With a wide smile on his face, Levi left his wife at the store, and headed up the street.
Chapter Twenty-One
Grace admired her husband as he walked up the street. She’d never grow tired of looking at him. He might not like being in town, mingling with people, but it sure didn’t show in the way he carried himself.
She sighed, then glanced at the coins in her hand. She had no plans to spend all of Levi’s money. She needed some staples for the kitchen, but her sister would have to wait for curtains. At Rose’s prodding, she entered the store. Andy immediately ran to the front counter, which was lined with jars of candy.
The proprietress of the mercantile scrutinized her with curious eyes. She’d already asked a multitude of questions the last time Grace had been in this store. Luckily, Laura Kincaid had been with her then, and had politely, but firmly deflected all of the woman’s nosy inquiries.
Grace quickly placed her order, and handed the bags to Andy and Rose to carry, then left the mercantile with her crutch securely under her arm. She glanced down the street, and headed for the telegraph office. Andy and Rose walked ahead of her, and squabbled over the candy the boy had bought. Grace stepped off the boardwalk to cross the narrow alley to the next building.
“If you two don’t settle your differences, I won’t bring you into town again,” she called to the kids. She shook her head, and adjusted her crutch under her arm to keep up with their quick strides.
A dark figure emerged from the alleyway, darting in front of her. In the next instant, Grace collided with the bony figure of a man dressed in a black business suit. A hand clamped firmly around her arm, pulling her closer. All air left her lungs, and her knees weakened with fear.
“Hello, Gracie.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs when she heard the familiar voice against her ear, and an overpowering feeling of dread consumed her. She darted a quick look up the street. Andy and Rose were already past the next building.
“Make a scene or call out, and your little sister is dead,” the man drawled, a slight slur to his voice.
“Harlan,” she whispered, her eyes wide as she stared up into the face of the man who’d been her nightmare for four years.
He chuckled against her ear, and inhaled deeply.
“You smell and look as good as I remember.” His raspy voice sent shivers of disgust down her back.
Harlan tugged on her arm to move further into the alley. Grace held back a cry of pain when she lost her balance and stepped on her bad leg. She quickly braced on her crutch, after nearly dropping it.
“Walk nice and normal,” Harlan said in a menacing voice. “Or, I should say, as normal as you can walk.”
“What do you want?” Grace hissed. She stumbled alongside him as he led her around the building and headed up the street in the opposite direction she’d been going. Fear for Rose consumed her. There was no doubt Harlan would do exactly what he’d threatened if she didn’t go with him willingly. His hired men were probably nearby.
Harlan laughed coldly. “Took me a long time, but I finally caught up to you, Gracie. You really didn’t think you could outrun me forever, did you?”
“How did you find me?” Her voice trembled.
Harlan laughed again. He leaned toward her, his dull eyes gleaming triumphantly.
“I knew it was you who was helping some of those girls I acquired over the years. Sending for your sister was the perfect way to draw you out. When she went missing, I knew I had you. I just had to bide my time.” He let out another scornful laugh. “You didn’t let me down, Gracie.”
Grace shook her head. “That was weeks ago. How did you know I’d be in Elk Lodge?”
A slow grin spread over his sallow face. “I have my ways,” he whispered. “When that reward money didn’t turn up anything, I went to another source.”
“What source?” Grace leaned on her crutch, as far away from Randall as possible. His grip on her arm tightened, but his fingers trembled noticeably.
“That priest who oversees the charity you and your sister were a part of is mighty appreciative of all the donations I send him.” He laughed again.
Grace’s eyes grew wide. Father Aldren had aided Harlan in his schemes?
“He let me know that someone in Elk Lodge recently asked to adopt that girl and the boy who also went missing. I knew that it could only be you, Gracie. I told the good preacher to wait for me to return to this town, and then approve the adoption. All I had to do was wait for you to show up.” His laughter turned into a coughing fit. He cleared his throat, and spat phlegm onto the wooden floor. “And here you are, my little Gracie.”
