by Clay, Verna
When Cooper led Hallie's wagon forward, she moved to pay the Frenchman, but Cooper reached into his pocket, selected some coins, and paid the toll. Unreasonable anger lodged in Hallie's heart. She determined that as soon as they were on the other side, she would reimburse the amount to him.
When they had crossed over, she confronted Cooper. "How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing."
"That's ridiculous. How much do I owe you?"
Cooper settled piercing blue eyes on hers and stubbornly repeated, "Nothing."
Hallie tried again. "Cooper, I will not let you spend your money on my expenses."
His eyes flashed. "Hallie, you can argue until hell freezes, but I paid the toll; end of story." He motioned behind her. "Maybe you can help him."
Hallie turned to see Stubby and his small cart pulled by one ox turning his load around. She frowned and turned back to Cooper. He shrugged.
Redirecting her exasperation from Cooper to Stubby, she stalked back across the bridge and called to the toll operator, "Excuse me. Why is he turning around?"
"Enchanté," the little man said, and then in accented English, "He requires more money to cross my bridge. I told him to go sell something and return."
Hallie watched Stubby's dejected posture as he steered his ox back toward the fort. Sighing, she said, "I'll pay his toll. How much?"
The Frenchman grinned, shouted at Stubby, and reached his hand out for her money. He said, "I am a fair man. I never charge the same for carts as big wagons."
After paying the price that was, indeed, fair, Hallie rushed back across the bridge. As soon as she reached her wagon, Cooper cracked the whip and the animals moved forward. She sighed, glad Tim was with the Hankersons and couldn't feel the animosity she was harboring toward Cooper.
As Captain Jones had warned, travel became even more difficult and the ground yielded little in the way of grass for the animals or good streams for water. After several days and fifty miserable miles, with dust so thick at times they had to wear kerchiefs over their mouths, a shout passed from wagon to wagon, "Independence Rock!"
Hallie stepped away from her wagon and smiled her first real smile in days. And when Tim, following her, returned her smile, the landmark was forgotten and a tear slipped down her cheek. Perhaps her son had forgiven her behavior. She opened her arms. He hesitated and then stepped into the circle of her hug. Leaning over and holding her boy tightly, she said, "I'm so sorry, Tim. Please forgive me."
Tim sniffed, "No, Ma. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have–"
"Don't say anything, son. You were right. Your pa's only been dead a few months. I don't know what I was thinking."
"But, ma–"
"We won't talk about it anymore. Let's just think about our place in Oregon." She pointed toward Independence Rock. "Son, that rock is another milestone on our journey. Captain Jones said that beyond it is the Sweetwater River."
Independence Rock was reached in the late afternoon, and even though there was still daylight for travel, Captain Jones called camp. A few adventurous pioneers climbed to the top of the rock and came back with stories of hundreds of names scrawled on it, testament to previous travelers. They also said they saw sweeping views of the Sweetwater River, the river that would guide them to Devil's Gate and South Pass. The spirit of the camp soared and that night a celebration broke out with music; they were almost halfway to Oregon!
Hallie watched Tim playing with a group of boys and sniffed back another wave of melancholy. Her relationship with her son was healed, but feelings for Cooper persisted. Searching the camp she saw him speaking with the fancy ladies. A lump lodged in her throat while longing lodged in her heart. When he laughed at something Clarissa said, Hallie had to look away to battle her jealousy. Hallie's friendship with Clarissa had deepened and guilt plagued her for jealousy over a man she needed to purge from her heart.
A familiar voice interrupted her conflicting emotions. "Ma'am?"
Hallie turned to see Stubby standing with his hat in hand. "Yes, Stubby."
"Seems I owe you again. I been gettin' the courage up to thank you fer the loan at the bridge. I'll repay–"
"It wasn't a loan. You don’t have to repay me."
Stubby turned scarlet. "That's where you're wrong, ma'am. I'll pay you back, that's fer sure."
Hallie said, "This is probably none of my business, but I once heard you say you had done well with the cards. What happened to–"
Stubby turned even redder. "Me 'n Harley lost almost ever-thing in a card game at Fort Kearney."
