Back To Our Beginning (22 page)

Though no medicines were anywhere to be found, Tansy located a half open box of bandages, gauze, tweezers. In the kitchen cupboards she found bowls and plates, matches and a variety of novelty candles depicting the holidays.

They stuffed items into the garbage bags and their pockets until they bulged, carried what blankets they could wrapped over their shoulders. Layers of new, though used, warm gloves covered their hands as well as many warm hats piled onto their heads with knitted scarves and socks on their feet, leaving the old tattered ones behind. Shanie had happily been able to cram her small feet into the elderly woman’s calf-high boots, while also adorning the woman’s thick floor length fur coat over her threadbare jacket.

The last item Tansy found was an old porcelain doll sequestered within an antique glass hutch. It was remarkable. When the head turned it showed a sleeping baby, turned again a smiling baby, and lastly turned it sported a sobbing baby, while concealing the other faces neatly under a bonnet eluding detection. She handled it carefully and decided it was going to go back with her to Michaela; she didn’t think the elderly woman would have minded.

Clutching the doll protectively and wearing layers of some clean used clothes they found smelling of mothballs, laden with their heavy loads, they left to make their way back to the mine.

* * * *

“How do we do this?” Ethan asked, jittery with excitement. He and Aidan were hiding outside the mine, watching the young tiny woman. She traveled to and from the mine carrying sticks; at one time, they noted she filled a pot with snow to take back in.

The two men saw a petite toddler trailing after the woman. Ethan smiled at seeing the little one, remembering when his son had been that young. Thinking of Ricky, he hoped his son would stay put until they came for him. The boy was adventurous and wanted to come and see the new people, but had been warned sternly they could be dangerous. They left Ricky in a basement still covered by half of a dilapidated home. It was dingy and damp, yet as safe as anywhere else, Ethan speculated.

Ethan opted for the relative security of a fire lit hole in the ground to the uncertainty of the new people. They had been surprised when they reached the mine, finding only a woman and child left unsupervised. Ethan wondered if the man had taken two boys to hunt with, leaving their vulnerable females by the relative safety and warmth of the fires. He surmised that made the most sense. It would’ve been next to impossible to hunt with the small child and perhaps even dangerous for her. Both females were small enough to be prey. The man would have been too concerned with their safety to be able to concentrate on the prospect of securing large game.

“Mike, no.”

They heard the young woman call. Ethan did a double take on the toddler, he had been certain it was a girl. The child was wandering in their direction and it was obvious the woman, perhaps her mother, watched her closely. The child approached until, unable to resist, Ethan stepped forward from the brush. The girl, at close range even through the dirty clothes Ethan was positive, stood wide-eyed looking up at him. The woman who’d been trailing after the child stopped short. Ethan took in her diminutive features, like the small child. She was a beautiful young woman even though covered in dirt, and her eyes gazed up at him just as wide and as fearfully as the toddler.

When Aidan also stepped forward she screamed, grabbed the child and raced frantically for the mine.

“No, wait!” Ethan called, now in hot pursuit. She couldn’t escape from them. He was too excited to finally be seeing another live soul, and a female one at that, to let her get away.

The men ran as quickly as they could, impeded by slippery logs and icy snow. Both Ethan and Aidan arrived together at the entrance of the mine just a heartbeat or two after the wildly fleeing woman, her fear seemed to give her feet wings. Aidan howled in pain and jumped back as a hard flung rock hit him soundly in the chest. Ethan dodged just in time avoiding Aidan’s fate.

“Go away,” she screamed.

The child added her own howls. The men backed away as two more hard flung stones were thrown at them.

“Shit, she’s got a good arm,” Aidan complained, rubbing his chest.

Ethan and he were crowded closely together at the entrance of the mine, but back behind its opening. Feeling desperate, Ethan called out to the woman, “We’re not going to hurt you, sweetheart. I promise.”

That was met by the shattering of a large stick near their hiding place and an explosive expletive.

“Good lungs too,” Aidan said.

The continued pitiful cries of the little girl inside tugged at Ethan’s heartstrings. Taking a chance, Ethan walked arms outstretched into the mine opening, depending on a woman’s sense of compassion, understanding, her need to help not hurt. Aidan grabbed him back before he was beamed by a pot of snow.

“Are you nuts?”

