Dansforth cleared his throat. He glanced at the hand Josie held out and reluctantly shook it, but narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“He put you up to this, didn’t he?” he snarled.
Josie shook her head. “I don’t know what you mean. Travis asked me to marry him yesterday. He and I have known each other for nearly a decade. After we almost died in that dust storm, Travis proposed.”
Travis stood behind her. He couldn’t see her face, but she was clearly choosing her words carefully to minimize the lie. Did she really mean what she was saying? She was certainly putting on a convincing show.
For some reason, however, she’d thought it over during the night and must have taken pity on him and agreed to help him out of his predicament. Surprisingly, even Hammond came to his aid.
“Mr. Dansforth, you obviously haven’t been with this group very long. If you had been here from the beginning, you would not be questioning the bond between these two.”
Travis stepped forward. Now wasn’t the time to ponder Hammond’s words.
“Guess there’s nothing more we need to discuss, Dansforth. We’ll see you at the wedding.”
Travis reached for Josie’s hand and led her away from Dansforth’s wagon. He stopped and looked at Hammond.
“If Josie wants to hold the wedding this evening, we’ll stop and make camp sometime before sundown.” Glancing around at the onlookers, he smiled and said, “I suggest we should all get ready to head out before we burn any more daylight. Right now, I need to have a word with my bride.”
He smiled at the women and tightened his hold around Josie’s hand. She didn’t resist as he led her away from camp to where the horses grazed. Travis stopped behind his gelding and faced her, still holding her hand.
“Why did you change your mind?”
Josie tugged on her hand and he let go rather than pulling her closer. His eyes fell to her mouth. Kissing her was out of the question. He’d told her last night that she was safe with him, which meant there could never be anything between them. She barely tolerated that he’d held her hand.
“I owe you my life, Travis,” she whispered. “I know you don’t like the idea of marrying anyone, and I can understand how trapped you must have felt. I figured it was the right thing to do.” She glanced down at the ground. “Like you said, we can get an annulment when we reach Independence.”
Travis shifted weight. The urge was overwhelming to hold her in his arms like a man held the woman he loved. He planted his heels into the ground instead.
“What about Hammond?” The question was out before he could stop it.
She raised her head to meet his gaze. “What about Anthony? He said he’d perform the wedding.”
Travis shook his head. “I thought the two of you were . . .” He couldn’t finish the thought.
Josie cocked her head as if she didn’t understand. “You thought he and I were more than friends?” She laughed. “Whatever gave you that idea, Travis?”
Travis scrunched his forehead. “The two of you are always together. He’s never far from your side.” He swallowed. “You look so happy whenever you’re talking to him.”
“Anthony is a nice man to talk to. He is very wise about people. He’s given me back the confidence I lost years ago that not all men I meet are –” She cut off what she was going to say and abruptly spun around.
Travis took a step forward and reached for her. Before his hand connected with her shoulder, he made a fist and drew back.
“I’m sorry about what happened to you, Josie. I’m sorry for the way I treated you all these years. I never understood until recently why you were so quiet and seemed like you didn’t want anyone around you.”
She slowly turned back around. “It’s not something for you to be sorry about. It’s in the past, and I’m learning to move on.”
She blinked away the moisture that had pooled in her eyes and sniffed.
“So Hammond’s not courting you?”
Josie smiled, then laughed. “No, he’s not. In fact, he’s happy to be going home to the woman he left behind. He told me he would have sent for her after getting settled in Oregon. Now he can surprise her when he returns.”
Travis grinned. She’d never know the relief and elation that rushed through him at that moment. With Hammond out of the way, perhaps now he’d have the chance to convince her that he truly was the right man for her to marry.
Chapter 16
“I knew it right from the first day I met you and Mr. Wilder.” Loretta Colby beamed as her eyes darted between Josie and Ada Hammond while she rocked her baby in her arms. “The two of you are perfect for each other.”
Next to her, Ada nodded. “I have to agree with Loretta. Never for a second did I believe it when you said you weren’t interested in getting married. I’ve seen the way you look at Mr. Wilder, and the way he looks at you.”
Josie glanced from one woman to the other. All day, she’d had to say, “thank you,” and endure glances from women who came up to her and congratulated her on her upcoming nuptials.
What had she done? Had she made the right decision when she’d told Travis she would marry him? It was all a lie. On the one hand, she was angry with the man for drinking too much and getting into this predicament in the first place. On the other hand, she had to do something to prevent violence between Travis and Eli Dansforth. One of them would have died over a silly bet.
Travis would never have agreed to marry the man’s daughter. Or would he in order to avoid a gunfight that would have probably resulted in Travis shooting him? And what if he had married Rosie Dansforth? He wouldn’t have been able to get the marriage dissolved like he was going to do with Josie once they reached Independence.
“I think I’m in love with you.”
Travis’ sensual tone as he’d spoken those words to her the night before sent a shiver down her spine and left goose bumps on her arms. What would it be like if he said those words to her and really meant them? Last night, it had been the whiskey talking. The Travis Wilder she knew would never say those words to her.
