by Jan
Happy Birthday Susanne
Susanne requested a romance with Chris and an OFC
Note: In honor of the birthday girl, I used her first name for my OFC but the character is not based on her.
Special thanks to Sherry, Wendy, Jo, and Sue for reading it over for me and giving me suggestion to make it a better story.
Special thanks to Jo for making the collage at the beginning of the story and to Pamela for the collage at the end of the story.
Chapter 1
Chris, Vin, and Buck walked into Gloria Potter's store. The unofficial leader of the Seven was quietly filling Vin and Buck in on his plans while they waited for Gloria to finish with her customer. Chris had the list of supplies that he needed from the store in his hand. He had sold several horses and was going to deliver them to the new owner in Santa Fe.
Gloria's face lit up when she saw Chris. She bid her customer goodbye and said with a smile, "I'm so glad to see you, Chris."
"Ma'am," Chris nodded, a questioning look on his face as to why she was so glad to see him.
"I was hoping to ask a favor of you," Gloria said brightly.
"A favor?" Chris repeated.
"What do you need, Gloria?" Vin asked. He was very fond of Gloria Potter and wanted to know if he could help her.
When she hesitated Buck spoke up, "Tell us darlin', you know we'd do just about anything for you."
Gloria looked around insuring they were alone in the store before saying, "Well, I heard you were traveling to Santa Fe soon."
"Yes, ma'am," Chris replied, waiting for her to finish.
"The trip takes several days doesn't it?" Gloria asked.
"Takes four or five days on horseback," Chris answered.
"And how long would it take with a wagon?" Gloria added.
"Day or two longer, maybe more," Vin told her, a curious look on his face. "Did you want to go with Chris to Santa Fe?"
"Oh no, my cousin Susanne Montgomery lives in Santa Fe and is planning to move here to help me with the store," Gloria told them. "I'm concerned about her traveling that distance alone and wondered if I could impose on Chris to travel with her on his way home."
Buck slapped Chris on the back before saying to Gloria, "Ole Chris would be happy to escort your cousin, Gloria. If she's as pretty as you it'll make the trip delightful."
Gloria blushed and giggled at the ladies' man's compliment. She knew he was a shameless flirt, but it didn't stop her from enjoying it when he turned his attentions to her.
Buck missed the glare Chris gave him but Vin didn't. He knew Chris was looking forward to making the trip alone. That was why he hadn't asked any of them to go with him. Turning to Gloria the Texan asked, "It will be a week before Chris could get there and be ready to come home. Is Miss Susanne willing to wait for him?"
"Well, to be honest she wanted to leave in two days, but I can get her to wait. I honestly would feel much better about her coming if I knew Chris was with her on the trip," Gloria answered.
That did it for Chris. He may have wanted to find some solitude on this trip but he knew he wouldn't rest knowing he let Gloria down. She was right; it was a dangerous trip for a woman alone. "Let her know we'll head back a week from tomorrow."
Reaching out Gloria placed her hand on Chris's arm. Her eyes were bright with gratitude, she said, "Thank you, Chris. I'll be able to rest easy knowing Susanne will be safe. I'll let her know and ask her to meet you at the Sheriff's Office."
"That'll be fine, Gloria," Chris agreed.
Seeing the list in his hand Gloria said, "Are those the supplies you need? Why don't you leave the list with me and I'll get everything ready for you? I'll include some extra cigars as a thank you from Susanne and me."
When Gloria saw the refusal forming, she quickly added, "I know they are insignificant in the face of the gift of your time to bring my cousin to town, but it would give me pleasure to be able to do something to thank you for your kindness."
Chris's eyes locked with Gloria's as he nodded his agreement, and then gave her one of his winning smiles. The shopkeeper felt her heart skip a beat as she thought, 'Oh my, that man's smiles could make me do things that wouldn't be proper at all.'
Chris snapped Gloria out of her thoughts by saying, "I plan on leaving first thing tomorrow so I'll be back for the supplies later today."
Hoping she wasn't blushing Gloria said, "That'll be fine."
Watching the three men walk out of the door, Gloria fanned herself thinking how all three of them looked as good from the back as they did from the front. Buck might be the womanizer, but when Chris smiled he was irresistible. She envied Susanne having the man to herself for a week on the trail from Santa Fe.
"Woohee you lucky dog," Buck laughed when they left the store. "You get a whole week alone on the trail with Miss Susanne. I might have to come along and help out."
Chris just glared at Buck.
"What's the matter? I thought he'd be happy," Buck asked Vin.
