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

by Cassidy Hanton

  “Laura! My girl! I’m so glad you’re safe,” he said, as he held back tears. His scent surrounded her, the same smells he’d had since she was a little girl. Her mother was right behind him, tears streaming down her face.

  Laura pulled back from her father, as her mother wrapped her arms around her. The three of them held each other, crying and laughing all at once. It was all finally over. She was home.

  In the background stood Aunt Ethel and Abe. Aunt Ethel slowly made her way down from the porch and Laura shakily made her way over to her. Aunt Ethel kissed both her cheeks, as she looked at her in near disbelief.

  “I’m so glad you’re home, child,” Aunt Ethel then looked past Laura to Abe. “Thank you for bringing her back to us.”

  Abe tipped his hat, like he had so many times before. Laura wiped the tears off of her face, as she looked around at all the familiar faces. But there was a face that was missing.

  “Where’s Jacob?” Laura asked.

  Her father’s eyes darkened. “No one has seen him since yesterday afternoon.”

  Abe looked at him incredulously. Laura, however, looked less stunned.

  “I think I know why. Can we go inside?” Laura asked.

  “Of course, child. Let me help you.” Her father looped his arm under hers and they slowly made their way toward the house. Everyone except Abe, who stood still. Xavier turned and looked back at him.

  “You too, sir,” he said matter-of-factly. Abe slowly followed the group inside the house. Her father slowly eased Laura down into a chair and her mother brought her a hot cup of coffee. Laura looked around at the cozy house. The drapes she had hung, the cushions on the chairs. Although, now, they felt like they had all been created by a different girl. She hardly felt like that girl anymore.

  Abe looked at her from one side of the room, his face dark and creased with concern.

  “What did you mean you know why Jacob is missing Laura?” he asked.

  Laura slowly reached inside the breast of her dress and pulled out the folded piece of paper she had been guarding there. She handed it over to Abe.

  “That fell out of my kidnapper’s pocket one day. It’s a telegram.” She said solemnly.

  Abe slowly unfolded the paper and read it out loud.

  “Harry STOP Do not think for a moment that your threats will be heeded STOP You will receive your money in due time STOP I do not take kindly to your continued harassment STOP This will be our last correspondence on the subject STOP J.F.”

  Abe looked up at Laura. Xavier’s face reddened with rage.

  “Are you telling me, that this all happened to settle a debt incurred by Mr. Fisher?” Xavier asked, his voice nearly a shout.

  “That’s what it seems like. My captor seemed to know quite a lot about Jacob.” Laura replied. She looked her father dead in the eye. “And…I will not be marrying Jacob.”

  Her father jumped to his feet and Laura flinched, but unexpected words came out of his furious eyes. “Forget marrying him! I’ll kill him!” He started for the door. Abe grabbed onto his arm to stop him.

  “Mr. Edmonds, your daughter has been through a lot. I’ll go after Mr. Fisher and bring him back to answer for these claims,” he said sternly.

  “I appreciate the offer, Mr. Mavor, but I’d like to see him answer for his absence when we find him,” Xavier replied earnestly.

  “Alright, together then,” Abe replied. The two men strode toward the door. Before he stepped out, Laura called after him.

  “Abe, wait!”

  He slowly turned back toward her. She motioned to his arm.

  “I can’t let you go in that state. Let me patch you up before you go,” she said softly.

  “I can wrap it up at the jailhouse, you been through a lot, don’t need to be patching me up,” he said kindly, but firmly.

  “No, please, just let me do this for you, Abe,” Laura pressed.

  Abe sighed and took a seat. Laura went over to the cupboards and found the familiar herbs and started them boiling on the stove. She grabbed a clean bit of leftover fabric and went to work, her family grabbing things for her, as she asked.

  In no time, she had cleaned the wound and carefully bandaged it. Her fingers moved gently over Abe’s thick, strong arms, the arms that had carried her back home.

  “You going to be alright while I’m gone?” Abe asked her, quietly.

  Laura nodded and smiled at him. “I’ll be fine with Mother and Aunt Ethel. Go find him. I’ve a few choice words for him when you return.”

  He smiled back at her and then headed out the door with Xavier.

  Aunt Ethel and Laura’s mother looked at Laura, as if they feared if they took their eyes off her for a moment she would disappear again. Her mother walked over to her and gave her another hug, then looked Laura in the eyes.

  “I’m so sorry Laura…” She paused, searching for the words. Laura took her mother’s hands in hers.

  “It’s alright, Mama. I’m home now, that’s all that matters,” she said, reassuringly.

  Her mother turned to Aunt Ethel. “We must get some food started. She looks like she’s starving.”

  Aunt Ethel nodded in agreement, as she stood up and headed to the stove. Her mother hustled over and began fussing over this and that, as Laura leaned back in her chair, completely exhausted, but still wide awake, her mind still swimming with unanswered questions.

