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  “What happened? Why am I lying on the ground?” She struggled to get up.

  “Here, darlin’, drink some of this water. You passed out.” He put his arm under her shoulders and lifted her up so she could drink. “It looks like Corporal Moron got himself shot up. I don’t know any more than that. But when Dr. Bennett asked you to help, you up and fainted dead away.” Grinning, he leaned down and said quietly in her ear, “I’m sure your ‘condition’ had something to do with that.”

  “Shh.” Emma glanced around, going from pale white to bright red in seconds.

  * * *

  Sometime later, Dr. Bennett climbed out of the wagon rolling his sleeves back down. His gaze swept the area, then he strode over to Davis and Emma. “Are you feelin’ better, Miz Cooper?” Squatting down alongside her, he tilted her face up and looked in her eyes.

  “Yes, I’m fine now, Dr. Bennett. I’m so sorry I passed out in there before.”

  “No matter, ma’am, I’m sorry I was so rough on you, but the man was losing blood fast. I guess I should have asked someone not in a family way to help.” He chuckled and stood up, shrugging on his jacket. “Davis, I’m going to need to leave Corporal Hale in your wagon for a bit, will that be a problem?”

  “As a matter of fact, Dr. Bennett, that indeed might be a problem. Why does he need to stay in my wagon?” He tried to hang onto his temper as he glared at the doctor.

  “Because he can’t be moved just yet. And he’ll need a few days, or a week even, before he can sit a horse again. That hole needs to heal a bit.” He shook his head, mirth dancing in his eyes. “Some of these soldiers are their own worst enemy.”

  “What happened back there?” Davis nodded in the direction of the soldier’s tent, still irritated over having to play host to his nemesis.

  “Corporal Stevens was cleaning his gun and it went off, right into Corporal Hale’s chest. You’d think the army would have trained their soldiers better than that. Hale is damn lucky he didn’t get himself killed.” He glanced briefly at Emma. “Pardon my language ma’am.”

  Abigail came out of the wagon clutching Dr. Bennett’s medical bag. As she walked up to them, Dr. Bennett placed his hands on his hips and spoke to Davis. “So, what do you say, Cooper, can Hale stay with you for a few days?”

  “I don’t like Emma having the extra work right now, but if he can’t be moved, then I guess we don’t have a choice do we?”

  Abigail smiled at Emma, most likely guessing why he’d mentioned his reluctance for her to have extra work. Emma briefly touched her stomach.

  “All right, then it’s settled. Miz Cooper, do you think you can nurse him without passing out on us again?” He patted her on the shoulder.

  “Yes, Dr. Bennett, I can do that. It was just the heat, and all that blood, and, well, you know.” She finished lamely.

  “Yes, ma’am, I know. I think you’ll be fine. Maybe if you need to, you can get one of the other women to change his bandages each day. Come walk with me and I’ll let you know what you need to do for Corporal Hale.”

  Davis scowled as they both walked off. He glanced at his wagon, and shaking his head at fate, stalked off to get the animals to hitch up to the wagon for the day.

  * * *

  Starting out later than usual due to the wounding of Corporal Hale, the wagons skipped the noon break and went straight through to five o’clock before they stopped for the day. Emma was hot and sweaty and more than ready to collapse. She spent the day crawling back and forth from the front seat of the wagon to where Nate fitfully slept. She put cold cloths on his head, and gave him sips of water. He had been feverish all day.

  The wagons circled for the night, and darkness covered the group as they readied for bed. Campfires had burned down, and children tucked in. Emma hurried from the nearby bushes where she’d changed out of her dress and into her nightgown. Caring for Nate in her wagon was going to be a problem. When she had been nursing Davis, she had washed and dressed in Sarah’s wagon. It looked like she was going to have to return to that routine for a few days.

