by Ken Busato
A few weeks after my uncle’s outburst, he stopped looking over his shoulder, worried about an attack by a group of men under the control of MacDonell and the Company. He had not made too many friends since we arrived. Of course, his main problem, where everything else came from, was his persistent love of the bottle.
As time went by, there was every possibility the job of taming Willie’s wild heart would fall on another. I talked to him about Chloe, and it was not long after that he was spotted at the fringes of our camp walking with Chloe, the two of them clothed to protect themselves from the harsh elements, the snow and wind, yet happy to be on their own walking peacefully about.
Close to the middle of February, George finally made it to Pembina. The men left behind with Mr. Hillier had started construction on Fort Douglas. They also made strong connections with the locals in the area, buying meat and fish which they had brought with them. All of this, however, did not concern me as much as seeing my George come to me, safe and healthy after so many months apart.
When his group approached the camp, I could see his beautiful face wrapped up carefully for protection from the elements. He looked weather worn and tired from the work that had kept him away from me.
“Mr. Cooper,” I called out to him as he approached. “Would you care for a cup of tea?”
“Miss. Fraser,” George replied, with a smile delightfully forming at the sides of his mouth, “A cup of tea would be a most welcome thing indeed.”
“Please, come inside from the cold and I will put a pot on the fire to boil.”
“George,” my brother shouted as he ran up to him to give him a hug. “It’s so good to see you. It’s so much more fun when you are around. Molly has been so mean to me ever since you left. Could you please tell her to be nicer?”
If glances were daggers, I’m sure my little brat of a brother would have been cut in many places.
“Now Liam,” George smiled at him. “You know your sister means well and she loves you very much. Girls just have such a strange way of showing they care. Remember, the more she hurts you, the more she loves you.”
“If you don’t want this wooden spoon I have hitting you in the head,” I coldly replied, “Then you would best remember your manners young sir. Liam, Angus, take Calum out and find some other place to amuse yourself.”
“She wants to hit you George,” Angus said. “I guess she wants to show you how much she cares for you.”
I started to chase the boys, who eventually took the hint and left, not without a few more jokes at my expense. Once, they were gone, I turned to see George not two feet from me. “I’ve missed you terribly,” I started.
“Not as much as I have missed you,” George replied, hugging me so strongly it almost took my breath away. “Oh Molly, we spent long days building and getting ready for settlers. Many nights I ached from the work, but it did not compare to the pain of missing you. I have longed for this moment ever since you and your family left to come here for the winter.”
“I’ve dreamt of you often George. Winter nights are so cold, and the thought of you warms the heart. But come now, the family will be coming in soon. Sit down and let me make you some tea.”
After a while, I could hear the rabble of voices outside as my family was coming in from the cold. Mama entered, carrying pemmican to be used to make our nightly rubaboo, while Papa carried Calum who was crying uncontrollably. When that boy doesn’t get his nap during the day, he is a terror until it’s time to go to sleep.
“George,” Papa started, “How are things back at Fort Douglas? Will we have a place to stay once it’s time to leave?”
“We spent time surveying the land and setting up plots for settlement. But most of our time was on the construction of Fort Douglas and trade with the locals.”
“You look tired my boy, and no doubt thirsty too. Would you care for a wee nip from the bottle while we wait for dinner?”
“A most gracious offer sir, but I think I’ll keep with the tea your daughter has been so nice to prepare.”
“Yes, she certainly is nice isn’t she? You know George, Molly here keeps some of her feelings to herself, but I know my family well, and I know these many months she has missed you. No doubt you might feel the same way. So then, tell me Mr. Cooper, what intentions might you have pertaining to my daughter?”
“Papa,” I quickly responded leaping to my feet so fast I almost lost my balance. “Surely now is not the time to have this kind of talk.”
“If not now then when Molly? Let the good boy speak for himself. I have observed him, and he has good character, a fine young man indeed.”
“I agree,” Mama responded as she started preparations for dinner. “He is an orphan boy who has done right by himself, growing up fast while keeping his head and wits about himself.”
“I appreciate the kind words Mr. Fraser, Mrs. Fraser,” George replied, “Though I daresay Molly’s uncle may have something to say on the matter as well.”
“Ah, don’t you worry about Willie. He has his own demons to battle, and if he has words with you, then you’re just like everyone else. Besides, lately, if my eyes don’t deceive me, William seems preoccupied with a young Irish girl.”
