by Linda Ford
Wagon Train Baby
Linda Ford
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Sneak peek of Wagon Train Wedding
Also by Linda Ford
1
Santa Fe Trail, October, 1848
Donna Grace Clark knew from the expression on the wagon master’s face that he was the bearer of more bad news. Her father had already delivered an unwelcome message, saying he wasn’t prepared to join them on the trail to Santa Fe as he had previously agreed.
She stood tall and straight and put on her most commanding face, hoping it would give the man pause to deliver his announcement.
It failed to slow the man in authority even a fraction. He drew to a halt several feet away and whipped off his hat.
Donna Grace glanced around. To her left a campfire glowed, its smoke one of the more pleasant smells in this place burgeoning with people and animals. A man hunkered down beside it, nursing a cup of coffee and pretending he couldn’t hear every word, not only of this conversation, but also of the recent one with her father. With wagons, animals and people all crowded together, the noise a constant din, it was impossible to expect privacy. She knew that from the trip she’d made four years ago at age sixteen with her father from Santa Fe to St Louis, Missouri. Of course, back then, she hadn’t cared if everyone knew her business. She was simply happy to be traveling with her father. Now at twenty years of age, she wished she could hide the truth about many things.
She stared at the seemingly indifferent man crouched by the fire. Luke Russell. One of the freighters who would be on this wagon train along the Santa Fe Trail. She’d also met his brother and sister and learned a few things about them. Luke was twenty-four. His brother Warren was four years older and their sister, Judith, younger than her brothers. The men had been trading on the Santa Fe Trail for some time. Judith seemed to have recently joined them.
She pulled her attention back to Mr. Williams, the man in charge of directing the wagons on their journey.
“Ma’am, your father told me he’s changed his mind about going to Santa Fe or even as far as Bent’s Fort. I’m sorry, but without a man to accompany you, I can’t let you and your sister join us.”
She opened her mouth, intending to argue, to make him see that they didn’t need a man. She didn’t need a man. A man had gotten her into this horrible situation. She pressed her hand to her bulging stomach.
“My rule is any woman traveling with us must be accompanied by her father, husband or brother. I make no exceptions.” He plopped his hat on his head and strode away.
Mary Mae, almost a mirror image of Donna Grace and younger by one year, poked her head out of the wagon. “We’ll have to abandon our plans,” she whispered, in the futile hope that no one would hear her except her sister.
“And do what?” Donna Grace moved closer, also hoping to keep their conversation private. “I can’t stay around here. Not with Melvin and his wife… ” The word practically burned her tongue. “… prancing around and people looking at me and whispering ugly things.”
Mary Mae squeezed Donna Grace’s arm. “It wasn’t your fault that Melvin lied about already being married when he married you. The scoundrel. He should be drawn and quartered. I know Grandfather Ramos would have made him pay dearly.”
At the mention of their maternal grandfather, Donna Grace grew momentarily quiet. “Perhaps.” She didn’t want to think of their grandfather and his harsh treatment of her. “But I can’t stay. I know the sort of things they’ll say about my baby. I’m going back to Santa Fe.” She’d grown up there and it was the only place she’d ever felt accepted—at least, until Mama had died and Grandfather Ramos had taken charge of the girls. Thankfully, Papa had rescued them and brought them to St. Louis. She hoped to reach her destination before the baby was born. Please, little one, don’t come before then.
“What will you do there?” Mary Mae asked, even though they’d had this discussion before. Donna Grace knew her sister clung to the hope of persuading her to change her mind.
“I’ll rent a house and take in boarders and feed travelers.” The money Melvin had paid her to disappear would fund her venture. She hadn’t wanted to take his guilt money but their baby deserved that much. “Maybe I won’t go to Santa Fe. There are lots of other towns where I could do the same.”
“But we can’t travel with this lot.”
They both knew it was the last train to head out this fall.
“There has to be a way. I won’t believe otherwise.” Donna Grace wanted nothing more than to escape the shame of being with child, but with no husband. Through no fault of her own. Melvin had lied to her. Never again would she trust a man.
But she would take care of this wee one.
“Excuse me, ma’am.”
She turned at the sound of a deep male voice behind her. It was Luke Russell.
“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.”
She fixed him with a hard look. Not unlike the one her grandfather often used, she suspected. “You might have had the courtesy to pretend otherwise.”
He grinned crookedly. “Might have done so, except I think I have a solution to your problem.”
She resisted the urge to cradle her hands about her stomach. Her baby was not a problem and she refused to let anyone think otherwise. “And what would that be?”
“You could get married.”
“Never.” She covered the baby bump with her palms.
The crooked grin widened. “All you need is a husband in name only to get you to your destination.”
Her eyes widened and then narrowed as she comprehended his meaning. “A pretend marriage?”
