Winds of Change (The Surveyor's Daughters Book 4)

by Vicki Hunt Budge

  Gideon brought Thor to a walk after a good run, and then stopped near a creek, letting the horse drink and eat some of the grain. The air smelled of juniper and sagebrush, and the area was quiet except for the sound of Thor drinking and a yellow-bellied marmot scurrying over a cluster of lava rocks. A hawk soared high in the sky.

  After resting, they climbed a steep grade, Gideon walking beside his horse. When they reached the top, Gideon noted dark clouds gathering in the western sky. He and Thor stopped near a thicket of evergreen trees before taking off toward the sagebrush plain. They slowed near a gully where water covered part of the road, and Gideon lead Thor to the creek to drink and rest again.

  “I just hope I can get Cora back to Clover Creek in time to see Jackson come through,” Gideon said to Thor. “And if I’m honest with myself, I have to admit that I’m curious to see what Jackson and his automobile are really about.”

  Once Thor climbed back onto level ground, they took off again. A welcome breeze picked up, cooling the air somewhat, and causing the tree branches to sway on the nearby hillside. The road curved around a large outcropping of lava rock and dipped into another gully. They slowed for the descent into the gully and the climb back out. When they reached the top, Gideon saw the caravan off in the distance. It looked like the carriages had stopped, and he urged Thor forward. It didn’t take long to catch up to the travelers.

  “Hello,” Gideon called, amused to see the surprised faces of the group. Most of them were sitting under some dogwood trees, breaking out picnic food. Some were down by the creek dipping their feet in the cool water. Milo was tending to his horses.

  “Gideon!” Cora jumped to her feet, leaving the picnic food, and ran toward him. “What are you doing out here? Are you joining us after all?”

  Gideon dismounted, and quite a few of the group gathered around as though waiting to hear what had brought him out to catch up to them so late in the morning.

  “Is something wrong?” Cora asked.

  Gideon shook his head. He couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face. “But Jackson’s not coming over the original Oregon Trail anymore.” Gideon gave the announcement slowly to let the words sink in. “He changed his plans for some reason and took the northern route out of Mountain Home. He’s coming right through Clover Creek sometime later today.”

  “What?” Cora and a few others cried.

  “You’re saying we should turn back?” someone asked. “How do you know he changed his plans?”

  “It’s your choice what you do,” Gideon said. “I’m just here to bring the message. Jake’s pa found out about the change of plans because the news came in over the wire. He sent me out here to tell everyone. Especially Jake.” Gideon looked at Jake and dipped his head. “Your pa wants you back in Clover Creek as soon as possible. He thinks we have plenty of time to get back into town before Jackson shows up if we don’t dawdle.”

  “I don’t believe you,” Milo said, stepping out from the crowd, his strong voice penetrating the air. “I saw Jackson’s plans laid out in the Caldwell newspaper. He distinctly planned to follow the original Oregon Trail in reverse and travel right through Shoshone.”

  “I know it seems farfetched, but why would I ride clear out here if Jake’s pa didn’t believe what came in over the wire?”

  Milo crossed his arms and pursed his lips for what seemed like a long time. “I’m going on to Shoshone just like we planned,” he finally said. “I don’t think Jackson would change his plans on the spur of the moment.”

  “How are we supposed to know for sure?” Cora asked. “Why would Jackson change his mind at the last minute when all the towns along the Oregon Trail are planning on him? Could someone be playing a mean joke?”

  “That’s what it is all right,” Milo said. “This whole change of direction thing is a hoax. I’m not saying you would purposely mislead us, Gideon. It’s just that I don’t think Jackson would change his plans without a good reason, and there isn’t a good reason. He hasn’t changed his plans before except for when he got lost. And he won’t get lost following the Oregon Trail in reverse.”

  “Have you noticed those dark clouds further west?” Gideon asked.

  “A little rain won’t stop Jackson,” Milo snapped.

  “Mud up to the floorboards will.”

