Cora's Pride (Wilderness Brides Book 1) (15 page)

C
ora sat
next to Anna on the driver’s box of the wagon. Her back and rear ached from the endless jostling on the hard seat. They were no longer following a trail, and the going was slow and rough at best. Nathaniel rode ahead of them, picking the smoothest path and leading them in the direction of the mountains that loomed in the distance.

Patrick had begged her to let him ride Gray today, so that he could be near Nathaniel. She smiled at her little brother’s small frame next to the larger man riding beside him. Over the last week since leaving Fort Hall, Patrick had latched onto the woodsman like a tick to a dog.

Anna looked straight ahead, the leather lines to the mules firmly in her hands. She’d driven the team nearly every day since leaving Fort Laramie. Despite her soft disposition, Anna had held up remarkably well on this journey. Initially, she’d had her reservations about leaving Ohio, but her grief over the loss of her intended had prompted her to make the journey.

Cora couldn’t say the same about herself. She hadn’t held up well. She was supposed to be the strong one, the head of the family and keep them all safe, but she’d failed miserably. She’d made one bad decision after another that had put everyone in danger on several occasions. Her gaze drifted to the man riding ahead of the wagon. He’d been the only right decision she’d made. He had to be.

Nathaniel’s unexpected kiss still filled her dreams at night and left her lips tingling whenever she allowed her mind to wander to the encounter. Rather than fading, the sensation had only grown stronger, and she’d often tossed in her bedroll at night under the wagon, yearning for the touch of the man who’d made a promise that he never would.

His marriage proposal had caught her off guard, especially since he wanted a marriage in name only. He’d certainly kept his word. He hadn’t so much as touched her on the arm or held her hand like he’d done back at Fort Hall on the day of their wedding. In fact, he’d paid more attention to her siblings and Anna than to her. In response, she’d kept mostly silent in his company. At night, he spread his bedroll out near the fire, while she continued to make her pallet under the wagon next to Anna.

He spent most of his daytime hours in the saddle, riding ahead of the wagon to find the most accessible routes. He’d gone hunting to provide fresh meat, and he’d entertained Patrick’s non-stop questions. He taught the boy about rifles and they’d even had a shooting lesson. Josie had paid close attention at first until Nathaniel had included her in the lessons. It had been one of the rare times when her little sister had truly smiled.

Cora’s gaze locked on where Nathaniel rode ahead of the wagon. The long strands of his dark hair fluttered in the breeze. Her eyes roamed over his back and the expanse of his shoulders. She’d leaned on those shoulders for support, revealed her deepest fears to him, and he hadn’t asked for anything in return.

His arms had held her up several times when she would have fallen and she’d enjoyed the comfort of his embrace. She’d enjoyed it so much, along with his kiss, that she yearned for more. Nathaniel’s honor made her heart question her own feelings.

You’re glad that he’s keeping his promise.

Cora wrung her hands in her lap. Would he be like the others, and betray her trust? She sighed.

Anna nudged her arm. “You look like you’re miles away. I think I can guess what you’re daydreaming about.” A wide smile passed over her face. She indicated with her chin toward Nathaniel. Cora sat straighter.

“I’ve never met a man like him before,” she whispered. “He just showed up out of nowhere and took over, and I let him. How did that happen?” Cora peeled her eyes away from Nathaniel’s back and looked at her friend.

Anna laughed softly. “I could tell from the moment he walked into our camp, by the way you looked at each other, that something would happen between the two of you, given the chance.”

Cora shook her head. “He has no interest in me, other than wanting to keep us all safe. He’s told me so.”

Anna placed a hand on Cora’s arm. “You’ve been too busy taking care of everyone in this family over the years, that you’ve never taken time out for yourself. You’ve always turned a blind eye when young men noticed you back home. I don’t think you even recognize the signs when a man shows an interest.”

Cora stared at the hands in her lap. “I didn’t think I’d ever trust a man again after Ted left us. The interest Nathaniel has isn’t in me. He’s just being an honorable man. His helping us is to atone for mistakes he’s made in the past.”

“For as much as you’ve had to deal with, Cora, you really are naïve when it comes to men, aren’t you?”

