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Otto stopped laughing.

“He was about to force himself on Sadie because she said no, so yeah, it was an accident, but it was one I don’t regret.”

Otto’s breath came fast and heavy as his nostrils flared and his fists clenched. “Bitch should’ve known a good thing when she had it.”

It may have been the headwound, or it may have been the stress of the situation, but Doyle felt as surprised as Otto looked when his fist hit the brute’s cheekbone and launched him down into the mud at their feet.

Doyle kicked the gun out of reach and straddled the giant of a man, pounding fists into his face as Otto’s hands scrabbled at his shirt, fingers digging into flesh.

“Stop!”

The voice wasn’t Teddy’s. It was Sadie. Doyle obeyed immediately, looking around for her. Otto caught him with an uppercut to the chin, and Doyle’s vision blacked as he flew backward once again onto the ground.

When the world came into focus, Doyle found himself on Sadie’s bed. His wet clothes were gone, and he was tucked in a blanket, but his head throbbed the second he tried to move. He groaned in response and went to touch his scalp only to find his hands tied to the bedposts with rope.

“Sadie!” he yelled, kicking with his feet and nearly uncovering his nakedness in the process. He ignored the pain in his temples and chin as panic overtook him.

Moments after his outburst, the door opened and in walked Caroline, hair loose and wild. She leaned against the doorframe, folding her arms across her chest, and regarded him.

Doyle froze, completely aware of how much of him was showing.

“Look who’s up,” she said. “If it was up to me, you’d be dead in a ditch. But you know, that lady friend of yours has grown on me. I like her spunk.”

“What’ve you done with her?” Doyle demanded, pulling hard against his bonds, which cut painfully into his wrists.

Caroline giggled. “Calm down. She’s fine and so is the kid.”

“Then why tie me up?” he asked, settling back on the pillow.

“Insurance. I can’t have you turning me in. So it looks like you’ll be staying here in 1888 with me. Well, not with me.” She stood up straight and meandered over to the bed to bend over his face and smooth back some hair, making him wince. “I’m guessing you’ll be jailed or hung when Amos gets to you. There’s even a body out there to pin on you. Convenient.”

“What happened to Otto?” Doyle asked, everything flooding back in vicious clarity.

Caroline shrugged. “He’s agreed to cooperate. Money can be a much greater motivator than violence. Besides, as I pointed out to him, it’s merely delayed gratification. I just need him to wait ‘til Sadie’s gone.”

“What’ve you done with her and Teddy?” Doyle demanded again, more forcefully. This time when he tugged, the bed groaned in response.

“I’m right here, Wally,” Sadie’s soft voice answered from the doorway.

Doyle waited, breathing erratically as Caroline moved away and Sadie’s face replaced hers. When she smoothed his hair back, he didn’t flinch. He couldn’t speak as she looked down at him with such regret in her warm, forest-colored eyes.

“I’m sorry, Wally. I have to do what’s best for me and Teddy. You were truthful all along when you said you couldn’t stay. But either way, if you leave, I have nothing left. We have to go to your time if we’re going to make it.”

His time? That was a possibility that had never occurred to Wally. It wouldn’t work. It couldn’t. Not with the Watcher on board. No way they’d allow it.

“Where’s my vest?” Doyle asked.

Sadie’s brow wrinkled, but she answered. “It’s waiting on the back porch to get washed.”

“Go get it. Please.”

Sadie disappeared from view for a good minute or more but returned with the filthy piece of clothing, caked in mud.

“Good. Now reach in the inside pocket.”

Though she huffed, Sadie did as he instructed. A little gasp escaped her when she realized the envelope she held was the deed to the ranch.

“Read it,” Doyle said, trying not to be so angry. He reminded himself that she was only trying to save her son.

Sadie’s fingers shook as she fumbled with the paper. Her eyes widened and then she took a step back, shocked. “It’s in my name.”

Doyle nodded, waiting for her to meet his gaze. “It’s why I asked you to leave that day at the land office. I always meant to give it to you. The ranch is yours, Sadie. You have full autonomy.”

“Very touching,” Caroline said, coming into view as well as Sadie studied Doyle like the paper in her hand. “But it changes nothing for you unless Sadie wants to stay. We can leave you tied up until I take off, whether she leaves or not.”

They both looked to Sadie.

“You have to let me go,” Doyle said, carefully. “I want to be with you, Sadie. I want it more than anything, but I can’t, and you know I can’t.”

A tear dropped from Sadie’s eye to the paper in her hand. “I know. Nothing changes.” She looked at Caroline, her face hardening with purpose. “The plan goes forward.” She tucked the deed in her bosom.

Caroline smiled. “Great. Then let’s get a move on. When they find him missing from jail, they’ll be on their way here first. Put on the most comfortable clothing you have. Whatever allows ease of movement, and take only what’s necessary.”

“Wait,” Doyle said, getting their attention before they left the room. “What about the Watcher. If you’re caught…”

“I won’t get caught,” Sadie said and marched from the room.