The Golden Rules of Love: Western Romance (9 page)

“Annie.” Mack’s voice came from nearby. It sounded raw and scratchy.

Annie still didn’t look up. She felt Mary Beth’s arms unwrap from around her. Her friend gave her a squeeze and then disappeared around the other side of the wagon. She took a deep breath. She didn’t want to talk about her feelings with Mack. “All of our money and our food are gone.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to let you starve.” He had moved closer, so his body was nearly touching hers. She could feel his heat.

“I know but you’ve got your own problems and goals. You don’t need to take on mine.” She kept her head down, but his hand softly came to her cheek. He tilted her head up till she was looking at his face.

“I didn’t tell you to go away because you’re not lovable. I told you to go away because I care about you and I can’t watch you get hurt. It would tear me to pieces. There is a big difference, Annie, and I need you to see it.”

She nodded her head. His face drifted closer to hers. His nose gently rubbed the tip of hers. A soft smile curved her lips. “Thank you for saying that, Collin.”

He returned the smile, another hand coming around her waist. “I like it when you use my given name.” Their bodies just touched. “I’m not going to lie, you drive me a little crazy but in a way that is exciting. No one is ever going to be perfect. I’ll drive you crazy too, if you’ll let me.”

“I don’t know.” Annie bit her lip, uncertainty filling her eyes. He grinned. “Well that’s a good deal better than what you’ve been saying.” He pressed her closer. “We’ve got to head down to the harbor in a few minutes. Then we’ll figure out how to replace your goods.”

She nodded and they both moved toward the campfire, Mack taking her hand. Annie made to pull it away but then she changed her mind. Everyone thought they were engaged anyway. After this morning, it felt good to hold his strong hand.

“Did they take anything of yours?”

“They tried. But Tom met them with a shot gun.” He leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Besides, I’ve got the money and gold hidden.”

Annie cocked one eyebrow. She wondered if that was where he disappeared to some days. She should have hidden her money better. Collin Mackinnon was smart. She gave his hand a squeeze.

Annie and Mack joined the circle who had gathered together after the attack. They were now a small group. The reverend was still there, along with a few other settlers who had yet to purchase land. Mack had four men with him. Finally, Annie and Mary Beth rounded out the party.

Mack looked around the circle. “We have to thank Annie for warning us. Not all of us would be sitting here if she hadn’t.”

A murmur of thanks rose from the group and Annie nodded to show her understanding.

Mack continued, “I’ll be off for the day. Cookie and Finnigan will stay back to guard the camp. Tom and Rake are coming with me. For those of you who are staying in San Francisco, you should start making your plans. I’ll only be here for a few more weeks.”

Annie felt a flutter in her stomach. She knew it was smart to leave the Sacramento Valley with Mack but she hated to come this far and leave emptyhanded.

The group disassembled. Tom went to get his horse and Mary Beth followed. Mack pulled her to join him. Annie felt a small tingle of excitement. She loved riding a horse with Mack. Her softer body fit perfectly against his hard frame. She was trying to decide if she liked riding behind him or in front of him better when he pulled her close. “I can’t wait to show you this.”

“Show me what?”

He only wiggled his eyebrows as he swung into the saddle pulling her up in front of him. One of his arms wrapped around her. He felt hard and strong in a way that made a woman feel safe. Annie snuggled in. She turned to jelly in his arms every time danger was near. What did that say, she wondered. She pushed those thoughts aside and just enjoyed the feel of his body as he kicked the horse into motion.

THE GOLDEN RULES OF LOVE

CHAPTER FIVE

They headed down
towards the oceanfront but Annie wasn’t paying attention. Laying her head on his broad shoulder, she sighed softly.

“You all right?” His voice rumbled underneath her ear.

“Mhmm,” she rubbed her cheek against his shirt. She had that feeling again that she wanted to feel his skin.

Tom pulled up next to them before she could slide her hand into the opening of his shirt. Annie stiffened slightly at the intrusion but Mack squeezed her tighter.

They passed a half-constructed building and Annie shook her head. Everyone had abandoned whatever they were working on to chase gold.

“Where are we going?” The water loomed in front of them.

“To the harbor.”

“Why?” She turned to look at him.

“We’re looking at a boat.”

“A boat?” Annie sat up straighter to look at him.

“Yep, take a look. There are people out there.” He pointed towards the ships.

“Why?”

“As you can see, the buildings aren’t finished. You’re not going to believe this, but people are living in the ships. Running businesses out of them. And most of them are still sea worthy. They’re just sitting there, waiting.”

“The boat we’re going to look at…do you want to live in it? It would keep the Indians from attacking.”

“Yes. But I think I want to sell the wagons and sail it back East.”

“Can you do that?”

“Sure Annie, I told you I want to build ships. I grew up on the water. I grew up in boats. My father was a shipbuilder.”

“Where is he now?”

“He and my mother passed away. They were sailing a small vessel and got caught in a storm.”

