Page 85 of The Heart’s Charge

THIRTY-FIVE

Katherine sat bolt upright in bed. Her heart pounded, but she had no idea why. She glanced around the bedroom she shared with Eliza but spotted nothing that would have awakened her. Eliza wasn’t even in the room. Katherine had left her tending to Jonah in the front parlor when she’d finally forced herself to try to get some sleep.

Thank you for bringing Jonah back to her. Katherine knew her friend was more than a little in love with Mr. Brooks. She’d never admit as much, not after only knowing him a couple of weeks, but only something as strong as love could have broken through her fear and gotten her on that horse.

Katherine threw off the covers and pivoted to dangle her legs off the side of the bed. I’d do the same for Mark. The thought froze her in place, her toes halting halfway to the carpet. Was that why she woke? Was there something she needed to do to help Mark? But what? What could she possibly do in the dead of night?

They’d already called Deputy Bronson to the house at Jonah’s insistence. Jonah had refused any medical care until he’d told the lawman everything he knew about Mark and the men who had attacked them. Miguel Ortega and his spotted horse. His white partner who rode a dun mount with a nicked hoof and a recent injury to its flank. The precise location on Packsaddle Mountain where they’d been ambushed. A description of Mark’s horse. The deputy had vowed to pull together a group of men and start searching at first light.

She’d also received a telegram from Matthew Hanger. He’d be arriving on the morning train. Help was coming from all over. Capable help. Experienced help. She’d prayed herself to sleep, believing that to be the best assistance she could contribute, but now an unsettling urgency drove her out of bed and toward the chair where she’d tossed her clothes a couple of hours ago.

Is this you, Lord, or is my worry goading me? Not sure of the answer, she hesitated, but the urge to dress was too strong to ignore. It had to be the Lord. Worry might have the power to keep her from falling asleep, but it had never woken her in such dramatic fashion. God must be calling her to action.

With hurried hands, she threw off her nightgown and grabbed her camisole and drawers. Not wanting to take the time to lace a corset, she left the undergarment on the back of the chair and pulled one of her looser dresses from the wardrobe. Petticoat, stockings, and shoes were essential, but she left her hair hanging down her back in her sleeping braid.

The door hinge squeaked as she exited into the hall. A shadow positioned between her and the stairs moved suddenly, causing her to clap a hand over her mouth to keep from waking the entire household with her fright.

“Miss Katherine?” a sleep-filled voice queried.

Her hand slid from her mouth to cover her pounding heart. “Good heavens, Abner. You gave me a scare. What are you doing lying in the hall?”

The boy pushed to his feet, something long dangling from his right hand. Mercy! Was that a fireplace poker?

“Someone’s gotta watch out for the womenfolk with Mr. Wallace missing and Mr. Brooks all banged up.”

Katherine’s heart warmed at his concern. He was too young to carry such responsibility, yet she loved him for it. She hunkered down next to him and smiled. “You are very brave.” She brushed the hair from his forehead. “Thank you for watching over us. I’m sure the men who attacked Mr. Wallace and Mr. Brooks are far away by now, though. Making their escape so the law won’t catch them when the search party sets out in the morning. I think it’s safe for you to go back to bed.”

He didn’t argue with her, but neither did he agree. He just held his tongue and tilted his chin in that stubborn way he had when planning to go his own way. Well, she had her own way to go at the moment too, so if he wanted to pass the rest of the night in the hall, she wouldn’t stop him.

Straightening, she patted his shoulder and headed for the stairs. At the bottom, she diverted to the parlor and peeked inside. She needed to let Eliza know that she was leaving, especially since she had no idea how long she would be gone. But when she saw her friend dozing in a chair drawn close to the sofa where Jonah slept, she didn’t have the heart to intrude. Jonah’s sleep did not look easy. His mouth turned down and a muffled moan escaped him, as if the pain from his injuries impaired his rest. Or perhaps the discomfort stemmed from fretful dreams of the attack and what had happened to Mark. She could certainly relate to the latter.

At the sound of his moan, Eliza’s hand moved to stroke his chest. He quieted immediately, his own hand finding hers in sleep and clutching her fingers close to his heart.

Stepping softly to the small table in the corner, Katherine found the telegram from Matthew Hanger right where she’d left it after showing it to Jonah. She flipped it over, pulled a pencil from the table drawer, and scribbled a short note to Eliza.

There was one person no one had taken the time to chase down after all the excitement this evening. One who might slip past the deputy’s notice because of her gender. One who might actually know something about what had happened to Mark.

One who was about to entertain an uninvited midnight caller.

Katherine set the note in a visible place on the table, then slipped out into the night. The half-moon illuminated the yard enough for her to find her way to the barn to collect the lantern they kept ready by the door. A strike of a match later, she was armed with light and ready to trudge through the darkness to seek answers.

So full of purpose was she that she didn’t even think to be afraid. Not until she entered town and heard a clatter behind her. She spun toward the sound and held her lantern aloft, but she saw no one. Telling herself it was probably just a coon getting into some nighttime mischief, she turned forward again and continued her march to Althea Gordon’s residence. Yet her steps weren’t quite as sure as they had been. Doubts seeped into her mind.

What was she doing, walking the streets in the middle of the night? The darkness that a moment ago had shrunk back from her light now seemed to creep forward, casting unsettling shadows. What wickedness loomed behind that building? What danger stalked her from the trees? She was just a woman. Unescorted. Unarmed.

Her hand trembled as she held the lantern in front of her. “‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,’” she murmured softly, “‘I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.’”

Thou art with me.

Katherine straightened her shoulders as she internalized the promise. Her stride lengthened. Her chin lifted.

I will fear no evil.

This was not the time for timidity. Mark was out there somewhere. Probably injured. Alone. He had sprinted directly toward a speeding train in order to save her life. She could walk through a bit of darkness for him.

Katherine clutched the lantern with renewed determination. God had awoken her. Sent her. She wouldn’t quail in the valley of shadows. He was with her. And no darkness could withstand his light.

Yet when she reached the small house Althea Gordon rented on the south side of town, a different light drew Katherine up short. A light from the back of the house. From within. Katherine glanced around. No other houses occupied this section of town. A few businesses stood nearby, but they were closed up tight for the night. No one would notice her skulking about. She turned down the wick on her lantern and used the darkness as an ally to conceal her presence as she slipped around the corner of the building to investigate.