Oregon Dreams

by Rachel Wesson

  “Bent? How can a wheel be bent?” She peered down at the wheel as she asked. She didn’t see him move toward her until he had his arms at her waist. She jumped as his hands made contact with her skin.

  “I think it looks a little funny from this angle and maybe this one as well.” He kissed her lightly making her move slightly to the left and to the right. Her stomach went into freefall. He knew she’d made the whole thing up. How embarrassing. What was she going to do or say now? She looked into his eyes and saw his desire for her. All embarrassment faded as she gave herself up to his kiss.

  Thank goodness her ma called out before her parents arrived back at the wagon. Rick jumped away from her, almost turning the pot on the camp fire over in his haste.

  “That you, Johanna, making such a racket?”

  “Sorry, Pa, I didn’t see the pot.” Johanna hoped her voice sounded less strained to her pa’s ears. She could feel Rick’s body shake as he laughed behind her. Thankful for the darkness, she pushed him away. The last thing she wanted was for her pa to find them alone. Rick stole another kiss and then he was gone.

  “You making coffee? I could do with a cup after all your ma’s chatting.”

  “Me? You never stopped talking from the minute you came to find me.”

  Johanna let her parents’ chatter go over her head. She was too busy trying to calm herself. Her ma cast her a curious look but she didn’t say anything. Johanna made some excuse and almost ran to the tent where Becky was trying to read. She gave up the minute Johanna arrived.

  “What happened to you? You’re all red.”

  “I caught too much sun today.”

  “That’s not the sun. You saw Rick, didn’t you? Did he kiss you so much your toes turned up?” Becky laughed at her own joke but when Johanna didn’t respond, she sat up in her bedroll. “He did kiss you. Oh, this is so exciting. You like him a lot, don’t you?”

  Johanna didn’t trust herself to speak so simply nodded.

  “He likes you too. It’s obvious from the way he looks at you. Is he going to speak to Pa?”

  “No. I don’t know. He hasn’t said anything about the future.” But he did tell her he loved her. She wasn’t going to share that with Becky. She loved her sister but given her inclination to be impulsive, she didn’t trust her not to say something to Ma or worse to their pa.

  “He will. Just give him time.”

  “What about you? Have you had a chance to spend time with Captain Jones yet?”

  “Alone? Are you joking? It would be easier to climb the bluffs in a skirt than catch that man alone. Honestly, why does everyone have to run to him with the smallest of problems?”

  Johanna sympathized with Becky but it was part of his job.

  “Well, Ma would say absence makes the heart fonder. You will have his full attention when we reach Oregon.”

  “I aim to have it long before then. Goodnight.” Becky lay back down, a catlike smile on her face.

  Johanna changed for bed not wanting to ask Becky what she had planned. Sometimes it was best not knowing.

  The next morning, her ma called her to help with making some bread.

  “Mrs. Newland says the water will help it rise. She heard it from a friend of hers who traveled to Oregon some years back.”

  Johanna didn’t much care. Her mind revolved around Rick. Why hadn’t he made any mention of the future?

  “So I take it from the look on your face last night, things went well with Mr. Hughes?”

  “Ma. Don’t be asking me questions like that.”

  “Why not? You are my daughter and I want you to be happy. From what I can see, Mr. Hughes is a fine man. He has taken responsibility for those nieces of his. That’s a lot for a single young man.” Ma turned her attention back to the bread. “You like him, don’t you?”

  “Yes, Ma.”

  “And he likes you. That much is obvious. Has he mentioned anything about talking to your pa? You know your father is very traditional.”

  “Yes, Ma, I know. Rick, I mean Mr. Hughes hasn’t mentioned Pa. We haven’t discussed the future.” Johanna’s cheeks could have cooked the bread. She wanted to escape but she didn’t want to risk upsetting her ma either.

  “That will come in time. For now, allow yourself some time to get to know each other. Plenty of time for serious courting when we get to Oregon.”

  “Do you think everyone will settle near each other?”

