Read Journey of Hope: A Novel of Triumph and Heartbreak on the Oregon Trail in 1852 Online
Authors: Victoria Murata
Tags: #Christian Books & Bibles, #Literature & Fiction, #Westerns, #Genre Fiction, #Historical, #Religion & Spirituality, #Fiction, #Historical Fiction, #Christian Fiction
Journey of Hope: A Novel of Triumph and Heartbreak on the Oregon Trail in 1852
Copyright © 2012 Victoria Murata
All rights reserved.
ISBN: | 147523144X |
ISBN 13: | 9781475231441 |
eBook ISBN: | 978-1-62345-593-4 |
Dedicated to Daisy, Judy, Mary and
Michele–your enthusiasm is inspiring.
Thank you for the hours spent
reading my pages. Your encouragement
every step of the way kept me going.
Table of Contents
Chapter Three, Indian Encounter
Chapter Eleven, Ben and the Indians
Chapter Twelve, Emily’s Sacrifice
Chapter Seventeen, Three Island Crossing
Chapter Twenty-One, Dinner Invitation
Chapter Twenty-Two, The Promise
Chapter Twenty-Three, The Trade
Chapter Twenty-Four, The Confidante
Chapter Twenty-Six, A Proper Suitor
Chapter Twenty-Seven, Bear Encounter
Chapter Twenty-Eight, Medicine Bag
Chapter Thirty-Two, Birthday Gift
Chapter Thirty-Three, Lost and Found
Chapter Thirty-Four, Down River
Chapter Thirty-Seven, The Card Game
Chapter Thirty-Eight, Reckoning
Chapter Thirty-Nine, Discovery
Sunnyvale
Ohio
September, 1851
“Under no circumstances should this be seen by anyone until my death.” Henry Lawton sighed deeply as he passed the papers he had just signed to Michael Pound, his long-time friend and lawyer. Henry was a vigorous man. He, his sons, and a dozen hired hands ran all of the operations the large farm required. His dark hair was just turning silver at the temples, but his youthful body belied his middle age.
“Of course, Henry, but you must understand the implications of this decision for your wife Edith,” Michael cautioned.
Henry looked at Michael darkly. “She is the only other person who knows the truth about Emily, and even she doesn’t know all of it. If anything happened to me, I’m not at all certain she would do the right thing by Emily.”
Michael Pound regarded his friend and client quietly. He knew Henry had considered his decision carefully, but he could only imagine the devastating effect these papers would have on his family. “Henry…” he began tentatively.
“No, you won’t change my mind, Michael. If I die before Edith, Emily will be at her mercy. This document will protect her.”
“Protect her? Or harm her?”
Henry noted the concern on his friend’s face and sighed deeply. “That’s a risk I’m going to have to take. Emily is strong. She can weather this. You and I have known each other for over eighteen years, Michael, since Emily was a baby. You’ve served me well all this time. I know I’m asking a lot of you, but I am going to compensate you very well.”
“Yes, of course,” Michael responded absently. He was thinking of Miss Emily. He had watched her grow up into a confident, beautiful young woman and now she was newly married. She was so young! Perhaps years from now she would have the age and experience to be able to accept what he would be required to divulge. Michael looked up from his thoughts.
“Henry, I hope I will never have to deliver these papers to Miss Emily, but rest assured that I will do my duty by you if that is what you desire.”
“I know I can count on you, Michael.” The two men stood up and shook hands.
The sound of horses outside drew their attention to the large window.
“Here are Emily and Ernest now. They’ve come for dinner, and I hope you’ll stay, Michael. Emily will be happy to see you.”
“I’d love to stay, Henry. Thank you.”
“I have to warn you, though, that the conversation may get a little uncomfortable.” Henry sat heavily in his chair as Michael stowed the papers in his briefcase.
He looked out the window and watched as Emily and Ernest dismounted and handed their reins to the groom. “I’m still trying to convince that fool Ernest to abandon his plans to take Emily to Oregon.”
