Promise Me (32 page)

She turned from Lyman and tried to push her way through the men. “Follow me. I think I can find him.”

Gentle hands grasped her by the shoulders. Lyman Abbott's eyes told her he understood how much she was suffering. “We know these tunnels better than anybody else in Willow Creek.” His tone reassured her. “We won't give up ‘til we find him, but you've been through a hell of a night from the looks of things.” He gave her another gentle pat. “Margaret is waiting up at the office, and she's worried sick over you. Half the town is up there.”

Amanda shook her head in confusion. “Half the town, I don't understand.”

Lyman grabbed her hand and pulled her with him. “We got time enough to tell the tale after we find your husband. I figure he's at Grand Central,” he said to the others. “Head down there, and I'll bring a crew back with me.”

Amanda's confidence returned at the foreman's tone. “They'll find Sam, won't they?”

“We'll find him, ma'am, don't you worry about that.”

Amanda turned and continued up through the narrow tunnel toward a shaft of light at the top. What was left unsaid was the possibility that they'd be too late. When they found Sam, he might already be dead.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Amanda halted at the entrance to the mineshaft, gazing at the streaks of early dawn edging the still dark sky, and inhaled deeply. She never imagined the rush of fresh air filling her lungs could feel so good.

“Am
anda. Oh, praise the Lord, she's alive.” Warm arms captured her and she was pulled toward the ample bosom of Harriet Parmeter.

The comforting aroma of fresh baked bread and apples surrounded her, and Amanda felt some reassurance. When Harriet finally released her, it was only to be grasped by Margaret Abbott.

“Honey, we've all been so worried about you,” Margaret said.

“Let me through, dad-drat-it, you women can have your hen party another time. Let me see if she's been hurt.” Doc Potter shoved his way through the gaggle of women surrounding her.

His appearance shocked Amanda. He wore a spotless white shirt with a new black frock coat. His hair and beard were trim and clean. His boots gleamed in the light from the torches that surrounded the tunnel entrance.

“Doc?” Amanda couldn't keep the astonishment from her voice. “Is that really you?”

He bustled around the women as he threw her a disgusted look. “Of course it's me, did a rock land on your head and knock you senseless, woman?”

Amanda shook her head. “I don't think so, but if you're sober, maybe I am hallucinating.”

“I am sober, and it's all your fault.” He pointed a finger at Margaret. “You and that interfering, meddling woman. She's been following after me and lecturing me about demon rum until I finally gave in and stopped drinking just so I could shut her up and get rid of her.”

Margaret Abbott never flinched. “I saved your soul, you old fool, and you know it.” She settled an arm around Amanda's waist. “You can't examine her out here in front of the whole dang town.” She pulled Amanda toward a large log building sitting in the center of the clearing. “Come on, dearie, we need to get you warmed up.”

Amanda leaned on the woman, taking comfort from her words and the warmth of her body. She was grateful for the concerns expressed by the other women, but the respite was brief. Sam was still injured and lost underground. Her heart beat quickly and she trembled as she recalled the dark stain of blood she'd seen oozing from his injured leg. She looked down at her skirts and the sight of bloodstains made her stomach heave. She was grateful for the arms of the other women to steady her.

They entered the log structure and someone scrambled to get her a chair. Within minutes a blanket was draped around her shoulders and a cup of hot, steaming coffee placed in her hands. She sniffed the rich aroma and wrapped her hands around the enamel cup to warm them.

Amanda savored the feeling of being warm and safe again. How foolish she'd been, taking so much for granted. She'd never really appreciated things like being free to move about, having friends who cared about her, and the love of a good man. She would never see another dawn without whispering a prayer of thanks to God for sparing her life last night. Finally, she lifted her head and found Doc Potter towering over her.

“Are you hurt or bleeding?” His tone was gruff, but there was real concern reflected in his eyes.

Amanda shook her head and took another sip of her coffee.

“Have you, um, experienced any effects from your condition?”

She could swear the man was blushing.

“No. I fell and scraped my hands and knees, but otherwise I'm not injured.” She tried to keep her voice calm and controlled as she lifted her gaze to plead with him.

“But Sam's hurt.” Her hands began to shake and she set the cup on the table next to her. “He was bleeding and there's a large timber on his leg.” She worked hard to keep a sob from escaping. “He told me he's lost the feeling below his waist.”

Doc Potter leaned back on his heels. “Was the blood gushing or oozing?”

Amanda wrinkled her brow, trying to remember. “Oozing, I guess. Seeping slowly.” She shivered despite the blanket draped around her.

He nodded. “And this timber, did it appear to have crushed his leg or pelvis?”

His words were beginning to terrify Amanda as she considered how badly injured Sam might be. Harriet patted her gently on the arm and shot an angry look at the doctor.

“Why don't you get on down in the tunnels and take a look at Sam yourself.” There was a note of disgust in her voice. “Quit pestering Amanda. Hasn't she been through enough tonight?”

Doc narrowed his eyes at Harriet. “I expect you think I'm too much of a coward to go down there, don't you Harriet Parmeter?”

Harriet waved a hand in his direction and scoffed. “I could give a hoot about you, old man. Go straight to hell for all I care, just leave this poor woman alone.”

The doctor lifted his head and squared his shoulders. “I'll show you women that I'm just as good as the next man.” With that he stomped out of the room.

Harriet shook her head. “Damn fool men, can't figure out why we have to put up with such nonsense.”

Amanda touched her friend's hand. “He's only trying to help, and I appreciate that he's not drunk.” She looked out the window and into the early dawn light, which outlined the buildings of the Silver Slipper Mine in russet and orange. “I think Sam will need all of his skills when they bring him up. His injuries are serious.” Tears filled her eyes and she stifled a sob.

