“Don’t answer now,” he said softly as he stood. He lifted the plate from her lap and set it on the ground. A tug on her hand brought her to her feet in front of him. “Don’t answer now,” he whispered, bringing his lips toward hers. “Not if the answer’s no.”
River’s shirt was still open, and Sarah’s hands found their way around his waist. She raised herself on her toes and leaned into his kiss. She had been waiting for this since he washed her in the stream. No, since he helped her from the horse, or maybe even longer. But that was before she knew he had read the papers in the envelope, before guilt had driven him to come up with some way to take care of her.
River easily slipped the blanket from around Sarah’s waist. With a flick of a wrist he tossed it away. While his mouth tasted the soft flesh of her neck, his hands splayed against her thighs and traveled upward, under the shirt. Her skin was soft and warm, and he felt a stab of pain when he thought of how close he had come to losing her. His lips returned to hers with a new sense of urgency. He wouldn’t lose her again! If she wanted to walk away, he would let her, but he would follow. Every time she turned around he would be waiting.
Sarah’s body trembled as he caressed her bare skin. His hands found the swell of her breasts, and she moaned against his lips. When his thumbs began to circle the hardened tips, she felt her knees go weak with longing.
River gathered her into his arms and set her down on the blanket, spreading it haphazardly as he laid her upon it. In a moment he had shed his clothes and lay beside her, undoing the buttons on her shirt while her fingers drew trails of fire on his chest.
He loved her then, knowing her passion was as great as his, believing she loved him. She had to love him. But there was something almost sad about the way she touched him. Much later, he rose to add more wood to the fire and find another blanket. She was watching him when he returned, and he knew he hadn’t imagined her sadness.
“Sarah,” he whispered, lying beside her and drawing her into his arms. “I know you don’t trust me. I can understand that. But someday...” He sighed. There had to be some way to make her understand. “I know you didn’t rob my father’s store. I think I knew it at the time, at first anyway. When they told me you wouldn’t see me, I had to convince myself I’d never loved you. It was the only way to save my sanity.”
Sarah stirred, and he looked down at her. Her voice quavered. “And I had to cling to my love for you for the same reason.”
River held her more tightly. “Maybe someday you’ll trust me enough to tell me what really happened, what I really saw that night.”
Sarah wondered if she had jumped. She was about to ask River to repeat what he had said, but she knew she had heard. He must have felt her reaction because he pulled away from her a little, trying to get more light on her face. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
It took her a moment to find her voice. “Didn’t you read the article in that envelope?”
“No. It wasn’t mine to open. I didn’t really think about it.”
“But, I thought... How did you... You said you knew I was innocent.”
“Sarah,” River said patiently, “I loved you six years ago. I love you still. I know you couldn’t have robbed the store. I don’t know how I know, I just do.” He waited a moment before asking, “Do you want to tell me what’s in the envelope?”
“Six years ago...” Sarah stopped, uncertain how to explain. Finally she said simply, “Linda stole my red dress.”
River drew in a sharp breath. Of course it had been Linda, Linda who had suddenly become so eager to please. He had let himself be fooled by a dress! Six years! And now the story was painfully clear. His arms tightened around her, and he buried his face in her hair, a low moan escaping his lips.
Sarah went on softly. “They found her body a few months ago. Most of the money was still in her little shack. According to the article, one of her friends said she went a little crazy. She meant for me to take the blame. I think she was after you more than the money. Alcohol killed her, I guess. Anyway, that’s why they let me out of prison.”
River raised his head and kissed her warm lips. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I should have figured it out. She really pursued me when you were in jail, but I didn’t make the connection.”
“It’s over now,” she said.
River was quiet for a moment. “When I made my offer before, did I leave out marriage?”
Sarah had to giggle. “Yes, you left out marriage.”
“I don’t think I explained it very well. Marriage was always part of the deal. Would it have made any difference?”
“Not then,” Sarah said. “I thought you had read the article and were feeling guilty.”
“Well, I am feeling guilty, but that’s only part of it. If I renew my offer and include marriage this time, do you think you might consider it?”
Sarah couldn’t hide the smile in her voice. “Yes,” she said.
He grinned, feeling unimaginably happy. “Is that a yes, you’ll marry me, or yes, you’ll consider my offer?”
She laughed, and he bent to kiss her before pulling back to look into her eyes. “You know, six years ago our love seemed so fragile, but look how it’s lasted.”
She brought her hand around his neck and whispered as she drew him toward her, “Maybe now it’s a different kind of love.”
* * * * *
ISBN: 978-1-4592-8341-1
Trusting Sarah
Copyright © 1995 by Sandra Detrixhe
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