“It’s just one tiny little woman and a small child.”

“That one tiny little woman has got murder on her mind, and you and I are the intended victims.”

“We should have come when they were here together, even the man. I feel like a heel, we’re frightening the poor little thing. We’re both more than twice her size, we both look a sorry mess. She must be terrified for the little one, envisioning all sorts of awful scenarios.” Ethan yelled to the woman they were leaving, they were sorry they’d frightened her.

Ethan turned to go but stopped at a terrifying sight. Ricky hadn’t listened; he must’ve followed them unaware. A large man stood with his son off to the other side of the mine, out in the open. The man had one hand tangled in the back of Ricky’s tattered hoodless jacket; his son was two feet off the ground. The man looked beyond furious, he looked deadly.

* * * *

Clint had come across the boy by accident, as the child was crouching, spying near the mine. The boy stood slowly when confronted with the strange man. He had looked up at Clint, way up, with huge wide wary eyes, unable to utter a single sound in response to his numerous questions, paralyzed with his fear. Frustrated by the child’s obvious frightened silence, Clint decided to bring him back to Tansy then he heard Emmy’s scream.

He grabbed the child, tucking him securely under an arm, and raced for the mine. Finding the men at the mine antagonizing Emmy and Mike, Clint had become enraged. He knew the boy must belong to one of these men. If they’d hurt any one of his girls he would kill them. The boy cried out to his father, his arms pitifully reaching for him as they drew closer. The big black-haired man produced a large hunting knife, but Clint was faster. His knife already lay at the boy’s throat, silencing him. Clint had no desire to harm the child, but he needed these men to back away, he wouldn’t lose another family; he would not.

“Wait, please, he’s only a frightened little boy,” the blond-haired man begged.

Clint saw the resemblance between the man and child, Clint could see the terror on his father’s face. Clint carried the boy easily off his feet and ignored his pitiful whimpering while making his way to the front of the mine.

“Clint,” Emmy cried. She started for him but he motioned her back.

“You okay?” Clint asked, relieved to see she appeared unharmed. “Did they hurt you?”

“No. Mike and I are alright.”

“Where’s your mother?” Clint asked; his gaze locked with that of the dark-haired man.

“Shanie and she went looking for food.”

Thank God,
thought Clint. The boy was the only hostage, he was in charge. Clint lowered the boy to his shaky feet, removing the knife from the child’s throat. The tousle-headed child looked up at him, tears streaming down his pale face. His breath came in labored gasps. His small body trembled in terror as his little chest heaved in and out. A loud whimper escaped his quivering lips.

“Aw, don’t cry.” Clint heard from behind.

Michaela had crawled out of her hiding place, now that her hero had arrived. With Clint, there she knew she had nothing to fear. She toddled over to Ricky and placed her hand in his. Smiling up at him she tried to encourage him to play, but noticed Clint’s large hand locked onto his clothing.

“Let go, Clint, he’s my new best friend,” Michaela declared. She tugged harder at the boy and when Clint still didn’t release him she howled to Emmy in outrage, “Emmy, Clint’s bein’ mean to me.”

Frustrated, Clint looked at Michaela’s outraged face and to that of the terrified little boy. The boy whimpered up at him, his tears flowing like an un-dammed river onto his pale face from hazel eyes. Feeling a wave of pity wash over him, he released the child, who went flying forward. He grabbed up Michaela who protested. Clint felt Emmy at his side; she moved closer for his protection. She leaned heavily against him, her small hand grasping at his arm, partially hidden behind him, her head not even nearing his broad shoulder. Clint could feel her tremors and he scowled at the men, angry for causing her such distress.

“Maybe you best state your business.”

Ethan, who was clutching his terrified son to his chest, turned vicious eyes on him. “Damn you for frightening him.”

“I didn’t hurt him none. I thought he was alone, seein’ as though he had been left all alone,” Clint said, emphasizing his last words, angry at the men for frightening his own.

Ethan cringed at that, they had left Ricky all alone, but thought it would be in his best interest.

“I don’t leave
mine
all alone,” Clint said in warning. “I’m always close by.”

Aidan heard the emphasis on ‘mine’ and knew this man was extremely protective. Not that he could blame him, they seemed so defenseless. Smiling inwardly, Aidan ran a hand over his chest that ached from the hard flung rock. Defenseless looking was obviously a surface trait.

