The Case of the Gold Heist II

by scullynmulder4ever

Della now nine months with Perry's child reads another addition in the western book. This time a wagon caravan traveling with brides from Chicago to California. If you like Perry and Della together then this fanfic is for you.

The Gold Heist Part II

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Perry Mason. ESG has all the rights to them. I just had some fun with them as this is a fanfic story. I will not claim any copyrights.

Rating: Explicit

Description: Della now nine months with Perry's child reads another addition in the western book. This time a wagon caravan traveling with brides from Chicago to California. If you like Perry and Della together then this fanfic is for you.

Authors Note: I would like to thank my only beta Tamarra Green Lee for helping me with this. This is a good one thank you for helping me with the edits.

9 months later

Brent Building

Los Angeles, Ca

Della maneuvered around the office just as she always did, but today was a special day for her and Perry. Perry announced to Paul and Gertie they would be working out of the office from home. He would stop in the office to get paperwork two days out of the week since Della would be giving birth to their first child soon. Della did her best to conceal her baby bump from the clients as well as other coworkers. She would always use the back entrance and wear dresses to conceal her bump. Della didn't have much of a belly as she carried the child through her trimesters. It was nearly a week before the birth of their unborn child, and Della wanted to get away from the office to prepare at home.

Perry had already set up the crib while Della had gone out shopping for baby items in the previous months. She got neutral colors in contrast as the baby's gender was going to be a surprise to them both. Della wasn't concerned whether it was a boy or girl as long the baby was healthy. Perry hoped for a son, but a daughter would be fine too. It was the end of the day as Gertie had left, she was worried that she would be out of a job while Perry and Della took the leave of absence from the office. She was informed that it was only temporary, and she was still in charge of the office phone calls. Perry grabbed his briefcase, and Della had another folder of prospective clients in her hand while walking into his office.

"Della, you about ready to leave the office? It's nearly five o'clock and I didn't want to keep you any longer today as it is your last day." Perry asked while he touched her arm and his hand landed on her bump. She looked down at his hand on her stomach then beamed at him taking her hand in his.

"Perry, I'm ready when you are. All I need to do is pack up my typewriter and a few files, then I'll be ready." Della responded to him while he picked up her hand in his and placed a kiss on her hand.

"Give me a few moments to gather our coats." Perry walked into the law library to gather their coats off the coat rack. Perry emerged from his office with his briefcase in hand while carrying her coat. He draped it over her shoulders, helped her into it, gave her a quick kiss to her lips, and lingered for a few moments before she touched his cheek lovingly.

"Let's go home, Della. Time for you to leave the office for a while. Don't worry Gertie will be fine while you are out. I'm sure if she has any issue, she can give you a call or ask me." Perry informed her while she took his hand in hers.

"I know Gertie will be fine Perry. I just hope she doesn't get too overwhelmed while I'm out." Della whispered to him.

"She'll be fine Della. Come on let's go." Perry instructed her and held open the office door for her as she exited the office.

The pregnancy had changed Della a lot. She practically glowed. Her face was fuller and her weight had distributed evenly, especially in her hips, and he couldn't stop looking at her. He knew pregnancy would change her figure but her looks never did only made her more beautiful to him. In his eyes, she was a goddess no matter if she was with his child or not. He loved her more than life itself by being married to her and taking her away from prospective men that had their own eyes on her. He would always touch her in a way that said 'sorry she is off the market'. She loved how people looked at her beauty and grace. She loved being loved by her husband, and no other man could compare. Although, it was not in love at first sight, however, over time she got to know him, and she fell head over heels for him. When they met at law school, it was a magical moment. Knowing how he felt about her, he expressed his feelings to her, and he knew about her ex-Michael Domenico, but he was many miles away from her.

Although her relationship was not flourishing with Michael when she met Perry, it was fate that Perry came into her life. They both never regretted making the right choice of following their heart's desire to be with each other. Perry was immediately smitten with Della when they met, and their relationship grew, and he asked her to marry him. The rest is history, and now their future is sealed with this newborn baby being part of their lives. It would be a test of their relationship and for better or worse Perry would be a devoted father and husband. Della always told him that she loved children and hoped to have one day and now that time has come. It was mere weeks for preparation of the birth and sex between the two never waned only a few occasions that Della wasn't in the mood and Perry respected her wishes.

Perry pulled the car into the parking lot of his apartment, shut the engine off, and got out helped Della out of the car. He grabbed her typewriter in one hand while taking the briefcase in his other hand. Della had stood back waiting on him as he joined her to walk up to his building. They met a new tenant, and he graciously held the door open for her while Perry trailed behind her with his arms full.

"Thank You, Mr. Owens." Della smiled at the older gentlemen who had been staying in Perry's building for a few weeks.

"It's good to see you, Mrs. Mason. Is it nearly time for your bouncing bundle of joy?" He asked before Perry stood behind her and looked over her shoulder then over at the older man.

"Yes, I'm due next week, but I can go into labor any time." Della happily said and smiled back at her husband.

"I wish the best for you both." Mr. Owens said to them before he let them pass through the main entrance and went on his way.

"He hasn't been here that long has he Perry? He's very gentlemanly for an unmarried man, don't you think?" Della asked Perry who juggled his briefcase and her typewriter to get the keys out of his pocket.

"Maybe he hasn't met the right girl, Della, or maybe he likes being single," Perry answered her as he pulled his keys out of his pocket when Della took his briefcase out of his hand.

Upon entering the apartment, Della took her heels off with the help of Perry, who helped her balance her weight on his shoulders. Perry toed off his loafers next to hers and placed her typewriter on the coffee table along with his briefcase. Perry helped her shed her coat and hung it up on the coat rack by the door. Della went to soak in the tub while Perry made dinner, and had a quiet evening at home.

The following morning, Della had started to pack clothes for the hospital stay for when the baby came and wanted to be prepared. Perry worked on some paperwork. Gertie had disturbed him at home as she apologized to the client as he was already waiting in the office and would not leave until he got some advice. Perry insisted that he could take it on his home phone, but the client needed to pass confidential evidence over to Perry and Paul in person. The concerned client didn't trust the telephone lines so Perry indeed had to meet the source. The meeting took less than an hour out of Perry's afternoon. Perry phoned Della and informed her he would be picking up take-out so that she would not need to cook tonight, and that suited her just fine.

Della was ready for bed and found the book she had read while they stayed at the Lake Tahoe cabin. She pulled it out of the suitcase and rubbed the cover with her fingertips. She reminisced about the characters and opened the book while she sat on the bed when Perry entered the bedroom freshly showered in his boxer shorts and toweled his wet head off before he joined her on the bed.

"You got your emergency suitcase packed? I see you are getting prepared." He settled in behind her, placed his hand on her stomach, and peered over her shoulder to see the book in her hand.

"Yes, Perry. I'm all packed, and you better not forget it." Della pushed her bottom back against him before she shot him a glance over her shoulder and gave him a long, savoring kiss before she returned her attention to the book.

"Are you reading the same book again?" Perry curiously asked before he planted a kiss on her shoulder and then her neck which caused her to squirm under his lips.

"Yes, but you failed to tell me that the book had another storyline following the gold heist." Della flipped through the pages and noticed that another addition followed, but it was a different story.

"Well, I tried to read it but you had other plans that night. I couldn't even get into the first scene before you attacked me and caught me off guard. I would have eventually found it, but no, what happened, my wife couldn't get enough of me. I couldn't even start the first chapter." Perry murmured into her ear before he nuzzled her with his nose and made her giggle. She gripped his head in a heated lip lock.

"I admit it. It's all my fault Perry, I couldn't help it." Della whispered against his lips before he grabbed the book out of her hand and placed it on the nightstand.

"Yes, it's your fault, Della. But I won't hold a grudge."

"Is that so Counselor? Are you sure you won't hold me accountable?" Della seductively said gave him an arched eyebrow before she straddled his massive torso. He watched her slowly slink down his frame as she kissed every inch of him and intertwined her fingers with his so that he couldn't touch any part of her until she was ready. He looked at her with hooded eyes and felt her white lace negligee skim across his thighs, which was just unbearable as it tickled his skin. He took one hand free from hers and rid her of her negligee or lack thereof, but she made anything she wore sexy and irresistible.

"No, Della I couldn't." He moaned then captured her mouth with his as he slowly took his time. Della pushed Perry back down against the pillow as he surrendered under her control. After she gave him a peck to his lips and licked his mouth, she reached for his boxers yanked them in one motion. His erection sprang to life the moment it was released from the fabric. He quickly grabbed her hands as she was already wet and slid down on his engorged penis, slowly as she angled her body to accommodate the baby while she used Perry's hands and forearms for leverage as she rode him to climax over and over. He held onto her hips and gently pushed up against her, hitting her clitoris and making her orgasm again. In a sheen of sweat, Della grabbed at his hands holding on to him as he stroked her faster and faster. Perry maintained his eagerness and gave gentle thrusts up into her before he too succumbed to his orgasm. Della slowly slipped out of him and rolled to the side where he cradled her against his chest. Their breaths became shallow again. He peppered her neck and shoulder with kisses to encourage her if she wanted to continue because he was game for it all.

As their breaths calmed, Della wasn't through with him as she reached for his now semi-erect member that was nudging her thigh. He knew she wanted more as her soft delicate hand wrapped around his flesh and stroked him. He groaned into her ear and her neck as he nipped at her earlobe lightly taking that as a cue from her, she wanted more. He held onto her hips then slowly entered her from behind and made love to her again. In a heap of tangled limbs, Della chuckled at him before she made a move to go to the shower and clean up. Perry joined her only to assist her in washing. He knew she could do it all herself, but wanted to take care of her as the due date was imminent. Della exited the shower and toweled off in front of the mirror before Perry pulled back the curtain. Della handed him his dry towel. He wrapped it around his waist before he stepped up behind her and looked down at her. Della stood motionless while he held her in his embrace. She looked at their reflection in the mirror. Her protruding belly molded perfectly into his hands as hers covered his and felt the baby kick.

"Your stunning Della. I can't wait to meet the little one." Perry whispered into her ear while he caressed her belly and kissed her on her cheek.

"I'm sure, and I bet he or she will be giving you a run for your money Perry." Della teased him playfully and leaned into his chest while he held her.

"I just bet he or she won't give me a minute peace, just like the mother." Perry softly said while he nuzzled her hair before she walked away towards the bedroom.

Della made some tea while Perry changed the bedding and put fresh linen on the bed. He started the laundry before Della soon appeared with teacups and a teapot. He eyed her suspiciously and pulled the comforter back while she sat the tea on the nightstand but not before picking up the book that he took from her.

"Care for some tea Perry?"

"Sure, I'd love some. Are you going to read me a bedtime story, Della?" He took the cup from her hand and drank it in one gulp before she could turn around to see him lean back against the headboard of the bed. Della raised her eyebrow at him with one hand on her hip while the other held the cup of tea that she hadn't consumed yet.

"Yes, I'm most defiantly going to read it, but if you insist that I read to you, I will do just that. It's good for the baby to hear our voices." Della sipped her tea and approached the bed before placing her teacup on the nightstand with the book in hand.

"I'm sure you're right Della." Perry pulled back the cover for Della. She settled back against the headboard while Perry laid his head against her bosom listening to her heartbeat. He splayed his large hand over her bump feeling for any movement, but he didn't feel anything.

"This is interesting Perry. Listen to this next storyline plot. A group of bridesmaids was ordered from Chicago to travel to California. Anyone willing to make the three-thousand-mile journey is welcome aboard. Many lives will be lost because it is not for the faint of heart but must be willing to walk many miles as the journey will take at least four to six months. The wagon train leaves in April of 1850." Della fingered through the pages and looked down at Perry, who had his eyes closed but was listening.

"Go ahead Della I'm all ears. A bunch of single ladies on a wagon train traveling across the country to meet a prospective husband. It has to be romantic and adventurous, especially with a group of would-be bridesmaids." Perry said amusingly and kissed her bump before nuzzling it with his nose as she raked her hands through his damp hair.

Part 2

PMDSXXX

1850

Chicago, Illinois

A frenzy of unwed, single brides had heard about a wagon train moving out in April. The wagon train would consist of prospective single ladies to marry off with single bachelors in California. The gold rush boom had been ongoing throughout the mining towns in California. Women were scarce, and the single bachelors had got together and posted an ad. If any unwed ladies would want to be married, it was a sure-fire way of getting hitched to a potential rich bachelor. The single men had forwarded their best picture to the Chicago Tribune newspaper. The clerk had collected over fifty pictures and still counted the last few that arrived in the daily mail. The wagon train would consist of over fifty wagons carrying the brides, and all their supplies needed for the trek across the open country. It was going to be a rough four to six-month journey as many miles would be trekked on foot and by wagon. A group of long-life friends had joined up in a group as they had wanted a better future, and if that included a husband then that was a plus.

Katheryn, Jane, Elli, and Claire were unwed, potential brides. Jane found the article one day in the newspaper and insisted on moving out of the state. She desperately was seeking new opportunities and talked her friends into joining her. Jane was outspoken, boastful, and knew what she wanted, and she got it. Elli was the quiet, shy type with blonde hair and with a pretty round face. She was best friends with Katheryn, who called her Kate for short. Katheryn was a strong, independent, young, brunette, and was not sure if she should go on the long trek, but her friends encouraged her. Claire had met Katheryn while they studied grammar school in the red schoolhouse. Claire was brown-haired and mirrored Kate but never competed with her when it came to boys their age in the schoolyard. They were as close as cousins and could tell each other their secrets.

"So, you ladies are thinking about going out to California to marry a strange man?" Katheryn asked the group as they had their luggage in their hands and waited impatiently outside of the building to register their names.

"We've been over this Kate. How many times are you going to question us? Yes, we all agreed last month to do this. What's the matter with you? Have you changed your mind?" Jane asked as she crossed her arms over her bosom and tilted her head at her in question.

"Jane, what if the relationship doesn't work out for, you, me, or the rest of us? We will make the long, dangerous, journey for what? A husband who doesn't love us or worse runs out on us. I'm still second-guessing on picking any eligible bachelor." Kate said to the group as more unwed ladies crowded around them to enter the building.

"Listen, Katheryn. If you don't want to choose a bachelor on the board then don't. For sure, I am picking the first one that I'm drawn to. I always trust my instinct, and it hasn't failed me yet." Claire nudged her with her elbow, and the line started to file into the building slowly. The young women looked around the massive room and noticed a middle-aged man seated at the front of the room. Samuel Gordon was the record keeper and would tally the names and ages of the young women. He watched the ladies as they filed into the room and they took their seats. He watched every single one of them with a smirk on his lips and nodded at them. He was dark brown-haired with a slim figure and a quirky smile on his face.

Edward Wycoff was a taller, robust, roguish, dark-haired blue-eyed man who stood out of sight and leaned against the wall in the shadows behind Samuel. He was tough, strong, and mean-tempered. He wanted to get this journey started and finished. All the beautiful ladies coming here to sign their life away was the reason that this was going to be his last trek as the wagon master. It was time he settled down and find something else to do with his life even if it meant not finding a special someone to share it with. He's done these treks for over a few years, and they keep getting dangerous.

There would be two different wagon escorts. One would be horse-drawn while the other half would be pulled by oxen. The oxen would bring the supplies en route while the horse-drawn wagons would carry the brides. The supplies would include; Crackers, flour, bushel corn meal, bacon, sugar, coffee, tea best, white beans, rice, dried apples, dried beef, saleratus, candles, salt, shovel, scythe & snath, water cask, forty gallons iron-bound.

David Blackheart was second in command to Edward. He was a tall, muscular, blonde-haired, and fancied beautiful ladies. He always had been single as not one lady had reeled him in as a prospective catch, unlike Edward. Edward did have a lady early on in the year, but they never panned out. David and Edward had been lifelong friends as their families lived in the same territory and helped each other out on their families' farms.

Amongst the horse teams, there were four men to a wagon escort. David commanded his crew to ready the wagons earlier in the morning. The wagons would be marching out before noon with all the needed supplies. Many men were paid a decent wage in accompanying the wagon train while others just volunteered their time to get across the country dead or alive. They too wanted to explore other parts of the country and took it upon themselves to offer their services to Edward.

The ladies chatted amongst themselves before Samuel tried to clear his throat over the noise. To no avail and with a frown, he pounded his fist loudly before he bellowed out, Quiet! Listen up, ladies!" After he got their attention, the crowd went silent, and all their eyes locked on him. He didn't want to have an uproar of unruly, young women in his face for being rude. He cleared his throat again and raised his hands as he held up a ledger in his right hand.

"Please ladies, I need your attention! My name is Samuel Gordon. I will be recording your names as you will be joining our wagon train out to California. I have a bulletin with all the bachelors' pictures posted up right here. He pointed to the photographs. I want you to come up here and pick out the one that piques your interest. If you do not pick one, that is your own choice, but I wish you all luck in finding happiness and love. I will be informing you of what the trip consists of if you haven't already been. This journey will be brutal, harsh, dangerous, and more so life or death. If you ladies are not up to the trek, you need to make your choice now and walk away." Samuel warned them all it wasn't for the faint of heart and not one female budged from their bench seats.

"Okay, we will get this process started." Samuel motioned for the ladies to approach one by one, and give their name to him as he recorded it down on his ledger.

Jane couldn't contain her excitement and wanted first pick at the board of the bachelors. She launched herself up first and rushed to the bulletin board. Samuel and Edward watched as she was so eager to pluck off a photograph, it made the other ladies rush excitedly like hens at a rooster party. It was a crazy mob of frenzied ladies while Katheryn, Claire, and Elli laughed at the commotion when someone caught Katheryn's eyes. The dark shadow figure stood back from the light only to be seen when he lit his cigarette. He also noticed her staring in his direction when he heard her laugh and saw her smile. Kate wondered if he was accompanying the wagon train, or if he was just a drifter. Her eyes twinkled at him from the sunlight that beamed through the window pane. She continued to gaze at him with curiosity as she continued her conversation with her friends. When she returned her gaze upon him, his eyes never left hers, and she blushed slightly. He pulled a slow drag off his cigarette then blew the smoke out of his lungs as he was still captivated by her and watched her.

Edward hadn't seen a woman so genuine like her. Everything about her fascinated him as no other woman had. He wanted to know more about her. He was fixated on her beauty, her smile, her laugh, and gorgeous figure. Of course, she had friends and a motive of getting an unwed bachelor in California. As he watched her with her friends, he noticed she was not in a hurry of picking a photograph off the board and wondered why. Claire, Elli, and Jane had picked up their prospective men off the board, while Katheryn hadn't. She remained seated with her hands in her lap and looked on at the excitement going on at the front of the room.

"Come on Kate! The good-looking ones are all but taken, you better hurry if you want a guy!" Elli gushed and hugged her photograph of her blonde-haired, blue-eyed, man to her chest. "Oh, this one is dreamy don't you think Kate?! Oh, my goodness, I can't wait to meet him!" She boasted happily before looking at her friend who was a million miles away.

"What's wrong? You still are not sure, are you?" Claire butted into the conversation while Elli had stars in her eyes looking at her photograph.

"Claire, I'm not choosing anyone. I'm just going along with you. If I happen to find a guy then so be it, I'm not rushing anything. Maybe this trip isn't for me because I'm just not so sure about all of this." Kate said before Jane sat next to her and nudged her with her elbow. She knew exactly how she felt, but knew someone caught her eye from the front of the room.

"Kathryn, sorry, I mean Kate. It's alright if you're nervous, but I think you might change your mind now. He's been staring over here for the last ten minutes. He's not all that bad-looking if I do say so myself. I just wonder if he's an eligible bachelor or a single man looking for some action." Jane said before winking in his direction while she held her photograph in her hand and winked at him again.

"Oh, please, Jane would you just stop. You're making a fool of yourself. He isn't interested in you. You just flirt until your attention is directed elsewhere to another man." Kate said her peace to her companion.

"Darling Kate, I can't help it. I'm beautiful. I love to flaunt and tease them. That's what the men want." Jane replied as she combed her brown locks and twisted the strands into her fingertips while she looked at the photograph in her hand. The last group of ladies had picked their match off the board while Kate had none and wanted it to stay that way. Her three friends just shook their heads as she would be arriving to no one once they reached their destination safely, that is if they made it alive on the long journey ahead.

Edward turned his attention elsewhere as the friend who was seated next to his object of desire hadn't moved. He wanted nothing to do with Katheryn's friend Jane. When he moved out of the shadows to join Samuel at the desk and stood beside him, he was in full view of all the ladies who had all eyes on him, especially Kathryn.

"Okay, ladies. I've noticed a handful of you haven't chosen a match. That is quite all right that is your choice to remain single once you get to the state of California. That is if you make it out there alive. I don't want to scare you, but it's the truth. So, I've recorded all the ladies that have picked their match, but I still need the ones that remain pictureless. Would you please come up and tell me your names please?" Samuel gave them a grin and motioned for the remaining ladies to approach him.

"That means you, Kate. Well get up there and tell him your name." Jane nudged her off the bench, and Kate looked back at her embarrassed that she was the first one who stood while a few others followed her to the record her name. It was that needed push from her friend that Edward could watch her gracefully move towards the front of the room and loved every minute of it. She was dressed in a simple prairie dress that was sky blue adorned with white silk at the waist and dress shoes. He noticed her the friends who accompanied her were simply dressed like her, but only Jane was a little flashier in the colors. Edward's attention was only on Kate. The other women that hadn't picked their match had followed behind Kate, who was first in line to speak her name to the record keeper.

"What's your name Ms.?" Samuel asked her before he dipped his feather pen into the ink well. He was ready to scribe her name in the ledger.

"I'm Katheryn Parker, but my close friends call me Kate for short." She gave a faint smile to him then diverted her attention to Edward, who then tipped his black, wide-brimmed Stetson hat at her when she made eye contact with him. She took longer than needed as she got lost in his blue eyes and stared at him for far too long when the record keeper huffed in frustration.

"Ms. Parker, you going to have to go back to your seat. You need to take your seat ma'am. I can't have you holding up the line of unregistered ladies. Come on now." Mr. Gordon said as he shook his head at her then glanced back at his wagon master. After all the recording had been done, it was now time to get a little more information from the wagon master. He was the last to speak to the group and would specifically be the one to be in control of everything.

