HOME IN THE MEADOW
CHAPTER TWO.
On the Oregon Trail early spring 1854.
The wagon train had been on the trail for about two weeks and they had just stopped for the night, when two wagons pulled p and stopped.
One was a normal Conestoga but the other one reminded Rick of a gypsy caravan. Essentially a small house on wheels. A red-headed, pale faced stepped down from the driver's seat of the caravan. He was dressed all in black and was wearing a clerical collar. He approached Captain Sorensen.
"I am Father Patrick. Donovan My deacon and I wish to join your wagon train." Captain Sorensen grimaced at the thought of two more wagons and the possible trouble they might cause.
"That will be twenty-five dollars per wagon. Do you have the cash?"
"Yes, we do. I will get it immediately."
"Wait one minute, is your deacon armed?"
"Yes, he is, as am I. The scriptures do not forbid a man, even a priest from defending himself or others. In fact, Jesus said He whom has no sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one. I have a plains rifle and a .36 Colt revolver. My deacon has a twelve bore double barrel shotgun and a .36 pepperbox. We both know how to use them. I was in the Irish guards before taking holy orders."
The priest was a wiry man of medium height. His deacon, Sean Rourke was a bear of a man standing six feet four and weighing two hundred fifty pounds. The priest got the money and paid the fees.
Jim Beckett saw the priest and after unharnessing went to see him.
"I am James Beckett, Father. I am very glad to see you. There are six Catholic families on the train and we've had no spiritual guidance since leaving Independence, except reading from our bibles and Missals.'
"Pleased to meet you Mister Beckett. I am Father Patrick Donovan and this is my deacon, Sean Rourke. We will hold a Mass as soon as we are settled. Say tomorrow evening?'
"That's wonderful news. I shall spread the word."
Kate and Johanna were delighted to hear the word and looked forward to the Mass. Josh, not so much. He was nominally Catholic but only attended for appearances sake. He had been happy to not have to bother and now a damned priest had shown up. He grumbled the next evening but attended the Mass to keep peace in the family.
Rick considered attending since he too, was nominally Catholic but bitter and angry had not attended church or gone to confession since Kyra's death. He knew that he should be teaching Richard Junior about God and Jesus Christ, but even after three years the hurt was still too raw.
Rationally he knew that death in childbirth was all too common and that it was just a risk that women ran but reason and emotion are not often companions. He did note that coming back from the Mass, the Becketts seemed more at ease but the Davidsons were tense. He shrugged. It was no business of his.
Rick liked to smoke a pipe with aromatic tobacco. Unlike most smokers of his time, he didn't like cigars or cigarettes. One evening after supper he was filling his pipe, when Jim Beckett came out of his wagon also filling his pipe. He spoke;
"Good evening, Mister Rodgers. Another pipe smoker, I see. Do you prefer aromatic blends or plain tobacco?"
" Usually, aromatic. So, I had several pounds made up for me at Frederic's Tobacco Emporium before I left New York." Jim smiled.
"Now that is a coincidence. I patronized Frederic's too. May be should try each other's blends."
"That is a good idea. A little variety is a good thing."
Rick's friendship with the Becketts was growing steadily stronger, as they were Friendly, intelligent, well- read people who managed to bring a decent collection of books, as had Rick. Rick was surprised, that when he mentioned his writing career, Jim said that he'd read one of Rick's books, Bugles on the Border. And liked it very much. Rick said that he had copies of his other books and he'd be glad to lend them to Jim.
They usually gathered after supper to smoke and talk, Johanna mostly listening. As the men talked of politics, hunting or fishing or the books they'd read and often having read the same book what they had got out of it. Johanna occasionally commenting on their opinions, but mostly knitting a pair of socks for her namesake.
Kate would sometimes join them, much to her husband's displeasure, but now she outright hated every waking minute in his company. She couldn't help comparing the two big men. One used his size to bully and dominate, was loud and never hesitated in voicing his opinions, expecting everyone to kowtow to him.
