Colin's Quest (21 page)

“I wonder who that could be.” They were used to having neighbors and church members stop by at any time. However, Bessie had hoped they’d get through one meal without interruption. She hurried to the door, ready to shoo whomever it was away. Pulling it open, her smile widened. “Caleb Stewart. We’re just sitting down to supper and there’s plenty. Please, come in and join us.”

Clutching his hat in his hands, Caleb hesitated. “I don’t want to intrude on your supper.”

She reached out and grabbed his arm. “Nonsense. You get in here this minute before the food gets cold.” Closing the door behind him, Caleb followed her toward the sound of laughter. “Guess who’s come to join us?”

“Ah, Mr. Stewart. Come in.” The reverend stood, extending his hand as the other men did the same. Bessie went in search for another chair.

“I’ll get that, Mrs. Olford.” Brodie slid a chair to the table between Geneen and Quinn.

“Well, now, shall we say grace?” The reverend bowed his head.

Between talk of the trip, Quinn’s recovery, and plans once they reached the ranch, the conversation never stopped, lasting into late evening. The biggest news concerned Jamie, Sarah’s young student. With the help of Colin and Brodie, she and Bessie had been able to locate an abandoned shack a mile from town where he stayed each night. The four visited him late one evening, waking him from a deep sleep. He struggled, not able to break the hold of Colin’s strong arm around his chest.

It took time for him to calm down and talk. When he did, the details came spilling out in quiet sobs. He’d been abandoned by his family on their way to Portland. The youngest of ten children, his father had taken him aside late one night, giving him a sack of food and a few coins. Jamie didn’t understand until he woke the next morning. His family had disappeared, leaving him behind.

Living on scavenged food from the restaurant garbage and what he could steal from the general store, Jamie had been on his own for several months. Within a week, Bessie and Sarah had found a home for him, with a childless couple. Although it would take time for Jamie to adjust and trust them, the new arrangement seemed to be working well for everyone. Sarah knew she’d miss him as much as anyone when they left.

“And what brings you to town, Caleb?” Bessie asked as the last bits of food had been piled onto plates.

“I heard these folks were leaving tomorrow. Thought I’d come and say my goodbyes.” During Quinn’s recovery, he’d spent several nights in the saloon with Colin and Brodie, even joining them for supper at Sarah’s one night. They’d become friends and he’d miss them.

“No need to say goodbye. Why don’t you come with us?” Colin asked as if it were a natural suggestion.

“Excuse me?” Caleb’s eyes widened in surprise. He’d thought of traveling south at some point, just not this soon.

“You’ve got nothing keeping you here. We’ve a good deal of acres and can always use more men.” Colin set down his fork, resting his arms in his lap.

“And it would get you that much closer to San Francisco,” Brodie added, remembering Caleb mentioning his desire to see the rowdy bay town.

“It’s a wonderful idea. Caleb, please say you’ll come with us.” Sarah flashed a brilliant smile at him. For some reason, she hated the thought of leaving him, knowing of his desire to see more of the country. “It’s the perfect opportunity for you.”

Chuckling, Caleb tried to hide his eagerness at their offer. Joining them would make the journey easier and much more pleasurable. Lone riders were always at a higher risk of danger than those traveling within a group. “I hadn’t thought of leaving so soon, but your offer does sound good.”

“Excellent. Then you’ll meet us tomorrow morning at dawn in front of my house.” Sarah scooped up another bite of potatoes, a self-satisfied smile on her face.

“All right, if you’re certain. I’ll ride back to the Bell place tonight, let the new foreman know of my plans, and meet you tomorrow.” He dug into the rest of his meal, eager to start another phase of his journey.

“New foreman? Isn’t Wes the foreman?” Sarah’s brows drew together.

“Not any longer. Guess he and Fergus had a falling out. Wes took off before dawn this morning. Could be he’ll be back, but his father didn’t waste any time giving Walt the job.” Caleb didn’t add that Rhoda Bell had left with Wes. He figured it was no one’s business except the Bells.

“Oh, he’ll come back. That’s probably why Mr. Bell gave the job to Walt. He knows Walt will give it up when Wes returns.” Sarah finished her last bite, then set down her fork. “His father would be lost without him.”

Caleb said no more. He knew Fergus Bell was in for a tough future. One he’d have to face alone.

“Is everyone ready?” Colin checked the pack horses once more. The men planned for one to carry Sarah’s and Geneen’s belongings, while the women loaded the second with extra food and supplies. Satisfied everything looked secure, he gave Sarah one more kiss before joining Quinn at the front. “Let’s go.”

Caleb and Brodie rode at the back, each leading one of the pack horses, leaving Sarah and Geneen to take places in the middle. The men would change positions each day while the women would stay between them. If the weather held, Colin figured they could travel about twenty-five miles a day, arriving at the ranch in twenty days, well before winter weather slowed them down. A significant unknown factor remained—Coral, Opal, and Pearl.

“What will we do if the reverend hasn’t been able to find homes for the girls?” Quinn rode alongside Colin on day five, keeping watch on the trail ahead. No one had mentioned the runaways until now, as if discussing them might curse their luck.

