“We sure do.” Haydon faced Rainee. “I’ll need to send someone to get the reverend so we can get married right away. We can have a proper reception later on. Would that be all right with you?”
Before she had a chance to respond, Katherine blurted, “Surely we have time to make Rainee a dress and invite all our friends and neighbors, don’t we?” Disbelief and disappointment flitted across Katherine’s face.
“No, Mother. We don’t want to take any chances.”
“Katherine, I am sorry it has to be this way, but if we make haste and get married, then Ferrin will have to accept that I am legally wed to another. If we do not, I fear he will do something drastic, and I cannot marry that evil man, for he is far worse than my brother.”
“Worse than your brother? In what way?” Katherine asked.
She raised her hands and showed them to Haydon and Katherine. “These are nothing compared to what Mr. Alexander did to his wife. At least I am still alive. I cannot say the same for the first Mrs. Alexander.”
“Mrs. Alexander? What about her?” Haydon frowned.
“She died two years ago at her husband’s hands. No one ever proved it, but Mother believed it to be so because Mrs. Alexander had confided to her the brutality of her husband. Mother offered her sanctuary in our home, but Mrs. Alexander feared what would happen to us if she accepted, so she refused Mother’s help. Shortly after Mrs. Alexander shared her fears with Mother, the poor woman was found at the bottom of her stairs with a broken neck and bruises on her body.”
Katherine gasped. “Oh, how awful.”
“Mr. Alexander claimed her shoe had caught the hem of her dress. Mother wanted to tell the sheriff of her beliefs, but Father said they had no proof, so she needed to remain silent and that God would vindicate Mrs. Alexander’s death. As you see, the man my brother sold me to has likely gotten away with murder.”
“It’s even worse than I imagined.” Katherine looked up at Haydon with concern and determination.
Just thinking about her brother gave Rainee a case of the nerves. She scanned the area.
“What are you looking for?” Haydon asked.
She gazed up at him. “Ferrin.”
“Ferrin? He’s in jail.”
“He very well may be, but you do not know my brother and what he is capable of.” Rainee closed her eyes and swallowed the lump of dread before she captured Haydon’s eyes again.
“There’s no way I’m letting that man take you anywhere.” Haydon spoke confidently, but Rainee knew even his confidence would not keep her safe if Ferrin was released from jail.
Rainee’s breath hitched when Michael came around the corner. Before she saw his face, for a moment she feared it might be Ferrin.
Haydon put his arm securely around her shoulders. “Michael. I need you to run an errand for me.”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“Rainee and I are getting married.”
Michael’s eyes brightened. “That’s great. Congratulations.”
“I need you to fetch Reverend James for me.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
“Why the rush?”
“It’s a long story, Michael. I don’t have time to explain it. Will you run and get him for me?”
“Well, I would, but he’s not here.”
“What do you mean he’s not here?”
Rainee’s heart hitched in her throat. She wanted to know the answer to that question, too.
“When I went to town the other day, I ran into Reverend James. He said he had some business to attend to, something about a close relative who passed away and left everything to him. Anyway, he said he’d probably be back for our next gathering here in two weeks. I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you.”
Rainee’s stomach plummeted. Exhausted from running and all the emotional ups and downs of the day bore down on her. She needed to sit. She walked over to a handmade bench near the barn door and plopped down. The shade gave her a nice reprieve from the hot August sun.
Katherine joined her on the bench.
“Now what?” Rainee asked.
“Don’t worry.” Katherine patted her knee. “Haydon will think of something.”
Rainee stared at Haydon as he talked with Michael.
Moment after moment slipped by, and to Rainee, each moment felt like an eternity.
Michael nodded then headed back around the barn and out of sight.
“What if you, Leah and Rainee hid out for two weeks?” Katherine suggested when Haydon walked up to them. “You could head over to The Eye of the Needle at
Coeur d’Alene
. There’s a lot of narrow passages in those mountains where you could hide out. It would take weeks for Ferrin to find her there.”
