by Clay, Verna
She replied, "I was just thinking about all the ways my life has changed over the past few weeks."
Chad said, "Me, too. I never thought I'd have a ma and pa."
Chad's admission touched Lilah's heart and she glanced at Rush. He was watching her with an intensity that set her heart to racing. She wondered how they were going to explain their relationship to Chad when the time came for them to part ways.
* * *
Five days after leaving Omaha, their train reached the outskirts of Sacramento. The entire coach hummed with excitement as its occupants leaned to look out their windows.
"It's sure different from the desert," Chad stated.
Lilah agreed, "It certainly is. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this countryside is positively lovely. And there are so many farms!"
Having been to California many times, Rush said, "It's going to get even prettier the farther north we go."
Lilah's eyes sparkled with excitement and she said with sincerity, "All that I've been through has been worth it just to come to this place with you and Chad."
Damn, but he wanted to kiss the woman something fierce.
After debarking, finding a hotel, and settling in, Rush began to seriously consider what to do about his "family." Dare he ask them to return to Big G with him and become a real family? Was he ready for a wife and child? Would Lilah even consider him to be husband material? Could he be a good father to the boy and husband to Lilah? He'd been a loner for so long, he had no answers to those questions.
Soon he found himself again ensconced in a crowded stagecoach.
* * *
Lilah gazed up at Mt. Shasta from the stagecoach window while Chad leaned across her to also take in the sight. He said, "I ain't never seen a mountain so big and pretty. I bet it reaches into heaven where my ma is."
Lilah glanced over the boy's head to Rush. She could see compassion and understanding in his eyes. Before she considered what she was doing, she reached her hand past Chad and smoothed it down Rush's cheek. A surprised look crossed his features and she smiled into his eyes before pulling her hand back.
That night, the stagecoach's "home" stop was at the base of Mt. Shasta. After tucking Chad into bed, she stepped outside to enjoy the wonder of the forest. Never had she seen so many trees and been surrounded by the constant scent of pine. She walked past the clearing to the tree line. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply.
The sound of crunching footsteps distracted her and she turned to see a tall, dark figure approaching. Her first inclination, after having been through two abductions, was to run, but the figure said, "It's me, Rush."
Lilah's heart slowed, but then started its pounding again at being alone with Rush. He stopped beside her. She asked, "Does Oregon look like this?"
"It does."
"Now I understand why my sister's first husband chose Oregon to become their new home, and why my sister would not be deterred from coming here after his death."
Rush hesitated a moment before responding. "Have you considered that you might want to remain in Oregon and not return to New Orleans?"
"I hadn't really considered the possibility, until now—until seeing the beauty of this land. But…" she sighed, "I would have to establish my seamstress business in Oregon and also move Mary there. And then, of course, there remains the possibility that my sister may not want me hanging around after she discovers my past."
Rush started to say something, changed his mind, and asked instead, "Have you thought about Chad—what would be best for him?"
"I think about it all the time."
"And?"
"I don't know the answer. Let me ask you something. Have you considered bringing him back to the Big G when you return?"
"I have."
Lilah cleared her throat. "What would you say if I asked you to release him to me?"
"Would you have the resources to raise the boy until your business is established?"
"I've saved money over the years and I have jewelry I can sell." She paused and then confided, "I've never born a child and hearing him call me Ma…well, it makes me happier than I've ever been."
"So what you're saying is that we need to decide which one of us will take him after the annulment of our marriage?"
"Yes," she replied softly.
A noise behind them caused them to jerk around. A small, shadowed form stood nearby, and then Chad's voice said, "You two ain't gonna stay married? We ain't gonna be a family?"
Lilah rushed forward. "Honey, we haven't decided what we're going to do. The Sheriff forced us into this marriage. People should get married because they want to, not because they're made to."
* * *
Lilah's words sent a sword through Rush's heart. He had been about to suggest that they give marriage and family a try and ask if she would consider returning to Big G with him, but now he knew what she wanted—out of the marriage, with Chad coming with her.
