She opened her mouth to protest and clamped her lips closed when he raised his eyebrows. She shimmied out of her under things.
The dress fit closer than anything she’d ever worn before and slid over her like warm water, then stuck to her damp skin in places she’d rather it wouldn’t. Sheer lace trimmed an indecently low neckline. Her face heated as much from anger as embarrassment. “Readying me for my new job so soon, Mr. Bodine? It’s a bit inappropriate for traveling out here, wouldn’t you say? Besides, I’m cold.”
He tossed her a black lace shawl. “You’re as lovely as I imagined you would be. Once you got out of the slum clothes. I know a doctor that can take care of the temporary problem of another brat on its way.” He reached out and tugged a curl. “Pity you cut your hair, but it’s growing back quickly. Already past your shoulders.” His eyes darkened.
“I can give you the world, Mrs. Williams. I’ve more money than you’ve dreamed of having or can hope to obtain as a rancher’s wife. Be mine, and I’ll spare you the degradation of working in a gambling hall. Men will flock from miles around to pluck gold at your feet.”
“Dirty money doesn’t excite me.”
“Hand over the deed, I’ll give it to the man who hired me, and we’ll have enough money to live richer than you’d ever imagine.”
The man who hired him? Poor Ezra hadn’t really known where the real danger lay. Who had he spoken to during his last night of card playing?
“Why?” Bodine was crazy. “You don’t know me, Mr. Bodine. You can’t possibly be in love with me. Why am I so important to you?” She crossed her arms in front of her in a vain attempt to cover up. No undergarments and a silk dress left her feeling naked.
He pulled a cigar from his vest pocket and rolled it in his fingers. “At first I saw the value in selling you, but now … well, it would be nice to settle somewhere with a lovely woman by my side.”
“It will never happen.”
“You’d choose the hard life of a farmer over a wealthy lifestyle?
Delly squared her shoulders. “Given the chance? In a heart beat.”
“Your choice. Grab the brat and get mounted.” He stalked away.
She took her time tying Alice around her neck and left her old clothing behind. Lord, please let Zeke see through Bodine’s trick of leading them in the wrong direction. She adjusted the sling and climbed wearily on her horse.
The wind plastered the wet silk to her skin, and she shivered. She kept an eye on the rock outcroppings and thick brush. An opportunity for escape would present itself. It had too. She wrapped her arms tightly around the sling in front of her, drawing warmth from the baby. She should’ve shoved her out of sight the moment Bodine’s shadow stretched across her.
Despite the fast pace the outlaw insisted they maintain, Delly’s head drooped. She yelped as she started to slide from the horse. Bodine stopped, let loose a string of words that burned her ear drums, then stopped and helped her to the ground. “We’ll camp here. No fire though, and keep that kid quiet.”
Delly’s legs buckled when she slid from the horse’s back. She landed on her knees in hard dirt and dry grass. Bodine groaned, mumbled something about her ruining the dress, then marched a few feet away. Fatigue heavier than the horse she rode in on weighed her shoulders. She wanted to cry along with the waking infant.
A canteen landed at her feet. Grateful for the refreshment, she twisted the lid and took a gulp. Liquid fire poured down her throat and stole her breath. She gasped. “What is this?”
“Whiskey. It ought to give you some strength and warm you up. Be grateful, I shared.” Bodine looped the reins to his horse over a tree branch. “Give some to the brat if it’ll keep her quiet.”
“I will not.” Delly forced the words past her tortured throat.
“Bodine!” Zeke’s voice rang from somewhere above them. Delly’s heart leaped. “Let Delly and the baby go, and I won’t have to kill you.”
Bodine dove for cover, pulling a pistol from the saddlebag he’d removed from his horse. “You’ll have to come and get her. Keep shooting and a ricochet might hit her or the child. Your gamble.”
With one arm wrapped around Alice, Delly crawled into the bushes, drawing herself in as far as possible. He’d come for her. She knew he would.
What kind of a shot was the gambler? Lord, let Zeke have the advantage. Alice’s whimpering erupted into a full-scale scream, stretching Delly’s already taut nerves. Her stomach tightened, her throat burned, and she fought back tears.
