Shelter in Seattle (17 page)

Chapter 18

Caleb couldn’t believe his eyes. The scene in front of him seemed to unfold in slow motion.

The poisonous snake dropped from Marcus’s leg and coiled to strike again. This time it buried it’s fangs in his ankle.

Runs Swiftly threw his knife and pinned the snakes head with the tip of the blade.

Julianne tripped over a branch and stumbled into the tree trunk. She cradled the baby against her. Caleb watched her eyes widen as he ran to her. Her face turned to ash, and she fainted into his arms. He lowered her gently to the ground.

Runs Swiftly came to stand beside Caleb and Julianne. “She is hurt?”

The baby let out a soft whimper and Runs Swiftly lifted the infant from the tangled folds of Julianne’s dress.

Caleb knelt beside Julianne. Her bottom lip was bruised and cracked. A small trickle of blood had dried in the corner. One eye was swollen. He quickly ran his hands over her arms and legs. “I don’t think she has any serious injuries.” He smiled up at Runs Swiftly, thankfulness winging its way through his veins.

The Indian man stood holding the baby Julianne had carried. His face paled, and then his dark eyes blinked with disbelief.

“What’s wrong?”

Runs Swiftly raised his head and stared down at Julianne. “Your woman had Little Eagle.”

Marcus moaned, drawing the men’s attention.

Runs Swiftly gently placed the infant into Caleb’s arms. He walked to the snake and pulled his knife out of the reptile’s head. In one swift motion he ended Marcus’s pain then turned back toward Julianne.

Caleb saw the anger and mistrust in his friend’s eyes. He quickly stood and braced to protect Julianne.

Runs Swiftly stopped and extended his arms for the child. The baby whimpered as Caleb handed the child back.

“I don’t understand, Runs Swiftly.”

Caleb watched the softening in the expression on the warrior’s face as he gazed down at the infant, then his features became more animated.

“I must get Little Eagle back to my sister. You will care for your wife, alone?”

“You’re leaving me?” Puzzled by the abrupt change in Runs Swiftly’s mood, Caleb’s brain failed to comprehend what he said.

 Sure that Julianne was no longer in danger Caleb returned to her side. He smoothed the hair from her forehead.

“While you slept in the night, Mountain Boy, from our village came with the news that our village was attacked yesterday. Our warriors were out on a hunt and only the older men were in camp. Several of them were wounded and my sister’s baby, Little Eagle was taken. My tribe will be happy to see that this child lives.”

Caleb had been aware of Runs Swiftly’s silence most of the day. Now he knew why. “I’m sorry. But, surely you know that Julianne would never have taken part in something like that. “

“No, I believe the man did it.” Runs Swiftly carried the baby to his horse. “Little Eagle needs his mother’s milk.” He mounted the horse in one swift motion and turned to go. “Morning Star will bring your son to you.”

“Thank you.”

The Indian nodded and left.

Julianne groaned. One eye opened slowly. The swollen eye remained shut. She focused on his face and began to cry.

“It’s okay, Sweetheart. You’re safe now.”

She struggled to sit up. Her hands touched his cheeks. “You’re alive?”

Caleb laughed with relief. “Of course, I’m alive.”

“Marcus said ...” Her gaze jerked to the tree where Marcus’s still body lay. “Is he ...?”

He pulled her face toward him. “He’s dead.”

As if she suddenly remembered, Julianne franticly searched the ground around her. “The baby, where’s the baby?” Tears formed as she searched the area for the child.

“Julianne.” Caleb drew her attention back to himself. When he was sure he had her full attention once more he continued. “The baby is fine. Runs Swiftly just left with him. He needs nourishment.”

Julianne cradled his face in trembling hands. “I thought you were dead. My Uncle said he would kill the baby if I didn’t go with him. Marcus killed my uncle.”

Caleb pulled her to him. “I know.” His gaze moved to Marcus. What kind of man threatened and hurt a woman? It was a question that would never be answered for him. He pulled his wife into his embrace and held her tight.

