Tara's Trials (Romance on the Oregon Trail Book 4)

by Kathleen Ball

  She glanced at him and then sat on the bed. She reached for her boots and started putting them on.

  “Tara, I have been the worst husband. I’m so sorry. You’ve never seen a wagon jack before, have you?”

  “I didn’t know to look for one. I thought my way was sound until things began to shift. Why didn’t you or Harrison ask me if I was all right? It had taken everything I had not to scream with the tree trunk pinning my wrist.”

  “Honey, there was hardly enough room for wagons to get around you, and you were at the top of a hill. A couple more feet and there was a steep decline. I should have put you in the wagon, and Harrison figured I took care of you. I’m sorry.” He drew a deep breath and swallowed past the lump of emotion in his throat. “Then Della said she was going to pray with you for healing when you got into camp. She can be long winded at times, and by the time I went to see what was keeping you, their fire had been banked. I came to the tent, and you were shivering so I got into bed and held you close to warm you up. I have to admit the contented sighs you made while you were in my arms warmed my heart.”

  He kneeled in front of her and gently put her moccasins on for her. “Please don’t leave me. Please, Tara, stay and be you, just you. I don’t want a woman who wears a dress when she’d rather wear buckskins. Plain cooking is the best cooking. You’re already a great cook, so don’t change things to impress me. If you’d rather skin a rabbit than make dresses, that’s fine too. I… well, it’s hard to say. I’ve never really said this to anyone… well maybe my ma with I was a lad. Tara, I love you with my whole heart, and I need you to be gentle with it. The fear of having another person leave me has kept me from committing to you wholly.” He searched her eyes for any sign that she returned his feelings.

  She swallowed hard and kneeled in front of him. Using her uninjured hand she stroked the side of his face. “Your heart will always be safe with me. I—”

  Zander pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. She was his, really his, and they’d have a good future. Of that he was certain. He hadn’t counted on Tara coming into his life, but he knew she was in it to stay.

  “Thank You Lord. Thank You, thank You, thank You.”

  Epilogue

  Tara sat by the big fire in the middle of their wagon circle. They decided for now to just live out of the wagons in a central area. They had so much land and plans and ideas kept coming. Harrison got his cattle settled and they built a corral for the horses not far from the wagons.

  She had gotten an extra surprise when they first arrived in town. The sheriff asked if any of them was Patrick Carmichael. Tara and Zander met with the sheriff. It seemed that Tara’s dad had bought a lot of land. All filled with trees.

  “Come let me show you your saw mill.”

  Tara and Zander exchanged shocked expressions.

  “It’s on the outskirts of town and it’s the biggest building in the area. It employs many from town and has been a Godsend. Well for most anyway. This mill has been sold to many by swindlers. A group of men have talked whole wagon trains to give them all their money. They tell them they are riding ahead to get things started but when the folks arrive, they find your father’s mill. I’m sorry your father never got to see it. Drew the plans himself and it’s called Carmichael and friends.

  “From the correspondence I received, your father knew many of the men coming to start new lives didn’t know a lick about farming or ranching and they’d need jobs. With so many coming to live, they’d need wood for houses and furniture. He was very smart and I was looking forward to shaking his hand.

  “A man named Hogan Best runs the mill. Another man Sam Mason runs the furniture store. Your father had it named Tara Furniture. I know he relied on his trapper friends to help cut the trees but truthfully I think you’ll have enough men. We’ll need the names of the other men in case there are heirs.”

  “Yes, there is a list of how much each man had with him. How’d he get it up and running if the money was with the trappers?”

  “He’d opened a bank account here a while back and ended up putting a lot of money into it. He took out a small loan which you might want to see when the first payment is due. The mill had been getting steady business.”

  “Take a look around. I have a meeting with someone named Big Red about a gal you all found.” He tipped his hat and was gone.

  “I know both the men my father hired and they are fine, honest and hardworking. I guess the scam was making so much money my father was killed so they could keep it going.”

  Zander squeezed her hand. “Don’t forget somehow it was known they were carrying money.”

  “I don’t mean to sound bitter but it amazes me what people will do for money. Let’s go see if Rhetta’s family is here to get her.”

  They walked in the road hand in hand smiling. Tara finally found out what a wedding night was and she loved the closeness she now had with Zander.

  “I think we still must be careful. We don’t know if Crane and Bennet are still alive. We should give the sheriff a description of the men,” Zander said.

  “Yes, we should. Oh no, something must be wrong. Rhetta is crying.” The hurried over and Tara took Rhetta into her arms.

  “What happened?” Zander asked Big Red.

  Big Red sighed. “Rhetta’s family is not of mind to come and get her or send money for her return. I’d gladly pay for it but it seems to me they don’t want her. They never told the authorities she was missing.”

  “Rhetta I know it’s hurtful but I think you’ll find that your new family loves you and would do anything to find you,” Zander said.

  Dawn came closer. “I feel like we are sisters. I know all of us consider the others family. All you have to do is figure out how big you want your room to be.”

  Rhetta eased out of Tara’s arms and hugged Dawn.