"I would like to have everyone's attention now. Would you please welcome your Wagon Master on your trek out to California. Edward Wycoff will be in charge of the wagon train. I'll give you the floor, Mr. Wycoff." Samuel closed his ledger and got up from his chair and stood proudly before he retreated away from the desk.

"Thanks, Mr. Gordon. I would like to introduce myself a little, but I will not go into detail as my comrade had already told you about this dangerous trip that you all will be making. We will have food, supplies, and extra hands-on our journey. Many of the men are experienced while others had volunteered their time and their lives to join this wagon train. I want to inform you that there will be four men on a wagon team. If you have any issues with any team member, please let me know or my second in command, Mr. Blackheart. You will be meeting him when you board your wagon as he will assist me." Edward paused for a minute to look directly at Kate while the other ladies chatted again.

After his introduction, Edward quietly left the building, but as he did, he glanced in Kate's direction. He knew she had her eyes on him. He could feel her eyes following him when he exited the building.

"Kate, darling. I think he is so handsome although he needs to be cleaned up a bit, I think he would be a keeper if he isn't already taken by a lady. I might even have a chance with him. What do you think?" Jane looked off in the direction where he exited.

"Jane, he is very handsome, but would you stop pestering me already. If he's taken, I don't want any problems, and if he's not with anyone special, he can talk to anyone that he chooses." Kate told her while she clutched her purse in her hand.

"It sure doesn't look like he was anyone as he was all eyes on you, my dear." Jane prodded with a hint of jealousy. Kate gave her a shy smile before Mr. Gordon spoke again to the group.

"Alright, I want all of you ladies to meet me outside of the building. We will be loading your one luggage parcel as you can only carry one personal baggage on board. You will walk at least eight to ten miles a day across the rugged country. We need to save the livestock's energy in pulling the loads daily. At nightfall, we will make camp no exceptions. If you have any questions, you need to ask the four lead men to your wagon. If you have other concerns, you need to ask the wagon master, Mr. Wycoff, or his second in command, Mr. Blackheart, whom you'll be meeting shortly. Do we all understand? Good. Let's get this journey started and get you all on your way. Good luck and safe travels to you all." Gordon closed his statements and watched the ladies file out of the building.

Teams of horses, mules, and oxen littered the dirt road while the last-minute boarding was held up by Jane, who insisted on flirting with one of the wagon team fellows. She was impossible at best and was in no hurry of leaving as she had to get to know all the men that passed her wagon. Kate was getting fed up with her antics when Edward walked past the wagon to see what the holdup was.

"Oh, looky here ladies. Mr. Wycoff graces his presence with helping us load our baggage. Darling, care to help me, or was you just making a special round to see my friend Kate? Hmm… I see you had your eye on her in the meeting. I bet your girl would not approve of my friend, now, would she?" Jane tried her best to get any information she could because she knew that Kate was not the type to be upfront.

"Jane, would you please stop teasing Kate!" Claire pushed her out of the way as she climbed into the wagon to deposit her luggage. Jane was in the middle of flirting with the main boss and wanted to find out as much as she could about him. Claire, Elli, and Jane had all met up in the wagon to secure their suitcases since their friend Kate had been preoccupied outside with the wagon master. He grasped her suitcase and heaved it up into the wagon as it made a loud thud to the floorboards. The ladies inside were shocked at how fast it was tossed in beside them without harming them either. It was second nature to him he had tossed many suitcases before as this was nothing to him. When his eyes locked with hers again, it was special, her eyes filled with desire of how strong he was, and knew how to handle himself.

"I hope you don't mind me helping, ma'am. We need to get on the journey if want to beat the winter months ahead." Edward smiled at her as he tipped his hat at her before he leaned against the wagon; however, he was interrupted by David his second in command.

Part 3

PMDSXX

"Ed, we have the last of the wagons loaded. The scouts are out front waiting on your command to start moving out." David informed his boss and gave a toothy grin. Before he got distracted and leaned against the covered wagon, he looked at Katheryn and turned his attention to the other ladies that occupied her wagon. Elli, the blonde-haired one, was the most gorgeous but he took his time observing her. David felt a sharp jab to his ribs and turned his attention back to his boss.

"David, I helped this lovely lady with her luggage. Tell the scouts I'll be with them shortly." Edward told him before he turned his attention back to Kate. David returned his gaze to the blonde that stood beside the covered wagon. Elli blushed as he tipped his hat at her before he returned to the front of the line.

"Well, it was nice seeing you again, Kate. I hope to see you again, that is, if you want my company later?" He asked her politely.

"Sure, I'd love that. I'll see you tonight." Kate whispered before her three friends joined her as they watched Edward walk toward the front of the line. He mounted his horse turned it to look back at her before he rode off toward the scouts. Kate smiled and couldn't be happier. She knew that Edward took an interest in her and not her other friends, especially Jane.

Jane was always in her business, exuberant, flirty, flashy, and most of all nosy. Kate promised herself that if the situation arose with a man coming between the two of them, it was all or nothing. Kate wasn't going to put up with Jane in her personal life especially if she was romantically involved with a single man.

"Looks like you have a date tonight, right? Kate, I am amazed. You land the wagon master with one look. I'm still in shock of it all." Claire spoke up and joined her while Ellie stepped down from the wagon and straightened her dress.

"He was helping me with my luggage Claire. I can't help it if he asked to see me later tonight." Kate whispered before Jane butted into the conversation like it was her business.

"What's going on ladies? Care to share the news? I mean, after all, we are friends, right? Spill it, Kate. What's going on?" She insisted on knowing who took interest in Kate.

"It was nothing, Jane. Leave Kate alone. It's not your business anyway." Elli spoke up defending her friend.

Meanwhile, up at the front of the line, Edward and David readied the lead wagon when the two scouts rode their horses out front. Edward commanded the first wagon to move followed by the second, third, and the rest of the caravans. The ladies turned their attention to the commotion. The four lead men on Kate's wagon informed them that they were about to start their journey out of town. They walked for miles and miles as they crossed the territory following alongside the wagon keeping a steady pace. The sun and clouds parted the sky as it was a nice day to travel. The group of ladies not knowing what danger lay ahead chatted only when one of the wagons ahead got stuck in a wheel rut, and one of the team members had to inspect the wheel, and stopped briefly.

David spurred his horse in the ribs arriving at the wagon to see what the hold-up was as the lead man inspected the wagon wheel for any damage. "What's holding you, folks, up?" David asked the younger man assigned to the wagon.

"Sir, we got lodged in a rut. We managed to get it unstuck, but I was looking for any breaks in the wood and the steel rim for safety purposes."

"Okay, are you sure it's fine now? We can't be stalling too long as nightfall will be approaching. The more miles we get ahead, the better we will be." David informed the young crew member.

"It's fine sir." The young man replied before David turned his horse back toward the front of the line joining Edward, who was curious as to why the wagon lagged. David informed his boss what happened and turned his horse to meet up with David, who came back from the front of the line.

"What's going on David? We can't waste much time as we only have a few hours left in the day. It'll be getting dusk sooner than I thought. You need to ride ahead with the scouts to find a good location to bed down for the night." Edward instructed him blatantly without blinking an eye and spurred his horse down the wagon train and inspected them before he rode back to the front of the line again before he spotted Kate walking on the other side of her wagon.

"Yes, boss. I'll get right on it." David spurred his horse out front to catch the scouts and informed them the boss needed them to start looking for a potential area to stop for the night before dusk was upon them.

Edward rode his horse past Kate's wagon in doing so he glanced back at her then continued his quest. He told the team's men that where behind hers that camp would be set up fairly soon. He made sure the word spread along to the other wagon teams. The bride's feet hurt and the trek had just begun although some women took turns in riding in their wagons for rest only. Bringing up the rear, he passed Kate's wagon again as he slowed his horse to a walk, leaned from his saddle snatched up a bunch of wildflowers from the prairie. He reined his horse towards Kate's wagon and nudged him to a fast trot to catch up with her. Claire and Elli had seen him before Kate did while Eve was taking a rest in the covered wagon not knowing he had stopped by.

"Looks like Kate has a visitor, and too bad Eve can't see him make his intentions known to Kate. It's her loss because I think Kate has already hooked this one." Claire giggled before Kate took notice. Edward flanked her from behind with his horse surprising her while she continued to walk before she acknowledged him.

"Kate, these are for you. I wanted to let you know that we'll be setting up camp soon." Edward leaned out of his saddle and handed her a handful of wildflowers before he tipped the brow of his hat up so that she could see his face.

"Oh, thank you for the flowers." She took them gently from his hand as she brushed his gloved hand before he settled back in his saddle and rode beside her while she walked and carried the flowers. She intermittently took a whiff of them before she looked up at him.

"I better get back to the front of the line, Kate. I'll see you tonight?" Thinking she might have changed her mind, he asked her, but she didn't. She nodded in agreement, and he kicked his horse to get to the front with the lead wagon.

Sunset brought the wagons to a standstill as the crewmen pulled the wagons into a circle of six at most to protect the passengers while they bedded down in the wagons for the night. The animals were unhitched and brought inside the circle of wagons. They could roam freely without leaving camp and wouldn't have to be tracked down in the morning. A small fire pit had been formed as the others gathered wood to start a fire to cook their dinner. A small gathering of people formed as they smelled the cooking and coffee brewing on the pots. All men eyed the young brides, but knew if any were harmed, he would be cast out of the group so most of them kept their distance. A few older men chatted friendly towards the ladies. Edward found David helping a young man unhitch his team of mules and walked around to steer the wagon towards the others to form the finished circle.

"Supper is cooking. I'm sure you're not going to want to miss that," Edward told him as he walked across the field with him.

"Are you kidding me? I live for food, and it's even better when you are surrounded by lovely unhitched brides." He gave him a wink and walked briskly towards the firepit. Everyone got their share of food of beans, biscuits, stew, and coffee. Kate, Claire, Elli, and Jane had all finished their plates, washed and rinsed them, and stowed them in their wagon. When Edward found Kate, she was fumbling with her bedroll to splay it out on the ground beside the wagon.

"You haven't forgotten about me coming by later this evening, did you?" Edward's voice came to a surprise when she looked in his direction from which he came, and she blushed slightly.

"No, I didn't forget. I just thought you would come by when it was convenient for you. After all, you are the boss of the outfit are you not? You make sure everyone is safe and going in the right direction along with his team of scouts and second in command." Kate slowly appeared from the wagon before him emerging from inside the wagon to look down at him with a cheeky grin.

Edward held out his hand for her to step down from the wagon and gripped her waist to aid in helping her down. She felt safe and secure in his hands while he touched her and not a bad thought went through her mind, he would harm her. He looked deeply into her green emeralds as they danced against the moonlight while she got lost in his blue iris before he guided her away with his hand on her elbow.

The sounds of nature didn't deter Edward as he led Kate away. He walked beside her and enjoyed her company. He looked nervously behind him in case they had been followed by one of his crew. He wanted to know more about Kate as she stirred something inside him as no other woman had. At the beginning of the year, his woman had left him previously without warning, or a note saying why she had left because it was a cordial relationship in the beginning. Kate was thinking the same thing too. He abruptly stopped her with a hand on hers and took it in his and held it gently in his grasp.

"Kate, why are you still single? Why are you making this dangerous journey out to California? Any man could have your hand? You're beautiful, and I couldn't imagine why no man wants to marry you." Edward expressed his feelings for her while he held her hand in his not letting go of hers.

"Edward, I don't know why I am still single. I guess I've not met the right one. I just don't settle for anyone and you are no exception. I know little about you. All I know about you is that you are the wagon master, and you've not told me anything about yourself. What if you have another waiting on you at the end of this journey, or just want to get on my good graces to be with me because 'you' find me attractive." Kate acknowledged him with a blush to her cheeks.

"If you want to know anything about me, ask me. All I can say is that I'm single at this very moment. I did have another, but that was the beginning of the season. She left with me without an explanation. As far as I'm concerned, it's been over for months. You are very beautiful and have a nice figure from what I can see before me, and I love to look at you. I don't think I'll ever stop. When I look around and do not find you in the group of people, I start panicking as something has happened to you, but then there you are and my heart skips a beat." He confessed to her and stepped forward as he removed his hat before he slowly leaned into her space and claimed her mouth in a sweet kiss. When their lips met for the first time, sparks flew between the two of them. He deepened the kiss further and pulled her towards him. Only then did he realize that he thought she didn't want his advances.

Edward stepped back thinking he overstepped his boundaries and let his fingertips touch her cheek. She opened her eyes to gaze upon him, touched his rough, stubbled cheek, palmed his face in her hand, and brought his head back toward her. She brushed her lips with his and returned it with a gentle caress to his lips as she slipped her tongue inside his mouth. They kissed under the moonlight beams that reflected off the riverbank. He pulled her closer into his embrace while his strong hands held her by her waist and drifted down to her hips. Kate slid her arms up and over his broad shoulders and pulled his head down for a deep, passionate kiss.

When his strong hands landed on her bottom, she gasped a breath of air before she lightly nipped at his earlobe and let her lips venture in the crook of his neck, where she nipped at him. When his hands forcefully gripped her to him, she could feel his need to have more of her. Edward groaned into her ear as her fingertips brushed the nape of his neck and pulled at his hair. He lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered something too low for her to hear, and her knees went weak and her insides quivered. He kissed her on her ear before taking the lobe between his teeth, lavished it with his tongue, and licked her outer shell making her swoon with want. He latched onto her neck and sucked hard before he smoothed it over with his tongue. Kate was more than willing to have Edward make her his woman that night before movement caught the corner of her eye.

Kate stopped suddenly; her breath hitched in her throat while Edward looked down at her disarrayed state. His shirt was half unbuttoned as she clawed at him when he first started his attack on her lips and his hands roamed freely over her. The intruder came into view finally. Kate pulled away from Edward breathlessly and sighed against his lips as she needed air and room to think. It was only then that Kate was confronted by Jane, who stepped from the shadows.

"Kate, what's going on out here? I came looking for you when the others said you'd vanished. I thought something happened to you. Mr. Wycoff, what is going on with you and Kate? I didn't think she was your type. I thought maybe I was more your type, darling." Jane came forward and revealed herself from the darkness.

"Jane, for the last time. He's not interested in you. It happens that I am the one he is interested in not you." Kate wedged herself between Edward and Jane.

"I'm afraid Kate is right. I'm interested in her and only her. I don't have any feelings for you, nor will I ever." Edward finally spoke up. Kate pushed Jane away forcefully, which made her tumble backward.

"Oh well, your loss Mister Wagon Master. You don't know what you're missing. I'm not sure what Kate can offer you that would make you choose her over me, darling." Jane sneered at the two of them before Kate had enough of her smart-ass mouth.

"You have some nerve coming to me like this. I have never said anything harsh about you, but now I think it's time you heard my thoughts, Jane. You are selfish, rude, nosy, and need to mind your business but that's highly unlikely because you love to be in other's personal affairs which I find unacceptable being your friend. However, it's all going to change now since I've got someone interested in me, and that doesn't include you tagging along." Kate said as she exhaled her breath while Jane looked at the two.

"Fine, Kate have it your way, but he'll change his mind about you and fall for another. Mark my words by the end of this trek, I'll have my turn with him. He might be in love with you now, but men fall in and out of love all the time. You know that just as well as I do. He will never settle down with you." Jane gave Kate a piece of her mind. Jane's words sunk into Kate's thoughts that Edward was using her to his advantage to just be with her and not out of love.

"She is a spitfire, isn't she? I mean the woman just loves to cause trouble or make it. I can't understand her. Is she that jealous of you, Kate?" Edward stepped back to look at Kate to see her eyes tear up.

"I don't think she wants to see me happy honestly. I'm sorry Edward, I need to go now. It's just, I need time to process all of this, especially you. I should be going back to the wagon." Kate told him while she stepped back away from him to look up at him and tears ran down her cheeks. He took his thumb brushed the tears off her cheeks, and looked into her eyes.

"Kate, don't go. I meant every word that came from my whole being. I wouldn't lie to you, and I sure do not want, Jane. I'm looking at the one I want." Edward raised his hand to trace her cheek and her lips before she turned and walked away from him into the night without a word. He knew that her friend affected her deeply, as the bitter words still rang in his ears. Edward would show Kate just how much she meant to him and tomorrow he would do just that.

Part 4

PMDS

Kate couldn't get the feel of Edward's lips off her own. The way he held her in his arms. She felt wanted for the first time in her life. Jane's words still haunted her. What if he was just using her for his benefit? Kate shook her head indefinitely as she tried to clear her mental state. She arrived at the wagon she occupied with her friends, found her bedroll, splayed it out on the ground, wrapped up in it, and let the night take her away. Trying hard to not think of Edward was a difficult task. She didn't realize what she had done to him either.

Edward slowly walked across the field took notice of everyone bedding down for the night. He looked in Kate's direction and pondered if he should bother her again. He didn't want to make himself a nuisance and would talk to her tomorrow morning at first light. David met up with his friend and saw the look on Edward's face. The dim glow from the fire as it sparked, crackled, and danced against his facial features. David knew it was over Kate. It didn't take much to upset Edward, but when he was silent, he knew something had bothered him. It was woman trouble.

"Edward, did something go wrong with Kate? I know you were with her tonight because I saw you walking off after supper. Did she tell you she wasn't interested?" David asked him before he sat down on the ground by the fire pit.

"Her friend thinks I'm just using her for my pleasure, which isn't true. I have a strong feeling about her that I've never had with any other woman, David. I can't stop thinking about her, and for the first time tonight, I got to touch her and feel her against me. I think I'm falling in love with her but she isn't sure of my intentions." Edward responded to him, looked down at the smoldering fire, and tossed another log onto it.

"Edward, just give her time. If she feels you are telling her the truth, then she will be there for you. I'm sure you are in love and women are funny sometimes. Women are beautiful for sure, and Kate is just beautiful. You better know how to treat her in the coming days, or she'll cut you right out of her life. I wouldn't want that to happen to you my friend if you are truly crazy about her." David crossed his ankles and leaned back on his saddle settling in for the night while Edward thought of how he was going to approach Kate in the morning. Edward settled down next to the fire and put another log on it before he leaned back against his saddle and stayed awake a little while longer.

The morning approached with the sun peaking over the mountain tops in the valley. The caravan of wagons was unharmed all night. There were no intruders or attacks from rogue Indians. The crew had woken with the smell of bacon, biscuits, and coffee for their breakfast. The cook made extra for the ladies. After the crew ate, they had readied their wagons to start on their journey again. Edward, David, and the scouts had ridden ahead and found a river to cross that was nearly twenty feet across but only four feet deep. It would be easy for the wagons to maintain their loads as the current was not rushing at the time because spring thaw hadn't commenced yet.

Edward and David took another approach to see if there might be another way around it. They both rode in opposite directions to spot an easier crossing but to no avail. The wagon train must cross this river to reach the other side and go around the trail. If they went forward, they would be running into more boulders and uneven terrain, that would be unpassable with the loaded wagons, maybe on horseback, but not a caravan of wagons. David spurred his horse towards Edward at a full gallop and met him ahead of the first wagon as it appeared in the distance.

"It's a no-go boss. We must cross here. There is no way around it from my direction. Did you find another way down the river that is less rocky?" David asked Edward when he turned in his saddle to see the lead wagon approaching.

"There is no way around it. We're just going to have to cross here. I'll ride back to the first wagon and let them know it's going to be a river we're going to be crossing. All wagons must be quick and diligent in their crossing and very careful. Those rocks are very dangerous and one slip up could result in a busted wheel and their entire load will be lost." Edward looked on as he saw more of the caravans arriving from around the bend in the trail.

"Okay, I'll cross first with the scouts and see which direction we need the wagons to travel. I'll lead the first wagon through the water. Hopefully, the other wagon teams will follow, and no wagon will be lost."

"I hope you are right David. This will not be the only river or stream we'll be crossing in the coming days. Let's go and get these women across the river quickly, David." Edward instructed before he nudged his horse in the ribs to meet up with the first wagon and inform the team driver that a river had to be checked thoroughly for their upcoming crossing.

Edward approached the driver and instructed him to halt the wagon as the others came into view and looked around curiously. A few dogs had accompanied the wagon train and barked excitedly and waited for the first wagon to move. Edward rode his horse to the other wagons further down the line that waited to cross the river to warn them of a river crossing ahead.

David met up with Edward at the front wagon and took them across successfully. The wagons had crossed into the river while still at low tide. The rocks were slippery as the horses had stumbled and tripped over their hooves, but they quickly regained their footing and crossed it. Kate, Claire, and Elli had followed along with their wagon while Eve stayed on the wagon bench as she was deathly afraid of drowning, as she couldn't swim.

The women waded through the cold water slowly and carefully when suddenly Kate's foot had gotten caught and wedged between another stone. Kate struggled to free her foot and was unsuccessful. The wagon passed her before another came rushing up beside her. Edward had noticed her in distress and quickly spurred his horse towards her while his massive steed splashed through the water. He jumped down from the horse. He reached down into the cold water and with all his strength, he moved the stone, that was holding her in place, away from her ankle. He never hesitated and picked her up swiftly out of the water, and placed her on his horse. He grabbed the stirrup with his gloved hand, stepped in the stirrup, swung his leg up over the horse's rump, and sat behind her with his hands taking the reins.

"You best be careful Kate. The water is unforgiving out here in the wilderness. Are you okay?" He whispered into her ear.

"I'm fine thanks to you, Edward. I'm sorry for being such a nuisance to you and not paying attention." Kate replied as she looked down at her ankle, which was most likely sprained and not broken as no bones protruded from her skin.

"No need to thank me. It was no trouble at all. I would go to the ends of the earth to protect you." He told her firmly. She leaned back against his broad chest while he cradled her in his free hand as his horse trudged through the water and leaped onto the riverbank. He held her close so that she wouldn't fall from the saddle. The horse lurched onto the hardened ground, got his footing, and walked at a slow pace towards her wagon. While she leaned back against him, she could feel his need for her prod her in the back. She turned her head slightly to glance up at him, but he was paying attention to what was ahead and took notice of the mark she made on him last night. Edward dropped his guard to tilt his head to look at her when he too saw the mark he left on her last night before she craned her neck up to meet his lips for a chaste kiss.

"What was that for Kate?" He pulled back slightly away from her lips as her fingertips brushed his rough stubble.

