For the next ten or fifteen minutes, the two women surveyed the articles. They found all kinds of things, but none seemed useful for life on the trail. She’d about given up when she heard Sarah gasp.
Joe ran to his mother’s side, probably fearing his mother was in some kind of danger. “Ma! You all right?”
“I’m fine, Joe.” She smiled fondly at her caring son and then waved to Cora. In a loud whisper, she ordered, “Come see what I found.”
Seeing his mother was fine, Joe started to turn away. He took two steps before Sarah hissed, “Joseph, stay here. We’re going to need your help.” She looked about as if to see if anyone else had noticed her excitement.
Cora came up behind the other woman and tiptoed to look over her shoulder. A large chest rested in front of Sarah, sitting atop another large chest. “What do you think is in it?”
Joe answered, “Probably junk.”
Sarah shook her head. She pulled the chest open. “Look!” Excitement filled her voice.
Cora’s heart jumped when she saw the bags of flour, sugar, salt and other foodstuffs.
Joe whistled low. “I’ll go get Flynn to help me get it back to the wagon train.”
Sarah whispered loudly, “Don’t make a big deal out of this. Just tell Flynn that Cora needs him.”
The boy nodded, then ran through the muddy water toward the fort and Flynn.
“That boy is going to ruin those boots.” Sarah shook her head, but a proud smile graced her lips.
“What else do you think is in the box?” Cora asked, praying for dried fruit and honey. She wanted so badly to make a pie for Flynn and the baby. Her cooking skills were really good now and she’d love to test her campfire baking skills. She smiled at the thought. Sarah had been right weeks ago when she’d said they’d get used to the trail way of life.
Sarah turned around and sat on the trunk. “No idea, but I’m wondering what is in the chest below it, too.”
Cora’s gaze moved to the trunk in question. “More food?” she suggested.
“Maybe—or fabric, or books, or perhaps clothes. It must be something they didn’t want to get wet or ruined.” Sarah grinned. “Whatever it is, they thought it was valuable. They had that canvas over the top and then that was covered by those boards. I was looking for another board to lay down when I picked it up, and I saw the canvas and wondered what it was covering.”
Cora felt her own excitement building, reminding her of being a kid at Christmas. She and Sarah tried to act normal as other people passed by going into the fort. Cora waved at Sarah’s sister Abigail as she approached with her husband. She could tell that Abigail wanted to come over, but her husband said something to her, and instead of joining them, she waved as they passed by.
Flynn walked up holding Noah, with Joe grinning beside him. “I hear you ladies would like to move that old chest back to the wagons.”
“You didn’t tell him what’s in the trunk?” Sarah asked her son.
Joe rocked on his heels, his eyes twinkling. “Nope. Thought it might be a nice surprise.”
Sarah stood and motioned for Cora to join her husband. She followed, making sure to stay on the board. “Go see for yourself,” Cora told him.
He handed the baby to Cora. “Looks like an old trunk to me,” Flynn said as he made his way across the board.
Cora bounced Noah in her arms. The baby must have sensed her joy, because he squealed his own happiness.
Flynn still looked doubtful. Dark clouds covered the sun, threatening more rain. More than likely Flynn wanted to get back inside the fort before they all got wet.
He lifted the lid and his eyes grew round. A big smile spread across his face, revealing even white teeth. Flynn quickly dropped the lid back into place and said, “Come on, Joe. Let’s get this old trunk back to the wagon.”
“Yes, sir.” Joe beamed like a possum eating his favorite fruit as he hurried to help Flynn.
They lifted the chest and proceeded back across the board. “Which wagon do you want us to take this to?” Flynn grunted.
Sarah answered, “Yours. We have plenty of that stuff in ours. Hurry back. We might need that other trunk carried, too.”
Cora marveled at the way Sarah took charge. She’d seen schoolteachers boss their students around like that but never men, not even half-grown men. Cora realized Sarah was already heading back to see what was in chest number two. She hastened after her across the boards.
