“Ah, so that’s how I get you to listen?” Chase moans as he strokes her.
The next two-days are spent loving, resting, and planning. Tucked into this little corner of the world it feels as if they are the only two people on earth. Chase goes through the ledger and is shocked at the names inside.
“Bronnah this is much worse than I thought. This is major slave trafficking." His horrified eyes look across the table to hers. "It's a miracle you managed to escape." A soft rain falls outside, and Bronnah is glad for it. Sometimes it feels as if the weather is a shield protecting them from danger.
"I know, Chase. What will we do?" She asked reaching for his hand. He wonders at the soft, tender touch and the trust he feels in it.
“We stop them. I have to get this ledger to headquarters, Bronnah before they find us.” When she jerks her hand back his eyes narrow. He lifts a hand to stop her arguments, “I have a friend who can help us. He works…” a knock at the door has them both leaping to their feet. He gestures for her to be quiet.
"Marshall, its Mason. Don't shoot!" Bronnah sags in relief, but Chase stops her before she can open the door. Chase circle points to the back door, through the tower and she nods in understanding.
“Coming, just a second,” Bronnah calls out and tucks a knife into the sleeve of her shirt as Chase sneaks outside.
"Bronnah," Mason is standing in a steady rain, and he smiles at her. "Cap asked me to bring you some supplies. He points to the wagon, and she steps back to let him in.
“That’s very kind of him, come inside and out of the rain.” Not seeing any signs of danger, she smiles in relief.
“No point yet, let me just unload everything first. Is Chase here?” His eyes search the room behind her.
“Yes. He’s catching up on his sleep.”
"The life of a Marshall, guess I picked the wrong career. I'll just drop the supplies here, and you carry them to the kitchen. That will create less mess."
"Sounds good." Bronnah watches feeling uncertain as he begins to unload the crates. He makes two trips with crates stacked with food. The last package is wrapped in brown paper, and it's in Aimee's handwriting.
“This is too much, they didn’t have to do this,” she insists as Mason stomped the rain off his boots and shrugs out of his overcoat. “Would you like some coffee?” she asked nervously.
“That would be perfect.” Mason sits with her while she unloads the jars of food into the pantry. “Cap wants you to know you can stay as long as you need too. What you did to save those women, it was impressive, Bronnah.”
Bronnah turns and stares at him for a moment, “No, it was selfish of me, Mason. I shouldn’t have put your life and the lives of others at risk. I should have trusted Chase to do his job.” Ashamed she turns away when she realizes the truth of the words.
"Chase was right," she whispered. Mason moves to stand beside her, and they both turn when he speaks.
“Of course, I am. I’m always right,” Chase said with a chuckle.
Bronnah rushes to his side in relief. "Mason, welcome." Chase tucks Bronnah into his side, pressing a kiss to the side of her head while shaking his hand.
"Captain Perry sent meat, bread, and even milk and eggs," Bronnah said. Chase smiles at her excitement.
"Excellent, how are things at the docks? Anyone looking for us?" Mason glanced at Bronnah who has stepped to the stove to make more coffee, and he hesitates to answer.
Noticing the silence, she turns to look at Mason. "We need to know, Mason." She slips her hand into Chase's, and he squeezes gently.
“One man was looking for you, Chase,” Masons responds watching Chase’s reaction.
“Did he give you his name?”
"No, but I happened to be in the saloon last night, and I heard one of the girls call him Leo if that helps. How long you plan on staying?" he asked softly.
Chase doesn’t reply, the name Leo has him going on full alert. “Leo Gatewood is a cruel, sadistic son of a bitch.” Chase rushes through the doorway and into the bedroom grabbing his rifle. “Mason, I don’t mean to be rude, but we are leaving as soon as we can pack.”
"I can help you. Do you need a ride?" Mason offers. Bronnah watches Chase with a sinking feeling.
“No, you should go. I don’t want you caught in the middle of this.”
Bronnah is quiet as Chase walks Mason outside to his wagon. He pulls out cash and gives it to Mason to pay the Captain for the supplies and returns to find her standing still in the same spot. "Bronnah?" She rushes into his arms, and he pulls her close.
“Part of me had hoped we could hide forever here,” she sighs.
“Where is that fiery Irish girl of mine? I need you to be strong and trust me. Can you do that?”
"I do trust you, Chase." He kisses her hard on the mouth.
"Finally. When this is over Bronnah, you and I will talk about our future. I'm gonna saddle the horse, you start packing." He's gone before she can respond.
"Our future?" she whispers with a soft smile.
Bronnah rushes to the bedroom and quickly shoves her things into the bag. She rips open the package from Aimee and laughs with relief. Inside is a new dress, made just for her to travel in. Emerald green with buttons up the front with a long matching skirt and a new corset. A
