by Clay, Verna
Hallie straightened her dress and folded her hands in her lap. Cooper was walking behind Stubby.
Near the edge of the imaginary border to her campsite, Stubby paused, looked at his boots, and finally glanced up sheepishly. He looked surprisingly different after bathing and shaving and Hallie suspected the fancy women had had something to do with his sudden change in appearance.
He cleared his throat once, and then again. "Ah, Miz Wells, I…ah…want to thank you fer yer kindness. After what I done, most folks would'a turned their backs on me. But you're a right kind woman and…and I'm well and truly sorry for my sorry-ass behavior. I get right obnoxious when I drink, so I'm tryin' ta change that wickedness by not indulgin' in liquor no more." During his speech he looked everywhere except in Hallie's eyes, but now he shifted his gaze to hers and said earnestly, "I'm just sorry it took losin' Harley to open me eyes."
When Stubby visibly swallowed and his Adam's apple bobbed, Hallie realized just how difficult this apology was for him.
With the hint of a smile, she said, "Stubby, I only wish the best for you and I'm truly sorry about Harley. I know how it is to lose someone you love dearly." She fingered a tear.
Stubby swiped his own eyes and said quickly, "Thanks, ma'am." He turned and started walking away so quickly, he almost ran into Cooper.
* * *
Resting under a tree, Cooper closed his eyes and fought his desire for Hallie. The smile she'd given Stubby earlier was one of the sweetest he'd ever seen. Why he'd ever thought her plain, he had no idea. Every day she became more beautiful and even though Mrs. Martinique's gals had made it clear they were available to him anytime, he had no desire for any of them.
Pressing his fingers to his forehead, he squeezed his eyes tight. Cooper, how could you let this happen?
After a time, he gathered firewood and returned to camp. He had seen Hallie headed in the direction of the Hankersons earlier and figured she was still gone. Walking to the back of the wagon, he reached to move the flap so he could drop an armful of firewood in the box. He looked up and lost all the air in his lungs. Standing in profile and bent over at the waist, Hallie rubbed a damp cloth up her calf. Wearing only a thin shift that had fallen away at the bodice, and with her hair unbound and cascading to the wooden planks, she was tantalizing beyond description.
As if in slow motion, she turned her head and met his gaze. He couldn't make his legs move, but his eyes sure did, traveling up and down the graceful lines of her slim form, following every curve, and finally settling on her breasts. Then, without apology, he met her gaze again before closing the flap. He dumped the wood on the ground and walked out of camp and back to the same tree he had just come from. Pulling tobacco and paper from his pocket, he rolled a smoke.
* * *
Hallie couldn't breathe and when she could, it was so rapid she got lightheaded. Quickly donning her dress, she hastened to cover herself. Never had a man looked at her the way Cooper had—not even her husband. Thomas had watched her dress, of course, and complimented her figure, but Cooper's look had been, for want of better words—hotter than the fires of hell. Hallie knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that if he had touched her, she would have vanished in a puff of smoke. And, heaven help her, she'd wanted him to touch her.
Raising a trembling hand to the pulse in her throat, she felt its rapid staccato. I'm so sorry, Thomas. I'm so sorry he makes me want things… She couldn't even finish her thought.
* * *
An hour later, Cooper returned to camp just as Hallie was pouring hot coffee in a tin. He knew she'd heard his return because she paused in the pouring. Quietly, he said, "I'd sure like a cup."
Just as quietly, she replied, "Here, you can have this one," and handed him the tin, wrapped in a cloth because it was so hot. Accepting it, his fingers grazed hers and she quickly removed her hand.
When their eyes connected, a silent pact was made—there would be no mention of what had happened. Reaching to stir the beans, she said, "Supper will be ready in a few minutes."
"Sure smells good." He walked to the back of the wagon, leaned against it, sipped his coffee, and gazed out amongst the circle of wagons. Finally, he asked, "Where's Tim?"
“He's eating supper with the Hankersons. Seems one of the Liverman boys loaned him a dime novel about Davy Crockett and with Emmett's help, he's been reading it to Sam." She stirred the beans again and then began ladling scoops into a bowl, topping it with hardtack. Walking to the wagon, she set it on the tailgate and then returned to dish her own.
