Promise Me Forever

by Janelle Taylor

  Garments were cast aside as their bodies were stormed by the urgency and power of desires that matched those of nature’s deluge. His hands locked around her buttocks and held her tightly against his pleading groin as she sat atop him. Her legs straddled Dan’s thighs and her toes dug into the softness of the bed as she removed any remaining space between their straining bodies. Her hands wandered over his sleek body and roved the furry mat covering his chest. She thirsted for this man and she leaned forward to seal their mouths.

  They meshed over and over to create a white-hot heat within them. As his hands roamed her naked flesh, his mouth trailed down her throat to taste the sweetness of her skin and to savor her heated response to him. Dan rolled her to her back so his mouth could tease over her torso and drift into the inviting canyon between her breasts. She moaned as his hungry exploration conquered the brown peaks nearby. Her words and movements encouraged him to continue his loving assault and to make it bolder.

  Rachel’s fingers stroked Dan’s back and shoulders, then moved into his silky jet-black hair. He was driving her wild with his stimulation. She tried to do the same with hers.

  They made no attempt to delay this heady meal, as they were starved for each other. Desires were unleashed and allowed to race where they willed and at their chosen pace.

  Their tongues danced in a frantic and erotic mating ritual. Their bodies were joined, and they strove for a mutual prize. Thunder vibrated the house; lovemaking shook the bed. Lightning danced on the windows, and passions glowed within them. Joy and feverish need charged through them as powerfully as the storm was attacking the landside. Their pulses throbbed and their hearts pounded as they took and gave of rapture’s delight. They desperately needed this unrestrained fusion of bodies and spirits. All that mattered to them was this special moment and their love.

  Dan captured Rachel’s face between his hands and kissed her greedily. He had an uncontrollable urge to make this woman a part of him.

  The heat of their bodies intensified as their exertions increased. They labored until ecstasy was ready to burst within them to carry them beyond reality. When sheer bliss rocked them to their cores, they clung together and drank every drop of their lusty nectar.

  After the staggering explosions ceased and calmness came, they remained entwined as they struggled to breathe normally. It was so muggy that their perspiration refused to evaporate and it dampened the sheets. Neither minded, as it was imbued with the erotic scent of sated passions.

  “That was wonderful, Rachel. How can it get better every time?” he murmured in amazement and pleasure.

  She cuddled against him and smiled to herself. That told her she didn’t disappoint him with her skills that she knew increased each time they made love. “I don’t know, but I’m glad it does. You’re a superb teacher.”

  They embraced and kissed tenderly, relaxed and happy.

  Pressed to his hard body, Rachel wished this were their home and they never had to leave its safety again. She wished no peril confronted them, no danger threatened them, no dark past haunted them. She prayed all of those things could be defeated soon.

  Dan wrapped his arms more possessively around her and rested his chin atop her head. A mixture of calm and excitement filled him. Surely it would always be this way between them: stimulating, spontaneous, satisfying, heart-stoppingly wonderful, and tender. What they had found together was more than physical enjoyment. He shifted to fuse their gazes. “You steal my wits and self-control, woman. What am I going to do about this powerful hold over me?”

  “Let me keep it, please; and I’ll let you keep yours over me. We’ll enjoy each other one day at a time. We’ll make no promises or demands until our lives are settled. All right?”

  Dan cuddled her into his arms once more and didn’t respond. He asked himself if he would miss his present lifestyle at sea. Yes, but that was normal. Would he be content to become a landlover with this woman? If he gave up his ship and travels, would that change him or bore him? He didn’t think so, not with a fascinating and challenging woman like Rachel at his side day and night. All he had to do was convince her they were matched.

  While a sated and serene Rachel slept in his arms, Dan napped in a twilight state and kept an ear on the storm, as he didn’t want the too-watchful housekeeper to return and catch them in bed together.

