Oliver searched the boy’s head. It didn’t take long to find the gash. Taking off his shirt, he balled it up and set it to the deep fresh wound on Jasper’s head. He looked up at Nathaniel. “Someone’s gonna have to ride to town. Make sure the doc comes to take a look. We’ve got the things here to patch him up but not forever, just temporary. We can get the bleeding stopped and make sure his head isn’t funny, but we’ll need Joshua out here by morning at the latest.”
Nathaniel nodded. He let go of Isaac’s arm. “Go stop Jed and Matthew from unsaddling those horses. We’re heading to town.”
Chapter Nine
“You’re not riding back tonight.”
Judith had sweat soaking the crown of her head that had started to drip down her forehead. “No. We have to go. Nathaniel has to be here.” Catalina bit down on her lower lip. Judith was squeezing her hand, her wide eyes turned on Catalina. “Please. I don’t want to have this baby without him. We need to go back.”
Catalina looked between Doctor Landry and Bethany. Both had stern looks of concern of their faces. Joshua shook his head. “Judith, it’s a bad idea. The baby is coming. I can send a messenger to the ranch. They can ride out within a few minutes and be there far faster than either of you could be. Nathaniel might even be able to get here in time.”
Judith shook her head furiously.
Catalina wasn’t sure what to do. She understood that Judith wanted to be with her husband as she gave birth to their child but knew there was no way they’d get there in time. She also knew she couldn’t deliver the baby. She couldn’t even steer the buckboard. She leaned closer so she could talk softly. “We won’t make it. You’re an excellent teacher, but I’ve never driven a team before. I’m not sure I can get us there. We shouldn’t take chances. Nathaniel would want you both safe.”
Judith’s grip on her hand got even tighter. Her breathing was short and labored. “You go then. Please. It’ll be better.”
“But what about Issie and Minda?”
“I can keep an eye on them,” Bethany said. “I don’t know enough yet to be of much help to Joshua, but I can look after the girls.”
The doctor stood. “Can you ride?”
Catalina could, but she hadn’t in a long time. Her nerves were beginning to get the best of her, making bile rise in her throat. She nodded.
“I’ll saddle my horse. Unhitching one of yours will take too long.” He turned to leave but looked back. “You do know the way?”
That Catalina was sure of. She’d only made the journey twice, but she’d spent a lot of time of both journeys memorizing the landscape. “Yes.”
Judith once again loosened her grip. “Just bring him. I’ll wait, but I need him here.”
Bethany was looking at Catalina strangely.
“What?”
She smiled a little. “How does a girl that grew up in New York City know how to ride?”
Catalina and Judith both laughed, but Judith’s chuckles ended before hers. She too looked at Catalina expectantly. She shrugged. “Madam Wiggs had us interested in all sorts of things. She thought that learning was very important and encouraged us to learn as much as we could as often as we could and in whatever way worked best for us. I always loved horses. It started because I could see the stables of the neighbors in the back from my window. Eventually, when I got older, I gathered enough courage that I began to talk with some of the stable hands. I became friends with one of them in particular. He taught me to saddle and care for a horse and eventually taught me how to ride.
Bethany’s smile widened. “So a boy.”
Catalina didn’t understand why that was prompting such a smile from her friend. She shrugged again. “Well, yes, John was a boy.”
“A boy that you spent a lot of time with. A boy that taught you a valuable life skill. A boy that…”
Catalina cut her off, holding up a hand. “A boy that was a good friend. He’s married now and has a baby on the way. He’s a wonderful man that I’m happy to have known.”
Bethany’s smile remained. Catalina felt uncomfortable and was about to ask her why none of that was explanation enough, but Joshua had returned. It was time to go. She took hold of Judith’s hand. “I’ll bring him back in time. I swear it.”
The young mother nodded, biting her lip as Catalina dropped her hand, turning to reach out for Minda. The little girl ran into her arms. “I’m going to ride to the ranch to fetch Mr. Harvey and your pa. You stay here and keep an eye on Miss Bethany and Issie while the good doctor takes care of Mrs. Harvey.”