Two days later they arrived in Oregon City and Chad had once again become a solitary and quiet child. Often, Rush saw him glancing between Lilah and himself and wondered what the boy was thinking. Lilah did her best to amuse him, but he remained uncommunicative.
Chapter 25: Shortline to Reunion
Lilah had two emotions coursing through her, sorrow that Chad had overheard her and Rush discussing his future, but also excitement at soon being reunited with her sister. The shortline they had boarded that morning in Roseburg would reach Oregon City in the late afternoon. Lilah had dressed with special care, choosing the calico dress. She so wished she had the trunk she'd packed in New Orleans with her beautiful dresses, but more importantly, there had been gifts for Hallie and her family. Now she had nothing to give them.
Compared to the transcontinental railway, the accommodations on the short line were lacking in comfort and convenience. The seats were hard and didn't face each other. All she could see of Rush was the back of his head. Occasionally, he turned around and made a comment. The glances he sent Chad's direction conveyed just how concerned he was for the boy. Her heart broke. He obviously loved Chad. Would the child be better off with a father, rather than a mother? She had no answer to that question.
By the time the train pulled into the depot in Oregon City, Lilah was so nervous about seeing her sister she couldn't stop wringing her hands. Even Chad noticed and said, "Ma, you okay?"
Glancing at the boy she said with complete honesty, "Chad, I'm so nervous my stomach is waging a war."
He placed his hand on her gloved one. "It'll be okay. I know how you're feelin'. But it'll go away."
Lilah fingered a tear just as Rush turned around. He glanced between Lilah and Chad and slowly smiled. "Darlin', it's been a long journey, but you're finally here. And I just want you to know you're the most courageous woman I've ever met. In fact, you're more courageous than most men."
His kind words brought a fresh wave of tears. "Thank you," she choked.
The other passengers began debarking, but Rush didn't make a move to join them. He said, "You go ahead and compose yourself. We'll leave when you're ready."
Lilah nodded and dabbed her eyes and nose with her hankie. The last of the passengers finally departed and the conductor frowned at them from the front of the coach.
Lilah gave a little laugh. "I think he wants us to leave."
Rush repeated, "Only when you're ready."
"I'm ready."
The three of them stood and stepped into the aisle. Chad reached for Lilah's hand and squeezed it.
As soon as Rush assisted her from the train, she heard a voice calling, "Lilah! Lilah!"
She would recognize Hallie's voice anywhere.
Standing a few feet away was her beautiful sister with her hands held over her heart. Flanked by two men, the older one clasped the hand of a little girl and the other was the spitting image of Thomas, Hallie's first husband.
Lilah raised her hands to her mouth and sobbed and everything around her blurred when she and Hallie ran toward each other.
Her small sister pulled her into a fierce hug and Lilah returned her hug with the same intensity. Hallie cried, "Oh, my baby sister, I've dreamed of this day!"
Tears streamed down both their faces and Lilah responded, "How I've missed you!"
For long minutes the sisters sobbed and hugged and exclaimed their joy. Finally, they stepped back, lifted their hankies to each other's faces, and wiped away each other's tears, laughing and crying at the same time.
Hallie spoke first. "Lilah, honey, this is my husband, Cooper." She placed her hand on the shoulder of the man beside the little girl. "And this is our daughter, Maddie."
Cooper smiled widely. "I'm so happy to finally meet you." He pulled Maddie in front of him and she said, "Howdy, Aunt Lilah. I've been so excited about you comin'. My mama told us how pretty you are, and she sure was right."
Lilah knelt before the girl. "May I hug you, my little niece?"
"Oh, yes, 'course you can."
Lilah pulled the small boned child into her embrace and closed her eyes. This was Hallie's child. Lilah's family.
Hallie said, "Lilah, can you believe this is Tim and he's almost twenty-one years old? He was a bundle in my arms the last time you saw him."