  At four on Thursday morning, the strong forces of nature ceased attacking the area. Dan awakened Rachel and told her he was leaving before daylight to avoid Lulu Mae and to set sail. They kissed and embraced, then she accompanied him to the door so she could bolt it after his departure. She saw the lantern go out in the barn and heard him gallop toward town. She smiled in tranquil fatigue. Before returning to bed, she made certain no clues were left behind to expose their passionate night together.

  When Lula Mae peeked in on Rachel, she found her mistress sleeping and alone. She sighed in relief and closed the bedroom door, to do her chores quietly in case the storm had kept Rachel awake part of the night.

  At dawn, Dan sailed for New Orleans, with a valuable cargo stored below deck. If he hadn’t agreed on Monday to accept this job, he wouldn’t go, not after learning about Rachel’s dilemma with Milton Baldwin. Nothing physically threatening had occurred recently and she and Burke were on guard against trouble, so she should be safe. He needed to get his hands on as much money as possible. Repaying that lost advance might be the only way to protect his love from vengeance and gossip, as no one would believe she didn’t have it. She wouldn’t be safe until the matter was settled. Whatever it cost him, he wanted to get the perilous situation behind them. Rachel’s mother was coming for a visit, and her feared stepfather was far away. Threats had quieted down or ceased, and he would return next Wednesday, two days before the contract deadline. Still, he was uneasy as he took his last glimpse of Savannah for a while.

  That afternoon, Milton sent Rachel a message that said the lawyer had the relinquishment paper ready, so would she come to sign it tomorrow at one o’clock in Frank Henley’s office?

  The deliverer waited while she penned a response: “I have company until Monday so I do not want to spend hours away from them or get in a sad mood. I will come to town next week to handle our business. I saw Tuesday’s newspaper so you shouldn’t have any problems over my ‘trouble and reputation’ hurting the firm before our meeting. Work on your old and prospective clients while waiting to see me. Good luck.”

  The messenger left with her envelope in his grasp, and the first step had been taken as Dan advised. All she could do was pray hard her love was right, or she was in for needless suffering.

  Friday at five in the afternoon, Catherine Fleming Starger arrived in a carriage with a servant handling the team and protecting her along the journey from White Cloud, located halfway between Savannah and Augusta.

  Rachel hugged her mother, who responded in like manner. Their past troubles and sufferings slipped away during the joyful reunion, as their recent overtures had broken the icy obstacle between them.

  “It’s been too long, Mama.” Rachel said, with dewy eyes. “I’ve missed you so much. It was foolish of us to stay apart like that. Let’s not ever quarrel and ignore each other again. It’s been awful without you.”

  The letter from her daughter had shown Catherine how unfair they were being to each other. She had been closer to Rachel than to any of her children, and she had suffered from the barrier placed between them years ago. “I’m sorry we’ve both behaved badly, and we won’t let it happen again,” she vowed, also with misty eyes that exposed her emotions. “Now that we’ve made an effort to end our separation, we won’t allow another to intrude on our new relationship. I should have been more understanding and patient; you were becoming a woman, and that’s difficult.”

  “The war hurt all of us; I suppose we were both fighting changes in our lives. Please forgive me for hurting you and for staying away.”

  “If you’ll forgive me for being blind and selfish. All I saw was my side, Rach
el; I didn’t realize you children were so miserable at home. I know Earl can be difficult and bossy at times, but a bachelor has to learn how to become a husband and father. Taking on a widow with four children wasn’t easy for him, but I shouldn’t have taken his side every time. I’m truly sorry.”

  “We both made mistakes, Mama, but we won’t do so again.” Held at arm’s length, she studied her mother, who was paler and thinner than when she’d last seen her. Yet, she was still beautiful, with blond hair and green eyes and exquisite features. Until the recent and draining illness, Catherine had appeared to be in her early thirties; now, she looked her age of forty-five, and that saddened the daughter.

  “Come inside and rest, Mama; I know you must be exhausted.”

