"I've heard that about them. They've been known to help struggling wagon trains, and they also like to trade. Look, I have fifty wagons sir, I'd appreciate as much help as we can get." Cole said, realizing that the military was not too willing to be a part of his train.
"Fifty wagons, well that's a good number, you could defend yourself in case of any troubles…."
"My men aren't trained soldiers," Cole explained. "They are farmers, ranchers, businessmen and women with families. Not Indian fighters."
"Yes, I realize that. But we don't have the manpower to help. You see there is talk of a civil war. If it happens, this fort will be turned over to volunteers and we'll leave immediately." The Colonel explained and glanced at Emily once more.
"You are telling me we won't get much help, aren't you?"
"That's what it amounts to, yes. Oh, we can escort you to South Pass, you might be the last train we do so with. Things are in an upheaval if civil war breaks out, it will change many things out here. And I'm afraid the Indian will have the advantage for a while."
"I see. You'll leave these forts unprotected is what will happen. Well, I can't change that. How about supplies?" Cole's voice held little regard for this officer.
"Right now, you can get your supplies, at least some of them here, and it should hold until you get to Ft. Hall."
"Thank you…" Cole stood up to go. He'd had enough of the Colonel and his lack of help. Even though Cole had heard the rumors of war, both with the Indians and the United States, it hadn't happened yet. There was no reason to put a train off as though it were not important. "We'll be resting our animals for a few days and getting our supplies if you don't mind. Then we'll be pushing off before the snows get us boxed in."
"Of course, you are very welcome to stay as long as you can."
"We have to be at Independence Rock by July," Cole informed him. "Else we'll run into the first snows. I want to avoid that if possible."
"Oh yes, I've heard that…"
"Colonel, you are new here, aren't you?"
"Yes, I was sent from Washington a few months back."
That explained a lot. If he had been in Washington then he knew all the news first hand and he was concentrating his attention on the imminent war with the states. Cole tried his best to stay out of politics, because he felt that was what stirred up war in the first place.
Emily started to shake hands, but the Colonel kissed it instead. The Colonel was a West Pointer with all the good looks and manners to go with it.
Cole saw it and frowned.
"Something troubling you?" Emily asked as she joined Cole on the boardwalk.
"What good is a fort when they refuse to help the people?" Cole asked.
"Don't fret so. We'll manage." She said bravely.
"You have a lot of faith in me." He studied her for a minute.
"I guess I do!" She smiled and looped her arm through his. "And in God."
"Right now," He stared directly at her now. "That means more to me than an escort and ammunition."
She squeezed his arm, silently pleased with that admission.
The one thing she appreciated was that Cole's slight admissions were never pulled from his mouth, but given freely.
Chapter Thirteen
With the soldiers from the fort along, Emily had a lot more cooking, but she didn't mind. The dust was thicker, but the people were content with the escort. The escort gave the train a lot more confidence and took some of the burdens from her husband. She was just beginning to see the pressure on his shoulders.
Strange that she should think of Cole as her husband now. Before he was only the man she married, but somehow she couldn't think of him like that anymore. He was her husband for now and she would respect that. She couldn't deny that deep down in a corner of her heart Cole Morgan had gained more than just her respect, but a growing emotion she didn't want to identify yet. And she had somehow realized that the heart of a woman…Was the love inside. It wasn't the time to announce her deep seeded feelings though. Cole had a job to do, and his concentration should be on the train, not her.
Yet every time she looked at him, the bond grew.
Cole was anxious to reach Independence Rock and there was a lot of talk about the monument that rose from the ground and greeted the travelers west. Emily was eager to see it.
The sick man hadn't gotten better and remained at the fort so the doctor could look after him.
A couple more wagons broke down and Cole was quick to dispatch his men to take care of it, so they could keep the train moving. As they worked to restore the wheels, they put those wagons to the rear so they could catch up quickly. There was a wagon in the rear that stored many needed items for the trip. There were a few extra wheels, blankets, medicine, ammunition, and even a few extra guns. One of Cole's men pulled that wagon and even though few knew what was in it, they realized that their wagon master had allowed for emergencies that would come up along the way.
Bill had pointed out a strawberry patch along the way and Emily had borrowed a horse to gather some. A pie would delight the men and she was anxious to keep their spirits up.
But when Cole came galloping up in a frenzy, he pulled her up in the saddle and the strawberries fell to the ground from her apron.
"What are you doing?" She protested.
"I've told you not to go off alone. I meant it, Em. It's too dangerous." He said securing her in front of him.
But when his gaze landed on her face, everything else faded into oblivion. "Dammit…" he exclaimed and captured her sweet lips with an unexpectedly hot kiss. When he came up for air, he barely breathed against her, "Don't you ever do that again…"
"Cole…I…" but she had no time to protest, his lips assuaged the ache inside her trembling body.
She realized at that moment how much she needed that kiss too. Her arms wrapped around him freely pulling him closer.
He groaned against the corner of her mouth. "My God, you taste good in the morning…"
Between nips, she explained, "I was only picking strawberries. I wanted to surprise everyone with a pie…"
He pulled away to look into her expressive eyes, "Everyone?"
