Bride of the Wild Page 5

  Micah nodded. “I believe so.”

  “I hope this bear likes to eat cow.” I glimpsed men then, glancing at us from windows and doorways. They had been out of sight, until now. “There’s everyone. Where should we leave the food?”

  “The hotel.”

  “Oh, of course.” He steered the wagon towards our only hotel, which the Heffermans owned, along with several other businesses. If Silas ever asked to marry me, I would be attaching myself to one of the richest families in Fern Valley. I spied pa then, stepping onto the boardwalk before the post office. “Pa!”

  He waved. “I hope you brought food.” He patted his belly, grinning.

  “I did.” After the wagon had been hitched, I opened the back and stepped down, while Micah came around to reach for one of the pots. Several men joined us, helping to carry everything into the hotel’s dining room. “Where’s Silas?” I had not seen him among the men.

  “They’re stationed at the livery. He’ll come for food, honey.” Pa’s kindly smile creased the edges of his eyes. “We’re all set for the night. How are you getting on with Deer Runner?”

  “Just fine. They put more boards up. We’ll have supper after I return.”

  “I’d suggest you go sooner than later.”

  “That’s a shame. I had wanted to speak to Silas.”

  Bryce Thomson’s wife, Leah, approached. “I can manage from here. We’ll feed everyone buffet style. They can come in when they’re ready and get what they want. Thank you for making supper, Saffron.”

  “It wasn’t just me. Amelia and Lucy cooked mostly.”

  “It smells nice,” said pa. “Lucy’s biscuits are always tasty.”

  Micah lingered behind me, because I could feel his presence. “Please tell Silas I wanted to talk to him. I pray you shall be victorious tonight. This really must be successful.”

  “The bear will be dead come morning,” said Leah. “Don’t you worry about a thing. Men are up on the rooftops and in the windows. As soon as it shows itself in town, they’ll shoot it.”

  Pa and Micah exchanged a glance, and I caught an unguarded moment, which did not fill me with a sense of serenity. They doubted the scheme would work, but no sooner did this look pass between them, than it vanished.

  “Yes,” said Pa. “We’ll take care of it.” He patted me on the back. “Not to worry, my dear. You run along home now, and lock the doors. Stay indoors tonight. No traipsing out to the privy, you hear?”

  “Yes, Pa.”

  He looked sternly at Micah. “I’m trusting you and Deer Runner will keep my family safe.”

  “I’ll look after them, as if they’re my own.”

  For only having met Mr. Blaylock yesterday, this solemn vow sounded strange, but I did not doubt for one moment he meant every word. “Please be careful, Pa.”

  “Nothing will happen to me, honey. We’ve a hundred men here tonight armed to the teeth. If anything, we’re likely to shoot one another rather than the bear.” He chuckled, “Let’s hope no one’s trigger happy at the slightest noise.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “Don’t trouble yourself worrying on it. You run along now.”

  “Goodbye, Pa.” I hugged him. “You’ll be tired tomorrow.”

  “None of us are gettin’ any sleep tonight.”

  “We had best go then.” Not being able to speak to Silas tempered any excitement the prospect of coming to town had stirred. I felt dejected, but I kept my chin up, glancing at the men who had gathered to eat supper. I spied my brother among them, waving. “Tom!”

  “Thank you, Saffron. Mighty obliged!”

  “Be careful.”

  “I’ll be just fine.” He grinned, his eyes flashing with anticipation.

  It was like a sporting event, the men expecting to capture the animal that had caused such grief for the last week. I clambered onto the wagon, sitting next to Micah, while scanning the street for Silas.

  He sensed my distraction. “Are you engaged to him?”

  I hadn’t expected such a direct question. “Um … not as of yet.”

  “What’s he waiting for?”

  This was none of his business. “I’ve been in mourning this past year. We thought it best to wait.”

  “Your mother.”

  I sighed, while a familiar feeling settled on me. “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry you lost her.”

  I glanced at him, noting his solemn, yet sympathetic expression. “Everyone loses someone. Some of us aren’t here for very long.”

  “No.”

