Mail Order Melody (9 page)

*****

Calvin was tired when he made it back to the ranch two hours later. He nodded at Slater who had taken his station beside the bam and watched over the house all afternoon. He was glad the other man was so willing to stand around doing nothing to guard his wife. He felt bad needing him for thirty minutes earlier, but it couldn't be helped.

When he opened the door at the end of the day, he walked up behind the curvy blond at the stove and buried his face in her neck. "How was your day, sweetheart?"

Beulah froze in the man's arms, pulling away from him quickly. "Thank God you've come! You're Calvin?" He needed to hurry if he was going to catch them before they were out of town.

Calvin nodded, looking at the girl's face. "I'm sorry. I thought you were Eliza. Where's my wife?" He glanced around the small house looking for his bride. The two women looked a great deal alike, so he guessed she was Beulah, but he waited for her to tell him something. "You're Beulah?"

Beulah burst into tears. "She's been taken. By Sebastian. He told me that she needed me so I came here with him. When we arrived he held a gun to my younger son, Jack. You need to go after her!" She couldn't fathom why the man was still standing in front of her. Why hadn't he left to go save his wife?

Calvin's face turned white. "Do you have any idea where he's taken her?" How was he going to find her when he didn't know where she'd been taken? He'd never felt so panicked in his life.

Beulah shook her head, wiping the tears from her eyes. "No, he didn't tell me. I don't think kidnappers do that." Why would he think she would know where Sebastian was taking Eliza? He didn't think they were working together, did he?

Calvin wanted to shake the woman. "Did he say anything at all that could give you any kind of clue where he was taking her?"

She shook her head. "He didn't talk to me on the train." She turned back to the stew she'd made for supper. She'd had no idea
how to
reach her new brother-in-law, so she'd cooked to take her mind off her worries. "Wait...he did say something to someone else about Eliza singing in Chicago on Wednesday." She still didn't quite understand that.

Calvin nodded, rushing toward the door. "Thanks!" He ran straight to the stable and saddled his horse. "I'm sorry, Midnight. I know you were out all day, and I'll leave you alone soon. I need you for just a little longer today."

As soon as the stallion was saddled he was on his back heading toward Pudsville. He needed to get to Chicago as soon as he could.

At the train station Jeremiah, the ticket agent, shook his head. "She was here with some man. He said he was her manager and she was going to be singing for him again. I never saw him before."

"Did they buy tickets to Chicago?"

Jeremiah nodded. "I think that's where they were heading."

Calvin felt relieved at least knowing what city they'd be in. Yes, Chicago was a big city, but there couldn't be too many places where an opera could be performed. He'd find her. He had to.

*****

Eliza felt nauseated by the constant rocking of the train. She'd never had the problem before and quickly chalked it up to her pregnancy. "I need to vomit," she whispered to Sebastian knowing he would be disgusted by her bluntness.

He looked at her and sneered, his lip curling. "Then go do it."

Eliza jumped up and moved toward the back of the train and the small room set aside for such purposes. As she left the room, she saw a man leaning against the wall obviously waiting his turn for the facilities.

"Are you all right, ma'am?" he asked tipping his hat to her. He was dark haired and dark eyed.

She shook her head. "No. I've been kidnapped by my former manager. I was an opera singer, and he's planning on forcing me to sing in Chicago. Can you help me?"

His dark eyes searched hers. "I'll do what I can. My name's Dalton, ma'am. Walton Dalton."

Eliza felt a hand clamp onto her arm. "Did my wife make up some story to tell you? She's carrying our first, and she hasn't been right in the head since she conceived. I'm taking her to Chicago where she can get medical help."

Walton nodded as if he believed Sebastian, and Eliza wanted to scream. She followed Sebastian meekly back to her seat, hoping the man with the ridiculous name would help her. Who would name their child Walton Dalton? Why, it was almost as bad as Alton Dalton or even Dalton Dalton. People who couldn't come up with better names shouldn't be allowed to be parents.

