Page 29 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
“Any relation to Colin Shannon?”
“He was my father.”
“A good man. Sorry to hear of his passing.” He introduced himself and the younger man on the other side of Mr. Hartman as his son. “Now you two be on your way. We’ll see that this man decides to ride the other direction.” He looked at Mr. Hartman. “Looks to me like you lost fair and square. You’ll have to find yourself another bride.” He and his son began shoving Mr. Hartman down the street, paying no heed to his struggles to free himself. “I heard tell there are lots of ladies eager to come out here and marry. Bet you could find yourself a lady whose just right for you.” The tall cowboy turned back. “We’ll keep him here until you’re good and gone.”
Mr. Hartman went unwillingly, unable to break free from the grip on his arms. “You’re a dead man.” His words were loud and clear. Meant as a warning to Andy. “You’ll regret thinkin’ you can cheat me.” More foul language spewed from him.
Della covered her ears. Too bad someone couldn’t put a sock in his mouth.
Andy turned. “Are you all right?” He caught her upper arms and held her.
“I am. Are you?” There was a darkness in his eyes that both frightened and thrilled her. “Let’s get out of here.” He lifted her to the seat and scrambled up after her. The wagon began to roll. He swung the horses in a wide circle, and they rode down the length of the street.
She stared at the blacksmith shop where the cowboys had taken Mr. Hartman. His face appeared in the doorway. His scowl was enough to bring on a thunderstorm. “I ain’t done with you,” he yelled, adding unpleasant things before he was pulled inside.
A shudder raced up and down her insides, stealing away her breath, and sending her heart into a racing gallop.
I ain’t done with you.The words lapped at her thoughts driving away any hope that he’d give up and leave her alone.
8
Andy felt Della shaking. His own insides were a little unsteady. He’d met unpleasant men in the past, but none with the pure evil he saw in Mr. Hartman. To think Della might have fallen into his claws and been married to him. Or her poor mother.
The town fell behind them. Feeling they were out from under a dozen pairs of prying eyes, he wrapped an arm around Della’s shoulders and held her tight. “You’re safe now.”
“I hope we’re both safe.” The words rattled over her teeth.
They rode on in silence for a spell. Della looked over her shoulder more times than Andy wanted to count. Each time, a shudder shook her. Half an hour later, with no sign of a pursuer, the tension slowly seeped from her body.
She laughed, the sound as unexpected as a clap of thunder in a clear blue sky would have been. Her eyes danced with amusement. “Seems to me the Shannon name must carry a bit of importance.”
He grinned. “My pa was one of the first cattlemen in the area. He was tough but fair. He would never refuse to lend a hand to anyone in trouble.”
“He sounds like a good man.” She eyed him, blue upon blue in her gaze. “Like father, like son?”
“I’d like to think that is true.”
“Would he be proud of what you’ve done?” She ducked her head. “In marrying me?”
Andy didn’t answer immediately. What would Pa think of this marriage? Or Ma? Slowly he formed his reply. “They’d mostly agree once they saw Mr. Hartman. It amazes me that he was able to convince you that he was a decent man.”
“Convinced Ma and me.” Her head hung down. Then she jerked up, her face toward the sky. “Thank God for saving us from his clutches.”
“Amen. As my ma would say, God watches over us. ‘He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not slumber.’” Remembering his mother quoting those words gave him a good dose of encouragement. God would surely protect them from that horrible man.
“I like that. It reminds me of another verse, ‘I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.’ Though I don’t know if I’ll feel safe until I’m back in Toledo.” Her words jerked to an end. She swallowed audibly. “You don’t suppose he’d follow me there, do you?”
“I wouldn’t think so.” But the man had a wide streak of mean in him. It was impossible for Andy to guess what such a person would do. “I don’t think those cowboys are going to let him do anything crazy.” At least for a time. But how long could they hold him? Or would they take him to the nearest marshal with information that Mr. Hartman had threatened to kill Andy?
Andy touched the bruises on his throat. Would he have been able to fend off the man if friends of his father hadn’t intervened?
Della’s cool, gentle fingers stroked his neck. “Does it hurt?”
He trapped her hand beneath his. Realizing how inappropriate his claiming of her fingers was he eased back and then, with a quiet chuckle, pulled her hand to his side. She was his wife. He had every right to touch her. Immediately on the heels of that thought, came another. This was not a real marriage. Yet he retained her hand, telling himself they both needed the reassurance the connection provided.
“He squeezed plenty hard. I’ll have bruises. But it only hurts a little.”
“I’m sorry. This is all my fault.” Regret dripped from her words.
