The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances (22 page)

She wrapped her hand around him and slowly moved it up and down. She heard a bang and looked up to see Brock had thrown his head back against the wall again and his eyes were closed tightly.

She dropped it in concern. “Did I hurt you?” she asked, her eyes wide at his reaction.

Unable to speak, he shook his head no.

“Do you want me to stop?”

Again, no.

Gathering her courage again, she stepped closer and pulled his pants down past his hips. She again grasped his manhood in her hand as she tried to remember what she had overheard in the saloon.
Blushing. She dropped down to her knees in front of him. Holding him still, she stuck her tongue out and licked the tip. Brock’s body tensed up like a spring but other than that he did not move. Encouraged, she leaned closer and licked it from the base all the way up to the tip. Brock did react to that.  He sagged a bit and placed his hands on her shoulders for support as he bent over her slightly.

Holding him tightly in her hand she opened her mouth and inserted the head of his penis inside. Not sure what to do next she moved her hand up and down again; he seemed to like that. She moved her tongue around the tip. She was
taken off guard when Brock grabbed her hair and pushed himself deeper inside her mouth. He hit the back of her throat and she gagged, pushing him away and glaring up at him.

“Sorry,” he mumbled as he bent over as
if in pain.

Not knowing what else to do, she once again took him into her hand and started moving it up and down. Brock’s large hand covered hers and guided her as she stroked his length. He moved faster and faster until a glop of white fluid exploded from the tip.
Sabrina watched in amazement as he pumped out the liquid and it oozed down over her hand. He kinda slumped to the ground, leaving her with a handful of goo.

She sat staring at it as Brock recovered his wits, tucking everything in and straightening his clothes. He helped her to her feet kissing her breathlessly.

A door creaked open from behind them and Sabrina spun around, hiding her soiled hand behind her back. Chase had entered through a side door. He smirked at them as he headed over.

“Awful nice evening to be cooped up in a barn.”

“We just came by to check on the horses.” Sabrina replied cheerfully since Brock was incapable of speech at the moment.

Chase eyed them suspiciously, as Sabrina
instinctively reached out her hand and grabbed Brock’s to drag him out of the barn. Feeling the wetness squish between their intertwined fingers, she stopped and looked up at him wide-eyed. Brock looked down at her in amusement as he finally took charge.

“We were on our way to the creek. I wanted to show Sabrina the cascade,” Brock said, opening the door with his dry hand and tugging her out.

“Have fun!” Chase called, laughing after them as they left.

Brock did not let go of her hand until they reached the water. He pulled her down next to the stream and washed off both of their hands. Neither of them had spoken. She stood up, feeling uneasy as she wiped her hand on her skirt. Brock walked over to her, lifting her face up to look at him.

“Um…where did you learn that?” he asked her softly as she looked away embarrassed.

“Remember when I told you people didn’t notice Will? Well, you hear many things hanging out in a saloon. Too much, I guess.” She shrugged and he kissed her cheek.

He again pulled her face up to look at him. “Don’t be upset. There is nothing wrong with being with someone you love.”

She finally lifted her head to look up at him and he smiled at her. “I was going to do this earlier but I got sidetracked.” He said sinking to his knee. Sabrina’s eye widened as he grasped her hand. “Sabrina Willodene Montgomery Lovett, I don’t have much to offer you except for my heart. Will you be my wife?”

Her eyes filled with tears as she sank to her knees as well. Unable to speak she nodded her head as her hands went to his face to make sure that he was real, that this was real.

“Yes?” he questioned, wanting…needing her to say it.

“Yes!” she said as the tears spilled over her eyes. She laughed. Yup, she was crying again. He grabbed her right hand and she felt him sliding on a ring. She pulled it up to look at it. She had to wipe her eyes so she could see clearly. It was a beautiful solid silver ring with bits of turquoise embedded in it.

“It’s amazing!” she murmured.

“It was my mother’s; she wanted you to have it.”

