by Kit Morgan
“Why don’t you write your letter tonight? Then we can mail it when we go to town.”
“That the only way you have to send letter? We must go to town?”
“No, we usually take our mail to Mrs. Gunderson, and she sends them along on the stage. Likewise if any letters come to us. We check for mail once a month.”
“Then why does Benjamin need to go to town?”
“Because Sheriff Riley’s involved. The law don’t send letters; they send telegrams. It’s a lot quicker that way.”
She rubbed the back of her neck and blew out a breath. “What if the situation with my brothers and sisters is no good? What if my aunt sent some of them to my father?”
“My pa always said, there’s no sense worrying about something until ya know it’s true.”
She smiled. “Your father sounds like a very wise man.”
“He was. And frankly, with this situation, I wish he were alive to tell us what to do.”
Bella wrapped her arms around him and he embraced her. “We are married now. Maybe it’s our turn to figure things out on our own.”
“Yeah, I reckon yer right. It’s just that sometimes I wish I didn’t hafta.” He sighed, kissed her, then got up to get what she needed so she could write her letter.
Fourteen
The time came for Bella, Calvin and Benjamin to head to Nowhere. Bella put the letter to her aunt in her reticule and stored the coat she’d made in the back of the wagon with the two new hats Ma had made since their last trip to town.
Calvin climbed up on the wagon seat next to Bella. “Ready, darlin’?”
She nodded, a determined gleam in her eye. This was an important trip for all of them.
Benjamin climbed into the back and sat next to a few bushels of apples, the last of the season. They planned to sell them to Mrs. Gunderson, then use the money to get a few last supplies for winter. “Ready or not, here we go,” he said, waving to Charity. “We’ll be back in a few days.”
Bella turned and waved as well. She almost felt guilty for leaving, but she’d dealt with enough guilt over the last week and was done with it. It was time she took responsibility to see things got done. She’d secure the order of coats with Matthew Quinn, send her letter off to her aunt in New York, then stand by her husband and brother-in-law as they received whatever news there might be from Sheriff Riley. The last was the main purpose of their trip.
The wagon lurched forward. Calvin patted her knee, turned and smiled at her. “I don’t know about you,” he said in a quiet voice. “But I’m plumb nervous for Benjamin.”
“I heard that!” Benjamin called from behind them.
They laughed. “Ya can’t hardly keep a secret from him,” Calvin explained.
“I be sure to remember that,” Bella said, still giggling. At least everyone’s mood was good. The long ride would be tedious otherwise. Calvin told her they’d drive straight through, with only a short visit with Mrs. Gunderson.
They reached the stage stop in early afternoon and Bella couldn’t have been happier. Being jostled about on a hard wagon seat for five or six hours took a toll, even if they had taken a couple of breaks.
“Well, look who’s here,” Mrs. Gunderson said as she stepped onto the porch. “If it isn’t a batch of Weavers.”
Calvin helped Bella down as Benjamin jumped out of the back of the wagon. “We brought ya some fruit we thought ya could use,” Benjamin told her.
“You know where to put it,” she told him. “Get it unloaded and inside.” She turned to Bella. “So how do you like living out of the farm?”
“I like it very much. It is big!”
“Mighty fine place – haven’t been there for a spell, but I remember it well enough. You spending the night?”
“No, Mrs. Gunderson,” Calvin said. “We need to reach Nowhere by nightfall. We’ll water the horses, then push on.”
“I’ve got stew on the stove and just took some bread out of the oven,” she said. “Come on in and help yourselves. Wasn’t but one passenger on the noon stage that came through, so I’ve got plenty left.”
Calvin ushered Bella inside and into the kitchen. “We no wait to be served?” Bella asked.
“Nah, when we come like this, we eat in the kitchen. When Mrs. Gunderson has guests, we eat with them.”
His words were drowned out by a growl from her stomach. She glanced at him and giggled.
“Best I feed my wife. That was louder than a howl from a coyote!”
