Once he'd said goodbye to almost everyone he met Elizabeth outside at the bottom of the stairs. "I never realized what church can do for you." he said taking her hand as they headed to Abigail's cafe. Elizabeth gave him a puzzled look, but he only smiled. "I'll explain later. First we are getting some of that delicious fried chicken of Abigail's." he said. "I'm sure the pastor will be there too." Elizabeth said a hint of teasing in her voice. "Are you saying there might be another wedding in the future?" Jack asked looking over at her. Elizabeth quirked a brow. Jack chuckled. "Well I'm sure we could work something out. Maybe..." Jack was interrupted by gunshots and galloping horses. He took Elizabeth into the cafe and drew his gun. "Stay here." he said. Elizabeth nodded fear in her eyes. Jack headed for the door and opened it looking out. "Jack wait!" she said running to him. "Be careful." she said gripping hard to his uniform. Jack kissed her. "I will." he said before heading out the door. Elizabeth sent up a prayer for their safety and waited.

Outside Jack saw the stage coming in followed by riders with bandannas over their faces. A few of the men including the pastor took cover with their guns ready. Everyone ran inside the buildings and Jack fired a shot at the leader then took cover. The stage driver didn't look hurt so Jack guessed the bandits attacked close to the town. The rest of the men fired on the bandits once the driver got clear. Then Jack saw people inside the stage. "There are passengers!" he yelled to the men. He took cover while the others fired on them. He had to think and fast. Then one of the bandits ordered for his men to stop firing. Jack ordered his men to stop as well. "Jack Thorton! This is Hannibal Martin. Show yourself!" the leader called out. Jack signaled his men to stay put and holstered his gun. He raised his hands and walked out. "What do you want?" he asked. "I want what means the most to you." Hannibal replied. Jack walked a bit closer. He hoped he was bluffing. Elizabeth was hidden in the cafe and he hoped she was safe. His heart constricted at the thought of something happening to her. "Why? I don't remember doing anything to you." he replied. Hannibal shot at him the bullet hitting the ground beside his boot. "I won't miss again. You don't remember me but how about my cousin? Nathaniel Tolliver." Hannibal replied. Jack remembered Nathaniel and he also remembered how the gang kidnapped Elizabeth and her sister Julia. He was about to answer when he heard a gasp from the stage.

He recognized the red hair from the window and boy sitting next to her. He closed his eyes and sent a prayer up. He couldn't let on that he knew the passengers or they could get hurt. "I remember Nathaniel. Good boy if he wasn't raised by the likes of you." he said. He knew he was treading on dangerous ground and hoped it wouldn't take a turn for the worse. Hannibal let out a snarl at Jacks comment. The rest of the gang consisted of four men and all looked like they'd rode hard, but guessed they stole horses somewhere close since they were on fresh mounts. "Well I'm here to take something of yours like you took Nathaniel." he shot back. "Seems very foolish to come here in the daylight with so few men. You're sorely outnumbered so why come?" Jack replied. He couldn't see Hannibal's evil smile, but saw it in his eyes and it made him feel sick to his stomach. "Because we didn't come without a plan." he said. Just then Jack heard a scream and his heart sank to his stomach. He turned just in time to see a fifth gang member ride by with Elizabeth in front. "Jack!" she screamed as they disappeared in the dust of the four other members. "Elizabeth!" he called after them. "You snake!" Jack said turning to Hannibal his face full of fury. "Don't even think of getting a posse after us. The minute we hear them coming she's dead." he instructed. Jack tried to lunge for him but felt something strike his head. He heard Hannibal let out an evil laugh before turning his horse and galloping off his words fading as Jack slipped into darkness.

Elizabeth groaned as she opened her eyes and saw the roof of a soddy above her. She gasped and sat up looking around. She was alone and to her relief she was still clothed. They'd used chloroform when they got out of town and she feared the worst. She heard the conversation and knew why she was taken, but hoped she could stay alive until Jack rescued her. If only she hadn't stayed by the door she might not be here. She wiped away a stray tear and swung her legs over the side of the bed and looked around. She had to stay strong and not show she was weak. She got up and straightened out her dress. Her hair was everywhere so she put it up not wanting any of the men getting ideas. She sent up a prayer for her protection and Jack's guidance to find her. There was a small table with only one chair which told her the men must sleep somewhere else. She sighed with relief and went about tiding up the place. She might as well make use of her time while she was there. There was a window above the sink and she looked out. There was a bunk house to the left and a barn with a corral where the horses were. A well was located in the middle of the yard. She guessed this was an abandoned farm due to the conditions of the buildings. She thought this place looked familiar, but couldn't place it at the moment. She finished the dishes and made the bed then put some coffee on.

