The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances (43 page)

“
I’m sure he did not mean what he said. Warren tends to have bad judgment when dealing with woman. I’ve heard tales from people who have seen him in court and he is ruthless.”

“
If he didn’t mean it, where is he? Shouldn’t he be stopping by to see me?”

“
Ah, if you want me to delve into the male ego, we would be here for hours. Get ready. We’re going to the beach and I won’t take no for an answer!” Amelia stated as she slipped out of the room and headed up the hallway to knock on Warren’s door.

It was opened by a fully dressed Warren. His eyes were darker than usual and his chin was set as he
clenched his teeth.

“
What?” he asked curtly.

“
We need to talk. Do you wanna discuss this in the hallway or your room? It doesn’t matter much to me.”

With a
curse, Warren opened the door just wide enough for Amelia to slip in before closing it and latching it behind her.

“
I have nothing to say.”

“
What? How is Sally after you ravaged her last night? Oh, she is just dandy,” Amelia answered her own question sarcastically.

“
I didn’t force her.”

“
I suppose not, but I believe calling her a whore was not the best use of words.”

“
I didn’t call her a whore,” he whispered a bit harshly as he ran his hand through his short red hair in frustration.

“
Well whatever you said had the same implications as such. We are going to the beach, so when you get your head out of your arse, you may join us,” Amelia said turning swiftly and leaving the room. In her anger, she had not noticed Chase had stepped from his room and he had to grab her arm to keep them from colliding.

She was about to mumble
an apology but the words stuck in her throat as she noticed his attire. He had borrowed Riley’s dark blue swimming suit, which came to his knees. The woolen outfit looked ludicrous on him. Most men wore them to cover their white pasty bodies but covering up Chase’s taunt flesh was a sin in itself. He had a scowl over his handsome face, and Amelia covered her mouth to hide her smile.

“
You look… great,” she said with a fake smile as a giggle escaped her throat.

“
It is the latest fashion from Paris, I’m told,” Chase replied. However, his carefree words did not match the intensity of his stare. Chase took a threatening step toward her and backed her up against the wall.

“
You’re not ready yet. Do you require assistance?”

“
Yes.” Her breath caught in her throat as his warm mouth plunged down over hers. Amelia’s hands had a mind of their own as they crept up over his broad shoulders and wrapped around his neck pulling them closer.

A door creaked open and Chase released her so fast she almost fell. She was forced to lean against the wall until her legs were strong enough to support her and her mind reminded her how to walk.

She forced a quick smile at Riley as he stepped out of the room he shared with Chase.

“
Good morning!” she quipped as he raised an eyebrow. He was dressed similarly to Chase but he looked more comfortable in the garments. She could make out the white bandage around his thigh and noticed he was favoring the leg still.

Her smile faltered and her brow furrowed in worry.
“How’s your leg?”

“Oh,
I’m fine. Seems like you’ve been running around the hotel checking on everyone except your wounded brother. If it wasn’t for Chase and Thomas, I’d probably be dead by now.”

“Oh,
hush! You’ll live!” she encouraged, kissing his cheek as he grunted. With a lingering look at Chase, she disappeared back inside her room.

Her heart ached hearing Riley shuffling down the wooden hallway with his injured leg. She hoped the sea salt did the job. She could not imagine losing a sibling. She did not know how Sabrina could stand it.

She was glad to find Sally already dressed and working on her hair. She went to her satchel, pulling out her own swimming suit and dressing quickly. Wool always made her skin itch and she hoped she wasn’t one big welt when she arrived at the beach. The tempered weather was one of the reasons why she loved San Francisco. She could not imagine living where it was cold for six months out of the year. She would itch to death.

She tied her hair back into a ponytail and gathered some towels and a blanket to sit on. Sally did the same and they left the room together. They could hear noises coming from Thomas and Jaelyn
’s room. Apparently, swimming was not on their mind.

Sally was in better spirits and was soon chattering away as usual. Amelia was more alert as they walked down the boardwalk. She was weary after the encounter last night. She carried her dagger ready in her hand. The blanket she had draped over her arm hid it from sight.

She relaxed as the water came into view. She could see more people out today and her eyes searched for Chase. He was not hard to find. His darker complexion stood out amongst the others.

His keen eyes were focused on her as he watched their approach. He had forgotten about the shifting sand and fell
backward as it was washed away from under his feet. Amelia laughed and he reappeared sputtering and grinning. He made his way toward them, the wet wool clinging to his large frame. Amelia tried not to stare as it emphasized more than his physique.

She spread out the blankets far enough away so the water would not get them wet. Feeling secure, she left her
pistol in her shoe as she slipped them off and left them on the sand. Sally and Riley were forgotten as Chase grabbed her hand pulling her into the water. She squealed and froze as the water reached her thighs.

