She looked over at him. “I don’t know why you’re doing this for us, but thank you, Mr. Larson.”
“You’re helping Rose and me out as much as we’re helping you.” He paused then went on. “Since we’re all going to Oregon together, I think it’s best if we use first names. Families wouldn’t be formal. You need to call us Rose and Clint and we’ll call you Fiona and Joey.”
“What do I call you?” Joey looked at him innocently.
“It would be best if you called us Aunt Rose and Uncle Clint, but it’s up to you.”
“I can call you Aunt and Uncle. I’m good at pretending, ain’t I, Aunt Fiona?”
Fiona’s heart skipped a beat. What would Clint Larson think now?
He lifted an eyebrow, but didn’t say a word.
Finally she looked down at Joey and said, “Yes, you’re good at pretending, Joey. Ma is very proud of you.”
He nodded and smiled and she was sure he didn’t realize he’d made the slip. She silently prayed Clint would ignore it because she was counting on trusting these people.
Chapter 3
In the evening Rose and Clint were having supper in the hotel dinning room. Clint was cutting into his roast beef when a strange man walked up to their table.
“Pardon me, folks,” he said in a deep southern accent. “I’ve come from Kentucky looking for a woman and a boy who run away. She’s got no right to keep the boy to herself and I’ve come to take them home with me.”
Rose started to say something, but Clint interrupted her. “Why come to us about it?”
“I’ve been asking some questions around town and I was told you was going around with a woman and a boy. Thought she might be the one I’m looking for.”
“Unless you’re looking for my wife’s sister and her son, you’ve come to the wrong people.”
The burly man frowned. “Maybe I didn’t make myself plain. She’s not the boy’s mother.”
“Is he your son?” Clint asked.
Luther hesitated then said, “His parents are dead and he needs a mother and father, not some single woman who doesn’t have any notion of how to raise a boy.”
“Do you think you can do better by him?” Rose looked up at the man.
“Of course I can. Fiona Webb took the boy away with her when she knowed good and well I was willing to let him live with my family on the farm until I made a man outa’ him. If she’d wanted to stay close, I could’ve helped her, too.” His laugh seemed evil.
“How old is this boy?” Rose asked.
“Around seven or eight, I guess. He might be a little spoiled right now, but I’ll break him. He’s old enough to start learning how to be a man.”
“How would you make a man of him?” Clint looked into the man’s eyes. He didn’t see any love or caring there.
“He’ll work on my farm for a while since I can’t seem to grow nothing but them damn daughters. He’s young and strong and I’ll see he grows up to be a man. He’ll have a good life with my family ’cause farming is the only thing he knows.”
Clint didn’t like the looks of this man and he was sure if he got his hands on Joey, the boy would have a hard life. The way Rose was looking at the dirty farmer, he thought she felt the same way. He knew she did when she said, “We don’t know this woman nor the boy. Now if you’ll excuse...”
“They tell me the woman running around with you and your husband matches the description I give out of Fiona Webb.”
Clint stood and looked the man in the eyes. After Joey’s slip of the tongue this morning, he wasn’t sure Fiona was the child’s mother, but he knew from her actions she loved the boy. The man before him was looking for a field hand, if not a slave. He was not after a son. There was no love or compassion there. Regardless of the relationship between Fiona and Joey, it was better than the one the boy would have with this man and his family. As for Fiona, he didn’t want to think about what this man had in mind for her. Clint’s voice was firm when he said, “Sir, my nephew nor his mother have ever been on a farm. The boy was raised on a ranch. He knows horses, but he doesn’t know a thing about farming. When my brother-in-law was killed in a stampede we decided the best thing to do was go out west and start a whole new life.”
“I don’t believe a word of it. Why would you want to go looking for another life if you had a good one here?”
“Why my family and I are here is none of your business.” Clint’s voice was becoming agitated.
“Won’t another woman along with you and your wife be bothersome? You know how women can get jealous and start cat fights.” He chuckled. “Ain’t one woman good enough fer ye, Larson?”
