by Carré White
Several men spoke up, the miners wanting to give it a try, more out of bravado to impress the harlots, who stood by the banks observing the spectacle. I watched, as the first wagon went, its team of oxen none too pleased with the conditions, the water coming up past their bellies. They snorted their displeasure, but the brutes labored in the eddying current, pulling the cumbersome wagon to the other side.
“Next!” shouted Laurence, waving. He rode astride his horse, half submerged, the muddy water wetting his trousers, soaking his boots. “Come towards me!”
When the second wagon ambled over without incident, I felt somewhat heartened, hopeful we too would successfully cross. Joining Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, we waited our turn, as one by one, the wagons fought the rapid, roiling water, the banks lined with elm and cottonwood, the soil stripped away along the edges, revealing twisted roots.
The harlots traveled with other families, the occasional scream resonating, fear lacing the tone, as they ventured over the river, the oxen pulling the wagons up the embankment and further away to safety. I bit my fingernails, fretting about our turn, not wanting to travel in the wagon. Images of floating downstream filled my mind, a heady fear gripping me.
“I … wonder if it’s safe.”
Mrs. Cooper sat next to me. “It’s fine, my dear. You’ve nothing to worry about.”
“Maybe I could go on horseback? I'm not sure I want to … do this.”
Mr. Cooper untied the cow, handing her to Seth, who pulled the reluctant animal across, leaving her with the others to graze. When he returned, he eyed us expectantly.
“Your turn.”
Our wagon, not having a break, began to amble towards the embankment, the wheels crunching over rocks. The nearer we drew to the river, the worse my fear became. Images of drowning in the water, which carried what looked like crumbling mold and silt, brought a burst of bile to my throat, the taste sour. I hated feeling like this, wishing to be courageous and strong, like the others who had gone ahead. Swallowing the fear, I gripped the wood of the seat beneath me, praying to God that I would not perish today.
With the wagon ambling forward, a moment of sheer panic swept through me, stronger than the current in the river. I jumped from the wagon, my feet encountering water, the bottom of my dress soaked instantly. Scrambling for safety, I hurried back to where we had been, standing miserably, embarrassed by these actions, as the wagon began to cross.
“Crystabelle!” shouted Edna, glancing at me.
“I’m sorry! Don’t stop! You go on!”
“You silly girl!”
Annoyed with myself, I wrapped my arms around my belly, feeling decidedly irritated at my behavior. Everyone else had remained in their wagons, even the children tolerating the ride, some laughing with pleasure.
“I’m a coward,” I muttered.
A horse came my way, its rider familiar. “You forget somethin’, honey?” Mr. McKinney grinned, his legs drenched.
“I … I don’t know why I did that.” The wagon cleared the stream easily, the oxen steadfastly bringing it and its occupants to safety. Biting a nail, I dared not look at him, far too embarrassed.
“How do you propose to cross, Miss Marx?”
“I … I’m not sure.” Then I did look at him, not being able to hide the fear in my eyes, feeling petrified and ashamed.
His amusement faded. “Come here. I’ll take you over.” He reached for me, strong hands gripping my waist, as another wagon ambled towards the torrent, a family bravely defying the force of nature to reach the other embankment. I found myself seated, with both legs on one side of the saddle, and a firm arm around me. “How’s this?”
Gazing at him, I shuddered from the cold, my legs feeling icy. “I’m fine. I feel so stupid. I’m such a coward.”
“You’ve every right to be worried. Any number of things can go wrong. We’re very lucky so far. Anything can happen.”
He smelled of wet leather and horse. “I feel safer now, sir.”
“You do?” A grin emerged. “You looked petrified before.”
“I was. I had images of toppling over and floating downstream.”
“Can you swim?”
“No, sir.”
“Laurence.” His grip tightened around me. “Yaw!”
And with that, we crossed within seconds, the water wetting my clothing further. I hadn’t a moment to think about my fear before we trotted to the other embankment, as another wagon ambled in our direction. It had been easy—far too easy. The afternoon having worn on, the sun hanging low behind us, the colors vibrantly orange and purple, the streaks of sunset made for a pretty vista. Sitting with Laurence on his quarter horse, the animal feasting on the verdant grass, I succumbed to a moment of weakness, my arms encircling his neck, nearly knocking the hat from his person.
“Thank you.”
He held me close, his breath near my ear. “I’d rescue you anytime, honey.” The rough quality of his voice sent a shiver of pleasure down my spine. “I dare say; you’re becoming less and less annoying.”
“I thought I was braver than that.”
“You’re perfect just the way you are. You’re more than welcome to ride with me at the next river crossing. I’d be happy to escort you.”