That sent her into another round of tears. She was a part of a family again. “We need to get back,” he said apologetically and she nodded again, grasping his hand and letting him guide her through the woods.

Anna had just finished supper when they arrived. She and Chase were sitting by the fire and Sabrina ran up and hugged her, thanking her for the beautiful gift.

“You are the best gift,” Anna told her. “I have never seen Brock so content.”

Chase laughed aloud and Sabrina turned a bit red as she thanked her. Brock gave her a plate of roasted hen and beans and she started eating so she did not have to talk.

After they finished eating, Brock and Sabrina went in to relieve Thomas and Jaelyn. Brock announced their engagement and Jaelyn hugged her happily.

“I always wanted a sister. I tried to trade Chase in for one but no one would take him. I am so glad that Brock finally came to his senses,” Jaelyn said as Brock agreed and they chortled. Thomas was his usual quiet self but Sabrina noticed he was watching Jaelyn closely the entire time.

Brock went and changed out the water basin and Sabrina resumed her place on the floor next to his bed. She noticed how the cover dipped down where his leg was removed and hoped that it was worth it. Her father had friends who had fought in the war and some had lost limbs. He said they were different afterwards. Of course that could just be from experiencing the act of war itself. Going through something like that had to change a person. The Civil War had begun before she was born but she had heard many stories from people who had been affected by it in one way or another.

Brock returned and she started to read. Thomas had changed his bandages during his shift and she was grateful that Brock did not have to witness that. Thomas seemed to be getting along very well with Jaelyn and she wondered if they would have more company on the way back or if Thomas would return with them at all.

Time passed slowly as she continued to read. Coming to the end of a chapter, she was stiff from sitting on the hard floor and stretched. She sensed movement from the bed and rose to her knees as she turned to check on Jonathan. He had wrapped his arms around his chest and was shaking.

“Get Thomas,” Brock ordered and she was out of the room in a flash. She went outside, only finding Anna and Chase.

“Where’s Thomas? Jonathan started shaking,”  she said, trying to hide the panic in her voice. Chase dropped the crutch he was working on and ran into the woods to fetch him as Anna hurried past her into the house with concern etched deeply into her face. Sabrina returned to the small bedroom. Anna was bent over the bed talking to Jonathan and Brock was kneeling next to her. Not sure what else to do she put her hand on his shoulder, offering him support. He turned his head, nodding up at her as he raised his hand and held it over hers.

“He’s shivering; I need more blankets,” Anna said and Brock went to get some heavy quilts from the wall rack. Sabrina helped him spread them out over Jonathan as Thomas, Chase and Jaelyn ran in. The small room was stretched past capacity so Sabrina stepped back against the wall so Thomas would have plenty of room. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and was pulled into Brock’s powerful embrace. He hugged her tightly and rested his head in the crook of her shoulder. He was taking slow deep breaths as he tried to control his anxiety. Sabrina held him to her, moved that he turned to her for comfort. She turned her head and whispered in his ear.

“I love you.”

He kissed her neck in reply. Thomas stood up and turned to face the family. Brock released one arm keeping his other securely around her as they turned to hear the news.

“His fever has broken. It’s a very good sign.” Tears of joy pooled in Sabrina’s eyes. She watched as Jaelyn launched herself into Thomas’ arms and their joy spilled over. Turning to Brock, she buried her face in his chest and he guided her from the room.

He settled on a log outside and pulled her down so she was sitting sideways on his lap. Normally this show of affection would have embarrassed her in front of others, especially his family, but right now she did not care. He needed her and she needed him as well. She twisted a bit settling in as they waited for the others to emerge.

Brock held her and gently rubbed her back as they waited. By the time Chase and Jaelyn emerged, she was warm, content and almost asleep. Bubbling with happiness Jaelyn came over and hugged her and Brock together. Imitating her, Chase did the same until Brock pushed him away. Sabrina laughed at Brock’s annoyed look and kissed him. He grinned down at her as she wriggled off his lap to sit next to him on the log. Feeling the coldness against her bum she regretted her decision.

