A Ransomed Heart Read Free Page B

woman.
    “Jean, where is the girl?”  His eyes were wide, his voice dangerously low.
    Mousse didn’t say anything but drew the letter from his breast pocket and handed it over.
    The paper was wrinkled and dusty but Mr. Sevier ripped it open and read the scrawling handwriting:
    Mr. Sevier,
    I have acquired something that belongs to you.  She will stay in my possession until I receive a ransom for her.  I assume she is worth a lot to you so my sum will need to be $100,000.  I expect to see the money in one week. You will meet us at the Sage River crossing at high noon where we can exchange your wife for my money.  Do not take this lightly; I have no qualms against killing her and announcing your secret engagement to those who respect you. Wouldn’t it be humiliating for them to know you had to pay a woman to be your wife?  $100,000 in seven days, you decide.
    L B
    “Who gave this to you?”  He waggled the parchment in front of the mousy man.
    Mousse shrugged his shoulder and felt his heart pick up a beat.  “I couldn’t see their faces.”
    Sevier snarled and slammed the letter down on his oak desk.  The room was ornately decorated with sturdy furniture and great Persian rugs.  The whole house looked the same, the best money could buy.  His property sprawled over the entire valley floor and overlapped Sage Creek, the only water supply in town. He had more money than many could hope for, and the girl was really the only treasure he still wanted.  Not only was she beautiful she opened the door to a whole new world. She was his key to expanding his empire over the whole valley floor. He could not afford for her to be hurt, or lost. Concern pulled at his blue eyes and he turned to face his assistant again.
    “Was she hurt, is she ok?  His voice was still tight but held some gentleness.
    “We took quite a tumble. The driver is dead; he was crushed when the stage fell over.”
    Sevier ’s eye widened.
    “The left back wheel came loose and so we crashed to the ground.  It happened so quickly I didn’t even realize what had occurred until we were lying on the ground. Miss Casey was well enough to climb out the window; she was madder than a cat and I think she would have scratched their eyes out if she could have.”
    The concern lessened a bit and Sevier’s mouth pulled up a little at the corners.  He knew she could be feisty, he was fine with that, but he was still worried she may be hurt. 
    “So you think she was fine?”
    Mousse nodded and closed his eyes, gently rubbing his sunburned face with his wrinkled hands.  This was going better than he had expected. After all it wasn’t his fault Annabelle had been abducted.  Sure he could have rebelled or fought for her, but she was just a woman, even if she was beautiful.  Sevier was far calmer than he had expected, he attributed that a bit to his guests.  The room was quiet for a moment then Mr. Sevier excused himself.  When he returned he had a different expression on his face, one of determination.
    His guests had been sent to dinner and now he needed to compose himself before he faced them again.  To his credit he had not announced his intention to marry, he had planned that for tonight. It was not unusual for him to throw a party so none of those in attendance even suspected things were not going as planned.  He ran his hands though his gray-blond hair and closed his eyes; he rested his head on the door frame for just a moment before returning to Mr. Mousse.  He needed a plan and it would need to be good.  This was the first time in a long time he felt cornered, and he didn’t like that feeling.
    Memories flashed in his mind of another time and place when he had been against the wall.  The old anger bubbled in his stomach and he forced it down, keeping it under control.  That is what he had, patience and control, and he would use it.  He also had money and if it came to that he would gladly pay for the return of his stunning young bride.