His Passionate Pioneer

by Maggie Ryan

  Richard unyoked the oxen as Anna prepared their evening meal. She made sure to place rocks in a circle so that the fire would be contained. It was greener here, but the danger of fire was constantly discussed. Once the fire was going, Anna smiled as Harriet heated lard in an iron skillet, preparing to make drop biscuits.

  "I wish we had some fresh berries," Charity said. "I have such a craving for something sweet and fresh." She glanced at the quilt, where Hope was playing happily with a string made from empty wooden spools.

  "Too late in the season, I suppose," Anna replied, as she poured some water from a pail into a large iron kettle. "As it is, our potatoes and vegetables are beginning to look a bit shriveled." She bent to lift the heavy pot and gasped, closing her eyes as a wave of dizziness flooded through her.

  "Are you all right?"

  "I think so. Just a bit dizzy. It's this blasted heat," she said, taking a few deep breaths until she felt her head clear.

  Charity helped her lift the kettle onto the hook that hung from a tripod above the fire. "Lord knows we could probably cook an egg on just one of these rocks," she teased, as she unwrapped brown paper that contained the last of their fresh meat. "I'll start on this if you'll chop the vegetables. Anna, what's wrong?"

  Anna couldn't answer as she had one hand pressed to her stomach, the other to her mouth. She ran towards some bushes and fell to her knees, vomiting up the water she'd drunk when they'd made camp. She remained kneeling and then gasped when she felt something wet and cool being pressed against the back of her neck.

  "It's just me," Harriet reassured her, pressing the cloth to Anna's skin and passing her another damp one. "Press this to your face, you are very pale."

  "Thank you. I don't know why I got sick but I feel much better now."

  Harriet gave her a few minutes before helping her to her feet and guiding her back to their camp. "You just sit and rest. Charity and I will finish the stew."

  Anna wanted to protest, but just the sight of Charity cutting the venison into cubes had her stomach rolling over. She settled on the quilt, her back to the fire, playing with Hope.

  After the stew had been prepared and was simmering, Harriet pressed a cup of tea into her hands. "Drink this, it will help with the nausea."

  Anna accepted it, taking a tentative sip as if unsure her stomach wouldn't reject it.

  "I'll show you how to make the mixture," Harriet said, as she sank to the blanket and pulled Hope onto her lap, bending to speak to the little girl. "It looks like I'm going to have another little angel to cuddle."

  Anna looked from them to Charity, who was preparing the coffee to brew at the edge of the coals. "It will be nice for Hope to have a new brother or sister," she said.

  Harriet laughed and shook her head. "I'm not talking about a sibling, though I'm pleased to know that Hope won't be an only child. No, Anna, I'm talking about a child who is sure to become quite a good friend." At Anna's puzzled look, she reached out and patted her hand. "I expect it would be a good idea to remind Richard he'll need to have a nursery in that house he's planning."

  "A nursery? Why? Oh, you can't mean…"

  "I most certainly do." Harriet shared a knowing look with Charity as she joined them. "Yes, it is hot, but that is not why you got sick. You were just fine, your cheeks nice and rosy—until Charity unwrapped the venison." Harriet laughed and nodded. "Yes, just the thought of it has all the color draining from your face. You are with child, my dear."

  Anna looked between the two, her hand subconsciously going to press against her abdomen. "How?"

  Charity laughed. "I'm guessing that from the way your wagon rocks every night, you really shouldn't be so shocked."

  "Are you sure? I mean, we… Richard… do you really think I'm pregnant?"

  Harriet nodded. "I might just be the nurse, but I'm willing to bet that you'll have your own wee babe soon."

  Anna struggled to accept the woman's words and, when she realized she couldn't remember the last time she'd had her flow, the truth had her grinning from ear to ear. It took her a few minutes before she realized what else Harriet had said. Hugging Charity, she asked, "You're pregnant, too?"

  "Yes, and probably due about the same time as you. It will be so wonderful being together."

  Anna couldn’t agree more. If she didn't have her mother to guide her through her first foray into parenthood, at least she had a dear friend, whom she loved more every day. She couldn't wait to tell her husband, and made the women promise not to say a word to another soul until she had. They both assured her they would keep her secret.

