“Yours?”
“Yep, Ben said he can’t figure it out. They’re in the stalls one minute and gone the next.”
Justin’s anger fueled up another notch. “See if you can’t go to the saloons and find some men to help. Hate to think of Yancy out in the snow and hurt. He could have Amelia with him.”
“Right, boss.” Spence grabbed his coat and thundered out of the office.
Justin leaned against the wall. Amelia wouldn’t go with Yancy. He could have taken her. But where? He bolted out of the jail.
Reed stood outside the Clarks’ store.
Justin mounted and rode toward him. “I think Yancy took her. Where would he go?”
“Was thinking that myself. There are a few shacks across the Box X. Could try checking them out. I caught Spence and told him to get some men who worked for the judge and look. We’ll go to the closest one to town.”
His heart in his throat, Justin followed. “If Yancy hurt Amelia in any way—
“Yancy won’t hurt her.” Reed mounted his horse and rode to him. “Yancy might be wild, but down deep, I know he’s decent, and he cared for her before you came to Bluebonnet.”
“I wish I could believe that. There’s only a couple hours of sunlight left.”
Justin wanted to gallop ahead, but Reed held him back.
Finally, Reed pointed. “The first shack is just ahead.”
Justin galloped to the small rise in front of him. Beneath an old oak was a small broken-down hut. There was no sign of life around. He reined the horse to a halt, jumped off, and ran into the ramshackle building.
Nothing. His heart and hopes tumbled. Where was she? He went outside. No hoof prints other than his horse’s.
Reed rode up to him. “Any sign?”
“No.” Even though the sun had melted some of the snow, the temperature was falling. Justin looked to the west. The sun had dipped behind some clouds, leaving strips of purple and orange in its wake.
Taking the rifle from his scabbard, Reed rode to the side of the hut. He fired once. Waited. Then fired again.
Justin ran toward him. “Did you see anything?”
A pistol shot echoed from near the trees.
Reed took off toward the sound.
Feeling sick, Justin jumped on his horse and followed.
Reed had stopped in front of Yancy’s big paint. The animal was on the ground, its right front leg bent at a crazy angle. Justin scanned the ground looking for Amelia.
A flash of pink contrasted with the snow.
He jumped from his horse and ran. Unmoving, Amelia lay on the frozen ground. He stumbled to her, tears blurring his vision. “Amelia.”
She moaned.
Gently he turned her over. A streak of blood colored her pale face. He pulled her hair back and wiped the dirt from the wound on her forehead. Her skin was so cool to the touch. “Amelia.”
Her eyelids fluttered, and she moaned again.
He heard steps and looked up into Reed’s worried face. He carried a blanket and handed it to him. “Check and see if she has any broken bones. If she doesn’t, then wrap her up, get her back to town, and send a wagon. Yancy’s got a busted leg. His horse is dead. That must have been the shot we heard.”
Justin nodded. Gently, he ran his hands over Amelia’s arms, then her legs. Nothing seemed amiss other than the cut on her head. He wrapped her in the woolen blanket and carried her to his horse.
Reed came over and took her from him. “Get up and I’ll hand her to you.”
Justin mounted the big bay and took Amelia from Reed. Keeping the blanket tight around her, Justin held her to close to his chest, willing his warmth to heal her and his love to bring her back to him.
He nodded at Reed, took the reins, and kicked the big horse. “I’ll get you home, Amelia. Come back to me. Please.”
Chapter 14
Rocking back and forth, Amelia dreamed her father had rescued her from the bad wolf. The one that nipped at her and made her feel so cold. Warming, she snuggled into his chest. The wolf faded away, his growls quieting.
She nestled against his shirt, but it wasn’t her father’s scent. She struggled to open her eyes and see who held her so protectively.
“Easy, Amelia, I’ve got you.”
Her heartbeat strengthened and jumped with joy. Justin. He’d come for her. He must have heard her call out to him. Cry to him. Pray for him to come.
Then as if breaking the surface of a frozen lake, she took in a deep breath, her eyes opened and she looked at the face of the one she loved. The one she wanted to live the rest of her life with.