She was about to sit down when the door opened and in came one of the older men. He didn't look as harsh as the others. She picked up one of the iron skillets and held it tightly ready to defend herself. On the inside she was trembling with fear. The older man chuckled closing the door. "You won't need that missy." he said. "I smelt the coffee and figured it would taste better than Mark's." he added walking over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup. Elizabeth lowered the skillet but kept it in her hand. He had sat down and took a sip. "Not bad. Name's Jeff." he said. She just nodded. He didn't seem to be interested in anything but the coffee. If she were to guess this was the thinker of the group and acted like he looked. He had cleaned up and must have left his hat in the bunkhouse. He was average height and about the same in weight. His hair was black and flecked with gray along the sides. "You don't have to be scared of me. I may run with this gang but it doesn't mean I act like them. I was the one we suggested putting you here and much to their displeasure talked them into leaving you be." he explained. Elizabeth shivered at the pictures running through her mind. She set the skillet down, but didn't sit. "So how'd you do it?" she asked. Jeff took another sip of his coffee before answering. "I told'em if Nathaniel were here he'd do the same thing. I also suggested that if we put up ransom we could use the money to get all the girls we wanted." he replied looking into his cup. Elizabeth felt sorry for the girls, but grateful she escaped...for now.

Jack woke up with a bad headache. He groaned and touched his head feeling the bandage around it. He blinked a couple of times to get his bearings and saw Abigail sitting in a rocking chair. She looked up from her sewing and saw him sitting up. "Good you're awake." she said getting up and handing him a glass of water. He took a swig and set it on the end table. "What happened?" he asked then his eyes widened when he remembered. "Elizabeth!" he exclaimed standing up. He realized his mistake when the room started to spin. He griped the bedpost for support. "You need to take it slow Jack. You received a nasty bump on your head when that bullet scratched you." Abigail said gripping his arm. He pushed her off and went for his uniform jacket and gun belt. "I need to find her before..." he stopped when he saw the worried look on Abigail's face. "I'll be fine and I will find her." he said buckling his gun belt. She nodded and handed him his hat. "I know you will, but before you go down you should be prepared." she said. Jack looked at her puzzled. Then he remembered the passengers in the stagecoach. "Julie and Tom. I saw them in the stage. I can take care of that later." he said grabbing his winter coat. The nights were growing cooler. "Not that. Elizabeth's parents are also down there." she said. Jack stopped buttoning his coat and looked at her again. "What are they doing here?" he asked. "It seems Charles returned and told them about you and Elizabeth before her letter got to them. They came as soon as they could. Julie reunited with your brother and they aren't too happy with that either. Tom has made something of himself, but her father is very upset that two of his daughters are courting..." Abigail explained she stopped when Jack touched her hand. "I know. But I don't have time to face him yet especially now that his daughter is kidnapped and...". Now it was his turn to stop.

He saw Elizabeth's father in the doorway. "And you didn't do anything." he finished for Jack. Jack got a determined look on his face and walked up eye to eye with him. "I would have done something if I wanted Elizabeth dead. They would have killed her if I had made a move. I tried in the end and you saw what happened when I did. I can't speak for Elizabeth, but I know what I feel for her and I will stop at nothing to find her and bring her back. No one can keep her from harm. Not me, not you and not Charles." he said. "But if she were with Charles this wouldn't have happened. And if she hadn't taken this job she wouldn't be in this situation." her father shot back. Jack shook his head. "You can come up with if's all you want, but that won't change what happened. There are danger's back East as well as here. You can't control your daughters' lives forever. I understand you want the best for them but maybe the best for them is to follow their hearts. I suggest you stop telling them you want them to do and support them in what they want to do. Now I'm going out there to look for my fiance and I'm going to marry her and if she wants you there I will be civil to you for her sake." Jack replied. He walked out the door and down the stairs. He nodded to Julie and Tom and Elizabeth's mother on the way out. He mounted his horse and rode off in the direction the bandits did.