Emma's Journey (Oregon Trail 1)

“What’s the matter?” He stifled a yawn himself.

She chewed on her lower lip. “There’s no changing screen in here.”

“Yeah, and so what?” He began unbuttoning his shirt.

“Well, can you go down to the lobby so I can change?” She raised her chin, dots of red on her cheeks.

His fatigue instantly disappeared with the possibilities just presented to him. He grabbed the lone wooden chair in the room, and turning it around, straddled it, his forearms resting on the back. “Oh, I wouldn’t want to do that, darlin’,” he drawled. “I like the view just fine from here.”

“Surely you’re not going to just sit there and watch me?” She gasped.

“Emma, come here.” He crooked his finger.

Still holding the nightgown in front of her, she sidled over.

He got up from the chair and took her in his arms. “Sweetheart, I hate to cause you distress, especially in your delicate condition, but there ain’t anything under that dress that I haven’t already seen, kissed, licked and tasted.” He moved his mouth to her ear. “And loved every minute of it.”

She groaned and shivered. “I know, but I just feel funny. Like I’m putting on a show or something.” Her breathy voice triggered the lower part of his body to stand at attention.

“I’ll help you.” His mouth dried up as his fingers made quick work of the buttons on her dress, after tossing the nightgown onto the bed. He eased her undergarments off while he took ownership of her sweet mouth. With both hands spanning her increasing waist, he edged her a few feet until the back of her knees hit the bed.

Emma sat, then scooted over and smiled as Davis removed all his clothes before joining her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day Davis took Emma on a tour of the plats the Land Office indicated were available. Davis felt good to be back on his horse again. Emma begged him to rent a horse for her, too, since she couldn’t face another day in the wagon, and wouldn’t be able to ride a horse much longer anyway. They carried a lunch fixed by the hotel dining room. As they rode along in the cool crisp air, Davis thought about the letter she had received from her parents.

When Davis awoke earlier, Emma sat next to him, reading it. He didn’t comment as he watched her through the mirror as he washed, shaved and dressed for the day. The bed dipped as he sat alongside her.

“So, what do your parents say?”

“Well, understandably, they were surprised and saddened to hear about Peter. They were also more than surprised to hear I had remarried so quickly. I tried to explain in my letter to them how it was necessary, but they’re still confused.”

“Is that all?”

She shifted and glanced away from him.

Davis lifted her chin with his index finger. “What else do they say?”

“They, um... They are a little concerned that I married a, you know, a stranger.”

r /> “And?”

“Nothing. Just they were surprised, I guess.”

Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Davis appreciated the sight of rolling hills and miles and miles of land that stretched before them. Waves of excitement gripped him. He would buy a piece of land in this wonderful new territory. He’d have his horse farm, with his wife alongside him, and a child soon to join them.

He slanted Emma a glance. Cheeks flushed with the cool air, her eyes took in their surroundings, a smile on her face. It appeared excitement filled her, too.

If only she hadn’t begged to rent a horse. He could certainly understand her reluctance to get back into the wagon, but with her middle already expanding noticeably, he worried about her and the baby. He’d given in to those pleading hazel eyes, but swore to himself this was the absolute last time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With the long journey over, Emma looked forward to choosing land that would one day belong to the baby she carried. She brought her thoughts up abruptly. Goodness, where did that come from? It sounded as if she was thinking of staying. She smiled when she realized that thought didn’t seem so bad anymore.

Davis pulled up his horse, and studied the map the Land Office clerk had given them.

“Honey, look ahead, a little bit northeast. See that creek over there?” He pointed out a beautiful grassy area. Emma put her hand up to her eyes to shade them from the sun. Deep green grass waved in the slight breeze, with wildflowers dotting the landscape.