To Honor and Cherish (22 page)

Chapter
Twenty-Five

Elisabeth followed Meg with her eyes out the doorway of the dining room. She couldn’t see the front door even if she craned her neck. Heaving a sigh, she looked to Jax for help.

“I guess I hurt Meg again.” She frowned. “I thought she’d like the idea of getting married here, or at least laugh at it. I guess I don’t know my sister that well. I probably won’t ever get the chance to get to know her, either.” Elizabeth looked down at her hands in her lap, a few tears might actually feel good. “I just thought it would be nice to see my sister married to someone who cares about her for a change.”

“You don’t think Chase cared?” Jax asked, his glance kept darting to the entryway and Elizabeth knew he was anxious for Meg to come back.

“I suppose, in his own way he did. He was a farmer first, a husband second. The land and the cows always came first. When he originally came out to talk to father about marrying Meg, he had more questions about running the ranch than anything else. Ideas about how to make it better and more pennywise. Father had to change the subject back to Meg quite a few times. It always seemed as if Meg was just another thing he looked after. His family would never be wealthy enough to have a quarter of the land he’d get by marrying Meg, and he could stay right here to get it. Plus, despite what I’ve said to her in the past, Meg isn’t exactly hard on the eyes.”

Jax smiled at her, nodding in agreement. “I just don’t understand how she couldn’t find someone who cared? Not that I’m unhappy she isn’t hitched to someone else.” He looked back at the door, “I’m not glad Chase is dead, but Meg
is
no longer married. It’s tough to explain.”

“I understand, Jax. If not for Chase, Father would have had all the help the ranch needed, so you may never have been hired. So I can see your trouble. No one is happy he’s dead, he wasn’t a bad man. I’ve met men that fit that description, he wasn’t. It’s just that Meg deserves to be loved, to be more than a path to land ownership.”

“That’s partly Gus’s doing.” Jax drew circles with his finger on the table, not even looking at Elizabeth anymore, staring at the door.

“Maybe, but a husband that loved her might’ve been sad at losing the ranch, but would’ve given it up in order to keep her. I don’t know what Chase would’ve done if I would’ve gotten married and threatened his place,” Elizabeth replied.

Jax craned his neck in an attempt to see the door to the dining hall. It had been too long and Elizabeth was starting to get worried. If she was reading Jax correctly, he’d been worried from the moment she walked off.

“So you are saying he cared, but not like you’d have liked him to.” He briefly met her eyes.

“No, I’m saying he cared, but he never made her an important part of his life. I’ve learned a lot in the last four weeks. One of those things is that love is when you go out of your way to put another person and their wants and needs above your own. It’s more than work though, it’s also exploring, and fun, continually learning new things about that person, enjoying even their silence. It is passion and desire too. Those were all things missing from Meg’s first marriage. At least from her spouse, she always put him first, even above us, the rest of her family.” Elizabeth craned her neck to look at the door, but it was just outside her view.

“The only day of the year we came before Chase, was Christmas. To be fair, it was the only day that all of us put aside our differences and were a real family. Meg loves Christmas and couldn’t bear to spend it alone. She couldn’t bear losing the one day her family acted like everyone else’s. Chase put up with her inviting us over Christmas Eve, but he wouldn’t even come in and be social. He never even tried.” Her voice had risen in anger and she drank some water to get her emotion back in check. “Forgive me, she is my only sister and I always felt there was better for my sister than Chase Connor.”

“I see.” He sighed. “Do you think she is worried I will treat her that way?”

