Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

" H ow could the sheriff have allowed those thieves to escape from gaol?" Bronson muttered as they followed the trail the highwaymen left.

"Unless the gaol itself has a gaping hole in it, the sheriff will have a lot to answer to," Caden said. "Especially once my father returns."

" Allowed is the operative word," Logan said. "I wonder how those highwaymen have been able to escape justice for so long."

"Whatever the reason, Sheriff Slothman is finished," Caden said, his voice filled with rage.

"I think I see something up ahead," Logan said. "Whoa, Justice." Logan pulled up the reins and slid from the horse. Reaching out he plucked a crumpled paper that had lodged itself in the low branches of a tree. Look at this, Caden."

Caden took the paper and studied it, his brow furrowed. "It's a map of Bocca Morrow, including the Drakos' estate. But look at the mews. Some stables have been marked off with an X. They must have been systematically looking for your horses."

"As far as the sheriff knew, Lord Fitzwater had traveled on to his country estate. He didn't know you were still here," Bronson said.

"The servants wouldn't have mentioned it to anyone in the village either," Caden added. He paused for a moment, then his eyes widened, and he uttered a curse. "That blackguard! I've seen this map before, or one very much like it, framed on the wall in Sheriff Slothman's office."

"It would seem the sheriff is not incompetent, after all, but very much in league with the highwaymen," Logan said. "The larger stables marked here are yours," Logan pointed out. "They must have been working for several days to locate our horses."

"You'd think they'd know better after getting their arses kicked by Justice before," Bronson said.

"How would they have found out we'd still be here?" Logan asked.

"My guess is they didn't know for sure," Caden replied. "Until last night when you attended the ball. The sheriff must have had a few spies on the lookout."

"And when they came to steal the horses, they came upon Charlie…" Dread pooled in Logan's gut. "Damnation! Can't Charlie just wiggle an ear…or blink, or something to let us know where she is?"

Caden looked at him in surprise. "She told you." It wasn't a question.

"Yes." Logan nodded. "Before I could properly react, she ran from the ball. And like a fool, I didn't follow. I was shocked, but that is no excuse."

Logan noticed Bronson remained quiet. He already knows .

"I'm surprised," Caden said. "Charlie has always been quite cagey with our, er—family secrets."

Except her heart was engaged , Chapelle meowed. That's why she told the truth.

"Is that what happened?" Logan asked bemusedly before realizing he'd just heard Chapelle's thoughts in his head.

"I don't want to shock you even more, Fitzwater, but Chapelle is doing her damnedest to communicate with you."

"So, I gathered," Logan muttered. "I'm not just hearing things."

Bronson chuckled.

I assure you, the cat doesn't have my tongue! Chapelle snapped.

Caden smirked. "Yes, Chapelle is Charlie's cat—and I could swear sometimes she spouts out my sister's sass when Charlie is trying to maintain a ladylike demeanor. You may hear her because of Charlie's feelings for you. You're the only man outside the family that Charlie's ever given a flying fig for. As her twin, I share a mental connection with her, but that's the extent of my abilities," Caden explained. "However, we trained together in martial arts from a master from the Far East. If Charlie gets loose from her bindings, those men will have hell to pay."

"I had a feeling her fighting skills were real," Logan said. Now I've truly bitten the apple. If I can discern between Charlie's magical and mortal abilities. He raked his hand through his hair. "Whatever we need to do to find her, we'll do it." Even if it means sharing my thoughts with a black and white hellcat, he silently added.

The cat turned and glared at him.

He arched a brow at her. If you insist on invading my thoughts, you'll hear it all, whether you like it or not.

Narrowing her eyes, she turned to face the path in front of them.

She's up there, Chapelle meowed when their horses got to the turn in the road where the highwaymen had attacked them a week earlier.

Bronson edged his horse up beside Logan's and whispered, "Whatever you do, my lord, I wouldn't advise getting into a catfight with that one," he whispered, as they followed Caden's horse up the path.

"Do you hear her too?"

"No, but I can read horses, and I don't think cats display their emotions much differently. That swishing tail doesn't mean she wants a bowl of cream, I'm sure."

