Woman of Courage (Four Full length Historical Christian Romances in One Volume): Woman of Courage Series

by Cynthia Hickey

  As the morning wore on, Delly had yet to see a sign of the hardships, other than boredom, outlined in the guidebook. She lifted her face to the warm sun and listened to her two youngest children chattering from the back of Old Blue, Mabel’s and the smaller goats’s bleating, and Dorcas’s and Ruth’s laughter as they skipped beside the wagon and picked a bouquet. Delly had made the right choice to do as her husband asked. Leave behind the poverty of a farm that barely eked out a living and go to a better land.

  The wagon creaked beneath her as the oxen trudged after the wagon ahead of them. A wooden bucket banged against the sideboards. A tattered checkered shirt fluttered from the opening in the canvas of the wagon in front of them. She needed to thank Zeke for putting them in the middle of the train. She felt sorry for those in the back, consigned to eating the dust of nineteen other wagons.

  So docile did the oxen proceed, Delly let the reins lie in her lap. Occasionally, she spotted Junior darting alongside the herd of cattle, the hound at his heels and the puppy trying to follow. Delly laughed. The poor mutt would be exhausted by dinner. Maybe she could convince Junior to let it ride in the wagon for part of each day.

  With the morning stretching before them, she decided getting to know her new friend might pass time. After all, they’d be living together for several months.

  “What brings you out here, Sadie? Is someone waiting for you out west?” Delly asked.

  Sadie jerked as if the sound of Delly’s voice caught her by surprise. Her gaze landed everywhere but on Delly. “No, just me looking for freedom from bounty hunters and haters. My daddy inherited my momma when she was real young. Around sixteen. Fell in love with her. He was quite a few years older.

  “When he found himself sick and dying, he freed us both. Momma said we ought to head west where there ain’t no prejudice. She died from consumption a few weeks back. That’s my story.” She pulled at a loose thread on her sleeve. “They won’t give me any of that free land, ‘cause I’m colored, but I can find myself some honest work. Work that isn’t based on the color of my skin.”

  Delly swallowed past the tears clogging her throat. “I’m sorry I told that man you were my servant. And I’ll have plenty of land, if you want to stay with us. Lord knows I can use the help.”

  Sadie waved aside her apology. “Needed done at the time, and I’m mighty grateful for the offer.”

  “When folks start asking questions, you tell them what you want. I’ll back you up.”

  Sadie’s look brightened. “What about you? I don’t reckon you birthed all these young’uns. Not at your age.”

  Delly gulped. “No, my husband, Mr. Williams’s brother, died a couple of days ago. These are his children from a previous marriage. I promised to hunt up Mr. Williams and head west. Just hope I can make it with so much responsibility sitting on my shoulders.”

  Sadie folded her hands in her lap. “This trail is full of dreams. I reckon you got as good a chance as any of these other folks. ‘Course the road’s probably littered with a lot of them dreams that failed. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, though. Easy to see with the way you care for the babies. You’ll be all right, and I’m here to help.”

  “I pray so. Junior almost drowned crossing the river. Fell right off the ferry, and the guidebook says there are worse dangers ahead. Heading out, full of pride and ignorance, well, I’m wondering how much I really thought things through.”

  “You’re fulfilling a promise.” Sadie patted her arm. “I’ll help with the babies. We’ll do all right.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad you’re with me.” Delly looked over her shoulder to count the wagons, thankful for the total of fifty or so that lumbered down the road. Not as large as some wagon trains she’d heard about, but hopefully enough to ward off trouble.

  In the distance, a cloud of dust rose behind the last wagon. Delly squinted. “Somebody is riding hard,” she noted.

  Sadie twisted to see. “Someone wanting to join us, maybe?”

  Zeke galloped past, headed for the dust cloud, and Delly stretched so far to follow him with her gaze, that if not for Sadie grabbing the back of her dress, she’d have fallen off the wagon.

  “No man is worth taking a fall for,” Sadie laughed. “Even one as handsome as our wagon master.”

  Delly’s face burned as hot as the sun. “I’m merely curious as to our visitor. It could’ve been the guide galloping by for all I care.”

