The Rescue

by Tanya Eavenson

  “Ma’am, is there anything we should know?” Matthew ran his fingers along the brim of his hat.

  Yes ... No ...

  So much, Rosalind didn’t know where or how to begin. Aware of their gazes, she averted their eyes. “I’ll let Trent explain after he arrives.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Blake’s gaze shifted as he clapped Matthew’s shoulder with his hand and moved him toward the door. “Do you remember Mr. Oliver Hadley? We joined Mr. Easton and Mr. Hadley for lunch in Fort Worth after bringing the cattle to market a few times. Did you know he and his wife are acquaintances of Rosalind as well?”

  Matthew looked over his shoulder at Rosalind, then Blake. “What does this have to do with the telegram?”

  “Nothing, but Lilly is his daughter, Rosalind’s charge, and I promised her yesterday I’d take her to see the horses. Which means you—”

  Matthew hesitated at the door, then shoved his hat onto his head. “And how is it you get the fun job while I get to muck out the stalls?”

  “Just lucky, I guess.”

  Matthew slid on leather gloves, a teasing gleam in his eyes. “Oh, there will be payback.” He thumped Blake’s chest with the back of his hand, his expression turning serious. “One of the fences was down. In light of what’s going on over at Boyd’s ranch, I had two of the men fix it. Thought you ought to know.” Matthew left.

  Blake came and stood near her. He hesitated as if considering his next words carefully, then looked toward Lilly in the kitchen and lowered his voice. “Are you all right, ma’am?”

  Rosalind couldn’t wrench her eyes from the look of concern on Blake’s face. “You sent him away for me?”

  He nodded. “There’s plenty of time to talk after Trent returns. No need right now. Just know we’re here if you need anything.” Blake entered the kitchen and held out his palm to Lilly. “Ready to see the horses, Miss Lilly? They need a good brushin’, and I thought you’d like to help.”

  Lilly set her book down on the table, scooped up her stuffed rabbit, and slid her hand in Blake’s. “I’m ready.”

  “We better be goin’ before Matthew changes his mind and has me cleanin’ the stalls.” Blake chuckled, giving Rosalind a smile as he passed, as if knowing that what she might have said about the telegram would cost her.

  And it would have—sharing the details of a cruel man she feared she’d never forget.

  Trent stepped from the train and searched the platform for Rosalind as the whistle blew. He had to find her and make sure she was all right. Although he’d made certain he wasn’t followed on the connection to Fort Worth, he couldn’t help but be concerned.

  A herd of cattle moved down the street, blocking all other traffic. In another two months, he’d be rounding up his own herd to take to market. But he’d have time to think about that later. Right now he needed his wife.

  His wife. The thought lightened his heavy heart.

  Where was she? His eyes roamed the streets, catching a glimpse of a group of women as they ambled down the boardwalk. She wasn’t with them. She wasn’t anywhere. Maybe she’d needed to use the privy.

  “Trent!”

  He jerked around. Pete? Trent’s cowhand rode up through the cows. “Did you leave me while I was gone?”

  Pete yanked his hat off and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. “This is my brother-in-law’s herd. One of his men came down with somethin’, so I’m helpin’ today.”

  “Good to hear you’re still with us.”

  “I’d never leave you, Boss. Besides, you have the finest herd.” He quirked a questioning brow. “I didn’t realize you were in town. Boston that bad?” He snickered. “Glad you’re back. Listen, before I head out. I heard somethin’ you and the guys should know about. Someone’s rustling longhorns in Graham. This might explain what’s happenin’ with our horns.”

  “Have we lost more?”

  “Seven head.”

  Trent chewed on the side of his lip. “Thanks for letting me know.”

  “I’ll be in town tonight to rest up, but I’ll be back in the morn. My brother-in-law’s cook is nothing like Martin.”

  “No one is as good as Martin.”

  “Even if the man never smiles.” Pete steered his horse to the herd. “See you tomorrow.”

