The Salvation 0f A Runaway Bride (Historical Western Romance)

by Cassidy Hanton

  “Afternoon Ottie, any news?” Abe asked, as he plunked himself down in the chair across from him.

  “Nope. How was the drop point?” Ottie asked, still staring at the paper.

  “Nothing, just an old abandoned oil site. Looks like nobody’s been there since it shut down. Likely, our guy just rode past it on a whim one day and decided it would be a good spot. Difficult to hide nearby without being spotted. Hard for the pickup, but hard for an ambush too,” Abe said.

  “Hm. Well, looks like it’s going to come down to the ransom then,” Ottie sighed.

  “Well, I did discover something about that cigar we found,” Abe said.

  Ottie finally looked up. “Oh?”

  “They’re illegal. Only smugglers bring them in,” Abe said.

  “Which doesn’t help us any,” Ottie sighed. “A criminal smoking an illegal cigar doesn’t get us anywhere at all.”

  “No,” Abe said with a smile. “But Mr. Fisher certainly went pale when he looked at it.”

  “Abe, we can’t keep doing this,” Ottie gruffed. “You can’t keep going after Mr. Fisher over absolutely nothing.” His voice was strained and tired.

  “It’s not nothing Ottie. The roads keep leading back to this man and I can’t stop thinking there’s a reason for it,” Abe insisted.

  “Abe, I said to leave it alone. I’m done hearing about Mr. Fisher,” Ottie said.

  Abe looked at him.

  “Since when do you not trust me Ottie?” Abe asked.

  “Since you became so blind by your affection for Miss Laura that you’re ready to run her fiancé out of town the first chance you can find,” Ottie replied flatly.

  I can’t believe he thinks that’s it. That I’d be so simple.

  “Well, if my deputy services are proving to be lackluster then I better be getting back to the ranch,” Abe said, as he turned on his heel and headed back toward the door.

  “They may not have the money, Abe,” Ottie said, before Abe could step outside.

  Abe turned back to look at him. “What?”

  “Mr. Edmonds was in here earlier. He doesn’t have the money, and he’s led me to believe that it’s possible Mr. Fisher may not either,” Ottie said, as he looked Abe in the eye. “Mr. Fisher is trying to come through with it but he’s their last hope, so you need to leave it be with whatever you’re still holding against him.”

  Abe silently nodded.

  “Good. Let me know if you find out anything else,” Ottie said.

  Abe headed back outside and unhitched Bruce. They rode like hell back to the ranch.

  After he put Bruce away, he headed inside and sat down by the stove.

  Maybe it is just me. Maybe I want Jacob involved, because that will mean on the other side of this would be nothing but me and her.

  He sat in silence for a while, continuing to think.

  Nothing matters besides getting her back safely. Not Mr. Fisher, not even myself.

  He stood up and walked back over to the safe. He dialed in the combination and it swung open yet again. He reached in and began pulling out stacks of bills.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The tension at Aunt Ethel’s house had intensified. Xavier had wired all of his business associates and tried every excuse he could think of to try and gather up the money. Dorothy and Aunt Ethel knitted in silence, the burden of worry written all over their faces. Dorothy and Aunt Ethel had dutifully been preparing meals, but nearly all of them had been cleared unfinished. Any idle talk had been erased, and the only discussions were about Laura.

  The day before the ransom was due, Jacob strode in the door. His face did not foretell of good news.

  “All of my father’s assets are tied up in the practice. It seems he won’t be able to wire me the funds we need,” Jacob said.

  Dorothy put her knitting down and looked out the window, as a tear ran down her cheek.

  “But I just sent telegrams to some of my business associates that I’ve invested in, I have hope that they will come through with quite a bit of money, seeing how much I’ve given to them over the years,” Jacob said, as he straightened his coat and pulled his pipe out of his jacket.

  “And what if they don’t?” Aunt Ethel asked, looking at Jacob.

  He struck a match and lit his pipe. “It’ll come through.”

  Xavier looked at Jacob and then lit his own pipe.

  “Has anyone heard anything from the Sheriff?” he asked.

  “No, nothing yet,” Dorothy said.

  “I’m not holding my breath on those gents,” Jacob said. “Abe was in the saloon yesterday chattering on about a cigar band he found. A nothing lead.” He took a deep drag from his pipe and looked down at the floor.

  Abe arrived at Aunt Ethel’s house and slowly walked up to the porch. He took a deep breath.

  It’s all for her.

  A knock at the door cut through the tension inside. Xavier walked over and opened it. On the porch stood Abe.

  “Mr. Mavor, any news?” Xavier asked hopefully.

  “Well, no. Not on the investigation. Would you mind if I came in?” he said politely.

  “Yes, absolutely, come on in,” Xavier said, as he ushered him inside.

  “Thank you.”

  Abe stepped into the main room where Aunt Ethel and Dorothy eyed him expectantly. Jacob, however, continued to puff on his pipe and look down at the floor.

