Tara's Trials (Romance on the Oregon Trail Book 4)

by Kathleen Ball

  Jed frowned. “Why do people think they can get there without doing the work? I do have to say the majority of our party is made up of sturdy, hardworking people. There are a few hot heads, but we’ll deal with them if need be.”

  Smitty refilled all the coffee cups. “Your folks would have been proud of you boys.” He sighed. “Who has guard duty tonight?”

  Eli explained the schedule. They split it into two shifts. The shift change was around midnight. “I put some of the greener guys on the early shift. I’ll make the rounds to teach them. The second shift I have more seasoned men. I’ll explain what they are to do and then I’ll grab some shut eye.” Eli stood and then grabbed his rifle.

  Mike nodded. Smitty was right, their parents would have been proud of all of them. “Have a good night and be careful out there.” He watched until Eli was out of sight. He wondered if Susan was making her fire. He needed to keep his head clear of her. She was married, and it would lead to no good.

  He stopped and greeted most of the people. He wished he could skip Susan’s but the pull to check on her was too strong besides he’d found some gloves for her. She smiled as he approached and her smile went right to his heart. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, Mike. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  “We barely have enough for ourselves!” Clancy yelled from inside the wagon.

  Mike pretended for her sake he hadn’t heard her husband. “I wish I could but I have many more wagons to visit.” He started to walk away and then he turned back, drawing a pair of leather gloves out of his back pocket. “I found these for you. You’ll be hurting for a few days to come, but they should protect you from further injury.”

  “Oh, thank you.” She took the gloves and her eyes grew wide as she stroked the soft leather. “I appreciate your kindness.”

  After he tipped his hat, he walked on. It was worth it to see the smile she’d bestowed him. He was already a goner, and he had a big heartbreak in the making, but he couldn’t seem to help himself.

  He walked to the next wagon and the kindly Mrs. Mott pulled him to the side. “We need to do something about Mr. Willis. He’s a mean one, and she’s a brand new bride. Why my heart goes out to her.”

  “Savanna, I already tol’ you it’s not our business,” her husband Clarke said.

  “But surely…” She sighed and wiped a few wisps of her white hair off her forehead.

  “Your husband is right, Savanna. Let me know if things get out of hand.”

  “I will, Mike. It’s just so hard to hear and to watch.” Savanna smiled at him. “You’re a good man, Mike.”

  “Thank you, Savanna. I’d best get moving on.”

  The camp began to stir in the predawn hours, and Susan wished she’d scouted the area she had slept on for rocks before she went to bed. It’d been less than a restful sleep, but she got through the first day, she’d do the same for today. She’d always admired those who showed fortitude, and she planned to do her best to do the same.

  She crawled out from under the wagon, gathered up her bedding and folded it. Then she went about her chores as well as she could while she did her best not to wake Clancy. He had gone somewhere last night and fallen a few times getting into the wagon. How could she have been blind to his coarseness? The words he’d used when he fell heated her face, and she had appreciated the darkness.

  She filled her canteen and put it up front on the wagon seat. She also made extra biscuits and put her share next to her canteen. Next she filled a pot with water to soak the beans so they’d be ready to cook come nightfall. She wished she’d thought to grab clean clothes last night but she’d just have to wear what she had on. Not that it mattered much.

  “There’s a creek nearby if you need to top off your water barrel,” Jed called to her as he rode past. She nodded her appreciation.

  At least she’d be able to wash. Grabbing a bucket, she headed in the direction of the creek. Other members of the party were coming back from it all looking clean. She’d heard there would be times they wouldn’t have extra water to wash with. At the banks of the creek, she knelt and splashed water on her face. The cool liquid soothed her battered hands, and she soaked them for a time. She filled her bucket and began to walk back to the camp when a big bear of a man came into view. A full, unkempt beard the color of midnight blended into a mane of thick, loose hair that hung past his shoulders. A shiver rippled through her. The way he ogled her was disconcerting, and she tried to pretend she didn’t notice.

  He licked his lips as he got closer, and then he smiled. “I was hoping to catch a moment alone with you. You sure are a sweet little thing. I wanted to get a better look before I took your husband up on any of his offers.”

  Her jaw dropped and her heart beat faster. “What—what offers?”

  “I mentioned by the amount he was drinking he’d run dry before much longer. I have a wagon almost filled with the finest whiskey. I’m opening a bar in Oregon. He said if it came to it he’d trade you for a few bottles.” His laugh was cruel. He stroked his beard and he seemed to be waiting for an answer.

  “Good day.” She ran past him.

  “The name is Bart, Bart Bigalow! We’ll get to know each other at another time then.” He laughed again, and it made her skin crawl.

  Fear clutched at her chest as she hurried back to her wagon. So much water had sloshed out of the bucket there wasn’t very much left to put in the barrel. She poured it in anyway and heard a snicker from inside the wagon.

  “Can’t do anything right, can ya? You need to fill the bucket up when you’re at the water.”

  Susan ignored Clancy and went about packing the wagon. If she was too loud, Clancy moaned and told her to stop making noise if she knew what was good for her. She’d be just as glad if he just slept all day again. It was easier than listening to him.

  She began to shovel dirt on the now dying fire when she heard the sound of water. Turning around she was surprised to see Mike filling her barrel. His simple act of kindness made her want to cry.

  “Thank you,” she said her voice heavy.

  “I’m here to help.” He grinned at her and then walked to the Motts’ wagon. They looked like good people. Perhaps she’d get a chance to know them soon.

  “If you can’t do the work right, you’ll get us kicked off,” Clancy warned.

  “You’re welcome to help me.” She put her hand over her mouth. He was bound to be angry with her. She quickly went to gather their oxen, chastising herself the whole time. She needed a knife or something to carry, and she’d best tread lightly.

