Read Online Cora's Pride (Wilderness Brides Book 1) by Peggy L Henderson - Free Book Online

the band of river pirates had attacked their wagon along the Missouri nearly twelve years ago. He’d simply stayed out of sight, like his father had told him to do.
    No. You hid like a coward.
    He’d been a scared boy a dozen years ago. He was no longer a boy, and he didn’t hide from anyone anymore, either. He’d sworn he’d never be a coward again. He’d embraced life and chose to live it to the fullest each day. It’s what his mother would have wanted for him. She would be disappointed if he wasn’t going to help a group of women find their way out of the wilderness. He’d never forgive himself if he found out later that Cora and her family had been killed when he had the means to protect them. Finding his horses could wait.
    His strides lengthened. Thoughts about what had happened to his folks all those years ago sent a surge of urgency through him. He shouldn’t have let Cora return to her wagon by herself. He should have insisted on going with her. He couldn’t stop from grinning. No doubt it would have caused a heated argument and perhaps even a fight. If he'd told her of his intentions, he might have had to manhandle her again.
    Even though the thought of wrestling with Cora Miller sent a quick rush of heat through him and brought a smile to his face, what he’d done when he’d pulled her from the mule was no way to treat a woman, and he’d certainly never gain her trust if he forced his will on her. What he’d done yesterday had been out of necessity. Once he reached her wagon, he’d simply have to sweet talk his way into her good graces. Perhaps her friend, Anna Porter, would be of some help. She’d seemed more sensible.
    Nathaniel slowed to a walk when he came to the rise that led to the meadow where Cora’s wagon was parked. The air was clear, with not a hint of woodsmoke.
    “Good girl,” he muttered under his breath. The woman had some sense, after all.
    When he reached the top of the rise, his brows rose. Where the wagon should have been, only green grass gaped before him. He stood motionless for a moment and took in the scene, then headed to where there had obviously been a camp yesterday afternoon.
    “I’ll be damned.” He rubbed at his chin. The damp grass was trampled by hooves and people in places, and the marks of wagon ruts were easy to see. Had they managed to fix the broken wheel?
    Nathaniel grinned. He laughed and rubbed at the back of his head. His respect and admiration for Cora Miller had just jumped up another notch. She must have packed up her family mighty early to be gone from here already. That didn’t put her out of danger, though.
    He studied the tracks on the ground. A blind man could follow the ruts left behind by the wagon. Judging by the way the grasses hadn’t recovered from being trampled, they didn’t have much of a head start on him. At least she was headed in the right direction, if she meant to reach Fort Hall. Apparently she’d been paying attention to him.
    Nathaniel sucked in a deep breath, then followed the wagon ruts. Hoof prints led away from the wagon, only to meet up with it a short distance further ahead, a clear indication that someone was riding the horse. Most certainly it was Cora, keeping an eye on her surroundings while the wagon rolled through the hills. His insides heated, the sensation unexpected, just thinking about her. He shook his head and broke into an easy run.
    Not an hour later, the sound of a gunshot reverberated through the hills. A nearby flock of ravens took to the air, their hoarse caws in loud protest to the disruption of the quiet morning.
    “What the hell is she doing now?” he muttered under his breath while lengthening his strides.
    It didn’t take long to catch up with the wagon. The scene before him sent a jolt of dread straight through him. The wagon had stopped, surrounded by a dozen warriors. At least these Indians weren’t Crow. He slowed his stride and made no effort to conceal his approach. His lips twitched