As they got farther down the mountain, Will could hear a faint cry for help.
“Did you hear that?”
Mary nodded and picked up her pace.
“We’re coming,” Will called back. “Keep talking, so we can find you.”
“Help!” A man’s voice.
“Jasper?” Will picked up his pace.
“Yes. We fell down an old mine shaft. Watch your step.” The voice, an echo, but clear.
Will held out his hand. “Mary, the ground is likely unstable near here. Walk slowly toward me and take my hand.”
She did as she was bidden, understanding the danger without having it spelled out for her. One more thing to admire about her. Will knew few women of that level of sense.
“Is Emma Jane with you?” Mary’s plea made him remember the object of their search. Finding both Emma Jane and Jasper would be a boon they desperately needed. At this rate, he could have both ladies safely delivered to town by nightfall.
“Yes, but she’s hurt.”
Hurt, not dead. The heaviness in Will’s heart lifted. At least that was one pain he could spare Mary.
“Emma Jane!” Mary’s yell echoed against the forest.
Will looked at the terrain around them, spotting a disturbance in the dirt a few yards ahead. He guided Mary in that direction, testing each step to be sure of the ground’s stability.
Several yards ahead, he spotted a hole in the terrain, a rough, jagged spot that looked as though the edges would cave in at any point.
“I think I see where you fell. Let me see what I can find to get you out.”
Mary started in the direction of the hole, but Will stopped her. “See the cracks in the ground there? It’s too unstable. If we get too close, we’re liable to make the cave-in even bigger and end up right with them.”
“Emma Jane!” Mary called again, but Emma Jane didn’t answer.
“She’s unconscious,” Jasper called back. “Still breathing, so I think she’ll be all right.”
Jasper had no medical training, but now was not the time for Will to let Mary know.
“I’m going to find some felled trees to put across the opening as support.” Will spoke loudly so Jasper could hear, but looked at Mary.
“What shall I do?” Mary’s voice was quiet, almost as though she finally understood the seriousness of the situation. But, because she was Mary, she wouldn’t be satisfied to simply sit and do nothing. How could he not admire her?
“Put our water together in one canteen, and whatever food we have left. Toss it down to them, but warn Jasper before you do so.”
He wanted to add a caution about not getting too near the edge, but as he watched Mary in motion, he could see that she’d already figured that out for herself. Smart, capable and honorable. What was not to like about Mary?
The sound of riders approaching in the distance brought Will back to attention. He started in that direction to warn them, grateful for the extra hands that would be available for the rescue.
Finding Emma Jane and Jasper had been much simpler than Will had imagined. And with happier results than he could have anticipated, even with Emma Jane hurt. He hadn’t needed the Lord’s aid in finding Jasper and Emma Jane; perhaps that was where he’d gone wrong the first time in his quest to bring Ben to justice. Too much time praying and not enough doing what his own hands could do.
Chapter Eleven
The Haggertys had decided that it was closer to bring Emma Jane and Jasper to the Spruce Lakes Resort rather than back to their ranch. This time of year, they had a doctor in residence at Spruce Lakes to cater to the wealthy families who frequented the vacation spot. The time saved in going directly to the nearest doctor would be well worth the expense of such an extravagance. At least that was Mary’s line of thinking. She’d already determined to cover the cost, no matter what it took. The last thing Emma Jane needed was another financial worry on top of her family’s ruin.
Will interrupted Mary’s pacing along the front porch of the hotel. “I sent word to town to let folks know Jasper and Emma Jane are safe.”
Mary nodded slowly as she watched the light breeze ruffle the water of the lake. “Safe is relative, I suppose. I would feel better if Emma Jane would awaken.”
“The doctor says she was hit pretty soundly on the head. Give her time.”
Time was a luxury she didn’t have. Even though her family knew she was safe, and Mary was confident in Polly’s ability to keep the peace in Mary’s absence, it didn’t make her any less nervous.
But how could she leave Emma Jane now?
“I should go sit with her.” Mary turned to enter the hotel, but Will stopped her.
“The doctor and Mrs. Haggerty are with her now. I heard Mrs. Lewis offer you use of a bathhouse and some clean clothes. You should take advantage while you can.”
Mary didn’t look at him. If he were Joseph, she’d make a joke about him telling her she smelled bad, but as much as she tried convincing herself to only have the sisterly sort of feelings toward Will, she couldn’t muster the ease of being a sister to the man.
The trouble was, Will was all man. The more time she spent with him, the more she saw him performing such noble deeds as rescuing a poor woman like Emma Jane, the more she couldn’t see him as anything but a man.
She should go. Do exactly what he mentioned. Yet, a part of her couldn’t bear to leave him.
“It’s nice out here. After all that rain, I can’t bear to not be in the sun.” It suddenly felt warmer on the porch but not because the clouds had moved. Will’s gaze seemed fixed on her, despite her resistance to looking at him.
“Why Ben Perry?”
The words came from Will quietly, but the force of their meaning was not lost on her.
“I told you. We’re
