The Bride Price (30 page)

“Have you forgotten your injuries?”

Sophie stood her ground. “He’s not going to
hurt me.”

“Don’t make me force you, Sophie. Your safety
comes first.”

Samson reared and Jamie pulled Sophie closer
to him, but as if to prove him wrong, the horse calmed and meekly
made his way to Sophie. As he nuzzled her, Sophie giggled. “See?
He’s harmless.”

“Hm, mm,” he grumbled. “We have bigger issues
right now, sweetheart, so please come with me.”

Richard and Christine were standing outside
of the arena, and Jamie went to work with the other men to get the
blaze under control. Sophie and Christine removed the remaining
horses from Michael’s stables, and just to be safe, they put them
in with Samson before making their way back to the men.

Many of Jamie’s unit had come to assist with
the fire and were able to get it contained, but it took several
hours to get the fire completely out. Nona, Sophie, and Christine
organized fresh water and food for the men, and then could only
stand around and wait.

“Where on earth did you get those trousers,
Sophie?” Christine asked.

“Jamie found them for me, so that I could
ride astride. Aren’t they great?”

Just then they heard gunshots. A few minutes
later, Sophie saw Jamie walking toward her. Her eyes filled with
tears as she rushed to him. “Please tell me you were able to get
all the horses out.”

“All but two,” he said sadly, and Sophie
winced but let him pull her into his arms. “They were in so much
pain, baby. We had to put them down.”

“I know.”

Jamie put his arm around her shoulders and
kissed her temple before joining the others. “Richard, do you know
what happened?”

“The only thing we know for sure is that it
was deliberate.” Richard leaned heavily against his crutches.
“Probably the Rebels.”

“I’m sorry about your horses, Richard,”
Sophie said.

“They got the majority of them out,” he
responded curtly.

“You know you’re welcome to house the rest of
the horses in my stables until you’re able to rebuild,” Michael
said.

Richard nodded. Sophie separated herself from
Jamie and walked over to Richard’s side. “Richard, how is your
leg?”

“It’s fine.” Richard’s tone laced with an
edge.

“I would have thought it would be quite
painful with all of the running and lifting you have been doing
over the past few hours. Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I lifted a crutch to point with it,” he
snapped.

“You shouldn’t even be on your leg right now,
let alone assisting with an emergency.”

“I’m not your problem,
Mrs.
Ford.
Leave it alone.”

“Don’t speak to her that way,” Jamie
growled.

Sophie laid her hand on Jamie’s chest.
“Jamie, I can speak for myself.” She turned back to Richard.
“Richard, why don’t you come back to the house with all of us and
at the very least, let Christine take care of you for a little
while.” Then to Christine, she said, “Sorry, I should really ask
you before I volunteer you for things, shouldn’t I?”

“No, it’s fine.” Christine smiled. “Sophie’s
right, Richard. You should let Michael give you something for the
pain and allow us to take care of you for a little while. We’re
your friends and we’d like to help.”

“All right,” he grumbled.

Jamie pulled Sophie back over to him, and
they both went to check on the horses. After determining they were
unharmed, Sophie spent a few extra minutes with Samson, then they
started walking back to the house.

“How’s your head?” he asked as he took her
hand in his.

“I have a little bit of a headache but
nothing severe. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine.” He pulled her hand to his lips
and kissed it. “I like the way you look in those breeches. You have
the most incredible backside. Kind of like the way your Old Navy
jeans look on you.”

“Why, Mr. Ford, are you flirting with
me?”

He stopped walking and pulled her into his
arms. “You decide.”

Covered in soot, he couldn’t help but
transfer some of the black onto Sophie’s clothing.

“As sexy as you are, my love, you smell a bit
like an ashtray. I think we should organize a bath for you.”

“You don’t like ashtray? This happens to be
the newest cologne. Eau de soot.”

She laughed and then wrinkled her nose at the
smell. “Maybe Michael has some extra clothes you could borrow.”

