by Lynn Landes
"I see. I'm okay with that, Chase." He grins and unstraps his gun belt, placing it carefully on the chair. Bronnah pulls her blouse from the skirt and pulls the buttons open while he stalks her, backing her up to the bed.
“It’s been hours since I’ve tasted you, wife.” He growls, grabbing her by the waist he pulls her into his arms. She wraps her arms around his shoulders as he bends down to kiss her soft, full lips. Sucking and nibbling he drives her crazy with his mouth, before sweeping her up into his arms and laying her down on the bed.
“I’ve always wanted to honeymoon in Nebraska,” he said looking down at her.
“I’m glad to be able to witness your dreams coming true, husband,” she teases and pulls his head down to hers.
“Ah, Bronnah-mine, you’re a miracle to me, not a dream.” Slowly, he takes her mouth, stripping away her clothing and her resistance, building the intensity until she can’t breathe from her need.
“Chase please…,” she pants, “I need you!”
“Always,” he demands moving above her.
“Choiche Is go deo,” Forever and always, Chase!
He smiles down at his sleeping bride. While they are here, he means to spoil her rotten. After a visit to the bank he will take her to a dress shop, a general store, and dinner out. He's amazed that she hasn't complained once about her clothing or lack of. Wyoming requires proper attire, especially going into winter.
Bronnah wakes to find a note and smiles softly. After a quick wash, she dresses once more and moves to the small desk near the window. Inside she finds paper and sits down to write the first of two letters. One to her family in Ireland, letting them know she is married and one to her best friend. She will have Chase take her to the post office to mail them.
It seems like years have passed since she left her family, but in truth, it's only been a short time. How quickly life has changed for her. Sitting in the quiet she can't help but bow her head and send a prayer of thanks for the blessing she has received.
Chase returns with a basket of food, and Bronnah is once again struck by his thoughtfulness. “Thank you, I’m starved.” She sits quietly and eats while he washes up.
“What have you been up to?” Chase asks.
“I’ve written two letters to my family. I need to post them as soon as possible.” Chase nods in understanding.
"Good idea, we can do that after you eat. I have some errands to attend to while we are in town. We can go as soon as you're ready." Bronnah jumps up and hurries to pull on her borrowed boots. Having only the one dress to travel in, keeps things simple. Chase guides her downstairs, and when they step outside, it is freezing. Thirty degrees and bright sunshine.
A carriage pulls up, the driver jumps down quickly and opens the doors for the couple. Bronnah is surprised and whispered to Chase, “This is too much.”
“Corolla Dress shop,” he tells the driver as he climbs in beside her and shuts the door. “It’s freezing, surely you didn’t expect to walk everywhere?” Bronnah rubs her hands together to keep them warm and stares at him.
“I thought we were going to the post office.”
“We are, but I have a few errands of my own,” he tugs her into his side. “First, we’re going to shop. I need to pick up some gifts for my family, I was hoping you’d help me with that.” Bronnah tucks her hands into his and revels at the warmth and strength that immediately envelops her.
“Gobshite,” she mutters, only to jump when Chase roars with laughter.
“Don’t tempt me, Bronnah-mine. I’ll have you in this carriage,” he teases.
Bronnah ducks her head, “Are ya so ashamed of me Chase?” she asked softly ignoring his laughter.
"Show me your eyes," he demands and squeezes her hand gently until she does. "You are my wife, and it is my honor to provide for all of your needs. Would you deny me, that right?"
Bronnah shakes her head, “Of course not, Chase.”
"I'd gladly claim you as mine, in nothing at all, Bronnah, but Wyoming is freezing this time of year. Today we will provide for all of your needs, and then you will help me figure out what to buy my new triplet nieces." Bronnah sniffs and wipes at her eyes.
“Triplets, truly?”
"Yes, truly. My brother, Dalton and his wife have a two-year-old son, and she was expecting triplets when I left." The carriage stops, and they climb out together in front of a dress shop. Two large windows framed with dresses on the left side and shoes in the window on the right. Stepping inside Dalton and Bronnah are greeted by the owner.
