They got tired walking so they took advantage of one of the many cafes where they ordered coffee and cakes.
“Eleanor, there is something I wanted to ask you.”
Frowning at his serious tone and expression, a niggle of fear chased across her heart. She pushed it away.
“I was wondering how you felt about adoption?”
“Adoption,” she stuttered as her heart did a flip.
“I know we aren’t even married yet. I want to have children with you but I…well I can’t help thinking about Rosa and her brother.”
“Rosa?”
“That little girl, she stole my heart from the first day I met her. It was shortly before the fire in which Samuel was injured. She was running away from the Shaw boy and she tripped and fell face first into the mud. She was so little, sitting there spitting mud out of her mouth, I just thought she was the cutest thing ever. Then she nearly died in the fire and she’s been desperate for a new Pa. I just…well if it was all right with you, I would love to adopt her. For us to be her new ma and pa.”
Eleanor couldn’t think. She just stared at him. She knew he was kind but his love for a child he barely knew made her realize she had underestimated him. She was overcome with emotion and had to wipe away the tears. He misinterpreted her reaction.
“Look at me I am such an idiot. I didn’t mean to hurt you, I love you Eleanor. Forget what I said.”
“I think it would be wonderful. Especially now with Wilma having real grandchildren, Rosa is bound to be a little hurt.”
“You agree? You are sure? I still want our children but…”
“Gary, I would kiss you if we weren’t siting the café. I love you and I can’t think of a better way to start our married life.”
Epilogue
“Doc Erin is coming home. She wanted to know if we would still be here in Denver when she gets here,” Wilma said stirring her coffee. “I guess that depends on my girls.”
Mrs. Grey nodded before asking “Are Doc Erin and everyone else all well?”
“She doesn’t say. She just says she has a lot of news for us.”
“Not half as much as we have for her,” Mrs. Grey smiled at Wilma. “Seems like a year since she left, yet it’s only been about a month. I wonder why they had to stay in New York for so long?”
Wilma didn’t get a chance to answer.
“I am sure they will tell us when they get back,” Mrs. Grey said. “After we tell them all the news from here. Especially about you getting married.” Mrs. Grey looked up from her coffee to study Wilma’s face.
“Mrs. Grey, don’t start that again. I didn’t say I was going to marry Zack.”
“Yes, you did, you just didn’t put it into words. You love him and he loves you. When we get back from Denver, we have us a wedding to plan. Your grandchildren can be flower girls.”
“Can you believe how nice the girls are? I have to pinch myself.”
Mrs. Grey smiled, knowing how much finding her family meant to Wilma. She looked up as there was a knock on the door. Gary came in followed closely by Eleanor.
“Mrs. Grey, Miss Wilma, sorry for interrupting you but we have something we want to ask you.”
“Yes, Gary,” Wilma replied.
Gary took Eleanor’s hand. “We wanted to tell you we are getting married as soon as we get back to Clover Springs. Wilma, we would like you to give Eleanor away.”
Wilma stood up so quickly she knocked over her coffee. She didn’t seem to care but took Eleanor into her arms and hugged her close.
“Thank you, Wilma, for helping me see the light,” Eleanor said.
“You are welcome, child. You two is going to be very happy together.”
“Actually, we are hoping to become four,” Eleanor said giving Gary a quick look. He nodded in approval.
Mrs. Grey saw Wilma looked as confused as she felt.
“I am not sure what you mean?” Wilma’s gaze slipped to Eleanor’s stomach causing the girl to turn scarlet.
“Oh no, not… It’s just…”
“What my darling, stammering bride-to-be is trying to ask is would you consider us as adoptive parents for Rosa and John? After we marry, of course. And preferably, after our honeymoon.”
“Gary!” Eleanor chided him.
“Sorry, but I want some time alone with my wife.” Gary didn’t look a bit sorry.
“Rosa and John? Are you sure?” Mrs. Grey hated herself for asking but she couldn’t bear it if those children got hurt again.
