Westward Hearts

by Melody Carlson

  She thanked him, and after he left, she and Clara and Ruth walked through their campsite, picking spots for the wagons and a larger area where they could pen up the livestock by running ropes between the trees. “Why don’t you two rest here.” Elizabeth pointed to a log that looked like it might double as a bench. “I’ll go find the men.”

  As she walked past Gertrude’s campsite, Elizabeth still felt slightly rankled at the intrusive woman. She wondered what made a person act so persnickety and mean. Elizabeth hoped they wouldn’t cross paths too much during their travels. With a wagon train this size, it seemed a realistic expectation. Now she thought about Mr. Kincaid, or Eli as he preferred. A bit rough around the edges, but he seemed nice enough. And he was well spoken and appeared kind and trustworthy. And yes, she had to admit to herself as she walked back toward town, he was handsome in a rugged sort of way.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was late in the day by the time all three wagons were parked in the space allotted to them. Now the process of setting up camp was begun, and there was much to do. But first Elizabeth wanted to check on the animals.

  “I’m glad we stopped off for hay and grain today,” Asa told her as they worked together to remove a yoke. Despite having Brady’s additional help, Elizabeth still felt responsible to contribute to the feeding and care of the livestock. And right now, thanks to Gertrude’s acidic comments, she was particularly interested in the condition of her own team, which to her relief seemed to be fairly good.

  “Good old Beau,” Elizabeth said as she stroked the sleek black neck of her most beloved horse. She reached around to attach the feed bag. Percheron draft horses were still relatively rare in this country, a French breed that James had invested in a few years before his death. At the time, he had intended to purchase a colt and a filly in the hopes of raising Percherons, but the breeder had surprised him by sending a gelding and a mare instead. James had complained at first, even threatening to return the horses, but they were such beautiful animals, Elizabeth had encouraged him to keep them.

  As it turned out, the Percherons were the most dependable draft horses on the farm. They were not only strong and intelligent but also exceedingly handsome. Elizabeth had even considered breeding Bella, the mare, with another one of her draft horses in hopes of securing mixed Percherons for the future. Perhaps she would pursue this further in Oregon.

  “We can take care of this,” Asa told her. “If you’d like, you could help Clara with supper. I know we’re all hungry as bears.”

  She nodded. “I’m sure Mother will appreciate some help. I just wanted to see the horses for myself. They look to be in decent shape.”

  “Decent enough. But we will keep working them every day until we leave here. We want them in tip-top condition for the journey.”

  “And you’ll shop for more?” She ran her hand over Bella’s smooth back, wondering what months beneath the yoke would do to this fine mare. Elizabeth hoped they would have enough stock to give Bella and Beau breaks along the way.

  “The man we bought feed from is going to show us some stock tomorrow. He told me he has a pair of draft mules that are well broken in and good with horses.”

  “You’ve always been a good judge of horses.” She ran a hand through Jamie’s dark curls as he stooped to lay down a harness. “You look tired, son.”

  He stood up straight. “I’m not tired.”

  She instantly realized her mistake. Jamie was working with the men and probably wanted to be treated like one. She simply nodded. “I’ll go see to supper now.” She chuckled to herself as she returned to the wagons. By the time they reached Oregon, Jamie would probably be a full-grown man. Or at least he would think he was.

  “How’s it coming?” she asked as she joined her mother by the fire.

  “I got some things unloaded,” Clara told her. “And Ruthie’s been bringing us water.” She pointed to the big kettle on the grill over the fire. “I’ve got some heating.”

  “Here’s more water,” Ruth said as she carried the canvas bucket over to them, sloshing some of it over. “Oops.”

  “Let me help.” Elizabeth took it from her. “Are we using these for holding water?” She pointed to a storage barrel attached to the side of the wagon.

  “Yes. The one with the spigot is for water.”

  After she poured the water into the barrel, she glanced around the various boxes and storage bins that were piled around. “What can I do to help?”

  “I’ve got beans soaking and some bacon to go with them. I thought we might throw in some tomato preserves, and I’ve chopped an onion. Do you want to make some biscuits?”

  “Certainly.” Elizabeth frowned at the folded metal box that was supposed to act as an oven. “I’m curious to find out if that contraption really works. Do we set it directly over the fire, or will that be too hot?”

  “That’s my best guess, but I reckon we’ll learn as we go, Lizzie.”

  Elizabeth unfolded the portable oven and made room for it by the kettle.

  “Well, at least if you burn the biscuits, we’ll have berry jam to put on them,” Ruth said cheerfully.

  “And tomorrow we can shop for some fresh foods like butter and eggs,” Clara said. “I know perishables won’t last long on the trail, but it might be nice to start out with them.”

  As Elizabeth mixed the biscuits, she called to her mother. “This is like a real trail supper, isn’t it?”

  “It sure is. I just hope the fellas won’t be too disappointed.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “If they don’t like it, you can tell them to go hunting and fishing.”

  “Not much they can hunt or fish around these parts.”

  “Want me to get some more water?” Ruth offered.

  “Sure,” Elizabeth told her. She appreciated Ruth’s enthusiasm but wondered how long it would take for the newness of camp to wear off.

