Chapter 26
REGGIE
I ride up to Grant’s new home with a smile on my face as I can’t wait to tell Jessica about our cabin and how much nicer the area is than I imagined. Pulling Bells’ saddle off, I keep looking out over the corral, expecting Jess to come out, only to see Lauren standing alone on the porch.
Grant meets me just as I hook the gate shut. “I am half-starved, and I can smell those biscuits from out here.”
We spent the evening talking about our plans and dreams for the future after going through the house and unpacking the wagons. Even though I enjoyed my cousin’s company, I realized I kept looking around for Jess, like there was just something missing.
“Come on in, boys,” Lauren yells out. “I figured you’d all be back about this time, so breakfast is on the table.”
Walking up the stairs and into the house, a shiver runs down my spine when I notice Jess is nowhere in sight.
I follow Grant into the kitchen where Lauren has already set our plates out and sit down.
I’ve just taken a bite out of one of her fabulous biscuits when I see Lauren looking toward the front door as well, like she’s expecting someone.
“Lauren, where’s Jess? Is she not feeling good?”
“What? Jessica isn’t here, Reggie. She hasn’t been since you all left, so I thought she rode out with you all yesterday.
I just realized I may have been mistaken when I didn’t see another horse coming up the lane with you two.
But then it dawned on me that she may have stayed behind to straighten things up.
I thought I heard someone come in after you left, but I was telling Roy and Frank where I wanted that chest in our room. They left before I went to your room to check on her. I thought maybe she had lain down, but she wasn’t there.”
I’m on my feet, heading toward my room before she finishes that last part.
I can hear her and Grant talking behind me, but my heart knows before I open the door what’s on the other side.
Stepping into the room, my eyes absorb everything in an instant.
The bed has not been slept in. The shirt I had on yesterday is still balled up on the end, but lying directly in plain sight are the lace gloves I bought, with her ring sitting on top.
Picking the ring up, I look at it, getting mad and hurt all at the same time.
Stomping back out of the room with her gloves and the ring still in my hand, I walk up to Lauren.
“She didn’t say anything?”
“No, I really thought you had decided to take her with you. I don’t believe we spoke two words, to be honest.”
Before I can say anything else, Henry and Marcus come through the door as they are going to head into town with me to get the Clydesdales. Henry sees the gloves in my hands.
“Oh, those are Miss Jess’. Where is she? Is she feeling better?”
I kneel in front of him. “Why would you ask that, Henry?”
“Yesterday, just as we were coming up the ridge, I saw her … she was sick. Her face was red, and I could tell she was trying not to cry. I was scared she had a fever, but she said it was just her tummy. I get a yucky tummy sometimes, too, but her eyes were sad, and she gave me one of those hugs that means she isn’t going to be able to give you another one for a long time. ”
Ruffling his hair, I look over at Grant. “Jess never told me she was sick, but things were crazy yesterday.”
Lauren motions for Henry to sit down at the table.
“I only met her for a few minutes, but something happened right after we came into the house yesterday. Anyone who was watching could tell she was upset, and I will say the moment you handed that envelope to her when you paid the men, I literally watched the light go out of her eyes. It was like she collapsed in on herself, even though she was fighting not to show anyone around. Why did you give her wages like you did the men?”
“I wanted her to have some banknotes of her own, but I bet she didn’t see it like that. Where in the hell would she have gone?”
“The other men who had arrived with you went back to town. Maybe she caught a ride with one of them.”
I grab a piece of sausage and another biscuit and head for the door. Grant is instantly beside me. “What are your plans, cousin?”
“I have to find her.”
“Why?”
“Because I love her! … that’s why! … I should have made it right the moment we stepped into this town, but …
I am a dumbass, and now I may have lost the only thing that matters to me.
Something happened yesterday that made her run, and I need to catch her before she takes my heart with her forever.
” I point out around us, “None of this matters without Jessica, do you understand, Grant??”
I don’t wait for him to agree or disagree before I run out the door toward Bells’. She must know something is wrong, because she’s prancing next to the gate. I rub her down quickly before re-saddling her, “Sorry, sweetheart, I know I promised you a break for a few days, but I need you.”