“Justin.” Her teeth chattered. Did he hear?
He kept his eyes forward, worry furrowed his brow, fear etched his face.
“Justin.” Stronger this time. She began to understand the rocking was his horse. He was holding her. What had happened?
“Justin.”
He slowed the racing horse and looked into her eyes. Tears followed a wet trail down his cheeks. “Amelia.” He spoke tenderly as if all of eternity and hope rested upon her name.
She loved him so. “Justin, what happened?” She really didn’t care. He had her in his arms. The place she belonged. Home.
He pulled the horse to a stop. “Am I hurting you?”
“No.” Despite his warmth, she shivered. “Just cold.”
“We’ll be at your store in few minutes. Hold on, darling, just a few more minutes.”
With a lurch, the horse took off in a gallop. His strong legs beat a steady staccato on the hard ground. She gazed over Justin’s shoulder to a translucent blue sky. A few minutes and it darkened into a deep blue, and the first star blazed its beauty.
“I’ll be fine, Justin. Hold me. I see the star. He shows me the way. You and me together. Riding forever.”
She slipped back into her dream, but this time, she rested in Justin’s arms. They were laughing and making plans. They had a lifetime with one another. Thank you, Lord.
And she let herself drift.
###
A shot startled him out of his pained sleep.
Yancy hated the new owner of the Box X. He hated Reed Andrews and Justin. Mostly, he hated himself. He gazed at the big paint, thought of all the trails they’d ridden and mischief they’d seen. The horse was all he’d had left.
Another rifle shot destroyed the chilled silence. The big paint groaned.
Yancy closed his eyes. He knew what he had to do. His father had taught him to be merciful to injured animals. Pulling out his gun, he killed his last friend. Pain ricocheted through him as the big animal lurched and became still. Fear razed Yancy’s heart. He tried to look around. Where had she gone?
“Amelia!”
She didn’t answer.
He craned his neck and saw her still form on the frozen ground. Had he killed her, too? Everything else he’d ever loved was dead. His brothers, father, the ranch, and the big paint. God don’t let her be dead, too.
Pain ripped through his leg. He tried to push the horse from atop his right leg, but couldn’t budge him. Serve him right if he died, too. Without Amelia, there was nothing to live for. He stared at the gun in his hand. He could end it.
No! He wasn’t a quitter. He’d die on this cold dirt if he had to, but he’d not end it with a whimper.
Hoof beats neared him, or was he dreaming of riding the big paint?
“Amelia!” Someone shouted.
Yancy tried to sit up, but the cold and pain beat on him until he lay quietly. He forced his eyes to open only to see Reed looking down on him.
“Can you move?” Reed bent close to him and pulled on his leg.
Yancy gritted his teeth but couldn’t keep the howl silent.
Reed stopped and patted his shoulder. “I’ll get my rope and move your horse.”
Suddenly, he remembered her. “Amelia? Is she—”
“She’s alive. I sent her back with Justin. He’ll send a wagon to so we can get you back to town.”
Yancy nodd
ed. His pain too great to allow him to speak, his relief that she was alive, too great to stop the tears.
Reed left his side. He returned with a rope and looped it around the saddle horn. He motioned for his horse to back. “When your leg is free, holler and I’ll pull you out.”
Yancy braced himself. The rope went taut, his paint horse’s body lifted up. As his leg became free, pain shot through him. “Now.”
Reed put his hands underneath him and pulled.
His leg exploded in pain and everything went dark … Cold air and searing hot pain brought him out of the black void. For whatever reason, he was still alive.
“Easy. Your leg doesn’t look too bad. Broke, but no bones sticking out.”
Yancy stared until his eyes focused. A fire crackled near him, driving the raw cold that had swallowed him. He looked up to a field of bright stars scattered across the black sky. “How long have I been out?”
Reed uncorked his canteen, helped him sit, and handed it over. “A couple of hours. They should be here with the wagon soon.”
