Aaron Stills made his way to the front of the crowd. “Mr. Todd? May I stay with Lynn and her boys? I swear I had nothing to do with the Cruthers’ conniving ways.”
Eli panned the crowd for Lynn and when he spotted her she nodded.
“Yes, but I don’t want to hear of any trouble.”
Aaron smiled. “I’m a good worker. I’ll make you proud.”
“I know you will, son. The rest of you, we’ll be leaving in about an hour or so.” Eli turned from the crowd and walked away with Smitty by his side.
“Thanks for having my back yet again, Smitty.”
Smitty nodded and then grinned. “No trouble. I know this isn’t right, but I really wanted to watch you bash that pole cat’s head in.”
Eli laughed. “I can’t wait to see if there is any word on Amy’s past.”
“Just the same, watch your back.” Smitty gave Eli a nod before he split off and went toward his wagon.
Eli walked into his camp, grabbed Amy’s hand, and hauled her off to the woods. Before she could ask what he was doing, he covered her mouth with his. Her lips were like the finest of silk. Despite the months of relentless wind and sun, her skin was soft. He deepened the kiss and put his tongue in her mouth. Her little moans delighted him, he’d never get enough of her. She took his breath away and made him ache with desire. Reluctantly he broke off the kiss and kissed her neck until she trembled.
“I almost lost you today,” he murmured against her skin.
“I know. I thought I was a goner. My whole life has been a lie. Thank you for defending my honor.”
He pulled her close and gave her a big bear hug. “I’d go crazy without you. In two days’ time, we’ll be camping outside of town. I have a few errands to run, then I want to take you somewhere before we go to the ranch.” She felt so right in his arms. He wasn’t sure how he’d be able to leave her behind come spring. But he didn’t have a choice. Jed needed him. Though Jed did seem to be able to handle things himself. Eli sighed. Time enough to figure things out, he supposed.
She pulled back and gazed up at him. “What’s wrong?”
Leaning down, he kissed her again. “Honey, there is nothing wrong. In fact, everything seems to be so right. Let’s get through these next few days and then we can start our own life together.”
She looked puzzled. “Are you sure? I know how you feel about the way I look. We don’t know for sure if I can have children. I suppose you were trying to cheer me up but when I found out the truth, it hurt all the more.”
“What are you talking about?”
“What if you can’t bring yourself to look at me and I really can’t have children? I don’t want you to grow to regret marrying me.” Tears filled her eyes as her voice wavered.
He wiped away her tears with the pad of his thumbs and tilted her head so he could gaze into her eyes. “You didn’t hear my speech this morning? I told the Cruthers and the widow they could no longer travel with us. She was in on it with the Cruthers. I never ever broke my vows to you.”
“Then why? Why did I spend so many nights alone? It was torture thinking you were with her.”
“Ah honey, I stayed away because I was a selfish jerk. I have trouble letting people in. I hate getting close to people because people either leave or they die. I know Roman was just a horse, but he was my best friend. His loss reminded me not to get close to you. Honey, you are too much of a temptation. Remember how I told you it’s hard sleeping next to you and not making you mine in every way? I meant that, sweetheart. I foolishly thought if we didn’t, I wouldn’t have a reason to love you but I was so wrong. I doubt I’ll ever have reason to regret marrying you. If God doesn’t grace us with children we’ll just do what Lynn does. We’ll take in children that need a home. We will have a family. ”
Her eyes grew wide and she opened her mouth as though to speak when he heard Jed yell, “Wagons Ho!”
Eli grabbed Amy’s hand and quickly escorted her to her wagon. He gave her a quick kiss and set her up on the bench. “We’ll finish our conversation tonight. We won’t be stopping for the nooning. It’ll be a long day, but I don’t think anyone will care. We’ll make it to the Willamette Valley that much sooner.” He tipped his hat and went in search of a horse.
Amelia held on to the traces and let the oxen follow the wagon in front of them. Her life had changed once again in a matter of hours. The Cruthers and the widow were all banned from the wagon train.
Had Eli said he loved her? She tried to remember his exact words and became confused. He did say he didn’t find her body ugly, and there was a chance she could bear children. She grew so warm, so serene thinking about being a mother. Then the next minute her heart pounded as she found herself thinking about how babies were made. She smiled. Eli said they’d have a family no matter what. After that she got mad at the Cruthers, the widow, and those who believed them. She’d been treated shabbily by many. Then her mind would bring her back to the conversation with Eli again. It went on and on all day.
Eli rode back and forth along the train, and he always had a special smile for her whenever he passed their wagon. The day was indeed long, and she was thankful when they finally stopped for the night. She made rabbit stew from a rabbit she shot after she secured the wagon. Her mouth watered at the prospect of eating it. Her happiness seemed to have no bounds, and when Eli joined her, she felt as though her life was complete. It was going to be a very special night. Surely, he wouldn’t want to wait any longer.
She cleaned up and went to bed early, slipping under the covers naked with a delightfully wicked feeling. Then the waiting began. Everyone must have questions about what to expect in town tomorrow. They wanted to know how to file a claim and find jobs. She almost nodded off, but she was determined.
