Fiona's Journey Read online

  “Thanks, Joey,” Clint said when Joey returned with the bottle. “We might as well sit here and wait for Fiona.” Clint sat on the tailgate of the wagon and stuck the bottle in Hope’s mouth. Joey took a seat beside him.

  * * * *

  Fiona headed for the tall weeds the women were using as their private area to take care of nature’s call.

  Fiona was glad to find the area deserted. People had been popping by all evening to see the baby and to talk about how tragic it was that Rose had to die. Fiona was gracious, but she was glad not to have to answer any more questions tonight.

  After doing what she needed to do, Fiona was straightening her skirt and looking forward to climbing in the wagon with little Hope and re-live the wonderful time she’d spent dancing in Clint’s arms.

  In an instant her plans were cut short. A rough hand covered her mouth and she was jerked against a man’s body. Fiona tried to scream, but the hand muffled any sound.

  “So you thought you’d get away from me, did you?” his sneering voice whispered in her ear. “Ain’t a woman in the world who can outsmart Luther Markin.”

  Chapter 26

  “Seems Fiona has been gone an awfully long time.” Clint put Hope on his shoulder and patted the sleeping baby’s back.

  “Girls take longer.”

  Clint chuckled. “They do, Joey, but she’s been out there almost half an hour.”

  “Should I go look for her?”

  “I think I might go call to her.”

  “Can I go?”

  “No. I want you to go ask Mrs. Watson if she will come and watch the baby. You know Hope’s too little to be left alone and I think you should stay in the wagon with her when Mrs. Watson gets here.”

  “Sure, if you want me to.”

  In a matter of minutes, Mattie walked up. “What’s going on, Clint?”

  “I’m not sure. Fiona went back to the bushes over thirty minutes ago. I think I need to go call her. Will you watch Hope?”

  “Of course I will. I’ll get her into bed.”

  “Thanks. Joey said he’d stay with you.”

  “Good. If she wakes up I might even have him hold Hope.”

  “I might drop her.”

  “I don’t think so. You’ll be sitting right here beside me.”

  Joey nodded and climbed into the wagon.

  * * * *

  “Fiona,” Clint called in a soft voice when he reached the weedy area. Only silence answered him.

  “Fiona,” he called a little louder this time.

  When there was still no answer, Clint really got worried. Where could she have gone? She wouldn’t go visit with any of the other travelers without telling him and Joey. He looked around again. They were too far from the mountains for a bear or a cougar. Besides if there had been an animal attack someone would have heard it. At the least, Fiona would have screamed.

  Oh, God, he thought, has Markin finally got to her? I was sure he’d given up his pursuit.

  Clint prayed the man hadn’t come for Fiona, but what other explanation was there? Someone had taken her and his bet would be Markin, though there was a slight possibility it could have been Indians.

  As he pondered the wisest thing to do, Clint spotted something white in the grass. He grabbed it up and recognized a daisy from Fiona’s silly floppy hat. He remembered she’d put it around her neck when she headed for the weeds. Did she leave this flower for someone to find or did she drop it accidentally?

  He didn’t have an answer, but he knew he couldn’t continue to stand here and do nothing. He turned back to the trail and headed for the wagon to tell Mattie what was going on. He then planned to find Mac and Zeke and see if there was anyway they could track the woman at night. He was sure Mac could. He was almost as good at night as he was during the day.

  * * * *

  Fiona had never been more miserable in her life. She was gagged so she wouldn’t scream and Luther had tied her hands when she scratched his face. Her feet were tied when she kicked him in the shin. “I didn’t want to do this, pretty lady. I stole this extra horse so we could ride off together, side by side, but you got rough.” He threw her on her stomach across the pinto then led the horse away from the wagon train.

  Knowing there was nothing she could do to get away from him, she prayed someone would find her. She decided to help them as much as she could, but she had to be careful and not let Luther know what she was doing.

  Fiona managed to lower her straw hat to hang in front of her face. If Luther looked back, he’d think it fell that way. Since her hands were tied in front of her she raised her arms to reach the hat. Every so often she managed to pull off a flower or a piece of the straw brim and drop it on the ground.

