The Christmas Mail Order Bride (Holiday Mail Order Brides, Book One) (15 page)

Mrs. Davis smiled sweetly and nodded in agreement. “You two have yourselves a nice little visit.  Come by again soon, Clayton.  Christmas maybe?”

“Don’t count on it,” he said as he glared down at her.

Mrs. Davis’s face took on its usual pinched expression as she forced a smile and closed the door.

“Where’s Summer?” He asked through clenched teeth as he turned his attention to Charlotte.

“Summer? Why, I have no idea.  Isn’t she at home … oh dear …”

“Oh dear, what?” Clayton asked, his jaw tight.

“Oh, well … you see
... there
was
talk that she left.  I thought I was hearing things, you know how rumors get started.”

“What talk?” he demanded.

“Well, down at the mercantile, Mrs. Quinn might have mentioned that she heard Miss James had had enough of this town, and was going to leave. In fact, she was so desperate to leave she  … well … she…”

“She what?” Clayton spat.

“She didn’t even wait for the stage, she rode out with some stranger.”

Clayton’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Is that the truth, Charlotte?”

“Oh now Clayton, I got the story second hand, how should I know if there’s any truth to it?  And who knows who Mrs. Quinn heard it from.”

It was all Clayton could do t
o keep from growling at the woman standing before him.  Who in Sam blazes would have taken Summer and ridden out of town with her?  She
had
to have taken the stage!  Clayton finally did let go a frustrated growl as he turned on his boot heel to leave. 

Charlotte reached out and grabbed his coat. “Clayton!”

He spun to her, his face covered in barely controlled rage.

Charlotte took a deep breath as she took in his expression. “It never would h
ave worked between you.  What are you so angry about it?  I think it’s a blessing in disguise she’s gone.”

“A blessing for who Charlotte?
For you?  Are you thinking that just because Summers gone, if indeed she really
is
gone, that I’ll marry you now?”

Her mouth fell open in shock.  “Clayton Riley, how could you say such a thing?”

“Easy enough!  I know you too well.”

“Oh now Clayton, you’ll get over her.  She wasn’t good enough for you anyway.  Why, the girl was dull and ugly.  I’ll never understand why you even considered marrying her!  Besides, you said so yourself you weren’t the one that sent away for her in the first place!”

Clayton’s eyes narrowed to slits. “What have you done with her?”

Charlotte backed up a step at his tone. “Why, nothing.  What makes you think I had anything to do with her leaving town?”

“If there were any strangers in town Billy would have told me about it.”

Charlotte swallowed hard and pulled the shawl more tightly about her. “I think I better go inside before I catch my death of cold!”

Clayton took a step toward her. “Where is she?”

“Now Clayton, I really do have to be getting inside.”

  Clayton reached out, grabbed her by the upper arms and pulled her to him.  Her expression immediately changed to dreamy adoration.  “Why Clayton Riley, you’re holding me in a most improper way.  Why, if my daddy saw us like this he’d get out the shot gun and insist we marry.”

Her tone was sugary sweet, almost sickening and Clayton knew. 
Knew
Charlotte had done something to Summer. “Tell me what you did with her Charlotte.  Tell me now.”

Charlotte put her arms around him and pulled her body against his.  “Don’t you see, Clayton?  She was never meant for you! She left because she knew you didn’t want her!
  Knew it the moment you didn’t come for her!  That’s why she left!” Tears formed in her eyes and she held him ever tighter. “Kiss me Clayton!  Kiss me and tell me we’ll be married now!  I don’t want anybody else! I’ll die if I have to marry anyone except you!”

Clayton let go a heavy sigh and closed his eyes.  He was about to comment and
begin the task of peeling Charlotte off of him when the front door opened.

Mr. Davis stepped out, a shot gun in his hand. “What’s going on out here?  Mrs. Davis told me you were compromising my little girl! Said she saw ya do it through the window!”

Charlotte’s face lit up and her arms tightened as Clayton quickly glanced to the window.  The lace curtain fell back into place before he could catch a glimpse of Charlotte’s scheming mother.  Obviously she’d sent Mr. Davis out with the news
and
the shotgun! 