Finally, Eli climbed into the wagon. He didn’t even look at her. Instead, he turned the oil lamp off, took off some clothes, and got in on his side. He didn’t take her into his arms, but he wasn’t asleep either.
Reaching out she touched his bare chest causing him to jump.
“What are you doing?”
She moved until she was lying against him.
“Amy?”
“Yes?”
“Where is your nightgown?”
Her face heated. Had she gotten it all wrong? “I thought maybe I wouldn’t need one tonight.” She held her breath, praying she wasn’t making herself into such a fool.
“Go ahead and put it on. Good night, Amy.” He turned away from her and before she even grabbed her gown, he was breathing deep and even.
Embarrassed, ashamed, and confused she quickly put on her gown and lay with her back to him. She never got it right. “Eli?” she whispered but he didn’t answer her. He was just tired, wasn’t he?
It would be another night without much sleep. She should be used to it by now.
Everyone was in a hurry the next morning. They were almost there. Would the town be big? How much farther was it to his ranch? Did Eli still want to show her a special place? Her heart was heavy. It was full of love for Eli, but she still didn’t believe he truly loved her. They’d get on and maybe even have children someday. She needed to be grateful for the moments when she did feel loved over the past few months. They would carry her through her life. She’d already had more than she ever expected.
She breathed in the clean morning air and tried to make herself feel peaceful. She wasn’t there yet, but someday she would be. She was lucky, she’d have a roof over her head and she was sure there would be plenty to do at the ranch. She’d help build his ranch while he led people west.
She tried to smile as she climbed onto the wagon bench. It would be the last day she’d hear the call “Wagons ho!” Somehow, she’d miss it, and she was sure she’d miss other things too. She grabbed the traces and urged the oxen forward. Jed was full of smiles when he rode down the line. She bet most people were excited.
She noticed that Eli had ridden the same horse for the past two days, a gray gelding named Frost. Perh
aps he’d decided to make Frost his new best friend. His smile was engaging, and she wanted to be happy for him, but deep down she was jealous. He slowed his horse when he got to her and turned it around so he rode next to her.
“We’ll be stopping right outside of town in about an hour. I need to be up front to lead the party there. I’ll need to go into town after that, but I’d like it if you waited in camp for me.”
“Won’t most people be going into town?”
Eli nodded. “That they will.” He spurred Frost on and rode toward the front of the line.
She’d stay by the wagon if that was what he wanted. Amelia tried not to think of the reasons he didn’t want her in town. But trying didn’t work, and the next thing she knew they were circling the wagons. They were literally right at the edge of town. It seemed a bit primitive, yet it was larger and better than she had imagined.
Most folks jumped down and quickly walked to town. They didn’t even unhitch the livestock. Soon enough, she was the only one left in camp. It had never been so quiet before. Imagine these wagons carried them all from Independence Missouri! She’d done it. She’d made it even when others doubted her. Even against the odds of someone trying to kill her. A feeling of accomplishment flowed over her.
She watched as people began to trickle back into camp. Most were excited about the land they got and were making plans for their future. There was a lot of laughter and merrymaking. Amelia waited patiently for Eli to come back.
It seemed like forever when she finally spied him. He walked toward her with a tall, gray-haired man. They talked as though they were good friends.
“Amy, this is Sheriff Loud. He’s here to confirm you’re alive and well.”
She furrowed her brow as she shook the sheriff’s hand.
“Are you Amelia Cruthers?”
“Yes sir I am. Though it’s...Amelia Todd now.” Heat flooded her cheeks, and she averted her gaze until it subsided. “What’s this all about?”
The sheriff pushed back his hat and smiled. “Well miss, you see I got a report early this morning that you were dead, and your parents were asking me to wire back to your hometown to advise a lawyer there that you were deceased. Now, I not only find out you’re alive, but you’re married to Eli here!”
“The Cruthers aren’t my real parents.”
The sheriff nodded. “Then you won’t be too upset that they are both sitting in my jail right now.”
Amelia glanced at Eli. He smiled and walked to her side, putting his arm around her. “I had sent a wire to Sheriff Loud when we first heard about your inheritance. I wanted to know everything about the Cruthers. I also sent one to your local sheriff Amy. He, too, thought something had been wrong with the Cruthers, but he could never prove anything. He was thankful they left his town.”
She smiled at Eli. It felt so good to have him standing close to her. “Did you find anything else out?”
“I surely did little miss, er, I mean missus,” Sheriff Loud replied. “The Todd family is one of the best around, and if Eli needed something I was more than happy to oblige. Your parents were Theresa and Francis Willingham. They were an English couple of great wealth. They were involved with the Underground Railroad. Now I don’t know much about that, but it’s a system to help slaves escape the south and relocate in the north. From what I gathered, they asked the Cruthers to look after you while they bought a house in Georgia. They thought they could be of more help if they lived down South. They were supposed to send for you. They weren’t down there but a few months when they went missing. Their graves were later found. I’m sorry to say they are dead.”
