With a low laugh he said. “Lisa if I didn’t know for a fact that you were a virgin, I’d say you were more experienced than Dru.”
His hand stroked my hair. I swallowed hard and forced myself not to think of what had just happened. I looked up at him. I don’t know why it was, but at that moment I wanted to see his clear blue-Montana-sky eyes.
“You are beautiful, you know.”
I flushed. “As beautiful as Ginny?”
He studied me a moment. “More. My Ginny couldn’t have any more children after Sara. The birth destroyed her.” He shook his head sadly, lost for a second in his own world. “I always wanted a big family and with you, my sweet. I aim to have one.”
“Oh?” I decided to play along with his game. “How many children would you like?”
“Six or seven. That’s a good number.” His fingernail gently carved a path around my nipple. “Yes, I’d like seven. All girls. Just like you.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think you’d want them all like me.” I found myself laughing in spite of my own worry. “That would be more than even you could handle, Logan James.”
He merely grinned and then stood.
“Where are you going?”
“A man’s gotta work to feed six or seven females and their Ma.”
‘But I — ”
He shook his head, still grinning. “First you don’t want it and then you do. Gotta make up your mind, Missy,” he said mistaking my reluctance.
I shrugged and sank back on the pillows, content for a moment to watch his body, lean and hard from all the time in the saddle, as he dressed.
“Tell me about Ginny.”
A frown creased his brow. “Not much to tell. Married her in ‘83. She birthed our Sara in ‘85. Died in ‘88.”
“But what did she die of?” I persisted.
He shook his head and picked up his gun belt. Then he paused a moment before fastening it. In that instant the whole room seemed to chill as the atmosphere changed. “That’s not something I’d care to discuss right now.” He finished buckling his belt and glanced over to me. “Why don’t you rest up a bit? I’ll see that Sara’s taken care of.”
I could only stare at him and nod.
But as soon as he’d gone, and I heard the closing of the door, I donned my own dressing gown.
Listening a moment at the bedroom door. I hurried up the stairs to the study and at the end of the hall.
I’d hoped to find the payroll book from this morning and look for Elliot’s name, especially now that Mr. Sparks had confirmed that he’d been there.
Quietly as possible, I walked towards the end door. My hand went to the knob and slowly, I tried to turn it.
No use. The door had been locked.
Chapter 19
It rained the following day and the next. Sara and I continued to be housebound, almost as if the universe did not wish me to go to Brentwood Pass. Not for three days were we able to take our picnic and by then both she and I were anxious to get away from the confines of the house.
I’d already determined that she was about as fair a rider as I was and so we mounted up some of the gentler nags and took our lunch with us. Logan wanted me to take one of the men along for protection, but I was sure it was to spy on me, to make sure I didn’t learn anything. When I refused, I was sure he was going to insist on coming along himself.
As it was he had no choice but to let us leave on our own that morning. One of the mares had foaled during the night and was quite ill. My heart went out to the poor animal. I would have gladly stayed around to help nurse it, but I knew that this might be the only time for a long while when I could escape unnoticed and explore the north pasture area and the pass.
The mountain road seemed to rise straight ahead to the north of us, and it didn’t seem far at all. But I’d learned out here that distances, like other things, were deceptive. Between us and the range were several streams, a forested area, hills, and of course the open areas of the valley where the cattle roamed and grazed. It was easy to see why the James family valued this land. I took a deep breath of the crisp mountain air as we rode out into the bright sun, squinting into its glare. We both wore old sunbonnets. Sara rode ahead of me so that I could keep an eye on her. But even as we jogged along anxious to get to my destination, I found my mind wandering back to the past few days.
Despite his promise, Logan James had not forced himself on me since that morning several days ago. I wondered why. Not that I wanted his attentions, mind you, but he’d practically threatened me with them, and then withheld them. I couldn’t help but worry if I’d said anything to upset him, anything which might hasten my demise.
I had tried, later that same evening, to discuss his first wife and the similarities I thought I saw between us. But he would not comment on them or on her, and abruptly left the room.
The bed that night had felt quite cold and lonely. I realized to my dismay that I was getting used to sleeping with a bedmate. Having Trigger, the cat, crawl in next to me did not warm me as much as Logan had.
The following day I tried the locked room on the third floor several more times, only to realize that I would have to wait to catch him unawares or perhaps see if I could find the keys as I had that first day.
~
We continued riding along for nearly an hour. With the warmth beating down and the sweat beading my brow, I was glad I had worn my old bonnet.
Finally, we paused near a stream. I think Sara was as tired as I was. Somehow, despite what Mr. Sparks had said, I had not expected the pass to be so far. And yet, as I’d already noted, things out here were deceptive.
I set out the plaid tablecloth, the sliced roast, fried chicken, and cold ham which I had brought along as well as the canteen of water and the chocolate cake.
Sara reached for the cake first. I pushed it out of her way, indicating that she was to eat the meat and bread. She frowned, but it didn’t take her long to understand me. In fact, it seemed that we were fast learning how to communicate with each other. My heart opened up to her and I fancied it wouldn’t be long before I might be able to teach her the rudiments of the alphabet. That is, if I stayed much longer.
