A Home at Trail's End (21 page)

“I would love to see it, Lavinia.”

“Maybe we can have tea.”

Elizabeth nodded happily. “I would enjoy that.”

Now JT and Ruth, accompanied by Tillie and Walter Flanders, came over to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Flanders invited us to stay in town with them for lunch,” Ruth said with bright eyes. “It's Tumbleweed Tillie's birthday today.”

Elizabeth laughed. She hadn't heard Tillie's nickname for some time. “Happy Birthday, Tumbleweed,” she told her.

“Thank you, Mrs. Martin.”

“And I gave her my hair ribbon.” Ruth pointed to the blue bow tied around Tillie's wavy blond hair, which had grown out to her shoulders. “Isn't it pretty?”

“Very pretty.” Elizabeth tugged Ruth's now-barren braid. Ruth had bought that ribbon with her own money, and it was touching to see her generosity.

“Is it all right, Ma?” JT asked.

“Ma made a cake,” Walter said proudly.

“It's just fine,” Elizabeth told her children. “Just mind your manners. And I'll expect you home in time for afternoon chores.” They agreed to this and then ran off to rejoin their other friends just as Eli came over to join her.

“I see that Hugh and Julius aren't back from Empire City yet,” he said to Lavinia.

“No, I don't expect them until midweek.”

He nodded.

“Perhaps Elizabeth can pick up your order for you when she comes to town on Thursday,” Lavinia told him.

“You're going to town on Thursday?” Eli asked.

“Yes. Lavinia and I might even have tea.”

“Good for you. How about if I bring the wagon over to Malinda's on Thursday morning? You can drive it to town and use it to pick up my order.”

“What did you order?” she asked curiously.

He just grinned. “Never you mind. But it's heavy enough to need a wagon.”

Lavinia laughed. “What I wouldn't give to see your face when you walk into your new home, Elizabeth.”

“It won't be long now,” Eli assured her.

“And once we get settled, we will invite our friends over,” Elizabeth said. “Maybe for a Sunday dinner since the mercantile is closed.”

“Let's make it a potluck,” Lavinia suggested.

“Wonderful.” Elizabeth looked at Eli. “Perhaps a week after our wedding? Or do you think that's too soon?”

“That is entirely up to you.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Then we shall plan on it,” she told Lavinia. “Feel free to tell any of our friends who come into the store. After church on the second Sunday, the Kincaids will host a potluck at their new house.”

“And that gives me an idea,” Lavinia said suddenly.

“What's that?”

“Oh…you'll find out.” She made a sly smile and waved goodbye as she hurried away.

Elizabeth explained about Tumbleweed Tillie's birthday. “So we can head back whenever we like.”

His eyes twinkled. “Just you and me?”

She nodded eagerly as he took her hand and led her down the road. “As much as I love my family and friends, I do enjoy your company,” she told him.

He squeezed her fingers in his. “I am counting the days until Saturday,” he said. “And the hours too.”

She laughed.

“But as much as I'm looking forward to it, I do want to have our house finished. Or nearly.”

“I'm certain that it would be fine just as it is right now.”

“Oh, sure, it's livable enough.”

“Are you living in it?”

He shook his head. “No, my dear, I'm waiting for you.”

“Oh, Eli, you can live in it if you like.”

“Not without you.”

Not for the first time, Elizabeth had to ask herself if this was real or just a delightful dream. But the musty smell of decaying autumn leaves and the sound of the birds twittering in the trees told her it was authentic. And for some reason this reminded her of the Indian woman in the woods. “I didn't have a chance to tell you that the second blanket and parcel of food I left for the Indian woman and child were gone the following day. So I can only assume they got it.”

“Yes, if it had been taken by animals, the blanket would probably still be there.”

“So it makes me believe they are living somewhere near there.”

“At least for now. It's possible they are on their way to somewhere else.” He shook his head in a dismal way. “Although, for the life of me, I cannot imagine where that would be. No place is safe for Indians in these parts. Any that are found are rounded up and herded up north like animals.”

“I'm sure that's why she looks so frightened,” Elizabeth said sadly. “Her eyes looked so empty and hopeless and scared. I wish I could get her to trust me.”

“And then what would you do?” He peered at her.

“To be honest, I don't know.” She sighed. “But I will keep praying. I believe that God will show me.”

“Now, not to detour our conversation, but is there anything I need to know or to do before next Saturday?”

She shook her head. “Not that I can think of.”

“I assume you don't want me to show up in my buckskins,” he said teasingly.

She laughed. “I would not complain if you did, Eli. That's what you wore the first time I met you, and I happen to think you look very handsome in your buckskins.”

He chuckled. “I'm glad to know that because I'm reluctant to give them up.”

“However…” She pointed to his Sunday clothes. “What you have on would probably be more appropriate for a church wedding. Don't you think?”

“I am in complete agreement. And I'm content to save my buckskins for other activities like traveling and hunting.”

“Speaking of hunting, I know that my father is most eager to go on an elk hunting trip with you.”

“Yes. He and Matthew both. I promised them we would go the week before Christmas—if that's agreeable to you.”

“Yes, as long as you won't go before Malinda's wedding. I'm sure she'd want to tan my hide if all my menfolk went missing on her big day.”

“We'll keep that in mind.”

“Speaking of my father, did you have a chance to speak to him about Brady yet? I meant to ask, but we must have gotten distracted.”

“As a matter of fact, I did tell him about Brady.”

“What did Father say?”

