Authors: Ginger Simpson
Ty appeared not to hear Jeb’s parting remark, but Ellie
clearly did. His mumbled words, “I’ll make you regret this,” made the tiny
hairs on her arms stand on end.
* * * * *
Ty wandered to the food tables and Ellie took a seat along
the wall with Betty Jo, crossed her legs and removed her left shoe. She
massaged the bottom of her foot. “I’ve never danced so much in all my life. Who
would have guessed Ty was so good at it?”
“You make a stunning couple. I wish I could find a beau as
handsome as Ty.”
“You will someday, Betty Jo. You have to wait for the right
opportunity. But I seem to notice someone lingering nearby tonight.” She nodded
toward the young man who hadn’t ventured far from her friend.
Ellie hitched up her stocking and put her shoe back on,
straightening in her chair. “I sure never imagined Ty would be courting me…well
sort of, if you count this dance and one kiss.”
“You kissed him?” Betty Jo’s brows arched.
“Just once, it was wonderful. I can’t wait to try again.”
Her friend’s hand covered a giggle.
“Oh,
Ellie.
You’re so lucky.”
“Yes I am. I really like him.” Ellie’s stomach fluttered in
confirmation.
She stood on tiptoes, scanning the food tables for Ty. A
slow song played and she was anxious to dance again. Directly across the room,
she locked eyes with Jeb Bryant, who noticed her and puckered his mouth into an
exaggerated kiss.
“Ohhh, that man makes me furious,” she stormed, feeling her
jaw tighten again.
“Who?”
Betty Jo looked around
curiously.
“Jeb Bryant, that’s
who
. He and his
family have brought nothing but trouble to the mountain since they moved here.”
She balled her hand into a fist.
“I’ve seen his brother in town a few times. He always seems
polite enough.”
Ellie relaxed at the change of subject. “Joshua does seem so
different from his twin. I feel sorry for him. I think he could be a really
nice person if Jeb didn’t bully him around so.”
“And Joshua is so cute,” Betty Jo whispered, her vision
trained on the milder of the Bryant boys standing across the room.
“I think so, too, but I wouldn’t get involved with the likes
of them if I were you. Where Jeb Bryant goes, trouble follows, and the brothers
aren’t often apart.”
Ellie felt Jeb’s penetrating stare but pretended to ignore
it. She looked from one side of the room to the other, searching for Ty.
Suddenly, her mouth dropped open and her hand flew to her throat. “I don’t
believe it.”
“What’s wrong, Ellie?” Betty Jo stared at her with wide
eyes.
“Ty is dancing with Clare.
Of all the
nerve.
Look how she’s clutching at him.”
Betty Jo rose and followed Ellie’s blistering gaze, then
turned to her friend. “Oh don’t get upset, Ellie. Maybe she asked him.”
“I don’t care who asked who,” Ellie barked, putting her
hands on her hips. “He knows how I feel about her. He could have refused.”
Contempt heated Ellie’s cheeks. “How could Ty be so cruel?
He could have danced with anyone else in the whole hall, but…”
Ellie’s lips pursed into a thin line.
Boldly, she walked over to Jeb Bryant. She’d show her so-called escort two
could play this game. With a cocked head, she faked a cordial voice and flashed
a feigned smiled at Jeb. “I changed my mind. Is your invitation for a dance
still open?”
Jeb’s eyebrows rose. “Well, will wonders never cease? Of
course, Miz Ellie, I’d love to dance with you.” His speech slurred from his
evident intoxication.
She glanced over her shoulder, hoping Ty watched, and walked
into Jeb’s waiting arms.
The hair on the back of her neck bristled at his touch, but
in order to make a point, she could endure one dance. She fought to keep her
eyes from straying to Ty and Clare and prayed Ty took notice. It was a struggle
to follow Jeb’s drunken lead.
Would the song never end? The smell of whiskey on Jeb’s
breath turned her stomach, and he held her far too tight.
Ellie gasped when he trailed a kiss along the side of her
neck. She backed away. “Stop that! I said I would dance with you and that’s
all. I should have known better.”
Jeb reeled her back, pulling her tighter against him. He
seemed to revel in her discomfort. “You know you like it, Ellie. I’ve seen how
you look at me.” He leered at her while struggling to retain his balance.
