The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances (36 page)

Chapter 10

Amelia dragged her weary body up the stairs. Why someone would put so many stairs in a house
is beyond me, she thought to herself as she slid her hand up the hand-carved mahogany railing. She used her arm strength to pull her achy body up the next step—one at a time. It was so good seeing Sabrina. She had been very worried about her cousin. Now, she was not only safe but getting married and expecting a child. Brock seemed very capable and doted on her feisty cousin. It was cute.

Stepping into the wide
hallway, she headed to her appointed room and rummaged through her bags. The bed was beckoning to her. The thought of a relaxing bath and being clean again was the only thing that kept her going. Well, that and thinking of Chase. She hadn’t realized how tall he was until he stretched out in front of her that night. He definitely wanted her to notice him. She wasn’t completely ignorant about men. She had been around many back in San Francisco.

Her hobby of choice, poker, made sure of that. There were lots of fast talkers, some of them devilishly handsome but there was always something missing. Heat, passion, devotion. She was sure that Chase had all that. Licking her
lips, she grabbed her clean clothes and headed downstairs.

She was surprised to find the table had been cleared. Brock and Sabrina were washing dishes while Chase was still carrying water for her bath.

“The other travelers headed off to bed.” Sabrina supplied her unanswered question.

“
Do you need help? Looks like the dishes are washing you,” Amelia said for the first time noticing both Sabrina and Brock were both rather damp and covered in soap bubbles.

“
Nope, I got everything under control.” Sabrina said facing Brock. She reached up with her wet soapy hands grabbing his hair and pulling him down toward her and gave him a long deep kiss.

“
There are children present,” Chase said, shielding his eyes as he stepped from the tub room. Sabrina and Brock, used to his antics, ignored him.

Amelia laughed.
“You have no idea how much I appreciate your help.”

Chase grinned.
“Anytime you need help with a bath, I’m there.”

Amelia blushed a bit watching him take a large pot of boiling water from the stove. The thick muscles in his arms flexed. The motion caused the fabric of his shirt to strain against them in protest.

Unconsciously, she licked her lips following him into the small room as he added the hot water to the already half-filled tub.

“
You should be good,” he said with a wink, closing the door behind him. Unable to keep from smiling, Amelia quickly disrobed and stepped into the warm bath with a sigh. It was heavenly.

She winced a bit as she settled down into the water. Apparently she had more
scrapes from her spill than she thought. The warmth did soothe away her soreness. Leaning back against the rim, she decided to just relax a bit before she started to wash.

It felt so good to be back around Riley and her family. There was so much love here. She really wished her father would have come. She figured him and Jonathan would get along great. Warren was still a bit stiff but Sabrina was as full of life as she always had been. And of course there was Chase and Jaelyn. Although they argued
constantly, you could see how devoted they were to each other.

Chase was so different from the other men she had met. He was very funny, strong,
considerate, and handsome. Yes, this trip could get very interesting. With a small smile she slid down into the warm water, soaking her hair before she started to wash.

Chapter 11

Leaving Chase to dry the dishes, Sabrina and Brock headed upstairs to bed. Each content with having their loved ones arrive safely.

Brock was unusually quiet when he undressed and slipped into the sheets.
Concerned, Sabrina slid in next to him.

“
What’s wrong?”

“
Nothing’s wrong; why?”

“
Thomas is here.” She hinted her body, aching for him.

“
Thomas is asleep, we can talk tomorrow.” He turned gathering her in his arms as they drifted off to sleep.

It broke his heart hearing her sigh in frustration. But he couldn
’t risk it. He could wait. Sometime later he was awakened by her thrashing. The nightmares had returned, almost as bad as they had originally been. With Brock holding her tightly and whispering in her ear, she soon calmed and slipped into a fitful sleep.

She awoke before dawn. Looking out the window, she could see the sun’s rays peeking out over the horizon.

Hopping
out of bed, she went to get dressed and freshen up. On the way back to her room she hesitated for an instant before knocking on Thomas’s door. She waited impatiently until his tousled blond head appeared as he opened it a crack.

