Bride from Shenandoah (Brides of the West Series Book Eleven)

by Rita Hestand

  Bride of Shenandoah

  Rita Hestand

  Bride of Shenandoah

  (Book Eleven of the Brides of the West)

  Rita Hestand

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright© 2016 by Rita Hestand

  All Rights Reserved

  ISBN # 978-1311953223

  Cover Design by: Sheri McGathy

  License Note

  This book, Bride of Shenandoah is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without express written permission of the author. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy or copies. If you did not purchase this book or it was not purchased for your use, please go to Smashwords.com to purchase your personal copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Bride of Shenandoah is a work of fiction. Though some of the cities and towns actually exist they are used in a fictitious manner for purposes of this work. All characters are works of fiction and any names or characteristics similar to any person past, present or future are coincidental.

  ~Dedication~

  Wagon trains took many settlers over the breadth of the nation to farm and ranch the land, settling it for generations to come. But without the brides that came west, it would never have accomplished anything. So here is to the bold and courageous women who suffered and endured to come west to make a new life.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Rita's Other Books

  Spring of 1851

  West of Independence Missouri

  Chapter One

  How'd I get myself in this predicament. Millie Powell gave a wistful glance out the back of the wagon and saw a man riding up, she froze for a moment. Finally covering her head with the stinky tow-sack when she listened to the voices just outside the wagon. The tow-sack evidently had potatoes in it at one time and some had gone bad because the smell reeked. It was all she could do not to cough or gag. She practically held her breath. You had to do what you had to do, she decided.

  Glancing over her shoulder, and hunkering down in the sack, Millie shivered.

  "You're going to have to pick up some speed Mrs. Granger or you'll fall behind," a stern voice advised the wagon driver as a horse galloped beside the wagon.

  "Well land sakes Joe, my lead mule, he's contrary. You know that, you've driven them before. Besides, I'm doin' the best I can. What's your all fired hurry anyway?" Mrs. Granger asked, pushing her flop hat back from her forehead and wiping the sweat away with the back of her hand.

  Millie watched through the sack as much as she could in case she had to run. No one had discovered her yet because she'd been so careful. She couldn't let her guard down though, not for one minute.

  "We have to stay on schedule Mrs. Granger, otherwise we won't get to Oregon before the first snow…You just don't want to be stranded in snow and trying to get down a mountain, I can tell you." Joe advised her. "Want me to work with them for a while?" His voice grew indulgent.

  "Oh would you" Mrs. Granger grinned at him with a slight hint of fatigue in her voice. "I'm wiped out tired. When Ole Pete gets his back up, he won't move." Mrs. Granger chuckled "I'm afraid he's a lot like me."

  "Ole Pete," the man repeated.

  "Yeah, I named them after my ex-husbands. Pete and George."

  Millie wanted to giggle, but she held her hand over her mouth to stop it. This woman was amusing. She reminded her of Mrs. Elks back home.

  "Ex-husbands, huh? I didn't know you'd even been married." Joe snorted. Millie was intrigued by the man's voice, it was strong, bold, but held a certain amount of understanding too.

  "Land sake yes, not that they lasted that long, but I was married in my younger days. I was quite a looker back then. Not that you can tell it now." The woman fumbled with a sprig of hair that had fallen from her hat. Millie wished she could see her better.

  "I don't doubt that…" He laughed. "And you know as well as me, for your age, you’re a looker. Meaning no disrespect of course." Just from his tone of voice Millie knew he liked the old woman.

  "You ought to think about that, you know."

  "Think about what?"

  "Getting married. As handsome as you are I'm sure any girl on this wagon train would love to marry you." The old woman's voice lilted.

  "Marriage isn't for me. I'm never in one place too long. Let me see if I can put a fire under these two." Joe climbed aboard the wagon and mushed the mules into some action.

  Curiosity had Millie peaking out from the tow-sack to observe these two for a moment. The woman was short next to the man. He was quite tall and he had broad shoulders. But as the old woman turned to look at him, she ducked back under the tow-sack.

  "You know, this land is so boring, not a tree in site. I suppose it's great farmin' country, but I'd hate to live where I couldn't find a tree for miles."

  "You've seen the sod houses along the way haven't you?" Joe glanced at her.

  "I've seen 'em. I'd hate to live in one."

  "Oh I don't know, they are cool in the summer and warm in the winter, I can tell you. They just aren't very pretty."

  "I'll say. I imagine they built them because there is a lack of trees. Every time I see a cottonwood, I sigh." the woman said. "And back home a cottonwood wasn't admired that much. 'Course we had magnificent oaks and pecan trees to admire there."

  "And where is home?" He asked with curious intent.

  "Why, Texas of course…"

  He nodded. "Well, in defense of this territory, I'll tell you. It's a good farm land. They say corn can grow like a weed here. Corn, maize, sorghum. Not much to look at but good framing land. I take it you aren't much on farming either."

