by Lynn Landes
“No. The family left on a train. Do you wish us to send someone after them?”
"Not necessary. They are meaningless. Mr. Chen wants the girl found and killed. She has become more of a problem than we first anticipated. Lucky for us she sent a message to the U.S. Marshalls office, and it was intercepted. We were able to continue with that shipment of girls."
“The girl had the help of a Marshall.”
“I’m aware of Mr. Chase Rivers. He will be dealt with. If they could not travel by train, then it must be by horse or ship. Check the docks.” The man leaves, and he turns to the other two men standing in the corner with a young woman.
“Carmen, please forgive me for keeping you waiting.” Jonas sits next to the pretty young woman and takes in her features. “Tell me what you know about this, Bronnah O’Dalaigh.”
"Yes, sir. She came into the shop and said that Rose had an accident. She insisted that Mr. Chen was not happy with the last shipment and demanded to see the next one. I felt threatened… I'm so sorry." She blots at her tears, and Jonas smiles at her.
“Of course, don’t fret, Carmen, we shall figure this out together.” He offers her a tissue and pats her knee as she composes herself. His eyes drop to her voluptuous figure. “I need details, Carmen. What else do you remember?”
"She asked me to take the dresses to the carriage and give the address to the driver. It was the address here at the hotel." Jonas smiles at her. "Very good. Tell me about this driver?"
“Oh, he had a funny accent, not Spanish, nor French… I’m not sure.” Carmen glanced at the two men behind Jonas. Her hands are shaking as she tosses her long dark curls over her shoulder.
“Could it have been, Irish?”
“Oui! That’s it.” She smiles at him holding her tissue.
“Wonderful.” His eyes leave her for a moment, “Find him.”
The two men leave quietly, and he turns back. “Walk with me, Carmen.” He takes her arm and guides her to a bedroom door. He knocks and then opens the door, gesturing for Carmen to move inside.
She does and then skids to a stop when she sees Eve tied down to a bed. Her gasp of horror is met by the sound of the door closing behind her. Whirling around, she tries to run, but Jonas is blocking the door.
"Now Carmen, there's no need for that." Gripping her by her arms, he forces her over to the bed. "Look at her." Carmen is openly weeping now as she glanced at Eve. "Mr. Chen has changed management. I'm in charge now, and things are going to work differently. I don't tolerate mistakes or failures. If you fail to do the job I assign you, well, you can see." He points to Eve, and his eyes grow misty. The two young Chinese girls slip out of the room and close the door behind them.
"It's a shame really, I loved her. She's gone from me now." Walking up behind Carmen he pulls her back against his body. "The question is Carmen," his hands run down her arms and back up, lifting her lush hair. His hot mouth nips at her neck, and she gasps.
Jonas spins her around and backs her up to the bed. His hands run down her face, “You are lovely, lush and…” he slips a finger down the front of her dress, teasing her nipple, “responsive.”
Gently he kisses her mouth before asking, “The question is Carmen, are you ready to work for me?” Carmen licks her lips nervously and whispered her answer.
“Si, Mr. Jonas.” Jonas smiles as he claims her mouth. He decides to fuck her hard the first time. They can play later. Flipping her around her pushes her down over the bed, making sure she is on top of Eve’s body. He lifts her skirt and to his delight finds a tight firm ass with no undergarments in the way.
"You will always remember our first time, Carmen. Don't close your eyes, touch her if you want, she won't remember." Carmen gasps as he uses her, and Eve rolls her head away and slurs something. "You see, she likes it." Jonas takes Carmen's hand and slips it up to cup Eve's breast. "Yes, just you wait, Carmen, and see what I can show you."
“Yes, Jonas,” she said crying silently.
Chapter 23
Chase guides the carriage down along the docks looking for the Harbor Breeze. Captain Perry is working on loading the ship with supplies. Allen jumps out and runs down the docks to greet the carriage, followed by Aimee.
“You found them?” Allen calls. Bronnah climbs down and helps the girls out, encouraging them and speaking to them in French. Aimee gasps when she sees the condition of the women. She immediately jumps to help guide them down the dock and onto the ship.
Bronnah limps along, but Chase stops her. “We don’t have much time, Bronnah. Grab what you can and hurry back.” She nods quietly and follows the girls.
