Seth's Promise (Grooms With Honor Book 6)

by Linda K. Hubalek

  “I told you those were gifts, you don’t have to pay me back,” Seth shook his head and wished he could shake some sense into Lily. Where was the woman who talked and laughed with him for hours during their first days together? Seth hadn’t heard her sing to the animals since Saturday either—and she was ignoring her mare, too.

  “Are you unhappy here, Lily?” He hoped by asking her point blank, they’d talk about what was bothering her.

  “No...Yes…I can’t get attached to anything here because it’s not permanent. It was a marriage of convenience, and it’s time I move on, so I’m not a burden to you.”

  “I don’t feel that way at all Lily. In fact, I’d like to talk to you about changing our arrangement into a real marriage,” Seth said as he reached across the table, wanting to hold her hand.

  Someone pounding on the front door made Seth pause in what he had planned to say next.

  “Reagan! You in there? I need help!”

  Seth quickly stepped to the door to open it for his neighbor, Gerald Squires.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Betty’s having problems with her birthing, so her ma said to get Doctor Pansy! Can you go to town for me, so I can get back to Betty?”

  “Of course! Head back home, and I’ll go get my sister-in-law,” Seth said as he shut the door behind his neighbor and headed toward the back door. He stuck his stocking feet in his boots, which were sitting by the back door, then grabbed his coat off the hook on the rear wall.

  “We’ll finish this conversation when I get back,” Seth pointed to Lily before opening the door. “You all right here by yourself while I’m gone?”

  “Of course. Help your neighbor.”

  Seth hesitated only a second before stepping back into the kitchen to embrace Lily in a hug and give her a soft kiss. “I’m ready to commit to our marriage, Lily, but you have to weigh what’s best for you, too. We’ll talk this out when I get home.” It was hard to leave Lily when they were about to discuss their future together, but his neighbors needed immediate help.

  ***

  Lily watched out the window until the lantern light went out in the barn. It wasn’t quite dark yet, so she could still see Seth and the horse walk out the barn door. A few seconds later, Seth was in the saddle, and they were loping down the lane.

  Five miles to town and five back to get Doctor Pansy, who hopefully wasn’t attending another patient out of town already. Even though Seth’s return trip would be in the dark and the horse would have to travel slower, he should be back within two hours.

  Lily closed her eyes and touched her lips, remembering Seth’s strong arms around her back and his loving kiss.

  I’m ready to commit to our marriage, Lily…

  Lily would watch the clock until he returned because she wanted a real marriage, too. She loved Seth, the ranch, his family…everything in Kansas and couldn’t wait to tell him she wanted to be his partner in life.

  A knock on the front door startled Lily, and she glanced at the mantel clock. It had only been twenty minutes since Seth left. Was the neighbor back?

  Thinking it was Squires, she opened the door but was surprised who she saw in the table lamp’s shadows.

  “Hello, Mrs. Reagan. We met you on the train last week going to Kansas City. Remember talking to us? Mr. Aldrin and Mr. Humphrey. We said we’d stop by sometime to visit.”

  She remembered their faces but felt uncomfortable inviting them in without Seth home. “Gentleman, we can’t show you the ranch and stock at night. Please come back tomorrow morning when it’s light outside.” Lily started to shut the door, but Aldrin put his palm up to stop its closure.

  “Mrs. Reagan, aren’t you going to invite us in for some refreshments after we traveled all the way out here?” The man stepped into the house causing her to walk back, so she didn’t fall over. Why are they forcing their way in here?

  “No, it’s late, and we’re about to go to bed. Seth…had a long day, and so you need to leave,” Lily tried to keep her voice calm, but it wasn’t working.

  “I believe that was Mr. Reagan riding out not long ago, so that isn’t true, is it?” He stepped closer, causing her to bump into the chair by the fireplace.

  Chills ran down Lily’s spine as panic quickly spread to her limbs. She was cornered and alone, and no weapon within reach, not that it would help with two men in the house.

  “Why are you here?” Lily demanded, trying to keep her voice clear.

