The Stafford Collection, Historical Western Romances (28 page)

Brock came in a little later and eyed the Major speculatively. Everything else seemed to be in place so he nodded to Mac and left. The Major left soon after, and Sabrina moved to sit at the bar for a small break. Her shoulders ached and she flexed her neck, trying to stretch out the tense muscles.

A movement to her right caught her attention and again she found herself staring into blue eyes. “I didn’t think it would be possible, but you are even more beautiful than I remember.”

Her heart almost stopped as Ted Roberts grinned over at her. Forcing herself to remain calm, she hoped Mac was paying attention. She faked a smile. “I’m sorry; do I know you?”

He frowned a bit at first and then smiled as he reached out, touching her cheek. “Well, it was a long time ago. I used to work for your father. Such a tragedy.”

“Um…nice to see you again,” she murmured. “I have to get back to work.”

As she returned to the piano, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mac send one of the saloon girls to find Brock. And she saw Mac move closer to his rifle.

Her nerves showed in the next piece and she floundered through it, knowing most people in the room would not pick up on the errors. But one person did. Ted moved over to sit next to her at the bench. “It’s been a long day; you look tired. Perhaps we should call it a night?”

She fought the impulse to attack him and make a run for it. Glancing around at the crowded room of innocent people, she nodded, standing up to go with him. As if in a dream, she heard the cock of a rifle and knew it was Mac’s. But at that instant,, Mac’s chest exploded as another man shot him at close range with a sawed off shotgun.

Sabrina screamed “No!” She
fought off the hands grabbing for her. She had to reach Mac. There was more gunfire and Sabrina was thrown over a shoulder, and hurried out the back door where a horse was waiting.

Still in shock from being manhandled so easily, she finally came to her senses and began fighting her abductor. A cloth was shoved over her face, and she recognized the smell of chloroform
from when Thomas used it on Jonathan, oh, so long ago. Against her will, her body
went limp.

Chapte
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B
rock whirled, hearing heavy boots hurrying towards him. He frowned, spotting the army Major. As Benjamin opened his mouth to speak, Brock motioned for him to be silent, and guided him into his office, which was thankfully vacant. He had sent Stan into the saloon and Chase was supposed be on the roof keeping a look out.

“Are you crazy? Every man in the territory is gonna be heading here. I heard about Sabrina’s music when I was in Keystone.”

Brock sighed. He felt like he had aged ten years in the last week. “Sabrina is trying to lure Roberts here. I don’t suppose you brought your men with you?”

It was Ben’s turn to frown. “No, I took personal leave. I didn’t realize she was on a suicide mission.”

“Aren’t we all?” Brock sighed as he heard a knock on the door. He yelled, “Enter!” and looked up as a tall affluent man came in, followed closely by a broad-shouldered man dressed in buckskin, and one of the largest and darkest men that Brock had ever met.

The first man took off his hat, holding it nervously in his hands. His closely cropped red hair shone like a beacon in the dim light. Brock’s insides twisted as he recognized Sabrina’s brother from her description.

“Sheriff. I am Warren Lovett, please excuse our appearance; we just arrived by train. We have traveled a long way. My sister, Sabrina, has been missing and I recently received news that she may be in your town.”

Brock had no time to respond as a gunshot ricocheted outside. The newcomers were almost trampled as Brock and Ben pushed past them, pulling their weapons as they ran. The others followed suit.

A barrage of gunfire was heard from inside the saloon as the patrons fired back at the outlaw that shot Mac. He went down with several holes in his torso. Chase took out another one from the roof as they rode off. He could have taken out at least one more but was worried about hitting Sabrina. Cursing, he shimmied down a railing and jumped from the balcony to the ground as Brock ran up.

“There are three left,” Chase said grimly. “They got her.”

“Mac’s dead but we took out the son of a bitch that shot him down,” Stan said at the same time.

Brock closed his eyes at the news; he had to focus on Sabrina.

“Got who?”  Warren asked with dread.

“Sabrina, your sister, Brock replied, tight-lipped. “She was trying to help capture your family’s killers.”  

Brock felt an icy coldness creep into his soul. He whistled for Troy as he and the growing group set out after them. Warren and his men did not have horses so they took the three closest to them that were unattended.

