Note to Readers: Here is the third book I have written. I am posting all 13 chapters tonight, but I have no idea how quickly they will be released on the site. It is the story of how love bloomed along the historic Oregon Trail. I did lots of research while writing it, and as far as I know, the details of their journey are accurate. I hope you enjoy it!
St. Louis
April 14, 1855
Liam McKenzie took a long sip of ale while he casually wondered how the little wench was managing to fool the other patrons. He seemed to be the only one who had noticed that she was a fine bit of woman disguised as a run of the mill barmaid. There was nothing to give her away, if one looked only at her appearance. Her gown was nondescript grey calico, with no adorning lace or trim, and it was buttoned primly all the way to her throat and wrists. Because the dress appeared to be several sizes too large, it was difficult to determine what manner of figure the garment concealed.
She wore a large white apron over the dress that hung from her neck and was tied loosely at the waist, providing further camouflage for any feminine charms she might possess. Even her shoes were designed for functionality rather than fashion, and they made a strange clopping noise as she rushed around to serve the patrons their food and drink. Her black hair was pulled into a severe knot at the back of her head, but Liam noticed that several large strands had been pulled forward to fall over her brow and cheeks, and they provided a screen for her delicate features. He had yet to determine the color or shape of her eyes, because she never looked up. All he had been able to ascertain from her downcast gaze was that her eyelashes were exceptionally thick, long and sooty black.
In a subtle way, she made it obvious to the patrons that if they desired a quick romp with a well-curved woman, they would be advised to choose the red-headed barmaid. That one displayed her generous breasts and shapely legs for all to enjoy and exchanged bawdy jests with an apparent lack of shame. Liam had been at the pub less than an hour, but during that time, he had seen the red-head go upstairs with two separate men and return a short while later to drum up further business. It was obvious that the bulk of her income came from her upstairs activities rather than her tips as a waitress.
It looked as if no one but Liam was interested in the dark-haired one. His smile was wry as he noticed that there were rarely any groping hands or ogling stares directed at her, and the few that were came from patrons who were so intoxicated that they likely didn't know what they were doing. The girl had developed the ability to firmly rebuff any advances without drawing attention, and Liam's smile widened as he watched her employ the technique to good effect. It was obvious that she didn't like being pawed.
Liam might not have noticed her himself, if it hadn't been for the way she smelled. When she had served him his meal, she leaned over to set his food before him, and the most enticing scent of wildflowers, soap and clean woman had wafted up to Liam's nostrils. This was no sweaty, dirty barmaid, but a woman who recognized the advantages of good hygiene, and Liam had been intrigued. Without meeting his eye, she had inquired whether he needed a refill of his ale, and her voice had been low and sultry. Liam had accepted a refill just to have the opportunity to observe her at close range for a bit longer.
As he ate, he watched her movements around the room. She looked like she was accustomed to physical activity, but she carried herself like a lady. She moved with understated poise and confidence, smoothly negotiating her way between the crowded tables while managing not to spill a drop of the ale on her tray.
Liam blinked and straightened in his chair as the object of his interest approached his table. "Could I offer you anything else, sir?" she inquired while she gathered his empty plate and utensils.
Liam knew she was referring to food or drink and not herself, but he couldn't resist the temptation to flirt with her a bit just to see how she would respond. He hooked an arm around her waist and yanked her onto his lap, nearly causing her to drop the dishes.
"Well, that is a truly tempting offer, ma'am. I just might accept." He cupped one of her breasts in his palm and rubbed his thumb across her nipple. The fact that her firm breast more than filled his palm made his cock stiffen. He leaned close to whisper in her ear. "I'm sure you would be well worth the coin expended." His eyes twinkled with humor as he watched for her reaction, and he was intrigued when a glimmer of the girl's spirit showed.
She went totally still for a split second before she scrambled off his lap like a scalded cat and stepped back out of his reach. "I meant food or drink, sir," she stated evenly, her eyes piercing his for the briefest moment as twin spots of indignant color appeared in her cheeks. "I certainly wasn't offering anything else."
Liam didn't miss the fact that her nipples were straining against her bodice. He flashed a roguish grin as he heaved a regretful sigh.
"Now that is a shame, since I'm not likely to meet another girl as pretty as you for some time to come." He realized as he said the words that they were true. He was more than a little disappointed that he wouldn't have the opportunity to get to know this woman better.
