Emma's Journey (16 page)

As they danced, Emma kept playing with the curly hair that fell over his collar. Then she began to rub her breasts back and forth over his chest.

“I want to tell you something,” she breathed into his ear.

“What’s that, darlin’?” He laughed softly at this very entertaining side of his wife.

“When you do those things to me.” She blew in his ear. “You know, at night?”

“Yessss?” He hissed the word and clenched his jaw. Things were becoming interesting, but somewhat painful below his belt. One glance in her eyes and he smothered a groan, but still pulled her closer.

“I just wanted you to know that I really, really like that.”

“Is that so?” He sputtered, looking around to make sure no one overheard her confession.

“Yes, that’s so.” She nodded smugly. “And I just wanted you to know that.” She tilted her head and smiled, driving even more blood downward.

“Well, honey, I want you to know that I really, really like doing those things to you, too.”

“I thought so.” Emma snuggled closer.

Laughing now, he danced her over to the edge of the gathering, then grasped her hand, tugging her toward the dark area where the wagons sat.

“Where are we going? The party’s not over yet.” She pulled back.

“This party is over, darlin’, but the one I have in mind is just about to start.”

Emma smiled and slowly her mouth formed an, “O.”

“I like the shape of your mouth, honey. Let’s see if we can find a use for it.” Davis slung his arm around her shoulder and hurried her along.

Before they even got to the wagon, Emma turned and pulled Davis’s head down, running her tongue over his lips. He sucked her tongue in and then thrust his into her mouth, swirling it around. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. The lower part of Davis’s body came to full and complete attention.

“Do you like that?” She opened his shirt, then slid her hands around his back.

“Mrs. Cooper, if we don’t get to the wagon soon, I’m afraid we’re going to scare the horses and scandalize the old maids.” Again he moved her along, hoping no one had witnessed their little exchange.

Once in the wagon, they turned to each other, then frantically loosened buttons and removed clothes, all the while kissing, touching, and murmuring encouragement. Hairpins flew in every direction as Emma’s locks tumbled down.

“Can I be on top this time?” Her body shone in the moonlight as she crawled on the pallet.

Almost swallowing his tongue, he managed a grunt. “Darlin’, you can do anything you want.”

Both more than ready, she settled herself on his throbbing manhood. Nature’s glow highlighted her pale skin, as she leaned over him to offer a searing kiss, her hair surrounding them like a silk curtain. Davis reached up, and cupping both breasts, fondled the sensitive nipples as he moved slowly, watching her closely. Emma raised her hands to her head, and pulling her hair back in a pile, smiled down at him.

His breath caught. God, she was beautiful. The extra weight on her breasts and the growing expansion of her waist, filled with his child, fired him more than any sight he’d ever seen. Groaning, he grabbed her hips and rocked her in the age-old rhythm of lovers. She clutched his upper arms, threw her head back, and closed her eyes, her hair streaming down. The picture she presented brought him so close to the brink he had to struggle to hold on, not allow his release until she found hers.

He reached between them and fondled the swollen piece of flesh he knew would bring her along. Within minutes, Davis felt Emma grip his member, her body wracked with waves of pleasure that clenched and unclenched, pushing him over the edge.

Sweating and panting, heart racing, Emma collapsed onto his chest. After a few minutes, Davis brushed her hair back from her face just in time to hear her gentle snore.

He pulled her against his chest, and drew a light blanket over them. As he settled in, he grinned. His wife would not be happy in the morning.

Chapter Sixteen

Emma awoke with a headache, and ran her tongue over her fuzzy teeth. Her mouth felt as parched as a desert. Despite it being morning, the inside of the wagon was dark gray, with a chilling dampness. A quick glance between where the canvas and wagon met revealed a slow, steady rain.

She eased her aching head toward her husband, who leaned on his elbow, wide-awake and smiling, his eyes sparkling. What was that all about?

Then she remembered the night before, and groaning, grabbed the blanket and pulled it over her head.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Davis said as he eased the blanket down again.

