Romancing the Wilderness: American Wilderness Series Boxed Bundle Books 1 - 3

by Dorothy Wiley

  “Furthermore,” Boone continued, “it has been my own personal experience, and I have observed in others, that behind every successful man is a woman who inspired and buoyed that success through her own strengths and capabilities. Men often underestimate the impact a woman can have on a man’s life. My impression of Kelly is that she is a woman who will inspire William to greatness here in Kentucky.”

  “She is indeed,” he said proudly. “You have my word, Sir. I was quite impressed with William myself.” In truth he was. He just had not let William know it. They had gotten off on the wrong foot. In fact, he had to admit he’d acted like an ass to William and his brothers.

  “Good, then we are in agreement,” Boone stated with finality.

  “Are you headed north? If so, I surely hope you will join me. I’d hate to run into Indians again without you.”

  “Indeed I am. I have business in Lexington,” Boone replied. “Then I am headed home, to the mouth of the Little Sandy River in northeastern Kentucky. Although I suspect Providence may soon call me elsewhere.”

  With that, they both mounted and urged their horses to a fast trot.

  Thank you, Lord. Now just let William reach her in time.

  Chapter 11

  William urged his stallion to run with all that was left in the weary animal. He needed to reach Kelly. He could see her slumped over Ginger’s neck, her head bobbing and hair flopping with each step the mare took. Was she hurt? Dear God, please no.

  He searched his mind for an explanation. Who was that tall man who led her mare? She sure as hell better be all right or he would be a tall corpse in mere minutes. He swallowed hard, trying to hold his raw emotions in check.

  He would be there in seconds.

  As Smoke drew close, he saw the man gawk back toward him with first surprise and then alarm. The fellow seemed to hesitate for a moment or two and then dropped the reins to Kelly’s horse, before spurring his sizable stallion to a full bounding run.

  Confused, Ginger started to run after the stallion. William could see Kelly’s body beginning to slip to the mare’s left side, just seconds away from being tangled in the horse’s galloping legs.

  “Oh God, no!”

  Swiftly closing the short gap between them, William pulled alongside the frightened mare’s right side and reached down for the bridle with one hand, while trying to support Kelly’s drooping body with his other hand. He couldn’t let her slip further. “Whoa girl, whoa. I’ve got you now. Whoa.”

  Ginger and Smoke both slowed and then finally came to a full stop. William stepped off his stallion and grabbed Kelly, supporting her limp body in his shaking arms. “Kelly. Kelly. My God, what has he done to you?” Worry and fear crowded his mind. “I’m here Kelly. I’m here for you.”

  Seconds later, Sam and Bear tugged their mounts to an abrupt halt beside him and instantly dismounted.

  “She won’t wake up,” he told them, feeling a wave of panic sweep through him.

  “Let’s get her off her horse,” Sam said.

  Bear held the horses and Sam held Kelly, while William untied the ropes binding her to the mare. He couldn’t believe this was the second time he’d had to remove ropes from her wrists and ankles. As before, her skin was an angry red and raw in places.

  As he gently lowered her to the ground, he swore he would use these very same ropes on the man who had tied them on Kelly.

  Both of his brothers knelt next to Kelly, examining her. “No head wounds,” Sam said.

  “It appears she has na broken bones,” Bear stated.

  “Thank God for that at least,” William said, “but why doesn’t she wake?” His heart thumped madly as he held her hand in his.

  “Let me smell her breath,” Bear urged and nudged Sam aside. “Drugged. The poor wee thing has been drugged.”

  Sam smelled her breath as well. “I agree,” he said. “Opium. Her breath has the sickly sweet smell of the poppy flower. During the war, surgeons gave it to those with the worst injuries. If the bugger didn’t overdose her, she’ll come around eventually.”

  “And if he did?” William asked, a pulsing knot forming in his stomach because he already knew the answer.

  Sam didn’t respond.