“What happened?” Captain Perry asked.
“We have about a thirty-minute head start. You’re gonna need to go soon, Allen.” Chase pulls out some cash and tries to give it to him.
"No. Keep it. You may need it. You can find me in Bruster, Maine. Just ask for Foster Shipbuilder's."
“Captain, I need to ditch that carriage. Think you could help me with that?” Chase asked.
"Yep," he whistles, and a dock hand comes running. They move off together to take care of it, and Chase waits impatiently for Bronnah to return.
“Are you sure you won’t come with us?” Allen asked.
“No, I can’t bring this to your doorstep, Allen. Besides, you couldn’t pay me to be housed with that many women,” Chase teases.
"I can think of worse fates," Allen said, glancing at the four beauties huddled together and being tended to by the ship hands.
“Aimee, how will I say goodbye to you?” Bronnah asks, feeling weepy. Her body is beginning to hurt, her side feels as if it’s leaking, but when she glances at the girls, she knows it was worth it.
"You do not say that you say, Jusqu'a la prochaine fois." Until next time. Aimee hugs her, and the girls gather around Bronnah.
“I want you to stay with these people. We’re trying to stop this from happening to other girls. Until then, I need you to stay hidden and be safe,” Bronnah explains and wipes a tear. Chase whistles and Bronnah snarls at him.
"I know! Hold your bloody horses." All the men laugh as she grabs her carpet bag.
"Oh, wait!" Aimee runs inside the Captain's quarters and returns with a bag. "I picked up a change of clothes at the general store. It's not much, but it looked like it would fit." Bronnah accepts the bag and throws her arms around Aimee.
"Be safe," Aimee whispers and hugs her once more. Bronnah doesn't look back for fear that she will cry. Instead, she seeks Chase's eyes and allows one of the deck hands to help her off the boat.
Captain Perry, glances at Chase while Bronnah is saying goodbye. “It has certainly been an interesting night. You know, if a person were to need a place to hide out for a few days there’s a certain lighthouse about thirty miles or so down the coast. It sits on the Cape of Montol. It may or may not have a key under the brick paver on the back of the house. It was deserted when the new lighthouse was built. I keep it stocked.”
Chase is surprised and relieved. Bronnah doesn't look like she'll make it too far. "Thank you, Captain Perry. You be careful. These people aren't playing games. They are kidnapping young women against their will and shipping them all over the country. Bronnah has cost them a lot of money. The last few days she has managed to free eleven of them, including herself." Pride creeps into his voice, and the Captain stares at him.
“Eleven?” He glances at her and grins, “It’ll take a special man to tame an Irish storm, Marshall. Are ye sure you’re up to the task?”
“Hell no, but I do love a challenge.” Chase is laughing when she stomps up to them.
“What’s so funny then?” Bronnah demands glaring at the two of them.
“Nothing luv. Can ye ride a horse?” Captain Perry demands.
“No. I’m not sure how long I would be able to hold on,” Bronnah whispers.
Chase nods, “She’ll ride with me.” Bronnah kisses the Captain on his cheek. “Someday I will tell tales of you and how you helped rescue the
women of the world from our oppressors.” He removes his cap and bows to Bronnah.
“Nay. Tis I who’ll tell stories of the Irish fury who gave them hell. Your Da would be proud of you Lass.” Bronnah doesn’t bother to wipe her tears at his words.
"Oh, I hope so." Chase lifts her up onto the horse and climbs on behind her. As they ride away, he doesn't look back as she tucks into his chest and weeps.
“It’s alright, Bronnah. You did well today.” She jerks upright looking up at him.
“Damn right, I did, but I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you, Chase.” She bites her lip as they ride along, pushing back the pain and praying for some relief.
Bronnah doesn't ask where they are going, in truth, she doesn't care. All she knows is that she's exhausted. Too much has happened for her to process and she needs time. Time to heal and think. Seeing Chase risk his life for her and the girls made her realize she needs to act, not react. She will never forgive herself if something happens to him or someone else because she acted rashly.
Aimee lost everything, and Captain Foster is risking much more than that if he’s caught helping them. One day she will repay them for this. Dizzy and exhausted, Bronnah snuggles into his chest, seeking his warmth and comfort. For this moment she is content, feeling safe for the first time in a long time, she falls asleep.
