Oregon Dreams

by Rachel Wesson

  “Scott wants to settle down on his own land. I heard him tell David. He isn’t going to plant crops but he wants to raise horses. Seems he has some already.”

  “I didn’t think wagon masters got paid a lot of money. I would have thought horse ranches were expensive to start.” Johanna had heard that was true. Their pa couldn’t afford to have a horse ranch and he’d been relatively well off back in Virgil. Maybe it was different in Oregon.

  “I don’t know. I couldn’t hear everything. But he did say he wanted to settle down. I want to be with him. I don’t care if it’s in the middle of town or out in the middle of nowhere. So long as he is there. With me.”

  “You really do care for him, don’t you?”

  “I love him. Just as much as Eva loves David. I just wish he saw me as a woman and not a child. When he does notice me, it’s to yell at me for being childish. He seems to think I am going to break down in tears or fall apart at the slightest thing. I am not Sheila Freeman.” Becky’s hand went to her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that. Sheila is so different now from when we were at school. Back then she would get the vapors if one of the boys brought a spider to school. Now look at her. I saw her driving the wagon the other day.”

  Johanna had seen it too. Her ma had explained Mr. Freeman was ill and Mrs. Freeman wasn’t willing or able to try to manage the team. So Sheila had stepped up to the job. The girl had certainly changed.

  “Can’t you see Captain Jones is concerned for your welfare. Why else would he check up on you all the time?”

  “He delights in pointing out my errors. He kept telling me off yesterday for the way I was directing the team. I might not be as strong as Pa, but I am a capable driver. I drive better than you and he doesn’t say anything to you. Ever.”

  Johanna smiled.

  “I don’t see what is so funny. My heart is breaking and you are laughing.”

  “I am not laughing. You are being silly. Why would any man constantly check up on a woman if he weren’t interested? Captain Jones doesn’t talk about me because he doesn’t notice me.”

  “He thought you were very brave over the Indians. You were. I was so proud of you.”

  “You were brave as well. You tackled them first. I just happened to get nearer the one who wanted our colored hair.”

  “Do you really believe he likes me, Jo? You wouldn’t just say that, would you?”

  “Becky, I do think he likes you but…”

  “But what?”

  “Nothing. Its late and we need our sleep.”

  “I can’t go to sleep now. I want to know what you were going to say.”

  “I just wondered if you would be more successful with Captain Jones if you stopped fighting him all the time.” Johanna took a deep breath waiting for Becky to say something but she didn’t. “You go out of your way to be difficult around him.”

  “I do not,” Becky protested but she didn’t sound convinced.

  “Yes, you do. You present a very disagreeable picture. Always arguing and wanting your own way.

  “That’s because he is insufferable when he thinks he is always right. He is only human.”

  Johanna giggled earning her a dirty look. It only made her laugh more and soon Becky was laughing too.

  “All right. I admit, I might be slightly quarrelsome towards him.”

  “That’s an understatement.”

  “Yes, dear sister, thank you for pointing out my obvious lack. I shall try better in future. What do you suggest I do?”

  “Be yourself, Becky. Never try to be anyone else. You are perfect the way you are and if Captain Jones can’t see that he isn’t the man for you.”

  “You are very wise at times.”

  “You got the beauty and I got the brains.” Johanna lay back down. “Actually, Granny told Eva you would never settle for someone like Ben the banker. She said you needed a strong man to keep you in line.”

  “She makes me sound like a mulish ox.”

  “Well…” Johanna giggled again.

  Becky smiled back at her as she lay down. Then she put her head on her elbow studying her sister.

  “What? Do I have stew on my nose?”

  “I can’t see in the dark. I was just going to tell you, you are wrong you know.”

  “Well, that’s a change. I thought you were going to make an effort.”

  “No, I mean it, Jo. I didn’t get the beauty. You are beautiful inside and out. I love you.”

  Johanna was so startled by her sister’s declaration she was struck dumb. She knew Becky cared for her, of course she did but her twin was never one for voicing her feelings.

