Yellowstone Romance Series - Bundle (# 2-5) (19 page)

Chapter 20

Chase coughed and spat blood on the ground.
Dammit, Russell. Why’d you have to act like such a jerk again?

Still sitting on the ground, he slowly worked his britches up his legs. Even the slightest movement in every one of his limbs sent currents of pain through his system. Sarah had put his moccasins on for him, too, he noticed, and at closer inspection, bandages were wrapped around his feet. He glanced over at her. She stood some ten yards away, talking quietly to a horse. Her soft voice carried on the breeze, and he strained his ear to listen. He couldn’t understand what she said. She must be speaking in Shoshone, but the melody of her voice had a soothing effect not only on the horse, but on him as well.

She lifted a hand to pat the horse on the head. Her olive complexion was in stark contrast against the horse’s white face, her raised arm enhancing her slim, toned upper limbs. The sleeves of her shirt were missing, he realized suddenly. Chase looked at the bandages on his feet again.
It’s because of her that your sorry ass is even alive, Russell.
Thoughts and visions of Sarah had gotten him through this ordeal, and now she’d used whatever resource was available to help him again.

“I love you, Angel,” he muttered under his breath, and watched her stroke the horse’s long neck. She turned her head toward him, and he stiffened. She couldn’t have heard him. He wanted to say the words out loud, tell her what she meant to him. He couldn’t bring himself to do it. 

“Are you dressed?” she called.

“Yeah,” he managed to reply in a normal voice. She walked over to him, her face set in stone.

“Can you try to stand?”

“Sure,” he answered with a bitter laugh. “And then I’ll walk back to the cabin, no sweat.”

“We have a horse,” Sarah stated matter-of-factly.

“I’ve never sat on a horse in my life. How the hell am I even supposed to get on that thing?” God, he felt like an invalid. He knew what condition his feet were in. This morning, when those damn Indians found him, he’d been going on pure adrenaline. That had worn off now, leaving him exhausted and feeling every cut and scrape. Each time he moved, the sensation of needles jabbing into his soles made him want to give in and scream like a girl. If there was ever a good time to get drunk, now was it.

“If you can stand, and climb on that boulder over there,” she pointed towards the trees, “you can get on her back.”

Chase stared up into Sarah’s expectant eyes.  He inhaled deeply, his lungs and ribs protesting the expansion. That boulder was no more than twenty yards away, but the distance looked daunting at the moment. “Sure Angel. No problem.” How the hell was he supposed to sit on a horse and stay on? Reluctantly, Chase realized there were no other modes of transportation, and he’d have to endure this inconvenience as well as everything else he’d put up with so far.

Sarah knelt down beside him. She placed her hand flat on his chest, a frown forming on her face. She darted a nervous glance at him. “Continue to take deep breaths. I worry you will get lung sickness. You should not lie flat on your back anymore, either.”

The feel of her hand on him was like heaven, soothing among all the aches and pains. Chase closed his eyes for a moment. Then he clenched his jaw. He heaved himself off the ground, clutching at his side, and grimaced. All he needed now was to cry out in pain in front of her. He inhaled sharply when his feet supported his full weight. His legs shook, even as he stood hunched over.

Sarah rushed to his side, and put her arm around his waist, trying to support him. That would be futile. He had to outweigh her by fifty pounds or more.

“Angel, what are you doing?” he said between gritted teeth. “Don’t get me wrong. Your hands and arms all over me feels wonderful, but I’ll just crush you.”

She must have realized what he said was true, or maybe he’d just managed to get her all flustered again. Wordlessly, she released him, and hurried off to the horse, leading the animal back towards him. He’d never been this close to a horse before. Sarah brought it right up alongside him.

“Here, put your arm over her back just behind her neck, and she’ll support you to get to the boulder.”

He reluctantly followed Sarah’s instructions. Raising his arm was pure agony. Not only did his muscles burn like hell, but his ribs were killing him.

“Ready?” Sarah asked, standing at the front of the horse.

“Yeah, sure.” He couldn’t produce more words. The horse stepped forward, and he followed. It did support him like crutches, and he managed to take a lot of weight off his feet, but the sensation of hot blades slicing through his soles remained.

“When we get back to the cabin, I will make you some willow bark tea. It will help with the pain,” Sarah called over her shoulder.

“Is it that obvious?” he ground out.  Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his shirt clung to his back. He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to dispel the dizziness that came over him. He leaned heavier on the horse for support. 

“Yes,” Sarah answered. She stopped, and the horse did, too, in front of the granite boulder. Chase wondered vaguely why this boulder seemed so out of place along the lush green banks this side of the river. None of the mountains around here were carved from granite.  

Sarah turned and faced him. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. You don’t need to hide the pain you are in, Chase. Your pride can remain intact, I assure you.” Her icy stare, and sharp words were in stark contrast with the way she’d spoken to the horse earlier.

He tore his eyes away from her, and assessed the huge rock. He reached up and put his hands flat on the near level top, and heaved himself up. It was the most excruciating pull-up he’d ever had to do. His shoulders might be on fire, but at least he didn’t have to use his feet at the moment. Years of weight training were paying off for him now. He hadn’t lost any of his upper body strength, even if it did hurt like hell. Using his knees rather than his feet to bear some of his weight, he managed to pull and push himself to the top. He rested on his stomach for a moment to catch his breath, then twisted his body and hips to a sitting position, his feet dangling over the edge. He wiped an impatient arm across his sweaty forehead.

