Lucky spent the rest of the service distracted with dreaming florid speeches to Jenny about his love for her. His mind elsewhere, he did the minimum of social interactions at the services end and made his way home. All three of the men bunked down pretty soon after getting back, tuckered out from the day. The warmth under his blankets lulled him to sleep before he could plan his proposal.
A slam of the bunkhouse door woke up Lucky. Last night seemed too recent and he felt too tired to get out of bed. He peeked out from between his eyelashes, the morning sun making his eyes water a little in the light. He nestled deeper into the blankets, determined to find unconsciousness again.
“Mr. Martin, we need to talk right now.”
He sat up with a start when hearing Jenny’s voice. Lucky stopped just short of throwing back the covers and pushing her out of the building. “What in the blue blazes are you doing here?” Her being here alone with him was bad enough, no need to add seeing him in long underwear to the scandal. “You need to leave.”
She crossed her arms while shaking her head. “I’m not going anywhere until we’ve talked. I’ve told Arnold and Lefty to find something else to do until we’re finished.”
Lucky pulled the covers up to his chin. “It’s not right for a lady to be alone with a man like this.”
“Then let’s make this quick.” She took a step forward and still frowning said, “I don’t like how you’ve not come to court me.”
“What? I heard Brewster’s been courting you. I’m not courting a two timing woman no matter how much I like her.”
“Two timing?” she squeaked. Her eyes narrowed. “You had plenty of chances on the way here to court me. Six months of me chatting with you, trying to get your attention.”
He shrugged, trying to not enjoy her passion so much. “You’ve always had that.”
“Out in the wilderness, yes, but here? It seems you’re ashamed to be seen with me in a civilized world.”
“Think so?” He grinned at the silly idea and figured he might as well be honest with her. “I’d never be ashamed to be with you. You’re so beautiful, you’d not want to have a man like me courting you.”
She came over to the bed and sat beside him at a little distance. Her face flushed, she asked, “Why not? You’re handsome, well spoken, not wanted in any territories or states.”
“There is that, yes.” Her calling him handsome left him feeling all warm inside. Although her mentioning his lack of wanted posters was bothersome. He’d like to have more than his looks and good citizenship to recommend him. “You’re a lady, though, Miss Jenny. You deserve to be a banker’s wife, not a ranch hand’s gal.”
“I see.” She stared down at her hands and blinked back tears. “You plan on being a ranch hand all your life and I had planned on being a ranch owner’s wife. We’re at cross purposes, it seems.”
He stared at her, wondering where she got the idea he’d be happy as a hired hand all his life. “Working for someone else’s harvest is fine, but I plan on being a landowner some day. The Granvilles are helping me save up a stake in a place not far from here. My plans are in two years I’ll have my own homestead.”
“Two years seems a long time from now.” Head still bowed, she glanced up at him sideways. “I suppose it’d be for the best if you waited until then to find a sweetheart.”
The light at the window being blocked caught his eye. Arnie. He’d been peering in, ducking down when Lucky saw him. The three men had been fast friends. The other two wouldn’t spread gossip, but he didn’t want to start a difficult situation for them. He needed to tell Jenny how he felt and quick so they could do things properly. Turning to her, he swallowed down the nerves bunching in his throat. “Miss Jenny, I have to wait until getting my own stake. I can’t court or marry you until then and I’d really like to. Marry you, that is.”
She grinned and grabbed his arms. “Us married?” After catching herself, Jenny let go of him and gave a little shrug. Her attitude much more casual, she said, “I suppose that’s a nice suggestion. I can’t guarantee I’ll be available in two years.”
Grinning at her teasing, he said “Very well. I’ll have to fix the problem myself.” Taking her hands, he said, “Jenny, I love you. My Christmas wish is that you love me, too.” Her sparkling eyes answered him without words and he continued, “And my thought is, if two people love each other even after six months of hardship on the Oregon Trail, marriage might be the best thing for them.”
She nodded, “I agree.”
Not quite believing his luck, he asked, “So, if I ask your father for permission to court and later marry you, you’d be accepting?”
“Yes, dearest, please ask him.” She shook his hands at each word said in excitement. “I love you, too, and can’t wait until I’m your wife.”
He pulled her close and holding her tight, Lucky whispered in her ear. “My love, we need to go ask your father soon.”
“Why?” she murmured against his skin in a little sigh.
“I’ve seen Lefty and Arnie at the window twice, now. It’s going to be real hard for them to keep quiet about us hugging.”
Jenny leaned back. “Then let’s go and tell father our intentions, if you’re sure you want this wish to come true.”
“I’m very sure.” He took her hand, led her out of the cabin and toward their future together.
Other books by Laura Stapleton
The Oregon Trail Series
Undeniable (The Oregon Trail Series) - Book 1
Undesirable (The Oregon Trail Series) - Book 2
Uncivilized (The Oregon Trail Series) - Book 3
The Oregon Trail Series Short Stories
The Very Manly Series
The Very Best Man (The Very Manly Series) - Book 1
The Very Worst Man (The Very Manly Series) - Book 2
The Very Rich Man (The Very Manly Series) - Book 3
The Nova Scotia Murder Mysteries
Imposter: A Nova Scotia Murder Mystery
Holidays (A Nova Scotia Murder Mystery)
Betrayal: A Nova Scotia Murder Mystery
Impatience: A Nova Scotia Murder Mystery
Pleasures: A Nova Scotia Murder Mystery
Surplus: A Nova Scotia Murder Mystery (Future Release)
Appearances: A Nova Scotia Murder Mystery (Future Release)
Rage: A Nova Scotia Murder Mystery (Future Release)
Honeymoon: A Nova Scotia Murder Mystery (Future Release)
Other books by Laura Stapleton
Love’s Travel
Love's Prisoner (Love's Travels: Australia)
About the Author
With an overactive imagination and a love for writing, Laura Stapleton decided to type out her daydreams and what -ifs in order to share her lovable characters and their worlds with readers. She currently lives in Kansas City with her husband, daughter, dog, and a few cats. When not at the computer, you'll find her in the park for a jog or at the yarn store's clearance section..
If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review. Find Laura online at https://twitter.com/LauraLStapleton, https://www.facebook.com/LLStapleton#, http://lauralstapleton.com and at Smashwords. Subscribe to my newsletter and keep up on the latest.
The Oregon Trail Series Short Stories Page 7
