by Rita Hestand
However, so many trains had come the same way that the grasslands were puny and the animals could not feed on it. Joe insisted they would have to cross the river to the North side to let them graze. He'd already checked the north side out and decided it was more fit to feed the stock on. The amount of trains coming through all the time made scouting difficult sometimes. Because of the constant trains everything had to be watched carefully. But on his journey Joe stopped at several trains in front of them to talk to their scouts and see the problems they might be having so they could avoid them. The trick was to learn from other's mistakes.
Joe passed along any information he figured A.J. might need to hear.
Water wasn't a problem as long as they were along the Platte, Indians, disease and accidents were a concern, though. Wheels broke a lot, animals had mishaps and problems off and on.
~*~
Joe was sitting the saddle, studying the horizon one morning when his thoughts seemed scattered. At this point of the trip, just keeping up with all the ups and downs of the trip kept them all busy.
But Joe's mind wasn't on the everyday problems of the trip now. Joe was thinking of Millie this morning. Remembering how Millie had taken the little Indian boy in, without thought, made his heart swell. She was an exceptional person. She didn't seem to see color in any way. She treated everyone the same, and she tolerated the way some of the women treated her, standoffish. He wondered just how much she had to deal with going to that college. But Millie was strong in the strangest ways. Perhaps dealing with rejection at her school had made her stronger. He realized that even though she had considered herself spoiled, he saw her completely different. She was tolerant, patient, kind, and loving.
There was a lot to like about the woman, despite his first misgivings. She was beautiful, and so was her heart. It was hard not to care about a woman like that. She was entirely selfless, and sometimes that got her into more trouble than good. Somehow he had to stop her from marrying Matt Hudson. He just wasn't sure how yet.
With a slight snicker he realized that she had quickly won his heart, and she didn't even realize it.
That next day they all crossed the Platte to the North side of the river. It was such a shallow river they didn't have to build a ferry, but it did take time to move all the wagons and people across.
She didn't see or talk to Joe that day as he was scouting out the area for Indian trouble and checking the trail.
Joe came back with some bad news though that same day.
"Folks we gotta stop and get permission to cross this land. It's private property. Afraid we'll have to take a little break here. We can't go anywhere until we get permission. There are a bunch of signs telling us not to trespass that we'll be shot. I'm not chancing that. Joe's going to parlay with the rancher and see if we can get him to budge on his rules."
"And if we can't?" Someone yelled.
"Then we'll go around and lose another day or so."
Again the people grumbled. "We keep this up we'll be caught by the snows, then we'll be in real trouble."
"I'm a wagon master Mr. Tatum, I'm well aware of the snows. We've got time, we've saved time on other places. You see unlike a lot of trains going through, we've had little sickness, few accidents and because I've preached to my people about keeping the wheels greased and the animals taken care of, we just don't have the troubles that some do. So we've gained a little time. I've taken this trip enough to know how long it takes to get there and we are doing well so far. As long as we get to Independence Rock by July 4th, we'll be doing good. And our wagons have more survivors than most."
Joe was gone a half a day but when he came back he had a man and a girl with him. A very pretty girl, Millie noticed. She had long flowing dark hair and huge eyes that a man could get lost in, Millie realized, and mostly her glances were toward Joe.
"A.J. this is Bill Sorenson; he owns the ranchland we need to cross." Joe explained.
The two men talked for a long while then after inviting the man for supper he approached A.J.
"Look, I understand your hurry to get through, but I got a little problem of my own. Janet's my niece." He pointed to the girl that was talking with Joe. " You see her father lives in Oregon, if she could go to Oregon with you folks, I'd be grateful and let you pass now. But you'd have to promise me you'd see she gets to her father's place. This is the place on the map. I can outfit her in a wagon of her own, if someone else could drive it and see she gets safely to her father. His name is John Sorenson. He's well known in the area; he's been out there a couple of years. Easy place to find."