Rose stood before Clint could reach out and stop her. He could tell she was furious when she said in a voice much louder than her normal gentle tones, “How dare you! If you’ll take a look at me, you can see why I need my sister to help me. After all, she’s a mother. She’ll know what to do when my baby comes.”
For a minute, Luther looked like he didn’t know what to say. Finally he blurted, “You folks make a good case, but I’m sure the woman you’re trying to hide from me is Fiona Webb. I tracked her here to Independence and the trail ends here. She didn’t go no further. I aim to stay in town until I find her and the boy. When I see your sister face to face, then we’ll see who’s telling the truth.”
“Yes, we will.” Clint put his hand on Rose’s arm and she dropped to her chair without further comment. Clint went on, saying, “Now if you’ll leave us alone, we’d like to have our supper in peace.”
“Why ain’t your sister eating with you?”
“Mr. Markin, I have no intention of discussing my family or our plans any further with you.” Clint’s eyes bored into his. “If you don’t leave now, I’m going to call the waiter and have you thrown out of here.”
Markin looked as if he was going to protest, but then he must have changed his mind because he turned and stomped out of the dinning room.
When he was out the door, Rose reached for Clint’s arm. “What in the world have we gotten ourselves into?”
“I’m not sure what this is all about, but I think everything will be fine.”
“I hope so, Clint.”
“So do I and I think we’re doing the right thing by keeping Fiona and her son away from him. At least there isn’t any danger of him finding them now.” He picked up his fork.
“Thanks for taking her and the boy to Mattie Watson, Clint. It was a good idea.” She began to eat again. “I’m glad Mattie insisted on Fiona and Joey staying with their family tonight. At least that horrible man doesn’t know where to look for them.”
“After meeting him, I can now understand why Fiona wanted to get away so badly.” Before Rose could say anything, he added, “And you and I are going to see that she and Joey never have to face him again.”
“I agree with you. We need to help Mrs. Webb hide her son from him, but how are we going to do it?”
“Leave the details to me.”
She sighed. “I’ve done fine putting my life in your hands so far, Clint. There’s no reason to stop trusting you now.”
* * * *
It was approaching noon the next day and Fiona was helping Mattie cook dinner. “How will I ever be able to repay you and your family for being so kind to Joey and me, Mrs. Watson?”
“Now, Fiona, I thought we decided we’d use first names. And as you know there’s no pay needed. Lord only knows what might happen on this trip west. We all have to stick together and help each other.”
Fiona smiled. “I couldn’t believe it when Sarah insisted on going into town to help Rose in case Markin looks for me with her.”
“It wasn’t a problem, honey. Sarah wanted to pick up a couple of things at the general store. Rufus told her to check out how Clint’s doing getting your wagon converted while she was there.”
Fiona started to answer, but she dropped a pot when she spied Luther Markin riding across the field. “Oh, my Lord. It’s him.”
She ran to
a group of boys who were playing and grabbed Joey’s hand. “He’s coming,” she said.
She didn’t have to say anything further. Joey grabbed her hand. “Don’t let him get me. Please, Ma.”
They ran back to where Mattie was standing near the cook fire. “What are we going to do?” Fiona’s voice couldn’t hide the panic.
“First off, clam down.” Mattie patted Fiona’s arm. “Is this the man trying to steal Joey?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Joey was in tears.
“Well, he hasn’t seen you yet and I’m going to see he don’t. My whole family is going to help, too.” Mattie’s face was determined.
Fiona whirled around. “Where can we hide?”
“You and Joey climb into my wagon and stay there. Let me handle him.”
“But...”
“Don’t argue with me, Fiona. If he gets close and wants to look in there, put that folded canvas over you. He wouldn’t dare climb inside. I’ll make him sorry if he tries.”
They climbed into the wagon and before Fiona could say anything further, Mattie jerked the flap down on the back. Fiona heard the older women’s skirts swish as she walked away from the wagon and back toward the fire.
