Chase the Moon: A Historical Romance

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Chase the Moon: A Historical Romance Page 13

by Lynn Hubbard


  “’Bout time you got up! I thought you two were gonna bring the ceiling down on us!”

  “I thank you were safe. It’s a sturdy dwelling.”

  “Not that sturdy.” He chuckled handing the flowers off to Alma who placed them in a yellow pitcher with water.

  Broke ignored his father as he went to grab a cup of coffee and seek shelter next to his mother. He received a warm cup and a wink as well.

  Breakfast was ready a short while later. The table was laden with food just as Sabrina came down. Her hair was brushed to a shine and set off the ivory shirt and brown skirt she worn.

  “Hope you’re hungry.” Alma said sitting down a huge bowl of sawmill gravy.

  “Starving.” She said as everyone snickered and teased. Ignoring them Sabrina leaned over kissing Brock’s cheek before sitting next to him.

  “Well you know what they say ‘Last to the table gets to clean.’” Alma said.

  “I’d rather clean than cook anyway.”

  “We’d rather you clean than cook as well.” Jonathan chuckled as she threw a biscuit at him and everyone laughed as he skillfully caught it and took a bite.

  Sabrina heaped food on her plate. She took a big bite as teeth sunk into the warm buttered biscuit dipped in gravy. She ate her fill and dutifully headed to the kitchen to start washing as Brock cleared the table. She smiled up at him as he soon came to join her. Washing dishes with Brock was not a chore. A few soapy kisses later, they were done as they headed outside to enjoy the sunshine.

  The ranch hands were breaking in some new horses and Sabrina insisted on watching. Samuel was in the ring holding the horse still as the fearless cowboy mounted the steed. The frightened horse’s eyes rolled wildly as its nostrils flared. Pulling Samuel to the ground as it reared back on its hind legs, the big man rolled to avoid the sharp hooves as the rider dug his heels into the stirrups to keep from getting thrown off. Samuel hopped up once again grabbing the rope and trying to get the animal under control. After a wild ride the horse was panting for breath, as it stood exhausted with the riders still in the saddle.

  Sabrina clapped as the men around her shouted their approval. Brock was oddly quite as he watched the next horse led to the ring. The horse was a massive stallion, its red coat shined in the sun as if it were made of fire. Sabrina felt Brocks hand close around her arm pulling her back from the gate. She frowned as other ranch hands quickly filled in the spot.

  “Let go, I wanna get close so I can see.”

  “It is too dangerous. That horse was not meant to be ridden. Not all things can be bent to man’s will. It will be better if you go to the house.”

  “How the hell can I watch from the house? If you’re staying, I’m staying.” Sabrina retorted, her ire flaring up.

  Brock hesitated as he glanced back at the corral. The horses head could be seen above the crowd as it raised it in defiance. Its nostrils flared as well, not with fear but with fury. Brock calculated the distance to the house and decided that the barn was closer.

  “We can watch from the hay loft. You’ll have a great view!”

  “I had a great view.” Sabrina muttered but followed him anyway. Being in a hayloft with Brock didn’t sound like such a bad idea.

  They could still hear the sounds from the corral as they reached the barn. The horse’s grunts and whinnies were mixed in with the cowboys’ hoots and hollers. Sabrina pouted as her hand grasped the ladder rung. She was missing the excitement! There was a loud shout and then the atmosphere changed, Brock turned with a grim look on his handsome face making sure that Sabrina was safely behind him. Thudding sounds could be heard and a crack of wood. A thunder of hooves rent the air as the horse broke free and ran off.

  Brock rushed over to the corral with Sabrina following behind him. He was dismayed to find the men scampering about trying to help the wounded. He shouted at one young ranch hand standing nearby. His face was white with shock. Brock grabbed him giving him a shake before sending him to the house to get Dr. Reynold. Coming to his senses, he was off like a shot running for help as fast as he could.

