Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret (Brothers of Sapphire Ranch #7)

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

C lara’s heart twisted at the sight of the little girl wedged behind the last set of bunks, her knees drawn up to her chest, her sweet face streaked with tears. “Anna. Thank God.”

The child’s eyes widened, and she pressed a finger to her lips. "Shhhh," she breathed, her voice barely audible. "He might hear you."

Oh, Lord . Clara moved closer and knelt beside the bunk, reaching out a hand. "Anna, sweetheart, it's me. It’s Clara. You're safe now. I promise."

Anna's lower lip quivered, but she didn't move from her hiding spot. "Is he gone?" Her voice was small, frightened.

"Who, darling? Who are you afraid of?" Though she already knew the answer.

"The scary man. The one who grabbed me." A tear slipped down her cheek. "He said if I made a sound, he'd hurt Mama and Papa."

Fury and guilt warred within Clara. Holloway had terrorized this innocent child, all to manipulate Clara. She swallowed hard, forcing her voice to remain calm and soothing. "He's gone now, Anna. He’s not going to hurt you or anyone else. I promise."

She wouldn’t allow it.

Clara needed to get her out of there. But she had to call the others too. She reached for Anna’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go tell your mama and papa you’re safe. Everyone is so worried about you.”

How had Holloway gotten Anna back into the bunkroom without anyone seeing? Maybe when Naomi came to the house to look for Anna? He was such a…she couldn’t think of words awful enough to suit him. Keep him away from here, Lord. Please. Don’t let him hurt these people.

Anna took her hand, and Clara helped her stand, then wrapped an arm around her frail shoulders as they walked to the door.

Once outside, Clara tucked the girl closer against the wind and shut the door so her shout wouldn’t wake Mary Ellen. Better they not have two frightened children on their hands.

Drawing a deep breath, Clara called out, her voice carrying across the clearing. "I found her! Anna's here, she's safe."

The shouts ceased abruptly, replaced by the thunder of running footsteps. Within moments, Naomi burst around the corner of the bunkhouse, her face pale and stricken. "Anna? Oh, thank the Lord!"

She fell to her knees, gathering the little girl into her arms as fresh tears streamed down both their faces.

Eric was right behind her, enfolding his wife and their daughter in a fierce embrace. Even Patsy crowded close, rubbing Anna’s back.

Clara stepped away, her own eyes stinging as she watched the reunion.

Uncle Hiram and the others soon joined them, their relief palpable.

"Where was she?" Naomi’s voice trembled as she still held Anna close.

"In the bunkhouse, hiding behind the last set of bunks." Clara spoke softly. "She was terrified."

Eric’s jaw tightened, a fierce glint in his eye. "Did she say what happened? Who took her?"

Clara hesitated, her gaze darting to Anna's tearstained face. She couldn't very well blurt out Holloway's name. "Perhaps we should get her inside first, let her warm up by the fire. I have stew on the stove."

Anna could tell what happened, and the family could decide what to do from there.

For her own part, she needed to be alone—very alone—to start copying the deed.

Naomi rose to her feet, Anna tucked against her side.

The group made their way back to the main house, a somber silence hanging over them.

As they entered the cabin, the savory aroma of the stew filled the air, but Clara had lost all appetite. She busied herself ladling out bowls for everyone, trying to ignore the weight of the deed hidden in her pocket.

Most of the group huddled around the large fireplace, the family snuggling their rescued daughter close. Eric had carried Mary Ellen up with them so they could all be here at the main house, and the tot still wore a sleepy, confused look as she took in the clamor.

Miles stepped away from the others, coming to stand near Clara at the stove. He didn’t speak at first, which made the weight on her chest press even harder. She could barely breathe.

When he finally spoke, his voice came out low, gentle. “Are you all right?”

Clara forced a smile, trying to keep her voice steady, her eyes on the food. "I'm just glad she's safe. It was a miracle we found her."

He studied her for a moment. "You're sure? If there's anything I can do, just say the word."

Anything he could do about what? Surely, he didn’t know about the mess with Holloway. He was simply worried about Anna, right?

She swallowed the rush of heat threatening her eyes. She couldn’t cry.