  “I love you too, Becky. Night.” She included Becky and Captain Jones in her thoughts that night hoping the two of them would find their way to each other. Becky’s soft snores filled the tent leaving Johanna alone with her thoughts. Why she saw fit to give her sister advice when she was so bad at handling her own love life was beyond her. She had never minded before, being the quiet twin. Becky had always been the one in the limelight, the one people noticed. But when Rick was around, Johanna felt beautiful and as if she was the only woman in the world.

  Chapter 17

  “Thank goodness that rain has stopped, it’s almost impossible to get a fire going and cook some decent food.”

  “Ma, you are a miracle worker. I don’t think we have passed one day where you couldn’t cook something.”

  Ma beamed at the praise even though she pretended to ignore it.

  “There are some toll bridges up ahead. Captain Jones said it will cost one dollar per wagon to cross the two bridges.”

  “Does Mrs. Long have the money to pay?” Ma asked Eva who had finally given in and was sharing their fire and provisions.

  “David told me to pay it on her behalf. At this point, we are like one big family. If any of us go anywhere, we all go together.”

  Ma nodded. “I wonder what Mrs. Long will do when she gets to Oregon.”

  “She’s spoken about claiming some land next to ours but David is trying to convince her to set up a small boarding house in a nearby town. He thinks it would be easier on her than trying to raise the girls and run a farm.”

  “I guess it would, although your pa says there are so many single men out in Oregon, she may marry again.”

  Eva shuddered.

  “What? Don’t tell me the thought didn’t cross your mind?”

  “It didn’t, Ma. I don’t think Pa would get married again if anything happened to you. I know I wouldn’t look at another man if David were to…” Eva swallowed hard. “I am not even going to finish that thought. Let’s think about something more cheerful.”

  Johanna saw her ma give Eva’s arm a squeeze. She shivered, their conversation bringing back thoughts of Joey. He and Gracie had their whole life planned out and now she was left alone. She wondered what Gracie would do when they got to their destination. It wasn’t a question she was about to ask.

  “Johanna, look there’s another wagon train. Can we go over and say hello?” Julia asked practically jumping up and down with excitement. “There may be some children we can play with.”

  “We can say hello but don’t go wandering off, please, Julia.” Johanna found it hard to deny the young child anything. She had been so resilient after the loss of the father she adored. She took her time approaching the wagons. They didn’t want to be mistaken for Indians.

  “Hello there, young lady. You sure have brightened up my day.”

  She didn’t like the look in the stranger’s eyes or his tone. Maybe coming over to the train was a mistake.

  “We are traveling just behind you. Julia wanted to say hello and see if there were children traveling with you.”

  “All these kids ain’t yours, are they? You look mighty young.”

  “No, of course not.” Johanna regretted snapping as his eyes grew narrower. “Come on, children, let’s be getting back. Your parents will be worried.”

  “Tell your folks we are camping here for
the rest of today and tonight. We will have some card games later if your men want to lose their wallets.”

  His uncouth laughter followed her back down the trail. She shivered despite the warmth of the sun. Thankfully, there was nobody as bad as him traveling in their wagon train. Well, apart from Harold and his friends but they were gone now.

  “I didn’t like that man, Jo,” Almanzo said. “He had mean eyes.”

  “Well, we don’t know him. Maybe he just wasn’t in the mood for visitors.” Johanna almost choked sticking up for the stranger, but she had to practice what she preached. You shouldn’t judge anyone until you got to know them. She had no intention of getting to know that particular man any better.

  They reached camp. Mindful of what had happened when they met the Indian some weeks previously, Johanna sent Almanzo to tell Captain Jones about the wagon train. She wasn’t surprised when he sought her out later.

  “Afternoon, Miss Thompson. Almanzo tells me you came across a wagon train camped up ahead. Must be the one whose tracks we saw yesterday. Did you speak with them? Have they been experiencing any problems?”

