Chapter 23
REGGIE
Day eleven and three sleepless nights later, we finally pull into town in the middle of a thunderstorm.
Drenched, tired, and rather grumpy, I throw my leg over the saddle at the livery, tying Bells temporarily to the hitching post while the men and Jessica wait for me outside in this downpour.
Opening the side door, I yell out. “Hello, anyone home?”
“Coming! Who in their right mind would be out in this mess?” I hear someone mumbling as they walk toward me.
“It’s me, Mr. Dalton … Reggie Kerns.”
“Well, it is. Almost didn’t recognize you with all that hair.”
“Yeah, I feel like a drowned rat. What was once something I was doing just to aggravate my mom is now driving me crazy. I’ve got four wagons, eight oxen, three horses, and several soaked souls sitting out in this mess.”
“Grant came into town yesterday and told me to be on the lookout for you, so I cleared out the middle lane so we could get you in. Bring the horses in first, and I’ll have one of the boys wipe them down and get them fed while we get the rest in.”
I help him push the massive doors open to the barn then motion for Jess and Henry, who’s been riding Coco these last couple of days so that Jess was not alone in the back, to come on in while I grab Bells, bringing her in behind the Clydesdales.
Reaching up for Jessica, I set her down while she gathers Zeus, leading him into a large stall.
I help Henry down as well, then grab Coco’s reins, taking her into the same stall as Zeus, just as Jessica is walking out.
In the meantime, Henry puts Bells in the stall beside them.
Then we all head to the front to help with the oxen and move the wagons out of the rain.
“Jess, why don’t you head over to the inn and get us all rooms?
I know everyone is ready for a hot bath, and you probably wouldn’t mind someone else cooking a meal for this ornery lot.
Henry, when you finish with Bells, if you don’t mind, will you help Jessica grab the bags she’ll need for the evening, then help her get them to the inn? ”
“Sure thing, Mr. Kerns, anything for Miss Jess.”
Jessica is still standing next to me, once again with her head down. I already know the question she is going to ask before it ever comes out of her mouth.
“Here is my wallet, tell them you are Mrs. Reggie Kerns and how many rooms you think we’re gonna need for the night, understand?”
“Reggie?”
“Not here. Go on, we are all worn out, and this is just one less thing for me to take care of. You go ahead and get your bath, and then get settled and relax for a little while. We’ll be a bit getting the oxen settled, and I want to ask around to see if anyone knows about that missing family.”
Jess sighs wearily before nodding, then pets Zeus, who sticks his head out of the stall’s opening as she walks past. He watches her as she heads back out into the rain, only to kick the door, agitated because he is used to being with her all the time.
When I reach out to pet his head, he pushes against me.
“Yeah, I’ve come to love her too big guy, just haven’t figured out how to keep her or make this right.”
It takes us a good hour to unhook the wagons and secure everything for the evening. Once we’re done, I motion for the men to follow me toward the inn.
“Gentlemen, give me a minute to make sure Jess was able to secure rooms for you all.”
Opening the door, I shake the water off my Mackintosh before hanging it on a hook by the door and going up to the front desk.
“Mr. Kerns, it’s good to see you once again. Your good wife secured the five rooms at the top of the stairs, and baths are now being prepared for you and your men out back in the bathhouse. I had a tub taken upstairs for your wife about thirty minutes ago.”
“Thank you, Mr. Graham. It’s good to be back.
It proved to be quite the trip once we left the train.
Those mountains sure put a strain on the animals and my nerves.
Before I head back out and grab my men, I wanted to mention that we came upon some wagons flipped over in a deep valley.
Unfortunately, we didn’t find any survivors.
Have you heard of anyone inquiring about missing family members or looking for information that might be related? ”
“No, how unfortunate! It seems so many are coming and going these days, but few realize how dangerous this area is. We had several bad storms last month and I lost part of my roof in one of them. I’d hate to be on a trail and encounter one of those in a wagon . .. it would be a hard one to ride out.”
“I have a feeling that’s exactly what happened. We dug through what we could to see if we could find any remains or anyone alive, but there was no sign that anyone had been there for a while. We did find a shallow grave, so at least someone did the right thing.”