  William stood as icy fear wrapped around his heart. “I’ll kill him!” he swore. If Kelly died, nothing would do any good but a first-class killing and he was the man that would give it to the devil’s bastard. He tucked the ropes into his saddlebag. Then he bent a knee and lowered his lips to hers, sealing his vow with a gentle kiss. He never envisioned that this would be the way he would kiss Kelly for the first time, but his heart leapt at the feel of his lips brushing against hers.

  He would see the end of this nightmare for her. He stood and vaulted onto his horse. “Both of you stay with her. Take her to my new cabin. Whispering Hills is north and west of Boonesborough, no more than thirty minutes. But first, be sure the doctor checks her over. And keep her miserable father away from her.”

  Before they could respond, he took off. With a snap of his reins, he urged Smoke to a hard gallop. He prayed his stallion would be as fast as the abductor’s stallion was. Even if it was, though, his mount had been running at a steady pace for some time. But the man could be no more than a quarter-mile or so ahead of him. All he needed was a bit of luck and he’d soon catch up with him. And there it was. A clearing in the forest provided a gap through which he could ride, cutting a shorter path. He took it, weaving around the few trees in the glade and angling so that he would intercept the man.

  A few seconds later, he charged out onto the trail and skid to a halt, his stallion angled to block the road. “Get off your mount you whoreson,” William ordered.

  “Sir, I beg you to wait just a minute and listen to reason,” the man said in a smooth voice.

  “Get off of your mount. I won’t ask again.”

  As soon as the man dismounted, William did as well, keeping a watchful eye on the man’s every move.

  “Sir…” the man began.

  But William’s fist whacked the man’s jaw before the next word came out.

  The man doubled over to his left side but did not go down.

  William kept his fists clenched. “What is your name?”

  The man lifted his chin and responded, “Harpes.”

  “Harpes what?” William demanded, his tone nearly as hot as his anger.

  “Harpes Robinson.”

  “Mister Robinson, why did you abduct Miss McGuffin?”

  “I rescued her!” the man replied abruptly. He stood there, looking indignant and offended.

  William got the sense the man was a braggart—all gurgle and no guts. “Rescued her from what?”

  “From her brute of a father.”

  William couldn’t quarrel with the man’s description, but he still wanted to punch the man’s haughty face again. “Did Miss McGuffin ask to be rescued and how was she endangered by her father? Did he hit her?” He would do his best to wait for the answer, but it took all his self-control not to hit Harpes again. His distrust grew stronger by the minute.

  “No, he did not hit her. And she did not ask for my help,” he admitted. “But her father was drunk and acted like a boar towards her. I waited, hidden in the woods until he fell asleep to be sure he didn’t hurt her. Later, I came to her and she subsequently agreed to go with me to Lexington.”

  William found that hard to believe. But Kelly was in a precarious and fragile state of mind. Maybe she thought she could escape her problems by going with this man. With narrowed eyes, William regarded Harpes for a moment. He stared unflinchingly into the man’s stony eyes.

  “Her father was treating her pitifully,” the stranger explained. “I heard their argument from some distance away and came to her assistance. I felt sorry for her. If you had heard the hurtful things the bully said to her, you would have wanted to rescue her too. Once you crush a beautiful rose, it cannot be uncrushed.”

  William bristled at the man calling Kelly a beautiful rose, b
ut he couldn’t disagree with his logic. Had Kelly’s father crushed her beautiful spirit? William sincerely hoped she’d found the strength to stand up to her father’s verbal assault.

  But for now, his primary concern was this vexing man. “Is that why you drugged her? Because you felt sorry for her?” William questioned, squinting his eyes again.

  Harpes’ left eyebrow rose. “No, I…” he stammered and lowered his head.

  William’s jaw clenched. “What did you do to her, you filthy bastard?”

  “Nothing, I assure you.”

  “Did…you…touch…her?” William enunciated each word with a snarl.

  “She is untouched. I was taking her to Lexington to provide her with an education. I am a man of means and property and can provide her with all she needs.”

  “I can just imagine what kind of education you had in mind,” William seethed, feeling like a volcano on the verge of erupting. “And as for providing for her, that is none of your concern. I’ll ask you one last time. And I warn you a poor answer will have equally poor consequences. Why did you drug her?”

