Wherever My Heart Roams (Brides of the West Series Book Nine)

by Rita Hestand

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The next day was more hectic than ever. There was an Indian raid and the settlers were burnt out. Jacob and Beth came upon the settlement just after it happened, the wood from the home was still burning. The people all dead and scalped. Smoke filled the air. It was a terrifying scene of disaster and death.

  "Oh Jacob, this is horrible." Beth cried as they walked among the ruins. A woman's body lay sprawled just outside the front doorway. Beth stared, as tears rolled down her cheeks. Jacob took her in his arms.

  "Yeah, we better move along, keep away from all the main roads. Come on…" Jacob spotted a child's body and turned Beth away so she wouldn't see. "We'll take the ferry this side of Shreveport across the red and travel by land to the Mississippi."

  Leaving the charred remains behind Beth tried to get the picture of the slaughtered families out of her mind, and the real danger they were in.

  "If things get too bad, we may have to leave the buggy, we can ferry the buggy for twenty-five cents, do you have that?"

  "Yes…" Beth nodded.

  "Good. Because money isn't something I have a lot of." Jacob told her.

  "We'll be fine." Beth assured him.

  As they neared the Red they came upon rebel forces crossing. Jacob told Beth they needed to hang back and let them cross first, losing time wasn't near as important as having them ask why he wasn't volunteering.

  Beth agreed.

  They watched in the weeds as the troop loaded onto the ferry and unloaded on the other side of the river.

  "Wait until they are completely out of sight before we go across. We don't want to be running into them once we get across, either." Jacob reminded her.

  Beth left the navigating up to Jacob.

  The were able to get the buggy across and Jacob tried to stay north of Shreveport, as the city was congested with Confederates.

  Five days later they arrived at the banks of the Mississippi. It was a most welcome sight.

  Now all they had to do was lay low until the Lady Belle docked.

  "How long do you reckon it will be before she docks?" Jacob asked her.

  "If she's on schedule, a day or two, if she's not there's no telling." Beth said. She sat on the banks of the river, it was peaceful here.

  "We still need to keep watch for soldiers and such, I think we are probably safe as far as the Indians but the Confederates will be about. We don't want them getting a hold of you." Beth told him.

  "You stay here; I'll scout out the area. If there are any about we'll needs some cover." Jacob told her.

  She nodded, "Be careful."

  "Don't you worry about that. I don't aim to get caught this close to the boat." Jacob smiled at her.

  Jacob was gone a long time and Beth started fretting about him. But directly he came back. "Looks clear, but I'll need to scout the area regularly until the boat comes. Any sign of the Lady Belle?"

  "Not yet, if it comes this afternoon, then we'll be good. If it doesn't I don't know." Beth sighed.

  "Getting anxious to see Wade again?" He asked with a smile.

  "Yeah, I am. I've missed him…and he doesn't even know we are coming." She smiled.

  "Are you sure he'll dock?" Jacob glanced at her for reassurance.

  "He'll dock, we must be close enough to the dock and be ready though, in case there is any trouble. I don't know how things are going aboard the ship." Beth said, as her mind explored the possibilities. Then suddenly she looked at Jacob. "How did Pa take it when you told him about wanting to fight for the north?

  "He seemed to think on it before he ever said anything. But it did surprise me what he said. He said if he was my age, he'd do the same." Jacob watched her reaction.

  "No kidding? I'm glad he's too old to join up though. Can you imagine the problems Ma would have if he had to join?" Beth shook her head.

  "Well…they could change the age any time they want to. But I can't see Pa leavin' Ma. I just can't." Jacob shook his head.

  "Surely with as many children as he has under age, they wouldn't call him." Beth frowned.

  "I hope not. As Pa might declare war on them himself. He'd never leave Ma with all the kids to feed." Jacob assured her.

  "This war…it's so hopeless." Beth said realizing all the possibilities for families to lose so much. "I don't think either side stopped to think of all the complications the war itself has brought. People like Ma and Pa and the kids."

