by Indiana Wake
Round and round the tent she went. There was not much room and the heat was stifling. As she walked, she realized the tent was like a wall tent from the war. One used for a hospital or for officers, but that did not help. Whenever she peeped beneath the canvas, a guard was waiting. There was to be no escape.
Sitting down her thoughts turned to Christen, and soon she was having feelings that she didn’t expect. Though she knew him hardly a day, there was something so sincere about him that it drew her towards him. He may be mixed up with vagabonds, but if what he said were true… these were not bad people. Something about Christen made her believe his heart was pure and that he had nothing but good intentions. Sabrina wanted to help him. Wanted to read and find out what needed doing, together they could solve the problem. They could clean up the water and maybe make the townspeople better. So far she had told him to boil the water and the food and to make sure that the sick drank plenty. Was that all they would need?
Sadness came over her. It was not. Somehow the town’s water supply must be contaminated and that would have to be found and treated. Many of the sick would need a doctor and this all took manpower and money. They had to get out of here quickly and talk to Forrest. Maybe they could agree on something.
“I need to talk to Christen,” she shouted.
“I will fetch him, Miss,” the guard said.
As she waited, she paced and thought about this man. It was important to have the measure of him, so what did she know? His eyes held such warmth that she felt herself melting in their glow. He was strong-willed, but he was also open to discussion and capable of listening to reason. He had an aura about him that commanded the attention and respect of others and pulled her in. She couldn't help but feel herself light up when she talked to him.
What was wrong with her? And what did it mean that she was having these reactions to a man she had barely met and didn't know. No, she must clear her head, for thoughts like these were unsuited for a woman of good breeding. She shrugged off all her confusing feelings and carried on with her pacing. She needed to focus on convincing Christen to talk to Forrest or to finding a way to escape, or to send word to her sisters.
Before long Christen came to see her. Sabrina's heart grew lighter as soon as she saw him and she smiled. Christen looked at her and it seemed as if a great weight had been lifted from his chest. He entered and came to sit across from her.
"I have implemented many of the things we talked about… Some of the sick are improving already. I cannot thank you enough… but I ask that you are patient with me just a little longer. I am about to take a letter to Forrest Caloway. I will inform him that you are perfectly safe, and also the amount I need to release you back into their care."
"So, it's final then? You're not going to change your mind and forget about this ridiculous idea?"
"It has already been done. This way Forrest and the authorities will believe that it was only me who kidnaped you. I will be punished, and no one else will be harmed. It is the only way I can think of to save my town.” Christen said, trying to lighten the mood.
“I cannot let you do that,” Sabrina said and a fear so great it stopped her heart came over her. It landed like a huge weight on her shoulder and knocked her to the floor. “You will hang and… you told me you had nothing to do with it. Did you lie?” For some reason, the answer to that question mattered more than she could say.
“I did not lie to you… but I have no family. The men who did this have. Their loved ones are ill, some dead and they need them safe. If I do this… then they get the money and you are unhurt and the town will be saved.”
“We can do this a better way,” she pleaded.
“No,” he said. “Now I am your captor and we will do this my way.”
Sabrina was disappointed. She had thought that being a gentleman, he would have eventually done the right thing, but it seemed that she was wrong. Now, she couldn't wait to leave this place and be as far away from him and this nightmare as possible. Any feelings she might have had for him were surely a mistake.
Christen could not bear the look of disappointment on Sabrina's face. In the little time he had spent with her, he had come to care for her dearly. He had thought his way was right and that he was doing what was best but something that felt so wrong, and caused her so much hurt, wasn't worth it.
When she smiled at him this morning, he had felt like the luckiest man alive. Now, he was the reason for the disappointment on her face and he didn't think he could take it. So right there and then he decided that he couldn't go through with this plan after all. It wasn't right and if Sabrina said that Forrest would listen to reason, then he trusted her.
Gently his hand cupped her chin and turned her face towards him.
Sabrina raised her eyes and looked deep into his.
"Never mind the letter and the kidnapping,” he said. “If you say that talking to Forrest will work, then I will trust you. Let's go talk to him and see if he will help us."
The brightest smile donned Sabrina's face and she leaped at him, hugging him tightly. She bounced with excitement. "Oh, thank you, thank you so much. You won't regret it, I promise. Forrest will help your town and everything will work out. Thank you."
"No, thank you. If it weren't for you… I would've done something that my morals would never have allowed me to forget. I was only doing it out of desperation and if there is a better way, then I want to try it. Let's go."
Then Sabrina froze. “But someone will have to pay, What about the mean man the one who hurt me?”
Christen’s face crumpled and moisture filled his eyes. “That was Coe Partch. His children had died before he took you. Twin girls, as bonny, as the day is long. His wife died last night,” his voices shook just a little as he continued. “Coe, felt that he had nothing left. They found him hanging in his barn this morning. This letter pinned to his shirt.” He pulled a crumpled note from his pocket.
I’s sorry.
