“Maybe, I just do not feel good that we can not watch over them.” Mattie stopped and turned to look at her companion. “What if the place isn’t there anymore? It could have burned down.”
“Sarah’s parents found information about it on that computer machine. Wouldn’t they know if something bad had happened?”
“I don’t know. I wish we could have gone with them.”
“But you said we couldn’t leave this house.”
“That bothers me.” Mattie frowned.
“You worry too much.”
“And you don’t?”
Eloise clapped her hands. “We could go join Sarah’s parents downstairs. Why don’t we hang around them more? They can’t see or hear us. We could talk all we want to.”
“I don’t know, it feels odd being around them without Sarah.”
“Let’s go, Mattie.”
##
William loved the way Sarah’s mind worked. She had dug around in her tote for something to hold a few of the blackberries they passed. Finding none she took out the sandwich and ate half in several large, unladylike bites.
“Eat this,” she ordered, giving him the other half. While he did as ordered, she took several gulps from her water bottle.
By the time he’d finished his sandwich half she gave him the water bottle, then began to fill the zippered sandwich bag with juicy berries.
Knowing Sarah, they’d be picking peaches or apples if the ones on the fruit trees had been ripe enough.
“Oh, look.” She’d stopped him to point out deer on a rise nearby. She took a step in their direction. “They’re so cute.”
“They’ll run away, Sarah.”
“I know. I just want to watch them.” The wind must’ve
carried human scent toward the animals. They scampered away.
“Don’t forget the food I brought. You said you were hungry.
Come on.”
Watching her wipe her brow reminded William that the sun was directly overhead. “You look awfully pink, Princess. Bet you didn’t put on sunscreen.”
“Considering I left my house by seven this morning, you’d win that bet. I’ll get some from my car. Quit dawdling, Professor.” Sarah trudged ahead. He’d have caught up with her, but he enjoyed watching her cute backside.
The closer they came to the house the more memories assailed him. So much had changed, but he remembered where the outbuildings had been. He also remembered, oh Hell! “Sarah, wait!” he shouted.
“What?” she called over her shoulder as she slowed.
“Stop right there.” She wasn’t stopping!
“Sarita, stop!”
Sarah stopped this time. Within three long strides he caught up with her.
“Walter?” She frowned.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. “Well,” he said, breathless.
“Well, what?”
“There was a well around here. I don’t see it now, but it was about here.” He moved with caution, taking experimental steps. Then he found it. Weeds and grass hid the wood covering the hole. The brick wall around the well had crumbled almost level with the ground.
Sarah threw her arms around him, knocking him to the ground. “You saved my life!” She kissed him so hard he couldn’t think. Wet, hot kisses stole his words. He and Sarita had made love in tall grasses. They had made love almost everywhere! Something poked into his back, demanding his attention.
“Sarah, honey.”
Though Sarah stopped kissing him, she didn’t let him up. “Were you Walter when you told me to stop?”
“I don’t think so, but I knew about the well and I had to get your attention. Sorry I confused you.” He pushed back strands of her hair that had escaped the ponytail and tickled his face.
She punched his shoulder. “You rat.” The hit hadn’t hurt and she didn’t really look angry.
When she eased into a sitting position she grinned. “If I weren’t so hungry, I’d make love to you here and now.”
“But you won’t?”
She pushed against him as she rose. “Can’t have either of us getting a sunburned backside.”
This time she waited and walked beside him, hand in hand, in case he had another memory that would save one of them from harm. Or in case she remembered something to help.
By the time they reached the house Sarah as so thirsty she emptied the water bottle William offered her from the cooler in his truck.
“You brought the old truck?”
“My Mustang needed brake shoes.”
“Like your truck, where’s the gun rack?”
“I’ll get that later.”
“I thought you said you brought lunch.”
“Impatient, aren’t you?” William hefted the cooler from the truck bed and carried it to the shaded part of the wraparound porch. He called over his shoulder. “Grab the basket from the seat and bring it over here.“
In the basket they found everything needed for a picnic. Sarah spread the tablecloth and set out plates and plastic utensils.
“Still thirsty?” William unscrewed the lid of a chilled jar and poured lemonade into two glasses. He took Sarah’s bottled Coke and put it into the cooler.
“Funny, Sarita said she served lemonade to her guests on this very porch.”
“She did, did she?”
“Yep, she mentioned how much Mattie loved to visit with us. Mattie seems so ladylike. Was she always?”
William sipped the tart drink, considering. “Seems like my cousin Mattie was spirited and fun. You know, we could learn to use what Walter and Sarita remember.” He grabbed a ham and cheese sandwich and bit into it. “Maybe Doc Mac could help us tap into our other selves.”
Sarah unwrapped a sandwich and took a bite. “I totally love to hear you talk like this. We might find the treasure the Jacksons think we have or prove there isn’t one.”
