Page 576 of Conveniently Wed
But he was out the door, headed toward the bunkhouse. He awakened Rusty, leaving the other ranch hands to their well-deserved rest.
“I want you to prepare Major and your horse for a long ride. I’m going into the house to get supplies to take with us. I know where Lorinda is. It’ll take us a while to get to her.”
Franklin went back into the house and told Mrs. Oleson to start plenty of water heating after breakfast, so Lorinda could have a hot bath when he brought her home.
In half an hour, he and Rusty set out across the valley in a different direction from the one Marvin took when he kidnapped Lorinda. Some places would be harder to traverse on this trail, but it should take much less time than it would to go up the way Marvin had. Still it would take the rest of the night and into the next day before they would return.
Lorinda had been tied up in the same position so long, she didn’t know if she could even stand up if...when…someone rescued her. Cramps in various muscles came and went with closer frequency. Is this the way it feels to starve to death? Stiffness was her present reality. She wanted to cry, but she didn’t have enough moisture for tears. At least, her body functions had ceased. If only it had happened before she soiled herself.
How long had Marvin been gone? Much, much longer than any other time. Her mouth and throat were so dry, her tonguestuck to the roof of her mouth, and her teeth felt cottony. She felt dirtier than she’d ever been, even when she was a child living with her father and uncle, who didn’t care if she was clean or not. Hunger clawed at her stomach like a living monster, and her head ached whether she held it up or leaned it against her knees.
She had no concept of how much time had passed since Marvin left. She did remember it had been daylight when he left, but had there been only one night or two since then? She wasn’t sure. Her thoughts were muddled.
She missed holding baby Michael and baby Andrew. Her heart longed for the comforting presence of her husband. If someone didn’t come to find her soon, they might only find her body.
Jesus, help me...Jesus, help me...Jesus, help...
As Franklin and Rusty picked their way up the mountain trail, the glow of the light near the peak continued to shine bright. Franklin had brought a lantern in case they might need it, but so far the strange light had somehow lit the pathway even though there was no moon. Here they were near the end of November,with snow falling all around them, but the snowfall hadn’t reached blizzard proportions. So it didn’t block out their surroundings.
Franklin couldn’t help thinking about the wise men who came from the East to find the Christ child. Having the star shining on their path to guide them. Maybe they felt a little like he did. He recognized that the light leading them had to come from God. Every one of his heartbeats sang out in thanksgiving to the Lord. Somehow, he knew this beacon would lead him to Lorinda. With God going to so much trouble, he had to find heralive. The family would really have something to celebrate on Thanksgiving Day.
Dawn was just barely peeking over the rim of the mountains when they reached the opening of the tunnel just where he remembered it. One streak of morning light shot a beam right at the opening, scattering the darkness inside.
When they were out of the wind, Franklin lit the lantern so they could see as they went deeper into the ground. “Lorinda!” His shout bounced from the rock walls of the tunnel and echoed back at him.
No answer came.Please, Lord. Don’t let us be at the wrong place.
The next shout was answered by a whinny.A whinny?A horse was in the cavern. He rode closer and closer to the large room he and Marvin had discovered. When they turned the corner into the vast space, another whinny sounded much closer. He lifted the lantern high, and Rusty followed behind him.
Golden Boy stood near the far wall beside a large lump of something. His muzzle lay against the top, and he blew a whiffle of breath against the mound. Something moved under his head, and he stepped back.
When Franklin caught sight of the dirty, blonde curls, he knew he’d found her. And she moved. Relief shot through him.
He jumped from his horse and ran toward her. “Lorinda, are you all right?”
Major followed behind him.
Her eyes opened a little, but she didn’t look as if she knew where she was. No recognition shown in her eyes.
Marvin has been dead for almost twenty-four hours, and who knew how long he’d left Lorinda alone here?
Franklin grabbed his canteen. “Rusty, bring me a couple of those blankets.”
He sank beside her on the cool rock floor. His heart beat so strong, he had a hard time catching his breath at this high altitude.
Gently, he tipped her head higher. “Lorinda, sweetheart, open your mouth. I have some water for you.”
After opening the container of drinking water, he tipped it against her dry lips. When the first drops touched her, she opened them a little. He dribbled small amounts into her mouth and waited until she swallowed. It took several tries before the liquid started to revive her. When she opened her eyes again, a light shone in them.
“Fr...anklin...you...came...for me.”
“I’m going to give you another drink, but not too much.” Once again, he tipped the canteen only a little.
This time, she sucked in more fluid. “I knew you would.” The words were so faint, he had to listen closely to hear them. “Jesus...”
Now that she was more alert, he unwrapped the two blankets surrounding her. His heart nearly broke when he saw she was tied up. While he worked the ropes loose, she whimpered. Oh, how she must hurt.
“How long have you been tied up?” He tried to keep anger out of his tone. If Marvin wasn’t already dead, he’d want to hunt him down and beat him to a pulp.I know, Lord. These thoughts aren’t right, but... He. Hurt. My. Wife.