  "War never makes a lot of sense." Jacob told her. "But once it starts, someone has to finish it. Even though the south took Ft. Sumter, and won the battle of Bull Run, I still don't think they'll win this war. The north has more supplies, and more men, even though we started with more men, these battles are bloody and have cost us gravely. I'm pulled in two directions. I want to be true to my roots, which is the south, but I feel the north is right and I can't justify a war against my country."

  Beth sighed, "Wade was going to spy for the south at first. But then he was approached by the north, and the north actually treated him better and had more respect for his boat. So he's leaning towards being a spy for the north now. I don't know if that has changed or not, though."

  "I didn't get to know Wade before you married but I hope we get along well." Jacob said as he scrunched down into the weeds and kept a vigil.

  "He's pretty easy going, but the tension aboard ship has changed considerably since the war started. It's best not to let anyone know what side you are really on, on board. People get in some scrapes sometimes.

  "A lot of men are going to die on both sides…" Jacob said sadly.

  Then the Lady Belle appeared from the distance and Beth's heartbeat quickened.

  As they neared the docks though a small troop of confederate soldiers gathered to board. The commanding officer, a rather young looking Lieutenant approached them as they started to board.

  "Have you enlisted sir?" He asked Jacob straight out.

  "No sir, I'm just escorting my sister home, that's all."

  "You can enlist at Natchez," he informed him and walked off.

  Jacob nodded and led Beth up the ramp.

  Wade saw them and rushed to her side. "My God, you're here!" he cried taking her into his arms and crushing her with a hug.

  "I've missed you terribly," she cried.

  "No more than I. How's mother?"

  "Fine, her and my mother are getting along splendidly." She cried.

  "Jacob?" Wade grabbed his hand and hugged him too. "Good to see you again."

  "Thank you sir." Jacob grinned.

  "Come inside…" Wade encouraged them into a cabin that was empty at the moment.

  After giving Beth a kiss she wouldn't forget, he held her close as they all talked.

  "Jacob wants to either work with you, or go north to enlist." Beth told him.

  Wade studied him a minute. "Well Jacob, I appreciate that. But I could use you here, if you don't mind hard work."

  "Not at all, sir."

  "No, you don't have to sir me, it's Wade, you are family. I'd rather you worked here with me than enlist, and there are many reasons which we will discuss at length. Now that we are family, this boat becomes just as important to you as to me. If you will work with me, maybe we can come out of this war with an asset, instead of a liability. You'd have your own cabin, private of course, your own duties and if you like, I can enlist you as a spy for the north, if you are interested. There might be times I need you to be my eyes and ears. Does this interest you?"

  Jacob's eyes widened and a big smile broke over his face, "Very much…I was just telling Beth I didn't relish this war, or choosing a side, but my allegiance is to the north, even though I'm a southerner. But the way you put it, it sounds like my true allegiance is to this boat."

  Wade smiled and nodded, "Good, I’m glad you feel that way. And having a ally I can trust would mean a lot to me. Right now trust is very important."

  "I can see where it would be." Jacob nodded.

  "Well, let's get the two of you
fed properly, and your cabin established and we'll go over some of the details later. I'm just happy to have some family here, the tension has been very tight. The south has won the first two skirmishes, and they are assuming this war won't last long, but I'm afraid they are over confident just yet. As it takes a while just to get a war planned."

  Jacob nodded, and they walked along deck now, not speaking of the war, but of the passengers and duties. Beth held Wade's arm tight and felt so complete being at his side once more. It's where she belonged and she knew that beyond any doubts.

  They dined and General Martin stopped by, Wade introduced them and as the General left their table he told Jacob quietly he'd talk to him later about it all.

  Later he showed Jacob to his cabin, which was nicely furnished and spacious. Jacob was impressed. "I didn't expect anything like this."

  "Nonsense, you are family, and you are going to help me, partly by just being here for me. I think I was in need of some family backup." He smiled.

  "I'm going to retire and let the two of you talk for a while," Beth smiled at them.

