Savage Horizons

by Rosanne Bittner

  Caleb looked him over, folding his powerful arms across his chest. “What do you fear, Mr. Sax? Sarah is as dear to me as if she were my own sister. I mean her no harm.”

  “No harm?” The man turned and walked to the window, staring out a moment before turning back to face Caleb. “If you stay around, Caleb, it will involve more than brother and sister. We both know it, so forget trying to avoid the issue. You’re bad for her, just like Tom was bad for Cora. If you take Sarah away from here you’ll destroy her. She’ll die young in a wild land, just like her mother.”

  Caleb frowned. “You speak of Cora Sax as though she was special to you. You seem to mourn her, but not your own brother. Why does what happened to Cora bother you so?”

  The man reddened slightly, then turned away again. “I’ll tell you this much, Caleb, but never tell Sarah. You’re part Indian. Indians are supposed to keep their word, right?”

  “I will not tell her.”

  Sax hesitated, but finally decided the truth might convince Caleb he himself knew what was best for Sarah. “Cora was once engaged to me,” the man started. “Her name was Cora Dade then.” He swallowed. “I… loved her very much. I was the son who got an education, planned, intended to be very successful—which I am. I had everything to offer her. Then Tom came home from one of his visits to the wilds. He… filled her with stories about his adventures, and with every story her eyes got bigger with excitement and admiration. Before I knew it, something was happening between them. She looked at him with that… that sick look of love, like Sarah looked at you tonight. He swept her off her feet with his damn buckskins and wild tales. The next thing I knew she was breaking our engagement, telling me she was in love with Tom and was going away with him.” The man’s fists clenched. “He stole her from me! But I showed him! I—” Sax broke off abruptly, and when he turned around there was bitter hatred in his eyes.

  Caleb finally understood the hard feelings between the brothers, but he suspected Terrence Sax was not so hurt by losing Cora as he was at losing to Tom, at being shown all his wealth could not buy the love of a good woman. It was obvious he was trying to buy Sarah’s love now, but Caleb wondered if the man even realized it.

  Sax breathed deeply, trying to stay in control. “He took Cora off to Fort Dearborn, where she died young. She could have had everything, but instead she ran off with a man who could give her nothing.”

  “She was very happy. He gave her love, and that was all she wanted. Sarah is very much like her.”

  The man glowered at him, stepping closer. “Yes, she is. And she is very impressionable like Cora. I took Sarah in because she was Cora’s daughter, and for me it was a way of having Cora back, a way of showing Tom up after all. The man couldn’t take care of his own daughter, so he sent her to me.”

  “He took fine care of her,” Caleb retorted angrily. “Tom loved her very much. But Cora had died, and there was a threat of Indian or British attack. He did not intend that you keep her forever, just until he could do it himself again. And he would have if he had not been killed.”

  “I have my doubts about that,” he sneered. “He was wild and free—probably glad to be rid of Cora and the girl so he could—”

  Caleb grasped the lapels of the man’s woolen coat, yanking him close. “Never smear the name of Tom Sax or accuse him of not loving his wife and daughter or I will cut out your tongue.” He shoved the man hard so that he fell onto the bed. “You white-bellied bastard! I do not doubt Cora began to see you for what you are: a selfish man who thinks all that is important is money and power. Before now I was not sure if I should leave Sarah here with you. Now I know I cannot!”

  Sax rose from the bed, afraid of Caleb but not wanting to show it. “You try to take her away and I’ll have you arrested and hung for kidnapping,” he warned.

  Caleb looked down at him haughtily. “Threaten me if you wish. But I will do what is best for Sarah. She is a good, sweet girl, and if you truly loved her you would want only what makes her happy. You cannot make her live her life the way you want. She must live her own life. You have taken good care of her, and Tom would be grateful. But he would say she must choose what she wants to do. She is eighteen and a woman.”