Trying to keep the censor out of her voice, Hallie said, "Well, it's time to put the past behind you and look to the future. You can't change what's already happened." She knew she was speaking the words as much to herself as to Stubby.
The fiddlers tapped the count to another tune and Sharon interrupted them. "Stubby, how 'bout a dance?"
Hallie glanced from Stubby to Sharon and saw jealousy in her eyes. Are you kidding me? Quickly, she said, "Gotta go find my son."
* * *
The following day, Captain Jones led the wagons south of a chasm carved by the Sweetwater River and aptly named Devil's Gate because of its jagged granite rocks.
Once past the gorge, the Captain halted the wagons and ordered Cooper and several other men to go in search of the pronghorn that populated the area.
Cooper and the men returned with three kills and camp was called so the animals could be cleaned and cooked. That night everyone enjoyed fresh meat.
While Cooper sat beside the fire and filled himself with the delicious meal, he watched Hallie speaking with Clarissa. As unlikely as it seemed, a prostitute and a farm girl had formed a bond of friendship. He continued to watch Hallie and gulped a mouthful of hot coffee that burned the hell out of his tongue. Damn, I've got to get my mind off Hallie.
Hallie turned from speaking with Clarissa, met his gaze, and quickly looked away. Even so, the eye contact was enough to scorch the air.
Cooper cursed again and looked to where Tim was warming himself beside Emmett and Lydia's campfire. Chewing another bite of pronghorn, he wondered how he could restore his relationship with the boy. Like his mother, Tim avoided him, although sometimes he caught the kid watching him and wondered what he was thinking. All-in-all, Cooper was feeling pretty shitty and didn't know how to make things right.
Chapter 26: Parting of the Waters and Parting of the Ways
Following the Sweetwater River the wagons entered South Pass, the only way through the Rocky Mountains. Surprisingly, the wide passage stretching for miles in every direction ascended so gradually as to almost not be recognized as an ascent. At the crest, Captain Jones halted the train and trotted Midnight the length, shouting, "It may not look like much, but we're at the Continental Divide where the waters part and run in opposite directions. We're also over halfway to our destination."
A shout arose among the emigrants. Hallie and Tim held hands and circled in a happy dance. For an instant, Hallie smiled lovingly at Cooper and his breath caught. He wanted to join the dance with them.
* * *
The day after crossing the Continental Divide the group reached the Parting of the Ways, a crossroad where the train in front of them turned off. Unexpectedly, some of the wagons in their own group pulled into the open field to bypass their fellow travelers and hitch up with the other train.
Confused, Hallie asked Cooper, "What are they doing?"
Cooper explained. "Some of our folks got to conversing with the other train and learned that once they reached Parting of the Ways there was another road called the Sublette Route that would save about forty miles, and they decided to hitch up with them."
"Hmm. There must be a reason Captain Jones isn't choosing to go that direction."
"There sure is. It bypasses Fort Bridger and crosses the Little Colorado Desert without water for fifty miles."
Hallie frowned. "I wish them all the best, but I trust Captain Jones's judgment."
Cooper pushed his S
tetson back. "At least only four wagons were persuaded to leave our train."
A week later, Captain Jones called camp outside Fort Bridger. Hallie said to Tim, "We're on the downward side of our journey and I think we should celebrate with a treat."
Tim looked at his mother expectantly.
Hallie winked. "Surely, the trading post has candy."
He grinned. "I hope they have licorice."
When Cooper walked toward the fort, Hallie and Tim joined him. Cooper said, "Later, we need to inventory our supplies and tomorrow I'll bring the wagon into the fort to stock up."
Hallie pointed to the south. "What is that mountain range?"
"Those are the Uinta Mountains."
She inhaled deeply. "The sky is so blue here and the air so fresh."
The trading post proved to be one of the best so far. As promised, Hallie bought candy for Tim, and unknown to him, she purchased extra licorice to surprise him with later down the road.
