Chapter 21

Eleanor and Carter stood with some of the others listening to the music. Some people clapped along to the beat. They were most enthusiastic, and it was clear that the day had brought them great joy. What would her life be like here in Kalispell? With her father working on his book, she would need to find something to keep herself busy. She was qualified to teach school, and yet that wasn’t really something she’d ever considered before. Maybe it was time to think about it. Maybe if she found a job she could help with their financ—

Goodness! A man came running across the open area in front of the band, directly at her and Carter! Before Eleanor could say anything to Carter, the man veered away and went directly to the mayor. Soon several men had gathered, and the mayor motioned for them to follow him. Eleanor looked at Carter, who shrugged. He didn’t seem overly concerned so she relaxed.

Until Marvella came toward them in a near run.

Something was wrong.

Marvella took hold of Eleanor. “Come with me. You too, Carter.”

The band played on even as Eleanor found herself whisked away. “What’s happened?”

Marvella slowed a bit, huffing and puffing for air. “It’s a terrible thing. Just terrible. But I don’t ... want you to worry. The men ... will do all they can.”

What? All they could about what?

Marvella led them past the main body of the crowd to where the mayor and the men who had gone with him were now standing. They surrounded someone who was seated.

The crowd opened as Marvella pushed her way in. “I have his daughter!”

Eleanor’s chest tightened. Had Father suffered a spell of some sort? She couldn’t see the man at the center of everyone’s attention because a man stood in the way—perhaps a doctor? He appeared to be examining the seated man’s head. Had the sun gotten to be too much for Father, and he’d passed out ... hit his head?

She looked at the men. “What has happened?”

The group of men looked at her and then to Marvella.

The older woman shook her head. “I haven’t told her anything. There wasn’t time. Tell her now.”

“Father?” Eleanor tried to peer around the man who blocked her vision. “Are you all right?”

She tried to move forward, but Marvella held her back. Just then the man in front of Eleanor stepped away to reveal Louis Hill seated in the chair.

But ... where was Father?

Carter came up beside Eleanor. “What’s going on?”

“Someone attacked Mr. Hill”—the mayor shifted his glance from Mr. Hill to Eleanor—“and Mr. Briggs.”

What?“Where is my father?” Why would someone attack him? And why wasn’t he here?

The Judge stepped forward. “I’m so sorry, Eleanor, but someone has taken him. We believe they thought they were taking Mr. Hill, since they look a great deal alike.”

“I want some guards immediately!” Mr. Hill sounded like a frightened child. “I’m leaving as soon as the train can be ready. I’m glad the railroad is leaving this town! Such a lawless town is no place for the railroad.”

The doctor patted the agitated man’s shoulder. “Mr. Hill, you must calm yourself.”

“There is no calming, Doctor, until I’m away from this wretched town.”

The doctor kept his voice soothing. “At least come to my office, where I can stitch your head.”

Enough! Where was her father? She opened her mouth to demand an answer, but Mr. Hill cut her off by standing up and shaking off the doctor’s hand.

“No. You can tend to me in my private train car. Judge, I need at least a half dozen men to go with me as guards. They will need to accompany me back to St. Paul, where I can hire my own men.”

The Judge gave a quick nod. He seemed fed up with Mr. Hill, too. “I will tend to the matter, Louis, but we must explain everything to Miss Briggs first.”

Wait ... was that blood on Mr. Hill’s light gray suit coat? She struggled to keep her own voice steady. “Please, where is my father? Is he injured?” She couldn’t stop from trembling.

Carter slipped his strong arm around her, steadying her.

The Judge took a step toward her. “The kidnappers left a note saying they were taking Louis. As I said, it seems they mistook your father for him.”

“But—”

“My dear.” Marvella touched her arm. “Your father and Mr. Hill do bear a remarkable resemblance to each other.”

Eleanor managed a nod. It was true, they did.

Carter’s tone when he spoke was furious. “Did these fools say what they wanted?”

The Judge nodded. “They are demanding train service be returned to Kalispell.”

“That is not going to happen.” Louis shook his index finger at the group. “Mark my words!”