  “Sure, Miss Delly.” Sadie laughed and slapped her leg. “That fine man would be the answer to all your problems.”

  Delly gripped the reins harder. “I can handle my own problems, thank you very much. And there are six hundred and forty acres of reward waiting for me in Oregon. I don’t need another husband.” Zeke looked at her and the children as an inconvenience. A burden. And Delly wouldn’t be a burden to anyone.

  ###

  “Looking for someone, stranger?” Zeke asked when the man stopped. Dust covered the man’s fancy clothes. Zeke eyed the brightly colored brocade vest, then glanced down at his own well-worn buckskins. The man definitely didn’t look like a traveler. Especially with two six shooters riding low on each hip.

  “I’m Ira Bodine, and I’m looking for a Mr. Ezekiel Williams.” Ira’s dark eyes narrowed. Lifting his beaked nose, he sniffed then twisted his handlebar moustache around his index finger.

  “You found him.” Zeke held out his hand.

  The stranger stared at Zeke’s hand for a moment, then accepted the shake. “I’m looking to join up with your group.”

  “You’d need a few more provisions than you can stuff in a saddlebag. I can’t let just anyone join up and take what the others have prepared.”

  “I’ve enough to get me to Fort Laramie, then I’ll restock.” His gaze flitted to the wagons.

  Zeke stroked his chin. Something about the man’s intense gaze that settled on Zeke then flittered toward the wagons didn’t sit right. The man acted like he looked for something, or someone. Zeke didn’t need more trouble on his train.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Bodine, but I’m going to pass on allowing you to travel with us. My advice would be for you to hook up with some cattle drovers. There’s a group maybe half a day’s ride ahead of us. You’ll make better time, too.” He nodded at the man’s stony look, then turned Cyclone back to the line of wagons.

  As he rode, he kept his shoulders tense, almost expecting a bullet in the back. The farther he went, the more he relaxed, at least physically. A dandy like that didn’t usually charge up on a wagon train, at least not in Zeke’s experience.

  Hopefully, Ezra gave Delly the deed to the land. Without it, they were all sunk. Ezra said he’d keep it safe. Maybe his young wife was the safest place he knew. Zeke needed to have a talk with the young widow, and fast. He glanced over his shoulder. Yep, the dandy wanted something and with Ezra’s gambling, Zeke would eat his hat if the man wasn’t after something as valuable as a little over twelve-hundred acres of prime Oregon Territory.

  ###

  “Delic…uh, Delly…Where’d you get a name like Delicious, anyway?”

  Delly glanced to where Zeke rode next to the wagon. His massive horse didn’t seem to mind the miles. Its long legs ate up the distance like a child with a stick of molasses candy. Delly sighed. “When I was born, my mother said I was the most delicious thing she’d ever seen. Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Williams?”

  Was she that frightening? The big, strapping man got tongue tied every time he had to say a word to her. She bit her lip to keep from smiling.

  “Would you walk with me? I have something we need to discuss.”

  Delly glanced at Sadie, who nodded. She handed the other woman the reins. Once the wagon came to a halt, Delly climbed down, careful to sweep her skirt away from the wheel. What did he want to talk to her about? The deed, most likely. Well, she wouldn’t give it to him. Not until he promised to give her Ezra’s share of the land.

  Zeke dismounted and led her, and his monster horse,
in a diagonal direction away from the train. The horse snorted, shooting a puff of warm hair down Delly’s neck. She jumped sideways, eliciting a chuckle from Zeke.

  “Don’t be afraid. He’s very gentle.”

  “He’s a beast.” Delly shuddered. “What’s his name again?”

  “Cyclone.”

  She studied the ebony horse. Her head barely reached his back. “The name fits.”

  “Your hair is the same color as his coat.”

  She spun to face Zeke. Did he just compare her to a horse? High spots of color dotted his cheeks. He looked as surprised as Delly at his comment. “Did you bring me out here to make advances?”

  “No, ma’am.” He sighed and stopped. “Did Ezra give you anything when he died? A deed to land, perhaps?”

  Delly squared her jaw. “Why?”

