Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) (6 page)

"I have been waiting to get to hug you proper Mr. Quackenbush." Angela jumped from the table when he got closer and planted a bear hug around his shoulders. She held on for more than a few moments and he let her. He didn't mind the affection and he had a special place in his heart for both young ladies he met last year on the trail. His eyes could see Angie moved toward him well, he would be watching her for any remaining injury as all of them would be that cared for her. Angela had a caretaker spirit and she hadn't had too many people trying to take care of her in her younger days. He knew of several folks that would gladly help in the protection of this girl- almost woman.

"Girl you smell like a breath of spring. I can tell you’ve been socializin’ with Cori Grant and all her flowerizin’ of everything. Her supreme mission is making everyone smell like a tulip, or perhaps a romp in a flower meadow." He winked at Corinne and picked up Angela for an extra squeeze before he set her down. Angela loved how Clive had his voices, sometimes he sounded like he was from the south, other times he could sound like the educated city man. Clive was a rare breed.

"I came to announce that Corinne had a shipment arrive at the store today from California. I saw cargo from Russia, China and Australia. Also the town Doctor wanted to have a chat with ya as well. My other reason is obvious as I came to get another peek at my girl, Red. I will not be satisfied to leave unless I get at least three healthy blushes from ya girl. It does my heart good to see that kind of color on a fair cheeked maiden, I may be past my sixtieth year but it does remind me so of my first fair bride. She had a darker red than you but her face was nigh as fair." Clive held his hat to his heart and dramatically closed his eyes. He had a flair for speeches.

"I will do my best to give you as many blushes as you need Clive. I have missed your charms. You do me good, too. I hope to talk with you soon about getting mail off to California. I will try to locate my brother." Angela welcomed Clive over to the table with a gesture and they all enjoyed talking with the great man. His sense of humor, his patience and experience made him a rare find. He was a true gift to anyone who knew him.

* * * * *

"Oregon City has grown so fast Angie. It seems a new business goes up every week. We now have an Apothecary, a Doctor and a gentleman named Gomer Hines is starting up a newspaper. The town constable is trying to get a paid sheriff position as an option passed by the town council. All in all it's a growing town. I don't love the politics or the politicians, as I have had a few run-ins with town councilmen. They have played me false over a spurned romance but that has calmed some. I haven’t filled you in on the young Sidney Prince who fell desperately in love with me on the trail." Corinne made a few faces and made Angie laughed as they traveled along the main road.

"Sidney was a sweet young lad who turned sour when I tried to refuse his advances.” Corinne was a fast talker when she was excited. Angela was trying to pay close attention to learn everyone’s name that she didn’t already know.

“Sidney?” Angela said with a question in her voice.

“Yes, he joined the wagon train after Andrew…” Corinne faltered a moment.

“Keep going.” Angela urged. She knew Corinne was going to feel awkward about talking about Andrew. Angela had many a mile to let Andrew’s mistakes go. She was fine for today. She wanted to focus on the future.

Corinne continued, “Well Sidney had a boyish crush. And I was not interested. He had the town council deny Lucas's right to get a land claim. I was willing to marry Lucas and leave town if we needed to but it all worked out in the end when Andrew’s parents deeded their land to us.” Cori saw the shadow pass over Angie's face. She should have written a letter about Andrew’s parents to Angela, she felt a fool for bringing up the issue now. Angie didn’t need to hear about anything to do with Andrew ever, after what he had done. She explained quickly how Andrew’s parents helped Lucas and her with acquiring the land by gifting it to her before they moved off to California. Corinne apologized for reminding her of Andrew.

"You did nothing wrong Cori, dear. Your first husband, Andrew, was a part of your life, a rather unpleasant part, I might add. His parents had no idea what he had done and the foolish way he got me injured. The fact that something good came from them is a sweet reminder how God works out the good. I have forgiven him and accepted that we have all moved on." Angie's speech sounded completely levelheaded and adult. Though her voice only faltered a little.

Not everything is as easy as words make them to be. Corinne had a smile and a few misty tears threatening to fall.

