Chase the Moon: A Historical Romance (23 page)

Birds were singing and chasing each other through the tree tops as Sabrina sat scowling.

“Oh for heaven’s sake! Cheer up, you’re getting your wedding dress made!” Sally chastened leaning forward.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m in such a foul mood. I just feel out of sorts is all.”

“It is natural. Especially with all the tragedy as of late. Getting ready for a wedding is a pleasant respite.” Thomas added.

“Hmph! I’ll feel better when I’m back at Montgomery.”

Amelia sat quietly in the back lost in her own thoughts. Her hand slipped in the pocket on the skirt and she fingered the golden nugget. She wondered how her father was doing all alone. She missed him terribly. It was as if she was being pulled in two between the men she loved. Loved? Did she really love Chase?

Since she had met him on the train she had been unable to get him out of her mind. Yesterday was incredible, better than she had ever imagined. She could not imagine being with anyone else. No one else could compare. She couldn’t picture herself in his world, could he exist in hers?

“Are you coming Amelia?”

Amelia was startled back to reality; she was surprised to find that they had arrived in town. She nodded to her cousin and accepted Thomas’ hand as he helped her out of the carriage. Jaelyn kissed his cheek as went off to explore the town. He didn’t want to ruin the surprise by seeing her gown early. The women headed to the Seamstress’ shop and stepped inside.

Ms. Cranbrook forced a smile as she stood up and greeted them.

“The dresses are almost done. I just need you to try them on."

Sabrina stepped forward bravely. She was ushered into the back room where Shauna rushed up to her.

“I can't wait to see you in your new dress. It turned out amazing; I believe it is my best work yet."

The excited girl turned and pulled from a rack a beautiful butter colored wedding gown. Sabrina was speechless as she reached out to touch the intricate beading done on the bodice.

"Shauna, this is wondrous, you did this all by yourself?"

"The beadwork yes, however, Ms. Cranbrook did most of the sewing."

Sally and Amelia moved forward to view the dress as Jaelyn stayed in the back. It was unusual to see Jaelyn so reserved. Spotting her Sabrina grabbed her arm and pulled her to the front as well. There were more ooh's and ahh’s as her dress was revealed. The intricate hand stitched lace melded perfectly to the flowing lines of the dress. Maybe this would not be too bad after all Sabrina thought to herself as she undressed to try it on.

Shauna and Amelia helped Sabrina into her gown. That in itself was an arduous task. She thought she would suffocate as the layers upon layers of material covered her and she frantically swam towards the light with her head eventually popping into place. She tried not to grumble too much as Ms. Cranbrook moved around her mumbling to herself as she took more measurements and added and subtracted pins at will.

Sabrina's eyes were locked on the mirror attached to the wall. She could not help, but stare at her reflection. She imagined her mother standing next to her and looking down at her with pride. So engrossed she was in her thoughts that she did not notice as Amelia slipped from the room.

Amelia decided to use this time to run over to the bank and trade in the precious nugget her father had given her for the wedding gift. She looked around for Thomas, but did not see him. She did however see the gentleman who was staring at her last time they were in town. She quickly avoided his eyes and hurried across the street, a team of horses passed behind her and when she looked again he was gone.

There were still a few puddles here and there from the rain and she was careful to avoid them. She stepped up onto the wooden planks and made her way down the boardwalk smiling at the children playing with the dogs in the dusty street.

Reaching her destination, she opened the door. A small ting from the bell tied to the handle announced her presence. The clerk behind the counter acknowledged her with a nod as he helped the elderly man in front of him. With no other help in sight, her hand reached into her pocket and grasped the precious rock as she waited impatiently. Finished with his business the gray haired gentlemen tipped his hat to her as he stepped away from the window. The clerk looked up with his too narrow eyes and silently motioned her forward.

Amelia gave him her brightest smile as she introduced herself and informed him she wanted to exchange the gold for currency. She retrieved the nugget and reluctantly handed it over to the clerk. The man examined it closely and after testing its validity, he placed it on a small scale he had nearby to check its weight. The bell chimed again and she assumed the elderly gentlemen had left. He had not.

