It was well past noon and they had been in line for a good hour. Finally, they were next to go across and Tom gestured for Harrison to drive his team into the water. Harrison shook his head no.
“I’m in charge here, and you do as I say,” Simps warned.
“If I go now, I’d have to sit my wagon and oxen in the river. There isn’t room for me to pull up onto the opposite bank. I’m no greenhorn, Simps.”
“I said go!” He slapped the back one of the front oxen causing a slight lurch forward.
But Harrison had a good hold of the lines. “You want us stuck to the bottom, isn’t that right?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Rod Waverly jumped down from his wagon on the opposite side and walked to the bank. “What are you trying to pull Simps? You know the bottom is like quicksand if you stop. The Walsh’s seem to have enough problems without you trying to sabotage them. I thought one of your jobs as a guide was to get us where we’re going,” he yelled.
“Why can’t people mind their own business? I’m in charge here,” Simps insisted.
Chuck Swatt joined Rod. “Why would he want them to be in the river while they wait to cross? If those oxen get stuck, the whole wagon could tip. I will get the captain. I doubt he’ll be happy to have to come back down the hill and then have to go back up again.”
All three men stared at Simps until he finally walked away.
“Thanks for your support, Rod and Chuck. I appreciate the help!”
“Didn’t look like you were planning to cross, but when he slapped the oxen, that was a line he shouldn’t have crossed. He knows better than most what could happen,” Rod yelled.
At last there was room on the other side of the river, and Harrison took his wagon into the water. The going was tricky, but he accomplished it without incident. Cora had sat beside him, Essie in her arms. He breathed gusty sigh, relieved when they were across.
Once at the top of the hill, Harrison was shocked by the drop. He hoped the ropes they used to lower the wagon weren’t weakened by the other wagons.
“Harrison you might as well go down the footpath with your family. There will plenty of other drop offs where you can help lower the wagons,” Captain London told him from a distance.
Harrison gave him a quick nod. He smiled down at Cora, who looked relieved he would walk her down. He took the bag she carried.
“I can carry our daughter if you like,” he offered
Cora’s smile almost stopped his heart. It was filled with sunshine and love; more love than he’d ever felt before. He swallowed hard. Was he deserving of a love so powerful?
“I’ll let you know after we start. The way the path goes one way and then the other way looks to make it safe enough.”
The path wasn’t wide, and they snaked their way down without incident. He tried not to look at the wagon being lowered. It was a miracle any of them made it. The wagon hit the ground hard, but it still looked fine. Next was their wagon and he held his breath and forgot to keep walking.
“Harrison?”
“I’m coming.” He walked but couldn’t keep his eyes off his wagon. It was less than a foot off the ground when one rope broke. It ended up being fine, but what if it hadn’t been?
Thank you, God!
“That was close,” Cora said breathlessly. They finally reached the bottom and she ran to the wagon with him not far behind.
He examined the wheels and axels. He then hitched up his oxen and led them to a quiet place a little away from the others.
Declan came along, unyoked the oxen and prepared to lead them off. “We’ve eaten, but I gathered wood for you. I’ll have Heath bring it.”
“Thank you.”
Heath came with an armful of wood while Declan left with the livestock. “Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you. Where are you off to?”
“The water here is uncommonly clear. We’re going swimming.” He hurried off.
Cora laughed. “He probably thought you’d stop him if he stayed.”
“I bet you’re right. Let’s get the fire going. I could use a hot cup of coffee.”
“You make the fire, and I’ll get the coffee ready. I roasted the beans already. Only enough for tonight. The coffee is better when fresh roasted.” She placed Essie in her basket and ground the beans and had the coffee ready to go on the grate she set on the fire.
She turned in a big circle and her eyes sparkled. “Trees, water, and flowers; so much beauty after all that sand. It is beautiful.”
He stared at her. “I agree with beautiful.”
She blushed and ducked her head. He put his hands on her shoulders and waited for her to look at him. “I want to make this marriage real.”
Her eyes widened and she turned her face away. He dropped his hands and grabbed two crates out of the wagon for them to sit on. He didn’t know what else to say, so he said nothing.
She took out two cups and poured coffee for them both. She sat on her crate and stared into the fire. “I’m not a virgin,” she whispered.
It took everything inside him not to smile. “That doesn’t matter.”
“I lived in a whore house, but I don’t…” She turned her head away again.
“It was just Rudy,” he whispered.
She nodded and turned back to him. There were tears forming in her eyes. “I’ve heard of women who hated that part of marriage, and I’m one of them. It terrifies me to think you’d want to do… that… every night. I don’t know if I could stand it.”
“Who told you that?”
“I hated it with Rudy and I heard the women talking about why men came to the saloon to see them. It was something wives didn’t like to do.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’ve cheated you. You thought since I lived in one I was one or maybe not one but knew how.”