“I had the Sparks taking good care of me, and now you and I are together again, and my journey west was not halted forever. You have found true love with Lucas and
that
makes my heart happy. Your dream is coming true. I may actually find my brother and get to share a few memories with him, too. I think we have both come a long way." Angie smiled and looked around and her heart was in her throat. Her thoughts dwelled on the memories of the night she fell into a ravine, her body a broken mangled mess. That night was like a dark tent hovering over her, threatening to snuff out her light forever.

She shook off the memory and looked at the Willamette River that was nearby. Jammed with logs and working men on a few rafts and men with longs sticks that had an amazing talent for balancing. They pushed the logs along to the mills ahead, the big hulking buildings on the river’s edge.

The town was busily working on this fall weekday, getting everything done. The talk of the town this time of year was about the mountain snows. When would they start? When would they get snowed in? When would the gap fill in and leave them all without land routes for certain supplies? Butting off routes to families and trappers who dared to live outside the comfort of even a small town. On their own, surviving off the land had its peace and quiet, but animals, accidents and sickness had no limit in this rough land.

Corinne and Angie stopped by Clive's office to take a peek at her cargo. The wagon would be there shortly, Cori and Angie made it to town a lot quicker than Lucas could in the wagon. Corinne felt a small twinge of guilt for leaving her husband to drive the wagon without her, but she wanted to have as much time with Angie today as possible. She felt an odd kinship with Angela that surpassed a common friendship or acquaintance. They were family now. If Angie was a year younger she would have begged her father to adopt her, but at seventeen Angie would probably feel a bit silly being adopted. She survived the Oregon Trail and she was of marriageable age. Corinne's secret wish for them to truly be sisters was just not meant to be. Lucas and Russell Grant had no more brothers that needed marrying off.

Silly me.
Cori thought to herself.
Still having impossible wishes.

The cargo at Clive’s store was piled behind the building in the loading zone. Corinne had an overwhelming urge to break open the crates on the spot but Clive had just done the inventory of each one earlier in the day and taken great care to repack and close each crate. She wasn't about to make more work for him and his son, the clerk.

Clive paced around the dock waiting for his son, J.Q. to fill him in on a few store needs. Cori and Angie waited patiently for him to conduct his business and enjoyed the warm fall air.

For September it still felt like summer. Though the talk of mountain snows was a topic on everyone’s lips. People do love to speculate on weather. It was part of the human journey, in life the wind will blow, the rain and snow must fall.

Several minutes passed and Lucas appeared with the wagon and a sturdy hand from Cori's father's ranch. Corinne couldn’t remember the lad's name but she gave a friendly nod as he headed in her direction. He knew she was in charge in this moment. He didn’t seem to be bothered taking orders from a woman.

"If you can get the biggest crates along the edges and then get the smaller crates packed tightly in the middle perhaps we can eliminate as much breakage and jostling as possible." He grinned and nodded sincerely.

"I have some old quilts to pack between them that will help, Cori. Just get them back to me next time you are in town. We will reuse them for your fragile orders. You and your tiny glass bottles, chile’." Clive chimed in. His mustache twitched in the corners of his mouth as he teased. He was very proud of his Cori. Her smarts and skills made everyone proud.

“Angie, I was hoping to have a chat with you. I have been thinking about your plan to find your brother and I have a few thoughts on the matter." Clive waved her and Corinne inside as the men began their loading. Corinne ran over and planted a kiss on Lucas’s cheek to thank him properly for all his hard work. He rewarded her by grabbing her off the dock and with a spin kissed her on the mouth and then plopped her back on the dock where she had been. Her blush stained her cheeks and she wordlessly followed Clive and Angie inside the Hudson Bay store.

"I am glad to see you both like each other." Angie laughed nervously. She was happy for her friend, just getting used to the displays of affection would take a little time. Angie was certain she blushed more than Cori did.

"We do, I felt a bit guilty by not riding with him in the wagon. But he is so understanding, I have my Angie back." Cori gave Angie a sideways hug as they neared Clive’s office. 

"I have spoken at length about your brother with Corinne, Angie, and have a few ideas to toss at ya." Clive held out chairs for Cori and Angie and then plopped down himself. The dark wood table that filled a corner of the room had a few papers on it but there was still a little open space. Clive clasped his weathered hands together in front of him.