  “Someone might die tonight.” Why had I said that? I regretted those words instantly.

  “That’s a possibility.”

  “Goodness, never mind. I shouldn’t think so low. I’m fair to starving. I can’t wait to get home, so we can eat. Are you hungry?”

  His gaze drifted over my face. “I’m always hungry.”

  The husky tenor of his voice left me nonplussed for a moment, my senses reeling. “I … oh, all right.”

  He chuckled, grasping the lines, as the horse trotted steadily from town. I glanced over my shoulder at the deceptively empty thoroughfare. The street would normally be bustling with traffic, the sound of piano music from the saloon echoing into the distance. But nothing stirred this evening, and the lights had been turned down. Only the nervous moos of cows broke through the silence, as they stood in the middle of the road surrounded by a hastily arranged fence.

  After a quick ride back, we arrived at the house, the edge of darkness threatening and the waning light diminishing by the second. Micah hurried to unhitch the horse, leading her to the barn, while I ran for the house, my booted feet clicking on the wooden porch. Unable to enter, I had to knock and wait for someone to let me in.

  “You’re back,” said Amelia, opening the door. “We were starting to worry. Supper’s ready. I’m sorry, but we’ve already eaten. I was starving.”

  I brushed past her. “Micah’s coming. Don’t secure the door yet.”

  “What does it look like in town?”

  “They’ve several cows in a pen in the middle of the street. All the shops are closed. It’s very quiet.”

  “Did you see pa?”

  “Yes, and Tom too. They’re fine. The men are chomping at the bit to kill something. They’ll be lucky not to shoot at the wind or each other.”

  She giggled, “No doubt.”

  Deer Runner appeared, having come in from the kitchen. “Is Micah securing the horse?”

  “Yes.” An Indian in the house startled me, but I hid the discomfort behind a tentative smile. The fear I felt towards them lingered, because of what had happened to us on the wagon train. “I’ll have food then. I’m starving.” Upon entering the kitchen, Lucy turned towards me, with a bowl in hand.

  “Hello, Saffron. How was the ride to town? Did you see anything unusual?”

  “No, but they’ve cleared Main Street, save for several cows.”

  “Ah, the bait. I’m sure we’ll hear all about it tomorrow.”

  “I hope they kill the bear. This has been the worst thing that’s ever happened in Fern Valley. I can’t imagine anything worse, other than when we had that blizzard. You remember that, don’t you?”

  “The spring of ‘53. It was the most extraordinary thing. We were trapped in the house for two days before your father dug us out. Even the ranch hands were trapped, but they had it far worse because they didn’t have food. They melted snow to drink, but they starved for two days.”

  “From what I remember, Sky had some jerky on him, but it wasn’t much.” It saddened me to think he had died.

  Micah appeared in the doorway, having taken his hat off. Messy, thick-looking brownish strands framed his face. “I’m hungry.”

  “Help yourself,” said Lucy. “There’s stew in that bowl and biscuits aplenty. I’ve some freshly churned butter as well.”

  He pulled out a chair, waiting for me. “Saffron.”

  “Thank you.” I sat, reaching fo
r a napkin. After I had placed it in my lap, I clasped my hands and bowed my head. “Heavenly father, please watch over us tonight. Keep us and everyone else in Fern Valley safe. Thank you for the food we’re about to eat and for all the blessings you bring to our lives on a daily basis. You work in mysterious ways, Lord, but I know you know everything, and I trust there’s a reason for this calamity. Please keep Silas from harm. Watch over pa and Tom. Please don’t let those men shoot each other. Amen.”

  “Amen,” said Micah, smiling. “You say some interesting prayers.”

  “I bungled that one.” I reached for the ladle, spooning out savory broth filled with softened meat and vegetables. “This looks wonderful.” My belly rumbled in anticipation, my mouth watering.

  “It does. Thank you, Lucy and whoever else cooked this.” Micah’s bowl brimmed with the steaming fluid.

  We ate in silence, while Lucy puttered around the dry sink, washing the remaining dishes. Amelia joined us a short while later, lighting a burner for the kettle. Little was said, as we seemed to have other things on our minds. Deer Runner was elsewhere in the house, but I could hear his footsteps above me.

