by Lynn Hubbard
“Don’t worry Chase.” Jaelyn said sitting down next to him and patting his shoulder. “I asked the conductor and he assures me there are no Banshees on this train.” He ignored the others laughter as he turned to the window with a sigh, forget Montgomery, he wished he was home.
***
As the train progressed further down the track Amelia’s thoughts turned to Sabrina. She wondered where she had been all these years. She also thought of Lydia and wondered what she would be like if she had lived. Would she have married? Had children? It was such a loss.
Growing up in the west Amelia had seen much grief. Life was not fair. Fate was a trickster; it seemed to steal happiness from people. She hoped that Sabrina would be able to finally find some happiness, she deserved it. Laying her head against the cool glass of the window, she fell asleep.
The train whistle startled her as it ripped her from her slumber. She was having a wonderful dream about a dark handsome man. She was straining to see his face since it was shadowed by his hat when she was so rudely awakened. Peeking outside she read the town name listed on the water tower: Poplarville. She had arrived.
Clamoring sleepily to her feet she smoothed her clothing as best as she could and grabbed her carpet bag joining the line swaying down the narrow aisle.
She grabbed the hand of the attendant as he guided her down the steps and made her way to the back of the train to retrieve her bags. She frowned as she noticed the throng of people in front of her waiting for their bags. She hated waiting.
***
As the train screamed to a halt, Thomas and Chase moved to assist Jonathan off the train to his chagrin. Jaelyn and Anna gathered up what little belongings they had in the train car. Finally, they were all on the ground. Jaelyn was still unsure about traveling by train, even though her feet were firmly planted on the ground it still seemed as if she was moving. Holding onto Thomas’ arm for support she looked around in wonder at the strange land. She also noticed some people staring at the odd group in question.
Thomas seemed not to notice as he kissed her cheek before he hurried off to fetch a wagon to carry them the rest of the way to the Lovett’s home. Chase headed in the opposite direction to gather up the luggage they had stored during their trip.
***
Amelia stood at the end of the platform waiting impatiently for her luggage to be unloaded. A cool breeze swept by and she inhaled the fresh air. It felt marvelous to be free from the stifling compartment. Spotting one of her bags, she grabbed it, slung it over her shoulder with the strap, and waited for her suitcases. Amelia frowned as she saw them tossed haphazardly and land hard on the ground. Annoyed she marched up grabbing them by the handle. Her arms burned as she awkwardly lifted the heavy bags. Gritting her teeth, she waddled away with her load.
Her father had loaded the bags earlier so she was not aware of the sheer weight of them. In hindsight she wondered if she really needed all of the things she had packed. She heard a soft click and suddenly felt her burden lighten. Looking down she saw a pile of her things strewn out on the dirt as one of the locks had given way.
With muttered curses she flung down her load and started to collect her belongings. Seeing her plight, a passerby hurried over to assist her. He grabbed a handful of lace and she looked up at him appalled. Recognizing his features as the man who accosted her on the train she hissed.
“Would you please give me my bloomers? I do not need your help.”
Chase looked down at the limp ruffles in his hand and was glad that his hat and dark skin hid most of his reddening face. He tossed it into the suitcase and stammered out his apologies.
“Sorry ma’am. About what happened on the train; I wasn’t quite awake.”
She looked up at him from her knelling position and he looked down upon her beautiful porcelain face framed with luminous hair and set off by her deep blue eyes. How the hell did he ever mistake her for a banshee?
“Let’s start over.” He held out his hand to her. “Chase Stafford.”
Instead of grasping his hand, she frowned at him as she climbed to her feet dusting the street off her skirt. Still eyeing him warily, she grudgingly held out her own hand as the qualities her father tried to instill upon his children took hold. She felt her own face flushing as his large warm hand engulfed hers and she pulled away a bit reluctantly.
“I’m Amelia, Amelia Lovett.”
“Lovett? Are you any relation to Sabrina?”
“Yes, she’s my cousin. I’m headed to her wedding.”
Chase laughed out loud. A rumble that made Amelia’s body tingle. “So am I, She’s marrying my brother, Brock.”
“May God help her.” Amelia murmured to herself as she again knelt to finish stuffing her once neat belongings back into her bag. Why was fate so cruel to her? Well she guessed it was Sabrina’s problem that she marrying into an insane family. To tell the truth, the others all seemed very kind. Just Chase had issues. Maybe too much sun she thought noticing his darker skin.
She allowed him to help repack her suitcase and he grumbled when he had to hold it down while she redid the clasp.
“Do you really need all of this stuff?”
“Yes.”
“How the heck did you get this locked before?”
“I sat on it.”
Chase snorted as he carefully removed the pressure; he was relieved when it remained shut. However, he continued to eye it warily as if it would spring open at any moment.
The train whistled again and he cursed as he hurried over to retrieve his families’ baggage before it left the station. He was relieved to see they had already been unloaded and stacked on the platform. There was only a small trunk and a saddle bag with his belongings. Grabbing them both, he made his way back over to Amelia who was watching him.
She blushed as he looked down to meet her eyes. He perfectly balanced the trunk on his shoulder and held it securely with one hand as he walked over to her and lifted her largest bag with his free hand. Wow he’s strong she thought.
