Sarah sat back on her heels. “This is probably as good as any time to tell you all that I’ll be having another little one in about six months.” She blushed, and held her hand to her stomach.
“Sarah Boyle, you’ve kept this secret from us?” Abigail chided as she hugged her.
“Sarah, I’m so happy for you.” Elizabeth hugged her as well. “So I guess this is a good time for me to announce our new little one. Doctor Bennett figures sometime in the spring.” She also blushed and ducked her head.
“Oh, my,” Emma said. “With me due in February, Sarah in March, and now Elizabeth soon after, I think that gives us enough reason to stay in touch. Three little ones!” Emma looked at the women and grinned. “And I would say this has been a very busy wagon train.”
All four women laughed as they gathered up their clothes to hang on the nearby bushes. Emma brought her things back to the wagon, since Davis had strung a rope from the wagon to one of the trees for her to use.
She had just hung up the last of her clean laundry when Nate approached her. He seemed to walk taller since the encounter with the Indians. Nate’s ability to speak with the chief, along with Ezra keeping everyone calm, avoided what could have been an ugly situation.
“Good evenin’, Emma.” Nate touched the brim of his hat. “How are you getting along?”
“Fine. I’m really glad we’re getting to the end of our journey. But Davis assures me there’s still a lot of work to be done when we get there.”
Nate’s face muscles clenched at her words. “So you’re staying with him?”
“Davis is my husband and we’re expecting a child.” She put her hand on the small bulge, rubbing gently. Nate’s eyes went to where her hand rested and a look of misery shadowed his face.
“What about Indiana? I thought you wanted to go back.”
“I can’t even think about that until after the baby comes. There’s no way I’m giving birth in a traveling wagon.”
Nate moved closer, reaching out his hand to hold hers. “I would do anything for you. You know that. I’m still going to check into an annulment when we arrive in Oregon City. And I’ll wait till the baby is born, but then I hope you make the right decision for your future.” Lifting her hand, he kissed it gently and then disappeared into the darkness.
Emma sighed and looked up at the sky. She marveled at the inky blackness, dotted with millions of small, twinkling stars. Were her mama and papa looking up at the sky right now too? She sorely missed them, but after all these months, and the baby coming, what she should do remained elusive.
Somewhere along the way she had caught Davis’s excitement at having a horse farm. Having lived in town all her life, she didn’t have a strong relationship with horses, but she certainly could ride since it was t
he only way to get around. New husband, new baby, new home, new farm. So many changes. Her palm moved down to where the new life she carried sat snug and secure.
She liked Nate, always had, but did she want to hurt Davis by returning to Indiana, taking their child? Would he even allow the child to go? Being so travel weary, the thought of repeating the trip shortly after the baby’s birth repulsed her.
And what about Davis? He was kind, considerate, passionate, and funny. She enjoyed his company, and looked to him for help and protection. But did they love each other? He certainly showed signs of it every time another man came near, but possessiveness didn’t necessarily mean love.
Her own feelings confused her. So adamant at the beginning to return to her parents, all these months on the trail had changed her. She was no longer the little girl she’d been in Indiana. She was going to be a mother soon. Now she would be the mama, protecting and guiding her child.
Davis walked up behind her, enveloping her in his strong arms, and rubbed her stomach. “How’s my family tonight?” he whispered in her ear. Feeling a little guilty for her thoughts, Emma turned, wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head on his chest. She could hear his strong heartbeat. The only thing she was certain about at this point was nothing would be clear until after the baby came. And before that, they had a lot of other things to think about.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Autumn had arrived in full force. Trees along the trail sported an array of golden, red and orange leaves. Against the hills and valleys, the foliage resembled fire rising up to cool in the crystal clear blue sky.
Log houses appeared and abundant wheat and cornfields had dotted the area for miles now. Obviously everything they heard about Oregon rang true. The land was plentiful, with tidy, productive farms.
Despite the bright sun, the air remained cool. Shortly after noon, Emma saw Oregon City for the first time. Not too sure what she’d expected, her curiosity knew no bounds as she looked excitedly around the town. She spotted a church, and wondered if Jeb would still set up his church here, or move on to another area in the Territory.
There were stores, blacksmiths, flourmills and an actual newspaper. They plodded past the Federal Land Office, a small bank, and the post office. Horses, wagons and people overflowed the area. Even though she was so far from Indiana, this small town reminded her of home. Happy and sad at the same time, she turned to Davis and smiled brightly with tears in her eyes. Seeming to understand her conflicting emotions, he squeezed her hand.
“Ezra wants to call a final meeting before we all go our separate ways.” Davis stopped the animals, jumped down, then reached up for Emma. He swung her down, and putting his arm around her shoulders, strode to where Ezra had gathered everyone in front of the post office.
Amused at how energized Davis had become since they’d entered the town, Emma shivered with conflicting emotions. She’d started this trip with one man, ended it with a different one. She’d worried about leaving her parents behind, now she worried more about the health of her own child. Instead of merely months, it seemed as though years had passed.
Smiling broadly, Ezra looked around at the weary, but excited travelers. “Folks, we’ve reached Oregon City. This is the end of the wagon train. Some of you will settle here, some further out, but before we all say our goodbyes, I’ve asked Jeb to offer a blessing.”
Jeb moved to stand next to Ezra. Bowing his head, he waited a moment, and then spoke. “Lord Father, we thank you for your love and caring. We acknowledge your help in guiding this group of worthy people to their destination. We ask you to keep those we lost and buried on the trail in your loving arms. May we all proceed with our new lives in your mercy and guidance. Amen.”
Amens echoed as Jeb glanced up at the group who had been friends and practically family for months.