Chapter 36

Mr. Coldwell pulled his hat over his face and discreetly made his way off the train. He skirted around the back of the buildings and stayed in the shadows. He drew near the clinic and waited. Soon he saw Sully exit the medical building with his little girl.

"Why can't I stay with Ellie? She lets me tell stories to her!" Katie asked.

Sully gave a chuckle at his daughters enthusiasm, "I know she likes hearing your stories, but your ma says she needs to rest," he explained to her as he took her little hand in his.

"Mama is a good doctor!" Katie said beaming as she skipped next to him.

Sully laughed and looked down at his daughters bright face that resembled the beauty of his wife's. He looked into her blue eyes and said, "Yes, she is Katie bug. Now, how about we go see Grace?"

"Yeah!" Katie said excitedly.

A sickening grin spread across Mr. Coldwell's face. Ellie was definitely there. He considered his options. With Sully gone he knew his chances of getting what he wanted increased….but he didn't want to be seen. He would have to wait til dark to make his move. Then he would go in and get what he came for. Hopefully, the mountain man would be slow to return. He took a whiskey bottle from inside his jacket and taking a swig he made his way to the woods on the out skirts of town. He would wait and hide until it was time.

Later that evening Mr. Coldwell moved in the growing shadows of the departing sun toward his destination. He observed the mountain man at work with the negro. He chuckled silently to himself and taking a last swig of liquor made his way to the clinic while the last rays of sun fell behind the horizon.

Michaela woke with a start. She had heard a loud banging, as if a door had been flown closed. Perhaps it was Sully returning after his work with Robert E.. She rose from the bed and taking a few steps to the bedroom door stopped short as nausea gripped her. Turning she rushed to the basin and emptied what little was in her stomach. As she washed her face and took a few deep breaths to steady herself, she heard a muffled voice from down the hall. She knew right away it wasn't Sully. It didn't sound like Brian either. The hair on Michaela's neck stood up. She hurriedly made her way down the hall to Ellie's recovery room.

Ellie's dream was mixed with reality. The door to her room swung closed with a bang. Her mind was half awake and half asleep. Ellie's eyes slowly fluttered open. Before she could fully realize what she was seeing, a strong hand gripped her arm and pulled her roughly from the bed. Ellie tried to cry out but her ribs were on fire from the rough movement and she could only gasp weakly as she fell to the ground.

"Get up! You're mine! I'm taking you!" Mr. Coldwell's voice was slurred and his hot breath stank of liquor. He swayed slightly as he jerked her up on her feet.

The bedroom door swung open. Michaela froze for a moment as she saw her cousin looming over the young girl. Her eyes quickly took in Ellie's small, weak frame standing next to the large man who had cause her so much pain. Ellie's legs shook underneath her and her face was deathly pale. Michaela could see the anger in Mr. Coldwell's eyes as he moved forward, nearly causing Ellie to topple over from his jerky movement. Everything happened fast. Michaela moved quickly to the other side of the room. "No! Ellie! Stop! Mr. Coldwell please….Let her go! You'll never get away with…." She reached for Ellie but she was knocked roughly aside, nearly loosing her balance before her body pumped heavily into the edge of the dresser.

Having regained her breath, Ellie began to struggle weakly out of her uncles grasp. She hit out and pulled away as best as she could. In a tired and raspy voice she cried out, "No! Stop! Let go!"

Mr. Coldwell became annoyed with his nieces attempts to flee. He hit her squarely across the face causing her to fall to the ground. "I don't want to hear anymore…" He swayed on his feet. His fat face was red with exertion and intoxication.

"Ellie!" Michaela tried to move to help the young woman who was curled in a ball gasping from pain. Again, she was pushed roughly back; the back of his hand connecting with her face. Michaela fell to the ground. Her face burning.

"Stay out of this woman! I'm tired of you…in my way…can't have my money!…." The man's slurred voice yelled between gasp of air, "I'll get what I want!... No one's gonna stop me!" As Michaela got to her feet, she saw him clumsily take the gun from his jacket and take aim.