“We sure can, sweetheart.”
Captain London rode up. “We still have a ways to go until we hit that creek.” Worry was etching deepening lines across his forehead.
“We’ll make it, Captain,” Zander said. He was confident the group could do anything it had to.
Harrison rummaged through the gunman’s pockets. He found a piece of paper that looked to have been crumpled and then smoothed out many times. He looked it over and handed it to Tara. “Does this mean anything to you?”
Tara took the paper. As she read, her face paled and her hands shook. Finally, she looked up. “It’s the names of the trappers on the wagon train. I don’t know for sure, but the number next to my pa’s name is the amount of money he carried.”
“Just the trappers on your train? You recognize all the names?” Harrison asked.
“I think…” Tara glanced at the list again. “I think yes.”
“Big Red, your name’s not on this list… unless you go by another name?” prodded Harrison.
Big Red shook his head.
“Did you have to bring money with you?” Harrison tapped his chin thoughtfully.
“No, I had mine wired to the bank in Oregon. It’s every penny I have except for my travelin’ money”
Harrison took the piece of paper back. “You don’t mind if I hold on to this, do you?”
Both Tara and Big Red shook their heads.
Tara stood up. “We should get going.”
Dawn moved closer to Big Red. Harrison nodded at Heath as he stood.
“Why don’t we have Zander drive, and Tara would you mind riding in that wagon? I don’t think Dawn will part with Big Red here. Luella is good with Dawn in these situations.”
Chapter Eight
The days had become hard. The animals were getting slower and they had only found a few places to stop where there was water. They needed grass, plentiful grass, and rest as well, but the captain explained they needed to get over the Blue Mountains. People were running out of supplies. At first Tara had been generous giving to those in need only to find out some were holding supplies back in case they were really starving. To her it was the same as crying wolf, and for that, she’d never help the same people again. She’d been a good Christian and given to others, and to her dismay, she’d been taken advantage of.
She hated looking at her fellow travelers knowing they had stolen from her. At least to her it was the same as stealing. Her little group was all that mattered. She finally named her mare Hunter. Whenever Tara went out on her to look for fresh meat, they always came back with something. There had been a lively discussion about Hunter being a male name, but she didn’t care, and she had held to her choice.
Finally, after another dusty and impossibly hard day, they descended along steep trails into the Grande Ronde Valley. It was a sight to behold. Grass, green lush grass was plentiful as were the trees. The water seemed to sparkle. For the first time in what seemed forever, Captain London announced they would rest a day.
For once, people weren’t abuzz with excitement to have an extra day. They were too tired. Others were sick, and many of the livestock appeared half starved. There were also plenty of Indians around.
Dawn ran for the wagon as soon as it circled and jumped in. Heath was soon in there with her. It must be almost like hell for poor Dawn. Tara could only hope that wherever they settled, it wasn’t near an Indian village.
The Nez Perce Indians seemed peaceful enough, and they had things to trade. People were able to get ground corn and dried meat. Tara couldn’t help but wonder if the dried beef came from the dead cattle left behind by other emigrants. She traded rabbit furs for plenty of corn. If her hunting luck continued, her group would be just fine.
She also came back with a buckskin jacket for Big Red. He did more than his share of work.
He laughed when he came back from his trading trip and saw the jacket. He pulled a bead-decorated one out from behind his back for her, plus a pair of fur-lined moccasins. She laughed as she finished frying up corn cakes. She put them in a pile for the rest of her group, grabbed her fishing supplies, and headed to the river.
She stared at some of the people who had lied that they were hungry and wondered why they didn’t go to the river and fish. Did they expect to have everything handed to them?
She loved the outdoors. She felt as one with nature, and for some reason that made her feel closer to God. It was a lovely thing. A few of the women were washing clothes at the creek and Tara wondered where they got their energy from. Even dainty Leona was washing out some underthings.
“What are you supposed to be doing?” Leona asked, subjecting her to a disdainful stare.
“Trying my luck at fishing. I bet there are some big fish in this river.” Tara didn’t have a clue what to say next, so she said nothing. It was nice and quiet for about a half hour. Tara had caught three large fish and was hoping for one more.
“You make a better man than a woman, you know,” Leona told her in a scathing tone. “Most men don’t like females who can do manly chores better than them. You aren’t fooling anyone with those ugly dresses you wear. You still walk around like a bowlegged man. I’m surprised you haven’t cut your hair short and started smoking a pipe.”
Tara had to calm herself before answering. “How do you know I don’t smoke a pipe?” She smiled at Leona as if she was fine.
“You don’t wear a corset, do you? Then again, you have no need for one.” Leona put her wet clothes into her basket and walked away.
What did that mean? A tug on her line demanded her attention, and she hauled in another fish. Now she had plenty for dinner. And now that Luella was feeling better she ate an awful lot. Cora wasn’t as bad. Tara’s smile faded. She’d never know what it was like to be a mother. It had been something she was trying to convince herself was fine, but it wasn’t. Perhaps never was too strong a word. There might be a mate for her out there. Some day.