  “What’s he doing?” What reason would the Indian have for being in our bedrooms?

  “Looking out the windows,” said Micah.

  “Oh. Must we do that all night too?”

  “I’m going to. Two men were attacked on the property last night. I think that warrants extra vigilance, don’t you?”

  “Gracious, the way you say that,” uttered Amelia, a look of distress marring her pretty features. “I had forgotten, which is unforgivable. How could I forget that Sky and Wilber are no longer with us? I’ve known them since I was a child. It really is like a family member died. Two family members.”

  I placed my hand over hers. “Stop it. So much has happened, Amelia. I’ll grieve them at their funeral tomorrow. Today was enough for me. I’ll wear black for another year now.”

  “So will I.”

  Micah suddenly sat straighter, his chin lifting. I glanced at him, perceiving the change at once. There had been a sound … however faint it was … but I had heard it too. That growl, low and fierce, rumbled threateningly. I glanced at the door that led to the garden, knowing something waited there.

  Chapter Seven

  “What in heaven was that?” asked Lucy. She stared at the door; her eyes alight with fear, while Micah jumped to his feet.

  He reached for his weapon, sliding the revolver clear of the holster. “Something’s out there. Grab a gun. Prepare yourself.”

  “But the bear’s not supposed to come here!” cried Lucy. “It’s supposed to go to town.”

  “Nature will do what it wants.” Micah aimed the weapon, his finger on the trigger. “Stand aside, Amelia.”

  My sister had gone white, her eyes fixed on the door. “Lord in heaven.” She stepped towards me.

  Deer Runner appeared, holding a rifle. “It’s here,” he said tonelessly. “I heard something, and it wasn’t human.”

  “It’s outside the door,” warned Micah. “It may go away, but who can say.”

  “Is there somewhere we can hide?” Amelia’s chest rose and fell with each breath. “What about the cellar? It’s beneath this floor.” A small wooden door lay under the rug. We rarely used the cellar, preferring the larder, but pa did store things there.

  “Let’s wait and see what it does,” said Deer Runner. “It might lose interest, if it can’t come in easily. All the doors and windows are securely boarded.”

  Then it happened again, a low growl followed by a scratching noise. Whatever it was, remained outside, not more than five feet from us, but the boards on the door would hold it at bay, or at least I prayed they would. We waited for what seemed like an eternity and nothing happened, listening to every little creak and pop of the house, even the wind gusting outside. When it appeared the animal had gone, a loud thud landed against the door, which made me jump. Amelia grasped my arm, screaming. Lucy backed away, hurrying for the parlor, not wanting to stay in the kitchen a moment longer. I certainly could not blame her.

  “Where’s the cellar door?” asked Micah.

  “Under the table.” I reached for a chair, pulling it aside and then another. Amelia, understanding what needed to be done, helped me with the rest, lifting the carpet at our feet. “It’s small.” I grasped a metal lever, pulling up a rectangular shaped portion of the floor. “We'll need a lantern.”

  “This is a last resort,” said Deer Runner. “We might not have to hide. Perhaps, it’ll lose interest soon enough.”

  The thumping continued, along with a series of ominous, rumbling growls and the sound of claws scratching against wood. The creature was trying to break down the door. The cracking and splintering worried me the most, fearing the door would give way at any second, leaving only the nailed boards before it. To my horror, it did break away, piece by piece, the wind blowing into the kitchen through a large gap. I caught a hint of what lurked there, seeing something with flashing eyes and pointed teeth, but it stopped then, the noise ceasing abruptly.

  Gunfire erupted, as Micah took aim. “Go away!” he shouted.

  My ears throbbed from the noise. “What now?” I whispered, holding my sister, who trembled in my arms.

  Micah and Deer Runner gazed through the sights of their weapons. “We wait,” murmured Micah. “Maybe I hit it.”

  “Will it go away?” asked Amelia. “I hope it goes away.”

  “I don’t know,” said Micah. “To be safe, you girls should get into the cellar.”