“I don’t know.” Elizabeth reached out her hand, touching Jax’s arm. ”I’m getting worried. It’s really cold out there tonight. That storm will come before morning. I don’t like it that she hasn’t come back yet. Can you go check on her?”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Jax got up. “If she needs someone to talk to and I don’t make it back for dinner, it was good seeing you tonight and it looks like we will be here a few days. We will see you soon. Enjoy your dinner with Robert.” He kissed her hand, excused himself, and went for the door.

~~~

Jax went to the coat check and grabbed his coat and Meg’s. He saw out the front door of the hotel it had now started to snow lightly and he couldn’t see much of anything in the street. He couldn’t see Meg anywhere. Heading down the street, he heard a voice come out of nowhere,

“Well, I was wondering how long it would take you,
Pardner
.”

Jax whipped around and saw the man who had come in their car on the train, in a long leather coat and a working man’s hat.

“What d’you want?” Jax slurred his words in his rush.

“I want you to come with me, quiet-like. Yer purty lady is already waitin’ fer ya.”

“Meghan…”

“Yep, she shore is a spirited thing. Had to put a bit in her mouth. Was afeared she’d bite like a horse.” He sneered.

It was a trap. He knew it was a trap. But the thought of Meghan with them and what might have happened made him reckless and angry. He flew at the man in a rage. Pulling his fist back, he prepared to pummel the man in the face. He didn’t see the two other men come out from the doorway. They tackled him and soon subdued him under their blows to the face and stomach.

Jax was drug through a nearby door and shoved to the floor. He saw Meg laying on the floor near him, a rag in her mouth and another around her eyes. She had her arms behind her back and she looked cold and uncomfortable. She did not move.

“Meghan…” he gasped.

A man nearby kicked him in the stomach and he wretched.

“Shuttup!” said Lars. “How nice you two love birds could join us. I was getting tired of tracking you all over the countryside.” He pointed at the man from the stagecoach. “Put him over near the wench, but not too close. We’ll get it warmed up in here in no time. Are their hands and feet tied?”

“Yes.” Jax heard someone say, but couldn’t tell who.

“Let’s move out. I don’t want to be stuck here any longer than I have to be. Jax, you’ll finally get yours.” It was then that Jax noticed a pile of kindling on an old table. Lars moved in the way of his vision, but he could smell the burning leaves immediately. Lars was going to burn them alive. With every building touching in this tiny fort, it could burn the whole place down. Jax started thrashing, trying to loosen his ties. Lars looked at him and laughed.

The room became active. The members of Lars’s group shuffled for the door, while he sat comfortably watching. The one woman member of the team approached Lars.

“Do you want me to go get the horses ready?” She looked quiet and submissive.

“Sure, this ain’t women’s work anyway,” he replied.

~~~

Amy left without further comment to Lars, wrapping a thick muffler around her neck. She hadn’t signed on for this. She hadn’t agreed to kill anyone. Lars had told them he’d needed a lookout. Someone to watch this couple up-close and it had meant she could finally travel, and first-class most of the trip. She’d known they were in desperate trouble when Lars had shot her brother on the trail. Her husband had insisted the money was too good to back out and they would be fine if they listened and kept quiet. He was scared of what Lars would do to them. There was more to life than money and she was done with this plan.

She looked into the hotel they’d checked into to watch Meg and Jax. She’d been the one to tell Lars they were eating at the hotel tonight. In the front entryway, she found exactly the man she was looking for. She’d seen him in town earlier today riding a beautiful black charger. He wore a bright red coat and tan breeches. His manner and dress had exuded civility and authority. She peered through the window and saw him talking to the young lady Meg and Jax had been eating with, perfect.

Running into the lobby, she ran toward the man in the bright red coat and his acquaintance.

“Excuse me.” She rushed. “The two people you were eating with tonight.” She pointed toward Elizabeth. “Are very much in danger, they are three doors down being held by a man named Lars Larson. He lit the place on fire. The lady’s not conscious, she’s already been left in the cold for quite some time.”

The Ranger gave the woman he was with a swift kiss on the cheek then followed Amy out of the hotel.

“I’m sorry. I can’t go any closer. I’m afraid for my own safety and my husband’s if Lars knew I told you.” She wrung her hands.

