“Watch your back. We don’t know where the robbers went, but we do know they have no problem killing.” He sent Colin a twisted smile that could best be described as disturbing, then signaled his men to follow him.
Colin watched, disquieted in a way he couldn’t define. Shaking his head, he figured it was the news of Sarah and nothing more.
“All right, lads. Let’s get moving.”
Chapter Eight
“There’s one that’s open.” Quinn turned Warrior toward a restaurant down the street.
Colin didn’t want to waste any time eating now that he knew Sarah lived here. He wanted to speak with the locals, find out where she lived. His stomach’s loud growl, however, told him finding her could wait a little longer, at least until he filled the hole in his gut.
Sliding down from Chieftain, he stretched his arms above his head in an attempt to work out the kinks after the long ride. They’d been in the saddle all day, only stopping once.
“Come on, Colin. I can’t wait any longer for some real food.” Brodie strode up the steps, holding the door open for the others.
Colin led the way, glancing around before spotting an empty table close to the front. One other couple sat near it and as he moved closer, he noticed the man’s hand covering hers. A couple, Colin assumed as he continued forward. Then she looked up.
Sarah…
His breath caught and he couldn’t help the tremor rolling through him at his first glimpse of her in five years. She hadn’t changed—the same golden brown hair and blue eyes so radiant they sparkled. A few more freckles covered her nose and cheeks, and without question, she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Then his gaze moved back down to the table where she gripped another man’s hand, and his movements froze at the same instant he saw recognition dawn on her face.
When something hard knocked into him, he didn’t budge.
“Ach, Colin, what’s holding you up?” Brodie’s voice came from behind him a moment before his cousin looked over his shoulder. “Ah, hell,” Brodie muttered, not hesitating in his recognition of Sarah.
The knot in Colin’s stomach grew to a cold, hard lump as he stared into her eyes. He’d come too late. The realization swept through him as his hands closed into fists.
“Colin?” Her voice trembled as her eyes widened in stunned disbelief.
His mind cleared at Sarah’s use of his name. Although little comfort, at least she hadn’t completely forgotten him. The muscles of his jaw tightened. He opened his mouth to speak, then clamped it shut, unable to say what he wanted. Instead, he turned and stomped toward the door, slamming it behind him.
“Colin, wait!” Sarah jumped from her chair, pushing past Brodie and Quinn, uncaring of the stares which followed her. “Colin MacLaren, you stop right now,” she called, following him toward his horse.
Taking a deep breath, he turned and stared into a face which had consumed his thoughts for a long time. He cleared his throat, searching for calm.
“Sarah…Sarah MacGregor, right?” He shot her a look of what he hoped was total disinterest. “What a surprise after all these years.”
Swallowing the sour taste in her mouth, she searched his eyes, trying to find any trace of the man she loved in them. “You…you didn’t come here for me?” Her eyes teared at the same moment she sensed movement next to her.
Reaching a hand toward Colin, Caleb smiled. “Good to see you again, Colin. I’m Caleb Stewart. I doubt you’ll remember me, but we traveled west in the same wagon train.”
Colin’s gaze moved from Sarah’s face to the outstretched hand.
“I remember you, Stewart.” Ignoring Caleb’s attempt at friendship, he turned toward Chieftain and grabbed the reins.
“Colin, wait. Where are you going?” The desperation in Sarah’s voice cut through him and he wondered what game she played.
“Good to see you again, Sarah. Perhaps we’ll see each other again before I leave.” Swinging into the saddle, he started to rein his horse away.
“Don’t be daft, MacLaren,” Caleb shouted in a cold, stern voice. “No woman could have been more devoted to a man she hasn’t seen in over five years than Sarah MacGregor. At least show her some respect after all this time. Then open your eyes before you throw away a prize any man would covet.”
Caleb’s words shot through Colin as doubt filled his mind. Forcing himself to take another look at Sarah, he let his gaze roam from the hair he wanted to run his fingers through, to her eyes, now filled with pain. Not allowing his gaze to linger, he continued down until his eyes locked on a bright silver object pinned to her dress. His gram’s brooch. Closing his eyes tight, he felt the pain in his chest recede.