  When Trent sent a telegram to Matthew from Boston, he’d asked for his horse to be taken to the livery. Thankfully his horse was still there. After settling with the livery owner, he stripped down to his buttoned shirt, rolled up his sleeves, and climbed onto his horse. An hour later, he resigned himself to the fact no one had seen a woman matching Rosalind’s description, or heard of her—and fear gnawed at him.

  He didn’t want to think what might have happened. He couldn’t get home fast enough. Trent rode. Hard. “God, please let her be there.” He wiped the sweat from his face with his forearm. His heart raced as he passed the tree marking the beginning of his property. Hot adrenaline pumped through his veins as the house came into view. “Let her be there, God, please.”

  Blake came out from the barn with a young child. Trent rode up to them and hopped off the horse.

  “Blake, have you seen—”

  “She’s in the house.”

  His body was spent and rattled. The fear he’d harbored for his wife these last weeks gave way to emotions he couldn’t control and had hoped to release before seeing her. His gut told him she was okay—Blake said she was inside—but the door to the house swung open, and he was robbed of the opportunity to relax first.

  She spotted him, and he froze on the last step to the porch. Just the sight of her made him crazy. Her hair was down, shining in the sun like a beacon. Eyes so clear ... so beautiful. She stole his breath. “Why didn’t you wait for me? Hadn’t we decided when I put you on the train?” His tone came out harsh, although it wasn’t his intention. She had to know what she’d done to him. Even now his heart pounded.

  Her smile faded. “I ...” She looked away, then back at him, but said nothing.

  “That’s not an answer.” He huffed.

  She turned her back to him and went inside, leaving him on the step.

  He took several breaths and followed, stomping up the porch. “Rosalind.” She wasn’t in the living room or the kitchen. He climbed the stairs to the second floor. A sound caught his ear as he came to one of the extra rooms. Her bags lay on the bed, and she shoved clothes into them.

  What was she doing?

  It took him a moment to understand the scene before him. “You’re leaving?” The same fear that rode with him from town intensified. No longer was it the fear that Glover had found her. Now he feared he’d never see her again.

  Rounding the bed, Trent grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. Rosalind’s eyes slammed shut, and her body cowered in his arms.

  She thought he’d strike her?

  He released her immediately, and pain gripped his heart for what she had endured at Glover’s hand. “Please, look at me,” he said in a gentle tone. When she didn’t move, he whispered her name, coaxing her to meet his gaze. “I promise, I will never raise a hand to you.”

  “But you were angry. I saw it in your eyes. I will never allow another man to hurt me.”

  “Yes, yes, I was angry. I was afraid. Afraid of losing you. You weren’t at the station, and I feared he had found you.”

  She cocked her head to the side, biting her bottom lip.

  She had no idea how appealing she was to him right now. She was safe, in his home—their home—and he’d never been more relieved in all his life. “May I kiss my wife hello?” He held out his hand.

  She took hold of his fingers, but when he didn’t pull her toward him, she came freely. He wanted her to feel safe, in control. So he waited. Before long, her mouth found his. He praised God within the warmth of her soft lips teasing him, making him fully aware of God’s blessing. His fingers found their way to her slender shoulders, sliding through her hair as he deepened the kiss. Within those moments he collected every taste and breath as h
is own, promising God and himself he’d be the husband she deserved.

  She pulled in a gasp of air.

  He released her neck, and his fingers cooled where they had touched her. He breathed deeply, and the fragrance of roses tickled his senses. He leaned his head against hers, holding her close as he whispered, “Thank you for being my wife.” He bent to kiss her again when a knock sounded at the door. Trent exhaled as Rosalind slipped from his arms. “Come in.”

  Blake entered with the child he’d seen when he rode up. The little girl ran to Rosalind, who knelt and embraced her.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Rosalind’s lips burned, and her heart pounded wildly as she tried to catch her breath. If not for Lilly, right now, she and Trent would be ...

  Heat crawled up her neck at the way his kisses claimed her. With difficulty, she focused her attention on Lilly.

  Lilly squeezed her tightly, then collected her hand. “Can we go?”

  Rosalind smiled at the anxious child, knowing exactly what she was after. She poked her chin. “Where would you like to go? You want me to see the horses?”

  Auburn hair bobbled. “Mr. Blake is waiting to take us.”

