Luke reached down and hauled her into his arms where he returned the hug. “I thought you were missing?” He glanced at Maria and she nodded. “It’s going to be all right. Now, sit and tell me what happened while we grab a bite to eat. Are you hurt?”
Molly shook her head.
“She got here thirty minutes ago, Señor Luke,” Maria said, then she turned around and began to plate some food for them. “She no say what happen.”
“Take your time and tell me what happened,” Luke urged his daughter.
Molly sniffed a couple of times and then she told them everything that had happened from the time she left the house. “You have to save Miss Shannon, Pa. That man was mean and he will hurt her.”
Luke was so angry he couldn’t speak.
“We will find Miss Shannon,” Travis said to break the silence.
Luke took a deep breath. “Do you think you can tell me where the cave is located, Molly?”
“I think so, but I can show you easier.”
“No. I want to know that you are safe and sound,” Luke said. “Travis and I can ride faster without me having to worry about you.”
“Promise me that you will bring her back home,” Molly sniffed.
It registered with Luke that something had happened to make Molly want Shannon in their lives, which made him glad. “I promise. We will leave first thing in the morning.”
“Why can’t you go now?” Molly asked.
“There’s no moon tonight. We can’t see where we’re going. It’s much too easy for one of the horses to step in a hole and break a leg. Shannon and the man will have to camp for the night too. We won’t be losing any time. So don’t worry. They probably don’t think anyone is following them. I’m sure he didn’t think you could find your way home all by yourself.” Luke smiled and gave his daughter another hug.
“We will bring her home. I promise.”
Chapter 17
Shannon woke up with a blinding headache, trying to remember where she was and what had happened. Rain dripped off the end of her nose. Strange, but she was in an upside down position . . . suddenly, she remembered the events leading up to this moment. Shaking her head to get the hair out of her eyes, she realized she’d been thrown across a saddle. Her chest ached from the pressure of her body being supported by her chest. Damn that Callum! She wanted on her feet again. “Let me up! Let me up!” She screamed as if the hounds of hell were after her. She thrashed her body the best she could so that the horse half reared up.
It was only a couple of moments before, she was dragged roughly from the saddle and thrown to the wet ground as the rain fell in sheets. She gasped for air until she caught her breath. Where were they? She glimpsed a river below them, but she had no idea where they were, or if Molly had managed to find her way home to send help.
“I’m getting damned sick of ye, lass,” Callum grumbled. “However, I’m glad tae see ye huv joined the living again.”
“Ye could always let me go,” Shannon suggested.
“Dinna think so.” He shoved her up on the horse.
“At least untie my hands.”
“I’m not daft, lass. Ye can ride like this, or I can throw ye back over the horse like a sack of potatoes again. “
Shannon frowned when he handed the reins to her.
“Dinna give me any trouble. Let’s get going. And dinna think that the lassie wull save ye. Nobody can track us in this rain.”
Shannon didn’t doubt that statement. Even the ground was becoming soggy as the rain lashed down. Thunder rumbled overhead.
They had ridden no more than thirty minutes when a bolt of lightning hit one of the bald cypress trees near them. The ground shook. Callum’s horse stopped short, pitching Callum out of the saddle and down the ravine. Shannon’s horse reared tossing her to the right. She hit the ground so hard it knocked the breath out of her. Both horses bolted. Once she’d caught her breath, she called out to them, but they didn’t bother to stop.
Shannon crawled to the ravine’s edge and peered over the side. Callum’s body lay broken with his limbs twisted at wrong angles. She wouldn’t have to be worry about him ever again. At the moment, she had a bigger problem. What was she going to do without a horse and her hands tied?
She could lie here and feel sorry for herself, or she could have the gumption that she’d always used to survive. She wanted to climb down the ravine and get her mother’s jewels, but she was afraid she’d never make it back up the hill. The jewels would have to wait until she could find help. But how would she remember this place? She reached down and ripped a scrap of material off her skirt and tied it to the limb of a tree so it wouldn’t blow away. If she should survive, then she could find the place again.
