The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances (8 page)

Chapter
6

T
he following day Sabrina did not see Brock or Troy at all. Thomas stopped by to drop off some liniment for Mrs. Swanson’s rheumatism. Sabrina did not know why he couldn’t have taken it to their house instead of dropping it off with her. To make matters worse, he did not leave; he just hung around chatting while she cleaned Star’s saddle. The Reynolds had a new barn built and no longer kept their horses in town so there was no excuse for him to stick around.

“Looks like a storm’s coming in,” he commented as a brisk breeze rose. Sabrina looked up, taken off guard as she looked at the darkening clouds off in the distance. She did not know why she hadn’t noticed the change in the weather herself. Even the air had changed; it was thicker somehow, as if it was gathering energy.

She put away the saddle and polish and went to check on the horses; they were snorting and moving restlessly. She went to the last stall in the back and patted the gentle Star on her nose.  “It’ll be okay, girl.  I promise,” she whispered as the horse neighed back at her. She barely took note as Thomas left to head home. Closing the main bay doors against the wind, she made a check on the horses one by one.  When she’d settled them all, she lit a lantern, providing light in the now-dim barn.

Oklahoma had many bad storms. She had heard lots of stories of strong winds coming out of the sky and picking up anything in their way.  She thought people had been joking at first but, after hearing so many different stories from different people, she realized they couldn’t all be false. She wished she was not alone.  She wished someone was with her---even someone like Thomas. Ever since she’d been on her own, she’d hated storms worse than ever.  Settling into her loft she lay awake, cringing a little every time a gust of wind shook the rafters.

She lost track of time.  The wind blew and blew. She wondered where all that wind came from and what riled it up in the first place.

The horses were getting restless. Sabrina climbed down and, edgy as she was, tried to quiet them. She took deep breaths trying to calm herself as well.  The horses could sense fear, and she did not want to upset them any more than they already were.  The storm raged on outside even fiercer than before. She could hear thunder in the distance and cringed at every rumble as it drew closer.

As a child, during storms Sabrina’s mother would always try to soothe her by telling her God made storms so that there would be rainbows. She recalled her mother’s sweet voice as she sang at her bedside until it passed. Sometimes the whole family would gather in the main room and sing. She vividly remembered the rich deep voices of her father and brother. Tears burned her eyes yet again. Sniffling, she moved from horse to horse, petting and singing softly to them trying to sooth herself as well as them.

That evening there were four horses in the large stable. Their thoughtful owners boarded them at the livery while they were in town visiting for the night. Along with Star and another older mare, there were two choice stallions
both strong and high strung at that. She didn’t know how the two bankers handled such horses.  Blaze, the dark red horse, kicked at the gate, wanting to escape. Solomon, the other visitor, was a dark brown color. His temperament reminded her of Troy.

She missed Troy, since he now stayed with Brock most of the time. He was a fine horse. She’d thought about raising horses in the future and knew he would breed good stock. ‘His owner would breed well, too,’ a soft voice whispered in her mind. She barely saw Brock anymore either and, yes, she missed him too. She smiled recalling the day at the McAllister’s place when he held her close. His expression was hilarious as he realized that his body was responding to Will. Sabrina would have laughed if she wasn’t so tense.  Forcing herself to concentrate on her task, she shook her head to clear it.

She would get no sleep this night. Blaze reared up on his hind legs as lightning struck nearby.  Climbing on the gate, she stretched up to reach his harness. She pulled him down and tried to get him under control before he hurt himself or one of the other horses.

Crack! Another flash struck even closer.  Sabrina could actually feel the electricity in the air. This time all of the horses were flailing in their pens and Sabrina’s less sensitive nose
eventually picked up what they smelled. Smoke. The lightning had struck the roof and the barn was on fire.

Her first instinct was to open the stall doors and release the frightened horses, but without the barn doors open the frenzied horses would still be trapped inside and she would more than likely be trampled. Thinking quickly she ran to the main doors and threw them open. She released the closest horse, making sure she was behind the gate as the horse turned and ran in terror out of the livery and into the night.

The barn was starting to fill with smoke. Apparently, the fire was spreading fast even with the torrential rain. The roar of flames sounded closer so Sabrina quickened her pace, releasing the next horse.

Covering her face with her shirt, she next released Mr. Swanson’s old mare, Copper. Three down, one to go she counted automatically. She coughed as her lungs filled with smoke and begged for oxygen. It was very warm now despite the cold drizzle dripping from the ruined ceiling. Tendrils of flame and fiery ash rained down on her and Star, licking at the straw on the floor. She stomped out the ones she could as she concentrated on the latch at Star’s stall. In panic Star had struck the gate with her hooves, jamming the pin in the latch.

