Trail to Clear Creek (Thanksgiving Books & Blessings Collection One Book 3)

by Kit Morgan

  Sam’s lip curled a bit, but just as quickly relaxed. He got up, walked over to Grandma and held out his hand again. “May I have one, Mrs. Waller?”

  “Yes, you may, Samuel.” She put one in his hand and held one out to Jack. “How about you, son?”

  Jack went over, took the candy and popped it in his mouth. “Thanks, Grandma.” Sam stared daggers at him before returning to his seat, but he ignored it, too busy relishing the sweet.

  Honoria watched Colin take the offered candy and retake his seat. “Grandma, what did you trade Mrs. Dunnigan for the candy?”

  Grandma grinned. “Something special. A … safer weapon, let’s say.”

  “What?” Doc jumped in his seat. “Sarah, what did you do?”

  Grandma laughed. “I traded her my cast-iron ladle for a bag of peppermints. Considering it was peppermints, I didn’t think you’d mind, dear.”

  Doc looked at the second peppermint in his hand. Everyone in the train knew he was partial to them. “Your ladle, you say?”

  “Yes, I traded her my good ladle for the candies. And the use of her hatchet.”

  “Her hatchet?” Doc exclaimed. “But we already own a hatchet – what do you need hers for?”

  “Camp safety. Enjoy your peppermints.”

  Honoria sucked on hers as she took Jefferson’s hand. She enjoyed evenings around the fire with her new family, and company was an added blessing.

  Bad news interrupting it wasn’t. “Jefferson!” Frank Turner cried as he burst into their circle.

  Jefferson jumped to his feet. “What is it?”

  “It’s …” He gasped for breath. “… Tommy. We cain’t find him.”

  “What?” Grandma got to her feet. “Wasn’t he with Lucy?”

  “Oh, he was … but while I went … to fetch Mabel some water … he slipped off … cain’t find him nowhere.”

  Jefferson nodded and looked at his sons. “Jack, Sam, get the rifles. Colin, Harrison, you go with Mr. Turner.”

  Colin and Harrison jumped to their feet. “Right away,” Colin said. “Mr. Turner, where do you want us to look?”

  “Start ‘round the wagons – he likes to sit under them. I’m gonna go tell Mr. Kinzey.” He began to turn away.

  Jefferson stopped him. “Don’t worry, we’ll find him.”

  Frank nodded, gulped more air and was off.

  “Jefferson,” Honoria said with concern. “How can I help?”

  “Go to the Turners’ camp, see what you can do there. Grandma, do you mind staying here?”

  “Not at all. Doc should go back to our camp anyway – his doctor’s bag is there.”

  Doc stood. “Good idea. Folks will know where to find me if I’m needed.”

  Jefferson nodded. “Soon as Sam and Jack bring the rifles, we’ll alert the guards. I don’t think Tommy left camp, though you never know.”

  Honoria looked out at the darkness beyond the wagons. “But what if he did?”

  Jefferson put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll find him.” Jack and Sam returned, rifles in hand, and the three left to begin their search.

  Honoria looked at Grandma, her hand over her mouth. “Poor Mabel Turner.”

  “Poor dear’s probably sick with worry. Why don’t you stay here and I’ll see what I can do? Sometimes an older woman like me is better at comforting a young one.”

  Honoria couldn’t agree more. She was a horrible worrier as it was. She wasn’t sure how much help she’d be to Mabel, given how she’d feel if one of her boys had gone missing at that young age. “Right. I’ll stay here in case he shows up.”

  “Don’t worry none, child,” Grandma said. “Between all of us, someone’s bound to find him.”

  Honoria took a deep breath and nodded. It was at times like these that her thoughts went to Benedict. This time, however, she wanted to be with Jefferson. Despite the circumstances, she warmed at the thought. Maybe, just maybe, her heart was opening to him at last.

  Irene Dunnigan marched up to Wilfred and Duncan, a lantern in one hand, a huge iron ladle in the other. She waved the ladle as she talked. “There you are. Did you hear?”

  “Hear what?” Wilfred asked.

  “Little Tommy Turner’s missing. People are starting to search.” She turned to Duncan, who was just opening his mouth to speak. “And you, you thief!”

