A Dream for Tomorrow (24 page)

They remained like that for a long moment, eyes locked while seated on their horses. It was almost like a contest…who would look away first.

“And you shouldn’t settle for less,” he told her quietly. Then he turned and looked away. “I wouldn’t want you to.”

She took in a slow breath, trying to steady the fluttery skittish feeling inside of her, hoping he could not see it.

“Excuse me,” he said. “It looks like there’s a breakdown near the front of the train. I should go and lend a hand.”

“Yes, of course.” She stayed put, watching him ride away, a pale cloud of dust rising up behind him. And somehow she knew that this moment was like a crossroads for them. He was riding away from her now, and that was how it was meant to be. They were too different. She wanted a home, family, community, security. He wanted his freedom, adventure, independence. It was like the old story of the fish falling in love with the bird…where would they build their home?

As they traveled through Soda Springs and along the twisting Snake River, the going gradually grew a bit easier. At least on some days. On other days it seemed that nothing went right. Wagons would break down or an animal would need to be put down. Sometimes the wagon train was delayed by a burial service and sometimes by a birth. Sometimes, following a less challenging day, the travelers in unit five gathered for music and merriment. However, Eli seemed noticeably absent of late.

Elizabeth wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but Will appeared to be making the most of Eli’s absence. He seemed to take for granted that his company was welcome. And it was undeniable that Will Bramford was a good companion. A perfect gentleman, intelligent, interesting, witty…what more could a widow hope for? At least that’s what Flo and Lavinia liked to tell Elizabeth every time they got the chance to!

“Have you heard the latest news?” Will asked her one night. Everyone was in good spirits because they would reach another milestone the next day—Fort Hall.

“What sort of news?” she asked as she tapped her toes to the music.

“Well, it’s not actually news yet.” He lowered his voice as he led her away from the area where the young people were dancing a reel to the lively music. “In fact, it is a secret. But if you promise to keep it under your hat…” He chuckled. “Or under your bonnet, I’d like to share it with you, and I’d appreciate your opinion.”

She nodded, suddenly curious as to this news.

They were a good distance away from the crowd now. Will leaned close to her and whispered into her ear. “Julius is planning to propose matrimony to Mahala.”

“Truly?” Elizabeth blinked. She knew the two had been spending time together, but she’d not heard a single word of this. Yet she walked with Lavinia and Flo nearly every morning. Were they keeping this away from her?

“Furthermore, their parents don’t even know about it yet.”

This was even more surprising. “Then how did you find out?”

“Julius is my godson. He came to me first, asking me my opinion.”

“Of course. What an honor for you.”

“Yes…but it’s also quite a responsibility. I wouldn’t want to misguide my only godson.”

Now she felt worried. Her first impression, back in March, was that these Bostonians were awful snobs. And the Flanders…well, they were good hardworking people, but they were not the sort that the highfalutin Bostonians would normally include in their circle of friends back in Boston. In fact, they had taken some time to bridge that social gap. But the wagon train was a good place for forging new relationships. Even so, Elizabeth sometimes wanted to laugh out loud at the strange irony of befriending both Lavinia and Flo. She could hardly imagine two women more different. And yet for the most part, they got along.

“As I said, I am honored Julius asked for my advice.” Will was watching the young dancers with an intense expression.

“And how did you advise him, may I ask?”

“It’s my opinion that if Julius loves Mahala, and if Mahala loves Julius, then why should anyone stand in their way?”

Elizabeth nodded. It seemed the only fair response. But now she was considering this relationship from another angle. Certainly Mahala was a dear girl, but the way she had shifted her affections so swiftly from the disreputable Jack Smith to sweet Julius Prescott…well, it was a bit disconcerting.

Part of Elizabeth had been relieved that Mahala so easily forgot Jack, but another part of her was bewildered by this rapid change of heart. Was it truly possible to fall in and out of love so quickly, so easily? Perhaps for the young. But what if Mahala truly didn’t love Julius? Or what if she didn’t love him quite as much as Julius appeared to love her? Of course, Elizabeth knew this wasn’t her concern. And she would never voice these questions. Not to anyone. Besides that, she had made a promise to Mahala and she intended to honor it—the incident with Jack Smith would remain undisclosed. Still, it was unsettling to harbor such a secret.

“What do you think?”

“What?” She looked at him. “Think about what?”

“Do you think it’s wise for Julius and Mahala to become engaged?”

“Oh…well…I don’t see why they shouldn’t…if their love is genuine.” She felt a bit nervous now. “However, I do wonder why you are telling me about all this…why you’d care about my opinion. What difference does it make what I think?”

He looked into her eyes with tenderness. “I’ve taken you into my confidence because I have no one else to discuss this with. Certainly not Julius’ parents. Not yet anyway. And not my own children. Belinda and Amelia wouldn’t be able to keep quiet about it. Do you mind that I shared it with you? Am I out of line?”

“No…no, not at all. I was just curious. I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

“Because I feel that you’re my friend, Elizabeth. I know I can trust you.”

