by Jade Laredo
Already, he slowed his mount. When the animal came to a standstill, she waited for him to dismount. He slid from the saddle, and with one arm lowered her to the ground. Resting his hands on her shoulders, she leaned back until his chest melded with the curve of her back.
“You have made me sick with wanting.”
Before Arabella could respond, his calloused hand cupped her chin as he slipped an extra blindfold over her eyes. Ever so lightly, she felt his lips skim the rim of her mouth, the heady sweet scent of him tasted of spirits, pungent tobacco and a hint of mint, which intoxicated her senses.
“How did you find me?”
“Very carefully.” He replied. She could almost hear the smile in his voice as he caressed her lower lip with the butt of his thumb. “Did you miss me?”
“Yes.”
“Show me.” He whispered, pulling her into a fierce embrace. The sensation of his masterful lips, hot and pressing against the small of her nape quickened her pulse as he gently scoured the rest of her neck. Touching his chest, she ran her hand along the swell of a rising muscle, taut with eager anticipation. Slowly she traced downward across his abdomen until she rested her hand over his bulging prowess.
She soon felt his hands grasp her arms and then pull her gently down to the ground upon a thick spread of grass. She felt the length of his chiseled body slide up along hers, and then his manly weight, melding with her own. The delicious bond of their bodies sent her mind reeling, making her gasp listless little breaths of pleasure as he lifted her skirts and slowly caressed her inner thighs. His need was so great she felt him quickly thrust before she had a chance to recognize his intent. Hot and throbbing, the intensity ignited her core as he began to move inside her.
“My God.” He whispered. “I have missed you.”
Just the sound of his raspy voice sent her hips hurtling upward, matching his feverish rhythm until a tiny explosion rattled her beyond the point of return. Somewhere in the netherworld, she heard his matching cry spun with waves of wanton ecstasy.
After a long moment of breathless silence, she felt his lips seal her mouth with a tender kiss. “I love you.”
Arabella held her breath. The words were simple but felt branded forever upon her heart. Swallowing back the ache, which seized her throat, she responded likewise.
“And I, you.” She whispered. “I thought I’d never see you again, yet here you are.”
“I’m sorry for leaving you the way I did, but I had no choice, and once more I feared for your reputation and safety.”
“My father.” Arabella paused, wincing at the sound of her own voice. “He’s the Sheriff of Sundown.”
“I know.” He returned. There was a hard edge to his voice and then he sighed. “I’m glad you chose not to tell me.”
“Why?”
“Had I known your father was a lawman I would’ve dropped you off at first chance.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Luke chuckled. “A man cannot help when he is blindsided.”
“Nor can a woman being held hostage.” She replied with the same wit.
He quickly sobered.
“It will always be like this.”
“You’re wrong.” She shook her head. “You can give it up and settle down where no one knows you.”
“Is that what you want?” He asked. “You would never see your father again.”
Arabella knew he was right.
She would have to give up everything just to be with him. Was she really willing to do it? A sudden pang gnawed at her chest at the thought. Feeling distraught, she quickly changed the subject.
“I had a dream.”
“A dream?” His voice lifted as if curious.
“You were holding up a stage. There was a man inside but I could not see his face. I called out to you and then you paused as if you heard me. You could not see me, and then he shot you. I could even smell the smoke from the gunfire. Luke, it all seemed so very real.”
“It was only a dream.” Luke murmured, caressing her forehead. “My sweet, I think your fear is getting the best of you … think nothing of it.”
Arabella wisely held her tongue. Since a small child, she had always experienced dreams of premonition. Fear or not, she stood wary.
“Will I see you again?”
“Yes, but not for a while.” He answered, his voice strained. “I’ve business to take care of.”
“Another hold up?”
“I have to go now.” He replied, ignoring her inquiry.
Her voice became incredulous. “Now?”
“The last thing I need is the Sheriff of Sundown, riding hot on my tail.” He replied. “Promise me something?”
“What?”
