Oregon Discovery

by Rachel Wesson

  “Sneaking off may have saved your lives, Tilly.”

  “Do you really believe they meant to kill all of us?”

  Almanzo didn’t answer. He didn’t know. He could guess but guessing wasn’t going to help anyone. “Don’t get upset. You will feel better when you get back to your friends and hopefully your family.”

  “Maybe,” she sighed but didn’t elaborate. “Thank you for coming for us and for bringing us back safe.”

  “I can’t take the credit. It was Walking Tall who did most of the negotiating.”

  “He is a fine man.” She opened her mouth to say something else but closed it again.

  “For an Indian?” Almanzo prompted.

  “I didn’t mean it that way. Not everyone shares the same values, Mr. Price.”

  “Don’t call me that,” his aggressive tone made her eyes widen. He immediately corrected himself. She didn’t know his history so couldn’t understand why he never wanted to be called Price again. “My name is Almanzo. I thought you said they were savages.”

  “Any man who abducts a woman is a savage regardless of their color. I didn’t mean they were savages because they had red skin but because they had me bound like a dog.”

  Almanzo laughed at the indignant expression on her face.

  “What are you laughing at?” she challenged, fire spitting out of her eyes.

  “I think your hands were bound for their safety. Don’t you?” he looked at her and saw she was fighting a smile. “Go on, smile. It won’t break your face in two.”

  “You are a horrid man.”

  “I think you like me.”

  “Are you flirting with me Mr. … Almanzo.”

  “I guess I am but I shouldn’t. You are an engaged woman. I apologize,” Almanzo said but actually, he wasn’t sorry. Not one little bit. There was something about this woman that intrigued him. As soon as he was near her, his senses swam. He wanted to touch her, make her laugh, kiss her…

  “Don’t. Please.” Her words interrupted his train of thought, which given the direction of his thoughts was a good thing.

  At the look on her face, he didn’t think she meant don’t flirt. She didn’t want him to mention her fiancé. Why? Was she worried he had died? Was it too painful to think of him? It would be completely understandable but somehow he got the impression she had another reason for her reluctance to talk about her fiancé. What was she trying to say?

  “I better get back to Fiona. She doesn’t like to be left alone for long. Goodnight Mr. Almanzo.”

  “Goodnight Miss Tilly,” he responded but the atmosphere between them had changed. It was no longer just teasing. Something else hung in the air but neither of them wanted to acknowledge it. His heart was bruised from finding his mother and sister but what was her story?

  Tilly Masterson walked slowly back to where Fiona was waiting, thanking God again her friend had survived. She couldn’t bear to lose Fiona.

  Fiona had no family either. She was a foundling. Nobody knew who her parents were. The orphanage had trained her for domestic service. Her mother had engaged her when Fiona turned fourteen. She had worked in the kitchen with Cook who was a hard taskmaster but a human being. She turned a blind eye to Tilly’s visits with Fiona. The two girls had become firm friends being of a similar age and both lonely. Tilly’s father decided to move to Portland thinking his political ambitions would be easier to achieve. Cook wanted to stay in San Francisco but Tilly had talked Fiona into coming with the family. She believed Fiona would have a chance of a better future out here. Look how well those plans had turned out.

  “You were gone a long time,” Fiona accused when Tilly slipped into the bedroll beside her.

  “I was talking to Almanzo. I thought you were asleep.”

  “I was but then I heard an owl or something. I woke up. You were gone. I thought you might be in trouble. Again.”

  Tilly tried to curb her impatience. Fiona had been through a lot.

  “As you can see, I am safe. I just needed a walk to clear my head,” Tilly replied trying her best to keep the impatience from her tone.

  “Were you thinking of Master Richard?”

  Tilly shuddered. Richard had insisted Fiona call him Master. He didn’t like the serving girl for reasons Tilly couldn’t understand. The Irish girl may be whining now but usually she was a ray of sunshine. She smiled at everyone and seemed to think every day she woke up was a blessing. Richard said she was a brainless fool.