Looking around at the glorious view, at the stream flowing beside us, crystal and clear with only a few fish ‒ their silvery skins sparkled in the sunlight – at the tall mountains behind us capped with snow, and the pine trees around us, their scent delighting me as they reached toward the sky it was hard to believe that evil existed in this world. But I knew it did. I had seen it in Drucilla’s case, and my brother’s.
I sipped the cold water and glanced at my stepdaughter, wishing she could talk better than she did. But she was learning fast. She was also learning to sign. All she truly needed was someone who cared for her and was willing to give her guidance. Surely, if Elliot had worked here she would have remembered him, for he had also worked well with children. And yet what could I ask her? How could I say something that wouldn’t get back to her father?
I listened to the wind rustling in the trees and was sorry Sara could not hear the sound. But we watched the clouds making patterns as we played a few games. I took out a small picture book that I had brought along, and Sara watched me as I mouthed the names of the animals in the pictures.
After an hour or so, I deemed it necessary that we continue on. I wanted to get at least as far as Brentwood Pass so that I could see if there was anything that seemed familiar to me. It wouldn’t be easy recognizing things from my brother’s letters, but I would have to try.
I cursed myself for not having taken them with me today, but they were hidden deep in my portmanteau and I didn’t want to risk taking them out. Besides, since my brother had never actually mentioned a claim, or anything concrete about his find, I could only go on the description of the land he described and of the way the rocks seemed to take the shape of a woman’s face. More than once his letters had mentioned that and so I had to suspect that somewhere near this formation I would find my broth
er’s mine.
The sound of another horse in the area startled me. Had we been followed after all? Had Logan sent someone to spy on us?
To my surprise, I turned to find Morgan riding up. “Howdy.” He tipped his Stetson. I nodded. “You just picnicking?”
I nodded again and offered him what was left of the cake. Then I cleared my throat. “Did Logan send you?”
“Send me?” He made a face as he dismounted. “What makes you think I’d take orders from Logan?”
“Don’t you?”
Morgan paused. “Not if I can help it.” He gave me a rueful laugh. “I was just riding out to check on the herds. Roundup’s coming soon. Normally we’d do it all together with the Stock Association, but it seems Logan don’t want t’do that this year.”
“Oh.”
“You know why, don’t you?”
“No. Why?” I waited for him to tell me.
“He’s hidin’ somethin’. Of course.”
My mouth was dry as I silently complimented myself for being on the right path. “Oh.”
Morgan stood. I began to put things away. “Don’t forget your tablecloth.” He remounted.
“I won’t.” I paused. “What direction are you headed?”
I thought it would be nice to have his company as we rode since I couldn’t very well to talk with Sara. “North.” He smiled at her. “See you later, sis.”
I winced at the familiar name but nodded. Perhaps it was just as well that he was riding on his own.
~
We had only been mounted up again for fifteen minutes and rode ahead when I realized that I had forgotten the tablecloth just as Morgan predicted I might. But we’d head back there later.
“Wait up!” I called to Sara, who’d begun to race ahead, forgetting that she couldn’t hear me. Since I knew nothing of this countryside, I didn’t want my stepdaughter to get out of my sight. I nudged my gelding into a gallop.
What I didn’t count on was just how much he would speed up and that he wouldn’t stop. Tug as I might on my bridle reins, nothing happened. As I sped by, still frantic to control the animal beneath me, I heard Sara screaming. I knew she was scared, but not half so scared as I.
The reins were useless and so I dropped them. But I continued to struggle with the horse, grabbing onto the mane which was flying in my face as I urged it to stop. The words escaped me.
My saddle, which had seemed fine earlier, was now slipping from me. I knew that it would be a matter of moments before the saddle and I crashed to the ground. To make matters worse, we were headed towards a tree.
I knew I should jump but with the ground going by so fast, I was paralyzed.
Tears came to my eyes as I prayed to my brother. I prayed to God. I prayed to whoever might hear me. I didn’t want to die this way. I didn’t want to die at all…
The branches of the tree caught me by surprise. I heard the smack of my impact rather than felt it. It was rather like being on a train with a long tunnel ahead of you. The sensation was so unreal that I wasn’t aware I had left the horse and was spinning through the air until I felt the thud. I knew then that I’d hit the ground but strangely enough I felt nothing as my instincts took control and I rolled quickly away from the horse to prevent being trampled.
I lay there a moment wondering how I was going to get up when I heard Sara’s sobbing cries as she ran to me.
Evidently, she had been able to calm her horse and tether him somewhere before she dismounted and ran to me.
“Mo-ther.”
I nodded, or thought I did, and tried to sit up.
It was only then that the blackness hit, and I fell back on the ground.
~
The next thing I heard were voices around me and I realized the ground wasn’t quite as hard as I thought. But my whole body ached. At first it seemed I was still outside. Then as my eyes opened briefly, I realized I was back in the bedroom at the ranch.
I moved to sit up.
“Now, don’t you do that.” Henry loomed over me.
“Got some porridge here. Think you ought t’eat it.”
