Page 66 of A Wanderer's Redemption
Lauren motions for Henry to sit down at the table. “I only met her for a few minutes, but something happened right after we came into the house yesterday. Anyone who was watching could tell she was upset, and I will say the moment you handed that envelope to her when you paid the men, I literally watched the light go out of her eyes. It was like she collapsed in on herself, even though she was fighting not to show anyone around. Why did you give her wages like you did the men?”
“I wanted her to have some banknotes of her own, but I bet she didn’t see it like that. Where in the hell would she have gone?”
“The other men who had arrived with you went back to town. Maybe she caught a ride with one of them.”
I grab a piece of sausage and another biscuit and head for the door. Grant is instantly beside me. “What are your plans, cousin?”
“I have to find her.”
“Why?”
“BecauseI love her!…that’s why! … I should have made it right the moment we stepped into this town, but … I am a dumbass, and now I may have lost the only thing that matters to me. Something happened yesterday that made her run, and I need to catch her before she takes my heart with her forever.” I point out around us, “None of this matters without Jessica, do you understand, Grant??”
I don’t wait for him to agree or disagree before I run out the door toward Bells’. She must know something is wrong, because she’s prancing next to the gate. I rub her down quickly before re-saddling her, “Sorry, sweetheart, I know I promised you a break for a few days, but I need you.”
I open the gate leading her out just as Grant comes out the front door. “Let me grab Rebel, and I’ll head into town with you.”
“I’m not waiting.”
Throwing a leg over the saddle, Bells bolts forward and off we go. We eat up the few miles that separate Grant’s home from town, but Bells is still prancing anxiously when I slow her down as we head down the main street. Looking around, I’d been in such a hurry to get here that I didn’t think about where Jess might be. Taking a chance, I head toward the inn first, wondering if she might have gotten a room there for the night. Tying Bells to the hitching post, I rub her neck as I walk by, noticing how sweaty she is after such a hard run. Just as I am getting ready to step inside, I see one of the men from the mercantile.
“Roy, do you have a minute?”
“Sure, Mr. Kerns, what can I do for you?”
“Bells needs to be watered and wiped down. I’ve pushed her hard this morning, and I have a feeling this day has just started for me. You take good care of her, I’ll make it worth your while.”
“I’ll care for your girl, Mr. Kerns. Come find us at the livery when you’re done.”
I nod in thanks before taking off my hat and heading inside. The clerk behind the counter instantly acknowledges me. “Good morning, Mr. Kerns. How may I be of assistance?”
“Can you tell me if Mrs. Kerns checked in last night?”
“No … should she have? I don’t have her down on the books.”
“Let me rephrase this. Did any women check in yesterday?”
“Actually, no, we’ve been empty since you and your crew left. This time of year is always a little slower.”
“Thank you for your time.” I walk out, wondering where to check next, when I see old man Harvey stacking a few empty crates outside. He sees me coming, only to walk into the building after I call out his name. I frown because I know he must have heard me, and just as I am almost at his door, he comes back out with a small bag and a waterskin.
“Good morning, Reg … figured you would be by. Are you missing something quite dear, my boy? About yeah tall with bright, sad green eyes?”
“Jessica’s here?”
“Unfortunately … No. She left on the stagecoach about three hours ago.”
“Why didn’t you stop her?”
“She came in with her head down, radiating sadness, and even gave me another name for the ticket. Someone broke that child, and she was running away with what pieces she could hold in her arms. I am assuming you are the culprit? If you ride hard, you can catch up to her before nightfall. Here, you’re going to need this.”
“Damnit, I’ll have to get another horse from the livery; Bells has already been pushed too hard this morning.”
“Better get to it then. The longer you’re standing here … the further away she’s getting.”
I am already running toward the livery when I hear him yelling something about a mountain pass, but all I can think is that I need to catch her. The second I walk into the barn, I hear Zeus, who, up until now, I’d forgotten about completely. I swear he is trying to tear down the barn walls.
One of the workers runs toward me, “Mr. Kerns, I was just getting ready to have someone send for you. This big guy has not calmed down since one of the men cleaning the stall was trying to take an old blanket out.”
