His stomach rumbled, protesting the emptiness. They needed to eat. Then he’d decide what to do. He reached for his little charge. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go have some bacon and bread.”
In spite of her fear and grief, the little girl finished her breakfast. Tommy watched her eat and knew he had no choice. He had to take her away from here. Maybe to Rachel. She wouldn’t reject an Indian child, but he didn’t want to start their marriage with a child no matter how sweet she was. Maybe someone else would take her.
“Would you like to ride on my horse?” Tommy put the rinsed and dried dishes away.
Brown braids bounced as the small head nodded. “Big horsey.”
Tommy laughed. “Yes, he is a big horsey. He’s a nice horsey, too.”
Large brown eyes stared back at him.
“Do you have a doll or toy you want to take?” She hadn’t slept with any.
She walked to the pile of furs in the corner and rummaged through them. When she pulled a corn cob doll out and held it in her arms, she looked up at him with such trust his heart melted. He scooped her up with a quick hug. He could get attached to this child too easily. Rachel would love her, too. But he wouldn’t take her there unless he had to. He’d already dropped Susanna off on the Morgans. They didn’t need another child. Surely someone in town would want this little sweetheart.
“Are you ready to go then?”
At her curt nod, he went outside and pulled the door closed behind them, hoping no one would bother the things inside. As little as she was, everything in the cabin belonged to her. He’d come out as soon as possible and get the valuables and any keepsakes he could find. They could either be used for her keep or be stored for her until she was older.
Right now, he needed to go see his sister. Katie didn’t like Indians, but he needed help finding a home for the little girl. Besides, this was one little Indian even Katie couldn’t help falling in love with.
Chapter 17
Katie poured dried beans into the large pot of water on the stove. There should be enough to last all weekend. She’d make cornbread before lunch.
She sat in Mama’s rocking chair by the window and looked outside. Jason had gone down the road to help Mr. Thomas with some chores and Davy was asleep. She picked up Jason’s Bible and turned to I Peter, but barely started reading when the sound of a horse outside brought her to her feet to look out the window. Tommy stopped Midnight at the hitching rail next to the porch.
She opened the front door as he stepped on the porch. “I didn’t expect you over this morning.”
Tommy grinned. “I didn't expect to come, either. I’ve brought company for you.”
Katie looked at the bundle of blankets in Tommy’s arms and realized he had a child.
“Where did you get a little one?” She reached out and took the child from him as he stepped inside. “How precious.”
Katie returned to the rocking chair where she pushed it into a gentle rock as she cuddled the blanket-covered baby in her arms and pushed the blanket back. “A little girl and she has brown hair and eyes just like Rachel’s. Whose child is she? Why is she with you?”
“I found her in a cabin last night. Her folks are both dead.”
“Oh, the poor little thing.” Katie loosened the blanket, exposing the deerskin dress the little girl wore. How unusual. Her gaze moved to the child’s face, then to the two short, dark braids. Something cold squeezed her heart.
“Tommy, this is an Indian child.” She stood and looked at him. She couldn’t breathe as her insides froze. “Where did you get her?”
“She’s only half Indian, Katie. She was—”
Katie thrust the toddler at him. “You can take her back.”
“What do you mean take her back?”
Katie shrank away when Tommy caught the little girl who hadn’t made a sound. “No, what do you mean bringing an Indian into my home? I won’t have it. I can’t understand you at all.”
“Katie.” Tommy almost whispered the words. He held the child close. “What do you have against this baby?”
Silent tears ran down the little girl’s cheeks. Large moist, brown eyes stared at Katie. Her head leaned against Tommy’s chest.
“What has she done to you?”
Katie tore her gaze from the child. “In case you’ve forgotten, Tommy, Indians killed our father.”
“You’re wrong, Katie. Only one Indian killed our father. And Dad shot at him first. The other guards said so.”
“Dad was protecting the horses. I don’t care who shot first. The Indians were stealing. They killed Daddy.”
