Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) (8 page)

Corinne took the baby for a few moments while everyone got settled around the table.

“You eat first Chelsea, I will take care of Sarah.” Corinne cooed and made faces at the sweet girl.

Everyone enjoyed the meal and chatted away. Lucas and Russell both tried to include Angela in the conversation by asking about her trip. Angela spoke with her shy voice at first but felt more comfortable speaking as the meal progressed. Even the Brannigans’ family she traveled with had treated her like a servant, though she paid her own way.  She wasn’t used to being treated like an equal yet. It might take a long while.

Once the meal was done and everyone, including Corinne, had partaken, Chelsea served up several slices of apple pie. Lucas went to the stove and percolated some coffee and passed out mugs.

“This batch of coffee is a good one.” Corinne stated after a few sips.

“Clive has been buying the coffee beans himself and learning to roast them. I swear that man must know how to do everything.” Lucas laughed. “His first batch last month was a bit darker but this batch is very smooth tasting. He has mastered a new craft.”

“He has nine lives, like a cat.” Corinne said with a smile. She loved Clive like a grandfather.

“He makes the rest of us mortals look like we are sitting around doing nothing.” Chelsea stated. “My grandfather needs a challenge at all times. I think it is about time he married again. Perhaps he would stay still for a few days with a wife to keep him company.”

“He may be shy of another wife dearest. He has been widowed twice.” Russell said with a nod.

“Tis’ true. But a woman would be good for him.” Chelsea stated. They all laughed but agreed that it would be interesting for Clive to have a new wife someday.

The rest of the evening passed along well. Chelsea and Angela were able to get reacquainted and their friendship was easily rekindled from their days spent together on the trail. Chelsea was very easy to get along with and made Angela feel like an equal.

Russell and Chelsea left after dusk to retrieve their son Brody from his Grandpapa Clive.

“Those two together are sure to be stirring up trouble if I let ‘em loose for too long.” Chelsea laughed and waved.

“I’ll be by early to help build that bridge.” Russell told Lucas. Lucas gave his brother a friendly pat on the back before he was gone.

Angela watched the cozy scene with a peaceful set in her heart. These were such good people, all accepting of her and each other. This was a place she could call home.

Lucas and Corinne talked with Angela until she grew fatigued. She was eager to have more energy but went to bed with a peace in her heart. Oregon was proving to be good for her. Tomorrow she planned to write to Edith Sparks and tell her all about her new home.

* * * * *

The next few days were full of everyday tasks that Angela watched but rarely participated in. Corinne was certainly opinionated about Angela being a guest and would not allow her to lift a finger. It was fine for the first few days but as Angela’s strength was growing her desire to have a task grew too.

Angela started sending Corinne off to her greenhouse and lab without her. Angela was beginning to get a feel for the land around her and she was getting fond of visiting with Marie and Cooper.  Cooper was an excellent fishing buddy. Angela felt several times that since Corinne was as dear as a sister to her that she had a solid claim of Cooper as a second little brother.

They took a few turns around the property together and Cooper showed her all the places that had stories.

“This was where I caught a toad as big as my head.” He exclaimed over a place on the trickling creek.

“This was where I saw a coyote.” He said from behind the barn.

“He was probably trying to get to the barn animals.” Angela said with a sense of mystery. Angela would always try and sound amazed with his every declaration. Her own childhood had been cut short and she was enjoying seeing the joy of this young lad. It made her heart a bit lighter. For the first time in a long while she had thoughts of motherhood. The idea of that “someday” was getting easier to see.

Marie and Angela became close over the next few weeks, as Angela’s stay continued. Marie was a lot like Edith in Angela’s mind, very sweet and full of motherly advice. Marie had dimples, blond curls and always a pleasant word to say. It was very refreshing to be around her.  She sang old folk songs while she cooked and whistled prettily. Marie let Angela help in the kitchen and they would work and talk for hours.  Angela was learning to crochet when she left the Spark’s home. She saw that Marie had a basket full of yarn near the rocking chair by the fireplace. It didn’t take long before Marie and Angela were sitting and crocheting together. Angela was still slow but learning a lot from Marie’s patient instructions.

Chapter 9

A few weeks had passed and another round of harvesters were coming for lunch. Corinne buckled under Angela’s protest and allowed her to help serve the men. They worked together at plating up the prepared food as the minutes ticked closer to the crew’s arrival.

