And then he slipped outside again ...
And ran.
21
Eleanor and Carter stood with some of the others listening to the music. Some people clapped along to the beat. They were most enthusiastic, and it was clear that the day had brought them great joy. What would her life be like here in Kalispell? With her father working on his book, she would need to find something to keep herself busy. She was qualified to teach school, and yet that wasn’t really something she’d ever considered before. Maybe it was time to think about it. Maybe if she found a job she could help with their financ—
Goodness! A man came running across the open area in front of the band, directly at her and Carter! Before Eleanor could say anything to Carter, the man veered away and went directly to the mayor. Soon several men had gathered, and the mayor motioned for them to follow him. Eleanor looked at Carter, who shrugged. He didn’t seem overly concerned so she relaxed.
Until Marvella came toward them in a near run.
Something was wrong.
Marvella took hold of Eleanor. “Come with me. You too, Carter.”
The band played on even as Eleanor found herself whisked away. “What’s happened?”
Marvella slowed a bit, huffing and puffing for air. “It’s a terrible thing. Just terrible. But I don’t ... want you to worry. The men ... will do all they can.”
What? All they could aboutwhat?
Marvella led them past the main body of the crowd to where the mayor and the men who had gone with him were now standing. They surrounded someone who was seated.
The crowd opened as Marvella pushed her way in. “I have his daughter!”
Eleanor’s chest tightened. Had Father suffered a spell of some sort? She couldn’t see the man at the center of everyone’s attention because a man stood in the way—perhaps a doctor? He appeared to be examining the seated man’s head. Had the sun gotten to be too much for Father, and he’d passed out ... hit his head?
She looked at the men. “What has happened?”
The group of men looked at her and then to Marvella.
The older woman shook her head. “I haven’t told her anything. There wasn’t time. Tell her now.”
“Father?” Eleanor tried to peer around the man who blocked her vision. “Are you all right?”
She tried to move forward, but Marvella held her back. Just then the man in front of Eleanor stepped away to reveal Louis Hill seated in the chair.
But ... where was Father?
Carter came up beside Eleanor. “What’s going on?”
“Someone attacked Mr. Hill”—the mayor shifted his glance from Mr. Hill to Eleanor—“and Mr. Briggs.”
What?“Where is my father?” Why would someone attack him? And why wasn’t he here?
The Judge stepped forward. “I’m so sorry, Eleanor, but someone has taken him. We believe they thought they were taking Mr. Hill, since they look a great deal alike.”
“I want some guards immediately!” Mr. Hill sounded like a frightened child. “I’m leaving as soon as the train can be ready. I’m glad the railroad is leaving this town! Such a lawless town is no place for the railroad.”
The doctor patted the agitated man’s shoulder. “Mr. Hill, you must calm yourself.”
“Thereisno calming, Doctor, until I’m away from this wretched town.”
The doctor kept his voice soothing. “At least come to my office, where I can stitch your head.”
Enough! Where was her father? She opened her mouth to demand an answer, but Mr. Hill cut her off by standing up and shaking off the doctor’s hand.
“No. You can tend to me in my private train car. Judge, I need at least a half dozen men to go with me as guards. They will need to accompany me back to St. Paul, where I can hire my own men.”