  “Touching, ain’t it Eddie?” Chuck Klass laughed loudly. “And all that love will get you through the winter.”

  “Dead before the new year. That’s what I’m betting on,” Eddie said.

  “Oh, so what is your plan? It’s already September.” Tara took a step.

  “Chuck and I bought us shares of a saw mill. We’re going to be rich.”

  Tara could barely keep her lips from twitching. “Sounds like you’re all set. Good luck to you.” She turned away.

  They made their own little train going to the land they filed for. They obtained good land next to the land Tara’s father purchased. Their holdings were so vast they decided to make camp at the first good sight with water.

  They circled their wagon but were much farther apart than before. A big fire was made in the center and the women all helped to cook. Tara was on her way to get more water.

  “Of course you can call me Pa. I’d me so proud if you did. You are one of the best jewels on earth and I’m glad you're mine. I’ll do my best to protect you and teach you. I already love you.”

  Rhetta sobbed and went to Big Red putting her arms as far as they would go around his waist. He kissed the top of her head and his eyes were moist.

  Tara smiled and mouthed I love you, before she continued on to the stream. “Pa you would have loved it here. Open land and I bet there’s good hunting. I made it and don’t you worry; I’ll keep an eye on your saw mill.”

  “Where have you been? You missed the announcement.” Zander smiled.

  “I’ve been gone for a minute. What could I have missed?”

  “Dawn made a run for the bushes.. And I heard it’s not the first time.”

  Tara’s mouth formed an O. “We’ll have our turn next. I just know it.”

  “Let’s get through this winter. Right now we’re trying to figure out if we should quickly build one big house or two smaller ones.”

  “Do I get a say in any of this?”

  “Of course you do.”

  “Two houses that we can turn into bunkhouses when we each build our own house in the spring. How about a dogtrot in between the houses?”

&
nbsp; “Tara that’s not a bad idea. Who sleeps in what house?”

  She laughed. “Why, the women in one and the men in another.”

  He pulled her close. “Then how are we going to have that baby?”

  She put her arms around his neck and held him. “With Cora, Luella and Dawn all expecting we don’t need to be in such a hurry,” she whispered in his ear.

  “I’m sure we’ll figure that all out. As long as I’m with you I don’t care. We have a lot to do before winter and time isn’t on our side.”

  Tara took a step back. “I know. We have wood and I have to admit I’m good with a hammer. I can find berries and any other wild edible plant like onions or carrots and can them. Plus we have enough money to buy what we need. Oh and don’t forget, the hunting here must be great! I can’t wait! We’ll need plenty of firewood. Wonder if we can get that from the sawmill too? You know before they saw it all up?” She took his hand. “Then we can spend all winter figuring how we want things. I can make a big map—”

  “Tara Kennedy you are a whirlwind of wonder. I was blessed the day you snuck into that wagon. You make me proud to be your husband.”

  “You are so sweet. I can make you a pair of buckskins. You’ll be happy when winter comes to have them.”

  “Look over there, Tara. The sun is setting and I think we should relax and enjoy it with the others. You have great ideas but others will have some too.”

  She smiled and kissed his cheek. “This learning how to interact with others isn’t easy. We’ll see how it all turns out. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Thank you all for reading this series. Next will be The Christmas book that will go to this series nine years into the future. It has been one of the busiest years of my life and not just writing. My 18 month old granddaughter Mavis has been living here with my son for almost a year. She’s a joy but I had nice schedule which you all know is now her schedule. I squeeze in my writing when I can. I do know all the words to the Wiggles songs- she loves that show.

  It looks like rapid release of books is how to stay visible on Amazon So I’ll get them out as quickly as possible. There 5 million books on Amazon. Hard to imagine. Thank you so much for reading my books

  Kathleen Ball

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  We’ve Only Just Begun

  Susan jounced in the saddle as the horse careened through the streets of Independence, Missouri. Being jarred sideways, she grabbed for the pommel but her sweat-slicked fingers began slipping off. Another good jolt and she would find herself beneath Sunshine’s hooves. Frantically grasping the pommel with a solid hold, Susan closed her eyes and said a quick prayer. Her life couldn’t end this way, it just couldn’t. It had been a struggle to make her way to Independence. It was supposed to be a brand new start.

  “Umphh.” Strong arms wrapped around her ribs and hauled her out of harm’s way. His firm grip hurt but it was much better than being run over by a horse. She found herself practically sitting on the stranger’s lap while he held her tight against him. His hard chest and the warmth of his body made her forget her pain. She’d barely been able to catch her breath until he slowed his horse. She gasped when she found herself moving through the air again as he handed her to another man on the ground.

  Once free of the other man, she turned to thank her savior and was dumbstruck. She opened her mouth to thank him but words escaped her. She’d never seen a man so tall before. He towered over her by a few feet. Slowly she worked her gaze up from his dusty boots, along his legs that seemed to go on forever, to his trim waist and then to shoulders as broad as a barn. She gulped. She had to crane her neck to take in the strong, angular chin, the firm lips. Holding her breath, she met his blue eyes, and her heart stuttered at the fury they contained.