"He wanted to have some time alone," Vin reminded Buck.
"Sorry Chris, I forgot," Buck said. "If you want I can ride up with you and bring Miss Susanne back myself."
"I should have shot you years ago," Chris said, a smirk forming on his face.
"You'd miss me if you did that," Buck replied laughing.
"I probably would, but maybe we should find out," Chris said moving his hand to his gun.
"Whoa, oh hey, there's JD. I heard he was looking for me," Buck said before rushing off to join their youngest.
Chris and Vin waited for Buck and JD to enter the jail before they started to laugh quietly. Vin turned to Chris saying, "I know you wanted it just to be you and Pony on the way home."
"Next time. Gloria's right, it wouldn't be safe for a woman alone to make that trip," Chris answered. "And no, I don't want you to come along to take her off my hands either."
"Didn't say a word," Vin said with a huge smile.
"You were thinking awful hard on it," Chris said, his own smile growing. "C'mon and buy me a whiskey to make up for it."7*7*7*7*7*7*7
Knowing he would have company on the ride back, Chris tried to make the most of his solitude on the ride to Santa Fe. With the extra horses he had a little more to do each night, but he was able get some of the peace and quiet he was searching for.
Cussing Vin silently, Chris admitted that before he met the man he was happy to go find somewhere with whiskey and women to settle down the restlessness. The Texan had shown him how spending some time alone with nature could calm him. That was the peace he was craving now, not the whiskey and women.
Chris made good time on the beginning of his trip so was able to spend an extra day near the river. Leaning back against the tree the gunslinger couldn't help but wish he didn't have to meet up with Miss Susanne in three days. That didn't mean he couldn't enjoy himself for those few days.
The first thing Chris did was to drop off the horses he was delivering to the ranch outside of town. Not feeling like facing people yet the man in black found a camping spot that suited his needs. It had water and plenty of graze for Pony and was secluded enough to prevent uninvited visitors.
Chapter 2
Chris sat in the Sheriff's office sharing a cup of coffee with the Sheriff and his Deputy as he waited for Susanne Montgomery to show up. The three men looked up when a petite young woman walked in the door. Chris figured she was just a shade over five foot tall. Her long black hair was twisted into a braid that hung to her waist. She had vivid blue eyes that seemed to stare right into his very soul.
Sheriff Davis and Chris both stood as the Sheriff made the introductions, "Chris Larabee this is Susanne Montgomery."
"Ma'am", Chris said tipping his hat to her.
"Mr. Larabee," Susanne said tilting her head in reply. "I came to inform you there has been a change of plans."
Chris couldn't help the hope that rose in him that she was staying in Santa Fe. Maybe he would still get that trip home alone after all.
"My friend's daughter is having her birthday party today. I would have missed it if I had left when I wanted to, but since the delay I have decided we need to wait one more day so I can attend her party," Susanne told Chris.
She could see he wasn't happy about the change so she continued before he could say anything. "I will meet you here tomorrow morning ready for the trip to Four Corners. I know you won't think of going without me because you don't want to disappoint my cousin Gloria who holds you in high regard."
"You expect me to just wait around for one more day because of a birthday party?" Chris asked a little shocked that she didn't seem to be intimidated by him at all.
"No, I expect you to take a bath and clean up some while you wait," Susanne said walking up to Chris and brushing at his dusty clothes. "After a week on the trail, a bath is a necessity." Her nose wrinkled as if his smell offended her before she turned to walk out the door. "I will meet you here in the morning."
Susanne walked out leaving the three men staring at the door she had slammed shut. Sheriff Davis cleared his throat in an obvious attempt to hold back his laughter. He couldn't hide the humor in his eyes when he looked at Chris to say, "The Royal Hotel has bathing facilities in their rooms or there is the bathhouse just down the street."
Part of Chris was angry that she had talked to him that way and the other part admired her courage. He didn't even try to hold in the laughter bubbling out of him. Once Chris started laughing the others joined in, the gunslinger waited for them to stop laughing before he said, "I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting trip home."
"Miss Susanne is definitely a feisty woman," Sheriff Davis said, his respect for her showing plainly in his words.
"Guess I best go get me a bath," Chris said, heading out of the door.
"You better or she might take it into her head to give you a bath herself," Sheriff Davis joked, setting himself and the deputy off into more laughter.7*7*7*7*7*7*7
The next morning Chris was tying Pony to the hitching rail when Susanne drove up in her wagon. "Morning Mr. Larabee," she called out.
"Morning Miss Montgomery," Chris replied. "You ready?"
