Cora’s Courage: Romance on the Oregon Trail Book One

by Ball, Kathleen

  Cora didn’t look happy, but she nodded. He got back up on the bench and joined the end of the line. They’d be eating dust from the other wagons the rest of the day.

  He waited a reasonable amount of time and glanced over his shoulder. Essie was in her basket. He looked forward again.

  “Give me your hand so I can climb over and sit with you,” she said.

  He helped her and waited. Then she unbuttoned the front of her dress and pulled the brown fabric down away from her shoulder. She glanced away.

  Her shoulder was a fiery red color where it wasn’t turning black and blue. He gently touched it and she flinched.

  “What happened?” He tried to control the anger in his voice.

  “Eddie. He grabbed my shoulder when he told me I was to feed him and he didn’t let go until you came back.”

  “Why didn’t you say something? That looks painful.”

  “I didn’t want to start a fight between the two of you and then the captain was there. It hurts but I’ve had worse. It’ll heal.”

  “Worse?”

  “They smacked me in the face, punched me in the stomach, and one time they broke my arm at the saloon. They didn’t like it when I tried to sneak out or talked back to them. I got through it. Like I said, I’ll heal.”

  He leaned over and placed a kiss on her shoulder. “If anyone touches you again I want to know about it. I’m your husband, and I will protect both you and our daughter.”

  “You said it again.” She sounded pleased.

  “Said what?”

  “Our daughter. I thought it was, well I wasn’t sure if you realized you said it. I didn’t want to hope too much and then be crushed.”

  “Look at me, Cora. I am Essie’s father and you are my wife.”

  Tears welled in her eyes.

  “Awe, don’t cry.”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t help it.” She sniffed.

  Not having a clue what to say, he just continued to drive the oxen.

  Finally they were circling for the night. Essie woke just in time. He put on the brake and tied off the lines. Once he helped Cora to turn and get into the back, he walked to the front of the wagon. He needed to unyoke the oxen, make sure their feet were fine and they were watered and fed. Then off to his horses and cattle.

  He’d hired two brothers and their friend to tend the livestock, and they were doing an excellent job. One drove his second wagon while the other two drove the animals. They rotated jobs and took their turns at guard duty. He’d been lucky. They’d all heard about men who were hired to take care of animals stealing them away in the night.

  He asked Zander, Heath, and Declan to come by the fire for supper the next night to meet his wife and daughter. The three men accepted cheerfully.

  Good, now that was done, he needed to tend his wife’s shoulder. He’d like nothing more than to punch Eddie Connor, but such behavior wouldn’t leave Cora in a good light. There were always too many people watching in the party.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cora bending and picking up firewood. He hustled her way. “I’ve got that. You go rest.”

  She frowned, almost as though she was disappointed.

  “Are you going into the woods? I’d like to go if possible. There’s something calming about walking among the trees.”

  He took the dried branches from her. “Come on.” They walked, and he picked up more firewood as they went. “I invited Zander, Heath and Declan to join us for supper tomorrow. Would that be fine with you?”

  “I don’t think I’ve met them.”

  “Probably not. They tend my livestock and drive the extra wagon.”

  “Extra wagon? Why would you need two wagons?”

  “Spare parts for the wagons, extra tools for when we get there. Also food for the boys.”

  “Boys? Just how old are you, Harrison?”

  “Older than you, for sure.”

  “How much older?” She stared at him with teasing eyes.

  “I’m twenty-seven, if you must know.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know you were so old. You look like you’re still in your prime.”

  He laughed loudly, and a flock of birds took flight. Then they both laughed and when they stopped, they stared into each other’s eyes. His urge to kiss her lips was so strong, and he took a step forward. Luckily Essie cried, or he would have gotten in over his head.

  Cora lifted the baby out of her sling and kissed her cheek before she held her against her shoulder. She cooed to Essie and after an initial squirming, Essie settled back to sleep.

  “You’re good with her.”