“Or you could call it a marriage of convenience.”
“I don’t expect it would be very convenient for either party.”
He laughed at that. “It never hurts to have someone on your side, helping with chores and things.”
She wondered what things he meant. Nevertheless, she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Are you volunteering?”
“Yes, ma’am. I am.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Donna Grace, you wouldn’t.” Mary Mae looked about ready to swoon.
Donna Grace held up her hand to signal her sister to be quiet. “Let’s hear what the man has to say.”
Luke Russell stood before the Clark ladies waiting for the shock of his offer to disappear from their faces. He knew the moment it did so with the elder sister—Donna Grace. And he knew it was time to press his case.
“Miss Clark, would you walk with me so we can talk?”
She gave her sister a look he couldn’t interpret and then nodded. “I’d like to hear what you have in mind.” She fell in at his side.
They edged past the wagons crowded together and sidestepped two mule skinners, their wide shoulders forcing Luke and Donna Grace to press against the nearby wagon wheel. He had long ago grown used to the sound of animals bleating and men yelling. With everyone occupied with their own affairs he and Miss Clark could hope to talk without being overheard and misjudged.
He got in the first word. “It’s impossible for me to stand back and not help someone when it’s in my power to do so. So when I overheard you ladies wondering
how you were going to get to Santa Fe I knew there was something I could do.” He didn’t add that there had been a time when he put his own affairs first and because of that, blamed himself for the murder of Ellen, his betrothed. He should have been beside her, protecting her. Instead, he had left her on her own to follow his own interests.
They resumed their journey, dust rising from each step.
“But marriage? That’s rather a big way of helping.”
He heard the reservation in her voice and perhaps a bit of curiosity.
She continued. “Perhaps you should explain exactly what you have in mind.”
“I’m proposing we get married and honor our agreement until we reach Santa Fe. After that, we will both be free to go our own way.” Would she note the hesitation in his voice? And if so, what would she think it meant? She had no way of knowing about Ellen and how he’d failed her. He wouldn’t admit that he hoped by helping Miss Clark, he might in some small way atone for his failure. “It would give your baby a father and a name.”
They reached a quiet area close to the river and drew to a halt. The waterway was busy with river traffic. Water would be a challenge on the trail, which is why they planned to go by way of Bent’s Fort, and not the Cimarron cut-off across the dry route.
Miss Clark stared at the stream for a moment, then sucked in a deep breath. “I know what it looks like.” Her hands cradled her stomach to make sure he understood her meaning. “But it’s not as awful as it might appear.” She shifted to look directly at him, her dark eyes boring into his. “It’s worse.”
He’d overheard enough to guess she’d been treated poorly. All the more reason to offer his help.
She held his gaze as she continued. “I thought I was married to a fine, upstanding man. Instead, it turns out he was a scoundrel of the worst sort. He was already married, so our marriage is null and void, and my baby is … is … ” She shook her head. Fire filled her eyes. “I don’t care what anyone says about my baby. He or she is a precious gift to me.”
“And so it should be.” He’d once dreamed of a home and family. Little ones to fill his heart with joy. That dream no longer existed. “Let me help you. After you are safely to your destination and settled, we will dissolve the marriage.”
Her snort was filled with derision. “Seems I am only good for mock marriages.”
Her comment gave him pause. “I’m sure that isn’t the case. My only reason for offering to do this is so you can get where you want to go.” Perhaps it wasn’t the only reason, but she didn’t need to know about his guilt.
“Let me get this straight. You are suggesting a marriage in name only. A temporary one.” One shoulder came up. “Not unlike the one I just left. Except for one thing.” She leaned close and spoke in a low voice, every word clear and distinct. “This marriage will not include the right to my bed.”
He let his gaze go to her stomach letting her know her condition made that unlikely. Or at least unappealing. “Agreed. This is solely so wagon master Buck Williams will allow you and your sister to make the journey,”
She turned her gaze from him and stared across the river, though he doubted she saw the fading leaves on the trees, nor took note of the children playing on the opposite bank.
Realizing she had a lot to think about before she agreed, he let her take her time considering his offer.
Finally, she sagged as if the starch had left her backbone. “I can’t stay here. I won’t. And I can’t go where I want to go on my own.” She faced him. “Seems I have little choice if I am to reach my destination before my baby arrives.”
He had to force himself not to stare at her baby bulge, but it looked to him like she couldn’t possibly carry that burden two more months. But surely she knew when to expect the baby and he, admittedly, knew nothing whatsoever about the process except having viewed it secondhand when his brother, Warren, and his wife had a baby. Although he refrained from voicing his concerns, she correctly read them.
“I want this little one born into a world where it will be accepted as a worthy individual. Where it will begin a life of security and safety and most of all, love. I will give it enough love for two parents.”