He pulled her closer in an effort to transfer
more of the dirt onto her, but she pulled out of his arms, turned
on her heel, and started to run. He ran after her but without her
skirts, she was quite fast and made it all the way to the porch
before he finally caught up with her, grabbing her from behind and
kissing her neck. She squealed with laughter.

“I win!” she said, doing the
Rocky
dance.

“Maybe the breeches weren’t such a good idea.
Especially if I can’t catch you.” He picked her up and swung her in
a circle.

“You are such a sore loser!”

“I’m not used to losing.”

Sophie patted his cheek. “So true, baby. Next
time, I’ll let you win.”

“There won’t be a next time.” Jamie kissed
her.

“We’ll see. Now, let’s get you cleaned
up.”

They walked into the foyer and found Betty
speaking with the butler.

“Betty, the men are covered in soot, would
you please organize baths for them? Also, send someone to fetch
Richard fresh clothes.”

Betty went off to take care of everything,
and Jamie gave Sophie quick squeeze just as the rest of the group
started filing into the foyer. Richard was limping quite severely
and looking miserable, so Michael quickly went to prepare a syringe
of Morphine for him.

Betty informed them that three tubs were set
up in the room just off the kitchen, so Jamie helped Richard back
to the bathtubs while Sophie went to find towels. Stephen had
managed a pretty significant cast for Richard, however, he’d need
help to keep it from getting wet.

Sophie and Christine needed to get cleaned up
as well, so they made their way up to their rooms once they knew
the men were settled. Sophie walked into her room to find a small
bath waiting for her. Good old Betty.

After finishing her bath, she dressed quickly
and went downstairs. Richard and Christine were in the parlor, and
Michael was preparing the Morphine. She went looking for Jamie, and
after not finding him in the dining room, made a beeline for the
library. His back was to her when she walked into the room. “Hi,
baby, how was your bath?”

When he turned, Sophie gasped, her knees
buckling, and she had to grab the chair next to her for
support.

“That good?” he asked as he moved toward
her.

Her eyes filled with tears and her hands were
over her mouth in disbelief at the Jamie of her future.

“Sophie, are you all right?”

“You shaved! You look amazing.” She threw her
arms around his neck, kissed his cheeks, and rubbed her hands down
his face. He had left the goatee and kept his sideburns long.

“Michael helped me achieve the look. It’s
kind of freaky shaving with a single blade, but I think it worked.
Are you sure you like it?”

“I like it so much, I want you in my bed and
naked.”

“Sophie Jane, is that appropriate
conversation for mixed company in the nineteenth-century?”

“Oh, there is so much more I could say,
however, I’ll wait until we are alone and you are in my bed and
naked.” She drew his head down and kissed him.

Jamie laughed and kissed her back. “It’s
almost three o’clock, sweetheart. You really should get some rest,
especially since you’re still healing.”

“I am tired,” she admitted and leaned her
forehead against his.

“I’m not surprised.” He settled her into her
favorite chair and then sat across from her. “It’s been a very long
night.”

“You’re probably right. I just don’t want to
sleep without you.”

“I know, honey but I think it would be best
just for tonight. I have to organize the men first thing tomorrow
morning to find out who did this.”

Sophie sighed. “Can’t you sneak in? Michael
and Nona know you’ve recovered your memory. They know we’re
married.”

Jamie shook his head. “I don’t think that
would be a good idea, love. I can’t seem to keep my hands off you
when we’re alone and you need to rest.”

“I take it riding is off for a while?”

“Sorry, sweetheart. As soon as we get the
person who set the fire and has been firing shots at you, we’ll go
riding. I promise. You’ll want to wait until Samson’s well anyway,
right?” At her reluctant nod, Jamie smiled. “Why don’t you walk me
out and then you can go to sleep.”

“Will I even see you tomorrow?” she asked as
they reached the porch.

“If I don’t see you during the day, I’ll make
a point to come by at dinnertime.” He pulled her into his arms for
a lingering kiss.

“Okay. Be careful tomorrow, won’t you?”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

He took her face gently in his hands. “I love
you.”

“I love more. I’ll miss you tonight.”

“Me too, baby.”

Jamie mounted his horse and took off toward
camp. Sophie went inside, closed the door and headed to bed.

