His Passionate Pioneer by Maggie Ryan Page B

husband's arms, with new friends beside them and a world of possibilities before her, she didn't want to be anywhere else in the world.
    Mr. Morgan welcomed everyone and outlined the next few days' journey. The train would move slowly but steadily, and everyone was expected to stay together, help each other and protect the others. He spoke about a rotation of watches; each man was to do his share of patrolling the train in the night. Cattle were not the most cooperative beasts and could cause a great deal of damage if something spooked them enough to make them stampede.
    Anna looked up at her husband. She hadn't imagined being left alone in the wagon during the night. "You'll have to leave me?" she asked, her voice a bit louder than she'd meant.
    "Shh," Richard said, looking down at her. "Mr. Morgan is speaking."
    "But—"
    It was only the shock that kept her from yelping when his palm connected with the side of her hip. Blushing hotly, she looked down, not wanting to know who might have witnessed that single swat even though she knew it had been more of a pat in warning than a swat. Blinking back tears, she knew they weren't threatening to come because he'd swatted her—she was fretting about the nights alone in the wagon in the dark of night in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by strangers, her husband nowhere nearby if she needed comfort.
    Richard held her a bit tighter. Bending until his mouth was close to her ear, he whispered, "Don't fret, I won't leave you alone. I have hired hands to serve guard duty."
    His words relaxed her and she felt foolish for even thinking he'd put her at risk. Snuggling into him again, she turned her attention back to the front but not before noticing that Charity was looking at her. Anna flushed but seeing the woman looked concerned and not judgmental, she managed a brief smile that her new friend was quick to return.
    Mr. Morgan talked a little longer about how the herd would be kept at a safe distance from the wagon train. He mentioned that, once they entered Indian Territory, the wagons would be arranged in a circle at every camp; the positioning a defensive one if needed. Anna was glad to see she wasn't the only woman to appear somewhat frightened at this bit of information. The wagon master paused for a few minutes, as if to give the men time to reassure their families that the likelihood of attack was slight. After all; other, much larger trains had made the trek safely, the natives proving to be tolerant, if not overly friendly, as pioneers passed through their lands.
    He spoke about the need to keep camping areas clean, water buckets by every fire pit, and how he expected everyone to obey his orders. Morgan looked out over the crowd of excited faces and smiled. "I realize that we are all traveling together as one extended family. I also realize that this is a new adventure to most of you. Please rest assured that I and my men will do our very best to make this journey a safe trip. In order to do that, I need your promise of obedience." He paused and looked around the fresh group of pioneers.
    "Those who are traveling with families, know that your husband chose this particular train for a reason. This will be a train where drinking, rabble-rousing or tomfoolery will not be tolerated. Women, you need to do as your husband says, and children, you must obey not only your parents but every other adult traveling with you. I know there will be times when naughtiness happens, and want to assure you that I fully expect transgressions to be dealt with quickly and as harshly as necessary. Small sins might be let go on a regular homestead but I will have no leniency during our travels. Bottoms will be bared and punished as often as warranted." He paused, his eyes seeming to meet those of every person spread out before him. "If you care to test my rules or my resolve to have this journey run as smoothly as possible, then know this: Infractions of the rules, or my learning that husbands are