Esther scratched her arm on a branch as they went through the thick woods. Her arm burned badly and tears filled her eyes. She prayed a little bit of blood was left, so those searching for her could find the way. James shoved her to the ground. Her face hit the rough ground mixed with rocks. Blood seeped down her cheeks. She narrowed her gaze at him and spit in his face as he came closer.
“Do that again and I’ll hurt you. Be quiet as we wait for that half breed to find you. We have some unfinished business.”
***
James’s hold tightened on the brat of a woman he shoved deeper into the woods. She’d finally stopped her screaming. She was a complication he didn’t need or want right now. At least he’d be able to draw Obadiah into his plan to kill him. He wanted this expedition to go smoothly, but of course, this man wouldn’t let that happen. The stares and glares Obadiah threw his way had him on edge all the time. He wanted to get Esther alone, have his way with her, and then dump her in the river.
She ruined this plan by screaming. Women always ruined the perfect plans he made. Women should serve men and then die.
He shoved her to the ground as she tried to get up. She slithered away from his grasp. He rolled his eyes, letting her go a little way almost playfully before he snatched her by the hair and drug her back.
“Shut up or I’ll find something to put in that pretty mouth of yours.”
Turning her head, she narrowed her gaze at him. “No. You’ll be sorry soon. My husband will come looking for me.” She lifted her chin in defiance.
“Good. I can kill him too like I did his Ma,”
Her eyes widened in shock.
***
Obadiah’s head shot up when he heard the scream. A quick glance around the camp confirmed no other women were missing. It had to be Esther who screamed. Was she hurt? She didn’t usually take this long to go and get the sticks. Worry knotted his stomach in two. He moved forward with purpose in his steps. Lenna stepped in front of him blocking his way. Not what he needed right now. She got under his skin.
“Move.”
“No. Let her alone for a little bit. She only went for sticks.”
Each second passing with her blocking his way angered him more. He didn’t have the patience to deal with her ways or thoughts. Red passed through his eyes as she held her hands up. He didn’t care what she said. Esther never took this long and he knew deep in his soul that it had been her scream. He’d heard it before during the bear attack. His heart picked up as his stomach fell. He had to get to her and make sure she was alright. What if a bear, wolf or a mountain lion had her trapped? She didn’t know how to fight them off.
“Lenna, I’m not in the mood. Go away. I know what I heard.”
“Nothing. You’re imagining it.
She’d gone crazy! How could she stand in front of him and say she didn’t hear the scream or anyone else? He clutched the back of his neck, trying to hold onto his temper. Esther made him want to do better handling his temper. She had a calming effect on him. “I didn’t imagine this. Now move.”
Lenna folded her arms, rooting her feet in place. Her stubborn streak was out on display. He rolled his eyes heavenward as he bit back a curse that was on the tip of his tongue. She meant well, but she always came off too strong and usually wrong in the end cause she wouldn’t listen to advice. Not teachable. That’s the word the chief used when talking about her.
“No.”
A blood-curling scream flooded the area. He felt it deep inside of him. No one can tell him differently. It was Esther. It didn’t sound like she’d slipped but was frightened. Someone or something was out there trying to hurt her and he’d kill in her defense. Lenna’s eyes grew wide. She’d heard it too. Her stance relaxed. She reached for her rifle lying on the ground not far from them.
“I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“With you.”
Obadiah shook his head. Nope. It was not going to happen. She needed to learn her place and stay here in the camp where it was safe. “No. Go back to your husband. I can handle this.”
“Why are you so stubborn headed? Lenna stood to her full height. Her shoulders were thrown back slightly. Eyes narrowed. It was the stance she took when she was not going to back down. He didn’t have time for her today. He ran a hand through his hair to keep from shaking her by the shoulders.
“Me! You! You can’t stop trying to be like the men in our tribe and not knowing your place.” Arguing with this woman took time away from finding his wife. His pistol in hand, he moved away from her, scanning the camp. The other woman looked worried as she looked over at him. She’d heard the sound too. The two other men were already on their way to him.
James. Where was the evil man whom he didn’t trust at all? He looked around again. The blood in his veins boiled throughout his body. He resisted the urge to punch a tree close to him, opening
