Vexed in Vermont (Yours Truly: The Lovelorn Book 12)

by Marie Higgins

  Adrian slowly lifted off Nicolette and sat back on his knees. As he looked from one man to the other, he couldn’t connect them to anything in his life. This must be a mistake in identity.

  “Is there something I can help you with?” Adrian asked.

  Nicolette sat up and scooted next to Adrian, holding onto his arm. He knew these men weren’t after her, and he’d do anything in his power to protect her.

  The brawny man, who seemed to be the leader, scratched his unshaven chin as he rocked back on the heels of his boots. “Actually, there is something you can do.”

  The man nodded to the other two men who were much thinner, and they jumped toward Adrian, each grasping an arm as they lifted him to his feet. Nicolette released a small sob and reached for him. He met her gaze and shook his head, silently pleading with her not to make the men mad.

  The brawny man poked a finger into Adrian’s chest and scowled. “Y’all can tell us where they have buried that treasure.”

  Narrowing his gaze, Adrian blinked and tried to wrap his mind around what the goon had just said. Why did Adrian feel like he was suddenly whisked into a pirate’s fictional story? “Pardon me?”

  “Ain’t no pardonin’ ya, not now.” The other man chimed in. “Ye know where the military hid our treasure, and we’re not lettin’ ya go until ye take us to it.”

  “Treasure?” Adrian shook his head. “I think you have me confused with someone else. I don’t know anything about a treasure.”

  The three men looked at each other before letting out loud laughs. The brawny man stepped closer to Adrian, wrapping his beefy fingers around Adrian’s neck.

  “Now listen here. We know ye were with the others when they found that treasure. We saw’d ya, so don’t try tellin’ us ya wasn’t there.”

  Adrian took deep breaths as he tried to figure out what treasure these idiots were talking about. “I’m still drawing a blank. Can you tell me where you thought you saw me when I was with the military?”

  The man holding his right arm snorted. His bad breath was overwhelmingly rotten. “Hugh, I don’t think he ‘members bein’ there.”

  The man named Hugh tightened his hand, pinching the back of Adrian’s neck. Adrian bit back the pain, but it was minimal to the pain shooting up his arm. The fool holding his left arm had tightened his grip exactly where Adrian had been shot.

  “Oh, he knows, Lloyd.”

  “Believe me,” Adrian said gruffly, “if I knew, I’d be telling you so that you could leave me and Miss McFarland alone.”

  The leader glanced at Nicolette and sneered. “Aren’t ye a pretty gal? I bet y’all will help yer beau to ‘member, won’t ya?”

  He released Adrian’s neck, and with one quick swoop of his hand, grabbed Nicolette by the hair, pulling her to stand up. She yelped and clawed at his hand to release her.

  Anger pumped through Adrian, and he found the strength to push the imbeciles holding him away before jumping to Nicolette’s rescue. He punched the man in the face, which of course, made him release her hair. She cried out and moved into Adrian’s arms, pressing her face against his chest.

  “Oh, yer gonna die now,” the leader muttered as he held his bloody nose.

  “I don’t think so.” Adrian glared at the man. “After all, you need me to find the treasure.”

  “I knew ya’d ‘member it,” Lloyd said in a whiny voice.

  Adrian still had no clue to what these men were talking about, but he had to at least pretend to. It would prolong his life a little while longer, until he could somehow figure out a weapon to use to protect him, anyway. “I’ll tell you where the treasure is, as long as you let Miss McFarland go free.”

  She hitched a breath and looked up at him, shaking her head.

  “We can’t let her go,” Hugh mumbled. “She knows what we look like.”

  It was too bad Adrian couldn’t convince these fools that she was blind... or a mute. Unfortunately, he didn’t know how else to talk them into letting her go free.

  “Then if she comes, you cannot harm her.” Adrian stood firm. “If you hurt one hair on her head, I won’t tell you anything.” He tightened his arms around her, protectively.

  Hugh grumbled and kicked his foot into the dirt. “Fine.” He looked at Lloyd. “Y’all need to share a horse with Howell and let them take the other one.”

