Love Inspired Historical November 2014 (64 page)

“Good morning, Miss Hollister.”

She turned to see Reverend Rice sitting in one of the two chairs. “Good morning.”

“Would you care to join me?”

Leah walked to the empty chair and sat down. “Thank you. I'd be happy to.” She realized that her voice was coming out in a whisper instead of a normal tone.

“Are you feeling all right, child?” he asked, pushing off and setting the rocker into motion.

Was she feeling all right? That was a tricky question. No, she wasn't all right. She felt hurt, betrayed and unloved. Who could be all right feeling like that? “I have a headache,” she answered, resting her head on the wood of the chair back.

“I'm sorry to hear that. It's my understanding that you had a rough night.” The creaking of his chair did nothing to help her head.

Had he heard her pacing in her room last night? Or had someone else told him about her abduction? Probably the latter, at least she hoped it was not the pacing. “I'm sorry if I disturbed you last night.” The reflection of sun on the bright snow caused shooting pains between her temples. Leah closed her eyes to shut out the brilliance.

“Not at all. I couldn't sleep either after that dreadful business with the Wattses.”

Leah continued to keep her eyes shut. The darkness seemed to be helping her aching head. Why couldn't he sleep? Had being a part of the scheme to catch the Watts family kept him up? Only one way to find out. “If you don't mind my asking, what kept you awake?”

He stopped rocking. “You might find this silly but I was up asking myself if I am so old that others thought I wouldn't be helpful.”

She cracked an eye and looked at him. He was staring across the yard as if seeking answers. “Why would you think such a thing?”

“Why else would I be the last one to know about the trap that had been set for the Wattses last night? I'm a foolish old man who thought he'd be able to help, but learned later the young ones had the situation under control.” He sighed and then began rocking again, a frown marring his features.

So, he hadn't known either. Leah got no comfort from the knowledge. She sighed and stood up. “You weren't the only one who was left out of the plan.” She left before he could comment on her statement. Just before she reentered the house Leah heard him make a
tsking
noise.

She saw that Agnes had placed the food on the table and Molly was already in her place.

“Oh, good. I'm glad you are here. Would you mind asking the reverend to ring the dinner bell? I'd do it but I need to get the biscuits out of the oven,” Agnes said, setting a large plate of bacon on the table.

Leah knew that she couldn't sit and have breakfast with the very people who hadn't confided in her. She didn't think she'd be able to contain her anger. “All right.” Leah opened the front door and called, “Reverend, Agnes has asked that you ring the dinner bell.”

The rocking stopped. “Be happy to,” he said, picking up the stick that they used on the inside of a metal triangle.

“Thank you.” Leah closed the door and hurried to the kitchen so she wouldn't be forced to hear the high pitch of the dinner bell as the reverend rang it for all he was worth.

Agnes shut the oven door and smiled at her over her shoulder. “Thank you.”

Leah asked herself if she was overreacting to last night. She needed time to think, time to heal from last night's events. “Agnes, do you mind keeping an eye on Molly for a few hours?”

“Not at all. Why don't you get some rest? Mr. Frontz said that Watts woman was pretty rough on you last night.” She took the biscuits from the pan and proceeded to put them on a platter.

Leah didn't want to talk about last night. “Thank you. Don't worry if I'm gone most of the day. I didn't sleep last night, so I thought I'd go back to bed and then go over to the general store. I want to get something for Molly for Christmas.”

Agnes waved her away. “Take the whole day, child. After what you've been through, a day of rest will do you good.”

A lump formed in Leah's throat. She swallowed and then said, “Thank you.”

Tears threatened to spill down her face. She hurried from the kitchen and was at the bottom of the stairs when Mr. Frontz, Ike and the reverend entered the house. Leah ducked her head and continued upstairs, she didn't trust her voice to say anything to them. She didn't want them to see her cry, either.

Once in her room, Leah stumbled to the bed. She unbuttoned her shoes and then crawled up on the soft mattress. For the first time since she'd been grabbed by Savannah, Leah allowed herself to weep. As she cried, Leah asked God to help her get over the hurt of being left out.

The sun was high up in the sky when she woke. Sitting up, Leah was glad that her headache was gone. Her scalp still felt tender as she brushed her hair and placed it in a loose bun. She replaced her wrinkled dress with a soft green one. She hadn't been aware of the aches and pains in her body until now.

Once dressed, Leah slipped out the front door. She heard Molly playing at the side of the house and knew that soon Agnes would come get her for her afternoon nap. Leah hurried away from the home station and walked as fast as she could to the general store.

The little bell over the door rang, alerting the clerk that she'd entered. Leah inhaled the various fragrances that made up the general store.

“Hello, Miss Hollister. What can I help you with today?”

Leah looked up, surprised to see a younger version of the previous store clerk standing behind the counter. How did he know who she was? They'd never met.

