Lonesome Bride (35 page)

"Your skin is like this silk,” he muttered. “And oh, what delights I shall have with it."

Gagged as she was, Caite could make no reply. Instead, she suffered through Hammond's loathsome caress, shutting her eyes to block out his face. He pulled away from her and she heard his sneering laugh.

"Don't play the virgin with me, sweetling,” her kidnapper said. “It no longer becomes you."

If the handkerchief had not been covering her mouth, she would have spit at him, such was Caite's sheer disgust. As if reading her thoughts, Hammond drew close once more to run the knife along the outline of her lips.

"Those lovely green eyes tell me so much,” Hammond said gently. “You hardly need to speak at all."

He tapped the knife against her mouth. “Don't make me angry, Caitleen, else you might find speaking with your eyes your only option."

Harshly, he yanked her closer so he could bind her wrists. Only when he had tied her hands to a nearby hitching ring did Hammond move away from her. As he busied himself with swiftly saddling his horse, Hammond kept up a running commentary on all the perversions he planned on sampling with her.

Caite did her best to block the obscenities flowing from the man. Tears at last sprang to her eyes, but not from fear. Grief prompted her helpless tears, grief that her own father should have given her to the villain who was now saddling a placid chestnut mare called Daisy.

"Ah, tears,” Hammond commented when he noticed them sparkling on Caite's cheeks. “Save them, my dear. They'll do you no good."

Stolidly, Caite forced herself to banish the droplets. She did not want to give Hammond the satisfaction of thinking he was their cause. She drew herself up as tall as she could, determined to face her situation with dignity.

Hammond untied her hands from the hitching post and helped her up onto the mare. As Caite's hands were still bound at the wrist, she was able to take only the lightest hold upon the reins. She soon realized, however, she would not need to control Daisy's head.

Swinging up on his mount, Hammond tied Daisy's lead rope onto the white stallion's saddle horn. Thus tied, the little mare would follow the stallion as if she had no rider on her back. Hammond flashed Caite a quick look to be certain she was seated, then urged the horses forward.

As they rode out into the yard, Caite cast one last, desperate glance toward the house. She was certain someone inside would have had to heard a suspicious noise. Shorty, she knew, should have been particularly sensitive about horse thieves.

Not so much as a candle flickered in any of the windows, she saw with sinking heart. Not even the vigilant Shorty had been roused from slumber. Hammond really was going to take her away, and no one was going to stop him.

After making his decision, Jed's eyes grew heavy. Yawning, he got up from the grass and went back into the cabin. He had been able to stuff a new mattress, and the bed would be a sight more comfortable now than the ground.

He grinned to himself at the thought of sharing the new bed with his bride. He knew Caite wouldn't mind living in the tiny cabin until they could build a bigger house. That was just one of the things he loved so much about her, the way she took everything in stride.

As he settled himself into the new mattress, Jed pictured the look on Caite's face when he got down on one knee before her. He could hardly wait. The only thing he had to do before heading out in the morning would be to dismantle all the traps he had set for the rabbits. He wouldn't want to come back to a bunch of spoiled meat.

"Yes, sir,” Jed declared to the empty cabin. “I'll tear down my snares and be on my way. Caitey, you'd best be ready!"

They had starting riding hard as soon as they were out of earshot of the house, and Caite was in constant fear of falling off. She was still only barely able to hold onto the reins, and every muscle in her body strained to maintain her balance. Her teeth jarred in her mouth so badly she thought they might crack.

After a while, Hammond pulled the horses to a walk. They were far enough away, he explained, they could take a rest. He pointed out the first light of dawn in the sky.

"We'll ride until that sun gets so hot it could burn a hole in your head,” Hammond told her. “I bet you're grateful now I brought your bonnet."

She was grateful, but she would not let Hammond know that. She knew all too well what damage the sun could do to her fair skin. She did not wish to repeat the experience.

Caite had been certain what Hammond had made her write was a lie, and he was not really going to take her to Lonesome. As they continued following the trail, however, familiar from when she had traveled it with Jed, Caite saw Hammond had made her write the truth. He was taking her to Lonesome along this trail.

