The next day, they came to a creek with two bridges over it and paid a dollar per wagon to cross over. They camped that evening near Sulphur Springs. There was a picturesque meadow surrounded by snow capped mountains, but the mosquitoes were so bad, it was impossible to enjoy the beauty around them.
They crossed into Idaho territory, and the main trail continued on to Fort Hall. Once it reached the fort, the trail split into two main routes, one going to Oregon, and the other branching off to become the California Trail. Selena breathed a sigh of relief. It had always been in the back of her mind that she might run into Jeb again, and she was glad that they were passing the place where he would likely turn off.
Liam suggested they take a shortcut off the main trail that would bypass Fort Hall altogether and join up with it again past the cutoff to California. Since neither the Boyds nor the Robertses needed to replenish any supplies, they all agreed. Liam led them to Soda Springs, and there they found natural bubbling pools of carbonated water that were formed by ancient volcanoes. Liam explained to them that the local Indians and fur traders had visited the springs for hundreds of years to swim in the bubbling pools. The alkali water was considered to be good for one's health, but he cautioned them not to drink too much of it. Many emigrants and their livestock became sick from indulging too heavily.
Soda Springs was a popular stop for the emigrants, and there were a number of people already there. Although it was tempting to swim in the warm, bubbling water, Selena despaired of finding a private pool where she might indulge without either viewing or showing an indecent amount of naked skin.
It was past midnight when Liam shook her gently awake in their tent. Blinking her eyes in the dim firelight, she frowned at him.
"What's the matter?" she murmured, her voice still husky from sleep.
Liam grinned down at her and kissed her forehead. "Come on," he said. He helped her up from the pallet. She noticed that he was wearing his breeches and boots.
"What is it? Where are we going?"
"Trust me," he whispered.
He urged her to slip on her shoes and nightgown, and he led her out of the tent. Not sure what he was up to, Selena followed him without any further questions. He picked up a lantern and matches that he had dug out of the wagon, and he led her to the edge of the woods. Pausing to light the lantern, he lifted it and clasped her hand again before leading her down a dark trail through dense forest. Selena was still groggy, but she followed him without question.
He led her to a rock lined pool filled with clear, bubbling spring water and set the lantern down on a large boulder. Steam rose from the surface to wreathe in curling tendrils in the cool night air.
"Your bath awaits you, my lady." He grinned down at her as he shed his boots and breeches.
Understanding finally dawned, and with a squeal of joy, Selena quickly unbuttoned her nightgown and dropped it to the ground before grasping his hand to let him lead her into the pool. She gasped at the feeling of the warm spring water. Tiny bubbles tickled along her skin, and she giggled with delight.
The pool was large, over twenty feet in diameter and shaped like a large oval. It was lined all around by smooth boulders. There were tall evergreens and pine trees surrounding the spring, and their branches seemed to brush the sky as they closed like a cocoon around the pool. The dark night sky was lit by a million stars, and their sparkling reflections shone on the surface of the water. It seemed like an enchanted place.
"Liam, this is heavenly!" Selena sank into the water and sighed. "I might not go to Oregon after all. I think I will stay here forever."
Liam laughed, grasping her waist and bringing her against him. "I thought you would like it. Come on."
He pulled her to the center of the pool where the water was so deep they couldn't touch the bottom. They cavorted like children, splashing and dunking each other. They chased and teased, dove and resurfaced, and their laughter rank softly in the night, muffled by the woods around them.
At length, they tired and Liam retreated to the edge of the pool where large rocks jutted out beneath the water forming a bench of sorts. He pulled Selena across his lap and kissed her long and thoroughly, cradling her head on his arm as he caressed her inner thighs and her slick folds. Selena straddled his waist, impaling herself upon him as her eyelids dropped half closed.
Their upper bodies were above the water, and Liam leaned back against the rocks, thoroughly enjoying the view. By the light of the lantern, he skimmed his fingers down Selena's neck and out to her shoulders. He traced her delicate collar bones and explored the upper swells of her breasts. Watching her eyes, he set a leisured pace, avoiding the sensitive peaks to skim over her ribs and brush his knuckles along the undersides of her breasts. All the while, Selena made love to him, her breasts bouncing wantonly, and he steadfastly avoided touching her nipples. They were standing erect, practically begging for his touch, but he ignored them, letting his hands trace everywhere but over them. Selena grew increasingly frustrated.
"Please," she whispered, tension coiled in her belly. "Please, Liam."
Knowing what she wanted, he pulled her to him and ravished one nipple, suckling hard and rasping with his teeth until she clasped his head to her breast and cried out with delight. Her pussy clenched tightly around him as spasms wracked her body, and he followed her to his own fulfillment, his hoarse groan mingling with hers in the darkness.
Although it was early August, there was a chill in the night air, and Selena shivered, pressing closer to Liam. She lay panting on his chest for a long time, letting the waves of satisfaction slowly dissipate. He kissed her temple and rubbed his hands along her back to ward away the chill. She had never felt so safe or so adored.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too, Selena."
"And will you love our baby?" she asked, smiling against his chest.
He went very still, but then he held her at arms length to see her face. His own face was full of surprise and wonder. "Are you sure?"
Selena nodded her head, finding it hard to speak from the emotion welling inside her.
His eyes raked down her body, as if he were seeing her for the first time. He couldn't detect any changes, and he laughed. "But how can you tell? You don't look pregnant."
Selena's smile held a wealth of feminine smugness, and she snuggled against him once more. "Haven't you noticed that your pleasure hasn't been interrupted for two months now? If I were to venture a guess, I would say that the babe was conceived soon after the vows were first consummated."
Liam hugged her against him and his chuckle rumbled in her ear.
"So you're happy then?" she pressed him.
"My dearest love, of course I'm happy. I hope to keep your belly full with many more children in years to come. And they will all be born out of our love for one another."