"I hear your brother is in California, most likely place will be in San Francisco. I have a Hudson Bay store there that is managed by my grandson, Gabe and his wife. They are just newly married and have a ’young un on the way." He smiled warmly at the thought. "I can forward some information about your brother Sean and see if he cannot pass the word along that you are looking, but I have another thought too." Clive took a moment and looked Angie in the eyes.

"What would you think of going to San Francisco and working at the store under my son's protection?” Clive started. He watched her face show a little bit of surprise but no fear. “You have a great way about you and…you would get paid for the work and you can talk to every customer that comes through. It would give you a great chance to ask questions and be closer to the area where your brother was last seen. I will be in California territory every month or so for business. We can keep tabs and if you want to take a break and come back here you can with no pressure. I just have a feeling that people will see you and try and help you more if you are there. Cori said there was a drawing of him, I know a few people who are good at scribbling and drawin’ that could make up a few posters for you." Clive finished, his eyebrow up and hoping he hadn’t upset her.

"California…"Angie said softly. Her own mind had wondered if she would end up there. Her heart sped up a bit at the thought. He was there. Perhaps she should be too. "I will pray on it Clive. Is there a certain time of year that would be better for me to go?" Angie suddenly looked younger than her sixteen years. She was a girl confused and still a bit weary from her last adventure.

"There is no rush my child’." Clive took her hand. "California will wait for you."

Chapter 8

The wagon was loaded down with all the crates from Clive’s mercantile. Corinne led Angela through town to the post office where Corinne had letters. The postmaster allowed her to retrieve her father’s mail as well. Angela was quiet and Corinne let her dwell on her own thoughts.

Corinne had to fight her own feelings about Angela potentially leaving. A certain selfish emotion rose up inside of her.
How can she leave when I only just got her back?
Corinne would try to act like an adult but she had a desire to grab Angela possessively and yell out,
mine!

Corinne stepped into the town doctor’s office and was greeted by Persephone Williams, the Doctor’s wife.

“Hello Persephone, you are looking lovely today. I heard Doc Tyler was wanting to speak with me.” Corinne grinned and enjoyed the friendly smile of the doctor’s wife. Her navy dress was snug across the middle promising the town would have a new member soon.

“He stepped away awhile ago, there was another accident at the lumber mill. I am hoping it’s not too serious. He mentioned to me that he wanted to know about some of your suppliers. He has heard you know your way around getting your hands on some hard to reach medicines. He would be grateful to share your connections.” Persephone ran a hand through her dark blond hair that was loose in the back. Corinne could see a pin was nearly falling out.

“Let me, dear.” Corinne reached up and secured the wispy hair and the pin. Persephone’s hair was again neat and tidy and no one would know the wiser.

Persephone giggled nervously, she wasn’t a silly woman but she did have a charming giggle when she was jumpy.

“The doctor had an order for more oils from you too.” Persephone said after she recovered from her embarrassment. 

“I am glad to help. I am heading to the apothecary to see what Mr. Higgins has to offer.” Corinne said and waved, Angela waved wordlessly and followed behind her friend.

“She seems nice.” Angela tried to make conversation. She still felt shy about meeting people, sometimes she slipped back into the servant role she had grown so comfortable with. It was easier than being rejected, in her opinion.

“She is, she usually does the midwife duties with her husband, this is her first child and will be on the other side of the birthing process.” Corinne said with a wistful smile.

“Are you wanting to have children with Lucas?” Angela asked boldly.

“I would welcome it. We are just letting God’s timing prevail. But the thought does give me a smile or two.” Corinne shared.

Corinne and Angela stepped into the new apothecary shop and were lost inside for nearly an hour. Corinne became the teacher and talked about all the remedies with abandon. This reminded Angela of the few times she accompanied Corinne to the Boston greenhouses when she was a servant in Corinne’s Aunt’s household. She would be so giddy about every plant growing. She spoke lovingly to the plants like children.

They escaped the shop finally and found their way home on the wagon.  Angela had a few purchases and put them away in her room and Corinne sat by the window and read her letters.

