Caroline's Passion, page 8
part #3 of Wilderness Brides Series
William escorted her to the door of the Osborne residence after helping her out of the buggy. Caroline turned to him before opening the door.
“I think I need to visit my family, William.”
He frowned. “Your family? You mean, your sisters who live in the middle of nowhere out west?”
She nodded. “Yes. I haven’t seen them in five years. I miss them, and I think before we get married, I should go and visit.”
After tonight, following Trevor’s advice and going home to Harley’s Hole to see her sisters seemed more appealing than ever. Maybe she was jumping into marriage a bit too quickly. Seeing Cora and Anna, and getting to meet their children was exactly what she needed. The wedding could be postponed for a year, and maybe by then, William could convince his father that a woman could be a doctor, the same as a man.
Chapter 8
Trevor tightened the cinch on his horse’s saddle, and checked to make sure his gear was secured. From somewhere in the yard, a rooster crowed. The sun wasn’t completely up yet, but it was time to head out. He’d been in Boston for nearly a week, and that was plenty long enough. Nothing good had come of his stay.
Each day that he’d spent wasting away in Boston had only increased his agitation, and he was already on edge enough. There hadn’t been a reason to stay in the first place, and there was definitely no reason to stay any longer. While he’d never had a problem talking to Caroline all those years ago at Harley’s Hole, he’d turned into a coward where she was concerned.
He’d given her his opinion that she should go home to see her sisters, but it was up to her to make up her mind. She hadn’t said anything more about his advice to go to Harley’s Hole. Boston - and William - were clearly more important to her than her family.
Trevor checked the ties on his blanket roll on the back of his saddle for the third time, then raked his fingers through his hair. He glanced toward the house. He’d never tucked tail and run from anything in his life. Caroline, however, was a battle he’d lost before he had a dog in the fight. He’d been correct when he’d told Matthew that he’d lost her before he’d even had a chance. She was engaged to be married, and there wasn’t a damned thing he could do about it. He certainly wasn’t going to stick around for the wedding.
Last night, when her fiancé had brought her home after taking her to his folks’ house, they’d stood on the porch much longer than it should take to say good night. Trevor had watched for only a few moments from the shadows of the barn. Anger, resentment, and jealousy had coursed through him, and he’d made the decision to leave in the morning.
He couldn’t stand by and see Caroline in the arms of another man, and he cared too much for her to see her unhappy. Clearly, she was in love with William and had made up her mind about marrying him. It was time to leave and head back to Fort Laramie. Work there would keep him occupied and his mind off the woman who was beyond his reach.
He’d already said his goodbyes to Matthew and Della Osborne early this morning, thanking them for their hospitality. Matthew had cast an odd look his way, but hadn’t said anything else. It would have been best to ride away before daybreak so he wouldn’t have to face Caroline, but she’d never forgive him if he didn’t tell her goodbye. He might be a coward for leaving, but he wasn’t going to repeat the way they’d parted five years ago.
Trevor gave his horse a pat on the neck and left the barn. Time for the dreaded moment. Caroline had to be awake by now. She was probably sitting in the kitchen eating breakfast. As he headed for the house, a heated discussion between a man and a woman drifted through the trees. One of the voices belonged to Caroline, the other to William. Trevor stopped in his tracks.
“You shouldn’t have come here at this early hour, William.”
“I came to see if you’ve given some thought to our discussion last night, and to ask you to reconsider.” William’s voice was firm and he sounded more than mildly agitated.
“I haven’t changed my mind, William. This is something I have to do. You’re not going to stop me.”
“Being my fiancée should count for something. Don’t you think I should have a say in the matter?”
There was a short pause before Caroline answered, “No, I think this decision is one I can make on my own, and I don’t need your permission or approval.”
Trevor frowned. What were they arguing over?
“Very well, then. If you insist on this foolhardy excursion, you’ve left me no choice. I’m going to accompany you.”