* * * *
Luther stopped to talk with a few other people before he pulled his horse close to Mattie’s wagon. “Ma’am.” He tipped his hat. “I wonder if you’d answer some questions for me.”
“Don’t see why I can’t.” Mattie eyed him as she stirred the stew in the big black pot. “You want to join the wagon train or is there another reason you’re here?”
“No, ma’am, I don’t want to join the wagon train. I need to get a few straight answers from somebody around here.”
“Well, it’s too bad you’re not going along with us. We can always use another strong man and you sure have the shoulders of a strong one.”
“It comes from working hard on my farm.” He climbed off his horse.
“That’d do it. My husband and I used to do a little farming. Both of us worked up some muscles.” Mattie looked at him sideways. “Well, ask your questions. I’ve got work to do.”
“I’m looking for a woman and a boy. She has yellow hair and he’s a scrawny fellow, but with some hard work on the farm he’ll fill out.”
“Sounds a little like Sarah Hogan and her son. What in the world would you want with her?”
“I need to talk to the woman. She took something of mine out of Kentucky.”
Mattie looked down the line of wagons. “I don’t see her right now, but I’m sure she’s around somewhere.”
“If she’s who I think she is, she’s hiding.”
“Why in the world would she hide?”
“She probably knows I’ve been looking for her since she left home.”
“Kentucky, you say?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think Sarah’s from Kentucky. Besides, we have to be ready to pull out of here in a few days. Don’t nobody hide. There’s too many things to be done. If Sarah’s not here, it’s because she had something she had to do. Probably went into town for last minute supplies.”
“I bet she did.” He spit tobacco on the ground.
“Watch where you spit your nasty chew. I have to walk around this wagon and I don’t want to swipe my skirts in it.” Mattie shook her head. “Men are so much like pigs.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am.” He didn’t sound sorry, but he must have felt he had to apologize.
“You need to be sorry.” Mattie gave him a stern look.
“What you got in your wagon?”
“What do you think I’ve got? It’s full of stuff to take to Oregon.”
“I think the woman you call Sarah Hogan might be in your wagon. Would you mind if I took a look inside?”
“I told you she’s probably doing something important. Hiding in my wagon wouldn’t be on her list, I’m sure.”
“So you’re not going to let me look?” He eyed her.
Mattie shrugged. “I got no reason to stop you.”
Without a word he walked to her wagon and jerked the cover back from the entrance. He looked around then frowned. He put his foot on the back of the tailgate and started to climb inside.
“Hold it there, Mister.” Mattie swatted him with the towel she jerked off her shoulder. “I said you can look inside, and you done it. I’ll not have you going in there with your nasty boots and stomping around on my supplies. The food we have to eat for the next few months is in there and I don’t want you stepping on it.”
“But I want to see...”
“I’m about to lose my patience with you.” Mattie’s voice was none too kind. “Get yourself down off of my wagon or I’m going to get some of the men around here to get you down.” She swatted him again.
He jumped down and eyed her. “I’m not so sure you’re not hiding Fiona in there.”
“I don’t care what you’re sure of. I’m sure you’re not going to mess up my supplies.”
He looked mad as he headed to his horse. “I’ll be back.”
Mattie eyed him and said with a slight smile, “Maybe you won’t have to come back. I see Sarah Hogan coming up on her horse.”
He whirled around and watched as the horse neared. A smile crept across his lips.
“Is she the one you’re looking for?” Mattie snapped.
“Looks like it from here.” An evil grin spread across Luther’s face.
Mattie motioned for the woman to join them.
The woman rode up beside Luther and his face fell.
“Want me, Mattie?”
“Yeah, Sarah. This fellow seems to think you’re the woman he’s chasing.”
The woman looked at him. “Why would you be chasing me?”
“You’re not her,” he spat out.
She frowned and looked at Mattie. “What’s he talking about?”
