Frontier Gift of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 5) Page 12

  Chapter 14

  Sam’s feet felt like twin blocks of ice and his numb fingers required painful attempts at thawing by clenching and unclenching his hand. The trip back, riding tired and cold horses, seemed to take forever. Little John fell asleep, facing his chest, and sitting in front of him. The boy’s body warmth was welcome, but far more than that, it warmed his heart knowing his son was now safe.

  As before, he led them quietly through the woods and then to the rear of the large barn before they dismounted. He wanted to surprise Dixon.

  Before dismounting, Sam pointed to Crowell. “Put that bastard in the stall with the most horseshit and chain him in it.”

  Little John still slept and, after carefully dismounting, he gently laid his son on a pile of fresh hay off to the side. The boy’s fair skin, light hair, and delicate features made him think he was looking at the face of a cherub. For sure, he gazed upon a precious gift of God. A gift given to both him and Catherine.

  While the other men tended to their weary mounts too, he unsaddled Alex and then covered the gelding with a dry sheet to absorb moisture and walked the horse around the snug barn. The frigid temperature they’d endured made it important for the horse to cool gradually. He finished with a quick brushing. “Will you feed and water him for me Harry? I need to take Little John inside.”

  “Of course,” Harry responded, taking Alex’s lead rope.

  “You men get some rest and get warm, but wait a bit before you go to your quarters. It won’t be long before Garvin brings Dixon out to join our prisoner. Keep them both locked up until I say otherwise.”

  He scooped Little John up, trying not to wake him, and placed his son’s head over a shoulder. Then he grabbed his long rifle and hurried towards his home’s back door. As he hiked through the snow, he glanced up at the sky, now filled with piercingly bright stars and whispered, “Thank you, Lord.”

  Sam opened and then closed the door slowly. As he made his way through the nearly dark kitchen and into the hall, he could hear someone snoring. It must be Dixon. When he reached the front room, Bear and Garvin stood right away, smiles covering their faces at the sight of Little John asleep on his shoulder.

  Sam placed a finger over his lips, indicating they should remain quiet. He handed his rifle to Bear and then proceeded down the hall toward his son’s room.

  He entered the bedroom, and let his eyes adjust to the darkness for a moment. Little John’s room held that scent unique to little boys. With five brothers, he recognized the scent well. It smelled like the forest after a rain, and sunshine too, and grass mixed with dirt. All that mingled with the earthy aroma given off by his son’s assorted treasures— mostly rocks, bird nests, and feathers.

  With one arm, he tugged the bed’s blanket down and then laid Little John on the sheet and pillow. He removed his son’s coat and boots and then tucked the blanket around his little body. At the foot of the bed, Catherine had lain an extra blanket and he covered him with that too. Morning wasn’t far off, but Little John would likely sleep for some time. He stepped to the room’s window and pulled the two deerskin drapes closed. The skins served as curtains and effectively kept some of winter’s chill from entering the room.

  He knelt and kissed his son on the forehead. “Sweet dreams,” he whispered.

  Sam stepped out into the hall, lit by a wall sconce burning a beeswax candle. He quietly tapped a knuckle to the door of his own room. “Catherine, I’m back.”

  The door flew open nearly instantly. He could tell she hadn’t slept. Again, he placed a finger over his lips so she would whisper.

  “Sam, thank God. Did you find him?”

  “Yes, he’s fine.” He motioned for her to follow him to their son’s room. He pointed and let her go in first.

  Bending over the bed, she placed one hand over her mouth. He suspected she was trying to keep from crying out with pure joy. She placed the other hand on Little John’s head and gently stroked his hair. Then she glanced back at Sam, eyes glistening with unshed tears of happiness and relief.

  She turned and hugged Sam as tightly as she could with the significant barrier protruding between them. When she released him, she gazed up into his face, her beautiful eyes still sparkling like afternoon sun dancing on blue water.

  He softly brushed his fingers against her check and then lifted her chin and kissed her fully, letting the love that filled him flow through his lips. Her mouth felt luxuriously warm against his chilled lips and the skin on her face seemed almost hot to his icy fingers.

