“Sit next to the baby and I’ll get the wagon prepared.” She snatched up Harrison’s bedroll and laid it out. She grabbed the oilcloth and climbed into the wagon. She covered the ticking and made sure there were blankets and cloths nearby. She jumped back out and cleaned off the tailgate. Then she filled a cup with water and handed it to Heath.
“What happened?”
“He was sleeping by the cattle and somehow they all started to stampede right at him. I’ve seen nothing like it. The cattle didn’t even go far. Just far enough to stomp poor Zander.”
“Oh my, I see them now. Why did they put a piece of wood in his mouth?”
“To help keep him from screaming.”
She felt the blood drain from her face. The smell of blood permeated the air, turning her stomach some, but she stood strong.
“Heath, pull out some trunks so we have enough room to tend to him,” Harrison called out.
Heath pulled the trunks and crates out quickly and then got back into the wagon to hold Zander under his head and shoulders to place him on the straw tick. Declan looked worried. Harrison’s expression was one of stone.
Someone must have roused Mrs. Chapman, who hurried to the wagon. “You’ll all need to get out so I can tend to him. Cora I’ll need hot water. And does anyone have morphine? This is going to hurt something awful, and I’ll need him still. It looks like one leg, an arm, and ribs are broken. Harrison, I will need your strength to wrap the bandages and to reset his leg.”
Cora grabbed the basin and poured some of the hot water into it and handed it to Mrs. Chapman along with clean cloths. Cora exchanged glances with Harrison. He gave her the slightest of nods which gave her the courage to climb into the wagon and start washing away as much blood as she could.
Heath and Declan rinsed blood out of the cloths, as much as would come out. Cora glanced up and Harrison had Essie in one arm while he poured coffee for everyone.
He handed two of the cups to her. “Captain London has morphine. He’ll be here in a minute.”
Mrs. Chapman’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you, Harrison,” she said. Then she whispered to Cora, “You have a good man there.”
“I know.”
“What in tarnation happened?” Captain London thundered when he reached the wagon. He handed the morphine to Cora.
Mrs. Chapman took the wooden stick out of Zander’s mouth and poured a bit of morphine into his mouth. He swallowed it quickly followed by a cup of water Harrison had handed to Cora.
“Cora, switch places with Harrison. I’ll need you other two boys to help hold him down.” Mrs. Chapman took out all the instruments in her bag and threaded a needle.
Cora crawled to the back of the wagon. Harrison was there to lift her down. He held her to him for a moment before he climbed in. She hurried over to the fire and checked on Essie. She was sleeping through it. Captain London was back with a full pot of coffee.
“I figured we’d need this.” He put it at the edge of the fire on the grate along with the pot Cora made. “People are getting up and around. I’ll let them know we’re leaving a bit later.”
“We’re not going to stay here a day or two? Zander looks terrible.”
“It’s simply not possible to keep stopping every time someone is hurt. It’s early in the trip but as we go along, you’ll see what I mean. There will be sickness, accidents, and women will have babies. The main thing is to get over the mountains before the snow falls and makes crossing impossible.”
Cora nodded as though she understood, but she didn’t. There was nothing easy about riding in the back of the wagon, being jostled and sometimes the holes were so bad she was separated from the bottom of the wagon and set back down with a bruising thump.
She heard Zander scream, and then his screams weren’t as loud. He must be biting on the wood again. She didn’t know much about cattle, but they were large and certainly extremely heavy.
“I need you boys to hold him still while I set his arm.”
Cora shuddered. She took her bread out of the coals and peeked at it. It looked perfect. At least they’d have something to eat when they were done.
The woman from the next wagon walked over with a plate of bacon and pancakes. “Howdy. I’m Sally Waverly. I thought some food would come in handy.” She put the big plate on one crate and then peeked at Essie. “Oh my, she’s as cute as can be.” She smiled at Cora. “My Rod will be over soon to hitch up your oxen, Mrs. Walsh.”
“It’s so kind of you. Please, call me Cora, and this here is Essie. I know Harrison will appreciate the help. Zander was run over by some cows. He’s in bad shape.”
“He’ll be riding in the wagon, I bet.”
“He most certainly will. Poor man,” Cora agreed. “It’ll be days of bouncing in that wooden contraption.”
“Some call it a rolling home, but I think I like wooden contraption better,” Sally said. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I know you’re a new mother and wife and it sounded as though your upbringing might not have been one that taught you many domestic chores.”
Fiery heat bloomed across Cora’s face.
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” Sally hastened to add. “Everyone seems to have a story they are leaving behind. Me, I grew up on a farm. I was an orphan and the old farmer and his wife took me and used me as a field hand. They never adopted me. It’s been a long road, and I’ve had so many people help me through, I thought I’d be able to show you a few of the things they taught me.”
Cora searched Sally’s face for any sign of teasing but the green-eyed blond looked sincere. “Thank you, Sally. There is a lot I don’t know.”
“Between you and me, there are many that don’t have enough skills. Some seek help but others are too prideful I guess. Husbands have told me that their wives are capable. Your first husband…” She shook her head. “That didn’t come out right. Eddie was one who asked me not to speak to you.”
