Life was perfect. She had the family she'd always wanted. She had a husband who loved her. And she loved him. What more could one person ask for?
Sam stirred, and Emma snuggled tighter against him.
"Good morning," he murmured, his lips moving against the nape of her neck. His hand cupped the breast he'd been holding, and he gently tweaked the nipple with this thumb and forefinger.
Emma shivered a response.
"This is the first time you've been in bed when I woke up," she commented.
Sam laughed. "That's because every morning since the day we got married, I woke up with my arms around you and your behind snuggled up against me. I figured you'd be pretty upset if you woke up and found us like that."
Emma rolled away and turned over to face him. Her nightdress had crept up during the night, and she tugged it down to cover herself. Sam's gaze followed her motions, and she blushed as she recalled the way she'd craved his touch the night before. "No," she protested. "That can't be. I never would have slept that way."
"Believe me, honey. You're deader than the folks on Boot Hill when you're sleeping."
Emma grinned. "I've been told that once or twice before."
"I came to bed after you and snuck out every morning so you wouldn't see what you did to me."
"Is that why you looked so tired all the time?"
Sam nodded.
"But now you can come to bed, and you don't have to get up early."
"Yep. But I expect I'll be just as tired," he said with a teasing smile. He drew her towards him and kissed her soundly.
Her senses reeled. Mercy, how could she want him again? This reaction to his touch couldn't be normal. Surely she would have heard about this from the other married ladies in town. Or would she? Perhaps they all felt a little ... immoral. They wouldn't advertise that, would they?
The sound of hoofbeats outside drew her attention. Sam slid out of bed Emma leaned back on the pillow and watched as Sam slid out of bed and crossed the room to the window. He really was extraordinary, she thought, noticing the play of muscles across his back and hips with each movement. She felt herself blush as the thought of how those muscles had moved all night floated into her mind.
"It's Fred." Sam picked up his underwear and trousers and slipped them on. "You stay here," he said. "I'll get rid of him and be right back."
Emma closed her eyes and tugged the covers around her neck. She had a thousand chores to do, but right now, she could only think of one thing she wanted to do. And as soon as Sam got back, she'd take care of it.
She was almost asleep when the door flew open and banged against the wall. Sam stood in the doorway, his face pale and drawn. "Emma! Get up! The children are missing."
Chapter 19
The room spun. Emma felt the breath whoosh from her lungs. "Missing? What do you mean they're missing? How can that be? They were with Fred--"
"Get dressed. Fred can fill you in while I saddle a horse." Sam grabbed a rifle from behind the bedroom door and headed back down the stairs.
Emma's heart hammered in her chest. Guilt washed over her. The children should have been at home. They should have been with her. This was all her fault.
Thoughts spun through her mind as she bounded out of bed and roughly pulled on the shirt and skirt she'd worn the day before, leaving the corset and petticoats on the chair beside the bed. Panic threatened to engulf her as she slipped on her stockings and shoes, and she had to pause for a moment and take a few deep breaths while she silently lectured herself on the futility of hysteria.
Fred was standing at the front door, circling the brim of his worn leather hat between his fingers.
"What happened?" she cried.
Fred's face was pale, his concern etched in the lines on his face. He shook his head. "I'm so sorry, Emma. You know I'd sooner cut of my right arm than see anythin' happen to those young'uns. I just don't know what happened. They went out to the barn first thing this morning to check on a litter of kittens one of the barn cats just had last night. When I hollered at them to come for breakfast, they didn't answer. So I went looking. And they was gone."
Emma couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could three children just disappear? "Did you look for them?"
What a silly question! As soon as the words escaped her lips, she regretted them.
"Course I did," Fred said, giving her a look that said he couldn't believe she thought he hadn't searched everywhere he could think of. "I thought they was playing a game with me. You know how young-un's like to get their folks's dander up. But after a spell, I figured something was up when there was so sign of 'em."