Harriet patted her shoulder. “Sam will be all right. That man is strong as an ox.”

Amanda wiped the tears from her cheeks and tried to return her smile. “And stubborn as a mule, sometimes.” She sniffed.

“I don't understand how you managed to find us out here. Mr. Penny and a man named Jack Pruitt kidnapped me and forced me into a wagon.” She shivered and her voice trembled. “Sam thought I was leaving town and he jumped into the wagon to stop me.”

Margaret dragged a chair across the room and sat opposite Amanda. “We had a surprise for you. We planned it for after dinner.”

Harriet jumped in. “But of course, I had to go get a second helping, and I guess that's when that sneak Mr. Penny told you something that convinced you to go with him.”

Amanda nodded. “He told me he'd been sent on an errand for Sam.” She felt sheepish. “He told me Sam was at the livery stable and I foolishly followed him out there.”

Both women nodded. “There wasn't any reason for you to suspect him, and I guess we should have warned you,” Harriet said.

“But Caleb wanted to tell you himself, because he thought you'd be more likely to believe him,” Margaret added.

“Caleb?” Amanda lifted her head. “He's conscious again?” Her heart quickened a beat.

“He's back to his own self, just as sweet and good a boy as ever.” A motherly note of pride brightened Harriet's voice. “Eatin' you out of house and home I suspect. But we were plannin' to bring him downstairs to surprise you, when that Mr. Penny spirited you away before we could prevent it, or even warn you.”

“Warn me?” Amanda's head swam. The women took turns telling the story, and she had never felt so worn out and tired before in her entire life.

“Caleb told me it was Jack Pruitt that jumped him at the Miners' Association that day.” Harriet folded her arms across her breasts. “That's one man who can dance at the end of a rope and may he rot in hell.” She spit on the floor.

Amanda frowned. “Caleb?”

“Jack Pruitt,” Margaret said with venom in her voice. “Of course, that nasty little sneak of an agent can join him, too.”

“Vengeance shall be yours, ladies. They've both been arrested and taken to Helena for their trial.”

All three women jumped at the sound of the man's voice. Father Mikelson stood in the doorway, his head nearly touching the top of the wood frame. Dawn's light bathed him in gold, and Amanda shuddered at the image he presented. She imagined a stained glass window with the archangel Michael streaking across it, heading to earth to exact vengeance.

The priest cleared his throat. “I beg your pardon, ladies, but I must speak with Amanda.” He took a step closer. “Alone. Her message was most urgent.”

Amanda stood up, wrapping the blanket more tightly around her to keep from shivering uncontrollably. Her fear for Sam wiped out her anger at the manipulations of the old priest. She didn't have any more time for arguments.

“I have something important to discuss with Father Mikelson, if you could give us a bit of privacy.”

Both women rose quickly, but Amanda stopped them with a wave of her hand. “Did you find Robert tied up in the livery stable?”

Harriet nodded. “He's got a giant lump on his head, and I think he's feelin' mighty low about being tricked. He'll be real happy to find out you've been rescued.”

“I'm grateful he's not seriously hurt.” She said, waiting for the door to close behind them.

“You've been meddling in my affairs, again, haven't you, old man?”

The priest avoided making eye contact and paced across the room. He deposited his thick wool overcoat on the chair, but he didn't sit down. His fingers combed through his silver hair.

“I know you're angry with me, Amanda.” He turned his blue eyes toward her. “I want you to know I did everything in order to protect you.”

“Protect me?” Her voice was incredulous. “You have never, ever considered what I want or need. You've manipulated and controlled me, but God knows, you have never cared anything about me or my happiness. How could separating me from the man I love, the father of my child, protect me?” Amanda took a deep breath to steady her nerves. A band of sorrow wrapped around her chest, making it difficult to talk.

Shock hit the older man's eyes like a thunderbolt. He slumped to the chair, his head dropped, and he folded his hands together, the thin skin looking pale and fragile.

“God knows I have loved you as if you were my own child since you were just a little girl.” He finally lifted his head, and sadness painted the features of his face with grim remorse. “I wanted to spoil you, indulge you, and I never, ever wanted anything but happiness for you.”

Father Mikelson rose and paced across the room to a window. The early morning light warmed the leaves of the trees just beyond the glass. Birdsong filled the air outside, as the creatures of the sky sang to welcome the sun.

“I asked Sam to protect you, and he agreed to serve as a bodyguard. He hated that you'd been forced to marry him, and he wanted to release you from your vows.”

Amanda sat down, her body aching to her bones with weariness. “You made an arrangement with Sam to have our marriage annulled.” Her lower lip trembled, but she couldn't seem to make it stop. “Why would you do that, Father?”

The old man's face crinkled, and he suddenly looked old and exhausted to her. He coughed, and Amanda saw tears turning the bright blue of his eyes a shade paler.

He looked down at the floor. “I thought I was protecting you, Amanda. I never should have interfered, because after talking to Sam the night I forced the two of you to get married, I knew he loved you.” He lifted his head slowly. “Maybe I thought if I bargained with him, he'd stick around and the two of you would find a way to work things out.”

Amanda nodded. In a way, the priest had been right. She couldn't blame him for trying to protect her. She reached out to gently pat his hand.

A clamor ensued outside in the yard and the door swung open. “We need the priest; they've just brought Sam up from the tunnels.”

Father Mikelson rushed to get out the door. Amanda covered her mouth to stifle a scream. If Sam needed a priest, that could only mean it was too late for a doctor.

She stumbled out the door of the cabin, oblivious to the bright early-morning sunshine. A group gathered at the opening to the mine shaft, and their grave faces and silence terrified her.