by Indiana Wake
It did not matter, he had to get there and if he died saving Susan then so be it.
***
Susan was almost finished cooking, and afraid of what would come after when she heard a cat meow. Thinking how strange it was that a cat would be in this area, she searched the darkness. Seeing no cat, she continued with her food. Again the cat meowed and Susan looked up, the cat continued and the sound guided her eyes to find the source of the noise. She looked deeper into the shadows and suddenly her eyes caught Lawton’s. Lawton’s eyes were staring back at her from right outside the camps borders, where the light did not touch.
A great sense of relief and joy bubbled through her. She wanted to laugh, wanted to cry even wanted to shout out. Lawton would save her, what’s more, he had come for her and everything would be alright she was sure of it. Keeping her face neutral, she gave him a slight nod. Then she turned away so that no one noticed her staring and went to investigate. The food was almost ready and all she needed to do was stir in the passion flower. Would there be enough? She did not know, but her plan banked on the herb putting her captives to sleep. It was an old remedy she had read about years ago. Too much and she would kill the men, not enough and they would wake. For a second she wondered what the large quantity of rum they had drunk would do when mixed with the herb. It did not matter and was in God’s hands now. Once she had laced the dinner with the herb, she set about serving.
She was nice to the men as she handed out the large portions. She didn’t even flinch when they passed snide comments about her.
Soon they were all eating and enjoying themselves immensely while Susan sat back and waited anxiously. Would it work? Would Lawton attack first? Would they all go home safely?
“What a good, honest dinner this is. I haven’t had me one of these in the longest while,” the leader called out as he ate.
Susan curtsied her thanks, playing up her part.
“Come sit with me, I rather like you, you fiery thing,” he continued.
Susan knew she must bide her time and feigning helplessness she went to sit by his side.
“Maybe I won’t have you after all,” he said, looking at her in an appreciative manner. “I think you’d make me a wonderful bride. Yes, I shall marry you, I shall,” he exclaimed. Then he yelled out to his men, “Listen here, ya mongrels. This here is to be my wife. So if anyone of you lay a finger on her, he’ll find himself in a grave faster than you can say ‘rustle,' ya hear me?”
Murmurs ran around the fire as their acceptance of his decree.
The leader was just introducing himself, telling Susan that his name was Richard when he began to yawn. Apologizing he tried to continue but another yawn took over him. The rest of the camp had begun to yawn too and the ones who had stuffed themselves with food started to doze off. Richard looked around the camp with droopy eyes at his men, who were rapidly falling to the floor, caught in a deep slumber. He turned toward Susan. “You tricked us!” he said.
But that was as far as he got before he too had fallen asleep just where he sat. Susan stood up cautiously the minute every last man was asleep and called out for Lawton. He came running into the camp and wrapped her up in his arms.
“I was so worried when I heard you were missing. Everyone is looking for you but I… Somehow I feared the worst. I have been hunting these men for some time now and thankfully knew where their camp was. I rushed over as soon as I could, Susan,” he said, pulling away to look her over and make sure she wasn’t hurt. Seeing that she was alright, he pulled her back into his arms. He hugged her again. “You are the most brilliant woman I have ever met but also the most stupid,” he whispered into her ear. “Why would you go out alone when you know it isn’t safe? If anything would have happened to you, Susan, I would not have been able to live with myself.” Pushing her away he looked down at her full of tenderness.
“I was looking for Cupcake,” she said.
Lawton laughed and pulled her back into his arms. His hands stroked her hair and held her close. To Susan, it felt like love, like the most wonderful thing she could imagine. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes. It may be love for her, but he could never love her back. He had made that abundantly clear. Gently she pushed him away.
“What did you do to these men?” he asked. “I was devising a plan to save you when I saw them all falling like bees from a hive after they’ve been smoked. What did you give them?”
Laughing at his look of bewilderment, she told him of her findings of the passion flower and how she had read about it back home. Impressed with what she had accomplished by herself, they both set about tying the men to their tents, trees and poles. Lawton helped Susan onto one of their horses. Just at that moment the moon came out from behind the clouds.
“You look amazing,” he said.
Susan wondered what he meant, was it a compliment? She was wearing a big green skirt that spread out over the horse’s flanks along with a white blouse.
“Is this yours?” he handed over her sun hat.
“I can never thank you enough for rescuing me,” Susan said feeling her cheeks crimson as she tried to work out if his words were a compliment.
“I would rescue you anytime,” he said as he climbed aboard Beauty. “I would give my life for you, but on this occasion I don’t think you needed much rescuing. Now it is closer to the sheriff’s office than the ranch. Are you up to a detour?”
Susan nodded and they rode off into the darkness. Soon they had told the sheriff where to find the rustlers and they finally headed home.
Chapter 13
When she reached home, everyone was buzzing around in a state of worry. The grid search had found nothing except Susan’s abandoned picnic. But as they saw her ride in with Lawton a cheer went up from the house. Ellie ran to the horse tears running down her face. Lawton pulled the horses to a halt and then lifted Susan down.