“That’s a good idea, Mother, but I don’t know how long Ferrin will be in jail, and from what Rainee said about her brother, I won’t risk leaving you for two weeks and risk him coming back and hurting you.”
“Smokey and Jesse will be here.”
“They won’t be near the house. They have to get the wheat in and take care of the hogs. No, I think it best if I send Smokey into town. I sent Michael to tell him to run in and talk to Sheriff Klokk to see how long Ferrin will be in jail and what can be done. After all, he did shoot Michael. That’s attempted murder. Charges could be brought against him.”
If only they
could
leave until Reverend James arrived, but Rainee knew Haydon was right. Leaving his mother and sisters unguarded would not be safe or wise. Nor would she ask him to do such a thing. Ferrin was too crafty a man. He could talk or manipulate his way out of any kind of trouble. She had seen him do it often enough. To keep this family from any further danger, there was only one solution. “Perhaps it would be best for everyone if I just took my leave.”
In the blink of an eye, Haydon squatted in front of her and laid his hand on her arm. “No, it would not be best for everyone, and I know it would not be best for me.”
“Or me,” Katherine added.
“I love you, Rainee. And I will not lose you. Please don’t do anything foolish and run off again. Promise me you won’t.” His eyes frantically searched hers.
Rainee knew he was remembering his wife and what happened to her when she had fled. As badly as she wanted to protect them all, she would not do that to him. She had been foolish enough to try it before. “I promise.”
Relief pressed through his eyes. “Good.” He stood and gazed down at her. “You look exhausted, sweetheart. Why don’t you go inside now and get some rest?”
She nodded. “Yes. I am quite done in for, actually, and a nap sounds lovely. Thank you.” She only hoped and prayed she would be able to sleep.
Haydon extended his hand to help her up. Before letting her go, his gaze bore into her. “Remember, you promised.”
She held his gaze. “Yes, I did. So, please, do not make yourself anxious. I will not do anything foolish. I gave you my word, and I shall keep to it.”
He nodded and gave her a quick peck on her cheek. “I need to go take care of Rebel. But I’ll be back.”
“Come on, Rainee.” Katherine stood and looped arms with her. “I’ll walk with you.”
At the house, Katherine opened the door, and Rainee stepped inside the kitchen.
Leah turned from stirring a pot at the stove. “Rainee!” Leah wiped her hands on her apron and ran toward her, throwing her arms around her friend. “I’m so glad you’re safe. I was so worried about you.”
“Rainee!” A sleep-rumpled Abby barreled into her, nearly knocking her and Leah over. “I’m so glad those bad men didn’t finded you.”
Rainee knelt down, scooped Abby into her arms and hugged her. Soon, if everything worked out, this little girl would be her sister.
The next morning, Rainee woke up refreshed. Realizing the lateness of the hour, she made haste in getting dressed and heading downstairs. Haydon was the only one sitting at the table, and he had a coffee cup in front of him.
He stood when she entered, and she could not help but notice the relief on his face. He probably feared in spite of her promise that she would run away again. She did not blame him because she had not given him reason to trust her in that area yet.
He rose and gave her a kiss on her cheek. “Morning, sweetheart. Sleep well?”
“I did. Thank you. Where is everyone?”
“Michael and Jesse are out in the field. Smokey’s finishing up a few chores before he heads in to talk to Sheriff Klokk, and Mother, Leah and Abby are out seeing the new baby kittens.”
“Kittens?”
“Miss Piggy had kittens last night.”
She did not even know the cat was expecting little ones. “I want to see them. Will you take me to them?”
“Mother left you a plate of food in the oven. Don’t you want to eat first?”
“No. I want to see the babies first.”
Haydon stood, chuckling. “You’re as bad as Abby. She couldn’t wait to see them either.”
Rainee grinned. “No, I am as good as Abby.”
He shook his head. “I give up.”
They stepped out onto the porch. As they headed out to the barn, a chill settled over her.
She stopped, shivering in the warm morning sun. “Can you wait a moment? I need my wrap.” She whirled, gathered her skirt and ran toward the house.
