Chapter Sixteen

Chase sat by the waters edge and stared into the clear depths. He heard birds in the distance and bees were buzzing around him as they went about their daily jobs of gathering pollen to take back to their hives.

The sun warmed the bronze skin of his back as he sat there motionless just as he had everyday since leaving Leah. Nothing mattered now. Food and water were unimportant. As was moving. He just sat here and stared at the water and thought of her. Thought of the pain he had heard in her voice when she had told him the choice she had to make. It had killed her to make the choice but Chase had understood. He still understood.

A part of her loved Benjamin and while Chase knew it wasn't the kind of love that he and Leah shared, it was still love. Chase knew of Leah's loyalties and her caretaking spirit. He had known she would not be able to see Benjamin in that wheelchair, have the entire thing blamed on her and laid on her shoulders and be able to leave. He had known that she would stay.

Chase had died inside. Chase had never in his life needed anyone or anything. He was not the type to become attached. That had all changed when he had met Leah. She was the other half of his soul and without her life lost its meaning.

So he had come here to where he would feel closest to her and he was slowly dying. Already he had lost some weight and he could feel a weakness in his body that he had never felt before. He cared not. Death would be an almost welcome occurrence. It would mean he would not have to live another day without her.

That was why he remained still and did not draw a weapon when he heard a rider approaching from behind. A horse snorted and he heard the riders boots hit the ground as he jumped from the saddle. Chase did not turn to see who was coming behind him. He simply stared into the water and waited.

The sunlight was blocked behind him and he waited for either death or spoken words.

"Chief, I have to say that you look like shit warmed over and served for breakfast. Who the hell took a piss in your wigwam?" Chase didn't respond to Yancy's question other than to grunt and then continue to stare into the water.

"What happened to the squaw?" Yancy asked as he glanced around.

"She went back to her family." Chase replied, wincing at the pain in his parched throat and the scratchy quality to his voice.

"Shit." Yancy stated with shock as he sat down next to Chase in the grass. "I didn't figure she'd leave you."

"She did not want to. Her family was against her being with a savage and as it turns out you did not shoot or beat her fiance quit well enough to kill him, only well enough to paralyze him and cause Leah to feel as if she were responsible to take care of him for the rest of his life."

"Guess we should have shot him twice." Chase nodded and tossed a stone into the water, watching the ripples that disturbed the once calm and tranquil surface.

The two men sat in silence for several long moments and Yancy pulled out his flask. He held it out to Chase who shook his head.

"I forgot, you injuns can't handle white mans fire water can ya, chief?" Chase rolled his eyes, grunted and pushed himself to his feet.

Instantly he fell back onto the ground, unable to support himself as his head swam.

"Damn, chief! How long's it been since you had something to eat or drink?" Yancy demanded angrily. Chase shrugged and once again pushed himself up, though this time he moved more slowly and gave his weakened legs time to adjust to once again supporting his weight.

Yancy rose and angrily stomped to his horse. He pulled a canteen and a sack from his saddlebags and shoved them into Chase's chest.

"Eat. Drink. It's water." he added. "You need to take care of yourself, chief, she's just a woman. She ain't worth all this."

Chase had never heard more untrue words in his life. Leah was worth it. Without Leah his life would never be worth living. He needed her and nothing or no one other than her could ever help make things right.

"Well as intrigin' as this talk has been and as good as company as you are I'm gonna be on my way now. Hopefully I'll see ya again one day and hopefully you'll start taking care of yourself."

Still Chase said nothing and Yancy sighed as he climbed back on his horse and shook his head.

Chase watched him ride away and then tossed the canteen and sack to the side before sinking back down in the grass and turning his gaze back to the water.

***

"So where exactly are we going?" Chance asked as he and Leah made their way across the plains. The sunlight made Leah squint as she glanced over at him.

"I'm hoping he went to our spot. The spot that he had picked out to build our home and raise our family."

"Kinda sentimental ain't it?" Chance asked with a snort and Leah glared at him.

"Chase isn't like most men. He certainly isn't like father. Chase truly believes in someone meant to be and life long partners. And he isn't afraid to show it either." Chance yawned behind his hand.

"Sounds kinda strange to me but if he makes you happy then I'm all for it. How much longer till we get there cuz my ass is hurtin' in this saddle."

"Should be soon." Leah replied as she turned her gaze back ahead of them. She perked up when she heard a horse snort and then Blaze came running down a hill in front of them. His black coat shone in the sunlight and his mane and tail streamed behind him.

"Holy shit!" Chance said as he went for his gun. The stallion was barreling toward them, tossing his head and snorting as he reared back and slammed his hooves down.

"Don't shoot him!" Leah exclaimed as she jumped off her horse and walked toward the stallion.

"Leah, don't make me kill that damn horse! Chase would kill me if I killed it or if I let it kill you so either way I'd be screwed!"

"Blaze won't hurt me." Leah replied with certainty, though inside she wasn't so sure. She walked toward the horse with her hand out and the beast came to a sudden stop and stared at her. Leah realized that he wasn't wearing his saddle or bridle. He looked more wild than tame and he was all muscle and scary to behold. Leah took a deep breath as she approached the horse and he stomped his feet and tossed his head.

