Chase the Moon: A Historical Romance

by Lynn Hubbard

  “Germs?”

  “A phrase coined by a Frenchman, Louis Pasteur, they are like tiny bugs that make you sick. It is why it is easier to heal from some injuries than others. If they only had the knowledge during the civil war, many lives may have been saved.” He added sadly as he thought of all the deaths that had occurred due to infection.

  “So he will be okay?”

  “I’m sure of it. I think it would be best to get him home as soon as possible. I have more medicine there.”

  “We will leave at first light. I can have the horses ready.”

  “Do you think he can ride?”

  “A wagon would slow us down, some roads are still damaged, we would have to go another route if we took a wagon. Time is of the essence, I wish he had told us he was ill sooner. I should have noticed.” Thomas said with anger in his voice.

  “Don’t blame yourself. My stubborn brother should have told you he was doing worse. We will get him home and he will heal.” Amelia said with determination.

  She sat bathing him until her arms ached and her eyes were gritty with sleep. She protested as Sally returned and took over the task. Chase suggested she lie in his bed so she could be nearby. Exhausted she fell into a fretted sleep. Chase slept on the floor near her side.

  Checking in on his cousin, Warren came to the door. He was surprised to see Sally there and stood watching her work as he tried to come up with something to say. Taking a deep breath he took a step forward as he stammered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” His eyes were apologetic as he held out his hand in a helpless gesture. Sally, still trying to come to grips with her own feelings, slapped the sopping rag into it as she left without looking back. In her room, she quickly packed her things and then Amelia’s before resting a few hours before dawn.

  Chapter 22

  Sabrina was wrapped in Brock’s arms and she wanted to stay there forever. She knew that while he held her she was safe.

  She felt like a coward. The old Sabrina would have been taking charge and barking orders. Instead, she was hiding behind the barn mopping. There were wounded to tend to, families to inform, funerals to plan, it was her job not Brock’s.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, I’m just fine. I know it sounds silly, but that is partly why I’m upset. That I am fine, yet so many others are injured. Hell, two men are dead. In addition, I feel responsible. I should have been there. I should have warned them.”

  “Warned them about what? The dangers of ranch life? They were grown men. They knew the risk.”

  “I don’t know I just feel so helpless, like I should be able to fix it. Like when my family died. I just hid in the bushes and didn’t do anything. I’ve always wondered that maybe if I had spoken up, if maybe I hadn’t of hid. Maybe they would have stopped. Maybe they wouldn’t all be dead. Maybe I could have saved them. Maybe I could have saved Lydia.”

  “Darling, you had no chance of saving your family. They would have killed them and taken you as well. Some people are just downright wicked, and sometimes evil wins - but not always. Let’s go check on the others. If you brush Justice any more he’s gonna have bare patches.”

  Sabrina smiled up at him as she wiped her eyes. She must look a mess she thought. She took a deep breath and grabbed his hand as he led her up to the house.

  They entered to find Samuel at the kitchen table with Jasmine next to him. His arm was in a sling but he looked content. She was sure that Jasmine was part of his contentment.

  “You okay?” He asked Sabrina noticing her red eyes.

  “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

  “I’ll live.” He said grimly.

  “And your arm?”

  “Still attached.”

  “Ya wouldn’t know it from all the hollering you did when Doc moved it back into place. Screamed like a little girl he did.” Alma stated joining them.

  “I did not. I screamed like a man.” He said winking at Jasmine and Sabrina giggled glad her friend was okay.

  “How is Roger doing?” She asked almost fearfully.

  “He’s still breathing. Dr. Reynold thinks he’s got a good chance of making it. I heard we lost two.”

  “It was quick.” Brock added.

  Samuel nodded deep in thought. Sabrina grabbed Brock’s hand leading him to the bedroom to check on Roger. His parents were still there.

  “Still sleeping. Dr. Reynold said he would sleep for a while.” Anna answered her unvoiced question.

  “He’s so pale.”