Her friend was bent over, holding the lid up with one hand and digging in the box with the other. When she heard Cora approach, she said, “This one has clothes, books and spices inside. Do you want any of this?”
“Of course. Do you think the clothes will fit me or the baby?”
Sarah smiled. “Only one way to find out. Let’s take it to the wagon.” She picked up one end of the box but then seemed to remember that Cora was holding Noah. “I guess we’d better wait for Flynn and Joe.” Sarah turned around and sat on the trunk.
“Did you say there are books in there?” Cora asked as she rocked the baby, who was close to his usual nap time. “I’ve missed my books.”
Sarah smiled. “Yes. I think Martha might be able to use a couple of them to teach the kids. I didn’t get a good look at all of them, so there might even be some storybooks. I’m sure the men won’t let us take them all.” She added the last bit as if to warn Cora not to get her hopes up.
“Our wagon isn’t that full. I might be able to talk Flynn into letting me keep them,” Cora answered just as Flynn returned.
“What are you wanting to take?” He stood with one hand on his hip and the other on his gun holster.
Cora offered him what she hoped was a pleasing smile. “The chest Sarah is sitting on.”
Cora walked down the board and smiled. “It has spices in it.”
His eyes lit up.
So far, Cora had been using what little salt they had sparingly. She didn’t want to run out and they had no other spices for her to season their meals with. Cora knew he wouldn’t pass up something that might improve her cooking.
Joe groaned his frustration at the need to haul another trunk rather than going to explore the fort. He looked to the sky. “It looks like it might rain any moment.”
Flynn slapped him on the back. “Then what are we waiting for? We need to hurry if we want to beat the rain.”
Cora grinned. “Thank you.” She patted Flynn on the arm before heading back to the wagon train.
A moment later, she almost laughed out loud when she heard Flynn call to Joe. “Come on, Joe. Put your back into it, and let’s get this back to my wagon.”
Sarah caught up to her and grinned. “You have that man right where you want him, don’t you?”
It wasn’t a question that needed an answer, so Cora simply hugged Noah’s sleeping body to her and smiled. “Well, it does have spices.”
She heard Joe grunt and ask Flynn as they passed by, “How many spices are in this box?”
She and Sarah broke into giggles.
* * *
Flynn looked to Cora, and catching her eye, he winked as they passed. He enjoyed the rich color that entered her cheeks at his bold action. The sweet sound of her giggle warmed his heart.
Joe tugged forward on his end of the chest. “Flynn, this box weighs a ton. Do you think we could get it to the wagon today?”
He laughed. “Sorry, I got distracted.” Flynn continued with Joe to the wagon. Cora was a pleasant distraction. Over the course of their travels, he’d grown fond of her. She was kind, generous and hardworking, and she never complained when he asked for her help, even when it meant getting her dress covered in mud as she helped push the wagon through the rain-drenched ruts of the other wagons. She was a wife any man would be proud of.
They placed the trunk beside the first one and opened the lid. Spice bottles nestled in an u
ncovered smaller box on top of books that took up half the space. On the other side of the chest were neatly folded clothes.
Joe sighed. “Books. I should’ve known Ma would find books in all that stuff.”
The women arrived and Flynn stepped back. He really wanted to get back to the fort and the men he’d been chatting with earlier. They were talking about the trail ahead and what could be expected.
Not only had that been of interest to him, but his hope was to figure out who was the most informed on the comings and goings at the fort. That man might know if his killer had already passed through or not. Even though the sheriff had been sure he was on their wagon train, Flynn wasn’t. The man could have departed from Independence before the train left. Flynn couldn’t afford to ignore any possibility.
He glanced at Joe, who looked longingly at the fort. Flynn grinned as he said, “Ladies, if you are done with us, Joe and I would like to get back to the fort.”
Sarah waved them away, and Flynn watched as Joe made a run for the fort. He assumed Joe had agreed to meet up with Ruby. That boy was smitten with the girl, and they’d been seen several times walking by the river in the evenings.
