Tracie Peterson (11 page)

“Were you the one to put them away? Is that why they want to kill you?”

Nicholas took a deep breath and looked his father-in-law in the eye. “Yes. They tried once before back at my ranch. Daughtry unfortunately witnessed the whole thing. I hope you’ll forgive me for bringing this on you and your family. I figured when you offered us a home for the winter that they’d lose track of me and give up the search. I guess they won’t quit until they’re all back in prison or dead.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Garrett replied with genuine affection. “You’ve proven yourself to me more than once. I happen to think Daughtry made a good choice for a husband.”

Nicholas’s smile didn’t reach the look of worry in his eyes. “If I only knew that she was safe.”

“God’s watching over her, Nick. We have to count on that. I guess I’m just now starting to see things more clearly. When Julie died, I figured I’d failed somewhere along the way. Now, I know better and my heart is cleared of the guilt. God’s timing isn’t always something we mortals can understand.”

“I admire your faith, Garrett,” Nicholas said honestly. “I hope some of it rubs off.”

Garrett grinned. “I have a feeling your faith is greater than you know. Now, how are we going to get out of this mess?”

Chapter 18

A
fter several hours, Daughtry had had her fill of waiting. As soon as she saw that her mother was amply occupied in the kitchen, Daughtry pled a headache and went to her room.

At first she didn’t know what she’d do. All she really knew was that somehow, some way, she had to help. Without another thought, Daughtry began to discard her dirty riding outfit. Standing in nothing more than her heavy knit chemise and black wool stockings, she glanced into the mirror and smiled as a plan formed in her mind.

Racing to her clothes chest, Daughtry pulled out the bottom drawer and retrieved her brother’s hand-me-down jeans. Disguised in boys’ clothes, Daughtry figured she could ride into town and notify the sheriff, as well as the two Monroe families. This would get even more men looking for her father and husband and still wouldn’t go against Gavin’s instructions that she not join them in the actual search.

Rebraiding her hair, Daughtry coiled it around her head, then pulled on a dark brown hat and surveyed her appearance in the mirror. Noting the curvy appearance of her body in the jeans, Daughtry went to the wardrobe and pulled out one of Nicholas’s duster coats.

The coat fell to just above her boot tops, but Daughtry knew it would be better than letting either her father or Nicholas catch her in town wearing boys’ pants. With an apprehensive glance down the hall, Daughtry made her way to the front door.

Walking with determined strides across the corral yard, Daughtry took a rope and singled Nutmeg out of the few remaining mounts. Within a short time, she had the mare saddled and ready, grateful that no one had come to interfere with her plan.

Daughtry covered the distance into Bandelero in half the normal time. She knew she’d pushed Nutmeg to the limits, and as soon as the town was in sight, Daughtry slowed the mare to a trot. Nutmeg pranced nervously and whinnied softly at the sights and sounds. Daughtry was amazed at the way the small town was continuing to grow. What had started out as a handful of shops and services was now a bustling town, well on its way to becoming a city.

The sheriff’s office was at the far end, and Daughtry knew she’d have to ride right through the heart of Bandelero before reaching her destination. Pulling her hat low, Daughtry urged Nutmeg forward, refusing to make eye contact with anyone on the boardwalks.

To Daughtry’s utter frustration, the sheriff’s office was closed without a single soul to explain his whereabouts. She heaved a sigh and made her way back to Nutmeg, just as a voice called out behind her.

“Sheriff’s gone just now, but can I help you?”

Daughtry turned slowly to find Mr. Tate, owner of the hardware store. “I don’t suppose you know where he’s gone?”

“Daughtry Lucas! Is that you under that getup?” The man’s shocked expression almost made her laugh.

“Yes, it’s me, but the name is Dawson now. Do you know where the sheriff is?”

“Sure,” Tate replied. “He’s gone off looking for your father and some other guy.”

“That would be my husband, Nicholas,” Daughtry replied. She was relieved to know that the sheriff was already assisting in the search.

“Didn’t know you got yourself married,” the man said, scratching his chin. “Always figured you’d marry one of the local boys.”

Daughtry couldn’t be bothered with what Mr. Tate thought. Her real concern was what was happening to her husband and father. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said remounting Nutmeg, “I have things to do.” Mr. Tate said nothing as he watched Daughtry settle into the saddle. “Good day, Mr. Tate.” Daughtry urged Nutmeg back through town, wondering what she should do first.