“Clara?” The tenderness in Miles’s voice nearly undid her.

She forced herself to meet his gaze, her heart aching at the concern in his warm brown eyes. She wanted nothing more than to confide in him, to lean on his strength and let him help shoulder this burden. But she couldn't risk putting her uncle in danger. Or Miles and his family in danger. This was her battle to fight, her mistake to fix.

She mustered a smile. "I'm sure, Miles. Thank you. I'm just…overwhelmed with relief that Anna is safe. And still a bit shaken by what could have happened."

He nodded slowly, a flicker of doubt lingering in his eyes. "I understand. I’m grateful you found her when you did. Who knows what that scoundrel might have done."

Her stomach clenched. The guilt was a leaden weight in her chest, smothering each breath.

As he walked away, she braced her hands on the edge of the cast iron stove, trying to draw strength from its solid warmth. Lord, guide me. Show me how to make this right.

M iles studied Clara from across the room. She still lingered at the stove, scooping stew into bowls, then handing them to Dinah, who carried them to the table.

She took pleasure in feeding people, he’d realized that early on. But the lines gathered on her brow now showed no sign of delight. Her golden-brown hair, usually so neatly pinned, escaped in wispy tendrils around her face.

He wanted to wrap his arms around her and pull her to his chest. Smooth back those stray locks and soothe the worry from her eyes. Recover the closeness they’d shared waiting out the storm in the storage shed.

What bothered her so?

Was it worry that the man who took Anna might come back and do worse? That was a concern that churned in his own belly. But something about her manner seemed…distracted. Had she experienced a similar event in her past? Could she relate to the fear Anna must have felt? Maybe she’d been drawn into her own awful memories.

“Outside, men. All of us.” Jericho’s voice cut through his thoughts.

He tore his gaze from Clara and followed his brothers out into the yard. The icy air stung his face, a stark contrast to the warmth of the cabin.

They gathered in a tight group, even Sean, though Jericho surely wouldn’t let the boy help with the search they were about to head out on. At eight years old, the lad tagged along with his uncles every time he was allowed.

“Let’s move forward with our plan from before.” Jericho shot a look between Gil and Miles. “You two stay here and stay, on guard. One at the barn window and the other at the house window. That way you’ll be able to see in all directions.” He leveled a stern look at them both. “Keep watch with your rifle every minute. I’m relying on the two of you to protect our women and children.”

Something in his tone made it sound like he might be second-guessing giving such an important task to them. Gil was fourth in line by age, so he carried a bit of respect in Jericho’s eyes. But Miles was the youngest. He’d likely always be seen as the baby, especially by their eldest brother.

The only way to change Jericho’s mind was to prove himself, every time.

He met his gaze head-on. "I'll take the barn. You can count on me."

Jericho searched his face for a long moment before giving a curt nod. "Good. Gil, you've got the house then."

"Got it." Gil gave a solid nod.

Jericho turned to the others. "The rest of you, pair up and head out in your assigned directions. Keep your eyes sharp and your guns ready.”

As they dispersed, Sean made to follow them, but Jericho caught him by the shoulder. “I need you to stay here and help Gil in the house.”

The boy’s expression drooped, but he followed Gil inside.

Miles understood how he felt. He’d been on the outside while his big brothers handled the important things often enough in his life. Now that he was old enough to take part, a small part of him longed for the simpler days, when he could trust the adults to make everything all right.

Now, it was up to him to protect the ones he loved. His brothers, their families.

Clara.

He made his way to the barn while the others saddled their horses, and within minutes the only sounds around him were the crackle of fire in the heater and the munching of the milk cow eating hay in her stall.

He positioned himself with his rifle by the window nearest the door, sitting on the barrel Clara had used when she worked here on her maps. If only she could be with him now.

They could talk as they had before. Maybe she would tell him what troubled her. Perhaps he could even comfort her a bit.

But she was needed in the cabin, helping to keep everyone calm and cared for.

And if he was being honest with himself, having her here might be more of a distraction. He had to focus on watching for any disturbance outside, to prove to Jericho he could handle this responsibility.

He swept the trees, his finger resting lightly on the trigger. He would keep watch for as long as it took to ensure the safety of those he cared about.

Especially Clara.