He moved his crate closer to hers, reached out and plucked her from her crate before putting her down on his lap. He put his arms around her and rocked her back and forth. “I won’t ask you to do anything you don’t want to do. I won’t have you live in fear that some night I’ll hurt you.”
“Why do you suppose some women like it and others don’t? Rudy told me it would be the best moment of my life, but it hurt and left me bruised. I guess married couples do it to have children.” She sighed and laid her head on his shoulder.
“It has to do with the man. If he’s gentle and loving, women are fine with it.”
She lifted her head and stared into his eyes. “Did Ora only do it to have a baby?”
He smiled. “A baby would have been real nice, but it expressed our love for each other. I believe she found it to be pleasing.”
Her brow furrowed. “I’ll have to think on this whole thing.”
“Sweet, I already told you it was your choice.”
“But would you go to a saloon seeking a woman?” She bit the bottom of her lip so hard it bled.
He wiped the blood away with his thumb before he kissed her gently. “I spoke vows when we were married, and I’d never do that to you. I love you.”
Cora wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face there. He rocked her back and forth until he felt her body relax. “Are you hungry?”
She jumped up. “I never offered you any food!”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her back onto his lap. “I’m not that hungry, I just wanted to be sure you weren’t. To tell you the truth, I’m tired.”
“We might as well sleep in the wagon tonight,” she suggested.
“In a few minutes. I enjoy holding you.”
Cora sighed contently. “I love you too.”
Chapter Ten
The next day Declan hauled water for Cora so she could wash clothes. Their time to use the spring was during supper time so they didn’t come into contact with anyone. She couldn’t wait to be wholly clean. She washed daily but to be in the water would be a great treat.
She watched the other women when they were with their husban
ds, looking for clues of affection. Sue Bandor was running around the fire while her husband Miller chased her. There was great laughter until he caught her. He scooped her up and kissed her soundly. They gave each other a look she’d never seen before. It was though there was a secret they shared.
Sally shocked Cora by allowing her husband, Rod to steal a kiss while they hung the wet clothes on the line. Both couples seemed to have a closeness she’d never experienced with Harrison. It was all so confusing. She kicked at the dirt while she thought and noticed a stone-like object. She picked it up and wondered at its sharp point. She dropped it in her apron pocket.
So far, no one had been sick and she was so grateful. The minister had prayed with them that morning, from a distance of course. They’d be just fine, she just knew it.
Harrison was making repairs to the wheels. It kept him busy, and that was a relief. She didn’t know what to say to him. He hadn’t asked her to decide about their marriage. Other women did their duty. Nothing made sense, and the more she thought about it the more frightened she became. Harrison said he’d honor his vows, but she’d heard too many men going up the stairs in the saloon. He’d want more children, a child of his own, surely. She enjoyed being a mother.
What was wrong with her? She tried it once and she didn’t take to it. She wasn’t a good wife. She was bound up so tight with her thoughts she wanted to cut loose and run. Instead she climbed into the back of the wagon and cried against the corner of the straw tick. She tried to be silent so Harrison didn’t hear her and so she didn’t wake Essie up. Finally she was cried out and she lay on her back staring at the canvas.
Harrison climbed in and kissed her forehead. “It’ll all work out. I think one day it will just come naturally. I have no worries about it. We love each other, and that matters the most.” He stretched out and pulled her into his arms. “It feels strange to be able to have extra time. Not that I mind.”
“I thank God every day for you.” She tilted her head until she kissed his jaw. “Close.” She giggled.
“You sound like a school girl with that laugh.”
“I’m just not old like you.”
He laughed, and Essie wailed.
After Essie was fed and changed, Cora gathered everything she’d need for taking a bath in the spring. Harrison carried Essie’s basket while she carried a gunny sack. People smiled at them as they walked to the springs.
“It’s lovely, Harrison. Too bad we can’t just build a cabin here and live.”
“That’d be something with all the wagons passing by,” he teased. “Go on and get in I’ll turn my back.”
She peered around, making sure no one else was looking, and then quickly removed her dress. She left her chemise and pantalets on. Then she walked into the water and smiled at the heavenly coolness. “It’s incredible.”
He turned and started taking off his shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting washed. Don’t worry you can keep your back turned.”
She did just that until she realized the soap was on the bank. She tried to get it while keeping her back to him, and he laughed so hard. The next thing she knew he picked her up in the water and threw her. Sputtering, she stood up and put her hands on his shoulders, trying to push him down in the water, but he was too strong. Shaking her head, she turned her back to him again and grabbed the soap.
“You aren’t looking at me, are you?”
“Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know why exactly, but I think you are.” She scrubbed herself and her underthings with the soap.
“I think the only way to find out would be for you to look and see.”
“You’re smiling.”
“How do you know?”
“I can hear it in your voice. I’m going to reach back and hand you the soap then I’m getting out. Even though I have clothes on, I don’t want you peeking.”
“If that’s what you want.” He took the soap from her.
