Cora stiffened, but Harrison nodded in agreement. “We have to keep going.”
The other wagon train was still circled when they reached it, and Harrison stopped. An older woman with a faded yellow poke bonnet and a gray dress waved her arms trying to get his attention.
“Are ya looking for that man with the baby?”
“Yes.”
“He’s hidin’ in the widow Plum’s wagon. He’s going to marry her. I think he just needs a mother for his girl.”
Cora gasped. “She’s my baby. He stole her.”
“Best hurry, I know the preacher is getting ready to get them hitched.”
“Where’s the captain?”
A man walked over with a look of concern on his face. “I’m right here. Can I help you folks?”
“I’m here for my baby. She must be hungry by now.”
“What’s this?” His eyebrows rose. “That young fella with the baby girl? We’ll need to get to the bottom of it before he marries the widow. Follow me.”
They both dismounted and followed the captain. He wore a cap like a sea captain would wear. It would have been amusing if they hadn’t been so on edge.
They could hear Essie crying before they saw her. Cora took off and ran to the wagon.
A woman in an expensive dress came out of the wagon holding Essie. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken,” she insisted. “This is my daughter. Who are you?”
“I’m Cora Walsh, and that is Essie Walsh, and right behind me is my husband Harrison Walsh. If she’s yours, then you’ll need to feed her. I last fed her over four hours ago.”
The woman held Essie closer to her.
The captain walked until he was right in front of the widow. “Now, Uma, you know you don’t have a baby. We just buried your husband three days ago.”
“Cholera?” Harrison asked.
“Yes, we’ve had a bad outbreak of it.” The captain looked inside the wagon. “Why don’t you come on out of there and explain yourself.”
Rudy climbed out of the wagon and glared at Harrison. “She’s my daughter.”
“No one said she wasn’t. But you can’t just up and steal a baby. How was she going to be fed? Did you bring diapers? Blankets? What exactly was your plan? From what I understand, you have folks in Independence. Are you leaving them behind?”
A sullen expression fell over Rudy’s face. “I stopped here looking for Essie and met Uma. She’ll make an excellent mother. Now I suggest you leave.”
“I’m not leaving without my daughter,” Cora said in a chilly voice. She approached him. “I thought you were dead.” She poked him in the chest. “I never denied you are her father.” She poked him again. “I was feeling bad for you since I married Harrison, but you kidnapped her.” She poked him once more, and he winced.
Harrison put his arm around Cora’s waist and steered her away from Rudy.
“Do your parents know where you are and what you are doing? Do you have money to start a farm or ranch in Oregon? I don’t think you’ve thought this all out. We are standing in a camp where they’ve had cholera. You exposed yourself and Essie to it. Probably Harrison and me too. Rudy, you were my first love, but it was the love of a girl, not of a woman, and even though I know it wasn’t your fault, you weren’t there for me, for Essie and me. And now? It wouldn’t work between us.”
Rudy sighed and his shoulders sagged. “I didn’t tell my parents I was going. They’re probably worried. But I know they can provide a life for Essie. She’s my daughter.”
Cora walked up to the widow and held out her arms. The widow seemed reluctant, but after a deep sigh, she handed Essie to Cora.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to feed my daughter.” Cora walked to where the horses had been left and grabbed a small blanket from the carpet bag. Then she sat down and fed Essie while covering herself with the blanket.
“We’re taking Essie with us,” Harrison said.
Rudy nodded his head. “It’s… well, I had so many plans for the three of us. It never occurred to me that Cora could love another man. I suppose I should go back to my family. If I’m ever in Oregon, though, I’ll expect to meet my daughter. For now I’m—I’m going home.”
“Going home?” screeched the widow. “You proposed to me! What kind of man are you?”
“A desperate one.” He untied the reins of his horse and mounted up. “Tell Cora and Essie I said goodbye. I can’t—I just can’t.” He kicked the sides of his paint and off he rode.