  “He had it for safekeeping. Too many things could’ve happened to it while I was on the trail.” Zeke reached to scratch behind Cyclone’s ears. “Now, there’s a stranger following us. Could be nothing, but my gut tells me the man is looking for something. You told me Ezra took a liking to playing cards and that has me worried.”

  Delly stared across the sweeping plain, barely taking in the vastness now that the trees had thinned. “Was the man’s name Ira?”

  “How did you know?” Zeke’s hand stilled.

  “Ezra did give me the deed. He said to keep it away from somebody named Ira.” Shivers danced down her spine despite the warmth of the day. “You don’t think he lost the land in a poker game, do you?” She couldn’t bear the thought. What would they do?

  “No.” Zeke shook his head. “Whatever else my brother might’ve been, a liar wasn’t one of them. He promised to keep the deed safe. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t flap his gums and let some unsavory characters know about the land. Where is it?”

  “Safe in the wagon. Unless someone gets a hankering to read the Bible, they won’t find it.” She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “I want my husband’s half of the acreage.”

  Zeke’s eyes widened. “Well, who else would get it?”

  Her mouth opened and closed like a snapping turtle. No argument? No trying to talk her out of it with condescending remarks about how a woman couldn’t handle land on her own?

  “You thought I’d take it from you?” A muscle ticked in his jaw.

  She shrugged.

  “I can’t believe…” He whipped off his hat. “Well, you don’t know me, so I can excuse your believing I could be such a scoundrel.” He banged his hat on his pants, sending a cloud of dust on the breeze. “But to think I’d steal from a widow and my brother’s children, well, I just don’t know what to make of that.”

  The man sure didn’t seem to have trouble talking when he was angry. Delly took a step back.

  “What kind of husband was my brother? Obviously not a very good one if he left you thinking like that.”

  Delly opened her mouth to respond, but Zeke continued before she got a word out.

  “Junior said you were only hitched a week. Guess my brother couldn’t keep his temper in check for even that long.” He speared her with a glance, his eyes the color of a spring meadow after a rain. Delly flinched. “You think I’m going to hit you? Did Ezra hit you?” Zeke’s shoulders deflated. “I’d best get you back before you run screaming into the prairie.”

  “I am not a screamer.”

  “You sure like to think the worst of people, though.”

  She returned his glare and kept her hands tightly clinched under her apron. Biting her tongue in order not to say something she’d regret, she lifted her chin. No, Ezra never laid a hand on her, but his fits of anger often resulted in a broken dish or two. The same blood ran in this man’s veins. The man who’s family she’d traveled to Missouri with and struck her a time or two. Made advances she’d rather not had, also. She’d not let a man rule over her like that again.

  “Tarnation!” Zeke grabbed her around the waist and hefted her into Cyclone’s saddle. Then in one smooth motion, he swung up behind her. “Riding is faster, and I wouldn’t want you to suffer my company any longer than necessary.”

  Cyclone took off like a bullet, throwing Delly back into Zeke’s chest. She couldn’t deny she liked the sensation his hard chest and strong arms stirred, but she didn’t need the distraction. Nothing could deter her from her goal of self-sufficiency. Not a handsome man or the fear of a stranger after something in her possession. But her feelings were no cause for her rude behavior. She’d need to apologize at first chance.

  When they rejoined the wagons, the travelers had stopped for the lunch hour. Zeke put an arm around Delly and lowered her to the ground. With one hand on the saddle, she glanced up. “I’m sorry. I’ll never doubt your intentions again. It’s quite clear that you have only mine and the children’s safety as your top concern.”

  “Thank you.” With a jerk of the reins, he turned his horse toward the back of the wagon.

  Seconds later, he poked his head around. “What’s all this wood in the supply wagon?”

  She planted her fists on her hips. “I’m not burning buffalo chips until I absolutely have to.”

  “So your squeamishness is causing my animals to work harder.” Zeke marched to stand in front of her.

  “If it appears they’re struggling, which it doesn’t on this flat prairie, then I’ll dump it.” She raised her chin.

  “Tarnation!” He stomped away.

