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  Her sobs had turned to soft hiccups, but she remained in the same position, resting her cheek against Davis’s hard chest. “All right.” She whispered.

  “What?” Davis asked, leaning back to peer into her eyes.

  “I said ‘all right.’” Emma cleared her throat, speaking a little louder.

  “Are you telling me you’re all right?” Davis questioned.

  “No. Well, yes, I am all right, but what I’m saying is… I’ll consent to marry you. I tried, but I can’t do it anymore.” She twisted her fingers. “I was never so scared in my life as when the river water swirled over my head.” She hugged herself, and stared beyond his shoulder. “I almost drowned as a child and it brought back all the horror of that day.”

  Davis took her chin in his hand, and turned her face so their eyes met. The look in his eyes was not an I told you so look, but one of compassion, and something else she couldn’t identify.

  Well, maybe I can tolerate this after all.

  “You won’t be sorry, I promise.” Davis ran his palms up and down her arms, resting his wrists on her shoulders. “I would never raise a hand to you, and although I don’t have much, everything I have will be yours.”

  “Will you take me back to Indiana?” Head down, she mumbled to her lap.

  “Sorry, darlin’, I’m heading to Oregon to settle. As my wife, you’ll go with me and stay there.”

  Emma slumped. There it was. The reason she didn’t want another marriage. What she wanted never mattered, it was always the man’s wishes that counted. She still wouldn’t give up on her desire to return to Indiana. Back to the love and security of her childhood, to a comfortable life with people she’d known all her life. But that would remain her secret for now.

  * * *

  Summer now in full force, the heat started almost as soon as the sun came up. Cicadas chanted their spirited singing, and small animals and insects scurried for shelter from the heat. Circled by a crowd, Emma and Davis stood in front of Jeb Preston. Emma wore her best dress of green calico with ruffles around the neckline and sleeves. Small yellow flowers decorated her braided hair. She held a small colorful bouquet of wildflowers Abigail had made for her.

  Davis was fresh from a river bath; wet hair slicked back, clean black pants, and a white shirt with a string tie. He looked very handsome, Emma noted. Some of the younger single women who were traveling with their families looked on with romantic wistfulness.

  It was evening of the day after the river crossing. All the wagons had made it across, with the only mishap being Emma’s. Everyone had used the free day for bathing and laundry. Jeb had held a short Sunday service, and after the wedding ceremony, a party would follow.

  Davis took Emma’s hand in his and repeated the vows Jeb spoke. Sarah had loaned the couple one of her rings, since she thought Emma’s idea of using the same ring she had received from Peter was not a wise decision.

  Then it was Emma’s turn to repeat her vows, which she did in a soft voice. Her thoughts ran rampant as she spoke. So different from her first wedding. Her mother and father had beamed proudly when she’d become Peter’s wife. Now she was marrying a man her parents had never even met, out in the middle of nowhere, among a group of people she’d only known a short time.

  She gazed at the man she was pledging herself to. Peter had been young, brash, and full of life and energy. Davis was a more sober man, having no doubt suffered through things that made him the man he was. She didn’t question his character, having seen him every day for weeks now. He was smart, hard-working, and at the same time, caring and helpful.

  Would they grow to love each other? Did she want that to happen? Dragged from her musings at Jeb’s prompt, Davis reached over, took Emma’s face in his two hands and kissed her gently but firmly on the lips. Shock ran through her, creating little shivers to race across her spine, settling in her stomach. When she pulled back and met Davis’s gaze, once again the humor and other unidentifiable something sparkled in his eyes. She smiled briefly and then turned.

  They linked hands and joined the rest of the crowd as they all headed to where the women had set up tables and chairs scrounged from the wagons. Each wagon had contributed food for the celebration. The men had cleared an area and a few brought out fiddles and harmonicas. Soon couples began dancing, with the rest of the group clapping in time to the music.