His strong hands rubbed her back. His rich voice soothed, offering words of comfort, while his heart beat strongly under her cheek.

****

Julianne clung to his shirt. Deep sobs racked her insides, fear and anxiety slowly releasing their tenacious holds on her body. Her tears drenched the front of his shirt. She didn’t ever want to leave his strong arms. Now that they were together again, Julianne decided she never wanted to be where Caleb was not.

He eased her from his arms. “Julianne, we need to get out of here before the light fades. Can you stand?” He put his hands under her elbows and helped her to her feet. “Stay right here for a moment while I tend to a few things.”

He walked to the body, and she watched him checked for a pulse on Marcus. She turned away and walked to the horse, unable to stomach the sight before her.

“Let’s go home.” Caleb moved the horse a few steps away for better mounting.

“Home,” she sighed. Her body ached and her eyelids felt heavy.

Caleb waited beside the animal. “Sweetheart, we have to get on the horse.”

What if this was a dream? It had to be a dream. Caleb had never called her sweetheart. What if he wasn’t real? She hurried to him, fear causing her to voice the panic in her mind. “Don’t leave me, Caleb.”

“I’m not going to leave you.” He hugged her close, his breath fanning her cheek. He brushed a gentle kiss across her forehead.

The warmth in his voice assured her. She released her hold on him. He made a stirrup with his hands. She put one foot in his hand and allowed him to give her a lift up on the horse.

Caleb swung up behind her and took the rope in his hands, resting his arms on either side of her body. Julianne leaned back against him and enjoyed his warmth. If this was a dream, she prayed she’d never wake up.

“We’ll be home soon.” He assured her.

She felt as though she was forgetting something, but her tired mind refused to focus. The warmth of Caleb surrounded and comforted her. Sleep pulled at her. Her eyelids grew heavy.

Then she remembered.

Julianne sat up and pulled away from Caleb’s warmth. “Oh, Caleb. Where is Jonathan?” She cried.

He gently pulled her back against him. “Jonathan is fine. Morning Star has him. Don’t worry; he’s safe, Julianne.”

“You met Morning Star?” Dread filled her tired mind. She had wanted to be the one to tell him everything. More tears ran silently down her face. “I’m sorry.” She whispered.

He placed his head on top of hers. “So am I, Julianne.”

Julianne couldn’t fight the fatigue any longer. She was frozen in limbo where all decisions and actions were impossible to make. She was aware that Caleb spoke softly to her, but his words didn’t register on her dizzied senses. Gradually his voice drifted into a hushed whisper, and she fell asleep.

****

Caleb cradled his wife in his arms. Even dirty, she smelled of lavender. He rested his head on hers and inhaled deeply.
Oh heavenly Father
, he couldn’t even whisper the words, they were a groan from his soul,
thank you, thank you, oh how my heart does thank you.
Tears ran rivulets down his cheeks; cleansing tears of relief and joy.

By the time they reached the cabin, the first streaks of dawn spanned out over the heavens, pinkish in its hue.

 He was tired and sore, but he had to admit he was a happy man. His wife was safe and resting in his arms.

As he rode into the yard, Maggie ran out to meet him. “I’m so glad you’re back! I have been worried sick.”

He nuzzled Julianne’s hair one last time. “Sweetheart, wake up. We’re home.”

She stirred in his arms, and then snuggled deeper into his chest.

“How is she?” Maggie stood beside the horse looking up at them.

Caleb shifted Julianne’s weight. “She’s tired. I don’t think she’s slept at all in the last five days.”

“We’ll have her in her nice warm bed in no time.” Maggie’s loud voice carried on the morning mists.

Julianne pulled herself from the deep sleep. She straightened up and looked down on Maggie. Then she burst into tears.

 “Now, now, let’s get you down from there.” Maggie soothed, as Caleb lowered Julianne until she was within Maggie’s warm embrace.

