Tears poured down her cheeks, and he rubbed them away with the flat of his thumb.
“Don’t mourn them too much, I’m sure they wouldn’t want you to.”
“I know,” her voice wavered. “I was away delivering an order otherwise I would have died also.”
William recoiled in horror, his blood ran cold.
The coffee and food arrived. Anna bit into the hot buttered biscuit, while he took a flapjack from the pile on his plate and slathered it with syrup. He drank his coffee black, she took cream and sugar.
“Did they find out who started the fire?”
“Yes, a drunken saddle bum did it. He didn’t even know why he did it, that’s what really hurts. Such a waste of good people’s lives for, well, nothing.”
“There will be no sadness in your life with me, Anna my love. I swear I will cherish you for the rest of our lives. Even when we are old and grey, sitting on the porch in our rocking chairs, I’ll love you.”
“Oh, Will, that is so beautiful.” She leaned across the table and kissed him. Her lips, soft, tasting slightly of butter, brushed against his, and he wanted to devour her.
After they finished eating, and he paid for the meal, they sauntered down the street arm in arm, stopping every now and again, when no-one was around, to steal a kiss.
On the porch of the colonel’s cottage, he took her in his arms. His mouth closed over hers in a long kiss. Soon the touching of lips wasn’t enough. He wanted more. Much more. He eased his tongue into her mouth, and instead of getting pushed away, her tongue entwined with his, caressing, thrusting in a frenzied dance of love. His manhood hardened and he had to break the kiss and move away before she felt it.
“Goodnight, darlin’,” he said, stepping off the porch.
“Goodnight, Will, sweet dreams.”
They would be if she was in them.
Chapter Two
Two days after meeting, Will and Anna were married by the preacher in the afternoon, with Mrs. Christianson and the preacher’s wife as witnesses.
He had bought Anna a plain gold wedding band, and as he slipped it on her finger, knew he was the luckiest man in all of South Dakota.
Mrs. Christianson insisted they come back to her cottage for a bite to eat. The table groaned under the weight of roast chicken, potted meats, jellies and pastries.
“This is very nice, thank you, Mrs. Christianson,” Will echoed Anna’s sentiments. In reality, all he really wanted was to go to their hotel room and make her truly his wife.
“I’ve been thinking Mrs. Christianson said, the colonel will agree I am sure. Our rent is paid up for this house for the next six weeks, so you might as well stay here once we go. After that, well, you’d have to speak to the owner. It belongs to the Bank Manager’s daughter and her husband. They’re in England at present and intend staying there for a few more months.”
“Thank you, it would suit us just fine. I hope to have a ranch of our own within a few months. I’m only waiting for the right place. How much is six weeks rent. I’d like to pay you,” Will said.
“No, that’s not necessary,” Mrs. Christianson said.
“Oh, but I must.”
“No, Will, definitely not.” Her expression brooked no argument. “I know the colonel would insist if he were here. Look upon it as a wedding gift for Anna. We’ve become very fond of you, my dear.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Christianson.” Anna gave her a hug. “It was a pleasure working for you. You mustn’t worry about me now. Will has promised to take good care of me, and I know he will.”
Finally, they were able to leave. The woman was only being kind, but he was an impatient bridegroom and wanted Anna to himself.
He had booked the best room at the hotel. It was upstairs, with the windows backing onto the rear garden. He dumped their luggage on the floor. They would stay here at the hotel, he decided until the Christiansons left for Fort Worth.
The furniture was simple, white net curtains flapped at the open window, but his gaze went straight to the large double bed.
Anna’s lips trembled, her beautiful eyes darkened with trepidation. “It’s all right, darlin’. The loving between a man and his wife is a beautiful thing. It will be good between us, I promise.”
Her hands trembled as she laid back the bed covers. He couldn’t think what else to say to allay her fears. Shucking out of his shirt he draped it over a chair, unbuttoned his trousers and let them drop to the floor. All the while Anna stood shaking like a leaf buffeted by a strong wind.