A burly man ambled up to the fire and smiled at Sally.
“Oh, Cora, this is my husband Rod.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He tipped his hat to her, and she smiled at the dark-haired, dark-eyed man. Both the Waverlys looked to be not much older than Cora. He walked over to the wagon and conferred with Harrison for a moment and then left, likely in search of the oxen.
Willow bark tea was made, and the belongings they had taken out of the wagon were placed in the second wagon. No one wanted to move Zander. Harrison had the morphine up front with him for when it was needed.
Harrison thought it best he take the end of the line. He’d told her he wanted to go slow for Zander but also so he could stop and get her onto the bench when Essie was hungry.
Cora smiled as she walked alongside the slow-moving wagon. Harrison’s words of caring, filled her with happiness.
Her happiness continued until they stopped for the night. Then concern abruptly struck. Where was she supposed to sleep? There wasn’t enough room in the back of the wagon for her and Essie. It probably wasn’t proper anyway. She would have to make sure to ask Harrison. Checking their supplies, she decided salt pork and beans would work for supper. At least she hoped the beans were still soaking.
There was still enough bread, but she needed to make more than one loaf if she was to feed Zander, Declan, and Heath. Getting everything ready with Zander staring at her through pain-filled eyes was disturbing, but she managed. It wasn’t until she was kneading the dough for the next day that she realized he probably didn’t even know he was looking at her. Morphine was strong medicine. They’d been able to give him less because of the willow bark tea.
After everyone ate, the boys as Harrison called them, talked to Zander, keeping him company. Cora put Essie in her sling and washed the dishes. There was the tent, she realized. She could sleep there while Harrison would more than likely want to sleep under the wagon in case Zander needed something during the night.
And she was right. Harrison put up the tent and arranged the things she’d ne
ed inside. She relaxed. It would be just fine. Then she saw him put an extra blanket inside. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. He was thoughtful; it probably was colder in the tent than in the wagon.
“I’d better get some shut-eye. I have guard duty tonight,” Heath said.
Why was Heath carrying his bedroll to the wagon? He rolled it out and then rolled himself on top of it, under the wagon.
Declan stood up. “I have first shift. I offered to do two shifts. Both Heath and I offered to take longer shifts because Zander is laid up. Some men haven’t even taken their turns yet. Imagine that. I know as drovers we’re expected to take guard duty. We do every night, especially since Harrison has the most cattle, but we’ve been on our trip long enough for all to have taken a turn. Not the cattle, mind you, but the people.” He shook his head and headed into the dark.
“He didn’t mean that the cattle pull guard duty,” Harrison said seriously.
“I… well, I didn’t think—I knew what he meant.”
Apparently, Harrison didn’t think she was very smart.
He chuckled. “I was teasing you.”
Tilting her head she studied her handsome husband. “I thought teasing to be mean spirited.”
“Not all.” He banked the fire and offered her his hand.
“I’m not tired,” she told him. “You go on.” How was she supposed to sleep in the tent with him? The one time in the wagon had confused her. She didn’t want confusion to cloud her mind.
“Humor me. I can’t leave you out here alone.”
Essie took that moment to make a small cry. “I do need to feed her.” Cora took his hand and stood. Then she followed him, and when he lifted the canvas open she went into the tent. She took Essie out of the sling and set her on the quilt, and then she sat next to her and unbuttoned her dress. She used her shawl to cover herself and Essie while nursing. Harrison would have turned his head away. He was a gentleman. She didn’t need to worry. He waited outside of the tent until Essie was done and Cora was in her night clothes with the quilt pulled up to her chin.
He came in and just like in the wagon, he made the tent seem so much smaller.
“You’re sleeping here?” Her voice sounded like a squeak to her.
He didn’t answer. Instead he unbuttoned his shirt, and Cora immediately closed her eyes tight. He slipped under the covers and a shiver went through her.
“You’re wearing a nightgown,” he commented.
“Of course I am.”
“I’m wearing my union suit, so you can open your eyes.” Amusement danced in his voice.
“I don’t know why, but it scares me and I’m sorry. We are married and—”
He kissed her on the lips. His very masculine lips were gentle. She liked it and it muddled her thoughts to no end. Rudy’s kiss had been so hard and insistent that it sometimes hurt. Harrison moved his lips a bit and she lifted her head, not wanting the kiss to end. She put her arms around his neck to keep him close. She let out a sigh of pleasure and then instantly let go and moved off.
What was she doing? She was just a stand in for his beloved Ora. She turned on her side and faced away from him. To her surprise, he closed the distance between them and put his arm over her waist, drawing her back against him as he whispered, “Good night, sweet.”
As if she would get any sleep after that.
Chapter Seven
The tall grass of the prairie was at first something intriguing, something different to look at. But it sure made for some tough going. Harrison was constantly peering behind him, trying to locate Cora and Essie. It made for some difficulty walking too. They traveled with the Platte River to their right. It seemed very inviting as the days began to get warmer. It was almost time for the nooning, and stopping, however briefly, would be a Godsend. Zander groaned several times as they went over ruts and rocks.
They rarely circled for the noon meal. They just unhitched the animals and brought them to where they could find grass to eat and water to drink.
