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  “This reason a pretty lady with a sorry excuse for a fiancé?” Scott teasingly asked.

  Despite coloring, Almanzo dodged the question. “I have some news. It’s good, I think but maybe I should wait for Jo to be here.”

  “Tell me now son. I could do with some good news.”

  Almanzo hesitated on hearing the exhaustion in Rick’s voice. His adopted father was breathing hard too if the hollow at the base of his throat was anything to go by. Maybe he should let the man rest.

  “I would love if you were to adopt me. Officially like. So, I can change my name to yours.”

  “Adopt you?” Rick asked as if he hadn’t heard properly.

  “Yes, sir. I know I said no all the other times you asked me but I changed my mind,” Almanzo said.

  “Son there is nothing more I would like but I think you might be too late now.”

  Almanzo paled as the implication of Rick’s words hit him.

  “Rick means you are probably too old, son.” Scott clarified so gently that Almanzo thought the words were just for him alone. Almanzo released his breath as Scott squeezed his shoulder.

  “Can I ask Judge Ryder when he comes back?” Almanzo asked.

  “Yes, son you can. But despite what the piece of paper says, you know you are and always will be part of my family.”

  “I know Rick.” Almanzo looked at the man who had rescued him not just from the trail but also from repeating the same mistakes Price had made. This man, Scott Jones, and David Clarke had shown him how real men treat their women, their families, and other human beings. His eyes filled up but he wasn’t going to cry. It would only embarrass them all.

  “So what happened on your trip to make you change your mind?” Rick asked, curiosity making him sit up straighter.

  “I found my ma.”

  The two men stared at him, horror and shock on their faces.

  “Your ma? I thought she died.” Rick’s eyes were thoughtful as he examined Almanzo’s face.

  “We all did. Where has she been living? Why didn’t she come to Portland?” Scott asked, his tone suggesting he had tried Almanzo’s ma for neglect and found her guilty.

  “Easy Scott let Almanzo answer.”

  “She’s living with the same tribe of Indians who rescued Tilly and Fiona. She has been for years. I have a soon to be seven-year-old sister. Mia.”

  “How?” Scott asked, “Your ma believed Indians were savages.”

  “I don’t think she did. Mr. Price certainly held that view. I don’t think my ma had an opinion for the time she was married to Price. She hated him but was too scared to leave him.”

  “Because of you?” Scott asked raising his eyebrow.

  “Yes but not in the way you think. Price wasn’t my pa. She was pregnant when she married him but he told her he would have her locked up in an asylum and keep me if she ever told anyone. Or if she ever tried to leave.”

  “How did she explain leaving you alone?” Rick asked.

  “She said she had to or he would have killed me outright,” Almanzo paused. “Just like he did my real father.”

  “He was an evil son of a….”

  “I hope you are not using foul language in front of my son, Mr. Jones,” Jo said as she walked into the clinic closing the door behind her.

  “No ma’am.” Scott winked at Almanzo.

  “How much did you hear?” Rick asked his wife.

  “Enough. I am really pleased you found your ma, Almanzo.”

  Almanzo would have laughed under any other circumstances. The look on Jo’s face showed she was anything but pleased.

  “Jo, don’t lie. Not now. You aren’t pleased at all, are you?” Almanzo asked her.

  “No, I’m not,” Jo exclaimed.

  “Jo!” Rick admonished.

  “I’m sorry Rick but I have to tell the truth. The last time she left him, she nearly destroyed him. I don’t want that to happen again. Not to my son.” Jo’s voice quivered with tears.

  Almanzo had to restrain himself from going to Jo and giving her a hug. Instead, he said, “Jo, you are like a mother to me. I am very grateful to you and Rick for everything you did. To everyone who looked after me but this is my mother. She explained everything about what happened. If it weren’t for her going with Price, I wouldn’t have stood a chance. Believe what you will, but she told me the truth.” Almanzo pushed his fingers so hard into the palms of his hands, he nearly drew blood. He hated the hurt look on Jo’s face but he wasn’t about to denounce his ma. Ma had made mistakes but leaving him behind wasn’t one of them. She had tried her best to save his life.