I open the gate leading her out just as Grant comes out the front door. “Let me grab Rebel, and I’ll head into town with you.”
“I’m not waiting.”
Throwing a leg over the saddle, Bells bolts forward and off we go.
We eat up the few miles that separate Grant’s home from town, but Bells is still prancing anxiously when I slow her down as we head down the main street.
Looking around, I’d been in such a hurry to get here that I didn’t think about where Jess might be.
Taking a chance, I head toward the inn first, wondering if she might have gotten a room there for the night.
Tying Bells to the hitching post, I rub her neck as I walk by, noticing how sweaty she is after such a hard run.
Just as I am getting ready to step inside, I see one of the men from the mercantile.
“Roy, do you have a minute?”
“Sure, Mr. Kerns, what can I do for you?”
“Bells needs to be watered and wiped down. I’ve pushed her hard this morning, and I have a feeling this day has just started for me. You take good care of her, I’ll make it worth your while.”
“I’ll care for your girl, Mr. Kerns. Come find us at the livery when you’re done.”
I nod in thanks before taking off my hat and heading inside. The clerk behind the counter instantly acknowledges me. “Good morning, Mr. Kerns. How may I be of assistance?”
“Can you tell me if Mrs. Kerns checked in last night?”
“No … should she have? I don’t have her down on the books.”
“Let me rephrase this. Did any women check in yesterday?”
“Actually, no, we’ve been empty since you and your crew left. This time of year is always a little slower.”
“Thank you for your time.” I walk out, wondering where to check next, when I see old man Harvey stacking a few empty crates outside.
He sees me coming, only to walk into the building after I call out his name.
I frown because I know he must have heard me, and just as I am almost at his door, he comes back out with a small bag and a waterskin.
“Good morning, Reg … figured you would be by. Are you missing something quite dear, my boy? About yeah tall with bright, sad green eyes?”
“Jessica’s here?”
“Unfortunately … No. She left on the stagecoach about three hours ago.”
“Why didn’t you stop her?”
“She came in with her head down, radiating sadness, and even gave me another name for the ticket. Someone broke that child, and she was running away with what pieces she could hold in her arms. I am assuming you are the culprit? If you ride hard, you can catch up to her before nightfall. Here, you’re going to need this. ”
“Damnit, I’ll have to get another horse from the livery; Bells has already been pushed too hard this morning.”
“Better get to it then. The longer you’re standing here … the further away she’s getting.”
I am already running toward the livery when I hear him yelling something about a mountain pass, but all I can think is that I need to catch her. The second I walk into the barn, I hear Zeus, who, up until now, I’d forgotten about completely. I swear he is trying to tear down the barn walls.
One of the workers runs toward me, “Mr. Kerns, I was just getting ready to have someone send for you. This big guy has not calmed down since one of the men cleaning the stall was trying to take an old blanket out.”
Zeus paws the ground, and sure enough, there is a small indentation in the corner where you can tell someone slept and I know exactly who that was, and my heart practically stops.
“I am sorry, and please tell Mr. Dalton I’ll pay for any damages he has caused. Zeus has always been calm and gentle, I have no idea what’s gotten into him. While I calm him down, would you saddle up one of your fastest horses? I need to catch the stagecoach.”
“I’ll have one of my men see to it. The big male has been calm the entire time we’ve had him until that stagecoach went by. He acted like he had to get out and chase it down.”
“I have a feeling he was trying to do just that because his favorite person was inside. Roy brought my mare Bells in. Would you make sure she is seen to as well?”
“Absolutely! Just give us a few minutes and we will get you on your way.”
Zeus is stomping and snorting when I walk up, and I climb on the side rail, reaching for his bridle. “Hey, big guy, calm down. I am going to go get our girl while that’s happening, little Henry is going to come get you and Coco and take you to our new home. I will bring Jess to you, I promise.”
He shakes his head, then turns away from me, laying his neck across Coco’s back, instantly calm once again.
Climbing off the gate, I am thankful when I see a large quarter horse being led my way, saddled and ready.
Securing the bag old man Harvey gave me, I mount up.
The gelding prances under me as we sprint out of the barn and down the main road, heading in the direction I know the stagecoach is heading.