Chase laughed.
“This was a good idea. I wonder what Brock and Sabrina are up to?”

“
I’m not sure about Brock, but I’m sure Sabrina is going stir-crazy. She could never stand being cooped up inside.”

She turned watching as Riley slowly made his way toward them.
“Is the water helping?”

“
If making it burn like a son of a bitch is ‘helping’ then yeah it is.”

“
There are blankets if you wanna go rest.”

“
Good enough,” he replied making his way toward land.

“
He’ll be fine. He’s strong,” Chase added, watching his wounded friend shuffle back to the beach.

Amelia turned to look up at him.
“I hope so. We’re leaving tomorrow. I hope the ride back isn’t too much.”

“
We’ll he doesn’t have much choice. Sabrina will kill him if he doesn’t show up for the wedding.”

Amelia laughed, she could visualize Sabrina killing Riley, and it was not pretty. At that
moment, a larger wave crashed into her and she shrieked as she was knocked off her feet. Chase grabbed her as the strong current tried to suck her back underwater.

“
Are you okay?” He asked seriously.

“
I’m fine, as long as we don’t get lynched.”

“
What do you mean?”

Amelia gestured to the people nearby frowning at them.
“Usually women and men swim separately.”

“
What fun is that?”

Amelia smiled
again, leading him to shore so she could catch her breath. It was astonishing how much energy one could use up just trying to stand in the small waves. Amelia knew how to swim but never really liked swimming in large bodies of water. She remembered one instance when she was younger, she watched as a boat had returned from the sea. They carried a man off who was practically bit in half. His skin was a pasty gray, and he had bled out from the bite of a fish. Nature could be so cruel. She shuddered and Chase put his arm around her thinking she was cold.

When they returned to the
pallet, Sally was there as well as Riley who was lying on his back with his arm blocking the sun from his eyes. Sally had collected an impressive pile of seashells. Of course, the seashells from the ocean are more vivid and plentiful, but it was quite apparent she had worked very hard for her stash.

Amelia sat down to rest and Chase sat next to Riley on the other pallet. He had his leg unwrapped and his suit pushed up to get some air to his wound. Amelia looked at it closely. It looked awful to her, but according to
Thomas’s last report, it was less awful than it had been.

The foursome rested a bit more before heading back to the hotel so they wouldn
’t fry in the sun. She couldn’t tell if Sally was disappointed or relieved that Warren didn’t show up. Chase stood shaking the sand off the blanket with a few flicks of his strong arms. Sally and Amelia folded them and carried them back to the hotel.

Chapter 20

Sabrina woke up still pulling away from the last threads of sleep. Reluctant to leave the comfort of Brock’s warm arms just yet, she lay still listening to the birds calling to their mates.

She felt a fluttering inside of her. Her eyes opened wider as she held her breath waiting for validation. Then again the same movement came, so subtle only she could feel it. The baby. Her baby.

Everything had seemed so surreal until this moment. Yes, she knew she was expecting, but still there is nothing that compares to the first time you feel your child move. Your world changes in that instant. It is not about you, it is about them.

With her eyes
damp, she turned to Brock kissing his bare chest. His hand moved slightly to trace her face with his thumb, the only giveaway that he was fully conscious. Well, not the only giveaway, she thought seeing the covers tent above his crotch. With a wicked smile she slid her hand down his chest and grasped it tightly. A small groan escaped Brock’s throat as he reluctantly squinted one eye open to the morning sun.

“
Good morning,” she stated cheerfully as she continued to massage his length.

“
Every morning I wake up with you in my arms is good.”

“
Well, this one is gonna be even better,” she said breathlessly as she carefully moved to straddle him.

Brock watched his mate in wonder as she slowly lowered herself onto his thick shaft. His hands grasped her hips guiding her to her destination. His heart was beating like a drum and he matched his movements to mimic it. Faster and faster in a great symphony of nature. He felt Sabrina place her hands on
his chest for support as her breathing increased. She trailed her nails down his chest and to his hips so she would have more leverage as she held on for dear life. Her muscles tightened and then shuddered around him as he cried out his need. Sabrina lay on his chest, spent as he kissed her forehead and tucked her in so she could rest. Dressing quietly, he slipped out of the room to head downstairs.

The kitchen was in full swing when he arrived. Alma was fixing her mouthwatering biscuits and gravy. His mother was frying
eggs and country ham while Dr. Reynold was setting the table. Looking for his father, he found him coming through the back door with fresh roses to adorn the table. Brock gritted his teeth as he watched his father struggle with the door while juggling his cane and the flowers. He knew better than to step forward. He had been admonished for his help too much lately. His father had to learn on his own to live with his new leg. It was more awkward than his old one, but he was grateful to have it as well as his life.