  “Where is she now? How come she didn’t come back with you?” Jo asked quietly.

  “Would you if you had been living with Indians for years and had a half-breed daughter?”

  Jo flushed at his tone.

  “Almanzo, keep a civil tone. Your ma, I mean Jo, deserves better,” Rick corrected him.

  “I apologize. I didn’t mean to be rude. I just…. well, it has been a big shock.”

  Jo came closer to him and put her arm around his shoulders.

  “I shouldn’t have said those things about your ma without hearing her side. I am the one who should be sorry. I guess I am just a little bit jealous. She has the right to have such an amazing person call her ma.”

  Almanzo couldn’t speak. He looked into Jo’s eyes and saw her pain, weariness, and worry. He drew her into a hug before saying. “If my ma was dead, you would be the ma I want. I love you and I am grateful for everything you did.”

  Jo didn’t respond verbally but hugged him tightly. He felt her tears on his neck and had to breathe deeply so he wouldn’t end up crying too.

  “Jo, how are the young ladies?” Scott asked. Almanzo suspected he was trying to change the subject.

  “They are doing better than they were but Miss Masterson is somewhat upset with her fiancé,” Jo said trying to smile.

  “I’d say that was an understatement. She reminds me of Becky. The Indians had to bind Tilly’s hands. For their safety.”

  Rick, Jo, and Scott laughed but Almanzo could see they were still concerned. If only he had a way to make everything better. For Rick to recover and for his ma and Mia to be welcome and happy in Portland. And Tilly?

  Chapter 26

  Almanzo left Rick and Jo behind him at the doctor’s clinic.

  “Come on, let’s get you some decent food,” Scott said.

  “Where is Harvey? He must have prayed for such an opportunity to kill as many Indians as he could.” Almanzo didn’t hide his bitterness. Scott understood better than most. His years of living with the Indians had given him a unique insight into their culture. It had also made him an outsider when it came to people like Harvey who had said often enough Scott was no better than a half breed despite being fully white.

  “Scott, can I ask you something?” Almanzo asked, half hoping Scott would say no.

  “Sure. Can you ask me while we eat? I’m starving’”

  Almanzo nodded. He wasn’t sure if he had the nerve to ask Scott what he wanted to know. Would he have taken his son to live in the white man’s world if he had survived the attack that killed Scott’s Indian wife?

  They sat at the small restaurant, the hotel recently realized there were a lot of hungry cowboys who couldn’t afford to eat in a regular hotel but would appreciate cheap well-cooked food. They made conversation until finally, Scott sat waiting for Almanzo to ask his question. Almanzo knew he would wait forever if he had too. Years of living with the Indians had taught him patience.

  “I forgot what I wanted to ask.”

  “Almanzo, you might be a lot of things but a coward isn’t one of them. Ask your question.”

  “I don’t want to bring up bad memories,” Almanzo played for time.

  “You can’t do that. Every day my family, the one I lost, are on my mind. I try to remember the good times but sometimes. Well as you know only too well, some days are easier than others.”

  “Havi
ng Becky and the children helps, though doesn’t it?” Almanzo asked.

  “Yes, but they are not replacements. Every life is valuable. Even those we do not like.”

  Almanzo colored as Scott had caught him thinking of Mr. Price, the man he had called Pa for so long.

  “My ma had a baby girl with an Indian. He died. But Ma says she wants to stay living with the tribe. I told her we would make her welcome,” Almanzo faltered. He had said that but he hadn’t given any thought to where his ma would live. He lived with Rick and Jo and they might not welcome his ma and another child.

  “She doesn’t want to leave her child behind?”

  “No, she wouldn’t do that. But she won’t bring the child to live in the white man’s world.”

  “And you wanted to ask me what would I have done?” Scott asked.

  Almanzo was glad Scott was so perceptive. It was easier than having to put his thoughts into words. “Do you agree with her?”