  Sabrina moved closer looking down at his whitish face. His breathing was ragged due to his swollen neck but he persevered with each breath.

  “He lost a lot of blood. You’re looking pretty peeked yourself. Why don’t you go rest for a while.”

  Sabrina shook her head no. “I need to keep busy.”

  “You need to rest.” Anna stated.

  Sabrina looked up at the older woman’s tone of voice. It was a tone that would not accept argument.

  Sabrina nodded in agreement as she took Brock’s hand leading him to the porch. They sat on the swing watching as the sun sank lower in the sky. Sabrina was glad this horrible day would soon be over.

  ***

  Chase awoke before dawn. The sky was still black and he could hear the crickets singing out the open window. He moved into a knelling position as he looked around the room. Sometime in the night Warren had left and Jaelyn and Thomas had taken his place. Jaelyn was sitting on the bed still at the task of bathing Riley’s forehead. At her brothers movement she turned and gave him a smile. “Sleep well?” She asked with just a bit of sarcasm.

  “Could have slept better.” He stated with a glance at Amelia still asleep on his bed.

  “Ahhh, yes the banshee. They do have ways of lulling one into a false sense of security. I suppose that is why you did not awaken when Thomas and I took over watch.”

  “I was aware. I was just pretending to sleep.” Chase lied.

  “Of course, your snores were very believable.” She said with a grin as Chase frowned.

  “I do not snore. I will get Warren and ready the horses while you rest.” He murmured leaving to the sound of his sisters chuckles.

  He headed for Warren’s door and rapped it lightly. It was soon opened by a fully dressed Warren. The man’s worth went up a notch in Chase’s eyes.

  “How is Riley?”

  “He will be fine.” Chase stated as if his words would make it so. “We need to get him home.”

  Warren nodded following Chase out and towards the stables. Chase chose Warren to assist him since he had more experience with horses than Thomas did. Warren did not let him down. He worked as hard, and almost as efficiently, as Chase as they saddled and readied the horses.

  They each rode a horse while leading the others behind them. Chase went to wake Amelia leaving Warren to get Sally.

  Warren took a deep breath before knocking on Sally’s door. It was opened a couple minutes later, in the dim candle lit hallway Sally’s golden hair shone like the sun. She was fully dressed and ready to go.

  “Yes?”

  “We…um, horses are ready.”

  Sally smiled at Warren’s flustered appearance. She wasn’t used to this well spoken man floundering for words.”I’m ready.” She said moving to close the door.

  Warren used his foot to keep it from slamming as he reached out to grab her arm. “Sally…we need to talk.”

  Sally looked up at him as she felt tears welding up in her eyes as the pain and embarrassment from the other night came flooding back. “I think you’ve said enough.” Sally pulled away and closed the door as she took deep breathes trying to keep from crying.

  Amelia was having horrible a dream. She was on the beach staring at the water. She could see Riley in the water asking her for help. The water was boiling around him and then it turned to blood. Amelia sat up with a gasp. Chases hand was over mouth stifling her scream. Reality came to her and she nodded to him as he removed his hand and helped her st
and.

  Her eyes immediately sought out Riley. She kneeled at his side and shook him roughly. His eyes opened wearily and thanked God in relief. “How are you feeling?”

  “A bit damp.” He grinned at her. His once fever clouded eyes were bright and clear. She placed her hand on his forehead and was relieved to find it cool.

  A shadow crossed over her and she looked up to see Thomas. “He is good for now. We need to move quickly in case the fever comes back.”

  She nodded as she grabbed a bag by the door and followed Chase with his load down the hallway. Warren was already at the horses and tying up their bags. Sally was outside as well and she came up hugging Amelia tightly. “How is Riley?”

  “He is good. Thomas is helping him out. How are you?” Amelia asked her gaze flickering to Warren.

  “I am stronger than I look.” She replied with a smile.