“’Bout
time you got up! I thought you two were gonna bring the ceiling down on us!”

“
I think you were safe. It’s a sturdy dwelling.”

“
Not that sturdy,” he chuckled, handing the flowers off to Alma who placed them in a yellow pitcher with water.

Brock
ignored his father as he went to grab a cup of coffee and seek shelter next to his mother. He received a warm cup and a wink as well.

Breakfast was ready a short while later. The table was laden with food just as Sabrina came down. Her hair was brushed to a shine and set off the ivory shirt and brown skirt she
wore.

“
Hope you’re hungry,” Alma said sitting down a huge bowl of sawmill gravy.

“
Starving,” she said as everyone snickered and teased. Ignoring them, Sabrina leaned over kissing Brock’s cheek before sitting next to him.

“
Well you know what they say ‘Last to the table gets to clean,’” Alma said.

“
I’d rather clean than cook anyway.”

“
We’d rather you clean than cook as well.” Jonathan chuckled as she threw a biscuit at him and everyone laughed as he skillfully caught it and took a bite.

Sabrina heaped food on her plate. She took a big bite as
her teeth sunk into the warm buttered biscuit dipped in gravy. She ate her fill and dutifully headed to the kitchen to start washing as Brock cleared the table. She smiled up at him as he soon came to join her. Washing dishes with Brock was not a chore. A few soapy kisses later, they were done as they headed outside to enjoy the sunshine.

The ranch hands were breaking in some new horses and Sabrina insisted on watching. Samuel was in the ring holding the horse still as the fearless cowboy mounted the steed.
The frightened horse’s eyes rolled wildly as its nostrils flared. Pulling Samuel to the ground as it reared back on its hind legs, the big man rolled to avoid the sharp hooves as the rider dug his heels into the stirrups to keep from getting thrown off. Samuel hopped up once again grabbing the rope and trying to get the animal under control. After a wild ride, the horse was panting for breath as it stood exhausted with the rider still in the saddle.

Sabrina clapped as the men around her shouted their approval. Brock was oddly
quiet as he watched the next horse was led to the ring. The horse was a massive stallion, its red coat shining in the sun as if it were made of fire. Sabrina felt Brock’s hand close around her arm pulling her back from the gate. She frowned as other ranch hands quickly filled in the spot.

“
Let go. I wanna get close so I can see.”

“
It is too dangerous. That horse was not meant to be ridden. Not all things can be bent to man’s will. It will be better if you go to the house.”

“
How the hell can I watch from the house? If you’re staying, I’m staying,” Sabrina retorted, her ire flaring up.

Brock hesitated as he glanced back at the corral. The
horse’s head could be seen above the crowd as it raised it in defiance. Its nostrils flared as well, not with fear but with fury. Brock calculated the distance to the house and decided that the barn was closer.

“
We can watch from the hay loft. You’ll have a great view!”

“
I had a great view,” Sabrina muttered but followed him anyway. Being in a hayloft with Brock didn’t sound like such a bad idea.

They could still hear the sounds from the corral as they reached the barn. The horse
’s grunts and whinnies were mixed in with the cowboy’s hoots and hollers. Sabrina pouted as her hand grasped the ladder rung. She was missing the excitement! There was a loud shout and then the atmosphere changed, Brock turned with a grim look on his handsome face making sure that Sabrina was safely behind him. Thudding sounds could be heard and a crack of wood. A thunder of hooves rent the air as the horse broke free and ran off.

Brock rushed over to the corral with Sabrina following behind him. He was dismayed to find the men scampering about trying to help the wounded. He shouted at one young ranch hand standing nearby. His face was white with shock. Brock grabbed
him, giving him a shake before sending him to the house to get Dr. Reynold. Coming to his senses, he was off like a shot running for help as fast as he could.

Pushing his way through the crowd, he came to a cluster of men beside the corral. This was the section where the horse broke free. The section where Sabrina and he had just been standing. With a
glance, he took in the splintered fencing and the chaos around them. One cowboy lay still on the ground, his skull smashed by the sharp hooves. He looked down to see blood and brain matter soaking into the dirt. There was no hope for him. He felt a small hand on his back, turning he looked down into Sabrina’s frightened face before pulling her into his arms. It could have been her. Breathing in her pure scent, he gathered his thoughts as he removed his vest first and then his shirt. With a small prayer for the man’s spirit to be free, he covered the carnage from Sabrina’s sight with his shirt. Putting his vest back on, he moved to the other injured. Thankfully the rest were mostly just flesh wounds from the shattered fencing.

His eyes sought out Samuel, whom he soon spotted bending over a fallen cowboy in the ring. Samuel
’s right arm hung limply at his side, but his tears were for his friend who had passed from this world to the next. With Sabrina at his side, they approached him.

