Chase the Moon: A Historical Romance (22 page)

Sabrina was exhausted as she finally returned to her bedroom. She removed her damp clothing and dried off with a towel. She had just put on a clean slip as Brock arrived, his hands laden with food.

“I thought we could eat up here.”

“Perfect.” Sabrina said gratefully as she helped him lay out the dishes on top of the quilt. She ate her fill and Brock cleared away the rest. She went to dress again to go down and mingle their guests but Brock stopped her. He gently pulled her down onto the bed and tucked her into the covers.

“You need to rest.”

“I’m fine.” She said trying to stifle a yawn.

“Shhh.” Brock whispered as he smoothed her hair until she fell asleep.

***

The now dry Amelia appeared at Riley’s door with dinner for all of them as well. Chase grabbed the heavy tray from her arms as she went to hug her brother.

“How are you feeling?”

“I would feel a bit better if I didn’t have to piss in a can.”

Amelia’s reply never left her lips as Jonathan stuck his head in to reply. “Well son, that’s a hell of a lot better than having to piss while standing on one leg! Just follow Doc’s orders and you’ll be just fine.”

They all laughed as he left to join Anna for dinner. “How was the funeral, did you sing?” Riley asked in between bites.

“Yes. It was all very sad.”

“You sing?” Chase asked looking curious.

“Sometimes, I have to be in the right mindset.”

“I would love to hear you sing.”

“Well, maybe I’ll sing for you sometime.” Their eyes met and locked.

“I’m still here you know!” Riley retorted breaking the spell. Amelia would be glad when he could walk again. He was getting mighty grumpy being bed bound.

A
melia awoke early the next morning. The humidity was making her hair unbearable so she decided to wear it up in a ponytail. It was proving to be a beautiful day. She could hear the rooster crowing close by and she marveled at how normal things seemed when they just had a funeral yesterday. You still woke up, you still ate, and you still went on.

Sabrina was still in a somber mood and pushed off their trip to town until the next day. That was fine with Amelia; she wasn’t quite as sore as she was the day before and hopefully by tomorrow she would be back to her old self.

Sally was the opposite. She was practically glowing and from the looks her and Warren kept exchanging it was not hard to guess why. It was good to see her friend happy again.

Since she helped cook she left the others to clean as she went outside to enjoy the cool breeze of morning air. Spotting Chase by the corral, she headed his way.

“You missed breakfast.”

“Good morning to you too. I was working on something so I just ate in the bunkhouse with the hands.”

“What are you working on?”

“It’s a secret.”

“I won’t tell.”

Chase tilted his head as if he was contemplating her answer. “Well I suppose I could show you. You can’t say a word though.”

“Of course not! It wouldn’t be a secret then would it?”

Chase led her to the barn where he slept and she felt the butterflies in her stomach as her heart started pounding faster. He stopped by the ladder leading up into the loft. She hesitated as he motioned for her to go up the ladder first.

“Are you serious? I’m not going up first. It isn’t proper showing off my bloomers to a man.” Amelia said with a pretend air.

Chase’s eyes darkened as he took a step closer to her. “If you don’t want me seeing your bloomers perhaps you should take them off.”

His mouth met hers and she placed her hands on his wide shoulders to support herself. Moments later she was forced to pull away to catch her breath.

“Do you really have a secret?”

“Of course.”

“Then I think you should climb up the ladder first.”

Chase winked at her before moving to nimbly climb the sturdy rungs. Once at the top, he leaned over to offer her assistance if need be.

Amelia paused to consider the consequences of climbing into Chase’s lair. The worst thing that could happen was she could fall off and die. The best? Well, she hoped her face was not as red as it felt! With a shaky breath, she put her pointy black boot on the rung and stepped up.

“Only eight more to go.”

“Hush! I’m trying not to break my neck.”

“That would be a loss.” Chase said his voice turning deep and sending shivers thru her soul.

As she shakily reached the top, Chase grasped her arm guided her onto the loft. She held his arm tightly as she looked down to the hard dirt floor below. It made her toes curl and she carefully backed away.

