Rest Thy Head (23 page)

Thirty minutes later the light ran out, and he had to stop. As much as he hated to, he’d have to go back to the inn until morning. He had actually turned his horse around when an idea occurred to him.
He’s taken her to the old trapper’s cabin
.

The old cabin had stood in the mountains for close to a hundred years. Nobody had used it since old man McCoy died ten years ago, but it would be an ideal place to hold a kidnapped victim because few people ever penetrated that far into the mountains. The dangerous terrain discouraged amateur exploration.

Could he find his way there in the dark? To save Peyton he could. He’d have to go slow or he and his horse would come to grief, but with care they’d safely make it to McCoy’s place. Urging Cinnamon forward, he prayed he’d get there before Drew hurt her.

***

Drew sat a plate of beef stew in front of Peyton. “Here you go. The most expensive canned beef stew in the grocery store.”

Peyton’s nose wrinkled as her stomach turned over. She didn’t want anything to eat, but she guessed she’d have to try. Food would keep her strong and her wits sharp so she could escape from Drew.

Drew nudged her shoulder. “Oh, come on. It isn’t that bad. It’s better than the tuna casserole you made for me.”

“The food isn’t the problem,” Peyton assured him with a little sniff. “You are.”

Drew sighed as he passed a can of coke to Peyton. “Do we have to go through this again? We’re meant for each other, baby. You’ll soon remember how much you love me. Think of all the good times we’ve had.”

“I did love you, but any residual feeling I had is long gone.” She held out her hands. “Untie me, and let me go home.”

Drew just shook his head and had the audacity to look amused. “We won’t stay here too long; I promise you that, but we can’t leave just yet.”

“Oh? Why not?”

Peyton ducked away as Drew actually patted her on the head. “First we have to get married.”

Peyton gaped at him.

“Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Megan was only a moment’s diversion. You’re the woman I want to marry.”

“Supposing I did say I’d marry you. Who’s doing the ceremony? A rabbit?”

“Of course not.” His lip poked out. “I wish you’d stop acting so hateful. You know we’ll find a justice of the peace somewhere.”

Peyton bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. “Drew, you aren’t thinking rationally. If we find a justice of the peace, I’ll tell him you kidnapped me, and I don’t want to marry you.”

A look which Peyton couldn’t identify came to rest on his face. “I hope you don’t mean that. I’d hate for anything to happen to anyone you love. Griffin, for example. He’s a cute little kid, isn’t he?”

“Drew, did you just threaten a
baby
?”

“No. I’m just making an observation. I’m sure he’ll have a nice life, especially after you and I pay for Ashley to go to college.”

Peyton couldn’t speak. Something had happened to Drew. Of course, he had always been self-centered, but he had seemed in touch with reality. At present, the fantasy in his head bore no relation to the real world at all. He needed professional help immediately, and frankly, she could use a little help herself.

***

Sheriff Lamont, Patrick, and the search party returned to Rest Thy Head shortly after dark. Both Ashley and Eleanor ran to the front door to meet them when they heard the horses coming up the drive. “Did you find her?” Eleanor cried.

“No, ma’am, I’m afraid not,” Lamont answered as he swung off his horse. He removed his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “We picked up their trail easily enough, and we saw Jake’s tracks, but it’s too dark now to see anything. We’ll have to wait until morning to continue the search.”

Everyone heard the little hitch in Eleanor’s breath. “But by that time Drew might…”

“Don’t even think about it,” Ashley begged. “Let’s go inside, Mother. It’s getting cool.”

Lamont and his men took their horses to the barn, and Patrick followed Ashley and Eleanor inside. “I don’t want either of you to worry,” he said. “Drew won’t hurt her. Remember what his father said? He wants to marry her so he can get his money.”

Ashley wiped at her eyes. “Thanks for trying to help, but we’re not idiots. We know how much danger she’s in. Drew’s lost it.”

Without a word Patrick took her hand and squeezed it. “I’m here, Ashley.”

***

Why couldn’t the moon be full tonight?
I can’t see a thing
. Cinnamon traveled another couple of yards before stumbling and almost going down yet again. “Whoa, there.” Jake patted the horse’s neck and dismounted. It would slow him down, but he’d have to lead the animal. Some of these mountain trails were treacherous even in broad daylight; only an idiot would continue, but thoughts of Peyton at Drew’s mercy drove him forward. He’d go slow and be careful. If all went well, he’d reach McCoy’s cabin by sunup.

