E. G. Parsons - Black Rock:

by A Time For Love

  Brad laughed softly. "No need for modesty, my dear, you're my wife." He ran the leather of the crop down her back and over her hip and leg.

  Roxanne went wild and flew at him, scratching and clawing at his face. He backed away from her before she could do much damage and slapped the leather against her bare breasts. Red welts appeared and tears sprang to her eyes, she cried out as the burning pain raced across the tender flesh. Raising his arm, he again lashed out, adding more welts.

  Roxanne cowered and tried to shield her breasts from the lash. A knock at the door stopped his arm in midair and he called out angrily.

  "What is it? I told you I wasn't to be disturbed!"

  "I'm sorry, sir, but there are some men here from Black Rock asking about Miss Roxanne." George answered.

  Roxanne took great gulps of air, trying to regain some strength. Brad rushed from the room locking the door behind him. He'd been gone only a moment, when the door opened and George hurried to her. Grabbing the quilt from the bed, he wrapped it around her bruised body.

  "Come on, Miss, you must hurry."

  He helped Roxanne to her feet and out the door. They made their way to the back staircase and down to the cellar. When they reached Collin, the man guarding him was sprawled across the floor. Collin was either sleeping or unconscious, she couldn't tell which in the dim light. George took the keys from the guard's pocket and turned to Roxanne.

  "That bag there in the corner has some clothes, put them on quick. Don't worry about the guard, he won't be waking up."

  Roxanne didn't waste time asking what had happened. As George unlocked the chains on Collin and tried to rouse him, she hurried into the dress from the bag.

  "I'm sorry I couldn't get any boots for you. You'll have to make due with Anne's old slippers."

  Collin was coming to and George helped him up, telling them both to hurry. Collin was regaining his strength and going to Roxanne, he took her in his arms. Smoothing his palm down her bruised cheek.

  "I should kill him for that. Are you okay, he didn't hurt you any worse?"

  "I'm fine, Collin, but your poor face, he beat you."

  "It'll mend, don't worry." He turned to George. "How do we get out of here?"

  George led them through the cellar and out a door leading to the back of the house. They could hear horses riding away from the house in front and knew they'd have to hurry. George had two horses waiting and advised them to lead the horses into the woods before mounting.

  It was still light, but the trees and bushes at the back of the house offered good cover as they led the horses away. Once in the woods, they mounted and lost no time riding for Black Rock.

  Thirteen

  Riding the horses hard into the yard, they dismounted and rushed into the house. Lucy came running from the kitchen and hurried to them.

  "Where have the two of you been? Jim and some of the men went looking for you. I sent Jeb to town for the sheriff and… Oh, look at your face! What happened?"

  "Brad kidnapped both of us, Lucy. He forced me into marrying him and…"

  "He did what?" Collin and Lucy both asked at the same time.

  "He said that if I didn't do as he said, he'd kill you. Collin, I was so frightened." Suddenly it was too much for Roxanne, her legs buckled and everything went black.

  Collin caught her in his arms and lifting her, carried her up to her room with Lucy close behind. He laid her on the bed and tenderly brushed the hair away from her face.

  Looking at the bruise more closely, he cursed softly. "The bastard hit her."

  "I'll take care of her, Mr. O'Neal. You go put some ice on that face of yours. The sheriff should be here soon and I imagine he'll be interested in what you have to tell him."

  Collin hesitated, not wanting to leave Roxanne for even a moment.

  "It's okay, sir. I'll take good care of her and I'll come and get you when she comes around, I promise."

  "Okay, I'll wait downstairs for the sheriff."

  Collin went downstairs and Lucy wet a cloth with cool water to bath Roxanne's face. When Roxanne began to moan, she spoke softly to her until her eyes opened.

  "You gave me quite a start, Miss. Are you feeling better now?"

  Roxanne tried to sit up and Lucy pushed her gently back onto the bed. "You just relax for a bit. I'm gonna run you a warm bath with some of them bath salts to ease your muscles."

  Lucy went to run the bath and Roxanne closed her eyes. The bath sounded wonderful, she hurt all over. Lucy returned and helped her from the bed.

