Change of Heart (19 page)

Before Becca could stop him, the young boy jumped to his feet. She grabbed him quick and hugged him to her. Gus laughed and pointed his gun at Luke. He stared at Mr. Grayson. “You make another move, and I'll shoot your boy.” Gus moved, lifted the gun, and stuck it in his pants. He pointed the gun in Mr. Grayson's face. “Lay still.”

Luke shouted, “Papa!” and held out his arms.

Becca whirled in front of the child and pushed him behind her. Her body tensed.

Gus moved the gun in her direction. “Boy, shut up.”

Staring down the barrel of Gus's gun, she met his eyes. “Leave him alone.”

Mr. Grayson struggled to remain on his feet but fell. He raised his head. “Do not harm my son.”

Mrs. Grayson yelped and rushed to Becca and Luke, while holding Patricia.

Becca's knees knocked. She understood Mrs. Grayson wanted to protect her children, but she had made a bad situation worse by joining her and Luke. She herded the mamm and the children behind her. Maybe if Mrs. Grayson could take them to the bedroom, they could climb out a window and escape. Otherwise, she suspected this would be the last day any of them would spend on this earth. Gus was getting angrier by the minute. “Let them go in the other room.”

Gus nudged her with the gun. “You get over here and patch my friend up. They're not going anywhere. I'm keeping an eye on all of you. It makes no difference to me who I shoot.” He pointed the gun at Patricia. “I mean it. One wrong move and you're all dead.”

Mrs. Grayson shuffled the children over to her husband.

Gus shifted the gun to Mrs. Grayson. “Lady, weren't you listenin'? I said stay put. You move again, and I'm shootin' you in the head. Got it?”

Mrs. Grayson whimpered and bobbed her head up and down.

Becca thought her heart would burst out of her chest. She had to concentrate. Their lives depended on it. Mr. Grayson had blood flowing from his gunshot wound. She had to act fast. “I'm going to the washbasin to get a towel for Mr. Grayson.”

Gus narrowed his eyes. “Make it quick.”

Becca moved to the table near the washbasin and threw Mrs. Grayson a towel. “Apply pressure to your husband's injury.” She pumped water into a bowl and grabbed several towels, then knelt next to Clanton. Her skin crawled to be near him. Blood gushed from the gunshot wound. His face was colorless. Eyes glazed over, he looked dead. She glanced at Gus who was peering out the window. She hurried to check for a pulse. There was none. She quickly closed Clanton's eyelids before Gus discovered his friend's demise.

Goose bumps lined her arms and crawled up the back of her neck. What would Gus do if he knew Clanton was dead? She had to convince him otherwise. She needed time for the sheriff to find Mrs. Carrington and discover she had been kidnapped. He would come looking for her. Would the sheriff find her in time? Mr. Grayson came in too soon with his gun to have had time to put the bandits' horses in the barn. Maybe the horses would alert the sheriff. He would surely question why the horses weren't in the barn. Wouldn't he? She glanced at the dead bandit. His blood pooled on the floor and stained her dress.

Gus nudged Clanton with his gun. “Hey, wake up, ole buddy.” Face fierce, he pointed the gun at Becca. “What did you do to him?”

She hurried and put two fingers to his wrist to pretend to find a pulse. “He's breathing but knocked out cold. He probably won't wake up for a while.” She put her hand to her throat and stared at the floor.

“What are ya waitin' for, do something!” Gus towered over her. “If he dies, all of you die.”

Chapter Sixteen

Matt bid farewell to his patient. He shut the door. The door burst open. He stumbled and the sheriff grabbed his arm. “Sheriff, are you all right?”

The sheriff bent to catch his breath. “Sorry, Doc. The stagecoach is late. I'm worried. There have been recent robberies of other stagecoaches. This coach was carrying the bank money. Will you come with me to retrace the coach's route in case someone is found injured? Last week, two people were killed near Canton by robbers.”