Grace turned away, and blinked back her tears of disbelief. Before she could say more, Harlan stopped at a back door to one of the businesses. From this side, there was no way to tell which business it was, but it quickly became apparent.
A thick cloud of smoke, men’s laughter, and the sour odor of whiskey filled the air. Harlan ushered her through the saloon, and up a flight of stairs. No one paid them any mind. He stumbled slightly along the top landing. Was he drunk? Perhaps there would be a chance for her to get away.
He stopped in front of the door at the end of the hall, and fumbled with a key. It took him several tries to get the door unlocked while the fingers of his free hand bit painfully into her arm. When he finally opened the door, he shoved her roughly inside. Grace stumbled, and lost her footing. Her crutch fell out of her hand, and landed with a clank on the wooden floor. She braced her fall against the foot of the bed. Wide-eyed, she stared up at Harlan Randall, whose watery, blood-shot eyes glared back at her.
“Don’t hurt Rose,” she pleaded, meeting Harlan’s gaze. His forehead wrinkled.
“Who?”
He took a couple of unsteady steps toward her. His hand trembled when he reached into his coat pocket, and produced a small flask, which he uncorked and held to his lips. Liquid dribbled down his chin. He grimaced when he swallowed, and his other hand clutched at his stomach.
“Leave my sister alone,” Grace said firmly through gritted teeth. She blinked back the tears in her eyes.
Harlan’s forehead scrunched, as if he couldn’t remember that Grace even had a sister. His eyes widened with sudden comprehension, and he laughed.
“She’s such a pretty thing,” he slurred. “But not as pretty as you were, Gracie.” He leaned down, and Grace scooted away from him. Her eyes darted to her crutch. Could she reach it? She hated having this man tower over her. Before she could react, he stepped between her and her crutch.
“You’ve always been my favorite,” he continued. “You looked so pretty, standing on that platform, and I knew I had to have you. Your leg didn’t bother me at all.” He smiled at her, but his eyes were unfocused, staring off into a distant memory.
Grace shook her head. “What are you talking about? You sold me off to other men.” Anger coursed through her at what he’d done to her.
Harlan’s hand began to tremble more violently, and he nearly dropped his flask.
“Don’t you think I wanted to have you for myself?” he spat. “I cared about you, Grace. I wanted you to care for me. You were supposed to be mine.”
Grace braced herself against the mattress, and struggled to stand. She pulled herself to her feet, holding on to the bedpost. She blinked, and shook her head. Anger coursed through her, replacing her fear.
“What the hell are you talking about, Harlan? You sold me to every man willing to pay for me. The only thing you cared about was how much money I could make for you,” she shouted.
“I picked you out myself, from all those girls,” he continued, as if she hadn’t even spoken. “I took you out of that life of being an orphan. No one else wanted you, with your crippled leg, but I did. And this is how you repay me? By running away and stealing other girls from me?”
She stared at him, her eyes wide. Harlan Randall looked like a crazed man. She hadn’t seen him in nearly four years, and even though he’d had a sallow look
to him at times even then, he was much worse now. She’d always assumed he’d been a heavy drinker. Not once had he ever talked the way he was talking now, implying that he’d cared for her.
“Don’t you understand, Gracie?” he pleaded. His face took on an almost remorseful look. “I couldn’t have you. Not with this… disease.”
His eyes turned cold, as if he’d suddenly come to a realization, and he glared at her triumphantly. “Perhaps that is the only way I can finally bind you to me,” he said, as if to himself.
He advanced on her, staggering slightly. His arm continued to twitch. Grace hopped on one foot to the corner of the room. Her lame leg throbbed painfully.
“No man wants a soiled woman,” he cackled. “No one, but I wanted you. I made sure all your customers were clean, so that you didn’t suffer from the same affliction that so many whores get.” His voice rose to a desperate shout. “The same affliction that’s killing me.”
Grace stared, wide-eyed. Comprehension dawned as to his condition. She’d seen it for herself, had heard other whores talk about it.
