The Redemption of Micah Read online

  Candice’s eyes widened, but she nodded. “You think it will come to shooting those folks?”

  “No, but we need to be armed, to be sure we can do what we need to get her back. There’s no way in hell I plan on leaving there without Miracle. I want to make sure they understand that.” He picked up a big one with a brass loop behind the trigger. “You’ve got a new Winchester lever action.”

  “It came in about six months ago, but the man who ordered it never picked it up.” Candice wrung her hands together. “I never liked guns. They only lead to someone being shot and killed.”

  “I’m sorry, Candice, but sometimes you need to go beyond simply talking to people. I will defend my daughter, no matter what I have to do.” Micah’s hand was steady as a rock as he picked up a box of cartridges from the shelf beneath the rifles. Eppie knew his history and what he was capable of. She hoped he wouldn’t have to show her.

  Daniel arrived as they walked out of the store. He frowned when he saw the rifle. “Where you headed, Micah?”

  “The Prentiss farm to get our daughter back. If you try and stop me, I might have to knock you into next week.” Micah had never sounded so hard.

  Daniel held up his hands. “Don’t fight me, Spalding. I am helping you, remember? Now let me ride along with you so the Prentisses know you have the law on your side.”

  “You’re right.” Micah let out a breath. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I, it’s just, well, really hard.”

  “I know, so let’s work together.” Daniel mounted his horse and waited as Eppie and Micah climbed into the carriage.

  Dozens of butterflies swarmed Eppie’s stomach while a hive of bees buzzed in her head. She was nervous, frightened and excited all at once.

  When they returned to Plum Creek, they’d either have Miracle with them, or one of them might not come back at all.

  As they drove out of town, folks who had been helping with the search waved. Some shouted “Good luck” while others said “Go get that little girl.” Eppie had thought Plum Creek was full of selfish, mean citizens who treated her as if she had the plague. Now she realized it was only a few bad apples, that many of them were worthy of more respect than she had been giving them.

  There was no doubt people like Matilda Webster and her entourage of hatred would always be around. Eppie had hopes the good would outweigh the bad and when they got Miracle back, they could be a family in Plum Creek.

  She fidgeted in the seat, pulling at the seam on her split skirt, biting her nails, even tapping her feet. Micah kept glancing at her and she could tell he wanted to tell her to relax, but judging by his posture, he surely wasn’t relaxed either.

  The ten miles seemed to take ten years, but in reality it was only about an hour and a half in the carriage. They could’ve taken the horses alone, but then Miracle would have had to ride back in their laps. Truth was, Eppie was glad to take the carriage, even if she wanted to get to the farm as fast as a bolt of lightning. Having Daniel with them was a help to her frazzled nerves, but it didn’t cure them.

  Finally they crested a hill and saw a small farmhouse nestled at the base of a hill. Beside the house was a barn and a small corral. Black-and-white cows dotted the lush green hillside. An idyllic looking setting, yet to Eppie it represented a prison. Miracle’s prison.

  Micah turned to her, his expression as tight as his grip on the reins. “What if she’s not there?”

  Eppie’s heart stuttered at the thought. She’d blocked the idea that the minister could have been lying. Miracle had to be there.

  “I can’t think about that. She’s there. I can feel it.” Eppie pointed at the house. “She is there in the house with Mrs. Prentiss, waiting for us.” Tears burned her eyes as she swallowed the lump of emotion. “It’s been the most incredible, frightening and amazing day. I’d like it to be over.”

  Micah nodded, looking scared and determined. “Me, too.”

  He flicked the reins and the carriage headed down the hill toward the farm. The closer they got, the tighter her stomach clenched. When the carriage stopped in front of the house, Eppie thought she might vomit.

  Micah, however, was the rock to which she clung. He jumped down and came around to her side. His silver gaze met hers as he picked her up out of the carriage and set her on her feet. Daniel dismounted and stayed beside them.

  Without a word, they walked the five feet to the front porch. Eppie shook like a leaf in a summer storm; her teeth even clacked together.

  “Let’s try the front door and see if they will be reasonable,” Daniel suggested.

