Home's Promise (Oregon Trail)

by Mildred Colvin

  Home’s Promise

  _________________

  Mildred Colvin

  Historical Christian Romance

  Home’s Promise

  Copyright © 2012 by Mildred Colvin

  All rights reserved.

  Cover Photo © Mildred Colvin

  Scripture portions are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  DEDICATION

  To Eileen, a young friend who has grown into a beautiful woman—both inside and out. I can’t thank you enough for your giving spirit and your help in making this book the best it can be.

  To Becka, daughter extraordinaire! Another beautiful woman for which I can take very little credit. Thanks for your help in so many ways. How could I write without your encouragement and inspiration?

  Also to the Henry County Museum Complex who allowed the use of their authentic log cabin on the cover of this book. They have a wonderful museum well worth the time to visit. The 1856 Dog Trot and settlement are a part of the Henry County Museum Complex located at 203 W. Franklin, Clinton, Mo.

  Chapter 1

  Oregon Territory, Early Autumn 1850

  Rachel Morgan took her place in front of the congregation in the little log church in Oregon City. Her gaze locked with Tommy Donovan’s while her heart pounded a rhythm of love. If only he felt something for her besides friendship and gratitude. No man should be allowed to take a girl’s heart without offering his own in return. She sighed and shifted her attention to the bride.

  Katie Donovan stepped next to Jason Barnett. Her auburn hair pulled up on top of her head, with ringlets cascading down her back, crowned her beauty. Her soft green dress set off her shining eyes. Instead of a veil, Katie had tied a wide green ribbon in her hair, and it seemed quite appropriate.

  Rachel could never be as beautiful as Katie, but she didn’t mind. Katie was her best friend, and today was her wedding day.

  “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here—” The minister began the ceremony.

  Rachel’s attention shifted to meet Tommy’s gaze. He winked.

  He winked? She looked away as heat moved through her body to fill her face. Why? If he didn’t care for her, why didn’t he leave her alone? After six months on their journey to Oregon, he’d treated her as his sister’s friend. Nothing more. Now, in the last few days, he’d given her a rose bush and the first apple she’d seen since she left Mississippi. Now a wink? She tried to leave her feelings for Tommy with the Lord. Yet every time he smiled at her, she picked them back up. What could she do?

  “Who gives this woman away?”

  “I do.” Tommy stepped forward. “In the stead of our father and mother who have gone before us to their eternal home.”

  After Katie and Jason spoke their vows, Pastor Blackstone nodded. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Jason pulled Katie into his arms.

  Rachel’s heart stirred with excitement as if the wedding had been her own. Everything would change now Katie was married.

  Her happiness dimmed at the thought. They would go their separate ways to find land and build homes. The beginning of their new life in Oregon might well be the end of her time spent with Katie and Tommy. She might never see them again.

  Rachel fell into step with Tommy as Katie and Jason moved down the center aisle together. The warm touch of Tommy’s hand on hers sent a mixture of joy and pain to her heart. She blinked a rush of moisture from her eyes and looked into his smiling face.

  He leaned close. “That wasn’t hard, was it?”

  Did he mean getting married? Or standing up with someone else? Her heart constricted, bringing a lump into her throat. What did he want her to say? Didn’t he know how she felt about him? Turning her gaze to the floor, she shook her head. If only she could get away before she made a fool of herself and ruined Katie’s wedding celebration. But she couldn’t. Instead, she stood beside Tommy while the guests congratulated Katie and Jason when more than anything, she wanted to run away and release her pain in a torrent of tears.

  At last, everyone moved on, and she started away.

  “Rachel, don’t go too far.” Katie called to her. “I have a bouquet to throw.”

  Rachel swallowed her impatience and turned toward her friend with the best smile she could muster. “I’m ready anytime you are.”

  Katie called to the guests standing in the yard. “Girls, I’m going to throw my bouquet.”

  A scramble and flash of long skirts brought a laughing group of girls together in a semi-circle around the door of the church. Ellen Bartlett grabbed Rachel’s hand and tugged. “Come on, Rachel. Maybe you’ll be the next bride. Ma says fifteen ‘s too young to think of marriage, so she’ll probably faint if I catch Katie’s bouquet.”

  Rachel laughed with the younger girl. “You’re probably right.” She moved to the side of the group and turned to face Katie who stood framed in the doorway of the church.

  Katie raised the cluster of wild flowers high in her hand and threw them. The bouquet arched up, up into the air before descending. Rachel trailed it as it came closer. Without thinking, she reached out and closed her hand around the long stems as the bouquet brushed against her hair. A shout of laughter sounded from the girls and everyone watching.

  “Congratulations, Rachel.” Ellen called out. “Who’s the lucky man?”

  Rachel looked at Tommy. The intense emotion evident in his eyes and on his face frightened and thrilled her. She focused on him, and everything else faded. She must have walked to him, or maybe he closed the distance between them. The touch of his hand surrounded hers, sending a jolt to her heart. He led her away from the crowd now gathering around the bride and groom.

  “Come walk with me, Rachel.”