Cooper reached for the bowl and finished the beans in a couple of minutes. "If you'll excuse me, I'll take care of the animals."
Chapter 22: Release at Register Cliff
"Ma! Look at those rocks!" Tim pointed.
Hallie responded, "I'm seeing them but not believing them. I've never seen anything like it. When Captain Jones said we would be passing Courthouse Rock and Jailhouse Rock, I never imagined anything so grand."
Tim pointed again, "And look at those over there!"
Hallie followed the direction he pointed. "Tim, why don't we try to find our own shapes in the formations? We can give them names, too."
"That's a great idea, Ma. I already see an Indian face."
For the next hour, Hallie and Tim pointed out other shapes and named them.
By late afternoon, they came within sight of another grand formation that simply dropped their jaws. The wagons had paused because a wheel had popped off the lead schooner and several pioneers were repairing it. Cooper leaned against the side of their wagon and said, "That's Chimney Rock—quite impressive."
"It certainly is." Hallie marveled at the conical mound rising above the plain with a column shooting high above it, as if stretching to touch a cloud. She glanced from the rock to Cooper and his blue eyes started her heart hammering erratically. Quickly returning her gaze to the formation, she asked, "How long until we reach it?"
"Probably two or three days."
Two days later, Hallie listened to Captain Jones at the impromptu meeting he'd called, making everyone curious about the nature of it. The captain boomed, "Our next major landmark is Scott's Bluff. It used to be pioneers had to travel around it by way of Robidoux Pass, but around 1850 a way through opened up called Mitchell Pass. You'll see the bluff long before we reach it. Now the reason I'm sayin' this is because it's gonna look formidable."
When the pioneers glanced nervously at each other, the captain smiled encouragingly. "But, seein's as to how far we've come, and how many pioneers have traveled this way afore us, it's just a little inconvenience." He grinned and laughed. "Do I make myself clear?"
The Captain's jovial attitude was infectious and a sigh of relief could be heard along with accompanying laughter and, "Yes, sir!"
* * *
By noon of the following day, Cooper glanced beyond Scott's Bluff, still in the distance, to the beginnings of the Rocky Mountains. The foothills would soon give way to towering mountains and their journey would become more arduous. Considering the journey ahead, he decided to change the axle after leaving Scott's Bluff, but before reaching South Pass that would lead them through the Rockies.
Behind him, he heard Hallie and Tim planning the home they would build in Oregon, and although it put a smile on his face, sadness overcame him. As much as he had tried to remain aloof, Hallie and Tim had burrowed their way into his heart. A vision of Hallie bending forward, with her body exposed, taunted him. If he had his druthers, he would send Tim to spend the night with the Hankersons, climb into the wagon with Hallie, and intoxicate them both all night with caresses and kisses. He sighed. Not gonna happen. You're no good when it comes to family.
That night the pioneers camped at the base of Scott's Bluff and early the next morning began their ascent through Mitchell Pass, basically a gash in the bluff that would lead them through the midst of towering cliffs. The animals, accustomed to the plains they had been traveling for weeks, balked at first, but soon acquiesced to their masters. At th
e crest, Captain Jones halted the lead schooner and rode the length of the train, checking wagons and animals. After speaking briefly with Cooper, he moved on and Cooper gazed back across the plains of the Nebraska Territory.
In the distance, a black, shifting mass captured his attention. Immediately he knew what he was seeing. He walked back to Hallie and Tim and pointed. "You're looking at thousands of buffalo."
Hallie placed one hand over her heart and her other on Cooper's arm. "This is truly the adventure of a lifetime. No matter what happens, I shall never regret my decision to continue on to Oregon. I cannot imagine a life of not beholding the wonders of America."
Cooper covered her hand still on his arm, and together they watched unfathomable numbers of buffalo migrate across the plains.
Captain Jones rode back to the lead wagon and soon a shout of, "Westward Ho!" was heard. Cooper released Hallie's hand and they continued onward.