  Milo’s face reddened. “Turning to the northern route adds miles to Jackson’s travel time. He’s already lost days because of bad directions and breakdowns.” Milo’s voice escalated as he talked, and he stalked off toward his carriage. “I’m going on to Shoshone according to our plan, if anyone wants to go with me!”

  Cora glanced around as though checking to see what the rest of the group decided. Most of them chose to follow Milo, apparently believing that Jackson wouldn’t change his mind with such short notice. The Howell girls and Alice put their picnic leftovers into Milo’s carriage, indicating that they planned to continue on with him.

  “I’m so sorry,” Cora finally said to Gideon, her voice faltering, as if she were frustrated enough to cry. “I came with Milo. I guess if Milo thinks Jackson will follow his original plans and still come through Shoshone, I . . . I’d better go with him.”

  9

  The whole group scurried around putting their picnic leftovers away and getting the carriages and horses ready to continue on to Shoshone. Jake Weston was the only driver that planned to return to Clover Creek, but even his friend had abandoned him and joined those who were continuing on to Shoshone. Cora felt sick to her stomach, and she stood off to the side watching everyone. Her legs rocked back and forth like they were frozen and wouldn’t move forward to climb into Milo’s carriage. What if Milo was wrong and Jackson had changed his plans? Mr. Weston wouldn’t have sent Gideon all the way out to find their group if he didn’t believe the report about the changed directions. The more she struggled with the conflicting beliefs, the more she felt like she might throw up.

  What if she continued on with Milo and Jackson drove his automobile right through her hometown? But how horrible would it be to miss the most exciting event of her life because she turned back and the news had been false? Besides that, she couldn’t get over the disappointed look on Gideon’s face when she said she was going on with Milo. Clearly, a pained expression had filled his eyes, and he had turned away to lead Thor down to the creek.

  Cora had started to follow him, but what could she say? Here he had left his work and traveled all this way to let her and everyone know about the change of plans. And hardly anyone believed him. The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. Gideon knew how much this automobile road trip meant to her, and he had sacrificed so much of his time to come for her.

  Tears sprung to Cora’s eyes. All the fun had gone out of the day, and she wondered why life had to be so complicated. If she went on with Milo, Gideon would be disappointed in her. If she went back to Clover Creek, Milo would be disappointed in her. How she wished there was some way to know the truth of Jackson’s whereabouts.

  “You can ride with me if you have any doubt and want to return to Clover Creek,” Gideon said softly. He and Thor had walked up behind her, and she’d been so wrapped up in her tumultuous thoughts that she hadn’t noticed.

  Cora opened her mouth, and then closed it. She didn’t know what to say, and the tears slipped from her eyes.

  “Thor can carry us both if we take our time and walk beside him on the hills,” Gideon said. He stepped closer to Cora and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. There was no reproach in his eyes, only gentleness and a look of concern. “But we have to leave right away to make it back before Jackson comes through.”

  Cora’s breath caught in her chest as she looked into Gideon’s eyes. There was something about him that overwhelmed her whenever she was this close to him. Her mind raced with what to do, and she silently pleaded for guidance. After what seemed like a long time, a feeling of peace came over her, and she nodded to Gideon. She turned and strode over to where Milo was climbing
into his carriage. “I’m sorry, Milo,” she said. “I’ve decided to go back to Clover Creek.”

  Milo shrugged, his expression stern. “It’s up to you. But if this is a hoax, you’ll miss out, and you’ll be sorry.”

  Cora had no sooner collected her things from Milo’s carriage, when Alice stood up. “I’m going with Cora,” she said.

  Jake Weston called to her in an instant. “You can ride with me, Alice!” He had his carriage turned back toward Clover Creek, and it was empty except for him. “If my pa says Jackson’s coming through Clover Creek, that’s good enough for me. Besides, Pa wants his camera back there whether I show up or not.”

  Alice scrambled down from Milo’s carriage, immediately followed by the Howell sisters who expressed their apologies to Milo for abandoning him. Alice climbed into Jake’s carriage, sitting beside him, while the Howell girls climbed into the rear seat. Milo took another quick survey, and found that everyone else still agreed with him and planned to go on to Shoshone. A few more shuffles from one carriage to another took place, and then Milo set off, leading the way south.

