Maureen swallowed hard. Would it be possible to hold on to him now? She doubted it. Finn was here to make his fortune, not to rescue a criminal. He was on the run himself but he had told her about it. He’d been honest. Could he forgive her? Did he even want to?
Audra had a plate of fried chicken in the basket. She handed it to Maureen and gave her a sad smile. “If you end up with nowhere to go, come see me at the saloon.”
Maureen nodded and swallowed hard. “Thank you,” she croaked. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. Her future was going back to Missouri with Mr. Jones. She watched as Audra put her cloak back on and left.
After setting the plate down at one end of the bed, she sat on the other end. Why hadn’t she become a wife in truth? At least Finn would have been gentle. Carlton wasn’t a gentle man, and he liked to hurt her. There were so many miles they’d have to travel. That probably had been his plan. He’d always tried to get her alone, but his wife had a knack for always being around.
She’d been free for a while and it’d been heaven. Could she live the next four and a half years on the memories of the last few months? She stood and began to pace. She’d eventually forget Finn’s face and voice. It would all fade away, and she had no one to blame but herself. He’d forget her too. The need to apologize to him overwhelmed her. Would he even come before Carlton took her away?
She patted the place over her heart where she pinned the Irish lace Finn had given her. He’d need to have it back to give to his next wife. He’d probably have many children to help run the ranch. By the time she finished her contract, she’d be an old maid, and her choices for a good match would be extremely limited. Oh, what difference did it make? No one would ever come close to comparing to Finn.
The door opened again and it was Carlton. Thank goodness there were bars between them. He had his walking stick with him; it was just for show. He rummaged through the sheriff’s desk and pulled out a key ring. The smirk on his face as he jangled them in front of her sickened her.
He came to the cell door, and she plastered herself to the back wall of the cell in fear. The click of the lock opening frightened her beyond reason. She knew better than to cry out. It would only make things worse.
He walked into the cell, his face twisted in a leer, and then he yanked her from the wall and walked her over to the bars. “Hold on to the bars while you get what’s coming to you.”
Her knuckles where white as she stood straight and tall. The first strike with the walking stick took her breath away. He’d never hit her that hard before. The second one almost brought her to her knees. He hit her from her shoulders to her thighs, over and over. She prayed for mercy and then she prayed that she’d pass out. Each blow hurt more than the one before, and finally she slid down to the ground. Any movement caused excruciating pain.
Carlton took the plate of food out of the cell and then he placed the sheet on the bed. Next, he yanked her up onto the bed and put a quilt over her.
“You tell anyone about this, and you’ll get worse tomorrow. Understand?”
She could barely nod so he grabbed the back of her hair. “What?”
“I-I understand.”
He dropped her head down and she closed her eyes and stayed absolutely still until the cell was once again locked. He slammed the door behind him when he left.
Tears poured out of her eyes but it hurt too much to sob. To think she’d been so mad at Finn when he’d spanked her. That was nothing. It had better take a while for the legal information to get to the sheriff. She wouldn’t be able to sit a horse anytime soon.
She heard the door again and closed her eyes.
“It looks like you’ll have to come back tomorrow, Finn. She’s sleeping.” The sheriff said as he approached the cell.
“Can’t you just let me in there? She’s my wife.” Finn didn’t sound mad. He sounded more sad than mad.
“Come back tomorrow, and you can spend all the time you want with her.”
Finn sighed loudly. “I don’t trust that Carlton Jones. Not one bit. I don’t want him alone with her.”
“Don’t worry, I’m here and she’s locked in. Go, get some sleep and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
There was silence for a bit then Finn answered. “You’re right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The door opened and closed. Finally, she could breathe. Her heart broke. She’d have to give him up for good. Somehow, she’d have to make it so he wouldn’t come after her. She felt dizzy and soon welcoming darkness washed over her.
