He spotted Daniel and the Schultz woman coming back from the river. The little mule followed them. The boy smiled at something she said, and his grin grew when he saw Gordon.
Daniel ran to meet him. “Reverend! Miss Polly said she might be able to get me on the wagon train with you all.”
“She did?” Why had she told Daniel such a thing? Why would she build his hopes and then have them dashed on the morrow?
“Yep, but I’ll have to work hard because the family she has in mind needs help taking care of their team and the other stock they have with them. Isn’t that right, Miss Polly?” Daniel turned toward Miss Schultz.
“That’s right, Daniel, but I can’t promise you that the Smiths will let you come. I’ll have to ask them.” She came to stand beside them. Her hazel eyes looked into Gordon’s, and a light pink filled her cheeks.
“Isn’t that great, Reverend?” Daniel beamed up at him.
“It is, son. Why don’t you run on ahead? I’d like to talk to Miss Polly in private.” He placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder and silently prayed he would not be too bitterly disappointed.
“All right. I’ll go pack. The Smiths might want me to come to the wagon tonight, and I want to be ready.”
Before Gordon could answer, Daniel ran toward the fort.
Fury built in Gordon’s chest at the woman. Didn’t she realize how crushed the boy would be if this Smith family turned him down? Words forced their way between his clenched teeth. “Woman! Have you lost your mind?”
“No, I believe it is still here.” She raised her head and continued walking.
“How could you make such a promise to that boy? He has been through so much already, and for you to build his hopes up, without knowing what the Smiths will say, is just cruel.” Gordon felt the rise of heat in his face and clenched his teeth to stop the anger that would soon spew all over the inconsiderate woman if he didn’t get control of himself.
She spun on her heels and punched a finger into his chest. “Now you see here, Reverend. I did not build up the boy’s hopes. We talked at length about this, and I can assure you, I did not make any promises.” She poked him again before pressing on. “But, for good measure, I know for a fact that Daniel will be welcome in the Smiths’ wagon. I just need to talk to the family and tell them his story.” She stepped back and placed her hands on her hips. The color in her cheeks flamed. Dark-brown hair with auburn highlights escaped the confines of her bonnet. “And furthermore, that little boy loves you, and his only desire is to go with you to Oregon. So don’t judge me. You are the one who is going to leave him behind like an overused shoe.” With that, Polly Schultz turned around and stomped off to the wagon train. Her little mule hurried after her.
Gordon stood perfectly still. Her finger had branded his chest when she’d touched him. Her forthrightness had prevented him from any speech, and her anger could burn a hole through the toughest metal. That was one irate woman. He hated to admit to himself that she was right. He’d have to apologize to her.
He exhaled and followed Daniel into the fort. How would he take care of Daniel once they’d made it to Oregon? He figured he’d have to cross that mountain when he came to it. Gordon found the wagon master and let him know that Daniel would be traveling with him. He then went to the store to purchase more food supplies.
An hour later, Gordon found Daniel sitting on his small cot sorting through his few belongings. The boy smiled when he saw Gordon standing in the doorway. “I was just trying to decide if I’ll have room for my slingshot in the Smiths’ wagon.”
“I don’t think so, son.” Gordon sat down beside him. “But there is plenty of room in mine, if you’d still be interested in riding with me.”
Gordon felt a tug at his heart as the boy turned hopeful eyes on him.
His voice quivered. “Ya mean it?”
Gordon stood. “I do.”
Daniel jumped up and hugged him tight around the waist. Sobs shook his young shoulders.
Until that moment, Gordon hadn’t realized how much this trip meant to the boy. He gently pulled him away and knelt down in front of him. He pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped Daniel’s face. “Here, blow.” When Daniel did as he was told, Gordon continued, “I’m not your father, and I would never pretend I am, but on this trip you have to listen to what I say and do as I ask. Can you do that?”
Daniel nodded. “Yes sir.”
“And that’s another thing. I’ll no longer have you calling me Reverend; that’s too formal.” Gordon rubbed his chin. Would it be all right for the boy to simply call him Gordon?
