You’re glad that he’s keeping his promise.
Cora wrung her hands in her lap. Would he be like the others, and betray her trust? She sighed.
Anna nudged her arm. “You look like you’re miles away. I think I can guess what you’re daydreaming about.” A wide smile passed over her face. She indicated with her chin toward Nathaniel. Cora sat straighter.
“I’ve never met a man like him before,” she whispered. “He just showed up out of nowhere and took over, and I let him. How did that happen?” Cora peeled her eyes away from Nathaniel’s back and looked at her friend.
Anna laughed softly. “I could tell from the moment he walked into our camp, by the way you looked at each other, that something would happen between the two of you, given the chance.”
Cora shook her head. “He has no interest in me, other than wanting to keep us all safe. He’s told me so.”
Anna placed a hand on Cora’s arm. “You’ve been too busy taking care of everyone in this family over the years, that you’ve never taken time out for yourself. You’ve always turned a blind eye when young men noticed you back home. I don’t think you even recognize the signs when a man shows an interest.”
Cora stared at the hands in her lap. “I didn’t think I’d ever trust a man again after Ted left us. The interest Nathaniel has isn’t in me. He’s just being an honorable man. His helping us is to atone for mistakes he’s made in the past.”
“For as much as you’ve had to deal with, Cora, you really are naïve when it comes to men, aren’t you?”
Cora raised her head and shook it with as much authority as she could muster. “He may have married me to protect us, but he never wanted a wife. I think he’d much rather roam the mountains with his friends. A man like that doesn’t want a commitment, and I’m sure he’s regretting his decision already.”
Anna chuckled. “Don’t try so hard to convince yourself of that. What makes you say that he’s regretful?”
Cora shrugged. “Something his friend, Lucas Walker said. He was surprised that Nathaniel was with me, and said Nathaniel would no longer be able to go exploring if he was tied down with a wife. Besides, he’s barely spoken to me since we left Fort Hall.”
“I highly doubt Nathaniel thinks he’s tied down with you. I can’t believe that man would do anything he doesn’t want to, and I’m telling you, he wanted to marry you.”
“Then why did he only want a marriage in name? What man does that?”
Anna smiled. She adjusted the leather lines in her hand, then placed her free hand over Cora’s. “I honestly think he wanted you to trust him before anything else, but Ted forced his hand back at Fort Hall. He’s giving you time, Cora.” She paused, then asked, “Do you still have doubts that he’s not trustworthy?”
Cora lowered her gaze. “I want to trust him,” she whispered.
She hadn’t mentioned it to Anna, but the valley where Nathaniel was taking them sounded like the kind of place she could call home. Anna would never want to stay where there wasn’t at least a settlement somewhere nearby. From what Nathaniel had described, there were no other people where he lived with his brothers.
“Harley’s Hole is at the base of the mountains along the Snake River,” Nathaniel had told them the day they left Fort Hall. “It’s a nice place. Plenty of trees and grass, but it’s remote and hard to find if you don’t know what to look for. I was taking the quick way home when I met up with your wagon. We’ll be going the slower route this time.”
“Harley’s Hole? That’s a silly name for a town,” Patrick had laughed.
“It’s not a town. There are no towns where I live. A hole is a trapper’s term for a valley. Trevor and Travis, my two younger brothers, named it after the man who raised us.”
“Cora?”
Cora blinked at the sound of her name, bringing her back to the present. Anna wore a wide smile.
“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” her friend asked softly.
Cora’s eyes widened. She’d thought it. She’d wrestled with herself about it. She’d denied it. She nodded and blinked rapidly.
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I think about him constantly. I think about what the future might hold. What will happen next spring, or when we get to Oregon? If I feel this strongly about him now, how will I be able to walk away?” She swiped her hand across her face.
“You need to talk to him, get to know him better,” Anna said. “I know it’s awkward at the moment. You have the rest of us constantly nearby, which gives you no privacy.” She giggled. “And the two of you are both acting like love-struck school children, sneaking glances when the other doesn’t think you’re looking, while at the same time you’re avoiding each other.”