  Micah snorted. “I doubt it, but we can try. My guess is they’re out working, since this is a farm.”

  The door was a plain wood front with an iron latch. Behind that door, Eppie was going to find her daughter. Micah knocked once and they waited an eternity.

  No one answered.

  Micah knocked a second time, bouncing on his heels as they waited again.

  No one answered.

  “Maybe they’re in the barn or the corral.” Eppie’s mouth had dried out so much she couldn’t swallow. Panic threatened to overwhelm her.

  “Maybe.” He looked around, but nothing moved aside from the chickens scratching the ground. “Listen.”

  Blood rushed around so fast all she could hear was the beat in her ears. “I can’t hear anything.”

  “Shhh, listen.” He tucked her under his arm and took off her hat. “Close your eyes and listen.”

  Eppie obeyed, closing her eyes when all she wanted to do was scream and stamp her feet in frustration. He held her close, his solid presence soothing and calming.

  At first she heard nothing, then very faintly, a giggle. The pure, sweet sound of Miracle. A surge of the purest hope filled her heart.

  “Where is she?” her voice even resonated hope.

  “Somewhere toward the barn. We’re going to have to be quiet. I don’t know what to expect. Jesus, even knocking on the door almost made me jump out of my skin. Something is wrong here at this farm, and I don’t trust these Prentiss folks. Not a whit.” He met her gaze. “You should stay here with the carriage and let me and Daniel handle this.”

  “No. I will not stay here and wait as if I haven’t been dying inside since I found out she’d been taken.” Eppie wouldn’t be treated like a weak woman, even if she was currently feeling weak.

  “It’s safer for you to stay with the carriage. Micah’s right.” Daniel wasn’t very helpful.

  “I don’t want to worry about both of you.” Micah scowled at her.

  “That’s too bad for you. I will not be left behind. She’s my daughter, too.”

  Micah kissed her hard. “And I can’t tell you how long I wanted, waited, wished to hear that. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She kissed him back. “I’m still going with you.”

  He managed a small smile. “Stay behind us, and for God’s sake, don’t make any noise. We want to surprise them.”

  As they started down the porch, Micah stopped and went back to the carriage. Eppie wanted to stop him, but she knew he was determined. He loaded the gun and came back to her, his expression unapologetic. Daniel pulled his pistol from its holster and nodded at Micah.

  “I won’t take a chance with Miracle’s life or yours.” Micah said when he saw the expression on Eppie’s face.

  “I know, but I don’t have to like it.” Although she didn’t want him to even have the rifle, much less use it, she understood the necessity. God forbid one of the Prestisses saw the rifle and started shooting. One thing Eppie did know about herself—she hated guns.

  “I don’t have the time or the patience to have our first argument. Just stay behind us.”

  “I’m going to take the right side, you take the left. Don’t do anything stupid.” Daniel pointed at the rifle. “Don’t shoot and then ask questions, okay?”

  Micah’s lips tightened. “I’ll try.”

  “I don’t want to have to arrest you. Just be smart, Micah. You won’t get her
back unless you are.” Daniel disappeared around the right side of the house.

  Micah took Eppie’s hand and crept around the side of the porch. “It’s good, isn’t it?” she whispered as they stepped into the tall grass. She stuck to his back like a burr.

  “What?” his boots made a soft shuffling sound in the grass.

  “She’s laughing. That’s good. It means she’s okay.” Eppie couldn’t get the sound of Miracle’s giggle out of her mind. Miracle was happy, if not entirely safe. At least she wasn’t screaming or crying. Eppie hung on to that thought. It was the only thing she could cling to.

  “I hope so.” His answer was barely audible.

  “Where are they?” she whispered.

  He paused, closing his eyes. Eppie wanted to shake him and force him to simply find Miracle. Micah had been a soldier. No doubt he could track or find someone when needed. However, that didn’t make her feel any better.

  “Behind the barn, in the corral, I think,” he finally answered.

  They crept along with Eppie’s heart residing somewhere near her throat. Their path was excruciatingly slow, much to her dismay. She’d only heard the one giggle and now the only sound she heard was a cow lowing from the barn and a hawk crying overhead.

