Chapter 20
REGGIE
I’ve had a shit-eating grin on my face all morning as all I can think about are my hands on that luscious ass of hers.
I stand back, drinking my coffee, watching Jess fix everyone’s plate before her own.
Her dress is dirty, and her long hair is escaping its braid, but she is just as beautiful to me now as she was in that fancy dress.
I look out over the valley while they all talk amongst themselves, contemplating how far we will or can make it today, as I plan on pushing hard.
Traveling alone took me about six days, so with this load, I figure it will be around eleven if the weather doesn’t slow us down.
The brush of Jessica’s skirt across my leg has me looking down.
“Reggie, you need to eat before it gets cold and enjoy those eggs while they last.”
“Sorry, I was woolgathering. I have a few things to address this morning before we get the animals hitched up.”
Gathering my plate, I smile at her after the first few bites, once again impressed at how women create such wonderful meals out of nothing.
“It’s delicious, Jess.”
“Thank you, it’s been a while since I’ve cooked over an open fire, and I almost burned the biscuits.
I just put another batch on so we can have some for lunch.
There were a few pieces of chicken left over from dinner last night, and I plan on making a large pot pie out of them this afternoon.
I saw some berry vines yesterday, and I am hoping we can collect a few on the way so I can make a cobbler one afternoon.
Gathering is a little harder when you can’t get off your main transportation. ”
“Just wave, and I’ll come back if you see a patch you want to stop at.”
“Reggie, you’re busy scouting ahead. I’ll figure it out. I already have an idea of how to get on and off Zeus without help; it just depends on how cooperative he chooses to be.”
“I’d rather you yell than get hurt.”
“If I think it’s going to be a problem, I will.”
While everyone else is eating as well, I enthusiastically finish the biscuits and gravy along with the eggs and a few strips of bacon she had piled on my plate, while Jess stands next to me, eating her own breakfast and looking around.
Earlier, I had Deven dig out one of the crates in the back of the wagon he had been driving and had him bring it to where we had congregated for breakfast. Handing Jess my plate, I kiss the top of her forehead before heading toward the fire.
“Everyone, can I have your attention for a second?” All eyes turn toward me.
“You all know there are many predators in this part of the country, especially in the untamed areas we’re heading into.
Mountain lions, wolves, and bears are the ones we can usually see …
but let’s not forget the many poisonous snakes, spiders, and scorpions that will be in the rocky areas ahead in a few days.
With that being said, how many of you can use a rifle? ”
Every hand, including Jessica’s, goes up.
“Deven if you would pry that box open, we’ll proceed.”
Once the crate’s lid is off, I reach into the packing to pull out one of the Spencer Rifles I had bought before leaving New Jersey. I’d already given Jacob his yesterday, because he was in the back wagon, closest to Jess, and I was worried something would happen before I could get to her.
“Before we leave this morning and after handing you one of these, I want to watch each of you load and shoot. Once I’m confident you know what you’re doing, it’s yours for the remainder of the trip, and I expect you to keep it with you at all times.
There’s nothing worse than needing protection and not having it.
However, if you’re inexperienced, you’re just as dangerous as the predators hunting you, and I don’t want to give you a weapon you’ll hurt yourself or someone else with. ”
Marcus is the first up. “Mr. Kerns, I have my own rifles and pistols with me. I simply kept them under a blanket within arm’s reach yesterday when we started out, as I didn’t want to cause a stir. Henry is also a good shot, even though he is small, and can use one well if need be.”
“Thank you, Marcus, for being upfront with me. I should have passed these out yesterday, but it simply slipped my mind until this morning. Colby, Deven, how about you two?”
Deven takes the rifle out of my hand, and it’s easy to see how comfortable he is with the weapon as he expertly loads and fires it into the distance.
“Had a gun in my hand since I was big enough to pack one, Sir.”
I motion for him to take the rifle then hand him two boxes of shells. Colby walks up nonchalantly, with his hand out. I reach in, pulling another rifle out, then hand him one shell. He looks the gun over, then up at me, as I am about four inches taller than he is.
“I’ve used muzzle loaders mostly, so I don’t have a lot of experience with this type of rifle.”
“Thank you, Colby, for being upfront and honest with me about that. Deven, we have about ten minutes or so before we need to start hooking up the wagons. Can you go over the differences between this gun and the one Colby has used in the past?”
He nods his head before reaching over and taking the gun out of Colby’s hand. I watch them walk off and the entire time, Deven is pointing out the different features of the weapon. I am just about to put the top back on the crate when I hear,
“What about me?”
Jessica is standing in front of me with a look on her face I am not sure how to interpret, but I don’t miss Marcus smiling before gathering up his plate and motioning for his son to follow him, to give us some privacy.
“Jessica, with all of us armed, you have no reason to have to carry one of these heavy things around.”
“I still want one.”
“You tell me, who or what is going to get past Zeus to hurt you?”
She puts her hands on her hips. “Reggie, how many of those rifles are in that box?”
“Several.”
“So, is there a specific reason why I cannot have one, or is it just because I am a woman?”
“It has nothing to do with that, it’s …” I look away from her, searching for the right words. “Shit … I just feel like it’s my place to watch out for you.”
“I appreciate that, Reggie I really do, but you are up front or scouting and I am in the back, alone.”
Pulling another one out of the crate, I hold it out to her. “Can you use this?”
“I prefer pistols, but yes, I can use that.”
Hesitantly, I hand the rifle to her with a single shell, and I’ll be damned if she doesn’t cock the bolt open, look down the barrel to make sure there is nothing in it, load the gun, and take aim like she has done this her entire life.