“There’s a Pinkerton agent …”
“Jack Rafferty.
His voice turned suspicious. “You know him?”
“He interrogated me after the hold-up.”
“What did you tell him?”
“You all looked the same blindfolded.”
“Careful Bella.” Luke warned. “The man is guiled and he will stop at nothing to put a noose around my neck, and with good reason.”
“Wh-what did you do?” She stammered.
“Years ago my brother shot and killed his partner.”
“Your brother?”
“Then why is he chasing you?”
“It doesn’t matter to him, which one of us killed his partner.” He stated flatly. “All that matters is he exacts his revenge. Any one of us will do.”
“So what do you want me to do?”
“Avoid Rafferty at all cost and do not let him find a way to interrogate you further.” He replied. “If he should come back make sure your father is nearby. He will do anything in his power to outwit his enemy, including using an innocent by-stander as a means.”
It was not until he took her home and helped her back up the trellis, when she removed her blindfold and watched his shadow disappear into a gulf of darkness
“You’re walking on very thin ice.”
The sound of his startling voice brought the hairs on her forearms to attention. She turned around and found the outline of her father sitting in the nearby rocking chair. She stood speechless, watching the whites of his eyes pierce beneath the moon light, while his mouth drew back into a severe grimace of disappointment.
“If you continue these liaisons with that lawbreaker I will have to charge you as a conspirator, and this is not something I wish to do to my own flesh and blood.” His voice had depth and authority, something she had never heard before. “The next time he comes to visit I will see him hang.”
“Why didn’t you arrest him?”
“Tarnish the reputation of my only daughter?”
Arabella looked away. Ashamed, she felt a wounded tear trickle down her cheek.
“This is the last time.” He warned. She could see his eyes taking on a dangerous light. “Do you hear me?”
Arabella looked back at her father as he stood to his feet. She did not miss the fact he held a shotgun in his hand, nor the sound of him uncocking the trigger before he quit the room.
The next morning, Arabella awoke startled by a gentle knock at the door. Opening her eyes, she blinked back warm golden rays, which blanketed her face. She would have closed her eyes and went back to sleep, if not for the second rap at the door. This time the forceful knock made her sit upright, causing her head to whirl with an innate memory of him. She forced the image of Luke Shelton from her mind and then released a troubled sigh.
“Bella?”
She quickly ambled toward the vanity dresser and reached for a pitcher of water. Pouring the contents into a nearby basin, she scooped a handful of water and splashed her face.
“I’ll be down in a minute, Lena!”
“All right then.” She could hear the housekeeper’s reply muffled through the door. “Best hurry, you have a visitor.”
Ten minutes later, Arabella descended the stairway her eyes wide with expectant curiosi
ty. Whoever decided to visit, she swore the person better not be Bray Hanly waiting with an unwelcome apology. He of all people was the last creature she wanted to see. When she descended the last, step and veered around the corner, to her relief she found Miss Jenny and Sam Hanly sitting in the parlor waiting patiently to see her.
“Miss Gentry!” Sam leaped from the bench, clinging to her skirt. “We were waiting for you at the schoolhouse!”
“I’m so sorry, Sam.” Arabella replied looking down at the boy, she issued an apologetic smile. “I wasn’t feeling very well last night. I didn’t mean to sleep in.”
“Bella?” Jenny rose from a nearby winged-back chair. “Are you, all right?”
Arabella flinched at the familiar endearment.
Although Jenny’s use of the nickname was innocent, she could not help but feel a pang of heartache. It reminded her of the one man she loved whom she could not have in her life. Glancing at Jenny, she immediately noted the worrisome look, which clenched the other woman’s blue-eyed gaze.
“Why don’t you join me in the kitchen?” She replied, eyeing Jenny with a knowing smile. Waving her hand, she took Sam by the shoulder and ushered him down the hallway. “Lena makes the best coffee cake.”