“Both your parents were very touched. And they said that if you were all right with this, they would gladly welcome Brady to live on their land. Brady can continue using the tent, and Asa even offered to help Brady build a new cabin. I expect Brady will move back over there by tomorrow.”

Elizabeth had mixed feelings. As much as she wanted Brady to be happy and free and to live where he liked, she would dearly miss having him close by. He'd been in the Martin family for as long as she could remember. And he'd been with her and James from the first days of their marriage, overseeing their farm. Even after she and James decided to free the other slaves, Brady had asked to stay on with them. And then, during the years following James' death, Brady had been as dependable as the sun. Just seeing him about her farm each day, checking on livestock, hitching a wagon, bringing her firewood…it had always been so reassuring.

However, she knew circumstances were different now. This was the Oregon Territory, not the State of Kentucky. Furthermore, she had Eli to depend upon. And really, what more could she ask? Plus, she reminded herself, her parents were getting older. Having Brady around to help her father carry the load was a great comfort. And Brady was getting older too. Why shouldn't he live out the last of his days however and wherever he wished? So truly this was for the best. It was time for her to let Brady go.

Chapter Sixteen

B
y Thursday morning, Elizabeth harbored no ill feelings about being left out of Malinda's quilting bee. She tried to make herself useful as well as doing her regular chores, but Malinda resembled a small whirlwind as she ran from task to task.

Grateful for an excuse to get out of the house, Elizabeth hurried out to talk to Eli when she saw him arriving with the wagon and her team. He kissed her hello and seemed happy to see her, but she could tell he was eager to get back to the house. For that reason she encouraged him to ride Molly back home.

“It will save you time,” she said. “And then you can ride her back when you pick up the wagon at the end of the day.”

“I'll see you tonight,” he promised. “Have a good day in town.”

For the next hour, eager to stay out of Malinda's way, Elizabeth remained in the barn, sorting through crates of goods she'd brought with her to Malinda's. She wanted to have everything ready to load into the wagon before Eli drove it back.

Satisfied that all was organized, she returned to the house only to discover Malinda still scrambling about, trying to get her house into perfect order and her “luncheon” meal prepared. Elizabeth didn't dare to point out that Malinda still hadn't changed out of her work clothes and that her guests would soon arrive. Elizabeth was tempted to offer some additional help, but knowing Lavinia was looking forward to her visit, she simply wished Malinda a good day and made her getaway.

Elizabeth felt relieved to be driving the wagon to town. Her team looked sleek and handsome. Her wagon without the canvas covering was sturdy and strong. Dressed in her Sunday best, she looked forward to getting some much-needed supplies for her first week of married life. She also looked forward to a friendly visit with Lavinia. She had no regrets about missing out on Malinda's gathering and hoped the quilting bee was enjoyable for the ladies, but reminding herself of how much of her spare time was spent sewing, she decided that she'd been lucky to miss out on it.

Besides that, she told herself as town came into view, she would have a quilting bee of her own someday. She would hold it in her own home. And she would be sure to invite Malinda—and anyone else who had the slightest interest in coming.

As she came in sight of the school and mercantile and blacksmith shop, she slowed the team. She wanted to take a good long look at the scene before her. Someday the virtually empty street would be just a memory. In time the town would grow and change. It would become noisy and busy and be transformed into something altogether different. And she and her family could say they remembered when there was nothing here.

She paused to admire the slowly moving river just south of town. She smiled to think that it was one thing that would never change.

She pulled the wagon in front of the mercantile and, removing her driving gloves, held out her skirt as she carefully climbed down. It hadn't been necessary to wear her Sunday dress today, but it had felt good to put it on. And she knew Lavinia would appreciate the effort. As she went up to the store, she looked up at the sky. She'd noticed clouds rolling in from the ocean and suspected that the fair weather they'd enjoyed the past few days was about to disappear. She hoped it wouldn't be wet and gray by tomorrow, although rain on a wedding day was always considered to be good fortune—at least among farmers.

“Hello, hello,” Lavinia hailed as Elizabeth entered the store. “I was just telling Mrs. Levine that you were coming to visit me.”

“Good day, Elizabeth,” Mrs. Levine said. “Are you looking forward to your wedding? Just two days away now.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, I can hardly believe it's almost here.”

“I was just telling Lavinia that the upcoming year will most likely be filled with even more weddings.”

“That's right,” Lavinia told Elizabeth. “We predict that Belinda and Jacob will be engaged by Christmas.”

Elizabeth nodded. “That would not surprise me.”

“And Mahala and Julius have decided to be married in April,” Lavinia said with excitement. “That will give me enough time to plan for a proper celebration.”

“I hear that springtime is lovely here,” Elizabeth said as she perused a basket filled with colorful spools of thread. “Lots of wildflowers to choose from.” The three of them chatted congenially for a bit, and finally Mrs. Levine excused herself and, taking her parcel, exited the mercantile.

“Perhaps we should take advantage of this lull and go upstairs,” Lavinia said. “I suspect customers will be having their dinners now anyway.” She hurried to close the front door, putting the We Will Be Right Back sign on the door. Then she led Elizabeth to a staircase in the back. “Right this way, my friend.”

When they emerged from the stairwell, Elizabeth was surprised to see how light and bright the rooms up there were. “Oh, my,” she said. “Look at all these windows.”

“Yes.” Lavinia nodded. “I told Hugh that the last thing I wanted was to be stuck up here in a dreary attic. He made certain that did not happen.”

“It's lovely.” Elizabeth admired the fir floors in the main room. “And your furnishings!” she exclaimed over the padded settee and chairs. “They obviously came here by ship.”