His Passionate Pioneer by Maggie Ryan Page A

to place them. She squealed as Richard came up behind her and touched her arm.
    "Hang the strap on that hook, Anna and put the paddle next to it. They'll be convenient when needed."
    She blushed, remembering Charity's mention of poking heads through the backs of their wagons. "But people could look in and see them. I'll put them in one of the trunks with the journals."
    He smacked her bottom over the layers of her clothing and she gave a small shriek, more from shock than from pain. "You'll do as you are told, young lady. You need to stop that worrying about what other people might see or hear, Annabelle Rose. You only need concern yourself with what I see or what I hear. If you continue this nonsense, we'll discover just how well these good people can hear. Hang them on the hooks. I believe you'll need to be able to see them daily to remember to be a good girl. Just be grateful you aren't feeling one or the other on that bottom already."
    Anna shuddered and hung both implements where he had indicated. Then she turned around and saw him waiting for her response. "Yes, sir, I'm sorry. It's just embarrassing."
    Richard spoke gently. "You may put the journals in the trunk, but keep them handy. I spoke the truth when I said I can't wait to hear your stories. I promise to share some of mine as well. I wasn't always the perfect specimen you see before you."
    His words brought a smile to her lips; thoughts of hearing his own tales of being a naughty little boy making her stomach flutter. He handed her the journals and she hurriedly placed them in the small trunk. When he passed her the basket and the folded blanket, she packed them away neatly. She knew it was vital to keep things in their proper place, as they would be living out of this wagon for months.
    Richard swung her down from the wagon and hugged her close. She looked up and could easily see the strap and paddle on their hook. The sight of the implements, and the knowledge that, no matter how she tried to deny it, Richard—her husband—would indeed use both on her backside if he felt she'd been naughty, made a shudder run through her body. As he kissed her gently, she promised herself yet again that she would be the perfect bride.
    Her hand was engulfed by his as he led her away from the wagon to join the stream of people walking towards a large grove of trees.
    "Oh, did you find the men?" she asked, remembering why they'd parted upon their arrival. "Are the cows okay?"
    He chuckled and dropped her hand; only to put his arm about her waist. "Yes. I talked to the men and will introduce you after the meeting. As for the cows, the herd is fine."
    "I'm glad. I met Charity, um, Mrs. Blakemore and her baby. Oh, Richard, Hope is so precious. Did you know that she'll be walking by the time we get to Oregon?"
    "Is that so?" Richard asked. "I'm glad to hear you so excited. It will be nice for you to have a friend during the journey."
    She couldn't agree more, but as they reached the wagon master's area, she quieted; somewhat intimated by the hordes of people surrounding her.
    They were joined by dozens of people, old and young, married couples with babies and children, as well as several single men. Richard sat on the ground and pulled his wife onto his lap. Anna snuggled into him and smiled as a man sat down beside them, followed by Charity and Hope. Richard quickly made the introductions and Anna was pleased to see that the man looked kind. Her conviction grew as he drew his wife onto his own lap, his arms going around both her and their daughter. Just the sight of Hope smiling and kicking, her little hands churning in the air until they latched onto one of her mother's curls, had Anna smiling. She might not have understood all of what was involved in marrying Richard and beginning the journey to fulfill his dream, but when she felt him close his arms around her slight body, she smiled and leaned against him. Despite the revelation of what the packages had contained, here in her