The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances

by Hubbard, Lynn

  “Actually, I came to offer you help. I have some questions about and possibly some information that may be of assistance.”

  “And the girl?”

  “The girl is with me.”

  “She can wait outside. I’m sure my men can amuse her for a while. It is not proper to address certain details in front of a lady.”

  “She stays,” Brock said in a deadly tone as the two locked eyes. They reminded her of two male deer sparring and locking antlers.

  “We are wasting time,” Sabrina said, exasperated. She stepped forward and leaned both hands on the desk. “Have you heard of any other killings like this?”

  He stared at her astounded. He was not used to women speaking to him so directly. He tried to look past her to Brock but she banged her hand on the desk, repeating the question.

  Brock gently grabbed her around the waist and sat her behind him. He motioned for her to stay there and returned to the Major.

  “There have been other similar attacks. We think they may have been committed by the same group of outlaws.” Brock pulled the wanted poster from his pocket. “Ted Roberts was in the area a couple months back. He was involved in a bank robbery.”

  “I’m afraid bank robbery’s a horse of a different color,” the Major guffawed, and the men around him laughed.

  Sabrina could hold her silence no longer. “Ted Roberts used to work for my family in Mississippi. My father fired him. A week later, my family was killed. My mother was stabbed repeatedly. If you need more details she was stabbed in her breast, in her stomach, between her legs. My sister was shot in the back as she tried to escape. Two animals took turns with her even after she was dead. My father was hung from a tree in the yard. What kinda horse is that?”

  The Major stood up, suddenly looking uneasy as he glanced at the other men. “I’m sorry, ma’am, I had no idea,” he said.

  “That’s why we’re here,” Brock said, stepping forward and placing a hand on Sabrina’s shoulder in a move that was supportive and possessive at the same time. “You may want to have your men ask around town if anyone’s seen him. Sabrina’s attack occurred three years ago but she may have seen something that can help.”

  The Major handed the poster off to one of the men who hurried from the room. He then turned to Sabrina, evaluating her in a new light.

  “You were there when…you saw…?” he began, not sure how to approach the delicate subject.

  “Yes, not everything. But I saw enough.”

  He motioned for her and Brock to sit down while he started taking notes and asking her various questions. It was very difficult for her. She held onto Brock’s hand like it was a life line. The Major asked very detailed questions and it was hard reliving that day again. Nevertheless, she thought if they caught the killers, perhaps the screaming nightmares would stop.

  After Sabrina’s statement, the Major filled them in on the current investigation. The Johnson house did not burn to the ground. There was a torch thrown inside the home but it extinguished itself before the house caught fire. The Johnsons lived comfortably Mr. Johnson was a banker.

  At first they speculated that perhaps money was the object. Now it was looking like they just killed for the fun of it. Sabrina felt a cold chill creep down her spine as he spoke. She wondered how many other innocent people they had killed and why? Why those two families? She wondered if there were more–three years is a long time. She thought back to her previous speculation that perhaps Ted had come looking for her. Perhaps it was her fault that this monster was created.

  “This Ted Roberts knows you’re alive?”

  “I don’t know; I guess. No one knows I’m here. I have no idea how he could find me. Alternatively, I don’t know if he’s even looking for me. This may be just a coincidence.”

  “I don’t believe in coincidences. You have contacted no one?”

  She hesitated. “I wrote my brother a letter about a month ago. I didn’t tell him where I was, though.”

  “When you mail a letter it is stamped with a seal or a post mark. Most of them say the city and state.”

  Sabrina paled. “So he could have been here looking for me? How would he get my letter?”

  “Mail passes through many hands. He probably has someone in Mississippi watching for mail made out to your brother. A clerk, perhaps.” He shrugged. “Rest assured you will be safe with me. I will have someone personally escort you to the fort. We will contact your brother from there.”

  “No.” Brock and Sabrina both spoke as one.

  “I don’t think you understand the danger you are in.”

  “I don’t understand it? I understand it perfectly. I have made it for three years without the army’s help. I think I can survive a while longer.”