  Davis knelt under the wagon, spreading their bedroll. Drops of water fell from his freshly washed hair. Emma scooted underneath, and after stepping away to remove his pants, Davis joined her. As soon as they settled in, he reached for her. Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her deeply, moving his tongue teasingly over her lips until she opened her mouth. Emma was soon lost in the feelings running through her. Her heart beat faster, and she ran her hands over Davis’s back, her fingers kneading the ripple of strong muscles.

  “Davis, no!” Emma suddenly shoved him away.

  Dazed, he looked at her. “What− why?” He shook his head as if clearing it.

  “Nate.” Emma motioned with her head toward the underside of the wagon.

  “Nate, what?” Davis asked.

  “Nate’s up there. He can hear everything we do.” She smoothed her hair back, and straightened her nightgown, like a frightened virginal schoolmarm.

  “He can’t hear anything. We’re down here, he’s up there, and there’s a wooden floor between us. Now stop being silly and come back here.” He reached for her again.

  Emma moved backwards, holding the neckline of her nightgown in a bunch. “I can’t. I feel too funny. Please?”

  Davis groaned and lowered his head into his hands. “Emma, you’re killin’ me here.” He sighed and looked into her face, his expression softening. “Honey, you’re my wife. I won’t force myself on you.” He slanted her a look. “Can I try to change your mind?”

  She shook her head.

  He dragged his hand down his face. “All right, I can deal with it.”

  Pulling her to him, they lay down, Davis on his back, with Emma cuddled in the space between his arm and shoulder.

  ”But that arrogant soldier better heal himself fast,” Davis said as he got comfortable. “He’s been sticking in my craw since I first set eyes on him in Fort Laramie.”

  * * *

  It wasn’t long before he felt the steady breathing of his sleeping wife, her warm soft breasts pushed up against his ribs. He inhaled the sweet scent of her body. That was a mistake. His manhood took notice and complained. Maybe he should take a walk and plunge himself into the cold creek. Or instead, get his gun and shoot Corporal Nathan Hale, this time where it counted, and be done with it.

  His thoughts wandered to Emma’s condition. Her body already showed changes that he’d noticed. The weight of her breasts and the small swelling in her stomach warmed him. His plans were starting to fall into place. He had money in his pocket to start his horse ranch. He had a wife who satisfied him in all ways.

  The one hitch in his intentions was his wife’s desire to return to Indiana. Even though she hadn’t mentioned it in a while, he didn’t fool himself into believing she’d given up. He sighed and glanced upward. The soldier lying above him would be only too happy to snatch her away from him.

  Well, he would have a fight on his hands, especially with a child on the way. Emma was his wife, and the babe she carried was his son or daughter.

  Just as he drifted off, she shifted to her other side, pushing her lush bottom against his hip. He groaned. Lord, it would be a long night.

  * * *

  The wagon train picked its way through a steep narrow path, the small space making it difficult for the oxen to move forward. Most everyone walked, but since Nate was still recovering from his wound, he rode in the wagon. The sun beat down on the canvas of the vehicle, raising the temperature inside, but as Emma felt his forehead, it seemed Nate’s fever had broken.

  She fed him broth she’d made from dried meat. Five days had passed since he’d been injured, and although he looked better, it was still hard for him to move around.

  “I appreciate you taking care of me,” Nate said between sips, “I hope it’s not causing problems between you and your husband.” His lips curled at the last two words.

  Emma bit the inside of her mouth to keep from grinning at the frustration of the l
ast few nights under the wagon.

  “No, it’s all right. Davis understands.”

  Nate lowered his cup. “It’s important for me to say this. I admit I was upset when you married Peter. I hated myself for not speaking up before he came along. But I wished you well and made a life for myself in the army.”

  She moved back slightly, not comfortable with how the conversation was going.

  “No, let me have my say.” Nate stared in her eyes, his expression tense. “I want you to consider getting an annulment, which I mentioned to you before.” She started to speak, and Nate held up his hand to stop her. “I can help you when we get to Oregon. We can get married there and go back to Indiana.”

