A Bride For Clay (The Proxy Brides Book 2) Read online

  If Wade’s threats were real, then Grace was in danger, and he needed to find her before his brother acted rashly. The lawyer never arrived as Wade said and the family wasn’t sure if Wade was blowing smoke or changed his mind. Perhaps something more sinister entered his plans. He doubted that Lucinda changed Wade’s mind, but if she thought she’d be the lady of the ranch, who knows what she might have suggested. Time was not on Clay’s side.

  Clay ate leftover biscuits and two cups of coffee for breakfast before heading out. Grandpa said Wade mentioned that Grace wouldn’t last long in the backcountry. He’d head south. Surely, Wade had a slip of the tongue, and he’d hidden her somewhere in the vast forested area on the southern edge of the property.

  Grace was just waking on the opposite side of the ranch that Clay planned to search. The night hadn’t been too cold, but she still shivered when she slipped off the cot and placed her feet on the floor. She quickly pulled her feet back onto the cot and wrapped them in the wool blanket. As her feet warmed, she had an idea.

  Slipping back out of the blanket, she ignored the cold earthen floor and found the knife she saw yesterday. Grace spread the blanket on the cot and cut out a large square. Laying the piece of blanket on the floor, she stepped on it with her right foot and found she had more than enough room to make a bootie out of the fabric. She pulled the clothes she packed in her travel bag and dropped them on the cot. Using the knife, she cut several pieces of her petticoat into squares that she folded just a bit larger than her foot and ripped several long strips into what she’d use as straps. Layering the squares of petticoat on top of the wool, she stepped onto the square and pulled it up around her foot. She used the strips of cloth to tie the makeshift bootie just above her ankle.

  Grace walked around the shack for a bit and noticed her foot in the bootie was warm and comfortable. She quickly made a second one and cut enough squares and strips for spares in case she needed them. For the final test, she walked outside and stepped onto the rocky terrain. It wasn’t comfortable, but not painful, and she was sure she could walk out of the valley.

  Grace returned to the shack and ate another apple and more bread. She stuffed the remaining food and spare cloth pieces into a bag and tied it shut. She didn’t have a canteen, so she walked to the stream and drank more water than she needed but didn’t want to take the chance of dehydration. She’d searched the shack and didn’t find any type of bottle or jar. She was sure if she tried to carry a pan of water, she’d spill it before she walked to the top of the rise.

  Grace slipped on her warm coat although the day was warming. She wasn’t sure how long she’d have to walk and if she’d spend the night in the open. Just before leaving the shack, she walked back in and grabbed the extra wool blanket. She’d need it if she had to sleep on the ground or to wrap her feet.

  Taking a deep breath, Grace tried to remember exactly what Wade told her about where she was. He said to ride north when they left the ranch. That meant the ranch must be somewhere south of her location. The rising sun was in the eastern sky, and Grace knew she needed to keep the sun to her left as she began her trek out of the valley.

  Grace estimated she and Wade were on horseback for approximately two hours. She wasn’t sure how fast Willow traveled, but she knew Wade pushed them to gallop quite a distance to leave the ranch behind them as quickly as possible. He never allowed the horses to slow to a walk and that meant she was quite a distance from home. Home. What a lovely word. That gave her more determination to walk and continue. She was headed home.

  As Grace began the slow climb out of the valley, Clay rode toward the trees in the distance. Clay asked God again for guidance and strength to find Grace. For a moment, he thought again about hanging Wade by his heels in the barn until he told him where Grace was but asked God to forgive his cruel thoughts. Maybe grandpa was right, and Wade’s threats were all talk.

  As Clay rode south away from the ranch, Grace trudged up the hill heading south toward the ranch. Each step they took brought Grace closer to home and Clay further from his wife. Wade continued to snore on the parlor floor until Cora entered the room and kicked his boot to wake him.

  “What? Leave me alone,” Wade grumbled.

  “Get up off the floor and do your chores,” Cora said. “The sun’s up.”

