“That’s fine for you, but I’m compelled by duty and honor to make them pay for abducting my wife and my nephew!” Stephen shouted.
“I promise you, I will personally escort them and they will remain tied until they are lying on the floor of a jail cell there. Only then will I remove the ropes. I will then see them put in shackles before I ever leave the jail.”
A swift dark shadow swept across Stephen’s face. “What if they escape again?”
“I know the sheriff at Fort Harrod. He’s a good man with a solid reputation. He didn’t get that by being careless with prisoners.”
“I think you should listen to William,” Jane told Stephen.
Stephen eyed his wife, his eyes blazing.
William could see his brother’s thoughts racing dangerously.
Stephen shook his head vehemently. “No, damn it! They could have killed you. No man puts a hand on my wife.”
Jane placed a calming hand on Stephen’s forearm. “Stephen, in the end, I am not hurt. Neither is Little John. God protected us and now we must see justice done.”
“And I need them alive,” William added. “Someone sent these men. I need to find out who and why.”
Stephen swallowed hard and seemed as if he were fighting hard for self-control. Then he lifted his chin and boldly met William’s gaze. “All right, but I want your promise that if they do escape, you will hunt them down with me and kill them.”
William took a deep breath before he answered. “I promise I will hunt them down. What happens from there depends on the circumstances. But a prisoner who escapes twice will get little mercy from me.”
Stephen hesitated for a moment and then embraced him. “Thank you for saving Jane.” His voice broke. “I don’t know if I could live if something had happened to her.” Stephen released him and swallowed, fighting to control his emotions.
William laid a hand on Stephen’s shoulder. “It didn’t Stephen. We are all going to be fine. And I heard a rumor that there’s a Christmas celebration about to happen. What do you say I get these two snakes to Fort Harrod and then we all put this behind us?”
“You think they will be punished severely?” Stephen asked.
“I do,” William said. “I’ll recommend it and ask Judge Webb to do the same. He can write a letter to the judge at Harrodsburg.”
“Let’s go tell the others it’s time to go,” Jane said. She seemed as anxious as William was to end this before Stephen did something rash that he would later regret.
The three mounted and trotted their horses to the wagon.
As Bear had done, Stephen rode up to the back of the wagon and glowered at Dixon and Crowell. He sat there, tall and angry, his jaw hardened, letting his eyes convey the vehemence still boiling within him.
Crowell paled. “I’m sorry.” The man looked like he was about to cry.
“Which one of these men pointed the pistol at your head?” Stephen asked Jane.
Jane pointed to Dixon.
“Are you sorry?” Stephen asked Dixon through clenched teeth.
“It’s your family that will be sorry for not selling me that land,” Dixon replied recklessly.
“Are you daring to threaten our family again, you wretched shit-sack?” Stephen demanded.
Dixon merely smoldered in silence.
Stephen yanked out his pistol and leaned down, holding the weapon just inches from Dixon’s graying temple. The ominous sound of the weapon being cocked echoed around them.
McGuffin tugged Riley closer to him and held the dog against the front of the wagon. Kelly turned away and leaned downward, clutching Nicole tightly against her breast, shielding their daughter from what might be about to happen.
William hoped it wouldn’t.
He watched his brother carefully, but knew Stephen was a man of his word. His brother agreed to let him take the prisoners to Fort Harrod. Stephen wouldn’t go back on his word. At least he hoped he wouldn’t.
“How does it feel you pathetic excuse of a man? How does it feel knowing your life might end in the next second?” Stephen’s voice was growing hotter. His face looked like a threatening thundercloud about to burst with all the fury of nature. “Apologize to my wife, now!” he spat.
Dixon sat up and turned around looking for Jane. Was the man finally going to do something smart?
Jane moved the horse she rode up next to Stephen’s mount and glared down at Dixon waiting for him to speak. They were all waiting.