That night, while Hallie sat around her campfire and enjoyed a licorice stick herself, she suddenly realized she hadn't seen Prudence Pittance for a day or so. Glancing in the direction of Pastor and Mrs. Pittance's wagon, she watched a woman enter carrying a tray of food.
The next day, after setting out on their journey, Hallie walked alongside Clarissa to pass the monotony of plodding along.
Hallie said, "I haven't seen Pastor or Mrs. Pittance lately. Have you?"
Clarissa brushed back a stray strand of fiery red hair and turned to look at her. "I think the pastor is ill. I heard one of the women in their congregation telling Captain Jones he was feeling a might poorly."
"When was that?"
"It was the day we reached Fort Bridger."
"Well, even though they're not my favorite people, I certainly hope it's nothing serious."
"I agree. I don't like them much either, but I'm not so mean as to wish anything bad on them."
Changing the subject, Hallie said, "I heard Captain Jones telling Cooper we're going to reach Thomas Fork soon and ford another stream. He said two bridges are there now, but before they were built in the fifties, crossing was most treacherous. I'm amazed at what the emigrants before us accomplished. We have it easy compared to them."
Clarissa kicked a rock. "I suppose there will be another toll. I sure hope we don't have to pay too many more, what with havin' to buy supplies and such. A wagon train ain't the best place to earn a livin' and me and the gals are havin' to make our money stretch. Course we been servicin' the soldiers at the forts, but they can't pay the kind of money we're used to makin'."
Hallie coughed and didn't respond. Should she commiserate with Clarissa's predicament or encourage her to find another "occupation"?
Changing the subject again, she said, "Stubby and Sharon seem to be getting along well."
Clarissa laughed and said conspiratorially, "That's fer sure. We been teasin' Sharon 'bout her bein' sweet on him." She cocked her head to the side. "As fer yerself, I been noticin' that you and Cooper don't talk much. After the day he pulled you on his horse and rode off with you, I thought fer sure we'd be havin' a wedding. You know, Pastor Pittance could marry you two."
Hallie glanced sharply at Clarissa. "Cooper is simply accompanying Tim and me to Oregon. There is nothing between us."
Clarissa only raised her eyebrows and cast a doubtful look at Hallie.
Late that afternoon, Thomas Fork was reached and the creek forded over a bridge.
The next day they arrived at Big Hill and their travel became tedious as the wagons ascended the hill. The descent was even worse. Except for the usual mechanical problems with the wagons and a horse that stumbled, broke a leg, and had to be put down, they finally made it safely to Clover Creek on the other side.
Chapter 27: Sad Times at Clover Creek
Exhausted, Hallie and Tim prepared supper while Cooper tended to their animals. Only one chicken remained from the last batch they'd bought at Fort Casper and it would probably become supper within a few days. Hallie pulled a pot of rice off the fire and ladled beans over the top. She told Tim to let Cooper know supper was ready and then she lifted the Dutch oven with the cornbread onto the multifunctional wagon tailgate.
A noise across the campground captured her attention. Hallie turned to see a woman exit the back of Pastor Pittance's wagon with her hand held to her mouth, apparently trying to keep from sobbing. The men and women standing outside of the wagon all had somber expressions. Something is definitely wrong. Maybe I should offer them supper.
While Hallie was trying to determine if she should interfere, Sarah Jackson, the woman in the group who had first introduced herself to Hallie, stepped away from the wagon and crossed the camp toward her. Surprised, Hallie greeted her. "Hello Sarah, I heard the pastor is ill. Is there anything I can do?"
Sarah said, "He wants to see you."
Dumbfounded, Hallie replied, "He does? Why would he want to see me?"
"I don't know, but…" her voice cracked, "he's near death."
"No!" Hallie gasped.
Sarah nodded. "Will you please come?"
"Of course; but what about Mrs. Pittance?"
"She's with him and doesn't understand either. But it's his last wish."
"I'll come right now." Hallie followed Sarah to the Pittance wagon, her heart hammering with dread. Was she going to be damned for her traveling arrangement with Cooper? Pausing to inhale a calming breath, she allowed one of the men to help her into the wagon.
