Chase the Moon: A Historical Romance (17 page)

Sabrina headed into the bedroom where Roger was taken. He had already been put under using chloroform and Jonathan sat at the head of the bed to hold him down in case it wore off. Taking a deep breath to try to ease her nerves as well as her queasy stomach she stepped forward to assist. She watched Dr. Reynold as he pulled out the splintered pieces of railing and cleansed the area. Not so long ago she had aided his son in surgery; she hoped this surgery was just as successful. She grimaced as Dr. Reynold washed the area with first water and then whiskey.

She took a steady breath trying to calm her stomach as well as her nerves. The heat of the day was starting to build and the room was getting quite warm with all of their body heat. Alma came in to check on them and to Sabrina’s relief she opened the window letting sweet airflow through the room. Turning her attention back to her task she watched in fascination as Dr. Reynold deftly sewed up the gaping wound with sutures. The whiteness that she knew to be his jawbone was soon covered. Lucky for him the jagged scar would be under his chin and would be hardly noticeable before long. He would have to eat lots of mashed potatoes for awhile, but hopefully he would live. He had a chance; unlike his other bunkmates. At least they did not suffer; they were dead before they knew what hit them.

Her head spun thinking that it could have been Brock or herself amongst the dead or injured. How had Brock known? It was eerie the connection he had with nature. Sabrina had her own connection with animals but had not picked up on anything wrong. Perhaps because she could not imagine an animal being intentionally spiteful. This was a horrible lesson well learned by all.

Anna had arrived back at the house by then and she and Jonathan sat by the patient keeping an eye out for the bleeding to return or fever. After cleaning up, she went over to greet Samuel. Tears filled her eyes as she gave him a gentle hug not wanting to further his injuries. She reluctantly pulled away to allow the doctor to examine his arm. You could see a bulge from the bone pressing against the skin. Samuel turned a bit gray from the pain as he sat stoically. His large hand, chalky and thickened with calluses, dwarfed Dr. Reynold as he completed the exam. Thankfully, it was not broken, just dislocated. The arm would heal in time if they could reset it. Dr. Reynold helped him into the parlor where there was more floor room. Having him lie down on the rug, he positioned himself to guide the arm back into place. Not wanting to see him in further pain Sabrina left leaving Dr. Reynold and Alma to assist Samuel as she went outside.

Although she was in a house full of people she was feeling quite alone. She needed to clear her mind. Everything that could be done was being done but she felt helpless. She did not like the feeling of not being in control. She needed solace. She turned and headed towards the stable.

She greeted Justice as he pushed his muzzle into her hand. “I know boy. I’m scared too.” She turned and grabbed his bridle from the wall and slipped it over his head. Unlatching the gate, she grabbed a grooming brush, led him out the rear door, and tied his lead to a railing. This location blocked the view of the house and corral. It was just her and him. Taking the brush in her hand, she methodically began the long soothing strokes that always calmed her in the past. It had been so long since she has had to use this to elude reality. Since she had met Brock, he was her comfort.

Knowing that he was busy, she immersed herself in her work. As hard as she tried to push everything out of her mind, things kept creeping back in. More blood had been spilt on this land. On her hands. Tears slid down her face as her heart ached for those that died and even more for those that lived. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and instinctively turned into Brock’s warm embrace as she sobbed away her pain.

T
homas met them as they stepped into the lobby. The others were in the dining room and would wait for them to join them. Heading into their room Amelia was surprised to find Sally hurrying to get ready.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Much!” She smiled as she pinched her cheeks to add some color. Amelia readied as well. She was starving. Moreover, it was not all for food. The more time she spent with Chase the more she wondered how she had survived all this time without him. She was not sure how he felt. He was quite different from Brock who seemed to be more serious and to the point. Chase’s carefree nature was more difficult to decipher. She thought he felt the same but she had been around enough men to know that looks could be deceiving.

It was as if she was at war with her emotions. She was frightened of giving away a piece of herself. Would she ever be whole again? She thought of her father who had become half of his former self since her mother died. Could she take the same risk? Was it worth it?

