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  Davis struck up a conversation with one of the soldiers while she studied the supply of goods the store had to offer. She approached the soldier behind the counter and just as she began to speak a voice behind her called out. “Emma!”

  She turned, but the darkness of the store kept her from seeing who spoke. She glanced over to where she last saw Davis, and he was still there. Hurried footsteps headed in her direction.

  “Emma Thorpe!” the voice called out again. All of a sudden strong hands grabbed her waist and swung her in a circle. Then the man gave her a huge kiss, right on the lips.

  “Emma, what are you doing out here, so far from home?” With the light from the door behind him, she still couldn’t make out his face, and put her hands on his chest to put a little distance between them. Just then she saw Davis out of the corner of her eye.

  He strode straight toward them, and if the look on his face was any indication, he wasn’t too happy seeing his wife wrapped in the arms of a soldier.

  10

  “Emma, it’s me, Nate. Nathan Hale.” The soldier continued to hold Emma, smiling broadly.

  “Oh Nate, how wonderful to see you!” Emma exclaimed, hugging him back.

  “I hate to break up this little reunion, but I’d appreciate you removing your hands from my wife,” Davis drawled.

  Nate dropped his hands and looked at Emma questioningly. “Wife?”

  “Um, yes, Nate, this is Davis Cooper, my ah, husband.” Emma cleared her throat.

  Nate looked back and forth between Emma and Davis confusion clearly written on his face.

  “But, but I thought you married Peter Thorpe right before I left for the army?” He glanced sideways at Davis who stood still, hat pushed back, hands on hips, his jaw tight.

  “Yes, that’s right. I did marry Peter Thorpe. And then he sold the farm, and we came on this wagon train, and Peter had an accident. He died, Nate. Trampled by a horse.” She finished softly, her hands twisting as she spoke.

  Davis reached over, pulling Emma against his chest, still glaring at the intruder who had upset his wife. “Mrs. Cooper and I got married a couple of weeks back. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have business to attend to.” He started toward the door but Emma dug in her heels.

  “No, Davis, I want to introduce the two of you. This is Nathan Hale from Indiana. He and I grew up together.” She turned to Nate with a smile on her face. “And it’s so good to see someone from home.”

  The soldier winked at Emma.

  “That’s it,” Davis mumbled. “It’s been a pleasure, let’s go.” He shook the man’s hand, and with his arm like a steel band around her shoulders, led Emma out of the store.

  “Davis, that was so rude.” Emma yanked herself away from him as they walked through the door into the bright sunlight. “I haven’t seen Nate in quite a while, and it would have been nice to visit for a while.” She stopped and fisted her hands on her hips, chin sticking up in the air.

  Bells went off in his head. This wasn’t good. The last thing he needed was for Emma to run into someone from home. Studying his feet, he rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “Darlin’ we have things to do.” He stuck his hands in the back pockets of his pants. “And you’re looking a little tired. I think you need a short nap. You’re just getting over Influenza.”

  “I don’t need a nap Mr. Cooper. I just got out of that wagon a short while ago. What I want to do is to go back into that store and see about buying the supplies we need.” She tapped her foot.

  God she looked adorable. No, this was definitely not good. And he hated the fact that seeing Nate with his arms around his wife bothered him so much. Almost as if he were jealous. An impossible notion. He liked Emma, he liked her a lot in fact, but he was sure his feelings didn’t run any deeper. Still, he couldn’t shake the vision of Emma and Nate staring into each other’s eyes, beaming.

  “We can get the supplies later. You may not have noticed, but that store is jammed right now. Let everyone get what they want, and you can shop later, or tomorrow, so it won’t be so hard on you, just recovering and all. And I have to check the wagon wheels and the rest of the wagon.” He slowly moved her way. “Also make sure we’re ready for that trip over the mountain.

  “I’ll walk you over to Sarah’s wagon and you can spend some time with her, she still needs consoling you know.” He rambled, but couldn’t help himself. He breathed a sigh of relief when Emma grudgingly followed along.

