Alaskan Brides: Gold Rush Baby Part 10

She nodded, looked away. Frankie's law enforcement yearnings were showing in the suspicious look she was giving her. "I'd best get back to work, I want to be home before Goldie wakes from her nap." She stepped into the sanctuary, measured the bench and turned to the table.

"Hey, Mack... Preacher. Come to look over our work?"

Frankie's words stilled her hands. Preacher?

"I've come to admire it, that steeple tower is a work of art."

Thomas. She pressed back against the wall, closed her eyes. There was no way to avoid seeing him; and somehow he always knew when she was upset or...

"It is indeed. But the best part is that it stands high above every other building, so it is the first thing seen by those coming in on the boats from Skaguay. It announces to all arrivals, lawless or Christian, that Treasure Creek is a G.o.d-centered town." Triumph rang in Mack Tanner's voice. "Once this room is finished and the bell I've ordered arrives and is hung, this church will be complete. Except for an ordained pastor in its pulpit. But I'm working on that."

She opened her eyes, peered around the doorway and saw Mack Tanner smile and clap Thomas on the back. Thomas smiled, lifted both hands, palms out, in a "not me" gesture and glanced her way.

She instinctively ducked back, but there was no hiding now. She grabbed up her tape, wound it around two fingers as she walked back into the entrance. "My work here is done. It's time I get home to Goldie." She stopped, smiled. "h.e.l.lo, Mr. Tanner." She met Thomas's gaze and gave a polite nod. "h.e.l.lo, Thomas." She looked down at his left arm, covered by his s.h.i.+rt sleeve, and forced a smile. "I see you are able to use your arm now."

"Yes. In a very limited way. Jacob still cautions about the danger of injuring it again." His gaze caught hers, held it. "How have you been, Viola?"

"I'm...busy." She included everyone in a sweeping glance. "If you will all excuse me...." She moved to the door, couldn't stop herself from stealing one more look at him. "Hattie will be pleased to hear you are continuing to heal well, Thomas." She turned and hurried outside, rushed to the corner and turned down the road toward her cabin, tears flooding her eyes, blurring her vision.

"h.e.l.lo, there, Miss G.o.ddard."

She jolted, looked up. Zeke Jefferson was coming out of her door, a package under his arm. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders.

"Hattie gave me my mending. I left my payment on the table."

"That's fine, Mr. Jefferson." She glanced at the trees crowding the end of her cabin, at the darkness beneath them where a man could easily hide. Two steps and- "I'm leaving for Dawson City tomorrow. I've heard of some new fields opening up, and I'm going to try and find some of that gold everyone is talking about." He gave her a warm smile. "Wish me luck, Miss G.o.ddard."

A faint whimpering floated out of the partially open door behind him, then nothing. Hattie must be soothing Goldie back to sleep. She would have to speak with her again about keeping the door locked.

"If I find gold, when I get back I'll buy you one of the fancy brooches they have in the store at Skaguay." Zeke Jefferson's voice had lowered, turned husky. "Or a necklace or bracelet. Or whatever-"

She stiffened at the look in his eyes, gave him a cold look. "You can keep your gold and your jewelry, Mr. Jefferson. And from now on you can take your mending needs elsewhere."

He flushed. "I meant no insult, Miss G.o.ddard. I only-" He pressed his lips closed, gave a polite nod and stepped off the stoop.

She turned, watched him stalk off up the road, then stepped up onto the stoop, pushed open the door and stepped inside. Home. She released her tension in a long sigh, placed her purse on the table and turned to close and lock the door and...looked into the face of her fear. "h.e.l.lo, Viola."

Dengler. Cold washed over her. Everything went black. She blinked, took a breath, came to herself and shoved the door. It didn't move.

"Now is that any way to treat your boss?" Richard Dengler moved his foot.

The door shoved open.

She staggered back as it hit her, bit back a cry. Dolph followed Dengler inside, wearing the smile that meant he was antic.i.p.ating the pleasure of inflicting pain on someone.

Bile swirled in her stomach, pushed at her throat. She clenched her hands, dug her fingernails into her palms to fend off the fear, stiffened her quivering legs and squared her shoulders. "You are no longer my boss. Get out of my house."

Dengler's hand flashed forward. The crack as it met her cheek sounded like a gunshot. Her head snapped back and to the side. Lights exploded in front of her eyes. She reeled back, planted her feet to stay erect.

"I'm your boss until you're of no further use to me or my customers, Viola. Now let's talk about the money you stole from me."

That cold, soft voice. He never raised his voice. Not even when- Don't think about it. Don't show fear! She lifted her chin. "I only took the wages you promised and never paid me. I wouldn't take a penny of your money. I want nothing from you."

Dolph fisted his hands, stepped close.

Her heart thudded so hard it shook her, but she refused to cower. It was what he wanted. What he loved.

Dengler raised his hand. "Not yet, Dolph. She has some questions to answer first." His eyes narrowed. "I want that money, Viola. Where is it?"

