Chase the Moon: A Historical Romance (12 page)

Chase and Amelia rode across with no problem. He eased her to the ground where she stood with wobbly legs. Thomas’ horse was skittery about the rushing water underneath and would have panicked except for Jaelyn grabbing Thomas’ reins and controlling the animal as she led them both over the bridge.

Amelia looked on in admiration of her skill and boldness in handling the huge beasts. She was definitely glad that she was riding with Chase instead of alone.

Warren was next, Sally made a grand show of covering her face in fright as they rode across and Amelia rolled her eyes. Riley decided the small clearing would be a good place to stop for their midday meal. Therefore, they moved to set everything up.

Amelia was feeling oddly cold in the temperate spring air since she left the warmth of Chase’s arms. Crossing her own she found one of the fallen logs to sit on. She watched the others settle in as well. A smile tugged at her lips as she watched Jaelyn sit in the fresh grass and pull Thomas down to join her.

She was enjoying the respite from the constant motion. Unlike her cousin Sabrina, she would definitely prefer to ride in a carriage rather than astride a horse. Her solitude was interrupted as Sally ambled over not wanting to sit in the dirt either.

“Isn’t this a Grand Adventure? I can’t believe my father actually let me go alone. Of course Thomas is here, but otherwise occupied.”

“Yes it is Grand, it’s very sweet how he dotes on Jaelyn. Seems like all the Stafford’s possess a certain charm.” Amelia replied as her eyes lighted onto Chase who was in a deep conversation with Warren and Riley.

“As do the Lovett’s.” Sally said her face turning a tinge of pink.

Amelia was about to reply when she heard a strange high pitched noise coming from the brush behind her. She and Sally both turned to stare at the rustling bushes. Fear gripped her heart as she froze in place.

“Run!” A deep baritone voice shouted as Warren pulled his pistol.

Not needing to be told twice the girls scattered in opposite directions. They had moved just in the nick of time as a large feral boar charged out of the woods. It’s low vision picked up the movement and sound from Sally’s ruffles and changed directions.

Amelia watched in horror as Thomas pushed the protesting Jaelyn behind him. Warren couldn’t get a line of sight to shoot since Sally chose to run towards him. Riley fired his gun but the shot barely dented the animal’s thick mottled skin. The angry boar charged him knocking him off his feet. Its thick teeth sank into his leg and Amelia screamed in pure terror as her brother was mauled.

Chase moved like lightning. He ran pulling his hunting knife deftly with one hand and quickly passed the screaming girl to throw himself at the beast.

Amelia cried out in horror as a spurt of blood erupted between the three of them. She knew not whether it was theirs or the animals. She did not dare breath or move until the boar collapsed. It lay on its side heaving it’s last breath as it’s blood drained from the large gaping wound Chase inflicted in its neck.

Thomas and Amelia ran over to help Riley as Chase went into full alert. He was cursing himself for not scouting out the area when they first arrived. He hadn’t been thinking with his head lately and that could be deadly for all involved.

Worried there may be others nearby, Chase stood listening and watching the woods carefully for any signs of more boars along with Warren. He then headed into the brush and returned only after he was satisfied the area was safe. He wiped the blade of his hunting knife on the grass to cleanse it of blood before returning it to its sheath.

His blade was clean but the blood had sprayed over his face and chest, giving him a formidable appearance. Wiping his face with his wet sleeve he knelt next to Amelia who was still shaking from the occurrence. Concern for her brother was etched across her face and Chase longed to see her smile again.

He watched as Thomas slit open Riley’s pant leg to expose the nasty bite wound in his thigh.

“Are you alright?”

“Never better. Just a scratch” Riley replied he was feeling a bit awkward from all the attention.

“It’s not deep but it is ragged, won’t look pretty but it will heal. Didn’t damage the bone. Your muscle will be sore for a couple of days and it needs to be cleaned. Lucky it wasn’t a male , they have tusks; are there more?” He asked Chase, the woodsman of the bunch.

