"How do you know she won't mind?" Emily questioned.
"She likes you." He smiled.
"I like her too. Please tell her thank you."
After watching her for a few minutes he knew she was in pain and he pulled out a bottle of whiskey from a trunk.
"Here, sip a little of this. It will help you sleep."
"Oh…I don't drink…" She protested.
"What are you part Indian or something?" He asked with a comical expression.
"I've drunk before…And regretted it. I'm not myself." She explained.
"I don't want you to drink it, just sip it until you get sleepy."
"Oh…" She nodded.
"It'll help you rest." He said smiling.
"You believe that?" She asked turning her head in question.
"I know it." He said, and handed her a bottle. "Just little sips."
"Okay…if you say so…" She took the bottle and put it to her lips.
It was strong and she handed it back to him.
"More…" he encouraged.
She nodded and sipped it again. She made a face as the burn went to her toes and back.
He kept encouraging her until she had sipped a good portion down, and then he took the bottle away as she leaned back and closed her eyes.
"Night Em…" he smiled and he left the wagon once more. "You are one brave lady."
Chapter Ten
Perez got the ammunition from the fort, fortified some of their food needs and obtained a few barrels of water. But the soldiers couldn't spare a detail for the wagon train even though they had been attacked. And they were prolonged from leaving until there were more wagons.
Cole didn't like that. His crew was handpicked. His party had been carefully chosen by him to go to Oregon. Putting on new wagons meant there could be more trouble and Cole didn't like that idea. He argued that he had a tight crew and they could take care of themselves, but the Colonel wouldn't hear of it. "Fifty wagons sir. At the very least."
"Sir, I'm not some inexperienced wagon master. I've been up this trail at least ten times. My train is tight. Well picked and I'd rather not take on troubles."
"Sorry, Mr. Morgan but it's army regulations. In a full-scale attack, you'd be overtaken. Right now, the Indian situation isn't a steady one. We are having a lot of trouble with the Sioux. I will not put you at risk, and I cannot afford a detail to send with you. So you will wait here until at least twenty more wagons can sign on and then you may go, with my blessings."
Cole studied the Colonel. From the stubborn jut of his chin to the rigid way he held himself, Cole knew he wasn't going to change the Colonel's mind. Still, twenty more wagons could cause a lot more trouble for Cole and he knew it.
"I guess I don't have a choice, do I?" Cole sighed.
"No, you don't. And you'll thank me in the end."
"I doubt that Colonel. Twenty more wagons is twenty more headaches for me." Cole turned around and left.
The people from the train seemed to enjoy staying at the fort though. And he admitted it soothed all the raw nerves about more Indians.
They even had a dance that Friday to celebrate the train going to Oregon.
All the women were decked out in their best attire and Cole escorted Emily in her best homespun frock of blue.
Her arm was in a sling, but she looked so lovely.
Emily had fixed her hair in waves of curls and Cole couldn't quite take his eyes from her.
"You look beautiful, Em." He whispered as they danced.
"I didn't bring any fancy dresses on this trip. My calico doesn't stand up to the beautiful silks some of these ladies have. I didn't think there would be any social functions. And I had no idea you could dance," She smiled.
"You'd be surprised at what I could do." Cole glanced at her. "And as for the dresses," He breathed a little harder, as his eyes met hers. "You don't need them. You're beautiful just as you are."
She blushed as she looked into his eyes to see if he was teasing her.
But several of the officers asked Emily to dance and it gave Cole a chance to talk to the Colonel again.
"Haven't changed your mind about us leaving, have you?" Cole asked good-naturedly.
"No, I'm afraid not. In fact, I've gotten word that the Sioux and the Cheyenne have had a meeting. If they join forces, they could be a powerful foe. You might be stuck here for a while, Mr. Morgan."
"We can't stay that long, Colonel, we've got to be in Oregon before the winter weather settles in."
The Colonel looked quite seriously at Cole. "I'm sorry Mr. Morgan. I didn't want to say anything to alarm your people, but a wagon train was wiped out last week between here and Ft. Laramie. I cannot afford to let you leave. And until I get some reinforcements, I cannot send a detail out with you."
Cole's expression went grim. "Wiped out?"
"That's right."
"Alright, Colonel, you've convinced me. We'll stay, but if I can I want to get a move on before winter sets in. It will be impossible through some of the territories to travel if we don't. That's why I started out early. So we'd have plenty of time before the bad weather."
"In any other circumstance, you would be right, but not this. For the safety of your people, I won't let you leave until I'm relatively sure you can get through on your own." The Colonel insisted.
Emily came to them and saw their solemn faces. "Well, this is a dance, isn't it?" She tried to smile.
The Colonel nodded and moved away.
"He's a friendly sort." Emily joined Cole's side.
"He's got a lot on his shoulders right now, Em. Let's dance." Cole suggested.
As he whisk her onto the dance floor once more, he pulled her closer, careful of her arm. "We're going to be stuck here a while Em. And I'm going to need your help."
She looked up. "Of course, what can I do?"
"Try to keep the women calm about this. I can't do anything about our situation right now. And it's in our best interest to stay here, for a while." Cole told her.
