Oregon Disaster

by Rachel Wesson

  Was Edwin really gone for good?

  Chapter 6

  She ate one of the flapjacks and put the rest in a basket along with some fruit and some bread Mrs. Mulligan had put aside for her the day before. She dressed in her warmest cloak and, turning the door handle, stepped out into the wee early morning. How would she find Johnny? She hadn't really given it much thought other than knowing the general location he had mentioned. With her shoulders back and taking a deep breath, Sarah walked quickly. She would check the boy’s ma was okay and then she would return in time to go to work.

  She made her way toward the shanty town. Despite the early hour, people were up. Women were cooking on open fires and children were running here and there. She kept looking for the boy but couldn’t see him. Now she was here, she felt stupid. How would she find the mother if she couldn’t find the son? She was about to turn back when she spotted him. She moved faster, closing the distance between them.

  “Johnny, how is your ma?”

  “What do you care? You wouldn't help yesterday.” The boy didn’t even look up at her. He stared sullenly at the ground.

  “I’m here now, aren't I?”

  Her sharp tone made him look up. Sarah took a step back at the anger in his eyes.

  “Too late, she’s dead. My brother too, my sister may as well be dead. Pa died in the last cave in. Only me now.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t pretend you care. You only think of yourself. Go back to your precious job.”

  “Johnny, you don’t understand. I have to work. Here, I brought you some food.”

  “I don’t want anything from you. Go away.” The boy’s scream made people turn around to stare at her. They didn’t come to his aid though. They were simply curious as to what was going on.

  Sarah dropped the basket and turned back toward the town. The whole way back, the look in the boy’s eyes occupied her thoughts. He hated her. She deserved it.

  She arrived before Mrs. Brown, who didn’t comment when she saw the fires lit and the water boiling. Sarah worked as hard as she had the day before, but she couldn’t shake her self-hatred. She scrubbed and scrubbed until Mrs. Brown told her to go home. “No point in making yourself ill. I don’t know what’s got into you but this is taking things too far. You keep this up and you’ll end up in the graveyard. You hear?”

  “Mrs. Brown, have you heard anything about an outbreak of illness in miners’ camp?”

  “There is always illness up there. Comes from the foreigners. Don’t know what they eat or why they never attempt to keep clean. Keep away from them Sarah, if you know what’s good for you. Nothing but trouble in that direction.”

  Sarah didn’t argue. Mrs. Brown clearly didn’t believe in helping her neighbors so why did it bother Sarah so much? His look of hatred and sadness pierced her soul. She could hear him telling her she was selfish. He was right.

  Just as she thought her day couldn’t get any worse, when she went home, Mrs. Mulligan was waiting for her. It was obvious the landlady was upset, the anger coming at Sarah in waves. She racked her brain wondering what she could have done to incur such wrath.

  “Did you see him?”

  Sarah stared at her landlady. See who? The Indian? Had he come back? Was this why Mrs. Mulligan was annoyed? She didn’t get a chance to answer as the woman kept talking.

  “I like you Sarah, in fact I’ve become right fond of you. But I can’t stand drunks.”

  Sarah looked at Mrs. Mulligan wondering if her landlady had been drinking herself. Sarah never touched alcohol.

  Then it dawned on her. Edwin drank. Could he be back? Sarah hated herself for the feeling of hope that rose in her chest. Once he knew about the baby, he would marry her. She wouldn’t bring shame to her family. Babies came early all the time. Three months early! Sarah shook her head to clear her thoughts. Mrs. Mulligan’s expression softened. Slightly.

  “You didn’t know he was back?”

  “No Ma’am. Where is he?”

  “Back in the saloon, I guess. I told him where you were working.”

  Sarah could feel the hope dying away but she grasped it with both hands. He had returned so he must feel something.

  “Mrs. Mulligan I am really sorry if he said or did anything to upset you. But can he stay here with me tonight? Tomorrow we will look for something more permanent.”

