“We’ll be fine, Sarah. You have yourself a good time.”
Sarah waved to the boys as Abe slapped the reins. “Gid up.” They drove away to the sound of the boys yelling for them to come back soon.
* * * *
“Mason, Penelope, this is Samuel’s sister, Sarah Kees.” Abe put his hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “Sarah, this is Mason and Penelope Lockley. He owns the livery.”
“How do you do?”
“Samuel’s sister, you say?” Mason raised his brows and glanced at Abe. “Well, it’s nice meeting you, Miss Kees. You tell that brother of yours that we asked after him.”
“I certainly will, Mr. Lockley. It was a pleasure to meet you both.”
Abe watched Mason lead Penelope to a table in the corner. He silently groaned when he caught the stares of the other diners. It figured the one night he’d been able to bring Sarah to town, everybody and their mother decided to dine at Sadie’s. He’d received nothing but disbelieving stares every time he’d introduced Sarah as Samuel’s sister. He and Ike would have to do something soon or one of the good folks of Big Springs would beat them to it.
“This is really delicious.”
“Yeah, Sadie’s a really good cook, and chicken and dumplings are one of her specialties.” He took a drink of his water. “So, Sarah, where’re you from?”
Sarah choked on the bite she’d just taken and hurriedly picked up her water glass. “I’m from back East.”
Abe snorted. “That’s not saying much since the East is a pretty big place.” He studied her for a moment. “Ike said he first met up with Samuel in St. Louis. Is that where you’re from?”
She stared down at her plate. “I’ve been through St. Louis, but I’ve lived in a lot of different places over the years.”
“Are you all one big family?”
Sarah hesitated for a moment, and then raised her gaze to his. “Yes, we’re one big happy family.”
No one could miss the sincerity in her eyes. No matter what he thought, they were definitely family. “Are your ma and pa still living?”
Her eyes reflected pain briefly, and then she shook her head. “No, they died some years back.”
It was obvious Sarah was uncomfortable with the conversation, and Abe didn’t want to push her away since it was the first time he’d been able to experience her female charms. He took a deep breath, leaned back in the chair, and smiled. “So, from what you’ve seen, do you think you’ll be happy here?”
Sarah grinned, and her shoulders relaxed. “Oh, yes. I’m already in love with this place.”
Abe laughed. “Them’s pretty strong words from somebody who’s only been here a day.”
Sarah’s cheeks turned a charming rosy color. “It doesn’t take long for a body to know if something is right or not.”
Sadie walked up to the table. “Can I offer you a cup of coffee?”
“That’d be great, Sadie.” Abe pushed both cups forward and watched her pour the fragrant brew.
“Sheriff, I’ve got dinner ready to take over to the jail. Is it okay if Benjamin takes it over?”
“I appreciate that, Sadie. It’s fine for him to take it over whenever it’s convenient. Just put it on my tab, and I’ll make sure you’re paid for all the meals at the end of the week.”
“Benjamin’s been checking on them two fellers every hour like you asked, but they’ve been mostly just sleeping it off. He says they’re awake now and kind of grumpy. They wanna know if you’ve sent a wire to their boss yet.”
Abe chuckled. “You tell Benjamin to tell ’em that Ike left out early this morning for Jefferson City, and he was going to send the wire as soon as he got there.”
“Will do, Sheriff, and thanks.” Sadie went to pour coffee for the other diners.
“What was that all about?” asked Sarah.
Abe told her about the drunken cowboys locked up in his jail. “I figure they’ll be out by tomorrow or the next day, depending on when Ike gets back. They were pretty adamant about their new boss being willing to wire the money to pay for the damages they caused.”
“Your job is really dangerous, isn’t it? Even though this is a really small town.”
He shrugged. “I suppose it could be, but so far I’ve only had to contend with the occasional drunk and a few land disputes.”
Sarah smiled. “No experience with gunslingers, huh?”
