His Passionate Pioneer (17 page)

As they passed a campfire, screams rent the air. "It's Becca," Anna yelled, telling Charity to run and get Doc Williams as she bolted towards the screaming little girl. She ran towards the fire where the little girl was in danger. Grabbing Becca, Anna dropped to the ground, rolling in the dirt as the girl screamed and clawed, desperate to free herself. Suddenly, a huge man dropped at Anna's side, slapping again and again at the child's skirts until the flames were extinguished. Breathing hard, Anna released Becca to her Pa.

"The doctor is coming, he'll know what to do," she said, even as Becca continued to shriek and struggle in her father's arms as her small hands reached out, as if wanting to grab something. Anna sat up, realizing the child was crying for her doll. Turning, she looked towards the fire to see the last of the treasured doll disappear in flames. Pushing to her feet, she saw Harriet and Charity running towards them, followed by Hannah, Becca's mother. Anna heard a soft moaning sound and turned to see two young boys, Becca's brothers, standing in shock. Moving to them, she dropped to kneel, her hands moving to their arms. "Are you okay? Did you get burned?" The younger boy burst into tears and the older just shook. Then she saw his eyes grow huge and felt someone behind her. She stood and turned to see Tom towering above her. Evidently, he'd passed his daughter to his wife as they, along with Harriet and Charity, had disappeared.

"What in God's name happened, Henry? What happened to Rebecca? God, son, you were supposed to be watching her! How did she get burned? She knows not to go close to the fire," Tom said.

Henry opened his mouth and then burst into tears. He began to choke out his words, which were basically unintelligible. Anna reached out to him and he collapsed in her arms. She had talked and played with these children several times and had come to love them. She pulled Andrew into her arms as well, sheltering them.

"Tom, you need to calm down. Take a deep breath, you're scaring your sons. You got to Becca in time; she'll be fine," she said.

Tom nodded and rubbed his hand across his face. He collapsed onto a stool and took several deep breaths. Anna saw him wince as he clasped his hands and realized they had been burned when he was extinguishing the fire. She sat the boys down and rushed to their water bucket. She was kneeling and washing Tom's hands when Richard appeared.

He looked at the boys, who still looked as if they were in shock, and took his own deep breath. "God, are you okay? What happened?"

"I'm fine. There was an accident and Becca got burned." She winced when Tom moaned, and wished she'd not mentioned his daughter.

Richard quickly assessed the situation. "Tom, why don't you go to Hannah and Becca— Anna and I will watch your boys."

Tom stood and turned to walk away. "I—why? Why my baby girl?"

Henry had calmed a bit but his voice still trembled as he spoke. "We didn't mean to. It was an accident Pa, I swear! We were just playing. We didn't mean her to get burned."

Andrew burst into fresh tears. "I didn't mean to throw the doll into the fire, Pa, we were just teasing. I threw too hard. I'm so sorry."

Tom's face grew tight as he listened to his son. He was silent for a long time while Anna and Richard held their breath. Everyone knew how dangerous fires could be, and they were constantly reminded by Mr. Morgan to keep children away from any campfires. If Tom had not rushed into action as quickly as he had, not only could Becca's injuries have been life threatening, but the entire wagon could have gone up and even spread throughout the train. This wasn't something that could be ignored or even forgiven lightly. While Anna's heart ached for Becca, she also ached for the boys.

Tom looked at his sons and finally spoke. "I have never been so disappointed in my entire life. You both had the responsibility to look after your sister and, instead, decided to tease her for your own spiteful entertainment. I find it disgusting that neither of you seem concerned for Becca or the pain that you have caused her. She got burned! Burned, boys! Her legs are burned, all because you thought it might be fun to tease her with her doll, the only possession she owns that gives her comfort. I swear to God, neither of you will be able to sit for weeks once I've thrashed the hide off your backsides!"

Both boys hung their heads in shame; Andrew almost hysterical at his father's tone of voice. Murmurs from the gathered onlookers masked Anna's gasp, but Richard simply pulled her into his arms and whispered for her to be still.