To my Dearest Niece Corinne,

I am glad to have received your telegrams and letters declaring yourself to be fit and well after the long ordeal you undertook to survive the overland passage. It gives me fevers remembering how worried I was over your person all those long days after you left Boston. I was shocked and amazed to hear about the death of your young husband, Andrew Temple, surely he was handsome and charming and did not have a feeble or sickly look about him. It is a sad shame that he had to die of such a horrible thing as Cholera. My own dear city of Boston just these past few weeks has started its own fight with a dreadful outbreak of that same malady.

The newspapers aren't saying where the outbreak started but I am certain it is the unwashed vermin down by the docks that started it all. If people would just take better care to be respectable they would live longer, I am certain of it. I have already taken precautions and not allowed my servants to shop in unsavory parts of town for any produce. I am afraid we have already had trouble. One of the scullery maids was feeling poorly today and we are all nervous.

I have thought about leaving here and going to my home in the country but I do not want to leave, the newspapers recommend people to stay near their homes.

I daresay I am a nervous wreck. I suddenly miss you more for you always know what to do around sickness. You are very levelheaded like my dear sister, Lily. I never knew two sisters less alike than her and I, but I felt her presence when I had you staying with me, dear girl.

I missed you from the moment you left my 12th street home.  My son, Arnold, rarely visits from Kentucky and his girl, Megan, is very much like you from her letters. She is all about her books and drawing. I gave her your address to write you.  She sent me a charcoal drawing that took me back to my youth when I grew up near the mountains. I was never meant for that life though. I do love living in the hustle and bustle of Boston. I do miss your Uncle Herbert as he was such a dear husband and took such amazing care of me.

I have been thinking about remarrying, a dear chap you met a few times while in Boston. Horatio Wilson was a close friend of Herbert, and his wife died several years ago, as well.  I do believe we would suit and I would find it very pleasant having someone take care of me again. He is quite wealthy and I am sure he is not marrying me for my money. Our fortunes would combine well.

I was shocked when I heard of your marriage to a Mr. Lucas Grant so soon after being widowed but have to admit I am glad you have someone to take care of you, too. You are a frail little thing and I would dislike for you to be harmed out in the wilds of Oregon country. I do hope he is refined and your father approved the match. Your father's taste does tend to lean more toward a slightly rougher lot, being a ranch owner. But his business acumen, I am told, is spot-on.

Your news of your ladies maid, Angela, was the biggest boggle, I must say. You shared her history with me and at first my heart was hardened to the idea of a ladies maid having a story that unbelievable. That she had wealthy parents and then an unscrupulous man stealing everything from two small children. It is a sad tale. I am glad to hear her fortune has been returned to her. She was a sweet hard-working girl who did befriend you and despite my warnings, you saw her character. Perhaps I am too quick to judge and have ideas about people that are un-Christian. I believe I have learned a valuable lesson. I shall endeavor to judge people less often, I have begun devoting more thought to the poor and those that are less fortunate.

I was listening, my dear, whenever you would get flustered with me. You would speak eloquently about all men being equal. I may not have always acted on it Corinne, but I did hear you. Little by little I feel you have burrowed your way into my old heart.

I do hope you know how much I love and miss you. When Angela arrives safe to your home please send her my love and best wishes. Give your father a slug in the arm and wish him much joy in his new marriage. Tell Angela I am praying for her brother Sean and will pass along any correspondence.

I do above all else long to be more like my dear sister Lily, who always thought about the less fortunate. She was such a good mother and passed along those amazing gifts she had to you. I look forward to hearing about your own children. I do hope someday to have a namesake.

I send many felicitations of joy your way.

Very Sincerely

Auntie Rose Capron

Corinne read through and wiped away a few tears. She had no idea how to handle all the things her Aunt shared. It was a gift to hear from her Aunt and to know that her "old heart" indeed could still grow was astounding. Auntie had been the 'General' when Corinne was there and she wondered what amazing things had transpired to help her Aunt grow in such a short amount of time.