“Clint?” called a voice, the two men turned and Ethan was surprised to see a women and young teenage girl. His assumption about the boys and hunting had been incorrect. Ethan just assumed they were hiding close by on the man’s command.

Clint looked up and saw Tansy and Shanie not far from the strange men. “Stay back,” he shouted.

Clint no longer had the man’s son, he was without any leverage; the men were between him, Tansy and Shanie. The dark-haired man had yet to sheath his knife. They would be defenseless against an assault by either man. Both women were slight and weakened by hunger and traveling, he was trying to protect Emmy and Michaela. If they were to be grabbed, what would he do? Clint’s face reddened in frustrated anger, not knowing what direction to take. He couldn’t be in two places at once. A thought thundered within his frantic mind; what would Cord do? He would utter threats and show he meant business.

“You let ’em pass safe to me,” he warned, blue eyes narrowed dangerously, “and there won’t be no bloodshed.” Clint’s hand tightened on his knife, the implication unmistakable. Michaela was passed quickly to Emmy while Clint shielded the both of them behind his body, readying to spring into action.

The other two men nodded in agreement. Clint motioned Tansy forward. Tansy and Shanie dragged their heavy load of treasures into the mine, giving the men a large berth. Michaela squealed in delight and took the doll Tansy handed her over to the fire to get a better look, the boy momentarily forgotten. Both Emmy and Shanie stepped back to unload the garbage bags while watching their mother approach the strangers after emptying her pockets and pants of bags and other articles.

Tansy stood beside Clint. She looked from the two men to Clint, who stood straight and powerful...and possessive. The other two men were weary and drawn. But it wasn’t them that caught and held her eye; it was the slightly built tow-headed boy. The boy was looking at Michaela and the fire and her with such longing Tansy felt every motherly instinct consume her. Part of her was overwhelmed with happiness at seeing another child alive. She crouched down to eye level with the boy, while pressed closely to Clint’s side. Though fascinated with the boy, she was still a bit fearful of the large men and was once again grateful for Clint’s presence.

“My name is Tansy. What’s yours?”

The boy smiled shyly at her. “Ricky.” He took a quick swipe at his runny nose.

“I’m very happy to meet you, Ricky,” Tansy told him in a soft voice, understanding he must be feeling apprehensive, as was she; their situation was tense. Both sides of men were eyeing each other. She knew if the slightest wrong move occurred it might result in a bloodbath. Tansy looked up at Clint who stood stone faced, knife drawn, his knuckles white with the grip he maintained on his weapon, muscles bunched ready to pounce into action.

“This is Clint.” Her tone open, friendly, indirectly including the other men. Leaning in a bit she offered conspiratorially, “He’s not as mean as he looks.”

Ricky looked relieved and offered her a larger smile.

“I found some clothes that might fit you, and perhaps a hat or two,” she added chuckling as she removed at least three piled from the top of her head. “And I think Shanie has a couple of toy cars that are kinda cool if you want to come in to play.”

Ricky cast a hopeful glance up at his father who wasn’t sure what to say. The large man, Clint, was still glaring at them with angry suspicion, his glance definitely un-welcoming.

“My girls are harmless,” Tansy said as she again stood.

“I beg to differ,” Aidan mumbled, rubbing his chest. When Tansy smiled at him he sheathed his knife. He realized the danger to him, Ethan and Ricky had passed now that the man Clint had his women and children close and accounted for.

“Look, why don’t we get acquainted over tea?” Tansy suggested brightly.

Clint closed his eyes tightly and grimaced noticeably on a definite shudder.

“We really aren’t that bad,” Ethan said, taking offense at Clint’s disgusted look.

“No, it ain’t you; it’s Tansy’s tea.”

Tansy smacked him. Ricky laughed, he figured if this woman wasn’t afraid of this big man maybe he shouldn’t be either. Ricky was intrigued by the thought of toy cars and the warm fires inside were a magnet, especially now that the sun was setting. Ricky’s pleading struck a chord within his father. Ethan was also drawn to the fires, and the woman seemed in as much control, if not more so than the man. Ethan noticed her heartfelt look at Ricky and understanding flowed to make him feel she was somewhat of a kindred spirit. Her children were no less captivating. It had been so long since Ricky had had the opportunity to see and play with another child.