  “Mr. Hardesty would like you to come back to the Emporium, so we’re here to escort you safely back to Chicago,” the man shrugged as if it was a simple request.

  “No! I’m married! You can’t make me go with you! I never want to see or talk to Hardesty ever again so you can tell him to leave me alone!” Lily screamed in his face.

  “It would be unfortunate if Mr. Reagan came home to see his house—and barn—on fire, especially with all those prize horses locked inside,” the man said in a mocking voice.

  “Why is Hardesty doing this? He got me to Chicago under false pretenses. Why did he send you all the way out here to kidnap me?” Lily screamed, furious with the maniac who wouldn’t leave her alone.

  Aldrin smiled. “He likes your looks and voice, and wants you back, simple as that. Now you have a choice, Mrs. Reagan. You can enjoy a nice trip back to Chicago with us, or watch every building on this ranch burn,” his eyes gleamed like he’d love to strike a match to everything just to see the little sparks turn into raging infernos.

  Lily lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut. She had no choice but to go with them and hope she could get away from them later.

  She lifted her chin and stared at the cruel man. “May I get my coat and hat?” Lily asked sarcastically. “If I must go back to Chicago, I’d like to be warm and comfortable at least,” she added.

  “We’ll take everything of yours, so it looks like you left on purpose, including the little mare he bought you. In fact, the horse is already saddled and ready to ride. Why don’t we sit down for a minute while Mr. Humphrey gathers your things around the house? I’m sure it won’t take but a few minutes since you haven’t lived here more than a few days,” Aldrin waved his hand toward the settee, meaning she was to sit down.

  “Seth will come after me! I’m his wife!”

  “He gave you a marriage of convenience, which I’m sure he’s regretted offering because of the money and hassle you’ve caused him.”

  Lily squirmed in her seat, knowing she had thought that, too, until Seth’s confession right before he left.

  Humphrey trotted down the steps, with her carpet bag and reticule in his hand. “I got everything. It was all upstairs, so she wasn’t sharing Reagan’s bedroom. Nice cat you got up there. Purred the whole time I packed your things.”

  The dogs! They always barked when strangers came around. Lily shot a look at Aldrin, and he knew she was thinking about the dogs now.

  “The dogs are taking a little nap. Guess those hunks of meat upset their tummies,” Aldrin grinned.

  “How long have you been watching us? You knew when Seth left and was ready to break in as soon as he did.”

  “There are some nice caves in these hills where we can watch a long way with a spyglass. I’d have preferred a hotel bed over a bedroll while we watched this place, but the pay we’ll get to deliver you was worth a few cold nights. Be grateful we didn’t come down here when Reagan was around. He might have gotten hurt.”

  “Now, I’ll be polite and ask if you need to use the chamber pot before we leave? I’m not going to let you go to the outhouse by yourself. It’ll be some hours before you get off your horse again, Mrs. Reagan.”

  Chapter 16

  It was almost eleven o’clock by the time Seth rode his gelding into the barn. It took over an hour to find his sister-in-law, who was making evening house calls. Then Seth decided he should accompany Doctor Pansy to the Squires place, just in case they needed more help. Luckily, Betty Squires had delivered their child with the help of her
mother and Gerald, so he and Doctor Pansy found a happy addition to the family instead of a tragedy.

  The house was dark when he entered the back door. He thought Lily would leave a lamp burning low on the kitchen table to guide his way. But it sat cold when he felt around for the lamp and lit a match to it. Seth was hoping Lily was waiting up for him or at least sleeping on the settee when he got into the house, but she must have gone to bed.

  He was hoping she decided to commit to their marriage and would be sleeping in his bed, but she wasn’t there. There was no use waking her this late to talk, so Seth changed into his nightshirt and crawled into his bed. At least the cat had warmed the bed for him.

  After waiting past the usual time, Seth finally decided to put hay out for the horses in the barn since Lily hadn’t come downstairs yet. She wasn’t one to sleep late, but maybe she had stayed up late last night waiting for him and had fallen back asleep.

