Ever since her encounter with Ethan in the woods, her need to leave had grown even stronger. She’d spent too much time over the course of the last three weeks thinking about him and her confusing reaction to him. She’d felt the stirrings of attraction, no matter how many times she’d tried to deny it.
They shared nothing in common. The thought of Ethan courting anyone, let alone her was almost laughable. He may have a soft heart buried somewhere inside, but he seemed too set in his ways to let go of his unapproachable demeanor. Besides, how could she have eyes for a man who was so unlike the only man she’d ever loved? No doubt Ethan hadn’t even given their encounter a second thought.
Reaching for her shawl on the bed, Anna followed Trevor and Travis out the door. They stowed her trunk in the back of the wagon, which had already been packed with the rest of her meager belongings. There would be a lot of room in the wagon this time as compared to when she had traveled with Cora and her sisters and Patrick. Even though Cora had packed a few provisions to get her to Fort Hall, she’d have to buy more for the journey to Oregon, but she’d still be traveling light.
Caroline and Josie stood by the wagon, somber looks on their faces. Patrick ran to her and nearly threw his arms around her. He stopped at the last second and glanced over his shoulder to the twins. Apparently, he’d been listening to their nonsense about how men couldn’t display emotion. Perhaps they’d all allowed Ethan to fill their heads with the idea that a man had to remain distant and unfeeling.
“Come here, Patrick.” Anna grabbed the boy and wrapped her arms around him, leaning over slightly. She no longer had to kneel to be at eye level with him. He’d grown so much in just one year, and a rush of sadness swept through her that she wouldn’t see him grow into a man. He stood stiffly for a second, then threw his own arms around her neck. The strong odor of fish and dirt came from his shirt.
“Don’t leave, Anna,” he whispered against her shoulder, sniffling.
“I have to, Patrick. Someday, maybe you can come and visit me when you’re a little older.” She broke away from him, smiling at the boy she’d known since his birth. She held back the tears that stung her eyes.
Patrick nodded. He hung his head and stepped away from her. Anna reached her hand out to Harley, who cleared his throat and pulled her into an embrace of his own.
“Gonna miss havin’ ya here, Anna. Shore aint’ gonna be ta same without ya an’ yore biscuits.” He leaned back and smiled, then winked at her. “Ya keep that Ethan in line, will ya? He may be ornery like a bear with a burr in his pelt, but he don’t mean it. An’ don’t let ‘im tell ya otherwise.”
“I’m sure Ethan and I will get along fine.” Anna smiled at the old man. He pulled a handkerchief out the top of his shirt and made a big show of blowing his nose.
“Darn’d spring flowers. They make my eyes ‘n nose itch,” he grumbled.
Anna looked to the twins. She shook each of their hands, meeting their gazes. For once, Travis didn’t have any teasing words to offer.
“Keep learning about healing people, Trevor. You’re good at it. And, you, Travis, take more responsibility around here. You’re a good man, and I know everyone can trust you with their lives. Prove it to them.”
He stared at her, then nodded wordlessly.
Caroline stood off to the side with Josie, dabbing at her eyes with a piece of cloth.
“I know you’ll be a wonderful doctor someday,” Anna whispered, embracing the younger girl who had been like a sister to her all her life. “Follow Aimee Osborne’s advice and go to medical college, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s impossible.”
Caroline nodded against her shoulder, her body shaking with sobs. “I’ll miss you so much.”
“I’ll miss you, too.” Anna peeled away from her, swiping at her eyes. Forcing a smile, she faced Josie.
“Look at all you’ve accomplished since we left Ohio,” Anna said to the youngest Hudson sister. Quiet and meek Josie, who now wore britches and could shoot a rifle as well as the men, looked at her with a somber expression. She didn’t cry. She’d done enough of that in her young life. “You’re the strongest person I know.”
“I’ll come visit you in Oregon someday,” Josie said when they embraced. “I’m heartbroken that you’re leaving, but I understand it’s something you have to do.”
“Thank you,” Anna whispered. She smiled and gave Josie a final squeeze.