Daniel mimicked his actions. “Miss Polly told me her mama died and now she has a Mamadele. Maybe I could call you Papa Gordon?”
Gordon pretended to be in deep thought. He stroked his chin and looked heavenward. “Hmm, Papa Gordon.” He lowered his head and looked the boy straight in the eyes. “Kind of has a nice ring to it, at that. Are you sure that’s what you want to call me?”
Daniel nodded and said, “Papa Gordon sounds right to me.”
“Then Papa Gordon it is.” Gordon stood and dusted off the knees of his pants. “Come along, Daniel. You can help me finish loading the wagon.”
As Daniel gathered up his pillow, blanket, bag of clothes, and slingshot, Gordon’s thoughts turned to Miss Polly. What was she going to say when she learned that he was now a papa?
Chapter 4
Polly stomped back to the wagon train. What was it about that man that set her on edge and caused her to lose her temper like that? His tone, and the way he acted all high and mighty. She shoved her bonnet back on and tied the stings as she walked.
Would he do as she suggested and take the boy on? Or should she approach Mrs. Smith about Daniel riding with them?
“Did you have a nice walk, Miss Schultz?”
She’d forgotten all about Mark and Beulah. She was thankful the little mule trailed along behind her. “Yes, I did. Thank you.”
He picked up the rope that hung limply around Beulah’s neck and took it off before turning her into the corral. “Miss Schultz, may I ask you a question?”
Polly dreaded to hear his next words. She nodded and tried to think of a way to nicely let him down.
“As you know, there isn’t a doctor on the wagon train, and my sister is with child.” He took a deep breath and continued, “We were wondering, would you be a midwife to her?” Again he paused. “Like you are to Mrs. Bentz.”
Polly swallowed hard. So he wasn’t interested in her as a woman but as a midwife. Hadn’t Mamadele always said that being a midwife came before everything else? She looked down at her shoes to hide her disappointment. Not that she would have allowed him to court her, but it would have been nice if he’d at least been interested.
He cleared his throat.
When she looked up, Polly saw that his neck and cheeks were red. “I’d have to talk to your sister about it, Mr. Calhoun. If she wants to talk to me, I’ll be in my tent.”
“Thank you, Miss Schultz. I’ll tell her.”
Polly nodded and then turned to go. She looked toward the fort and sighed. Did she want to take on another mother? She wasn’t sure she could do the right thing by Mrs. Bentz if she took on another mother. Lord, please give me wisdom as I decide what to do.
She made her way to the Smiths’ wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were sitting beside their campfire. “May I join you?” She stopped on the edge of their camp.
Mrs. Smith waved for her to join them. “Please, do come on over. I just put a fresh pot of coffee on.”
Sadness from the loss of her son still lingered in the woman’s eyes. Polly wondered if asking them to take Daniel would be too hard on her. But then again, maybe the boy was just what the couple needed. She prayed silently as she sat down.
“What brings you our way?” Mr. Smith asked. He picked up his pocketknife and began whittling on a small piece of wood.
Mrs. Smith handed a tin cup to Polly, and she took a sip before answering. �
�A ten-year-old named Daniel.”
Mr. Smith grunted. “What about him?”
“Mr. Smith, don’t be rude,” Mrs. Smith reprimanded softly. She turned an interested gaze on Polly. “Please go on, Miss Schultz.”
“Daniel would like to go to Oregon with the wagon train. He’s waiting for the reverend to decide if he will bring him along with him, but if the reverend decides he can’t, I was wondering if he might travel with you?” Polly felt as if she were out of air, she’d talked so fast.
The couple exchanged looks. Mrs. Smith’s eyes held hope. Mr. Smith’s were filled with sorrow.
He lowered his knife. “Now, Harriet, you know we can’t take on the lad.”
“Why not? He could help you with the team and the cows.” She poured fresh coffee into his mug.
Polly took another sip of her coffee. She prayed that they’d take the boy. It hadn’t occurred to her that Mr. Smith would refuse.
