The Redemption of Micah Read online

  Surprise lit Mrs. Prentiss’s brown eyes. “Excuse me? Betsy is my daughter. Now give her to me.”

  Eppie didn’t think she was a courageous person, although in the last month she’d had to test that assumption a few times. Never more so than at that moment. She swallowed the knot of fear in her throat and straightened her spine.

  “Ask her.” Eppie shifted Miracle to her hip.

  “What?” Mrs. Prentiss reared back.

  “Ask her who her mother is. Ask her what her name is.” Unleashed, Eppie’s courage grew to limitless proportions. “I’ll tell you. I am her mother and her name is Miracle Spalding.” She pointed at Micah, trying to forget he had a gun at his head. “And that is her father Micah Spalding. Miracle was kidnapped from our house this morning by Reverend Mathias. We’ve come to take our daughter home.”

  “Impossible.” The man behind Micah finally spoke in a deep, rich voice while his massive hands never wavered from the rifle. “The good reverend has been telling us about Betsy for months. Said she was an orphan, a good girl who needed good folks. We didn’t think we was cut out to be parents, so we said no for a spell. Until last week.”

  While Mrs. Prentiss kept trying to pluck Miracle from her arms, Eppie dodged her and kept on talking.

  “Reverend Mathias is a kidnapper. He’s sitting in the Plum Creek jail right this moment. This girl is my daughter and I will die before I let anyone else take her.”

  They must have heard the conviction in Eppie’s voice because Mrs. Prentiss stopped and her husband lowered the rifle.

  “That true? He’s in jail?” Homer scratched his head. “He’s a nice fellow, him being a preacher and all, it still don’t seem likely.”

  “She’s right, ma’am. Reverend Mathias is under arrest for taking the girl.” Daniel walked closer. His hands gripped the pistol steadily.

  “If you don’t believe the sheriff or us, then come back to Plum Creek so you can see for yourself,” Micah suggested. “We’ve told you the truth.”

  Mrs. Prentiss looked between the two of them. “I still don’t believe it. No white man is going to marry or have a child with a colored woman. It just ain’t done.” She folded her arms across her chest.

  Eppie saw the anger pass over Micah’s face, and she was sure it was echoed in her own. “That’s ridiculous. Did you take a look at Miracle? She has her father’s beautiful hair.” Eppie stroked the curls.

  “And her mother’s beautiful eyes and cheekbones.” Micah met Eppie’s gaze across the fifteen feet that separated them. “They’re both exquisite.”

  “I still ain’t believing a word of it.” Apparently Eloise was the stubborn one in the marriage.

  Eppie was finally able to get Miracle to lift her head. “What’s your name?”

  “Miracle.” The little voice barely carried on the breeze.

  “Where’s your daddy?”

  Miracle pointed at Micah.

  “Where’s your mama?”

  Miracle pushed her hair out of her eyes. “She waked up and found me.” She kissed Eppie’s cheek. “Mama.”

  Eppie had trouble keeping the tears from falling out of her eyes. The day had been so full of many different emotions. She’d begun the day unsure of anything but her love for Micah, now she was engaged to be married and truly, thankfully a mother with a wonderful child.

  “That don’t prove a thing.”

  “Let’s go with them to Plum Creek.” Homer slid the rifle out of Micah’s hand. “I’ll hold on to this shiny thing until we figure the situation out. The sheriff there can keep an eye on both of us.”

  “Yes, let’s go to Plum Creek.” Eppie started walking back toward the house. “I’m eager to see just how much trouble Mathias is in.”

  “It ain’t a good idea to speak badly of a preacher.” Eloise was not a happy woman, no doubt about that.

  “I don’t care if he rots in hell. The man deserves every second of it.” Eppie’s fury rushed out of her mouth. “He’s caused numerous people pain and agony. It’s about time some came into his life.”

  Eloise gasped, but didn’t say another word, which was a good thing. Eppie might have punched her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Micah had never been so nervous in his life. The Prentisses obviously wanted to keep Miracle, and judging by the way they reacted to Eppie’s claims, they didn’t believe a word she said.