  After what seemed like hours, but probably had been only a short while, Fiona felt splatters of rain on her back. Oh, no, she thought. Please don’t let the rain hide the trail I’ve left for Clint.

  Luther stopped the horses and dismounted. He pulled his slicker out of his pack and put it on. He walked up to Fiona and said, “Looks like we’re going to get a real storm, girlie. ’Course it won’t matter to me if you’re good and wet. It’ll be almost like we’re taking a bath together.”

  Fiona couldn’t answer because of the gag. She didn’t want to answer him anyway.

  “We’re only going to travel a little further. I’ve already found a nice cozy place where we can spend the rest of the night.” He let out an evil snort then reached up and patted her on the rear. “I’m sure looking forward to getting there. I’ve got some plans for us.”

  Fiona felt her stomach roll and she swallowed the gathering bile. What was she going to do? She couldn’t stand the thought of Luther Markin touching her, but how could she stop him? She had to think of something. But what? She couldn’t count on anyone following them on such a night. Not even Clint.

  The thunder grew closer and the rain drops fell faster. There’s only one good thing about this, she managed to think. At least Joey is safe. Markin will never get his hands on him.

  Luther climbed back on his horse and soon they were plodding forward. To keep herself busy, she continued to drop pieces of her hat. It was probably a useless process, but at least she was trying.

  * * * *

  As soon as he had Hope and Joey taken care of, Clint headed for Zeke’s wagon.

  “What’s going on, son?”

  “Fiona’s missing. She went out in the weeds about an hour ago and didn’t come back. I looked for her, but she’s not out there.” Clint took a deep breath. “Mattie Watson’s staying with the children and I asked Rufus to help me look for Fiona. Bruce Fritz heard us talking and asked if he could help. They’re combing the weeds while I came to let you know what was happening.”

  “Damn, I hate that, but I don’t know if we can do much about finding her before daybreak, Clint. It’s cloudy and getting awfully dark out here. I felt a few drops of rain a while ago and I expect the heavy rain to start at any time.”

  “Where’s Mac? I know he can track in the dark.”

  “Mac is out, but he should be back any time. I’m sure he’ll join you as soon as he can. Do you think it’s possible Indians grabbed Fiona?”

  “Anything’s possible, but I think it was Markin.”

  Zeke nodded. “You’re probably right. Is Joey safe?”

  “I told the Watsons to be sure Joey stayed in the wagon.”

  “Good. I still think it’ll be hard to do anything at least until the rain comes and goes, but knowing you, I’m sure you’ll leave to find Fiona as soon as you can.”

  “Yes, I will, Zeke. I can’t hang around here. Fiona is out there and she’s probably with that son-of-a-bitch. I’ve got to find her.”

  “How do you think you’re going to find her in the dark? You could head in the wrong direction tonight. I’ll tell the train we’re going to take a day of rest and...”

  “No, Zeke. Let the wagons go on. I’ll find her and we’ll catch up with you. If you call a rest day when we
’re not near water...”

  Zeke nodded. “I see what you mean. We’ll head out at dawn and I’m sure if you haven’t found him already, we can track Markin then. I’ll put somebody in charge of watching the train and I’ll join the search.”

  “Thanks, Zeke.”

  * * * *

  As Clint headed for the area where Fiona had last been, he met Rufus and Bruce coming back.

  “We didn’t find a thing, Clint,” Rufus said.

  “I appreciate you trying. Please keep a close eye on Joey while I’m gone, Rufus. Your folks have him.”

  “I will.” He headed toward his wagon.

  Clint turned to Bruce. “Thanks for your help, too, Bruce.”

  “No problem. I want to help you find Fiona. She’s a nice lady.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  Bruce left him and Clint turned to the weeds once again.

  Thunder began to crash and jagged lightening filled the night sky, but he hardly noticed it. He was determined to find any sign of where Fiona might be. He went to the spot where he’d found the flower from her straw hat and turned slowly to look in all directions. A flash lighted the sky and for an instant the ground. Clint saw something several feet away. He walked over and bent down. It was another flower from her hat. Fifty feet away he found another one.