Despite his obvious trepidation at his Pa's announcement, Henry pushed himself to his feet and approached his father. "It was my fault, Pa. I'm the oldest, and I know I shouldn't tease her. I will take my whipping but please, you don't have to whip Andrew; it was my fault."

Anna was proud of the young boy, but Tom was having none of it.

"Henry, you can't play keep away by yourself. While the greater responsibility was yours, your brother is not innocent and is partially responsible for what happened to your sister. You'll both pay for your actions with the strap." He lifted his hands. "I shall not be the one to deliver justice, as I wish it to be done properly. You will both go, confess what you've done, and ask Mr. Morgan to wield the strap."

"Yes, Pa," Henry said, squaring his shoulders and putting his arm around his brother.

Tom nodded and, despite his pain, despite his obvious displeasure at his sons' behavior, he walked to his children and put his arms around them both. "I know you'll be brave and pray you learn the lesson." He gave them a hug before turning to the crowd.

Richard gave him a nod and stepped to the boys, letting Tom know that he would stay with them until the punishment was done.

Anna wiped her eyes with her sleeve and watched as Tom moved away to go see his wife and daughter, and to get his own injuries treated by Doc Williams. Though she respected Henry and Andrew for their stoic acceptance, she didn't wish to be anywhere near the wagon when they paid the price for a choice that had gone so horribly wrong. "I'll stay and start their supper," she said, her bottom lip quivering.

Richard nodded and looked down at the boys. "Let's get this done."

An hour later, Richard and the boys returned. Anna said nothing as she gave them each a hug. Though it was obvious from the occasional groan and sniffle that their backsides were burning, neither complained when Richard assigned them small duties. They gathered wood and went to the river, returning with another pail of water, placing it within easy reach of the fire.

Anna watched as Henry knelt, pushing the stones back into place in the fire ring with a stout stick. It almost broke her heart when he lifted the charred remains of his sister's doll from the ashes. He looked so horrified and so stricken that she went to him.

"I'm so sorry," she said as she knelt beside him. "I know how awful you feel but I promise, Becca and your Pa are going to be okay."

"Pa and Ma are going to hate me," Henry said, his voice cracking as he turned his face away to swipe at a tear. "I deserve it. I was just so stupid."

Richard squatted down on the other side of the boy. "No, Henry, not stupid. Every man begins life as boy, making careless choices. I admit, this was a tougher lesson than most as it involves an innocent, but you've paid the price. Now you must buck up and face the rest. Give your parents a bit of time, I promise, they love you just as much now as they did before the accident." He patted the boy's shoulder before taking the ruined doll to dispose of it far away from the wagon.

By the time Tom returned with his wife and daughter, the boys had worked to arrange a fresh pallet in the wagon for their sister. Hannah was still somewhat in shock, but managed a muttered thanks to her sons as she allowed Richard to take Becca and place her on the pallet.

Anna placed a fresh ewer of water, a few cloths, and another jar of the burn salve in a clear space and Hannah thanked her, taking a seat next to Becca. Anna bent to give the girl a kiss and then gave Hannah a hug. "If you need anything, all of your friends are anxious to help." Hannah thanked her again and Richard lifted Anna from the wagon.

"If your hands aren't healed by the time we pull out, one of my men will be glad to drive for you, Tom," he said as they prepared to leave. "Just rest and don't worry about a thing. The women have arranged to help fix your meals for the next few days. You let Hannah do what she does best and take care of you and Becca."

"We can't thank you enough," Tom said. "If it hadn't been for your wife—"

"I thank God you were so quick, Tom." Richard looked over at the man's sons, both boys looking as if they were lost and unsure of what to say, how to take that first step back to becoming a unified family. "I know I won't be a parent for the next few months," he said softly, "but I do remember being a boy. They've paid the price, Tom. They didn't so much as fuss when Morgan strapped them. Don't make them pay a far harder price in thinking your anger is too strong to allow for forgiveness." Patting the man's back, he put his arm around his wife's waist. "We'll stop by in the morning. Try to get some rest."

