Cole rode up to Emily's wagon. "Sam said your coffee is the best he's ever had."
"Thanks." She smiled.
"From here on out, there will be no more army, unless one of the other forts sends us a detail. Which I doubt."
"Good, less cooking." Emily said.
Cole chuckled and rode off.
Two days later they came through the South Pass. Everything was going good until that Sunday. It was just after the service when there was a ruckus.
Perez reported to Cole.
"I think you better come. Old Man Hardy's got his whip out and he's beating his kid." Perez frowned.
"Why?"
"Does it matter?"
"No, not really. I'm on my way." Cole jumped on his horse and rode to the south of the train.
Sure enough, Mr. Hardy had slapped the kid several times on the back with his whip, his shirt was torn.
"Mr. Hardy…" Cole shouted.
"Ain't none of your business Mr. Morgan. He's my kid and he done wrong. He's got to be punished." Mr. Hardy was shouting as a small crowd gathered.
"Looks like he already has been punished. That shirt will sure have to be mended." Cole said adamantly. He glanced up and down Mr. Hardy. Mr. Hardy had lots of graying hair, bushy brows and a round face. He was short and rather rotund. And when he frowned his whole demeanor changed. Hardy was a German and discipline came naturally to him.
Eddie was born in this country though, and he'd taken to the American ways like the other children. Mr. Hardy was already aging when Eddie was born.
Eddie stood thin, gaunt and had deep-set blue eyes. His dark hair was usually covered with a cap.
Cole was sure that his thievery was nothing more than one of the other boys daring him to do it. But convincing his father of it was not going to be easy.
Mr. Hardy stopped, his hand gripping the whip tightly.
"You don't understand. He's been stealing from Mrs. Crump. He took the money out of her coffee can. And it ain't the first time…"
"Is that true, Eddie?" Cole asked.
"Well, I…" The boy hung his head.
"Don't you lie boy, I found the money and it smells like coffee. What more proof does one need?" Mr. Hardy slapped the whip to the ground to make a point with the boy. "You've shamed yourself and me."
The boy jumped.
"Put the whip away, Mr. Hardy. Eddie, give the money back to Mrs. Crump and apologize. Mr. Hardy, you've already beaten him enough. He knows he's done wrong." Cole explained. "It might upset some of the folks to see you beating him. We have to temper ourselves when it comes to children. And I won't tolerate cruelty of any kind, to humans or to animals."
Mr. Hardy lowered the whip. Then he glanced at his son. "Go on, do what Mr. Morgan told you to."
"Yes sir," Eddie glanced up at Cole with sad eyes. He headed toward the old woman's wagon.
"Mr. Hardy, I don't deny he needed punishing, but there are better ways. He's just a kid. Make sure he returns the money and apologizes. That should take care of the matter. Admitting you've done something wrong can sometimes be the hardest thing you ever do."
"That's true, sir. It sure doesn't set well, having a kid that steals, though." Mr. Hardy shook his head.
"I agree. But I really think he gets the message. But if he ever does it again, tell him he'll have me to answer to also."
"I'll do that. Yes sir, I sure will. And thank you."
"That's what I'm here for…"
"Maybe you should try fatherhood yourself. You seem to know exactly what to do." Mr. Hardy stared at him.
"Maybe I will Mr. Hardy. Maybe I will…"
Chapter Fifteen
Cole thought on that for a long time. Children of his own. He'd never once contemplated it. But now, he was married, and the bond between them was growing stronger every day. Perhaps children were not just some distant dream any longer.
The prospect of having a future with Emily made his mood lighten.
Days later, a couple approached Cole about leaving.
The woman was in a plain gray dress, her hair pinned tightly on top, her bonnet covering most of her young face. The man looked barely old enough to shave, his hair neatly trimmed his clothes were all black.
"Mr. Morgan. We'd like to talk to you."
Cole stopped what he was doing, because these two had never stopped to chat, he knew whatever they wanted to say was important.
"We want to join our families, we are Mormon, but it looks as though we would have to travel alone. And traveling alone is dangerous you said." The man said, bowing his head with frustration.
Cole studied the man, he couldn't have been over twenty at the most. Lowell Nichols and his wife had been a quiet couple, never causing any concerns for the train. But the reason for their quietness was their faith more than anything. They had faced people before who didn't share their views. They knew they had to maintain a quiet profile.
"No one else is going with you?"
"No sir. I reckon we are the only Mormons on this train. It's a big part of why we keep to ourselves. When we signed on, we noted we were Mormons to make sure you had no objections. And we didn't see any others of our faith along. We're headed to join the Young family at Salt Lake Valley."
"I see. Then you'll need an escort."
"If you can spare it. If not, the Lord will protect us."
Cole thought about that a moment. "The Lord could be a little busy, helping all of us."
"Yes sir, we understand. We just wanted to let you know we are leaving…"
"Not without an escort you aren't. Get ready to go, I'll have someone there to go with you shortly." He instructed.
Cole rode out to find Perez and Hawk.
But Hawk was miles ahead, and Perez was testing the waters of the Snake, finding the right place to cross and looking for any dangers to come.