Sabrina couldn
’t help but smile seeing the always perfect Thomas looking unkempt. She was sure Jaelyn was the cause.

“
You
have
to talk to Brock. He is driving me crazy,” she whispered loudly.

Thomas batted his eyes trying to banish away sleep. It gave him an owl-like resemblance.
“Sure. I’ll be glad to talk to him later.”

“
Now.”

“
Now?” Thomas cried as Sabrina grabbed his arm and dragged him down the hallway to her room.

Pushing him in and slamming the door behind her, the noise causing Brock to sit up with a jolt. His taunt chest was exposed in the process and Sabrina couldn
’t help admiring the view as she turned to address him.

“
I ran into Thomas this morning in the hallway and he said he had plenty of time to talk,” Sabrina said, plopping down next to Brock on the edge of the bed after shooing Thomas in his dressing gown toward the rocker in the corner. Brock eyed her cheery explanation skeptically but did not question her.

“
Um… sure. What questions did you have?”

“
Brock has been very…
reserved
lately.”

“
I am concerned about Sabrina and our child’s safety. I feel she needs more
rest
,” Brock stated.

“
If I had any
more
rest I would be in a coma. Let’s not beat the devil around the stump. I want to be with Brock, in the biblical sense, and he’s worried he’ll hurt me or the baby. I need you to tell him it’s alright.”

Thomas blinked again in surprise before eyeing the stoic Brock.

“Um” was the only word Thomas managed to get out before turning rather red. Receiving angry glares from both Sabrina and Brock, he did the only thing he could do. Pass the buck.

“
Perhaps you should wait until my father arrives and speak with him. I’m sure he is much more experienced in… these matters.”

Sabrina sat dumbfounded. She could not believe that Thomas was taking his side! Outnumbered, she left the room to find someone sensible.

Stepping into Amelia’s room was like stepping back into a time when she was young and innocent, a time before she knew that monsters were real. Sitting on the bed and shaking her cousin awake increased her sense of déjà vu.

Amelia sat up still rather sleepily,
frowning at the disturbance; she had been having a lovely dream. “Why are you up so early? I figured you would still be in bed.”

“
Couldn’t sleep.”

“
There are other things to do in bed besides sleep. Especially when you have a handsome man like Brock to keep you company.”

Sabrina growled.
“Brock is the problem. Ever since he found out I’m gonna have a baby he stopped um… well you know. At first it wasn’t a problem, since I was sick I didn’t feel like it anyway. Now that I do feel like it, he won’t touch me.”

Amelia frowned.
“He’s not affectionate?”

“
Oh no he’s even more doting than usual, but he won’t um…”

“
Do the deed?” Amelia supplied.

“
Yes! It’s not that he
can’t,
he just won’t.”

“
Have you tried, um… getting him excited?”

“
Oh sure, he gets excited. He just runs off to the outhouse to finish.”

“
Well obviously it’s not a physical problem. It’s in his head. You need to talk to his mother.”

“
You are not serious.”

“
Absolutely. If you get her on your side, he won’t stand a chance. Trust me.”

Sabrina was
skeptical, but what else did she have to lose. She leaned back on the carved wooden headboard still a bit sleepy. The house was quiet. So quiet, she could hear the grandfather clock downstairs chime five times. Yawning, she slid down and lay next to Amelia. Both of them drifted off to sleep with thoughts of dark-haired men haunting their dreams.

The next time Sabrina awoke a dark familiar head hovered over the bed.

“Morning!” Chase grinned throwing open the curtains, blinding the occupants of the bed.

Sabrina sat up still in a foul mood.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Amelia sat up sputtering,
“It isn’t very appropriate for you to be in a bedroom with two undressed women. That’s how rumors start.”

Chase laughed coming back over to plop on the bed.
“Exactly. Plus for some reason no one wanted to wake up Sabrina. Heard it’s been awfully quiet around here these past few days.”