She gazed down the river and was startled to see a white girl in Indian garb. What on earth? The girl put her hands together as if in prayer or pleading. Was she pleading for Tara’s help?
Tara gave her a quick nod and took the fish back to the wagon.
Luella teared up. “What would we do without you, Tara? You do too much for us.”
Tara wiped her hands and then kissed the top of Luella’s head. “I’m happy to help out. I need to talk to Dawn. Is she still in the wagon?”
“Yes, she is, and Heath could use a break.”
Tara walked to the next wagon. “It’s me, Tara. I need to ask Dawn’s advice.”
Heath put his head out of the wagon. “I’ll be right out.”
Tara heard them speak of their love for each other before Heath jumped down.
“Go, eat. We’ll be fine for a bit.”
Heath hesitated.
“I have my gun and my knife.”
He smiled. “I’ll be back in a little while.” He helped Tara up into the wagon.
She sat down near Dawn, and Dawn hugged her. “I feel like a useless baby. I can’t bring myself to even look out of the wagon.”
“I don’t blame you. You’ve been through something most wouldn’t have come back from. I need your help. I was fishing, and a white girl in a doe dress caught my eye. She stared at me and held her hands like this.”
Confusion flitted across Dawn’s face. “Like she was praying?”
“Yes, I think she was asking for help. Can I walk up to the Chief and ask for her or about her?”
Dawn’s eyes grew wide. “No. They hide all whites when others are around. What did she look like? Did she look neat and clean or was she ragged and dirty? Don’t tell me all Indians are dirty.”
“I know they aren’t. I’ve broken bread with some. They were my father’s friends. She looked frightened, and she didn’t appear to be anyone’s daughter. Her dress had holes in it, and her hair wasn’t neatly braided. She wore no adornments, and there weren’t any beads on her clothes.”
/> “You’re observant. We’ll have to take her and hide her. Or maybe Big Red knows what to do. He’s not talking to that widow woman again is he?”
“I’m afraid so. I might have to build my own home after all.” Tara smiled, but it really could happen.
“Big Red will have to see what’s up. If he can marry her, we can take her. If not we need a place to hide her. They’ll search the wagons before we go if she’s missing or they’ll come after us and kill us. We need to think through all possibilities before we act.”
“He’s our best bet.”
Abruptly, Dawn sniffed the air. “Tara, thank you for providing us with food again. I can smell the fish. How are these people going to make a life in Oregon if they don’t fish? I just don’t understand how they think.”
“I know. All I can say is I helped and got tricked. I know not one of those I fed would think to feed me if I was without. But it really doesn’t help to keep getting mad about it. It changes nothing and it ruins my mood. I thought about it the whole time I fished. Oh! Heath is here. I will tell you what’s going on after talking to Big Red. What if they do a search? Will you be able to get through it?”
“As long as I have Heath I’m fine.”
“You what?” Zander fairly exploded later. He shook his head as he folded his arms in front of him. “Did you get dropped on your head when you were young?”
“There is no need for insults.” Then something occurred to her. “Speaking of insults; what does it mean when a woman meanly tells you that you don’t need a corset?”
Zander turned crimson. “I wouldn’t think it an insult. You have a tiny waist so you don’t need to wear one.”
“Why is it I don’t think you’re telling me the truth?” She huffed out her irritation. “There is an insult in there somewhere. I just have to figure it out. Your girlfriend told me I walk like a bowlegged man too. Don’t worry, she’s still in one piece. I didn’t use my knife on her. This time.”
He shrugged and glanced away. “When did you two have a conversation?”
“While I was fishing and she was washing her corset.”
He sliced the air with one hand in a movement that reflected his impatience. “I came to find out what you are doing getting mixed up with an Indian girl.”
“Can’t I do anything without you finding out about it? No offense but it’s starting to bother me that people report my plans to you.” She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “You’re not asking people to report to you?”
“No, they just tell me. Especially if your plan is going to get you killed.”
“There isn’t a plan—yet, but we need one by the time we leave. Big Red is going over there now to make friends and see if he can find out who the girl is. We need that information to make a plan.”
“If you need to hide her, where exactly do you plan to do that?” His jaw jutted out a bit, showing his anger. Too bad.
“I plan to remove the tools from the box under the wagon seat, put in a few holes for air and hide her there.”
He looked surprised.
“What’s wrong? Is my idea a good one?” Her lips twitched as she tried not to laugh. A stony expression was hard to perfect. “If you’re done questioning me, I’m sure I have things to do.”
“Such as?”
“I would bathe in the river but it’s getting chilly. I think I’ll heat some water and take a quick bath. Tomorrow I will wash clothes. You’re welcome to bring your dirty clothes over to be washed.”
“I’ll haul water for your bath,” he said as he picked up two buckets.
“The clothes?”
“Someone already offered, but I do appreciate you asking.” His long legs made for quick strides toward the river.
How could she turn her feelings off as far as that man was concerned? She tried so hard to keep everything on a friendly level, but he always wiggled his way into her heart and then splintered it right after. She sat by the fire alone and watched the Nez Perce wander around. She patted her pocket making sure her gun was still there.
