Authors: Carré White
Bride of the Wild
Bride of the Wild
Carré White
Copyright © 2014 Carré White
All Rights Reserved
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All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this book is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.
Contents
Chapter One
Kansas Territory, Sept 1855
How could I possibly concentrate on Sunday service? A close friend, Megan McAllister, and her brother had been attacked and murdered, which had stunned our community.
But worse still was that the creature responsible remained at large, freely lurking in Fern Valley. We had only just begun to wear something other than black, due to my mother’s passing a year ago. While the pastor spoke, all I could think about was Megan’s gruesome death … and the fear that there might be more carnage, unless someone could stop the animal responsible.
“Please take a moment to think on those poor souls who perished so cruelly,” said Pastor Boyd. He stood before us, staring gravely from the pulpit. “We’re so closely associated here in Fern Valley. Most of us came out in the summer of ‘51, as you will recall. When I look upon your faces, I see not only the members of my congregation, but my friends and family. I hold you all dear to my heart. I’ve baptized many of you as well, the youngsters anyhow.” He grinned, the edges of his eyes creasing, but then his look sobered yet again. “The recent spate of tragedies has been alarming. I ask we pray for the McAllister’s, especially Dudley and Megan, who have met their Lord far too young.”
He lowered his head, and, while we prayed, thoughts drifted through my mind, vivid images of the past. I knew Megan rather well; the young woman had been a year older than me. We had gone to school together, we had played together often, and she had been a confidant over the years … but now she was lost to us forever.
“I cannot fathom why God would take these brilliant, bright young souls. This tragedy is a reminder of just how precious life is. We should never take one another for granted, and we should all hold each other close … ”
Feeling eyes upon me, I glanced to the right, seeing my beau, Silas Hefferman. He sat with his parents and siblings in the first pew on the other side of the aisle. We had spoken of the incident yesterday, it being the most pressing topic of discussion at the moment. The burials had not occurred yet, and they wouldn’t until tomorrow.
“ … I know many of you have already given support, and, for that, I’m grateful.” Pastor Boyd motioned towards the family, who sat several pews behind me. Mrs. McAllister held a kerchief to her face, dabbing at red-rimmed eyes, while her husband’s pale features highlighted the shadows beneath his. Megan’s siblings looked equally distressed.
“That poor family,” my sister, Amelia, whispered.
“Yes, indeed.” I sat next to her, with my younger brother, Tom, on the other side.
“Such tragedy, Saffron. It boggles the mind.”
“Shush,” murmured pa, casting a stern look our way.
I nodded, afraid to speak, but I could look, and I glanced behind me stealthily, finding them a sad and sorry sight.
What sort of animal had attacked Dudley and Megan? What on earth would do that? Maybe it was Indians … they’re vexed with us for encroaching on their lands … and many are rather savage …
The preacher’s voice cut through my thoughts. “‘No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.’ Joshua 1:5-6.” Pastor Boyd closed the Bible. “Let these words be of comfort to you as you go about your journey today. Know you are not alone. Know that He shall watch over you—”
A commotion in the doorway halted the sermon, startling the congregation; a murmur of voices, along with several female gasps filled the air. Amelia and I turned our heads towards the source of the intrusion, finding Sheriff Tate Palmer and Doctor Walker standing in the entranceway, along with an Indian by the name of Deer Runner. I knew of this man, who belonged to the Arapaho people and often acted as an interpreter. Not everyone felt at ease in the company of the natives, as we had all seen or heard of unpleasant events relating to them. Something in the sheriff’s expression sent a tremor down my spine. There had been more trouble.
“I’m sorry for the interruption, Pastor Boyd,” said Sheriff Palmer. Stepping into the nave, he removed his hat. “Good morning, folks.” He nodded to the townspeople, all of whom knew him on a first-name basis.
“Is something amiss?” asked the preacher. “Is there a reason for this interruption?”
The doctor stood behind the sheriff, his expression grim. The men moved up the aisle, although Deer Runner remained by the door, standing with his legs apart, his body encased in leather fringe, with a white and gray feather in his glossy, black hair.
“One of my deputies came across the Goldman’s dog, Benny. The little fella looked like he’d been in some sort of accident, but after examining the animal, we discovered the blood in his fur didn’t belong to him.”
I glanced at Amelia, her golden blonde hair peeking out from beneath her bonnet. She reached for my hand, her fingers cold. Although summer hadn’t left us yet, the mornings were chilly. “This can’t be good,” she murmured.