Sabrina snorted as she kicked him off the bed.
“Like you know what the word quiet means.”

“
I’d rather put up with your foul mood than Brock’s. He took off on Troy like the devil was after him. Oh yeah, breakfast is ready,” he said with a wink as he left the room.

The girls scampered to make themselves presentable and headed down to eat. Sabrina was worried about Brock. Maybe she should speak to his mother.
After the quick breakfast Amelia offered to clean up, so she went to hunt down the older woman.

She was surprised to find her in the garden pulling weeds. Not sure what to say, Sabrina joined her. She peeked over from time to time to try and study Anna. She hadn
’t much time to spend with her on her previous visit. With Jonathan so ill, he was her main concern. The full-blooded Comanche was stunning with her thick black hair tied in a knot at her neck and her almost black eyes that seemed to look right into your soul.

The same black eyes that were looking at her curiously now.

“This is a beautiful home. I had no idea homes such as these existed.”

“
Thank you. It’s… difficult being back. I’m not sure that I belong here anymore.”

“
Sometimes destiny has a way of deciding for us.”

“
Perhaps, but I wanted to speak to you about Brock. He’s been very… um… worried.”

Anna
’s dark eyes twinkled with mirth as she replied, “Yes, I have noticed.”

“
Amelia thought I should talk to you.”

“
She is very wise for her age,” Anna said.

It took a second for Sabrina to realize that Anna had made a joke. It seemed so odd coming from the majestic woman.

“Well, I’m not sure why he’s worried. Thomas is a doctor and he said it would be okay for us to, ahh, be together.”

“
That is perhaps my fault.”

“
Your fault?”

Anna turned to look at the house while she spoke. Sabrina had to lean in closely to
hear lest the wind whisk away her soft words.

“
I had a hard time with the twins. I was very ill afterwards. I wasn’t sure if it was my time to pass or not. Brock was very worried about me. He helped with the babies and took care of me while Jonathan hunted and provided for us. And I grew stronger.

I recovered and was blessed again with a child. I wasn
’t as lucky with this one. The full moon took him early. I was unable to have any more children after that. The twins were too young to remember, but Brock does.”

“
I’m so sorry, I had no idea.”

“
I’m sure Brock would not mention it to you. He would not want you to worry as well. Of course he is causing you more stress from not explaining his actions.”

“
Did you um…?” Sabrina sputtered out as she felt her face reddening.

Anna smiled at her new daughter.
“Yes we did. Jonathan is very… affectionate. However, no harm was done by him. Life can be cruel sometimes, but we go on.”

Chapter 12

Amelia stared out the window as she watched the two women hug each other. She was very happy for her cousin to find not only a husband but a new family as well. She liked Anna a lot, and Jonathan was a piece of work. He kept everyone in stitches; it was very clear where Chase got his personality from.

“
Have we resorted to spying?” A deep voice rumbled in her ear causing her to jump. Unfortunately, her shoulder hit Chase’s chin causing him to bite his tongue hard. He cursed tasting the blood as she spun around angrily.

“
Good enough for you! Sneaking up on me like that.”

“
You Lovett women are like fire and ice. Either blowing hot or blowing cold.”

“
I’m not blowing anything. Now get out of here so I can finish washing your dishes. You had three plates full.”

“
Now isn’t that sweet? I had no idea you were watching me while I was eating. For your information I only had one plate, I just filled it three times. Moreover, to prove I’m a gentleman, I’ll wash it myself.”

Amelia raised an eyebrow at him as she stepped aside so he could wash his one stupid plate. She rolled her eyes as he made a show of flexing his muscles as he held it up to the light to check for spots.

Warren and Riley choose that moment to come in through the back door.

“
Amelia! Are you making our guest do the dishes?” Warren asked with a frown.

“
Guest? What do you think I am?” Amelia asked really put out by now.

“
You’re family,” Riley offered with a smile.

“
You know, I just had a wonderful idea! You two do the damn dishes and I’ll show our guest around the ranch,” she said grabbing Chase’s arm and dragging him out the front door.