He shook his head. “That’s true, but he’ll never replace our boy.”
Mrs. Smith’s eyes filled with tears. “No, but we have both been so lonesome. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the lad around during the day?”
Mr. Smith turned to face Polly. “Where’s he gonna sleep?”
She sat up straighter. “I had thought he could stay with you, in your wagon.” Polly knew Daniel could sleep under the wagon, but she hated the thought of him sleeping there alone at night. Even though he was ten years old, Daniel seemed small for his age.
Mr. Smith spit on the ground to show his disapproval. “I’ll not have a half-grown boy sleeping in our wagon with us.”
“If I can find him another place to sleep, would you be willing to keep an eye on him during the day?” Polly asked.
He nodded. “We’ll feed him breakfast and lunch, but someone else will need to feed him supper.” He sliced off another piece of wood with the knife.
Polly stood. What had she done? Polly had been sure Mr. Smith would be happy, even grateful for Daniel’s help. Had the reverend been correct in his scolding? Who would take on feeding the little boy in the evenings and give him a place to sleep? Since she was traveling with the Bentzes, Polly couldn’t very well offer to feed the boy. And, as Mr. Smith said, he was half grown. Would people talk if she allowed him to stay with her? Surely not. After all, he was only a child. She stepped out of the circle of light and started to walk toward her tent.
“You seem deep in thought.”
Polly groaned inwardly. She recognized the reverend’s voice. “I am.”
“Anything I can help you with?”
She looked out of the corner of her eye and saw his knowing grin. “I don’t think so.”
“You never know until you ask.”
Polly stopped and turned toward him. She took a deep breath and confessed. “You were right. I shouldn’t have gotten Daniel’s hopes up.”
“It didn’t go like you expected back there, did it?” He placed his hands in his pockets and leaned back on his boot heels.
She wanted to be angry at him but knew it was her own fault that she’d spoken before she should have. “No, it didn’t. And now I have to tell Daniel he can’t go.” Tears filled her eyes. She hated being wrong, and she hated that she was going to have to break that little boy’s heart.
The sight of impending tears caused Gordon’s throat to grow dry. He hated to see a woman cry. “Miss Schultz, I’ve asked Daniel to come along with me.”
Her head snapped back, and the purple bonnet slid off her head. “You asked him?”
Gordon nodded. He took his hands out of his pockets and gave her what he hoped was one of his reassuring smiles.
Her eyes flashed under the rising moon. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to take him? I wouldn’t have made the mistake of talking to the Smiths.” Blame and renewed anger dripped from her lips.
His own anger flared. He’d done what he thought was right and asked the boy. Who did she think she was to question him? Crickets chirped around them as the silence lingered. “I’m not in the habit of answering to you, Miss Schultz.”
“It would have been simple common courtesy to tell me earlier today.” She ground the words through her clenched teeth. Then she spun around and started walking again.
“Oh no, not this time. You will not get the last word here.” He followed her. “I hadn’t decided to bring Daniel earlier.”
“Uh-huh.”
She didn’t believe him. Gordon looked up to the stars. What did it matter? What was it about this woman that drove him insane? He ran right into her back when she was stopped by a figure that had materialized out of the darkness.
“Hello, Miss Schultz. I hope I’m not disturbing you, but my brother, Mark, said you were a midwife who might help me.”
Gordon stared from the very pregnant woman to Miss Schultz. She was a midwife? But she was so young. And stubborn. Weren’t midwives supposed to be patient and kind?
Miss Schultz extended her hand. “Please, call me Polly.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Polly. I’m Margaret Fitzgerald.” She turned her gaze on Gordon.
He heard Polly’s soft sigh. “This is the reverend.” A frown marred her features. Did she just realize she didn’t know his full name?
Gordon stepped forward and offered his hand. “Gordon Baker. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Fitzgerald.”
“I’m so glad you are here, Reverend. My mother told me to make sure that a preacher was with me when my time came. Up until now, we haven’t had one on the train.” She turned her cornflower eyes on Polly. “I hope you don’t mind if the reverend is there when I deliver. That is, if you will be my midwife.”
