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Davis pulled up the light blanket at the bottom of the pallet. The night air on their cooling skin brought a chill to them both. Limbs intertwined and drowsy, Emma closed her eyes and was asleep in a matter of minutes.
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Emma awoke to the feel of whiskers rubbing against the back of her neck. She and Davis were curled together like two spoons in a drawer, with her bottom pressed up against his groin, which appeared to be growing larger. She started at the realization that she was naked. Never in her time with Peter did she sleep without her nightgown. Most times her nightgown never came completely off while they were making love. Feeling extremely embarrassed, she tried to ease herself away from him.
“Where ya going, darlin’?” Davis mumbled into her ear as he licked the outside of it.
“Um, it’s time to get up.” She continued to ease away from him and the sensations he elicited, but his arm remained firmly around her middle.
“Please, we need to get up. I have to start breakfast and you need to get the oxen ready and. . .” He silenced her litany of chores with a kiss. Oh my, first thing in the morning, too. His fingers moved to her breast to circle the nipple teasingly. She jerked at his touch and he chuckled into her mouth.
“It’s daytime!” She gasped, and put her hand between them to push him away.
“All right, Mrs. Cooper. We’ll leave this for later.” He rolled over and pulled on his clothes. Emma kept her head turned away while he fumbled behind her. Just before he left, he reached over and gave her a pat on her rump and squeezed.
Heat flooded her. Goodness, he certainly was different from Peter. She jumped up and banged her head on a barrel. Still a little bit shaken up, she hurriedly washed, dressed and rolled up the pallet. She could hear Davis whistling as he did his morning chores.
Aside from having a new husband in her bed, the day started out as any other. Davis took care of the animals and checked over the wa
gon while Emma prepared their breakfast. She was aware, however, of smiling glances in her direction from the other travelers. Each time her eyes met with another’s, the heat would start in her belly and rise to her face. Didn’t these people have other things to concern themselves with than what Davis and Emma were doing? Or had done? Just the thought of last night brought butterflies to her stomach.
Maybe she could suggest to Davis they try that again tonight. Then she drew up in horror at her wanton thoughts. She quickly glanced around as if caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
Sarah strolled over to their wagon just as Emma tucked the last of their breakfast things away.
“How’s the bride this morning?” Again, that knowing smile. But Emma didn’t feel the blush this time. She was more comfortable with Sarah.
“We’re fine. Getting ready to move out. How’s your brood today?” Emma motioned with the almost empty coffee pot, asking if Sarah wanted coffee.
“No, thanks,” Sarah responded. “I’ve had enough of everything, I just wanted to say hello before we started off for the day. Stephen is a little restless this morning, kinda cranky, which isn’t like him. Maybe the results of a too-late night.” She looked with a mother’s concern at her little boy, who had his head on her shoulder, thumb in his mouth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Davis studied Emma as she walked alongside the wagon. The sun felt warm on his back, but the air hadn’t quite heated up. Yet his wife continually wiped the sweat from her face with the sleeve of her dress. She appeared to stumble and shake her head occasionally.
“Davis.” She turned and immediately grabbed onto the side of the wagon. “Do you think we could stop for just a minute so I can get a cup of water?”
“Sure.” He pushed the brim of his hat back with his thumb and studied her. “Are you feeling all right, darlin’? You look a little peaked. Maybe you should ride for a while.”
Emma wiped her brow again. “I think that might be a good idea. I do feel a bit weak.” Having enough space between their wagon and the one behind, Davis brought the animals to a halt. Holding onto the now still wagon, Emma hesitated. After two faltered steps, she sank slowly to the ground.
“Emma!” Davis shouted as she hit the ground in a crumpled heap. The driver of the wagon behind pulled his animals to a stop, and signaled the one to his rear. Davis hurried to where Emma lay. He untied her bonnet and sucked in a breath when he touched her chin. Her face was flushed and she burned with fever.
Davis turned to the man hovering over them. “Horace, please find Ezra and tell him to stop the wagon train. Emma seems to be pretty sick. And see if you can get one of the women to come back with you.” Davis slid his arm under Emma’s back and another under her knees as he picked her up.
Not sure if the daytime heat of the wagon was the best place to lay her, he moved her off the trail and settled her on a blanket of wildflowers. He ran to the wagon, got a cloth from inside and dipped it in the cool water from the barrel. Back at her side, he loosened the buttons on her dress, and just as he put the cloth on her head, Abigail Preston hurried up with Ezra trailing behind.
“What happened?” Abigail said as she knelt beside Emma.
“I don’t know for sure, she asked for a cup of water because she was hot, and before she took more than a few steps she collapsed. She’s burning up with fever.”
Ezra and Abigail turned as a frantic woman ran up, holding a crying baby in her arms. “Ezra, something’s wrong with Joey. He’s so hot. Which wagon is the doctor in?”
“Take Joey back to your wagon, Lettie, put a cool cloth on his head and I’ll fetch the doctor. It looks like Miz Cooper is also sick with fever. I hope this doesn’t turn into an epidemic.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Davis watched helplessly as over twenty travelers joined Emma with fever, chills, and vomiting. Influenza had struck the group. The doctor kept busy going from wagon to wagon checking all the emigrants. The treatment he recommended to family members was to keep cool cloths on the patient, and offer water often.