  As they headed to the porch, Catherine responded, “It was a long and tiring journey, Rachel, but I’m so happy to be here. After receiving your sweet letter, I had to come and make peace between us. My recovery and Earl’s trip created perfect timing for it.”

  “Yes, they did. I’m so glad you came. I’ve missed you, and I’ve been worried about you. How are you feeling?”

  Catherine smiled. “Much better, almost completely recovered. Of course, I look a fright after being ill and lying abed so long.”

  “No, you look wonderful—as ravishing as ever … She’s here, Lula Mae!” Rachel shouted as they entered the house.

  The housekeeper hurried from the server. After exchanging pleasantries and telling the servant to put the visitor’s baggage upstairs, the woman went to finish dinner preparations, a special meal she had spent hours getting ready. She had told the male servant where to put the horses and where to take quarters for a few days.

  “Where’s Phillip? Isn’t he home from the office yet?”

  Rachel stared at her mother. “What?” she murmured in confusion, fearing her mother’s mind had been affected by her illness.

  Catherine smiled again. “Is he away on business like Earl? I so wanted to see him, too. You are happy this time, aren’t you, Rachel?”

  “Didn’t Earl tell you the news? Haven’t you read the newspaper?”

  “Tell me what news?”

  “Phillip is dead, Mama.” When she saw the woman’s shock, Rachel related how and when her third husband had died, ostensibly of cholera. “I can’t believe Earl didn’t tell you; it’s been six weeks, and it’s been in the newspaper. Earl came to see me twice since that awful day, on April twenty-second and this past Tuesday before he sailed. He didn’t know you were coming to visit me, so I didn’t mention it. Why is that, Mama?”

  Catherine was dismayed by the revelation of her third son-in-law’s death. “This comes as such a shock, Rachel. Earl probably didn’t want to upset me while I was so ill and then recovering. You two have never gotten along, so I didn’t tell him I was coming. I will after my visit here when he returns home in three weeks. Why did he come here? Did you two quarrel as usual?”

  Rachel was tempted to confess all, but it would only hurt her mother who would never leave Earl, even if Catherine believed her accusations. They were making peace, so she didn’t want to risk another conflict. It was best and kindest, at least for now, to let her mother remain in her safe dreamworld. “He came to make peace, too. We argued the first time, but then we were polite.”

  “Can you become friends and settle your differences?”

  “No, Mama, and I’m sorry. He thinks I’m both crazy and guilty of murdering four people.”

  “But you said Phillip died of cholera. I don’t understand. Surely you aren’t in trouble with the authorities again.”

  Rachel explained about the secret burial, her exposure, and the still-open investigation. Yet she didn’t reveal any of her perilous secrets.

  “What are they going to do to you?”

  Rachel gazed into green eyes filled with love and worry. “Nothing, Mama. I’m innocent, and the case will be closed soon. They have no evidence to arrest me on, because I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “What’s going on in your life, Rachel? A three-time widow at twenty-one… Why do these terrible things keep happening to you?”

  “I don’t know, Mama, but it’s been so hard on me.”

  “Will you be all right, my precious baby?”

  “Yes, Mama, fine. I’m stronger and smarter now. Let’s not talk about sad things anymore. How are you doing? Earl said you’ve seen the doctor twice. When? Why?”

  “On March twenty-sixth and on April fifteenth. I was tired and weak all the time, but I’m better now. He ordered me to bed rest and gave me a tonic. They cured me, along with your letter. I’ve missed you so, Rachel. I miss all of my children.”

  Rachel wondered if she should be so unhappy about her mother confirming Earl’s alibis for two important dates: Phillip’s death and the police tip. “Have you heard from Rosemary or Richard?”

  “No, but I wish the twins would contact me, at least write to say they’re safe and happy.”

  “So do I, Mama. They will one day.”

  “If I hurt you and deserted you, Rachel, I’m sorry. I don’t want anything to ever create another breach between us.”

  “It won’t, Mama; our troubles are over. We’ll both promise to write and to visit regularly.”

