Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Josie stayed on Travis’s mind all afternoon, and when Mr. Lynde dismissed him early, he could hardly contain his excitement.
As he hoisted the last sack of feed onto the wagon, barely winded, he couldn’t help but have a quiet satisfaction.
His strength had returned, far beyond Aunt Polly’s predictions.
Bed rest wouldn’t fill his pockets the way a day’s work did.
Stepping back from the wagon, he grinned widely beneath his scarf.
In all the months he’d known Josie, Travis hadn’t thought of her this much.
He ached to be by her side, holding her close enough to feel her heartbeat against his chest like last night.
Two reasons pulled him towards her—the strange longing within him and the growing concern for her well-being.
He never imagined a woman like Josie could be in such danger.
Travis didn’t blame her for what she had done to her husband.
Killing Marcus was an accident—an act of self-defense and desperation.
If she hadn’t fought back, he might have hurt her or worse.
However, without the situation, Josie would have never found her way to Travis.
She found safety, and Travis never knew how much he needed her.
She was like the air that he needed to survive.
Losing Sophie had left a deep hole in Travis’s heart, but being with Josie mended it, little by little.
Now, he knew he could move forward as long as she was by his side.
He never wanted to fall back into the way he used to treat her, realizing how foolish he’d been to ignore her.
Now, he couldn’t resist thinking of her constantly.
She had a hold on him—strong and unshakable—and he never wanted to break free from it.
The sun peeked from behind the clouds, nearly blinding Travis as he looked above.
He had grown tired of the freezing weather, yearning for warmth again.
The only part of winter he appreciated was Josie snuggling closer to him in her sleep.
That was one thing about the season he’d always cherish.
But now, standing ankle-deep in snow with the wind nipping at his face and burning his nostrils, he wished for spring.
Travis shut the back of the wagon and climbed up the ledge, pulling his scarf tighter while the sharp wind hit his ears.
With a quick signal, he urged the horses forward, the reins held firm in his hands.
The wagon creaked and ushered slowly, the wheels crunching through the icy ground.
The streets were nearly empty with most folks choosing to stay indoors.
Travis would’ve done the same if not for the supplies and work.
The Lyndes were counting on his and Ronan’s help, but with Ronan grieving, Mr. Lynde was left without anyone else to rely on. Travis couldn’t let them down.
It was only a matter of time before another blizzard swept through.
Mr. Lynde ordered a large shipment from Bozeman, and Travis was glad to help.
He had no intention of being caught in a deadly blizzard ever again.
He had a wife and five children to provide for, and risking his life in the cold wasn’t an option anymore—unless it was to save one of them.
As Travis neared the edge of town, another wagon pulled up beside him. He waved when he recognized Reverend Levingston. It had been quite some time since they’d crossed paths because church services had been canceled due to the epidemic and the harsh winter weather.
“Good evening, Reverend,” Travis said.
Reverend Levingston pulled his reins back, slowing his team to a stop. “Good evening, Travis. What brings you into town?”
Travis pointed behind him. “Just getting back from the mercantile and taking home some supplies. How about you?”
“I went to visit the Walshes, and I’m on my way home.”
Travis sighed. “It’s terrible what happened to them. Josie and I went yesterday to visit them.”
“We had the burial today. They didn’t want to risk the illness spreading more, so we went ahead since I was already there. It’s not right to bury a coffin so small.”
“You’re right,” Travis agreed. “I can only imagine how hard it is on the young’uns.”
“They don’t look good, but I believe all will be better in time. God is watching over them.” Reverend Levingston laid his reins in his lap. “I hope your surprise visitation is going well.”
Travis’s eyes narrowed. “Pardon?”
“Josie’s uncle. He came by the church this morning, looking for you. I hope Josie is enjoying time with her family.”
Travis scratched his neck. Josie’s last-known relative was her great aunt, and the idea of an uncle suddenly coming to visit was too peculiar.
No one down south knew where Josie was except that lawyer.