  The possibility these strangers might keep his daughter made him break out in a cold sweat. Homer had taken the rifle and he had no way to protect himself, except for his intelligence. Perhaps the man would be reasonable enough to listen.

  “Mr. Spalding here can help me hitch up the wagon. The women folk can ride together.” Homer didn’t appear to be agitated or concerned.

  “We have a carriage.”

  “You and me can fit in the wagon then while they ride in the carriage. Missus can drive a team all right. The sheriff there must have a horse. Let’s get moving.” Homer took Micah’s arm and veered toward the corral. His long strides ate up the ground and Micah had trouble keeping up with him. The man seemed to be on a mission, even if his tone didn’t convey it.

  Micah glanced back at Eppie. She held on to Miracle, her chin in the air and her back straight. Her gaze met his and he read the love in their chocolate depths.

  Without words, he told her how much she meant to him, that he loved her. She nodded slightly and kept walking beside the stoic, severe Eloise. Miracle kept her head buried in Eppie’s neck, not raising it to even look where they were going.

  Micah’s fury surged anew. Miracle was afraid, really afraid for the first time in her short life. No child should ever be scared, or God forbid, suffer through being kidnapped. The Reverend Mathias was lucky he was in the jail, or Micah would have killed him with his bare hands at that moment.

  He’d been thinking only of himself, and his own fear over what had happened to Miracle. He should have been thinking about how she would feel. God knew he was still trying to figure out how to be a father, another example of his own imperfections.

  Homer led him to the wagon parked near the corral. The men hooked up the horses without a word while the women stood and watched. Eloise had a stare that could melt iron, and she kept it focused on Micah. She must’ve been waiting for him to try to take the rifle from Homer or something equally bad. However, Micah had had no plans to do so, yet. Not when Eppie and Miracle were in danger. He wouldn’t risk their lives for anything.

  Homer laid the reins on the wagon when they were done. “Where’s the carriage?”

  “Out by the road, behind the knot of pine trees.” If he had been thinking, he would have hidden it closer, then perhaps they might have gotten away from the farm without being caught.

  “Let’s all ride up there, then. Missus, why don’t you climb in the back with the woman and Betsy.”

  Micah was surprised to hear Eppie growl. It even scared him. She turned a razor-sharp gaze on Homer.

  “Her name is Miracle, not Betsy.”

  Homer must’ve been a wise man, because he simply nodded and helped them into the back of the wagon. Micah climbed up into the seat, proud of his woman and her fierceness. Daniel stayed calm, a solid presence between the two men.

  They drove out to the carriage and Homer dutifully tried to help the women down from the wagon. When he attempted to take Miracle from Eppie’s arms, both of them growled.

  “This child was not so disrespectful today.” Eloise huffed as she climbed down on her own. “I can see why the reverend would take her away from you.”

  Eppie turned and went nose to nose with the woman. “You don’t know us or what we’ve done in life to survive. Don’t you even dare judge us.”

  It was like watching two cats hissing and scratching at each other. Homer scrambled back in the wagon and picked up the reins. Micah wanted to laugh at the uncertainty on the other man’s face. He had obviously very much underestimated Eppie and her ability to protect herself.

  Micah had, too.


  The “new” Eppie was well spoken, polite, and didn’t appear to have the spark she had before the coma. He’d been wrong about that, very wrong. Not only did she have the spark, but it was a flaming bonfire. She was still Eppie, just an improved version. Micah didn’t know why he hadn’t seen it before. Perhaps he’d spent so much time mourning the woman he fell in love with, he didn’t realize she was right in front of him, no longer a girl, but a woman.

  After everyone was settled, albeit uncomfortably close to each other, they set off for Plum Creek. Daniel kept his back straight and never took his eyes off the rifle in Homer’s hands. Micah had never experienced a stranger two hours in his life. Homer spent his time fiddling with the reins while Micah watched Eppie attempt to keep as far from Eloise as possible on the carriage seat.

  The excruciating ride took longer than usual due to the slow pace kept by Homer’s horses. They were two old nags who likely were nearly twenty years old if they were a day. They had good hearts, although the geldings would need a day’s rest once they made it into town.