In the kitchen, the plump housekeeper was busy cleaning the morning dishes. Hearing the floor creak, Lena nodded her head and smiled. Drying her hands, she threw a kitchen towel over her shoulder and waddled toward the potbelly stove. Lifting a steaming pot of coffee from the burner, she crossed the floor. There were already three tins waiting at the table, which she began to fill each to the rim.
“Momma says I’m too young to drink adult stuff.” He smiled, showing gaped teeth.
“This one is not for you, sprite.” Lena laughed, nodding her head toward the kitchen door. “This is for the Sheriff Gentry. He usually comes home for a break about this time. Do not worry, Sam. I’ll have a cup of milk, for you.”
“Thank you, Lena.” Jenny murmured a grateful reply. Turning to Arabella, she managed a sheepish smile. “When you didn’t show up at the schoolhouse, I thought perhaps it had something to do with your sudden departure yesterday.”
“Your brother-in-law and I had a slight misunderstanding.” Arabella replied, casting a quick glance at Lena who rummaged through an icebox, she shifted her eyes back at Jenny and shared a furtive smile. “Nevertheless his overzealous advance is hardly because of my tardiness.”
“He promised it wouldn’t happen again.”
“I see.” Arabella murmured, recalling Bray Hanly’s ardent onslaught. Part of her was still angry with him for taking such liberty with her person, while the other part of her shivered from the memory of his heated embrace. Averting her eyes, she looked down and then shook her head. “It’s probably best I just stay away.”
“No matter.” Jenny scrunched her nose. “He’s gone.”
“Gone?” Arabella lifted her questioning eye.
“He and the boys found some work down south.”
“But the baby …”
“I’ll be fine.” Jenny waved her hand. “Besides, Jude and Doc Parker look in on me now and then.”
In that moment, Arabella heard a pair of footsteps just outside the kitchen doorway. She looked up to find her father meandering across the floor his verdant eyes flickered from one face to the next before he settled himself into an empty place next to his daughter.
“Morning.” He murmured. Averting his eyes, he reached for his usual tin of coffee and took a quick sip before nodding a polite greeting toward Jenny and Sam.
“Good morning.” Jenny returned, offering the sheriff a pleasant smile. Arabella watched as her father caught the arresting gaze of the young woman, holding it for a moment. She did not miss the curious pull, which plagued his green eyes. As if mentally shaking himself from his diversion, he swallowed hard and then looked at her.
“You’re off to a late start this morning.” He spoke with a hollow tone. “Trouble sleeping?”
Arabella stiffened.
“The heat was unbearable.”
“You’ll get used to it.” Wyeth nodded his head, acting as if nothing happened the evening before.
“Coffee cake?” Lena offered, carrying a platter laden with breakfast dessert in one hand, and a tin cup in the other.
Sam leaned forward. “Yes, please.”
Lena smiled at the boy. Setting a tin of milk in front of the child, she watched him reach and take a healthy swig. When he pulled the tin away from his mouth, she noticed a frothy mustache across his upper lip.
“Why Sam, look at you.” Lena laughed. “You went and grew up on your momma.”
Sam let out an impish giggle. They all laughed. Jenny reached for her reticule and pulled out a laced hanky. Dabbing his lip, she shook her head, tussled at his hair, and laughed.
“Don’t you grow up on us just yet young one.” Jenny warned the boy playfully. “You’ve still got to finish your schooling.”
“Speaking of schooling, I suppose we should head out now, shouldn’t we?” Arabella pushed aside her empty coffee tin and stood to her feet.
“My deputy will escort you to the schoolhouse.” Wyeth spoke up averting his hooded gaze he looked tired and worn. “Wade’s waiting for you on the porch.”
“Really poppa, there’s no need.”
“The schoolhouse is an isolated location.” He returned. This time his gaze seemed glacial. “Not at all proper for a young woman alone.”
Arabella bit her lip. She refused to argue with her father in front of Jenny. Nodding her head, she quietly resigned.
