***
Two miles from the ranch, they entered Johnson lands. Beautiful green hills rose toward a cloudless blue sky. Groups of cattle and their young fed on the life-giving grasses that seemed to spread as far as the eye could see. A few here and there lifted their heads and lowed in greeting to the passersby. Katherine smiled as a calf pranced around its mother, attempting to goad her into play.
Before long, the ranch became visible over the final rise. It sprawled out before them, six buildings in all including two barns, a dairy, a silo, cattlemen’s quarters, and finally, the big family home which sat front and center. The Johnson family was wealthy, but Jacob Johnson Sr. was a humble man who chose to live well beneath his means, and always offered a helping hand to good people in need. He believed that clean living and good honest work brought great rewards. His loving wife, Isabelle, provided him with never ending love and support. It was no wonder their sons grew to be such strapping, good-hearted men.
Riding into the large yard in front of the big house, Jacob and Carson dismounted, then Jacob reached up and lowered Katherine gingerly to the ground. A boy came from the direction of the barn to take the reins of the horses and lead them away. Just then, Isabelle came from inside the house. Her eyes lit when she saw Katherine, and she descended the stairs with her arms outstretched. Her white linen dress flowed gracefully in the soft breeze as her thin arms enveloped the girl.
“Kate, my beautiful girl. How are you?”
Feeling the weakness in the young woman’s hug, she took a fleeting look into the eyes of her two sons. Concerned, she drew back and looked into Kate’s face. It was then that Isabelle noticed the bruised lump on her temple, and her eyes widened slightly in silent alarm. From the expression in her eyes when she glanced at her sons again, they knew to expect a full inquisition later.
She gently reached up and cupped Kate’s face in her small hands. “Come on in. We’ll get you laid down and fed.”
Never one to argue with the kind woman, Katherine allowed Isabelle to wrap an arm around her waist and guide her carefully up the wide stairs and into the house.
Jacob and Carson, seeing that Katherine was now in good hands, turned to walk determinedly around to the back of the house. Carson was first to reach the office where they knew their father would be.
Big Jake looked up from his ledgers when the screen door of his office banged loudly. One look at his sons’ somber faces told him that there was trouble. He laid his pencil on the desk and sat back in his chair.
“Mason’s gone too far this time, Sir.” Jacob began, fuming.
“He’s hurting innocent young women to achieve his ends.” Carson added.
“And he may be killing people in Redstone for their lands.” Jacob said.
Jake put up two hands to stop their speech. “Whoa, whoa now. What in the world happened to get you two so riled up?” He asked.
Jacob stepped forward. “George Mason rode into town today and kidnapped Kate’s friend Abigail. He claimed she had tried to back out of an engagement that he and her father had arranged. Everyone knew it was a lie. Why would Boone marry his only child off to an old cut throat like him? But no one stepped to her defense…except Katherine. She knew the truth. When we got there, Mason had clubbed Kate and left her in the dirt, riding off with Abigail kicking and screaming over the back of his horse.
“What’s more,” Carson added, “it’s possible that he staged Richard Boone’s death and is trying to marry Abigail to get his hands on the property. Kate said Abby heard Mason questioning her father about the land a week before his death.”
Jake had steepled his hands and was listening attentively to the information his sons were giving him. After they finished, he sat for a long moment, deep in thought. Jacob and Carson waited patiently, knowing their father’s habits. Everyone was tiring of Mason’s unscrupulous deeds, and this time it had gotten a bit too personal. Finally, he took a deep breath and looked up at them.
“To get the girl back, it’s best to strike just before dawn. If and when Mason finds a minister to marry them, he’ll turn her over to his men soon after. Poor young girl like that doesn’t deserve to be brutalized. But go back into town and address the sheriff first. Make a show of good faith.”
“Sheriff’s out of town, and the deputy’s gone missing.” Carson said.
Jake nodded. “That explains why this was all so easy for him. The people knew there was no law to back them up.” He gave Jacob a firm look, knowing his son’s mind. “Go only for the girl, not revenge. Let the sheriff deal with any assault and murder charges when he gets back.” Jacob hesitated, then nodded and quickly left the office by another door that led into the house.
Carson stood before his father, deep in thought.
“Son?” Jake said.
Carson snapped from his reverie. “Sir?”
“This girl…Abigail,” his father said, “Is she the one you told me about?”
