Free Risk & Triumph: COWBOY ROMANCE (Western Pregnancy Forbidden Gold Rush) by Karen Alston Page A

smiled as Ned crossed back to his ranch. The cornfields were ready to be planted but the chore would be left to Myron Polk; Ned planned to be panning for gold by this time next year instead.
    ****
    Ned walked in to find his wife Clara and their four youngest children deep into conversation at the kitchen table.
    “Cat’s out of the bag Ned. The children had a feeling we were up to something so I filled them in on our plans to join the Gold Rush in California.” Clara had a smile on her face, as did the children, which was a relief to Ned. It meant he had one less thing to worry about because four cooperative kids under 12 were easier than four crybabies.
    The kids immediately started asking what they could do to help. Nora was nowhere to be found and she was the last link in the chain to make the journey a success. Ned and Clara didn’t know that she was at the creek dipping her toes in the water with Ollie.

Chapter 2:
     
    Nora Grippon had known since she was young that she would love only one man, which was Oliver Callaway; that was besides her father of course. He was gross, along with most boys before she was 13, he was all she thought about at 18. She had a nose that was too big for her face and Ollie was a gangly red head but to each other, they were flawless. He thought her nose made her look distinguished and she thought his red hair added color to an otherwise ordinary day. Nora kissed Ollie when both were 15. It was her idea and there were no complaints on his part. They decided to wait until they were married to have sex but as time marched on, they both knew it would happen sooner. Nora laid back with her head in Ollie’s lap.
    “I find it hard to believe that they don’t know that we know about California.” Nora giggled as Ollie tickled her nose with a buttercup.
    “Typical, cuz they still think we’re children at 18. What am I supposed to think when father is loading supplies into the wagon? He doesn’t think I know yet. My mother is making sure we all have winter coats and she’s going wild as she knits hats and mittens.”
    “I know Ollie. It’s obvious that Mr. Polk is taking over the farm because he’s been meeting with my Father regularly and taking measurements of the property. At least our families are planning to strike it rich together. I’d die before, I’d let you leave without me.”
    “I’d never go Nora.” Ollie leaned down and kissed Nora. “How are we going to carry on without our parents knowing? I was sure they would figure us out here in Burk but we’ve come up with excuses to be away.”
    “I know and even those excuses are wearing thin. I make the excuse that I’m going to the mercantile and I don’t have any money to spend.” Nora laughed.
    “That’s as silly as my excuse that I’m going to the creek to bathe when I’m already clean. Oh Nora, I can’t wait for the day when I can proudly call you my wife and stroll along with you hand in hand. I’ve had it with this crap and what our parents are putting us through.”
    Nora began putting on her stockings and shoes before walking home. “Are you planning to act surprised when your Dad tells you about the Gold Rush plans?”
    “You bet. I’ve gotten good at telling stories that aren’t exactly true, to my parents. I plan to give one hell of a performance.”
    “It’s sad that we’ve become such good liars,” Nora said sadly.
    “It’s the only way Nora, until they understand that we’re going to be together whether they like it or not. It’s their own damn fault that they treated us as siblings since we were born. Something like this was bound to happen eventually.” Ollie was worked up. “Accepting our love is something they’ll have to do or never see us again.”
    “I hate when you talk like that Ollie. Our parents love us too much to let us go. When we make it to California, I’m sure everyone’s gonna be so preoccupied with the Gold Rush that they’ll forget about us. I don’t want to be