Taming the Wind

***

TWENTY

Tyler looked to where Brandon Reid sat atop his horse. "Thanks for talkin' to me back at the fort." Tyler mounted and settled into the saddle. "I don't think I would have been able to put things aside if you hadn't said what you did."

Brandon pushed his hat back a bit. "Sometimes it's hard to see a matter clearly when it's staring you in the eye. I'm glad I could help."

"Maybe you can help me with something else," Tyler said. It was Tyler's turn to aid Brandon with his new horses. The four mares and one stallion had to be kept separated to ease tensions on the trail. Today Tyler would lead the mares. He took the rope Brandon offered and tied it around his saddle horn.

"I'm happy to help with whatever I can."

"You boys gonna jaw all day?" Osage asked, riding up alongside them. "Will done moved out and said you need to get caught up. We gotta stick close together."

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They were still a good three-day ride from the ranch, and with each passing mile the tension seemed to grow. Twice they had passed burned-out ranch houses and seen signs left by the warriors who'd done the deed. To their relief, so far there hadn't been any bodies to bury or wounded to contend with.

They followed Osage and soon caught up with William and the others.

William gave Tyler a brief nod before turning his attention back to the landscape before them. Each of the riders, including Andy, nervously scanned their surroundings for any sign of Indians.

"So what do you need my help with?" Brandon asked Tyler.

Smiling, Tyler felt rather sheepish now that the words actually needed to be said. "I'd like to ... well ... I plan to propose to Carissa. I guess I'd like your help, or maybe your blessin'. I know her folks are abroad, and we don't know what we'll find when we reach the ranch, but I'm prayin' for the very best."

Brandon frowned. "Me too. Nothing feels quite so bad as not knowing what's going on." He said nothing for a few minutes, then added, "I'm glad, though, that you want to marry Carissa. I think you two fit together. She's gonna need a strong man who loves the Lord. One who knows her past and can be patient with her."

"Well, I've thought about it for a long time now. Had nothin' but time to think for months now." He continued to watch the horizon for any sign of trouble.

"The fact is, I love her. Love little Gloria, too. I don't have a home to give them, but you can be certain I will provide for them. I've got the cattle sale money, and I've got additional cattle back home if the Comanche haven't killed 'em off. I'll give Carissa and Gloria a good home. I want you to know that."

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"I do, and I wasn't worried in the least. Living on the trail with a fella for months on end lets you get to know their character pretty well. I already had a high opinion of you, but these months out here have proven that opinion is well-founded. I'm proud to call you friend."

Tyler straightened a bit and nodded. "I feel the same. I have since we met in Corpus, and then when we had to go after the girls when Lowe meant to kill them ... well ... there isn't much I wouldn't do to help you."

"So how soon you figure to marry?" Brandon asked.

"I guess that's gonna depend on how quickly I can convince Carissa. She's been hurt pretty bad. I reckon it's not fair to push her too hard. I'll ask when we get back, and if she says no, then we'll just have to put our heads together and figure out another plan. If she says yes, then the sooner the better."

"I know Laura will help us." Then Brandon grew quiet and shook his head. "I cannot imagine my life without her, Tyler. She just has to be all right."

"I've been prayin' to be sure. I wish we could have found a faster way to get you back home. If the Indian troubles hadn't destroyed the telegraph lines into Cedar Springs, we might have been able to send a wire."

"At least then I'd know if ..." He didn't finish the thought. "We did as good as anyone could," Brandon stated instead. "The trip to Kansas went well over all, and we've just had a few delays comin' home. I know there's absolutely nothing more I could have done."

"Probably nothing you could have done if you'd stayed behind either," Tyler added.

Brandon seemed to consider this for a moment. "I know you're probably right, but still, I'd feel better had I done just

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that. Maybe my leavin' caused her to worry more, and that brought the baby on early. Maybe she's had to work too hard. Whatever caused the trouble, I know she must be afraid. I know that it can't be easy."

"But she's in good hands." Tyler met Brandon's fretful expression. "Hannah is good at doctorin', and so's Juanita. I'm sure Laura has had the best of care. If those two couldn't give her the help she needed, then there sure as shootin' wouldn't have been anything for you to do."

"Still, I would have felt better just being' there."

Tyler nodded. "I know you would've."



***

"Just thought I'd ride out to let you know the latest," the sheriff announced to Hannah, Carissa, and Juanita. The day was hot, and the sheriff took off his hat and wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve.

"I appreciate that, Sheriff. It's good to know that the army has driven the Indians back toward the reservations," Hannah said, shifting baby Lucas in her arms. "Has there been any word on Herbert Lockhart?"

"No, I'm afraid there's nothing to report where he's concerned. The telegraph lines are down. Last I heard, though, the trackers figured him to be headed toward Mexico."

Hannah's expression seemed to relax. "I hope that's the truth and that he's soon caught."