“Scared?”

“No, I just don’t like heights. What’s the surprise?” She asked looking around the large area.

Chase motioned her over to a corner where a large object was covered with a sheet. He pulled it away revealing an almost finished cradle.

Speechless, Amelia came forward and ran her hand over the decorative edge and hand carved spindles of the side. He had even carved out beautiful etchings of forest animals and trees on the footboard. She could easily make out a beaver and a bear as well as others. The headboard was decorated with two beautiful eagles in flight. So detailed you could feel individual feathers.

“It is amazing, I had no idea you were so talented.”

Chase shrugged away the praise. “It’s my gift for the wedding. I just have to finish the rockers up tonight.”

“What does the eagle represent?”

“Eagle Wind is Brock’s Comanche name, I’m sure Sabrina would probably be a Wolverine but I thought two eagles would look better.”

Amelia laughed aloud, she so enjoyed her time with Chase and her heart ached thinking that it was ticking away. “What is your Indian name?”

“I’m sure you heard Brock spouting it since our arrival. My given name is Little Beaver.”

Amelia tried not to smile but failed horribly. “Um, that is a lovely name. Beavers are very hard working. What is your sister’s name? ”

“Fragile Dove.”

Amelia had to grin at that one. Especially after riding for days with the spunky Jaelyn. “Well I think your mother got your names spot on.”

“Yes, she is very intuitive. The only grace I can give her was that being twins we were very small when we were born.”

Amelia looked up at the huge man in front of her. It was hard to imagine him as a helpless infant. “I think I like Chase better.”

“At least one of my parents had good sense.”

“Your father picked it?”

“Yes, times are changing. He felt we would be better adapted if we used names from his culture. And I am grateful for his foresight.”

Amelia looked up at him in wonder. His entire family seemed to mesh so well in either world. What a gift to have two paths to follow. She was so close to him all she had to do was reach out her hand and touch him. So she did.

She placed her hand on his and lifted it up to her face. It was huge and she could imagine them holding a sharp knife as he commanded it to cut the intricate shapes in the wood. She so wanted those hands to command her body as well. She brought it to her face as she placed a kiss on his palm. Their eyes met. His eyes turned even darker than before if that was possible, he stood stock-still waiting for her to choose her path. She lowered his hand and let hers run up his forearm, past his elbow and up to his shoulder. To accomplish this she had to take a step closer and she could feel his breath on her hair as she repeated the process on the other side.

It reminded her of taming a wild animal. She remembered when she was small back in the mining camp. There were many stray dogs around. Her father taught her how to approach them carefully with a closed fist so she wouldn’t lose any fingers. That she needed to let them come to her so they wouldn’t feel threatened.

Her hands, both on his wide shoulders traveled up his neck to cup his face and delve into his silky black hair. Grabbing two handfuls she pulled him down to meet her lips. This kiss was more frenzied, more demanding than their previous kiss. She could not get over how gentle he could be one second, and how powerful the next.

Her senses were on high alert as his hands grasped her waist and then curled one around her back. One going up and one going down. She gasped in surprise as he grasped her bottom and pressed it towards his need.

Her mouth opened voluntarily as her head was tilted back and his warm tongue sought out hers. He explored every nuance of her mouth as his raked across her body. Her body and mind were of one accord for once. They both wanted the same thing. Chase.

Her hands again came together and met at his chest as they fought with the stupid buttons on his shirt. Taking pity on her, he freed one hand to complete the task for her. Finally, gaining access her hands touched the bare flesh of his chiseled chest and it was as if she was in a dream except better.

It was not enough though. She needed more, she needed all of him. She was barely aware of Chase lifting her in his strong arms before placing her on his bedding. Her dress was unzipped and over her head before she could think. In the next moment, they were both bare and she splayed her legs eagerly to be as one again.

She hissed as his hardness entered her. She had forgotten his size. He hesitated above her as his head dipped down capturing her lips in his. He held still until she moved her hips to get him going. He pulled out a bit and then plunged in with one swift movement as deep as he could.