When Dixon finally spoke his voice held an undertone of cold condescension. “Mrs. Wyllie, I regret that you were caught up in this ill-fated attempt to persuade Captain Wyllie to sell us his land. If only he could have been more reasonable and cooperated, none of this needed to happen. Perhaps all of you can convince him that it is in your family’s best interest to sell that property to us. It is of no value to you here. I am prepared to pay top dollar.”
“That…was not…an apology!” Stephen sputtered, bristling with barely controlled fury.
The two men exchanged a long deep look, challenging each other.
William was about to say something before this could escalate further, but Bear spoke to Dixon first.
“Ye blithering idiot. Are ye trying to go out of your way to piss everyone off with yer dumb arse remarks?”
Dixon sighed heavily but said nothing.
Bear glared fiercely at the man. “I am only a ballock’s hair away from removing yer manhood from ye. Apologize now!”
“I am sorry, Mrs. Wyllie. Please forgive me,” he uttered stiffly as he stared straight ahead.
The line of Stephen’s mouth tightened even further, but he uncocked the weapon.
Anger lit Jane’s green eyes as she faced Dixon. “I could forgive you for taking me, but for kidnapping Little John and scaring my little girls, I will never forgive you,” she swore. “For what you’ve done, I suggest you beg God for forgiveness.”
Chapter 23
Sam returned from his chores and was surprised to find the children alone in the front room. Little John was holding out some of his latest treasures for Martha and Polly to inspect.
“Little John, where’s your mother?”
“I think Artis took her to your bedroom,” Little John said. His son’s face looked worried again. That was not a good sign.
“Is something wrong?” he asked his son.
“She just said ‘Oh my,’ and then held her stomach,” Martha volunteered.
“Her side or her stomach?”
“Here,” Little John said, pointing to the front of his belly.
Sam stormed out of the room and down the hall. He threw the bedroom door open and found Artis leaning over Catherine, placing a pillow behind his wife. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.
“I think she may have started her labor,” Artis said.
“Why didn’t you come to get me?”
“I was just about to,” Artis said. “I think we should fetch the mid-wife. Do ye want me to do it?”
Sam moved closer to Catherine and took her hand in his. “Is it your time my love?” Although he found it difficult, he tried to keep his voice calm and reassuring.
“Yes, Sam, it is. Our son is coming.” Catherine closed her eyes as she winced.
“Artis, go get Mrs. Wrigley. Tell her to come quickly,” Sam instructed.
Artis flew out of the room and Sam told Catherine. “Tell me what we need to do and I’ll see that it’s done.”
“I think Artis is right. It’s time to ask Mrs. Smith to come. Then we need to get me out of this gown and do whatever Mrs. Wrigley thinks needs doing. She has nearly a dozen grown children. She would know better than I.”
“You’re right about that. I hate to send Miss Henk to retrieve the mid-wife, but I can’t bear to leave you right now. Do you think she would be all right? No, on second thought, I should go.”
“I want you here with me Sam. I’ll be frightened without you. But don’t send Miss Henk. She’s a bit faint-hearted and not an experienced ri
der. But Artis is, send her.”
“Are you sure? Mrs. Smith’s hamlet is easy to find, and Artis should be able to get there and back before dark, but still. If something happened, Bear would never forgive me. And I wouldn’t blame him.”
“Nothing’s going to happen. She’s an experienced rider and I get the sense she is well used to taking care of herself. She seems to be one strong lass.”
“Aye, I am a strong lass,” Artis agreed, coming into the room with Mrs. Wrigley behind her. “Are ye worried about me goin’ to fetch the mid-wife?”
“I was. Only because you don’t know these woods,” Sam admitted. “I should go.”
“Nay, ye stay with Catherine. She needs ye now more than ever,” Artis argued.
Mrs. Wrigley moved them both away and bent over Catherine. “What are you feeling dear lady? Is it the same pain you’ve been having?”
“No. This was different. My entire stomach felt like someone grabbed it with a strong fist.”
“Has it happened again?” Mrs. Wrigley asked.
“No, not yet.”
“If it’s going to happen again, it will be soon. If it doesn’t, then ‘tis just a false alarm. It happens often,” Mrs. Wrigley said, sounding wise and motherly.
