Cora’s Courage: Romance on the Oregon Trail Book One

by Ball, Kathleen

  There wasn’t anyone else at the creek yet. They were all probably eating. She kneeled on the bank and started scrubbing the clothes. She put the wet things back in the basket intending to wring the water from them all next. She was just finishing up when she heard others come down to the bank.

  Next, she was pushed and someone said, “Oops.” All of Cora’s wash was dumped in the creek.

  She didn’t bother to look at any of the women. She walked into the creek with Essie. The clothes that remained on the surface, she grabbed and threw them on the bank. How was she going to get the clothing and blankets that had sunk? The creek wasn’t too fast moving and she was grateful.

  She couldn’t bend down to search for anything without Essie getting dunked in the water. She had no one to ask to hold Essie. Her heart sank. It was one thing after another and for a moment she thought she’d break.

  “Cora!” Mrs. Chapman called. “I’ll hold the baby for you.”

  Cora nodded and waded to the bank. “Thank you,” she said as she handed Essie to the woman.

  Cora took the basket with her. Time after time she bent and felt around for the precious clothing. She gathered the blankets and most of Harrison’s garments. Her own things were becoming elusive. Diapers she could ill afford to lose were gone. Again, she waded to the creek’s edge and put the wet things on the now muddy bank. She waded downstream, hunting for her things. Her eyes welled with tears but she ruthlessly blinked them back. She didn’t want whoever did this to see her cry. She found a few diapers and kept going, looking for her clothes. Soon she couldn’t see the bank or the women. She found a few underthings and stockings. A diaper was hanging on a rock ahead, and she sloshed forward.

  She was beyond exhausted, but she had to have clothes to wear. She recovered one dress and decided to go back. It was harder walking in the other direction. The water was cold. She’d been so intent on finding their things she didn’t give it much thought. The dress she wore weighed heavily on her, and she had to stop and rest. All was fairly peaceful until she heard Harrison yell at the women.

  Cora knew then she’d be just fine. She took a few more weighted steps before he was there. His arms were outstretched and she’d never seen a better sight.

  “How far did you go?” He clasped her to him.

  “See the big rock in front of the tree? A diaper was there. And beyond that I found one of my dresses. I would have looked for more but my strength was waning. Essie is fine, isn’t she?”

  He took the basket from her. “Yes, our daughter is just fine.”

  Joy filled her. Our daughter. “Thank you.”

  “What happened?”

  “I was just about done washing. I was alone then a bunch of women came and I heard what sounded like one tripped. I was jostled and my clothes all ended up in the water. You’d think they’d know how precious each item of clothing is. Some don’t have as much as others. I’m glad you came looking for us.”

  With his arm around her waist he helped her along until they got to the bank.

  “Stay right here. I’ll lift you out.” He placed the basket on the bank and then turned back to her. He scooped her up. “You dress weighs a ton, and you’re shivering.” He sat her on the bank and then climbed out.

  “Mrs. Chapman, could you be so kind as to bring Essie to our fire? I’m afraid my wife may end up sick. She’s shaking, and I need to get her by the fire. I will be back for the clothes, and if any are missing your husbands or fathers will hear about it.”

  She closed her eyes. She couldn’t bear to see the way people were probably staring at her.

  “Some people can’t do anything right.”

  It was Eddie’s voice and it was the last straw. All the fight left Cora, and she sagged in Harrison’s arms. She didn’t deserve everyone’s disdain.

  He set her inside the wagon. “Throw your wet things out here.”

  Good, he tightened the canvas so no one could look inside at her. She hesitated about throwing her underclothes out to him but then remembered he’d been married before.

  She shook her head. So far, it had been an all-around bad day.

  * * *

  Harrison put another log on the fire. They probably thought it to be a funny trick, but it was mean. How old was she? He had judged her to be about eighteen, but with her hair all wet and pushed away from her face she looked younger.

  “I have the wet things.” Her subdued voice came from the wagon.

