The Bride Price (22 page)

“I have strange dreams, snippets of memory, I
think. But no sense of what they mean,” he whispered.

“What kinds of things have you been
dreaming?”

Staring out the window, he didn’t speak for
several seconds. “I see a woman in a wedding dress and she’s
walking towards me, but her face is covered with a veil.” Resting
his head on his arm leaning against the window frame, he continued,
“I see the same woman rolling a stocking down her leg, and I feel
so blessed to have her, but I still can’t see her face. There’s a
young man sitting in a chair. He’s getting something painted on his
chest, a tattoo I think, and I’m laughing at him.”

“Lucas,” Sophie whispered as she made her way
to stand behind him.

“Lucas?”

“Your best friend.” His head dropped
slightly, and Sophie resisted the urge to wrap her arms around him.
“Do you believe me at all? Do you think you can try?”

He faced her. “I honestly don’t know what to
believe, Sophie.”

“I know another way to prove that you’re
Jamie.”

“How?”

Sophie laid her hand on his chest. “You have
a tattoo of a horseshoe, just above your heart. You and Lucas got
them together.”

He slowly unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it
open just over his heart. “How did you know about the tattoo?”

“Because it’s you, Jamie. It’s really you.”
She placed her hand on his chest.

His eyebrows knitted together in a frown. “I
don’t understand.”

“Neither do I fully but somehow, we have been
brought to the same place.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know why you can’t remember.” Sophie
sighed. “You’re James William Ford, you’re twenty-eight years old,
and you’re my husband. You got that tattoo two weeks before our
wedding. The scar on your hand was from slicing tomatoes and not
paying attention. The woman rolling the stocking down her leg is
me, and that was our wedding night.” Sophie smiled in memory. “It
was such a perfect wedding, Jamie. The man you see in your dream is
your childhood friend, Lucas...Luke. He married my best friend,
Alex, and the four of us went on a cruise for our honeymoons.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook
his head.

Sophie squeezed his arm. “There’s so much to
tell, but I don’t want to overwhelm you with information. You may
have forgotten, but I remember every little detail.”

She moved his hand away from his face and
pulled his head down for a kiss. This wasn’t the sweet, gentle kiss
of the last couple of days. It was a kiss of desperation, passion,
and promises of many more things to come. She moved her hands over
his stomach and back up to his chest, relishing in the familiarity,
yet overcome with brand new desire.

Sophie groaned when he broke the kiss, her
breathing labored as she dropped her head onto his chest. His arms
tightened around her. “That was unexpected.”

“That’s one way of putting it, I suppose.”
Sophie glanced up at him. “Can I please start calling you
Jamie?”

He raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with
James?”

She sighed. “It’s what I call you when I’m
mad at you.” She grinned. “And, I’m so
not
mad at you right
now.”

“I wish I could remember.”

“Don’t push it. I know who you are, and I
know you’ll remember eventually.” She smiled gently. “And in the
meantime, we get to explore a whole new relationship with each
other.”

He stroked her cheek. “You may call me
Jamie.”

“Thank you.”

Jamie kissed her quickly and then stepped
away. “I should get back to camp.”

“I’ll walk you out.” Sophie escorted him
through the foyer and onto the front porch.

“I think tomorrow is going to be a really
long day. Would you like me to join you for lunch? I’m not sure if
I’ll be able to break for very long, but I’ll take whatever time I
can.”

Sophie smiled up at him. “I’d love that.”

Jamie pulled her into his arms for a
lingering kiss. “I’ll try to watch for you when you visit Samson
tomorrow.”

“You noticed?”

Jamie chuckled. “You’ve been consistent with
your schedule.”

Sophie grinned. “I’m stuck in my ways, I’m
afraid.”

He kissed her forehead and then left for the
Union camp. Sophie walked back inside and poked her head into the
library. “He’s gone, Christine, do you want the low-down?”

“I don’t know what that means, but I’d like
to know what’s going on.”

Sophie squealed with excitement and pulled
Christine in for a hug. “Oh, Christine, he’s back. He’s really back
and I’m going to make him remember everything. I can’t believe I
have him in my arms again. It’s a miracle.”