It was hard to see the trail in the semi-darkness and Chase and Riley, the man in buckskins travelling with Warren, insisted they go slowly so they would not trample the tracks. Brock considered himself a good tracker, but he knew that Chase was better. He hoped damn well that Riley was as good or better than Chase. He just wanted Sabrina found, fast.

Brock turned livid. “Do you know what they could be doing to her?”

Riley was stoic. “Yes, but right now they are running. As long as we keep them on the move, she’ll be fine. If we trample the tracks and they split, we might lose her forever.”

Brock looked at Chase for confirmation and frowned as Chase agreed. In frustration, Brock lifted his head and screamed his aggravation to the heavens. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over to see Warren.

“You are the man in Sabrina’s letter?”

Brock nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“We will get her back. Sabrina is...resourceful,” said Warren. “She should survive. And when we get her back, she is going to need you.  Keep your head.”

The trackers now dismounted and walked their horses, searching out the trail as it shifted.

Brock sensed a movement in the darkness. He could barely distinguish the huge man against the dusk.

“You must be Samuel,” Brock said to the quiet giant.

“I am.”

“Sabrina mentioned you. Thank you for saving her life.”

“I owe her my life, my freedom. There is nothing I would not do for Sabrina. Nothing.”

Brock smiled despite his grief. “I guess there are others who feel as I do.”

“Did she tell you how we met?” Samuel asked in his gruff voice.

“No, she just said you were sick.” Brock said, as the two fell into step with the motley group.

“She was twelve. She was a little spitfire
even back then. Hell, Warren said she was like that all of her life. So curious about everything, loved animals, loved the land. She was out running around the woods when she found me. I was half dead. Although slaves were supposed to be freed not everyone agreed, or obeyed the law of the land.

“We were still treated horribly. I was about fourteen or fifteen, I guess. We di
dn’t really celebrate no birthdays. We didn’t celebrate anything much. One of the women was having a baby and it was going bad. I was sent to the house to ask for a doctor and was refused. I was so angry. They would get help for a stuck calf but not for a Negro. I spit in his face. He slapped me.”

Samuel let out a big booming laugh, and Brock looked over at him curiously. He was retelling this horrible tale but was still able to keep his humanity and spirit. No wonder he and Sabrina made such a pair.

“I’ve always been big for my age. I punch that son of a bitch in the face, giving him everything I got. Took five men to hold me down. They whipped me till I had no skin left on my back and then they started on the front. Thinking I was dead or close enough to it, they threw me in the river. Not the smartest thing I ever did. The woman and her baby both died anyway. But for one second, it felt so good! Knocked out both of his front teeth. And I got ta meet Sabrina.

“I don’t know how many miles I floated down the river. I just ’member opening my eyes and seeing an angel above me. At least if you could imagine an angel being covered in dirt with leaves in her hair and wearin’ dungarees.”

Brock nodded. He knew that angel.

“Well, she had been hunting tadpoles or frogs or some other critter and found me instead.
She jumped in and pulled me to shore.
She pulled me
,” he repeated, making sure that Brock understood the significance of that feat in itself.

“I was in and out of consciousness for days. I thought I was in heaven. I kept hearing this voice in my head. This sweet, sweet voice of an angel. Sometimes she would read from a book; sometimes she would sing and other times she would just be telling me that I need
ed to wake up. That I had to live. That I wasn’t done yet.

“Let me tell you. Besides my mother, no one had ever believed in me. Growing up as I did, you don’t believe in yourself. She made me believe. She made me want to live. She willed me back to life. I found out later I was out for three weeks, almost dead with the fever. She picked out rocks and maggots out of my back. She refused to leave my side. If I woke up she wanted to be there and if I died, she wanted to be there. And I woke up and I lived. Because of Sabrina. “

They were quiet for a while as they walked, both thinking on Samuel’s words. “The good will did not end there. Her whole
family
was good. Her mother and sister tended to me as well. Hell, her father personally carried me to my room from the river. And I wasn’t so small then. Carried me to my room! I stayed with them. In their home. They became my family. When Sabrina’s father found out my mother was still living, he went and brought her back. I did not ask how or why. Her father was a powerful man. He got things done. They had us a house built and we worked for them. Not because we had to. Because we wanted to. My mother was always nervous that someone would come and get after us. She didn’t like me gettin’ out. Going to town. No one ever did come lookin’ for us. You must be one hell of a man yourself since Sabrina chose you.”

