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The cellar doors rattled. It sounded like a herd of cattle were stampeding outside. Shauna knew they were safe, that the baby was safe, but still she started.
“You are safe,” Sam assured her.
Their eyes connected. Even in the shadowy light of the lamp-lit cellar Shauna made out the color of his eyes. Hazel color of both grey and green. His features were a sight for sore eyes.
She had not thought the man she married was much to look at but she told herself she could get used to him. That week he was with her, he was civil. He certainly made use of her body. There were parts of their being together she liked and some she did not. She figured if she was going to be with him for a lifetime, those things would definitely improve. She made an agreement with herself to not be frightened. She gave herself permission to enjoy herself as much as possible given that her husband was not in any way abusive in bed. He was definitely there to enjoy himself as well.
But there had been no spark. It was very mechanical and she suspected there should be more to it. Whatever was lacking for her, anyway, she would have figured out a way to make up for it. He definitely seemed to get his.
But then he was gone. And the baby came. And little Sam took up all her time when she wasn’t tending to the farm. Of course it hadn’t been for Haya showing her some things about farming, they would have starved. As it was she had no time to think of the things she and her husband shared until now. Until the cowboy showed up.
Sitting in the cellar with nothing to do but stare at each other, those thoughts came back with power. He didn’t even have to touch her at all to stir her. And he did stir her a lot.
Chapter Three
Sam had taken off his holster to sit down with them. Shauna heard that familiar “Chk chchckk” Without thinking, she grabbed his gun and shot the prairie rattler that had been bunking in her cellar and that had been disturbed by their presence.
“Jesus,” Sam declared. His eyes glared insanely.
“Don’t swear,” admonished Shauna.
Haya was not even moved. The baby slumbered.
“You’re mighty sure of your shot there, missy,” he said.
“I’m a good one,” said Shauna. “It’s the one thing I did with my father. He didn’t much care for me but I guess he figured I would do when he needed company practicing his gun shooting.”
“Well I appreciate it, all things considered,” Sam replied.
He took the lantern and looked around.
“Looking for more?” asked Shauna.
“No but I can tell you ladies that the storm has passed. We can go upstairs. Here allow me,” he said.
He drew the latch and pushed.
“I’ll be a bit,” he said.
“What are you looking for?” she asked.
Her curiosity made her forget herself and she was talking to him casually.
“You’ll see,” he said with a smile in his tone.
She carefully took the steps up to ground level. She handed off the baby to Haya. She was very surprised the amount of destruction such a quick burst of storm could cause. The sound of Sam’s coming up the cellar to join them caused a happiness in her. She realized she liked that he was with them. She regarded him. He had a jug on his finger.
He scanned.
“Someone has their work cut out for them,” he remarked.
Shauna broke down. He was right. The house and the barn were frayed but sound. But the storm cut a straight line of destruction through fences and coops. The storm set her back. If he would even let her stay. She let go a whimper.
“Hey,” said Sam quickly. “I meant me. And the men I am going to hire. Not you. Your working days at least as a farm hand are done. Through.”
Shauna was horrified. “Are you asking us to leave?”
“No, missy. I am not,” he calmly assured. “Promise. Now let me go ahead here in the house and make sure it’s safe.”