  Horses she was used to. Oxen seemed almost intimidating but she could do it. She had to do it, and her hope was they’d cooperate. They were happy enough to be unhitched last night. Before she even had a chance to try, Eli rode up, jumped off his horse and had the four oxen gathered.

  “I do know how,” she said hoping she hadn’t looked helpless.

  “I know you do. I saw you yesterday. You handled them quite well. I just thought I’d give you a hand is all. How are your hands by the way?” He stared at her gloves.

  “Thanks to your brother, I’ll be just fine. I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been for the trip.” She gave him a slight smile. It was better to make light of things.

  Eli grinned. “Everyone forgets something.” He quickly and skillfully yoked and hitched the oxen and then tied the lines around the brake. “Off to see who else I can help.”

  “Thank you, Eli.”

  He nodded, mounted his horse, and rode off.

  “You like them young, don’t ya?” Clancy slurred as he rounded to the front of the wagon. “What did you tell him? Did you tell him I couldn’t handle the animals?”

  A shiver of fear ran up her spine. “Of course not. I wouldn’t speak ill of you. You’re my husband.”

  The menace in his eyes lessened. “I’m going to sleep for a while. Take a care when driving. You drove over too many dang bumps yesterday.”

  She watched him clim
b back into the wagon and frowned. He’d been such a different person when he was sober. His willingness to help her out had impressed her, and she’d been confident they’d get on. Unfortunately she’d been terribly wrong.

  Her shoulders and arms ached, but she climbed up onto the wagon seat and waited for the signal for them for them to move out.

  Looking down at her gloves, she smiled. At least someone cared, even if was just a little bit. The wagon in front of her began to pull out. She waited a few breaths and then urged her oxen forward. The wagon lurched forward. They were on their way again. She held the lines and steadily drove the wagon until the noon break. This time she had her own biscuits to eat. She unhitched the oxen, rubbed them down with a bit of hay, and led them to water before she found herself a rock to sit on. There was no sense in peeking in the wagon. She didn’t want to disturb Clancy. She sighed as she unwrapped her biscuits.

  She’d learn to do it all on her own. Clancy had been a means to get on the wagon train. He’d served his purpose. Bart Bigalow could send her all the snide looks he wanted. His threat of Clancy trading her to him for whiskey was just an empty threat. No one they were traveling with would stand for it.

  Pushing to her feet, she stretched her neck one way then the next then raised her arms over head trying to lessen her tight muscles. Hard work never scared her and she was up for the challenge. She wondered if the banker, Mr. Benton had found Sunshine yet. When he’d given her the eviction notice, he had warned her to not take one single thing from the property—only her clothes.

  Her heart squeezed painfully. Losing her Pa had been so unexpected. Dang that Mr. Benton. He’d driven his buggy out to her land the same day as the funeral and told her to vacate. She left that very night taking her horse Sunshine and her ma’s silver candlesticks. She’d even left all the stall doors open, and the barn door. He’d have a time finding the horses and cow.

  She’d been tempted for a moment to burn down the house but in the end her conscience wouldn’t allow it. Her pa had taken out a loan against the farm. It was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, leaving the farm, but she couldn’t stay. Her father’s body wasn’t even cold before she’d had one offer to be a man’s mistress. She’d rather die than go against the teachings of her family.

  “You look lost in thought.” She jumped at Mike’s deep voice.

  “You caught me.” She smiled at him. “What’s your horse’s name?” She’d admired the big bay horse.

  “His name is Arrow. We’ve traveled many miles together.” He raised his left brow. “Is everything fine here?”

  She blushed and glanced away for a moment. He knew. “Never better.” She hoped her smile looked genuine. Looking into his blue eyes, she realized she’d failed. There was a hint of anger in them.

  “Where’s your husband?” Mike’s voice sounded almost harsh.

  “He’s not feeling well. He’s lying down.” She wanted to look away again but he held her gaze. His anger turned into concern and it warmed her a bit. She wasn’t completely alone after all. “I can handle things.”

  “I know you can. I’ll check back later.” He touched the brim of his hat and rode to the wagon behind her.

  She grinned. He had no idea how handsome he was. He’d make someone a fine husband one day.

  Continue Reading

  About the Author

  Sexy Cowboys and the Women Who Love Them...

  Finalist in the 2012 and 2015 RONE Awards.

  Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review.

  Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and

  memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including: Amazon's Best Seller's List, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing Best Sellers list. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice Awards, and The Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy.

  Winner of the Lear diamond award Best Historical Novel- Cinders' Bride

  There's something about a cowboy

  Other Books by Kathleen

  Lasso Spring Series

  Callie’s Heart

  Lone Star Joy

  Stetson’s Storm

  Dawson Ranch Series

  Texas Haven

  Ryelee’s Cowboy

  Cowboy Season Series

  Summer’s Desire

  Autumn’s Hope

  Winter’s Embrace

  Spring’s Delight

  Mail Order Brides of Texas

  Cinder’s Bride

  Keegan’s Bride

  Shane’s Bride

  Tramp’s Bride

  Poor Boy’s Christmas

  Oregon Trail Dreamin’

  We’ve Only Just Begun

  A Lifetime to Share

  A Love Worth Searching For

  So Many Roads to Choose

  The Settlers

  Greg

  Juan

  Scarlett

  Mail Order Brides of Spring Water

  Tattered Hearts

  Shattered Trust

  Glory’s Groom

  Battered Soul

  Romance on the Oregon Trail

  Cora’s Courage

  Luella’s Longing

  Dawn’s Destiny

  Terra’s Trial

  The Greatest Gift

  Love So Deep

  Luke’s Fate

  Whispered Love

  Love Before Midnight

  I’m Forever Yours

  Finn’s Fortune

  Glory’s Groom