Page 56 of The Enchanted Land

“So, you refuse me. You teased me on the wagon train, yet you meant nothing. You do not use a Montoya and get away with it. Now you will be punished.”

She screamed when he came to her and tied the gag around her mouth. She fought him, but he was surprisingly strong and held her easily.

“Remember this, little one—you have chosen your fate. We could have been such lovers, but now—” He finished tying her hands and then her ankles and tossed her on the bed. “Now that husband of yours will die because of your teasing.” He laughed as he saw Morgan’s eyes widen in horror.

He walked to the doorway. “I will be back in a few hours, and then I have some plans for you.”

After one last searching look at her, he turned abruptly and was gone.

Chapter Eleven

WHENSeth left the Montoya party, he rode hard for an hour until he realized what he was doing to his horse. He stopped and rested. The first blind rage was gone, and the cool night air helped to clear his head of fury and liquor.

Gradually, he began to remember the way Morgan’s face had lit up when she saw him, the way she had run to him. Damn that Montoya! Seth had played right into his hands, and Joaquín had enjoyed every moment of it.

Morgan, sweet little Morgan. She was so innocent that she probably didn’t even realize what Montoya was like. He had been a fool to leave her there alone. He mounted his horse and started back to the Montoya ranch. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t hear the approaching rider. A shot rang out and the bullet slammed into his shoulder.

Before he could get to his own gun, the rider took it, then grabbed the reins of his horse. Silently, he led Seth back toward the Montoya ranch, blood dripping from his wound, each step increasing his pain.

When Joaquín returned to Morgan a few hours later and removed her gag, she tried to reason with him. He smiled at her, and she wondered why she had never understood the coldness of his smile before.

“It would do no good now to try to save yourself or your husband.”

“What have you done with Seth? Where is he?”

“Ah, sweet little noble Morgan, would you like to save the life of your husband? If you could save his life, what would you do for me?”

Her eyes looked straight into his. “Anything,” she whispered.

“Yes, I believe you would. Too bad Colter had such a woman as you and never realized it. But you can save his life, and very easily, too. All you have to do is write a letter.”

“A letter?” A new fear was growing in her stomach.

“Yes. You see, I have been trying for a long time to get Colter to sell his ranch to me. I thought I had succeeded, but then he brought back a wife. A wife makes a man settle down.”

“Why would you want Seth’s small ranch when yours is so large?”

“A good question, my little pretty one, but your husband’s ranch has the source of water for my ranch. At any time, he could cut off all the water to my home and my cattle.”

“But Seth wouldn’t do that.”

“Who can say? I do not like to trust my fortune to someone else.”

“So, you think Seth will sell the ranch to you if I am gone?”

“Yes. Exactly. But first I plan to make him never want to see the place again. That is important, and that is where your letter comes in.”

The fear inside her increased.

“I want you to write a short note saying that you and I are going away together, that we had planned it for some time, ever since we were on the wagon train together.”

Morgan’s eyes widened in horror. “No,” she whispered. She could not do this. If she ever did find Seth again, he would hate her. Even if she escaped, he wouldn’t want her again. He’d believe the note. Joaquín must know that.

“No? A moment ago you said you’d do anything to save his life. I guess I’ll tell the men to kill him.” He turned toward the door.

“No! I’ll do what you ask. Don’t hurt him. Please.”

“That’s much better. Now I will get a pen and paper.”

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