"Yes, let's go," Susanne said starting off down the road without waiting for Chris to mount up.
Susanne was at the edge of town by the time Chris caught up with her, neither acknowledged the other as they rode along. They stopped for the night at one of the spots Chris had used on the way to Santa Fe.
Chris looked over at Susanne and suggested, "I'll gather the wood and build the fire if you cook the supper."
"Isn't that just like a man to expect me to do all the cooking," Susanne said tilting her head up trying to intimidate the man who stood nearly a foot taller than her.
"Just trying to divide up the chores," Chris defended. "If you don't want to cook, I will, and you can gather the wood and get the fire going."
Without giving her a chance to argue about it Chris started going through the supplies to decide on what he would make for their supper.
Susanne wasn't about to back down from his challenge. She managed to gather enough wood to keep them going through the night and for breakfast the next morning before starting the fire. Once it was going she shot a triumphant look over at Chris then sat down to watch him prepare their dinner.
They ate their meal in silence. Susanne wasn't about to admit to Chris that he was an excellent cook and that the meal he had prepared was delicious. He also refused to admit to her that he was impressed with the job she had done with the wood and fire.
After they cleaned up together, Chris laid out his bedroll and stretched out on it. Susanne looked over at him and asked sharply, "What are you doing? Aren't you going to put up my tent first?"
"Nope," Chris answered a little annoyed at the tone of voice she used with him each time they talked. "We're leaving first thing in the morning and you don't need a tent."
"You expect me to sleep out in the open with you!"
"Yep," Chris said with a smirk which was hidden by his hat covering his face.
"Gloria…" she started only to be interrupted by Chris.
"Asked me to escort you back to town, nothing more."
The tone of voice Chris used told Susanne she would regret pushing him too much harder so she dropped it and walked back to the wagon to pull out her own bedroll.
Beneath the brim of his hat Chris watch Susanne lay out her bedroll on the opposite side of the fire and settle down for the night. Sighing to himself he thought, 'it's going to be a long week.'
The second day of their trip wasn't much better; the few words spoken between them were hostile and meant to show they were the one in charge. When they reached the river Chris was concerned about crossing it with the wagon. The water was higher than when he crossed a few days ago and it was too deep then for a wagon.
Calling a halt Chris looked over at Susanne to say, "It's too deep to cross here. You stay put and I'll ride downstream to find a safer spot."
Before Susanne could reply Chris rode off. Looking at the river it didn't look that deep to her and she was getting very tired of his attitude. She waited for awhile and then decided to walk out into the river and see for herself if she could bring the wagon across without his help. That would show him if she was on the other side when he got back.
Susanne jumped down from the wagon and tucked her skirt and petticoat up as high as she could before wading out into the cold water. She might be daring, but she wasn't stupid. She planned to walk all the way to the other side before attempting to drive the wagon across. Just on the outside chance that Chris might be right and not just being bossy.
A little over halfway across the water was up to the spot right above Susanne's knees, a little deeper than she would have liked, but doable for the wagon. Unfortunately for her, as she took the next step the bottom dropped away and Susanne fell into the water to be swept away by the strong current.
Chris was on his way back when he heard a strangled scream coming from where he left the wagon and Susanne. Rounding the corner the sight he saw caused him to swallow hard before he tossed his rope out to catch Susanne as she swept by. Once Chris saw she had the rope under her arms he began to pull her towards the dry ground of the shore. Between the current and her heavy skirt it was a struggle but he managed to get her close enough to grab her and pull her out of the river.
Exhausted from struggling with the current Susanne just laid there for a minute, not protesting when Chris lifted her onto his saddle and told her to hold on.
Susanne was shaking with cold by the time they reached the wagon. Lifting her down from Pony's back, Chris began to gather some wood for a fire as he told her, "Get out of those wet clothes."
His fear that she might have gotten hurt made his tone harsher than he meant it to be. When he looked at her again she hadn't moved. Chris knew she was going into shock and that he had to get her warmed up quickly. She would fight back when he was angry with her so maybe that would work now.
Glaring at her as he laid a blanket on the bush nearby Chris growled, "Take off those clothes now or I'll strip you myself!"
Turning back to the fire Chris was happy to see that she took the threat seriously enough to start undressing. Once he had the fire going, the gunslinger unsaddled Pony, then returned to the fire to lay down the blanket and propping up the saddle behind it.
Susanne was wrapped in the blanket with her wet clothes spread around her by the time Chris approached her again. He led her over to the make shift chair he had made from Pony's tack and settled her down so she was sitting on the blanket and her back was resting against the inside of the saddle. Chris removed his jacket and covered her with it. He hoped that it along with the warmth of the fire would drive away the chill.
