Heart of a Hero (H.O.C. #3)

Chapter 11

When David saw the horse and the broken wagon, he fell to his knees, covered his face and sobbed. David didn't seem to care that Colonel Dudley and the other men were witnessing his distress. The only thing David knew was what he could see: His horse dead, his wagon destroyed and no sign of his beautiful Lottie anywhere. For all he knew, her fate had been the same as his horse.

Ryne, standing nearby, had never expected to see a reaction from David like the one displayed. The man seemed as though his heart had been torn out of his chest and trampled. Ryne reeled from his own tormented heart due to Corinne's kidnapping and the subsequent worry over their children being without both parents, but he reacted differently than David. Determination to once again find his love strengthened his resolve to look for any and all signs. He knew time was of the essence.

After a moment or two of allowing David time to grieve, Colonel Dudley cleared his throat. "Yes, well, let's get moving, shall we? We don't have much time if we're to find them."

One of the other men asked: "Col. Dudley? Do you think the Ne'er-Do-Wells are responsible? I heard they were in the area, though I thought they were further east."

"It's a real possibility. Gentlemen, this is a most delicate matter. What concerns me is that we've found Titus Kirby, but not Private Stone. We'll mount another search team once we decide what needs to be done. I want Mrs. Wilkinson and Mrs. Harmon found; the sooner the better. Mitchell: Take O'Brien back with you and take charge of making search teams. I want at least two teams in every direction. No one goes out alone. That's an order!"

"Yes Colonel." Mitchell and O'Brien turned their horses northwest and left at break neck speed for the fort.

"Now, from what you discussed with me the other night, this is not the first time you've had to deal with your lady being stolen away by some ruffian." The Colonel was getting at something, but what, David wasn't sure. "The way I see it, Mr. Wilkinson, you've experience tracking down hooligans and bringing them to justice. Am I correct?"

"I had help, Sir. Several good friends and her father accompanied me on that journey. I would not have been able to find her on my own." Ryne admitted to his shortcomings somewhat bashfully. "Truth be told, I would have been in much worse shape than David here if I had to find her without them."

"Give the information to Lawrence, here. I think we will need them to help us." Colonel Dudley said firmly.

"Sir, I'm not sure they can come. One has a wife with child and two other small children, and the other gentlemen are somewhat older." Ryne again seemed a bit embarrassed.

"Are you saying that these men are too old to help you? It wasn't that long ago, was it? Lawrence will be sending each one a telegram."

"I am hoping, Colonel, that we find these women before they can arrive. It's at least two day's journey by train." Ryne argued with the Colonel as if there was no concern at all that they were losing time.

"Ryne - just do as he says. Arguing with the Colonel is futile." David finally spoke, but quietly. "Trust me; I've tried." Ryne gave Lawrence all the information and the man turned his horse back towards Hays in a gallop.

"Good. Now, our scouts are the best this side of the Saline River. Let's see what they've discovered, shall we, gentlemen?" The Colonel clapped David on the shoulder. "Rest easy. We'll find her." Oddly, David felt peace flooding into his innermost being with the assurances of his senior leader.

The scouts distracted him from thinking too long on those words as they approached hastily on horseback. Austin, the highest ranking of the four, spoke between deep breaths. "We found something, sir."