Sharon Poppen (16 page)

Liam nodded. “Liam Canady.” He gestured toward the large table.

Once they were all seated and the other diners had gone back to their meals, Hannah looked up at Janey. “Sit with us. You’re part of this.”

Janey’s eyes darted toward the kitchen, but Liam’s agreement with Hannah brought her attention back to them. “Yes, don’t worry about Ketchum. Sit with us. We need you, if we’re to find Martha.”

Janey bit her bottom lip, but slipped into the chair next to the tearful young woman.

Liam nodded to Hannah.

“My name is Hannah and this is Liam. We’re searching for a baby girl that was kidnapped a few days ago.

Charles spoke up first. “Like I said, my name’s Charles Willard and this is my wife Agnes. We’ve come to San Antonio from Houston. Met a fella there who said he knew of a baby girl that needed some parents. Told us to meet him here and it was ours.” Charles paused to scowl at his wife.

Hannah hurriedly moved on to the young couple. “You’re looking for a baby, too?”

“Yes. Name’s Will Kimble and this is my wife Abby. We have a small ranch just east of Beaumont. A man contacted our local minister. Said he had a baby that needed some good parents.” Will’s face reddened and his wife covered his hand with hers. “I had a bad case of the mumps when I seventeen and we think that maybe that’s why Abby hasn’t…” He paused and cleared his throat. “Well anyway, we were more than happy to come to San Antonio and pick up the baby.”

“I can understand the joy you’d feel at getting a child.” Hannah smiled and turned to Janey. The girl blushed and shook her head no, so Hannah spoke for her. “This is Janey. Her sister Martha showed up here the other night with a baby girl and has now disappeared.”

“I knew that bastard was shady,” Charles said.

“Let’s keep the language civil,” Liam demanded. “We’ve ladies here.”

Charles harrumphed, but said nothing.

Hannah shared the details of Caroline Jackson’s murder, the care given to the dead woman’s baby by the Canady brothers and of the meeting with Sarah Jackson and her suspicions about Ben Stevenson, Caroline’s rascal husband. She finished by telling them of the baby’s kidnapping by Janey’s sister.

“Liam, do you have anything to add?” Hannah asked.

“Yes. Well, actually some questions. After listening to all your stories, something isn’t clear to me. If this Stevenson guy promised to sell the baby to both of you, why did he take the chance of having both of you come to San Antonio and possibly meet like this? And how does Martha disappearing with the baby fit into all of this?”

A scowl spread across Charles’ reddening face “I think I can tell you why the son-of-a-bitch wasn’t worried about us both being here at the same time to collect the baby.”

His wife touched his arm. “Charles.” She nodded toward Hannah and Abby.

Charles brushed her hand aside and turned to Will. “I gave him five hundred dollars, up front. You?”

Will nodded. “Same. I had to sell off some acres and a prime breeding bull, but I got the money together. Abby and I figured that seeing as how he went to our preacher to look for a good family, he could be trusted. We were fools.” He turned to his wife. “I’m so sorry, honey. I know how bad you wanted a child and I …”

For a change the woman didn’t cry, she grabbed his hand and squeezed. “It’s all right, Will. It’s all right.”

Even Charles respected the healing moment the Kimbles were sharing as a silence settled around the table. A fellow diner broke into their reflections. He pushed his plate away, got up from his table and walked over to the group.

“Name’s Matthew Dearborn. Stevenson got to me for five hundred, too.”

The Kimbles and Janey gasped, Agnes moaned, Charles uttered an, “I’ll be damned.”

Hannah clutched Liam’s arm while Liam shook his head, and scanned the room. “Anyone else here to pick up a baby?”

The remaining two diners shook their heads no and one of them laughed. “No, but this is sure the most interesting meal I’ve had in a long time.” He laughed again.

Charles stood up. “Think this is funny, do you?”

Liam got to his feet. “Let it go. We need to focus on what we need to do next.”

“Yes,” said Hannah. She pulled another chair to the table as everyone sat down and shifted around to make room for Dearborn. She asked, “You’re alone?”

