Small Treasures (21 page)

"Think it's funny, do ya?" Samuel asked with a wicked grin. He got out of bed and walked nude to the door. His hand on the latch, he turned to watch her as he pulled the door wide.

Harry sped into the room with Maverick only a few steps behind him. The little dog raced across the floor and leapt onto the big bed with Abby.

She yelped and tried to bur row under the quilt to escape his attentions. But Harry, cold and dirty, knew just how to deal with that. He slipped his nose under the blanket and by tossing his little head back again and again, he lifted the quilt just enough so that he could move. Maverick, still hampered by his cast, settled for limping back and forth around the bed, barking and whining for attention.

Samuel closed the front door and leaned back against it. Crossing his legs at the ankle, he watched the goings-on delightedly. Every move that Abby made, Harry countered. Finally Samuel knew when the little dog had cornered her by Abby's startled screech.

She sat up abruptly and threw the quilt aside with one hand. In the other she held Harry, squirming excitedly. Abby blew her hair out of her eyes and looked across the room at Samuel.

He grinned and openly studied her. Sitting nude in the middle of his bed, Abby's luscious hair billowed out around her as she juggled Harry and turned to quiet Maverick at the same time. The bigger dog was desperately trying to join his friend on the mattress, and, Samuel told himself, it was only fair. Quickly he moved across the cabin, lifted Maverick's hind end onto the bed, and laughed aloud when the big dog knocked Abby over back ward in his enthusiasm.

Laughing and shouting useless warnings at the two animals, Abby rolled from side to side on the pillows trying to avoid their cold bodies and wet tongues. Finally, though, she surrendered and gave herself up to the dogs' ad oration. With Maverick licking her hair and cheek and Harry's hind legs balanced on her thighs, his forelegs on her chest, she glanced up at Samuel.

Abby knew that she was seeing the real Samuel for the first time. She couldn't remember ever hearing him laugh like that before. And the guarded look in his beautiful green eyes was finally gone. Her gaze snaked over his nude body, and she felt the now welcome curl of desire spread through her limbs.

A long moment later Abby asked, "Samuel, can we… "

He shook his head regretfully. "Best not, Abby. You're awful new at this." He ran one finger down her jawline. "Don't want to wear you out any… "

Samuel shifted position, leaning his back against the headboard and drawing her up close. A quick glance told him the dogs were settled again in their favorite spot in front of the fire. He ran his hand up and down the length of her back, marveling silently at how soft and smooth she was to the touch.

She was more woman than he'd ever dared dream of. Abby's warm heart welcomed and accepted him just as her body enticed him. He hadn't expected to be blessed with a woman like her. One that would want him as much as he wanted her.

Samuel closed his eyes and listened to Abby's soft, regular breathing. She was sleeping. His hand moved slowly over her back, caressing her, enjoying the feel of her nestled against him.

This was all so new to him. Why, the only women he'd ever been with were paid well for their time. And even then, there had been no real enjoyment or pleasure in the act. Only release.

There had never been any closeness. No softness. No holding each other and Listening to the silence together.

He gently scooted down on the bed, drawing Abby in close when she stirred. Samuel was exhausted. She sighed and laid her arm across his broad chest. And, he thought wryly, for the first time since Abby had come into his life, he would be able to get a good night's sleep.

Chapter Fourteen

Early morning light sneaked into the cabin, darting between the folds of the red and white curtains. Abby sighed, stretched, and rolled over. Her eyes flew open as she realized that it was well past dawn and she was still in bed.

She sat upright, and the blankets fell away. For a brief moment she stared at her own nudity with surprise. Then the night before came flooding back into her brain, and she smiled. The memories were so clear it was as if she could still feel Samuel's hands on her flesh.

Samuel.

Quickly her gaze moved over the obviously empty cabin looking for him. She ran one hand over his side of the bed. The sheets were cool. He must have left quite a while ago. But where did he go? She threw the quilts aside and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Wincing slightly at the unfamiliar aches assaulting her body, Abby pushed herself to her feet and snatched her dress from the floor.