Chris left her to go back to get her wet clothes and spread them over the bushes to dry. He put some coffee on, and then tended to all the horses. That done he poured each of them a cup of coffee, liberally stirring sugar into the one for Susanne.
Chris said, "We'll spend the night here and move on in the morning," as he handed her the cup of coffee. Chris had deliberately kept his tone soft, wanting to avoid a fight.
He sighed when he saw the tears in her eyes. Sitting down next to Susanne, Chris waited for her to take a few sips of her coffee before saying, "You scared the hell out of me today, but I shouldn't have snapped at you like I did."
Susanne looked over at him, her tear stained face making him feel horrible for the way he had treated her their whole trip. Her voice was soft when she said, "I've been so rude to you. I'm surprised you saved me. If I only would have done what you told me to do I wouldn't have needed saving."
The tears started falling again. Chris used his thumb to brush them from her cheeks before he lifted her chin to look into her eyes. "I wanted to be alone on this trip but felt like I couldn't tell Gloria no when she asked me to bring you back with me. I was angry about having to do that and I took it out on you. I'm sorry for that, you didn't deserve it."
Chris felt better when a small smile formed on Susanne's face. "If it makes you feel better I was angry about being forced to go with you too and also took it out on you. I'm not normally such a shrew."
Chris's smile encouraged Susanne to confess the rest, she felt really bad about the way she had been acting. "There's more, I was engaged to be married. Two days prior to the wedding he left town with my best friend. All those looks of pity, Gloria was helping me out by asking for my help at the store. I couldn't take my anger out on him so you were my substitute. I'm so sorry."
"Gloria didn't ask out of pity," Chris told her. At her look of doubt he added, "We're a growing town and the store is getting to be too much for her alone. She wants her kids to be able to have fun not have to work in the store. Trust me you're helping her out by coming."
"Thank you," Susanne said feeling better about Gloria's invitation.
"I'm sorry he broke your heart," Chris added. He had sensed a lingering sadness about her, but had ignored it until then.
"I've come to realize I didn't really love him. I was, however, in love with the idea of being in love and getting married. When I look back, I didn't even like him that much." Susanne couldn't believe she was telling him something she had never told anyone else. There was something about his quiet strength that she felt safe with. She trusted him to keep her confidence.
"Look, what do you say we start all over again? Hi, I'm Chris Larabee, you can call me Chris," the man in black said holding his hand out to her.
"Pleased to meet you Chris, I'm Susanne Montgomery, please call me Susanne." They shook hands and both felt a sense of relieve that their trip wasn't going to continue the hostile way it had started. "Maybe we can talk now," Susanne suggested.
"I'm not much of a talker," Chris admitted.
"That's all right, I'm not much of a listener," Susanne told him with a wink and a smile.
Chris started to laugh and Susanne joined in with him, each finally seeing why the other was special to Gloria.
Chapter 3
Susanne found she enjoyed the sound of Chris's laughter and instead of trying to bait him into anger she found herself trying to make him laugh again.
Even though Chris declared himself as not much of a talker and Susanne claimed to be not much of a listener, they found themselves talking quite a bit the rest of the trip. Especially the following day when Chris drove the wagon with Pony tied to the back.
He had her laughing when he filled her in on the rest of the peacekeepers and some of their adventures. Susanne told him about her life and her ex-fiance. Chris told her about his life prior to joining up with the others and about his family.
In sharing their pain over their losses of the love they thought they had, they had managed to help each other. Chris helped Susanne to see life hadn't passed her by and that she was much better off without the jerk than she would have been if he had stayed. He reminded her that she was a strong, independent woman who would never be totally happy with a man she didn't love.
Chris couldn't believe how much he was enjoying Susanne's company. He even found himself taking more time than he planned on the way home just to keep her to himself.
They had one more river to cross; from there it would just be a day until they made it back to Four Corners. Chris decided that next to the river was a good place to spend the night.
"You are just being stubborn," Susanne insisted.
"We'll spend the night here and cross in the morning when the horses are fresh," Chris said.
"Chris, I promise not to try to walk across this one and you said this is a safe place to cross," Susanne told him her hand on his arm, unconsciously rubbing up and down over his firm muscles. "On the other side is a secluded spot that we can camp at. We can see it from here and it's much better than the campsite on this side."
"You'll listen to me and do what I say?" Chris asked knowing she was right, camping on the other side would be nicer.
