Tainted Dreams

by Christi Corbett

  Jake took the offered papers, unfolded both, and laid them flat on the bed. After a brief inspection, he was as confused as Kate. This was far beyond his realm of experience.

  "My best guess is we walk around town and find the empty store. Logically, that will be the one you own. Same goes for the house, but I'd prefer to first ask around as to the location of one or more of these landmarks on the map so we're not riding over random hillsides and trespassing on settled claims. Your father never discussed these with you?"

  "The first time I even knew the deeds existed was after we'd rafted the Columbia, when you gave me the envelope. Did he say anything when he gave them to you?"

  "Nothing specific. His main concern was making me promise to get you and Ben safely to Oregon, and watch out for you both after we arrived."

  A promise Jake had failed to keep—Ben had died less than a month later.

  The excitement faded from Kate's eyes and she quietly gathered the papers, refolded them, and slid both back into the envelope.

  Jake swallowed hard to clear the rising lump in his throat. "So, breakfast and then a walk around town?"

  With a curt nod, Kate tucked the envelope into her pocket and headed downstairs.

  Jake followed.

  Chapter Nine

  Battle of Knowledge

  Jake entered the dining room with Kate at his side. Theo, William, and Margaret were already seated at the long, rectangular table—a table now loaded with platters of pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. A cloth-lined metal tray featured an array of biscuits and frosted pastries, and a dish of butter sat near an urn of syrup. A large glass bowl of cinnamon-sprinkled applesauce sat in the center of the table.

  "Glad you two could make it," Theo said, rising to his feet and placing his napkin beside his empty plate.

  "Sorry to be so late." Kate crossed the room and sat in the chair Theo pulled out for her. After murmuring her thanks, she allowed him to unfold her napkin and place it over her lap.

  "Think nothing of it." Theo said, taking his seat again at the head of the table. "You've had a long journey and rest is the best recovery."

  Jake shifted his weight and stared at the empty chair next to Kate's, debating whether dining with Theo was wise.

  Theo tolerated the indecision only a few moments before he let out an exaggerated sigh and motioned to the clock on the wall. "Jake, I have a busy day ahead and can't hold breakfast any longer. Are you joining us or not?"

  He sat, telling himself Clara had obviously gone to a lot of trouble to create such an extravagant meal and he didn't want to be rude. Though niggling at the back of his mind was the real reason he'd capitulated—if he left, Theo would use the time alone with Kate to his advantage and further insinuate his own importance.

  After a quick prayer, water glasses and coffee mugs were filled, platters were passed and emptied, and the clinking of silverware filled the air as everyone began eating. Except for Margaret. Her gaze roamed the table, but she only sipped water and shook her head at William's repeated attempts to fill her plate. Eventually she accepted a small spoonful of applesauce and all seemed fine until William waved a slice of glistening bacon below her nose.

  "I've missed this smell, haven't you?"

  Margaret's face went as bone-white as the china plate before her, and she scooted her chair from the table with an urgency bordering on frantic.

  "Excuse me," she whispered, then fled the room with one hand covering her mouth. Within seconds a new sound filled the air —violent retching.

  Unfazed, William turned to Theo and soon they were engaged in a lively conversation about their family back east.

  Kate's fork hung in the air mid-way between her plate and her mouth as she stared at them, obviously aghast at their indifference. "Should I go check on her?"

  William declined the offer with a shake of his head. "She'll be fine in a few minutes."

  Eyes narrowed, Kate rose from her chair, dropped her napkin onto the table, and left the room without a word.

  William sat back in his chair and let out a long sigh. "Margaret is fine. She's just…" His frustration quickly gave way to a sheepish grin. "She's in a delicate condition right now, and prefers to be alone during these moments."

  "Congratulations!" Theo said, leaning from his chair to clap his nephew on the back. "I'm thrilled, and you can count on me to be the best great-uncle to your little one."