Time seemed to stand still as Sabrina fought with the lock. She could hear nothing except for the crackling of the fire, the raging wind and Star’s screams of terror. Sabrina felt her energy waning as she coughed again, trying to suck air into her burning lungs.  She was starting to feel dizzy when someone grabbed her from behind. She was lifted up, and pulled away from the neighing horse. She had a flashback of a time not so long ago when her befuddled mind screamed out the first word she thought of: “Samuel!” He was again preventing her from saving the one she loved. In her mind, Star’s screams mingled with Lydia’s as Sabrina was pulled out of the barn and into the fresh air.

She coughed, sucking air into her starved lungs. As her mind cleared a little, she fought the arms still holding her. Turning on her captor, she looked up beseechingly into Brock’s face.  “Let go!  Star’s still in there!”

“It’s too late!”  Brock yelled through the wind and commotion. Townspeople were running around forming bucket brigades to stop the fire from spreading. Panicking, Sabrina kicked Brock hard in the shin, jolted loose, and dashed for the burning barn. She was fast but Brock was faster and he tackled her near the entrance. She screamed in horror as the barn collapsed in front of her.  Brock grabbed her by her belt and pulled her back to a safe distance.

Spent physically and mentally, she sank into the mud and sobbed in anguish. She could hear people yelling and shouting around her but she did not care. She felt numb to emotion but she still felt the rain and the cold mud she was laying in. She lost track of everything as her mind reeled.  Star was gone as was her job and all the money and belongings she had. For the second time in her life, Sabrina watched as her home burn to the ground.

She was barely aware when strong arms reached down for her and picked her up. She wept as she was carried off into the cold darkness.

Chapte
r
7

B
rock again sat watching Will sleep; it had become a pastime of his.  He remembered the terror he felt when he arrived in town and saw the barn aflame. His heart almost stopped as he heard Jack yelling that Will was still inside. He saw horses escaping and when Will did not emerge, he ran in.  He followed Star’s fearful whinnies, as he knew that Will would be close by. Seeing him fumbling with the broken latch as the ash fell around him Brock ran forward grabbed him and pulled him out.  Outside in the fresh air he was taken off guard by his immense sense of relief that Will was not burned.  Will’s screams had torn at his very soul and he wasn’t certain why.

He carried the boy to the jail and laid him on an empty cot. His breathing was shallow but steady; he was exhausted and Brock left him to sleep as he went back out to secure the town.

Brock wiped his eyes wearily; they still burned from the smoke and ash in the air. Of course, the fact that he was up all night did not help matters either.  Luckily, the barn was the only building that was totally destroyed. A couple of others were damaged by the wind and rain but were repairable. There were some injuries, but so far the only loss was the horse. He sighed---what was the boy thinking, risking his life for a horse that wasn’t even his?

A soft knock on the doorframe roused Brock from his thoughts. Mr. Swanson came in to see how Will was feeling. Brock stood to greet him. 

“I see you achieved a great deal in the last couple of months,”  Mr. Swanson said, looking around.

“Yes, thanks to Will and his help.  He is very industrious,
” Brock said, shaking his hand.

“He’s a good boy, a hard worker but a bit stubborn. Thank you for saving his life last night. There is no way he would have left on his own---not without Star,
” Mr. Swanson said desolately.

“I was going to ask about the boy’s
well-being, his future.  It couldn’t have been good for him to be living in the stables.”

Mr. Swanson smiled sadly, “No, no it wasn’t but Will is as stubborn as a billy goat. As I’m sure you’ve seen, he can be downright ornery at times. I have plenty of room at my house but he refused to stay with me and the Mrs., ‘didn’t wanna put us out’ he said.”

“I was thinking about having him stay at my place since it looks like I’m gonna be here a while,” said Brock. “Having Will stay with me would be no problem.”

“Well, Will is his own man; it’d be up to him.” As he left, he muttered, “Good luck trying to convince him, though.”  Brock’s next visitor wasn’t as welcome.

Sabrina awoke and the events of the night before crashed into her consciousness. Her lungs burned as she drew in a breath, and her throat was parched.  She was lying on a cot, facing a stark wooden wall, very disoriented. She could hear male voices behind her. Then suddenly a voice stood out: it was Brock’s deep baritone. The other voice sounded familiar but she could not place it. She shut her eyes and pretended to still be asleep.