She looked into his cold face and knew he wasn't after the money. He had come to punish and kill her, just as he said he would if she ran away again. Lord, let Hattie be quiet, and Goldie stay asleep. Keep them safe! She braced herself to face the inevitable. If she made him angry, perhaps it would be over with quickly. "I don't have the money. And I wouldn't give it to you if I did. I earned every bit of that money. It was mine, not yours."

His hand flashed again. She rocked back, tasted the blood that spurted from a split on the inside of her cheek. Her knees sagged, she locked them, staved off the blackness. So it was to be a beating first.

"The baby's gold will do, Viola. Where is it?"

He knew about Goldie! Bile surged. She swallowed it back, raised her hand to her stinging, swelling cheek to gain time. Think! Get them out of here, away from- "Get the baby, Dolph."

"No!" She whirled, ran to bar her bedroom door. "Leave the baby alone! I'll give you the gold. But it's not here. It's-" Dolph's hands clamped on her arms, squeezed as he lifted her and tossed her aside. She slammed against the wall, shook her head, fought for breath and the strength to stand.

"The kid's not here. The cradle's empty."

Where was Goldie? Oh, G.o.d, keep her safe! She snagged her lower lip to hold back the sobs.

"Check the other rooms."

She turned her head, blinked to clear her vision. Hattie's room was empty. The kitchen. She pressed her palms against the wall and inched toward the kitchen doorway. If she could reach a knife... Dolph caught her by the shoulder, shoved her aside and walked into the kitchen, came out and shook his head.

"No one there."

The coa.r.s.e, gruff words brought joy surging through her. Hattie must have heard and taken Goldie away! Thank- "Well, it seems you will just have to come back to work for me, Viola." Dengler stepped close to her and smiled. "It won't take you long to earn the money to pay me back. You were always a favorite among my customers. And there are so many men clamoring for satisfaction in Skaguay, I haven't girls enough to answer their nee-"

"She's not going anywhere with you."

Thomas! Her heart jolted. She whirled.

Dengler grabbed her arm, looked at Dolph and jerked his thumb toward the partially open front door. "Take care of him."

Dolph nodded, stepped forward.

"No!" She clutched hold of Dolph's jacket. "Run, Thom-" The slap slammed her head back against the wall. Bursts of light rushed toward her. Her knees buckled.

"Viola!"

Thomas's cry scattered the encroaching darkness. She forced her eyes open, pushed against the wall, saw Dolph grab for Thomas. Her heart seized. Her body froze. Thomas dodged, shoved the door into Dolph, sent him reeling back and leaped toward him. The henchman let out a snarl, lowered his head and charged.

Her limbs twitched back to life. She shoved off the wall.

Dengler grabbed her hair, jerked her back. Tears smarted her eyes. She blinked them away to see Thomas smashed up against the wall, Dolph's fisted hand driving toward him. Thomas ducked, drove a fist into Dolph's stomach. Dolph doubled over and Thomas drove his knee up under his chin. Dolph slumped forward, slid into a sprawl on the floor. Thomas flopped him onto his back, yanked the gun from his belt.

Dengler's arm clamped around her neck, pulled her back against him. "Drop the gun and get out, or I'll kill you!" He lifted the gun in his other hand into her line of sight. "Tell him, Viola." His arm pressed tighter against her throat, then loosened a bit.

"Do it, Thomas! Please!" She croaked out the words, gasped for air. "Please go. He means it! He'll kill yo-" Dengler's arm jerked, shut off her air.

Thomas straightened, looked beyond her to Dengler. "I'm not going anywhere. And neither are you, Viola."

His voice was quiet, calm, his hand holding the gun steady. She had to do something! Make him leave. She clawed at Dengler's arm, fought to breathe, to think. His arm tightened. Her ears buzzed, her sight faded. Darkness hovered.

"Would you rather see her dead?"

The words echoed through the fuzziness in her head. Dead...soon... The darkness came closer. Cold washed over her.

Thunk!

Dengler jolted, slumped against her. She collapsed beneath his weight, crashed to the floor.

"Looks like I got here just in time." Frankie Tucker dropped a long, thick piece of branch to the floor, stepped over Dengler's legs, grabbed hold of his suit coat and rolled him off her. "You all right, Viola?"

She nodded, sucked in air. The darkness receded.

Frankie rolled Dengler over onto his stomach, scooped up the gun beneath him.

Viola pushed to her hands and knees, grabbed hold of the end of the settle and hauled herself to the seat. Her head reeled. Her body shook. She took a slow, deep breath, fought to hold back the churning bile.

"Looks like things are under control here."

She lifted her head, turned. The sheriff stood in the front doorway, his gun held ready in his huge hand.

"Sorry it took me so long to get here, Viola. Hattie had to hunt me down." He looked down at Dengler sprawled on the floor at her feet. "Guess it's a good thing she found Frankie first." He looked down at Dolph. "You, too, Thomas."

"She didn't find me. I came on my own."

The tone of his voice said clearer than words he had come because he had been concerned and wanted to be sure she was all right. But no more. Her control shattered. She hung her head, caught her breath, held it to hold back the sobs.