  Lloyd pouted and fisted his hands. “Why can’t we make ‘em walk?”

  Inwardly, Adrian groaned. They couldn’t walk. He couldn’t do that to Nicolette. “All the way to Saratoga Springs?”

  All three men gasped loudly, and their attention moved to Adrian. “Is that where the treasure is buried?” Hugh asked.

  Adrian shrugged. “Maybe.”

  Hugh released a hoarse laugh and slapped Adrian’s shoulder. “Ye just told us, ya fool.”

  Adrian didn’t want to point out who the fools really were. But between Woodstock and Saratoga Springs, he was bound to figure out a way to escape them and at the same time, get them all arrested.

  NICOLETTE RODE IN FRONT of Adrian in the same position they were in last week... and with the same threat hanging over their heads. Why hadn’t the sheriff found these men? She’d given Adrian their descriptions, and he had passed it to the sheriff. These men should have been caught by now.

  They didn’t ride very fast through town, only because Hugh probably realized they would draw some attention. However, because it was still early morning, there weren’t many people out and about. Unfortunately, the lumber store wasn’t close by, either. Hopes of someone seeing them and becoming suspicious were very minimal.

  “Don’t worry,” Adrian whispered into her ear. “God will help us get out of this.”

  Surprised, she turned her head and looked at him. “God? Since when did you start believing in God?”

  “Military life turned me into a believer of the Almighty. There were many times I was on my knees, pleading for His protection... and I received it.”

  Her heart softened with love. “Then I’m sure God will continue to protect you.”

  “Just as He will protect you.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

  It shocked her that he’d do something so improper in the middle of town where anyone could see. But then her thoughts came to a screeching halt. He was doing this for a reason. He wanted them to be noticed, because then word would get back to Uncle Teddy and Aunt Betty, and they would definitely send out the Calvary looking for them when they didn’t arrive home tonight.

  “You are brilliant,” she whispered before lifting up and pressing her lips against his.

  He must have realized what she was doing, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, meeting her kiss. When the horse slowed, she heard Hugh’s angry voice.

  “That’s enough, ya two. There’s no time for that now.”

  Adrian broke the kiss first, grinning down at her. How could she not fall in love with this man? Yet, was it too soon? Could love blossom when for all of those years they had disliked each other?

  “What else can we do to draw attention to our situation?” he whispered.

  “I don’t know, but we need to do it before we reach the edge of town.”

  He drew his fingers along her hairline along her temples, staring into her eyes. “You’re an amazing woman.”

  “And you’re pretty spectacular to me, too.”

  She turned back around and watched the road ahead of them. Unless someone from inside a store had noticed the kiss, nobody appeared to be shocked or appalled. Apparently, that wasn’t good enough.

  Nervously, she ran her moist palms down her trouser legs. It was too bad her aunt wasn’t in town this early. Seeing Nicolette dressed this way would cause the woman to swoon... and then swoon again.

  Her thoughts stopped again. Aunt Betty wouldn’t be the only woman shocked over a young lady wearing men’s trousers.

  She leaned back until she bumped against Adrian’s chest. His arm circled around her waist, tenderly.

  “Adr
ian,” she whispered. “Using the toe of your boot, try and take off my boot.”

  “Why...” He chuckled. “Never mind. I already know.”

  When she felt the toe of his boot pushing against her heel, she helped him by moving her foot in order to get her boot loose. It took a few minutes, but soon she felt the boot drop lower.

  “It’s almost off,” she said in a low voice.

  As the boot finished slipping off her foot, she wiggled her leg faster, helping the process. As soon as it landed on the ground, she gasped loudly and Adrian pulled the reins, stopping the horse.

  “My boot!” Her voice had been almost high-pitched, but her goal was to overdramatize the situation in order to get noticed.

  Hugh pulled his horse to a stop and threw her a glare. “Ye’ve got to be kiddin’ me.”

  She gave him her best helpless expression. “I need my boot.”

  “I’ll get it,” Adrian said, handing her the reins before dismounting.

  “No, Howell will get it,” Hugh snapped, but he was ignored.