“Mr. Davis it’s not what you think!” Clayton growled.

“I think it is!  Just look at the way you’re holding on to my little girl!”

Clayton quickly held up both hands as his face twisted up in disbelief.  Charlotte had her arms locked around him in a vice grip, her cheek against his chest and
a delighted look on her face, like a child who’d just been given her first pony.

“There’s only one thing to do in a case like this,” Mrs. Davis cried as she shoved her way through the door past her husband.  “He’s going to have to marry her!”

“What?” Clayton spat, “Are you out of your mind? I’m not marrying Charlotte!”

“But Clayton!  Don’t y
ou love me?” Charlotte wailed.

“No!”

“Why you low down scum!” Mr. Davis began and raised the shotgun higher.  “First you break the heart of that pretty little gal we sent off this morning and now my Charlotte’s!  You ain’t fit to be Sheriff!”

Clayton stiffened at his words.  Charlotte squeezed
him tighter in response, so tight he wondered if he’d be able to breath.  “What did you say?”

“You heard me!” Mr. Davis barked as he held the gun a little higher.  “You’re not fit to be Sheriff and not only that, you’re not fit for my little girl!”

“Daddy!” Charlotte cried as she loosened her grip on Clayton and turned toward her father.  “He is so, and you’d best tie him up and then go fetch the preacher quick like!”

“Oh good grief.” Clayton moaned.

“I’ll get some rope!” Mrs. Davis cried as Charlotte once again tightened her arms around him in a vice grip.

Clayton reached up and rubbed his temples with his fingers.  “Dear Lord, make it stop.”

“I always respected you, Sheriff, but after this morning I see you’re nothing but a cad.” Mr. Davis said as he took a threatening step forward and raised the shotgun higher still.

Clayton put both hands in the air.  “Put that gun away, Mr. Davis,” he told him sternly.

“Are you gonna do the right thing and marry my little girl?”
“No.”

“Then you leave me no choice.”

“Daddy!” Charlotte cried, “For God’s sake don’t shoot him!  He’s the only one I want!”

Mrs. Davis had disappeared at this point and Abbey sauntered out.  “Daddy!  What are you doing?”

“Thank God,” Clayton mumbled to himself. “Abbey, where’s Summer?”

“We put her on the stage this morning. She’s heading to Clear Creek.”

“Abbey!” Charlotte screeched.

Clayton ignored her.  “Abbey, did she
want
to leave?”

Charlotte shot her sister a warning glare as Mr. Davis lowered the gun… a little.

“I don’t know.  We all thought you’d come for her last night but you didn’t.  Then we thought you’d at least show up this morning, but then …”

“I didn’t know she was here. I didn’t know where she was.  Heck, I chased down the stage and spent the night at the Gunderson’s thinking I’d find her there.”

“What?” Mr. Davis barked.  “But she left you a note telling you she was here!”

“She left me a not telling me she was leaving.”

Mr. Davis lowered the shotgun.  “Charlotte!”

Charlotte audibly gulped and slowly turned to face her father. “Yes, daddy?”

“What mischief have you and your mother been up to? Who wrote that note?”

“Er … well …”

“Get your hands off that Sheriff!” Mr. Davis demanded. “And get inside the house!”

Charlotte gritted her teeth and let go of Clayto
n. She glared at him before she tossed the same look to her father. She then spun to Clayton. “It’ll never work, Clayton Riley.  Mark my words.  You’re a fool!  You pout over Sarah for years then go and take the first little harlot that comes along when you could have had me!” She stomped her foot for emphasis, shoved Abbey out of the way and stormed into the house.

Mr. Davis watched her go before he gave Clayton a sheepish look. “
I’m awful sorry, Sheriff. I had no idea …”

“It’s all right Mr. Davis.  Just
do us both a favor and keep a tighter rein on your daughter from now on.”

Mr. Davis nodded. “If you don’t mind me saying so, that little gal of yours loves you. 
Abbey here tells me she cried most of the night when you didn’t show up.  The only thing I could think of that might help her broken heart would be to get her out of Nowhere and have herself a fresh start some place else.  Maybe it was the wrong thing to do, but at least now ya know where she is.”