A.J. removed his hat, wiped the sweat from his forehead and put it back on his head and marked the place on his map. "Getting her there won't be a problem except I can't spare anyone to drive her wagon. Isn't there someone from your ranch you could send to drive it for her?"
The man scratched his chin. "I'll do what I can to find someone then."
"Good. Don't overload her wagon, grease the wheels and have your man do it regular, use all safety precautions and we should get through without too much trouble."
A.J. seemed to fret about it for a minute, but being pressured by everyone to move on, he agreed to take the girl on.
However, the rancher instructed them to hurry through and not lollygag as he was going to be moving his herd soon.
~*~
Later that same day, A.J. caught up to Joe. "We got to take her on to Oregon to her daddy. So I expect you to keep an eye on her."
"Aw now A.J. I don't have time to nurse-maid a girl and do my job."
"Too bad, I don't either. Just be glad I'm not sticking you with driving her wagon for her." A.J. laughed and walked off. "I think I managed to get that duty off your shoulders."
"Just what I need…" Joe whispered under his breath. He glanced over at Millie and saw her staring. Just looking at her gave him a lift.
His glance went from her head of beautiful golden curls to the tips of her shoes. Why did Millie have to be so damned pretty! On the inside and outside! Why did he have to care so much? Hell, he'd married her, and he knew why, too, even if she didn't.
The attraction seemed to grow day by day. His mind was filled with her. Every time he saw a flower, he wondered if she'd like it. Every time the sun set and he was away from the train he wondered if she was looking out at it too and seeing the beauty. And when he bedded down at night, his arm reached over as though she were right there with him.
However, the second day some were still boiling their water to fill the barrels, a lot of the women gathered by the Platte. Millie was doing laundry, something Joe caught her doing a lot of, but he reasoned she had to, she didn't come with a trunk of clothes like the others. One woman was fussing down at the end or the line where they were dipping water out of the river.
"Boil the water, don't load your gun lessin' there is Indians or animals that mean harm. Keep the children away from the sick wagon. Beats all I ever seen or heard of. This other train has a very bossy wagon master and that woman…I don't understand why we got to take that woman's advice. She's a woman, not a real doctor, who ever heard tell of a woman doctor." The older woman glared toward Millie.
Joe passed her just as she said it and stopped. His eyes narrowed on her with censure. "Just for your information, that woman, is saving your life. And she is very much a doctor, and you better pray you don't need her on this trip…" Joe admonished the woman rather loudly. "Thanks to her and A.J. you'll probably get to Oregon without any troubles."
Millie heard him and her cheeks turned a bright red. She never expected him to take up for her so, but it warmed her heart. No one had ever defended her doctoring talents before. That's what she needed, another reason to care about Joe Modoc!
"I wonder what Mr. Mills will say about all of this?" The woman scoffed.
But again Joe heard her and marched right up to her. "In case you hadn't noticed Mr. Mills has been very silent about all of this. You see, he knows when to keep his mouth shut."
"Well, I never…"
"No ma'am, you probably haven't." Joe smiled and rode away.
That next day the girl joined the train and they pulled out. She brought a man to pull her wagon and Joe was silently glad he wasn't stuck with that chore.
The only woman he wanted to keep an eye on was Millie. She and Mrs. Granger were the only two that needed help from time to time, most of the others either had family or husbands. But Millie and Mrs. Granger were alone. Besides, Millie had found a place in Joe's heart and mind and nothing he could do would get her out. Just looking at Millie was a pleasure he held dear. If only she wasn't so stubborn about that Matt Hudson.
Chapter Sixteen
Millie didn't think too much of it but Wilma was huffing and puffing. "Did you see that girl. She can't keep her hands off Joe. She's all over him."
Millie glanced their way and saw the girl standing close to Joe and smiling. Every now and then she'd touch his arm, or send him a charming smile. But strangely he didn't seem to respond the way she wanted judging from the expressions she sent out.
