Bartered Bride Romance Collection by Cathy Marie Hake Page B

days, but he’d gotten a new set for both of his children. The way he prized the quilt meant he cherished his wife’s memory, so beneath that rugged exterior, he had a tender heart.
    Charity began to tidy the chaos and assess his goods. Clearly, his sister-in-law had taken food and supplies without regard to how it robbed him of essentials. More soap, a washboard … Charity mentally listed basic things to bring along.
    He drove his wagon so close to hers, they nearly touched. She let out a small sigh of relief. It would make her job far easier if she could simply shove things across.
    While they’d been gone, Banner and her oldest daughter pulled the heavy cotton bonnet off Charity’s wagon and folded it. “You’ll need this to make a tent to live in once we reach Oregon,” Banner said as she pulled a strip of twine tightly to make the bundle smaller. “You two take a bit of time to work out some details, then I’ll be over with breakfast.”
    “Much obliged, ma’am,” Ethan said as he set the brake. “We’ll certainly work up an appetite today.” Banner left, and he climbed into her wagon and stood by Miss Davis. In the short time he’d been gone, she’d worked wonders in his wagon. “I’ll take the oxen back. Is there anything you want me to do before I go?”
    She bit her lip and surveyed things. In an uncertain tone, she asked, “Is there any chance we could take along my highboy? I’m using it as a pantry, and I could add your supplies to it.”
    Ethan studied the walnut piece. A master craftsman must have spent weeks making this . He reverently ran his hand across the satiny finished surface, clearly appreciating the fine fit of each drawer and the exquisite carving of a ribbon. He thought for a moment then nodded. “It’ll actually free up some floor space if we empty a few bags and crates into it. I’ll need to counterbalance the weight by putting another water barrel out on the other side.”
    A few men came over to help, and the job was done in a flash. They also moved Charity’s trunk across and set it in the corner. One of the men said something under his breath to Ethan, cast a quick look at her, and then left.
    Charity started tucking food tins and bags of beans into the highboy. Ethan came alongside her. “Miss Davis, we need to discuss a few matters before we go on. I could see by their mark the Studebaker brothers made your schooner. They’re fine wainwrights, and it’s a well-built rig.”
    She stopped working and faced him. “Mr. Cole, even to my uneducated eye, your wagon reflects remarkable workmanship. Due to your talent, it has several extras my wagon can’t match.”
    He felt a surge of pleasure at her words. “It’s mighty nice of you to notice. Jed Turvey’s getting by with his old farm wagon, but I doubt it’ll last the trip. He asked how much you want for your rig.”
    Her eyes widened. “Of course I’d much rather see one of our fellow families get it than leave it behind. Please tell him he’s more than welcome to have it.”
    “We’ll get back to that in a minute.” Conducting business with a woman made him feel awkward. Ethan took a deep breath and broached the next subject. “Between us, we have ten oxen. Providing water for all of them will become impossible. Folks are asking about them. I’m of a mind to sell the extra.”
    She knelt and started to sort through other bags to see what they contained. “Daddy knew nothing about livestock, so I know full well yours are superior. Why don’t you choose my best pair to keep and give the other four away?”
    “Miss Davis, you can’t afford such a generosity. You’re going to need every last cent when you reach Oregon. I helped bury your pa. The two hundred dollars from his pocket won’t last you very long once you have to set yourself up again.”
    She dipped her head and tried to blink back tears. “I thank you for your concern, but Daddy didn’t leave me destitute.”
    He made a wordless sound of