Just as Daughtry had convinced herself that contacting Lillie and Dr. Dan would be the best choice, she pulled Nutmeg up short and gasped. The two men who’d taken her father and Nicholas were riding into town as though they were coming to Sunday meeting.

Without taking her eyes off of the two, Daughtry eased Nutmeg into a slow but steady walk. She had no idea what she was going to do, or how she could manage to capture the men, but Daughtry knew she had to do something.

When the men headed in the direction of the train depot, Daughtry felt herself grow frantic. What if they’d already killed not only Nicholas but her father as well? What if they perceived their job as finished and now they were taking the train back to—wherever?

When the men dismounted and tied their horses to the hitching post in front of the depot, Daughtry began to panic.
What do I do, Lord?
She found her heart racing and, in spite of the cold wind, Daughtry felt sweat on her brow.

The men entered the building, and Daughtry quickly dismounted and
tied Nutmeg several spaces away from their mounts. Glancing up at the double glass doors of the depot, she could see that the men were deep in conversation with the ticket agent. Without giving it another thought, Daughtry made her way to their horses.

“If they aren’t going to leave by train,” she mused in a whisper to herself, “they’ll come back for their mounts. Either way, they’ll be in for a surprise.” She quickly slid her hand along the first horse and reaching under his belly, Daughtry loosened the cinch strap. Repeating this action with the other horse, she felt a bit of confidence in her mission. Somehow, she needed to find out what they were doing inside the depot, then she needed to get help.

Daughtry made her way around the building, peering in through the windows to catch sight of the two men. They seemed to be there to use the telephone, and the agent was somewhat disturbed by their request.

Daughtry watched intently, while one man pushed a handful of money across the counter to the agent and waited for his response. Daughtry knew the phone was on the track side of the building and that the agent’s bay window was where she’d have her best chance of spying on the two men.

Slipping across the back, barely managing to avoid a man hoisting a heavy crate to the loading platform, Daughtry eased her way cautiously to the bay window. The window was positioned so that the agent could look up and down the track for some distance and Daughtry knew she’d have to keep to the wall beside it in order to avoid being seen. Thankfully, she noted that the two men kept their backs to her when they entered the room and that the telephone was opposite the side she’d chosen to be.

Daughtry felt herself trembling as she strained to hear what the two men were saying. Just then, the heavy blast from the four o’clock westbound blotted out all hope of hearing what the men were saying.

Glancing down the tracks, Daughtry watched as the train eased into the station, blowing off steam noisily. She felt more frustration than she’d ever known possible as she glanced back into the agent’s office and found that the men were still on the phone.

“I have to find out what they’re up to,” she whispered.

People began to leave the train, while others crowded around her to take their place on board. Daughtry felt herself being pushed back through the comings and goings, until she lost her footing and fell forward.

With a shriek of fright, Daughtry found herself caught by strong hands and set back on her feet.

“Whoa, Son,” a deep baritone voice called out.

Daughtry glanced upward and gasped, while the man staring down at her did the same.

“Sorry, Ma’am,” the man corrected his mistake, “I guess I mistook you in that garb.”

Daughtry still couldn’t speak. The man before her was the spitting image of her husband, only his hair was gray and his face betrayed his age. How could it be?

“I–I’m,” she stammered. “It was my fault. I apologize.”

The man smiled broadly, then reached out to take hold of the stately woman beside him. “No harm done,” he said softly.

Daughtry stared in amazement at the couple. She looked at the woman for a moment, then back at the man.

“Is something wrong, Miss?” the man asked her, a look of concern replacing his smile.

Daughtry glanced back at the ticket agent’s office and saw that the men were still there. Without hesitation she pushed back her hat and looked into the dark eyes of the stranger. “Do I know you?” she asked boldly.

“I doubt it,” the man replied, and the woman at his side smiled.

“We’re here to surprise our son,” the woman said.

“Your son?” Daughtry barely squeaked out the words.

“That’s right, perhaps you know where we could find him. His name is Nicholas Dawson. We received a letter from him saying that he’s staying with his wife’s family. I believe their name is Lucas,” the man replied, then shook his head. “Forgive my rudeness, I’m Riley Dawson, and this is my wife Alexandra.”

Daughtry stared up in dumbfounded silence at her father and mother-in-law. “Oh my,” she finally managed to whisper.

“Are you all right?” Riley asked, seeing Daughtry pale at the news.

“I’m afraid so,” she whispered, feeling faint. “I have a bit of a surprise for you,” she said with a slight smile. “I’m Daughtry Dawson, Nicholas’s wife.”