  Wade sat up and rubbed his face. “I’m going to own this place soon, and I don’t need to do chores. As soon as the old man signs it over to me, you’ll be out of a job. I’m going to bed,” he snapped and pushed his way off the floor. Cora heard him stumble to his room and slam the door.

  Shaking her head as she walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast she prayed that Clay found Grace before Wade could force Hutch to sign the ranch over to him. She added extra prayers for Grace’s safety.

  Before the coffee was boiling, Grandpa Hutchison meandered into the kitchen rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Did I hear Wade shouting a while ago?”

  “Yes,” Cora answered as she sliced bacon and placed the slices in a skillet. “I found him passed out on the parlor floor. He has a bruise on his face. I’m not sure if he was in a fight at the saloon or if he met Clay when he arrived home last night. Wade thinks he’ll own the place soon and doesn’t need to do chores. He told me I’ll soon be out of a job and home and then went to bed.”

  Grandpa rubbed the stubble on his chin. “I expected the lawyer to come out yesterday but come to think about it when I was in the mercantile I think O’Malley said the lawyer was in Cheyenne working on something. If he’s not in town, that should give Clay enough time to find Grace.”

  “Let’s pray he finds her soon. How did you sleep? Did your cough or that pain in your chest keep you awake?” Cora asked and looked grandpa directly in the eye.

  “I slept fine. No cough, no pain. I think the stress I felt about Wade’s statements caused my cough to act up and it usually hurts my chest. I’m better. No cause to be concerned,” Grandpa insisted.

  “You better be, or I’ll send one of the hands into town to fetch the doctor.” Cora placed a cup of coffee on the table and smiled at the kindly elderly man.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he mumbled as he sipped his coffee.

  Elizabeth rushed into the kitchen apologizing for sleeping late and not helping with breakfast. “Don’t worry your heart, dear, you didn’t sleep much last night. Sit down and eat and I’ll let you do the dishes.”

  A knock at the back door broke their conversation. Elizabeth opened the door to find Mason Callen standing there. For a moment before he could say a word, he was lost in the blue eyes that mesmerized him on the stage ride from Cheyenne. That, of course, was before she married Wade and he silently chastised himself for his attraction to another man’s wife.

  “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth,” Mason greeted her. “Are Clay or Grandpa Hutch around?”

  “Yes, please come in.” she held the door opened wide, and Mason entered and took off his hat. He greeted Cora and grandpa Hutch before taking the offered chair at the table and a cup of coffee.

  “What brings you out here so early, Mason?” Grandpa asked.

  “One of Pa’s ranch hands heard a rumor at the saloon last night that Grace is missing, and Wade might know where she is, but won’t tell. Lucinda was overheard saying she was going to be the lady of Hutchison ranch soon. I came to see if there’s any truth to it,” Mason answered.

  Grandpa explained the events of the previous day and Mason whistled. “I didn’t think even Wade could be responsible for something that devious. If Clay needs help searching, Pa’s hands will help as will I.”

  Mason sipped the coffee and added, “Do you know where Clay headed this morning? I’d ride out and meet him.”

  Grandpa shrugged, “I don’t know. He was gone before any of us woke.”

  “All right, well, I’ll head home east across country instead of the road just in case I can see anything that might give Clay a clue. If he needs us, send one of your hands to Pa’s place, and we’ll join in the search. I was pla
nning to go back to Chicago in a few days, but I won’t leave now until I’m sure Grace is safe.”

  Grandpa tried to smile, “Thanks, Mason.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Grace plodded slowly up the hill praying with each step that she wouldn’t tumble back down. Thankful she added several layers of cushioning to her wool booties, Grace found if she took careful steps she could avoid the larger rocks. It was much more challenging to climb up the hill than it was riding down. Grace stumbled twice, once catching herself and once falling to her knees, but she pushed herself back up determined to make it to the crest of the hill.

  As Grace climbed, Clay became more disheartened. He had no idea where Wade might have hidden Grace. Maybe she isn’t on the ranch. Wade might have hidden her somewhere in town with Lucinda’s help. If he tried to search the town, the sheriff would know, and grandpa’s idea to keep the family business private would fail. Grace’s safety was more important than Hutchison pride he decided as he rode across the range back toward the ranch house.