“Well, I have all night for you to tell me
about, because Mama is staying with a friend. I told Nona I’d stay
here tonight.”

“Cool!” Sophie said.

The girls went upstairs and got ready for
bed. It was a modern day pajama party in an old-fashioned era.
Sophie wouldn’t have traded it for the world. She felt so blessed
that she had her husband back and had found a family she loved.

* * *

Sophie woke to darkness. Another vivid dream made
returning to sleep impossible, so she slid off the mattress and
pulled the curtains back. Still dark. She peered out the window and
her gaze went to the arena. A lamp was burning by Richard’s barn,
and she could see men milling around.

She stared out past the training area, the white
tents of the soldiers scattered over the terrain looking so similar
to when she did reenactments. Even down to the occasional yellow
flickering from a lantern lit inside or the cherry of a hand-rolled
cigarette.

Grabbing a robe, she slipped it on and stepped into
the hallway. The clock next to the guestroom read midnight.

Great. Too early to get up, and way too late to find
something to do.

Stepping back into her bedroom, she stared back out
the window and chewed on her thumbnail. After several minutes of
watching a few of the soldiers close up the barn and douse the
lamps, Sophie flopped onto the window seat and pulled her knees up
to her chin. Men’s laughter floated up to the window and she was
drawn to a small group standing by the outside paddock.
Jamie.

He stood with three of his men and he appeared to
regaling them with some kind of a story. They laughed and his hands
moved like an honorary Sicilian as he talked. Sophie laid her cheek
on one of her knees and watched.

It wasn’t long before he shook his head and made a
sweeping motion with one of his hands, causing the men to move
toward the tents. Jamie paused and turned to glance up at her
window. She didn’t know if he could see her, but she smiled anyway.
In the end, he shoved his hands in his pockets and made his way
toward the tents along with his men.

Sophie straightened. She was done waiting. With a
racing heart and shaking hands, she dressed quickly, sans corset,
and snuck out of her bedroom and downstairs. She had a plan, and it
would require seduction. She needed something sweet. Nona had a
greenhouse just off the kitchen, so she gathered two oranges and
made her way out to the tents. She knew in theory which one was
James’, but she’d never walked out here before. She was usually
riding, and had the advantage of being up high, giving her a better
vantage point.

Oh, for the love and glory be. Which one are
you?

The occasional snore could be heard as she passed the
tent flap openings, trying to notice any unique markings of the
tents.

One of those wooden signs with an etching that said,
“The Fords, established 2001” on the outside would do nicely right
about now.

An arm wrapping around her waist and another covering
her mouth, brought her back to the present and she let out a
squeal, although the large hand pressing a little harder muffled
it.

* * *

Jamie had heard the swish of skirts and peeked out to
see Sophie roaming the aisle between the tents. She wasn’t very
good at subterfuge, and he couldn’t decide if he was irritated or
intrigued that she’d sought him out in the middle of the night.

“Sophie, what are you doing out here?” She relaxed
immediately, sinking her back into his chest. He released her and
turned her to face him. “It’s past midnight, and it’s not safe for
you to be anywhere other than the house after dark,” he admonished
in a whisper.

She held up one of the oranges. “I woke up and
couldn’t go back to sleep. I thought you might want an orange.”

“Come with me.” He led her to one of the tents she’d
just passed, and held the flap open for her. She dipped low and
stepped inside.

Jamie lit the lantern that sat on a small table in
the corner, but kept it low. Still, there was enough light to see
each other relatively clearly.

“Don’t you have a cot or something?”

He shook his head as he closed the flap and secured
the ties. “No.”

Sophie set one of the oranges on the table and
started to peel the other. “It’s not as bad as I imagined for a
Civil War dwelling. At least you have blankets and a couple of
chairs.”

Jamie faced her. “Sophie. Will you tell me why you’re
out here? I’m assuming that since you’re offering me an orange,
there’s no emergency.”

She raised a finger and waggled at him. “Don’t be so
sure, Jamie. There are plenty of citrus based emergencies.”

He crossed his arms. “Name one.”

Sophie bit her lower lip. “Scurvy?”