  A smile crossed his lips. “Fiona, my sweet,” he muttered. “You left me a trail to follow. I know you did.”

  Hurrying back to the camped wagons, Clint found Zeke. He explained what he’d found.

  Zeke shook his head. “I still think we should wait. It’ll be impossible to follow the trail tonight. Listen to that storm.”

  “I’m not going to wait, Zeke. I’ll leave the things on the trail and you can follow them tomorrow, but I’m going tonight. It’s no telling what he’ll do to Fiona before daylight.”

  “I know how you feel, Clint...”

  “You have no idea how I feel, Zeke. I lost Rose to a deranged man and I don’t intend to lose Fiona to another. I’m going and there’s nothing you can say to stop me.” Clint turned toward his horse.

  “All right. I’ll get the wagons started in the morning and follow you as soon as I can.” He shook his head. “Take care and don’t worry about your children. I’ll see they’re taken care of.”

  “The Watsons will watch them. Send Mac after me if he comes back.” Clint cut his horse from the herd, walked it back to his wagon, and saddled it.

  Before Zeke could answer, Clint mounted the horse and road away. In a few minutes he heard horses behind him. He paused and turned. Herman and Bruce Fritz were riding toward him.

  “You don’t have...” Clint started.

  “Don’t even say it, Clint.” Herman stared at him. “You was the one who found my little girl. Maybe we can help you find Fiona.”

  Clint explained about the pieces of straw hat.

  “She’s a smart woman,” Herman said.

  “I agree,” Bruce said. “I think Fiona is wonderful.”

  Clint nodded. “I can use your eyes to watch for these little signs. I told Zeke I wouldn’t pick them up. He will follow them in the morning.”

  “All right. Let’s get going,” Herman said and kneed his horse.

  It wasn’t easy following the trail. The rain was pounding harder and the horses didn’t like having to travel in such weather. They shied every time the lightening flashed and the thunder roared, but Clint and his friends refused to give up.

  After picking up a piece of the straw hat and dropping it back to the ground, he went several yards before he found anything else. It was a smaller piece of the hat. “Keep it up, baby,” he muttered. “I’m coming for you. I just pray I’ll get there in time.”

  Plunging ahead, Clint drew his slicker closer around his neck and pulled his hat down. He didn’t care how hard the rain pounded, he had to keep going. Fiona’s life depended on it.

  Herman and Bruce didn’t give up either. They followed him without complaint.

  Clint kept his thoughts on that horrible man’s hands pawing and degrading Fiona. This helped to keep him going forward. He knew the woman well enough to know she’d fight Luther Markin with everything in her, but he didn’t want her to have to. It might mean her death and that was almost more than he could stand. From all he understood, Markin wouldn’t put up with her resistance long. He was probably more the type to rape her then slit her throat. Clint had lost Rose and he had no desire to lose someone else he cared about.

  Clint shook these thoughts away. No. He was going to believe he’d reach her in time. He wanted her back, unhurt and untouched. The storm began to abate and he knew they could move a little faster. This would help get to her quicker. He didn’t let himself think it would also let Markin get further ahead.

  Chapter 27

  Fiona knew if they didn’t stop soon, she was going to pass out. Her ribs were aching and though the storm had passed, she was wet all the way to her chemise. A breeze sent a chill all over her body.

  She took a deep breath, and almost cried out from the pain, but instead bit her lip and dropped another piece of hat. As it hit the wet ground, she almost smiled. Wouldn’t Rose laugh if she could see what was left of the old straw hat? Though Rose had kept telling Fiona she should wear a bonnet, the only time she did was when they were trying to throw Luther off her trail. The straw hat might be ugly and ratty and out of style as Rose often said, but it kept the sun off her head and the thin green ribbon was so much cooler tied under the chin than the cumbersome bow of a bonnet.