  Scott examined the table for a while. Almanzo tried to sit still but despite Walking Tall’s lessons in patience, he still hadn’t mastered the art of sitting quietly. Not when he was desperate for answers.

  “I think I can understand your ma’s reasons. Whether I agree or not is not relevant. What matters is your ma. I do know it is unlikely she would be accepted back into our society. Not when she has evidence of living with the Indians in every sense of the word.”

  “Becky, Eva, and Jo would accept her. Mrs. Newland too.” Almanzo didn’t know why he was arguing. He knew Scott shared his beliefs.

  “Our family would but most the town folks wouldn’t. Your ma would be called vile names and worse. If the men of the town got it into their heads, they may... Almanzo, you have to respect your ma’s decision.”

  “But I can’t leave her now I have found her. I spent way too much time away from her as it is.” Almanzo hated the desperation in his voice.

  “That’s the boy talking not the man you are now. You are grown up. You don’t need your ma.”

  “No Scott, I don’t need her. I want her.” Almanzo clarified his thoughts out loud. “I want her to meet my wife, my children. I want to get to know her better. Now she is free of him.”

  “I can understand your reasons but you are not thinking of your ma,” Scott said, his tone firm but kind. “Or your little sister.”

  “You think I’m being selfish.”

  “We are all selfish sometimes. You have been through a lot over the last few days. Finding out the man you hated wasn’t your father, after all, will have been a relief. But it will also have raised other questions. Maybe you understand why your ma didn’t stay with you or never came looking for you but it still opened that wound. Take some time to think about what you want and why you want it. You will make the right choice. You have matured into a fine young man,” Scott smiled as he complimented Almanzo.

  “Thanks to you, Rick, Jo, David and everyone else including your Indian family.”

  “Yes, I think the time you spent with Paco, Walking Tall and the rest of the tribe has paid off. You don’t plan on taking an Indian bride, do you?” Scott asked, his expression difficult to read. “You could ask your ma and sister to join the tribe. I am sure Paco would welcome you.”

  “No, I like everyone at the camp but I haven’t found love. Not there anyway.” Almanzo felt his ears grow red. He wished he knew how to stop them doing that.

  “Ah, I wondered if your interest in Miss Masterson wasn’t a little more personal than her friend Fiona. But what of Sarah?”

  Almanzo spewed his coffee. Sarah? What did Scott know about his feelings for the girl most considered his sister?

  “Everyone except Sarah knew you had feelings for her. Jo and Rick were worried for a while with you two being as close as brother and sister. Sarah falling in love with Edwin focused their worries elsewhere.”

  Almanzo grimaced. How could Sarah have eloped with Edwin? Sarah was impulsive and acted without thought for others. He had imagined himself in love with her but she had never made him feel like Tilly did. With Tilly, she only had to glance at him and his body erupted in flames. He wanted to be with her the whole time. He’d wanted to punch Richard before he had even met him solely because he was her fiancé. Now he’d met him, he wouldn’t let Tilly marry that man if he was the last man standing.

  “I take it you have realized your feelings for Sarah weren’t the love a man has for a woman?” Scott asked, an amused expression on his face.

  “I love Sarah but as a sister. I never reacted to her like I do, I mean like I would with a woman I was in love with. Oh, heck I’m not having this conversation.”

  “Why not? The love of a good woman is the best thing on earth. So, what about her? Does she feel the same as you do?” Scott asked, grinning now like a school boy. Almanzo knew he was enjoying himself.

  “Heck Scott I don’t know do I? Until three days ago I never felt like this. Tilly, I mean Miss Masterson is engaged. She’s obviously a woman of culture. She… she fought like an injured wild cat when the Indians brought her out to meet us. She thought we meant to… you know.” Almanzo couldn’t say what Tilly had thought. Group rape wasn’t a subject up for discussion.

  “She reminds me of someone,” Scott said dryly.

  Almanzo didn’t reply. What could he offer Tilly? He didn’t have any land or any real skills. Anyway, what was he going to do about his ma and sister?

  Almanzo decided to concentrate on the most important subject being his ma. “About my ma and my sister. I don’t think they are safe where they are.”

