A Journey of the Heart Collection (26 page)

She watched him go with some relief. He did trust her after all. “Be careful,” she called after his retreating back.

Jessica looked up as her mother ushered Rand into the parlor, then left them alone. “Darling.” She rose to her feet. “I didn't know you were back.” She lifted her face for a kiss, but Rand just stared at her impassively. “What is it? What's wrong?”

“Your little plan failed.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Her blue eyes looked huge and innocent.

Rand could see behind her beauty now. She was like a snake, gorgeous coloring but a deadly bite. “I know all about it, Jessica. Ben told me the whole story when he tried to kill me.”

Her eyes widened. “Ben who? Who tried to kill you?”

Rand could see the pulse beating quickly in her throat. She was a smooth one all right. “You and Ben schemed to kidnap Sarah to get her away from me. You knew I still loved her. Don't bother to deny it. And it almost worked. But I found her, and we pieced together what the two of you cooked up between you.”

Jessica's face whitened. “How could you prefer that little milksop to me?” She put her hand to her mouth, and her eyes filled with tears. “I love you, Rand. I didn't want to lose you. Surely you can see I had to do something. I could see the hold she had over you.”

“I love her. I always have.” He saw her flinch but went on anyway. “I tried to deceive myself, but I can't any longer. How could you do such a thing? If people just knew the evil that hides behind that beautiful mask of yours! You can consider our engagement off, of course.” He put his hat on and stalked toward the door.

“Wait, Rand!” Jessica ran after him and caught his sleeve. “I know you love me. We can work this out.”

He shook her hand off. “All I feel for you is contempt.” He didn't wait to see the effect of his words but slammed the door behind him.

That was over. Now to find Croftner. He stopped to see the colonel, who readily agreed to let him take six men out to look for Ben and try to bring him in.

After two days Rand had no luck in picking up Ben's trail. Reluctantly, he turned toward Fort Laramie and home. He hated to face Sarah with his failure. Neither one of them could rest until they knew the threat Ben posed was eliminated.

He paused atop a bluff, took a swig from his canteen, then led the men down the slope. “Lieutenant, over here!” One of the men waved from the top of the bluff.

Rand trotted over to where the men stood. A body lay facedown in a ravine. He rolled the man over and gasped. It was Labe. He groaned, and Rand turned to hail one of his men. “Get me my canteen.” He poured a little water into Labe's mouth. “Easy, now. Not too much,” he cautioned as Labe tried to sit up to suck more water down.

“Indians!” Labe moaned and thrashed around as Rand drew the canteen away.

“They're gone. You're with friends now.”

“Rand?” Labe peered up at him. “I'm sorry 'bout poor little Sarah. I tried to talk Ben out of it, but he wouldn't listen to no reason.”

“Where is Ben?”

Tears welled up in Labe's eyes. “Dead. Indians attacked us. Ben fought them, but he fell off his horse and hit his head. “I–I buried him over there.” He pointed to a long pile of rocks.

Rand patted his shoulder. “How'd you get away?”

“They left me here.” He touched his head gingerly. “They must have hit me on the head.”

“You'll be all right. We just need to get you back to the fort.” He helped Labe to his feet and helped him up into the saddle. It was a long way back to Fort Laramie.

The week flew by as Sarah immersed herself in activity. She tried to still the worry as she thought of Rand out looking for Ben. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning she taught the Indian children. Living with the Sioux for those four days gave her a new love and tenderness for the dark-eyed youngsters who crowded into the small church. She delighted in seeing their solemn faces break into smile.

She had just gotten back from school when Joel burst into the parlor. “Rand's back!” She jumped to her feet and followed him onto the porch where she saw a familiar set of broad shoulders striding toward her across the parade ground. With a cry, she ran into his open arms.

He hugged her tightly, then led her back inside the house. Joel jabbered excitedly as he followed them. “I need to talk to your sister for a few minutes alone, half-pint. Can you find something else to do for a little while?”

“Sure. Tommy Justice, the new lieutenant's son, said he'd play baseball with me.”

“Thanks.” Rand turned back to Sarah. “Sit down
here with me. We have a lot to talk about.” He took her hand.

Sarah sat beside him, her heart pounding at his solemn face.

“Ben's dead.” He told her what Labe had told him and then the entire story of Ben's plot.

Sarah was surprised at her own reaction. She felt unexplainable sadness over Ben's wasted life, although he had received his just reward. “I read a verse this morning. It said, ‘And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.' ”

Rand nodded. “But Jessica was in on it too. And God hasn't cut her off.”

She squeezed his hand as the words sank in. “That was the plan I heard them talking about.”

He nodded again. “The whole thing was her idea.” He raked a hand through his dark hair. “Not that Ben wouldn't have come up with something himself.”

“Why would she do such a thing?”

“To get you away from me.” He stared into her face. “She sensed I still had feelings for you.” He shook his head. “I had no idea she was capable of such an act of vengeance.”

Her heart surged at his admission in spite of her shock. He did still love her. “That's why she left Fort Laramie in such a hurry.” She saw his questioning look. “She left the day after you did. She's going to Boston with her mother.”

“I see.” He took a deep breath. “I wanted to tell you at the Sioux encampment, but I felt it was only right that I break things off with Jessica first. I've been a fool, Sarah. I never stopped loving you. I've never loved anyone but you.”

She laid a hand on his cheek. “There's nothing to forgive. I've always loved you.”

He caught her hand and brought her palm to his lips. “Will you marry me?”

“When?” Her stomach was playing mumblety-peg as he kissed her palm lingeringly.

“Today wouldn't be too soon.” He put an arm around her and pulled her onto his lap. “I love you so much, Green Eyes. Even when I told myself I hated you, deep down I knew better.” He traced a finger along the curve of her smooth cheek, then bent his head.

As his lips found hers, tears slipped out of Sarah's eyes. She put her arms around his neck as the kiss
became more urgent. When he pulled away, she slid her fingers through the rough thatch of his hair.

“Let's not wait too long to marry,” he whispered. “I want you all to myself.”

“Me too,” she said, blushing. “But what about Joel?”

“He'll live with us, of course. I love him like a brother. But I think Jacob will keep him for a week or so while we settle into married life.”

She'd known he loved Joel, but it soothed her to hear him say the words. She nestled her face against his shirt.

E
PILOGUE

A
crisp spring morning three days later, Sarah and Rand stood before the post chaplain, Reverend Jameson. Every soldier in the fort had crammed into the tiny church to see their girl decked out in her finery.

In the front pew their families smiled as they watched them say their vows. Joel had been ecstatic when he'd realized he'd get to live with Rand.

After Rand and Sarah repeated their promises, the men behind them put up a rousing cheer as Rand, in his best uniform, kissed Sarah and turned to face the
crowd. The officers formed a canopy of swords that he led his bride through and out into the spring sunshine.

Sarah wore her mama's green dress, a perfect match for the emerald eyes she raised to Rand as they clasped hands and stepped out to meet their new life together. Her heart had truly led her home.

D
EDICATION

For my brother Rick Rhoads, who never let me lose faith in myself.

ONE