  Both Grace and Clay were headed toward each other but miles apart.

  ~ * ~

  Wade finally rolled out of bed in the middle of the afternoon. He rubbed his sore jaw wondering when he had been punched. He didn’t remember riding home the previous night or Cora waking him that morning. He supposed he made someone angry at the saloon. It didn’t matter. They’d all try and be his friends when he owned Hutchison ranch.

  He strolled into the kitchen and heard his grandpa ask, “What in the world happened to you? You better stop drinking and staying out to all hours. How is this ranch going to run if you shirk your chores?”

  “Not my problem, old man,” Wade replied. “As soon as the lawyer returns and this place is mine, I’ll hire another ranch hand to do my work. I’ll be able to afford it with you, Cora, Elizabeth, and Clay off the ranch.”

  “Get out of my sight,” Grandpa yelled.

  “Gladly,” Wade answered. “As a matter of fact, I’m sick of all of you. I’ll just stay in town with Lucinda until the ranch is mine.” He stormed out of the kitchen headed for his room to pack some clothes oblivious to the fact that Elizabeth had been in the parlor and heard every word.

  When Elizabeth heard the back door close, she walked into the kitchen. She sat on one of the chairs across from grandpa and asked, “When Wade said we’d all be gone from here he didn’t mention Grace. You don’t suppose…?”

  “Absolutely not,” Cora assured. “Wade may have a cruel streak, but he isn’t stupid. Even if he forces Hutch’s hand and ends up with the ranch, none of us would leave or do anything until Grace is brought back safely.”

  “She’s right,” Grandpa agreed. “If I have to hand this place over to Wade it won’t be until I see Grace back safe and sound.”

  The three were discussing the situation when Clay returned and poured himself a cup of coffee before explaining that he didn’t know where else to look for Grace. Grandpa told him of Mason’s offer, and Clay said he’d send one of the hands over to Mason’s later and have them meet in the morning to search again. When Clay told them about his idea that Grace might be in town, they all agreed that it was a good possibility.

  Cora added, “There are a few abandoned ranch houses on property purchased and incorporated into larger ranches. She could be anywhere. If Lucinda is helping Wade, she might have arranged to have one of the cowboys she knows from the saloon transport Grace further away. Hutch, we don’t have a choice. Clay needs to speak to the sheriff.”

  Grandpa nodded but didn’t say a word.

  Clay finished the sandwich Cora had given him and stood. “I’m heading to town. It’s getting late. Grace is about to spend her second night alone or worse with someone that might harm her. If the sheriff can start a search in town and Mason’s pa’s ranch hands help me search the ranches, we might find her before Wade can force grandpa’s hand.” He strode out of the house heading toward town.

  ~ * ~

  Grace made it to the top of the rise and sat on the ground to catch her breath and rest. She wished she had water, but after the climb, she knew anything she could carry water in would have spilled. The bright sun bore down on her, and she needed to find some shade for a while and pushed herself up and headed for a small copse of trees nearby.

  Breathing a sigh of relief when she stepped into the shade, Grace dropped to the ground again and pulled off her heavy coat. She looked at the landscape around her, and if not for the position of the sun, she’d have no idea where she was or where she should go. She bowed her head in prayer thanking God for keeping her safe. Looking up at the empty land in front of her she prayed aloud, “Please God, show me the way.”

  Grace heard a horse whinny and froze in place. Was Wade returning? After not moving for several minutes, Grace didn’t hear any hoofbeats and decided that she was stressed and hearing things. She stood to gather her bag and coat when she heard the whinny again. This time she knew the sound came from the trees behind her. She carefully made her way through and peeked out into the clearing. Willow stood tethered next to a small pool.

  “Willow,” Grace cried and ran up to her horse. “Why are you here?” She laughed thinking she was losing her mind asking her horse a question.

  Grace took a moment to realize Wade had to hide Willow since the family needed to believe she left with her horse. At least he left her near water and grass. Grace ran to the pool, sank to her knees, and drank her fill of water with her hands. Looking around, she noticed Wade had placed Willow’s saddle under one of the trees along with her boots.

