Wanted: A Trusting Heart (Silverpines Book 12)

by Barbara Goss

  One longhouse had a colorful painting on the front, running from the peak of the roof to a few inches above the large, carved, wooden door. This artwork denoted the house belonged to the tribal chief. The men stopped in front of this house.

  The leader held up his hand in a gesture indicating they should wait before he disappeared inside the chief’s home.

  Henry inched closer to her and whispered, “What’s going on?”

  “We’re awaiting the chief.”

  “Are we safe here?”

  “Yes. The Chinook are a friendly tribe.”

  “Good to know,” Henry whispered.

  The door opened and the man who seemed to be the leader motioned for her to enter. When Henry tried to follow, he halted him, and Dawn entered alone.

  She was familiar with the inside of a longhouse. The rectangular house had beds on both long sides of the house, along the walls. At the end, in the center of the back wall, was the cooking area. She could still picture her mother cooking at theirs. At that moment, the area was vacant besides the steaming pot on the fire. She turned her head to the left and saw the man she assumed was the chief. He sat there wearing a striped shirt, flowered vest, a suit coat, and a wide brimmed hat.

  The chief stood. “You are Chinook?”

  Dawn nodded. “Yes.”

  “Why are you not with your tribe?”

  “This was my tribe. My family died of a fever fifteen years ago, and I was given as a slave to a white family.”

  The chief nodded with a dawning expression. “I remember you. I am Moses, son of White Eagle, the previous chief. Sadly, he is among us now in spirit only.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Dawn told him sincerely. “I remember you as a young lad. You were friends with my brother, Mikasi. I am Dowanhowee—my white family renamed me Dawn.”

  The chief nodded. “I was saddened by your family’s passing, and by my father's sending you away. We had room for one more in our house.”

  “I had a good life. My white family was good to me. They didn’t use me as a slave, but I was a part of the family. I even have a sister.”

  “That makes me feel better. So, you came to visit?”

  “Partly to visit and partly to find out more about who I am.”

  “Ah,” the chief sighed. “But you remember as much as I do.”

  “Not everything. What can you tell me about my parents?” Dawn hoped to hear something she didn’t already know. She’d always felt there was some element of her life missing.

  The chief shrugged. “Just that your father was a French-Canadian trapper who fell in love with your mother, and together they produced several children, but you were the only one to survive.”

  Dawn felt excitement run through her whole body. “My father was white?”

  The chief laughed. “Well, he was white when he first arrived in camp, but after years in the sun fishing, hunting, and sporting with us, he became almost as brown as the rest of the tribe.”

  “I knew there was something missing in my life. So, I’m half French?”

  “Yes. Your father’s name was Enzo.”

  Dawn clapped her hands together in elation. “What was his second name?”

  A puzzled look came upon the chief’s face. “His white man’s name? I don’t recall.”

  Dawn felt her face drop. “I really need to know what it was, for it would be my second name, as well. I don’t currently have one.”

  “They call me Moses Wolf. The soldiers at the fort gave me the name. You could probably get one there, too.”

  “Is there anyone here that might remember my father’s second name?” Dawn asked.

  “Let me think…Sukawi might remember. She helped your mother birth her babies, and her daughter was close to the family. Let me send for her.” The chief stood and walked to the door. He opened it and spoke softly to someone on the other side. When he returned to her he said, “Jogi will bring her here.”

  Several minutes later, a man stuck his head in the door—Jogi, she assumed.

  “Sukawi is at the river and won’t be back until sundown.”

  The chief turned to Dawn. “You are invited to spend the night here, in my house, with my family.”

  Staying overnight was the last thing she'd wanted, but discovering her surname was the first. Thank you,” Dawn replied. “I accept your offer. I will need to tell my friend, Henry, so he can ride back to my family and let them know. They will worry otherwise.”