"You're right. Charlie is my priority, so I'd best mind my thoughts around her cat," he murmured, urging his horse around a sharp bend.

"This is the same hill you suggested we should have traveled before the highwaymen attacked us," Bronson said. "I suppose their camp was nearer than we'd imagined."

"Chapelle and I will sneak around back," Caden said. "There's a little used road…"

Guarded by a large dog , hissed Chapelle. He'll smell you before you get close enough to attack. He's blind but lethal.

"Perhaps the smartest approach is a frontal assault," Logan said. "It's usually the best one."

That's what I would do if I were cornering a mouse, Chapelle mewed. Use the element of surprise.

Blast! Now, I'm discussing military tactics with a cat. Logan shifted uncomfortably in his saddle as Chapelle shot him an angry frown. "The cat is right," he said, clearing his throat. "They're likely to concentrate their men at the back, thinking we'll attack from behind. Attacking from the front will surprise them," Logan explained.

And we avoid the devil dog , hissed Chapelle. I just did my claws, and don't want to dull them on a large hairball .

Logan couldn't help but smile. He hoped Caden was right, and Charlie's cat reflected her spirited sass. Life would never be dull.

"I agree, my lord. Best to take the front. I can take the back with the other footman, in case one tries to escape," Bronson said.

Having decided, Logan and Caden ordered Bronson and the footman to ride along behind the cabin.

Wait! Chapelle meowed. I brought a little distraction for Hell's fur ball . She withdrew a wrapped package of meat from Caden's saddlebag. I sprinkled it with a sleeping draught.

Logan and Caden gaped.

What? It'll keep the dog from getting harmed , Chapelle insisted.

They waited for Bronson and the footman to situate themselves. When Bronson gave the prearranged hoot sound, they moved in.

Logan crashed through the front door, and Caden followed. When the surprised highwaymen lunged at them, they picked them off, one by one, until only the leader remained. Logan noticed the closed door behind the bastard. "Is that where you have her?"

"You might be right. But you're too late, if you know what I mean," he said with a sneer.

Don't believe him , Chapelle warned.

"Move out of my way, or I swear I will make you rue the day they placed you on this earth," Logan said in a lethal voice.

The man withdrew a hunting knife and circled Logan. "Seems I recall you getting shot…and maybe stabbed a week ago?" he taunted. "I wonder if you're as nimble as you think."

Logan knew Caden was behind him, but this man was his. He motioned for Caden to stand down. "I assure you, I am. And I'm giving you one more chance. Step aside and give yourself up, or I'll send you straight to hell if you don't."

The man snickered. "You and whose army?"

"I don't need an army," Logan replied in a calm voice. Reaching for his knife in his boot, he spun and landed a brutal kick to the man's groin. Not waiting to see his reaction, he whipped his left arm around the man's neck and pulled it tight to cut off his air supply. The man flailed with his knife, but Logan was ready and sliced through the back of the man's dominant arm, giving every ounce of strength he had.

With a sudden screech, Chapelle leaped onto the highwayman's head and began biting and clawing. Moaning in pain, the man slumped in Logan's arm. When Logan was sure the man was unconscious, he let go. "Tie him up," he said to Caden.

The back door burst open, and Bronson and the footman ran in. "The dog is fast asleep, and we subdued the two bastards on guard duty."

Logan nodded as he turned and kicked open the door.

The room was dark, and he had to blink several times to adjust his vision.

"Charlie," his voice cracked as he found her on a pallet in the corner. "Charlie, my love, can you hear me?" Gently he untied her bindings and felt along her slender frame, checking for broken bones and wounds.

He looked up and saw Chapelle had followed him in and was sitting quietly beside her mistress. The cat looked at him and he saw the sadness in her eyes.

She's going to be fine, Logan promised.

Chapelle meowed in reply and laid a gentle paw against Charlie's cheek.

