Oregon Trail - Clean Historical Western Romance

By Johanna Jenkins

Mabel Coates has always gotten her own way. Having lived a comfortable life on a small farm in Pennsylvania with her overly indulgent father and her put upon mother, she has never been forced to do anything she did not want to do. Until one year when their farm fails and Mabel's father makes plans to move the family to Oregon. Mabel suddenly finds her comfortable life turned upside down. Not only is she forced to leave most of her possessions behind and walk on rocky roads for hours at a time, she also has to contend with Bill Atkinson. 

The guide hired to take her family through to Oregon, whose mission seems to be to relentlessly mock Mabel's soft upbringing. Mabel, stubborn and persistent by nature, gives Bill as much grief as he gives her. But, when tragedy strikes on the Oregon trail, the two must work together to see that the family makes it out alive. And, in the process, they may discover a deeper connection than either of them had ever dreamed.

A Standalone Short Story with no cliffhanger!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clean & Wholesome Romance Club
• Release date: Nov 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386783145

Book preview

Oregon Trail

Chapter 1

Mabel Coates stood staring down at her large leather case. It would be the last of her family’s luggage to be packed into the wagon waiting for them outside. Of course, her father had warned her not to bring her large case at all.

‘Your satchel is all you will need,’ he had said. ‘We will need the room in the wagon for provisions.’

Mabel’s mother had agreed with him. She’d told Mabel that she could have no possible use for her large trunk where they were going. But, they did not understand.

Mabel did need her large trunk that carried her fancy gowns, along with all of her childhood dolls, books, and photographs. The thought of leaving them behind was unbearable.

Not only because Mabel could not conceive of a civilized land where there would not be a fancy ball where she would need a dress or two, but these were the last things, the only things she had left of home.

Home was her family’s large farmhouse in Pennsylvania. The one Father had been forced to sell when a harsh winter had ruined the year’s crop.

Home was her mother’s herb garden where Emily used to sit outside and sketch, home was her piano where she would sit and play music for hours to the delight of her parents and any other guests they invited in.

Home was her friends and balls and parties in the spring. Home was her father laughing by a roaring fire. Her mother sitting in her rocking chair humming softly as she knitted clothes for Emily’s dolls.

Home, in short, was everything locked inside this leather trunk. And, the idea of parting with it was beyond unthinkable. She had to take it with her.

Still, there was the issue of getting it outside and into the covered wagon where her father was loading the last of their provisions. She would have to do it alone.

Both her parents had told her, in no uncertain terms, that the only bags she would be permitted to take with her were ones that she could carry herself. And the huge trunk, certainly heavier than anything she had ever carried before, was going to come with them.

Mable!

She jumped when her Mother called out to her from just outside the small room where they had spent the night.

Are you planning on joining us within the next year?

Mabel looked up, and in the doorway, saw her mother’s stern face. Her brown hair looked more severe today than usual, pulled up in a tight bun. Her lips were pursed in a frown that told Mabel she was not amused.

In a moment, Mama, Mabel answered. I’ve just one more crate.

Mama looked down at the large leather case and her frown lines deepened.

Remember what I told you, mama said, If you cannot carry it on your own, it remains here.

Yes, Mama, Mabel said, trying her best not to sound exasperated. I will be able to carry it on my own.

Hmm, was her mother’s only response before she left the room.

Mabel looked back down at the case, and with a determined squaring of her shoulders, lifted it to her knees.

As she began to move, her muscles cried out in protest at being misused in such away. But Mable squinted through the pain, and eventually made it outside where she could see her father watering