Matt accepted his bag from Dorothy. “Yes, of course.” He glanced at Dorothy. “Close the office. Take the day off.”

She patted his arm. “You men be careful.”

Matt followed the sheriff and climbed in his wagon. They rode for miles. He spotted the stagecoach. Two men were on their stomachs on the ground. Were the men alive? Blood stained the ground surrounding them. A voice rang out. He jumped out of the coach. “Check the bodies on the ground. I will check inside the stagecoach.” He opened the door. His eyes widened. “Mother, what happened to your shoulder? What are you doing on the stagecoach? What happened?” After removing the soiled scarf, He examined the wound. “Who shot you?” Hand behind her back, he eased her forward and evaluated her shoulder from behind. “The bullet went straight through.”

Eloise pushed his hand away, cried, and touched his face. “Never mind why I am here or that I have been shot. Becca and I ended up on the same stagecoach. She boarded the stagecoach in Berlin. We were the only two passengers. Two men attacked us and shot the driver, the guard, and me. They stole the bank money and kidnapped Becca. Patch me up quick. The sheriff must go find her, now!”

“Wait here a minute.” Matt jumped out and hurried to the sheriff.

His heart raced. The love of his life was in danger. Had the robbers harmed her? Where was she? “Becca was on the stagecoach with my mother. The outlaws kidnapped her. My mother has been shot. She will be fine, but I have to apply sutures to her injury before we leave. I will hurry. We have got to find Becca!”

The sheriff's voice heightened, as he held out his palms. “We have to take your mother back to town and bring some deputies with us. Frank and Lester Stone are both dead. I'll tie them to your horse and take them with me. You drive the stagecoach. Leave her with Ruth. We need to tell her what happened to her sister, and then join me at my office. After I drop these two off at the funeral parlor, I'll join you. Then we'll head out to find Becca.”

Matt raked a hand through his hair. They had to move fast. “These men are killers. We don't have much time if Becca is going to survive.” He trembled hearing his words out loud. He stepped inside the stagecoach and prepared what he needed to tend to his mother's wounds. He applied sutures and a bandage.

The sheriff poked his head inside the stagecoach. “Let's get a move on and find them before dark. The bandits will want a warm place to sleep and something good to eat. They'll choose a house and take over. Let's hope we find them and Becca before these outlaws harm anyone else.”

“I agree.” Matt told his mother they were leaving right away.

Matt stopped the stagecoach in front of Ruth's. He opened the coach door and offered his hand. His mother went rigid. “I cannot stay here. Take me home. Horace is out of town, but the maid and butler can take care of me.”

“I do not have time to take you anywhere. Ruth deserves to hear from me and not someone else that her sister has been taken hostage. There is no time to make two stops. You must make the best of this. When I return, I will take you home.” He lifted her out and carried her to the front door. He banged it with his foot.

Ruth opened the door and gasped. She stared at Mrs. Carrington and opened the door wider for them to enter. “What in the world happened to your mother?” He lowered his mother to the sofa.

Matt put his hands on Ruth's shoulders. “The stagecoach was robbed. Mother has been shot, and Becca has been kidnapped. I am sorry to put you in this position, but I had to bring her here. I had to tell you what happened, and I do not have time to take her somewhere else. I have got to go with the sheriff and find her.”

Ruth put a hand to her heart. “Please bring her back. I do not know what I would do without her. Be careful.” She grabbed his arm.

He hugged her and left.

Matt found the sheriff in his office with two deputies. “Have you sent anyone to notify Isaac Kelly of what has happened? He would want to come. Besides, he is an excellent marksman.” Matt knew Isaac was a good shooter from previous conversations they'd had.

“I ran into him at the livery and told him about the robbery and Becca. He should be here any minute.” The sheriff handed Matt a gun belt with two Colt revolvers.

