Here we are the long awaited chapter. I'm sooo excited we are just one chapter away from the big finale of the major storyline. Chapter 20 will have They group rescuing Kathleen and boy will it be an action filled chapter. I cannot even wait to see what ya'll think of it. Chapter 20 will not be the end of S&B though. After rescuing Kathleen we will flow right back into a slow period until One of our main girls makes a starling discovery and we will introduce a new villain to stir up the happy couples. (Well mostly happy Lila is still being a little brat to Joe and Ross but we will see more of them in the chapters to come). But never fear S&B will end on a very happy note with a lovely marriage. I'll let ya'll make guesses on which girl will get married first. Now that I'm done with our little preview I can get back to this matter. Please read and review and thank you.
AureaD: Lila is just full of useful little gifts. Adam is just so hurt by all this. He will still be dealing with all this even after she is rescued. It will come up many times in the coming chapters and it will be a major effect of how treats her.
pernellsgirl: Adam and Kathleen will have their 'moment' in chapter 21. I am going to pull out all my romance cards and make it super sweet. I am so happy you are enjoying it.
CA: It will be a major surprise and for me will be a lot of fun to write. This person will have a lot of trouble with dealing with what they did later on. There will be 2 new characters introduced in the coming chapters. I will say the first one will have a long history with Duke and try and carry on his plans. I am sorry for taking so long. I have been super busy, but I am trying to set aside writing time for myself.
The group set out before dawn; by the time they reached the start off point, the sun was just rising. Lila jumped off Junie and ran to the rock Duke had been hiding behind.
"Kathleen and I were standing here when we heard rustling from that rock. She went to go look and that's when he grabbed her."
Adam stepped down off Sport to watch Lila narrate the scene, fire burning in his eyes. He was so close to finding her again, yet he was so far away.
"That's when he told us we had to go with him, or he would hurt y'all."
Isabelle stayed up on her horse as she looked around and then back to Hoss. Hoss stepped over toward Adam and placed his oversized hand on his older brother's shoulder, offering what little comfort he could.
"We'll find her, Adam." Adam glanced up at Hoss before remounting Sport.
"Are you ready, Lila?"
Lila hopped up on her horse with a devious grin on her face. "'Course. Let's show that bastard who he's dealin' with. No one messes with us."
"Lila. Watch your mouth."
"Since when do you care, Is?" Lila rolled her eyes as she lead the way out toward the mountain that had been her prison.
"Since Kathleen isn't around to do the job for me," Isabelle retorted.
"Isabelle, you can't say Duke isn't a bastard."
"Bastard isn't even close to describing that man." Isabelle glared forward as Hoss's and Adam's mouths dropped at hearing Isabelle swear.
Lila threw her head back with laughter at the unexpected scene as they started their long journey.
Light was just starting to peer into the window of the cabin when Kathleen opened her eyes wearily. Her entire body was rigid as she attempted to stretch out her abused muscles. She closed her eyes as memories of the night before flashed through her mind. Shaking her head, she stood up as she tried to shake the sickening feeling from her head. She stumbled over to the mirror and grabbed the table's edge her legs gave out on her. Holding herself up, she brushed her hair out of her face and was startled to see her reflection; Kathleen didn't recognize the woman before her. She reached out to touch the glass. Before her was a battered and beaten body; bruises lined her legs and chest. Her neck was swollen and a black and blue handprint rested over her collarbone. As she stared, tears welled up in her eyes and fell down her blackened cheek. She turned away. She couldn't dwell on it anymore.
Kathleen dressed herself and stepped out into the main room. Duke sat at the table with a whiskey glass in his hand. He smiled at her.
"Hello dear. How are you this fine morning?"
"I'm fine."
"Now, now dear, cheer up. Didn't you enjoy last night?" Duke walked casually over to Kathleen and stood behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and started kissing her neck sensually. She jerked away from him as she dipped her hands into the cold bucket of water by the door.
"Don't tell me that I didn't please you. I know I did." Kathleen still didn't respond as she began washing her arms and face. Duke studied her from behind. He let the months of watching her flow through is mind. What was missing? Even though this all started as a mere scheme, he had fallen for her. He genuinely cared for her. She used to love him, he was sure; he remembered the way she used to melt into him when they kissed. Now it was like kissing stone. He had watched her ever since he discovered her back in June and saw the way she interacted with the Cartwrights. Especially that older one. "You don't love me anymore."
"You're just realizing that?" she spat, still refusing to make eye contact.
"Why?" Duke was standing behind her with arms wide open. He was trying to keep his temper in check, but the more pieces of the puzzle he put together, the angrier he got.