  Acting the gallant hero, Adrian picked up her boot and then slowly slid it over her foot. Their gazes locked on each other, and although it was all for show, emotion swelled within her, causing her heartbeat to accelerate.

  When her boot was back on her foot, he ran his hands up her leg slowly and meaningfully. She prayed people were watching. And yet, she wished they were alone once again.

  “Miss McFarland?”

  A man’s irritated and scratchy voice brought Nicolette out of her improper thoughts. She looked up to see Eugene Dickson marching toward them. Hope sprang inside her, and she prayed Eugene would play the part of the wounded beau. Indeed, that would be enough to cause a scene.

  NINE

  Adrian couldn’t believe how happy he was to see the mayor’s son. Even the expression on Nicolette’s face let Adrian know she was happy, too.

  “Eugene,” she said in surprise. “What are you doing—”

  “Don’t try to pour sweetness on me, Miss McFarland. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  Adrian heard the man just fine, but the man’s girlish voice wasn’t loud enough. Adrian needed to do something to make the mayor’s son angrier so that more people would hear what was going on and come running.

  “I beg your pardon.” Adrian moved in front of the other man, crossing his arms as he glared at the other man. “You have no business talking to Miss McFarland in that tone of voice. Apologize now.”

  Eugene’s jaw dropped as he met Adrian’s gaze. The man adjusted his Stetson on his blondish-brown hair as he straightened his shoulders.

  “I have every right to speak to her like that.” Eugene lifted his chin. “I was courting her, but believe me,” he looked up at Nicolette, “I won’t be making that mistake again.”

  Nicolette pursed her lips and batted her eyelashes quickly as if she was trying not to cry, but Adrian knew her well. She was a good actress.

  “How could you say that to me?” she said loudly in a tearful voice.

  “I can’t believe you’d allow this man to touch you so personally.” Eugene challenged Adrian with a glare of his own. “Do you not care about the spectacle you’re making here in the middle of town? Don’t you care that your father and her aunt will never be able to hold their heads up in public again?”

  Adrian grasped Eugene by the lapels of his jacket and jerked him forward. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “That’s enough.” Hugh jumped down and rushed to Adrian as he tried to peel his fingers off the mayor’s son’s jacket. “Just leave the man to his wounded heart so that we can be on our way.”

  Hugh would get in the way, Adrian knew it. He needed to cause more mayhem to the already fueled heartbroken beau. He quickly stomped on the man’s foot. Eugene released a girlish scream and hopped backward. The man’s face reddened and grew with anger.

  “Why you...” Eugene limped back toward Adrian with fists flying.

  Adrian wanted to laugh. He never knew Dickson had this kind of fight in him. However, it made for a great show. People were now coming out of their shops to watch.

  Playing along, Adrian brought up his fists and swung a few times, purposely missing, of course. He didn’t want to injure the poor man any more than he already was. Eugene would never forgive Nicolette for embarrassing him so badly, and in public, no less.

  “Stop it!” Nicolette screamed and jumped off the horse, rushing in between Adrian and Eugene. “There is no need for fisticuffs. What’s done is done.” She moved and stood in front of Eugene. “I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  Eugene’s lips trembled as though he was trying not to cry. “Do you honestly prefer this man over me? Don’t you remember what torture he put you through as a child?”

  “Eugene,” she placed her palm on his chest, “it’s not what you think.”

  “Bah! It’s exactly what I think.” He pointed toward Adrian. “I saw him putting your boot on and his hands on your leg.” Eugene’s gaze dropped to her trousers. “And why in all that’s holy would you be seen dressed like this while in the presence of another man?”

  “Oh, Eugene. Forgive me.” She threw her arms around his neck and lifted up to press her cheek against him.

  Adrian figured he knew what she was doing, and when Hugh stepped toward her to pull her away, Adrian yanked on the brawny man’s arm and shook his head. “Let her say her goodbyes to him. The poor man deserves it.”

  The moment Eugene and Nicolette pulled away, Adrian noticed a different expression on the man’s face. His eyes were wide, and his face had lost a little color. Eugene’s gaze jumped from her to Adrian before moving to Hugh. It was obvious that the mayor’s son’s mind was trying to figure out what she had just told him.