  “You could have been killed! You shouldn’t be on a horse if you can’t control it. Where are your parents? Surely they don’t allow you to ride that horse all over town.” His voice boomed, and the crowd that had already gathered grew larger.

  Flames of embarrassment licked at her cheeks. He’d chastised her as though she was a child. A child she certainly was not. “I thank you for coming to my rescue. You risked your life to save mine, and there is no way to repay your bravery.” She hoped she sounded like one of those rich Southern ladies. People never messed with a Southern lady.

  She turned to the other man and blinked, struck by the resemblance to the man who had rescued her. “Thank you kind sir.” She raised a hand to make sure her hair was still up and suppressed a groan. Some of the strands still remained secure but most had haphazardly come loose and her tresses had all fallen every which way. So much for being a fine, Southern lady.

  She gave them both a curt nod and then spun on her heel in the direction she assumed Sunshine went. The crowd was bigger than she’d thought as she made her way through it only to find her Sunshine eating hay out of cart. She marched up to her horse and grabbed the reins. “All this for some hay? Oh, Sunshine how could you? You had plenty of grass to eat, and we’ve only been away from home a little over a day.” Her shoulders slumped as she sighed. She needed a place to repair herself before joining a wagon train and she needed to find one leaving soon.

  “Ya’ll have to pay for that there hay your horse ate. It’s not free you know.” A burly man with greasy blond hair approached, and as he came closer she could smell his filth. He had a gleam in his eye she’d seen before and she had no intention of being a victim.

  “How much?”

  The man smirked as he looked her up and down causing her to shiver. “I’m sure we can work something out.”

  “How much do you charge for hay? Do you charge by the pitchfork full or cart full?”

  His bushy brows came together. “I um, well—”

  “It’s not your hay, is it?” She put her hands on her hips. If he hadn’t had smelled so fowl she would have taken a step forward. “How dare you try to steal money from me! I suggest you leave.” She hoped he left before the real owner of the hay came by.

  “I’m sure we’ll run into each other again soon.” He smirked at her again before he turned and walked away. Her stomach clenched at the possibilities of what could have happened with such a lecherous man.

  “He gave up easily.”

  Startled, Susan’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly glanced over her shoulder and nodded to the man who’d rescued her. “I never did get your name.”

  He waited for her to turn in his direction and then he smiled. “I’m Mike Todd. The man you just tangled with is a mean one. You’ll want to watch to be sure you’re never alone with him.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Todd, for your advice.” She smiled back.

  “No thanks needed, ma’am, and it’s Mike.”

  “I’m Susan Farr. It’s nice to make your acquaintance. You’ll have to excuse my appearance I’m afraid.”

  He stared into her eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with your appearance, Miss Farr.”

  “Please, call me Susan.” She tilted her head a bit. She’d often observed how rich woman acted and it was paying off.

  “Fine, Susan. Now where are your parents? Do they know how much trouble you’re making in town?” His voice grew deeper.

  “My parents passed recently. It’s just me and Sunshine. I was hoping to join one of those wagon trains to the west. I’ve always enjoyed traveling.” She batted her eyelashes at him and felt affronted when he laughed.

  “Listen lady, this is no vacation. You must be able to work and work hard in order for any wagon master to take you on. Since no one takes women traveling alone, you’ll have to rethink your plans.”

  Dang, I overdid the fine southern lady act. “Mike, I’m quite adept at working hard.”

&nbs
p; “Doing what? Needlepoint? I’m sorry but I’ve taken chances with women like you before, and it never ended in a good way. I can’t take the time to look after a helpless female and I refuse to break up fights among the men who will try to catch your eye. No. Like I said you need a new plan.”

  “When are you leaving?”

  “You’re not listening to a word I have to say.” He frowned.

  “Oh, I’m listening. When are you leaving?” She tapped her foot.

  “In the morning. I wish you luck, Miss Farr. Good bye.”

  She watched him until he was swallowed up in the distance. She needed a strategy to get on that wagon train and she needed one now.

  The next morning, Mike and his brothers Jed and Eli were all busy helping the members of their party get ready to leave. There were stubborn oxen that needed to be yoked and hitched. Despite earlier instructions, meals were not all done being cooked and it was past time to pack up. A few of the women looked as though they wanted to cry. Children ran all over the place and most didn’t heed their parents’ calls.

  Then there were those who’d been ready right on time griping about the delay. Mike had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. It was always like this the first few days. He rode Arrow up and down the line of wagons giving advice until he came to a wagon closer to the end. His eyes narrowed when he spotted Susan Farr. Dang it all!

  He guided Arrow to the wagon she was packing. “Miss Farr, I’m surprised to see you here.” He hoped his voice conveyed his annoyance.

  “Oh hello, Mike. Beautiful day isn’t it?” She gave him a quick uncertain smile and went back to loading the wagon.

  “I already told you not to come. Why are you here?”

  Her shoulders tensed as she turned toward him. “I got married yesterday. I’m not a single woman anymore, and my husband was already part of your party. There’s no reason I can’t go now is there?”