The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances (21 page)

Jaelyn went to change out the covers on her parent’s bed so that her father could be carried back. He was still not out of the woods yet. Thomas instructed what medicine to give him to help fight his fever. Having the cause of the infection removed was only half the battle. He had to do the rest on his own.

They all pitched in, cleaning up the area and then went out into the woods to bury the limb. It was a bittersweet moment. Brock grabbed Sabrina’s arm leading her back to the cabin. He lit a fire in the fireplace and then turned to Sabrina. He was going to assist her in removing her soiled clothes but she gently pushed him away not wanting him to have to deal with the gloomy task. Taking off the blood soaked clothing by herself she was not sure what to do with it. Brock took matters into his own hands and tossed them into the fireplace.

She was too drained emotionally and physically to object. Standing in her
long johns Brock came over and lifted her face up so she could look at him. “I need you,” he whispered, kissing her deeply to show her how much.

Sabrina returned the kiss with abandon. It had been way too long since they had been together and she ached for him. Breaking off the kiss Brock gasped for air as he swept her up in his arms and carried her over to the soft furs.

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T
homas had just finished washing off his instruments in the stream when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. Jumping in alarm he lost his balance and landed on his rump. He looked up to see the lovely Jaelyn hovering over him.

“I’m sorry,“ she said, trying to hold in her laughter. Thomas gave her a wry smile.

“No harm done. I didn’t hear anyone walk up.” He finished packing up his bag and stood up, straightening his back to appear taller. Her eyes twinkled as she noticed. Nervously he looked away first.

“I…” they both started in unison and then stopped. Thomas motioned for her to go first.

She looked down, her courage waning. “I wanted to thank you again for helping my family. I wanted to give you this.” She held out a beautiful leather coat complete with fringes.

“Wow,
it’s amazing,” he said pulling it on over his shirt.

“I made it myself. I wanted to give you something for payment.”

Thomas’ face fell. Reluctantly he took it back off. “I couldn’t accept this; Brock is my friend. I don’t accept payment from friends.”

She took a step closer, pushing the coat back into his arms. “Keep it,” she said turning and running back through the woods nimble as an elk.

Thomas leaned against a nearby tree and knocked his head against it as he mumbled “Stupid, stupid, stupid.”

Jaelyn ran until she reached her house. She had so much she wanted to say to Thomas and none of it came out. He probably thought she was simple minded. She knew from Brock that he had been schooled in a big city. How could she compete with that? What did she have to offer him?

She was not totally ignorant about men. Several had tried to woo her but she just had no interest in any of them. Her mother always told her not to worry---that the right one would come along and she would know. Well
she
knew all right, she just did not know how to make him know.

Slipping inside her home she entered her parent’s room. Her mother was sitting on the edge of the bed bathing her father’s flushed face with a wet rag trying to get his fever down. She looked up at her daughter. “Well, did he like it?”  she asked.

Jaelyn sank onto the floor in despair. “He refused it. He said he would not charge us. And he tried to give it back.”

Anna smiled. “Jaelyn, do not worry. Men often
do not know what they need.”

She frowned at that. “Why?”

“Because we have to tell them what they need. They are like children. I told you about your father.”

Jaelyn smiled, looking down at her father.
Anna had confided in her once that she had set Jonathan up to be caught in the pond with her and be forced to marry. He never had a chance once her mother made up her mind that she wanted him.

“A mother knows these things, daughter.  Thomas should be around to check on him soon. I think it’s time for my break.”  She stood up and stretched as she winked at her daughter. Jaelyn moved to her place and took over the task of caring for her father.

Sure enough, a couple of minutes later Thomas arrived, knocking softly on the open door frame. He stepped inside, nodding to her as she ignored him.

“I came to check on your father,” he said, moving toward the head of the bed. Jaelyn stood and glided to the other side of the room. She noticed he was wearing the coat she had given him and smiled.

She stood silently watching as he checked her father’s leg. He started to change the bandages when her father suddenly woke up. The large man, dazed with fever, knocked Thomas back with one of his beefy arms as he tried to sit up in bed. Jaelyn ran over placing herself in front of Thomas to shield him.