"Don't pull anything like that again, Eliza. I'll send someone to Missouri and have your family killed myself," Sebastian hissed into her ear. "And they'll take care of your husband as well."

Eliza nodded once refusing to look at him. She wanted nothing to do with the man. She was forced to share a seat with him, but no one could force her to look at him or speak to him.

A few miles down the road, she watched as Walton Dalton got off the train. Now who was going to help her?
Calvin
, she thought. Calvin would help her, but he'd better hurry up!

Calvin wanted to kick something. The trip would take eighteen hours by train, but he couldn't leave for another four hours when the next train came through. What was he going to do?

It would do him no good to set out toward Chicago on his horse. He would get there faster by waiting for the next train. He felt helpless and desperately wished he hadn't asked Slater to help him instead of staying with Eliza that afternoon. What had he been thinking?

He shook his head. An hour. What could happen in an hour? He could lose his wife and child. That's what could happen in an hour.

He rode home quickly so he could update Beulah on the events of the day and make sure she was well guarded. "Eliza won't let me ever forget it if something happens to you while I'm off chasing after her," he told her.

Beulah nodded, her eyes red and swollen. "I'll make sure everything is all right here. You just get my sister back."

"I will." He headed to the bunkhouse on the other side of his
property and explained the situation.

"We'll take turns guarding your sister and the boys," Slater told him speaking for the others.

"Thank you. I'll be back as soon as I can." Calvin thought about going next door to talk to his neighbor about the situation, but he wasn't willing to take the time. He wrote a quick note for Stanley Bond before heading back into town to catch his train to Chicago.

*****

By the time Eliza stepped off the train in Chicago, she was exhausted. She'd been awake for more than twenty four hours and had been able to hold nothing in her stomach the entire ride. Sebastian had purchased food for her, not out of the goodness of his heart, but to keep her healthy enough to work. She'd vomited every bite.

Once she was off the train she breathed in the air. It wasn't as fresh as at home, but it was better than the stale air on the train. She left the train carefully holding Sebastian's arm as he'd instructed, her eyes scanning the crowd. She knew there was no way Calvin could have arrived ahead of her, but she had to look for
him.

As she looked she realized there were several men throughout the crowd watching her carefully. Sebastian wasn't paying any attention to her. He was asking where a livery was so he could hire a buggy for their time in Chicago.

She mouthed the words, "Help me." One of the men gave her a nod to indicate he understood.

"The livery is just down the street, dear. It won't hurt you to walk that far with me." Sebastian looked down at her with a smile. He patted her hand in an almost loving manner, and she felt nauseated once again. He was playing the part of a loving
husband
, and his look of love made her more than slightly ill.

"I need to use the outhouse." She knew he hated it when she used the word 'outhouse' in his presence, and that's the only
reason
she didn't find a more delicate way of saying it. Maybe if she made him angry enough he'd just send her back to Missouri.

The flush of anger crossed his face. "I'm sure you can wait
until
we reach our hotel, my love."

"Did you forget that I'm carrying? I can't wait even five
minutes
lately." She gave him a sweet smile knowing it would make him crazy. There was no way she was going to a hotel with him immediately. She'd separate from him and pray that she hadn't
been wrong about the men in the crowd.

"I'll wait for you, sweetheart. After all, I'm the one who got you in the family way." He walked with her to the back of the train
station
and straight to the outhouse.

As she turned to close the door, she saw two of the men who had been watching them get off the train close in on him. She quickly locked the door, hoping they'd be able to apprehend him before she needed to leave. She couldn't hide in the outhouse
forever
.

After a moment, she heard Sebastian shout, "Get off me, you fool!"

She smiled, waiting another minute before opening the door and peering out. Sebastian was in handcuffs, and there was a man flanking him on either side. One of them tipped his hat to her. "You must be the woman Walton Dalton telegraphed about, ma'am."

Eliza's eyes widened. "Yes, I am. I was afraid he didn't believe me when he got off the train at the next stop." She was so thankful to Walton Dalton. He may have a terrible name, but he was a good person.