Clayton let go a weary sigh.  “I’m much obliged you told me.”

A loud wail came from the other side of the door. Abbey turned to it then looked to her father with a horrified expression on her face.  “Daddy …”

“I’ll take care of your sister, you go on inside now.”  He turned to Clayton.  “I can’t say how sorry I am.  Go get your bride Sheriff.  She’s a much better match for you than Charlotte will ever be.  Besides, you’re deserving of a good woman after what you’ve been through these last few years.” 

Clayton let a smile form on his face.  He reached out and shook Mr. Davis’s hand.  Thank you, Mr. Davis, and Merry Christmas.”

Mr. Davis smiled broadly.  “Merry Christmas son, and speaking of Christmas, you’d best go fetch your Christmas bride!”

“I’ll do that.” Clayton said with a wink.  He untied his horse, mounted, and went to get his Christmas present.  Or rather bride, but at this point Clayton almost felt he needed to wrap her up with ribbon and keep her under the tree until they could be married.  At least that way he wouldn’t lose her again!

Fifteen

Summer awoke at the first stage stop several hours out of Nowhere with a kink in her neck and a hitch in her side. She’d cried herself to sleep earlier and now felt completely wrung out, like an old dishrag that had seen better days. She would need help down from the stage and wondered if the driver remembered her injured foot.  She noticed the driver watched as Mr. Davis handed her the pair of crutches before they left town.  They were on the seat opposite hers and she stiffly reached for them as she heard the driver climb down.

He opened the door, tipped his hat, and helped her out. “We’re changing horses, you’ve got twenty minutes before we head out again.”

She nodded her thanks, took her crutches and headed for the nearest building.  Summer glanced around.  Make that the only building.  Well, that and a barn, but so long as they had water and a little something to eat she’d be fine.  Abbey gave her some money for the trip, at least enough to survive on until she got to Clear Creek.  After that she was on God’s good humor. That and the man called Van Cleet.

She hobbled inside and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dim light before searching th
e room for any signs of life, of which there were none.  Except that of a man passed out on a table.  An empty whiskey bottle and glass sat near his head that rested on one arm.  He began to snore something awful and she felt her spine stiffen against the sound.

“Hello?” She said weakly. “Is anybody here?”  Summer glanced about once more but there was no one, only the man at the table.  She briefly wondered if he was the proprietor then thought bett
er of it.  Why would the owner of the establishment be passed out at a table if he knew a stage was coming in?  But she did have to remind herself once again, that this was not New Orleans.

The man mumbled something into
his arm, snorted, then snored loudly once again. Summer sighed, went behind the small bar and tried to see if there might be a pitcher of water.  She found a clean glass at least, but nothing but whiskey to drink.  Maybe there was a kitchen out back.  With the aid of her crutches she made her way down a hall and sure enough found the kitchen.

“Oh thank the Lord,” she said to herself as she spied a pitcher of water on the counter. She just hoped she could find another clean glass as she left the one she found in the other room.  Thankfully she did, poured herself some water, and was just about to take a drink when
she heard it.

A pain filled groan.

Summer froze.  She looked to the right, the left, but nothing.

The groan came again.  This time she followed the sound and looked to the left, and down.

Summer dropped the glass.  It shattered as it hit the floor.  “Oh my God!”

A man lay on the fl
oor in a pool of blood. Summer’s hands flew to her mouth to stifle a panic-filled scream.  What should she do?  Where was everybody?  She quickly got her wits about her and hobbled down the hall to the front room and out the door.  By the time she was back outside tears were streaming down her face from the horrible sight of the dying man in the kitchen.

“Help!” She cried.  “Come quick!”

But no one answered.

Summer looked this way and that.  Where was the driver?  She then noticed the same team of horses was still hitched to the wagon.  Nothing had been done yet to change them out. What was going on?

“Help!  Where are you?  There’s a man inside that’s bleeding!”

But still there was no answer.  No one had heard her.  Summer began to panic.  She made her way behind the stage to the other side where she very promptly screamed first, then just as promptly fainted.