Gary put his arm around Eleanor’s shoulders.
“Yes, Mrs. Grey, we are sure. I love Rosa. Always have, and Eleanor has fallen for her charms too. We know the children will not be separated so we would like to offer both a home. And a future.”
Wilma had yet to speak. She went over to Gary and pulled him into a hug. Then she turned to Eleanor. “I am prouder of you now than I could be of my own daughter. Your mama was a special woman to produce a girl like you. Your father too.”
Mrs. Grey smiled at both of them before adding, “Your timing couldn’t be better. I didn’t say anything to Wilma as I didn’t want to give her more to worry about.”
“What you not tell me? Is you sick?”
“No, Wilma. I am perfectly healthy.” At Wilma’s confused expression, Mrs. Grey took her friend’s hand before facing Eleanor and Garry once more.
“Wilma’s twin granddaughters will be coming to live in Clover Springs. I was concerned Rosa would feel pushed out. But this is the solution to everything.”
“I was so caught up in my own happiness, I never thought about how those two young’uns would react.,” Wilma said sadly.
“Wilma, you cannot think of everyone all the time,” Mrs. Grey reassured her friend.
“They will be so happy to have real parents. Rosa loves you, Gary. And John loves anyone who makes Rosa happy.” Wilma clapped her hands together happily.
“Clover Springs has worked another happy ending.” Mrs. Grey smiled widely.
“Just wait until Doc Erin comes home and learns all this. Maybe someone else will get a happy ending?” Wilma said, a teasing note in her voice.
“Like who?” Eleanor asked, her eyes twinkling as Wilma continued to stare at Mrs. Grey.
“Me?” Mrs. Grey protested. “I am too old to get involved in one of your matchmaking schemes, Miss Wilma whatever your surname is.”
“Me thinks the lady doth protest too much,” Gary quoted.
Eleanor laughed out loud as Mrs. Grey kept protesting and Wilma kept teasing. She didn’t know whether Mrs. Grey would get her happy ever after, or if Wilma would say yes to Zack the next time he asked her to marry him. She hoped they would.
Clover Springs had brought her more happiness than she ever thought possible. She was happy, she was surrounded by love and friendship and she had a rosy future to look forward to. Gary turned toward her, to find her staring at him.
“What are you staring at?” he asked, moving closer to her.
“My future,” she replied before rising on her tippy toes to kiss him briefly. “I love you Mr. Barrett.”
Historical Note
The idea for the characters in this episode in Clover Springs came from two sources.
Eleanor, the new teacher is based, very loosely, on a story I read about a while ago. In London, a double portrait that was commissioned by the 1st Earl of Mansfield circa 1770’s hangs in one of the old houses. In it, there are two very fashionably dressed young ladies. Nothing unusual in that. The fashion of the day was to commission double portraits albeit usually of husband and wife, mother and child or sisters. In this case the girls weren’t sisters. Also one was white, the other black.
The black woman’s name was Dido Elizabeth Belle. Her father was Captain John Lindsay, a nephew of Lord Mansfield. Legend has it, Dido’s father met Maria, a slave, on a ship on one of his West Indian trips. Whether they fell in love, he raped her or she willingly traded favors for a better voyage will remain speculation. However, the f
act remains when the slave died, Captain Lindsay acknowledged his daughter in so much as he sent her to the UK to be raised as a lady. She benefited from the same lessons provided for her cousin, Lady Elizabeth Murray, the great niece of William Murray.
Lord Mansfield (William Murray) was Lord Chief Justice for 32 years and as such one of the most admired in the 18th Century Britain. He was known for a razor sharp mind, and being fair minded. He was also wealthy, had a title and so was extremely powerful. He was an abolitionist and set the precedent that on English soil, no man was a slave. The case he is most famous for involved the horrific massacre of slaves. The Zong ship was massively overcrowded and when the resulting epidemic broke out, the Captain decided rather than try to save the slaves, he threw at least a third of them overboard. His intent was to claim the insurance on his “cargo.” The Captain argued he was being merciful to the other slaves who would benefit from more space and more supplies. Thankfully, Lord Mansfield presided and the insurance company refused to pay out.