***

“How did you find this place, Drew?”

Drew picked up Peyton’s empty stew bowl and put it in a dishpan filled with water he’d gotten from a little creek behind the cabin. “Oh, I found it when I followed you on your overnight camping trip.”

“But you hate the outdoors!” Peyton cried, refusing to think how he’d spied on all of them.

“True, and I haven’t changed my mind about it either. The next time we go on vacation we’re going to the big city. I’ve had enough of the wilderness to last me a lifetime.”

Peyton gritted her teeth. “You make it sound like we went on vacation together. We didn’t.”

“We’re here now, aren’t we?” He reached for her coke can. “Are you through with that?”

Peyton refused to let him sidetrack her. “You know your dad won’t stay mad at you forever. Let me go while you can.”

“What does that mean, while I can?”

He had gone so still that Peyton wished she had said nothing. Drew had not behaved in a rational manner, and she was trapped in the wilderness with him. “I meant if you don’t let me go, I’m going to get really mad at you,” she improvised.

He grunted. “You’ll get over it.”

Peyton subsided and turned her back on him. As soon as he went to sleep she’d try to free herself. Facing a bear or two in the dark mountains beat staying here as his prisoner.

***

Jake had made better time than he had expected, so he stopped for a moment to rest. He estimated he had covered roughly half the distance to McCoy’s cabin, and if so he’d get there shortly before daylight. He pulled his jacket closer around him. It was always cold at night at this elevation. Usually, he would enjoy watching the stars twinkle and shine, but tonight all he could think of was Peyton. If only he had thought to bring his hunting rifle. Drew probably had a gun himself.

“I was in too big of a hurry,” he muttered. “If he hurts her…” If Drew hurt her he’d never get over it. No, not in a thousand years. He loved her with his whole heart and would willingly sacrifice himself for her if need be.

She had looked so wonderful in her Drusilla costume. Her hair had gleamed like new satin, and her skin had glowed with warmth and light. Her blue eyes had snapped and flashed as she threw herself into her role, and when she kissed the guy who had played Colonel Water’s aide he had felt a savage jealousy that shocked him.

He hadn’t known her all that long, so how could he have fallen so hopelessly in love with her? The answer eluded him, but really he didn’t care. At this point, the only thing that mattered was saving her from that lunatic. After that he’d bow out of her life and give her the chance to find a man who was worthy of her. Pain washed over him. It felt as if acid and not blood ran through his veins. It would kill him to lose her, but he loved her. He wanted what was best for her, not for him.

He jumped to his feet and clucked to his horse, and the two of them hurried along the trail as fast as they could.

***

The old cabin lay in dense, suffocating blackness that smelled faintly of beef stew. The heavy logs kept out the night sounds while dirt prevented Peyton from even seeing the stars through the small window next to her bed. The only time she had ever experienced such darkness was when Jake took them into the cave.

Drew suddenly snorted, startling Peyton and causing her to cut her hand.
Ouch, that hurt.
Good thing Drew had always been a heavy sleeper. His mother used to complain about how hard she had to work to get him up in the morning. Well, too bad for him! By the time he finally woke up, she planned to be long gone from this hateful place.

A few minutes after he had fallen asleep she had crept around the cabin to the kitchen area. She had had to move very slowly and take care not to bump anything lest Drew should wake, but she had watched when he put their dishes away. She knew where he kept a knife. After sawing on the ropes binding her hands for hours now, they parted with a suddenness that shocked her, and she was free.

Thank God he used rope instead of handcuffs! Thank God he thought with her hands tied she wouldn’t try to escape so he didn’t tie her feet
.
She put on her shoes as fast as she could and slipped out into the clean mountain night. Of course she couldn’t see an inch in front of her nose, and it was sort of cold, but who cared? Falling off a cliff or freezing would beat staying with Drew.

She paused for a moment to get her bearings. Should she take Reggie or not? Yes, she should. Both horses were still tied to the bush where Drew had left them. Where did he get a horse anyway? Stolen, probably; she wouldn’t put it past him. If they still hung horse thieves, she might get rid of him that way.

She quickly unsaddled his horse and removed its bridle. “Get going,” she softly cried. The horse huffed and vanished into the dark night. “Let’s go, Reggie,” she whispered. Reggie butted her, and the two of them also melted into the shadows.

