Anna's Heart (Wilderness Brides Book 2) (19 page)

Ethan leapt from his mount and up into the wagon. He disappeared beneath the canvas that had erupted fully in flames, only to emerge seconds later, carrying the little girl. Anna’s limbs barely supported her as she ran toward him.

“Ethan,” she cried as she fell into his arms, little Hattie between them.

“It’s all right. I’ve got you,” he murmured, his voice weak with relief. His arms trembled as he held her close. “I’ve got you.”

“Someone please untie us,” Marybeth pleaded, her voice unusually weak.

Anna stepped out of Ethan’s embrace. The look in his eyes was a mixture of anguish and relief. In the next instant, cold fury darkened his gaze. He stared off into the distance in the direction where Sabin had escaped. Ethan’s body tensed.

“He’s not worth going after,” Anna said, touching his arm. “Pastor Albert’s been shot. You’re needed here, not chasing after that vile man.”

“He won’t be back. Men like that are too cowardly. If I ever cross paths with him again, I will kill him.” Ethan’s gaze returned to her. “He almost took the most important thing in my life away from me.”

“But you came back just in time, and you saved both me and little Hattie, too.” Tears rolled down Anna’s cheeks, smiling at Ethan for reassurance. It was probably best not to let him see the fear that still swept through her. Everything was going to be all right now.

Marybeth screeched louder for someone to untie her. Ethan pulled his knife from his belt and headed for the people bound to the wagon.

* * *

J
eremy shook Ethan’s hand
, pumping it vigorously up and down. “You’re sure you’re not going to continue on with us?”

Ethan shook his head and glanced toward Anna, who sat waiting on the horse for which he’d traded their team of mules.

“My wife and I are heading home. Oregon’s not the right place for us.”

Jeremy nodded in understanding. “Sure would’ve been nice to have you with us. You’re a good man.”

Ethan laughed. “I think you’ll do just fine with the outfit you’ve joined. There’s safety in numbers, and they’ve got some good, reliable guides.”

“If you say they’re reliable, then I believe you. All the best to you.”

Ethan nodded a final time, then led his horse toward Anna. It was time to get home to Harley’s Hole. He stepped into the stirrup and swung up into the saddle.

He grinned. “Ready to head home and explain to the family why you’ve decided to come back?”

“I’ll let you explain to Cora why I’m now her sister-in-law, and that –”

“Anna, wait, you can’t leave just yet.”

Ethan groaned. He didn’t have to look over his shoulder to see whose screeching voice grew louder behind him.

“I was hoping to be gone before she saw us,” he grumbled. “Didn’t you say your goodbyes to everyone?”

“I did.” Anna smiled. She waved at Marybeth, who came rushing to her horse’s side.

“I wanted to give something to you, Anna. I couldn’t possibly let you leave without it.” She held up a package wrapped in cloth.

“Thank you,” Anna said, her eyes filled with surprise.

“It’s my special corn bread. Baked it just last night. You’ll be getting hungry on your journey back to Fort Hall, no doubt. Wouldn’t want you to leave without having tasted my cornbread. You know it’s won several prizes back home in Virginia, so you know it’ll be good. Although, it was a bit difficult to make in the campfire. My stove in Virginia was so much better.”

“I’m sure Ethan and I will enjoy it very much.” Anna handed Ethan the parcel. “Won’t we, Ethan?” Her eyes widened, and she nudged her head toward Marybeth.

“Yeah, thanks. It smells good.”

Anna held her hand to her mouth. She seemed to quickly regain her composure and leaned forward over the saddle, offering Marybeth her hand.

“Have a safe journey to Oregon.”

“Oh, and you, too. Safe journey to . . . wherever it is you’re going.”

Anna glanced at Ethan. “My home is in Harley’s Hole on the west side of the Tetons Mountains. It’s beautiful there.”

“I’m sure it is, but probably not as nice as Virginia.”

“We should get going, Anna,” Ethan urged.