Cora raised her head and shook it with as much authority as she could muster. “He may have married me to protect us, but he never wanted a wife. I think he’d much rather roam the mountains with his friends. A man like that doesn’t want a commitment, and I’m sure he’s regretting his decision already.”

Anna chuckled. “Don’t try so hard to convince yourself of that. What makes you say that he’s regretful?”

Cora shrugged. “Something his friend, Lucas Walker said. He was surprised that Nathaniel was with me, and said Nathaniel would no longer be able to go exploring if he was tied down with a wife. Besides, he’s barely spoken to me since we left Fort Hall.”

“I highly doubt Nathaniel thinks he’s tied down with you. I can’t believe that man would do anything he doesn’t want to, and I’m telling you, he wanted to marry you.”

“Then why did he only want a marriage in name? What man does that?”

Anna smiled. She adjusted the leather lines in her hand, then placed her free hand over Cora’s. “I honestly think he wanted you to trust him before anything else, but Ted forced his hand back at Fort Hall. He’s giving you time, Cora.” She paused, then asked, “Do you still have doubts that he’s not trustworthy?”

Cora lowered her gaze. “I want to trust him,” she whispered.

She hadn’t mentioned it to Anna, but the valley where Nathaniel was taking them sounded like the kind of place she could call home. Anna would never want to stay where there wasn’t at least a settlement somewhere nearby. From what Nathaniel had described, there were no other people where he lived with his brothers.

“Harley’s Hole is at the base of the mountains along the Snake River,” Nathaniel had told them the day they left Fort Hall. “It’s a nice place. Plenty of trees and grass, but it’s remote and hard to find if you don’t know what to look for. I was taking the quick way home when I met up with your wagon. We’ll be going the slower route this time.”

“Harley’s Hole? That’s a silly name for a town,” Patrick had laughed.

“It’s not a town. There are no towns where I live. A hole is a trapper’s term for a valley. Trevor and Travis, my two younger brothers, named it after the man who raised us.”

“Cora?”

Cora blinked at the sound of her name, bringing her back to the present. Anna wore a wide smile.

“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” her friend asked softly.

Cora’s eyes widened. She’d thought it. She’d wrestled with herself about it. She’d denied it. She nodded and blinked rapidly.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I think about him constantly. I think about what the future might hold. What will happen next spring, or when we get to Oregon? If I feel this strongly about him now, how will I be able to walk away?” She swiped her hand across her face.

“You need to talk to him, get to know him better,” Anna said. “I know it’s awkward at the moment. You have the rest of us constantly nearby, which gives you no privacy.” She giggled. “And the two of you are both acting like love-struck school children, sneaking glances when the other doesn’t think you’re looking, while at the same time you’re avoiding each other.”

Cora sat straighter. Nathaniel had been sneaking glances at her? It had been awkward these past days since leaving Fort Hall. Before that, she could at least argue with him. A warm sensation passed through her, thinking about the day of her wedding.

She’d been so angry, feeling humiliated by that deplorable preacher, but Nathaniel had made her laugh about it. All her worries and fears had vanished in those few moments with him. He’d made her forget her past along with all her doubts, and for once, she’d lived in the moment.

As soon as they’d walked into camp to tell her siblings and Anna the news that they were married, things had changed. They’d both clammed up, a reminder that the marriage was in name only. She didn’t know what to say around him, other than making polite small talk. She’d never been lost for words before. She sat straighter. Today, things were going to change.

“I’ll talk to him,” she said out loud and nodded for emphasis. She’d been Nathaniel’s wife for a week, and it was time she had a conversation with her husband. It would be a long winter if they couldn’t even talk to each other.

Anna clucked to the mules. “You’re suited for this kind of life, Cora. Making a new start in this wild land might be just what you need. Me, on the other hand, I’m not cut out for this. I’m not sure whether I will want to go on to Oregon or return to Ohio.”

Cora grabbed for her arm. “You’re stronger than I am, Anna. You always think things through, rather than react like I do. You’ve kept us all together better than I ever could.”

Anna shook her head. “I don’t feel strong.”

“Neither do I,” Cora confessed. “But let’s not tell anyone.” She smiled. “It’ll be our secret.”