  “Look for more firewood too,” Clara called to her.

  “Is supper ready?” Jamie asked as he came over to join them. “I’m starving.”

  “We’re working on it,” Elizabeth told him. “You can help by getting some chairs out for us. And that folding table that Matthew made. I think I saw it hanging on the other side of Grandma’s wagon.”

  “And when you’re done with that, go see if you can find more firewood,” Clara called from where she was setting a pot on the fire.

  “Can you get out some lanterns too?” Elizabeth called to Jamie. “It’ll be getting dark soon.”

  Their campsite wasn’t perfect, the beans were a little tough, and the biscuits were slightly scorched, but as they sat around after supper, eating fruit preserves and drinking coffee with the campfire crackling and kerosene lanterns burning cheerily on the table, Elizabeth thought it was rather a homely sight. “Our first night in a real camp,” she said quietly. “It’s rather exciting, isn’t it?”

  “It’ll be more exciting when we’re out on the Oregon Trail proper,” Matthew told her.

  “More coffee?” Clara offered as she used a cloth to pick up the enamel pot. “There’s at least two cups left.”

  “I’ll have some of that.” Asa held out his cup.

  Ruth stood up suddenly. “Will you play the fiddle for us, Uncle Matthew?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.”

  “Come on,” Elizabeth urged as she tossed another piece of wood onto the fire.

  Brady held up his harmonica. “I’ll play some too,” he offered. “If Mr. Matthew will get out his fiddle.”

  “I’ll sing,” Ruth said.

  Before long, they were all singing along and clapping to Matthew’s fiddle and Brady’s harmonica. Elizabeth noticed that some of their fellow campers were wandering by, watching them from the shadows. She was tempted to invite their neighbors in, but it was late, and she needed to get their wagon ready for bed. She didn’t want to keep Jamie and Ruth up too late because tomorrow would be a busy day. However, she reminded herself, there would be plenty more times to invite others to
join them—about six months’ time.

  Elizabeth could hear people stirring outside while it was still dark, but judging by the gray light in the eastern sky, dawn was not far off. She had not slept well. Sharing a bed with both Jamie and Ruth had been cozier than expected. Plus there were the strange night sounds, and Flax, tethered beneath the wagon, had barked a few times. Probably, like her, just getting used to the new surroundings.

  She lay there for a while, imagining she was going to snag a few more minutes of sleep. But eventually her stiff back got the best of her, and longing to stretch, she wiggled her way out of bed. Trying not to disturb Ruth in the tight space and dim light, she managed to pull on her shirtwaist and skirt. Then, crawling out of the wagon and stepping onto the barrel they’d placed to use as a step, she proceeded to button and fasten her clothing, hoping that no one was watching.

  This getting dressed and undressed in the covered wagon was proving more of a challenge than expected. And she wondered if she would eventually opt to sleep in her clothes, just as Jamie had insisted on doing last night. According to her son, that’s what men did out on the trail. She planned to ask her mother about this later.

  She was just buttoning up her shoes when Matthew ventured past her with a load of firewood. “Morning, sis,” he said. “How’d ya sleep?”

  “As well as can be expected,” she told him, “when you’re sleeping with children.”

  He chuckled. “We can rig up a hammock for Jamie if you like. He could sleep with Flax underneath the wagon.”

  Elizabeth had been opposed to this idea before. “We’ll see,” she muttered as she attempted to smooth her hair back into a presentable bun.

  “I reckon it’ll get easier when we get our routines down some,” he told her. “Out on the trail.” He knelt down to stack the wood by the fire pit in front of his parents’ wagon. “Hankering after some coffee. Any chance you can make some?”

  “You make the fire and I’ll make the coffee.”

  “I thought we should get an early start today. Lots to do, and from what I heard, this wagon train could be taking off any day now.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that.” She opened the water spigot to fill the coffeepot with a bit of water and, giving it a quick rinse, dumped it out.

  “What do you mean you don’t know?”

  “I met the scout yesterday. He sounded a little uncertain.” She filled the pot up full. “He was heading out today to see how the grass was growing.”

  “But the weather’s been good for a week. I’d think the grasslands would be good and lush by now.”

  “Eli said it might be nearly a week until it’s time to leave.”

  “Eli?”

  “That’s his name. Eli Kincaid. And he seems like a smart man. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”

  “Did you meet Captain Brownlee yet?”

  “No.” She turned the handle of the grinder round and round.

  “We did.” He lit a small pile of twigs with a match, blowing to get it going.

  “Why do they call him captain? Is it because he’s in charge of the wagon train?”

  “No, it’s because he was a captain in the US Army. Fought in the Mexican-American War.”

  “Oh.” She poured the grounds into the basket, secured the top, and then took it over to where the fire was just starting to catch. “Does he seem like a good man?”

  “He does to me. Pa said he came with high recommendations. He’s led a wagon train to Oregon every year since leaving the military. I reckon that’s about eight expeditions. So he should know what he’s doing.”

  Elizabeth could hear others stirring now. “Matthew, I got to thinking about Brady last night,” she said quietly. “I know you rigged him up a hammock to sleep in, but he brought so little with him. I think we should get him some extra pairs of boots and spare clothes and whatnot. But I’m not even sure what he might need.”