“And how can I eat when I’m lying flat down?”
“Well. I’ll tell Mr. Logan yer fine. Ornery as ever.”
He slammed the door behind him, and I closed my eyes once more. I felt the warmth of the fire, so I knew that it must be night. But how had I gotten back here?
Sweat beaded my brow as I opened my eyes once more and tried to sit up.
The room hadn’t changed, but I had. A huge cast covered my lower right leg and I realized I must have broken it in the fall. It hurt to breathe. Had I broken ribs, as well? Being that Logan wanted me dead, it amazed me that he had brought me back here. Why hadn’t he just left me there?
The effort of sitting was too much for me and I sank back down on the thick feather pillows.
At the sound of the door opening, I turned my head slightly.
“How are you feeling, Lisa?” Logan approached the bed. Another shadow was behind him.
Squinting, I saw it was Morgan. The surprise must have shown on my face. As Morgan stepped closer, he nodded briefly to me and I could feel that he did not want me to mention our earlier meeting. I didn’t know why, but I would respect his wishes.
“Are you in pain?” Logan took my hand.
“What do you think?” I snapped. “What happened?”
“That’s what I’d like to know. Didn’t you check so if the saddle was cinched up on Hunter?”
“Of course, I did. I may not be a good rider, but I know that much.”
“Well...” He sat down on the bed. I winced as pain shot through my leg, my head and my chest. He began massaging his thumb gently over my palm-as if he really cared. Why hadn’t he just let me die out there?
There was a moment’s pause as I tried to regain control and keep the tears from my eyes.
His voice was low as he spoke. “There were spurs under the saddle blanket and cinches were loose.”
I stared at him. Why was he telling me this? With effort I reached over to the nightstand and picked up the glass.
Wetting my lips with the water, I managed to shake my head. “The horse seemed fine when I saddled him. Mr. Sparks bridled him for me.”
“Told you, you couldn’t count on no black man, Logan.”
Logan glared at his brother and then turned his attention back to me. The look in his eyes told me he doubted me. But of course, he would have to pretend that with his brother in the room. I wondered if Morgan suspected that Logan was the cause of my accident and had, for my protection, insisted on coming in here.
“How did you find me? The last thing I remember — ”
“You have Hunter to thank for that,” Morgan said. He remained at the foot of the bed, watching Logan and myself with those hooded eyes, and staring silently at the two of us, as if he were actually jealous. But I knew that he couldn’t be. He knew I didn’t love his brother. He knew the reason I’d married Logan.
I forced myself to deal with the situation at hand. “The horse came back?”
“He and Sara came back. She was crying hysterically, and we knew something had happened to you.”
I nodded, not wanting to look at my husband. I had my answer. I assumed that because there had been others in the room when Sara arrived, he’d have no choice but to come find me. Otherwise, it would have looked like murder. A shiver ran through me as I realized that I could still be out there.
“I’m glad you were able to find me.”
“It wasn’t easy.” Logan continued caressing my hand. “Had to search quite some time before we discovered the spot you picnicked and then we saw the cloth you forgot to pick up.”
“Oh.” I looked away from Logan and towards Morgan wondering why he hadn’t directed them. But then maybe he had. “Thank you.”
My brother-in-law smiled at me. “I didn’t do much. But I’m glad I was able to be of service.”
Ignoring his brother, Logan leaned over and kissed me ge
ntly on the brow. “I’ll have Henry bring in something to help you rest, my dear. Doc Martin was here earlier to set your leg. You’ll soon heal and then life will get back to normal.”
“Yes.” I said. My voice caught in my throat and it was barely audible. I closed my eyes. “I would like to rest now.”
He stood, and along with Morgan, left the room, leaving me to my thoughts. I could only thank the Lord that I had been saved, but what cruel fate would Logan plan for me now? Certainly not another accident.”
Chapter 20
I expected Logan to return to my bed that night, but he made it clear that with all my injuries, he felt more appropriate that he sleep in the guest room. There were no other females, that I knew of, on the ranch and so I had no reason to feel jealous and yet, I guess that’s exactly what I felt. Strange that I should feel this way about a man who had just tried to murder me but he had acted so genuinely concerned when he’d come in. My feelings, I told myself, were momentary aberrations due to my accident and the fact that I was lonely lying in the bed with only my thoughts and the cat to keep me company.
The days dragged along slowly into weeks and I had plenty of time to think about my situation. And so, think I did.
I could understand neither how those spurs had gotten under the saddle blanket, nor how the cinches had become loose. I was not an excellent rider, but I had checked the saddle before starting out. Knowing that Logan had obviously hired someone to see I had the accident made me doubly fearful.
It took longer than I expected for me to heal. Each day my husband would come in to visit and each day, when my food was brought, usually by Henry, I would wonder if it was poisoned. I cursed my inability to move only because it meant that I would be unable to find out what I needed.
Sara came in several times a day, bringing Trigger with her, and we would play games on the bed. It was getting to the point where she could recognize things and say words properly, if without tone. But I tired easily and knew that I had to get well so that when I did find the information I needed; I could escape.
Logan's Land Page 15