“I understand. Go. I’ll take it from here.”

~~~

Robert watched the building without moving, trying to form a plan. Walking to the door Amy had indicated, he noticed the windows had been covered to prevent anyone from looking in. He took a moment to think about the situation, not sure how to get Meg and Jax out of there. He didn’t have time to find someone to help him.

He walked up to the door, took out his Winchester and prepared for battle. He had to figure out how to get in there, and quickly. Hypothermia was no laughing matter and it sounded like Meg would need help, not to mention that once the fire they’d set really took off, he would have mere minutes to get them out. While he contemplated what to do, the door opened and a lone man came out. He saw the Mounty and his eyes became huge. He reached for the door to go back inside, but Robert was faster. He cocked his gun and aimed it right at the man’s nose.

The stranger put up his hands. “Sorry sir, I was just coming out to check on my wife, she was taking a mighty long time.”

Robert let the man go. “I think you need to find a smarter way to make money. Tell me how many people are in there and where. Then you can go get your wife and get out of here. This is the last chance you’ll get. If you don’t make the right choice, you’ll go down with those on the other side of this door,” Robert whispered.

The man nodded, “The wife tried to get me to change my mind before, maybe she was right. There’s two guys in there, they have a couple tied up. Lars lit a fire on the table. It was just beginning to spread when I came out. We’re waiting for my wife, Amy, to get back,” the man said in little more than a whisper.

“Go get your wife. Then head over to the RNMP. Get me some help. Understand?”

“Yes, sir. Right away, sir.” He jogged away as he answered.

Robert mentally counted to ten, then shoved open the door, making sure he was not within firing range. Two men with guns did run at him, looking back and forth through the smoke. Robert backed up and took aim before they even had a chance to realize who was out there. Lars put his hands up in front of him and smiled.

“I’m so happy you got here, friend. We caught two intruders in our room. My half-wit assistant lit the place on fire trying to light the stove. We need your help.”

Lars turned to go back in the building, then turned back and punched Robert in the face. He grabbed Robert by his coat and threw him inside, then shut the door.

Robert coughed. The smoke was already thick. He crawled over to where Jax and Meg lay. Looking down at Jax, he shook him awake. Jax woke up slowly, but Meg didn’t move. Her whole body shivered and she seemed unconscious.

“We need to get out of here. We’re running out of air and time. If I open the door, are you able to get her to the doctor? I need to get this fire out. If you can’t though, making sure she is safe comes first.”

“I’ll help with the fire.” Jax groaned. Robert cut him free of his ropes.

“No, I can get it out with the wash water and the quilt on the bed. You need to hurry. Can you get her?”

“I’ve got Meghan. I owe her one.” He looked down at the crumpled mass he’d hoped only a few hours ago would be his bride, and tenderly touched her cheek. He saw her coat on a chair where one of the men had tossed it. Quickly, he wrapped her up in it and tied the arms in front so it wouldn’t come off as he carried her.

Just as he reached to scoop her up to leave, another Mounty came to help Robert with the fire.

“Luc, two men, on foot, headed for the stables. Ferry’s shut down for the night so they can’t escape.”

“I’m on it!” yelled Luc, running out as quickly as he’d come.

Chapter
Twenty-Six

Jax cradled Meg against his chest and carried her down to see the doctor. It felt like a long trip and he was tired and sore from his beating. He forced himself to get her there. When he walked through the door, Elizabeth went right to work. She must have come back home as soon as Robert left the hotel. She led him to the back into the infirmary.

Despite the fact that Meg was her sister, she was professional. She had Jax bring Meg to the bed closest to the coal stove. Then she brought extra blankets for the bed. Jax laid her down making sure her head touched the pillow, untied the coat, and started rubbing her hands and arms vigorously.

The doctor came over and started rubbing the other hand and arm while Elizabeth and another nurse took to Meg’s feet, hopeful to prevent frostbite. They both rubbed until healthy color reappeared, but Meg did not wake. The doctor advised them she probably needed more time for her body and mind to recuperate and they should give her until morning.

Jax agreed, but didn’t leave. Elizabeth came up and put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed. She gave him a damp wash cloth for his face and some ice for his eye.

“I will be here tonight. I live here. You don’t have to worry about Meg. I’ll be here if she wakes. Go. Get some rest,” she told him.

“No, when I was roughed up, she didn’t leave me. She hardly knew me then, too. Nope.” He swiped at his nose with the back of his hand. “She isn’t going to feel like I left her.”

Elizabeth nodded and added coal to the stove to warm the room even more, then left to check on her other patients.

Jax took Meg’s hand and held it close to his chest. She looked so peaceful there, but her breathing wasn’t quite right. He’d become so accustomed to listening to it. Others may not have noticed, but he did. It was like she wasn’t getting a full breath. Jax called over the doctor and asked him to listen to her breathing.

The doctor listened to her heart and her lungs, then listened again. They’d been so focused on her fatigue and frostbite he hadn’t checked her for any other issue. He pressed gently but firmly on her ribcage, he got to one spot and stopped, he seemed to probe the area a little.

“Cracked rib,” the doctor noted. “We need to wrap her ribs to set them. Why don’t you wait out in my waiting room? I will bring my nurses in.”

It wasn’t a question. They were telling him to leave. Jax grabbed his hat and trudged out into the waiting room. He had nothing to do. Pacing back and forth for a while, he thought of what he should’ve done differently. He couldn’t hear any sound from the infirmary and that almost worried him more.

Elizabeth came out in short order and let him know he could go back in. There had been no change while they were working on her. He needed her to move or talk, something to let him know she would be all right. He walked back to her bed sat on the one next to hers and picked up the first book he saw, the Bible. He opened it to roughly the middle and started reading to her.

“O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble…”

“So, does this mean I am supposed to pray? I don’t know anything about prayer. I don’t know what I am supposed to do here.” Jax looked up because he felt he should.

He turned more pages. About three-quarters through the large book, he read, “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread…”

He closed the book with a slap and put his head down, slamming his hand through his hair. The doctor came back in and sat next to Jax in a chair by Meg’s side.

“The scriptures are a good thing to read to patients, just avoid Job and Ecclesiastes. They aren’t likely to make people want to wake up,” the doctor joked.

Jax didn’t understand. “What do you mean? I thought it was supposed to help everyone, all the time.” He held out the book as if he were pointing at the doctor with it.

“It is. Think of it this way. Do you look in a chicken coop for cooked carrots?”

“Well, no. That would be silly.”

“Of course it would be. But looking in the kitchen wouldn’t be. Do you look for horses in your kitchen?”

Jax looked at the doctor like he’d lost his mind.

“I didn’t think so.” The doctor chuckled. “But you could find them on the same farm as the carrots, right?”

“Well, yes I suppose…”

“The Bible is like that. You can find what you need if you know where to look. If you want a love story, try Ruth. A good mystery, read Esther. How about good, basic rules for life? Proverbs is your book. A story to save your life? Try Romans. You can find answers to any life problem if you know where to look in that book. However, you won’t start learning where to look until you either ask or start reading for yourself.”

“I don’t know your God, but if he will help Meghan, why don’t you ask him?” Jax demanded.

“I will lift up your Meghan in prayer and by the grace of God, she’ll be healed, but I think you need to humble yourself just a bit and ask Him what you want on your own.”

The doctor checked Meg one last time and left for his room for the evening. Jax took Meg’s hand in his and slipped off the bed onto his knees. He lowered his forehead to their interwoven hands. His heart ached to see Meg like this and he put his ache to words.

“Lord, I don’t know you. I don’t know how this works. What to do, or what to say. I do know that Meghan knows you though. I’ve seen her reading your book. I’ve seen her praying. Seems to me, maybe for someone who wants to spend the time talking to you and learning about you, you might help her? Meghan needs you right now. Doc doesn’t know why she won’t wake up.

“Lord, I love this girl. It’s my fault she went outside and I can’t help her. She’s all that matters to me. I don’t care about anything else. I just want her to wake up and be all right…”

