Tempting Prudence: The Bride Train by E.E. Burke

Author:E.E. Burke [Burke, E.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: E.E. Burke
Published: 2016-08-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 7

The next morning, Prudence was up before dawn. She hadn’t slept a wink, having to share the bed with his mother and being so aware of Arch sleeping on the floor beyond the curtain. If she didn’t get away soon, she’d lose the last shred of common sense and marry the scoundrel—and regret it for the rest of her life.

She set off down to the creek with two buckets to get enough water for washing and cooking, while Arch saw to the other chores. The wind had shifted and ominous clouds gathered overhead. Possibly, it would rain about the time they set out. One more thing to dampen her mood further, as if her spirits hadn’t fallen low enough.

When it came time to leave, Mrs. Childers hugged her neck and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders. “Looks like it might rain. You ought not go off without a cover. I’ll loan you my shawl because you said you didn’t have one.”

With a stern expression, she addressed her son. “Arch, you go by the mercantile and let Prudence buy some nice fabric, so I can sew pretty things for her. Shame on you for not taking her shopping before now.”

That was the harshest thing Prudence had heard his mother say, and Arch didn’t even deserve the scolding. Though he acknowledged it with a silent nod.

Prudence didn’t look forward to a long ride ahead.

Arch remained quiet and distant. His somber mood gave her the jitters and added to her doubts about her decision. This morning, she’d half expected him to try to talk her out of leaving. She shouldn’t be hurt, or disappointed, having gotten what she wanted. Her freedom.

“You aren’t coming along?” she asked his mother.

“Someone needs to stay here and watch over the animals, make sure they’ll be here when you get back. Arch can take care of things in town.”

Rebel trotted over to the wagon, his tail waving.

Arch shook his head. “Not today, boy. You stay here with Ma.”

The dog’s head lowered and his tail drooped.

Prudence knelt down and let the dog put his paws on her lap. She rubbed his soft coat, picking out burrs clinging to his fur. She bent her head so Arch wouldn’t see her tears. The hound licked her cheeks. “I’ll miss you, you old Rebel,” she whispered. “Take care of things while I’m gone.”

Arch assisted her into the wagon. He didn’t say a word until he picked up the reins and called out to Sophie. “Git up!”

After they’d left the farm behind, he guided the wagon onto an unfamiliar path. Worn ruts indicated others used the road, to go where was hard to say. Prudence could see no sign of civilization, not even smoke from a chimney. Hardy grasses grew as high as the side of the wagon and intruded on the road, as if nature intended to obliterate the mark of mankind on its domain. Those intending to tame this wild, remote land would find it difficult, although the effort would be worth it.

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