Chapter 30
The sound of hammering from the sawmill echoed off the surrounding mountains as their wagon rolled into Walnut Springs, but Mandie barely heard it over the thundering of her own heart.
It was almost time.
Enoch reined in before the boarding house, and Robert emerged from the jailhouse down the street, his long stride carrying him to meet them.
“Good timing.” Robert tipped his hat to Mandie and her mother. “Sheriff Hawkins is ready whenever you are. He suggested we hold the ceremony down by the cottonwoods near the river—says it’s prettier than the jailhouse.”
“That sounds lovely.” Mandie glanced toward the river and the trees he must mean. A beautiful spot.
Enoch set the brake and swung down from the wagon, then moved to help Mandie and her mother from the rear bench.
His hands lingered at her waist as he lifted her down, and the warmth in his eyes made her breath catch. “You all right?”
She nodded, though her pulse quickened under his steady gaze. “Just ready.”
“Me too.” Was that a twinkle in his blue eyes?
She couldn’t help a private smile.
Papa approached, brushing dust from his coat. “What about accommodations? You mentioned renting a room for the ladies?”
Robert gestured toward the boarding house with a grimace.
“That’s the trouble. Mrs. Patterson’s full up with a group of surveyors passing through.
But Mrs. Holbrook—” He nodded toward the mercantile across the street.
“She’s offered her own chamber above the store for Mandie to dress.
Says it’s the least she can do for such a special occasion. ”
“How kind of her.” Mama’s face brightened. “Though I do hope it’s suitable…”
The creak and jingle of an approaching wagon drew their attention as Thomas arrived with Bea seated beside him on the driver’s bench. Even from a distance, the older woman’s face lit when she spotted their group.
“Bea!” Mandie called out, lifting her hand in greeting.
Thomas brought his wagon to a halt beside theirs, and Bea practically bounced with excitement as he helped her down. She hurried straight to Mandie, her wrinkled hands reaching out to grasp both of Mandie’s.
“Oh, my dear girl.” Bea’s eyes sparkled. “What a wonderful day this is. Thomas told me everything on the ride—how you and Lord Enoch finally spoke your hearts to each other.” She squeezed Mandie’s hands. “I have been praying for this day since you first arrived at our ranch.”
Warmth flooded Mandie’s chest. “I’m so glad you’re here. It wouldn’t feel right without you.”
Bea turned to clasp Mandie’s mother’s hands next. “You must be Mrs. Sinclair. I am Bea Wang. Your daughter has become very precious to all of us.”
“Mrs. Wang.” Mama’s wide-eyed expression showed some bewilderment at the housekeeper’s easy warmth. “Thank you for caring for Mandie after her injury.”
“Now then.” Bea pulled back and clapped her hands together. “Let us get you dressed for this blessed occasion.”
Within minutes, Mandie was settled in the Holbrooks’ private chamber with her case and her mother and Bea. Mrs. Holbrook had graciously provided tea, as well as a pitcher of fresh water and clean towels. Despite the simple furnishings, the small room was cozy.
Her mother hung the ivory-trimmed dress from a peg on the wall, and Bea ran her fingers over the silk. “This is beautiful fabric. It reminds me of the dresses my mother wore.”
Mama busied herself unpacking the small items they’d brought—a pearl necklace that had belonged to Mandie’s grandmother, a pair of cream-colored gloves, and the ivory combs she’d worn at her first wedding.
“I thought perhaps we could arrange your hair differently this time.” Mama lifted one of the combs. “Something softer, more suited to the setting.”
Mandie nodded, settling onto the room’s single chair as her mother moved behind her to begin working with her hair.
Her fingers loosened the simple braid, then began brushing out the long waves.
“Mrs. Wang, perhaps you could tell us about Enoch as a boy. Thomas mentioned you’ve been with the family since they lived in England. ”
Bea’s face softened with memory. “Such a serious child, even then. He adored playing with Will, but he was always watching out for his younger brothers too. Always thinking three steps ahead.” She began unfastening the tiny buttons that ran down the back of the dress.
“But he had the sweetest laugh when something truly delighted him—a bubbling sound that would start in his chest and roll out until his whole face transformed.”
Mandie couldn’t help smiling at her mind’s image of a young Enoch with that same careful way of watching the world. “I can imagine that.”
“He was always bringing me injured creatures.” Bea shook out a wrinkle from the silk dress. “Baby birds, wounded rabbits, once even a fox kit with a broken leg. His mother would scold him for it, but Enoch never stopped trying to fix what was broken.”
An ache settled in Mandie’s chest. Or maybe a longing. She wanted to slip her hand in his and be at his side as he worked to make the world around him a better place.
“There.” Mama stepped back to survey her handiwork. She’d swept Mandie’s hair into a soft arrangement at the nape of her neck, with gentle waves framing her face. The ivory combs held the style without making it too formal. “Much better for an outdoor ceremony.”