The other was quiet and well spoken, flawlessly polite, dignified without being snobbish, absolutely confident in his own strength, never trying to intimidate or act as if he were better than everyone else.
One evening Jim and rick were sitting, not saying much, just smoking and enjoying each other's company when a commotion started in the Davidson wagon. Josh was loud and obviously drunk.
"Damn you woman, I want my husbandly rights and I want them now!"
"Josh, please, it's too soon. The doctor said…."
"I don't care what the doctor said. I want you now. Submit, Damn you!"
"Josh, please, you're hurting me!"
"Then stop resisting." They heard the tearing of cloth and a choked off scream.
Jim jumped up and into hi wagon, emerging with his Navy Colt. He jumped into Davidson's wagon.
Kae's bodice was torn, exposing her breasts and Josh was trying to force her onto the bed.
"Josh, you Hell spawn, let her go." Jim roared. Josh let go of Kate's arm and advanced on Jim.
"Get out of here you old fool, before I have to teach you a lesson."
Not the least bit intimidated, Jim swung the revolver with full force, breaking Davidson's nose all over again. Josh fell back, crying.
"Oh God, my nose, not again." Jim grabbed one of Davidson's shirts wiped the blood off the frame of the revolver He the cocked it and leveled it.
"You get out of this wagon, right now, you son of a bitch. Or I will shoot you." Jim dropped the shirt.
Josh grabbed the shirt and holding it to his nose, scrambled out of the wagon. He quickly paid a visit to Doctor Sloane who, after setting the nose again, said;
"Doctor Davidson, you must be the unluckiest man alive or just plain stupid. I set your nose last time for free, out of professional courtesy. This time it will cost you five dollars."
Josh had to go back to the wagon and beg Kate to give him five dollars.
"I will give you the money on condition you never set foot in this wagon again. I have loaded one of the pistols. If you try to get into the wagon, I will shoot you." "But where will I sleep?",
"On the ground, underneath the wagon, just as many men are doing. Here is fifteen dollars. Pay the doctor then go buy an oilcloth and blankets. I am sure that you can find them somewhere."
When Josh went to complain to Sorensen, he was told it was a family matter and didn't concern him. He did have an extra oilcloth and army blankets which he would sell to him for ten dollars. It was an outrageous price for wat were used items, but Sorensen had nothing but contempt for a weak man like Josh.
When Josh went back to the wagon, Kate was waiting outside, with Jim and Johanna, Rick watching from his own wagon. Kate said;
"I have a better idea. You are not man enough to sleep on the ground, so go see father Donovan. He is bound by Christian charity. I am sure that he will let you share the wagon with his deacon. Especially if you make a small donation. I will send your share of the provisions weekly. The priest or the deacon can surely cook."
Josh instantly became the laughingstock of the wagon train.
Lanie was checking on the provisions to make sure they were rationing them properly. She hadn't been sure that Rick had bought enough of the basics so she talked to Roy and he agreed to buy some more.
She bought another two hundred pounds of flour, the same of corn meal, another fifty pounds of bacon, ten pounds each of sugar, salt and coffee. A pound of black pepper, two pounds of tea (for her) lard, a keg of molasses and yeast.
She knew that they probably wouldn't run out of anything on the trip, but they would need supplies when they reached their destination, so she would have to manage what they had carefully. There were already settlements in Oregon so some local goods should be available for barter or purchased. She had just finished and was going to start preparing supper when a beefy, red-faced man yelled;
"Hey Nigra wench, what ya got in that wagon, I figure that weuns' could use some of what you got. Let us see!"
"I'm no wench, and I'll not let you see any of my employer's goods."
"Why you uppity Nigra, you do what a white man tells you to do or else!"
A very cold voice was heard along with the four clicks of a revolver being cocked.
"Or else what you ignorant swamp rat?"
The southerner turned and found himself staring at a revolver's muzzle not a foot from his face.
He paled and tried to talk but just stammered I,I,I.
"The woman is a free woman of color and works for me. Those are my goods you were attempting to steal. We are going to see Captain Sorensen. We'll not allow any thieves on this train.
