Chase the Moon: A Historical Romance (11 page)

Lifting her bottom up he placed a pillow beneath to raise her higher. Satisfied he kept his weight off her with his strong hand as his other guided his long shaft to her entrance. Sabrina gasped out loud at the pleasure. It had been too too long. His movements were so slow and tender she wept. She felt his pace quicken as he embedded himself within her over and over much more gentle than usual. Much like their first time together and she loved him more for his tenderness if that was possible.

He pulled her close as he shuddered inside of her. Trembling from the moment he moved so that his manhood rested against her thigh. He kissed her sweet lips as he turned on his side and lay next to her.

M
orning came too soon for all. There was much chaos and excitement. The horses were saddled and bags were loaded. Sally was a bit glum to find out she could only take one bag instead of three.

Sabrina volunteered to help her repack. She was in a much better mood today and had several comments and winks in regards to the cause of her good nature.

After assuring Sally that she would not need
any
ballgowns, they came to a somewhat happy medium and returned to the bedlam outside with one bag.

Amelia and Sally were not thrilled to find out they had to ride horses. Due to their inexperience it was determined it would be safest to let them ride double.

Sally ended up with Jaelyn and Amelia with her brother Riley. Chase asked and received permission, to his surprise, from a happy Brock to borrow Thor. Soon they were off and Sabrina watched them go until they were out of site.

“Are you sad we did not go?”

Sabrina turned to her husband. “No, I am happy we are alone.”

“We’ll almost.” Jonathan piped up interrupting the couples’ moment as everyone laughed and went off to start the day.

R
iley took the lead with Chase next and Warren last. The horses not carrying two had extra baggage to help even out the loads.

Warren fingered the gun at his side. It still felt odd for him to wear one. Even though Mississippi was a much tamer countryside than Oklahoma it still held its dangers.

Warren looked ahead at the Stafford twins. They both sat a horse expertly. Thomas was holding his own and he noticed Jaelyn was keeping a close eye on him. He also saw that Chase was keeping a close eye on Amelia and he frowned. He had already lost one family member to the Stafford’s.

He was saddened to realize that even though he had finally found his sister, he had lost her for good. He was starting to understand that Sabrina would not have fit in up north, with the city life style. He did not think any of the Boston society men would have stood a chance of securing her heart. However, it was good for Sabrina to be home again, no matter how long she planned to stay. It was nice seeing her happy and safe after so many years of worry. Of ‘course Amelia was almost as head strong as Sabrina. He wished Chase luck.

Having company these last several days had been a world of good for him. He was used to being in charge and in control of everything. Now he was learning that it’s okay for things to happen sporadically. Sometimes chaos was good.

Jaelyn was not in a good mood. Not only was Sally clutched onto her back like a leech but she was complaining nonstop about
everything
. She glanced over at Thomas and received an apologetic smile. He had warned her about his sister’s antics but she had thought he had been exaggerating. As she does when she tells people about Chase.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

“Whoa!” She yelled pulling her horse to a sudden halt as Sally screamed bloody murder in her ear.

Ignoring her and breaking free from her grasp, Jaelyn agilely slid off her horse. Warren road up quickly to grab Sally before she toppled off. He pulled the sputtering girl onto his lap and held her while everyone else backtracked to see what the commotion was.

“Took a rock.” She explained as she inspected the Horse’s hooves and pretended to remove the stone.

“You need me to check it?” Riley offered hopping down and leaving Amelia to grasp the Saddle horn for dear life.

“Nope it’s good now. I’m sure she’ll be okay, might need to lighten the load for a while.”

Thomas frowned a bit noticing Sally with Warren. He would have volunteered to take Sally but he wasn’t as steady himself on horseback as the others. He would probably break both of their necks. Moreover, with him being the only doctor, well, some things just needed to be let be.

“It’s probably a good idea to switch anyway so the horses don’t get tuckered out as fast. There is a creek nearby where we can rest the horses. Let’s take a break and we’ll swap when we take off.” Riley suggested as they moved out.