“I came by to check on Will,” Thomas Reynold stated.

“He’s resting, he shouldn’t be disturbed.”

“He should still be checked out. Since my father is tied up with patients, I figured I would come by and examine the boy.”

Sabrina stiffened involuntarily. She did not want anyone examining her, much less Thomas. She hoped Brock would keep him away. The last thing she needed was
the man poking and prodding. 

Brock glanced over at Will, a thoughtful look on his face.  He had detected the slight movement and change in breathing pattern. He knew that the boy was awake. “Appreciate your concern, Thomas, but what he needs most is rest.  I’m not letting you wake him so you can use him for practice.”

Thomas left in a huff and Brock stepped into the cell. By this time Sabrina had realized that she was at the jail---that it must have been Brock who carried her here last night after saving her from the fire. She was grateful to him for getting rid of Thomas for her, but she could not help but be angry with him for making
her abandon Star. Thinking of the gentle mare, tears burned her eyes.

“So you’re awake,” Brock said, stepping closer. Even though he knew she was conscious, she still kept up the façade, not wanting to face reality.

She heard Brock sigh. The bed dipped when he sat on the edge of it. His thigh was touching her back and she closed her eyes even tighter.

“You scared the hell out of me last night. I arrived to find the barn up in flames with you still in there. I know you blame me for losing Star, but I’d feel a hell of a lot worse if I lost you.”

“Why would you care?” Sabrina spat out, as fresh tears stung her eyes. Her voice came out in a croak. The retort caused her chest to spasm and she ended up in a coughing fit. She turned, lifting herself up on her hands and knees to make breathing a little easier. Brock handed her his handkerchief as she spat up the black gunk coating her lungs.

“You okay? You want me to go get Thomas?” Brock asked, concerned.

“No! I’m fine,” She choked out, moving so she was now sitting up next to him on the cot. She sniffed as she wiped her face with a clean part of the hankie. She was surprised and dismayed as it came away black. She looked down at her tattered clothes. Her shirt and pants were darkened by soot and mud. They had small burn marks on them here and there from the burning ash.  She needed to change. Fresh tears sprang to her eyes as she realized all her belongings in the world were in the barn. She had nothing. No home, no job, no money, no clothes. Nothing.

Brock watched, concerned, as tears came and Will turned his face away to gain control of himself. His instincts screamed out to comfort the boy but he did not dare after their last encounter. “I guess I care because you remind me of myself when I was a boy,” he said softly, answering her initial question.

Sabrina snorted at this. “Really? Your home was burned down in front of your eyes as you were forced to watch your loved ones die?”

Brock watched with his heart aching as Will lifted his face up to stare at him head on. The only part of the boy’s face not covered in soot was the trail of tears rolling down his cheeks.

The boy’s defiance as he glared at Brock indicated his spirit wasn’t broken. Brock smiled gently as he replied. “No, I was referring to your skill with horses, your loyalty, and your courage. I knew that you had lost your family somehow.  I am sorry it was in such a horrendous way.” Sabrina clamped her mouth shut. She had said way too much already.

“Ya know, Will, I was talking to Mr. Swanson earlier about you.”

Sabrina stiffened. He didn’t realize her secret, did he?  She thought frantically about what may have given her away.  She was usually so careful.  But something about him made her not want to be. 

“That ain’t polite to talk about people behind their back,
” she chastised.

“Well, I’m concerned.”

Sabrina turned to face him, crossing her arms against her chest defensively.

“You can’t just live in a barn the rest of your life.  You need a home and someone to mentor you.  It’s awfully tough out here and someone your age shouldn’t be left to fend for himself like a stray dog.” 

Sabrina snorted.  “I’ve been doing just fine on my own.  I don’t need anyone telling me what to do.  Especially not a two-bit lawman who doesn’t have the sense to know that dirt and water make mud.”

Brock sighed; this was not going as he had planned. For some reason he’d assumed the boy would be grateful to have a home.

“It’s not safe for you to be on your own.  This town is full of outlaws and thieves. What would have happened if the stables had caught on fire while you were sleeping?”

Sabrina blanched, hearing the word fire pulled up vivid pictures of her home going up in flames, her sister’s screams.  The bullet to Lydia’s back had not killed her instantly and the men had satisfied themselves with her until she lay still for good. Lightheaded, Sabrina had to grasp the side of the bed to steady herself. Brock held her other arm.

“You okay?”  She pulled away and stood up swaying, trying desperately to force out the horrid thoughts. She needed to sort things out; ignoring Brock, she walked out of the Jail.

