“We came out in ’48. Two years ago.” His eyes darkened. “My wife’s buried on the trail. She died when Natasha was born.”
Ma smiled at the children who stood quietly listening. “It looks like you’ve done a marvelous job of caring for your children.”
“Thank you, Ma’am. I do the best I can. I miss my wife, though. It’s hard for a man—or woman—alone.” Mr. Douglas glanced toward Rachel.
Warmth crept to her face as her heart pounded. Why did he keep looking at her that way? She turned toward the trees to catch a cooling breeze.
“Well, we need to be getting back to town.” Pa looked out over the land with a satisfied expression. “We’ll get our claims filed in a couple of days, and we’ll be settling here.” He turned toward Mr. Douglas and stuck out his hand. “I look forward to being your neighbor.”
“Me, too.”
As the men shook hands, Rachel turned toward the wagon. Her cheeks still burned from the way Mr. Douglas had looked at her. What would Tommy think if he knew?
~*~
Rachel stepped into Katie’s living room and looked for Tommy first thing.
He hurried across the floor as if he’d been waiting for her. “Come and see what Katie has been doing today.” He slipped his arm around her waist and led her to the kitchen.
Her heart fluttered at his closeness.
As they passed the dining area, Rachel let her hand brush the back of a wooden chair that sat at a table with five more matching chairs. “I see she’s already started furnishing her house.”
“That isn’t fair, Tommy. I want to show Rachel myself.” Katie caught up with them at the kitchen door. She pulled Rachel away from Tommy. “Look at this beauty. It’s my pride and joy. They delivered it just before noon.”
Rachel moved into the kitchen with Katie, but slanted a look back at Tommy.
He stood in the open doorway with a grin on his face. “Go ahead and let Katie show off. I’ll catch up with you later.” With a wink, he turned and went back into the living room where Jason’s voice drifted back as he greeted some more arrivals.
Rachel touched her chest where the pounding of her heart pulsed. Would she ever get used to his attention? She hoped not.
“Look at this, Rachel.” Katie stopped and turned to her.
Rachel touched the black metal of a brand new wood-burning cook stove. “When I think of the campfires we cooked on . . . Oh, my, it’s very nice, Katie. Have you tried it yet?”
“Yes, I baked Suzy a birthday cake. It’s on the table. I let the fire go out because it’s so warm in here.”
Rachel glanced back into the dining area and saw the two-layer cake in the middle of the table. “Katie, it looks wonderful. Suzy will love it. Where is she?”
“Getting dressed in the bedroom. She didn’t want to wear the dress I picked out. Rather than cause a scene, I’m letting her dress herself. She’s getting so headstrong . . .”
Katie let her voice trail off as Susanna came out of the bedroom and headed toward them. “Oh, look at her hair. I had it pulled back with a ribbon and she looked so pretty.”
Susanna wore a blue dress topped with a white pinafore apron. Her hair had been parted unevenly down the middle. Two lop-sided braids hung down her back with hair ends sticking out in all directions the length of each braid.
Rachel put a calming hand on Katie’s arm. “Happy birthday, Susanna. Your pretty blue dress is lovely.”
Susanna frowned at Rachel’s dark brown hair coiled at the back of her head. “Where are your braids?”
Rachel knelt beside her, putting her arm around thin shoulders. “I wear my braids for everyday when I’m working. It keeps my hair out of the way. But tonight is special. I wanted to look my best for your birthday.”
“Oh.” Susanna hung her head.
Katie left to greet the Bartletts, and Rachel looked around the crowded room. The pleasant hum of several conversations filled each corner. She turned to the little girl. “Susanna, could we go into the bedroom where we can hear ourselves talk?”
Susanna nodded, leading the way. Rachel closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed. A kerosene lantern, sitting on a small dresser, gave off a dim light. A cradle stood against the wall. “I see Katie and Jason bought some furniture for this room, too.”
“Yes, my bed is in the big room. It looks like a couch now so people can sit on it.”
“How nice. You’ll have a big room all to yourself.”