“Would you come get me in an hour?” Cora asked Flynn. “Noah will probably be awake by then and I’d like for us to get a few supplies.” She slipped the sling over her head and cradled Noah close.
“I’ll be happy to.” He reached inside the wagon and quickly spread a quilt out for the baby. When he was satisfied Noah would be comfortable, Flynn moved to let her lay him down, but Cora handed Noah to Flynn instead.
“Thank you. It’s easier for you to lay him down.” She offered him a sweet smile and then hurried to see what Sarah was pulling from the last trunk they had carried over.
Flynn doubted Cora even noticed when he walked away and headed to the fort.
Chapter Ten
Later that night, after taking Cora and the baby with all their new supplies back to the wagon, Flynn returned to the fort for the last time. He’d not learned much earlier and felt discouraged. He’d met lots of soldiers, Indians, travelers and trappers, but few matched the physical description of the man he was looking for, and none of them seemed like the killing type.
Dusk descended and he knew he’d have to retire to the wagon train soon. Flynn walked back to the trading post he’d visited earlier with Cora. She had liked a bracelet there but had said it was too expensive. Even so, he had watched her admire the bracelet again right before they’d left.
He walked up to the counter and looked through the glass top. The dark brown leather bracelet was still there. He saw that it had a brass heart insert with a vine etched in the brass metal.
“Can I show you something in there?” the owner asked, stepping up to the counter.
Flynn nodded toward the jewelry. “I’d like to get a closer look at that bracelet.”
The man reached inside and pulled it out. “Your wife seemed to really like this piece.” He handed it over.
“She did.” Flynn ran his finger over the metal. He wanted to make sure there were no sharp spots in the brass.
“I can scratch her name or anything else you want in that, if you’d like.”
Flynn looked at the man. He didn’t look like a master engraver to him, and Flynn wasn’t sure that whatever the shopkeeper wrote on the metal would be pretty. No, Flynn decided he would pass on that service. He looked at the price and frowned. Cora was right to say it was expensive.
Thankfully, he had quite a bit of money tucked away in the hidden compartment of his wagon. He had visited the bank right before leaving, making sure he would have plenty of money to get home with after reaching Oregon.
Half an hour later, Flynn walked out of the shop a little poorer but happy to know he would soon see a different kind of smile on Cora’s face. Night had descended and Flynn waited just outside the door for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.
He leaned against the wall and watched as other men hurried about their evening chores. He knew he should get back to the wagon train. Cora would have the evening meal ready and waiting for him. Pushing away from the wall, Flynn started walking toward the main gates. He noticed a shadow move between two of the buildings. Careful not to be noticed, Flynn stepped onto the porch of the nearest building and melted into the shadows.
He watched as Doc finally emerged from the buildings. What had he been doing, skulking around in an alley? Flynn looked at the two buildings and then realized that Doc had come from between the blacksmith shop and the livery. But why? What could he need from either of those shops?
Flynn followed Doc out the huge gates of the fort, then caught up with him. “Good evening, Doc. How did you enjoy the fort?”
Doc almost dropped the cigar box from under his arm. He seemed to compose himself swiftly, though. “It was nice. I had my first good meal in weeks.” He pulled a cigar from his coat pocket. “Care for one?”
“No, thanks.” Flynn watched Doc’s eyes as the flame from his match lit up his face.
The doctor puffed heavily on the cigar. “Aw, I know they are bad for my lungs, but I needed this one.” He laughed. “I’m sure a nonsmoking man wouldn’t understand.”
Sweet smoke drifted down on them. Flynn had seen other men smoke cigars but had never been tempted to do so himself. They walked slowly to the wagons.
Doc glanced sideways at him. “You were at the fort kind of late.”
Flynn nodded. “So were you.”