"Do I have to have a reason? I just wanted to thank you for rescuing me. I would have managed to get a young man you hired to help me. Someone was bound to come by and help a damsel in distress." Kate seductively said to him, but she knew he would be the first to arrive.

"No, you don't have to have a reason. I can kiss you all day and night." He returned her kiss excitedly while she leaned into him. He broke the kiss as she turned around in the saddle so that he could cradle her in his strong arm while he guided his horse onward.

"I'm sorry for not believing you. I mean last night with Jane. She made me second guess your intentions. I'm just not used to someone wanting to be with me." Kate murmured to him as if someone might overhear.

Edward gripped her hip with his free hand and pulled her closer so that she wouldn't fall out of the saddle. Edward knew deep down in his heart that Kate had feelings for him, or by now she would have made a scene to get him away from her and remove his hand that gripped her. He slowly guided his horse onward. David came riding from the rear of the wagon train as he had escorted the last of the caravans safely across through the river. He slowed his horse to a trot not to surprise the boss. He saw him on the back of his horse and not in the saddle, which was strange. Someone must have gotten weak and needed to get back to their wagon. Edward never carried a passenger on his horse for a long time and David knew that. As he approached him at a fast trot with his horse, David slowed before he flanked Edward on the left side and finally spoke up before he realized who was seated in Edward's saddle.

"Edward, the last of the wagons have safely crossed. Is there anything you want me to do? I see you have a beautiful lady in your saddle. Do you need help?" David curiously asked, but he hadn't seen her face. He knew the hair color, and he realized it was Kate in his saddle as she turned to face him with a faint smile.

"David, it's all under control. Thank you. You're needed up in the front of the line with the scouts. Stay with them until we need to look for camp. Kate had an accident back at the crossing. She hurt her ankle and can't walk. I know it's not broken, but it's got some swelling. She's going to need to keep her weight off it for a day or so. I don't think we have a doctor on our team of wagons do we, David?" Edward inquired.

"Oh, I'm sorry Kate. You're in good hands now. I think there might be a doctor a few wagons back as I had seen the black doctor's bag at the foot of his wagon bench. He could give you a look over." David said before he spurred his horse toward the scouts joining them at the front.

"Kate are you alright?" Claire called out when she heard her voice and looked to see the men riding beside their wagon. Elli had spotted them first when she heard David's voice. Turning to see him as he rushed toward the front of the line, she missed his sweet face in those mere seconds. if she would have looked sooner, she would have caught a glimpse of the handsome man, but it was not meant to be, yet.

"I'll be fine Claire. My ankle is swelled and it hurts to walk. If it wasn't for Edward coming to my aid, I would have been a real mess with a broken foot possibly." Kate gave her reassurance that she would be okay.

"Kate! What happened to you and what are you doing up there on that horse while we are all walking. I stayed on the wagon to cross the river, but I got down off the wagon once we hit land." Jane huffed not knowing Kate had an injury to her foot and couldn't walk.

"Jane, I had an accident back there in the crossing in all that water. I got my foot caught, and Edward came to help me. Simple as that if you were in trouble, I'm sure if he saw you, he would have helped you. He wouldn't leave anyone behind, especially a woman." Kate announced to her then put her hand on top of his larger one that held her tightly around the waist and wouldn't let her go.

"In that case, Kate you are very lucky. You know how I hate water and I am deadly afraid of it. I'm glad he came to your rescue when he did. I'm sorry for the things I said last night. I know I can be jealous, but it's in my nature." Jane walked ahead of them and stumbled on a few stones, but she never looked back at the pair.

"That went rather well didn't it." Edward leaned down to whisper in her ear. He startled her by giving a quick kiss to her head. She cocked her head to the side, met his gaze, and smiled at him.

"Jane will get over it. It might take her some time, but she knows that you meant what you said to me."

Edward's horse trudged along the trail with the two of them on his back. The sun had started to set while the wagons lurched across the rugged terrain before they met a flat spread of land to make camp. It was surrounded by oak trees, and a spacious field, that allowed them space to spread out their wagons and good grazing for the animals. Edward got off his horse and helped Kate down since she didn't want to put pressure on her ankle. He carried her to her wagon. He helped her while Elli and Claire offered their support and helped her up into the wagon. Edward returned to his horse and mounted him before he gave one last look at her. He knew he would be back and tipped his hat at her.

"Kate you are very lucky that you have someone like Edward. I can see it in his eyes that he is your man." Claire told her.

"Yes, I am. I know he is."

Part 5

PMDSXX

The following morning, the wagon teams had been hitched by the crewmen without incident. The scouts rode ahead on the trail and found a wet patch of soft ground from a previous rainstorm that went through the area. They rode back to find Edward, who was spotted near Kate's wagon, talking to her while she remained in the wagon. Edward, the wagon master, was always available even if he was occupied by a gorgeous lady such as Kate. He wanted her kept safe, and he loved having her in his arms in the saddle. Kate's ankle was looked over by the young practicing doctor last night. While it wasn't broken, he instructed her to keep off her feet for at least a few days and gave her an ointment for the pain.

"Edward, we found a place in the trail it looks like it's going to be a rough go for some of the heavier wagons trekking this way." The concerned scout said concerned while he waited on Edward's decision on what to do.

"We're going to have to follow through it. I know it's going to be a rough go, but the animals had a hardy graze last night. They should be up to par this morning. We can wait until it firms up for the sun is about to hit over the horizon. By the time the wagons get to the area, the sun should have soaked up the rainwater. It will not be the only muddy patch on the trail." Edward replied before he returned his attention to Kate's wagon.

"I'll tell David, who is waiting on your word."

"Tell him I'll be right there. I will not be too long." Edward informed him before the scout turned his horse and went in David's direction.

"Sorry Kate, I've got to go now. I'll be assisting upfront now. I don't want David to think I've deserted him for a gorgeous woman, which I have, but he'll understand." Edward reined his horse closer to her wagon while she peered out the back, and he leaned from his saddle giving her a chaste kiss. Kate touched his rough stubble, and he pulled back quickly, smiled down at her, and reached for her cheek with his gloved hand. He caressed it before he was on his way. Before she could open her eyes, she felt the loss of contact that was upon her soft cheek and noticed he had vanished as if it was a dream. Claire, Elli, and Jane remained silent and whispered amongst each other as they walked along with the wagon and looked ahead. The muddy wheel ruts had been made by the first couple of wagons that had passed successfully. Many more wagons were about to pass through it as the heavier loads brought up the rear. The last remaining wagon was about to march through the muddy tracks when one of the wheels got lodged and was bogged down. The mule team tried as they could to pull it with their strength, but wasn't going anywhere. David and Edward noticed they were held up by one wagon and rode to their aid. The four men that accompanied the wagon had already taken in the situation while the one bride held the mule as to not spook it.

"What's going on? I thought you cleared the tracks. Did you get a busted rim or wagon spoke?" David asked before he leaned down from his saddle to inspect the situation at hand.

"Sir, it looks like we are not going any place soon. We might have to unload the wagon to hopefully get out of this rut. I don't want to lose supplies as they are being diminished daily, but what we have left is most direly needed until we find more goods along our way."

"Edward, it looks like we're in a fix now, a slowdown, and loss time because of this predicament."

"David, I'll ride ahead, and inform the scouts we are being held up momentarily. We need to get the supply wagon unstuck, and the more hands we have the better." Edward turned his horse around, spurred it to the front, and found one scout. While he brought a few extra hands back with him, Kate wondered what had happened and peered out from the wagon while her friends watched on.

"What's going on now?" Jane huffed and swiped a strange of curls off her forehead with her hands on her hips.

"It looks like one of the wagons is stuck in a wheel rut, and they need extra help to get it out of the muddy rut." Claire told her as she craned her neck to observe.

"From my viewpoint, I can see Edward, David, and the one scout helping unload supplies," Kate replied watching the men, especially Edward. The way he moved, and his body contorted to heavy lifting turned her on, and she blushed a shade pink. Elli caught her gazing at him. When she turned her attention onto David, his second in command, she swooned dreamy-eyed before she got prodded in her ribs.

"Elli, you better get your eyes off Kate's man if you know what's best for you," Jane spoke up agitated at the fact they had watched the men that were of no interest to her.

"I can't help it. It's not Edward that I'm looking at, but it's David. He is so handsome and strong. He makes my knees go weak, and my insides turn to jelly." Elli gushed and looked at Kate before she looked back at Jane.

"What are you now, lovestruck? You already have a potential man waiting on you in California." Jane spoke to her unnervingly.

"Who knows I might change my mind when I get there," Elli replied to her daringly and gave a wink.

The barrels were very bulky and heavy for one man to handle, but they worked together as a team, and it was unloaded in no time, and the wagon lurched forward but still no movement. David and Edward had been sweating profusely, and they had unbuttoned their shirts when the unrelenting sun warmed them up. It was after the fourth pull by the team of mules that the wheel got unstuck from the mud finally. The driver hurried the team of mules away from the muddy trap only a few feet away so that they could reload the wagon.

Kate, Claire, Elli, and Jane all watched the attempt to free the wagon wheel and loved to see the men hard at work, especially Kate. She was in awe at how strong Edward was and how much of a sweat he worked up. Her ankle had been feeling much better this morning as the ointment had soothed the ache, and swelling had but disappeared. Whatever the doctor used, it worked like a charm.

Meanwhile, David helped Edward reload the wagon together when Edward's leg went out from under him, causing him to lose his balance, had fallen on his shoulder with the barrel under his arm, and trapped it. David and other crewmen heaved the barrel off Edward's arm quickly.

"Oh, no! Edward's been hurt." Kate exclaimed to her friends as they looked on. Kate quickly managed to climb down from the wagon with the help of Claire and Elli and limped on her foot to check on Edward to see how badly he was hurt.

"Kate, we're going to have to find the doctor and quickly. If Edwards' arm is broken, we're going to be in serious trouble." David warned her.

"Kate, what are you doing? You need to get back to your wagon. I'll be fine." He assured her as he winced in pain. He wasn't sure if his arm was severely injured, or if it would be useful for the rest of the trek.

"Edward, my ankle is a little better. The swelling has gone down, and the ointment has eased up my minor ache. Can you move your arm? I'm going to help David search for the doctor." Kate gave him a worried look while David went with her. Everyone in the wagon train had stopped in their tracks while they waited on word of Edward's well-being.

"What's happened, Edward?" The scout dismounted from his horse and waited for help to arrive. Edward winced in pain when his shoulder throbbed. Kate finally spotted the doctor that had treated her ankle and brought him back to the injured Edward in a hurry.

"He's over here! Please hurry!" Kate called out while she favored her ankle that was still healing. The doctor carried his black satchel in his one hand followed the worried Kate toward his patient. He saw the crowd of men as they waited for his arrival and gave him space as he knelt to tend to Edward's arm.

Kate slowly backed away to let the doctor check on him while she looked over her shoulder to witness her friends as they stood back looking in her direction. Not leaving his side to know if Edward had been seriously hurt, she listened and tried to look over the shoulders of crewmen who had surrounded him. The doctor examined him carefully and rolled up the sleeve of his shirt. Because he didn't see any protruding bones and ripped his shirt off to examine his shoulder. The doctor examined Edward to look for a serious sign of broken limbs and clavicle, but he didn't get a sign of serious breakage from Edward as he prodded him.

The doctor then explained that he could have a minor injury that would cause a week's worth of downtime for Edward. It was a serious injury as a sling was needed to be made for his arm and he needed to keep it elevated until he felt better. Kate overheard the conversation about Edward's well-being and noticed that while the doctor had finished up with him, he had no sling to give to Edward so she took the hem of her skirt, borrowed David's knife from its sheath, and cut her dress. David watched her make the sling before she handed him his knife back to him. Kate approached the doctor, who finally stood up from the inured Edward, to present a makeshift sling for his injured shoulder.

"Oh, thank you, Kate. I was just about to ask if anyone had extra fabric so that I could set his shoulder. It's just going to be in a sling, for now. Hopefully, that's all he'll need along with some extra care in tending to it. I'll give you the same ointment as I did Kate for her ankle swelling. I will not guarantee anything, but it does work wonders, as Kate can tell you.

"Thank you, doctor. I'll make sure he'll oblige to the doctor's orders." Kate gave a wry smile as she looked down at Edward, who had his eyes closed for a moment, while the crowd of men dispersed. David stood with Kate before Edward reopened his eyes again, which were transfixed on the woman in front of him and his pal. David extended his hand out to him to help him up from the ground and get his footing. He stood. Edward looked over at his sling, which he took notice was part of Kate's dress.

"Kate, you didn't have to ruin your good dress for me. I would have managed to get something else from one of the crewmates." Edward stepped forward to be closer to her. David departed to join the scouts and plan their route while Edward talked to Kate for a few more minutes.

"I know I didn't have to, but I did. I was worried about you and thought you had seriously gotten hurt. I was frightened and ran for the doctor." Kate expressed her feelings to him.

"It's all in a day's work. I'll be fine. You'll see. It will heal in no time before you know it. I'll be right back in the saddle and making this journey across the plains with a special woman by my side, and she isn't just any woman. Would it be any trouble at all if I declared you Kate, 'my' woman? I know we haven't talked a lot about your plans, but once we get to California, I'd like to include you in mine." Edward took her hand in his free hand and looked down at her before he leaned in for a kiss on her lips. Slowly, he pulled back from her and looked deeply into her eyes. She palmed his cheek in her hand as the other hand touched his injured arm.

"I'm honored to be your woman, Edward. I look forward to being with you on this journey." Kate beamed and returned his kiss.

Part 6

PMDSXX

It was a grueling week ahead for Edward and his crew. He helped out as much as his strength would allow him. He would relent to the pain only when it became unbearable and would seek solace in Kate's wagon. Kate's friends knew that he needed rest. A mass of oak trees and a large valley appeared in the distance dotted with mountainous terrain off in the distance littered with snowy tops.

The caravans mustered through the day when David and the scouts had found a good place to make camp. It had a water source that was fit enough to drink as the one scout had tested the water quality and assured it was. David and Edward looked around at the surroundings and on Edward's recovered arm, he still wore Kate's sling, but wore it around his neck, instead of his arm. He wanted to keep her close to him now as his arm mended. He didn't care what anyone thought of him, with her fabric design, it was more decorative than womanly which made it perfect. If anyone asked him about it, which they hadn't, he would speak the truth. He was spoken for and no other words were needed by anyone, man or woman.

The sun shined brightly in the late day while Edward and his crew commanded the wagons to set up for camp. The brides went to the nearby stream and collected water in buckets to wash clothes. The crewmen assisted in carrying the heavy buckets to the thirsty livestock and refilled their supply barrels for the early morning journey. The cook rummaged in his supplies to make supper before dusk had approached and some crewmen had already gathered enough wood. It was then that all the chores and livestock had been tended, and everyone relaxed. Edward and Kate had slipped away from the wagon train. They didn't go far, but they were away from prying eyes. The sun began to set over the horizon as the daylight turned to dusk. Edward led Kate by her hand while he spotted a large, massive oak and took her into his embrace while his back was against the tree. His shoulder was not aching today, but it still ached from time to time and his bruising had all but vanished. Kate cocked her head at him before she relented to his intentions. She put her hands on his chest because she wasn't sure if his shoulder was still in pain, or he just needed to hold her in his arms.

"Edward you're feeling better today," Kate purred and let her hands roam his chest before they rested on his forearms. He held her in his arms and looked at her before he kissed her passionately. She took his hat off his head before it fell to the ground. Her fingers drifted into and played with his dark hair at the base of his neck. He gasped for breath and looked down at her with love in his eyes. He let his hands drift to her waist and rubbed her hip bones with his thumbs as he spoke to her.

"That's for taking care of me when I was feeling at my worst. I know you had other things to do, but that meant so much to me because I knew that you cared that much." Edward stroked her cheek and then threaded her curls into his fingertips, brushed the front of her chest with his free hand, and stroked her through the fabric which made her gasp into his mouth. Her lips escaped his starved mouth and moved to the side of his neck while his hands started to fumble with her dress buttons when they got interrupted by a figure coming towards them.

David was sent to look for Edward when one of the crew had taken ill. The first place he went was Kate's wagon, and both had not been seen for a while after supper. He asked around if anyone had spotted them around her wagon. Elli was more than willing to help David as she was very fond of him.

"David, they both ate their supper and headed off in that direction." Elli pointed to the wooded area.

"Great, now I have to track them if I don't spot them first." David exhaled and looked at the beautiful blonde one more time giving her a smile in thanking her for helping him out.

"Thanks a lot. I'm sure I'll find them."

"Just shout out first. I'm sure Kate will hear you first." Elli smiled at him when he turned and walked away in the direction in which they had last been seen.

David had entered the wooded area before he called out Edward's name then called Kate's name. Upon hearing David's voice, Edward stopped his assault on Kate's dress tried to get his hands on her bare flesh before David approached them both. Kate covered up her disarray state and hid behind Edward. He shielded her as she fixed her dress while David approached quickly approached them.

"Edward, glad I found you. We need you back at camp. I'm sorry, but this is an emergency! One of the crewmen is sickened. We don't know if it was from the water or something he ate. I'm sorry to interrupt you and Kate, but this looks serious." David exhaled his frustrations in bothering the boss and his woman at this dire time.

"David, it's okay. I'll be right with you." Edward replied scratching his stubbled chin while Kate stood behind him only to step beside him after she straightened her clothing.

"Kate, I'm needed back at camp. You can wait here, and we can finish what we started, or you can meet me back at your wagon. It's up to you." He palmed her cheek in his hand and soothed it over with his rough index finger.

"I'll come back with you to camp. We can finish this another time." Kate gave him a blushing smile before she led the way to the camp. He followed behind her as he enjoyed the view of her walking ahead of him. He put his hat on his head and straightened his shirt as he came up behind her, placed his arm around her waist, and held her to him.

Edward escorted Kate back to her wagon where her friends were gathered. Edward tipped his hat at the ladies before he left Kate behind to investigate what was wrong with the crewmen. As he approached the wagon, he had seen the men had already passed away from something abruptly. The doctor stood by the dead man when Edward approached him.

"This is not good Edward. I've seen this before. It's no stranger to me. We have an incident of Cholera that this man had died from. The state of his condition from what I've been told from his close team members. This is a serious disease. He's consumed contaminated water. Whether it was in the past barrels before refilling today, or he just happened to pick this disease up from drinking from a rouge stream and not one of our barrels since everyone had been drinking water. A lot more people will be sickened within a few hours if they consumed any water. We need to keep a close eye out on everyone, and whoever is next to be sickened. We're going to have to find the barrel they've been consuming the water out of if it's our own." The doctor warned him of the seriousness, and many more people could lose their lives.

"Just what are the signs? How do we know if they are infected by this, Cholera?" Edward asked the doctor.

"It's very serious. The symptoms start with a stomach ache that grows into intense pain within minutes. The disease progresses rapidly, attacking the intestinal lining, producing severe diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cramps. Within hours the skin will wrinkle and turn blue. There is no cure or treatment for the disease, and the infected person usually dies within twenty-four hours or less." The doctor's warning had been heard by the crowd of men, and they dispersed to tell the brides the warning had been announced.

Everyone was to be on close watch to see if anyone fell ill within hours of drinking the water after supper. The crew had collected water, but it was the water they freshly filled up in their supply barrels. These crewmen would catch the disease before they refilled the barrels? That would have to be determined in a few hours or another day as the long wait drew out. People were afraid to drink the water from the barrels for fear of getting sick and dying.

Edward announced to the camp from now on any water to be used must be heated in being cautious of any other person contracting an illness. It was a gamble as people started to get thirsty and only whiskey had been available to some men that snuck it into their traveling caravans. Minutes turned into hours as the camp remained diligent and watched for any signs of someone being seriously ill. Darkness fell on the camp with no more incidents as the camp had consumed water from the barrels. Many took the gamble, and nothing happened to them and the rest followed suit. It must have been an isolated incident for this man to just die suddenly.

Another day passed with no new deaths in the caravan. Edward was ever watchful of Kate as he didn't want anything to happen to her. While the crew hurried to bury their fallen comrade, the wagon train started to load up and hitch the teams to begin the journey again. There were many more miles that they needed to travel although they hadn't run into a party of enemies yet. Little did they know that they had been followed by a band of rogue Indians. The leader had spotted the young women and decided upon himself that he would kidnap the blonde-haired ladies because they would get more out of them in trade markets. The leader of the group led his tribe downward of their caravan camp, watched, and waited to make the first move and attack when their guards were vulnerable.

Meanwhile, everyone leisurely walked around camp and chatted with each other. Suddenly, one dark-haired woman sounded an alarm with all eyes on her as she screamed at the top of her lungs. The leader made his move snatched one blonde beauty before another was snatched up. That someone, in particular, was Elli, who was held at knife point. Kate, Claire, and Jane watched helplessly while their friend was taken hostage at knife point.

"Help! Someone help me!" Elli cried out before her voice was silenced by a palm to her mouth.

"Elli, what in the ….." David called out before the surprise attack on her.

Edward and David had been nearby when the renegade snatched Elli, right in plain sight of David, who had his back turned only mere seconds before she was taken. The tribe was adorned in fur as camouflaged to hide in plain sight. Now that they have been in camp. They fought the crew members as the rest of the gang had taken more light-haired women as victims. A total of ten women, which included Elli, had been victimized. David, Edward, and a handful of men grabbed some weapons and their guns to fight them and get the ladies back unharmed.

Edward drew his gun on the two thieves and shot them dead. David took the sharp shooting rifle and shot the one in the back of the head that had taken Elli. The man dropped to the ground while Elli stood in shock from what just happened.

"Oh my god! I would have never thought you'd do that for me, David." She said as she cried before he pulled her into a fierce hug.

"It's over now, Elli. I'm sorry this happened. We need to get you back to the wagon. Do you want me to stay with you for a while?" David asked her when she looked up at him and tears streamed down her face. He swiped them off her cheeks before he pulled her into his arms again and held her close to him.

"Please, stay with me, David. I'm so scared. Can you stay with me a little while longer?" She pleaded as she was seriously shaken up. David pulled her to him without even thinking about it. He took her in his arms and pulled her into his embrace while she cried into his chest. Another gun shot rung out from Edward's pistol when he shot another Indian. He dropped and fell into the crevice of rocks that was situated on the edge of the outlined trail.