“Well, I am glad you all made it here uneventfully. Here are the keys to the other rooms. They are small but clean and dry. You and your wife’s is the first one on the left when you go up the stairs.”
“Thank you, I am sure they will be a luxury after such a trip. Would you mind letting the diner know that we will all be over for dinner as well?”
“I’ll send word right away.”
Taking the keys, I open the door, motioning them all to come on in.
“Gentlemen, here are your rooms for the evening, and baths are being prepared out back as we speak. I’ve also reserved dinner for us, and we will all meet up there around six.
We will stay here at least until I can get a hold of Grant, then we’ll settle up on what I owe you once we get the wagons delivered. ”
I watch as the men head up the stairs, each with a small bag in hand.
I look for Marcus and Henry, only to find them trudging down the walkway back toward the barn.
Letting out a sharp whistle, Marcus turns back, and I wave for him to come to me.
Meeting them halfway, I hand him one of the keys, only for him to look up at me oddly.
“What is this?”
“It’s a key to your room for this evening, possibly longer, depending on the situation. Did you think I was going to leave you two out on the streets?”
“Well, I was not going to assume that we were included in your plans Mr. Kerns, now that we’ve reached our destination.”
“Marcus, do you have lodging or family in the area expecting you?”
“No, sir … never did have an exact location in mind. Just wanted a fresh start with my son that wasn’t full of old memories. Got on that train and off on a hunch.”
“Marcus, you’ve proven to be a good man, and my wife adores your boy.
I’m going to need help with the property I’ve just bought.
Gonna raise some horses, open a mine, and possibly grow a few crops, so there’s a spot for the two of you if you want it.
I know Jacob is coming with me … Deven and Colby, I am not sure about yet, but we will see.
I’ll pay you a fair wage, then once my own home is finished, we’ll start on yours, as I feel like every man should have a place of his own.
If you have a better offer than that, I wish you well and have enjoyed your advice and steady hand on this trip.
We will part ways after I pay you in the morning.
Either way, here is your key for the night.
Sleep on it and let me know in the morning. ”
Henry walks between us, looking up at his dad. “Dad, I want to stay with Miss Jess and Coco.”
Marcus ruffles Henry’s hair before pulling him close to his side in a hug. “We will talk about it more after we get a bath and rest up a bit.”
“A bath … yuck!”
“Oh, and dinner is at the diner at six. And Henry, you’d better clean behind those ears if you want to sit next to Jessica. I’m sure she will be all cleaned up and looking pretty.”
“I don’t know if she can get any prettier, Mr. Kerns, but I’ll put on my best outfit.”
Walking back in, I start up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
Sliding the key in the lock without thinking about announcing myself, I find Jess submerged in a large tub, her head back, and eyes closed as the water steams around her.
When she doesn’t move when the door opens, I realize she is asleep.
So, I tiptoe across the room only to find myself standing over her.
The water is cloudy, but there is no hiding those perky breasts and that tiny waist.
Her long brown hair is dripping on the floor behind her, and I gather it gently in my hands, trying not to wake her as I wring out the excess water so that it will be mostly dry before we need to leave for dinner.
Dark eyelashes lay against her rosy cheeks, which are flushed from the heat of the water.
Kneeling, I take her in as I seldom ever get to see this unguarded version of her.
My finger traces her fragile collarbone as my eyes roam her naked form.
Without lowering my hands below the waterline, I run my fingers across the top of her breasts, only to look up and find bright green eyes staring at me.
“Sorry, you were simply too irresistible. I should have knocked before coming in.” When Jess doesn’t say anything, I get worried that I have overstepped. “You alright?”
“Time will tell, … you’re dirty.”
“I figured you grabbed my bag as well when you came up with Henry. I was going to grab a change of clothes and then head down to the baths behind the inn. I ordered dinner too. Do you know how hard it is to have a conversation with you lying there naked?”
Tawny, perfect breasts rise and fall with each breath, and because I have no willpower at all, I slide an arm under her, instantly soaking the long sleeves I have on and capture one nipple in my mouth.
Jess doesn’t fight me or pull away; instead, she arches into me, a gasp on her lips as I suckle harder. Her hands tangle in my long hair.
“Reggie.”