Cora's Pride (Wilderness Brides Book 1) (17 page)

“I don’t think Nate needs to be coddled like that, ma’am.” Trevor shook his head again and gave a low chuckle, then looked at his brother. “This is gonna hurt, Nate. Are you ready?”

Nathaniel nodded almost imperceptibly. His fingers curled tighter around Cora’s hand. Droplets of sweat glistened on his forehead.

“Get it over with,” he grunted.

“Hold on to me,” Cora whispered.

He flinched, then stiffened when Trevor stuck the needle into his flesh, but he didn’t make a sound. Cora gently squeezed his hand and blinked back her tears. This was her fault. He’d been shot because of her.

“Dab at the blood right here,” Trevor said to Caroline. She did what he asked, her eyes going from the young man in front of her to Nathaniel.

Trevor worked quickly, pulling the thread through Nathaniel’s skin in the same way she would sew a tear in her dress. In no time, the wound was closed, and only a small trickle of blood seeped through the gaps. They rolled Nathaniel to his back and Trevor repeated the process on the bullet’s exit wound.

When he was finished, Caroline handed him the bandage she’d torn from the petticoat.

“I’ll do it.” Cora snatched the bandage from his hand. “I don’t want to feel completely useless,” she added in a more civil tone, offering a quick smile of gratitude. Trevor shrugged, but helped her raise Nathaniel off the mattress enough so that she could wrap the bandage around him.

“He’ll be good as new in the morning,” Trevor predicted. He paused to smile at Caroline, then maneuvered his way out of the wagon.

Caroline’s gaze followed the young man before she glanced at Cora. Even in the dim light, her rosy cheeks were obvious.

“Do you need anything else, Cora?” she asked.

“No.” Cora shook her head. “Perhaps you can help Anna and Josie start supper. I’ll be out in a minute.”

Caroline nodded and left the wagon.

Cora covered Nathaniel with a blanket, then reached for his hand. His eyes were closed and his chest moved rhythmically up and down as he breathed. She smiled and stroked the back of his hand with her thumb. He was going to be all right. He had to be.

Her legs had gone numb from sitting in the cramped space, but it didn’t matter. Warm sensations flowed through her as she sat and simply looked at her husband. She loved him. There was no longer any doubt in her mind.

He stirred and opened his eyes. A smile passed over his face when he looked at her. Slowly, as if it pained him, he raised his arm and touched his fingers to her cheek. Cora leaned into his touch.

“You’re going to be all right,” she whispered.

“I told you I would be. Tell my brothers to behave themselves, or they’ll be answering to me.”

She laughed softly. “Trevor’s sewing skills are better than mine, I’m afraid. I’m grateful that they showed up.” Her face sobered. “I feel safer, too. That shooter is still out there.”

Nathaniel grimaced and his face turned hard. “And I’m sure I know who he is, too. He picked a fight with the wrong man.”

Cora’s eyes widened. “Ted,” she whispered. She’d completely misjudged him in Independence. He’d looked and acted like a decent man. Never had it occurred to her that his greed would lead him to shoot someone.

Nathaniel nodded. “He won’t get away with this. He almost killed you.”

Cora stared down at him. “Me? You’re the one with a bullet wound. Another inch or so, and you’d have been shot dead.”

A pained grin spread across his face. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d almost think you’re worried about me.” He tugged on her hand, pulling her closer. “You have the prettiest eyes, you know that? Full of spirit and fire. Don’t ever let that fire burn out, Cora.”

Cora cleared her throat and straightened. Heat crept into her cheeks. Was he delirious? “I think you’re feverish, Nathaniel. Perhaps you need to get some sleep.”

He shifted his torso and grimaced. His eyes drifted closed. “I love you, Cora,” he murmured, and his body relaxed.

Cora stared at him. Her heart must have skipped a beat at his words, then pounded furiously against her ribs. Nathaniel loved her? She smiled, then lowered her head.

“I love you, too, Nathaniel,” she whispered, and touched her lips to his.

N
athaniel opened his eyes
. Faint light filtered through the canvas covering the wagon. He blinked to focus his vision and stirred. Shifting his torso, he flinched at the pain the movement elicited just below his right shoulder.

“Damn,” he grumbled and swiped his hand across his face.