  Wade looked seriously at her, "You feeling alright?" He asked with concern.

  "I feel fine, just tired. It was a real journey here; I'm sure Jacob can fill you in on the troubles in Texas." Beth said. She reached to kiss his cheek.

  "Fine, I'll be in to check on you in a bit, then. I'm so glad you are here." He said his eyes shining into hers.

  "Me too!" She exclaimed, beaming with a smile.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Wade and Jacob talked for a long while, then Wade had him follow him around to show him things he might need him to take care of. Jacob felt confident he could handle almost anything and Wade was more than a little happy to have Jacob by his side.

  Later that evening Beth joined them for supper, looking refreshed and happy. She had bathed and dressed in a beautiful blue frock and they caught up on all the news and goings on aboard ship.

  Several people stopped at their table and Jacob met several young ladies from affluent families. Since Jacob was quite a stunning young man, the young ladies were eager to meet and get to know him. So he offered to take them on deck. He had one on each arm and Beth couldn't believe that her brother had grown up before she knew it.

  It gave Beth and Wade some time to be alone too.

  "I'm so glad you brought him." Wade smiled at her. "You are looking very refreshed from your little rest."

  "I should, I soaked in that tub you bought for an hour, I went to sleep actually. It felt so good. I poured that lavender oil in the tub and it was so sweet and inviting."

  "God, I've missed you," he bent to plant a more than inviting kiss on her lips. She gave herself freely to him.

  "And I you…" She cried. "I can't wait to prove it to you. Will you have a little extra time for me tonight?" She asked looking with longing in her eyes.

  "I'll take the time… I promise you." He smiled. There was an eagerness in him too, now and Beth was so glad. She was afraid she might have to beg him to make love teo her, but from the look in his eyes, she wouldn't.

  She wanted to be in his arms so badly, she could hardly stand it. "Could we take a stroll around the deck, I need to walk off this fabulous supper."

  He stared at her intently, "Of course."

  The young Confederate Lieutenant came up to them. "Are you the Captain of this boat?"

  "I am the owner; may I help you?"

  "Yes, my men and I are going to Natchez, there will be some cargo we need to load on the ship there. Then we'll take our leave." He informed him.

  "Fine, we'll tend to it." Wade assured him and started to walk off.

  The young Lieutenant looked at Beth, "Would you excuse us, we have some business to attend to."

  "I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but my wife and I are just reunited and I promised her this night. I'll get with you about business, tomorrow." Wade informed him.

  "But…"

  "Excuse us, will you?" Wade insisted, frowning at the young Lieutenant for not having better manners.

  The officer seemed put out but Wade didn't care at this point. He hadn't seen Beth in over a month and he wouldn't be put off with cargo problems tonight. He'd done nothing but handle their precious cargo and soldiers for a solid month and tonight he reserved for his family.

  General Martin didn't appear the rest of the night and Wade talked with Beth as they strolled along the deck.

  "I wasn't expecting you back so soon." He said. "But, I have to say, I'm glad you are."

  She smiled into his serious face. "I couldn't stay away any longer."

  He bent his head and touched his lips to hers in a kiss that spoke of missing and of reuniting. As his lips trailed down her neck he whispered.

  "You're just the sunshine I needed." He whispered, his breath tickling her nerves and sending chills down her spine.

  "I love you Wade, and I can say it proudly now. And I want to be your wife…in every way…"She announced in another whisper.

  "My God!" He looked intently into her eyes.

  "Yes…tonight. I can't wait a moment longer to be yours." She cried. "I've thought of nothing else since I left."

  "Let me secure everything for the night, and I'll be right with you…" He promised, kissing her passionately in the moonlight. "Are you sure?" he asked.

  "More than sure. Being away from you has taught me one thing, I don't want to ever be away again." she whispered at his ear.

  He closed his eyes and swept her into his arms with another passionate kiss.

  "I can't say no to you…not now, not ever again." He kissed her forehead, his nose touching hers.

