Page 45 of The Enchanted Land

Seth listened carefully. It seemed that there were only the two of them in the house. He listened a while longer to their bragging, and knew they were very drunk. Silently, he stepped through an open window. Through the open doorway across the hall, he could see both of the men in the lantern light. Remembering his promise to the raped woman’s husband, he regretted not being able to kill the men now, but marked them well for a later fate.

Seth figured Morgan would be kept upstairs. He cautiously crossed the hall to the stairs and began making his way to the second floor.

“What was that?”

Seth froze on the stairway.

“I didn’t hear nothin’. Give me that bottle and quit worryin’. Ain’t nobody goin’ fool with Boss Martin’s property.”

Joe laughed. “You’re right. Give me the bottle back.”

Seth found only one door locked upstairs. He couldn’t risk the noise of trying to break it open, so he entered the bedroom next to it. As he had hoped, there was an adjoining door, also locked, but a quick search of a night table revealed a key.

Quietly he entered Morgan’s bedroom and saw her snuggled under the sheet, her long, golden hair spread around her, making a halo. He smiled his relief.

To keep her from crying out, he put his hand over her mouth. Instantly, her eyes flew open in terror. When he saw recognition reflected there, he removed his hand. Her arms flew around his neck, the sheet falling away from her nude body.

He held her close, burying his face in her clean, soft hair.

“I knew you’d come, Seth,” she whispered tearfully. “I knew it. They said no one could find us, but I knew they were wrong.” She pulled him closer. “I’m sorry for all the mean things I’ve ever said to you.” She kissed him on the neck.

“Morgan, sweet, we’ve got to get out of here. Get dressed, and don’t make a sound.”

Her face showed her fear. “Seth, they’re horrible. You don’t know. They’ve done horrible things. I don’t like to remember.” Her eyes were full of tears.

“There’s no time for that now! Get dressed!”

Quickly, she put on the tight pants and shirt.

“Let’s go,” he hurried her. “Follow me, and no noise.”

Quietly and easily they made their way past the two drunken men and out of the house. Soon, they reached Seth’s horse. He mounted and pulled her up to the saddle in front of him. He kissed the top of her head, murmuring a quick prayer of thanks for her safety. Then he nudged his horse up the hill.

Chapter Eight

THEYrode all night. Morgan snuggled against Seth and slept part of the way, safe with his enormous arms around her.

At dawn, Morgan awoke to a very different countryside than that surrounding Boss Martin’s white house. The trees were tall here, straight, with white bark. They looked eerie, since they had markings that looked like eyes. The leaves were nearly round, and the gentle breeze made a rustling sound through the trees. It was quiet here, and cool, and somewhere in the distance she could hear the sound of running water.

“Where are we, Seth?”

“We’re in the mountains of New Mexico. I came through here years ago and found the place where I’m going to leave you. There aren’t many white men who have been there.”

“Leave me?” She turned to look up at him. The sunlight shining through his hair made it seem very blond. His skin was tanned, and there were little lines at the corners of his eyes. “You’re not going to leave me alone somewhere, are you?”

“I have to for a while. Cat Man and those two buffoons will be following us.” He grimaced. “I don’t believe he’ll let you escape without trying to find you. I have to go back and find them first.”

“No. They might hurt you. Please don’t leave me. Let’s just go on and get away from them.”

“Little Morgan, how long do you think two of us can ride on one horse? We can’t possibly lose them.” At her worried look, he kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon, and then I’ll take you to my ranch.”

She smiled up at him. “I want to see your ranch. Is it as pretty as this place?”

“No, it’s not this high. There are no aspen trees there.”

At the foot of a wall of growth, they dismounted. Seth tied the horse, then led Morgan between some trees. Now she could see an ancient trail, nearly overgrown with brush, spiraling upward. They climbed, Seth holding her hand and guiding her.

After several minutes, they came to a flat, worn place in a sheer rock face. There were several steps, and then they saw the village. There was an opening in the face of the rock about one hundred feet long and about forty feet high. Set back under the protection of the overhanging rock were ancient mud buildings. Some were crumbled, but others were still whole.

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