Lord Mansfield, who was childless, did his best to protect Belle during his lifetime. He also made provision for her in the event of his death by adding codicil after codicil to his will. By all accounts, he held her in very high esteem.
Reading the above story gave me the inspiration for Eleanor. Her story doesn’t share much similarities with Belle, but I thought you might like to know how she came about.
The second character inspired by a true historical figure is Eliza Jane – the former slave who tries to help Wilma find her family.
“Aunt” Clara Brown was a former slave who made it her life’s business to find the husband and children she had lost while enduring life as a slave. She’d been sold so often, she had no idea where her four children had gone or if they even lived. Her last “owner’s” family set her free on his death sometime in the 1850’s.
Before the Civil War, she headed west to Colorado after hearing a rumor her daughter Eliza Jane had gone that way. She was made walk for most of the 700 mile journey as a black person couldn’t buy a stagecoach ticket. She couldn’t find her daughter in Denver so moved on with some miners to Central City. By working hard, she started to save money to achieve her dream to find her family. She was an excellent business woman and a hard worker and accumulated a fortune - $10,000 by the end of the civil war. She used the money to invest in different properties and businesses.
She travelled all over trying to find her family and in the process brought former slaves to Colorado. She helped those she could regardless of color or religion. She believed in community spirit. She lost a lot of papers in the great flood of Denver in 1864 proving ownership of her assets, her house and several properties were destroyed by fire in Central city in the 1870’s yet she kept going.
She finally found her daughter Eliza Jane after many years of searching.
Clara Brown had died by 1888 – the time period of my story and I have no idea whether her daughter continued the search for missing relatives. I just kept thinking of what it would be like to lose my children. I know I would never ever stop looking and it’s much easier today with social media.
I thought of how hard Clara Brown had worked not only to find her family but also to help those around her. I like to think her daughter would have helped Wilma had my character been real.
Introduction to Trails of The Heart
New series based on the Oregon Trail
Virgil, Illinois, 1852
Oregon, Oregon, Oregon. It was all anyone ever talked about now. Eva wanted to hold her hands over her ears. She hated when her parents fought. They never used to argue so much—not until Pa had been hit by wanderlust. There had been a meeting after church one Sunday. Some people who had traveled to Oregon spoke about how wonderful it was. Several families they knew from Virgil had decided to make the trip.
“Why do Ma and Pa keep shouting, Eva? I hate it. They never used to.”
“Don't you worry about them, Becky. You got chores to do. Have you cleaned out the hen house? You know Ma won't be happy if you don't.”
“Ma ain't never happy no more.”
“Rebecca Thompson, watch your grammar or Pa will be annoyed with you too.”
“Ma isn't ever happy,” Becky said before sticking her tongue out and walking off.
Eva watched her go. She couldn't chastise her sister for what she was thinking, not when she was echoing her own thoughts. She rubbed her hands down her apron before heading in the direction of the barn. Becky’s twin, Johanna was in there, she could hear her singing to the sick calf. Before she got very far, she spotted someone coming to see them and they were in rather a hurry.
She patted back her hair hoping her face wasn't dirty. Maybe it was David Clarke. As soon as the thought popped into her head, she dismissed it. David never called to their home.
The visitor wasn't David but Harold Chapman. Eva tried to hide her distaste for the young man in front of her. He was the son of the mercantile owner and someone her pa felt was a suitable match for her. She shuddered at the thought of those thick lips kissing hers, his fat fingers caressing her body.
“Miss Thompson, you look lovely today. I wish I could spend time with you but I need to speak to your pa.”
“Pa's in the house.”
“Perhaps you could come with me. What I have to say involves you too.”
Eva's stomach churned as she reluctantly followed him into the house. She hoped he wasn’t about to propose. What excuse could she come up with?