  * * *

  Nathan Hale stood in the doorway of the supply store, hands on his hips, watching Emma and her husband. Frowning, he turned and walked over to the commanding officer’s room.

  “Sir, request permission to speak.” Nate saluted Major Winslow Sanderson.

  “Yes, soldier.” The major leaned back in his chair.

  “Sir, I wish to volunteer to be with the detachment that will be traveling with this group of emigrants to Oregon.”

  “Any particular reason for that, soldier?”

  Nate hesitated. “No sir.”

  Major Sanderson studied him for a minute. “Very well, give your name to the clerk. I’ll decide tomorrow on the two soldiers who will go.” He returned to the papers on his desk. “That’s all.”

  Nate saluted smartly and left, a small smile tugging at his lips.

  * * *

  Numerous campfires burned brightly around the wagons. The fort was quiet, and the Indians on the other side of the fort cooked meals over their fires. Emma sat and stared into the flames, talking quietly with Sarah. She listened as the woman spoke, but her mind drifted back to her meeting with Nate that afternoon.

  It had indeed been good to see someone from home. At one time she thought she and Nate would marry, but Peter came along and the next thing she knew she was planning her wedding, and Nate had enlisted in the Army.

  His handsome features, blond hair, and darker mustache gave him a rugged, masculine look. A stark contrast to Davis’s dark complexion, and curly brown hair that hung further over his collar than when they’d first met. While Nate was tall and slender, Davis matched him in height, but his broad shoulders that tapered to slim hips and long muscular legs, gave him a more powerful bearing. She flushed with thoughts of the one and only time she’d seen those muscular legs.

  “Emma, you seem to be a million miles away tonight.” Sarah spoke softly.

  Feeling guilty, since she had come to offer comfort to Sarah, Emma reached out and patted Sarah’s hand.

  Emma nodded. “I am a bit distracted tonight. This afternoon I ran into a solider here at the fort from back home.”

  “Oh, that must have been nice for you. I guess he was surprised to see you all the way out here.”

  “Yes, surprised to see me here, and very surprised to find me married to Davis. I’m afraid Davis was a bit rude to him. I don’t understand that.” She shrugged and glanced at her friend.

  Sarah gave Emma a soft smile. “Emma, dear, if you don’t know why it bothered Davis, then you haven’t seen the way he watches you. I think Davis must have been a bit jealous.”

  “Jealous?” She shook her head furiously. “Oh, no, you’re mistaken. Davis and I married because I basically had no choice. He doesn’t feel anything for me but friendship.”

  “Well, don’t be so sure of that. Just give it time. You’ve been sick almost since you got married.” Apparently remembering the illness that also took her young son’s life, Sarah sighed.

  Emma reached over and hugged Sarah. “I best be going now. I still need to clean up from supper, and I think a good night’s sleep will feel good. I’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe we can go over to the supply store together. I didn’t get to see much today.”

  As Emma entered her wagon area, she noticed the supper things had been cleaned and put away. She looked around, but didn’t see Davis anywhere. She took her nightly visit to one of the privies provided by the fort. Then she climbed into the wagon, brushed her hair out, and re-braided it for sleep. Splashing water on her face, she took off her dre
ss and under things, then pulled her nightgown over her head. Just as she finished, she heard Davis calling goodbye to someone as he approached the wagon.

  “Hi, sweetheart.” He stuck his head inside the wagon. “I have an idea. It’s so pretty out tonight, I thought we’d sleep under the wagon. I can drag the pallet out here if you fetch the blanket.” His eyes sparkled in the moonlight. Davis had apparently found a way to wash up, since his hair was still wet and slicked back. He had shaven his days old beard off, too.

  Emma felt a small prickling in her stomach when she regarded him. He looked so handsome. “Okay, that might be nice.” All of a sudden she felt lighthearted. She grabbed a blanket and moved to the back of the wagon. Davis reached in, put his hands around her waist and lifted her out. She put her hands on his shoulders and smiled down at him. There was that jittery feeling in her stomach again.

