A Home at Trail's End

by Melody A. Carlson

  “And that gives me an idea,” Lavinia said suddenly.

  “What’s that?”

  “Oh…you’ll find out.” She made a sly smile and waved goodbye as she hurried away.

  Elizabeth explained about Tumbleweed Tillie’s birthday. “So we can head back whenever we like.”

  His eyes twinkled. “Just you and me?”

  She nodded eagerly as he took her hand and led her down the road. “As much as I love my family and friends, I do enjoy your company,” she told him.

  He squeezed her fingers in his. “I am counting the days until Saturday,” he said. “And the hours too.”

  She laughed.

  “But as much as I’m looking forward to it, I do want to have our house finished. Or nearly.”

  “I’m certain that it would be fine just as it is right now.”

  “Oh, sure, it’s livable enough.”

  “Are you living in it?”

  He shook his head. “No, my dear, I’m waiting for you.”

  “Oh, Eli, you can live in it if you like.”

  “Not without you.”

  Not for the first time, Elizabeth had to ask herself if this was real or just a delightful dream. But the musty smell of decaying autumn leaves and the sound of the birds twittering in the trees told her it was authentic. And for some reason this reminded her of the Indian woman in the woods. “I didn’t have a chance to tell you that the second blanket and parcel of food I left for the Indian woman and child were gone the following day. So I can only assume they got it.”

  “Yes, if it had been taken by animals, the blanket would probably still be there.”

  “So it makes me believe they are living somewhere near there.”

  “At least for now. It’s possible they are on their way to somewhere else.” He shook his head in a dismal way. “Although, for the life of me, I cannot imagine where that would be. No place is safe for Indians in these parts. Any that are found are rounded up and herded up north like animals.”

  “I’m sure that’s why she looks so frightened,” Elizabeth said sadly. “Her eyes looked so empty and hopeless and scared. I wish I could get her to trust me.”

  “And then what would you do?” He peered at her.

  “To be honest, I don’t know.” She sighed. “But I will keep praying. I believe that God will show me.”

  “Now, not to detour our conversation, but is there anything I need to know or to do before next Saturday?”

  She shook her head. “Not that I can think of.”

  “I assume you don’t want me to show up in my buckskins,” he said teasingly.

  She laughed. “I would not complain if you did, Eli. That’s what you wore the first time I met you, and I happen to think you look very handsome in your buckskins.”

  He chuckled. “I’m glad to know that because I’m reluctant to give them up.”

  “However…” She pointed to his Sunday clothes. “What you have on would probably be more appropriate for a church wedding. Don’t you think?”

  “I am in complete agreement. And I’m content to save my buckskins for other activities like traveling and hunting.”

  “Speaking of hunting, I know that my father is most eager to go on an elk hunting trip with you.”

  “Yes. He and Matthew both. I promised them we would go the week before Christmas—if that’s agreeable to you.”

  “Yes, as long as you won’t go before Malinda’s wedding. I’m sure she’d want to tan my hide if all my menfolk went missing on her big day.”

  “We’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Speaking of my father, did you have a chance to speak to him about Brady yet? I meant to ask, but we must have gotten distracted.”

  “As a matter of fact, I did tell him about Brady.”

  “What did Father say?”

  “Both your parents were very touched. And they said that if you were all right with this, they would gladly welcome Brady to live on their land. Brady can continue using the tent, and Asa even offered to help Brady build a new cabin. I expect Brady will move back over there by tomorrow.”

  Elizabeth had mixed feelings. As much as she wanted Brady to be happy and free and to live where he liked, she would dearly miss having him close by. He’d been in the Martin family for as long as she could remember. And he’d been with her and James from the first days of their marriage, overseeing their farm. Even after she and James decided to free the other slaves, Brady had asked to stay on with them. And then, during the years following James’ death, Brady had been as dependable as the sun. Just seeing him about her farm each day, checking on livestock, hitching a wagon, bringing her firewood…it had always been so reassuring.