  Abe cleared his throat. “It’s looking like we don’t have much in the way of anything useful that gets us closer to finding her.”

  Dorothy sniffled as Abe continued.

  “So it’s looking like the ransom is our last option. And, seeing as how important it is to all of us to get Miss Laura back, I’d like to help out with that.”

  Abe reached into his coat and pulled out stacks of bills. He piled them up on the table as the family watched in shock.

  “Abe, I don’t know what to say,” Xavier said, as he stared at the money.

  “That’s so much money, Abe,” Aunt Ethel said, as she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

  “Well, it’s got to come from somewhere. Ranch has been doing well so I’m in the position to help out is all,” Abe replied.

  Jacob stood up and wordlessly walked over to the table. He grabbed a stack of bills and turned to face Abe.

  “What is this?” he hissed. “Was this the plan all along? Are you trying to humiliate me?”

  “What? No!” Abe said, as Jacob inched toward his face.

  “That’s it. That’s what it was. You arrange her disappearance and then you get to run in and play the hero,” Jacob shouted, as he waved the bills in Abe’s face.

  “Jacob, that’s enough,” Aunt Ethel said, as she grabbed Jacob’s arm. “I believe the appropriate response is to thank Abe for his generosity in our time of need.”

  Jacob looked at her incredulously, then a sneer crept across his face. “I expect nothing but defense of him from you, of course,” he said, as he yanked his arm away.

  “Look, Jacob,” Abe said slowly. “I understand we’ve had our differences, but the most important thing right now is making sure Laura gets back safely and it seems like, right now, this is our best way to make sure of that. Now, this ain’t about anything more than me having the ability to help out.”

  Jacob took another step toward Abe and then shoved the bills into his chest. “We don’t need it. My business associates will come through.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t be quite so hasty Jacob, perhaps we should thank Mr. Mavor for his generous offer and utilize it should those business associates of yours run into any problems,” Xavier said nervously.

  Jacob looked at everyone in the room with shock. “Does no one here believe that I can provide for my bride? That I can handle a crisis in this horrible, unpredictable time?”

  Everyone remained quiet, stunned at the outburst. Furiously, Jacob turned on his heel and strode out the door.

  Abe turned back to Xavier.

  “Look, Mr. Edmonds, I
meant no offense…”

  Xavier waved his hand. “No need for that, Abe. I believe the worry has just gotten the better of Jacob, and all of us really.”

  “Yes, thank you so much for your generosity, Mr. Mavor,” Dorothy said with a weak smile. “It may just make the difference.”

  Aunt Ethel just looked at him with reassuring eyes.

  Abe cleared his throat and spoke in a commanding voice. “Now, this doesn’t mean that the Sheriff and I have given up.” His voice softened a bit. “This is just me, as a friend, trying to do whatever else I can.”

  Xavier clapped him on the shoulder reassuringly.

  “Well, I best be going, I’ll let you know if and when we find anything else,” Abe said, and with that, he packed the bills back into his coat and headed out the door. He hopped on Bruce’s back and rode straight to town. He stopped at the jailhouse. He burst through the doors, but Ottie wasn’t at his usual spot on the desk. Instead, one of Ottie’s deputies sat half-asleep in the corner.

  “Where’s the sheriff?” Abe asked.

  “He went out; he seemed to have something he thought of all the sudden,” the Deputy replied.

  “Did he tell you where he was going?” Abe asked, frustrated.

  “Nope, but he did bring that piece of paper with him that he’s been starin’ at,” the Deputy said, as he moved a big wad of tobacco from one cheek to the other.

  I bet I know where he went.

  “Thank you, take care of yourself, Deputy,” Abe said.

  He and Bruce rode straight back out toward the oil derrick. As he got closer, he saw no sign of Ottie. The shack stood as it did when he last visited it, completely alone.

  Where the hell is he?

  Bruce paced underneath him worriedly. He fussed with the bit and whinnied, as if he sensed something amiss.

  Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, Ottie and Midnight appeared. He rode straight up to Abe.

  “Abe, what are you doing out here?” Ottie asked.

  “Looking for you, where did you come from?” Abe asked.

  Ottie had a sly smile on his face. “C’mon, I’ll show you.”

  They rode west, away from the derrick. Just before the derrick disappeared from view, another surprise rose out of the landscape: the entrance to a mineshaft.

  “How’d you find this?” Abe asked Ottie.

  “I’ve lived in this town a long time, Abe. I just had to think for a bit to remember this old fool’s errand of a mine we had a long time back. Had a thought that it might have a view of that derrick,” Ottie said, with a smile.

  “I don’t believe this. You rode out here, caution to the wind, and found a spot for a stakeout even though the ransom note said not to? Where did Sheriff Oratius Kinkade, the man of great caution disappear to?” Abe asked, as he reached over and gave Ottie a shove, nearly unseating him from Midnight.

