Silver Creek - G.L. Snodgrass Page 0,73

she would not live with Luke. The shame of being taken like this. The anger inside of her with nowhere to go. All of this flashed through her mind as the wagon rocked when the man stepped up into the box.

She must get away. How? Pulling at her hands she tugged and tugged but knew that was hopeless immediately. The man had tied her so tight. Luke, she needed Luke.

Maybe at the end when the wagon stopped. Surely, he would free her to take advantage of her. A sudden gut-wrenching fear filled her. What if her naked, used body was discovered.

“Please,” she begged, but the gag made it sound as if it were some foreign language.

Taking a deep breath, she fought to calm her racing heart. She must out think her captor. It was her only hope. No one knew she was gone. Helen wouldn’t be coming home tonight. No one would know she was missing. No. this was up to her and her alone.

What would Luke do? she wondered. No, Luke would never have allowed himself to be caught like this. A sadness fought with her anger. It was so unfair. Her attacker was too strong. Too big. God, she wished she had a gun. She’d shoot him in the back and never think on it again.

The wagon shifted as it took a turn. Think, she told herself. Remember the turns. Remember the time. Maybe it would help her.

Settling, she closed her eyes against the darkness so that she could remember every aspect. As the wagon bounced along the rough road, she tried to figure out who had abducted her. Was it the Feltons? Were they seeking revenge? Their brother was in prison by now. Nothing could get him out. So, it must be revenge.

Or, was she to be used as bait? A way to pull Luke into a trap? He would be returning soon. What would he do when he discovered her missing? She knew Luke. The man would rain down destruction and doom on anyone he had thought threatened her harm.

Who? That was all she could think about. And how could she stop them before Luke fell into their trap?

The night grew cooler as they made their way to their destination. The wind whipped against the side of the wagon. A distant coyote yipped and was answered by another further down the trail. Her spine tingled with fear at the thought of being dumped out here, alone, bound, in the dark.

Once again, she pulled at her bindings. But as before, she was held too tight. A hopeless feeling engulfed her as she tried to remain calm. Only a clear mind would get her out of this.

She felt the wagon slow as the man grunted at the horses before pulling them to a stop. Were they here?

Her mind searched for any clue. Any hint. But she came up empty of information. She jumped when the man climbed down then grabbed her wrists, untying her from the wagon.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked into the dark.

He ignored her as he guided her down from the wagon. Rebecca froze as she twisted her head. Roses? The distant sound of water running over rocks. A cool west wind. She was home, she realized. Her uncle’s farm. Her very soul knew it.

He pulled at her hands, towards the cabin she would wager. Her thoughts were confirmed when she heard the door creak as it swung on its hinges. Her uncle had been talking about fixing that for a year before his death.

Yes, she thought as she instinctively ducked her head before allowing herself to be led into the cabin. That feeling of home washed over her. Then the strike of a match and a faint yellow light through the bag over her head let her know he had lit a lamp.

“Sit,” he grunted as he pushed her down onto a chair.

Rebecca felt her hands being unbound only to have them tied behind the chair.

“No, please,” she begged. “Why are doing this?”

She had given up any hope of ever discovering her attacker when she felt him untie the gag then grab the bag and pull it from her head. The sharp yellow light burned her eyes for a moment until she could adjust. Looking up, she gasped.

Ben Tuthill, the banker, with a gun pointed at her.

“Why?” she asked as her brow furrowed with confusion.

“Simple,” he said as he shrugged. “After I kill your man. I will bury you both out in the