A Heart's Blessing - Linda Ford Page 0,55

Alonzo over to the law.

“He won’t be comin’ to our help. Probably rejoice in seein’ us hang seein’ we didn’t get the kids for him.” He told Ryder and the Mountie where they were supposed to have met Alonzo. “I hope he hangs.” There was certainly no love lost between Alonzo and this pair.

Ryder’s thoughts lingered on Delcie and the children though they were never from his mind. He pulled his thoughts back to the plan he and the Mountie had devised.

Ike had been called upon to take a message to Alonzo that said the children were being held in town at the saddlery shop. If he wanted them, he was to come and claim them. Ryder had hurried home to prepare. He needed to practice various scenarios.

Ryder wondered if the man would be too suspicious to venture to town or if his greed would override caution.

The intervening hours had seemed slow and heavy. He hadn’t slept more than an hour or two the previous night. And had spent the last hour pacing back and forth in his workroom worrying about the children and Delcie. Wondering if Alonzo would take the bait. Hoping he was doing the right thing and not inviting more trouble into Delcie’s and the children’s lives. Ike returned and seemed to think the man would come. But it wasn’t until the door opened and this citified man stepped in that Ryder believed it.

The Mountie had agreed to warn the ladies, but Ryder hadn’t seen him go over there. The Mountie was also supposed to be in Ryder’s back quarters so he would overhear any incriminating words. Ryder hadn’t heard the man enter. Hopefully, that meant the Mountie was so quiet no one would hear him and not that he hadn’t arrived yet.

“How do,” Ryder said. “How can I help you? You looking for one of these fancy belts?”

“They’re fancy for sure, but I’m not here for a belt.”

“A saddle then?”

The man scowled at him. “Are you joshing me? Or am I mistaken in thinking you sent me a message?”

“Oh, you’d be Alonzo, then?”

“Mr. Montgomery to you.”

“Begging your pardon, sir.” Ryder kept his voice suitably humble. “How can I be sure you are who you say you are?”

“Because I said so. But fine. Here’s the note you or someone brought me.” He held out the paper Ryder had prepared. “Was it you who sent this?”

“It was. I spoke to a couple of men. Unfortunately for them, the Mountie has arrested them. But I talked to them before that happened.” Ryder glanced around as if to make sure no one overheard him and leaned close. “They say you’ll pay for those two children. How much are we talking about?”

Could the man look any more disapproving? As if it pained him to talk to Ryder. “I’m about done paying someone to get them for me. Just tell me where they are, and I’ll get them myself.”

Ryder put on an injured face. “You’d pay them rough men for kidnapping the pair, but you won’t pay me? Hardly seems fair.” He meant to get Alonzo to confess everything.

“Everyone is so incompetent. The only way I can be sure to get them is to do it myself. After all, I’m their uncle.” He drew back and sniffed as if that gave him every right to do to the children whatever he wanted.

Ryder leaned back too, hoping his anger would remain hidden. “I can’t help but be curious. Why do you want them so badly? And why don’t you just ask for them?”

Alonzo gave a nasty laugh. “I don’t want them. But I know people who do.”

“They’ll pay you?” He widened his eyes and did his best to look greedy. “Why should I tell you where they are if you aren’t going to give me any money when it sounds to me like you’re going to get some? How much are they paying you?”

Alonzo leaned forward, clearly angered at Ryder’s tactics. “Enough of this. I’ll give you a finder’s fee if you tell me where they are.”

Ryder held back his arms in a gesture of defeat. “Don’t go getting all riled up.”

The door to his quarters opened and the Mountie emerged.

Alonzo’s eyes widened. He stepped back. But before he could reach the door, Corporal Andrews caught his wrists and bent his arms behind his back. “You are under arrest for kidnapping.”

“I never kidnapped anyone.”

“You confessed to paying someone to do it. That’s the same.”

Alonzo glared at Ryder. “You won’t think you’re so smart