Ellie pulled free from his grasp. “Get your hands off me,”
she yelled. “You must be as crazy as you are drunk if you think I’ve given you
any encouraging looks.”
“Then why would you dance with me?” He roared.
“I-I…never mind.
I told you it was
a mistake. Just leave me alone.”
All the couples around them stopped dancing and turned to
gape.
Feeling the weight of their stares, Ellie jumped when
someone grabbed her. She turned to see Ty. Clare still hung on his arm.
“What’s wrong, Ellie?” Ty asked
,
his smooth brow creased with concern.
Clare yanked on him. “C’mon, Ty, let’s go finish our dance.
Ellie seems to be having a lover’s spat.”
Clare’s overly-emphasized drawl made Ellie want to slap her.
“Yes, Ty, go finish your dance.
I
don’t need your help.” Ellie edged her voice with ice. How dare he act like he
cared when he was so evidently captivated by Clare? If Ellie didn’t hate Jeb so
much she would grab him and kiss him full on the mouth. Instead, she spun on
her heel and pushed her way through the crowd, cursing Ty and her uncomfortable
corset.
A rush of emotion churned inside her and tears welled. How
could Ty even consider dancing with Clare? Coupled with her anger at Jeb for
presuming so much, Ty’s behavior was the last straw. This was supposed to be a
special evening. Did she want to cry or shoot someone? Escape, that’s what she
needed. A breath of fresh air and some time alone. She went back to her chair
and grabbed her wrap.
Betty Jo looked up from talking to her young man. “Are you
alright, Ellie?”
“Everything is fine. Don’t let me interrupt you. I’m going
to step out for a breath of air.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” She patted her friend’s hand. “I won’t be
long.”
Ellie pulled her wrap around her shoulders, and seeing the
mass of bodies between her and the front door, decided to use the rear one.
Outside, crisp air washed over her like a waterfall. She
took a deep breath and leaned against the side of the building, welcoming the
relief from the heat generated by all the bodies inside the hall. She pulled
her shawl tighter and replayed what had just happened. Her jaw tightened at the
thought of Ty and Clare, and before she could rein in her emotions, tears
cascaded down her cheeks.
Using the hankie she had stashed in her sleeve, she blotted
the wetness away. Her red hair had always been blamed for her temper, were her
green eyes now at the root of her jealousy? Ty was her escort. He was supposed
to spend his time with her, not Clare. How could he be so downright mean?
Ellie wished she had ridden Chessie so she could go home and
not have to face Ty again tonight. There was absolutely nothing he could say
that would make things better. But she didn’t have a mount. Maybe she’d ask
Betty Jo if she could sleep over at her house. Yes, that’s what she’d do. She
had no desire to ride home with that two-timing Tyler Bishop.
The icy air cut through her wrap like a knife, and Ellie
reached for the door to go back inside. Suddenly a hand came from behind and
covered her mouth while an arm circled her waist, locking her in a firm hold.
She struggled, but to no avail. Only muffled noises escaped
the muting fingers across her face, and she was no match for the strength of
her captor. Her feet barely touched the ground as she felt herself being
dragged away from the building.
Chapter Fifteen
“What the hell are you doing, Jeb?” Joshua’s voice echoed in
the dark alley over the muffled tones of music. “I thought you came out to take
a nip. Let her go.”
“Shut up and mind your own business. I’ve got a plan.”
There was the word “plan” again. Ellie shuddered, wishing
she had told Pa or Ty, anybody, about Jeb’s earlier threat.
She kicked viciously at Jeb’s shins and tried to scream for
help but it was no use. His hand tightened across her mouth, allowing only
muted sounds no one could possibly hear.
“What are you gonna do with her?” Joshua looked nervously
over his shoulder. That very question burned in Ellie’s mind. He turned back to
his brother. “Whatever your plan is, it sounds like big trouble to me.”
“It would to a coward. If you don’t want to help me, then go
back inside and keep your mouth shut.”
If only it wasn’t so dark, Ellie thought, Joshua could see
the pleading look in her eyes. Even if he was the strong, silent type, surely
his soft side would choose to help her if he could. Unfortunately she wouldn’t
have a chance to know. She continued kicking and squirming, but Jeb’s grasp
only tightened. His fingers dug into her waist, and his large hand covered not
only her mouth but her nose, making it difficult to breathe.