Miss Schultz looked as if she wanted to refuse his presence. Instead, she said, “You are in charge, Margaret. I will be there to assist. You can have anyone you want with you. Although, I must say, having a man in the room other than your husband is most unusual.”
Margaret laughed. “I’m sure it is, but Mama can’t be here, and that was her request. I’ll honor my mother in doing what she asks.”
Gordon turned to leave.
“Please stay, Reverend,” Margaret called after him.
He turned and smiled. “I would love to, Mrs. Fitzgerald, but I have a young man waiting for me at our wagon. I’ll come around and visit you and your husband tomorrow. Is that acceptable to you?”
At her nod, Gordon turned his grin on Miss Schultz. “Good night, ladies.”
Chapter 5
Rain hammered the canvas with deafening force. Polly shivered within her tent. She’d piled all her blankets under her to sleep on but now sat huddled in the center of them as the storm that had arrived in the middle of the night raged.
Thankfully, Jerome had made sure the tent had been sealed with tar to waterproof it before she’d left him and Mamadele behind. She gasped as the yellow brightness of lightning flashed its brilliance through the small space. Thunder crashed, its fury vibrating under her as the ground shook.
That strike was close! She snagged her lower lip with her teeth and pulled herself upright. Should she go to the wagon and check on Idella? No, her husband was sure to be there, comforting her. If Idella needed her, he would come.
Her next thought was of Beulah. Was the little mule all right? She reached for her green day dress and favorite purple shawl. She pulled them over her nightgown. Her thoughts on the mule, she opened the flap of the tent and was immediately peppered with rain.
She turned away from the wind and slipped and slid to the area where the horses and mules were kept. Lightning sizzled and snapped around her. Thunder clapped and rumbled. She flinched and followed the sounds of bawling, braying, and neighing. She forced her sodden feet forward, toward the wall of stone that offered the animals little protection from the storm.
Beulah brayed to her. A cry broke from her throat as she hurried to the little mule’s side. “I’m so sorry you have to be out here.” The sky darkened even further, and Polly could no longer see through the pouring rain; i
t drummed against the earth and stone. Polly wrapped her arms around the animal’s neck and buried her face against its wet hide. It was as if she were alone in the watery world around her. Lightning and thunder continued to torment her and the miserable animals around her. Polly looked out into the darkness. A new fear gripped her heart. Would she be able to find her way back to the wagons?
Suddenly, Gordon Baker appeared like an apparition from the watery depths. “Miss Schultz, what are you doing out here?”
Polly looked up into his face. Rain dripped from his hat. She said the only thing that came to mind. “I had to check on Beulah.”
He nodded as if he understood. Rainwater splashed her head and back, making her shiver even harder. His warm hand wrapped around one of her cold arms, and he pulled her with him under a deep ledge jutting out from the rocky cliff. The beating of the rain on her soaked body ceased. She shot a grateful glance at the ledge of rock that now formed a covering over her and the reverend. “Thank you, Reverend Baker.”
“You’re welcome.” A few moments later, the lantern he held flickered to life. He took his hat off and shook the rain from its brim. “As soon as this rain lets up, I’ll walk you back to your tent.”
She wanted to argue and say she could return on her own, but she was simply too emotionally drained to argue. Her gaze met his and held. Rain continued to fall outside the small sheltered area. Lightning flashed and the thunder rolled, but those things no longer mattered. Something in his eyes made her feel safe.
He took a step toward her. “Polly? Are you all right? You’re not hurt, are you?” He reached out and touched her arm.
His eyes darkened to the color of blue smoke as his gaze ran over her. His touch scorched her skin. She caught her breath. Her voice shook as she answered, “No, I’m not hurt.”
Something flickered in the depths of his eyes, and he sucked in air. He released her arm. “Good. We seem to have time to talk a bit. Would you mind telling me why you are headed to Oregon?” He moved to a large stone and sat down.
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