A Love Worth Searching For by Kathleen Ball

Author:Kathleen Ball [Ball, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lasso Springs Publishing
Published: 2017-10-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Two days later, they were almost to Fort Bridger and Lily was on pins and needles wondering if she should leave the wagon train. It would probably be doing everyone a favor if she left. She sat on the wagon bench while Rex drove. Everywhere she looked there were Indians trying to sell items they’d made. Rex told her that many were trappers’ wives.

Pondering what the other travelers probably thought, she cringed. She wondered what it was like for these women to be wives of white men. They probably felt out of place as much as she did. She was sorry for them. Had they been sold to the trappers? She didn’t have to use her imagination about the looks of disdain they were getting from her group. She’d seen all the glares before.

“How many soldiers will be at the fort, do you think?” she asked Rex.

He cocked his brow at her. “There’s no soldiers there, just some supplies.”

She frowned. “I thought a fort was a place where soldiers were garrisoned. How can it be a fort then?”

“Mr. Briggs owns it and he named it Fort Briggs, I suppose. I think we have plenty of supplies, but there are some in our group that aren’t as blessed. There isn’t a big selection, and the prices are high.”

Nodding, she turned and looked at the scenery. She didn’t have a decision to make, not yet anyway. She wouldn’t be safe in such a place without soldiers. Out of sorts was how’d she describe it. Jed expected her to live on his ranch. The group wanted her gone. One wanted her dead. Smitty was under the wrong impression that Jed cared for her. It was hard to make sense of it all.

Would she have been able to leave if Fort Briggs was a real fort? She wasn’t sure. She longed for Jed at times but she reeled her feelings back every time. He was too good for her. He might not think that but he’d regret any relationship they had. His friends in Oregon wouldn’t approve. Heaven help her but she wouldn’t be able to resist him if he kissed her again.

Her cheeks burned as they traveled on. Her mother and her counsel was deeply missed. She was so deep in thought she didn’t notice they had stopped.

“Don’t you dare try to climb down yourself!” Jed yelled as he made a beeline for her.

She swallowed hard. Her decision had just been made for her. She loved him and she’d have to leave him. She cherished the moment she was held in his arms as he lifted her down. He smiled at her and she smiled back but her heart broke for what could have been. “Thank you.”

“Always a pleasure. Would you like me to escort you to the store?” He looked so happy and she didn’t want to break the spell.

“That would be lovely. Thank you.” She put her arm through his and was warmed when he covered her hand with his. He smelled of leather and horses with a hint of cinnamon.

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