Savage storm

by Conn, Phoebe

  "Don't be absurd!" Gabrielle responded defiantly. Still dressed in her elegant black suit she pushed past Jason, grabbed her horse's reins, and, lifting her skirt aside, swung herself upon his back. She rode as easily bareback as most men did in the saddle, and using Sunny's speed and agility to every advantage, she began to circle the stray horses, forcing them back toward the wagons where Jason and Clayton caught them easily. By the time the last one had been recovered, both she and Sunny had regained their composure but, unhappily, Jason had not. Seeing his furious expression, Gabrielle slipped down from her stallion's back and led him to the young man's side.

  "I should have warned you how greatly he distrusts

  strangers, but I thought since you were with me at the stable this morning and saw how badly he behaved you would have realized that. Still, no harm has been done, you have all your horses back/'

  Jason's piercing gray gaze swept Gabrielle's svelte figure slowly. She'd put on quite a spectacle but seemed to be totally unaware of the stares of the curious crowd which had gathered to watch her. "Where did you learn to ride so well?"

  Surprised by that question, Gabrielle hesitated a moment too long. Then she explained, knowing he'd understand who she meant. "A friend taught me; we spent a great deal of time riding together."

  Sorry he'd asked since Beau was not a man with whom he could compete, Jason slapped the leather thongs against his hand as he gave her an order, his stern expression a clear warning he expected to be obeyed. 'That's not an effort I want to see you repeat. Miss MacLaren, see that Sunny is side-tied so he can graze without straying; then I'll give you the hobbles for all the other mounts too. Since none is as obstreperous as your horse, you should have the job completed within minutes."

  "Are you trying to punish me?" Gabrielle asked curiously. "I plan to do my share of the work, and I don't mind helping you care for the animals." Her bright blue eyes regarded him coolly, hoping for some sign he'd become more reasonable, but the muscles of his jaw were tense, his gaze dark, if anything he was growing more angry rather than calmer. When he didn't reply, she gave up her effort to placate him as hopeless and took the leather thongs from his hand. She then led Sunny toward the expanse of lush grass where the horse could spend a restful night with an abundant supply of food. She scratched his ears playfully as she removed his bridle and spoke in a low soothing tone while she attached the side tie and when she was satisfied her pet could walk comfortably if not run, she gave him a tender pat to send him out to graze.

  "Did you ever see anything like that?" Clayton whispered softly to his friend. "She has a rare talent, a real gift for

  working with horses."

  Jason had been as entranced as the older man with Gabrielle's abihty. He'd seen Indian braves handle their mounts with the same easy grace, but never a white man and most certainly never a white woman. ''I have a feeling that is perhaps the least of her talents, Clay, but this was a disruption we didn't need and I'll not permit that stallion to cause such havoc again."

  "Oh, certainly not." Clayton agreed readily, but he stayed to watch while Jason turned away. Gabrielle moved down the line of horses, talking to each as if it were an old friend, her touch gentle but firm, and while it took her more than the few minutes Jason had mentioned to accomplish the task he'd assigned her, no one could have pleased the animals more.

  Noting that Jason had gone, Gabrielle returned to her wagon where she found Iris complaining because they'd have to eat their dinner either standing up or seated upon the ground. "Did you really expect a dining table and chairs to appear magically each night. Iris?" Gabrielle took the tin plate Paul handed her and thanked him warmly. He'd roasted two chickens and baked biscuits which were as light and feathery as any she'd ever tasted. She took a bite as she went to sit down beside Erica, then called to the man to show her appreciation. "This is delicious, Paul, do you have experience as a cook?"

  "Sure, I've been eating my own cooking all my life!" He replied, a twinkle in his eye. "I'm glad you're enjoying the meal, but there will be plenty of times when we'll have to make do with bacon."

  "Can't you men hunt along the way so we'll always have fresh meat?" Iris asked as she finally resigned herself to taking a place beside Margaret on the grass.

  "I am a mighty fine hunter now that you mention it, miss, but where game is scarce skill doesn't fill the stew pot. Just enjoy each meal as it comes and let me worry about the next one.

