The Harvest Time Mail-Order Bride (Holiday Mail-Order Brides Book 14) Read online

  “Let’s pray that doesn’t happen,” Ma said.

  Samijo bit her lip to keep from crying and paced back and forth. Bella stopped her. “Sit, take care of your little one. I make coffee.” She turned to Ma. “You take this one. Holding baby good for you. I make coffee and food for all of us.” Truth be told, her nerves were as shaken as Ma and Samijo’s – and she hadn’t even been here when it happened!

  Ma took the baby from her and cuddled it. “Coffee sounds good. Go ahead and make something. Our men’ll want to eat, or at least take something with them. Maybe some sandwiches?”

  “Yes. I make them now.” Bella set to work and soon had a pot of coffee on the stove and sandwiches prepared. She’d just wrapped them in napkins when Calvin came into the kitchen, Daniel hot on his heels. “But why can’t I go?” Daniel whined

  “Cause someone has to stay here and protect the women.”

  Daniel glanced at Samijo and Bella, then noticed his mother’s stricken expression. “Ma? Ma, are you okay?”

  Ma Weaver was past shock to anger now. “No, I’m not okay! A gang of sidewinders made off with my daughter and grandchild! I want them hunted down, you hear me?”

  Calvin and Daniel stared at her. “Ma, we’re gonna bring her back,” Calvin assured.

  “Make sure you do, and in one piece! If anything happens to my girl or my unborn grandbaby, there’ll be hell to pay!”

  Calvin walked over to where she sat and hugged her, careful not to squish the baby in her arms. “We’ll take care of it, Ma, you’ll see.” He stood and looked at Bella.

  “I made you something to eat. You take with you.” She pointed to the napkin bundles.

  Their eyes met and he slowly nodded. She had the sudden feeling he was, in his own way, saying goodbye with that look, like a lover going off to war. But Calvin would go. He had to. She went to him, threw her arms around his neck and demanded he come back to her through a kiss. He responded, his arms coming around her so fast she stopped breathing. He returned the kiss with abandon, not caring that his family was in the room.

  Finally Calvin broke the kiss, released Bella and went to his mother again. He kissed her on the head, then looked at Daniel. “Don’t let nothin’ happen to them, ya hear?”

  Daniel swallowed hard. “I won’t. I’ll guard them with my life, I swear.”

  Calvin gave him a single nod, grabbed the bundles of sandwiches and strode out the door.

  Only then did Bella let herself cry.

  * * *

  John Tyler Pittman had always been intense. Charity’s father deemed it an admirable trait, one that would take him far in the business world and thus increase his daughter’s status and wealth – so long as she was married to him.

  Thank Heaven she wasn’t, Charity thought.

  “You’ve ruined me, do you hear?” John screamed at her for the at least the sixth time.

  Charity straightened her spine, willing her fear away. “You did that yourself, John. Now let me go.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that. You’re coming with me.”

  “Coming with you? Where, back east? Have you gone completely round the bend?”

  “It’s the only way to save my reputation and yours.”

  “Mine?” she asked incredulously and stood, her hands bound behind her back. “Since when do you care anything about my reputation? You certainly didn’t when you …”

  He backhanded her across the face.

  Charity’s head snapped around from the impact, but her anger didn’t. She slowly turned her face to his, eyes set to kill. Where she’d gained such bravado she had no idea. She was just glad it was there. “You raped me. Plain and simple, John.”

  “Shut up!”

  She continued to glare at him. He’d snuck into the house, taken each woman by surprise, overpowered them, then made off with Charity. Thank the Lord he didn’t hurt Ma, Samijo or the twins. Charity was the only thing he was interested in.

  “John, this is insane. I’m married to someone else …”

  He spun on her and for the first time she noticed how bad he looked. There were dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn’t slept in days, and his face had a hollow appearance. Or maybe it was the desperation in his eyes, she wasn’t sure, but he seemed haunted. “That doesn’t matter.”

  “Doesn’t matter? What do you mean it doesn’t matter?”

  He shoved her back down on the rock she’d been sitting on. “Quiet! I’m trying to think!”