Two crew members had opened fire on the three that tried to escape with the brides and were successful in killing all three. No rouge marauder escaped with any of the brides. Edward saw the emotional trauma that had played out before him again. The ladies were collected by the crewmen and brought to their respective wagons while the men kept guard at all times. When one of them needed rest, another would relieve them. As long as they stayed in this valley, they were in danger, and the sooner they moved out of here the better. However, the danger was all around, whether it be man or beast.

Edward and his crew took the time to gather up the bodies of the Indians putting them in a pile. Edward had never seen their markings before and considered them a rogue tribe that had disbanded from their kind. Edward found David back at Kate's wagon, where he comforted Elli, who was still distraught over the incident. Kate, Claire, and Jane stayed nearby while they kept an eye on the surroundings as darkness approached.

"Are you alright ladies?" Edward asked when he approached the wagon and looked at Kate before she put her hand on his face to see that he wasn't injured. He turned his attention to observe her. He made sure she hadn't been harmed and slowly pulled her into a fierce hug. He cradled her in his arms before finally kissing the side of her head and turning his attention to the woman in his arms.

"I'm fine Edward. Jane and Claire are alright, but it's Elli. She's with David, and I think it's going to be a long night for her." Kate whispered to him as she stepped back from his embrace.

"I know it is. She needs David right now for comfort, and he's the best man for it." Edward murmured to her. David noticed that Edward had arrived at the wagon while he still held Elli in his arms. He started to move but was suddenly held by a death grip and settled back down while the blonde took comfort in being surrounded by his strong presence. David relented in staying by her side as he had grown fond of Elli. She was unlike any other woman he'd met. She was beautiful, gorgeous, funny, and quirky. She made his day worthwhile. He enjoyed seeing her face every day and being with her. David understood what Edward had told him about Kate. He was feeling the same thing with Elli too but didn't want to admit to it just yet. David lay with Elli, who clutched at him not wanting him to leave her side. He stayed with her the whole night in Kate's wagon to reassure her that nothing would happen to her again while he was there with her.

Kate, Jane, and Claire had started to bed down for the night, but they were still nervous as something could happen at any moment. Edward stayed watchful as he was nearby not far from Kate. Leaning back against his saddle, he kept an eye out only when complete silence took over the valley. He drifted off to sleep only to be awakened by rustling in the nearby bushes.

He quickly reached for his pistols aiming at whatever it might be when suddenly a lone, white wolf pup emerged from the thicket and whimpered for its littermates. Edward cautiously dropped his gun back into his holster and watched the young pup wonder about lost and confused. Thinking its mother was nearby, he left it alone for the meantime because he didn't want to disturb the ladies. Edward was ever so watchful as the young pup disappeared again into the brush. He shrugged his shoulders and kept watch. Knowing the ladies were safe, he soon drifted off to sleep.

When morning arrived, the crew burned the Indian bodies from the raid last night. The air smelled of death as it lingered in the valley. David had told Elli in the morning that he would be checking on her well-being throughout the day. He needed to be with the scouts and Edward on the trek, and she understood. The wagons had been hitched and had moved out early in the morning. Kate, Claire, and Jane all walked along with the wagon while they kept an observant eye on the horizon ahead while Elli remained inside the wagon. When Elli finally emerged to stretch her arms and legs, it was then that Claire took to the wagon to rest her aching feet. Edward meanwhile rode behind Kate's wagon, covering the rear when something caught his eye again. It was the same white wolf pup straggling behind the wagon train. Edward felt sorry for the little pup, turned his horse around, galloped back in its direction, dismounted his horse, and carefully picked it up in his gloved hand. While he observed the young pup, he stroked its head before gathering the horse's reins in his other hand, put the pup inside his vest, and secured it when he mounted the horse.

"Since, your alone I don't see why you'd be a threat to anyone, especially as young as you are. You don't look vicious to me, and if my Kate has anything to say about you, I bet she'll want to keep you for her own. As long as you don't make trouble, you are welcome to join us." Edward spoke softly to the young pup before it yawned, closed its eyes, and burrowed against his chest.

Edward rode his horse in the direction of Kate's wagon. When another smaller creek appeared at the front, the lead wagon slowed down to cross. It was ankle-deep and nothing that other wagons couldn't handle as jagged rocks were at a minimum. Edward's horse crossed the creek bed, made a splash with its large hooves, and startled Kate, who quickly turned around to see Edward coming towards her with a suspicious bulge in his vest.

"Edward, I was wondering when you'd catch up to us. You've been lagging for several miles. So, what do you have in your vest pocket?" Kate looked at him suspiciously when he presented her the wolf pup pulled it out from his chest.

"Oh, Edward. Where did you find him? He must have been the runt of the litter. Isn't he precious?" Kate said and reached for the little pup. He held it out to her so she could take it from his hand.

"Just for you, my love. I couldn't see the little one struggling to keep up with the wagons. I saw him last night but thought his mother and littermates were near so I didn't bother him. Then this afternoon he was trailing behind the last wagon, and I spotted him. So, here he is. As long as he doesn't make trouble, he'll be just fine." Edward pulled on his horse's reins and leaned down to give her a quick kiss to her lips, and the pup squirmed in her arms. She giggled at him before she stroked Edward's rough cheek. He quickly rejoined David at the front of the line and left Kate with her new gift. Kate cuddled the pup in her arms as she walked along with the wagon while Jane had peered out from the back. Jane looked at the animal in disgust as it would be nothing but trouble.

"Kate, what on earth did Edward give you? It could have diseases or rabies. You need to put it back where he found it." Jane told her before the wagon slowed to a crawl, and she exited it.

"An orphan wolf pup is what he gave me. Do you have a problem with that? He was lost from his pack, and Edward saved his life. Edward is so sweet for saving him." Kate gushed while she cuddled the pup in her loving arms while Claire and Elli overheard the discussion between the two friends.

"Oh, Kate it's adorable. Where did he come from?" Elli asked while she stroked its head and ears in her fingertips.

"Edward found him and brought him to me. Isn't he the sweetest?" Kate was in absolute joy to know that her man had a soft spot in his heart to rescue this little pup. She would thank him when she saw him again after supper, and it would be memorable for the both of them.

Edward along with the scouts found a field to set up camp. David commanded the wagon teams to spread out and helped with unhitching the animals. The cook sorted through his supply wagon as the food started to dwindle and hoped for a supply station along the upcoming route so he could restock what he needed. David helped gather wood after he found a huge supply of wood. Another crew member helped him carry it back to camp while Elli watched on as David was hard at work. She approached him to offer help carrying an arm full of wood while she walked alongside him beaming at each other. Keeping her mind occupied and off any worries, David was there for her and enjoyed her company. Meanwhile, Edward checked on Kate and spotted her playing with the cute pup he gave her earlier. He grinned at the sight of her knowing she didn't have a care in the world while he took in her beautiful features.

"Kate, are you ready for supper? I know you are busy with your new friend but you must eat. I think we have some cow milk for the little pup and maybe we can give him some beef tips or something to chew on. You need your strength, and I'm hungry too. Care to join me?" Edward knelt to her as she lay in the grassy area.

"Can you bring a plate back for me? Jane doesn't want anything to do with the pup. Claire is down next to the creek getting more water, and Elli is off with David somewhere. I assume getting their supper." Kate lowered her gaze to his lips then gave him a peck on his lips. She touched his arm and leaned her forehead against his. He pulled away from her gently took her chin in his index finger, made her look up at him, and saw her emeralds dancing in the low light from the fires. He grinned at her and rose to his feet.

"Don't you dare move. I'll be right back with our food." He declared as he gave her a tip of his hat and walked to the chow line.

After everyone was satisfied with their meals Jane, Claire, and Elli relaxed by the wagon. David took watch outside Kate's wagon while Elli finished her meal and the ladies cleaned up their plates. Kate and Edward managed to slip away after supper as David caught them going off again, shook his head, and smiled. The pup had his supper of cow's milk and beef tips and was fast asleep next to Claire, who took watch over him while Kate had left with Edward. David made rounds of camp and made sure everyone was on their guard before he returned to Elli and settled down with her for the evening.

Under the oak tree, Edward and Kate settled down to talk. Kate noticed that Edward had dozed off and while she lay against his chest, he held her to him affectionately. It was the appropriate time that she quietly slipped out of his arms without disturbing him. His hat was over his face while he snoozed. Kate turned around, looked over her shoulder, saw he hadn't moved, and knew she was in the clear. Kate spotted a wild berry bush and took her handkerchief out, picked the ripened berries, and carried them back to Edward, who was still dozing. She approached him quietly without waking him.

"Wake up Edward I have something for you." Kate's warm breath stirred him out of his slumber. He looked at her loveliness and caressed her cheek. She removed his hat and placed it beside him. Kate gave him a cunning smile and presented him with the freshly picked berries. Taking a berry in her fingertip, she slipped one into his mouth. He let his tongue taste her finger while he watched her close her eyes when she felt his tongue on her digit. It was her undoing, and she imagined what else his tongue could do to the rest of her body.

While she faced him showing the hidden berries she had picked, he took notice of the stash, reached for one, and fed her a berry from his index finger. She returned the favor to his over-sensitive flesh, took his thumb into her warm mouth, sucked lightly making him close his eyes, and groaned as her tongue lapped at the fruit juice from his fingers.

Their eyes filled with lust as they fed each other the berries. He couldn't take much more of her wanton gestures as she proceeded to reach for his vest and removed it from his shoulders. Quickly unbuttoning his pearl button shirt, she felt his sparse chest hair in her hands as she massaged him down to his belt buckle. He stopped her hands as they fumbled for the release of his buckle, and he needed to touch her. He untied the ribbon that closed the front of her dress, slipped the eyelets from her chest area, and revealed herself to him. He peeled her dress down off her shoulders, revealed more of her flesh to him. He let his mouth taste her flesh as he kissed her neck and down her shoulder when he ventured south to latch onto on pert nipple took it into his mouth, lavished, and sucked lightly before he turned his attention to the other neglected one. She moaned in ecstasy as his mouth worked her sensitive buds, and she grabbed a fistful of his dark hair to encourage more from him.

Edward leaned back from her to take in the sight of her only to be surprised when she straddled him. He was still fully clothed while she was half-naked as her dress was hanging loosely from her shoulders from which the fabric fell. She took his face in her soft hands and planted a wet kiss on his mouth as she slipped her tongue inside his easily while they dueled for control.

Finally, when she gave him total control and escaped his mouth, she grasped at his shirt in her hand with his help in taking it off. He was bare-chested before, and she wanted to see what else belonged to her. He entwined his hand with hers before he leaned up and captured her lips with his. She broke the kiss, nuzzled his neck, and nipped at his ear, as she needed more of him and placed wet trails down his chest, licking and scratching him with her fingernails on his overheated skin. He reached for the hem of her dress and took it off her one motion as she lay back before him. He couldn't take his eyes off her when she was spread out before him. He caressed and stroked her arms, legs, and worshipped her with his tongue. As he traveled down her belly, she flinched anticipating what he had planned to do next. He reached her intoxicating scent and kissed mons before tasting her sweetness. Her hands latched onto his scalp, gripped his hair tightly, and soothed it over and over while he continued to pleasure her. As he raised one leg over his shoulder as he wasn't about to stop and her moaning and sighing egged him on. With the flick of his tongue against her clit, once, twice and the third time she came unhinged. As she climaxed into his welcoming mouth, it was all she could do, but scream his name into the wilderness as he drank her up. He kissed, licked, and nibbled his way back up to her the valley of her breasts and latched on to one then the other. She arched back when he released them as the air cooled them from his heated mouth.

She stroked his face and looked deeply into his darkened iris before she gently pushed him back with her wanton look and gave him a sultry smile while she straddled his massive torso. It was then she entwined her one hand with his while his other free hand caressed her curls holding her to him. Her tongue skimmed over his flesh, lightly nipped at his chest, and tweaked his nipples with her soft hands. She managed to continue what she started earlier and reached for his belt again without resistance this time from his greedy hands. He fondled her breasts with his large hands and although she swatted him away playfully, he skimmed down her belly and held onto her waist before she kissed him hard. She forced him back down on the ground. He gave her access to his belt buckle and his holsters, she rid them but were not far from his reach as something might unexpectedly happen. Unbuttoning his breeches, she also felt the growing need for her when she pulled the denim down off his hips. He raised slightly so that she could pull them down his strong legs, but she didn't discard them completely as he still had his boots on. It was just his luck that he would be caught with his pants down around his ankles. Making passionate love to the woman before him, he didn't want another interruption, but he didn't have a care in the world at this very moment. With the most gorgeous woman on top of him, he was a happy man.

"Kate, please I need you now." He begged her while he grasped her soft curls into his hands and stroked her cheek with one hand while the other gripped her hip.

"Please, that's a word I've never heard from you before." She teased him, gave him a wink and a quick kiss on his mouth, and disengaged from his eager mouth and trailed kisses down his chest. His growing member bounced in the air towards her. Kate took him in her hand, licked, swiped her tongue on the head before taking him into her silky wet mouth. She sucked and licked up his length before his head fell back, and he moaned her name loudly. He couldn't take much more of her soft, delicate touch, and what her wonderful tongue was doing to him. Kate continued her assault on his engorged penis when she took him in her mouth one more time as he didn't want to come into her mouth, he wanted to be inside her now. Another flick against his flesh was all he could take when he pulled her up and away from his sensitive hard-on. He now straddled her thighs aching to release himself inside her. She wrapped her legs around him and ached to be filled.

"Kate, I need to be inside you right now." He whispered into her ear, kissed her neck, and nibbled on her earlobe before lightly sucking it between his teeth as he slipped down into her welcoming heat.

"Edward, oh…your so.." Kate opened her legs further so he could sink further into her wetness.

Encircling her legs around his waist, she encouraged him to go deeper, and he did just that. As he settled between her thighs, he gave her time to adjust to his length while he moved slowly, stroked in and out of her with his rigid member, which bumped into her cervix. He pulled back out then slowly reentered her with ease. He didn't know how slow he could go as her mewling noise reached his ears, and he sped up his movements, bumped her clit, and made her come hard as she latched onto his neck and her fingernails dug into his back. She pulled him further into her embrace. He stroked with a final thrust, came hard inside hard, released his seed inside her, and collapsed onto her. His heavy weight didn't bother her as he was still sheathed inside her pulsing between her thighs. Relishing in the need to move off her, he looked down at her only to be rewarded with a deep, passionate kiss to his mouth.

"Kate, you want me to move? Am I hurting you?" Edward sighed when she brushed a sweaty lock off her forehead.

"No, stay right where you are. I'm fine Edward." Kate beamed up at him in sheer contentment. Edward stayed for a few more seconds before he pulled her into his arms as he rolled off her. She snuggled against his chest and giggled momentarily as he looked down at her half-naked state.

"What's the matter now?" Edward chuckled, and then he figured out what she was giggling about.

"You know Edward we're going to have to do it the right way next time, without our boots on. Also, we shouldn't worry about anyone interrupting us." Kate sighed into his chest and placed a kiss on his sternum. Edward remained silent, hugged her to him, kissed the top of her head, and caressed her arm before slowly opening his eyes to see her dozing in his embrace. Edward stirred against Kate because he knew they needed to get back to camp before dawn approached. All was quiet when Edward woke while she snuggled against him. The nighttime was all the cover they needed to return to camp.

"Kate, we need to get back to camp." He softly spoke to her, and she ignored him for a moment.

"Can't we stay here for a little while longer?" Kate whined only to be surprised when he escaped her clutches.

"Kate, come on. There will be plenty of time for us, but we don't need a search party out for us either." Edward pulled his breeches up over his hips and helped Kate to her feet as she was a mess herself, but a beautiful one at that. He let his eyes linger for far too long and helped her button her dress on purpose just to feel her touch on his hands while he did the task.

"Kate you are wonderful, and to call you mine is an understatement. I don't deserve you." Edward sighed when she took his hands into hers, and finally looked up at his dark features and pulled him flush against her.

"Edward, you are so hard on yourself. I am yours, and I will be for the rest of my life." Kate sealed the promise with a kiss on his lips and melted into his embrace.

Part 7

PMDSXXX

After having a romp with Edward, Kate gathered a bucket of water and placed it on the fire to warm it as she was going to have a sponge bath. In the meantime, Claire, Jane, and Elli had settled in for the night. David and Edward made rounds and checked on their supplies, wagons, and crewmen. They lent a helping hand to the one crewman who had lost his help due to his death, and he thanked them both. Edward took Kate's makeshift bandana, which was his sling for his arm out of his pocket, wrapped it around his neck, and secured it. David eyed him mischievously as he kept looking toward Kate's wagon.

"I'm going to turn in Edward that is after I say goodnight to Elli. I'm starting to like her a lot. I mean she is serious about me." David gave a toothy grin before heading towards the wagon she shared with Kate.

"David, I'm going to check the grounds again before I turn in myself." Edward grinned at his friend as he spotted movement coming from the creek bank. It was Kate carrying a water bucket as it spilled from the brim, and he took it upon himself to give her a helping hand.

"Thanks, I didn't think you are back tonight. After all, I thought you had plans other than seeing me again." Kate teased him and caught sight of his bashful smile.

"I was just making my rounds with David and seen a lovely, beautiful woman all alone and wanted to know what she had in her bucket that she so desperately needed to be doing at this time of night," Edward replied sarcastically, followed her to the fire, and put it down on the ground.

"I wanted to freshen up a bit since we had a quick frolic in the grass. Don't you remember? I didn't have anything but a bar of lye soap and a sponge. I needed water and another bucket of warm water to rinse." Kate gave him a nudge to his side while she placed the water in the pot to heat up so that she could use it once it was hot enough.

"Yes, I remember Kate. I'll cherish our first time together always." Edward sat down by the fire as it crackled and flickered in his eyes. He watched her through the shadows only his face was lit by the embers of the fire. Kate knew he was watching her as she could feel his eyes on her.

As she reached for the button on her front, she slipped it through the eyelet and revealed her creamy skin that he had tasted moments ago. His mouth watered to taste her again. He shifted in his seated position as his loins stirred again at the sight of her teasing him.

As she dipped the sponge into the hot water and bathed herself in front of him, he continued to watch her from the darkness. He groaned when she stretched her slender legs out in front of him. She glimpsed his way through the flames of the fire because she knew what she was doing to him and loved every minute of it. She couldn't help herself and saw him shift his position from which he was seated. She knew what kind of effect she had on him.

As she took the sponge and cleaned her body, it was slow torture for him, and when she reached to clean her nether region, she closed her eyes due to the euphoric sensation that Edward had done with his tongue. Edward's eyes grew darker with passion as she cleaned herself with the sponge and took her good sweet time bathing. It was then that he had enough of her teasing him, and reached for the sponge, and took it in his grasp before he tossed it back into the bucket.

"Kate, you are such a tease. You do know that. Don't you?" He claimed her lips with his mouth before she wrapped her arms behind his head and kissed him lustfully. He lowered his head to meet her shoulder and smelled her scent before she pulled away from him.

"How long has it been since you got a sponge bath or a shave?" Kate teased him while her arms were still wrapped around his broad shoulders. She looked deeply into his blue eyes. He fondled her curls that were damp from the water and kissed her neck as he scratched his stubble against her flesh.

"Kate, it's been probably been a week that I've not had a decent sponge bath. As for that shave, you're asking me about it? Well, I've not thought about shaving yet. You don't like it, or does it bother you?" He said smugly as he lost himself in her emerald iris's showing concern for her.

"If your beard bothers me, I'm sure I can find some liniment to rub into my skin." She kissed the tip of his nose. He stood silent and watched her when she started to unbutton his shirt again and peeled his vest from his shoulders with a little help from him. Taking the hem of his shirt, she slipped it up off his shoulders and caressed his barrel chest with her soft hands as her fingernails skated down his middle, which made him flinch at her gentleness. When his vest hit the ground along with his shirt, she soaked up the sponge with warm water, bathed his upper torso, paid special attention to his back shoulders, and massaged them with her hands. After his front and back were washed, she proceeded to unbutton his breeches and noticed that the ominous bulge appeared again before her. Smiling at him with the glow of the fire, she bent down to pull his trousers down his legs. He was naked before her again, and his penis sprung free from its confines and reached out towards her.

When she took the sponge and washed it all over his lower body, she ignored the most delicate part for a moment that he needed her to touch. As she rinsed the soap suds off his body, she agonizingly teased him with her soft touches, finally stroked his hard member, washed him thoroughly, and rinsed him off. It took all of his self-control not to take her right at that moment. His skin completely dried as the warm air of the night cooled it before he reached for his trousers and pulled them up when he heard rustling coming ahead. Edward didn't see anyone, but he wasn't about to be caught with his pants down around his ankles this time. Kate quickly turned suddenly around to see not a human but the lone wolf pup that wandered off in search of her.

"Oh, my it's just the pup." Kate knelt, picked up the little creature, and faced Edward before she stepped forward as he pulled her into a heated kiss. Upon hearing a little growl coming from her protector, Edward pulled back, leaned his forehead against hers, stroked her cheek with his rough fingertips, and gazed at her.

"You better go, Kate. I'll dump the water out on the ground and carry the buckets back to your wagon. I'll see you in the morning." Edward whispered to her as he gathered up his shirt and vest, slung it over his shoulder, and buttoned his trousers. Kate snuggled with her pup and walked towards the wagon while Edward hurriedly joined her at the wagon and gave her a goodnight kiss.

The following morning Edward tended to his horse, cleaned the hooves out, brushed the animal's coat, and looked over at the commotion towards the riverbank. It must have been a few men fooling around with one another threatening one by tossing the other into the water as the level had risen overnight. David overheard the men's voice's as he was with Elli and Kate was nowhere nearby it. David looked for Kate, but she was not near the wagon or within sight. He searched the crowd of people that were around their wagons as they were getting ready to move out for their quest of the day. It was then that David spotted Kate in danger, and it was not going to go well when Edward found out.

"Edward, you're going to need to come with me. It's Kate. I think she's in trouble. Come on." David exhaled a breath, and Edward dropped his horse's hoof. They walked towards the riverbank and noticed that one lanky man held Kate by her shoulders, and Edward saw what the trouble was all over. It was the wolf pup and was held up by the scruff of his neck dangling over the river bank edge.

