The Savage Moon

Chapter 6: Sanctuary

The sound of a tinkling piano and raucous laughter filled the woods and Jack pulled his horse to a stop. Listening for a moment, he walked the horse toward the back of the building, staying hidden in the trees.

Cecelia scanned the small settlement and could just see the scattered buildings in the moonlight. Only the two-story saloon was filled with life, a warm glow shining through the windows.

"Stay here. I'll be right back." He saw her nod in the darkness. She'd be safe, hidden, until he returned.

Making his way over to the back entrance of the wide clapboard building, he rapped three times at the back door. A smile already on his face.

"Where have you been?"
"Hello to you too, Delphine." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Hello yerself. Annie's been a holy terror since ye took off, ye rascal! I've quite had me hands full."
"Well, she's going to have to wait. She and I did not agree about that very subject, and I do not have time for her possessive games, Del. I told ye I was going on an important errand... And that when I returned, I might need a favor..."
"Yes, of course, what do ye need, hon?"
"Your back room, privacy, from everyone, and food. Oh and a bath." He glanced back towards the wood line, turning back he caught Delphine watching him.
"You brought someone else?" She squinted her eyes at him. "Why are you being so strange?"
Jack sighed and leaned toward her, relaying the gist of their last few days and begging for her compassion.

"Sanctuary, Delphine! I will claim sanctuary for her if I must..."
Delphine's burst of laughter caught him off guard.
"This is certainly no church, dear boy." Giggling as she spoke. "Go get your lady in distress and we'll get her taken care of." She went back into the saloon, closing the door behind her as he made his way back to Cecelia.

"Cecelia?" Jack whispered, as he walked cautiously back toward where she had been waiting.

When he heard a tentative "Jack?", he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
They walked the horse over to the stable, getting it fed, brushed, and settled for the night, before heading back toward the back door.

The back door whipped open just as they were about to reach it and Delphine, smiling in her saucy but reassuring way, called for them to follow her in. 

Cecelia walked slowly behind Jack. She felt his hand slip into hers, reassuring her and somewhat hurrying her in through the door, closing it behind her. The music and voices coming from the main hall which served as the saloon was boisterous and Cecelia could hear lots of laughter, male and female. 

Still holding onto Jack's hand, they didn't have to go far before Delphine led them into a room at the end of the back of the house. Hidden behind the kitchen, the room was cozy and felt like a separate world from the rest of the noisy establishment. A fire built up in the hearth put off a warmth that began to immediately thaw Cecelia's limbs. She hadn't realized how stiff and sore she was from her ordeal. Just being in a warm room again nearly broke the emotional barrier she had created, but she forced it back.

"We already got the tub ready for ye. " Delphine laid drying cloths near the tub, checking the room to make sure everything was done as she had requested and made her way swiftly to the door. "I'll have ye some food brought in shortly."

Cecelia admired the simple elegance of the room and it dawned on her that this must be Delphine's private room, as lavishly as it was decorated, though it had been some time since she'd seen such things.

She sat down in a plush, upholstered chair and leaned back, resting her head on the back of the chair. She let her eyes close for a moment, suddenly remembering the tub that awaited them.