After taking a swallow, his strength was spent and he leaned against Reed’s arm.
Gently, Reed laid him back down and straightened the covers around him. “It’s not going to be an easy night or two. I’ll stay with you.”
Yancy wanted to tell him not to bother, but he was thankful he wouldn’t be alone. Staring out at the hard, cold night, he shuddered. There was no one who cared if he lived or died. No one.
Once Reed found out he’d taken Amelia against her will, he’d more than likely send him to jail. His life was over. He’d lost everything, killed his horse, and hurt the one person in this world he loved.
###
Amelia awoke. Justin had stopped the horse. She sat up and saw her store. Mother ran out to greet her, Father right behind her.
“Oh, baby. I was so worried.”
Justin braced her in the saddle and dismounted. “She’ll be fine. Just cold.” He pulled her to him and carried her into the store.
Mother fussed and led him to their quarters in the back.
Gently, he laid her on her bed. “Mama, Justin saved me.”
Through tears, her mother nodded. “Yes, dear. He did.” She gazed at Justin, smiled, and mouthed a thank you to him.
Doc Howard burst in with his usual blustery affair. “Well, let me check you over. I see you have a little bump on your head.”
“I’m fine doctor. Really.”
“Well, young lady, you let me be the judge of that.”
Justin whispered something to him and his eyes narrowed. “I see.”
After a quick check, he patted Justin on the shoulder. “I think you’re doing a good job with Amelia. Make sure she stays warm and get something hot inside her. Gracy, you have some coffee made?”
Her mother nodded. “I’ll get her a cup.”
“You do that and bring a big one for me. Seems Yancy has a broken leg, and I need to go out in this freezing cold to fix him up. Gary, we’ll need your wagon.”
Amelia sat up. “Yancy took me. His horse stumbled, and we fell. That’s all I remember.”
Justin pulled a chair beside her bed and held her hand. “He’ll be all right. Reed is with him. I’m just glad you’re safe and warm now. I nearly died when I saw you on the ground.” His voice cracked.
Mother entered the room with a tray loaded with cups of coffee.
Justin jumped out of the chair and offered it to her.
She gazed at him and tilted her head. “Justin, you stay where you are. Here’s some coffee.” She waited until he took the cup and then offered one to Doc and Amelia.
Amelia held the warm cup and smelled the delicious aroma. “Thank you, Mother.”
Father kissed the top of her head. “I’ll go hitch up the team.”
Justin stood. “I’ll help.”
Amelia watched him follow her father out the door.
Doc Howard stared at them both, finished his coffee, and went to the door. “I need to get some supplies. I think you two might need some time alone.”
Mother walked him out of the room.
In minutes, she returned. “Amelia, I hope you can forgive me. My own fears prevented me from seeing the truth. You and Justin belong together. I see that now.” She sat on the bed next to her and took her hand.
“I want to explain why I was against.” A trembling breath shook her. “Your love for Justin. Before you were born, before I was married to your father, I was married to another man. He was the father to your brothers. Dear Amelia, he was also a sheriff. I loved him with all of my heart, and life was good. Then one horrible, horrible day, he didn’t come home. He was shot by an outlaw and died in the street.”
Mother rose and paced the room, stopping to stare out the window. “The town was small and soon my two young sons and I were thrown into the street. We had nothing. No family to go to. I was desperate. Then your father came into town. He took pity on us and promised to take us to another town that was bigger where I might find employment.”
She turned and smiled. “But along the way, we fell in love. Oh, maybe our love began because of necessity, but soon I loved him every bit as much as I had my first husband if not more. I’m telling you this not so you will fear for Justin’s life, but so you’ll understand why I forbade you from marrying him. I’d forgotten how special love is and that God provides even in the direst of times. You and Justin have my blessing.”
Amelia jumped out of bed and ran to her, hugging her. “I love you Mother. Thank you.”
The front door opened and Justin walked into the room. “Guess I better go help Doc.”
Mother grabbed him and led him to her. “Justin, you stay with Amelia. She has something to tell you. I’m sure Doc and Gary can handle Yancy.” She left them alone.