  He took a deep breath. “Miss Lovett…”

  “It’s Mrs. Stafford,” Sabrina said, without a hitch. The Major eyed them skeptically before speaking.

  “Forgive me, I just assumed…”

  “You assumed if I was unattached you would make my decisions for me?”

  “Of course not. I was just concerned for your well-being. I’m sure Sheriff Stafford is better equipped to protect you than a fort full of soldiers,” he said sarcastically.

  “Yes, he is very well equipped,” Sabrina said, unable to hide her smirk.

  Brock let out a strangled cough. “We have used up enough of your time. If there is nothing further, we need to head back home. Please keep us updated.”

  Brock stood up and shook hands with the Major. Sabrina stood up as well, the Major reached his hand out to her also. Sabrina reluctantly placed her hand in his. She tried to hide her aversion as he brought it up to his mouth and kissed the back of it with his dry lips. Brock again locked eyes with him in an unspoken warning as he placed his hand on Sabrina’s back and guided her out the door.

  Brock sighed as they rode away. “Well, that may have done more harm than good. I don’t know what I was thinking. If it gets around that there is a witness nearby, you could be in more danger.”

  Sabrina just smiled at him. “That may work in our favor. I have a plan.”

  Brock sighed. “Somehow I don’t think I’m gonna like this plan.”

  “I’m sure you won’t but it beats hunting them on their territory.”

  “So you’re gonna lure them to our ground? And what are you gonna use as bait?”

  Sabrina sighed, already knowing his reaction. “Me. It is my fault my family was killed.”

  “Are you crazy? I oughta throw you over my shoulder and carry you back to the good Major so he can lock you away for your own safety.”

  Sabrina stopped her horse and turned to look over at him. “Ted Roberts used to work for my family. He was very quiet and …odd. He didn’t hang around with the other hands; he liked to keep to himself. He read a lot. He also liked music.

  “My mother taught all of us the piano and he would try to linger around while I played. He watched me a lot. It was just peculiar. My mother picked up on it and eventually informed my father and banned him from loitering around the house.

  “One morning I was meeting Samuel to go riding. I hadn’t noticed Ted sitting in a corner, reading. So, when I went over to saddle my horse, he jumped up and volunteered to help me. I refused but he didn’t leave. He touched my hair and then grabbed my arm. I tried to pull away but he held tight and said that we were meant to be together and that no one could stop us. Lydia came into the barn just then and yelled at him.”

  Sabrina had to stop and smile through brimming tears as she thought of her older sister. “Lydia was very outspoken; she tore into him up one side and down the other. Anyway, he left the barn with his tail between his legs. Of course, Lydia went to father and father fired him. Well, you know the rest. Maybe, maybe if I had been nicer to him he wouldn’t have killed them.”

  Brock forced her to look up at him. “It is not your fault; you didn’t do anything wrong and neither did anyone in your family. Ted Roberts is a monster. You had no way of kno
wing what would happen. You are not responsible and you do not have to risk your life. It won’t bring them back.”

  “I am ending this. I am not going to be looking over my shoulder the rest of my life. What happens if we do nothing and he tracks me down ten years from now?”

  “Well, we will deal with it then.”

  “And if he tortures and kills our children when we had a chance to end this now? No. This is it. This is the end. Either him or me.”

  Brock looked into her eyes. Seeing her despair and determination, he gave in reluctantly. “Well it sure as hell ain’t gonna be you. What’s your plan?”

  “I will begin playing the piano at The Swan. Word will get around and it is just possible that he will come. Music is rare out here in the middle of nowhere and he cannot resist it.”

  “You’re crazy. So your plan is to let him kidnap you and then I hunt him down before he kills you?”

  “He won’t kill me. That would ruin his little fantasy. But yes. Perhaps you can pretend to go out of town or something and hide in the woods. I’ll be armed. I’m sure I can take out one or two at close range. They won’t be expecting that. Do you have a better plan?”

