A Bride For Obadiah Read online

  Her gentleness came in handy with the motherly role. If she was being truthful with herself, her heart had begun aching for a little one as well. Maybe seeing her new niece or nephew would dull the ache a little. Or charge it up even more. They’d not even talked about children. From the way, Obadiah talked about the baby it seemed that he wasn’t thrilled. He might not want any of his own. Tonight. She’d ask him.

  Esther grabbed a big branch as she lost her footing coming up the hill. Her stomach took a dive. Calm down. You caught yourself. She picked up some of the smaller limbs as she made her way further along. Laughter, trailing behind her from the camp. She made out Lenna’s louder laugh as she explained how she caught her brother off guard. Esther giggled, picturing it in her mind.

  Lenna hiding behind a tent and jumping out to spook her brother. The screams and laughs following from the prank. As time went on, she liked Lenna more and more. A little brash for a woman, but a woman not afraid to speak her mind or to think larger than others around her. Her dreams were big and Esther wondered if she’d make them come true. According to her husband she would not. Lenna’s husband seemed to be a soft-spoken man, but well respected by the other men on the job. A good foreman.

  Bev, bless her, was more soft spoken than either Esther or Lenna. They’d gotten to know one another. She’d loved living in the house she’d grown up in. There was routine and hard work; not much time for playing around. Esther shivered as her mind drifted to her former home. She hoped to never see it again. She thought of the way she used to worry about her calloused hands, but Obadiah didn’t mind them and she was thankful.

  She gathered more twigs.

  Snap.

  Snap.

  Esther jerked her head to the right. The shadow as figure darted behind a big tree. Sweat dripped down her neck. In the last few weeks, she’d been certain someone was following them, but she’d never seen anyone in the shadows. Now she knew without a doubt. Who? Why? What did they want? A memory flashed through her mind. Nathan.

  He’d followed her and Ruth. Came for his payment. Cursed under her breath. Glad her husband wasn’t close to her and heard the word.

  One step. Two. Three. She tried to stay on task. Get the sticks and out of the woods alive. She’d tell her husband. She had no other choice. He’d keep her safe. Reaching down for the last twig, a pair of arms caught her around the waist. A hand clamped to her mouth to keep her from screaming.

  No!

  The blood in her veins turned ice cold. Goosebumps rose on her skin. She struggled against the unknown person’s hold. A man. Had to be as a woman wouldn’t be this strong. Pain shot down her arm as he tightened his grip. The sticks dropped from her grasp. She clawed at the clutching arms. Her fingers were white from the effort she used. The hold still didn’t budge.

  “Calm down, brat.”

  She froze at his words. The voice. She knew it. It wasn’t the moneylender.

  It was James.

  The man her husband warned her about. The one who’d been trying to come between them and had scared her something fierce. She tried to swallow against the lump in her throat. He wouldn’t take her or hurt her without a fight. She didn’t know why he wanted to harm her or had followed her into the woods. It didn’t matter. She had to get Obadiah.

  Esther bit down on his hand when he pressed it harder against her mouth. With her leg, she kicked him hard in the shin at the same time. He cursed. His arms let go of her. This was her chance. She ran down the hill as fast as her legs would carry her. Her arms were being scratched by the branches sticking out from bushes and trees but she didn’t feel it.

  “I’ll kill you.”

  He would if he got her. She had no doubt. When her husband had spoken of this man, she didn’t really think he was all that dangerous. A vulgar older man, but that’s about all. Wrong! She’d been so wrong. The way he made her skin crawl had been a warning and now she regretted not telling Obadiah more so he could protect her. She should have told him she was certain something or someone had been following them.

  Her legs gave out as she tripped on a bump in the terrain. With the darkness coming closer, it was harder to see. Rats. Her hands thrust in front of her broke the brunt of her fall. A scream bubbling to the surface, as pain shot through her wrist. James pulled her up by her hair and smacked her face with his palm.

  “Shut up.”

  “No!” Esther dug her heels into the ground beneath her, making it hard for him to move her.

  “Don’t need that husband of yours coming or anyone else.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  She screamed again. He jerked her arm behind her back. Something poked her back. She froze in place. What was that? She refused to show how frightened she was at the turn of events. He shoved her forward. “Be quiet or I’ll shoot you.”

  Twisting to try and get away from his grip, she had no luck getting away. He shoved the gun harder at her back. He was a lunatic she thought. For years she fought anything to do with God, and now if He was true was only One, could He help her?. She prayed her husband would find them. Prayed her screams had been loud enough that someone in the camp heard it, and they would come to search. She willed her body not to shake even though all she wanted to do was to roll into a ball and cry.

  He dragged her deeper into the woods. Each step took her into parts they had not been to yet. Further away from Obadiah. What he wanted he didn’t say. She wasn’t so innocent to not know some men were evil and hurt women on purpose. He stopped to catch his breath. Nasty, smelly breath came nauseatingly down her neck. Vomit rose in her throat each time he leaned in closer.

  Esther scratched her arm on a branch as they went through the thick woods. Her arm burned badly and tears filled her eyes. She prayed a little bit of blood was left, so those searching for her could find the way. James shoved her to the ground. Her face hit the rough ground mixed with rocks. Blood seeped down her cheeks. She narrowed her gaze at him and spit in his face as he came closer.

