Oregon Bound Read online

  Oregon Bound

  Rachel Wesson

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Rachel Wesson

  Chapter 1

  Virgil, Illinois, January 1852

  Oregon, Oregon, Oregon. It was all anyone ever talked about now. Eva wanted to hold her hands over her ears. She hated when her parents fought. They never used to argue so much—not until Pa had been hit by wanderlust. There had been a meeting after church one Sunday. Some people who had traveled to Oregon spoke about how wonderful it was. Several families they knew from Virgil had decided to make the trip.

  “Why do Ma and Pa keep shouting, Eva? I hate it. They never used to.”

  “Don't you worry about them, Becky. You got chores to do. Have you cleaned out the hen house? You know Ma won't be happy if you don't.”

  “Ma ain't never happy no more.”

  “Rebecca Thompson, watch your grammar or Pa will be annoyed with you too.”

  “Ma isn't ever happy,” Becky said before sticking her tongue out and walking off.

  Eva watched her go. She couldn't chastise her sister for what she was thinking, not when she was echoing her own thoughts. She rubbed her hands down her apron before heading in the direction of the barn. Becky’s twin, Johanna was in there, she could hear her singing to the sick calf. Before she got very far, she spotted someone coming to see them and they were in rather a hurry.

  She patted back her hair hoping her face wasn't dirty. Maybe it was David Clarke. As soon as the thought popped into her head, she dismissed it. David never called to their home.

  The visitor wasn't David but Harold Chapman. Eva tried to hide her distaste for the young man in front of her. He was the son of the mercantile owner and someone her pa felt was a suitable match for her. She shuddered at the thought of those thick lips kissing hers, his fat fingers caressing her body.

  “Miss Thompson, you look lovely today. I wish I could spend time with you but I need to speak to your pa.”

  “Pa's in the house.”

  “Perhaps you could come with me. What I have to say involves you too.”

  Eva's stomach churned as she reluctantly followed him into the house. She hoped he wasn’t about to propose. What excuse could she come up with?

  “Harold, so nice of you to drop by. Eva just took a pie out of the stove. She is a great cook.” Pa smiled at Eva who blushed at his obvious attempt at matchmaking.

  She wasn’t about to point out her ma had made the pie, she’d just put in to bake. She cut up the pie, in silence, putting a slice on a plate for both men. Her ma came out with cups and the coffee pot. Eva took a seat beside her pa, wishing one or both of her sisters would come in. Her younger brother Stephen was playing in the yard.

  “Sit down, Harold. It won’t take but ten minutes to have some coffee.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Thompson. I don't have long. I rode out to tell you Scott Jones has agreed to captain our wagon train. His reputation precedes him as an excellent guide. Have you made your decision?”

  Eva saw the mute look of appeal her ma sent her pa but he chose to ignore it. Instead, he shook Harold's hand. “Yes, my boy, we have. The Thompson family will be joining the wagon train and heading west.”

  Eva looked away as Harold stared at her; the look in his eyes making her very uncomfortable.

  “Are your folks travelling, too, Harold?” Pa asked.

  “No, they decided to stay in Virgil.” Harold didn’t sound upset at the forthcoming parting from his family. “Captain Jones has already crossed the plains in both directions at least twice. He is very talented and capable. You need have no fear of anything, Mrs. Thompson, Miss Thompson.”

  Eva gripped the chair so she wouldn’t stand up. She wanted to tell Harold to leave, that they weren’t going anywhere. Could Captain Jones ensure her family’s safety? Could he mend her ma’s heart? Could he stop her parent’s arguing? She didn’t think so.

  Harold drained his coffee quickly before taking his leave. “Please excuse my bad manners but I must ride out to the Freeman's and the Bradley’s places to see if they wish to accompany us.”

  “You are very good to take time out of your schedule to do this.” At Pa’s compliment, Harold stuck his chest out even more.

  “We will be travelling for months. I would prefer we knew the caliber of all the people in our train before we start. We don't want any undesirables traveling with us,” Harold said pompously.

  Eva knew he measured everyone by the amount of material wealth they had. She had seen first-hand how he treated the poorer children when they had all been in school together. He was a bully. His love of money was one of the reasons she was mystified over why he seemed intent on courting her. Pa wasn’t poor but they certainly weren’t as well off as Harold’s family. There were girls in town who came from wealthier backgrounds. They would be happy to marry Harold.

  Eva stole a look at her pa who was staring back at her. She couldn’t read the expression in his eyes.

  “Quite right, Harold, I am very particular who we keep company with. I have three daughters to protect.”

  Eva couldn’t bear to look at the smug self-satisfied expression on Harold’s face. She wanted to excuse herself so she wouldn’t have to stand watching him ride off. Pa interrupted her thoughts.

  “Harold, wait a minute and I will ride out with you. I want to speak to Tom Freeman about his wagons. I've been reading Horn’s Overland Guide. He maintains we need a particular type of wagon.”