While she shoved her arms through the sleeves, a steady stream of worries and questions picked at her mind. She remembered very well how she'd had to practically force Samuel into bedding her. He'd fought her so hard, maybe he was disgusted with her now. Maybe he thought she was a tramp. Maybe he was so furious with her, he'd up and left the mountain!

Frantically Abby reached around behind her and tried to do up the buttons of her gown. It was no use, though. In the state she was in, she told herself, it was lucky she'd been able to get the dress on at all!

The palm of her hand against her breast to hold the dress in place, Abby ran across the room and threw the door open. Heedless of the cold ground beneath her bare feet, she raced to the barn, ignoring the cackles and screeches from the chicken coop. The morning chill seeped through the skin of her exposed back, and her teeth chattered.

In the barn she saw that the horses were still in their stalls. But that didn't mean anything, she reminded herself. Samuel often walked up and down the mountains. He didn't really need a horse to leave!

She heard a dog barking then and spun around. Maverick. The animal barked again, and a few seconds later there was a loud crash followed by a startled yelp. Abby started moving and hurried her steps when she heard Samuel shout, "Goddammit!"

She hurried back across the open yard, around the corner of the cabin, and came to a dead stop when she collided with Samuel. Immediately his big hands reached out to steady her.

"Dammit, Abby," he said as one hand moved over her back, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."

"You didn't." She shuddered and moved closer to him. He hadn't left. His hand felt wonderful on her skin. Her palms crept up his chest, and she tilted her head back to look at him.

Samuel bent toward her, his mouth moving for hers. Both of his hands now caressed her back, sliding up her sides to brush at the edges of her breasts. She released a pent-up breath on a sigh and stood on her toes, eager to reach him.

Suddenly, though, Samuel seemed to notice just what was happening. He released her abruptly and with one hand pulled the edges of her dress together, protecting her from the frigid air.

"Are you out of your mind, woman?" he whispered. "You can't go wanderin' around out here half dressed! You'll be down sick in no time."

"Oh, I never get sick, Samuel," she countered, her fingers toying with the top button of his shirt.

He snatched at her hand, capturing it in his. "Yeah, well, you never lived in the mountains before, did you?"

She grinned. "No, but it does get cold in Maryland, too, you know."

"Not like here." He stepped back a pace and shook his head as he looked down at her. "Now, go on in and get dressed, Abby." His eyes widened when he saw her bare toes peeking out from under her hem. "Barefoot?" Samuel swept her up in his arms. "You are crazy!

Goin' around barefoot and it almost winter! What were you thinkin' of?"

"You."

Her face was almost at a level with his, and Samuel looked at her steadily. No one, he told himself, should look that good first thing in the morning. "What do you mean?" he asked quietly.

"When I woke up," she said, "you were gone." Abby lowered her gaze to the pocket of his shirt. "I thought you were… angry."

"Angry?" Samuel held her close against him but was careful to control the urge to squeeze her tightly. A short laugh escaped his lips. "Angry? No, Abby. I don't think you could call it angry."

She looked up. "Then why did you leave? What are you doing out here?"

Samuel leaned over and kissed her. Her mouth opened under his, and for a moment he gave his hunger for her free rein. He'd never experienced anything like this before. His desire for her hadn't been quenched the night before. If anything, it was even stronger now. He'd never known a need like this. Finally, gasping, he pulled away.

"Dear God," he whispered, his breath fanning her ear.

"Samuel." Abby's breathing was ragged.

"That's why I left the cabin, Abby." He inhaled deeply. "I don't understand… " He started walking toward the front of the house, Abby still cradled in his arms. "With what happened between us last night," he said slowly, "I know that — well, we'll probably —"

"Yes?" she prodded.

"Shit, Abby!" He glanced down at her and kept moving. "You're goin' into town today to bring Luke back, ain't you?"

"Well, yes, but —"

"Now, I don't know much about this sort of thing" — Samuel cleared his throat un easily — "but seems to me that havin' a child in the room with us prob'ly wouldn't be a good idea anymore."

Her brow wrinkled in thought, then as realization dawned, her eyes widened and she grinned. "Oh."

"Yeah. Oh." Samuel nudged the front door open, walked inside, and crossed the room to the bed. "So I got up early to finish up your room. Should be ready for you by tonight."

