Heartbreak Trail (6 page)

The silence spoke for all. Faced with the truth, even Lucy, who usually rose to the occasion, could think of nothing diplomatic to say. Finally Cordelia, her southern accent extra thick, said, “Mrs. Applegate, I find your remark a bit harsh. Don’t our husbands always know best? You seem to have forgotten a wife’s role is to obey her husband and follow his lead with good grace.”

All except Lucy and Hannah nodded in agreement, appearing relieved that Cordelia had provided an acceptable answer to Agnes’ tirade. Lucy wondered why she herself wasn’t instantly agreeing. After all, she was just like the rest, subject to her husband’s commands. As Cordelia pointed out, a woman’s lot in life was to obey her husband. She didn’t have to like it, though. A thought struck her, one she’d never had before: she most definitely did
not
like it. Much as she loved Jacob and accepted his leadership, she felt an ever-deepening resentment that she was required to obey him. Despite her wedding vows, she really didn’t want to obey anybody.

Hannah spoke up. “Just out of curiosity, what possessed your husband to head west? Looks to me like you had a good life going in Atlanta.”

Cordelia awarded Hannah an indulgent smile. “It has to do with manifest destiny, Mrs. Richards. You might not understand.”

“
I may be poor, but I ain’t stupid.”

Visibly taken aback, Cordelia recovered quickly. “My husband was a noted historian back in Atlanta—”

“
I’ll tell them.” A slight, beardless man of fifty or so stepped into the circle. Well groomed, dressed like a country gentleman, he had the dreamy-eyed look of a scholar.

Cordelia regarded him with pride. “My husband, ladies. Nathaniel Beauregard Benton.”

After a greeting, Nathaniel Benton addressed the circle. “For years I’ve studied the history of The United States and what its expansion implies. Why am I going west? I believe Thoreau said it best: ‘Eastward I go only by force, but we go westward as into the future, with a spirit of enterprise and adventure.’ ” Nathaniel’s face lit up. “Not only that, we must claim what is ours. I know in my heart that the land from Atlantic to Pacific should belong to us, not foreign nations such as Great Britain and Mexico who are already meddling in California and Texas.”

“
My stars!” said Bessie, “I never thought of The United States spreading all the way from one ocean to the other.”

“
It’s going to happen. It’s our manifest destiny.” Nathaniel Benton had a faraway look in his eyes. “We Americans are especially prone to setting out for the unknown. Like Mark Twain said, ‘It’s a human instinct like the need to love, or to taste spring air and believe again that life is not a dead end after all.’ ” He stopped and smiled. “That’s why we’re going to California.”

“
Well put, sir.” Lucy put down her cup and started to applaud. They all joined in.

Benton returned a smile. “Well, then, ladies, I won’t further interrupt your tea.” With a courteous bow he walked away.

Cordelia reached for the silver tray. She held it out to Bessie and said with a sugary smile, “Another pastry?”

Bessie declined. “Well, land’s sake, I don’t know about manifest destiny. All I want is to get to California in one piece and find us a piece of land.”

Cordelia smiled indulgently. “You’re fearful of the journey, I know, but don’t forget we have Mister Palance and Mister Dawes to guide us, and they’re the very best. I’m not the least bit worried. Nothing will go wrong while they’re around.”

Every woman present except Lucy nodded her enthusiastic assent. Agnes noticed and focused sharp eyes upon her. “You don’t agree?” Before Lucy could answer, Agnes continued, “I saw you talking to Mister Palance in the square. Do you know him from someplace? You appear to be good friends.”

Lucy immediately caught the implication of wrong-doing in Agnes’ voice. How ridiculous. Her entire conversation with Clint could not have lasted more than a minute or two, so how much could the sharp-eyed woman know of her private feelings? Yet ... she and Clint Palance had not exchanged one improper word, but with uncanny intuition, Agnes sensed that a vague current of attraction, or whatever it was, passed between them. Well from now on she’d be extra careful. If she didn’t put the trapper completely out of her thoughts, that sharp-eyed woman was going to know.

Lucy smiled pleasantly. “I have barely met the man. My husband knows him far better than I.”