“How old were you?” This time, she let her hand drift to the opening of his shirt. She lightly stroked the skin that was exposed by the opening of his shirt. The feel of his coarse hair sent shivers racing down her back.

“I was sixteen.” His eyebrows drew together.

“I’m sorry, Mack.”

“Collin. I like it when you call me Collin.” He gave her a small smile.

“Collin, is it dangerous to sail?” She curled her fingers into his shirt.

“No more dangerous than crossing the country in a wagon. Probably less so.”

“Being attacked by Indians.” She wrinkled her nose. He dropped a light kiss on it.

“That’s right. Though the ocean has dangers of its own. But I think it would be an easier trip home. Most people travel here by water and not by land.”

The group tied up their horses and climbed into a dingy that was tied to the dock. “Mack” was painted on the side. Mack turned to Tom. “You named the dingy after me?”

“You’re our fearless leader.” Tom grinned as he spoke.

They started rowing. Annie caught a glimpse of an island up ahead, but tucked in between it and the mainland must have been a hundred ships. The first one they passed was full of people.

A harassed-looking man was dumping a bucket of food scraps over the side. “If you’re comin’ to eat, there’s no room.”

“Just passing by,” Mack called back.

The man stopped and assessed them. His eyes lingered on Annie and Mary Beth. “Either of you ladies need any work, you let me know. I could use some more hands.”

“How much will you pay?” Mary Beth shouted before Annie could say anything.

“Five dollars a day, each. That’s a fair price.”

Annie and Mary Beth looked at each other. While the money wasn’t enough to pay for a return trip home, they would be able to buy their own food and contribute to the supplies needed for the journey.

The man seemed to take their hesitation as a sign they would say no, because he added, “Free meal a day too.”

“We’ll start tomorrow,” Annie called back. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mack frown but he said nothing.

As Tom and Rake continued rowing the skiff, Annie glanced at Mack. The sun glinted off his chocolate brown curls, his face set in determined lines. He was staring straight ahead, at a boat closest to the island.

Annie looked out at it. It was larger than many of the ships, with three masts rising from its deck. It looked magnificent. She caught her breath and craned her neck up to get a better look.

Mack chuckled behind her. “I know. Ships do that to me too.”

She couldn’t help it; she turned back to him and grinned. “Are you going to buy it?”

Mack shrugged, “Tom has been watching it for the last week. No one has stepped foot on its deck. More than half of these boats are just abandoned. If no one comes for it, I’m going to sail it away.”

Annie nodded. That only made sense here in San Francisco. They would be doing a public service. To clear an abandoned boat out of the harbor meant much needed supplies could come in. “I understand.”

“We’ll empty the wagons, sell everything we don’t need. Then we’ll use the money we make to purchase all the food for the trip home. It’ll take us a few more weeks.”

Annie sucked in her breath. “We won’t be able to earn our passage back and I…”

“You’ll cook and clean on the boat to earn your keep.”

Annie bit her lip. “What do I do when I get back East?”

“That’s for you to decide.”

Annie shrugged as she nibbled on her lip. If she were honest some part of her wanted him to say stay with me. But he didn’t. At this point she normally got angry and pushed him away. Her pride got in the way of sound decisions. She refused to make that mistake again.

Their skiff pulled up to the side of the boat. A rope ladder hung down almost to the water. Tom grabbed the rope and began scaling the side of the boat to the deck. Rake tied the skiff off to the side of the ship, then followed and signaled to Mary Beth to come up behind him. Annie watched as her friend climbed the ladder. Tom reached down and grabbed her up in his arms. One of Annie’s eyebrows quirked.

Mack nodded for her to go next. A small shudder passed through her. She didn’t like being out over the water. She never had. Annie started up the ladder on shaky legs. It was very loose and swayed as she moved. She was relieved when she finally reached the top and was able to grab the rail with both hands. Resting for a moment, she took a deep breath. There was a break in the rail to step onto the deck. One more step and she would be standing safely on the hard wood planks.

A hand touched her hip and a jolt travelled through her body. She didn’t need to look to know it was Mack. “I’m almost there.”

“Take your time, sweetheart. I just wanted you to know I would catch you if you fell.”

A tiny smile touched her lips. “I knew that already.” Annie took the last step and reached the safety of the deck.

She stood, looking back at the small city of San Francisco. From here, it looked like a sleepy, peaceful town.

Mack came up next to her and touched her arm, “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I just don’t like climbing the ladder. The water…” Annie turned to look at him as his hand slipped from her arm to her waist. She closed her eyes for a second, enjoying the feeling of his large hand enveloping her. “The boat is beautiful.”

“I think we’ll be safer if we move onto it as soon as possible.”

Annie nodded. She didn’t want to face another Indian attack. Sleeping on the boat would be just fine with her.

They explored their new home, inspecting the hull for damage and checking for supplies. Then they climbed back onto the dingy and started for the shore.