~~~

Meg’s memories stirred when she heard Jax’s voice. It sounded like he’d read from Psalms. Then he’d stopped and the strange male voice came back. It scared her and she withdrew back into the silence where she’d been hiding. After a while, she heard Jax talking again. She listened to him. He’d been praying, praying for her, she was certain of it. Her heart rejoiced and she knew the Lord had drawn her out of the fog to hear what he’d said, because she so desperately needed to hear exactly that.

Meg tried to speak, but couldn’t yet. She tried to squeeze his hand and was able to apply enough pressure that Jax felt it. His voice moved directly above her.

“Meg, did you squeeze my hand just now? Can you do it again?”

Meg tried with all her strength to move her fingers but she couldn’t make them move. The fog in her mind would dissipate then come back. It enveloped her again and took over. She couldn’t move her limbs, they seemed leaden and she felt a sharp pain in her feet and hands. Her blood felt thick in her veins. She wanted so much to speak to him, to tell him she could hear him, but every second took her a little further away from Jax.

“Oh, Meg.” He leaned down and held her close.

She couldn’t move, but sat there listening to his steady heartbeat and absorbed the heat from him. She wanted so much to put her arms around him, too, to tell him she loved him.

Meg heard the doctor come in to see what Jax was so excited about. He came over to the bed and attempted to get her to respond. That’s when Meg realized the strange male voice she’d heard was the doctor. She wanted to ask about Lars, and what happened, but she had to focus on clearing her thoughts. She had to fight it back and not allow it to take her deeper. Somehow she knew if she could clear her thoughts she could wake.

The doctor advised Jax to stay with Meg and try to keep moving her hands and feet throughout the night. Jax encouraged, pushed, kneaded, and massaged her sore hands and feet, but she couldn’t move any more, no matter how hard she tried.

