it through her.”
“Why would the Wendigo Spirit be after you specifically?”
Sam shrugged and leaned his head back against the wall.
"Charlotte's vision," Jesse supposed. "Maybe if Sam can be used as a weapon against us, then he can be used as a weapon against them as well."
Sam had never thought about that. "And Beth? How's she doin' with the weapons now that the blacksmith shop was burned down? Will it slow down her progress?"
"She managed to craft a pistol and two more blades before it happened. The real problem is that Charlotte is exhausting herself, tracking the materials and putting the spells in place."
"Can Itsá help?"
"He's been workin' on somethin' else. He won't tell us about it," Boon replied. "Said he was waitin' on you before he said anythin'. I think it has somethin' to do with that ghost witch."
The rest of the ride to the ranch was quiet. Sam took a moment to consider Wesley’s words. If he could find a way to tap into the power Charlotte had seen in her vision before the war, Sam knew they had a chance at defeating the evil that wanted to destroy the world. Everyone had their role to play in all of this, so Sam was happy to find a place where he could be useful. He was tired of being the failure.
When the wagon stopped, Sam was jostled out of his thoughts. The cover parted and Gabriel held a lantern up to peer inside. “You look like shit,” he scoffed. “Might want to clean up before you go see Mary Ann. She just finished up with her bath.”
Sam wasn’t the type to blush often, but he knew his cheeks were bright red from embarrassment. He hurried towards the servant quarters and used a vacant space to clean up. Jesse brought him some clothes and walked him back to the house. Charlotte and Abigail gave him smiles from the sitting room. Ruth passed him in the corridor with a fond smile of her own, and Sam suddenly felt nervous to see Mary Ann.
Jesse left him alone outside the door.
His hand lifted to knock, but Mary Ann opened the door before he could. Her damp hair clung to her flushed skin. Sam followed a single drop of water along the curve of her hip. Mary Ann opened the door wider, giving him a full, unabashed look at her lush body. He licked his lips and took a step forward. Mary Ann giggled and yanked him inside. "Ariel is downstairs," she said.
Sam paused for a moment, preparing himself for her anger. "What did she have to say?"
"That you're a fool in love."
"So, nothin' happened between her and I?"
Mary Ann shook her head. "No. You told her that you loved me. I reckon that's the smartest thing you've ever done while you were drinkin'."
~*~
Silver Fox Ranch
Mary Ann shivered as Sam used his boot to shut the door. The hunger in his eyes made her want to run and hide...or lay on the floor and beg him to take her. Mary Ann walked backward to the bed and crawled on top, looking into Sam's eyes as she spread her legs and reclined upon the pillows. "I missed you."
"I missed you too, Mary."
"I missed your touch." Mary Ann caressed her neck and chest with the tips of her fingers. She rolled her hips as she plumped her breasts, knowing he would enjoy the sight. "Your kiss…" one of her hands trailed down her belly and spread open the folds of her womanhood. Sam inhaled sharply, taking two large strides over to the bed.
"Provokin' me ain't smart, Mary. It might get you into trouble."
She chuckled lightly. "My lover is a wanted outlaw with the spirit of a wolf inside of him; I think I'm already in trouble."
Sam smirked and bent down to place a kiss over her fingers where she covered her mound. Mary Ann gasped and covered herself more. Sam pried her fingers apart with his tongue and tasted her with a growl. She arched her back and snatched her hand away. Mary Ann squealed when Sam pressed her hips into the mattress, holding her down so she could not squirm away from his tongue.
She tried to close her legs, but a light slap against her thigh caused her eyes to widen with interest. Sam saw her reaction and chuckled. He moved away long enough to lick his lips, chin glistening with her slick before diving back in. Mary Ann shivered, gasping for air as pleasure