“You’re sick in the mind, Harlan. You need a doctor.”
He laughed. “It’s too late for me, Grace. I’m dying. I need you to forgive me before I die. I always loved you. You were such a pretty thing when I first saw you. I knew I had to have you, but I couldn’t claim you for myself. I didn’t want you getting sick, too.” He spoke as if he hadn’t already told her this a minute ago.
“Why did you send for Rose?” she demanded. She couldn’t feel sorry for this man. He’d brought this on himself.
Harlan laughed. “I told you. I knew that if I got your sister, it would bring you to me.”
Grace straightened. She faced the man squarely. “You were going to sell her off, just like you’ve done with all those other girls you ‘adopted.’”
Harlan reached out to stroke her face. She shrank away before his hand touched her. “But you were special, Grace. Don’t be mad at me. I just wanted you to love me.”
“You’re a sick, and despicable man, Harlan,” Grace shouted.
He grabbed her arm, and yanked her toward him, glaring at her. She pulled away, and he lost his grip. Beneath the suit, there wasn’t much left of the man she remembered. He’d lost a lot of weight, and his strength seemed to be failing him. He gave her a quick shove.
Grace’s knees buckled when she stepped onto her bad leg. She fell to the ground. Wide-eyed, she stared up at the man who pulled a pistol from his coat pocket, and pointed it at her. The weapon wobbled in front of her face, held tight in Harlan’s shaking hand. Grace stared at the barrel of the weapon, her pulse pounding at her temples.
“Since I’m dying, I’ll take you with me,” Harlan rasped. “Maybe a fresh start on the other side is what we both need.”
Grace squeezed her eyes shut.
“I’m sorry, Levi,” she whispered. She’d failed him. Pain ripped through her chest with the thought that he would be alone again. His worst fears would come true. At least he would have Rose and Andy, and wouldn’t be completely by himself. He’d take good care of them.
Harlan cocked the hammer. The soft click was drowned out by the sound of a door banging against the wall with a loud crack. Grace’s head shot up, and her eyes flew open. Legs clad in buckskin britches tore into the room. Her heart jumped for joy in her chest. Levi had found her.
He paused, and his eyes roamed the space in front of him. Anger such as she’d never seen before flashed in Levi’s eyes, turning his face feral and murderous. He barely looked at her, then lunged at Harlan, who’d wobbled and turned to face him.
Harlan weaved like a drunkard, and fired his pistol. The shot ricocheted off the wooden floor next to her. Grace screamed Levi’s name. She caught a glimpse of steel just before Harlan stumbled backward, the hilt of Levi’s knife sticking from his chest. With a loud thud, the man fell to the ground.
Not a second later, strong arms wrapped around her, lifting her off the ground.
“Grace.” Levi’s voice was laced with fear and worry.
“I’m all right,” she stammered, grabbing hold of his shoulder. Her hands trembled as much as Harlan’s had moments before.
“Andy and Rose told me you’d suddenly disappeared… Grace.” His voice cracked, and his words trailed off. He buried his face against her neck. Grace stroked her hand down his hair.
“I’m all right,” she said again, to convince him that it was true. “How did you find me?” Grace whispered, clinging to him. Levi held her close, his hand caressing her back, giving her comfort.
“Rose was frantic when she found me at the lumber mill. She told me that the last they’d seen you was after leaving the mercantile. Andy went looking for you, while Rose came to get me. She had a suspicion, rightly so, that Randall had found you.”
Levi’s arms tightened around her, nearly squeezing the air from her lungs. His body trembled against hers. “I was almost back at the mercantile, when Andy came running from behind the saloon. He said he’d seen you go through the back door with a man.” His voice dropped to a menacing tone. His breathing seemed almost labored. Clasping her face between his hands, he stared into her eyes.
“I’ve never wanted to kill anyone.” His words were laced with anger. “But I swore I’d protect you, no matter what.”
“You’re not responsible that he’s dead, Levi.”