Brock tried to smile. She had chosen him. Didn’t she tell him that many times? Brock replied, “I don’t know about all that, but I do know that she attracts people to her.”

“Like a bee to honey. Lydia was more beautiful on the outside with her red locks of hair. However, no one can match Sabrina’s spirit. Once you see it, it sticks with you forever.”  He said this with deep sadness, thinking of their current situation.  The two walked in silence, both lost in thought. A shout was heard from the head of the group and the two men hurried to the front.

Brock was not expecting the sight that greeted him. The two outlaws that had escaped with Roberts were lying dead on the ground. Riley nudged them with his boot, making sure they
weren’t faking before flipping them over. Their dull eyes gazed upwards into the dim moonlight. He frowned.

“Looks like they had no prior warning,” Chase speculated.

“He had no need for them anymore. He got what he was after,” Brock stated grimly. The thought that Sabrina only had to deal with one outlaw was not comforting to him.

“How do we proceed?” he asked and Chase and Riley moved off to examine the horse tracks going off in three different directions.

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S
abrina awoke feeling lightheaded and nauseous. She felt her body swaying and didn’t know if it was a side effect from the drug or from the movement.

Something ticked at the back of her brain and she soon realized that she was on a train. She closed her eyes again, trying to enhance her other senses. She quickly realized that her head was resting on someone’s lap. She was facing the person so she could not see much of the room without moving. From the rough material against her cheek, she assumed it was a man. From his steady breathing, she assumed he was asleep. 

There was only one man it could be: Ted Roberts.  As the events from the saloon rushed into her brain she felt the bile rise up in her throat. Mac. Mac was dead. Her mind replayed the shocked look on his face as he stared down at his shredded chest. He was dead and it was all her fault. She wondered how many others had been killed or injured because of her foolishness. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to stop the tears and control her emotions. If she was going to survive, she had to keep her wits about her. She had to stall Ted for as long as possible so Brock could find her.

Thinking of Brock gave her hope and she made a vow to herself to return to him if it was the last thing she did. She needed a plan. It was now light outside. She appeared to be on a sofa in a sleeper car. Having ridden on a train before, she was familiar with the lay out. The sleeper cars were always in the rear. If she could get away, maybe she could just jump from the train. Like she had before.

She couldn’t hear anyone else in the small compartment and hoped they were alone. She pushed herself up and tried to look sleepy. Ted, startled by the movement, reflexively reached for his gun. Seeing Sabrina sitting up looking fearful, he put the revolver away with an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, darlin;’ I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“Where are we going?” Sabrina asked, not having to feign the uncertainty in her voice.

Ted’s face lit up in a grin. “Home, we’re going home to Montgomery.”

Sabrina was not sure if he was kidding or just delusional. If he was delusional, she might be able to buy some time if she played along. However, if they were not going to Montgomery this might be her best chance of escape. She thought there were at least two of his men left and she did not know if they were on the train or not. Even if Ted was delusional, she doubted that they all were.

She tried to hide her shudder as she forced a smile. She needed him compliant. She glanced quickly around the room, taking in the small doorway and even smaller window. The window was latched shut and she let her hand flutter to her throat as she had seen Lydia do countless times to get attention.

“It sure is stuffy in here,” she said in her most pleasant feminine voice. It sounded odd to her, probably because she had been nodding and grunting so much the last three years, pretending to be a boy. Eager to please her, Ted instantly moved to the window to open it. She eyed his gun near her face and doubted she could grab it quicker than he could restrain her. She moved her foot a bit and was pleased to feel the pressure of the knife she had hidden in her boot.

The cold wind swept in through the now open window and Sabrina set her jaw firmly, offering a small smile to Ted as she tried to keep her teeth from chattering. As he stepped back, she eyed the small opening, debating whether she could squeeze through or not.