Travis’s protective instincts flared instantly, his fists tightening around the reins.
He should have stayed home, especially now that he knew the truth about Josie’s past.
“Who was he? Where was he from?”
“His name’s Frank Shelton. He has a Southern accent, so I assumed he must be from North Carolina. He tried to pay me in gold for my help, but I put it in the church offering.”
Shelton? Josie had never mentioned anyone in her family by that name. A knot tightened in Travis’s gut—something wasn’t right.
“Thank you for your help, Reverend. I’d love to visit more, but I must get home before dark.”
Reverend Levingston tipped his hat. “Be safe, Travis. Tell your family I said hello.”
Travis snapped the reins, urging the two horses to trudge faster through the snow.
What a fool he had been to let his past get the better of him.
Josie was right when Travis was sick. For over a decade he blamed himself and consumed his time in providing, but he had no idea how much providing could put his family in danger.
When Travis made it to the farm, he quickly noticed how quiet it was. Without bothering to tie the team, he sprinted to the cabin and noticed a mix of small and large footprints leading away from the front door. Panic surged through him as he bolted open the door, his chest rigidifying.
“Jo! Children!”
No answer, not even a stir.
“Hello?” Then, from his right, he heard a small whimper.
“Pa?”
Travis rushed towards the soft voice. He flung open the pantry door to find all four of his children crammed together, hugging each other tightly, their wide eyes filled with fear and their cheeks stained with tears.
Their lips quivered while trying to form words.
Gideon immediately pulled away from Ivy’s arms, and Travis scooped him up, relief flooding through him as he helped the others out.
Then his heart stopped, stealing his breath the moment he realized Nathan was missing.
“What happened? Where are Josie and Nathan?”
Jonas’s bottom lip quivered as he sobbed, and Travis bent down to meet his son’s tear-filled gaze.
“Jonas, what happened? Tell me, please.”
“B-Bad man . . .”
Travis’s stomach dropped, and his jaw hardened. His head began to spin, and a rush of heat went through his ears and neck as anger surged like wildfire. I should have been here. I promised to protect them.
“Who was it? What did he do?”
The more Travis asked questions, the more the children cried. Travis wiped his face with his hands. “Everything is all right. We’ll bring them home. But for me to do that, you must tell me everything.”
Ivy’s face twisted as she whimpered. “He . . . He took Josie and Nathan and left. He had a gun.”
“He had gray and brown hair and a scary scar on his face,” Lillian added.
“When was this?” Travis asked, his veins pulsing.
“It was after we started painting,” Ivy answered.
Painting. That had to be around noon. Travis stood and grabbed his rifle hanging above the fireplace mantel.
He yanked bullets from the kitchen shelf, loading as many rounds as he could into his pockets.
There hadn’t been any real threats in Willow Grove for years; the rifle was merely a precaution against wild beasts or intruders.
But this time would be different. He was going to hunt down this man and save his wife and son.
“Children, you are going to listen to me. I need you to bundle yourself up as warm as you can and go to Aunt Polly’s. She’ll keep you safe until I return.”
“But Pa . . .” Jonas whimpered. “What if you get hurt?”
Travis squatted to their level and hugged them as tightly as he could. He kissed the top of their heads as if it was their last time together.
“I love all of you so much. Please know that.”
Travis slipped on an extra coat and grasped his rifle.
He loathed the thought of leaving his children behind, but time was slipping away.
Josie and Nathan were his family, too, and he’d risk everything for them.
He saddled his beloved horse, Flash, and they galloped off into the woods.
Travis’s eyes followed the hoof tracks like a hawk tracking his prey.
While Travis’s horse sped through the forest, he couldn’t predict what lay ahead, but he would keep his promise.
God help the man who laid a finger on his wife. Travis spent his entire life losing the ones he cared for one by one, but now that he was on the verge of losing Josie, too, he felt a flame burn within him—a flame that urged him to fight against the dangers and bring her home safe and sound.