  “I was wondering who would be there to meet us,” Tilly explained.

  “You mean who survived? Do you think they would prefer we died?” Fiona whispered the question Tilly had been asking herself all day. What could she answer? She didn’t want to lie but she wasn’t going to upset Fiona further. She decided to pretend to be asleep. It was the coward’s way out but easier than admitting Richard would prefer her dead. She had listened to him talking about other cases of women who were rescued from the Indians. His view was the rescuers should have left them with the Indians. No respectable woman would allow herself be held captive. She was darn sure he wouldn’t consider her wife material now but instead of being upset, she felt rather liberated. Closing her eyes, it wasn’t Richard’s face she saw but that of a boy reunited with his mother.

  The next morning when they woke, they found Walking Tall and Almanzo in deep conversation.

  “I will take you ladies into Portland. Our white friends will meet us there,” Almanzo said.

  “Where are Walking Tall and the other Braves going?” Tilly asked.

  “They are not safe in Portland. They will go to their Chief and tell him what has happened.”

  Tilly nodded to confirm she understood. Then she turned to Walking Tall. “Thank you and your friends for coming to our rescue. We are forever grateful to you. Aren't we Fiona?”

  Fiona nodded shyly, her gaze on the floor. Walking Tall took a couple of steps toward Fiona before placing a finger under her chin making her stare at him.

  “You have kind heart and pretty face. Do not look at the floor but at the sky. Thank your God for saving you,” Walking Tall smiled as Fiona stared at him, her mouth hanging open. “He must have great plans for your future.”

  “For me?” Fiona stammered.

  “For both of you. You and Fire Daughter,” Walking Tall said before laughing at the murderous expression on Tilly’s face.

  “Don’t call me that name.”

  “Why? If I do, you will burn me with your temper?” Walking Tall answered Tilly.

  Tilly looked as if she would explode. Almanzo decided it was time to intervene.

  “Miss Tilly, Walking Tall only teases those he considers friends,” Almanzo said. “It’s an honor.”

  “Hmph.” Her expression told everyone what she thought of the honor. Almanzo grinned at Walking Tall knowing the Indian brave would now go out of his way to tease his new friend.

  “It is time to leave. We will meet again soon.” Walking Tall jumped onto his horse and headed off toward Scott’s ranch.

  Almanzo and the women watched the Indians as they rode off. They waited until they could no longer see them.

  “Are we ready?” Almanzo asked noticing Fiona had caught hold of Tilly’s hand.

  “Yes. We are,” Tilly confirmed in a voice slightly less confident than her words. He helped her mount his horse. He was riding a spare one Walking Tall had brought with them. Fiona traveled behind him, her arms holding tight around his waist. He knew she was scared but was impressed she didn’t complain.

  They rode into town in silence. Almanzo praying his family and friends would be waiting for them and not Harvey’s gang. He wondered briefly whether Tilly was praying her fiancé would be waiting for them.

  Chapter 21

  Portland

  There was a large crowd waiting around the sheriff's office. A shout went up as they rode into town with a few people running toward them. Almanzo recognized Jo, Becky, and Eva. He looked around but couldn’t see their husbands although he
knew they wouldn’t be far away. With Harvey and other undesirables in town, Scott, David, and Rick wouldn’t leave their wives alone for long.

  He dismounted and helped Fiona down from the horse. He helped Tilly down too, his arms holding her for a fraction of a second longer than necessary. One of the men took hold of the horses.

  “Almanzo, thank God. We didn’t know what to think when you didn’t come home.” Jo threw her arms around him.

  “Jo, I am fine. But the women need some assistance,” he peeled her arms off him. Seeing her tear-filled eyes made him choke. He knew how much she loved him. How would she react to the news he had?

  Eva took Tilly’s hand and Becky put her arm around Fiona’s shoulders.

  “Excuse me, ladies, only Almanzo is my eldest son. I couldn’t sleep for worrying about him.”

  Almanzo caught the rise of Tilly’s eyebrows at Jo’s comment but he didn’t say anything. Jo was still speaking. “I am so selfish. You both must be exhausted.”