  Davis had placed their wagon away from the others, near bushes and a few scraggly trees. The rest of the wagons had scattered around, the fort so close everyone shared a sense of security, not needing to form their usual circle.

  He dragged out the pallet and shoved it under the wagon. Emma climbed in, giggling like a schoolgirl. Even though she and Peter had slept underneath the wagon, now it almost felt as if she and Davis were doing something naughty. The feeling must have been contagious because she heard Davis laugh softly behind her. She settled herself on her back. She watched as Davis took off his pants and shirt, folding them, and then his boots and socks. He climbed in and lay on his side, facing her. The darkness was so complete she could hardly make out his face.

  “I bought a present for you today at the supply store.” He fumbled with the pants he’d just taken off, removing something from the pocket. He took her left hand and held it.

  “When we got married back there on the trail, there was one thing missing from the ceremony.” He slowly slid a wide gold band on her finger.

  “Now everyone will know you’re a married woman.” He reached over and kissed her softly on the lips. Emma looked down at the band and felt a glow in her stomach. Davis had bought this for her. Smiling at him, she murmured. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I absolutely love it.” She hugged him tightly.

  “Emma, I’ve missed you while you were ill.” Davis unbraided her hair, running his fingers through it. He reached over and pulling her head toward him kissed her. “Open for me, darlin’,” he murmured against her lips. Hesitantly, Emma opened her mouth and he plunged in, stroking and thrusting.

  Once again warmth flooded her at her husband’s touch. She sighed softly, and slid her palms up his muscular arms. Her heart sped up, and those now very familiar butterflies let loose in her stomach. She shifted, squeezing her thighs together as the throbbing started.

  Davis moved his hand down to the hem of her nightgown and slowly inched it up.

  “Davis, no.” Emma whispered. “We’re right out in the open.” She tried to push the nightgown down, but Davis stubbornly held onto it.

  “It’s okay, darlin’ there’s no moon tonight, and nobody near us. I made sure of it when I put the wagon here.” He slowly brought the nightgown up again. “We’re as much alone as if we were in the wagon. Relax, let me love you.” He nibbled on her lower lip, sucking it into his mouth.

  Emma released her hand from the nightgown and smoothed her hands across Davis’s chest. The short crinkly hairs felt good on her hands. He continued to bring her nightgown up until it was over her head. Their nakedness outdoors fired her blood. She rubbed her breasts against Davis’s chest and groaned softly as her nipples came to rigid peaks.

  He moved down to her neck, kissing the tender skin beneath her ear. Meanwhile his hands moved slowly up and down her body, moistening her center. His lips moved down further until he caught one of her nipples between his teeth. The sensation shot right to her core. She found it hard to take in a full breath. Hesitantly, she reached down and circled his manhood, something she’d never done to Peter, never having had the desire to do so. Something about this man’s touch encouraged a side of her she’d only recently discovered.

  Davis let out with a sharp intake of breath, and covered her hand with his own. “Darlin’ if you keep that up, this is going to be over as fast as the last time.”

  She drew her hand back. “Don’t you like that?”

  He groaned. “Oh yes. A little too much. But this time I want to make love to all of you.”

  Eyeing her as if presented with a banquet, he slowly moved down her body, nipping, sucking, and kissing her skin. She burned everywhere his lips touched. When his mouth reached her most private part, she moaned, and grabbed his hair with her fingers, kneading his scalp.

  “That’s it, darlin’, come for me.” His warm breath fanned over where she throbbed almost painfully, and pushed her over the edge. She shattered into a million pieces as waves of pleasure washed over her. Slowly he kissed his way up, and entered in one stroke, filling her, causing another surge of sensation.

  Emma grasped his shoulders and moaned. Within minutes, he threw his head back and groaned loudly before collapsing on top of her.

  “Darlin’,” he gasped, “the only way I’m going to last longer is by lovin’ you more often.” He rolled to her side, and inhaled deeply.

