Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) (15 page)

“We aren’t angry dear, just want you to know you aren’t a servant here. We pay you for some extra help downstairs but you are under our care.” Amber said from the rocking chair. She seemed content with a blanket on her lap and what looked to be a cup of tea at the side table.

“I know I am not a servant, I am sorry if I implied that you treated me as such.” Angie stood with her head down, completely bewildered.

“Angela, you don’t understand. We are not angry with you at all. Calm yourself.” Gabe walked in front of Angela and lifted her chin. “We are trying to help you adapt to this new life of yours. You still are sometimes acting like a servant around here and we just decided to help you stop. You are so helpful and sweet but we also want to allow you some freedom to grow up a bit too.”

Two fat tears slip down Angie’s cheeks. “You aren’t angry with me?” Her voice was small and pitiful.

“No, my dear girl. Come sit next to me. Let’s talk about baby names until you calm yourself.” Amber gave a nod in the direction of the chair next to her. Angie was handed a full bowl by Gabe and she took a few deep breaths and listened to Amber’s ideas. She ate her stew and let the friendship calm her down.

Gabe delivered a bowl to his wife and had one for himself, then sat across from the women in a cushioned chair by the fire. He propped his feet up on an ottoman. 

The women spoke of pleasant things and Amber seemed relaxed and more comfortable to Angela’s eyes. She was relieved to see it.

After dinner Angela excused herself to write another letter to Corinne before Ted and Clive left tomorrow morning on the steamer. Angie’s thoughts were distracted as she finished the letter and stared out the window into the darkening sky of dusk. The sun went down so early in January but Angela enjoyed hearing the water now that they lived so close to the new wharf. If the breeze was not so chilly she would leave her windows open but she thought she would catch a chill.

Her heart felt torn apart today. She was thinking about Sean and hoping for the best with the new plan of advertising to find him. Also whenever Clive left it felt strange, Corinne always claimed that Clive was her long lost Grandfather and now Angie wanted to claim the same. His heart had room for her too, it seemed. She was so thankful for the many good friends she had recently been blessed with. To think, it had not even been three months and she had grown close to so many people here in this city on the bay. Ted came to her mind and the thought of him leaving grieved her a bit, too. She was not exactly sure why but there was something about him. She let the thought go and sealed the finished letter.

* * * * *

Ted came by after Angela has gone back into the sitting room. Everyone was cozy by the fire when they heard the bell from downstairs. Ted had a key and they could tell it was him from his light and quick steps up the staircase. He knocked and Gabe let him in.

Angela could not help but notice her face getting warm as she smiled at Ted. He seemed to be blushing to her too but it was probably just the chilled air on his cheeks. It was brisk outside today.

The visit was pleasant but short. Ted gladly accepted Angela’s letter and promised to deliver it into Corinne’s hand personally.

“You will certainly be treated well by her family. Her father lives next door and Marie, his wife, will certainly have you over for dinner.” Angela said, her heart missing her Oregon family so much.

“That sounds wonderful. Clive has been telling me great things about Oregon. I have hopes of my own farm someday. Perhaps I can convince my mother to come west to start over. I am working hard and hope to save enough in the next few months to afford that very thing. With the Lord’s help I can do it. Labor is paid well here. I will not miss this city much though, but for the few dear friends I have made and the small church. This city grows too fast to deal with the gangs and evil on the streets. I pray often you find your brother soon. So you can be home and safe back in Oregon.” Ted said. It was the most he had ever said to her. Giving her more glimpses into his personality.

“I pray that every day.” Angela said with a small smile.

“I will bring back letters from your friend in a few weeks, perhaps a bit more. Clive has some work set up for me, helping him with shipping supplies and also something in Portland, a small town that is growing in Oregon near Oregon City.” Ted said. He felt privileged to have earned the trust of Clive. He was a well-respected man everywhere he went. Ted was very eager to see more of the west than just this city, having Clive as his guide was a lucky break.

“I look forward to hearing all about it. I do hope you enjoy your trip.” Angela said sincerely. “I would love to know more about Portland. I do miss Oregon so very much.” She knew she could have said more but her throat was growing tight with emotions. She didn’t want to squeak while talking and give herself away.

Ted left shortly with well wishes and Clive stopped by to say “goodbye” and gave Gabe a slap on the back then they talked a little business.

Angela gave Clive a long hug before he left. She wiped away a few tears and Clive in his usually fashion cheered her up with kind words before he too had to go.

* * * * *

Ted and Clive made quick time on the ship from San Francisco bay to Portland. The days aboard the steamship were spent talking and swapping stories. The town of Portland was a quaint port town. Clive told him about the founders and how they were connected to Oregon City, connecting the farmland and keeping trade routes running smoothly.

“It’s how our country thrives,” Clive shared enthusiastically. Ted had a hard time not jumping into his enthusiasm.

“I want to see if there are any buildings for sale to get another store started. Wanting to sell the San Francisco store to an interested party or maybe just hire on a manager that doesn’t have a family. It’s getting too rough for my grandson and his lovely wife.” Clive continued.

“I agree, I fear for my own safety often. The fire still gives me nightmares, and the street gangs keep me up at nights. I live so near the square I can hear the brawls every few days!” Ted added. He also feared for someone else, a young lady that was occupying much of his thoughts of late.

They stayed at the boarding house near the wharf. The place was run by a husband and wife that had a lovely dinner each night for their boarders. Clive and Ted felt welcomed and enjoyed the company of the owners and guests. They were all entertained by Clive’s stories and magnetic personality.