"Why are you bringing this man to me at gunpoint, Mister Rodgers."
"He was trying to extort supplies from me by threatening my employee."
"Well Mister Rolfe what do you have to say in your defense?"
"Weuns' didn't have enough money to buy the best goods. They have more than they need. They oughta share."
"If you had asked properly, I'm sure Mister Rodgers would have. What do you want to do, Mister Rodgers?"
"We all have provided enough to get us through with a little reserve. We cannot afford the risk of a thief and a bully who is willing to short others to cover his own stupidity. I say that we should refund his twenty-five dollars and force him and his family to leave the train."
"I'll call a council and decide."
Sorensen called a council of ten men, solid, reliable types. The decision was unanimous. Rolfe and his family were kicked off the train, to return to Independence and maybe try again. "I'll git ya for this, Rodgers." Rolfe growled.
"You can try, swamp rat, but I was in the war and killed better men than you."
A day after Josh was kicked out of the wagon, Kate began joining in with the discussions at meal time, open and friendly as was her nature. She quickly made a start of a friendship with Rick who often get his meals from Lanie and brought them over to eat with the Becketts.
On the third day, Rick brought Richard Junior with him and introduced him. "Mister and Missus Becket, Missus Davidson, Johanna, this is my son, Richard Junior. Richard I' like you to meet Mister and Missus Beckett, Missus Davidson and her daughter Johanna."
They all smiled at the boy and said; "Hello, Richard" although all Johanna managed was Rithard.
After the introductions were over, Kate said;
"Since we are becoming friends, won't you please call me Katherine?"
"I will be glad to, if you will call me Richard."
After that with Rick's admonishment "Be gentle" the two children played together every day.
Three weeks went by since Josh was kicked out of the wagon with him suffering the humiliation of having his provisions doled out to him and a little cash. He had packed four bottles of whisky and two of gin. These Kate gave to him all at once. Josh was drunk, most of the time. When his original stock ran out, he used the cash to buy moonshine from a couple of the teamsters who had a large stock of it. Not only drunk, he was usually slovenly. He witnessed Rick's frequent visits but was already afraid of him, so he did nothing.
One day, an innocent conversation produced a deadly result. With Josh out of the wagon, Kate's naturally friendly, upbeat personality returned full force. At the noon meal, Kate was sitting with her parents and Johanna, when Benoit, the scout, stopped to chat.
"Bonjour, Monsieur Beckett, you are truly a fortunate man to have such lovely ladies in your family. And to sit with them on such a fine day."
Kate blushed and smiled.
Jim said;
"Yes, I am indeed fortunate." Johanna spoke;
"Are you married, Mister Benoit?"
Benoit laughed. "Me Madame? Non. I am, how do you say it? Ah yes. I am a carefree bachelor. So many mademoiselles and so little time. Alas, I must be about my duties."
A hung over and surly Josh witnessed the conversation. Three weeks of humiliation resulted in rage overcoming his cowardly nature. He grabbed a horsewhip out of its' socked on a wagon and advanced on Benoit, whose back was to him. Josh yelled;
"I warned you all not to flirt with my wife. You didn't listen now you'll have to pay the price for your insolence."
He cracked the whip, the first lash striking Benoit's jaw, drawing blood. The second hit his cheek and the third took his hat off. It was obvious that Josh was trying to disfigure or blind Benoit. Benoit half crouched, drew his revolver and fired, the .44 caliber ball hitting Josh in the belly.
Josh screamed and dropped to the ground, clutching his belly.
"Someone get Doctor Sloane." Sloane arrived a couple of minutes later. He knelt unbuttoned Joshes trousers and cut away his shirt and long johns. He shook his head. "There is nothing I can do for him, I'm not a surgeon even if I were, it wouldn't matter. Somebody fetch Father Donovan. This wound is mortal."
Father Donovan came and gave josh his last rites. In his last lucid moments Josh gasped out;
"Tell Katherine I'm sorry." A few minutes later, he died.