The Judge ignored him and went on. “They say they’ve telegraphed James Hill and won’t release his son until he agrees to return service to Kalispell.”

Mr. Hill looked about to explode. “The very idea that they think they can threaten me and my family. It’s beyond the pale.”

No, what was beyond the pale was this man ranting about himself when he was safe and Father was not!

She met the Judge’s eyes. “Did they strike my father?” Please, Lord ... don’t let Father be hurt....

Hill almost growled the answer. “They did. Ruthless cretins. I’ll see them all in jail.”

Carter’s grip around her tightened. “How many of them were there?”

“I don’t know.” Mr. Hill sat back down and allowed the doctor’s ministering, but winced. “They hit Stewart first and he fell. Then me. Got us from behind. I never saw any of their faces. When I awoke, I found myself on my back, a note in my pocket and a horrific pain in my head.” He seemed to be calming down and offered Eleanor a regretful look. “Your father was nowhere to be found. Thankfully someone saw me fall and came to my rescue.”

How much more could she take? Her stomach roiled. She looked at Carter. “I don’t feel well.”

How humiliating to admit that she wasn’t strong enough to stomach all that had happened.

Marvella nodded to Carter. “Take her back to the house.”

Her stomach clenched. “But I need to know what’s happening. I—”

“We will all go to the house and plan what is to be done.” Marvella was calm and commanding. “Milton, have Jim bring the carriage around. We must get Ellie home.”

She didn’t fight Carter’s hold on her. His arm supported her as he led her to the carriage. Halfway there, her knees gave way. Carter swept her into his arms.

The Judge took a seat with Jim up front, and Carter squeezed into the carriage’s second seat next to Marvella, nestling Ellie on his lap.

She couldn’t breathe. Could barely think. She was a child again, small and helpless against forces taking away someone she loved ...

She kept her eyes squeezed shut and turned her face deeper into Carter’s solid chest. Father was strong, but a hit on the head could kill a man. Would the brigands who took him care for him if he was injured? Or would he bleed to death?

God, please...The prayer came as easy as breathing. The words jumbled in her mind, but He knew. Please keep him safe. Keep everyone safe. Help us to find him soon.

Marvella patted her knee. “It will be all right, my dear. We’ll get your father back safe and sound. Once the men realize they’ve taken the wrong man, they’re sure to release him.”

Would they? Or would their anger make them hurt him? Even kill him? She glanced at Carter’s face. His tight lips said he wasn’t so confident that they’d let Father go.

They reached the house, and Ellie started to move out of Carter’s grasp, but he held her fast. “You just stay where you are, Ellie. I’ve got you.”

And so he did. He lifted her in his arms and carried her out of the carriage and into the house. Marvella was calling orders to the staff and for Nora to bring Ellie tea.

“Have Cook make the special lemon tea. Oh, and put some rosehips in it.” She glanced back at Eleanor. “And honey. And be fast about it.”

Nora nodded and scrambled from the room.

Marvella’s tender smile helped ease Ellie’s shaking. “Honey is just the thing to settle your stomach and help you recover from the shock you’ve had.” She patted Carter’s arm. “Take her to the sitting room.”

Sir Theophilus came at a run. He’d been left behind for the celebration and now barked as if chiding his mistress for the offense. Marvella scooped him up and held him close.

Carter carried Ellie into the large sitting room, then lowered her to a plush couch with plenty of pillows.

She missed his firm grip on her, the solid feel of his chest against her, but at least he sat down beside her. His presence ... comforted her.

She looked to him and voiced the fear that had been pulling at her. “Do you think they’ll kill my father when they realize he’s not Louis Hill?”

His gaze was steady, his tone sure. “They’d be fools to kill anyone. It’s one thing to assault and take a man, and an entirely different thing to commit murder. I don’t think they’ll dig themselves in deeper once they know what’s happened.”

Oh, how she wanted to believe him! “But if he sees them ... he can identify them.”

“They made it clear in the note that they would release Hill when their demands were met. They would have planned to keep their identities secret so they could escape unknown.”