“Father, it’s okay! Lie back down. Thomas is here to help you. It’s alright. Just lie back down.” She repeated this until he reluctantly obeyed. She got him water to sip and was pleased when he downed the glass. He was hungry and asked for food.

“You’ll get food after Thomas sees to your leg,” she said sternly.

Thomas grinned from behind her. He knelt close to her and showed her how to change his bandages. He had already shown Anna but she recommended that he teach Jaelyn also. He was not sure how she would handle the sight of blood but
she did beautifully and he told her so. She blushed but did not comment. She would make a great nurse, he thought. Just as they were finishing, Anna walked back in with some broth. Thomas had suggested it since the salt would help replenish his fluid loss faster.

“He is doing very well, considering. The bleeding has stopped completely and he does seem to have more strength,” he said, winking at Jaelyn. Anna beamed. “Jaelyn, could you carry in some firewood? Once his fever breaks we’ll have to keep the house warm.”

She nodded and headed toward the door..

“I’ll help,” Thomas said, following after her like a lost lamb.

Anna smiled as she whispered down to her husband who was resting again.  “I wonder who will give us grandchildren first? Brock or Jaelyn?”

Jonathan let out a snore in reply and she leaned over and laid her head against his as she kissed his lips.

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S
abrina rolled over in Brock’s arms, reluctantly pulling away to dress. Brock grabbed her and swept her back underneath him as she squealed. She turned her head to avoid his kisses as she again tried to rise.

“We have to get up!”

“I am up,” he said huskily as she batted him away, giggling.

“We need to go check on your father and help with the chores,” she scolded, standing up and pulling on her clothes. Brock reluctantly followed suit, kissing her on the cheek as he passed her.

Chase was again tending the fire as they entered the yard. The odor inside the house had improved greatly since the surgery but Chase preferred to cook outdoors anyway. He was in charge of cooking since Jaelyn and Anna were caring for Jonathan most of the time.

Chase gave them a knowing look and Sabrina looked away, blushing, as Brock glared at him. Ignoring him, Brock led her inside to check on his father.  There was a rather large pile of firewood next to the fireplace, and another stack over by the wood stove. Stepping around the piles, they entered the back bedroom.

Anna was smoothing his damp hair back from his forehead as they came over. “How is he?” Brock asked, kneeling down by the bed and taking his father’s too-warm hand in his.

“He is still with fever but Thomas says his leg is looking well. He measured him for a replacement
from the city and Chase is going to make him a crutch when he’s stronger.” The conviction in her voice left no room for any alternative.

“Why don’t you go rest. Sabrina and I will watch father.”

At the mention of Sabrina’s name Anna’s attention turned to the younger woman. Thomas had told her what a big help Sabrina had been during the surgery and she stood up and again thanked her. Sabrina looked embarrassed by the praise. She only did what had to be done.

For some reason, Sabrina could not rest; she was anxious. Standing up, she moved over to where Brock was rinsing out the cloth used to cool his father’s forehead. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she began to knead the tense flesh. Brock sighed as he stretched his neck from side to side. Her hands moved up his shoulders to massage his neck and then his head and temple. She heard a soft moan and was not sure if it came from Brock or his father.

She loved Brock’s curly hair and ran her fingers through it, watching it spring back. She leaned over and kissed the top of his head as she imagined children with curly hair. The thought startled her a bit. She hadn’t thought about having children before. She had never been much of a baby person, perhaps because she was the youngest and was never around children much.

She was not ignorant, she knew where children came from and she probably should be thinking about it a great deal, especially since she and Brock had been intimate. It just had not come to mind until now. She heard a knock at the door and jumped as the sound intruded into her psyche. She turned reluctantly, as she dropped her hands to her side. Anna stepped into the room and asked to speak with Brock. Nodding, Sabrina went outside to think.

Not wanting to chat with the others sitting around outside, she headed to her usual outlet---the horses. She fed them and brushed them down just to keep busy. It seemed silly that she should feel so out of place without Brock by her side…especially after she had been so independent for so long.

Brock appeared after a while. He seemed different---He was unusually quiet, and a pit formed in her stomach as she wondered what his mother had said to him.