The brisk walk to the schoolhouse was rather an awkward affair. Even though young Sam chatted the entire way, Arabella only nodded as she marched in unison to the heavily booted steps of her father’s giant sized deputy. Wade Coffee was usually a friendly man. However, he seemed overly aloof and preoccupied with his surroundings to join in on the child’s animated chatter.
Aside from his coolness, she balked when townsfolk stopped to stare and speculate as to why the deputy was escorting the Sheriff’s daughter to the schoolhouse. She had already learned the residents of Sundown were a meddlesome lot, and could only imagine what they were thinking.
“Here we are.” Arabella forced a smile. Grabbing Sam’s hand, she turned to thank the deputy for his unwelcome escort. “I appreciate your trouble.”
“No trouble at all, Ma’am.” Wade smiled back at her through a pair of tight, thin lips. “I’ll be checking in on you once in a while just to make sure everything’s all right.”
“Really Mr. Coffee, it’s not necessary.”
“Unfortunately, the schoolhouse is part of my newly assigned rounds.” Wade shrugged his brawny shoulders and eyed her objectively. “And the sheriff’s orders.”
“I see.” Arabella clipped.
“I’ll be back.” He replied. Wade turned on his heel, leaving her to fume in silence. She realized her father was no fool, and neither was the deputy. Matter of fact, they were both on to her like a malicious tic on the backside of a stubborn mule.
In the three long weeks, which followed, she grew used to the new daily routine. It did not surprise her in the least her father would not let up on his unwavering vigil over her safety. Strangely enough, news of all those expected visits by the sheriff’s deputy soon spread across town, which to her surprise brought on a handful of new students to the schoolhouse fold, including their nosey parents.
One by one, the children started to trickle in and her workload took on new meaning. To interrupt the constant monotony, she decided to break the routine by paying Jenny and Sam a visit. She had not seen the boy in a week, and this worried Arabella since she knew Jenny’s time drew near. Her only option to dodge Wade Coffee from his constant supervision was to let school out early.
As soon as her last pupil walked out the door, she quickly mounted her rig and made headway toward the Hanly ranch.
Not long thereafter, she spotted Sam, sobbing inconsolably on his front porch. Jumping
down from the rig, she ran as fast as she could to the boy’s side.
“What’s happened?” Arabella grabbed the boy’s arm. “Where’s your momma?”
“Momma’s sick.” Sam wailed, coughing and sniveling uncontrollably. “She wants me to get the bible and pray for her, but I won’t.”
“Oh my God.” She swore to herself. “Stay here.”
Arabella let go of the child, and rushed through the front door. She hurried toward a back bedroom and found the young woman moaning in her bed. Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead, and her face contorted back as if suffering an excruciating amount of pain.
“My God, Jenny.” She took hold of her friend’s clammy hand. “Why didn’t you send the boy for help?”
“It came on so sudden like.” She panted before answering. “I didn’t want to send Sam for help for fear I should die all alone.”
“You’re not going to die.”
“Bella.” She gasped, gritting her teeth. “The babe is not sitting right.”
Arabella reached for the woman’s dress and hiked her skirts above a swollen abdomen. Black and blue, and hard as a knot, she had never seen anything like this before. An instant current of fear coursed through her chest.
“Sam!” Arabella called. “I need your help!”
Sam appeared in the doorway, his brown eyes wide with terror. She willed herself to remain calm. Walking toward the boy, she put a supportive hand on the child’s shoulder.
“We need to get your Momma in the back of the wagon.”
The boy nodded his head, but his wild eyes told her he was incapable of doing so. With heart racing, Arabella took a deep breath and mentally prepared herself for the impossible.
“The child’s help won’t be necessary.” A man’s voice interrupted. For the first time in weeks, she was actually grateful for Wade Coffee’s sudden appearance. She surmised he had been watching her very closely and even followed her to the Hanly ranch.
“The baby is breach.” Arabella quickly explained. “There’s not much time.”
“Round up a few blankets to cushion the back of the wagon.” Wade ordered taking charge. “I’ll take care of Miss Jenny.”