“No, at least not so far.” Why would she be asking about gunslingers? “I reckon I’ve picked the perfect dull town to be sheriff in.” He glanced at her plate. “Did you want some of Sadie’s apple pie?”
Sarah groaned and shook her head. “I’d love it, but I couldn’t hold it. That’s the best dinner I’ve ever had that I didn’t have to cook myself.”
“How about I ask Sadie to wrap us up a few apple fritters to take with us, and I’ll take you on that drive I promised.”
“That sounds good, Sheriff.”
Abe smiled. “Okay, give me just a minute, and then we’ll head out.”
“Where are you taking me, Abe?”
He grinned, and got to his feet. “You’re just going to have to be patient, Miss Sarah. I’ve got a surprise to show you.”
Chapter 5
Sarah breathed in the night air deeply, and stole a glance at Abe. He’d been quiet since they’d driven out of town. It was a beautiful evening, with the stars just beginning to twinkle in the sky. She focused in on the first one she saw and recited her mother’s words silently.
Starry night we welcome you. Light our way and grant me this one wish. I wish I could have a loving family of my own.
She glanced back to Abe and he smiled. She’d been thinking about both Abe and Ike all day and she’d come to a decision. If either one of them wanted her, she was going to give herself to them. Nobody’s ever gonna want to marry me. All they have to do is hear I’m Mad Dog Keevers’s daughter, and they run for the hills. They don’t look at me and see anything but trash. Why shouldn’t I have some happiness while I can? I don’t wanna die without ever having known a man.
Sarah swallowed hard. “What did you want to show me, Abe?”
He grinned, and kept his gaze on the road. “It’s a surprise.” He gave her a quick glance. “Be patient just a little longer. It’s not far.”
She gave an unladylike snort. “Patience is a virtue that’s never been bestowed on any member of my family.”
Abe threw back his head and laughed. “Just five more minutes, I promise.” A few minutes later he slowed the wagon. “Close your eyes.”
Sarah frowned, and narrowed her eyes.
“Come on, I promise you won’t be sorry.”
She sighed dramatically, and then grinned and closed her eyes. The buggy moved further down the road.
“Whoa.”
“Can I open them now?”
He reached over and put his arm around her shoulder, then turned her to face away from him. He moved closer until his chest pressed against her back. She could feel his warm breath against her cheek. “Now you can look,” he whispered.
Sarah opened her eyes and gasped. He’d stopped the buggy at the top of a rise and she could see out over the valley. It was nothing but stars as far as the eye could see. “Oh, Abe, it’s beautiful. So many dreams.”
Abe tightened his arm and pulled her closer. “What does that mean, Sarah? So many dreams?”
She sighed, and tentatively leaned her head against his shoulder. She could feel him press his lips against her head. “When I was little, my ma told me that each star in the sky represented a child’s wish just waiting to come true.”
“Do you wish on stars for your secret desires?”
Sarah turned her head away and felt her cheeks getting warm. “Yes,” she whispered. “I still wish on the first star I see every night.”
Abe ran a hand across the back of her head. “And do the stars make your wishes come true?”
Sarah pulled away, her fists clenched so tight her nails were digging into her palms. “No
, my wishes have never come true.” She pulled her shawl more firmly around her shoulders. “Do you think you could take me home now?”
Instead of answering, Abe tightened his arm and pulled her around to face him. He placed his free hand on her cheek and raised her gaze to his own. “Maybe it just takes longer for some wishes to come true.” Holding her gaze, he leaned closer and pressed his closed lips against hers.
Sarah savored the feel of his lips, and his masculine scent that combined leather with pure male. She leaned closer, and his lips parted, closing over her mouth in a sensual assault. He gathered her closer, his hands running over her back and settling on her butt. Shocked, she opened her mouth to object, and his tongue plunged inside.
* * * *
Abe let his hands trace Sarah’s face before sinking his fingers into her silky hair. He could taste a hint of coffee as his tongue traced the interior of her mouth. When he felt her tremble, he broke the kiss, his face closing in on her neck. “You smell so good.”
