Laura Abbot by Into the Wilderness Read Free Book Online Page A

reared back, raised her arms and hit him over the head with the book, then raced into the storm, praying she could outrun him.
    Blinded by the rain and slowed by her soaked dress, she sprinted toward the headquarters building, visible in the lightning flashes that briefly illumined the parade ground. Behind her, she heard the corporal’s howled oaths, but as she neared headquarters, he fell back and gave up the chase.
    Breathless, she kept on running until she had nearly reached the wooden boardwalk outside headquarters. Then, somehow, she felt herself being lifted into strong arms and held in a protective embrace. When she looked up and saw Caleb, so great was her relief that she was racked with trembling. “Shh,” he murmured in her ear. “You’re safe now.” Then he stared out over her head. “Was that Adams I saw?”
    Bile filled her throat and all she could do was nod.
    Caleb’s voice was steely. “He won’t be bothering you any more. I’ll see to that.”
    Weak as a kitten, Lily laid her head on Caleb’s broad shoulder, drawing from him warmth and security and reminding herself over and over, “I am safe.”
    Afterward she had no idea how long she had remained sheltered in the comfort of his arms. All she knew was that she had found peace in the storm.

Chapter Four
    S carcely daring to breathe, Caleb held Lily, moved by both her trembling and her floral-scented hair brushing his chin. Conflicting emotions tore through him—the unexpected joy of the embrace set against his rage at Corporal Adams. He itched to get at the man. First, though, he needed to see Lily safely to her family. Reluctantly, he stepped away. “I’m sorry, Miss Kellogg. This man should never have accosted you. I assure you he will be punished.”
    She straightened to her full height, adjusted her collar, then smoothed flyaway tresses back from her face. “I will count on that, Captain.”
    “Are you steady enough for me to escort you home?”
    “I think so. It was all so sudden...and shocking.”
    “I’m glad I could be of assistance.” He was aware of the forced formality of their conversation. Had she been offended by his embrace? Yet she had lingered there contentedly as she recovered from her panic.
    “Please give me a moment,” she said, turning away from him as if to study the storm, now diminishing in strength. She held herself purposefully, like a shattered vessel that had been glued back together. She seemed to be composing herself by sheer effort of will. “All’s well that ends well,” she finally said.
    His pent-up anger threatened to explode. It hadn’t ended well. That cad Adams had terrified her.
    With a deep sigh, Lily faced him. “When we see my sister and father, I would ask you not to dramatize the situation. Rose doesn’t need undue worry. As for Papa, he already suffers guilt for bringing us here with him. I fear he might never forgive himself.”
    “Eventually the facts must be told and Adams held accountable. But I will permit you the telling of the tale.”
    “Thank you, Captain.”
    “Caleb?” he asked hopefully.
    For the first time in their conversation, she mustered a half smile. “Caleb. You were more than a friend today. You were my rescuer.”
    “I’m thankful I was here to help.”
    They stood a foot apart, their gazes locked, until a clap of thunder caused them to start. Caleb took Lily’s arm and they dashed through raindrops to the Kellogg home.
    Rose must’ve seen them coming. She flung open the door and hugged her sister. “We’ve been worried about you. Were you caught in the storm?”
    Ezra Kellogg stood behind Rose, his eyebrows knit with concern. Never taking his eyes off Lily, he acknowledged Caleb with a curt “Captain.”
    Caleb squeezed Lily’s arm gently before relinquishing his grasp. “Your daughter had a bit of a fright—”
    “But I’m quite fine now, thanks to Captain Montgomery.”
    “Please come in, Captain.” Rose took Lily’s damp cloak and stood