The next day they surveyed some land for sale and Clive on the impulse took the deal, there was already a general goods store in town but Clive had other ideas. With his connection in Sacramento, San Francisco and the expanding ports up the coast he knew that an imported goods store with access to China, Russia, and with the boats coming from the eastern coast of the US, he could provide this area with a variety of goods beyond just a general store. He was at the bank and paid for the land by mid-afternoon. Ted just followed around the older gentleman with awe.

They rented a few horses from the town stables and headed off to talk to a few folks that Clive heard spoken of in town. One man owned a lumber camp and another man who owned a wool mill.

They ended up staying at the lumberman’s home and by morning an arrangement was made. Clive had worked out a deal that saved the lumber harvester time and energy by agreeing to purchase a certain amount of lumber each month. The miller also worked out a deal with Clive, having a few women in Oregon City who were experts with the raw wool. Clive was a superb businessman who had an uncanny ability to make everyone comfortable.

Clive seemed to live modestly, dressed is a simple suit on some occasions and like a trapper on others. He spoke like a trapper when he wanted too, mostly for humor’s sake, but could be all business and proper when the situation called for it. He was a man’s man that respected women more that anyone Ted had ever met. He was the first man Ted had ever really looked up to. He would like to be able to say his father was a great man, but he wasn’t. The competition between his father and Uncle had made both the men fools. Ted’s mother always hinted to Ted that he was stronger than any Greaves man. She had told him stories about the men in her own family. They had been practical and hard workers, like Ted was. Knowing a man like Clive Quackenbush made him proud.

As they traveled Clive shared how he had come to the west years before. He knew all the founders of the towns and had so many stories to share about the development.  Ted adored the mountainous country with wide fertile valleys. It was heavenly. He was starting to imagine what a future would look like here.

The next day was spent down some lightly traveled roads connecting Portland to Oregon City. The roads were muddy and the route was winding. The terrain had lots of hills and rocks to move around but Ted could see that a wagon could make the trip, once they stopped at the top of an impressive mound and got a full view of the valley laid out. Mount Hood was enormous in the landscape.

“My home is heading toward Mount Hood.. We should be able to rest there in a few hours. I am ready for some rest. I don’t usually spend such a long day in the saddle anymore. Last time I did was on the Oregon Trail. If I ever go back east again I will go by ship. The mountain pass and deserts are something I can remember just fine. I have no need to see ‘em again.” Clive said while absorbing the view.

“The ship was not a very pleasant one for me. I must say. But some of the horror stories of the trials on the trail were enough to make me decide to go by sea.” Ted shared.

“Well, I know a few reputable folks in New York you can ask about how to get your family safely back in comfort. The Panama way is much quicker, as long as your kin wouldn’t mind riding on donkeys for a day or two.” Clive said.

“Your references would be appreciated. I fear that my father and his brother Hank were fool-hardy in their choice.” Ted said, his tone dropping.  Clive noticed Ted was feeling grim about something but would let him share in his own time.

“Usually you get what you pay for… save your money and take a more expensive vessel is always my best advice.” Clive took another moment to soak in the valley and the snowy peaks of the mountains and then kicked his heels slightly and moved his mount forward. The thought of a warm bed and fireplace, hot food and great company was pushing him onward.

* * * * *

Willamette Valley

“Dear Clive!” Corinne kissed Clive’s cheek and Lucas reached forward through the door and gave Clive a clap on the shoulder.

“I knew if I didn’t come today you would hear I had arrived and beat me with sticks” Clive declared, and Corinne nodded her agreement.

“Get yourselves in…” Corinne opened the door wide and allowed Clive and his guest in.

Lucas took care of the men’s coats. Clive and the young man with him both had packages. Lucas took them and placed them on the table nearby.

“This here is a new friend, from upstate New York by way of San Francisco. Mr. Ted Greaves this is Corinne and Lucas Grant.”

“Welcome Mr. Greaves.” Lucas said and both he and Corinne shook his hand. “Please call us Corinne and Lucas. We hope you are enjoying our valley.”

“Oh, yes, very much.” Ted said shyly, it was hard for him to know what to say around new people but he would work on opening up.

“Ted has been a great worker for the mercantile and around town. I figured to drag him along with me. A strong back and company is never a thing I will turn down.” Clive grinned.

Lucas led the way to the sitting room near the fireplace. The crackling fire was high and warm.

“You have a lovely place here Mrs… Mrs… I mean Corinne. Your cabin is much more impressive than I expected. San Francisco has so many haphazard buildings I nearly forgot about what a comfortable home looked like… please feel free to call me Ted.” Ted said, trying to move past his discomfort.

“I am pleased that you like it. I have to give credit to the builders, we have added on but they had the fine taste and skill to build everything you see here. I was deeded the land.” Corinne shared. “A sort of disjointed family connection. I would say.” Corinne gave a look to her husband and he smiled conspiratorially.

“I have been told many stories about this place from Miss Fahey, she misses you both so very much. I heard from her that your father lives close by.” Ted felt more at ease.

“Yes indeed, in the plot next to ours. We have our house on the far edge of our land and he on his. That way it keeps us closer and safer from predators.” Corinne was talking with her hands as she spoke. It made him realize that Angela did that too. He could see why they were dear friends.

The talk lasted for a while, Clive jumping in and asking about the entire local happenings. Lucas and Clive talked about the future of Oregon Territory, whether it would become a state. It was hoped for by most. Some thought that perhaps it would be its own country, but few people wanted to be separate. The popular consensus was that the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean should be united.

Marie stopped by later with a basket full of dinner items and took her chance to hug Clive and meet the young Mr. Greaves. They were invited to dine with them the next night. Continuing the feeling of hospitality and kindness in Ted’s mind.