  Lily’s horse, Britta wasn’t in her stall. Did Lily take her out for an early morning run? She hadn’t done that before. Seth walked to the tack room and looked at the row of saddles. One saddle was missing, but not the one Lily used on Britta. He’d have to check the saddle over to be sure there wasn’t something wrong with it since she had used a different one.

  After chores, he went in the house and made his own breakfast, expecting her to ride in at any time. Daisy hadn’t been milked yet, so he was surprised Lily was out this long.

  He thought Wally would have gone with her, but the dogs were quietly sleeping in the barn.

  An hour passed, and Seth was worried that something had happened to her or the horse and she was unable to return home. He saddled his horse again and looked for tracks to follow, but there weren’t any. Why? It had rained a good hour early this morning making slippery mud, so hoof prints should have been visible.

  Fear crept up Seth’s spine as he ran to the house. He didn’t bother taking off his muddy boots to take the stairs two at a time. Her bedroom door was open, and a quick look around the room showed it was empty. No brush on the washstand. No clothes on the hooks on the south wall. It looked like she had never been in the room!

  Lily must have left last evening after he took off for the town. That’s why there were no prints to follow and why Manurva was in bed with him last night.

  Why did she go? Because she didn’t want to be married to me?

  Where did she go? Did she ride into town, spend the night somewhere, planning to take the train to Lindsborg? Did she sell her horse to get money to get away from him?

  Seth’s chest crushed with pain. He’d found the woman he loved and wanted to be with forever, but apparently, she didn’t want him as her husband.

  ***

  Lily didn’t cause any trouble leaving the ranch or riding the two hours east to Brookville last night. She wanted the Straight Arrow homestead and the livestock to be safe when Seth returned home last night.

  Lily wondered what time Seth had returned, and if he went looking for her. She guessed he’d go to Clear Creek first, thinking she’d take the train to Lindsborg this morning.

  But what if Seth decided she left because she didn’t want to be married to him, and he wasn’t looking for her? Then Lily was indeed on her own to get away from these men. But then what? Hardesty was crazy enough to send someone to Kansas to bring her back to Chicago. He’d do it again if she got away from these kidnappers.

  They checked into the Brookville Hotel late that evening as Mr. and Mrs. Aldrin, with Humphrey registered in another room. But both men stayed in the room with her, taking turns sleeping in front of the door, or sitting in the room chair awake to watch Lily, so she didn’t try to escape. Lily claimed the bed intending to get some sleep because she had to be alert for whatever came next. She decided they wouldn’t hurt her because she was being delivered to Hardesty, so it was best to get as much rest as she could to keep up her strength.

  But Lily’s mind turned over every possible scenario to get away and back to Seth, both on the ride to Brookville and most of the night as she lay there staring at the ceiling.

  She’d left one clue at the Brookville livery stable, hoping someone had found it and figured out what it meant. The men rented the horses from there to ride to the ranch, and they returned them. They also talked the livery owner into buying Britta and her saddle at a ridiculously low price. While they were talking, Lily needed her handkerchief because she was upset having to leave Britta. When she dug her handkerchief out of her reticule, she pulled out her twenty-dollar bill, too. She stuffed the money up her sleeve, then dropped her reticule beside the wall inside the barn where she stood waiting. It was dark, and her reticule was black in color, so they didn’t see her drop it. Her identification papers were in her reticule, so hopefully, someone might try to find the owner when it was discovered.

  They boarded the first-morning train going east and were already past Abilene. Lily ate a hearty breakfast in the dining car with the men but otherwise snubbed them. She was not going to act like a friendly wife out on an excursion. Lily thought about screaming for help but worried it might backfire with the men hurting her, or other passengers instead.

  Before they left the hotel this morning, Lily had asked Aldrin what it would take for Hardesty to leave her alone, and his answer was “your death.” And Lily had been plotting her “death” ever since because she was not going back to the saloon.

  ***

  Seth slammed through the door of Marshal Wilerson’s office because he needed help. Lily hadn’t gone to his parent’s or brothers’ homes, and she didn’t check into the Paulson Hotel. The livery hadn’t seen Lily’s horse, and Angus didn’t sell a train ticket to Lily either.