Tell the Miss I never meant to ‘urt her.
Thar’ is nothin’ left for me.
I ‘ope the town survives and that God will forgive me.
My sweet girls, my lovely Betty I’m comin’ to you.
Coe.
Sabrina felt tears flood her eyes as she read the letter again. What he had felt was beyond her imagining, and right then she wanted to tell him she was sorry. Tears filled her eyes and she whispered a prayer for his soul and that of his family.
Looking up through a film of moisture she saw a strong man. One who was big enough to take the blame for a terrible tragedy? She had never found anyone as amazing and worthy of respect as she found him at that moment.
Christen stared at her long and deep, thanking the Lord for sending an angel like her into his life. This amazing woman had prevented him from making a mistake that would've haunted him forever and blackened his soul. He wanted to commit her face to memory, so that in the dark times ahead he would have a shining light. No matter what time he had left, this moment he would not exchange for the world.
“It is time to go,” he said and taking her hand he led her outside to take her back home.
A calloused hand took hers and yet it felt as light and gentle as a feather. It filled her with hope and warmth and something she could not put her finger on. With that touch, she wanted to stay there forever. Wanted to work with him to improve the town and help the people, but what would happen when they got back? Would he be taken into custody? “What about the other men who did this?” she asked as fear rose in her throat like last night’s supper.
“They are all good men, much more needed than I am. So as you can see,” Christen said. “The only one left to take the blame is me.”
Chapter 15
By the time they reached the Caloway Ranch, the sun had been set an hour. They knocked and were shown inside to Forrest's den, where Cassandra and Amanda sat crying. Edson paced the room and Forrest was consoling his new bride. Sabrina rushed into the room and hugged her sisters. They jumped u
p in happiness and pulled her into the loving warmth of their arms.
"Oh, all praise be to the Lord. You are home, how are you home?” Cassandra asked.
“We did not know what happened to you,” Amanda said as she hugged her tight. “Forrest and Edson have been searching and men are still out there. Where have you been? How are you home? What happened?”
"Shh, Cassie, Amanda it's all right. Sit and we will explain everything."
"Who is we?" Cassandra asked, letting go of her and looking across the room at Christen. Forrest too was looking at him, his eyes full of distrust.
Sabrina took Christen's hand and brought him into the center of the room. This gesture was not lost on the family. Blushing at her audacity, Sabrina motioned toward Christen. "This is Christen Wright. He saved me from a kidnapper and he needs our help.”
"Saved you, kidnaped, what do you mean?" Forrest said, furiously, taking a step towards Christen. Christen stood his ground but Sabrina squeezed his hand and he relaxed a bit.
"Let us explain. He is from Bear’s Bluff."
"Aha, now it all makes sense,” he said and he backed away and tried to usher the ladies out of the room.
"It's not what you think," Sabrina reassured. "The town has been hit with a Cholera epidemic and they don't have the means to cure their folk.”
“Ladies outta here now,” Forrest said.
“You don’t need to do that,” Sabrina calmed. “Cholera is in the water, you cannot catch it from a person.”
The whole room relaxed, the men's fists unclenched and Sabrina had to look down to hide her joy. These people loved her so much, but she had others to help and if she were not quick Christen would do something very wrong. “People are dying due to lack of medicine and clean water,” Sabrina continued. “Because of this… a man named Coe Partch took me, hostage. He was hoping to trade me for medicines, to save his family.”
“Where is he,” Edson shouted. “When I get my hands on him he will…”
“He is dead,” Sabrina said. “He hung himself after his family died. What he did was wrong, but he was only doing it to save these people, he was not evil."
Forrest turned to Christen, his eyes softening. "And this man?”
“Christen rescued me and kept me safe, I owe him my life.”
An audible sigh went up around the room and Sabrina was engulfed in lavender fragranced hugs that told her she was really home.
“Tell us everything and we will see what we can do,” Forrest said. “That is if you are sure this cholera, isn't contagious?”
“No, it is from contaminated water and food. I read about it in the library,” Sabrina reassured.
With that, a laugh fluttered around the room. It was fragile, like a butterfly on the wind, but it was a start. The family sat down and Christen and Sabrina explained. In her tale, Christen was a hero. She left out the fact that he waited a day and a half before he turned her free. That knowledge would help no one, and she wondered what she would have done in his place. As they finished the room was silent, everyone thinking how they would react if they had been put in that situation, worrying about those they loved most.
“What they need now is clean water, medicine, and manpower to make sure this never happens again,” Sabrina said as they finished.
“You should've just asked,” Forrest said. “I would've been happy to help. No one would stand by as other people died."
Christen just stared at Forrest, flabbergasted. “But… but the feud,” he said.
“Ancient history and maybe we can be the example that finally puts it to rest. First we eat and you can tell me exactly what you need.
As they ate, Christen turned to Sabrina and whispered, "You were right, Thank you. I cannot thank you enough for not turning me in.”