Minda nodded against Catalina’s chest. “I will.” Her voice was like music and lingered in the air, hanging above them as Minda backed away. “You get Pa.”
Catalina nodded, knowing as she left that place that what she was doing was important, using that to fortify her stomach and her nerves as Joshua led her out behind the clinic to where he’d left his horse. He ran a hand down the horse’s mane. “She’s a good girl. Doesn’t spook easily, but make sure you hold tight. She can take off when she wants.”
Catalina nodded, her stomach flipping over and over as she climbed into the saddle. It was refreshing not to have words with anyone about not riding like a lady. There wasn’t time for things like that in the West. Catalina sighed. Joshua made sure she was settled in before he gave the mare a smack on the hind flank, to which the horse took off, bolting toward the center of town. Catalina rode hard, paying no attention to the folks calling out to her as she made her way through the small square and back into the desert. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess of friends, babies, and children, some thoughts just returning memories and others that were new. Catalina thought about John and how there had been a time when the two of them had thought about courting but quickly realized that they were only friends. She had no romantic feelings for him, and he didn’t for her either. Shortly after, he’d found his wife. They were wonderful together. Catalina and Annabel had become fast friends.
It was hard not to compare her situations when they were side by side in her mind. It didn’t take long for her to realize that she already had more feelings towards Oliver than she’d ever had toward John, and she’d known John most of her life. Her heart seemed to beat harder with the realization. She could feel her blood heat. It felt thick and heavy in her veins, pooling in her belly and warming her chest while she thought of her husband.
She was married. She was Mrs. Oliver Wilson. She was Oliver’s wife and Minda’s mother, and she always would be. Catalina let out a hard breath and all but stood in the saddle as she coaxed the mare beneath her to push harder and faster. She’d been searching for so long for answers to who she was and where she’d come from that she’d forgotten to look at what and who had actually made her. She had always been grateful and in awe of Madam Wiggs, but never before had it been so all encompassing. The woman was fabulous. She had taken every bit of herself and put it into being there for her girls. Catalina had often thought her quiet and reclusive, but she knew now that wasn’t true. She had just been watching. Paying attention to all that life had to offer. Catalina vowed to do the same. She’d start making the most of every moment. She’d make sure her husband knew how much she wanted to be his wife. She’d care for Minda as if she was her own, and she’d build the best school in all of Arizona because each and every child deserved an education regardless of the color of their skin, their gender, or their station in life. Catalina would create herself and make her place in the world rather than continuing to try to find where she fit. Looking around, she knew she was about halfway. She could see the triple rock formation in the distance. Once she passed that, it would be minutes before the ranch would come into view.
Catalina slowed, thinking about how she could show Oliver that she was committed to their marriage and to Minda. She wanted him to know that, though she planned to go full steam ahead into building the school, that she was there for him and his daughter as well. Being a Mail Order Bride had been scary and more a means to an end than anything else
…at first. Now she was thankful. It had only been a few days, and already she’d made wonderful friends and cared for the town she lived in. She was also determined to make a difference in that town. Catalina had spent the majority of her life wondering where she came from, and now that she knew it didn’t matter, she wanted other children to know the same. Where you came from was only a part of who you were. Your race, your religion, who your parents were and what they did…all of it was just pieces. Catalina now knew that who she was wasn’t complete in those things and planned to teach all the children that came into her school the same.