The driver lay on the ground, his throat slit ear to ear.

* * *

Clayton rode Billy’s horse hard. If he hurried he’d catch the stage before it left the first stop.  They’d change horses there and that at least would give him a little more time to catch up. The wind was cold but the sun bright.  What snow was left on the ground wasn’t enough to slow him down and for that he was grateful.  In the distance he could see clouds forming, they’d be overhead by nightfall and Clayton smiled at the thought of a white Christmas.  He sure hoped Billy was able to find a tree!  How much more perfect could the evening be?  A tree, snowfall, his beautiful Summer in his arms and a proposal on his lips.  He’d see them married before the day was out, that was sure!  He wasn’t about to let her slip away from him again unintentional or not!  He was going to tell her he loved her as soon as he found her. Then he was going to kiss her senseless. Kiss her so long and hard her knees gave out and she couldn’t breath.  Kiss her until there was no doubt as to how he felt about her.  Then he’d make her his wife and show her how he
really
felt!

Clayton smiled at the thought and kicked Billy’s horse into a fast
er gallop.

* * *

Summer opened her eyes slowly. Her foot hurt but her head hurt worse.  She remembered going outside, tried to find the driver and then …

She’d found him all right. Dead as a door nail in a pool of blood much like the man in the kitchen.  Summer’s stomach lurched at the thought and she suddenly sat up to discover she was tied to a chair.  She automatically screamed but the sound was cut off.  She froze, tried to calm herself against the mind-numbing fear threatening to take control.  What was going on?  Who had done such horrible things?  She remembered the man passed out on the table.  He was still there!  Still slumbering away and snoring softly now. 

Fear took hold at that point and she sobbed into the gag.  She must have made enough nois
e to attract attention as voices suddenly sounded from the kitchen.  Boot steps followed and soon two men entered the room.

One of the men
wore an eye patch. He looked her up and down then laughed.  “You see?  I told you she wouldn’t be out for long!  Now we have some fun, eh?” He laughed again and hit his companion on the back.

“But Sam’s still out cold.”

“Too bad for Sam!  More for us then!  I get her first!”  The man made for the chair and pulled out a huge knife.  Summer again screamed as tears filled her eyes. 

“But Ned, we need to get the horses.  There’s nothing else here.”

“You get the stinkin’ horses and then wake Sam up.  As soon as I’m done, we’ll leave.”

“Now wait a minute, what about me?”

“If you’re so worried about getting those horses together then go do it!  While your brother is waking up you can have your turn with the girl, until then, get to work!”

The other man grumbled as he turned on his boot heel and stomped his way back down the hall to the kitchen.

Summer sobbed into the gag, she was beyond frightened at this point and couldn’t think, could barely breathe!  The man growled low in his throat as he looked her up and down. “What happened to your foot?” he asked matter of fact as he leaned down and cut the ropes they’d used to tie her ankles together.

Summer instinctively kicked at him but it only served to make him laugh.  He leaned over her again and cut the bonds lashing her wrists together
behind the chair. “You want to fight me, eh?  Maybe you can be the one to take down the famous Red Ned?”  He laughed again, picked her up and threw her over one shoulder like a sack of grain.  He then sauntered his way down the hall and kicked doors open in his search for a bed as he ignored her struggles.

Red Ned!  Not the same outlaw Clayton had been searching for all this time? Summer sobbed again.  She was surely going to die and even though she knew what was to come, her only regret was her own foolishness.  She regretted leaving Nowhere.  She regretted ever letting her anger get the best of her.  She regretted trusting Charlotte and letting her talk her into getting on that blasted stage.  But most of all, as the infamous Red Ned threw her down upon the bed he’d finally found, she regretted never telling Clayton Riley she loved him.

“Now, let’s see, how do you want it?  Ah, I know! 
Alive.
  That way you will remember who had you right before you die.”

Summer knew she should fight him, fight him and try to escape!  But ever
y muscle had locked up and froze to make her completely immobile.  Besides, how was she to run?  She could barely walk yet.  She closed her eyes as Red Ned whistled while he took off his gun belt, then began to casually remove his shirt.