  “Sam, you’re nearly frozen. Let’s get you warmed up.” Taking his hand, she led him out.

  “Is Artis still asleep?” he asked as they made their way toward the front room.

  “Yes, I believe so,” Catherine answered. “She was exhausted.”

  When the two of them stood in front of a still snoring Dixon, Catherine did something completely out of character for her. She kicked Dixon in the shin.

  “Ouch!” he said coming awake.

  “Get out of my husband’s chair. Now!” Catherine ordered in a voice of authority Sam had never heard her use before.

  Dixon didn’t hesitate. His hands still tied, he stood and took a step and then two away from Catherine and Sam. Bear and Garvin just stood by smiling, while the man tugged and patted his clothes back into place.

  Sam removed his coat, handed it to Garvin, and then took his chair.

  Catherine turned to Garvin. “Would you be so kind as to go to the kitchen and pour the Captain a hot cup of coffee? And Bear, I believe there’s some brandy in that china cabinet that might warm him as well.” Both men moved at once to do her biding while she bent to remove his wet boots.

  “No, I can get those,” he said, stopping her. With a tug on the wet leather, he got them both off and Catherine sat the boots by the hearth to dry.

  Dixon started shifting back and forth on his feet looking as if he was growing more uncomfortable by the minute.

  “Did you sleep well, Mr. Dixon?” Sam asked.

  “Yes, I was most comfortable.” Dixon looked behind him. “It doesn’t look like the sun is up yet, but if you’d like to get an early start I’m…amenable.”

  Sam was enjoying this. “I appreciate your willingness, but I don’t think I’m ready to get cold again, Mr. Dixon.”

  “Uh,” he stammered. “How did you get cold? I thought you were sleeping.”

  “I took a little ride through the woods.”

  Dixon’s eyes widened and he stood there motionless. “Were you out hunting?” he asked, hopefully.

  “I was.”

  Dixon slowly blew out the breath he was holding. “Did you find anything?”

  “Indeed I did.”

  Dixon’s uneasiness increased when Sam narrowed his eyes. The man was finally catching on.

  “What was that?” Dixon asked.

  “I found a large swine.”

  “Ah yes, roasted pig, there’s nothing like it,” Dixon said.

  “And the bastard told me he was just following orders.”

  Dixon’s lips pursed and his face and neck flushed. “Mr. Wyllie, surely we can come to some kind of arrangement.”

  “Indeed. Here’s what I can arrange. I’m going to make sure you and your partner are punished to the maximum extent of the law. I’ll leave what that penalty is to the sheriff and judge at Fort Harrod.”

  “The good-for-nothin’ deserves to be shot,” Bear growled, his voice booming.

  “Or hung,” Sam suggested.

  Dixon visibly shuddered and smothered a groan. He cleared his throat and turned to Catherine. “Mrs. Wyllie, perhaps I could accept your kind offer after all.” His pleading eyes looked pathetic.

  Catherine put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. With stiff dignity, she said, “Mr. Dixon, our son is resting in his bed after the terrifying ordeal you put him through. What I should do is ask Sam’s brother Bear here to take you to our woodpile and shove a freshly-cut log up your ample ass. What I will do is
ask him to remove you from our home.”

  Bear chuckled and Garvin’s face registered his apparent shock. None of them, even Sam, had ever heard Catherine say anything as coarse as that.

  Sam spoke up. “Bear and Garvin, escort Mr. Dixon to the barn. He needs to join his partner in one of the stalls before my wife thinks of another creative way to punish him. Although, if you want to stop at the wood pile, I’m ‘amenable’,” he said.

  Dixon’s expression turned fearful as Bear and Garvin each grabbed an arm and dragged the man out the front door.

  As soon as the door shut, he said, “Come here my gorgeous wife. I need you to warm me up.”

  With a springy step, she moved to him and stood in front of his chair, her eyes shining down at him.

  He reached up and tugged her into his lap.

  “Sam! I can’t sit on your lap. I’m big and fat now. And I’m certainly not beautiful.” She tried to stand up, but he held her fast.