  Warren called a huddle as they discussed riding assignments. With Riley injured he would not able to control his horse as well. They paired him first with Chase and he would switch off with Warren. They had the strongest horses and were capable of supporting Riley as well if the need arose. Sally rode with her brother Thomas while Amelia rode with Jaelyn. They tied Riley’s horse to Warren’s saddle and set out for Montgomery. The group was far more pensive than when they had arrived.

  Amelia could barely see through the darkness as they followed Warren’s lead. The sound of waves could be heard in the stillness and Amelia hoped that Riley would make it through the journey.

  The group was unusually quiet. Each lost in their own thoughts and worries. Chase felt Riley lean heavily on him and he was relieved to hear his deep breaths of sleep. He did not want Amelia’s brother dying on his watch.

  Each step his horse took seemed to lessen his time with Amelia. They would return, Sabrina and Brock would marry and then what? Amelia would return to San Francisco and he and his family would return to their home. His heart ached at the thought of not seeing her beautiful face every day. With a sigh, he rode into the darkness.

  ***

  Morning at Montgomery came just the same. Sabrina pushed herself up, her heart heavy as she listened to the birds twittering outside her window. Did they not know about the lives lost the day before? Did they not care?

  Feeling coldness creep into her from the loss she turned to Brock disappointed to find that he was not there. She knew he was taking charge of the ranch since Warren was gone and Samuel was injured, she was so full of pride at his capabilities. He could handle anything that came along, but she still missed waking up in his arms.

  She wiped a tear from her eye as she stood up and washed her face in the basin. Taking a deep rattled breath she moved to dress as she readied to face the day. Her first stop was to check in on Roger. Dr. Reynold was sitting with him. Like the rest of the Reynolds it was like looking at sunshine. Dr. Reynold sat in his neat suit, fully scrubbed and polished to face the dawn.

  “Good morning.” He greeted her cheerfully.

  “Morning, How is Roger?”

  “Too soon to tell but he is actually doing much better than I expected. He’s been resting well. We propped his bed up so it would be easier for him to breath. I’m gonna try to get him to drink some. Have you had anything to eat yet?” He asked his other patient.

  “Not yet. I don’t really feel like eating. I figured I would sit with Roger so you could rest.”

  “Well your baby feels like being fed. Go eat and then you can sit with him a spell.” Dr. Reynold ordered.

  Sabrina frowned, but did as she was told. Stepping into the kitchen and smelling the bacon cooking and biscuits baking she changed her mind. She was hungry.

  She took a hot biscuit from the pan and took a bite. It melted in her mouth. Alma offered her a glass of milk and she sat on the stool next to the counter watching Alma cook while she ate. It was like watching a painter create a masterpiece and Alma did it every day of her life.

  Finishing her breakfast she headed back to spell Dr. Reynold. On her way to the room she noticed that they had set up the parlor. She frowned since she had not noticed it before. Some of the hands had built plain wooden caskets and the men were lain out for the wake. The funeral was set for tomorrow. The preacher would be out to speak over them. She needed to speak to Samuel about burial arrangements since Warren was away.

  Her mind whirled with thoughts and emotions. She wondered how Warren and his lot were doing. Hopefully they would be home in time for the funeral. She knew that it was only right for Warren, the head of the house to be there. Neither had kin nearby so Warren would need to pen letters to their families. She did not envy him of that task.

  She was greeted warmly and motioned into a chair. Dr. Reynold gave her instructions to get him if there was any change. He would be in his room next door to catch up on sleep. Sabrina to nervous to sit still wandered around the small room idly tiding things and pulling open the curtains. She didn’t know why people felt that gloom was better off for healing. She always believed that a cheery room with fresh air and sunshine did wonders.

  She noticed the knitting basket in the corner. Anna must have been working on it while she sat watch for her turn. Digging into it she pulled out the small square that she had started days ago. It seemed so much longer. Returning to her post, she sat down and began knitting. She was grateful for the distraction and soon was able to clear her mind of nothing else.

  Chapter 23

  They meandered along at a slow pace due to the horses being overloaded. Amelia sat behind Warren, her hands awkwardly holding his side. She was very worried about Riley; he seemed to be getting weaker by the minute. His once flushed face was now pale with pain. Each lurch of the horses step was more unbearable than the next.