Two hours later Peyton admitted she was lost. The trail she had followed had abruptly ended at the top of a steep ravine. If not for Reggie, she would have fallen, probably to her death. Whether she liked it or not, she’d have to backtrack and try to find the right trail. The lighted dial on her watch caught her eye. Four thirty. It would soon be daylight, and she feared to be too close to the cabin when day finally broke. “Hurry, Reggie,” she cried. “Let’s get out of here.”

***

Patrick dished up a plate full of ham, eggs, hash browns, and homemade biscuits and set it in front of Sheriff Lamont. The smell of good coffee swirled in the air. “I put together some bag lunches for everyone, Sheriff.”

“Good. Coming back for lunch isn’t an option.”

The Sheriff attacked his early breakfast with relish. “Unless I’m mistaken, it’ll be a long day. Expect us when you see us.”

Patrick took a seat at the sheriff’s table. “Did you notify the FBI about the kidnapping?”

“Yes, I did, but we aren’t waiting for them. It hasn’t rained since he captured her, so I think we can probably track them.”

Patrick poured himself a cup of coffee but left it standing on the table untouched. “I was thinking about where he might have taken her. McCoy’s old cabin is still standing. That would be my guess. Mrs. O’Malley said Drew doesn’t have any wilderness experience at all. A cabin would be a perfect place for him to hide her.”

“I believe you’re right,” Sheriff Lamont agreed. “I’d bet anything that’s where the trail will lead.”

Eleanor entered the dining room, her face pale and tired. Patrick jumped up and hurried over to her. “Can I get you anything, Mrs. O’Malley?”

“Some coffee please.”

Patrick brought her a steaming cup of coffee and sat down beside her. “How’s Ashley holding up?”

One elegantly sculpted eyebrow rose. “She’s devastated of course.”

Patrick winced. “I’m so sorry.”

Eleanor added some sugar and cream to her coffee and looked into Patrick’s eyes. “You’re in love with Ashley, aren’t you?”

Patrick flushed. “Yes, ma’am, I am, but she isn’t too happy with me right now. She doesn’t understand why I had to fire Peyton.”

“Frankly, I don’t either.” Eleanor treated him to a haughty, cold expression that both Peyton and Ashley would have immediately recognized. “Peyton’s no thief.”

Patrick made no reply.

“If you don’t want to discuss Peyton, why don’t you tell me what you plan to do about Ashley?” Eleanor sighed, sipped her coffee and massaged her temples while Patrick gripped the seat of his chair with both hands and squeezed hard.

“What can I do? I begged her to stay here, but she won’t hear of it.”

“Then talk her into it.” Eleanor wrapped her hands around her warm coffee cup. “Ashley’s had a hard time, and from what I’ve seen she’s fallen in love with you too. Don’t let her get away. If you love her, fight for her.”

Patrick felt better than he had since the moment Mrs. Haynes accused Peyton of theft. Peyton had almost certainly taken that jewelry. He hated to think it, but the evidence against her was pretty strong. Still, he could forgive her for it, and maybe he could let her keep her job. Most of the other employees would eventually get over their anger with her, and if she stayed, he could stop worrying about losing Ashley. It would please Jake, too, so hopefully he’d forget about selling his part of Rest Thy Head.

Yeah, things could still work out for everyone.

***

Jake ran into Drew’s horse about a mile from the cabin. He could see the mare wasn’t wild because she had the imprint of a saddle on her back where she had sweated. Someone hadn’t taken very good care of her. Drew, of course. He’d be the kind to mistreat an animal.

He urged his own mount forward. As the sun finally peeked over the mountains, he saw the cabin in the distance. “You stay here,” he muttered to Cinnamon. Tethering the animal to a tree branch, he crept toward the cabin, using trees, bushes and the occasional boulder as cover. Nothing was stirring. All he heard was the sound of the wind and the call of birds welcoming the morning. He finally reached the side of the cabin and gingerly peeked through the only window. It was still too dark inside to see anything except a darkish lump underneath a faded, red blanket.

If only he had remembered to bring his rifle! Well, he couldn’t do anything about it now. He looked around for a weapon and saw a nice, strong length of firewood lying near the side of the cabin. It fit his hand well and would do nicely.