An Untold Story

You're a Troublemaker!

I awoke in Zachary's arms. I was shocked, yet comforted. This felt very wrong, but my excuse would be that Zachary was being my protector from the demons in the world.

I silently watched as he toyed with my fingers of my left hand as it was now resting in his palm. He must have admired how small my hands and fingers were as he looked at them in a state of admiration.

-"Are you fond of them?" I whispered, making his eyes jolt to mine.

-"They're fun to look at," Zak chuckled as he moved his hand to where his index and middle finger grazed under my chin, "Did you sleep well?" he asked as his hand returned to mine.

-"Like a baby," I smiled, "What about you?"

-"I didn't get much. Everything kept waking me up." Zak frowned.

-"Get some sleep. You have a lot to do." I demanded as I sat up.

-"No, don't get up. I can't sleep without you here." Zak pleaded.

-"Zachary, I'm sure you've slept fine before you met me." I argued.

-"But when I did, I realized I have a new duty to fulfill.." Zak trailed off.

-"And what's that?" I said with a raised brow.

-"Protecting you." Zak's hazel eyes poured admiration. Did he really feel this way? I was really falling for it, though.

-"You're so good at getting your way, Zachary." I smiled as I lay my head back into the crook of his arm and shoulder.
       
Zak and I awoke in mid-afternoon, maybe around five o'clock p.m. or so, Molly had prepared a nice breakfast meal for us as we made our way into the dining area.

-"This is great. Thank you, Molly." I said as I pushed my plate away, indicating that I was finished. Molly must have known how to feed a starving person, my stomach felt like exploding!

-"You're welcome sweetheart!" She smiled as she took the now empty plate in her hands. I excused myself from the table to lend a hand to Molly, as it was the proper thing to do while the men did their normal rounds.

-"That's a good man that Zachary Bagans." She said in her warm Arizona accent.

-"He's a fine man." I replied as I dried off one of the plates that once held food.

-"Where's Aaron?" Molly realized as she looked around the room as her eyes laid on Nick, who was just now waking up from a midday snooze.

-"Where's Aaron, Nick?" She asked with her eyebrows raised.

-"He's dead." Nick sternly said. Molly's face turned saddened.

-"What happened?"

-"I can't say it here, let me talk to you in private." Nick said as he looked at me. Nick then nodded his head as he led his mother into the other room to tell the sad news.

-"Zachary?" I called to Zak, getting his attention.

-"What is it?"

-"Does Molly have a husband?" I asked out of curiosity, making Zak's eyebrows furrow,

-"Yes. He's out working on fencing." Zak replied.

-"Oh, I was just wondering." I shrugged my shoulders. I didn't know why that question escaped my mouth, I guess it was because I wanted to start up a conversation.
       
I sat on the lounge chair with Zak, his right arm now draping over my shoulders. He must have felt comfortable with being in control.

-"Don't get too cocky." I sternly said before Zak moved his arm, knowing it was improper.

-"I'm terribly sorry." Zak frowned.

-"Apology accepted." I smiled as I kissed his cheek. I felt his skin jolt in fright as a large man bolted through the front door. In instinct, Zak puts his arm in front of me to hold me behind him when we rose to our feet in shock.

-"Jesus, Michael!" Zak chuckled, "Don't scare us!"  Zak finished with a laugh.

-"This is no time for fun, Zachary, there's a posse comin'!" Michael breathed harshly as he looked at me. "I saw em' in town, a fellow named Sullivan. He's lookin' for you, miss." Michael said.

-"You're a troublemaker!" Zak said as he grabbed my hand and led me to the barn where his horse stood dazed, quickly saddling it up.

-"Get on." Zak demanded from the back of his horse as he held out his hand.

-"What are you doing?" I asked frightened.

-"Just get on!" Zak exclaimed as he reached down and grabbed me and pulled me onto the horse's hindquarters. Zak kicked his horse into a canter as we galloped through the rough terrain. I hugged Zak's waist tight as I felt I was about to fall off. Zak controlled his horse with his left hand as his right hand covered the top of my hands. It felt like a shock - a shock of love and fear.

oOo

       
Zak soon stopped his horse at the top of the hill. Looking at the midday sun lowering into the horizon. He knew Elizabeth was in danger, and on his watch, she was not going to get hurt again. He turned around in the saddle to see Elizabeth's eyes flooded with fear.

-"Don't be afraid." Zak said as he kissed her knuckles. She flashed a faint smile at his actions. Zak couldn't help but flash a true smile back, "Elizabeth, I have something I want to tell you," Zak started as she nodded in response, "You and I both know you're a troublemaker," Zak laughed, referring to his statement as a friendly joke, "But I like that, you've given me a whole new adventure in my life..and I don't want that to change. Elizabeth, you know I'll always protect you from this point on, that is if you'll let me?" Zak proposed.

He then saw light tears roll down Elizabeth's blushed cheeks. He dared to rub his thumb on her cheeks to wipe away the tears. Her baby blue eyes stared into his.

-"Zachary, yes." She smiled as Zak again dared to wipe away the tears and place his right hand behind her ear, gently pulling her head closer to his. Elizabeth didn't resist, she moved closer to him without his assistance. Their lips crashed onto each other's, gently dancing with each other. Her hands now rested behind his ears, gently daring to tangle her fingers in his hair. "I'm your troublemaker." Elizabeth laughed into the kiss. "Yes, indeed."