She could hear Chance behind her mumbling under his breath as she reached out and laid her hand on Blazes cheek.

"Good boy." she cooed lowly and Blaze quieted instantly. He allowed Leah to touch him for several moments and then turned and went back up over the hill in front of them.

Leah got back on her horse and started quickly that way.

"Why the hell did you pet that thing? You do realize that with one kick he'd probably kill you, right?"

"I know." Leah replied. "We're getting close to Chase if Blaze is here." Chance saw the nervousness on her face so he fell behind her and didn't say anything further.

Leah was scared. What if Chase didn't want her? What if he saw her and she didn't see happiness in his eyes? Or what if something had happened to him and that's why Blaze was out wandering alone?

Before Leah knew what she was doing she had her mare galloping across the dusty ground.

She rode to the top of the hill and saw him. He was sitting cross legged on the ground with his back to her and he seemed to be simply staring into the water. His skin was darker than she remembered and she wondered just how long he'd been sitting there with his bare torso under the sun. His long black hair was hanging limp and barely moving with the breeze that was blowing.

She urged her mare faster, her heart thundering in her chest to know that soon she would soon be looking into Chase's deep black eyes. She would be feeling his big, rough hands on her face in her hair... His warm lips would press against her own...

Leah trembled in the saddle and then had a much darker thought. Maybe she was about to be told to go to hell. Maybe he would want her to leave and be angry that she had found him at all. She slowed her horse as those doubts began to swirl in her heart and cause her stomach to clench.

Suddenly Chase turned his head and his black eyes locked with hers over his shoulder. She slid from her horse as she watched him push himself to his feet and turn to face her.

Leah's legs moved on their own as she closed the distance between them and stopped a foot from where Chase stood. She stared up into his eyes searching them for some sign to tell her what he was thinking. What he was feeling.

With confusion she realized that his eyes looked unfocused and confused and he was swaying on his feet. What was wrong with him? He still had a warriors body but it was clear that he was thinner and his scars stuck out more sharply against his skin. His face was covered in a light dusting stubble thought it was impossible to tell how long it had been since he shaved since his Indian blood kept him from growing much facial hair.

"Chase, are you okay?" she whispered. His eyes widened as he reached up a trembling hand and touched her cheek. Leah closed her eyes and leaned into the welcome warmth of his touch.

"You are real." he said with awe and Leah frowned as she looked back into his eyes.

"Of course I'm real." Leah replied. "I never should have let you leave without me, Chase. Please tell me that you'll forgive me. I love you so much." Chase's brow furrowed as he studied her face.

"Forgive you? There is nothing to forgive. I would have expected no less from my mate than for her to sacrifice her own happiness in order to care for someone else."

"Chase, what have you done? You look so weak."

"I have not...." Chase stopped suddenly and quickly pulled her into him. He stepped in front of her, blocking her body with his own and pulled his knife. Leah could feel him vibrating with what she assumed was rage and he was practically snarling as he watched Chance approach.

"You will turn and leave now." he growled. "She has come back to me and I will die before she is taken from me again."

"Easy, Chase, I ain't taking her anywhere." Chance assured him.

"He came with me. He wanted to make sure I made it to you safely." Leah added as she tried to come back around Chase, though weak as he appeared to be he was still able to hold her firmly in place with one hand while holding out his knife warningly in the other.

"She stays with me." Chase warned and Chance nodded as he got off his horse.

"She better. I didn't get kicked out of the family inheritance just so she could come on back with me."

"Inheritance?" Chase asked.

"He's joking." Leah replied with a roll of her eyes.

"So you're not going to take her away?" Chase asked and Chance sighed and crossed his arms over his chest.

"You stuck on stupid today or something?" Leah was about to scold her brother but didn't have time before Chase began to sway in front of her and then went down fast.

Chance managed to grab him just before he hit the ground and Leah covered her mouth with her hands when she realized Chase was unconscious.

"What's wrong with him?" Chance demanded, grunting under the weight of the taller man.

"Help me lay him down in the shade over here." Leah said as she grabbed the saddle blanket from her horse and stretched it out beneath the oak.

"I don't think he's eaten in a while." Chance admitted as Leah ran her hand over Chase's brow.

"Why wouldn't he eat?" Leah demanded.

"I ain't never been heart broke but I'm guessin' it has something to do with that."

"I did this to him." Leah gasped sadly. Chance stood up and walked to Leah's horse. He took her canteen from her saddlebags and filled it up with water from the stream flowing into the pool of water beside them.

"Here." he said and Leah took it quickly and put it to Chase's mouth. The droplets of water rolled off his lips and down his chin and Leah reached her fingers up and pushed Chase's lips apart. She again poured very slowly and this time Chase responded.

He drank greedily though he did not wake up and Chance quickly reached out and tilted the canteen away from his mouth. Leah glared up at him and he shook his head.

"If he drinks too much too quick it'll hurt his stomach and he'll throw it all right back up." he informed her and Leah closed the canteen and looked around.

"Just leave the sacks of food and go on back home. Mama and daddy are probably worried sick."

"I'm not leaving you out here alone!" Chance argued.