Sarah shivered when he pressed featherlight kisses against her skin. He cupped her face in his hands and brought his lips back to hers, capturing them in a deep, but short kiss. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of tasting your sweet lips.” He breathed raggedly into her open mouth and then groaned, sucking on her tongue, threading his fingers through the long hair at the back of her neck.
His hands slid up and cupped her generous breasts, the taut points pushing against the fabric of her dress. He reveled in the knowledge that his touch had aroused her. Quickly, he took one of his hands and tugged open the buttons of his shirt. He grabbed her hand, kissed her knuckles, and then placed it on his chest. “Touch me, Sarah. I need to know the feel of your hand.”
Sarah’s fingers tentatively spread over the hairy surface of his chest and flexed. “Oh, God,” she murmured.
Abe groaned, the muscles in his chest quivering. He let his hands move to her back, and deftly unfastened the top buttons on her dress and then pulled the garment forward, revealing the soft swells of her breasts above her chemise. Bending, he covered her cleavage with hot, wet kisses, biting lightly through the white lace. Sarah’s entire body shivered in response, her breath coming in shallow pants.
He pushed her arms to her side, and then let her dress slide down her sides, settling around her hips. His hands cupped her gentle swells, squeezing softly. Moving closer, he covered the tip with his mouth, teasing the sensitive, tight flesh through its cotton covering. Quickly, he peeled the chemise down, letting the straps trap her arms close to her sides. Her damp nipples puckered more in the light, cool evening breeze.
Capturing one of her nipples in the moist, warm suction of his lips, he alternated between sucking and flicking the tight bud with his tongue.
“Abe, you shouldn’t,” she said breathlessly. “Someone could come by and see.”
“I’ll protect you,” he whispered, pulling her close and pressing the taut ends of her breasts against his chest. He felt a vibration against his chest when she moaned. He gave a growl of satisfaction when she rubbed them back and forth sensuously, the buttons of his pants becoming painful against his swollen member.
He yanked her back, latching on to her breast, humming his approval when she arched her back and pushed further into his mouth. His body was on fire for this woman. “Touch me, Sarah.”
Her trapped hands could only grab hold of his arms. “Abe, not here,” she whispered raggedly.
The anticipation of what was happening took his breath away, and he leaned back to look into her fevered eyes. She deserved so much more. She deserved a wedding and a proper wedding night. He took a deep breath, and leaned forward to press a chaste kiss against her head. “I won’t dishonor you by making our first time in a buggy.” He inhaled deeply, and looked out over the sky. “You deserve a romantic setting with a nice bed, clean sheets, and maybe a roaring fire.”
“Are you taking me home with you?” Her lips caressed his chest with each word.
Closing his eyes, he gritted his teeth, trying to get his body under control. “No, not tonight.” He pulled back so he could look in her face, dismayed to see the signs of her embarrassment. “Now, none of that. You’ve no reason to be embarrassed. You’re beautiful, Sarah, and I want you very much. I just wanna make it special for both of us.”
Sarah took a deep breath and pulled away. She quickly pulled up her clothing, not bothering to button her dress. She pulled her shawl around her shoulders tightly. “It’s okay, Abe, I understand. You don’t have to let me down easy.” She gave him a weak smile. “Will you take me home now?”
He sighed, then turned her around and buttoned her dress. “I’ll take you home, but you don’t worry. We are, by no means, through with this discussion.” He needed to talk to Ike about how he felt about marriage. He buttoned up his shirt, grabbed up the reins, and turned the horse back toward the farm.
* * * *
“Haven’t you heard from your brother yet?”
Abe rolled his eyes and took a sip of his hot coffee. It was still early, and he hadn’t had his breakfast yet. He didn’t want to deal with his two ornery prisoners until after a cup of strong coffee. He’d been listening to the two of them complain for the last two days, and it was sorely wearing on his nerves.