"Like I said before, it ain't likely he'd be fool enough to come this way. Too many folks know him, and quite a few hold him a grudge." He glanced around. "I heard tell the Terrys were stayin' here with you. They still here?"

"Marietta was with us for a time, but Ted came to get

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her the day before yesterday." Hannah motioned to the front door. "Would you like to come in or sit here on the porch?"

"Don't really have time for either, though I wouldn't mind a cool drink," he said, smiling.

"I get it," Juanita declared and disappeared into the house.

"Much obliged." He nodded to the baby. "And how's Mrs. Reid doing? Doc said she was takin' a turn for the better."

"That she has," Hannah confirmed. "She's still quite weak, but recovering."

"In fact, I was just about to go to her," Carissa said, reaching out to take the baby from Hannah. "I'll tell her you asked about her."

"Do," the sheriff said with a smile. "I hope, too, that your men will be home soon."

"We expect them most any day," Hannah replied.

Carissa passed Juanita as she entered the house. The woman carried a small tray with not only some lemonade, but cookies, as well. No doubt the sheriff would appreciate the extra treat. She quickly checked to see that Marty was still playing with Gloria, Daniel, and Robert in the backyard before heading to the bedroom to see Laura.

"So you're awake," she said, noting that Laura was sitting up in bed.

"Just," Laura admitted. "I'm glad you came to visit me."

"Would you like to hold your son? Juanita started him on some goat's milk, and it seems to agree with him better than the canned or cow's milk. He's fattening up quite nicely."

Laura held out her arms for the baby. Lucas knew his mother despite the conflicts and troubles that had surrounded them since his birth. He nestled against her breast and settled almost immediately into sleep.

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"He's still so very small. I know neither one of us would be here if not for you, Rissa." The sisters locked gazes. "Thank you for what you've done," Laura added.

"We all had a hand in fighting for you." Carissa settled beside Laura on the bed. "I've never been more frightened."

"Me either." Laura glanced down at her son's sleeping form. "I can't remember much about those days right after Lucas was born, but I knew it was desperate."

"It was. All I could think about during that time was what you'd said to me about if I wasn't willing to risk loving someone because they might die, then I'd have to include you. I kept wondering if your words were some kind of a forewarning of your ... death. It was more than I could bear. I begged God for your life and for Lucas's, too. I knew I had to keep him alive for you or you'd give up fighting despite having Brandon and Daniel to live for."

"I suppose I might have," Laura admitted. "I certainly didn't have a lot of strength to fight." She seemed to grow weak. "Why don't you put him in the cradle? I'm feeling tired again."

"That's to be expected." Carissa reached out to take the baby. "Remember what the doctor said: You will need a good long time to regain your strength."

"I'm so glad you came to stay the summer with us."

"Well, if I have anything to say about it, I'll be staying in the area permanently." Carissa put the baby in his bed and returned to Laura's side. "I bought Tyler's ranch."

"What?"

"You heard me right. I took the money in that account Father left me and bought Tyler's ranch. The county was about to auction it off or let it go for homestead. I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't let Tyler lose his home."

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"So will you sell it back to him?"

"No, I can't," Carissa admitted. "Terms of the sale forbid it. So my plan is to get him to marry me instead."

"Marry?" Laura looked at Carissa as if she'd suddenly grown a second head.

"For land?"

"No, silly, because I love him." Carissa smiled. "I love him more than I thought possible, and Gloria loves him, too. She already has been calling him her papa Tyer."

"Oh dear. What if Tyler isn't of a mind to marry?"

Carissa shrugged. "I can't let myself think that way. I have to stay positive for Gloria's sake as well as my own. I believe Tyler cares a great deal for her.

He said he loved her. Maybe that's enough for now. I mean ... well ... if he doesn't love me."

Laura smiled. "I think we know he cares quite deeply for you."

"He's been gone a long while and things could have changed. I'm trying my best to leave it in God's hands and not be that silly girl with stars in her eyes who married Malcolm

Lowe."

"You'll never be that girl again," Laura said, "and frankly, I'm glad. That Carissa was self-centered and had no purpose to serve but her own. I loved her, but I love and admire the woman you've become."

"Thank you." Carissa got to her feet and leaned down to kiss Laura's cheek.

"I love and admire you, as well. But then, I always have. I suppose I will always look up to you. That's why it's important to me that you approve of my marrying

Tyler."

"Of course I approve," Laura said, sounding even more tired.

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"Good," Carissa replied. "You get some rest and when you wake up, we'll talk about planning the wedding."

Carissa left her sister and made her way back to the kitchen. Hannah and Juanita were busy preparing food, so Carissa presumed the sheriff had headed back to town.

"Lunch is nearly ready," Hannah said. "Would you mind fetching the children?"

"Happily," Carissa said, patting her own waist. "I feel like I could eat a bear."

Hannah laughed. "Well, it's just stew and biscuits. Hopefully that will satisfy you."

