Ardan shared a look with his brothers, giving a subtle nod. “Well, I’ve never been good at knowin’ what’s good for me.” He and Kevin rode up to the front of the wagon, pulling out their pistols with lightning-quick speed and cocking them, as they held them at the heads of each man. “Stop. Now.”
When the wagon slowed to a halt, Declan jumped down and yanked the cover off the wagon. He groaned when he saw the inanimate form underneath, crawling toward it. Tugging the cover off the prostrate person’s head, he swore when he saw his beloved wife, unconscious and bleeding. “Lo!” he gasped. He pulled at the bindings, freeing her, as he hauled her into his arms. “Lo, love,” he gasped. “Talk to me. Tell me you’re all right.”
She flopped around like a rag doll, unconscious. When her head moved too quickly, she moaned.
“Oh, my love, what did they do to you?” he whispered. He raised a murderous gaze to the men sitting in the front of the wagon. “You’re dead men,” he rasped. “You dared to hurt my wife.”
“Wife?” One of the men gasped, as he stared at the woman in his arms. “We was told she was a trollop.”
“Trollop?” Declan roared, his hold on Lorena tightening. “Ardan?” he whispered.
“Nay,” he murmured. “I won’t kill ’em. I can’t. Not like this. But you two are comin’ back to Fort Benton, and you will have your reckoning with the sheriff. Now what did you do with my sister?” Ardan scowled at them as they acted as though they had been rendered mute.
Declan watched, as his brothers disarmed the men, while Declan sat in the back of the wagon, cradling Lorena in his lap. “Come, my love,” he crooned. “Talk to me. Tell me you’re all right.” He swiped a hand over her head, pulling out his clean handkerchief to staunch the oozing blood at the back of her head.
When the two men refused to talk, their gazes filled with terror and claiming they weren’t snitches, Declan watched as his brothers tied them up on the horses, before tying the horses to the back of the wagon. Ardan and Kevin hopped up front in the wagon and ably turned it around. “Da will want to speak with them. They’re more useful alive than dead,” Kevin said.
“For now,” Ardan growled as he looked at the two men who had dared to steal their sister-in-law.
Declan only half listened to his brothers as he focused on his wife. “Lorena, my love, we’re returning to Fort Benton. To our home and our family. You’ll be in our bed soon, with me cuddlin’ you in my arms. Wee Gavin will be lookin’ for your hugs and kisses.”
He continued to talk with her during the long ride home, begging and pleading for her to awaken, his despair mounting, as she remained unconscious.
* * *
Maggie rode, without saying anything. She knew there was no point to her calling out, as no one within miles would hear her, and she would only earn retribution from Jacques. As she rode behind him, she studied him. Although he gave the appearance of being at ease, she noted he was attentive to their surroundings. She had no idea where they were going nor how he knew where they were. However, he seemed at ease and confident in the path they took.
In the time he’d been away, the years had taken their toll on him. He was not as fit as he’d been, with a growing paunch. The lines around his mouth and eyes were more pronounced, and the furrows in between his brows appeared to be permanent crevices. She knew none of these were due to laughter or joy, as his favorite expression was a glower.
His shoulders were as broad and as sinewed with muscle as before, and she knew he would be as strong as ever. Although she wished he’d been afflicted with a wasting disease, she knew that he’d maintained his physical strength. Battling the overwhelming dread as she thought too long about what would occur when they stopped for the evening, she focused on her surroundings. She had to remain attentive.
Unfortunately nothing was remarkable about the land around them. They traversed a dry riverbed and continued on over miles of open prairie with tall grass swaying in the breeze. No mountains were in the distance. No landmarks for her to remember.
She let out a frustrated sigh. She knew, if she were fortunate enough to escape, she’d never find her way back to the dried-out riverbed. She knew it must lead to the Missouri, but, with her luck, she feared she’d walk in a circle and would expire from thirst and heat.
She hunched over, wishing for a bonnet or a hat, as the unrelenting Montana summer sun beamed down on them. Maggie admitted to herself that she’d rather suffer the heat and the discomfort of this hot day than what was to come as the sun set. As she contemplated what might await her at day’s end, she was determined to remain strong. To fight off Jacques. She battled a sob as she thought of Dunmore and their recent reunion. She must do as he did for her- fight and survive so she could return to him.
With a shiver, she continued to peer around, hoping to find something that would help guide her home.
* * *
Seamus rode in silence with Cormac and A.J. behind him. His gaze scanned the prairie around him, knowing Jacques was more experienced in traveling these unmarked areas, and he knew there were too many places for a man as experienced as Jacques to hide. Deep coulees would allow a man to hide, if he so chose. With a sigh, Seamus continued to search for any sign of his daughter or Lorena.
As anxious as Seamus was about Maggie and Lorena, he knew Declan must be mad with worry. He only hoped Declan