  “I beg your pardon!” Duncan retorted.

  “What?!” Wilfred said.

  “I’m missing things, and the only one who’s been in our camp other than the Turners is you!”

  “Mrs. Dunnigan, you don’t think …” Duncan managed.

  Mrs. Dunnigan cut him off. “I certainly do!”

  “Oh, for Heaven’s sake.” Wilfred rubbed his temple. “A little boy’s missing and you’re doing this now?”

  “No time like the present. Wilfred, go look for that child! Duncan Cooke, you come with me. We’re going to see Mr. Kinzey!”

  “No, Irene, you’re not,” Wilfred said calmly. “We’re all going to look for Tommy.”

  Duncan noticed the gentleness in the man’s voice, the patience on his face. Was there something else going on? Granted, the woman was being ridiculous, but that was beside the point. This was Mrs. Dunnigan he was dealing with, and she wasn’t one to be trifled with.

  “Irene, the people have an emergency and we all need to help. You can take this up with Duncan later.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him, then Duncan. “Well, all right, but as soon as we find Tommy, I’m speaking with Mr. Kinzey!”

  “Fine, dear, you do that. Now let’s start looking.”

  “One of us should stay in case he comes this way,” Duncan suggested.

  “You’re right,” Wilfred agreed. “You stay. I’ll take Irene back to camp.”

  “What for?” she snapped. “I can look as well as the next person.”

  “Yes, of course you can,” Wilfred said as he turned her around and steered her down the trail. He looked over his shoulder, winked at Duncan, then ushered his wife back to camp.

  Duncan stared after them. “What the bloody …?” He shook himself. Something was going on that he clearly didn’t understand. He shrugged it off and scanned his surroundings. The full moon tonight would help him detect any movement.

  It wasn’t long before he spotted some. “By Jove, that’s Tommy!” he whispered. But who was he with?

  Duncan stepped forward as little Tommy Turner emerged from the shadows, being carried by one of several well-armed Indian braves.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “What the Sam Hill?” Jefferson muttered as he came up behind Duncan. He looked at Wilfred, who’d returned with him after dropping Irene off at their camp. “Cheyenne?”

  “Maybe,” Wilfred muttered. “Can’t tell.”

  “Tommy?” Duncan said as the group approached, stopping about ten feet away. The boy appeared to be sound asleep.

  “No one make any threatening moves,” Jefferson said.

  “He isn’t injured, is he?” Wilfred asked.

  “No, he looks like he’s sleeping,” Duncan replied.

  Jefferson slowly took a few steps forward and held out his arms to take the boy. The Indian stared at him a moment, then closed the distance and placed Tommy in his arms. “Thank you,” Jefferson said, bowing his head.

  The Indian nodded, turned and rejoined his companions. They left without a backward glance.

  Jefferson, Duncan and Wilfred watched them disappear into the darkness. When they were gone, Wilfred sighed in relief. “Tarnation, that was a nervy one.”

  “The Cheyenne are friendly,” Jefferson said. “Tommy must have wandered off and they found him. Thank Heaven they did.” He turned to Duncan. “Stay here. Wilfred and I will take Tommy to his parents.”

  “Right,” Duncan sighed, also relieved. “His poor mother has to be frantic by now.”

  “I’m sure she is,” Jefferson agreed, “especially with the whole camp looking for him.”

  “Do you think we’
ll run into those Indians again?” Wilfred asked.

  “Hard to say,” said Jefferson. “Depends if they want anything. Best have the livestock rounded up just in case – the Cheyenne are friendly, but aren’t opposed to taking the occasional cow that wanders their way.”

  “True enough.” Wilfred followed him, then glanced over his shoulder at Duncan. “I’ll be back.”

  Duncan waved, then went back to keeping lookout.

  Wilfred caught up to Jefferson. “That’s a good lad back there.”

  “Yes, he is. Pity your wife’s running around telling everyone he’s stealing from her.”

  “Eh … don’t pay no mind to Irene. She’s in one of her moods.”

