Cora's Pride (Wilderness Brides Book 1) (19 page)

Nathaniel looked to the other man standing a few paces behind Harley. The family resemblance was there, but nothing on the other man’s face indicated that he was happy about the unexpected arrivals. Nathaniel and his brothers had often talked about Ethan’s bad moods. Apparently they hadn’t been exaggerating.

“Ethan,” Nathaniel greeted. “Meet my wife, Cora.” To her, he said, “This is my brother, Ethan. Don’t let his sullen attitude bother you.” He winked at her and smiled. Obviously he was used to his brother’s demeanor and took it with a grain of salt.

Cora held out her hand to Nathaniel’s brother. He shook it, but quickly released it again. “Cora,” he said, then nodded toward the wagon. His eyes rested briefly on Anna. “Looks like we’ll be figuring out sleeping arrangements. The other cabin will need to be cleared out.”

“We don’t want to impose,” Cora said quickly. It wouldn’t do to get on Ethan’s bad side, if it wasn’t too late already.

“You boys get to work, then,” Harley chimed in. “Let’s get these ladies settled and made to feel welcome. Trevor. Travis. Start moving your things from the other cabin to the barn. You can make yourselves comfortable there.”

The twins grumbled at the old man’s instructions, but did as he asked.

“We’d be more than happy to help,” Cora said. “Just tell us what to do, and we’ll get to work.” She motioned for Anna and her sisters to get down from the wagon.

“I’ll get your mules unhitched and settled,” Ethan grumbled. He walked past Nathaniel. “I trust you brought back our supplies?”

Nathaniel grinned at Cora. “Wouldn’t have come back without them.”

Cora waited until Ethan was out of earshot, staring after him as he went to her wagon and unhitched the mules. Nathaniel and the twins had often called their oldest brother surly. Somehow, he seemed sad.

“Why does he seem so unhappy?”

Nathaniel glanced toward the wagon. “He wasn’t like that before our parents died. Believe it or not, he was a lot like Travis, always butting heads with Pa and testing the boundaries, being irresponsible. On the day our parents were killed, he took off to go hunting after Pa told him not to. When he came back, our parents were dead. He hasn’t been the same since. Won’t bend a rule to save his life, and certainly won’t have any fun.”

Cora glanced to where Ethan unhitched the mules. What a shock it must have been for a boy to leave on bad terms with his father, then return to find his parents killed. Her gaze returned to Nathaniel. “The opposite of how the death of your folks affected you.”

Nathaniel tilted his head. His forehead wrinkled, then he nodded. “I suppose so.” He gave her waist a squeeze. “Come on. Let’s get everyone settled.”

The four brothers and Harley usually shared the main cabin for meals, and Ethan had his bunk there, as well. Nathaniel had apparently shared the smaller cabin that stood a short distance away with his younger brothers.

Nathaniel led her to the other cabin. The single room was sparsely furnished. Three bunks and a chair made up the furniture, and a mantle hung over the stone fireplace that was the main feature of the simple room.

“Anna and the girls can have this cabin,” Nathaniel said. “Patrick can bunk with Harley and Ethan, and the twins will sleep in the barn for now. You and I can sleep in the wagon until I get another cabin built for you. With my brothers’ help, it shouldn’t take more than a few weeks. I’ll build it however you want.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. Somewhere near the other cabin, Harley chuckled heartily. Heat rose to Cora’s cheeks.

“This is a lot of rearranging and work for your brothers.” Cora looked up into Nathaniel’s eyes.

He shook his head. “If anyone complains, they’ll change their tune once they get a home-cooked meal from you and Anna.” He winked. “Trevor’s already glad about the good food he’s eaten lately. Travis just likes to make a fuss.”

Cora stood in front of the small cabin. Her eyes swept across the valley and a smile passed over her lips. She sighed. Wrapping her arms around Nathaniel’s waist, she said, “I think we’ll be very happy here.”

He gazed down at her, his eyes searching her face. “I’ll do my best to always make you happy, Cora.” He winked and a grin spread across his face. “And you already know that I’ll protect you with my life.”

Cora hugged him close. “I’m a changed person because of you, Nathaniel Wilder. Your parents would have been very proud of the man you’ve become.” She leaned up and kissed his lips. Her hand gingerly touched the area where a bandage still wrapped around his chest. “I don’t know about you, but I certainly hope that my life will be dull and uneventful from now on.”