  However, she knew circumstances were different now. This was the Oregon Territory, not the State of Kentucky. Furthermore, she had Eli to depend upon. And really, what more could she ask? Plus, she reminded herself, her parents were getting older. Having Brady around to help her father carry the load was a great comfort. And Brady was getting older too. Why shouldn’t he live out the last of his days however and wherever he wished? So truly this was for the best. It was time for her to let Brady go.

  Chapter Sixteen

  By Thursday morning, Elizabeth harbored no ill feelings about being left out of Malinda’s quilting bee. She tried to make herself useful as well as doing her regular chores, but Malinda resembled a small whirlwind as she ran from task to task.

  Grateful for an excuse to get out of the house, Elizabeth hurried out to talk to Eli when she saw him arriving with the wagon and her team. He kissed her hello and seemed happy to see her, but she could tell he was eager to get back to the house. For that reason she encouraged him to ride Molly back home.

  “It will save you time,” she said. “And then you can ride her back when you pick up the wagon at the end of the day.”

  “I’ll see you tonight,” he promised. “Have a good day in town.”

  For the next hour, eager to stay out of Malinda’s way, Elizabeth remained in the barn, sorting through crates of goods she’d brought with her to Malinda’s. She wanted to have everything ready to load into the wagon before Eli drove it back.

  Satisfied that all was organized, she returned to the house only to discover Malinda still scrambling about, trying to get her house into perfect order and her “luncheon” meal prepared. Elizabeth didn’t dare to point out that Malinda still hadn’t changed out of her work clothes and that her guests would soon arrive. Elizabeth was tempted to offer some additional help, but knowing Lavinia was looking forward to her visit, she simply wished Malinda a good day and made her getaway.

  Elizabeth felt relieved to be driving the wagon to town. Her team looked sleek and handsome. Her wagon without the canvas covering was sturdy and strong. Dressed in her Sunday best, she looked forward to getting some much-needed supplies for her first week of married life. She also looked forward to a friendly visit with Lavinia. She had no regrets about missing out on Malinda’s gathering and hoped the quilting bee was enjoyable for the ladies, but reminding herself of how much of her spare time was spent sewing, she decided that she’d been lucky to miss out on it.

  Besides that, she told herself as town came into view, she would have a quilting bee of her own someday. She would hold it in her own home. And she would be sure to invite Malinda—and anyone else who had the slightest interest in coming.

  As she came in sight of the school and mercantile and blacksmith shop, she slowed the team. She wanted to take a good long look at the scene before her. Someday the virtually empty street would be just a memory. In time the town would grow and change. It would become noisy and busy and be transformed into something altogether different. And she and her family could say they remembered when there was nothing here.

  She paused to admire the slowly moving river just south of town. She smiled to think that it was one thing that would never change.

  She pulled the wagon in front of the mercantile and, removing her driving gloves, held out her sk
irt as she carefully climbed down. It hadn’t been necessary to wear her Sunday dress today, but it had felt good to put it on. And she knew Lavinia would appreciate the effort. As she went up to the store, she looked up at the sky. She’d noticed clouds rolling in from the ocean and suspected that the fair weather they’d enjoyed the past few days was about to disappear. She hoped it wouldn’t be wet and gray by tomorrow, although rain on a wedding day was always considered to be good fortune—at least among farmers.

  “Hello, hello,” Lavinia hailed as Elizabeth entered the store. “I was just telling Mrs. Levine that you were coming to visit me.”

  “Good day, Elizabeth,” Mrs. Levine said. “Are you looking forward to your wedding? Just two days away now.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, I can hardly believe it’s almost here.”

  “I was just telling Lavinia that the upcoming year will most likely be filled with even more weddings.”

  “That’s right,” Lavinia told Elizabeth. “We predict that Belinda and Jacob will be engaged by Christmas.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “That would not surprise me.”

  “And Mahala and Julius have decided to be married in April,” Lavinia said with excitement. “That will give me enough time to plan for a proper celebration.”