The doctor stopped and studied the end of his cigar. “I was. I have spent the whole day debating if I should buy this box of smokes. I finally gave in. The blacksmith is privately selling them, so I had to go to the side entrance to avoid notice. He doesn’t want anyone to know.” He stopped and took another puff from the cigar. “You know, like the trading post owner.”
That didn’t make a lot of sense. Each establishment in the fort was allowed to buy and sell goods at their leisure. He frowned. “Why would the trading post owner care if the blacksmith is selling cigars?”
Doc shrugged. “I got the impression the two men aren’t friends and the trader doesn’t like competition, but who knows.” He took one last puff of his cigar, then used his boot heel to rub the burning end off before tucking the remains in his front pocket.
“How’s it going in the Clarkson wagon?” Flynn asked as they both turned to go back to the wagons.
“Good. Mrs. Clarkson isn’t as all fired up as she was when we started out. I think she’s lonely but hasn’t shown how she feels to the other women. Harold is a worrier. I fear that man is going to have a heart attack before we get to Oregon, with the way he fusses about.”
Harold hadn’t struck Flynn as a worrier. He liked things done his way, but when shown a better option, Harold had always given in. Flynn didn’t think worry was a character flaw of the older man, but then again, he didn’t live in the same wagon camp with him, either. “I noticed Harold moved closer to the end of the train, even though it wasn’t rotation time yet. Any idea why?” Flynn stopped again.
“Yep. The missus is always one of the last ladies to get her camp broke down and everything put away. Samuel came by and told us we would have to be at the tail of the wagon if we couldn’t get started faster.”
Later, as he made his way to his own wagon, Flynn thanked the Lord that Cora wasn’t lazy. She got up early every morning and had breakfast going, sometimes before the rifles were shot off to wake camp. During the day, she searched for dry wood as they walked, so they were never without kindling to start their fires. Since she had learned how to cook over an open flame, Cora often made biscuits. Thanks to her hanging a bucket with the remaining morning milk on the side of the wagon, they always had a little butter in the evenings. He felt blessed to have her as a wife instead of the Clarkson woman.
Flynn smiled when he saw her beside their fire, baby Noah on her hip sucking his fingers. The
thought that this was a temporary family saddened him a little. He’d grown fond of Cora and the baby. They still had several more months of traveling together. When it was over, would he be able to leave his new family? Maybe he shouldn’t continue acting as if this was a real marriage and they were a real family. Something about that thought tore at his heart.
* * *
Over the next few days, Cora realized that something was bothering Flynn. He came back for supper later and later each day, and today he hadn’t come back at all. Plus, he had quit taking the baby with him and said very little as he ate his meals. She sighed heavily.
Joe looked up from his seat across. “Something bothering you, Mrs. Adams?”
More often than not, Joe had begun to eat his meals with her, instead of her husband. The growing boy was always hungry. She offered him what she hoped was a pleasing smile. “Not really. I just wondered when Flynn would be coming back tonight.”
“Oh, he must have forgotten to tell you that he’s on guard duty again tonight.” Joe scraped the rest of his food from his plate and into his mouth before handing the dirty dish to her. “Thanks for dinner. I’m going to go check on the oxen. I’ll be back shortly.”
“You’re welcome.” Cora watched the young man head off toward the riverbank. She suspected he was in a hurry to meet Ruby. Sarah had commented that if she wanted to find her boy, all she had to do was head toward Ruby’s family’s wagon.
Cora began gathering up the dirty dishes and putting them into the washtub. Noah was already sleeping. She planned on reading the book The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. She’d been pleased to see that there were enough novels in the trunk they’d gotten at the fort to keep her reading all the way to Oregon. The Woman in White looked interesting, as if it contained a mystery.
“Mrs. Adams.”
Cora recognized the heavy Irish accent. Even though she hadn’t heard it in weeks, she knew Mrs. Clarkson stood behind her. She turned slowly to look at the other woman. Sad green eyes looked back at her. “Hello, Mrs. Clarkson. Would you like a cup of coffee?” She motioned for the other woman to join her by the cooking fire.
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