She laughed and the two of them got down to the business of lunch. Benjamin joined them and after a quick meal and visit with Mrs. Gunderson, they were on their way again.
They reached Nowhere at sunset and went directly to the mercantile, parking the wagon behind it. Benjamin knocked on the kitchen door and waited for someone to answer.
“Benjamin!” Aunt Betsy exclaimed as she opened the door. “What in Heaven’s name are you doing here?”
“Bella finished the coat she was gonna make for Matthew and Ma sent a couple of hats. We also need a few things.”
Bella noted he didn’t mention his business with Sheriff Riley. The Quinns obviously didn’t know about Charity’s ordeal, and Benjamin probably wanted to keep it that way. She made a mental note to herself to be discreet.
“Well, don’t just stand there, come in. We already had our supper but I can make you some sandwiches or something.”
“Sounds great, Aunt Betsy,” Calvin said as they entered. Benjamin set their mother’s hats on the table, and Bella put the coat she’d made next to them.”
“Land sakes, don’t those look fine,” Aunt Betsy said as she admired the hats. She picked up the coat to examine it. “And will you look at this?” She turned to Bella. “This is excellent work.”
Bella felt herself blush. “Thank you.”
“Matthew!” Aunt Betsy called, then explained. “Everyone’s up front taking inventory. We were so busy earlier we never got the chance.”
She’d no sooner finished than Matthew entered the kitchen and stopped short. “Hello, er … what are you doing here?”
Benjamin pointed to the coat in Aunt Betsy’s hands. “Brought some hats too.”
“So soon?” Matthew asked as he looked at the coat in his mother’s hands. “Can I see that?”
“Of course,” she said and handed it to him.
He ran his hands over the stitching of one sleeve, then held the coat up in front of him. “Very nice.”
“I think we should have her make more, don’t you?” his mother asked.
“Depends on what we have in stock,” he said and turned to her. “The new wool I ordered won’t be in until next week.”
“We can spare some of what we have,” she said.
He turned the coat this way and that as he continued to examine it. “Yes, I suppose …”
“You like?” Bella asked as she blushed with pride.
“Very much. I’ll take a half a dozen if you think you can manage it. Mrs. Jorgenson, the dressmaker in town, doesn’t make coats. Rather than order them from Oregon City or Seattle, I’d rather keep it in the family and give you the business.”
“Thank you!” Bella whispered, a huge smile on her face. “I make them fast for you!”
“If you can make me a few more before Christmas, that would be great.”
Bella beamed with delight. “I can do that!”
“Excellent,” Matthew said. “And if you want, I’ll make arrangements with Mrs. Gunderson so you only have to take them to her. She can send them along to me on the stage.”
“Now why didn’t we think of that?” Benjamin asked. Calvin shrugged.
“Because you don’t think like … oh, never mind,” Matthew said.
“Like what?” Bella asked with a mixed tone – not quite anger, not quite suspicion, but with touches of both.
Matthew must’ve caught it as he quickly changed tactics. Perhaps he’d heard of her little “discussion” with Nellie Davis at the Harvest Festival. “A mercantile runs differ
ently from a farm. They don’t usually have to worry about supply lines and distribution patterns – just like a mercantile doesn’t usually have to worry about the weather.”
“Hmmm,” she mused. He must have a point, she figured, as she wasn’t entirely sure what Matthew meant.
Matthew took her silence as permission to move on. “What supplies do you need?”
Calvin dug into the pocket of his coat and handed him a list. “If we think of anythin’ else before we’re ready to go, I’ll tell ya, but off hand, I can’t think of nothin’.”
“I’ll leave Bella and Calvin here to see to the supplies,” Benjamin said before Matthew could comment. “I got something I gotta do.”
Matthew didn’t question him. Instead he busied himself reading the supply list. Running other errands must be a common occurrence, Bella surmised.
“We’ll see you later,” Calvin said and took Bella by the hand.
