LONG WAY HOME Page 5
“Don’t give up yet. Remember your sisters escaped and went for help. Darrick and his men will be on their way by now. They may arrive any minute.”
“They’ll never get here in time to save us.”
Jeff turned on Parmelia. “What are you and your little friend talking about?”
Parmelia confessed, “We were wishing the Yankees would arrive.”
Jeff slapped her. If she hadn’t seen the blow coming and braced herself, it would have toppled her and Sarah.
“Your mother was a lady, Jeff. I hardly think that’s how she taught you to treat women.”
“That’s how my daddy taught me to treat them. Especially liars like you. Those Yankees aren’t going to rescue you, Parmelia dear. They’re still bumping into each other like clowns in a circus, trying to figure out where we are.”
He strutted in a circle around Parmelia and Sarah. “I’m smarter than any Yankee ever born. I go my way, taking what I please, and they can’t catch me. They’ll never catch me.” He looked around the camp. “Isn’t that right, men?”
A chorus of “Yes” and “You’re right” sounded from the six men left. No one looked at the dead man.
Jeff opened his mouth to speak, then dropped like a felled tree.
Darrick stepped forward and announced, “Hands up. You’re all under arrest.” He stuffed a slingshot into his pocket and hurried to Jeff while the Yankees herded the rest of Jeff’s gang. Darrick tied Jeff’s hands behind the man’s back, then removed a knife and another gun from him. When he was satisfied Jeff no longer presented a threat, Darrick untied Parmelia and Sarah.
Both girls hugged Darrick, then stepped back.
Parmelia rubbed her arms where the ropes had cut in. “I knew you’d come, Darrick, but I admit I was getting a little worried about your timing. Jeff had just shot that man because they disagreed over Sarah.”
In spite of her faith in Darrick, she was weak from her ordeal. She had feared it would be morning before he and his men arrived. She and Sarah would likely not have survived the night. Remembering all the experiences Jeff promised her, she shivered.
Darrick removed his jacket and placed it around her shoulders. “We saw what happened. I’m sorry you had to witness that.”
Sarah sobbed with relief. “I thought we were going to die, and I’d never see Matt again.”
One of Darrick’s men gave his jacket to Sarah.
“You’ll see him sooner than you thought.” Darrick guided the girls toward horses. “He’s in Witherspoon.”
“He’s there now?” Sarah cried.
“Matt’s home? Are Papa and Riley and Grandpa with him?” Parmelia asked.
“Hold on. Matt was captured and ended up near Chicago. He heard about Lawson and escaped. He walked here through unbearable conditions to warn you.” He looked at Parmelia. “Sorry, I don’t know anything about your other kin.”
Parmelia was disappointed, but at least she knew Matt was safe. “How bad off is he?”
“Wounded in the shoulder. It’s bad from neglect. Doctor will have worked on him by now. Matt’s feet were in terrible shape. Walked barefoot from Illinois.”
Both girls cried out their distress at the news of Matt’s condition.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take you to him. Your mothers are with him now.”
“That was your slingshot you used on Jeff, wasn’t it?” Parmelia asked.
“Worked for David with Goliath, why not on Lawson?”
“You always were good with that thing.” Parmelia said as Darrick helped her onto a horse. “I remember you used to hit squirrels with it when you were a kid.”
“He had his gun drawn. We feared he’d shoot you if he knew we were there.” He handed Sarah onto another horse. “Lawson was a lot easier to hit than a squirrel.”
Lawson’s victim was across one saddle. Some of his men rode double to free up horses for her and Sarah. After their kidnapping, she’d been forced to ride with Jeff while Sarah rode with the man called Simpson. She shivered again at the memory. She was sure she’d have nightmares of this day’s trouble for a long time.
They reached town and headed for the jail next door to the town hall. No sooner had they halted, than Katie and Nancy rushed to greet them, followed by Mama, Grammy, and Mrs. Hardeman.
Darrick’s men turned over the criminals to other soldiers who rushed to offer assistance.
When the reunion was complete, Sarah returned the coat to its owner then pushed through her family. “I have to see Matt.”