“Then should we wait to see if it happens again before we go get Mrs. Smith?” Sam asked.
“That would be wise,” Mrs. Wrigley advised.
“Well, if ye need me to get the midwife, just say so,” Artis said.
“A full moon or approaching weather can bring on practice contractions,” the cook explained. “I suspect that is what’s happening. Let’s wait and see. Would you like some of my mugwort tea?”
“That would be most welcome,” Catherine said. “Mrs. Wrigley where is baby Samuel? Is he all right?”
“Oh, Miss Henk is have a delightful time caring for the little one. I’ve never seen her so happy. And the other three children are entertaining one another in the front room, warm and cozy. The last time I peeked in, Mister John was showing his cousins a rock speckled with ‘diamonds’.” Mrs. Wrigley chuckled and then left, her skirts swooshing as she hurried out the bedroom door.
Catherine turned her eyes to Sam. “Mrs. Wrigley’s tea always makes me sleepy. I just need to rest a while. Why don’t you take the girls out to see the new foal? I’ll send Artis for you if I have another pain.”
“You’re sure?” Sam asked.
“Yes, Sam. Kiss me and then leave,” she said smiling.
He made Artis promise to come get him at any sign of Catherine growing uncomfortable, then kissed Catherine and left.
After they donned their coats, Martha, Polly and Little John marched behind him in a row as he headed for the barn, praying for a miracle.
Bear rode beside William, behind the wagon so they could keep an eye on the two miserable prisoners. Rory rode the horse Jane had ridden, and Stephen rode beside him. The two men conversed about anything and everything, mostly politics and Stephen’s cattle operation. It was unlike Stephen to be so talkative, but Bear guessed that his mood was buoyant now that Jane was safe.
Jane now sat beside Kelly, holding Nicole. The two women chattered excitedly, barely pausing to take a breath. Bear smiled, certain Kelly and Jane were torturing the prisoners with their endless jabbering.
“How far do you think we are now?” William asked.
“We’re gettin’ close. Na more than an hour,” Bear answered. “I’ll be pleased to share a wee droppy of brandy with ye when we get there. Nothin’ like it to warm a man’s insides.”
“I won’t be going to Sam’s just yet,” William said. “I promised Stephen I would escort these two weasels to Fort Harrod. In fact, isn’t that the turn off up ahead?”
As William pointed to the Harrodsburg road, Bear noticed four men riding toward them. “Look,” Bear said.
“It must be Sam’s men,” William suggested. “He probably sent them to help you and Stephen recover the prisoners.”
A few minutes later, at the fork in the road, the four hands pulled their horses to a stop in front of them.
“Sam sent us to help apprehend the prisoners,” Garvin said. Both he and the other men and their mounts were breathing hard.
“Too late,” Stephen said, “They’re hog-tied in the back of William’s wagon.”
“Mrs. Wyllie, are you hurt?” Garvin asked.
“No, Mr. Cotter, I am well, thanks to William,” Jane said.
“Well, we’ll take the prisoners off your hands and get them to Fort Harrod,” Garvin offered. “Captain Wyllie wants us to escort them to the jail and then take our Christmas holiday there.”
“Your help will be welcome,” William said, “but they are my prisoners now. I will be turning them over to the sheriff at Fort Harrod.”
“Anything you need us to do, we’ll do it,” James said. The other three men nodded their heads in agreement, appearing eager to help.
“Perhaps I should come along too,” Bear suggested.
“No, Bear. I want you and Stephen to guard my family and Jane,” William said. “I’ll be back in two days with an armful of presents.”
“Aye, I’ll stay with them. But if I’m na goin’, I need to ask ye to do me a favor.”
“Of course.”
Bear motioned William aside to speak to him privately. When they were a fair distance away, Bear said, “Since we left in such a hurry, I did na get a chance to buy Artis a Christmas gift. What I want to give her is a big black dog. Of course, it will na be big when it’s a pup, but I want it to grow to be a big one. She had to leave her dog, Wilson, behind in Scotland and she still grieves for him. Mind ye, it has to be black and big.”