"You…" she corrected.
"Then…" he kissed the corner of her mouth, then smiled. "I'll help you…"
He let her slide down from the horse and he joined her.
She smiled, "Thank you…"
For half an hour, they gathered the berries in his hat. Then he hauled her back into his lap and gathered the reins of her horse.
"I could ride him back…" she started to protest.
"True…but it wouldn't be as enjoyable…" he smiled at her. His hot gaze slid over her slowly.
She looked at him with a broad smile. "Darn it Cole, you took the words right out of my mouth…"
For only a few precious seconds, she leaned against him in the saddle, laying her head just under his chin. The stolen moments they shared were precious to her.
He kissed the top of her head.
She closed her eyes and savored that kiss.
When she pulled away to look at him, he covered her gaping mouth with his own. She moaned raggedly and gave herself up to him. His horse stood very still as he continued to ravage her mouth. His hand came up to caress her cheek when he finally pulled away. "From now on…Stay close to the camp Em. It's too dangerous right now. Particularly with the Indians unrest."
She nodded for words failed her, but there were tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart…I didn't mean to make you cry." Cole frowned.
She swallowed her tears. "I'm not crying. It's just…"
She couldn't go on.
"I know…" he said lowly, staring into her eyes. "It's a new feeling…isn't it."
She nodded, and a tear slipped down her cheek.
His arms went protectively around her, holding her secure against him. She leaned into him and he kissed the side of her cheek lightly and whispered…"For me too, Em, for me too."
Bill was smiling when he saw them coming and as Emily slid down from Cole's horse, he helped her up into the wagon.
Cole stared at her for a moment, then nodded to Bill, "Be careful Bill, you're carrying precious cargo." He winked at her and galloped off.
Emily blushed at his bold statement, and Bill smiled.
"I knew it would come to that. You two are good together. And the boss has needed someone strong like you to come along. I was beginning to think there would never be anyone for him."
Emily glanced at Bill. "This is only temporary Bill." She cried.
"Is it?" And he whipped the reins and they rolled. "He's a good man, Emily…if I were you, I'd hold on as long as I could."
"I plan to…"
Bill chuckled.
~*~
Independence Rock impressed Emily more than she could say. Most of the people got out of their wagons, and many climbed it to leave the legacy of their names carved on the rocks.
Emily watched them flock the mountain in fascination.
Just then a Lieutenant rode up to Cole.
"There's an Indian party following you."
"Will they attack, Lieutenant?" Cole asked as Emily walked toward them.
"I don't think so. They want to make sure you keep moving westward that you do not stop at the mining camps along the way…In search of gold. They consider a lot of this land sacred, they won't attack sacred ground. Just don't let any of your wagons leave the train. It could be dangerous for stragglers." The Lieutenant informed him.
"Don't you worry about that. I plan to have a talk with the people tonight. I'll tell them what you've said. Most of these folks are settlers and that's all they have in mind." Cole told him.
"Maybe so, but many a man has strayed at the chance of finding gold. You'll need to keep a tight train."
"I will, and thank you. Are you following us on to the South Pass?"
The Lieutenant stared at him. "That was our original intention, but I think you'll be safe from here on for a while, as long as you can maintain your train."
"Good. Thank you, Lieutenant."
"Of course, and thank your wife for her good cooking." He smiled.
"I will…" Cole nodded.
Sam rode up and talked to Cole for a long while. "Gather them tonight. I need to speak with them."
"Alright, they leaving?" He nodded toward the soldiers.
"Yes, he thinks we are relatively safe."
"I hope he's right."
"That's why I want to talk to the people," Cole explained.
"I'll arrange it, then."
"Good."
It began to rain and everyone came running down the mountain and took cover.
It wasn't a gentle rain, it was a downpour.
Bill jumped down to take care of the horses while Emily jumped into the back of the wagon. She watched it come a gully washer like some kind of flash flood. Water was everywhere.
She curled up under the covers and went to sleep. Weather scared her, because she knew it was one thing that couldn't be controlled.
It was dark when she woke. She peeked outside, it was still misting rain, the rain was draining from the mountain and running in huge rivulets down into the valley.
She listened to the lulling sound for a long time.
When she peaked outside again, she saw Cole standing not far away, his eyes following the line of the train.
"Do you want to come in…?" She asked.
"Very much…" But he didn't move.
"Well then…" She pulled the curtain back to welcome him in.
He shook his head slowly. "Not yet Em…this feeling is too new. For both of us. Embrace it…Enjoy it, but don't rush it. Don't invite me in until you are sure. A man should court his wife before he marries her, I didn't do that. Courting gives you time to get to know each other. I want to know you Em…in every way. And I want you to know me too…"
"Couldn't we just talk?" She suggested in a throaty voice.
"No…I knew that today, in the saddle. I want you Em, in the most basic way that a man wants a woman. I couldn't hide that fact very long. The kind of job I have, with little time…I have to keep my wits about me. But what we have, growing between us…that's bigger than basic wants and needs. When most men take a woman, it's because it's an attraction. What we have is better than that. I feel it, you know it. When we do come together, Em…it will be for all the right reasons. Do you understand?"