Bodine approached at a running zig-zag crouch, dodging bullets that seemed to rain from the sky. It became obvious he searched for Delly, lured by the sound of Alice’s screams. She refused to remain his captive. She tucked the dress into the waistband of her bloomers to allow more freedom of movement, and wincing against the rocks digging into her knees, headed as fast as she could toward the spot she thought Zeke would be.
“Mrs. Williams!” Bodine stepped out and blocked her path. He leveled his pistol at her head. She met his gaze as her blood ran cold. “You should have chosen me.”
A shot rang out.
Bodine glanced at the spreading stain across his purple vest. His eyes widened. A drop of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. His knees buckled and he fell to the ground. Delly stared for a moment at his lifeless body, then sprang to her feet.
###
No sooner had Bodine fallen, then Zeke slid down the rock face. “Delly!”
She ran full tilt into him. Wrapping his arms around her and the baby, he slid against the mountain. “You do keep a man on his toes, don’t you?” His gaze flicked to her dress. “What are you wearing?”
“Something Bodine told me to wear. Is he dead?”
“I’ll check.” He smiled. “The dress is becoming, but I suggest you only wear it in your wagon.”
“I’d rather burn it.” She plucked it away from her and grimaced.
“That can be arranged too. Stay here.” He released her then strode slowly to where Bodine lay. After rolling the man over, it was clear he no longer lived. Regardless of the circumstances, taking another man’s life left a hole in Zeke, but he’d do it again if it meant the safety of his family.
He hefted the man over his shoulder then slung him on the back of his horse. The least they could do was bury him. If they didn’t locate the man’s family once they reached Oregon, they were now richer by two riding horses.
Taking the animal’s reins in one hand, he slung the other arm over Delly’s shoulders. “Woman, you do manage to find trouble. Life isn’t boring with you around.”
27
Delly sat in the wagon’s driver’s seat and stared dubiously at yet another rickety appearing wooden bridge. The oxen balked. She sighed and handed the reins to Sadie, then climbed down and grabbed their harness. “You guys pitch a fit every time we have to cross a bridge. Good thing it’s our turn at the end of the line, ‘cause they’d sure put us here if we weren’t.”
They tugged against her. “Forget pulling a plow. I’m going to shoot you when we get to Oregon and feed your meat to the Indians.” Her muscles screamed as she tried pulling them behind her. That failing, she put her shoulder against one of the animal’s flanks and pushed. How many more of these bridges did they have to cross?
“Get a switch and swat ‘em,” the oldest Oglesby boy yelled. “Show them who’s boss.”
Delly rolled her eyes. What did he think she was trying to do? “Dorcas, toss me one of the carrots we have left, then keep a tight hold on Alice and Sarah.” Holding the orange vegetable in her hand, she dangled it in front of the animals. They snorted and took a step forward. “It’s working!” The animals lunged forward. One snatched the carrot from her hand, ate it, then refused to move any further.
“Goodness.” She peered over the bridge rail, fully expecting the structure to collapse beneath them. The creek ran rapidly over rounded pebbles and moss-covered rocks between two steep banks. The water didn’t appear to be too deep. Maybe she sh
ould back up and try driving them across the stream. She shook her head. They’d never make it down one side and up the other without folding the wagon in half.
She dug her heels in and yanked on the reins. “Come on! Whip ‘em, Sadie.”
“I am.” The crack of the whip snapped over her head. “It don’t do any good with these stupid beasts.”
The oxen tossed their heads and ripped the reins through Delly’s gloved hands. A shot rang out from the Johnson wagon, startling the team who then dashed past Delly, slamming into her on their way.
Her heels flew over her head. She sailed over the split-rail of the bridge into icy water. She screamed and flailed against her fear of drowning before discovering the water only reached chest high. If the trip to Oregon didn’t cure her from her fear of water nothing would.
Mortification heated her face. Her blood boiled. She glared at Joshua Oglesby who leaned over the railing.
“I’m sorry. I was only trying to help. Are you all right?”
“What were you thinking?” She grabbed hold of a protruding tree root to prevent herself from being swept downstream. “I could’ve been killed.”