“My hair looks funny.” Susanna’s lower lip stuck out. “I wanted to look like you.”
“Would you like to have it back the way Katie fixed it?”
Susanna peeked up at Rachel. “Yes, if you do it for me.”
“I’d be glad to.” Rachel soon had Susanna’s waist length, naturally curly hair combed out and tied back with a blue ribbon. “There we go. How’s that?”
Susanna looked in the hand-held looking glass then twirled around with a big smile on her face. “Now I look pretty, don’t I?”
Rachel gave her a hug. “You sure do. Are you ready to go to your party?”
Susanna bounced to the door and pulled it open. “Come on, Rachel.”
Mary Bartlett ran to pull Susanna away. “Suzy, it’s your birthday.”
Mary’s older sister, Ellen, laughed. “She probably already knows it, Mary.”
Rachel watched Susanna go, a huge smile covering her face. She obviously enjoyed the attention.
“Hey, there you are.” Tommy’s hand on her arm turned her toward him. His eyes shone with love, and her heart melted as his lower lip stuck out in an exaggerated imitation of Suzy. “I thought we’d be together tonight, but first Katie and then Suzy pulled you away from me. When’s my turn?”
Rachel giggled. “I might find a little time for you right now.”
Tommy’s arm slipped around her shoulders and tugged her close. “Just to make sure, I’m keeping a better hold on you from now on.” He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “How’d your land hunt go?”
“Pa found what he wants. He and Ma plan to file claims first thing Monday morning, and we’ll be moving out there then.”
“How far out is it?”
“About eleven miles south of here. There’s a small river a couple of miles south of it. According to Mr. Douglas there’s a spring just down the hill from where Ma wants to build the house. I’m hoping Pa digs a well right out the back door, though.”
“Yeah, that would be good. Who’s Mr. Douglas?”
“Our neighbor. He owns the claim bordering Pa’s. He seems like a really nice man. He’s a widower with three children.”
A frown crossed Tommy’s face. “Children? How old? There aren’t any young fellows in the bunch, are there?”
Rachel grinned. “Only one.”
“Yeah, well one’s all it takes.” Tommy’s frown matched his growl.
Rachel leaned against him for a moment as she met his lowered eyes. His jealousy was only make-believe, but she enjoying thinking he cared. She grinned. “The young fellow is shorter than Suzy. A little younger, too, if I’m not mistaken.”
Tommy grinned. “Good. You can move out there, then.”
Jason stepped in front of them. “Katie says for you two to join the rest of us. We’re ready to eat now, and she wants you to say the blessing, Tommy.”
As Rachel walked beside Tommy toward the table, her heart sang. He’d sounded jealous. Even though she knew he was teasing, a warm feeling of love filled her as he led the prayer blessing Susannah’s party and cake.
It’s hard for a man—or woman—alone. Mr. Douglas’s voice filled Rachel’s mind along with the intense look he’d given her when he said those words. Would Tommy’s jealousy still be only teasing if he met her new neighbor? Somehow she didn’t think so.
Chapter 4
“Come on, Rachel. You’ll make us late for church.” Daniel tapped on the wagon bed. “Ma and Pa already went up to the Jackson’s. They’re riding with them.”
Rach
el climbed down the lowered tail gate. “I’m ready.”
“You don’t have to fix up for Tommy.” Daniel grinned. “You already caught him.”
“I’d like to keep him.” Rachel glanced at her brother. “If I had your looks I wouldn’t have to worry about it. As it is, I look like Pa.”
Daniel frowned. “So what?”
Rachel fell into step with him. “Pa’s a man. I’d rather look like Ma.”
“So, you have brown eyes and brown hair. You look like a girl. What’s wrong with that?”
Rachel shrugged. “Nothing, I guess.”
Clear, sweet notes coming from the church belfry pealed forth an invitation as Rachel and Daniel reached the log building. Their parents climbed from the Jackson’s road wagon. Worshipers walking, on horseback, or in various vehicles paused to listen until the last note drifted out of range through the cloudless sky.
“How beautiful.” Rachel spoke after all was quiet.
