Authors: Callie Hutton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She left the mercantile, promising to stop back as soon as she spoke with Davis. Perhaps living with Mae while Davis built the house would work out well. Even though Mae talked a lot, her cheerful, friendly manner helped Emma miss her own mother a little less.
Before crossing the busy street she spotted Nate on the other side, standing in front of the barber shop. She slowed her steps, but he saw her, and walked briskly to her side.
“Emma, it’s so good to see you. I haven’t been able to catch up with you since we all left the wagon train.” Taking her hands, he reached down and kissed her on the cheek.
A bit uncomfortable, Emma pulled her hands free. “It is good to see you. What have you been doing since then? Shouldn’t you have returned to Fort Laramie by now?”
“No, actually, I resigned my commission with the army. I’ve decided to stay in Oregon City for now.”
“Resigned?” Emma gasped. “Why did you do that? I thought you liked being in the army?”
“I think you know why.” He glanced around to be sure no one could hear their conversation. “I want to check into the validity of your marriage. I have an appointment with a lawyer tomorrow.”
“Nate, I really don’t want you doing that. Whether Davis and I were forced to marry or not, I don’t intend to break my marriage vows. Especially with the baby coming.” She regarded him with pursed lips as she placed her hands on her slight protuberance.
“Just let me do this, Emma. Please. I know you would prefer to go back to Indiana, and I’ll take you there. We could get a house close to your parents.” He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll let you know what he says.”
Frustrated at his stubbornness, Emma just shook her head and continued on her way.
“There you are, darlin’.” Davis glanced up from the paper he studied. “I was just beginning to wonder what happened to you. Did you get what you needed at the mercantile?”
Emma laughed. “Actually, I never did get around to it, now that I think about it. Mae kept me so busy the whole time, I forgot.”
“We’ll go back when we’re done here. I’ll just be another few minutes.”
Emma wandered around the store, looking at nails, hammers, shovels and other things of absolutely no interest to her. She thought back on her conversation with Nate. She’d been completely taken aback by his decision to leave the army. And this obsession to find out if her marriage could be annulled was becoming frightening. Jeb had blessed their union, and as far as Emma could see, that was the end of it.
She placed her hand on her stomach. If her marriage to Davis was annulled, her baby would be a bastard. The whole thing was ridiculous. The pull of Indiana had weakened over the last few weeks. But in any event, whether to return or not was a decision best left alone until after the baby came. In the meantime, she just had to make sure she didn’t do anything to encourage Nate.
“I’m ready if you are,” Davis said as he walked up behind her, taking her arm in his.
“I’m ready. And I need to talk to you about something.”
“It’s getting close to dinnertime, let’s go over to the hotel dining room, and we can talk there.”
Emma frowned. “I’m worried we’re spending too much money on the hotel and meals. And we have to pay Mr. Hastings for the lumber. I’m concerned our money is going to run out.”
“Part of the deal I got from Mr. Hastings was giving him permission to cut a couple acres of trees from our land.” Davis opened the hotel door and escorted Emma through. “He gave me a pretty decent discount for allowing that. It helps clear our land also, which is a double bonus for us. So, don’t worry about the money. We’ll be all right.”
After settling in their seats in front of the wide dining room window, the young girl from the morning arrived to take their orders, and left them with cold glasses of water.
Davis patted Emma’s hand. “I don’t want you worrying about things. It’s not good for you or the baby. We’ll be fine.” He leaned forward, excitement lighting his eyes. “Another idea I had is to capture and break wild horses.”
Emma sucked in a breath. “Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Nah. As long as you know what you’re doing. I did some of that before I took over my parent’s farm.” He moved his finger over her wrinkled brow. “See, you’re worrying again.”
“All right. I’ll try not to worry.” She took a sip of water. “I had an offer today from Mrs. Berger at the mercantile.”
“If this is about you working for her, forget it.” He nodded his thanks to the waitress as she placed dishes in front of them both.
“No. Not working. Well, not exactly.” She eyed the plate of roast beef, potatoes, green peas and biscuits. Her mouth watered.
“What’s the offer?” Davis asked between bites.
Emma put her fork down, and leaned her elbows on the table. “She’s invited me to stay with her and Hans until our house is built. It wouldn’t be an imposition on them because they have a lot of room upstairs.” She picked up her fork again. “What do you think?”
