Author's note: Okay, two things to note about this chapter. Brian says some nasty, crude things to Sarah. PLEASE don't send me emails saying "I don't like it when a man talks so dirty to a woman. He should respect her, blah, blah, blah". First, if you don't like nasty talk, you're on the wrong website. Second, I happen to love it when my man talks dirty to me and that's why I've included it in the story. In fact, Brian is probably my favorite of the McKenzie brothers. His dark sexuality really turns me on. Okay, enough ranting. I hope you enjoy the story.
*
After Brian left to work on the cabin, Sarah cleaned the kitchen table carefully and chose one of the bolts of fabric Brian had bought. She smoothed the sturdy cotton on the table top, running her hand over the soft material. She was pleased with the pattern, a cheerful yellow with small blue flowers. She measured what she would need, cutting out enough material to make several panels of curtains and strips to make matching tie cloths to hold the panels back.
When she had everything prepared, she settled into a comfortable chair and began to sew. Sarah hummed a cheerful tune as she worked, smiling as memories of her night with Brian flitted through her mind. She was a bit stunned by the depth of emotion she already felt for him. He had claimed more than just her body, he had claimed her heart as well. She loved him. It was as simple as that. And yet, she knew that it wasn't so simple.
She frowned thoughtfully, wondering once again about her past. Brian had said he would marry her, and she was anxious to become his wife. But, until she knew who she was and where she had come from, she couldn't pursue a future with Brian. She knew he was equally impatient. He had made it clear that he wanted her. She blushed with pleasure, thinking of how clearly he had let her know that he wanted her. She had to find some way to regain her memory, but she was totally at a loss about how to accomplish that goal.
She sighed, pushing those thoughts from her mind and concentrating on her sewing. She made steady progress, smiling as she applied neat stitches to the fabric. Her fingers were nimble and efficient, and soon, she had completed several panels. After a couple of hours, her eyelids began to droop. She was tired from her nighttime activities, and she yawned, stretching her arms overhead to ease her aching shoulders. Perhaps a few moments of rest would be good.
She laid her head against the back of the chair and squirmed a bit to get comfortable. Within moments, she was asleep. She sighed as she began to dream.
She saw herself sitting beside a woman on a sofa. Sarah looked younger, with her hair pleated into a girlish braid. She looked about fourteen. The woman beside her looked like a slightly older version of herself. She had the same golden hair, only hers had a few streaks of grey. Her large brown eyes were identical to Sarah's, except for the tiny laugh lines near the edges. They sat together in a cozy parlor, and the older woman was showing Sarah how to sew.
"That's good, Sarah. You are coming right along," the older woman said. "Soon, you will be able to sew better than me."
Sarah laughed with pleasure. "Oh Mama, no one sews as well as you."
"I've simply had more practice, dear. You'll see."
They heard a door open, and they both looked up with expectant smiles as a man entered. He was the man from the photo, only once again, she noticed that he looked older than he had in the picture. He smiled at Sarah before bending to kiss her mother.
"Hello, my beauties. Did you have a nice day?"
"Yes, Papa. I'm making a new dress. Mama bought the fabric for me today. See." Sarah held up the dress she was making, excited to show him what she had done so far.
"That's lovely, Sarah." He gave her a wink and grinned. "Now, be a good daughter and give me a few minutes alone with your mother. I want to greet my wife properly before supper."
Sarah giggled and rolled her eyes, but she obediently rose from the sofa and kissed him on the cheek before heading to the stairs. As she climbed to her room, she could hear her mother's soft giggles of delight and her father's playful growls, and Sarah smiled to herself. After nearly twenty years together, the pair still seemed like newlyweds. She sighed contentedly.
The sound of hammering outside woke her up, and Sarah blinked several times. The dream was still fresh in her mind, and she replayed every detail eagerly. She laid the curtains aside and ran to Brian's bedroom to retrieve the book of sonnets. Her eyes looked at the photo and scanned the inscription once more, laughing with delight. He was her father, not a fiancé or friend. He had signed the book Y.L.F. -- your loving father Thomas Martin!
Sarah was so excited, she hugged herself with joy. She knew her last name. She knew she had a father and a mother, though she didn't know where they were. She was starting to remember. She still had to fill in the details of her life, a daunting prospect to be sure, but she knew with certainty that she was Sarah Martin!