Dolph groaned. She saw him twitch, flinched back against the settle. Ed Parker placed a knee on Dolph's back, shoved his gun back into its holster and pulled two long, leather thongs from his pocket. "You hogtie that one, Frankie." He tossed her one of the thongs, grabbed Dolph's hands and wound the other thong around his crossed wrists. "These varmints after Goldie's gold?"

She braced herself, drew breath to answer.

"I heard it mentioned."

Thomas's words were terse, his tone strained. Shame flooded her. He knew what she was.

"Viola's a prost.i.tu-"

Frankie's knee banged down onto the back of Dengler's neck, shoved his face to the floor. "You'd best shut your lying mouth, lest you want me to knock you on the head again!"

Viola closed her eyes, gathered every ounce of courage she possessed. This had gone far enough. She raised a trembling hand, wiped away the blood pooling at the corner of her mouth. "Let him speak, Frankie. The sheriff has to know the truth." The words came thick and slurred from her split and swollen lips, sounded as dead as her hopes and dreams.

"Viola's in no condition to answer questions, Ed. Can't this wait until tomorrow?"

The caring in Thomas's voice brought tears surging to her eyes, clogging her throat.

"Don't see any reason why not. I'll just take these thugs off to jail for tonight and-"

"Must be Viola's been plying her trade, boss." Dolph sneered up at Ed as he hauled him to his feet. "No one cares about a piece of trash prost.i.tute, except one of her customers."

"A pros-a lady of the evening!" Evelyn Harris gasped, gaped at her from the doorway. "And to think I heard the commotion and came to see if I could help!" She lifted her nose into the air and s.h.i.+fted her gaze to Ed Parker. "I expect you will do your job, Sheriff. Treasure Creek is a G.o.d-centered town with no place for the likes of her!" She whirled and hurried outside.

Viola rose, stared after her neighbor, her head reeling. Frankie's hand touched her arm. She looked into her friend's angry blue eyes.

"Don't pay her no mind, Viola." A scowl knit the freckles on Frankie's nose together. "I've a good mind to wallop Evelyn upside her head, too. Might knock some sense into her."

"Not a good idea, Frankie." Ed Parker, growled the words, looked in their direction, skimmed over her and focused on Frankie. "I'd have to arrest you for that. And I need your help to get these two to jail." He nodded toward Dengler, still p.r.o.ne on the floor. "Can you manage that one?"

Frankie's face lit like a candle. "Watch me!" She straddled Dengler, leaned down and grabbed hold of the back of his collar and yanked him up onto his knees, stepped back and tugged his gun from where she'd shoved it in her belt. "Now get on your feet and get moving, you no good piece of garbage woman beater!"

Dengler struggled to his feet, looked her way and started to speak. Frankie raised the gun. He clamped his mouth shut and staggered toward the door, Frankie prodding him along. Ed Parker shoved Dolph into line behind them as they left the cabin.

Silence. So thick it pressed against her s.h.i.+vering body, hurt her throbbing temples. How long had it been since Dengler came? A matter of minutes only, yet it felt like forever. She tried not to, but she couldn't stop herself. She had to look at Thomas, store up one more memory against a lonely forever. She turned, caught her breath at the sight of blood staining his s.h.i.+rt. "Your shoulder." She forced her shaking legs to carry her to him. "Let me-"

He caught her hand, set it away from him. "I'm no longer needed here. I'll go to the clinic. Jacob or Teena will tend it." He pivoted, laid Dolph's gun on the table and walked out the door.

Chapter Fourteen.

Thomas sat on the edge of the table and concentrated on the knot in the floorboard beneath his dangling feet. If he looked at the dark shape right, it looked like a dog's head. And it kept him from thinking. Viola a prost.i.tute. He clenched his hands until the knuckles turned white. Sucked in to replace the air fury squeezed from his lungs.

"Hold still." Jacob Calloway wiped at the blood on his shoulder and scowled. "I told you to be careful. How did this happen?"

Thomas glanced at his gaping wound and shrugged, winced at the pain that shot through his shoulder and down his arm from the movement. "An altercation."

Jacob's scowl deepened. "Don't you know missionaries aren't supposed to get into fistfights?"

Viola's cut and swollen face flashed before him. "Sometimes they're unavoidable." He clenched his hands on the edge of the table in spite of the pain it caused, wished it were Dengler's neck. Great thought for a preacher.

Jacob uncorked a bottle, splashed liquid over gauze pads and suturing equipment in a bowl. "Did you win?"

"The fight, yes." The battle to conquer the rage in his heart, no. He'd wanted to beat Dengler and Dolph senseless. Still did.

It won't take you long to earn the money to pay me back. You were always a favorite among my customers. And there are so many men clamoring for satisfaction in Skaguay I haven't girls enough to answer their need.

He clenched his hands tighter, dug his fingernails into the underside of the wood table. He'd known Viola was hiding something...had offered to help. But he'd never thought she- You were always a favorite among my customers. His stomach churned, knotted. All those men...