Emma's Wish

"Oh, God," she prayed aloud. "Please keep them safe." She repeated the words again and again as she and Fred raced across the yard. It took her a few seconds to adjust to the dim light inside the barn, and she paused at the doorway.

"Why would they run away?" she muttered, more to herself than to Fred.

Sam took the stallion's reins and led him outside. "I don't think they ran away," he said. "Fred found Becky's doll on the floor of the barn."

Her doll. Becky wouldn't go anywhere without her doll. But if they didn't run away ...

Sam's eyes were hard, his jaw tense. "Somebody took them. And when I find them ..." His voice trailed off, but Emma didn't need to hear his plans for whoever was responsible.

"I'd bet the Howards are behind it," he went on. "I told you they wouldn't take this lying down. They aren't used to losing."

"What ... how ...?"

Fred took off his hat and scratched his head. "Lou and me, we saw the Watters boys on the trail yesterday when we took the young'uns home. They was just sittin' perched on a log by the side of the road when we passed by. Didn't think much of it at the time. I shoulda known they was up to something'. You never see them very far from the saloon unless they's gettin' into some kind of mischief."

"You think they abducted the children?"

Fred nodded. "Those boys have been troublemakers since the day they was born. They'll do pretty much anythin' for a few dollars.

"Oh, my God, what if they ...?"

Sam gripped Emma's shoulders. "Emma. The kids are fine. I'm sure of it. If the Howards did hire the boys to grab the children, and I'm convinced they did, they won't hurt them.

Fred scowled. "Now that I think about it, I thought I somebody that looked an awful lot like Catherine's father goin' into the saloon yesterday after court let out."

"You did?"

"My eyes ain't what they used to be, though, so I can't be sure.

Sam tugged at the cinch. The horse nickered. "He was probably looking for the Watters boys," Sam commented.

"What do you think they're going to do with the young'uns, Sam?"

"They're probably going to meet up with the Howards somewhere. We just have to get to them first."

"But you don't even know where to start looking."

"They'll be heading to the train station in Fort Worth. They'll figure if they get them out of Texas and back east, they'll be able to go after custody again. There, they'll most likely win."

Sam mounted his horse and led him outside. Fred walked beside him, then mounted his own stallion. "First thing we'll do is to go into Charity," Sam said to Fred. "You go and tell the sheriff. Ask him to round up a few men for a search party. I'll check the livery stable. If they're planning on transporting three children, they'll need a buggy bigger than the one they had. Once we know what they're driving, it'll be easier to trail them." Turning to Emma, he added, "You stay here in case they come home."

Emma met his gaze. "No."

"Look, Emma--"

"I'm coming with you."

"They might come back--"

"If you're right, they won't be coming here. You need all the help you can get to find them. I'm not staying here waiting, wondering ..."

"I don't have time to argue with you--"

"Then don't. Either saddle a horse for me or I'll do it myself after you leave. Your choice."

A quiver of a smile appeared on Fred's face. "Looks like she's got you, Sam. Better do as she says, 'cause I think she means it."

Sam muttered a few expletives under his breath, but dismounted and headed back into the barn.