by Lynn Hubbard
Looking up at the sky, she hoped that the rain would hold off until the preacher left. She wasn’t aware of anyone else attending from town but Alma was working on a feast to feed an army. Sabrina figured most of it was to keep everyone busy and his or her mind off the sorrow. She had checked on Roger this morning, he was allowed to sit up and had drunk two cups of broth. He was bound and determined to be at the funeral; To say goodbye to his friends.
Riley was still bed bound, much to his chagrin. He would not be attending and Chase volunteered to stay with him to make sure it was so. He just could not risk reopening the wound. Luck only went so far.
She felt a hand on her back and looked up at Brock who was watching her closely.
“It is done.”
Her attention returned to the hollowed out ground and she nodded her approval. She went to thank the men for their labor, some of which she had known as a child. They moved off to get ready for the ceremony and Brock guided Sabrina into the house and out of the rain that had started to fall.
Stepping into the kitchen, she was immersed in luscious smells. Brock excused himself to clean up and she wandered over to look into the giant pot of chicken boiling for dumplings. Her stomach rumbled in hunger. The last couple of days she was so distraught with grief and worry she had ate very little. Alma honed in on the sound and thrust a plate of bacon eggs and grits into her hand.
Sabrina thanked her and went to sit at the large table alone. It was somewhat odd being alone in a house full of so many people. She took a bite of the thick bacon and chewed. It was crunchy just as she liked it. With the food renewing her energy, she ate heartily.
She looked up as the chair next to her was pulled out noisily. The legs rumbled against the slats on the wooden floor and Amelia plopped into it with a slight groan.
“Tired?”
“I ache in places I didn’t even know that could ache.”
“Yeah, horseback riding takes a while to get used to. I heard you have some lessons planned?”
Amelia’s face turned slightly pink. “I don’t know about that. I don’t even want to see a horse again!”
“That’s gonna be hard to do since we have to go into town for fittings soon.” Sally replied sitting gingerly in her own seat.
“ ‘We’ don’t have to go. Just Jaelyn and Sabrina.”
“Yes you do. If I have to suffer, you have to suffer.” Sabrina replied.
“Oh hush up and eat your food.” Amelia said standing up slowly and stiffly walking out.
***
Sally left as well, in her haste to scurry past the bodies laid out in the parlor she collided into someone. Her hand instinctively went up to cushion the impact and collided with a firm chest. She looked up and her apology stuck in her throat as her eyes met Warren’s green ones. She turned to leave but he grabbed her arm pulling her close.
“We need to talk.”
“I have nothing to say.”
“Then you can listen.” He replied pulling her into his office and shutting the door.
“I did not mean to offend you the other evening.”
“When you called me a whore?”
“I didn’t call you that.”
“Well you sure as hell insinuated it.” Sally spat out crossing her arms across her chest as if to shield her heart from further pain.
“I know, I did say that. I’m an idiot. Men’s minds don’t always work properly in certain situations. I would give anything to go back to that moment and say what I should have said.”
Sally turned her back to him as he continued speaking. Tears were forming in her eyes and she didn’t want him to see.
“You said you would listen.”
“My ears aren’t turned off. Speak your peace.”
“Sally, I have been enamored by you since you first arrived. You have such poise and spirit. I took advantage of that and I do apologize. I do not regret our night together; I do regret my poor choice of words. More so, I regret I did not come to you immediately and beg my forgiveness. Sabrina called me a heartless bastard once. I suppose she was right.”
“Only once?” Sally asked as she turned again to face him. A smile tugged at her lips as she thought of Sabrina’s harsh vocabulary and bad temper.
“Well perhaps it was a dozen or so times. Looking back, I must say I deserved most of them.”
Warren stood stock-still waiting for Sally’s response. He could feel his heart beating franticly in his chest. Sally took a step forward and tilted her head up to meet his lips as they descended. It was a soft kiss. A first kiss, as if both wanted to start over, to try again. Warren crushed her in his arms as they encircled around her pulling her to his chest.
***
Sabrina stood next to Warren as they all gathered in the parlor. Due to the poor weather, Pastor Brown decided to recite his eulogy inside to minimize the exposure to the elements. It was hard for Sabrina to concentrate on the words as she looked around at the somber crowd. Roger was a given a seat in front watched closely by Tom to make sure he did not over do it. Samuel stood back a ways as did Brock and their other guests. She wished she could hide in the back with the others but Warren insisted she must be up front with him, to show their support for the family and friends of the fallen. A tear slipped down Sabrina’s cheek as Pastor Brown finished and one by one, their friends spoke up saying their peace. Warren spoke of the men’s love for the land and skill with animals.
The room was getting a bit stuffy from the body heat and humidity from the rain. She felt a bit dizzy and wrapped her arm around Warren’s as she closed her eyes and took some deep breaths. Pastor Brown said a prayer for their souls as he finished. Without a word, men came forward lifting the pine boxes with ease and making their way out front and into the rain.