The idea of Becca alone with outlaws made his jaw tighten. If they harmed her, he would go crazy. He pushed the thought she may be dead out of his mind as he wrapped the gun belt around his hips.

Isaac joined them. “Matt, how are you holding up? You must be sick with worry.”

“I am. Thanks for coming. We are going to need all the help we can get.”

The sheriff deputized them and addressed the men. “We'll track them from the stagecoach. I suspect they will stop at a homestead to find food and shelter. Let's hope they won't harm the family they choose to intrude on. Be careful and remember they've already proved they're armed and dangerous. Let's go.”

Matt put his hand on Isaac's shoulder. “Isaac, I do not know what I will do if anything happens to her.”

“She is going to be all right. We are going to rescue her and bring her home. Becca is like a sister to me and you have become a good friend. I am right with you every step of the way. It is time to show these men we mean business.” He patted his rifle.

Matt rode alongside Isaac and the other men. He scouted with them for signs of the bandits. After a while, the sheriff raised his hand and pointed to a house half hidden by trees. “This is a perfect place for them to stop. It's out of the way.”

The sheriff guided his horse to a position where he could face them. “I'll go on foot and see what I can find. I'll wave you over if they're there. Secure the horses and stay hidden in this brush until I signal. Deputies, go around back. Matt and Isaac, you keep low and make your way close to the front.” He dismounted and handed the reins to one of the deputies.

The sheriff approached the house and crouched below the window. The men were ready to move on his signal; they focused on the man in charge.

The sheriff knocked on the door.

A woman appeared. The two spoke for a few moments, then she shook her head and shut the door.

The sheriff walked toward them. “They're not here. Let's keep going.” They untied the horses, mounted, and resumed their search.

Matt anticipated each house would be the one where they would find Becca. As more time passed, his mind cast doubt on finding her before dark.

The sheriff reined in his horse and pointed to a small ranch where smoke billowed from the chimney. Two horses were tied to the hitching rail. “Dewey and Nora Grayson live here. They have two small children. It's not like Dewey to leave horses tied out front. The barn's in the back. Whenever I visited, he always insisted on taking my horse to his barn. I have a gut feeling about this one.”

Matt straightened his shoulders. “Let me scout out the house this time.”

The sheriff dismounted. “No. I'm going, and you're staying here. Tie your horses to a tree and watch for my signal. I'll wave my hand if they're in there, and then everyone duck and be ready with guns drawn. Line up behind me by the front door and keep low to the ground. When I point to the door, we'll barge in.”

Matt squeezed his thumbs in his fists. There was no time for an argument. He prayed for God to protect the posse and Becca.

Slow and deliberate, the sheriff snuck to the house with gun in hand.

Matt held his breath. The sheriff waved.

Matt, Isaac, and the deputies sprang into action. His gun cocked, he readied himself.

The sheriff whispered, “Dewey's on the floor, along with another man. Becca's tending one of the outlaws. Blood is pooled around him. Another man is holding everyone at gunpoint. Nora Grayson and the two children are huddled in a corner of the room.”

Matt could see his breath. Becca was alive, but this ordeal was not over yet. He edged closer and flattened himself next to the door. “This will be tricky.”

Isaac sighed and kept his long gun tucked close to his chest. “We must be careful. Innocent people could get killed in the crossfire.”

On the sheriff's command, Matt raised his leg and kicked open the door.

They rushed in. Furniture clattered. Nora and the children screamed. Shots rang out.

Matt's heart pounded as bullets whizzed by his head. He rolled to the ground and shot the big gunman in both legs. The man fell to the floor, screaming in pain.

Matt's heart plummeted. Becca lay flattened on the floor. Nora and the children sat huddled in the corner sobbing. The woman he loved didn't move.

The big man grappled with his gun in hand and aimed at Matt, but Isaac's bullet hit his hand. The gun skidded across the stone floor near the fireplace.