Lilah stood to meet her nephew. "You may have been a baby when I left, but I'd know you anywhere, that's how much you favor your father."
The boy grinned and stuck out his hand. "I'm pleased to meet you, ma'am—I mean, Aunt Lilah."
Lilah held his hand in both of hers.
Hallie continued introductions of a boy holding the hand of another young man, standing off to the side. "Now this is Beau. He's five and growing up fast."
Tall for his age, Beau shyly smiled and looked embarrassed.
Hallie said, "He's our bashful child."
Lilah said, "Goodness, you are so handsome. I'm happy to meet you."
The boy blushed profusely and responded softly, "Thank you, Aunt Lilah."
Hallie chuckled and said, "As for this other handsome young man, he's Cooper's son, Jake, but I claim him as my own. After working the cattle trails in Texas for a few years, he decided to give Oregon a try and he's been on the farm with us for the past couple of years. I guess you could say we're kind of partial to him." She pushed his shoulder in a playful manner.
Jake smiled at Hallie with affection. "Come on Ma, you're embarrassing me."
Lilah laughed and stuck out her hand. Jake shook it and said, "Welcome to Oregon, Miz Lilah."
After Hallie had introduced her family, Lilah turned toward Chad and motioned him forward. She said, "I'd like all of you to meet Chad Cogburn. He's been traveling with Rush and me since Texas. He…well, he's my adopted son."
The shocked expressions on everyone's faces were soon replaced by smiles. Cooper reached a hand toward the boy. "Welcome to the family, Chad."
Hallie bent and hugged him and her boys greeted him warmly. The sad expression on his face since he'd overheard Lilah and Rush's conversation was replaced by a big smile. And when Hallie's children began describing all the fun things to do, like fishing, hunting, climbing trees, swimming, and horseback riding, the boy's smile got even bigger.
While the children talked and laughed, Cooper stepped to shake Rush's hand. Lilah heard him say, "We are forever in your debt, Rush."
Hallie lifted a finger to brush aside another tear and agreed with her husband. She said with a tremble in her voice while reaching to hold Lilah's hand, "Yes. Thank you, Rush. You have made me the happiest woman in the world."
Lilah glanced at Rush and gave him a grateful smile, thanking him without words for not bringing up the subject of their marriage just yet.
Chad tugged on Rush's duster. "Pa, when does Tex get unloaded."
Lilah sighed. So much for not revealing my marriage.
Hallie, Cooper, and their older children sent curious glances between Lilah and Rush.
Rush said to Hallie and Cooper, "It's a complicated story. We'll tell you about it later." Turning his attention to Chad, he said, "When I check on unloading our trunks, I'll see what's happening with Tex."
Chad looked at Hallie and her family. "Tex is my dog. I found him while I was travelin' the trails. He's a real good dog." He glanced at Lilah, "Ain't he, Ma?"
Lilah placed an arm around Chad's shoulders. "Yes. He's a real good dog." She smiled. "He likes to eat…and play…and lick."
Rush laughed, "Yep, that about sums Tex up."
Everyone laughed and Tim said, "We got a couple of good dogs, too. Tex should feel right at home."
Chapter 26: Family Catch-Up
Hallie patted the empty place on the sofa next to her and said, "Lilah, come sit beside me and enjoy the fire. The weather warms up during the day, but the nights are still crisp. You have to be exhausted."
Lilah carried the tray with cups and the pot of tea she and Hallie had just brewed and set it on the table in front of the sofa.
Hallie said, "Honey, let me pour our tea. You just lean back and rest."
Lilah melted against the back cushion. With a satisfied sigh, she said, "I have to tell you again how beautiful your home is."
Hallie waved a hand to encompass her living area. "As soon as we arrived, Cooper had the cabin built because winter was upon us. The room you're now in was the entire cabin. Over there, up until five years ago, was the kitchen." She pointed to an eastern facing wall with lovely bookshelves. "After the first winter, I expanded the cabin to include a bedroom. And after Cooper and I married, we kept expanding whenever we could. Now we have four bedrooms, a separate kitchen and dining room combined, and a library that acts as a schoolroom when the weather is too inclement for the children to attend school." She sighed contentedly. "But this is my favorite room because Tim and I once again had a home after two thousand miles of being homeless and also because Cooper built it for me."