  “About what? There’s nothing you can do. Let me go so we can talk about this!”

  “I said shut up!” He reached into his coat, pulled out a handkerchief and gagged her with it. “There, that ought to keep you quiet.” He stared at her a moment. “Hmm, you’re right. You getting yourself married doesn’t help me much.” He drummed his fingers together in front of him. “What to do?”

  She glared at him again. She was in a predicament, that was for sure. John wasn’t himself – perhaps he had indeed gone insane.

  She studied her surroundings, but it was almost dark and she had no idea where she was. She wasn’t even sure how long it had taken them to get here. He’d thrown a sack over her head, bound her hands behind her back, thrown her onto a horse and they were off. Now what could she do? And where was Benjamin? Had he and Calvin returned to the farm yet? Had Arlan and Daniel discovered what happened?

  John paced in front of her. “Have to think, have to think…” he muttered. “I must find a way …” After a few moments he stopped and turned to face her. “Yes, that would work.” His eyes lit up and, for the first time since he’d grabbed her, her newfound bravery faltered.

  Cold, raw fear gripped her. This was no longer a predicament – it was a matter of life and death. What if John just went completely over the edge and decided to be rid of her for good? To wipe out the only thing that could bring witness to the crime he’d committed?

  Oh Benjamin, she thought, where are you?

  * * *

  “We’ll have a hard time trackin’ them in the dark,” Benjamin told his brothers. “But I won’t stand by and let Pittman get any more of a head start.”

  “How’d he find us?” Arlan asked.

  “I don’t know and don’t care. All I know is he took Charity,” Benjamin said. “Who else could it be?”

  “Didn’t Mrs. Gunderson say a passenger came through her place yesterday?” Calvin asked. “If’n it was him, he woulda had time to get a horse in Nowhere and get out here, providin’ he rode half the night.”

  Benjamin closed his eyes, his jaw tight. “You’re right.” He opened them. “She did say that. It had to be him.”

  “Best not waste any more time,” Arlan said. “Let’s go.”

  They mounted their horses and set out.

  * * *

  Bella placed a cup of tea in front of Ma. She’d retreated into her sewing room after nibbling on a sandwich, and had been there ever since. “The men, they will find her,” Bella assured.

  Ma’s eyes drifted up to meet Bella’s just as a tear slid down her cheek. “I never thought of what I’d do if one of my children was ever in a bad way. I can’t stand not knowing what’s going on. It’s gonna drive me crazy!”

  Bella went around the sewing table and gave her a hug. “They find her, you will see.”

  “They’d better.”

  Bella swallowed hard. Would they? They’d been gone almost all night. “You should sleep. Please, Mama, go upstairs to bed.”

  Ma glanced at her. “You like calling me that, don’t you?”

  She smiled. “It come naturally to me. That’s all.”

  “Well, I can’t argue with that. You call me whatever you want, child.” She took a sip of tea, then pushed herself out of her chair. “I guess sitting here worrying isn’t going to help them find Charity any faster. I’ll go upstairs and pray that Pittman fella gets struck by lightning instead.”

  Bella chuckled despite her exhaustion. “Yes, but pray the men find Charity first.”
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  Ma wiped away another tear. “I’ll do that. You’d best get some rest yourself, child. Samijo and the twins all right?”

  “Yes, they asleep.”

  Ma nodded. “Good. Off to bed with you then.”

  “You go. I clean kitchen first.”

  “How dirty can it be?”

  “Please, I need to keep busy. I … not sleepy yet.”

  Ma studied her. “Liar. You’re as big a worrier as I am.”

  Bella gave her a weak smile and nodded. “Yes.”

  “Fine, go ahead, but come up to bed as soon as you can. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

  A chill went up Bella’s spine at her words. The trip home from Nowhere had been peaceful, quiet … and then chaos. What would the new day bring? She shuddered at the thought, escorted Ma to her room, then returned downstairs to fuss in the kitchen. Maybe then she’d be able to sleep.

  * * *

  Bella slept fitfully for an hour or two and rose shortly after sunrise. The house was quiet. She must be the only one up. She hadn’t heard so much as a peep out of the twins or Samijo, next door in Benjamin and Charity’s room.