  Once dinner was ready, Anna managed to eat a small portion of the stew; the cooked meat not as loathsome looking as it had been raw.

  After cleaning up, the couples enjoyed cups of coffee and spent more time talking and laughing, as they wouldn't have to rise so early the next morning. As their friends departed, Anna suddenly felt shy as she undressed, and used a wet rag to give herself a quick wash. She laid her palm against her belly and realized it seemed a bit rounder than before. Her breasts also appeared a bit heavier. She removed the pins from her hair and was combing it with her fingers when Richard spoke from the back of the wagon.

  "You are so beautiful. I will never get tired of looking at you. You look like a goddess, your glorious hair about you. God, I love all your soft curves—it's a wonder I can keep from burying myself inside you every moment of every day."

  She blushed and then smiled. "Do you really like my curves?" she teased, turning fully towards him, her hand moving to cup one of her breasts. She gave a soft moan, her nipple puckering both from the touch and the look in his eyes as he watched her. Lowering her hand, she ran it across her belly. "Will you like them as much when I begin to truly swell?"

  Richard's eyes went from her belly to her eyes and back again. He climbed into the wagon, placing his hand over hers.

  "Oh, Anna," he said, his eyes locking onto hers, and she saw tears welling in their blue depths. "Oh, my precious, adorable, loving wife." He let the tears fall, moving a hand to cup her cheek as he bent down until his forehead rested against hers. "Yes, I love your curves and I'm going to love watching our child grow in your belly. You are going to be the most wonderful mother." His lips branded hers, her tears of joy joining his as they kissed.

  Later, Anna purred as she pressed into his side, her hand on his chest. He'd shown her exactly how much he loved her curves, squeezing, kissing and stroking every inch of her body as he loved her again and again. "Richard," she said softly.

  "Hmm?" he replied, his eyes closed, a soft smile on his lips.

  "How do you know I'm going to be a good mother? I mean, I'm not even sure I'm a good wife. You've had to spank me quite often, you know."

  He chuckled and pulled her closer, his eyes open and meeting hers. "You are a perfect wife, sore arse or not. And, I know you'll be a great mother because, Anna, you have so much love inside you that you couldn't be anything less." He kissed her forehead and then gave her bare bottom a swat. "Besides, I never want you to lose your fire, your spirit. I'll still be happy to spank your arse even when we have a dozen little copper-haired little Annas running about."

  She giggled, pressing her bottom against his hand. "A dozen? Um, do you think that will be enough? After all, I'd like a few handsome, bossy little Richards, as well."

  "Bossy, am I?" he said, sitting up and pulling her across his lap.

  Anna squealed as he began to give her bottom gentle swats before rubbing the sting away. "I also said handsome, remember?" she said.

  "Oh, I remember—and that, my love, is why this is going to be a spanking that will have you crying in pleasure instead of pain."

  "Um, I like those kind of spankings."

  Once her bottom was pinkened, tingling from his attention, she moaned her pleasure as he filled her cunny.

  "Soon I'm going to have to teach you how to offer me your bottom hole," Richard said, as he sank fully into her. He bent to kiss her belly before moving to suckle a
t her breast.

  Instead of feeling scared, she felt her pucker clench and her cream flow. He'd taught her so much, and these lessons, the ones conducted in the privacy of their canvas-walled bedroom, were ones she'd never tire of learning. They made love until they were both trembling, their bodies exhausted, their hearts sated.

  Just before Anna slipped into sleep, she kissed his cheek. "I love you, husband, and know you are going to be a great father to our son."

  "Or daughter," he said, giving her a final kiss. "I'll be pleased and feel blessed with either."

  Anna smiled, her hand beneath his as he held them against her slightly rounded tummy. Somehow she just knew that, growing beneath their hands, safely cradled in the body he had just loved so completely, a little boy was preparing to be born.

  The next evening, they attended a meeting that had been called by the wagon master. After reminding them of the rules of safety, he announced that they'd soon be making the arduous trip around Mount Hood in the Rocky Mountains.