  “Do that again and I’ll hurt you. Be quiet as we wait for that half breed to find you. We have some unfinished business.”

  ***

  James’s hold tightened on the brat of a woman he shoved deeper into the woods. She’d finally stopped her screaming. She was a complication he didn’t need or want right now. At least he’d be able to draw Obadiah into his plan to kill him. He wanted this expedition to go smoothly, but of course, this man wouldn’t let that happen. The stares and glares Obadiah threw his way had him on edge all the time. He wanted to get Esther alone, have his way with her, and then dump her in the river.

  She ruined this plan by screaming. Women always ruined the perfect plans he made. Women should serve men and then die.

  He shoved her to the ground as she tried to get up. She slithered away from his grasp. He rolled his eyes, letting her go a little way almost playfully before he snatched her by the hair and drug her back.

  “Shut up or I’ll find something to put in that pretty mouth of yours.”

  Turning her head, she narrowed her gaze at him. “No. You’ll be sorry soon. My husband will come looking for me.” She lifted her chin in defiance.

  “Good. I can kill him too like I did his Ma,”

  Her eyes widened in shock.

  ***

  Obadiah’s head shot up when he heard the scream. A quick glance around the camp confirmed no other women were missing. It had to be Esther who screamed. Was she hurt? She didn’t usually take this long to go and get the sticks. Worry knotted his stomach in two. He moved forward with purpose in his steps. Lenna stepped in front of him blocking his way. Not what he needed right now. She got under his skin.

  “Move.”

  “No. Let her alone for a little bit. She only went for sticks.”

  Each second passing with her blocking his way angered him more. He didn’t have the patience to deal with her ways or thoughts. Red passed through his eyes as she held her hands up. He didn’t care what she said. Esther
never took this long and he knew deep in his soul that it had been her scream. He’d heard it before during the bear attack. His heart picked up as his stomach fell. He had to get to her and make sure she was alright. What if a bear, wolf or a mountain lion had her trapped? She didn’t know how to fight them off.

  “Lenna, I’m not in the mood. Go away. I know what I heard.”

  “Nothing. You’re imagining it.

  She’d gone crazy! How could she stand in front of him and say she didn’t hear the scream or anyone else? He clutched the back of his neck, trying to hold onto his temper. Esther made him want to do better handling his temper. She had a calming effect on him. “I didn’t imagine this. Now move.”

  Lenna folded her arms, rooting her feet in place. Her stubborn streak was out on display. He rolled his eyes heavenward as he bit back a curse that was on the tip of his tongue. She meant well, but she always came off too strong and usually wrong in the end cause she wouldn’t listen to advice. Not teachable. That’s the word the chief used when talking about her.

  “No.”

  A blood-curling scream flooded the area. He felt it deep inside of him. No one can tell him differently. It was Esther. It didn’t sound like she’d slipped but was frightened. Someone or something was out there trying to hurt her and he’d kill in her defense. Lenna’s eyes grew wide. She’d heard it too. Her stance relaxed. She reached for her rifle lying on the ground not far from them.

  “I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “With you.”

  Obadiah shook his head. Nope. It was not going to happen. She needed to learn her place and stay here in the camp where it was safe. “No. Go back to your husband. I can handle this.”

  “Why are you so stubborn headed? Lenna stood to her full height. Her shoulders were thrown back slightly. Eyes narrowed. It was the stance she took when she was not going to back down. He didn’t have time for her today. He ran a hand through his hair to keep from shaking her by the shoulders.

  “Me! You! You can’t stop trying to be like the men in our tribe and not knowing your place.” Arguing with this woman took time away from finding his wife. His pistol in hand, he moved away from her, scanning the camp. The other woman looked worried as she looked over at him. She’d heard the sound too. The two other men were already on their way to him.

  James. Where was the evil man whom he didn’t trust at all? He looked around again. The blood in his veins boiled throughout his body. He resisted the urge to punch a tree close to him, opening and closing his hand. “Where is James?” Lenna jumped at his clipped tone.

  “I don’t know. I’ve not seen him.”

  James had gone after his wife. Followed her. Must have as he wasn’t anywhere around. He constantly watched her every move. The way he looked at her made Obadiah’s skin crawl and his gut burn with anger. He’d go and take care of this situation once and for all. A quick word to the other men, he reassured them she might have run into something and screamed. He’d go find her and didn’t need any help.

  His long strides took him quickly through the woods, shoving limbs out of his way as he went. His eyes roamed each spot where she’d more than likely go to find the kindling. She wouldn’t go too far in the forest, as she understood how dangerous the woods could become, and she had not taken any weapons with her. God, help me find her. I know I don’t come to You enough. Please help.

  It was the most sincere prayer he’d ever prayed. For help. If she died at the hands of his enemies, he’d never forgive himself. When they first got here, he should have taken care of James. Made sure he paid for what he had done, and then this would not have happened. He resisted the urge to scream her name. He did not want to give away his location to James.