Jaelyn kept up the premise a little while longer; she was enjoying the spring day and the new world around her. She decided to walk her horse to the creek. She was used to the solitude of the forest and being around so many people all the time she wasn’t able to relax. Thomas dismounted and walked his horse as well. He would rather walk than ride any day. Smiling up at him she reached for his hand as the couple slowly made their way towards the others.

Chase tethered Thor near the water before turning to wait for Riley to arrive with Amelia. He was not used to the high spirited girl looking so out of sorts. He was about to offer his assistance but Riley had already deposited her on the ground without a thought.

Amelia spent several minutes brushing the trail dirt off the riding skirt Sabrina had let her borrow. It sure did come in handy, she was thankful for her cousin’s foresight. Looking up she noticed Chase watching her. Their eyes met and she looked away first with a slight blush.

Chase took a step towards the beauty and offered her his arm. She accepted and he led her over to a fallen log near the water. He took some biscuits from his sack and offered her one.

“No thank you.”

“You should eat while you can. You never know what may happen on the trail.”

“I’m just too nervous is all, I don’t ride much.”

“Eat. It’ll help settle your stomach.”

This time Amelia reached out to take the biscuit from him. Their finger tips touched and a tingle swept through her. She watched him closely as he ate in silence. One of the few times she had seen him quiet.

He took a swig from his canteen and offered it to her. She normally would have refused but she hadn’t thought to bring one for herself. She took his gratefully and took a sip. Her mind barely registered that his lips had just lingered there as well.

“I’m not used to you being this quiet. Sabrina said you were Comanche. But you don’t act like a Comanche.”

He laughed. “Is that what you envisioned? Me throwing you over my shoulder and taking you off into the woods to ravish you?”

“Of course not!” She lied blatantly, wondering if he could read her thoughts.

“I am told I have my father’s spirit and my mother’s face.”

“It must be wonderful having both of your parents.”

“Most days. My mother’s tongue can be very sharp. But I think my father likes it.”

It was Amelia’s turn to laugh. She was rewarded by a flash of his white teeth. Her smile faded as she saw Sally heading her way.

“Amelia, could I speak to you?”

“You are speaking to her.” Chase pointed out receiving a grin for his efforts.

“Alone.”

Chase hopped to his feet in one lithe movement and he was gone.

“What is it?” Amelia hissed.

“I need to use the loo.”

“What? There isn’t a loo around here.”

“Exactly why I need your help.” Sally said a look of panic on her pretty face.

“Oh all right.” Amelia said climbing to her feet. Grabbing Sally’s arm she lead her several yards away to a cove of bushes. The two girls wrestled with Sally’s petty coats and tulle.

“Did you have to wear so many layers?”

“It makes my figure stand out.” Sally defended herself as she straightened her garb.

Amelia decided to go as well wondering why she had even suggested this trip. It seemed so much more fun when she was a child. Making her way back to the others they were dismayed to see everyone ready to go.

“You’re with me.” Chase informed her. He decided not to mention no one else volunteered. “You want front or back?”

“What’s the difference?”

“Front I hold onto you, Back you hold on to me.”

Amelia contemplated her decision. Both of them sounded good to her. “Front?”

Without replying Chase mounted the huge horse and leaned down with one strong arm to lift her in front of him. Sitting astride the saddle she grabbed the saddle horn as she looked way, way down. Thor was a massive horse and she hated heights. Perhaps she should have chosen back?

She felt Chase’s strong arms encage her as he expertly held the reins of the beast. She was trying to sit straight up so their bodies would touch as little as possible. However, keeping her back stiff caused her to be more uncomfortable with every step.

“Relax. I won’t let you fall.” Chase whispered in her ear.

Closing her eyes tightly she leaned back until their bodies touched. He was like iron but she soon picked up on his natural grace as he swayed with the movements of the horse minimizing the impact. It was like an erotic dance. Feeling safer, she soon relaxed completely in his arms.