Self preservation finally kicked in and
Summer rolled to the side, off the bed, and scooted under it.  She’d done it countless times while growing up in the orphanage and it was all she could think of in the heat of the moment. If it would slow things down and let her live a few moments longer it might be worth it.
Oh Lord, help me!

But Red Ned didn’t grab her and drag her out from under the bed as she expected. Instead he threw back his head and laughed. “You think that’s going to help you? I can just throw the bed to the side you know and take you on the floor.  Is that what you want?”  He laughed again as he made for the bed.  In fact, the outlaw was laughing so hard he didn’t hear the man that entered the room behind him. 

Summer watched from beneath her scant cover as Clayton Riley boldly stepped into the room, spun Red Ned around and punched him square in the gut before delivering an incredible upper cut to his jaw.  The outlaw reeled from the blow and tumbled back upon the bed.  Summer’s head was smacked against the floor from the impact and she lay stunned for a moment as the sound of booted feet scraped across the floor. She barely recognized what was happening as the two men began to fight. 

“That’s for mistreating my bride
!” She heard Clayton growl before he punched Red Ned in the face again. “And this is for what you intended to do!”  Another punch. “And this one’s for the settlers you murdered!”  Another punch, and another, and Red Ned was down, his face now an unrecognizable bloodied mess. Summer could only stare at the man which now lay on the floor not feet away.  She watched numbly as Clayton dragged him to the side of the room then quickly came to the bed.  He then did as Red Ned threatened and simply flipped the bed up and away from her to expose her completely.

“Summer!” He cried as he bent to her and took her in his arms.  “Baby, are you Okay?  Did he hurt you?” He removed the gag, tossed it to the side and took her face in his hands.  “Talk to me
Summer, say something!”

She looked at him,
then glanced to Red Ned’s crumpled form. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.  Her body then began to shake and heave with silent sobs.  Clayton gathered her into his arms and held her tight.  “It’s all right, you’re safe now. He can’t hurt you any more ya hear?”

He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly against him, as on the first day she saw him. The day he shot her.  She now began to think of what would have happened if he hadn’t.  There would have been no reason for her to stay if he didn’t want her.  He would have packed her up and sent her on her way. 

She pushed at him, looked up into his emerald eyes, and again tried to speak, but no words would come out.

“He looked deeply into her eyes.  “It’s okay baby, I know how scared you are, it’s okay if you can’t talk yet.  It happens.”

Red Ned groaned.  Clayton glanced at him then quickly gave his attention back to her.  “I have to secure him, then I’m taking you out of here. You’re safe now, he cant’ hurt you any more, understand?”

She shook her head.  “Clayton…” she barely whispered.  “There… are more.”

He smiled, held her face between his hands and again looked deeply into her eyes. “I know baby. One lit on outta here as soon as he saw me ride up. I don’t care about him, this one’s the big catch.”  He lowered his face to hers. “I’m gonna take care of him, and then the dead men… then…” He lowered his face even further, his face so close now she could feel the warm brush of his breath against her skin. He let go a shaky breath. “Summer, Summer James.  I love you.” He didn’t wait for her to say anything. He kissed her, kissed her with all the pent up longing of his lonely heart, kissed her like she’d never been kissed before. Which of course wasn’t hard to do for Summer had never
been
kissed!  As far as first kisses go, this was not gentle, this was pure possession, and she thought she might faint from the power of it.

Fortunately, (or unfortunately, depending on how you looked at it) Red Ned groaned again as he began to regain consciousness.  Clayton had to force himself to stop lest he give into the temptation to shoot the bandit just so he could keep kissing
Summer!  But no, Red Ned had caused too much trouble for him and Clayton vowed to see him brought to justice. 

He got up and pulled
Summer up with him.  He then carried her to the other side of the room and set her down in a solitary chair.  He kissed her again, looked into her eyes one last time, then turned to secure the famous outlaw Red Ned.

* * *

The stage rolled into Nowhere just after dark.  Billy ran out of the Sheriff’s office just in time to see Clayton climb down from the driver’s seat.  He wearily went around to the back and motioned for his deputy to join him. “Help me get these men locked up.”