The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances

by Hubbard, Lynn

  Amelia stretched again trying to relieve the stiffness from her neck and back. Large hands came down on her shoulders and gently started kneading them. Her nerve endings tingled as the blood flow awakened those areas as well as others. A soft moan escaped her throat as her head lulled back. Chase bent over and kissed her mouth and then her cheek.

  “Hey, you two, it may be too dark to see but we can still hear!” Jaelyn shouted causing laughter from all.

  “You shouldn’t be talking about silence, sister, when you and Thomas snuck off into the woods last night.”

  “Jealous?”

  “No, not really. Thomas is a nice-looking man but I’m not interested.”

  “Let’s get going so we can get there!” Riley said still laughing as he handed out biscuits they had brought with them.

  Ignoring the comments from her friends and family, Amelia yet again rode with Chase. When the sun started to rise, it was the most brilliant one that she remembered.

  ***

  Riley once again took the lead as they neared the Gulf. He looked around grimly at the felled trees and devastated homes he had passed before, he was always alert for the desperate person whose life had been torn apart and was desperate enough to try to take his.

  It was amazing what the force of nature could muster. What took Man months and years to accomplish the Earth could reduce it to debris in seconds, reclaiming it as its own.

  Amelia knew they had reached their destination when she could smell the salt in the air. She sat up eager with excitement looking for the first peek of Biloxi.

  When they finally reached the edge of town, Amelia was heartbroken by the devastation. However, these people were resilient. They had weathered troubled times before and would again. Just months after the great storm from the sea, workers had already begun to rebuild and repair what was broken.

  The staff, who knew that they offered hope of rebuilding, that once again people would flock to Biloxi for respite, eagerly greeted them at the hotel. Their luggage was unstrapped and carried but Chase refused any help tending to his horse. Knowing that first Sabrina, and then Brock, would kill him if any harm came to Troy, he handled the task personally.

  Biloxi was an odd brew. Well-dressed couples walked along the street ignoring the taped-up roofs and boarded-up windows waiting for new panes of glass. He felt like an intruder and wondered why Amelia would bring them all here as he finished rubbing down Troy. He made one more check of his hooves before returning the short walk to the hotel. He received many curious glances as he walked. He ignored them as the men took a bit closer step to their females. Chase grinned, as if he would throw them down and ravish them in the street.

  The only woman on his mind to ravish was Amelia. Thinking of her, his heart quickened as did his feet. Returning to the hotel, he found his group was still in the lobby debating on sleeping arrangements. It was decided for morality’s sake, they would get four rooms. Sally went to protest about sharing a room with Amelia but was cut off quickly by a deathly look from Jaelyn who had her own room. Chase and Riley would bunk together as would Thomas and Warren.

  Riley divided the room keys and tipped the bellboys as they carried their luggage to the rooms.

  Chase, taking note of Amelia’s room number, stepped into his. He rarely slept in hotels and it seemed odd. He was used to sleeping outdoors under the stars at night if he was away from home. He much preferred that than sleeping in a rented box.

  Amelia was anxious as well. Being trapped in a room with Sally was not in her plans. Not that she had any definite plans since she normally just winged it.

  “Which bed do you want?” She graciously offered Sally first pick.

  “It don’t matter to me. I do not plan on sleeping in here tonight.”

  “Would you prefer to bunk with Jaelyn?”

  Sally laughed. “After the look I got, I’m sure Jaelyn already has a bunkmate in mind. Which means Warren may need some company.”

  “Well in that case, I’ll take the bed next to the wall. I’m not a morning person.”

  After settling their belongings, and cleaning up from the trail dust, they met back in the lobby to walk down to the water together. Amelia could not wait to see Chase’s expression when he first saw the seashore. She was pretty sure there were no beaches in Oklahoma. Eager to be the first one there, she grabbed Chase’s hand and pulled him to the front of their group.

  The air was so thick with salt you could taste it. “What is that?” Chase asked.

  “The salty air from the sea. The water is salty, so you can’t drink it. It will make you sick.”