  No! Adam isn’t here! Seth whirled around to run out the door, and slammed into the marshal’s chest, nearly knocking them both down. “Slow down Seth, what’s the rush?”

  “Have you seen Lily? She left last night while I was gone to get Doctor Pansy for Mrs. Squires. I’ve asked all over town, and no one’s seen her, last night or this morning.” Seth paced the room, not able to sit down, while the marshal walked around his desk to sit.

  “Lily’s missing? Then I might have a clue for you, Seth. Got a telegram from the Brookville marshal while on rounds this morning,” the marshal said as he handed the telegram to Seth.

  Believe stolen horse with Straight Arrow saddle sold to livery last night. Rode by woman, with two men. Found RETICULE, name LinDdotter.

  Seth reread the telegram, trying to make sense of it. Who were the two men and why was she with them?

  “That’s Lily’s maiden name, so she was in Brookville last night. If they turned in horses, they could still be in town, or maybe they left on the morning train that goes east.”

  “Why would she be going east, and with two men?” Adam narrowed his eyes as he quizzed Seth.

  “Oh no…Hardesty’s after her again,” Seth rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. “Why is the man obsessed with her?”

  He hadn’t told anyone besides his family how he and Lily met and got together, but now Seth filled Adam in on the whole story, hoping he could figure out how to help Lily.

  “We can telegram ahead to towns they’ll be passing through and try to get a marshal on the train to arrest the men, or we might have to wait and have the Chicago police arrest the men at the depot or saloon.”

  “That’s not going to happen because the police, at least in that part of Chicago, is on Hardesty’s payroll. That’s why neither one of us could get any help while we were there!”

  Seth put a hand on his chest, trying to get his heartbeat to slow and air into his lungs. He had to calm down and think. What would Lily try to do to get away from the men, and from Hardesty?

  ***

  She’d gone to the washroom, but Aldrin stood at the door and escorted her back to her seat. She checked the window in there, but she’d never survive trying to tumble out of the window while the train was moving. She’d get run over by the rest of the train, or break bo
nes hitting the frozen ground. And if she tried while they were stopped at a town, she’d be caught before she made it to the depot.

  What a pickle she was in. All she wanted when she answered the mail-order bride advertisement, was a kind husband and a decent home.

  Lily looked out the window, watching the scenery as they passed. There wasn’t any snow covering the ground here in Kansas. It looked like last night’s rain in Ellsworth County didn’t fall past Salina. Lily thought again of jumping out a window or to the train platform if she could get between the train cars.

  Hmm…how could she get herself taken off the train? Well…singing got her into this mess, to begin with, …maybe it could help her get out of it. Maybe the conductor would escort her off the train at the next stop if she offended the passengers. The randy tune she had to sing at the Emporium came to mind, but first, maybe a few religious songs to captivate the audience.

  When the train left Abilene, Lily softly started singing “Amazing grace—how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.”

  By the third hymn, she was standing in the aisle giving the best performance of her life. Even Aldrin and Humphrey were listening to her impromptu concert. The next long stop was Junction City, and one way or another, she was going to be off this train. Should she use the randy song or make a quick plea to the audience for help before Aldrin got his hand over her mouth? Which one would get the sheriff on the train the fastest, and not get anyone hurt?

  “I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love…” Lily finished the refrain as the train started slowing.

  Lily nodded and looked around the car. “Thank you so much for listening to my hymns of praise. Now I ask something from you…I’ve been kidnaped by these two men! Please, somebody, hold them down so I…” In one quick motion, Aldrin grabbed Lily, twisted her back to his front and put his hand over her mouth. He dragged her back down the aisle while holding his pocket pistol to her head.

  Women screamed and pushed their children’s heads down below the seats. Several men pulled their revolvers and pointed them at either Humphrey or Aldrin. Lily closed her eyes and slumped forward in Aldrin's arms, hoping someone would have a clear shot at him, instead of her being hit.