  "Nope, I had one husband that tried it, he was fair considering the draughts." She chuckled.

  Joe didn't say anything.

  "Well, I'm sorry hon, but they can have this place. I wouldn't live where a tree can't grow." The old woman insisted.

  "Where you from originally?" Joe asked.

  "I was born in Georgia, but I moved to Texas when I was first time married. They were fightin' the Mexicans then and the Indians. It was a wild and wooly state, but I grew to love it there. Had the prettiest trees, and flowers. Them bluebonnets won me over the first spring I stayed in Texas. Never left it until my third husband died."

  "Texas is a hell of a state, that's true. But in all fairness, Mrs. Granger the people here are true pioneers. They have rough winters, fairly nice summers, but lots of storms. They fight all the elements. To live here you'd have to have some backbone I'm sure."

  "Don't give me that. They been through draught and blizzards and heat and freezin' cold. You'd have to love farmin' to live in this country. It's so flat too. I can't get over the flatness of it. I mean, Texas don't have mountains exc
ept to the west but, it's a pretty place, with the trees and such, and a lot of rolling hills too."

  "It is flat here, no doubt about that. And you can see for miles. But look on the bright side, it makes pulling a wagon easy." The man laughed and reached for her canteen right behind them.

  Millie cowed down, so they couldn't spot her. She could hear every word, even though she couldn't see as well.

  "When you gonna settle down with a gal, Joe? Don't you want a family of your own, some day?" Mrs. Granger asked as he managed to get a little life into the old mule.

  "Hadn't given that much thought." His voice held indulgence.

  "Maybe you should. It's high time a fine fella like you was findin' a nice girl and makin' a home." The woman encouraged.

  "You're always on me to find a woman. Keep talking like that and I'll leave you to manage Pete on your own." He scolded playfully.

  Millie peeked her head out from the tow-sack and glanced at the back of the man driving the team of mules. Now that she got a good look of his backside, she realized he was broad at the shoulder narrowing to tapering hips, and a head or so taller than Mrs. Granger. She couldn't see his face, but his voice was deep and soft now, appealing in some kind of way, Millie thought to herself. She liked his voice, he had such a soft drawl.

  Of course the last thing she needed was to fall for some cowboy. Besides, this one didn't sound very interested in female companionship. No use even going there.

  "Besides, you haven't asked me yet!" Joe chuckled.

  "Go on, make fun like you always do. If only I were twenty years younger I'd be at your side every day," Mrs. Granger laughed.

  "If you were twenty years younger, I might ask you." Joe laughed.

  "Seriously though, there are any number of sweet young ladies on this train. Haven't you given it at least a thought?" Mrs. Granger continued.

  His answer came slow. "No ma'am, I haven't and don't plan to. One thing I made a rule about a long time ago, not to get involved with anyone on the trains. So put those match-making skills to rest."

  "A.J. told me about your loss Joe, must have been really hard losing your young wife and baby like that…" Mrs. Granger's voice rasped.

  Joe cleared his throat, "He told you about that?"

  "Sure he did. I was askin' him why you ain't married up with a woman, and he told me."

  "That was five years ago, still feels like yesterday. But I guess it's fair to say, that's the reason." Joe's voice went low. "Never again."

  The way he said that, it just didn't ring true. Millie peeked out once more at the man.

  "Too much hurt?" The old woman sympathized immediately with his low keyed answer.

  "You could say that." His voice tightened dramatically, and Millie rolled her eyes. He was pouring it on.

  But if it was true. Dear God, he'd lost his wife and child, how tragic. Millie felt a tear escape down her cheek. Had he suckered her too?

  Why was she crying, she didn't know this man? But she did know she was a softie and stories like this got to her. She wanted to reach out to hurt souls and let them know that others cared. Like she had her friend Jason. But then again, that had been a mistake. Jason was a young man that thrived on pity stories, something she soon learned about him. Now she wasn't as eagerly suckered in. No, she didn't need to get involved in someone else's business. She should have learned that if nothing else.

  "Five years is a long time to mourn, it's time you were puttin' it behind you and getting on with your life. You are still young, and still capable of findin' a woman." Mrs. Granger encouraged.

  Joe glanced at Mrs. Granger and put his arm around her, easy like. Millie watched through the sack and smiled. There was a warm camaraderie between these two that she envied. "When I find a woman as good as you, maybe I will…"

  Millie couldn't stop the smile. She watched the interchange of friendship and it sent goosebumps down her spine. She only had one friend that good, Mrs. Elks, back home. She could talk to Mrs. Elks all day and confide her worst fears. Mrs. Elks had a way about her. She missed her.

  "Now you see, you just got to let Ole Pete there know who is boss." Joe chuckled as he got the mule on the move once more.

  "Mr. Granger used to say the same thing."

  Joe glanced at her. "Mules can be contrary you should have bought oxen."

