Lizzie woke up secure in Trace’s arms. She looked at her husband, and her heart melted all over again. She loved him. Such a surprise as she had questioned if it was possible for her to love anyone.
The sun wasn’t up yet but teased the horizon letting the world know it wouldn’t be long. Quietly, she slipped from Trace’s arms and dressed. She’d make him his favorite breakfast. Eggs and bacon with toast sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
The house was quiet. Blue must have been asleep. That girl, she was so full of life and blossoming like a rosebud. Lizzie couldn’t dream of a better life for her. Everything was so perfect.
A chill crept up her spine.
She tried to shake it off, but it remained as if something wanted to ruin her delightful new life. Why? She’d had enough hard times in her life, and Blue had seen enough of the world’s backhand to last anyone a lifetime.
But the feeling wouldn’t go away. Lizzie sank to her knees and prayed, asking God to watch out for them. To guard Blue and keep her safe. Lizzie asked for the Lord to protect the new love that she and Trace had found last night.
Tears streamed down her face. The more she prayed, the more she feared for her family. “Please don’t let it all be taken from me.”
She didn’t think Kiley would cause any more problems. But she couldn’t shake the feeling something was dreadfully wrong.
A noise from the bedroom told her Trace was coming. She peeked around the corner and smiled at him, hoping her fretful feelings would end. They didn’t. If anything, they increased.
Trace smiled at her. “How are you this morning, darling?”
She ran into his arms. “I’m afraid. Hold me.”
“Of what?”
“I don’t know. Something is wrong. I feel it.”
“You’re not sick—”
“No, no. Last night was wonderful. I love you, Trace. I’m so afraid it will all end.”
He held her close and caressed her hair, comforting her as if she were a frightened child. “Everything is all right. Nothing is going to happen to us. I’ll protect you and Blue.”
She didn’t say anything. The dark clouds over her heart were too ominous.
Trace held her away from him and put a hand under her chin, lifting her head to face him. “Lizzie, I don’t care what it is. We’ll face it together. We’re no longer alone. We have each other and the Lord. Late last night, after you fell asleep, I asked the Lord into my heart. We’re not alone because we have the Lord to trust.”
She nodded.
“Your bacon is burning.”
“Oh,” She bolted from his arms and ran into the kitchen. He was right. What had been four pieces of bacon were now blackened remnants of unrecognizable meat. “I’m so sorry. Maybe my bad feelings were about my cooking.”
He laughed. “Should I get Blue?”
“No, let her sleep.” Lizzie looked at him. “I’d like to look at my husband without answering fifty questions this morning.”
Trace laughed. “You should have seen me when I found her. Even the horse looked like he wanted to close his ears.”
Lizzie grinned and felt better. It had to have been the bacon. At least she hadn’t started a fire and burned down the cabin.
***
Trace left Lizzie in the house and went to do the chores. Little Bit must have been tired because the sun was up now. Still, it was early morning. But the girl loved those chickens so much that he was surprised she wasn’t out to see if they had laid any eggs yet.
He watered the chickens and fed them. No eggs yet, but he was sure there soon would be. Trace wanted Blue to find the first eggs anyway. The longer the morning went on, and Blue didn’t come running out of the house, he became uneasy.
Trace prayed she wasn’t sick. He was almost to the barn when he heard Lizzie scream.
Dropping the water buckets, he ran for the cabin and took the steps to the porch in two giant leaps. He ran inside the cabin and shouted. “Lizzie?”
She came running out of the big bedroom with a piece of paper in her hands. “Trace, we have to find her. Hurry.”
He stopped Lizzie and took the paper. It was in Blue’s writing. He held Lizzie and read the note.
I’ve taken Charger back to Colorado to give him to the sheriff. This way, they won’t hang Trace. Frank stole a horse, and he was hanged. I can’t let that happen to Trace. I’ll be back when I’m done. I can do this for you, Mama, and for Trace.
I love you both,
Blue Irene Logan
Trace’s heart beat crazily. “I’ll save her.”
“I’m going with you.” Lizzie clung to him. “I can’t let you go alone. What if the sheriff does want to hang you?”
“I’ll have to take that chance.”
“I’m going. That’s my daughter out there. I left her to chance too many times in her young life. I owe her.”
Trace nodded. “We’ll find her before she gets very far. Pack a few things, get the bedrolls ready, and saddlebags with food. I’m going to ask Jesse to go with me. He’s our sheriff. It might help to have some law with me.”
Lizzie nodded. “She must have heard us talking after Kiley came after me.”
“We’ll get her back. I’m going to go talk to Jesse and maybe Judd and Morgan.”
“You think they’d go with you?”
“Maybe, we’re friends. We have a stake in making each other’s ranches prosper.” Trace wasn’t really sure. His friends were busy with their own lives. But for Blue, he’d ask for help.
He went in the barn and saw that Blue had turned out the horses. Charger’s saddle and bridle were gone. Smart kid, she knew they’d follow her. She must have left sometime in the night.
Trace left the barn and went to the house.
Lizzie met him at the door. “One of the bedrolls is missing. There’s also food missing from the pantry.”
“She planned it well. She turned out the horses but must have taken Charger and his saddle and bridle.”
Trace ran to the cabinet where they kept the guns. “She took the rifle too. Blue is intent on clearing my name.”
“There’s money missing, too.”
“It’s a long walk to the next ranch. You stay here in case she changes her mind or one of the horses come back.”
Lizzie nodded. “I’m so worried.”
“We’re going to have to trust the Lord to watch over her. But you can take comfort in knowing that she’s one smart girl. She’s a good rider, too.” He wasn’t sure if he was comforting Lizzie or himself. “I better get started.”
He grabbed a canteen and was relieved to see that three were missing. “Good girl. You take care of yourself, Blue.”
The sun lifted over the trees and warmed the day. Trace walked as fast as he could but knew he had a long trek in front of him. His ranch was in the far northwest corner of the ranch. Granger’s land was between Trace’s and Morgan’s.
So, Trace headed south. Prayed he’d get there in time to start out today but had a sinking feeling they wouldn’t be able to get started until tomorrow. He stopped along a creek and dipped his hat in the cool water, pouring it over himself.
Thinking of the girl all alone, he knelt and prayed for her. Prayed that the Lord he’d just met would watch out for Blue and protect her. A faint ember of hope flamed in his heart. He’d hang onto the hope.
With each step, he believed he was going to find her.