“How is your mother holding up?” she asked softly, putting away the brush.

A small smile graced his lips as if he had a secret. “She is well. She is strong. And wise,” he added as an afterthought.

“What did she say?”

“She said we should rest; they will take care of father tonight.” He held out his hand and she leaned forward and grasped it tightly.

Early the next morning they went in to relieve Anna from her watch. Sabrina felt better. Brock had just held her all night and she slept deeply, not realizing how exhausted she’d been.

After Anna left, Brock went and changed out the water basin with fresh cold water, and Sabrina sat nearby while he took over caring for his father. Sabrina was
not used to just sitting idle. She looked around the room for something to occupy her time while she waited. Spying a small stack of books in a corner, she went over to investigate.

She had spent countless hours reading to her friend, Samuel, when he was semi-conscious. At the time she was not sure whether he could hear her or not but it helped pass the time and soothe her worry. When Samuel had finally awakened, he had been able to recall the story. Of course he had thought she was an angel but Sabrina had just passed that off as the fever talking.

Picking up a volume and looking at the disheveled man asleep in the bed she smiled at the irony. Carrying the book
Rip Van Winkle
by Washington Irving
[1]
she moved back over to sit on the floor next to the bed. With her back leaning against the frame, she began to read.

“ ’Whoever has made a voyage up the Hudson must remember the Catskill Mountains. They are a dismembered branch of the great Appalachian family, and are seen away to the west of the river, swelling up to a noble height, and lording it over the surrounding country.’ “

Brock looked over at her, enthralled by her lovely voice. He was very familiar with the story; it was one of his father’s favorites. However, his father’s deep rumble couldn’t compare to Sabrina’s crisp clear tone. It was very apparent that she was well educated as she read unhindered even by the more difficult words. Again, he wondered how he had gotten so lucky.

“That was perfect,” Jaelyn stated.

Sabrina looked up as she finished the short tale to find that an audience had gathered. She’d been so involved in her reading she had not noticed Chase, Jaelyn and Thomas who’d come to listen as well.

“Um, thank
you,” she muttered.

Self-consciously she closed the book and laid it aside as she stood up, clasping her hands in front of her. Brock stood as well
and passed the basin over to Jaelyn as he guided Sabrina outside. They settled down on the ground next to the still-lit fire.

“You just keep getting more and more amazing,” Brock told her.

Sabrina snorted. “Why, because I can read?”

Brock shrugged “You’re just special is all.”

She laughed. “Maybe you’re a little biased.”

He grinned as he looked over at her. “Maybe.”

“It’s beautiful out here,” Sabrina said looking around at the countryside. It was very peaceful, as if they were the only ones in existence.

“It is,
” he said, leaning back on his elbows as he watched the sun dip lower in the sky.

“Do you miss it?” she asked quietly.

Brock laughed, “What---living with my constantly bickering siblings? No. I have many memories here. Good memories, but I really don’t care where I am as long as I’m with you.”

“Wow, she’s got you hog tied, don’t she?” Chase said plopping down across from them. “Hope I didn’t ruin the moment.”

“You didn’t,” Brock replied leaning over to kiss her on the lips as Chase made retching sounds.

Sabrina was grateful when Jaelyn arrived soon after with Thomas on her heels.

“You guys spent an awful long time carrying firewood yesterday,” Chase commented as they sat down.

“You should talk! You should just be happy you didn’t have to do it yourself, you lazy oaf,” Jaelyn said, blushing just a bit.

Brock frowned at his brother’s comment and Sabrina smiled. She was happy for Thomas. She thought that Jaelyn was perfect for him. She wondered what would happen when it was time for them to leave. Sabrina loved Brock’s home and family; she knew he had to return to his job soon but she was not looking forward to leaving.

As if reading her mind he spoke up. “We will need to leave sometime in the next few days. I want to take our time going back. No reason to wear ourselves out.”

“What about your father?” Sabrina asked.

“He is doing well.” Thomas said. “He’s drinking some; that should help bring his fever down faster than anything. It should break in a day or two.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Sabrina asked worriedly.

“It has too,“ Jaelyn replied, gripping Thomas’ hand for support.