"Alright. I'll do what I can." Emily promised.
"I know you will. Let's get some air…" He pulled her out onto a covered veranda.
"There's more Indian trouble. And we've barely scratched the surface of our trip. I hadn't planned on this. Usually, we get through with very little trouble from the Indians. But things aren't going well here…They want me to take on more wagons. At least fifty," he said.
Emily seemed to understand the gravity of what he said and tried to smile. "Does that present a problem?"
"Sure, before I set my sights on Oregon, I kind of size the people I take on up. These people survived my muster, but twenty or so more wagons, I just don't know. It's a big undertaking. And I won't have a choice of turning them down if we want to get out of here before winter sets in."
"At least everyone is safe here."
"I'm not so sure of that either, Em. He's waiting for re-enforcements. He doesn't have enough men to hold this place long."
"You think there will be more trouble?"
"I do."
She stood just in front of him now and stared into his troubled face. "Don't fret, we'll face this together. I'm your wife…And no matter what happens…I'll be there with you. You aren't alone anymore Cole."
His sudden look galvanized her. Her words had touched a chord in him.
As though it was what he needed to hear, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. The gentle way he held her made her head tip up. This kiss was soft, tender, and full of something unspoken.
"You're not alone anymore." Those words echoed in his heart and mind. She had no idea how alone he'd been most of his life and to hear her say that, choked him emotionally. To have a woman, even if only temporarily stand by his side and mean it, made him choke with emotion.
Orphaned as a child Cole had always been alone, from the time he was a toddler to now. He knew nothing of his real folks. Living in an orphanage most of his life, he escaped in his early teens and moved west from St. Louis.
He never wanted to see another orphanage as long as he lived. He'd been their captor for years and now at last he was free. But still alone.
He'd managed on his own. He'd moved to Texas and got a job on a ranch. He'd only been fourteen. He'd cowboyed for several years before he moved on. He was always moving on. Perhaps that was why he became a wagon master, so he could continue moving on. The job suited him when he'd scouted for some of the biggest trains going west. After a few years, he became his own wagon master.
Cole knew he couldn't count on her meaning forever. Emily would get a new and fresh start in Oregon and he'd never see her again. Still, for now, she was here with him and willing to stand beside him no matter what. It created a secret bond that he never knew existed.
His kiss lingered on her brow, and as she leaned into him, and her head came up, he looked into her eyes on that moonlit night and saw a sparkle of life in her.
His lips traveled slowly over the bridge of her nose, across her eyelids, down the soft mound of her cheeks and then back to her waiting lips. Like warm liquid, their lips fused in perfect unison. She responded to his kisses like a flame flickering in the night. Her arm went around his neck and played with the hair on his nape. Her lips opened to him and he sought the warmth inside. Shyly their tongues mated, in a slow waltz. The soft scent of a woman lingered with the husky musk of a man, as he held her close, like a piece of precious porcelain.
Someone sighed.
Then a couple came out on the veranda, and he pulled away, but his lips caressed her brow once more and they let their breathing slowly return to normal as he leaned his forehead on hers.
When he opened his eyes, he stared at her, drinking her into his soul. "I'm not going to apologize for that, Em. I'm going to savor it, think about it, remember it. A man has very little to look forward to out here. But I'll take that kiss into any battle with me, proudly. I only hope it meant as much to you."
She was breathing hard, and he saw the rise and fall of her bosom, her cheeks pink, and her mouth open.
She shook her head, she frowned, and then she stared long and hard at him, swallowing some vestige of pride, she raised her head and said proudly. "It did!"
For a long moment he merely stared at her, then a slow-burning smile edged across his rugged face. "We should return to the others."
"Y-yes…we should." She said breathlessly.
"We'll be crossing the Platte when we leave. We'll be ferrying the wagons over. Can you swim?"
"Yes," She answered.
"Good. Do you think you could help me find out if there is anyone who can't?"
"Of course I can…" She smiled.
"Em…"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you are here." He smiled. The sincerity in his voice surprised even him.
"You are…" she breathed in slowly as she looked into his eyes as though searching for his very soul.
"I am."
She smiled shyly, and then he took her arm and escorted her back inside.
He didn't want to, he'd have rather held her there in the moonlight, staring at her beauty, marveling at her loyalty, and just admire her.
Never had a woman so affected him. Never had he ever let down his guard, until now. There's was something about Em that bolstered his confidence and made him feel suddenly whole.
~*~
That night, as Emily lay in the wagon, and she heard him scooting under it, she smiled warmly to herself. She liked her husband…more than she could say. She'd never felt this way about a man. It was a new experience and she gloried in it for she knew he was probably feeling the same way.
The stolen kisses they managed she carried in her heart. She wasn't fighting this. It was real and she knew it.
Still, they had a bargain between them. Once they got to Oregon he'd release her from the marriage, and she knew that. She couldn't think on that. She wanted to relish this time with him silently to herself. It might be the only love story of her life, and she wasn't going to miss a moment of it. And when he was gone, she'd have her memories.