  It was a beautiful late summer day. Too bad they had to steal back their child. When they reached the barn, a thump from within told them someone was inside.

  Micah’s gaze met hers and he made a funny motion with his fingers she didn’t understand. When she shook her head, he leaned in close and whispered fiercely in her ear.

  “Stay here. I’m going to see who’s in the barn.”

  Before she could protest, vehemently, he darted back toward the front of the barn. Eppie wanted to scream in frustration at being left behind, particularly considering she told him she refused to be. Yet he’d done it anyway.

  A squeak sounded from her right and she got on her hands and knees to crawl over to the edge of the building. Her breath came in short gasps as she dared to expose her presence and peer around the corner. Her heart beat so loud, it made her ears hurt—she’d never been so afraid even after waking up in a strange house with a strange man hovering over her.

  She moved a smidge at a time until she could actually see behind the barn. There was a clearing, the edge of the corral, and on top of a horse, Miracle. Eppie bit her tongue to keep from screaming in surprise and joy. A woman had the horse’s reins, leading the brown and white equine in a circle. Miracle was smiling, but she had a firm grip on the saddle horn.

  Eppie hadn’t thought she had motherly instincts, but seeing her daughter way up on top of that beast made those instincts stand up and bellow like Vikings. How dare they put such a little girl on top of such a big horse? She could break a leg, an arm, or her neck.

  Anger surged ahead of fear and apprehension and Eppie decided she needed to do something or risk losing her mind. She didn’t know where Micah was, and she couldn’t wait for him. Miracle could be hurt at any moment and it was up to her mother to save her.

  Eppie knew enough not to spook the horse by shouting, so she decided to try the not-so-sneaky approach. She’d simply walk up and say hello.

  Micah was both relieved and disappointed the noise from the barn was a milk cow. She looked at him with big brown eyes and let out a soft “moo.” A hysterical laugh bubbled up in his throat, but he swallowed it back down. No need giving himself away.

  He was going to go back to Eppie, but a missing board in the back caught his eye. No reason not to take a peek outside and see what he could see. It might give him a bit more information about exactly who or what was on the Prentiss farm.

  When he crept up to the hole, he was careful not to disturb any of the dust accumulated on the wall. He didn’t want them to discover he’d been there and then catch him by surprise. Sounds of a horse and a woman filtered through the hole, and what sounded like a faint scraping noise.

  Micah put his eye down to the hole, which looked like it came from a horse kick, and looked out. He nearly swallowed his own tongue when he saw Miracle up on a horse and Eppie walking toward her.

  “Jesus Christ.” He backed away from the hole as quickly as possible and tiptoed out of the barn. Fortunately no one saw him, and no critters raised the alarm. Good thing, too, because his hands were so sweaty, he’d probably shoot himself if he had to use the rifle.

  He had no idea what Eppie was up to but damned if she didn’t listen very well. Micah had been a soldier—he knew what he could, should, and would do to survive. She had no idea, yet she just gallivanted off and put herself in danger, and her only about a hundred ten pounds soaking wet.

  Micah darted around the back of the barn, keeping his ear tuned to what was happening, growing more incredulous the closer he got. Where the hell is Daniel?

  “I am simply parched.” The rich southern drawl poured out of Eppie’s mouth like warm honey. “That liveryman simply has to be more responsible when he rents buggies. I could’ve been killed.”

  The drama playing out was enough to make him want to wring her neck, or kiss her for being so brilliant.

  “You’re welcome to as much water as you need.” A woman’s voice answered, soft-spoken and polite. “My daughter and I were just playing a bit.”

  My daughter.

  Like hell.

  “She looks awfully small up there on that large horse.” Eppie laughed as if she didn’t have a brain in her head. “I declare I don’t think I’ve seen such a pretty girl in a dog’s age. What’s your name, sugar pie?”

  Micah held his breath, wondering if Miracle was smart enough to play along with Eppie’s farce. If she wasn’t, everything would happen fast. His hand tightened on the rifle as he waited for the girl’s answer.

