Caroline's Quilt by Rachel Skatvold

Author:Rachel Skatvold [Skatvold, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mail-Order Bride Series, Brides 0f Pelican Rapids, Pelican Rapids Minnesota, historical romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Frontier-Pioneer Era, Cowboy & Western Romance, Hearts Desire, American West, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area
Publisher: Rachel Skatvold
Published: 2019-09-06T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”

Psalms 121:1-2 NKJV

Caroline watched the bandit carefully as he slowly came out from behind the tree with his hands up. He inched forward and knelt to retrieve the envelope of money on the ground.

While the man was distracted, one of the drivers managed to make a wide berth around the coach and through the surrounding trees, coming up behind him. At the sound of a cocking gun, the bandit froze. “Don’t move a muscle,” the driver demanded. “The only place you’ll be going today is the Lebanon Jail, along with your buddy here.”

Caroline watched as the other driver approached, favoring a small wound on his arm. Working together, they tied both of the bandits’ hands behind their backs. She only lowered her weapon when she was certain both criminals were immobilized. The drivers looked over the hill for the other two bandits, but they had escaped, including the one Emmett had shot.

“Thank you, ma’am,” one of the drivers said, tipping his hat. “If it hadn’t been for the actions of you and your husband, this could have ended very differently.”

Caroline nodded, still trembling from the ordeal. Then she let out a strangled gasp before scrambling inside the coach. She found her husband still laying on the floorboards, unconscious. “Emmett? Can you hear me?” Her heart pounded as she leaned her ear close to his mouth, praying he still lived. “Praise the Lord!” she cried out when she heard a breath.

One of the drivers jumped into the coach with her and checked his wound. “Your husband should live if we get him to a doctor fast. There’s one in Lebanon, half an hour away. The bullet appears to have missed anything life-threatening and the bandage is preventing further bleeding. You did a fine job of tending to your husband and helping us apprehend the bandits. We are indebted to you, Mrs. Riley.”

“Thank you,” she said while positioning herself so Emmett’s head rested in her lap. As they traveled the remainder of the way to Lebanon, Caroline held his hand, alternating between praying and singing quietly to comfort herself and her husband if he could hear her. “Please heal Emmett, God. I put my trust in You.”

When she opened her eyes from praying, Emmett began to stir. He blinked several times before focusing on her face and managing a weak smile. “Your voice is so angelic, I thought I’d woken up in heaven.”

She smiled through her tears and smoothed back his blond hair. “You’re not leaving me any time soon, Emmett Riley. We haven’t even had our first disagreement as a married couple.”

“Yes, I wouldn’t want to miss that.” He chuckled and then groaned in pain. “Oh, don’t make me laugh.”

“I’m sorry.” Caroline leaned down and kissed his forehead. “Try to rest. We’ll be in Lebanon soon.”

He obeyed, but a few moments later his eyes filled with curiosity. “Did you really challenge those bandits all by yourself?”

She stared down at him in surprise.

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