“Sweetheart, I think it’s a great idea.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I do. I was worried about you being alone all day in the wagon while we worked. If I know you’re somewhere comfortable, we can put in more hours and get it done faster. The men and I can sleep right at the site. We would have to pay Mrs. Berger for your keep, though. I don’t want to be beholden to anyone.”
“We don’t need to,” she held up her hand when it looked like he would protest. “I offered to pay, and she said if I helped around the store, that would be enough.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“My wife is not going to work. Especially in your condition.”
“Don’t be silly. I feel fine.“
“No.”
She bristled at his stubbornness. “Please? It would pass the time until I can fuss with my own house.” She grinned at the thought of how much fun it was going to be, preparing her own home.
He studied her for a minute, then pushed his empty plate away. “I’ll want to talk to Mrs. Berger myself first.” He dragged his palm down his face. “Helping in the store is fine, but I want to be sure you get enough rest.”
“For heaven’s sake. I just spent months on a wagon train. I’m a lot stronger than you think.”
“You’re getting near the end months.” He shook his head. “I’d feel a lot better if she took money from us.”
“If you insisted, I’m afraid we would hurt her feelings.”
He ran his fingers through his hair, then stopped and threw her that lazy, lopsided smile that started the butterflies in her stomach. “Did I hear you say you will have your own bedroom in her house?”
“Yes, my own bedroom, a very nice one.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “With a very large bed.”
“And can you have visitors to this nice bedroom with a very large bed?” He leaned closer.
“I’m sure Mrs. Berger would not mind me having a visitor. As long as it’s respectable, you know.” She laughed softly.
“Then I say let’s get your things moved into this nice bedroom this afternoon. And since I hear it’s going to rain something dreadful soon, I may just have to be entertained overnight in your nice bedroom, ma’am.”
After paying the bill, Davis placed his hand on Emma’s lower back and led her to the door.
“Mrs. Cooper?” They both turned as the man behind the counter called to them. “I have a note here for you that a Mr. Hale left.”
“Oh, dear.” Emma shot a glance at Davis’s scowling face.
Chapter Twenty
Emma settled quite nicely into a routine. Mae insisted on opening the store as usual, allowing Emma time to sleep a little later in the morning. They both worked together from mid-morning until they closed for dinner at noon. Then Mae insisted Emma take a short nap, after which she took over the store completely, allowing Mae some free time. All three met for a light supper following a six o’clock closing. Tired after the long day, oftentimes Emma retired immediately to her room for the night.
She found Hans Berger to be a quiet, gentle man. His blond, wavy hair was now mostly white, as was his mustache. The lines in his face spoke of a life well lived, and his deep blue eyes sparkled with humor. It was plain the Bergers adored each other, and she enjoyed watching them together. Mae loved to fuss over her husband, and although he grumbled a lot, it was obvious he was happy to let her do things for him that pleased her so much.
Seeing them together made her miss Davis. She hadn’t realized how much a part of her life he had become over the last several months. Emma longed for his easy outlook on life. Nothing seemed to be a problem to him that couldn’t be solved. She missed his lazy grin, and the way he looked at her a certain way that made her stomach flutter and her heart beat a little faster.
Her musings had her asking herself once more if she loved him. With all that had happened to her, she hadn’t given herself a lot of time to ponder such things. Now with them apart, she could see him and their relationship clearer.
Well, if she didn’t love him, she certainly had a strong fondness for the man. She tried to compare these feelings with what she had felt for Peter, but as time went on she found it harder and harder to remember much about her deceased husband.
Since neither she nor Davis ever spoke of love, she wasn’t sure how he felt about her, either. Although, given the irritation he had with Nate, it seemed possible that his feelings for her ran pretty deep.
A grin crossed her face recalling this reaction to the note the hotel clerk had handed her the other night. Although Davis didn’t ask outright to see it, after reading its contents, she handed it to him. She chewed her lip to keep from smiling at the look of relief on his face when she turned the paper over to him.
Thankful the note was no more than wishing her well before his return to Fort Laramie, it was apparent Nate had written it before he’d decided to stay in Oregon City. No point in telling her husband that. She could handle whatever Nate cooked up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Davis had set up a camp of sorts at the building site. In only a few weeks he and the Campbell brothers had hauled all the lumber to the site. They’d quickly dug a foundation, since Davis was adamant about wanting a cellar, and now worked on the frame.
They kept the wagon parked nearby to supply them with food. Davis had lived on his own cooking for years, but he didn’t find himself too happy to revert back to it.