  “Yes, we run. Forever, if we must.”

  “No. I’m ending this on my terms, not his.”

  Chapter 27

  Warren sat in his office in the now rebuilt Montgomery. It had originally been Sabrina’s mission to rebuild the homestead. That is what she was working on when he first returned. He had considered selling the ranch since attorneys were more prosperous in the North–not that he needed the money–he just enjoyed the allure. At least he used to. Losing his family and then Sabrina forced him to put things in perspective.

  When he had arrived in Boston and found out that she’d never disembarked from the train, he had almost lost his mind. He hired detectives and questioned everyone who worked on the train and hunted down all of the passengers to see if they had seen a young woman of her description abducted or leaving the train. It was as if she had just vanished.

  Warren had always assumed that she’d left of her own will. If there were some form of foul play, others on board would surely have noticed. Not to mention, the Sabrina he knew would not have come along quietly. She was a fighter even if the odds were stacked against her; she would have taken out as many as she could.

  Warren knew that Samuel saved her life twice that morning. Once by taking her fishing in the first place and, second, by holding her back when she would have rushed in to help. Samuel was distraught when Sabrina disappeared. She had said nothing to him about her plans. She knew he’d have gone to Warren. He would risk her anger to keep her safe. Therefore, she had come up with the plan on her own.

  It was some time later when the idea crossed his mind that perhaps they had been asking the wrong questions. She preferred comfort to formality and ran around in pants most of the time. It would be no big deal for her to change clothes and sneak off the train.

  With this new theory in place, the detectives retraced their route, asking about a boy leaving the train, but too much time had passed. Warren decided to change his career path. Instead of advising rich businessmen in Boston he went into criminal law. He traveled around working as a prosecutor. Not only was he still looking for Sabrina as he traveled but also for the murderers of his family.

  Samuel was now the foreman in charge of the ranch. He was offered the job when the previous foreman moved on. Warren trusted no other; he had rebuilt Montgomery exactly the way it had been before the fire. He never gave up hope that his sister would return one day.

  On that particular day, he just happened to be home on a sabbatical. He was sorting through the large pile of mail on his desk when he came upon a plain envelope. He sat holding the piece of mail addressed to him. There was no return address but he recognized the handwriting. It was from Sabrina.

  Nervously, he pulled his silver letter opener out of the drawer and slit open the envelope. Pulling out the paper, he unfolded it and began to read.

  Dear Warren,

  As I write this, I do not know where to start. I suppose I need to tell you that I am safe and that I am happy. I hope that you are as well. I wish to apologize for disappearing so many years ago and causing you pain. I suppose at that moment, I wanted to hurt you as much as you had hurt me.

  At the time, I thought I was running from something but perhaps I was running to something. I have met a man who has given me not only a home but his heart as well. Moreover, I have chosen to give him mine.

  Always and Forever,

  Sabrina

  Warren frowned. He had found his sister and lost her for good at the same time. She had left no address–no hint of her whereabouts. Picking up the envelope, he looked at the faded cancellation on the outside. Seeing the city he wondered if that was where she lived or if she was setting him up for another wild goose chase. Regardless, he would not rest until he found her.

  Still thinking of her as a child, it was hard for him to imagine her as a grown woman. Montgomery was her home; she belonged there. It was hers if she wanted it.

  He was curious about the man she had mentioned. Knowing Sabrina’s temperament, he felt a bit sorry for him. Chuckling for the first time in a long time, he rose to inform Samuel they were going on a trip.

  Sabrina refused to talk further until they were safe at home. After a quick supper, they sat at the table and discussed their options. Brock stared at her incredulously.

  She had just reviewed her plan again to play the piano at the saloon. She was very good at playing the piano. She figured word would spread quickly and it would pique his interest.

  “Let me get this straight. You want to use yourself as bait. You want to attract every scumbag in the territory until the correct one shows up?”

  “Um, Yes.”

  He eyed her speculatively. “You repaired the piano before we left. I doubt that was a coincidence. How long have you been planning this?”