"Good day, I am Mrs. Corolla, how may I help you today?" Bright red hair, freckles, and a broad, welcoming smile sets Bronnah at ease.
"Good day, my wife needs a full trousseau for winter. We've lost all of our luggage in a train wreck."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," she grabs Bronnah's hand and squeezes gently. "No worries, clothing can be replaced." Dresses line the walls, with glass-covered cases, full of jewelry, scarves, and more. Bronnah is overwhelmed.
"I shall go to the post office and send our letters. How long will you need?" he asks Mrs. Corolla.
"Two hours should do."
“Chase!” He presses a kiss to her forehead and turns to the owner.
“I’d like for her to have a pair of sturdy winter boots, coat, and scarf, everything she will need. Don’t let her talk you out of anything.” He exits the shop leaving an open-mouthed Bronnah staring after him.
“Mmm. You’re one lucky girl. Let’s get started.” Two hours later Bronnah is exhausted. She’s dressed in a navy blue, velvet day dress, complete with new boots. Her hair is in a beautiful twist with a matching clip holding it in place.
“Now, Mrs. Rivers, your bags are packed. Can I get you anything else?”
Bronnah smiles, “Mrs. Corolla surely you are magic. I would love something to knock his boots off. Something he would not be expecting. Do you have anything like that?”
A grin covers her new friends face, “Follow me.” Fifteen minutes later, Bronnah is ready and waiting for Chase when he arrives.
“Bronnah?” he gasps, staring at her.
“Your wife is exquisite and easy to dress, Mr. Rivers.”
Bronnah turns slowly, “What do you think?”
“I think you fell from a star, Bronnah-mine,” he murmurs.
"Chase," she sniffs and wipes at her eyes. The pride in his eyes makes all the stress worth it. It's nice to feel dressed appropriately, and she can't wait to show him the rest of her purchases.
“I found some gifts for your family, Chase.”
“Perfect, we have to make a few more stops. Can you have our purchase sent to the hotel?”
“Of course, Mr. Rivers.”
Bronnah wanders over to look out the window of the shop while he pays. When she catches her reflection in the window, she stares in wonder. She wouldn't recognize herself, and it makes her think of her family. Long gone are the days of running through the grassy fields, barefoot in a long skirt and dirty shirt. What would her family think of what she has become? What does she think of herself? In truth, she would have lived in a dirty shack with him and been just as happy as she is now. Love is an unexpected gift, and she means to hold on to it with both hands.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Chase and Bronnah enjoy the next two days loving, laughing and spoiling each other, but Chase does not waste a single second. While she was at the dress shop, he sent telegrams to his most trusted friends. The gathering has begun. Not knowing who to trust in the Marshalls office, he called in favors from his fellow soldiers in different parts of the country. Already they are moving to meet him. Some will meet them in California, some in Wyoming. None of them question why he needs them, they only respond to their brother in need.
"How will your family feel about you bringing home a strange woman?" Bronnah asked nervously chewing on her bottom lip. They are about an hour from the station, and it hits her for the first time that this will be her new home.
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“They will know that I have exquisite taste.” He squeezes her hand to reassure her and presses a kiss to her knuckles.
“I sent a message to my father to ready our cabin. He will have shared the good news with my family.”
“Oh, that’s good, then.” Glancing out the window, she murmurs, “I wonder if my family would feel the same.”
“What are they like?” he asked as they sit at a table in the dining car. After ordering biscuits and tea, he watches her closely as she speaks of them.
"They are… amazing, hard-working farmers with a strong love for each other. My brother is a mess. You must understand that living the way we did, it hardens a person. I was lucky to be chosen for an education, but Patrick is a wee bit cheeky." Chase grins and leans forward.
“What does that mean?”
“Naughty. He has had an interesting education in the workhouses.” She said primly sipping her tea.
“Oh, you mean like how to break out of handcuffs, that sort of education?” He teases her gently. Her blush blooms and he chuckles.
