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

horse’s saddle and gear. He held Cora’s rifle, and checked that his own was still in the scabbard.
    “Tell Harley I send greetings.” With those words, Proud Elk held up his hand and nudged his horse forward. His warriors followed. “If there are Crow in the area, we will find them,” he added before he galloped away.
    Nathaniel adjusted the sacks of supplies that hung from his pack horse’s back. Nothing seemed to be missing, but he’d have to unload his animal soon and give the horse some relief. For now, redistributing the weight of the load would have to do. He patted the animal’s neck, then mounted his saddle horse and rode toward the wagon.
    The boy’s head poked out from the back, his eyes wide and filled with disbelief. “You chased the Indians away,” he called.
    Nathaniel rode up to the back of the wagon, catching a glimpse of two girls hidden in the shadows of the canvas.
    “No, they left on their own.”
    “I’d like my rifle back, and then you can be on your way, too.”
    Nathaniel’s head drifted to Cora, who stared at him with ice in her eyes. She rode up to him and held out her hand.
    “Cora,” someone hissed from the front of the wagon. No doubt it was the other woman, Anna.
    Cora snapped a hasty look at the wagon, then back at Nathaniel. “I told you not to follow me.”
    “Well, you should be glad that I did, or you might be on your way to Proud Elk’s Shoshone village as his guest,” Nathaniel shot back. At least she could be a little grateful.
    “Were they the ones you warned me about yesterday?” she demanded. “Didn’t look like they were all that hostile toward you.”
    Nathaniel guided his horse closer to her. His saddle creaked when he leaned toward her. “Lady, I just told you those were Shoshone. If they had been Crow, you and the rest of your family would be dead right now. Shoshone are a lot more hospitable, but they still don’t like getting shot at.”
    Her stare wavered for a second, then she raised her chin. “What did that Indian say to you?”
    Nathaniel broke out in a smile. If he told her everything, she was liable to pull out her claws and scratch his eyes out. “Proud Elk admired your fearlessness and your spirit.”
    She frowned. Her eyes narrowed on him. “Why were they laughing?”
    Nathaniel rubbed at his chin to conceal his grin. “Because they thought it was funny that I was being punished by you and made to walk behind your wagon. They felt sorry for me, from one man to another.”
    He almost regretted his next action. Holding out his hand, he offered her the rifle. Cora’s eyes softened in surprise, but the look disappeared almost instantly. He’d have missed it completely had he blinked.
    “I’m not your enemy, Cora Miller,” he said under his breath, quiet enough so that only she could hear.
    Cora snatched her rifle from his hand. “I don’t know what you are, but I have to be careful and look out for my family.”
    Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed. Who had put so much mistrust and hurt in her? If she continued to be this stubborn, she wasn’t going to live long.
    “I’m trying to help you, Cora,” he tried again.
    “I don’t see why you’d want to do that, Mr. Wilder. I’ve brought my family this far, I will get them to Fort Hall, too.”
    “And then what?” He threw his hand in the air. His voice rose to match his growing frustration. “Then what are you going to do? The last wagon train passed through a couple of weeks ago. There won’t be many more this year. It’s getting late enough in the season that you’re going to run into snow further west in the mountains. You won’t stand a chance on your own.”
    Cora glared at him, determination and desperation in her eyes. She reined her horse away from him.
    “Let’s get moving, Anna,” she called.
    “Is Mr. Wilder joining us?”
    “No, he’s not.”
    Nathaniel shook his head and cursed silently. He clenched his jaw to keep from shouting out to her what a stubborn and