Harrison joined Cora. “We need to wash off. I should have had you do it before you fed Essie.” He took one canteen and a cloth. After wetting the cloth he washed his hands. Then he washed Essie and put clean clothes on her. He handed the canteen to Cora. “Wash your hands, breasts and face. Once we get near our party, we’ll have someone bring out some lye soap and clean clothes for us.
He looked up at the sky. “We should have just enough time to make it back before dark.”
* * *
Cora couldn’t help but fret over the possibility that they were exposed to cholera. That woman had held Essie close, even though her husband had died of it. What if Essie got sick or Harrison or herself? It should have been unthinkable, but it was all she could think of.
They neared their party, and Harrison told everyone to stand back. He asked Heath for any water that had been sitting so the sand was at the bottom along with lye soap and some towels.
Then he asked Sally Waverly to bring them all clean clothes to wear. Everyone was worried for them. All the men turned their backs to give her privacy of sorts. Harrison held up a blanket for her too. They had more than enough water, she even washed her hair. She set the clothes she wore in a pile. Next, she washed Essie and then her own hands again before they dressed. Harrison did the same. He also washed down the canteen, the saddles and then took everything out of the carpet bag and threw it in the pile.
“Heath, take the horses and wash them down by the river. Take soap with you.” Harrison tossed the reins to him.
“Stand back. I need to burn the pile.”
Cora’s jaw dropped. Her clothes, the sling, her carpet bag. She watched as it all went up in smoke. Her heart pounded, sending blood rushing in her ears. They were just things, right? Better to lose them than to cause death by trying to keep them.
Harrison took her hand and led her to the wagons. “I think it best if no one comes close to us for a few days until we know if we’re infected. Rudy hid in one of the wagons in the party we passed. They were hit pretty hard. I made sure we washed as soon as we left camp and just now we scrubbed ourselves. All we can do now is wait. We’ll take the back of the line for the next few days and keep to ourselves.”
Captain London came forward. “That’s more than most folks would have done. I appreciate the steps you’ve taken to prevent illness. We will cross the South Platte in the morning. We managed to dry out a bit. Your fire is still going.” He nodded to them and walked away.
“Do you think we’ll get sick?” she asked Harrison.
“I will say a lot of prayers in the next few days.” He took Essie from her arms and held the baby against his shoulder. With his other hand, he captured Cora’s. “Here, sit down and get warm by the fire.”
“Look, they left us plenty of pancakes and cornbread.” Cora smiled.
“Good, now we won’t have to fix anything,” Harrison said. “It’s almost dark.”
“How does cholera start? A fever? Bad stomach? A cough?” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. How long would they have to wait to be sure?
“Yoo-hoo!”
“Hello, Mrs. Chapman,” Harrison greeted.
“I won’t come any closer, but I want to tell you to be sure to drink plenty of good water. If you feel sick at all, keep drinking. It keeps fevers at bay if you can drink. I’ll check on you from time to time. There isn’t any medicine that treats cholera. Not everyone gets it, so don’t panic.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Chapman,” Harrison replied. “We shou
ld eat and get enough rest. Keeping up our strength is important.”
“I’m so sorry, Harrison. You wouldn’t have been exposed if not for me.” Cora leaned her elbow on her knee and rested her chin on her hand.
“We’re in this together, sweet. We’ll get through it. I know it.” He grazed her cheek with his knuckles. “You’re shaking.”
“It’s just hitting me I almost lost Essie. I had nice memories of Rudy, but not anymore. He kidnapped our baby, and I should have walloped him!”
“Walloped?” His chuckle filled the clearing. “To think I thought you as meek as a mouse.” The laugh faded, and his expression grew somber. “I don’t blame you for being upset. He betrayed your trust. Though he had a different picture of what would happen when you saw him. He expected to spend his life with you. That does not excuse what he did, but when your dreams are ripped away suddenly, it’s painful. When Ora died, I thought I wanted to die with her. I sometimes have nightmares about the way she died. The agony she bore and her screams. Maybe if I was unselfish, I would have suggested you go with him but where you and Essie are concerned I’m very selfish. I have to admit it scared me when I realized who he was.”