“Okay, an Indian back in the plains, hundreds of miles from here, killed Dad. What does that have to do with the Indians here? And more importantly, what does it have to do with this little girl? She’s as much white as she is Indian.” His voice softened again. “Remember, Katie, the Bible tells us God is no respecter of people. He loves us all the same.”
Katie crossed her arms and turned toward the window, seeing nothing. “I don’t care, Tommy. She can’t stay here. If you’re trying to find a home for her, take her to the Jackson’s. Every time Hannah sees Davy, she almost drools. She can’t have children. I’m sure they’d take any that came their way, even an Indian.”
Tommy’s long drawn-out sigh tore through Katie’s heart, but she didn’t turn. She might give in if she did, and she couldn’t do that. The door opened and closed. The image of the little girl’s large sad eyes and silent tears remained to warm and melt the ice around her heart.
Tears stung her eyes as she ran to the door, flinging it open. “Wait, Tommy. Bring her back inside for just a minute.”
She didn’t wait to see if he obeyed, but grabbed the washbasin and poured hot water into it from the stove. “Here, pour a little cold water in this until it’s warm to your wrist. I’ll get a wash cloth and towel. There’s no sense in taking a dirty, little Indian to anyone.”
As Tommy prepared the water, Katie undressed the little girl with gentle hands. She washed the grime of several days from her then loosened the braids and brushed the shiny dark hair about her small face. Although the little girl watched her, she never murmured.
Katie lifted the leather dress and slipped it back over the child. “I wish I could give her something else to wear, but there’s nothing here that would fit her. This looks so . . . Indian.” Her nose wrinkled as she spoke the word.
“I’m sure she’s used to it. Are you going to braid her hair?”
Katie looked at her older brother. “Of course not. Didn’t you say she’s half white?” Katie pulled a ribbon from her own hair and slipped it under the child’s hair in back then tied it in a bow on top of her head. Katie leaned back and looked at her work. Even for an Indian, she was a beautiful little girl. “I should have given her a real bath and washed her hair.”
Tommy chuckled. “That’s okay, Katie. I think you’ve done enough.”
Katie stared at the little girl. “She’s pretty, isn’t she? I didn’t know she was Indian when I said she looked like Rachel. Still there is a resemblance with the brown hair and eyes. Maybe she looks more like her white side.”
“Maybe so.”
Katie stood and gently pushed the little girl toward Tommy. “Anyway, she looks better than she did. I hope the Jacksons want her.”
“I hope so, too.” Tommy smiled. “Thanks, Katie.” He whistled a tuneless melody under his breath as he wrapped the blanket around his charge and carried her outside.
Katie watched from the window as he mounted Midnight with the baby on his arm. With a wave, he turned away and rode toward the Jackson’s.
Katie’s emotions played tug-of-war. She had felt so safe in directing her hurt and anger at the entire Indian race. Why did Tommy have to open the wound by bringing an innocent baby to her? A child whose people had killed her father. No, Tommy was right. Only one Indian had killed him—not an entire race or even a tribe. Just one Indian man who wanted the horses Dad had been guarding. She turned to
ward Davy’s cry with a sigh.
~*~
Tommy held Midnight’s reins and stroked his horse’s nose while his eyes blurred out of focus and he relived Hannah and Noel’s enthusiastic thanks. They’d been so caught up in the little Indian girl he wondered if they even knew when he’d left. He looked toward their house. They were both inside making plans to legally adopt the child as soon as the authorities proved she was an orphan.
He swung into the saddle and started toward the church. Katie had been pretty upset with him for bringing an Indian into her house, but this little girl wasn’t any more Indian than she was white. If the Jacksons adopted her, she’d become even less because they would raise her as a white child.
If people would let them.
Katie wasn’t the only one who had hard feelings toward the red man. Ever since the massacre at the Whitman mission three years before, bad feelings ran high in the territory toward all Indians. Even hanging five of them several months ago hadn’t rid the area of distrust and fear.