“I’d never hurt you, darlin’. Would you feel better if I turned my back while you undress?
“Yes. Oh, Will, I don’t want you to be disappointed in me.”
“I won’t be.” Curb your impatience, man. It was hard, though, when he was so desperate for her.
He would never return to Australia now. Anna didn’t want to leave South Dakota. Except for Wilbur, he had no-one over there. He hadn’t seen or heard from his brother in years. He had occasionally exchanged letters with Ma. After she died Wilbur wrote. It had taken months for the letter to find him.
Wilbur had rambled on over the first couple of pages saying he wished they would rekindle their friendship. Will almost snorted. They had never been close. Wilbur was too strange. On the last page of the long epistle, he had castigated him for not returning to the farm after their father had died.
“I…I’m ready,” Anna’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
He swung around. She was in bed with the covers pulled up to her chin, her loosened hair cascading over her shoulders. A lump formed in his throat. She was exquisite. He snuffed out the lamp and discarded his drawers. No way was he going to be restricted by clothing.
Taking her in his arms, he kissed the top of her head. “It will be good between us, Anna. I swear.” His mouth closing over her trembling lips, exerted a little pressure and they parted to receive his impatient, probing tongue.
He fumbled with the buttons on her nightgown and she baulked. “It’s all right, darlin’.”
When his mouth closed over her nipple and he started to suck it, she sighed. While his mouth dealt with one breast, his hand worked on the other one. She buried her hands in his hair as he fought to curb his impatience.
“Will you let me take your nightgown off?”
“Yes. Yes.”
He petted and caressed her, his excitement running rampant as she started to respond. Her labored breathing, her hands frantically clutching at his shoulders. She was ready for him. Wanted him. He slipped between her thighs and entered into paradise.
***
Three months almost to the day after their marriage, they moved on to their ranch. Only forty acres, a two hour ride from town, but it was a start. Anna was already with child. He couldn’t recall who was the most excited – her or him.
The ranch house was furnished. Admittedly more than a little shabby, but usable until they could buy some of their own.
“I love it. I love it.” Anna went into raptures as he pulled up the buckboard in the front yard.
He picked her up and carried her across the threshold. One large room, kitchen and parlor combined. Behind a curtain was the bedroom.
“Put me down. Put me down,” she squealed as he carried her to the bed, placed her on the patchwork quilt and proceeded to dispose of his clothing.
“Will, I have to get a fire going, cook supper…”
“Later, later,” he groaned, kissing her frantically. Within minutes she joined him in being naked. As they kissed, stroked and caressed each other, their need increased. Soon they were writhing and clutching each other in the throes of passion so great, only an hour of torrid lovemaking could assuage it.
“I never want to leave here, Will. This is our own little slice of paradise.”
***
Will’s eyes grew heavy. He felt exhausted, overwhelmed with the task facing the sheriff and his posse. He only wanted to go home to Anna and his daughters. Why am I doing this he wondered, shifting
on the ground trying to get comfortable.
A twig snapped and he shot up, his colt raised. “Declare yourself or you’re dead.”
“Sonofabitch, Will, it’s Jake.”
“What are you doing prowling around out there, Sheriff?” When they were on duty, Will felt compelled to call him sheriff. When they were off duty it was Jake.
“I had to relieve myself.”
“Sorry, I can’t sleep, I’ve only been dozing and thinking of Anna and the twins.”
“I can’t sleep, either.” Jake squatted down beside him. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
“Yeah, me too. If we don’t find them tomorrow, I’m going home.”
“I don’t blame you, the other men are grumbling, too, and I’m fed up as well. I wish we’d waited for the Federal Marshal to arrive. We’d need an army to flush them out once they reach the badlands. I’m getting too old to be sleeping out in the open.”
“You’re getting soft, Sheriff.”
“Old, you mean?”
“Yeah.” Will chuckled. “I didn’t want to insult you by stating the obvious.”
