Stay With Me

by Rita Hestand

  "Say it isn't so?" Cora looked worried.

  "But he's doing good."

  "I got some home remedy for that, got it off an old Indian that traded fixin' up my barn for some cough medicine, it works good, have him try it." Cora went to get it from her cupboard.

  "I sure will, thanks, and next time I come, I'll bring Charlie along."

  "Good, hadn't seen that rascal in a spell either." Cora smiled.

  "You and him, would make a good match."

  "He'd probably run if anyone suggested it."

  "You never know."

  "I like you girl. Come back to see me soon and bring that sweet baby with you."

  "Thank you. It was so good to meet you."

  Cora waved her goodbye.

  Willa realized the sun was getting low now and she needed to get home as the men would worry over her. She really liked Cora. She looked down at the gun and wondered if she could ever use it. She hoped she never had another occasion to.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A week later Cora came by in her buggy.

  Charlie spotted her and ran to greet her, "Cora, nice to see you, it's been a while."

  Cora smiled and jumped down into his arms, hugging him. "I've missed you, you ole coot."

  He chuckled, "I'm sorry I haven't been over lately."

  "I heard you're working at adding on a room." Cora told him and walked arm in arm to the house.

  Willa saw her and ran to greet her. "So glad you came."

  "Actually, I came to find out if you'd like to go into town with me and get a couple of those dresses you spoke of."

  Clay came inside and saw Cora and hugged her, "Good to see you again." He shot her a quick smile as he went to wash his hands.

  Elan was on the floor gurgling, and Cora went to pick him up.

  Elan smiled and leaned for a hug. Cora squeezed him and sat down at the kitchen table as everyone gathered about.

  "I guess I could go, I've already got a roast cooking, if Charlie will promise to watch it."

  "Sure, I will."

  "What's going on?" Clay asked.

  "Well, when Willa visited, she mentioned she wanted to get a dress or two and I offered to take her, as you men know nothing about such things." Cora let out a slight chuck to keep from hurting their feelings.

  Clay chuckled and glanced at her, "That's for sure, we appreciate you offering to take her though."

  Willa fixed everyone some coffee and had a treat for them all as she'd made cinnamon rolls that morning. Cora looked at the rolls and shook her head, "My oh my, I haven't had such a treat in years!"

  Charlie grabbed one of the rolls and chuckled, "Her mother taught her to cook."

  "Well those tea-cakes she brought over that day were great." Cora bit into the roll and shook her head, "These are pure heaven."

  Willa laughed and everyone grabbed one.

  Cora glanced at Willa, "Well now Willa, I hope you won't be offended, but I had an idea before coming here."

  "Oh, what's that?" Willa asked as she finally sat down with them.

  "Well, you said you didn't want to cause no stir in town, and I thought it would be a good idea if I brought along a dress for you to wear, that way people wouldn't be staring at you nor think much about you buying a couple of dresses. And we could put your hair up too, what do you think."

  Clay glanced at Willa to see if she was upset.

  "I think it is a good idea. I would like it to be a pleasant trip." Willa admitted her concerns fading with the news.

  "Good, now, about the baby…"

  "I'll watch him, we'll be working on the inside of the room today and he can sit in his highchair and watch us." Charlie insisted.

  "Fine, then everything should go splendidly." Cora nodded her approval.

  Willa cleaned up the dishes quickly and Cora brought her a skirt and blouse to wear to town, it was several sizes smaller than Cora. Cora laughed when Willa saw that.

  "It's not been worn in a long while, but it's still a nice outfit for you."

  Willa smiled, "It's fine."

  "I brought you some shoes too, if they are too big, we'll stuff them."

  Clay handed Willa some money. It was a fairly large sum and she stared at it. "I haven't paid you since you came, so take it."

  Cora looked from one to the other. "I'm sure she's earned it."

  But when she came outside in the outfit, Clay was stunned at how beautiful and white she looked. Her hair was piled in a beautiful fashion on her head and the skirt and blouse emphasized her small waist and he couldn't take his eyes from her.