As morning approached, Meg could hear exhaustion in his voice. She heard the soft rustle of blankets and the squeak of the bed as he laid on the one closest to hers. He reached over and took her hand and rubbed the top of it with the pad of his thumb as he fell asleep. Meg could hear his breathing change and knew he’d fallen asleep.

~~~

Jax woke to Elizabeth shaking him a few hours later. He looked outside and the blizzard was on and hard. The doctor worried they’d need the bed he was using. Jax rose wearily. Elizabeth sat and talked to him.

“Go back to your hotel and get some breakfast. The storm is bad, but you will make it there. I’ll come and get you if there’s any change with Meg. Plus, tomorrow is Christmas. You should go get her a little something for when she wakes.” She tried to cheer him, it didn’t work.

Jax sighed. He couldn’t tell if Meg knew if he was there or not. But after missing dinner last night, he knew he needed to eat. “I won’t be gone long and if she so much as loses an eyelash, I want to know about it.”

“I will come find you personally,” she replied.

Jax got up and stretched, grabbed his coat and headed for the hotel. He sat alone in the dining room when a plump woman in too little clothing came up and plopped down right next to him.

“Whasa matta sugar? Ain’t no reason for someone so handsome to look so sad,” she asked, waiting for his reply.

Jax didn’t even know how to respond to this woman. He tried to think of a kind way to convey that he wasn’t interested. “It’s Christmas tomorrow and I still need to get my girl something.”

“Oh, land sakes. That’s easy, sugar. Go down the street to the Trading Post. That’s where everyone gets what’s needed.” She nodded as if it were the most significant thing she’d ever spoken.

Why hadn’t he thought of that? He thanked her and headed right for the Trading Post, pulling his hat down low on his ears to keep warm. He had only walked a few blocks away from the infirmary when a commotion broke out on the street. Through the violent swirling snow, he could see a man running down the street. Soon he saw the red coats of the Mounties chasing the escapee. Jax’s skin tingled and he reached for his gun. Running down the street, in his direction, was Lars. He’d either escaped or they’d just found him and the Mounties were giving chase.

Jax watched in stunned silence as Lars veered to the right and made for the huge wooden doors of the fort that lead to the wilderness. If Lars made it out, they’d never find him again. Jax gave chase. Knowing he’d be too weak to give much effort, but he couldn’t simply let Lars escape. Before he could get his speed up, he heard a shot and instinctively flattened himself to the ground. He heard two pairs of boots run by him. Jax dared to look up and saw the two Mounties pick up Lars. He’d been hit in the back of the arm, a few inches off the mark to Jax’s way of thinking.

He watched one of them take Lars none too kindly by the legs, the other took him under the armpits. Lars howled in pain and Jax knew he should feel bad, but he just didn’t. Turning back in the direction of the Trading Post, he knew he had to hurry. Having Lars in the infirmary was intolerable. Even if he couldn’t speak to Meghan or even move, Jax didn’t want him anywhere near her.

He walked into the Post and the amount of goods available amazed him. Anything you could want out here, or so it seemed. He wanted to make sure the first gift he got her meant something. She had to see it and think of him immediately. Every single thing he considered, he decided against for one reason or another. On his way out, feeling more beaten than his face, he noticed that up by the till were various pieces of jewelry.

He walked slowly by the counter and his eye caught on a piece like he’d never seen before. It was a simple gold ring, but it had green and pink leaves with a small grape cluster. The ring wasn’t elaborate or ornate, but distinctive and elegant, just like his Meghan.

“Tell me about this ring,” asked Jax.

“Ah.” The trader walked over to Jax. “This ring is from the great state of South Dakota. In fact, it’s called Black Hills Gold jewelry. Never seen anything quite like it. I guess it’s a lot more available there. We only get it once in a while here and much further away than this and you won’t find it at all.”

“I like the leaves and grapes, but is that really gold?”

“By my understanden’ it is. It’s just mixed with other things to make it colored.”

“I want it. It’s perfect.” Jax couldn’t believe he bought a ring for Meghan when she’d so adamantly wanted to wait, and maybe not marry at all, just yesterday. However, this ring could only be bought here, not in Kansas, and this was the one he wanted.

The store keeper wrapped it up. Jax pocketed the tiny box and hurried back to the infirmary. He needed to see Meg and make sure Lars was far away from her.

Jax found Lars was put a few beds down from Meg. Lars growled at him when he walked in. Jax wanted to punch him but Robert was there standing guard. At least someone was there to make sure he stayed put.

“Robert. Good to see you this morning. Even more happy to see this in custody.”

Robert stood tall, his hands behind his back. “We had him last night, causing a ruckus by the ferry boat.” He threw a glare at Lars. “He was trying to get the ferryboat captain to make an unscheduled voyage. Unfortunately, his man is still missing. I have no doubt we’ll find him.”