The sun would barely break over the horizon before the men were up and eating breakfast. Then, at first light, they started a day of hammering and cutting. They broke briefly for a meal at noontime, and continued on until light grew too dim to continue. After a supper of usually beans and canned meat, they fell into an exhausted slumber to do the same thing the next day.
Davis was pleased with the progress they were making, and the unusual dry spell that kept them working. As the end of November approached, he promised himself he’d have Emma in her house by Christmas
He missed that little imp. The few times he’d made it into town, he’d grabbed a quick meal, and then fell into a dead sleep in her bed. More than anything, he missed the warm comfort of her body pressed close to him while he slept.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Davis pulled his collar up and the brim of his hat lower to ward off the rain as he rode into Oregon City. He’d left the Campbell brothers arguing over a card game in the wagon, each one accusing the other of cheating. It had been over a week since he had seen Emma, and the rain made the perfect excuse to visit.
Muddy water splashed up the sides of the horse’s limbs and ran down in rivulets as it plodded along, shaking his head once in a while to rid his large body of water. Darkness had descended, and combined with the wind and rain made for a dreary and miserable evening for both animal and rider.
After handing his horse over to the livery man, Davis hurried across the street to the mercantile. Before he reached the door, it whipped open, and Emma stood in the doorway, wringing her hands.
“Hi, darlin’.” Davis grinned at her. “It’s nasty out here, you’ll get all wet standing there.”
The door closed with a bang and he quickly shrugged out of his duster and removed his hat. She flung herself into his arms and burst into tears.
“What’s wrong?” Frowning he studied her face.
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Nothing. I’m just happy you’re here.”
“Ah, honey. I’m happy to be here, too.” He tilted her face up. “Don’t cry.”
She fumbled in her pocket for a handkerchief. “I’m just a watering pot these days. I think it’s the baby.”
He placed his palm on her stomach. “Is everything all right?”
Emma waved her hand, then wiped her nose. “Yes. Fine. So tell me, how’s the house coming along?”
“First things first.” Davis wrapped his one arm around her waist and pulled her as close as he could with the baby in the way. With his other hand he held her head, slanting it so he could deepen his kiss. She ran her palms over his back, hugging him tightly.
“That was quite an enthusiastic welcome, Mrs. Cooper.” He rested his arms on her shoulders, locking his fingers behind her neck.
Mae Berger bustled into the store, her friendly, open face happy. “Hello, Mr. Cooper, so good of you to visit your wife. She’s been lonely for you, I think. I tell her she spends too much time looking out that window, like she’s expecting company. Come in the back, and I’ll fix you some coffee. You look cold, and with the weather so nasty. Come, come, Emma, you too, you need to get off your feet. I’ll have Hans go out to take care of customers.”
“It’s good to see you too, Mae,” Davis said as he took both her hands in his and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Oh, you make an old lady blush, Mr. Cooper.”
“Please, Mae, no ‘Mr. Cooper’. That was my father. Call me Davis,” he said as he and Emma followed her behind the curtain into the living quarters behind the store.
“Hans, see who came to visit our lovely Emma. Her husband is here, and now she can smile again.” Mae called to her husband as she pumped water into a pot, then placed it on the stove to boil. Davis took a seat at the small wooden table, as Emma removed cookies from a flowered tin and put them on a plate.
“Emma, this big man needs more than cookies with his coffee.” Mae clucked. “Make him a nice sandwich with that roast we had for supper. And put some of that potato salad with it. My, my, Mr. Coop−Davis,” she corrected herself, “such a day for riding into town. But I’m sure you wanted to see our Emma, and check on the little one, too. So big she grows! You’re going to have a strapping baby. I make her eat and rest. But seeing you is the only thing that puts that happy smile on her face.”
Emma glanced sideways at him, an appealing pink blush on her cheeks.
Mae kept up her running conversation as she grabbed cups, plates and napkins, arranging them on the table. Davis and Emma eyed each other and worked to hide their grins. Mae Berger might be a talker, but her heart was as big as the Oregon Territory.
“Hello, Davis,” Hans said as he entered the kitchen area. “How’s the house coming?”
“The house is coming along good.” Davis stood to shake the older man’s hand. “The cellar is dug and the floor in. We have most of the framing completed, but we’ve had to stop on and off with the downpours. I hope to get the roof up as soon as the weather clears so we can keep working, even when it does rain.” Davis dug into his food as Emma joined him at the table, pouring coffee for both of them from the much-used coffee pot.
