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“I don’t know, darlin’, we have a lot to do tonight to get ready to leave tomorrow.”
“Come on, we could use a little fun.” She nudged him in the side. “We can get everything done early. I could make a pot of beans to bring with us.” Eyes shining brightly, she tugged on his shirt as she spoke.
“Well, I guess we might go for a little while,” he mumbled. “We better move along if we’re going to get everything done.”
When she didn’t move, Davis growled, “If you’ve finished with my wife’s hand, Hale, I would like her to have it back. As I said, we have things to do.” He tightened his arm around Emma, and with a stiff nod walked her off.
“Why are you always so rude to Nate?” Emma cast him a glance as they walked back to the wagon.
“I’m not rude, he’s rude. I don’t know about Indiana, but where I come from a man doesn’t hang onto the hand of another man’s wife.” He scowled and walked even faster.
“But Nate’s an old friend. He was just being sociable.”
Davis shook his head and snorted.
Emma smiled. Maybe Sarah had been right, and Davis’s feelings were more engaged than she’d thought. Then her stomach clenched. She couldn’t allow that to happen. When the wagon train reached Oregon, she was going back to Indiana—with or without him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Besides providing the food, the women of the wagon train also supplied tablecloths and decorations from their wagons. The men, along with the soldiers, scrounged around and dragged out every table and chair from the compound and wagons. Hanging lanterns swayed in the light breeze and dotted the fort with light and color. A small army band was tuning up as Emma and Davis arrived at the gathering.
Emma took in the scene before her and could barely contain her excitement. Back in Washington County there had been dances several times a year. She sorely missed the fun and laughter that accompanied the get-togethers. Most of the women had put on their best dresses, had washed and scrubbed children, and put scissors and comb to their men.
Slowly other travelers trickled in and soon the soldiers followed. The women placed their contributions on one of the cloth-covere
d tables just as the music started up. Davis drifted over to a group of men; emigrants and several soldiers. Although they’d been invited, the Indians chose to stay away from the celebration, and watched askance from their campfire at the goings-on among the white people.
From what Emma could tell, the men discussed the next part of their journey. She didn’t want to think about that tonight. This was a party and she was going to enjoy herself.
“You look beautiful tonight, Emma.” Nate had quietly walked up behind her, startling her enough she almost dropped the bowl she held.
“Nate, you scared me to death.” She gasped, and set the bowl safely down.
“I’m sorry.” He smiled, not looking sorry at all. “I was hoping we’d get a chance to talk. I’d like to know more about what’s going on back home. I can’t tell you how good it is to see you, but it’s been hard to get together. That husband of yours is always standing behind your shoulder.”
Ignoring his comment about Davis, she plunged forward. “It’s good to see you, too. When we left a couple of months ago, things were pretty much the same back home as they’ve always been. You know Washington County, not much changes.” For some reason feeling a little nervous, Emma fussed with the bowls on the table, re-arranging them as she spoke.
“I’d like to know more about why you’re here. And why you’re here with a stranger.” He gestured in the direction of the group of men, and bent close to her ear to avoid his voice carrying to the other women at the table arranging dishes. “Oh no, here we go.”
Emma turned in the direction Nate faced to see a scowling Davis walking toward them. “Evening, Hale.” Davis stopped next to Emma, putting his hand possessively against her lower back.
Nate tipped his hat at both of them and turned to walk away. Wheeling back, he said “I hope you’ll allow your wife one dance with me later, Cooper. After all we have known each other forever, you know.” The mocking glance told Emma he didn’t think much of her being married to someone she hadn’t known very long.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“If Emma wants to dance with you, that’s up to her.” Davis said through clenched teeth.
“I would like that, Nate,” Emma said, “since I won’t be seeing you after tonight.”
“Oh, but you will.” He looked smugly at Davis. “Corporal Stevens and I will be accompanying your wagon train all the way to Oregon City when you leave in the morning.” Tipping his hat again, he turned and strolled away.
“Sonofabitch.” Davis muttered to the soldier’s back.
Chapter Eleven
The piercing wail of the bugle in the early morning air penetrated Davis’s dreams and woke soldiers and emigrants alike. He yawned and stretched, then shook himself to release the last bit of slumber.
On this part of the journey they would be leaving the soft hills of the prairie country and entering the mountains. He’d noted many of the wagons had relieved their burden by dumping unnecessary furniture at the fort supply store.