  What will Jacob say about all this? And where the hell could he have gone?

  Fear suddenly came over her, fear that hadn’t even gripped her during her days in the barn.

  What kind of a man is Abe riding toward right now?

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Abe and Xavier rode straight for the jailhouse first. When they arrived, Abe strode through the doors to find Ottie behind his desk and Harry inside one of the cells, dead asleep with a bandage wrapped around his leg. Ottie jumped up when he saw them walk in, his face eager with anticipation.

  “So, did you find her? Is she safe?” he asked.

  “Safe and sound, back at her Aunt Ethel’s house. But we’ve got a bigger problem now,” Abe said, as he handed Ottie the telegram.

  Ottie’s eyes scanned the page and his eyes widened with realization. He looked at Abe angrily. “That weasel! Where the hell is he?”

  “That’s what we’re trying to find out. Unfortunately, he could be miles from here, by now,” Abe said.

  “Take as many men as you need, we’ll fan out and find him,” Ottie said.

  Harry suddenly grunted from the cell. “He run?” He scoffed.

  “Yeah, do you know where he might have gone?” Ottie replied.

  “Nope, my days of tracking that bastard are through. Good luck with that,” Harry said, as he winced and grabbed his wounded leg.

  Abe walked over to the cell. He stared at Harry through the bars.

  “Tell me, how did Jacob incur his debt to you?” he asked, angrily.

  “Why the hell would I tell you? I’m already behind bars with one of your bullets in my leg,” Harry seethed.

  “Because telling me might be the difference between you and the noose,” Abe said.

  Harry considered for a beat. “Fine. I met him in a tavern as I was passing through Tucson. He liked to play fast and loose with the cards. He was there a week and the kid racked up five thousand in losses, then disappeared. Had to track him all the way up here. I tried to settle it the easy way, but he forced me to make it difficult. I figured either he’d cough it up or the girl’s family would. Either way, I’d get paid.”

  Abe’s hand tightened around one of the cell’s iron bars. Ottie placed his hand on Abe’s shoulder.

  “Come on Abe, he’s already got a head start on us. I’m gonna get the deputies saddled up now,” Ottie said.

  Abe turned to face Ottie and Xavier. “Fine, Xavier and I will head southeast toward St. George.”

  “I’ll send my deputies north toward Ivans,” Ottie said. “He’s got to be heading somewhere, he can catch a train or
a stagecoach.”

  Abe headed outside, and soon, he and Xavier were riding hard to the southeast. The winding red rock canyons were ahead of them.

  He could be anywhere in there, hiding out like the coward he is.

  Xavier trailed behind, as they rode on. Abe felt exhaustion wearing at the edges of him, but his mind was focused on only one thing: finding Jacob Fisher.

  After hours of hard riding, they were into the canyon. The waves of red rock rose over them like giant earthen waves. Along the bottom of the canyon was a winding river. Abe slowed Bruce as they traced along the river. The soft sand and stones that banked it could shift under their feet and cause Bruce to stumble.

  They rode slowly on, until the sun began to set in the canyon. Ahead was a small cave, carved out of the side of the rock wall. Abe stopped Bruce next to it, as Xavier rode up next to him.

  “We should stop here for the night. I don’t trust riding in these canyons after dark,” Abe said.

  “But…he could be getting further away,” Xavier protested.

  “If he’s got an ounce of sense, he’s stopped for the night too, if he’s not made it to a town yet. And if he’s made it to a town, well, we’ve likely lost him already. Either way, I’m not going to risk my horse in these canyons after dark,” Abe said, as he slid off Bruce’s back.

  Xavier, hesitantly, followed suit. Abe tied up Bruce to a nearby tree and began to search for dry firewood. Together, they built a small fire and settled in for the night.

  As the fire crackled in front of them, Xavier looked at Abe from across the dancing flames.

  “So, Abe, you want to tell me why you’ve put yourself through so much trouble for my daughter?” Xavier asked.

  Abe took a deep breath. He began to recount, as he had so many times before, every sweet smile, kind word, and gentle touch that he had ever witnessed with Laura. How his heart would pound, when she walked in a room. He looked at Xavier, whose face seemed to say he already knew the answer.

  Abe cleared his throat. “Your daughter is an incredible woman, Mr. Edmonds.”

  “Yes, she is,” Xavier replied. “The girl’s been through so much, but seems to be holding up quite well.”

  “Sir, I have to say. I’ve grown quite fond of your daughter over her time here,” Abe continued. “Nothing…improper, of course. But, if I must be frank, given what seems to be coming to light about Mr. Fisher, I believe it suggests that your daughter might need to pursue a new suitor.”

  “I suppose that might be correct. I’d like to give Mr. Fisher a chance to explain himself first, of course. But I believe involvement in my daughter’s kidnapping, in any fashion, is grounds for the ending of any marriage agreement,” Xavier replied, with a scoff.

