The Enchanted Land Read online

  Seth could swear he saw a look of triumph in Adam’s eyes. He left the room, closing the door behind him.

  Dinner was a lonely meal. Seth stared at his plate. He’d sworn to wait for her even if it took years, but he couldn’t stand by and let her ruin her life and their son’s as well. What was he going to do?

  He especially didn’t like what she was doing to his son. The little boy he’d grown to love and the whining tyrant upstairs were two entirely different people.

  Colter, he thought, you’ve stood back too long. There’s only so much a man can take before he has to assert himself.

  Upstairs, he decided not to go to the nursery again. He wanted to see no more of what he’d seen today. He lay awake a long time, thinking. It wasn’t an easy plan he came up with, but it was a necessary one.

  In the morning, he went back to the nursery. Morgan was asleep. She looked worse than he remembered. He kissed her cheek and she jumped, awake instantly.

  “Did you sleep well?”

  “Adam had a restless night.”

  “Poor boy. How is he feeling this morning?”

  “I think he’s better, but I’m never sure. It’s such a chore to get him to eat now. Roselle is making crullers today, and I hope I can coax him to eat at least one.”

  Seth smiled at her. “Would you like to join me for breakfast?”

  “No, I ought to stay with Adam. He might need something.”

  “You’re right, dear, he may need something.”

  Morgan returned his smile. She was grateful for his understanding.

  He kissed her cheek again. “I may be late tonight I’m sure there are a lot of things to do on the ranch.” He watched as Morgan wiped Adam’s brow. The older man squinted his eyes in threat to his son and he could have sworn he saw the hint of a dimple. In the hallway, he chuckled to himself. At least his son wasn’t ignorant. Adam was playing a good thing for all it was worth. The problem was Morgan.

  Seth spent the day organizing men, assigning work crews, and arranging plans. When he got to the house, everything was dark and everyone was in bed. Roselle got up when she heard Seth in the kitchen.

  “Mr. Colter, I’ve kept food warm for you.”

  “Roselle, I hate to do this to you. I know it’s late, but could you wake Martin? I have something rather important to discuss with you.”

  It was very late when the three of them finally got to bed. As Seth sank into the soft mattress, he smiled. He felt better than he had in a long time. Everything was ready. He did not look forward to this. He hated himself, but it had to be done.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  WHEN Morgan awoke on the cot, Adam was still sleeping. She was tired, but the minor aches she felt were worth it if Adam was well again. She couldn’t forget those horrible days when he’d been so ill, so near death. She’d gladly give up part of her life to keep him well, to protect him from further illness. It was her fault that Adam had been so sick. If she had not given him so much freedom, he would never have been so ill.

  Something was wrong in the house—it was too quiet. People were usually stirring by now. Roselle could be heard in the kitchen, and Carol always brought breakfast upstairs for the two of them. Adam opened his eyes and moaned. She flew to his side. Always, in those first few seconds, she fought a rising panic.

  “Are you hungry, baby? Eat?” She pantomimed the last word.

  Adam nodded curtly, his lower lip extended in a pout.

  “Carol is late this morning.” She went to the door and looked out. The hall was empty. “I can’t imagine where everyone is.” She called for Roselle and Carol but there was no answer. “Adam, sweet, mommy must leave you for just a few seconds. You rest and I’ll be right back.”

  She opened the bedroom doors next to Adam’s room. The rooms were all empty She stopped at the top of the stairs and called again. There was still no answer. She ran back to Adam’s room. “Mommy has to go downstairs. She’ll be back very soon.” She kissed his forehead. Where was everyone? How could they desert her and a very sick little boy? There was also fear. It started at the nape of her neck and moved down her spine.

  The dining room was empty. She knew Seth always ate breakfast downstairs. The kitchen was empty, with the stove cold and nothing on the big work table. The fear inside her began to spread. Something must have caused their disappearance.

  She tried to calm herself. There had to be a simple explanation for all this. At the same time, she wanted to run back upstairs and protect Adam.

  The kitchen door was open and she walked outside. The sunshine hurt her eyes. She had not left Adam’s room for nearly two weeks, and she squinted against the glare. The barn door stood open and she hurried toward it. Her legs were weak from disuse. It was dark and cool in the barn. She saw no one. She heard a movement from an empty stall and breathed a sigh of relief. She had a vision of the time she’d caught Donaciano asleep in an empty stall. She’d certainly be glad to see the boy now!

  She took two steps toward the stall, and then—blackness! She was suffocating! Something very heavy was on her body, covering her. She couldn’t breathe. There were hands, many hands, pulling and twisting her. She began to fight, but there was no fighting the enormous weight of the thing that was cutting off her breath. She screamed, but even to her the sound was slight. Where was everyone? Was she truly alone with her attacker?

  As she was moved a few feet, she tried to remain standing, but the long skirt tripped her and she fell to her knees. There were rough, cruel hands handling her. She felt them on her wrists and there was something else, too. It was a rope! If only she could breathe! She fought her unseen foe, struggling while gasping for air. But she couldn’t even ascertain the direction in which her enemy stood.

  The thing on her head, covering her entire body, weighed her down. Her neck was going to break under the weight of it. She began to breathe deeply. It was no use struggling. She tried again to scream.

  She struggled to stand on her feet but fell forward onto her face. More hands tied a gag around her mouth. Another cloth was tied across her eyes. The enormous weight was lifted from her body. She breathed deeply of the cool air, glad to fill her lungs once again.

  She could see nothing. Hands pulled her to her feet. Then she was thrown, roughly, and something hit her in the stomach. She was being carried upside down. She tried to push away with her tied hands, but met only with a wall. Something clasped her legs together in an iron grip.

  Abruptly, she was stood upright, on her feet. She could see light through the blindfold, feel the sun on her body. She turned at the sound of a voice. Someone was near! Please help me, her mind cried. Please! My little boy needs me!

  It was very much like the time she’d been taken by Cat Man, but that time she had been sure Seth would rescue her. This time she was not so sure he would, not after the way she’d been treating him. She was tossed astride a saddle and instinctively grabbed the pommel. Her attacker mounted behind her, and she kicked back sharply with her right heel. She heard his indrawn breath. She started to kick again, but an arm was fastened around her waist and, as she lifted her foot, it tightened, cutting off her breath. It relaxed when she lowered her foot.

  They rode for a long time. She couldn’t see. She concentrated on breathing slowly and deeply, and on balancing herself on the horse. She heard the horse’s hooves occasionally splashing in water, as if they crossed several streams. Sometimes she felt her attacker’s thigh muscles, pressed against hers, as he urged the horse uphill. She was weak from two weeks of little food and even less sleep.

  She began to gather her senses. Maybe this madman who held her was just one of many. Maybe they’d already killed Roselle and Martin—and Seth! Would Seth be safe? She hadn’t thought much of Seth lately, but now she was very concerned about him. How could she have ignored him so much lately?

  Abruptly, she was taken off the horse. She stood quietly, holding her balance. She heard footsteps behind her and then a door opened. Hands guided her thr