“Are you back to Peter Jackson again?” William scowled.
“Jealous, professor?”
William shrugged. “No.” He used his napkin to wipe a spot from Sarah’s cheek.
“Sarita married Walter, not Miller Jackson.”
“Miller was a self-centered, spiteful man.”
“He got help when he saw you were injured and I was losing our baby. He didn’t have to.” Sarah held out a deviled egg for William to bite.
“He’s still responsible for the stories about Mattie and Jonathan. He started the rumors about our families stealing and cheating our neighbors.” William paused and looked at Sarah. “He’s the reason for the feud.” In one bite he took the egg half, grazing her fingers.
“I don’t remember talking to you about the feud.”
“Walter told me, I guess.”
“Miller started it, not Peter. Eloise suffered at the hands of a Jackson. Who knows how many other stories we haven’t heard about the Jacksons’ jealousy?”
“Maybe there aren’t any.” William reached for a cookie, offering it to Sarah. “Have some?”
“Are you trying to change the subject?” She took a bite and chewed. “Good.”
“The old guy at the Creation General Store said he thought you’d like these.”
William had talked enough about the Jacksons. “Sarah, my darlin’ I think we need to concentrate on us.” He edged closer to Sarah, then pulled her onto his lap.
“Good idea.” Sarah kissed his rough jaw. “I missed you.”
“Please don’t leave me again, Sarah.” He caressed her face.
Her arms would around his neck, holding him close. When he touched his lips to hers he knew he was lost for all lifetimes. He could deny her nothing. He’d sell his soul for her.
When the kiss ended William laid her back on the porch. He slid his hands over her buttocks, up her hips and under her shirt. He loved the curve of her waist, the satin of her skin. A memory of lilac-scented skin tried to break through, but he pushed it away. This time would be all about him and Sarah. Her throaty moans made his heart race. Moving above he
r he eased her shirt over her head, then buried his face in the valley above the front closure, kissing the insides of each soft mound.
Sarah moved her hands over William’s broad back, loving the hot, wet kisses he placed on her breasts. When his mouth closed over a nipple she felt the tug all the way down to her womb. The sight of his dark head against her white skin made her mouth go dry. “Oh, God.”
When he moved from one nipple to suckle at the other, she felt her insides melt. He left her breasts to kiss her stomach, wetting a trail down to the waistband of her jeans. Together they bared the curls of her mound, then her legs. On the shaded porch William loved her intimate parts, kissing, licking, suckling.
Never in her wildest fantasies had she known it would be so wonderful. Not true, a voice whispered, but this time it was all about Sarah and William. Before her spasms ended William moved up her body and entered her in one swift stroke, sending her into a second orgasm. His kiss mingled their loud moans.
She could spend a lifetime loving this man. “I love you,” she murmured. “I love you.”
“Oh, Sarah,” His moan vibrated against her throat. “I love you. Marry me.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. Had he really proposed with the words? Their lovemaking had always been earth shattering, but they still had to learn to make their love work. They needed to separate themselves from their previous lifetimes.
“Sarah?” William held his breath, waiting for her response. “Marry me.”
“I love you.”
She rubbed her face against his neck and kissed him, but she didn’t answer him.
“Marry me. We belong together.”
“I know that. But this is a strange place to propose.”
“What better place?”
“This place belongs to Walter and Sarita. Ask me again in one of our places.”
William lifted his weight to set his clothes right. If she loved him, why hadn’t she said yes? He had never asked another woman to share his life, never would.
“William?”
He rose to finish packing the picnic things.
“Oh, Wil-liam?” Sarah called him while he continued to load the food basket and the cooler in his truck.
“Now who’s pouting?” she called.
“Sarah, you might want to cover up.”
“Why?”
When he turned to answer her, the words stuck in his throat. Her jeans were at knee level. She took her time pulling them over her hips, leaving her fiery pubic curls barely visible. When she straightened, the sun painted her pale breasts ivory. He wanted to yank her jeans back off and make love to her until she couldn’t say no to anything he asked. He wanted her to need him as much as he needed her.
“Since I’m heading back home, you might not want to be half-naked out here all by yourself.”
“No one’s gonna come back here to see me.”
“We came here.” He watched her fasten her jeans.
“Yeah, well...” She fumbled with her bra, adjusting her lush breasts partly out of his sight, not out of his mind. The pale mounds of flesh kept his arousal at full attention.
He wouldn’t let himself forget that she had turned him down twice. “Someone from Creation general store might come to check on you, being as how you’d be alone if I leave.”
He had finished his packing. She stood rooted to the porch. If she’d just come after him and beg him not to leave, if she’d say she wanted to marry him, he’d stay. How could she be so obstinate after they’d made such mind-blowing love? Damn her!
He opened the cooler and took out the Coke and a bottle of water. He couldn’t leave her with no water. By the time he looked back at Sarah her shirt hung open. At least she was wearing it.