  Iris looked at her companions and whispered so Paul would

  not overhear. "I know we were chosen for our beauty, but none of us will be pretty if we are no more than skin and bones by the time we arrive in Oregon City. I expected Mr. Home to have made some better arrangement for our food than he has. We are going to become dreadfully tired of bacon and biscuits. I never even liked them in the first place!"

  Marlene and Margaret continued to eat in embarrassed silence, not wishing to become involved in any conversation based on Iris' complaints. Johanna sat talking quietly with Barbara. Both ignored the striking brunette while Gabrielle and Erica exchanged knowing glances and simply enjoyed their dinner without bothering to respond to Iris' comments. They had decided that afternoon just to ignore her and hope she would soon move to another wagon, but after they had finished eating and all twenty-one young women moved about and got acquainted, it soon became apparent that Iris alienated everyone with whom she spoke. She monopolized each conversation, criticizing anyone who dared to disagree with her opinions, and she soon found herself standing alone while the others chatted happily, filled with excitement at the adventure they'd undertaken. She knew how to captivate men but she did not use that same charm on women. By the time the cooking fires were all extinguished and the girls were getting ready to go to sleep. Iris had not found anyone she liked, nor had she realized that no one had liked her either.

  The bedding was soft, and by trying different positions the young women who shared Gabrielle's wagon soon found they could sleep comfortably. However, they were still too excited to close their eyes. As always, Barbara was in a talkative mood. She described her best friend's reaction to her announcement that she was going to answer Mr. Home's advertisement.

  "She was shocked, absolutely horrified, but for men to seek brides through newspaper advertisements is nothing new and I didn't see it as a scandal. Besides, I didn't want to stay at home and wait years for a man to find me when Oregon seems to be filled with men who want a nice wife. I don't think what we're

  doing is wrong; it's merely sensible. That's the way I look at it, and thank goodness, so did my mother."

  Erica moaned softly. "You should have heard my parents, but I convinced them this is what I want to do, and since I have two older brothers with children who live near them I don't think they'll be too lonely without me. What did your folks say about this, Gabrielle?"

  "My parents died when I was a baby. An aunt raised me and she's gone now too. There was no one I needed to ask, but even if there had been, I would have come whether or not I'd received permission."

  "I hope you marry a man who does not expect obedience then," Iris offered sarcastically. She'd not shared her thoughts with her wagonmates, merely her usual flippant criticisms.

  "I shall make a point of asking each of the bachelors what he thinks on that subject. Iris. Thank you for the wonderful suggestion," Gabrielle replied sweetly but she could not stop her giggle as Erica poked her in the ribs.

  "That's a good idea. We should think of some questions to ask so we can get to know the men quickly. Then we won't waste time on those whose views don't suit us," Barbara stated enthusiastically.

  "Just ask to see their homes, Barbara; they will tell the whole story," Iris recommended, as if she'd given the matter a great deal of thought. "You'll be able to see exactly how the men live and what sort of life each can offer you."

  "Will Mr. Home permit that?" Marlene whispered. "Will he allow us to visit the men's homes without a chaperon?"

  "Certainly not!" Johanna prote
sted sharply. "I'd never go out to a man's farm, why who knows what he might try to do!"

  "I will explain it to you if your mother didn't, Johanna," Iris remarked impatiently, thinking her companions impossibly innocent. "I'll even draw pictures if you need them."

  Before Johanna could summon the courage to respond. Erica spoke up, "I'm certain none of us needs your lessons. Iris, but speaking of drawings, let's ask to see the sketches of

  the men again. I didn't really get a chance to study them very closely and Td like to. We could at least learn each man's name and that would be sure to impress them favorably. Why don't you ask Mr. Royal tomorrow if we can have the sketches, Gabrielle?"

  "You want me to be the one to ask him? Why don't you just ask him yourself?" The question had caught Gabrielle off guard and her confusion was apparent in her voice. She didn't want anyone to think she knew Jason Royal better than they did, but clearly Erica suspected something more had happened between them than what she'd observed.