  Apparently, having a break from the dull, hard routine of travel did much to refresh the travelers. Being clean, having clean clothing, and a reason to celebrate bolstered their spirits. Davis led Emma in a waltz and she was pleasantly surprised to find him an adequate dancer. He pulled her close and chuckled when she stiffened her elbows to put more space between them.

  * * *

  The sky grew dark and campfires sprang up as the party continued. Standing with a group of women, Emma spotted Davis in a circle of men who apparently were having some fun at his expense. The joking and nudging led her to believe they were discussing what was to come when the party wound down. Davis seemed to take it all in stride, but when he glanced over she found her heartbeat speeding up. Glory be, what had she done?

  In her focus on getting married again so she would have help for the rest of the trip, she had shoved the wedding night and all it meant to the back of her mind. Now it immediately presented itself to her full force. What was she thinking marrying a man she hardly knew? Would he insist on his marital rights tonight? Would he give her time to adjust to him?

  She didn’t have a whole lot of time to dwell on it as Davis walked slowly over to her, his lips tilted in a half smile. He took both of her hands in his and gently kissed her on the lips. The distinct odor of whiskey wafted from his mouth. Perhaps she should have also dipped a cup into the men’s punch bowl to calm her nerves.

  “Let’s go back to the wagon.” He whispered against her lips.

  “Um, already?” Emma gasped. Davis chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders, guiding her away from the group.

  Oh, dear, it didn’t seem as though Davis had any intention of allowing any getting to know you time before he took her to bed. She broke into a sweat and swallowed several times, trying to fill her lungs with air.

  The walk back to the wagon used up no time at all. Her heart thudded so hard no doubt Davis could hear it. Apparently noticing her distress, Davis left her in front of the wagon. “I’ll have a smoke out here, to give you privacy in the wagon before I come in.”

  Nodding numbly, Emma crawled into the wagon. Good grief, now what? Would it be acceptable to lie down fully dressed on the pallet? What if she only took off her shoes? Davis had cleared out a few things and re-packed so the bed would fit. It was a warm night, but she imagined newlyweds sleeping under the wagon would not be appropriate. Newlyweds. There was a scary word.

  Her first time with Peter had been awkward. He didn’t seem to know what to do any more than she did. He’d left his pants on, and she’d worn a new nightgown, but the garment buttoned up the front all the way to her neck. Neither one completely removed their clothes, Peter just pushing her nightgown up to her waist, kneading her breasts through her nightgown.

  They’d fumbled around in the dark, Emma filled with relief when it was all over. The pain hadn’t been as bad as her mother had cautioned, but for the life of her she couldn’t figure out why people would continue to do that once they had a couple of children. Over their short time together, their lovemaking grew more familiar, but never what she would consider enjoyable.

  Reluctantly, Emma took off her dress and underclothes and put the same nightgown on. Hands shaking, she took the pins out of her hair and brushed the lengthy locks. She could hear Davis outside the wagon moving about. She lay down on the pallet and took a deep breath. Within minutes her new husband entered through the canvas flap.

  The space seemed so small with him in here with her. Her heart sped up again, her breathing rapid. With the bright moonlight she could see his face as he sat alongside her. Tenderness seemed to radiate from him. He mo
ved his hand slowly over her hair.

  “You have beautiful hair, Emma,” he whispered. “I like it down. It’s like curly brown silk.” He picked up strands of hair and let it fall between his fingers. He then ran the back of his hand over her face, ending at her chin. He tilted her head up and bent slowly over her.

  His kiss started out softly, but soon grew deeper, as he put his arms around her and pulled her up. She could feel the strength of his muscular chest against the softness of her full breasts. He moved his chest back and forth and her nipples pebbled. With a groan, he put one hand on her throat to tilt her head, and moved his tongue against her lips, seeking entrance. Emma opened her mouth and gave a small squeak as Davis invaded her mouth, touching soft, sensitive parts with his tongue.

  Was this allowed? Peter had never entered her mouth. Her thoughts slowly drifted away as Davis nibbled on her bottom lip and pleasurable warmth started at her toes, then moved up to her middle. His touch was gentle, but firm.