“Are you okay?” Sally asked as she laid her hand on Amelia’s shoulder to get her attention. Amelia took a depth breath before nodding. Standing the two women headed down to eat.

Chase looked up from his conversation with Riley, spotting Amelia he stood pulling out a chair for her. A trait he had learned from observing Warren. His heart fluttered a bit with her being so near him. The waiter appeared taking their orders. Amelia again ordered shrimp and he did the same. Warren ordered a T-bone steak as did Sally and Jaelyn, Thomas decided to try the crawdads and Riley, who was looking peaked, ordered the shrimp gumbo.

Instead of the conversation picking up, once the women arrived, it actually turned more awkward. Sally completely ignored Warren who was watching her closely. She instead inserted herself into Thomas and Jaelyn’s conversation. Jaelyn was enthralled with the constant motion of the gulf. The waves were never ending. It never got tired.

Amelia piped in describing the magnificence of the ocean waves. Each one was unique. You could hear the roar as the energy and power built up behind them spitting them out onto the shore. She invited all of them to come visit her in San Francisco upon her return home. He eyes lingering a bit longer on Chase than the others.

Again Chase was torn. It seemed as if his once steadfast family was being pulled apart, one by one, and he was not sure where his heart lied. The beating in his chest increased as Amelia’s eyes met his; perhaps his body was making the decision for his mind.

The food arrived and Warren dug into his steak savagely;. Stabbing it with his fork and Cutting it as if it was his last meal, which may have been if looks could kill. Sally glared at him before cutting a tiny bite of her steak popping it in her mouth and letting out a small moan. Making a show of licking her lips she winked at Warren before taking another small bite. All eyes were focused on her in various degrees of interest as she repeated the process.

Amelia giggled at her friends’ audacity. Her friend? Yes, she supposed she would consider Sally as a friend. Once you got past her annoying complaining. She actually hadn’t complained since she arrived. Perhaps she was just doing it to garner Warren’s attention. Apparently, it had worked too well.

She turned her attention to Chase. He had been unusually quiet tonight. She watched as he carefully ripped the legs and shell off his shrimp, and popped the body into his mouth.

“Good?” Amelia asked placing her hand on his arm to gain his attention as she took a sip of water.

With a twinkle in his eye, Chase ducked his head down to whisper in her ear. “It is good but I’m sure you taste sweeter.”

In shock, Amelia spewed the water out of her mouth. She coughed trying to catch her breath as Thomas jumped up to her aid. Chase in concern rubbed her back trying to relax her. Her face turned from red to blue as she tried to inhale precious oxygen. Taking a small breath, she sipped some water trying to hide her embarrassment.

“I’m fine.” She squeaked waving Thomas back to his seat. She embarrassedly looked around the table, Warren was half out of his own seat, Sally winked at her, Riley just continued to sip at his soup, when her eyes finally landed on Chase he was a shade lighter than usual. His dark eyes saw nothing but her and his mouth was set in thin line in concern. His hand had stilled but was still on her back and her skin felt one hundred degrees warmer there.

“I did not mean to startle you.”

“I’m fine.” Amelia repeated placing her hand on his thigh and squeezing to reassure him.

The unexpected action caused Chase’s knee to jerk upward. It banged against the table and toppled Warren’s water glass over. They all watched as if in slow motion the liquid spilled into his lap. Cursing he stood up and walked away ignoring the snickers and laughter from the others.

Chase stood as well but Amelia pulled him back down. “He’s a big boy. I think he can change his own pants.” Her concern turned to Riley who had taken notice of the last exchange even though his soup sloshed out of his bowl.

Standing she got up and felt his forehead. “You are very warm. Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?”

“I’ll live.” He replied as he rested his forehead against the table belying his words.

“Let’s get him upstairs.” Thomas said taking a last bite of his meal. Embarrassed Riley pushed away their help as he stood on his own power and headed up to the room. Chase pulled money out of his pocket to cover their meal to Amelia’s protest.