  “Betsy.” The name sounded hollow and so damn wrong coming from Miracle, it made his stomach roll over.

  “Betsy is a lovely name for such a lovely girl.” Eppie sounded farther away as if she’d walked a distance.

  Micah crawled up to the corner and forced himself to look around the corner. Eppie was at the water pump with a dipper in her hand. She leaned against the pump head, just as casually as if she’d been going for a walk.

  The woman was dressed in a plain blue dress without even lace on the collar. Her black shoes were serviceable if not military looking. She appeared to be in her mid-thirties with her hair pulled back in a tight knot at the back of her head. No doubt wondering who the crazy woman was who’d dropped in on her farm unexpectedly, Mrs. Prentiss had her hand on the reins of the horse and looked ready to bolt.

  Save her, Eppie.

  He put his trust, and his faith, in his woman. She was smarter than most men, and clever to boot. Micah didn’t want to threaten anyone or worse, cause bloodshed, but he would without hesitation. Miracle was his daughter, his flesh, his blood. That woman was not her mother, nor would she ever be.

  “Betsy was my mama’s name,” Mrs. Prentiss finally answered.

  “A family name? That’s precious.” Eppie set the dipper back in the pouch hanging from the pump handle and meandered back toward Miracle. She kept her steps steady and slow, but Micah could see her trembling with whatever emotions raced through her.

  “Where do you hail from, Miss?” the other woman led the horse to the corral and secured the reins to the fence. Micah hoped like hell she’d take Miracle off the saddle.

  “Originally from Virginia. My parents were lucky enough to be born free, so I was, too. After the war, we moved out here to start over.” Eppie fanned her face with her lace handkerchief. “Landsakes, it’s hot out here today. Feels like summer doesn’t want to let go.”

  That was the truth. Sweat slid down Micah’s back like a snake in a river. If it got any hotter, he might not be able to see for the perspiration in his eyes.

  “Yes, it surely does. Do you want to come in the house and sit a spell? Homer should be back in an hour or so and can drive you back to town.” Mrs. Prentiss reached for Miracle’s waist, and Micah had
to bite his lip to keep from shouting in triumph.

  “That would be very neighborly, Mrs. Prentiss. A bit of shade would work wonders for my constitution.” Eppie should look into the theater, because she was playing the role better than any southern belle he’d known.

  As soon as Mrs. Prentiss put Miracle on her feet, she ran over to Eppie and hugged her legs. Micah didn’t know who looked more surprised, Eppie or Mrs. Prentiss.

  “Why, your daughter is very affectionate.” Eppie’s voice sounded strangled.

  “Apparently so.” Mrs. Prentiss held out her hand. “Come now, child, let’s go inside.”

  Miracle stood in front of Eppie and folded her arms, the stubborn look Micah had come to dread on her face. “No.”

  “You mind your mama now, Betsy, and come inside the house.” Mrs. Prentiss didn’t sound angry, but annoyed nonetheless. While Micah wanted to sympathize with her, he only grinned at his daughter’s bravery.

  “Mama’s here now. I wanna go home.”

  Three things happened at once and Micah never had a chance to stop them.

  Eppie grabbed Miracle and started running.

  Mrs. Prentiss let out a holler and followed.

  A gun barrel pressed into the back of Micah’s head and the unmistakable sound of a trigger being cocked echoed through his ears.

  They’d been caught.

  Eppie hugged Miracle to her chest. Her little body trembled even as she clung on with her legs wrapped around Eppie’s waist. Nothing had ever felt as sweet or as perfect as holding her daughter in her arms. She skidded to a halt as she saw Micah stand. Presumably it was Mr. Prentiss with a rifle pointed at his head. Daniel appeared from the other side of the barn in the corral, his pistol trained on Mr. Prentiss.

  She closed her eyes and prayed, hoping God would take pity on the woman he’d let sleep for three years and give her back the joy in her life.

  Mrs. Prentiss tried to take Miracle, but the child was good and truly attached. Eppie bared her teeth at the older woman.

  “Get your hands off my daughter.”