Johanna told Kate to take little Johanna and go to Roy's wagon where she could play with Richard Junior. Deacon Rourke brought Davidson's oil cloth and blankets to the wagon. They spread the oil cloth on the bed then the priest and the deacon helped Johanna wash and dress the body in his best. Suit. There was no wood to make a coffin. What spare wood there was would be needed for repairs. They wrapped the body in the blankets and oil cloth and buried the body alongside of the trail, covering the grave with rocks. A simple plank cross was erected, inscribed with the words: Joshua Davidson 1822-1854
Most of the wagon train gathered for the funeral. Having witnessed Davidson's behavior over the past weeks they were curious to see what was said.
Kate didn't have a black dress, never anticipating the events that had happened. She wore a dark blue dress with a veil attached to her hat so that no one could see that she wasn't shedding any tears for Josh.
Jim was the only one who spoke.
"My late son-in-law was not a gentleman. I will quote a line from Shakespeare's Julius Caeser. The evil a man does lives after him. The good is oft interred with his bones. Josh is dead and buried. Let no more be said of him neither ill nor good. It is not for us to judge him. God will do that."
Father Donovan said a short prayer and it was over. Kate took all of her late husband's clothing and shoes and put them in a pile and said;
"If any of you can make use of these things, you are welcome to them.
He'd had a fine silver mounted brush and comb set and an expensive shaving set. Those she sold to Captain Sorensen. His medical books and surgical instruments she sold to Doctor Sloane.
They had been traveling steadily since leaving Intendance and everyone was tired, Sorensen decreed that they would rest for two days before pushing on, as the next leg of the trip was all uphill for twenty miles and he wanted everyone rested.
The down time would be used for "Make and mend". That is make repairs and mend clothes and harnesses.
They made an early camp at noon by a large stream that fed a shallow pond so that clothing could be washed and people who wanted to could bathe. Canvas tops were removed from a couple of wagons and screens were improvised to separate the men from the women.
Rick, Jim Beckett and Roy Montgomery were the first men to bathe followed closely by Father Donovan and Deacon Rourke, all finding the cool water refreshing. After Kate, Johanna and Lanie bathed. They heated water and mixed it with cool then bathed the children in galvanized iron wash tubs.
The bathing done the women prepared to do the washing. Most of the women settled for washing the clothes in the stream as did Kate, Johanna and Lanie for the shirts, trousers and dresses, but wanted hot water for the underclothes and towels. They had used coal in the city, so Rick was the only one familiar with axes and hatchets to cut wood.
Kate had said that she wanted to wash the sheets and blankets to get the smell of Josh off them, but was reluctant because it would take so long to dry. Rick had seen some frontier women use an improvised drying rack by stringing a line between two poles and build low fires under whatever they needed to dry in a hurry. Rick compromised. He strung a rope between the hoops of His wagon and Kate's and went to cut some wood that would burn hot but give off very little or no smoke.
Meanwhile, Jim piled up some stones to support the wash tubs. Rick made several trips and came back with a full armload of wood each time. He then laid the fires and Kate took great pleasure in using all of Davidsons papers as part of the kindling especially his college degree and medical license. The only thing she didn't burn was her marriage certificate, in case she would need it for legal reasons. She would burn it when she remarried. And remarry she would. A widow alone on the frontier would have a tough time of making it and she had a child to care for.
A after the washing was done, Kate and Johanna began preparing the evening meal. Rick was just washing up on the tailgate of his wagon when Kate came over and said;
"Richard, I want to thank you so much for all that you did for us today. Will you please join us for supper?" It's just Irish stew and biscuits, but there is more than enough."
"Thank you for the invitation, Katherine, but Lanie is already preparing my meal and we cannot afford to waste any food."
"Tomorrow then? It would really please me and my parents." "Tomorrow, it is then. I would hate to displease such a lovely lady."