Chase feels the moment she relaxes into him and trusts. For a moment, he thinks about taking her and disappearing until this blows over. It would be simple enough to do it, but after spending days chasing her hot head around, he’s pretty sure she would object. A wry smile tugged at his mouth. Bronnah O’Dalaigh is a puzzle. One that he plans to solve.
A soft mist begins to fall on them, but Chase pushes on. They have to put some space between them and those who will seek retribution. He covers her with as much of his canvas duster as he can and tries not to notice how good she feels in his arms. They ride for three hours before he finally sees the path the Captain told him about. Rising out of the trees is a square wooden tower about thirty feet tall with a small keeper's house attached to it. Tucked atop a green grassy hill the lighthouse is nestled among thick overgrown trees. It sits overlooking the beach below as if the forest tried to reclaim it, but the sea wanted its part as well.
Chase urges the horse down through the trees, ignoring the rain and wind he sighs with relief when the trees open, revealing a clearing. It looks to him like a little piece of heaven.
"Are we here then?" Bronnah asked softly. Glancing up at him she smiles at the picture he presents. He scowls down at her with rain pouring over his hat, and she reaches up and strokes his beard. His eyes drop to her mouth, and her breath catches. Her stomach flutters at the thought of his mouth on hers again. Chase dips his head and dumps a stream of rain down on her from his hat.
“Chase!” He chuckles when she squeals in mock outrage.
"Alright, let's get you inside. This will have to do for now." Bronnah sits up, and he dismounts before reaching up for her. When her feet touch the ground, she winces against the pain in her body. "I'll find a place for the horse, you can go on inside. Captain Perry said the key was under a loose brick on the back porch."
Before she can respond, Chase is pulling the horse to a small covered barn. "Okay, then." Shielding her eyes from the rain she stares hard around her. It's difficult to see without the moonlight leading the way. Bronnah decides to follow the overgrown brick pavers that seem to circle the house. The wind is picking up and the rain, pelting her feels sharp on her skin. She steps on the bricks until one of them moves beneath her foot.
“Yes,” she pries it up and finds the key. Desperate for dry clothes and a warm fire she quickly inserts the key and steps inside. Glancing down at her feet, she is sorry to drip all over the lovely wooden floors. With the weight of the rain on her, she didn't realize they were coming in through the lighthouse section.
Bronnah leaves the door open as she steps inside, glancing up into the pitch-black void of the tower above. Without the moon streaming down from the tower above it is dark and she's afraid to move. Moist, damp air and thunder reminds her of the growing storm. "Think," she shivers and steps back towards the door and then runs her hands along the wooden walls until she finds the first of two kerosene lanterns.
"What bloody good is it ta have a lantern without a way ta light it?" Bronnah grumbles and feels her way along a wall until she whacks her knees on something hard. Startled by a noise behind her, she struggles not to panic when a large shape fills the doorway and kicks the door closed. Her heart pounds in her ears and she backs away.
"Stay with me, Bronnah. Damn it's dark in here." Chase digs around in his pocket and pulls out a box of matches. The hiss of the match is a welcome relief, and Chase quickly lights one of the lanterns and waits for their eyes to adjust. Shivering, she wraps her arms around herself and looks around. This truly is a lighthouse. It's not meant for living in. Bronnah gasps and steps forward running a hand over the gorgeous mahogany spiral handrail which leads up six stories into the top of the lighthouse. "Gorgeous," she gasps.
Bronnah is so cold her teeth are chattering. Along one wall is a solid wood trunk and Chase stomps towards it, lifting the lid he drags out a massive blanket. With a flick of his wrists, he whips it around her shoulders and pulls her close. "Thank you," she whispered and pushes back her soaking wet hair.
Chase removes his long coat and hangs it on the hook reserved for the lantern and hooks his cowboy hat over the handrail leading up to the tower. “Let’s go get dried off and warm up.”
Bronnah grabs the second lantern and follows him through the circular room. Another door leads into a small kitchen with a large black woodstove, table, and chairs. In the corner is a hutch with dishes, and a small pantry cabinet is built into the wall. A sink overlooked what he hopes to be the sea. Bronnah pulls the blanket tight and smiles.