Caite smiled behind the silk. He was taking her right past Jed's cabin. Hammond was not as smart as he thought!

Despite his excitement, Jed found he slept heavily with no dreams. He woke just after dawn, refreshed and ready to head out. Rolling from the bed, he decided to forgo even breakfast, so eager was he to get moving.

Not even bothering to brew some coffee, Jed pulled on his clothes and headed outside. Jed had four rabbit snares to take down, and then he would be on his way. He wouldn't even have to head back to the cabin. He could leave directly for Heatherfield.

The sun had begun to rise high in the sky, but it had not yet become hot enough for Hammond to rest. He was determined to push on as far as he could before stopping. He did not wish to risk anyone from Heatherfield coming after them.

"You see, my dear, I don't completely trust your literary skills in this matter,” he told Caite. “Your note might have somehow rung false enough to cause suspicion. I want to get us to the preacher before anyone has any time to stop us."

"If you think I'll stand before a man of God and agree to marry you, then you're sorely mistaken,” Caite replied.

Hammond had thankfully removed her gag several miles back, reasoning no one would hear her scream even if she tore her throat to shreds with her efforts.

Hammond laughed aloud, the sound grating like broken glass in Caite's ears. “My dear Caitleen, you are so foolish. For a mere pittance, the preacher I have in mind will take my vows as binding for both of us."

Caite did not despair. She knew they had to reach Jed's cabin shortly. Then Hammond would be laughing out of the other side of his mouth.

Jed unlooped all the snares, being certain to leave none behind. He had no qualms about trapping the cute little critters in order to fill his belly, but he didn't aim to waste their lives. He made short work of the task, his fingers touched by the same excitement thrumming all through him.

Gorry, though, that sun's getting hot.
He paused to swipe his arm across his forehead, noticing suddenly how sharp he smelled. It had been a few days since he'd seen the inside of a bathtub. He couldn't very well greet his bride-to-be smelling like a cowboy just off the range, now, could he?

Just over the next hillock was a small pond. He might as well take advantage of the bath nature was offering him. It wouldn't take very long, and he was sure Caite would thank him for it.

"Ah, here's the shack I passed on my way in,” Hammond said, pointing. He reined the horses to a stop, then cast Caite a warning glare. “Not a word from you, Miss O'Neal. I have a derringer at the ready, and I won't hesitate to use it if you so much as whimper for help."

Caite returned his stare haughtily, not deigning to reply. She scanned the area, but found no sight of Jed. Hammond showed her the small weapon, just to be certain she saw he meant business.

"Hello!"

No answer. Drake called again, clearly not expecting an answer. He did not get one either.

"Nobody there.” Hammond snorted. “Just like when I was on my way to Heatherfield."

"But there is a well.” Caite pointed. “I'm terribly thirsty, Drake. In fact, I think I may faint if I don't get some fresh water and some shade. Could we stop, please?"

Hammond raised his eyebrows at both her plea and her use of his given name. Obviously, he was not going to fall for any false charm from her. Would that she had been so wise.

"Don't expect to pull any tricks, sweetheart."

Caite fluttered her eyes weakly. “Please, Drake. I don't have the strength to attempt any trickery."

Hammond grunted, clearly unimpressed by her sudden ill health. Still, he slid off his horse and helped Caite to the ground. She faked a stumble, forcing Hammond to hold him close to her. This time, she did not pull away.

"Thank you,” she murmured, allowing her body to press against his for a moment longer than necessary.

"You must be feeling unwell to allow me such liberties without a fight,” Hammond commented. “Go, get a drink and sit in the shade."

Caite did as he had said, purposefully walking more slowly than she needed to. She pulled the bucket of clear water to the top of the well and pretended to drink, then sagged noticeably.

"Would it be all right if I went inside?” she asked Hammond pitifully. “I'm sure it's much cooler in there."

Hammond waved his hand at her irritably. “See if there's anything to eat in there. I'm famished."

The instant she set foot in the door, Caite was searching frantically for something to write on, and with. She found nothing. Hammond called for her, and she jumped.