He hadn’t seen Sarah in the last two days, either. Not since he’d dropped her off at the farm after their dinner date. He knew she was still there because Daniel talked about her every day when he came in to clean. She and Rachel had been working, canning the last of the garden vegetables for the winter. He’d wanted so much to make love to her, but felt compelled to wait and see what Ike found out on his trip. They both needed time with her alone, but he didn’t want to make a move without Ike knowing. He was pretty sure she was a virgin from the way she kissed, so whoever went first was going to have to show a little finesse.
“Are you listening to me?”
Abe snorted, and slammed his cup down on the desk. “How in the hell do you think I could keep from listening to you? You’ve been yammering day and night since I brought you in.”
“Then why don’t you answer—”
Abe jerked to his feet when the door flew open, and then breathed a sigh of relief when Ike came strolling in. “Well, it’s about time you got back.”
“Is this your brother?”
Abe nodded at the cowboy.
“Did you get in touch with our boss?”
Ike looked at Abe and smiled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Here’s a bank draft in the amount of their fine, as well as what they owe Ben Coggins.” He stared over at the two men in the cell. “He told me to tell you that you’d better make a straight line for his spread because he’s not getting you out of trouble again. The stage will be through here in about two hours.” He nodded toward the envelope. “There’s enough money there for your tickets, as well as a few dinners along the way.”
Abe gazed at the men. “I recommend you head on down to Sadie’s and get a good meal before you hit the road, and stay the hell out of the saloon.” He walked over and unlocked the cell door. “I’ll bring your money to you. Now, you heard me. Git on out of here and don’t make me have to come look for you again.”
They grabbed their hats and gun belts off the rack on the wall and hit the door running. Abe picked up the envelope. “Let’s take this over to the bank and get it cashed so I can give Ben his part.” He picked up his hat. “Did you find out anything about Sarah?”
Ike shook his head. “No, not yet, but I did finally get in contact with a couple of the marshals I did work for. I gave them a description of Sarah, and the kids. They said they’d check around and get back to me, but it might be a few weeks.”
Abe sighed. “That’ll have to do, I guess.”
Ike stared at him a moment. “What’s wrong? Did something happen while I was gone?”
Abe cleared his throat. “Yeah, I got to meet your Sarah.”
Ike’s mouth fell open, and his eyes w
idened. “You mean she stopped pretending to be Samuel?”
Abe snickered. “Yeah, she’s Sarah now, Samuel’s sister.”
Ike scratched his head. “Wonder what caused her to do that, not that I’m not glad? I’d much rather see her in female clothes than those britches she’s been sporting.”
“I happened.”
“What do you mean?”
“Happened along when she was skinny-dipping in the creek.” He told Ike the details of their encounter.
Ike grinned and slapped him on the back. “You lucky dog! So, what’d you think?”
“You’re right. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He perched on the edge of the desk. “Night before last I brought her to town for dinner.”
Ike crossed his arms across his chest, and leaned against the wall. “How did that go?”
“It was wonderful. Afterwards we drove up to the crest and parked.”
Ike narrowed his eyes. “Did you do anything besides parking?”
Abe cocked his head. “Yeah, I did. Before you get all bent out of shape, I didn’t get around to making love to her. But, I did get in some mighty fine kisses.” He hesitated a moment. “And found out how soft and sweet those fine breasts of hers are.”
Ike slapped him on the back. “You lucky polecat. Was she willing?”
Abe punched his arm, hard. “What do you mean by that? Of course she was willing. What do you take me for? She was plumb willing to let me make love to her, but I held back because it didn’t seem right to move forward without you knowing about it.”
“Are you saying you want us to take her together the first time?”
Abe shook his head. “No, I don’t think that would be a good idea. I’m certain she’s had no experience with men except for what we did together. I think doubling up on her this soon would have her running back east on the first stage.” He shrugged. “I just wanted to know how you want to handle it.”
Martine, Missy - Star Wishes (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 12