The next day, Rick got up early and took the M1841. He'd noticed a herd of deer near the wagon train, the night before and wanted to try and bag one. He slipped on a pair of moccasins and began his stalk. He was fortunate and came upon a few of the deer feeding near the pond. He selected a young doe without fawns and fired, the bullet hitting the animal in the heart. She ran a few feet and collapsed. He quickly cut her throat to drain as much blood as possible, then carried the carcass back to camp. The butcher was just washing up, when Rick arrived at his wagon. Hey made a deal. The butcher would skin and butcher the animal for two dollars. The offal was buried. Rick took the meat, wrapped in the hide. He gave most of the meat to Lanie, save four steaks, which he took to Kate.
"If you are going to have me to upper tonight, I want to contribute. There is very little tastier than venison steaks cooked over an open fire."
"Thank you, Richard. I've never had venison. How do you cook it?"
"Just like you would beef or pork. It has a little different taste than beef but is very good. Those steaks are from a young doe, so they should be nice and tender."
"Don't forget to bring Richard, Johanna has become quite attached to him." And I am becoming quite attached to you.
In the three weeks between Josh being kicked out of the wagon and his death, Rick had formed a solid friendship with Kate and the Becketts. She was cautious, at first, but soon saw that Rick was the consummate gentleman. The real thing, not the act that Josh had put on to win her affections. He was openly friendly and always courteous. Never presuming anything.
She, in turn, came out of the shell that Josh had forced her into and found that she was craving even more of Rick's company.
The meal that evening was delicious. The meat was roasted to perfection, the pan roasted potatoes just the right side of crisp. Johanna had reconstituted some dried peas. Biscuits with fresh butter and a tart made from dried apples. Of course, there was coffee with fresh cream and sugar. The conversation was light and cheerful. Kate was thankful that Johanna had stopped asking what happened to the mean man and if he was coming back. Dinner over, Rick took Richard back to Lanie, who would put him to bed and watch over him until Rick came to the wagon to go to bed.
Right now, the impromptu musicians were warming up for the dancing and Rick decided to go and watch and maybe dance. After a couple of sets, Nancy Cunningham asked Rick to dance. Nancy was nineteen, the oldest of the four Cunningham sisters. She was blonde and pretty in a buxom, farm girl kind of way.
Kate was watching them dance and found that she didn't like it at all. Johanna noticed Kate's gazing and decided to tease her a little.
"Richard is surely a fine figure of a man and a real gentleman."
"Yes, he is!" Kate said in an annoyed tone.
I hope that put a burr under your saddle my girl. Johanna thought. She hoped and it did.
Yes, he is a fine figure of a man and a gentleman and more than that, a gentle man when he can be. He has a son who needs a mother. I have a daughter who needs a father and I need a man to love and be loved by. I am going to make that man mine, no matter what it takes, from what I am seeing, I have competition and not have much time. I am going to start right now! A little white lie won't hurt anything.
The music stopped for the musicians to take a break. Kate walked over and said;
"Excuse me, Mister Rodgers, but I believe you promised me a dance, earlier."
Rick grinned. "Why yes, I did."
Kate smirked at the put out look on Nancy's face. The music started again and Kate moved gracefully, into Rick's arms. As they danced, Rick said;
"Katherine, that dance promise was a little white lie and I forgive you for it, but from here on out, remember that I hate lies, no matter how small, unless they are meant to avoid hurting someone unnecessarily."
"I understand and I agree. My whole life with Josh was on big lie.
He never loved me. He just saw me as a socially acceptable brood mare to get a son on.
When that didn't happen, he turned cruel and mean. He never loved or even accepted Johanna. The one big lie I will ever tell is one of omission. I will never tell Johanna that Josh was her father.
"She just called him the mean man. When she gets older, if she remembers him at all, I will tell her he was her uncle."
"I am so sorry, Katherine, I never knew and still don't know the whole story."
"Then let's leave the dancing and go back to our wagons. My parents will help me tell you the whole thing."