Sally’s transition was not as smooth. She was beginning to doubt the good sense in wearing the multiple layers as Warren helped her onto the horse to settle in front of him. Warren apparently was used to dealing with women’s undergarments. He had her cock her knee up in a side saddle position. He then had the material tucked away around her so it wouldn’t soar up in his face with the wind. Breathless from the ordeal she rested against him as he set the horse in motion, once again trailing the others.

Sally soon realized that sitting in front was much different than being in the back. There were a lot of bugs. Tiny specks of things that traveled in hoards. She kept her mouth tightly shut least she swallow one. She soon decided that she disliked the south, everything except for the humongous manor house. She did adore that. And perhaps, maybe Warren, since he came with the house.

***

Chase looked down at the woman in his arms. The rocking motion of the horse had lulled her into sleep and she rested against his shoulder. This gave him ample time to inspect her closely. He shifted her hat to protect her face from the sun so only her rosy lips were showing. A soft sigh escaped them and he wondered if she was dreaming.

He felt as if he was in some sort of dreamland himself. In real life, he could not imagine owning or taming a creature such as her. What did he have to offer her? He could not picture her being happy at his home in the woods. She was used to city life and finery. A small part of his mind reminded him of how Sabrina adjusted well enough, and he reluctantly pushed it back into the shadows. She wasn’t Sabrina.

The two cousins reminded him of salt and pepper. Amelia with her light complexion and brackish ways. Sabrina was darker more fiery but they mixed well together. Too bad their lives had both been over shadowed by so much pain. He didn’t know if he was that strong. He was fortunate to still have his parents and couldn’t imagine losing them.

When his father was injured he almost killed himself riding for help. Little did he know that ride would change his families’ destiny forever. Not only did he meet Sabrina but Thomas as well. Thomas was another one he did not understand. When did life become so complex?

Amelia jolted awake. Unsure of her whereabouts she twisted to look at her surrounds almost unseating herself from the huge animal. She grabbed for Chase’s arm and felt his other tighten around her back as he used it to physically lift her back into place on the horse.

“Easy girl.” He cooed as Thor stomped from the panic.

“I thought Thor was a male.” She stated, the tremor in her voice and quick breaths relaying her fright.

“He is, I was referring to you.” Chase replied with humor.

A bit miffed that he was mocking her Amelia straightened herself and tried to sit the horse without touching him at all. She soon realized that was impracticable and vowed to switch mounts as soon as possible. Riding with Riley was not as pleasant but at least he was not as exasperating as Chase.

“Did you have a good dream?”

“Yes, I dreamt of an irritating man who fell off a horse and broke and his neck.”

Chase laughed aloud, the vibrations reverberating though his chest and through Amelia’s soul.

“It pleases me that you dream about me.” Chase whispered in her ear.

“Hmpff.” Amelia replied crossing her arms as she stared straight ahead.

***

Riley smiled at his sisters response, this was gonna be a very interesting trip.

Speeding his horse up a bit, he moved to scout out the best route for the large group. Luckily, the land was mostly flat making the trip less strenuous on the horses. After being in California for so long it was difficult to adjust to lack of mountains and humid weather.

Spring was definitely the best time of year to travel in the south. The wild twisted dogwoods were just starting to open and the thick magnolia bushes were budding with their large green buds and shiny emerald colored leaves.

There were eighty-foot tall pines torn down from the storm. The saturated ground let go of the roots and the mighty trees toppled from the force of the wind. Riley knew that the trees would become shelter for snakes and insects as it decomposed back into the soil it sprang out of.

It was sad how things seemed to last only for a moment and then were gone. The cool breeze blew cooling his face as his keen eyes sought out hidden dangers. He could hear the lilt of laughter from behind. It could only have come from Sally, he knew his sisters voice well and Jaelyn was very cautious in strange surroundings as one should be.

He soon spotted the wooden bridge crossing the Leaf River he dismounted and walked his horse over first making sure the battered wooden structure was still sound. Feeling confident, he waived the others forward.