My Guardian Knight (16 page)

              As the days passed by, Amanda could feel the

bitterness in Sebastian ebb away, leaving him more relaxed.  He probably would have felt even better had the threat of Avery not been over their heads constantly.  They kept the kids close to the house, and John and Sebastian found themselves watching the horizon, wondering when Avery would make his move, never doubting that it would be soon.  Sebastian suspected that he was close, probably watching them even as they were watching for him.  

              John was rubbing down the horses one day when

Sebastian came into the stable.  "Seen anything lately?"

              John shook his head.  "Can't say as I have.  He's a

damn slippery bastard."

He nodded.  "I just have a feeling that he's right around the corner and I can't figure out why we haven't been able to sniff him out."

"Well, it's not like we've sent a posse out or anything.  We agreed to stand our ground and wait, and I still think that's the best way to proceed.  He can't be stupid enough to think that we won't be waiting for him."

"No, not stupid, but maybe a bit too confident.  I'm banking on that, John.  Surprise is on his side; we have no plan of attack.  I'm hoping that he'll underestimate us and trip himself up.  It's the best I can expect until I come up with something more substantial.  Any ideas?"

              "No more than the ones we've already discussed.  It

will come to you, my friend."

"The most important fight of my life, and I can't come up with a plan for action.  It's a good thing I retired my badge when I did."

"Now, don't go talking like that.  You're mind is blocked with concern for your loved ones, is all.  Clear your head and the rest will take care of itself."

              Sebastian headed back toward the house, finding

Amanda just as she was putting a pie in the oven.  "Where are the children?"

"Oh Sebastian, they were driving me crazy asking every five minutes to go to Sharon's, so I finally gave in and sent them on their way."

              He glanced out the window.  No orange blanket. 

Pushing down a sense of dread, he kissed her lightly and said, "I've got to run to town for a few things.  John will be here if you need anything.  Do you feel comfortable staying here or would you like to come with me?"

She smiled at him.  "Why wouldn't I feel comfortable staying here?  John is outside and Justin isn't very far away."  She looked at him more closely.  "Are you okay?"

              "Fine."  He glanced around the room, what he was

looking for he didn't know.  "Maybe I should just stay here."  Amanda laughed.  "Don't be silly, Sebastian.  Go to town and pick up the things you need.  While you're there can you pick up some sugar for me?  I only have enough left for today."

              He nodded.  "If you're sure…"

"I'm sure."  She gave him a soft shove.  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, holding her close against him.  She curled her fingers in his hair, breathing in the fresh scent of him, and wondered at his strange behavior.

"Amanda, I--" he paused, "I shouldn't be gone long," he said and, with one last kiss, strode out the door.

She turned back to the table to start making a fresh loaf of bread, humming a little tune.  She felt extraordinarily good today, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the leaves (those that were left) were glowing in rainbowed splendor.  She savored the smell of the bread as she kneaded it, for once not worrying about the day she had to leave and just enjoying the time here.  She had just finished setting the hot apple pie on the table and sliding the bread into the oven when she heard a noise at the door.  Laughing, she turned

toward the sound.  "I thought you were--"

Amanda stumbled backwards, unprepared for the sight that met her eyes.  Avery stood in the door, bigger than life, looking even more ferocious than she remembered.  Even though she hadn't seen him in almost four years she would have known him anywhere.  His icy blue eyes were the same, with the mean, mocking look she sometimes still saw in her nightmares.  He grinned wickedly, his perfectly clean-cut jaw at a stubborn tilt.  She wondered vaguely how she could ever have thought that he was handsome.

"Well, well, well," he drawled, not advancing toward her but maintaining his stance by the door.  "If it isn't sweet little Amanda.  It's been a long time."  He spoke slowly, as if she were too stupid to understand anything more rapid.

Amanda took a deep breath, expecting the fear to rush over her like a waterfall, but all she could feel was a deep, soul-clenching anger at the way he had dominated her life for so long.  She said nothing, but regarded him calmly.  She knew that he probably expected her to quiver timidly and cower into a corner, but she was a different woman now than she had been then.  She was stronger, and she had learned how to survive in the world on her own.  No one, not even he, could take that away from her now.

"Cat got your tongue, sweetheart?"  He waited for a reply but none was forthcoming.  "What, no welcoming kiss for your husband?"

"You aren't my husband!" she exclaimed before she could think better of it.

"Ah, so you were able to notice the slight irregularity in the marriage license.  I didn't think you had that much smarts.  Of course, I never thought you could run from me for so long, either.  That
is
what you've been doing all these years, isn't it?" he taunted.  "Running from me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about.  I've merely been following my own way of life instead of succumbing to yours.  I don't understand why you would even want to find

me, I never meant anything to you."

He laughed again.  "I've come for revenge, and I think you know that.  You do remember what happened that last night we were together?  When you branded me with that hot poker?  I was laid up for more than a while.  You burned me almost clear to the bone."  His grin was wicked.  "Would you like to see the scar?"

Amanda couldn't control the shudder of revulsion that ripped through her body.

              He studied her for a minute.  "You have changed.  I

don't notice the terror in your eyes that I used to invoke."

She shrugged.  "All things must come to an end sometime."

"I don't think so.  I still have a few cards up my sleeve, so to speak."