"Don't I beg you! He's done nothing to me and you! Put him down!" Kate struggled to free herself from the man that held her from behind.

"Just what do you think you're doing with this beast? Lady, you know these things can kill you with one bite? He will ravage our livestock when he is full grown. These pesky critters are not good, and I'm going to help you get rid of it." The lanky man sneered at her then back at the frightened pup when he felt a revolver in his back and knife at his throat from behind.

The click of the revolver got his attention as he held the squirming pup from the tuft of his fur from around his neck. The man closed his eyes, and he swallowed hard since he didn't know who it might be as the knife dug into his flesh.

"Give the pup back to the lady, or you're not going to live to see the rest of the day." Edward's breathe was hot against the man's ear as he turned slowly with the knife still at his throat. David managed to wrestle the man away from Kate just as Edward arrived and pulled his colt revolver out.

"Here, take the mangy pup. You'll find out for yourself lady." The lanky man slowly handed the pup back to her gently while Edward still had his knife at his throat, and his revolver pointed into his back.

Kate quickly gathered up the frightened pup into her arms, cradled him, stepped back from the man, and watched Edward make a point while David stood by his side.

"Now, are you two through with the lady? If I ever see you bother her again or the wolf pup, it will not go very well. I promise you wouldn't want that. You pester her, come near her, or even look at her wrong, your ass is mine. Do you get that? Now, have I made myself clear?" Edward released the captured man who then eyed him up and down before he looked over at Kate.

"Yes, wagon master. We didn't know she was your lady. Or we wouldn't have caused her any trouble. We are sorry. It won't happen again." The older man said while he chewed on his tobacco.

"Yes, she's, my woman. Because she's mine, it doesn't mean you can cause any other bride on this wagon train trouble. Did I not make myself clear when we first talked about how to treat the women?" Edward stared coldly at them and knew he made his point clear with the two mischievous heathens.

"Yes sir. It won't happen again." They both spoke up in unison.

Edward watched them walk off as he held their lives in his hands. He would have killed them both if any harm came to Kate or anything that belonged to her. Kate stepped up, and he looked her over to see if they had harmed her, but she wasn't. He gave a small smile and pulled her into a hug as she looked up at his dark complexion.

"Thanks for your help, Edward. There was no way I could have protected him. I'm sorry for causing trouble for you." Kate lowered her head and stroked the fur of the pup.

"Kate, don't be sorry. You are worth the trouble. I just showed those two pesky heathens that they need to stay clear of you because you're mine." Edward told her firmly. He leaned into her space, gave her a chaste kiss to the lips, and left to join the scouts. Kate hugged her pup in her arms while she watched him walk away with David and the scouts to plan their trek for the day.

After causing a scene in the morning, Kate walked back to her wagon before her friends came up to her with concern in their eyes.

"Kate, what's happened? Are you alright?" Claire asked her as Elli arrived at the scene looking on to where David and Edward had gone.

"Yes, I'm fine now. Thanks to Edward and David. If it weren't for them, I would have lost this little bundle I have in my arms. They took care of those jerks that were bullying my pup." Kate opened the back canvas tarp and placed him in the wagon as he wasn't big enough to walk along with the wagon without being left behind.

"I'm glad they are with this wagon train. We can always rely on them both." Elli gushed proudly and touched Kate's arm gently as she shook her head in agreement.

Kate's wagon train team crew had hitched and readied their wagon for the trek. The scouts along with Edward and David started moving the first wagon, followed by the second, and so on. They traveled in the warm sun of the day was pleasant. The sun peeked out from the clouds, and a few darker clouds rolled in when the wind swept up and blew the ladies' hair tresses about their face. Edward looked on the horizon and more gray clouds thickened up in the sky.

The scouts sought shelter from an upcoming rainstorm possibly a downpour by the looks of the gray clouds. A hilly mountain came into view, and David advised the first wagon to be extra careful as the path was jagged and littered with uneven stones. It was going to be treacherous, but at least, they were not crossing a river. The wagon trudged one by one and as slow as possible. Once the first wagon cleared, there was no stopping the rest of the caravans. The only wagon that didn't have a tough time was the supply wagon. It was half full as their stock had been depleted and needed to be refilled because they hadn't come across a station to get supplies yet. They successfully cleared the top of the rim of the hilltop, and slowly descended the hill following wagon ruts.

The scouts and David rode out a few miles to see if any dangerous terrain would be an obstacle for the caravans, or if they needed to go downwind in case of a river came that was too deep to cross. Edward stayed behind with the wagons kept a watchful eye on any troublesome crew. He wasn't letting his guard down, and he didn't want any rowdy men bothering the ladies, especially Kate. The air temperature was cooler now from what it was a few days ago. Edward pulled his hat down over his eyes when the wind began whipping around him as a storm was soon approaching. David came into view riding his horse with news of no obstacles. There was plenty of space for the wagons to group up in a rather small plot of land near the bottom of the mountain while the scouts had informed him there were caves littered along the route. If the weather had got bad enough, they could seek refuge inside.

Edward instructed the scouts to guide the first wagon team to the destined plot of land as the rest would soon follow. There was plenty of room for the wagons to shelter in close quarters as the rain started to sprinkle on the crew. The ladies sprinted for the nearby caves as thunder rumbled off in the distance. The crewmen stayed with the wagons as they unhitched their teams quickly and brought the animals inside the caverns that were wide enough to shelter the livestock and the humans. The ladies gathered some dry firewood that was littered about the grounds before the rain poured down. The crewmen helped the cook carry in supplies to have a meal for later. They needed food badly, and if they didn't come across a weigh station or trade post soon, they would have to start hunting for themselves.

The skies opened up not too soon as the last of the wood had been gathered up and brought inside the caves. Kate, Claire, Jane, and Elli shared a small space with other soon-to-be brides in a far corner not mingling with the other men or the crew members. Many onlookers started to gaze in their direction but remained isolated because of Edward's rules while on the journey out to California. Once they arrive in California, there were no holds barred. Some of the ladies started to whisper at how Kate and Edward were very friendly towards one another and eyed them both when they chatted. Jane held her jealously at bay as she knew that Edward made his true intentions clear to her but that didn't stop her from looking at him and catching glimpses of him while he worked or did something meaningful when he wasn't around Kate.

The rain poured down outside as thunder rolled and lightning flashed. The crewmen had their oil lamps and their oil nearby. They lit them to see the shadows cascading against the cavern wall. David and Elli huddled together next to the fire he just started while Claire and Jane stepped up to warm their hands. Edward and Kate stood back in the shadows before Kate grabbed his hand and pulled him away from the group. A few onlookers looked in their direction, but couldn't make out who it was. A crewmember saw it was Edward and a lady leaving the cave. Not sure what he should do or say, he kept his eye on them before they disappeared.

"Just where do you suppose Edward is going with that lady?" The young crewmen asked the older gentlemen.

"Didn't you hear him earlier? That's his woman, Kate. He can do with her as he pleases. It's not our business nor anyone else's for that matter. He's already claimed her from day one. I've seen how he looks at her. He treats her differently than the rest of the women. Leave it alone before you get yourself killed over her. She's beautiful. I will say that, but she's already taken. As for the other brides on the wagon train, rules are rules we are not to touch any of them or make advances on them. I pledged my promise to Edward when I joined, I would keep it, and I meant it." The older gentlemen told him with a firm tone then turned his attention back to the fire he just built as it started to crackle and smoke.

"They sure are downright pretty and easy on the eyes." The young man said and looked over toward the throng of the brides and smiled at them respectfully. The young ladies had known the other crewmen had been staring and acknowledged them with a smile.

Kate took Edward by his hand as the rain had come to a stop. Edward was curious to know why she had returned to the wagon but knew as soon as she reached into the corner of it. She pulled the frightened pup into her arms and an oil lamp that she had forgotten when they entered the cave with the others.

"I'm not leaving him out here alone. I don't want him bothered by anyone. I just want to keep him safe until we are off this wagon train." Kate held him in her arms looking at Edward, who touched her arm and grabbed the oil lamp.

"I know Kate. As long as I'm with you, nothing is going to happen. I think I made my voice clear earlier when the men took advantage of you. No harm is to come to you or any other bride on this wagon train." Edward reminded her and touched her cheek as she leaned into his touch.

The lightning and thunder began again. Edward could smell the rain in the air as it was soon imminent. He looked to the nearest cave and pointed in the direction, nudged Kate, and grabbed her hand while the wind roared, and the rain started to pelt them. The pup squirmed and whimpered in her arms. It was afraid of the impending storm and sought safety in her arms.

Edward guided her to the vacant gave that had some wood littered on the ground to start a fire. Kate placed the pup down on the ground as it followed her closely while they took shelter from the rain. He took his hat off, started to stack the wood, and looked for kindling sticks. Kate found them at the entrance as the wind howled, and rain was blinding. Kate walked back to Edward and dropped the dry wood in front of him so that he could start a fire. He pulled out a match while he gathered up some moss to catch fire and soon it smoldered and smoked as the air hit the tinder, and the fire started.

"At least, we have some extra wood laying around. We'll be okay for a little while. I'm sure no one is looking for us. They wouldn't be caught dead out in this weather. I know David and the scouts are taking care of everything. Since David and one scout are with the ladies and the crew, I shouldn't have to worry. Plus, the other scout is occupying another cave with the other group. I believe it's just us now." Edward confirmed and watched the wood catch fire. Kate warmed her hands on the heat of the fire as he tossed another log onto the fire as the embers spread and the glow cascaded against the wall of the cave. He looked up from his knelt position and stared at her like it was the first time he'd seen her.

He sat down on the ground, reached for her hand, and pulled her down to sit between his legs. The pup, which was feeling lonely, came towards them but stayed close by still frightened of the storm outside. Edward pulled his coat off and splayed it out for the pup to nestle into his scent. The pup laid down on it with half-closed eyes and was soon asleep inside his coat as it burrowed into it when another thunderclap against the sky.

"He looks comfortable, doesn't he? I think he's going to be a keeper. I know he's a wild animal, but he's just a young one. He might be alright once we get to California. Speaking of getting to California, what are your plans, Edward?" Kate leaned back against his strong chest and entwined her fingers with his. He held her close to him seeking her warmth although they were still clothed.

"I was just about to ask you the same question, Kate. I'm leaving the wagon train. This is my last trek. I was thinking of having you as my wife and maybe settling down in California. If you still want me to be your husband? Children are still in the future, and I would love to have at least one or two with you. I don't want any other woman, Kate." He whispered into her ear which made her shiver and turn slightly in his arms to fully look at his expression. He cocked his head to the side and smiled at her before he claimed her mouth with his. Kissing her deeply and slowly, she casually pulled away from him to look into his dark eyes only to be lit by the fire in front of them.

"Are you proposing to me, Edward?" Kate stroked his forearms.

"Yes, I am. If you still want me, Kate." Edward looked at her with tenderness in his eyes.

"You know I only came on this wagon train trek with my friends. I knew all the hardships that came along with it. I know you told us when we first left Chicago, this would not be a picnic and to find you, the wagon master, wanting my hand in marriage. I wasn't looking for anyone, to be honest. Edward, I give you my answer and it's, "Yes I will marry you." Kate sealed the promise with a sensual kiss that escalated in a fevered lip lock.

"You don't know what that means to me. Having you as my wife, I promise I will be the best husband I can be and father of your children when that happens in the future, I couldn't imagine you not having one. I love you, Kate." Edward sighed against her lips. He touched her fabric on her shoulders, slid the barrier away to expose her skin to his hungry mouth, kissed her neck, and nuzzled her there while his hands skimmed down her bare shoulders. His hands made contact with her chest and squeezed them lightly.

Kate tilted her head back slightly when his gentle touch and kisses lit a fire between her legs. She put her arms around his shoulders and threaded through his hair and met his wet lips with hers. She surprised him when she fumbled for his shirt buttons and exposed his broad chest to her. She watched his expression while she massaged his mid-drift and torso before he took her delicate hands into his, grasped them, halted her actions, brought them to his mouth, and kissed the digits. He then pulled her up with him to stand and placed his hands on her hips before he guided her back against the cave wall out of the light from the fire all the while kissing and nibbling at her neck and exposed shoulders. The wall was unforgiving against her back as he pushed her into it only to cradle her head with his free arm.

"Kate, if you don't want this, you better stop me right now. Because my need for you has only gotten stronger, and I don't think anything can quench it, except for you." Edward whispered into her ear while she panted into his other ear. She moved her knee in between them and felt his need for her through his pants. He groaned before he took a bite out of her shoulder which made her moan in desire for an impending release of her own. Reaching for his belt, she unfastened it as his gun belt and trousers fell to the ground only to be met with his already engorged flesh.

She stroked his cock and his scrotum in her hand. He closed his eyes as he breathed into her chest. He managed to grab the hem of her dress and hitch it up over her waist and could smell her sweet fragrance that he was acquainted with and pushed her undergarments down so he could dip a finger inside her soaking wetness, which pooled into his palm. She was soaking wet from just his touches and kisses. He removed his finger from her and licked his digit as she watched him temptingly and claimed his mouth with hers again. He quickly broke free from her needy mouth, bunched her dress up over her waist again, and poised to enter her in one quick motion. He entered her slowly, while she took in his length and adjusted to his girth as she welcomed him into her slippery core.

"You okay. I'm not hurting you. Am I?" Edward whispered to her, and she kissed him roughly. He knew she was fine, or she would have said something. He stroked in and out of her while she draped one leg over his hip to get a better angle. He sunk further into her and stroked in and out of her. He gave her what she wanted as she dug her ankle into his lower back further urging him onto the limit. He thrust up into her then slowly retreated out of her only to reenter her with slow, tantalizing strokes against her cervix and bumping her clit. She clawed at his forearms and shoulders as her orgasm was close as he pushed into her a final time. She orgasmed hard and kissed his neck and his ear as she shuddered around him. He gave her time to regain composure when he stilled his movements since he was still embedded inside her throbbing with desire and need for release. Edward pulled her other leg up over his waist as she interlocked them behind his lower back and thrust into her repeatedly. Closing his eyes at the feeling of her milking him from what he was worth, he emptied inside her while he cradled her in his arms as the cave wall was digging into her back and made light scratches on her porcelain skin.

"Edward, your appetite is never going to be satisfied. What happens when we are married? I hate to think you'll get tired of being with me." Kate mumbled into his ear and kissed him on the lobe before she took it between her teeth and made him growl into her bosom.

"Kate, I'll never get tired of you by any means. Never say that to me again. When I said you're my woman, I truly meant it. I never go back on my word especially when it comes to you." Edward murmured into her chest before he slowly pulled out of her and lowered her to the ground to hold her in his arms before she laid contently on his chest momentarily before the downpour slowly came to an end.

The rain let up only to have a brief shower passed through, and Kate stood up to watch at the entrance to the cave as the wind calmed down. Edward pulled his pants over his hips but had yet to button them when he noticed Kate rush back out to the wagon to grab the water bucket. Setting it out in the brief rain shower, she gathered a little water to wash up from their previous escapade.

"I just want to freshen up before we rejoin the others. It's not that I find us making passionate love dirty, but it's just I feel the need to clean up." Kate replied when Edward approached her at the entrance.

"Oh, I don't see anything wrong with it. It could be another week before we have a decent bath or sponge bath." Edward agreed with her and cleaned himself while she tended to the fire. The wolf pup woke up suddenly, wobbled to Kate, and whined at her to show that he had gotten hungry. Their fire had just about extinguished itself, and Edward along with Kate and their wolf pup rejoined their group to find David, Elli, and the rest of the group getting supper, or what was left of it.

"Edward and Kate, just where have you two been? Well, I see you haven't got drenched in the rainstorm, and I see you still have that beast with you, Kate?" Jane wrinkled her nose at it and then Edward cleared his throat to put an end to Jane's insults.

"Okay everyone listen up. Kate is my lady, and the wolf pup is hers. If anyone bothers her or the animal, you'll be answering to me. One of these days, that beast might just save your life. Think about it. He has a nose better than yours and can find the game quicker than any of us. So, remember that when you are starving and have an empty belly. He might just find our food when we can't. I don't want to hear another word about this pup unless he is causing trouble, then he will be dealt with. But right now, he's just fine and safe in Kate's hands. If you don't want to be around him then fine, but not another word about it. Do I make my intentions clear to everyone?" Edward's voice echoed inside the cavern as his eyes were glued to everyone who stood silent and not a word was said again. Kate and Edward ate their supper and shared their meat bits with the wolf pup and gave him a plate of cow's milk. They settled inside the cave until morning and would assess the damage if any, and soon they would be trekking over the mountainous terrain.

Part 8

PMDSXX

As morning arrived, the crewmen had roused to the early sunrise that appeared over the ridgeline. Edward had woken when he heard some muffled voices carrying on outside by the wagons when they started to hitch the horses. Kate took comfort in Edward's strong embrace as the fire had snuffed itself out. Edward didn't care what other people thought about him and Kate. She was his, and he was hers, and that was that. He looked down at her sleeping peacefully against him gave her a gentle kiss to the top of her head. Kate smiled against his chest then looked up at him affectionately and returned the favor with a sweet kiss to his lips.

"Kate, I'm going to have to go help with the hitching of the wagons and get ready to move the caravans," Edward whispered to her and she closed her eyes, shook her head in agreement, and let him up.

"Duty calls right? After all, you are the wagon master," Kate replied to him.

"Yes, you are correct," Edward answered her. He helped her up, and she faced him as he pulled her to her feet. She picked up his hat and handed it to him. He put it on his head walked toward the entrance to see the crews at work, and the teams readied. David had been with the scouts and helped them harness the horses onto the last two wagons.

"Edward, glad you could join us. We're just about ready to head on out of here. But our food rations are getting low. I mean if we don't find that trading post soon, we're going to be starving before we get to the other side of the mountains and reach California." David's tone was serious with a worried look in his eyes. He looked back at the cave where the ladies were occupying. Knowing he was right; Edward returned his gaze to the cave as he thought of Kate.

"Let's stop worrying about it and peacefully get moving. The more time we stand here and talk about our situation is not making it any better for any of us. Let's get moving! I need to find the scouts and see where we are." Edward confidently stated to his friend. David knew Edward was worried, but he wasn't about to give up. Once Edward was fixated on getting a job done, he was going to see it through, no matter the obstacles they faced they were bound for California. He made himself a promise once Kate agreed to be his wife, it was all that mattered to him and get her safely there.

The wagons were double-checked once over before the ladies made their appearances out of the cave and joined their wagons. Kate looked for Edward and found him at the front of the first wagon on his horse as he talked to the two scouts while David joined them in a conversation. She watched only a few moments as her wolf pup followed at her ankles out to the wagon, picked him up, and safely put him inside the wagon. All the wagons had been told to start moving, and the brides started to walk alongside them. The scouts had informed Edward that a trading post should still be operating as they had traveled this trail last year. It had the necessary items that they would need for the rest of their journey. They would have to portion accordingly until they were down off the mountain and moved into the lower valley of California.

The wagons lurched and trudged along the uneven terrain while the brides struggled to keep up with the wagons. More of the brides had taken to their wagons, doubling up inside and switching every half hour taking turns with one another. Meanwhile, Kate and Elli gave their seats to Jane and Claire when Edward saw that Kate looked like she was about to drop he took action.

David too saw that Elli was lagging behind Kate and spurred his horse towards them. David helped Elli mount his horse, and she sat behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head on his shoulders with relief as her feet couldn't carry her any longer. Edward rode his horse towards Kate swiftly. She finally peered up at him with her hand over her eyes to block the sun from her eyes to see the rider. It was Edward stuck out his hand for her, and she reached for it. He helped her up to sit behind him on the horse, placed her arms around his waist, laid her head on his strong back, and held him to her. Edward stayed close by Kate's wagon while David rode a few yards ahead with Elli still clutched to him.

"I'm sorry Edward for not keeping up with the wagon." She apologized into his shoulder and clutched at his waist as she held him tightly. He covered her hands with his to comfort her.

"It's okay Kate. We should be arriving at a trading post soon. My scouts had traveled this same trail last year and informed me that we are in the right direction. We can rest there, but we need to get rations before we descend the mountain. It's going to be treacherous enough going down the hill and we can't lose any wagons or supplies." Edward told her. He looked ahead and then back at the wagon caravans that still followed them. No more stragglers at least, not yet. One scout had stopped ahead with the first wagon so that the other lagging wagons could catch up to them.

Edward rode his horse up to the front of the line while Kate still clutched at his waist securely. Edward saw the trading post stone building nodded to David, who still had Elli molded into him. David proceeded to go join the scouts and get Elli to the post while Edward gave word to the other crew teams that the post was near. They would be stopping briefly to refill their water barrels and get what rations they would need before continuing.

The trading post was outfitted with a collecting water tower and a corral in the back that was connected to a barn. The shop had everything you could imagine inside; guns, ammo, tools, trinkets and lye soap, clothing, blankets, etc. The scouts entered the premises first with David while Elli stood by his horse waiting for an all-clear. Edward had joined them at the hitching post while Kate still held onto him. Edward looked down at her fingers still clutching at his waist before he gently massaged them with his. Kate slowly opened her eyes to notice that they arrived at their destination and squeezed his waist before she felt his hand on hers.

"Kate, we're here. We only have a little time to collect what we need and be on our way. If you need to freshen up or do whatever it is you need to do, then I suggest you make it known to the rest of the ladies." Edward suggested to her before she reached for his hand to help her down off his horse.

"Okay Edward, I'll let them know. Thanks again for letting me double up with you," Kate told him brushed her hair off her brow and retreated to her wagon. Edward gave her a hearty smile before he dismounted his horse and entered the building. Kate walked back to the wagon to find Jane asleep or what appeared to be. Claire was keeping the wolf pup busy and preoccupied when he saw Kate appear. He was excited to see Kate and happily ran towards her at the back of the wagon to give her a few licks to her hand, and she picked him up and cuddled him to her.

"Claire, we are getting supplies and water. If you need to stretch your legs and freshen up you best be doing that right now. Is Jane feeling, okay? I've noticed she hadn't moved since the wagon stopped, and her skin looks paler than normal." Kate asked concerned for her health.