  "I appreciate everything you're doing for Margaret and me." William's expression changed to regret. "Mother spoke often about your stance on a man making his own way in the world, and I want to say again how sorry I am at needing you to handle my debt to Jake."

  "Ah, yes," Theo said. "I'd almost forgotten." He reached into his pants pocket and brought out a navy-colored cloth bag. After a few shakes to show it was heavy with coins, he tossed it across the table.

  Jake caught it one-handed.

  "William, thankfully the loss of that money won't hamper my ability to help you and Margaret get settled." Theo gave Jake a pointed look. "However, it's too bad when men decide to take advantage of a situation."

  William needed to provide for his growing family, so Jake could almost forgive his silence when opportunities arose to correct Theo's interpretations regarding the debt owed.

  Almost.

  On the other hand, Theo was in a newfound position of power in the community, and to an extent, with Jake. A petty man in his element.

  Jake had nothing to prove to either of these men, so he remained seated and said nothing.

  * * * *

  Kate held back Margaret's hair as Margaret bent over a pail Clara had hastily offered after they'd rushed from the hallway into the hotel kitchen.

  "I'm so sorry." Margaret raised her head and focused her worried, watery gaze on Kate. "You and Jake have been nothing but kind, and I've been so worried about my own troubles, and the new life William and I are bringing into this world, that I'm afraid I've been a bit petulant towards you. Can you ever forgive me?"

  Kate smiled, sympathetic to the woman's plight. "Consider it done."

  Margaret let out a long sigh of relief, then glanced across the room where Clara stood, silently waiting. "Thank you as well, Clara. You put out quite a meal this morning, and I'm certain William is enjoying it."

  "No trouble at all, my dear." Clara crossed the kitchen with a damp cloth in one hand and a glass of water in the other. "Since I keep a small herb garden year round in the kitchen window, I was able to add a sprig of mint to your water. It should help settle your stomach. You take a few slow sips while Kate and I run a comb through your hair and you'll be freshened up in no time." She bent and patted Margaret's shoulder several times before handing over the cloth and heading back across the room.

  "What a wonderful woman," Margaret murmured, and Kate nodded her agreement.

  Eventually, after a few minutes of assisted primping, Margaret agreed to return to breakfast. Kate followed her across the hall and back into the dining room. Taking her cue from Margaret in pretending nothing was amiss, she sat, replaced her napkin on her lap, and took up her fork again. Theodore and William followed suit.

  Meanwhile, Jake's brooding silence indicated trouble at the table during her absence.

  "William," Theodore said. "Before you get started with whatever you've got planned today, I need to ask you a serious question."

  Though all in the room waited for his next words, he took a pancake from the stack and took his time at buttering the entire circle, including the edges. He then proceeded to make four precise cuts, separating it into eight equal wedge-shaped pieces. After placing his silverware on the rim of his plate, he finally continued speaking.

  "Given all the opportunities in town to open your own business, are you certain you want to pursue a life of guaranteed hardship as a farmer?"

  "I've never been more certain of anything in my life, aside from the love I share with my beautiful wife," William said, covering Margaret's hand with his own. "No need to worry
about us. Soon we'll be safe and warm in our own cabin, and the trail will be just a memory."

  Margaret placed her free hand over her stomach and managed a weak smile.

  "Uncle Theodore, as you've obviously discovered, Oregon Territory is the land of unbelievable opportunity. It's the land of milk and honey, the land with cows so fat they roll down the road, and the land where the bugs do your work for you."

  Kate couldn't hold back her laughter. "Where did you hear such things?"

  "You don't believe me? I have the flyer right here." William pulled a well-worn paper from his shirt pocket and passed it across the table to Kate.

  "I've seen this before," Kate said. "My father had this same flyer posted on the store wall behind the counter."