She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of asking what he was talking about, or acting as though his words bothered her.  She looked him in the eye silently, avoiding the one thing about him that did still frighten her--the star pinned to his chest.  That a man so evil could have so much power was a scary thought indeed.  And, if given the chance, she knew he would carry her away from here kicking and screaming.  She also knew that, Avery's status as marshal notwithstanding, she would never make it to the authorities alive.  He would deliver his own brand of justice.

Standing up straight, she told herself not to worry.  Sebastian wouldn't be gone long, John was just outside, and Justin was very close, also.  As long as she could keep him talking she could buy time.

"I can see the wheels spinning in your head, sweetheart.  There's no one to help you, you know.  You feel safe with all the manpower around here, but I've been watching the place for weeks, and you can be sure that I've taken care of all the loose ends, if you know what I mean."  He winked at her.

He's lying
, she told herself. 
Don't believe anything he says, he's trying to scare you.  

And it's working!

"And those brats of yours?  I have them, too.  I've tied them to each other and put them in the stables with that no good lawman."

              Amanda felt pure, bone-chilling panic run rampant

through her system, but she was determined for him not to see.  She clutched the wall behind her as she fought for control over her emotions.  He must have snatched them on their way to Sharon's house. Her back was to the window so she couldn't see if the orange blanket was in place. 
Calm down.  Try to move around a bit so you can get a look.

Even if they were tied up, she knew he would have no use for them.  He would take her away and Sebastian would somehow find a way to get loose and take care of the children.

              "Which one of those kids is mine, anyway?"

She stiffened, wanting desperately to keep his attention away from Matthew, until the import of the words struck her.  She couldn't help it, the urge was simply overwhelming, and she let out a peal of laughter that shook the house.  Avery's face darkened with rage, but she didn't care.  He advanced on her, but still she laughed, until his fist crashing against the side her head cast her sprawling onto the floor.  Suddenly it wasn't quite so funny anymore.

              "Well?"

              "Do you really not remember whether I had a girl or a boy, Avery?  Come on, I'd not expect you to remember a name or a face, but I thought certainly you might recall the gender."  She was still sitting on the floor, trying her best to ease her way around so when she stood she'd be able to see out the window facing the Mahoney's house.  In the guise of grasping a small table to help her stand, Amanda positioned herself toward the rear window.  Unfortunately, this put her with her back to Avery, but she when she stood up she was rewarded with a clear view of the Mahoney spread.  Her body sagged against the table momentarily, so weak was she from the sight that met her eyes.  Avery thought the blow he'd delivered must have been harder than he'd known and made her ill.  He smiled at the thought.

Amanda didn't care.  She didn't care what he was doing right then, for she was too wrapped up in her own thoughts, and at that moment self-preservation wasn't one of them.  She couldn't have cared less what he planned to do with her; the children were first and foremost in her mind because, finally, she could see Sharon's clothesline.

And the ratty old orange blanket had never looked so beautiful to Amanda than it did in that moment, flopping happily in the breeze.

Her confidence restored, she turned around to confront him, and found that he had advanced and stood mere inches from her.  She took a deep breath, trying in vain to clear her foggy mind.  

              "Enough stalling.  It's time to go, Amanda."

              "No."

His features darkened frighteningly.  "I said it's time to go, little girl.  I'm not used to being disobeyed.  You see this star on my chest?  This gives me the legal right to take you in. 

You are a wanted woman, you know."

She lifted her chin.  "You are a corrupt official and I don't have to go anywhere with you.  You made up those charges and soon the whole world will know it."

              "
You tried to murder me!
" he yelled.

"No, I didn't!  I tried to protect my child from a madman, and any judge who knew the whole truth would not find me at fault."

She could tell that her coolness, her very lack of fear, was causing him serious annoyance.  

And she was glad.

              Now she could have a bit of revenge herself.

"I didn't come here to argue with you.  Now you can either walk out that door like a good girl or I can carry you kicking and screaming," he paused, grinning maliciously, "or

perhaps unconscious.  It's up to you."

              Amanda searched her mind for a plan but none was

forthcoming.  "I'm not going with you."

Before she knew what was happening, his open hand connected with her cheek and she was sent sprawling backwards, landing beside the fireplace.  She had enough presence of mind to throw her arms wide, knocking the poker halfway into the fire.  It had worked last time, she reasoned groggily as her head met the hard floor.  She stared up at Avery who, from her position, seemed to stand ten feet tall.  All she knew was that she had to fight.  If she went with him she would surely never see another sunrise.

Grabbing hold of her arm, he jerked her roughly to her feet, her head snapping back painfully.

"Let her go," Sebastian said from the door, his voice a deadly calm.

Avery turned slowly, still clutching Amanda tightly.  "Knight," he sneered.  "I hoped you would get here before we left.  I have a few bones to pick with you, too.  When I sent you after my wife, I didn't mean for you to set up household with her.  I should have known I couldn't trust you to do the job of a
real
man."

              Sebastian dared a glimpse at Amanda, her entire cheek one bright red splotch, white welts outlining where Avery's fingers had connected with her soft skin, and tried unsuccessfully to tamp down his fury to a controllable level.  "First of all, you'll remember I refused to do your dirty work, Higgins.  And secondly, she's
my
wife now and I'll thank you to take your hands off of her.  Or are you afraid to fight with someone your own size?  You do seem to prefer the abuse of women and those who are weaker than you.  Maybe you don't have enough confidence in your own strength to challenge a man of my build."