  “Want me to ask him?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Then make me a list with sizes. Mother and I can get it while we’re in town.”

  “I’m sure glad Brady decided to come like he did. I didn’t realize how much we needed an extra man round here.”

  Elizabeth tried not to feel insulted by this. She knew that Matthew was probably bearing an unfair share of the workload already. And as much as she wanted to be useful with the horses and wagons, it probably made more sense for her to help with the women’s chores…the cooking and washing and mending and such.

  She already had bacon sizzling on the cast-iron griddle and was just mixing up pancake batter when her mother got up. “Sorry to have slept in,” Clara told her as she buttoned the front of her knit jacket. “Chilly out here, isn’t it?”

  “Go warm yourself by the fire.” Elizabeth handed her the bowl of batter. “I’m going to check on the children.”

  “Jamie’s already up,” Ruth said sleepily. “He and Flax went to get some firewood.”

  Elizabeth thought the idea of the dog helping gather wood was almost as entertaining as Jamie doing chores without being told to. “Well, you get yourself dressed and come out and help Grandma and me with breakfast.”

  Ruth yawned. “I slept good, Mama. I like camping.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  They ate breakfast in shifts. First the men so they could work the teams for a while, getting them into shape for the trail. After that, Asa and Matthew would head to town to look at more draft animals. Brady offered to stay behind to keep an eye on the animals as well as their camp.

  “I appreciate that,” Matthew told Brady, nodding to his wagon. “You know what we got in there. And until we’re on the trail, I don’t care to leave it unattended much.” He turned to Clara. “I don’t expect we’ll be home until supper, Ma.”

  “And I’m guessing we’ll be plenty hungry by then.” Asa grinned as he pulled on his felt hat.

  Now Matthew handed Elizabeth a list. “Here’s what you asked me for…for when you go shopping today.”

  She tucked it in her skirt pocket and then mixed up more pancake batter for her mother and Ruth and herself. With the fellows taken care of, they enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then spent the next couple of hours getting their campsite into better shape. Ruth even found some wildflowers to put in a jar of water, which she placed on the tablecloth that she’d spread over the table.

  “Very pretty,” Elizabeth told her as they anchored the corners of the tablecloth with lanterns to keep it from blowing off.

  “It feels good to get our housekeeping in order around here,” Clara said as she strung a clothesline between their two wagons and hung some damp kitchen linens over it.

  “We’ll need to do laundry in the next day or so,” Elizabeth pointed out. “It would be good to set out with that behind us.”

  “I agree. But today we’ll do our best to stock up on food,” Clara declared. “And tonight we’ll have a supper that everyone will enjoy.”

  “Let me take the leftover bacon and hotcakes to Brady to eat for his midday meal.” Elizabeth picked up the tin plate she’d covered with a piece of cheesecloth. “And then I’ll be ready to go.”

  “What will we eat for our midday meal?” Ruth asked.

  “I s’pect we’ll find something to eat in town,” Clara said.

  Elizabeth found Brady with the livestock. He was trimming Beau’s hoof. “Here’s something for your dinner,” she told him. “I’ll set it here on this stump.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “And I hope you don’t mind…I’m going to pick you up some things in town. Things that you’ll need before this trip is over.”

  “Is that why Mr. Matthew asked me my shoe size?”

  She smiled. “Yes. They say this journey can wear out three pair of boots.”

  He shook his head in disbelief. “Three pair of boots.”

  “We are all so glad you came with us, Brady. I hope you don’t regret it.” She carefully considered her next words. “Because
if you have any second thoughts…if you think you’d be better off to stay behind…it’s not too late to say so.”

  “Are you worried I’m not pulling my weight?”

  “Not at all. The truth is we really need you, and I want you to go with us. But I also want you to know you are free to choose whatever is best for you. Free, Brady. And you have the papers to prove it.”

  “Well, I think it’s too late, ma’am. I’m afraid I already got the fever.”

  She felt a rush of panic. “Fever? Are you feeling ill?”

  He chuckled. “Not that kinda fever, ma’am. I think I got the Oregon fever. I want to see this new country too. Besides, you folks is like my family. I don’t intend to stay behind.”

  She smiled. “Oh, that’s such a relief. I just wanted to know you were coming with us because it was what you wanted.”

  “It’s what I want, ma’am. You can be sure of that.”

  “You have a good day, Brady. We’ll be off to town now.” Feeling greatly relieved, Elizabeth walked back to the wagons. That was one of the concerns that had been nagging at her in the middle of the night last night. And she was glad she’d asked him about that. She knew this trip was going to be hard on all of them, but due to Brady’s age as well as his skin color, it might be particularly hard on him. She planned to do whatever possible to keep it manageable. And she felt certain Matthew and the rest of her family were of the same mind.

  Most of all, she was very happy to hear Brady was going with them for the very same reasons they were going—because he wanted to see this new country and because he felt like they were his family. That meant more to her than anything.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Thanks to Brady, the women wound up riding to town in Elizabeth’s wagon. Before they could leave, he hurried over and insisted on hitching up the horses for her.