“Cora,” Patrick called from somewhere up ahead. She lifted her head. Gray came galloping toward the wagon. Her brother pulled the horse to a stop next to the rig, stirring up more dust than the wheels. Caroline, who walked alongside the wagon with Josie, yelled at her brother, who ignored them.

“Nathaniel says we’re stopping up ahead by those trees.”

“It’s a bit early, isn’t it?”

Patrick shrugged. “He told me to tell you. He said he’s going to scout a bit further up ahead, but for you to stop the wagon along the creek by those trees.”

“All right.” Anna clucked to the mules to pick up the pace and the wagon lurched forward.

When they reached the shade of the trees that grew along the shallow stream, Cora climbed from the wagon. She swiped a hand across her forehead and stretched her aching muscles. The air was noticeably cooler under the trees and the loud splashing sound of running water refreshing as it tumbled over countless rocks.

She’d barely finished unhitching the team, when Nathaniel rode into camp. He dismounted and led his horse a short distance downstream to get a drink. Cora’s heart sped up. This was her chance to talk to him. Josie and Caroline were busy filling water jugs and collecting firewood, and for once, Patrick wasn’t latched onto Nathaniel’s side.

Nathaniel raised his head and watched her approach. The weight of his eyes rested on her before she came close enough to see his face clearly.

“This is a nice place to stop,” Cora said, cringing at the small talk. Things had been easier before, when her guard had been up and she’d excused her feelings as mistrust.

Nathaniel loosened his horse’s saddle. He pulled his rifle from the scabbard and turned the gelding loose to graze. He approached her, covering the distance between them in a few long strides.

“I’ve always liked this spot.” His eyes lingered on her face. “I thought it might do you and everyone else some good to stop early. We’ve been pushing hard all week.” He shifted slightly and pointed toward the mountains. “We should reach the valley in a couple of days, then you can finally rest up.”

“I’m sure you’re eager to get home.” She smiled tentatively. “Your brothers and Harley are probably worried about you.”

Nathaniel chuckled. “Ethan probably thinks I went off exploring with Lucas Walker. I’ve done it before, and he’ll remind me that I’m irresponsible.”

Cora’s heart sank. She’d been right that he enjoyed the freedom to come and go as he pleased.

“Instead you’re coming home with a passel of women and a boy.” She chuckled and glanced down at her hands that she’d clasped in front of her. “I’m sorry that you’re strapped down with us. For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re irresponsible. Quite the opposite.”

Nathaniel’s brows drew together. “What are you talking about? Didn’t we settle this back at Fort Hall?”

“I just don’t want you to have regrets,” Cora stammered.

He frowned and shook his head. He studied her, then took a step closer. Cora held her breath. His hand reached up, but he dropped it again before touching her arm. The muscles along his neck and jaw tightened.

“I know we haven’t had much of a chance to talk,” she continued. Her mouth and throat had gone painfully dry. “I want you to know how much my family and Anna . . . and I appreciate what you’re doing for us.” She laughed. “I hope Patrick isn’t being too much of a pest. I can tell him to leave you be.”

Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. He took another step closer, until they stood within inches of each other. The scent of rawhide and campfire drifted from him, and the warmth of his skin prickled her arms.

“Cora, we’ve talked about this marriage arrangement, and I know I told you that –”

Nathaniel broke off what he was going to say. His body tensed at the same moment his horse lifted its head from grazing. He raised his rifle. In the next instant, he leapt in front of her and pushed her to the ground. A gunshot cracked through the stillness of the air.

Cora fell into the dirt, her shoulder and hip hitting hard enough to make her cry out. Nathaniel landed on top of her, his heavy weight crushing her into the soil. Cora pushed against him to catch her breath. He groaned and rolled to the side.

“Nathaniel?” Cora’s eyes widened. The sun reflected brightly off something shiny on a nearby hill. Her head shot up to catch a glimpse of a man with a rifle in the distance. She scrambled to her knees, her trembling hand grabbing the rifle Nathaniel had dropped. Somewhere behind them, Anna and Caroline screamed.

Cora raised the weapon and fired toward the spot where she’d seen the movement. From the direction of camp, another shot rang through the air. Then all was quiet. Cora’s head whipped around to where the shot had come from near the wagon. Josie stood, staring at her with the rifle in her hands. Cora dropped to her knees.