“Please, I’m so embarrassed.” She rolled over, giving him her back.

Davis placed his hand on her shoulder and edged her back around, smoothing the loose hairs from her forehead. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Mrs. Cooper.”

“I acted like a harlot.” She moaned and covered her face with her hands.

Pulling her hands down, Davis looked at her, biting his lip, apparently trying hard not to laugh. “Ah, honey, don’t fret. That’s the best time I’ve had in years. You can be a harlot with me anytime you want.” He ran his knuckles down her cheek.

Suddenly she sat up, the blanket falling to her lap. “Oh my goodness.” She turned to him, her nakedness forgotten. “Suppose I hurt the baby last night?”

“Sweetheart, you didn’t have that much to drink. It’s just that you’re not used to it. You can speak with Dr. Bennett later, but I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. But for safety sake, let’s not drink punch again until after the baby comes.” He gave her that lazy, lopsided grin. “Then you can have all the mountain men’s punch you want.”

Emma yanked the pillow out from behind her and swatted him in the head.

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

The group of emigrants now faced the worst part of the trip. Already tired after months on the road, they now had to deal with hot and dry end-of-the-summer days, with a burning sun beating down on them relentlessly. At least Davis and Emma had fresh oxen to pull the wagon down steep, narrow paths.

Emma saw Nate just about every day, but he hadn’t approached her since he spoke his intentions before they’d reached Fort Bridger. She still wasn’t sure what Nate hoped to accomplish. It was almost as if he thought she would just bounce from one husband to another with no thought. It was bad enough she’d been forced to marry again so soon after Peter’s death. But, in truth, she had to admit it appeared to be working out all right. She and Davis got along, and while she wasn’t sure he loved her, he seemed to care a great deal.

As for how she felt about him, she was still confused. Thinking again about last night, heat rose from her toes all the way to her hairline. She glanced at Davis, afraid he could read her thoughts, but he was staring straight ahead, his mind a million miles away. And Emma was afraid if she admitted she loved Davis, even to herself, there would be no hope of returning to Indiana. He’d already stated his case in that regard. He would not take her back home.

Enjoying the peace of the rocking wagon as she worked on the new dress and considered her future, Emma put down her sewing and glanced at her husband. “You know, we never got a chance to speak with Ezra about the Indian problem.”

“I saw him for a little bit this morning when I went to fetch the animals. He said he had heard the same things as the Preston ladies. He didn’t seem concerned, though. Apparently, one of the reasons Nate and his cohort are with us is to help with any Indian concerns.” He snorted at this last statement. “If we have to depend on those two nitwits who can’t seem to get out of each other’s way, all I can say is I’m glad I taught you to shoot.”

Emma had gotten to the point where she no longer jerked the trigger, but pulled it slowly. Now her shots were more accurate, and each day Davis moved her targets further back. As her skill improved her confidence grew, and it felt great.

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

Davis glanced up sharply when the wagon in front of him slowed and eventually rolled to a stop.

“What the devil did we stop for?” He mumbled as he climbed down from the front seat. He followed several men heading toward the front of the line. His heart did a double thump at the sight of a band of mounted Indians talking to Ezra. Nate and the other corporal, rifles handy, had joined the group.

“Corporal, can you speak to these Indians?” Ezra addressed Nate as Davis walked up to the small group gathered in front of the first wagon.

Six Indians, dressed only in breechcloths and carrying spears, sat on their horses, facing Ezra and the two soldiers. The emigrants that had joined the group stood back a bit. Nate immediately began using sign language to communicate with the man who must have been the chief. He sat the biggest horse, stood in front of the rest of his group, and wore a headdress, while the others only had leather strips around their heads.

The chief signed back to Nate, who turned to Ezra. “The chief says too many white men come here. They kill the buffalo and disturb the earth. He wants to know if we’re staying or moving on.”

“Well, did you tell him we’re only passing through, Corporal?” Ezra licked his lips and glanced sideways at the group of Indians.

“I did.”