Noel helped his wife from the wagon. “We consider ourselves blessed to have that bell. It came by ship through the Panama Canal. The Preston family donated it to the church.”
“Preston?” Pa tapped his chin and frowned. “Didn’t I hear that name connected with a store here?”
Noel nodded. “They own the general store and the lumber yard. They’re good Christian people.”
Rachel followed her parents and the Jacksons across the ankle-length grass to the front door. Daniel walked beside her.
Tommy stood near the front talking to the pastor. As if he sensed her presence, he turned with a smile but continued his conversation. Rachel followed her parents into the third pew from the back. Several people stopped to introduce themselves, but Rachel didn’t try to keep them straight in her mind. Tomorrow she would be moving with her family to their claim, and she’d probably never see these people again. She looked at Tommy. How often would she see him? Eleven miles was too far for frequent visits.
Jason and Katie entered with their small family and sat in front of the Morgans. Katie turned around. “I thought we’d be late. I had Davy dressed and was helping Suzy when he spit up all down the front of his dress. I just got him changed when I noticed he had a leaky diaper, and I do mean leaky.” She made a face at Rachel. “Are you sure you want to get married?”
Rachel laughed. “You can’t talk me out of it. I’m ready anytime.”
Katie’s eyes brightened. “Great! When’s the day?”
Rachel’s heart sank. “I don’t know. We haven’t discussed that. I think Tommy wants to wait until spring.”
Katie shook her head. “You two are a trial to me.”
Rachel laughed as Tommy squeezed into the seat beside her.
He touched her hand and leaned forward. “Katie, did you see the organ up front?”
A veil seemed to drop over her face. She looked down. “No, why?”
“There’s no one who can play it. No one except you. Pastor Blackstone says it hasn’t been played since Brother Preston had it shipped out here.”
Katie’s head jerked up, and her eyes widened. “Tommy, I can’t play.”
“What do you mean you can’t play? I happen to know you can.”
Katie shivered as if she were cold. “No, I can’t. I can’t get up in front of all these people and make a fool of myself. I haven’t played in ages. How do you know I can now?”
Tommy frowned. “I don’t think you can forget how. You might be a little rusty, but it’ll still be better than anyone else here can do.”
Rachel touched his arm. He shouldn’t push his sister to do something she obviously didn’t want to.
He turned toward her, but Katie spoke first. “Not this morning. Maybe for service tonight.” She twisted toward Rachel. “Do you play?”
Rachel shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not.”
Tommy shrugged. “Okay, Katie. Plan to play tonight. God gave you the talent to use.”
He settled back in the seat and gave Rachel a special smile as the service began. Her heart swelled with love for him.
~*~
Katie poured batter for flapjacks into her iron skillet. This wasn’t much of a Sunday dinner. Maybe later, when Jason found work, they’d have better. She loved cooking on her new stove, but her mind kept drifting back to Tommy and his demand that she play Mama’s organ. No, not Mama’s.
She shook her head. He wanted her to play at church. She’d barely glimpsed the organ, but it was nothing like Mama’s beautiful rosewood. Still, the two seemed jumbled in her mind.
Mama had been so patient, teaching her to play. She’d learned to read the written notes and apply them to the black and white keyboard. She’d been so thrilled when the first hesitant melody sounded under her fumbling fingers. She practiced faithfully until even Dad recognized the songs she played. Mama showed her how to adjust the many stops to make the sound just right. Later, she learned to chord, make runs, and play the extra notes that brought a richness to the sound of her music. For all of that, she could never bring the music to life like Mama could. She hadn’t even seen an organ in over six months. She couldn’t play.
The faint scent of scorch reached her nose, and she grabbed the skillet handle. Pain shot through her fingers.
“Ow!” Tears welled in Katie’s eyes and ran down her cheeks. She clutched her hand as sobs shook her body. Not from the pain, but because she was afraid.
She should have tried to play the organ. She wanted to, but she couldn’t. Lord, why am I afraid to play in public when I never was before?
“Hey, what’s the matter?” Jason rushed into the kitchen and led her to a dining room chair. “Let’s look at that hand.”
