Caught in the Middle (29 page)

“It’s further on. Hurry. I misled you.”

“Up here.” Holding Sammy in one arm, she threw dried leaves on the flames with the other. “We’re up here. Just a bit further.”

Four horses threaded between the trees as the fire roared. The men stopped at the bonfire, staring at her and the child. Nick slid down and wrapped them both in his arms.

“Thank God. I didn’t know if we’d ever see him again.”

“I didn’t run,” she said.

His inhaled and his eyes held hers. “No, you didn’t, did you.”

The leather of a saddle creaked as the men dismounted. The dog pranced about them, eager for his master’s approval.

“Good boy!” a bearded man exclaimed.

Joel stood beside the fourth man. Anne stumbled to the deputy and laid a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry, Joel. I’m so sorry. Whatever you need to do with me, I understand.”

He patted her on the back and nodded. “Let’s get him out of the cold. That’s enough for now.”

“Thank you, Lord.” It was all Nick could manage to say, so he repeated it over and over. The guilt he’d felt when Sammy disappeared had crushed him. The baby had been right there climbing on him. He should’ve realized that he was gone, but he’d been so absorbed in Anne’s story that he’d forgotten about the child. He ran his hand through his hair. Sammy was safe, but was it only temporary? The horrible story of Anne’s breakdown was still fresh. The image of Anne rocking her dead child would haunt him.

How would she survive what was to come?

But she hadn’t run. That was as big a miracle as finding the boy. When the time came, would she be able to leave him, or would she steal away again? He prayed that she’d be strong.

Joel eyed her nervously. Obviously Nick wasn’t the only one who remembered she carried a pistol. The dog handler was taking to his saddle again, shouting encouragement to the hound for his good work. The older man only watched, seemingly content to stay out of the way. Content to hide his identity from Anne for a bit longer.

“Look at him.” Anne lifted Sammy so the firelight illuminated him. “He was probably asleep that whole time. He found a little niche and dozed off right around the corner.”

Nick cupped his hand over Sammy’s white hair. Sammy raised an eyebrow and stuck his thumb in his mouth. “It’s a miracle he didn’t go further.”

Anne gazed at the boy proudly. “So energetic. He could’ve kept going half the night, but he just lay down and slept.” She hummed a sweet tune, rocking him in her arms.

“It’s time we head to town.” Joel stood with arms crossed.

Nick’s eyes lowered. Anne froze, her song ceased.

“I don’t suppose there’s any reason for me to sleep here,” Anne said. “I’ll come with you.”

“That’ll depend,” Joel said. “If Sammy’s grandparents want you arrested, I’ll have to comply. Otherwise you’re free to go. What will it be, Reverend?”

Nick opened his mouth to protest, but the badge shone in the firelight and reminded him that Joel was doing his job. Anne had kidnapped a baby and eluded capture. Joel owed her no favors.

Before he could speak, Anne turned toward the older gentleman. “Reverend Holland?”

Removing his gloves, Reverend Holland stepped forward. “Right here, my dear. We’ve been eager to meet the lady who has taken such wonderful care of our lad.”

Anne sputtered. “But I failed miserably. He could’ve been lost—”

“He’s fine now, and my wife and I would be honored if you’d be our guest tonight at the parsonage. You could help us get acquainted with our grandson.”

“Reverend Holland,” Joel said, stepping forward, “as kind as your offer is, it might not be prudent. We’ll find a place for her tonight.”

“At the jail?” Mr. Holland shook his head. “How could I lock up the woman who kept my grandson safe after his own parents abandoned him? How could I earn Samuel’s affections when the person he loves most is barred from visiting him? I’m in the business of grace, Deputy Puckett, and while I understand the trouble Mrs. Tillerton has made for you, I think it was a journey she had to travel to get to this point.”

Tears welled in Anne’s eyes. Either the reverend was dangerously optimistic, or God had been working.

She approached the reverend. Slurping on his thumb, Sammy was too sleepy to notice her brave smile as she passed him into the reverend’s arms.

The man’s breath caught. He cradled his grandson and stroked his head with gentle hands.

“He has Finn’s white hair, doesn’t he? Those eyes, they must be his mother’s, but the hair is unmistakable. You never know when God’s going to replace what you thought was gone forever. What a gift—a precious gift from God.”

He blinked at Anne. “And so are you. I can’t wait for you to meet Mrs. Holland. What do you say we all head back to town?” He motioned for Anne to precede him. She found her knapsack while they extinguished the fire. Joel held Sammy while Reverend Holland mounted, volunteering before Anne had an opportunity. She stood apart, her face unreadable. Nick untied the reins of the horse they’d loaned him and went to her.

“Are you going to take him up on his offer?”

The moonlight splayed across her cheeks and lips. “I’d much rather sleep at the parsonage than the accommodations Joel has arranged.”

“You can’t blame him, you know.”

Her chin lowered. “I know. He let me come with you, and I broke his trust. I brought this on myself.”

But was she going to break their trust again? Nick wanted to ask but was afraid to. If she was weighing her options, if she was trying to find the courage to let him go, Nick didn’t want to push her.

“Do you want to ride with me?”

She wiped away a stray tear that had only now found its way down her cheek. “You know how to ride? I never dreamed . . .”

Nick rolled his eyes but was pleased. Her teasing was a good sign. He strapped her bag onto the horse, mounted, and then offered her a hand so she could climb on behind him.