The girl was momentarily flustered by the compliment, but then her shrug indicated her disbelief. "I doubt that, mister. There are plenty of ladies who are much prettier than me in this city." She surreptitiously scanned his features from beneath her brows, carefully concealing her reaction, for although she hated to admit it, he was a magnificent looking man. "I'm sure any number of them would be willing to...entertain you, if that's what you're looking for."
"Perhaps," he replied, as he counted out the necessary coin for the meal and added a generous tip. "But I will likely never know, since I'm leaving in the morning."
The girl scooped up the money, placing it in her pocket. Reluctant curiosity imbued her tone as she inquired, "So you are just passing through?"
"Yes, I'm one among many, heading for Oregon."
He was surprised when her gaze met his fully for the first time, keen interest in her eyes. His curiosity was finally appeased when he saw that her eyes were the deepest, clearest blue.
"Then you're getting ready to cross with the others on the Oregon Trail?" At his nod, her face turned thoughtful, obviously weighing what she would say next. "Will you be traveling with your family then?"
Liam noticed her knuckles turning white as she gripped the dirty plate she still held. "No, I'll be traveling alone," he stated carefully, wondering what had piqued her interest enough to make her so inquisitive. "Why do you ask?"
The girl bit her bottom lip between small white teeth and glanced around furtively before slipping into the chair opposite him. She remained mute for several moments before taking a deep steadying breath and meeting his eyes once more. When she spoke, her voice was low but there was an undercurrent of excitement.
"Would you be interested in letting me travel with you?" She didn't wait for his reaction before rushing on. "I could cook and clean during the trip, and I'm handy with a rifle. I wouldn't be a burden."
Liam's amazement was evident, and he gave a nervous laugh. "Ma'am, do you have any idea what you are asking?" As he voiced the question, he imagined the two of them traveling alone across two thousand miles of prairie and mountain and his astonishment grew. "You can't seriously be suggesting such a thing. You don't even know me!"
The girl's jaw set in an obstinate angle. "I assure you I am quite serious, sir."
Liam's grin vanished as he leaned back in his chair and subjected her to a thorough perusal. "Ma'am, don't you know that by your request, you are inviting danger?" He ignored her frown and continued. "By all appearances this evening, you are not some whore that sells herself casually to men, so why would you proposition a total stranger?"
"I am not propositioning you, mister!" She took another calming breath, obviously trying not to let her temper get the better of her. "Let me make myself abundantly clear on that point, I am not offering to warm your bed. I simply need to travel to Oregon, and I cannot get there entirely on my own." She assessed him through narrowed eyes. "Besides, I have good instincts about people, and I can tell you aren't the sort of man who has to take advantage of a woman."
Liam gave a warm chuckle. "Then you have either underestimated your appeal or overestimated my ability to resist your charms. It would be just about impossible for any man to travel alone for five or six months with a woman that he finds attractive and not attempt to seduce her."
The girl gritted her teeth to keep from venting an exasperated screech. "Why do all men have such a limited train of thought? I have absolutely no intention of being seduced, by you or anyone else. I assure you, I would have no difficulty dissuading you from any interest you might develop along those lines. So, unless you were willing to resort to rape, I would be perfectly safe." She took a deep breath and fiddled nervously with the edge of the soiled napkin. "Can't you see the advantage to traveling with another person rather than entirely on your own? Why anything could happen to you alone on the trail!"
"I've not been bothered by traveling alone," he said with a shrug. "This will be my third crossing between Oregon and Kentucky, and I have no doubt it will be just as tolerable as the previous ones."
He failed to mention that his brother Brian had broken an arm on their first crossing. If he had been on his own, he would have been in real trouble. Liam also neglected to tell her that he had made his most recent crossing by himself and while he hadn't worried about his safety, he had suffered from bouts of loneliness, with no one to talk with during the trip. The girl frowned, obviously weighing her options to convince him.
"I could pay you. I have some money saved up, and I could make it worth your while."
Liam had no need for the girl's money, but he was interested to see just how much it was worth to her. "How much are you talking about?" As soon as he voiced the question, he regretted it, as hope flared in the blue depths of her eyes.
She cast a cautious glance around to ensure no other nearby patrons were listening, and lowered her voice to an anxious whisper. "I could pay you two hundred and fifty dollars. That should more than compensate for the extra supplies you would need for me. I've already told you that I can help. I'm a good cook, so I could see that you enjoyed more than just bacon and burned bread during the trip. I'm also strong and a hard worker. I can chop firewood, help pitch and pack up camp, wash your clothes, whatever is needed just please say you'll let me come along." Her eyes pleaded desperately for him to agree.
"Why are you so anxious to get to Oregon?" he asked.