The last time she escaped from a train it was a piece of cake. She had just waited until her chaperone was asleep. She then headed to the lavatory and changed into her ‘boy’ clothes. Tossing her dress from the window, she made her way to the rear of the train car and simply waited until it slowed at the next town, she hopped off and Will was born. Sometimes it was nice being inconspicuous. She wished she was invisible now.

She watched the landscape fly by, taking her further and further away from Brock and she felt desperate. She had to escape soon. She knew that they would have to change trains or
acquire another mode of transportation eventually. She did not know if she could wait that long.

She tried to focus her attention on Ted as he sat down close by her. Too close. Her skin crawled as he lifted a hand and caressed her cheek. “You are so beautiful,” he drawled, softly pushing a short lock of hair behind her ear. Sabrina knew she should play along. She knew it could be dangerous if she broke the ‘pretense’. She tried to smile back at him but her tormented soul would hardly allow it. No, her mind had its own agenda. She turned her head away and looked back at him defiantly.

“You killed my family.”

He looked a bit ashamed. “Sabrina, it wasn’t me. I just came for you. It was the others that killed them. Not me.”

“You lie. I was there. I saw you. You could have left, you could have stopped it! You did nothing.”

Ted pulled back, frowning a bit. This was not the way things were supposed to be going. He did not remember her being so mouthy.

”Sabrina, we belong together. Your family was trying to keep us apart. I had no choice. There was no other way.” He leaned toward her again.

Sabrina tried to scoot back into the corner but he grabbed her and pulled her against him. He released her arms to hold her face in both of his hands. Smiling as she held still, he lowered his mouth to kiss her. Sabrina grimaced as his soppy wet lips covered hers. She felt his tongue force its way into her orifice and almost retched. She heard him moan her name and she closed her eyes as a plan formed in her head.

She stopped resisting and tried to relax her mouth. She used every ounce of will power she had to kiss him back. She slowly wrapped one arm around his shoulder so she was holding onto the back of his neck. She heard him groan with delight and she smiled.

She moved quickly and felt his body stiffen suddenly as she pushed his head forward pressing his mouth even tighter to hers so no sound would escape.
He tried to push away at first but she held him still. Suddenly his body jerked several times and then went limp. Mustering up her strength and courage, she pushed his body back against the bed. His sightless eyes stared up dully and a knife handle protruded from his chest.

Sabrina was overcome with revulsion as she wiped her mouth. She fell to her knees and retched quietly into his hat. So many emotions coursed through her body, she could not think; she could not feel. Survival. That was on her mind now. She hoped he would not be found until the train stopped at their appointed station. She made sure the door was locked ----then she checked him again carefully, making sure he was really dead. She finally got up the nerve to feel around his pockets and find his gun and extra ammo. She noticed his traveling coat hanging on a hook in the corner and put it on. She looked down at her blood soaked blouse and frowned. Well, there was no alternative. Maybe she could rinse it out later if she found some water. Sighing she tucked the gun into the coat pocket and made her way to the window.

She stuck her head out and quickly glanced about. Thanks to the cold, everyone had their windows closed. Not seeing anyone else, she forced herself to look down, and blanched when she saw the long drop below. The train was not slowing down and she was running out of time. She was fearful Robert’s men may come and check on them at any moment.

Taking a deep breath of courage, she climbed onto the bed and out the window. She grabbed the edge of the car above her and pulled herself out. Swinging her legs over the side she hung on for a second. It was difficult with the cold wind trying to tear her away from the train. She looked down at the churning metal wheels below her and closed her eyes. Saying a quick prayer, she pushed away from the train as hard as she could with her legs as she let go…

After examining all three tracks it was easy for Chase and Riley to discern which path Roberts had taken with Sabrina. The tracks that carried him and his burden were deeper set than the other two. Dawn was upon them and it brought with it the much needed light and hope to aid their plight.

Brock was not so happy to see the sun. It only reminded him of how long Sabrina had been gone. He feared for her safety. The tracks headed east and it was soon obvious he was heading to the next town.

Riley frowned. “Why would he be heading east?”

“The next train stop. I’ll bet they are taking the train,” Benjamin said.  The others grimly agreed. Picking up the pace with their destination in mind, they headed
east as well.