  “What about you?” I stared at him.

  “I’ll join you in a moment.”

  “I’m scared of the cellar.” Amelia eyed the opening with dread. “I haven’t been down there in years. All I remember are cobwebs and rats.”

  “It’ll be fine. Pa stored things there last week. You go. I’ll tell Lucy.” No sooner had I said those words than a scream rang out, which sounded as if it had come from the second floor. “Lucy!” Deer Runner uttered something in his native tongue, racing from the room. Micah glanced at me, concern filling his eyes. “Did she go upstairs?” Something thumped above our heads and another scream resounded, lifting the hair on the back of my neck. “Oh, my gracious. I … oh, Lucy.”

  “Get in the cellar!” Micah shouted. “Close the door behind you.” He ran from the room, but not before the sound of gunfire rang out, coming from the floor above us.

  Not wanting to wait a moment longer, I snatched the lantern from the kitchen table. “Do it. Go now!” Amelia needed no further encouragement, fearing the bear more than the cobwebs and rats. She stepped onto the ladder, disappearing at once into the darkness. I gave her the lantern. “I’m getting pa’s rifle. I’ll be back.”

  “That’s just marvelous,” she grumbled. “Leave me in this dark and scary place alone.”

  Not having a moment to spare to answer her, I hurried for pa’s study, grasping a rifle off the hooks on the wall. He had taken the one in the kitchen. It held ammunition, fully loaded for emergencies. Hurrying back into the room, the sounds coming from the floor above terrified me. A battle raged, as dozens of thumps resounded, then another gunshot rang out. Instead of returning to the kitchen, I wandered down the hallway, standing at the base of the steps, as a cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

  “Micah?” Whatever occurred above continued, the crashing of something heavy thundering throughout the house. Even the walls seemed to tremble. “Deer Runner?” The rabid bear had somehow entered from an upper, unprotected window. “Hello?” Another shot rang out, the boom nearly deafening.

  “Go hide, Saffron!” shouted Micah. “Hide!”

  Feeling dreadful and useless, I did as I was told, running for the kitchen. Something thudded on the stairs then and before I took the first step onto the ladder, I glanced in that direction. Micah appeared a second later, blood staining his shirt, his eyes wide with panic.

  “GO!”

  He no longer carried a weapon and blo
od covered his hands. Grasping the ladder, I managed to climb down while holding the rifle, which I refused to let drop. My life depended on its existence. Amelia waited, holding the lantern, as Micah descended, grasping the door above him and bringing it down upon his head. He flew down the ladder, landing awkwardly at my feet, his chest heaving with the effort it took to breathe.

  “What in heaven happened?” I knelt to look at him. “You’ve been injured. Where’s Deer Runner? Where’s Lucy?”

  Seeing my weapon, he reached for it. “We may not survive this, Saffron.”

  Those words filled me with a terror I had never known, but now was not the time to give into this particular feeling. “What do we do? How can we save ourselves?”

  “You can pray.”

  Amelia, being younger and easily agitated began to cry. “I can’t believe this. We were supposed to be protected. That thing was supposed to go to town. We’re not the bait!” She paced back and forth holding the lantern. “Why is this happening?”

  “That creature is madness,” said Micah. He wiped his brow on his arm, smearing blood onto the sleeve of the shirt. “It’s rabid, to be sure, but I’ve never seen anything so utterly mad. I’ll never get the look of those wild, demon eyes out of my mind for as long as I live.”

  “Did you shoot it?”

  “Yes. Deer Runner did too, but … it kept attacking.”

  I had to remain calm, but my heart thundered almost painfully in my chest. “Where’s Deer Runner now? Did he escape?”

  “No.”

  “Where’s Lucy?” I already knew the answer to this question, but I needed to know for certain.

  “She’s … dead,” he whispered miserably.

  Amelia had fallen to the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees, while rocking back and forth. “We’re going to die in this dark hole. I can’t believe it. I’ll never see Lucy again. I’ll never see pa or Tom again. Oh, Lord help us. Save us, if you can. I ask you, no, I beg you to help us.”