  *******

  Jake was surprised when a messenger brought him a note from Laura inviting him to dinner. He readily sent the messenger back with an affirmative reply; he’d get to see Dawn again. He took special pains with his grooming and even donned his favorite shirt.

  When he got to the ranch, he was disappointed to learn that Dawn hadn’t returned yet.

  Laura pulled out a dining room chair for him. “Henry said she is spending the night at the house of the chief who is working on helping her find her history.”

  Jake frowned. “I hope this chief has a wife.”

  “I know Dawn, and she wouldn’t stay if it wasn’t proper, Jake.”

  Jake grinned. “Yeah, I know that, too.”

  Max sat down across from his brother. “I’ve been thinking: what if you sent her gifts or love letters?”

  Laura set the food platters on the table, and Jake eagerly helped himself. “I suppose I could send gifts, but I’m no good at love letters.”

  “I could help you there,” Laura offered.

  “I’m willing to accept all the help I can get.”

  “What about being seen with another woman?” Max asked. “Maybe that would shock her into some sense.”

  Jake told him, between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes, “I’m taking Mercy Logan for a Sunday ride this week.”

  “Mercy Logan?” Laura asked. “Isn’t she the daughter of one of the men Silverpines hired to fix some of the damage from the quake?”

  Jake shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t asked about her personal life yet. To be truthful, I was trying to avoid her, but she sort of invited herself for the outing.”

  “Well, with so many single and widowed young women in town, I figured you’d be food for the sharks,” Laura said with a grin.

  “You needn’t worry, Laura. Mercy's pretty, but I'm not attracted to her like I am to Dawn.”

  “Aww,” Laura patted his hand. “I pray each night that you and she will get together.”

  “So do I!” Jake and Max said in unison.

  *******

  As the sun descended over the Columbia River, the chief’s family returned, filling the longhouse with excitement. It seemed to Dawn that many fish had been caught, and everyone was in high spirits. Moses introduced her to his lovely wife, Namid, her sisters, and all seven of his children. Namid and her mother prepared the fish and within the hour, a feast had been placed on the table. During the meal, Moses explained to everyone Dawn’s reason for visiting. They all seemed interested and asked her a lot of questions. She was thankful she hadn’t forgotten her Chinookan.

  While the women cleaned up after the meal, Sukawi came in and sat with Moses and Dawn.

  Moses explained to Sukawi what it was Dawn needed to know. Sukawi smiled widely as she digested the chief’s words.

  Sukawi had gray hair, pulled back with a cord. There wasn’t a spot on the woman’s face that wasn’t wrinkled, a sign that the years of working in the sun had taken a toll on her skin. Dawn was glad that Laura and Mrs. Brooks had taught her to always wear a bonnet in the sun.

  Sukawi touched Dawn’s arm with her rough hand. “You are fortunate that I can easily remember your family’s name. My daughter and your mother were close friends, and when your mother died, she grieved for months. She named her first son in honor of your mother and her family. Girard was his name. Your parents were Enzo and Tamaya Girard.”

  Dawn hugged the tiny woman. “Thank you! I now have a name: Dawn Girard.”

  In the morning, Mose
s arranged for Jogi to accompany Dawn home. Dawn repeated her name over and over in her head during trip: “Dawn Girard.”

  Upon Dawn's return, Laura greeted her with a hug. “Thank the Lord you’re home safely.”

  “Laura, I have a name! I’m Dawn Girard.”

  Laura gave her a stunned look and led her into the house. “I want to hear every detail.”

  Chapter Five

  When Jake awoke on Sunday morning, he lay in bed thinking about his day: church and then his ride with Mercy Logan. He rolled his eyes at the thought but then smiled. If he could be sure Dawn would spot them, it might be a positive experience. If Dawn saw someone else interested in him, perhaps it might change her mind, even if just a little.

  Laura was working on the love letter, and he planned to buy Dawn a gift. It was about all he could think of to change her mind.