Arriving at the station they found very few people inside. Questioning the clerk, they soon learned that a
well-dressed man had reserved a sleeping car for his wife earlier the previous day. He said she was ill and needed to travel to see a doctor. So concerned for her well-being was he that he paid to rent out the entire car and even carried her on himself. The clerk’s tone turned from impressed to inquisitive as he noticed the mood of the surrounding men glaring at him.

Brock stepped up close to him and he stopped smiling altogether. Chase quickly pulled Brock back before he could strangle the man. “We’re wasting time. We know where they’re headed.”

Regretfully, Brock stepped away and turned to the volunteers who had followed them this far. He thanked them and dismissed them and Stan as well. They were only after one man now. He did not need any unskilled men getting in his way or putting themselves in danger. Moreover, the less witnesses the better when he did catch up to the son of a bitch.

He looked around at the men who stayed: Chase, Benjamin, Riley, Warren and Samuel. It would be enough. Riley ran to get provisions for the impromptu trip and the others headed out. They debated taking a short cut to conserve time rather than following the damn train tracks but there really was not a better a way.

Brock took the lead as they headed out and he grew more and more apprehensive as time passed. Thoughts of what Roberts could be doing to her flashed through his mind. He urged Troy even faster as the able horse galloped along the rocky terrain. He  was dimly aware of several people yelling out to him as his lead increased but he had to get there. She had to be okay. He shoved all reason from his mind as he pushed Troy to his limit and beyond. He stopped only when Chase caught up to him and physically grabbed Troy’s harness, bringing him to a stop.

“Are you crazy?” Chase shouted angrily. “Do you think you can save her with a dead horse?”

Brock was about to reply but instead looked down at Troy’s heaving sides and foaming mouth. Brock closed his eyes, feeling the pain in his heart and soul about to rip him apart.

“I have to get her back.”

“And we will but you know as well as I do that Sabrina would kick your ass if she knew how you were driving Troy.”

Brock could imagine Sabrina’s angry rant. Forced back to reality, he felt only dread and fear. “Don’t you know what he may be doing to her? We have to hurry.”

“We are,” Chase said, “but we can’t outrun a train. It has several stops to make. We will catch it. We will find her and we’ll bring her back.”

Warren caught the gist of the conversation as he rode up next to them. “She has to survive,” he said. “She knows that you will come for her.
She will do whatever it takes to stay
alive
.”

“I want her back, no matter what,” Brock said. “I have to get her back.”
The group moved forward at a walk to allow Troy to cool down. For Brock, each slow step was torture. She would never give up hope, no matter what, and neither would he.

Sabrina landed hard against the rocky soil. Her momentum carried her down the slope and into some trees and foliage. She lay still, hurting like hell all over
, trying to catch her breath. She could hear the train chugging down the tracks away from her and she waited until it disappeared from sight before she moved.

She tried to push herself up into a sitting position but stopped and bit her lip so she wouldn’t cry out from the pain. Her shoulder was injured. She had landed hard on it when she first hit the ground. She sat still until the pain subsided a bit. She gingerly tried moving it. It was painful but she didn’t think it was broken. She groaned loudly as she used a tree trunk to help her rise to her feet. She allowed herself a couple minutes of self-pity before steeling her resolve. She had to make it back to town. To Brock.

Not wanting to climb up the steep slope to the tracks themselves, she decided to walk alongside of them where she could hide if anyone approached. She had no idea where the train was heading but she knew where it came from and headed that way.

She looked up at the sun creeping higher in the sky and estimated that it was late morning. Her stomach growled but that was the least of her problems. The wind gusted and she pulled
the stolen coat tightly around her. She hoped she’d find some place safe before nightfall.

She tried to concentrate on her footing. It helped block out her thoughts. She could not risk falling and reinjuring her arm. Her thoughts kept trailing back to Ted Roberts and it troubled her. She had killed him and she was glad for it. Yes, he would have killed her or worse, but shouldn’t she feel some remorse? Did
that make her as bad as him?

She wished that Brock were here to talk to her and help her through this. He always had a way of making her feel much better. Of course, not all of them included talking. Sighing, she headed west.