"Yes.." She breathed finally. For some reason, his words comforted her more than she could say.
"What I'm trying to say is…your worth waiting for, Em. And I hope I am too…" He stared at her so intently she blushed.
When he walked away, she murmured. "You are worth waiting for, Cole…"
Chapter Fourteen
"Gather around folks, I need to talk to you." Cole was saying as the sun broke out over the wagons.
Cole watched the people gather, knowing most of them by name now.
The bulk of the people gathered. Some of the people leaned against a nearby wagon, others propped their foot on a log and bent over a bit, some came eager, some hesitant, but all watched and listened intently.
"We've made it this far without too much trouble. And the Lieutenant assured me that if we stay together and don't wander alone, we should be alright for a while. The Indians aren't really against the settlers moving west. What they are against is greedy miners that are searching for gold and will do anything to get their hands on it. So as long as you don't get your picks and shovels out and head south, you will probably be safe."
"Well, we ain't miners…" One of the men shouted.
"No, but sometimes with the rumors going around, men get itchy to try their hand at it. As long as we stay together, not wander off alone with our wagons we should pass safely through the rest of this country. So, if anyone has a hankering for mining gold, they should leave now. If any of you are thinking of splitting and going down the Mormon trail, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know. I am aware that not all of you want to settle in the Willamette Valley. Now, as you've been informed single people will get approximately 360 acres. Married folk will get twice that amount. And you also should know that you have to work that land for four years, before it is deeded over to you. If you can't do that, I suggest you try something else. Oregon is logging country, hunting country and full of mountains. It rains every other day. But the temperature is mild most of the time. It does snow and we'll be there before that happens."
One man stepped up, "You are telling us we have safe passage if we stay together?"
"That's right," Cole answered.
"And if we don't, we might run across those Indians somewhere?"
"That's also right."
"Then anyone would be a fool to leave the train now."
"They would. " Cole nodded.
"How them Indians gonna know if we decide to dig for gold?"
"They're watching us. They've been following us since we left the fort." Cole answered. "Hawk and Perez are watching them. If they make any wrong moves, we'll know it in time to take cover at least."
"I don't believe it. We ain't seen them." One old man said offhandedly.
"And you won't see them until they are ready. Ask Perez and Hawk, they know. My scouts have worked with me for quite some time. They are honest and get the job done. They both know how to scout the Indians out, find water, and pick the best routes for us to travel. I trust them with my life."
"Is that right?" One cowboy shouted at Perez.
"Si…Cole Morgan speaks the truth."
"So…if any of you have the idea to become a miner, now is the time to leave. The trail leads south to the gold mines. But this is your choice and you will go it alone. This is a wagon train headed for Oregon. Not a mining company." Cole informed them. "I don't advise it, but I can't hold you prisoner either."
Some of the people seemed to discuss it among themselves.
"I'
d thought of trying my hand at it," One young cowboy came forward. "I got no wife, no kids, no reason not to. The land in Oregon is another thing though. I want my share of it. But if you are telling me we ain't safe striking out on our own, I'm not dumb enough to try that either."
Cole smiled. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
There was a lot of talk between them and then one elderly gentleman stepped forward.
"I think we're all of the same minds here, Mr. Morgan. We'll push on to Oregon. After all, once we get there and get the land, if we don't like it, we can always go to California."
Cole nodded. "My thinking exactly. We'll be leaving the Cheyenne and Sioux behind as we hit the Snake River, we'll be in Shoshone country. They are more civilized than some. Might even get a little help from them from time to time. We can trade tobacco, clothes, even food with them. So don't be hostile toward them, if they offer to help, that is a good thing. Treat them like a friend."
"You mean some of them are friendly?" One lady asked.
"Yes ma'am, that's exactly what I mean. I've had some stop to help during a river crossing to get the wagons across. Some to trade. But all in all, if we treat them right, they will do the same."
Everyone discussed that for a while, then the crowd began breaking up.
"That went well, " Hawk said as he mounted once more.
"So far, so good," Cole said. "Get everyone ready to move out. We're heading out and the army is leaving us."
Hawk and Perez moved immediately on his orders.
Sam stayed around for more coffee. Sam was a big man, tall, and stout built. He'd worked with Cole a long time and Cole depended on his help.
"Sam, let's keep a sharp eye for trouble, with the people and with the Indians."
"Will do. No one's actually given us trouble except maybe Jacobs." Sam nodded and drank the last of his coffee. "Tell the missus, her coffee is the best I've ever drunk."
"I'll tell her."
Sam looked at him. "You know you and her make a pretty good team."
"Sam," Cole glanced at him with a frown.
"I know, it ain't any of my business. See you, Cole." Sam left. Apparently he knew when to keep his mouth shut and Cole was glad, but his feelings for Emily were new to him, unexpected and he wasn't sure how to handle it.
Brides of the West-Part One Page 50