  Pushing his way through the crowd, he came to a cluster of men beside the corral. This was the section where the horse broke free. The section where Sabrina and he had just been standing. With a glance he took in the splintered fencing and the chaos around them. One cowboy lay still on the ground, his skull smashed by the sharp hooves. He looked down to see blood and brain matter soaking into the dirt. There was no hope for him. He felt a small hand on his back, turning he looked down into Sabrina’s frightened face before pulling her into his arms. It could have been her. Breathing in her pure scent, he gathered his thoughts as he removed his vest first and then his shirt. With a small prayer for the man’s spirit to be free he covered the carnage from Sabrina’s sight. Putting his vest back on he moved to the other injured. Thankfully the rest were mostly just flesh wounds from the shattered fencing.

  His eyes sought out Samuel, whom he soon spotted bending over a fallen cowboy in the ring. Samuel’s right arm hung limply at his side, but his tears were for his friend, who had passed from this world to the next. With Sabrina at his side, they approached him.

  “What happened?”

  “The horse threw him. Like nothin’ I’ve ever seen before. As if it had it all thought all out. It went forward then reared its head back knocking Jeff unconscious. Then before we could move he reared up tossing him off his back like a rag doll. He hit his head on the railing. Snapped his neck.” Samuel sobbed as Sabrina knelt next to him pulling him to her for comfort. They cried together from the horror of it all. He heard running feet and looked up to see Dr. Reynold and the rest from the house hurrying towards them. Alma had stayed behind to ready a room for the wounded if need be and get some water and cloth for bandages.

  “What’s wrong with your arm?” Sabrina asked pulling away from her friend to examine his arm.

  “Damn beast almost pulled it off.”

  “Can you move it?”

  “Yeah but it hurts like hell.”

  Brock bent to help the larger man to his feet. A lanky man asked Samuel if they should ride down the horse. Samuel shook his head. “No enough blood has been spilt. Let him run.”

  Only one needed immediate care, a ranch hand named Roger. A chunk of wood flew up piercing his neck under his chin. He was bleeding profusely and Dr. Reynold’s applied pressure to slow the staunch of blood. Slowly he was carried off to the house for surgery to close the wound.

  Brock sent Samuel over to his mother who was assessing the wounded. She quickly examined his shoulder. “It is out of place. You need to see Tom.”

  Anna helped doctor the other injured as Sabrina headed to the house with Samuel. With Samuel gone, Brock took control of the ranch, directing men here and there to clean up the wreckage and care for the bodies of the fallen.

  Every step was agony for Samuel. However Sabrina was grateful that he had not been injured any worse. He shrugged off her help as he went in through the kitchen door. Alma sat him down at the table as she sat next to him. She grasped his good hand as she bowed her head and prayed for the wounded as well as the souls of the dead.

  Sabrina headed into the bedroom where Roger was taken. He had already been put under using chloroform and Jonathan sat at the head of the bed to hold him down in case it wore off. Taking a deep breath to try to ease her nerves as well as her queasy stomach she stepped forward to assist. She watched Dr. Reynold as he pulled out the splintered pieces of railing and cleansed the area. Not so long ago she had aided his son in surgery; she hoped this surgery was just as successful. She grimaced as Dr. Reynold washed the area with first water and then whiskey.

  She took a steady breath trying to calm her stomach as well as her nerves. The heat of the day was starting to build and the room was getting quite warm with all of their body heat. Alma came in to check on them and to Sabrina’s relief she opened the window letting sweet airflow through the room. Turning her attention back to her task she watched in fa
scination as Dr. Reynold deftly sewed up the gaping wound with sutures. The whiteness that she knew to be his jawbone was soon covered. Lucky for him the jagged scar would be under his chin and would be hardly noticeable before long. He would have to eat lots of mashed potatoes for awhile, but hopefully he would live. He had a chance; unlike his other bunkmates. At least they did not suffer; they were dead before they knew what hit them.

  Her head spun thinking that it could have been Brock or herself amongst the dead or injured. How had Brock known? It was eerie the connection he had with nature. Sabrina had her own connection with animals but had not picked up on anything wrong. Perhaps because she could not imagine an animal being intentionally spiteful. This was a horrible lesson well learned by all.