Nathaniel pulled her into a brotherly embrace when she reached the front of the wagon.
“Wish you’d stay. I have you to thank for bringing Cora and me together. You were the only one she’d listen to when we first met.”
Anna smiled at him. “I think your charm’s what finally won her over. I had nothing to do with that.”
Anna glanced at her best friend. Cora flung her arms around her after Nathaniel let her go. Her body as well as Cora’s shook as they clung to each other, sobbing.
“Take good care of yourself, and it won’t be too long before your baby arrives. You’ll be too busy to even think about me.”
“It won’t be the same without you,” Cora rasped. For once, she seemed at a loss for more words.
“You found your destiny here.” Anna glanced from her to Nathaniel. “I can’t even imagine you anywhere else.”
“I hope you find what you’re looking for. I’ll get a letter to you somehow after the baby is born.”
“I’d like that.”
Anna gave her one final hug, then raised her foot to the wagon wheel to climb up into the driver’s box. She swiped her hand across her face and inhaled deeply. Her eyes drifted to Ethan, who sat on his horse several yards away, watching.
Her heart sped up. This was really happening. She was leaving, and with the most unlikely of men she could have chosen to lead her to Fort Hall. Anna unwrapped the reins from the brake handle, and gave Ethan a nod to let him know she was ready. Ethan’s horse moved toward her, coming up beside the wagon.
“You sure you can drive the team?”
She raised her chin, ignoring the wild beating of her heart at Ethan’s perusal of her. His eyes drifted from her hands holding the reins to her face.
“A little late to be asking me that, isn’t it?”
Perhaps she was mistaken, but it looked as if Ethan grinned just before he reined his horse away from her and rode past the mules to lead the way out of the valley. Travis yelled something to him, and Ethan raised his hand without a backward glance.
Anna clucked to the team, slapped the reins against their backs, and the wagon lurched forward. She didn’t look back when several people called to her to have a safe journey. Her vision blurred and she blinked away the tears.
She was doing the right thing. She’d been strong enough to leave everything behind when she’d left her broken heart in Ohio. She could do it again. For now, all she had to do was follow the man who rode his horse a good fifty yards ahead of her.
Chapter Eleven
Ethan reined his horse to a stop along a meandering creek, his eyes scanning into the distance. An eagle screeched overhead, soaring toward the glowing ball of fire sinking lower into the horizon to the west. A soft breeze drifted over the grassland, making the tall blades sway back and forth as if in a dance. The leaves of the cottonwoods that lined the water rustled loudly, while behind him, the jingle of harnesses and the squeaking of wagon wheels drew closer. He inhaled a deep breath.
What on earth had he been thinking?
That question had grabbed hold of him for the last week like a wolverine sinking its deadly fangs into its prey.
Ethan shifted in the saddle. He glanced over his shoulder even though he didn’t have to look to know that she’d catch up soon enough. Anna had driven the wagon every day since leaving the valley with no complaints, keeping up with the pace he’d set. If he’d been alone, he could have covered the distance much faster, but with a wagon, it meant moving at a crawl. By tomorrow, they’d finally reach their destination.
He lifted his
hat from his head and raked his hand through his hair. Why had he impulsively told Anna that he’d take her to Fort Hall?
You know why, you fool.
He’d known Anna Porter for months, yet this had been the first time he’d really taken notice of her as more than one of the women his brother had brought to the valley. So, he’d done the first thing that had come to mind to put some distance between them – he’d offered to take her to Fort Hall. No matter how often he’d called himself crazy for his rash decision, he couldn’t have gone back on his word.
Later, he’d reasoned that someone needed to go to Fort Hall for supplies anyway, so he might as well take Miss Porter along and deliver her there. She’d wanted to leave the valley, and it was for her own good. Unfortunately, he didn’t believe his own excuses. He wanted her gone for different reasons. Reasons he hadn’t wanted to think about at the time, and still didn’t want to think about now. Trouble was, his mind wouldn’t give him any peace.