  “We need a bath. I imagine we don’t smell too good,” Tilly said shyly.

  He couldn’t believe his eyes. Was this the same girl who had fought off the Indians she believed to be attacking her? She seemed so… demure.

  “Matilda Masterson. What is the meaning of this? How dare you just ride back into town as if nothing had happened?” An older but distinguished looking man said. “And who is this? You shouldn’t be riding alone without an escort.”

  Everyone including Almanzo stared at the stranger who was shouting at Tilly.

  “Richard,” Tilly answered coldly. “You survived.”

  This was her fiancé? He looked old enough to be her father, maybe even her grandfather.

  “Survived? Barely. I had to walk to the nearest town. By the time I arrived I was half dead. Out of my mind with worry about your fate and sorrow over your father.

  “Father? Is he…dead?” Tilly asked.

  “You were there when it happened. Didn’t you see for yourself?” Richard’s tone was dismissive.

  Almanzo flexed his hands trying to keep his temper from rising. How would her fiancé know she had seen her father die? But before he could question that, Becky had seen and heard enough. Despite her pregnancy, she obviously felt the man needed teaching a lesson.

  “I don’t know who you are or how you are related to these young women but you should be ashamed of yourself. They have been through a horrible ordeal and here you are berating Miss Masterson in the middle of the street,” Becky’s tone would have cut through iron. The man flushed but not with shame. He was clearly angry.

  “I don't see it is any of your business Miss…” his sneering contempt was evident for everyone to see, calling her a miss when her pregnancy was obvious. Almanzo almost chuckled waiting for Becky to put him back in his place. Before she got a chance, Scott stepped forward.

  “That Miss you are treating rudely is my wife. Mrs. Rebecca Jones.” Richard’s eyes widened as Scott stood to face him, his hand resting on the gun in his belt. Almanzo had never known Scott to draw on anyone, but Richard being a stranger, wasn’t to know that.

  “Please keep your missus under control,” the man spat back although he took a step backward.

  There was an audible gasp behind him. Almanzo watched Tilly’s face as she squirmed in embarrassment. How could a woman like her be engaged to this …?

  “He doesn’t control me you arrogant old fool. I don’t know who you are or where you come from but in this town married folk work together, side by side. Now excuse me but I have better things to do than to stand here talking to a brainless twit.” Becky turned so fast her skirts twirled causing some dust to rise in Richard’s face.

  “Ladies please follow me. My friend, Mrs. Newland, is heating up some water as we speak. Some bags from the abandoned wagon train arrived in town. If they don’t hold any of your clothes, we can buy new ones from the store. You need a bath, a good hot meal, and a nice rest before you should deal with any inquiries. From anyone regardless of who they believe themselves to be,” Becky threw the last remark in Richard’s direction before she led the ladies away.

  Three or four other women from the town fell in behind Becky as they closed ranks protectively around the two women. They escorted them to the Newlands store leaving Richard and the other men staring in their wake.

  Almanzo saw a couple of the other townswomen staring after Tilly and Fiona. Mrs. Nolan and Mrs. Roberts being two he recognized. He didn’t like the expressions on their face. They seemed to be frowning. Were they upset at Richard’s treatment of his fiancé or was it more they were annoyed about the women surviving? He couldn’t help thinking of the stories in the papers, where female captives of Indians had been treated badly by their own communities after being rescued. His attention was diverted by Scott.

  Richard took a step forward at which point Scott drawled. “I wouldn't do that if I were you. You haven't seen my wife’s full temper and she is mighty handy with a gun. Ain’t she fellas?”

  A couple of other local men who admired Becky for the upstanding person she was answered in the affirmative. Richard stared at Scott for a couple of minutes before dismissing him as you would something you trod on.

  “Sheriff, are you not in charge in this town? I demand to speak to my fiancé.”

  “Listen, fella, I don’t know how you do things where you come from. But here we treat our women folk with respect. Leave your fiancé alone. She will be well cared for by Mrs. Jones and her friends.” Sheriff Rodgers glared at Richard before turning his attention to Almanzo. “I figure you got something to tell us, son.”