  Micah wanted to ask him about where he’d found the ancient nags, but didn’t feel that polite conversation was in order. He had to keep reminding himself it wasn’t Homer and Eloise’s fault that Miracle was kidnapped. His anger should be focused on Mathias and his crimes.

  By the time they saw the town in the distance, Micah was ready to tear out his hair. The hardest thing was straining to hear Miracle speak. However, she didn’t make a sound the entire time. It made his worry for her even greater.

  “Where is the jail? I ain’t been there before.” Homer sounded sincere, and Micah believed him. The man didn’t appear to be the type to break the law for any reason.

  “Down toward the hotel, then it’s up ahead on the right.” Daniel pointed although there was no way Homer could see the building clearly.

  “Is it near Miss Candice’s store? I know where that is.” Homer slowed down even more as they lumbered into town. Micah thought he saw a turtle passing them.

  “No, it’s down farther than that. Just keep going.” And hurry the hell up before I explode. Micah’s patience was nearly gone.

  He turned around to glance at Eppie, but she was whispering to Miracle. The picture they made forced a lump to his throat the size of an apple. He had truly hoped there would be a bond between them, but he hadn’t realized how deep it would be. Somehow when he was off drinking and feeling sorry for himself, Eppie and Miracle became mother and daughter.

  He turned away, unable to look at them a moment longer or he might embarrass himself by crying. God knew he’d done enough of that to last him two lifetimes.

  They finally made it to the jail without any incident. Five or six folks were gathered outside and stepped out in the street when the wagon pulled to a stop. These were all men who volunteered to help look for Miracle. When they spotted Micah, they nodded. When they saw Miracle, they cheered.

  Miracle finally looked up at them and frowned. Eppie said something in the girl’s ear, and she nodded.

  “Daddy,” she called to him.

  Micah didn’t think he ever moved so fast. He literally vaulted off the wagon and ran to his daughter’s side, plucking her off the carriage. He carried her to the cheering men as they clapped him on the back and congratulated him on a job well done. Daniel even had a small smile for them.

  Miracle watched with wide eyes until the noise had faded to a dull roar.

  “Say thank you?” she asked him.

  “Of course you can.”

  “Down.” She wiggled until he put her on the sidewalk. She smoothed the gray dress, an awful, hideous color, and looked up at the men.

  “Thank you for help,” she said to each of them in turn.

  Every man took off his hat and knelt down to accept her hug of gratitude. Micah was proud of her and so immensely thankful the men had pitched in to help look for her. He’d hidden from the townspeople for so long, he had missed out on making friends.

  “Afternoon, folks.” Homer stepped up beside them. Micah had nearly forgotten about the Prentisses.

  The men straightened up and eyed Homer. A few of them murmured a hello, while others nodded.

  “This is Homer Prentiss. He and his wife Eloise live on a farm right outside town.”

  What Micah didn’t say was they had accepted a kidnapped child as their own, or that they refused to believe she wasn’t theirs to keep.

  “If you’ll excuse us, we need to talk to Reverend Mathias.” Daniel had a way of making folks listen. As the men walked away, Micah took Miracle by the hand and opened the door to the jail. Eloise marched past him with Homer at her heels.

  Eppie appeared beside him and took his other hand. Her dark eyes were full of uncertainty and determination, a strange combination on any other day.

  They walked in together, finally a family united.

  “Let’s get to jawing with the reverend so we can get this settled. He gave us this girl to keep.” Eloise sounded as unmoving as she had at the farm.

  “She is their daughter and Mathias had no right to give her to you.” Daniel gestured to Miracle. He’d apparently waited to speak his piece until they got back to town. A smart man, considering the Prentisses’ insistence on keeping the girl for their own. “I can’t let you keep her.”

  Eloise looked truly shocked. Micah realized she expected to be told they’d been lying about Miracle’s parentage.

  “These two folks here,” she looked at Micah and Eppie. “That woman birthed that white baby?”

  Eppie almost exploded. “First of all, she’s a little girl who is loved by her parents. I don’t think people should label others, especially children. We were warned you would do anything to keep her and I see now that means belittling others.” She pulled Miracle to her side. “I know you weren’t the criminal here, Mrs. Prentiss, but I think you should now accept that you will not have this child. Ever.”