  She turned her head not wanting to see him suffering. Her eyes met Sally’s who was staring at Warren. Her friend looked away and Amelia found a bit of joy for the first time that day. Hopefully they could patch things up; Warren was not a monster, he just had made poor choices.

  She was torn from her thoughts as Warren pulled the horse to a stop. She looked up noticing that Chase had stopped ahead of them.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There’s a storm coming. We should stop soon and seek shelter.” Chase said pointing to the west.

  Amelia had noticed the wind picking up but she had not even thought about it being from a storm. “Is there any shelter nearby?” She asked concerned for Riley’s wellbeing more so than her own.

  “There are no caves around here. We passed some houses further back but I’d hate to lose that much ground.” Warren stated grimly. Amelia agreed with him. The sooner they got home the better.

  “We still have time. Jaelyn, ride ahead and see if you can find anything.” Chase ordered and Jaelyn moved to obey without question.

  “Wait! Isn’t that dangerous?” Thomas asked in concern for her safety.

  Jaelyn grinned. “I’m Comanche, I’ll be just fine.” And off she was like a light moving as graceful as a doe. Thomas frowned moving up in the line to try to keep a look out for his bride-to-be.

  Time seemed to be moving in slow motion. The horses sensing the coming rain were more skittish than usual testy everyone’s skill. A heavy mist began to fall the droplets so tiny you could barely see them. They all were relieved when Jaelyn appeared on the horizon her horse breathing hard from the exertion.

  “There’s an abandoned barn not too far from here. It’s damaged but better than nothing.”

  They eagerly followed her wincing the rain grew heavier and the roar of thunder drew closer. Amelia was greatly disappointed when they reached the barn, if you could call it that. The barn was the only thing left standing from the storm last fall and only half of it at that. Thomas eyed it skeptically since two walls were missing. This left the roof slopped at an angle touching the floor like a bizarre tee pee.

  Warren slid off his horse handing the reins to a panicked Amelia. He and Chase moved to check the strength of the building as they
debated on the safety of it. Being doused by rain was better than having a roof collapse on you. Finding it surprising solid they decided to risk it.

  Amelia gasped as Warren’s horse reared up as thunder crashed nearby. She slid down landing on her butt. Jaelyn still on her mount moved forward to capture the reins before the horse could run off. Sally slid off of Thomas’ horse to go to her friend’s aid.

  “I’m fine.” She grumbled climbing to her feet and trying to wipe off the mud on her bum. She turned to find Chase’s dark eyes watching her with concern before she waved him off. He turned and organized the care of the horses and supplies while Thomas and Warren grabbed Riley and helped him limp under the shelter. She bent double to enter and looked around fearing spiders or snakes. Sally joined them as they waited for the others to return. Amelia sat down next to her brother still unsure of their safety but grateful that it was blocking the wind.

  Leaving the women and Riley inside the men carried in the saddles, blankets and supplies. Amelia felt a presence next to her and was happy to see it was Chase. His dark hair was wet and clinging to his chiseled face. She looked up into his dark eyes and she so wanted to kiss him. He always made her feel safe even if she wasn’t. He offered her a piece of pemmican he had acquired in town before they left. She took it gratefully as he passed it out to the rest of the group. Sally looked at hers a bit hesitantly before she nibbled at it.

  Chase moved away and pulled out a flint. Amelia watched amazed as he set to building a fire with some pinecones and dried leaves that Jaelyn had the sense to collect. Amelia watched in awe as he struck it with a rock and sparks appeared. Once the leaves caught, he gently nurtured the flame until it grew stronger and brighter. He then added pinecones and bits of bark and twigs.

  The wind howled around them and Amelia shivered from the sound. She hated storms and hoped that this one would pass quickly. She turned her attention back to Riley who was lounged back using a saddle as a pillow. Thomas had covered the ground with a horse blanket and covered him with another from a sleeping roll.