Anna leaned into her husband, grateful for his support. Now that the work was done, she felt utterly exhausted. She looked over her shoulder and felt tears fill her eyes. Tom was kneeling, his arms wrapped around his boys, their sobs shared as the healing began.

A few days later, after spending another day cleaning the wagon and rearranging their supplies, Anna didn't have anything pressing to do. The men had gone hunting again, their success of the previous day building their hopes that they'd not be short of game when the train pulled out. Charity had gone back to her wagon to nap with Hope, and Anna felt at loose ends.

She'd been a bit shocked to find burnt holes in the skirts she'd been wearing when she'd grabbed Becca but thought it a very small price to pay. Deciding that she'd put off mending for as long as she could, she found her sewing basket and took it and a stool to sit in the shade of the wagon. Opening the lid, she smiled as she lifted out the fabric Richard had insisted she purchase. There had been far more important things to do than to begin her dress project, but perhaps now she could at least begin. Setting the cloth aside, she discovered the ripped drawers she still had yet to mend. The rip wasn't going to be an easy one to repair as the material was torn rather than ripped along a seam. Suddenly she smiled as an idea came to her. Putting everything back in the basket, she left it on the stool as she walked to see if she could persuade others that her idea to put the drawers to better use would be fruitful.

"How are you?" Anna asked as she walked into the Stanfords' camp.

Hannah looked up from where she was sitting on a quilt, reading aloud to Becca. "Anna, how nice to see you. We're getting better every day, aren't we, Becca?" The little girl gave Anna a shy smile, her blonde head bobbing.

Anna had instantly recognized the book from what little she'd heard. It was titled,
The Riddle Book.
She knelt beside them. "Oh, that is one of my favorite books, Becca. I remember my Ma reading it to me and my sister and brothers. We'd have so much fun trying to solve the riddles. I'm sure you're enjoying your Ma reading to you." Another bob of her head told of the little girl's agreement. Anna turned her attention to Hannah. "I wondered if I might borrow your boys for a bit. I have a project that I want to see if they might be interested in helping me with. That is, if you could spare them for a few hours."

Hannah smiled even as Andrew came to the quilt and asked if she was sure she didn't need another cup of water. "I'm fine, Andrew, I haven't finished this one." He got the same response from his sister. As he walked off, Hannah sighed. "You've come to save us again, Anna. The poor things are so full of regret that I can barely breathe without exhaling on one of them. It would do us all some good if they had a break."

"They just want to make sure you and Becca know they love you both," Anna said as she pushed to her feet. "I'll take them off your hands for a bit, and Richard said he was going to ask Tom if he and the boys wanted to try their hands at fishing tomorrow." She paused and blushed. "I mean, if Tom's hands are better."

"They are. The salve has worked wonders. I swear, between you and your husband and Harriet and Doc, we couldn't ask for more assistance. I've not had to lift a finger towards making any meals since… since the accident."

Anna gave her a gentle smile. "Well, just be glad that it is Charity who is organizing the meal prep. I'm afraid I still have a ways to go before anyone other than Richard will be able to say they truly enjoyed the meal. Oh, here comes Henry; I'll snag him and Andrew before you have to turn down more water."

Hannah laughed and nodded, returning her attention to entertaining Becca as Anna placed an arm around each of the boys and led them away from their wagon for the first time in days.

Once back at her wagon, Anna spread out a quilt and settled onto it. "Come on, boys, sit down," she said.

The brothers took a seat, though both looked wary.

"How are you both?" she asked gently.

"We're fine," Henry said, though his tone indicated otherwise.

Anna saw such sadness in his eyes, the same reflected in Andrew's. "I think I have a way to make Becca feel better—that is, if you want to hear it," she said.

Both the boys nodded vigorously, the first sign of hope flashing across their faces.