“Running away, professor?”
“No, just going home, like an intelligent person who knows when he’s not needed.” He felt like doing the caveman thing and taking her off to his lair, but she had decisions to make. If she loved him she’d want to marry him.
“You’re really gonna sulk because I need a little time to think?” Her fists rested on her hips.
“I proposed to you twice, so you’ve had time to think. I don’t need to be hit over the head.” He put the water and Coke bottles in her car, then strode to his truck. She watched him. When he yanked the door open he paused. Why wouldn’t she stop him? Stubborn female. Walter’s voice sounded in William’s head as he got into his truck. She’ll never change, but you wouldn’t want her to. He started his truck and drove back down the overgrown driveway. He needed for her to love him above all else.
When he reached the old gravel road he slammed his hand on the steering wheel, then made a U-turn and backtracked toward the house. “God dammit all!“ he shouted, driving too fast for the rutted drive. When the house came back into view he looked for her where he’d left her. She wasn’t there or in her car. Where the hell had she gone?
Sarah couldn’t believe the nerve of that jerk! Who does he think he is? He really has to have things his way. Answer now or forget it, huh? Well, he could just forget it! Why would she want to marry such a pushy man? She had followed the porch and stepped down to hide behind an azalea bush. Nature had called in a big way. Good thing she had hidden since it sounded like she had company. Who’d have thought anyone would come here? Tramping the weeds, she walked toward the drive to see who had driven up. Maybe she had been less than wise to stay here alone.
William! He’d come back. He couldn’t leave her alone in this godforsaken place. He’d apologize for being so mean and she’d apologize for hurting his feelings. Why wasn’t he getting out of the truck to look for her?
Walking closer to the drive she stopped and waited for him to notice her. She had always known when he was looking at her. Was he waiting for her to make the first move? She slowed to a stroll as she neared his truck. He didn’t even open the door.
He did lower the window. “Had enough time to decide?” His deep voice sounded angry, not loving.
“No.” she couldn’t believe he hadn’t apologized. She moved to her car and opened her door. She’d leave soon, but she didn’t want him to know she wasn’t having a good time here since their argument. She could see he was watching her in his side mirror. She stood outside the car and poured water in her hand, dampening her skin. Then she drank the rest, slowly, sensuously, long swallow after long swallow. Practically caressing the opening with her mouth, closing her eyes against the sun. Hell, she was turning herself on, hoping he imagined other ways she could use her mouth on him.
When she heard him gun the truck engine and roar over the weeds, she hoped he had a hard-on all the way home. Once she was sure he wouldn’t return, she got in her car and started it. As much as she hated to leave the place Walter and Sarita had called home, she needed to plan her return more carefully.
Soon she saw the Creation General Store ahead. She wanted to stop and ask more questions about the recent history of the plantation and its neighbors. When she saw Walter’s truck parked in front of the store, she drove on by. She’d beat him home unless she made a stop on the way.
Maybe Peter knew what had happened to his family plantation. Maybe he’d like to explore with her, now that they were friends. At least he wouldn’t make love to her on the porch, then propose to her out of the blue and expect an immediate answer. Life had been so simple when she and Walter had been friends.
Sarita laughed inside Sarah. But not nearly as exciting. You and William were meant to be and you know it.
“So why can’t he be patient if we were meant to be together. It’s not like I said no.” Sarah argued with her Sarita self. The man had reduced her to arguing with herself.
He’s just like Walter, and you love him for it.
“Oh, hush!” She slammed the steering wheel. She had really wanted to stop at the store.
By the time Sarah pulled into her driveway she wished she hadn’t decided not to stop on the way home. She’d munched on nuts from her snack bag and chugged the lu
kewarm Coke.
Sarita hadn’t hushed. Sharing memories would have been fine, if she had shut up about William and Walter. She’d been a total pest, making Mattie and Eloise seem quiet by comparison. Who needs two ghosts and a separate personality from a previous life who argues with her? Makes me sound like a mental case.
Sarah left the car but not her problems. The minute she entered her house, ghosts and parents rushed her. Had they been hanging out together? Scary thought.
Her mom spoke first. “Did William find you at the--?”
Her dad interrupted. “Sarah, did you find the plantation?” He turned to his wife. “Sorry to interrupt, dear.” His attention returned to Sarah. “Was the house still there?”
“Hey, folks, I really need to make a pit stop and I need a quick shower before supper.” She escaped to do both.
By the time Sarah finished her shower she felt much better. Her problems hadn’t gone away, but she was relaxed.
Mattie and Eloise waited to make her less relaxed. “Tell us all about your day,” Mattie ordered. “How was the house? Did you and William make up?”
“Now who’s asking nosey questions?” Eloise asked.
“Why don’t you two hang around and listen in while I tell my parents. You seem to feel comfortable around them now.” Sarah knew she sounded curt but well …
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