  Jeremiah had tried his best to stop him from signing up for this job. Obadiah tried telling him why he had to go. It was to make a life for his new wife and himself. To try to make amends for his outlaw ways. He had not wanted to give this up before, but now, Esther made him want to. The draw to stealing and hurting people was gone. He wanted a family. If he told his twin this, he wouldn’t believe it from watching how he had acted with the baby who had just come into his brother’s life. For shame.

  As much as he didn’t want to admit it…he loved Esther. She was part of his life. His breath. His.

  Obadiah’s eyes focused on a branch just two steps in front of him. The wood split a little in the end. He saw red. He lifted the twig and saw that is was blood. His hand tightened on the branch, the wood snapping in two. Not far away was another branch with blood on the end. His beautiful wife was leaving a trail. A smile lifted his lips and he hoped James had not noticed her actions. Slowly, he followed the blood.

  Coming into a clearing, he saw her. Her arms were tied behind her back, her head hanging down. Blood streaked her arms from her elbows to her wrist. He took a breath in and he steadied himself. Slow and steady. He didn’t want to startle James causing him to hurt her. James stood next to her, looking from one side of the river to the other. Ready to jump out of his skin. When his eyes locked on Obadiah’s a smile lifted his cheeks.

  “About time you got here.”

  Chapter Ten

  Esther’s back stiffened when James turned around and kept a tight hold on her hair. The pain ricocheted through her head causing her vision to double. White specks clouded her gaze. Tears slipped down her cheeks. Blast it all. She didn’t want to show any weakness to this man. The way he jerked her head made it impossible not to respond.

  “You’ll be sorry when my husband gets here.”

  An evil laugh came from deep in his gut. The kind that makes anyone want to lose the last meal they ate. A shiver rushed through her body. She tilted her head up, spitting in his face. If the mistress from the home saw her do this, she’d surely die on the spot. It didn’t matter either way. The woman had never liked her. They kept her around because Ruth asked them to. The realization that no one cared for her except her friend hit her full force now. What if her husband abandoned her as well? Then no one would be coming to help her out of this situation.

  She wouldn’t die without a fight.

  Esther’s brow lifted into her hairline when James spoke. Who was he waiting for? How would someone know to find him so deep in the woods? Slowly she turned in the direction of his gaze. A tall man stood at the edge of the line of shadow. Sun casted a glow on him making it hard for her to make out who the person was.

  He stepped into the clearing. It was Obadiah.

  She’d never been so happy to see anyone before. He came like he always said he would when she needed him. Maybe God had heard her prayers. It didn’t matter at this moment. She’d worry about faith once they were safe from danger. She mouthed thank you to him. A slight nod no one would notice unless they knew to look acknowledged her. He had seen. Her pulse raced, wondering what they’d have to go through to get out of this mess.

  “I’m here. Let her go. She has nothing to do with this.” Her husband all but about growled at her captor. She could tell he was holding in his temper by a thin thread.

  James jerked her to her feet and shoved her body in front of himself. Coward. A knife pressed into her throat. The blade, cold to the touch, kept her where he wanted her to be. His other hand pushed her against him tightly. Her hands were bound so she couldn’t shove him away. She yelped, but was careful not to move so the blade could cut her neck. Breathe. Don’t panic. She said those simple words over and over.

  “She has everything to do with this.”

  Esther tried holding her breath so she could not smell the heavy scent of liquor coming from his breath. A memory impressed in her mind surfaced. The stagecoach. He’d been the man riding on it with her and the Smiths. He sat across from her and made her uneasy even then. She had not placed him before. How had they gotten on the same coach? Did he follow her and if so why?

  Obadiah swore an oath. “How? You killed my Ma. She’s not a threat to you, but I am.”r />
  James laughed. His body pushed harder against her. The blade started to cut deeper in. Blood trickled down her throat. Swallowing hard, she tried not to scream. Her husband’s eyes widened when he noticed. He paced while opening and closing his hands. She prayed he wouldn’t do something to get them both killed, but if he did at least she knew what love meant. Not the kind where you have to follow rules to be loved as they wanted at the home, but the kind that you were loved no matter what you did. She’d be always thankful to her husband for this gift.

  “What can a half-breed do to me?”

  “Kill you.” Obadiah didn’t hesitate with his response.

  “Not likely. See. I have your whore here. If you move, she dies.”

  Pain shot through her heart at this man’s words. She had carefully done everything to never be thought of as a whore like her Ma was. All those years she tried her best to be a good girl. She waited till she was married to sleep with a man and still it wasn’t enough. The stains and scars her Ma had left her with by being a prostitute followed her even to her new home. Tears slide down her cheeks.

  “I’m not a w-” She couldn’t bring herself to say the word.

  “As I see it, you came from a Mandelion home. They try and make whores into saints.”

  How? No. None here knew where she came from. She’d not even told her husband as she didn’t want him to think the worse of her. Many people wouldn’t understand she’d not slept around, but had been brought there as a baby. They only saw the stains on the girls there and not how they tried so hard to change. Shame washed over her in waves like the waterfall behind them, drowning her and making it hard to breathe. Her eyes cast down. She couldn’t bear to see the disgust in her husband’s eyes.