with the law. Come on, boys, leave Mikey. He’s gone.” Coleman moved so quickly neither woman saw him. He took the gun out of Emer’s hands and knocked her to the floor.
“You got lucky, Mrs. If I had more time, I’d take you with us and show you exactly what happens to someone who hurts my men.” With a vicious kick to Emer’s side, he moved back to the door, pulling Laura after him.
More men were outside holding some horses. Coleman threw Laura up on a horse before climbing up behind her. And then they were gone. Laura couldn’t see anything; the tears streaming down her face were blocking her vision. Would Emer be all right? What about the baby? What sort of man would kick a pregnant woman?
Chapter 34
Paul couldn’t concentrate. He had a horrible feeling Laura was in trouble. She was late. School had finished two hours ago and there was still no sign. Davy hadn’t seen her on the road when he came back from dropping off Mary and Cathy at the Petersen place.
He had no way of knowing what had happened at school. Ben hadn’t been in school due to a bad cold and Little Beaver had stayed home to help with some chores.
You’re being silly. She can handle Bertram Shaw. She probably made him stand in the corner after class. Maybe he should go drive into town and collect her. He grinned. His wife didn’t like it when he got all protective. She had an independent streak. He looked back at his drawings, trying to concentrate on the task at hand, but his thoughts niggled at him. It would be quicker to drive into town and bring Laura home. Then he could concentrate on the job he wanted to complete before sundown.
“I need some more nails. Got to go into town. Need anything?” Paul asked.
“Nails? Now?” Davy looked up, not bothering to hide his amusement. At a glare from Paul, Davy went silent, but his eyes were still laughing.
“Take Little Beaver with you. He’s got the attention span of a gnat. Anyone would think it was his wife having the baby.”
“Mrs. Petersen is having her baby?” Maybe Laura had been called in there to help. What did Laura know about having babies? He colored at the route his thoughts led him along.
“Come on, Little B. Sooner we get to town, the quicker we will be home to finish our chores.”
He decided to take the horses. It would be quicker than the wagon and the fact his wife would have to share his ride. Getting a bit desperate to hold her in your arms, aren’t you?
Little Beaver went on ahead, seeing as he didn’t have to saddle up. He would check the Petersen ranch to see if there was any news on Sorcha and the baby. “If Laura is there, can you tell her I am heading to town?”
Paul rode off to some good-natured jesting from Davy. He knew his boss hadn’t swallowed his excuses, but he didn’t care. As he rode, he thought about Laura. It was driving him mad living in such close quarters to her but not being able to make theirs a real marriage. He was trying to be patient, but Dear Lord, how long would it take his wife to trust him? He couldn’t bear to do anything to hurt her, but at the same time, he was so in love with her. He wanted nothing more to feel her arms around him, to run his fingers through her glorious hair. He loved everything about her. She was spirited and brave as well as intelligent and kind. Sure, it took her a while to open up to people, but given what she’d been through, that was expected.
Little Beaver caught up with him just as they had the town of Clover Springs in their sights. “Baby hasn’t come yet. Nandita sent Brian off on a long walk with Frank. Said us men were getting in the way.”
“Was my wife there?”
Little Beaver shook his head, his gaze focused on the town. Paul looked, too. It seemed busier than usual outside the doc’s office. Was someone hurt? Laura. He urged his horse on faster, barely allowing the animal to come to a stop before jumping off. He threw the reins at Little Beaver before walking up to the sheriff. He dimly noticed a hush fell on the crowd, but before he could react, a woman’s scream rent the air.
Laura? No, that wasn’t her.
“Mrs. Shipley is having her baby. Doc’s in with her now.”
“Is everything okay?” Paul could see the sheriff was worried. He knew the man was a bachelor, but surely childbirth wasn’t that scary.
“Paul, we got trouble. Mrs. Shipley’s been beaten up and Mrs. Kelley is missing.”
Ma was missing. How? Not Ma. He was talking about Laura.
“Paul, did you hear me, son? Your wife’s been kidnapped. Miss Emer shot one of the men before she got hit.”
“Where is he? Ask him what they want with Laura.”
“He’s dead, Paul. Reckon those men didn’t know Emer was a crack shot. Pity she didn’t get all of them.”
