Whispering Pines Read online

  Frank led his horse to the back of the cabin and removed the bottles of whiskey from his bedroll. After he unsaddled his horse, he stashed his saddlebags and his bedroll under his saddle on the ground before he led his horse into the lean-to.

  “I got two bottles of whiskey,” Frank said when he entered the cabin. He knew as long as Corbin had whiskey he would do anything he asked.

  “Good. I sure could use a drink. Where are we going when we leave here?”

  “I was thinking about Purgatory Canyon, but that will take too long. I want to get this over with.”

  “Are we going back to Denver and rob the bank?”

  His question caught Frank off guard. He didn’t realize Corbin had picked up on so much of his conversations with Walt. “We might go to Las Vegas first and meet up with the boys.”

  “I don’t understand why Walt hasn’t made it back,” Corbin mused.

  “You know Walt. He probably met up with some woman.” Frank always figured women were Walt’s main weakness.

  Rose heard what Frank was planning. If he took her to Purgatory Canyon, then he’d shoot Morgan as soon as he rode in, just like his gang had waited for the sheriff. She had to find a way to escape, or Morgan would be riding to his own death. The thought made her sick with fear.

  Frank walked to the table and grabbed two tin cups. He uncorked one of the whiskey bottles and filled the cups.

  Rose prayed they would drink so much they would pass out and not wake until tomorrow. She’d have to wait until it was light enough outside so she could figure out what direction she needed to go. She didn’t want to talk to Frankie, but she wanted to know what he did to Stevie. “Where’s Stevie?”

  Frank chuckled. “I imagine he’s saying hello to Satan about now.”

  “Frankie, what did you do?”

  “Shut up, Rose,” Frank said, gulping his cup of whiskey. “I don’t feel like listening to your whining.”

  Rose dropped her face in her hands so he wouldn’t see her tears. But Frank was watching her, and his eyes landed on the twinkling ring on her finger. He jumped up and grabbed her hand. “What’s this?”

  She tried to pull her hand from his grasp. “What do you think it is?”

  Frank backhanded her across the cheek. “Don’t sass me.”

  Corbin jumped up. “Frank, you shouldn’t hit a woman.”

  Frank glared at him. “This ain’t none of your concern.”

  “But she’s hurt,” Corbin said.

  Frank ignored him. He twisted Rose’s hand at an odd angle. “Did LeMasters give you this?”

  “Yes.”

  Frank smirked at her. “I’m glad to hear it. At first, I thought he might be marrying you to get to me. But since he gave you a ring like this I’d say he actually wanted you.”

  “We married so we could both have what we want.”

  “What’s that?”

  “A family. We both want children.”

  Frank released her hand and grabbed the whiskey bottle. “Now ain’t that sweet.” He poured another full cup, and handed the bottle to Corbin. “Did you hear that, Corbin? They want a family.” He pulled a chair next to Rose’s and sat down. He leaned in close to her face. “Here’s the problem, Rose. You had a family, and it didn’t mean nothing to you. You took off and left your family.”

  Rose shook her head. “Frankie, what has happened to you? Listen to yourself. I always planned to come back home. Adelaide and Emma will be home this year. Granny couldn’t afford to see to our education, and our great aunt and uncle told you they would see you were educated, but you refused. You wanted to rob! That was your choice.”

  Frank sipped his whiskey and stared at her. His eyes landed on her ring again. “I think Morgan wants you.”

  “Like I told you, Morgan married me for children. Lots of people marry for that reason. Was Stevie in the house?”

  “Yeah. He’d had too much to drink and he didn’t make it out.”

  Rose gasped at his words. Frank knew his brother was in that burning house and he did nothing to try to save him. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Whatever Stevie had done wrong, he didn’t deserve such a fate.

  Corbin didn’t know Frank had planned to kill his own brother. That could only mean one thing: He’d kill anyone who stood in his way. He’d kill his sister too. She knew too much. Corbin didn’t know if he could allow Frank to kill such a pretty little lady. Sharing in the loot from a robbery wasn’t that important to him. And he was smart enough to know if Frank would kill kin, then he wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.