“Sarah…” he breathed out a moment before dropping to the ground and crushing her to him. “When I saw you with Caleb I thought…”
Burying her face in his chest, she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on as if she’d never let go. Feeling tears soak his shirt, she pulled back to swipe them from her face. Choking back a sob, she looked at him.
“I would’ve waited forever for you, Colin.”
“Seems you’ve lost your girl, Wes. The man she talked about showed up in town tonight to claim her.” Walt took a long drag from a cheroot as he leaned against the bunkhouse. Foregoing his night at the saloon, he’d ridden back to the Bell Ranch as soon as he finished eating at the restaurant where the scene unfolded. “Guess you’re going to have to find another woman to get your mind off your stepma.”
Wes paced a few feet away, paying little attention to Walt’s last comment. He and Dougal had been certain Sarah’s objections to marrying him were a way of getting away from her father rather than a rejection of Wes’s desire to marry her. Neither believed her declaration of being betrothed to MacLaren, or that the man would ever come to claim her. Looks like they’d been wrong.
“You’re certain it’s MacLaren?”
“Yep. They both took off for a spell, but when they returned to eat, I could hear it all. He rode into town with two other MacLarens. There’s something else. Our new man, Caleb Stewart, was having supper with Sarah before MacLaren arrived.”
This got Wes’s attention. He knew little about Caleb except he seemed to be a hard worker, kept to himself, and could handle ranch work better than most. It hadn’t occurred to him that his hired hand knew Sarah. In Wes’s mind, accepting a supper invitation from one of his hired men couldn’t be overlooked. He’d given her time to make the right decision. With MacLaren in town, his patience had been exhausted.
“Where is MacLaren staying?” Wes needed to get MacLaren alone, explain who Sarah belonged to.
“The hotel.”
“Then that is where we start.”
Situated in a section of town several hundred yards from the school, Sarah’s house faced the back of the lumber mill. A stream, where she often walked before supper, ran behind it. Tonight, she and Colin strolled along the edge, holding hands as they spoke. After supper, he’d asked Quinn and Brodie to get him a room while he walked her home, unable to put distance between them now that he’d found her.
“You’ve changed since I last saw you.” Colin tightened his grip on her hand.
“Oh?”
“You’re even more beautiful than I remember.” Turning her toward him, he stroked his knuckles down her cheek, watching as her eyes glowed. She didn’t resist when he moved his hand behind her neck to draw her close. “I want to kiss you, Sarah.”
“Aye, it’s been too long.” She sucked in a breath, waiting, as he lowered his head, brushing his lips across hers once, then twice before taking her mouth.
Pulling back, he rested his forehead against hers.
“How many boys have you kissed while you waited for me?” He knew asking wasn’t fair, yet he couldn’t stop the words.
“I’ve kissed only one boy. You. Is it so obvious?”
He made no answer other than to place a trail of kisses down her face, stopping at the corner of her mouth.
Seconds turned to minutes as the kiss heated, their arms tightening around each other. His hands moved to her hair, threading silken strands through his fingers as he positioned her for better access. Tracing her lips with the tip of his tongue, he encouraged her to open as his hands moved to her hips.
An intense shudder heated her body, her heartbeat pounding in her ears as she squirmed to get closer. The force of the desire she felt shocked her.
Feeling his hands tighten on her hips, sending an involuntary tremor through her and a strange aching in her limbs, she moaned against his mouth.
Breaking the contact, Colin pulled back, his breath coming in deep gulps. “We need to stop, lassie. We cannot continue like this.”
Her grip on him tightened, confusion replacing the passion he saw moments before.
His strong hands cupped her face as his eyes locked on hers. “If we don’t stop, we may do something you’ll regret.”
Her flesh tingled as his warm breath fanned her face. “Do you not want me, Colin?”
He mumbled a soft curse, realizing she thought his actions were a lack of desire.
