by Emily Woods
“I'll be so proud to have you at my side, daughter,” he murmured one evening when they were finished reading the Bible. “I can tell that the Lord is going to use you mightily to expand His Kingdom.”
As much as she wished to make him proud, she couldn't let him believe things about her that weren't true.
“I'm afraid I'll disappoint you,” she confided softly. “My faith isn't as…strong as yours.”
He shook his head. “You can't compare one person's faith with another's. You can only measure it against your own. You have grown more mature over the past two months. Adversity is a good way for us to increase our faith.”
She’d heard him preach about this subject, and felt like she was on the verge of understanding, but wanted to know more. “How does that work?” she ventured to ask.
Her father leaned forward on the small stool. “We can see that in James, chapter one, where the brother of Jesus tells us that the testing of our faith produces patience and perseverance so that we may become more like Jesus. The Bible also tells us the same thing in the book of Romans, chapter five. Can you recall it?”
Memorizing Scripture was a part of their daily lives, but she was horrible at it. Still, she tried to bring the passage to mind.
“Is it the one about how suffering produces endurance, which produces character, which produces hope?”
He smiled and nodded. “Can you say it by heart?”
Taking a deep breath, she tried. “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Her father beamed at her, pride shining out of his eyes. “Well done, my girl. And you know what all that means, right? That we should not despise our hard times because God will use all our trials to bring about His glory and to bring us closer to Him and His likeness.”
It was still hard to understand how that worked in real life.
“Is that why you were able to forgive the people in Kansas?” she asked without thinking. When her father's face clouded, she regretted her carelessness. “Never mind, Father. You don't need to answer.”
She was about to get up when he put a comforting hand on her arm.
“No, stay. I suppose you know some of what happened, so let me explain. The people were right, and they were wrong. They were right to tell me that my behavior was not correct, but they were wrong to push us away. However, I had no choice but to accept their decision. In any case, I can see that God has a plan for us out here. And do you know what? I’ve had to face my own shortcomings, more than once. I have been stubborn, proud, and arrogant. God is teaching me that I need to be the opposite of all those things to serve Him.”
Mulling over his words, she wondered how they applied to her.
“I suppose God has given me hard things to help me grow in my faith as well,” she said slowly, thinking through the past few months.
“You are referring to leaving Kansas or your recent incident on the bridge?”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Both, I suppose.” But also, she was referring to how she had to deny her desire to get to know Gabriel better in order to please her father. “I'm learning that my life does not just belong to me, and that I have to be obedient.”
Preacher John's face reflected surprise and a bit of confusion. “Well, that's true. We must all be submissive to the Lord, but it shouldn't be done in misery.” He paused for a moment. “What is bothering you, my girl?”
Did she dare to tell him? Her heart pounded in her chest.
“I'm afraid...”
“You don't need to be afraid to tell me anything. If you have done something wrong, confess it. My temper is not what it once was. God continues to teach me that the anger of man does not produce His righteousness.”
“But you were angry when you found Gabriel holding me after he rescued me,” she countered timidly. “I'm afraid you will be angry about this as well.”
She heard him draw in a deep breath and expel it.
“Yes, I'm being tested when it comes to the women that I love, but if you are not in harm's way, I think I can be trusted to control myself. Now, tell me.”
The command was gentle, so she slowly began to tell him about her meetings with Gabriel and her thoughts of running away with him.
“But I know it was wrong,” she added quickly. “And I'm sorry for it now. Will you forgive me for sneaking around behind your back?”
In the firelight, she could see his jaw was tense.
“And Mister Morris never touched you? Was never inappropriate with you?” he asked, his voice tight.
“No, Father, never. He—he has great respect for me, and for you. Also, he loves the Lord, maybe more than I do.”
Some of the tension went out of his face, and a slight smile lifted the side of his mouth.
“Love knows no boundaries, does it? Well, it serves me right that a daughter of mine would fall for such a man. Remind me to tell you the story of how your mother’s father very nearly refused to give me his blessing for your mother’s hand.” He rubbed a hand over his face and released a sound that was almost a groan. “And now? What does Mister Morris want? For you to go to California with him? I don't think I can give you my blessing for that. It's a dangerous place filled with greedy people.”
Hope was so shocked that he wasn’t angry that she could barely form an answer.
“I—I don't know. I don't think so. He doesn't have any interest in gold. He only wants to farm.”
Her father nodded slowly. “Well, tell this young man to come talk to me tomorrow. He and I have much to discuss. I need to know what his intentions are, and if he is an honorable man. Now, it's time we're off to bed, don't you think?”
The two of them rose, and she kissed her father's cheek impulsively, her heart overflowing with joy, even as her stomach tensed with fear. She had her father's approval, of a sort, but what would Gabriel say? She'd spurned him twice now. Would he give her a third chance?
