by Clay, Verna
Thinking about Lilah brought remembrances of Thomas. After the death of his widowed mother when he was seven, the childless aunt and uncle who'd raised him saw him and his disability as a burden. So it was no wonder he was more than happy to leave unhappy memories in Muddy Creek Valley. Always a dreamer, he'd fed his imagination by reading books packed with adventure and stories about the exciting territories to the west.
Brimming tears threatened to overflow and Hallie quickly returned her attention to the present to study the steamboat that would deliver them to Westport Landing. Remembering the information in the book Thomas had acquired about steamboats, she wasn't altogether ignorant. She knew the Mirabella was a side paddle wheeler because of its two paddles, one on either side of the hull. As with most steamships, there were three decks, the lowest being the main deck, the center, the boiler deck, even though boilers were not located on it, and the top, the hurricane deck. Atop the hurricane deck sat the pilothouse where the pilot, the most esteemed personage on a steamboat because of his knowledge of the river, with its many pitfalls of raging currents and snags, guided the ship from port to port. The best views were from the hurricane deck.
Surrounding the boiler deck, with its staterooms and centrally located dining room, was the promenade enclosed by gingerbread railings, a popular place for travelers to watch the river, converse, or stretch their legs by walking around the deck.
The main deck was for cargo, animals, and passengers unable to pay for staterooms.
Little Sammy's excited shout startled Hallie. "There's Pa!"
Hallie followed the direction he pointed and saw Cooper and Emmett walking back toward their buckboard. Anticipation gave her goose bumps. She moved her mouth in whispered words to her dead husband, "We'll soon be aboard the Mirabella, Tom."
* * *
Cooper's questions had gotten him instructions for boarding passengers and trunks, as well as Sweet Pea. His request that the Wells and the Hankersons have staterooms next to each other was met with a grunt from the mate and an unfriendly, "What'd'ya think this ship is, the Great Eastern? We gots so many pioneers headed for Westport, we'll be lucky ta get 'em all onboard."
Cooper glowered until finally the short, pudgy, greasy, salt-and-pepper-haired, smelly man said, "I ain't promisin' nothin', but tell the steward when ya board that Schmitty said ta give ya two rooms ta-gather. If'n he can, he will. That's the best I can do."
After thanking the man and heading back to the buckboard, Emmett said, "You know, Cooper, you got a scowl that would scare the stripes off a tiger."
Cooper glanced at the farmer, who today looked like a librarian or a teacher. "I guess I can thank hard livin' and the war for that."
Emmett said, "I wasn't in the war for reasons I'll keep personal, but I heard enough descriptions of battles to give me nightmares for days."
Cooper didn’t respond. The last thing he wanted to do was reminisce about the war. His scowl softened when he saw Timmy's big grin and Sammy jumping up and down pointing at them. He almost laughed at Hallie biting her nails like a schoolgirl.
After moving the buckboard to the dock and unloading the trunks, Emmett waited with the women and children while Cooper returned the wagon to the stable and retrieved Sweet Pea. Within thirty minutes he was back at the dock hitching his horse to a post and rejoining them. After a lengthy wait in line at the landing stages, Hallie handed her tickets to a stocky young steward holding a clipboard. When Cooper informed him of Schmitty's approval for adjoining rooms, he grumbled, flipped through his roster, and wrinkled his brow. "I guess I can give you the Tennessee and the Texas rooms on the port side."
Cooper said, "Sounds good," and turned to Hallie and Emmet. "I'll get some roustabouts to deliver your trunks to your rooms and after I settle Sweet Pea on the main deck, I'll come find you."
* * *
Hallie held Timmy's hand and followed Emmett to their staterooms. The steamboat certainly wasn't one of the expensive ships that plied the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers with wealthy passengers. As Thomas had explained, it was a retired mid-class passenger steamer now transporting pioneers, cargo, and animals.
Emmett pointed to a grimy door with the word "Texas," painted across it. The door next to it was painted with "Tennessee." Opening the "Texas" door, Hallie stepped into a tiny room reeking of tobacco. A narrow bed was bolted to the far wall with another bed, bunk board style, above it. A tiny chest with two drawers and a lamp sitting in a holder fastened to the wall were the only other objects in the room, except for the key to the room resting on top of the chest. It was one of the dreariest rooms Hallie had ever seen.