Logan swallowed the lump in his throat as he continued to examine Charlie. He breathed a sigh of relief when he found no broken bones or gaping wounds on her body. And yet, the metallic smell of blood was there. Gently, he moved his fingers around her scalp and gasped as he felt the thick sticky liquid oozing from a deep gash. Acting quickly, he tore the sleeves from his shirt and tenderly bandaged her wound. "You're the bravest, toughest woman I know," he said, forcing a light tone in his voice. "We'll get you back home faster than you can blink those beautiful green eyes of yours."

"How is she?" Caden asked, striding in.

"I cannot get her to wake up," Logan choked out. "She has a deep wound at the back of her head. But she's breathing."

Caden nodded and wiped away a tear. "She's alive, Logan. And I know my sister. She never gives up."

Chapelle nodded, and Logan could have sworn the cat's eyes glistened with tears. He lifted Charlie in his arms and kissed her brow. "Whatever world you live in, Charlie, I want to be there with you," he whispered. "Don't you dare leave me when I've only just found you."

Charlie was floating. A deep male voice was speaking to her, but she couldn't quite make out what he was saying. The voice sounded so familiar, making her feel safe. She could also hear something thudding and realized it was her heartbeat. No, not hers, but someone else's heart, drumming against her ear. There were other voices too, but they sounded muffled like they were speaking at the end of a long tunnel.

She was floating, but not on water or air. She felt powerful arms holding her. And a familiar scent tickled her nostrils. She knew that scent. Sandalwood and bergamot.

Am I dreaming?

Had Logan somehow found her? Or was it her mind playing tricks on her again? The last conscious vision she'd had was of a man with broken yellow teeth and an odor fouler than anything she could recall. He was going to do bad things to her and told her so in disgusting detail. But was the evil highwayman still there? Or was it a nightmarish vision she had summoned up based on memory?

For a moment, panic set in again. The sheer panic she'd felt at the mercy of the thieves.

Help me, Logan!

Please! Find me before it's too late!

"Hush, my beauty," a deep gentle voice soothed in her ear. "You're safe now. No one will ever hurt you again."

Her panic subsided and she relaxed in the cocoon of warmth surrounding her, lulled by a rocking back and forth and that familiar scent that she'd come to love. She was so tired. So very tired. She would just take a few extra minutes to rest…

Charlie, darling. It's Mama. You must wake up now.

She must have fallen asleep. Was that her mother's voice? She no longer felt that warm masculine strength surrounding her, but she still felt comfortable and safe. She was somewhere familiar.

Am I home?

The doctor examined you, my darling. He said this is up to you now. Please come back to us, my sweet girl.

Water droplets dripped on her cheek and Charlie realized they were her mother's tears. Her mother gripped her hand and squeezed it. "Carrie had the babies."

Mama is here! She could tell her about Logan. Maybe Mama would like him. But maybe that didn't matter. He was gone. A pain took hold in her chest…a deep, stabbing pain.

"Charlie, please come back to us." Her mother sniffled. "Grandmama sent word about your injury, and I used my powers to get here, Charlie. Even your father approved of my using them. If I could help you wake up, I would," she sobbed. "What good is having powers when I can't help my darling girl?"

Charlie tried to rally…for Mama. How is Carrie ? she wanted to ask. Charlie felt her mother's hand on hers—its warmth and the scent of her rose perfume. She wanted to tuck her fingers into her mother's hand for warmth. She suddenly felt so cold. Very cold. I'm here, Mama. But I cannot seem to move .

Her mother kept talking, but it sounded more like crying and she had turned away in another direction—maybe to shield her tears? Nothing made sense.

You know your Mama could never hear your thoughts, Charlie. Chapelle edged up from the bottom of the bed and nestled beneath Charlie's arms. Wake up so I can finally get some sleep . Seriously, wake up. Not just for me…but for everyone .

Silly cat. I am trying to wake up . If only she could get that smelly burlap bag off her head.

There is no bag on your head , Chapelle reassured her.

So, why can I still smell it? Lord, she didn't think she could ever forget that smell. Would it haunt her for the rest of her life?

Don't think about the smell and try harder , Chapelle insisted.

I am trying.

"Charlie, it's Grandmama."