Another wagon began its journey, filled with provisions and miners, the conveyance rocking precariously in the middle of the river. Being in Mr. McKinney’s arms with the sunset behind us, and the danger of the moment a distant memory, I found it slightly ironic, especially considering how I had confessed to not being a romantic in the least. The moment felt warm and comforting, the pleasure of being with Laurence singular and special, the feelings it stirred entirely passionate in nature.
“You sure are pretty. You’ve been a distraction from the start.”
A shout rang out then, slicing through my consciousness, bringing me back to reality. “Oh!”
Observing trouble, he set me down. “Sorry, darlin’, but duty calls.”
He spurred his horse to the water, the wagon having toppled over. Several men joined him, as provisions, crates, and tins floated downstream. Four men scrambled to their feet, soaked all the way through. With the wagon on its side and the canvas torn open, more foodstuffs, blankets, and bags of rice began to float, disappearing around the bend. No one had been injured, but the wagon would not budge, trapped in the middle of the river, water gushing around at all sides.
I stood near the embankment watching as the men gathered what they could, Laurence tying the wagon securely, while tossing the rope to Levi, who affixed it to a tree. Men grappled with the rope in hopes of dislodging the conveyance, pulling it apart instead, pieces of the axle splintering, a wheel floating free. They managed to remove most of it, although it could never be used in any capacity again, besides firewood. The miners who had lost everything, looked like drowned rats, one of them running down stream to look for provisions.
I joined the Coopers a short while later, finding them with another family. “Goodness, what a mess.” Mud encased my boots, while the bottom of the dress had stained terribly. “Did anyone lose anything?”
“No, my dear.” Mrs. Cooper frowned slightly. “You could have said you didn’t want to cross with us.”
“I did. I … just got scared at the last moment. I’m sorry.”
“And you so conveniently end up with Mr. McKinney.” Her hands went to her hips. “It’s funny how that always seems to happen.”
Embarrassed, I squared my shoulders, mustering up what was left of my dignity. “I swear I didn’t mean to do it. I kept seeing myself floating downriver and drowning. I’m petrified of drowning. I didn’t feel the least bit safe in the creaky old wagon. I much prefer to ride across on a horse.”
“Not just any horse, of course.”
“I’m not sure what you’re accusing me of, Mrs. Cooper, but I had no idea Mr. McKinney would take me over. How was I supposed to know?”
“Because all you have to do is bat your eyelashes and that man comes running.”
“Well … I … I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Quit givin’ the girl a hard time,” grumbled Mr. Cooper. “We got more important things to worry about. The Lord was watching over us all today. For that, we should be grateful. A wagon busted, and a few fellas lost their supplies, but we’re alive and well. So what if she caught a ride with the wagon master? He’s a good sort. He’s fond of her. I can’t see the harm.”
“She’s promised to a miner.”
“I haven’t forgotten that,” I muttered.
Edna pinned me with a look, which made me want to wither and die behind a bush. “Good. You remember that then. Whenever you feel the need to flaunt yourself in Mr. McKinney’s presence, you remember that.” She strode to the wagon, hauling herself to the seat.
I quelled the urge to roll my eyes, glancing at the men in the river bringing over the last wagon. “We should be on our way soon.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mr. Cooper grinned. “Don't mind her. She’s long since forgotten what it’s like to be young and in love. She’ll simmer for a while, until it passes.” He patted my shoulder.
His words left me rooted to the spot, twin circles of pink appearing on my cheeks. In love? Ha! No. I wasn’t in love, not with … not with Mr. McKinney.
No. Not at all.
End of Preview
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Other works by Carré White
Brides of the Rockies
***
Cassie
Faith
Daisy
Gillian
Madeline
Crystabelle
Jessica
The Colorado Brides Series
***
An Unexpected Widow
An Unexpected Bride
An Unexpected Annulment
An Unexpected Mother
An Unexpected Love
An Unexpected Husband
An Unexpected Kiss
The Carson Brothers of Kansas
***
A Mail Order Bride for Charlie
A Mail Order Bride for Bronson
A Mail Order Bride for Wyatt
A Mail Order Bride for Grant
The Mail Order Brides of Boot Creek
***
Wretched Chastity
Desperate Lola
Shameful Celia
Spoiled Evelyn
The Arizona Brides Series
***
An Audacious Spitfire
Prairie Madness
Contemporary New Adult Romance
***
Sonoran Nights
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Preview of Madeline: The Outlaw's Redemption (Brides of the Rockies)
Preview of Crystabelle: A Mail Order Bride on the Oregon Train (Brides of the Rockies)