  "Oh, no reason." Erica stifled her laugh with her hand, but now the others were curious and waited quietly for Gabrielle to respond.

  When the silence became so thick it was nearly suffocating, Gabrielle forced herself to reply nonchalantly. "I don't mind asking him, but I'll wait until he's in a reasonable mood since I've found him to be a bit quick tempered."

  'Then I'll ask him," Iris offered brightly, eager for an excuse to talk to the attractive young man. "I think he is the nicest of men, so considerate and polite, not in the least bit moody. He'll not refuse me."

  "That settles it then; you ask him. Iris. Now let's go to sleep. Dawn will come unbearably early if we don't." Gabrielle changed the subject quickly, glad the matter of asking Jason for the sketches had been taken off her hands, since he'd apparently taken the same dislike to her that he'd taken to her stallion.

  "Surely they don't expect us to rise with the sun!" Iris shrieked in disbelief.

  "Good night. Iris," Gabrielle replied in so emphatic a tone the young woman did not speak again, but though they all lay silent, none fell asleep quickly.

  Gabrielle wondered why Erica had wanted to tease her about Jason. Perhaps because he'd been so rude to her that afternoon, to say nothing of the incident with Sunny, but she

  didn't want her new friend to think she was attracted to the man for then she'd just tease her all the more. In truth, she didn't even like Jason Royal now that she knew him better. He was bright and he could be sympathetic and sweet when it suited his purpose, but she'd soon discovered how selfish that purpose had been. She blushed deeply at the memory of his kiss and was thankful the others could not see the color in her cheeks. Well, why shouldn't the man know how to kiss? By the looks of him and the ready way he had responded to Iris' flattery, it was apparent he'd had plenty of practice with women. She vowed he'd never have another opportunity to come close enough to kiss her. She didn't understand why he seemed to delight in tormenting her, but she'd not allow him to upset her again. She would simply follow the directions he gave to all the others and do her best to see that Sunny caused no further trouble, for she didn't want the horse to suffer from the heat of his anger either. Perhaps he was as spoiled as Iris, used to having his own way, but that was really no concern of hers since she knew she should think of herself as engaged even if she didn't know which man she'd marry.

  She considered it a stroke of good fortune that another bachelor had joined the group they were going to meet, and unaccustomed to such unexpected good luck, Gabrielle included the man in her prayers. She'd have to ask his name, and perhaps Jason could do a sketch of him from memory to include with the other men's portraits. She wanted to be able to thank him and tell him how much his desire to have a wife had meant to her, for without his generosity she'd have been unable to make the trip to Oregon. With gratitude for the appearance of that additional man filling her thoughts, she finally fell asleep, too tired by the day's excitement to dream. She was on her way to Oregon at last, to live the life she'd planned with Beau, even if he would not be there to share it.

  ^nxz/ite/t^ Jr^l/

  Gabrielle was one of the first to awaken the next morning. She washed hurriedly and brushed out her long hair but left it flowing free as she had the previous day. It was as shiny and straight as an Indian woman's, and had defied all her aunt's efforts to make it curl prettily as the older woman had insisted a young lady's hair should. Its lustrous red color was beauty enough in Gabrielle's opinion, and she had never concerned herself with the matter of curls since she had not been given them naturally. She put on the soft muslin dress she'd laid out before she'd gone to sleep; then as soon as she had buttoned up her shoes, she left the others and ran down the line of wagons toward the horses. She meant to take care of Sunny herself, before he could create any more mischief which would land them both in serious trouble.

  Jason and Clayton Home shared a tent rather than occupying a wagon, and being an early riser by necessity, the young man had placed a small mirror in the notch of a tree so he could see to shave himself in the dim light of dawn. He usually chose the far easier custom of growing a beard while on the trail, but with so many young ladies to escort he wanted to look his best in hopes his appearance would aid his cause. He wanted to appear the most proper of gentlemen so he would continue to have their respect and, more importantly, their

  obedience. Respectability was not usually so important a virtue in his estimation, but he knew in this case it should be and was acting accordingly. When he saw a blur of blue rush by he turned, startled to see Gabrielle up and about so early.

