“Keep your head down,” Mack barked at her. She did as he commanded without a thought.
The attack continued for another five minutes. Annie never picked Ellie up but the screams of the Injuns and the settlers around her filled her ears. Softly, she sang to the children, holding them close. She had to trust Mack to do as he promised. Despite the danger, she believed in him because is crew trusted him and something in her gut told her he would keep her safe. But also because of his crew. They had significantly more men than the average wagon train.
Slowly the screams died down and the shots grew further apart. Her song changed to inane words of comfort.
Annie picked up her head again. Mack was still peering between the two wagons, his entire body tense. She could see four dead bodies lying in her view. Her breath caught in her chest and Mack glanced back at her quickly, “Just another minute. Put your head back down.” His voice was gentle this time and she did as he asked.
As the silence lengthened, Annie’s initial relief was overtaken by anxiety. What if this was a new strategy by the Indians to get them to relax and then they would attack again.
She felt herself tensing when Rake, Mack’s foreman, called out, “All clear.”
“Send Tom, Finnigan, and Al out to check. Be careful boys,” Mack called back. Tentatively, she lifted her head again, in time to see Mack moving towards her. He knelt down next to her and peeled her off the children. Effortlessly, he pulled Annie into his lap. Jim and Ellie jumped into her arms too, piling on top of Mack. He reached his arms around all of them as Annie tried not to cry. She knew he had saved her life and kept them all safe.
The feel of Mack’s strong body under hers sent shivers of excitement racing through her even as his presence soothed her jangled nerves. If it hadn’t been for the children, she would have resisted but with them there, it seemed all right to take his comfort.
Jim hopped up and went running to his father and Mack’s hand moved to stroke her hair. She closed her eyes for the briefest second. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe. It made her want to cry but she swallowed back the tears.
Ellie’s mother ran over. With a cry, Ellie lifted herself up and sprinted into her mother’s arms. “Thank you for keeping them safe,” the woman breathed as she clutched the child.
“Of course,” Annie’s voice cracked and she swallowed again. Mack wrapped his other arm around her and she pressed her face into the hollow of his neck. She knew she should get up. This was dangerous. But she couldn’t make herself leave. In all of her life, she had never been so comforted by the touch of another.
Rock hard arms gave her a gentle squeeze. His throat vibrated against her forehead as he muttered sweet words of comfort. She couldn’t understand them but it didn’t matter. She never wanted to leave this spot.
“Mack,” another of his crew called. “Can you give us a hand? We have to get rid of the―” He stopped talking. Annie didn’t know why and she didn’t care. She refused to open her eyes or even move a muscle. She knew it was wrong, but she would enjoy this moment for as long as she possibly could.
“Are you hurt?” His voice hummed against her forehead.
“I’m sorry,” she choked out. “I’ll get up in just a second. I…” words failed her.
“It’s all right, sweetheart. You’re very strong. Just sit for one more minute.” He gave her another small squeeze and she inhaled the scent of his sun-kissed skin. Her hand rested on his chest and for a brief second she wished her past could be different and she could open herself up to Mack. But she already knew how the story ended.
Her hand balled into a fist on his shirt. Slowly, she picked her head up. By degrees, she inched herself off his lap. A blush crept up her cheeks. “Thank you,” she mumbled as she awkwardly tried to stand.
In one motion, he stood himself and pulled her to her feet, steadying her. His thumb brushed lightly across her cheek. “Anytime, Annie. And I mean that.” Then he turned and left with the men.
As Annie watched him walk away, loneliness filled her chest but she pushed it back down. She was going to have to learn to walk alone in this world because she wouldn’t go through another marriage like her last.
THE GOLDEN RULES OF LOVE
CHAPTER TWO
Two days later, the group sat in the late afternoon sun, assessing a river crossing. Annie watched Mack rub the back of his neck.
“What are you thinkin’?” Jones asked, standing next to him.
“I don’t want to lose too much time, but it’s late. If we start crossing now, we could be separated for the night. After that attack, I’m not sure I want to risk it.”
“Good point,” Jones frowned. “We shouldn’t be split now.”
“What’s the hold up?” one of the men grumped from a few wagons back.
“Are we stopping?” another restless voice called from the back.
Annie glanced around. Tempers had been rising for the past several days. The attack seemed to only make it worse.
“The natives are restless and the settlers are bordering on mutiny.” Mack gave a small shake to his head then rubbed is face. “It’s been a long trip but we still have a lot of ground left to cover.”
“Go with your gut. Much as I want this trip to be over, we should give them a little rest and relaxation. You’re smart to read the group.” Jones nodded toward the other travelers.
Annie stretched the crick in her back. She had to admit that the other men really looked up to Mack. They followed his orders and he led in a way that was fair and strong.
She hopped off the seat of the wagon and got out the bucket to fill her water bag. Annie went further down, not wanting speak with Mack. In fact, she had gone out of her way to avoid him since the attack.
She filled the water bucket and then turned as Mary Beth came up behind her. “We’ve got the rest of the afternoon off and some of the gals are heading down river to take a bath. Want to join us?”