  Chase raised an eyebrow. “Water that taste like salt? Where does the salt come from? How does it get in the water? What about the fish?”

  “The salt is pulled from the rocks and minerals as water passes over them. The fish in the sea are used to the salt and can’t survive in lake water. There are so many amazing creatures that wash up on shore. But be careful, some can be harmful if you step on them.”

  The roar of the waves was drawing closer as the buildings petered out. Chase stopped abruptly as he first spotted the water. It was as if the earth had ended. He squinted his eyes looking for the land he was told was across the expanse but he could see none. Just as Amelia had said.

  Long piers and ships could be seen in the distance but Amelia was more interested in the secluded part of the beach. Due to the storm and tales of its wreckage, there were not as many people as usual this time of year. But the beach was still stunning. Once passing over the rows of seaweed and other oddities the waves pushed out of the ocean, she stopped to remove her shoes. Chase and Jaelyn followed suit as the others left theirs on.

  “Come on.” She laughed abandoning them by the wayside as she lifted her skirt up and ran toward the water. Chase and Jaelyn, always ready for adventure, followed. Their usual elegant gait was a bit awkward in the moving sand under their feet. Jaelyn stooped down to pick it up letting it trail through her fingers. Thomas came up next to her, enjoying her reaction to the new experience.

  He bent down and lifted up a white seashell, placing it gently in her hand.

  “What is this?”

  “A seashell. There used to be an animal that lived inside. They become abandoned and wash up to shore.”

  “It is beautiful.”

  “Not half as beautiful as you,” Thomas whispered, and when she looked up at him with sparkling eyes, he kissed her.

  “Would you like to venture closer?” Warren asked Sally as Riley slowly made his way toward the others.

  Sally wrinkled up her nose from the smell of the wet seaweed and fish. She forced a smile and nodded, taking Warren’s arm as he led her closer. Sally soon found out why Amelia suggested she leave her stockings at home and had chosen to abandon her shoes. Hers were soon filled with sand on the inside and scuffing the polished leather on the outside. Frowning, she bent down to remove them as well. Warren knelt in the sand and unbuckled them for her, slipping her tender feet out of each one. Sally’s face blushed at the innocent contact as plans for the night formed in her head.

  Amelia sat in the sand next to Chase, both of them quiet just enjoying the respite.

  “You’re right. This is amazing,” he said looking down at the water inching closer to him with each breath.

  “I love it! The sun, the waves, the water. It reminds me of home,” she said the last part a bit sadly as she buried her feet in the sand. She wondered how her father was doing.

  “My home is surrounded by trees and hills and rivers.”

  The uncertainty in his voice caused her to look over at him. He was sitting in the sand looking forward as far as he could see. The wind was blowing his black hair haphazardly across his face. He turned his dark eyes on her and the vision of his perfect face took her breath away. Maybe she could live with trees, hills, and rivers. Or perhaps he would choose the water. No matter what her future held, she was determined that he would be in it.

  “Sabrina told me how beaut
iful your home was. Perhaps, I’ll get to visit one day.”

  “It is difficult. The old ways are almost gone. We have to progress if we want to survive,” he said a bit sadly.

  And it was sad. What good is progress if it destroys what was once majestic?

  Her head turned toward where Thomas was drawing in the sand. Jaelyn was watching his movements closely as he used the stick to carve. Curious, Amelia went over to see as well; Chase was close behind her.

  He had drawn a slightly lopsided map of the country. On it he pointed out where they were on the very edge, their home in Oklahoma and since Amelia had joined them, he pointed out her home in California.

  “So far,” Jaelyn expressed, thinking of the long train trip.

  “Yes. It is a big country. There are some that are even bigger and some very small.”

  “And they are always fighting to become larger and more powerful,” Amelia added with disdain. “Enough of this! We came to have some fun!” She wiped out the map with her foot as she grabbed Chase’s hand and pulled him toward the water.

  She stopped only to hike her skirt up as she stepped into the cold water. She wriggled her toes in the wet sand as the frothy water washed away her fears and worries. Thomas soon joined her with Jaelyn in his arms. Chase, after watching Thomas carefully roll up his trouser legs, followed suit.

