Clay by Ana Leigh Read Free Book Online Page A

place?” she snapped. “I don’t think so, Clayton.”
    “Okay, I admit that was stupidity on my part. You were offering—I reached for it. But you’ve made a mockery of the sanctity of marriage, Rebecca, and no matter what your opinion of southerners may be, our parents taught us the meaning of marriage by the example they set, as well as the honor they instilled in us.”
    “I’m sorry,” she repeated.
    “Not as much as I am. But you carry the name Fraser now, so I’ll honor this farce of a marriage whether I like it or not.”
    He strode to the door, then spun on his heel. “But hear me, and hear me good, Mrs. Fraser. As long as you are my wife, you had better honor the name you carry, too—because I’ll kill any man you try to go near.”
    “If you’re quite through, I have something more to say,” Rebecca said.
    “I’m not interested in listening to any more of your excuses, so save your breath. Garth, let’s get the hell out of here. We’ll have to find a buyer for the ring, so we can dredge up a wagon and team for my wife. ” He frowned. “Just how did you expect to travel if Scott had permitted you to join?”
    “That’s what I’m trying to tell you,” Rebecca said patiently. “I already have a wagon and team.”
    The two men exchanged startled glances, then Garth grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out of the chair. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, Miz Becky, will you show them to us?”
    Scowling, Clay followed them out.

5

    Rebecca studied Clay’s face as he looked over the wagon she’d purchased. It wasn’t one of the larger Conestoga wagons, but a farm wagon about five feet wide and ten feet long that had been converted to a covered wagon with treated cloth strung over hickory bows.
    “Who sold you this?” Clay asked.
    “A couple from Michigan. They decided they couldn’t afford the cost of the food and supplies for the trip, so they’re going back where they came from.”
    “They have a damn sight more common sense than you have.” Clay hopped up into the wagon bed. He had to stoop, since the headroom was only about five feet high in the center. The wagon was empty except for a rocking chair and a rectangular box about six feet long attached to one side of the wagon. The box opened from the top for storage, and at night would serve as a bed. Clay pulled out the fur pallet that was rolled up inside of the box and spread it out on top of the box lid.
    “Pretty narrow, isn’t it?” he said critically.
    “It’s wide enough for me, and that’s who I bought it for.”
    “But now there’s two of us. Looks like it’s going to be a pretty tight squeeze.” He looked her over appraisingly. She blushed. “That’s not very funny, Clayton.”
    He grinned. “Maybe not. But fun? Oh, yeah. What did this rig cost you?”
    “Seven hundred dollars for the wagon and team.”
    “What did you get to pull it? Oxen or mules?”
    “Six mules.”
    “Hah,” he said with a shrug.
    “What does that mean?” The man had a way of putting her on the defensive, and she didn’t intend to let him get away with it. “I was told mules are faster than oxen and can eat the prairie grass and sage along the way.”
    “That’s true, and you should get along fine with them—they’re as ornery as you are.”
    “I’m not the ornery one, sir. You’re the most cantankerous individual it’s been my misfortune to encounter.”
    “Does that mean the marriage is off?” He hopped out, knelt down, and peered under the wagon. “How does the underside look, Garth?”
    Garth crawled out from under the wagon and brushed himself off. “I’d say it’s built pretty sturdily. There are hardwood brakes and the underside’s in good condition, except for the front axle. Looks like it won’t take too much rough travel, so it’ll have to be reinforced before we leave. All in all, it’s well equipped. A spare wheel, a water barrel, and attached storage boxes on three sides. Who could ask for