That made sense. She drew in a deep breath. “Would you pray with me?”

Their eyes connected. “Of course.”

As Carter lifted his heart to the Almighty, her own heart began to calm. She squeezed his hands, and he squeezed hers back.

The house soon filled with men from town. One of them nodded to the Judge as he came into the sitting room. “Mr. Hill is now being guarded by some of the deputy marshals, so we came along to offer our help finding Mr. Briggs.”

In mere moments, Marvella had them settled into the sitting room. She seemed to understand Ellie’s need to know the details, even if they were difficult to hear.

Marshal Shelton drew everyone’s attention. “We’ll form a posse and go after them. I’ve already got my deputies checking out tracks and seeing what evidence they’ve left behind. We’ll be ready to head out as soon as we’re done here.”

Carter put his hand over Ellie’s, where it rested on the couch, and gave it a squeeze. Then he let go and nodded to the marshal. “I want to join the posse.”

“I want to go as well.”

The men all stared at her. She didn’t care. They might not want a woman along, but if her father was hurt, she would be there to help—

“I’m awful sorry, Miss Briggs, but you can’t go. I wouldn’t be comfortable putting a woman in danger.” The marshal gave her a sympathetic nod. “But I do understand.”

She lifted her chin. “I can’t just sit here! I couldn’t live with myself knowing that my father was out there hurt, maybe even dying, and I just ... sat. I must go. I can take care of myself. I can read a map and use a compass. I’m capable in every way of surviving out there.”

Marvella came to her and sat beside her, lifting Ellie’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “My dear, this is something we must leave to the men. They would only have their attention divided between worrying over you and trying to hunt down dangerous criminals. You wouldn’t want their attention taken from rescuing your father, would you?”

“Of course not, but...” Tears stung at her eyes. “I can’t just sit here.”

“Then we will get some of the women together and pray.” Marvella smiled. “It’s the most powerful thing any of us can do to help.”

“She’s right, Ellie.”

She glared at Carter. Him jumping into the matter just made her all the more frustrated. “No one understands. I’ve been with Father on many dangerous trips. I’m not a liability. I can hold my own.”

“The answer is no.” Marshal Shelton’s tone brooked no further debate. “And that’s final. Now here’s what I plan to do. We’re going to see if any of our men who are good at tracking can locate signs of their trail. If not, Grant Wallace is in town, and he’s the best tracker I’ve ever known. I’ll get him to come help us.”

The conversation continued until the butler entered and announced that the marshal was needed in the foyer.

“That will be my man. Let’s go.” Several of the men followed him from the room.

Carter turned to Ellie. “I’ll do everything I can, and when we find your father, I’ll take care of him as if he were my own father.”

She gave him a nod. But if he thought she’d given up, he was sorely mistaken. Her father needed her. Her. Not Eleanor, with all her social skills and pride. But his Ellie, with all her creativity and strength and determination and whatever else she could muster to find and save him.

Let the others go. She’d bide her time and slip out once they were on their way. Follow them at a distance. She lifted her chin. They’d never know she was there. After all, their focus would be on the road ahead of them ... not behind.

And Ellie’s focus would be on Father.

And God.

What Carter wouldn’t give to stay at Ellie’s side. She was so scared. So worried about her father. He was worried too. He didn’t trust that the men would just turn Briggs loose once they realized they didn’t have Hill.

Of course, he couldn’t tell Ellie that. No need to make her worry even more, not when he was concerned enough for them both.

Lord, please guard Ellie’s dad and keep him in Your care. You know the situation and know his condition. Lord, I pray that he wasn’t hurt when they took him, but figure they hit him same as they did Mr. Hill. Please don’t let the man suffer or die. Ellie needs him so much.

“You got your horse, Carter?”

He looked at the marshal. “No, but it won’t take me long. Which way are you going? I’ll catch up.”

“My men found activity around the rail yards. We’ll head out from there and go north.”