“I said I was sorry. You were holding everyone up. I thought the shot would startle the animals into moving, and it did. Do you want me to come down there and help you?”
“No, I do not!” Delly retied her sodden bonnet on her head. “I can climb out myself.” Her feet slipped on the slippery bottom, and she disappeared beneath the water. Pushing clear, she coughed and sputtered. Zeke and Luke laughed from the riverbank. “Go ahead, gentlemen. Laugh until you’re blue in the face for all I care. Serve you both right if I got washed downstream.” She marched toward them and reached for a small bush to pull herself up.
###
Zeke’s laugh cut off in mid-snort when Delly emerged from the creek, her flannel shirt and men’s britches clinging to every wet curve. The Oglesby boys stared with open mouths, Luke turned his head, and Zeke’s cheeks burned.
Sophia giggled from where she stood beside her wagon, arms crossed, a smirk on her face. Ben Johnson stood next to the woman, his eyes wide. Looked like Sophia might’ve hooked her attention on someone else.
Zeke cleared his throat. “You look like a drowned rat.” An unclothed one.
“Don’t bust a rib laughing.” She bumped him with her shoulder as she strode past.
“Uh, wait up.” Zeke whipped his shirt off his back and wrapped it around her. She glanced down, her cheeks reddening.
“Still funny? Now that everyone on the train got a really good look?”
“If you wore a skirt like women are supposed to, you wouldn’t be exposing yourself.”
She crossed her arms. “No, I would’ve been dragged under the water and drowned. Now, you’re the one standing there unclothed.” High spots of color appeared on her cheeks and she turned her head. After pulling her soggy bonnet from her head, Delly smacked him with it before heading toward the wagon. Sadie stared with wide-eyes and one hand covering her mouth.
Zeke laughed. “Disaster follows my sister-in-law wherever she goes. Looks like I’ve found a new pet name for her.”
Delly whirled. “Don’t you dare call me that!”
“Okay.” He held up his hands in surrender then called out to the other wagons. “Camp here tonight, folks.”
Dried and wearing a calico dress, Delly joined Zeke beside the fire. She stuck her pert nose in the air and avoided his glance. He grinned and touched her arm. “Delly…”
“Well, well. Look what we got here, Roy. A pretty little quadroon.” Two men approached Sadie, cutting her off from the wagon.
Zeke stood, keeping a hand on Delly’s shoulder to make sure she stayed on the stump and didn’t try anything foolish. With her dander up after her dousing, a man couldn’t be too careful. “Once I go over there, find Luke and tell him to stay out of sight. Ask Hiram to come here.”
“Where’s your people, girl?” The larger of the men, wearing stained buckskins and his face hiding behind a scruffy, ink-colored beard, towered over Sadie.
“Over there.” She motioned with her head toward Zeke.
“Can I help you two?” He sidled between Sadie and the strangers. “Go help with supper.” She nodded and skittered away.
The man squared his shoulders. “We’re looking for a runaway. Got reason to believe he’s hitched up with one of these trains heading west.”
“No slaves here. I’m sorry you’ve wasted your time.” Zeke held out his hand. “I’m the wagon master, Ezekiel Williams.”
“Hank.” The man ignored the offered hand. “The one we’re looking for is a big buck. At least six feet tall. A blacksmith by trade. There’s a reward for his return. A good one.”
“I’ve already told you he’s not here.”
“I don’t believe you. The train that went to California said you had such a man with you. That he’d hooked up with a little light-skinned woman.” Hank lifted his rifle.
Zeke reached for the pistol at his waist as the second man, Roy, stepped forward. “Look, you two…”
“He ain’t here.” Sadie joined them. “He did travel with us for a while. Got me with child and headed on.” She wrapped her arms around her stomach and looked downtrodden.
Roy grinned, revealing tobacco-stained teeth. “Then I reckon we’ll take you in trade.”
“She’s not for sale.” Delly stepped beside Sadie and squared her shoulders. “She’s been freed for a long time. Would you like to see her papers?”
“Can’t read.” He continued to eye Sadie. “You know what they do to runaways, don’t you, girl?”
She nodded, keeping her head bowed.