Michael’s face brightened. “Oregon, is it? I’ve heard lots of conversations from folks about the wagon trains leaving out of Missouri. It sounds like a great adventure.” Then Michael’s face clouded. “Why would Ernest want to do that? Isn’t he set to inherit land from his father?”
“Yes, he would inherit a good portion, but I hear tell that he’s been listening to a stranger in town—a man of questionable background—who has been filling his head with stories of the ‘wild west’ and the opportunities available there.”
Michael looked suddenly worried. “Henry, the trip takes six months! It’s not an easy thing for a man, much less a young woman!”
“I know that!” Henry said bitterly. “That’s why I must convince Ernest to change his mind! I’ve seen this with young men before— thinking that the grass is greener somewhere else, and I hear he and his father have had a falling out. That won’t make matters any easier.”
Michael leaned forward in his chair. “Henry, do what you can, but don’t alienate Ernest. He’s a high-minded young man. Keep him close if you can, for Emily’s sake.”
Henry regarded Michael’s sincere expression. He was a good friend—the kind who could speak freely to him, and he appreciated Michael’s candor.
“Yes, I need to tread carefully here.” Henry shook his head sadly. “She’s not my little girl anymore, Michael. She belongs to another man now, and that’s a hard pill to swallow.”
“Whatever happens, Henry, Emily is a strong woman. She’ll be all right.”
Voices from the hallway carried into the room.
“Here they are. Let’s have a drink, Michael.” Henry poured amber liquid from a crystal decanter into two tumblers. “Perhaps this will give me the steadiness of purpose that I need this afternoon.” He handed one glass to Michael.
“To your success, Henry.” Michael lifted his glass. “And as far as the other matter,” he said, glancing at his briefcase, “may it stay locked safely away forever.”
Henry raised his glass and looked soberly at Michael. “Yes. Let’s hope for the best.”
Earlier that day…
The softly rolling hills stretched for miles across the Ohio landscape. Patches of trees wore bright autumn garments and robust haystacks dotted the fields, waiting for the wagons that would travel down the rows and collect them.
Emily and her husband Ernest Hinton cantered the horses through a copse of yellow trees and scarlet shrubs, the mare and gelding in sync, each making sure the other wouldn’t get ahead. Emily skillfully kept her chestnut mare, Calliope, in check, appreciating the youth and friskiness of her favorite mount. She was more comfortable on horseback than on her feet, having been riding since the age of three. Ernest was also a skilled equestrian, but more heavy handed than his petite wife. His bay gelding was enjoying the outing and would have been off at a gallop if not for Ernest’s verbal cues and constant adjustments of the reins. Emily laughed gaily as Ernest reined in the large horse and slowed to a trot.
“He’s definitely a handful!” Her smile brightened the already brilliant afternoon.
“Nothing that time and miles won’t take care of, Emily,” he said, admiring her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. Her unassuming beauty often took him by surprise.
They walked their horses toward a stream that meandered through the countryside, dividing the land into fields and forest, and dismounted in a clearing next to a pool made by an eddy in the stream. The horses drank thirstily and Emily adjusted her hat, reattaching the long hatpin that secured it firmly to her thick, dark hair. Its brim sheltered her creamy complexion from the sun, but Ernest noticed her smile disappear as she surveyed the vista before her.
“What is it, Emily?” he asked, putting his fingers under her chin and turning her face towards him.
Emily moved her head away. “It’s nothing we haven’t discussed time and again! I know you have made up your mind to leave, but I’ll miss this so much,” she exclaimed, gazing out over the soft hillsides.
Ernest sighed. “Emily, where we are going is lush and green like this. You’ll come to love it just as you love it here,” he said confidently.
“You’ve said that. But I keep wondering why we’re leaving here to go somewhere that’s
like
this.” She frowned. “I mean, why must we travel across the country through savage Indian territories to a place that’s like this when we could just stay here?”
The horses finished drinking and turned to graze on the grass growing next to the stream.