Chapter 39

39

W hen they finished searching for the day, Franklin rode up to the ranch house, wearing dejection like a new suit of clothes that were a size too small, his gut tied in knots that felt as if they would never let go. There was nowhere they hadn't looked. The men needed to get back to their businesses and ranches. For all they knew, his wife was dead. But he still felt a connection to her. She had to be out there somewhere...alive.

The sheriff once again stood on the porch talking to the men who finished the day with them. "I know we're all discouraged. We don't know where else to look for Mrs. Vine. Go home. Pray. If anyone comes up with somewhere else to look, please come to town and get me."

Franklin's boots felt as if they were made of lead, instead of leather as he walked up the front steps. He turned toward those gathered. "I owe you a debt of gratitude. I'll never be able to repay for what you've done so far. I'll understand if you need to get back to your own business or ranch. I hope tomorrow brings a new goal for our search." He turned and trudged into the house.

Molly Malone opened the door to the room where the babies slept when Franklin walked down the hallway.

"Hello, Franklin?" Worry winkled her brow. "Any good news yet?"

Disappointed, he shook his head. "No." He glanced over her shoulder. "Are the boys awake?"

"They should wake up from their naps soon." She looked back at the three babies, one on a pallet on the floor, and the other two sharing the cradle.

"Good. I want to spend time with my sons after I clean up and get something to eat.

He had Mrs. Oleson heat water, hoping a hot bath would help him sleep. He was so tired he could hardly stay on his feet, but his mind wouldn't let go of the fact that he had to find Lorinda...and soon.

After the bath, he ate the rest of the venison stew from yesterday. He forced each bite down. How could he sit here eating, knowing Lorinda probably didn't have anything left of the food she'd taken with her? He wondered if Marvin had even shared the food with her. Pain lanced through his heart, and he couldn't keep tears from forming in his eyes. He wiped both eyes to remove the blur.

Rusty came in from the bunkhouse and sat beside him at the table. "What are we going to do, Boss?"

"Maybe Marvin took her back to the land she and Mike owned. There's a soddy there where they had stored food." Hope took root in Franklin's heart.

Rusty frowned. "Nah, we already looked there. It's as empty as it was after we moved her provisions down here to the ranch."

The flicker of hope died. Franklin hadn't believed he could feel any worse than before, but he did. He was close to wanting to give up, but he couldn't. He needed Lorinda more than the babies did.

"I don't know of any place we haven't searched, even the outlying ranches." Rusty straddled one of the kitchen chairs and laid his arms along the back. "It's not looking good, is it?"

His ranch hand stated the obvious, but Franklin wouldn't accept giving up. "I'll try to come up with other places for us to search. Of course, Marvin's mind was so devious and twisted, who could figure out what he was thinking?"

Rusty went back to the bunkhouse.

Franklin got up slowly from the kitchen chair. His discouragement made him move like an old man. Maybe time with the boys would help him feel better.

He asked Mrs. Oleson to help him with the boys. They went into the bedroom and each picked up one of them. They took the babies into the parlor.

He clutched Michael close. He wondered if the babies could sense all the tension. After a few minutes, he started to play with his son. At one point, he wanted to throw him up in the air, because the boy liked it so much. That would get him laughing. Lorinda wouldn't like it.

No, she wouldn't. Instead, he sat down and crossed one leg over the other. He settled Michael on his boot and played Ride a Little Horsey with him.

Soon he and Mrs. Oleson exchanged babies. Miriam's baby settled into Franklin's arms. He loved holding the younger infant. He'd like to have more babies … with Lorinda.

Molly Malone came to get the babies. She took the baby from Franklin's arms. "It's time to feed these two."

Mrs. Oleson followed her out of the room.

When they were gone, Franklin went to bed. He lay on one side, but couldn't get comfortable. So he turned on the other side. Same thing. He forced his eyes closed and tried to clear his mind of all thoughts, but Lorinda kept intruding. Why, oh why had he made all the missteps with their relationship? Now he might never be able to make things right. He gripped his hands into fists, wanting to lash out and hit something...hard.