Amelia saw a stricken look come over the clerk's face as his hand lowered beneath the desk. She spun around to see the cause of his odd reaction. She was horrified to see the elderly man pushed up against the wall by a rough looking outlaw. Three more men entered, with their faces covered. One of them charged the counter knocking her out of the way and grabbing the clerk by the throat.

"Put your hands where I can see them."

Without thought, Amelia grabbed her small pistol from her boot and took aim. The man she recognized from earlier grabbed her wrist and twisted it until she dropped it. Enraged she as he turned back around, she launched herself at the robber and wrapped her arms around his neck trying to chock him. He threw himself backwards into the wall behind him crushing her in the process. Amelia let go. As she slid to the ground, a gun was pointed at her head and she closed her eye tightly waiting for the blast.

When none came she opened her eyes to see men behind the counter stuffing bags full of money. She tried to clear her mind so that she could think clearly. However, she was overcome by fear. Turning her head she could make out the shape of the clerk on the ground. Blood pooled around his head where his neck had been slashed. The thought of these murdering bastards stealing what her father had worked so hard for and sacrificed so much for made her mad enough to spit. Then the leader glanced her way and she closed her eyes tightly. She hoped it was all a bad dream. It wasn't.

"What about the girl?" A shorter stocky man asked.

"She comes with us."

She felt a hand grasp her arm and pull her to her feet. She prayed for a quick death but her terror only increased, as she was led outside to the horses.

She felt sick seeing the elderly man lying on the ground where he had been thrown. Hope surged in her as she saw him move. He reached out to her as she was forced past. A gun discharged from behind and she watched in horror as he moved no more.

As they left the building more shots were fired. Curses were muttered by the men as the town folk scattered. Some ran away and some came running. The leader turned and lifted Amelia with one powerful arm. He threw her over the saddle horn of his massive horse as he hopped on and road off. Amelia twisted her head to look back in despair.

A few brave souls fired shots at the departing men and Amelia prayed that they hit their target. She struggled to get free and was knocked unconscious for her effort.

***

Sabrina turned recognizing the sound of gunfire and her eyes immediately sought out her friends.

"Where's Amelia?"

Shauna spoke up as her face turned white. "She went to run an errand."

Sabrina ran outside the shop, dress and all. She made her way down the street while the others followed. Her eyes sought out her cousin among the throng of people that were gathered along the boardwalk. Not finding her she pushed her way inside of the bank, where the commotion was centered.

She could hear the townsfolk talking as she looked around in disbelief.

"Someone needs to call the doctor."

"That was the doctor."

She spotted Thomas leaning over the elderly man looking grim.

"Thomas! Where's Amelia?"

The sheriff arrived at that time and questioned onlookers as to what happened. The answers spilled forth and Sabrina's blood turned cold as she heard that they rode off with a woman matching Amelia’s description.

“We have to follow them!” Jaelyn said trying to push her way out of the crowded room. Thomas grabbed her arm. “That is foolish! There are too many. We have to alert everyone at the ranch. Then we can go after them.”

Sabrina was indecisive she was a bit relieved when a couple of the towns’ folk volunteered to chase after them with the reluctant looking sheriff. She knew that she needed Brock. The outlaws picked the wrong family to mess with! Her decision made she pushed her way back to the street where Mrs. Cranbrook was looking aghast. "You're ruining your dress! Come inside and take it off before it's too late. Sabrina, who was still in shock looked down at the now dirty gown. She reluctantly allowed Shauna to help her back inside, where she undressed as quickly as possible. Joining the others in the carriage, they were off.

Jaelyn had rode ahead leaving the carriage in her dust. She was distraught at not being allowed to go after the men. The Sheriff didn’t seem capable of tying his own shoes much less heading up a posse. She only prayed that Amelia would be okay. Chase would die if anything happened to her.