  "You look beautiful," he murmured.

  Willa blushed, "It is the first time I have worn such things, but I like it."

  "You're marrying quite a woman, Clay!" Cora told him.

  Clay was a bit surprised that Willa had told her.

  "Maybe I'm not supposed to know, but you can't keep such a happy occasion a secret Clay. At least not from your friends."

  Clay chuckled, "You're absolutely right."

  Willa kissed Elan as Charlie was holding him. "You look very pretty, girl. I wouldn't suspect a breed looking like that."

  Willa smiled and the women drove off in Cora's buggy.

  "I probably shouldn't have told you about the wedding, but I couldn't contain my happiness." Willa admitted with a blush.

  Cora patted her on the knee, "Don't you fret about it, if you hadn't been happy then I'd be concerned."

  Willa relaxed, "If feels funny not having Elan with me."

  "He'll be fine, I could tell how taken Charlie was with him."

  "Oh yes, they are together a lot." Willa told her.

  "He'll make a fine grandpa."

  "How long have you known the two of them?"

  "Forever it seems. I knew Charlie's wife before she died. Beth was such a sweet lady, I hated to see her go, she was a good friend too. He took it hard and Clay had a time keeping Charlie from depression. I lost my Sam about three years later and I was just as miserable. But Charlie came to visit me a lot back then and I recovered too. I guess losing a husband or wife is about the hardest thing there is unless it's your child."

  "I suppose."

  "Oh, you sound like you don't agree."

  "It's not that, but I did not mourn my Indian husband."

  "How come?" Cora glanced at her as she watched the horses.

  "I did not love him; it was an arranged marriage and he was a bitter man. He hated all whites, including my father. My father had to kill him as he wanted Elan to stay with him. But he could not care for him, and Elan was still very small. I did not want Elan growing up to hate like he did." She explained. "Do you think me cruel?"

  Cora thought about it a minute. "Many white women out here came not knowing their husbands, as mail-order brides. They'd never even met their husbands to be. I'm sure most of them had a hard time adjusting. Must have been hard living with a man with so much hate."

  "An Indian woman does not always have a choice, who she marries. Some are widowed and the brother will marry her, whether she wants that marriage or not. Sometimes a warrior will offer horses and great prizes for the woman he desires, whether she desires it or not. I was a breed and didn't fit in with the tribe as well. I had not fallen in love before and Chatta was very hard to get along with. Because I was a breed, he hated my white side. But oddly, he did love his son. And had I not produced a child quickly from our marriage he would have disowned me for it. Because of my son, he treated me decently while I lived with him, but when my father came to get me, Chatta tried to kill him, and my father had to kill him."

  "Sounds like a mighty rough way to live."

  "It was. In some ways the white man usually has a better way of marrying."

  "Most anyway. I'm glad you fell in love with Clay. He's a good man."

  "Yes, he is!" she smiled. "Do you think we will have a problem today in town?"

  "No, we're going to Farmersville. Although they know me and not you, you do not look like a breed i
n that outfit. Your skin is as white as mine. And no one need know about it either. You're just a woman buying a couple of dresses."

  "I cannot thank you enough for thinking of this. As I do not want to cause anyone trouble."

  "Well this trip won't be a problem, but you will have problems once everyone in Rush Creek find out about you and Clay."

  "I know." Willa said softly. "Tell me, did Laura love Clay?"

  "Laura, that girl. She loves herself more than anyone. But yes, she thought she did. Although, I can't imagine why. She argued with him all the time, and he would get angry. It's just that she thinks every man should love her, and most do, from a distance. What I hope is that in time she might get to know you and end some of the hate she has in her heart for the Indians."

  "I do not think that will ever end. Some people cannot forgive."

  "Yes, you're right about that. And it's sad for them." Cora said with a sigh.

  As they pulled the buggy up to a dress shop, they got out and went in. The lady at the counter smiled, "Cora, how nice to see you. What can I do for you today?"

  Cora turned to Willa, "Helen, this is Willa, and she wants a nice house dress, and a wedding dress." Cora told her.