  "Miss MacLaren!" he called loudly to catch her attention as he laid his razor aside.

  Gabrielle had been afraid he'd see her, and feeling as though she'd been caught plotting some evil deed, she came to a halt and turned slowly. Her wide innocent gaze provided no hint of her apprehension, however.

  ''Yes, Mr. Royal?" she responded sweetly, not daring to hope he would be in a more pleasant mood than when she'd last seen him.

  He was clad only in his buckskin britches and moccasins which had leggings attached so they fit like a pair of boots. His bare shoulders and back were deeply tanned as if he seldom wore a shirt outdoors, while his broad chest was covered with a tangle of dark curls which tapered to a thin line as they grew down his flat stomach to disappear beneath his belt. He provided a most appealing sight, muscular yet lean, his unusual height and classical proportions making him as attractive an example of the perfection of the male form as had ever been born. When he made no move to don a shirt Gabrielle tried to focus her attention upon his face, but his bare torso was difficult to ignore and she wondered if he weren't well aware of the effect his striking good looks had upon a young woman. That thought infuriated her so greatly she clenched her fists at her sides and hoped he'd finish whatever he had to say promptly.

  Jason wiped the last trace of soap from his face with a hand towel as he walked toward Gabrielle. That he was so handsome a man was something he'd realized with delighted surprise when he'd reached his late teens. Like his height and strength, his more than pleasant good looks had evolved quite naturally as he'd grown to adulthood. Now he was used to them and no longer gave his appearance much thought. Since he meant to

  say no more than a few words to the auburn-haired beauty, it had not occurred to him to dress fully before he did so. The Oregon Trail was such a long one he knew they would see each other too often to worry over such details as completeness of attire before they spoke. In her pastel blue dress Gabrielle looked as fresh and sweet as the spring morning, and he hoped her manner would be as agreeable as the day promised to be.

  ''If you can offer some help to your wagonmates so they can manage a horse without mishap, I will be grateful as I have no time to give riding lessons."

  Gabrielle relaxed immediately when she realized Jason wished to discuss the other young women's comfort rather than criticize her. "Yes, I'm sure everyone understands you have other duties. We had no opportunity last night to
discuss our travel arrangements, but I will give whatever help is necessary to see we are not a burden to you." She was sincere in her promise, for the last thing she wanted was to have her new friends singled out as being unable to take care of themselves. ''I will encourage everyone to ride for as long as they wish today, but I don't want anyone to overdo and suffer for it tomorrow."

  Jason combed back his dark curls with his fingertips as he gave the matter further consideration. He knew a novice rider could suffer considerable pain as a result of such unaccustomed exercise.

  "Yours is the only sidesaddle, will that present a problem?"

  "No, for I seldom use it. I prefer to ride Sunny bareback since that's so much more comfortable for the both of us." Now that they were talking so easily Gabrielle began to smile, her earlier fears of a confrontation forgotten. That he was so scantily dressed no longer caused her concern because his manner and appearance blended into such a pleasing personality for a change.

  Jason was aware that their conversation was progressing smoothly, but now he had to give an order he wanted obeyed. "I can't allow you to ride without a saddle, Gabrielle. The

  terrain we'll cross is too difficult. If Sunny stumbled you'd topple over his head, and I can't risk the possibility that you might be seriously injured."

  While she thought his command unreasonable since he had complimented her ability to ride, Gabrielle was so surprised by his use of her first name that she did not respond immediately. She could not help but smile, for he seemed unaware that he'd addressed her in so informal a manner. Trying to be just as agreeable she attempted to see his point. If she were going to teach the others to ride, she ought to set the best example possible no matter what her personal preference might be. She supposed his concern for her safety was only natural since he was responsible for them all on the journey, and so she put aside the thought he might have some reason to pay particular attention to her well-being.