The disagreeable woman gave a skeptical sniff but had the decency to change the subject. “We leave in three days. Did you know that? I hope your husband will have his wagons fitted and ready.”

“
Jacob will do whatever needs to be done, and on time,” Lucy replied firmly.

A chubby, fair-skinned boy of about twelve or thirteen with a shock of straight blond hair hanging over one eye suddenly burst into the circle. “What’s to eat?”

Cordelia’s face took on a glow of motherly pride. “Ladies, this is my son, Chadwick.”

The boy acknowledged no one. Spying the pastries, he headed straight for the silver tray.

“
Now, dear, only one,” his mother called.

Chadwick acknowledged his mother’s advice with a pig-like grunt. He stuffed a pastry into his mouth and scooped up as many more as his chubby little hands could handle.

Cordelia reacted with a merry peal of laughter. “You bad boy! Now, sweetheart, you’d better put those back. You don’t want to eat too many or you’ll spoil your supper.”

After another grunt, Chadwick sped away, hands still full of pastries.

“
Boys will be boys.” Cordelia seemed not the least bit upset over her son’s poor manners.

The entire assemblage of ladies had witnessed the episode in polite silence. Now, discreetly lifted eyebrows signaled messages of disapproval. “Did you see that child’s behavior?” Bessie whispered. “If one of mine acted like that, John would have him behind the woodshed in no time.”

Lucy silently agreed. If her little brothers had acted in such a manner ... But then, they never had because they’d been raised properly. Poor Cordelia. She was going to have her hands full on a journey like this with a child so thoroughly spoiled.

* * *

When the tea party ended, Cordelia took Lucy aside. “I’m so delighted you’re coming along. What a comfort to find someone of my own kind.” She lowered her voice. “I’m sure you’ll agree to the difficulty of having to deal with those of a lesser standing, but we’ll manage, won’t we?”

Lucy bristled inside. She hoped it didn’t show. “Of a lesser standing? I don’t know what you mean. Aren’t we all of equal standing here?”

“
Yes, of course. You know what I mean. Good breeding
is
good breeding.”

Lucy sensed how useless it would be to argue with someone as condescending as Cordelia. She’d never change. “I must be going. Thank you for the lovely tea.” She turned away. If she hurried, she could catch up with Bessie and Hannah. They might be “of a lesser standing,” but she already knew who her true friends would be on the long journey ahead.

When Lucy returned to their wagon, she found Jacob with his coat, shirt, and hat off, bending over a basin washing his face. When he saw her, he straightened and grabbed a towel. Wiping water from his face, he broke into a rare smile. “The men of the council had a meeting. John Potts has not been well and has stepped down. I’ve been elected the new wagon train captain.”

“
Why, that’s wonderful news
.”

“
I wonder why they didn’t pick Abner. Of course, he would’ve declined. His mind runs on a higher plain. It’s best he remain our spiritual leader.”

Lucy could’ve told her husband she knew very well why Abner hadn’t been chosen. The men didn’t like him and made fun of his holier-than-thou attitude behind his back. Some things were best left unsaid, though. “Well, they couldn’t have made a better choice for a captain than you.” Her heart swelled with pride as she looked up at her husband, so handsome with those strong arms, that muscular chest, and those golden curls glinting in the sunshine atop his noble head.
I do love him.
She regretted that lately she’d begun to find fault. His constantly serious demeanor had grown more annoying, as well as his increased fondness for quoting of the scriptures—just like his brother. Too much like his brother. Then there was the thing that happened at night after they went to bed. She had hoped the lack of privacy on the road would give her a respite from performing the one wifely duty she’d grown to detest, but she wasn’t that fortunate. On the trip to Independence, when they stopped at night, Jacob pitched a tent beside the wagon, which only the two of them occupied. On the few nights they slept in the wagon, Jacob hung a blanket across the middle, between their bed and little Noah’s. As if a flimsy blanket could conceal the rocking and muffle the sounds! She could only pray her mightiest that Noah remained sound asleep each time.

