Risk & Triumph: COWBOY ROMANCE (Western Pregnancy Forbidden Gold Rush) (3 page)

It had been a few weeks, all 12 wagons were still a part of the caravan, and there had been no deaths. Folks who chose to stay in Burk Iowa said that at least one person would have died by the time they reached central Kansas. No fever had fallen on them and there were no major accidents. Mr. Wild and his brother had a terrible case of poison oak and nearly everyone had blisters. There were minor conveniences and would be worth it when they struck it rich with the Gold Rush.

Theo Callaway and Ned Grippon made sure that their oldest children were watched at all times. Nora was doing arithmetic with her sister Sadie and Ellie Callaway. The girls were tired and Nora didn’t mind that they nodded off because it meant she could sneak away. She wouldn’t dare try to see Ollie because she couldn’t bear to see him whipped again. Nora followed a path where the bushes had been recently trampled. She heard voices and got closer so she could listen but Nora couldn’t understand what was being said. She was leaning against a hickory tree when she felt a tug at her skirt. It was a small child dressed in Indian garb.

“Hello.” The boy spoke perfect English and his skin was white but he was dressed as an Indian.

Another woman who was dressed in a buckskin dress quickly followed him. “Excuse my son. You must be with the caravan we saw passing through and got lost. If you follow the trail, you will get back to your people.”

“Who are you? Do you need help? If the Indian’s have kidnapped you, I can take you back to my wagon with your son and we can care for you.”

The woman laughed. “My name is Donna and this is my son Daniel. The Indians are my friends and they saved me when I ran away from a husband who was going to kill me. They gave me food and shelter when I was pregnant. They mean you no harm and they are my family now.”

“You seem happy Donna so I won’t tell anyone I saw you. We’re going to California to take part in the Gold Rush. This is your last chance, if you want to come with us.”

“No, I’m safe and happy. Ask my friend Morning Star who will show up any moment. We’ve been berry picking together.”

Morning Star joined them and had the most brilliant smile Nora had ever seen. Nora saw her clear brown eyes that sparkled, and knew Donna was with friends. Morning Star offered her hand but said no words because she didn’t speak English. She spoke to Donna, who understood what she was saying.

“She wants to know if there is anything you need and says she’s happy to give you ½ the berries she just picked.”

“No, we need nothing but I am grateful for the offer,” Nora said. She was starting to worry that she’d be missed.

Donna and Morning Star spoke some more. Donna was hesitant to translate the words so Nora could understand. “My friend discovered I was pregnant when I arrived at the Indian village. This will probably surprise you but Morning Star says you are with child. Sounds silly but that’s what she told me.”

Nora nearly collapsed with shock but it made sense that she would be pregnant with Ollie’s child. It was too early for her to be sure but she knew instinctively that Morning Star was right.

“Thank Morning Star for me. She has given me the best news of my life. Carrying a part of Oliver inside of me is a blessing and it has given me determination to fight for our love. I have to get back before I’m noticed missing. Good luck to you and thank you.”

Nora rushed home through the hickory grove to the wagons. She was able to climb in while the girls were still sleeping. She laid down between them and put her hands on her tummy. She decided to wait as long as possible before letting the other’s know of her condition. It would be months until they arrived in California and with her winter coat others might not have to find out. Her Mother peaked her head under the flap.

“Nora, I need your help with dinner. We have some beans and the men were successful trapping rabbit so we are making a stew for supper. How long have the girls been sleeping?”

“I’m not sure mother because I nodded off too. The journey has been tough on the little ones; I say we let them sleep.”

“Sounds good. It will be good for you and I have a chance to talk. We haven’t been alone since your betrayal.”

“I acted impulsively Mother.” Nora said as she stirred the stew. “Calling it a betrayal makes it sound as if I intended to hurt you and father. Ollie and I love each other and to call it anything else is wrong.”

“I’m willing to say maybe we were too harsh to forbid a relationship between you and Oliver. Your father and I had conversations about letting you make your own choices when we arrive in California. The way in which you lied to us and how the two of you were found changed everything in our mind. If you choose to continue with your affair in California it will be without our support.”

“You are telling me mother that I have to choose between Ollie and family?”