He came around the counter and walked the short distance to her with his hand extended. “I'm Lester Perkins. My father and I own the store.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Perkins.” She allowed him to shake her hand. When it became obvious he wasn't going to let it go, she gently pulled it from his grasp. “Where is your father?”

“Pa had to go to Julesburg so I'm running the store today.” Pride filled his voice and he balanced on the heels of his shoes.

“Oh, I see.” She walked over to the yellow yarn and picked up what she'd come in to buy. The idea had come to her that Molly might like a knitted scarf for Christmas.

“Miss Hollister, may I ask you a personal question?” He walked over to her and took the yarn.

Lester Perkins didn't look much older than the pony express riders. She decided it would be safe to let him ask his question. Leah nodded.

“It may sound strange, but, well, I've been watching you and I know you don't know me but, well...” He paused and scuffed the toe of his shoe against the wooden floor.

The sound of the bell clanking over the door alerted them that someone had entered the store. Leah's back was to the new customer and Lester didn't seem to notice or care that someone else had joined them.

“I was wondering if you love Mr. Bridges,” he finally blurted out.

Leah felt like a fish out of water. When he'd said a personal question, she hadn't expected that. “I really don't think...”

“I know, but I love you and if you don't love him, you could marry me.” Lester laid the yarn down and grabbed her free hand.

“Really, Mr. Perkins. We just met and I am engaged to Mr. Bridges.” She saw the stricken look on his young face. His neck and cheeks turned red and he looked down at the wooden floor. Leah tried to soften her words. “Look, Mr. Perkins, even if you and I were madly in love, I'd tell you no. I made a commitment to Jake and I wouldn't break his trust for anyone, not even you.”

The bell over the door clanged again. Leah removed her hand from his. “Would you put my yarn on Mr. Bridges's account, please?”

At his nod, Leah picked up her yarn and turned around, expecting to see two other customers in the store. She was shocked to see there was no one else there. Leah realized that the clanging bell had indicated that the other customer had left instead of a second customer arriving as she'd thought earlier.

Leah hurried from the store. Lester Perkins was a strange young man. She was beginning to wonder if anyone in these parts was normal. Her head began to hurt again so Leah silently prayed.
Lord, please give me the wisdom to be able to read people. I feel so lost.

Chapter Sixteen

J
ake's mind swirled like a Texas tornado. He continued to replay the morning in his mind.

After praying all morning, he had come to the conclusion that Leah needed to know that he'd only been trying to protect her by not including her in the Watts capture. He wasn't sure how he knew, but he knew that she was upset and that being excluded from their plan was the reason.

When she hadn't shown up for lunch, he'd gone to Leah's room to check on her. The door had been open, the bed made, but Leah was nowhere in sight.

After lunch, he and Mr. Frontz were going to a town council meeting at the livery. The men were to discuss the attacks on the stagecoaches and what to do about them. It seemed the Indians were growing more and more hostile about the settlers invading their land. Even so, Jake really didn't want to go to the meeting without first making things right with Leah.

He walked down the stairs. Where could she be? Agnes came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish towel. “Do you know where Leah is, Agnes?”

“If she's not in her room, she's probably over at the general store. Said something about getting a gift for Molly's Christmas. I declare you two are going to spoil that child rotten.”

Jake looked behind Agnes, expecting to see his niece but she wasn't there. “Where is Molly?”

“At the side of the house playing. I'm going to go get her in a little bit and put her down for her nap.” Agnes wiped off the table.

He nodded. “I guess I should head on over to the meeting.” Jake was disappointed that he'd missed Leah. He walked out on the porch and then headed to town.

As he was walking past the general store, Jake saw Leah talking to the Perkins kid. Maybe, he thought, he might have a few moments to talk to her after all.

Entering the store, the bell rang over his head but neither Leah nor the Perkins kid had responded. Her back had been to him and the kid was looking at the ground.

Jake had listened as the boy had proposed to Leah, asking her if she loved him. He'd held his breath, waiting to hear her answer. When she'd said, ‘“Really, Mr. Perkins. We just met and I am engaged to Mr. Bridges,'” she'd paused, searching the young man's face. Her tone changed to one of kindness. ‘“Look, Mr. Perkins, even if you and I were madly in love, I'd tell you no. I made a commitment to Jake and I wouldn't break his trust for anyone, not even you.”'

Jake had left as quickly as he'd arrived. Once on the boardwalk, he'd turned to see if either of them had noticed his departure. They hadn't. He darted down the alley between the general store and the restaurant.

His heart pounded in his chest. Jake felt as if his world had just been turned upside down. Leah hadn't said she loved him but she had, without even knowing it, assured him she'd never break his trust. Could he believe her? It wasn't as though she had been forced to say the words.