  Ma rubbed the hair from her eyes leaving a trail of flour on her face. “I hope so, darling, as I have grown very fond of our fellow travelers. But we shall have to see. There is plenty of ground to cover before we reach our final destination.”

  Johanna heard the fear behind those words but she didn’t comment on it. They all knew the dangers ahead, the most difficult terrain had yet to be crossed. But it was senseless dwelling on what could happen. All they could do was take each day as it came.

  “You go on now, girl. I have this in hand.”

  “Thanks, Ma.” Johanna ran before her ma could change her mind. It was all very well her mother was in favor of a match, but it was another thing discussing her feelings for Rick. They were so new and exciting, she wanted to savor them before having to share with anyone else.

  “Yuck. How can there be so many of them? It’s like the locust plague in the bible.”

  “Don’t be so dramatic, Becky, it is only a few crickets.”

  “Eva Thompson Clarke, you come over here and tell me this is a few of those horrible creatures. Look around you. They are everywhere.”

  The girls looked at the ground. It was a heaving mass of black insects with bulging eyes and no wings. They had never seen anything like them before. They were still staring at them as Captain Jones rode up.

  “I see you have found our latest trial. Previous travelers called them Mormon crickets but I don’t know why. I do know the local Indians add these insects to soups, they swear it makes for a healthy nutritious meal.”

  Becky glanced at her sisters, their faces sharing her own distaste at the thoughts of eating the disgusting things.

  “Are they dangerous? Do they bite?”

  “Not you but they will eat much everything else. Crops, quilts, linens, clothes, even their own kind. You should make sure your packed dry goods are properly sealed.”

  Eva and Johanna moved to follow his instructions, but Becky stayed where she was. She wasn’t about to waste the opportunity of spending a little time alone with him, insects or no insects.

  “Apart from the insects, are you well?”

  “I am fine, thank you. How do you know so much about the local Indians?” She was immediately sorry she had asked. His eyes held a mixture of pain, and was it fear? What could he be afraid of?

  “It’s a wagon master’s job to know about those who live on the trail.”

  “Are they dangerous?”

  “Not usually.”

  His tone suggested he didn’t want to discuss Indians. Becky was tempted to ask why but she reluctantly remembered her promise to behave like a lady.

  “Pa says we will soon reach Fort Hall.”

  “Yes, day after tomorrow if we keep this pace up. It will be a good chance to restock supplies, particularly of medications. However, if you think the crickets are ugly, wait until you see the mosquitoes. I don’t think I have ever seen so many in one place.”

  Becky grinned up at him. “Well, seeing as you paint such a pretty picture, I can’t wait to experience it.”

  He burst out laughing at her response. She walked back to their camp pleased she had made him laugh. She could feel his eyes on her but she resisted the temptation to look back. She had to make him want her as much as she wanted him.

  “We will reach Fort Hall later this afternoon.”

  “Do you remember how excited you were about the dance at the first fort we visited when we started out? I seem to remember you wanted to stay and live with Captain Wilson.”

  “Stop teasing, Ma. You know I wasn’t really interested
in him.”

  “Who might I ask are you interested in? Not our own Captain Jones, I hope.”

  Becky’s heart missed a beat. It had never crossed her mind that her parents might not approve of Scott.

  “Would that be a problem?”

  “Becky, your pa and I want you to be happy.” Ma didn’t look her in the eyes making her stomach grow tighter.

  “But?” she prompted.

  “Captain Jones is years older than you and he has a…past.”

  “Of course he has a past. We all do. That doesn’t matter. What matters is he is brave and strong and caring and wonderful. I love him, Ma.”

  “You don’t know him, not really.” Ma held her hand up to stop Becky from speaking. “I am not saying he isn’t a good man. He is. I admire him and believe he has many excellent qualities. But we don’t feel he is the right man for you, Becky. He has a wanderlust.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Darling, he isn’t going to be happy settling in one place. People like Captain Jones thrive on danger. They like traveling from one place to the next.”