Caroline made a sound that was part snort and part laughter. “Do you understand what that entails, William? It means you’ll be gone from Boston for at least a year. What about your medical practice and your patients? I’m not so sure that is a good idea.”
“My patients can see my father or one of his associates. If you think it is such a foolish idea that I go with you, then you should stay here in Boston.”
“No, William. Trevor was right. I need to see my family.”
Something jolted in Trevor’s chest at Caroline’s comment. A smile instantly spread across his face. She’d decided to go home? He glanced over his shoulder toward the barn where his saddled horse stood waiting. He was all set to head out. His plans to leave right away seemed to be changing again.
“Since I can’t seem to sway you, I have no intention of letting my fiancée journey for hundreds of miles alone, so I will be accompanying you.” The firm tone increased in William’s voice as he repeated what he’d said moments ago.
Caroline laughed. “I won’t be alone. Trevor Wilder is a highly capable guide, and I’ll be perfectly safe in his company. He always made sure I was safe back at Harley’s Hole.”
“He’s nothing but an uncivilized backwoodsman. I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
There was a moment of silence before Caroline responded. “That backwoodsman, as you call him, has been a good friend to me since my sisters and I arrived at the valley where he and his brothers live. I love him as much as I love my brother, Patrick. I won’t allow you to insult him like that.”
Trevor narrowed his eyes. His jaw was clenched so tight that his teeth hurt. Even while Caroline defended him with her heated words, she’d once again confirmed that she only saw him as a brother.
Time to make his presence known. He’d heard enough. Caroline and William were standing out in the open where anyone could overhear them, and Trevor had been on his way to the house, so he wasn’t really eavesdropping. He moved up the path to be seen. Caroline noticed him first.
“Trevor.” Her wide smile and the surprised look on her face when she spotted him brought an ache to his chest that he concealed with raised brows. “Matthew said I’d find you at the barn. I was hoping to talk to you.”
Trevor’s eyes moved from her to William, who came up beside her. He didn’t look nearly as pleased to see him. Trevor smirked. He stared at William for a second, who glared back at him, then directed his attention to Caroline. He took several steps toward her.
“I was hoping to talk to you, too. I’m getting ready to leave.” No sense beating around the bush.
“You’re leaving?” An almost panicked expression came over her. “You can’t leave. Not yet.”
Trevor shook his head, keeping his face impassive. “I have to get back to Fort Laramie.”
Caroline tossed a quick glance over her shoulder at William before directing her wide eyes back on Trevor. If she continued to look at him that way, he’d be back at the barn, unsaddling his horse.
“You see, Caroline, he has to get back to his own business. Time to get that foolish undertaking you’ve considered out of your mind.” William reached for Caroline’s arm, but she pulled away.
Trevor’s lips twitched. He stood straighter and looked at her. “What’s going on, Caroline?”
“You suggested a couple of days ago that I visit Cora and the rest of the family before getting married. I’ve thought about it, and I think that’s what I’d like to do. I was hoping I could come with you.”
Trevor’s brows rose higher. His heart leapt to life in his chest. He hadn’t heard wrong earlier. His gaze went to William, who stared at him with dark accusation in his eyes. There was no doubt what the doctor was thinking. It was Trevor’s fault for putting the idea of leaving Boston into Caroline’s head.
Trevor smiled. He directed his focus back on Caroline and didn’t hesitate to ask, “When can you be ready?”
“Tomorrow morning.” She glanced at William again, the uncertainty back in her eyes. Did she really think she needed his permission?
“I’ll have you know that I am opposed to this venture.” William stepped forward. His chest was puffed out as he stared at Trevor, who narrowed his eyes and tilted his head.
“So noted, but I don’t think that’s for you to decide. Caroline can make up her own mind where she goes.”