Riley’s mouth dropped open, while Alexandra’s eyes widened and twinkled with amusement.

“You are Nicholas’s wife?” Riley questioned.

Daughtry shifted her weight nervously and glanced back at the agent’s office. “Yes, and the fact of the matter is, Nicholas and my father are in trouble, and I need your help.”

Alexandra instantly sobered and reached out to Daughtry. “What is it? What’s happened to them?”

Daughtry quickly explained to her in-laws why she was dressed as she was and how the two men inside the depot were responsible for their son’s abduction.

“I need your help, Mr. Dawson,” Daughtry said in such a way that Riley couldn’t help but put his arm around her.

“Call me Riley,” he said softly. “Look, I’ll take care of this.” He looked past Daughtry to his wife. “You take Zandy and go back to the ranch.”

“Zandy?” Daughtry questioned.

“That’s what most folks call me,” Alexandra stated, trying to keep her voice calm.

“Oh,” Daughtry replied with a nod. Then turning back to Riley she shook her head. “I’m not going back. I have to help Nicholas.”

“Look, I know you want to help him, but we have no idea what we’re going to run into,” Riley said firmly.

“I know that half the county is out there looking for them. I can’t just sit back and do nothing. Look, those two are leaving. Either help me capture them or stay out of my way.” Daughtry’s determination caused Zandy to laugh out loud, while Riley rolled his eyes.

“I see our son married a woman just like his mother. Stubborn to the bone and just as beautiful.” Daughtry blushed at the half-compliment but turned to leave.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Riley said, taking hold of her arm. “You’ve got yourself a partner.”

Daughtry turned and smiled. “Good. I loosened their cinch straps,” she said with a grin. “They ought to just about fall into our arms.”

Riley shook his head while, Zandy tried to refrain from laughing.

“They have guns,” Daughtry said, while leading Riley and Zandy around the building. “But I figure when they fall off those horses, we might be able to get the upper hand, maybe even get their weapons away from them.”

“You leave that to me,” Riley said in a voice that made it clear to Daughtry he meant business. She nodded and halted when they reached the front of the depot. The men were still nowhere in sight.

“Alexandra,” Riley said, turning to his wife, “you secure our bags and stay out of sight. I’ll be hard pressed enough to keep her out of danger’s way.” He motioned
to Daughtry who didn’t like one bit that she’d gained yet another guardian.

Knowing the outlaws wouldn’t recognize her or Riley, Daughtry motioned her father-in-law to follow her as the two men came bounding out of the depot. Without any time to lose, Daughtry and Riley flew into action as the men attempted to mount their horses. When the saddles twisted to the side and dumped the surprised men on the frozen ground, Riley quickly grabbed the
revolver of the one dressed in black, while Daughtry put her booted foot firm
ly on the arm of the shorter, squatty man.

“Get up real slow,” Riley instructed the men after he had Daughtry remove the other man’s weapon. “Where’s the jail, Daughtry?”

“Other end of town,” she answered, feeling hope for the first time. “Come on, I’ll lead the way.”

Riley motioned the men forward, while Daughtry apprehensively moved out. The men weren’t over their shock as they took hesitant steps forward, but the gun in Riley’s hand left them little doubt that he meant business.

A crowd started to gather and follow Daughtry and Riley as they made their way to the sheriff’s office. The mumblings and whispers were enough to unnerve Daughtry, but she took a deep breath and forced herself forward.
When this is all done,
she thought,
I may very well faint!

Mr. Tate was there to greet them, and when Daughtry explained the need to put the two men into a cell, he rapidly produced a set of keys and led Daughtry and Riley into the jail.

Once they had the men behind bars, Daughtry sat down hard on a chair in the outer office, while her father-in-law began to question the men.

“You have my son and his father-in-law,” Riley said with a menacing stare at the outlaws. He’d dealt with their kind plenty before, even if it were a lifetime before.

“What if we do?” the short man questioned.

“Well, the way I figure it, you can cooperate and tell me where they are, or I can start shooting parts of your body until you give me the information.” Riley prayed his bluff would work.

The man stared at Riley as if trying to decide if he were serious or not. Daughtry held her breath, hoping and praying that Riley wouldn’t have to shoot anyone.

“You wouldn’t really shoot us,” the man in black stated nervously. “Would you?”

Riley fired the revolver into the mattress just to the man’s left. He glanced down at the gun as if carefully considering its benefits. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” Riley answered in a cool, unemotional tone.