"I don't know Kate. She's been suffering from a severe headache since this morning. I'm not sure if the heat has affected her. Do you think the doctor can tend to her? I'm sure he is around I'll see if I can locate him." Claire said before she exited the wagon in search of the doctor, spotted him further down the wagon train, sprinted towards him, and retrieved him.

Edward and David scoped out the supplies inside the trading post. They needed rations and gave the clerk money to buy pounds of potatoes, dried meats, apples, flour, salt, the main ingredients that the cook could prepare that could hold them over before they reached their destination. The crewmen had filled their water barrels to the brim and fastened them securely because the water was precious. Edward spotted a gold ring with a diamond in the center along with a matching bracelet that had two joining hearts engraved into it. He wasn't sure of Kate's ring size, but he eyed the size, and if it didn't fit, he would surely adjust it to her size. David glanced at the jewelry display alongside Edward and settled for a gold band for Elli. He would surprise her when they got to California.

"How would you like to pay for that Sir?" the older clerk asked him.

"Will this do? I also need those blankets and wool clothes. As many as this will buy," Edward put a solid gold nugget down on the counter. The clerk looked stunned and took out his magnifying glass and eyed the nugget then looked back at him suspiciously.

"How do I know that's not fool's gold?" The clerk took the stone from him weighing it into his hand trying to figure out if it was the real deal.

"Listen buddy my pal and I struck a vein last fall. We are the real deal. So, if you don't want it, we can spend it elsewhere." David turned to walk away and touched Edward on the elbow. When the clerk didn't protest and started to follow David outside.

"Oh, wait! I'll take it, but there is one condition. All the supplies and the jewelry I could let you have for five dollars more, plus the nugget. Does that sound fair?" The clerk pleaded as the gold nugget sat on the counter between them.

"Sure, sounds fair to me," Edward replied to the clerk who then proceeded to put his gift in a small box and tied a ribbon on it. He handed it to Edward, and he tucked it inside his coat. David pocketed his ring for Elli and left Edward with the clerk to get the supplies. A few more crew members came inside and helped themselves to their needs before more joined them.

Claire had found the doctor and brought him to Jane as she was sweating and complained of a headache. The many miles she walked, and the unrelenting sun had caused her to have heat exhaustion. The limit of water hadn't helped her at all. The doctor ordered her to stay out of the sun and drink plenty of liquids. It was vital for her safety and the water she needed to have on hand to get better. Upon hearing the news, Kate, Claire, and Elli had to inform Edward that Jane needed to stay inside the wagon more often, and when the ladies needed to take a break, they would be doubling up inside the wagon and they needed to give their feet a rest.

The wagons were fully stocked up. The water barrels filled in every wagon. The brides freshened up as some of them started to fuss and get rowdy by the heat of the day. The older women on the caravan had warned them that they needed to dress for the climate. If they needed wool clothing, they needed to make sure they were well equipped. Some of them gaffed at the comment but they were young and foolish. They thought what do these old ladies know that they didn't. They knew more than they would ever know. The season in the mountains could change like the snap of a finger. Mother nature ruled the seasons, and either one dealt with it or one perished.

Kate met up with Edward as he exited the trading post with a few fellows following him with the rations and sacks of potatoes. The crewmembers helped each other load the supply wagon while the other crews finished topping the last wagon off with their water barrels.

"Did you get all the previsions, Edward, that we needed?" Kate asked him.

"Yes, we're just about ready to head out here in a little bit. The crew will be double-checking their hitches before we venture onward. What's the matter? Something wrong?" Edward asked her concerned that she stood in place, but she seemed different to him, as she was glowing and not because of the sun either.

"I'm fine Edward. But it's Jane. The doctor gave her a check-up as Claire had told me she wasn't feeling well. It's the heat and rationing of the water that's got her sick. She's going to have to stay inside the wagon until she is well enough to be on foot. We're going to have to double up at times inside the wagon if our feet get tired. That's all I needed to tell you." Kate said to him unsure if he'd get angry, but he didn't.

"Oh, I thought something was wrong with you. By the way, you looked just now, I couldn't help that you have gotten more beautiful. But who am I to say that? You're my woman and will always be beautiful to me." Edward touched her hand, squeezed it, and made her blush.

"You don't need to keep reminding me, Edward." Kate returned the squeeze to his hand before she turned away from him. Not letting her hand go, he pulled her back into his arms, flush against him, and didn't care who had seen them.

"Oh, I will every day of your waking life." Edward leaned into her space as he kissed her on her lips. He slowly pulled away from her when David cleared his throat behind him.

"Uh… boss we're just about ready to head on out. Everything is tightened down, and the water barrels are secured. We're just waiting on your orders." David told him.

"I'll be right with you," Edward replied not looking at him as his eyes were on Kate.

"They are waiting on you Edward you better go join them. I'll be fine, and this time, I'll try to keep up and not slow you down." Kate started as she stepped away from his embrace.

"I'll be watching, and if I notice you get tired, don't you worry what others think, you will ride double with me. No exceptions and I will not take no as your answer either, Kate." Edward peered down into her green sparkling iris. Kate touched his rough face, looked into his blue eyes, and noticed his beard had started to get more prominent on his face. He left her to join the crew as his words echoed into her ears that he would be watching out for her. He would be near if she needed him. She watched him take his reins to his horse and mounted the animal tipped his hat at her and rode in the direction of the first wagon and joined them.

The caravans traveled down the mountainous terrain without losing any supplies or any lives. The leading wagon traveled to the bottom of the mountain making a clear path for the others to follow. One scout had stayed behind while the other waited with the first wagon. David kept a watchful eye on the descending wagons agonizingly waiting for Edward who took it personally on himself to see Kate's wagon to the bottom. More wagons lined the path following hers. It was slow and tedious, but extra measures from the team drivers had to have nerves of steel to drive their teams down the mountainside. Finally, once the last of the caravans made it to the bottom of the foothill, they all turned to look at the massive mountain, that they had conquered. The brides were glad they made it successfully as they wiped their brows from sweat that beaded upon their foreheads.

"I can smell the snow, Edward. I know since my family was born to a half-Native American chief; my senses have never failed me. It's a family curse, and I know you can feel it too." David told his friend.

"Yes, the snow is coming, and I sense it. It can be sunny one moment and a snow blizzard the next. Mother nature is unforgiving out here, and if you're not on your toes, it can cost your life. I've seen it many times, and this is my last trip, David." Edward informed him solemnly as he looked towards Kate's wagon then back at his pal.

The caravans took a much-needed rest before they set out again for the remainder of the day. It was late afternoon, and the winds roared. The warm temperature had drastically plummeted and started to get much colder. The brides took to their wagons for shelter as the winds roared and slowed their travels. The older ladies could feel it in their bones that winter was upon them or soon would be, and they were glad they brought their wool shawls and coats with them. The younger ladies that laughed at them had nothing, but a few clothing articles that they soon realized it was a mistake for not packing extra wool clothing. The wagons lurched and trudged closer through the impending storm that the crew knew was upon them. The men bundled their coats up around their necks as the wind blew harshly at their faces and shivered them to the bones.

The first snow started to fall upon them, but they kept going. The ladies were soon shivering as their clothing froze to their skin. The wagon wheels started to bog down in the fine snow that had not let up. Edward decided to stop and set up camp as the sun set behind the ridge. David helped the crew teams unhitch and circle the wagons to shelter the livestock as best he could. It was inevitable that an animal would perish and so would a human life, but how many was the question. Edward pulled his coat closer to his face and looked in the direction of Kate's wagon and not seeing her went on the hunt for her. Jane, Ellie, and Claire were beside the wagon while it was Kate's turn inside the wagon. Edward, who couldn't see her at first, panicked at the thought of losing her in the upcoming blizzard. The ladies had bundled up with the wool coats and blankets that Edward bought and distributed throughout the wagon train. It was then that some of the ladies had been fighting for the wool blankets that refused them earlier on. David watched in awe at how greedy some of them were towards each other and soon stood diligent nearby Kate and Elli's wagon in case trouble arose against their wagon.

"Kate, you okay? I couldn't see you at first and I was worried something happened," Edward said and peered inside the wagon to find her with the wolf pup near her keeping her warm.

"Yes, I'm fine Edward. It was my turn to ride inside the wagon. I see that mother nature had a surprise for us, didn't she? I mean, after all, it was the heat of the day and now it's snowing." Kate shrugged her shoulders then approached him as he held out his hand towards her to exit the wagon.

"Yes, it sure is, and we're going to have to start setting up our tents. There is a lot of trees, and we can set up tents amongst them. We should be able to find kindling, but we're going to have to scratch around for that. We better take shelter fast since this storm is near and will be unrelenting." Edward informed her and gathered the supplies they needed to make their tents. The ladies followed him, and the crew teams helped set up the bride's tents so quickly so that they would be out of the weather so they could hurriedly make their own. If time allowed, they would be out of the weather as well. With two men occupying a bride's tent nearby, the ladies need not worry about making a fire. The older ladies would be helpful as well to the younger brides, and they made sure the men minded their manners towards them.

Edward and Kate helped David and Ellie set their tent because they would be sharing it with Jane and Claire. Edward collected his tent to share with Kate when her pup wandered off in the blinding snow. She frantically looked for him, but soon found herself away from the rest of the group and Edward. Kate, who didn't want to lose her pup, or it freeze to death, continued to follow his puppy prints in the snow and finally found him in the undergrowth of a pine tree. She picked him out and brushed off the snow that built upon his fur coat and turned around to see that her footprints had been partially covered up and now she was soon lost from the rest of the group. Edward was not far from her as he strode in quick movements following her footprints and finally saw her reappear just before colliding with her.

"Kate, what are you doing? You're not supposed to be out here! You're going to catch your death and if anything happened to you." Edward grabbed her forcefully by her hand and pulled her to him in a fierce hug when he heard a growl coming from her arms.

"I'm sorry but the pup wandered away, and I didn't want him to freeze to death. So, I tried to catch him. I should have called for help, but I didn't." Kate said to him as he looked down at her with disappointment, but he quickly soon forgave her and planted a kiss on her lips to warm her up.

"It's alright now that I have you in my arms safely. Let's get back to camp." Edward took her hand in his while she held tightly to the pup and his grip on her hand.

"It seems like I lost my direction. I could have sworn I came this way, but this doesn't look familiar at all." Edward tried to see where he was, but the darkness settled quickly and made it very difficult for him to see. As he made his way back to camp or so he thought, a cabin came into view. No lights were burning it looked abandoned. He sought shelter there as the wagon train had been stopped nearby, but this cabin would shelter them for the night, and in the morning, they would rejoin the wagon caravan.

Edward slowly approached the entrance to the cabin while Kate, who was at his side, held onto the squirming pup in her arms.

"You think anyone is home? Or is the cabin vacant?" Kate asked.

"I'm not sure but we're going to find out soon enough. You stay behind me in case there is trouble." Edward instructed her. He jiggled the door jamb which opened freely without resistance and swung open the door to the cabin. It was still furnished with pots, utensils still out on the table, plates on the countertop, and a wood stove. There was also a small stack of wood next to the corner of the room. The inhabitants looked like they stayed for a little while, but moved on. There was a bed in the next room albeit dusty as Kate found some blankets that had seen better days but would keep them warm tonight. Edward glanced around the cabin and looked in the other adjacent room in search of anyone, but it was an empty cabin and no sign of life.

"Well, it looks like whoever was here made it home for a little while and then left," Edward informed her with a sigh of relief.

Kate put the pup down on the wooden floor, and he roamed around until he went toward the middle of the cabin, sat down and watched the two of them. Edward busied himself at the fireplace to gather some kindling wood to start a fire while Kate explored the kitchen cabinets and didn't find anything she came back to Edward. He found a small hatchet on the floor next to the woodpile and chopped a piece off to make more kindling.

"Edward, I didn't mean for this to happen. For us, getting lost out here, and we might not find our way back to the caravan. My friends are probably wondering where we are, and I know David is worried about your safety. I hope he is not out in this weather looking for us. I am so ashamed of myself for letting the pup get away from me." Kate rattled on in conversation hoping that Edward would say something to her, but he remained quiet. Kate got frustrated with him not acknowledging that she was upset and tried to apologize for what she did when Edward paid no attention to her. He was busy trying to get the fire going in the fireplace, but he heard every word she said. He knew she didn't mean for the pup incident to happen, but it did, and he found her. It was all over now. Kate thought he was angry with her, that wasn't the case.

Kate remembered earlier back at the trading post that he helped a younger, brunette lady with some of her baggage off her wagon train. She watched them converse for far too long than she liked, and he seemed to enjoy talking and giving the lady his attention. Kate wasn't the type to be jealous of other women, but once they started to fuss over Edward, it was different. Edward could be courteous, polite, and charming to the other brides, but Kate belonged to him, and he made his intentions known to the others in the group that she was his woman The three-month-old wolf pup growled at the windowpane and Edward looked in the direction to see what the issue was. Edward slowly crept to the window and saw a buck deer walking and nibbling on the pine tree needles and thought of food. Edward put his index finger to his lips to silence Kate's voice and looked on the wall and surroundings for a weapon. He spotted a bow and arrow on the nail that hung beside the fireplace and found a few arrows. He quietly grabbed them and went out the back door of the cabin slowly as not to frighten the deer.

Edward drew back the arrow on the bow. The string stretched and released the arrow hitting the animal in the shoulder. He quickly took the second arrow, released it at the animal, hit it in the belly, killed it instantly. Edward hurried to the kill and dragged it back to the cabin to skin it and gut it. He didn't want any stray animals to bother the entrails. The cold weather was unrelenting on his hands as he kept blowing his hot breath into them to warm them up. Upon reentering the cabin back door, he slowly dragged the kill inside so he could skin it and cut the meat off the animal. Kate looked in awe at the size of the kill he just made. The pup wandered over to the dead animal and sniffed it while Kate closed the door and latched it securely.

"Thanks to this deer, we will not go hungry tonight," Edward said and took his knife out of its sheath and began making cutting marks on the hide of the deer. Kate looked around for a pot to put the meat in as Edward cleaned it and gutted the entrails out that were no use to them. He saved the deer hide, hung it up outside in the cold weather, and took the entrails further away from the cabin as the snow continued to fall. Quickly he made it back to the cabin as he followed his footprints back to the cabin as the snow started to let up. As he returned safely inside, the fire was starting to heat the cabin, and Edward took solace in warming his hands again, shook off the snow that fell on his shoulders, and stomped his boots next to the fireplace. The pup sniffed where the dead animal was and then looked up at Edward then at Kate.

Kate managed to cut the deer meat into edible bites and put them in the pot to simmer. She used the snow that was outside for water as it warmed over the fireplace to use as water and as drinking water. Edward cleaned his knife, wiped it in the snow, cleaned the blood off it, and placed it back in his sheath. When he returned inside the house, he found Kate at the fireplace tending to the meat as it simmered in the pot, and she put another log onto the fire.

"If it wasn't for that pup, we would not be eating tonight." Edward stepped into her space while she stirred the pot of meat. He approached her from behind, slipped his arms around her middle, and pulled her towards him. Kate tilted her head when he nuzzled her neck, placed soft kisses down her neck, fingered her curls, and sniffed her scent into his nostrils. She pushed back into him made him groan while she turned in his embrace. The only light was from the fire. His eyes pierced through her soul when he spoke to her.

"What's wrong? You are mad at me?" Edward asked her. She didn't respond to him as she gave him the same treatment he did early as she spoke to him.

"Not right now Edward. We can talk later, but I'm hungry and I know you are starving." Kate told him, gave a quick peck to his lips, and returned to her task as he looked a little confused. He shook his head, agreed with her, and let her stir the meat bits in the pot while he gathered the plates off the table and brought them over to her. He saw a couple of cups on the table and gathered them as well to pour the water into them. Kate forked out the meat onto the plates as it was steaming hot and well-cooked. She plated their food while the hungry pup waited patiently for his meal. They ate in silence, savored the meal, and stole glances at each other. Kate finished her meat bits. She forked out the rest of the meat into the pot again to give the rest to the hungry pup.

"Well, I know that all the hungry bellies have been fed. Do you care to tell me what's on your mind, Kate?" Edward asked her again.

"Yes, when I was asking if you were mad at me or angry, you never responded to me. Was that your way of ignoring me? Or did you have something else on your mind? Maybe a certain young brunette you were helping earlier at the trading post? I never said anything because you are after the wagon master, and you tend to others' needs, but you looked rather comfortable to me." Kate used choice words to show a little bit of jealousy towards another woman that was getting too comfortable with her man.

"Oh, so that's what this is about? When I was trying to start the fire and you rambling on about others looking for us and hoping they didn't because of the storm. I heard every word you said, Kate. I didn't ignore you, and a lady needed an extra hand with her baggage. I'm sorry I was there to help her out, but you already know my true feelings about you and only you." Edward confronted her.

Kate never moved from his advances on her. When he tried to put his arm on her shoulder, she blatantly pushed him away. He looked confused at her, but he was soon surprised by her forcefully shoving him back teasingly. She narrowed her eyes at him, tilted her head at him, and gave him a sultry smile that made him wonder what she had planned for him. She placed her hands on his chest and pushed him back further toward the bedroom with the bed. When the back of his knees hit the mattress, he fell back with her straddling his torso as she pinned his hands down. The room was cold, but at the moment, their body heat was simmering. She grabbed at his shirt and stripped him of his clothing quickly and worked him out his boots and trousers. He lay before her naked as the day he was born. She took in the sight of him in his full glory. The cold air in the room didn't hamper the fact that he was aching to be inside her, and it showed. Kate licked her lips and teased him by slowly removing her dress and undergarments before she rejoined him on the bed.

"You going to tell me what this is all about Kate? Or are you going to keep me guessing?" Edward was silenced when her mouth when claimed his mouth eagerly. She interlaced her hands with his, and he let her overpower him with her frame. He could easily hurt her if he wanted to with his size and weight but refrained until she bit him on the lip and suckled at his earlobe. Kate never let his hands out of her grasp as she continued kissing him. When she finally looked at him, she let his hands slip out of her grasp. She put her hands on his heaving chest while his hands found her hips and steadied her as she was poised to sheath him.

"Edward, I need you inside me now." She whispered into his ear licked the outer shell as she nuzzled it. He gripped her hips and pulled her down onto his raging member that so desperately needed release. In one quick motion, she was engulfed by him taking his time with her as she rode him. He teased her breasts with his mouth while she ground down on him when he let one pert nipple escape from his soft mouth to give the other the same attention. She clamped down on him hard when his teeth grazed her sensitive flesh, and he buried his head into her chest while she stroked into him and raked his scalp with her fingernails. He kissed her turned her over on the mattress so that he was on top of her. He looked at her flushed appearance from the low light that cascaded from the fire, and she pulled him down for a slow, sensual kiss and gave into her unrelenting need to be inside her, and slid home into her wetness.

Edward stroked in and out of her slickened folds slowly with his gentleness before she clamped down on his engorged penis and orgasmed hard. The tilting of her hips spurred him on with his release as he soon emptied inside her while she stroked his back and sides. He collapsed onto her with his weight then rolled brought her with him to nestle into his side while he slipped out of her. They both shivered at the dampness in the room. The fire needed another log added, and Edward groaned when he got up and forced himself to toss the wood onto the burning pit.

He quickly stoked the fire and reappeared before Kate still naked. He reached into his coat and brought the contents to her. He slowly crawled to her on the bed before he presented the small box before her. She pulled the blanket up to her chest and looked at him curiously. He faced her while she opened the box, to reveal the ring and bracelet he bought back at the trading post. Tears welled up in her eyes at that moment knowing Edward was true to his word, and she was his woman.

"Kate, I have asked you for your hand. I think about you all the time. I don't dare lose you or your heart." Edward looked sincerely at her from the dim light from the burning fire.

"Edward, I love you so much. I never doubted your love for me." Kate placed the ring on her finger. He helped her clasp the bracelet around her wrist and kissed her lovingly on the lips. She stroked his rough beard and his mused hair with her fingers. He kissed the palm of her hand, laid down beside her, cuddled her in his arms for warmth, and pulled the blanket around them. The wolf pup now with his belly full of meat bits had already cozied up to the fireplace as the logs crackled and popped.

"Kate, I'll keep watch on the fireplace. We will not freeze as long as I keep it going until morning. If the caravans are close by, we will be found. The wood smoke is a clear sign that someone is camped out near them, and David will investigate. I know him all too well, and he will not continue without me until he finds us." Edward whispered into her ear as she fell asleep in his arms and snuggled into his heated flesh to keep warm. Edward looked down at the beautiful woman he held in his arms and tightened his hold on her to keep her warm. He had got up several times in the night to feed the logs into the fireplace and return to her welcoming arms, and he finally slept a little before sunrise crept in the window panes.

Part 9
PMDSXX

The next morning, David and the three women sought shelter in the snowstorm. When David peeked outside his tent in the early morning, he noticed that Edward's tent had not been set up, and he was nowhere to be found. However, he did smell a distinct burning of firewood and saw smoke coming up from a smokestack that was secluded by a plot of pine trees. He woke Elli, who had bundled up in the wool blanket that he had shared with her as his warmth was still enveloped into the fabric.

"Elli, wake up! Edward and Kate are missing! I need to find them quickly. I hope they took shelter in the blizzard last night, and if I know Edward, he wouldn't be too far from the caravans." David pulled on his coat, buttoned it up to his chin, put his hat on his head, and gave Elli a quick kiss.

"Be careful! I know you'll find them both. Hopefully alive and well." Elli murmured under her breath. Claire and Jane woke up due to the commotion. Everyone wore their clothes all night for warmth, but if it wasn't for the wool blankets, they surely would have frozen to death. Meanwhile, Jane, Claire, and Elli began to rouse out of their tents, and although still fully clothed the temperature was bitterly cold to them. The crewmen had been informed that Edward and Kate had gone missing by word of mouth from David. Everyone spanned out looking for any sign of them, and David spotted the cabin first. It looked desolate, but it was occupied by their wagon master and his woman. David approached the cabin slowly, carefully looked inside, and found nothing but a pot over the fireplace and a few plates littered on the tabletop with a couple of mugs.

Kate and Edward had freshened up and dressed earlier when the morning sun hit the window pane. The pup whined at the front door when Edward saw a shadow pass by the opposite side of the cabin. David tried to jiggle the door handle, but it was latched and he then bellowed out.

"Anyone home?!" David called out hoping to hear a familiar voice.