Benjamin left through the kitchen’s back door, while Bella and the men went to the front of the building to fill the list. As Matthew got to work, Calvin picked up items and inspected them. He’s nervous, Bella thought. But who wouldn’t be? What if Benjamin and Charity had to travel back east and attend a trial? Could she go through with it if she was in Charity’s shoes? She shuddered at the thought.
“Fancy anythin’, darlin’?” Calvin asked, pulling her from her musings.
“More wool for coats,” she said, glad he’d brought it up. She’d been so busy thinking about Charity’s situation, she forgotten all about the coats!
“Best ask Matthew or Charlotte what the womenfolk around here like, then maybe you can make it. That oughta keep ya in business.”
She smiled and put her hand over his heart. “You good businessman.” She glared at Matthew as he pulled something off a shelf. “No matter what he say.” She glanced around, then pretended to spit.
Calvin burst into laughter. Matthew looked up from his work. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothin’, cousin. Bella’s just … bein’ Bella,” he said. He gave her a mock glare, and she stuck her tongue out at him, causing his jaw to drop. “Do ya always do that to folks?”
“No,” she said, her chin held high. “Only to my husband.”
Calvin glanced at Matthew, who had his back turned at the moment, then smacked his wife on the rear.
“Oh!”
Matthew spun around just as Calvin picked up a book and pretended to read. “What’s wrong?”
Bella put a hand on her behind. “Questo bue appena mi ha colpito!” She then smiled sweetly. “Nothing,” she said in English. Calling Calvin an ox and telling Matthew what he’d done in her own language did give her some satisfaction. Being bilingual definitely had its advantages.
Calvin chuckled at her and went back to playing with different items throughout the mercantile. It didn’t take Matthew long to fill their list, and soon he had their purchases wrapped in brown paper and stacked on the counter. Calvin was just paying for them when Benjamin returned, his face a blank.
“Guess this means we’re all done, cousin,” Calvin said with a grin.
“You’ll spend the night with us, of course,” Matthew protested. “Mother will insist.”
“What do you think, Benjamin?” Calvin asked. “Have ourselves a visit, then head out early in the morning?”
Bella watched Benjamin’s brow furrow. Did he have news about what was going on back east? Did he need to speak with Calvin in private? But finally, he nodded. “Much obliged, Matty. I do need Calvin for a moment, if’n ya don’t mind.”
Bella’s heart beat faster. He did have news! Or maybe not but he wanted to let his brother know anyway. A good thing, considering she knew he was nervous. She looked anxiously at Calvin. He and his brother’s eyes had locked, and she knew, knew some unspoken exchange had just taken place between them. “Did you get what you wanted?” she asked, unable to help herself.
Benjamin nodded, but didn’t speak. Bella looked from one brother to the other, and both wore the same look of disappointment. She sighed. So, nothing.
Calvin and Benjamin carried their purchases to the back of the mercantile. Matthew showed his father the coat Bella had made, and Aunt Betsy had some suggestions on what kind Bella should make next. There was no more mention of Benjamin’s meeting with Sheriff Riley. There didn’t need to be – they would be going home empty-handed on that score.
But then, perhaps no news was good news. Only the good Lord knew.
* * *
The journey home was uneventful and Calvin was pleased that they’d make it back before supper. They stopped to let Mrs. Gunderson know they’d be bringing her a batch of coats to deliver to the mercantile sometime before Christmas. If weather was bad, they knew they could at least get to the stage stop, spend the night, then go home. The normal half-day trek would take almost twice as long in inclement weather.
The new option suited Mrs. Gunderson too, since she’d get first pick of anything Bella made – a benefit Matthew had agreed to. After all, she was now part of the distribution line, as he called it.
“Charity’s gonna be disappointed ya ain’t got no news, ain’t she?” Calvin asked his brother.
“She might also be relieved. She’s not the type to fret over lack of news. She’ll figure it gives her more time not to think about it. Why worry over it when ya don’t gotta?”
“I thought she worry a lot,” Bella said as she turned on the wagon seat. Benjamin rode in the back on the way home so she and Calvin could sit next to one another.