“Cozy,” she quips. Curious now she steps through a doorway leading into a living room it is again a small keeper’s quarters. A brick fireplace is flanked with two chairs. A small sofa and area rug intensifies the comfort of the room and through another door is the first of two bedrooms. One has a single bed, the second is a queen bedroom with a private bathing room. The bathing room seems to be the one room the builder splurged. Carefully hooking the lantern on the wall, Bronnah is delighted to see a massive wooden tub. Although it doesn't have running water, it's a most welcome treat. "Hello beautiful," she murmurs and runs her hands over it, amazed at the craftsmanship that went into it.
Chase laughs, "I'll fight you for it." Bronnah turns and grins up at him as he hooks the lantern on the wall.
"Okay, cowboy, but I warn ya, I fight dirty," she drops the blanket on the floor, and her dress is plastered to her body, revealing more than she intended.
When his eyes drop to her body Chase takes an involuntary step towards her and growls, “We could always share.”
Bronnah backs up into the tub and grabs the blanket up off the floor. "Chase!" A blush stains her cheeks, and he recognizes a flicker of fear and uncertainty in her beautiful eyes. He throws up his hands in mock defeat and grins at her.
"Never hurts to ask, I'll start a fire to warm some water. I put your bag in the bedroom to the right. You go ahead and get cleaned up, and we'll talk later." Chase turns quickly into the main room and builds a fire before stomping into the larger of the two bedrooms. He quickly closes the small door and strips off his clothes. Most of the rain was on Bronnah and his overcoat.
Chase hooks the lantern on the wall and stretches out on the bed intending only to rest for a few minutes, but the past few weeks have worn him down, and he falls asleep instantly. Bronnah begins the task of heating water and filling the tub, and when she finally has the tub full, she sinks in with a moan of ecstasy. A small table has a towel and bar of soap which Bronnah quickly puts to use. She scrubs quickly, afraid that Chase might actually follow through with his threat.
Just the thought of all that cowboy makes her heart poun
d. Danny was the only man she's ever been with, and he was a boy compared to Chase. Thinking of her husband brings a wistful smile. Making love with him was interesting, he was always so desperate to touch her. It was fast, and frantic and often made her wonder why people made such a big deal out of it. Bronnah didn't know that she could feel this attracted to a man.
Giving herself a shake, she scrubs her body and hisses in pain when she hits the wound on her side. Gently she washes and rinses it before deciding it's time to stop hiding from him. The cold air hits her naked body, and she realizes the only thing she has to wear is the massive blanket. Squeezing as much water from her hair as possible, she wraps it in the towel and tiptoes from the bathing room.
As she hurries past his room, she sees that he is stretched out on the massive bed and snoring. Grinning in delight, she closes his door, leaving it cracked for heat and hurries to her own room. Her bag is on the twin bed, and she kicks the door shut before dragging out a simple skirt and white blouse. "God Bless You, Aimee."
Bronnah decides to skip the corset and allow her wound to heal. She pulls on the blouse leaving it baggy over the skirt before shaking her hair out and combing the tangles out. “Now fire, and food,” she tells herself as gathers up her soaked clothes to hang them to dry near the fireplace in the living room. After she gathers his wet clothes to hang up next to hers, she stokes the fire and giggles at the sounds coming from his room.
His snore would wake the dead. Using the towel from her hair, she mops the trail of water they left upon arrival and pads into the kitchen.
Bronnah jumps as the lightning and wind howl around the tiny house. Inside the small pantry, she finds jars of labeled vegetables. Green beans, broth, and even a jam for biscuits. Grinning, she pats her stomach and decides to make a soup and biscuits. After a thorough inspection of the pantry and cupboards, she finds everything she needs to make a decent meal.
Humming a soft Celtic tune, she sets the broth to boil, and drops in the vegetables she thinks will be good. Next, she moves to the small table and begins the biscuits. Chase wakes up and smells heaven. He follows the sound of her voice and stares at her. Standing in the kitchen barefoot with her hair damp from a bath she looked to him like an angel. When she turns to smile at him, his heart drops to his stomach. He doesn't see a witness in need of protection, but his future.