  She glanced at Blake and caught a glimpse of his back as he retreated from the doorway. When she turned to Trent, his eyes pierced hers and his forehead wrinkled in confusion. “First, I want you to meet someone.” Rosalind rose, inhaled a breath, and turned Lilly to face Trent. “Lilly, this is my husband, Mr. Easton. The one I told you about on the train. Trent, this is Lilly Hadley, my charge.”

  Trent glanced from her to Lilly. Questions raced across his features. “Hello.”

  Lilly pulled her hand, but Rosalind held fast. “Trent, would you care to join us?”

  “Let me wash up and I’ll meet you.” He glanced down at her bags, then at the bed. “Will you be sharing this room with Lilly?”

  Heat rose to her cheeks. She had hoped they’d have time to discuss their room arrangements, just not with Lilly standing at arm’s length. She needed to talk with him, needed him to understand the situation. Instead, she answered his questions with a nod.

  Disappointment shadowed his eyes, and her stomach plummeted from his silence. She wanted to give herself freely, to share his life fully, but for so long the desire of others gave her no choice but to obey. How could she explain?

  “Lilly, go find Blake and tell him I’ll be down shortly.” She waited until Lilly left, then turned back to her husband. “Trent.”

  He took a step closer and lightly rubbed his index finger over the bridge of her nose and forehead. She released a sigh and relished his touch and the way he eased her tension. He grinned in return. “Now, that’s better.” He raised her chin with his finger and caressed her lips with his own. “Then we shall wait. It won’t be easy, but we will wait.” He kissed her forehead, then strolled from the room.

  Rosalind’s heart pounded. She floated down the stairs to the barn and pushed the heavy door as it creaked in protest. She’d barely slid through when Blake yanked the door wide. “I appreciate you watching Lilly.”

  “I’m sorry for interruptin’.”

  She waved her hand, face warming at the thought of what he and Lilly had interrupted. “Oh, no need to apologize.”

  He pointed in Lilly’s direction. “She seems like a well-behaved child. She told me her father takes her riding. I was sorry to hear about his wife.” They walked through the barn to the gate where a horse grazed. Lilly stood peering between the rails of the fence a few steps away.

  Rosalind lowered her voice. “If only I knew how to ride. I’d do anything to make things right for her. I wish her parents were here now.” She could still see Catherine’s face as they pulled away from the train station. The longing in her friend’s green eyes stabbed Rosalind’s heart.

  She’d felt it too when her mother died, and she knew it was the last time she’d see her. The last breath she’d ever take. Rosalind reached the fence next to Lilly and closed her eyes for a moment to break her thoughts from the pain and hurt she’d tucked away so long ago.

  Blake knelt alongside Lilly and rolled on the heel of his boots. “Little miss, how would you feel about going for a ride?”

  Lilly’s eyes widened at Rosalind. “May I, Rose?”

  “If Mr. ...”

  “Blake will be fine.” His mouth turned up at the corners, causing his scar to seem less noticeable. “My friends call me Blake.”

  She nodded. “All right. On both accounts.”

  Blake rose and chuckled under his breath. “Would you care to help saddle the horse, Miss Lilly?” He held out his hand, and she grasped his fingers, pulling him farther into the barn.

  A moment later, the barn door squeaked open and Trent sauntered in, his hat shadowing him, yet she couldn’t pull her focus as he moved toward her. His shirt protested against his build, defining broad shoulders and strength that had only been hinted at under his Boston attire. His blond hair curled at the collar of his shirt, and his eyes, although hidden, caused her heart to skip, remembering how dark his blue orbs had turned moments ago after their kiss. She was married to a cowboy, and to an exceptionally handsome one at that.

  A horse whinnied, and Blake appeared, holding Lilly with one hand, reins in the other. When they passed, Lilly waved and Rosalind waved back. She turned to Trent. “Tell me.” Her voice almost pleaded, recalling Glover’s threats. “How is my father and sister? The twins? Are they all right?” She swallowed.