“Nae, lassie. I’ve never wanted anyone more.”
Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, her brows furrowing at his words. “I’ve waited five years for you, Colin MacLaren. I’ll not wait a minute longer.”
He didn’t believe he could feel any more desire for Sarah than he already did. Her open, innocent admission broke through the craving he’d been trying to contain. Bending, he swept her into his arms. Capturing her mouth with his, he took long strides to the back of her house, kicking open the door.
“The bedroom, Sarah,” he ground out, walking through the one door inside the house. Gently easing her onto the bed, then lying down beside her, Colin touched his lips to hers. Wrapping her in his warm embrace, he unfastened the small buttons of her dress until he reached her waist. Pushing the material aside, his breath caught at the sight of her thin chemise rising and falling as she took in deep breaths, her chest swelling with the effort.
Lowering his head, he took her mouth in a searing kiss before moving to the creamy expanse of her neck, then to the swell of her breasts. Lifting his gaze to hers, blood surged through him at the look of trust on her face.
“Are you certain, lassie? If you aren’t, we’ll wait.”
Lifting a hand, she cupped his face. “I love you, Colin. I’ll never love another.”
He nodded once, his heart hammering against his ribs. “I love you, too, Sarah. Never doubt it.”
Curled into the curve of Colin’s body, Sarah’s eyes drifted open as the morning sun sent warmth radiating onto the bed. Shifting, she felt the strong arm around her waist tighten.
“Where are you going?” His warm breath washed across her shoulder, his voice still husky from sleep.
Turning in his arms, she faced him, seeing a smile tilt the corners of his mouth upward. Touching her lips to his, she felt his body stir, her own blood surging from her fingertips to her toes. They should be exhausted, too tired to move after making love most of the night. Instead, she wanted him again. Judging by his reaction, Colin felt the same.
His hands moved down her back to caress the curve of her hip. The gentle massage sent renewed currents of desire through her.
“Once more, then you’ll need to feed me.” His hoarse whisper broke the silence as he shifted her beneath him, taking her mouth with his.
A loud pounding on the front door stopped him. Leveraging up on his elbows, he listened again. This time the knocking was accompanied by a brash shout.
“Colin! Are you in there?”
“Quinn,” Colin muttered. “I’ll kill him.” Giving her one more kiss, he slid from the bed, snagging his trousers, then closing the bedroom door. Slipping his legs into them, he grasped the knob, pulling the door open to see Quinn and Brodie standing outside, smug grins on both faces. “Are you both daft, shouting so others can hear? On with you.” He started to close the door, Quinn’s boot stopping him.
“And where are we to go, laddie? Surely Sarah can offer us coffee.” Quinn’s broad smile annoyed Colin.
Cursing, he shoved Quinn away, then stepped outside, closing the door behind him. Looking around, he was grateful to see no one else on the street this early on a Sunday morning.
“Listen to me, both of you. There will be no embarrassing Sarah. No teasing or comments. She deserves better from the two of you louts.” Moving to within inches of Quinn, he leaned closer. “Hear me on this, or we will come to blows.”
Quinn’s face lost all its humor. Stepping away, he held both arms out, palms up. “You know we’d never hurt Sarah. Never, Colin.” His voice contrite, he glanced at Brodie, who nodded in agreement.
“Colin, is everything all right?”
He turned at Sarah’s voice to see the door open a crack, her face peeking out at him.
“It’s Quinn and Brodie. I’ll be in shortly.”
“Nonsense. Don’t stand out there where the whole town can see you. Come inside. I’ll make breakfast.” Stepping aside, she pulled her wrapper tight.
Colin shook his head as his cousins walked past, sending him smug smiles.
Sarah scurried around the small kitchen, fixing eggs and potatoes. “I have no bacon, so you’ll have to go without.”
“Or go to the restaurant and order what you want,” Colin prompted, hoping they’d take the hint and leave.
“Eggs and potatoes are fine, lass.” Brodie winked at Colin over the rim of his coffee cup.