With his calm, reassuring ministrations she brought her tears under control. He carefully wrapped the reddened fingers, then held her hand in his.
“Now what’s this all about? You don’t normally cry this much over a hurt like this. There are no blisters, Katie.” He looked deep into her eyes as if searching out the depths of her soul.
She looked away. Jason had always seemed to read her mind.
“I didn’t know you could play an organ.” He spoke soft, but his voice sounded loud in her head.
Katie swung to stare at him. “I can’t.”
She closed her eyes against the reproach on his face and bowed her head. “Not any more. Mama always played for church, but I can’t. I just can’t.”
“Tommy seems to think you can.”
“Tommy is wrong.” Katie jumped up from the table and hurried away, only the kitchen wasn’t far enough as Jason followed her and leaned against the doorframe.
She grabbed a towel and reached for the skillet again. She scooped the overly browned pancakes onto a plate and handed it to Jason. “Tommy, doesn’t know everything. He doesn’t know how I feel.”
“How do you feel?” Jason’s voice was gentle.
“Like eating lunch.” Katie turned her back on Jason. “I’ll fix some more pancakes. Suzy is playing in the yard. Will you call her in?”
Jason turned and walked away. As she poured more batter, he called out the front door. “Suzy, come on in and wash your hands. It’s time to eat.”
All through the meal, Katie waited for Jason to mention the organ again, but he didn’t. She cleaned up afterward while he watched the children in the front room. She finished and joined them.
When she sat in Mama’s rocking chair, Susanna climbed on her lap with a book. “Will you read to me?”
“What have you got? Miss Mary Anna Fox?”
“It’s about a kitten.” Susanna opened the book of stories for children. “See, The Intelligent Kitten.”
Katie smiled, glad for the distraction. Susanna loved this story so much she sometimes pretended to read it to herself. Maybe Jason would agree to get her a kitten sometime. “All right, let’s see what it says.”
She began to read. “‘The Intelligent Kitten. Almost . . .”
The words seemed to blur on the page as Katie’s mind returned to her own prob
lems. How could she get out of playing the organ tonight? Her head and fingers both pulsed with every beat of her heart. She blinked her eyes.
“. . . brothers found a half-starved kitten—”
“No, Katie, you left out poor little.”
“I’m sorry, Suzy. My head hurts so much I can’t see.”
Susanna twisted to look into Katie’s face. “Well then, I’ll read it myself.”
She hopped from Katie’s lap and sat on the floor with her book in her hands and proceeded to “read.”
Katie rested her head against her cupped hand and watched Suzy. She wanted to play the organ. She shook her head and winced. No, she didn’t. Mama should be here to play for the church. Dad always said Mama could make an organ sing. Tears filled Katie’s eyes. She missed them both so much.
Jason cleared his throat. Katie stood and swiped at her eyes. She hurried to the bedroom and found her ball of thread and crochet hook. She might as well start a doily for the lamp table. Her fingers didn’t hurt much now so she should be able to use them. Maybe she’d make a strawberry pattern. It was always fun to work with.
Sometime later, she opened her eyes and lifted her head from the back of the rocker. She hadn’t fallen asleep exactly, but she’d been daydreaming about Mama, hearing her music, remembering her walking in her yard, caring for the flowers she loved. Her barely started doily lay in her lap no larger than a silver dollar.
“Why don’t you go lie down for a while?” Jason’s hand touched her hair above her forehead.
“No, I need to warm something for supper. I know you’re probably sick of beans, but there’s some left over from yesterday, and I can make biscuits to go with them.” Katie stood while she talked and headed toward the kitchen, ignoring the pounding in her head.
By the time supper was ready, Katie longed for a chance to lie down. She ate a few bites, even finished her biscuit with butter and molasses. But the dishes had to be done, and Davy needed his bottle. After Susanna helped with the dishes, Katie carried Davy to the rocking chair and settled in with his sweet warmth filling her arms. As soon as the bottle was empty and he slept, she stood with him in her arms.
Home's Promise (Oregon Trail) Page 3