* * *

The following day proved frantic. People
constantly moved throughout the house. Nona and Michael fed the
soldiers who were helping to remove debris and rebuild what they
could. Sophie and Christine put in a few hours at the hospital, but
they were really needed closer to home, so ended up returning in
time for lunch.

Sophie hadn’t been able to fall asleep until
almost four and then was awakened at eight with all of the
activity. Feeling as though she got a brief reprieve at the
hospital, she almost wanted to go back as soon as she got home and
found herself right back in the thick of it all. Sneaking her way
into the library, she fell into her favorite chair. Closing her
eyes, she tried to relax while debating whether she was hungry
enough to brave the crowds.

“Hiding?” Christine strode into the room and
closed the door.

Sophie chuckled. “Sort of. What about
you?”

Christine grinned. “Sort of. Are you hungry?
They’re starting to set the food out in the dining room.”

“Yes, but I’m also tired and don’t feel like
facing a large group of people. What about you?”

“I feel the same way.” Christine sat in the
chair next to Sophie’s. “Let’s just stay here for a little while
and we can eat once the crowd thins.”

“That’s a great plan.”

A few minutes later, they heard the door
open, and the girls poked their heads around the chairs. Jamie
stood in the doorway trying to juggle plates of food.

Sophie jumped up and went to help him. “What
are you doing?” Taking a couple of the plates from his hands, she
smiled and lifted her face.

He leaned down to give her a quick kiss. “I
had a feeling you might be hiding.”

Christine laughed.

“What is it with you guys?” Sophie asked.

Jamie had done a great job of getting enough
food for all of them and even a wide range of choices.

“James, this is wonderful. Thank you.”
Christine grabbed a sandwich.

Sophie put her arms around his neck and
pulled his head down for a lingering kiss. “This was very sweet,
thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He gave her a quick
squeeze. “I have news.”

“Oh?” Christine asked.

“We found the men who set the fire.”

“Really? Who?” Sophie raised her eyebrow.

“The ring leader was the man who accosted you
in the stables. He had three other disgruntled soldiers who
assisted him.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Christine’s hand flew to
her neck. “Did they say why?”

“They targeted Richard because of our
altercation. They are being held at the jail until they can be
court marshaled.”

Sophie gasped. “This is all my fault.”

Jamie pulled her into his arms. “Honey, don’t
say that. They were bad men and even worse soldiers. They had no
honor and could have really hurt you and Christine. In some ways,
it’s a blessing they targeted Richard, because we were able to stop
them from hurting a civilian.”

Sophie studied his face. “What aren’t you
telling me?”

“Neither of them is the man who has been
shooting at you.”

Pulling out of his arms, Sophie began to
pace. “What are we going to do?”

“We
aren’t going to do anything.
You
are going to stay in this house and I’m going to find
the man.” Then under his breath, “And he’ll experience pain beyond
anything he has before.”

“Jamie.” Sophie pinched the bridge of her
nose. “You don’t know what this man is capable of, or even, if
there’s just one. So, let’s not rush to jump into the fire,
okay?”

“Of course, sweetheart. Wouldn’t think of
it.”

“Jamie.”

“I should get going.”

“This conversation isn’t over.”

“I know, baby.” Jamie gave Sophie a quick
kiss and left them to help with the cleanup process.

“Stubborn man.”

“Look who’s talking.” Christine chuckled.

Sophie smiled. “They say you’re supposed to
marry your opposite, but Jamie and I just had to be different.”

“Who are these people who give all this sage
wisdom?”

“Who knows! All I know right now, is that I
really need to lie down. How about you?”

Christine nodded. “Yes, I am quite tired.
Perhaps we can sleep for an hour or so. I don’t think anyone needs
us for the moment.”

* * *

Jamie made his way out the back door and to
the arena. Michael met him halfway and shook his hand. “Son, I
believe we need to have a conversation.”

Jamie grimaced. “Yes, sir.”

“The climbing up the trellis to sneak into
Sophie’s room needs to cease.” Jamie groaned, and Michael chuckled.
“You
can
use the front door, James.”