  “I hear that springtime is lovely here,” Elizabeth said as she perused a basket filled with colorful spools of thread. “Lots of wildflowers to choose from.” The three of them chatted congenially for a bit, and finally Mrs. Levine excused herself and, taking her parcel, exited the mercantile.

  “Perhaps we should take advantage of this lull and go upstairs,” Lavinia said. “I suspect customers will be having their dinners now anyway.” She hurried to close the front door, putting the We Will Be Right Back sign on the door. Then she led Elizabeth to a staircase in the back. “Right this way, my friend.”

  When they emerged from the stairwell, Elizabeth was surprised to see how light and bright the rooms up there were. “Oh, my,” she said. “Look at all these windows.”

  “Yes.” Lavinia nodded. “I told Hugh that the last thing I wanted was to be stuck up here in a dreary attic. He made certain that did not happen.”

  “It’s lovely.” Elizabeth admired the fir floors in the main room. “And your furnishings!” she exclaimed over the padded settee and chairs. “They obviously came here by ship.”

  Lavinia laughed. “Well, yes. I had to leave so much furniture behind, but I insisted on a few comforts.” She led Elizabeth around, showing her their home, which by frontier standards was quite luxurious.

  “I told Hugh that everything we brought for our own use could always be sold in the mercantile should times get hard.” She grinned. “It’s a bit like living in your storeroom.”

  “A very lovely storeroom.”

  Lavinia even showed Elizabeth the bedrooms—all three of them. “One for Augustus and one for Evelyn. Although I imagine Evelyn will not be living her for more than a year or two.”

  “Has Evelyn found a beau too?”

  “I do believe she’s got some fellows with their eyes on her.”

  “I shouldn’t wonder.”

  “When Evelyn marries, we will turn this room into a study.”

  “Very nice.” Elizabeth nodded, trying not to be overly impressed with the advantages that wealth could provide. Even if her own house was rustic and meagerly furnished, she would be wholeheartedly thankful for it. And she knew it would be filled with love. Not that the Prescotts’ home was not filled with love. She had no reason to think that. But she also had no reason not to rejoice with Lavinia over her new home. “This is a truly beautiful place to live,” Elizabeth said finally. “The Lord has blessed you and your family, and I could not be happier for you.”

  Lavinia smiled happily. “Oh, that makes me feel so glad to hear that.” Her smile faded. “I do worry sometimes that our situation might make others jealous. In fact, Hugh warned me not to invite just anyone up here. And I do understand his rationale. But it is such fun to share it with someone. And I felt that you would be more understanding than most.”

  “My mother would delight in seeing your home too,” Elizabeth told her. “She left a very fine house behind in Kentucky. Although she won’t admit it, I know she misses certain things, such as her china dishes and her beautiful bedroom furniture.”

  “The very sort of items I someday hope to carry in our mercantile.”

  “That day may be a long way off. At least for most settlers.”

  “Oh, mark my word, Elizabeth, it’s not that far off. This is beautiful country, and I feel certain more settlers are coming. I have no doubts that all of us—or at least most of us—will have very fine houses again someday.”

  “You already have one,” Elizabeth reminded her.

  Lavinia shrugged. “Yes, well, this is quite livable for now. But in time, after our town grows and our business prospers, I want a real house built on our land. I want a place where my grandchildren can run and play.”

  “Yes.” Elizabeth nodded. “I understand that.”

  Lavinia led her to the kitchen area. “As you can see, I am cooking on a real stove now. However, I must confess my cooking skills have not greatly improved since we were on the trail. Thanks to you and your mother, Evelyn has become quite adept at cooking—something, I’m sure, some young man will be most appreciative of someday.”

  “I hope you’re not in a hurry to get Evelyn married off,” Elizabeth said.

  “Not at all. That girl is too valuable here.”

  “Isn’t she just barely sixteen?”

  “She will be seventeen in May. And she is still attending class with Mrs. Taylor. Did you know that Mrs. Taylor not only speaks Latin, but French and German as well? Who would have known?”