The room tilted and Amelia reached out to hang on to Justin. “Oh, my head is swimming.”
He scooped her up and set her on the bed. “You rest.”
Amelia took his hand and held it to her. “My mother has given us her blessing.”
“What?”
“Silly, when do you want me to be your bride?”
He grinned. “Tonight.” He kissed her gently.
She pushed him away. “I hardly think you’re going to be able to cheat me out of a proper wedding.”
“Oh, that.” He knelt on one knee and held her hand. “Miss Amelia Clark, would you be my wife?”
Her heart flooded her with warmth. “Yes.”
He kissed her hand, then her arm, her shoulder and neck, and finally sealed the proposal with a tender kiss on her lips.
She kissed him back.
He pulled away. “I’ve got a lot to do if I’m going to have a Christmas bride.”
She grinned. “Oh, that would be perfect. I can’t wait to tell Mother and Father.”
A worried frown stole his smile.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you want me now?”
He put her hand to his lips. “Just thinking. Can’t bring you to live at the jail. I have some land, enough for a small ranch. But I need to build us a home.”
Amelia leaned against his chest and melted when he wrapped his arms around her. “When I’m in your arms, I am home.”
Chapter 15
Despite all the excitement with Amelia’s kidnapping and return the night before, Sally still managed to wake early. She eagerly waited for Wills to come for breakfast. As she paced her small room, fear that he’d changed his mind pestered her.
The clock in Mya’s parlor rang out eight times. Her heart froze. He wasn’t coming. Not sure that she could eat anything, she went to the kitchen to help Mya.
“Good morning, dear. The sun is out and warming the day. Funny how we can be so cold one day and warm the next. Sometimes in the same day.” She paused and stared at her. “Are you all right dear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You’re such a slip of a girl. Go on in and get yourself some breakfast. Some of those women eat like horses
and if you wait any longer there won’t be any left.”
Sally entered the room and sat next to Emily Titus. When not with Cornie, she was kind. Sally spooned a few scrambled eggs onto her plate, but her appetite waned.
The front door creaked.
Hope held Sally’s gaze to the dining room entrance. Perhaps, he was just late.
Cornie walked in. “I’m a little late. Had to find out what they did to that outlaw Yancy Wallace. Womenfolk aren’t going to be safe as long as he’s out of jail.”
Emily scooted her chair away from Sally’s. “What did you find out?”
Sitting on the other side of Emily, Cornie glowered at Sally. “You ought to have the decency to eat before the good women have breakfast.”
Tugging Cornie’s arm, Emily huffed. “Tell us what you heard.”
“Well, a couple of the men went with the Doc and Mr. Clark in the wagon. Mr. Clark rode home on one of the horses. Said Yancy had a broken leg. The scalawag deserved it. Apparently, Reed thinks he can keep Yancy on his ranch. If you ask me, he belongs in jail.”
Mya came in from the kitchen carrying a plate piled high with biscuits. “No one asked you, Cornie. I’ve told you before I don’t want you spreading your poison at my table.”
“Just saying the truth.” Cornie grunted and pointed at Sally. “And as far as being seen around town with our new attorney, after I meet with him I’m sure he’ll change his mind about you.”
Mya banged her ladle on the table. “Cornie, you can leave and not come back until you apologize.”
Sally cringed and wanted to hide under the table. “It’s all right, Mya.”
“No it isn’t. Cornie, you have been warned.”
Fuming, Cornie glared at her. “I’m sorry.”
Sally nodded, got up from the table, and ran from the room. As soon as she earned enough money, she was leaving Bluebonnet. Wills was wrong. No one would forgive her.
And then she saw him, hat in hand, standing in the doorway.
“I knocked. Guess nobody heard me. I tried to get here by eight, but I had to wait for the Doc and bring him back in the wagon.”
A Bluebonnet Misfit Christmas: Sweet Historical Christian Western Romance (Mail Order Brides of Misfit Ranch Bluebonnet, Texas Book 2) Page 12