While untying her bonnet ribbons, it suddenly occurred to her that her ticket was for one room shared by three people. Where was Cooper going to sleep?
Chapter 7: Slime
The Mirabella was finally loaded and readied for departure on the Missouri River in the early afternoon. Standing at the railing of the promenade on the boiler deck, Hallie watched Cooper's approach.
Looking plumb tuckered out, he said, "Guess ya'll had a bird's eye view of us trying to calm that spooked horse."
Hallie nodded. "That was friendly of you to help. Too bad the horse had to be led off ship. I thought he was going to charge into the drink a couple of times."
Timmy asked, "What's going to happen to him?"
Cooper shrugged. "His owner said he'll catch the boat again when it returns in ten days and put blinders on the horse."
Emmett glanced at his pocket watch, "Even after all that, we're only a couple of hours off schedule. Considering the trouble with that horse, that's pretty good."
From their vantage point, they observed roustabouts, mates, and stewards, under the watchful eye of the captain, hasten the ship for departure. In a short time, the whistle shrilled, the stacks puffed black smoke, and the paddles eased the ship into murky waters. Hallie squeezed Tim's hand. His voice held a sense of wonder. "Ma, we did it. Pa would be right proud."
Hallie felt so choked up, she couldn't respond.
After the Mirabella was well under way, a goodly portion of the crowd of passengers on the promenade drifted back to their rooms or found amusements elsewhere. Emmett and Lydia excused themselves and returned to their stateroom with Sammy.
Hallie said, "Timmy, run on to our room. I'll be there in a minute. I just need to discuss something with Mr. Jerome first." After Timmy left, she asked, "Where are you sleeping?"
"I'm on the main deck, bedding down outside Sweet Pea's stall."
Hallie frowned. "Please let me see if I can buy you a stateroom."
Cooper grinned, "No, ma'am. Sweet Pea and I have often been bed partners. Like I said before, she gets kinda lonely without me."
Although Cooper had been speaking of his horse, Hallie felt color rise to her face.
Chuckling again, his eyes captured hers and twinkled with a hint of amusement, "Don't worry about me, Hallie."
Now, hours later, after eating a supper of roast beef and potatoes with the Hankersons in the dining room on the same deck as their staterooms, Hallie lay on her narrow, lumpy bed, wondering what Cooper had eaten. She was disappointed when he didn't join them, and made a mental note to be sure he knew his meals were inclusive in the price of their tickets.
Trying to take her mind off her suffocating quarters, she thought about the view from the hurricane deck that she and Timmy had discovered with Emmett, Lydia, and Sam. Before supper, they had all gone to explore the ship, climbing the stairs to the top deck to enjoy the unobstructed views. The steamboat had moved into deep water and away from civilization and the scenery was simply breathtaking. Now, remembering the wonderful sights, Hallie wanted to escape her stuffy room and stargaze. How beautiful the stars would be on such a clear night. And maybe a little exercise would help her sleep when she returned. No one will know.
Hallie quickly lit her lamp and dimmed it, allowing just enough light to slip on the dress she had worn that day. Dealing with her corset wasn't something she relis
hed, so she just pulled the dress over her nightgown; besides, who would see her in the dark if she kept to the shadows. Fastening the front buttons, she wished she could be this lax with her clothing all the time. On the farm, she hadn't worn a corset, but now, traveling and being around so many people, she didn't feel properly clothed without it.
Grabbing her cloak and donning her bonnet, she tied the ribbons under her chin and then as quietly as she could, pulled on her high top walking shoes, foregoing her stockings. With a glance at Timmy to make sure he was sleeping soundly, she smiled at his quiet snores and then slipped out the door, locking it.
The promenade was empty and she wished she'd looked at her watch. She decided it had to be after midnight since she'd lain in bed unable to sleep for hours.
Making her way to the stairs leading to the hurricane deck, she glanced over the railing enclosing the promenade and into the murky depths of black water glinting here and there under a full moon. Anxious to reach her destination, she almost tripped in her haste. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Maybe I should just go back to my room. No! I'm almost there.