“Yes.” Dearborn told his tale. He and his wife owned a general store in Glidden. His wife had nearly died a few months ago while giving birth to a stillborn baby girl. The doctor saved her life, but they were told that there would be no more babies. His wife turned in on herself and Dearborn worried for her sanity, if not her life. Then, their minister came by and told them of a baby that was up for adoption. Just the thought of having a child had brought his wife back to life. The church members chipped in with money to add to Dearborn’s saving. Stevenson attended one of their Sunday services, picked up the five hundred and told Dearborn to come to San Antonio on today’s date to take custody of the baby. Dearborn’s wife was too weak to travel. Now, he’d have to go back, alone. He worried that he’d lose his wife again.

“I wonder just how many folks paid that son of …” Charles paused, “paid for a baby?”

His remark generated a discussion of how rotten Stevenson was, how gullible they’d been and finally, they questioned if there even was a baby.

“There’s a baby all right,” Janey spoke up. “My sister has it.”

Everyone started talking at once directing questions at Janey who cowered back and dropped her head.

“Stop! Stop!” Hannah broke in to get their attention. “I told you that Janey’s sister was duped, same as you folks, into getting involved with the baby. But, Martha is a good person. We can only hope she’s still with Stevenson and the baby is being cared for properly.”

Will Kimble agreed. “You’re right. The welfare of the baby is the important thing.” He looked around at his fellow dupes. “According to Hannah, none of us are going to get that baby. She belongs with her grandparents. Our money is gone.”

“Unless,” Charles spoke up, “we can catch him. Maybe he hasn’t had a chance to spend it all yet.”

“Mr. Willard,” said Hannah, “while I appreciate what you’re proposing, I’m not sure that’s the right approach.” She didn’t flinch from the unsure faces around the table. “He would recognize you folks and run. Heaven knows what he’d do with the baby if his back was against the wall.”

“Hannah’s right,” agreed Liam. “Stevenson doesn’t know us. That gives us the opportunity to get close to him. He might even peg us as potential dupes who’d want to buy the baby.”

“Yeah, makes sense.” Charles became the spokesman for the group. “But, how do we know that if you catch him with some money, you’ll bring it to us?”

Liam looked from face to face. “Because I say I will and because Hannah has made a promise to the baby’s dead mother that she’d do right by the child.” He leaned his face close to Charles. “Is that good enough for you?”

Before Charles could respond, Zach rushed into the room. Dust flew everywhere as he brushed at his shirt and denims. He zeroed in on Hannah and Liam. “Martha’s horse came back.”

“Martha’s back?” Janey’s face lit up with hope.

“No, sorry Janey. Just the horse.”

“How could that happen with no rider and in this terrible storm?” asked Hannah.

“That’s one smart horse and she loves to eat. Didn’t surprise me none that she done found her way home.”

“But the storm?” Hannah asked again.

“Storms done past. Things is a mess outside, but little wind. Its mostly done moved north.”

All conversation ceased as everyone listened for the howling of the wind. They’d been so engrossed in their tales of woe that no one had noticed it had abated somewhat. One of the clerks came to the dining room doorway.

“Storm’s passed. No harm to the hotel. So, it’s safe to go to your rooms, but I’d stay indoors until all the stirred up dust settles down.” Before anyone could comment or ask questions, he was gone.

“Liam, we must go.” Hannah touched his arm.

“Wait a minute here,” Charles stood up and waved his arm about to include the others at the table. “We’re the ones out a bundle of money. We need –

Liam took Hannah’s hand, then stood up. “Look, Mr. Willard, I’ve already told you why you need to stay here.” Liam looked around at the others. “I promise, if we don’t find Stevenson within a day or two, we’ll welcome you to ride with us. We’ll form a posse, with or without the sheriff, and search every inch of Texas until we find that bastard. Can you live with that?”

Kimble nodded his agreement first, then Dearborn, and finally Charles.

“Good,” Hannah said. “If we aren’t here at breakfast day after tomorrow, come looking for us south of town.” She told them of the small trail down to the water and how to find it.

