Teasing him, she asked, “Should I untie one of these and tie myself to you?”
He turned, giving her an ornery look. “I wouldn’t complain about that if you did.”
“Maybe I will if the trail becomes steep.”
Nicholas laughed outright. “I can make that happen in a hurry so you might as well prepare now.”
Her cheeks heated at the thought. “I don’t know, tying myself to you seems extreme.” She could see how he still grinned.
Leaning back, he bumped into her, returning her teasing. “If you feel the need, you have my full cooperation, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, I think.” She returned his smile as he again faced ahead and nudged Buck into a faster walk.
Riding the ferry, they’d not needed to dismount, paying from horseback. The day grew warm, almost hot. The bedrolls did protect her from the cantle’s jostles. She liked riding. The speedier travel let her see more of the mountains and landscape. Showers tracked north and east, missing them but giving a rain scented breeze. She looked at the back of Nicholas’s neck. A sheen of perspiration shone there, the black curls damp with moisture. She felt a trickle of sweat down her cleavage and resisted the urge to scratch. “How far do you intend to go today?”
“As far as possible without causing you injury. Maybe fifteen miles since we had a late start.”
Beth sighed. “The country is lovely here. It’s a wonder more people haven’t settled.”
“They forget, I suppose, that Oregon isn’t the only place to live.”
“I’m sure.” She fell silent again, wanting to ask him a myriad of questions. Yet, Beth didn’t want to be intrusive. Instead, she kept to a safe subject more interesting than the weather. “Will we stop for midday?”
“I’d like to noon at Warm Springs.”
She bit her lip, unsure of how best to tell him. “I might need to answer nature’s call before then.”
He laughed. “I blame the coffee.”
“Even so, may we stop before noon?”
Grinning back at her, Nicholas said, “Very well, we can stop here. There’s not much grass, but the water looks good for the three of us.”
When he pulled the horse to a halt, she put her foot in the empty stirrup. Beth tried to lift her right leg to jump off, but couldn’t. “Nicholas, I think I’m stuck somehow.”
He laughed a guffaw. “I’ll bet you are. Have you ever ridden a horse before now?”
“Don’t be mean. I have a few times.” She bypassed his offered hand and held on to his shoulder. With that, she managed to drag her leg over the horse’s rump and down with her left leg. “Just not so much all at once.”
“Take it easy dropping to the ground.” He kept his hand out, waiting for her to hold it.
Beth slid her grip from his shoulder to his hand. She eased her foot down, her legs almost numb. “This is more difficult than I’d anticipated.”
“I’m sure.” He leaned over to let her reach dirt without falling in a heap. “It’ll take a while, but you’ll be used to horseback by the time we reach the others.”
“Just in time to continue walking.” She stepped back, a little unsteady, to let him off the horse as well. “Maybe I should go ahead and walk anyway. You could scout ahead for safety and ride back to me when done.”
He took food from his bag. “No. We’ll make better time with you on horseback, and I refuse to be the only rider.” He handed her a biscuit and broke the seal on the jar.
They ate, Beth feeling rushed by Nicholas’s hurried tasks. He let Buck get a drink and graze a little while she found a private place. Once finished, she found him, watching the animal eat. “I think I’m ready, if I can get back onto the seat.”
He grinned. “I’ll see that you do.” He swung up, bringing her with him once settled. Their movements flowed better this time.
She kept the bedrolls between them after a bump jabbed the cantle into her. It stung a little, fading after a few minutes. The initial soreness from the morning’s ride also eased. The horse’s quick walk lulled her to sleep until feeling a few sprinkles of rain. A cold wind brought the heavy smell of wet to them. “We’re getting a bath in a moment,” she said when seeing the wall of showers drifting their way.
“Yep, and I’d feel better if we were lower.” He turned the horse a little to the south. They rode alongside a cliff so lighting might find a higher target. “Let me know if you need to stop. Otherwise, I want to camp at Good Springs tonight.”