“Yes, husband. That sort of education and more I’m afraid…” her voice fades with her smile as she glanced out the window. “I miss them. I haven’t had time to think on it, until now.”
“I’m sure they will be thrilled to receive your letter and find out you are well. We will send a care package as soon as we’re settled.” Bronnah smiles at him softly.
"Thank you." Outside the window, Wyoming is passing, and she stares in awe. It's hard to believe she will be living in such a lush landscape.
“Once we arrive at the station, we will go straight to the Sheriff’s office to give our statements. I will need to check us in at the local hotel. It is a two-day ride on horseback to the ranch, and we will be taking supplies with us. If we're lucky, we will beat the snow,"
“What snow?” Bronnah asked looking out at white clouds with blue sky peeking through.
“Those are snow clouds, and I mean to be locked in our cabin with you for a few days before I have to go.” She smiles softly and tries to hide her worry.
“I’d love that.”
Chapter 34
“Welcome home, Chase.” Sheriff Cleveland Howe greets him when he enters the office with Bronnah.
“Sheriff, I’d like you to meet my bride, Bronnah Rivers.” Chase grins when the Sheriff glances at her.
“Bride, well, congratulations to you both. Won’t you come on into my office.”
“Thank you, Cleve. We’d like to get our statements taken quickly. I’m eager to get home.”
"I'm sure you are. Your message was short, Chase. Tell me what you need, and I'm happy to help." The Sheriff sits at his desk and faces them as they take seats.
An hour later, Chase is through giving his statement, and he looked to Bronnah. "Your turn."
“I’ll get some tea, and we will get Mrs. Rivers statement next.” Cleveland leaves to talk to his secretary and tells her to go ahead and take lunch.
“Bronnah, would you mind if I go to the general store and load up the wagon with supplies? That way we can head out today and not have to stay overnight.”
“Of course not. Do what you think is best.” Bronnah glanced nervously up at the Sheriff when he returns with a tray of biscuits and tea. He sets it on the desk and steps back when Chase stands up.
“Sheriff, I’m going to run over to the general store and get our wagon loaded with supplies, then grab our suitcases from the station. I’ll leave my wife in your capable hands.”
“Absolutely, we will need about an hour. Same as your statement.” Chase smiles at Bronnah and hurries from the office.
"Well now, let's have some tea and biscuits before we get started. You must be famished." Bronnah shakes her head no.
“Thank you, Sheriff, but I’m too nervous to eat.”
"I understand." He moves behind his desk and twists the tip of his black handlebar mustache. Bronnah watches Chase through the window as he rides off in a gallop to the train station to collect the wagon. "I can't believe he made it this easy for me."
Bronnah stares across the desk at him in confusion, until she hears the gun cock beneath the desk. “No,” she gasps.
"I know, I'm shocked too." His smile fades, and his eyes grow deadly serious. "Get up and move to the window." Bronnah stands up, and he raises his pistol tracking her every move. "Look across the street and tell me what you see, Mrs. Rivers,” he sneers.
Bronnah stares at the strip of wooden buildings lining the well-developed town, and for the first time, she notices them. Two Asian men in the shadows of the blacksmith's shop. "The Chen want a word with you." Before she can move, he shoves the pistol in her side and grabs her arm.
“Before you do anything rash, Mrs. Rivers, you should know that they are waiting for any sign of trouble from you and his family will be taken out. You see only what I want you to see. Right now, the River’s ranch is surrounded by more Chen than you could ever wish to meet. Will he forgive you if you are the reason his family is slaughtered?” Bronnah begins to tremble with rage and horror. “You two have caused them a great deal of trouble. Let’s go.” He drags Bronnah from the room and out of the back of the building where his horse is waiting.
“Why are you doing this? I thought you were his friend.” Bronnah cries out as he shoves her in front of him towards the waiting horses.
“Simple. Money talks. I want you to mount this horse, and we’re going to ride out of town. If you do as I ask, his family will be spared. If you fight, I have orders to shoot you. They want you dead or alive.”
