Read Online Prairie Wife by Cheryl St.john - Free Book Online Page B

fixin' to go?" Sam asked his daughter.
    She removed her apron, then placed the twenty eggs she'd boiled
that morning in a clean coffee tin and covered it "No reason that I
shouldn't."
    Knowing better than to argue, Sam raised a brow and turned to
Pearly. "Exactly where did this happen?"
    While her father got directions, Amy packed food and stacked
blankets and crates on the porch.
    Jesse pulled a team and wagon into the yard and stalked toward
her. Apparently her father had told him Amy's plans.
    "Amy, you can't go off like this, it's not safe."
    She gestured to the gun lying with her belongings. "I have my
rifle. And I'll be with my father."
    "Maybe so, but we don't know about the Cheyenne that attacked
that train. They could still be out there."
    "We've always been on good terms with the Cheyenne," she
replied. "They see the trains as the threat, not us. Their actions have
been more like deterrents than attacks."
    "You can't be sure. I'll go, and you stay here."
    "You need to run the station," she told him logically.
    "Then I'll send one of the hands in your stead."
    "That will only leave you more shorthanded. I'm going, Jesse.
There are women and children out there who need help. It's the right thing to
do."
    His gaze took in her determined expression. He looked away for a
moment as though gathering his thoughts, then met her eyes. "I'm against
this, but I know I'm not going to stop you. Keep that rifle with you at all
times."
    Jesse had taught her to shoot the rifle during their courting
days, and she was a fair shot. He'd been adamant about her being able to
protect herself. "I will."
    He caught her arm and she glanced up into his intense blue gaze.
Obviously he wanted to say something more, but the moment grew awkward and he
released her.
    "Not knowing how many passengers you'll find, I had three
teams harnessed to wagons. Hermie is going with you."
    Sam and the hand approached as if on cue.
    "If you're not back by tomorrow night, I'll come after
you," Jesse told her father.
    Sam shook his head as he replied, "Wait 'til light the next
morning."
    He and Jesse shook hands, and Jesse slapped Hermie on the
shoulder. Jesse helped Amy up onto the wagon seat and stood on the side of the
wagon for a moment. Without giving her time to think or object, he leaned
forward and kissed her, then jumped to the ground. She raised a hand in silent
farewell and lifted the reins.
    ***
    Amy had plenty of time to think over Jesse's objections and his
reaction to her determined plan. She'd never had cause to question his feelings
for her. He'd never been anything but straightforward, attentive, protective.
Everything that was wrong between them had started out as her fault.
    Everything. And that was the single insurmountable
fact she couldn't live with.
    They stopped for a quick meal at noon and, with the sun high in
the sky, filled water jugs from a stream. Shortly after, they found the
railroad tracks and followed them east. The air cooled toward evening, and
lightning streaked the distant sky and thunder rolled across the prairie. Sam
had grown frustrated at not having located the train. They'd been following the
rails for several hours.
    "I think we're going to have to camp here and try to find the
train come light," he called back to Amy.
    She nodded her understanding, but as she did, she noticed a plume
of smoke in the sky. "Look!"
    "Could be them. Or could be Cheyenne," her father called
back. "I think we'd best wait 'til daylight."
    She trusted his judgment, but knew this delay would make them late
getting home and that Jesse would worry.
    Jagged lightning split the sky close by, thunder rumbled and
Hermie's mumbled cussing could be heard as they hurriedly ate a meal and stored
their gear, fat raindrops splatting on their heads and shoulders.
    Amy and her father ducked under her wagon to sleep on the pallets
they'd prepared. Hermie had taken refuge under another.
    "Are you doin' all right?" Sam asked.
    She settled her hips, trying in