Cole knew he needed to keep them on their job. But he'd still have to pull Perez.
"Look, I'm going to escort a couple to the Salt Lake Valley…I'll need you to see Sam as he'll be in charge until I return."
"Salt Lake Valley, that is a ways out of the way." Perez shook his head.
"I know, but I have no choice, they are the only ones going that way. Unless I can get a detail to protect them at Ft. Bridger. And I can't send them out alone…" Cole said distractedly.
"Si…I agree. But I could come along and help you, you might need me…to talk to the Shoshone."
"Ride back to the train with me, we'll talk about it."
As they hashed out the plans, Perez smiled and nodded to Cole. "Si…I will catch up to Hawk, tell him, to come closer to the train and that Sam will take over, then catch up with you."
"Good. And thanks." Cole smiled at him.
"Si…amigo," he said and cast Cole a quick glance.
Perez took off in the general direction of where he last saw Hawk.
Cole went to the Nichol's wagon. "Okay, it's settled. Perez and I will join you and see you to either Ft. Bridger or Salt Lake Valley."
"We hate to be so much trouble. You have a large train. We aren't afraid to go alone."
"Yeah, but I got a capable man that will look after things too. Not to worry." Cole said and headed for the chuck wagon.
When he caught up to Emily, he invited her to join him for a minute.
Bill shot him a grin.
"On your horse?" she questioned.
"Yeah, I gotta talk to you…"
"Okay…" She glanced at Bill, who was smiling.
She let him help her from the wagon and onto the horse and they rode off to be alone.
When they came to a rock formation, he stopped and let her down.
"You needed to talk to me?" She asked a little breathless as she got her bearings once more and turned to look at his grave face.
"Yeah…I'm gonna be gone from the train for a while. Perez is going with me…"
"Where?" She asked, alarmed that he'd leave the train.
"I've got to escort that Mormon
couple to Salt Lake Valley."
Her eyes widened, and she came closer, her hand touching his. "How long will you be gone?" She asked throatily.
"Hopefully only a couple of weeks, but maybe longer."
"I guess there's no use asking if I could come along?" She looked at him with pleading eyes.
"No…you'll need to cook for the bunch and help keep the people calm, especially the women. Sam can handle the men, but he's like me, the women can be difficult…"
She nodded, but there was a tear in her eyes. He hadn't expected that. He swallowed hard.
"Thanks for telling me…" she raised her hands in the air.
"Em…it's not all that dangerous, it's just going to take some time, that's all. Sometimes though, when a wagon master isn't around the people get restless. Hawk and Sam will have their hands full. They might even need your help to talk to the women."
"Of course, I can do that. I'm sure Mrs. Meriwether would help me too…"
Now he moved closer, backing her up against a rock and barely touching her cheek with gentle strokes of his fingers. "I just wanted you to know…first."
~*~
She turned her head to the gentle touch of his hand, her lips grazing his hand lightly.
When their gazes locked onto each other, almost hungrily, he brought his hand to the back of her neck and brought her closer to him. "I hadn't planned on missing you, but…I already do…" He whispered.
"Do you have to go…" she whispered, her lips purposely touching his arm.
"Yes…but…I need this more than anything right now." He whispered as he touched his lips tentatively to hers. "I guess it sounds silly, but when I realized I was leaving you here, all alone, it bothered me…"
She moved against him, melding her body with his as his lips ravaged her mouth, seeking the sweetness within. Hungry for his kisses, she welcomed him. His lips swept over her entire face, like building a trail there. Then back to capture the fullness of her mouth.
He groaned crushing her to him.
For long lingering moments, he assuaged all the aches inside her. Fire lit a trail straight for her heart, as his arms went around her to pull her close.
When he came up for air, she was breathless.
Her eyes sparkled into his and she couldn't stop staring. She saw raw desire in his eyes that lit a fire inside her she thought it would consume her.
He stared at her for a full minute then he took her hands in his, and kissed them. "I'll be back as soon as I can…that's a promise."
"I'll be here…waiting…" she answered.
His head jerked up to stare into her eyes.
She smiled.
But on the ride back to the train he held her as close as he could get her to him, and she knew from that moment that his feelings matched hers. He wanted what she wanted, and so much more.
When he set her down on the ground, she couldn't hide the deep blush on her face and the weakness that overcame her. And he couldn't hide the desire they both experienced.
"I'll be back…Em. I promise." He smiled into her face.
She lifted her chin proudly, and prayed the tear in the corner of her eyes wouldn't fall. She nodded because she couldn't speak at that moment.
After staring at her, he looked at Bill. "Take care of her, Bill. I'll be back as soon as I can…"
Bill smiled and nodded. "Be careful Cole."
"I intend to." He gave her one last look.
~*~
Cole enlightened Sam about his plans next and Sam nodded his understanding.
"How long you think it will take?" Sam asked.
"Couple of weeks at least, maybe more," Cole said.
"Alright, don't worry about a thing. Have you informed Hawk?"
"Perez is doing it now."
"Good. Any last minute instructions?" Sam asked studying him a for a minute.
"No, you know this trail as well as I do. I'm going to try to meet you at Ft. Hall or sooner. If all goes well."