  “Yes,” the man sneered. “She’s a woman—that’s what you’re seeing. I’m telling you, Caleb Sax, that if you take Sarah away it will be to an early death, just like Cora. I won’t let that happen again, and I have a lot of power in this town. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

  Caleb grinned. “I am not afraid of you, Terrence Sax. I will do what is best for Sarah, what she wants.”

  “Which is exactly what I intend to do,” Terrence returned. He looked Caleb over once more. “The offer is still good. I’ll pay you well to leave by tomorrow. You know where my office is. Go there for the money.”

  Caleb glared at him. “I choose to stay.”

  Sax stiffened, his knuckles turning white on the doorknob. “Go ahead, boy. Just don’t try coming around to visit Sarah again or I’ll have the law on you!”

  The man went out, slamming the door so hard that moments later the woman who ran the boarding house came and chided Caleb for having company so late at night. “You keep it quiet or I’ll get the sheriff,” she warned.

  “I am sorry,” he told her. “It was not my fault.”

  She sniffed and marched back to her room.

  Caleb closed his door again, softly this time. Terrence Sax had made up his mind for him. He would stay in Saint Louis—for a while at least. He would make sure of Sarah’s feelings for him, and if they were what he suspected, he would take her away. But something must be decided soon. Tom was waiting for his father to return for him. Caleb had never realized how much he would miss his son, but he could not abandon Sarah.

  Sarah left the clothing store, carrying the dress her aunt had insisted she buy for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day dance. The Saxes wanted Byron Clawson to escort her, but Sarah had objected vehemently, and finally her aunt and uncle had given in. She would go with them and be allowed to dance with whomever she chose.

  “At least we know it won’t be with that half-breed,” her uncle had muttered. “He’s gone back to the wilds where he belongs.”

  Sarah could not believe Caleb had left. Surely he wouldn’t do that to her. But he had not visited for three days, and she had daringly checked at the rooming house where he had been staying, only to find he was no longer there. Never had she been so unhappy or felt so lost.

  Caleb had quickly become everything to her, not just safety from Byron and a way to go back to a life she preferred, but as a man, a beautiful, wonderful man she loved. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t wealthy and educated like Byron. He was more man in all the ways that counted. He had made such brief appearances in her life yet he meant so much to her.

  She passed an alley and heard someone call her name. She turned, and her heart quickened with joy and relief. “Caleb!”

  He put a finger to his lips and signaled for her to come to him. She looked around, then quickly darted into the alley, moving with him around the corner of a building.

  “Uncle Terrence told me you’d left,” she said. She put her package on a nearby barrel and hugged him. “Oh, Caleb, I was so unhappy.”

  “I only wanted him to think I left, so he would not be watching you.” Caleb replied. “Your uncle paid me a visit the other night.”

  She looked up at him. “Why?”

  “He asked me to leave Saint Louis quickly.”

  She frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  Their eyes held, and he could not resist drawing her closer. “He thinks that—” he swallowed, suddenly nervous. “He is afraid you and I might have feelings for each other.” He felt her shake as the tears came.

  “He would be right,” she sniffed, hugging him tighter.

  His heart quickened and he bent his head to kiss her hair. “Sarah,” he whispered, unable to stop himself. Over and over he kissed her, her hair, her forehead. Slowly she
turned her face up to his, wanting more, wanting to know. His lips moved over her eyes, her temples, her cheeks, then finally finding her mouth, her sweet, delicious, innocent mouth. He wanted her even more than he had wanted Walking Grass, for Sarah had been a part of his life for so much longer. He searched her mouth hungrily, unable to move away from it, wanting to linger there forever.

  She flung her arms around his neck, returning the kiss with fervor. Though innocent of physical love, Sarah knew it felt right and wonderful and magic to have Caleb kissing her, wanting her, holding her. Fire spread through her body, and she knew instinctively that to be his woman would mean great joy and ecstasy. How could two men be so different? She could hardly stand Byron even looking at her, but with Caleb she wanted so much more.

  His lips finally left her mouth and he held her close, trembling almost as much as she. “My God, Sarah,” he groaned. “I have tried to stop these feelings.”