Edward recognized the voice, flung open the door, and greeted him. Kate stood behind him after she gathered the pup into her arms and looked at David.

"I'm glad I found you both alive. That storm was terrible last night. I haven't checked on the livestock yet, but some of the crews are already out there and getting ready to hitch up so we can get out of here."

"We took shelter here last night because Kate's pup took off. I found her, and then we got lost in the blinding snow squall, stumbled upon this cabin, and took shelter here. We'll be ready in a few moments." Edward said then turned to face Kate. Kate picked up his coat and handed it to him when David saw the ring on her finger and bracelet that Edward bought back at the trading post. He gave a smile and wink towards his pal before he returned to the wagon caravans to assist the others.

"Come on Kate, let's get out of here. I'll have to access the damage with David and the crew then we'll be on the way." Edward gave her a kiss that heated her lips and warmed her up by just his touch. His beard scratched her cheek, but she didn't mind. He pulled back from her mouth, and she smoothed his unruly hair off his brow while she put on his hat. Kate bundled up, gathered her pup in her arms, followed him out of the cabin, and shut the door behind her.

David, Edward, and the rest of the men observed that a few of their mules perished in the storm when a startling scream alarmed the men. The men came rushing towards the blood-curdling cries as bodies had frozen to death in the snowstorm and were found by the women. Many deaths had resulted in this snowstorm. There was nothing they could do for them now. Mother nature took her revenge on the less fortunate, and the ones that were too weak to continue. The men, that found the bodies with the help of the doctor, quickly piled the bodies one by one in a row and counted their remains. It was over half of the wagon train of brides that wouldn't make the journey to California, and the state was so close now to losing these women now that had come so far. Edward took it to heart that he was responsible for their young lives, but Kate was there to comfort him. She knew it affected him deep down in his soul by the way he looked at her as he was helpless at the loss of life.

The loss of half the wagon train had lightened the load and given more food to the other passengers. Edward, David, and the crewmen had done all they could in trying to find any survivors. Without a word, Edward helped Kate inside her wagon and Elli joined her while Jane and Claire took an empty wagon that had no brides inside. The snow was not in inches, however, a foot of snow had fallen in the mountains, and with the caravans readied, they began the trek onward. The wagons traveled at an agonizing pace as the snow slowed their progress, but they soldiered onward. Edward, David, and the two scouts directed the line of the caravans safely down the mountain and out of the frigid temperatures. The weather started to warm up and the snowpack had been in lesser amounts as they came to another flat plateau.

The scouts directed the teams in the westward direction of the red oak trees that littered the trail's path. A few fallen trees were cleared by David and Edward as the path of the wagon had been obstructed. The day's trek was uneventful with a few obstacles in the rocky terrain and soon the temperature started to get warmer as the evening progressed. Edward called for the wagon caravans to stop for the night so that camp could be set up, supper could be cooked and everyone could rest for the next day. They traveled ten miles that day to get out of the snowbank and into the warm stretch of land. Unsure of the weather inclement Edward pushed them to the limit that day.

The crew tended to the livestock with the help of Edward and David. The cook managed to have a decent meal for supper. The camp was quieter than usual. Kate found Edward leaning back on his saddle staring at the fire he just started. It crackled and popped into the evening while he just sat in silence before he gave her his full attention. He scratched his beard in his one hand and extended his other hand to her, and she took it. Coming to sit down between his parted legs, she leaned back into his frame while he held her in his arms comfortably. He grabbed her left hand and looked at the ring on her finger as he brought it to his lips and kissed it. Kate rubbed his forearms with her hands to warm him in the cool night air.

"You have a lot on your mind Edward. I can see it in your eyes and face. You can't blame yourself for what's happened to those women. I know it was a chance that they were taking, and you must not blame yourself." Kate sympathetically said while she craned her neck to look at him. She took one of his hands into hers, held it close to her heart while he used his other hand to pull her flush against him so that she could feel his heat radiating off him although still fully clothed.

"I know Kate but it's still etched in my mind. All those ladies with their whole future ahead of them. What could I have done better to keep them all safe?" Edward whispered in her ear. He massaged her shoulders and then her neck in his strong hands as she leaned into his touch. His beard tickled her sensitive flesh at her nape when he peppered her with gentle kisses to her skin and made her flinch. Suddenly, a white furball came towards Kate and Edward, slowly approached her, laid down on her lap, looked up at her, and happily licked her hand while she combed through his fur.

"Looks like he's a little jealous of you, Edward." Kate teased him playfully and gave the animal her full attention.

"Yes, I do believe so. Just as long as he knows who the boss is, there will be no trouble from me." Edward gave her a wicked smile and gave a deep, sensual kiss which made her gasp into his mouth.

"And just who is the boss?" Kate lifted one eyebrow at him and teased him by leaning away from him.

"You are, Kate," Edward claimed her mouth with his and kissed her passionately as she turned in her arms.

The pup jumped out of her lap and laid in the grass beside her while she gave Edward her full attention. He smoothed his hand down her chest, fingered the grommets to remove her barrier of fabric, and touched her breast. She panted and pulled away from him. She rested her forehead against his in a heavy breath not wanting to make love to him tonight. She was exhausted from the day's events and wanted to rest peacefully in his embrace. He obliged holding her all night while the pup stood guard through the night remaining at their side.

It had almost been three months into their journey across the rugged terrain and landscape. A few more days and it would be four months. At this rate, they had progressed with little trouble on the trails with only the snowstorm that slowed them down. Losing life was a huge blow to the caravans although it lightened the load and left more food for the weary passengers, the journey was far from over. Kate started to get sharp pains in her stomach but just thought it was traveling so much on foot and had also noticed she hadn't had her monthly woman cleansing. She started to get concerned but didn't want to bother Edward about her condition. He had enough to worry about, and she knew he would never forgive himself if something happened to her.

The morning dew lay on the grass while the livestock grazed on the sweet grass. The cook had made a light breakfast for the crewmen, and the scent woke Edward. He stirred against Kate, who was still with him but faced away from him. Kate laid on his shoulder as a make-shift pillow, and he moved to spoon behind her. She felt his breath against her ear and his lips on her neck as he kissed her tenderly as his scratchy beard tickled her sensitive flesh. She pushed back against him and made him groan while he pushed her curls away from her nape to nuzzle her with his nose causing her to giggle at him.

"Edward, you better get breakfast. You're going to need all your strength today." Kate mumbled into his forearm and finally turned to face him.

"I'll be back with some grub." Edward planted a kiss on her lips then got up brushed off his trousers and fixed his button-up shirt. He walked over to the line of the crew who had already lined up to get their food. Edward took one plate and filled it up for at least three men, and one crewman looked at him with wide eyes.

"What's all that for Edward? I didn't know you had an appetite of a horse." The young man said to him grinning as he tried to make a joke.

"No, it's not that I have an appetite of a horse. I am sharing with my woman to save on water. So, are you insulating me and my woman? Because if you are…" Edward threatened the man with his posture, and no more words were exchanged until Edward left the line. The men mingled amongst themselves and eyed Edward as he made his way back to Kate with the plate in hand. Kate freshened up and met Edward at the wagon, and they shared their meal while Kate fed the pup a few meat bits and cow's milk.

"You better not push your luck son. Edward means business especially if it comes to his woman. You don't want to push him too far." The older man told him while he sipped his coffee and looked in the direction in which Edward went. The young man watched Edward interact with Kate and eyed them both with a hint of jealousy.

"She is beautiful. I mean Edward's woman. Just look at her. What does she see in him anyway?" The young man turned to the crewmate, who was chewing on his strip of bacon then returned his attention to his object of affection.

"For one thing my friend, she belongs to him now. She's wearing his ring if you haven't noticed by now. So, leave her alone, or you're going to regret it. I've warned you, and that's all I'm going to say." The older man got up from the log from which he sat and began hitching the team of horses to the wagon.

Edward and Kate finished their breakfast without any interruptions until David and Elli joined them. Coming towards them, Elli looked especially happy, and David was all smiles.

"Just what have you two been up to?" Kate asked her friend when David put his arm around Elli's shoulder and held her close to him lovingly.

"Kate, guess what? David asked me to marry him! Isn't he just wonderful and full of surprises!" Elli boasted to Kate, and they both hugged one another. Kate pulled away from her friend and told her friend that Edward had asked her already. It was not a surprise to either David or Elli.

"I figured he asked you the first day you two met! To learn that he asked you isn't surprising to me." Elli gushed and hugged her friend again then looked at her happily then at Edward.

"Edward, want to give me a hand in hitching the teams so we can get on our way."

"Yes, the sooner the better. I'll need to talk to the scouts to see how far we are from the state line of California." Edward joined David and left Kate with her friends.

The women watched their men walk towards the other wagons and helped their crews ready the wagons. As Kate turned, she felt a sharp pain in her stomach again, and her legs went weak. Elli saw Kate in distress, took her arm, helped her on the ground to sit down, and made her comfortable.

"Kate, what's wrong? You want me to fetch Edward? The doctor?" Elli voiced her concern when Jane and Claire had appeared from the inside of the wagon.

"Something is wrong with Kate! We need to get the doctor right away!" Elli exclaimed. Jane and Claire went in search of the doctor and a few older women heard the scream from their wagon and came to see if they could help.

"What's happened here?" the large, robust, older woman said in a raspy tone.

"I'm not sure. Her legs just went weak, and she held her stomach as she went down on the ground. We need the doctor." Elli told them frantically.

"Bess, you know you shouldn't be touching her. She might be having something serious going on. You don't want to catch whatever she has." The lean lady told her friend.

"Would you be still, Karla! She's going to be fine. I've seen a lot of sick people in my days, and this lady for one isn't deathly sickened by anything she ate." Bess told her when she lifted Kate's hand and felt her forehead for a fever. She looked her over and gave her opinion on the matter before the doctor appeared rushing toward the wagon.

"What's going on!? Is she hurt? What happened here?" The doctor knelt to Kate and examined her while the group of ladies surrounded Kate.

"I'm not sure doctor. She had a sharp pain in her stomach and went down on the ground." Elli told him.

The one crewman took notice in the group of the gathering of the ladies when he pointed in their direction. Edward and David had been hitching the last team to the wagon. Once they had finished, they observed the crowd gathered by Kate's wagon, and not wasting time, Edward bolted toward her. He pushed the ladies that stood guard over Kate and knelt beside her while the doctor looked her over and gave her some cold water to drink as she came around to look at the throng of people surrounding her.

"What's going on with her?" Edward asked impatiently. The doctor tried to examine her but there were too many people crowding around and he couldn't do his task.

"Okay, everyone please get back. I need to see what this young lady is suffering from, and I can't do that with everyone looking over my shoulder and jawing. Just give me space to tend to this sick lady. Please!" the young doctor explained in a serious tone.

The crowd gave the doctor his space, and he tried to ask Kate what ailed her. Kate explained that she had been fine as she had missed her monthly cycle for the past two months now since she'd been with Edward. It was now going on three months, and soon it would be four months. The doctor had the answer to her sharp pains and the weakening of her legs. There had been days that Kate didn't fill up to par, but she didn't bother Edward with it as she would blame the heat of the day or the weather. The feelings came and went so she thought nothing of it. Then one day she was sick to her stomach, again, she thought it was something she had eaten because the following day she was completely fine.

"Kate, you're pregnant. From what you've told me, I've concluded, and it's obvious now. You're with a child and are three months well it's going to be four months in a few more days." The doctor smiled at her happily when the older lady Bess stepped up to overhear what the doctor told her.

"She's in luck doc. I'm a midwife and so is my friend Karla. We've delivered babies back in Chicago. We've seen the symptoms a few weeks back, but I didn't want to say anything. She was practically glowing the one night, and I could tell she was the moment I saw her. A bundle of joy is coming your way, Kate." Bess boasted, and Edward was within five feet and heard bundle of joy.

He quickly hurried to the doctor and spoke with him to find out what the issue was with Kate. He was soon going to be a father to Kate's unborn child. Upon hearing the words, he was speechless, but at the same time, he was proud that he could give her child. The doctor congratulated him and left toward his wagon leaving them alone to talk while the crowd dispersed. David, Elli, Jane, and Claire remained at a distance while Edward and Kate talked in private.

"Kate, you're going to be fine. I overheard the news, and I couldn't be happier for you." Edward spoke softly to her while she regained her composure. She reached for him and pulled him into a fierce hug knowing their lives would change by bringing a baby into the world.

"I'm so happy right now I could almost cry to think. I always wanted children and now to have one with you. You've made me the happiest woman alive, and I couldn't thank you enough." Kate whispered to him before she kissed him on the cheek. He pulled back from her to see tears running down her cheeks and wiped them away.

"You're going to be alright. We have two midwives and a doctor on this wagon train. If anything arises, they'll be sure to help you out. In the meantime, I've got to see the scouts and see where we're going. I'll be back in a little while, and then we'll be on our way. I don't want you walking if you don't feel up to it Kate." Edward gave her strict orders.

"Oh, so it's okay to boss your pregnant soon-to-be wife now, isn't it?" Kate teased him, playfully shoved his chest, and then placed them on his broad shoulders. He leaned into her, gave her a quick peck on the lips and smiled at her before he left to join the scouts. Knowing he was right, she needed to not overexert herself on the journey, and when she needed to stop and rest or stay inside the wagon then she would, no one would question her about the fact she was getting special treatment, especially now that she is with a child.

Edward left Kate with her friends while they all congratulated her on her soon-to-be bundle of joy. It was overwhelming at first as this was her first child with Edward. She couldn't be happier. As the morning progressed, her friends kept a close watch on her. Although Jane wasn't in a chipper mood to learn of Kate being with a child by Edward, it seemed he was telling her the truth when he declared his love for Kate. By now, she had relented but would always glance at him when she got the chance. Although he wasn't interested in her, she maintained an interest just in case Edward tired of Kate.

Kate went to the riverbank to collect some water so that she could clean the dishes before they set out on the day trek. Being alone with none of her friends by her side, she informed them that she wouldn't be gone very long. Someone surprised her by grabbing her water bucket in his hands and helping her with the heavy bucket. Thinking it was Edward, whom she thought was finished with the scouts, she turned and smiled but to her surprise, it was a strange, young man that had been watching her for a long time and made his presence be known to her.

"Can I help you with that Ms.? I hope I didn't scare you. You're such a beautiful lady to be carrying your water bucket. I just couldn't help to think that someone wouldn't offer to help you out." The young man told her with a hint of mischievous in his eyes and the tone of his voice set Kate off in defensive mode.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I can handle it." Kate gave him a wry smile and tried to grasp the water bucket from the man's strong grip. The wolf pup came to her aid and growled at the man as he tried to defend her and stared the man down. Being of no threat to the man, he laughed before he returned his attention to her.

"Are you sure? I don't want to see you hurt yourself." He lied to her, grabbed her hand, and yanked her forcefully away towards the wooded area so he could make his guilty pleasures known to her.

"Help! Edward, I need your help!" Kate screamed out before the young man silenced her by placing his hand over her mouth to keep her quiet and calm. He touched her dress, and she stood silent while he raked his beady eyes down her torso, licked his lips, and touched her arms. She flinched at the man's unwanted advances since she was pinned against the oak tree by his arm while the other busied itself on keeping her restrained.

Edward's ears picked up the tone of Kate's distress call while he had talked to one of the scouts. He heard her call out again, knew it was trouble, and left in a hurry to see what had happened. David was close on his heels. Finding the water bucket empty, shuffling, murmuring, and voices, Edward investigated the nearby woods. David had seen movement in the wooded area with the thick trees and nudged Edward in the direction. Just before the young man planted a kiss on her mouth. She turned her head away when she heard a click of a revolver at the man's head, who stopped his assault on her.

"Don't even think about. You had been warned not to touch her." Edward held his revolver to the man's head, took his shirt collar in his large hands, and choked him from behind. Edward looked at Kate, who was stunned by his show of force, and pulled him away from her with one hand as he shoved him to the ground before he kicked him with his large boot. David stood by to aid his pal while Edward pummeled the man with his boots repeatedly. Edward was far from being done with this low-life scum. He picked him up by his shirt collar and tossed him against the nearby oak tree like a rag doll, knocked him unconscious, and looked at Kate, who was still reeling from the attack.

"Kate, you, okay? Did he hurt you?" Edward approached her slowly while David watched on as the young man started to get to his feet, and he pushed him back down with the heel of his boot so that he couldn't escape, Edward was not finished with him by all means.

"I'm okay. He didn't hurt me, but just surprised me is all." Kate's voice fumbled before she started to cry and he pulled her into his arms hugging her to him in a protective embrace.

Meanwhile, the young man started to get to his feet again and David made his presence known to the guy as he kicked him on the ground once again with the heel of his boot, knocking him back down, not letting him get to his feet. Edward turned to face the foe that attacked his woman and seethed in anger at the sight of him. He made up his mind right there that this man would not be continuing with the caravan. He couldn't trust him since he made his intentions known to Kate, and that was the biggest mistake he made.

"David, take Kate back to her wagon now. I'm going to teach this little man a lesson in how to treat a lady. You come back once she's is safe. Do you hear me?" Edward's eyes grew dark with anger.

"Yes, boss. I'll make sure she's okay before I return. Don't worry. She'll be in good hands." David made him a promise, took Kate by the hand, and escorted her back to her wagon.

Kate looked at Edward, who kept his eyes on the enemy that attacked her. She knew that it wasn't going to end well since David had been asked to take her back to the wagon. Edward wasn't the type to get violent, but when it came to his woman and his unborn child, he was a force to be reckoned with, and this young man was about to see the rage come out of him. It was his fault as he had been warned by his crewmate to leave well enough alone but his foolish pride got the better of him. The battered, young man laid on the ground not knowing how the situation could be rectified and get on his good side, it wasn't going to happen, not now or ever. He will never touch Kate again, and Edward would make sure of it.

"So, what did you think you were doing touching her, Carter? That is your name, isn't it? When I asked and told everyone not to even bother my woman? You thought she was going to change her mind about me and her love for me?" Edward who seethed with anger picked up the young man by his shirt collar and raised his feet off the ground to look at his battered body and his torn shirt.

"Yes, sir my name is Carter. I'm sorry I just got out of hand back there, but she is so beautiful, and I had to touch her. I have this feeling when I get around pretty ladies. An urge comes over me, and I just can't help myself. I need to touch them and their clothing. It's not that I mean any harm to them, but it's the excitement I feel when I get around them. I'm overwhelmed with a desire to have them." The young man said, but Edward wasn't having any of it and slammed him against the oak tree full force, which knocked the breath out of him and fell to the hard ground. Edward paced back and forth kept an eye on his victim when David hurriedly approached his pal.

"Well, Kate's in safe hands. I left her with Elli and Claire at the wagon." David informed him and looked at the man on the ground. He was lifeless at the moment.

"Good, I don't want her to see this. I don't want any witnesses either. This pesky heathen made moves on not just a woman but 'my' woman. He will not be making any more unwanted advances on anyone anytime soon. Come on, I'm not done with him by all means." Edward swiped his brow with his hand, rolled his shirt sleeves up on his large forearms, and manhandled the young man towards the creek side away from prying eyes. David kept a close watch to any unwanted eyes, and Edward proceeded to the creek bed.

Edward punched Carter in the face one time, then another, which made him lose his jaw teeth as he spit out blood from his mouth. He gritted his teeth in a jealous rage to think that someone would harm Kate, and it spurred the anger inside of him that anyone would do such a thing to anyone. Carter knew he messed up, and now it was costing him dearly. Edward took him to the edge of the water and dunked his head into the cold abyss. He choked on the water he swallowed, spat it up before exhaling hard, and tried to grab at Edward, but he pushed him away with one large hand and dunked his head again. This time holding it for a few more seconds to make a point then pulled him up for air as he gasped for more breath. Before he plunged him back down and held him, he could no longer squirm. It was all over within minutes as Edward forced all the weight on this man that caused him grief over the woman he loved. Edward was going to make sure Carter never made it back to the wagon caravan. David kept an eagle eye on the camp and the brides that mingled with the caravan and turned his attention back to Edward, who was finished doing his deed.

"He will not be bothering anyone, anymore." Edward claimed in victory and pushed Carter's lifeless body into the creek bed, and it floated down stream away from camp.

"Yes, we need to get everyone ready to quickly move out. If any questions are asked about Carter, tell them to come see me. Do you understand me, David?" Edward rolled his shirt sleeve down his arms, straightened his shirt, and put on his hat that fell off his head.

"Yes, boss. The guys probably will not miss him anyways. He was a trouble maker and I can vouch for that. No one will even question where he is." David gave Edward some relief but was still fuming at the thought of anyone touching a lady without their permission. The two of them both walked slowly back to Kate's wagon to check on her well-being before they left camp.

Part 10

PMDSXXX

Their journey took the caravan on another ten-mile mark. The scouts had informed Edward that the California line was nearby. The terrain was vast desert shrubbery along the wagon path. In the far distance, the mountain ranges turned into low prolific plateaus that stretched for miles and miles. The caravan marched until dusk as ordered by Edward. Kate took to the wagon within the five-mile journey. Listening to her body and Edward's advice, she didn't want to put the baby in any danger or herself. The wagons had made their stop to set up camp alongside boulders that lay scattered about. The crewmen took the wagons away to a sheltered area and rounded the livestock up for the evening. The cook started supper, and the smell of cooked meat drifted throughout the campsite.

"You alright Kate? Claire and Jane are already getting their supper. Did you want me to wait here until one of them gets back to keep watch on you? Or do you feel alright enough to go get supper for yourself?" Elli questioned her with a concerned look in her eyes before she exited the wagon and turned to see her following her out.

"I'm fine, Elli. I'll just grab my supper. There is no telling where Edward is at the moment. He's probably helping the crewmen unhitch the teams with David. I'm sure he will find me in no time." Kate reassured her, and Elli gave her a small smile.

"I'm sure he is. I'll walk with you just in case you need me. If that's okay with you Kate?" Elli said and helped her out of the wagon.

"Yes, it's okay with me." Kate smiled at her. Kate turned around and gathered the wolf pup in her arms and put him on the ground to stretch his legs. He wandered off, relieved himself, and came back to Kate's side hurrying to be with her as she only stepped a few feet from him. Keeping up with her feet, he stayed close to her. A few crewmen looked her way and mumbled something to their helper.