Since that day when she’d gotten lost in the woods, he’d needed to put as much distance between himself and her as possible, if he wanted to keep his sanity. Once she was out of his sight for good, his life could get back to the way it had been, without his mind wandering into territory he’d sworn he’d never cross.
He hadn’t been able to get Anna out of his thoughts. Getting gutted by a moose couldn’t have produced a more powerful jolt of emotion. Since then, he’d spent more time lying awake at night than was healthy, remembering those soft fingers on his skin, or her warm, tender eyes looking at him.
Stupid fool that he was, that day she’d gotten lost he’d brazenly tried to make her nervous by removing his shirt in front of her. He’d noticed how it had made her uneasy to see him bare-chested once before, and he’d needed to get the upper hand after his embarrassing mishap in the creek.
His plan had backfired on him in the worst way possible. He hadn’t counted on her feminine touch and the way it had soothed his battered and heated skin. Her soft and gentle hands on him while she’d doctored his scrapes and bruises had been sweet torture – for him.
She’d stirred a part of him he’d thought had died alongside his folks and little sister, and she’d done it without even realizing it. The way her fingers had moved as they’d applied the salve to his wounds had almost been seductive and purposeful, but he knew her better than that. Her actions had been completely innocent, yet they had ignited a fire in him that he hadn’t been able to put out. And he’d decided right then and there that she had to go. She was becoming too dangerous for the kind of life he’d made for himself.
Ethan shook his head to try to rid himself of the images of her sitting so close to him under a rocky shelter. Her damp shawl had framed her soft face, while her skin and lips had glistened with moisture. Eyes, soft like a doe’s, had stared back at him, cautious and confused. She’d been taken off guard by their encounter as much as he. It had taken all his willpower not to find out what she’d do if he kissed her.
He rotated his shoulder to dispel the sudden tingling feeling on his skin, as if Anna’s fingers caressed him at this very moment. The breeze did little to cool the heat coursing through him.
All these years since leaving his old life behind and following Harley into the wilderness, he’d made it clear that he liked to keep his distance from people. It was easier than forming attachments. His family called him surly and grumpy like an old bear, and that was fine by him. His reckless days, along with emotional attachments, had ended when his folks died. Someone had to step up and be responsible and sensible in the family. He’d fallen short before, and his parents had paid the ultimate price for it.
Anna had stood up to him when she’d accidentally tossed the water at him. Whatever had happened that day and all the mishaps that followed, it had awakened something dormant in him. He hadn’t figured out whether it was the fact that she’d put him in his place for his foul mood, or for some other unexplainable reason.
For the past three weeks, most everyone had stayed out of his way, accusing him of being more cantankerous than ever, which had suited him just fine. At least when he kept folks at arm’s length, he didn’t have to get too close to anyone. Of course, Harley had nearly come undone with happiness when Ethan had told him he’d take Anna to Fort Hall.
“Ya doin’ the right thing, Son,” the old codger had said, slapping him on the back. His face had lit up as if he’d struck gold.
Nathaniel had taken the news with a suspicious look in his eyes and a smirk on his face. Ethan had dared him with a scowl to say what had been on his mind. Nathaniel was much too perceptive and looked as if he’d read his thoughts. His younger brother had wisely kept his mouth shut.
The last five days on the trail to Fort Hall had only made his troubles worse. She’d kept up with the fast pace he’d set without a single complaint. During their first night, he’d set up camp in silence, and she hadn’t said much, either. She’d fixed a meal of biscuits and meat, which they’d eaten in awkward silence. She’d quickly excused herself, saying she was tired from the long day, and had disappeared inside the wagon. Ethan had sat by the fire long into the night, reminding himself why he had to keep his distance.
“Do you expect to get to Fort Hall within a week?” she’d asked the next morning after helping him break camp and get the mules hitched to the wagon. She’d climbed into the driver’s seat, looking at him for an answer.
“If we push hard, it’ll be about six or seven days. Depends on whether you can keep up.”