“Good for you, but don’t be afraid to accept help to reach your goal.”
She nodded. “I see the wisdom of your words. So I will marry you in order to get where I need to be. And thank you for your generous offer.”
“I’m pleased if I can have a hand in getting your child to the place you have in mind.” Seeing her and the infant to a safe place would go a long way toward easing his guilt over Ellen’s murder and—he realized with a jolt—help ease the pain of losing Warren’s wife and baby. He would, at the best, be a temporary father to the unborn baby, but he would gladly give it his name and prevent the cruel words that it might otherwise encounter.
Did bestowing his name on the child give him any rights? Like being involved in daily activities and decisions?
He knew their agreement allowed for no such thing and he pushed aside a fleeting regret.
“If you’re still certain this is what you want to do?” The doubt in her voice made him wonder if he had somehow given away his thoughts.
“I’m a man of my word.”
“What do we do next?”
“You know, I have no idea.” He laughed at his unpreparedness.
Her fine black eyebrows went toward her hairline. Beautiful black hair that seemed to catch the flash of silver from the water. “I suggest we decide what to do soon.” Her words contained a hint of humor. “Mr. Williams wants to leave in the morning.”
“You’re right, of course. We’d best tell our families and then find someone to marry us.” He crooked his elbow toward her and was pleased when, with only a slight hesitation, she took his arm.
“Are we going to tell them it’s only a pretend marriage?” he asked, drawing to a halt to look into her face.
She lifted her chin. “I don’t see that anyone needs to know, but seeing as this is your idea, I suppose I will have to go along with what you decide.”
“It’s no one’s business, but ours. I think it’s best if we’re the only ones who know about our agreement.”
“I concur.” Relief flickered across her face.
Pleased that he had given the right answer, he drew her back to the path. “Then let’s do it.”
They returned to the dusty area between their two wagons. Luke saw his brother sitting in front of the fire, “Warren is back. Good. We can tell them all at once.”
Donna Grace’s sister stood nearby watching them cautiously.
Luke called to his siblings. “Judith, Warren, I have an announcement to make.”
Donna Grace signaled her sister to join them.
Judith climbed down from the wagon where she had been arranging things. Warren rose from contemplating the live coals of the fire. He took in Donna Grace’s hand on Luke’s arm and did his best to hide a scowl. Not that Luke could blame him for wondering at this intimacy.
As soon as everyone gathered around, Luke spoke. “Miss Clark and I have agreed to get married.” He smiled.
Silence greeted his words. Mary Mae looked ready to cry.
Judith stared. She was nursing a broken heart, and likely found his announcement a painful reminder of her broken engagement.
Warren recovered first. “Why would you contemplate such a thing?” He yanked his hat from his head and threw it on the ground. “Are you both crazy?”
His brother’s anger triggered an unexpected response in Luke. He shifted to his right so he and Donna Grace stood shoulder to shoulder. His role was to protect this woman. “Neither of us is the least bit addled. We’ve discussed the matter, and agreed it is what we want to do.”
Donna Grace stiffened and her chin lifted. “I am perfectly capable of making sound decisions, thank you very much.” She lowered her head and added, “Usually,” in a whisper Luke knew no one but himself would hear.
He understood she meant her marria
ge to the man who had left her with child, and her regret filled him with a fierceness that took him by surprise. He would do his best to prove to her that not all men were scoundrels.
Warren had the grace to look uneasy at her response. “Likely so, but marriage is a big commitment. One not to be taken lightly.”
Luke felt Donna Grace shudder. “I’m very aware of that,” she said.
He understood, she’d learned not everyone took the state of marriage seriously.
“It does seem rather sudden,” Judith said.
Neither Luke nor Donna Grace seemed inclined to argue about that. It was sudden.
Mary Mae edged closer to her sister. “Does this mean your baby will have a nice home?”
Donna Grace pulled her sister to her side. “If it depends on me, than yes. And—” She hesitated, then drew herself tall and straight. “And a name.” The words were firm but with a hint of teariness. She gave each of those facing them a look that Luke could only describe as a combination of determination and entreaty.
Judith nodded. “So be it. I trust you both know what you’re doing.”
Mary Mae gave her sister a sideways hug. “I like the idea.”
Warren wouldn’t meet Luke’s gaze. The darkness in his brother’s eyes made Luke understand how painful his memories of his dead wife and child were. It must hurt to see his younger brother acquiring a wife and soon, a child.
He went to Warren’s side. “I’m sorry this reminds you of your loss.”
Warren sucked in air. His smile went no further than his mouth. “I won’t let it stand in the way of your happiness. You have my blessing, if that’s what you want.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.” He looked around at the others. “So let’s go find us a preacher to marry us.”
“Now? Today?” Judith’s mouth opened and closed as she tried in vain to find words to express her surprise.