  “I did speak to one man but not for long. He mentioned the men were welcome to visit tonight to play cards. I didn’t ask him anything about the trail.”

  Johanna didn’t meet Captain Jones eyes. It was normal to ask any traveler they met about conditions on the trail. Previous travelers often left signs telling those that were coming behind them to watch out for bad water or alkali grass. She should have at least inquired whether the train had been hit by any illnesses. Measles and other diseases were contagious.

  “He had mean eyes and was looking at Jo in a funny way,” Almanzo added making Johanna’s face flush scarlet.

  “Almanzo, go on now. Captain Jones has things to do. Why don’t you go tell your pa about the wagons?”

  The boy scampered off.

  “What was the man like?” Captain Jones asked.

  “He seemed pleasant enough.”

  “What Johanna means is he gave her the creeps,” Becky said. “My sister is too nice to tell you herself.”

  “I think Captain Jones should form his own opinion,” Johanna snapped back at her sister before addressing Captain Jones. “I know you will want to speak with their leader.”

  “Yes, I will, thank you, Miss Thompson.” He tipped his hat at Johanna and walked away leaving Becky fuming.

  “Did you see that? He just ignored me. Well, I never.”

  “Becky, darling, you will never catch a man with a spiteful tongue. I thought you were listening the other night when I suggested you stop being so quarrelsome.”

  “I only said what you were thinking.”

  Johanna didn’t bother to argue. There was no point in trying to explain to her twin that some things were better left unsaid.

  Pa came back later that evening to tell them they had, in fact, found two different wagon trains.

  “Talk about opposites. In the one Johanna met, they are playing cards and drinking whiskey. In the other they are reading bibles and singing psalms. I was tempted to visit the first and then have my sins removed by a visit to the second.”

  “Paddy Thompson. How could you?”

  “I was only joking, Della, don’t take on so.”

  “That is not my idea of a joke and certainly unfit for your children’s ears.”

  Johanna saw her pa throw his eyes up toward heaven but it was her ma’s reaction that concerned her. Her ma was rarely in bad temper and she usually would not correct their pa in front of them.

  “Ma, why don’t you go lie down for a while? Becky and I will finish up here.”

  Becky nodded, exchanging a look of concern with Johanna. Pa had already walked off obviously put out by his wife’s rebuke.

  “Where is Stephen?”

  “He’s playing with Julia Long. Are you feeling all right, Ma? You seem flushed.”

  “I think it’s too much sun. I will be fine after a lie down. Thank you, girls.”

  The twins watched as their ma made her way to the wagon. Instead of making up a bed underneath like she usually did, she climbed into the back. Her actions were as slow as a lady double her years.

  “I don’t like it, Becky. I think Ma is coming down with something.”

  “She’s as fit as a fiddle, Jo. You heard her, she will be fine tomorrow.”

  Chapter 18

  Johanna checked her ma after they had cleared up. As she feared, her ma was running a temperature and was obviously unwell. She climbed out of the wagon.

  “Becky, go get Eva please.”

  “What’s wrong? Is it Ma?” The fear in Becky’s eyes reflected her own.

  “Hurry.”

  Becky lifted her skirt and ran in the direction of Eva’s wagon. It was a good job their ma was laying in bed ill as if she saw the amount of ankle her daughter was flashing she would have a heart attack.

  Johanna went to the fire, putting on a kettle to boil some water. She had no idea whether it worked or not but some of the older folk had said sick people found cooled boiled water easier to tolerate. The doctor back in Virgil had told them to add salt to the water if they ever got sick. Johanna did so even though she wasn’t sure what illness she was treating. It wasn’t long before Eva came back.

  “What’s wrong with Ma?”

  “I don’t know, Eva, but I think it might be cholera.”

  The sisters looked at each other. Cholera anywhere was a death sentence but out here in the wilds, there was little hope.

  “Where is she?” Eva made to move toward the wagon but Johanna stopped her.