“We promised to take them with us. I don’t see how we can back out if they are still at the church.” Colin rode in silence a few more minutes, his gaze trained on the trail, his mind focused on the girls. “And I don’t feel comfortable leaving them in Crocker.”

“Even if they have kin there?” Quinn asked.

“I doubt they’ll stay if they were running away from someone, even if it’s their own family. That town isn’t a place for young girls—or anyone else who upholds the law. We all know it. Taking them home isn’t something I want to consider, but if they have no other place to go, I don’t see any way this works out with our consciences in one piece.”

Quinn nodded, wondering what his father and uncles would say to three more mouths to feed.

Colin glanced over his shoulder, sending a warm smile to Sarah riding a few paces behind him. “Another issue is our lasses. Sarah and Geneen have a real fondness for children. If they become attached…”

Quinn understood Colin’s concern. “Aye. We may have little choice but to take them to the ranch. Have you told Sarah about them?”

“Nae. It’s not something I wish to think on.” He
did
want to figure out a way to sleep with Sarah while on the trail—and not just beside her in separate bedrolls. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, hold her tight against him all night, feel her warmth. They’d had little time together since the unexpected arrival of Geneen, and Quinn’s injury. Not for the first time, he regretted the decision to refuse Reverend Olford’s offer to marry them. The best they’d been able to do was a few private minutes at night after supper, taking walks or finding some other excuse to leave camp. Tonight, he hoped to disappear with her for more than a few minutes.

By evening, they’d made good time, traveling significantly further than Colin’s projection and, assuming they could continue at this pace, saving themselves at least two days on the trail. It also put them a day’s ride from Mindell and the girls.

Glancing around at the clearing near a stream, Colin turned to Quinn. “Let’s stop here for the night. We’ll get settled, eat, then I’ll talk with Sarah about the girls.” Sliding off Chieftain, he helped Sarah down, pulling her to him for a long kiss, unmindful of those around them. “We’ll take a walk after supper.” He gave her a meaningful look, seeing the understanding on her face before her lips tilted into a playful smile.

“Well then, I’d better start supper.”

The men started a fire, then laid out the bedrolls while Geneen and Sarah unpacked the remaining food. Tonight would be the last night they’d have a regular meal before resorting to hardtack, jerky, and dried fruit.

“Smells wonderful, ladies.” Caleb lowered himself onto a log near the fire, brushing his hands down his trousers. Removing the lid on the large pot, he moaned at the aroma.

“Enjoy it as it’s the end of what Geneen and I prepared.” She glanced up as Colin, Quinn, and Brodie joined them, plates already in their hands. Each of them packed their own, cleaned up after themselves, then stored them for the next meal. “Eat all of it. There won’t be enough for another meal.”

Colin finished first, settling a hand on Sarah’s back as she took her last few bites.

“Come. Walk with me.” Standing, he held out his hand. “We’re heading toward the creek,” he called over his shoulder, grabbing his rifle before they disappeared into the trees. When out of sight, he turned her to him, letting his hands drift up and down her arms, his gaze raking over her body before he lowered his mouth. Seconds passed as the kiss deepened. He could already feel his heart hammering against his ribs, the result of the acute anticipation he’d fought all day. Breaking the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. “We need to get further away.”

Walking at a brisk pace, he led her toward the creek. Looking up and down the bank, he found what he wanted—a row of rocks creating an easy path across the water. Stepping behind Sarah, steadying her so she wouldn’t slip, Colin followed her to the other side, then continued on a deer trail toward a small opening in the trees. He set the rifle aside, slipped off his coat, laying it on the ground, then turned a heated gaze toward her.

“Come here.” Colin reached for her hands. “We have little time…” His voice drifted away as he dropped her hands, cupping her face. Reclaiming her lips, then moving his hands to her back, he crushed her to him.

The kiss was hungry, demanding, not at all slow and savoring as she’d come to expect. She gave herself over to the heated passion as an acute craving spiraled through her. Gripping his shoulders, she matched his urgent need. Her lips parted, allowing him the access he sought, their tongues tangling in a savage intensity. Her knees trembled as wave after wave of his fiery possession overtook her.

Without breaking the kiss, Colin’s hands moved lower, resting on her hips, gently easing her down onto his coat. Moving a hand between them, he unbuttoned her dress, interrupting the kiss to push the material aside. Gazing down at her, his breath hitched at the sight of her chest heaving, straining against the thin fabric of her chemise.

His tongue caressed the soft column of her neck, taking his time placing feathery kisses along the swell of her breasts. One hand slid down to rest on her stomach, moving lower to the swell of her hips, then to her stockinged legs. Bunching her skirt, his hand moved under her dress to skim her hips and rest on the heated skin of her thigh.

A moan escaped her lips as his gentle massage created a surge of desire. Wrapping her arms around him, she drew him down, caressing the hard planes of his back. Feeling heat radiate off him, she squirmed to get closer, pulling him against her warm, pulsing body.

On a ragged gasp, she pulled back. “Colin, please…”

He chuckled, knowing what she wanted and having every intention of providing it. “I know, lass…” he breathed out, unable to hold back any longer. Hovering above her, his eyes searched hers, chest tightening from the love he saw on her face. “I love you, Sarah.”