  "Come on now, I'll help you into the tub."

  Lucy led Roxanne to the tub and began helping her undress, gasping when she saw the ugly, red welts slashing across her pale skin.

  "That evil man beat you with something." Her voice hissed in anger.

  "A riding crop, Lucy. I don't know what would have happened if Jim and the men hadn't come looking for me or if Brad's butler hadn't had the courage to help us."

  "Did he do anything else, Roxanne? You said something about a wedding."

  Roxanne climbed into the tub and sighed as the warm water soothed her injured skin. Laying her head back and closing her eyes, she related to Lucy all that had happened.

  "I'm so glad you got away from him, Miss. I hope the sheriff locks him away forever."

  "Lucy, you called me Roxanne before, please don't call me Miss anymore. This may be our last day together. I want you to call me Roxanne just as my other friends do."

  "Okay, Miss…I mean Roxanne." She giggled and Roxanne smiled. It was like heaven to be home and hear Lucy's laugh.

  "I think I'll just soak a while, Lucy. Will you check on Collin and see if he's okay?"

  "Of course I will." Lucy rose and went downstairs, leaving Roxanne soaking in the tub.

  She found Collin pacing the kitchen with an ice filled towel held to his swollen face.

  "How is she, Lucy?"

  "She's gonna be fine. I doubt she'd want me to tell you, but I feel I should. That crazy man beat her with a riding crop. My poor sweet Miss." Lucy began to cry.

  Collin's face grew pale and a muscle worked in his jaw. A burning rage roared through him and he knew if Wellman were within range, he'd kill him without remorse. Then his anger turned on himself. He should have kept her safe, and didn't. Going to Lucy, he patted her back.

  "He'll pay for that, Lucy. I'll see to it."

  "Oh no, sir. You mustn't go anywhere near that evil man. He might kill you. You just need to take her out to California tonight like you planned. He'll never know what happened to you and Roxanne will be safe."

  Lucy was right, that would be best. But it didn't make him feel like much of a man to just leave Wellman to the sheriff. He'd like to beat the man to a pulp.

  Horses riding into the yard broke into his thoughts and Lucy went out to bring Jim into the house. They sat at the table in the kitchen, as Collin told Jim what had happened. Jim was of the same mind as Collin—only he thought Wellman should hang.

  The sheriff, a big burly man in his fifties, arrived soon after and the story was told again. He went upstairs and questioned Roxanne and then returned to ask Collin a couple more questions.

  "Okay folks, I think I have all I need for now. I could probably arrest Mr. Wellman for keeping you locked in the cellar, that is if you're willing to testify. As far as Mrs. Wellman is…"

  "Don't call her that! That wedding was a sham."

  "Be that as it may, son. She did stand up before the reverend and took him as her lawful husband and signed the papers. That makes it legal and as much as most people disapprove of a man beating his wife, there ain't much the law can do about it."

  "What the hell do you mean? It's legal to beat your wife, and she isn't his wife damn it!" Collin stood up and glared at the sheriff.

  "You just calm down there, son. I don't make the laws and it ain't exactly legal but the law figures it's more of a family matter. And I'm afraid that according to what she told me, she is his wife, legally. Now are you gonna be ar
ound to testify on this other matter?"

  "Just go arrest him."

  "All right, I'll keep you informed." He turned to leave and Jim followed, saying he was going to post guards all around he house.

  "Lucy, you look beat, why don't you go on to bed? I'm going to go sit with Roxy for a while."

  "You're going to leave aren't you? No it's okay, don't say anything. I've said my goodbyes already. I don't want to start blubbering again. I know you'll take good care of her." She turned and went through the door to her room and Collin could hear her crying.

  There was nothing he could say to make it easier for her. Roxanne didn't belong in this time anymore than he did. They had to leave. He hoped the sheriff would have Wellman in custody before time for them to go. He didn't want to risk Roxanne falling into his clutches again.

  Climbing the stairs, he entered Roxanne's bedroom and found her sleeping. Lying down beside her, he gathered her close to his side and softly kissed the bruise on her cheek. He made a vow to keep her safe even if it meant killing Bradford Wellman.