Near the back door of the house, she found her wrap hanging on a hook. When she reached for it, something covered her head and a hand slammed against her mouth, preventing her from screaming. She was suddenly yanked backward and her body slammed against a solid form.
Smothered by fear and the lack of air, Rainee jolted right and left. Her legs shot out, trying to connect with her kidnapper’s legs. Someone grabbed her ankles in a strong grip, and she was powerless to move them. She twisted with all the strength she possessed, trying to break free, but the lack of air pressed the darkness in around her.
H
aydon walked into the barn. His mother and sisters were huddled over the kittens making a big to-do over them. “Well, is Miss Piggy letting you see them?”
Katherine stood and Leah and Abby squatted closer together. His mother looked around him. “Where’s Rainee?”
“She ran back to the house to get her wrap. She should be along any minute now.” He walked over to where Miss Piggy was and leaned over to count the kittens. Two white, three gray-and-white, and one black.
He stood and glanced toward the barn door. It shouldn’t be taking her that long to get her wrap. His gut told him something wasn’t right. “I’ll be right back.”
Dashing out of the barn, he scanned the area all the way until he ran up the porch stairs and into the house. “Rainee.” He glanced around. When she didn’t answer, he headed to the back porch where she kept her wrap. The door was standing wide open, and Rainee’s wrap was lying half-inside and half-outside.
Haydon quickly stepped out of view of the door and went to the closest window. Careful to stay out of sight, he peered out.
His breath snagged. Two men were carrying Rainee between them. A sack covered her head, and she was twisting, squirming and kicking. Haydon immediately recognized Ferrin’s expensive suit.
He needed to do something and fast. Neither man appeared to have a weapon on them. And Haydon didn’t see any on their saddles either.
He ran to the front door, grabbed the rifle hanging above the door and headed toward the back porch, loading the gun along the way.
He made sure neither of the men were looking before he slipped out the back door and hurried behind the woodshed. He peered around the building, and his breathing stopped. Rainee was no longer moving; her body hung limp as a rope.
Time was running out.
Their backs were turned to him as they prepared to load her onto one of the horses.
Now was his chance.
Haydon stepped out from behind the outbuilding and cocked his rifle. “Put her down now, or I’ll shoot!”
The old man dropped her legs and threw his hands in the air.
Ferrin yanked Rainee up against his chest. Her arms and legs flopped around like those of a rag doll.
Rainee’s brother faced Haydon, his face filled with arrogance and spite. “Go ahead and shoot. But before you do, I’ll snap her neck in two.” He wrapped one arm around her neck.
“I wouldn’t do that if I was you.”
Haydon’s gaze swung toward the sound of the voice.
Sheriff Klokk and five men stepped out of the trees with their rifles aimed at the two men.
Crazed fear flashed through Ferrin’s eyes.
Sheriff Klokk pressed the tip of the rifle into Ferrin’s back. “Let her go now, or you’re a dead man.”
Ferrin closed his eyes, then slung Rainee away from him, slamming her body onto the hard earth.
Anger blurred Haydon’s vision. He rushed to Rainee and dropped to his knees beside her. He untied the knot holding the sack in place over her head and gently removed it. He placed his hands under her arm and back and pulled her into a sitting position. Her head swayed, hair going in all directions, and her arms hung wilted at her sides. “Come on, sweetheart, stay with me. Breathe.”
Rainee moaned and coughed. Her hazy eyes rolled open. “Haydon?” she rasped. “What—what happened?”
“Your brother’s what happened.”
“What do you mean?”
“He tried to kidnap you.”
Rainee stirred and glanced toward Ferrin. Never had Haydon seen such hatred and evil in a man’s face.
“Is she all right?” the sheriff asked.
Haydon nodded.
Sheriff Klokk yanked Ferrin by the arm and handed him over to his deputy several yards away, then he strode toward Haydon.
“How did they get away?” Haydon glanced up at the sheriff.
Klokk raised his hat and swiped his sleeve across the moisture on his forehead. “I reckon when they realized they wouldn’t be getting out of jail until the circuit judge came through, they hit my deputy over the head. When he came to, he told me what had happened. I knew just where to look for them because of Ben.”