Reaching the far side of the bluff didn't take the entire day, so they kept going until they again met the south bank of the North Platte River.
Circling the wagons for the night, the atmosphere crackled with satisfaction of another accomplishment in the pioneers' long journey. They had traversed the plains and although still a long ways away, now looked forward with excitement and trepidation to the approach of the Rocky Mountains.
* * *
"Look, Ma, there's Fort Laramie." Tim spotted the fort in the distance, named after trapper Jacques LaRamee, whom Cooper said may have been the first white man to visit the area.
"I see it." Hallie ruffled Tim's hair. "We've reached another milestone, son."
Tired and weary, the pioneers circled their wagons outside the fort, but since the sun had yet to set, curiosity led many of them to check it out. Hallie and Tim readily agreed to explore the inside with Cooper. All-in-all, the stronghold was well laid out with an impressive trading post.
While Hallie was perusing the supplies of pots and pans on a far wall, and Tim was deciding on a piece of candy, she saw a military man approach Cooper, who was lifting and weighing several chains in his hands. Surreptitiously, she listened and watched their conversation.
The middle-aged officer said, "Cooper Jerome? Is that you?"
Cooper turned at the man's voice and recognition brought a smile to his face. "Lieutenant English, good to see you."
Lieutenant English replied, "Since you're now a civilian, just call me Smiley."
Hallie turned her head to hide her amusement. Smiley's nickname was obvious. He had a grin that stretched from ear-to-ear with huge, brilliant, buck teeth.
"When did you get assigned to Fort John?" Cooper asked, calling it by its military designation.
"About a year ago when the Indian risings started up again. They're none to happy about all the folks headed west and killing off the buffalo." He lowered his voice, but Hallie could still hear him. "I can understand their frustration. We got some real idiots passing through, especially gold miners. It's like they forget all common sense when gold fever hits 'em."
Cooper nodded. "Yeah, we've got a few of them on our train."
"So you're with Captain Jones's group?"
"That's right. I'm assisting a family on their move to Oregon. Have you spoken to Captain Jones yet?"
"Not yet. The three of us should get together and reminisce old times."
Hallie thought, Cooper already knew Captain Jones?
Lieutenant English asked, "When's your train leaving?"
"Probably day after tomorrow."
The lieutenant lowered his voice again and Hallie only heard snatches of his words. "Well … warn you … captured chief's son … stockade … can't be more'n six or seven … Commander … hoping … peace talks … dicey situation. More-n-likely … military escort when you leave."
Lieutenant English glanced in Hallie's direction, who pretended interest in a cast iron skillet. Cooper called, "Hallie, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine."
Hallie looked up, feigning surprise, and saw Cooper's mouth quirk with amusement. He knows I've been listening. Rosy color flushed her cheeks as she approached them.
Cooper said, "Lieutenant English, I'd like you to meet Mrs. Hallie Wells. I'm escorting her and her son, Tim, to the Willamette Valley." He motioned toward Tim who was paying for his candy.
The lieutenant removed his cap. "I'm pleased to meet you, ma'am. I visited the Willamette Valley a few years back, before the War of Rebellion, and I can tell you its heaven on earth."
His words sent excitement up Hallie's spine. "It's wonderful to meet someone who's already been there. My husband researched many areas before finally deciding on that particular valley."
Lieutenant English replied, "If you'd like, I can meet with your husband and share what I know."
Hallie glanced quickly at Cooper and back at the lieutenant. "My husband died over two months ago. I hired Cooper to escort my son and me because the dream of Oregon was also my dream."
The lieutenant said, "I'm sorry about your loss, ma'am."
At that moment, the door opened and a young man dressed in uniform said," Lieutenant English, we got issue; the young prisoner is gone."
A shocked expression replaced the lieutenant's jovial smile. "Excuse me, ma'am, Cooper," he said curtly. Without waiting for a response, he stalked out the door.
When Hallie left the trading post with Cooper and Tim, the fort hummed with soldiers entering every building, apparently searching for the escapee.
