Page 11 of Princess and the Ox (The Colby Brothers 1)

Where Ryan was regularly hired on as a crewmember for many of the ships sailing the Great Lakes, Jay was left home to help with the family farm. Which was all in futile anyway, in Erika’s opinion, as it was obvious the homestead would be left to Garrett Colby.

Something suspiciously akin to compassion, tugged unexpectedly at her insides. With relief, she was pleased when Ryan rejoined them from the shop.

“We all set to head out?” He took one look at both their sober faces and shook his head in mock disgust. “What a bunch of sour pusses out here. Well it’s a good thing I bought this here harmonica to keep us entertained on the long ride.”

As he helped her into the wagon, Erika refused to absorb the conversation she had with Jay. It was an old saying that misery loved company and Jay Colby was as miserable as they came. She would have to be more careful in the future since it was with shock that she realized his final statement had touched her more than she cared.

Chapter 3

Erika shivered and drew the wool blanket draped across her lap closer. Before they headed out, Jay had placed a heated brick at her feet, but it had since long lost its warmth. Though the sun was unusually warm that day and was able to ease some of the chill from her face, she still felt terribly cold.

They had been on the road for hours already. Jay had led the team of horses in a northeastern direction through the vast wilderness, aided only by the use of a compass, which he kept close at hand on the wagon.

For Erika, she was witnessing it all for the first time. Huge evergreens that provided the otherwise dull countryside with a splash of color were everywhere. The scent of elm and pine engulfed them as they made their way through a dense forest, reminding her of Christmas.

Initially, she was awed by all the untamed beauty or the glimpse of wildlife sharing her journey. Secretly, she would admit that there was also a certain thrill of doing something slightly against what she knew her grandfather would object to. However, as the land stretched on and morning slipped into afternoon, she was admittedly beginning to grow cold. And restless.

Behind them in the wagon, Ryan had been playing his harmonica for the duration thus far, and not a single word was exchanged between any of them. She slid a glance at Jay and wondered if he had any intention of stopping so that they could rest and stretch their legs. His eyes remained steadfast straight ahead. Then, as if he read her mind, the wagon slowed.

“Whoa.” He pulled on the reins, bringing the horses to a halt, but did not climb down.

The music stopped playing in the back before Ryan asked, “Why did we stop?”

Jay gestured ahead of them and Erika turned and took a good look around for the first time. The path they had been following broke through a dense cluster of underbrush where a huge lake appeared. However, it had been such a cold winter it was now covered completely in solid ice.

“It’s already getting late,” Jay said. “I’m going to walk out a ways and test how solid it is. We could save some time by not having to go around.”

As he leaped down and slowly made his way across the lake, she turned and looked back at Ryan. “How much further is it?”

“Should reach the first farm within the next hour.”

Her eyes widened. “The first farm?”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Most of the settlers in this area are all grouped together.”

Slightly relieved, she threw back the blanket and swung her legs over the wagon’s side. “Well, if we’ve got another hour yet, I think I’ll stretch my legs and admire the view.”

She leaped from the wagon before he had a chance to come around and help her down. Arching her back, she raised her arms over her head and filled her lungs with the crisp cold air. The harmonica started up again while Erika strolled toward the front of the wagon to pet the horses. Looking up, she saw Jay out on the frozen ice, a lone dark silhouette against a field of white. He turned and headed back. When he came near, he looked up and saw her standing there.

“Mother nature call?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked if Mother Nature was calling?” he said, slipping out of his overcoat. She watched him with confusion, not sure why he would want to remove his warm coat in such chilly temperatures. He grinned suddenly, thinking she needed further explanation, so asked, “Did you need to step behind a tree? You know, visit nature’s outhouse?”

She felt herself go hot from humiliation. “Of course not!”

“Well, I do, so if you’re offended by that kind of thing, I suggest you turn that fancy little head of yours around.” He had already begun slipping one suspender strap over his shoulder.

“Good God!” Erika swung around and headed back toward the wagon. “Do you not have any sense of proper decorum, Jay Colby?”

She heard him chuckle as she stomped up to the wagon and hoisted her skirts so that she could climb back up on her seat. Ryan was so engrossed in his music he apparently hadn’t seen her coming. When he did, he put his musical instrument down to ask, “Back so soon, sweetheart?”

She snatched up the blanket and wrapped it tightly around herself before shooting a reply over her shoulder. “The view wasn’t so grand after all.”

Jay returned shortly and swung his huge frame up to sit on his side of the seat. Gathering the reins, he turned and looked at her. “Last chance. Won’t be making another stop for at least an hour.”

Choosing to ignore him, she turned her head and pointed her chin in the opposite direction.

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