Ellie was torn between tears and laughter. “They left a note with Mr. Hill. Apparently, they thought they could force his father’s hand with the railroad and keep the train coming into Kalispell.” Ellie strained against the ropes. Grant had tied them too tight. She wasn’t getting free.
Father closed his eyes, as though keeping them open was painful. “Louis’s father, Mr. Hill, has already invested the money to move the line. He wasn’t going to just stop that work and return here.”
His voice seemed to weaken as he talked.Lord, please help me get free.
A gunshot sounded not far from the cabin, followed by several more. Ellie looked at her father. They weren’t safe yet.
She drew a deep breath. “I need to tell you something. I’ve returned to Jesus, Father. Returned to the faith that Mother taught me when I was young. All those things she used to say came back to me as I started reading the Bible.” Tears blurred her vision. Ellie blinked rapidly so she could see her father’s face as she shared her joy with him. “I wanted to talk to you. I’ve... I’ve turned back to the Lord, Father. I’ve asked Jesus to save me, just like Mother taught me all those years ago. That’s why I wanted to talk to you at the picnic. I want so much for you to not be upset with me.”
Father opened his eyes and smiled. “Upset with you? Of course not. When you said God was with us, that you trust Him, I knew what had happened. And I’m glad.”
He was glad! “Oh, Father ...”
“Sitting here, a prisoner, I admitted I might be facing my death. I didn’t want to do that alone.”
Were those tears in his eyes?
“I prayed, Ellie. For the first time in my life, I really prayed, and I asked God to help me—to save me not only from these men who had taken me, but from my life of ignoring Him.”
The gunfire sounded again. This time closer to the house.
I trust You, God. Whatever happens, I trust You.
“Father, no matter what happens here tonight, we’ll be all right. God truly is watching over us both.”
The door to the cabin flew back, and Ellie screamed—
Carter stood in the doorway.
She’d never been happier to see anyone in her life!
“Ellie, are you okay?”
She met his worried expression and smiled. “I’m better than okay. My Father accepted Jesus. We both belong to God now.”
He’d never heard anything so wonderful as Ellie’s happy words. In two steps he was at her side and cut her loose. She jumped to her feet and threw her arms around him, hugging him like she’d never let go.
His arms closed around her for one delicious moment, then he let go—until he saw the red mark on her face. Heat boiled as he cupped her face. His fingers brushed the small welt rising on her cheek. “Theyhurtyou?”
“That scoundrel Alvin hit her.”
She winced, both at her father’s angry words and at Carter’s touch where she’d been struck. But she placed her hand over his. “I’m fine, Carter. I promise.”
After a moment, he nodded and knelt next to Ellie’s father. But he directed a firm look at Ellie. “Are you sure you’re all right? Why did you leave Wilbur?”
Her face turned red. “I got lost in my thoughts. I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings, and all of a sudden, he was gone. Please don’t be angry,” she whispered, then darted around him to her father. With deft movements, sheexamined his head injury. After all she’d been through, her first thought was for her father. Just one more thing to love about this woman.
“Grant found me on the trail and told me you wanted me to join you. I rode out with him only to have him take me captive.”
If ever a man deserved killing ... Carter pushed the dark thought away. “But you aren’t hurt?”
“No, I’m fine.” She moved the cloth they’d wrapped around her father’s head. “At least the wound doesn’t seem to be bleeding.”
Her father reached up to touch her hand. “I’m all right. Don’t either of you worry. I have a headache, but nothing all that bad.”
Carter removed the last of Mr. Briggs’s bonds. The older man rubbed his wrists where the rope had irritated the skin.
“Mr. Briggs, how many men were here?”