  "I'll say they are contrary. Why do you think I named them after my husbands? But I didn't buy these mules, they were mine to begin with, that's why I don't have oxen, thought I could save some money this way. Next time, if there is a next time I'll know better."

  For an hour they talked and Millie listened to the conversation as she tried her best to relax a little.

  This Joe fella was the scout on the wagon train.

  She was so tired. She'd barely slept in the last two days, and eaten even less.

  To take her mind off her troubles, she kept listening to these two characters. He seemed like a no nonsense kind of man. But his voice reeked of loneliness and hardships unspoken. Millie tried not to think about it. She had a bad habit of trying to figure people out before she got to know them. And another bad habit of getting involved in things she shouldn't.

  But as she slipped her head back under the tow-sack she sneezed hard and made the tow-sack move. The wagon stopped abruptly. A silence prevailed.

  Chapter Two

  Oh dear God, they were going to find me for sure!

  Then she heard and felt the wagon move as someone seemed to peer over her. There was a silence, she couldn't dare move, for she just knew they were right over her.

  "What was that?" Joe asked turning his head.

  "I don't know…" Mrs. Granger sounded perplexed.

  Millie couldn't stop shaking. Had she been found?

  A hand reached to uncover her and she lay exposed to the handsome scout.

  "Lord Almighty. What in the world is this?" Joe boomed his voice no longer friendly. "And gosh amighty, what is that smell?"

  "I'm afraid it's me…"

  "It sure is, child." Mrs. Granger wrinkled her nose too.

  Millie rose up slowly to face them, and when she looked into the man's eyes, she nearly drowned. He was a rough looking cowboy who looked as though he knew his business, but his eyes…. captured her. They were the only things soft about the man. But not the only thing appealing. He was all cowboy. He had black hair, and beautiful blue eyes, and a mustache that she was sure some men would envy. He looked to be between twenty-five and thirty. He was lean, muscled and hard looking. His skin was quite tan too. The way a man who worked hard should look, she surmised quickly.

  "Where in the world did she come from?" Mrs. Granger exclaimed as she peered over the man's shoulder.

  Millie's glanced at the woman now, she had gray eyes that stared at her with understanding. The brown hair that was quickly fading to gray was wadded under the flop hat that was rimmed with sweat, and the rawhide skirt the old woman wore, told her she was looking at a real pioneer lady. Something of a kindred spirit reached out to her from the depths of those gray eyes. Millie gave her a slight smile.

  "I don't know, but we're about to find out!" Joe pulled Millie upright and waited until she got down from the wagon to interrogate her. Although he was gentle with her, his voice alerted her to his anger.

  It gave Millie a moment to compose herself. What was she going to tell them?

  Millie was shaking from head to toe. She thought she'd have more time, get further toward her destination before she was found. She'd been so careful hiding in a new wagon every day and escaping into the landscape when everyone stopped. She was so hungry and had it not been for the creek beds they stopped near, she might have died of thirst.

  Now exposed, and maybe even going to jail for sneaking onto a wagon train, she gulped.

  "Who are you?" Joe's frown swallowed her. "And what were you doing back there in that wagon?"

  "I-I'm Millie Powell…"She finally managed, unable to look into those frosty dark blue eyes. He might be a
friend of Mrs. Granger, but his glance at her was glacier.

  "Am I suppose to know who that is?" He didn't even blink, he just stared a hole through her. The man was not pleased to meet her.

  "N-no…. I guess not." She replied simply and hung her head.

  But even though he had her at a complete disadvantage, she refused to cower completely. She straightened her shoulders, lifted her head and met his glaring eyes.

  Her chin jutted out, her eyes narrowed on him now.

  "It would be ludicrous to lie at this point. I am a stow-away."

  "It'd be what?" He frowned even harder as though she were talking a complete different language.

  "Never mind." She waved her words away with her hand.

  "Yeah," He wiped his brow and turned away a minute. "I figured that part out, myself. Any reason I shouldn't turn you over to the next available Sheriff?"

  Millie swallowed, and squared her shoulders, facing him boldly. Although her legs almost refused to hold her, she appeared to meet him head on. Those same knees were about to buckle because she was so hungry, not because he intimidated her. How could she meet that stubborn gaze when her belly met her backbone. "I have to get to The Great Register of the Desert…I believe they call it, Independence Rock." She insisted.

  "So you just figured you'd grab a wagon and hang on, is that it?" He scrutinized her.

  She refused to cower this time, even though there was frost in his words now. Every minute he grew angrier. It was obvious this man didn't like her from the start. Some people you just couldn't make like you, she'd known that for a while. She'd faced many hard headed men at school.

  Good impression Millie!

  "I'll pay…I promise…when I reach my destination…" She began.

  "What makes you think I'll take you to that place?" He barked coming closer, towering over her, trying to intimidate her.