He dragged his hands down his face. “Sophie.”

She offered him a wedge of orange. “Want some?”

“No, thank you.”

Sophie raised an eyebrow and sucked the slice
through her lips and let out a quiet moan. “Heaven.”

His stomach clenched as he watched a small
drop of juice linger on her full lips. Her tongue darted out to
lick it off. She smiled and handed him another wedge. “Have some.
It’s perfect.”

He took the orange from her but didn’t eat it
right away. “Sophie, you need to go back to the house.”

“Do I?” she whispered as she set the rest of
the orange on the table and slipped the buttons from her
blouse.

“Sophie, what are you doing?”

“Getting comfortable.” She pushed her skirts
from her body. “Much better.”

“Put your clothes back on.”

“I’m fully covered.” She lowered her head and
checked her appearance. “Chemise, pantaloons, stockings, and
slippers. This is more clothing than I ever wore at home.”

Dropping his head back, he stared at the low
ceiling before taking a deep breath and meeting her gaze again.
“This is entirely inappropriate, Sophie.”

She shrugged. “Sue me.”

Her lace chemise slid off one creamy, white
shoulder.

“Sophie, we’re not in private.” He groaned as
he turned his back. “We’re not even in a place with a locking
door.”

“I. Don’t. Care.” She sighed. “More
orange?”

He shook his head, but caught her smile as
she popped another piece in her mouth. He turned around and stared
at the tent flap.

“You’re being gallant.” Sophie giggled. “How
about you turn around?” He shook his head. “I have a surprise for
you. Turn around. I won’t bite…well, not unless you want me
to.”

He turned and swore. Sophie stood before him
in nothing but stockings and garters. He turned away again.

“Sir?” a quiet voice whispered from outside
of the tent.

“Jack?” Jamie advanced on the tent
opening.

“I heard arguing, sir.”

Jamie sent a glare over his shoulder at
Sophie. She grinned and popped another orange wedge in her
mouth.

“Go back to your tent, Jack.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jamie pinched the bridge of his nose, but
still fought the urge to look at her. “Get dressed.”

Sophie moved to stand at his back. “You don’t
get to escape, love.” She pulled his shirt from the waistband of
his trousers. “I’ve waited a long time for this, and I don’t care
what you do and don’t remember, I want my husband back.”

He squeezed his eyes shut and groaned.
“Sophie. Don’t.”

“Don’t, what? I’ll stop as soon as you say
you don’t want this.” She slid her hands around the front of him
and her hands slipped under his shirt.

Jamie clenched his fists at his side. “I
won’t do this.”

“Why not?” Sophie kissed his neck.

Jamie tried to stay her hands. “Sophie, this
is highly inappropriate.”

Sophie chuckled. A low, throaty sound that
made several muscles tense—muscles he didn’t realize he had. In
parts of his body he’d never really paid much attention to before.
She kissed his back, in between his shoulder blades. “I don’t care
if it’s inappropriate. I have certain needs.”

Her tiny hands had now slipped up his back
and she raked her nails gently over his skin. A low growl escaped
between his gritted teeth. “Sophie.”

“I want you naked, Jamie. I have been patient
up till now, and I’m done being patient.”

He squeezed his eyes shut with a grimace. “I
don’t remember you as my wife, Sophie.”

“Oh, you’re going to remember, baby. I have
no doubt. Now, turn around.”

Turning to face her, he rasped, “Are you sure
you want to do this? Even if I don’t remember? Even if your
reputation will be compromised?”

Her eyes, hooded with desire, seemed on fire
as she smiled. “Surer than I have been about anything.”

Reaching behind his back, he pulled his shirt
over his head and then cupped her face and leaned down to kiss her.
He slid one hand around her waist, pulled her body closer to his,
and intensified his assault. He knew now that he was too far gone
to do anything but make love to her. Laying her down on the
makeshift mattress, he stroked her cheek.

“Make me yours again,” she whispered.

As he made love to her, his visions began as
a flash. The square pattern on a blue door, his hand knocking, and
it opening to reveal the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. The
hallucination brought the memory of her disappearance and the
confusion and devastation that followed.