The rain increased, chilling her. “Is it far?”
Taking her arms, he wrapped them around his waist. “That’ll keep you warmer. It’s eleven miles ahead. Not bad, but a lot to get in before sundown.”
“I suppose the springs will be worth the effort, being good and all.” The rain pelted them, drenching them in a moment. “Do we have any soap?”
He nodded. “We do. I bought a bar at the post.”
She squeezed around his torso in appreciation. “Thank you, assuming I may use some too.”
“You’re welcome. It’s been rough being downwind from you.”
“What?” Beth leaned away, horrified she might have offended him. “Oh no.”
Nicholas laughed, saying, “I’m joking with you. I like your scent, even if a little scrubbing would help.”
Making a show of sniffing, she retorted, “You’re not exactly the best smelling thing around here either.”
He turned, giving her head a teasing bump with his. “So that leaves Buck as the most attractive animal here?”
“I suppose it does.”
They rode on for a while before Nicholas said, “Your scent resembles wildflowers, and sometimes clean cotton. Other times, you’ll remind me of campfire smoke and bacon.”
His admission took her by surprise, and she laughed loud enough to embarrass herself. “I suppose I should be glad to be so appetizing.”
“You should.”
“Now it’s your turn. I think you smell like leather, sun warmed linen, and sometimes sweat, but not in a bad way. Isn’t that odd? Then, in the morning, you’ll have a campfire and bacon perfume too.”
Nicholas chuckled. “Perfume, huh?” He looked back at her. “We pay entirely too much attention to each other, don’t we?”
“I think so, considering Daggart and Pap,” Beth replied, looking at him. The storm clouds mirrored his gray eyes. When he faced her like he did, Nicholas’s lips were close enough for her to kiss. A lean forward and lifting her chin helped her reach him. When their lips touched, he paused, and she felt him breathe in sharp. He broke their contact, turning his torso to her.
While standing a little in the saddle, Nicholas pulled Beth closer. He kissed her with an intensity she felt to her toes. His slight stubble scratched just enough to remind her of how manly he was, but not enough to hurt. She caressed his face, enjoying the rough feel against her palm. He groaned when she did so and kissed down to the underside of her chin.
When he said, “I’d have to be a contortionist to take any further liberties,” she laughed. He kissed her once more and faced forward. “I will absolutely smell better than my horse when we bed down tonight.”
She thought of sleeping with him and Beth felt her cheeks burn. If they both bathed, would they share more than sleep by the morning? She shivered.
“I’m chilled, too. We’re already out of the rain shower’s path. We’re sure to find sage or wood to burn at camp this evening.”
They made good time, covering ground until the shadows lengthened. With the western sun in her eyes, Beth leaned her cheek against his shoulder. His hat brim blocked the sun for him. She lowered and rested her hands around Nicholas’s hips. A slight sweat beaded her upper lip as she thought about how strong he felt. In the quiet, her stomach growled loud enough to catch his attention. She felt his quiet chuckle and said, “Sorry, it has a mind of its own.”
“Mine does too and happens to agree. Another mile and we’re stopping for the night. But then, I see others are here alrea
dy.” Nicholas indicated ahead with a nod of his head.
She straightened. “Do you know them?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“I’d prefer to not socialize if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all.” He patted her leg as if to reassure her. “We can pretend we’re newly married and want our privacy.”
She raised an eyebrow at this and bit her lip. “Won’t they know we’re not honest? Especially when I blush at every word?”
Letting her slide down first, he said, “Maybe that’s normal for a new bride.”
“I suppose.” Beth stepped back to give him room. “Lizzy did blush a lot.”
He pulled the reins over Buck’s head and waved to one of the men looking at them. “Stay here and set up camp for us, please. I’ll visit with them some, saying I have a new wife to attend to and leave in a short while.”