“You really need to tell that husband of yours not to order you around so much,” Marybeth huffed.

Anna laughed. “I’ll be sure and remind him. Take care, Marybeth.”

She nudged her horse into a walk, away from the dozen wagons camped along the trail that overlooked the Snake River. Ethan reined his horse to fall in step next to hers. Finally, they could be on their way home. On horseback, it would take a little more than two weeks.

Ethan was eager to get back, although he already bristled at the badgering he’d get from his brothers. No doubt Harley would be hopping from one foot to the other with joy. Somehow, it seemed as if the old man had already known that Anna was the one for him.

“I hope they make it safely to Oregon from here with no more mishaps along their journey.”

Ethan chuckled. “Every new start begins with mishaps. Look at how it started for us.” He glanced at his wife and grinned. “I just hope we’re done with them for a while.”

“I suppose that means you won’t want to try a new tea I’ve been meaning to brew.”

Anna laughed at the scowl Ethan shot her. It quickly turned into a smile.

“I’m glad the Howells joined the Benson outfit,” she said to change the subject. “It’s like you told Jeremy – safety in numbers.”

“I think they’ll be just fine.”

Five days had passed since that awful day when Ethan had thought his life was replaying itself from when he was a boy. When he’d realized that Sabin and Anton had been on their way back to the wagons, terror had consumed him. When he’d seen the smoke in the distance and then the burning wagons, he’d been certain his worst fears had come true.

He’d never been more relieved and grateful when he’d found Anna alive, but the thought of Sabin at large somewhere made anger boil inside him. Someday, the evil man would cross paths with the wrong person, and he’d get what he deserved.

Jeremy and the other men had returned to camp after seeing all the smoke, as Ethan was removing a bullet from Pastor Albert’s arm. Ethan told the men exactly where to find the livestock. Jeremy had set out the following morning with two others to bring the animals back, while Ethan had stayed behind to guard the wagons and keep everyone safe.

This morning, they’d returned to the main trail and met up with the Benson outfit, who had agreed to join together with the Howells.

“I wonder if Benson will be as happy about his decision to allow them to come along once he gets a full taste of Marybeth Howell.” Ethan glanced at Anna, who laughed.

“You mean, once he gets a taste of Marybeth’s corn chowder and corn bread. It’s the best in all of Virginia, but not quite as good as she makes it back home, you know.”

Ethan chuckled and reached for Anna’s hand as they rode in the direction of Harley’s Hole.

“I’ll be glad to get your biscuits again when we get home, Anna Wilder, because they’re the best anywhere.”

The saddle leather creaked when he leaned toward her for a kiss. She gazed into his eyes when he drew back. The love reflecting in them melted his insides.

“You’re an incredible man, Ethan Wilder,” she whispered. “And I love you.”

Ethan squeezed her hand. “You have the biggest, most helpful heart of anyone I know, Anna, and you melted mine. I’m thankful every day that you’ve made me see what it’s like to love, and that you gave your heart to me.”

“
I
t sure was
nice of Harley to let us have the cabin tonight. It feels good to sleep in a real bed again after all those weeks on the trail.”

Anna snuggled closer to Ethan in his bunk. She wrapped her arm around his middle and smiled up at him.

“Travis and Trevor aren’t too happy that I kicked them to the barn, but that’s what they get for giving me so much sass.” Ethan kissed her forehead. His hand slid along her bare arm, sending shivers of delight down Anna’s spine.

“Travis had a worried look on his face, did you notice?” Anna’s smile widened. “After it finally sunk in that you and I are married, they both looked at me like I’d completely lost my mind. I think it’s going to take them a while to get used to the new you.”

“At least I won’t have to put up with them for a while since I’ll be sending them to Fort Hall for supplies in a few weeks. Why do you think Travis looked worried?”

Anna giggled. “Because you’re the second brother to get married in less than a year. I know he and Trevor are still very young, but I’m sure it’s going through his mind that Harley is going to badger them in a few years to find wives, too.”

