Free This Savage Heart by Patricia Hagan

couldn’t be soothed.
    Micah turned away, disappearing into the shadows, and the sounds of his harsh weeping echoed in the night.
    They waited for long moments, and then Esther looked out and said to Derek, “She’s ready to be moved, but she refuses to go anywhere until she has spoken with you.”
    Muttering angrily, Derek thrust himself into the wagon in one motion. A few moments later, Esther came out, and Myles helped her down. “It’s a disgrace! That woman’s baby just died, and she doesn’t even seem to care. Told me to get out, she did. Didn’t even want to see the baby! Just wanted to see the captain.”
    Teresa spoke up quickly. “Mrs. Webber, I’m sure Elisa had a good reason to speak to Captain Arnhardt—and whatever it is, it’s certainly none of our business. As for her seeming lack of concern, well, she’s probably in shock. Let’s not judge her, please. She has enough grief to bear at the moment.”
    Derek reappeared, this time with Elisa bundled in his arms. Her eyelids fluttered weakly as he handed her down to Myles, who quickly carried her to the wagon where Thomas was waiting. “We’ll bury the baby in the morning,” Myles said to no one in particular, then dropped to the ground.
    “I’ll ride with Elisa,” Teresa said.
    Esther disappeared, eager, doubtless, to spread her story.
    “You said you understood why she hates me,” Julie whispered when she and Derek were alone.
    “It isn’t important.” He reached for her hand. “Let’s go to my wagon. I think you could use a drink, and I’ve got some brandy.”
    She shook her head and stepped back. “No, I don’t want to. Teresa and Myles will be expecting me back at the hotel soon. I want you to tell me why Elisa Thatcher hates me.”
    He shrugged, embarrassed. “She feels you’re in her way.”
    Julie blinked and shook her head. “In her way? How?”
    “She thinks she’d have a chance if it weren’t for you.”
    “Would she?” Julie challenged, blazing with a jealous fire that appalled her. “Would she, Derek? Or do you have scruples that keep you from bedding a married woman? Maybe you do.”
    “No,” he said, laughing. “You know me better than that. But before tonight I hadn’t made love to you, or another woman, for quite some time, so she probably felt how lusty I was.”
    “Well, she isn’t pregnant anymore,” Julie snapped furiously, “and you won’t be making love to me anymore, so when you get hungry for a woman, you know whose wagon to go to, don’t you?”
    “I guess I do.” He sighed. “You know, Julie, you’re your own worst enemy. When a person has to lie to herself, there’s not much hope for her, and you’re lying if you say you don’t love me and don’t want me.”
    “Oh, I love you,” she flared, “and I do want you, but not on your terms, so it’s best we ignore each other from here on. You can inform Elisa,” she said finally, tightly, “that she doesn’t have to worry any longer about me being in her way.”
    “I’ll do that,” he retorted, then turned to walk away, taking big, purposeful strides as he left her alone in the night.

Chapter Seven
    Almost a month had passed since the wagon train rolled out of San Angelo. The weather was cold, as was expected in late January, and the trail was hard. Fortunately, little snow had fallen, so there was only the frigid temperature to endure. Passage through the Guadalupe mountains was hard enough without snow and ice.
    When they had reached the Pecos river, they found a small camp of prospectors on the banks. The men obligingly helped them cross the river. The night before the crossing, the prospectors sat drinking with the men, relating the latest war news. Myles went to Julie later and recounted the news that Fort Fisher had been captured by Union forces only a few weeks earlier, closing down Wilmington, North Carolina—the last major Confederate port. The stark reality was crushing. They embraced for long moments, wordlessly,