She had reached the towering rocks. Her heart rate slowed down, and she found that she was finally able to swallow. Her heart didn’t seem to be in her throat anymore. The sun was going down, leaving an orange haze across the sand and dirt. She squinted, trying to see the top of the barn roof, but because of the sunset she couldn’t. It was too dark where she was looking. Refocusing her attention to the world closer to her, she jumped in shock and almost tipped from the saddle when she jerked on the reins, trying to stop the mare from running full speed into the shadowy figure standing in the middle of the trail. It had to be Nathaniel or Oliver, or maybe Jed or Matthew. They were the only ones that would be off the property so close to dark. “We have to go back, get you a horse and return to town.” She made her voice as loud as possible while trying to focus on turning the horse back to face the figure, who was still and silent, watching her every move. Catalina squinted harder, trying to make out a face under the wide-brimmed hat. The shadows beneath it were impermeable. She rode right up close to get a better look. “Come on, we’ve got to get to the ranch. Judith is having the baby. We’ve got to get Nathaniel to Shady Creek.”
The man didn’t speak. Just grabbed a firm hold of the saddle horn and swung himself up behind her. Planting himself firmly against her back. He reached around her sides, taking the reins from her hands. Catalina shivered as his breath touched her neck. Fear shot down her spine as she breathed the question, “Oliver?”
They’d decided not to leave Nathaniel at the ranch with Isaac. It took longer to get ready, but Oliver was able to get Jasper’s head to stop bleeding, and he was almost back to normal, wanting to run around with his brother, fidgeting and complaining as he sat against the wall of the wagon. They’d gotten the boys in the back and were just heading out when a scream pierced the air. Oliver’s stomach fell straight to his feet as the noise echoed through the night and bounced off the high, sharp rocks. It was Catalina. He knew it. He hadn’t learned much about her. Had barely touched her even, but he knew. Somehow he knew.
He and Nathaniel didn’t share even one word before Nate took the reins. He hollered to Jed and Matthew to arm themselves and keep watch until they returned, then he jumped in to take the wagon. Even he must have known it was Catalina because Nathaniel had been about to mount Striker so he could ride ahead of the wagon, but instead it was Oliver pulling himself onto the stallion’s back.
Oliver had made fun of Nathaniel when he’d first seen Striker, an inky black stallion with steel gray eyes and a sharp white stripe of hair in his mane. He was the most typical horse a man in the West could have, obviously unruly and strong, willful and hard as hell to break. But Nate had told Oliver, even though he wasn’t wrong and Striker was all those things, he was also much, much more. As time passed and Oliver was on the ranch more, working and just spending time with the family, he’d come to see that Nate had been right about the horse. There was something special about him, and not because he was wild and dangerous, but because, despite all of it, he was careful and calm. He’d found a way to calm his inner storm.
As he snapped the reins and the horse took off, it clicked in Oliver. The thing he’d seen in Catalina. The lustfulness in her eyes, the strength that warred with the fear…she was just like Striker. She was just as special. They were kindred souls. Oliver rode hard toward where he thought the scream had come from, all the while silently praying that if he was given the opportunity to save her from whatever had caused her such distress, he would do everything he could to help her find that calm. He wanted to ease the storm inside her, give her peace.
Oliver could feel Nathaniel behind him, his boys tucked into the back of the wagon. He knew each of those boys was armed. They’d put the rifles back with them as a precaution. They’d thought about the rucksack and pistol they’d found in the pasture earlier in the day and decided that from that point forward, until they found out who it was and what he wanted, they’d be arming themselves more than usual. They always carried weapons, in case a big cat came looking for water and thought cattle would make a tasty meal, or a coyote, but never before, not since the Army had he worried about other humans. He was grateful they’d made the plan though.
What he didn’t understand was why there had only been one scream. Catalina had been with Judith and the girls. Where were the rest of them? His heart felt as if it were going to pop in his chest—just burst through and hang outside of his body, just as vulnerable as the rest of him. Bile rose in his throat as another scream ripped through the night. This one much closer. Too close. Wherever she was, he would bet she could hear him.
They reached the high rocks. It was a marker they used often, and they even had supplies hidden close by. He circled the structure. “I’m here Catalina,” he called out, his voice hitting the rocks and being thrown in different directions into the night. Catalina’s scream hadn’t done that though. It had been straight and clear. High pitched and not as if she was in pain but full of fear. Nathaniel arrived with the boys.
