A Heart's Blessing - Linda Ford Page 0,47

what was going on. He recognized Louella, knew the family, and asked when this murder had taken place. He recalled the day because he’d seen Mr. Stack leave the house with what he called ‘murder in his eyes.’ He followed him and saw Mr. Stack confront Louella and a traveling salesman who was sparking her. He heard angry words but thought that was the last of it. As he was riding from town, he heard a gunshot but paid it no mind. Thought someone was shooting at a varmint. But putting the pieces together, he realized Mr. Stack had been shot by that man. They put Louella on the stand and had her swear to tell the truth. This time they didn’t go easy on her because of her weeping. She said Cody hadn’t done it.”

Delcie’s arms cramped from the unnatural position and she shifted, trying in vain to get more comfortable. “Was that the end of it?”

“You would think so. But the good people of town were of two opinions. One segment wondered if Cody wasn’t somehow responsible for Louella’s disgrace in the community and shunned us. The other segment avoided us because they were ashamed for how they had treated us. In the end, it was easier to leave town and start over.”

“Seems like it’s been a good thing for me and the children.”

“You think so?” She heard the smile in his voice.

“You are here with me to help. That’s good.”

Sam suddenly stepped into the clearing and kicked Emmet’s leg. The latter was instantly on his feet.

“I weren’t sleepin’. Just restin’ my eyes.”

“Mount up and throw those young’uns on a horse. We’re takin’ them to Lon.”

Lon. Short for Alonzo? Delcie couldn’t believe otherwise.

“What ’bout those two?” Sandy jerked his head toward Ryder and Sally.

“Leave ’em. Unless we find someone who wants ’em. And is willin’ to pay.”

“You can’t leave us here,” Delcie protested as Emmet woke the children and threatened them to keep them quiet. He put Kent on Sam’s horse and Sally on his.

Delcie struggled against the ropes, grunting and straining.

Sam laughed. “Maybe ya should ask God to help ya.”

“I am, and He will,” she shouted.

Sam grabbed the preacher’s horse and led him behind his own mount.

The horses’ hooves padded by soft ground, so they were almost silent, the men and children disappeared through the bushes.

“Help,” Delcie called.

“Delcie, quiet. Wait until they are too far away to return and put gags in our mouths.”

It was a good idea but almost more than she could do not to scream until someone found them. Before Alonzo got his hands on Sally and Kent.

She bent her head and moaned.

Ryder wondered his teeth didn’t shatter from the way he ground them together. How could he help Delcie and the children when he was tied up so securely? Sam had suggested God would send someone, but Ryder wasn’t sure he wanted to count on that. Not that he didn’t trust God. But God didn’t always intervene in the lives and actions of foolish man.

Delcie bowed her head. Was she crying?

“Delcie, don’t lose heart. We aren’t done yet.”

Her head came up. “How are we going to get out of this?” She struggled, again trying to free herself from the ropes.

He knew it was futile, but he did the same until his wrists were raw and his arms aching. “We might as well save our strength. There has to be another way.”

She scrunched her legs up. “I’d chew off the ropes if I could.” But she couldn’t lean forward far enough.

“Freeing our legs won’t help if we can’t get our hands loose.” Think, he ordered his brain. There had to be some way of getting himself out of this mess. He studied the trunk of the tree over his head. Was it rough enough to saw through the ropes? It certainly scratched his hands and arms. He had to try. He drew his feet close, pushing himself upright slowly. It meant dragging his arms upward, scrapping them on the bark. Good. It was rough.

“What are you doing?”

He explained his plan.

“I’ll do the same.”

Hers was a poplar tree, his a spruce of some sort. “Your tree has smooth bark. But don’t worry. As soon as I’m free I can free you.” He made it to his feet and leaned forward to saw his arms up and down. He could move them only about six inches.

“Any success?” Delcie asked after some time.

Ryder leaned back to rest. “Nothing so far.” He squirmed around so his back was