“Chloe McCarthy and I have exchanged words on occasion,” I said, trying to change the subject. “She’s a lovely girl, with a good head on her shoulders. I don’t think she knows what she is getting herself into by falling for Uncle Willie, but someone needs to tame him.”
“So I need to be tamed do I?” Just then Willie entered, but he did not appear angry. In fact, he looked happy, happier than I have seen him in a while. “So what are you saying Molly, am I some kind of wild animal that needs to be taught how to behave?”
“No uncle, that’s not what I meant. What I meant to say was…”
“Now, now Moll, don’t you worry none. I know I’m stubborn, and I can be a jackass like none other. I think it best to express your anger when you have it, not sit around and let things happen to you and not do anything about it.”
“Willie, we’re not talking about you right now,” Papa interrupted. “Mr. Cooper was about to tell us his intentions.”
“Oh, so the lad has come back from his work,” Willie said. I also am interested in hearing what the good man has to say about my niece.”
“Willie, Papa,” I interrupted. “George has not been back an hour, and you’ve started in on him. Let him sit for a while, give him something to eat and drink before you examine him as a judge examines a criminal.”
“Now Molly,” Papa replied. “We don’t mean any harm, and I am not about to pass judgement on Mr. Cooper. Perhaps we have been a bit hasty with the boy. Come, let’s all sit down by the fire and warm up a while so Mama and Mrs. Docherty can make dinner in peace. Molly, find a suitable place in our camp where George here can make his bed while he is with us.”
“Thank you for your kind words and hospitality Mr. Fraser,” George politely responded as he got up to put on his coat and leave, “But I and must report to Governor MacDonell for a meeting about Company business. After that, I will come back so we can continue with our conversation.”
I was happy to see George leave quickly. Although I knew the questions were inevitable, it felt like he was being unfairly harassed. Papa could see from the look on my face I was not pleased.
“Molly, I’m sorry your uncle and I have come on a little strong. So little happens here at this camp; I jump at the chance to have a good chat when the opportunity presents itself.”
Shaking my head, I angrily replied, “Papa, George and I have strong feelings for each other. Is that what you want to hear? I know once he is established in this country, he will ask you for my hand in marriage. There, it’s out in the open for everyone to know.” My eyes started to swell with tears as I continued. “George is an honest man who does not let the drink get the better of him. If you all love me, you will treat him with the respect he deserves,
especially you Willie.”
“I intend to,” Willie responded, clearly surprised I directed my anger at him.
“I remember what you said to George the first night we arrived at Red River and were suddenly attacked. I thought you would strike him that night. Willie, sometimes the demons from the drink overpower you and make you do things you shouldn’t. George is a fine man who would not do a thing to hurt me. Do you understand?”
“Molly,” my uncle started, clearly saddened by my words and ready to make amends. “In front of all of you here, I know I have not been the easiest to get along with. Some might think it’s the Scottish temper, others the whisky, still others a combination of the two. No doubt there are some people I have meant to anger, some people I have meant to offend, but never you, my dearest niece, never you…” His voice started to trail off quietly, and visible tears could be seen running softly down his eyes. “As some of you already know, I have met a young lass here at camp, and she has started to soften some of the hard edges of my heart. I know I have been an ass at times, and I am sorry. Molly, you are the one person I do not want angry with me. I respect you the most, even though I don’t tell you and I should.” Willie quietly approached me and stretched his arms out for a hug which I quickly fell into. “Please forgive me for my pig headed ways.”
“Oh Uncle, of course I forgive you.”
“Now that is something you don’t see every day,” Papa said as the two of us pulled back from our forgiving embrace. “It’s too bad most days aren’t like this. Then I’d know for sure we stand a chance in this God forsaken country. By the way, Willie, what are your intentions with this young Irish girl of yours?”
“John,” Mama yelled from the side of the hut where the stew was being prepared, “You can just shut your mouth now and get yourself ready to eat. And if I hear any more talk about intentions, that person will feel a wooden spoon to the side of the head.”
“When you talk like that Fiona, it’s music to my ears.”
“You know she loves you if she wants to hit you,” Liam cheerfully stated, timing his delivery perfectly. Everyone laughed at his silly joke as we all got ready for dinner.