  “I tried, too,” she whispered. “But the moment you returned I knew I loved you. I think I’ve always loved you, Caleb, since I was a little girl.”

  “And I have loved you,” he replied. “Sarah, my darling Sarah.”

  Their lips met again in youthful passion, and she was breathless from being held so tightly—or was it just from his kiss?

  The pain of wanting her was sharp and real for Caleb. If they were alone it would be so easy to lay her down and claim her, and he knew he must possess her soon. He must be the first and only man to hold this treasure, to lead her gently to womanhood.

  He finally broke his kiss, his body aching with desire. He had never felt quite such an intense passion before. “We must meet somewhere alone where we can talk,” he said.

  She pulled away slightly, the fire still burning in her heart and body, her face crimson at the realization of her boldness. “Yes,” she answered. “There is a carriage and driver waiting for me just up the street. I must go soon.” She dared to meet his eyes, eyes that were glassy with desire. He smiled at her, the handsome, provocative smile that only made him more beautiful.

  “I don’t know what will happen, Sarah. I only know that I love you,” he told her. “And it feels so good to finally say it.”

  How many times had she dreamed of belonging to Caleb Sax? “And I love you,” she replied. “Where are you staying? I looked for you.”

  “I am camped in the woods behind the livery on Saint James Street. I wanted your uncle to think I had left town. Is there any way you can make it there?”

  “Tomorrow. I’ll have the driver bring me to town and tell him I intend to shop most of the day. I’ll tell him to come back for me at a certain time. Then I’ll walk to your camp. My aunt and uncle won’t know. I do have a lot of shopping to do. I’ll come back in time to buy a few things before I meet the driver.”

  He frowned. “I do not like making you sneak around. It is not right. But your uncle must think I am gone or he will try to stop us. We must talk and plan so we can get away. He tried to pay me to leave, and he threatened me. I am not afraid of him, but I think he is the type who would get many men to do his bidding. There is only so much one man can do to defend himself.”

  Her heart tightened with dread. “Oh, Caleb, Uncle Terrence wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t hire men to hurt you!”

  He caressed her hair. “You did not see the look on his face when he came to see me. We must go away in secret or we will not be able to go at all. I know you do not like deceiving him, nor do I. But with his money and power he will find a way to keep us apart if we go to him and say we wish to be together.”

  She hugged him tightly. “Oh, Caleb, he’s been so good to me. Surely he would let us be together if he knew that’s what I really wanted. I can’t believe he’d hurt me that way.”

  He kissed her hair and ran his hands over her back. “I am afraid I can, Sarah. I know he has been good to you. But he—” He saw no gain in telling Sarah about the man’s love for Cora Sax. It would only hurt her. “Believe me, Sarah, when I tell you he is very determined. Meet me tomorrow and we will talk. What time will you come?”

  “Around one o’clock?”

  “Fine. I will be waiting.”

  Their eyes held in love and happiness. They would be together. Surely God meant it to be. They had shared so much together, loved and lost together.

  “Go now. And be careful tomorrow that no one sees you.” He bent down and kissed her lightly. “I am so happy, Sarah. I was not sure you had the same feelings, but I could not leave until I knew. At first I came only to see you once more, but I knew when I did see you that I could not let you out of my life again. I have been so lonely. You bring new joy to my heart.” He reached over and picked up her package, placing it in her hands. “You must go.”

  “I’m scared to be away from you, Caleb.”

  “It is only for another day. I will be waiting.”

  She reached out and squeezed his hand, then hurried back out to the street. Caleb watched her, studying the lovely little bounce to her walk, the roundness of her firm hips, her slender waist. Who would ever have imagined his little Sarah would grow into a woman he would want the way he wanted her now? The hours until he saw her again would be long indeed.