  The color drained from Harpes’ face and his eyes darted to the ground as he struggled to rationalize what he’d done. He gave an anxious little cough before finally answering. “Opium can take a person to great heights of extraordinary pleasure. There’s nothing quite like it. I wanted to give the young woman some pleasure, that’s all. May I offer you some?” His lips curled slowly into a cloying smile.

  William’s fist slammed into the man’s jaw again. This time, knocking Harpes to the ground. “I should just hang your sorry soul. Right here. Right now.” He glowered at the weasel, letting his eyes convey the fury within him.

  “On whose authority?” the pompous man asked as he regained his feet.

  “On my authority,” William snapped. “I’m Sheriff Wyllie of Boonesborough. And you, Sir, are under arrest for abduction and assault of a woman.”

  For the first time, the man looked worried. “I did not assault her!” Harpes insisted. “I helped her.” A shadow of doubt swept across his face.

  “Drugging a person to the point of rendering them unconscious is assault.”

  Harpes stiffened and haughtily tossed his head. “Says who?”

  The abductor’s contemptuous expression sent William’s temper soaring. “Says the law. And that’s me. Turn around and put your hands behind your back.”

  “Perhaps you are in need of a few extra gold coins sheriff?”

  “Keep your coins in your pocket you weasel. Now, turn around.”

  “I am a man of considerable means. I’m sure I can find an amount that will persuade you.”

  “No amount of money is worth a man’s honor,” William replied, making his voice lashing. “I swore an oath to uphold the law. Right now, though, I wish I hadn’t. Because then I could just kill you for what you did to Kelly.”

  Harpes took a step forward but did not turn. “Just how do you intend to dispense this law? It’s just the two of us. Out here in the middle of nowhere.” He raised his chin with a cool stare in William’s direction.

  William pulled his pistol. “With this. And if Kelly says you harmed her, a sturdy rope. For the third, and final time, turn around.”

  Harpes hardened his features and slowly turned.

  William reached into his saddlebag for the ropes Harpes used on Kelly.

  Harpes spun, and teeth bared, charged, shoving his head and shoulder into William’s stomach.

  The impact sent them both flying to the ground.

  Chapter 12

  Kelly drifted in and out, her hazy mind refusing to come awake despite how hard she tried. Why was she sleeping? She continued to struggle toward wakefulness, but it was like trudging uphill through a murky gloom. Finally, she managed to wake enough to open her eyes. Her muddled wits strained to make sense of where she was. Where was William? She could hear Sam and Bear’s voices, sounding muffled and distant, but not William’s.

  She also smelled coffee brewing. Her sense of smell seemed heightened and the aroma wafting through the air was marvelous, like sugar browning or nuts roasting.

  “I made this coffee strong enough to float horseshoes,” Bear told Sam. “and I let it cool a wee bit.”

  “Let’s see if she’ll drink any,” Sam said.

  She felt one of them lift her neck and she tried to open her eyes again but her heavy eyelids wouldn’t stay open. Her breaths were shallow, her awareness coming and going.

  Bear dribbled the lukewarm brew into her mouth and she swallowed. Never had coffee tasted so good. It was strong, but its warmth soothed her thirst and the brew took the feel of cotton off her tongue.

  Sam and Bear made her drink several more times until she finally sputtered some of the coffee out.

  “Kelly, can you sit up? We need to be on our way,” Sam said, tossing the rest of the coffee.

  Kelly pushed herself up and leaned on Bear’s big arm for support until her head cleared. “I feel well-rested,” she said after a few moments, “like I’ve slept for a week. Just how long was I asleep? And why, for heaven’s sake, was I asleep at all?”

  “We’ll explain later after we are on our way,” Sam said.

  “I’ll carry her first,” Bear volunteered. He mounted and Sam gently lifted her up into Bear’s arms.

  Kelly settled herself against Bear’s massive chest but resisted the temptation to go to sleep again. “Where’s William?” she asked, still somewhat groggy after a few minutes. “I thought I heard his voice too.”