“What about Chase?” Bronnah demands as he nudges her towards the horse.
“Right now, you need to worry about your own pretty little neck.” Bronnah glanced around desperate for some sign of help. She knows what that means. Neither one of them will survive this. “Mount up!”
Millions of thoughts run through her mind at once. She can’t run, scream, or fight back but at least she will die knowing that his family will be spared. The Sheriff mounts quickly being sure to keep the pistol trained on her. They warned him that she was unpredictable. “Hurry up!”
Sensing her fear, the horse neighs loudly and side steps. “I don’t know how to ride.” She cries out as he kicks at her with his booted foot.
"Figure it out, or I will spray the ground with your Irish blood," he hisses. Bronnah is weeping softly as she whispers softly to the horse.
She pulls herself onto the horse as best she can and holds on tightly to the reigns. Cleveland reaches over and snaps a pair of handcuffs on her and grabs the reigns from her trembling hands. He leads her down the back alley, to a dirt road leading out of town. The owner of the Dusty Boots Saloon watches from the shadows as the Sheriff rides away with a pretty blonde. His eyes narrow in suspicion as four China men on horseback join them. Somethings not right and he means to find out what it is.
Chase pays the owner of the General Store and moves to the livery, glancing across the street at the Sheriff's office. He's itching to get back to Bronnah, but first, he needs to collect a few things. Striding quickly down the street he's about to step through the swinging doors when the owner Roy pushes his way outside.
Surprise flickers for a second, followed by relief. “Chase! Good to see you home.” He pumps his hand in a friendly shake.
“Something wrong, Roy?” he asks softly.
"No, I'm sure it's nothing. I think I know why you're here, they are waiting inside. Been here for two days now. Should I be worried about another shoot out? I just finished the repairs from your last visit." Chase laughs at his friend and leads the way inside.
“I can’t make any promises, Roy.” His smile broadens as he hurries to the corner table and greets his friends. Three of the six he sent for. Handshakes and whiskey follow quickly, and Chase tosses his hat on the table.
"Roy, I'd like to introduce my friends, Army Ranger, Jack Baker. Davis King, the best hunter, and trapper I've ever met and Reverend Virgil Collins. We serv
ed together during the war."
“It’s nice to meet you. Welcome to Wyoming. What’ll it be?”
“Bourbon.” Chase sits quickly and waits for Roy to move away. “Thank you for coming so quickly.” He brings them up to speed on the trafficking and is just explaining about Bronnah when Roy returns.
“My wife is giving her statement to Sherriff Howe. I’m to pick her up soon.” Chase laughs at Roy’s shocked countenance.
"Your wife?" Roy looked to the door, and his smile fades. "Is she blonde?"
Chase stands slowly, “Almost silver blonde in fact. Why?”
“I… I just saw Sheriff Howe leading a woman on horseback down the dirt road out of town with four Chinamen.” No words are necessary as Chase roars in outrage and races from the bar.
Jack Baker stays behind to question Roy, while his friends follow Chase. “How long ago and where does this trail lead?”
Chase’s horses are at the livery, he quickly cuts them loose from the wagon as he pulls his shotgun and checks his ammo count. Good thing he stocked up earlier. “I’ll need your help. These are not ordinary Chinamen, these are Chen warriors.”
Jack joins them on horseback as Davis King snorts out, "Why would anything with you be simple? No worries Chase, I can track them." He races off, and they all kick the horses into a gallop.
“He has over a thirty-minute lead on us,” Jack snaps.
“Just get me within shooting distance,” the Reverend snaps. He earned the name Shotgun in the Infantry after they discovered he was a phenomenal shot.
“Leave no one alive,” Chase declares without hesitation.
“What about the Sheriff?” Davis asked.
“He’s mine,” Chase snarls.
"Where are you taking me?" Bronnah demands as he snaps out an order to the four Chen. They close ranks around her horse to ensure that she can't escape and ride on, ignoring her question. The pace is brutal, he is pushing the horses at a fast run, and she's terrified.