Exhausted, she ceased fighting and sagged against her
captor. Her legs and arms felt like Pa’s old anvil was tied to them.
“Go get the horses and bring them around,” Jeb ordered.
“I’ll
be needin’
mine now, but you can leave your
mount here for an easy get-away later.”
Joshua unquestioningly complied, and within a few moments,
he returned leading the saddled animals.
“Now,” Jeb barked, “I want you to go watch the front door.
I’m sure Mr. Bishop is going to be coming through it anytime now, looking for
his lady. I have to take my hand from Ellie’s mouth and if she dares to scream,
I want you to shoot Ty on the spot.”
Ellie’s heart stilled. God no, don’t let her foolish actions
be the cause of Ty’s death. She’d rather Jeb shoot her. Oh, why had she acted
so rashly and ventured outside in the first place?
He turned his attention to Ellie. “Do you understand? One
word out of you and your beau is a dead man.”
She nodded, focusing all her anger at Jeb. No matter how
enraged she’d felt at Ty a few minutes ago, there was no way she wanted to be
the cause of any-thing happening to him.
Jeb slowly removed his hand from her mouth. “Not one word
outta you, or else.”
Ellie dared not speak. She opened and closed her mouth a few
times,
relieved his palm no longer ground her lips
into her teeth. A discernable shudder moved through her.
Jeb hefted her up onto his saddle and mounted behind her.
She faced front, avoiding his whiskey breath, struggling to think of a way out
of this horrible mess.
Would Ty even notice she’d gone? She felt torn with wanting
to pray he did, or thinking it might be better if he didn’t—at least, not right
away. Her safety wasn’t the only concern. She chewed her bottom lip, shrinking
away from Jeb’s nearness.
He nudged his horse back to the corner of the building where
Joshua stood keeping watch, and reined in next to him. “Here’s the deal. If
Bishop doesn’t come out, you go back inside and make yourself as visible as
possible. If anyone asks where I am, tell them I’m outside getting a breath of
fresh air.”
“Where will you really be?”
“I’m riding up to the old line shack the drovers use during
branding season. No one will think of looking there. I’m going to make Miz
Ellie a comfortable place to rest a spell. Make sure you leave before the dance
is over, before the crowd thins, so everyone will think we left together. I’ll
meet up with you at the fork in the road.”
In the dim moonlight Ellie noticed the worried crease in
Joshua’s brow. “That’s not gonna work,” he said. “The minute someone misses
her, they’ll come looking for us, especially after the scene you caused in
there.”
“Ah, hardly anybody noticed that, and we won’t be suspect if
we make sure she’s stowed away properly.
Who’s
gonna
question us if we ride into town tomorrow morning without her and go about our
business?”
“Just what do you plan to accomplish by this?” Joshua’s lips
thinned.
Ellie wanted to know, too. Her heart sagged at knowing
Joshua was staying behind. She hoped he might be the voice of reason Jeb
listened to. He had once before.
She decided to try one last plea. “Jeb, please let me go,”
she said, careful to keep her voice low. “This is only going to get you into
big trouble. You know my Pa and Ty will be furious.”
Jeb chortled. “Lady, I couldn’t care less about your pa and
Tyler Bishop. We aim to own Fountainhead, and if using you as a bargaining chip
is the answer, then I’ve got the deed in my pocket.”
“It’ll never work.” Ellie kept her voice in a whisper to
appease her captor. “As soon as the Sheriff finds out you forced me to go with
you, you’ll be spending a long time in jail, or maybe even getting to know the
end of a noose up close and personal. You can’t just take a body against their
will.”
“She’s right, Jace.” Joshua nodded.
“Shut up, and get back inside.” Jeb’s anger was hushed by
clenched teeth. “It’s a good thing Pa has one son that has guts. Meet me where
the road splits toward the ranch. I’ll get there as soon as I get Miz Ellie
tucked in all nice and comfy.”
Comfy how?
A coiled snake was less
frightening than the horrible thoughts spinning through Ellie’s mind. She
covered her mouth to keep from crying out.
It wasn’t just her in jeopardy.