Millie felt the jealousy, but quickly squashed it. She had no right to be jealous. But right or not, she was. She'd ruined all her chances with Joe, so she had no one to blame but herself, but the fact that he seemed to always be around the girl told her he must be enjoying it.
Trying not to make anything of it, Millie shrugged. "I always thought it was up to the man to decide whether he wanted a woman's attention."
Wilma fumed. "Just look at her, she's all over him. I'll bet she's barely sixteen."
"She is young. Probably has a real crush on Joe. By the way you are fretting one would think you're in love with Joe." Millie tried to chuckle.
"No, but then we both know who is." Wilma huffed sending her an arrogant glance.
Millie stared at her a long time. "Do we?"
"Of course, she can prissy around him all she wants, but I heard him at the river too, talking to that woman about you. He put her in her place really quick." Wilma informed her. "Besides I saw you at the fort, kissing. And that weren't no meany-mouthed kiss either. After three marriages I know the difference. You know, come to think of it, ever since he rescued you from the Indian camp I been wondering."
"Wondering? Wondering what." Millie asked.
"What happened there, and don't you try to tell me nothing, either. I know better."
Millie looked off. "Maybe someday I can tell you." She looked back at her and smiled. "You think people respect me?"
"Of course they do, you delivered a baby, took in a Indian boy, saved the woman with chicken-pox and the kids from catching it. You're a real heroine. Why I bet A.J. would give you a job on the train if you wanted it." Wilma claimed.
"I've got other plans, remember?"
"That's getting old. Everyone knows you are in love with Joe Modoc, everyone but you!" Wilma started to walk off. "You just won't admit it aloud, or tell him about it."
"A woman can't just tell a man something like that. I have an idea that Joe isn't the settling down type. He's got a good job on the train and I doubt he wants to change it."
"Maybe he wouldn't have to. I mean, if a woman loves a man enough, she goes with him, not away from him."
"Maybe, but he's lookin' at her, now." Millie sighed heavily as she glanced back at Joe.
She grinned. "You gonna tell me what happened at that Indian village?"
"Nothing happened."
"I know better. That changed everything between the two of you. Now out with it. What happened?"
"Wilma, it doesn't matter. It meant nothing."
"What meant nothing?"
"Well," Millie twisted around so Wilma couldn't see her red face. "It was the only thing we could do to get out of there. It didn't mean anything."
"What didn't?"
"We were married by a Shaman of the tribe. It was Joe or the chief's son. So I chose Joe of course." Millie explained, she was talking so quickly.
"Married! Then what is wrong with you, your troubles are over."
"No, no, it wasn't like that. He only did it, to get me out of there safely. It didn't really mean anything to him."
"Don't you kid yourself. Joe would never do something like that without good reason. And didn't he give you money before you went to the dance?"
"Well yes, but…I gave it back."
"He wouldn't have married any woman lessen he wanted to. And I never seen the man give money to anyone. He's tight-fisted with his money."
"He had a good reason, Wilma, it was him or the chief's son. He didn't want to leave me with a people I couldn't communicate with."
"It doesn't matter. He'd have figured another way out than that. I know that man. If he married you, he cares about you. That's a fact. And its high time the two of you were doing something about it. He can't say it to your face, and you can't admit it even to yourself."
"No, Wilma. Look, I only told you because I know you well enough to know you would have kept prying. We talked it over before we came back. Neither of us was going to even mention it."
"Not mention it. Are you crazy? You're so in love with him you can't see straight any more. Everyone knows it."
"Please, Wilma," Millie grabbed her hands and looked into her face. "You can't bring this up, ever!"
"But child…"
"Ever!"
"But the two of you…."
Millie looked across at Joe and he was talking to the girl once more. This time she didn't look so pleased with him.
He cast Millie a quick glance, but she turned away so he wouldn’t think she was staring.
