E. G. Parsons - Black Rock:

by A Time For Love

  Roxanne paced the stall, her mind spinning. Suddenly she stopped and faced him. "Come with us tonight, Slim. Come back with me."

  "No, Roxy. I can't do that. I was always a misfit until I came here. This is my home. I've lived in this time a lot longer than I lived in the other. I belong here."

  "I can say the same, Slim. Perhaps I belong here too."

  "No, you belong with your family and with that young man. He loves ya, honey."

  "He's never said so. I love him, Slim, but…"

  "No buts, he loves you. I know. I also know you're confused and worried about what it'll be like. You don't need to worry, though. You're gonna love it."

  "I'm going to miss you terribly."

  "I know, little one." He held her close, hating the thought of her going, but knowing it was way past time.

  After they'd said their goodbyes, Roxanne decided to go for a ride. She wanted to visit her parent's graves, but first she wanted to see Collin's cabin again. Riding across the pasture and up to the hills, she came to the small stream that led to Collin's place. Stopping Sally in front of the house, she dismounted and walked across the porch and entered the little cabin. She stared at the sofa and allowed the memories of Collin making love to her to flow through her mind.

  She'd never dreamed loving could be so powerful. It had been wonderful. She'd never forget the time she'd spent here with him. They'd not made love since and that was for the best. As much as she wished for a future with Collin, she had to accept that it wasn't to be.

  Sighing, she turned to leave.

  "Hello, my dear. Where's O'Neal? Still hiding out at Black Rock or has he run back east with his tail between his legs?"

  "Brad!" Roxanne's breath stopped and she backed away from him. "What are you doing here?"

  "I followed you, of course. We have some unfinished business to take care of."

  "I don't know what you mean."

  "Don't you? Well, I'll be happy to refresh your memory. I asked you to be my bride and now we're going to my place and finish this."

  "Finish it?"

  "I'll send for the preacher and we'll be married by noon."

  "Are you insane. I told you I'd not marry you."

  "You no longer have a choice."

  Roxanne gathered her courage and tried to rush past him to the door. "Get out of my way. I am not going anywhere with you."

  Brad grabbed her around the waist and swung her around. Roxanne struggled, swinging her fists at his face and kicking out at his legs. He grunted when her boot connected with his shin, but didn't release her. Raising his fist he hit her in the face and everything went black.

  * * * * *

  Collin paced the parlor. He wanted to allow Roxanne the freedom to say goodbye to Black Rock, but she'd been gone for over two hours. She wanted to visit Jacob and Opal's gravesite and he didn't want to interfere, but he was getting worried. Leaving the house, he went to the barn and saddled a horse. Just as he was mounting, Slim came from the tack room.

  "Hey, son, where do think you're off to? You know it ain't safe for you to go out ridin'."

  "I need to find Roxanne, she's, been gone awhile and I'm getting pretty worried."

  "You wait and let me get Smith and some of the other hands to go."

  "No, I'm going now, you can get Jim to start looking too, but I don't want to wait. She may be hurt." He rode off towards the little graveyard.

  "Darn fool boy." Slim rushed to get Jim.

  Twelve

  Collin rode to the small cemetery looking for Roxanne. There weren't any fresh wildflowers on the graves and no sign of anyone having been there. He knew Roxanne had a couple of favorite places on Black Rock and he set out to check them.

  After looking everywhere he could think of, Collin wracked his brain for the one place he hadn't thought of. She could have gone to the mine, but he didn't think so. He decided to check his cabin, hoping she may have gone there to remember their time together.

  Riding to the edge of the woods behind the little house, Collin stopped to check the place out. He didn't see any signs of anyone around, but knew he had to be careful. His eyes scanned the yard and the open horse stall. Sally wasn't there and the worry he'd been feeling all day caused his gut to clinch.

  Dismounting, he tied the horse to a tree limb and made his way cautiously around the cabin before entering. As soon as he walked through the door he was swamped with memories of the day they'd made love. He imagined he could still smell the rose scent of her bath oil in the air. Shaking his head, he made his way back outside to his horse. He had to find her.