“Is it safe?” She hauled the bucket back up.
“The attacks usually come in the evening and we are going as a big group. Some of us will stand guard while the others bathe.”
Annie paused. She had been through a lot in the last year, but seeing the dead bodies of those Indians had been one of the worst experiences of her life. She wouldn’t want to be without the men if they were attacked again; however, another part of her was desperate for a soak in the water.
It was hot, sweaty work driving a wagon. And she had practically bathed in dirt the other day. She was willing to risk it. Nodding once, Annie went to return the bucket of water and get some soap.
The ladies made quick work of the bath, stripping to their barest clothing and dunking in the deep water with a bar of lye soap. Annie floated in the cool water, wishing she could spend days like this. The river soothed her aching muscles and washed away the dirt.
Feeling more relaxed then she had in days, Annie wrung out her clothes as well. Placing them on a rock to dry, she quickly put on her new set. Her undergarments soaked through the fresh fabric but there was little she could do. Grabbing a comb, she began to work the snarls out of her long red hair.
Some of the women were standing guard while a few others were still bathing. A voice called from some nearby trees. “Everything all right, ladies?”
Several women giggled, while a few more sent suspicious glares her way. Annie closed her eyes. She would recognize that voice anywhere. Mack was checking on them.
“Why is he checking on us?” Katie who was sitting next to her asked, scowling.
Another woman called from the water, “It’s nice to be friends with the boss, isn’t it Annie? You get lots of special treatment.”
“He sure does favor Annie. Let’s hope he doesn’t stop. Then who would Annie turn to.”
Mary Beth eyed her from the water and then called over to Annie, “You better take this one Annie. Go tell him we haven’t been hijacked by Injuns.”
There was a note in their voices Annie co
uldn’t quite identify. Not Mary Beth, of course, but the others. It was almost as if they resented her but she couldn’t for the life of her figure out why.
Sighing to herself, she got up to leave. She couldn’t do anything about it now and if she outright asked them why they were upset, they would only deny it.
She headed for the trees. It didn’t take her long to find Mack. “What are you doing here?” she asked, scowling at him as she spoke.
He said nothing but continued staring at her for several seconds. She looked down at herself. Her hair was hanging down to her waist. Her clothes were soaked through, plastering her dress to her and showing off a great deal of her figure. Annie looked up into his face again, and caught the unmistakable heat in his eyes. A blush rose in her cheeks.
The silence extended between them and Annie stared off into the trees. Even without looking at him, she knew he was studying her. It was as if his eyes were a physical touch on her skin, heating her even more at the thought. She gave herself a little shake, trying to suppress the desire pulling her in. Finally, she spoke, “Well?” Her single word broke the connection.
He straightened slightly. “I was worried about you all. It’s my job to keep you safe. With the attack…” His eyes travelled down her figure as his voice trailed off.
“We’re fine. Thanks for checking,” she answered curtly and turned to leave.
Quick as a snake, he reached for her arm. “Annie, wait.”
She paused but her guard was back up. She refused to be drawn in by his heated glances. She glared at him and he relaxed his grip.
“How are you, after what happened the other day?” His thumb gently stroked her arm. Tiny shivers ran through her body.
She took a deep breath, “I’m fine.”
His eyes seemed to take in every line of her face, “I know you were scared. You must have been to let me hold you like that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Her free hand shot to her hip.
He laughed. It was deep and rich and beautiful, and it sent a thrill down her spine. His eyes were soft but his face was serious, making her melt inside. “You are pricklier than a cactus. Cookie said that your husband died in San Francisco. Is that true?”
“Yes,” she answered, turning her face away. She couldn’t look into his beautiful hazel eyes another second. She could have cursed herself for telling Cookie.
“How long were you married?”
“A year when I found out…” she stopped talking to take a deep breath. Mack’s other hand came around her waist.
“It must have been a terrible blow to have lost your husband.”
She shook her head. He had it all wrong. He thought she was heartbroken over Garrett. “It was, of course. But what was harder was being alone in St. Louis.”
“Why were you alone in St. Louis?”
“We left my family in New York. I couldn’t go any further―“ She bit her lip. She couldn’t tell him what had happened; it was too humiliating. Her fists balled into fists to hold back the flood of emotions.
Gently, he pulled her to him, “He left you alone in a city where you knew no one, and headed for California?”
Annie swallowed the lump in her throat. He held her wet body to his warm one. She should keep her distance from this man. He was chipping away at her reserve. But he felt so strong and warm that instead of resisting, she relaxed against him. Annie’s head fell against his chest and her arms snaked around his waist. “I just couldn’t go back to my family in New York. Not after everything I did. But I needed some direction, a way to put my life back together. I chose west and…” She stopped. She was saying too much.
“What are you hoping to find in San Francisco?”
“Answers. A future mostly, I guess.”
“You don’t have to go to California to find a future. He’s already gone isn’t he?” His eyes searched hers. “You should do whatever you want.”
Her hands dug into his back. “I was a fool to marry him. I should have known better and now I need to see what he left me for…” Her voice trailed off as understanding lit his eyes. Her fists unclenched and she relaxed against him. To share with someone lightened her burden ever so slightly.
