Lawless Love

Chapter Twelve

Lucilla was excited to see her friend Sarah, whom she hadn't seen in over a year. Since she left Philadelphia, she had gotten married, oversaw the operation of her father's mine and had a baby. Her last letter stated that she had been making money sewing dresses for women in town. Sarah had always enjoyed sewing, making something out of nothing. 

The wagon bucked and she was jolted back to the reality of her current situation. It was hot, humid and one of the other passengers smelled of something foul, a mixture of alcohol and sweat. It will be all worth it, it will all be worth it. She kept repeating that over in her mind. Soon I will see Sarah and everything she has told me about.

She stared out the window, trying to take her mind off of the incessant bouncing, her stomach and the other passengers. She had to admit the scenery was beautiful. Sarah had written her about the landscape and she hadn't exaggerated. She could see buildings on the horizon and she started getting anxious. 

What if she doesn't recognize me? What if she's changed so much that I don't recognize her? She shook her head at the thought. Of course she'll remember me. After all we went through together. Another bounce sent her stomach reeling again. Oh God, please let this be it. I can't take much more of this.

As the coach neared the town, Lucilla thought there had to be some mistake.This can't be where Sarah had came to. Her father wrote of a bustling city, not a small town. She wouldn't have been able to survive out here. Sarah was delicate, soft. This place was tough and hard. Just looking at what she could see, Lucilla knew what this place would be like and it was not a place for a woman like Sarah.

Sarah was putting the finishing touches on the room her friend would be staying in. "Perfect." She nodded in approval. Matthew wiggled in his sling. Sarah patted his bottom to calm him and let him know she knew he was still there. "Are you getting excited too, Matty? Do you want to meet Aunt Lucilla?" Matthew cooed and made a gargling sound. Sarah went to her room and checked her hair. It was perfect as always. With another nod of approval, she headed downstairs to find Jake.

Jake was getting the horses hitched to the wagon when she came out the door. "Perfect timing, Duchess. I'm just finishing with these two." He kissed her and their son and patted the horses. Lucius came out of the barn and smiled when he saw Sarah and Matthew. "Morning Sarah!" he hollered as he walked over. "Good morning, Lucius. How are you this morning?"

"Just fine, Sarah. How's my little boy doin'?" He had gotten used to Matthew crying and that to the point he wouldn't panic as much. "He's just fine. I swear he's gained five pounds in the last week." She laughed and Matthew moved around and started fussing. "You're okay, Matty. Do you want to see Grandpa?" She pulled the baby out of his sling and handed him to Lucius. "Hey there boy! How's my little fella, huh?" Matthew giggled and Sarah couldn't help but smile.

Jake looked over and smiled too. He was happy with everything in his life and nothing could ruin that. "Ready, Duchess? We better get going if we want to meet the coach." Lucius handed the baby back to Sarah and helped her into the wagon. "Come on Lafitte! Rouser, come!" Sarah yelled and both dogs came running and leapt into the back of the wagon. "Okay, I think we're ready, Jake." Jake snapped the reins and headed for town.

Sarah's mind started racing. I hope she remembers me. I hope her trip was okay. I hope nothing happened to her that she was delayed. What if Indians attacked the coach? What if she got hurt?  Jake looked over at her, knowing she was thinking the worst. "Sarah, everything is fine. The coach will be there when we get there. Nothing happened to your friend or anyone on the coach for that matter. If you keep worrying, I'm going to take you back home and go myself." She should know by now that he can read her like a book and she knew that he would turn around.

"I'm sorry, Jake. I'm anxious, that's all. Lucilla was like a sister to me." Sarah confessed. Matthew started fussing again. He could feel Sarah was anxious and he didn't like it. "I'm sorry, Matty. Mama's just excited." Sarah took a deep breath and coddled her son as they rode into town. It had been almost three months since they last went to town and Sarah couldn't wait to show off their son and see her friends.

The last time they were in town, Liza had confided in Sarah that she might be pregnant and how she wasn't sure how her husband would react. Sarah had reassured her that he would be happy about it and love her even more.  

"Have you fed him this morning?" Jake had learned quickly that Matthew fussed when he was hungry or wet. "Yes, I have but he may be hungry again." She covered herself and Matthew with a blanket she brought along and started nursing. "You were right. He's hungry. He definitely takes after you." Sarah joked. Jake gave her a feigned look of hurt and Sarah laughed at him. "You wound me with your words, Duchess." He smiled and put a hand on her knee. 

"Don't tell me I hurt your feelings." She looked at him and he pouted. She let out an exaggerated sigh. "I'll make it up to you somehow." Sarah replied. Jake raised an eyebrow at her. "Promise?" Sarah rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Yes, I promise." Jake gave her knee a gentle squeeze and winked. They rode the rest of the way in silence. 

As they neared town, Sarah's stomach started to turn. This was the moment she had been waiting for. She could see a coach sitting in front of the post office and hoped it would be Lucilla's. Jake slowed the horses and stopped in front of the general store. He knew Sarah would want to talk with Liza and Alice. He got down, tied the horses and helped Sarah down. The dogs weren't about to be left behind so they bailed off the back of the wagon and followed.