“They have to be close.”
Nathaniel nodded. “I don’t see signs of the buckboard. Only prints from one horse.” The oddness of that was not lost on either of them. They both were wondering the same things. Where was Judith? Where were the girls? Did Catalina ride? Or was she taken? They didn’t have long to ponder though. Another scream snapped both their heads back toward the ranch.
Oliver spun and rode hard, digging his heels into Striker’s sides. It was pure reaction though. Striker didn’t need to be pushed. He knew. He was the smartest horse Oliver had ever met. He connected with the rider on his back in a way that made a man feel like he’d been born not just to ride a horse but this one particular horse. He’d often wondered if it was just him, but he’d always been too cowardly to ask Nathaniel if he felt the same astride the beautiful animal.
Striker’s hoofs beat into the dirt and slid in the sand, his strength and will the only things keeping them flying through the darkening night. “Stop.”
A cold voice broke the sound of blood pumping in Oliver’s ears. He pulled hard on the reins, and Striker obeyed immediately. The horse stood tall and strong, shuffling his feet so that Oliver knew him to be ready to bolt at the slightest touch.
Oliver held still and quiet, waiting for the other man to say something or even move, but there was nothing but rustling. Sounded as if Catalina was right there but for some reason couldn’t tell him so. And then the wind shifted, and he could smell her. He’d noticed it first when she’d gotten off the train, then again at their wedding, and once again that very morning. It was something she wore. It made her smell like roses and gardenias. He had to make sure to ask her about it so that when she ran out he could get her more.
Oliver considered himself a patient man. He’d had to be. Being a scout wasn’t exactly a fast-paced job. Most often, they were hiding out in trees and bushes for days at a time, the skill to sit completely still one of the greatest requirements. But the silence was overwhelming him. He couldn’t just stand there. “What do you want?”
A dark chuckle, one that he immediately recognized, slithered out of the darkness. “I think you probably already know the answer to that.”
Oliver did. He’d know that voice anywhere. He’d been the third to their trio. It hadn’t always been just him and little Minda’s father. They’d been a team, until they’d had to raid a village just outside of San Antonio. Donald had moved for
ward without proper orders while Oliver had watched with Jericho. They’d been told to go in slow. To capture the chief’s son and no one else. Donald hadn’t listened. He’d gone into the damp, under the cover of night, moving from tent to tent looking for the son. To Oliver’s knowledge, he’d never found him. He and Jericho had watched as their team member had entered one tent and never came back out. Minutes, though they felt like hours, had gone by, and then suddenly there was a flurry of activity. Men were filing out of their tents, rushing toward the one Donald had entered. Oliver and Jericho watched as they formed a pathway for the chief and his son to enter the tent. They’d heard Donald’s voice one last time…as he’d begged the men to spare him.
Oliver took a breath. “But how?”
The chuckle that followed echoed. “I’m sure you’d like to know that. How could a man that you left behind, someone you left to be slaughtered by savages, be here, in the new life you’ve created for yourself? I’m sure that’s puzzling.” Donald trailed off into silence, not giving Oliver any of the answers he desired.
“Why are you here?”
A match struck and light popped, causing Donald’s face to come into view for the first time. It was uncanny how much he still looked like the man that Oliver had once trusted with his own life, yet how cold he had become. Donald held a lantern in front of his face.
“When I heard about Jericho, I knew I had to come find you. I’d have rather had you both, but seems like he was already served his just punishment.” Donald smiled. The hairs on the back of Oliver’s neck stood on end. “Thankfully, the world has found a way to spare you for me.” He laughed. “And let’s not forget this little bonus gift.”
Donald didn’t move except his arm, the one holding the lantern. He held it out from his body, illuminating the area beside him, Catalina’s dirty, terrified face shone with tears and wide eyes back at him. “She has nothing to do with this.”
Catalina’s Cause: The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides Book 3 Page 8