"Just a moment,” she called back. She hastily grabbed up a few crumbling biscuits from the table. They were not fresh, but she hoped they would satisfy Hammond.

She still had found no way to leave a note. Panic welled within her, but she forced it away. Think of the baby, she reminded herself.

Praying Hammond would not decide to come in after her, Caite scurried to the fireplace and grabbed a chunk of charred wood. Sweeping the table free of crumbs, she scratched words upon the table's surface with the blackened stick. Words she hoped Jed would understand.

Help Lonesome Caite
, she wrote swiftly, knowing the letters were scrawling and nearly illegible. She had no time for neatness. Her makeshift pen snapped in her fingers as she finished the last word. She gathered up the biscuits for Hammond and left the cabin. It would have to be enough.

"It's about time,” Hammond remarked, taking the food she offered and tossing it aside contemptuously. He seized her hand, blackened from her efforts, and glared at it suspiciously. “What's this?"

"I thought perhaps the top shelf had some supplies on it, but I was too short to reach up there,” Caite lied swiftly. “I took a stick from the fire to sweep along the shelf."

"And you found nothing, of course,” Hammond said. “How typical."

He took Caite roughly by the arm and helped her back onto the patient Daisy. He did not tie her hands, but Caite had no hope to use her freedom to escape. She could not risk the life of her unborn child by throwing herself from the horse, and neither could she expect to run very far if she did. Her only hope was for Jed to find her note.

Jed dunked his head under the pond's chill waters, then came up blowing and snorting. Zeus stared at him comically from the shore, as if bemused by the sight of his master acting like a frisky colt. Jed splashed some water at the big stallion who backed away and tossed his head, then stepped squarely on the clean clothes Jed had left on the shore.

Jed shouted, but Zeus merely stepped calmly again on the clothes, further grinding them into the mud. Letting out a string of garbled curses, Jed came out of the water and held up his smeared shirt and trousers. They were now worse than the ones he'd had on earlier.

"Guess it's back to the cabin, after all,” Jed said, glaring at Zeus. “You're lucky I don't cut your grain in half for this little trick."

Zeus, implacable, merely whinnied. If Jed hadn't known better, he might have thought the big stallion was laughing at him.

"It is a two-day trip to Lonesome,” Caite called suddenly. “There's no sense in running the horses ragged."

"It's a two-day trip for horses pulling a heavy wagon,” Hammond corrected her. “We can be there by tomorrow afternoon if I push these horses hard enough."

"We won't be stopping at all?” Caite asked, trying and failing to keep the despair from her voice.

Hammond seemed to find her question amusing, for he smiled and reached around to pat Daisy's head. “Only for the necessaries, Caitleen, my sweet. We can eat, drink, and even sleep while we ride. Though Lord knows, I'd much prefer a nice hotel and saloon."

"But the horses..."

"I know horses,” Hammond snapped. “Sweet heaven, girl! I'm not running them into the ground! We're practically crawling at this pace!"

Caite quieted, unwilling to risk further anger from her captor. While she felt sorry for the poor beasts on which they rode, if the horses were unable to go on, it would only be to her benefit. Sadly, however, it appeared Hammond did know what he was doing, for their mounts showed no signs of tiring at the steady pace Hammond had set.

Tomorrow afternoon, they would be in Lonesome. First the preacher, then the train. Caite prayed for Jed to find her before then, because she knew once Hammond got her aboard the train, she would have no hope left.

Jed pulled on his dirty clothes and swung up on Zeus’ back. He'd ride back to the cabin, change his clothes swiftly, and still manage to be on his way. It wouldn't take very long, true, but he was so eager to get back to Caite he was nearly busting.

It took several short minutes for him to ride back to his humble abode. He slid from Zeus’ back and tethered the animal, then hurried into the cabin's dim interior. So focused was he on finding a fresh shirt and trousers, he at first did not notice something was different.

Jed stopped with his shirt half over his head, and sniffed the air. He could have sworn he caught the faint scent of lilacs. Smiling, he pulled the shirt on. He was just so caught up in getting back to Caite, he was imagining he smelled her, that's all. He pulled on a new pair of trousers, too. They weren't his finest duds, but they'd have to do.