  Jefferson’s jaw tightened. When Mary was alive she could get in a mood too, and when she did it wasn’t pretty. “I understand. But I’d appreciate it if she didn’t accuse folks of stealing without proof.”

  “I’ll speak with her, Jefferson. I’m sorry if she’s caused you any problems.”

  “You know how people gossip. The last thing I want is for Duncan to be labeled a thief.” Tommy stirred in Jefferson arms. He adjusted his load and walked on. “Not that your wife’s any sort of gossip,” he said, more quietly. “But there’s always one or two that get things stirred up.”

  “Again, I apologize. Irene’s had a hard time, and she’s not herself right now. One day I’ll tell you about it.”

  Jefferson looked at him, saw the sadness in his eyes and nodded. He didn’t want to push him. He had more pressing matters to attend to – like returning Tommy to his parents.

  They entered the Turner camp to a wail of joy from Mabel Turner and a “thank the Lord” from Grandma Waller. “Where was he?” Grandma asked.

  Jefferson handed Tommy over to his mother as tears streamed down her face. “He’s fine, ma’am. Slept the whole way here.”

  “Thank Heaven he’s all right!” she cried. “Oh, my Tommy!”

  Tommy opened one sleepy eye. “Mama?”

  “Yes, honey, I’m here. Let’s get ya to bed. Where’ve ya been?”

  “I played with the …” He yawned. “… with the Injuns.”

  Mabel went pale. “Injuns!”

  “He’s fine,” Jefferson assured. “Nothing to worry about. In fact, if it weren’t for them, who knows if we would’ve found him? A passel of braves brought him right to us.”

  Mabel’s eyes went round as platters. “They … they did?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Wilfred confirmed. “Came to the north side of camp and handed him right over.”

  “My goodness!” Mabel cried. “Where’s Frank? Where’s my husband!”

  “Calm down, Mrs. Turner,” Jefferson said. “Everything’s fine. We’re taking care of it. We’ll handle them if they come back.”

  “Come back?!”

  Jefferson took a calming breath. If there was one thing that got him riled, it was a hysterical woman. He’d gone through enough hysterics with Mary. Thankfully he’d learned to still himself in the midst of her “episodes,” but Mabel Turner’s hysterics was bringing back memories he’d like to forget. “Please, everything’s fine …”

  “He’s right, Mrs. Turner,” Wilfred said soothingly. “They were Cheyenne, I think, and they’re a friendly sort. They brought Tommy right to us, no questions asked.”

  She stopped, her son clutched to her bosom. “Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just that he was missing so long …”

  “Keep a closer eye on him from now on,” Jefferson advised. “He’s a curious boy and prone to exploring.” Wilfred gave him a look that said nice way of putting it. Jefferson managed the tiniest smile in return.

  “I will. Thank you, Mr. Cooke.”

  “Don’t mention it. Now how about we go find Frank for you?”

  “Thank you,” Mabel said again, calmer now. She headed for the nearest wagon as Tommy yawned once more and snuggled against her.

  Jefferson sighed wearily. “All in all, we got lucky. Those are the first Indians we’ve encountered.”

  “Decent ones too,” Wilfred said. “Now I’d better go find Irene. Once she finds out we’ve had visitors, she’ll be looking for her hatchet.”

  Jefferson smiled. “You do that.” He left the Turners’ camp, ran into Frank and gave him the news. After that, he returned to his own camp.

  When he reached it, Honoria was sitting by the fire, a cup of coffee in her hands. She jumped to her feet. “Did you find him?”

  “Yes.” He put an arm around her. “Well, he was found, anyway. I need to find Mr. Kinzey, tell him what happened.”

  “Why? Where was he?”

  Jefferson took a deep breath and blew it out. “He was with some Indians.”

  “Indians!”

  “Now don’t you get panicky on me too.” He had a sudden vision of Mary toward the end, screaming and carrying on …

  “Oh, I … what do you mean ‘me too’?”

  “Sorry, Honoria. It’s just that Mabel Turner was real upset when she found out. Though not too upset, come to think …”

  “Well, I would be if my little boy disappeared and got returned by savages! How many were there?”

  “At least six – might have been more hanging back out of sight. But they returned Tommy unharmed and sleeping like a baby. For all we know they found him curled up somewhere.”