He watched Cora shyly smile at him as she approached the wagon. She’d been shy for the last week, ever since he kissed her. Her blushing face intrigued him. Certainly she’d been kissed before. She did have Essie.
“Do you think we’ll stop by the river for a few days?” Cora asked as she repositioned Essie.
“I doubt it. The water is muddy. If you use it you have to haul it and wait for the sand and silt to fall to the bottom.”
“In case of an emergency, I suppose.”
Harrison took off his hat and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. “Water supply has a lot of factors for each wagon. Such as, did they fill the water barrel when there was good water? How many people are in their family? Is there water for the animals? There will be times when we must share water with the oxen. We have plenty for this part of the trip but if you want to wash anything you’ll have to use the Platte water.”
She handed him sliced biscuits with bacon in between the slices and then fixed a plate for Zander. “Here, take Essie while I climb in.”
Harrison always enjoyed holding Essie. He loved to just stare at her little features and touch her little fingers and toes. She’d taken up a big part of his heart. He picked up the dipper and lowered it into the water barrel on the side of the wagon. He filled two cups, one that he handed to Cora for Zander and one for him.
He learned to wait until Cora was done before getting her water. It stayed cooler in the barrel. He sat and ate while talking to Essie. Usually he asked her about her mother. Why she liked things this way and didn’t like certain other things. Essie never took sides. She just waved her hands and stared at him.
Women had begun to put linseed oil on the diapers. A few asked Cora’s advice. It made her happy, though why they didn’t know about waterproofing diapers he had no idea. Mrs. Swatt shared her pattern for flannel diaper covers for when the baby slept. No more smelly ticks or blankets. She’d also shown Cora how to make biscuits. But their visits had dropped off.
“How’s Zander? He slept more of the morning.”
“He’s healing. I haven’t seen any signs of infection, but Mrs. Chapman will be the final judge on that this evening.” They saw Heath, Declan, and Captain London heading their way. “I’d best get busy making more biscuits with bacon.”
“How’s the patient?” Captain London asked as he drew near.
“Resting and healing,” Harrison told him.
Cora handed them each a plate of food and offered cold coffee or water. Harrison gave thanks and they started eating.
“Everyone is saying we’re in Indian country,” Heath blurted out.
“I heard it too,” Declan said. He nodded his head as his eyes grew wide.
“Now hold on. There have been no problems reported. Fort Laramie isn’t all that far away.” Captain London put his plate down on a nearby crate. “I don’t want to hear that rumors are spreading.” He picked up his plate, took a seat on the crate, and took a hearty bite.
“Yes, sir,” both Declan and Heath each replied as they sat and dug into their own plates.
After he finished eating, the captain wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “You’ll want to start collecting buffalo chips on this part of the trip.” He stood and put his plate and cup on the tailgate. “Thank you, Mrs. Walsh. It was a treat as always.”
Harrison had noticed almost from the start of the trip that Captain London never did his own cooking. As long as he complimented the women, he never needed to cook for himself. It was a smart way to go about it. He had two scouts, but he never ate with them.
The nooning was almost over, and Harrison hadn’t had but a second alone with his family. He wanted to ask Cora a few questions. His feelings for her were getting stronger, and he was afraid of being called a fool.
Before he knew it he had to hitch up the team. Cora smiled at him as she walked. The long grass gave way to sand unlike anything he’d ever seen, and the women walked struggled to walk.
One scout rode down the line
letting each driver know that they were going a bit longer than usual today. The scout rode away before Harrison had a chance to ask why. But soon enough the reason became clear.
He drove by grave after grave, most looking fresh. It was a depressing sight.
* * *
Cora watched as the scout stopped by each wagon. When he got to the last one, he turned to go back to the head of the line. She heard him slow as he neared her and wanted to groan. He stared at her in a lewd fashion and spoke to her too often. If only Harrison would warn the other man off, but he didn’t. Unlike Eddie, Harrison didn’t care who she talked to.
“You do know that I could give you a ride. I’d put you in front of me with my arms around you. You’d be safe.”
“Safe from what? Besides, I have a husband.”
“Heard tell you changed husbands on this trip. Maybe I could be next?”
She ignored him and tried to walk forward but he zigged zagged his mount in front of her slowing her down.
“Your husband will have guard duty one of these nights. You’ll be in that tent all alone.”
Everything about him made her stomach churn. “Leave me alone.”
“I can be very quiet—”
“Leave me alone!” she shrieked.
Harrison pulled out of line.
“Mr. Walsh has pulled off and is waiting for me.”
This time he let her go around him. She hurried to the wagon, dismayed to find herself shaking by the time she got there.
Harrison went to her side of the wagon to lift her up. “What happened? You’re trembling.”
“Let’s get back in line.”
He nodded and lifted both she and the baby up. Then he rounded the wagon and climbed onto the bench seat. He unwrapped the lines from around the brake and yelled, “Haw!”
The wagon lurched forward, and they rode without speaking for several moments. The tremors began to calm, and only an occasional tremor rippled through her.
Cora’s Courage: Romance on the Oregon Trail Book One Page 6