***

Alma was on the porch when she saw the lone rider coming up the drive at breakneck speed. She stood up ringing the heavy dinner bell for all to hear. Reaching the porch Jaelyn jumped off the winded horse in a leap. The words tumbled out of her mouth as she shouted the news to the gathering crowd. "The bank was robbed in town. They took Amelia.”

Chase’s eyes narrowed as they locked onto his sisters as she finished speaking. They took Amelia. A raw anger spread inside of him. He could feel his veins dilating as his hot blood flowed through them as his primal self awakened. A warrior was born. Not thinking of anything but Amelia, he leapt onto the tired horse and was stopped only by Brock grabbing the reins.

"Chase I know you're upset, but racing into a fight and getting killed is not the best plan of action. Not to mention you won't get too far on a dead horse.”

"You don't understand. I must save her."

"Oh, I do understand, completely. I also understand if you run in there by yourself; Amelia will not be the only one we will lose."

Riley, hearing the commotion outside along with his sister’s name, shuffled onto the porch. "What's going on? Where's Amelia?"

Everyone was silent; they were not sure how to answer. Chase slid off the horse to join him on the porch, laying his hand on his shoulder. “Brother, she is gone, she has been taken. I will bring her back.”

"And I will go with you."

"Like hell you will!” Warren said joining them. "We have enough able-bodied men to bring her back without you dying on us."

"But she is by sister!"

"Exactly," Warren replied, "what would I tell your father if we lost you both?"

Riley clenched his teeth tightly as he thought about their father. He took a deep breath before turning to Chase. "I want you to bring her back, no matter what."

"I will."

The men scurried to the stables to saddle their horses and prepare for the journey. Tom helped Riley back to his room, while Alma and Anna went to the kitchen to pack food for the journey. She prayed that they would be back home safe before supper, but just in case.

Chase went to his loft to grab his weapons. He strapped on his gun belt, and tied his hunting knife to his thigh. Grabbing his bow and arrows, he slung them to his back as he turned with grim determination and headed to the stables.

As Chase arrived at the stables, Brock came out riding Thor and leading a horse for him. "Is Thor fit to ride?"

"He'll have to be." Brock said grimly.

Chase mounted the black stallion and frowned a bit as Jaelyn joined them on a fresh mount. Knowing better than to question her actions he remained silent and the three started to derive a plan. They were soon joined by Warren and the other hands as the carriage rode into sight.

Chase felt his heart clench in his chest as he noticed the empty space where Amelia should have been. Thomas helped Sally and Sabrina from the wagon. Sally was weeping, but Sabrina’s face was lined with determination.

She marched up to the rescue party and Brock leaped down to pull her into his arms relieved that she was safe. "You do what you have to do to bring her back. No matter what."

"Amelia will be safe and the men will be brought to justice."

Sabrina opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off as Brock's mouth covered hers kissing her deeply. It was not so long ago that he was searching for her abductors. Moreover, he thanked God, every morning that she was safe.

Chase looked on with mixed emotions he wanted to be on their way. However, he knew that this could be the last time they were together. He stayed quiet, while Brock said his goodbyes. Anna patted his leg as she held up the bag full of provisions.

"Remember my son you do not walk alone."

Chase nodded to his mother as Sabrina joined her. Anna wrapped her arms around Sabrina as they watched them go. Each knowing in their hearts that this might be their last goodbye.

A
melia sat in shock as she rode in front of the outlaw. The scene from the bank kept replaying inside her head. She could still smell the coppery scent of blood and see the glossy stare of the dead men on the floor. She felt bile rise in her throat and swallowed down the burning liquid.

Knowing she had to clear her mind to survive she took some deep calming breaths. The rocking motion and the thunder her of hooves reminded her she was on a horse. It was taking her farther and farther away from home. The wind was strong in her face. It was whipping her hair to and fro as it pulled it loose.

She lifted her hand to move the hair from her face so she could see where they were going and perhaps retrace her steps if it came to pass. Her fingertips brushed a small piece of wire; one of her hairpins. A fairytale flashed through her mind that her mother once read to her as a child and she pulled it free, lowered her hand to her side and dropped it.