  She got up, smoothed her dress – she hadn’t bothered to change into night clothes – and went to the wash stand. She looked at her reflection in the small mirror. She was tired, but couldn’t have slept any longer if she’d wanted to. The not knowing was killing her. Did the men find Charity and if they did, what had happened? Was anyone hurt? Did they kill the man who took her?

  She washed her face, hoping to clear the sleep from her eyes, then fixed her hair and went downstairs to make an extra-strong pot of coffee. She was sure one or both women would be down soon. They probably hadn’t slept any better than she had, and who knew what shape Daniel was in? He’d been outside half the night, coming in now and then to check on them, then out again to patrol.

  She entered the kitchen, went to the stove, picked up the coffee pot … and froze. Someone else was in the room, she could sense it, feel it. Bella slowly turned… “Charity!”

  Charity sat in a chair in a corner near the table, but didn’t say a word.

  “Charity, what happened? Where have you been?” Bella asked, her eyes blinking in disbelief. Then she noticed Charity’s hands were behind her back. Odd …

  “Don’t move,” a man hissed behind her.

  Bella stopped breathing as her eyes widened. She heard the distinctive sound of a pistol being holstered, right before her hands were roughly pulled her behind her back. Her eyes locked with Charity’s as he lashed her wrists together, then shoved her into the nearest chair.

  “There, that’s one. Now where are the others?” he asked as he crossed the room to Charity and quickly gagged her.

  Bella sat in shock. How did she not hear them come into the house? But then, how had none of them heard him yesterday? The man was like a fox sneaking into a chicken coop.

  “Well?” he demanded as he turned to her.

  Bella’s eyes went to the ceiling and back.

  “Still abed, eh?”

  Bella shook herself. What was she doing? This pompinara was going to harm the lot of them if she didn’t do something!

  He cackled low, gagged Bella, then headed for the stairs.

  Sixteen

  “They were here,” Calvin said as he fingered the ashes of a fire. “No more than a few hours ago.”

  “But where are they headin’?” Benjamin said as he studied the campsite.

  “I’m surprised he risked a fire,” Arlan commented. “But then, he is a city fella. They ain’t too bright when it comes to bein’ in the woods.”

  “Ya got that right,” Calvin agreed. “Remember when that Olivia Bridger set her cap for ya and turned her own horses loose?”

  “Wish I could forget,” Arlan grumbled. “That woman had me goin’ ‘round in circles all night.”

  “Circles,” Benjamin whispered, then spun to his brothers. “I think we should spread out, see if there’s any sign that they headed back to the farm.”

  “Why would they do that?” Arlan asked.

  “Why do city folks do any of the stuff they do when they’re out here?” asked Calvin. “Darn fools can’t think so they like to stay with what’s familiar. The woods ain’t familiar.”

  “Makes sense,” Arlan said. “Where did ya learn that?”

  Calvin shrugged. “Pa.”

  “Let’s take a look around,” Benjamin said. “Call out if ya find anythin’.”

  They began their search and within moments, Calvin found several signs that their quarry had indeed headed back the other way. He yelled for his brothers, who quickly joined him. “Might be a dozen feet or so from where they rode in, but they headed back toward the farm alright.”

  Arlan examined the trail. “Yep, sure looks like.”

  Benjamin stared at the ground. “Why go back?” He looked at his brothers. “Aside from the road he’s traveled already bein’ familiar. Why take Charity in the first place?”

  Arlan put a hand on his shoulder. “I know ya been tryin’ to hold it together, but there’s only one reason he’d take her. She’s the one who can put him behind bars.”

  Benjamin swallowed hard. “Yer right, I’ve … been trying not to think …”

  “Let’s stop gabbin’ about it and get after him,” Arlan replied “If’n he’s headin’ back to the farm, maybe he’s got more in mind than just Charity. He might hurt the family!”

  “If he can get past Daniel,” Calvin put in.

  “Let’s not take that chance,” Benjamin said. Together, they went to get their horses.