  He rolled out of bed, washed in the bowl on his dresser, and donned his Sunday suit and string tie. After shaving, he examined himself in the mirror. He smoothed the wave in his dark blond hair, with the hope of forcing it about his ears in a more natural way. Examining his shave and hair he smiled at his image, straightened his tie, and said, “You’ll do fine, Jake Winters.”

  Jake’s apartment was above the livery. It was quite comfortable, but lonely, even though he could hear the horses below him. He heard movement and knew Marty and the crew were already hard at work. Most people didn’t work on Sunday, but since many still needed horses, buggies, and access to their boarded horses, he had to remain open. He alternated his workers so that each man had every other Sunday off. Even he worked on Sunday if they had to fill a large order for buggies, like when the Smythes had their anniversary last month.

  He grabbed a hunk of cheese and a piece of bread and headed down to acquire a horse and the most stylish buggy.

  Since he usually sat with Max, Laura, and Dawn, he made his way to their pew. He ended up on the end, beside Max.

  After the service, he rushed out ahead of the others and stood by his buggy. He wondered if Mercy had attended church, or if she'd simply planned to meet him in the parking area.

  *******

  Dawn looked up from her hymnal in time to see Jake slide into the pew beside Max. Her heart gave its usual extra beat at the sight of him. He always looked handsome, but he seemed even more so that day.

  After the service, Jake had left before any of them had even had the chance to greet him. Dawn’s eyes searched for him in the parking area. She spotted him helping a blonde woman into a fancy buggy.

  Dawn stood there, stunned, until Laura put her arm through hers and said, “That could be you, Dawn, if you weren’t so stubborn.”

  “I know.” Dawn gave Laura a slight smile. “No, it’s better this way. She’s perfect for him. She has the same heritage. I just hope she’s a good woman. He deserves the best.”

  “I know it bothers you to see him with her. Don’t deny it.”

  “Of course, it hurts, Laura. I love Jake with all my heart. That’s why I want the best for him. I just wanted to catch up with him and tell him about my new name.”

  The two women turned and headed toward their own buggy as Jake and his lady drove away.

  *******

  Jake hated the look he saw on Dawn’s face when she saw him with Mercy. It was just more evidence that she really did care for him. He had to find an opportunity to explain to her that he didn’t care one bit about heritage or the town’s gossips.

  He pointed the buggy toward the river as he couldn’t think of where else to take Mercy. Mercy looked fashionable in her black and white striped dress with a black shawl and red flowered hat. She looked up and smiled at him; he forced a smile back.

  Jake slowed the buggy and asked, “So what did you think of our church?”

  “I…I didn’t go inside. I just walked to the parking area when I saw church letting out.”

  “That was part of the bargain.” Jake tried not to sound angry, but he was. Though he had no intention of beginning a relationship with Mercy, he wouldn’t want a woman who didn’t go to church or believe in God. He couldn’t believe he was judging her when, until he had come to Silverpines and accompanied his brother’s family to church, he’d never attended either. Since then, though, he’d been hooked on God. He’d even been baptized. He prayed faithfully and studied the Bible. Jake knew what he wanted in a wife, and it wasn’t Mercy for many reasons. He’d tried to coerce her into attending church, but even if she had it wouldn’t have made a difference where his feelings were concerned.

  “I’m sorry. Perhaps if I had someone to attend with me.”

  Jake didn’t answer, but he thought hard about her words. Had she hinted that she’d attend church if he'd accompanied her? This raised another dilemma. If he refused, he’d have it on his conscience that a soul could have been saved if only he’d agreed to accompany her.

  He stopped the buggy on the hill overlooking the river and green area. He didn’t want to take her to the same place he’d so recently picnicked with Dawn and where they shared their first kiss, so they just sat in the buggy, took in the view, and talked.

  “Laura tells me you're relatively new to Silverpines.”

