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“He shouldn’t have been stupid enough to try and cheat us. But all the more reason to give her to me. Hell, I’m even prepared to marry her. Can’t force her to testify against her husband, can they?”
Aurora’s body trembled and he automatically put an arm around her shoulders. She didn’t resist, putting her arm around his waist as she huddled closer.
“I said no, dammit. It’s been almost a year since her ma died, and I got plans for her myself. Time for her to take over the rest of the duties of the household.”
The men on the second boat chuckled crudely and Marsh felt her shiver.
“Household? Is that what you call it now, Harold?”
Harold cursed again. “Don’t give me none of your shit, Elmer. Maybe after I got her broke in, I’ll let you have a turn. It’ll serve her right for pulling this bullshit.”
Elmer laughed. “Maybe so. But I still say you shoulda married her as soon as her ma died. Then she’d never have gotten away.”
“And I just told you not to give me none of your shit,” Harold growled. “Had to wait. I got a reputation to uphold in this town.”
The boats had drifted almost parallel to his position and he decided it was time to hurry them on their way. He focused on the water, turning the currents against the boats, sending one boat spinning while forcing the other to ram violently into the opposite bank.
“Pull us off of here,” Harold snapped. “Dammit, where are you, Elmer?”
There was the distinct sound of retching as the spinning boat finally subsided - probably the young male - and even Elmer sounded less cocky.
“Yeah, all right. Long as we’re heading back.”
“I reckon. She won’t get far in this mess. We’ll start again at daybreak.”
He let the mists drift apart enough for the two boats to see each other but didn’t release it until they’d wrestled the jammed boat out of the mud and both boats were heading back out of the swamp. Aurora had been completely silent while they waited, but he could still feel her trembling against his side.
He wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug. It had been intended as comfort but he’d underestimated the impact of having the entire length of her sweet little body pressed against him. A pulse of warmth beat to life in the center of his chest, slowly spreading throughout his body in a flood of aching need. His cock stiffened and he froze, terrified that she’d notice. He didn’t dare move, didn’t breathe as the precious moments crept by. She remained in his arms until the last whisper of sound from the departing boats faded away. Then she stepped back, her pale face turned up to his as she clung to a nearby branch.
“I have to get away from him. From them.”
“Yes,” he agreed immediately. “But who are they?”
“Harold is my stepfather.” She gave a bitter laugh. “I was actually kind of surprised that he didn’t kick me out after my mother d-died. I thought it was because he didn’t have to pay someone to cook and clean for him. I didn’t know he had anything else in mind.”
“And the others?”
“Men who work for him or owe him favors, except Elmer. They’re partners of a sort.”
She shuddered and he wanted to ask more questions, but this wasn’t the time or the place. He didn’t think the men would come back, but he wasn’t about to take the chance.
“I… I have a place where you could stay. While your foot heals,” he added reluctantly. “You would be safe there and you could decide what to do next.”
She nibbled at her lower lip, worrying it between her small white teeth as she considered.
“I hate to impose after you’ve already been so kind, but maybe just for a few days?”
“You are welcome for as long as you wish to stay.”
Forever would suit him perfectly.
Her eyes searched his for a moment before she nodded.
“Thank you. Where is it?”
“Much deeper in the swamp.” Her breath caught when he lifted her into his arms again but she didn’t object. “Deep enough to be safe from annoying humans.”
“I’m human,” she pointed out as he started walking, and he couldn’t resist giving her the tiniest of hugs.