  “Besides the languages, JT is delighted that she is teaching the children to read music. And my Ruth practically thinks that Mrs. Taylor hung the moon. I had no idea she had so much to offer.”

  “I suppose it was a blessing in disguise…” Lavina sighed as she checked a pot that was on the stove. “I mean…that she is with us now.”

  “Most certainly.”

  “Evelyn insisted on helping me to make us a soup,” Lavinia told Elizabeth.

  “Oh, my…and I only expected to come for tea.”

  “Well, certainly you must be hungry. Evelyn was sure you would be.”

  “As a matter of fact I am,” she admitted.

  “It’s potato and sausage.” Lavinia moved the pot to a cooler part of the stove.

  “Sounds delicious.” Elizabeth looked over to where the kitchen table was set with fine china dishes and silver. “The table looks beautiful too.”

  “That was my idea,” Lavinia declared. “It makes me feel so festive to use my good dishes. But I hope you don’t mind eating in the kitchen. It seemed more sensible than the big dining table.”

  “Not at all. It’s very cozy in here.”

  Soon they were seated, and Lavinia invited Elizabeth to ask the blessing. “Your family seems so much more experienced at that than we are,” she said quietly. Elizabeth prayed, and they both began to eat.

  “This soup is wonderful,” Elizabeth told her.

  Lavinia nodded. “It is good, isn’t it? I’ll be sure to tell Evelyn you liked it. She was so happy to hear you were coming.” Lavinia’s mouth puckered into a frown. “Although I must confess that we were very disappointed about your insistence that no one bring gifts to your wedding. Why in the world did you do that? And mind you, I am not only asking as a businesswoman, but as a friend.”

  Elizabeth didn’t want to say anything to diminish Malinda in her soon-to-be sister-in-law’s eyes. “It just seemed the right thing to do. Most of the settlers can barely feed their families, let alone try to come up with two wedding gifts in a month. Eli and I are not in need of gifts.”

  “But perhaps your friends and neighbors should have been the ones to decide that.”

  “Perhaps.” Elizabeth buttered her biscuit. “See
ing this butter reminds me, my mother is a very good cheese maker.”

  “Cheese?” Lavinia’s eyes lit up. “Oh, how I miss cheese.”

  “I wonder if it would sell well in your store.”

  “Oh, I’m sure it would. I would certainly buy it.”

  “Well, we have decided that as soon as our cows begin giving milk—mind you, it won’t be until a year from now, if we are lucky—my mother and I will begin making cheese.”

  “That is wonderful. Consider me your first customer. And I will sell it in the mercantile too.”

  After their meal, they got back downstairs just as Flo came into the store. And while Elizabeth shopped, Lavinia and Flo visited together like old friends. Sometimes Elizabeth found it hard to believe that these two women, who would one day be sharing grandbabies, had come from such completely different economic situations. But the Oregon Trail and the frontier eliminated some of the social barriers that were common in the eastern part of the country. Not all of the barriers, of course, but many. At least for the time being. Elizabeth had no idea how all the various relationships would fare on down the line. But for now they all needed one another. And the tighter their little community remained, the greater their chances for success. Or so it seemed to Elizabeth.

  “Your shelves seem better stocked than the last time I was here,” Elizabeth called out to Lavinia.

  “Yes. Hugh and Julius got back yesterday. We spent the evening unloading and stocking all the merchandise.”

  “You are making it rather hard on me,” Elizabeth admitted.

  “What do you mean?” Lavinia came over to where Elizabeth was admiring a coffeepot. Her coffeepot from the trail was dented and stained and lidless. The idea of this shining new red enameled pot was rather appealing. Even so, she did not need it, and it was not on her list. She reluctantly set it back down.

  “I made myself a list that I plan to stick to, but some of your lovely items are tempting.” She smiled. “And once we start producing cheese and other dairy products, my purse strings will loosen up some.” She held up her shopping basket. “As it is, this will do me for today. Well, along with these dry staples.” She handed Lavinia her list, waiting as she measured and weighed flour and sugar and salt and coffee and beans and all the other staples necessary to feed a family of four.