Tommy sighed. He understood that. Katie thought she was the only one hurting over their father’s death. He’d fought his own battles with it and even agreed to minister to the Indian villages to help eradicate the hard feelings he still carried. Lord, help us all to forgive and to forget.
He stopped at the church and found the pastor doing some housecleaning. “I’d thought I’d better check in to let you know I’m back in town.”
“Wonderful. Figured the floor needed swept before services on Sunday.” The older man leaned his broom against the wall. “Did everything go all right?”
“Yes, no conversions, but the people were attentive.” Tommy took a breath and let it out. “I took shelter at a cabin last night during the storm. I found a little girl there. Her mother apparently had just died after childbirth. The baby, too.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
Tommy nodded. “I buried them before I found the little girl. She’s about two years old. I thought her father might show up, but this morning she showed me his grave in back of the cabin. I brought her to town.”
“The little girl?”
Again Tommy nodded.
Pastor Blackstone looked toward the door. “Where is she?”
“I left her with the Jacksons. I thought you might want to go check on them and maybe help them determine if she’s truly an orphan.” Tommy sucked in air and held it. Had he done the right thing? “They want to adopt her if possible.”
The pastor stared at him. A slow smile crept over his face. “I certainly hope they can. Their desire for a child is no secret around here. If anyone deserves a family, Hannah and Joel do. Certainly, I’ll check on them. What are your plans now?”
Tommy let his breath out as he relaxed. “I’d like to go see Rachel if you don’t mind. I’ll spend the night with her family and hold church services while I’m there. The people in that area seem hungry for a church of their own.”
“Have you considered filling the position as their pastor?” Pastor Blackstone’s gaze seemed to look beyond the surface.
Tommy stared at the floor. Of course, he had. Many times. He’d like nothing better. So why did he feel so driven to minister to the Indians? Was it from God or his need to remove the resentment toward those who killed his father? Whatever it was, he needed to work through it before he committed to a group of people—and to Rachel.
He lifted his head and met the pastor’s eyes. “Yes, I have. Maybe in two or three months I’ll be able to do that. Will I have your blessing?”
“You certainly will. Pray for God’s will, and I’ll continue to pray for you.” The pastor picked up his broom. “Now, I’d better get this back to my wife and go check on the Jacksons.”
“After I see Rachel, I’ll need help bringing in things from the little girl’s cabin. There’re some valuable furs out there that won’t last long. They could be used for her keep.” Tommy stepped to the door.
The pastor nodded. “Okay, let me know when you return. We’ll take a wagon out and get them.”
Tommy opened the door and paused. “Oh, Pastor. One thing you should know. The little girl I found? Her mother was Indian. She’s only half white.”
He went outside and closed the door on the pastor’s raised eyebrows. Pastor Blackstone would accept the child. He didn’t worry about him. Katie would come around, too. Anyone who met the little girl would fall under her charms. With God’s help, she’d make it fine.
He mounted Midnight and turned toward the Morgan’s farm. It’d been too long since he’d seen Rachel. He blocked any thought of Indians and little girls from his mind until he stopped near the new barn Mr. Morgan and Daniel had finished. After seeing to Midnight’s comfort, Tommy headed to the house.
Rachel opened the door. Her eyes brightened.
He took her hand. “Grab a coat and come outside for a walk.”
“Okay.” She stepped back and he followed her inside.
Susanna ran toward him and grabbed him around the legs. He knelt to give her a warm hug. He loved his little sister, but not the way he did Rachel. Every minute he spent with her made parting that much harder.
He nodded to the rest of the family who still sat at the table. “Looks like I missed dinner.”
Anne glanced at Rachel putting on her coat. “I’ll save some for you unless you’d rather eat now?”
Tommy stood and met Rachel’s eyes. He shook his head. “No, I can wait to eat, hungry as I am. If you don’t mind, Rachel and I are going for a walk first.”
“I want to go, too.” Susanna ran to the back wall where a row of coats hung.
Rachel’s mother caught her before she could pull her coat down. “No, Suzy. Not this time. It’s your turn to help me with the dishes. When Tommy gets back, you can spend some time with him.”