Carissa had no sooner stepped out the back door when Gloria began pulling her toward the other children. "Mama, come see the kitties." She let go of her hold on Carissa and reached into a basket of kittens.

The mewing animal protested the loss of its mother's nearness, and Marty chided Gloria. "Put him back. He's too little to be away from his mama."

Gloria frowned, but did as she was instructed. Marty rubbed her curly blond head. "Good girl."

Carissa peered in the laundry basket at the swirling mass of fur. "How many are there?"

"Eight," Marty said as proudly as if she'd borne them herself.

"That's a quite a few mouths to feed." Carissa saw Gloria reach again for the babies. "No, no, Gloria. You must leave them to be with their mama."

"Besides," Marty said, getting to her feet, "it's almost lunchtime. Remember I told you that when we finished eating we'd make some toys?" She glanced up at Carissa. "We're gonna make some new playthings for Lucas."

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"That sounds like a fine idea." She straightened and nodded to Gloria. "You go wash up with Marty and the boys. I need to visit the necessary and then I'll join you."

Carissa quickly saw to her needs and was about to head to the house to wash up when she heard a noise coming from behind the pen where the goats were kept. She listened and thought it sounded like one of the goats was in distress. Seeing none of the men who might help, Carissa went to investigate on her own. When she arrived at the pen she spotted the problem immediately. One of the young kids had managed to get tangled in the lines where the older goats were often tied to be milked.

"Poor baby," she said, pulling the kid's legs from the mess.

Once she'd freed the animal, Carissa had to laugh at the way he jumped and kicked his way across the pen. "I'd probably do the same," she called after him.

Making sure that the ropes were hung over the top of the fence, Carissa secured the gate. The latch wanted to stick, and so she leaned closer to inspect the problem. As she straightened, rough hands clamped over her mouth.

"You'd do well not to scream. I've got orders to bring you back alive, but I won't be shot in the process. So if you wanna live, keep your mouth shut."

Carissa's knees nearly buckled in fear, and she thought she might well faint.

She couldn't have spoken if she'd had to. Shaking from head to toe, she didn't even fight until after the man had gagged her and tied her hands. As he placed a bag over her head, Carissa seemed to wake up to the reality of what was happening. Giving the man a swift kick, she tried to run, only to have him grab her and throw her over his shoulder.

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"You ain't goin' nowhere but with me."

She couldn't reply, nor could she see anything. The man didn't seem to care about being gentle. He tossed her across his saddle without any concern for the pain he caused. Carissa moaned as the horn dug into her ribs. The impact nearly knocked the wind from her. She tried to move her arms, but the bag came down too far and much too tight.

The man hit her hard across the backside. "Settle down now or I'll make you sorry."

Carissa did as he told her, not knowing what else to do. She was helpless to move, and without the ability to speak, she couldn't even attempt to reason with the man.

They rode for what seemed like hours. Twice Carissa had felt the contents of her stomach rise into her throat only to swallow it back down. She didn't know if it was from the ride itself or the stench of the man, but the nausea refused to leave. Pain ripped through her body. She cried out, but the muffled sound didn't even merit the attention of her captor.

Carissa tried her best to rationalize what was happening. The man who'd taken her wasn't an Indian, but rather a white man. He seemed intent on taking her specifically, saying that she was to be brought back alive. But why? Dread settled over her. Was this man one of Malcolm's cohorts? Had he come believing she had some treasure of Malcolm's?

Her mind whirled with questions and images. She could only hope and pray that there weren't others--that her being taken was an isolated incident and not just one of many other plots against the women on the Barnett ranch.

Tears poured from her eyes, dampening the sack around her face.

Oh, Father in heaven, where are you? Help me! Help me, please!

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"Where's Carissa?" Hannah asked her sister.

"She went to the outhouse," Marty replied, helping Gloria onto a chair. "She said she'd be right here."

But ten minutes later there was still no sign of Carissa.

Hannah shook her head. "This isn't right. Juanita, you all go ahead and pray so that the children can eat. I'm going to see what's going on. Maybe Carissa is sick."

She moved quickly to the back door. "Or maybe something is very wrong,"

she muttered. A sense of dark trepidation came over her. "Carissa! Carissa!"

she called as she made her way across the yard.

She checked the outhouse but no one was there. Glancing around the yard, she saw nothing that indicated Carissa had been there at all. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Carissa was gone. Hannah quickly searched through the outbuildings. Some of the men were working to break a horse in the far pen, but Berto wasn't among them. Continuing her search, Hannah found Berto sharpening an axe.

"Have you seen Carissa?" she asked the man.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"She was supposed to join us in the house for lunch. She went to the outhouse, but never came back."

Berto put down the axe and got up. "I will help you look."

Hannah nodded, but already she felt certain that Carissa was gone. She didn't know how or where, but something in her mind warned her it wasn't going to be to anyone's liking.