“Fort Harrod is a large settlement. I should be able to find one. Anything else?”
“Ye brought the presents for Little John didn’t ye?”
“Yes, they’re in the wagon.”
“Did ye get any for the lasses?”
“Yes, I brought them too.”
“Thank ye. That should be all then. Are ye sure ye do na want me to come too?”
“The trip would be more entertaining for certain, but Artis is probably worried about you and Sam could use your help with all his hands gone.”
“Aye, the lass does na like bein’ separated from me.”
“And I don’t blame her after all she’s been through.”
The two hurried back and William told Garvin, “I’ll help you load the prisoners on the mounts they stole from you men, and then we’ll be on our way.”
“As you say, Sheriff Wyllie,” Garvin said. “This time we’ll keep our weapons out of their reach!”
“Bear, Stephen, keep your pistols on Dixon and Crowell until they are securely tied onto their horses,” William ordered. “They will not be escaping again on my watch.”
“If they do, they’ll be dead escapees,” Stephen warned, glowering at Dixon.
Chapter 24
“Uncle Sam, where do foals come from?” Polly asked as she and her sister left the barn and hiked back to the house with Sam and Little John.
“They come from inside their mother’s stomach, just like we do,” Sam said smiling.
“But how do they get there?” she insisted.
Sam cleared his throat.
“How did the baby get inside Aunt Catherine?” Polly asked.
“Well now…that’s a good question. Your mother should answer that for you.” As soon as he said it, Sam regretted it.
Polly stopped and planted her booted feet in the snow. “She’s gone!” she wailed. “And I don’t know if she’s ever coming back.”
Sam picked Polly up to carry her and drew Martha close to his side. “She will be back. And soon. I promise.”
“Promise?” Polly whimpered.
“Promise!” Sam said, and gave her a kiss on the tip of her nose.
As they started walking again, the four glanced up to see a wagon and three riders approaching. Seated next to Kelly, Jane held Nicole in her lap. Stephen, Ror
y, and Bear all rode beside the wagon. He gazed heavenward and released a deep breath of relief.
“There they are!” Martha yelled.
Little John and Martha took off running toward the wagon and approaching horses.
“You sure keep your promises fast,” Polly told him.
“Especially for you, little one,” Sam said, looking into eyes that looked exactly like Stephen’s.
“Put me down, please. I want to go see my mother,” Polly said.
He did and she shot toward the wagon running as fast as she could. Sam followed behind her, hurrying toward the new arrivals.
As he approached, Sam took a good look at Jane. She appeared to be unharmed, thank the Lord.
“Mother!” Martha yelled as the girl neared her mother. “We were so worried about you.” Stephen must have trained his girls well, because Martha wisely stopped running well short of the horses so she wouldn’t spook them and Polly halted beside her. But they both couldn’t help hopping and clapping excitedly.
“Martha, Polly!” Jane called to her daughters as she got off the wagon. Jane moved away from the horses and then motioned the girls to her. “Come over here!”
The next moment the girls were hugging their mother and all three were talking at once.
Looking as excited as everyone else, Riley jumped out of the wagon and ran around all of them, barking, and wagging his long tail. It didn’t take long before Little John was chasing him. Then Riley was chasing Little John, who deliberately let the dog overtake him so they could both fall down and romp in the snow.
Watching the two play, Sam decided it was time to get Little John a dog. He was old enough now to care for it properly. Perhaps he would use his limited artistic skills to draw a picture of one and give that to Little John for Christmas. He could write a note on it promising a pup in the near future. The idea made him smile.
“Where’s Samuel?” Stephen asked Sam.
“He’s with our housekeeper, Miss Henk. He’s fine,” Sam answered. “Did you have any trouble apprehending the prisoners?”
“Nay,” Bear answered. “William had already captured and tied them up. He and your hands took the scoundrels on to Fort Harrod. We’ll fill you in with all the details later. Where’s Artis?”
Frontier Gift of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 5) Page 18