After tossing and turning for a couple of hours, Franklin got up and put on his warmer clothes. He went out and paced across the drive between the house and the barn, praying. His heart and mind cried out to God, begging for his wife's safety. He stared up at the heavens and looked at the myriad stars created by God's hand. God knew where Lorinda was. He wished the Lord would write it in the stars, like a banner. Lorinda is here. Maybe form the stars into an arrow, pointing to the very place. Yeah, like that's going to happen .

Lord, I love you, and I trust you, but this is hard. Show me what to do.

As he swung around to pace the other direction, a flicker of light caught his attention. What was that? It was too close to the peak of the mountain southwest from the ranch for there to be a house, but still the light remained. He stared at it. Could it be a fire? It didn't flicker as a fire would. The longer he stared at it, the more the light expanded, then it stopped growing.

While he was a boy, he and Marvin had explored every mountain, canyon, and forest that connected with the ranch. But that light was above the timberline. Franklin followed the sawtooth ridge of peaks around the valley. Could that be where the cave they found was located? He tried to remember every detail of how they found the large cavern. It had been so long ago, he'd completely forgotten about the adventure.

He closed his eyes and let them get used to the total darkness. When he opened them, the bright light was still there, like a star fallen from heaven. Lord, is this a message from you?

Indescribable peace enveloped him, and he no longer felt the bitter cold.

He hurried into the house and awakened Mrs. Oleson.

"What do you need, Franklin?" Sleepiness clung to her. "How can I help you?"

"I know where Lorinda is." He had to be positive about this thought. Hope was back.

"Where?"

But he was out the door, headed toward the bunkhouse. He awakened Rusty, leaving the other ranch hands to their well-deserved rest.

"I want you to prepare Major and your horse for a long ride. I'm going into the house to get supplies to take with us. I know where Lorinda is. It'll take us a while to get to her."

Franklin went back into the house and told Mrs. Oleson to start plenty of water heating after breakfast, so Lorinda could have a hot bath when he brought her home.

In half an hour, he and Rusty set out across the valley in a different direction from the one Marvin took when he kidnapped Lorinda. Some places would be harder to traverse on this trail, but it should take much less time than it would to go up the way Marvin had. Still it would take the rest of the night and into the next day before they would return.

Lorinda had been tied up in the same position so long, she didn't know if she could even stand up if...when…someone rescued her. Cramps in various muscles came and went with closer frequency. Is this the way it feels to starve to death? Stiffness was her present reality. She wanted to cry, but she didn't have enough moisture for tears. At least, her body functions had ceased. If only it had happened before she soiled herself.

How long had Marvin been gone? Much, much longer than any other time. Her mouth and throat were so dry, her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth, and her teeth felt cottony. She felt dirtier than she'd ever been, even when she was a child living with her father and uncle, who didn't care if she was clean or not. Hunger clawed at her stomach like a living monster, and her head ached whether she held it up or leaned it against her knees.

She had no concept of how much time had passed since Marvin left. She did remember it had been daylight when he left, but had there been only one night or two since then? She wasn't sure. Her thoughts were muddled.

She missed holding baby Michael and baby Andrew. Her heart longed for the comforting presence of her husband. If someone didn't come to find her soon, they might only find her body.

Jesus, help me...Jesus, help me...Jesus, help...

As Franklin and Rusty picked their way up the mountain trail, the glow of the light near the peak continued to shine bright. Franklin had brought a lantern in case they might need it, but so far the strange light had somehow lit the pathway even though there was no moon. Here they were near the end of November , with snow falling all around them, but the snowfall hadn't reached blizzard proportions. So it didn't block out their surroundings.

Franklin couldn't help thinking about the wise men who came from the East to find the Christ child. Having the star shining on their path to guide them. Maybe they felt a little like he did. He recognized that the light leading them had to come from God. Every one of his heartbeats sang out in thanksgiving to the Lord. Somehow, he knew this beacon would lead him to Lorinda. With God going to so much trouble, he had to find her alive. The family would really have something to celebrate on Thanksgiving Day.