  He moved his calloused hand to cup her breast, rubbing her nipple softly with his thumb. The scratchiness of the nightgown against her nipple stiffened it further. He left her mouth and kissed her neck and a tender spot under her ear. Emma’s senses came alive and a thousand butterflies seemed to release in her stomach. The area between her legs moistened and throbbed. She clamped her thighs together and shifted slightly.

  Davis continued to kiss her neck, moving down to her shoulder as he slowly ran his hand up the inside of her nightgown, gliding up and down the outside of her thigh, his hand resting lightly on her hip.

  His hand so close to her woman’s place jolted her, like a bucket of cold water. She tried to push the nightgown back down, but Davis took her hand and put it on his shoulder. She pulled back. “Can’t we just talk a bit first?”

  Davis took a deep breath and croaked “Talk?”

  8

  It seemed his nervous nurse had turned into his nervous bride. Perhaps going slow was a good investment. If he meant for this marriage to proceed well, he needed to assure his skittish wife he wouldn’t force himself on her. Not now not ever.

  Trailing his fingers slowly up and down her arm, he said, “Did you enjoy the party?”

  “Yes. It was very nice. In fact I was impressed so many people contributed to it.” Her voice shook, from either leftover passion, or fear.

  “That’s the way these wagon trains go. Folks really pull together for the good times and bad.”

  “Mmmm. I agree, they really are a nice group of people.” The breathlessness in her voice, and shifting of her body, told him stroking her arm was both soothing, and re-igniting the passion he’d briefly felt.

  Heartened, he nuzzled her neck again. When she didn’t pull away, he slowly moved his hand to cup her breast once more. The small moan that escaped from her encouraged him to move to her mouth, and touching her closed lips with his tongue, he edged her mouth open. Emma timidly met his tongue with hers, and Davis pulled her closer and began again to ease up her nightgown.

  Emma rested her hand on his chest. She opened the top two buttons of his shirt, and played with the hair on his chest. Davis moved over her, and maneuvered the nightgown all the way up and over her head.

  She was magnificent in the moonlight, all creamy skin and womanly curves. The nipple of one breast peeked out through strands of her glorious hair. He groaned at the sight of her spread out before him. Apparently uncomfortable under his gaze, she moved her hands to cover her breasts.

  He took her hands in his. “Don’t, sweetheart. Don’t ever cover yourself from me. You’re beautiful.” He ran his work roughened palms over her soft skin. “You take my breath away.”

  It had been some time since he’d been with a woman, but even if it had been only last night, he would find it hard to control himself. Emma had a body made for loving. He felt about to burst, and knew if he didn’t gain some semblance of control, he would likely embarrass himself with his new wife.

  He moved his mouth to her breast and suckled, scraping lightly with his teeth, bringing a soft moan from her lips. He moved his hand down to the curls at the apex of her thighs and slowly moved her legs apart. “Open for me darlin’,” he breathed into her mouth. She bent her knee to grant better access and Davis’s thumb circled her most sensitive flesh. He found her wet and ready for him, the perfume of her arousal filling his nostrils.

  Their mouths joined in a battle of tongues, Emma tugged his shirt from his pants, sliding her hands around his waist. Her eagerness brought a surge of desire so strong he almost lost the battle with his restraint. “Oh, darlin’, I’m not gonna last very long. You’re killing me.”

  He tore himself away from her warmth and quickly divested himself of his clothes. Emma regarded him with passion-filled eyes, her lips swollen from his kisses. Davis moved over her, pushing her legs apart with his knees.

  Once more he took possession of her mouth, and bracing himself on his elbows slid into her moist welcoming warmth. Her breath hitched as their bodies joined, and her eyes snapped open. He released her lips and smoothed the damp curls from her forehead. “God, you feel so good.”

  “This feels so different from what I’m used to.”

  “Hang on, sweetheart. It only gets better from here.” He started the rhythm that would bring them to completion. A moan slipped from her swollen lips, and her eyelids fluttered before she closed them, her jaw clenched.

