Deke shook his head and said, “I’m going to ask the pastor to speak to Laura. Maybe he can help her understand what she’s done. I also plan to speak to her father the next time I go into town. I’d do it now, but I want to get you home.”
Amalie nodded her appreciation and scooted closer to Nate on the seat to make room for Deke.
Nate and Deke kept a lively conversation going on the ride home, discussing a new stallion that Nate had seen and thought would make a fine addition to their stock.
When the wagon stopped in the ranch yard, Deke helped Amalie off the wagon, and she lifted her skirts and ran for the corral, where Honey waited patiently. The mare neighed and bobbed her head as Amalie came closer and nuzzled her, and Amalie stroked her head and told Honey how much she’d missed her.
“Wait here one moment,” Amalie said to Honey, and she took off at a run for the barn. When she returned, she had a carrot in her hand and fed it to her loving horse.
~ * ~
Nate laughed at his sister-in-law’s antics and said to Deke, “I hope you told her that Honey is her horse to keep, and if she ever leaves again, she has to take Honey with her. I didn’t know a horse could mope around, but that horse certainly has been ever since Clint brought her home. She even looked in the windows of the house, searching for Amalie.”
“She’s never leaving,” Deke stated. Nate raised his eyebrows. “I mean,” Deke tried to explain, “she knows she safe here and has a home.”
“Sure, I understand,” Nate answered, and he grinned at his brother.
Amalie turned and called out to the two brothers: “I’m never leaving Honey alone again. I’m going to ride her every day as long as she lets me. You said I was safe here, at home, and Honey and I can go back to enjoying the creek.” She turned back to Honey and stroked the mare’s neck.
Nate clapped Deke on the back and said, “You’re right—she’s never leaving. At least, not without Honey, though I think she’s staying more on account of the horse than you.”
Deke scowled at the idea, but he knew that Nate was right. It didn’t matter why Amalie stayed as long as she stayed. Deke couldn’t imagine life on the ranch without her.
Chapter Thirteen
Silas Blackburn sat just inside the tree line, watching the Double S ranch house the way he had the previous week. He watched Deke leave as he did every morning to check on his cattle and horses. A few minutes later, Silas watched Nate limp out of the house and head for the barn.
Silas bided his time, knowing that it would be just a few hours until Deke’s wife took her afternoon ride. He smiled when he saw Amalie leave the house and head for the barn. A few minutes later, he saw her emerge on the mare’s back and proceed to ride in his direction.
If Sperling’s wife continued with her daily routine, and Silas saw no reason why she shouldn't, she would crest the small hill and ride down to the creek. When she allowed her horse water and took a seat on the large rock along the creek's bed, she'd be close enough for him to complete his plan. He'd be able to grab her, drag her back into the trees, and take her to the cabin that he’d found abandoned well north of the property.
Time was on Silas's side because he had waited for nearly three years to locate Deke Sperling and enact his revenge against the man he felt was responsible for his brother’s arrest, trial, and subsequent hanging. On the day his younger brother died, Silas swore he would take revenge on the sheriff, the judge, and the bounty hunter who had brought his brother in for trial. He had nearly completed his mission after arranging the demise of the sheriff and the judge. Now, he anticipated the end of his journey with the death of Deke Sperling.
When he had located Deke, he knew he wouldn't be able to kill him outright—the bounty hunter was a much better shot than Silas was or ever would be—but the bounty hunter had a wife, and that gave Silas an edge. He was sure that once Deke came looking for his wife, he'd be more concerned about her safety than his own, and Silas could enjoy his revenge while ending Deke Sperling’s life.
Silas smiled as he watched Amalie cross the small hill and ride down to the creek. His excitement grew as he watched her dismount the horse and take her spot on the large, flat boulder.
~ * ~
Amalie paid little attention to her surroundings as she watched the angry, dark clouds form in the west, hoping they might bring rain to her vegetable garden rather than skirt around the ranch the way the last storm had. She was sitting there tossing small pebbles into the creek and humming a tune when she felt hands clamp tightly over her mouth.
Amalie fought with all her strength, but it wasn't enough to push the man off. She soon found herself gagged with her hands tied, staring into the face of a man that brought terror to her heart. Had Rex and Caldwell sent him to bring her back to St. Louis?
The man grinned and said, “Don't you worry, little lady, I'm not gonna hurt ya. It's your husband I want, and when he comes looking