With supreme effort, Shannon found a sharp stone and rubbed the ropes across the edge until they gave way and freed her hands. Then she got to her feet and started walking to what she hoped was one more step closer to home. She walked and walked. Her clothes were soaked and heavy from the rain. Only determination kept her going.
After awhile the rain stopped, making walking a little easier but not much. She limped one step at a time until nightfall came. She knew that she should try to move on, but she could go no farther. She glanced down at her bruised ankle. It had turned a dark bluish color and was swollen, and it hurt like hell when she touched her foot. She would have to stop and this was as good a place as any, she thought looking around.
As the sky grew darker, the air became cool, causing Shannon to shiver in her damp clothing. At least it had stopped raining but that was the only good thing she could say at the moment.
She needed a fire but she didn’t know how to make one besides everything was wet. The only warmth came from her wet coat.
A wolf howled in the distance and drew her attention away from being cold. Without a fire, the animals would sense helpless prey, and she didn’t want to be their next meal. However, this was no time to lose her head. She needed to think fast as two wolves howled this time.
Spying a small group of large boulders, she limped to the rocks. Picking up a long stick, she jabbed around the rocks to make sure there were no snakes hiding. It would not provide much protection, but, at least, her back would be protected. If an animal came for her she could fight them off with the stick, she hoped. It wasn’t much, but it was all she had. She also gathered some tumbleweed, and placed them in front of the rock opening, and weighed them down with smaller stones so they wouldn’t blow away.
Again the eerie sound of wolves make the hair stand up on Shannon’s neck. She prayed they were not close. She also prayed that they couldn’t sense her fear.
Her face hurt from the sun and windburns. Exhausted and bewildered, Shannon’s head felt as if it were twice the size it should be, and she couldn’t hold it up anymore. She was freezing cold. Curling one arm under her head to give her a little cushion from the rock, she tried to get comfortable. She gripped the stick with the other hand, hoping she wouldn’t have to battle a pack of animals tonight. As a heavy weight settled upon Shannon, she knew she might never make it back to the ranch, but at least she didn’t have to worry about any of her countrymen looking for her.
She would miss Luke and the children. Hopefully, they would remember that she loved them. As her eyelids drifted closed, she thought if ever she needed a miracle, it would be right about now.
Where are you, Luke?
Luke and Travis traveled most of the day before they reached the cave. Molly had given them specific directions so they hadn’t wasted any time looking for the opening, but the cavern was empty.
“Now what?” Travis asked.
“Let’s look around and see if we can find some clues to which way they went.”
Both men scoured the rocks looking for a sign and praying for a miracle.
“Remember, it was raining.” Travis said.
“I know, I know, but there has to be something,” Luke said, then his eyes landed on something. “Look.” It was a small piece of fa
bric. “This is from Shannon’s skirt. Maybe she left us some clues.”
Travis pointed to a rusty-colored stain on the edge of a rock. “That looks like blood.”
Luke bent closer and picked up several long, red strands of hair. “She’s been hurt. That son of a bitch, I’ll kill him!”
“I’m surprised the hair didn’t wash away in the rain,” Travis said, then looked up. “Guess the overhang protected the rocks.”
“We’ve got to find her,” Luke couldn’t hide the urgency in his voice as he turned to mount his horse again.
“Look,” Travis said, gaining his brothers attention. “I want to find Shannon too, but it’s dark and the horses need to rest. I’m going to take them down to the river for water. You build a fire so we can at least have some coffee. They can’t travel at night without moonlight, and they don’t know the land like we do.”
Luke sighed knowing his brother was right. They had ridden hard the day before and then today on the same mounts. “We leave first thing in the morning.”
“Agreed.” Travis said as he walked the horses down the bank toward the water.
The fire was small but enough to keep critters away from them. Luke had found some beef jerky in his saddlebags. He and Travis shared the jerky with their coffee. Since Luke was sure that they would find Shannon the first day, he hadn’t bothered to pack any food.