  It had hung on many walls in towns back east. But like most people, her father had taken the information given in the many posters and booklets with a grain of salt. William didn't seem to have the same consideration; not only had he believed everything he'd read, he'd committed it to memory. As Jake would say, he was a tenderfoot of the worst kind. Misinformed and willing to spread incorrect information around with unbridled enthusiasm, an enthusiasm now evidenced by his wide grin.

  "William, you certainly didn't see the elephant on your way here, did you?" Theodore asked, then gave a good-natured chuckle.

  Kate noted the confused expression of the others, and realized she wasn't the only one uncertain of what he meant. "What does 'see the elephant' mean?" she asked.

  "It refers to how most travelers start out with the greatest of expectations and loftiest of goals," Theodore said. "They leave their homes bright-eyed with wonder for all they'll see on the trail, and twitching with anticipation for the riches they'll find out west. However, most suffer so much during the crossing that by the end of their journey they feel defrauded." Ignoring William, Theodore focused on the rest of his guests, his brows furrowed in sympathy. "I'd say it's fair to assume you three saw the elephant?"

  Margaret nodded solemnly and William swallowed hard before he broke the awkward silence of the room. "To answer your earlier question, Uncle Theodore, yes, we do plan on farming. In fact, after we finish up here we're going to start scouting the land for our claim."

  "You'll need mounts," Theodore said.

  "Jake was kind enough to lend us his horses, proving yet again how that flyer is right—in the Oregon Territory, whatever you need is at your feet as soon as you speak."

  Theodore focused his attention on Jake. "I paid a visit to my livery this morning. Are all those horses yours?"

  "Two are mine," Jake replied. "The other four are Kate's."

  "Really?" Theodore said, eyeing Kate with appreciative surprise. "I know horseflesh and you've got good ones in there."

  "Thank you," Kate replied, all the while hiding a smirk at the man's admiration. Not only didn't Theodore know which four were hers, but Plug was a runner if given any opportunity, and Old Dan was a pile of bones, shied at sharp noises, and was stubborn to boot.

  Undaunted, Theodore continued. "While I don't typically allow my guests to dine with me, I'm always willing to make an exception when circumstances warrant. Kate, should I tell Clara to expect you for dinner this evening?"

  "Jake and I plan to explore the area today, and we might be back late," Kate replied. "Is there a restaurant in town we might try?" She'd prefer to dine with Jake, alone, instead of in the company of this lout of a man.

  "Yes, but it's not appropriate for a genteel woman like yourself. I've been a few times, but honestly it caters to a rougher crowd. You'll feel much more comfortable, and safe, here in my dining room."

  "I don't want to impose," Kate replied, "or take advantage of your generosity." She'd hoped by now Jake would have asserted his desire to spend time with her, but since he seemed more interested in twisting his linen napkin into a knot than making eye contact, she wasn't certain of his intentions.

  "Nonsense." Theodore waved her words away. "You've got to eat anyway—might as well be among your own kind. Dinner starts promptly at six o'clock. Jake, you're welcome too, but if you prefer the saloon I understand."

  Kate's confidence waned. Could that be the reason for Jake's silence? She had no desire to keep him from reconnecting with old friends and understood, albeit begrudgingly, there were places in town she wouldn't be welcomed. Still, the realization made her ponder their compatibility for the first time.

  Jake's belated reassurance—his hand sliding onto her knee and giving it a light squeeze before pulling away—filled her with both relief and unease.

  "Well, Theo," he said, tossing his napkin beside his plate and leaning back in his chair, "I enjoyed this morning's meal, if not your company, so yes, I will dine here tonight."

  "Very well," Theodore replied, and then adeptly changed the subject.

  When food and conversations began to dwindle, Theodore withdrew the silver bell from his vest pocket and shook it three times. Moments later, Clara appeared and began collecting their plates. When she reached Margaret, she patted her shoulder before quickly moving on.

  Once the table had been cleared and a final round of coffee filled everyone's cups, Theodore reached into a wooden box on a nearby buffet table and extracted a cigar and a silver ashtray. "Mind if I smoke?"