She climbed out and smiled at Essie who was waving her hands in the air. Then Cora put on the dress she’d brought. She turned and was surprised to see Harrison’s back to her. There was something wrong with her. She felt disappointed. “I’ll meet you back at the wagon.”
“I’ll be right there.”
* * *
He waited for a good minute before he turned around. Being a man of integrity had its drawbacks. He chuckled, remembering her face after he threw her. She probably wasn’t allowed to have fun as a kid. Once they were settled on their land, he’d make sure she knew what it was like to have fun. His heart was so full of her. He drew a deep breath and stepped out of the spring. He looked around. He had a feeling he was being watched, but he didn’t see anyone. He put his clothes on over his union suit and walked back to the wagon.
Cora was sitting all prim and proper next to the fire, drying her hair. She probably never thought of herself as prim and proper, but that was the only description that sprang to his mind upon seeing her. He watched her for a moment as she drew a comb through her long strands. Her hair sure was beautiful. He walked behind her and bent over, whispering in her ear, “I love you.”
She ducked her head but not before he saw a smile. They’d be just fine. It would happen when they weren’t thinking about it.
He dressed in clean clothes and climbed back out of the wagon. “I’m going to put the tent up.”
“Harrison, do you know what this is? I’m assuming another settler dropped it but I don’t know what it is.” She handed her find to him.
“It’s an arrowhead.”
“From an arrow? An Indian arrow?” Her eyes filled with fright.
“I believe so.” He glanced about. “I believe I need to go talk to the captain.”
“I’m going into the wagon with our daughter and I will get the gun. Call out before you try to come in. I don’t want to shoot you.”
“I’ll do that. I’ll be right back.” Perhaps someone had been watching him. He grabbed his rifle and searched for Captain London. He was with another family sharing coffee around a fire. Everyone turned as they saw him and the fear on their faces brought Harrison to a halt.
“Captain, I need to show you something, and frankly if we’re not sick by now I doubt we will be.”
Captain London nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.” He stood and came to where Harrison stood. He then studied the object.
“Where was this and was it buried?”
“Cora found it. I doubt it was buried. It looks almost new to me.”
“I think you’re right. There’s been sightings of Sioux in this area. Used to be one of the places they camped before the wagons started coming through. Though I didn’t hear tell of any attacks. I’ll double up the guards and you’d better move your wagon to our circle. I’ll let everyone know you’re not contagious any longer.”
“Thank you. It’ll make Cora feel safer.”
The captain nodded and strode off, probably to set up the guard duty schedule.
Declan and Heath were by Harrison’s side before he yoked the oxen.
“Did you see one?” Heath wanted to know. He took over hitching the oxen.
“No, just found an arrowhead, but I had a feeling someone was watching me while I was washing at the spring.”
“We’ll be extra vigilant. Captain London has enlisted us for guard duty. Zander will sleep in the wagon. The captain also said we’re pulling out in the morning. No extra day,” Heath told him.
“The best decision as far as I’m concerned. Some of the others are probably disappointed.”
“You mention the word Indian and that disappointment goes away real fast,” Declan said.
“I’m staying in our wagon with Cora and Essie. Be careful out there. Between the trees and the cliffs there are plenty of hiding places.”
“We will,” Heath said. They left, and Harrison shook his head. They almost seemed excited at the prospect of meeting up with an Indian. They did not understand w
hat could happen.
“Cora, it’s me.” He climbed onto the front bench.
“What’s going on?”
“We’re joining the circle. The captain gave his approval.”
“Thank the Lord! I’ve been sitting here praying.”
“Your prayers must have been heard.” He turned the oxen and found a space in the circle. What a relief. Hopefully they’ll be safe. “I need to let the oxen free.”
“I’ve got them,” Declan said.
“Thank you.” Harrison climbed into the back of the wagon. Cora was feeding the baby and for once she wasn’t completely covered. It was beautiful, and not because he saw a bit more of her than usual. It was because a mother could feed her child from her own body. It was a revered moment for him.
Cora didn’t even look up. Her face glowed as she gazed upon Essie. He expected her to blush, but she didn’t. After she finished, she quickly covered back up and burped Essie.
It was a big step in their relationship. She didn’t turn from him but allowed him to be part of it. How’d he get so lucky to have her in his life? It was now dark out, and he lit the lantern. They arranged the wagon so the straw tick lay nice and flat. Essie was fast asleep in her basket.
He lay on the mattress feeling content with his life. When Ora had died, he never thought to find peace again, let alone happiness. But a man never knew what path God would lead him to, and it was the best decision he’d ever made to listen with his heart.
Cora lay next to him and he enfolded her in his arms. “I love you so much, Cora.”
“And I you.”
He stilled. He’d been hoping and praying for her love. Finally she’d said it with conviction, like she really meant it. His heart filled and he never thought to feel so happy. He’d made his peace with Ora in the last weeks and any guilt he’d felt had gone away.
Cora’s Courage: Romance on the Oregon Trail Book One Page 10