Chapter 29
Mine, her heart claims. Mine, her soul whispered. “Mine?” She murmurs as she stares at his sleeping form. Love isn’t supposed to happen this way, is it? Bronnah is overwhelmed by emotions she wasn’t expecting.
Curled up on his chest, she lays her ear flat and listens to the steady rhythm of his heart beating, strong. Just like the man, it doesn't skip a beat. He has shown his loyalty to his code, by being a soldier. To his country, by working as a U.S. Marshall and to her, by helping rescue those who can't save themselves. But who will save him? He sees himself as a monster, but when she looks at him, all she can see is her future. A tear slips free and rolls down his chest.
Fear is a shadow that she can't escape. Neither of them has spoken the word yet, Love. Now is not the time for such thoughts. Until this is over, and she is free to love him completely, she will just be careful and guard her heart. Sleep claims her, and Chase pulls her tight.
How quickly he has grown accustomed to her scent, her taste, and her touch. "Mine," he murmurs and presses a kiss to her forehead. Bronnah has no clue what that word means, but he intends to show her. It never occurred to him that he could find the kind of love his parents or brother had found. A partner, who would stand toe to toe with him and fight for what she believes. Bronnah is a fighter, his lips curve in a smile of pride.
She's a passionate, giving lover who doesn't shy away from him. Instead, she meets his desire with demands of her own. His desire flares just thinking about loving her. He can see the future, and it will never be boring. Now, he has to convince her that he's worth loving.
Chase slips from the bed and washes up before dressing. He straps on his gun belt and sits by the window to watch the sunrise from the train. Bronnah watches quietly as he works, oiling and cleaning, then loading his weapons. "A woman could get jealous watching the way you care for your guns," she teases.
"Don't tempt me back to your bed, siren. You've nothing to be jealous of, they are merely tools." He grins at the picture she presents. Blonde hair tousled and swollen lips, staring at him with a sheet covering her perfect breasts. His hands stop moving, "God, you're beautiful, Bronnah."
A blush steals across her cheek, and she shoves a hand through her hair, causing the sheet to slip. "You are blind." Gathering the sheet around her Bronnah sits up and stares at him as he stalks to the bed.
“Surely your first husband told you.” Chase is curious about her life. He drops to the bed beside her and strokes a hand over her shoulder causing her to moan.
Bronnah shrugs, “Davey and I were only married three months when he died. We were so young, and I thought I loved him.” Until you, her mind said. “I was angry at him for leaving me and angry at myself for being upset with him. I pushed away all thoughts of that time in my life and what could have been. To hold on to it would have driven me mad.”
"So, you're as smart as you are beautiful," he tugs the sheet down and stares at her pink tipped nipples, and she gasps. "Damn, you need to get dressed, or I will keep you on this train all the way to San Francisco just so I can keep loving you."
Bronnah pushes up to her knees and wraps her arms around him as he jerks her into his arms. "I wouldn't be complaining Marshall if ya follow through with that threat," she groans and writhes in his arms as his hand roams freely over her body.
"Yes, well breakfast is served in the dining car and as beautiful as you are, I don't share. You are mine and mine alone," he growls, and Bronnah goes still in his arms, gently stroking a hand through his hair.
"What a beautiful dream you weave, Chase." Sadness echoes in her voice, and she pushes out of his arms, scrambling for the sheet to cover her naked form. “I’ll dress quickly, I’m famished.”
“It’s not a dream, but a promise, Bronnah mine,” he murmurs as she closes herself in the bathroom to dress.
Chase grins while he straps on his gun belt. Both colts are fully loaded. A shoulder holster is added to the mix which holds a third pistol, giving him eighteen shots if needed. He pulls on a light denim coat overtop of his guns. Bronnah steps out and quickly packs what little she has with her.
This train has five sleeping cars with approximately sixty-five people in them. The engine and coal car are attached to the front with the five-coach passenger cars behind that. The dining car separates the sleeper cars followed by the baggage cars. They are located in the second sleeper car and make their way quickly to the dining car. Large windows, still dark will provide a fantastic view once the sun starts to rise. Tables set with lovely white tablecloths, flowers, and coffee. Breakfast is served at seven, and through the window, they can see the sun beginning to rise behind the trees. "Heaven help me that coffee smells good!" Bronnah teases Chase.
"You gave me an appetite, I could eat a horse," Chase replies.
"I thought cowboys loved their horses," she quips as they take a seat. Glancing around the cabin, she smiles at a few other couples. It's still early yet, and most are going to enjoy a later breakfast.
“Not nearly as much as I love