Brock sighed as Will walked off,  suddenly feeling alone. Maybe his offer wasn’t so much for Will’s sake as his own.

Sabrina wanted nothing more than to go down to the river, it always soothed her; but her rumbling stomach had other ideas. She sat at the bar and Mac put a hearty breakfast and glass of milk in front of her. Handing her a damp cloth she smiled at his sympathetic expression as she washed her face and hands before she nibbled on some fresh corn bread. Her throat felt raw and it was hard to swallow. Ignoring the huge slab of country ham on her plate, she crumbled the corn bread into her milk and ate it with a spoon.  Concentrating on swallowing she didn’t notice when Mr. Swanson came into the saloon.

“Mornin’, Will,” he said, patting him on the shoulder.

Sabrina nodded, afraid to try speaking. She wanted to apologize for losing Star but she didn’t know how to start. Tears stung her eyes as she looked at Mr. Swanson, “I’m so sorry about your stables and Star.  The latch got twisted and I couldn’t free her.  If I had more time, if Brock hadn’t of grabbed me…”

“Shhhh…It’s alright boy; I told Brock to bring you out. Star was a good horse and I know you did everything you could to save her.  It was her time.”

She shook her head. She remembered someone telling her that at her family’s funeral. It was their time; they’re in a better place. It did not help then and it did not help now. She knew he was just trying to make her feel better but it was not working.

“Brock said you were talking to him about me earlier.” She meant to sound irritated, but she was so tired she did not have any fight left. It took all her energy to breathe.

“He thinks you should move in with him and, frankly, I agree. Will, would it be that awful sleeping in a warm bed at night and feeling the contentment of belonging? I’ve been talking to the town council and Brock came highly recommended; he has a reputation for being very honorable. I love you like a son but you push everyone away. Will, I know you lost your family but you’re still alive.
Live
!”  He patted Will’s arm and walked away.

Sabrina turned back to her meal, surprised to find that her face was wet.  She slowly wiped away the tears but---to no avail---more just took their place.  She never cried after Montgomery burned, not even at the funeral.  She was just too numb at first, then she was too busy running the ranch and fighting with Warren.  Crying was stupid; it didn’t help anything, just made you feel worse. Unable to stanch the flow, she laid her head on her crossed arms and sobbed.  She cried for her mother, father, sister, her home, the friends she left behind, her brother and finally herself.

Brock made a quick circuit around the boardwalk. He had followed Will to the saloon to make sure he was okay. Returning to his office, he propped his feet up on the desk and pulled his hat over his face to block out sunlight.  He had not slept even a
wink and was hoping to doze for a bit.

A short while later he heard a knock on the door. He sat up reluctantly. Will was standing in the doorway.  He motioned for the boy to come in and Will stopped at his desk.  Brock waited as Will scowled down at him, the bitter words coming with hesitancy. “I guess I could stay… on a trial basis.”

Brock tried to hide his smile.  “I’ll pick you up at the saloon when I leave this evening.” The boy nodded once, turned and hurried out of the stifling office.  Brock watched him until he was out of sight. Shaking his head, he reluctantly returned to his paper work.  In the ruckus he didn’t notice the new wanted poster that had arrived. The poster read, “Ted Roberts: Dead or Alive.”  He twisted to add it to the other ones and frowned, staring at the wall. There was a blank spot. He tried focusing his mind on the posters to figure out which one was missing.  It soon dawned on him.  The girl. The reward poster was gone. He looked around to see if it had come loose somehow from the nail. He searched the floor and then his desk. It was nowhere to be found. Sighing, he pinned Ted up in her place.

Sabrina forced herself to walk down to the stables. The smell of burnt hair hung in the air and she felt like retching. The barn was gone. She had hoped that maybe some of her belongings had survived but it was total devastation. The sides had collapsed inwards and a pang struck her heart as she imagined Star’s fear as she abandoned the mare. Tears stung her eyes and she headed down an alley to sit behind a building.

She blew her nose on Brock’s hankie and made her way down to the river.  She climbed down the embankment to the water and rinsed out the handkerchief in its murky depths. Wringing it out, she scrubbed her face and neck and chest as best as she could. She knew she could go to the saloon and have a bath there, but she did not want to have to deal with people right now. A crisp air blew across the river, and she shivered.  There was another storm coming.

Sabrina was waiting inside when Brock arrived at the saloon.  Her head was telling her she was crazy to risk revealing herself
by moving in with him.  But her heart was rebelling and doing little flip flops every time Brock spoke or glanced her way.