  * * * * *

  "Roxanne, wake up honey. We have to get ready to leave."

  She snuggled closer to him. "Is it near midnight already?"

  "Yes, we have to go soon. You'll have to get dressed, Darlin'." Is there anything special that you'd like to take with us?"

  Roxanne sat up on the bed and looked at him. "I'd like to take the little painting of Papa and Mama and I'd like to take the love letters they wrote to one another. Will that be okay?"

  "Of course it will, get the family Bible too. I'll get a satchel out of the closet for you."

  Roxanne quietly walked down the stairs to retrieve the Bible. Returning, she handed Collin the Bible and got the letters and painting from the dressing table drawer. Seeing the pouch with the gold nuggets and silver coins, she decided to take them too. As a last thought, she also grabbed her grandmother's diamond brooch and pushed it into the pouch.

  After the items were put into the satchel, Collin pulled her close and kissed her passionately. Warmth spread through her and she wished she could stay in his arms forever.

  Pulling a little apart, Collin sighed. "I'm sorry, Darlin', I wish it could be different. And I wish you could take every single thing in this house."

  "It's all right, Collin. I'll take my memories. Those are much more important than the material things and will be with me forever."

  "Roxanne, I know how hard this is for you. I promise to keep you safe and really, it won't be as bad as you think."

  Roxanne laughed up at him. "I'm sure this new place won't be as bad as I think. Nothing could really be that bad."

  Collin grinned. "You little minx, nothing keeps you down for long, does it? I'm glad you can still find some humor in all this. I just wish we could postpone our leaving and give you time to heal. You're going to be in a lot of pain."

  "The pain isn't as bad now, Collin. I'll be fine. What should I wear? Fashions change so fast, I can't even imagine what clothes are like there."

  "Wear one of your riding habits, it won't look too out of place. Vintage clothes are all the rage."

  "Rage?" She couldn't imagine becoming enraged over clothing.

  "Just an expression. It means very popular."

  "Oh." Goodness, I hope I'll be able to understand what people are saying to me.

  The dark of night cloaked them when they left the house. There weren't any stars to be seen and the wind began to howl. As they walked towards the huge rock, Roxanne felt the familiar pull on her emotions. Excitement made her steps quicken. She needed to touch the stone.

  Lightening streaked from the sky and reached toward the rock as they approached. The wind became fierce and Collin took Roxanne's arm firmly.

  "Stay close to me, don't get separated." He said near her ear. She nodded her understanding.

  The storm raged as the two struggled against the wind to reach the stone. Roxanne reached to feel the smoothness, running her hands caressingly over the side. It was marvelous to finally be touching this wondrous thing. She'd thought that once she touched it, they'd just disappear into it, but nothing happened.

  Suddenly there was a calm to the storm. The wind died, but the lightning strikes continued to increase. Roxanne had never seen so much lightning without the sound of thunder. It was eerily quiet while the night was lit with the jagged light show. In the calm, they heard a horse's hoofs pounding the ground and coming closer.

  "Who could that be? Should we wait?"

  "No, we need to hurry." Collin was frantic to get Roxanne through before anyone could stop them.

  Roxanne continued to caress the stone and the wind picked up again, blowing harder than before and causing her to stumble backwards. Collin caught her around the waist and steadied her as she continued to rub the surface of the rock.

  Suddenly the rock seemed to dissolve under her hands and the two of them were enveloped in fog so thick they couldn't see a thing. Roxanne heard Brad's curse behind them in the fog and then silence.

  Collin was still holding her tightly, whispering in her ear. "Just keep walking, Sweetheart, it's okay. Just keep walking."

  It was unnerving to be walking and not see where you were going. She had a sudden image of walking off a cliff and only Collin's soothing voice kept her moving. They seemed to have been swallowed by a vast, white, world of silence. It was taking so long and she was becoming frightened. She heard a shout somewhere behind them. Brad had followed them into the rock.

  The earth gave way beneath her. She screamed and Collin's grasp on her tightened. They were falling. Falling through this deep, white world that had no end.