  Looking up to Heaven, Grace thanked God for his guidance and protection. She now had a chance to go home safely. She still didn’t know exactly where home was, but she was sure Willow would know. Grace quickly pulled on her boots, saddled Willow, pushed the few things she carried into the saddlebags, tied her coat behind the saddle, and climbed up on Willow.

  “C’mon, girl, let’s go home.” Grace gave Willow her head, and Willow walked around the trees and headed in the general direction Grace had planned to walk.

  ~ * ~

  Clay found the sheriff in his office.

  “Afternoon, Clay. What can I do for you?” Sheriff Hugh Glyson asked sitting back in his creaking desk chair.

  Clay sat and explained the details of Grace’s disappearance. The sheriff listened intently and made a few notes. After reading Grace’s note, he looked at Clay furrowing his brows to the point his large gray eyebrows formed one line across his forehead.

  “I can certainly ask the folks in town to check their cellars and outbuildings when I make my rounds, but the obvious places wouldn’t be this close to town where someone might hear her. If I inquire at the saloon, Wade will find out. Between Lucinda and the money he tosses around for free drinks, he has more friends or let’s say hang-arounds than anyone in town. Word will get back to him, and he could move her to somewhere already searched.”

  Clay leaned forward resting his arms on his thighs, “Then what do you suggest? If anyone besides Wade knows where Grace is, I’d bet my money they hang out in the saloon.”

  “I think you’d win that bet, but they’re most likely loyal to Wade. What I can do is mention it to Roy, the bartender, and have him keep an ear open. You’d be surprised what a drunken man tells his bartender. I’ll also stop in at the mercantile. O’Malley sees just about everyone that comes in and out of town. He can relay the message to any ranch owners or their wives that stop in. It’s safer for Grace if we’re careful who we tell. The ranch owners can have their property checked by their most trusted men without any suspicion.”

  Clay nodded, stood, and held out his hand. “Thanks, sheriff. That’s about all we can do, I suppose.”

  The sheriff shook Clay’s hand and answered, “I’ll do my best to spread the word without Wade hearing of it.”

  Fortunately for Clay, Wade was busy settling into his hotel room and never saw Clay enter town or leave.

  Clay’s mind whirled with ideas w
here Grace might be hidden. Too many caves, abandoned property, old cabins, barns, and places he hadn’t yet considered flooded his mind as he let his horse walk home. He wasn’t in a hurry to see his family’s sad faces, and it was too close to dark to start a new search. He prayed Grace would remain safe another night.

  Grace trotted along on Willow’s back knowing she was safe if she didn’t run into Wade on the way home. She hoped Wade wouldn’t bother coming to the shack near dark since he’d have to ride home in total darkness. The darkening clouds above Grace told her a storm was brewing and there wouldn’t be any moonlight that night.

  Chapter Twenty

  Grace squinted trying to make out the shapes in the darkening distance. Her heart began to race when she realized what she saw was the ranch house, barn, and outbuildings. Home. She squeezed her knees into Willow’s sides and set the horse galloping.

  Clay had turned onto the access road and felt his heart drop as he knew he’d let Grace down. He fought his conscience when he thought he should toss Wade into the well until he told him where Grace was. He drew in a deep breath deciding he would let God guide him. He couldn’t sink to his brother’s level of thinking and acting.

  Suddenly hearing his stomach growl, he knew he needed to eat supper, or he wouldn’t have the strength to continue searching. Time to pick up speed and head for the house. He looked off into the distance and thought he saw a rider racing toward the back of the house kicking up a dust cloud. Yes, it was a rider, but who?

  Maybe someone who had information about Grace. Clay began to race toward the rider when he realized it was Willow and Grace was on her back. “Grace,” he shouted knowing she was still too far away to hear him. He pushed his horse as fast as he’d go and in moments both he and Grace reined up and climbed down, and Grace fell into Clay’s arms.

  Clay’s mind was filled with questions, but all he could do was kiss his wife until they were both breathless.

  “Grace, where have you been?” Clay asked as he pulled her as close as possible.