Dawn was just barely peeking over the rim of the mountains when they reached the opening of the tunnel just where he remembered it. One streak of morning light shot a beam right at the opening, scattering the darkness inside.

When they were out of the wind, Franklin lit the lantern so they could see as they went deeper into the ground. "Lorinda!" His shout bounced from the rock walls of the tunnel and echoed back at him.

No answer came. Please, Lord. Don't let us be at the wrong place.

The next shout was answered by a whinny. A whinny? A horse was in the cavern. He rode closer and closer to the large room he and Marvin had discovered. When they turned the corner into the vast space, another whinny sounded much closer. He lifted the lantern high, and Rusty followed behind him.

Golden Boy stood near the far wall beside a large lump of something. His muzzle lay against the top, and he blew a whiffle of breath against the mound. Something moved under his head, and he stepped back.

When Franklin caught sight of the dirty, blonde curls, he knew he'd found her. And she moved. Relief shot through him.

He jumped from his horse and ran toward her. "Lorinda, are you all right?"

Major followed behind him.

Her eyes opened a little, but she didn't look as if she knew where she was. No recognition shown in her eyes.

Marvin has been dead for almost twenty-four hours, and who knew how long he'd left Lorinda alone here?

Franklin grabbed his canteen. "Rusty, bring me a couple of those blankets."

He sank beside her on the cool rock floor. His heart beat so strong, he had a hard time catching his breath at this high altitude.

Gently, he tipped her head higher. "Lorinda, sweetheart, open your mouth. I have some water for you."

After opening the container of drinking water, he tipped it against her dry lips. When the first drops touched her, she opened them a little. He dribbled small amounts into her mouth and waited until she swallowed. It took several tries before the liquid started to revive her. When she opened her eyes again, a light shone in them.

"Fr...anklin...you...came...for me."

"I'm going to give you another drink, but not too much." Once again, he tipped the canteen only a little.

This time, she sucked in more fluid. "I knew you would." The words were so faint, he had to listen closely to hear them. "Jesus..."

Now that she was more alert, he unwrapped the two blankets surrounding her. His heart nearly broke when he saw she was tied up. While he worked the ropes loose, she whimpered. Oh, how she must hurt.

"How long have you been tied up?" He tried to keep anger out of his tone. If Marvin wasn't already dead, he'd want to hunt him down and beat him to a pulp. I know, Lord. These thoughts aren't right, but... He. Hurt. My. Wife.

"Don't know." This time her voice was a little stronger.

When the ropes were all gone, he reached toward her.

"No, Franklin. I'm so dirty." A glisten of tears appeared in her eyes, but none fell down her cheeks.

He lifted Lorinda to her feet. He started to let go, but her legs buckled. He grabbed her up in his arms before she could fall.

"Do your legs hurt?"

She nodded against his chest.

He held her close to his heart, cradling her with his love, until she was able to stand up. With one hand, he tilted her face toward his and settled his lips against hers. He didn't want to hurt them, but he wanted to pour his love into her. The kiss was gentle, but it lasted long minutes. She melted against him and raised her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and closer. Just as the one at the wedding, this kiss took on a life of its own. He was as gentle with her as he could be, but he didn't want to break the connection.

When their lips finally parted, he leaned closer to her exquisite ear and whispered, "Lorinda, I love you with all my heart."

"I love you, too, Franklin."

Her words startled him. How long had she loved him? Had they been living the lie with both of them wanting more from their marriage? What an idiot he had been when he suggested such a thing. They had a lot to talk about. But not right here. Not right now.

When he turned around, he saw Rusty had unloaded food from the saddlebags. And even though they had ridden through the rest of the night, the coffee had been wrapped so well that a little bit of vapor rose from the cups. Two blankets were spread beside the food.

Rusty waved his hand toward the bounty. "Breakfast, anyone?"