  Abe leaned over and handed Xavier his flask of whiskey. Xavier took a swig.

  “I’d say that sounds about right,” Abe replied.

  “So that’s the reason for your suspicions about Mr. Fisher? You were concerned that he might have been involved from the very beginning?” Xavier asked.

  “I had my doubts about him, for sure, but it was all to make sure Laura was safe. Like I said, she’s quite the woman and after knowing her kindness for so long, I’d do anything for her,” Abe said.

  “Good to know she’s had good folks looking out for her,” Xavier replied.

  The words hit Abe hard.

  If I’d been looking out for her, none of this would have happened.

  That thought gnawed on him, deep down. Here he was, staring her father in the face, but unable to ask him what he really wanted. Instead, he motioned for Xavier to pass the flask back to him.

  “I did my best. I’m sorry I couldn’t have prevented this altogether,” Abe said, as Xavier handed him back the flask.

  “Nothing to be sorry for,” Xavier said. “So, you think we’ll catch up to him?”

  “Hard to say. We’ll ride hard as we can tomorrow. He’s not used to riding this terrain, so we might be able to get up on him,” Abe said.

  With that, they settled in for the night, the fire crackling away to embers.

  * * *

  The next morning, Abe awoke with the sun. Xavier was still sleeping, but instead of stirring him, Abe walked over to the river. He splashed some of the cool water on his face and stared at the rolling water, curving its way through the canyon. He’d ridden this canyon before, but today felt so different.

  What if we never catch up to him, what then?

  As he stooped down by the moving water, he thought on how his life had changed so much, like how the river had cut out a canyon where once there had only been flat land. Laura had cut through him, until his entire shape was different. He was reformed, maybe even revealed. His love for her is what had sealed it.

  He turned and headed back toward their little camp. Xavier was just beginning to stir, as Abe began to saddle up Bruce for the ride ahead. Abe looked over at him.

  “I’m going to scout ahead a bit. I want to see how swelled the river is, before we push on too far,” Abe said to Xavier.

  “Are you sure? Would it not be better for us to just stay together?” Xavier asked.

  “I’ll be back in a flash. You take care of saddling up for when I get back,” Abe replied, brushing it off.

  Really, he just wanted a few minutes to ride alone, to think. He and Bruce took off down the winding canyon, following the river. Bruce tossed his head, wanting to go faster, but Abe kept him at a cautious pace along the soft riverbed.

  As he rode along the river, like ghosts, the figures of him and Laura in the canyon at the end of last summer appeared. As he rode, the figures followed, locked in a ghostly ballet. Her eyes locked on him and his eyes locked on her. They drifted down the stream, unaware of the rolling water around them. Suddenly, the ghost of Laura turned away from the ghost of Abe. She turned, and looked right at the real Abe, the one riding alongside her.

  Abe pulled Bruce to a stop and stared. The vision kept her eyes trained on him. She slowly moved toward him, as he sat astride Bruce, transfixed on her. He knew it was only his mind playing tricks on him, but he couldn’t look away. And then she spoke.

  “You’ve done well by me, Abe Mavor,” she said, with a smile.

  “Not enough. Your fiancé may very well come back,” Abe replied.

  She just looked at him with a smile and pointed down the river. Abe followed the direction of her hand. There in the river not another two hundred feet away was a body lying face down on the riverbank. With that, the vision vanished. Abe slid off of Bruce’s back and slowly approached the body. When he reached it, he slowly turned it over. There, lying lifeless in the stream, was Jacob.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  The next morning, Laura woke up back in her room at Aunt Ethel’s. She scanned every corner with her eyes, taking in the familiar details that had seemed so far away when she had been stuck in that barn. Her eyes landed on the mirror that Abe had brought over. The scene played out in her mind. His rough hands were so gentle when he took hers in his. That seemed like an eternity away now. So much had changed, it made her head spin.

  She slowly sat up in the bed and swung her legs out from under the covers. Her feet hit the cold floor and she shuddered, as images of the cold barn stall flashed through her mind. She walked over to the dressing table and sat down in front of the mirror. She studied her face. The face staring back at her was a different woman than before her kidnapping. She remembered looking at it the day she went to meet Jacob, wondering how it would change as she became a married woman. Now, staring at her, was someone much older than she remembered. There was something behind her own eyes that she had never seen before.

  She got dressed and headed into the kitchen, where her mother and Aunt Ethel were preparing breakfast. Aunt Ethel turned and smiled at her.

  “Good morning dear, how did you sleep?” she asked.

  “Better than I ever have,” Laura replied.

  “I can imagine. Have a seat dear, you’ve been through so much, best
to take it easy for a few days,” Aunt Ethel said, gesturing her to the table.

  Laura sank into a chair, as her mother brought her a strong cup of coffee. She took a long, warm sip, her tongue alighting with the taste. Her mother set some eggs down in front of her and Laura dove in, her stomach still gnawing with hunger, even after dinner the night before.