  He found her blush endearing. He needed to get out of these woods. Things were happening too fast, and the secluded hush of the nature surrounding them was not helping to keep his wits about him.

  * * *

  Why was Harrison looking at her in such a strange way? Almost as if he found her… pleasing? He was a good man, she reminded herself, and she was lucky to have him. She had fallen in love with him the first time he said “our daughter.” She just hadn’t realized it. What were his dreams for Oregon? Or was he going to California? They had spent more time together, yet she didn’t know very much. They still had months, she supposed, but she wanted to know sooner. He had men working for him, and she hadn’t known it.

  In all fairness, though, she hadn’t told him about Rudy. And knowing about his wife would be a good thing, wouldn’t it? He must still love her—as well he should, but… She was grateful for what she had. She sent up a quick prayer of thanks and praise to the Lord.

  She set out everything she needed to make potato cakes and bacon, and she found preserves in the wagon she planned to top the cornbread with. She filled a pot with beans and poured water over them for the next evening. Some men planned to go hunting the next day, and she looked forward to whatever they might bring back. Something other than bacon would be a wonderful change.

  She had everything just about ready when Harrison came back to camp. He smiled and kissed her cheek. “I want to check your shoulder after we eat.”

  She nodded and served him a plateful of food. He sat on a crate and took a bite of everything.

  “You are really a good cook. Better than—” His brow wrinkled and his eyes grew sad. “You’re a good cook.” He was a bit subdued while they ate.

  He was thinking about his wife. He must be. Cora felt for him. Would she always stand in his wife’s shadow? Would everything she did be compared to her?

  “What was her name?”

  “Ora. She was as pretty as she was kind. We grew up together, and it was just natural for us to marry. We had such hope for this trip. The farm we’d shared with my parents and three brothers had gotten crowded and everyone thought they knew best. I wanted to raise horses and cattle so we saved and saved, and we were excited to go to Oregon and make a fresh start. Ora kept hoping for a child, and my mother didn’t help any, announcing that Ora still wasn’t pregnant every month. We’d bought the wagons, and Ora was washing clothes for all of us. She was watching me, not paying attention to the fire. Her skirt caught fire, and she started running—away from me.” He stopped as though lost in thought. “She was in so much pain; it was a blessing when she died.”

  “I’m so sorry, Harrison. I shouldn’t have asked. It’s not my business.”

  He shook his head. “It is your business. It’s just hard to talk about. I used to feel her around me all the time but lately I haven’t been thinking about her as much as I did, and that makes me feel like I’m not honoring her memory. She hasn’t even been dead three months, and already I’m…” He wiped his hand over his face. “I’m going to check on the livestock.”

  Cora gathered the dirty dishes. All she’d brought Harrison was pain and more responsibility. She knew all she wanted to know and wished she hadn’t asked. Maybe she needed to keep her distance, but she wasn’t the one who reached for his hand or kissed his cheek.

  She finished washing everything when she remembered Harrison s
aid they’d have to act happily married. She’d read too much into the little things he did. He wanted to be alone. She climbed into the wagon, put on her nightgown, fed Essie, and lay down. She left the lantern lit and put it near the end of the wagon so he could get what he needed. Her heart hurt for her and for Harrison. Ora was a permanent part of their marriage. He needed to be left alone, and she could do that.

  She listened to the sounds of the camp. Men debating how long it would take for them to get to Fort Laramie. Women trying to round up their children for bed. She heard a woman crying, and her husband trying to comfort her. Farther away she could hear laughter and the noise one husband made as he berated his wife.

  A sigh slipped past her lips. Just because Harrison had married her didn’t mean he even liked her much. He liked Essie, though. It was better than being with Eddie. It was understandable that Harrison was in mourning. She should have known and not badgered him. He was cheated by the death of his love, and now he’d live his and Ora’s dream with Cora instead.

  Would people in Oregon treat her as an outcast? Word was bound to get out she had once lived in a saloon. What would life be for Essie?