Before thinking, Hallie said, "I sure hope the child is okay." Clamping her mouth shut, she realized that Cooper now knew for certain she had been eavesdropping.
Cooper responded, with humor in his voice. "He's probably on his way back to his family."
Tim, who had missed the exchange between Cooper and the lieutenant asked, "What prisoner? What boy?"
Cooper ruffled his hair. "This is confidential information. Can I trust you to keep it secret?"
"Yes, sir," Tim said solemnly.
While Cooper explained what Lieutenant English had told him, Hallie berated herself for appearing nosey in Cooper's eyes.
Just as Cooper had said, their train departed the second day after their arrival, and just as Lieutenant English had related to Cooper, a military escort was assigned to them.
There was much speculation among the emigrants about the escaped prisoner and the need for escort. Hallie heard Clarissa telling Stubby, "I heard the prisoner was an Indian over seven feet tall with dozens of scalps hanging from his waist and he was meaner than a starving rattlesnake."
Stubby's eyes rounded and several of the fancy gals stepped closer to him. "Stubby'll keep us safe," Sharon said, winking at Hallie. Stubby seemed to visibly grow taller.
The wagons departed an hour after daylight and a somber mood blanketed the pioneers. The situation appeared serious, what with soldiers flanking their wagons.
At mid morning, Hallie caught Cooper’s eye and recognized his expression. He wanted her to rest her feet. Handing the whip to Tim, whom he had been teaching to drive the oxen, he followed Hallie to the back of the wagon and lifted her inside. He told her she needed to rest for at least an hour and then he returned to Tim and the oxen.
Hallie sighed and decided to read the dime novel about Kit Carson that she’d timidly asked to borrow from Cooper. Something about the wagon didn't seem right. Then she realized her trunk was no longer flush against the side panel and a blanket had fallen behind it. Reaching for the blanket, she tugged, but it was stuck. Tugging harder, she finally jerked it loose and stifled a scream. Up jumped a tiny boy wearing a shirt and pants that looked very similar to those Tim had tossed in the dirty clothes bag that morning. The child kept one hand on his pants to hold them up and darted his eyes to the back of the wagon as if about to flee. They assessed each other for several seconds. Finally, Hallie lifted a finger to her lips, indicating they should both remain silent and the boy nodded his understanding.
He flinched slightly when she took a step toward hi
m. She sat on her trunk and leaned to whisper in his ear, "Do you speak English?"
He whispered back, "Little."
"Did you escape the soldiers?"
After a moment's hesitation, the child nodded and Hallie smiled at the expression of pride on his face. The boy grinned back and her heart melted. He couldn't be more than six.
He whispered, "I go home."
Hallie asked, "Do you know how to find your way home?"
The boy nodded and pointed north. "I follow signs. Make animal calls. Father teach."
Hallie pointed to herself. "My name is Hallie."
The child pointed to himself and said an Indian word, and then, "Walking Tall."
"Your name is Walking Tall?"
He nodded and said with all seriousness, "I go when night."
Hallie knew she didn't have it within her to return this little boy to the soldiers who would again place him in the stockade and use him as a pawn in their war. "Yes. But first you must eat."
Moving to the breadbox, she pulled out biscuits from the morning's meal. To that she added some jerky and dried fruit.
The child readily accepted her offering and gobbled the food, apparently starving.
Since the milk canister was fastened to the outside of the wagon, she couldn't give him any of Belle's milk from that morning. Instead, she scooped some water in a tin.
While Walking Tall ate, she searched for one of Tim's belts. Finding one, she approached the boy and whispered, "You're very smart to dress in white man's clothing, but you need something to hold up your pants.”
Walking Tall watched as Hallie pushed the belt through the loops of his waistband while he continued to eat hungrily. Next, she turned up the legs of his pants and then the sleeves of his shirt. She whispered, "You're going to need a hat to hide your braids." She reached for Tim's favorite hat that he wore only on special occasions and planted it on the child's head. Leaning back, she observed, "Anyone seeing you after dark will think you're a white child."
The child huffed, "I Indian brave."
Hallie smiled. "Of course you are. But to escape, you must wear a disguise."