As soon as Nate finished speaking, the Indians climbed from their horses and headed down the length of the wagon train. Davis immediately jogged to his wagon. Emma still sat on the front wagon seat, holding her sewing with white knuckled hands.

“Why are those Indians here? What’s happening?”

“I don’t know for sure yet, honey. I don’t think anyone does.” He reached up for her and swung her down alongside him. “I think it best if you don’t say anything.”

The Indians poked their heads into the back of the wagons, rummaging through belongings. Some of them came out holding treasures they’d found. The chief remained in the front with the two soldiers and Ezra.

“Come on, let’s go up front with the others.” Davis urged Emma along.

“Do you think we should take the shotgun?” Her voice shook.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think if they were going to attack, they would have done so by now. If we all keep our heads this may end soon.”

Emma and Davis joined the gathering group of emigrants. A few feet from where they stood, Abigail and Elizabeth clutched each other, with Jeb standing behind them, his hands anchored on their shoulders. Sarah and Buck, with all of their children, huddled together. Everyone watched as the Indians went in and out of wagons, sometimes coming out with an item, sometimes not.

Nate and the chief still used sign language to communicate.

Each time one of them moved their hands, Ezra asked Nate to interpret. From what Davis heard, the Indians expected tokens for allowing them to pass through. He guessed that was the reason for all the picking through the wagons.

Eventually there was a pile of things in front of the chief. There were pots, pans, blankets, dried fruit, a small mirror, a child’s doll, men’s shirts, eating utensils and other items in the growing mound. The dress Emma had been working on landed on top of the pile. Davis squeezed her hand and shook his head when she gasped.

Three female Indians joined the group on horses. They pulled a small wooden wagon that most likely had been confiscated from previous emigrants. They stopped in front of the pile and bent to load the cart.

The Indians returned from searching the wagons and spoke to their chief. He signed something to Nate. Working to contain a smile, he told Ezra they were disappointed because they didn’t find any liquor.

“The chief says they got many bottles from the last wagon train that passed through,” Nate added.

“Corporal, ask the chief if we can move on now. The sooner we get away from here, the better I’ll feel.” Ezra wiped his forehead, either from heat or fear.

Nate again signed the chief who nodded. The women had finished loading up their wagon and had started back to their encampment. The Indians on the horses turned and followed. The chief signed something else to Nate, who shook his head ‘yes.’ Looking around slowly at the group of emigrants standing there, the chief nodded, turned his horse and rode away.

A collective sigh of relief rose from the group.

“What did the chief say before he left?” Ezra asked the solider.

“He said we should move quickly, and don’t offend the Great Spirit’s earth.”

“Well, that’s the best advice I’ve had in a long time.” Ezra clapped his hands. “Let’s move out people, and make it fast.”

The group took little time getting back to their wagons. Within minutes they were on their way again.

“Did you see the Indians took the dress I was working on?” Emma huffed as the wagon started up again.

“Darlin’, I’m just glad they took your dress and not your hair. That was a pretty close call. I’ll admit it’s been a long time since I was that scared.” Slapping the reins at the animals, he looked over at her. “You sure seemed to stay pretty calm, Mrs. Cooper.”

“Truthfully, I don’t think I had time to get scared. I figured since there were so many of us, and so few of them, it would be okay.”

“Honey, what you saw was only the welcoming committee. I’m sure there were many more waiting for word to join us.”

“Oh.” Emma chewed her lip. “I’m sure glad I didn’t know that at the time.”

The wagon train moved forward with a collection of relieved travelers. Five hours later they had settled into camp for the night.

The fire burned brightly in front of Davis and Emma’s wagon. They had just finished supper, and were relaxing by the fire. Emma stood and put things away in the wagon, when Davis heard her exclamation of dismay. Looking up, he saw her march from the back of the wagon. She stood in front of him, hands on her hips, frustration on her face. “Those nasty Indians took my corset!”

Davis spewed the last bit of coffee from his mouth, choking on laughter. “Good. I always hated that damn thing anyway.”