  She nodded, unable to speak. Maybe she was dreaming.

  He turned at a large fir tree in the side yard and leaned against it, letting her fingers slide from his.

  She couldn’t move, but stared at his face, memorizing every detail. Without her hand in his, she grew cold, and chills climbed her arms. He’d brought her here to tell her good-bye. Now that Jason and Katie were married, they wouldn’t need her help with the children. Tommy would find his own land. His own wife. Her throat convulsed at the thought, letting out a distressed squeak. She covered her mouth with her fingers. She couldn’t cry. She just couldn’t. Not yet.

  A faint smile played on his lips. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are, Rachel?”

  She sucked in air. He’d never spoken such words to her before. Her heart lurched and pounded. Would he tease? She shook her head and looked away, hoping for escape.

  “Then you probably don’t realize how much I love you.”

  Rachel swung back to stare at him in disbelief. How dare he be so cruel? “Why are you saying that?”

  “Because it’s true.” Tommy shook his head as if he didn’t believe his own words. “I don’t know when it happened. Maybe a dozen times, over and over again, until I finally saw the truth. I love you, Rachel.”

  Tommy’s laughter rang out. “I’ll shout it for everyone to hear. I love you, Rachel Morgan.”

  Rachel couldn’t move. She couldn’t think or believe. All she could do was stare at him.

  He touched her cheek, tracing the line of her jaw. “You�
��re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Inside and out.”

  Rachel searched his face. “I don’t understand. Please, don’t play games with me, Tommy.”

  He reached toward her. Took her hand. “Surely, you don’t believe that. Just now, when I saw you walking up the aisle of the church toward me, I wondered what it would be like if you were the bride and I was the groom. In my mind, I saw you playing with Suzy and caring for Davy. Do you know how motherly you look with my little sister and brother? Since Mama died, you’ve stepped in and filled the gap in their lives. I admire you, yes, but it’s more than that.”

  Rachel swallowed the tears that choked her. She wouldn’t cry.

  He grinned. “I remembered when you threw water on me and turned red from embarrassment. I saw you reading your Bible, explaining the way of salvation to me and praying with a young wife at our Bible studies on the trail until she believed and accepted God’s love.”

  He stroked her arm near the shoulder. “As I remembered, I recognized the love that’s been there hiding behind our friendship. Through all we’ve become to each other during a very hard time.”

  “Oh, Tommy.” Rachel couldn’t speak around the lump in her throat.

  Tommy had no such problem. “I want you to be my wife. I don’t want to lose you, Rachel. I love you and want to live the rest of my life with you by my side.”

  His eyes searched her face as she stood in silence. “I’ve told you how I feel. Is there a chance for me? Can you learn to love me? Rachel, will you marry me?”

  In spite of her resolve, tears slid from Rachel’s eyes and down her cheeks. She ignored them. “I love you, Tommy. I’ll be your wife. It’s what I’ve wanted all along.”

  A smile broke out on Tommy’s face. “Please say that again.”

  “Yes? Or I love you?”

  He pulled her close and whispered. “All of it. Don’t ever stop saying you love me.”

  She looked up at him while her heart sang. “I love you, Tommy.”

  He lowered his head and met her upturned lips with his. When they pulled apart, Tommy sighed. “You’ve made me happy, Rachel.” He rested his chin on the top of her head. “Mama gave me her wedding ring. She wanted my wife to wear it. Will that be all right with you?”

  Rachel smiled. She pulled back to look into his eyes. “Of course, I’d be glad to wear your mother’s ring. I loved her and admired her so much.”

  “If she knew, she’d be happy you’ll be the one wearing it. She loved you, too.”

  As Tommy held her close again, Rachel looked over his shoulder into the distance where she could see the mountains standing tall and watchful over their land of promise. She let out a soft sigh of contentment. Tommy loved her. They would be getting married soon. Her heart lurched. Why not now?

  She pulled back. “Oh, Tommy, I just thought. We could get married right now. Everyone is here. Katie would be thrilled.”

  She could scarcely stand still as the thought took root in her mind. Her love for Tommy had grown over the months they’d traveled across the country. They had shared so many experiences, she felt she’d known him forever.

  He dropped a quick kiss on her nose. “I imagine she would. My sister would’ve had us married before now if she’d had her way.” He shook his head. “We’ll get married as soon as we can. You deserve a proper wedding all your own and a house to live in after the ceremony. We’ve barely arrived in Oregon, and—well—I haven’t had time to tell you.”

  Rachel’s heart stood still. “Tell me what?”

  Tommy glanced toward the church building. “I’ve agreed to help out here at the church. I’ll be preaching a little, leading Bible studies, and learning the job of a pastor.”

  “I don’t understand.” Rachel searched his eyes for the problem. “Why would that keep us from getting married? We could live here in town.”

  He looked down. “One of my jobs will be ministering to the Indians in nearby camps. You can’t go with me, and I don’t want to leave you alone at night. It’s too dangerous. It won’t be forever. You do understand, don’t you, Rachel?”

  She stared at him. Did she understand? Should she give in?