  “They’re fine, Rosalind. They’re safe. I believe with Joshua home, with his work with the navy and his large stature, your sister and her children will be safe. Sydney is quite upset you left without saying goodbye, but when I told her we were married and I sent you to Texas ahead of me, she was very pleased. And as for your father, he is staying with my parents. God is protecting them.”

  She let out a long breath and turned her focus back in the direction Blake and Lilly had rode.

  “Tell me about Lilly.” He moved alongside her.

  Where should she begin? “I met her and her parents, Oliver and Catherine, on the train coming west. They were very kind to me. When I needed shelter, they provided.”

  “What do you mean, shelter? I gave you enough money for a comfortable passage. I wouldn’t have sent you alone any other way.”

  Rosalind cleared her throat. “I ... I lost my ticket on the train and had no proof I’d purchased one. If it weren’t for this family, I’d have been taken off the train and arrested.”

  “Arrested?” His voice held the same timbre as it did when they first met on the doorstep.

  Rosalind wished to take his hat off to see him fully. His eyes were expressive of his feelings long before he reacted or spoke a word. Still, she’d misread his reaction earlier. She knew he was nothing like Glover, but for a moment, the fear Glover had instilled in her for the last two years rose, and she reacted. Trent only cared for and loved her.

  He rested his forearm on the fence, boot on the bottom rail.

  She reached over and cupped his hand. “I’m all right.”

  He nodded and looked at her. “What happened to Lilly’s parents?”

  Rosalind paused for a moment. “Her mother went into labor and the baby passed. Catherine became very ill, and they had to leave the train. Oliver asked if I’d take Lilly”—her voice broke—“into my care. When we arrived in Fort Worth...her father provided transportation to the ranch without delay.”

  “How are you?” Even though she couldn’t see his concern, she heard it in his voice.

  It had been so long since someone asked how she was, and the question took her by surprise. She glanced at the dirt and hay scattered at her feet. She finally whispered, “I don’t know. I’m a bit overwhelmed with everything that has happened since your parents’ party. I haven’t had much time to think. I’ve simply reacted to the situations around me.” Rosalind glanced down at their hands. “What happens if I can’t take care of Lilly as she needs?”

  Trent la
ced his fingers through hers. “Do you recall the time you found a baby bird that had fallen out of a nest, and how carefully you tended to its needs?”

  “Yes. It was hurt. I couldn’t let it die, knowing the mother wouldn’t be able to care for it.”

  “You were so gentle. I was taken back by you, the way you tended to the bird. Never had I seen such sympathy for another creature. And now you’ve taken in another baby bird. Lilly. You understand what she is going through. I believe God brought her into your care for this very reason. You are what she needs.”

  Did God really bring Lilly into her path so she might help her? Did God truly care about Lilly ... about her?

  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

  Was she valuable to the Lord? Did He bring Trent and his family to Boston to help her in her time of need, as she was helping Lilly in hers? “Your father told me once that God would rescue me from Glover. And now I’m here.”

  “I’m thankful He brought you to safety—to me.”

  “But am I safe?” She closed her eyes. “I’m scared, Trent.”

  Trent collected her within the warmth of his arms and held her. Rosalind knew she was loved, wanted, for the first time in years—but she was just as aware that her fear of Glover wasn’t far behind.

  It was almost dark, but Trent needed this ride. His muscles tightened as each hoof hit the ground. He grasped the leather reins, and his body moved as one with the horse. He didn’t want to think another minute of how Rosalind lived through abuse at Glover’s hand. So he rode harder until the wind blew against his ears, soothing his mind and nerves.

  He slowed his stallion and took a deep breath of grass and manure mingling in the air, remembering what Pete mentioned at the station. Someone was rustling cattle. He’d get with Matthew and Blake for sure. But right now, he headed toward the two-acre pond.

  As he got out of the saddle, Trent’s boots crunched the bridle grass near the pond’s edge. He rolled up his sleeves and plunged his hands into the warm water and grabbed a few rocks, then skimmed them across the surface. “Lord...” Trent looked toward heaven. Dark clouds had pushed into the area. “Although Glover isn’t physically here, he’s here with us, in fear, within both Rosalind and me. Please bring comfort to my wife and protect our lives together.”