  * * *

  “He got the drop on me, Ma, I’m sorry,” Daniel said as he struggled against his bonds. John Tyler Pittman had caught Daniel first, finding him dozing in the pre-dawn light, and clunked him on the head with a rock. Dried blood painted one temple and had oozed down the side of his face.

  Ma grimaced every time she looked at him. “Well, it’s too late to cry over it now. We got bigger problems.”

  No sooner had she said than John dragged Charity into the room and shoved her onto the settee next to Daniel. He then bent to their feet and began to tie their ankles, one to the others, tethering the three of them together.

  “What are you doing?” Ma demanded.

  “What does it look like I’m doing?” their captor hissed back. “I’m making sure you can’t go anywhere.”

  “What for?” Ma demanded.

  He glanced up from his work. “Don’t you ever shut up? I swear Charity turned out as annoying as you are! She never shut up either.”

  Ma’s eyes flicked to Charity’s, who was staring at her over a gag. “Guess you talked this snake’s ear off, huh?” she said with a satisfied chuckle. “Serves him right.”

  “Quiet, or I’ll gag you too!”

  “I’d like to see you try!” she shot back.

  “You’re mighty brave for such a puny woman,” he sneered.

  “Darn right I am, you possum-breathed varmint! Besides, it’s laundry day and I know there are no rags for you to use!”

  The villain stood and stared at her in shock a moment before her words sunk in. “Practical sort, aren’t you?” he mused, then rubbed his hands together. “We’re almost ready.”

  “Ready for what?” Daniel asked.

  Pittman smiled. “My revenge.” He turned on his heel to go fetch his next victim.

  As soon as he was gone, Ma said in a low voice, “Daniel, have you got your pocket knife on you?”

  “No, I was whittling to stay awake. It’s outside near the barn.”

  Ma blew a stray hair out of her face. “Blast it.” She glanced at the ceiling. So far, not a sound from the twins. They must still be asleep, and thank Heaven for that. Samijo, on the other hand, was probably trussed up like the rest of them. How one man could cause so much damage, she had no idea, but he had. Heaven wasn’t smiling down on the Weavers that day.

  “No! Where are you, you little witch?”

&nbs
p; Then again, she could be wrong …

  Their captor ran into the parlor. “Where is she?”

  “Where’s who?” Ma asked smugly.

  “The dark-haired one. Where is she?”

  “How are we supposed to know when you’ve got us tied up in here, you idiot?” she barked back.

  His eyes narrowed to slits as he approached.

  “Uh, Ma, I don’t think ya oughta antagonize him,” Daniel advised. “He looks mad.”

  “I don’t care if he’s mad! He breaks into my house, takes what doesn’t belong to him …” She gave Charity a pointed look. “… then comes back to cause more trouble. I’ve had enough of him!”

  “Ma!”

  “I’d listen to your son, if I were you,” Pittman growled. “In fact, I’d say my goodbyes while you still have the chance.”

  “Or what?” Ma spat. “You’ll shoot us?”

  “No, that would be too obvious. The law’s already caused me enough trouble thanks to you people. Now I’m here to cause you some. It doesn’t matter where that dark-haired witch ran off to – I’m going to finish what I started.”

  Daniel glared at him. “And what’s that?”

  John Tyler Pittman smiled. “I’m going to burn your house down.”

  * * *

  Bella didn’t move, barely breathed. She lay flat under the small back porch and waited for the pezzo di merda that had invaded her new home to come outside to look for her, but he didn’t. How was she to rescue the others while that scoundrel was still inside? She’d have to think of something else and quick. Who knew what he was doing in there?

  She heard him call her a witch when he discovered she was missing. Thank Heaven she’d been so distraught the night before, she’d taken things out of cupboards and drawers only to put them back in again … except for that knife she’d left on the kitchen table. She’d missed it because she’d set a napkin on top of it and forgot all about it.

  As soon as the man had started to drag Charity into the parlor, she’d stood, gotten the knife in her hands, then managed to sneak out the back door. Figuring she didn’t have time to run, she rolled under the small porch and freed herself. She’d been there ever since.