  Delly joined Sadie at the fire where a pot of coffee boiled. She accepted a mug with thanks and set another on the hot stones for Zeke when he returned. At Sadie’s questioning look, she turned away to search for the children.

  “They’re eating cold biscuits and bacon in the wagon,” Sadie said. “I thought it best they rest before we head off again.”

  “Good idea.” Delly smiled her thanks.

  “Ruth cut her foot on a sharp stone, and I put salve and a wrap on it. She’ll be fine. Do you think the oxen can carry her weight for a day?”

  Delly frowned. “She can ride the mule with the little ones.” One day out and one of them was hurt? They couldn’t ride in the wagon. She’d read stories of children falling out and being crushed by the wheels.

  Dust rose behind the line of travelers. Delly bolted to her feet. Sadie followed, eyes glued on five approaching wagons. Zeke stepped from around the other side and motioned for them to stay put.

  Delly watched as he approached the first team of mules. A woman with a couple of small children, and judging by the roundness of her belly, another one on the way, waited beside the wagon with a man as thin as he was tall. Zeke conversed for several minutes then rejoined Delly and Sadie.

  “Their guide took sick outside Independence,” he told them. “These folks will be joining us on the trek to Oregon.” He didn’t look happy as he stormed over to the coffee, lifted his mug, and took a deep gulp.

  As they moved closer, it didn’t take Delly long to figure out why. The woman by the first wagon looked like she’d give birth before they reached their destination.

  5

  Over the next few days, the newcomers quickly became Delly’s friends. Big-hearted Ben and equally loveable Alice along with their young daughter, Abby, and son, Seth. No matter that Alice was ten years Delly’s senior. They’d connected right off.

  Occasionally, Delly let Sadie drive while she walked alongside with Alice. She’d rarely had friends before. Bonds weren’t formed in the orphanage. Too many children came and went. Now, she had two dear ones, not counting the occasional conversation with the widow Miller who still seemed to have her cap set for Zeke, and resented the sight of Delly.

  Delly bit her lower lip. Considering her resolve never to marry, she thought of Zeke more than she wanted. Of course she would. She drove the man’s wagon every day. She was surrounded by his belongings. Washed his clothes and cooked his meals. That had to be why she sought out his tall form periodically as he rode up and down the line.

  “You seem to be a long wa
y off.” Alice smoothed damp hair from around her face. “Can’t say I blame you. I’d like to be somewhere cooler.”

  “I’m sorry. Just lost in my thoughts.”

  “And tired, no doubt. I know I am.” She rubbed her rounded stomach. “This baby came as a surprise. We’d already sold the farm when I found out. No turning back then.”

  “This trail does take a lot out of a body. When are you due?” Delly thanked God for Sadie, especially since she had no idea how to birth a child.

  “Sometime in August, I reckon.”

  Delly wouldn’t want to birth a baby on the trail. The constant worrying over the ones that could walk, including two-year-old Sarah was enough for her.

  Three wagons plodded from the opposite direction. Delly and Alice stopped to watch them pass. A haze of dust lingered in the air painting the scene with a dreamlike quality, then settling like a fine powder on top of everything the wagons passed. Something about the slump of the man’s shoulders in the lead wagon tugged at Delly’s heart. “Why are they headed back?”

  Alice shrugged. “If Mr. Williams hadn’t taken us on we most likely would’ve too. We would’ve managed to survive somehow. Maybe try to rent land. It’s better to head back three days out than half-way. Anything could’ve happened.”

  “I’m going to talk to Zeke about letting them join us.” Delly hitched her skirt in preparation of dashing ahead.

  Alice shot out a hand to stop her. “Don’t. The poor man had a hard enough time letting us come, with me in a family way. I heard him tell Ben last night that we’ll be lucky to get over the mountains before snowfall. Plus, with Zeke being a godly man, he wants to stop half days on Sundays.” A child’s cry carried from the wagons behind them. “I’d best get back to my young’uns.” She turned and strolled toward the end of the line.

  Good. With the day being a Sunday, Delly could look forward to some rest and time to catch up on chores.

  She and Zeke had barely spoken to each other outside formalities around the supper fire. Not since their walk into the prairie, anyway.