  “Ma, you make him sound like an Indian.” The look on her ma’s face made her nervous. It wasn’t that she was shocked, in fact, she looked like she was hiding something. Becky decided it was time for a different tactic. “But you are right. I am only seventeen and I want to see a little of the world before I tie myself to any man.”

  The relief on her ma’s face almost made her cry out in pain. What could her ma hold against Scott?

  “I am so glad to hear that, Becky. Now why don’t you find Johanna and check what supplies we need at the fort. I am going to check on Milly. She looked rather pale earlier.” Her ma turned to go before she added, “Make sure you change before you go into the fort. I am not having my daughter walking around that place in pants and a shirt.”

  “Yes, Ma.” Becky almost choked on the lump in her throat. She’d thought her biggest obstacle was getting Scott to see she was a grown woman. She had assumed her ma and pa would accept their relationship. Obviously, that wasn’t the case. But it wouldn’t matter. She was still going to marry Scott whether her ma liked it or not. She loved him too much to let him go for any reason. Her parents would come around to the idea eventually and if they didn’t, then that would be their decision.

  “You and Ma looked deep in discussion. What did she say to make you so cross?”

  “Nothing, Jo.”

  Johanna looked at her in disbelief, but Becky refused to say another word. Her twin took the hint and soon they were discussing what supplies they needed at the fort. Contrary to her ma’s opinion, Becky had been looking forward to seeing the fort but not anymore. The sooner they got to Oregon the better as far as she was concerned.

  Becky had intended on going to the fort dressed as she was but then decided it was better not to incur her ma’s wrath. Reluctantly, she traded her pants for a calico dress and female underthings. Johanna insisted on doing her hair.

  “Captain Jones won’t be able to take his eyes off you. I can’t believe you are the same person. You look so beautiful in the dress.”

  Becky glanced in the small mirror Ma had brought along on the trip. She did look better in the dress, and Johanna had done a lovely job on her hair. Apart from her rather tanned complexion and slightly slender frame, she looked almost as she had done back in Virgil. But she was no longer the same empty-headed female. Experiencing the trials of the journey so far had changed everyone. She wondered fleetingly what Ben, the banker’s son, would think of her now. Somehow, she didn’t think he would be interested in the new Becky. That suited her fine though. She only had eyes for one man. Captain Scott Jones.

  Chapter 38

  Eva took Becky’s elbow as they wandered around the fort. There were a lot of fur traders but also a lot of Indians. Too many eyes followed them, adding to the discomfort caused by the mosquitos. Scott hadn’t been lying when he said she had never seen as many as she would experience at the fort.

  They hadn’t been there very long when a man sauntered up to them.

  “What brings you two fine ladies to Fort Hall? Passing through or could you be persuaded to stay?”

  Becky tried not to look sick as he spat brown tobacco juice from the side of his mouth covering his whiskers.

  “Excuse me, sir, my husband is waiting for us.”

  The man ignored Eva’s dismissive tone. “What about you? You look a little young to be married? A couple of years, though, and you’d be mighty tasty.” He put a hand out to touch a piece of her hair that had come lose from her braid. She pushed his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

  “You got spirit too. I like that in my women.”

  “Leave her alone, Mitchell, she wouldn’t spit on your boots.”

  Becky was thrilled to hear Scott’s voice.

  “Thank you, Captain Jones. This gentleman’s attentions are most unwelcome,” Eva replied.

  “Captain Jones? You consider him to be a gentleman? Standards must be very low where you are from, miss, particularly given he was living with the Indians for years. Got himself a squaw or two too. Perhaps that’s what you like.” The man took a step toward Eva and was rewarded for his efforts by a sharp kick from Becky’s boot. At the same time, she pulled the small knife she always carried, not quite pointing it at him, but making sure he saw it all the same.

  “Look, mister. My sister and I don’t appreciate your disgusting talk. Now move along before I really get angry.” Becky squared up to the man who took a step back in surprise. Captain Jones pushed Becky behind him, getting between them. “Mrs. Clarke, take Miss Thompson back to the wagon train. Now.”

