Unspoken Promises

Grief-stricken Mollie Andersen is returning to her California roots following the tragic deaths of her husband and daughter, Amy. At an isolated rest stop, she experiences a mysterious blackout, awakening alone and frightened.

Mollie stumbles across what she thinks is a re-enactment group, and refuses to believe their claim to be a wagon company following the 1847 California Trail. Even as they offer her protection from the harsh Nevada desert, the emigrants are suspicious of her. With the help of rugged widower Ford Hunter, Mollie reluctantly accepts she is no longer in her own time. Mollie cries for Amy. Ford, facing his own challenges on the trail, comforts Mollie, creating a moment of intimacy that propels them into a marriage neither wants.

Believing she's given a second chance at motherhood, Mollie promises to care for Ford and his children until she can return to her own time. The trust between Ford and Mollie deepens, but will their newfound devotion be enough to overcome the differences between them?

Or circumvent the forces that threaten to separate them?

         Whipple stepped forward. "I'm claimin' my share of the woman, Hunter."
         Ford released her so suddenly, Mollie had trouble keeping her balance. His fist shot out and landed with a satisfying, resounding crack on the bigger man's jaw. He went down without a sound.
         "What's the trouble here?" Captain McFarland shouted as he galloped up. The crowd parted, making room for the wagon train leader. Swinging down from his horse, he moved smartly to Ford's side. "What's going on?"
         "Hunter broke the rules. He started a fight," one of the men yelled. Several men in the crowd murmured agreement.
         "That true, Mr. Hunter?"
         "Whipple," Ford gestured at the man on the ground rubbing his chin. "Made offensive remarks to Mrs. Andersen."
         Mollie stepped forward. "Those men interrupted Mr. Hunter and me. They wouldn't leave when asked. They were rude, offensively so-"
         "Ain't you gonna tell the captain what we interrupted?" one man interjected. "They were canoodlin' right here in plain sight."
         McFarland's brow furrowed as he swung his gaze from the men to Ford. "Is that true?"
         "What if it was?" Mollie shot at him.
         Ford shushed her. "Be quiet. You're only making it worse." To the captain, he said, "Mrs. Andersen was experiencing an emotional moment. I was merely comforting her."
         "Some comfort!" The man on the ground rose unsteadily to his feet. "Another moment and they'd have been screwin' in the dirt!"
         "That's not true!" Mollie burst out. "You take that back or I'll punch you myself!"
         McFarland's mouth twitched. "That'll be enough, Mrs. Andersen."
          "You're all making too much of this." Mollie took a step forward. "Why don't you go about your business?"
         Ford reached out for her and brought her to his side. "That's enough. I'll handle this."
         Mollie broke free of Ford's grip. She faced Captain McFarland, hands squarely on her hips. "If you want to blame anyone, blame those cretins who can't keep it in their pants!"
         "Mrs. Andersen!" Ford and McFarland shouted simultaneously.
         "What?" she shouted back. Fury choking her, she glared at Ford and the captain. Why did they make such a big deal out of Ford's offering her a little comfort? Or of her accepting it?
         Ford started to lead her away. "You're losing your dignity. I'll take care of this."
         "Just a moment there, Mr. Hunter. Some answers, if you please."
         Ford turned back to the wagon train leader. "There's nothing she can tell you that I can't say for her."
         Mollie nudged Ford. His muscles felt like iron under his tanned skin. "I speak for myself."
         "You don't have to," he insisted.
         "Yes, she does," the captain interjected. "For this question, I need her answer."
         Mollie raised her eyebrows. "To what?"
         McFarland switched his attention to Ford. "You were in a compromising situation with Mrs. Andersen?"
         "It was nothing like that!" she protested. "I was upset and-"
         "You'll have your turn in a moment, ma'am," McFarland interrupted her sternly. "Well, Hunter?"
         Ford's hand stilled. "It might have looked like that," he admitted slowly, "But Mrs. Andersen is completely innocent in all this."
         "For crying out loud, you guys, it was just a kiss. Nothing to get excited over."
         "Will you please let me take care of this?" Ford got out through clenched teeth.
         Mollie halted. Ford looked like he could handle anything. He was the lawyer. Let him talk them out of this-this fracas. "If you say so."
         "Thank you." Turning to Captain McFarland, Ford gestured to the men who had interrupted him and Mollie. "Those men made insulting remarks and I had no recourse but to silence them."
         "Insulting remarks? What brought that on?"
         "There's no need to go into that. They were wrong and not for the first time. They were disturbing Mrs. Andersen earlier."
         McFarland glanced up at the taller man. "That woman," he tipped his head at Mollie, "is nothing but trouble."
         Ford studied Mollie. His expression told her nothing. Slowly, his mouth softened. "That woman," he echoed McFarland's intonation, "got my starving baby to eat."
         Mollie smiled at Ford, who smiled back.
         "Maybe this won't be so difficult after all." The captain faced her squarely. "Mrs. Andersen, you said you have no family?"
         She tore her attention away from Ford. "What?"
         "Your family is dead."
         "Yes." She spoke warily, unsure where his questions led.
         "You have no one to look after you?"
         "Well, I wouldn't put it quite like that, Captain. "
         "You are not promised to another?"
         "Another what? Oh, you mean, am I engaged? Of course not." Mollie paused. "Why are you asking me this?"
         "Just making sure there are no impediments."
         "Now, McFarland, if you're getting at what I think you're getting at-" Ford moved restlessly, but the captain raised a hand, silencing him.
         "Mrs. Andersen, the way I see it, you have a choice. Our Articles, which every man in this company signed and agreed to live up to, don't allow for any single females of marriageable age. I'll have to ask you to decide whether you want to stay with us or go."
         "Go where?" Her voice broke as she remembered her situation. Tears threatened again. "I have nowhere to go."
         Captain McFarland's brows furrowed at her words. "Then that leaves you no choice, does it, Mrs. Andersen?"
         "Choice about what?"
         "You marry. Today."

Like it? Don't miss the rest of Mollie and Ford's story from Cerridwen Press.