Emma's Journey (14 page)

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 last 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.

Chapter Fourteen

“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 to 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 had 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.

Davis hunkered down next to her. “Darlin’, you can’t stay here. You have to cross the river.”

She gazed at him with tear rimmed eyes. “I can’t do it. I’m too scared. I know I’ll drown.”

He grabbed her arm as she rose to run. “The wagon’s already on the other side. I came back on a horse. You’ll ride with me and I won’t let you go. I promise.”

“I can’t!” She wailed.

Davis cupped her face in his hands. “I promise you on my life you won’t drown. I’ll hang onto you with all my strength.”

She shook so hard, her skin so pale, he feared she’d go into shock.

“All right, darlin’. I apologize for this ahead of time.” With that he picked her up, slung her over his shoulder and strode toward the horse. Drawing on all his strength, Davis put his foot in the stirrup, and still holding Emma over his shoulder, swung his leg over the other side of the animal. With one quick jerk he dropped her into his lap and started toward the river, one arm snugly around her middle as he held both reins with his other hand.

She burrowed her head into his chest and wrapped her arms around him, almost cutting off all his air with her iron grip. With Emma sobbing all the way, they made the crossing without mishap.

Davis handed a still pale and shaking Emma over to Ezra and walked the horse back to Nate. Nodding a thanks in his general direction, he stalked back to his wife, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and moved her in the direction of their wagon. Hands on her bottom, he pushed her up into the wagon, and climbed in after her.

She huddled in the corner, her teeth chattering.

“Honey, this has to end. We’re traveling to a rough part of the country. Things happen. Indians, rain storms, animals, outlaws.” He gestured with his arm in the general direction of the river. “And river crossings. I can’t have you falling apart every time something frightens you. You’re a grown woman. Carrying a child. It’s time to face your fears.”

“I am grown up. I was grown up just fine in Indiana. In Indiana, I. . .”

Davis placed his hands on his hips, his legs spread. “Woman, I don’t want to hear the name of that cursed place ever again. You understand me?” He ran his fingers through his hair, taking a huge gulp of air to calm himself. His wife needed a boost of confidence. So used to relying on her parents for everything, she refused to acknowledge her own strength. And it was his job to prove to her she could handle most anything.

Taking another deep breath, he dropped his hands, rubbed the back of his neck, then climbed out of the wagon.

Fear of losing her was turning him into a lunatic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The early morning sun cast a shadow over Emma. She and Davis slept with their backs to each other, both hugging their own side of the pallet. The rest of yesterday passed with short curt answers to questions. Supper had been a quiet affair, and after cleaning up, Davis wandered over to where several of the men were playing cards, and Emma found her way to Sarah’s wagon.

Sarah seemed to be doing better since Stephen’s death. Her old spirit was back, and she laughed and joked with Buck and her other children. Seeing the loving family, Emma felt a jolt of sadness at the distance between her and Davis since the crossing. Instead of stopping, she walked by, giving the family a small wave. She soon found herself back at her own wagon. After washing and changing into her nightgown, she climbed into the empty pallet and was fast asleep before Davis returned.

Now lying beside him, she wondered about her future. Touching her stomach, she thought about the baby’s future, too. Returning to Indiana had receded in her mind until she faced the crossing. How could she birth and raise a child with all the dangers Davis numbered? She knew she could count on him, but he wouldn’t be alongside her every minute of every day. Sighing, she turned over on her back to find Davis on his back, staring at her.

“Mornin’,” Emma whispered.

“Mornin’,” he returned.

Davis shifted to his side and propped his head up on his hand. “I want to teach you to shoot.”

“Shoot?” She gasped.

“Yes, every western wife needs to be able to protect herself. I can’t be with you every minute.”

Had he read her mind?

“And I would feel a whole lot better if I knew you could shoot a gun. I’ll teach you how to clean it, load and fire it. When we stop for noon break today, and then again tonight, you’ll start practicing.” The look he gave her brooked no argument, so she didn’t try.

Shoot a gun?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Days passed as the wagon train meandered through steep narrow paths. Emma no longer spent her mornings emptying her stomach in the bushes, but she continued to need a nap each afternoon.