A CowBoys Rose

17

I look up at the ceiling. Is this one of the changes? My world's so different. Is this one of them? If I get married is that what I'm to expect?
No, Sam wouldn't hit me... Would he? Everything in me says he wouldn't but how can I be sure of that? I can't be? He could attack me because I dont give him children?
No! No. Stop it Caroline! I saw the way he tackled Dixon. The way he picked him off the ground as if he weighed nothing. All because he hit me.
There's a knock on the door "I dont want guests"
"Caroline. Its me" Trudy? She opens the door and smiles to me "hi... How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine Trudy. Sorry, let me get up-"
"No! No, dont be silly. You stay in bed... I just wanted to know you was alright... You was very brave Caroline. Not many women would square up to a man the way you did"
Well I didnt do it in time for Harriot "how is she?"
"Shes in shock... I dont think she knows what's going on... She refuses to let us near her"
I'm not surprised. I wouldn't want people around me "she's going to stay here until she knows what's going on. I won't have her go back there because she has no where to go"
"No! No one thinks you would!" She takes my hand "that looks painful?"
It is, but its nothing that I can't deal with "I'm alright" I sit up "and sitting in here isn't going to do anything"

I head downstairs and Harriot's sat on the sofa just staring off in the distance. Ill give her space. I head into the kitchen where Rosie is sorting food. She looks at me and gulps "miss caroline. You should be resting"
I ignore her and head out into the garden. Blinking back the sun. God its bright!
But I look over at Sam whos just watching me "morning Sam"
He drops the rope in his hands and comes over me. Wrapping his arms around me. And I cling to him "how do you feel?"
"Its all made me feel so sick" I whisper into his chest "he should be hung"
"I know darlin'"
I lean back and look into his eyes "would you hit your wife Sam?"
His eyes burn. He looks so mad that I'd ask but he looks so passionate as well. He takes the back of my neck and forces my lips to his, heavily before leaning back "now you damn listen to me Caroline Darinton! If you think for one second I'd lay a hand on you! Forget it! If I'm going to be marrying anyone! It'll be you! So never! Never worry for a second! About me laying a hand on you! Do you understand me women?!"
I feel my lip go "yes" I hold the hand he has on my cheeks "I just can't stop thinking about what she was like when I found her"
"Listen, she came to you darlin... Harriot doesn't have trust in anyone and she chose you... She felt safe with you. Do you think thats a little thing?" His words are extremely sweet but I'm not that important. He strokes back my hair "when I saw him hit you... I wanted to kill him... I could have got my gun out right there! But I didn't want you to see that...I dont want you to think me anything but a man you deserve. And I'll work damn hard to make sure I am that-"
"I love you" I look up into his eyes. And I've shocked myself. To admit that so easily. And it was easy to say to him.
"What?" He just stares at me "whatd you say?"
"Ive fallen in love with you Sam. I can't eat or sleep without thinking about you. I smile at just the thought of you"
His hands go tight and he coughs, looking out at the land. Have I offended him? "That's uh..." He looks back at me "thats made me extremely happy Caroline. I can't tell you what that means to me!" He leans down and his lips are both heavy and soft. And his hands are strong but gentle. But that means nothing. The way hes holding. The way his lips are moving against mine. Its a completely different kiss than we've ever shared!
"I'm yours Caroline. You know that. Right? I'll give everything I am to you! I love you so damn much! And I can't work a day without knowing your mine too" He brushes the hair from my face "be mine"
I laugh "Sam... I'm pretty sure I've been yours since you laughed at me for wanting to hire men"
He chuckles and coughs up a lump in his throat "Sam are you going to cry?"
"No... Just them damn feelings again" he rests his forehead on mine "I love you"
A cough interrupts us and I look over at Thomas "sorry to interrupt... He wants to see her"
"Shes in no state" Sam turns to him "he won't be seeing her unless She wants to see him"
"I'm sorry Sam, Caroline. I really am. But I legally need to tell her and she can only decide"
I just hope she sees sense "I'll tell her"
"Caroline. You dont have to do this" Sam puts his hand on my face. Running his thumb over the bruise "you dont have to deal with any of this"
"Hes right Miss Caroline"
I smile "I want to. Sam, can you please start getting a bath ready for her?"
He nods and pulls me into him"of course I can" kissing my head "go see to her"
I smile and tap his chest.

I get her in the bath and start brushing her hair back. Washing it carefully "how are you feeling?"
She gulps "he hurt you?"
"I... I went to warn him off... I slapped him and he hit me back"
"I'm sorry he hurt you"
"No, dont apologise for that man. If he can call himself that! You don't need to put up with it Harriot! No one deserves to be treated like that! And the fact hes using your grief and your loss against you... Its disgusting! No one should be made to feel bad for something like that!"
"I fell from a horse... I wasnt meant to be riding. It was my fault"
"No. It was an accident" I sit in front of her. Seeing the tears run down her cheek "he should have been there for you"
She gulps and shakes her head "he uh... He started going to the Saloon after that"
"You want to live like that? How long until he kills you?" She looks at the water "hes asked to see you"
"What?!"
"You dont have to see him Harriot... You can send him to prison for a long time! And you can divorce him. You won't see him again! Hes been unfaithful! Hes hit you! Thats not a life! That's living hell! Please! Think of yourself!"A knock at the door makes her jump and I get up and head over. Opening the door and stepping out " Hi"
Sam smiles, taking my hand "how is she?"
I shrug "I dont think shes ready to really talk about it... I'll help her anyway I can Sam"
He nods "I understand. I'll help where you need me"
"Thank you I hope-" ... I look at the door... "Just wait here"
"Caroline?"
"Just-" I open the door "Sam!" I run in and lift her head out the water "sam!" He rushes over picking her out the water all together lying her on the floor "Harriot!" I slap across her cheek and she coughs up water "you foolish girl!" Sam hands me a towel and I wrap it around as much of her as I can "Sam, get her into my room" he nods and picks her up again, doing what I asked him.
She sobs into a pillow and Sam leaves us alone. I get in the bed beside her and cuddle into her as she cries "your safe here Harriot"
"Why me?"
Good question "you got very unlucky... But you can change that Harriot. You can find someone who really loves you"