It was as if God himself was crying and Sabrina pulled the black wrap that Sally insisted she wear closely around her. Her black bonnet struggled to keep the rain off her face as they followed the slow procession to the gravesite.
She felt an arm slide around her and she dropped Warren’s to find warmth and comfort in Brock’s embrace. The caskets were lowered and the sound of the shovels brought back sad memories of her parents and Lydia’s funeral. Amelia stepped forward and her sweet voice blocked out the sound as she sung Amazing Grace. She kept singing until the last shovel stopped. The silence was deafening and Warren thanked everyone for turning out. He invited everyone to attend dinner, which would be served soon.
Sabrina was exhausted as she finally returned to her bedroom. She removed her damp clothing and dried off with a towel. She had just put on a clean slip as Brock arrived, his hands laden with food.
“I thought we could eat up here.”
“Perfect.” Sabrina said gratefully as she helped him lay out the dishes on top of the quilt. She ate her fill and Brock cleared away the rest. She went to dress again to go down and mingle their guests but Brock stopped her. He gently pulled her down onto the bed and tucked her into the covers.
“You need to rest.”
“I’m fine.” She said trying to stifle a yawn.
“Shhh.” Brock whispered as he smoothed her hair until she fell asleep.
***
The now dry Amelia appeared at Riley’s door with dinner for all of them as well. Chase grabbed the heavy tray from her arms as she went to hug her brother.
“How are you feeling?”
“I would feel a bit better if I didn’t have to piss in a can.”
Amelia’s reply never left her lips as Jonathan stuck his head in to reply. “Well son, that’s a hell of a lot better than having to piss while standing on one leg! Just follow Doc’s orders and you’ll be just fine.”
They all laughed as he left to join Anna for dinner. “How was the funeral, did you sing?” Riley asked in between bites.
“Yes. It was all very sad.”
“You sing?” Chase asked looking curious.
“Sometimes, I have to be in the right mindset.”
“I would
love to hear you sing.”
“Well, maybe I’ll sing for you sometime.” Their eyes met and locked.
“I’m still here you know!” Riley retorted breaking the spell. Amelia would be glad when he could walk again. He was getting mighty grumpy being bed bound.
Chapter 27
Amelia awoke early the next morning. The humidity was making her hair unbearable so she decided to wear it up in a ponytail. It was proving to be a beautiful day. She could hear the rooster crowing close by and she marveled at how normal things seemed when they just had a funeral yesterday. You still woke up, you still ate, and you still went on.
Sabrina was still in a somber mood and pushed off their trip to town until the next day. That was fine with Amelia; she wasn’t quite as sore as she was the day before and hopefully by tomorrow she would be back to her old self.
Sally was the opposite. She was practically glowing and from the looks her and Warren kept exchanging it was not hard to guess why. It was good to see her friend happy again.
Since she helped cook she left the others to clean as she went outside to enjoy the cool breeze of morning air. Spotting Chase by the corral, she headed his way.
“You missed breakfast.”
“Good morning to you too. I was working on something so I just ate in the bunkhouse with the hands.”
“What are you working on?”
“It’s a secret.”
“I won’t tell.”
Chase tilted his head as if he was contemplating her answer. “Well I suppose I could show you. You can’t say a word though.”
“Of course not! It wouldn’t be a secret then would it?”
Chase led her to the barn where he slept and she felt the butterflies in her stomach as her heart started pounding faster. He stopped by the ladder leading up into the loft. She hesitated as he motioned for her to go up the ladder first.
“Are you serious? I’m not going up first. It isn’t proper showing off my bloomers to a man.” Amelia said with a pretend air.
Chase’s eyes darkened as he took a step closer to her. “If you don’t want me seeing your bloomers perhaps you should take them off.”
His mouth met hers and she placed her hands on his wide shoulders to support herself. Moments later she was forced to pull away to catch her breath.
“Do you really have a secret?”
“Of course.”
“Then I think you should climb up the ladder first.”
Chase winked at her before moving to nimbly climb the sturdy rungs. Once at the top, he leaned over to offer her assistance if need be.
Amelia paused to consider the consequences of climbing into Chase’s lair. The worst thing that could happen was she could fall off and die. The best? Well, she hoped her face was not as red as it felt! With a shaky breath, she put her pointy black boot on the rung and stepped up.
“Only eight more to go.”
“Hush! I’m trying not to break my neck.”
“That would be a loss.” Chase said his voice turning deep and sending shivers thru her soul.
As she shakily reached the top, Chase grasped her arm guided her onto the loft. She held his arm tightly as she looked down to the hard dirt floor below. It made her toes curl and she carefully backed away.
“Scared?”
“No, I just don’t like heights. What’s the surprise?” She asked looking around the large area.
Chase motioned her over to a corner where a large object was covered with a sheet. He pulled it away revealing an almost finished cradle.
Speechless, Amelia came forward and ran her hand over the decorative edge and hand carved spindles of the side. He had even carved out beautiful etchings of forest animals and trees on the footboard. She could easily make out a beaver and a bear as well as others. The headboard was decorated with two beautiful eagles in flight. So detailed you could feel individual feathers.