Anne wrapped her arms around his waist. Her hands rode flat against his stomach as they descended, the last in the line of horses and men heading to Atoka. When Nick succeeded in tearing his gaze from the sight of her hands holding him, he couldn’t help but appreciate the vastness of the untouched forest. A fortune of lumber covered the hills. This
land belonged to the Choctaw tribe, but who was harvesting it? With the railroad running right through Atoka, transporting the timber to the eastern market would be simple.

Inside his shoe, Nicholas wiggled his sockless toes. Had he been out here only one day? Blisters on his feet, bear-mauling marks on his shoulder, a knot on his head—roughing it was . . . rough. But the mind was a funny thing. Keep it busy looking for bears, following a trail, watching your step, and it doesn’t have time to worry about elections, reputations, and etiquette. Even his collapsed business felt like a minor setback. Maybe that’s why Anne did so well out here but had little patience for city life.
So you voted yes on
a bridge, Nicholas Lovelace? She came out of hiding to
shoot a bear and save your life. Which took more
courage?

And still he dreaded going back to Garber. Nick sighed. If he was going to stay in Garber for the duration of his elected term, he’d have to land a new contract quickly. Combined, his hotel fees and office rent were expensive.

He felt Anne lay her head against his back. He covered her hands with one of his own. Today held enough trials. His troubles could wait until they arrived back in town.

“Reverend Holland seems very nice,” Anne murmured against his back. “I’m sad for Finn, throwing away their love to raise Cain. People don’t realize how good they have it.”

“Does this mean you’re content to leave Sammy with them?”

Her arms tightened around him. “No, but I’m determined I will. He has no business being carried through the woods and living a life of secrecy. God gave me another chance to do what is right, and I’ll do it. You might have to pry my hands off of him and drag me away . . .” Her voice faded.

Nicholas tried to swallow down the lump in his throat.
“I’m proud of you, Anne. There’s no shame in doing right through heartbreak. Actually, there’s an honor to it. Not many have the strength.”

“You can imagine how badly I wanted to leave once I had Sammy in my arms.”

“You can imagine how strongly I feared you would.”

The steep grade caused the horse to stumble. Anne’s head knocked gently against his back, but she settled into her spot again.

Joel rode directly in front of him, his posture never so rigid as when he was on a difficult assignment. Nick knew Joel well enough to know this was tearing him apart, too, but he wouldn’t let on. The sheriff counted on him to do his duty. Which was all any of them could do.

The streets of Atoka were dark. Bedtime had long since passed. With a wave, the tracker broke away from the line and headed to the north of town. Nick stayed behind Joel and followed Reverend Holland to the only lit house on the block. It was a two-story frame house—tidy and neat with church pews along the front porch instead of chairs. Room for lots of visitors.

Mr. Holland turned his horse at the drive. Sammy was still sleeping soundly. “We don’t have much room, but you gentlemen are welcome to sleep on the floor. Nothing will disturb you there.”

Joel’s saddle creaked. “No thank you, sir. I’ve already got a room rented for me. This is considered county business, so they’re putting me up.”

“How about you, young man?” He turned to Nick.

“I think the hotel will suit me just fine, but thank you for the offer. What time can we come by in the morning?”

“The train leaves at ten o’clock, so you’ll want to leave here by nine. Mrs. Holland will have breakfast on by eight, and you’re invited to join us.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Nick tapped Anne’s hands, prompting her to release him so he could dismount. His first action was to lift her down, pretty awkwardly, considering she was sitting astride in her buckskins and didn’t need his help, but it did him good to be able to take care of her for a change.

Anne went to Reverend Holland and held out her arms.

He passed the sleeping boy to her and then swung down from his horse. “I don’t know how you carried him all day,” he said.“He’s as heavy as an anvil.”

“He does feel heavy, now that you mention it.” Anne brushed her lips across his sleeping brow. “I guess I grew accustomed to him.”

The hotel didn’t shine with the opulence of Garber’s, but the bed looked inviting. Nick’s bag had arrived, thanks to Joel, but his ripped clothes, stained with his blood and the bear’s, would remain on him for a little longer. He wasn’t ready to call it a night.

The moonlit streets directed him to the parsonage, where he stood gazing at the house and wondered how Anne was doing. He closed his eyes and imagined her hovering over the sleeping child, memorizing his features, breathing in his innocent scent. That’s what he’d be doing, and his devotion paled next to Anne’s.

The front door opened. Nick spun on his heel, embarrassed to be caught lurking about.

“Come on over. You’re welcome to stop and visit.” Mr.
Holland wore a nightcap and striped robe, but he smiled bright enough that Nick couldn’t imagine that he’d woken him.

“I hate to take any more of your time. The day’s events must have taxed you.”

“I’m not all that old, Mr. Lovelace. Finn was a child of our youth.”

“My apologies. I’m attributing my exhaustion to you.”

Reverend Holland walked to the edge of the porch. “Is the hotel unsuitable? Our offer still stands.” When Nick didn’t answer Mr. Holland took a seat on the bench and patted the space next to him. “You’re exhausted but not sleeping. Let’s talk.”

Nick sat. The reverend opened his palm to reveal a small rubber ball. “I found this in Finn’s old things the day I heard about Samuel. Of course that was the same day I learned that Finn had died. I’d hoped all these years that he’d come back. He didn’t, but he left us the best gift he could’ve.”

“Sammy’s a delightful child.”

“What exactly is your interest in the boy? Deputy Puckett said you were here to assist him, but I don’t think he is your primary concern.”

Nicholas caught the ball that was tossed to him. He bounced it against the boards. “Anne is a friend of my family’s. Her story . . . well, she’s traveled a hard road but has grown past it, and caring for Sammy brought about much of the change.”