  Sabrina sighed. “Catching criminals was not my intent, I assure you. I needed a job. I thought ‘Will’ could make some extra money by playing the piano. I was gonna ask Mr. Swanson about it when he came back, but then your father was injured.”

  “Are you trying to kill yourself?”

  “I said I was planning to have ‘Will’ play the damn piano. I’m not talking about prancing around like a show girl or painted dove. The Swan is a very tame place. I didn’t see any harm in it.”

  “You don’t need a job, Sabrina. I can provide for you. Besides, it’s a dangerous plan that doesn’t have much chance of working.”

  She leaned forward and held his hand. “I know, Brock. But many things have changed since we left. I didn’t know that I was being hunted, It may not work at all, but I can’t sit by and do nothing! He’s killing people. Women, children… I never asked for any of this. Nevertheless, I feel responsible. I don’t know if he will show up but I don’t know if I could live with myself if I didn’t try.”

  “This is madness. Okay, you play the piano, he shows up. Then what?”

  “Well, I figured Mac or someone else could be a lookout. If a culprit is spotted, the lookout can alert you or Stan. We can contact the army and catch them.”

  “You’re crazy. You think he’s gonna try to take you from a saloon full of people? These are cowards. If they do any planning at all, and I suspect they do. It could even involve a gang that would probably either try to grab you on the way home or perhaps while we sleep.”

  “Maybe the army could help.”

  “And you don’t think they will notice an army camped outside of town?”

  Sabrina threw up her hands angrily, her eyes flashing. “Ok, fine. You’re right; my idea is stupid. What’s your idea? You’re gonna get up and head to work in the morning. And—what—leave me here alone? Take me with you? Lock me in the root cellar for my safety? What’s your plan?”

  Brock closed his eyes tightly as if she had stabbed him. He didn’t know. He did not know how to kee
p her safe.

  “We could just leave.”

  “And go where? Montgomery? Your parents? I will not endanger our families. This has to end now. I refuse to spend the rest of my life hiding. He tracked me here. He found me when no one else could,” Sabrina said, as her voice cracked and tears rolled down her face.

  “Shh, Sabrina, I will keep you safe no matter what.”

  Brock pulled her into his arms and held her to him for a long time, until he felt her heartbeat slow and her body relax. Then he kissed her mouth, tasting the saltiness of her tears on her lips. His hand drifted from her back to her breast as he gently cupped it with his hand. Sabrina moaned into his mouth as she took his other hand and guided it down between her legs. He maneuvered his hand through the material blocking his way and she opened her knees to give him better access. Her head lulled back as his hand cupped her mound. He took his middle finger parting her nether lips and traced her crease until she thrashed in irritation wanting him inside of her.

  “Patience,” he said, smiling down at her. She was so beautiful. He could easily understand the other man’s obsession. She was right. He would never stop looking for her. Growling, he kissed her roughly as he dipped a finger into her core. She moaned into his mouth as she ground into his hand. He slowly entered another finger as his thumb caressed her nub. He tended to her until she dug her fingers into his shoulder, crying out softly into his mouth. Then he carried her to the bed.

  They did not speak as they made love. No words were needed.

  Sometime later, Sabrina lay with her head on Brock’s chest, listening to his heart. Her mind was reeling with thoughts and she could not sleep even though she was exhausted. She listened to his methodic snore as he inhaled deeply in slumber. She smiled. He always thought she was kidding about his snoring. She lifted her hand, slowly trailing it down his chest. He was magnificent and she could not believe she was so lucky.

  Not many men would put up with all of her unintentional drama. They would have turned tail long before now. Trying to push the negative thoughts from her mind, she concentrated her attention on Brock. Her hand traced the soft gap between his ribs, moving down to his flat stomach. She felt him stir, and she held still. She waited, hoping she hadn’t awakened him. Another soft snore answered her silent question and she smiled. Moving her hand further south, she soon realized that the movement was coming from his manhood. Amazed, she traced her finger down his length as it trembled beneath her touch.