  When Rose could speak again, she said, “I don’t think Morgan will come for me.”

  “Oh, he’ll come. He was ready to follow me to the end of the earth over a few head of cattle. I’d say his wife is more important to him than that.”

  “Frankie, did you even think it might be Granny who finds Stevie’s body?” Rose asked.

  “Why should I care?”

  Rose looked him in the eye, and she knew what it felt like to look into the eyes of pure evil. “How do you know Morgan won’t think I may have gone with you willingly? We argued over my devotion to you.” She didn’t want Morgan to come for her and ride into the same trap as the sheriff. She wanted to put doubt in Frankie’s mind, praying he would end this madness.

  Frank hadn’t thought Morgan would refuse to come for her, but maybe he should have considered that possibility. He reached out and snatched Rose’s hand, and roughly yanked off her ring. “I guess there is only one way we will find out what your husband will do. If he doesn’t come for you, I will sell you down on the border. You know what you will become, don’t you?”

  “Give me my ring,” Rose demanded.

  “You won’t be needing it where we are going,” Frank said, tucking the diamond ring in his shirt pocket. Too bad he would have to forfeit it. He imagined he could get a lot of money for a ring like that. But he wasn’t worried about money right now. He had all the money he would need for a long time in his saddlebags.

  Corbin refilled his glass. He didn’t like what Frank was planning to do with his sister, but he was too afraid of him to raise a ruckus. He’d seen what happened to men when they challenged Frank.

  It wasn’t long before Frank realized Corbin was already drunk. He had planned to ask him to make one more ride tonight, but he knew if he wanted the job done right, he’d have to do it himself. Corbin would most likely be caught, and while that didn’t bother Frank, he didn’t want him telling anyone of their whereabouts.

  Corbin’s head dropped to the table, and Frank grabbed him by the hair and lifted his head to see if he was really passed out. When he released his hold, Corbin’s forehead hit the table hard. Frank figured he was out for the night. He grabbed the rope he’d used on Rose and reached for her, but she stumbled to her feet and backed away. “Unless you want another crack on your skull, hold out your hands.”

  Rose saw no way out of the situation. She held her hands out to him. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to leave your husband a present, and I ain’t taking the chance of you trying to find your way out of here.”

  “I don’t even know where we are. There’s no reason to tie me. Where am I going to go in the dark?”

  “I’ve made it this far because I don’t take stupid chances,” Frank boasted as he wrapped the rope around her wrists.

  “You’re making a mistake now if you think Morgan will come after me.”

  Frank shoved her into a chair. Once he tied her ankles, he wrapped the rope around her waist, securing her to the chair. He pulled his bandana from his pocket and tied it around her mouth so she couldn’t call out and try to wake Corbin. “I’m not the one making a mistake. You made the biggest mistake of your life when you married LeMasters.”

  When Frank pulled out his knife, Rose had no idea what he intended to do. She couldn’t scream, she couldn’t fight him, and she couldn’t run. Her heart started thumping rapidly, and she held her breath as he bent over to
cut a strip of cloth from the hem of her dress.

  Rose’s eyes followed him as he walked out the door. Minutes later she heard him ride away. Terrified Frankie might be riding back to hurt Morgan, Rose couldn’t stop the tears from coming. She struggled against the rope wrapped around her waist until she was exhausted. She was helpless. The only hope she had was if Corbin woke up before Frank returned. At least Corbin seemed to have a conscience. He might be an outlaw, but she didn’t think he was a killer. She prayed she would be able to talk him into releasing her. If Frank was going back to the farm, she reasoned they couldn’t be that far away.

  The thought of losing Morgan was more than she could bear. Though they had only spent their wedding night together, it had been more magical than she’d even imagined. He had been gentle and loving, but it was his patience she appreciated the most. He understood her inexperience, her nervousness, and he didn’t rush her. He proceeded slowly, his every touch tender as he masterfully prepared her for the night to follow. The night was one she would always cherish. She’d fallen asleep in his arms thanking God for sending Morgan to her. Thinking she might never share another night with Morgan brought fresh tears, but also a determination to act. She tried scooting the chair across the room, trying to make as much noise as possible. And she prayed. She prayed like she’d never prayed before, asking God to send his angels to protect her husband.