“Thomas said...” Jaelyn began. 

“Thomas, Thomas, Thomas.” Chase cut in and Jaelyn hit him on the side of his head as Sabrina giggled and Brock held his head in his hands in a gesture of annoyance.

With a glare at Chase, Jaelyn began speaking again. “Thomas said he was doing very well. There is no sign of infection from the surgery and he should be more alert so he can start eating regular food and build his strength up.”

Brock grinned. “You’d better get to work, Chase. Sounds like he’ll be up and about soon enough.”

Chase sat down and picked up the section of willow tree he had hacked off for the crutch. He took his knife and resumed stripping the bark from it and smoothing out the imperfections.

Jaelyn began supper to burn off her excess energy and Sabrina went up and offered to help. Smiling at her sister–in-law-to-be, she put her in charge of peeling potatoes and sent Brock down to the creek to fetch fresh water. Thomas came out soon after and let them know their father was sleeping and Anna was staying with him. Brock returned to his seat next to Sabrina.

“So when’s the wedding?” Jaelyn asked her brother.

“We haven’t had a chance to make plans yet,” Brock replied.

“Is your family coming?” she asked Sabrina.

Sabrina stopped peeling and Brock glared at his sister.

“I don’t have any close family. I’m not sure where my brother is and my parents and sister are gone,” Sabrina replied sadly.

Jaelyn’s face fell; she was so close to her own family she could not imagine not having anyone. Almost losing her father was
unbearable, much less losing everyone she loved. She’d even miss Chase if he was gone. Jaelyn went over and hugged her again. “Well, you have a family now.”

“Thank you,” Sabrina murmured, deftly wiping her eyes as she returned to the potatoes. Brock patted her knee affectionately.

“Why don’t you get married while you’re here?” Jaelyn asked.

Sabrina hesitated, unsure of how to answer, and Brock came to her rescue. “There’s already a lot going on at the moment but, no matter when or where we have it, I’m sure you’ll be there.”

Sabrina rewarded him with a slight smile.

Supper was soon ready and Jaelyn brought in some food for her parents as Brock served the others. Deep in thought, Sabrina only nibbled at her food. She was getting married. To Brock. The idea was new to her and she was happy and scared all at the same time. Growing up, she had always dreamed of her father walking her down the wide front steps of her home, Montgomery. Both were gone now. She had no idea if the home was ever completely rebuilt or if the property was still in her family.

Warren was more of a city dweller. Her mother used to tell them tales of life in Boston where she grew up and Warren’s face would glow. Sabrina didn’t like the stories of women getting dressed up in their layers and layers of fancy clothing. She never liked lace. It itched.

She wondered if her brother had ever received her first letter and if she should send him one about the wedding. She had to send one to Samuel and Alma. She had abandoned them as well. There would be many requests for forgiveness. Her heart was heavy.

She hadn’t really thought of Warren much and she wondered what he was doing now. Had he ever married? Did he ever think of her? She knew she missed him; she just didn’t like his bossy ways. Well, she would send out several letters as soon as they got back.

She felt a hand on her leg and glanced over at Brock. He looked worried so she forced a smile and finished her meal. They went in to check on his father but he was still sleeping. Anna told them they no longer had to rotate sittings. Since his fever had broken, there was not much to do but wait. They both hugged her goodnight and headed to the cabin they were staying in.

“Jaelyn upset you,” he commented.

Sabrina lay down on the bed. She was not as much exhausted as she was weary. “It was not her fault; it was mine.”

“Are you upset about the wedding? About marrying me?” he asked hesitantly. She had been through an awful lot lately. Maybe it was just too soon. Perhaps he should have waited.

‘No! It’s not that,” she said, sitting up so she could look at him. She picked up his large warm hands and held them tightly. “It’s me. I thought I left all those demons behind me but I just realized that I was making my own. I not only abandoned my brother, but Samuel and everyone else. I need to fix it. I need to fix all of it. She looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes. “Do you think they will forgive me?”