  "It won't be easy, but wagons have gone before us. We'll spend the next few days making any repairs—no matter how small you think it is, this is the time to fix it. Those not involved in repairs will need to hunt. I know folks are running low on supplies, and we will stop a final time at the fort. We've come a long way together and I want you to know how proud I am of all of you. I'm positive that, with continued hard work and cooperation, we'll arrive safely." He seemed a bit surprised as several people clapped, showing their appreciation for his leadership. He grinned and ended the meeting on a happy note. "Don't think there's any reason why you can't take some time to relax a bit, as well. The river is safe to wash your clothes or yourselves. Just remember, don't wander off alone. There haven't been any problems with the Indians reported but let's err on the side of caution; always let someone know in which direction you're heading."

  The next morning, they began to unpack the wagon. Richard set the last box down. "Remember, I don't want you lifting anything back in after you're done cleaning. I'll do it when I get back," he said.

  Anna nodded, though she thought it a bit silly. Ever since she'd told him she was pregnant, he'd been treating her like a fragile piece of china. This trip had made her stronger in more ways than one as she learned how what it meant to be a pioneer. Thoughts of learning had her smiling as she nodded. "Okay, I won't lift the boxes and I won't overdo." She finished wrapping some biscuits and bacon into paper for his lunch.

  "Good girl. I'll be back by supper time." He gave her a kiss, rubbing a hand across her abdomen as he had done several times already. She found she loved the way he was expressing his love for both her and their unborn child. He tucked the parcel of food into a canvas bag to eat during the hunt, and waved as he headed towards the growing group of men outside the wagons. They'd spend the day hunting further afield, the chaos of a wagon train full of noisy people and lowing cattle having scattered the game from the area.

  Anna spent the next couple of hours sweeping every bit of dirt from inside the wagon and preparing their clothing to be washed. She had found the ripped pair of drawers pushed between two boxes, quickly stuffing them into her sewing basket before Richard could see. She'd totally forgotten about them, even as she had sat mending tears or replacing buttons on Richard's shirts. They had come such a long way since that day he'd torn them from her body when she hadn't been quick enough to obey his orders. The memory didn't worry her. It actually served as a reminder of how much she was loved, and how much they'd grown in their marriage.

  Harriet had insisted that she and Charity and their men come over to eat the evening meal with them. A man had given them four rabbits he'd shot in payment for some medical care Robert had provided. Wild greens and onions together with cornbread, fresh butter, and a jar of Harriet's strawberry preserves would provide the group with a good meal. Anna walked with Charity and Hope towards the Williams' wagon.

  As they passed a campfire, screams rent the air. "It's Becca," Anna yelled, telling Charity to run and get Doc Williams as she bolted towards the screaming little girl. She ran towards the fire where the little girl was in danger. Grabbing Becca, Anna dropped to the ground, rolling in the dirt as the girl screamed and clawed, desperate to free herself. Suddenly, a huge man dropped at Anna's side, slapping again and again at the child's skirts until the flames were extinguished. Breathing hard, Anna released Becca to her Pa.

  "The doctor is coming, he'll know what to do," she said, even as Becca continued to shriek and struggle in her father's arms as her small hands reached out, as if wanting to grab something. Anna sat up, realizing the child was crying for her doll. Turning, she looked towards the fire to see the last of the treasured doll disappear in flames. Pushing to her feet, she saw Harriet and Charity running towards them, followed by Hannah, Becca's mother. Anna heard a soft moaning sound and turned to see two young boys, Becca's brothers, standing in shock. Moving to them, she dropped to kneel, her hands moving to their arms. "Are you okay? Did you get burned?" The younger boy burst into tears and the older just shook. Then she saw his eyes grow huge and felt someone behind her. She stood and turned to see Tom towering above her. Evidently, he'd passed his daughter to his wife as they, along with Harriet and Charity, had disappeared.

  "What in God's name happened, Henry? What happened to Rebecca? God, son, you were supposed to be watching her! How did she get burned? She knows not to go close to the fire," Tom said.