“Yes and your father and I want no more hanky-panky while we’re on this trip. What were you thinking Nora? We had to make up a story about you throwing out you back to Martha. Poor girl is so confused and we’ve worked hard to keep the two of you separated.”

“I wasn’t thinking mother. I was following my heart. It was a leap of faith much like this journey to join the Gold Rush in California. I’ll go and deliver the stew while it’s hot.”

Clara Grippon handed her daughter two bowls of the hot stew. Nora saw Ollie sitting on a log with Harney Mercer. It was going to be the closest she was able to get to her love in weeks. She didn’t know if she would have the time to tell him she was pregnant or if she even had the courage.

Ollie saw Nora approaching with the hot stew. A smile began to form on his face and it was hard for her not to drop the bowls and run into Ollie’s arms. “Hello Mr. Mercer, Ollie, hot rabbit stew tonight.”

Harney Mercer reached for his bowl and she handed him a spoon from her apron pocket. “Thank you Nora. It’s just what I need after a long day.”

Nora pushed the bowl towards Ollie and she spilled it on his pants. “What the – it’s hot.” He tugged at my apron to dab the stew off his clothing. His hand made contact with my leg and I knew it was on purpose just as spilling the bowl on him was. Mr. Mercer was clueless so we had a quick moment together. Ollie spoke in hushed tones. “I love you. Nothing will keep us apart. You are my reason for living Nora.”

Nora saw her Mother rushing over to help. Nora spoke into Ollie ear. “I’m pregnant.”

Nora only managed to get the words out before Clara Grippon appeared on the scene. Ollie fell back on the log as he processed what Nora had just told him. Before Nora could gauge his reaction, Mrs. Grippon whisked her away.

“I hope that wasn’t a clever ploy to be alone with Oliver.”

“No mother. It was not a clever ploy.” Nora didn’t lie because it was not a clever ploy. She should have made certain that she had more time with Oliver.

That night, Nora went to sleep in the Wagon with her sister Ellie. Her blanket was always folded neatly at the rear of the wagon. When Nora went to fix her bed, she found a prairie flower. She knew Ollie carefully placed it there. She pressed the flower in a book. Each night the caravan travelled towards the Rocky Mountains she found a flower waiting for her. She knew Ollie was thinking of her and of their baby.

The caravan had finally reached the base of the Rocky Mountains. By her calculations, Nora was 2 months pregnant and she had a slight swell in her belly. The next weeks would be a tremendous challenge and her concern for her unborn child was at the forefront of her mind. She and Ollie were occasionally able to steal a glance and Nora could tell that he shared her concern. Mr. Wild was an expert at predicting the weather and they had timed their trip perfectly so far. The mountain range had it’s own fickle weather pattern and there were stories of entire parties disappearing while on their way to California.

Nora Grippon’s family along with the Mercer and Wild Families were healthy so it was wise to keep the Galloway family separate. They all crammed in one wagon and they ate their meals away from the others. Mrs. Sally Callaway and young Sue were suffering from some type of fever. Nora heard them coughing at night. Nora was in charge of leaving hot food for them outside of their wagon. It was while she was completing her chore that Nora spoke with Ollie for the first time in weeks.

“Ollie, what are you doing here my love?” Nora was leaving a pot of hot broth and crackers when Ollie found her.

“I had to get away. How is your pregnancy and does anyone suspect?”

“No one knows except you. It’s a miraculous time and the sickness that I thought came with pregnancy didn’t affect me. The only difference is my increased appetite. I sneak food whenever possible and I swear, I could eat a horse.”

“Don’t do that. We need our teams to make it over the pass,” Ollie joked.

Nora grabbed Ollie’s hand and put it on her belly. “I feel him swimming around all the time but I don’t think you can feel him yet. Too soon.”

“A do feel a bump. You said
he
, do you believe we will have a son?”

“I think a son first and a daughter second and we’ll continue in that pattern until I can’t have any more.” Nora paused and listened to Sue coughing. “Is there any break I her fever Ollie?”

“No and she’s so tired. Too exhausted to open her eyes even when she’s awake. Did your Mother tell you that you had to choose between me and your family?”