“Now what?” he asked between gritted teeth. He hated this helpless feeling, and that Sarah had to see him so incapacitated.

“Swing your right leg over her back.”

The horse’s back was a few inches below. Chase inched forward. He reached down and put his hands on the horse’s neck, grabbing a handful of mane, then swung his leg over. The horse shifted her feet, and he leaned forward for balance, his thighs instinctively tightening around the animal’s sides to maintain centered.

“Scoot back and give me some room,” Sarah ordered.

“We’re riding double?” Was there enough room for two?

“I can walk if you prefer,” she retorted.

Chase grinned, despite the pain. Anything to have her close to him. “Hop on, Angel.”

“Here, hold this.”  She thrust her rifle in his hand. Chase stared at it. He seriously needed to learn how to shoot one of these things. The next Blackfoot Indian he met had better watch out.

 Sarah climbed on the boulder with the grace and agility of a gymnast, and swung her leg forward over the horse’s neck. She adjusted her seat, and picked up the reins. Mere inches separated them.  Chase’s hands involuntarily reached for Sarah’s waist when the horse began to walk.  She stiffened under his hands. Leaning forward, his head inches from her ear, he whispered, “It was your idea to ride double, Angel.”

******

What did she expect? A changed man? Sarah inhaled deeply, trying to concentrate on the route home. Her back muscles ached from the stiff way she’d been sitting on the mare. She should have realized how close their bodies would touch if they rode double, but she’d only thought about getting Chase home as quickly as possible. If she chose to walk now, he’d only have more fuel for rude comments. 

His body heat radiated into her back, and strands of her hair clung to the nape of her neck. Thankfully, he’d moved his hands, and hadn’t spoken in a while. His breathing told her the ride wasn’t comfortable for him. With the way she’d seen him clutch at his sides, she worried that he might have some broken ribs. Sarah questioned her sanity. Why did she care for this man, when his behavior and manners were so infuriating at times? 

She wouldn’t allow him to get to her, she told herself firmly, and tried to focus on the path ahead. A man’s wounded pride was sometimes more difficult to heal than physical injuries. Her brothers had been good examples of that over the years. Chase had nothing to be ashamed of. He had survived impossible odds. Wasn’t he aware of that?

The well-traveled deer trail along the Firehole River allowed the mare to extend her walking strides, and she glided smoothly along. The forest wasn’t as dense in this area, but Sarah saw the mountains closing in on them, and knew they’d soon reach the Firehole Canyon. It was the quickest way home if they traveled on foot. The rocky terrain would be impossible for a horse to traverse, however. The rushing sound of the water increased in volume, announcing the first cascades up ahead as the river journeyed on its way through the narrow canyon now only a short distance away. She turned the mare away from its banks, and headed east.

“How much further?” Chase’s words sounded strained. Despite her annoyance, she hurt for him, wishing there was something she could do to ease his pain, but knowing there wasn’t until they reached the cabin.

“At least one more hour,” she answered. “Lean….lean forward against me, if it will help,” she offered in a quiet tone.

He didn’t reply. Minutes passed, then she felt his arms slowly encircle her waist, and his chest leaned into her back. He rested his head on her shoulder.

“Thanks, Angel,” he whispered.

Warmth radiated from her center throughout her body and into her limbs. She savored the sensation of his strong arms around her. She could pretend it was a loving embrace, although she knew he didn’t have anywhere else to put his arms, and it helped him stay balanced. She had to brace her back to keep herself upright from his heavy bulk leaning into her. 

The forest grew dark around them, and Sarah concentrated on maneuvering the mare around deadfall and between trees. There was a definite chill in the air. If not for Chase’s heat, she might be cold. He was so hot, she feared he had developed a fever.  His even breathing told her he’d fallen asleep, but his body involuntarily jerked every once in a while. She hoped he stayed asleep until they reached the cabin. 

His arms had not lessened their grip around her waist, and her stomach and leg muscles clenched, trying to keep both of them balanced on the horse. She was thankful that the mare had a smooth gait, and was well-trained. By the time the woods finally gave way to meadow, her body was sore and tired from Chase leaning on her. The Little Buffalo River was just up ahead, and beyond that, home. Sarah nudged the mare with her knees to walk faster, and the horse obediently splashed through the water.

“Chase, wake up,” Sarah said. Her shoulder ached. His head rested heavily against her neck. “Chase,” she said louder.  She reached her hand around and tapped his arm.

“Huh?” He woke with a start. His body swayed to the side, and his hold around her waist tightened.

“Wake up. You’re going to make both of us fall to the ground. Don’t grip me so hard.”

“We’re back?” he asked, his voice raspy again.

“Yes. I need to get off the horse. You need to release me.” He removed his arms, and Sarah shivered at the sudden cold around her waist. She swung her right leg forward over the horse’s neck and slid off her back.

“I’ll bring her right up to the cabin door, but I’m afraid you’ll have to walk to the bedroom.” She glanced up at him. His eyes were glazed over and his face was covered in sweat. He definitely had a fever. She had to get him in bed and covered before he became chilled. The late afternoon sun no longer provided warmth, and Sarah noticed thunder clouds to the west. She was glad she’d decided to make the trip home rather than stay camped by the river.