  “Perhaps in your dreams,” Sam replied smiling.

  “He’ll be happier than a butcher’s dog to know ye’ve come around,” Bear said, sounding pretty happy himself.

  “Come around?” Kelly asked, the coffee finally starting to wake her up.

  “Ye were drugged Miss Kelly,” Bear said, “by that evil man who stole ye away.”

  “Drugged. That’s why I feel so…so strangely.”

  “Yes, Kelly,” Sam said, “but you’ll be fine. You’re safe now.”

  “Where are we? Bear, turn me around so I can see where I’m going,” she said.

  “All right, lass,” Bear said. He lifted and turned her so her legs hung off the horse to his right and she could face forward.

  “Who was that man and why did that man take you?” Sam asked.

  “His name is Harpes and he said he wanted to give me an education,” Kelly answered, trying to remember more of what exactly had happened to her.

  Bear and Sam exchanged a meaningful look. What it meant eluded her, but she felt sure they didn’t trust the stranger. Neither did she. Why did the man drug her? She’d been cooperative. She had agreed to go with him to Lexington. He had no reason to drug her. Unless…unless he meant to do her harm. Numb with shock, and increasing rage, she started to rub her sore wrist, but then stopped. Her chest swelled with her determination. No, she told herself. No fear. No more fear.

  And no more shame.

  She straightened herself and held her head a little higher. From now on, she would not let herself feel anything other than self-respect. No longer would she question her worth. She felt as if her dormant dignity had renewed itself while she was sleeping. With a sense of strength filling her, she came fully awake. With abrupt clarity, she immediately thought of William. “Where’s your brother?” she asked.

  “He’s gone after the bastard. Oh, excuse me, lass. He’s gone after your captor,” Bear corrected.

  “Gone where?” she demanded.

  “When we finally caught up to you, your abductor let go of your mare and took off like a lightning bolt,” Sam answered. “After William determined that you were all right and told us to escort you back to Boonesborough, he took off after the man. By now, your abductor is probably experiencing the fullest extent of the law.”

  Kelly wasn’t sure what Sam meant, but she was concerned for William. “Will he be all right? What if that man hurts him?”

  “Nay, tis far more likely it will be
yer abductor who will be feeling the hurtin’,” Bear said.

  “Stop these horses. Right now!” Kelly ordered.

  After they both slowed their mounts, Sam asked, “Why Kelly? What’s wrong?”

  “We are not leaving William to fend for himself against that horrible man. If he drugged me, he might do the same to William, or worse. Turn these horses around this minute!”

  “Kelly, William is quite capable of taking care of himself. He’s been dealing with outlaws for years,” Sam said.

  “Aye, he’s been known to deal with several at a time. One will na be a problem for William,” Bear agreed.

  “I would not leave him if I thought he was in serious danger,” Sam said. “William possesses considerable skills with weapons. And he’s shrewd and brave. Rest assured, he can handle this Harpes.”

  “You cannot be certain of that. I spent time with that man. He’s slick as an egg white and I don’t trust him. You have to go help your brother and you have to do it now!” She felt a curious pull toward William and she was growing more ill at ease by the minute as her concern for him grew. An uncomfortable shudder passed through her.

  She peered at Sam, imploring him with her eyes.

  “Kelly, we can’t risk letting you get hurt again. William would never forgive us if something happened to you. We need to get you safely back to Boonesborough. It’s what William wanted,” Sam argued.

  “But William didn’t know what I want,” she said determinedly, “and I want you two to go help him.” Her emotions swelled with a driving need to be with William. Now, not later. She had to be sure he was all right. With pulse-pounding certainty, she wanted to be near him. Just his presence brought her joy, but now she could no longer deny herself his touch, his affection, too. Her heart thudded within her and her breaths quickened. “Put me down, Bear. I can ride my own horse now.” Sam had been pulling her mare behind him.

  “Nay, Miss Kelly. Ye may be awake now, but the drugs may make ye fall asleep again soon and we do na want ye to fall off yer mare, now do we lass?”