“Verna reckons I should retire before some dirty varmint puts a bullet in my back.”
“Why don’t you? This is the last time I’m coming out with you. I don’t want to leave Anna and the gals again, especially as she could be with child.”
“Can’t say I blame you. I appreciate you coming out this time, I wouldn’t have called on you except I was desperate, and it was such a heinous crime. I’m going to try and get some shuteye.” The sheriff climbed to his feet.
The night was black. A big fat moon dangled lazily in the star-studded sky. Will didn’t know why but he was on edge. The hair on the back of his neck prickled, and he had the strangest sensation in his gut, like a swarm of angry bees.
Stop being fanciful and get some sleep.
By early afternoon tomorrow, if they hadn’t caught up with the outlaws. He was heading home. The deputy’s pay was handy now that he had borrowed from the bank to make a loft bedroom for the twins, and to pay for the lumber he needed to extend the side of the house so they could separate their bedroom from the parlor.
He clenched the pommel of the saddle. Sonofabitch, he was tired, but his mind wouldn’t settle so he could sleep.
***
Next morning after a plate of cold beans and a few sips of water, because they didn’t want to light a fire, they set off.
He quickly picked up some signs, and they led toward the badlands like he knew they would.
On and on they rode. By mid-morning he knew something was wrong. They were virtually going around in circles, obviously the outlaws were trying to throw them off the scent.
“Sheriff, I need to dismount and take a look around on foot. The signs aren’t making sense to me.”
After dismounting, he inspected the ground carefully. Several horses had passed by here recently that was for sure. Suddenly it dawned on him. They had doubled back to confuse any pursuers. As well as being a vicious killer Denzil was a cunning fox. Probably why he remained at large for so long.
“Well.” The sheriff edged his horse forward as Will strode back to the posse.
“Just as I thought, they’ve doubled back.”
“If they aren’t heading for the badlands, where in tarnation are they going, Will?”
“Not sure, it could be a ploy to throw us off the scent.”
“If they double back, means they’ll likely being heading toward my place,” Dan Robbins said.
Will felt as if a giant fist had punched him in the gut. The Robbins’ spread wasn’t that far from his own place.
“That’s it, Sheriff, I’m heading home,” Robbins declared.
“All right, men, we’ll all go. I think I’ll wait for the Federal Marshall to arrive,” the sheriff said. “I don’t have the manpower for a full-scale search for any length of time.” They took off at a fast trot. Will noticed fresh horse dung and knew his hunch was correct. The outlaws had definitely doubled back.
On and on they rode at a steady pace to conserve their horses, but Will’s feeling of dread intensified. It hung over him, all enveloping, like a heavy funeral shroud. Dan Robbins peeled off when they came to the fork in the road that led to his ranch. The rest of them continued on.
“Can you smell smoke?” the sheriff asked.
“Yeah.” Will rode to the top of a hill and far into the distance a ribbon of smoke spiraled upward, mingling with a few fluffy white clouds before disappearing.
“That’s in the direction of my place.” Will spurred his horse into a gallop and the others followed.
He knew in his gut the smoke came from his place. He spurred his horse to even greater effort. By the time they reached the smoldering homestead his horse’s sides were flecked with foam.
He vaulted out of the saddle and raced toward the still glowing coals. “Anna,” he cried out. “Lucy, Meggy.” No answer. His heart pounded in his chest, his lungs burned. Where were they? He turned to dash into the smoking ruins.
“No.” The sheriff and another man grabbed hold of his arms and he fought them.
“Let me go. I have to find my family.”
“No, we’ll look,” the sheriff said, and the men from the posse fanned out searching for signs of life. One of them found a shovel and poked in the ashes. “Nothing, Sheriff.”
All the outbuildings had been torched. Had the outlaws kidnapped them? Sheer terror rushed through Will. “The root cellar,” he yelled. “I always told Anna to hide there if Indians attacked.”
