Page 56 of A Rugged Beauty
Hollis remained stoic, focused. His mind probably on addressing the men. It was left to Abigail to smile gently, to pretend that it didn't hurt that these women thought she was immoral. She knew the truth.
She was surprised to see Leo, Evangeline, Owen and Rachel waiting near an empty crate. She'd seen Hollis stand on one before to address the crowd of men all around.
"I thought you might need some support," he murmured to her so low that no one else could hear.
The nerves that had been jangling as they'd walked began to settle as warmth trickled into her chest. Evangeline smiled, but Rachel sent a pointed look to Abigail’s hand on Hollis’s arm. When he let go of her and stepped up onto the crate, the women flanked her, their husbands standing just behind.
Hollis let out a shrill whistle that quieted the murmuring crowd.
"I understand there's been some restlessness in camp while I was away." His voice boomed out over the settlers and the empty prairie around them as stars began to peek out from the velvetyblue sky. A few men at the front of the crowd cast sheepish looks toward the ground.
"That's not surprising around this time on our journey. Supplies start to dwindle. Wagons break. Things get difficult."
Abigail saw the nodding heads, the way some of the men listened intently. Hollis was wise to remind everyone that he'd done this twice before. That he knew what they were experiencing.
"The worst thing that can happen to a company is for complaining voices and gossip to bring division."
Beaumont, toward the front of the crowd, frowned. He muttered something to his neighbor, but Hollis didn't seem to notice the small moment of dissent.
“There were a lot of wagon masters you could have chosen in Independence. You chose to travel with me for a reason.”Thisman, this leader was determined and confident. “I haven't told you this story, but maybe I should've before we pulled out. On my first overland journey, our company split because of some differences of opinion. The part of our company that left suffered great losses—more than half of them didn't make it to Oregon alive. The company I led lost two.” He spoke the words seriously, without an ounce of bragging in his tone.
She shivered. She knew how much those losses would have affected him. Some of the men glanced nervously at their neighbors.
"Before we left, you gave me your trust. I ask that you remember why you came to me in Independence. Why you wanted to travel with this company and not on your own. I will get you to Oregon as safely as I can."
He earned several nods, but she couldn't look away from his face. This Hollis was charismatic, a born leader. Who wouldn't follow him?
"Some of them don't seem convinced," Leo murmured from somewhere behind her in a voice so low she barely heard it.
Owen grunted. Agreement?
"There's also been some speculation about my personal life and that of one of our fellow travelers."
Her face flamed as several gazes landed on her. Her heart pounded and her palms went sweaty.
"Breathe," Evangeline whispered.
Hollis glanced over at her, and she recognized affection in his expression. He continued to address the crowd. "As far as I'm concerned, our private lives are our own business, but if it will settle your minds, I'd like to introduce my wife, Abigail."
He extended a hand toward her.
Leo and Owen clapped heartily. A few of the crowd joined in, at first awkward and slow until a spatter of applause spread through the rest.
Abigail had only seen this warmth in Hollis’s eyes when his memory had been gone. She knew it wasn't real, that it was for the benefit of the crowd, but she beamed back at him. That's what he wanted, wasn't it?
"I'm certain I don't need to remind you how indispensable my wife has been thus far on our journey. She's doctored many of you, helped your wives when they had a sick child to care for, shared her own food supplies. Her optimistic spirit is unmatched in this company. I know you can all understand why I fell for Abigail.”
Her insides knotted as his statements followed one after another. She understood his reasoning, but she knew the truth, too. She fretted and worried as much as anyone else. But Hollis made her sound hopeful and bright.
He continued speaking, telling the men that they'd reach the nearest fort in a few days.
As he wrapped up and the gathering began to disperse, Evangeline gave Abigail a hug. "You'll be good for him!" she whispered in Abigail's ear.
Rachel must have overheard. Her brows pinched slightly in concern. "Let me know if I can help in any way," was her whisper.
Most of the company, Evangeline and Leo included, believed their union to be real. But perhaps Rachel had guessed the truth.
"Our nearest neighbors have a sick little boy," Evangeline said. "I thought to check on them. Perhaps you'd like to come with me?"
