Restless Heart

by Beth Williamson

  However, fortune had smiled on them when they’d found him hale and hearty although very cold. He needed help, and no matter what Sam said, she would do all she could. Even if it meant reducing the hours she worked at the restaurant.

  One of things she’d been taught as a girl was to take care of family, that parents and grandparents were to be revered and respected, taken care of until they passed. Even if she’d abandoned much of what had been beaten into her, she firmly believed in taking care of older family members.

  After Sam’s confession about keeping secrets, guilt immediately settled on her heart. She needed to tell him the truth, not just a small nugget of it. After all Sam had done for her, his devotion to courting her, she owed him the same respect he’d given her.

  She would tell him the entire truth that night.

  The corners of the room were deep in shadows, with only moonlight streaming through the small window. Angeline crept in with Sam behind her, his hand firmly tucked into hers. She knew Marta would not approve, much less Pieter, but she needed to be with Sam. With Karen’s help in watching Mr. Carver, Angeline had an hour alone with Sam.

  “I don’t like sneaking around,” he whispered harshly.

  She didn’t answer him. Instead, she closed the door and leaned against it. “I needed to talk to you in private.”

  “What about my father? I can’t leave him alone.” His voice sounded pained to admit that particular fact.

  “Don’t worry. Karen is keeping an eye on him. Daniel was playing checkers with him when I came to get you.”

  Angeline sat on the edge of the bed and clasped her hands together. She couldn’t look him in the eye as she prepared to tell him everything she had kept hidden inside. He glanced at the windowsill and smiled when he saw the collection of his gifts perched on it.

  “I told you I was married.”

  Sam sat down beside her. “Yep, I remember that. It’s not something I’d forget.”

  She felt her cheeks heat, grateful for the semi-darkness, since all she appeared to do was blush around him.

  “I wasn’t entirely honest with you about that.”

  “Do you mean you aren’t married?”

  Oh, how she wished that was true. “No, I married him. In fact, I was his third wife.”

  The silence was loud enough she could hear blood rushing past her ears.

  “Pardon me?”

  “I grew up in Utah, in a small town called Tolson. My mother died when I was five, and my father raised my sister, Eliza and I, with the help of the church. Our church is a faith called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Have you heard of Brigham Young?”

  Sam was quiet enough to make her fidget. “No.”

  “He founded our church and our faith. I won’t go into the details of everything I was brought up to believe, but one of the practices of our church is allowing a man to have multiple wives.” She swallowed the huge lump in her throat. “I was chosen by a well-respected church elder to become his wife. My father told me to do it, and although I thought I loved another, I obeyed him as I had always done.”

  Sam’s body tensed at the use of the word “loved”. He was sitting next to her like a block of wood.

  “My sister Eliza tried to stop the wedding, but my father would not be swayed. Although I didn’t want to marry Josiah, I did it. It was not a joyful day for me, but it was the last day I felt anything but fear.”

  Sam’s gaze snapped to hers in the semi-darkness. “What do you mean fear?”

  “Josiah had already buried his first wife; his current wife was a shell of a woman who simply took care of his ten children. The second was Let—a friend of mine, who hadn’t wanted to marry him either, and then there was me. All of us lived in one house together.” She closed her eyes, remembering all the noise, the heat from fifteen bodies, and the shed out back.

  “Sounds cozy.”

  Angeline clenched her hands into fists. “Sam, I know you’re angry and hurt, but if you keep being snide, I won’t continue. This is hard enough.”

  He was quiet for a few moments. “I’m sorry, Angel. I don’t mean to be snide. It’s hard to hear. I wanted to marry you.”

  She took his hand in hers and felt the warmth of his skin, the beat of his life force against hers. Angeline brought it to her cheek and let him feel the tears. “I would’ve liked that too, Sam, more than you can ever imagine.” She managed to get a deep breath in and tucked his hand onto her lap between hers. “The one thing no one had warned me about was Josiah’s strange proclivities. You see, he enjoyed inflicting pain. It gave him pleasure to do so. He was not a young man, and he needed all the help he could get to, um, perform as a husband should.”