Unlike his brother Jacob, Carson was easily able to mask his emotions. But Jake could see through to the fire that burned inside his son.
“Yes, Sir.” He answered.
Jake took a long look at the younger man. “You need to keep your head clear, you hear? Anger will only cloud your judgment at a time like this.”
Carson nodded. “I know, Pa. Thank you.” He said simply. Then he exited the way he came and headed across the yard toward the cattlemen’s quarters.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Jacob landed on the main level and strode determinedly toward the guest rooms. He was met by his mother who had been issuing instructions to Silvia, their housekeeper, in the hallway. As the young woman turned away, Isabelle started toward her son.
“How is she?” He asked.
“She’s tired, but fine. You, young man, are going to tell me everything that happened.” She said, grasping his muscular forearm and steering him in the direction he had come. Jacob gave a long look at the door he knew concealed Kate, then obediently turned to follow his mother.
Isabelle pulled him to the end of the carpeted hallway, then faced him and planted her hands on her hips. Lifting an eyebrow she said, “I’m waiting.”
Even at five feet three inches tall, Isabelle Johnson had a formidable presence. With a will of iron to match her husband’s, she was indeed a force to be reckoned with. Jacob sighed and acquiesced. “George Mason kidnapped Abigail Boone in town today, claiming they were engaged. Katherine was trying to defend her when Mason beat her and rode off with the girl.”
Isabelle took it in, then frowned a question at her son, though she already knew the answer. “And this happened in broad daylight, in the middle of town, with no witnesses?” she asked.
Jacob sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “Everyone in town knows what Mason’s men are capable of. And what with the sheriff out of town and the deputy missing, no one is willing to put their lives on the line for what they see as a reluctant bride.”
Isabelle took a long look at her son and crossed her arms. “What are you and Carson planning?” she asked knowingly.
“Nothing dangerous.” Jacob said. “We talked it over with Pa.”
She knew what that meant. They had gone to seek his approval and his help, and he had given both with the unspoken order to keep it from her ears. He was always trying to shield her from harm. Isabelle bit her bottom lip and tapped her foot, making Jacob rub the back of his neck nervously.
“Uh, may I see her now, ma’am?”
“Go ahead.” She said finally, “But don’t take too long. Supper will be ready in an hour.”
At Katherine’s door, he waited until his mother went down the stairs leading to his father’s office, then he knocked softly. Hearing no answer, he quietly pushed the door open. Another housekeeper was carrying Katherine’s dusty riding dress from the adjoining powder room. Catching sight of him, she excused herself and quickly left. Ever mindful of propriety, Jacob left the door slightly ajar behind her. His gaze fell upon the sleeping form in th
e bed. Her hair had been brushed to a shine, his mother’s doing he suspected, and she wore a shift beneath the light quilt. Her face was soft in repose as she breathed steadily. Not taking his eyes from her, he moved to a chair that sat in the corner and settled into it.
Jacob leaned his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes. A short nap before dinner was all he needed.
A long while later his eyes opened again to the sight of the whitewashed rafters above him. While lowering his head, his neck caught painfully, and he rubbed the spot to alleviate the pain. With a glance at the figure on the bed, he stilled when he saw two brown pools staring back at him. His hand lowered slowly as he wondered at her stillness, then she blinked drowsily. She continued to stare, and he went to her, lowering himself to his knees on the floor. This close, he could see that her eyes were pleading silently. Moisture had seeped into the pillow below her face, and he knew that she had come to realize what they had planned to do. Such emotion from Katherine was a rarity. He knew in that moment how deep her feelings were for him, whether or not she was willing to admit it.
“Shh,” he soothed, smoothing her hair with his hand. “Everything is going to be alright.” Jacob tilted his head to meet her gaze, and smiled. “Tears from you? I thought I was sooner to get water from a stone.” He teased.
She smiled wryly and turned her face into the pillow. When she looked again, Jacob’s eyes had turned serious as they delved into hers. “I’m coming back for you, Kitty. I promise.” He took the hand that lay on the pillow and gave it a squeeze. This time she didn’t pull away, but squeezed back and pulled it close to her heart. Her eyes closed as she drifted back to sleep.
Isabelle backed silently away from the door, a small smile on her face. Not wanting to disturb them, she went to have Silvia bring their dinner to the room.