Pastor Pittance, a big man, appeared to have shrunk considerably. His sunken eyes were ringed with dark circles, and his breathing was the rattle before death. Sitting on the floor beside him, Mrs. Pittance held one of his hands in her own and when Hallie entered the wagon, she lifted tear-drenched eyes and motioned with her other hand to a stool at the end of his pallet for Hallie.
Softly, Mrs. Pittance said, "Husband, Mrs. Wells is here like you requested."
With great effort, the pastor lifted his eyelids and focused on Hallie. A weak smile creased the corners of his mouth. He said, "Thank you…for coming." With a barely perceptible motion of his free hand, he continued, "This old ticker has been giving me trouble for a long time."
Mrs. Pittance sniffed loudly, looked at Hallie, and said, "I didn't know."
Pastor Pittance shifted his gaze to his wife and rasped, "I didn't let you know."
Tears stung Hallie's eyes and she said, "What is it that I can do for you, Pastor Pittance?"
He returned his gaze back to Hallie. "Comfort my wife after my death. She isn't the woman you think she is."
Mrs. Pittance sobbed in earnest. "Don't leave me, husband."
Tears dripped down Halley cheeks at the scene.
Fixing his eyes on his wife with an expression of love and tenderness, Pastor Pittance said, "You know I forgave you long ago, don't you?" With great effort he inhaled and continued in a whisper, "And I loved those girls like my own."
Mrs. Pittance sobbed softly.
Pastor Pittance moved his free hand toward his wife. "Grasp my hand, wife."
Mrs. Pittance gently clutched his hand. His voice was now stronger. "After the girls died, you changed. I know you believed you were doing good by becoming so upstanding and wanting everyone to follow your lead, but it's time to stop. I've never believed in interfering with the work the Good Lord does in one's heart, and he's been working mightily on you these past three years since their deaths, but now that I'm about to pass on, you will become the leader of our flock."
Mrs. Pittance sobbed, "No, husband, no. I am not worthy."
Hallie saw the pastor barely squeeze his wife's hands and, ignoring her cry to the contrary said, "You will be worthy after the Lord finishes his work in you through Hallie."
Hallie gasped.
With tears overflowing, Mrs. Pittance said, "No, I cannot–"
Struggling to breathe Pastor Pittance wheezed, "I love you, wife, but now it's time for me to join Clara and Ella, and it's time for you to expand your heart and
accept others unconditionally."
Hallie watched the quiet pastor turn his gaze upward and his demeanor change from one of pain to serenity. He mouthed the words, "Clara, Ella," and with an imperceptible smile, slipped gently into death.
Mrs. Pittance let out a wail and threw herself on her husband's chest. Having lost her own husband only a few months earlier, Hallie reached to touch her shoulder. Compassion swelled her heart. "It will always hurt, but it will become bearable."
Clutching her husband's shoulders, Mrs. Pittance sobbed. "You don't understand!" She wept several minutes and then confessed her sin. "I was unfaithful to my husband but he loved me anyway; even when I bore twin daughters that were not his." She sobbed again. "They both died of the cholera at age twelve and I knew it was God's way of punishing me. Since then, I've tried to atone for my mistake by being as pure as I can be and leading others on the same path." She lifted a face streaked with tears. "But I failed. I failed my husband, my girls, my congregation...I failed myself."
The back flap of the wagon lifted and from the expressions on those gathered, they had heard Mrs. Pittance's heartrending confession. Hallie moved to the opening and announced, "Pastor Pittance left the care of his flock to his wife and he would not have done so had he not believed in her. As you have undoubtedly heard, she has suffered terribly. And you have all been given an opportunity to either increase her suffering or comfort her. What would the Good Lord have you do?"
Beyond the crowd, Hallie saw Tim standing beside Cooper. Cooper said, "Excuse me, please." Stepping forward, he lifted Hallie from the wagon and placed his arm around her shoulders to lead her back to their wagon.