  A dark shadow loomed over her and she turned to find Chase dangerously close. She turned to look up at him and was speechless. His lips were so close.

  Chase was mesmerized as well. Amelia kept talking about the beauty of the sea but he didn’t think any of it compared to her. He placed his hands on her shoulders for balance. There was just a fraction of air between them as he dipped his head toward her lips.

  Then, a scream rent the air.

  Recognizing his sister’s voice, Chase went on full alert. He let go of Amelia so fast she almost fell as he turned to see a sodden Jaelyn and Thomas sitting in the surf.

  His booming laughter caused his sister to splash in his direction. With a gleam in her eye, Amelia gave Chase a small push rendering him off balance. With his lightning reflexes he pulled the shrieking Amelia in with him. Laughter from the shore caught their attention as all four turned to see Sally giggling in delight as she grabbed the surprised Warren and joined the fray.

  After a brief water fight in which the waves won, a serious Thomas suggested they get back before the sundown so they wouldn’t catch a chill in the night air. Riley, not wanting to be seen with the unruly pairs, had headed back to the hotel to rest his leg.

  Chase and Amelia trailed a bit behind the others on the way back. “Do you like the sea now?” she asked, a hint of hope in her voice.

  “It is very salty,” he said licking the salt from his lips. Amelia was so enthralled with watching his ruby tongue she wasn’t watching where she was going and ran into a lamppost. Chase instantly turned his full attention to her making sure she was okay as he ran his hand along her arm and shoulder.

  “I’m fine,” she whispered, reaching up with both hands and grabbing his sopping hair as she pulled his face toward her so she could taste his salty lips for herself.

  Chase pulled her against him, holding her tightly as he kissed her back. A soft growl left his lips as a hand tapped his shoulder. He turned expecting to see Riley, but instead he found his sister grinning like a bobcat.

  “Warren says to hurry up. He has a table for us to eat. Although I’m sure what you’re hungry for is not on the menu.”

  Amelia turned her red face aside as she adjusted her dress, which had mysteriously crept up her thigh. She tried to ignore the whispers and stares of the townsfolk who had stopped to watch the spectacle.

  Heaven forbid she ever actually be alone with Chase. If she had this reaction to him in front of a town full of people, her heart had no chance if she ended up alone with him.

  Trying to regain her composure, she hurried back to the hotel with Jaelyn leaving Chase to follow at a more leisurely pace as his heart and mind battled in his thoughts.

  Chapter 18

  Back in the hotel room, Amelia was lost in her own thoughts as she readied for dinner. She stripped off her damp clothes as she listened to a steady stream of chatter from Sally.

  “I smell like fish.”

  “My hair looks like a tumbleweed.”

  “I have sand everywhere. I mean everywhere! How did I get sand in my hoohoo?”

  At the last comment Amelia had to laugh at her roommate. “Yes, sand does seem to be ubiquitous! Take a cloth and rub it off. Hurry ! I am starving!”

  “For food?” Sally asked coyly.

  Amelia mumbled a retort as she sidestepped the question. A knock on the door rescued her and she moved to open it as she straightened her fresh dress. She had chosen a simple calico dress with tiny blue flowers to match her eyes.

  Pulling open the door a crack, she peeked out hoping to be met with Chase’s dark eyes but finding Riley there instead.

  “You ready, Sis? Everyone else went down to hold a table.”

  “Just a sec,” she said, shutting the door in his face. She was a bit disappointed that Chase had not waited for her. Sally looked disconcerted as well. Amelia peeked into the mirror above the vanity as she tried to pin up some errant strands of hair.

  Sally glanced over at her desperation. “Here let me,” she said, coming over, removing all the pins in Amelia’s thick blond hair, and running a brush through it. “If they want food, let them have food. We’ll show them what they can’t have.”

  Ten minutes later, they were headed down to the dining room with a speechless Riley hobbling along.