"I'm not alone." Leah replied as she ran her fingers gently over Chase's chin, wiping away the water that had spilled there.

"He's unconscious. He can't protect you." Chance argued. Leah reached in her pocket and pulled out her gun. She laid it across her lap and then looked up at her brother with her brow raised as if in a dare.

"I'll shoot any threat before it gets close enough to do any damage."

"You never were a good aim." Chance countered and Leah's eyes narrowed to slits as she glared at her brother.

"Chase taught me well. I guarantee I can hit anything that might come around. Keep pushing and I'll show you just how good I've gotten." Chance laughed loudly and then bent low to kiss her cheek.

"Take care of yourself, little sister. Drop us a letter when you get the chance too."

"I will." Leah assured him with a smile. "Tell daddy not to hate me forever and tell Benjamin I said thank you." Chance nodded, untied the saddlebags from her mare, laid them beside her and then hopped in his own saddle and rode away.

Leah looked down at Chase and sighed as she lay down and curled up against his body. She had the strongest sensation of homecoming as she listened to the steady rhythm of his heart beating beneath her ear.

"I'm so sorry, Chase. I'm here now and I'll never leave you again. I promise." she whispered and then she laid her gun on his stomach and closed her eyes.

***

Chase both hated and loved dreams at the same time as he breathed in the unique scent that was Leah's. This dream was nicer and meaner than most. It seemed as if he could feel her soft body pressed against him. Her silky hair tickled his skin and blew around his face in the breeze.

He ran his hands along her delicate back and along the swell of her hip, relishing in the trembles he felt course through her body at his touch. Her soft moans reached his ears as he turned his head and let his lips brush against her brow.

"Are you awake?" Leah's voice was soft, barely more than a whisper and he felt her breath wash against his heated skin. Chase had never had a dream as good as this one. Never one so real and lifelike.

"Chase, wake up!" Leah's voice was sterner and then he felt her hand smack sharply against his chest. Suddenly he remembered something that had him frowning. He remembered her riding toward him. He had thought she was a trick of his brain due to too much time without proper food and water but then she had come closer and he had realized she was real! And she had vowed to stay with him!

Chase's eyes flew open and he saw her there. It was not a dream. His Leah was back and she was lying beside him with her head propped in her hand as she looked down at him.

"You're really here. You're not a dream." he stated as he blinked several times to reassure himself she would not disappear. Leah rolled her beautiful green eyes and raised her brow at him.

"Of course I'm not a dream and I am very disappointed and angry at you." she added with a sharp edge to her voice. The word disappointed was like a knife through his heart because Chase never wanted to disappoint her. He was happy to make her angry if it meant keeping her safe but disappointed was unacceptable. He pushed himself up, using the tree as a backrest and frowned at her, waiting for her to continue.

"How long has it been since you've eaten a meal?" she demanded quietly.

"I ate just yesterday." Chase replied, though truthfully it hadn't been a meal. It had been half of a stale biscuit and a sliver of dried beef.

"Chase, don't lie to me. You were so weak when I arrived that you fell to the ground and Chance had to carry you over to the shade."

"Food and water seemed to lose it's meaning. I wasn't trying to hurt myself I simply had no urge to do what I needed to." he replied with a shrug.

"How dare you do that to me!" Leah snapped angrily. Chase was too busy simply enjoying the fact that she was still snuggled up against him to worry about her tone of voice. She could yell and scream and call him any name she wished and he would simply continue to hold her and thank the heavens that she had come back to him.

"What have I done to you?" he asked as he pressed his nose against her neck and breathed her in. He felt her tremble and she moaned before replying.

"Stop doing that, I can't think when you do that."

"That may be a good thing if what you are thinking of is being angry with me." His lips moved to her collarbone, just at the edge of the neckline of her dress and Leah put her hands in his hair and pulled him away from her.

"You had no right to not take care of yourself. Did you ever stop to think what it would do to me if you died?"

"I did not die." Chase replied with a shrug as he caught her wrists in his hand and moved her hands away so he could continue the assault on her neck with his lips.

"You could have." Leah scolded, moving away from him and making him growl.

"I was not too sick. I was well enough to protect you."

"You mean when you almost killed my brother?" Leah asked, doing her best to hide her amusement. Chase felt his lips twitch as he too fought to keep from smiling.

"Yes, then." Leah kissed his cheek, sending flames raging through his blood and then she moved away leaving him feeling suddenly cold. He tried to pull her back to him but she shook her head.

"I can tell by the look in your eyes the direction that your mind has taken and the answer is no. You need food and you need to drink and build your strength back up."

"I have strength enough for what I want to do." Chase promised and he saw her green eyes darken as her cheeks flushed.

"There will be time for that later." she countered as she stuck her chin out and squared her shoulders. Chase recognized that as the sign that she was not going to give in and he sighed.

"What's for dinner?" he asked. Leah gave him a guilty smile and held up a sack that he suspected was full of hardtack and jerky.

"I fell asleep." she admitted. "I hope you're hungry." Chase laughed heartily and pulled her into his arms.

"I'm starving actually." he admitted and he quickly captured her lips under his own.