“It’s good you put in a cellar.” Hans settled himself in a chair and nodded his thanks at the sandwich Mae placed in front of him. “You need storage, and a basement makes a house stronger.”
“That’s what I thought,” Davis said between bites. “I’m danged lucky to have the Campbell brothers working for me. They work hard and have good ideas.”
After finishing his meal, Davis pushed his plate back, then reached to pull Emma onto his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder.
A soft tinkle sounded from the bell over the front door. Hans pushed his chair back then headed to the curtain, but returned in a matter of minutes. “Emma, there’s a gentleman out here asking for you.”
Brows furrowed, Davis threw her a look when he rose to join her as she hurried away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Jeb!” Emma cried as she ran to the preacher she had such a fondness for.
He gave her a hug and stuck his hand out to Davis. “Good to see you, Davis, I didn’t expect to find you here, too.” His smile didn’t quite make it to his eyes, though, and Emma was immediately concerned.
“Jeb, how is Elizabeth? And Abigail? Is everything okay?”
The preacher took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “That’s why I came to see you today, Emma. I heard you were helping the Bergers out while your house is being built. I’m afraid I need your help.” He looked anxiously at them.
“So, Pastor.” Mae had come out to join them. “Come into the kitchen, and have some coffee. Things are quiet, it’s not a good day for shopping anyway. Emma, put another pot of coffee on. My, you’re so wet. You’ll catch your death.” She hustled Jeb out of his long coat and pushed him toward the kitchen.
“Hans, get more wood from the pile by the back door and build up the fire in the kitchen. Come, Mr. Preston, you need to get warm.” Having another person to fuss over, Mae Berger appeared to be in her glory.
After Jeb had a steaming cup of coffee in front of him, along with a roast beef sandwich, they all looked expectantly in his direction.
He took Emma’s hand in his. “The reason I came to you, is my mother has suffered an apoplexy.” At her indrawn breath, the preacher squeezed her hand.
“She’s recovering,” he said softly, “but needs someone to feed her and wash and dress her.” He pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and finger. “Elizabeth’s been doing it all herself, and now she’s been ordered to bed by her doctor because of the baby. I’m building my church, and even though I can give Mother her meals, I can’t wash and dress her.” He stopped at this, and took a deep breath. “I didn’t know where else to turn.”
“Jeb, please, you should have come to me sooner. It’s not good for Elizabeth to be wearing herself out,” Emma scolded. “Of course I can help.”
“Yes, you must help.” Mae gave her a curt nod. “I don’t need so much. I’ve been spoiled with you here, but Jeb’s mama needs you, and you can’t be doing for her, and me too.”
Crossing her arms over her ample bosom, and assuming the demeanor of a general commanding her troops, she went on. “So it’s all settled. Emma, you go to Jeb’s to help poor Elizabeth take care of his lovely mama. But,” she added, with the stern look she usually gave Hans when she was adamant about something, “I won’t have you wearing yourself out, either. So I will go to Jeb’s mama also, and Hans will take care of the store more.” Happy with her solution, she sat back with a smile.
“Mae.” Jeb’s voice hitched. “That’s wonderful of you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I was worried sick about Elizabeth having done so much that she had to take to her bed. And now she’s fretting because she can’t take care of my mother. You are all such good friends. I don’t know what to say.”
“Where are you staying while the church is being built?” Davis asked.
“We were lucky enough to get the small house the last preacher resided in. And he’d managed to get the church partially completed before he left to go back east. Right now I’m working with some members of the community to get it finished. I hope to have it ready in time for Christmas services.”
“It will be so nice to have a real church to worship in. Especially for Christmas.” Emma stifled a yawn behind her hand.
“Darlin’, I think it’s time we found our bed.” Davis stood and pulled her up. “Please excuse us folks, and have a pleasant evening.”
As they climbed the stairs to the second level, Davis leaned close to Emma’s ear. “I hope you’re not too tired, sweetheart.”
She giggled and elbowed him in the side. “Is that the only reason you came?”
Davis scooped her up and strode toward her bedroom. “No. But a very important one, nevertheless.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning began Emma’s new schedule of going to Jeb’s house to help wash and dress Abigail. It was so sad to see the lively older woman Emma had become so fond of now helpless, and unable to do things for herself.
The doctor had stopped in one day as Emma brushed Abigail’s silver hair.
“It’s good to see you helping out here. I was worried for Elizabeth. She’s so frail, and tried to do so much. But, young lady,” he added, “I don’t want you wearing yourself out, either.”