  Anna had arrived back at the house by then and she and Jonathan sat by the patient keeping an eye out for the bleeding to return or fever. After cleaning up, she went over to greet Samuel. Tears filled her eyes as she gave him a gentle hug not wanting to further his injuries. She reluctantly pulled away to allow the doctor to examine his arm. You could see a bulge from the bone pressing against the skin. Samuel turned a bit gray from the pain as he sat stoically. His large hand, chalky and thickened with calluses, dwarfed Dr. Reynold as he completed the exam. Thankfully, it was not broken, just dislocated. The arm would heal in time if they could reset it. Dr. Reynold helped him into the parlor where there was more floor room. Having him lie down on the rug, he positioned himself to guide the arm back into place. Not wanting to see him in further pain Sabrina left leaving Dr. Reynold and Alma to assist Samuel as she went outside.

  Although she was in a house full of people she was feeling quite alone. She needed to clear her mind. Everything that could be done was being done but she felt helpless. She did not like the feeling of not being in control. She needed solace. She turned and headed towards the stable.

  She greeted Justice as he pushed his muzzle into her hand. “I know boy. I’m scared too.” She turned and grabbed his bridle from the wall and slipped it over his head. Unlatching the gate, she grabbed a grooming brush, led him out the rear door, and tied his lead to a railing. This location blocked the view of the house and corral. It was just her and him. Taking the brush in her hand, she methodically began the long soothing strokes that always calmed her in the past. It had been so long since she has had to use this to elude reality. Since she had met Brock, he was her comfort.

  Knowing that he was busy, she immersed herself in her work. As hard as she tried to push everything out of her mind, things kept creeping back in. More blood had been spilt on this land. On her hands. Tears slid down her face as her heart ached for those that died and even more for those that lived. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and instinctively turned into Brock’s warm embrace as she sobbed away her pain.

  Chapter 21

  Thomas met them as they stepped into the lobby. The others were in the dining room and would wait for them to join them. Heading into their room Amelia was surprised to find Sally hurrying to get ready.

  “Are you feeling better?”

  “Much!” She smiled as she pinched her cheeks to add some color. Amelia readied as well. She was starving. Moreover, it was not all for food. The more time she spent with Chase the more she wondered how she had survived all this time without him. She was not sure how he felt. He was quite different from Brock who seemed to be more serious and to the point. Chase’s carefree nature was more difficult to decipher. She thought he felt the same but she had been around enough men to know that looks could be deceiving.

  It was as if she was at war with her emotions. She was frightened of giving away a piece of herself. Would she ever be whole again? She thought of her father who had become half of his former self since her mother died. Could she take the same risk? Was it worth it?

  “Are you okay?” Sally asked as she laid her hand on Amelia’s shoulder to get her attention. Amelia took a depth breath before nodding. Standing the two women headed down to eat.

  Chase looked up from his conversation with Riley, spotting Amelia he stood pulling out a chair for her. A trait he had learned from observing Warren. His heart fluttered a bit with her being so near him. The waiter appeared taking their orders. Amelia again ordered shrimp and he did the same. Warren ordered a T-bone steak as did Sally and Jaelyn, Thomas decided to try the crawdads and Riley, who was looking peaked, ordered the shrimp gumbo.

  Instead of the conversation picking up, once the women arrived, it actually turned more awkward. Sally completely ignored Warren who was watching her closely. She instead inserted herself into Thomas and Jaelyn’s conversation. Jaelyn was enthralled with the constant motion of the gulf. The waves were never ending. It never got tired.

  Amelia piped in describing the magnificence of the ocean waves. Each one was unique. You could hear the roar as the energy and power built up behind them spitting them out onto the shore. She invited all of them to come visit her in San Francisco upon her return home. He eyes lingering a bit longer on Chase than the others.

  Again Chase was torn. It seemed as if his once steadfast family was being pulled apart, one by one, and he was not sure where his heart lied. The beating in his chest increased as Amelia’s eyes met his; perhaps his body was making the decision for his mind.

  The food arrived and Warren dug into his steak savagely;. Stabbing it with his fork and Cutting it as if it was his last meal, which may have been if looks could kill. Sally glared at him before cutting a tiny bite of her steak popping it in her mouth and letting out a small moan. Making a show of licking her lips she winked at Warren before taking another small bite. All eyes were focused on her in various degrees of interest as she repeated the process.