  Warren stood up so fast his thigh hit the table and a horrible racket erupted as it slid across the wooden floor. Amelia ignored her cousin’s antics and desperately tried not to look at Chase, as Sally had suggested, but he was like gravity and her eyes instantly sought him out.

  She was quite dismayed to find his back to her and in a deep conversation with Thomas.

  With a flounce, which she had learned oh so long ago, she moved to sit in the empty seat next to Jaelyn with Sally next to her.

  Unfortunately, this placed her in front of Chase and she had no escape from his dark gaze as he greeted her. She nodded to him as she flashed a brilliant smile to the waiter as he recited the specials for the day.

  Chase frowned, not familiar with any of the items the stuttering waiter had spoken. What the hell was a shrimp or crawfish? Not wanting to ask for descriptions, he chose the lemon fish. Fish is fish.

  Riley chose crawfish and the rest chose the shrimp. The waiter left with another glance at Amelia and Chase frowned. He stared at her across the scarred wooden table; she was breathtaking. Her yellow hair was twisted up on top of her head except for a couple of curly strands that framed her face. He had never seen her more beautiful. It was odd how each and every time he saw her she seemed more stunning than the last. Her blue eyes flickered up to meet his as if reading his mind, and she quickly looked away with her cheeks a bit pink.

  “Chase?”

  He rotated his head to follow Riley’s voice who had apparently asked him a question. “I was telling everyone about the lighthouse. You must check it out at night.”

  Not wanting to ask what a lighthouse was, he just nodded in agreement, feeling a bit out of sorts in this strange environment.

  “What’s a lighthouse?” Jaelyn asked to his relief and he listened in as well as the others to Thomas’s answer.

  “A lighthouse is a very tall building shaped like a candlestick. They are built on land near the sea. The top portion is an actual light, which shines brightly to guide boats safely into port.”

  “The Biloxi light is special,” Riley said taking up the conversation. “It has a cast iron exterior. Kind of like a large skillet. They are all painted different colors so that the passing boats know which port is which in case they lose their way. It was almost destroyed during the storm last fall, but it still stands strong.”

  “
As does its keeper. A woman named Maria keeps the light and has since her husband passed. A lonely life for sure,” Warren added, grateful for Sally’s admiring glance.

  “A woman?”

  “Yes, I don’t know why people find it so amazing. Women can do most anything a man can do,” Amelia added boldly.

  Chase, wanting to get back in her good favor and experiencing everything her cousin Sabrina was capable of doing, heartily agreed. The only one not in agreement was Warren. Who still had his own superiority issues to deal with.

  The conversation was interrupted by the waiter returning with an empty bucket and several heaping plates of some very strange creatures. He set the bucket in the middle of the table and delivered the plates. Chase looked at his fish and was grateful for his choice as he took a bite.

  “Good?” Amelia asked as she picked one of the creatures on her plate and rapidly ripped its limbs off and tossed them in the bucket. She popped it into her mouth with a small moan. Chase sat up a bit straighter in his chair as his dark eyes watched her pick up another one. Noticing his stare, she held it out to him and after a moment’s hesitation, he took it from her, their fingers touching slightly.

  “Have you had shrimp before?” Warren asked as he dug into his own pile.

  “No, we had crawdads in some of the creeks but I’ve never seen a shrimp,” he said, still holding the one Amelia had given him. Warren showed him how to clean it and he cautiously took a bite of the pale flesh.

  He nodded his approval and ate the rest. “Very good.”

  “Best shrimp in the world is right here in the Gulf. They catch them offshore with cargo nets. The fresher, the better.”

  Amelia tossed Chase a couple more shrimp as she ate her fill. She turned to Riley inquiring how his leg was feeling.

  “Bit sore but I’ve felt worse,” he said grinning at his pun.

  “I’ll stop in and look at it before bed. You should try to get into the water tomorrow. The sea salt does wonders for healing wounds,” Thomas added.

  Amelia was tired from the trip but not ready to head to bed. “I think I’m gonna take a walk down to check out the lighthouse as Riley suggested. Anyone else want to join me?”