  “Captain Jones has called for a meeting Saturday evening. He wants to discuss all sorts of things. He says we need to be ready to go in three months’ time.”

  “Three months. But we won’t have time to get everything ready?”

  Eva hated the way her ma’s voice trembled. She watched her pa’s face seeing the anger cloud his eyes.

  “We will be ready and willing to go whenever Jones gives the order. The Thompsons won’t be delaying anyone. Come on, Harold.”

  Pa left without a backward glance.

  Chapter 2

  Eva waited until Pa could no longer be seen on the horizon before going back into the house. Her ma was sitting at the table, her face in her hands. This was such an unusual sight that Eva had to take a deep breath before she moved closer and gave her mother a hug.

  “Don't cry, Ma, everything will be all right.”

  Her ma wiped her eyes with a corner of her apron. “I’m just being a silly old woman. Your pa is right. Life will be easier in Oregon.”

&n
bsp; “How does he know? He can’t make us leave. I won’t go.”

  Her ma’s expression told Eva she had gone too far. Whatever her ma’s opinion, she believed Pa’s word was the law in the house.

  “Eva Thompson, you will do as you are told. Your pa is a good man. He wants only the best for you and your brother and sisters.”

  “But, Ma.”

  “Don’t back talk me.” Her ma walked out the door onto the wraparound porch. Eva followed her but kept silent knowing she needed to let her ma’s temper cool a little. She watched as her ma walked around the porch her pa had added to the house shortly after Stephen was born. Her ma had told them often enough what a rough spot the homestead had been situated on when they first arrived. The family had to clear the land of trees, stumps and rocks before they could build a small house. Her pa had extended the house as their family increased. Ma worked hard too. In addition to her small vegetable garden, she also had a flower and herb garden. She liked to sit out on the porch doing her mending while enjoying the different fragrances coming from her garden.

  She harvested her crop of vegetables from late May through October. By the end of the growing season the root cellar would be full of anything that could be stored. She dried fruit and canned wild raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries and blackberries. She also pickled vegetables so the family never went without in the long winter months.

  The barn was large enough for their needs. Ma churned butter and made cheese from the milk of their cows. Any surplus was sold to the Chapmans. The same with the eggs from the chickens she reared. The family also had a pig and were considered quite comfortably off. The farm wasn’t mortgaged unlike a lot of their neighbors. Ma and Pa had worked hard over the years and their mature holdings were proof of their efforts.

  Now Pa had decided to sell and start over. All Ma's hard work would benefit someone else. Eva could understand the tears of frustration her ma shed but she found it difficult to understand why her ma didn’t fight harder to stay. If she told Eva one more time that it was a woman's duty to obey her husband, Eva thought she would scream. As if reading her mind, her ma spoke again about duty.

  “Your pa has made a decision and that’s final. Now we have lots to do to get everything ready for the trip. We won’t be able to bring all our furniture.” Ma's voice quivered as she obviously forced herself to speak. “I shall need your help and that of your sisters to get ready.”

  Eva had to get to town. She needed to speak to her granny. To beg her to get Pa to change his mind. She also had to see David.

  “Ma, can I take the eggs to town? Johanna is in the barn and Becky is cleaning out the hen house. I can check at the store if there is any post.”

  Ma looked at her but Eva stared at the view across the prairie. She knew her ma probably guessed why she was so anxious to go to town. She held her fingers crossed tightly hoping, just this once, her ma would let her go.

  “Go on then but don't be long. Be home before your pa gets back. Wear your bonnet. I am fed up seeing it swinging down your back.”

  “Yes, Ma, I will. Thanks, Ma.” On impulse, she kissed her ma's cheek before taking the basket of eggs and heading in the direction of town. She walked quickly, intent on finding David and telling him what Pa had planned. He would find a way out of this mess.

  She couldn’t believe the number of people she recognized from Sunday services who were gathered in town. It seemed Oregon fever had affected everyone. She moved through the crowd, to the store. Despite not liking Harold, she loved visiting the mercantile. The Chapmans held a wide range of products. As soon as you opened the door, you were met by the smell of coffee and chocolate mixed with herbs and spices. She walked into the store hoping Mr. Chapman would be out doing his deliveries. Unfortunately, he was standing behind the counter, his ample stomach resting on the ledge. She took a deep breath as she forced a smile. She waited her turn to be served, trying not to cringe when Harold’s father took the basket from her hand, his skin touching hers. She didn’t like his squinty eyes or his clammy hands. He looked at her like a dog eyed a juicy bone. He added the credit to their bill while remarking it was a pity she’d missed Harold.

  “He’s dead set on going to Oregon. Wants his ma and me to go with him, but I told him we are staying here in Virgil.”