  Amelia giggled at her friends’ audacity. Her friend? Yes, she supposed she would consider Sally as a friend. Once you got past her annoying complaining. She actually hadn’t complained since she arrived. Perhaps she was just doing it to garner Warren’s attention. Apparently, it had worked too well.

  She turned her attention to Chase. He had been unusually quiet tonight. She watched as he carefully ripped the legs and shell off his shrimp, and popped the body into his mouth.

  “Good?” Amelia asked placing her hand on his arm to gain his attention as she took a sip of water.

  With a twinkle in his eye, Chase ducked his head down to whisper in her ear. “It is good but I’m sure you taste sweeter.”

  In shock, Amelia spewed the water out of her mouth. She coughed trying to catch her breath as Thomas jumped up to her aid. Chase in concern rubbed her back trying to relax her. Her face turned from red to blue as she tried to inhale precious oxygen. Taking a small breath, she sipped some water trying to hide her embarrassment.

  “I’m fine.” She squeaked waving Thomas back to his seat. She embarrassedly looked around the table, Warren was half out of his own seat, Sally winked at her, Riley just continued to sip at his soup, when her eyes finally landed on Chase he was a shade lighter than usual. His dark eyes saw nothing but her and his mouth was set in thin line in concern. His hand had stilled but was still on her back and her skin felt one hundred degrees warmer there.

  “I did not mean to startle you.”

  “I’m fine.” Amelia repeated placing her hand on his thigh and squeezing to reassure him.

  The unexpected action caused Chase’s knee to jerk upward. It banged against the table and toppled Warren’s water glass over. They all watched as if in slow motion the liquid spilled into his lap. Cursing he stood up and walked away ignoring the snickers and laughter from the others.

  Chase stood as well but Amelia pulled him back down. “He’s a big boy. I think he can change his own pants.” Her concern turned to Riley who had taken notice of the last exchange even though his soup sloshed out of his bowl.

  Standing she got up and felt his forehead. “You are very warm. Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?”

  “I’ll live.” He replied as he rested his forehead against the table belying his words.<
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  “Let’s get him upstairs.” Thomas said taking a last bite of his meal. Embarrassed Riley pushed away their help as he stood on his own power and headed up to the room. Chase pulled money out of his pocket to cover their meal to Amelia’s protest.

  “I am fully capable of providing for my family.” He said turning to assist Riley who was faltering on the stairs. Amelia followed them into Riley and Chase’s room. She sat on the bed next to Chase as Thomas assisted Riley in removing his pants. Sally, not wanting to intrude headed to her own room. Jaelyn went to grab Thomas’s medical bag and brought it to him. She stood nearby in case he needed her assistance.

  Amelia’s hands were white with worry as she clenched them in her lap. She felt a hand on her knee and looked up into Chases dark eyes. “He will be fine. He is strong.”

  He grasped her hands in his and she felt less anxious. She knew that Riley was receiving the best care possible. She just hoped it was enough. They should have turned around as soon as he was injured. She blamed herself for his refusal to upset her plans. Her father would be shattered if they lost Riley as well. He had to get better. She leaned against Chase for support and welcomed the warmth that spread through her as his arm encircled her shoulder. Ling her head on his shoulder she prayed. Repeating the mantra in her head over and over until it calmed her.

  Thomas asked for water and Jaelyn was at the basin with a fresh bowl before Amelia was even conscious of the request. Jaelyn started basking his brow with water to ease his fever as Thomas undid the bandages on his thigh.

  Wanting to help, Amelia nervously took a step forward and Jaelyn nodded to her as she instructed her how to bathe his too warm body. Removing his shirt as well, they tried to expose his flesh to the cooler air trying to control his body temperature for him.

  From her new seat next to Riley’s head she could look down and see the angry red wound. “Is it bad?”

  “I’ve seen worse. He is strong; he should pull though just fine. Animal bites usually get infected, they have many germs in there saliva.”

 

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