  Lula Mae came to tell them dinner was ready to be served. Rachel and her mother went into the dining room to eat and to continue their talk.

  To both women’s delight, the weekend passed with long and nourishing conversations and relaxing strolls that strengthened and brought a glow to her mother’s cheeks. By the time Catherine headed for home on Monday morning, both were at peace with themselves and with their past.

  But Rachel had learned something important: her stepfather hadn’t been away from home in weeks, except to take Catherine to the doctor twice and on the two days he had visited her at Moss Haven. Rachel knew her mother had told the truth, and it almost disappointed her to mark Earl Starger’s name off her suspect list: if nothing more, at least for writing the intimidating love notes. Who was left? Harry, the client, and a yet-unknown prankster.

  Tuesday night there was another house-rocking and paint-vandalizing incident. This time, Rachel was certain it wasn’t the spiteful work of Earl Starger or Camellia Jones, who were both far away. She assumed it had to be the malicious mischief of someone in town, perhaps young boys. As long as no one tried to harm her and her servants, she would allow them to get such amusement out of their heads and prayed they soon tired of their cruel sport. Once more the black letters were covered with slate-blue paint.

  Wednesday, if Dan returned to Savannah, he didn’t come to visit her, but another violent storm paid a long call on the area. Rachel stood at the window and observed it as she recalled how she had spent the last one.

  Thursday morning, Rachel received a scolding note from Milton for her lack of a visit this week “as promised.” It included a strongly worded summons to finish the matter tomorrow at ten o’clock. She dismissed the deliverer, after telling him to report her response would come later in the day.

  She sat down to pen her reply: “As commanded, I will be in town tomorrow, but not to sign a relinquishment paper at Mr. Henley’s. I will meet you in our office for a serious talk, after I have seen Mr. Henley to check on my legal rights in this strange affair. Until I am convinced that is Phillip’s signature and, if so, that the repayment date is correct, leave things as they are. With such terms and so much money involved, I am suspicious of an agreement that had no witnesses and was not handled by a lawyer. I want to learn if I am legally responsible for a personal and unsubstantiated loan before I repay it or default, whichever way I decide to respond later. You appear in a great rush to have me out of the firm before tomorrow’s deadline of Phillip’s big contract; that arouses my curiosity, just as your insensitive attitude and harsh correspondences arouse my anger to defiance and investigation. If you press me at this time, I will be forced to battle you in court. I am sure this can be resolved soon if we do not challenge each other again.
I will see you tomorrow morning.”

  There, she thought, her refusal and bluff—step two—were done as Dan suggested. She was amazed that, so far, her love had guessed Milton’s actions with accuracy. She hoped he was back in port by now to lend her the courage and strength she needed to carry out stunning step three tomorrow. She couldn’t imagine how Milton would react to this shocking development when it reached his hands this afternoon. She was eager to learn if Dan also had surmised it correctly.

  Later, Lula Mae and Burke went into town for supplies and to deliver her message to Milton. Rachel kept hoping Dan would arrive while the servants were gone so they could talk without concern of being overheard, which was her motive for sending the two servants on errands.

  When she heard knocking at the front door, she rushed to respond with a bright smile on her face. She inhaled sharply when her gaze touched on two strangers with dark-brown hair and eyes—Cubans, she decided in panic, a day early for their confrontation and alone with her.

  Chapter 18

  The first man’s gaze roved her from head to foot, but the glint in his dark eyes was appreciative not lecherous. He was tall and had a pleasant expression on his handsome face, but she was tense and scared. She remembered that the attacker with a knife had used a Spanish accent and words. She listened with increased alert and dread.

  “Buenas tardes, señorita. I did not mean to startle you. We have come to see Señor McCandless,” he said in fluent English, then smiled.

  Rachel struggled to regain her stolen poise and wits. At least his voice did not match her past assailant’s. “He isn’t here,” she responded as she glanced at the second man, who appeared to be sullen and menacing. She took an instant dislike to him, and waited anxiously to hear his voice.