“No.” A hand landed on my shoulder, and I turned to see pa, whose face had hardened with worry. I scanned the church for the Goldmans, not seeing them today. They never missed a service with their four children.
“What I’ve got to say might upset some folks, and, for that, I’m sorry. There’s no way to put this delicately. There’s been another ‘incident’.” No one said a thing; the room suddenly went silent, the only sound came from a Lark Bunting, chirping happily in the tree outside.
Pastor Boyd’s lips thinned. “Go on. You’ve come to tell us the news, and we’ll hear it. How can we be of assistance? What do you require of us?”
The sheriff shook his head. “Pray,” he said starkly. “All we can do now is pray.”
The austere quality of those words settled uneasily in the pit of my belly. “What happened to the family?” I heard myself saying far too loudly.
Sheriff Palmer stared at me. “Saffron Fossett. You may stand and ask that again, my dear.”
Not having anticipated being called out in such a manner, I swallowed the embarrassment, scrambling to my feet. “What of the family? Are they w-well?”
“Sadly, no. Deputy Thomas was sent to investigate. He came back with shocking news, but I had to see it for myself. I brought Doc Walker with me and Deer Runner. We came upon … ” he took a breath, “a grizzly scene. The family had put up a fight. The doors had been barricaded. They used as much furniture as possible, but it hadn’t held. The creature managed to get in, and, although they’d gone into the larder, they were set upon.”
The sheriff’s wife, Mrs. Palmer, rose. “You mean to tell me the entire family’s gone?”
“We regret this news,” said Doctor Walker. “I’ve examined the bodies, what’s left of them, and yes, the only survivor was the dog.” Doctor Walker’s wife approached him, and he drew her into his arms. “There, there, Grace. Don’t make yourself uneasy.”
Pastor Boyd returned to the pulpit, his eyes glistening with a suspicious sheen. “Before we go today, we should pray for the Goldman family. If what Sheriff Palmer says is true, we’ve had yet another tragedy that cannot be explained. May God guide them all towards heaven.” He bowed his head, as tears fell.
There had been far too many of these incidents lately, beginning with a poor mining family, who had gone missing. Their remains were discovered scattered in the forest. The occurrence had been classified as an animal attack, but no one could be sure which animal was responsible or if it had been a pack of wolves. Then there were the trappers, who had failed to return to their families, along with the McAllister children, who had been attacked on the road after dark. Their wagon had been set upon by something ferocious that had torn them to bits and eaten them.
The moment the service concluded, Sheriff Palmer approached the pulpit. “Listen up, folks. This is as good a time as any to have a public meeting. Your safety is my priority, and I feel as if I’ve failed you. It’s time we discuss certain measures to protect ourselves from this scourge—”
“What was it?” shouted a man towards the rear. “What sort of animal?”
“We originally thought it might be a pack of wolves, but I have my doubts now.”
The doctor joined him. “The markings on the bones indicate it was of some size.” He cleared his throat, because he had glanced at the look of horror on a woman’s face. “There were prints left in the mud. Deer Runner believes the creature to be a bear. I’m inclined to agree with him.”
“Yes,” said the sheriff. “We second that assessment. They’re foraging now, getting themselves well-fed for winter, but … ” he seemed troubled, his brows furrowing, “this predatory behavior is rather peculiar. I'm not all that acquainted with the habits of bears, but this particular one seems rather aggressive.”
“What sort of safety measures are you talking about?” asked pa, who had gotten to his feet. “How do you plan to keep us safe?”
“I suggest you board your windows. Find a place in your home you can hide, if you’re attacked. This animal has been breaking through doors. The Goldman’s door was shattered off its hinges. From the looks of it, they had been attacked in the night. The McAllisters had also been attacked at night. The miners went missing over night. I’d say, be careful outdoors at night. I wouldn’t go out at all, if you can avoid it.”
“You’re suggesting we barricade ourselves in our homes?” asked a man in a top hat. “I’ve a business to run.”
“Only at night. Go about your work during the day, just be mindful after sunset.”
“Let’s assemble a hunting party,” said a voice I recognized. “Silas Hefferman had gotten to his feet. Tall and lanky, he looked handsome in a frock coat and necktie. His pale, blond hair had been combed back. “I’m all for hunting this beast down and killing him.”