“Looked like a nest nearby, usually several females will watch over a hoard. They got spooked from the gunfire and moved off.” He quieted to watch as Thomas pulled liniment, bandages and whisky from his bag. He was impressed by Riley’s strength as he only gritted his teeth when the caustic liquid hit his open flesh. Thomas treated the wound and bandaged it tightly. He remembered talking to Thomas after his father’s injury. The medical field had advanced in leaps and bounds after the civil war. He was glad there was a benefit from all the madness that men ensue. With Riley cared for his eyes moved to Amelia. “Are you okay?”

“Me? I’m fine. You’re the one covered in blood.” Amelia replied her quivering voice revealing her uneasiness.

“It’s not mine.” He said with his trademark grin. The Indian Warrior instantly disappeared and he was Chase again.

“I’m fine, really, just a bit shaken. Your shirt is ruined! Take it off and I’ll do what I can to clean it while you get washed up.”

Chase raised an eyebrow at her suggestion as he stood up and complied. He slowly undid the buttons watching her watch him. Amelia knew she was staring but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t dare look away least this magnificent man in front of her just fade back into the figment of her imagination.

Chase pulled the material free from his pants handing her the saturated shirt. She licked her lips as her eyes raked over his taunt chest and abdomen. Her heart was pounding in her chest and it was not from her earlier fright.

Chase took a deep breathing trying to control his body’s reaction to the desire he read in her eyes. A weaker man would have thrown her to the ground and ravaged her right then and there.

A loud forced sob rent the air causing both of their heads to swivel. Sally was crying loudly into Warren’s shirt as he tried his best to soothe her from her scare.

“Just a sow, we spooked her nest. Worst she could have done is gave ya a bad bite.” Jaelyn offered.

“Oh is that all?” Sally retorted, her anger overcoming her fear.

Chase seeking solitude headed a safe distance away from the noise. Kneeling he dunked his head into the cold, rushing water rinsing the blood from his hair, face and chest. Nearby Amelia knelt as well dipping the spattered shirt again and again into the water. A shadow fell over her and she nodded in appreciation as Thomas knelt beside her showing her more effective ways to remove blood.

With a grimace, Riley headed over to the dead animal. He took his own knife out and began cutting up the bore, much to Sally’s horror.

“What you don’t like bacon?” he teased returning to his task. Jaelyn joined him slicing the meat into strips to make it easier to pack and cook. It was too large to move in one piece anyways. They might as well have a meal or two from it. When they were finished, Warren helped him move the carcass into the woods. The coyotes could fight over the rest.

Finally satisfied, Amelia wrung the water out of the shirt before making her way back to the group. She met up with Chase to give him back his shirt. “It’s still wet.” She explained apologetically.

“It’ll dry.” He said reaching for it and grabbing her hand in the process. She moved to pull away but he held her steadfast. Ignoring her protests and the five sets of eyes on them he pulled her into his chest. Embarrassed she put her hand up to stop him. It met bare molten flesh and she pulled it away in alarm as if she had been scorched; her face burned almost as hot. His steel like arms ignored her protests and pulled her close as he rested his cheek against her hair.

“I will not let you come to harm.”

Amelia nodded not sure if he meant from nature or from himself. One last squeeze and he let her go. Amelia stood there feeling rather alone as she watched him move to check on Riley.

Riley insisted he was fine and they could continue the trip. Thomas hesitantly agreed. They decided it would be safer to move on for now, incase other animals were attracted by the smell of blood, they packed up and headed out. Amelia road with Jaelyn, and Sally ended up with her brother Thomas.

***

Amelia’s head was buzzing with thought as she sat behind the slender but powerful woman. Jaelyn and Chase were so much alike it was hard not to think of her twin. Especially when he was riding shirtless only ten feet away from her. In fact her heart was still beating a bit faster and she wasn’t sure if it was from her scare or Chase’s presence.

She replayed in her mind how gracefully he had moved and instinctively tackled and butchered the boar in seconds. He had to have strong hands to accomplish the deed so effortlessly; she wondered what it would feel like having those hands on her. She wasn’t naive by any standard of the word. Playing cards in a saloon will cure anyone from that! No, she wasn’t innocent per say but she was still pure. A choice she had made and stuck by even though sometimes it was very tempting not to.