  Angeline let that information settle on Sam, and his sharp intake of breath let her know he realized what she meant.

  “Are you saying he beat you so he could get hard enough to fuck you?”

  Her chin trembled as she continued. It was so hard, so very hard to, not only relive Josiah’s brutality, but to know she would likely never have Sam as her husband to erase those memories.

  “Yes, although it wasn’t always a beating. Sometimes, he used things other than his fists. I’m damaged inside and out, Sam. I can never be whole, and I can never marry you.”

  He gathered her in his arms and held her as they both came to terms with Angeline’s statement. It was a bitter truth that would not taste good no matter who was delivering it.

  She burrowed into his warmth, breathing in his scent, which had become a part of her. He hadn’t run from the room, and he offered her comfort when she needed it. Perhaps telling him was the right thing to do.

  “Never say never. I’m going to fight for you, Angel.”

  Angeline sat back and stared at him. “What do you mean, fight for me?”

  His dark eyes were intense in the lamplight. “I won’t simply give up on being with you. We are meant to be together, two sides of the same coin. This isn’t something that happens every day. People can go their entire lives without meeting their other half. You and me, we got lucky.”

  She stared at him open-mouthed, flummoxed. “I don’t understand.”

  “You said you were his third wife. In the eyes of the law, no man can have more than one wife at a time. That means you aren’t really married.”

  Angeline hadn’t considered the legality of her marriage, just the church’s position on marriage. She was bound to Josiah for life and after death in the LDS church. Yet as she stared at Sam, she realized he was right. Completely right.

  “I’m not married?”

  He cupped her cheek. “You’re not married.”

  Her heart began to beat like a jackrabbit at the possibility Josiah had no legal right to follow her, to make her return to Tolson, or to ever lay his hands on her again. She allowed a tiny flare of hope to ignite within her. Yet she hadn’t told Sam everything yet. It was time to tell him the rest.

  “He sent a man after us. Someone who tracked us from—”

  “Did you say us? Who is us?” Sam frowned.

  Angeline realized she’d slipped up and said more than she should have. Lettie’s secrets were her own to tell, but it was too late to take back the words that had popped out.

  “Me and, uh, Lettie. You can’t tell anyone though because it’s her business, not mine. I didn’t mean to tell you about her.”

  She watched his face carefully for a reaction. Instead of shock, he nodded as if he’d known what she’d say.

  “She’s his second wife now, and unfortunately barren, so he never had children with her which was the reason he decided to marry me.”

  “I hate to tell you this, honey, but that’s not the only reason.” Sam raised one brow. “You’re simply stunning, smart, and have such an amazingly good heart, it humbles me.”

  Angeline shook her head. “I’m not that good. I’ve done things over this last year I’m not proud of, including running from my husband.”

  Sam squeezed her hands. “He’s n
ot your husband. Just keep saying it over and over.”

  “I’ll try. Now, let me tell you what I need to.” She opened up the memory of what had happened in the dark forest outside Bowson. The fear, the outright terror of having a gun pressed to her head.

  “Lettie and I were on our own for a few months, scared to death and surviving on willpower alone. We thought we had been so clever, but this bounty hunter found us. And my sister was with him. She was using him to find me, and since we look nothing alike, he didn’t suspect who she was.” Angeline looked away from Sam, unwilling to let him see just how hard it was to talk about the terrifying experience. “We were working in a restaurant in a town called Bowson. Eliza tried to help me escape, but the bounty hunter got to me first. He was going to shoot me. My sister saved my life by hitting him in the head and tying him up.”

  “Jesus. You have a helluva sister.” Sam kept her at his side, his body touching hers from shoulder to toes.