Mama hugged Parmelia again. “We just received permission to move him to the house. That Yankee colonel is very considerate. He’s having four of his men carry the cot so Matt doesn’t have to move a muscle to get home.”
Webster touched Darrick’s shoulder. “Captain, we may have a problem.”
Darrick and Parmelia turned. Most of the town’s people gathered in the street. Solemn faces greeted them. She hoped the citizens hadn’t come to riot against Darrick and his men.
Grammy patted Darrick’s arm. “Katie and Nancy made the rounds of downtown and a few streets of houses. Told everyone they saw that one of our own boys was going to save Parmelia and Sarah.”
Katie said, “Yeah, and we told them that if you failed, Jeff Lawson would be back to burn the town after he killed Parmelia and Sarah.”
Grammy smiled up at Darrick. “I think everyone’s here to thank you.”
“That we are.” Mr. Brendan stepped forward and offered his hand to Darrick.
One by one, many of the townspeople came forward to shake hands with him and with his men. Even grumpy old Mrs. Findley came toward him. “I hope you plan to stay here in Witherspoon when this War of Northern Aggression is over. Always thought a lot of your family.”
As she walked away, Darrick looked at Webster and winked. “I’ll be damned if I ever thought this day would come.”
Parmelia and Webster laughed.
Webster said, “From the way you and Miss Bailey have been making calf eyes at one another, I reckon you’ll settle here.”
The heat of a blush spread across Parmelia’s face. Was she so obvious?
Darrick hugged her shoulders. “Have to admit it fits with my plans.”
“Does it really?” Parmelia asked. Did she dare hope?
Four soldiers passed carrying Matt on a cot.
Mama and Grammy and the Hardemans trailed behind the soldiers. Mrs. Hardeman’s waspish voice drifted back as she offered advice.
Rob came up to Darrick. “Thanks for saving my sister. She’s a real pest sometimes, but I don’t wanna lose her.”
Darrick smiled at the boy. “I know what you mean, Rob. I have two sisters myself.”
“Two?” Rob looked horrified.
Parmelia tugged at Darrick’s sleeve. “You didn’t answer. Do you plan to settle here after the war?”
“Settling down in Witherspoon sounds great.”
“If you planned to come back, why didn’t you write to me?”
He looked surprised. “Thought it was settled. I promised you I’d come for you as soon as I could.”
She fisted her hands at her waist. “Four years, Darrick. Not one word.”
He had the good grace to look embarrassed. “At first, there was nothing to say. I had no money and lots of responsibility to tend to. Once Ma and the girls were settled and it looked like I could come, the war broke out.”
“So you enlisted.”
“That’s right. Wasn’t much choice for an able-bodied man.”
Her irritation at his failure to communicate flared. “So, you think you can ignore me for four years and then just pop up and expect me to fall into your arms?”
“I know I don’t deserve a wonderful woman like you.”
She threw up her hands. “Oh, you know just how to get around me.” Taking a calming breath, she asked, “Do you really plan to settle here?”
He cupped her face with one hand. “That is, if you’ll marry me.”
“Maybe
we could take a stroll and discuss it.” Although she could have danced, she laid her hand sedately on his arm.
Darrick smiled down at her, and his dark eyes twinkled. “Just a moment.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a length of blue ribbon. “I bought this for you. Looks like a good time to give it to you.”
She smiled back at him. Suddenly remembering her appearance, she touched her hair. Dear Lord, it hung in tangled strands around her face. She looked down at her torn and filthy dress. “On second thought, now that you’ve seen me at my worst, you may want to reconsider your proposal.”
He slid the ribbon under her hair and tied a bow on top of her head. His strong hands gently caressed her cheeks. “No woman on earth could be more beautiful than you, Parmelia Bailey. Shall we?” He led her down the steps.
Most of the crowd had dispersed. The few people remaining gave way for the couple.
Rob kept up with them. “Where we going?”
Parmelia said, “Darrick and I have a lot to talk about. We’re walking home slowly. But you, Rob, are going to hurry home and help Grammy.”
“Awww, rats,” he complained as he walked away. “I never get to hear anything good.”
She called, “Tell her Darrick’s staying for supper.”