  “I... I...” Eugene took several steps away from Nicolette. “Don’t ever talk to me again.” He turned and limped quickly back toward the bank.

  Nicolette sighed and turned toward Adrian. She shrugged. “I’m sorry that had to happen.”

  “Get back on the horse. Now!” Hugh growled before moving to his horse and mounting.

  Adrian stepped behind Nicolette as they reached the horse. He assisted her up on the horse before climbing on behind her. He reached around her to take the reins, purposely leaning against her and pressing his mouth to her ear. “Did you tell him?”

  Slowly, her head nodded.

  Adrian shifted in the saddle and urged the horse into a trot, keeping up with Hugh. He sighed, but didn’t dare get too hopeful yet. If Eugene didn’t do anything with what Nicolette had just told him, nothing would get accomplished, and their small caravan would travel all the way to Saratoga Springs for no reason whatsoever. If that happened, and Hugh discovered Adrian had been lying this whole time, both he and Nicolette would die. He couldn’t let that happen.

  THE SUN FINALLY MADE its dip into the sky, bringing orange and blue colors in the horizon. They had only stopped a few times, and with each mile away from home, Nicolette’s heart sank in dread. She had whispered in Eugene’s ear that she and Adrian were being kidnapped. Before pulling away from Eugene, she asked him to get the sheriff. Yet, most of the day had passed, and nobody had come after them. That told her that Eugene hadn’t believed her. Either that or the sheriff didn’t believe Eugene.

  Now, she and Adrian needed to figure out another way to get away from these madmen. They obviously believed Adrian could take them to the buried treasure, and she knew Adrian was just leading them along to gain the upper hand. Well, soon, they wouldn’t have that upper hand anymore. That thought scared her to death.

  Off and on throughout the day, Adrian had rubbed her thigh or kissed her cheek, giving her encouraging words to lift her spirits, but the only thing that made her feel safe was knowing that he was with her. He had tried to get Hugh to leave her in Woodstock, and that would have probably been a good thing, yet, she hadn’t wanted to leave Adrian’s side. For some reason, she thought she could he
lp him. Apparently, she would always want to be his caregiver.

  She moved her gaze across the wildflowers and weeds as they traveled the road toward Saratoga Springs. She recognized many of the plants and flowers, since some of them helped with her medicines for the animals. The Chamomile plant was thick through this area. She’d used that many times to put the animals to sleep so she could repair a leg or performed a minor surgery.

  Suddenly, an idea popped into her head, and she wanted to grin like a kid in a candy store. Instead, she bit her bottom lip, trying not to show her excitement. Slowly, she leaned back against Adrian. He kissed the side of her head.

  “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

  Her heart softened from his endearment. “I’m hungry,” she said in a low voice. “We need to convince Hugh to camp right here and make us some food.”

  “Right here?”

  “Yes. I think God just gave me an idea.”

  His arm tightened around her waist. “I’ll do anything you want.”

  He pulled on the reins, stopping the horse. Just as Hugh glanced back at them, she clutched her stomach and moaned. Hugh narrowed his gaze and urged his horse toward them.

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “My stomach... is sick.” She moaned louder.

  “I think she needs food,” Adrian said. “She hasn’t eaten a decent meal since this morning.”

  Howell stopped his horse beside them. “Yah, I’m kinda hungry, too.”

  “Me, too,” Lloyd said behind Howell.

  “No, we keep ridin’.” Hugh gave a determined nod.

  Nicolette faked a gag as she leaned over the horse. The other men cringed. Lloyd gagged, too and quickly looked away from her.

  “I’ll make us something to eat,” Adrian said, “but she really needs to have food in her stomach.”

  “Fine.” Hugh grumbled and dismounted. “I’ve got some canned beans and a pan.”

  The leader found a spot nearby and the other men gathered firewood. Adrian lifted Nicolette in his arms and carried her to where they were building the fire. She continued to act sick and weak. As Hugh opened the can and poured it in the pan, Nicolette pointed to the daisy-like plants close by.