"For me?" she asked, running her fingertips over the back of his neck. "Or for us?" He groaned quietly. "Reckon that'll be up to you, Abby."

She smiled. "For us."

Samuel clenched his jaw tight and set her down. He didn't know what he'd have done if she hadn't said that. It would kill him if he couldn't touch her again. "If that's what you want, Abby. If you're sure."

"I'm sure." Abby stood up on the edge of the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Deliberately she leaned against him, rubbing her breasts over his chest.

"Abby," he moaned, forcing his hands to stay at his side, "I got a lot to do out there." She kissed his throat. "I dropped a whole pile of lumber when Harry ran in front of me." Her tongue flicked gently against his earlobe, her breath tickled his flesh. "Mornin's half gone already." He shuddered. Abby's fingers slipped the first of his shirt buttons free.

"Abby, we best not I know you're prob'ly still tender and —"

"No, Samuel," she breathed, moving her lips across his jawline. "Not tender. Cold." Her mouth teased his, her tongue tracing the outlines of his rigid lips. "Make me warm, Samuel."

He shouldn't, he knew. But how much could a man take?

Her hand slipped down his chest, over his belt buckle, and rubbed against the hard warmth of him. "Please, Samuel."

With a groan, Samuel surrendered. Catching her to him, he pressed the length of her along his body, then slowly lowered them both to the mattress.

Everyone in Rock Creek was so friendly! Abby smiled at the liveryman and shook her head. It was so different from the first time she and Samuel had come to town together. Then she'd been sure that she'd never be happy… that they would never accept her.

"Afternoon, Abby!"

She turned on the wagon seat and waved to Charity Whitehall, busy hanging out her wash. Really, it was such a nice place, Abby told herself and silently sent a prayer of thanks to Uncle Silas.

As she pulled up in front of Mullins's Mercantile, the door burst open and slammed into the wall. Obadiah, with Luke only a step behind, raced from the store and down the steps.

"Luke!" Abby called.

The boy slid to a stop on the wide dirt street, looked over his shoulder, and grinned. "Be back directly, Abby. We're just goin' down to the ice house for Mr. Mullins."

"C'mon, Luke!" Obadiah stood in the street looking back at his friend. "All right," Abby said, and when Luke took off, she shouted, "But be quick about it!"

She reached up for her basket, then slipped it over her arm and climbed the steps to the store. The bell over the front door clanged out a welcome, and Minerva hurried from the back room. When she saw Abby, she smiled.

"Well, now. Been wonderin' when you was gonna get here."

Abby fought down a blush and thanked heaven that Minerva couldn't read her mind. She'd hate to have the woman find out exactly why she was late!

"I'm sorry, Minerva. I was…" She tried to think of something.

But Minerva brushed her off. "No matter. Like I said yesterday. You got this many kids… one more don't much matter!" She took Abby's list of supplies and turned to fill the order. "You folks sure are goin' through the flour and such!"

Abby leaned on the wood counter and idly played with a stray piece of string. "Uh-huh. Samuel and Luke just gobble everything up so quickly.… Maybe I should get a fifty-pound sack of flour while I'm here this time."

"Prob'ly a good idea." Minerva made a note on the list, then looked up. "You know, Abby, till you came, I hardly ever saw Samuel. I'll bet he wasn't in this store for supplies but once or twice in six months."

Abby chewed at her lip. "Yessir, you comin' to town has made him a right good customer!"

Abby watched the woman's back as she moved surely around the store. This wasn't the first time Abby had thought about all the money Samuel had been spending on supplies. And she was beginning to feel very badly about it. But she didn't have any money. She'd spent it all on the trip out from Maryland.

Her mind whirling, Abby turned and let her gaze move over the store. When she spotted the bolts of fabric, her eyes widened. Why not? she asked herself. Wasn't she the best seamstress in Maryland? Hadn't everyone told her that for most of her life? If she could do some dressmaking for the ladies in town, she'd be able to help buy supplies. After all, Samuel's money couldn't last forever. Why, for all she knew, he might very well be almost penniless!