Amelia broke free from the kiss as she gasped for breath. Her fingernails dug into his back and he again held still as she relaxed. Since her head was still turned his lips sought out her cheek, her ear, her neck as he rained down kisses. Tears had fallen from her eyes and he licked them away as she turned to again feel his mouth against hers.

Her hands traveled back up to his face as she pushed his hair back so she could watch him as he pumped in and out of her soul. A feeling began to build inside of her and she soon had no control over anything. She only existed as pure emotion. She withered beneath him as she gasped for air, she felt him increase the tempo even faster and she cried out as he exploded inside of her. She slowly came back to her senses as she lay trembling in his arms. She had her answer, the second time is much much better.

***

Sabrina caught them on the way out. “What were you two doing in the barn?”

“Umm….”

“I was showing Amelia your wedding present.” Chase said with a huge grin.

Sabrina raised an eyebrow as she picked a piece of straw from Amelia’s hair. “Really?”

“Yes, it was amazing.” Amelia replied still a bit breathless.

“I’m sure it was, now get your butt down to the house and sit with Riley before I shoot him. He’s driving me crazy.”

Sabrina watched after them as the two hurried off. “Wedding present my ass.” She mumbled as she set off to find Brock. She didn’t have to look father than the stables. He was checking over Thor to make sure he was recovering well from his exertion the other day. She walked up to the huge Stallion and rubbed his nose as he leaned down to greet her. She trailed her hand up to scratch his neck and he shuddered with pleasure.

“He looks good.”

“He is strong. I’ll let him out in the pasture for a while and watch him.”

“We’ll watch him.” Sabrina said turning to pat Justice and offering him a carrot before joining Brock and Thor on their walk.

Reaching the clearing, Brock released his reins and Thor wandered off to nibble at some fresh grass shoots poking out of the rich soil. Spying a fallen log he checked it for snakes before sitting down and pulling Sabrina onto his lap.

It seemed so long since they could just relax without any worries. She was surprised at how tired she had been as of late. Even the slightest task these days seemed to wear her out. She leaned into Brocks shoulder and soon fell asleep as he held her.

She jolted awake some time later. Looking around she was surprised to see how high the sun was in the sky. “How long have I been asleep? Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You needed the rest. Plus it’s kinda nice holding you when you’re not talking.”

She punched his chest and he chuckled. “Do you realize how much stuff I have to do today?”

“Sabrina, you need to rest. You haven’t been sleeping well at night, there are more than enough willing hands here to help out in your stead. I hear you’re going to town tomorrow.”

“We’re going to town tomorrow.” She replied as her eyes narrowed.

“I promised Samuel and Chase that I would help break the new horses. They are down four men with Riley and Roger still out of action.”

A troubled look crossed Sabrina’s face remembering the awful incident during from days ago. “I know we’re shorthanded but I don’t wanna go to town alone, do you know what I have to go through? You try standing on a stool for four hours while being poked to death by straight pins!”

“I don’t think it is quite that awful. You will not be alone, there will be plenty of people to step in before you bleed to death. I’ll send Thomas just in case.”

“Fine!” Sabrina shouted scrambling awkwardly to her feet. “Go ahead break your neck and see if I care.” She yelled over her shoulder as she stalked off towards the house.

Brock stood up and walked over to the horse. “Well at least you’re not mad at me.” Brock sighed as Thor turned his head away.

T
he new day was upon them before they knew it. Amelia decided to wear her hair up for the journey, the heavy mass seemed like it took dozens of bobby pins to hold it up. Finally satisfied, she made her way down to help with breakfast.

Sabrina was still miffed at Brock for not joining her for the trip into town. She knew she was being unreasonable but she couldn’t help herself. Her emotions were in turmoil lately and she had no control over them.

At least they got to take the carriage, which was more comfortable than the darn wagon. Jaelyn rode Justice since the carriage only held four. Anna and Jonathan wanted to remain to watch their sons and Tom would stay at the ranch in case he was needed.