killed him to know he had done exactly that.
He got back in the saddle and moseyed forward at an unhurried pace. He drew close enough to see there were more than two riders. One was big. Was it Big Sam? He stopped to take stock. It was Big Sam and he recognized Burnsie and a couple of other men from town. He galloped forward and was surrounded by familiar faces.
“We’re lookin’ fer for Miss Morton and her two children. You seen ’em?” Burnsie asked.
“I know where they are. Come on.” He led the way back to the spot he’d left Delcie. “It’s safe. It’s the search party.”
Delcie emerged with the two children. When she saw the familiar faces, she broke down and wept into her hands.
Ryder dismounted, picked up Sally, pressed Kent to his side, and, ignoring the spectators, wrapped his arms around Delcie. “We’re safe now. Everyone is safe.”
“Those men are still out there.”
“We’ll get them.” Someone had ridden up and joined them.
Ryder turned to the unfamiliar voice. It was the Mountie. Ryder held out his hand. “Glad to see you.” He gave careful directions to where they had last seen the men. The Mountie and three others headed out in search of them. Ryder wanted to go with them but the Mountie pointed out that his horse looked about spent. “Besides, how will Miss Morton get back to town?”
Ryder knew she could ride behind anyone, but he preferred she ride behind him, so he let them leave without much of an argument.
Burnsie and Big Sam had stayed behind to escort Delcie and the others back to town. Big Sam held Kent on his horse. Burnsie held Sally. Both children seemed relieved at having added protectors.
Ryder remounted the preacher’s horse, pulled Delcie up after him, and they headed back to town.
It was almost full dark by the time they reached Willow Creek. They drew up to the café and dismounted, each rider lifting down their passenger.
Sally whimpered and Delcie carried her inside.
Miss Fisher rushed forward and hurried them into the kitchen. “Thank the good Lord you are safe. Preacher Peabody has not ceased to pray for you.”
The preacher sat at the table, his face aglow with pleasure at seeing them safe and sound. “Praise God.”
Delcie wobbled, and Miss Fisher drew her to a chair. Delcie and the children looked worn and weary.
Ryder wanted nothing more than to pull all of them into a hug both to comfort them and to comfort himself, but now was not the time or place. “The children need food and a bath, in that order.”
Miss Fisher sprang to life and filled plates with food for them.
Ryder thanked Burnsie and Big Sam for their part in rescuing them and they left.
“I’ll bring in water,” Ryder said. He did so and put it to heat. “I’ll leave you all to rest.”
He unlocked the door to his place and went inside. He lit a lamp and sank to a chair. He propped his elbows on the table and leaned his head to his hands. He had no hot water and didn’t want to light a fire, so he got up and washed in cold water. The cuts on his hand was nothing to worry about. The sides of his hands and his wrists were rubbed raw, but it was a small price to pay to gain the children’s freedom.
He drank two dippersful of water and stared at the contents of his cupboard. Maybe he wasn’t all that hungry after all.
A knock sounded at his door.
He opened to see Miss Fisher standing there with a plate of food.
“Delcie thought you’d be needing something to eat.”
He took the plate. “I surely do appreciate this.”
She backed away then stopped. “She told me how you helped her. Thank you so much.” With that she was gone.
The smell of the food triggered a deep growl in Ryder’s stomach. It had been a long time since breakfast. He sat and didn’t slow down until the plate was cleaned right down to the china.
A clatter of horses sounded in the street, and he hurried through to the workroom to look out the window. The Mountie held a torch high as he led the two kidnappers into his office. Burnsie had told him there was a metal loop secured in cement in the floor where prisoners were chained until they could be taken to Fort Macleod.
Ryder let out a long sigh. The danger was over. He had no more need to spend time at the