The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances (38 page)

“
Keep your mind on the road, Little Beaver,” he cautioned using Chase’s childhood nickname. Everyone snickered.

Arriving home, Chase pulled Brock aside requesting to speak with him and Warren.
Perplexed, Brock followed him inside leaving the horses to the others. Finding Warren in his office, the two Stafford brothers stepped inside and shut the door.

Warren looked up from his piles of paper wearily.

“Yes?”

“
I found out some information in town that you and Brock need to hear.” He went on relating what the clerk had revealed to Amelia and himself.

Brock
’s knuckles turned from red to white as he tried to control his anger. Warren’s eyes narrowed and he rubbed them with a sigh before speaking. “Well, that definitely answers many questions. I know this person, he may be a bit naïve but not harmful.”

“
Not harmful? Sabrina could have been killed due to his stupidity.” Chase ranted.

“
The letter I received from Sabrina had no return information. Only a postmark. It was not opened, I checked it very clearly myself, looking for clues of her whereabouts. The only information he could have gleamed and passed on was the area.”

“
I can’t believe you are sticking up for him. At least one other family was killed due to his interference.” Brock added.

“
I am in law. I know this man. He lost his family recently from a long time illness. Perhaps that is why he may have accepted money. People do desperate things in desperate times. I cannot rebuke him for doing everything he could to save them. As I recall, Sabrina put herself at risk and many other people. Should we denounce her as well?”

Brock stood
angrily. “Sabrina risked her life to save other innocents. She is warm, brave, and giving. You could learn much from her.”

“
Yes, and she would be the first to say ‘Do not condemn this man.’” Warren replied, returning to his paperwork and dismissing them in the process.

Brock slammed the door shut behind him and almost knocked over Sally in his haste to leave.

“Oh, hello, Brock and Chance?”

“
Chase.”

“Yes,
of course. I was looking for Warren; have you seen him? He promised me a tour. Unless you two would like to show me around?” she asked with a simpering smile.

“
Yes, Warren did mention he was waiting on you. Go right in, I’m sure he will be thrilled,” Chase spoke up, opening the door they had just slammed shut and ushering her inside.

The two brothers headed back outside. It was funny how a beautiful home such as this one could seem so cold. Brock found Sabrina,
Jaelyn, and Amelia on the porch rocking.

“
Heard the door slam. Nice chat with Warren?” Amelia surmised as Sabrina frowned.

“
What is it you’re not telling me?” Sabrina asked.

The two men remained stoic, not willing to upset her. Ignoring
them, Amelia turned and relayed the event to Sabrina.

“
Don’t you think something should be done?” Chase asked, despair thick in his voice as Brock remained silent, watching Sabrina closely.

Sabrina
stood, taking a deep breath before answering. She turned to watch Brock as she spoke.

“
I didn’t think I would ever say this, but I agree with Warren.” She held up her hand to the men’s protests as she continued. “If he hadn’t sent them to Oklahoma, I would not be free. I would still be looking over my shoulder, never at peace. Now I am.”

“
But they killed that family.”

“
They were murderers, pestilence. I’m sure if it wasn’t that family it would have been another one somewhere else. Moreover, another after that, and another. It would not have ended until they were dead. I can only have solace by believing that I saved others from the same fate.”

Her eyes were begging him for
understanding. Brock sighed, pulling her into his arms as he held her close, and kissed the top of her head. She was safe. That was all that mattered to him.

***

Dinner was another boisterous affair. Sally had somehow managed to seat herself between Warren and Riley. Both men seemed pleased by her attention. Sabrina was grateful for the distraction as she sat next to Brock. Glancing down the table, Dr. Reynold was in a deep conversation with Thomas about new medical techniques, and Amelia sitting nearby looked kind of green as she listened.

Needing to change the
subject, she spoke up. “We have some time before the wedding. I suggest we go to Biloxi.”

“
Sure I’ll go.” Chase said. Going anywhere with Amelia sounded good to him.

“
What is Biloxi?” Sally asked.

“
It’s a town on the Gulf of Mexico. Being this close you have to experience it at least once. Water as far off as you can see. The Gulf is so large it’s almost like seeing the ocean. They have hotels, saloons, and restaurants with amazing seafood…”

“
Many folks from all over the South go to Biloxi to relax and have a good time. However, water may be the only thing to look at these days. Last fall a terrible storm battered us hard. Hit while we were out looking for you,” Warren said sadly.

“
What storm? Was Montgomery damaged?” Sabrina asked in concern.

“
Montgomery stood her ground. Storm came in from the Gulf, from what I heard took out whole towns in Louisiana, killed thousands, and did much damage to the coastal towns. Some of our hands went down to try to help out. There was lots of destruction; the beach is still there, of course, and I’m sure they have started rebuilding. Beautiful place but can be just as deadly.”

“
That’s awful. So much tragedy,” Sabrina said, feeling her eyes well up with tears. She could imagine all the people without a home searching for their loved ones. She gripped Brock’s hand for comfort.

“
I still think it’s a good respite. We could leave tomorrow morning. Who else is coming?” Amelia asked still needing adventure.

“
I’ll go,” Riley replied.

“
We’ll go,” Jaelyn said referring to her and Thomas. Then she hesitated, turning to her beau. “I mean unless you want to visit with your family instead?”