  "Oh well, congratulations. Anyone we know?" Helen asked with a smile.

  "I think you know Clay Nelson." Cora told her.

  "Clay, he's finally getting married. Well now, isn't that wonderful. I really thought he'd stay a bachelor." Helen moved to a rack of dresses and looked at Willa's size then pointed them out to her. "These are nice housedresses, and when you pick one, we'll look back in the back for a wedding gown."

  "Thank you," Willa told her.

  Helen was a middle-aged woman with a lot of brown hair piled high on her head, she was thin and rather nice looking too, Willa thought. She had warm brown eyes and a ready smile.

  Willa went through the dresses and found one blue one and brought it to the counter. "Oh, that's a nice one, dear. Now, let's go back here and see what we can find for your wedding."

  Willa was in total awe at the beautiful gowns the lady had. "Do you make these yourself?"

  "Yes, I do. Just the wedding dresses." Willa saw several she liked, and Helen encouraged her to pick a couple out and try them on.

  Cora came in the back and sat on a chair waiting to see Willa in one of them.

  When Willa came out, she explained she couldn't reach all the tiny buttons. Cora didn't hesitate to help her and was in total awe of how beautiful Willa looked in them.

  After trying three dresses on Willa decided that one with lace and slightly puffed sleeves was the best fit. Cora agreed. "I knew we'd find something here; Helen is the best dressmaker around these parts."

  Willa stared at herself in the beautiful white gown and couldn't believe it was her staring back in the mirror.

  "I have never had such a beautiful dress."

  "Well, it fits you so well. You are so tiny."

  After they bought the dresses, they went and had tea at a small café.

  "I cannot believe I bought those dresses." Willa cried with happiness. "They are so lovely."

  "The blue housedress is pretty on you, but the wedding dress will knock Clay down. You looked so gorgeous and those white boots will make it all come together."

  "I should not have bought the second pair of shoes." Willa told her.

  "Oh, but you needed them, you can't go barefoot in a dress. Later on, we'll buy you a couple more outfits and you'll be very stylish." Cora smiled at her as she sipped her tea.

  "You think Clay will like them?"

  "Honey, he'll be crazy about them." Cora chuckled.

  "I do so love him, Cora." She touched her hand.

  Cora's eyes warmed on her, "I'm glad to hear it honey. It's as it should be."

  "I so worry about the trouble it might bring." Willa told her.

  Cora patted her hand. "Life is full of trouble. Embrace it and hold your head high my dear."

  Willa touched Cora's hand, and stared into her bright eyes. "Thank you for bringing me here today."

  "My pleasure, I haven't fussed over much in the past few years. It gives me great pleasure."

  But as they were leaving, they heard someone giving a speech. Cora pulled around the town square and listened. "Why it's a traveling preacher."

  She listened and then she had an idea.

  She pulled her buggy up to the post and tied them while she got down. "I'll be right back just wait for me." She told Willa.

  When she came back, she was smiling ear to ear.

  "Well, I got you and Clay fixed up."

  "What do you mean?"

  "The preacher, he's coming to my house on the weeks end, and you and Clay can be married in my house. How does that sound."

  "In your home? We can do that?"

  "Yes, many do it. Preachers are still not everywhere, and this would work out much better for the two of you than going into town to get married. I may have presumed too much, but, believe me, it will cause less hassle for you."

  "It sounds wonderful!" Willa cried.

  "I only hope Charlie and Clay agree. They might think I butted in, where I don't belong."

  Willa reached for her hand, "You are a wonderful friend and I do not believe you butted in, you have done a wonderful thing. How can I repay you for your kindness?"

  "Just be happy, you and Clay. That's payment enough." Cora chuckled.

  Chapter Fifteen

  When they returned Charlie was playing with Elan and Clay was just finishing up on the room.

  Clay invited the women to look at it.

  "Oh, it is beautiful." Willa cried. There was a lovely bed with a beautiful quilt on it, a stove to warm by, a rocking chair and a chest of drawers. Willa couldn't believe it.