Cora sat straighter. Nathaniel had been sneaking glances at her? It had been awkward these past days since leaving Fort Hall. Before that, she could at least argue with him. A warm sensation passed through her, thinking about the day of her wedding.
She’d been so angry, feeling humiliated by that deplorable preacher, but Nathaniel had made her laugh about it. All her worries and fears had vanished in those few moments with him. He’d made her forget her past along with all her doubts, and for once, she’d lived in the moment.
As soon as they’d walked into camp to tell her siblings and Anna the news that they were married, things had changed. They’d both clammed up, a reminder that the marriage was in name only. She didn’t know what to say around him, other than making polite small talk. She’d never been lost for words before. She sat straighter. Today, things were going to change.
“I’ll talk to him,” she said out loud and nodded for emphasis. She’d been Nathaniel’s wife for a week, and it was time she had a conversation with her husband. It would be a long winter if they couldn’t even talk to each other.
Anna clucked to the mules. “You’re suited for this kind of life, Cora. Making a new start in this wild land might be just what you need. Me, on the other hand, I’m not cut out for this. I’m not sure whether I will want to go on to Oregon or return to Ohio.”
Cora grabbed for her arm. “You’re stronger than I am, Anna. You always think things through, rather than react like I do. You’ve kept us all together better than I ever could.”
Anna shook her head. “I don’t feel strong.”
“Neither do I,” Cora confessed. “But let’s not tell anyone.” She smiled. “It’ll be our secret.”
“Cora,” Patrick called from somewhere up ahead. She lifted her head. Gray came galloping toward the wagon. Her brother pulled the horse to a stop next to the rig, stirring up more dust than the wheels. Caroline, who walked alongside the wagon with Josie, yelled at her brother, who ignored them.
“Nathaniel says we’re stopping up ahead by those trees.”
“It’s a bit early, isn’t it?”
Patrick shrugged. “He told me to tell you. He said he’s going to scout a bit further up ahead, but for you to stop the wagon along the creek by those trees.”
“All right.” Anna clucked to the mules to pick up the pace and the wagon lurched forward.
When they reached the shade of the trees that grew along the shallow stream, Cora climbed from the wagon. She swiped a hand across her forehead and stretched her aching muscles. The air was noticeably cooler under the trees and the loud splashing sound of running water refreshing as it tumbled over countless rocks.
She’d barely finished unhitching the team, when Nathaniel rode into camp. He dismounted and led his horse a short distance downstream to get a drink. Cora’s heart sped up. This was her chance to talk to him. Josie and Caroline were busy filling water jugs and collecting firewood, and for once, Patrick wasn’t latched onto Nathaniel’s side.
Nathaniel raised his head and watched her approach. The weight of his eyes rested on her before she came close enough to see his face clearly.
“This is a nice place to stop,” Cora said, cringing at the small talk. Things had been easier before, when her guard had be
en up and she’d excused her feelings as mistrust.
Nathaniel loosened his horse’s saddle. He pulled his rifle from the scabbard and turned the gelding loose to graze. He approached her, covering the distance between them in a few long strides.
“I’ve always liked this spot.” His eyes lingered on her face. “I thought it might do you and everyone else some good to stop early. We’ve been pushing hard all week.” He shifted slightly and pointed toward the mountains. “We should reach the valley in a couple of days, then you can finally rest up.”
“I’m sure you’re eager to get home.” She smiled tentatively. “Your brothers and Harley are probably worried about you.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “Ethan probably thinks I went off exploring with Lucas Walker. I’ve done it before, and he’ll remind me that I’m irresponsible.”
Cora’s heart sank. She’d been right that he enjoyed the freedom to come and go as he pleased.
“Instead you’re coming home with a passel of women and a boy.” She chuckled and glanced down at her hands that she’d clasped in front of her. “I’m sorry that you’re strapped down with us. For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re irresponsible. Quite the opposite.”