“Ben?” Haydon stopped. “What does he have to do with this?”
“Well, the way Ben tells it is, Devonwood here—” he yanked his chin once toward Ferrin “—heard about Ben’s run-in with his sister in Prosperity Mountain. Ben’s buddy told him where they could find him. Devonwood paid the guy to take him to Ben and then he hired Ben to find Miss Devonwood and bring her to him. Apparently Ben ran into you first and he figured he’d get even with you for getting him tossed out of town. But then Miss Devonwood rescued you, and, well, I guess you know the rest. Ben was so mad he didn’t get paid that he spilled the beans on these two and told me where they were headed. Looks like it’s a good thing we got here when we did.”
With Haydon’s aid, Rainee stood on shaking legs and looked her brother in the eye. “I do not understand, Ferrin. Why do you, my own brother, hate me so much?”
“I am
not
your brother.” He spat on the ground.
“What—what do you mean?”
“I mean,” he sneered, “you and I are related in name only. I was adopted.”
Rainee could not believe what she was hearing. Never had she even suspected such a thing. “That—that cannot be true.”
He snorted. “Well, it is. I overhead Father and Mother talking about how after years of trying to have a baby, how blessed they were to have adopted me from the orphanage. And how shortly afterward Mother discovered she was with child. That child was you.”
A million centipede legs crawled up and down her spine as Ferrin stared at her with scorn and hate.
“Father favored you even in the end.”
“That is not true. Mother and Father treated us equally.”
“For once, you are quite right.” He snorted. “Even in death they treated us equally.” He laughed a laugh of the devil, and a mocking look of derision covered his face.
Nothing he said was making any sense. In fact, the more he talked the more confused she became. “I do not understand.”
“Of course you do not. Do you want to know the real reason why I despise you?”
Did she? Could she handle the truth? She searched her heart for the answer and decided it would be better knowing than always wondering. She braced herself for the truth. “Yes, I want to know.”
“The day Mr. Pennay came to the house to draw up Father’s will, I snuck through the secret passageway and listened to their conversation. Most fathers leave everything to their son, but not ours. No. He could not leave out his precious Rainee.” He said her name with such spite, it slithered over her ears like a slimy serpent. “The more I listened to him, the madder I became. Father stipulated that upon their death half of Father’s estate went to you, and you would have equal say in running it. That meant everything I did I would have to come to you for your approval. Whoever heard of a man having to get a woman’s approval? He showed his favoritism of you right up to the end.”
“I had no idea.”
“Of course you did not. Why do you think I encouraged you to stay home from the reading of the will? I am no dunce.”
“I thought you were protecting me. I trusted you.
You made me believe Father had left nothing to me. Not even a dowry.” She pressed her eyes shut as the pain of his lies and vicious beatings sliced her heart and soul in slow painful shreds. If only she would have thought to ask Mr. Pennay to reveal everything in her father’s will when she contacted him about whether or not Ferrin was her legal guardian. But she had not. Her mind was too filled with fear and thoughts of running away. “To think I stayed there and bore your constant abuse when I could have taken my leave at any time.”
“Pretty clever of me, don’t you think?”
Rainee’s heart crushed under the weight of his words. For it was all true. She had not imagined it. He really did hate her that much. “It all makes sense now. When we were younger, you were nice to me and then all of a sudden you started doing things to bring me harm. I now understand why you beat me. Why you ran off every suitor. You knew if I got married I would discover the truth about my inheritance. It had nothing to do with watermarks or dropping wood. You wished me dead.” She leaned into Haydon as the truth of her words sunk in.
Ferrin sneered at her. “You are not as ignorant as I thought. And you are a whole lot tougher than I gave you credit for. That was my first mistake. My second was coming after you. But then again, I could not risk you coming back for your inheritance, now could I?” There was no remorse in his voice. Nothing but coldness. A coldness that chilled Rainee to the bone.
“You were finally rid of me, Ferrin. So why did you bother to come looking for me?”