Lilah said, "He's a wonderful man, Hallie."
Hallie chuckled, "He certainly is, and if it hadn't been for Thomas, I never would have asked him to escort me and Tim to Oregon."
Lilah cast her sister a curious glance.
Hallie explained, "After Thomas was killed in the tornado, I was desperate to find someone to drive my wagon from Missouri to Oregon on the Oregon Trail, and I remembered Tom saying that Mr. Jerome was an upstanding man. I also remembered meeting him shortly after his return from the War of States and thinking he was a haunted man. Later, he bought some animals from us, and I mentioned my observation to Tom. Tom said that that's what war did to a man, but he again spoke of Cooper's good character." She lifted her teacup, sipped, and stared into the flames a few seconds before continuing. "After Tom's death, I sort of cornered Cooper at the general store and poured out my desperation in needing someone to drive my oxen to Oregon. He was very kind and instead of saying no, he said he'd think about it. Later, he came to my farm with the intent of turning me down, but when he saw Tim, he changed his mind." She smiled at Lilah. "He said he saw his own son in Tim. He hadn't seen Jake in years and guilt plagued him." Hallie's smile turned into a grin. "But, as you can see, he's been reunited with his boy and the two of them are closer than ticks on a dog."
Lilah sipped her tea and the sisters sat in companionable quiet for several minutes. Finally, Lilah said, "I guess you're wondering why Chad calls Rush his pa and me his ma."
"I am. But you don't have to tell me anything until you're ready."
Lilah nibbled on her thumbnail and finally blurted, "Rush and I are married."
Hallie sat up straight. "Honey, that's wonderful." She studied Lilah's expression. "Isn't it?"
Lilah turned her head away. "It was a forced marriage."
Hallie waited.
Lilah looked back at her sister. "I think I need to start at the very beginning from New Orleans." She chuckled, "I don't think a Wild West author could have invented a more adventurous tale."
Hallie's eyes widened. "Oh, my goodness. I'm on pins and needles."
For the next hour, Lilah related the events leading up to her even
tual arrival in Oregon. By the time she had finished, Hallie had her hands pressed against her cheeks, and her eyes wide with astonishment.
Lilah sighed and gazed into the hearth at the crackling logs. She felt Hallie's small hand cover hers.
Hallie said quietly, "Lilah, my dearest, I have no words to describe my sorrow for what you suffered. The thought that those men might have killed you…" Her voice trailed.
Lilah gazed lovingly at her sister. "There's no use dwelling on it, dearest. Rush saved me, and if I hadn't been kidnapped, we never would have met Chad. It was all worth it to save that little boy."
Hallie studied Lilah and asked softly, "You don't have to answer this if it's too personal, but do you have feelings for Rush?"
A log hissed and broke in half. Lilah stared at it. Finally, she whispered, "Yes. But I'm not the right wife for him. He deserves better." Then she turned back to Hallie and said, "I-I can't explain right now. Just trust what I say."
The door to the cabin opened before Hallie could respond and Cooper and Rush entered. When they stepped to the fire, the grave expression on Cooper's face alerted Lilah to the fact that Rush had also been telling their story.
Cooper held his hands out to the fire to warm them, and said, "Seems we have much to be thankful for in having you both here safe and sound."
Chapter 27: Townspeople
Lilah twirled in the dress she and Hallie had sewn over the past two weeks. Hallie exclaimed, "It's perfect. You look beautiful!"
"Thank you for helping me."
"I loved helping you. It reminded me of when we were kids. Besides, a new dress is a must for your party."
"I can't believe so many townspeople are attending. Well, actually, I can; you and your family are beloved by everyone. But you really didn't need to throw a party for me."