  "Did you make all this furniture?" Cora asked.

  "No, some of it was Ma's. The rest we made." Clay told her.

  "Now you'll have to improve on the rest of the house," Cora informed him with a huge smile on her face.

  Clay frowned as he looked around the room and into the living area. "Well, it won't look right one room looking so much better than the others, now will it?"

  "That might have to wait a while, we've got to bunch up the hay soon. And we are going to build a smokehouse."

  "I've always wanted one of those," Cora murmured.

  "Well, maybe we can arrange that too."

  When they sat down to enjoy the roast, Cora joined them. "I guess we better tell you. We've got the wedding pretty well planned. I didn't mean to just butt in, but you see, we ran into a traveling preacher and he's coming next weeks end to marry the two of you at my house. How does that sound?"

  Charlie glanced at Clay.

  Clay smiled and reached to kiss Cora on the cheek, "It sounds better than I'd hoped for."

  Cora smiled. "I was afraid you'd think me too presumptuous."

  Charlie shook his head, "Never, getting these two married was going to be a chore for us to handle. I'm glad you stepped in and did it. I guess weddings are something kind of strange to men."

  "I figured it might cause less problems for everyone if we had it at my house. Women are much better at planning these things than men, anyway. And a traveling preacher doesn't usually put up a fuss about who he's marrying, as he doesn't stay in the vicinity long."

  "It will be great, I'm so glad you thought to ask him," Clay patted her hand and smiled at her.

  "You should see the dress we got her for the wedding. You will not believe how gorgeous she looks in it." Cora bragged. "But you can't see it until the wedding, it would be bad luck."

  "I can't wait," Clay smiled and winked at Willa.

  "I'm not going to invite anyone to the wedding Clay, I think it best not to. I hope you understand. If there is someone you want there, just tell me."

  "It's a good idea," Clay agreed.

  "If you can think of anyone you can trust, then feel free."

  "We might need another witness." Charlie chimed in.


  "How about the doc?" Willa asked. "He wanted to be there."

  "I forgot about him. That's a good idea, Willa. Then we'll have the doc there to witness for us and no one else." Clay agreed.

  "Well," Cora sighed with such relief. "I'm glad that's settled. We'll have cake and punch and lots of eats. I'll need Willa over there a day or two to help me cook."

  "Sounds like we got it all figured out then," Charlie chuckled.

  "I think so."

  When Cora got ready to go home, Charlie offered to take her. Clay smiled; he liked the idea of his dad getting closer to Cora.

  Cora was a bit surprised but happy about it. Charlie told her he didn't like her traveling so late alone. So, he tied his horse to the back of her buggy and took her home. On the way they talked forever about the wedding, about Willa and Clay being so happy together.

  "I'm glad you approve of Willa," Charlie told her.

  "Approve? Why Charlie, she's a sweet little thing, how could I not? And I'm already in love with little Elan."

  "Me too," he laughed. "But the truth is, she's a breed, and in this territory a lot won't approve of her or the marriage."

  "I know that Charlie, that's why I'm not inviting the town's people. The doc will be fine, he's a fair and good man, but I wouldn't invite anyone else."

  "I'm also glad you helped Willa find a dress, I figured if we went to town with her, it would cause a ruckus. You even fixed her hair and gave her a dress to wear, that made it much easier. It's not that we're ashamed she's a breed, it's just I hate to put her through what the town might say and do."

  "You are right about that, and I'm afraid Laura might really stir the pot."

  Charlie sighed heavily, "I had her pegged all wrong. Clay saw through her, I didn't. I was too worried about getting Clay married off to see it."

  "She's the biggest snob in town and the biggest gossip. She is way too high and mighty for my liking." Cora told him. "But why were you in such a hurry to get Clay married off. Didn't you know he'd grab the gal that stole his heart?"

  "Well he's thirty years old and hadn't found a girl."

  "Age ain't got nothing to do with falling in love."

  Charlie shot her a quick grin, "Your right about that."