Gabriel knew that it was irrational, but he couldn't get rid of the feeling that he needed to talk to Hope's father. If he could just make the man see that he wasn't the same as his brothers, that he would work hard to provide a good home for Hope and that he wanted to know more about the Bible and about God's plan for his life... Well, if he could show him all those things, maybe he and Hope would have a chance for happiness.
He was more than happy to give up his share of the inheritance to be with her. His brothers could have it all. He'd claim a piece of land near Oregon City, perhaps go in with another family that had livestock so that he could start a ranch. Maybe that wouldn't even be necessary. Maybe he could talk to his brothers and get them to see sense. After all, he was just as much a Morris as they were.
As he strode around the wagon train, he prayed. He prayed for Hope and her family, for the other families, and for his brothers. His life was on the cusp of a big change, and he knew that he'd need God's guidance.
When he had walked around another time, he stopped near Hope's wagon. He heard a noise, a scuffling in the woods nearby, and sensed something was wrong.
Then, a desperate voice penetrated the darkness.
“It's been months now, Hope. A year actually. Why can't you see that we belong together? You’ve never even given me a chance! And you know what? I've seen you sneak off with that...that gold miner fellow, and I never said a word to your father. And I won't now, not if you let me court you properly! At least give me a chance!”
Gabriel identified the man as Joseph Brown, and as much as he wanted to pounce and pummel him into the dirt, he could also see that Hope was not in any physical danger. She stood with her arms crossed, staring at him coldly.
“You go ahead and do that, Mister Brown. See how far that gets you. Also, answer me this: do you really believe that threatening me is your best course of action? Did you believe that I woul
d fall in love with you for that?”
Pride and love for this woman welled up in his chest, and he knew for certain that his thoughts from earlier were right. She was his future.
He would speak to Preacher Riley tomorrow, but without compromising Hope in anyway. For now, he remained completely still and continued to observe the scene in front of him, ready to jump if the man made even the slightest move towards Hope.
As Joseph started to bluster, Hope raised her chin. “And for your information, my father already knows about Gabriel, who, for your information, is a much more honorable man than yourself. He would never corner a woman as she sought out privacy to take care of her needs. It is unspeakable, what you are doing now. However, if you turn around and go back to your tent, I won't say a word to my father about it.” When he didn't move to comply, Gabriel tensed, but Hope wasn't finished. “You do know what will happen to you, don't you? For pushing yourself on a vulnerable woman in the middle of the night? At best, you'll be cast out of the wagon train. At worst, they'll find a strong rope and the nearest tree.”
Gabriel nearly gasped and had to bite his lip to prevent from cheering.
Finally, the man seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation and turned to scurry back to his tent. Gabriel watched as Hope let out a shaky breath and then leaned against a tree.
“That was quite a performance,” he said quietly, so as not to frighten her.
“Gabriel? Is that you?” There was a quiver in her voice, but that only served to make him respect her more. She'd stood down a bully even when she was afraid.
“Yeah, it's me. Sorry for eavesdropping on your, uh, privacy...”
He meant it as a bit of a joke, but her face crumpled. “Gabriel,” she whimpered, her voice low. “I'm sorry for... I never meant to...”
“Shh, it's okay.” He stepped out of the shadows towards her, but kept a little distance so as not to force himself on her. However, she was having none of it and practically launched herself into his arms.
“You'll forgive me, won't you? Oh, Gabriel, my father wants to talk to you. I told him about our meetings, but that's not why. He wants to find out what your...uh, intentions are towards me.”
When she looked up into his face, it was all he could do not to kiss her. Instead, he pushed a strand of hair off her face and cradled her head in his hand.
“My intention is to love you for the rest of your life. I know it's early days, but I can't help thinking that God put us together on this train so that we could meet one another. The way we started things wasn't right, I know that now, but with your father's permission, I want to court you properly, with a chaperone and everything. What do you think about that?”
She smiled faintly and clung to him, her eyes fastened on his. “I think... I think that I want you to kiss me,” she whispered.
His own face erupted into a huge grin. “Of course,” he replied. “Whatever you say.” And so, slowly, tenderly, he pressed the first of ten thousand kisses to her lips.
Follow the wagon train as they continue their trek westward to Oregon City in the next story. More trials and heartaches await the adventurous group as they leave behind their pasts in pursuit of their dreams.
A Deceptive Love
Love on the Oregon Trail, Book 3
1
1853, Central Wyoming
Independence Rock was on the horizon, and the small wagon train gave a hearty cheer. The halfway point from Missouri to Oregon City was finally in sight. Beth Lewis wasn’t sure how she felt—relieved to be closer to their destination, sure, but that much closer to a life full of uncertainty.
Captain Holt, their wagon master, grinned at the group, but then held up a hand to call for quiet.
“I'm real glad we've made this far without any major incidents, but I have to tell you...”
