This here stage will take you as far as Fort Macleod, but, ma’am, it’s a long journey, especially for someone in your—” He turned so red his skin must have burned, and he didn’t finish.
“In my condition. Yes. Yes. But isn’t that up to me to decide?”
The color had begun to fade on the man’s cheeks, but again intensified.
“How much will it cost?” she asked. “And when does the stage depart?”
“I can sell you a ticket to Fort Macleod. After that, you’ll have to buy another to Edendale.” He named a sum that made Louise cringe.
“The next stage leaves tomorrow. Early.” He looked at Louise as if he thought getting up early was impossible in her condition.
“Fine. Thank you.”
She left the station and headed for the bank. Within minutes she had withdrawn enough money to buy the tickets in the morning, see them both safely to their destination and perhaps even to start a new life north of here. For a moment, her heart stalled at the idea of leaving behind the only place she’d ever felt she belonged. Perhaps she should appeal to the marshal to remove Vic from the Porter house.
Even before she finished the thought, she knew her wish was futile. Vic cared nothing for what the law demanded.
She had no choice but to proceed with her plan, and she left the bank to go back to Aunt Bea’s house. She turned the corner at the end of the block and ground to a halt as Vic stepped directly into her path.
“Thought you could get away, did ya? I wasn’t born yesterday.”
Holding in her fear, she replied evenly, “I was taking care of a few chores.”
“In the stagecoach station?” He chortled. “You thinking of taking a trip?”
She refused to answer.
“You get on that stage and I’ll follow you. I’ll bring you back. You will never get away from me. Not you nor Gordie’s sweet little sister.” He smiled benignly lest anyone be watching, but his words carried enough venom to make her skin crawl.
“I’ll tell everyone we don’t want to go with you.”
“No one will listen when I tell them yer my wife.” His eyebrows waggled in mockery.
She didn’t respond. He’d do it so convincingly, everyone would believe him and see her as a rebellious wife. Some would even cheer him for coming after her. She unconsciously pressed her hands to her belly.
His gaze followed. “Seems that kid ought to be born any day now. I got plans for it.”
“Plans?” What right did he have to make plans for her baby?
“Yup. Got a friend who knows people who will pay a lot of money for a baby.”
She staggered back as if he’d hit her. Threatening her was one thing, but threatening her baby was quite another. She began to tremble.
Giving her a smile, Vic touched the brim of his hat as if he were a mannered gentleman. “Nice talking to ya.” Anyone watching would think they’d had a friendly little chat.
They would be wrong.
Her insides rolled and tossed.
She breathed deeply, determined she would not be sick in public.
How was she to get away? How was she to make sure he didn’t follow her and bring her back as his “wife”?
She could think of one thing that would stop Vic. Now all she had to do was make Nate see the reasonableness of it.
* * *
Nate remained in the alley. Vic and Louise hadn’t seen him and he didn’t want them to. Especially Vic.
His opinion of the man had never been a secret and it had been reinforced yet again. The man was a danger to all decent folk.
Nate had been close enough to see the expression on both Vic’s and Louise’s faces, and to overhear enough words to know Vic had threatened her, then threatened to sell her baby. His fists balled. This must surely be the reason for her wanting to leave. It explained why she’d used but one word to explain her fear—Vic.
Nate turned back toward his mother’s house, having completely forgotten the errand that brought him into town.
Still seething, he burst into the house. But he jerked to a stop when he saw who was there.
“Louise?” She sat at the table facing his ma. “What are you doing here?”
Ma tsked. “I’m sure you don’t mean to sound so unwelcoming. She said she wanted to talk to you.”
Louise nodded. “There’s something I want to say.”
Ma got to her feet. “I’ll leave you two to deal with whatever it is that’s bothering the both of you.” She made for the door. “It’s hard to believe that you were once eager to spend time together.” The door closed behind her, shutting out her words and her opinion.
Nate sank to the chair she’d vacated. Ma was right. There had been such a time. “Things change,” he said. He had no desire to go back.
Louise liked to cling to what had once been, but wouldn’t she soon have a baby? Didn’t that mean she had to plan for the future?
He was about to say he’d seen her with Vic, when she leaned forward and started to talk.
“I want to leave. Go to Eden Valley Ranch.”
He nodded. Would have said he thought it a good idea but she didn’t give him an opportunity.
“I obviously can’t ride a horse all that way. In my condition. I can buy us tickets on the stagecoach,” she said. “I already made inquiries.”
“Good.”
“But—” Her head jerked up and her fierce gaze left him speechless. She had something in mind and she meant to get it done. She lowered her gaze, enabling him to release his breath. She studied the top of the table. “If Missy and I try to go alone, I fear Vic will stop us.” She lifted her head, her eyes this time filled with what he could only say was a mixture of sorrow and fear. She shuddered.
He knew she had every right to be afraid of Vic. The man would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. He wished he could offer her escape, but he didn’t see how he could.
“What I need,” she continued, her voice strong and steady, “is a man to protect us.”
He knew from the look in her eyes she meant him. But they’d already had this discussion. Accompanying her would get her away from Vic, but it would ruin both the women’s reputations. Even a widow’s expecting a child.
He wished he could protect Missy and Louise. But what could he do?
“Louise, I’ve already told you I can’t—”
She