“
What happened?”

“
The horse threw him. Like nothin’ I’ve ever seen before. As if it had it all thought out. It went forward then reared its head back knocking Jeff unconscious. Then before we could move, he reared up tossing him off his back like a rag doll. He hit his head on the railing. Snapped his neck.” Samuel sobbed as Sabrina knelt next to him pulling him to her for comfort. They cried together from the horror of it all. He heard running feet and looked up to see Dr. Reynold and the rest from the house hurrying toward them. Alma had stayed behind to ready a room for the wounded if need be and get some water and cloth for bandages.

“
What’s wrong with your arm?” Sabrina asked pulling away from her friend to examine his arm.

“
Damn beast almost pulled it off.”

“
Can you move it?”

“Yeah,
but it hurts like hell.”

Brock bent to help the larger man to his feet. A lanky man asked Samuel if they should ride down the horse. Samuel shook his head.
“No, enough blood has been spilt. Let him run.”

Only one needed immediate care, a ranch hand named Roger. A chunk of wood flew up piercing his neck under his chin. He was bleeding profusely and Dr.
Reynold applied pressure to slow the staunch of blood. Slowly, he was carried off to the house for surgery to close the wound.

Brock sent Samuel over to his mother who was assessing the wounded. She quickly examined his shoulder.
“It is out of place. You need to see Tom.”

Anna helped doctor the other injured as Sabrina headed to the house with Samuel. With Samuel gone, Brock took control of the ranch, directing men here and there to clean up the wreckage and care for the bodies of the fallen.

Every step was agony for Samuel. However, Sabrina was grateful that he had not been injured any worse. He shrugged off her help as he went in through the kitchen door. Alma sat him down at the table as she sat next to him. She grasped his good hand as she bowed her head and prayed for the wounded as well as the souls of the dead.

Sabrina headed into the bedroom where Roger was taken. He had already been put under using chloroform and Jonathan sat at the head of the bed to hold him down in case it wore off. Taking a deep breath to try to ease her nerves as well as her queasy
stomach, she stepped forward to assist. She watched Dr. Reynold as he pulled out the splintered pieces of railing and cleansed the area. Not so long ago she had aided his son in surgery; she hoped this surgery was just as successful. She grimaced as Dr. Reynold washed the area with first water and then whiskey.

She took a steady breath trying to calm her stomach as well as her nerves. The heat of the day was starting to build and the room was getting quite warm with all of their body heat. Alma came in to check on them and to Sabrina
’s relief, she opened the window letting sweet air flow through the room. Turning her attention back to her task, she watched in fascination as Dr. Reynold deftly sewed up the gaping wound with sutures. The whiteness that she knew to be his jawbone was soon covered. Lucky for him, the jagged scar would be under his chin and would be hardly noticeable before long. He would have to eat lots of mashed potatoes for a while, but hopefully he would live. He had a chance; unlike his other bunkmates. At least they did not suffer; they were dead before they knew what hit them.

Her head spun thinking that it could have been Brock or herself amongst the dead or injured. How had Brock known? It was eerie the connection he had with nature. Sabrina had her own connection with animals but had not picked up on anything
being wrong. Perhaps because she could not imagine an animal being intentionally spiteful. This was a horrible lesson well learned by all.

Anna had arrived back at the house by then and she and Jonathan sat by the
patient, keeping an eye out for the bleeding to return or fever. After cleaning up, she went over to greet Samuel. Tears filled her eyes as she gave him a gentle hug not wanting to further his injuries. She reluctantly pulled away to allow the doctor to examine his arm. You could see a bulge from the bone pressing against the skin. Samuel turned a bit gray from the pain as he sat stoically. His large hand, chalky and thickened with calluses, dwarfed Dr. Reynold as he completed the exam. Thankfully, it was not broken, just dislocated. The arm would heal in time if they could reset it. Dr. Reynold helped him into the parlor where there was more floor room. Having him lie down on the rug, he positioned himself to guide the arm back into place. Not wanting to see him in further pain, Sabrina left leaving Dr. Reynold and Alma to assist Samuel as she went outside.

Although she was in a house full of
people, she was feeling quite alone. She needed to clear her mind. Everything that could be done was being done but she felt helpless. She did not like the feeling of not being in control. She needed solace. She turned and headed toward the stable.

She greeted Justice as he pushed his muzzle into her hand.
“I know, boy. I’m scared too.” She turned and grabbed his bridle from the wall and slipped it over his head. Unlatching the gate, she grabbed a grooming brush, led him out the rear door, and tied his lead to a railing. This location blocked the view of the house and corral. It was just her and him. Taking the brush in her hand, she methodically began the long soothing strokes that always calmed her in the past. It had been so long since she has had to use this to elude reality. Since she had met Brock, he was her comfort.