“True enough, but she was more worried about what the family’d say when they found out what happened.”
“Oh,” she drawled thoughtfully. “She no worry as much about man who hurt her?”
“Not until we have news. Otherwise, what’s the point?”
She nodded and liked his logic. It was the second time she’d heard it. “I hope she is no disappointed you have none.”
“She’ll be fine,” he told her. “And I’m sure she’ll want to help you and Ma with the coats and hats. Give her something to keep her mind and hands busy.”
“She could help us with our chores, that’d keep her busy!” Calvin joked.
“Not with my baby, she won’t!”
Calvin steered the horses into the barnyard, brought the team to a stop, set the brake, then stretched. “Land sakes, I don’t know about you, Bella darlin’, but I’m tuckered out. Let’s get the wagon unloaded and go see what’s cookin’ for supper.” He climbed off the wagon then helped her down.
She went to the back, waited for Benjamin to hand her some of the packages… and froze. “Do you hear?”
The men stilled. Then they heard it too, the distinct sound of a baby – no, babies – crying! “Woo-ee,” Calvin said. “Better get in there and lend a hand, Bella. Sounds like poor Samijo’s got her hands full.”
“Charity must be at the cabin,” Benjamin said absently.
“But why Charity at the cabin if bambini are here?” Bella asked.
Calvin and Benjamin exchanged a quick look as their eyebrows rose at the same time. As one, they turned to the house. “Stay here, darlin’,” Calvin said, his tone dead serious.
She hadn’t heard him speak like that before, and a tremor of fear went up her spine. “What is wrong?”
“Not sure yet, but …”
“Somethin’,” Benjamin finished.
Bella’s eyes flicked between the men and the house. “I go with you.”
“You stay here,” Calvin ordered.
She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Where do ya think Arlan and Daniel are?” Calvin asked.
“Probably still out in the orchards,” Benjamin said as he pulled a gun out of the back of the wagon. “I’m sure it’s nothin’ to worry about …,” he added, in a tone that said it most certainly was. He cocked the gun, gave Calvin a nod, and together they headed for the house.
Fifteen
Bella paced nervously next to the wagon
. The twins’ cries carried through the cold autumn air. The sun had almost set and it was growing darker by the minute. What was going on in there? She took a few steps toward the house, sensing Calvin was on his way to her.
Sure enough, he bounded out the door and off the back steps. “Bella!”
She ran to him. “What is it, what wrong?”
“Get inside quick and see to Ma and Samijo. I gotta find Arlan!”
“What is happening?”
“Don’t ask questions, just go!”
She ran to the house as fast as she could and almost skidded into Benjamin in the kitchen. He hurried past without a word and ran out the door. Ma sat at the table, a shocked look on her face as Samijo came down the stairs, the twins cradled in her arms. “What happened?” Bella asked as she took one of the babies from her. She glanced from one face to the other a few times, before it dawned on her. Where was Charity?!
Ma’s eyes slowly drifted to her. “He took her … just up and … took her.”
“Charity? Who took her?” She turned to Samijo.
“I don’t know. I was upstairs with the twins when someone grabbed me from behind, threw a blanket over my head and tied me up. I never saw him.”
Bella focused on Ma again. “What he do to you?”
Ma closed her eyes and sighed in frustration. “Same thing he did to Samijo.” She opened her eyes and shook her head. “There wasn’t anything we could do. Thank the Lord whoever it was didn’t hurt the twins or take them. But Charity wasn’t so lucky …”
“It was horrible, Bella,” Samijo said. “I heard her screaming and then suddenly she stopped.”
“No!” Bella gasped. “Our men, what will they do?”
“They’ll saddle up horses and set out after them,” Ma said. “Try to track them as best they can until they catch up with them.”
“But it almost dark outside,” Bella said. “How they find them?”
Ma’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Trust me, child, those boys of mine will find that sidewinder and make sure he never hurts anyone again. They’re Weavers.”
Bella saw the fierce look in Ma’s eyes. “What if they get hurt?”