“Very well.” Her face burned as he walked over and began chatting. She envied him his easy way with strangers. The women may be fanning themselves over his brother, but everyone else who met Nicholas seemed to respect him. She pulled the saddlebags from the horse, laying them a few feet away. More unwieldy than heavy, she pulled off the saddle with an awkward tug. She set it on the ground, pommel down so the horse’s sweat could dry.
Raucous laughter caught her attention and she looked up at the noise. Nicholas stood with his back to her, the men around him laughing. He must have told them of their pretend marriage, she surmised. They made hoots and catcalls like the people at Lizzy’s and Daggart’s wedding. Ignoring her embarrassment at the attention, Beth focused instead on removing the bit from Buck’s mouth to help him eat better. Once done, she led him to a ravine a little south of the others. They’d not stopped often and she lingered a while to let him get his fill.
Strolling up to her, he put his arm around Beth. “Well, wife, we’re on our own tonight. They’re going to let us have our ongoing honeymoon.”
His bold move flustered her. “Nicholas, are you sure…”
“I told them we’ve been married for a few months, but the new hasn’t worn off of either of us.”
She laughed at his triumphant grin. “Very well, I’ll try to act like you’re still irresistible after all these months.”
“I’ll help.” He slid his arm around her waist and brought her to him. Nicholas tipped her back a little and kissed her in a long smooch. She held onto his arms to keep from falling backward.
As he eased back upright, she put both hands on either side of his face and returned his kiss. He paused, still as stone. “We need to stop or we’ll give them more of a show than you intend.”
She glanced at the onlookers, her face hot from shame. “I’m sorry. I became carried away by the ruse.”
“I’m not complaining, I’d just rather wait until there’s no audience.” Nicholas took her chin, lifting up her face to give her another kiss.
Beth turned from him, shy and still holding the reins to his horse. “How about you start a fire while he eats? Then I can cook supper if you like. You’d mentioned getting cleaned up while it rained.” She took his hand, leading him and Buck back to their planned campsite. “Now I have my heart set on smelling like something other than old socks.”
“I’d like to smell a little better myself.” Taking his saddlebags, he said, “I’ll make a decent fire and start the food. When you’re done, come eat with me, and it’ll be my turn to wash before bedtime.” He glanced at the horizon. “We don’t have too long before dark.”
“I’ll get started, then.” She smiled and turned to lead the horse to some scrub brush near the creek. Beth walked a little south, looking for even a tiny basin of clear water. She found a decent sized swimming hole a few yards from camp and walked up to it. She almost cheered upon spying sand at the bottom of three foot deep water and went back to camp.
“Were you successful, wife?”
Beth laughed at his comment, thinking him silly to say such a thing. ““Yes! It’s wonderful and I can see the bottom.” She saw the concerned expression on his face. “Of course I need to get over my fears, but until then, it’s a nice place to wash.”
“All right.” He dug around in a bag, “Here you go. Leave the horse here and I’ll hold supper until you’re done.”
She almost hopped with glee. “Thank you so much!” She smelled the soap. “What a lovely fragrance! Are you sure you’d want to use this though?”
He gave her an intense look. “In an instant if it meant I smelled like you.”
The warm tickly feeling in her stomach began, and Beth’s face grew hot yet again. “Very well. I’ll be sure to save some for you.” Beth turned, going back to the small bathing spot she’d found.
Since the ravine concealed her from anyone else, she pulled off her dress. Dirt turned the hem to brown and Beth sighed. Both she and Nicholas knew better than white with flowers, but the fabric had been so lovely. Maybe the new soap would remove most of the dirt. Confident her undergarments kept her covered should anyone happen by, she lathered and scrubbed the dress’s skirt. The white remained a slightly creamy color before she went on to wash and rinse the rest of the garment. She laid the dress on some nearby brush to begin washing herself.
Beth undid her braid, running her fingers through the waist length hair. She needed a good cleaning as much as her clothes did, and her chemise needed mending. Beth sighed, wondering when or how to ever get the materials to fix everything. Everything would have to wait until reaching the others. Instead, she focused on washing her body. The chemise made the task more difficult, but she didn’t want to be nude with others so nearby.
