Chapter 15

Dirk

Faint rays of morning sunlight streamed in through the window, waking Dirk. He yawned as he stretched, trying to orient himself. Then the events of the night before came rushing back. He opened his eyes wide and sat straight up. He had been about to tell Gabriella that he loved her, but she had stopped him. Dirk fell back onto his double bed and pulled the other pillow over his face, feeling like an idiot. Why had he reacted that way when she stopped him from saying it out loud?

Ego.

Now, he just hoped everything was back to normal and that he hadn't scared her off. The air was brisk, and he realized that the fire had died. Usually, he was the one who placed a log on the fire in the morning while Gabriella made the coffee. Then he and Gabby made breakfast together. After they ate, he would go out and tend the farm while she cleaned up.

Remembering it was Christmas morning, Dirk jumped out of bed, hurried to get dressed, and then headed into the living room. He placed a log and kindling in the fireplace and lit it. Within minutes, a fire blazed orange, red, and yellow, sending warmth throughout the room.

"Gabby?" he called out. He didn't smell coffee brewing, as he had become accustomed to since she came to stay with him.

He walked into the kitchen, and nothing was out of place. The coffee wasn't brewing… and the house felt too… empty.

Flashes of when Sarah left filled his mind, but he pushed the thought aside, willing himself not to panic. He walked slowly through the house to her bedroom and listened just outside her door.

Nothing.

His heart sank.

Dirk slowly raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Nothing.

As quietly as he could, he opened the squeaking door.

Then he flung it open wide. Her bed was unmade, and her nightgown was thrown into the closet. Cool air rushed into the room. His vision became distorted as he looked over at the window and saw that it was open.

"No!" Dirk fell to his knees and buried his face into his balled-up hands. It was Sarah all over again. Then, he came to his senses. They had come back for her… the Dougherty Boys had come for her. He remembered waking to Buster barking in the night, and now it all made sense. Buster had heard them taking her. But why hadn't she told him when he came to check on her? Unless she had been protecting him.

As tears ran down his face, he remembered the times he and Gabby had together—teaching her to make biscuits and how to cook, sharing their love of books, stringing popcorn, and then last night, watching her eyes well up with tears when she opened the gift he gave her.

As quickly as he could, he slammed the window shut and hurried to get dressed. He strapped on his gun belt and loaded his rifle. At that moment, he knew he loved her, and always would. No matter what happened now she would forever be engraved in his heart. As he walked purposefully out the door, he vowed to find her. God help the Dougherty Boys if they took her.

As quickly as he could manage, he walked around the house to the window and the tracks were still visible. It was clear that there were several men, from the look of the boot tracks in the snow. Rage filled him as he ran toward the barn, saddled up Angel, and ran with her as quickly as he could, following the tracks toward Whiskey River. Wind blew across his face, helping to wake him, to clear his mind, to focus on catching those bastards.

He pushed Angel onward. Their tracks were still visible, despite the falling snow. To his amazement, it looked as if they were headed toward Whiskey River. Angel started to stumble in the snow, so he slowed and patted her warm coat.

"Good girl," he cooed, rubbing her neck. "I'm sorry, girl. but we need to find Gabriella." He slowed her down to a walk. She was still breathing heavily, but not as badly. "I'm so sorry, girl." Dirk walked her into town, knowing she needed a minute to rest. "Please forgive me." He knew she would quite literally run herself to death for him, if he asked. She was a good horse.

Angel turned around and nickered softly as she bobbed her head, and then turned her attention back to the road.

Dirk shook his head, amazed that she seemed to understand every word he said. In fact, animals seemed to understand him better than humans… except for Gabby. She had seemed to understand him better than anyone else he'd ever met.

Of her own accord, Angel walked into the livery stable and over to the hitching post where she knew Dirk would take off her saddle and her bridle.

"That's a good girl." Dirk hurried to uncinch her saddle, pulled off her blanket, and then began to give her a rubdown so she wouldn't freeze to death in her own sweat. She held still, leaning into the rag as he rubbed her wet coat. When she was ready, he walked her around the back, knowing that she had to walk a bit to slow down her heart. He just hoped he didn't lose her, too. Not today. But soon, her breathing slowed, and she perked up a bit, appearing to be more like her old self again.

"What's going on?" Billy asked behind him, arriving for the day.

"Oh, Billy! Thank God you're here," Dirk said as he threw the rag at him. "Can you rub down Angel for me and take care of her? I have to go."

A crease formed between Billy's eyes. "Sure. What happened?"

"Gabriella's gone and I have to find her. I think the Dougherty Boys took her."

"Do you think this has anything to do with the general store being robbed this morning?" Billy replied.

Rage filled Dirk's chest. "Yes, probably. Billy, go get Harrison Curry at the hotel and tell him to get Daxton at his house. I'll stay here with Angel until you get back."

Without another word, Billy ran out the door as quickly as he could.

Dirk needed another horse.. and fast. Thank goodness, a new horse had arrived over Christmas. He had bought Jaguar from one of the local ranchers before the blizzard. Billy must have received him.

Dirk flung a stall door open and hooked a lead strap to the solid black stallion, hoping he was as fast as he looked. Gabriella's life depended on it.

"Come on, Jaguar. I need you today." Dirk saddled him up and slipped on his bridle, as Angel looked on.

"He's on his way." Billy ran back in breathless, just as Dirk was finishing up. "I'm coming, too."

Dirk shook his head as he led Jaguar from the stables and mounted him, taking the reins in hand. "No, stay here and take care of Angel for me. Daxton will come with me."

Billy nodded once.

"Yah!" Dirk shouted as he leaned forward in the saddle, urging Jaguar into a dead run. Dirk rode out of town as hard as he dared in the cold and snow, following the tracks of the Dougherty Boys. He had to find Gabriella… before it was too late.