Placing filled plates in front of them, she took a seat, smiling at Colin as the others dug into their meal.
“Do we start back tomorrow then, Colin?” Brodie asked, pushing his plate away.
“Back?” Sarah’s face lifted, her eyes locked on Colin’s. “You’re leaving so soon?”
Taking her hand, he squeezed. “We want to start for home before the bad weather starts. Soon would be best. Of course, you’re coming with us.”
Biting her bottom lip, she set down her cup, sliding her hand from his. “What of my job, Colin? I can’t leave the students now. I’ve just started.”
They’d talked of her job last night. He knew it mattered to her, yet it never occurred to him she couldn’t walk away. Or wouldn’t want to leave to be with him.
“Are you saying you won’t come back with me?” Crossing his arms, his voice took on a hard edge, his eyes narrowing to slits.
“Of course not.” Standing, she grabbed the empty plates. “I need time to speak with the men who hired me, find out if they can replace me.”
“If?” Colin asked, uneasy at what she implied.
“All right. When they can replace me. I know they can find someone, but not how soon.” Setting the plates on the counter, she turned to him. “Please understand. I didn’t know when you’d come for me. This job is what I’ve always wanted and I have an obligation to the town. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to marry you and move to California.” Walking up to him, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re all I’ve dreamed of for five years. I won’t give you up.”
Colin listened without comment. It hadn’t occurred to him that once he found Sarah, she’d have obligations stopping her from leaving. September nights had already turned cold. They had at least a month on the trail before crossing over Boundary Mountain, Circle M Ranch stretching along its base. As best as he could figure, they had two, maybe three, weeks before they had to leave to avoid bad weather.
“Three weeks at most, Sarah. That’s all the time you have before we must start back.” Rising, he strode to the bedroom.
Tossing down a towel, she started after him, stopping when Quinn grabbed her arm.
“You need to understand, Sarah. You’re all he’s thought of since we all parted at Fort Hall. Everything Colin’s done since then has had one purpose—to get back to you. Now that he’s found you, there’s no reason we can’t leave.”
“Exce
pt for my job…” Her voice trailed off as she thought of the faces of her students. It had been a short time, yet she felt as if they were hers. She’d miss them. “I’ll tell them tomorrow after school, help them find someone.” Offering a grim smile, she walked to the bedroom, then turned. “I won’t hold you up. We’ll leave within three weeks, no later.”
Chapter Nine
“I’m so glad he found you and came with you to church today.” Bessie’s warm gaze traveled from Sarah to Colin.
It had taken some cajoling to get him to accompany her, explaining it would appear unnatural if she didn’t attend. Besides, she wanted to show Colin off, introduce him to the people who’d helped her, letting everyone know he’d finally come for her.
“It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Olford,” Colin assured her, looking decidedly uncomfortable under the undisguised stares of the congregation.
“Sarah mentioned your cousins rode in with you. Are they here also?” She looked around for signs of anyone she didn’t know.
“Uh…nae, ma’am.”
“Well, they’ll have to come next week.” Bessie glanced over Sarah’s shoulder. “Oh dear…”
“What is it, Mrs. Olford?” Sarah turned in the direction of Bessie’s stare, then sucked in a breath, her face draining of color. Her reaction prompted Colin to look behind him at what had caused the stress on her face.
A buggy came to a stop under the limbs of an expansive tree, an older man jumping off to help a woman. As soon as he turned, Colin recognized the man who’d caused him and Sarah so much grief.
Dougal MacGregor stood beside his wife, his gaze wandering over the crowd. Robena slid her hand through his arm, seeing Sarah first, pointing toward her.
“There, Dougal. Sarah is next to Mrs. Olford. Now’s the time to settle your differences with her.”
Irritation sliced through him. He had no interest in settling their differences. He’d come for one reason…to take Sarah home, no matter her objections and despite her new job as the town school teacher. Without acknowledging Robena’s comment, he strode forward, locking his gaze on Sarah. He’d gotten within several feet before the young man standing next to her turned to face him.
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