“Willow,” Grace cried and ran up to her horse. “Why are you here?” She laughed thinking she was losing her mind asking her horse a question.
Grace took a moment to realize Wade had to hide Willow since the family needed to believe she left with her horse. At least he left her near water and grass. Grace ran to the pool, sank to her knees, and drank her fill of water with her hands. Looking around, she noticed Wade had placed Willow’s saddle under one of the trees along with her boots.
Looking up to Heaven, Grace thanked God for his guidance and protection. She now had a chance to go home safely. She still didn’t know exactly where home was, but she was sure Willow would know. Grace quickly pulled on her boots, saddled Willow, pushed the few things she carried into the saddlebags, tied her coat behind the saddle, and climbed up on Willow.
“C’mon, girl, let’s go home.” Grace gave Willow her head, and Willow walked around the trees and headed in the general direction Grace had planned to walk.
~ * ~
Clay found the sheriff in his office.
“Afternoon, Clay. What can I do for you?” Sheriff Hugh Glyson asked sitting back in his creaking desk chair.
Clay sat and explained the details of Grace’s disappearance. The sheriff listened intently and made a few notes. After reading Grace’s note, he looked at Clay furrowing his brows to the point his large gray eyebrows formed one line across his forehead.
“I can certainly ask the folks in town to check their cellars and outbuildings when I make my rounds, but the obvious places wouldn’t be this close to town where someone might hear her. If I inquire at the saloon, Wade will find out. Between Lucinda and the money he tosses around for free drinks, he has more friends or let’s say hang-arounds than anyone in town. Word will get back to him, and he could move her to somewhere already searched.”
Clay leaned forward resting his arms on his thighs, “Then what do you suggest? If anyone besides Wade knows where Grace is, I’d bet my money they hang out in the saloon.”
“I think you’d win that bet, but they’re most likely loyal to Wade. What I can do is mention it to Roy, the bartender, and have him keep an ear open. You’d be surprised what a drunken man tells his bartender. I’ll also stop in at the mercantile. O’Malley sees just about everyone that comes in and out of town. He can relay the message to any ranch owners or their wives that stop in. It’s safer for Grace if we’re careful who we tell. The ranch owners can have their property checked by their most trusted men without any suspicion.”
Clay nodded, stood, and held out his hand. “Thanks, sheriff. That’s about all we can do, I suppose.”
The sheriff shook Clay’s hand and answered, “I’ll do my best to spread the word without Wade hearing of it.”
Fortunately for Clay, Wade was busy settling into his hotel room and never saw Clay enter town or leave.
Clay’s mind whirled with ideas where Grace might be hidden. Too many caves, abandoned property, old cabins, barns, and places he hadn’t yet considered flooded his mind as he let his horse walk home. He wasn’t in a hurry to see his family’s sad faces, and it was too close to dark to start a new search. He prayed Grace would remain safe another night.
Grace trotted along on Willow’s back knowing she was safe if she didn’t run into Wade on the way home. She hoped Wade wouldn’t bother coming to the shack near dark since he’d have to ride home in total darkness. The darkening clouds above Grace told her a storm was brewing and there wouldn’t be any moonlight that night.
Chapter Twenty
Grace squinted trying to make out the shapes in the darkening distance. Her heart began to race when she realized what she saw was the ranch house, barn, and outbuildings. Home. She squeezed her knees into Willow’s sides and set the horse galloping.
Clay had turned onto the access road and felt his heart drop as he knew he’d let Grace down. He fought his conscience when he thought he should toss Wade into the well until he told him where Grace was. He drew in a deep breath deciding he would let God guide him. He couldn’t sink to his brother’s level of thinking and acting.
Suddenly hearing his stomach growl, he knew he needed to eat supper, or he wouldn’t have the strength to continue searching. Time to pick up speed and head for the house. He looked off into the distance and thought he saw a rider racing toward the back of the house kicking up a dust cloud. Yes, it was a rider, but who?
Maybe someone who had information about Grace. Clay began to race toward the rider when he realized it was Willow and Grace was on her back. “Grace,” he shouted knowing she was still too far away to hear him. He pushed his horse as fast as he’d go and in moments both he and Grace reined up and climbed down, and Grace fell into Clay’s arms.
Clay’s mind was filled with questions, but all he could do was kiss his wife until they were both breathless.
“Grace, where have you been?” Clay asked as he pulled her as close as possible.
“Wade…” was all she could answer before Clay took a step back and Grace saw the anger flash in his eyes.
“I’m all right, Clay. He didn’t hurt me. Can we go home and talk? Is Wade there? I think he’s losing his mind. He frightens me,” Grace blurted before drawing in a deep breath.
“Of course, we can go home. Wade