"Oh, he believed you all right, ma'am. Are you all right?" The man was stocky with brown hair. He wore a badge pinned to his
shirt. She was surprised she hadn't noticed the badge earlier.

"I'm fine. Thank you so much. I wasn't expecting anyone to be here waiting for me." Eliza wanted to cry with relief. She could go home. She hoped she could go home at least.

As if he could read her mind, the man said, "We're going to need you to come to the station to give a report, ma'am. Are you up to doing that now, or do you need some time?"

"I just want to go home." She sighed. "If I give the report immediately, can I go home?" She said a silent prayer he'd answer in the affirmative. Nothing sounded as nice as having Calvin's arms wrapped around her.

The man shook his head. "I'm afraid not, ma'am. I'll need you to stay in town until his trial."

Eliza closed her eyes. "How long will that take?"

"Depends on him, ma'am. If he confesses today it'll be over in a matter of hours. If he insists on a lawyer then we could be looking at months."

"I'm expecting. I want to be home with my husband." She looked at Sebastian, all at once angrier with him than she'd ever been. "It wasn't enough that I sang for you for sixteen years? You couldn't let me be happy?" She wanted to kick him and even brought her foot back to do so, but she knew it wasn't the answer.
It would have made her feel better for a minute or two, though.

Sebastian looked at her and their eyes met. "I'll be prosecuted either way. Your sister saw me put a gun to her son's head. I'll sign a statement of confession."

Eliza almost couldn't believe her ears. For once in his life, he was doing the right thing and making things easier for her. "I'll go to the station now and make my statement then. Thank you for making this easier for me." She didn't want to be polite to him, but manners were too ingrained to not thank him.

"The station's just a Five minute walk, just walk over with us, and we'll take your statement. You'll free to go home then." He gripped Sebastian's arm solidly. "I'm Sam Crider, by the way."

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Crider." She was thankful to have a kind man who was helping her.

"It's Sheriff Crider, ma'am." He led the way to a small building that was really less than a five minute walk.

She followed him inside, hating the smell of sweat and stale cigar smoke that assaulted her as she walked in. She made a face as her stomach rumbled thankful she had nothing in her stomach to throw up again. She followed him into a small office and sat down at the table. The smell wasn't quite as bad there.

She went through the questioning process with Sebastian and
Sheriff Crider. It took longer than she would have wanted, but she couldn't refuse to do it and expect Sebastian to still be prosecuted. She wished Calvin were there. At least she knew her sister was safe at the ranch.

*****

Calvin rushed off the train, determined to find his wife. He ran to the first uniformed person he saw, not caring that he was just someone who sold tickets for the trains. "My wife was kidnapped. She's an opera singer, and I believe her kidnapper is going to force her to sing here in town. Can you point me in the direction of where an opera singer would perform?"

The man stared at him blankly for a moment. "I believe she's at the police station, sir. There was a big ruckus and a man was arrested."

"They caught him?" His heart skipped a beat. If they'd caught him then she was safe. He needed to know she was safe.

"If it's the same man. I don't think there have been two kidnapping victims on our trains today." The ticket taker walked toward the small enclosure where he'd put up a sign saying he'd be back in five minutes. "I hope not at least," he muttered.

"Can you tell me how to get to the police station then?" Calvin asked. If Eliza was waiting for him at the police station, he'd be thrilled. He had to find her.

Calvin received his directions, and once he realized how close she was, he broke into a dead run. He threw open the door to the station and looked around for his wife.

"Can I help you with something, sir?" A young man who didn't look old enough to shave more than once a week stood in front of
him.

Calvin nodded. "Yes, I'm trying to find my wife. I was told she may be here. She was kidnapped." He looked around the large room trying to spot her.

"Oh, yes! We all saw her come in. She just left. The sheriff put her up in the Chicago Inn for the night. It's right next door. She's planning on being on the first train back to Missouri in the morning."

Calvin rushed from the station. He looked around and spotted the Chicago Inn and made his way to the front desk. "I believe my wife just checked in here." Hopefully the young man at the station had been right.