Chase was making it very hard to stick to her morals. The Stafford’s were an odd bunch. They were more wild than tame. Yet, they seemed to live life more by thought and feeling rather than following any rulebook.

She adored Mr. Stafford as well. She wished her father were able to enjoy life and smile again like Jonathan. Even with his ailment, he was jolly. She could see why Sabrina fell for Brock and had chosen to be a part of his family. Thomas had fallen as well. Would she be next?

Chase swung his head around, his black eyes meeting her blue ones. He winked as if he had been reading her mind. She looked away trying to hide her red face; she hadn’t realized she had been staring at him. It was hard not to! She was relieved when he turned back around. She tried her best to ignore him, but soon her eyes were again drawn to him as were her thoughts.

His bronzed skin shimmered in the sun. It looked like silk stretched rigidly across his back and she wondered if it felt like silk as well. So lost in her thoughts, she had not realized Jaelyn was heading up a slope. She felt herself sliding backwards and threw her arms around Jaelyn’s waist so tight it almost cut off her breath.

“Sorry.”

“I thought you would have noticed the hill. Apparently your mind is on someone else?”

“Ahh no, Just enjoying the scenery.”

“And is my brother part of your view? He does seem to be keeping an eye on you as well.”

Amelia ignored the teasing and returned her grip to Jaelyn’s waist. She did try to watch ahead of them so she would not be surprised again. She hated having to feel incompetent and rely on others to help her. In San Francisco, they lived in town so she walked most everywhere. She could have a horse if she wanted one, but they were not needed since everything was so close. However, for this trip it would have been better if she had her own horse to ride, perhaps Chase could give her some lessons when they returned.

B
ack at the ranch, Alma was teaching Sabrina and Anna how to knit. Sabrina was grateful for the distraction. She was becoming stir crazy being cooped up, unable to ride and watched like a hawk by everyone. Alma had suggested the lessons and Anna offered to learn as well. The three women sat on the porch in the spring light. It was a magnificent day. A soft breeze blew by whispering for the flowers to bloom. Spring was Sabrina’s favorite time of the year. Everything was new, fresh.

She sat on the rocking chair, her brow furrowed in concentration. She was determined to do this. Anna, who was used to sewing, took to knitting like a duck out of water. Sabrina was awful at sewing and had the scars to prove it. At least she couldn’t poke herself with the larger rods. She had just finished a row to find it unraveling before he eyes. One of the ginger barn cats had come up and grabbed onto the dangling yarn pulling it back with its claws. Alma shoed it away but the damage had already been done.

“I am never gonna figure this out.”

“Of course you will. You are just trying too hard. Don’t make a chore out of it. Knitting should be enjoyable.”

“Should be.” Sabrina mimicked taking a deep breath and starting over as Alma leaned in closer to making sure she was doing it right.

***

Jonathan had coerced Brock into letting him ride. He hasn’t been on a horse since he had lost his leg to infection. Brock didn’t feel confident but Dr. Reynold assured him his father would be fine. Not completely convinced Brock had Samuel ride along as well.

The hardest part was mounting. Brock supported his weaker side while he lifted his good leg into the stir-up. He set his mouth tight against the pain from putting all of his weight on his stump. Even with the prosthetic leg that Thomas had acquired for him, the leg still caused him discomfort from time to time.

He pulled himself onto the horse using his upper arm strength while Samuel held the horse still. Samuel adjusted the stirrup on the other side for him and stepped back after handing the reins to Jonathan.

Jonathan, sitting up straight in the saddle, laughed out loud with the pure pleasure of it. “Feel like a man again. What the hell are you all standing around for? Saddle up!” He was feeling whole for the first time since the accident. The other men quickly mounted their horses and followed Samuel down the trail towards the river.

They could hear the river before they saw it. The tumbling water twisted its way along the path nipping at branches and rocks along the way. It was very soothing and the men were quiet as they road. Samuel stopped in one area, which looked much like all the others around them. Brock from his previous excursion with Sabrina recognized it as the spot where Sabrina had pulled Samuel from the river, offering him life and hope.

“Beautiful country around here. Would be a great place to raise a child.” Jonathan hinted.