His thoughts had no choice but to turn to Sally and John. All the signs had been there that the two of them were in love. After all these years, Jake looked back and saw them.

Memories of the day of their betrayal flooded his mind. They'd tried to explain they were in love and had been for some time. They hadn't meant to hurt him. He hadn't listened. For years he'd allowed bitterness to eat at him. How many missed opportunities at happiness had he allowed to pass him by?

The wall around his heart crumbled. He'd known since last night that he loved Leah. Seeing her in such danger had been almost more than he could stand, but he'd tried to pretend she didn't mean more to him than a good friend.

Jake decided to tell her now. He'd have to explain about last night first, but he felt confident he could make her understand. Taking a deep breath, Jake stepped back onto the boardwalk.

“There you are. I've been looking all over for you.” Mr. Frontz's long legs carried him toward Jake.

“I have something I need to do at the house. I'll catch the next meeting.” Jake started to walk around him.

Mr. Frontz caught him by the forearm. “Oh, no, you don't. If I have to go, you're going, too. It was your idea, after all.”

Jake saw Leah enter the house. He sighed. She'd still be there when he got home in a few hours; he'd talk to her then. After all, he had been the one to sign them up for this meeting and it, too, was important. “All right. Let's go.”

* * *

Leah entered the house. She made her way upstairs, thinking Molly would already be down for her nap. Not seeing the little girl on their bed, she hid the yarn and went looking for her.

Thinking she might still be in the kitchen with Agnes, Leah looked there first. Agnes sat at the table with her eyes closed.

“Agnes?” Leah looked about the room for Molly. Agnes had probably put Molly down in the Frontzs' bedroom.

The older woman looked up and yawned, looking very relaxed, reaffirming in Leah's mind that Molly was probably sleeping in the Frontzs' quarters. For a moment she looked disoriented. “Leah, how's your headache?”

Leah looked into the face that she'd come to care about. Agnes may not have given birth to her, but she was more like a mother to her than anyone else had ever been. “It's not as bad as it was but I could use a little more powder.”

Agnes pushed away from the table. “Can't believe I dozed off like that.”

“You were tired.” Leah poured coffee into a cup and took the headache remedy. Her stomach growled. A plate of eggs, bacon and a biscuit sat on the back of the stove.

“Thought you might like a bite to eat, so I scrambled you some eggs and added bacon and bread to it. The plate is there on the stove,” Agnes said, sitting back down. Again she yawned.

Leah picked up the plate and joined her at the table. It still hurt that they'd not told her their plans the night before, but she'd made the decision not to allow that to bother her anymore. The eggs were warm and tasted wonderful.

“We should have told you what we were going to do last night. I'm sorry you got hurt.”

Had the woman read her mind? Leah looked across into Agnes's bright blue eyes. “Why did you leave me out?” Leah asked.

“Jake didn't want you or Molly getting hurt. Charles agreed and, well, I didn't want you getting hurt either, so I went along with them. I'm sorry.” Agnes covered her mouth and another yawn.

So they had cared. Leah felt so foolish. She'd been harboring ill feelings all day and for what? When would she ever learn? “It's all right, Agnes. I appreciate that you all wanted me safe, but next time, please tell me so that I won't come blundering out of my room.” Leah offered a smile to soften the words.

“We will.” Agnes stood. “I think I'll wait on cleaning those rooms and take a nap.”

Leah felt a yawn overtake her, too. “Good idea. Is Molly in your room?” she asked.

Agnes stared at her blankly.

Fear gripped Leah. “Agnes, where is Molly?”

It was as if a fog lifted from Agnes's tired mind. “Oh, my stars, I forgot all about her. She's still at the side of the house playing.”

Leah didn't want Agnes to see how scared she felt. “I'll go get her.” She darted to the back door. The sky had darkened and the air had turned much colder. Leah ignored the cold.

Agnes ran after her. “I'm sorry, Leah. I'm sure she is okay.”

The two women sprinted around the corner of the house, only to find the snowman was the only thing there. The trees didn't conceal anything. Molly was nowhere to be seen.

“I left her right here, playing with her doll. See? She built a snow house for her.” Agnes pointed at a pile of snow that resembled a log cabin, if she really tried to envision a snow home.

Panic threatened to choke Leah. Had the child wandered off? “Maybe she went inside and is playing hide-and-seek.” Leah started back inside.

She didn't want to believe Molly had left her play area. Every day Molly had been told where she could play and where she couldn't. Leah didn't want to believe Molly would disobey her but deep down felt Molly had done just that.

They searched the house, the barn, the sheds and even double-checked the Frontzs' living quarters. Agnes thought Molly might be hiding up there. “I'm going to check our rooms again. I just feel she's hiding up there. The little one might have fallen asleep and we're just not seeing her.” She started for the stairs once more.

“I'll check outside while you look for her upstairs,” Leah said, reaching for her coat.