Grace reached up to touch his cheek. There was no need for him to feel remorse or guilt for what he’d done. Levi’s forehead scrunched.
“Harlan Randall was already dying. I think you did him a favor, and saved him from an agonizing death.” She hastened a quick glance at the dead man at the ground, then averted her eyes.
“He wasn’t right in the head,” Grace explained. “Even when I knew him four years ago, he acted crazy and irrational at times. The disease must have progressed further. He didn’t have much time left.”
Levi stared into her eyes, his expression blank. “Disease?”
“The pox. Something all the whores worried about. I didn’t know that he had it.” She laughed bitterly. “I simply thought he was a madman.”
Levi gripped her tightly by the arms, renewed fear blazing in his eyes. Grace gave a short laugh.
“In his madness, he somehow cared for me. He told me he’d made sure I wouldn’t catch it. That’s why he never touched me.” She reached her hand up to his face, and offered a smile. “If I had caught it, I would have known years ago. I’m not afflicted, Levi. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“It’s over, then,” he murmured into her hair, drawing in a deep breath. He simply held her for several moments, and Grace leaned into his embrace.
“Rose and Andy’s adoption was approved. We’re a family now,” he finally said.
Grace wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “A family” she whispered, and laughed with joy, then sobbed.
“I’m ready to leave the past behind.” Levi kissed away her tears, and held her close.
Grace nodded, and smiled at her husband. “Take me home.”
She entwined her fingers behind his neck, leaning into his supportive embrace. In his arms, she was ready to face whatever the future held for them.
Epilogue
Two years later
Grace gazed toward the mountains in the distance, their silhouettes bathed in the golden glow of early evening. A cold breeze danced around her skirts, and strands of her hair tickled her cheeks. She wrapped her shawl around her shoulders, shivering slightly. Soon, it would be winter. One of the wooden porch boards creaked behind her, and she turned her head slightly. She smiled. In the next instant, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, drawing her back against a solid form.
“Is Maggie asleep?” she asked quietly.
Levi dipped his head forward. His lips brushed against her cheek, then lower, and a shiver of delight passed through her.
“Sound asleep, like a six-month-old baby should be,” he murmured, his breath tickling her n
eck. “And Rose has stopped crying that Sammy Willard called her flat-chested.” He chuckled.
Grace turned in his embrace, and wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck. She held back from laughing.
“How did you get her to stop crying?” she sniggered.
“I told her that boys only say mean things like that when they really like a girl, to get their attention.”
Grace tilted her head. She studied the smirk on Levi’s face. “You never said mean things to me to get my attention. In fact, you barely said anything to me at all when we first met.”
Levi bent forward, and kissed her. “That’s because you scared the hell out of me, and I didn’t have anyone to teach me how to act or what to say around a pretty girl.”
Grace leaned away from him. “So, you think now that it’s all right to tell Andy or the other young boys that they should say mean things if they want to get a girl’s attention?”
Levi laughed. “No, ma’am. I also told Rose that she shouldn’t be wasting her time crying over a boy who would say those kinds of things. And if Andy or any of the boys act disrespectful, she’s to tell you or me. I’ll make sure to set them all straight on how to treat a girl decent.”
“And there’s no one better at it than you,” Grace whispered.
She slipped out of his embrace, and gazed toward the mountains again. A movement by the newly-erected bunk house caught her attention. Tommy Wilkins slipped through the door. He glanced toward the house, and waved. Grace waved back, a smile on her face.
“He’s come a long way,” she said, tilting her head to the side. Levi’s hand rested against her waist.
“He’s learning a lot. Didn’t think he’d ever get the hang of squaring a piece of wood.”
“Another thing you’re good at teaching,” Grace murmured. “What you’re doing for those boys, helping them learn a trade so they can go out and find work is wonderful.”
Levi’s hand moved up and down Grace’s back. “No different than what you’ve done for those girls we brought back from Denver.”
In His Arms: Blemished Brides Book 3 Page 17