“How long have they had Laura? We’ve got to get after them! What are you standing around here for?”
“Calm down, Paul. We don’t know for sure who has her and what they want. They didn’t take anything else, not even her bag. Miss Emer said Laura seemed to know the man, so I’m guessing it’s the Boston gang. But that doesn’t help us much. We don’t know where they went.”
“I can track them.”
Little Beaver moved forward, his gaze on Paul. “You know I can do this, Mr. Kelley. My father taught me well. I want to help Miss Laura. She’s been kind to me.”
“Appreciate your help, son, but you aren’t old enough to join a posse.”
“Let him, sheriff. He knows what he’s doing. I don’t care about anything other than getting my wife back.”
Chapter 35
Laura gave up fighting back. She had kicked and bit Coleman one too many times, resulting in a backhanded slap, knocking her out. When she came to, she didn’t recognize her surroundings. Tears of frustration smarted in her eyes. Why couldn’t he leave her alone? She had a life in Clover Springs with her friends. With her husband. Paul. Oh, please God, don’t let him come after me. Coleman will kill him. Let him forget about me.
She closed her eyes, the image of Emer lying helpless and curled up on the floor. She prayed hard her friend and the precious baby she carried would be all right. Surely Doc or someone had come to the office and found her. She wriggled and twisted, but the rope securing her was too tight. She couldn’t reach the knot. That didn’t stop her, though. She kept working at it long after her fingernails bled from the chaffing.
“No point in trying to get them bonds loose, girl. I tied them up real good.”
Laura held herself as still as possible as he pawed her. He held her chin roughly as he forced her to look up at him. She spat at him. “Spirited filly, aren’t you? I am looking forward to breaking you. I thought Johnny would have done that already.”
“I’m nobody’s filly. Now let me go.”
“Can’t do that, Miss Laura Lee. You and I got business waiting back in Boston. That pretty head and mind of yours is going to make me a fortune.”
Laura tried her best to hide her terror. She couldn’t go back to Boston, to that life.
“I won’t work for you. I’m done with that life.”
“You will work for me. I ain’t asking you. I’m telling you. Johnny cost me a packet. As his wife, you owe me.” He looked her up and down. “It’s a debt I am
looking forward to collecting.”
Her fingers itched to slap the leering look off his face.
“Never,” she hissed. His response was to slap her once more.
“You’ll learn. Girls like you always do. I never lose.”
“Boss, we got to keep moving. That girl you kicked, turns out she’s the wife of one of the richest men in town.” Laura peeped through her eyelids. She recognized the man speaking to Coleman. He was a regular at the store. Always smelled to high heaven, making most people give him a wide berth. But he was talking about Emer. Was she all right?
“Her old man is connected to Shipley bank. They’re rolling in it, Boss. He’s offered a reward for you, 100 dollars dead or alive. The whole town seems to have joined the posse.”
“And you thought you’d grab the money for yourself by leading them here, did you?”
The man paled, visibly shaken by the threatening tone. “Course not, Boss. I came here to warn you. You told me to stay behind.”
“Course you did.” Coleman smiled at the man, whose relief was obvious from the look on his face. It didn’t last long before the knife slashed through his chest.
“I didn’t tell you to meet me here, did I? Chances are you led them right to us.”
The man gurgled something, but Laura couldn’t make out what he said. She watched in horrid fascination as the man died. Coleman calmly cleaned the blade before turning back toward her. She closed her eyes, hoping he’d believe she hadn’t seen what just transpired.
He wasn’t Johnny. He was far more dangerous.
“Sorry you had to see that, Lee. I like to protect my girls from the more sordid side of life.”
“I am not your girl. I’m a married woman and my husband will come get me.” Even as she said the words, Laura was torn between wanting to be rescued and not wanting to put her husband in danger. She loved him.
They rode hard the next day. Coleman wouldn’t let the men make a campfire. He didn’t want the smoke alerting anyone to their whereabouts. The men complained about the cold meal. Coleman released her binds so she could eat. At first she was tempted to throw the meal in his face, but one look at his eyes told her he was expecting that reaction. Instead, she forced herself to eat the food. The mixture of uncooked corn meal, water and molasses made her want to gag, but she needed to keep her strength up. She was going to escape one way or another. She was not going to betray Paul with this man.
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