They went back to the wagons and with Jim and Johanna's help, over the next hour he whole sad story was told, from their first meeting through the miscarriage. Emotionally drained, Kate said;
"I am very tired. I am going to bed. I hope that this doesn't change your view of me."
"Why would it? None of it was your fault. Josh fooled your parents as well. All the bad was on him. Good night, Katherine. Sleep well."
The next afternoon after camp was made, Kate and her parents went to see Father Donovan and told him the whole story from beginning to end. Then Kate said;
"Father, I want you to release me from the required year of Mourning. There was no love between us for the last two years. We can't go back to New York, there is nothing for us there, we sold everything to come west. I must find a husband before we reach Oregon, as I won't be a burden on my parents and I want to marry a man I know something about, not taking a chance on what may be available in Oregon.
I have a daughter to raise and I must know how whether a man accepts her or not."
Father Donovan was a wise, compassionate man and had seen Both Kate and Rick watching over the children as they played. He had a pretty good idea who the prime candidate was.
"You are released, my daughter. Go and seek your mate."
Kate knew that she was taking a big risk, but after all, she'd known Rick two weeks longer than she'd known Josh when he began courting her, But, this time, she was going to begin the courting.
The next night Rick brought his and Richard's dinners with him and ate with Kate and the Becketts. After dinner, as the children played, Kate said;
"Richard, you know my whole story, but I do not know yours. Please tell me." So, another hour went by as another story was told.
"Richard, how sad. You must have loved your Kyra very much."
"I did, from the moment I met her until the day she died. I love her memory but you can't live your life on a memory. I will love again with the right woman."
And the right woman is sitting here in front of you. I must convince you of that. So much is alike in our stories, yet so much is different. One of the biggest stumbling blocks was where you a Catholic or willing to become one. That now is gone. You may have stopped going to Mass or confession, but you are a Catholic. Between My love and Father Donovan, we will bring you back to the faith.
The next week passed slowly as after the long upward trek parts of the trail had been blocked by a heavy landslide which took three days to clear. Rick worked as hard or harder than any man on the train, except Deacon Rourke. When that man pushed something, it moved.
At the end of the day, Rick was so tired that he just washed up, wolfed down his supper and went to bed, just to repeat it the next day. Three days of back breaking labor saw the trail cleared.
As Rick finished washing, Kate came over to him and said;
"Sit down and take off your shirt. I got some liniment from Doctor Sloane your poor shoulders must be aching."
"Isn't this a bit improper?"
"No, it is not! I am simply acting as a friend right now, so quit arguing with me and take off that shirt! Rick took off his shirt and slipped of the top of his long johns. Rick began to relax as Kate massaged the liniment into his shoulders. The most intimate touch he'd had since Kyra died.
Kate, standing behind him, freely ogled Rick's massive shoulders and heavily muscled back. She was glad he couldn't see her blush as she wondered about how certain parts of him were built. Josh had been a big man, but not a strong one and certain parts of him didn't match the rest of him. Perhaps that was why it took her two years to get pregnant.
With his shirt back on, Rick said;
"Thank you, Katherine, but you didn't have to do that. Lanie could have done it."
"You're welcome, Richard, I wanted to do it. Besides, Lanie was busy with Roy and Joesph and if it wasn't done now, you would stiffen up in the morning."
Rick did up his long johns, put his shirt back on and turned to face Kate.
"You are a very special lady Katherine, probably the only woman on the train, besides Lanie who would even have thought to help me. Again, thank you." Kate blushed and looking to make sure that no one could see them, kissed Rick on the cheek and went into her wagon.
The next morning, the trail clear, the wagon train resumed the trek, reaching level ground again, that afternoon.
That night Lanie said;
"Richard, where are your manners? The Beckett's asked you to eat supper with them and you haven't yet returned the favor. You go over there right now and invite them for tomorrow night. I'll fix one of the smaller hams, I've got some sweet potatoes and I'll make beans in molasses. I'll soak the beans overnight. The ham will have to fried but I doubt if anyone will complain. We've got those peach preserves for dessert and I'll get some cream from Missus Miller for the preserves and coffee."