“I have been reading some of my mother’s journal. Her words about Ireland are so romantic and tragic. My parents would not abide by the way many of the wealthy folks were treating the peasants. It seems that two times my parent’s home nearly caught afire.” Angie shared at the lunch table.

“Oh my, was it an uprising?” Corinne asked as she had heard many stories on the long trip from Boston to Oregon, so many people from so many places. She had heard of uprising in Ireland.

“It was one of my father’s cousins who wanted the land and was angry when my father inherited. I guess that is why he eventually sold, perhaps just a chance to start again in America. I remember my mother saying my father was too soft-hearted to be a Baron. Perhaps I come by my gentleness honestly.” Angie said with a smallest hint of a smile. The picture of her father was becoming a warm memory again. Somehow she had been angry with him for dying, it was irrational she knew, but she had had many lonely and dark days in the workhouse. Some days anger was its own battle to fight against, along with the starvation and abuse.

“I like knowing that he had a generous heart.” She added a minute later.

“That seems a good quality to inherit, Angie.” Corinne smiled and finished filling the plates with the warm bread and hot stew that Marie had just delivered.

“Will you do the honors?” Corinne asked and pointed to the bell just outside the door. The long table outside was ready for the stampede of the men helping with the lavender harvest.

Angela approached the bell and gave the rope a good pull then kept it going. The bell was loud and hurt her ears so she ran back into the house and laughed.

“Ha, Angie, it doesn’t bite.” Corinne giggled a bit then put her to helping get the plates passed out as they arrived. After a few got their plates some of the young men started whistling at the pretty redhead serving their dinner.

“None of that, young man.” Lucas Grant strolled up and gave the man a cuff to the back of the head. The men all laughed and the situation was lightened.

“Miss Fahey is a lady and is to be respected. No tom foolery with this woman, she is under my protection.” Lucas gave poor Angie a wink and the young man apologized respectfully.

Angie blushed through her mortification.

“That did not take long.” Corinne stated as she kept handing Angie plates of food. “I knew she would catch someone’s eye. We women are a rare thing to see out here, an unmarried woman, and a beautiful one is a valuable find.”

“I know I am seventeen but I have no desire for a husband right now. I wish to find my brother first.” Angie stated loudly a bit bolder after her embarrassment.

“No worries on my account, Angie. I have no wish to marry you off right away. I want you to be able to have some freedom before you settle down. You need a chance to dream a little first.” Corinne said warmly. She was such a dreamer and the thought gave Angie pause.

“I think I should go to California, Corinne. Will you despise me if I leave you again?” Angie asked after the last plate was handed out. They sat inside and ate at the small table. The men had to have their own space where the pressure of table manners was less needed.

“I would never deny or question your need to connect with your brother. I am excited to think there is a hope of meeting him, myself. It is strange to think of him already as a part of my family. My prayer is that you bring him here to meet us.” Corinne took Angie’s hand across the wooden table. Her eyes did not lie. It calmed Angie’s fears. She felt pulled in several directions. Clive had lit a flame of hope in her chest.

“I have had my own thoughts creep into my heart. Mostly fear and a selfish desire to keep you close. But I know your need to try and find Sean. Just know we are here for you, if you do not feel safe just know we would come for you, and you always have a place to come back to.” Corinne said as her voice broke a little from emotion. “You should go Angie. Clive’s family will care for you. I will be praying for you sister-friend.”

They spent a good moment hugging and then got back to work. They were being watched and making a spectacle of themselves. They laughed as a few of the men were teasing them.

They kept talking as they worked. Finding a rhythm of serving the harvesting crew. 

“I need to talk with Clive more, and find out when I should prepare to go. I need more clothes for most of mine are rags now from the journey. Also I need to handle my affairs at the bank. I went through the lawyers documents today, they are very confusing in places.” Angie became more talkative when her nerves got the better of her.

“Going to the bank is a good idea. You should know what you have and then you can plan for your future.” Corinne said. Her heart hurt at the thought of her friend leaving, but she knew her friend needed to go for the chance of finding her lost brother. It was a sad thought to ponder but Corinne knew she must accept it and be supportive. Angela needed to know that it was okay to leave through more than her words, through her actions, as well. Corinne would pray for the strength to let Angela go. It was the right thing to do.

* * * * *

"When would be a good time to go, Clive?” Angie asked, leaning against the counter at the mercantile.