When he’d falsely confessed his love to her, she’d panicked, and had to get away from him. She’d rushed back to camp and told Anthony that all was fine, and there was no need to worry about any more gunshots being fired. Then she’d excused herself for the night and hidden under her blanket, wishing for sleep so her racing heart would slow down.
In the wee hours of the night, she’d come to the conclusion that, for as crazy as it sounded, she had feelings for Travis. Her fears about men and the things she’d dreaded all these years didn’t seem possible when it came to him.
Being held by a man wasn’t something to be afraid of, if it was the right man. Was Travis the right man? A short while ago she would have laughed at the idea, but events on this journey had certainly changed her mind about him. Travis had changed. But he couldn’t actually be in love with her.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell us last evening at supper that you and Mr. Wilder were planning to get married today.”
Josie blinked and stared into Ada’s smiling face.
“I . . . it was a sudden decision,” she stammered. “I needed some time to let it sink in after Travis proposed. It caught me unawares.”
Both of the older women chuckled.
“Now that doesn’t surprise me about Mr. Wilder.” Ada looked to Loretta for affirmation. “He seems like just the man to sweep you off your feet when you least expect it.”
Josie blinked. “You have no idea.”
On the outside, she smiled, but her insides were another matter. Her stomach was tied in knots, and her heart pounded so fast, she thought it would jump right out of her chest at times.
To avoid any unnecessary questions, Josie helped Loretta’s son unyoke their team of oxen. Somehow, she had to overcome the jitters that left her almost useless to help with anything. Twice, she dropped one of the lead ropes and the oxen kept wandering off.
“It’s just wedding day
jitters,” Loretta assured her. “Every young bride has them.” The well-meaning woman leaned in closer to whisper, “Let me tell you, there’s nothing to worry about. Whatever you may have heard or been told about the wedding night is a lie.”
Josie nodded. Thoughts about what would happen after she married Travis hadn’t even entered her mind.
Loretta smiled, and her eyes lit up. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. The marriage bed is one of the more pleasurable aspects of being a wife.” Her smile widened. “And something tells me your soon-to-be husband will know exactly how to make it memorable for you.”
Josie’s mouth went dry. Her recollection of what happened between a man and a woman was completely different from the picture painted by Loretta. She wrung her trembling hands in front of her. Travis wouldn’t expect anything from her, would he? He would never take their pretense that far. She shook her head.
There was nothing she needed to be nervous about. The marriage wasn’t real. Travis was the safest man she could ever hope to marry because he’d never touch her. He’d said so himself.
Nothing about their relationship would change because they were getting married, and once they reached Independence and parted ways with Ada, Anthony, Loretta, and all the other people who had become friends, they would dissolve the marriage. Their family wouldn’t even have to know anything about this.
Josie inhaled a deep breath, comforted by those thoughts. She finished with the oxen, then headed for the Hammond wagon to help Ada get her cooking fire started. She was about to reach for some kindling when Ada stopped her.
“I don’t think you should be getting dirty right before your wedding, my dear. As a matter of fact, how about you head on over to the creek and get cleaned up?”
“I don’t mind helping.”
Ada was probably right. She was only postponing the inevitable. She was looking for things to do, when in fact it would be best to get the wedding ceremony over with as quickly as possible.
“Nonsense. You go get cleaned up, then come back to my wagon, and I’ll get your hair combed out nice. I know I probably can’t talk you into wearing a dress, but a bride’s got to get a little spruced up on her wedding day and for her husband.”
Ada’s wide smile did nothing to ease Josie’s jitters. There was no reason to clean up or make herself look different than any other day, but she couldn’t say that out loud.
“I can get the fire going,” Ada coaxed. “Once everyone’s got their supper cooking, we can get the wedding underway. Oh, and you don’t have to worry about a thing after the ceremony. Loretta and I have it all worked out.”
Josie’s forehead scrunched. What, exactly, did that mean? Before she could ask, Ada was pushing her away from her camp. She pressed a piece of soap and a cloth into her hand and pointed toward the creek.
Josie glanced over her shoulder as she stumbled forward. Hopefully, Travis would be back soon from scouting the area to make sure there were no unwelcome surprises lurking nearby. He’d ridden ahead after he’d announced they would stop along a shallow, wide stream that meandered through some cottonwoods. She hadn’t talked to him since the wagons had gotten underway this morning.
Josie sat along the banks of the stream, inhaling the rich scent of the grass that grew near the water. Crickets chirped, their sound mingling with the jingle of harnesses and clanking of pots in the background. Children laughed, and women shouted to each other. After weeks on the trail, these had become familiar sounds. In another couple of days, the terrain would change to flat prairie land without much shade, and water sources might be far between.
Josie dipped the cake of soap in the water and washed her hands and face. The wet cloth felt good against the skin of her neck as she lifted her braid and rubbed at the tension there and along her shoulders. She closed her eyes and focused on the sound of water trickling over the rocks.
“Miss Josie. Mama says it’s time for the wedding.”
Josie jumped to her feet at the sound of little Salita Jane running toward her. She must have lost complete track of time. She forced a smile as a renewed sense of nervousness flooded her limbs and made her heart beat faster.
“I picked flowers for you.” The little girl proudly displayed the bouquet of dried prairie weeds she’d apparently gathered.