Kathleen turned around as she let out an exasperated sigh. "Duke... It's been five years. I thought you were dead. I've had to move on and grow up. I'm not that little kid that fell blindly in love with you. Besides you told me yourself; you used me. So no, I don't love you; my heart belongs to someone else now."
Duke closed in the space between them as she spoke those last few words. He felt himself on edge. He growled out the word, "Who?" He let his glare pierce through her waiting for the name of the person who had stolen his wife's heart.
Isabelle was refilling the canteens in the river after Hoss had insisted that they all needed a break before they climbed the mountain. Lila said the cabin was at the top so they had just another hour before they reached it. Lila and Adam were checking on the supplies and loading up the guns. Isabelle didn't notice Hoss sitting down next to her till he spoke. "You alright? You look a little distant."
Isabelle looked up with warm eyes. Hoss always made her feel better. He was so easy to talk to and she just felt complete with him.
"I'm just worried, Hoss. What if we don't make it in time? What if she's hurt? Or worse, dea—"
Hoss didn't let her finish as he took her hands in his, "We will, Isabelle. She is going to be okay."
Her voice broke as a tear spilled down her cheek. Hoss gently wiped it away as he lifted her chin.
"I promise you, Isabelle. Everything will be alright." He paused as he let himself take in the moment. Hoss leaned in and kissed her gently. He pulled away to look into her warm hazel eyes. They were filled with confusion.
"Why did you kiss me?"
Hoss could only give a deep giggle as he pulled her into a hug. "Because I am head-over-heels in love with you."
Stuttering, "In love with me?" She pulled back to look at him," How could you love someone like me?"
"It's easy. You are sweet and kind. You have a big heart and you are funny, warm, and just full of life. You don't try to be anyone but yourself. You're honest and real. You have the most beautiful smile and a laugh that is contagious."
Isabelle couldn't believe he was actually saying this about her. She didn't know what to say but, "I love you too." He didn't wait to pull her back and kiss her again. This time Isabelle let her arms wrap around his neck. He let one of his arms hold her waist. The other held her face gently; his thumb caressed her cheek as he kissed her with every fiber of his being. They broke the kiss as Hoss picked her up in his arms bridal style and spun her around as she kissed him again.
Hoss and Isabelle rejoined Adam and Lila with their fingers intertwined. Lila noticed and smiled at her sister who nodded, blushing a little.
All the happiness faded as eyes fell on the top of the mountain where Kathleen was being held. The task before them was dangerous and unknown. They could only pray that she was alright and things would go smoothly.
They nudged the horses up the trail.
Kathleen knew she had made a grave mistake as soon as the words left her mouth. He gripped her arm and spun her to face him. "I said WHO?! ANSWER ME! Which one of them boys has been messing with you? Is it that little one I shot? Though he was pretty caught up with Lila. What about that fat stupid one? Is HE your new Romeo? I would hope you haven't fallen for that stuck up good for nothin' boy that went to college. You couldn't ever be truly happy with a man like that. You need one like me. I'm resourceful, quick-thinking, and charming. Much better than some snooty college boy!"
"You aren't half the man Adam is."
Duke's eyes turned black as a devil's smirk came across his lips. Kathleen felt her heart tighten. She had just signed Adam's death certificate.
"That's why you wanted Lila to leave, isn't it? So she could go bring your little suitor to find you. They are probably on their way right now. Well, we will just have to prepare won't we?" Duke pulled a knife from his pocket and held it under Kathleen's nose, not relinquishing his hold on her arm. He threw her onto the table behind him, which broke under the force. Kathleen groaned as old wounds were reopened. Duke walked over and kicked her right in the side. "I didn't want to do this Kathleen, but you have left me with no other choice." After landing a few more kicks, he reached down and picked her up by her throat and shoved her against the cabin wall. She choked out a groan as her eyes opened, begging for mercy with her look. He only shook his head, "If I can't have you, no one can." He took the knife and drove it into her side and she screamed.
The cabin came into view as just as the sun reached its peak in the sky.
"There it is, guys." Lila breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Josh and Simon walk into the cabin.
"We made it." Isabelle smiled up at Hoss as he reached over and took her hand.
"Now we just have to get her out." Adam rested his gaze on the front window when a piercing scream filled the air.
Adam knew that voice. His eyes went wide. "Kathleen!"
OMG DUKE STABBED KATHLEEN!
Thank goodness Adam and everyone is here to Save the day. Question is will they be able to save the day? IS Kathleen going to make it? Will anyone else get hurt?