Her eyes opened even wider with delight. Brian had said that as soon as they learned her name, he would marry her. She was tempted to go and tell Brian right away, but she decided against it. She didn't want to share her news with Liam present. She wanted to share it when she was alone with Brian so she could fully express her happiness.
She fell back onto the bed, pummeling the mattress with her hands and feet in her exuberance. She could hardly wait for the coming night, when she could share her news with Brian. She was Sarah Martin -- soon to be Mrs. Brian McKenzie!
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Brian and Liam worked diligently on Aidan and Naomi's new cabin for the rest of the day. They stopped only to eat a quick lunch, and then resumed their labor. They were both anxious to finish the project. Their brother and sister-in-law were due to come home in two days. By late evening, they were almost done.
They stopped for the day and rushed to finish their other chores before supper. Brian entered the cabin, impatient to see his angel. She was sitting in a chair near the fire, sewing on a pair of curtains for the cabin. As he closed the door behind him, she looked up with another of her glorious smiles. She could hardly contain her secret a moment longer, but she settled for showing him the curtains she had made.
"What do you think?" she asked.
She held up the panel she was working on. It was nearly finished. She had only one remaining side to hem. She had already made several panels, as well as small tie cloths made of matching fabric. Brian admired her handiwork, grinning at her as he inspected the flawless workmanship.
"They're lovely, Sarah. I think you're right. You're a talented seamstress."
She gave a laugh of accomplishment, pleased with his praise. "I'll try to finish by tonight. That way, you can hang them in the cabin tomorrow, to add the finishing touch."
Brian stood watching her folding the sewing away and placing it neatly in the basket he had bought her. She looked so sweet and domestic. A barrage of images of her flashed through his mind - her cooking, her rocking his dark haired baby, nursing it at her lush breast, her welcoming him into her bed after a long day's work. He could picture her doing all those things for the rest of their lives, but he couldn't picture her murdering a man in cold blood. If she had stabbed Mr. Henderson, Brian was sure she must have had a damn good reason.
Unaware of his turbulent thoughts, Sarah rose and began setting the table for supper. She had made fried chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and her famous hot rolls. The three of them enjoyed a pleasant meal, laughing and talking, excited to see Aidan and Naomi's reactions to their new home.
After supper, Liam and Brian relaxed in the living room, while Sarah quickly washed the dishes. She hurried, sending Brian fleeting smiles as she thought about how he would react to her news.
Brian followed her movements with a brooding gaze. He was still thinking about what he had found out that morning, and he racked his brain, trying to think of some action he could take. He hated the fact that there was nothing he could do to help Sarah remember her past.
Liam noticed both Sarah's excitement and Brian's preoccupation. When Sarah was drying the last dishes and putting them away, he decided to tactfully excuse himself. He rose from his chair and stretched.
"Well, I'm going to bed early. I'm exhausted, and I didn't sleep well last night." He gave Brian a pointed look, being careful not to let Sarah see. Turning to her, he smiled. "Good night, Sarah. Thank you again for the delicious meal. If you keep cooking like that, I'm going to get too fat to fit through the door."
She laughed at his compliment. She was already growing accustomed to Liam's teasing banter, and she had decided she liked him very much. "I'm glad you liked it. I'll see you tomorrow."
Liam disappeared down the hallway, leaving her and Brian alone. He settled his intense stare on her once again, and she shivered from excitement. It hadn't escaped her notice that he had been watching her all evening, and her nerves were strung tight from wondering when he would make a move.
She didn't have to wait very long. Brian rose and prowled toward her, reminding her of a mountain lion stalking its prey. He came up behind her as she wiped her hands and hung the dish towel on a hook to dry. He braced his hands on either side of her, pinning her between his body and the cupboard.
Brian was nearly a foot taller than her, and his hard muscled frame dwarfed her much smaller one. He was a dangerous, intimidating presence behind her. Sarah felt small and vulnerable, entirely at his mercy. She shivered, relishing the suspense of how he would subdue her, how he would bend her to his will. She could hardly wait to be overpowered, consumed, ravished. She could hardly wait to satisfy his insatiable hunger once again. Sarah held her breath as he skimmed his lips down the nape of her neck, branding her with their heat.
His voice was deep and dark. "Come with me, my sweet angel. I told you earlier that you would have to pay for getting me all hot and bothered this morning. I've been aching for you all day. It's time to pay the piper."