"Her name?" The man at the desk looked bored, as if he'd dealt with one too many people that day. He was middle-aged with
a large bald spot on top of his head. What little hair he had was blond.

"Eliza Simpson." Calvin looked around the lobby of the hotel hoping that he would spot his wife. Of course he knew she wouldn't be in the lobby, but he had to try.

"Oh yes, sir. I put her in room thirty-seven." The desk clerk waved his hand. "It's up the stairs and to the right."

"Thank you." Calvin hurried through the hotel and finally stopped at the door his beautiful wife was waiting behind. He knocked and waited.

"Who is it?" Eliza had been through enough. She wasn't ever going to open a door when she didn't know who was behind it again.

"Open the door, sweetheart."

Eliza flung the door open and threw herself into his arms. She'd held up very well through both the kidnapping and the statement she had to make to the police. Now that she was with Calvin, she let loose. She began shaking immediately, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Calvin wrapped his arms around her. "Let's go in."

When she didn't move he bent down and scooped her up in his arms and carried her inside. He laid her gently on the bed and
removed his shoes before following her and lying beside her, holding her tightly. "I'm sorry I couldn't get to you sooner," he whispered.

She sniffled loudly, burying her face in his neck, her hands clinging to his back. "I couldn't do anything. He wouldn't let me out of his sight." She'd never felt so helpless in her life.

Calvin stroked her back, trying his best to soothe her. He'd never had a crying woman in his arms before, and he wasn't entirely certain what to do. "I'm here now. I'm here." Someone should give lessons in how to comfort a crying woman. Why didn't they teach that in school?

Finally she cried herself out and looked at him. "What about Beulah? And Ted and Jack? Are they safe?"

"Yes, they're at the ranch, and the men have organized to guard them twenty four hours per day. They're fine." He wasn't worried about her family. She was safe, and that was what mattered to him.

She used the back of her arm to indelicately wipe all the tears from her face. "Have you found her a husband yet?"

He let out a bark of laughter. "I decided to wait with that until I got you back. We'll do it together." He pressed a kiss atop her head. "We'll find one for her soon."

Eliza said nothing else as she settled into his arms, and after a minute or two he realized she was asleep. They'd be on the first train home the following day, and she'd get to see for herself that her sister was safe. He hated that she'd gone through so much without him beside her. Never again would she be left alone.

*****

When they pulled into the train station in Pudville, Eliza let out a sigh of relief. The long train ride had left her exhausted. She couldn't keep anything in her stomach when the train moved. She wished there was a restaurant in town, but there wasn't. She'd go home and cook for them.

"I left my horse at the livery, so if you don't mind riding double again we can go straight home." Calvin eyed her carefully. She looked like she was about to fall over.

Once he had his horse saddled and had mounted it, he leaned down to help her up, grasping her wrist so she could put her foot atop his in the stirrup. He settled her back against him, riding slowly so she could sleep.

When they arrived home, Eliza hurried to the house as he cared for his horse and put him in the stable.

She opened the door, having noticed a light in the kitchen. Beulah was at the work table whipping up batter for pancakes. "I hope you're making enough for all of us," she said. She was so thankful she wouldn't have to cook, she had no words to express it. She'd done altogether too little sleeping and too much vomiting since the last time she'd been in her home.

Beulah set the bowl down before moving across the room and throwing herself at her sister. "You're safe! I was so worried. Thank God you're all right."

Eliza smiled, clinging to Beulah. "Thank a man named Walton Dalton I met on the train." She watched her sister's face as she said the name.

"Walton Dalton? Are you serious?" Beulah stepped back shaking her head. "I'm going to finish cooking. You sit at the table and tell me all about Walton Dalton. I hope he was the fifteenth child, and his parents had just run out of names."

"Isn't it awful?" Eliza sat down, resting her head on one elbow. If she wasn't so hungry she'd go straight to bed, but she knew she needed food first. She'd been up all night throwing up on the train.