  He loosened the rope the held the canvas closed, and his jaw dropped. His heart pounded as he looked away.

  “I have nothing to wear, and the blankets are wet. My shawl is with Eddie, I guess.”

  He took the wet clothes and closed the back again. “I’ll find something for you.”

  He took a deep breath. She’d been curled up so he couldn’t see much. But it had been enough. Somehow, she was drawing him to her and he wasn’t ready.

  He asked the minister’s wife if she had an extra nightgown. Della was very gracious and gave him one that practically looked new. Then he hurried back to the wagon and reached inside, the gown in his hand but without having to look.

  “I’m going to see about Essie, our clothes, and your shawl. There are extra wool socks in my trunk you can wear.”

  He met Mrs. Chapman on the way to the creek. She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’ll stay until you get back. No rush.”

  He nodded. What would they do without her? There were still several women at the creek. Someone had rinsed their clothes and wrung them. He spied two unwed young women holding up Cora’s garments against them, laughing and saying how ugly the dresses were.

  He snatched the dresses away and didn’t say a word. He bent and picked up the basket.

  “Such a waste to marry someone like her.”

  He put the basket back down and gazed at the group of women. He didn’t know who’d spoken, so he addressed them all. “She’s chilled through. She just got over what Mr. Connor did to her by making her walk in the snow. It wasn’t a fun prank, it’s dangerous for her. I don’t care what gossip you’ve listened to, but I have found her to be a good woman and a wonderful mother.” He picked up the basket and started to leave.

  “What about a good wife? She’s bound to be excellent in that way too.”

  If they were men, he’d have taken a swing. He kept walking he still had to collect the shawl. When he asked Eddie about it he denied knowing anything about a shawl. Harrison practically growled at Eddie and the shawl was quickly found.

  He slowed down for a moment and took a few deep breaths. He didn’t want Cora to think he was mad at her. He could thank Eddie for that too.

  He smiled when he saw her. She had two pairs of his socks on, and someone had given her a quilt to drape around her. She almost took his breath away, sitting there by the fire.

  He couldn’t resist getting closer and kissing her cheek. The smile she gave him was worth it.

  “I’ll get a couple lines set up to hang the clothes.”

  “At least have a cup of coffee or a biscuit first.”

  “We’ll be losing daylight soon. It won’t take but a minute.” He used the poles that held up his tent to attach the ropes to. One end was tied to the wagon, so he had two lines which he hoped would keep others from staring.

  “You found my dresses!” Her voice quavered.

  “Yes, sweet, I did and someone rinsed and wrung the clothes.”

  She nodded and looked like she wanted to sob. As quick as he could, he got the clothes hung and then sliced bacon to cook to have with the biscuits. They ate in silence.

  “Thank you for all you did today. I’d probably still be in the creek if you hadn’t come.”

  He stood and picked her up. He set her down on his lap and held her. She sobbed as he rubbed her back. When she finished, he rocked her back and forth. She wasn’t shaking and it relieved him.

  Essie began to fuss. He gave Cora a big hug and released her. She stood, and he lifted her into
the wagon. Hopefully she’d go to sleep.

  He stared into the fire and realized he didn’t have a place to bed down for the night. His tent poles were in use, and all the blankets were wet. He’d have to tell her not to wash everything at once next time.

  “Evening, Harrison,” Captain London greeted. He took a deep draw from his pipe. “I heard you had a spot of trouble.”

  “Nothing that couldn’t be taken care of.”

  The captain sat down. “You’ve taken a lot on, and I thank you. I didn’t know what I would do.”

  Harrison lowered his voice. “How old do you think she is?”

  “Seventeen? I thought her to be older at first because of the baby, but I think she’s still a young lass. If it’s any consolation to you, Eddie was complaining he got nothing from her. I think you get the meaning.”

  “Glad to hear it. I think she’s young too. Well, it’s been a long day.”

  “I concur with that. Good night.”