The worst of it was, nothing had changed. From her wedding night on, never once had she received the least bit of pleasure from the act her sister had referred to as “so indescribably wonderful.”

She mustn’t think bad thoughts. She must try harder to be the appreciative wife of a man admired and respected by all. A leader of men!

“
I’m so proud of you.”

“
From now on, they’ll address me as Captain.”

“
You deserve it. You have worked so hard—”

“‘
All things are delivered to me of my Father.’ That’s—”

“
Luke ten, Verse twenty-two. Yes, I know. Thanks to God, you’ve been elected leader, but I suspect it’s thanks to your fine reputation, too.”

“
If you say so.” For one of the rare times in their marriage, Jacob laughed companionably and gave her a spontaneous kiss on the cheek.

Lucy wished his current mood would last forever, but she doubted it would.

That night she was preparing supper over an open campfire when Clint Palance and his partner, Charlie Dawes, rode up. Jacob went to meet them.

“
Congratulations, Captain.” Clint swung off the black and white Appaloosa he’d told her was named “Paint.” “Since you’re now in charge, we’ve come to discuss a few things.”

For a while the three stood talking. Lucy found the conversation fascinating. She continued to cook dinner but listened closely as the two partners described preparations for the trip and the route they’d take.

“
... then, when we start out, we’ll make our way across the Kansas River watershed, angling northwest,” said Clint. “When we hit the Platte River, we follow it, still heading northwest. Along the way, we’ll pass landmarks you may have heard of, like Courthouse Rock, Scotts Bluff, Chimney Rock. Then Fort Laramie ... at the foot of the Rockies, five hundred thirty-five miles from the start of the Platte River Road.

“
The next stage, one hundred eight miles to Independence Rock, is difficult for the wagons. It’s the broken terrain of the Rockies foothills, where grass gives way to sage and greasewood. Then we come to Fort Hall. That’s where we’ll part company with those who are heading for Oregon territory.”

“
We’ve got to get there first,” said Charlie Dawes, a lean man with hunched-over shoulders, long, grizzled beard, and weathered face. He shot a chaw of tobacco upon the ground. “When we start, just to get to the Platte it’s three hundred twenty miles, and there ain’t no trail. I guarantee we’ll run into floods and hailstorms along the way, so better make sure you got the canvas on your wagons weatherproofed and nice ’n tight.”

Clint spoke up. “While we’re on that subject, Captain, there’s been some talk about your wagons.”

Jacob’s pleasant expression disappeared. “What about my wagons?”

“
Your wagons are too heavy. I’d advise you lighten the loads.”

“
There’s nothing wrong with the way my wagons are loaded.” Lucy couldn’t mistake the cold edge in Jacob’s voice. “Are you suggesting I simply toss away my belongings at your request? I’ll have you know, sir, that everything I carry is essential.”

Charlie Dawes raised a cynical eyebrow. “Maybe you won’t be thinking everything is so essential when you get stuck in the mud and it takes a dozen men to push you out.”

“
I shall be the judge of that.” Jacob’s tone clearly invited no further argument.
Of course he isn’t going to admit the truth.
Lucy had more than a twinge of embarrassment. In Independence, Jacob had purchased the usual provisions for their own use: two hundred pounds of flour, one hundred fifty pounds of bacon, ten pounds of coffee, twenty pounds of sugar, ten pounds of salt, and so on. He, along with his brother, had also purchased merchandise they planned to sell for a huge profit in California, like heavy tools and several barrels of whiskey. No wonder their wagons were so heavy.

Jacob asked, “Now, gentlemen, is there anything else?”

“
That’s it for now.” Clint’s easy smile gave not the slightest hint he might be annoyed by Jacob’s hardheaded answer. “If all goes well, we leave in three days.”

Lucy watched the visitors mount their horses and ride away. Three days! Despite all her reluctance, a little thrill ran through her. Whether she liked it or not, the biggest adventure of her life was about to begin.

Three days later at dawn, a line of forty wagons headed out from Independence amidst the din of dogs barking, cattle lowing, men shouting, shrieking children darting here and there. At last the Schneider Party had begun the long journey west, the air heavy with excitement, spirits running high.