“Don’t matter. Where’s your boy, Sarah?” Mattie asked.
“Clint was getting my wagon converted and my son wanted to stay with him. Clint said it wouldn’t be a bother, so I left him there.”
Luther Markin looked as if he wanted to hit both women. Instead, without a word, he turned his horse and headed back toward town.
“Probably going to go see it there’s a boy with Clint at the blacksmith shop.” Mattie cocked an eye.
“There is. Benny can’t wait to play his part in this little drama.”
“Lord, it does my heart good to put a man like Luther Markin in his place.” Mattie chuckled as she walked to the wagon and lifted the flap. “You can come out now, Fiona. Everything is under control.”
* * * *
Luther Markin came back to the wagon train twice looking for Fiona and Joey, but they were able to elude him each time. Things moved fast for the next few days. The wagon was converted, the supplies were bought, and Clint sold the two horses and the chickens Fiona and Joey had brought from Kentucky. He decided to keep the milk cow. With the proceeds from the sale of Fiona’s animals he bought a team of mules and had money left over. He tried to give it to Fiona, but she insisted he put it on supplies. She even asked him to get a few peppermint sticks, but not tell Joey. She wanted to have them as a surprise for the boy when things on the trip got hard.
He grinned. “I’ll get a can full. After all, you’re providing the cow. I’m so glad you said you didn’t mind if we tie it to the back of the wagon so we’d have milk and butter on the trip.”
“I wish we could have managed the chickens so we’d have eggs, but I guess they’d be too much trouble.”
“When we get to Oregon, we’ll get more chickens.” Clint smiled at her.
Fiona looked away. She couldn’t let anyone know this man’s smile melted her heart. Rose was one lucky woman to have him for a husband. “Yes, we will,” she mumbled. She already knew this was going to be a hard trip for her. She’d never been good at hiding her feelings. She only prayed she’d be able to do it until they got to Oregon and she and Joey separated from the Larsons.
&n
bsp; On Sunday, Clint drove Rose out to the camp in the buggy and headed back into town to collect the money from the man he’d sold it to. “Can I go with you, Uncle Clint?” Joey called as the buggy pulled off.
Clint stopped the horse and looked down at the boy as he ran up to the side. “Ask your ma.”
Joey went running toward Fiona. “Ma, can I ride to town in the buggy with Uncle Clint? He said I had to ask you.”
Fiona started to tell Joey to go ahead, but something nagged at her to say no. “I think it’s best if you stay in camp, honey.” She walked up beside the buggy. The wind was blowing and she had to put her hand on the top of her floppy straw hat.
“Ah, Ma. Uncle Clint won’t let nothing happen to me, will you, Uncle Clint?”
“I know he won’t, Joey, but what if you run into someone you don’t want to run into. You and Uncle Clint would have a hard time fighting off a bully if you’re riding double...”
“Your Ma’s right, Joey. I think it would be better if you stayed here, too. I won’t be gone long.”
“Shucks!” Joey kicked a small stone. “A guy never gets to have any fun.”
“Hey, Joey,” Benny Hogan called from behind the wagon. “Me and Stanley are going to teach Susie how to play ball. Want to play with us?”
Joey’s face brightened. “Sure.” He went running off, his disappointment about not going with Clint already forgotten.
“I’m sorry, Fiona. I shouldn’t have let him get excited about going back with me.” Clint looked at her. “I didn’t even think about him being spotted.”
“It’s fine, Clint. Though everyone on this train has been wonderful to keep Markin away from us, it gets harder and harder to keep our presence hidden. I’ll be glad when we get away from here. Maybe I can take an easy breath then.”
“Come dawn we’ll be on our way. I’ve gotta say I’ll be glad to leave Independence, too.” He grinned at her. She had no idea he and Rose were also running away. At this point, he wasn’t going to tell her. “Maybe we’ll all be able to take more easy breaths then.”
Fiona's Journey Page 4