"Well, my girl, I’ve been pondering that. My Grandson and his wife could handle you at any time. They got a nice place downtown with a three-story building, nice and sturdy, iffen I don't wanna crow too loudly. I built it myself a few years ago. San Fran is a nice port town and gettin' supplies there makes my life and business easier. Sutter's Fort isn't too far off an' now with the Gold Rush it will be hopping."

"I just know my brother is in California somewhere and my heart aches wanting to know he is safe, I just want to see him." Angie saw the sparkle in Clive's eye. He was such a sweet and spunky man. He was truly a Godsend.

"Well I will get a telegram Gabriel’s way and we can figure out when the best time would be. I would get ready iffen I was you. In the next month it would be a good idea to get yerself out there. The crowds will be getting larger by the day as soon as the ships from the east arrive. That store will be jumpin'. I will go with ya and be helpin' with the store for a bit anyways. So you will have some company. I will get the word out about yer brother. We will find him my Angel girl." Clive gave her a pinch on the cheek.

Angela shared a hug and then found Corinne and Marie making a mess in the fabric section. It appeared that Marie may have purchased half the bolts of cloth for Angela’s wardrobe. 

"I am so excited Angie, look at all the warm tones. You are gonna turn some heads for sure and certain." Marie's blond curls were escaping her bonnet and her genuine warmth and caring had won over Angie completely, that and her fried chicken.

"You will try and remember to not spend too much. I only need the basics." Angie reminded her.

"I will spend as I wish child. No child o' mine is going off to San Francisco without looking like the lady she is." Marie gave her a parental look and that hushed her.

"I guess she told you." Corinne laughed and handed over a few bolts to get Angie's opinion.

"I still feel odd accepting a whole wardrobe for nothing." Angie was troubled, so many people being nice to her made her uneasy. There was such a strange thing having so many people start caring about you after so many years of having no one.

"John and I will take care of you darlin'. Just let us love on you. You are worth it, child."  Marie gave her a wink but the words sunk in. Angie felt loved.

They left the store with a wagon full of supplies. A brand new steamer trunk to fill with clothes, two new pairs of shoes, a few fashionable bonnets and enough ribbons to make more fripperies than Angie had ever owned.

Chapter 10

Angela was pounding out a ball of dough. It had risen to a big puffy blob in the yellow ceramic bowl. She had just poured it out over the counter covered in flour.  She enjoyed the feeling of her strong arms stretching and punching the dough. It was a good way to get your thoughts in order. Corinne had been working all morning in her lab. She was doing some complicated procedure with boiling devices. Angela didn’t fully understand it but Corinne was sure excited about her harvest and what she could do with it. 

Angela felt the smallest twinge of guilt about making the bread and starting a roast on the stove but she had been in Oregon for enough weeks to start being helpful. Corinne kept trying to come home after working and throwing together some kind of dinner after her long hours. Some nights Marie would bring things over but Corinne had begun to fuss about that too. Corinne did not like the idea of using help, at all. Angela had her own theories on it. Having been a servant for a long time she felt okay with her thoughts.

Having help doesn’t make you a bad person. How you treat the help is other matter entirely. Angela felt like she was a burden in their house. Another mouth to feed when everyone else had a job, she had no labor to do. Every time she tried to help, Corinne would get her braids in a twist.

Angela felt bad about thinking that way about her dearest friend, but she was not enjoying her long days with nothing to do. She had decided and worked out some details with Marie early that morning when Corinne left. Corinne did not come back home during lunch because she and Lucas had things to do during the lunch hour.

Angela had trotted over to John and Marie Harpole’s cabin right after sunrise. Marie was feeding her husband and son Cooper breakfast. Marie smiled broadly and welcomed her to the table.

“I know you were planning to make dinner for Lucas and Corinne but I want the honor.” Angela had said. Marie nodded and smiled.

“You getting silly with boredom, huh?” Marie plopped a breakfast plate down before Angela could protest. “Dinner duties are yours. You know what you are making?”

“I was thinking some homemade rolls and a beef stew. There was fresh beef brought in last night, the root cellar is full of vegetables. I wandered in there yesterday out of curiosity. I cleared out the cobwebs and tidied a bit while I was in there. I just know Corinne wouldn’t like that I did that but I had nothing else to do.”

“You have been here long enough to start feeling like you need a task. I know some young men in the area have been asking about you.” Marie teased.

“Not interested in that yet. I have something stirring in me. I will be heading out sometime soon to find my brother in California. But staying with Corinne and Lucas feels strange and foreign to me. I am not meant to be a woman of leisure.” Angela shared.