With renewed determination, Hallie carefully ascended the stairs. Just as she had known, the stars were bright and big and beckoning. Her breath caught and she twirled in a circle, never taking her eyes off their teasing twinkles. Oh, this was so worth it.
Walking to the railing on the starboard side, she sighed with relief that the deck was empty. Soon she was marveling at the beautiful sky staring back at her—so far away, and yet she felt as if she could reach and capture a star. Finding the brightest one, she made a wish. Starlight, starbright, I make a wish tonight. I wish for a safe journey and a bright new future. I wish…
She paused to consider her next wish, I wish for Cooper Jerome to find happiness because of his kindness to Timmy and me.
She paused again to think if she had another wish. I wish…
Distant sounds distracted her. She heard what sounded like a slamming door and then muffled voices. For a second, she wondered if she should flee, but the voices stopped and she didn't see anyone. Besides, she was a long way from the card room in the aft of the ship and standing in the shadows, surely no one would see her. Dismissing her fears, she returned to stargazing and dreaming of the future.
Instead of allowing her mind to worry about the daunting task of acquiring a wagon, oxen, and supplies, she envisioned it already done, with Timmy and herself walking behind Cooper, who was walking beside the oxen, cracking his whip overhead and guiding the team down dusty trails. So engrossed was she in her daydream, she jumped when she heard a slurred, "Well, howdy, li'l lady. Ain't you a nice surprise?"
Hallie inhaled sharply and lifted her hand to her throat. Another voice said, "Ain't this our lucky night, Stubby."
"Shore is. My four aces put jingle in my pocket and yer full house did you good, too. Now, we gots a woman's comp'ny. What more could a man ask fer?"
Slowly, Hallie edged away. The men were blocking her exit, not moving. She decided to run toward the pilot house if they came closer.
"My husband just stepped away for an instant. He…he'll be right back." Her words sounded like the lie they were.
For a man so inebriated, Stubby moved fast, and before Hallie could run, he stepped to block any escape. A shaft of moonlight revealed his slimy appearance and grease matted hair and she almost fainted when she got a whiff of his foul breath. In a matter of seconds, the man named Harley snaked behind her and thrust an arm around her waist, trapping her arms and pulling her into the folds of his rotund body. When she opened her mouth to scream, a fat, stinky hand clamped over it.
Oh, God. Oh, God. Somebody help me. Cooper!
Stubby laughed softly and stuck his face in hers. "Either you ain't half bad lookin' or I'm too drunk to care." He snickered to his friend, "I'm gonna give her a feel, Harley; see if she's worth our time."
Hallie whimpered behind Harley's big hand and tried to bite it as Stubby reached to fondle her breast. Harley said, "Oh, she's gonna be worth it, Stubby. She just tried to bite my hand. She's got sass."
Stubby added, "She's kinda skinny, but all woman, that's fer sure. We's gonna have us a good ol' time tonight."
Out of nowhere, a deep-timbered voice calmly spoke, "I highly doubt that. Let her go, step away, and maybe I'll let you live." The click of a gun cocking, and then another, sounded as Cooper Jerome stepped into view. Aiming one pistol at Stubby and the second at Harley, he looked like the devil incarnate under the moon's glow, especially with the ghostly floating of his duster in the breeze.
Stubby said, "Sheeit."
Harley said, "She weren't lyin' 'bout the husband."
Cooper repeated, enunciating each word, "Let her go. Step away. And I might let you live."
Stubby started backing up as Harley slowly removed his hand from Hallie's mouth, released her waist, and lifted his hands in the air.
Cooper motioned with one gun, "Hallie, come over by me."
Hallie jerked away from the wretched man and in the process purposefully jabbed his gut with her elbow. Although he grunted, her angry attempt to inflict pain proved useless on his overweight body.
Rushing to stand behind Cooper, she stared daggers at the men’s faces lit by the full moon.
Cooper's calm voice turned menacing. "If I see either one of you even looking sideways at a woman as long as we're on this boat, I'll shoot your hands off, and then I'll gouge your eyes out. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?"