  Henry opened his mouth and then burst into tears. He began to choke out his words, which were basically unintelligible. Anna reached out to him and he collapsed in her arms. She had talked and played with these children several times and had come to love them. She pulled Andrew into her arms as well, sheltering them.

  "Tom, you need to calm down. Take a deep breath, you're scaring your sons. You got to Becca in time; she'll be fine," she said.

  Tom nodded and rubbed his hand across his face. He collapsed onto a stool and took several deep breaths. Anna saw him wince as he clasped his hands and realized they had been burned when he was extinguishing the fire. She sat the boys down and rushed to their water bucket. She was kneeling and washing Tom's hands when Richard appeared.

  He looked at the boys, who still looked as if they were in shock, and took his own deep breath. "God, are you okay? What happened?"

  "I'm fine. There was an accident and Becca got burned." She winced when Tom moaned, and wished she'd not mentioned his daughter.

  Richard quickly assessed the situation. "Tom, why don't you go to Hannah and Becca— Anna and I will watch your boys."

  Tom stood and turned to walk away. "I—why? Why my baby girl?"

  Henry had calmed a bit but his voice still trembled as he spoke. "We didn't mean to. It was an accident Pa, I swear! We were just playing. We didn't mean her to get burned."

  Andrew burst into fresh tears. "I didn't mean to throw the doll into the fire, Pa, we were just teasing. I threw too hard. I'm so sorry."

  Tom's face grew tight as he listened to his son. He was silent for a long time while Anna and Richard held their breath. Everyone knew how dangerous fires could be, and they were constantly reminded by Mr. Morgan to keep children away from any campfires. If Tom had not rushed into action as quickly as he had, not only could Becca's injuries have been life threatening, but the entire wagon could have gone up and even spread throughout the train. This wasn't something that could be ignored or even forgiven lightly. While Anna's heart ached for Becca, she also ached for the boys.

  Tom looked at his sons and finally spoke. "I have never been so disappointed in my entire life. You both had the responsibility to look after your sister and, instead, decided to tease her for your own spiteful entertainment. I find it disgusting that neither of you seem concerned for Becca or the pain that you have caused her. She got burned! Burned, boys! Her legs are burned, all because you thought it might be fun to tease her with her doll, the only possession she owns that gives her comfort. I swear to God, neither of you will be able to sit for we
eks once I've thrashed the hide off your backsides!"

  Both boys hung their heads in shame; Andrew almost hysterical at his father's tone of voice. Murmurs from the gathered onlookers masked Anna's gasp, but Richard simply pulled her into his arms and whispered for her to be still.

  Despite his obvious trepidation at his Pa's announcement, Henry pushed himself to his feet and approached his father. "It was my fault, Pa. I'm the oldest, and I know I shouldn't tease her. I will take my whipping but please, you don't have to whip Andrew; it was my fault."

  Anna was proud of the young boy, but Tom was having none of it.

  "Henry, you can't play keep away by yourself. While the greater responsibility was yours, your brother is not innocent and is partially responsible for what happened to your sister. You'll both pay for your actions with the strap." He lifted his hands. "I shall not be the one to deliver justice, as I wish it to be done properly. You will both go, confess what you've done, and ask Mr. Morgan to wield the strap."

  "Yes, Pa," Henry said, squaring his shoulders and putting his arm around his brother.

  Tom nodded and, despite his pain, despite his obvious displeasure at his sons' behavior, he walked to his children and put his arms around them both. "I know you'll be brave and pray you learn the lesson." He gave them a hug before turning to the crowd.

  Richard gave him a nod and stepped to the boys, letting Tom know that he would stay with them until the punishment was done.

  Anna wiped her eyes with her sleeve and watched as Tom moved away to go see his wife and daughter, and to get his own injuries treated by Doc Williams. Though she respected Henry and Andrew for their stoic acceptance, she didn't wish to be anywhere near the wagon when they paid the price for a choice that had gone so horribly wrong. "I'll stay and start their supper," she said, her bottom lip quivering.

  Richard nodded and looked down at the boys. "Let's get this done."