His body tensed as he attempted to recall what had happened and why he was lying in the wagon. He’d stood by the creek where they’d made camp, talking to Cora, when he’d noticed the glint of a rifle over the rise across the creek. He’d pushed Cora out of the way just as the shooter had fired. There was no doubt in his mind about who had shot him. Ted must have followed them from Fort Hall. The man was more dangerous than Nathaniel had given him credit for.

He frowned at the male voices drifting into the wagon from outside. He blinked again to bring the fuzzy pictures that swirled around in his head into clearer focus. His brother, Trevor had been there, leaning over him and telling him he was going to sew him up. His face mixed with Cora’s, which was etched with worry.

At some point the fever had messed with him enough that his mind had conjured up the most unlikely thoughts and images. The soft touch of Cora’s hands against his face had been so real, the feeling still lingered. She’d bathed him in cool water when the fever had raged. She’d hovered over him, telling him to be strong and fight, and that she loved him. He shifted and grimaced again. His feverish mind had even conjured up the idea that she’d kissed him.

He raised himself to a sitting position. Every bone and muscle in his body ached, nearly matching the dull throbbing in his side. How had he ended up in the wagon, and for how long had he lain here?

Nathaniel crawled to the tailgate, squinting against the bright sunlight when he moved aside the canvas.

“I will not hear another word about it, Travis Wilder.” Cora’s heated words drifted through the air from somewhere nearby. Nathaniel’s brows rose. Travis?

“What’s the use staying in this camp any longer?” Travis’ familiar voice argued. “You’ve had us sitting here for the last three days. We could have been long home by now.”

“You’re more than welcome to leave. We’re not breaking camp until Nathaniel is ready to travel. And even if he were better, it’s too late in the day to leave now.”

“He was ready three days ago, and now we’ve wasted another day.”

Both Cora and Travis raised their voices with each word they spoke. A wide smile passed over Nathaniel’s lips. So, he hadn’t dreamed that his brothers were here. What else from his vague memories had been real, and what was just a dream? The thought of Cora’s soft lips on his lingered in his mind.

“He’s been lying in that wagon with a fever for the last three days,” Cora hissed. “Moving him would kill him.”

Nathaniel pushed his way between the canvas flaps. He sat on the tailgate, then hopped to the ground, wincing at the pain that shot through his torso from the impact. He stood on unsteady legs for a moment. He’d never been this weak before in his life.

He’d once taken an arrow to his lower back a few years ago, but he’d been up and about as soon as Lucas Walker had pulled it out. They’d been pursued that summer by a band of Blackfoot up along the Snake near the Teton Mountains. He’d have lost his life if he hadn’t gotten back on his horse and continued on.

“Nate, you’ve finally decided to get up.”

Nathaniel glanced to where Trevor sat by the fire next to Caroline. His little brother smiled as he stood and headed toward him. “Good thing you’re finally up. Those two over there are bound to kill each other. We’re all afraid to get too close to either one of them.” He chuckled and patted Nathaniel’s arm.

“Trevor,” Nathaniel greeted. His voice was hoarse from lack of use. Josie sat with Anna, who rose to her feet, and Patrick came rushing up to him.

“I knew you weren’t gonna die,” the boy beamed brightly. “Cora’s been fretting something awful.” Nathaniel held out his hand to prevent Patrick from throwing his arms around him.

At that moment, Cora rushed toward him from where she’d stood arguing with Travis by the creek. Her eyes locked with his. She’d never looked more worried or distraught. Dark lines under her eyes marred her pretty face.

“Nathaniel,” she breathed when she reached him. Her gaze drifted instantly to the bandage wrapped around his chest and her hand flew to his forehead. “Your fever’s broke.” Her shoulders visibly slumped with relief. “Can I get you something? Some water?” She didn’t wait for his answer. Reaching into the wagon, she produced a canteen. “I’ve been trying to get you to drink.”

Nathaniel held the canteen to his lips. Nothing had felt as good in a long time as the cool liquid going down his parched throat.

“Thank the good Lord. Now you can finally talk some sense into this woman, Nate. Tell me she minds you better, ‘cause she sure don’t listen to anyone else.”

Nathaniel grinned. Travis would learn soon enough that no one told Cora what to do. Her head shot around to glare at Travis, who sauntered toward them.

