“I don’t know. I’ve not seen him.”
James had gone after his wife. Followed her. Must have as he wasn’t anywhere around. He constantly watched her every move. The way he looked at her made Obadiah’s skin crawl and his gut burn with anger. He’d go and take care of this situation once and for all. A quick word to the other men, he reassured them she might have run into something and screamed. He’d go find her and didn’t need any help.
His long strides took him quickly through the woods, shoving limbs out of his way as he went. His eyes roamed each spot where she’d more than likely go to find the kindling. She wouldn’t go too far in the forest, as she understood how dangerous the woods could become, and she had not taken any weapons with her. God, help me find her. I know I don’t come to You enough. Please help.
It was the most sincere prayer he’d ever prayed. For help. If she died at the hands of his enemies, he’d never forgive himself. When they first got here, he should have taken care of James. Made sure he paid for what he had done, and then this would not have happened. He resisted the urge to scream her name. He did not want to give away his location to James.
Jeremiah had tried his best to stop him from signing up for this job. Obadiah tried telling him why he had to go. It was to make a life for his new wife and himself. To try to make amends for his outlaw ways. He had not wanted to give this up before, but now, Esther made him want to. The draw to stealing and hurting people was gone. He wanted a family. If he told his twin this, he wouldn’t believe it from watching how he had acted with the baby who had just come into his brother’s life. For shame.
As much as he didn’t want to admit it…he loved Esther. She was part of his life. His breath. His.
Obadiah’s eyes focused on a branch just two steps in front of him. The wood split a little in the end. He saw red. He lifted the twig and saw that is was blood. His hand tightened on the branch, the wood snapping in two. Not far away was another branch with blood on the end. His beautiful wife was leaving a trail. A smile lifted his lips and he hoped James had not noticed her actions. Slowly, he followed the blood.
Coming into a clearing, he saw her. Her arms were tied behind her back, her head hanging down. Blood streaked her arms from her elbows to her wrist. He took a breath in and he steadied himself. Slow and steady. He didn’t want to startle James causing him to hurt her. James stood next to her, looking from one side of the river to the other. Ready to jump out of his skin. When his eyes locked on Obadiah’s a smile lifted his cheeks.
“About time you got here.”
Chapter Ten
Esther’s back stiffened when James turned around and kept a tight hold on her hair. The pain ricocheted through her head causing her vision to double. White specks clouded her gaze. Tears slipped down her cheeks. Blast it all. She didn’t want to show any weakness to this man. The way he jerked her head made it impossible not to respond.
“You’ll be sorry when my husband gets here.”
An evil laugh came from deep in his gut. The kind that makes anyone want to lose the last meal they ate. A shiver rushed through her body. She tilted her head up, spitting in his face. If the mistress from the home saw her do this, she’d surely die on the spot. It didn’t matter either way. The woman had never liked her. They kept her around because Ruth asked them to. The realization that no one cared for her except her friend hit her full force now. What if her husband abandoned her as well? Then no one would be coming to help her out of this situation.
She wouldn’t die without a fight.
Esther’s brow lifted into her hairline when James spoke. Who was he waiting for? How would someone know to find him so deep in the woods? Slowly she turned in the direction of his gaze. A tall man stood at the edge of the line of shadow. Sun casted a glow on him making it hard for her to make out who the person was.
He stepped into the clearing. It was Obadiah.
She’d never been so happy to see anyone before. He came like he always said he would when she needed him. Maybe God had heard her prayers. It didn’t matter at this moment. She’d worry about faith once they were safe from danger. She mouthed thank you to him. A slight nod no one would notice unless they knew to look acknowledged her. He had seen. Her pulse raced, wondering what they’d have to go through to get out of this mess.
“I’m here. Let her go. She has nothing to do with this.” Her husband all but about growled at her captor. She could tell he was holding in his temper by a thin thread.
James jerked her to her feet and shoved her body in front of himself. Coward. A knife pressed into her throat. The blade, cold to the touch, kept her where he wanted her to be. His other hand pushed her against him tightly. Her hands were bound so she couldn’t shove him away. She yelped, but was careful not to move so the blade could cut her neck. Breathe. Don’t panic. She said those simple words over