“Unsure of me?”
His headshake was quick, almost fierce. “Unsure of us both, and I shouldn’t have been. If you had left… well I don’t want to think about it again.”
She stood and wrapped her arms around his waist and put her head on his chest. “Essie doesn’t seem to mind sharing you.”
He kissed the top of Cora’s head. “No, she doesn’t mind at all. I’m exhausted. Today took an emotional toll on us both. Why don’t we eat and then get to bed? You don’t mind if I cram into the wagon with you? It’s dark, but I could put the tent up.”
“No, the wagon will do nicely. My mind won’t quiet. I keep thinking what if we hadn’t found Essie?”
“We would have searched until we found her. I bet Zander feels bad about the whole thing.”
“I bet all three of them do. When we get to Fort Laramie, will you write your mother about our marriage?” She wished she hadn’t asked. His mother didn’t sound like the nicest person.
“Of course, and I will also tell her I was twice blessed. I now have a wife and a daughter. She’ll have something to say about it, but that’s just how she is. She made Ora miserable and she knew it. I think people who aren’t ever happy take it out on others. That was why we were so excited to leave for Oregon. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and other times it seems so long ago that it was a different life. Like now having both of you in my arms, I can’t imagine my life without the two of you.”
Warmth rushed through her. “You say the sweetest things.”
Chapter Nine
“Gather round!” called Captain London. “We’re crossing the Platte River today. I know you’re tired, but we’re crossing before a huge line of wagons appears. The water isn’t deep, but as always, we need to have a care. Things can happen in a river. We’ll drive the livestock across first. After we cross there’s a hill we must climb, and then we will use ropes to lower the wagons. There is a footpath for people to walk down. I’d rather not have anyone in the wagons while they are being let down. There have been accidents and wagons have crashed into pieces. I know I’ve been encouraging you all to lighten your loads. This would be one of the best times to do it. Harrison, you’ll be at the end. Normally I’d appreciate your help but maybe you should sit this one out. Don’t worry, we’ll get your wagon down. After the crossing, send Cora and Essie up the hill and then down the path. I’m sorry but they must sit away and have their own fire.”
Harrison nodded. “Understood.”
“Folks, it will be worth it when you’re down at Ash Hallow. You’ll think you’ve found paradise. They water is clean, there is plenty of wood, and it’s a real pleasing place.” He gazed over the gathered crowd. “The first few wagons hurry and get packed up. This will be an all-day project.”
Declan came close but not too close. “I’ll be driving the cattle over. There are plenty of men willing to help with the livestock. I’ll get them settled and come back to help lower the wagons.”
“You’re a good man, Declan,” said Harrison.
Declan smiled as he turned away.
“Looks like we won’t have to hurry getting packed up since we’re last,” Harrison commented as he made a fire. “We have time for coffee and breakfast.”
“That would make you happy?”
“Yes it would, my enchanting wife.” He loved when she blushed. He watched as she finished feeding Essie. His desire for her grew but was she interested in having a close relationship? Sometimes she seemed almost too innocent to have had a child. Liking his kisses had obviously surprised her, and he knew she thought about it often since she stared at his lips. Rudy wasn’t any older than Cora; perhaps he had had no experience. For someone who lived among whores, she didn’t know very much about desire or responses. If Ash hollowwas as scenic as the captain said, it might be the perfect place to make their marriage real.
Cora handed him a cup of coffee. “You’re deep in thought. They will help with our wagon, won’t they?”
“I’m sure they will. I wish I could be of some use. The captain was right about wagons being destroyed. That’s why I brought two wagons so I wouldn’t have a heavy wagon. I’ve seen the furniture inside some wagons, and I hope they leave some of it behind.”
She tilted her head to the right. “You’re awfully knowledgeable about the trail.”
