Cora's Pride (Wilderness Brides Book 1) (14 page)

He smiled in response to her frown. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to tell her that his interest was in her. He hesitated. “Next spring, if you still want to go on to Oregon, we’ll hitch up with one of the wagon outfits and I’ll make sure you get there. No strings attached.”

Cora tilted her head, her eyes roaming every inch of his face. He didn’t look away. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, even if the fire had gone out of her eyes for a moment. He’d bring it back somehow.

“So, if I agree to marry you, and go with you to your home, you promise to bring us back and take us to Oregon? And then what?”

Nathaniel inhaled a deep breath. He forced his next words from his mouth. “Once you’re settled, you can have the marriage annulled, and we go our separate ways. You’ll have your land in Oregon.”

Her eyes widened. “A marriage in name only?”

He nodded. “You have my word,” he said. “I won’t make any demands on you.” This would surely be the most difficult promise he’d ever made to anyone.

Cora shook her head, an incredulous look on her face. “Why are you doing this?”

Nathaniel raked a hand through his hair. He curled his toes in his moccasins to keep from stepping closer and pulling her into his arms. If he did, his promise would become a lie in less time than it had taken him to say the words. He’d be no better than the men who had failed her.

“I’m doing this because I know that if I don’t, someone in your family, perhaps all of you, will die on that trail.” He gritted his teeth. “And I suppose that by offering to help you, I’m making amends for things I did wrong in the past. I’m not going to stand idly by, knowing that by doing nothing, someone will lose their life.”

And because you can’t stop thinking about her and don’t want her to leave.

Cora’s eyes shimmered. She was clearly working things through in her mind. A faint, almost sad smile passed over her lips.

“There’s still daylight left. Joseph Walker told me there’s a preacher with that wagon outfit. If we pay them a visit, I’m sure he can marry us. That way, I can back up my words to Ted Miller if he challenges us that we’re not properly wed.”

Cora’s chest heaved. She still looked unsure, but apparently had resigned herself to his proposition. He reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I understand your reservations, Cora.” He took a step closer. “I give you my word, on my mother’s grave, that I won’t betray you, and I will honor my promise.”

Her eyes drifted over his face. There was nothing more he could say to convince her. To her way of thinking, she had good reason to be cautious. In the matter of a few weeks, she'd thought she'd gotten married, had been betrayed and left behind, and had been confronted by the very man who had stolen her virtue and was most likely looking to steal much more. She simply needed to see that he wasn't anything like that low-life.

“All right, Nathaniel,” she finally said. She even laughed softly. “I never thought I would be able to trust another man, yet you come charging into my life and shatter every resolve I ever made. I’m putting my family’s future in your hands.”

Nathaniel wrapped his fingers around her hand and offered a quick smile. He’d much rather seal their agreement with a kiss, but he’d told her he wasn’t going to make demands on her and that this would be a marriage in name only. He’d better start practicing what he’d promised and let go of her hand, but since this might be the final time he touched her, he prolonged the contact for as long as possible.

He was staring at the longest winter he was ever going to spend, but he was going to prove to her that he was honest. For now, he had to earn her complete trust. Perhaps in time, he’d even earn her love, and she’d choose to stay with him.

“Do you want to go back and tell your sisters and Anna?”

Cora glanced in the direction where her wagon stood. She shook her head. “We can tell them when we get back.”

T
he tops
of more than a dozen wagons became visible in the distance. Nathaniel led Cora toward them. The closer he came to the wagons and making Cora his wife, the faster his heart pounded in his chest. He was actually going to go through with the idea he’d deemed too crazy to even consider less than twenty-four hours ago.

He smiled despite his impulsive decision. Harley would be tickled to see him come home with a wife. He’d still have to sort out how he was going to tell the old man and his brothers that it was only a temporary arrangement. Ethan would chalk it up to yet another one of his younger brother’s harebrained and irresponsible decisions.

Irresponsible, hell.

This was the most responsible thing he’d ever done in his entire life. He was looking out for four young women and a boy, keeping them from getting swindled and possibly losing their lives.

And you’re doing it for selfish reasons, too.

Yeah. Reasons he wasn’t ready to share with Cora. Reasons that still confused him. For now, it was enough that he’d kept her from making a foolhardy decision that could get her killed, and he’d keep scum like Ted Miller away from her, too.

He still held her hand as they approached the large encampment of wagons. She hadn’t tried to break the contact, and until she did, he’d enjoy the feel of her hand in his. The camp was fairly quiet when they arrived. Women worked around several central fires, while men stood or sat, talking in quiet tones. He’d seen happier people at a funeral when he was a boy back in Kentucky.