  The air was still and warm as they lay quietly under the wagon, hands joined, her head resting on his chest. Once their breathing returned to normal, Davis helped her back into her nightgown, then they cuddled close together, Emma’s head tucked snugly under his shoulder. Davis ran his fingertips up and down her arm, causing drowsiness to descend like a comforting blanket.

  * * *

  Shortly after dawn the camp awoke. As red, orange and yellow rays of sunlight kissed the newly awakened earth, Emma listened as women spoke softly as they prepared breakfast and their men checked wagons, harnesses, and animals. Soon the high shrill of children’s voices echoed, as they climbed out of wagons and ran about with all the natural exuberance of youth. As fires started up, the slight breeze blew smoke around, and smells of bacon and coffee wafted in the air.

  While Emma scooped out flour to make biscuits, Davis walked over to the animal area to check the oxen. Being Sunday, today would be a day of rest, laundry and the final opportunity to restock at the fort supply store. Jeb Preston was to join the fort chaplain in a service for soldiers and emigrants. Emma was thoroughly enjoying the respite the fort offered. She felt much stronger, and looked forward to her trip to the store.

  * * *

  Davis and Emma stood side by side as the service came to an end. All the emigrants had joined the soldiers for the service. A sense of peace descended on her as Davis placed his hand on her lower back to guide her out of the building used as a chapel. After speaking with the chaplain, they stepped into the bright sunlight. They had only gone a few steps when Nate stepped in front of them.

  “Mornin’ Emma,” he tugged on the front of his hat. Glancing in Davis’s direction, he added “Cooper.”

  “Hale,” Davis answered with a short nod, draping his arm possessively around Emma’s shoulders.

  Ignoring Davis, Nate turned to Emma. “Commander Sanderson has decided a small party will be given tonight for the soldiers and wagon train travelers. He’ll be asking the women to contribute food, and the army band will provide music for dancing. He felt it would be a good send-off for your trip tomorrow.”

  Nathan took Emma’s hand. “I hope you’ll be able to join the festivities.”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful, doesn’t it Davis?” Emma smiled up into his face.

  “I don’t know, darlin’, we have a lot to do tonight to get ready to leave tomorrow.”

  “Come on, we could use a little fun.” She nudged him in the side. “We can get everything done early. I could make a pot of beans to bring with us.” Eyes shining brightly she tugged on his shirt as she spoke.

  “Well, I guess we might go for a little while,” he mumbled. “We better move along if we’re going to get everything done.”
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br />   When she didn’t move Davis growled, “If you’ve finished with my wife’s hand, Hale I would like her to have it back. As I said, we have things to do.” He tightened his arm around Emma, and with a stiff nod walked her off.

  “Why are you always so rude to Nate?” Emma cast him a glance as they walked back to the wagon.

  “I’m not rude, he’s rude. I don’t know about Indiana, but where I come from a man doesn’t hang onto the hand of another man’s wife.” He scowled and walked even faster.

  “But Nate’s an old friend. He was just being sociable.”

  Davis shook his head and snorted.

  Emma smiled. Maybe Sarah had been right, and Davis’s feelings were more engaged than she’d thought. Then her stomach clenched. She couldn’t allow that to happen. When the wagon train reached Oregon, she was going back to Indiana−with or without him.

  * * *

  Besides providing the food, the women of the wagon train also supplied tablecloths and decorations from their wagons. The men, along with the soldiers, scrounged around and dragged out every table and chair from the compound and wagons. Hanging lanterns swayed in the light breeze and dotted the fort with light and color. A small army band was tuning up as Emma and Davis arrived at the gathering.

  Emma took in the scene before her and could barely contain her excitement. Back in Washington County there had been dances several times a year. She sorely missed the fun and laughter that accompanied the get-togethers. Most of the women had put on their best dresses, had washed and scrubbed children, and put scissors and comb to their men.

  Slowly other travelers trickled in and soon the soldiers followed. The women placed their contributions on one of the cloth-covered tables just as the music started up. Davis drifted over to a group of men−emigrants and several soldiers. Although they’d been invited, the Indians chose to stay away from the celebration, and watched askance from their campfire at the goings-on among the white people.