Charlie felt a kiss on her temple and could smell her grandmother's honeysuckle scent. I didn't mean to tell him, Grandmama. It just happened. One minute we were talking about oranges and the trees in the garden and the next I was telling Logan about being a witch. You warned me never to reveal our secret unless it was to someone we could trust. Now we might all be in danger.

"Nonsense, child! You did nothing of the sort," her grandmother said aloud. "We are all fine. Your earl is fine. And you can trust him. He and Caden found you and brought you home. We just need you to wake up, my sweet child. Please, please, Charlie…wake up. For the love of God, wake up," her grandmother whispered in her ear. "I can hear your thoughts. I hope you can hear me."

I hear you, Grandmama. But I can't move. I feel like I'm sinking into a foggy bottom and cannot get up. I love you. Please tell them, I love them all. Please tell Logan … tell him I love him.

Her grandmother's voice clogged with tears. "You must listen to me, child. You need to tell him yourself, and the only way to do that is to fight. Fight the fog and return to us." Her whisper was fierce…the way Grandmama said things when she was angry. Why was her grandmother angry with her?

Charlie heard more voices and crying. It seemed everyone was crying. Didn't Grandmama tell them she loved them all?

"Charlie, if you don't come back to me, who will I talk to about Caden?" Rose whispered in her ear. "I count on you. You're my very best friend…the sister of my heart. I love you, Charlie. You must wake up now ."

I can't seem to do it, Rose , Charlie thought. I'd like to but I'm so cold . Please ask Mama to tuck my hand in hers. It feels frozen. But don't worry, I think Caden will come around.

"I wish I could hear you, Charlie," Rose sobbed. She gripped Charlie's hand and squeezed it. "Your hands are so cold. Oh, please, Charlie, please come back to us."

Someone added another blanket over her, and she felt her mother tuck it in around her. She could smell her father's cherry blend pipe tobacco.

"Charlotte, I'm ordering you to open your eyes." It was her father's voice, raspy with emotion.

Papa. I'm scared. Please help me. The fog is getting thicker and colder. There's no light. And I'm so cold. Charlie felt a tear roll from the corner of her eye.

You shed a tear , Chapelle thought, licking it off Charlie's cheek. I promise to do anything if you will just come back. I'll be good, the cat mewed. I'll be the best cat who ever existed.

You already are the best cat, ever…

Charlie felt Chapelle leave her side . Chapelle, where are you going?

"She went to get me, Charlie," Caden said. "I know you can pull yourself out of this. You just need the right inspiration. You're strong. And I know you're in there. I love you, little sister."

I'm the same age as you , Charlie insisted, even if she couldn't move her lips.

"Yes. You are. And I need you around to keep reminding me. I need you to set me straight. So, wake up," Caden said. He leaned down. "The doctor said the longer you remained like this, the more dangerous it was. So, wake up, little sis!" He kissed her on the temple. "I'm going now, but there is someone who wants to see you."

Don't leave me, Caden.

She felt Chapelle jump back on the bed and curl into her arm. I'll be here, too. What kind of chaperone would I be here if I left you alone?

For a moment, the room fell silent.

"Just let me give her a kiss and then you can sit with her," she heard her Aunt Agnes say. The older woman leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "Wake up, Charlie-girl. Wake up," she whispered. "Someone special is here to see you."

Charlie felt someone sit down on her bed next to her. Warm lips gently kissed her forehead, and the scent of sandalwood and bergamot enveloped her. Logan .

You're here. You didn't leave…

"Charlie, it's me, Logan. Please wake up."

His voice seemed to sound farther away than Caden's. Was she sinking deeper into the cold fog? Still, it was him and he was there. That had to count for something. There was that pain in her chest again. It seemed to happen when his name came up…or when he was there, she realized. She felt colder.

As if he could hear her, Logan picked up her hand and held it in his bigger, warmer one. "Charlie, I love you," he said in a broken voice. "I think I have loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you. Those beautiful green eyes focused on me…saving me." He choked on tears. "Please open those beautiful green eyes…for me. Please, Charlie. Come back to me…"