Redemption

Chapter 15

“You’re not serious, are you?” Jacob asked.

“Dead serious, dear.”

“It’s too dangerous, Myra. Just give me a little time to think up a plan. Please?”

Myra walked down the stairs to the lower floor of the house. “I can’t sit idly anymore, Jacob. I’m very hurt that Adam is willing to give up so easily.”

“Don’t you see what that boy thinks, Myra? The reason he’s giving up is because… because…” Adam didn’t finish his sentence.

“Because what? I declare, Jacob. You're not talking clearly,” Myra pressed.

They reached the bottom of the stairs and entered the parlor where Myra had a few bags packed.

“Don’t you see? Her tracks just stop in that little New Mexico town. Just stop. There’s no traces of her like there was before. She just disappeared.”

“What are you saying?” Myra faced him.

“I… I think that Adam might think that… that Jessie…” Jacob rubbed the side of his face and turned away from her.

Myra’s heart sank lower than it ever had. A sob tore at her throat until it finally broke loose.

“Don’t tell me that!” she cried through her tears.

“I’m trying to be honest with you, Myra,” Jacob’s voice was gravelly, as if he was trying to quench tears as well.

“I refuse to believe it,” Myra wiped at her face. “I simply refuse. There’s no proof that she’s… that she’s gone like that.”

“Adam doesn’t know what else to do, honey. He’s just as confused as we are,” Jacob stated.

Myra sniffled. “I won’t give up hope, Jacob. I can’t. If we lose hope, then what do we have?”

Jacob walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. “I understand,” he muttered.

Myra buried her face in his chest and fought back the tears that were threatening to reappear. “Please, keep my baby safe, Lord, “she prayed aloud. “Please don’t let anything happen to her. Wherever she is tonight, help her to have a sound roof over her head and a warm blanket around her.”

She clenched a fistful of her husband’s shirt in her hand and held him tight.

“Amen,” he whispered into her hair.

A moment passed, and then footfalls came down the hall.

“Well, I’ve had it. I’m riding out, and I don’t care who goes along. I’m gonna scour that town over until I can recognize ever rock within fifty square miles.” Jake’s voice echoed down the hall before he entered the room.

Myra pulled away from Jacob and looked up at him.

“I think…” Jacob thought a moment. “I think I need to pack a few things. Jake, get your mother’s things on her horse.”

*****

Colt watched the sunset out in the west, smiling as the vibrant colors of yellow, pink, and blue reached across the sky, fading in and out of each other as clouds drifted across them. He glanced over at

Jessie beside him, asleep against his shoulder. The bright light from the setting sun illuminated her face in an angelic glow. He smiled slightly as he watched her sleep, her breathing slow and steady.

“Need me to take the reins?” Doc teased.

Colt’s eyes immediately jerked back to the road. He cleared his throat. “No, I’m fine.”