“Harold, so nice of you to drop by. Eva just took a pie out of the stove. She is a great cook.” Pa smiled at Eva who blushed at his obvious attempt at matchmaking.
She wasn’t about to point out her ma had made the pie, she’d just put in to bake. She cut up the pie, in silence, putting a slice on a plate for both men. Her ma came out with cups and the coffee pot. Eva took a seat beside her pa, wishing one or both of her sisters would come in. Her younger brother Stephen was playing in the yard.
“Sit down, Harold. It won’t take but ten minutes to have some coffee.”
“Thank you, Mr. Thompson. I don't have long. I rode out to tell you Scott Jones has agreed to captain our wagon train. His reputation precedes him as an excellent guide. Have you made your decision?”
Eva saw the mute look of appeal her ma sent her pa but he chose to ignore it. Instead, he shook Harold's hand. “Yes, my boy, we have. The Thompson family will be joining the wagon train and heading west.”
Eva looked away as Harold stared at her; the look in his eyes making her very uncomfortable.
“Are your folks traveling, too, Harold?” Pa asked.
“No, they decided to stay in Virgil.” Harold didn’t sound upset at the forthcoming parting from his family. “Captain Jones has already crossed the plains in both directions at least twice. He is very talented and capable. You need have no fear of anything, Mrs. Thompson, Miss Thompson.”
Eva gripped the chair so she wouldn’t stand up. She wanted to tell Harold to leave, that they weren’t going anywhere. Could Captain Jones ensure her family’s safety? Could he mend her ma’s heart? Could he stop her parent’s arguing? She didn’t think so.
Harold drained his coffee quickly before taking his leave. “Please excuse my bad manners but I must ride out to the Freeman's and the Bradley’s places to see if they wish to accompany us.”
“You are very good to take time out of your schedule to do this.” At Pa’s compliment, Harold stuck his chest out even more.
“We will be traveling for months. I would prefer we knew the caliber of all the people in our train before we start. We don't want any undesirables traveling with us,” Harold said pompously.
Eva knew he measured everyone by the amount of material wealth they had. She had seen first-hand how he treated the poorer children when they had all been in school together. He was a bully. His love of money was one of the reasons she was mystified over why he seemed intent on courting her. Pa wasn’t poor but they certainly weren’t as well off
as Harold’s family. There were girls in town who came from wealthier backgrounds. They would be happy to marry Harold.
Eva stole a look at her pa who was staring back at her. She couldn’t read the expression in his eyes.
“Quite right, Harold, I am very particular who we keep company with. I have three daughters to protect.”
Eva couldn’t bear to look at the smug self-satisfied expression on Harold’s face. She wanted to excuse herself so she wouldn’t have to stand watching him ride off. Pa interrupted her thoughts.
“Harold, wait a minute and I will ride out with you. I want to speak to Tom Freeman about his wagons. I've been reading Horn’s Overland Guide. He maintains we need a particular type of wagon.”
“Captain Jones has called for a meeting Saturday evening. He wants to discuss all sorts of things. He says we need to be ready to go in three months’ time.”
“Three months. But we won’t have time to get everything ready?”
Eva hated the way her ma’s voice trembled. She watched her pa’s face seeing the anger cloud his eyes.
“We will be ready and willing to go whenever Jones gives the order. The Thompsons won’t be delaying anyone. Come on, Harold.”
Pa left without a backward glance.
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Acknowledgments
This book wouldn’t have been possible without the help of so many people. Thanks to Erin Dameron-Hill for my fantastic covers. Erin is a gifted artist who makes my characters come to life.
I always mention the Pioneer Hearts facebook group in my acknowledgements. I will continue to do so as I can honestly say being a member of that group has changed my life. I have made some very special friends who help me more than I can ever acknowledge. Marlene, Marilyn and Nancy are like my three guardian angels. I wouldn’t be without them and hope and pray we will meet in person one day.
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