  “Cora?”

  “Did you need something, Harrison?” She hoped he just wanted to say good night.

  “I need to tend your shoulder.”

  “Harrison you don’t have to do anything. I respect that you’re mourning, and I’ll try to stay out of your way.”

  The wagon rocked as he climbed in. He reached into a crate and grabbed the jar of salve. He kneeled in the tight space and helped her to sit up. Then he bared her shoulder and hissed. “I swear it looks worse.”

  “The bruising is just darkening, is all.” She tried her best not to glance at him, but it was a battle easily lost. His lips formed a grim line. “I can do it,” she insisted.

  “Woman, would you please let me take care of you?” His voice sounded beseeching as his gaze bored into hers.

  A chill rolled over her body, and her breath hitched as she nodded. His touch was gentle as he put the salve on her shoulder, but it raised goose bumps. “It’s getting cold out, I think.”

  He smiled as though she said something funny. “I’m finished.” Her raised her gown to cover her shoulder and kissed her forehead. “Thank you for leaving the lantern lit for me. I don’t think anyone has done that for me before.”

  Before she knew it, he was out of the wagon. A smile played on her lips. He was so hard to understand, but one day she’d figure him out. Her eyes were almost closed when she realized she hadn’t made the dough for the bread. She always made it at night, and by morning the dough had raised and was ready to bake.

  She secured her shawl around her and climbed out of the wagon and then put the tailgate down. The light from the dying fire was barely enough for her to see, but she’d made the bread many times. She mixed all the ingredients and was kneading the dough when she saw a shadow. She had a feeling Harrison wouldn’t be happy.

  “Cora? What, pray tell, are you doing? Morning is hours away.”

  “I need to have the dough ready to bake for tomorrow. We’re having guests for supper,” she whispered.

  “Oh. In that case move over. I can knead it quicker, and I bet it’s hurting your shoulder.”

  She opened her eyes wide and scooted over. He knew what he was doing and he was done in a matter of minutes. He handed the dough to her, and she put it in a bowl and covered it with a dish cloth.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He cradled her face in his hands and gazed into her eyes. After a moment, his lips twitched. “You are full of surprises, but you do me proud.” He kissed her forehead again before he turned away.

  She stared after him, wondering what had gotten into him. She quickly cleaned up and climbed back into the wagon. “You do me proud.” Just what he meant by that was a mystery, but she held onto the words that made her so happy.

  Chapter Six

  It never occurred to him that Zander, Heath and Declan would find his wife attractive enough to watch her every move. Harrison smiled. Cora didn’t seem to notice them. She kept glancing at him for approval.

  “Where are you all from?” she asked as she sliced up the roasted elk meat and poured gravy on it.

  “We come from Ireland,” Zander answered. “We’ve been in America for over a year now. I met these two down at the docks. Heath and Declan have been my best mates.”

  “How nice.” She sliced the bread and when she presented the butter she looked especially happy. “It’s the first butter I’ve made on the trip. Harrison brought me some milk this morning, and all I had to do was pour it into the butter churn. The constant movement of the wagon turned it into butter. Can you imagine?”

  “It’s the first we’ve seen too, ma’am,” Heath said.

  She served them elk with gravy, beans and bread with butter. When she sat down, she glanced at Harrison again. He smiled, and she blushed.

  Harrison said grace. They began to eat, and it was the best meal she’d made so far. The elk was tender, and the gravy went down too soon. He wished he had the patience to savor it but they all ate fairly quickly.

  She got up while they still ate and pulled the Dutch oven out of the coals. “I made an apple crisp with some dried apples. I hope you saved room.”

  Harrison wanted to laugh at the looks on the boys’ faces. He might have thought it was Christmas by the way their eyes glowed.

  After she served them each two helpings of the crisp, she made sure they all had coffee before she sat next to Harrison. This time it seemed she sat closer to him. Maybe she noticed how they watched her.