Josie accepted the flowers and took Salita’s hand.
“They’re beautiful, Salita. Thank you.”
Salita skipped along beside her until they reached Ada’s wagon, then ran off when she saw her sister playing with one of the other children.
“There you are,” Ada beamed. “Let’s get your hair fixed up.” She leaned back with her hands on her hips and perused Josie with a critical eye. “Not much we can do about your britches, I suppose. I don’t have any dresses that will fit you.” A faraway look came over her face. “There was a time once, many years ago, when I could have fit into your britches.” She laughed. “Maybe if I had worn clothes like the ones you wear, he might not have run off.”
Ada abruptly waved her hand in front of her face. She shook her head and faced away from Josie for a moment. When she turned back around, she held a brush in her hand. Josie took a step back when Ada reached for her braid.
“I don’t need to brush my hair, Ada. It’s perfectly fine the way it is.”
“Nonsense, dear. You have such pretty hair, it needs to be displayed more often. I understand it’s more practical to wear it in a braid, but not tonight.”
Josie glanced at the older woman’s eyes, which still shimmered with unshed tears. To cheer her up, Josie nodded. She could always rebraid her hair after the wedding.
“Everything’s ready,” Loretta announced.
She came to the side of the wagon and peered around the corner. Ada ran the brush through Josie’s hair one final time and nodded in satisfaction. She reached for one of the flowers from Salita’s bouquet, and stuck it behind Josie’s ear.
“That’s the best we can do.”
“You look lovely,” Loretta agreed. “Mr. Hammond and Mr. Wilder are waiting, and most of the folks have gathered as witnesses.” Her eyes lit up with excitement. “It’s time to go, Josie.”
Josie forced a smile. She clutched the bouquet Ada pressed in her hands and stepped around the wagon. Everyone had gathered in the center of camp. Anthony stood talking to Travis near one of the campfires. They both glanced up when Ada and Loretta scurried to the front of the group of women, children, and the few men.
Eli Dansforth stood nearby, flanked by three young women. Which one was the daughter he’d hoped to marry off to Travis? It didn’t matter. No one should be forced to marry someone against their will, especially over a silly misunderstanding. Even though Josie was deceiving everyone with this wedding, it was the right thing to do to help Travis out of his predicament. Then why was she so nervous about it?
Her eyes darted back to where the people had parted to form a path leading to Anthony and Travis. Josie took a deep breath to ease the sensation that she was going to pass out any moment. She raised her chin, squared her shoulders, and took a step forward, then another.
Anthony smiled in encouragement, as did Ada and Loretta, and every other face she passed. Finally, she ventured a glance at Travis standing next to Anthony. He looked confident and proud as he stood there. His hands were clasped in front of him, and noticeably missing his rifle that he liked to lean against. It would seem a lot more natural if he had it.
Josie’s eyes lifted to his face, and her step faltered. The intense stare in his eyes nearly took her breath away. He locked his gaze on hers as if he’d spotted a prized buck that he couldn’t let out of his sight.
All the other people around her seemed to vanish as Josie moved closer to Travis with each step she took. Even if she’d wanted to, she couldn’t have escaped. It was as if his eyes had thrown an invisible rope around her and was reeling her in.
Suddenly, she was standing right in front of him, unaware of how she’d even gotten there. Travis hadn’t
moved. The intense look in his eyes hadn’t diminished. If anything, it had only gotten stronger.
She couldn’t swallow. She couldn’t even breathe. Her heart pounded fiercely, but it had nothing to do with fear. Anticipation of something unknown kept her standing on unsteady legs. Travis was right beside her. He wouldn’t let her fall.
Nearby, Anthony cleared his throat.
“Travis, face me. You, too, Josie. You can stare at each other all you want in a moment,” he whispered. There was a definite hint of amusement in his words. Behind Josie, someone chuckled. It sounded like Ada.
Josie blinked and tore her eyes away from Travis. She focused instead on Anthony and his encouraging smile. He nodded in approval. Travis must have faced him, too.
Anthony straightened, then looked past them and presumably at the people gathered to watch the wedding. He held his Bible close to his chest and spoke in a loud and clear voice.
“Marriage is a joyous event between two people who love and respect one another, and should not be entered into lightly.”
Josie stared at Anthony. How true were his words in this instance? This was only a temporary marriage.
Anthony’s gaze dropped to Josie, then to Travis. “It gives me great pleasure to join these two people, Travis Wilder and Josephine Hudson, in holy matrimony. I have come to know Josie and Travis well on this journey, and I can say with utmost certainty that there isn’t another couple more suited for one another than these two. They complement each other in their strengths, and their union will make them even stronger.”
Travis nudged her in the side with his elbow at that moment. Josie’s eyes narrowed and she turned her head slightly for him to see. She intensified her glare as his lips twitched in a faint grin. Couldn’t he take anything seriously for even a second? Josie mentally rolled her eyes, then looked back at Anthony in front of them.
Anthony paused dramatically. He obviously hadn’t noticed the exchange between herself and Travis. He smiled as he spoke directly to them. “Travis and Josie, please face each other and join both hands.”
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