“Well, then, reckon we’ll be on our way. Probably meet up with y’all at Fort Boise.” He nodded to his companion, and they disappeared into the trees.
Zeke reached forward and grabbed Sadie as her knees buckled. He lowered her to the ground. She buried her face in her hands. “It’s best Luke stay out of sight for a while,” Zeke told her.
She nodded. “How long?”
He shrugged. “Until we’re sure those men have gone. He’ll be all right.” He glanced at Delly. “Take her to the wagon, will you?”
He watched them leave, Delly’s arms around her friend. He’d suspected Luke of being a runaway. But seeing evidence of the fact caused his stomach to plummet faster than a waterfall and with as much force. He didn’t condone slavery, and it wasn’t practiced in the west, but what was he to do legally? Morally?
By hiding Luke, was he stealing or giving a life freedom? He shook his head, not understanding what Luke’s hiding in the west might entail. But whatever it was, Zeke couldn’t turn in his friend.
He whirled as a twig snapped and peered through the gathering dusk at Luke’s face. “What are you doing here?”
“Came to get some supplies and say bye to Sadie. I’ll catch up to y’all before you hit those mountains. If something happens, and I ain’t there, take care of Sadie and my baby, will you?” His eyes glistened.
Zeke clapped him on the shoulder, touched by his friend’s trust. “They’re family, Luke. I’ll take good care of them. You’ll be with us. Don’t fear.” In the span of a few months, he’d gained a sister-in-law, a passel of children, and an infant, with another on the way. Suddenly his cabin seemed mighty small. Amazing what time could do. He reached for his rifle. “Take this.”
“No.” Luke shook his head. “I’m a dead man if I get caught with a weapon. I’ll make do with my knife. It’ll be easier to toss away if I get caught.” He wrapped a quilt around his shoulders, and slung another blanket, loaded with supplies, hobo style over his back. “See you.” He blended into the shadows as footsteps approached.
“God speed, my friend.”
28
“Ma, look.” Junior pointed to the ridge above them.
The figures of several Indian braves stood outlined against the setting sun. A cold sweat formed on Delly’s brow, and she spilled some of the coffee gro
unds she’d meant for the pot. Indians who hovered out of range didn’t seem as friendly as the others they’d met. “Find your uncle and let him know, if he doesn’t know already.” They’d just pulled the wagons into a circle and started supper. As she stirred the rice, her attention reverted back to the ominous sight.
“That scares me.” Sadie dumped in some greens she’d found growing along the trail. “Them just sitting there watching us. Makes my skin tingle. Why don’t they come up and say howdy like the others have done?”
“I don’t know.” Delly shuddered. “They’re like ghosts.”
“Believe me, they’re very human.” Zeke pulled up a stool and poured himself a cup of coffee. “And we’re in their territory.”
“What do they want?” Delly moved the ring holding the pot away from the hottest part of the flames.
“I don’t know.”
“Can we shoot and scare them off?”
“That would most likely make them mad.” He took a swig of his drink. “I know it’s hot, but no one sleeps outside tonight. I’ve already got the men keeping watch in shifts. Junior and I will go first.”
Delly served him a plate of beans and rice. Her hand trembled as she handed the food to him. What would they do if the Indians attacked? They’d lost over half their train at the split to California. With Luke gone, their number of able-bodied men numbered ten, counting Junior. Delly closed her eyes and prayed. Lord, have your angels guard over us. If we have to fight, let your warriors fight alongside us.
What would she do if something happened to Zeke? They might not be speaking to each other outside of good manners and practicality, but there was no denying her heart’s yearning for more. Zeke Williams was everything Delly wanted in a man, and more. If sharing a homestead with him was all she’d get, she’d take even that small thing, God willing.
As the sun set over the mountain, she helped Sadie cleaned up after dinner, her gaze straying to the line of warriors. What were they waiting for?
Her gaze settled on the faces of her children. On Zeke’s. The muscle tic in his jaw showed her he wasn’t as relaxed as he tried to appear. She clenched her fist to keep from caressing the tension away.
Woman of Courage (Four Full length Historical Christian Romances in One Volume): Woman of Courage Series Page 20