He chuckled and pulled her closer. “With you, I can’t imagine anything being dull and uneventful. I don’t think I’ve changed you that much. Besides, you haven’t given me any reason yet to take that switch to you, but I’m sure I’ll find an excuse soon.”

T
he next few
weeks passed in a flurry of activity. Anna and the girls spent most of the day cleaning up the cabin they’d been given and decorating it to their liking. They’d all complained that it was filthy, and they’d already thoroughly scrubbed the floors and walls.

“Yes, it’s a lot of work,” Cora agreed. Both of the cabins definitely lacked a woman’s touch. “But at least you now have an actual roof over your heads, and real beds to sleep in after being on the trail for months.”

Cora worked in the other cabin, cleaning and straightening as much as she could with Ethan’s scowl following her every move.

“You know, one of these days I’m going to get you to smile,” she’d told him while tossing out another bucket of dirty water. She'd spent several hours scrubbing years of accumulated dirt and grime off the mantle over the fireplace “You’d be a very handsome man if you simply smiled more, I’m convinced of it.”

Harley had chuckled gleefully at her words, prompting Ethan to leave the cabin while grumbling that he should help the twins cut down trees for her new home.

The thought of a cabin of her very own with Nathaniel brought a smile to her face. For now, Cora was content to spend nights in the bed of the wagon. Nathaniel kept her plenty warm, but winter would be upon them soon, and it would be nice to have four warm walls and a real roof over her head.

“I’d best go check on what those boys are doing,” Harley announced. He groaned as he got up out of his chair and reached for his fur hat that hung on a peg near the door.

Cora glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled. “I wanted to tell you thank you for the way you’ve been teaching Josie how to handle a rifle and shoot. She doesn’t warm up easily to people. You’ve certainly made her smile a lot lately.”

Harley cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his beard. “She’s a spry little thing. Good shot, too. Got quite the knack for handling a rifle. Figure it’s a rough life out here, and even a girl’s gotta know how to handle a weapon and defend herself if need be.”

Cora nodded. “Well, I appreciate it. Thank you,” she said again, smiling at him.

The old man looked to be lost for words. He coughed and plopped the fur on his head. “I’d best go and help the boys.” He gave her a quick smile, nodded, then left the cabin.

Cora picked up a rag and dipped it into a clean bucket of water, then started scrubbing at some dirt on the wall next to the hearth. She hummed a melody her mother used to hum, but the words to the song escaped her.

Josie had truly taken a liking to the old mountain man, and he obviously liked her. He’d continued the lessons Nathaniel had started with the rifle, and she’d never looked happier. She talked to the old man and made sure he was the first to be served when they all sat down for supper. She’d even baked him some molasses cookies a few days ago. He was like the grandfather she’d never had.

Harley beamed a bright smile whenever she was around, and although he’d probably never admit it, he seemed to love the attention. With Nathaniel’s brothers, Josie remained quiet and distant.

Caroline seemed to have formed a friendship with Trevor. They both liked to read, and she’d shared some of her books with him. In return, he’d let her borrow the books he owned. They sat together in the evenings after supper, discussing what they’d read in great detail.

Travis usually left the cabin as soon as he was done eating, and Ethan sat in a corner, quietly whittling on a stick or outside until everyone retired for the night. Patrick enjoyed everyone’s company. Although she hadn’t said anything about staying or leaving in the spring, Anna had been quiet since coming to the valley.

Just as Cora reached up and swatted at some cobwebs on the ceiling, the cabin door creaked open behind her. She caught a glimpse of Nathaniel out of the corner of her eye. He swept into the cabin and wrapped his arms around her before she had a chance to turn around. His lips against her neck sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine.

She turned in his embrace, smiling up at him just before he claimed her lips in a slow kiss that deepened as the seconds ticked away. Cora moaned softly and wound her arms around his neck, molding herself to him.

“I thought you were out in the woods cutting down logs for the cabin,” she purred against his shoulder when he ended the kiss. Her lips tingled and her legs had gone weak in his arms.

“Forgot something,” he mumbled before dipping his head to kiss her again.