  Fourteen

  Wild Rose, Texas

  2001

  Roxanne was being carried. Opening her eyes she looked up into Collin's worried face.

  "Collin, stop. Put me down and let me walk."

  He set her on her feet, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. "Darlin', are you all right? Do you hurt anywhere?"

  "Collin, it's all right. I'm fine. I only hurt where I hurt before." Looking around her, she recognized the landmarks for Black Rock.

  "So, it didn't work, we didn't get through."

  "Oh yes we did. I'm not sure of the exact year, but we're definitely not in 1898 anymore. Listen."

  Roxanne did as he said and could hear some kind of strange noise she'd never heard before. "What is that horrible noise, Collin?"

  "That, my darlin', is what's called a semi or a tractor-trailer truck."

  "What is a semi?"

  "It's like an automobile, only much larger and faster than the ones you've seen. It's kind of like a modern day freight wagon. Come on, Baby, we have to hurry. Wellman won't be too far behind us."

  He took her hand and led her down the hill towards the highway. Roxanne looked at the road in amazement. It was wide enough for three or four wagons to go side by side and was so smooth and hard. She'd seen paved roads before, but not in Wild Rose and not quite like this one.

  As they stood in the grass at the side of the road, a large truck came roaring down the road and Collin raised his arm and stuck up his thumb.

  "What are you doing?"

  "I want him to stop and give us a ride into town."

  "You want us to ride in that thing?"

  "It will be okay, Darlin'." Collin chuckled at the look on her face.

  The trucker geared his truck down and came to a stop some feet in front of them. Holding onto Roxanne's hand Collin ran to the truck and climbed up to open the door.

  "Could you give us a lift into Wild Rose?"

  "Sure thing, hop on in."

  Collin reached down and helped Roxanne into the cab of the truck before climbing in himself. Once they were seated, the truck driver put the truck in gear and Roxanne grabbed Collin's leg as it started to move.

  Her grip tightened, as the truck picked up speed and Collin place his hand over hers, squeezing reassuringly. After a while Roxanne relaxed and felt excitement at going so fast.
She looked at Collin and smiled. He grinned back, knowing she was beginning to get a kick out of the ride.

  "You two have a car crash? That's an ugly bruise on the lady's face and yours is even worse."

  "Yeah, thanks for coming to our rescue. I'm Collin O'Neal and this is Roxanne Ingram."

  "I'm pleased to meet you both. I'm Pete McPherson. Pretty country around here, are the two of you local."

  "Most of our lives, yes."

  As they topped the rise of the next hill the city of Wild Rose came into view and a large sign painted with wild roses proclaimed a welcome. Roxanne gasped. This couldn't possibly be Wild Rose, Texas.

  "Are you okay there, Miss?"

  "Umm…Yes, I'm fine, thank you. It's just so beautiful, isn't it?"

  "Now that's a wonderful attitude. I like it when people never quite get over the beauty of their home place. And yes, Miss, it is a lovely little city."

  Roxanne gaped at the use of the word little to describe the sprawling city that lay before them. Collin laughed softly. It was going to be great fun showing Roxy around the city.

  Then he frowned, at least once they got rid of Wellman it was going to be fun. Until then, he'd have to take Roxanne somewhere safe. His house would be perfect. If he still had a house. He needed to get a newspaper and find out the exact date.

  Pete slowed the truck to stop at a red light and Collin opened the door. "We'll get out here. Thank you for the ride, Pete. We certainly appreciate it."

  "Yes, thank you very much. It was great fun."

  Pete shook Collin's hand and grinned at Roxanne's comment. "You're both welcome. I'd keep this one, young man, she's a charmer." He said with a winked.

  Roxanne blushed and Collin grinned at the trucker's remark. Pulling her close, he whispered. "That sounds like good advice."

  Roxanne pushed away from him. "Collin, please, there are people all around us."

  Laughing out loud, he took her hand and started off down the sidewalk to the newsstand on the corner. Looking through the glass, he saw the date, July 17, 2001. He was expecting it to be 2006. This was even better. It meant he'd only been gone a couple of weeks instead of five years.