Joline's Redemption (34 page)

“‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.'”

“Is that from a poem?”

Baron gazed out the window again. “No, it's from Proverbs 22:6 in the Bible.”

Jo joined him. “Did your parents do that—train you up according to the scriptures?”

“I wish they had. Even though we attended church, as was common among people of our stature, I don't believe my parents began to take God's Word seriously until Mark and I were nearly grown.”

“I went as a child, but I can't see how it helped me. I still made bad choices.” Footsteps sounded overhead, drawing her gaze toward the ceiling. Sarah must have decided she needed to make a trek to the privy before falling asleep.

He reached down and took her hand, turning to face her. “You also endured a horrible tragedy when you lost your parents and your home at such a young age. That had to have affected you.”

“Why didn't it affect Lara as well?”

“I'm sure it did, but she was twice your age when it happened. I'm sure that made a difference.”

“You're probably right. I'm glad she was able to attend church with Gabe today. She hasn't been since before Beth was born. I would have liked to have gone, too, now that I'm a new believer, but someone had to stay home with Sarah.”

Luke rode by and waved his rifle at them. He continued around the side of the house and out of view.

“It's best if you stay close to home until we know for sure what Badger will do.”

Jo crossed her arms. “How long are we to wait? What if he never does anything?”

“I wish I knew, but I don't.” He stroked her hand with his thumb.

She gazed up at him, still amazed he wanted to have anything to do with her. For the past four days, he'd ridden over early and spent the day, helping to guard her and the children. “How is your father doing with the store?”

“Fine. Mother has started helping him. I think she's enjoying it even more than he. Back in St. Louis, people would have frowned upon her working in one of our stores, so she never did. It's good for them to spend time together.”

A loud thump sounded overhead. Jo's heart thudded. “I'd better check on that. Jamie has never crawled out of his bed yet, but there's always a first time.”

“All right. You know where to find me.” He pushed away from the window and followed her into the hallway. “I'm going to double-check and make sure all the doors and windows are locked.”

Jo started up the stairs. “I imagine the noise was merely Sarah's book falling off the nightstand. I'll be right back.”

She headed to the girl's room first, convinced she was right, but the book was in the same spot as when Sarah had laid it down. Closing the door, she crossed to her bedroom and opened the door. Nothing looked out of place. She walked over to the bed and stared down. It was empty!

“Jamie!”

Baron reached for the back door to check the lock but startled at Jo's scream. He turned and raced for the stairs. Jo's cry had been frantic, not a normal mother's call to her child.

His footsteps thudded up the stairs, but when he reached the top, he realized the impropriety of his actions.

Down the hall to his left, Jo ran out of a room, her face white. She looked away from him then toward him. She gasped and rushed into his arms.

“What happened?”

“I can't find Jamie. He's gone.”

Baron took hold of her upper arms and pushed her back to look in her face. “What do you mean he's gone?”

“Gone! He's not in his bed—and he's never climbed out before. And he's not in our room. Where could he be?”

“We'll find him. He has to be here somewhere.” Holding her hand, he headed for the room she'd just exited.

The door opposite that room opened, and Sarah peered out. “Did I hear a scream?”

Jo rushed to her. “You don't have Jamie in there, do you?”

The girl's eyes widened. “No. He might take sick.”

“He's missing. I put him to bed and went downstairs, but now he's not there.”

Baron turned into the bedroom Jo had been in and walked straight to the small railed bed in the corner. It was possible Jamie could have climbed out—the boy was always on the move. He turned his back to the bed and searched the rest of the room. He opened the wardrobe but quickly closed it when he caught sight of Jo's dresses. As he peeked under the bed, he heard Jo ask Sarah if she'd walked down the hall a few minutes ago.

Baron's chest clenched when he found nothing under the bed, not even dust balls.

“I never left my room.”

“Baron.” Jo hurried through the door.

He rose from the far side of the bed. “He's not in here. Let's check the other rooms.”

Jo's expression wilted. Her chin wobbled, and tears ran down her cheeks. “He won't b–be there.”

He walked around the bed and joined her, taking her hands. “Why would you say that?”

She sniffled. “Because I heard footsteps when we were talking downstairs. I thought it was Sarah, heading down to the privy, but she never left her room. Someone came in the house and took my son.”

Baron glanced past Jo to where Sarah stood at the door, peeking out but keeping her body hidden. Her face was as pale as he'd ever seen it.

“Badger found us.” Jo hurried to the window and looked out.

Sarah shook her head. “I do not think Badger would take Jamie. He wants me or you, but not the boy.”

Jo spun around, her frantic gaze jumping from him to Sarah and back. “Then who would? Why would anyone have a reason to take him?”

“I don't know. Jo, you get Sarah back to bed while I search the other rooms on this floor. We have to make certain Jamie didn't climb out and crawl somewhere, looking for you.”

Jo moaned, and he couldn't help taking her in his arms. He hugged her, kissing her on the top of her head. “Shh … we'll find him. We all need to pray for God's help to show us where he is.”

“But he's so little. He'll be crying for me. I can't stand the thought of not being there for h–him.” She melted against him, sobbing. “H–he won't understand why I'm not there to c–comfort him.”