  “No, don’t go near her. You could get sick too. I will nurse Ma but can you take Stephen? Becky should go to stay with you too.”

  “Over my dead body, “Becky exclaimed hotly before realizing what she had said. “I am not leaving you alone to nurse Ma. I will help.”

  “So will I,” Eva said firmly.

  “No, Eva. You need to stay healthy for David and Pa. Stephen needs to be looked after.” Johanna looked at the resolute expression on Becky’s face. “Becky and I will nurse Ma. You tell Pa to stay clear. You should also tell Captain Jones.”

  “I am sure he will wait to break camp until Ma is better,” Becky added before turning to add more fuel to the fire.

  “Don’t be too sure of that, Becky. You heard him back in Virgil. He is not going to wait for sick people.” Eva responded.

  “But that was then. Before he got to know us. He wouldn’t leave me...us behind.”

  “Let’s not worry about that now. We need to concentrate on Ma.” Johanna’s firm tone got her sisters’ attention. “We are going to need more sheets and cloths. We have to keep Ma drinking and sponge her down to get rid of the fever.” She looked toward Eva who was looking at their ma’s wagon, heartbreak written all over her face. Johanna put a hand on her older sister’s arm. “Ma is strong, Eva.”

  “But I should be here.”

  “Your place is with your husband. Ma will fret over Stephen if he stays here.”

  Eva walked away, her shoulders slumped. Sometime later, Pa arrived in a state.

  “Where’s Della? I need to see her.”

  “Ma said you have to stay away Pa, she doesn’t want you getting sick.”

  “To heck with that. She’s my wife.”

  “Yes, she is and she won’t get any sleep if you keep roaring out here. Do what your wife says Mr. Thompson and stay away. The less people in contact with Mrs. Thompson the better.” Captain Jones spoke firmly.

  Pa stared at him for a couple of seconds but must have realized he was right as he turned to go. “Can I not do something to help?”

  His voice, so unlike the confident tone her pa usually used, made Johanna want to cry but there was no time for that.

  “Pa, we need water and fuel for the fire. Some meat broth might be good too.”

  “So she can still eat?”

  At the hope in her pa’s eyes, Johanna could have kicked herself.

&nbs
p; “Not yet, Pa, but when she can, she will need to build up her strength.”

  With a last lingering look at his wagon, her pa slowly walked away.

  Chapter 19

  “Be honest with me, Miss Thompson. How ill is your mother?” Captain Jones asked.

  “Very ill. I don’t know if it is cholera or mountain fever. She has several symptoms.” Johanna looked anywhere but at his face. She didn’t feel comfortable discussing her mother’s bodily habits with anyone, let alone a man.

  “I will get you extra water and fuel. Is there anything else you need?”

  “No thank you.”

  “Is your sister helping you nurse her?” His tone was different and he wouldn’t look her in the face.

  “Becky insisted. I tried to talk her out of it but you know what she is like.”

  “I am starting to find out. I appreciate the steps you have taken to keep everyone else safe. I will check back with you later.” He moved away just as Becky stepped out of the wagon.

  “Captain Jones, a minute, please.”

  He stopped. Turning slowly, he ran his hand through his hair. Johanna caught the troubled look in his eyes.

  “I assume you have told the entire train we are camping here until Ma gets better.” The silence that greeted Becky’s words spoke volumes. “You can’t mean to leave us here. You wouldn’t do that.”

  “I don’t want to do it, Miss Thompson, and believe me, if I could think of any other way I wouldn’t. But as I explained that day in Virgil, the safety of the entire wagon train is my concern.”

  “But a couple of days won’t hurt.” Becky’s hurt made her tone more strident.

  “They might. You’ve seen for yourself the weather has got colder even though we are still in July.” Captain Jones fiddled with his hat so much, the material was in danger of ripping. “I can give you a day. After that, we will have to move on.”

  Afraid Becky would burst into tears, Johanna stepped forward.

  “Thank you, Captain Jones. We are sure Ma will be better tomorrow.”