“I wonder what made him think of a clown,” Jonas said. “The only clown he’s seen is in Ivy’s circus book.”
Josie chuckled and dismissed the thought; it made sense for Gideon to learn the word from a storybook. She rose from her seat and made her way to the window, pulling her shawl close. She wiped the foggy glass and squinted, only to see nothing. Perhaps Travis had come home early and was making silly faces through the window. A smile crossed her face. He decided to stay after all.
“I’ll be outside for a moment.”
Josie grabbed her coat from the door hanger then buttoned it tight around her, her heart skipping. Afterwards, she grabbed her gloves, scarf, and hat. Stepping outside, she noticed how peaceful it was. No snow fell from the sky, and the wind wasn’t as brisk as it had been that morning. But she dismissed the peaceful thoughts when her boots sank into the snow, making her shiver.The weather here sure has a bite.
Josie stepped towards the side of the cabin where Gideon had pointed, eager to see her husband. But her smile was wiped away quickly. She halted abruptly when she spotted footprints in the snow—footprints too large to be Travis’s. Her breath quickened as she scanned the area; no one was in sight, yet her nerves frayed. Perhaps Travis had another pair of boots she didn’t know about. That thought eased her a bit. Clutching her coat, Josie pivoted to head back inside.
When she neared the door, strong arms wrapped around her, yanking her backward. A terrified screech escaped her lips. The grip was far too forceful to be Travis’s, yet there was something hauntingly familiar about it that she didn’t want to acknowledge. The figure spun her around to face him, and Josie’s stomach dropped, her eyes widening in shock. Standing before her wasa ghost from her past—Marcus Wellington, with the same scar etched into the right side of his cheek and eyes that seemed to bore into her very soul, filled with malice.
“Y-You’re dead.”
Marcus chuckled, a sinister smile curving at his lips. “I thought you’d be happy to see your husband, my dear.”
Josie’s pulse drummed in her throat as she struggled against his hold, but with each attempt to escape, his grip only tightened. Her worst nightmare stood right in front of her.
Worse than a marshal coming to arrest her.
Worse than the gallows.
How was Marcus alive? Josie had seen him fall; there was no way he could have survived. Panic surged within her as the horrifying reality set in—Marcus Wellington had returned from the dead.
“How—How are you alive?”
Marcus wrenched her close, crushing her chest against his and stealing her breath. “You might’ve put me to sleep for several months, but I am stronger than you think. It will take more than a fall to get rid of me.”
Josie bit back a scream, determined not to scare the children. “Just let me go, Marcus, please.”
“Not until you give me my son,” Marcus snarled through his yellow teeth.
Son. The words sliced through her like a knife. How did Marcus know about Nathan? Josie might have been able to protect Nathan in her womb, but it wasn’t possible now.
“You stay away from him,” Josie hissed. “You willneverhave him. I’ll call the law for kidnapping. I can convince the town. They trust me.”
Marcus shook his head and tsked. “Oh, Josephine, you’re a fool to think any law would want to help a wild woman like you. You wouldn’t dare to stop me because I have too muchevidence to have you hanged, and you’ll never see your precious son again. What law would grant a child to a violent, adulterous woman, married to two men? Hm? Please tell me, dear wife, how will you manage to fight against yourrealhusband?”
Josie’s limbs went numb. There was no hope for her or Nathan now.Dear God, please help me. Deliver my son from the hands of this monster.
Marcus pulled a revolver from his holster and pointed it under Josie’s chin. Josie closed her eyes, praying louder in her mind. If she was going to meet her Maker, she wanted Nathan to be safe first. She couldn’t allow his mind to be poisoned by his evil father.
“Now, I am going to release you and no harm will come to those little brats if you give him to me. Try anything stupid and their blood will be on your hands.”
Marcus’s grip released, leaving tender spots on Josie’s body like before. With trembling hands, she let him inside, a silent prayer rising within her for the safety of the children. She’d rather be beaten into a bloody pulp than allow the children to be subjected to Marcus’s wrath. If he chose to spare Travis, she knew Travis would never forgive her for failing to protect their family.
The children’s eyes rounded, and Gideon kept screamingclownlike before. Josie placed a hand over his mouth and handed him to Ivy.
“Be calm,” Josie whispered to her. “Everything will be all right. I promise. Do as this man says.”
Lillian and Jonas sat frozen, their lips trembling. Josie’s eyes brimmed with tears as she reached into the crib and lifted Nathan into her quivering arms. He looked so peaceful, completely oblivious to the chaos surrounding them. Overwhelmed with love and protectiveness, she buried her faceagainst him, kissing his soft cheeks, wishing to shield him from the horrors.
“I love you, Nathan Travis Blythe. I will always love you.”
Josie’s limbs wobbled as she walked to Marcus. He yanked the baby from her arms and peeled back the quilt swaddling underneath the bear-fur blanket. He took a long look at Nathan, then his mouth curved into a devious grin, like a venomous snake.
“He’s a Wellington, of course,” he said proudly. Marcus seized Josie’s arm. “Let’s go.”
Josie took one last glance at the children as Marcus forced her away. She once vowed she’d never leave them, but she had no choice, just like when Travis promised no harm would come to her. He wasn’t here, and perhaps the lack of goodbye would spare lives.