“Annie. I’ll head east after a few weeks in San Francisco. It’s a dangerous place. There is no shame in going home. If you need me…”
She shook her head. It was getting too personal. She was telling him more than she should. Letting him into her private space. “Thank you, Mack.” She tried to pull away.
“It’s Collin.” He held her and his hand began rubbing her back.
“What?” She didn’t understand him for a second. His touch was wreaking havoc on her senses.
“Collin Mackinnon. The men call me Mack. But I wanted you to know my given name.”
She nodded. Collin. She looked up into his eyes. Her body was melded into his. One of his hands came up to stroke her cheek. Ever so gently, he lowered his lips to hers. It was a light touch but heat shot straight to the juncture between her legs. She had never felt anything like it. He raised his lips a fraction of an inch and then brought them down on hers again. He increased the pressure and her insides melted. She groaned into his mouth, pressing closer.
Raising his head, Mack stroked her lips with the pad of his thumb. Annie slowly opened her eyes to find him assessing her.
“If you ever want to tell me the whole story―“
“There isn’t much more to tell.” Her voice was flat. Mack frowned at her. They both knew she was lying.
“You can trust me. I can help you.” His hand kept up the rhythmic massage on her back.
He might believe that but Annie didn’t. She couldn’t trust any man. She pushed herself out of his arms. “I should get back. The other women will worry.”
He raised his eyebrows but he let her go. “Tell the ladies to hurry back.”
She nodded and he turned, walking back towards the camp. Annie sagged against a trunk, watching him go. As his broad shoulders disappeared into the trees, she closed her eyes and pictured his handsome face. His full lips rose in her mind. They were so kissable.
Part of her had wanted to pour out her entire story into his strong chest. She had only told a few scraps to Mary Beth and her friend, Claire in St. Louis. But it made her look weak and foolish. Besides, it would open her up in ways that were just too difficult.
She headed back to the river and nearly ran smack into Katie. “You two sure are cozy.” The other woman raised her eyebrows.
“He was worried after the attack, I guess,” Annie mumbled as she hurried to the river to move the other women along. She would make some dinner and try to get some sleep. She needed her strength if she was going to resist the handsome Collin Mackinnon.
As she broke through the trees to the bank of the river, she realized how silent the group of ladies was. Several were casting furtive glances her way. In response, her brows drew together and she asked, “Everything all right, ladies?”
A few glanced at her but no one said anything for several seconds. Then one of the women cast her a dark look, “You sure were gone a while.”
Annie’s eyebrows shot up. She hadn’t realized there was a time limit on her conversation. Her lips itched to tell them to mind their own damn business but it wouldn’t do to alienate these ladies. She took a deep breath, “He just wanted―”
“She says they were talking about the attack.” Katie came up behind her.
A few of the ladies nodded their understanding while a few more continued to cast dark glances her way. Annie shrugged. She had tried.
***
The next week passed without incident and the mood of the group rose considerably with each passing mile. As they were getting close to San Francisco, Mack and his men spent even more time huddled together. Annie had overheard a few scraps of conversation; they were worried.
“They think they’ll farm but gold seekers are trampling farm land,” Tom grumbled.
“When they don�
��t abandon their own lands to hunt for gold themselves,” Mack added.
“These ladies have no idea what they are in for.” Cookie shook his head.
Annie bit her lip as she continued on her way. Mack and his men were worried about what would happen to these people once they reached California.
Reaching the river, she began scrubbing some pots and pans but her thoughts were far away. Should she be worried?
Tom came up next to her and began filling water bags. “Hi, Tom.”
“Hello, Miss Annie.” His usual smile was missing.
“What’s troubling you?”
He gave her a look. “This will be my third trip and I never like arriving in California. It ain’t pretty.”
“Why?”
“People go crazy there. No law to speak of. And everyone’s lookin’ for gold. Mack’s done a good job of hiring a crew that understands you probably ain’t gonna git rich quick but most men lose their minds and their senses when they set foot in California.” He shook his head.
Annie sat back on her heels. She wondered if that was what had happened with Garrett. He was never the most sensible man. She noted that Tom held Mack in high regard. It occurred to her that Mack might be different from Garrett.
It was a thought that she had been mulling around in her mind. A man like Mack would have protected her…kept her safe like he did during the attack. Garrett had been frustrated and angry with her weaknesses and finally just abandoned her.
“Annie,” Tom called loudly.
“Huh?” had he been talking to her?
“I said, have you thought about how you’re going to keep yourself safe? No law, and forgive me for saying, but you’re ‘bout the prettiest woman I ever laid eyes on. A man just might decide to take you and not ask. It ain’t like most places, Annie. If I might suggest, we’ll be staying for a week or two to sell our goods and restock. You should stick close.”
Annie grimaced. She had come all this way, and there was no way she was giving up now but the men were starting to scare her. They seemed legitimately concerned. “Mack did mention travelling back with him―“
The Golden Rules of Love: Western Romance Page 2