  "I was hoping you'd say that." She smiled boldly now.

  "You've changed." He smiled. "You're more confident than ever."

  "About this, I am." She nodded, kissed him enticingly on the lips and backed away from him, her arm extending to hold his hand. She kissed his face, all over as she spoke. "I've missed you every day, and thought constantly of you. I know where I belong, and that's by your side, helping you, doing whatever it takes to win this war and make a home for you. And I've thought of us making love, having children of our own, and making a family and home for us. Right here on this boat. This is our lives. the war be damned."

  "The only thing that has kept me sane is thinking of you." He whispered. "I'll hurry to you…"

  "Promise?"

  "Promise." He smiled sexily at her.

  Wade wasted no time in securing the boat and crew. He spoke with the Captain, some of the crew, and a few passengers, but he found himself anxious to return to his wife's arms.

  When he walked into their cabin, he called softly to her. "Beth…"

  She came strolling out of the sitting room and into their bedroom, in the shimmering white negligee he'd bought her. The moonlight streamed over her gown, silhouetting her body so he could see every curve. The image of her standing there was engraved in his mind and heart.

  He gasped as he stared at her.

  His eyes were glassy with desire.

  She wasn't nervous or scared, but anxious and excited beyond words. She had known from the moment she saw him on board that tonight was theirs. Tonight they would make love again. She was ready.

  He was more than ready.

  She wore nothing underneath the gown, and he soon realized it when he took her in his arms and his hands traveled up and down her slim but curvaceous body. Her hips were generous, but her breasts even more so. He pulled her into his arms and smothered her with kisses.

  He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed and lay her down. She stared up at him with pure desire.

  "This was the hardest month of my life. Being without you…"

  "It will never happen again; I promise…" She cooed reaching to pull his head down to her bosom and smiling when he moaned softly at her breasts. His nose nudged the mature cleavage, gasping with delight. With precision he nudged away the soft silk and found the round mounds of her breasts. Full, ripe a
nd pouting before him, he stared with such longing. "Beautiful. I've wanted to touch you so many times. But I rushed you into marriage, I couldn't rush this." he whispered. The dusty mauve of her nipples, begged his attention, as he took the ample breast to his lips, surrounding the pert nipple. She moaned now, the sound muffled as her lips touched his neck. His tongue shot out to flick the sweet swell of her breasts.

  "You've got too many clothes on," she cried.

  He pulled up and stared at her with such passion.

  He got up off the bed, closed all the doors, and locked them, then turned to her. He stripped off and she opened her arms to him to welcome him.

  He took his time with her, enjoying all the soft moans of delight he created with her. She stared for a long while, not saying anything except with her eyes. Her eyes slowly traveled him, admiring the lean but well-built man that was all hers. He had a powerful wide chest, and tight abs that tapered to small hips. But when her eyes fell to his manhood, she realized how ready he was for her.

  They took delight in discovering each other's bodies once more, glorying in the love, passion, and raw desire that sprang from within them when they touched, and tasted each other.

  His hand went from her round shoulder, down her arm, over her hips and even to her feet. She looked fascinated when he took a toe into his mouth to suckle it, but his hands brushed against her in an exotic rhythm that titillated her senses.

  He came back up, his head dipped to her breasts to feast upon her there for long lingering moments of bliss. He held her breasts up to the moonlight, delighting in its shape. His lips and tongue devoured her there, over and over, until she squirmed to set herself free from such enjoyable agony.

  When he finally entered her the first time she was so primed for the moment that she barely gasped when he took her. He plunged deep this time, as though he couldn't stand any gaps between them.

  But sending her into the throes of passion she climaxed easily when he plunged so deeply inside her, sending her over the edge of happiness into a euphoria of sensations. She hadn't expected such a feeling, but it melted over her like chocolate melting over ice cream. She let the sensations sweep over her slowly, embracing it. She sighed with such contentment. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the moments. She drank in the smell of a him, sweet, natural, and all man. He was hers, at last, and the knowledge was heady.