  “Good night, Captain.”

  Harrison climbed into the wagon. He wanted to get under the quilt before she fell asleep and there wasn’t room left for him.

  Chapter Five

  It was strange to share the tick mattress with Harrison. At first she tried to keep any part of her from touching him but the inside of the wagon was extremely small. Her muscles began to cramp and she had to relax. The next thing she knew she was on her side leaning against Harrison.

  He put his arm loosely around her waist and she waited. He did nothing more. She relaxed more and found Harrison to be very comfortable. He had all his clothes on, and her relief was so great a few tears fell.

  “It’s going to be fine,” he whispered into the dark night.

  “I know. Thank you for taking my side and helping me. I haven’t had that happen very often.”

  “Get some sleep.” He moved around a bit, probably trying to get comfortable, and the next thing she heard was light snoring.

  She wanted to laugh. It never occurred to her he might snore. Thankfully, it wasn’t as loud as she’d heard in the saloon. Her thoughts drifted toward his reaction when she had mentioned being married before. How long had he been married? Had his wife died? When? He didn’t have kids… unless he had left them with a relative. It confused her that a man was sleeping next to her and she didn’t know much about him. He made her feel safe, though, and he hadn’t said that today had been her fault. He did say “our daughter” when referring to Essie. Her heart glowed. Essie hadn’t even been born in the saloon. That should count for something. Right?

  At the sound of soft footfalls on snow outside the wagon, Cora tensed.

  “Harrison,” a man whispered, loud enough to wake him. “Your turn for guard duty.”

  Harrison sat up, eased away from her, and grabbed his rifle. He opened the back and climbed out. He took the time to close the canvas back up. There hadn’t been a grumble or groan out of him. He certainly differed from the men she’d seen before.

  She fell back to sleep until Essie woke her. Cora fed the baby and burped her and then sat and studied her. Her little one sure was growing fast. She must ask about the linseed to waterproof the outside of the diaper. It sounded fascinating. She had so much to learn.

  She finished with Essie and climbed out of the wagon, grabbed her clothes off the line, and then climbed back in. Clean clothes had become a luxury. Once outside again she started the fire and put gingerbread into the Dutch oven to cook. It could be tricky, but she’d watched the cook at the saloon prepare food each morning. Next, she sliced some bacon and fried it up. She needed enough for breakfast plus the noon meal.

  She saw coffee beans and smiled. The smile widened when she saw the coffee mill. Harrison had made some of the best coffee she ever had and now she knew why. She roasted the beans, ground them, added a pinch of salt to keep it from getting bitter and poured water from the water barrel that hung on the side of the wagon. She’d fill the barrel after breakfast.

  She took down and folded the clothes as things cooked. Then she dropped the rope and collected the poles and put them in the wagon.

  Eddie walked by and then stopped and sauntered toward her. “I’d consider it payment for using me if you cooked my meals for me. It’s the least you can do. You wouldn’t even have Essie if not for me.” He glowered at her.

  Her jaw dropped. Wasn’t she done with him? “You must talk to Harrison. It’s his food.” She walked to the tailgate, ready to put out the tin plates.

  A heavy hand fell on her shoulder and she jumped as Eddie gave her a punishing squeeze. “Feed me now.”

  “Let go of me,” she hissed.

  “Get away from my wife, Connor,” Harrison growled.

  “She was mine before she was yours. I saw you go into the wagon to lie with her last night. She’s a wildcat if you know what I mean.”

  Harrison’s eyes narrowed. “Get away from me and my family before I do something I’ll regret.”

  “You didn’t regret last night, did you?”

  Captain London rode up. “Eddie, you have no stake in this wagon. Go back to your own. I want you to leave Mrs. Walsh alone.”

  Eddie threw dark look at her before he left.

  “What was that about?” the captain asked.

  “He thinks I should cook his meals for him as payment for traveling in his wagon.” Cora looked down at her hands.

  The captain laughed. “See you later.” He rode off.