Darrick stopped to pull her into his arms. His lips brushed hers tentatively, then his kiss deepened. Her spirits soared, as if she might float on the breeze. Anchoring herself to Darrick, she slid her arms around him.
From down the street, catcalls and whistles failed to embarrass her—she didn’t care who knew she loved Darrick and he loved her. She raised her head for another kiss.
When they broke their embrace, he said, “It took me a long time, but I’m here to stay.”
“What about the Army?” she asked. “Although, I’ll be happy to make my home wherever you are, Darrick.”
“Everyone agrees this war’s almost over. When I accepted this mission, I asked General Grant if I could remain here for the duration of my service. He agreed, as long as I stopped Lawson.”
“Oh, Darrick, that’s wonderful news.”
He put his arm around her waist and guided her toward her grandparents’ house. “Let’s go check on Matt, shall we? He and I have both taken the long road home.”
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Read Caroline’s western historical titles:
The Most Unsuitable Wife, Kincaids book one
The Most Unsuitable Husband, Kincaids book two
The Most Unsuitable Courtship, Kincaids book three
Gabe Kincaid, Kincaids book four
Brazos Bride, Men of Stone Mountain book one
Buy the Audiobook here
High Stakes Bride, Men of Stone Mountain book two
Buy the Audiobook here
Bluebonnet Bride, Men of Stone Mountain book three
Tabitha’s Journey, a Stone Mountain mail-order bride novella
The Texan’s Irish Bride, McClintocks book one
Save Your Heart For Me, a western adventure novella
Happy Is The Bride, a sweet humorous wedding novella
Long Way Home, a sweet Civil War adventure novella
Caroline’s Time Travel
Out Of The Blue, 1845 Irish lass comes forward to today
Caroline’s Contemporary Titles
Be My Guest, mildly sensual
Snowfires, sensual
Home Sweet Texas Home, Texas Home book one (sweet)
Finding My Texas Home, Texas Home book two (June 2014)
Caroline’s Mysteries:
Almost Home, a Link Dixon mystery
Digging For Death, a Heather Cameron cozy mystery
Take Advantage of Bargain Boxed Sets:
Men of Stone Mountain: Brazos Bride, High Stakes Bride,
Bluebonnet Bride
Hearts and Flowers: Save Your Heart For Me, Happy Is The Bride, Long Way Home
10 Timeless Heroes, time travels include Out Of The Blue and novels by Sky Purington, Skhye Moncreif, Donna Michaels, Beth Trissel, P. L. Parker, L. L. Muir, Linda LaRoque, and Nancy Lee Badger
Nine Ways To Fall In Love includes The Texan’s Irish Bride with other novels by Anna Jeffrey, Beth Trissel, Carra Copelin, DeLaine Roberts, Geri Foster, Jacquie Rogers, Kathy Ivan, and Paty Jager
Rawhide n’ Roses 2,000 word short stories by fifteen western authors introduce Readers to their voice and style
About the Author
Caroline Clemmons loves writing romance and mystery. Her previous novels received excellent reviews, one of which, The Most Unsuitable Husband, was a Top Pick from Romantic Times. A finalist for awards including the National Reader’s Choice and the Holt Medallion, she loves writing romances about the late 1800s. The anthology in which this novella appeared was a 2009 EPIC Award Finalist.
Caroline’s fascination with family lore, and her interest in history, naturally transitioned to a love of writing historical romances. Long Way Home was very loosely based on events in her family’s history in Northwest Georgia. Although she loves reading and writing historical novels, she also writes contemporary settings. When she’s not writing, Caroline enjoys spending time with her husband and their two daughters, reading, travel, antique mall browsing, oil painting, and playing bridge (but only with people who don’t take the game too seriously).
Caroline and her Hero husband are living Happily-Ever-After in true Texas cowboy country. They share their home with a menagerie of rescued pets that include two cats—Max the Manx cat and Sebastian the black and white tuxedo ,and two dogs: their sweet black ShihTzu, Webster, and the mixed breed puppy Bridget.
Caroline loves to hear from readers at: http://www.carolineclemmons.com and through her email at mailto: caroline@carolineclemmons.com.