They decided to work out a schedule to care for Jonathan. They would pair up and take two-hour shifts around the clock: Anna and Chase, Sabrina and Brock, Thomas and Jaelyn.

Chase went in to assist his mother and Sabrina headed over to check on the horses. Justice snorted accusingly when she walked up.

“Sorry, boy,” she whispered, scratching his neck. She made sure he had enough hay and brushed him down. She wanted to go for a ride but her buttocks and thighs were still somewhat sore and she wanted to be completely healed before the long ride home. She checked on Troy next, since Brock was checking on Cajun, Thomas’ horse.

“How is he?” she asked, placing her hand on his shoulder as he bent over to check the hoof.

“Looks good. There’s no swelling but it still seems to be a bit sore. He’ll stand on it but he is still favoring it a little.”

Troy stomped restlessly and Brock moved to pat him. He smiled over at Sabrina. “Ya wanna go for a ride?”

Sabrina hesitated and Brock turned to face her in concern. “Are you ok?”

“I’m still sore some,” she said, her face reddening as Brock realized he had not helped matters by taking her yesterday. He opened his mouth to reply and Sabrina placed her finger over his lips to shush him. “Don’t you dare apologize. We both needed that.”

His eyes closed tightly as he hugged her to his chest. She wiggled free, giving him a mischievous look as she went over to close and bolt the door to the barn. Brock raised an eyebrow but allowed her to guide him so that his back was against the wall. He bent his head forward to capture her lips and she kissed him back passionately.

She moved her hands to hold his head as she opened her mouth and used her tongue to trace his lips before delving into his mouth. She heard him moan as one hand moved to her back and the other to her shirt. She captured both of his hands and moved them down to his sides as she moved her mouth down his neck. She had to stand on tiptoe to reach him and she was glad when he moved down far enough  so she could stand without stretching.

Her passage was blocked by his shirt and she moved back a bit to watch his reaction as she slowly undid his buttons. He moved to help her and again she pushed his hands away as he had moved hers previously. Unbuttoning the last button, she pulled the fabric free from his waist band in the front. Slowly trailing her hands around his waist, she hugged him just enough to pull the fabric out of the back as well.

She had intended on stripping it off of him completely but it was cold and she enjoyed seeing his muscular chest peeking through. She moved her hands to the front again following the same path as she let her finger tips graze his sides. He shuddered a bit from the sensation and she looked up to see him watching her with a mixture of desire and mystification.

She had never done this before and was nervous being in charge of their coupling. Brock had always taken control in the past and she wanted to please him as he had pleased her. She ran her hands up and over his chest and nipples slowly. He had some hair on his chest and she ran her fingers through it, catching the hairs in between her fingers and slowly letting them slide through. She noticed that Brock’s chest had stopped moving and she looked up in concern. His head was thrown back against the wall and his eyes were closed tightly as he tried to control his passion.

“Breathe,” she instructed, mimicking his instructions to her so recently. She felt his chest rise as he gulped in air and she slowly trailed her fingers down his chest to his belt buckle.

She fumbled with the latch on the buckle and was unable to release it. She wrestled with the damn thing for a bit before Brock moved his hands forward and released the clasp. She frowned up at him in defeat and he leaned down and kissed her pouting lips until she pushed him back. She moved the belt aside and unbuttoned his pants with no problem. She had forgotten that he hadn’t worn any underwear and his manhood jumped free into her hand.

She had a moment of panic. This is what she had been after the whole time. However, she was still unsure of how to proceed. Taking a deep breath herself, she wrapped her hand around his
manhood.

She heard a slow hiss escape from Brock but beyond that, he did not move. She had never really had the opportunity to explore him properly before and she was amazed at how soft his
skin felt. It was like a piece of steel wrapped in silk. She took her finger and traced the veins straining through the skin and was surprised when his member moved by itself. She slowly swirled her finger around the tip and noticed  the bead of liquid that appeared. She swirled her finger through it, delighted to find it was slippery.

Brock grabbed her wrist with a pained look on his face and tried to pull her closer to him. Grinning with mischief, she again pushed him back as she returned her attention to her new discovery.