“She did,” Nora, answered.

“Mine too. You are with my child Nora and that makes you my family now. Do you agree?”

“With all my heart. When I tell my parents that I’m pregnant, I’m hoping they’ll see things differently. I’m going to try and hold off until we get to California because I’m hoping they’ll be distracted by the Gold Rush.”

“I hope that works but things are quickly changing with the illness of my family and a change in route that will make our cross longer. You’ll be big as a house and unable to conceal your condition.”

They heard movement from inside the wagon and Ollie’s father called out. Ollie grabbed Nora’s face and kissed her passionately. “I sure do miss being with you by the creek in Burk Iowa. I love you more every day Nora. Get back to your family before they come looking for you.”

****

Winds were fierce and the temperatures plunged as the caravan crept over the mountains. The wagon train paused because of the winds and an unexpected snowfall. It seemed that the folks who stayed in Burk were right about the conditions. They were unbearable.

“We are out of food but we’ll avoid shortages by rationing what we have left. The young children eat first and your Mother and I will have what’s left at the end. We’ll only eat what’s necessary to maintain our strength.” Ned Grippon delivered an update to the family each morning.

“Father, how are Mrs. Callaway and Sue?” Nora asked.

“Not good at all. Theo thought of turning back but that makes no sense, as we’re more than halfway over the mountaintop. Things are very grave and all we can do is pray. We’re taking a break today so wagon wheels can be repaired before we begin our descent.”

“Is there anything that I can do today father?” Nora asked.

“Read the Bible with the children and collect firewood from the nearby stand of juniper Trees. Quite a few branches have fallen under the weight of the snow, which I know you can handle Nora. Things are getting tough, which requires you to perform manly tasks. You don’t have a problem with that do you?”

“No father.” If he knew she was four months along in her pregnancy, things would be different.

Nora donned her wool coat and climbed out of the wagon into the snow. Her belly was only a bit larger than normal but it made her clumsy. It was quiet as she walked to the juniper grove, except for the incessant wheezing coming from the Callaway’s wagon. Nora looked up at the crescent moon when she rolled over a branch and fell to the ground. She laid still for a moment but the pain in her ankle was too much to bear and she let out a yelp. When no one came to her aid, she called out.

“Help me, help, help.” Nora’s voice grew louder. “Father help me, I’ve fallen.” There was no response so she tried a different approach. “Ollie. I fell down please come help me.”

Ollie flew out of his wagon at the same time Ned Grippon ran to his daughter’s aid. Ned came first and with a quick jerk threw Nora over his shoulder.

“Stop.” Ollie cried. “Nora is carrying a child. You’ll hurt the baby carrying her that way.”

Ned looked at Ollie and laid Nora down gently. Without a thought, the two men started working together to get Nora safely into the back of the Grippon wagon. Ned Grippon didn’t react with anger because it didn’t matter what he thought anymore. His daughter was going to have a baby and it didn’t matter how it came to be.

“Clara, I need you to check Nora for bleeding. She’s pregnant with Ollie’s child and we have to be sure the child is o.k.”

The men turned their backs and Clara asked that her daughter spread her legs. Everything was fine but the ankle was another story. It was badly sprained and perhaps broken so Mr. Grippon splinted her leg. When things calmed Mr. Grippon looked to his daughter.

“I’m mad Nora. I’m mad as hell that you let me send you out in your condition. If not for Ollie’s sense to tell me that you were pregnant, I could have harmed you and the baby.”

“We didn’t mean for it to happen Father. It was our destiny.”

“Destiny or not it happened Nora. I think your Mother will agree with me that this child should not be born a bastard. I guess this means that we have to hurry on to California so the two of you can be married. Oops, I should have left the asking up to you Oliver.”

Nora was bundled up in blankets with tears of joy and pain from the ankle, in her eyes. Oliver got down on one knee. Clara Grippon pulled a ribbon out of her hair and handed it to Ollie.

“Will you do me the pleasure of being my wife Nora Grippon?”

“I will Oliver Callaway.” Nora said as Ollie tied the ribbon around her finger.

Ned gave the news to his friend Theo, which he shared with his wife. It took time for everyone to get used to the idea but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise for all.