  “Rose, you would be glad to know this old hat is a thing of the past now. I’ll never be able to wear it again,” she whispered.

  She was almost ready to drop another piece when Luther said, “We’re about there, girlie. You tired?”

  Fiona stuffed the piece of hat in her fist, but the gag prevented her from answering.

  He rode back beside her. “I said, are you tired?” He laughed when he reached out and jerked the gag off her mouth. “It don’t make no difference how much you holler now. Ain’t nobody going to here you.”

  She didn’t answer and he said, “I asked if you was tired?”

  “Yes.”

  “We’re going to climb up this ridge. I’ve already checked this place out and we’ll be safe. Nobody will disturb our privacy here.” He let out an evil laugh. “First we need to make a bite to eat ’cause I ain’t eat since morning. Afterward I’ll make the rest of the night pass in pure pleasure for us both. I can think of a lot of ways I can make you scream with pleasure. How about you? Can you think of a lot of ways you can pleasure me?” He laughed again.

  Fiona was not only frightened of what was going to happen to her, but she was also livid. How could a human being be as wicked as he? Fiona had never hated anyone in her life, but that was before she met Luther Markin.

  “Going to answer me, girlie, or you thinking up something special for me?”

  There are a lot of things I would like to do to you, Luther Markin, she thought. All of them would give you long lasting pain. But she didn’t answer him as he turned the horse to the right and began a climb toward the top of a ridge.

  She took a deep breath then let the straw piece fall as soon as they headed in the new direction. She hoped to get rid of a lot more before they reached their destination, but she knew she had to be careful. He was looking back every so often. It wouldn’t do for him to find out what she’d done. He thought he was safely away from the reach of anyone who would make him pay for his actions. There was no telling what he’d do if he caught her leaving a trail to be followed.

  In about half an hour they reached the top of the incline and Luther led the horse to the mouth of a small cave. Without a word, he dismounted and walked his horse to a row of scraggly bushes and threw his reins around one. When he came back, he untied Fiona’s feet and pulled her off the horse she was riding. He handled her in the same manner he would use to unload a sack of feed.

  When her feet touched the ground, she almo
st fell.

  He laughed. “Lost the use of your legs, I guess.”

  “I’m stiff.”

  “Well, come on.” He took hold of her arm and shoved her into the cave. Only when she stumbled, did he bother to help her along.

  When she was a few feet inside, he shoved her to the ground. “I’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere.” He flashed his yellow teeth at her. “As if you had any where to go or the strength to get there.”

  When he exited the cave, Fiona managed to hide her mutilated hat under her skirt. She was thankful he hadn’t noticed its condition. Now her hope was that she could fend him off until help arrived. She wouldn’t let herself think help wouldn’t come in time to save her from the evil this man had planned for her.

  * * * *

  Luther started a small fire and turned to Fiona. “You’re awfully wet, girlie. Want to take your clothes off so they can dry?”

  Fiona was huddled against the cave wall. Though her feet were untied, her hands were still bound. “I’m fine, thank you.”

  He sneered. “Don’t be so shy. You’ll have everything you’re wearing off before the night is over.”

  She only glared at him.

  He ignored her and went to the saddle bags he’d dropped on the ground. He took out a sack. “I got some bacon here. You’re going to fry it up and some beans. If you’re nice to me, I might let you have some.”

  “I’m not hungry,” she snapped.

  “Well, sweetheart, I am. So get up and cook for me.”

  Fiona wondered what she could do with the hat. She glanced around the cave. There were some rocks near the wall, but there didn’t seem be enough to hide the damaged hat. She wondered if she could manage to get it into the waist band of her skirt, but gave up on the idea. With her hands tied, it wouldn’t work.

  “Are you coming to the fire, or do I have to come get you?”

  “I’m coming.” She managed to get to her knees. “It would be a lot easier if you’d untie my hands. It’s hard to get up without being able to put my hands down on the ground. Besides, I can’t cook with them tied like this.”

  “Damn, woman. You must be helpless.” He clomped over to her and jerked the rawhide off her wrist. “Now make yourself useful.”