  The two women walked quickly off. Becky didn’t have much of a choice as Eva had a firm grip on her arm. She glanced behind her just in time to see Scott give the man a punch on the nose. “Eva, they are fighting. We should go back.”

  “We are going to do what Captain Jones told us. Becky Thompson, what did you think you were doing squaring up to a man like that? You could have been hurt.”

  “I wasn’t letting him speak to you like that. I hate bullies.”

  “Sometimes I wonder if you were born in the wrong body. You behave worse than Stephen.”

  Becky didn’t listen. Her sister would never understand her.

  Becky couldn’t eat dinner as she waited for Captain Jones to return to camp. Her parents had expressly forbidden her to go near the fort again. Eva had filled them in on what had happened, although she had kept the knife part to herself. Thankfully she also didn’t mention the Indian squaw.

  Her pa was beyond angry when he heard what the man had said. He wanted to go to the fort and hit the man himself but Ma made him promise to stay where he was.

  Becky paced back and forward wishing she could change out of her dress but it would really annoy her ma. She wanted to go for a ride to work off her stress but that option was forbidden as well. Her pa insisted the area was too dangerous despite the presence of the soldiers. She kept thinking about the man, not because of what he had done but what he had said. He’d insinuated that not only had Scott lived with Indians, but he had married one. What type of man took an Indian bride? From what they had seen of the female members of the tribes, they weren’t particularly attractive. Well, they might have been if they had been more inclined to wash and comb out their hair. Yet she sensed Scott had known the man. They certainly didn’t behave like strangers.

  She kept pacing as she gnawed at her lip. Did he have Indian children? Was his wife still alive? No, he wouldn’t have kissed her if he was still married. He was an honorable man. Wasn’t he?

  She kicked at a stone. Her ma was right. She didn’t know him, not really. In fact, they hadn’t spent too much time talking. All they had done was argue and then make up. Despite herself, she sighed. She enjoyed kissing Scott. It was so different from the sweet, quick kisses she had exchanged with Ben and some of the other boys back in Virgil. But that was the difference. They had been boys, whereas Sco
tt was a man with a past.

  “You planning on planting seeds in that furrow you’re making?”

  His drawl drew her back to her senses. She fisted her hands hoping to keep her anger under control. Then she saw his face.

  “You’re hurt. What did he do to you?” She moved to examine his face but he stopped her.

  “It’s nothing. What the heck did you think you were doing standing up to a man like that? I have a good mind to give you a hiding right here.”

  “You keep threatening to spank me. Is that how you dealt with your squaw?” She bit her lip at the flare of pain in his eyes. She was angry but she hadn’t meant to hurt him. “Scott, I’m sorry. I didn’t…”

  “Go to bed, Miss Thompson.”

  “I will not go to bed. I keep telling you I am not a child. What did that man mean? Do you have a wife? If so, what were you doing kissing me?”

  “From what I recall, I wasn’t the one doing the kissing.”

  She swung her hand at that remark, intent on hitting him. Instead he caught it and dragged her to him. He kissed her so intensely she thought she would combust. Her arms went around his neck as she encouraged his embrace. She’d been angry but also scared and needed his touch so badly. Her heart raced, matching the pulse quivering in his neck. He reluctantly released her mouth but held her close allowing both of them to recover.

  “Becky, take a walk with me, please? I need to talk to you. I have to explain.”

  “You don’t, at least not tonight. You need to go tend to your face or you will scare the children in the morning.”

  “But about that man, what he said?”

  “He and his vile opinions are not worth my time. I trust you Scott Jones and that’s all that matters to me. Now go on. Go fix that eye.”

  “Are you always going to be so unmanageable?”

  Becky grinned. “Always.”

  He kissed her quickly on the lips before making his way in the direction of his own wagon. Becky walked quietly back to her tent, taking off her shoes to ensure nobody heard her. She didn’t want to have to explain her disheveled hair to her parents.