The Ocean’s City

I heard the stomps of horse hooves before I heard his voice. Even deep in my sleep, I knew it was him. Dalton was here. I lurched up, trying to wake my brain as fast as possible.

Fran stirred from the rocking chair, giving me a worried look. We both jumped when the bedroom door swung open, hitting the wall. Ian didn’t even bother to look in our direction as he headed outside.

I followed behind him but only poked my head out the doorway. My hands were clammy, unsure of what situation I would meet outside.

The moment my eyes landed on Dalton, my heart sank. All I could think was that he came back! I wanted to run to him and hug him. My eyes searched frantically as I spotted Hutson beside him, but no sign of Dannie.

Ian gave Dalton some kind of greeting, but I wasn’t paying attention. Neither was Dalton, as his eyes landed on mine, and something unknown flared in them.

“Silvestia,” he called, “come here.”

Like a shy puppy, I slowly made my way to his extended hand. His eyes were busy studying over my every move. He gave no hint if he was angry with me or not.

He pulled me close to him, tucking his hand under my chin. I meekly met his gaze, noting how his scent wrapped me with comfort, but how my heart pounded in fear.

Then his lips came down onto mine. I could sense his yearning in the way they lingered against mine. My eyes closed, allowing myself this slight reprieve.

His expression remained emotionless. “It’s cold. Go back inside and wait for me there.”

Wait? I had no intention of letting him out of my sight. I didn’t budge. I felt Fran’s tiny hand sneak into mine as she gently pulled me towards the house. I wanted to beg, but with all the men around, I felt too intimidated. I turned to begging with my eyes instead.

“I’ll be right there,” he assured.

Then he broke eye contact with me as he caught a movement from the dark. “Awe Jones! Just the man I needed to talk to.” My stomach dropped as I turned to see Jones coming out of the darkness. That’s when I noticed the damage the storm had caused. The shed was in ruins, the fence had been damaged in several areas, and debris surrounded us. The place was a complete disaster. It was a wonder that Jones was even still alive. How did he bear the storm?

I turned to Dalton, instantly regretting doing so as his expression darkened. He was noting the worry on my face. His jaw twitched.

“Fran, go inside.” Jones barked, causing Fran to yank my arm towards the house. The men ignored us as we scurried into the house.

She shut the door and paced the room. We both could hear the men talking outside.

“I didn’t mean to disrespect you, sir. I’m prepared to take my punishment. All I ask is that you leave Fran out of this.” I looked at Fran. Why would she also be punished? Her worried look said she knew why.

I grabbed her shoulders, yanking her towards me. “Fran, who is Jones to you?”

Her eyes were full of venom. “He’s nothing.”

I gave her a shake. “Who is he to you?”

She shook herself from my hold and paced again, glaring at me. She was telling me through her squinted eyes that I knew better than to ask. We both could hear a fist colliding with a body and the suffering grunt as the air was pushed from the lungs.

Then another fist.

I turned towards the door, prepared to make this stop. Fran viciously grabbed at me, yanking me back. “You will only make it worse,” she pleaded.

She held me as we listened to several more punches being thrown and the grunts of a man suffering. Then, boots ruffled in the dirt and gurgling of spit.

“We will talk like gentlemen later.”

Then the door swung open. Dalton’s body filled the whole doorway. The anger danced in his expression. He didn’t bother to look at Fran as he snapped, “Go tend to your man, and don’t leave his side.”

She squeaked as though Dalton was ten times scarier than Jones and ran off. My hands fidgeted with my dress. I was now alone with Dalton. Everything I wanted to tell him about abandoning me ran away with Fran. I suddenly wished he was no longer here.

Dalton took in a long breath as his gaze searched over my body. He took slow strides towards me. My shoulders jumped when his hand shot up to my cheek. He petted my skin lightly, but it didn’t comfort me.

“I’m willing to hear you out.” His voice was soft, but his body was rigid with anger.

“You think I actually did something with another man?” I didn’t expect my voice to come out sounding broken.

His body relaxed.

“If I didn’t demand it, would you really be loyal to me?”

“I have no clue where Dannie is! I killed my best friend! And you think! You think I would fling myself into another man’s arms when I’ve been abandoned by you and left here? All I’ve been doing is begging you to come back and trust me to be a capable person to help find Dannie. I want to be let in on the secrets, not abandoned in this god-forsaken place! Not! To start some romance!” Despite my anger, my voice barely rose. Tears filled my eyes as I finished my rant.

He shushed me, pulling me into a hug and kissing my forehead.

I let my emotions tear out of me as he patted my hair and let me rage in his arms.

Moments passed before he finally spoke. “We caught Willie, and we have a lead. We will go as soon as Hutson and I get some sleep.”

My shoulders relieved another layer of tension I didn’t realize I was holding. His arms gently pulled me towards the bedroom. Pushing the thought of turning him down, my feet listened, and I let him pull me into the bed with him. I wanted to be in his arms, to gain his trust, so I could find Dannie.

Dalton wrapped me in an embrace that blanketed me with a sense of security. “I know you’re mad at me. You have every right to be. Let me just sleep with you right now. I promise the day I can explain everything, you will understand. You will forgive me.”

His voice sounded almost broken as he whispered in my ear. I remember the promise he had given me before. “And if I don’t forgive you, you will let me go… as you have promised.”

His only response was to squeeze me closer to him. I was emotionally exhausted, and he was physically drained. We both quickly fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.