  “You are big, I’ll grant you that,” he said, placing a palm across her belly. “But you’re not fat. You’re going through this for both of us. You carry our child. If anything, being heavy with our babe has made you all the more beautiful. In fact, you’ve never looked lovelier.” He let one of his fingertips trace the swell of her now more ample bosom.

  She flushed but remained silent.

  He couldn’t wait to see their babe suckling at his mother’s breasts. What a glorious sight that would be. “Any more pain?” he asked.

  She didn’t answer for a moment and he could see her trying to formulate an answer he would accept. What he wanted was honesty.

  “Catherine, just tell me.”

  She let out a deep sigh. “Yes. It’s happening quite frequently. And it’s more intense.”

  “What?” he nearly shouted. He knew it. Something was terribly wrong. He felt anger and panic contort his face. “Damn it!” The ferocity of his fear for her was frightening, even to him.

  Catherine’s eyes instantly watered and a tear dropped from each lash. “There’s nothing you can do,” she wailed. She pulled away from him and stood.

  “Never underestimate what I can do,” he swore. He stood as well and paced in front of the hearth, fighting for self-control.

  After a few moments he let out his heated breath. “I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry. I should never have raised my voice. Please, forgive me. I don’t know what’s going on inside me. I can’t seem to think straight.”

  “You’re just worried. I’m worried too.”

  The admission touched his soul and left him reeling. He didn’t know what to do or say. He should be able to fix this, but he couldn’t. He could only love her.

  He kissed the inside of her hand and placed the palm against her stomach. “A kiss for our babe.”

  Catherine looked up at him warmly. He could tell she was touched by his gesture.

  “And a kiss for you,” she whispered. “I love you so very much.” She placed her lips on his and gave him a kiss rich with love.

  With his hand resting on her belly, Sam could have sworn he felt the love of their child as well.

  Chapter 15

  Fort Logan, Tuesday, 20 January, 1799

  Numerous homes and a few businesses sprouted out from the fort in all directions. William rode beside Rory who directed the horse team through the large open gates that towered above them.

  “Here!” Nicole declared.

  “No, dear, we have only arrived at Fort Logan,” Kelly said. “We’ll go to see your uncles and aunts tomorrow.”

  Standing in the back of the wagon with his tail wagging, Riley barked at a couple of dogs scampering around the fort. “Stay, Riley!” Kelly told him.

  Bear had suggested that William seek out Colonel Logan as soon as they arrived at the fort. After getting directions to the Colonel’s quarters from a man riding by, William asked his father-in-law to keep an eye on Kelly and Nicole. Kelly wanted to shop a little while they were here, so Rory drove the wagon toward the dozen or so shops, located in a number of buildings on the other side of the fort.

  “Be sure you tie Riley to the back of the wagon while you’re shopping,” William said. He watched the wagon pull away, glad that Rory would keep his precious golden-haired girls and dog safe. If the fort were anything like Boonesborough, there would be a mixture here of both good folk and unsavory types looking to take advantage of someone. But Rory was not the type to let anyone take advantage of him or his family. Although middle-aged, he was still lean and robust. His many years spent outdoors as a trapper had made Rory a vigorous and strong man for his age. His ruggedly attractive face and big hands were sun-dried and leathery, but only sprinkle of gray sparkled in his dark hair. With the exception of her blonde hair and nearly violet eyes, it was clear that Kelly had inherited some of her good looks from her father. Most of all, William admired Rory’s keen intelligence and calm nature.

  He turned Smoke toward the Colonel’s blockhouse. Logan’s office and quarters were situated to the right of the massive entrance. They had arrived much later than he had hoped. But considering last night’s snowfall, he was pleased they’d managed to travel the distance to the fort before full darkness set in. Fortunately, the road to the fort was well-travelled and other wagons and horses had cut a path through the snow.

  The sun’s final rays of the day splayed across the sharpened logs of the high stockade on the fort’s eastern side. Beams of soft light fell on the surprisingly crowded station, bathing everyone and everything in a warm golden light.