  Caleb looked up from the small fire in front of the tent he had made from his buffalo robes. He smiled when he saw her, feeling relieved. Sarah looked beautiful in a dark blue velvet dress and cape, a muff over her hands, a dark blue velvet and fur hat over her red-gold hair. She walked faster when she was sure it was he, and in the next moment she was in his arms.

  “Oh, Caleb, I’m so scared. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  “You will not have to do it much longer. We will go away soon, when we know we can get far away before anyone can follow us.” He turned. “Here. Come inside. There is not much room, but it is warmer. It is cold again.” He took her arm and they ducked inside the large tent, where he had blankets spread on the ground. Just getting out of the cool wind made all the difference.

  They sat down beside each other and their eyes met. In the small confines of the tent, that was all that was needed. Neither could deny passion. Caleb pulled off her hat and gently lay her back. He could not get enough of her, he thought as his mouth met hers. He wanted to consume her, invade her. But he realized how new it was to her, how careful he must be. There would be time for claiming her later. For now he would hold her, gently show her the lovely little things that could bring pleasure.

  “Sarah, I ache for you,” he whispered, moving his lips to her throat, running a hand over her flat stomach and up to gently caress one breast through the thick cloth of her dress.

  Sarah gasped with the ecstasy of his touch. How glorious it was to be in his arms this way. It seemed that as soon as he touched her she was filled with burning passion, and both of them suffered the intense needs of youth, needs magnified by the fear that something would happen to keep them apart. She never wanted to be apart from him again.

  His mouth met hers again, his long, dark hair shrouding her face, his broad frame hovering over her. She was at his mercy but didn’t care, trusting him implicitly. This was Caleb, her dear friend, now her lover. He would never deceive her. She had often thought about love, but never dreamed it could be this wonderful.

  He moved his lips over the dress, kissing at her breasts and rubbing his face against them. She whimpered his name, touching his hair, wondering what it must be like to lie this way naked, to have a man actually taste her breasts. She knew she could only let Caleb do such a thing, no one else.

  He kissed her throat again, then her lips, then raised up on one elbow, smiling almost bashfully as he looked down at her. “I did not mean to do that so quickly. I meant to talk first.” He put a hand to the side of her face. “But when I am near you…”

  She sighed. “I know,” she whispered. “It’s the same for me.” She turned her face and kissed the palm of his hand. “What are we going to do, Caleb? My aunt and uncle want me to go to a special dance Saturday.
Byron will be there, and I talked them into letting me go with them and not him. But I don’t want to go at all.” She met his eyes. “I just want to be with you. Yet I hate the thought of hurting them.”

  “I know, but it cannot be helped, Sarah. If your uncle even knows I am still around he will do something to separate us. And you must think of your father and mother. They would have wanted us to be together. Terrence is nothing like Tom. It is Tom we must think about, his wishes. Terrence took care of you, but he does not own you. You are old enough to make your own decisions. If you wish to go away with me and be my wife, which is what I want very much in my own heart, then I will find a way. Will you be my wife, Sarah?”

  Her eyes teared. “You know I will,” she whispered.

  He smiled, his own eyes watery. “I can think of nothing more wonderful than us living together, raising Tom and having more babies of our own.”

  She reddened again and buried her face in his shoulder. He moved on top of her, kissing her hair. “Do not be afraid of it, Sarah. I would never hurt you or hurry you. It will be so beautiful. You will see. We will be so happy.”

  “I know,” she said softly. “It’s all so beautiful. I’m just so scared it can never be.”

  “Of course it can be. We are meant to be together. I will take care of you always. I will never leave you again.”

  “How, Caleb? When?”

  “We will wait, two weeks perhaps, until Terrence Sax is very sure I have gone and does not watch you closely or wonder where you are. You will tell him you are going to a friend’s house for the day, but you will come here instead and we will leave. If we can get a day’s start, we can do it. I know of no other way. I would rather go to him and face him, but he would find a way to stop us.” He kissed her eyes. “It will be like riding into an enemy Indian camp and stealing a woman away. Clawson thinks you are his, but you are mine. He will not have you.”