"I promise," Susanne replied her eyes twinkling with happiness.
"All right, we'll cross tonight and camp over there," Chris agreed delighted when Susanne squealed happily and wrapped her arms around him for a hug.
Chris rode across first to check the current and depth, once he was satisfied Susanne would be fine with the wagon he rode back and had her start across, he and Pony at her side.
Susanne felt bad that he worried about her; she knew it was her own actions that caused it. Then again, those actions also caused them to really talk and let go of the anger that was keeping them snapping at each other.
Once they made it across the river it didn't take them long to set up their camp. They worked as a team, talking as they did so about several subjects while trying to ignore how close they were to arriving in Four Corners, which would end their time alone together.
"Thank you for being such good company," Susanne said stretching up to kiss Chris on the cheek.
Expecting the hug she usually gave him, not a kiss, Chris turned his head causing their lips to meet for the first time. It started softly, lips barely touching, deepening as they both let their desires lead their actions.
Chris felt Susanne's arms start to wrap around his waist so he lifted her up giving her the freedom to wrap her legs around his waist while arms were now locked around his neck. Sliding his tongue out of his mouth, Chris lightly touched the tip against her lips which she willingly opened granting him access.
Wanting to be able to use his arms to do more than just hold her up in his embrace, the man in black moved to sit on a nearby log. Susanne moaned with pleasure when Chris brought a hand up to cup her breast. She tilted her head back when his lips left hers and began to work their way around her neck.
They were both breathing hard when Chris pulled his head back to look into her eyes. Susanne reached up to run her hand through his hair as she whispered, "Please don't stop, I've wanted you for days."
Chris ran his thumb over her cheek, asking softly, "Are you sure?"
"I've never been surer of anything in my life," Susanne answered.
That was all Chris needed to stand up and carry Susanne over to his bedroll. The look in his eyes was full of desire as he set her down and began removing her clothes piece by piece. His lips softly kissing the bare skin that he was uncovering.
Susanne's knees were shaking so bad she could barely stand by the time he had her completely undressed. Her nude body was bathed in the moonlight. She smiled and said breathlessly, "If I would have known it would be like that I would have let you strip me after I fell in the river."
"If I thought you wouldn't try to scratch my eyes out I would have insisted you let me," Chris answered laughing.
Susanne laughed before asking, "Don't I get to see your body too?"
Chris waggled his eyebrows at her, and then lowered her to his bedroll. Standing back to give her a good view Chris began to remove his clothes until he was as bare as she was.
Susanne drank in the sight of him then held out her arms to welcome him in. Their hands caressed each other, taking pleasure in exploring and finding the spots that caused a reaction in their partner.
Susanne thought she had died and gone to heaven when Chris's mouth fastened itself to her left breast while his hand kneaded the right. She arched under him, putting her hands in his hair resisting the temptation to pull him tighter to her.
Chris took his time, wanting to make it last for both of them. His free hand moved down to her moist center, using his mouth and hands he skillfully took her close to the edge repeatedly backing off each time just short of ecstasy.
Susanne figured he should be able to take as good as he was giving so she reached down to stroke his throbbing manhood. She loved the thrill it gave her when she heard him moan with pleasure and felt him grow larger in her grasp.
Chris knew neither of them could take anymore when he entered her with one firm stroke. Once fully sheathed he waited for Susanne to get accustomed to his size. He felt her body relax before he moved again taking them both to heaven.7*7*7*7*7*7*7
The next morning Chris stayed in his bedroll longer than usual, his hand making lazy circles on the bare back of the woman still asleep in his arms.
Susanne was slowly waking up, she kissed Chris's chest before lifting her head to smile at him. "I don't think I want this trip to end."
"I've been thinking about that," Chris said.
"Yeah, what are you thinking?" Susanne asked.
"I'm thinking if we take the fork to the right, I can show you my place before we head into town," Chris answered.
"I'd like that," Susanne said.
"You should know if we do that we wouldn't make town tonight. We'd have to spend the night at my place."
"I'd love that," Susanne told him her eyes full of excitement for the idea.
Chris laughed before saying, "I'd love that too."
It was late the next day when they finally made it to town. Gloria rushed out of her store to greet them. Hugging Susanne she told Chris, "Thank you."
Buck and JD came over and offered to unload Susanne's belongings for her then take the wagon to Yosemite. Vin walked up to Chris welcoming him back by saying, "You look good, guess the trip helped."
"It helped a lot," Chris said his eyes locking with Susanne's, silently communicating that they would see each other often.The End
