Love's Revenge (Entangled Scandalous) by Avery Joan

Author:Avery, Joan [Avery, Joan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical romance, entangled publishing, 1880s, Entangled Scandalous, denver, new orleans, Scandalous, Western
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2014-03-09T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

At Pueblo, Otto provided a large covered wagon so they could continue their journey. The large spring-less vehicle made it clear that even minimal comforts would be a thing of the past. They had stayed in Pueblo only long enough to grab a quick meal. Now, the sun was low in the sky and Kate’s stomach rumbled with hunger. She sat beside the taciturn driver whose skill with the horse team was his only distinguishing feature.

They were finally heading west, however slowly. To the north, Pike’s Peak was inching behind them. The wind had picked up and blue-gray sagebrush caught in its breath wandered the low rolling hills.

They had followed the Arkansas River for over four hours. She wished she was on horseback with Stephen and Otto. The awkward rocking of the wagon left her empty stomach queasy and her backside numb.

Otto reined in his horse ahead of them and dropped back beside the wagon. “We will stop up ahead at the curve in the river.”

It was an answer to her prayers.

“How long will it take us to reach Canon City?” Canon City meant she would be free from this torturous wagon.

“If the weather holds, we should arrive tomorrow by late afternoon.”

“Thank you, Otto.” She watched as the small bearded man rode forward again to join Stephen. Late in the evening, they made camp and ate a sparse meal. Kate pulled a buffalo skin tighter around her. The fire before her leaped and twirled in the increasing breeze. There was a definite bite to the air.

A tent had been removed from the wagon behind her and erected by the men on the far side of the fire. The horses grazed peacefully where they had been tethered near the river. Her head drooped uncontrollably. She could barely keep her eyes open. She was more tired than she had ever been in her life.

“Otto has made a place for you in the wagon. Perhaps you should retire. You look exhausted.”

“No, I’m not that tired.” She would lie through her teeth not to give Stephen the satisfaction of knowing how exhausted she really was.

“We will be starting at dawn tomorrow. At Canon City there is a hotel,” he offered sympathetically. “Let me help you.” He extended a hand.

Reluctantly, Kate took it. He pulled her up, then took the heavy buffalo robe and followed her toward the covered wagon. He helped her climb inside and handed her the robe.

“Sleep well. It will be a long day tomorrow.”

He walked back to the fire and Otto. He had said little to her during this leg of the journey, but he had talked to Otto incessantly. Their conversations were often intense and the same words would always reach her—Ouray, Meeker, Adams, and disaster.

She undressed to her chemise and drawers and lay down pulling the buffalo robe up to her chin. Within moments, she was asleep.

When she opened her eyes, her face tingled with the cold. The sun was up. Its brilliance pierced the white canvas, giving

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