Coming out of her trance, she sputtered, “I’m fine, I don’t need your help.” She hurried after him as she struggled with her other baggage. She wondered how the heck he moved so quick and lithely loaded down as he was. She soon spotted the rest of family waiting by a buckboard.
They eyed her curiously as she came up to where Chase had already set his load down. She was slightly out of breath and noticed with a frown that Chase was not.
“You found a friend?” Jaelyn asked with a smirk.
“Um, This is Amelia. She’s coming to the wedding.”
“Sabrina is my Cousin.” Amelia explained stepping forward encouraged by their warm smiles.
“I’m Jaelyn, Chase and Brock’s sister. This is Thomas my …” She frowned trying to remember the odd word that Thomas said that explained their relationship.
“Fiancé.” Thomas said stepping forward and gently shaking Amelia’s hand.
“And these are my parents, Anna and Jonathan Stafford.”
“They are my parents too.” Chase teased her.
“Unfortunately.” She muttered.
“Behave, we have company. You are welcome to travel with us.” Anna said as she turned to Amelia.
“I don’t want to be a burden.”
“Nonsense. We have plenty of room.” Jonathan said jovially. Amelia smiled at him.
Chase stared, it was the first time he had seen her smile. He only wished she was smiling at him. As if reading his mind she glanced his way and he quickly turned to load their baggage.
Amelia had almost as many bags as his family had brought. Having to get creative he tied it all down securely stashing as much as he could under the seat and helped Thomas lift Jonathan on board.
Thomas and Jaelyn would sit upfront and drive. Anna, Jonathan, and Amelia would ride in the rear and Chase was pleasantly surprised that Thomas had gotten him a horse to ride for the journey. The small party soon headed out.
The sway of the wagon seemed to mesmerize A
melia. She looked around at the lush greenery and fields of cotton and vegetables. So very unlike from her home. Every once in a while a grand oak or field of pecan trees would peek out over the horizon.
Amelia smiled sadly remembering, she had picked basketfuls of pecans with Sabrina and Lydia. They would take home all that they hadn’t eaten and Abigail, Sabrina’s mother would use them to bake the best pecan pies you had ever tasted. She remembered the syrupy taste as if it was yesterday.
Mississippi was so different than San Francisco. The few people they passed waved and seemed in no hurry whether coming or going from their daily errands. The lilt of laughter brought her from her reprieve and she turned her head seeing that Jaelyn was laughing at something Thomas had said. She smiled at the couple wondering if she would ever be so happy.
“Have you been to Montgomery before?” Anna asked.
Amelia looked over to the thin wiry woman. She was such a contrast to her husband’s heftier frame.
“We visited several times when I was younger. I haven’t been back since…since the fire.”
“Is that how her family passed on? In the fire?” Anna asked softly wanting to find out about her future daughter in laws family. Sabrina didn’t speak of them much during her visit and she was curious.
“I wish they had.” Amelia said softly as everyone quieted to listen. “They were attacked by a gang of outlaws, they set the fire. Lydia and her mother were used and murdered. My Uncle was hung and shot just for sport. We didn’t get notice until months later, after Sabrina disappeared.”
“We?” Chase asked.
“My father and my brother, Riley. Riley went to help Warren look for her but she was gone. ‘Til now.”
“You’re Riley’s sister?”Chase added in surprise.
Amelia twisted to look up at him. “Yes, I suppose if he’s my brother that would make me his sister.” She said a bit sarcastically. Realizing she was a bit snide, she glanced over to look at Anna and received a nod as Jonathan laughed.
“He’s a good tracker. I met him after Sabrina was kidnapped last fall.” Chase replied ignoring her comment.
“Last fall?” Why the heck did Riley wait until now to send notice? She had some questions of her own to ask when she met up with her brother.
“Yes, she thought up a plan to lure the killers to her. It worked.” He added grimly thinking about those frantic hours.
“Well I see you rescued her.”
Chase laughed, “Actually, she rescued herself. She’s very resourceful.”
“Yes, she always was. Well, I am so glad that Sabrina has found someone to love. She deserves to be happy.”
Chapter 8
Chase was riding ahead of the wagon. Making sure the road was clear and the way was safe. He had his hunting knife strapped to his waist as well as a gun. Given a choice, he preferred the knife but was deadly with either.
There was a steep hill ahead and he nudged his horse faster to check it out before the wagon approached. Deeming it safe he dropped back to inform Thomas.
Chase liked Thomas a lot. He had given him much amusement since he came to live with his family. He took great joy in embarrassing Thomas in front of Jaelyn and vice versa. He was very happy with his siblings’ choices but could not help feeling empty inside sometimes. As if something or someone was missing.
He slowed his mount even more to check on his father and mother. They were sitting very close enjoying the scenery and the balmy day. His gaze finally settled on the girl. She had fallen asleep and was curled up in a ball with her head on her traveling bag. She looked so innocent in sleep but he had been a victim of her piercing stare and sharp tongue enough to know that looks could deceive.