She wondered at his past? How long had he been so alone? But then, she'd been alone too since her parents died. After that her life was caught up in her Uncle's life and what he wanted. She'd lived on her inheritance for years. Thinking the heritage would make her a happy person she continued to live a life she didn't like. Then suddenly she realized one day that it meant nothing to her. She'd had pretty clothes, a beautiful home, she'd had everything but love. It never made her happy. What she wanted she would never find living with her Uncle. The Carrington Shipyards seemed a million miles away now. Another life.
The one thing she knew for sure, she'd never return.
Strangely, what she suddenly remembered with clarity was that she belonged here, out west, where the air was cleaner, the sky is clearer, the men more honest. Her adventure on the train was more than that. She loved every day of her life now.
Seeing the difference in each new area they came to, smelling the fresh, clean air and being filled with a sense of freedom she'd never had before.
And somewhere in some deep dark corner of her mind, she knew something else now. Something she couldn't speak of but was there.
Chapter Eleven
The Platte River was an experience for Emily. She had found three people who couldn't swim and Cole ferried them across first. One was a just a child, and Cole took him personally across on his saddle. The other two, one was an older woman, he put her on a wagon and followed closely behind until she was safe. The last one was a young lady and Sam helped her across. They carried on a lively conversation too, Emily noticed.
Sam was close to Cole's age and unmarried. Emily wondered if the cute little lady with long brown hair and big blue eyes had won his heart yet. Her name was Heddy Ross and she was the oldest daughter of the Ross'.
Then the long procession of wagons were ferried. It was a long and tedious job. It took two days to get them all across.
One passenger became sick when he had to help pull his horse out of the river before drowning. Cole was out there with him and helped him. He came down with a severe cold.
He caught a fever and was isolated in the last wagon on the train until he got better.
He had a wife and children, and was tended by them.
A week later, with twenty wagons added to the train, Cole headed toward Ft. Laramie, the train stopped to do repairs on a couple of wagons the next Sunday.
Emily attended church services and helped Mrs. Meriwether prepare the food on the tables for everyone.
It was a day of rest for many. But Emily went seeking something to do.
She was visiting with Mrs. Meriwether when she heard a ruckus and went to check. She didn't expect to find a young boy chasing a pig around the area.
A crowd had gathered and most of them were laughing as the boy would fall down and the pig would squeak and get away.
Feeling sorry for the child, Emily dove in and tried to help him. But the pig eluded them both and the crowd laughed harder as Emily hit the dust a couple of times herself. She grimaced as it made her sore shoulder ache.
After a while, both of them collapsed in a pile and laughed at each other.
"Hi there," Emily held out her hand to the boy. "I'm Emily Morgan."
"You're the wagon master's wife, aren't you?" The boy said shaking her hand.
"That's right. What's your name?"
"Jimmy Parker. Mama wanted to cook that pig for supper. I guess, somewhere deep down, I just didn't want her to do that." Jimmy smiled at her.
"I don't blame you, let him grow up to be a fat pig. Then she can cook him. He'll have more meat on his bones." Emily laughed.
"You're funny. Want to come eat with us tonight?" He offered.
Emily thought about that. "I'd love to, but I have to cook for the men. I just happened to hear you and thought I'd see what was going on. Maybe some other time, though, would that be alright?"
"Yes ma'am. You got hit by one of
the injun's arrows didn't you?"
"I did."
"Did it hurt?"
"A little, yes." She answered honestly.
"Well, I better git before my Ma comes looking for me." He said. "See ya around. And thanks for the help."
"See you!" She laughed.
"Well, did you catch it?" Mrs. Meriwether asked her as she headed back for the wagon and dusted her skirt.
"Nope, another time maybe," Emily replied. "I better go clean up."
"Say, Emily…I just wanted to tell you, I'm really glad you and Cole got married. He's been kind of a lonely man for a long time. I was hoping he'd find the right girl, and it looks as though he has." Mrs. Meriwether said glancing up from her embroidery.
"How can you tell that?"
"I don't know. It's like some inner thing, I have about people. Cole used not to smile much. But on this trip, he'd been almost what I call happy. And that's due to you. I ain't never seen him in such a good mood before."
"You think?"
"I know. You're good for him. And…he's right for you too. You and Cole close to the same age?"
Taken by surprise Emily looked at the older woman with the question. "I'm Twenty-six, why?"
"Just wondering. That's good. You're no child, you are a fully grown woman, just what Cole needed. There should be a little age difference in a marriage. A man doesn't mature as fast as a woman."
Emily smiled and went to her wagon.
Emily felt a pang of regret that their marriage was just a bargain. But at least she'd brought a little sunshine into his life, and he certainly had some eye-openers for her too. Problem was, she liked him. Really liked him.
But with her problems back home not entirely settled she wondered if she dare think of a real life for herself now?
Would Robert or her Uncle for that matter follow her, hire detectives, and would Robert lay the blame on her about the money? That worried her some. She'd never been in trouble with the law. Mostly it was Robert that worried her. He was a crook and he might blame her for his indiscretions. Especially since she wasn't there to dispute it.
Brides of the West-Part One Page 48