  As William rode, he noticed the militia’s barracks, stables, storehouses, and other buildings, grouped around the central enclosure. The fort was not quite as large as Fort Boonesborough but it was swarming with more people. As crowded as it appeared, he hoped the Colonel would be able to provide quarters for at least Kelly and Nicole. With the setting sun, he could feel the temperature dropping and he wanted them in a warm place for the night if possible.

  William tied Smoke to a rail, stepped onto the porch outside the Colonel’s office, and knocked. “Colonel, it’s William Wyllie,” he called, “Sam and Bear’s brother.” William had often heard numerous stories recounting Logan’s bravery in action so he looked forward to meeting the man.

  The door flew open and Logan extended two hands in greeting, gripping William’s hand firmly. “William, welcome. So I finally get to meet the famous sheriff of Boonesborough. Come in, come in.”

  “Colonel,” William said, chuckling and stepping inside. “I’m pleased to meet you, but if you’re looking for somebody famous, you have the wrong man.”

  “Well, your reputation precedes you. You Wyllie brothers are all upstanding young men. And I see, like your brothers, you’re tall and look like you could hold your own in a fight,” the Colonel said, taking in William’s six foot height.

  Benjamin Logan was an imposing figure himself—just over six-feet tall.

  “I just saw your younger brother Stephen and his family yesterday. They were here buying supplies. Please have a seat.”

  William entered Logan’s dimly lit office and took a seat in front of his pine desk. The office held the faint scents of tobacco and an open ink bottle. “Have they left?” William asked.

  “Yes,” Logan answered, closing the ink up and setting the goose quill pen and some papers aside. “They left just as soon as I told Stephen about the three strangers that showed up here looking for Sam. He didn’t like the sound of it and neither did I. He left for his home about mid-morning and then was going to leave for Sam’s place early today.”

  “Those men came through Boonesborough too. The shopkeep told Bear that they claimed to be friends of Sam. Yet neither Bear nor I recognized the men’s names. So we decided it might be wise to come a little early for our Christmas visit. Bear left for Sam’s on Sunday morning and my family and I left early this morning.”

  “I’ll look forward to meeting your family. Where are you spending the night?”

  “I was hoping you might be
able to find quarters for at least my wife, Kelly and our young daughter, Nicole. She’s not quite two and I don’t want her to catch a fever or something in this weather.”

  “It's going to be colder tonight than my mother-in-law's love. But alas, there are no quarters available. Quite a few large families traveling together arrived today.”

  William exhaled a heavy sigh. “I was afraid of that when I saw how crowded the fort is. There must be a lot of people here gathering supplies or headed to visit relatives for the holidays.”

  “Indeed. And many new settlers as well. If you’re willing to, you are welcome to use this office for the night. You can lay out some blankets in front of my hearth here. At least you will all have a roof over your heads and a floor under you.” Logan pointed to the stone hearth blazing with a small but warm fire.

  “Colonel, I would be most grateful.”

  “And Mrs. Logan has a nice roast cooking in the next room. We are happy to share—in fact, it’s some of Stephen’s beef. I just recently bought some cattle from him.”

  “It does smell wonderful, but there are four of us. My wife Kelly and our daughter Nicole. And Kelly’s father Rory McGuffin, who is a doctor. Five if you count our big dog Riley.”

  “The more the merrier, as they say. I’m sure my wife can conjure up enough food and blankets. She usually cooks enough food to feed Washington’s army. And I love dogs. He can have all the scraps. We can begin celebrating the Christmas season tonight.”

  Bear had mentioned to William how hospitable the Colonel was and it certainly proved true. “I thank you, Sir, for your hospitality. It is unexpected, but is much appreciated.”

  “Next time I visit Boonesborough, you can reciprocate.”

  “That would be our pleasure. You would honor us by visiting our home. You are welcome at Whispering Hills anytime. Well, I guess I should go find my family. My wife went shopping. Why is it women want to shop every time they’re anywhere near a store?”

  “Men buy and women shop,” Logan answered as though that settled the question. “When you get back, you and I and Kelly’s father can share a warm brandy while Kelly gets to know my wife Ann.”