Thomas sped the horses up to gain momentum for when they reached the steep hill. Amelia was jostled a bit but kept on sleeping. She was mumbling in her sleep from time to time and he wished he could hear what she was saying but the creaking wagon was too noisy.
After her sleepless nights on the train she enjoyed being able to lie down and rest. A cool breeze was sweeping by and lulled her into a dream. She was back home on the San Francisco board walk. The refreshing salt air was blowing strands of hair into her face. Exasperated she moved to wipe them away. Her hand was caught by a tall dark stranger in a loin cloth. His chest was chiseled and firm as he used his other hand to lift her face to his…
Amelia was awoken by a scream. She felt herself falling and then she hit the ground hard before rolling the rest of the way down the hill in a pinwheel of petticoats and ribbon.
She landed on her back and lay there trying to catch her breath and assess her injuries. Her face burned hot and she wasn’t sure if it was from rubbing across the ground or from embarrassment. She felt so stupid for falling out of the wagon. A shadow crossed over her and she closed her eyes to hide her humiliation.
Strong, warm hands moved over her body and she felt her face getting even redder.
“Amelia? Are you okay?”Chase asked in concern as he quickly examined her. He hadn’t found anything broken but she still wasn’t moving. He heard footsteps and looked up as Thomas and Jaelyn ran towards him after securing the wagon at the top of the hill.
Thomas knelt on the other side and did his own evaluation starting from her head and working his way down. Amelia reluctantly opened her eyes and batted Thomas’ hands away as she struggled to sit up.
Chase wrapped his arm around her back as he helped her to a sitting position.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, just my pride’s hurt. I feel really, really stupid.”
“Don’t worry about it. It could have happened to anyone.” Jaelyn offered kindly as she raised an eyebrow at her twin, noticing his arm still lingering around the girl.
“Really? Have you ever fallen out of a wagon?”
“Umm. No. Of course I haven’t ridden in a lot of wagons either. I prefer sitting on a horse.” Jaelyn said softly.
Amelia smiled in spite of herself. “I’m not good on horse’s either. I’m pretty clever at walking though!”
Jaelyn laughed.
Amelia looked down at herself she was a mess. Her hair had torn completely lose from its restraints and picked up every barb and briar on the road. Her dress was even a bigger mess. It was torn and covered in dust, mud and who only knew what else.
She had some scraps here and there, which Thomas insisted on cleansing. He had conveniently brought his medical kit with him and Amelia wondered if he had a sadistic streak as he dabbed the open wounds with alcohol. She gritted her teeth and when Chase offered her his hand she gripped it hard while mumbling a string of curses.
“All done!” Thomas said brightly as Amelia glared at him. She allowed Chase to help her to her feet and help her up the steep hill. He boosted her up into the back of the wagon where Anna took over with a comb trying to decontaminate her hair.
Amelia thanked her for her help before settling in the wagon further from the edge. She looked up to see Chase looking at her intently. Instead of the mocking face she expected to see; he looked concerned. She winked at him and he gave her a warm smile before resuming his pace in front of the wagon.
Chapter 9
Sabrina was sitting on the porch rocking. She had her eyes closed and her head lay back resting against the wooden slats of the chair. A cool wind swept through the air as night fell. She heard the creak of the wooden deck and opened up one eye reluctantly to look up at Warren.
“What?” She asked a bit stiffly. She had been avoiding him since her speech at dinner.
“I just wanted to apologize. I should have never of interfered in your relationship with Brock.”
“Damn straight.” Sabrina said opening her eyes and sitting up taller in her chair.
“It is very difficult for me to think of you as a grown woman. I guess I feel responsible for you. It’s kinda hard to pass off that responsibility to another man.”
Sabrina snorted. “It wasn’t hard for you to pass me off on Aunt Madeline. I�
��m sorry Warren, I knew coming back here would open up a whole other can of worms but I need to face my demons. Speaking of Demons, did you invite Thomas’ family to the wedding?”
“Yes, Brock sent me the information. He seemed fond of Dr. Reynold, why don’t you like him?”
I like Thomas’ father just fine, it’s his sister that makes me ill.”
“I wasn’t aware Thomas had a sister.”
“Yes, Sally, I doubt she’ll come anyway. She don’t take kindly to heathens.”
They both looked up at the sound of wagon wheels. Warren moved instantly to ring the dinner bell alerting the ranch that company was coming.
Sabrina recognized Chase straight off and hurried to the barn to fetch Brock.
The wagon was just pulling in as they made their way back to the house. Samuel stepped forward to greet them and grab the horses to steady the wagon.
Jaelyn hoped down first instantly moving to give a quick hug to Sabrina and Brock before going to the back of the wagon to assist the others.
Sabrina went to the rear as well and was very surprised to see their extra passenger.
“Look what we found.” Chase said with a grin motioning to the disheveled girl.
“Amelia?” Sabrina squealed moving forward to hug her cousin. It was bitter sweet for both of them and tears filled their eyes as thoughts of happier days flickered through their minds. Riley was next in line and scooped his sister up in a rib cracking hug.
“I’m so glad you came! Where’s father?”
“Minding the store. He sends his love.” She added to Sabrina who nodded grateful for the gift of family.