It was so much to take in. Amelia leaned heavily on Eli, who tightened his grip around her.
“Amy, let’s sit down.” Eli grabbed three crates out of the wagon and set them down. He helped her sit on one and waited for the sheriff to sit before he did.
“So what about the money? Why didn’t it go right to the Cruthers?” She glanced from one man to the other.
“Your father was apparently very wise. In the event of their death, you would inherit but not until you were married. The Cruthers would be compensated at that point, but if you died all of the money went to them. What they didn’t know was there wasn’t much money left. Rumor has it, they gave a big sum to an organization dedicated to helping the slaves and someone who didn’t approve killed them.”
She widened her eyes. “I could have never imagined a story such as this.”
Sheriff Loud nodded. “The Cruthers also wired ahead that you were dead and they wanted the authorities to know so the money could be released to them and wired to my office. It’s been hard waiting for them to show up. Especially knowing you were married to Eli and all.”
“What will happen to them?” Amelia clasped her hands.
“I’m sure a few years of hard labor is in their futures. The modest sum of money is now in the bank under your name.”
Amelia looked at Eli. “Oh, my. You’ve both taken care of everything. How can I ever thank you?”
Sheriff Loud stood. “You keep Eli here happy, and we’ll call it even.” He tipped his worn hat. “Very nice to meet you, Mrs. Todd. You take care now.” He walked back to town.
Eli stood and held out his hand. She took it and allowed him to help her up. He gathered her into his arms and kissed her deeply, sending a chill through her body. “Now I have somewhere to take you.” He put his forehead against hers. “Amy, if you want out of this marriage you’d best say so now, because in a few hours there will be no going back.”
Did he mean…? Heat pooled in her belly, and her heart pounded. “I don’t want out.”
Eli kissed her again and then lifted her into his strong arms. He carried her to the wagon and set her on the front bench. He walked around in front of the oxen and quickly climbed up to the driver’s seat. He waved to Smitty and Jed as they drove away.
“Where are we going?” Her stomach began doing little flips.
“We are going to a place I go to be alone. A place I love, and I want to share it with you. I want to share everything with you, Amy.”
Her eyes filled with tears as she nodded. “I know you’ve called me Amy since we were married but I’ve always thought of myself as Amelia. I don’t think of myself as that person anymore. You’ve helped me to shed so many doubts about myself. I now think of myself as Amy.
She was rewarded with another lingering kiss.
Eli was as nervous as a young lad with his first woman. He wanted to please her and he didn’t want to hurt her. He’d taken Lynn into his confidence, and she assured him everything would be fine. Amy would let him know if it was hurting. Still he felt like a green lad.
“What’s the place like?” Amy asked.
“Paradise. I have to swear you to secrecy. I don’t want others to come here.”
She nodded. “I swear. Oh look, Eli! There’s a waterfall. Can we stop there so I can clean off the last of the trail dust?”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’m glad you appreciate the beauty of my place.”
“We’re here? Good.”
Her reaction meant a lot to him. He had wanted her to like it here. He stopped the oxen and put the brake on. He jumped down, hustled to the other side of the wagon, and lifted Amy down. He held her so close to him and his breathing became labored just thinking about what was about to happen.
He finally let go of her and grabbed a couple towels. Next he took her hand and led her to basin. The water was crystal blue and very inviting. “This is it.”
“It’s lovely. Are we going to stare at it or get in?” Her teasing smile filled his heart.
Eli quickly undressed and dove into the refreshing water. He resurfaced, grinning. “Your turn.” He turned his back to her to give her privacy.
“I’m going to jump in. I need you to be ready in case I don’t come back up.”
He turned and saw her beautiful body for the briefest of moments before she jumped in. She quickly came up, sputteri
ng. He swam to her and drew her to him so their bodies were touching. It felt so incredibly right to be with his wife like this. He searched her eyes and was surprised at the depth of happiness he saw.
“Guess what I have.” he teased.
He held up his surprise, and she laughed. “My soap! Great choice.”
“Come on to the waterfall. You’ll love it, and we can wash there.”
She eagerly nodded and followed him. Once there she stepped under the flowing water and laughed. “This is heavenly. Oh, my.”
Eli stood next to her under the falls and slowly washed her shoulders and neck. He waited, giving her a chance to step back, but she didn’t. Emboldened, he took her into his arms and soaped up her back and her rear end. She froze for a second but then she quickly relaxed.
“Give me the soap.”
He handed it over and smiled back at her. She started at his shoulders and hesitantly touched his chest, soaping it. She did his arms and his back, but she stopped at that point, chewing her lip, cheeks blossoming red.
His body trembled with need. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” She seemed to have so much confidence in him that he hoped he was worthy of her trust.
At last, they became one. Amy caught her breath with an initial discomfort, but after that, she seemed fine. Her kisses were full of fire and passion, and he knew he pleased her. It was worth the wait. He held her for a long while afterward but it was time to get out of the water.
A Lifetime to Share Page 15