  She put a hand to her chest. “Merciful heavens, what a shock for Mabel.”

  He took her in his arms. “She’ll be fine. Now I have to tell Mr. Kinzey. You gonna be all right?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  He felt a tremor run through her. She was scared, he could tell. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded, but said nothing.

  Jefferson did the only thing he could think of to let her know all was well – he kissed her. She was warm and soft and inviting … until her back stiffened. He’d felt her do that before. Was she still nervous around him? Did she not trust him? He broke the kiss. “Honoria …”

  “I’m fine, really.” She smiled to prove it.

  He didn’t believe her, but also didn’t have time to talk. But talk they would – she had to learn to trust him, all the time. “I’d best go find Kinzey.”

  “Yes,” she agreed. “Before someone else hears what happened and blows things out of proportion.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” He kissed her forehead, hugged her and stepped away. “Let the boys know what happened if they return before I do.”

  “I will,” she said. “Now off with you.”

  He looked at her one last time. She was beautiful, her face a golden glow in the light of the campfire. She was not only a vision, she was his. He let that thought calm him as he left in search of Mr. Kinzey.

  Honoria stood by the fire and pondered what happened to Tommy. Thank the Lord the Indians brought him back, but what were they doing with him in the first place? Did they stumble upon him, as Jefferson said? Or did the child find them, and by a miracle of God the savages decided to return him? She might never know. But what if one of the other children went missing, or one of the women? Would the Indians sneak into camp and steal someone away … “Stop it, Honoria,” she told herself. “You’re being ridiculous.”

  Colin popped out from between two of their wagons. “Mother, did you hear the news?”

  “Where is your brother?” She flinched at the panic in her voice.

  Colin arched an eyebrow. “You needn’t worry, he’s helping Mr. Dunnigan with something. Besides, I don’t think Indians would want to take Harrison – even if he doesn’t know their language, he’d still manage to talk their ears off.”

  Honoria’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle a giggle. As usual, Colin was making light of the situation, but she didn’t mind. Though given the events of the day, she was afraid if she started laughing, she might not be able to stop. Of all the hardships they had endured thus far, this was the scariest. Maybe it was because of the stories some of the women told sitting around the campfires. That, or she’d
read too many penny dreadfuls.

  But now Tommy was safe, the Indians were gone and there was nothing for her to be worried about. She hoped. “Perhaps you should fetch Harrison – it’s time for bed.”

  “All right, but I think Mrs. Dunnigan might have him help her with her nightly inventory.”

  “She might?”

  “I’ve noticed when the woman is nervous, she likes to keep busy – or keep someone else busy.” Colin waved and disappeared into the shadows.

  Honoria shook her head, sat on her stool and sighed. For the first time since they left Independence, she’d felt true fear. Tommy’s disappearance jarred her, and he wasn’t even her child. But if it could happen to Frank and Mabel Turner, it could happen to anyone. Granted, Tommy was small, but if they ran into Indians that weren’t so friendly, one of her or Jefferson’s sons could be killed. Not all confrontations with Indians went well.

  The thought struck her: Harrison probably knew this as well, clever lad he was, and he’d often stated his desire to meet the natives. He was probably helping the Dunnigans because he wanted to get every detail he could out of Wilfred. “That boy,” she said with a shake of her head. She’d have to speak with him before he started looking for Indians behind every tree. Better yet, she should have Jefferson talk to him. She stared into the flames a while longer, wondering if she should go to bed. Who knew when Jefferson would return?

  Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long. “There, all settled,” Jefferson said as he approached the fire.

  She got to her feet and went to him. “What’s settled?”

  “We’re doubling the guard tonight just in case. Better safe than sorry, eh?”

  “Yes, of course it is. Are you going to take a watch?”

  “Yes, Paddy and I will relieve Duncan and Wilfred when their shift’s up. Cyrus and Frank Turner will join us.”

  “Did you speak with Frank?”

  “I ran into him on my way back to camp, told him what happened. Cyrus is going to talk with him about Kinzey’s orders.”

  “That poor man – he was probably beside himself with worry.”