Leah hurried to the side of the house. Snow now drifted steadily from the skies. Winter storms in Colorado were proving to be very unpredictable. But she didn't have time to worry about the weather. Leah walked toward the orchard.

Two sets of footprints led into the trees. She thought about telling Agnes about the footprints but Molly had already been out in the weather too long. Leah headed off into the orchard, calling Molly's name.

Half an hour later, the snow was flying so thick that Leah almost couldn't see her hand in front of her face. Her coat did little to keep the cold out. Still, she pressed onward, praying that Molly was safe.

Her feet felt as if they were two frozen chunks of ice. Darkness began to descend. Leah's teeth chattered as she prayed.
Lord, please help me find Molly. Let her be safe and warm.

Tiredness engulfed her. Leah wanted to lie down but knew she couldn't. Molly needed her. “Molly!”

The wind whipped her voice away. Ice began to blend with the snow and cut into her frozen body and face. Leah had no idea how long she'd been out looking. She found herself kneeling in the deepening snow. Slapping herself, she fought to stay awake. Her eyes began to drift shut.

A small figure stopped in front of her. “Molly?”

Covered from head to toe in animal skins, an Indian child walked a few feet away and motioned for her to follow. Unsure if she was seeing things or if the figure was real, Leah forced herself to stand. She struggled forward, keeping the walking furs in her line of vision.

Just when she thought she couldn't go on any longer, they came into a small group of trees. The child ran ahead. He entered a tall structure and returned a few minutes later with a woman. The dark-haired woman helped her through a teepee flap.

Warmth immediately enveloped her. Leah saw a fire in the center of the Indian tepee and Molly sitting beside it. She rubbed her eyes. “Molly?”

“Leah!” The little girl ran to her. She wrapped her small arms around Leah's shoulders.

The child she'd been following stood a few feet away. As the skins were removed from his body, Leah recognized the little boy Molly had been playing with earlier. Why hadn't she told Jake about the child? He'd have no idea where to look for them.

Leah felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up. The woman stood beside her holding up a straight dress. She motioned for Leah to remove her wet clothes and put the dress on.

Molly stepped back and watched as Leah tried to use her hands. The little girl tried to help her, but the buttons were too tight for her little fingers to work.

Tears filled Leah's eyes. With cold, numb fingers Leah worked to unbutton her coat. Her fingers wouldn't obey.

The woman said something to the boy in a guttural tone. He turned his back to them. She then gently removed Leah's fingers from the frozen buttons and began undoing her coat. With swift fingers and hands, she removed the rest of Leah's clothing. Then the woman pulled the dress over Leah's head.

She led Leah to a pile of animal skins and motioned for her to sit. Leah's legs did her bidding without any further encouragement. The woman removed Leah's wet boots and stockings. She gently pushed Leah back into the warmth of the furs.

“Molly,” Leah called out, as the warmth of the furs pulled her toward sleep.

The little girl hurried to her side. Leah reached up and touched Molly's face. “Let's take a nap.” She knew the little girl would probably object.

Molly jerked out of her reach. “No, no nap.”

Leah just wanted to hold the little girl close, make sure she was safe. “Please.”

“No, no nap.” Molly shook her head.

The woman snapped sharply at the girl and motioned for her to do as Leah said.

Molly looked from the Indian woman to Leah. The stern look on the other woman's face seemed to convince her to do as she was told. “All right.” Molly crawled into the furs with Leah and allowed her to cuddle close.

Leah looked to the woman. “Thank you,” she said over Molly's head.

The woman nodded and offered Leah a small smile.

Warmth from Molly's little body and the furs relaxed her muscles. Leah wasn't sure her feet would ever get warm. She moved them against the soft fur, praying she didn't have frostbite on her toes.

The little boy approached. He held a fur wrapped much like a pillow. Kneeling down on one knee, he placed the pillow at her feet. Leah realized that something hot was wrapped within the fur. Warmth immediately crawled up her legs.

Leah grinned at him. “Thank you. I think I would have died out there if you hadn't found me.” She didn't know if he understood her, but the boy bowed his head once to her before returning to the fire.

She pulled Molly close. “How did he know I was out there?” Leah asked.

“We heard you calling. His mama wouldn't let me go to you. But Boy said something to her and she let him.”

“Boy?”

“That's what I call him. He can't talk like we do,” Molly whispered over her shoulder.

“I'm glad he found me. I was so worried about you. You shouldn't have come here.”

Molly's small voice drifted back to her. “I'm sorry. I just wanted to play with him.”

Once more, Leah found her gaze moving to the little boy. She grinned. “Boys will get you into trouble every time.” Her eyes began to drift shut.

For now, Leah allowed herself to go to sleep. She didn't know what tomorrow would hold and prayed that Jake and the other men would wait until the storm passed before coming after them.