Chapter 6 - INTO THE MOUNTAINS
They found Clara's ribbon near the stable.
A horse was missing.
So was Edmund.
Josiah nearly lost his mind.
Evelyn did not let him.
“You ride east. I'll take the mining road.”
“No.”
“Josiah.”
“I won't lose you too.”
“You won't.”
“You don't know that!”
The fear in his voice silenced her.
Evelyn touched his face.
“This is not the time to love me by locking me behind you.”
Josiah froze.
Neither had said love before.
Evelyn realized what she'd done.
“So you love me?”
“Find Clara.”
Despite terror, something changed between them.
They separated.
Evelyn knew Edmund underestimated her.
Everyone did.
The hotel manager.
The seamstress.
The housekeeper.
Edmund.
Heavy women didn't ride hard.
Heavy women didn't climb mountains.
Heavy women didn't fight.
So Edmund never expected Evelyn Gallagher Whitmore to reach the abandoned Carrington hunting cabin before Josiah.
She found Clara inside.
Edmund was packing money.
“Let her go.”
He turned.
Then laughed.
“You?”
“Yes.”
“You're alone.”
“So are you.”
He drew a pistol.
Evelyn's courage became fear.
Real fear.
But courage had never meant not being afraid.
“Clara,” Evelyn said calmly.
“Come here.”
Edmund grabbed the child.
Clara screamed.
“NO!”
Then bit his hand.
Edmund yelled.
Evelyn charged.
She hit him with everything the hotel manager said she didn't possess.
Weight.
Strength.
Stamina.
Edmund crashed into the table.
The gun skidded away.
Evelyn got Clara behind her.
Edmund rose.
Blood ran from his lip.
“You fat bitch.”
Evelyn smiled.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“The mistake everyone keeps making.”
She grabbed a cast-iron pan.
“Thinking that's an insult instead of useful information about how hard I'm going to hit you.”
The pan connected with his shoulder.
He dropped.
Josiah arrived moments later.
Edmund was on the floor.
Evelyn sat on him.
Clara clung to her.
Josiah stared.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
He looked at Edmund.
“Is he?”
“Extensively.”
Josiah started laughing.
Then Evelyn did.
Then something extraordinary happened.
Clara laughed too.
May you like
Out loud.
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