  She jerked at his words. Nate would be willing to take her back to Indiana? Then she thought of the speck of life she carried in her body, and shook her head. She took the empty cup from his hand and stood. “No, I’m married and we shouldn’t even be speaking of this. I need to go now.”

  Nate leaned up and pulled her to him with a lot more strength than she would have thought, given his injury. She stumbled and fell on top of him, luckily missing his injury. Before she could say anything, he put his hand behind her head and lowered her mouth to his.

  “Just what the hell is going on in here?”

  Emma and Nate split apart and faced Davis, anger radiating from him in waves.

  14

  “You know, I’m getting mighty tired of seeing your hands all over my wife, Hale.” Davis leaped up into the wagon and slammed his fist into Nate’s face.

  “Davis, no!” Emma pulled at Davis’s shirt. “He’s injured,” she yelled as she tried to separate them. Nate’s nose spurted blood.

  “Nowhere near as injured as he’s going to be when I’m done with him.” Davis growled. “Now Emma, get out of the way.”

  Davis reached down and pulled at Nate’s shirt. Nate struggled to get up, but fell back with a groan, holding his side with one hand, and his nose with the other.

  Emma wrapped her arms around Davis’s waist and tugged. “Stop this. Stop this now. This is crazy. Davis, please!” The fear and panic in her voice finally got through his haze of anger, and he released Nate, and stood, hands fisted at his side, breathing heavily.

  “I want you out of my wagon.” He turned, and taking Emma by her upper arm, marched her toward the back of the wagon. “And Mrs. Cooper, you and I are going to have a little talk.” He turned back to Nate huddled in the corner. “And it’s in your best interests to be gone when we return.”

  A small crowd had gathered by the time Davis lifted Emma down from the wagon. Ignoring them all, they both walked quickly away from the campground. Emma glanced at Davis who still looked like he wanted to hit something. About a half mile away, he slowed down and turned Emma to face him.

  “All right, let’s hear it.”

  “Hear, what? I don’t know what you expect me to say.”

  “Let’s start with why I come back from driving my wagon all morning and find my wife sprawled all over that soldier and him kissing you.” He pushed his hat back, feet spread, jaw clenched.

  “I didn’t do anything wrong, I promise.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “He grabbed me when I started stand up, and he kissed me. He says he wants to marry me.”

  Davis stared at her, his jaw slack. “Ah, I hate to dash the hopes of one of our brave and dedicated military, Emma, but you are already married. To me.”

  “I know that.” She dashed away tears. “But he insists since I was more or less forced to marry you, I can have the marriage annulled when we reach Oregon City.”

  Davis felt all the air leave his lungs. He stared down at her. Two tracks of tears spilled over her eyelids and slowly ran down her cheeks. With a shaky hand, he reached out and tilted her head back. “And is that what you want?” His voice rasped.

  Emma used the edge of her apron to dry her face. “I want peace and quiet. I want to feel secure, taken care of. I’m scared about having this baby all alone, away from my mama.” Her breath hitched as she twisted her hands in her apron.

  Davis pulled her closer, her head to his chest, and rubbed her back. “Ah, honey, don’t cry.” He cupped her face, using his thumbs to wipe away her tears. “Is it Hale you want?”

  Davis didn’t realize he held his breath until she whispered, “No.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. When had Emma become so important to him? He knew he had been acting the fool with Nate, but it didn’t occur to him until now that he was afraid of losing her. No longer could he pretend she merely fit in with his plans. Somehow this spirited, soft, loving woman had wormed herself into his heart. And he was determined to keep her right there.

  Hand in hand they took their time walking back to the wagon. A colorful field of wildflowers set against a backdrop of the deep blue sky, with snow-capped mountains in the distance, surrounded them with a sense of peace as they strolled along. Emma bent and picked a small bouquet of flowers. Sniffing them, she smiled up at him, and the sun became brighter.