“She is fine,” he said, “a fine, brave and amazing woman. Let us get her inside and get her some hot soup.”
Ellie jumped on her sister and bawled her eyes out into her blouse. Susan could not believe how good it felt to be home and to be safe. She hugged Ellie close and whispered into her ear. “Shush I am home, I am safe.” Home she thought as she hugged Ellie. It really did feel like home and she remembered the feeling of her head on Lawton’s chest earlier. No, she shook her head. That road only led to sorrow.
As she consoled her sister, Lawton told his father, brother and Aunt, all that had happened. What he didn’t tell them was that he had never felt so afraid for someone since his mother and that he did not want her to go with all his heart.
Aunt Sandra insisted that Susan needed rest and prying off Ellie sent her to bed and told her she would bring up some hot chicken broth. Susan tiredly climbed the stairs to her bed. When she opened her door, a surprise waited for her. Cupcake stood there wagging her tail. Giving a shriek of happiness Susan hugged the dog.
Lawton came into the room just then, with a light knock at the door. He entered and put down a tray of soup. Taking Susan’s hand, he sat down on the bed.
He looked at her with worry and wonderment and his stare was making Susan blush.
He cleared his throat. “Susan,” he said. “Today was the worst day of my life. I feared that I would never see you again, never get to tell you…. When I saw all those men surrounding you, I wanted to murder every one of them. When that foul man announced that he would make you his wife… as if you were some possession he could just lay claim to, I wanted to rip out his spleen. I cannot lose you, Susan. You cannot leave, I beg you not to.”
“I must Lawton, it is inappropriate for me to stay on here any longer. I am grateful for your concern and more grateful than I can say for you coming to save me, but as I demonstrated today I can take care of myself,” Susan replied.
“You don’t understand, Susan. I cannot lose you. I thought those men would do to you what was done to my mother. I would not see that done to anyone, but to you… How can I explain? I don’t know h
ow or when but I realized a little while back that I have fallen in love with you. You make me a better man, Susan and you know when to put me in my place. You’re free-spirited, kind and generous and more beautiful than I could ever imagine. Before you came into my life, I was a cynical, egotistical man but you have changed me for the better. I love you and to not have you in my life is a pain worse than I can bear. Please, I beg you, do not leave me. Do not put me through such pain.” He grabbed her hands as he said all this and looked at her with all his love and emotions out there for her to see.
Susan felt her heart thumping loudly, her blood rushing and her skin singing with joy. Somewhere along the way she too had fallen in love with him and a life without him in it just seemed barren. She put a hand on his cheek and said in a kind, gentle voice, “I too have fallen in love with you, Lawton. I have always respected you, even when you were difficult. I saw strength in you that spoke to me. How or when that respect turned to love, I cannot say but I do know that my love for you is true. I cannot imagine anything better than to know that you too love me as I love you.” Her eyes glistened as she expressed her sentiments. She was smiling for she had never been happier in life. But then she remembered his words and the smile fell from her face.
“What is it, my Love? Lawton asked.
The words ran through her mind. The words Lawton had said about her. ‘She is a fat, plain old thing and I shall die of shame introducing her to any of my friends.’ Right now she wanted to forget those words to pretend she had never heard them, but if she did they would haunt her future. “I heard you talking to Jarrett, a long time ago. The things you said hurt me deeply.”
Lawton dropped his head and shame flooded his face. “I know the conversation you are talking of. I never meant those words. I was angry at my father for forcing me to change. I was angry at Jarrett for falling in love and worried about the ranch. I knew that you were too good for me and that you would never consider me and so I said those things as a form of protection. I never meant them. I have always thought you beautiful, always thought you were too good for me. Today I found out I cannot live without you. Can you ever forgive me?”
“I forgive you.”
Lawton dropped to one knee before her. “My dear Susan, will you please make me the happiest man alive and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Wiping away tears of joy, she smiled at him and replied, “Yes, from this day to the end of days, I promise to always and forever be your wife.”
He stood up and pulled her into his arms. “I love you,” he said. “You are my joy and my sunshine.”
Susan felt his lips against hers. The kiss was electrifying and it shook her entire body with a current so strong that if Lawton hadn’t been holding her, she would’ve melted to the ground. As she kissed him, she couldn’t help but send a silent prayer of thanks for this amazing man. Pulling back, she said, “I love you too.”
Then he pulled her back for another long, bone shattering, heart stopping kiss.
Epilogue
Susan and Lawton were married in the same small church as her sister. Once again the church was decked out with flowers but this time there was an extra guest. It seemed only right that Cupcake who had been found on the ride back from her sister’s wedding should attend this one. After all without the injured dog she would have left the house earlier. As she thought about that, a shiver ran down her back.
Ellie had made Cupcake a lace coat to match the wedding dress and was threading flowers into her collar. “Are you dreaming about that lovely man again,” Ellie asked.
“About what a perfect plan God had for us,” Susan replied. “I am so happy sister; I have everything I ever wanted.”