"Sounds good. Did you tell Emily?"
"Yeah…" He smiled. "She wanted to come too, but I haven't been down that trail in a while. I don't know what to expect for sure. Besides, I really need her here. The women get too antsy about all this and we'll have trouble. She said her and Mrs. Meriwether would keep them under control."
Sam laughed. "Good, less for me to worry about. You know I've said this before, but she's so right for you."
"I'm beginning to see that…Sam." Cole smiled.
Sam chuckled. "Take it easy."
"Glad Perez is coming with me, in case we run into any Shoshone."
"Shouldn't have too much trouble with them…" Sam said as he took his hat off and scratched his head, making his sandy head of hair stand up.
"I hope not. Well, we'll be shoving off as soon as Perez gets back."
"Okay boss, thanks for letting me know."
"Sure thing…." Then Cole went back to the Nichols wagon which had already pulled out of the line of the train.
"We'll roll as soon as Perez gets back," Cole told them.
"Thanks."
Cole nodded, then shaded his eyes to look for signs of Perez.
And an hour later they were moving along toward Ft. Bridger.
Chapter Sixteen
In two days, they reached Ft. Bridger. Cole wasted no time in going to speak to the head officer.
Colonel Nelson was a tall, stout man with an iron face that looked very much as though it might crack if he smiled.
"What can I do for you Mr. Morgan?"
"Colonel I brought a wagon that's headed for Salt Lake Valley. Thought you might send a small detachment with them to protect them.
"Mormons?" He questioned.
"Yes sir," Cole noted the way he said that, as though it left a distaste in his mouth.
"I haven't the men for one wagon escort. I have gold miners that are causing all kinds of trouble. I can't spare a man, I'm sorry." The Colonel turned away from him as though the matter was closed.
Cole realized he wasn't going to get help from this man. He nodded, thanked him and left.
The young couple looked eagerly at Cole. "Are they sending a detail."
"No…they don't have the manpower to do that. I'm sorry. We'll have to go on."
Perez folded his lips with disgust. "Even a couple of soldiers might make a difference."
"I know, but he's unyielding." Cole managed. "We're going on, now."
"You mean we aren't stopping…to eat…to rest?" Mrs. Nichol's asked.
"No ma'am, we've got to get back to the train as soon as we can, so we'll have to push on. We have plenty of jerky so help yourself until we can do better." Cole said.
He saw the distress in her eyes and rode closer to the wagon. "I'm sorry ma'am. But my duties are to the train, not stragglers. I'll be happy to get you to Salt Lake Valley and then we'll be on our way."
"But…"
"Melissa, Mr. Morgan knows best. Okay, we're ready." The young man nodded to Cole.
The woman shut up reluctantly, and they left the fort the same day.
It rained and the wagon bogged down a couple of times. But one good thing did happen. A couple of hunters from the Young train were out scouting for meat and ran into them.
This increased their numbers and Cole became more confident in getting the folks through to Salt Lake Valley.
~*~
It had rained ever since Cole left and the mud was causing all kinds of chaos with the heavy loaded wagons.
Hawk advised Sam to make them lighten their loads.
Sam studied on it. "I was hoping we wouldn't face that problem until we were closer to the Willamette.
"It would make the way easier, the mud bogs the wagons down and makes us lose time. If we lighten them now, we can travel faster in this weather." Hawks argued.
"You're right. Just didn't want to hear all the griping that will go on…" Sam chuckled.
"You're right about that. Never seen a woman yet that could give up her things easily
." Hawk frowned.
"I'll talk to Emily, maybe she can talk to them…better than me."
"Good idea." Hawk nodded. "We're gonna have to cross the Snake too, so I've got to find the best place. That's where I'm headed now."
"Okay…thanks."
Sam went to talk to Emily.
"I need your help," Sam said as he poured himself a cup of coffee and settled on a rock to watch her prepare for the evening meal.
"Sure, what can I do?" She asked as she peeled the potatoes for the evening meal.
"We need to lighten the wagons. That means that the people are gonna have to give up some of their loads." Emily turned to look at him. "That means giving up precious things that they wanted to carry into their new life. It won't be easy to give up some of it. I need you to kind of…"
"Soften the blow…" She smiled.
"Exactly." He smiled at her.
"Okay…if we could gather the people together it would be best." She recommended.
"Sure, I'll tell everyone in about an hour." He said.
"Good."
"Thanks, Emily, you really do fit in well here," Sam remarked.
Emily flashed him a smile. "I try…."
Sam rode off.
Emily continued preparing the evening meal and let the men help themselves as Sam gathered a crowd for her to speak to.
Emily looked at them and realized from the look on their faces that these people had already sacrificed a lot just coming this far. Now to have to ask them to give up the precious cargo, would be hard for the women.
"Because of the rain, the mud, and the wagons constantly bogging down, we need to lighten our loads. I know what a sacrifice this is to you, but getting through to Oregon is what we are really after. We can buy new things there that will mean just as much to us…"
"Can you buy a hundred-year-old rocking chair that your grandmother gave you as a present for a new baby?" One woman cried out.
Brides of the West-Part One Page 51