“You did save me,” Sabrina said. “Coe was angry and grieving, who knows what he would have done.”
“I just wished I had found out earlier. That I could have stopped it ever happening to you.”
“I don’t,” Sabrina said, “and I want to help.”
Late into the night they talked, working out what was needed and what would be done. Amanda and Cassandra finally got Sabrina on her own. They checked her over and hugged her some more and then let her have a long hot bath. Afterward, they sat her down.
“Were you hurt?” Amanda asked.
“No, not really,” Sabrina replied.
Her sisters looked at her wrists and a mark on her cheek where she had been slapped. “And these?”
“Coe was angry. I wanted him punished until I heard what happened. Then I just wished that I could have helped him.” Sabrina stopped and looked at her sisters. They understood her, knew why she wanted to help, but it was so good to be home. Tears started to fall and she was engulfed in their loving arms.
“It is all right,” Cassie whispered.
“You are safe now,” Amanda said. “Safe and we will never let you out of our sight again.”
For a few minutes longer Sabrina cried. It was partly out of relief and fear and partly because she could not save the people who had already died. “I want to help them,” she finally said as she pulled herself free.
“Help who?” Cassie asked with a smile on her face. “The town’s folk or that handsome rancher?”
A blush rose on Sabrina’s face. “Why both of course.”
Chapter 16
The next morning the house woke at first light and ate breakfast. The men were outside organizing food, and equipment, big pans to boil the water and tools to dig and create new wells. Edson had ridden out early. His mission was to fetch the doctor and as much medicine as they could muster. Sabrina retired to the library to make sure the book she had been reading, the day of her kidnapping, had been salvaged. She was happy to see that it had been and that it hadn't been ruined. She picked it up to start reading but instead put it down and headed to the reference section. There were books on sanitation and drainage. On where to site an outhouse and soon she was reading and planning. There was so much she could tell them.
She was engrossed in her book when Christen entered. She looked up, saw him and gave him a big smile. Putting the book aside, she waited for him to sit by her.
"You were right,” he said. “Forrest Caloway is an astounding man. He didn't even ask to collaborate my story, he just offered to help."
"Well, that's Forrest for you. He takes care of everyone."
"Yes, well he has given me everything I need and I am free to leave at any point. I just knew I had to thank you for saving me from making a big mistake."
"There is no need, you saved me also, and I did nothing special."
"But you did, and you are a very special person. I know I only met you a few days ago, but I feel like I know you, I understand you. You saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life and now I want to return the favor. Don't marry that Mr. Sanders, don’t ever take on an arranged marriage."
Sabrina stared at him, bewildered. "I told you I won’t marry him, but one day my marriage will be arranged. It is just the way it is."
"It doesn’t have to be. I want you to marry someone because you care for him and because you have that special connection, not out of moral obligations and promises made by other people."
"Is that all?" Sabrina said she had kind of been hoping for a bit more than that.
"Well, umm, no, that isn't all. I know we’ve just met and everything, but I feel like I've known you for a long time. We connected and I find you to be a kind, loving, caring, patient and good-hearted woman. I respect you more than anyone I know and I care for you deeply. What I'm trying to say is that in the little time we've known each other I have fallen in love with you. My people set out to steal you and Forrest’s money but instead it was you who was the thief.”
Sabrina gasped, her eyes open almost as wide as her mouth.
“You stole my heart,” Christen continued, “and I don't ever want it back. Instead, all I want is to be able to call you my wife and to be
with you forever if you will have me."
Sabrina saw all the sincerity and passion shining from his eyes and she felt her heart melting and her walls crumbling down. She knew that she felt strongly for him but hearing that he too loved her was more than she could have ever hoped for. It was everything that Cassandra and Amanda had but somehow it was more. Granted it wasn't with the man she thought it would be with, but that's what made it so much sweeter. She loved him and no matter what had happened she couldn't imagine spending a life in which he wasn't a part of.
"Oh, Christen, I too have felt our connection. We may have met in the most unconventional of ways but from the minute we did, I have felt a bond with you. My feelings have only grown from there. I was so sad when I thought you were going to go through with the kidnapping plan. I knew in my heart that it wasn't who you really were. I fell in love with you too. I can't imagine my life without you. I know I was promised to another, but I just know in my heart that I would be unhappy with anyone but you. You stole my heart too and now you have it, along with my life and my soul. So, yes I will marry you. I will be your wife and I promise to have you and to love you until the end of time."
Christen's eyes lit up with a fiery passion of love and he pulled her close, smashing his lips on hers in a hungry, passionate kiss. Sabrina felt her entire body ignite, butterflies twirled around in her stomach and her head grew dizzy. She knew that this was the place she was meant to be and she looked forward to being able to kiss him like this every single day for the rest of their lives.
The door burst open and the couple pulled apart. Forrest and her two sisters were standing there. Sabrina could not read the expression on their faces.
“I… I want to ask for Miss Sabrina’s hand,” Christen said.