It sounded like he was about to issue a warning, but he caught a look from Emma Pearson, the widow with whom he took all his meals, and his voice died off.
“Uh, well, I wanted to tell you that this is by far the best group I've taken down the trail. You, um, have all pretty much followed instructions, been considerate of others and...er, rationed your supplies appropriately.”
Beth saw Emma give a small approving nod, and the corner of Captain Holt's mouth turned up the tiniest bit. Everyone knew that the two were courting, but out of respect for their captain, no one spoke of it openly since he had not made it public.
“So, we'll make camp here for the night and then move through the Rocky Mountains,” he continued. “Some of you have voiced your concerns, but let me put them all to rest. We won't be balancing on the edge of a cliff at any time. The South Pass is very safe. It's basically a valley that's miles wide.”
Beth let out a small sigh of relief.
“That's good to hear,” said George. “I thought for sure it was going to be the most dangerous part.”
She gave him a little smile and nodded. “Most people probably did. I'm just glad to be halfway.”
The group had been walking for nearly three months and had made good time, according to Captain Holt. It was reason enough to celebrate tonight, even though pretty much everyone had run out of their most prized provisions. Beth had managed to keep some peach and strawberry preserves back, but was determined not use them until they reached Whitman's Mission and were faced with the final leg of the journey. From there, it was just one more week until arriving in Oregon City. That would be a real cause for celebration.
“You could tell that to your face,” George teased.
“What?” she asked, frowning at him.
The smile on his face faded, and he blinked a couple of times, a gesture that she knew meant he felt uncertain. She knew every expression, every nuance of his voice, and every facial twitch.
“Well, uh…” he stumbled. “You just don't look too pleased about it.”
Swallowing down a lump in her throat, Beth looked away. She wouldn't tell him that she'd been feeling envious of Captain Holt and Mrs. Pearson. Their affection for each other was so obvious that it heightened the miserable complexity of her own situation more than she wanted to think about.
“I'm pleased,” she replied quietly. “But I'll be even happier when we get to the Oregon City land office.”
They'd given up everything for the piece of land that was promised at the end of the journey. It was their fervent hope that they could make a new life for themselves, one that wasn’t rife with shame and regret. And George's plan had seemed so reasonable at the time, but now…now Beth had doubts.
“Yeah, me too. Can't wait to put that Kentucky seed into our very own land.” His eyes shone, and she couldn’t help smiling a little. It was nice to see him so happy, and she certainly didn’t begrudge him that. Neither one of them had encountered much joy in their lives.
“Good day, Mister and Missus Lewis,” greeted Hope, the preacher's daughter. “Can you believe we're already halfway?”
The positive note in her voice was a reflection of her situation. It had been less than a week since she'd fallen into the churning waters of the Platte River and had to be rescued. Her father hadn't been too pleased to find her and the rescuer, Gabriel Morris, snuggled up together on the riverbank, but he'd gotten over it and had apparently given his blessing to the young man. The two of them could often be seen strolling around the campsite in the evenings.
Beth suppressed another sigh. Love was all around, but it never touched her. George gave her a sidelong glance, one that she knew meant he wanted to know what was going on in her mind, but she just shook her head.
She wouldn't tell him. There was no point. What was done was done, and there was no looking back. There would be no romance for her, not now, not ever, despite what George had told her months ago. The deal they'd made wouldn't allow for it.
After all, when would she have a chance? The two of them had been so convincing in their story, in their lie, that no one would ever doubt that they were a married couple, but Beth had never married
George and never would.
He was her brother.
The plan had seemed harmless enough at the beginning.
“They give twice as much land to married couples, Beth,” George had explained several months ago when they were still in Kentucky, his face practically shining in earnest hope. “If we're going to go, we might as well get as much as we can.”
“I don't know, George,” she murmured. “It's so deceptive. And what if we get found out? Will we be put in prison?”
He shook his head vigorously. “Who's going to know? Once we leave this place, there won't be a single soul who recognizes our faces for mile and miles. And what other choice do we have? There's no land to be had around here.”
In Kentucky, where they'd been sent to live with relatives, George and Beth had no chance for happiness. Everyone far and wide knew of their past: their drunken father who had sent them away shortly after their mother had run off. He'd died more than five years before, killed in a gunfight over some abandoned claim. A bad man who'd come to a bad end, their aunt continually reminded them, a man who cared more about yellow rocks than his own family.
“We'll know,” she replied, her brow pulled low. “It's not right.” Before the family had gone off to North Carolina, they’d lived with her mother’s mother, who’d been a staunch Baptist, and she’d instilled the fear of God in them by whatever means possible, often with a sour face and sometimes even a stick.
That fear had stayed with Beth for her whole life, even after the old woman had died and left them just enough to make a new start. Her father had chosen to take that money and buy a claim down south where men were apparently striking it rich left and right. So had he…initially.
