Mandie raised her brows as she scanned for something that might encourage Enoch. “Only that I’ll be right behind you.” She could say more when she was there in person and would see his response.
After Bea left, Mama fussed with the pearl necklace one final time, her fingers trembling as she adjusted the clasp. “Mandie. I want you to know how proud I am of the woman you’ve become. The strength you’ve shown these past months, the grace with which you’ve faced every challenge…” She paused, her voice thickening. “Your father and I, we didn’t see past that man’s charm, and I’m so very sorry.”
Mandie turned to face her mother fully, reaching out to still those trembling hands. “Mama, Clayton showed you exactly what he wanted you to see. He’s excellent at presenting a facade.”
“But we should have protected you better. Should have listened when you tried to tell me you wanted nothing to do with him.” Tears gathered in her mother’s eyes. “Instead, I actually encouraged a connection between you. I thought it the perfect match since he was Nicholas’s brother.”
“And now look where the Lord has brought me.” Mandie squeezed her mother’s hands. “If I hadn’t fled Savannah, I never would have found Enoch. I never would have discovered what real love feels like.”
Her mother nodded, blinking back tears. “He does love you, doesn’t he? I can see it in how he looks at you. How gentle he is with you.”
“He does. And I love him more than I ever imagined possible.”
Mama sniffed. “I suppose we’d better get you to him then.”
They made their way down the narrow staircase to the mercantile’s back door. Mrs. Holbrook waited at the bottom, beaming as they approached.
“Oh my dear, you look absolutely lovely.” The older woman clasped her hands at her chin. “Sheriff Hawkins and the men are already down by the river. Such a romantic spot they’ve chosen.”
“Thank you so much for the use of your room.” Mandie took the woman’s hands to squeeze them. “You’ve been a blessing.”
“Happy I could help.” Mrs. Holbrook’s cheeks pinkened. “Now you go on and marry that handsome fellow. The whole town’s been talking for years about how he needs a wife.”
Mandie’s mother opened the back door, and they stepped out into the warm afternoon air. The scent of pine and fresh air filled her lungs as they walked along the path behind the buildings, their footsteps muffled by the soft dirt.
The mercantile appeared to be connected to the building beside it, and perhaps one more, so they kept walking until a path between the structures would allow them to turn toward the main street and the river.
After they passed the second door, it opened behind them. Mandie glanced back, a smile and a pleasantry on her lips for the shop owner.
The man who exited looked nothing like a businessman. Nor the second who flanked him. But the third man…she knew far too well.
Clayton.
Before she could scream, one of the men lunged forward and clamped a grimy hand over her mouth as he dragged her backward, the stench of unwashed bodies and stale whiskey overwhelming her senses. She struggled against his grip, against the bitter taste of his palm against her skin.
Her mother’s cry of alarm cut short as the second man seized her, dragging her backward toward the open door.
Mandie thrashed against her captor’s hold, her silk skirt tangling around her legs.
“Hello, Mandie.” Clayton’s voice cut through the air, his words sending shivers down Mandie’s spine. “No need for dramatics. We’re simply going to have a conversation before you make any...permanent decisions.”
She fought harder, and the ivory combs scattered from her hair, clattering onto the dirt as her carefully arranged waves tumbled loose.
The men dragged them into the dim interior of what appeared to be a storage room. Crates and barrels lined the walls, and the air reeked of old spices and something sour that made her stomach twist.
Clayton stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He turned the key in the lock, then pulled the key out and tucked it in his vest pocket. The dim light filtering from a single lantern cast his face in sharp shadows, making his smile appear even more predatory than usual.
“Much better.” He brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his sleeve. “Now we can speak privately.”
Mandie’s heart hammered against her ribs.Lord, please let Enoch come looking for us soon. Please don’t let him wait long.
Her mother whimpered behind the second man’s hand, her eyes wide with terror above his grimy fingers. The sight sent fury blazing through Mandie’s fear.
“Let her go,” she tried to say, though the words came out muffled against her captor’s palm. She bit down hard on the fleshy part of his hand.
The man cursed. “Little wildcat bit me!” But he clamped his grip tighter, covering most of her nose so she could barely draw air.
Panic surged up her chest.Lord, we need help. Please!