  The sour expression on Mrs. Mulligan’s face disappeared. “Look love, it’s none of my business but how did you get mixed up with a man like that? You’re a nice girl with lovely manners. You didn’t need to settle for that bowser.”

  But I love him. Or did she? Had she ever loved him? Regardless of that it was too late now. Her baby needed a father and she needed a husband. But she didn’t say anything. Mrs. Mulligan believed her to be married.

  “I know once you’re married, you should try your best to make things work. Divorce is against the rules of God but that man isn’t right for you. He won’t ever be kind or thoughtful and sure as my name’s Mulligan, he will run off again.”

  Sarah shook her head sadly despite knowing the woman spoke the truth. She didn’t want to tell Mrs. Mulligan about the baby as there was a risk Edwin would announce they weren’t married. She had to speak to him.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Mulligan. I will talk to Edwin and try and get him to curb his drinking and his behavior.”

  Mrs. Mulligan rubbed Sarah’s arm. “You look after yourself Sarah. I put this by for you earlier. You could make a stew, it would help to sober him up.”

  Sarah could have hugged her landlady. She had nothing to make a meal with and Edwin wouldn’t understand she hadn’t expected him home. “Thank you.”

  “Mr. Mulligan says that God only sends us troubles we can deal with. It is to show us he loves us.”

  At this moment, Sarah didn’t want love which showered her in troubles. But she wasn’t about to argue that point with Mrs. Mulligan.

  She took the meat and quickly cut it into the smallest pieces so they would cook quicker. She put it on the stove with some onions and other vegetables. Then she cleaned her little space, trying to make it more homely looking. Finally she set the table for two and waited. And waited.

  Chapter 7

  After some hours passed, she couldn’t stay in her home any longer. She had to find him before he got too intoxicated. She didn’t have anywhere else to go and couldn’t risk the Mulligans throwing her out. She pulled a shawl over her head and shoulders and walked up to the saloon Edwin frequented most regularly when he lived in town.

  Sarah walked up and down outside the saloon. She couldn’t go inside but she didn’t want to miss Edwin either. Finally, she got the courage to ask a man to ask Edwin to come out and speak to her. The man told her to go home and wait for her husband but that was one luxury Sarah couldn’t afford. She waited and waited until finally Edwin came out. He was furious taking her arm, his grip so tight it hurt.

  “How dare you show me up in front of my friends? They are all talking about me being under the thumb of my wife. Funny that as I don’t have one. Do I?”

  Sarah put her head down. She couldn’t have this conversation in the middle of the street where anyone could hear. She tried using flattery to get him on her side.

  “Edwin, darling, I heard you were home and I was so excited to see you. I just couldn’t wait. I’m sorry but I cooked you a lovely meal. Wait and see.”

  He didn’t look impressed but at least he didn’t call her any more names. Instead he walked down the street in the direction of the store. She brought him into her room watching his eyes open at the meal she’d prepared. She had made a stew as given Edwin’s history there was no telling when he would return and she didn’t need anything to spoil on her tonight. The extra time on the heat would mean the meat was tender just how he liked. She served him and watched him eat. She couldn’t chew a morsel as her stomach turned over and over.

  “This is good. Your skills have improved. Who’
s been teaching ya?”

  “Mrs. Mulligan, she owns the store.”

  “Pass on my regards or maybe I will thank her myself. Is she young and pretty?”

  Sarah bit her lip and counted to ten. She wasn’t going to let him wind her up. She had to remain calm. “I missed you Edwin.”

  “Don’t start nagging me woman. I went away to earn some money, heard of a gold strike in the next valley. But it was all gone when I got there. Good for nothing immigrants. They take everything.”

  Sarah refused to argue with him. She knew he was talking nonsense; the immigrants were some of the hardest working people she knew, but she needed to keep him in good form. “There are some jobs going in town. Safer ones. You could stay here and we could be together again.”

  He didn’t respond.