From that day forward she tried not to get too close to Joe or insinuate herself around him. People would talk and assume too much, like Wilma. She set her mind on marrying Matt Hudson and tried her best to forget about Joe Modoc.
That worked well.
Yeah sure!
The girl was pretty, and young. And she seemed to follow Joe around like a little puppy. Joe wasn't objecting so Millie figured he enjoyed it.
But deep down it hurt. Because deep down she had to admit she was crazy in love with Joe herself. Still, she knew it was selfish of her, because if she couldn't tell him then she deserved to lose him.
Joe passed by their wagon the next day and tipped his hat, "We'll be at Chimney Rock tomorrow."
"Chimney Rock, I can't wait to see it. My sister said it was a sight." Wilma smiled at him. "A rock shaped just like a chimney, that ought to be something to see. When she first told me about it, I didn't believe her."
"It's kind of unusual and a lot of people traveling west enjoy walking up to it. Some even sign there names there." Joe informed them.
"Why?" Millie asked.
"Why what?" Joe turned his indigo stare on her now.
"Why do they walk up to it?" She tried to sound jovial.
"Well I don't know. The women seem to think it's pretty or something." He studied her now.
"Join us for supper Joe?" Wilma asked.
He stared into Millie's face, "Yeah, I'd like that."
He smiled and told them he'd be back.
When he rode off Millie turned to Wilma, "Why'd you do that?"
"What?"
"Don't play innocent with me. Why'd you invite him for supper?"
"Well now, I've often asked him to supper and most of the time he refuses. But he didn't hesitate this time, did he?"
"Nonsense, you did it to get him away from that girl. And that's not right. It's his business if he wants to hang around her all the time." Millie pouted.
"So you've noticed. Well, if I were you I wouldn't let that little upstart get him." Wilma encouraged.
When Joe rode up for supper, he brought Wilma a clump of flowers and one for Millie. But Millie had gone to the creek to wash out her underthings.
She needed to figure out how to be around Joe without letting him know how she felt about him. It wasn't that she didn't want to tell him everything, but this whole trip was as mission to save her family and
she couldn't lose site of that. Even if it meant losing Joe, and now admitting that to herself, she realized what she'd done. She'd never forget Joe as long as she lived. She'd carry a part of him with her, she knew that.
He talked to Wilma a while and he seemed a bit restless. "You say she's washing some things out?"
"Yes," Wilma watched him squirm, "Down by the creek."
"I'll just go hurry her along, then." He muttered.
"Good." Wilma smiled.
"Wilma thought you might have fell in," He said when he spotted Millie hanging her unmentionables on a tree limb.
She whipped around, shocked to see him. Did Wilma tell him where she'd gotten off to? Yes, she would do that. It seemed he always caught her washing.
The sight of him made her heart hammer so loud she was afraid he'd hear it. Her pulse sped up. She'd have grabbed her chest if it hadn't been so obvious.
"No, just doing a little wash." She injected, trying to sound normal, but feeling far from it, she straightened the under garments and turned around so he couldn't see them.
But when she turned around, he was right behind her and she almost fell into his arms he was so close.
"I'm a little surprised you came to dinner. You don't usually accept Wilma's invitations." She started to move away. "Besides, you seem a little preoccupied lately."
"Oh that, well, that's all A.J.'s fault. He wanted me to nursemaid the girl." Joe explained quickly, his eyes going over her thoroughly. "She's the rancher's daughter, good impression kind of thing."
"Looks like your doing a fine job of it," She firmed her lips and tried to keep the acid from her tongue.
"Well…not because I want to…"
"Could have fooled me…" She tried to smirk at him but it didn't come off. "She's very pretty. I'm sure you noticed."
"Now look, I told you A.J. set me up with her…it's my job. She's the reason we can go on through this land." He seemed to come unglued. "The only reason, in fact. Got a feeling that rancher just wanted to get her off his hands."