Cora gave herself over to his embrace and his teasing of her lips. They’d found little time, other than at night after going to their bed in the wagon, to openly kiss and touch. Nathaniel had no qualms about holding her and kissing her in front of everyone else, but this was different. He kissed her with the same raw hunger he’d reserved for the darkness of night.

“Don’t work too hard,” she breathed once he ended the kiss. “Your wound is still on the mend.”

He chuckled. “You tell me that every day.”

“And every day, you don’t listen.” She tilted her head, glaring at him until she couldn’t hold back a smile any longer.

“I have to oversee and make sure your cabin is built just right. Ethan’s been dishing out too many orders. It’s making Trevor and Travis short-tempered. Travis says he’s ready to run off into the mountains and spend the winter up on the Yellowstone.” He grinned and drew her closer. Nuzzling her neck, he murmured, “Someday I plan to take you there to see some of the wonders of the area.”

Cora tilted her neck to give him free access. “What kind of wonders?”

Nathaniel straightened. “Scalding hot water that comes out of the earth and shoots into the air in great big bursts. Mud that boils and looks like your porridge bubbling on the stove.”

Cora laughed. “You expect me to believe your tall tales, Nathaniel Wilder?”

He stepped back and touched his hand to his chest, feigning injury. “You wound me, Mrs. Wilder, calling me a liar. Someday I’ll prove it to you.”

Cora shook her head, still smiling. “I would never call you a liar. You don’t have to prove your honesty to me. If you say there is a place where hot water shoots out of the earth, then I believe you.”

His eyes narrowed. “Uh huh,” he drawled and dipped his head to kiss her neck again.

Cora leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck again to pull him closer. Nathaniel stepped forward, pushing her up against the wall. Cora moaned. Fumbling with the buttons on her dress, Nathaniel trailed kisses along her neck.

“It’s the middle of the day,” she whispered

“So what?” he murmured against her neck.

“What if someone walks in?” Cora’s heart beat faster in response to her husband’s actions. His chest rumbled with a chuckle.

“Everyone’s busy in the woods. No one’s going to come in.”

Cora clung to his shoulders as he slipped his hand inside the bodice of her dress, caressing her through the fabric of her chemise. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the rough log wall.

“I don’t tell you enough how much I love you, Cora,” he rasped against her neck. “I can’t imagine life without you.”

“You tell me you love me every day,” she whispered. “And you show me every day.”

Nathaniel leaned down to kiss her along her collar bone. Before his lips explored lower, the sound of a gunshot reverberated through the valley. Nathaniel stiffened instantly. He frowned.

“Where did that shot come from?” Cora’s forehead scrunched. Memories of the last time she’d heard unexpected gunshots several weeks ago flashed before her.

“Not sure, but it sounded like it came from the woods.” Nathaniel moved to the door.

“Is one of your brothers hunting?”

Nathaniel shook his head. “We don’t hunt this close to the cabins.”

Another shot rang through the air at that moment.

“Maybe Harley and Josie decided to do some target shooting,” Cora offered.

Nathaniel shook his head. “Harley was on his way to the woods when I came back here.” Nathaniel wrapped her back in his arms, and grinned. “Maybe Ethan finally made Travis mad enough that he’s taking shots at him.”

Cora’s eyes narrowed on her husband. “You men are always at each other’s throats and talking nonsense like that. Admit it, Nathaniel. Each and every one of you would lay down your lives for one another.”

“Just as I would lay down my life for you.” He kissed her again, when another shot rang out.

Nathaniel straightened. “Stay here,” he ordered, and grabbed his rifle that he’d propped up against the wall. Ripping open the door, he rushed out.

Cora breathed deeply to catch her breath. Her heart resumed its pounding, but for an entirely different reason than a few moments ago. She ran to the door.

“Be careful,” she called as Nathaniel disappeared into the trees behind the cabin.

With trembling hands, she buttoned the bodice of her dress. She flinched when several more shots rang out in quick succession. What was going on? Fear for Nathaniel and his brothers gripped her. Where was her rifle? The last time she’d seen it, Josie had used it for target practice.

“Cora, what’s going on?”

Anna and Caroline came running from the other cabin. Anna’s face was pale as a sheet. No doubt she also remembered the last time someone had been shooting at them.