  When Cora offered to squeeze into Jake’s carriage along with her sister and friends rather than crowd Gideon on his horse, Gideon simply grinned at her and shook his head. “I didn’t ride all the way out here to have you ride back with Jake.” He gave her that look that she adored. “You’ll hardly make any difference to Thor, and I’d like you with me, if that’s all right.”

  After all the drama and confusion, a reassuring feeling coursed through Cora, and that was exactly where she wanted to be, settled in his arms. She stepped forward, and Gideon helped her up onto the big gelding. Then he swung up behind her and reached around her to settle the reins in his hands.

  “You comfortable?” Gideon asked as he started Thor walking.

  “Very comfortable,” she said, moving her shoulders and settling into his chest.

  Thor broke into a trot, and Jake and his passengers weren’t far behind.

  Cora closed her eyes. She was more than comfortable. She was cozy and snug with Gideon’s arms around her. She thought she would be content to ride this way all the way home. In reality, it wasn’t too long before she felt uncomfortable in the saddle and was ready to walk. Although she had grown up riding horses, she had never shared the saddle with anyone for any length of time.

  “I hate to make you walk,” Gideon said as they approached a rise in the land where the road climbed away from the sagebrush desert and snaked up into the hills. But I don’t want to overwork Thor. Do you mind walking for a while?”

  “I’m a farm girl,” Cora said, turning toward him. “I’m used to raking hay or hoeing spuds all day. I think I can walk up a hill.”

  Gideon chuckled, and brought Thor to a stop. He and Cora climbed down, and after letting the big horse rest and drink in the creek, they walked along beside him. Before they had gone too far, Jake Weston and his crowd went around them, waving, and disappearing up into the hills.

  “Isn’t this the most beautiful day?” Cora said as she and Gideon stepped out, leading Thor up the hill. She enjoyed the sound of Thor’s hoofs clopping along on the dirt road and the birds trilling in nearby trees. A breeze had picked up, cooling the afternoon air. With the sun at her back now, Cora removed her hat and let the fresh air stream through her hair.

  “It’s a beautiful day because I have the most beautiful woman walking beside me.”

  Cora smiled and shoved his arm a little, pushing him toward Thor. He responded by taking her hand in his, and they strode along together, in a hurry to return home, but not in a hurry to unclasp their hands.

  “You know, I have always wanted to have you all to myself.” Gideon winked as they nearly reached the top of the hill. “Of course, we’re not really alone what with Thor along. But Thor has never been one to dominate the conversation. Not like some people I know.”

  Cora giggled. “And who dominates the conversations?” she asked.

  A reddish hue crept into his face. He squeezed her hand lightly instead of answering.

  “Are you thinking of Milo?”

  Silence.

  “You are thinking of Milo.”

  They reached the crest of the hill, and Gideon smiled. Instead of answering her question, stopped them in the shade of the evergreen trees and asked one of his own. “So tell me, where do you think Jackson and his companions are right now?”

  “I wish I knew,” Cora answered, sighing. “I hope they’re on their way to Clover Creek, and that we make it back in time to see them. Wouldn’t it be nice to be a hawk for the day and fly over the Vermont as it travels along?”

  Gideon looked up at the wide expanse of thick white clouds with splashes of blue sky breaking through. “That’s a pretty far-fetched wish,” he said. With that, Gideon helped Cora up and into the saddle again, and he swung up behind her. He started Thor walking, but quickly broke into a canter. He tightened his arms around her, keeping her securely in the saddle with him.

  Cora settled into Gideon’s chest again, savoring the feel of his strong arms around her, his face sometimes leaning into her hair as though he enjoyed the smell of her. She sighed deeply, and for a few moments, she didn’t even care if they missed Jackson and the Vermont.

  The day had turned out perfect as it was.

  By late afternoon, Cora and Gideon rode into Clover Creek and Cora could tell immediately that they hadn’t missed Jackson. The boardwalks were lined with people, many of them sitting on chairs as though waiting for a parade. Cora’s entire family was among them, except for her father and brother-in-law who were still out on the government survey.