“I am fully capable of providing for my family.” He said turning to assist Riley who was faltering on the stairs. Amelia followed them into Riley and Chase’s room. She sat on the bed next to Chase as Thomas assisted Riley in removing his pants. Sally, not wanting to intrude headed to her own room. Jaelyn went to grab Thomas’s medical bag and brought it to him. She stood nearby in case he needed her assistance.

Amelia’s hands were white with worry as she clenched them in her lap. She felt a hand on her knee and looked up into Chases dark eyes. “He will be fine. He is strong.”

He grasped her hands in his and she felt less anxious. She knew that Riley was receiving the best care possible. She just hoped it was enough. They should have turned around as soon as he was injured. She blamed herself for his refusal to upset her plans. Her father would be shattered if they lost Riley as well. He had to get better. She leaned against Chase for support and welcomed the warmth that spread through her as his arm encircled her shoulder. Ling her head on his shoulder she prayed. Repeating the mantra in her head over and over until it calmed her.

Thomas asked for water and Jaelyn was at the basin with a fresh bowl before Amelia was even conscious of the request. Jaelyn started basking his brow with water to ease his fever as Thomas undid the bandages on his thigh.

Wanting to help, Amelia nervously took a step forward and Jaelyn nodded to her as she instructed her how to bathe his too warm body. Removing his shirt as well, they tried to expose his flesh to the cooler air trying to control his body temperature for him.

From her new seat next to Riley’s head she could look down and see the angry red wound. “Is it bad?”

“I’ve seen worse. He is strong; he should pull though just fine. Animal bites usually get infected, they have many germs in there saliva.”

“Germs?”

“A phrase coined by a Frenchman, Louis Pasteur, they are like tiny bugs that make you sick. It is why it is easier to heal from some injuries than others. If they only had the knowledge during the civil war, many lives may have been saved.” He added sadly as he thought of all the deaths that had occurred due to infection.

“So he will be okay?”

“I’m sure of it. I think it would be best to get him home as soon as possible. I have more medicine there.”

“We will leave at first light. I can have the horses ready.”

“Do you think he can ride?”

“A wagon would slow us down, some roads are still damaged, we would have to go another route if we took a wagon. Time is of the essence, I wish he had told us he was ill sooner. I should have noticed.” Thomas said with anger in his voice.

“Don’t blame yourself. My stubborn brother should have told you he was doing worse. We will get him home and he will heal.” Amelia said with determination.

She sat bathing him until her arms ached and her eyes were gritty with sleep. She protested as Sally returned and took over the task. Chase suggested she lie in his bed so she could be nearby. Exhausted she fell into a fretted sleep. Chase slept on the floor near her side.

Checking in on his cousin, Warren came to the door. He was surprised to see Sally there and stood watching her work as he tried to come up with something to say. Taking a deep breath he took a step forward as he stammered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” His eyes were apologetic as he held out his hand in a helpless gesture. Sally, still trying to come to grips with her own feelings, slapped the sopping rag into it as she left without looking back. In her room, she quickly packed her things and then Amelia’s before resting a few hours before dawn.

S
abrina was wrapped in Brock’s arms and she wanted to stay there forever. She knew that while he held her she was safe.

She felt like a coward. The old Sabrina would have been taking charge and barking orders. Instead, she was hiding behind the barn mopping. There were wounded to tend to, families to inform, funerals to plan, it was her job not Brock’s.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m just fine. I know it sounds silly, but that is partly why I’m upset. That I am fine, yet so many others are injured. Hell, two men are dead. In addition, I feel responsible. I should have been there. I should have warned them.”

“Warned them about what? The dangers of ranch life? They were grown men. They knew the risk.”

“I don’t know I just feel so helpless, like I should be able to fix it. Like when my family died. I just hid in the bushes and didn’t do anything. I’ve always wondered that maybe if I had spoken up, if maybe I hadn’t of hid. Maybe they would have stopped. Maybe they wouldn’t all be dead. Maybe I could have saved them. Maybe I could have saved Lydia.”

“Darling, you had no chance of saving your family. They would have killed them and taken you as well. Some people are just downright wicked, and sometimes evil wins - but not always. Let’s go check on the others. If you brush Justice any more he’s gonna have bare patches.”