“See that yellow flower about fifty yards out?”
It takes me a second, but I finally see it.
“Yeah.”
The rifle fires, and the flower top falls off. When I look up, she is smiling at me. It takes everything I have not to grab her and kiss her smug face in front of everyone. “Is there anything you can’t do, Jess?”
“Meatloaf … never can get it right.”
I am not sure if it’s the bewildered look on her face or the fact that it was the first thing that came to her mind, but you can hear my laughter across the valley.
“You are a rare gem, just as Tyberius said. I’ve never met a girl from my part of the world who has quite the qualifications you do.”
“It’s not like I wanted these skills, Reggie; it was simply the life I was born into. I need to get the dishes cleaned up and lay out a few things for dinner, then I’ll be ready to head out.”
“I’ll get Zeus saddled up in the meantime, and I have an extra scabbard somewhere I’ll dig out so that the rifle is close at hand while you’re riding.” Before she turns away, my willpower caves, and I pull her close. “Jess …”
Those bright green eyes of hers peer up at me as I wipe a streak of flour off her cheek.
Lowering my head to her, the kiss I’ve put off for too long is not gentle, it’s heavy and possessive.
She parts her lips, and I invade with a desperate hunger that steals the breath from her lungs.
It’s the sound that leaves her innocent lips that has me reluctantly pulling back.
“Go do your dishes before I can’t stop.”
Jess looks a little lightheaded, but she doesn’t say anything.
Just as she turns away, I gently swat her behind, only to have her look back with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.
Fighting every instinct I have, I let her walk off, watching as Henry joins her at the back of the wagon.
It seems he has designated himself as her little helper.
His smile is unguarded when he sees her coming closer, and she ruffles his hair playfully as he looks up at her with stars in his eyes.
I watch as he races off toward the creek with a bucket in hand, and I am grateful that she has someone with her.
Making my feet move, I grab Zeus’ saddle, ready to wrestle with the big man, only for him to meet me halfway up the hill, pulling the picket line out of the ground in the process.
“Good morning, Zeus. It’s time to get going, you ready to protect our girl today?”
He shakes his big head up and down, and to my shock I quickly have him saddled before leading him and Coco to the last wagon, where Jess is finishing up.
She’s just climbed into the back to put the pots and plates away when Zeus pulls away from me, sticking his head through the wagon’s tarp.
Jessica’s laughter reaches my ears a second later.
“Hello, handsome. Were you looking for me? Back up and let me out, and I’ll give you a treat.”
He does exactly as she says, and I stand there watching as she steps out onto the back gate, which makes her almost head level with him.
She gives him a piece of a carrot before coaxing Coco over for one of her own.
When she realizes her increased height and where that puts her in relation to Zeus, I can see her mind working, but because I love having her in my arms I lift her off the back, sliding her down my chest.
“Do you need to grab anything before we get started?”
“Yes, let me get the small bag I had yesterday, with a fresh waterskin and a handkerchief, so I am not eating as much dirt today.”
“Grab your jacket too. There are clouds on the horizon, and it may mean rain later.”
When Jessica goes to walk around the wagon, I’m forced to grab Zeus’ reins to keep him from following her. I swear, when that big horse looked down at me, he only stopped because he wanted to, and I was getting some serious side-eye.
“She’s coming right back.”
He snorts, looking away from me back to Coco, who seems to be ignoring all of us and looking out through the trees on the small hill next to the main trail. Jess comes back with her arms full, and I toss her into the saddle with a giggle on her lips. Once she is settled, I hand her the rifle.
“Jess, I’ll be back to check on you in a little while.”
“I’m fine, but I’ll take your company anytime.”
I pat her leg before reaching up to double-check Zeus’ halter. “Keep our girls safe, Zeus.”
He bumps me with his head, almost knocking me over, and I just shake my head, laughing as I head toward Bells, who is calmly standing next to Henry, already saddled.
“She’s all ready for you, Mr. Kerns.”
“Well, thank you, Henry. I appreciate you helping me out with her. Did Bells give you a hard time?”
“Not at all, she stood real still so that I could get her saddle on.”
I stroke Bells on her side, double-checking everything, only to be happily surprised at how well the young boy has done.
“Seems like everything is in order. Do you like horses, Henry?”
“Always have, and they seem to like me, so we make friends real fast. The big male Zeus watches me closely, but Coco seems to like me. She let me brush her down this morning and even nibbled on my shirt.”
“Henry, Zeus is probably just watching you being around his girls because he is overly protective. I don’t know you or your father’s plans for when you get to St. George, but I am looking for someone good with horses.
I’ll speak to your father about a more permanent position later, maybe in the meantime, you can help Jess with the Clydesdales throughout the day if she needs a break. ”
With a yelp, he runs off on his skinny legs, just flying up the hill toward his father as Marcus is stepping up onto the wagon.
I mount Bells, smiling as the boy talks animatedly to his father about what I just said.
When Marcus sees me watching, he throws a hand up in a friendly gesture, and I ride off toward the first wagon as Deven has already moved his out of the circle.
Bells prances under me, ready to get started, and I motion for everyone to get moving. By the end of the day, we are all exhausted, and most turn in right after dinner. I watch as Jess heats water over the fire while I spread the bedrolls out.
“Reggie, I’ll be a minute. I need to wash this dirt off my skin. I am itching all over.”
Lying down, I close my eyes, simply planning on resting until she comes to bed, only to wake up fully the next morning to the smell of coffee.