“I’ll find you.” Carter did a quick step down the Ashburys’ drive and then ran all the way to the livery downtown. Ellie had seemed so fragile when she heard her father was taken. What would it do to her if something terrible happened to him? She was a strong woman in some ways, but if her father didn’t survive this, she’d be alone.

Could she survive that?

She needs you so much, Lord. She knows that. She remembers her mama telling her as much, but the world and the devil have done their best to convince her otherwise. Please help her to see the truth and embrace it. Help her father to accept it too.

He reached the livery stables and gave a wave to the boy who was mucking the stalls. “I’ll saddle Mercury myself.” He went through the building and out into the pen outside. There were a couple dozen horses in the corral, but when Mercury saw Carter, he pushed his way through and came to his master.

“You’re a good boy, Merc. I hope you’ve had your feed because we’re going on a little trip.”

Carter had the horse nearly saddled when his father showed up out of the blue. He was carrying a bulging bag, canteen, and bedroll.

He’d never been so grateful to see him. “Dad, I was hoping to get word to you and Mother. I’m sure you’ve heard about what happened.”

“Everyone has. That’s how I knew I’d find you here. I figure you plan to help with the search.”

“I do.” Carter tightened the cinch. “I have to.”

“Figured you might need some things, then.”

Carter nodded and took the canteen to fill at the nearby pump. “Thanks for thinking of these.”

“Partly your mother’s doing.” Dad set the bag down for a moment, then tied the bedroll onto the back of the saddle. “Didn’t figure you’d have time to get things together and we had this stuff in the wagon box.” Given the farm’s distance from town, Dad was always insistent they pack a few items for survival just in case a blizzard or other problem arose.

Carter finished filling the canteen. “Ellie’s back at the Ashburys’, but she wanted to come too. We persuaded her to stay, but you might ask Mother to check up on her.” He slipped the canteen strap around the horn of his saddle.

His father handed him a bag. “I wish I could join you, but this is a young man’s job. This food your mother packed should be enough to share.”

Carter smiled. “Leave it to her to think of such things. The men will know to take canteens, but probably forget about food.”

“They’ll be glad of her thoughtfulness. She got them to wrap up a bunch of the leftover roasted pork. She also included a bunch of other stuff.”

Carter secured the bag to his saddle. “Tell her thanks. I don’t know when we’ll be back.” He stopped directly in front of his father. He’d never been more thankful for his dad’s steady presence. “I love you, Dad.”

Dad wrapped his arms around his shoulders, giving him a tight hug.

“I love you too, Carter. Please be careful. We’ll be praying for you.”

When Ellie went to Marvella and said she needed to go to her room to rest, Marvella hadn’t suspected a thing. In fact, she told Ellie it was a good idea.

Now if she could just get away without being seen.

A split skirt would be best for this venture. Especially if it took longer than Ellie hoped. The posse could find the men right away, but it was also possible they’d be searching for Father for days. She glanced around her room. She needed her camping things from the carriage house. And food. It was risky to slip into the kitchen, but she had to try.

She penned a short note for the Judge and Marvella and propped it against the plush pillows on her bed.

Please, God. Help them understand and not be angry.

Funny how it was getting easier and easier to pray.

She grabbed her heaviest coat and riding gloves as protection against the cold nights. Now... how to get a horse? The liveryman would probably not want to lend her a horse without the Ashburys’ approval, and once they were notified, she wouldn’t stand a chance of leaving.

Making her way down the servants’ stairs, Ellie paused to listen. Everything was quiet. It was nearly four o’clock. Marvella had given most of the staff the day off to celebrate so hopefully she would remain unseen.

Ellie reached the bottom step and glanced around the corner of the wall into the kitchen. It was empty. She grabbed what she needed and headed toward the back.

The back porch was empty as well. So far things were going her way. The carriage house was quiet, but Jim was there somewhere. Of course, he might have taken the Judge and Mr. Grinnell back to town so they could be on hand to help Mr. Hill.

Please ... let that be the case.

She glanced outside to where the riding horses grazed in a small, fenced pasture. The horses might be skittish despite the times she’d petted them at the fence, so she grabbed a handful of oats along with a bridle and made her way through the gate.