  “I guess your ma knows that. You can’t force her to leave. You saw a little of how your new friends were greeted. Not by our ladies but other townsfolk. In case you didn’t notice there was quite a bit of whispering and hard cold stares.”

  “Yeah, I saw,” Almanzo nodded. He had tried to convince himself it was in his imagination but that was impossible now Scott had confirmed he had seen the same thing. “I think they did too. They would have to be blind not to.”

  “That prejudice is everywhere. Your ma might not be strong enough to survive. From what you said, she has spent most of her life-fighting someone or other. It might be time to let her live in peace.” Scott was repeating what Walking Tall had said.

  “But she could die,” Almanzo repeated as if Scott wasn’t aware of the danger. He couldn’t help it. The thought of losing his ma again so quickly after finding her was too hard to stomach.

  “Anyone of us could die at any minute. Living in Portland isn’t any guarantee of that.” Scott stopped talking. Almanzo guessed he was thinking of Rick. What guarantees were there? None really. Any one of them could die tomorrow. They could be bitten by a snake, thrown by a horse, get a chill or any of a number of things that could kill them. Like heart disease.

  Scott was right. His ma was old enough to make her own decisions. He had to find the guts to give her that freedom. He glanced at Scott wanting to thank him for making him see sense but he found his throat was too clogged up to speak.

  “Give it a few days before you make any big decisions. About anything.” Scott stood up. “I think it’s time I found my wife and took her home. Della Thompson loves my children but I don’t think she planned on being alone with them this long.”

  Almanzo grinned thinking of Della. She would be in her element. Family meant the world to her. What was family anyway? Was it your blood relations like his ma and Mia? Or was it the people who had loved him, raised them like their own and provided him with everything he needed and more from the age of ten? Jo, Rick, Sarah, Carrie and the twins felt like his family, his real family, yet they weren’t related at all. The Thompson clan had accepted him as one of their own, never treating him differently. Or was it his future family he should concentrate on? Could he move with Tilly somewhere assuming she agreed he was the man for her and she didn’t want to live in Portland? He scratched his head in frustration. He hadn’t even asked her to dinner yet here he was planning a life with her.
r />   Chapter 27

  The next morning, Almanzo called to Mrs. Newland’s to see if the ladies wanted to go for a walk. He figured they may be getting claustrophobic. Fiona declined but Tilly seemed pleased. Or was he reading things that weren’t there? They walked through the town but thankfully didn’t meet her fiancé. Tilly had said it was a bit early for him to be up and around town.

  “I guess it was called Portland after the harbor?” Tilly asked.

  “No. It was a wager. Two men founded this town, William Overton and Asa Lovejoy. Overton didn't have the money to file his claim so he sold half his claim to Lovejoy and the other half to Pettygrove. Lovejoy wanted to call it Boston and Pettygrove wanted to call it Portland. Legend has it they bet a penny. Pettygrove won.”

  “How fascinating. It doesn't look a bit like Portland Maine,” Tilly commented, her innocent remark reminding Almanzo, Miss Masterson had traveled extensively.

  “I guess the men were homesick.” He couldn’t think of anything to say.

  “What about you? Do you want to move back East or is this your home?” Tilly asked him.

  Almanzo looked around the streets of his neighborhood. “I don't want to move back East but I am not sure this town is what I want either. It is growing so fast and I find my views can be very different to others who live here.”

  “You mean about the Indians?” Tilly probed. She seemed genuinely interested.

  “Yes and the black people. Oregon is a free state but that doesn't mean there is no slavery here. A lot of settlers brought their slaves with them. People tend to ignore that fact rather than deal with it. Most people who voted against slavery also voted to make it illegal for persons of color to live here.”

  “But aren't Indians persons of color?” Tilly asked, looked perplexed.

  “Yes, but they are allowed – at least to a certain extent. If an Indian man has a white father, he can file a claim. Not sure how many do though but they have that choice. But Blacks don't. They cannot file claims or anything. It is so unfair on them.”