“
Stupid pigheaded men,” she spat as she slammed the front door shut. She dropped Chase’s arm but he grabbed hers instead, spinning her around. Finding herself pinned to his solid chest, she opened her mouth to complain. She was shocked into silence when his head dipped and he covered her sweet lips with his.

Amelia stood stunned and unresponsive. A part of her wanted to reach
up, grab his thick black hair with her hands, and pull him closer. Another part was still ticked off by his antics in the kitchen. Unfortunately, for Chase the latter part won. Pain shot through his spine as her knee connected with his nether regions. He released her and doubled over to catch his breath.

“
What the hell was that for?”

“
I don’t know what barn you were raised in, but men do not go around manhandling ladies and stealing kisses.”

“
Stealing? I do apologize. Should I give them back?” he asked again, pulling her to him and lowering his head as her eyes widened. She was a might disappointed when he suddenly pulled away and turned to scan the horizon.

“
Company’s coming,” he announced as Amelia looked in the same direction, not seeing or hearing anything.

Chase stuck his head in and announced the news to the men inside. Riley and Warren were there in an instant, both armed with rifles. It was almost funny seeing these bold men ready to act with soap bubbles still clinging to their shirt sleeves. Warren rang the bell on the porch to announce the visitors.

She glanced at the men’s faces. They were on full alert. She doubted they would ever be at ease again. With worry replacing her anger, she took a step toward Chase. She normally carried a one-shot pistol strapped to her ankle but had left it in her room. It was easy to fall into the trance of this place. She was glad that Chase was so attentive. With the carriage barely a speck on the horizon, she felt Chase relax.

“
It’s okay, Brock’s with them.”

Amelia
squinted, now able to make out two dots coming closer. How the hell can he see that far to know that is Brock?

“
Must be the Reynolds,” Warren stated as he relaxed as well. Amelia lifted an eyebrow. She was curious to meet Thomas’s family. Sabrina had informed her about Thomas’s sister, Sally.

She took another step closer to Chase.

Anna and Sabrina appeared around the side of the house and Brock rode up to her, dismounting. Sabrina, still full of emotion after her talk with Anna, fell into his arms. He held her close. “I’m sorry, Brock.”

“
Shh… no need. We’ll talk later.”

Sabrina pulled away a bit still clutching to his arm as if she would collapse if she let go. Partly because she wanted to be close to him, and partly because the Reynolds had arrived.

Thomas and Jaelyn appeared slightly out of breath. Chase moved to help the coachman with the baggage as Warren went to greet Thomas’s family and help them out of the coach. Dr. Reynold appeared in his finery and turned to help Sally out as well. One second there was peace and the next Sally Reynold burst forth in a flutter of petticoats and drama. Her hat was askew and her once ivory outfit was covered in brown dust. She was lovely to look at though. Like Thomas, she was tow-headed and had sparkling blue eyes. She stiffly hugged Thomas and offered Jaelyn a slight nod of acknowledgement.

Thomas quickly introduced them to the rest of the family and she practically purred over Warren,
Riley, and Chase.

Taking a deep
breath, Sabrina forced a smile and took a step forward to welcome them. Dr. Reynold kissed her cheek and Sally glared, making it a point to stare at Sabrina’s belly.

“
Oh my! I had no idea!” she exclaimed in a loud whisper.

“
Yes, we are very pleased,” Brock said stepping up behind Sabrina protectively and placed his hands on her stomach.

Sally frowned a bit at the happy couple before turning her attention to Warren.

“Mr. Lovett, your home is spectacular! You must give me a tour once I freshen up.”

“
It would be my honor, ma’am. Let me show you and your father to your rooms. I’m sure you’re exhausted after such a long trip.”

Thomas,
Riley, and Samuel moved to help carry the countless bags they had brought with them for the journey.

Amelia watched with amusement as the woman latched
herself onto Warren’s arm. Her eyes met Sabrina’s and she winked. If they had to sacrifice Warren for the safety of the others, so be it.