Chapter Eight
Finn spent most of the night constructing an “army” lockbox. He needed to have an empty one found on Maureen’s side of the stream. He hoped that would put an end to people wanting her land. He’d had his valuables in a chest that looked close enough.
He scratched it up on the outside and dented it. He kicked it around the yard a bit. The hardest part was trying to figure out what to put in the box so it was certain to look like it was for the army. He thought on it for a while and then helped himself to Maureen’s writing desk. He wrote a fake promotion for a nonexistent officer. No one would look at it too hard. He’d had a knack for forgery, so he signed it with flourishing handwriting. He waited until the ink was dry and then he folded it, rubbed dirt on it, crumpled it a bit, and then put a boot print on it.
Next chance he got he was going to bury it and try to lead his saloon friends, Cluck, Mesquite, and Bob to it. They’d have to be the ones to find it or they’d think he’d taken the money. The box could use a bit more if it was to be convincing. He’d get it all figured out.
The sun was coming up and he wanted to get at least an hour in reinforcing the roof before he went to town. He’d probably be there all day. He wanted nothing more than to knock Carlton’s head off but then they’d have to run. If it came to it, he’d take Maureen and change their names and go elsewhere. He’d heard Canada wasn’t half bad.
After he got his work done and he’d cleaned up, he saddled Justice. Justice didn’t need much guidance; he knew the way to town. Finn pulled his hat down lower to keep the sun out of his eyes. He hadn’t heard the option to become an indentured servant when he’d made his way over from Ireland. No one mentioned it while he lived in New York City. Strange but different states and territories differed.
They wouldn’t want to leave for the east until winter was over. He’d heard stories of people getting lost in the snowy mountains. There was no way he’d allow his wife to leave alone with Carlton. Somehow, he’d accompany them and still get improvements on each section of land. But how? He only had four years before the land grant was revoked.
There was an uncommon silence in town. No people walked on the boardwalk. The absence of children playing in the street puzzled him. He dropped down off Justice and tied him to the hitching post. He walked into the Sheriff’s office and he raised his brow. Maureen was the only one there.
“They left you here alone?” His voice was harsher than intended.
She gave him a wobbly smile and she seemed to have trouble standing up. “Only so they could go to the saloon and decide my fate. The sheriff demanded they wait until word came back with the law on indentured servants, but Carlton doesn’t want to wait. He wants his property back.”
“He plans to take you over the mountains at this time of year?”
Maureen nodded.
Finn walked to the cell took her hand and pulled her forward. He kissed her. “I’ll be back, a ghrá.”
His spurs clicked on the wooden walkway as he hurried to the saloon. He swung the doors open wide. He’d wanted to make an entrance and it worked. The place went quiet as everyone turned to stare at him.
“I hear you are determining the fate of my wife. It would have been nice if either her or I had been invited.” He sat down in a chair in the front row. “Go on, I’d like to hear what you’ve decided so far.”
Men exchanged guilty looks as the women looked down at the floor. Only Carlton met his gaze.
“
As I was saying,” Carlton said. “A man is entitled to his property.”
“Not in this territory,” Finn argued. “Furthermore, she is a white woman. A married woman. Doesn’t a husband have a say over his wife? I would think a husband would have the right to refuse to let her go.”
“Ha!” Carlton smiled. “She’s a criminal first, my property second, and your wife third.”
Finn stood and calmly faced the crowd. “I think you’ll all agree that in the eyes of God she is my wife first. We were married by a minister. She told me why she ran away from you.”
Finn smiled as Carlton turned a sickly white.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Carlton suddenly didn’t sound so pompous.
Finn looked at the sheriff. “How is he going to get her back to Missouri at this time of year?”
Carlton spoke first. “We plan to go back the way I came.”
“I’m not sure you’ll make it over those mountains. I heard the passes are closed. And I certainly don’t want to go on a suicide trip.”
Carlton took a step toward Finn. “This has nothing to do with you.”