Zach followed the couple out of the hotel as they headed for the livery. Once inside, Zach spoke, “Listen, I didn’t want to say anything in front of all those folks, but they was a message from Martha on the horse.”

“Let me see it,” Hannah demanded.

Zach motioned toward a saddle resting on the rails of a horse stall. Even from a few feet a way, the word “HELP,” written in blood, stood out boldly.

Hannah looked up at Liam. “Whose blood?”

“No telling, but it makes me real worried about Martha. She’s expendable and she can tell what Stevenson’s done or going to do.”

“Oh, Liam, if anything happens to that baby I’ll have broken my promise to Caroline and to her mother.”

“I don’t really think Stevenson will hurt the baby. Look, it’s already made him $1500 richer and maybe more that we don’t even know about. No, he’ll hang onto that baby.”

“But what about Martha?” Zach asked. “That girl never done nothing bad to nobody. Now, all’s everbody’s worried ‘bout is that there baby.” He turned and walked toward the back of the livery.

“What are you doing, Zach?” asked Hannah.

“Goin’ to find Martha.” He opened the gate to a large stall, went inside and came out leading three horses. “They’s all saddled and ready to go,” he said as he mounted one.

Hannah attempted to discourage him. “Zach, I don’t think –

“Don’t care what ya think. Ya comin’ with me or not?”

“I don’t think he’s going to change his mind.” Liam mounted his steed and smiled down at Hannah. “Coming?”

They were at the livery door when the sheriff charged in almost getting run over by the horses. “Goin’ after that Stevenson fella?”

“Yes.” Hannah’s voice echoed with a dare.

“I’m goin’ after Martha. Now git otta my way, Sheriff.”

Liam pulled his horse up next to the sheriff. “We aren’t ignoring what you said about the father’s rights, but we’ve gotten some more information. We think that horse thief is the baby’s father and he talked Martha into doing something foolish. Now, she’s in as much, probably more, danger than the baby.”

“That horse thief I chased down all day is involved with the Jackson baby?”

“We think so,” said Hannah. “Did you find him?”

“No, ma’am. No trace. The boys and I nearly got blown away by the storm. We got back here a few minutes ago, tired and gritty and they took off for the saloon. I went back to my office. Good thing, too. Little Mexican fellow that works for the Jacksons was waiting for me. Said the Jacksons have disappeared. Said he went to bed last night and when he got up this morning, they was gone.”

“Did the Mexican say if there was any sign of a struggle? Any blood? They didn’t leave a note? Any strange hoof or shoe prints? Did he hear anything at all?

“Whoa there, ma’am. That’s a lot of questions.” The sheriff looked up at Liam.

He smiled and shrugged. “That’s Hannah. Lots of questions. Her mind goes a mile a minute.”

“I’m sorry, Sheriff. It’s just that we need to hurry. We’re afraid something may have happened to Martha.”

“Martha’s in on this?” the sheriff asked.

“We think she was duped into helping to kidnap the baby. Zach told us –

“Ma’am, we is spending too much time talking ‘bout ‘em, when we need ta be findin’ ‘em.”

Liam agreed. “Zach’s right. Step aside, Sheriff. Once we’re gone, go on over to the hotel and ask for a Charles Willard. He’ll fill you in on Stevenson’s dirty dealings.”

The sheriff pulled his gun and aimed it at Hannah. “Can’t do that.”

Chapter 23

Defying the Law for Hunches

Liam put himself between Hannah and the sheriff’s gun barrel. “Sheriff! Put that away.”

“Son, I don’t want to shoot either of you, but I will. It’s my job to uphold the law here in San Antonio.”

“We aren’t breaking the law, Sheriff.” Hannah inched up so she could see around Liam’s broad shoulders. “We are trying to save a baby.”

“And Martha!” Zach reminded everyone.

Hannah agreed. “He’s right. They’re both in danger from this Stevenson. Come with us, Sheriff.”

The exhausted sheriff shook his head. “Not until you convince me of a few things. Now get down off those horses.” Getting no action, the sheriff roared. “Now!”