  “She’s amazing, and I owe her so much. I’ve never been so scared. The last year has been nothing but sleepless nights and so much worrying my stomach hurts nearly every day.” Angeline felt the familiar knot of tension inside her. It was a constant companion she would do anything to cast aside.

  “Ah, Angel, I’m so sorry.” Sam leaned his head against hers. “If I could take away all the bad, I would.”

  Angeline’s eyes stung with tears for the love she heard in his voice, for the love that was in her heart. “I know.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Will you marry me, Angeline Hunter?”

  This time, the impossible was possible. She could marry him and be his wife, no longer indentured to Josiah, no longer needing to be afraid he would find her and hurt her. It was tempting, so tempting.

  She wanted to say yes so badly, she actually tasted it. Something held her back though. If she married Sam, then he would be a target for whatever vicious bounty hunter Josiah sent after her. Her new husband could make her a widow before she had a chance to truly be happy with him.

  Instead of telling him no, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Kiss me, Sam.”

  His breath gusted on a sigh. “You know I can’t resist you, Angel.”

  She watched his mouth descend and closed her eyes just before impact. At first, it was a simple brushing of the lips, the lightest touch like a butterfly. He pressed himself against her body from top to bottom, and she gasped.

  It was all he needed.

  His mouth opened over hers and consumed her. His tongue coaxed hers out of hiding, caressing, rasping against it. She felt his cock hard and insistent against her hip. His entire body shuddered as he pressed himself closer, then closer still, as if they could occupy the same space.

  Her bed wasn’t very big, but it was large enough they could find their pleasure together. She leaned back and pulled him along until they were side by side on the narrow bed. He thrust against her rhythmically, reminding her of just what they could be doing if all their clothes weren’t in the way.

  “You know we shouldn’t do this here,” he whispered as he rained kisses down her neck, his hot mouth leaving a trail of tingles.

  “I know, but it feels so good.” Angeline reached down and grasped his cock through his trousers. He was as hard as iron and pulsed against her palm.

  “It appears my dick agrees with you.” He pushed against her hand. “You’ve got a magic touch.”

  Sam started unbuttoning her dress until it was open to the waist. Through the opening, her breasts were only covered by a chemise. She’d never had much money for undergarments so this was all she had, along with one thin petticoat. Sam, however, didn’t seem to mind at all.

  He pulled the chemise down until her breasts were thrust above the neckline, like an offering to him.

  “Your breasts are beautiful, alabaster topped by the lightest shade of pink.” He bent down and licked one then the other, sending bolts of pleasure straight to her pussy. “Delicious.”

  Angeline simply watched as his mouth closed around her nipple, and he sucked on her, pulling the tip deep into his mouth. She had never realized breasts and nipples were so sensitive and could bring so much joy when touched by the right man.

  His hand landed on the other breast, and he pinched the nipples between his fingers. She gasped as his teeth closed around her, nibbling gently. The combination of his mouth and hand were astonishing.

  Her pussy thrummed with arousal the more he toyed with her breasts. He licked, nipped, sucked and pinched her nipples. Angeline wanted him to do that while he was inside her. The possibility of what it would feel like made her moan.

  “Feel good?”

  “I want more. I want you inside me.”

  He stopped and stared at her in the lamplight, his dark eyes probing. “Are you sure? I mean, Pieter might shoot me if he catches me up here.”

  “Please, Sam, I can’t wait. Please.” She pulled at his shirt, yanking it from his trousers. Then she reached for his buttons.

  “I guess you’re sure.” He put his hand over hers. “Let’s take this slow.”

  “No, I can’t.” She throbbed with need, so wet, it trickled down her thigh. “I need you now.” Angeline pulled up her skirt until the slit in her pantalettes was easily accessible.

  His gaze darkened as he realized her intent. A quick, fierce mating was what she craved. He finished unbuttoning his trousers and released his cock. It sprang free, hard and seemingly as eager as she was.