Finn laughed. “I go where my wife goes. Do you think I’m stupid enough to leave her alone with you? She left because you wouldn’t stop touching her, and she was afraid you’d try to rape her.”
The crowd gasped while Carlton turned a bright shade of red. The fury in his eyes appeared dangerous.
The sheriff put his hands up. “All right folks. I think we are done here. The mountain pass is closed, so they won’t be traveling back anytime soon. By the time the pass is clear, I’ll have confirmation on what the law is. Meanwhile, she will be released into the custody of her husband.”
“I object!” Carlton yelled. “How do I know they won’t run?”
The sheriff shook his head as though he’d had enough. “How much did you pay for her?”
“I paid the outrageous sum of twenty dollars for five years of work.”
“I’ll buy her from you!” a miner called out.
The sheriff held up his hand. “That’s all for now folks. I’m going to have a private talk with Carlton and Finn in my office.” He walked out the door obviously expecting both men to follow.
Twenty dollars was a lot of money. Finn could either pay for Maureen or have his ranch. He couldn’t have both.
Maureen grimaced as she tried to sit up straight. She could feel her dress sticking to the broken skin on her back and shoulders. She needed a doctor, but who knew if prisoners were allowed doctors. Audra came in and brought her water to wash and a clean dress. Maureen thanked her but she hadn’t been able to make use of either.
The door swung open and the sheriff, Carlton, and Finn all walked in. She wasn’t sure if she should be relieved to see Finn or not. She kept her gaze on him, not knowing how much longer she had with him. She gloried in the sight of him and tried to commit his face to memory.
“Just where am I supposed to spend the winter if we don’t leave now?” Carlton took off his gloves and slapped then against the desk.
The sheriff sat at his desk and balanced his chair on the back two legs. “You could claim some land of your own. I’d advise getting a cabin built quickly. The nights are getting cold. Or you can keep staying at the saloon. Makes no never mind to me.”
Maureen watched the interaction. What in tarnation was going on? She glanced at Finn who smiled at her.
“I’m taking my wife home, today.”
“Oh no, you’re not!” Carlton ground out. He glared at her.
“Well, I have an idea.” The sheriff shook his head. “Well, not an idea really. This is how it’s going to go. Finn you come up with twenty dollars for me to hold. It’ll be assurance you won’t run. Maureen you can go home with your husband for now. Don’t anyone get too comfortable. I’m still waiting to hear from the Territorial Governor. It’ll take a while for my request to make it up the chain of command to his desk, I’m afraid.” He stood, grabbed his keys, and opened the cell door. “You’re free to go.”
She tried to stand but the pain was too great and she cried out.
“Darling what’s wrong?” Finn fled into the cell and knelt before her.
“Carlton punished me for running away. I don’t think I can walk more than a few steps.” Tears filled her eyes.
Finn unbuttoned the front of her dress and then pulled it down in the back. “Oh, my dear Lord. You must be suffering something awful.” Finn glared at Carlton.
“Sheriff, would you mind coming in here?”
The sheriff wrinkled his brow but did as asked. There was a sharp intake of breath when he looked at the welts and broken skin on her back. He walked out, opened the other cell door, and shoved Carlton into it slamming the door behind him.
“I’ll fetch Doc Adams.” He hurried out the door.
“What kind of animal are you?” Finn yelled.
“It would have not been as severe but she married without permission and gave you her virginity. That was mine to take.” Carlton sneered.
“Finn, don’t waste your time on him. He’s a bad seed. I knew it the moment I saw him, and I prayed and prayed that he’d buy someone else, but I ended up with him. He’s not right in the head, I think. He really thought we’d make it through the mountain pass, just me and him. I’m in no condition to walk or ride now.”
Finn helped to lay her on her stomach and then hung a sheet between the cells, giving them privacy. He sat down on a bit of the bed and stroked her hair. “Don’t you worry, love. I’m pressing charges. He’ll be in here until a territorial judge comes out this way. It’s a small town so I doubt it will be high on his list of places to stop.” He kissed the top of her head. It was one of the only places she wasn’t injured.