“Stay here,” the sheriff ordered. “Keep hold of him.”
Will fought to get free but three men held him back. Using a piece of wood, the sheriff, with the help of another man, shoved the smoldering debris away. “The trapdoor is intact, hardly burned at all.”
Will broke free and dashed over. They weren’t there. The steel bar and bolt were securely in place. Where would Anna go? Maybe she was away when the outlaws struck? He had no doubt it was Denvil and his gang.
The sheriff wrapped his bandanna around his hand and struggled with the bolt. It finally gave, but the door still wouldn’t open. “Sonofabitch. It’s locked from the inside, too.”
“Inside!” Will yelled. “It can’t be. Unless… Anna, Anna,” he screamed her name. One of the men returned with an axe and they cut through the wood, quickly slicing through the boards and exposing the yawning hole.
Will climbed down the several steps. Huddled in one corner was Anna with his babies locked in her arms. He fell to his knees. In the dim light he could see that they were dead. No marks appeared on their bodies. They had obviously died of smoke inhalation.
He placed his arms around them and cried like a baby, rocking from side to side. Why hadn’t he been taken, too? He didn’t want to live without Anna and his twins.
Time passed, he didn’t know how much. Didn’t care. His life was shattered into a million pieces.
The sheriff joined him. “Come on, son.” He clasped his shoulder. “There’s nothing you can do here. I’ve sent one of the men into town for the doctor and the undertaker.”
“No. No. I can’t leave them. I don’t want to leave them.” His hand went to his colt, but the sheriff was quicker and whisked it out of the holster.
“No. Anna wouldn’t want you to do that.”
Will kissed their cold cheeks and closed their eyes. He let the sheriff help him rise and stumbled up the steps.
The four or five men left, shuffled their feet and mumbled words of sympathy, and Will ignored them. He didn’t want sympathy, only Anna and his babies back.
“Those vicious varmints must have…”
“Shut up,” the sheriff told the man.
“Locked them in,” Will yelled. “Those sonsofbitches locked them in so they couldn’t get out. I’ll rip Denzil’s heart out with my bare hands while he’s still alive.”
“Calm yourself. We’ll get them, don’t worry. You know me, Will. I loved those
gals too, I’ll never rest until they’re caught. You have my word on it.”
The sheriff’s words didn’t calm him. “I’ll kill Denzil. With God as my witness. He’s a dead man.”
“Come into town with the rest of the men. There’s nothing you can do out here.”
“I can’t leave them.” Will sobbed the words out. “It’s my fault. If I’d been home they would still be alive.”
“No, you’d be dead, too.”
“I’ll stay alive until I catch up with Denzil, then I don’t care what happens to me.”
“That’s foolish talk, Will. Anna wouldn’t want that. I know what you’re going through.” A spasm of pain contorted his face.
“How could you? I’ve lost my wife and babies.”
“I do know what it’s like. I’ve still got my wife, but my two boys are dead.”
Will recoiled in horror. “What!” He didn’t know Jake had ever had children.
“My two boys died at Gettysburg.”
“Where?”
“The war between the states. It pitted brother against brother, father against son.”
“I’m sorry.” Will scrubbed at his eyes.
“Look, if it’s any comfort, they wouldn’t have suffered. They would have died quickly, gone to sleep and not woken up. How much worse would it have been if Denzil had taken them alive?”
Will shuddered. He couldn’t even begin to think about what that sadist would have done to them. Yes he could. Vomit spewed out of his mouth and he let it.
One of the men brought over his horse. I’ll track Denzil and his gang to the ends of the earth if I have to, he inwardly vowed. I don’t care how long it takes me. I’ll never give up until they’re all dead.
Chapter Three
The next two days were a nightmare that Will didn’t think he would survive. Wouldn’t have, if he hadn’t been in a drunken stupor most of the time.
He joined the sheriff and two other deputies who were going to search for the Denzil gang.
His Brother's Wife Page 2
