Free My Guardian Knight by Lynette Marie

rain that soon began to fall.
     
    Sebastian walked out of the barbershop and headed to the mercantile.  As he stepped off the boardwalk he noticed Amanda and Matthew sitting across the street.  He quelled the urge to go over to them, knowing that if the first goodbye had been so gut wrenching, a second would be almost impossible.  So he continued on his way, picking up the special supplies that he would need for home that he would not be able to get in Alton.  
    An hour later he noticed the storm clouds as he strode away from the store.  Unable to stop himself, he glanced across the street to where his friends had been and was surprised to find them still sitting there.  Upon closer inspection, he could see the dejected look on Amanda’s face and hear Matthew’s frightened chatter.  He had no idea what was wrong, but nothing was going to stop him from finding out!
    He made his way quickly across the crowded street and waved.  Matthew ran to him and wrapped his little arms about Sebastian’s legs.  “What happened?”
                  The small boy shook his head.  “I don’t know. 
    Mama’s sad and she won’t talk.  She only stares and I don’t know what to do!”
                  Taking his hand firmly, Sebastian walked over to
    Amanda and knelt before her.  “Amanda?” he called softly.  She seemed not to see him.  “Amanda, what’s the matter?  Talk to me.”  There was still no response.  Noticing the crumpled paper lying on her lap, he picked it up and read it, barely feeling the rain that wet the words and made them run together.
    “Oh, you poor girl,” he murmured, putting his arm around her and urging her to her feet.  She gave no protest but still did not return from her trance-like state.  “Come along,
    Matthew.  I’m taking you to my hotel room.”
                 
    Laying Amanda on his bed, he then turned his attention to Matthew.  “Here son, let’s get those wet clothes off you.”  He took a clean shirt from his own bag and, after drying him off, slid the soft cotton over the boy’s head.  “I bet you’re tired after such a long day, huh?”
    Matthew nodded, his big dark eyes full of fear.  “Is Mama okay?”
    He pulled Matthew onto his lap.  “Your mother has had news that was a bit shocking to her and she’s trying to find a way to cope with it.  I promise I’ll talk to her and help her to feel better.  Do you trust me?”  Again he nodded.  Sebastian placed some blankets on the floor in the corner of the room and settled Matthew upon them, watching as he curled up and fell fast asleep.
    With a sigh he set about relieving Amanda of her clothes.  His fingers shaking, he unbuttoned her bodice and stripped the wet clothing away from her warm skin.  He had hoped he wouldn’t have to put himself through the torture of removing her unmentionables, but they were soaked through and so he made quick work of ridding her of them, also.  He clothed her in another of his soft cotton shirts and tried unsuccessfully to quiet the desire raging through his body.  Although he had tried his best not to look, such a task was impossible, and he found that her body was even lovelier than he had imagined. 
    He sat on the side of the bed and took her cold hand in his, rubbing until some warmth returned.  After what seemed an eternity, she opened her eyes and looked at him, actually seeing him for the first time.  She didn’t question how she had gotten there, or why Sebastian was once again in their company.  No, she was too relieved to see him to wonder why.  “Oh Sebastian,” she said softly, tears gathering in her lovely dark eyes, “what am I going to do?  I have no job, no prospects, and no money.  I’m afraid.  Oh, I am so afraid that I can’t do it anymore.  I’m tired of trying.  It’s time I finally gave up.”
    Scowling fiercely, he grabbed her shoulders tightly and shook her.  “I don’t ever want to hear