She heard a few gasps from Dawn and wished they could take her elsewhere. At least she had Heath, and he just adored Dawn. Perhaps they’d have an announcement of their own to make before the trip was through.
Zander filled the two big pots with water and put them over the fire and then he went to get more water.
Tara tried not to watch him walk away, but she wanted—she needed—to store away as many memories of him as she could. She knew now there would be no other for her.
“What are you thinking about so intently?” Big Red asked as he sat down.
Tara got up and poured him a cup of coffee then handed it to him.
“Thank you.” He took a sip and then another. He was taking too long.
“I got to see the girl. I guess she’s a spunky one, and they think she’s more trouble than she’s worth. They thought me a bit old for her and are scouting out the camp for someone else but I think we have gathered enough items to buy her.”
“I have money to buy things from others if needed.”
“We’ll know more in the morning. They’ve had her for a while and adopted her, but she has not adopted them and her father fears for her. According to him she is too disobedient and will probably be brought to heel by one of the warriors.”
“What about sneaking her away?”
Big red shook his head. “They will hunt us down until they have killed every one of us. I could try to adopt her. Wait. One of the men close to the chief is signaling me. I’ll be back.”
What if Big Red got hurt? It would be all her fault.
Lord, please don’t let this end in tragedy. Big Red is a good, kind man and I love him, Lord. And Lord, I also love Zander Kennedy, but he doesn’t love me back. Help me to guard my heart. Thank You for getting us this far safely. It’s been a much longer and very much harder trip than I ever imagined, and I know many keep going because of their faith in You. You are our light in so many ways. You guide us, You teach us right from wrong. You expect us to act kindly to each other and You expect us to forgive. There is so much more You do. You give us hope and comfort and You listen. Your love is unconditional. The more I read the Bible the more I try to understand it. We are all sinners at some point, but if we repent, if we are truly sorrowful, You forgive us. Truthfully, I used to think that when something bad happened and people would just say it’s God’s will, that was something people made up because they had no other answer. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that You know best and You have a plan for each of us. What I don’t understand is if You set me on a path and I veer off that path, if it’s part of Your plan or did I go against Your plan? I have a lot to think about Lord. I do know if I take the wrong path You are there to put me on the right one. I suppose I have to be listening to You. I’m strong willed, and I’ve probably twisted Your path for me many, many times. Yet You are right here with me. I don’t know why my father died like he did. I can’t reconcile that with being Your will. Maybe there is good and bad in this world and sometimes the bad people aren’t stopped. I’ll continue reading Your book. Maybe faith is not having to have all the answers. Maybe it’s just believing in You.
“Here’s more water for you. Would you like me to pour it into the wash tub?”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll hang blankets. Do you think you could stand guard?”
“Of course.”
She didn’t like the concern she saw in his eyes. Everything was going to be just fine. After the bath was ready and the blankets hung, Tara felt secure that no one could see in. She undressed and picked up a cake of soap she had found in one of the trunks. It smelled like flowers.
She scrubbed herself and washed her hair. If she’d had the time she would have loved to soak for a while, but she needed to find out about Big Red. She stepped out of the tub and dried herself putting on her chemise and dress. She quickly braided her hair, so it hung down the front of her shoulder.
When she walked out from behi
nd the blankets, the expressions on both Zander and Big Red’s faces set her heart racing.
“What’s wrong?”
“They want Zander here as a husband to that little gal,” Big Red said sadly.
“What?”
“I lied to them, and I don’t see any way to undo the lie. I told them Zander was married to you. Her father thinks I’m lying and if you and Zander don’t prove you’re married, it won’t go well for me.”
She glanced at Zander and noted how his eyes glittered. He was furious she could tell. “I could just tell them.”
Zander shook his head slowly. “They want to see us going into the wagon together as man and wife.”
Her mouth dropped open. “This has become such a mess.”
“That’s why people need to talk to me before they act,” Captain London said from behind her.
She jumped and then turned. “You’re right, I should have. She’s white and she wants my help, but it’s not going as I thought it would,”
“These things never do.” The captain sighed.
Big Red filled the captain in, and the captain actually laughed.
Tara furrowed her brow. “What’s so funny?”
“Everyone with eyes can see you and Zander are in love. Let’s get Minister Paul, get you two hitched and let them Nez Perce see you go into the wagon. In the meantime, we’ll get them to trade for the girl. Who will be responsible for her? How old is she?”
“She’s ten,” Big Red answered.
“Good Golly! They expected to marry her off?” The captain muttered a few choice words under his breath.
Zander stood, and she was afraid he’d walk away. Instead, he held his hand out to her. “We need to talk.”
She nodded and walked with him toward the river.
He shifted his weight from one foot to another. “I can’t in good conscience leave that girl behind. I think it best if we marry and Big Red adopts the girl. I’m assuming you and Big Red planned to live together?”
Her heart thumped hard. “I figured we would, but we never made plans.”
Tara's Trials (Romance on the Oregon Trail Book 4) Page 9