Page 33 of Redeeming the Outlaw
“Now, you need to get back. I’ll ride with you to make sure you go straight back and make no more stops along the way.”
She walked over to Joe and lifted the bucket to him. “You can take this one,” she said with a smile. “I’m afraid the delay is my fault, too.”
Big Joe looked at the bucket as if debating on taking it. “How so?”
Esther rubbed her belly and looked at Whit. “All of this excitement isn’t good for my insides. Poor Whit has had to stop every few minutes.”
“You got the backdoor trots?”
She thought she heard Whit snicker behind her. “It might be, but I think it is the little one that isn’t cooperating.” The noise stopped immediately.
Joe grabbed the bucket. “You in the family way? Does Ma know?”
Esther shook her head and leaned forward. “I’ve not even told my husband yet.” She puffed out her cheeks. “Oh no,” shecried as she released what little she had in her belly over Big Joe’s leg.
Whit’s teeth were clenched as he asked Esther, “What was going through your mind? How could you lie about being pregnant?”
She leaned back in his arms and rested her head on his shoulder. They were riding in front of Big Joe, leading the way back to camp. “I was thinking if they thought I was going to have a baby, they wouldn’t do anything to hurt me or you,” she hissed.
Whit tightened his grip on the reins. “If they think you are pregnant, the first thing they will do is off me,” he mumbled. He couldn’t decide whether to kiss her for making such a selfless decision or shake her for being so foolish. He understood her reasoning. If Ma believed Esther was expecting, she would do everything in her power to protect the potential grandchild. The only problem was Esther didn’t know Ma Richards was her birth mother.
When they finally arrived back at camp, there was coffee already on the fire.
“We’re back, Boss.” Whit tried to sound contrite. “Sorry it took so long.”
“Where did you go?” Brodie asked.
“Found them a little way upriver,” Big Joe said, handing one of the younger men the buckets of water.
“Why are you carrying the buckets, Joe?” Brodie’s eyes narrowed. “She should do the women’s work. Digger had to go fetch water and make coffee because she wasn’t here.”
“Did you get it far enough away from the deer carcass in the creek?” Whit asked. “That water will give you dysentery.”
“Deer carcass?” Brodie scratched his head.
“In the creek,” Esther said, sliding from the horse. “It was dead.”
“And bloated,” Big Joe chimed in.
The men started spitting out the coffee in their mouths. Brodie walked over to the fire and picked up the coffeepot, dumping the contents on the ground. “Digger!”
“Yes, Boss?” The young man came running over.
“Go to the creek and wash this out. You need to go further down...” Brodie looked at Esther who pointed in the direction they came from. “The creek that way.” He shoved the hot coffee pot against Digger’s chest. “You make sure it is completely clean, and then you come back and make a fresh pot with this water here.”
“I can make fresh coffee, Brodie,” Esther offered.
“You’re not feeling well, my love.” Whit joined her on the ground, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You should go lie down.”
“She sick?” Brodie asked.
“An upset belly,” Esther said as she started making noises.
Brodie grimaced. “Get her out of here.”
As Whit escorted Esther back to the tent, Brodie waved him back. “No, you stay here. Plans have changed,” he announced, his eyes scanning the encampment with an air of command. “Ma’s decided she wants to be here, so we’re getting the boy tomorrow instead.”
Esther exchanged a worried glance with Whit, her heart pounding as she considered the implications of this suddenchange and what it could mean for them.
