Chapter 24
Nick had been called out to the west side of the property. One of the hands had told him about a week ago that some of the fence line was looking run down, but Nick had been so worried about Emma that he had forgotten about it. Then some of the cattle had gotten through and he knew it was time to fix the fence. Heath said he would join him after lunch. Cassie needed to see Dr. Merar and Heath wanted to go with her. He assured Nick that it was just a check-up and nothing to worry over, but he still wanted to go in with her.
Nick was working alone, thinking about Emma and that maybe they should take a trip. Go away for a while and try to forget about everything going on. Maybe a trip back to Boulder to see her family and then on to St. Louis to visit Audra. They had never really had a honeymoon trip after all. Nick continued to think about his plans and was unaware of being watched. He was taking a drink from his canteen when someone hit him from behind. Nick fell to the ground unconscious.
Heath couldn't believe how much time had passed. He hadn't meant to be so late, but the appointment with Cassie and Dr. Merar took longer than he had anticipated. Heath rode to where he thought Nick had told him to meet him, but he didn't see him or Coco anywhere. He was about to ride away when he heard a groan. The grasses in this area were high keeping Heath from seeing Nick lying on the ground. Heath jumped off his horse and ran to Nick.
"Nick! Are you all right?"
"Ohh," was all Nick said. He had a large bump on his head and dried blood was covering his forehead.
"Nick, what happened?"
Nick sat up, shaking his head, trying to clear it.
"Someone hit me, Heath." Then Nick jumped up. He instantly regretted the action, his head throbbing, but he needed to get home. "I've gotta get to Emma!"
Nick looked around but didn't see Coco anywhere. Where could he be? Whoever it was that hit him must have stolen his horse. Nick almost knew a bit of relief. He was hoping that it was just a two-bit horse thief that had taken Coco and not who he thought it could be.
Heath and Nick both rode on Charger back to the house. Nick's head was aching so badly by the time he got there he was barely hanging on. Heath helped him down and into the house. Sarah and Victoria looked on with shocked expressions, asking what happened.
"Emma, where's Emma?" Nick asked. Victoria closed her eyes. Sarah's face paled.
"Mother, WHERE IS SHE?!"
"She went out for a ride about an hour and a half ago, Nick. She said she wouldn't be gone long."
Nick began walking toward the door. Heath caught a hold of him, and Nick struggled.
"Let me go! I have to find her!"
"Not in your condition. I'll go. Let Mother and Sarah bandage your head. I'll be right back."
Nick was barely able to stay on his feet. The room was spinning, and he knew he was going to fall down any moment if he didn't take a seat. Heath was almost to the door when he heard Nick speak.
"Heath, look by the lake. She likes to go there."
Heath nodded and ran out the door. Jarrod rode up and as Heath mounted Charger, he told Jarrod how he had found Nick and the two rode toward the lake. Both were unprepared for the sickening sight that awaited them.
An hour later, Jarrod and Heath walked into the house. Nick was like a caged animal, pacing around. Sarah and Victoria watched him, uncertain of what to say or do to help him. They had managed to convince him not to leave until Jarrod and Heath returned.
The men walked in and went straight to Nick. He looked into their eyes and knew something horrible had happened.
"Tell me," he said through gritted teeth.
"We found Emma's horse. She had been shot." Jarrod heard his wife gasp behind him.
Nick took in this information and then asked, "Emma?"
"There was no sign of her. But we found this next to Maisy." Jarrod held out a piece of paper and gave it to Nick. What Nick read made him feel physically ill.
You'll pay for what you took from me.
Nick closed his eyes. His head felt like it was being split in two, but he was thankful for the pain. It was the only thing keeping him sane now.
"He has her," Nick whispered.
"We'll find her, Nick. There were some tracks that we can follow. We'll go right now," Heath said, trying to assure Nick. Nick rose and began to follow them. Neither of his brothers was going to chance Nick being hurt any further and Jarrod gently pushed him back.
"You need to stay here. I'll send one of the hands for the doc."
"If it were Sarah, would you stay home?" Nick asked. Jarrod looked over to see his wife, her face was pale, and she was caressing her growing belly. Jarrod knew he couldn't deny Nick and the three brothers left. Heath saddled another horse for Nick and the men rode back out to the lake. Jarrod had instructed some of the men to take care of the horse's carcass and they were on their way to do that now. The tracks at the lake led off toward the south and they followed them. Nick was trying not to let his mind wander with what could be happening to his wife right now.
Emma moaned softly, trying to open her eyes. She felt achy all over and realized she was lying on a bed. The mattress was dirty and smelled horrible. Emma sat up, her head throbbing. Her memories came rushing back and she began to sob. David had taken her. He had Nick's horse and he had shot Maisy. He had then hit her, making Emma lose consciousness.
Emma knew she had to get a hold of herself. She didn't know where David was now, but she had to try to escape. It was getting dark outside. By now the others had to know she was missing. She had told Sarah and Victoria she wouldn't be gone long. She looked around the room, but other than the bed and the table for the lamp, there was no other furniture. Emma stood and began to walk toward the door. She didn't hear any sounds coming from the other side and she turned the door knob as quietly as she could. The door was locked.
Again, Emma looked around the room. There was one window, but it looked too small for Emma to get through. She would just have to wait for David to unlock the door. She kept trying to come up with a plan, but she was at a loss as to what to do. She decided to just wait. She would save her energy for her escape. Emma pushed aside her memory of her beloved horse as she lay dying in the grass. And she wouldn't even consider that anything had happened to Nick. It was unthinkable.
She didn't know how long she had been sitting on the bed when there was a noise at the door. The knob turned and Emma stood. In walked David, that horrible smile plastered on his face.
"Good to see you finally awake, my love." Emma was sickened at his endearment and a look of revulsion covered her face. David walked over to her slowly.
"What do you want, David?" she asked, feeling the anger rise.
He raised his eyebrows and said, "Well, that, my dear, has changed a few times. At first, I wanted to kill you," as he said this Emma looked at him with disgust. He was annoyed that she wasn't more afraid of him.
"Then, I decided that that wouldn't do. So, I thought, why not go after that new husband of yours? But I realized that while it would probably bring you great sorrow, it wouldn't really punish him for what he had taken from me. You see, he not only took the woman I was going to marry, but he also took my job away. I could have been very successful, and Nick Barkley destroyed that. So, I've been planning this for a few months. What I'm going to do, is take away his life as he knows it."
"So, you are going to kill me," Emma said. She was terrified but was not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing it.
"Killing you outright would be too easy. I want you to suffer as well."
Emma was beginning to know real fear. What was David planning? He stepped closer to her, too close. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. She pushed him aside and tried to run for the open door, but he was too quick. He lifted her up by the waist and threw her on the bed. She struggled to get up and he punched her with his closed fist. She fell into unconsciousness. He smiled sadistically and moved toward her.
"I'm going to take what should have been mine."