  * * *

  Joseph walked into the stables before dawn and saw Morgan sitting beside Rose’s coffin. He approached the buckboard and said, “You need to help Granny.”

  Morgan didn’t want to leave Rose, but he knew Granny needed his strength right now. The thought seemed absurd. He didn’t feel like he had any strength left. He felt lost, but he had to summon the strength to help Granny through this. He looked at Joseph and nodded. “Joseph, if it’s okay with you, and if Granny agrees, I’d like to bury Rose at her altar.” He wasn’t sure how he could put his sweet Rose in the earth, but it had to be done.

  “It is good,” Joseph said. “You go. I will stay with her.”

  Morgan jumped down from the buckboard. He wanted to thank Joseph, but he was too emotional. He put his hand on Joseph’s shoulder and squeezed before he walked away.

  Granny was sitting in the kitchen when Morgan walked in. He could tell she hadn’t slept. “I don’t know what I’ll do without my Rose.”

  Morgan leaned over and kissed the top of her head. He knew how she felt, but he didn’t want to add to her burden. “Your other granddaughters will be home soon. You need to be strong for them.”

  “How will I ever tell the girls what happened to their beloved sister?” Morgan was right, she’d have to go on for the girls. “If Preacher were here he’d tell me God had a plan, and to keep the faith.”

  Morgan didn’t comment. He was too upset with God right now. He walked to the stove and pulled out a skillet to cook breakfast. He looked out the window while he was cooking and saw the rays of the sun peeking up over the horizon. The last time he saw Rose they were standing in this very spot, and he’d kissed her before he left. He’d whispered in her ear, telling her what he was going to do to her when he got her alone in their bedroom that night. She’d looked up at him with those beautiful green eyes and said, “I can’t wait.” He’d ridden off feeling like a new man, even though he’d had only an hour’s sleep. But the way he saw it, he’d have a lifetime to sleep, he’d only have one wedding night. He wanted to make it memorable. Little did he know that one night would have to last him a lifetime.

  He placed a plate of eggs and bacon and a steaming cup of coffee in front of Granny. “We both need to eat something.” As they ate, he told Granny where he’d like to bury Rose, and Granny thought it was a lovely idea.

  Granny tried to keep from crying again and upsetting Morgan. “That was her favorite place. I think she would like that.”

  “Granny, I’m sorry if this happened because of my need for revenge,” Morgan said. Through the night, he’d questioned God about taking Rose from him. He’d wondered if God was angry because he wouldn’t let go of the vengeance in his heart. Granny had told him several times God would deal with Frank, and to leave it up to Him. “You were right, Granny, I should have let it go. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen.”

  Granny placed her hand over his. “Morgan, this wasn’t your fault. That’s not the way He works. He wouldn’t hurt you by taking Rose. Don’t even think that. Men like Frankie make their own choices, and sometimes good people get in the way.”

  Joseph walked in the back door without knocking. “No ring.”

  Morgan gave him a questioning look. “What?”

  “No ring on finger,” Joseph said, making a circle design around his own ring finger.

  Morgan realized Joseph must have opened the coffin to include a gift, or herbs for Rose’s departure to the spirit world. Jumping from his chair, he said, “I’ll be back.” He hurried to the stable, threw the saddle over Faithful, and rode through the pines in record time.