  “Edwin, I have something to tell you. You’re going to be a Pa.”

  Sarah clenched her hands willing him to be happy. But his expression was one of disgust.

  “You couldn’t wait to get me home to plant some other man’s leavings on me. That isn’t going to work, Sarah dear. Sure, it was fun but you and me, we haven’t got a future. Ma told me you were no good. She was right. Didn’t take long for you to give me what I wanted. No decent woman would do that.”

  “But that’s not fair. I didn’t have much choice in the—”

  Bam. Her cheek lit up as his fist connected with it. Before she could react, he hit her another blow, this one sending her to the floor. She curled up in a fetal position, her instinct being to protect her baby. He aimed a few kicks at her before he left. She should have stayed where she was but she didn’t. He couldn’t leave. Not now.

  She picked herself up gingerly and ran out the door after him. “Edwin wait, please. What about the baby?”

  “Leave me alone woman, I need a drink.”

  * * *

  Bear stood in a concealed spot having followed Edwin Morgan into town. He had only spotted the man thanks to Tala ’s reaction. The dog’s growls showed he hadn’t forgiven the man who had almost killed him. Bear had left Tala back at camp for fear he would give his hiding place away. He had a bad feeling about Morgan being back in town. He hoped the man would not hurt Miss Sassy. She was suffering enough. He caught himself. Since when did he care what happened to a white woman? Because

  Walking Tall instructed you to look out for her, he reminded himself. But he had only been asked to find her, see how she was faring and then report back. Nobody said he had to stay in the area making sure she was all right.

  He stood near the saloon waiting for Morgan to reappear. Then he saw her. He wanted to tell her to go home. A woman never went into a saloon. What was she thinking? But he couldn’t say or do anything. He watched her pace up and down before speaking briefly to a man. Soon afterward Morgan came stumbling out. Bear’s knuckles whitened as he watched Morgan grab her arm. He was tempted to intervene, but he couldn’t. She wanted this man. At least her actions suggested she did. He faded back into the shadows and followed them back to the Mulligans’ store. He would see she was safely home before he made his way back to camp. Tomorrow he would return to the Indians and tell Walking Tall what he had found out.

  Chapter 8

  Despite his word, Sarah ran after Edwin. She couldn’t lose him now. But she also couldn’t match his stride between her skirts and the pain in her side from where he’d kicked her. She soon fell to the ground.

  And then someone was at her side almost immediately. He picked her up, whispering to her. She didn’t understand everything he said but enough to know she was to lie still. He carried her outside the town, through the forest to a small cave. The wind whistled through the branches behind them but she didn’t hear anyone following them. She wrinkled her nose as the scent of decay hit her. She sincerely hoped they weren’t about to share the dwelling with any wild animals, especially not snakes. She wanted to ask him but the blackness kept descending every time she lifted her head so eventually she gave up. She heard a dog growling and whining. Dead leaves or twigs crackled underfoot as he moved farther into the cave, leaving the light behind them. Dimly she was aware of him laying her on something soft. And smelly. She groaned.

  “Where are you hurt?” he asked, his accent triggering some memory in her brain which she couldn’t quite place.

  “Here” she pointed at her stomach.

  “A fist or his foot?”

  She looked into his face. Even in the dim light she recognized him. It was the same man who had given her food a few days ago. She was so ashamed. He must have been watching her to have been able to help her so quickly. So he would know who did this to her.

  “His foot…” Sarah whispered, not wanting to admit Edwin had kicked her. He had slapped her a few times before but nothing like this. But he would kill her if she wasn’t at the store when he came back. If he came back.

  She tried to get up but the pain was too much.

  “Lie still. I will get you something for the pain. You cannot move. I do not know if you are hurt inside. I will be back soon.”

  He was back quickly with some water for her to drink. It tasted funny but she was thirsty.

  “But what if someone comes…”

  “I will be here. You are not alone. Sleep.”