“As much as I’ve tried to dissuade her, she hasn’t listened to me. I obviously can’t keep her from going.” William’s displeased glare intensified. “But, I can accompany her. She needs someone to keep her safe from harm. It’s a long journey, wrought with danger, and not an undertaking a woman should make alone.”
Trevor smirked again. “You got the part about danger right, William, but Caroline’s made the journey once already, in both directions. I think she’s highly capable of holding her own. Besides, she won’t be alone.”
Caroline stood straighter and her chin rose a little higher at his words. She smiled, and a fleeting gleam of admiration and gratitude in her eyes sent Trevor’s pulse racing even more.
William took a step toward him. “You may not take her safety seriously, Mr. Wilder, but I certainly do. If she goes, then I’m going with her.”
Trevor cursed under his breath. William King was the last person Caroline should count on to keep her out of harm’s way. He’d eat his moccasins if William had ever been more than ten miles outside of a big city. To keep his annoyance in check, he shrugged.
“Suit yourself, Doc.” He stepped closer, and leaned toward William. Trevor held the man’s stare, which gleamed with dislike. The feeling was mutual. He glared at the pompous doctor. “I do take Caroline’s safety seriously. As for you, you’re on your own.”
“What made you change your mind?”
Trevor came up behind Caroline, who stood staring after William’s buggy as it headed up the road toward the city. After a few more heated words, and William’s continued insistence that Caroline remain in Boston, the doctor had left, letting her know he’d be back first thing in the morning, packed and ready to escort her into the wilderness.
Caroline glanced over her shoulder, then turned fully to look at him.
“I thought a lot about what you said. I listen to you, Trevor, even if I don’t always take your advice.” She smiled, and the morning sun twinkled in her eyes. “Your opinion has always been important to me.”
“You’ve got the same independent streak as your sister, even if you let other people think you’re just a quiet mouse.” Trevor winked, returning her smile.
She dropped her gaze to the ground and wrapped her knitted shawl more firmly around her shoulders as a cool breeze lifted some loose tendrils of her upswept hair from the nape of her neck. Trevor curled his toes inside his moccasins to keep from stepping up to her and wrapping his arms around her to shield her from the cold.
He cursed silently. Things might have been different if he’d arrived a day before Caroline’s graduation. If he’d only been able to talk to her before William’s proposal, perhaps she wouldn’t have agreed to marry him. The fact that she wanted to leave Boston and make the long journey to see her family had ignited a small flicker of hope that maybe she’d reconsider marrying the arrogant man.
Earlier, William had acted as if he owned her, telling her what she could and couldn’t do. If Caroline was anything like her oldest sister - and there wasn’t a shred of doubt that she was - she wouldn’t put up with that kind of treatment for long.
It was only a matter of time before she rebelled against her fiancé’s overbearing attitude. She would never be happy with a man who didn’t allow her the freedom she needed to make her own choices, which included whether she practiced medicine or stayed home raising babies. Why couldn’t she see how wrong this man was for her? Trevor shook his head. At least she’d come to the conclusion that she should go home to Harley’s Hole. It was a start in the right direction.
They stood in awkward silence for a moment. William’s buggy disappeared in a small cloud of dust around a bend in the road. Trevor stared at the top of Caroline’s head, his gaze focused on how wisps of her hair changed color in the sunlight.
She still hadn’t answered why she’d had a sudden change of heart and decided to go back to Harley’s Hole. It was a long journey, and it would mean being away from Boston for at least a year. If she wanted to establish herself as a doctor in this city, a year was a long time to be away.
“We could leave now and William can try and follow us if he’s really serious about tagging along.”
Caroline’s eyes widened in apparent mortification at Trevor’s words, but it didn’t last longer than a second. Her lips widened in a sly smile, and she cuffed his arm. “Trevor, that would be downright rude.”
He grinned. “Yeah, but you know you want to.”
She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes, which continued to sparkle. “I want no such thing, Trevor Wilder. What makes you say that?”
