The Reluctant Bridegroom by Gilbert Morris

Author:Gilbert Morris [Gilbert Morris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781441270337
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2012-01-22T18:48:59+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE LAST FROLIC

Fort Boise was no better than Fort Laramie or Fort Hall—but it was on the last leg of the Oregon trail, so there was a lighter spirit on the train as it rolled westward toward the Blue Mountains.

A hint of winter was already in the winds that came down from the north, though it was only mid-September. As wagons wound around the crooked trail, Edith and Sky marched along, keeping pace easily with the plodding oxen. Since they had left the South Pass, this had become a habitual thing, for with sick people in the train, Sky had found her to be capable of judging the speed of the march.

“Seems like a year since we left the South Pass,” she mused. The wind stirred a lock of her brown hair, blowing it across her eyes, and she carefully replaced it.

“You’ve done a good job,” he commented.

The compliment colored her cheeks, and she answered, “We’ve done well, haven’t we, Sky?”

“Better than I’d have thought,” he admitted. “That day at the Pass—I was just about a gone coon, Edith. If Tom hadn’t come around, there would have been three graves, I reckon.”

Rebekah had recovered slowly, but with Lake’s care, she was up in a few weeks, able to walk for short periods beside the wagon, and now was strong as ever. The baby, whom she’d named Mary, had a little trouble at first from the long birthing, but now was growing stronger every day, with no apparent complications. Pete Riker had made a swift recovery, and would before long be able to wear a shiny steel hook on his left hand. Lot Penny had already forged one for him while they were resting up at Fort Bridger, and when Al Riker saw it he said, “Pete’ll be prouder of that hook than of his hand, I reckon. Says women love novelty—and it’ll be handy in a fight!”

Charlie Gladden had not fared so well. He’d never regained his strength, and they had been forced to leave him at Fort Hall with the army doctor to care for him. Sky had paid Charlie’s bill, and left enough to pay his way to Oregon City with one of the trains that would be coming through later.

Thinking of all this, Sky looked back to where Lake was sitting on the wagon seat beside Rebekah. “Looks like they’re having fun,” he remarked.

“Tom saved her life. I suppose he’s got a vested interest in her now.” Edith studied the pair and said, “Tom’s not the same man that started this trip.” She walked along silently, then added, “None of us are—except you, Sky.”

He looked at her, admiring the trim figure and the quick, intelligent eyes. He had long ago felt that she would be the perfect wife for Sam, but had not known how to approach her concerning the idea. At first he had thought it would be best simply to introduce the pair, but he knew that the women would be swamped with offers the day they got to Oregon City.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.