Susanna hung her head, but Tommy heard her mumbled acceptance. “Oh, all right.”
Tommy chuckled and opened the door for Rachel. “Your ma’s good for my ornery little sister.”
Rachel took his arm as they walked away from the house. “Yes, I think she is. I’ve decided Suzy picked a good place to stay. I’ve always liked my parents, anyway.”
Tommy laughed with her. He’d missed her more than he realized. “There’s so much I have to tell you. Let’s find someplace private to talk.”
“All right.” The sparkle in her eyes drew him as a moth to light.
He guided her around the corner of the barn and pulled her into his arms. “Oh, Rachel.” With her name on his lips he lowered his head and met her halfway, letting his worries and cares melt away as her warmth surrounded him.
“I love you, Tommy.” Her soft declaration was as balm to his jangled nerves.
He held her close. “I love you, too. Seems the time between our visits are getting longer. My heart is so burdened today. I had to see you. To ask you to pray for me. I need you, Rachel. You’re like a part of me I can’t live without.”
~*~
“Oh, Tommy.” Rachel’s blinked as moisture filled her eyes. She kept the tears at bay while her heart sang for joy. Tommy loved her and her alone. No one stood between them now. She pulled back and met his gaze. Maybe he would finally stop this foolish waiting and allow them to marry. “I hate it when you ride away. I want to be with you always.”
A veil seemed to slip over Tommy’s face before he looked away. He dropped his arms and turned to lean on the fence Pa and Daniel had started building. He stood looking off toward the forest while a band squeezed Rachel’s heart. What was he thinking?
“Tommy?” She touched his arm.
He seemed to pull away, although she didn’t feel him move.
“Is everything all right?” She took her hand from his arm and stepped back.
“I found a little girl yesterday.” He spoke without looking at her. “She was alone in a cabin with her mother and baby brother who had evidently just died. I buried them and brought her to town. The Jacksons have her now. They want to adopt her.”
&
nbsp; He turned weary-looking eyes toward her. “Rachel, she’s half-Indian.”
Rachel sucked in a breath. In the short time she’d been in Oregon, she’d heard enough to know that many held hard feelings toward Indians. “Hannah has her?”
He nodded.
“But if she wants to adopt her, it’ll be fine.” She stared into his eyes, wanting assurance. “Won’t it?”
“I hope so.” He shrugged. “She’s a sweet, little girl. So independent and smart. Looks about two years old, but she takes care of herself like an older child. Katie didn’t know she was Indian until she saw her clothing.”
“Then why should other people know?” Rachel lifted her chin. “She isn’t to blame for the way her people are. Or the hard feelings that’s between the Indians and the whites.”
A soft smile touched Tommy’s lips. “I hope that’s true. Maybe she’ll pass for white in time as long as word doesn’t get out. I spent a couple of days at the Indian village alone. The ones I’m ministering to are peaceful, at least.”
“How long will you continue to go there?” Rachel held her breath.
He turned away from her again. “I don’t know. My work there isn’t done yet. I wonder if talking to Amorita would help.”
His voice had softened to barely more than a whisper. Rachel leaned closer to catch the last few words then wished she hadn’t. Air rushed from her lungs as she closed her eyes. Amorita again. Did she mean so much to Tommy, he took all his troubles to her? Rachel took another step back. Maybe this girl meant more to him than she did.
Chapter 18
“Suzy, would you like to go visit Nancy?” Rachel set her quilt blocks aside and stood. She felt restless. Tommy’s visit last week had left her with an unfinished feeling. She loved him, but how much more could she take? He was in no hurry to marry and all he wanted to talk about was Amorita. She’d never laid eyes on the girl, but still felt as if she knew her more than she wanted to.
“Yes.” Susanna jumped up from the floor where she’d been keeping warm by the fireplace. She set her book on the table and picked up her doll. “I was reading, but Nancy needs someone big to play with. Norman and Tasha are only babies.”
Home's Promise (Oregon Trail) Page 15