  He reined in, in front of the burned-out farmhouse. He didn’t know what he would find, but he had to look for Rose’s ring where her body had been. He’d only taken a few steps when he saw something that hadn’t been there the day before. Right in the center of the rubble was a wooden cross. Morgan walked through the debris to the cross. Nailed in the very center was a piece of cloth. Morgan recognized the cloth; it was torn from the pink dress Rose was wearing yesterday when he’d kissed her at the stove. He plucked the cloth from the nail and was overcome with emotion when he saw what was beneath the material. Rose’s diamond wedding band was hanging over the nail. He pulled the cross out of the ground and saw the words that had been etched in the wood. He held the wood to the morning light and read: Purgatory Canyon. Alone or she dies.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Corbin awoke before dawn with a splitting headache. He looked around the room for Frank, but saw Rose lying on the floor, tied to a chair. He stumbled from his seat and pulled the bandana from her mouth. “Where’s Frank?”

  Rose had rocked the chair back and forth over the wooden floor trying to wake Corbin. After several futile attempts, she fell on her side. She was so exhausted she could barely speak, and when she did, her voice was raspy. “I think he went back to the farm. He rode out a long time ago.” Through the dark hours of the night, she’d thought of a plan if Corbin awoke before Frank returned, so she put the plan in motion. “Could you untie me so I can go outside?”

  Corbin understood what she was asking. He was needing to do the same thing. She’d been tied up for hours with no water or food, and he felt sorry for her.

  Once he freed her hands, he used his knife to cut the rope at her waist and feet. Rose fell to her knees when she tried to stand, but Corbin helped her to her feet. She managed to stumble out the door.

  Corbin exited the house behind her and walked in the opposite direction. He thought Frank had taken off for good, and in a way, he was relieved. If not for Frank’s sister, he would get on his horse and take off. He didn’t like the way Frank treated her, and it didn’t bode well for her future if Frank did come back. Once he finished his business, he walked back inside to look for some coffee while he evaluated his situation. Finding none, he took a swig of whiskey.

  Rose heard Corbin go through the bushes at the front of the house as she staggered to the back of the house. She made her way to the lean-to and waited until she heard him go back inside the cabin. She didn’t have the strength to lift the saddle, and even if she did, it would be impossible for her to throw it over the horse. There was no option other than to ride bareback. As she was reaching for the bridle, she heard a horse approaching. Frank. She ran for the brush.

  “Where have you been?” Corbin asked, meeting Frank at the front of the house.

  “I had to leave a message for Morgan,” Frank said.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “It doesn’t matter. We need to get out of here now. LeMasters will be riding to Purgatory
Canyon soon, and we need to get on the trail and get ready.” Frank walked around Corbin into the house. He spotted the ropes on the floor. “Where is she?”

  “Doing her business. You left her tied up all night, and she ain’t had food or water. Nothing. I don’t think you should treat a lady that way.”

  “You ain’t here to think,” Frank shouted, and stormed from the cabin.

  Rose hadn’t moved for fear Frank would hear her. She heard him as he walked to the back of the house.

  “Rose, come out now. If you don’t, we’ll leave you here. You don’t know where you are, and we are a long way from any town. You’ll die of thirst and starvation.”

  Rose was paralyzed with indecision. She didn’t know if he was telling the truth, but even if she went with him, she felt certain she was going to die. That didn’t matter if Frank would leave Morgan alone. But after what he’d done to his own brother, she knew no one was safe from his evil plotting.

  “If you don’t come out, I promise you I will kill Morgan.”

  She didn’t have a choice. Her only hope was to find a way to escape before Morgan reached Purgatory Canyon. She wondered if she could kill her own brother if she got her hands on a gun. To save Morgan, she knew the answer to that question.

  * * *

  Morgan ran into the house and found Granny sitting at the table reading her Bible. He was rejoicing that Rose wasn’t dead, but now he realized what this news meant for Granny. She didn’t lose a granddaughter, but she’d lost a grandson.

  Granny closed her Bible and looked at Morgan. His face no longer held the haunted expression of a grieving man. “What is it?”

  “Frank’s taking Rose to Purgatory Canyon. He told me to come alone, or he would kill her. I’m sorry I can’t stay with you right now, Granny, but I’ve got to go.”

  Granny clutched his arm. “How do you know he has Rose?”

  Morgan held the ring and the piece of cloth for her to see. “He left me a message.”

  “It was Stevie,” Granny whispered.