She read the parts to Angela that pertained to her and they discussed her Aunt for a while. Angela had mixed feelings. Her experience as a maid hadn’t been good, but it led her to her closest and dearest friendship. She was now close to being re-united with her brother, Lord willing, because of her becoming a maid in the Capron house in Boston.

“I accept her best wishes with a heart full of forgiveness.” Angela said when the words finally came to her. “I know the world she came to be part of, sees servants as a lower class. You are a rare person that can see past that.” Angela reached a hand to her friend and with a loving pat on the shoulder she stood up.

“I need to rest a bit.” Angela yawned and then headed to her room. A cat nap was required.

“I will wake you after a bit. Rest well.” Corinne said and smiled at her friend’s back as she walked away. It was so good to have her safe and sound. Corinne said a prayer of thanks to the Lord for the safety of her friend. She was more than thankful.

She looked back to her lap and saw that another letter was in her stack addressed to Corinne so she opened it as well.

Dear Cousin Corinne,

I heard from Grandmother Capron about your move to the West and must say I am fascinated. My father is as well. He talks all the time about heading west. He has had an offer for his farmland from a neighbor and is seriously considering moving to California, tales of the fertile land is whetting his appetite, even my mother is not against the idea, but she is nervous that I will not find a decent husband in such a rough and wild place. I personally do not care for finding a husband. I long to go to Europe and study painting, but my parents will not allow it. Instead I must focus on learning how to be a proper wife.

I heard from Grandmother that you are in Oregon City and you are married and you have started your own greenhouses and plan on running a business alongside your husband. I feel emboldened to ask to come stay with you and your husband for a while when my family eventually does move west, I suspect it to be within the year. I would love the opportunity to paint and harness my passion for art if just through books but in an environment that would allow me to be a woman with ideas. Not just a prize up for bid by any marriageable suitor my parents deem worthy.

If I have offended you in any way I do beg your pardon, but somehow as my seventeenth birthday draws near I feel a real fear of being shackled to marriage when I long for another life first.

This letter may be all for naught if my parents stay in Kentucky or ship me to Boston for a season with Grandmother Capron. I just know that she would consider my painting and drawing a distraction from my focus of husband hunting.  All my prayers are set upon finding a way to be free to do my art and choose my own life.

Please pray about it.

Sincerely,

Cousin Megan Capron

* * * * *

Corinne wasn’t sure what to think. She was definitely against Megan going to stay with Rose Capron after her own experience. The grip her Aunt had on her young life was still having an effect on Corinne. Corinne would read the letter to her husband later and they could pray over it together. She had met Megan a few times when they were young on family gatherings but she didn’t know her well. It was a big decision. 

That evening the dinner at the Harpole Ranch house was a festive one. Marie had a wonderful spread prepared and Cooper had painted a banner that was hung about the large fireplace. They had a large gleaming table that Corinne’s father had ordered with extra leaves to extend. Dolly was staying with them and was helping Marie with dinner.

“I hope you have been able to rest.” Dolly said to Angela as they both were setting the table.

“Yes, today has been good. I had a nap a little while ago.” Angela said. Corinne had told her all about how Dolly had come from her Indian village to learn from Corinne. “Your English is very good. Corinne told me all about you. I look forward to being your friend.” Angela said simply. She wanted to get to know this girl with the kind brown eyes and the beautiful black hair.

“Chelsea is a good teacher.  I knew a few words from my mother. But have lost some since her death.” Dolly said with no sadness. But Angela felt it for her.

“My mother was gone when I was young, I am sorry.” Angela said sincerely.

“I have learned from Chelsea the word orphan in white man’s tongue. In my tribe I was told that they were my new family; as the Harpole and Grants are to me now. I have many mothers now. It is better for me to accept the larger family than to feel the pain of so much loss.” Dolly said. Her eyes lit up as she looked around the room. Angela could see she loved her Oregon family very much. It sparked something inside Angie’s heart to see Dolly loved and accepted here.

“Thank you Dolly.” Angela felt silly thanking the girl for her speech. Her throat locked up for a moment so she left the “thank you” unexplained, but Dolly looked into her teary eyes and Angela knew the girl knew what she meant.

John Harpole called everyone together and they prayed quickly before the meal was served.