  Eva simply nodded. She wanted to escape the store as soon as possible and find David. She’d called to see her granny but she had gone out visiting. She’d have to wait to see her at church on Sunday.

  She couldn’t find David so, reluctantly, set out for home. She had to get back before her pa did or there would be trouble. As she walked, her feet dragged along the muddy trail.

  David was waiting at their tree. He grinned as she walked up to him before pulling her into his arms and kissing her. From the minute she had left home looking for him, she’d longed for him to slide his arms around her waist so she could lay her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat as he held her close. He bent his head to kiss her allowing her to run her hands through his jet-black curls. He wore his hair slightly longer than was socially acceptable but she loved it.

  She enjoyed the sensations at first before remembering they were in full view of anyone who happened to come down the road. She broke apart.

  “I been looking for you.”

  “I called out to your house but Stephen told me you’d gone into town so I was on my way back and decided to wait for you here,” David said.

  Her heart thumped. He’d never called to the house before. Thankfully, Pa had gone with Harold or there would have been trouble.

  “Stop looking worried. I pretended I needed a job. I didn’t say anything about you.”

  She hated the hurt look in his eyes but couldn’t help feeling thankful. Pa was in a difficult mood and it was best not to upset him.

  “Is that all Stephen told you?” Eva couldn’t keep the worry from her voice.

  “Yes, why?”

  The worried look on his face mirrored her own feelings. She moved closer to him this time not caring if they were seen. “Oh, David, Pa is going to Oregon. Harold came by today and they have both gone to the Freemans to make plans for leaving.”

  “Harold is going with you. How come?” David’s eyes narrowed.

  Her heart fluttered. He was jealous, although he had no need to be. She didn’t care about Harold. Her face fired up. She hadn’t mentioned anything to David about Harold and her pa. Unfortunately, David read into her silence.

  “I get it. Your pa feels Harold would make a good husband for you.”

  “David, don’t be like that. What Pa wants and what I want are different. I don’t love Harold. I love you.” She stood on her tiptoes to put her arms around his neck, pulling his face down for a kiss. She moaned as his mouth captured hers, his evening beard rough on the delicate skin around her lips. She poured everything into her kiss to burn away his worries. He was the only man for her. She wanted to leave him in no doubt about how much she wanted to marry him.

  “Prove it. Runaway with me. Tonight,” he whispered, his breathing heavier than usual. “We can get married in another town.”

  Much as she was tempted, Eva couldn’t do that to her ma.

  David sensed her indecision. He moved away from her.

  “Guess your answer is no.”

  “David, I want to marry you more than anything but… I can’t run away. Ma would die of shame.” She took a step closer to him reaching for his arm. “Why can’t you come to Oregon too?”

  “Where am I supposed to get the money for a wagon? You know what they said at that talk. It costs about four hundred dollars for a wagon and supplies, more if you have a family. I have barely twenty dollars and that’s only because I bury my earnings so Pa won't find them.”

  “You don’t need a wagon. You can sign on as an extra hand.” Eva saw his face harden. “David, don’t look like that. I am trying to find a way of us being together.”

  “Me as a servant. Your pa will love that.” David’s sha
rp tone failed to hide his hurt.

  “I don’t care what my pa thinks.”

  That wasn’t true but she had to persuade David to come with them. She couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him behind. “But if you come to Oregon, he will get to know the real you. See you as a hardworking, caring, wonderful man. Once we are in Oregon, we can get married and start our own place. Don’t you see? It could be the answer to our prayers.”

  “And what of Harold?”

  Eva’s temper rose. “He can go to...you know. I will never marry that man even if he was the last one on earth.”

  David pushed her hair gently off her face before kissing her tenderly. “Tell me again why I think such a spirited young woman will make me a good wife,” he teased.

  Eva gave him a halfhearted push. How she wished her pa could see past his prejudices and look at David as a person in his own right. It wasn’t his fault his father was the town drunk.

  “Does that mean you are going to think about it? You could talk to the train leader. I heard they were looking for more men. They need people to protect the wagons against Indians.” Eva shuddered. Stephen insisted on sharing the gory stories in his dime novels. She didn’t want to meet an Indian—ever.

  “Indians are the least of your worries, Eva. It’s disease and accidents that kill most of the people who die on the wagon trains.”

  She knew that from the books she’d been reading but she didn’t let on. Instead, she teased him. “Since when did you become an expert?”

  “I started reading up about it after that first talk about going to Oregon. Your pa’s face was lit up like a candle. I suspected he might decide to go and I wanted to be ready.”

  Eva was so proud of David. He had risked everything to go to school and learn to read. His pa used to beat him telling him it was a waste of time, but it didn’t stop him learning. He read everything he could lay his hands on since.

  “I don’t want to hear another word about Oregon. I hate it already.” Eva moved closer to him anxious to feel his arms around her. “I don’t want to go. I want to stay here and marry you and have a family surrounded by people we know.”