“That you are, Mrs. Wilder, but I would have felt better if I’d been there to protect you,” he grumbled.
“You didn’t know that Ted had accomplices that were trying to divert your attention while Ted came to find me. You couldn’t have known. They’re the same men he rode off with at Fort Laramie, when he said he was going gold mining.”
They lay in silence for several minutes. Cora stroked the length of his bare arm and Nathaniel combed his fingers through her hair.
“At least we don’t have to worry about them anymore,” Nathaniel said.
Ethan and Harley had taken Ted's body, along with the bodies of the other men, and buried them miles away from the cabins. Cora had insisted on a proper burial, even if she’d requested the graves be dug as far away from the homestead as possible. No one should come across them by accident and be needlessly reminded of that terrible event.
Harley had later praised Josie for her bravery and for hitting what she’d aimed at, even during a time when she’d been scared for her life. He’d pulled her into a grandfatherly embrace, and by the end of the evening, she’d even smiled at him for the proud way he carried on.
"That there was exactly the type of thing we was practicin' fer. Life can be hard here in the mountains. Ya gotta be ready fer whatever might sneak up on ya."
Anna had quietly prepared supper for everyone. When Cora had asked her what was troubling her, she’d confessed to being worried.
“I know I have to stay here until spring, but I don’t think I can make a life here, Cora. The wilderness is too harsh for me. I’ll probably head back to Ohio.”
Cora had nodded. She’d blinked away the tears in her eyes at the thought of her lifelong friend leaving. Her chest had tightened painfully, but she didn’t wish to impose her chosen lifestyle on Anna if she didn’t feel it was right for her.
“I understand. You’ve been my best friend for so long, I can’t imagine being without you, but I won’t force you to do something you don’t want to do or don’t feel comfortable with.” She'd paused and inhaled deeply to keep from crying. "I know we’ll all miss you terribly when the time comes.”
Anna had smiled. “We’ll have several more months together.”
“And we’ll make the best of them.” Cora had forced a smile. For the time being, she wouldn’t think about her friend leaving.
To everyone’s surprise, Ethan had walked up to Cora and Josie and told them they’d handled themselves very well.
A faint hint of a smile had formed on Ethan’s lips when he’d said it. Cora’s eyes had widened and she’d returned his smile. He’d quickly broken eye contact and found some dust on his shirt to wipe away.
Nathaniel pulled Cora closer, bringing her thoughts back to the present. “I’ll second what Ethan said earlier. I’m proud of how you handled yourself, Cora. And Josie, too.”
Cora giggled at the memory. Nathaniel raised his head. He shifted on the mattress and leaned over her. “What’s so funny?”
“I got Ethan to smile today.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “I don’t believe you.” He leaned down and kissed her.
“I did,” Cora insisted. “Pretty soon he’ll be laughing like the rest of us.”
Nathaniel dipped his head lower, nuzzling Cora’s neck. “Maybe my brother needs a wife like you,” he growled. “That might change his disagreeable disposition.”
“Perhaps,” Cora agreed. “She’ll have to be someone very special.”
“Special and one-of-a-kind, like you. Beautiful and proud.” Nathaniel’s lips worked their way along her neck and shoulders. Cora snuggled up close to him.
“Strong enough to stand up to him and make him see the error of his ways,” Cora breathed. “And pave the path for him to forgive himself for his past mistakes.”
Nathaniel paused. He raised his head, his face hovering above hers.
“Are we still talking about Ethan, or is this about you and me?”
Cora shrugged and wrapped her arms around his neck. “This is about you and me,” she purred. She raised her head to meet his lips in a kiss that left no doubt in either of their minds.
* * *
Thank you for purchasing and reading CORA’S PRIDE. I hope you enjoyed it. The next book in the WILDERNESS BRIDES Series is tentatively titled ANNA’S HEART, and will be available soon.
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To find out more about Joseph and Lucas Walker, who made cameo appearances in this book, check out the Teton Romance Trilogy. Joseph’s story is titled Teton Splendor (Book 2), and Lucas meets his match in Teton Sunset (Book 3). Book 1, Teton Sunrise is about their parents, Alex and Evie Walker.
To find out about the healer mentioned by Trevor Wilder, her story begins with Yellowstone Heart Song.
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For a complete list of my books, please visit my Amazon Author Page
A special thanks to my editor, Barbara Ouradnik, and my team of beta readers: Heather Belleguelle,Lisa Bynum, Sonja Carroll, Shirl Deems,Becky Fetzer, Kathie Hamilton, Cissie Patterson, and Renee York.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
P eggy L Henderson is an award-wining, best-selling western historical and time travel romance author of the Yellowstone Romance Series, Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Teton Romance Trilogy, and the Blemished Brides Western Historical Romance Series. She was also a contributing author in the unprecedented 50-book American Mail Order Brides Series, contributing Book #15, Emma: Bride of Kentucky.
When she’s not writing about Yellowstone, the Tetons, or the old west, she’s out hiking the trails, spending time with her family and pets, or catching up on much-needed sleep. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart. Along with her husband and two sons, she makes her home in Southern California.
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Introduction
1. Chapter One
2. Chapter Two
3. Chapter Three
4. Chapter Four
5. Chapter Five
6. Chapter Six
7. Chapter Seven
8. Chapter Eight
9. Chapter Nine
10. Chapter Ten
11. Chapter Eleven
12. Chapter Twelve
13. Chapter Thirteen
14. Chapter Fourteen
15. Chapter Fifteen
16. Chapter Sixteen
17. Chapter Seventeen
18. Chapter Eighteen
19. Chapter Nineteen
20. Epilogue
21. About the Author
Cora's Pride (Wilderness Brides Book 1) Page 19