“Well, seems to me that you and Corinne need to have an honest talk. She has a life that is a little bit different and for her and Lucas it works. She wants you to feel like family, but she is forgetting something in the desire to not have hired help. She needs the help. You see the need and want to bless her.” Marie gave her husband a kiss as he headed out wordlessly. John Harpole gave a pat on the shoulder to Angela before he left. Cooper followed his dad with a skip in his step.

Marie sat down next to her and continued with her thoughts. “Corinne is young still, having wealth her whole life has put her in an interesting position. She cares for you like the sister she never had. She also has the drive and characteristics of her father. I see that stubborn determination in her looks all the time. Corinne can never know what it feels like be a servant, and has never known what it feels like to be poor. But she has told me more than once about how useless she felt when on the trail and her first husband would not allow her to be a help to those around her. She was willing and capable, yet denied the right to help her comrades. She is now trying to deny you the right to help because she thinks it will make you feel like a servant. But what it’s really doing is making you feel like a burden.” Marie said.

Angela nodded and sniffed, feeling a bit emotional about how Marie had laid it out exactly how she felt. Angela had a handkerchief in her pocket and dabbed at the stray tears.

“I have tried to talk with her but she has stayed pretty firm that I am a guest and not to do any helping.” Angela said once her throat cleared of the emotional knot.

“Well, if you need to communicate with food that might get the conversation moving in a new direction. I will pray for you both. This is a new situation for both of you, I would call these growing pains.” Marie leaned in next to Angela and pulled her up into a hug. It felt like a motherly hug and Angela let herself be held.

After the hug ended the women had spoken about household issues and Marie gathered a few fresh herbs and shared them with Angela for her stew.

Angela left Marie with many ‘thank you’s’ and another motherly hug. Angela felt less like an orphan today. She was starting to feel like family here. The morning mist was burning off but the grass under her feet was crunchy with a frost. Autumn was all around her and she enjoyed the mountain splendor as she walked back to Grant’s Grove.

She was finishing up with getting the bread rolls in the step top stove that was built in the kitchen. Angela had doubted Corinne had even used it. Angela had found several cobwebs inside. Angela thought about the Temple family who had built this cabin, Mrs. Temple must have really loved cooking. The kitchen was larger than most, with the fancy step top oven built next to the fireplace. Corinne had mentioned that Mrs. Temple liked cooking for the work-hands often.

Angela took a deep breath and tried to think generous thoughts about the Temple family, praying for their new life and hoping they were blessed and happy. It wasn’t always easy for her but forgiving their son for his actions was good for her soul.

It had to be forgiven often inside her, for that day bubbled up as a bad memory every time the ache in her leg came again. The nightmare returned of those hours in the dark ravine, bleeding and hurting. Listening to the bugs hover around her as she yelled for help and prayed throughout the night.

Angela shook off the memory of that dark day and continued with the happy work of chopping vegetables, crushing the herbs and getting the big round pot and hanging it on the hook arm next to the fireplace. The fireplace had a great set of hot red coals that was producing a good heat. She salted the meat chunks and threw them into the round pots.  She heard the meat sizzle on the hot pan a few minutes later. She added a little bit of beef lard and stirred the meat around in the pot with a wooden spoon as Edith Sparks had taught her. Getting a few brown edges on the pieces of meat. A few minutes later she added water, the vegetables and some herbs. She had the potatoes peeled, cut them into little chunks and dropped the chunks into the water by the handful. The smell of the meat sizzling had filled the room with a wonderful aroma. The first batch of rolls would be done in a few minutes but Angela kept her hands busy by using hot water and baking soda and scrubbed the counter down, clearing away any remnants of the food mess. She swept the floor free of flour and any vegetables that had escaped the countertop where she had worked.

She felt happy and fulfilled, pulling up a chair and resting. She continued watching the kitchen fire contentedly until the rolls were done. Then she put in another batch and saw that the stew was beginning to bubble, such a lovely feeling.

“I made that.” Angela said to the empty room. She enjoyed her feeling of accomplishment for the rest of the afternoon.

* * * * *

“Smells amazing in here.” Lucas said as he opened the front door a few minutes after six o’clock. He turned and watched Corinne come in behind him. Corinne looked surprised when she came in too.

“Hello Grants.” Angela said with a bit of trepidation. She had the dining table set, the rolls placed in a basket and butter and jam set out. There were two pies sitting and cooling in the window. “Marie brought the pies, she makes peach pies like nothing else on earth.” Angela was waiting for them to say something.