Everyone was dressed similarly. The women wore dark gray or black dresses, white aprons, and white caps that covered their hair, while the men wore gray shirts and black trousers held up with suspenders. Every man wore a black hat.

One man walked toward them when they approached. He looked at Cora with a stern eye. His gaze traveled over her green dress and rested on her uncovered head. Her hand tensed as it nestled in Nathaniel’s grasp. He gave it a reassuring squeeze. The reason for the Walker brothers’ less than enthusiastic response to Cora joining this camp became obvious.

“Is there a preacher or minister in camp?” Nathaniel asked.

“Father Morris,” the man answered. His expression hadn’t changed.

“Would he be willing to wed this woman to me?”

“I think that can be arranged,” the man said solemnly. “Father Morris is over there.” He pointed to an older man sitting in front of one of the wagons, then motioned for Nathaniel to follow him.

Several of the women looked up from their chores, but quickly averted their eyes. The children in this group were as quiet as the adults. Nathaniel smiled. Cora definitely wouldn’t have fit in with these people. These women lacked even the slightest hint of the spark that glistened in Cora’s eyes, reminding him again why he was so drawn to her.

“Father Morris, this man wants to wed this woman.”

The old preacher put his hat on his head and stood. His scrutiny of Cora was even harsher than the other man’s. Nathaniel squeezed her hand tighter. Hopefully she’d remain quiet and act accordingly. He’d seen religious communities like these before. The men were in charge of everything and the women had no say. They believed in work, the Bible, and nothing else. At least there would be no doubt that the wedding would be legal.

Too bad he had no time to warn Cora to play along with whatever the preacher was going to say. Judging by the look in his critical eyes as he scrutinized her, it wasn’t going to be a joyful wedding ceremony.

“What is your name, woman?” the old man wheezed.

“Cora Hudson,” she answered with a definite note of defiance in her voice.

Nathaniel’s lips twitched slightly. She’d clearly already made up her mind about this preacher.

“And you are?” the preacher directed his question to Nathaniel.

“Nathaniel Wilder. I’m looking to wed up with this woman.”

The preacher nodded at the man who’d led them here. “Bring me my Bible, Abner. I can see that this woman is in dire need of a husband.” His severe gaze lingered on Cora’s uncovered head, then rested on Nathaniel. “If I marry you to her, will you set her on the right path to keep her free from sin?”

Next to him, Cora drew in a quick breath that sounded more like a hiss. “What do you –”

“I most certainly will, Father,” Nathaniel cut her off. He gave her hand a quick squeeze. No doubt he’d get an earful from her once this wedding was over. She might even point the shotgun at him again. He turned to her and smiled, unable to conceal his straight face. Her eyes narrowed on him, letting him know in no uncertain terms that this wasn’t the wedding of her dreams.

The other man handed the preacher a Bible. He held it between bony fingers, clutching it to his chest.

“Woman, are you free of impurities, both in body and thought?”

“Am I what?” Cora’s voice rose both in pitch and volume. Nathaniel coughed and held his hand to his mouth or he might burst out laughing. This pious preacher had no idea how close he was to being clobbered by the fiery woman standing in front of him.

The old man’s face turned harsh and his cheeks reddened. “Have you lain with a man outside of the sanctity of marriage?” he clarified, not that he needed to. Cora surely had understood him the first time.

Nathaniel couldn’t hold her hand any firmer for fear of crushing her bones. If he didn’t hold on tight, she was liable to rush from this camp. No doubt she was already having second thoughts. Mustering all his willpower, he kept an impassive look on his face. Mentally, he braced himself for Cora’s wrath later.

“She hasn’t, Father,” Nathaniel spoke up for her. The thought that she’d been with Ted heated the blood in his veins with anger. It hadn’t been her fault. The loathsome man had deceived her into thinking that they were properly married.

The preacher glared at her with an accusing stare. “You do understand, woman, that you shall always obey your husband and do his bidding?”

Cora leaned slightly forward before Nathaniel could stop her. “What I understand is that you are –”

Nathaniel pulled her back. “She understands just fine, Father,” he cut her off again. “Whatever is unclear to her, I’ll make sure to teach her.” He wrapped his arm around the back of her waist and drew her against his side. Try as he might, an image of Cora being demure and obedient failed to materialize. Cora’s head snapped up to him. The glare in her eyes could set a house on fire. He shot her a grin and winked.

The preacher inhaled dramatically. He raised his chin. “Very well. Do you, Cora Hudson, take this man as your husband, and do you swear to obey and honor him? Will you love him, comfort him when he so desires, and care for him in sickness and in health?”

When she hesitated, Nathaniel gave her a slight nudge in the back.

“Yes,” she hissed.