  Eloise lost all color in her face as Eppie spoke, and Micah even felt sorry for her, a little anyway. Homer had a resigned expression. Too bad his wife didn’t share his conclusion.

  “I want to see Reverend Mathias.” Eloise crossed her arms.

  Micah almost heard internal groans from every person in the room.

  “Bad man.” Miracle looked up at Eloise with shadows in her brown eyes.

  Micah’s fists once again clenched, the nails biting into his palm to the point of pain. Micah wanted, needed to punch something. Instead he knelt down and cupped Miracle’s chin.

  “He’ll never hurt you again, sprite, I promise.”

  She nodded sagely, always far too mature for a child her age. “’Kay.”

  When he straightened, Daniel was beside him.

  “I’m going to take Mrs. Prentiss in to see Mathias. I don’t think she’s going to give up until she sees him. They’re both crazy as batshit as far as I’m concerned.”

  “He needs to go to prison for good. I’m counting on you to make sure that happens.” He glanced down at Miracle. “Too many people have been hurt by that bastard.”

  “I know, and I’ll do the best I can.” Daniel turned back to Eloise. “If you follow me, Mrs. Prentiss, I’ll take you to see the reverend now.”

  The next three minutes were quite possibly the worst in Micah’s life, which was saying a great deal. He should’ve realized how much Mrs. Prentiss had been hurt. The stiffer she became, the more she must’ve been storing up her fury.

  When he heard Daniel shout, Micah headed for the cell, which was tucked away in the back of the building. He hadn’t made it two steps when a gunshot shattered the afternoon. His heart jumped to a gallop and he remembered Eloise was carrying a reticule.

  “Jesus Christ!” Daniel shouted again. “Mrs. Prentiss—”

  Sounds of a struggle came as Eloise grunted and Micah’s stomach flipped upside down and bile coated the back of his throat. He turned to Eppie.

  “Run.”

  She was a stubborn woman, and instead of running
, she shoved Miracle under the desk and started toward the jail cell. Micah stepped in front of her, determined to keep her from getting shot again.

  Before he could get her to leave, Eloise came around the corner. She was transformed from the mild-mannered farmer’s wife she’d been before seeing the reverend. Her face was a mask of pain and age, with her lips pulled back into a snarl that reminded him of a hellhound.

  Her once pristine light blue dress was splattered with blood and what Micah thought was brains. In her hand was a Colt long-nosed pistol. It too was dripping with blood. Eppie gasped and Micah knew a moment of absolute fear she would shoot Eppie and declare herself Miracle’s mother.

  “What did you do, Eloise?” Homer moaned from behind them. “What did you do?”

  “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” Eloise met Micah’s gaze. “He promised us that child, gave us his word she was ours. I won’t let him or anyone else take her away.”

  Micah ran toward the woman, willing to sacrifice himself to save his woman and child. There was a split second when he hoped Eppie would forgive him, then he was locked in a struggle with Eloise.

  He didn’t think she was very strong, but she appeared to be as capable as a man. They were equally matched; her fanatical anger must have given her the power she lacked. Micah’s hand slipped on her wet hand and they crashed into the wall. Eppie shouted at Homer while Micah shouted at her to run. Vaguely he heard Miracle crying from beneath the desk.

  Eloise frightened him because if she got past him, she’d kill Eppie. That thought gave him a burst of energy and he slammed Eloise into the wall, nearly dislodging the gun. However, she seemed to have a death grip on the handle and likely wouldn’t let go unless she was dead.

  Micah had killed many men in his life. Some deserved it, while others were victims of the same war he’d signed up for. He’d never killed a woman, though, and the very thought would have been repulsive a month ago. Now, he had no qualms about doing anything he needed to.

  “She. Is. My. Daughter.” Micah said through gritted teeth.

  “God gave her to me!” Eloise was winning as the barrel started to turn toward Micah’s head. He quickly sent “I love you” to Eppie with his heart. His muscles screamed from the effort of trying to stop Eloise. Her hot breath gushed across his face and he knew the last two moments of his life. He only wished he could see Miracle grow up.