  Nathan had indeed left when they reached the wagon, as was the crowd. Emma busied herself making the noon meal of bacon and biscuits while Davis attended the animals. It was now mid-summer, and the sun came up early, and set late. The group had traveled away from the prairie, yet the cooler air made no difference with the relentless sun beating down day after day, and drained man, woman and child.

  Most days Emma took a nap in the afternoon while Davis drove the wagon. They were very long days.

  * * *

  Emma gripped the log she sat on and swallowed, attempting to tramp down her terror as Ezra outlined to the gathered group the plans for the next morning’s river crossing. Because of recent rains, he explained the Great Platte River at the South Fork swelled and raced with dangerous speed. He emphasized what they each needed to do to insure their safe arrival on the other side.

  She took in deep breaths and placed her hand over her galloping heart. A quick glance around to view her fellow travelers told her while they all looked concerned, no one seemed to be facing the fear that crippled her.

  Davis put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “It’ll be all right, darlin’.”

  How could he say that? Twice she’d almost drowned, and now Ezra was putting her in a position to finally complete the act.

  She could not face another river crossing. Even with her husband’s reassurances her stomach clenched and bile rose in the back of her throat. And her baby! If she drowned, she’d take the tiny life inside her as well. Somehow she had to convince Davis this was the best time to turn around and head back to Indiana.

  Once the meeting broke up, she and Davis headed toward their wagon. Only familiar nighttime critter sounds greeted them until Davis broke the silence as he took hold of Emma’s hand. “This crossing will be fine, sweetheart. I’ll drive the wagon, all you have to do is hold on.”

  She twisted her hands in her apron. “I can’t do this. Please don’t make me.”

  Davis’s bows drew together. “Honey, we have no choice. In the morning we’ll all be crossing.” He pulled her into his arms. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” He drew back and looked directly into her eyes. “You have to trust me. I will keep you safe.”

  “Maybe this is a good time to turn back and…”

  He raised his hand to stop her words. “No. Emma, I promise you, I will not let you drown.”

  If he meant to calm her, it didn’t work. Tossing and turning all night, when she finally slept a vision of a little child bobbing in swift moving water, its tiny hands reaching out, woke her with a pounding heart.

  * * *

  Four wagons had already crossed when Emma and Davis’s turn arrived. One wagon had overturned, causing precious supplies to float down river. Even now she could see barrels and boxes floating away. The occupants and their somewhat bruised wagon had made it safety to the other side, however.

  Emma climbed up onto the seat, her whole body shaking
with fear. She swiped at the sweat gathered on her brow, then gripped her middle. Dear God, she couldn’t do this.

  “You ready, darlin’?” Davis reached for her cold hand and squeezed “Trust me, Emma.”

  He grabbed the reins, his full concentration on the animals that would lead them across. They started into the river and hit a bump, swaying the wagon. A jolt of fear sped through her. Her eyes grew wide as the animal’s front hoofs hit the swirling, rapid coursing water. Before she could even think about it, she jumped off the wagon seat, splashing in the water, and ran back to shore.

  * * *

  “Emma!” Shouting a spew of curses, Davis pulled up on the oxen, but once in the water, they refused to stop. Having no choice, he continued across the river, trying his best to concentrate on keeping the animals from panicking as they went deeper into the water. By the time he reached the other side, muscles he didn’t know he owned burned with the strain of holding the animals tight. Moving his wagon up off the bank, he stopped the oxen and hopped off the seat.

  “Davis, you better get that wife of yours under control.” Ezra stomped behind him. “Now whaddya gonna do with her over there, and you over here?”

  “I’m going back for her on a horse.” He stalked over to several riders on horses guiding the emigrants from the river. Davis nodded to Nate. “I’d appreciate the use of your horse, Hale.”

  “I can go back for her, Davis.”

  “Don’t make me drag you off that animal,” he growled.

  After mounting the horse Nate had reluctantly vacated, Davis splashed back into the river and returned to the other side.

  Completely oblivious to the crossings going on around her, Emma huddled on the bank, arms wrapped around her raised knees, rocking back and forth, a keening sound coming from her.