“It is amazing, I had no idea you were so talented.”
Chase shrugged away the praise. “It’s my gift for the wedding. I just have to finish the rockers up tonight.”
“What does the eagle represent?”
“Eagle Wind is Brock’s Comanche name, I’m sure Sabrina would probably be a Wolverine but I thought two eagles would look better.”
Amelia laughed aloud, she so enjoyed her time with Chase and her heart ached thinking that it was ticking away. “What is your Indian name?”
“I’m sure you heard Brock spouting it since our arrival. My given name is Little Beaver.”
Amelia tried not to smile but failed horribly. “Um, that is a lovely name. Beavers are very hard working. What is your sister’s name? ”
“Fragile Dove.”
Amelia had to grin at that one. Especially after riding for days with the spunky Jaelyn. “Well I think your mother got your names spot on.”
“Yes, she is very intuitive. The only grace I can give her was that being twins we were very small when we were born.”
Amelia looked up at the huge man in front of her. It was hard to imagine him as a helpless infant. “I think I like Chase better.”
“At least one of my parents had good sense.”
“Your father picked it?”
“Yes, times are changing. He felt we would be better adapted if we used names from his culture. And I am grateful for his foresight.”
Amelia looked up at him in wonder. His entire family seemed to mesh so well in either world. What a gift to have two paths to follow. She was so close to him all she had to do was reach out her hand and touch him. So she did.
She placed her hand on his and lifted it up to her face. It was huge and she could imagine them holding a sharp knife as he commanded it to cut the intricate shapes in the wood. She so wanted those hands to command her body as well. She brought it to her face as she placed a kiss on his palm. Their eyes met. His eyes turned even darker than before if that was possible, he stood stock-still waiting for her to choose her path. She lowered his hand and let hers run up his forearm, past his elbow and up to his shoulder. To accomplish this she had to take a step closer and she could feel his breath on her hair as she repeated the process on the other side.
It reminded her of taming a wild animal. She remembered when she was small back in the mining camp. There were many stray dogs around. Her father taught her how to approach them carefully with a closed fist so she wouldn’t lose any fingers. That she needed to let them come to her so they wouldn’t feel threatened.
Her hands, both on his wide shoulders traveled up his neck to cup his face and delve into his silky black hair. Grabbing two handfuls she pulled him down to meet her lips. This kiss was more frenzied, more demanding than their previous kiss. She could not get over how gentle he could be one second, and how powerful the next.
Her senses were on high alert as his hands grasped her waist and then curled one around her back. One going up and one going down. She gasped in surprise as he grasped her bottom and pressed it towards his need.
Her mouth opened voluntarily as her head was tilted back and his warm tongue sought out hers. He explored every nuance of her mouth as his raked across her body. Her body and mind were of one accord for once. They both wanted the same thing. Chase.
Her hands again came together and met at his chest as they fought with the stupid buttons on his shirt. Taking pity on her, he freed one hand to complete the task for her. Finally, gaining access her hands touched the bare flesh of his chiseled chest and it was as if she was in a dream except better.
It was not enough though. She needed more, she needed all of him. She was barely aware of Chase lifting her in his strong arms before placing her on his bedding. Her dress was unzipped and over her head before she could think. In the next moment, they were both bare and she splayed her legs eagerly to be as one again.
She hissed as his hardness entered her. She had forgotten his size. He hesitated above her as his head dipped down capturing her lips in his. He held still until she moved her hips to get him going.
He pulled out a bit and then plunged in with one swift movement as deep as he could.
Amelia broke free from the kiss as she gasped for breath. Her fingernails dug into his back and he again held still as she relaxed. Since her head was still turned his lips sought out her cheek, her ear, her neck as he rained down kisses. Tears had fallen from her eyes and he licked them away as she turned to again feel his mouth against hers.
Her hands traveled back up to his face as she pushed his hair back so she could watch him as he pumped in and out of her soul. A feeling began to build inside of her and she soon had no control over anything. She only existed as pure emotion. She withered beneath him as she gasped for air, she felt him increase the tempo even faster and she cried out as he exploded inside of her. She slowly came back to her senses as she lay trembling in his arms. She had her answer, the second time is much much better.
***
Sabrina caught them on the way out. “What were you two doing in the barn?”
“Umm….”
“I was showing Amelia your wedding present.” Chase said with a huge grin.
Sabrina raised an eyebrow as she picked a piece of straw from Amelia’s hair. “Really?”
“Yes, it was amazing.” Amelia replied still a bit breathless.
“I’m sure it was, now get your butt down to the house and sit with Riley before I shoot him. He’s driving me crazy.”
Sabrina watched after them as the two hurried off. “Wedding present my ass.” She mumbled as she set off to find Brock. She didn’t have to look father than the stables. He was checking over Thor to make sure he was recovering well from his exertion the other day. She walked up to the huge Stallion and rubbed his nose as he leaned down to greet her. She trailed her hand up to scratch his neck and he shuddered with pleasure.
“He looks good.”