“I rarely make fast decisions. When we first thought about going west, I read everything I could get my hands on. I went into Independence and listened while captains and guides told their stories of the trail. They said it was hard, but they also made it a big adventure. It’s certainly been both.”
“You’re not kidding, though I could do with a little less adventure. I’m so glad I met you and you were practically forced to marry me.” She chuckled and leaned down, kissing his cheek.
He didn’t move. It was the first time she’d kissed him. It felt so right, but he had to put it out of his mind. At least until they got to Ash Hallow.
“Look! Zander is walking!” she exclaimed.
Harrison turned his head and nodded in approval. “Can’t keep him down for long. He’s had a hard life. Most of his family starved during the Irish potato famine. He almost died on the ship coming to America, and he was penniless when he arrived. I’m not sure what he did for his first year but he met up with Heath and Declan and they decided to go west and get some free land.”
“That must have been horrible to watch loved ones die of hunger. I never heard much about it. He’s found a new family with Heath and Declan, and I hope they consider us family too. Plus he’s young and handsome, and I doubt he’ll have trouble finding a wife.”
Harrison opened his mouth in mock outrage. “Been looking at the single men, have you?”
She turned crimson. “I did have to help take care of him. I doubt it would have worked if I closed my eyes. The bandages might have ended up everywhere except where they were needed.” She sat on a crate and sighed happily. “Being with you is so different from being with Eddie. There was never laughter allowed, and it always filled me with fear.”
“He still watches you, so be careful around him. I think he believes you belong to him.”
“Well I don’t, and he needs to remember that.” She shuddered. “He went through with his threat of leaving me with nothing, and it was the best thing that ever happened to both me and Essie.”
She watched some of the wagons line up. “Do you think the boys will have land near us? That would be nice, wouldn’t it?”
Essie began to fuss, and Harrison picked her up and rocked her. “You have months to win them over to your ideas. It would be nice though. They’ll marry someday and Essie will have little ones to play with.”
The baby reached up and touched his nose. She took her hand away. Then she reached up again and wrapped her fingers ti
ght around it. He carefully pried one finger at a time off his nose and stared at the baby. “She’s got a strong grip.”
“Wait until she grabs your hair, you’ll wish you didn’t have any.”
“To think how boring my life would be now without the two of you. Both sweet except one can be painful. Do you think she’ll start pulling my ears?”
Cora put her hand over her mouth as she laughed. “Now is that nice?” She laughed harder.
“I’m not sure you’ll soon have anything to laugh about,” Eddie said as he glared at them from a safe distance. “They say that the man you gave yourself to is dead. The same will happen to you.”
“Don’t get too close. I might be tempted to choke you and then you’ll become infected. Your best bet is to keep your mouth closed.”
Eddie glared at them. “Someday Harrison won’t be here to protect you.” He strode back to his wagon, climbed up and drove his oxen to the end of the line.
“I don’t even know if he’s telling the truth. Do you think Rudy is dead?” she asked.
“How would he even know?”
She nodded.
There were still a few who weren’t packed up.
“Relax, sweet, the line isn’t moving any too fast. It’ll be hours before we’ll have our turn.”
“That long to cross?”
“As soon as they’re across they make the climb up the hill. It isn’t a long trail just steep so the wagons get backed up. Some are waiting on the hill to be lowered and some are waiting for room to cross over. I’ve heard of large parties taking days to get over.”
“I might as well cook extra food. I have a feeling we won’t have much time to cook after we’re lowered down.”
He nodded. “You’ll be exhausted. Any chance you can make some gingerbread?”
She nodded and smiled. “For you, anything.”
* * *
Harrison waited until there were only three wagons left in line before he pulled out from their spot and joined the wagons. He hated sitting idle when they could use his help. He understood the reasoning, it just made him restless. When he saw it was Tom Simps in charge of the river crossing, he wanted to groan but he kept silent. Cora didn’t need the extra worry.
Cora’s Courage: Romance on the Oregon Trail Book One Page 9