“Thank You Angela, this looks amazing.” Lucas broke the awkward moment. He walked over to the washstand and washed his hands.

“You don’t need to feed us, Angela.” Corinne looked confused, almost hurt.

“I know, I wanted to do something nice for you both. For taking such good care of me.” Angela said and approached her friend. She wanted this to go smoothly but was ready for the serious talk.

“I don’t feel right about this.” Corinne sat down in a chair and she teared up.

Angela sighed, knowing this was getting complicated faster than she expected.

“I know, but I had a good talk with Marie and I really need to communicate something to you.” Angela took a deep breath and tried to ignore the look of pain on Corinne’s face. She continued, “The way I feel about you crossed the servant-master relationship a long time ago. I want to consider you as a sister. I love you as family. You fear that I will forever feel like a servant to you, but I do not. Very simply, I wanted to make you dinner as a loving gesture, and to have a task. I stay in your home, like family and have capable hands and nothing to do.” Angela said.

“But I want you to feel relaxed.” Corinne said. Lucas sat next to his wife and held her hand.

“Did you feel relaxed when Andrew forbid you from helping on the trail?” Angela wanted to pull the words back when she saw the look of horror cross Corinne’s face. She burst into fresh tears.

Angela mouthed the words ‘I’m sorry’ to Lucas who then shook his head. He didn’t seem upset at all. Just supportive and letting them have their talk. Angela felt a new respect for her friend’s husband.

Corinne finally stopped crying and wiped away the tears. She took a few deep breaths before she spoke. “I am sorry Angela.” She looked like she was going to tear up again but with a big swallow she held it back.

“You don’t need to apologize, we just need to work out a life here. I feel awkward living with you and never being allowed to be helpful. Not as an obligation but as a way to say thank you.”  Angela finished her speech and held out the chair.

She smiled as Corinne settled in at the table and allowed Angela to do what she had planned. The meal went well and soon there was laughter around the table as they all enjoyed the meal together, as equals.

Angela let Corinne and Lucas do the cleaning up and headed off to her room. She wanted to leave them both alone tonight. She wanted some time to think to herself. She would be leaving soon. She wanted to go through her things a bit tonight and tomorrow; start to get serious about packing. She would be going to town tomorrow to talk with Clive about details. She wanted to have her head cleared of all her fears and doubts with a little quiet time and prayer that night.

* * * * *

“We can leave on Monday. The steamship,
The Mariana
, is coming into port on Sunday and heading back out early Monday morning. You can stay at the hotel in town to get an early start if ya wish.” Clive told her the next day at the store counter. The store was empty of customers and Clive just pulled up two stools for them to sit on.

“The hotel sounds like a good idea.” Angela said in her small voice. Clive was watching her carefully. 

“You will have your own bunk and it will take several days at least to get to our location. If the wind is mild it will shorter. If the wind is gusty it takes longer. These things vary.” Clive said with a shrug.

Angela laughed at his easy way of acceptance. She had a hundred questions floating through her mind but suddenly felt shy of asking any.

“You look nervous, chile’.” Clive stated with an eyebrow raised.

“Yessir.” Angela said simply. “Not a big fan of boats.”

“Me neither child. I prefer the ground under my feet. But this is the easiest and best way to get to California safely, this time of year.” Clive was very matter of fact, it actually helped her fears.

“I can accept that. I appreciate that you will be with me.” Angela finally said and saw the smile that spread across Clive’s face. It was infectious and she smiled back.

“Would not have of dreamed of not taggin’ along.” Clive made a harrumph noise that was comical. Clive stood up and grabbed his stool and settled it behind the counter.

Angela assumed he had sat still for too long and needed to gad about the place. He straightened a few things then after he made a sharp whistle toward the back of the place. His son, Jedediah, everyone called JQ, popped out from the warehouse. He looked like Clive but for a few less gray hairs.

“This is Angela, they will be staying with your boy Gabe and his wife Amber.” Clive said with a friendly introduction. “This is my firstborn JQ.”

“Ah, that is fine. Amber will be glad for the company, that’s for certain.” JQ shook her hand with a firm handshake and a smile that matched his father’s. “My wife will be glad to meet you when you come back to Oregon. She is busy this week canning and socializing with the church women.” JQ shook his head at Clive.

“My kitchen was so hot yesterday my head nearly popped off. It smelled of stewed tomatoes, onions and peaches, it didn’t combine well. I might invite myself to your place for supper tonight.” JQ said animatedly.