His tone sent shivers up Hallie's spine. In the darkness, with moonlight reflecting from the hard planes of his face and his pistols glinting ominously, he could have scared the demons in hell.
Stubby and Harley blubbered simultaneously, evidence of their drunken state seemingly disappeared.
"Y-yes."
"Yes, sir."
Cooper motioned with a jerk of his head. "Get the hell out of my sight."
Neither man waited for a second invitation before stumbling over each other in their haste to retreat.
Much to Hallie's astonishment, Cooper then twirled and holstered his guns like a gunslinger. She had to stop herself from throwing her arms around his neck in grateful abandonment for saving her.
Unable to see his face clearly now because of the angle of his head, she gasped at the anger in his voice when he practically growled, "What the hell are you doing out at this time of night? Especially on this deck."
She opened her mouth to reply, but her explanation got stuck in her throat.
"Well?" he asked impatiently.
"I-I couldn't sleep and wanted to get some fresh air and look at the stars."
Cooper sighed. "Mrs. Wells, if you want me to get you to Oregon intact, you had best listen to my instructions. While we were boarding, I warned you about this part of the ship. If I hadn't come along, those men would have done things you don't even want to think about."
Hallie felt the blood drain from her face at the truth in his words and relived the feel of the horrible man's hand groping her. She covered her mouth to keep from vomiting and made a retching sound.
Immediately, Cooper stepped close and pressed a handkerchief into her hand. "Ah, shit. Take some deep breaths. Breathe in…breathe out."
Hallie followed his instructions, mortified that she might throw up in front of him. In all of her life, she had never been manhandled by ruffians or spoken to harshly as Cooper had just done. She was brought up in a loving family and married a dear, sweet-tempered man who never raised his voice. The nausea finally faded.
"Better?" Cooper's voice had softened, but an unreasonable anger crawled into Hallie's heart.
"Yes. I'm ready to return to my cabin," she answered curtly, handing back his handkerchief. She started forward and then turned quickly around. "In the future, Mr. Jerome, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't speak to me as if I were a child. I apologize for my lapse in judgment and I hope that puts an end to this unfortunate conversation."
Turning pridefully she walked toward the st
airs.
* * *
Cooper watched Hallie's stiff-backed retreat and almost smiled. So the timid mouse had some spunk. Rather than incense her more—an itch he had to see how far he could push her—he just said, "Yes, ma'am."
Cooper escorted Hallie back to her room and politely tipped his hat when she turned to bid him good night. Still miffed, she asked, "Since that deck houses the card tables and liquor, why were you there, Mr. Jerome?"
Her question took him off guard. He knew that if he grinned at her schoolmarm interrogation, he would probably be in the doghouse for days.
"Ah, ma'am, I was just scouting out the lay-of-the-land, so to speak. It's a habit from my military training." His explanation sounded plausible to his own ears, but the look on Hallie's face told him that she knew it was a crock of shit as much as he did. "Night, ma'am. Sorry if I was a little harsh with you." Before she could respond, he hastened away.
Descending to the main deck, Cooper swiped a hand across his nose at the pungent odor of animal excrement and body odor from the mass of emigrants camped there. Making his way to the area set aside for animals, he leaned against the pitiful stall housing Sweet Pea. His horse softly neighed and lifted her head over the siding for her owner to rub. Absentmindedly, Cooper crooned and stroked Sweet Pea's neck while Hallie's question bounced around in his mind. What had he been doing on the hurricane deck? Hell, he'd been wanting a drink and a woman's company, but instead of acting on either desire, he, too, had been stargazing. Chuckling, he dropped to the blanket at his feet, laid his head on his saddle, and pulled the bowl of his hat over his face.
* * *
After spending most of the night unable to sleep, Hallie listened to Timmy's excited chatter the next morning as she dressed. Oh, how she was loathe to face Cooper. He must think her a total nitwit. What had she been thinking to sneak to the gambling deck by herself? A sudden panic hit her. What if he decides not to accompany us to Oregon?
"Ma? Ma…Ma!" Timmy shook her elbow.
"Oh, sorry, honey."