Over the next few minutes, they helped her into the elaborate gown, and she stood as her mother fastened the buttons, and Bea knelt to pull on her best slippers.
“There.” Mama stepped back to examine her, a smile glistening in her eyes. “You look radiant.”
Bea pushed to her feet, and a grin creased her face as she clasped her hands together. “Lord Enoch will be struck speechless when he sees you.”
Mandie smoothed her hands over the silk skirt. She and Mama were of a similar size, so the dress fit perfectly, the ivory trim catching what light filtered through the small window. But more than the gown, a deep sense of rightness settled in her spirit.
“I should go tell the men you’re ready.” Bea moved toward the door, but she paused before slipping out. “Any messages to pass along?”
Mandie raised her brows as she scanned for something that might encourage Enoch. “Only that I’ll be right behind you.” She could say more when she was there in person and would see his response.
After Bea left, Mama fussed with the pearl necklace one final time, her fingers trembling as she adjusted the clasp.
“Mandie. I want you to know how proud I am of the woman you’ve become.
The strength you’ve shown these past months, the grace with which you’ve faced every challenge…
” She paused, her voice thickening. “Your father and I, we didn’t see past that man’s charm, and I’m so very sorry. ”
Mandie turned to face her mother fully, reaching out to still those trembling hands. “Mama, Clayton showed you exactly what he wanted you to see. He’s excellent at presenting a facade.”
“But we should have protected you better. Should have listened when you tried to tell me you wanted nothing to do with him.” Tears gathered in her mother’s eyes. “Instead, I actually encouraged a connection between you. I thought it the perfect match since he was Nicholas’s brother.”
“And now look where the Lord has brought me.” Mandie squeezed her mother’s hands. “If I hadn’t fled Savannah, I never would have found Enoch. I never would have discovered what real love feels like.”
Her mother nodded, blinking back tears. “He does love you, doesn’t he? I can see it in how he looks at you. How gentle he is with you.”
“He does. And I love him more than I ever imagined possible.”
Mama sniffed. “I suppose we’d better get you to him then.”
They made their way down the narrow staircase to the mercantile’s back door. Mrs. Holbrook waited at the bottom, beaming as they approached.
“Oh my dear, you look absolutely lovely.” The older woman clasped her hands at her chin. “Sheriff Hawkins and the men are already down by the river. Such a romantic spot they’ve chosen.”
“Thank you so much for the use of your room.” Mandie took the woman’s hands to squeeze them. “You’ve been a blessing.”
“Happy I could help.” Mrs. Holbrook’s cheeks pinkened. “Now you go on and marry that handsome fellow. The whole town’s been talking for years about how he needs a wife.”
Mandie’s mother opened the back door, and they stepped out into the warm afternoon air. The scent of pine and fresh air filled her lungs as they walked along the path behind the buildings, their footsteps muffled by the soft dirt.
The mercantile appeared to be connected to the building beside it, and perhaps one more, so they kept walking until a path between the structures would allow them to turn toward the main street and the river.
After they passed the second door, it opened behind them. Mandie glanced back, a smile and a pleasantry on her lips for the shop owner.
The man who exited looked nothing like a businessman. Nor the second who flanked him. But the third man…she knew far too well.
Clayton.
Before she could scream, one of the men lunged forward and clamped a grimy hand over her mouth as he dragged her backward, the stench of unwashed bodies and stale whiskey overwhelming her senses. She struggled against his grip, against the bitter taste of his palm against her skin.
Her mother’s cry of alarm cut short as the second man seized her, dragging her backward toward the open door.
Mandie thrashed against her captor’s hold, her silk skirt tangling around her legs.
“Hello, Mandie.” Clayton’s voice cut through the air, his words sending shivers down Mandie’s spine. “No need for dramatics. We’re simply going to have a conversation before you make any...permanent decisions.”
She fought harder, and the ivory combs scattered from her hair, clattering onto the dirt as her carefully arranged waves tumbled loose.
The men dragged them into the dim interior of what appeared to be a storage room. Crates and barrels lined the walls, and the air reeked of old spices and something sour that made her stomach twist.
Clayton stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He turned the key in the lock, then pulled the key out and tucked it in his vest pocket. The dim light filtering from a single lantern cast his face in sharp shadows, making his smile appear even more predatory than usual.
“Much better.” He brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his sleeve. “Now we can speak privately.”
Mandie’s heart hammered against her ribs. Lord, please let Enoch come looking for us soon. Please don’t let him wait long.
Her mother whimpered behind the second man’s hand, her eyes wide with terror above his grimy fingers. The sight sent fury blazing through Mandie’s fear.
“Let her go,” she tried to say, though the words came out muffled against her captor’s palm. She bit down hard on the fleshy part of his hand.
The man cursed. “Little wildcat bit me!” But he clamped his grip tighter, covering most of her nose so she could barely draw air.
Panic surged up her chest. Lord, we need help. Please!