Chapter Eleven
The next morning…
Esther followed Obadiah, as Lenna and Bev walked close together through the last part of the woods, coming closer to the opening. The months spent in the wild and mapping out the area had caused them all to grow closer together. She hoped they’d all keep in touch. It would be easier to talk to Lenna when they got together with others in the tribe. She hugged the ladies saying they’d see each other soon.
Her husband grabbed for her hand, squeezing tight when she placed hers in his. A little further and she’d see her friend Ruth and meet her brother-in-law, along with the sweet baby. She didn’t get a chance to see the baby before they had left months ago. Nerves bunched in her gut with each step they took. At least, she no longer wanted to slap her husband.
The gentle way he held her told her everything she needed to know. The secrets she’d meant to take with her when she died had not scared him off. Secrets only Ruth knew about her and their experiences. She had thought she would feel bad about sharing the information, but she just felt closer to him. As if she could tell him anything and he wouldn’t run away. She didn’t know if he’d go back to his outlaw ways or not. If he did, she’d love him through it, until he got on track again.
She wanted to say there’s no God, but surviving the bear attack and the two evil men told her there had to be Someone watching over them. For the first time, she prayed to God, to help her be the wife her husband needed.
“Are you ready to meet my brother?”
“No.” A giggle slipped from her lips. Truth. The way he talked about him made her anxious. He was serious and a preacher. She didn’t know how to act around a man of God. Sure a priest came to the home from time to time, but that was about all.
“You’ll do fine.”
“I have to meet him at some point and besides I’m ready to see how Ruth has been doing. And you never said where we’ll be living.”
Her husband gave her a sideways glance, adjusting the bag on his shoulder. He didn’t stop and for a few moments, she wanted to ask him if he’d heard her. But the smirk on his lips told her that he had. Moments like this made her want to smack and kiss him at the same time. Crazy. Her stomach lurched forward. She let go of his hand, rushing to the side of the road between two of the buildings.
So close to her new home. In town already and she had to be sick. Bending over, her stomach emptied. Esther pressed her head against the building, a hand at her stomach, willing herself not to get sick again. The smell coming from the restaurant made her gut roll once more. It reminded her of what it felt like to be in a stagecoach on mountain roads. Her eyelids pressed together tightly. Footsteps came from her right. She didn’t move and hoped no one would ask her if she was alright.
“Esther, are you, okay?”
Obadiah.
She didn’t want him to see her this way. She held up her hand to stop him from coming any closer. “Please, go away.”
“No.”
For once she wanted him to listen. Stubborn headed man. He kept coming forward, hand pressed against her back, rubbing small circles. She wanted him to go but his touch felt so good. Sweat ran down her neck. Her stomach stopped its twisting. She leaned against the building and took some slow breaths.
“Meeting my family makes you this scared?” She heard the laughter in his voice without needing to turn around. Esther smiled.
Never in her life had she gotten sick like this. A part of her wondered why. Birds chirped around her and a slight breeze helped to cool her face. “I guess so.”
“I promise, I’ll be right there. Nothing to worry about.”
He kissed the back of her head. She let him lead her back to the dirt road. She let him guide her as she hoped he always would. Except she didn’t need to hope because she knew he would. Without a doubt. Lead her, hold her when she needed it, and protect her. She didn’t second guess him when he said he loved her last night. This man got past all the walls she had placed around her heart and her world.
“I know.”
“Good because here they come.”
Esther took a deep breath. Time to go. She smiled so big her cheeks hurt when she saw Ruth coming toward them with a tall man, who looked so like Obadiah, she did a double-take. Her husband didn’t react. Of course, he didn’t because he already knew what her reaction might be. Ruth held a baby close to her chest. Motherhood suited her well.
Ruth smiled back at her.
Her husband held on to her not letting her run forward as she wanted to because she had been sick just mere moments ago. Excitement vibrated through her as they came closer. Once they were closer, he let go of her hand. She was thankful for his help.
Ruth hugged her close. She never wanted to let go. Tears sprung in her eyes. Giggles slipping from their lips. The baby reached a hand up, patting Esther’s cheek. She smiled at him, rubbing his chubby cheeks. Adorable. One day.
“I’ve missed you so.”
“You have no idea! Look at you, Ruthie. A husband and a baby. Marriage looks good on you.”
“I can’t complain. You look rough, but happy.”
“You have no idea.”
They smiled, laughing at one another. The men were at their sides now. Obadiah cleared his throat. Jedediah hugged him close and she didn’t miss the