  Declan was first to stand. “Ma’am, would you like help with the dishes?”

  “I think my wife and I can handle it. You’re our guests.”

  “Thank you for the fine food, Mrs. Walsh,” Zander said as he stood and put his plate on the tailgate. “We have work to do, but it’s been a pleasure.”

  Heath and Declan put their empty plates and cups on the tailgate and said their thanks before they left.

  “You look amused,” she said.

  “They were practically falling over their feet to impress you.”

  “I doubt that, but I think the food turned out well.”

  He smiled and shook his head. “It was the best meal I’ve had since we’ve been out here.”

  “The elk made the difference.” She gathered the plates and set them with the others. Before she reached for the pans she used to wash dishes, he stood right behind her and turned her around.

  “You made the difference. You were the perfect hostess, and the meal was outstanding. Like I said last night you do me proud.” He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. “How’s your shoulder?”

  She put her cheek against him. “It’ll get better.”

  They stood there for a few minutes before he drew back and kissed her cheek. “I have first watch. I will put on another pot of coffee to boil.”

  “I can do it.”

  “I know you can. So can I.” He took the coffee mill out of her hand and laughed. “Really, I can do this, you can wash the dishes.”

  He ground up the beans, put the water over it and put it on to boil. Then he watched as Cora took a pinch of salt and added it to the pot.

  “You are kindhearted, Mrs. Walsh.” He walked away before she looked up. He kept walking until he was alone, not a soul in sight.

  Ora, either I make this a good marriage or lose it all. She’s not what I thought when I married her. I never intended to even like her. She’s growing on me, Ora, and it’s not fair to you. I miss you, darlin’. I just wish I knew what to do. I thought I could ignore her, but she enchants me and little Essie needs a father. I feel so good one minute, and then I’m in misery thinking of you knowing what I’m doing. I love you, Ora.

  He stared out at the vast land and sighed. It seemed like a promise of what would be waiting in Oregon. He’d go back and grab the coffee pot and a cup and start guard du
ty early. He didn’t trust himself not to kiss Cora’s lips.

  * * *

  “Harrison, get up. Zander is hurt.”

  Cora wasn’t sure who was out there, but his voice sounded urgent. How hurt was Zander? She stripped off her blanket and crawled to the back of the wagon. But Harrison and the other man were already gone.

  She wouldn’t get any more sleep tonight. Each night she set out her clothes to put on in the morning. She groped for those she had lain out earlier. After quickly dressing, she checked on Essie. She was sleeping in longer intervals each night. As silent as she could, Cora climbed down and got the fire going. Next, she put down the tailgate and grabbed a satchel Harrison had shown her. It was full of things for illness and accidents.

  She wanted to heat water in case they would need willow bark tea or water to wash him. Maybe they wouldn’t even bring Zander to this wagon. They might have gone to Mrs. Chapman’s.

  She filled her biggest pot with water and set it on a metal grate that sat in the fire. Then she found the coffee pot and quickly roasted some beans before grinding them in the mill. After dumping the grounds into the pot, she poured the water and put the coffee on the grate next to the other pot.

  The dough she’d started earlier was ready, and she set it in the Dutch oven. As soon as the fire went down a bit, she’d bake the bread. Zander was the one with dark brown hair and blue eyes, she recalled. He’d seemed nice enough. What was it like to leave the country he was born in and travel to America?

  She peered into the darkness. There was still no sign of the men. She took the crates out to use for chairs and retrieved Essie from the wagon, basket and all. Essie looked a lot like Rudy, and a pang went through her thinking about him. He’d been such a sweet man, well boy teetering on the edge of becoming a man. Life could be cruel, very cruel indeed. Loving her had gotten him killed. The knowledge of it haunted her.

  “Mrs. Walsh!” Heath ran toward her. “Harrison said to ready the wagon for Zander. He’ll need to lie down and he said to put his oilcloth over the straw ticking to keep the blood from seeping into the mattress.” Heath was out of breath when he finished.