Ethan chuckled. “Travis is going to have a lot of growing up to do before any woman is gonna want him. I don’t see that happening any time soon. He still needs a good cuff behind the ears every once in a while.”

Anna shrugged. “Who knows, someone is bound to tame him, and then he’ll change.”

“A good woman sure made a difference in me.”

Anna smiled. “Things sure seem to be changing fast around here.” Anna sighed contently in her husband’s arms. “Did you ever think that this valley would be so busy?”

“I have Nate to thank for that,” Ethan grumbled, but there was a twinkle in his eyes. “He started it when he brought all you women here last year. My life turned upside down since then.”

Anna laughed. “Admit it, you like it. Cora saw through you from the start. It took me a while longer, but I quickly realized that your grumpy exterior was just an act. Underneath it all, you’re just a big, loveable bear.”

Ethan hugged her close. “It took the right woman to make me shed that outer layer, but that doesn’t mean I have to admit that to my brothers.” He kissed her slowly, his mouth lingering on hers.

“Cora sure was glad to have you back, and she didn’t waste any time to tell me ‘I told you so.’”

“About what?”

Ethan grinned. “That it suited me better if I smiled more.”

Anna wrapped her arms around his neck and combed her fingers through his hair. “It’s hard to believe that Caroline is leaving next spring to go to college.”

Ethan stared down at her, a wide smile on his face. “That explains why Trevor was looking so sullen at supper.”

Anna nodded. “He doesn’t want her to leave. I’m surprised you noticed.”

Ethan rolled to his back, bringing Anna on top of him. “There are a lot of things I notice, Anna Wilder. More than you will ever know.”

Anna sighed. “Things will be different with her gone, but there will be other changes, too. To think there’s going to be a baby born here in the valley in a few months.”

“Cora’s beside herself happy that you’ll be here for the birth, and Harley will be happy like a buck in spring when he has a grandbaby to bounce on his lap.”

“Maybe someday soon, we’ll have one of our own.” Heat crept up into Anna’s cheeks at the intense shimmer of love in her husband’s eyes.

He kissed her again and murmured, “You’ll make a wonderful mother. I watched how good you were with that little girl.”

“And I know you’ll make a great father.”

Ethan’s hold on her tightened. His arms trembled. “I’ve realized how important family is to me, and thanks to you, I don’t push them away any longer.”

He gazed up into her eyes, his face suddenly serious. “I’m still sorry I was too late to salvage the wagon with all your belongings and things from home.”

Anna leaned in closer. “Things can be replaced, but my home is here, with you. And,” she smiled, touching her lips to his, “I’m eager to start making new memories with you.”

* * *

T
hank
you for purchasing and reading ANNA’s HEART. I hope you enjoyed it. If you missed the first book, CORA’S PRIDE, you can find it
here
.

The third book in the WILDERNESS BRIDES Series is tentatively titled CAROLINE’S PASSION, and will be available soon.

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T
he Wilderness Brides Series
is loosely connected to the Yellowstone Romance Series and the Teton Romance Trilogy. Characters and storylines from each series cross over into the other, including the Wilderness Brides Series.

To find out more about Daniel and Aimee Osborne, their story begins with
Yellowstone Heart Song
(Book 1 in the Yellowstone Romance Series).

Oliver Sabin is a truly evil character. He was first introduced in
Teton Sunrise
(Book 1 in the Teton Romance Trilogy) and if you’re wondering what he’s up to after he escaped from Ethan Wilder, he appears again in
Teton Splendor
(Book 2 in the Teton Romance Trilogy), which takes place during the same year as Anna’s Heart.

If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a short review at Amazon.

For a complete list of my books, please visit my
Amazon Author Page

A
special thanks
to my editor, Barbara Ouradnik, and my team of beta readers: Heather Belleguelle,Lisa Bynum, Sonja Carroll, Shirl Deems,Becky Fetzer, and Cissie Patterson