Once the stream carried the suds from her, she worked up a thin lather in her hair. She rinsed her scalp by bending over the water. The expensive soap Nicholas purchased wasn’t as strong as the lye she made and Beth enjoyed it. Mosquito bites were bad enough without adding lye to the irritation. Beth flung her sodden hair up and behind her. The wet hair slapped her back and she grinned. Thought it may not dry until morning, at least the dirt and grime from the trail no longer clung to it.
“Is it my turn?”
Beth saw Nicholas standing at the bank, hands in his pockets. The way he looked at her, she felt like prey in front of a predator. “Yes, of course. Do I need to finish cooking dinner for us?”
“No, it’s done and waiting for you.” Nicholas went to her, holding her upper arms. “Do you need my help?” He leaned in toward her.
Aware of how thin her chemise was and how close he stood, Beth shivered a little. “I’m done, but….” She leaned forward, wanting to feel the same tingles as when they’d kissed on horseback. Their lips touched and her insides turned to oatmeal mush. He wrapped his arms around her and she moaned an “Um hmm,” in appreciation. Beth loved how he held her as if needing her even closer. She returned every nip and lick he gave her.
He broke away first. “You need to eat and I need to get cleaned up.” Nicholas set her back at arm’s length. “Go and I’ll be there when I’m done.”
“I can’t help you here instead?”
He laughed, “No, not like you’d think. Go eat.”
“Very well.” She climbed the ravine to their campfire, scooping up her dress as she went. Turning her back to him, she pulled her damp dress over her head. She used the fabric as a cover to slip off the chemise before putting her arms through the sleeves. As it pooled around her feet, she put her clothes on completely. He had the food kept warm and ready for Beth at the campsite. She ate the dinner, plain but filling.
Nicholas joined her, shirtless and in wet pants. The fabric clung to him, she saw before looking away as her morals fought her desires.
“Have you had enough?” Nicholas asked, scooping some beans and rice onto a plate.
“Yes, thank you.” Beth sighed, wanting something to do so her hands kept busy.
He ate, focused on his food. “Don’t worry, as soon as I’m done, we’re going to bed.” He took another bite, saying while
chewing, “We have a long day of travel tomorrow.”
“All right, I’m pretty tired already.”
“So am I.” He set his plate on top of hers. “We should wash up, but I’m exhausted and just want to bunk down for the night.”
“The dishes could wait until morning, while the bacon cooks and the coffee boils.”
“I agree.” He settled into his bed. “Are you going to be warm enough tonight?”
“I should be. I’ve slept like this the entire way here.”
Sitting up on an elbow, he said, “Wet? I doubt it. Your dress is still dripping. If my shirt wasn’t still drying, I’d let you have that to wear.” He thought for a moment. “Tonight is going to be cold and I have an idea. Take off your dress and leave off your undergarments. Let them dry tonight, and wrap up in your blanket.”
She gave him a stern look. “Is that safe?”
Nicolas laughed. “Probably not, but I’m not wanting you sick, either.”
“I won’t be.”
“Sam said the same thing when we were kids. Just before he caught pneumonia, of course.”
“Very well. If it will stop your fussing, I’ll undress.” Beth faced the fire, knowing how what she did might lead to more. She eased down to sit on her bed. “Could you hold up my blanket, just so no one will see.” Nicholas sat up and held the blanket out like a screen, blocking everyone’s view of her, including his own. She glanced behind her to be sure and lifted the dress over her head and off. In almost the same motion, she wrapped up in the blanket. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Move your bedroll over here and I’ll keep you warm.”
An oafish snort escaped her. “I’m sure you will.” Still, Beth pulled her bedding adjacent to his and let him under the covers to snuggle his stomach against her back. She lay still, feeling his breath in her hair. He put an arm around her, his hand rested on her stomach. She wanted more from him, but didn’t know quite what. “Nicholas? I don’t know if we should be so close. This feels dangerous.”
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