“Me too, now come on or you will be late.”
Mr. Foster Treherne was waiting with the carriage along with Jarrett. Armed Ranch hands were all around them on horseback. It was obvious that Lawton was not taking any risks.
“I thought the rustlers were all caught,” Susan said.
“Yes, thanks to you they were, but that man of yours wanted to take no chances especially when he is not here,” Jarrett said.
The ride to the church was pleasant. Ellie was constantly talking and Susan found herself dreaming of Lawton’s soulful eyes. Dreaming of his strong arms and dreaming of their life together.
When they arrived, there was quite a crowd gathered around the small church. Ellie and Susan said hello to friends who had helped out with the wedding and then it was time.
Everyone was seated and Susan felt her heart ready to burst with joy.
“Take my arm,” Foster Treherne said. “Today you make me a very happy man.”
Together they walked down the aisle to the man she loved. Her heart beat so fast and so loud it was like walking to the beat of a drum. And then Lawton turned to her and she felt her heart overflow with love. This handsome, brave and wonderful man was to be her husband and she was more blessed than she could count.
The Pastor said his words and they said their vows. Lawton put a beautiful gold band on her finger and then he kissed her. As her knees trembled, he held her gently and then smiled down at her. “Mrs. Treherne,” he said. “I do believe I love you.”
“As I you Mr. Treherne,” she replied. For a second she thought back to Aunt Mellissa and sent her thanks. Without her meanness, she would never have ended up here. She would never have become Mrs. Lawton Treherne a Big Beautiful Mail Order Bride.
The End.
The Scarred Bride and the Handsome Rancher
The Big Beautiful Mail Order Brides of Montana
Book 3 - Emily
Belle Fiffer & Indiana Wake
©Copyright 2015 Belle Fiffer & Indiana Wake
All Rights Reserved.
Prologue
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The wind was howling behind her like some great beast snarling at her heels. In front, the darkness was all consuming but Emily could not stop and she raced through the forest. A tree branch whipped at her face and she clawed it away, her stomach filled with primal dread. Should she stop? Pausing for just a second her breath was loud in her ears but her pursuers were louder. They were close behind her now. Chasing her as one would chase an animal, hunting her down with relentless fury. Another branch caught her face and she tried to duck, running as fast as she could, but the men were faster. Their dogs were excellent trackers and now that they had locked down her scent. It was only a matter of time before she was caught.
The darkness was less dense ahead and she surged forward, encouraged by the glimmer of hope that was merely moonlight. As she stepped out of the trees, a great noise assaulted her. A river roared angrily towards a waterfall and she felt the splash of spray cool on her skin. But hope died as she saw the river. It was wide, fast and impassable. The water dropping forty feed into a swirling pool below. She was trapped and her pursuers were almost upon her. The baying of the hounds was clear against the sound of the water.
What could she do? Tentatively she stepped back towards the trees, but shapes were coalescing in the dark. Red eyes showed the dogs were upon her. If she was to do anything, now was the time. Sending a quick prayer to the Lord above to help her stay alive and escape them, Emily looked down. It was too far. Would she even survive?
As the hounds cleared the trees, their eyes hungry, their sharp teeth covered in saliva she knew she had no choice. Taking a deep breath she jumped. The wind hit her and spray soaked her skin. It was strangely elating as she fell through the air. No matter what happened now they would not catch her. One way or the other she was free. During the fall all her problems were forgotten and for just a second she soared like a bird. But then, she landed. The water was hard and shocked the breath from her body.
Just as water closed over her head, she heard the dogs reach the edge. Their barking was clear above the water and the men were shouting. Down and down she went all the while running out of breath. Kicking for the surface her lungs ached but she didn’t dare lift her head out of the water. Wha
t if they followed her? Instead, she swam beneath the surface towards the waterfall. Her long skirts were heavy and pulled against her legs. They seemed to want to drag her down and she kicked against them as panic raged in her chest. Clawing forward inch by inch through the angry water she felt her lungs almost burst. Her mouth wanted to open, but she must not let it, so she bit down on her cheek and struck forward towards the waterfall. Even at this depth she felt its force on her back and it was glorious for it was safety. Then she was behind it and she kicked upwards. Everything was going black, closing in and she wondered if she was drowning. Her arms and legs ached and grew weaker. How far was it to the surface?
Then she broke free and gasped a desperate breath. It was full of spray, but delicious all the same. Clinging to the wet rock at the base of the fall she let her body suck in much-needed air. Gradually her breathing slowed, gradually the ache in her lungs dulled and she knew she was safe.
Hanging on for just a moment longer she sent a prayer of thanks while her arms and legs rested. After what seemed like forever she let go of her perch and ducked under the waterfall. Then she swam to shore. Dawn was just breaking over the horizon and the beauty of the pink and blue sky gave her hope. She still had a long way to go, before she would even begin to feel safe, but she had survived the night and today was a new day. A hand reached subconsciously to the scar on her left cheek, but she pulled it away and kept moving.