“Which way do you think they rode out?” Luke asked.
“The way I figure it,” Travis said scratching the stubble on his chin, “they’re both greenhorns. Of course, Shannon wouldn’t have any say, but neither one of them are familiar with Texas. I’d say they would follow the Guadalupe River and then head toward town for the stage.”
“You’re probably right. Let’s hope we find them in the morning.”
Luke leaned against his saddle and dozed, but he really didn’t get much sleep. All he could think of was Shannon. This was harsh country for a woman. He couldn’t bury another wife. He hadn’t realized how much she meant to him until he had gone to battle. Now all he could do was think of her, and how he wanted to hold and kiss her. He hadn’t even told Shannon he loved her, but that was going to change just as soon as he found her.
***
The next morning, they followed the river riding along the upper cliff. They had just dodged a group of scrub oaks when Travis said. “Look up ahead, I see something.”
When they got closer they both dismounted and tied their horses to a tree. “Look it’s part of Shannon’s skirt. She made it this far,” Luke said then added, “At least she’s alive.”
“I’m sure she is out here somewhere. Look at the cliff.” Travis pointed. “Looks like it gave way.”
Peering over the edge of the cliff, Luke said. “There’s a body sprawled next to the river. Appears to be a man from the size of him. Let’s go down and get a better look.”
They slid down the embankment and landed with a soft thud. Luke brushed off his clothes and walked over to the prone body. “Look at the red hair. Looks like Shannon’s hair.” Luke reached down and rolled the man over. “He’s a big one. Doesn’t look like he’s from around here. Search his pockets on that side, and I’ll do the same.”
“What’s this?” Travis pulled out a black pouch. Carefully, he unwrapped it. “Damn.”
Luke stared at the brooches and jewels worth a small fortune. “Shannon said her father was after jewels. But I figured it was a locket and a ring. This appears to be a small fortune. She didn’t have to be a nanny.” Now Luke wondered why Shannon had stayed with his family when she could have gone anywhere.
“Lucky for you, she chose to be your nanny,” Travis said what Luke had been thinking.
He took the bundle from Travis and slipped it into his coat pocket. “So this must be her countryman, but where is Shannon?”
Travis looked up at the cliff. “Appears that a chunk of dirt broke off. Maybe his horse threw him. That would explain the broken neck. Maybe Shannon got away and we can find her.”
“Let’s go.” Luke turned and started back up the cliff. Once he reached the top, he noticed footprints. “Look at this, Travis. You have more experience in tracking than I do. The footprints are small. It has to be Shannon!”
“Strange,” Travis said. “Do you suppose Shannon was thrown too, but was lucky enough not to go down the cliff?”
“Well we know she didn’t go over the cliff,” Luke said. They mounted once again and followed the tracks.
A couple of hours had passed, when they spotted two horses grazing. Travis went to round up the animals, while Luke kept on the tracks. He said a small prayer that Shannon was all right and thanked God there hadn’t been any rain to wash away the tracks.
“I can’t believe she made it this far, and on a bruised foot,” Luke said with an unpleasant feeling curling in his belly. “It appears she is dragging one foot. I’m praying she is still alive.”
“You’ve got one tough woman,” Travis commented. “Most women would have given up a long time ago.”
Just then they heard the howls of wolves. “That doesn’t sound good,” Luke said and spurred his horse into a gallop. They followed the sounds of the wolves until they came to a group of rocks. Luke pulled out his rifle and fired up in the air to scare the animals. Five of them scattered; however, the biggest wolf was determined to get something or someone from within the rocks.
Luke moved to the side with his horse and taking careful aim so as not to shoot into the rocks, he took one shot and the wolf collapsed. Luke heard something. “Listen.”
“Help.”
“Look.” Travis pointed. “Behind the sagebrush.”