Rick did as he was told, the Becketts and Kate gladly accepting. Jim went to see Sorensen, asking him if he knew if anyone on the train might have a bottle of wine, they would be willing to sell or trade.
Sorensen said that Hans Schlessinger had been a wine merchant and might have brought a few bottles with him. Sorensen pointed out the Schlessinger wagon to him. Jim thanked Sorensen and left.
Hans fit the popular image of a German burgher. A little stout, with graying blonde hair and merry blue eyes. He said yes, he had several bottles he was willing to sell. Why did Jim want it? Jim explained about the dinner invitation. Hans told him to find out what meat would be served and come back. When Jim came back and told Hans that it was ham, Hans brought out a Riesling.
"This is good with ham. I will sell it for a dollar and a half."
"Done.' Jim paid the man, happy to have a nice surprise for the occasion.
Next evening arrived and found everyone taking pains with their appearance, Rick and Kate more so than the rest. Rick set up a canvas screen, had Lanie warm water for him, stood in one of the large wash tubs and bathed as best he could. He shaved, combed his hair, put on clean shirt and trousers, a vest and his blue sack coat a black string tie.
Kate two bathed as best she could in her wagon. Then put on a fresh green dress, a little perfume and did her hair in a soft roll at the nape of her neck. Teasingly, Johanna said;
"Enter Diana, the huntress."
Kate smirked. "Don't pretend that you are against it." Johanna laughed.
"Not at all, my dear, not at all."
With Rick's help, Jim carried a table and chairs over to where Lanie was setting up, then went back to his wagon for the surprise.
Lanie had laid out a feast. A platter heaped high with fried ham, roasted sweet potatoes, green peas (Dried and reconstituted) beans in molasses and preserved peaches with cream for dessert. Jim's surprise was perfect with the ham and was thoroughly enjoyed by all the adults. The children had apple cider and of course coffee with the dessert.
The dinner was as good a dining experience as could be had on the trail. Not just the delicious food, but a happy, lively conversation, with laughter at the children's antics. In fact, things went so well, that the three ladies put their heads together and decided that from here on, they would pool their resources and their cooking skills, eating all their meals as a group. The men didn't have a say in the matter and wisely accepted what the ladies wanted. The next few days, Kate spent as much time as she could with Rick and Richard Junior, often taking over from Lanie in taking care of him. She flirted quite open often with just little touches here and there chatting about minor things and laughing at his quips.
Once the word spread about Kate's mourning period being rescinded, every single man on the train with the exception of Sorensen and Benoit, came by to make a play for her. She rebuffed all of them, gently but firmly if they were polite and proper, scathingly if they weren't.
The scout Demming was a perfect example of the latter.
"Mister Demming, I have no intention of becoming your or any man's "Woman". For me, it's wife or nothing at all. Even if that were not the case, Mister Demming, it is obvious that you haven't had a good relationship with a bar of soap!"
Another week passed and Lanie took Rick aside.
"You do like Miss Katherine, don't you?"
"Well of course, I do."
"It's obvious to us all that she's courting you and if you don't hurry up and court her, she may look elsewhere, she's had a dozen offers."
That night, Rick took special care with his appearance. He also picked a bouquet of wild flowers, wild roses among them, and presented them to Kate after supper. Kate blushed and accepted the bouquet, finding a large tumbler to use as a vase and putting the flowers in water.
Although Rick hadn't planned on it, there was a full moon that night. Kate looked up, smiled and suggested a walk in the moonlight, which Rick accepted. They strolled just outside the wagon circle and found a fallen log to sit on. Held in the circle of his arm, Kate said;
"Richard, I am very attracted to you, you are such a gentleman, and If I may be so bold, very handsome." Rick relied.
"Ad I am attracted to you. You are a fine lady and as beautiful as any woman I have ever seen. But more than that, you are sweet tempered and kind. I have seen how good you are with my son almost as if he were your own."