Nathaniel’s brows drew together. “What are you talking about? Didn’t we settle this back at Fort Hall?”
“I just don’t want you to have regrets,” Cora stammered.
He frowned and shook his head. He studied her, then took a step closer. Cora held her breath. His hand reached up, but he dropped it again before touching her arm. The muscles along his neck and jaw tightened.
“I know we haven’t had much of a chance to talk,” she continued. Her mouth and throat had gone painfully dry. “I want you to know how much my family and Anna . . . and I appreciate what you’re doing for us.” She laughed. “I hope Patrick isn’t being too much of a pest. I can tell him to leave you be.”
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. He took another step closer, until they stood within inches of each other. The scent of rawhide and campfire drifted from him, and the warmth of his skin prickled her arms.
“Cora, we’ve talked about this marriage arrangement, and I know I told you that –”
Nathaniel broke off what he was going to say. His body tensed at the same moment his horse lifted its head from grazing. He raised his rifle. In the next instant, he leapt in front of her and pushed her to the ground. A gunshot cracked through the stillness of the air.
Cora fell into the dirt, her shoulder and hip hitting hard enough to make her cry out. Nathaniel landed on top of her, his heavy weight crushing her into the soil. Cora pushed against him to catch her breath. He groaned and rolled to the side.
“Nathaniel?” Cora’s eyes widened. The sun reflected brightly off something shiny on a nearby hill. Her head shot up to catch a glimpse of a man with a rifle in the distance. She scrambled to her knees, her trembling hand grabbing the rifle Nathaniel had dropped. Somewhere behind them, Anna and Caroline screamed.
Cora raised the weapon and fired toward the spot where she’d seen the movement. From the direction of camp, another shot rang through the air. Then all was quiet. Cora’s head whipped around to where the shot had come from near the wagon. Josie stood, staring at her with the rifle in her hands. Cora dropped to her knees.
“Nathaniel,” she cried. He lay face-down in the dirt. Blood soaked through his shirt where a gaping hole had ripped the buckskin below his right shoulder blade.
He moaned again, his knees drawing up to his body. “Cora,” he rasped as his hands braced into the dirt, trying to push up off the ground.
“Lie still, Nathaniel. It’s gonna be all right.” Cora’s voice trembled. She looked toward camp. Anna came running, along with Patrick and Caroline.
“He’s been shot,” Cora called frantically.
Anna was beside her in the next instant.
“Caroline, get linens and water,” Cora ordered, her voice trembling. “We have to stop the bleeding.”
“Cora,” Nathaniel rasped again.
She leaned over him. Her shaking hand touched his face. “I’m right here,” she whispered, blinking away the tears that blurred her vision. “We’re going to take care of you. Just hang on, please, Nathaniel. Hang on.” She reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. With a moan, he slumped into the dirt.
“You have to hang on. You promised. You promised you wouldn’t be like the others. You can’t leave me,” Cora called frantically.
Anna grabbed her by the shoulders. “We have to get him back to the wagon. Where did that shot come from?”
Cora stared up at Anna. Fear and cold fury raced through her. She couldn’t think but one thought. “I don’t know,” she hissed. “But he saved my life.” Tears rolled down her face. “He pushed me aside and took that bullet for me.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
With Anna’s help, Cora managed to get Nathaniel to his feet and to the wagon. Caroline and Patrick had moved aside crates and sacks to make room for him to lie on the straw mattress that had served as a bed for her sisters. His wound bled heavily, soaking his shirt on both sides.
“I need linen to stop the bleeding.” Cora issued orders to everyone around her. Her sole focus was on the man who drifted in and out of consciousness. His eyes fluttered open and a grimace spread across his face. He stumbled forward, but leaned heavily on her. Cora struggled to keep him upright.
“You have to help me, Nathaniel,” she groaned. “Can you climb into the wagon?”
He nodded and braced his hands on the tailgate, then pulled himself into the bed of the rig. He immediately fell forward.