“What are you two doing here?” Nathaniel looked from Trevor to Travis before his gaze rested on Cora.

He couldn’t get enough of looking at her, searching her face for any hint that the memories in his mind weren’t simply illusions of wishful thinking.

“Come and sit down. Are you in pain?” Cora reached for his arm. Nathaniel smiled. Any discomfort vanished instantly when her soft hands touched his skin.

“Don’t go coddling him again,” Travis scoffed.

“The bullet you took went straight through, Nate.” Trevor said, deflecting his twin’s comment. “I sewed you up as best as I could.” There was a note of pride in his little brother’s voice.

“Thanks, Trev.” Nathaniel looked at Travis. “Glad you showed up when you did.”

“We were hunting in the area when we heard gunshots,” Travis said. He grinned. “Imagine our surprise to find you here.” He shot a disbelieving glance at Cora. “Married.”

Nathaniel chuckled. Without thinking, he reached for Cora’s hand. She didn’t protest or pull away.

“We wanted to go on to Harley’s Hole.” Travis narrowed his eyes on Cora. “But she would hear none of it. She outright refused to hitch up the mules and let us get you home. Said you weren’t fit to travel. Ya ain’t going soft on us now, are you Nate?”

“Even if he had been conscious, he wouldn’t have been able to sit on a horse, or ride in the wagon,” Cora retorted. Her hands went to her hips as she glared at Travis.

Nathaniel laughed, which made his wound ache. His heart warmed at the thought that Cora seemed to care so much about him to insist that he not be moved. He certainly wasn’t used to a woman’s pampering. Travis was probably right about his ability to travel, but he wasn’t going to argue with Cora.

“I’ve been on a horse before with a wound, Cora.” He smiled at her.

Cora’s head snapped in his direction. “Not on my watch, Nathaniel Wilder. You needed rest. Now that the fever’s gone, you’ll be on the mend that much quicker.”

“Ethan was getting worried that you ran off with our goods.” As the peacemaker in the family, Trevor interjected, no doubt to end the arguing. “Harley will be skipping like a young buck when he gets the news. I feel sorry for Ethan already. He’ll never hear the end of it that you were the first to get hitched.”

Travis punched his brother in the arm. “At least you and I have a few more years before he even mentions the idea to us.”

“Your brother needs a few lessons in manners and how to be civil.” Cora glared at Travis, then looked up at Nathaniel.

“You’re probably right, Cora.” Nathaniel smiled and shot a warning glance at Travis. “Be respectful to my wife, Trav, or you’ll answer to me.”

Travis shook his head and scowled. “It’s bad enough we got Ethan dishing out orders all the time. Now you bring a wife home who’s got more sting in her than a nest of hornets. What’s it gonna be next?”

Nathaniel shook his head at his brother. Travis’ sense of humor took some getting used to. He always enjoyed getting a rise out of Ethan, and he’d evidently decided that he’d found a new target in Cora.

“I believe you are overdue for a lesson in being cordial, Travis Wilder,” Cora shot back at him. She’d taken his little brother’s bait, but she had no trouble putting him in his place.

Trevor rolled his eyes. His gaze drifted to where Caroline sat by the fire with a book in her lap. “At least it won’t be dull at Harley’s Hole anymore.”

“Don’t pay no mind to my little brother, Cora,” Nathaniel squeezed her hand. “He’s like a young colt who has to test the boundaries. Once you lay down the law, he’ll settle right down.”

Next to him, Travis eyed him with a mischievous grin.

“Trev and Travis haven’t been around too many ladies,” Nathaniel explained. “Evie Walker and Aimee Osborne, the wives of acquaintances of ours, make them toe the line without much difficulty, though, whenever we visit them. You’ll have no problem, especially if you feed them. Travis’ll roll over like a bear that’s gorged on spring kill.”

“Well in that case, Anna and I have supper waiting.” Cora smiled triumphantly at Travis. “I know how to deal with boys like you.”

“Boy?” Travis glared at her, clearly annoyed.

Cora shrugged. “If you don’t want to be called a boy, then stop behaving like one. Now, if you want supper, go and wash the grime off your hands from that deer you butchered.”