“He used his walking cane on me. It hurts so much, Finn.” Her eyes filled with tears she swore she wouldn’t shed.
The sheriff arrived with Doc Adams and another sheet was hung along the front of her cell for even more privacy. She wanted Finn with her, but the doctor thought it best if he stayed on the other side of the sheet. The doctor had to soak parts of her dress to get it unstuck from the blood on her back.
At first, she concentrated on keeping quiet but she just couldn’t take it anymore. Her cries were loud, and she was sure they were disturbing to Finn. She heard Finn tell Carlton he was going to kill him more than once.
At last, the dress was off, and Doc Adams began to dress her wounds. The salve he used stung a bit but she clenched her hands into fists until her nails dug into her hands causing them to bleed. By the time he finished, she was exhausted. Her eyes kept closing but she wanting to know what was happening.
The doctor left, and she tried to hear what he was saying to Finn but they kept their voices too low. Once again, other people were making decisions for her. At least she’d have a more time with Finn before she had to leave. Was he was willing to part with twenty dollars? Twenty dollars was a fortune and Finn might not think she was worth it. If the governor sided with Carlton, he would lead them to their deaths and there didn’t seem to be much she could do about it. She’d make sure Finn would know who to notify in Ireland, if they were even still there.
When she’d left for America she’d figured she’d most likely never see her family again, but to know it for a certainty broke her heart. Her throat went dry, and a deep loneliness washed over her. And for what? She’d never have any money to send home. She had failed them all.
Finn came into the cell and knelt down. His blue eyes were trying for reassurance, but he was unsuccessful. She loved him all the more for trying. For a moment, she wasn’t sure what hurt more, her heart or her back. He’d never look at her with love again.
“The doc is going to give you some laudanum for the pain. It should make you sleep and then we will carry you to room at Bessie McGuire’s Boarding House. It’s clean there and you’ll heal better. I’ll be with you.”
“No, Finn. You go finish your cabin. Build your ranch and m
ake your fortune. There’s nothing you can do for me. My fate is sealed. I know the Territorial Governor will side with Carlton and the judge probably would take Carlton’s side. Beating women wasn’t considered much of a crime to many men. Soon enough, I’ll be trudging through the snow to Missouri. I’ll never forget your kindness to me. I’ll never forget you and what an amazing man you are. Before they get rid of the dress, please unpin the piece of Irish lace you gave me. Save it for another.”
She watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down before he nodded.
“Time to give you your medicine young lady,” Doc Adam’s said.
Finn stood and moved out of the way and her heart shattered. She took the laudanum and soon enough the world drifted away.
Finn carried Maureen across the street and up a flight of stairs to their room. Mrs. McGuire went ahead of him, unlocked the door, and pulled back the bed covers for Finn to lay Maureen down.
“What a shame. Her skin is snowy white. I have a feeling she’ll scar. Can I get you anything?”
Finn shook his head. “Thank you for letting us stay. It won’t be too long. Our cabin is almost done.”
She nodded. “Just the same I’ll bring you a tray of food and coffee. You’ll need water and a cloth in case she starts with fever.”
“You’ve been too kind.”
Mrs. McGuire smiled. “Not a problem. I’m happy to help. You look at your wife the same way Mr. McGuire looked at me. It’s rare you know. Hold on to each other. I’m not sure how she became an indentured servant, but it’s outlawed in many states, so don’t give up hope.”
Finn drew a chair up next to the bed. “That helps, thank you.” He waited for her to leave before he stroked Maureen’s hair. He took the covering off her back. The doctor said air would be good for it. He gasped when he saw the extent of her wounds. Leaning over he kissed her cheek. “I will never allow another to take a hand to you ever. You have my word. Oh Maureen, how I love you. My love for you is in every breath I take, every word I speak and in every thought I think.”
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