  "I guess the boss was right. He said he'd turn up here if he was still around."

  Collin swung around to face the two men standing there. He recognized one of the men as a hand from the Wellman Ranch. He figured he could easily take the little guy, but the big muscular one was going to give him a lot of trouble.

  "Hello, fellows, nice day isn't it." While distracting them with his greeting, Collin leaned his arm along the saddle next to the coiled rope.

  "Yeah, nice day." The big man laughed. "But it's about to get not so nice for you."

  They both came at him and Collin grabbed the rope from the saddle. Using all his strength, he swung it in an arc at the little guy's head and knocked him flat. The big man lunged and he swung the rope again, landing a good hit to the man's face. The skin split above his brow and the blood ran into his eye. He reached to wipe it away and Collin swung a right hook into his jaw.

  The man fell back several feet, but managed to keep his balance and came charging back like an enraged bull. Jumping back, Collin swung the rope with his left hand. The man dodged out of the way and swung his fist. Collin ducked to avoid the blow.

  The little guy managed to get to his feet and grabbed Collin's arms from behind. The big man swung a fist into his stomach and he just managed to keep from vomiting. The man continued to pummel his fist into Collin's face and stomach until he slumped. Picking him up, the big guy slammed him over the saddle. All the air whooshed from Collin's lungs and he saw stars before everything went black.

  * * * * *

  Roxanne came to feeling disoriented. Her jaw hurt and as memory returned, she sat up on the bed and looked around. The oversized room was done in muted colors of rose and blue. It was a beautiful room and she knew without being told that it was Brad's mother's room.

  Going to the door, she wasn't surprised to find it locked. Beating her fist against the wood, she yelled for help. She stepped back as the door was being unlocked, hoping it was George or one of the other servants. But when the door swung open it was Brad who entered the room.

  "You can't keep me here against my will." Roxanne's voice was weak and she straightened, taking a breath and speaking more firmly. "I won't marry you and now I'm going home."

  "Oh you will marry me. The preacher is downstairs. It's a shame about the bruise on your face. We'll tell him you fell from your horse. I'll have to be sure that all future bruises are in places that won't show."

  "You really are crazy, Brad. There's no way you can frighten me into going down there and allowing myself to be married to you."

  "Tell me something, my dear. Just how much does O'Neal mean to you? I have him in the cellar. And if you don't do exactly as I say, I'm going to put a bullet in his head."

  "No…I don't believe you. Collin isn't here. You're lying."

  Laughing, he grabbed her arm and led her out of the room and down a back staircase to the door of the cellar. Opening the door, he moved her in front of it.

  "Go ahead, yell down to him. Tell your lover that you're here." Roxanne hesitated and he pushed her closer. "Go on!"

  "Collin! Collin, are you there?"

  "Roxanne? Roxanne, don't…"

  At that, Brad jerked her back and slammed the door. Roxanne jerked her arm free and glared at him.

  "Release him at once!"

  "I will, just as soon as my ring is on your finger and you say I do. I had intended to kill
him, but this works out so much nicer. As soon as we're married he can go free. I'll have you and Black Rock and he will no longer be of any importance to either of us. So, what will it be? You marry me, O'Neal goes free, say no and he dies."

  Roxanne's mind worked frantically. There had to be a way to delay this long enough for help to arrive. Surely Jim and the men were searching for them by now.

  "You'll go to prison for this. Surely you realize that."

  "Prison? For protecting my new bride from the brute who beat her? I think not."

  She gaped at him. He was truly mad. "I'd tell the truth."

  "You wouldn't be given the chance. You'd be right here in this room recovering from your ordeal."

  Her bravado fled. He was right. He could keep her confined here and Collin would be run out of town or even locked away. Brad could even kill him and the law would do nothing. "All right, Brad, you win. I can't get married like this, though. I'll need a bath and a dress from Black Rock."