  “Look, I know I haven’t been the kindest to you these last few days. Truth is, I ain’t felt prepared for this sort of thing,” Ottie said. “But something has to be done. We don’t know that once this fella has his money, he won’t still hurt Miss Laura, and I’m not willing to take that chance.”

  I can’t believe it. We might actually have a shot at catching this man.

  “So, what’s the plan?” Abe asked.

  “Well, first I’ll let the family know a loose idea of what we’re planning. Then tonight, myself and the deputies will set up out here. I figure we get enough of a head start, then he won’t see us ride in, if he decides to watch this place tomorrow,” Ottie said. “Family drops off the money and then we grab him when he decides to show himself.”

  “Not bad, Ottie,” Abe said. “But I’ll be here as well.”

  “I figured there was no keeping you away, but there’s some things I’ll need you to take care of first,” Ottie replied.

  “Of course, anything Ottie.”

  * * *

  As the sun was going down, Abe rode back up to Aunt Ethel’s house. He straightened his jacket and knocked on the door. Aunt Ethel opened it. The smell of freshly baked bread hit Abe’s nose.

  “Evening Abe! Do you have news?” Aunt Ethel asked.

  “I do, indeed. May I come in?” Abe asked.

  “Of course,” she said, as she stepped aside.

  Everything was as it was earlier, except for the absence of Jacob Fisher.

  “Well, I’ll get straight to it. The Sheriff isn’t certain that if we pay the ransom that we’ll get Laura back, so he’s planning on attempting to arrest the man when you folks drop off the money,” Abe said.

  “But…the note…isn’t that just as dangerous?” Dorothy asked worriedly.

  “The Sheriff seems to have an idea that’ll let him grab the fella before he even realizes he’s there,” Abe said reassuringly.

  Xavier sat silently, puffing away on his pipe.

  “Folks, I can’t let you know enough how much I care about getting Laura back safely. And I agree with the Sheriff that this is our best option,” Abe said firmly.

  “What do you need from us?” Xavier asked quietly.

  “Well, I’d appreciate if you kept all this as quiet as possible, of course,” Abe said. “And I’d like you to take the money I’ve offered so we can use it to catch this man.”

  Xavier nodded silently.

  “Where’s Mr. Fisher?” Abe asked, looking around.

  “I assume he’s back at the hotel, we haven’t seen him since this morning,” Aunt Ethel said.

  “Ah, well, I’d appreciate if you folks could pass the news on to him as soon as you can, I don’t think another visit from me would be to anyone’s benefit,” Abe said.

  “I think that’s wise. I’ll ride into town in the morning and talk to him,” Xavier said.

  “Thank you, sir. In the meantime, I’ll leave this with you folks,” Abe said as he removed the bills from his jacket, yet again, and placed them on the table. “Y’all take care tonight and try to get some sleep.”

  He headed back out into the cold night. He rode to the ranch, which looked even darker and colder than usual. He stepped inside, but instead of lighting a fire, he just lit a lamp. He headed back to the safe, but this time he didn’t retrieve bills. Instead, he grabbed a box of bullets. He opened his revolver and quietly loaded every chamber. He swung the barrel back in with a click.

  Next, he headed out to the barn. Many coils of rope were hung along the wall. He ran his hands along each one, like a doctor examining his instruments. He pulled one off the wall and headed back outside. He squared up against a wooden barrel he had set for roping practice. He set the lantern down and began to swing the rope above his head.

  He let it fly in a perfect arc. It landed squarely around the barrel and he pulled it tight with a swift motion. He stepped over, loosened the rope from the barrel, and stepped back to where he’d started. Over and over again, he roped the barrel. Each arc was perfect and, each time, he tightened it with speed. As he did, he thought of Laura’s face as she watched him in the roping competition.

  This man won’t get away from me. Not even a chance.

  As the oil in the lamp burned down to its last drops, he finally relented his practice. He recoiled the rope, adjusted his pistol in his holster, and hopped back on Bruce’s back.

  Then, in the dark of night, Abe and Bruce headed back out toward the old mine.

  Chapter Thirty

  Under the glow of the lamps, Xavier stepped inside the saloon. It was a lively night, with drunken miners, cowboys, and businessmen filling almost every table. With the Jubilee only days away, the town was packed with revelers. Xavier was too distracted to even notice the festive atmosphere.

  Xavier spotted Jacob, who was sitting at the bar, nursing a drink. He slid into a seat next to him. Jacob looked worse than Xavier had ever seen him, disheveled with deep, dark bags under his eyes. He didn’t even seem to notice Xavier’s presence.

  “Evening Jacob,” Xavier said.

  “Evening,” Jacob said, without lookin
g over.

  Charlie came over to Xavier. “What can I get you?”

  “Oh, house whiskey, thank you,” Xavier responded.

  Charlie poured him a glass.

  “Another for me,” Jacob slurred, as he held his glass up to Charlie, who reluctantly poured him another.