Her brows had shot up at his comment. Ethan hadn’t been able to suppress a smile, no matter how hard he’d tried to remain impassive. Something about Anna awakened the man he might have been, had the tragedy with his folks not occurred. His brothers had always found pleasure in trying to rile him for his moods. Anna’s quiet personality and the way she’d calmly dressed him down on several occasions for his demeanor was appealing.
“I think I can manage to keep up with you, Mr. Wilder.” Her eyes had flashed in a haughty challenge.
Although she’d always been rather reserved and sensible, he’d seen that playful side in her a few times with the other women and with Patrick. He’d never paid much attention to it before. Like the day in the woods, it was different out here on the trail, when it was only the two of them and he was completely focused on her.
“Then let’s not waste any more time,” he’d said with a nod and reined his horse away from the wagon. The harnesses had creaked and jingled behind him as he’d led the way in the direction of Fort Hall and getting Anna Porter out of his life.
“What a beautiful spot,” Anna called from behind him. Ethan shifted in the saddle to glance over his shoulder. She’d nearly caught up to him. “Is this where we’re making camp for tonight, or do you plan on going further?”
He nodded toward the sun sinking in the horizon. “Best to stop here. There’s water and good grass for the animals.”
There was a hint of relief in her eyes and a faint smile on her lips as she pushed some loose strands of her dark hair back under her bonnet. Gritting his teeth, Ethan pulled his gaze away from her and nudged his horse toward the water. There was a sheltered spot to make camp for the night under the cottonwoods.
Ethan dismounted once his horse reached the creek and dipped its head to the water. He flexed his left hand, bringing feeling into his fingers. The wound had healed nicely, but there was still a lingering lack of sensation where a large scar ran across his palm. His sprained foot had taken less time to heal. Trevor had suggested he not wander in the woods for a while. Travis had chimed in that he should spend more time with Anna Porter, that if they were lucky, she might finish him off for them. Ethan had silently agreed with his brother.
He hobbled his horse, then moved to the wagon to unhitch the mules. After a long day, they were eager to get to water and grass. Anna climbed down from the driver’s box. Her foot stepped on her skirt as she descended and she nearly lost her balance. Ethan rushed to her side, but she re
covered before he reached her. She turned her head to him, surprise registering in her eyes.
“Guess I’m a bit clumsy from sitting in the jostling wagon all day,” she said with a faint smile. She adjusted her bonnet on her head and rubbed her hand across her forehead. “If you’ll start a fire, I’ll get supper ready.”
This had been their routine since the first night. While he tended to the animals, she prepared supper. They’d sit at the campfire, mostly in silence or making meaningless small talk. She’d been as reluctant as he to speak of anything that involved personal matters.
“If you’d like, Miss Porter, I can try and rustle up a rabbit or something for supper,” he offered once a nice-sized flame crackled in the small pit he’d created.
“That would be nice.” She offered a smile, glancing over her shoulder, then continued to rummage in the back of the wagon for her Dutch oven and the coffee pot.
A strong gust of wind whipped her skirt around her legs, and her bonnet blew off her head. Ethan stepped closer and reached for the handle of the heavy cast iron pot to lighten her load. She fumbled with the bonnet that hung from its ties around her neck and flapped at her shoulder, then raised her eyes to his with a grateful look on her face. Ethan swallowed past the sudden dryness in his throat.
“Don’t you think it’s time you called me Anna?” she offered with a hint of shyness in her voice.
Ethan cleared his throat. “I s’pose you should have called me by my first name a long time ago. You don’t call any of my brothers by their surname.”
He peeled his eyes away from her and took a step back. He stood much too close to her, letting him notice every little detail about her face. The freckles on her nose, the way the setting sun played in her eyes, the slight quiver of her lips.
Damn! His hand formed a fist at his side to keep from reaching out and touching the smooth skin of her cheek. Ethan gritted his teeth. He set the Dutch oven near the fire, then abruptly stomped off to pull his rifle from his saddle scabbard. Without looking back, he followed the creek, putting some much-needed distance between himself and Anna.
Anna's Heart (Wilderness Brides Book 2) Page 10