“Nathaniel Wilder, do you promise to guide this woman so that she will always be on the right path, and provide for her as well as any children you might beget with her?”

“Nothing would make me happier, Father. I do,” Nathaniel answered quickly in order to put an end to this ordeal.

The preacher nodded, apparently satisfied. “You are now husband and wife.” His eyes turned sympathetic. “I wish you luck, son. I fear that you will need it with this one.”

Nathaniel ran his free hand along his jaw to hide the smile he worked so hard to conceal. “Thank you, Father. I’m sure I can set her straight and make her come to understand the error of her ways.”

Next to him, Cora scoffed. The scowl on her face would send a weaker man into hiding. He tucked her closer to him with his arm still securely around her waist.

“Very good,” the preacher nodded in approval. “I have the marriage paper for you to sign.”

“What a horrible man,” Cora hissed the minute they were out of earshot. She’d rushed from camp as if a horde of Indians were on her tail. Stumbling through the grass, she pulled her hand from Nathaniel’s grip and hurried along the creek bank to where her wagon was camped. “What a . . . a pompous . . . ass.” She stopped abruptly and turned on him. She pointed a finger in his face. “And you, for going along with it.”

Nathaniel’s grin widened. His chest rumbled and he couldn’t hold back any longer, laughing loudly.

“What’s so funny?” Cora screeched.

“If I hadn’t gone along with that old coot, he wouldn’t have married us,” Nathaniel said, clearing his throat from his fits of laughter. “At least you have a legal marriage certificate now that’ll keep Ted away from your property. That alone should be worth the pain and suffering you just endured.” He laughed again. “I’m sure glad you left your rifle back at camp.”

“I might be a bad shot, but at least I could have clobbered him over the head with it and knocked some sense into him. I’ve never been so insulted in my life.” She pointed in the direction of the camp they’d just left. “How do those women put up with it?”

Nathaniel grinned and gave her a light swat below her waist that earned him another murderous glare. Laughing, he nudged her forward. “Just practicing what I promised the preacher.” He winked.

Cora huffed and marched off. He fell in step beside her, then overtook her and walked backwards in front of her, just so he could look her in the eye. His grin widened.

“Come on Cora, stop your fuming. I agree, that man was a buffoon, but you have to admit, it was funny. At least you can say your wedding will be one you’ll never forget.”

Cora raised her chin. She stuck her nose in the air and tried to skirt around him.

“Am I gonna have to take the switch to you? I never go back on my word, you know. I did promise Father Morris that I’d make you obey me.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she hissed.

“I will if you don’t smile and admit that it was funny.”

He bent to pick up a stick and fell in step beside her. He waved it in front of her nose.

Cora stopped. She faced him and their eyes met. Her chest heaved, then her lips widened right before she erupted into fits of giggles. Nathaniel’s chest exploded at that moment. All he could do was stand there and stare at her. She grabbed for the stick in his hand, catching him off guard, but his reflexes were quicker. He ducked out of the way.

“We’ll see who’s going to toe the line, Nathaniel Wilder.” She laughed in her unsuccessful attempt to take the stick away from him.

“Not fast enough, Cora. Try again.” He winked.

Cora lunged forward, grabbing for the stick he held just out of her reach, and landed against his chest. Nathaniel instantly brought his other arm around her waist and pulled her up against him. The grin faded from his face as he stared down at her. Cora’s chest heaved against his. She braced her hands against his shoulders for balance, looking as surprised as he at the turn the game had taken.

“I told the preacher you were free of impure thoughts,” he murmured, inhaling deeply of the faint scent of soap on her skin.

Cora pushed back and slipped out of his embrace. Her face reddened.

“I think you’re the one having impure thoughts,” she breathed.

She turned on her heels and scurried away. Nathaniel stood for a moment, watching her rush off. He dropped the stick. Something in his chest tightened. He’d convinced her to marry him, despite all her reservations from past experiences. He’d already overstepped the boundaries he’d promised he’d maintain. He’d given his word not to make demands of her, so she’d feel safe and could trust him. For now, she was his wife in name only, but maybe he’d bought himself some time to win her love.

He caught up to her before they reached their camp. “Are you going to tell them?” he asked.

“I will,” she said. She stopped, faced him, and offered a tentative smile. It was better than a glare. He took a step closer and reached for her hand again.

“I meant what I said, Cora. I keep my promises. All of them.” He gave her a meaningful stare. “Today, I promised to protect you in front of that . . . pompous ass.” He grinned and Cora’s smile brightened. He sobered. “I also promised you that there were no strings attached. No demands. We’re married in name only.”

She scrutinized his face and nodded. “In name only,” she repeated quietly, then walked into camp and called her family to gather around them.