I worked on fixing one of the posts in my vegetable garden that had been pushed over by someone or something. I hoped it was a wild something and not a human something. Someone might have wandered this way, looking for a bite to eat out of a garden near a house. I hoped it was just that and not a man hiding out here looking for his wife. I don't know when Avery will be back, but I am hoping it will be soon.
It wasn't long before William had come riding up on the horse he had bought from Avery for his own. I looked up and saw he looked like something was wrong. I quickly put my hammer down, and ran out the gate to where he was dismounting.
"What is wrong William?"
"He's got her!"
"Who? Got who?"
"Lola! She is gone! I knew he'd get her!"
"What happened? I thought Lola was with you."
"She was. I went to the blacksmith to bring back the horses that he had shoed. She was in the office when I left. When I got back, the furniture was overturned and my gun was gone. So was Lola! I saw blood on the floor and don't rightly know what happened."
"Are you sure it was her husband?"
"Yes, Tad Arnold was across the gully near the barn and he said he saw a man who matched her husband's description. I am sure it was Addison. Who else would be after Lola? Fighting to get her?" He tied his horse to the hitching post, and headed toward the house.
"Where are you going?"
"I am going to get my other gun. I intend to kill Clint Addison this time when I catch him."
"Wait William! Did you notify the marshal?"
"He's nowhere to be seen, as usual. I can handle this better than that no good drunkard."
I followed William into the house. He went upstairs and I put together a bag of food for him to carry with him. I knew this is what Avery would do in his place. If Avery was here, he'd be going with him.
After William was gone, I sat in the chair on the porch holding Samuel thinking about Lola. She lived a whole different life before she came here. I tried to imagine her married to this man I pictured in my mind. A man who treated her like a whore and servant. Poor Lola. Then to have a man such as William, to completely love her and treat her like a queen. Now he was risking his life to save her's.
I picked up Samuel and headed inside after hearing Benjamin waking up from his nap. I better get the children tended to, and start some supper in case William came back with Lola in a few hours. Or in case Avery came home early. I had to keep busy or I'd go crazy with worry.
"Please God, protect my loved ones tonight. Please do not let this man hurt Lola or William. Bring them back safely. And of course, Lord, please keep my husband safe and in your sight at all times. In Jesus's name, I ask it all. Amen."
Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole
All Photographs Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole
Updated 2016
Updated 2016