“I see it.” Luke dismounted and ran for the rocks. He yanked back the tumbleweed and found Shannon clutching a big stick. She appeared extremely pale, but alive.
“Ye found me,” she said in a weak voice.
“Yes, sweetheart,” Luke said. He pulled Shannon out of the small crevice that she had managed to squeeze herself into. “Are you all right?”
“No. My head hurts and my foot is swollen. That wolf thought I was its next meal, and he was trying verra hard tae eat me,” she said as Luke pulled her to her feet. Unable to stand, she collapsed against him. All her muscles were stiff. “I dinna think that ye’d find me.”
Shannon clutched the front of Luke’s shirt and asked. “What aboot Molly?”
“I’ll always find you,” Luke said with a smile. He hugged Shannon. “And Molly made it home. She is safe, thanks to you.”
He brushed Shannon’s hair back and noticed she was very hot with fever and her face was raw from the wind. “Travis, she has a fever. Hold her so I can mount. We need to get her home.”
Travis took Shannon in his arms, “You’re one brave young woman.”
“Nay. I did what I had tae do,” she said. “He wull no be bothering us anymore,” her words faded as she passed out.
“She’s fainted,” Travis said as he handed her limp body to Luke.
Luke took Shannon into his arms. “It will make the ride home a little easier on her. She must hurt all over. “Let’s ride. You can take the other horses.”
Three days had passed since they had returned to the ranch. Shannon had a raging fever, and she was unconscious most of the time.
The doctor said she was suffering from exposure and there wasn’t much he could do. Her body needed to heal itself. He assured Luke that it wasn’t scarlet fever like Ruth had; however, it was serious nonetheless.
Luke faithfully sponged Shannon’s body with a damp cloth even though Maria had said she would do it. Shannon was his responsibility, and he wouldn’t leave her until she was well. He’d only left Ruth for an hour and she had died. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
Travis had to leave to report to the rangers, but he promised he’d come back as soon as he could. Luke understood.
Luke lay his head on the side of the bed trying to get some rest. He was so tired. If only he could get a few minutes of rest then he�
��d feel a little better.
The door opened, and Molly came into the bedroom. She placed a small hand on Luke’s shoulder.
He sat up looking about disoriented. “What? Is something wrong?”
“She’s going to die just like Ma, isn’t she?” Molly said in a choked voice.
Luke slipped his arms around Molly. “Shannon will not die,” he said firmly. “She told me, herself, that she’s was much stronger than most women.”
“But she isn’t awake. I haven’t heard her talk since you came home.”
“It’s because of the fever. We need to make the fever go away, which is why I’ve been placing cool, wet cloths on her forehead.”
“Just like Ma.”
“No,” Luke said quickly. “Your mother had scarlet fever. Shannon just has a fever.
“Do you think a wet cloth will really help?” Molly asked. “When I’m hot, I take a cool bath.”
Luke glanced at his daughter. “Molly you are a genius! Why didn’t I think of that? Get Maria to fill the bathtub, and we’ll give it a try.” He hugged his daughter then swatted her backside as she left the room.
A short time later, Luke lowered Shannon into the cool water. She moaned. He took it to be a good sign. He had sent Molly to fix him something to eat while he bathed Shannon, more or less to give Molly something to do and keep her from worrying so much.
He poured cool water over Shannon’s head, which caused a lot of sputtering from the patient. He smiled. She was fighting. She wasn’t going to give up easily. He wasn’t going to lose her. They had an entire life ahead of them.
Her body did feel cooler, he thought as he pulled her out of the water and wrapped her in a towel. After he carried her back to the bedroom, he slipped a thick linen nightshirt over her so she wouldn’t have to be under any cover.
“Hot,” Shannon murmured.
It was the first word she had spoken in three days. He smiled and thanked Heaven for the small sign that he was doing the right thing. There was no way he could lose this woman. She was like a breath of fresh air that had blown into his life when he wasn’t looking.
Western Seduction (The Seduction Series Book 2) Page 18