Emma's Journey (Oregon Trail 1)

The sun was just making its journey toward the horizon, and the orange, lavender, and gold streaks peeking through the window soothed them. Too tired to do much more than just sit and gaze, Emma thought back on this perfect day. Finally in her own home, she had plenty of time to prepare for Christmas. Painting and other decorating could wait until after the holiday.

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Emma awoke to warm breath and nibbling on her ear. She swatted at the annoyance, and buried further into the blankets. The nibbling started up again. Then a warm hand snaked up her front, over her belly, and attached itself to her breast. She tried to go back to sleep, but soon the sensations the hand drew forth by circling and massaging caused the sleepy feeling to ripen into another one. She rubbed her bottom against a hard ridge and sighed. The nibbling turned to small kisses, and soon Emma was flat on her back staring up at a wide-awake, energetic pair of blue eyes.

“Good morning, darlin’. Merry Christmas.” Davis leaned down and covered her mouth, sliding his tongue against her closed lips until she opened, then he delved in.

Fully awake now, Emma moaned softly and kneaded the corded muscles of his back, then moved her hand further down to caress strong muscled buttocks. His hard body felt so good against her softness, her skin tingling and fully aware of where his warm flesh touched her.

Bracing himself on his elbows, he shifted lower where he nibbled her neck, then latched his lips onto her sensitive nipple and suckled as his strong fingers plucked at the nipple on her other breast.

“You’re so beautiful.” He raised his head to stare into her eyes, leaving her skin cooling from the loss of his warm mouth. “More beautiful with our child inside you.”

“Fat,” she panted, smiling at him.

“No. Filled with life. Extra curves to run my hands over. ” He slid his palm down to cup and massage the softness of her bottom.

Heat spread throughout her body, bringing the familiar restless feeling between her legs. His touch always brought this response. Almost as if her senses only awoke with her husband’s attentions. She ran her fingers through the silky hair that had fallen over his forehead.

Davis nipped and kissed his way from her breasts to her rounded stomach, dipping his tongue into her navel. She gripped his head, fisting his hair as he moved even lower.

His mouth caressed the very spot where she ached and throbbed, licking and nibbling until she called his name and shook with frantic need.

Slowly, Davis eased her onto her side and placed her leg over his, then slowly entered her from behind. He started out slowly, but soon picked up his rhythm as Emma muscles tightened, searching for release.

“Let go, baby.” He nuzzled her neck, reached around, and stroked the eager nub that would help her along. She tensed, anxious for release. Within moments, her body jerked as waves of pleasure flowed over her. She let out a loud sigh as Davis pulled her closer, burying his head in the space between her head and shoulder. With a final thrust, he groaned and collapsed.

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Emma didn’t realize she’d fallen back to sleep until she felt a swat on her fanny. “Time to get up, lazy bones.” Davis leaned over her.

“What time is it?” Emma asked, stretching.

Davis checked his pocket watch. “Seven o’clock.”

“Oh, I better get up. I have to get the ham and turkey in the oven before we leave for church.”

“What time is Jeb’s service?” Davis pulled his pants on.

“Ten. But I have a lot to do before then.” She groaned when she realized she could no longer see her feet to put on her slippers. She had two more months to go. It seemed as though she had been pregnant forever, and wondered if most women felt that way.

Again she thought of her parents, and how much she would like to have her mama with her as she went through this. There was so much she needed to ask her. Mae was a good substitute, but there was nothing like your own mother at a time like this.

She wondered how her parents would be spending this day, the first Christmas that Emma wasn’t with them. A lone tear spilled down her cheek as she thought of Christmas in Indiana. The special foods her mama would make, the service at the small church she had attended all her life.

After Davis left the room to start a fire in the stove, she sat on the edge of the bed, filled with melancholy and longing. The tug to return to Indiana was strong on this special day. Maybe Davis would listen to reason after the baby came, and agree to move there.

Emma shook her head. He’d been adamant from the day they’d married that he would not take her back to Indiana. It wasn’t fair. One man dragged her from her home, another one kept her from returning.

She absently rubbed her stomach, maternal warmth spreading through her. Mustering up her resolve, she refused to let sad thoughts ruin this day. Mentally swatting herself, she dressed in one of her old dresses, saving her good dress for church. Soon she headed downstairs to join Davis to begin this first Christmas in her new house.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Hand in hand, Emma and Davis approached the small church at the end of Main Street, where the building stood proud, announcing to all it was ready to minister to the community.

Garbed in a deep blue flowered dress with lace ruffles at the end of the sleeves and around the bodice, the extra fabric she’d allowed for the bottom of the dress covered her decently, but certainly did not hide her encroaching childbirth. Her black wool coat, however, did not close all the way, much to her annoyance and Davis’s amusement.

Hair slicked back but still curling over his collar, he’d dressed in black wool pants, a white shirt, string tie, and a black vest. Since the day was not cold, due to Oregon’s mild winters, he’d left off his coat.