As soon as her feet touched soil, Julianne fell into Maggie’s arms and sobbed. “It was awful, Maggie.”

The older woman drew her into the house. “I’m sure it was, child.” She made a couple of clicking noises with her tongue.

“What you need is a nice, hot bath.” She eased Julianne into the rocker and headed outside for the washtub.

Julianne sat, her mind in limbo, her energy reserves depleted. From somewhere deep in her soul, there was rejoicing that she was safe from harm inside her cozy home. The Lord had taken care of her. His grace had been sufficient.

Maggie dragged the metal bathtub into the kitchen. “Caleb’s taking care of the livestock and said he’d be in later.”

“I’ll help bring in the water.” Julianne stood slowly. Every muscle in her body ached. A soak in hot water would do her a world of good.

“You’ll do no such thing. There’s fresh coffee on the stove. Why don’t you pour us a cup? I’ll get the water going, and then you can tell me all about your adventures.”

Julianne limped to the stove and filled two cups with hot coffee as Maggie carried the water inside. While the water heated she told Maggie about her uncle and her life before she came to Washington. Then, she told her about the abduction and the time that she’d spent with Marcus and her uncle.

Maggie poured the heated water into the tub. “Well, it’s all over now, and you’re home safe. Here, let me help you climb into this bath and soak some of those worries away. I’m going to go check on that man of yours. It’s time I tell him I was wrong and you aren’t expecting a wee one any time soon.” She closed the door behind her as Julianne eased into the tub.

The warm water relieved the aches, but weariness enveloped her as she tried to concentrate. She’d lost weight. She felt drained, hollow, and lifeless. She scrubbed the horror of the days away. First her hair, then she carefully washed all the scratches, gouges, and cuts till every part of her was clean. Pain seeped from her body, and her eyes grew drowsy once more. Julianne stepped out of the bath and hurried to find her clean gown.

Pulling it over her head, she then towel dried her hair trying to gather enough energy to empty the bath water. She glanced at the bed. “I’ll just lie down for a few minutes.”

Julianne crawled into the big bed and pulled the quilt over her shoulders. Within minutes she was sound asleep.

Her dreams tormented her. She was being chased. Someone threatened to kill Jonathan. A face lingered around the edges of her mind, torturing her. She remembered keen, probing eyes. There was blood everywhere, and though she tried hard, she couldn’t get it off her hands. She was trapped. Suddenly, the image focused in her memory. Marcus. She screamed and sat straight up in the bed.

 “Shhh. I’m here now. You’re safe, sweetheart.” Caleb’s soothing voice penetrated the horror. Large hands took her face and held it gently. “It was a nightmare.” His hands slipped to her shoulders, and he pulled her against him. Gathering her into his arms he held her snugly.

Julianne buried her face against the corded muscles of his chest, and the trembling in her body slowly subsided. Her body began to relax as he rocked her back and forth.

She woke sore and disoriented. The soft sounds of Caleb’s snores comforted her. Until she realized they were beside her instead of overhead.

Turning on her side to face him, she studied his profile. His features were softened in sleep. Mentally, she caressed his qualities. He had searched for her, all the while thinking she’d betrayed him with another man. She’d slept in his arms on the ride home, and he’d kissed her hair and whispered endearments. He had unlocked her heart and soul and everyday her love for him had deepened and intensified.

In her dreams, he had come and saved her from Marcus. Had he really been talking to her last night? Told her she was safe? In her heart, she knew he had.

Julianne’s gaze moved to the cradle. Caleb had said the baby was with Morning Star. Did he know how she’d met the Indian woman? Was he aware that she’d done the loggers laundry for the last three months?

She slipped from the bed. Her legs were stiff and sore. Ignoring the pain, she moved to the little wooden box. Julianne eased the lid open and looked at the money. If she hadn’t done the last batch of laundry, would her uncle have found her?