"And you are very kind to Johanna. Most men are inclined to ignore a child not their own. You have been sweeter and kinder to her than her own father was." She paused then said;
"Perhaps this question is too soon, and I am too forward, but I need to know. Do you think that this attraction and liking me could become love? I already know that I could easily learn to love you."
"Katherine, I am half in love with you already."
"If that is true, kiss me." She lifted her face and he lowered his, until their lips met. The kiss started out chaste, but didn't stay that way. Both had been starved for affection for a long time. Her tongue emerged asking for permission. His mouth opened, their tongues met and for many long minutes they were lost in each other. Finally parting.
Kate, panting, managed to say;
"I think that we had better get back to our wagons, before this goes too far."
Rick agreed and stood, pulling her to her feet, not wanting to be gone long enough for tongues to begin wagging. They carried on as they had been for the next couple of weeks, things intensifying each day until it was time to talk to their families. Rick, had no actual family, his parents having died in an influenza outbreak but Roy and Lanie were as close as if they were related by blood. Kate went first.
"Mother, Father, there I something I have to tell you. You may think it too soon, but in any case, that changes nothing. I have fallen in love with Richard."
"And I have fallen in love with her." Rick said. Lanie, always outspoken said;
"Well. it's about time. You two are perfect together."
"We will wait a few weeks, as Richard has to talk with Father Donovan about renewing his faith. But that done, we will be married before we reach Oregon." Richard will start by escorting me to Mass this Sunday. After Mass, we will meet with Father Donovan.
Jim started to remonstrate with Kate, but Johanna stopped him.
"James Beckett, stop that useless chatter right now. You know that once Katherine as made up her mind, there's no changing it."
A few days later, Kate came to Rick and asked;
"Richard, my Darling, may Johanna and I ride with you? That teamster, Ben Williams has been making lewd suggestions and improper comments in general."
"Of course, you may. I would like nothing better than to have you riding on the seat beside me. I will go have a talk with him right now."
Rick caught Williams just as he finished harnessing the team.
"Mister Williams I am here to relay a message from Missus Davidson. She and her daughter will be riding with me from now on. You have gravely insulted her by making lewd comments and improper advances. Further more she does not trust you at all so you will no longer be driving her wagon. You are lucky that it is not twenty years ago or I would be challenging you to a duel."
"You want to keep that little bint all to yerself you big talking…
That was as far as he got. Rick's fist smashed into the man's beer belly, doubling the man over, his face meeting Rick's upcoming knee. He fell to the ground, blood gushing from his nose."
"You want any more?" Williams shook his head.
"Take your kerchief and hold it to your nose. We are going to see Sorensen.
"What's going on here?" Sorensen asked.
"Williams has been making lewd comments and improper advances to Missus Davidson while driving her wagon. When he made another remark, we had a little set to. He will no longer be driving her wagon.
I am sure that you can find an honest teamster to switch with Williams I have five dollars to grease the works."
"Is this true, Williams?"
"Yeah, it is.'' Seeing Rick's glare, the man was too afraid to lie.
"Very well. We'll go see Chambers. I'm sure that he'll agree."
Chambers was happy to switch, the extra five dollars a nice little bonus.
"One more thing, Williams. If I see you anywhere within twenty feet of Missus Davidson's wagon you will get a beating you will never forget. When Rick got back to the wagon, Kate saw the blood on his trousers.
"Oh Richard, what happened?"
"Williams and I had a disagreement,"
"Go change your trousers. I will put these to soak in cold water and I will wash them tonight. Otherwise they will be ruined.
That evening, after supper, Kate said;
"Johanna and I enjoyed riding with you, so much I don't want to go back to my own wagon."
"You won't have to. Get what you need for a few days and bring it to my wagon. I am going to seep in your wagon for a few nights, just in case Williams tries something. As it was, nothing happened.
Kate and Johanna went back to her wagon to sleep but sent day in Rick's.
Rick decided to look up the young man who had sung to his wife about the home in the meadow. He would learn it and sing it to Kate. For now he had someone to build a home in the meadow for.
TBC
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