She briefly told the story of how she'd run into Walton Dalton on the train and what he'd done for her. "Sebastian stopped me before I could quiz him about his name." She knew she'd always
wonder about it. How could a parent do that to a child?

"Well, it would have been rude, so I'm glad Sebastian stopped you." Beulah poured eight perfect round pancakes onto the skillet she'd heated. "I'm so thankful he listened to you and telegraphed the authorities."

"I was surprised to see so many men watching us in Chicago.
I just ducked into the outhouse, and by the time I got out they'd arrested Sebastian. I'd have come straight home, but they needed me to make a statement. And I needed to eat and sleep. The train and the baby combined did not do well for me." She didn't describe her nausea, but she knew her sister would understand what she meant.

"Baby? You're expecting?" Beulah spun and looked at her sister, forgetting the pancakes for a moment. You're really carrying?"

Eliza smiled and nodded. "I really am. You're going to be an auntie." Her hand went automatically to her belly as it always did when the baby was mentioned. She wasn't certain why she did that, but it seemed the most natural thing to do.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Beulah turned back just in time to flip the pancakes. "Is your stomach all right now? Can you eat?"

"I'm famished. Thank you for cooking for us."

"Is Calvin with you?" Beulah asked with surprise. "He left for
Chicago, but I wasn't sure how he'd find you in a city that big."

"Yes, they told him at the police station where I was staying." Eliza yawned as Beulah put a plate with four pancakes on it in front of her. The butter and maple syrup were already there. She quickly added the toppings and said a silent prayer. "They're delicious. You need to help me learn to make pancakes like you do. I have a recipe for the batter, but I always make them look funny when I try to flip them." She could never get the hang of doing it the way Beulah did. She loved her sister, but Beulah always made her feel inept in the kitchen.

"Oh, it hadn't occurred to me that you're cooking now. How's that going for you?" Beulah's eyes were twinkling as she poured eight more pancakes.

Eliza swallowed the bite her in mouth while glaring at her sister. "I try. I can out-sing you any day, big sister."

"I know you can! I was always relieved to be better than you at something!" Beulah's voice turned serious. "How long are we going to be able to stay with you? There's room now, but once the baby is born, we'll need to be gone."

"We'll find you a husband quickly. The men in this town are all desperate for wives. You'll have your pick of them, I'm sure." She couldn't wait to see her sister happy again. Now that she was
happily married, she wanted to see the whole world matched up and as happy as she was.

"A widow with two sons? I think you're overestimating my charms as well as the desperation of the men here in town." Beulah piled the pancakes on a plate and hurriedly poured more.

Calvin walked into the house and took the plate Beulah had made for him, taking the seat across from his wife. 'Thanks," he muttered. "Who's been milking the cow?"

Beulah turned to her new brother-in-law really seeing him for the first time. She'd been too distraught when they met to notice anything about him. "Ted has. He and jack have been working hard to do everything they should to keep the ranch going while you're gone. They love it here. We all appreciate you taking us in this way."

Calvin swallowed the bite he'd just taken and sat back. "Well, we'll make sure they end up with a good father then. I know several men who would do just about anything to marry a woman like you." He loved the woman's cooking, but he wanted to be in his house alone with his bride again soon.

Beulah frowned. "I'm plump and have two boys. Who would want me?"

"Half the men in town at least. I don't think you have any idea
how scarce women are around here." He took a sip of the coffee Beulah put in front of him. "We'll introduce you around at church on Sunday, and I'll be surprised if you don't have at least four
offers
to court that day if not a marriage proposal or two."

Eliza yawned again, pushing the last of her food away from her. "I'm done. I'm going to go on up to bed and sleep for a
couple
of hours." She looked over at her sister. "Would you be sure to wake me before eleven? That way I'll have time to fix lunch."

Beulah shook her head. "I'll fix lunch. I'll wake you at noon to
eat."

Eliza was too tired to argue. She undressed and climbed into bed, not caring how long she slept. She and the baby both needed to catch up.