  Harrison took her hands in his. “Did he hurt you?”

  Her shoulder throbbed. “I’m fine. He didn’t pack enough food. He thought the amount of food the captain told him to haul was exaggerated. He’ll have enough for a few more weeks if he’s not greedy. He should have listened. He doesn’t have tools to fix his wagon either.”

  “Maybe people will help him along the way,” Harrison mused. Then he smiled and gave an appreciative sniff. “Breakfast looks good.”

  Cora took the Dutch oven she had piled hot coals on and cleaned it off. She put it on the tailgate and opened the lid. The gingerbread was perfect, and she felt proud of herself. She sliced a big piece for Harrison and put plenty of bacon on his plate.

  “I was hoping to get some milk from one of the others but… Gingerbread is much better with butter.”

  “It’s good just the way it is. I can’t remember the last time I had gingerbread.” He smiled and took another bite. “I have a question for you. How old are you?”

  “A few of the married women are sixteen. It’s not unusual for a woman to marry young.”

  “No it’s not,” he said, angling his head and giving her an assessing look. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

  “I’m eighteen as of two weeks ago. I left the saloon before Madam Grealy had a chance to gather men to pay for me. The orphanage told her I was ten when they sold me to her. I was almost twelve and small for my age. One of the girls who worked there told me to let her think I was ten. I did not understand at the time why.”

  “She thought you to be fifteen when you and Eddie got together?”

  “Yes.” She stood and gathered all the dirty dishes and pans. “I’ll go down to the creek and wash these.”

  “Use the water from the barrel. I’ll fill it.”

  “I’ll be careful—”

  “I don’t want you around the other women for a while. Most of them act as though they drink vinegar all day.”

  She laughed. “I’ve never heard that one before. It’s true.”

  Harrison poured water into two clean pans and left with the barrel. It didn’t take her long to get everyone ready to travel. She adjusted her big poke bonnet and her sling and then she carefully lifted Essie and placed her in the sling.

  “All set?” Harrison attached the water to the outside of the wagon. “Let me help you up.”

  “Would it make you mad if I walked for a bit? I’ve spent too much time jostling in that wagon, and my bones ache.”

  He smiled. “Stay where I can see you and signal if yo
u need to feed Essie or if you grow tired.”

  She felt as though he had given her a gift. “Thank you.” She began her walk. The wagons would pass her by soon enough. Her bones ached, but her shoulder pained something awful. She wouldn’t be able to switch the sling to the injured shoulder.

  * * *

  Whew, she was eighteen. Cora was right, many married at sixteen, but he’d been around sixteen-year-olds and he wanted someone more mature. She didn’t seem the type who would think there’d be a big house waiting for her in Oregon. He’d heard a few women talk about what furniture they’d order, what curtains they would hang, even about rugs in their sitting rooms.

  He’d be making the furniture for his family. Family: he hadn’t planned on one and never wanted one since Ora died. He had to admit Cora and her problems had kept him busy, and it saddened him some to realize he didn’t think of Ora as much. But though his pain had lessened, it was still there.

  One of these times he’d get up the nerve to ask about Essie’s father. Part of him didn’t want the truth but the other part needed it. If they were to trust each other, they needed to be truthful. That didn’t mean he’d have to ask right away. Cora had been through enough in her life, and if someone had attacked her…

  There wasn’t a thing he could do about it now. It didn’t matter. Besides, if she had been attacked, he’d feel bad for her and he needed Ora in his heart not Cora. He hadn’t noticed before, but their names were almost the same. Strange.

  Three hours later, he caught her signal to him and pulled off the line. She caught up a bit out of breath but she looked rosier than ever.

  “I need to feed Essie.”

  “I thought maybe you were tired,” he teased.

  “A little, I confess. I usually alternate shoulders with the sling but—” She put her hand over her mouth as she stared at him.

  “I’ll lift you both into the back, and I want to see your shoulder after you feed Essie.”