Travis apparently chose to ignore her. He turned his attention to Nathaniel. “Trev and I searched the area for the snake who took a crack at you. Seems he’s been tailing you for a while. We lost his tracks a few miles back down the trail. Looks to have hightailed it out of the area.”

Nathaniel frowned. “I’m not sure we’ve seen the last of him.”

“I can ride out again and see if I can stir him up.”

“No.” Nathaniel shook his head. Ted wouldn’t be dumb enough to try another attempt on Cora’s life with all these people in camp. Maybe the bullet had been meant for him, and Ted thought he’d killed him. “We’ll keep close watch, but I’m not going to waste my time worrying about him right now. Once we get home, I’ll decide what to do.”

Travis nodded and glanced at his hands. He shot Cora a final glare, huffed and walked off. Cora shook her head. “He’s certainly at that age where he’s testing the waters, isn’t he? His twin brother is a lot more agreeable.”

“Trevor’s always been a lot more serious. He likes to stick his nose in a book every now and then. Travis is more like me.”

Cora tilted her head and looked up at him. “Well, then perhaps there’s hope for him, yet.” She smiled. “Are you hungry? Are you feeling well enough to sit by the fire or should I bring you a plate and you can eat in the wagon?”

Nathaniel gazed down at his wife. Her genuine concern was unexpected. They hadn’t talked much since leaving Fort Hall. He’d given her space and stayed away for fear of breaking his promise if he didn’t.

“Cora, I’m fine. A little sore, but I’m on the mend. I think I hurt more from lying around too much.” He returned her smile. His forehead wrinkled. “Has it really been three days?”

She nodded. “You had a high fever.” Her voice had gone soft.

“I have your shirt.” Josie walked up to him, holding out his buckskin shirt. “I washed it as best I could and mended the holes.”

Nathaniel nodded at the girl. “I’ll be good as new soon, then we can resume our shooting lessons.”

Her answer was a soft smile before she returned to her place near the campfire.

“You’ve really won her over,” Cora said with a satisfied gleam in her eyes. “You’re the first man she’s really talked to since . . . without looking scared.”

“I hope I can give her some confidence by teaching her to shoot.”

Cora stared up at him. The soft glow in her eyes went straight to his heart. The sensation of her lips on his while she told him she loved him swirled in his foggy mind. It seemed so real, but was it all in his head?

He glanced toward the fire where Anna was dishing up supper. Caroline giggled at something Trevor said, and pointed at a page in the book she held open. Patrick had followed Travis to the creek. Knowing his brothers, the area around the camp was secure. No one was going to come close without one of them knowing about it.

“Let’s take a walk,” he said as he pulled on his shirt. He grimaced when he pushed his right arm through the sleeve. “I need to stretch my legs.”

“All right.” Cora’s forehead wrinkled. She tilted her head to study him. “Are you sure you’re up to it? Wouldn’t you rather eat something?”

“I’m sure, and no, I want to talk to you first.” He took her hand in his again and led the way from camp. He had to talk to her alone. He may have conjured up all these images about Cora that swirled in his mind and they were nothing more than a product of his feverish delirium, but he had to know. Thinking about it was going to drive him mad.

Nathaniel led her a short distance along the creek and through some willow bushes that leaned into the water. When he came to a bend in the stream, he stopped.

He faced her, looking down into her expectant eyes. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

Cora shook her head. “Why wouldn’t I, Nathaniel? I’m the one who needs to be thanking you. That bullet was going to hit me. You sacrificed yourself for me.” Her voice had dropped to a whisper.

Nathaniel reached for her other hand. He rubbed his thumbs along her wrists.

“I’d do it again if I had to. I made a promise to keep you safe, remember?”

“I never thought that would include getting shot.” Cora’s voice cracked. Nathaniel took a step closer. He cleared his throat.

“Cora, I don’t remember a whole lot about the last three days. I might have said some things –”

Cora cut him off. “You were delirious a few times, especially when your fever spiked the first night. You drifted in and out of consciousness for the next three days.” She laughed softly. “Anna and Caroline have been washing mattress sheets nonstop because you’d sweat so much whenever your fever came down.” The smile faded from her face and she added, “You said a lot of things that didn’t make sense.”

Nathaniel tugged on her hands to bring her toward him. “There are also things swirling around in my head that you might have said.”