“If it were not for old man Alexander here, I would not have bothered. I would have told the lawyer you were dead and then your part of the inheritance would
have been mine. But Alexander threatened to kill me if I did not give him what was rightfully his.”
“I paid you a small fortune, Devonwood,” Mr. Alexander butted in. “I just knew you were pulling a fast one on me when you told me Rainelle was gone. Threatening you was the only way I could think of to get you to give me what was rightfully mine. I would have never followed through with my threat.” Mr. Alexander’s jowls wiggled with the fast movement of his head as his gaze darted between Ferrin and the sheriff.
“Do you expect me to believe that?” Ferrin looked at Rainee. “We both know the old man is capable of murder, do we not?” Ferrin sneered the look of Satan himself first at her and then at Mr. Alexander, who said nothing to deny it.
“I’ve heard enough,” Sheriff Klokk interjected.
“As have I.” She looked Ferrin in the eye. “I am sorry for you, Ferrin. But no matter what you have done to me, you will always be my brother and I shall always love you.”
For a brief moment, his face softened, then just as quickly it turned to stone. “As far as I am concerned, I do not have a sister. I am still an orphan. I have no one in the world but myself.” Hatred filled every word. He diverted his attention away from her.
Having scarce drawn breath the whole time, she filled her lungs and slowly exhaled. “I am so sorry you feel that way, Ferrin.” She turned away from her brother and faced the sheriff. “What will happen to him?”
“Well, after the judge gets here, I reckon he’ll hold a trial. I can almost guarantee he’ll send these two away for quite some time.”
Rainee nodded her ascent.
The lawmen handcuffed the two men and none-too-gently hoisted them onto the horses.
Haydon wrapped his arm around her. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.” He led her toward the house.
Leah, Abby and Katherine were standing in front of the window, their anxious faces peering through the glass.
They disappeared and within seconds all three of them darted out the back door and took turns hugging Rainee and telling her how much they loved her. Their love warmed her.
Rainee looked back at her brother. The cold look he sent her saddened her.
As they led him and Mr. Alexander away, she faced Haydon, who looked down at her with concern.
He brushed at her hair, which had come down in all the ruckus. She did not bother to straighten it. Even her mother would understand why. His hands slid down her shoulders to her arms. “I’m so sorry, Rainee.” He pressed her head into his chest. His lips covered hers, smothering her with even more warmth.
When the kiss ended, Rainee drew back and looked Haydon in the eye. “Haydon, I must go away.”
He jerked back. Rainee staggered but his strong arms steadied her. “What do you mean you have to leave?”
Abby threw her little arms around Rainee’s legs and hugged her tight. “I don’t want you ta go.”
“Me either,” Leah and Katherine said in unison.
Rainee picked Abby up and held her. “No, no, it is not what y’all think. You are not getting rid of me that easily.” She looked at their shocked faces and smiled. “I shall only be gone a short time.”
“Yay!” Abby gave Rainee’s neck a tight squeeze, then squirmed until Rainee set her down. Off the little
girl scampered, disappearing around the corner of the house.
“We need to follow Abby’s example and leave you two alone.” Katherine smiled, hooked her arm through Leah’s, and the two of them walked away.
“You’re not going back to…” Haydon frowned. “Just where are you from, anyway?”
She smiled. “Little Rock, Arkansas.”
“Well, you’re not going back there without me.”
She tilted her chin sideways and frowned. “How did you know where I was going?”
“Well, I figured with Ferrin in jail, you would want to go back to make sure your parents’ place is being taken care of.”
Stunned by his perception, she only nodded.
“Why don’t we get married first and we’ll both go? I’d love to see where you grew up.”
“What a delightful idea. I would love to show you my family’s plantation. It is quite lovely.” They smiled into each other’s eyes.
Haydon bent and his mouth covered hers in a long lingering kiss, melting her heart into a liquid pool of love. With his lips still against hers, he whispered, “Rainelle Victoria Devonwood, you’d better get busy planning that wedding. And the sooner the better.”
Rainee giggled under the light pressure of his lips and silently agreed.