Baron lifted his gaze to the ceiling, praying for God's help.
Bring Jamie back, Lord. And keep him safe until then. Comfort Jo.

Baron suddenly thought of Luke and set Jo back from him. “Take care of Sarah. Then search the rooms upstairs thoroughly. I want to find Luke and tell him what's happened. Maybe he saw something.”

Jo nodded and sullenly walked into Sarah's room.

Baron headed to the door at the end of the upstairs hallway. He'd seen the side stairs leading up to the second floor of the house while touring the yard with Gabe. If the door had been unlocked, it would have been a simple thing for someone to sneak in and take Jamie. His gut churned at the thought. What kind of heinous man would steal such a young child?

Baron clenched his fist. He'd come here to keep Jo safe while the family attended church. How could he have known some callous soul would take Jamie? It never occurred to him. He should have checked this door when he first arrived, but he'd gotten caught up in playing with his nephew.

He sucked in a sharp breath. The door was ajar. If Jamie had crawled this far, he might have fallen down the steps.
Please, God. No.

Bracing himself, he pushed the door open and stepped onto the landing. Relief washed through him that Jamie hadn't fallen down the stairs. He jogged down the steps and ground his back teeth together when he found the outside door wide open. He hurried out and looked around, doubting Jamie could have gotten this far on his own.

He walked around the side of the house, searching for Luke and signs of an intruder. When he rounded the front of the house, he looked toward the barn. Luke's palomino stood near the barn door, his head down. Baron narrowed his gaze as his eyes latched onto what looked like a pair of boots—with legs attached—lying in between the barn doors. He broke into a run and soon reached the horse. The animal jerked its head and stared at him as Baron skidded to a halt. “Easy, boy.”

Luke lay on the ground, unconscious. Baron looked around for signs of anyone else then knelt beside the man. The other work hands had gone to church in Guthrie with Gabe and Lara, so he hadn't expected to find anyone. He inspected Luke's head and body but didn't see any wounds.
What happened here?
He nudged the man's shoulder. “Luke. Wake up.”

He groaned. His eyes fluttered open for a brief moment but closed again. Baron rose, pulling his handkerchief from his pocket. He ran over to the trough, dunked the hankie, and then hurried back to Luke's side and wiped off his face. The coolness of the water must have helped because Luke squinted open his eyes. “W–what happened?”

“Looks like someone knocked you out.”

Luke bolted up then grabbed his head and groaned.

“Easy now.” Baron saw a bloody lump on the back of Luke's head. “Looks like someone clobbered you from behind.”

Luke reached back to feel the walnut-sized lump. “I've had worse.” His hand paused; then his concerned gaze jerked to Baron's. “Is everyone all right in the house?”

Baron pursed his lips, shaking his head. “Jamie is missing.”

Luke sucked in a loud breath. “Help me up.”

Baron did as asked. Luke motioned toward his hat, and Baron picked it up and handed it to him. Luke smacked it against his leg then set it on his head, wincing as he did.

“Tell me everything that happened.” Luke staggered toward his horse.

“Shouldn't you lie down?” Baron followed him, staying close in case the cowboy stumbled.

“Nope. Gotta find that kid. I promised Gabe I'd keep watch on his family. I can't let 'im down.” He gathered up his palomino's reins then faced Baron. “I remember now. I heard something at the barn and came to investigate.”

“Looks like whoever took Jamie got in the rear door and went upstairs. Jo mentioned hearing footsteps, but she thought they belonged to Sarah.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Not long—ten minutes, perhaps.”

“Did you check for footprints?”

Baron nodded. “I saw some hoofprints near the back door, but they could be old ones.”

“Show me.” Luke managed to mount his horse in spite of his wobbliness. He rode toward the house while Baron followed. “I want to see if I can find the man's trail. We've gotta get that boy back.”

As they walked past the front of the house, something flapping on the front porch caught Baron's attention, and he started toward it. “Hey, look. There's something near the door.”

He ran up the steps, yanked up the paper held down by a rock, and scanned it. His heart dropped to his feet. “The note says he'll swap Jamie for Jo.”

Luke's expression hardened. “We're not making that trade.”

“Jo will agree in a second. We have to tell her.”

“How are we supposed to make the trade?”

“He says to fire two shots then send Jo to the windmill.”

Luke shook his head then grimaced. He pressed on the back of his head. “Then he'll have them both.”

“If the man is going to swap Jamie, he's got to be around here close.” Baron searched the landscape but saw no sign of the kidnapper.

“That's true.”

“I need to show this note to Jo.”

Someone yanked open the front door. Jo stepped out, her frantic gaze searching in all directions. “Did you find any sign of Jamie or the person who took him?”

“Just some hoofprints.” Baron walked closer to her, dreading what she'd say. He didn't want to lose Jo, just when he realized how much she meant to him. “And this.”

Her gaze latched onto the paper as he held it out. “What's that?”

“Read it.” He watched the blood drain from her face as she read the missive. The note referred to Jo as Sapphire, but it was clear who the kidnapper wanted.

She looked up, determination on her face. “I have to go.”