  Taking her arm, he led her back upstairs to the bedroom. Shoving her across the room, he opened the armoire and took out the ivory lace, wedding dress that hung there.

  "You'll wear this. It was my mother's. The water closet is through the door on the left. You have exactly twenty minutes, not one minute longer. You understand?"

  "Yes."

  After he'd left, Roxanne went to the door and tried to open it with a hairpin. Having no luck, she went to the window, but it wouldn't open. She thought of breaking it, but was afraid the noise would be heard downstairs. Going to the water closet, she hoped there would be another door that Brad had forgotten to lock. There was a door leading to the hall, but he'd made sure it was locked.

  Running out of time, Roxanne returned to the bedroom and changed into the dress. Just as she was trying to lace up the back, the door opened and Brad entered the room with a young girl in tow.

  "Anne, lace the dress for your new mistress."

  The girl rushed to do his bidding and once the dress was fastened, Brad dismissed the girl and she hurried from the room.

  "You look lovely, my dear, a beautiful bride. Shall we go?"

  "Brad, please don't do this. It's not too late to stop. You're going to be in so much trouble. The sheriff already thinks you tried to kill Collin." It was a useless argument, but she had to delay as long as possible.

  "I like to hear you beg, Roxanne, but save it for after the ceremony. Now come on."

  Standing back, he motioned for her to go ahead of him into the hall and down the main staircase. Roxanne was trembling and tripped on one of the stairs. Brad caught her before she fell and whispered in her ear."

  "Careful, Darling, we wouldn't want a tragic accident before the ceremony, now would we?"

  They continued down the stairway and towards the front parlor. George was standing next to the double doors and Roxanne's eyes pleaded with him as they passed. George looked at the floor. There would be no help from that direction. He might not like what was happening, but he was too afraid of Brad to interfere.

  Reverend Beardsley stood and came to them, taking her hands in his.

  "My dear, you look lovely. I always thought when this happy day arrived I'd be doing the ceremony at the church in town. I guess loves grows impatient, eh?"

  Roxanne remained silent and pale, looking at the reverend's baldhead and kind eyes. He'd help her if she asked. Glancing up she encountered Brad's cold stare. If she involved Reverend Beardsley, Brad wouldn't hesitate to kill him too.

  "Are you all right, dear? You're very pale and that's a very bad bruise forming on your face. Perhaps the ceremony could be postponed until you're feeling better."

  "I've already suggested that, Reverend, and Roxanne insisted we go ahead. Isn't that right, Darling?" Brads fingers dug cruelly into her upper arm and Roxanne answered quickly.

  "Yes, Reverend, I'm fine. Perhaps you'd like some refreshments before we start?"

  "The reverend has already had tea while waiting. And we are rather anxious to get started, isn't that right, my sweet?"

  "Yes, of course." Brad was losing patience and she'd just played her last card.

  "Very well." The reverend gave her a concerned look and then shrugged. He would do as they asked. Guiding them to the center of the room, he performed the brief ceremony, as Brad had instructed him earlier. He didn't think marriage ceremonies should be performed in haste, but it was their wedding after all, not his.

  As soon as the ceremony was over, Brad shoved some bills into the reverend's hand.

  "Thank you, Reverend, some money to help with the church. George will see you out." He then pulled Roxanne up the stairs. As they passed the back stairway, a large man carrying a rifle stepped into the hall.

  "What the hell are you doing? I told you to watch him."

  "Look, Mister, he ain't goin' nowhere, not chained to the wall like that and it's past dinner time."

  "I'll have George bring you some food and drink. Now get back down there and do what I'm paying you to do and remember what I said."

  "Yeah, I know. If the bell down there rings, I'm to shoot him in the head. No problem." He turned and went back down the stairs.

  Brad shoved Roxanne along the hallway and into the bedroom. Going to the bell pull, he rang for George.

  "Not long now, my darling bride, and we'll consummate our union."

  "Never."

  "Never? Are going to fight me? I hope so, I look forward to taming you."

  "I'll never submit to you. Never!"