Dr. Reynold shook his head,
“No, no, you go on and have fun. I still need to recover from the trip
here
. Sally can go as well if she wishes.”

“
We’ll keep Dr. Reynold company,” Jonathan said with a wink to his wife Anna.

Brock looked over at
Sabrina, not sure what her thoughts were. He was surprised when she declined the offer. She had other plans for him.

“
Well that leaves Warren and Samuel.”

Samuel shook his head.
“No, ma’am. I went down to help out after we got back. Did my time in Biloxi. It’ll be a while before I’ll return. However, Warren should go. Would be good for him to get some sun, loosen up a bit.”

“
Yes, do please come with us, Mr. Lovett.” Sally pitched in.

“
Yes, please go,” Sabrina said jokingly.

She received a glare as the table laughed.
“All right, I will go as well.”

Samuel and Chase cleared the table while the travelers went off to pack.

“Biloxi, huh?” Sabrina asked, finding herself back in Amelia’s room. It was amusing watching her usually practical cousin fretting over what to wear.

“
If I have to stay cooped up in this house for two weeks I’d go stir-crazy. No offense.”

“
None taken. You should pack light,” Sabrina advised, watching her cousin grab a large suitcase to fill.

“
Why?”

“
Because it’s a rough trip for a wagon, some swampy areas, and I’m sure they are planning on taking horses. Especially after the storm. Probably washed out some roads.”

“
Horses?” She frowned sitting down on the bed as the excitement left her. She wasn’t fond of horses after being thrown as a child. “I don’t ride.”

“
We’ll perhaps you can double with Chase. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

Amelia blushed remembering his stolen kiss from earlier.
“Perhaps, or I could ride with Riley.”

“
Perhaps.”

“
Do you think we should inform Sally?”

“
No!” They said in unison before giggling madly.

Chapter 14

Sabrina found Brock in their room, sitting in the rocker, as he stared out the window watching the day turn to night; she stepped beside him wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders.

“
We need to talk,” she whispered in his ear.

His sigh was her answer. Turning he pulled her onto his lap, her feet dangling over the chair arm.

“I’m surprised you passed up the trip.”

“
I’ve seen Biloxi before. ’Sides it’s kinda nice having more privacy.”

Instead of replying, he only hugged her tighter. She pulled away a bit so she could look up at him.

“I talked to your mother. How come you never told me she lost a child?”

“
It was just something we never talked about, even as a family. The twins don’t even know.”

“
Brock, sometimes things happen for no reason at all. It’s no one’s fault. Not your mother’s, not your father’s, and not yours.”

“
I know, but it’s my job to take care of you.”

“
Then take care of me,” she whispered placing her hands behind his neck and pulling his head down to meet her mouth. His mouth opened in protest and she took advantage, slipping her pink tongue inside and capturing his.

It felt so good being held by him again. He had been so distant lately and she missed the intimacy. He pulled away for breath and rested his chin on her shoulder as he took several deep ones. Kissing her
cheek, he lifted her as he stood and carried her to the bed, lowering her gently.

He stood next to it as he undressed slowly and she turned to watch. The soft light from the candle on the washstand shimmered across his
torso, enhancing his sculptured body. As if God had molded his flesh perfectly.

Sabrina tingled in anticipation as he slid into the bed. He propped himself up cautiously with an elbow while his large hand cradled her head.

His dark eyes met hers and watched her closely as his hands roamed every inch of her body. It had been way too long since he had touched her like this. At one time he had every curve and nuance of her memorized. But now due to his child growing inside of her, her once lithe body had transformed. Her enhanced figure was suppler and he enjoyed exploring all of her new secrets.

He leaned in giving her a searing kiss on her lips and moving down her neck. His hot mouth covered her swollen breast as his hand traced down her side.

Sabrina was dismayed and excited at the slowness of it all. It had been way too long since they had last made love and she wanted him. Now. Wrapping her legs around his hips she moved to pull him closer. But he was not to be rushed and he placed a quick smack to her bottom for her efforts.

She was shocked and aroused at the same time. It was amazing that even after all this time every experience with him was more exciting than the last. Still a bit miffed about the slow pace, she tried to relax and enjoy his ministrations.

She hissed as he moved away from her only to resettle between her legs. Her back arched as he gently spread her folds, his tongue tasting her essence. Instinctively her hands grasped his head. She was not sure if it was to push him away, to stop the torrent of sensations flowing through her body, or to hold him there for more.

Her legs were quivering as she gasped
for breath. She barely registered that he had again moved and was now leaning over her held up by his hands settled above her shoulders. He was breathing hard himself and she was desperately afraid he would refuse her yet again.

Lifting her bottom up he placed a pillow beneath
her to raise her higher. Satisfied, he kept his weight off her with his strong hand as his other guided his long shaft to her entrance. Sabrina gasped out loud at the pleasure. It had been too, too long. His movements were so slow and tender she wept. She felt his pace quicken as he embedded himself within her over and over much more gentle than usual. Much like their first time together and she loved him more for his tenderness if that was possible.

He pulled her close as he shuddered inside of her. Trembling from the
moment, he moved so that his manhood rested against her thigh. He kissed her sweet lips as he turned on his side and lay next to her.