  Gideon brought Thor to a halt in front of the newspaper office. Jake and his passengers had entered the town earlier and Cora’s sisters and friends ran to greet her.

  “Jackson’s almost here,” chorused Fern and Beth, Cora’s two youngest sisters. They clasped their hands and danced around Cora once she was standing on the ground.

  “Thank goodness we didn’t miss them,” Cora said. She joined Alice and the rest of her family while Gideon and Jake went to take care of their horses behind the newspaper office. “Do we have any idea of how much longer before they’ll get here?”

  “According to Mr. Weston, they’re just over an hour away,” Mrs. Gardner said after hugging Cora. “I’m so happy you made it back in time. I was so afraid you might miss out seeing this man and his automobile after all.”

  Before Cora could respond, Milo’s father hurried up to her. “Where’s Milo?” he asked.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Henderson,” Cora said. “Milo didn’t believe that Jackson changed his travel plans. He and the others continued on to Shoshone.”

  “Very unfortunate,” Mr. Henderson said, grumbling and shaking his head. “At least that boy saw Jackson leave San Francisco, but he’s going to be sorely disappointed before this day is over.” He wandered back through the crowd toward the bank, still shaking his head.

  “Do you girls need something to eat?” Mrs. Gardner asked.

  “I need to wash the dust off of me more than anything,” Cora said.

  “Gideon’s little brother rode out to tell us about the change of plans,” Mrs. Gardner said, handing a bundle to Cora and one to Alice. “So we brought a change of clothing for both of you, hoping you’d return to town in time. I’m sure you can wash up and change over at Rolla’s house.”

  “If Jackson’s almost here, we need to hurry!” Cora grabbed Alice by the hand, and they took off, nearly running the few blocks to Mrs. Stribling’s house. After knocking on the front door, the girls walked in, calling loudly for their older friend. “Rolla, where are you? Can we wash up and change our clothes here?”

  “I’m back here getting dressed,” Mrs. Stribling called from her bed chamber. “Come on back and help yourselves to whatever you need. This is the most exciting day for Clover Creek since last year’s Independence Day!”

  By the time Cora, Alice, and Mrs. Stribling ate a slice of bread and made
it back to the newspaper office, Gideon was there with his family, all except for his father. Gideon’s brothers had finished the work on the mail wagon shortly before Gideon showed up, and everyone except Mr. Lewis had wanted to watch the first automobile drive through Clover Creek.

  They didn’t have long to wait.

  Everyone was milling about on both sides of the street, when someone let out a loud holler. “Here they come!” Silence descended as people covered their mouths or held their chests at the scene before them. With a rhythmic putt, putt, putt, the Vermont, dirty and mud-splattered, chugged into view at the far end of town. The only problem was, instead of driving all the way into the center of town, Jackson stopped his automobile in front of the wheelwright barn. The whole town surged down the street toward him.

  “Run!” Cora shouted, when Gideon hesitated to leave her walking with her mother and Mrs. Stribling. “Jackson must need help with a repair or something.”

  Gideon took off running for the wheelwright barn along with all the other boys and young men in town. Although Cora longed to run with them, she took hold of Mrs. Stribling and her mother, and they walked arm in arm down the dusty road. Cora’s younger sisters had taken off running with the boys. Her older sisters and their families also hurried toward the wheelwright barn with the rest of the townsfolk.

  By the time Gideon reached Jackson’s automobile, Jackson and his mechanic, Sewall Crocker, were already talking to Gideon’s father. Bud, the fearsome looking pit bull, still sat in the Vermont wearing his goggles and slobbering down the front of himself onto the floor of the automobile. Between Bud’s slobbers and his formidable looking teeth, he kept the people at arm’s length from the Vermont while Jackson and his mechanic talked to Mr. Lewis.

  “Gideon, these gentlemen need to repair the gasoline tank on their automobile,” Mr. Lewis said. “I’ve offered your assistance and our facilities to them. Is that all right with you?”