She smiled back at him. “Yes, of course, we’re friends, and I’m honored you confided in me. And I do think Julius and Mahala will make a fine couple. I’m sure they’ll be very happy together.”

He let out a sigh. “It’s a relief to hear you say that.” He rubbed his chin. “I really do trust your judgment, Elizabeth.”

“I’m sure both sets of parents will be pleased to give their blessing.”

“Even Lavinia?” His brow creased slightly as if, like her, he was well aware of the social differences of these two families.

“Even Lavinia.” She gave him a confident smile. “I’m sure of it.”

“That is a huge relief. You have no idea.” He let out an even bigger sigh. “I’m surprised I’ve found this so worrisome, but it’s because I want the best for Julius. And for Mahala too, of course.”

“Of course.” Elizabeth pushed thoughts of Jack Smith to the back of her mind.

“Now I just hope that my own children aren’t planning matrimony anytime soon.”

“Nor mine.”

Will laughed. “I should think not!”

Elizabeth had difficulty imagining that JT or Ruth could grow old enough to wed. Oh, she knew it was a fact of life, but the idea of her children marrying, leaving her alone, starting families of their own…it was all rather unsettling. And yet JT was only seven years younger than Julius. And it wasn’t unusual for girls just eight years older than Ruth to marry. What would her life be like if she was completely alone in fewer than ten years?

“You seem deep in thought.”

Elizabeth shook herself from her dismal imaginings, forcing her attention back on Will. “I’m sorry. Truth be told, I was feeling somewhat disturbed to think that Ruth and JT will be old enough to marry one day…and that they will leave the nest.” She forced a smile. “I know it’s inevitable, and I would want it no other way. And yet I cannot imagine my life without my children. It made me feel so lonely.”

“Oh, I doubt you’ll ever need to concern yourself with that, Elizabeth.”

“Why not?”

He waved his hand over to where various members of her family were either making music or dancing or visiting with others from their unit. “Your family seems to have a special bond. And I suspect your children will always want to live near you. Also, you seem to adopt new family members wherever you go. I doubt you’ll ever be alone.”

Her smile grew more authentic now. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Quite frankly, I cannot imagine you ever living alone.” His dark eyes glimmered with what seemed genuine affection. “I know I would be distressed by the thought.”

She felt her cheeks growing warm at what seemed his obvious insinuation. But instead of responding to it, she pointed to the dancers. “Oh, look, they need another couple for a square.”

“What are we waiting for?” He grabbed her by the hand, and they hurried over to join the young people in a square. But as they went through the dance moves, Elizabeth felt Will’s eyes fixed more firmly on her than ever before. As they performed the do-si-do and the promenade, she felt as if she were stepping into a whole new kind of wilderness—and it wasn’t just the Oregon Territory.

Chapter Sixteen

C
aptain Brownlee called a midday meeting in Soda Springs, which was a beautiful spot. To preserve travel time, which was always their top priority, he asked the emigrants to bring their lunches with them. And so they gathered in a sweet green meadow for what felt like a very large picnic.

“First of all, I congratulate all of you on making a fine journey thus far,” his voice boomed out across the meadow. “As you know, some of us are soon to part ways. Those of you who are bound for California or the Applegate Trail will be heading south with Major Thompson in a few days. As planned, I will lead the rest of the train northward on the Oregon Trail. For those purposes I must reorganize the train, and I want all councilmen to meet at my wagon after we stop for the day. The councilmen will meet with their units later this evening.”

The captain paused, looking out over the crowd. “I wish I could tell you that the hardest part of the journey is behind us, but that would be a severe falsehood. Long and difficult traveling days lie ahead for us. I pray that the strength and savvy you have acquired from the first part of our journey will fortify you to successfully finish this race.” He took off his hat, waving it. “And to the travelers heading south, you will be in good hands with Major Thompson. I wish all of you Godspeed and safety for the remainder of your journey.” He replaced his hat, and as he walked away, everyone in the meadow clapped and cheered loudly.

But even in the midst of this merriment and celebration, even as they were sitting in this sunny lovely meadow, Elizabeth felt a chill run down her spine. She sensed that the captain was warning them—the hardest part of the journey was still ahead. She looked at her children, cheering loudly with everyone else, and silently prayed that the good Lord who had brought them safely thus far would continue to do so.

Everyone remained in high spirits for the remainder of the day. And indeed, the traveling was relatively easy and the weather pleasant enough. There was no reason for anyone to be glum. At the end of the day, Elizabeth’s foreboding feelings seemed to have evaporated. Or perhaps she’d imagined them.

As she and Clara were setting up camp and getting ready to fix supper, she was surprised to see Gert approaching them. She and Gert hadn’t been the best of friends, but they had reached a place of mutual respect. At least Elizabeth had assumed as much. But as Gert approached, her expression was grim.

“Evening, Elizabeth.” Gert nodded with a somber expression. “Evening, Clara.”