Anna told them her plan and spent the afternoon helping them finish the project. When the sun began to lower, she gave both of the boys huge hugs and told them how very proud of them she was. The brothers were practically glowing with the pride of their accomplishment. She repacked her basket and stood, her hands going to brace against her lower back as she stretched. She'd have to start thinking about baby clothes soon. Henry and Andrew helped her fold the quilt.

"I think we're ready," she said, handing the item to Henry. When both boys slipped their hands into one of hers, her heart caught in her throat. She could imagine how much the boys still fought with the guilt they had yet to release but prayed that, by that evening, forgiveness that had already been granted would actually be accepted by both of the young boys.

When they returned to the wagon, Anna saw Tom sitting with Becca on his lap and Hannah at their fire. Tom looked up and smiled at the young woman. "Hello, Anna. I hope the boys behaved themselves."

"I assure you, Henry and Andrew were perfect gentlemen. Tom, Hannah, your sons would like to speak with Becca, if that's okay."

Tom nodded, and Hannah stopped stirring and joined the group. Becca looked up and smiled, obviously delighted to see her older brothers. Anna gave Henry a nod and stepped back a bit, allowing the family this moment.

Andrew and Henry approached their father and then knelt in front of their little sister. Andrew said, "I'm sorry I let you get hurt, Becca. I'm sorry your doll got burned up." Becca's lower lip began to tremble but before she could cry, Andrew motioned to Henry.

Henry quickly said, "Don't cry, Becca, we made you something. I'm sorry too, and we hope you like your present." At that word, Becca's lip steadied and she smiled again.

Anna smiled; what little girl didn't like presents?

Henry pulled the gift from behind his back.

"My dolly!" Becca leapt off her father's lap and grabbed the doll the boys had made. It was a simple rag doll, with a body made from Anna's torn drawers, but the doll wore a pretty dress made from Anna's piece of fabric and a pair of drawers, white lace at the hems covering the doll's legs. The boys had worked hard to stuff the muslin body with additional bits of torn material to give the doll a shape that was still soft and cuddly. As Anna made the dress, Henry and Andrew had spent hours making small stitches to attach strands of yellow ribbons onto the doll's head. The color matched Becca's own blonde curls, and they'd insisted Anna use blue thread for the doll's eyes—again to match their sister's.

Anna felt tears roll down her cheeks even as she saw Hannah wiping her tears with the hem of her apron. Tom swiped at his eyes and cleared his throat as they watched Becca hug the doll and give it many kisses. She then kissed both her brothers and patted their cheeks. "I love you, and so does my dolly. Please don't cry no more."

The boys sniffed and nodded as the heavy weight of guilt finally lifted from their souls. Tom hugged both his sons closely and told them how proud he was of them.

"Thank you," Hannah said, but Anna could only nod and wave as she walked away. Her eyes were streaming but her heart was light with the knowledge that the family would truly heal.

* * * * *

Richard stood outside, in the light from their fire. Anna was singing while she fixed their evening meal. The sight of his wife, the woman who would bear his children, transfixed him. She would never cease to amaze him. He'd never felt such love for anyone before. He would give his life for her, and wanted nothing more than to make sure she was happy for the rest of her life.

Anna turned and saw him, and smiled brightly. He was holding her tightly within seconds, grateful that she had chosen him. They enjoyed their dinner and she surprised him with a blackberry cobbler that was delicious. He leaned back and patted his stomach in contentment.

"That meal was better than any I've ever had. You've turned into quite the chef, my beautiful wife."

Anna giggled and gave him a playful punch. He drew her down onto his lap despite her squeal and kissed her long and hard. He finally set her onto her feet and they worked together to clean up the dishes and tamp the fire.

It was relatively early, but Richard faked a huge yawn and loudly announced, "I'm so tired. I think I'll go to bed now. I'll be getting up extra early to take the boys fishing. Care to join me, my dear?"

Anna gave him a slow smile. "I'm tired too, now that I think about it. I think an early night would suit us both just fine."

Richard swung her up into the wagon and climbed in behind her. She giggled as he wagged his eyebrows at her.