The sheriff kicked the gun out of reach and yanked the other gun from the man's holster. He rolled him on his stomach and pulled his arms behind his back. He slapped handcuffs on the stout and fat bandit's wrists. “You did a fine job, men.”

Becca scrambled to her feet and ran to Matt.

He held her tight and pressed her head against his chest, then pulled her back. Her dress was splattered with blood. He searched her for any sign of injury. “Where is this blood coming from?”

“I'm all right. It's from the dead man on the floor. I'm glad to see you, but when shots rang out, I feared you would be killed. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you. Hold me for a minute.”

“I was sick with worry about you. You mean everything to me.”

“I love you and have missed you.”

Luke tugged at Matt's sleeve. “Can you help my pa?”

Becca stepped to the boy's daed and addressed Matt. “Mr. Grayson was shot by one of the robbers at pretty close range.” When Matt moved to care for the injured man, she joined Mrs. Grayson and held her hand out to Matt. “This is Dr. Carrington. He'll help your husband.”

Mrs. Grayson thanked Matt and hovered over her husband.

Luke knelt beside Matt. “Is my pa going to die?”

Matt removed his small hand still holding his sleeve. “Your pa is going to be fine. I will take good care of him.” He used his knife and cut away the sleeve of Mr. Grayson's shirt to examine the wound. He lifted the man's arm to check him from behind. “The bullet went clean through.”

Isaac put his hand on Becca's shoulder. “You scared us, little lady. I am glad you are all right. Your sister will be relieved too.”

“You shot the robber in time to save Matt. We are fortunate to have you in our lives. Thank you. When you all came in the door, I was shocked and relieved. I'm anxious to hug Ruth and Benjamin. I thought I might not see any of you ever again.” Tears stained her cheeks.

“No need to thank me. You're like family to me.” He leaned over to Matt. “Can I do anything?”

“Yes. My bag is tied to my saddle. I need it to suture and bandage Mr. Grayson's wound.”

“Consider it done.” Isaac winked and hurried out.

Matt chatted with Mr. Grayson until Isaac returned and handed him the bag. He pulled out everything he needed and tended to Mr. Grayson's gunshot wound. He could not steady his hands. The thought Becca could have died today would not leave his mind. Pushing this aside, he focused on his patient.

Mr. Grayson spoke to Becca. “God bless you, miss. You risked your life to protect me and my family. You are a brave woman. I was useless, but you kept your wits about you. How did you do it?”

Becca pressed her hands to her heart. “God deserves all the credit. Without Him, I would have fallen apart.”

Matt finished with Mr. Grayson and moved to the bandit motionless on the floor. He checked for a pulse. “He is dead.”

Nora whirled around to Becca. “Was he dead this whole time?”

Becca blew out a breath. “Yes, but I feared we would all be killed if I didn't convince Gus otherwise.”

Matt slid his arm around Becca's waist. “You are one courageous woman. You must be exhausted. It is time for me to take you home.”

The sheriff peered in the door. “Isaac has the prisoner outside. Do you want to check his wounds before we leave?”

Matt headed for the door and raked a hand through his hair. “Yes. I will have a look at him.”

Becca gripped Matt's sleeve. “Did you find your mamm? How is she? What about Frank Stone, the driver? I checked his brother, but he was dead.”

Matt ran his finger along her worried brow. “We found them. Mother will recover, thanks to you. Frank Stone didn't survive.”

Becca frowned and shook her head. “Those poor men didn't stand a chance. Lester was killed first. Frank passed them the bank money. They could have taken the chest and left, but they shot him anyway. They're coldhearted killers.”

Matt left to examine Gus, glad the sheriff had gagged the man with a handkerchief. He ripped a towel and tied the strips around the three gunshot wounds. “The shots did not hit anything major. He will be good to ride back to town. I will bring what I need to the jail and take the bullets out then. I do not want him anywhere near my office.”

The sheriff and deputy threw the moaning man over a saddle and secured him with rope.