Please note: This is an unedited Excerpt
and may vary from the final publication.
Chapter One
“I said no. Ain’t no way I’m takin’ a single woman
on my train. Sell your wagon. Go back east where it’s safe.”
“But—”
“Even if I wanted to, the others would raise all
kinds o’ Cain. They already voted, remember? The answer is the same now
as it was yesterday. No.” Joshua narrowed his eyes, resisting his
natural instinct to remove his hat in the presence of a woman. Maybe if
he were unfriendly, she’d go away.
Maybe not. She planted her hands on her slender
hips and raised a dark, thin brow. She was actually more attractive than
he’d first thought. Today she wore an expensive looking traveling dress
like the women he’d seen in Boston. The dark indigo blue matched the
color of her eyes perfectly. But right now sparks of fire lit those
eyes.
“Mr. Reynolds, I’d like to discuss an arrangement
with you. I’d appreciate it if you could find the common courtesy to
allow me to ask a question before you give an answer.” Crossing her arms
beneath her bosom, she stared at him with much the same look he’d gotten
from his teacher back in school when he’d put frogs in the girls’ desks.
Her name was Adelaide Jennings—Doctor Jennings if
she was to be believed. She stood all of five feet and three, maybe four
inches tall. And she may as well have been the queen of Sheba with her
royal attitude. Wealth, education, and arrogance dripped from the
soft-looking hands with manicured nails. The woman was as out of place
in this dusty, old stable as a nun in a saloon. Clearly she was a
spoiled little rich girl, and he wasn’t about to let her think money was
going to change his mind. She was alone, unmarried, and she obviously
had no idea what she was trying to get herself into. “Miss Jennings—”
“Dr. Jennings.”
“Right. Dr. Jennings. I’m still not sure I
believe that claim…” Her nostrils flared, and her lips thinned. Josh bit
back a smile. This one was easily riled. “There’s no amount of money
that’s gonna buy your way onto my train.”
She took a deep breath and lowered her arms.” You
said you could not allow an unmarried woman to travel with your train.”
He nodded and turned back to his horse to finish
brushing him down. He knew it was rude to turn his back on a lady, but
his stomach was rumbling. The sooner he got rid of her, the sooner he
could make a quick stop at the bathhouse and get some vittles over at
the hotel.
“Well, what if I travel with a husband?”
His brows lifted. Had she really found a husband
that fast? Any number of men would marry her. Heck, half the unmarried
men west of the Rockies were so desperate for wives they’d started
ordering them by mail. “You got a husband?”
“I want you to marry me.”
His jaw dropped, but he snapped it shut and
cleared his throat before answering. Without turning around he kept his
voice quiet. “Look Miss—Dr. Jennings, I’m right flattered and
all, but…”
“Flattered?” A soft chuckle sounded behind him. He
spun around just in time to catch the flash of amusement in her eyes.
“You misunderstand, Mr. Reynolds. I will pay you to let me borrow your
name for the duration of the journey. I will legally be your wife, but
in name only. That should satisfy the jealous women who claim that
having an unmarried woman with the train is unacceptable. ”
“It’s not just the women! The men know it’s
invitin’ trouble to have a woman around who ain’t spoken for. There’s
fightin’ and arguin’…” Seeing the woman’s smile, Josh let his words
trail off.
“Oh, but I would be spoken for, Mr.
Reynolds. Are you saying you couldn’t protect your own wife from the
lecherous intent of such men?”
“I already had a wife. Taught me a lesson I won’t
forget.” He shook his head. “No. I will not make that mistake
again. ”
“Oh, for Heaven’s sake!” Throwing her arms in the
air, she paced in front of him, the dust from the livery floor coating
the shiny black boots she wore. “I’m not asking for a real marriage.
This will be a ceremony to please the others, in name only. And as soon
as we arrive in Baker City, my father’s solicitor will file the
necessary papers to have the marriage annulled. ”
Josh pulled his hand down his face, attempting to
wipe away the headache building behind his eyes. The woman was plum
loco. “Why?”
“I beg your pardon?” The look of confusion on her
face was an abrupt change from the impatient schoolmarm expression she’d
been wearing.
Something told him he wasn’t going to like her
answer, but he had to know. She’d been so adamant yesterday and here she
was back again. “Why is it so important that you travel with this
wagon train?”
“I’m sure you know that yours is the last one
leaving this year. If I don’t travel with your train, I’ll have to
travel on horseback. Alone. I rather believe it would be safer
with your train, Mr. Reynolds.”
“If you just wait another year or two, there will
likely be a stage running all the way to Oregon.”
Her jaw tightened, and a new emotion filled her
eyes. He’d only met her twice, but already he could see that she would
never be able to hide her feelings. Her thoughts and emotions were
written plain as day on her face. “My father doesn’t have a year, Mr.
Reynolds.”
His gut clenched, and the pounding in his temples
deepened. “What do you mean?”
“Papa is ill. That’s why I became a doctor—so I
could help him. If I don’t get to him soon, it will be too late.”
As if she’d timed her statement for the most
dramatic moment, brilliant rays of the setting sun filtered in through
the open doors. Her sable brown hair shone like warm honey, and wetness
glistened in the corners of her midnight blue eyes. A heavenly glow
encased her as she bit her lip and stared at him, silently begging him
to help her.
His headache intensified, and Josh stifled a
groan. He closed his eyes and shook his head.
“Fine.” She moved passed him, calling over her
shoulder, “Have you seen the livery attendant? I need to purchase a
horse. ”
He let his head fall back, mumbling a curse and a
prayer in the same breath. “Wait…”