Kate and Elli had walked peacefully together towards the chow line without incident. All eyes were on Kate who didn't understand all the attention. The crewmen eyed her and then diverted their attention to something else to preoccupy them, but they kept their eyes on her. Kate knew exactly why they were doing what they did. It was because of Edward, and they knew she was off-limits to anyone but him. Standing in the line to grab their supper, the pup strayed not far from Kate, sniffed the grass, and growled before he returned to her side. Kate, not knowing what the pup growled at, looking for any sign of danger, but she didn't see anything. Kate and Elli got their supper and returned to the wagon caravan with her pup in front leading the way back to the wagon so he could get his meal. Suddenly, large hands wrapped her in his strong embrace and pulled her back into his chest. She hoped it wasn't another attempt from another crewmate's unwanted advances. She closed her eyes when she felt the large hands splay on her belly, and she knew it was Edward.

"Just where have you been Edward?" Kate asked before he leaned down to brush his lips against hers in a sweet kiss and continued to kiss the crook of her neck. His beard rubbed her cheek, and she giggled at him before he pulled away from her finally.

"Oh, I've been assisting the other crews with the livestock and settling them down for the night. Seems some of them are on edge tonight. There is something in the air tonight that's got them nervous. A wild bear or mountain lion had been through here and left I imagine. But I'm not letting my guard down just in case. I'll have my rifle with me at all times." Edward whispered into her neck, kissed her earlobe, and guided her back to her wagon with his hand on her lower back.

"Are you hungry Edward? There is plenty for everyone tonight." Kate told him as he walked her towards her wagon.

"Yes, I'm just going to rest first before I go to the chow line. You finish your meal, and I'll use your plate to grab my supper. No use in using more plates than we have to. The water is low in the barrels, and I don't want to waste any water." Edward settled down beside her and she began to eat her meal. Kate put some meat bits on the pup's plate, and he happily ate his fill along with his cow's milk. Edward got his breath, and when Kate finished her meal, he took her plate in his hand to grab his meal. The chow line had dwindled and only a few crewmen had stood in line. David who was at the front of the line got his plate, bumped into Edward, and passed him on his way to Elli's wagon which she shared with Kate. David was exhausted and hungry, and the look on his unshaven face told Edward it was nearing the end of the trek. The scouts had already eaten and took the first watch while some men had relaxed by the firepits and drank their coffee.

Edward was served a larger meal than everyone else because the cook didn't want to see him unhappy. The word had spread that Edward had dealt with Carter, and the result was his death. Having not seen Carter in the crew, they long suspected that Edward was the result of his downfall. Edward slowly approached Kate and tossed his hat down at her while he slowly knelt beside her, made himself comfortable, and began to eat his meal. Kate sat peacefully and observed him. He went to remove his coat when something fell out of his vest pocket. Kate carefully picked it up and looked at it. It was a straight razor that had a pearl handle and blade.

"You've been keeping this in a safe place haven't you, Edward?" Kate grinned at him and opened the blade from its confines while he continued to eat his supper. Kate eyed the gold leaf engravement on the handle and was in awe of it before Edward sat his plate beside him and reached for her hand that still clutched the razor.

"I have, and it's a very handy tool. Do you want to do the honor of trimming my beard or cutting it completely off? It's up to you, whatever you desire is your choice." Edward got to his feet and held out his hand for her to grasp, and she took it in hers. He gently pulled her to her feet to meet him face to face, and she leaned into him, put her arms around him while he held onto her hips, and gave him a loving look into his dark eyes.

"You trust me, Edward?" Kate hugged him to her while she held the razor in her hand.

"Yes, with my life. You just give me a minute to get my soap and shaving bristle brush. I'll be right back." Edward fumbled with the fabric on her dress while he let his hands touch her hips before he left to retrieve his items.

Edward located his brush and soap while David had been cleaning his rifle and reloaded it. Edward then took his rifle in his hand for protection as he might need it later if danger would happen to surprise him.

"Edward, I don't blame you for taking your rifle. The way the livestock have been acting all evening because something doesn't feel right. I'm going to keep watch for a little while before I go to Elli's wagon tonight. If you have to venture out, just be careful, you hear me!" David called out to him, and Edward waved in acknowledgment.

Edward took the warning to heart and armed himself with his rifle. He slowly walked back to Kate's wagon, took her hands in his, and guided her towards the large fire pit so that she could shave him while he sat down on the large log. She took his brush and soap in her hand and looked at him while he closed his eyes. Sitting there unnervingly, he waited on her touch when she finally smoothed his cheek with the soapy brush. Now with his face lathered she began using slow strokes with the straight razor careful not to nick his flesh. With a careful swipe from one side of his face to the other, she trimmed his beard with shaky hands. Kate was a little nervous when she let the blade come closer to his throat. He swallowed hard held his breath for a moment, but still had his eyes partially shut. Reaching for her hand in half-closed eyes, he steadied her hand with his firm grip and caressed her forearm with the other. When her feet got tired, he noticed her balancing act and pulled her into his lap.

"Edward, I'm sorry I'm taking so long. I just want to be careful and not cut you. My feet are getting achy, and my hands continue to shake a bit." Kate whispered into his ear when she leaned into him to trim his sideburns.

"You're doing just fine. Keep going, and I'll just enjoy having you in my arms. I'll try not to flinch." Edward sat still on the log while his leg had gotten a cramp in it. He moved slightly with her still seated on his lap, but not before she felt his member prodding her thigh. Sitting on his lap for that length of time, both were aroused due to the close contact of her bosom in his face, and his hands caressing her.

Kate tried to finish shaving his cheek when he placed a wet kiss on her neck which made her squirm under his touch. She finished the other side of his cheek and sat down his cup with his razor and took her handkerchief that hung loosely from her pocket and wiped his cheeks. Finally, he opened his eyes to look at the stunning woman who was soon to be his wife and mother of his child with so much love in her emerald eyes that flickered into the firelight. She pulled her hand away from his face, but not before he took her hands into his. He held her firmly with his strong grasp and his dark blue orbs gazed at her. He quickly softened his grip as she thought he was going to manhandle her like the man that touched her inappropriately.

"Thank you, Kate." Edward took her handkerchief from her and put it in his vest pocket for safekeeping, quickly claimed her mouth, kissed her deeply, and stroked her curls at the nape of her neck. Kate relished in his wet kiss, pushed him back gently, and gasped for breath against his soft lips while she straddled his thighs before she finally asked him a burning question that had been in the pit of her stomach.

"Edward, what happened to that guy that attacked me? Did you do something to him? The reason why I ask is I've been gawked at all day long. What happened, please tell me?" Kate leaned back on his thighs as she took in his clean-shaven features from the light of the firepit. She traced his lips with her index finger, and he kissed her digits tenderly before he gave her the answer.

"You want to know the truth? Yes, I did something horrible to that man, and no he will not be bothering you ever again. Not ever again. Do you understand me, Kate? I will not tolerate anyone touching you or harming you in any way especially now that you are with my unborn child. It was a rage that bubbled up inside me. I had no control and went over the edge to the point of killing him. I'm sorry but I had to do it. I know I can't take it back now, but to see your face in such a manner that he left you, I couldn't live with myself if something terrible happened. I took it into my own hands and dealt with the problem. Now, does that answer your question?" Edward stroked her cheek in his hand as his other hand pulled her further into his embrace.

"You did that for me. I love you, even more, every day that you are in my presence. I don't know what I'd do without you." Kate raised her eyebrow at him seductively, placed her arms around his broad shoulders, leaned into his welcoming kiss, and captured his lips with her mouth. He kissed her in a heated frenzy as if he couldn't get enough of her. Lips and tongues wrestled for control when she finally gave into him. He peppered her face with kisses, down her jawline, and dipped his head into her cleavage wanting more of her. He unbuttoned her front clasp and felt her soft skin under his rough fingertips. He continued to peel back the barrier of her dress while his fingertips traced patterns down her arms then back to her mouth. She sucked on his index finger before she swirled her tongue around his digit, and he claimed her mouth once again leaving her breathless. Out of prying eyes from the caravan Edward and Kate began a long, seductive striptease on each other before both were naked.

Kate now being four months along with Edward's child didn't know if making love to him would do any harm to the child. He was gentle with his touches and worshiped her body with his tongue and fingers. He settled between her thighs as he braced himself, poised above her, and looked down at her with sweat bead on his forehead. She swiped his damp, slick hair off his brow before she touched his cheek, and he took that as a cue from her. He entered her in one smooth stroke. He collected her in his arms, rolled her on top of him, entwined her hands into his much larger ones before she kissed him slowly.

He held onto her hips, steadied her rhythm not wanting to hurt her as she slowly sheathed him before she slowly sank back down on his engorged penis. When she tilted her hips to meet his, he rose to take one nipple into his mouth. He clamped down on the pebble hard and caused her to cry out at the sensation of his teeth grazing her already sensitive bud. She pulled his damp hair in her hands and made him growl against her flesh. He directed his assault on her other pert nipple, claimed it with his mouth, suckled, and lavished like a hungry baby while she caressed his head and smoothed his wet locks off his forehead. He released her nipple before he swiped it with his tongue and glanced up at her flushed appearance. Feeling the loss of his mouth on her, she lowered her mouth towards him and claimed his mouth once again. Just making love with each other into the night was all they both wanted.

"Edward, I'm coming…. Don't stop…please…" Kate begged him. He arched up into her and stroked into her wet core, and she came hard around his member.

"Kate, oh…god.. you feel incredible…" Edward murmured into her neck while he climaxed inside her and bit the side of her neck and marked her there. Their breaths calmed down as she laid on top of him and rested on his chest as they caught their breath. She slipped off him, and he spooned behind her, cupped her breasts into his hand, and held her lovely in his arms. Their lovemaking was short-lived as rustling and growling came from the wooded forest. Edward found his discarded trousers and quickly slipped them on. Not the one to be naked, Kate quickly reached for her discarded dress and hurriedly put it on as she watched the shirtless Edward reach for his loaded rifle.

The big, black bear roamed the wooded area forging for food and a quick meal. It growled and sniffed its way towards Edward and Kate. Edward saw the massive black bear roaming through the thicket as the moonlight helped him locate the rogue animal. Kate, sat in silence watching and waiting on the bear's next move, watched Edward train his eye on the animal through the rifle. The animal was in his sight, and he took the shot. Although not killing it instantly, it charged at the two of them caught Edward off guard as it swiped him with his paw and knocked him on the ground. He had lost his rifle. The bear stood up on his hind feet and roared at him before Kate rushed to his aid and tossed the rifle back to Edward. He took another shot at the bear and killed it with a crack shot into the heart. The bear roared one time, fell to the ground, and released his last breath of air into the wind. Edward let out a breath of air from his lungs and gave Kate a small smile before she helped him to his feet.

"Kate, that was a close one. You do know that we could've been both killed." He pulled her close to him, hugged her to him, and kissed her temple before returning his gaze at the fallen bear.

"What are you going to do with the animal?" Kate asked. She was still clinging to him shaking from the confrontation.

"I'm taking his fur and his meat. Who knows the fur might come in handy. I know we can use the meat to share with the rest of the group. I need to get David to help me skin him and extra sacks for the meat. I know the cook will be happy for this kill. I don't think there is another trading post until we get into California, which by the way, is just around the bend I do believe." Edward leaned down gave her a quick kiss before he let her fetch David while he stood guard over the fallen bear.

"David! Edward needs your help. He just killed a black bear and wants your help. He said he needed sacks for the meat, and any help he could get." Kate rushed towards him and met Elli, who stood by his side.

"That's great! No wonder the livestock had been on edge all evening. I've been watching for the past two hours at the giddy creatures and now I know why. A black bear, huh. Well, don't that beat all. Elli, I'm going to help Edward. Can you tell the cook I need extra sacks for the meat? Let him know bear will be on the menu tomorrow night." David told her with a smile.

"Sure, I'll be right back." Elli walked toward the cook's wagon and informed him of the bear kill. Assisting Edward and David, the cook helped clean and gut the animal that gave its life to the weary passengers and would feed them for the next couple of days.

The next morning the teams were hitched and readied for their final journey. The scouts had already ridden out in the distance in front of the first lead wagon. The brides began walking while taking turns the first couple of miles. Many women had developed blisters on their feet. It was a small price to pay as they still had their lives and future ahead of them. Jane, Claire, Elli held steadfast alongside their wagon and trudged along the uneven trails. Kate remained in the wagon as it was her turn to be inside for the duration of the half-mile. Edward rode ahead with the scouts and observed the scenery that looked all too familiar to him. California was within the far-out distance, and soon they would be arriving in the gold rush town of the hustle and bustle. The many days and weeks had finally come to an end. Within the next few days, they arrived in California.

The welcome party in the town had drawled a lot of observant young men that awaited their future brides. The caravans pulled into the dusty streets filled with onlookers to see the beautiful ladies exit the wagons. Many men thought they would have their choice of a blushing bride, but soon they realized with all the wagons arriving only half of them were full. The men accustomed to seeing only a handful of ladies knew it had to be the journey that ended their lives. The men hollered and shot their pistols in greeting the women. While the caravans halted, the ladies exited took out the pictures, and searched for their future husbands. Elli had ditched her photograph of her prospective husband to be once David proposed to her out on the trail, and she accepted without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Claire and Jane settled for the men they picked. Both men were welcoming, very rugged, and very presentable in the ladies' eyes. The men escorted them away from the caravans. Kate stepped out from the wagon with her wolf pup, and Edward greeted her with a warm smile.

"We made it Kate. What do you want to do now? We've got our whole future ahead of us, and my future includes you and the baby now. You want to go buy a plot of land and settle here?" Edward asked as he pulled her into his embrace and let his hands rest on her hips. She looked up at him, beamed happily, and placed her hands on his forearms to steady herself as he held her tightly.

"That sounds like a great idea, but are you forgetting one thing? What are you going to do as in a job, now that you've quit being the wagon master?" Kate fumbled with the buttons on his shirt and gazed up at him as she cocked her head at him with a faint smile.

"I don't need to worry about that for now. I have means of taking care of you I have gold. David and I had a gold mine a few years back, and we struck a vein. We hit the motherlode and we just kept it secret for the time being. We have money, and we don't need to worry when our next meal ticket will come." Edward spoke softly to her so no one could hear him.

"Oh, why am I just finding this out now, Edward?" Kate quizzed him but didn't care because she would have eventually found out.

"Because I have been searching for a real woman to be by my side. For me to do that, I went on the hunt for her. Now that I found you, I'm not letting you go. I've seen many beautiful ladies, and countless women come and go through towns. You are by far the most gorgeous I've ever laid my eyes on. I'm not going to let another man, have you. I've already proved that to you, and I am true to my word." Edward spoke to her sincerely, lifted her chin with his index finger, and gave her a warm kiss on her lips. Their fate sealed together when she returned his kiss in response to his declaration of his love to her only made her love him that much more.

The future for the two of them was limitless. Edward made Kate a promise that day to be the best husband and father to her and their child. The following week, he and Kate became newlyweds and purchased a plot of farmland out on the outskirts of town so they could raise their family, along with their wolf pup. David and Elli had married shortly after arriving in California and were was expecting their first child. Jane and Claire remained close by. Although they stayed with their men for a few months, they eventually grew tired of them and went their separate ways. They were beautiful in their own right. They wanted more out of the relationship than what their partners offered so it wasn't meant to be.

Present Day

Los Angeles, CA

Della closed the book in her hands and looked down at the sleeping man who made himself comfortable laying on her stomach. Listening to her read made him fall asleep hearing her voice, but he heard every word. He imagined himself in the storyline right along with her. Della combed through his dark hair with her fingernails and raked his scalp as he stirred against her. He kissed her belly bump glanced up at her with admiration.

"Della, that was a good story. I enjoyed it, especially hearing your voice. You telling me all the sexual encounters between the two main characters, by the way, reminded me of us." Perry took her hand in his, entwined it with his, held it, and admired her wedding ring.

"Yes, Perry. I thoroughly enjoyed it." Della squeezed his hand in response. Suddenly a sharp pain, which made her cringe in pain, coursed through her abdomen.

"Della, is it time? I've seen false alarms these past couple of days, and we rushed to the hospital, but is this it? I'll call the hospital and get the doctor on call." Perry's tone was frantic as Della doubled over in pain again. He had not seen this before in the false alarms.

"Perry, I think we need to get to the hospital now!" Della cried out in severe pain and took slow breaths as she tried to calm herself down not wanting her water to break. Perry quickly got to his feet and phoned the hospital to inform them that he would be arriving with his wife who was now in labor. Perry helped Della off the bed, put on her nightgown, and grabbed his overcoat. He placed it on her shoulders and took Della's overnight suitcase with him. He followed her out the door, shut it, and locked it. Upon arriving at the hospital, Perry had been escorted by the police patrol car when his quick driving skills alerted the police. Being friends with Paul, the officer knew exactly why Perry had been speeding through town. Perry and Della were greeted by the nurse, and Della was admitted. Perry nervously waited outside her room and talked to the patrolman.

"Thanks for not giving me a ticket back there. Della is about to deliver at any moment. I almost forgot to call her parents and mine as well. Could you excuse me for a moment?" Perry apologized to the officer.

"No, problem Perry. Congratulations to you and your wife, Della. A friend of Paul Drake is a friend of mine. Paul and I go way back. He's an excellent detective." The officer said before he shook Perry's hand.

"Thank you, officer. I'll be sure to give my regards to Paul when I see him." Perry told him and read his badge, Captain Blackheart. The officer walked out of the hospital, returned to his patrol car, and left radioed in a false alarm on the reckless driver. Perry thought for a moment. The name Blackheart was the name from the book that Della had read to him just a while ago. What is the coincidence that the patrolman shared the same last name? Perry shook his head, shrugged his shoulders, and phoned his parents and in-laws, but he couldn't forget his pal, Paul Drake. After taking care of the phone calls, Perry hurried back to Della's room to notice that she hadn't given birth yet. The nurses checked her over and the doctor checked her vitals and informed Della that she would be giving birth soon as she was dilated. Della's water broke once she arrived in the room as the nurses prepared her for delivery. Perry was greeted by the doctor at the door and looked over at his wife who was doing her breathing techniques before the nurse gave her an epidural for the pain.

"Perry, you can be with your wife, but you're going to have to put on a gown. I assume you want to cut the umbilical cord too." The doctor proudly said to him while he gathered his instruments that looked like medieval tools.

"Yes, I want to cut the cord," Perry answered him. Perry noticed Della had been sweating profusely under the lights from the room. Perry, who donned the gown and hair covering, took Della's hand in his before she squeezed his hand. Della looked up at Perry as he combed back her sweaty curls away from her face.

"Your beautiful Della. I've phoned your parents and mine too. They should be here shortly." Perry stroked her sweaty cheek and the nurse tended to Della again watched her vitals on the monitor.

"Okay. Did you phone Paul and Gerti?" Della asked after she released a slow breath and gripped his hand in hers again.

"Yes, I did," Perry assured her when another contraction hit Della again.

Della's parents were on their way to the hospital and met up with Perry's inlaws once they arrived at the admitting desk. They were taken into the waiting room of the nursery to await their new grandchild and watched the clock tick away. Della continued to push through her labor pains as the epidural began to wear off. She screamed and held onto Perry's white-knuckled. She gave one final push, and it revealed their first child. Perry smoothed the wet locks off her brow and kissed her hand that still had a death grip on his much larger hand. Della heard the cries of the baby, and Perry looked to see the baby still attached to the umbilical cord. The doctor quickly retrieved the scissor to cut the cord and handed them to Perry. Perry looked down at the crying baby and with a quick cut to the cord, separated the baby from its mother. Perry handed the instrument back to the doctor and knelt beside Della, who was still not informed of the gender. Perry kissed her forehead, cheeks, and her hand before she opened her eyes to see his face smiling at her. The doctor finished up with Della to make sure she wasn't bleeding out from her delivery and gave an all-clear to the nurses. Della had a successful delivery and would be going to her room shortly to recover.

"Della, I'm so proud of you. Thank you for giving me a son. It's a boy!" Perry excitedly said when the nurse handed her the baby after he was weighed and his feet inked for the certificate.

"I'm glad I could give you a son, Perry. I know deep down in your heart that you wanted a son." Della murmured under her breath as the nurse brought her baby over to her.

"Do you have a name in mind Della?" Perry whispered.

"Our son's name is going to be Perry James Mason." Della thought about the name and found it fitting to name after his father.

"It's an honor that our son carries on my name, Della, but where does James come from?" Perry inquired to his wife.

"It's a strong name, and I also read it in a book somewhere." Della gave him a brief smile before closing her eyes to rest momentarily.

Della looked down at her new bundle of joy and kissed the baby on the forehead, caressed his soft dark hair, and cuddled him to her breast. Meanwhile, Perry had noticed movement out in the hallway and gave Della a quick kiss as he announced they had company. He disrobed the protective gown and hat so that the nurse could take Della to her room until she was ready to be released from the hospital.

"Perry, do we have a grandson or granddaughter?" The impatient grandparents said in unison since they couldn't contain their excitement.

"It's a boy! Perry James Mason. Della is resting, and the nurse is taking her to her room. The doctor said she was going to be fine. They just want to observe her for a couple of days before they release her to go home.

"A grandson! I knew it!" Perry's father boasted and handed out cigars to Della's father and Perry.

"Did we miss the party or what?" Paul finally arrived with Gerti on his arm.

"Yes, you did Paul. Della is resting in her room now. I'm a proud father of a son! Can you believe that!" Perry informed his friend. Gerti smiled and mingled with the proud grandparents as she congratulated them. The family finally had been let in Della's room to view the new bundle of joy and they congratulated them both on their arrival.

Della stayed for a couple of days before she was finally released. When they arrived home, Della had gifts laying all over the living room. In her bedroom, and dozen red roses greeted her when the door to the bedroom opened up. Perry was behind her, looked at her lovingly as she held the baby in her arms. He took her suitcase, sat it down on the floor, and kissed her on her lips. The baby squirmed in her arms, but he didn't cry.

"It's good to have you both home." Perry softly said and kissed the baby's forehead.

"I'm glad to be back in our home." Della smiled at him as they looked down at the baby asleep in her arms.

Started: 01/22/22

Completed: 03/06/22