“Don’t think so, Sheriff.” Charles Willard pressed a gun into the sheriff’s neck. “Now, drop your weapon.” No one moved, not even the sheriff. The sound of Charles pulling the gun hammer back heightened the already palpable tension. The sheriff’s gun dropped to the ground.

Will Kimble picked it up by the barrel and backed away to stand next to Willard and Dearborn.

“Mr. …, I… don’t…. Why…?” Hannah was uncharacteristically speechless.

“Gentlemen, thank you.” Liam nodded and looked down at the sheriff. “Look, this is something we need to do. Eventually, you’ll agree. But for right now, we need to get moving.” He tipped his hat and nudged his horse.

Hannah turned to the sheriff. “Listen to these men. I’m sure once you hear their stories you’ll understand.” She started to follow Liam, but turned back to the sheriff. “Oh, see if you can locate the Jacksons. It’s their grandchild we’re after, so surely their disappearance is connected to Stevenson, somehow. We’ll track him; you track the Jackson’s. I have a feeling we’ll meet up somewhere down the road.” She turned back to Willard. “Be sure and tell Janey we’ll get Martha back safe and sound. Tell her I promise.”

Liam urged his horse forward and could be heard saying, “Another promise! Lord a Mighty, another promise!”

Zach swatted the flank of Hannah’s horse and they joined Liam in a trot that turned into a gallop down the dusty street and out of sight.

“Sheriff, you can turn around now.” Willard had holstered his gun and was nodding for Kimble to return the sheriff’s gun. “Look, we don’t want any trouble. Can we talk?”

The sheriff shifted his gaze back and forth between the gun in his hand and the three men waiting to see what he was going to do. Emitting a frustrated sigh, he put the gun away. “I ought to run all of you into my jail. You threatened a lawman.”

“Can’t deny that, sir,” Kimble admitted. “But I’d appreciate it if you’d listen to what’s going on here.”

Dearborn spoke up. “I got a sick wife back in Glidden and I sure don’t want to make matters worse by going to jail. Come back to the hotel with us. Those folks,” he cocked his head in the direction Hannah and Liam had taken, “are risking a lot to make things right. They’d sure like your help. In fact, they need your help.”

“Which one of you held the gun to my head?”

The answer was a chorus of three. “Me.”

The hint of a smile softened the sheriff’s scowl. “I am plumb hungry. You fellows buying?”

*****

“It’ll be too dark to track within the next hour.” Hannah looked back toward the river and then over at Liam. They’d been riding south for a couple of hours without a trace of Stevenson, Martha or the baby.

“Track what? That dust storm wiped out any tracks, if there were any. We’ve been moving forward on hunches ever since we crossed the river.” Liam stretched his legs in the stir-ups and flexed his shoulders.

“What? Are you saying that you think we’re chasing something that isn’t there?”

“No, Hannah, I’m not saying that. I’m just tired and hungry and it just occurred to me that we might have to spend the night out here. And did I mention I’m hungry?”

Hannah laughed, but before she could say anything, Zach joined in on the conversation.

“I done packed some jerky in ma saddle bags. We won’t go hungry.”

“Thank you, Zach. Now we can keep going without having to listen to Liam’s stomach complain.” She leaned over and swatted the rear of Liam’s horse as she increased her gait to move ahead of him.

“No racing.” He pulled up alongside of her and tugged at her reins. “The horses are too tired to run them. Try it and we’ll be walking.”

She smiled over at him. “You’re right. Slow and steady.” She held her hand over his for several moments before dislodging his hand from her reins.

During their playful flirting, Zach moved on ahead. His action brought the urgency of their search back to mind and they rode on in silence, alternating between scanning the horizon and looking underfoot for any sign of human or horse.

Just before the gray evening sky faded into a black moonless night, the trio found a copse of trees beside a creek with just a sliver of running water. They dismounted, led their mounts to where they could drink and secured them to some long dead tree stumps. Zach and Liam foraged around for dry kindling and got a fire going.

Lying alongside the small fire with his shoulders propped against his saddle, Liam took a swig of water from his canteen to wash down some gnawed jerky. He cleared his throat and asked, “What kind of meat is this or should I even ask?”