“Crawl to the mattress.” Cora gasped for air as she pulled and tugged on his uninjured arm. He was as heavy as lead and wouldn’t budge. “Come on,” she hissed. Her heart pounded in her chest. She didn’t want to do any more damage to his injury. She hadn’t even been able to check to see how badly he was wounded yet.
Fear for Nathaniel’s life gave her strength. Closing off the thought that he must be in extreme pain, she leaned forward and yelled in his ear. “Move, Nathaniel.”
He must have heard her. With an agonizing groan, he dragged his body forward and onto the mattress. He went limp instantly.
“Nathaniel?” Cora’s heart pounded up into her throat and a jolt of dread sliced through every inch of her.
He lay on his stomach, his head pressed against one of the linen pillows. Cora reached her hand under his neck. She breathed a sigh of relief when her fingers found his pulse. It was weak, but it was there.
“I need that hot water,” she called to no one in particular.
Cora lifted his injured shoulder, eliciting another groan. She cringed and let go, for fear of causing additional pain. The bed of the wagon creaked. Anna ducked in through the back and pushed her way past the trunks.
“Here’s some water. I’ve got Patrick starting a fire. This will have to do for now until the water in the kettle gets hot.”
Cora glanced up and smiled at her friend. Her lips trembled.
“Help me get his shirt off,” she whispered. “I don’t know if it’s better if he’s on his back or on his stomach. Can you hold him so I can remove his belt?”
Anna tugged Nathaniel’s upper body sideways while Cora unbuckled his hunting belt. It fell against one of the trunks with a dull thud. Memories of the time she’d asked him to remove that same belt flooded her mind. A quick smile passed over her lips. Weeks ago, she’d thought he’d stolen her horse and she’d threatened him with a shotgun. Now, he might not live to see another day, and she was desperate to help him.
“I’m not going to let you die,” she said through gritted teeth with a firm resolve. Tugging and pulling, she managed to peel his shirt up and over his head. She tossed it outside.
She pressed a towel against the gaping tear in the flesh on his back, then quickly reached for another to push against the hole in his chest.
“Is the bullet still in there?” Anna asked, her eyes wide. She avert
ed her gaze from the bloody sight.
“I don’t think so. It looks like it went straight through.”
Anna sighed audibly. “That’s good, right? At least we don’t have to worry about removing a bullet.”
Cora nodded. “Yeah, I think so,” she answered weakly. But how much damage had been done inside?
“Lay him onto his belly, Anna. I’ve got a towel pressed to his chest. That should help stop the bleeding on that side.”
Gently, they rolled him back onto his stomach. Cora lifted the towel she still pressed against his back. The cloth was soaked crimson.
“Once the bleeding stops, I can clean and bandage the wound.”
“There’s so much blood. It might not stop on its own. He might need stitches,” Anna said, her eyes going wide. Her face was already pale. “We’ve never stitched up a person before. We’ve never done anything like this. I don’t know the first thing about doctoring up a gunshot wound.” Her voice rose in pitch with every word she uttered.
Cora raised her head to her friend with a determined stare. She clamped her free hand around Anna’s wrist. “If that’s what it takes, then I’ll sew him up.” Their eyes met and held. Anna nodded.
“What’s keeping that hot water?” Cora called. Tears welled up in her eyes. She brushed aside Nathaniel’s hair that clung to his damp face. His skin had turned cold and clammy. At least she could see some movement from him that he was breathing.
“I’ll go see what’s going on outside.” Anna scrambled from the wagon. She looked as if she was going to be sick.
Cora adjusted her seat next to Nathaniel, tucking her legs up underneath her. She leaned over him, pressing the blood-soaked towel to his wound. The tips of her fingers were caked with his dried blood. A quiet shudder passed through her. She had no knowledge about gunshot wounds. The worst she’d ever tended was Patrick’s skinned knees.
Her free hand reached out and touched the hard planes of his muscles along his back. He was lean and strong. It was inconceivable that in the blink of an eye, this healthy man could lose his life.
Cora's Pride (Wilderness Brides Book 1) Page 14