She pushed him away. "I thought you were tired, husband."

He grinned and then grabbed her. Her giggles stopped as he slowly unbuttoned her dress and drew it over her head. She stood in her chemise and drawers while he unpinned and unbraided her hair. He used his fingers to comb through the thick strands and then pulled her onto his lap. She handed him the brush and closed her eyes as he ran it repeatedly through her hair. Richard brushed and stroked her tresses for a long time, they were both content to just be together.

Laying the brush aside, he guided Anna off his lap, pulling her to stand between his legs. He lifted her chemise and drew it off, leaning down to plant a kiss on each of her peaked nipples. Hearing her moan and feeling her arch her back to press herself against his lips, he spent several minutes suckling on each turgid bud before lifting his head.

"I think you need to confess something to me, Anna."

Her eyes flew wide open and he could practically hear the gears in her head as she struggled to think of what she might have done to explain his statement.

"Hmm, nothing coming to that mind of yours?" he prompted further.

She shook her head and whispered, "Um, no, sir. I mean, I can't think of anything. What did I do wrong?"

He slid his fingers into the waistband of her drawers. "I love your drawers, they are so utterly feminine."

Her face showed her confusion. "My drawers?" she stammered. "Um, thank you, I guess."

He watched her eyes as he slowly began to push her drawers down. He felt her quiver just the slightest as he ran his fingers across her skin as he bared her.

"While I love these drawers, little one, I'm wondering why I haven't seen your old ones around. You know; the ones I ripped from you?"

Anna stiffened and then saw his grin. She relaxed and said, "Hmm, I wonder what happened to those old things. I guess it doesn't matter, as I'm not much one for mending."

Richard burst into laughter. "I guess not, and now that they are a little doll for a special little girl, I guess you never will have to mend them."

She beamed at him as he leaned forward to kiss her rounded stomach. She shivered, her hand moving to press against the back of his head. "Well, as I said, I love your pretty drawers, but," he paused to push them all the way to her feet, "I must admit, I love you out of them most of all." Anna blushed but stepped out of them and he tossed them aside. He stood and undressed himself to stand naked before kneeling on the bed and pulling her down beside him.

"Guess that new dress and those pretty yellow ribbons won't be sewn either, will they, wife?"

She lifted her face for his kiss and before their lips met, she said, "I have plenty of dresses, and those ribbons couldn't be serving a more beautiful purpose. Besides, my husband, who needs pretty undergarments when their husband is the only one to see them or… rip them off his wife?"

Richard laughed heartily and moved to pin her beneath him. He took his time loving her. His fingers traced across her skin and he smiled as goose flesh popped up at the gentle sensation. Her hands stroked through his hair as he lowered his mouth to hers, their tongues tangling in a dance they'd never tire of sharing. She was moaning as he nibbled on her neck, his tongue wetting her skin before his warm breath wafted across it. Her pregnancy was already changing her breasts. They were heavier and, judging by her reaction to his play, seemed more sensitive as he plucked her nipples until she was begging for him to suckle.

Spreading her legs with his hands, he splayed her beneath him, sitting back on his heels to simply enjoy the sight of his wife, her nipples hard as acorns, her chest rising and falling rapidly, the coppery curls between her thighs glistening with her arousal. Slipping his hands beneath her bottom, he lifted her, bringing her sex to his mouth to feast on the honey she never failed to provide. Her cries filled the wagon as she exploded in her first culmination and her protestations that it was too much, that she couldn't bear another were ignored as he continued to suckle her clittie, his nibbles not as gentle as those on her neck.

"You'll cum for me again, Anna," he said, sliding two thick fingers between her swollen nether lips. "I want to hear your cry of pleasure and watch your eyes as you cum on my fingers. I want to drink your cream and feel you squirm beneath me as I pinch your sweet nipples." He could feel more moisture flood across his invading fingers at his words. Lowering his head, he flattened his tongue and gave long slow licks from her puckered bottom hole to her clit until she was writhing and bucking, her hands clutching the quilt beneath them.