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“Lucretia won fair and square.”
“And my name is Matilda.”
She laughed. “Let’s go find Anna so we can eat.”
There was grilled corn, baked beans, and lots of chicken, ribs, steaks, and Spring’s special pork link sausage. Dessert was courtesy of the Paradise Ladies Society and between the funds brought in by the horseshoe tournament and the desserts they had a good start on their dream to build a beautiful new school.
As dusk fell, everyone began settling in for the fireworks and Colt went to find Anna so she could watch with her family. For most of the day, the children had been playing on their own, and after dinner had gone back to their fun. She and Colt, like the other parents, had looked up every now and then to make sure they were okay. But Colt was gone so long Regan began to worry.
She searched the crowded field and finally saw him talking to Livy’s mother, Julia. Beside them stood her husband, Paul, her parents, and Livy. Even from her distant spot, Regan saw it was an earnest conversation and knew instinctively something was wrong. She did a frantic search of the crowd for Anna’s face but didn’t see her. She made her way through the throng as quickly as she could to find out what had happened.
“Anna left with Minnie a few minutes ago,” he said, visibly upset.
Regan was certain she’d misunderstood him. “What?”
Julia explained, “She told Anna she had a surprise for Shadow that you and Mr. Lee wanted Anna to have and they had to leave quickly.”
Regan’s knees went weak.
Julia said, “Dr. Lee just told me why I shouldn’t have allowed her to go, but I didn’t know Minnie was a threat. She’s her aunt, and Anna didn’t balk. I’m so sorry, I love Anna like my own. If anything happens to her...” Tears flowed down her cheeks. Her husband took her into his arms.
Regan rubbed her back. “It’s okay, Julia. We’ll find her. Don’t worry.”
“It’s going to be dark soon,” Colt said. “Regan, get the wagon. I’ll find Whit and gather a search party.”
She ran.
Everyone volunteered to help search and went out in small groups. When Julia was asked which way the buggy had gone, she said east, but it was impossible to know if they were still traveling in that direction. She also said there was a man driving but the buggy’s canopy was raised so she hadn’t gotten a clear look at his face. Whit and Odell hurried off to send a telegram to alert the sheriffs in both Laramie and Cheyenne in case Minnie tried to board the eastbound train.
When it became too dark to see well, the search was called off. After receiving reassurances and prayers from their neighbors, Regan and Colt reluctantly headed home. With any luck Minnie and the mystery would be foiled by the darkness, too, and be forced to hole up somewhere until dawn.
As they entered the house, they worried that Minnie might somehow succeed in escaping with Anna and they’d never see their daughter again. Guilt ate at them, too.
“If I hadn’t been distracted by the bake sale cleanup, maybe I could’ve stopped her.”
“And if I hadn’t been tending to Chauncey Miller’s sprained ankle, I might have been able to step in, too.” Miller injured himself during one of the sack races.
“Poor Julia. If we’re wrestling with guilt I can only imagine how she feels.”
He nodded and eased her into his arms. “We’ll find her.” He kissed her brow. “Go on to bed.”
She left and went to their room. He doused the lamps and joined her.
Neither of them slept.
At dawn, they wearily drank their coffee and were outside walking to their mounts when they stopped at the sight of the wagon rolling slowly in their direction. It was Ben and on the seat beside him wrapped in what looked like a bearskin was Anna! Paying little attention to the buggy and team trailing the wagon, they took off at a run. Regan could barely see through her grateful tears. Colt got there first and swung her off the seat and into his arms. Anna held on tight and Colt rocked her with joy. He then eyed her like a doctor. “Are you all right? Are you hurt anyplace?”
“No, Papa. Vermin choked Minnie and then he got eaten by One Eye!”
They froze.Vermin?Regan instantly thought of Dun Bailey. Had he been involved?
Ben said, “Minnie’s body’s in the buggy. Regan, take Anna inside.”
Colt put Anna down and rounded the wagon to the buggy. Regan turned to the familiar-looking vehicle. “Isn’t that Colleen’s?”
Ben said quietly, “Go on, Regan. You take care of Anna. Colt and I will be in shortly.”
Setting aside her many questions, Regan picked Anna up and carried her towards the porch. “I’m so glad to see you,” she said, hugging her child tightly. She was so grateful Anna was safe. “Are you hungry?”