  Davis sensed her agitation, her straining for what he knew she searched for. “Just let go, darlin, come with me.” He sucked on her earlobe as he continued his stroking and thrusting.

  * * *

  Emma thrashed underneath Davis’s hard body, with no idea what was happening to her. All her attention focused on the area between her legs, where he now used his fingers to touch and stroke her. Oh, if she could only reach what her body craved.

  Her hands moved to the back of his head, and she pulled him down for a soul-searing kiss. She grew frantic with need as her muscles tightened and her lower parts coiled. Then in a burst of light and heat, her body tensed, and waves of pleasure like she’d never before experienced washed over her in an explosive wave. Within seconds, Davis gave one final thrust, and groaned as his life force poured into her.

  Panting as if he had run a long distance, he collapsed on top of her. His muscles relaxed before he shifted to his side, and pulled her onto his chest. They both took in gulps of air.

  If this was how lovemaking was between husband and wife, she no longer wondered why a couple would keep it up even after a few children had arrived. Nothing she’d ever had with Peter closely resembled what she and her new husband had just shared.

  He turned to her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry it was so fast.” He kissed her forehead. “It’s just been too long for me, and something about you makes me lose what little control I have.” He tilted her chin up with his knuckle. “You’re so beautiful Emma Cooper. And I promise I’ll try my best to be a good husband, and make you happy.”

  Emma rested her palm on his cheek and looked into his eyes. She wanted to tell him taking her back to Indiana would make her happy, but didn’t want to break the connection between them. What she’d just experienced had shattered her soul, brought her to heights she’d never imagined. If he felt the same thing, this was not the best time to bring up Indiana. Instead, she smiled and laid her head on his chest. For now her secret would remain just that−her secret.

  Davis pulled up the light blanket at the bottom of the pallet. The night air on their cooling skin brought a chill to them both. Limbs intertwined and drowsy, Emma closed her eyes and was asleep in a matter of minutes.

  * * *

  Emma awoke to the feel of whiskers rubbing against the back of her neck. She and Davis were curled together like two spoons in a drawer, with her bottom pressed up against his groin, which appeared to be growing larger. She started at the realization that she was naked. Never in her time with Peter did she sleep without her nightgown. Most times her
nightgown never came completely off while they were making love. Feeling extremely embarrassed she tried to ease herself away from him.

  “Where ya going, darlin’?” Davis mumbled into her ear as he licked the outside of it.

  “Um, it’s time to get up.” She continued to ease away from him and the sensations he elicited, but his arm remained firmly around her middle.

  “Please, we need to get up. I have to start breakfast and you need to get the oxen ready and…” He silenced her litany of chores with a kiss. Oh my, first thing in the morning, too. His fingers moved to her breast to circle the nipple teasingly. She jerked at his touch and he chuckled into her mouth.

  “It’s daytime!” She gasped, and put her hand between them to push him away.

  “All right, Mrs. Cooper. We’ll leave this for later.” He rolled over and pulled on his clothes. Emma kept her head turned away while he fumbled behind her. Just before he left, he reached over and gave her a pat on her rump and squeezed.

  Heat flooded her. Goodness, he certainly was different from Peter. She jumped up and banged her head on a barrel. Still a little bit shaken up, she hurriedly washed, dressed and rolled up the pallet. She could hear Davis whistling as he did his morning chores.

  Aside from having a new husband in her bed, the day started out as any other. Davis took care of the animals and checked over the wagon while Emma prepared their breakfast. She was aware, however, of smiling glances in her direction from the other travelers. Each time her eyes met with another’s, the heat would start in her belly and rise to her face. Didn’t these people have other things to concern themselves with than what Davis and Emma were doing? Or had done? Just the thought of last night brought butterflies to her stomach.

  Maybe she could suggest to Davis they try that again tonight. Then she drew up in horror at her wanton thoughts. She quickly glanced around as if caught with her hand in the cookie jar.