Backwards To Oregon by Jae

Author:Jae
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9781934889084
Publisher: L-Book ePublisher
Published: 2007-12-09T23:00:00+00:00

Pacific Springs;

July 12th, 1851

LUKE LEANED AGAINST the wagon and breathed into her hands to warm them. This afternoon, they had crossed the backbone of the Rocky Mountains, the ascent and descent through South Pass so gradual that they hadn't believed that they had crossed the Continental Divide until they had reached Pacific Spring, a green oasis in the harsh eastern region of the Oregon country.

The animals were grazing contently, and the other emigrants were busy celebrating that they had reached the border of Oregon Territory. No one would miss them, and Bernice Garfield had promised to look in on Amy while they were out on their "romantic stroll" along the creek.

She leaned against the wagon and listened to the story that Nora read Amy inside the wagon. Listening to Nora's stories had been one of the guilty pleasures that she allowed herself every evening. Her own mother had never told her any of these fairy tales, adventures, and legends.

Finally, Nora came to the "happily ever after" part of the story and kissed her daughter goodnight. A few seconds later, she slipped from the wagon. She froze when she saw Luke's form in the darkness.

"It's only me," Luke quickly said.

Nora visibly relaxed and strolled over as if she hadn't been afraid at all.

Luke knew better. She promised herself that this would change. Nora shouldn't have to live in fear any longer.

Silently, they left the circle of wagons and wandered up the creek until they were far enough away from camp not to be seen or heard.

Luke stopped and began to roll up her sleeves.

"I'm not sure if this is a good idea," Nora said.

Luke looked up from her cuffs, meeting Nora's gaze in a silent question.

"I mean... I can't win against Cowen. He's much taller and stronger than I."

"You don't have to win," Luke said. "All you have to do is fight him off long enough to call for help or run away. Do you think you can do that?"

Nora straightened her shoulders. "Show me how."

"All right. I'm playing Brody, and you... you're yourself. So, what does he usually do?"

"He... He grabs me."

A vivid picture flashed before Luke's mind's eye. She felt anger boil up in her, coloring her cheeks. She took a deep breath. "How?"

"He grabs my wrists." Nora demonstrated, closing her fingers around her other arm.

Luke took hold of Nora's wrists. "Like this?"

"No, he... he holds my wrists with just one of his hands, leaving his other hand free to... And he holds on more roughly," Nora said.

With a nod, Luke laid both of Nora's wrists against each other and encircled them with her left hand. It was hard to get a secure grip like this, not only because her hands were not as big as Brody's, but mainly because she didn't want to hurt Nora in the process. "And then? What does he do now?"

"He pulls me against his body, as close as possible, so that I can feel him press against me, his breath on my face..." Nora shuddered.

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