“I see,” she frowns and watches him.
“No, I don’t think you do. If we aren’t careful, we could lead them right to Mason,” Tucker explains.
“If they knew I was on the train bound for San Francisco, Tucker, do you think they know about Mason?” All the color drains from her face, and she leaps to her feet. “I’ve got to go, now!”
Tucker steps in front of her before she can run. “We are going soon, Abbie. This might be our only chance to catch them and find out what they want.”
“What are you talking about? Mason is my only concern,” she insists.
Tucker grabs her hand gently, “I need you to trust me, once more.”
“I do, Tucker, but this is so frustrating.”
“I know. My friends will watch for signs of the men from the train station while we get Mason. He has been through enough, Abbie, he doesn’t need to watch you get hurt. Imagine what that would do to him.”
Abbie drops her head, “I hadn’t thought about that. I was just hoping it was a random attack, but if you think it was something more then, of course, I’ll do whatever you think is safest, Tucker.”
Tucker sighs in relief. “Good. Now eat. Shep went to get the doctor.”
“A real one, I hope,” Abbie teases as Mrs. Combs rolls a tray in with her breakfast on it.
“Let’s hope so,” he grins.
Chapter 26
“I found them,” Wyatt says to Tucker when he returns later in the morning.
“Where?” Tucker demands.
“Not far from here,” Wyatt says. “How’s Abbie?” Wyatt asks.
“Abbie is resting after the doctor’s visit, under strict orders to eat, sleep, and not take any more hits. He said that she is bruised up, but he doesn’t suggest another blow to the head.” Tucker’s eyes narrow to slits when he thinks of them punching and kicking her. “Tell me what you know.”
Wyatt nods. “Coop asked around and found out from an informant on the streets that they’ve been asking about the two of you for days.”
“That means it wasn’t a random attack, they knew she’d be on the train.” Tucker says.
“Exactly,” Wyatt says. “It also means they are after her, not the child. Unless they don’t know about him.”
“I need to find out who they are,” Tucker growls.
“I agree. Oddly enough, they are staying at the Hotel Aubrey about five blocks from here.”
“Why is that odd?”
“It’s an exclusive Hotel. Expensive. That means whoever is behind this has money to back them,” Shep says from behind.
“Precisely,” Wyatt snaps.
“We can’t arrest them without cause, and since Abbie has no witnesses to back up her story, they’d be free and know where to find her,” Cooper insists.
“The one advantage we have right now is that they don’t know where to find us,” Tucker says.
“I leaked some information that you and Abbie would be visiting a lawyer in town today to throw them off the scent. It should buy you enough time to get the child,” Shep says.
Tucker smiles. “Good.”
“We will ride ahead to make sure there is no trouble.”
“Thank you. I owe you one… each,” Tucker says.
“You may owe us two each before this is over,” Cooper teases.
Chapter 27
“Wedgewood Asylum,” Abbie reads.
The wooden sign has seen better days. It is faded from the sun, and the once white paint is now faded to yellow. A long dusty driveway leads to the three-story brick house. Already, they can hear the sound of children playing.
Tucker glances over at her in concern and slows the wagon to a stop. Her hand is balled into a fist in her skirt. He squeezes it. “It’s going to okay, Abbs.”
Her eyes are wide and filled with fear. “What if he hates me?” she asks.
“Not possible, Sugar. Everyone who meets you, loves you.” He snaps the reins and misses the look of surprise that crosses her face.
“Tucker, have I told you today how glad I am to have you at my side?”
“It’s about time you recognize my better qualities,” he laughs when she snorts.
He guides the carriage to the front of the house, being careful of the children running around. They are both struck by the number of children playing. It looks like a schoolyard, at recess. “That’s a lot of children,” Abbie whispers.
Tucker leaps down and glances around the yard and trees to look for any signs of danger. His friends are here, somewhere he reminds himself.
Abbie waits for him to circle around to her side of the carriage and lets him lower her to the ground. Just before her feet touch the ground, he whispers, “Let’s go meet your son.”
Abbie smiles through teary eyes and nods.
The front door opens, and they turn to greet an older woman as she hurries toward them with a frown. “Welcome to Wedgewood Asylum, how may I help you?”
“Thank you. I am looking for the director. I’m sorry, I don’t know his name.” Abbie says as she steps forward.
“I am Mrs. Fletcher. Director of the orphanage. Do you have an appointment?” she asks and glances behind them to the children climbing a tree. “Boys! Out of the tree!” She shouts startling them both.
“We don’t, and if you’d kindly show us inside, we’d explain our visit,” Tucker says stepping up behind Abbie.
“Very well,” she sighs. She turns and stomps to the front door and pushes it open.
Abbie follows while Tucker takes care of the horses. His eyes scan the grounds, looking for any signs that they were followed. Somewhere his friends are watching, and that makes him feel better.
The first thing that strikes Abbie as she enters the home is the smell. The smell of alcohol and sweat. Her eyes burn,