“I don’t know,” Cora called. “Nathaniel thinks the shots came from where the men are working in the woods.”

“Maybe Trevor and Travis got bored and started a shooting contest,” Caroline suggested.

Cora shook her head. “I don’t think even those two would do something like that. They know it would alert everyone.”

Anna glanced around nervously. “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” she said quietly. “Let’s go inside and wait. It’s been several minutes and there haven’t been any more shots. Perhaps it was just the boys being boys.”

Cora glanced in the direction of the woods. There was no sign of Nathaniel or anyone else. Her head whipped around to look at Anna and her sister.

“Where are Josie and Patrick?”

Caroline’s eyes widened, as if it had just occurred to her that her sister wasn’t present. She and Anna exchanged a quick look.

“She went to the creek to get water and wash some linens,” Anna said. “Patrick went with Trevor earlier to help the men.”

Cora looked from one to the other. At that moment, another shot echoed through the valley, followed quickly by two more. Fear gripped her in earnest.

“You two get inside, and bolt the door,” she ordered. “I’m going to find Josie.”

Worry made her limbs heavy as lead as she ran in the direction of the creek, which flowed behind the large cabin that served as a barn for the horses in winter, and currently as the twins’ sleeping quarters. A good stretch of it was concealed by a stand of aspens and cottonwoods. Her wagon was parked along the corral fence. Cora’s heart nearly stopped when she rounded the corner behind the barn.

“Josie,” she screamed.

A man had her sister by the arm, struggling to pin her against him with his arms. Josie let out a yell and her body flailed in defense. The man glanced toward her at that moment. Ted!

Cora ran faster to reach her little sister, who continued to struggle against the much larger man.

“Let her go,” Cora yelled. She came to a stop when Ted held up his arm, pointing a revolver at Josie’s head.

“You’re here just in time, Cora,” Ted called back, a triumphant leer on his face. “I was just about to come pay you a visit.” He pushed a struggling Josie in front of him.

Cora’s mind raced and her heart pounded in her chest. She inhaled a deep breath to calm her nerves. Ted was not going to see her panic.

“Your business is with me, Ted. Leave her alone.” Cora shot an anguished look at her little sister, whose eyes were wide with terror.

Ted laughed. “I think I’ll just hold on to her while you and I talk, so that you’ll cooperate, Cora. It occurred to me just recently that the only way I was going to get you to do what I want is through your sisters. I should have thought of it before. Would have saved us all a lot of trouble.”

Cora swore under her breath. How could she have ever been fooled by this man into letting her believe he had decent intentions in Independence?

“You despicable swine,” she spat. “What do you want from me? You already shot my husband.”

Anger and fear for Josie made her body tremble. She fisted her hands at her side to keep them from shaking. Utter helplessness consumed her. She stood there, waiting for Ted to make his demands while Josie feared for her life, or worse.

What must be going through her little sister’s mind? Cora swallowed, her eyes pleading with Josie to remain strong. She’d repeatedly sworn to her sister that she’d never let another man touch her. Josie ceased her struggles, her panicked eyes locked on Cora.

Ted sneered. “And I thought I had killed him, too.”

“Let my sister go and I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“Oh, you’re going to give me what I want.” He laughed. “And don’t think anyone’s going to come to your rescue this time. A couple of friends of mine have those woodsmen busy enough to keep them occupied for quite a while.”

Cora shook her head in disbelief. Renewed fear gripped her, this time for Nathaniel and his brothers. She shot a hasty glance in the direction of the woods before turning her attention back on Ted.

“What do you want?” she asked, trying to sound as calm as she could muster.

“I know you brung quite a fat money purse with you from Independence. We could have split it in Oregon, but you had to be stubborn about it. Now I want it all.”

“It’s yours,” Cora said without hesitation. “I have to get it from the wagon.”

Ted sneered in triumph. He pushed Josie forward, still clamping an arm around her waist while holding the revolver at her temple. “One wrong move, Cora, and your little sister gets a bullet in her pretty head,” he sneered.

Cora looked at Josie, silently communicating with her eyes for her sister to be brave, that everything would be fine. A cold, determined gleam came over her sister’s tear-streaked face. She nodded, the movement nearly imperceptible.

“Please, Cora, help me,” Josie cried. “Let’s get to the wagon, and get him what he wants.”