“I can see it in your mischievous eyes. You can’t fool me, Caroline. I know you too well.”
Heat spread through him at Caroline’s smile, and the way her cheeks took on a rosy color. Their easy chatter was almost like old times.
Caroline’s chest heaved in a sigh. “I didn’t ask him to come along, but how do I tell him he should stay home?”
Trevor chuckled. “You’re too polite, Caroline. If you’d like, I’ll let him know, and in a way he’ll understand. I already said I wasn’t going to be looking out for him, and I meant it. He’s green, and he won’t last long out there on the trail. You know it as well as I do. He’s bound to become a liability.”
Her brows rose. “Are you going to look out for me?”
Trevor leaned slightly forward. Their eyes connected. “Always.”
She blinked, but didn’t look away. She studied him intently, her gaze roaming over his face and along his jaw, which was still overgrown with his beard. Suddenly self-conscious, he curbed the urge to smooth the hair down with his hand. Did she approve, or would she prefer he took a straightedge to his face?
“I know you will,” she whispered, swaying slightly toward him, then abruptly took a step back and looked at the house. She hugged her shawl more firmly around her shoulders.
Trevor straightened. He cleared his throat and cast a glance in the direction of the barn.
“I’d best get my horse unsaddled, since you don’t want to leave today.”
Caroline glanced up at him, gauging whether he was joking or not. He winked and offered a grin. Making light of the situation was the best he could do to conceal his frustration.
Caroline’s stance relaxed and she smiled. “I’ll be ready in the morning.” She held up a finger, wagging it at him. “And don’t you get any silly notions in your head about leaving without me, Trevor Wilder.”
His smile faded and he gave her a hard stare. “I wouldn’t leave you behind, but I don’t like that William is coming along.”
“I know.” She nodded, then hurried into the house.
Trevor stood by the porch, staring after her. He ought to be happy at this turn of events, but instead, anger and frustration overtook him that she refused to see him as anything but her protective brother.
Chapter 9
Caroline closed the door to her hotel room, and tiptoed down the hall. She cast a quick glance at Door Number Six, then rushed past. With any luck, William would still be asleep and wouldn’t come looking for her. Today, there was no need for him to rise early, since they were staying in Cincinnati until tomorrow, awaiting the riverboat that would take them up the Ohio River to St. Louis.
With a triumphant smile that William hadn’t come knocking at her door as he’d done every morning since leaving Boston, she rushed down the stairs and out of the hotel. At this early hour, the street wasn’t busy, yet, but there were already several merchants out and about, peddling their wares. Caroline ignored them as they called out to her, trying to sell fresh bread and vegetables.
She rounded the corner of the large hotel building and made her way down the alley to the stables. Hopefully, Trevor hadn’t gone off somewhere already. It had been weeks since she’d had a moment alone to talk to him. William had been practically glued to her side, whether on the buggy ride they’d taken from Boston to the train station in New York City, or on the train to Cincinnati.
With each passing day, Caroline’s annoyance with her fiancé grew. Spending nearly every waking hour in his company had made her see him in a different light than during the previous year she’d known him, when he’d come calling one day out of the week, and his constant presence was beginning to wear on her nerves..
While he’d always had impeccable manners, and carried himself with distinction, lately he was nothing short of overbearing, and often rude to other people. When she’d commented a few days ago on his demanding behavior with a waitress, he’d quickly apologized and told her he was simply on edge about the journey, and he’d asked for her forgiveness.
His behavior had improved since then, but not his constant hovering and monopolizing of her time. Whenever she sought out Trevor or spoke to him, William had found some excuse to usher her away, leaving Trevor, literally, out in the cold. He’d booked lavish hotels and first-class fare for himself and her, while Trevor had opted to bunk with his horse at their various stops. It was time to put her foot down at the way he was treating Trevor. He was flaunting the fact that he was a man with means, and that Trevor had nothing, as if it was some kind of competition.