“It’s horse. Ma boss’s wife makes it. We lost a young filly that was a trying to drop a foal. Boss didn’t want it ta be a total loss, so his missus made the jerky.” Zach spit out a particularly tough piece of the meat, but hurried on with some praise. “Tastes awful good for horse, I do believe.

“Yes, thank you, Zach. It was good and most appreciated.” Hannah hoped he hadn’t noticed how little she’d eaten of the gamy, over-salted jerky.

“Be sure and thank the missus for us when you see her,” Liam said as he stuffed another piece into his mouth.

“Zach,” said Hannah, “it just occurred to me when you mentioned a boss, that you’ll probably be fired for leaving the livery unattended. Are you worried?”

“Not really. ‘Fore I got you folks, I ran by the general store. Boss owns that un, too. Said he’d get his son ta go stay ‘till the night man shows up.” Zach was flat on his back with his hat over his head to block the light from the fire. “’Sides, I’d feel powerful awful if’n anythin’ happened to Martha and I didn’t do nothin’ to help her.” He turned on his side with his back to Hannah.

She smiled. “Good night, Zach. We’ll find her. Try not to worry.” Getting no answer she turned to Liam. He’d finished eating and had just put down his canteen.

“How’re you doing?” he asked.

“I’m fine. I’m tired, but I’m fine.”

“How do you do it?”

“Do what?” she asked.

“Look so beautiful at the end of a hard day, with no chance to freshen up or even brush your hair.”

“Oh, you.” She blushed, but gave him a thank you smile.

Zach scooted further away from the fire, reached around for his hat and slammed it over the side of his head with a loud harrumph.

Hannah put a finger to her lips to suggest they needed to stop talking.

Liam shook his head no and stood up. He extended his arm to Hannah.

Without hesitation, she took it and they slipped away from the campsite. Once they were sure they were out of Zach’s earshot, Liam pulled Hannah to him and kissed her. Her arms circled his back as she relaxed into his protective arms. His tongue touched her lips and she invited him inside. The deep kiss was conveying a message of love that transcended any sexual act. They became one, more joined than in the biblical meaning of the word. It lasted an eternity; it lasted a moment.

Without breaking their embrace, Liam eased back and sighed. “You make me feel so good, so whole.”

“I’m glad.” She pressed her cheek against his shirt.

After a few minutes of mutual caressing, Liam’s lips brushed the top of her head as he made a confession. “My thoughts are wild tonight. If Zach weren’t here, I’d have no will power. I’d make love to you right here, on the sand, in the dark, with the stars as our witness.”

Her voice was a whisper into his chest. “I would welcome it.”

“Hannah, you need to accept my –

She put a finger to his lips.

He sighed. “I know. I promised to accept your terms, so I’ll let it drop and just enjoy these moments of togetherness.”

Her answer was a nod to his chest as she calmed her body from passion to affection by focusing on the canopy of stars across the desert sky.

“I want to sleep with you in my arms.” Liam led her over to a large tree. He sat with his back against the bark and pulled her down between his wide spread legs. Her back nestled against his chest as he circled her with his arms just under her breasts. “Are you comfortable?” he asked.

She turned her head up for a kiss and he obliged. “Yes, I’m comfortable.”

He gave her a squeeze. “Good. Now, go to sleep. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Good night, dear Liam.”

She fell off to sleep in a matter of minutes, while Liam spent another hour watching the stars making their heavenly journey across the moonless night.

Chapter 24

Martha

A splash of water interrupted Liam’s sleep. His mind was foggy, but he was sure he heard someone disturbing the creek water. Another sound assured him he was not dreaming. He heard a sob. Clutching Hannah close he waited in the darkness to decide if the sounds presented a danger. The sob turned into a mournful fit of crying. It was a woman.

Liam continued to listen until the sobs faded into silence. He hadn’t heard movement, which led him to believe that their uninvited visitor was still there. Liam knew he should try to find out if the woman was hurt and needed help. But, the woman in his arms was more important. In the pitch of the night, it would put Hannah in peril to give away their presence. He decided the woman had fallen asleep, so his best approach was to wait until dawn gave him a look at the woman.