  “Yes, Sir. We got trouble brewing.”

  “Was thinking it was something like that. Never a dull moment with you folks is there?” The sheriff’s eyes twinkled showing he was joking although concerned. “Why don’t we go to my office and you can fill me in on what's happening,” Sheriff Rodgers said. “Deputy Davitt, please escort this individual to the hotel and get him some strong coffee.”

  The deputy moved to Richard’s side to escort him to the hotel.

  “I want to hear what the boy has to say.” Richard’s contemptuous tone was accompanied by a sneer.

  “I ain’t no boy, Mister. After your behavior, I reckon I am more of a man than you ever were,” Almanzo replied shortly.

  Scott clapped him on the back and pushed him toward the sheriff's office before Richard could respond.

  “See you did some growing up in the last few days,” Scott murmured as they walked up the street.

  “Where’s Rick?” Almanzo asked.

  Scott’s expression changed. “He’s not good son. The doctor told him to rest. He came into town but he is resting up at the doctor’s office. He can’t wait to see you but he knows you got to tell the sheriff what is going on first.”

  “Yes, sir.” Almanzo walked to the Sheriff’s office followed by a crowd of townsfolk who, eager to hear the news, spilled into the office including the empty cells. Those who couldn’t fit, waited outside for their friends to fill them in on what was happening.

  Chapter 22

  Almanzo outlined the events of the previous three days making sure everyone listening knew it was white men who attacked Tilly’s train not Indians. He didn’t mention Tilly being bound but told them the Indians had rescued the women and treated them very well. He emphasized the fact that the women were kept with the Indian maidens so didn’t come to any harm. He could see some expressions of disbelief but he hoped most believed him. For Tilly and Fiona’s sake as much as his new Indian friends. He didn’t mention his ma. That story was for his family and friends first. Then he would tell the sheriff but the whole town had no need to know.

  “Where are Harvey and his friends?” Almanzo asked. “Miss Masterson and her friend believe they would be able to identify the men who attacked their train,” Almanzo stated.

  “Almanzo Price, you cannot accuse Mr. Harvey of committing this crime without proof,” Mr. Bradley commented loudly.

  �
��Why not? He told everyone it was Indians. In fact, he suggested it was Paco’s tribe and they have done nothing but help the people around here.” Almanzo stared Mr. Bradley down until the older man looked away. He more than most knew how much Paco had done for their wagon train. Almanzo looked around before he continued, “He must have some reason for wanting to deflect the blame onto someone innocent.” Almanzo knew he was treading on dangerous ground as Harvey’s family had a lot of influence in Portland. The murmuring around the crowd buzzed but Almanzo couldn’t tell if they were against Harvey or annoyed with him and the women. A few of the people he recognized were not fans of Harvey making him feel a little bit better. But Harvey missing something as big as this made him uneasy. Usually, where there was trouble, Harvey was in the middle of things stirring it up. The fact he was missing suggested he was otherwise engaged, something that usually meant bad news for the Indians and other vulnerable members of their town. He shifted from one foot to the other, impatient to leave.

  The crowd grew louder, making Almanzo uneasy. Sheriff Rodgers must have felt the situation was becoming dangerous as he coughed loudly and when that didn’t work, he rapped his knuckles on his desk and shouted at everyone to be quiet.

  “I will go speak to Harvey. I think you should go check on your pa. Rick Hughes is at the doctor’s clinic.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff. “

  “Don’t leave town without speaking to me first, son.”

  “Are you saying I am in trouble sheriff?” Almanzo asked.

  “Not at all but you are another potential witness. I don’t want to have to go searching for you. Your ma and her sisters will skin me alive.”

  Relieved, Almanzo grinned at the sheriff before Scott nudged him. They headed toward the doctors. “What did the doc say was wrong with Rick?” Almanzo asked.

  “Something to do with his heart.”

  Almanzo’s stomach roiled. Rick was only in his thirties. How could he be so sick?