  She gazed into his face, his eyes full of concern. He cared what happened to her. Someone did. She closed her eyes, her last thought being how sad it was someone she didn’t know.

  * * *

  Bear watched as she slid into a heavy sleep, the pain, hurt and confusion disappearing from her face. He was shaking not just from anger at the torture the Morgan man had inflicted on Miss Sassy, but the look in her face, in her eyes, reminded him so much of Snow Maiden, his sister. She’d looked that way too when they were living with that man. Bear had intervened a few times, putting himself between his sister and the abuse she endured but more often than not he made things worse for her. It was hard to admit that. It had taken a long time for him to lose the guilt he felt. Walking Tall had helped him believe his sister would have died long before she did, if he hadn’t been nearby.

  He wasn’t about to let another woman die at the hands of an abusive man. It didn’t matter that this woman appeared to have chosen Morgan as her mate. Nobody deserved to be treated so badly. He sat watching her, wondering how much damage the man had inflicted. He wished Walking Tall and the tribe were nearby. The medicine man may be able to cure her properly. His herbal remedies would soothe her pain and help her sleep. But it would not stop any injury from bleeding. Through the night he kept a close watch on her. Tala, without any prompting from him, lay across her feet protecting her just as he protected Bear. The dog whined a couple of times as if asking why anyone would hurt someone else. But what could Bear say? There were men like Morgan in the Indian community too, but usually the elders kept them in check. Their wives were able to divorce these men and marry again. Although in the few cases Bear had been witness to, the women chose to remain single. Couldn’t Miss Sassy just leave this man too? Was she really married to him? She called herself Mrs. Morgan, at least that is how the boy had greeted her when he’d asked her for help. Bear stared at the woman lying on her side. He’d been shocked when she’d refused to help the child. She had reconsidered and he had followed her to the camp the next morning but it had been too late by then. Snow Maiden would have helped any child who asked her. How could he think this woman reminded him of his beloved sister?

  Chapter 9

  Sarah woke early the next morning, the unusual smell of her surroundings reminding her where she was. Her side throbbed as much as her cheek but she didn’t feel faint anymore. Whatever the man had given her last night had helped her sleep and got rid of the pain. She wished he could give her more. But she couldn’t afford to sleep. She had to get to work or she would lose her job.

  She stood, grimacing as her head hit an out-jutting piece of rock. That was all she needed. The Indian must have heard her moan as he was beside her in an instant.

&nbs
p; “You should not move. You need rest.”

  “Thank you but I have to go. I must work,” Sarah protested even as she rubbed her head.

  “No! You need rest not work. You are hurt.”

  “I need my job. If I don’t work, I can’t eat.” She knew she was being stubborn but her job was the only thing standing between her and utter ruin. “Thank you for your help. You were very kind.”

  He shrugged.

  “I don’t know how to repay you.” For a second Sarah thought of how Edwin and men like him would expect to be paid, but instead of demanding anything the Indian surprised her.

  “You said thank you. If you are sure you will go back to town, I will help you. We cannot risk being seen. We must go now when it is still early.”

  Sarah nodded, having lost the ability to talk due to the pain. But she couldn’t let him know it was this bad. He led her silently out of the cave, the light outside making her blink. It had rained overnight, leaving the forest glistening with water droplets. She was thankful it wasn’t raining now. Mrs. Brown wouldn’t take kindly to her arriving looking worse than she felt. She swayed slightly as a rush of pain hit her. He glanced at her.

  “I’m fine. And I have to work. I need the money.”

  He obviously didn’t believe she was fine. He lifted her into his arms and ran with her to the edge of town. Then he set her gently on her feet. “You must be careful.”

  “Thank you,” Sarah smiled at him. “I am very grateful.”

  The Indian smiled. “You are welcome.” And then he was gone. Sarah limped back to the store wondering if Edwin was waiting for her. How would she explain her absence? But he wasn't there. Torn between relief and concern that he hadn’t come home she washed herself quickly and headed to work.