  Chapter 2

  Rachel couldn’t turn from the question in Tommy’s eyes. He wanted her to understand and agree with his decision to wait to be married, but she didn’t want to. Certainly, his ministry to the Lord should come first. Her wishes must come second. She dropped her gaze to the lacing in his shirtfront as she nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

  Of course, she understood. He hadn’t asked if she liked it though, and she was glad. Because in reality, she hated the idea of waiting.

  His finger under her chin felt gentle. She met his gaze as he lifted her face toward his.

  “I love you, Rachel. That won’t change. Certainly not because of a little time. God brought us together. He will keep us for each other.”

  “I love you, Tommy.” She whispered the words while her heart filled with lasting love. She would wait a while and hope Tommy changed his mind. A little prayer in that direction wouldn’t hurt.

  She lifted her lips for one more kiss before they joined the others.

  ~*~

  “I’ve asked Rachel to marry me. With your blessing, of course.” Tommy swallowed the fear he’d been fighting even before he’d arrived at the Morgan’s wagon this morning. Asking to speak privately with Mr. Morgan had taken the brunt of his courage, leaving precious little to tell the man he wanted to marry his only daughter. He was surprised he’d managed to get the words out.

  “I see.”

  What did that mean? He’d never wanted anything as much as he wanted to marry Rachel. If he had his way, they’d already be married, but his desires would have to be put aside for a short time. Right now he needed to secure their future together. He should’ve asked her sooner. Then this meeting would’ve been over. He wiped his hands against his jeans and met Mr. Morgan’s searching gaze.

  “Sir, I love Rachel very much. I’m not wealthy. In fact, right now I have little to call my own. A few coins and a horse. I don’t have land or a house. Rachel and I have already talked about waiting to be married until I’ve become better established here.”

  “I see.” The man repeated himself with a quick nod. “What are your plans in the meantime? Will you be claiming land? You know you’re allowed 320 acres. If you have a wife, she can have the same amount. I understand that law may change soon. Waiting more than a couple of months could cut your claim in half.”

  Tommy swallowed. “Yes, I know. That’s something I’ve been praying about and will continue to. Pastor Blackstone has asked me to serve the church in any capacity I can, including ministering to the Indian camps nearby. I feel I need to do this, but I don’t want Rachel going to the camps or left alone while I’m gone. Someday, I hope to fill the position of pastor. Maybe even start a new church. There’s great need here.”

  “Yes, that’s true. New people are coming in and more than likely will continue to.” Mr. Morgan met Tommy’s gaze. “So you have asked Rachel to marry you. Do you mind telling me her reaction?”

  “No—I mean, she said yes, she’s wanted us to marry all along.” Tommy rubbed his hand against his leg. “I don’t know why—“He looked into Mr. Morgan’s eyes. “She says she loves me, too.”

  A smile broke across the older man’s face. “I suspected as much. My wife and I have talked about this, and we can’t think of another young man we’d rather see our daughter spend her life with.”

  He held out his hand. “Welcome to the family, Tommy.”

  The air rushed from Tommy’s lungs as he clasped Mr. Morgan’s hand. Praise the Lord! That obstacle no longer existed. “Thank you, sir. I’ll do my best to make Rachel happy and to provide for her.”

  Mr. Morgan stood and patted Tommy’s shoulder. “I have no doubt you’ll do both.”

  He looked toward the wagon. “Looks like the women are ready if that basket in Rachel’s hand means anything. You’re helping K
atie and Jason today, is that right?”

  Tommy nodded. “Yes. They’re renting a house here in town until they find their land. Katie wants it scrubbed clean before she allows Davy inside.”

  Mr. Morgan laughed. “Your little brother’s a special little boy. And so’s that little girl. Suzy spent some time with us on the trail, you know. My wife and I both became pretty partial to her. So I can’t say as I blame Katie. She’ll make a good mother.”

  “Katie?” Rachel joined them. “Of course she will. And Jason’s a great father already.”

  Tommy took the basket from her. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes.” Rachel’s smile warmed his heart. She hooked her hand through his arm and they set off toward town.

  “So, what did my pa say?” Rachel’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at him.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Say? About what?”

  She smacked his arm. “Don’t you dare tell me you didn’t ask.”

  He stopped in the road and turned to look at her, keeping his expression as guarded as he could. Thankfully they were far enough from the wagon her father couldn’t overhear them. “Rachel, I’m sorry. Was I supposed to ask your father something?”

  “Tommy Donovan.” Rachel slipped her hand away and planted a fist on each hip. Her dark brown eyes opened wide as she searched his face. “Are you telling me the truth? You didn’t talk to Pa about—”

  When her chin quivered, he knew he’d gone too far. He set the basket in the road and placed a hand on each of her shoulders. “I was only teasing. Of course, I asked him. He said yes, please take her. The sooner the better.”

  “Tommy!” She reached up and cupped the sides of his face. “I didn’t know you were such a tease. But if you think we should get married right away, I suppose—”

  He laughed. “No, no. We’ve already talked about that. You know my reasons for waiting. Now you’re teasing me.”