Wagon Trail Bride by Ruth Ann Nordin

Author:Ruth Ann Nordin [Nordin, Ruth Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Parchment & Plume, LLC
Published: 2016-01-02T22:00:00+00:00

That promise led to his proposal, one that she’d accepted because she’d had nowhere else to go. Thinking it might be best for her, he quit his apprenticeship and got his things ready for their trip out West. It was a new start, something he thought might be a welcome relief after all she’d been through.

His parents had been happy to learn he’d be joining them on the wagon train, as he’d expected. Though they hadn’t said anything, he knew they had wished he would come with them, but they’d understood he enjoyed his work. Fate, however, had other plans, and he had no regrets over leaving. He could work anywhere, but this was the only way he could have Amanda.

She stirred next to him. He turned his attention to her, wondering if she was awake yet. They didn’t get the chance to sleep in late while on the trail. This morning, however, since they would spend the day in town, they were allowed this luxury.

He glanced up at the window. The morning light told him it was between six and seven. Probably closer to seven.

Amanda lifted her head from his shoulder, looking around as if she’d forgotten where she’d fallen asleep.

When her gaze went to him, he smiled and brushed her hair over her shoulder. “It wasn’t a dream. You’re really in a bed instead of lying on the hard ground.”

She chuckled at his joke. “For a moment, I did expect to wake up in the bedroll.”

“That’s to be expected.” He turned to face her. “I figure we’ll start out in an apartment when we get to Omaha, and I’ll build you the house you want. I have some experience with this now, so don’t be afraid to make it as big as you want.”

She chuckled again. “I didn’t mind growing up in an apartment.”

“I did.”

“Well, you had a lot of brothers and sisters. Up until I was twelve, it was just me and my sister. Then she got married, and it was just me.”

“But won’t it be nice to have a yard and a garden? You used to mention wanting that when we were younger.”

“You’re very thoughtful, Richard. You’ve always been that way.” She leaned up on her elbow and looked down at him. “I’ll be content with wherever we live. It’s just nice knowing I’ll be with you.”

He cupped the side of her face with his hand and brushed her cheek with his thumb. “I bet you have no idea how beautiful you are. And when you smile, the entire world seems brighter because you’re happy.”

Though she shook her head, a faint smile graced her lips. “You only see what you want to see. There’s a lot of darkness in me.”

“I don’t mind the darkness because I know the light inside you can still shine through. I don’t expect it to be gone overnight. It’ll take time.” He brushed her cheek again. “You aren’t in this alone. You have me, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but none fell from her eyes.

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