  She inched closer until she could flip onto her back. He rose up on his elbows and landed above her. Angeline had never felt such a burning desire, such an unstoppable need to mate with him.

  “Now, Sam, now.”

  Angeline wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled. His dick landed right between her legs, and he thrust inside her, filling her until he was embedded within her pussy. Sam wasted no time, he started thrusting inside her, faster and faster.

  “My breasts, kiss them, bite them,” she whispered.

  Sam was like a machine, never losing his rhythm, he leaned down and pulled the right breast into his mouth. His sucking mimicked the motion of his cock as it pleasured her bottom half. Her fingers dug into his back as she felt the now familiar coil tightening inside her.

  Her walls closed around him, making his passage harder, heightening her pleasure until she exploded from the inside out. Sam bit her nipple, and her heart stuttered as she found her peak. She scratched at his back, her mouth opening in a silent howl of ecstasy. Angeline bucked against him, pulling him deeper inside her.

  He buried himself with a powerful thrust, the veins on his neck standing out. Angeline watched him find his own release, his face reflecting the greatest joy. She rode the wave of her own bliss as he rode his.

  It was over in minutes, but Angeline felt as if she’d been making love for an hour. Her breath came in short gasps, and her body virtually vibrated with the force of what had just happened.

  He propped himself on his elbow and kissed her. “Wow.”

  She smiled and kissed him. “Definitely.”

  They spent a few minutes catching their breath before they rose, washed up quickly, then straightened their clothes. Angeline had told him as much as she could about herself, and he’d accepted her for who she was. She loved him desperately. If only she could say yes to marrying him.

  Chapter Seven

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  Karen poked her head into the kitchen. “There’s a man here to see you.”

  Angeline’s head snapped up. “What man?”

  “I don’t know. He looks kind of scruffy, whiskers and all. Oh, and he looks like he’s been wearing the same clothes a while. Kinda nervous, too.” Karen disappeared from view.

  Angeline heart simply stopped beating, and she started to see spots in her vision. She managed to suck in a breath as her entire body trembled. It was coming true too soon—even if she couldn’t marry Sam, it was too soon to lose him.

  “Miss Angeline, what’s wrong?” Daniel looked up from h
is perch on the stool where he was currently shucking peas for dinner.

  “I don’t feel well, Daniel. I’m going to get some air.” Angeline’s hand shook so bad, it took her three tries to get the back door open. She stumbled outside and walked carefully down the steps.

  Angeline had to find out who was in the restaurant, but she had to get hold of her runaway fear first. Josiah was not her legal husband; there was no reason to be afraid. If this man tried to do anything, she would do what she had to protect herself.

  She took several deep breaths and straightened up. The first thing she would do is go find the sheriff. He was a kind, older man with twinkling blue eyes, who loved biscuits. He’d always struck her as a fair man. It was time to start standing up for herself.

  With more fortitude than she knew she had, Angeline went back up the steps and looked inside to find Marta at the counter frowning.

  Angeline threw her apron inside. “I have an emergency, Marta. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Before the older woman could respond, Angeline closed the door. She marched down the street toward the jail, and this time, she felt more anger than fear. It was high time she stopped feeling as if she were a rabbit being chased by a wolf.

  Angeline was about to become the hunter instead of the prey.

  By the time she got to jail, she felt even stronger, more able to defend herself. She opened the door and stepped in to find Sheriff Henry Booth at his desk with a mug of coffee. He smiled when he saw her, but then his expression changed when she stepped inside.

  He rose to his feet, a tall, lanky man with silver hair and wide shoulders. His blue chambray shirt was covered by a black leather vest with a shiny silver star on it. A dark brown hat was perpetually perched on his head.

  “Miss Angeline, what’s wrong?”

  “There’s a dangerous man in the restaurant.”

  “At least you decided not to use a rolling pin on this one.” His brows rose, and she managed not to blush.