  “I’ve only been here since August. My father is a contractor. He was hired by the town to fix the bridges and structural damage on a few buildings.” She folded her hands on her lap. “My mother passed away last year, so he brought me along. I’ll be here for as long as it takes him to complete the work…unless I like it here.”

  Jake turned and gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry about your mother.”

  She shrugged. “Mother was sick for a long time, so it was actually a relief for her to finally rest.”

  Jake didn’t know what more he could say on that subject. “Where are you from?”

  “Cincinnati, Ohio.”

  “That’s a mighty long way from here.”

  “My father saw the ad in the paper for the job and decided it would be good to get away where there weren’t so many memories.”

  “I see.”

  Mercy shifted in her seat to face him. “So, Jake, now it’s my turn to ask questions.”

  Had he imagined that she’d edged closer to him?

  “Exactly what is your relationship to Laura and Dawn?”

  “My brother married Laura, and I’m in love with Dawn.” He thought it best to set things straight right from the starting line. He had nothing to hide.

  Mercy bit her lower lip. “But she refused you?”

  “She did, for reasons that are somewhat confidential. I aim to win her somehow. She’s a wonderful woman.” Jake played with the reins as he spoke. “You must meet her. You’d like her.”

  “No doubt,” Mercy said. “I can’t say that it pleases me since I’d hoped you and I could be…well, closer. I like you, Jake, and I did from the moment I met you.”

  Jake felt uncomfortable with her words. What could he say to that?

  All he could come up with was: “I’m sorry, Mercy.”

  “Can we at least be friends?” she asked.

  “Of course.” Jake turned the buggy toward town.

  “I thought we were going for a longer ride than that?”

  “You broke our agreement by not going to church, and I really need to get back to the livery. I’m short-handed today.”

  Mercy pouted all the way back to town.

  “I’ll take you home. Where do you live?” Jake asked as they pulled into town.

  “I live on Ash Street. People tell me it’s the old Benson place.”

  “I’m new to the area, too, so I don’t know where that is. You’ll have to show me.”

  Mercy pointed to a small but neat gray house. “The gray one.”

  Jake stopped the buggy, jumped down, helped Mercy from the buggy, and walked her to the door.

  “I hope we can do this again sometime,” she said.

  Jake shrugged. “We’ll see.” He thought about her salvation and blurted, “Would you accompan
y me to church next Sunday?”

  Mercy clapped her hands together softly. “I’d love to.”

  Mercy opened the door, bid him goodbye, and slid inside.

  Jake rode home feeling extremely committed.

  *******

  Mercy walked to the depot and waited patiently for the stagecoach. When the Wells Fargo coach barreled in and skidded to a stop in front of her, she waited for the passengers to disembark before approaching the driver.

  “Hello. Would you mind telling me where you’re headed next?”

  “The stage or me, young lady?” he asked with a wink.

  “The stage. I have a letter that needs a postmark a good distance from Silverpines. How could I manage that?”

  “Well, I go as far as Eugene, but the stage is headed all the way to Sacramento. For a dollar, I could make sure the driver mails your letter there. Is that far enough? San Francisco would cost you a lot more.”

  “Sacramento’s perfect.” She smiled sweetly at him and handed him the dollar.

  *******

  “A message just came for you, Dawn,” Laura said excitedly, rushing into the kitchen.

  Dawn had been rolling dough for a pie. “Let me wash my hands.” She removed the dough from her fingers and dried them on her apron. “Who’s it from?”

  “It doesn’t say.” Laura handed the envelope to Dawn. “I’m going up to check on Caro.”

  Dawn couldn’t believe Laura wasn’t going to stay to find out what the message said or who it was from. It wasn’t like her

  She ripped open the envelope and read the printed words:

  Dearest Dawn,

  There are many women I could choose to court, white women with a similar heritage, but not one of them can compare to you. Not one of them makes my heart beat faster when they smile at me. It’s not our fault the world is the way it is, but it will take strong people like you and me to set an example of how people should live.