  When none claimed an issue, he proceeded to clip and light it with a practiced efficiency Kate hadn't seen since her father. Jake's wistful expression indicated he'd caught the similarity as well. Theodore was oblivious to anything but his own concerns as he tipped his head back and blew a series of smoky circles into the air.

  "Jake and Kate, I realized something late last night," Theodore said. "In all the confusion of getting everyone settled, I neglected to mention how room payments are handled. Typically it's up front and by the day, but in certain cases I've been willing to consider a weekly rate."

  He rested his cigar in the ashtray, propped his elbows on the table, and steepled his fingers together, pointing them first at Kate, then Jake. "Do you two know how long you'll be staying in my hotel?"

  Jake fixed a steady, hard gaze on Theodore. "As long as you'll promptly see to getting the lock fixed on Kate's door, last night was my last."

  "Very well," Theodore replied. "Kate, how about you? Will you be taking advantage of my earlier offer of your room for the week?"

  Kate glanced at Jake for guidance, but when he gave none, she shrugged. "I'm not certain. I have some legal documents I need to sort out the meaning of first before I can give you an answer."

  "Oh?" Theodore perked up. "Perhaps I can be of assistance?"

  "My father purchased a building in town. I'd like to see it, but I don't know where it's located. Might you know of any stores that went vacant about a year ago?"

  Theodore thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "This is a thriving town, and new buildings are sprouting up every day. Two men that might have some insight, given they own a mercantile, are Albert Wilson and George LeBreton. I'm scheduled for an evening of dinner, cigars, and brandy with them and a few others next week to discuss pending land claims along the river, so I'll be able to inquire as to your situation."

  "Thank you for the offer, but there's no need. Jake suggested he and I take a stroll through the town until we figure out which one is empty. Likely it will be my father's."

  Theodore scoffed. "Wandering the streets aimlessly and peering into random windows is a preposterous plan."

  Only the memory of her aunt's firm insistence on the need to act polite and respectful toward those with political or social influence, even if they didn't always deserve it, kept Kate from giving Theodore the vicious tongue lashing he deserved.

  "What you need is to check in with the land claims office," Theodore said, tapping the ash from his cigar into a shallow metal tray. "Plans are in the works to open one in Oregon City sometime in the next few weeks."

  "Weeks?" Kate shook her head. "I couldn't possibly wait that long."

  "Then you'll need to go to Champoeg," Theodor
e said. "There's a land claims office out there—or rather the beginnings of one. Regardless, it's a good place to find answers to your questions since right now there is no governing body in Oregon City."

  "Is it far?" she asked.

  "Champoeg's about two days travel from here, and since danger lurks in the woods as well as the streets, I would like to formally offer my services as your escort."

  Tension blanketed the room as Kate struggled for a way to graciously decline Theodore's offer—though she'd much rather slap him across the cheek for treating Jake in such a derogatory manner throughout breakfast—and signal Jake of her desire to leave town right away. With him.

  "The only one escorting her will be me," he said, his response saving Kate from her temper swirling within and threatening to burst loose.

  "Of course." Theodore focused solely on her with the smarmy smile of a man who'd just lost a battle, but had every intention of winning the war.

  She rose from her chair. "I'm heading upstairs to pack."

  "Give me about twenty minutes to straighten out some things here," Jake said, shifting in his chair to face Theodore, "and I'll have our horses ready and waiting out front."

  Chapter Ten

  Setting Limits

  Jake remained seated at the table, silently watching Kate rush from the room. Theo, William, and Margaret excused themselves and left shortly after, leaving Jake alone with his thoughts.

  While a lesser man would have resented how Theo had ultimately been the one to give Kate the information she'd needed regarding the deeds, Jake didn't begrudge him for his knowledge. After all, America was settled by wise men who spent more time with pen and paper in hand than an ax or a gun. However, he detested Theo's attitude—on full display from their first meeting on the trail coming out west—that Jake and men of his ilk were beneath him.