  "I think eventually you will, but not too soon, I like a good fight."

  George came to the door and Brad gave instructions for food to be taken to the man guarding Collin.

  "I'll send Anne up to help you get out of that dress." With that he turned and left her alone. Roxanne sank onto the bed, taking a deep shuddering breath. She prayed that Jim would come soon. She had to figure out a way to free Collin.

  There was a timid knock on the door and the girl came into the room. "Hello, Miss. I'm to help you change."

  Anne spoke with a British accent and held a filmy night robe and wrapper in her trembling hands. Roxanne wondered what Brad had done to the child to generate such fear.

  "Thank you, Anne, but I want my clothes. The ones I was wearing when I came here."

  "But, Miss, Mr. Wellman told me to take those clothes away. He said you're to wear these."

  "No, Anne, I won't wear those. I need my riding clothes. Please, I know you can get them for me."

  "I can't, Miss. Mr. Wellman wouldn't like it. He can be mean, Miss, when he's angered. You must do as he says for both out sakes."

  "Does he beat you?"

  "Sometimes he does." Anne lowered her lashes and stared at the floor.

  Roxanne went to stand in front of the girl. "Look at me, Anne." When the girl raised her eyes, Roxanne smiled. "How long have you been here?"

  "Three years now, Miss."

  "Three years! But you hardly look older than thirteen."

  "I be fourteen, Miss."

  "You mean you came to work here when you were only eleven?"

  "Mr. Wellman paid me mum five pounds to let me come to America with him."

  Roxanne tried to hide her shock at this information. The girl was very pretty with soft blonde hair and blue eyes. Her hands were still shaking and Roxanne tried to take the garment from her grasp.

  The girl refused to release her grip. "Miss, please, you must let me help you change before he returns."

  When she looked at Roxanne with her large, tear filled eyes, Roxanne relented and turned to let her unfasten the dress.

  "You seem very afraid of Mr. Wellman. Does he beat you often."

  "Only sometimes, Miss. He likes to use the quirt. It hurts terrible, but the other…"

  "It's all right, Anne. Please go on." When Anne remained silent, Roxanne turned to face her.

  "Does he force himself on you?"

  Anne nodded and lowered her gaze. "I was a good girl, Miss, really I was. Me mum, s
he owned the Bloody Ox, a tavern in London and Mr. Wellman says that only a doxy would own such a place." The girl quietly sobbed. "And he says…he says that makes me a doxy too."

  Roxanne's face flushed a bright red, as rage raced through her such as she'd never felt before. Brad was a monster, a despoiler of children. She'd have to do as he says for now in order to protect Anne from his anger. But she would find a way to escape and free Collin.

  "It's okay, Anne. Help me into those things."

  The gown was transparent and Roxanne's nipples could be seen clearly through the fabric. She blushed and hurriedly donned the wrapper, which wasn't much better. When she was dressed, Anne motioned her over to the dressing table and once seated, took the pins from her hair. It fell to below her waist and Anne took her time removing all the tangles. She continued brushing until the dark curls were soft and shiny.

  Brad entered the room without knocking and ordered Anne out. Roxanne's face lost all color as she caught his reflection in the mirror. He was dressed in a black silk robe embroidered with red dragons over a pair of black trousers. He held a riding crop and kept smacking it against his leg. She flinched each time the crop slapped against the fabric.

  Walking to the door, he turned the key, locking the door. Placing the key on the ledge above the door, he walked over and pulled her from the seat. Roxanne struggled in his grasp like an animal caught in a trap, bringing her knee up hard between his legs. Releasing her with a curse, he brought the riding crop down hard on her shoulders and she gritted her teeth to keep from crying out. She backed away from him until her knees came up against the bed.

  He continued to beat her with the crop until she fell on the bed. Reaching out, he grabbed a handful of fabric. With one swift motion, he rendered it down the back, exposing her soft, bare skin. He continued to pull at the garment until she lay completely naked and vulnerable before him. Curling into a ball, she tried to hide her body from his view.