Page 90 of A Rugged Beauty
Abigail satwith Ben at a makeshift table in camp outside of the fort. She held Molly, Owen and Rachel's baby, in her arms as the babe slept.
Ben was scowling at the primer on the barrel in front of her as she sounded out, "K-i-t-n. Kitten." Her legs swung like two pendulums above the ground, at different rhythms and speeds.
She turned her scowl on Abigail. "Why do I have to do this?"
"It's good for you." And Felicity and August, who had adopted the little girl weeks ago, had asked for Abigail's help finding something to distract Ben. Ever since the wildfire, she'd been jumpy and close to tears.
Abigail understood. It'd been two days since the near-disaster. The wagon train had been reunited late this morning and would pull out this afternoon—all as one, together.
Spirits were high. But every time Abigail turned her head just right, she got a whiff of smoke that still clung to parts of the canvas or wood and a frisson of fear spiked through her. She whispered a prayer and let a moment of reflection clear it.
Molly had no such worries. The baby was deeply asleep, content as Abigail held her on her shoulder.
Abigail patted the baby's back, the warm bundle in her arms igniting hopes and long-buried dreams.
"M-i-t-n, mitten," Ben blurted, focus back on the primer.
Abigail caught sight of Alice hauling an armful of quilts between two wagons. The young man who'd ridden with her to the fort—Robert?—approached from the direction of that structure.
When he called out to Alice, she started. When he offered her something—Abigail couldn't make out the bundle in his hands—Alice shook her head. And then Alice made a sharp motion with one hand before clutching the quilts again. Abigail couldn't hear what she said, but she didn't look happy. She climbed into a wagon and Robert was left standing there, alone.
He waited for a long moment, then dropped his head and turned to leave.
"What's this word?" Ben's question interrupted Abigail’s focus on the strange drama in front of her. She leaned over Ben's shoulder and helped her sound out the word "mother."
Ben peered up at Abigail. "When're you and Hollis goin' to have a baby? Then you'll be a mother."
At that moment, Hollis passed between two wagons and into her line of sight. Abigail found that her gaze went to him naturally, aware of him even across the camp.
His eyes came up, locking with hers as a smile curled his lips.
You'll be a mother.
Ben's innocent words sent faint heat into her cheeks.
Since the fire, Hollis had been completely different with her. Gone were the walls he'd kept in place, the tight control meant to protect himself—and keep her safe, too.
Last night, he'd needed to meet with some of the captains until late, but he'd taken the time to come to her at the campfire after supper and say goodnight. He'd taken great pleasure inwrapping one strong arm around her waist and kissing her until she'd been breathless and clinging to him.
She'd been asleep when he'd come to his bedroll well after dark, but she'd drowsily felt his tender touch as he adjusted the blanket on her shoulder.
This morning, she'd woken to find herself tucked into the shelter of his embrace. His arm around her middle, her head pillowed on his shoulder.
He'd been awake, the sun already peeking over the horizon, but he'd stayed to hold her. He hadn't run off like before.
She couldn't wait to reach Oregon and have time that was theirs alone. Sleepy mornings sitting across the kitchen table. For now, she'd be content with smiles from across camp, dinners together, and stolen moments.
"Mrs. Abigail, when?" Ben prompted.
The moment of connection with Hollis broken, Abigail turned her attention back to the girl.
"It will happen in God's timing," she said. She felt secure in the knowledge that Hollis loved her, that they were going to have a future together. Even though she wasn’t sure if he'd want to keep traversing the trail or find a place in Oregon to live.
Felicity bustled into camp, looking much brighter than she had a few days ago. "Are you bothering Abigail?" she asked of Ben.
"Naw." Ben clapped the covers of the book together. "Can I be finished?"
Felicity and Abigail exchanged a look. "When you reach the end of this section," Felicity said.
