Wild Fire (Book II)

The World Closed In

     When Emma awoke, she was alone in the tent. Her gown was restored to its modest appearance, and there was a tray of food just by the bed on Dutch's desk. A tiny note sat there that read: 

Eat Angel, Be back soon Dutch

     Her initial feeling was that of loneliness, mixed with a little fear and disbelief. Had last night really happened? She should be furious. This man that had kept her in his care for so long had done the one thing to her that had sent her into the state she had been in when she arrived. But as she sat up taking a bit of apple to her lips, she couldn't find it in her heart to be angry. Irritated yes. But angry? No. His touch wasn't like Clayton's. It was, she paused savoring the ripe apple in her mouth, it was glorious. It was.... tender... demanding. He would not let her suffer herself the experience. No. Quite the opposite. He forced her to enjoy it. Forced her to let go to his commanding presence of her. She only saw the slightest bit of him in his efforts of control. Was there more? And why did she it? She felt her cheeks blush under the denying acceptance of such. She shouldn't. In all truth, even the gentlest of pressured touch should disgust her. But somewhere inside in the hidden depths of her denial she that it didn't. Not completely. Was that because of her own untraveled desires? Or the results of the trauma she had endured? She couldn't say for sure.

     Regardless, Emma had not seen the way Dutch had run his gang. She knew of the man from stories, legends even, but she didn't really KNOW Dutch. Except....for his voice. That deep barrel growl that pulled her out of the darkness. It steadied her even when she ran from him or tried to. With Clayton dead, she had no one to run from, she realized. She was free.

     The magnitude of that knowledge nearly made her choke. She covered her mouth with fresh tears spilling down her cheeks as she tried to strangle down the apple. With shaking hands, she sat the fruit back down on the tray, fighting back a gasp and pulled her knees up to her chest resting her forehead on them.

     Light suddenly poured through the entrance and Emma brought her face back up to see a concerned Arthur standing in its doorway, his head cocked sideways looking after her.

     He was appeared dumbstruck. Just staring at her like she was the first human he had ever seen. "Uhh...I'm sorry miss. Did I wake you..." he began then stopped, standing his full height at the sight of her tears. He hurried over kneeling beside the bed looking as if he wanted to pluck her from the cot and just hold her in his arms. "Miss? Are you ok?" His gravelly voice asked her in a hushed whisper. "Did he hurt?..." She shook her head quickly. She could see the fire rise up in his crystalline eyes like two torches set ablaze. "No..no I'm alright." She managed, her own voice sounding dry and crackled. Arthur reached back for the canteen on Dutch's desk and held it out to her. When she went to take it, he never let go, tilting the spout up to her mouth himself and letting her drink from his hand. "Better?" he soothed, his voice low with concern. She nodded.

     When he was satisfied that he had satiated her thirst, he stood up again, looping a nervous hand under his belt buckle. "I'm Arthur, Arthur Morgan. I don't reckon if ya remember me or not, but there's been plenty a folk that's come through here worried over you ma'am. I just wanted to make sure you were ok myself. Marston is hovering around me like a damn bumbley bee, and if I didn't have something to tell him, why, I think he might have just come in ere himself and tote ya back to that cabin of his for Lilah." Emma shifted up on her knees drawing closer to the cowboy. "Lilah? She's alive? Is she ok?" A broad smile stretched across his stubbled face. He seemed pleased he had found some good news to offer her. "Why yes, yes ma'am. She and John share a little cabin a few miles from here back in the woods. They are just fine. She'll be mighty happy to know you are finally awake and all. Dutch had to head out to Valentine to pick up a few things. He wanted me to keep a check on ya. Ya need anything sweetheart?" Damn she was beautiful he thought.