Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) (14 page)

Chapter 16

January 15 1850

Angela was glad today that Ted was coming to help her build the chicken coop. She knew from Clive and Gabe that Ted was very handy and creative. She also found his company pleasant. He was nice to have around.

She knew that Clive was preparing to leave in a week for Oregon but he promised he would be back with her chickens. She wondered why he was spending so much time in California territory and had a suspicion that he was hovering near her to make sure she stayed safe. She could not ask him to stop. She would never tell him to stay away, never in a hundred years.

Ted Greaves arrived at noon on the dot and Angela had a lunch already prepared for them. She gave him his lunch and dragged him to the fenced area of the yard and they discussed chicken coop ideas over their sandwiches.

“I want a lot of room for them and a goodly number of nests. I will be wanting a healthy flock.” Angela spoke between bites, her smile and excitement was infectious and Ted was more than happy to help her out.

Gabe was paying him for his time but he argued gently to Gabe that he would gladly help Angie for free. Gabe had given Ted a questioning look and was close to giving Ted a lecture about Angela. Gabe seemed to have changed his mind before he said anything. Ted was glad. He would honor any request of Gabe Quackenbush, but if he asked him to stay away from Angie he would be sad somehow, not sure he could have done it without a long talk.

“I helped my Ma with her chickens every time we moved. We had to start with a new coop and we always lost chickens in the move. We can build up a flock in no time.” Ted finished his food and used a napkin to clean his face of any persistent crumbs.

“Thank you so much Mr. Greaves. I cannot thank you enough.” Angela shared a grin that made his heart beat a bit faster.

“I think you should start callin’ me Ted now.” He raised an eyebrow and she laughed.

“That suits me fine as long as ya call me Angie.”

“Perhaps someday soon I can call ye Red like Clive and Gabe do.” Ted stood and watched a blush climb her neck attractively, filling her cheeks with color.

“Perhaps.” She said softly. Ted decided to stop his teasing and get to work. They had a plan going and soon he was able to have a drawing for the exact thing she wanted. She had to leave after a while to go back to working at the counter but she checked in on him often and thanked him sweetly.

He got the pleasure of dining upstairs that evening and came by the next day and got the coop finished up with a wired fence around and a gateway to get in. He used a bit of left over lumber to build a bench big enough for two just outside the coop against the back of the building.

Chapter 17 -
Corinne

January 1850, Willamette Valley

The house was empty and the lantern glowed yellow and the fire had grown dim. Corinne sat in the late day waiting for Lucas to return from an errand and she was deep in thought. Her friend had been gone for too long now. The room Angela had stayed in was empty and it dug at her a little every time she went by it.

She was missing her friend, again. The long wait for her to heal after the accident then waiting for her by wagon train and now this wait, weighed heavily. She was growing impatient. She wanted her friend back. She had prayed a lot about it but she felt awkward talking about it with Lucas.

He was her husband and she loved him. Would he understand the need she had for her friend that was like a sister to her? Perhaps he would think that he wasn’t enough. She did not want Lucas to feel slighted, so she kept her impatience to herself.

She was getting better at mending socks and stockings and was pleased when she had the job complete. She added a log to the fire and poked the embers into action with the metal prods.

She spent a while staring at the fire, praying for her friend and that her brother was found soon. She wanted her friend to be happy but she also wanted her back. She felt selfish and foolish but she knew God would help her through the waiting time.

Lucas came home a short while later and he had a basket full with dinner from Chelsea and Russell’s house. Corinne and Lucas enjoyed the dinner and Lucas filled her in on all the family news.

Brody had sent a drawn picture that Corinne gladly hung from a nail by the front door. She thought it was a tree and a bear. She would gladly thank the five year old when she saw him next.

Lucas and Corinne discussed their day, Corinne’s had been in the greenhouse and lab. Lucas had been clearing out some brush and felled a few trees with Russell on a piece of the property they wanted ready for next year. The talk between them was easy and they enjoyed each other’s company.

They shared a piece of cobbler that Chelsea had included in the basket.

“Lucas, I know I have asked you many times about the dinner situation. You truly do not mind that I pay Chelsea to cook for us?” Corinne felt that familiar guilt creeping into her heart. Perhaps her desires and dreams had made her a bad spouse.

“I will tell you, again and again if I must.” Lucas set his fork down and his green eyes looked into Corinne’s brown ones. “I knew your ambitions when I married you. Chelsea loves to do it and for now it works. I have my own thoughts about what happens when her family grows. I know Marie also helps out when Chelsea gets busy. The harvest season may need to be adjusted next year. God will find a way. We all just have to remain open to His will.” Lucas took another bite.

“I sometimes feel so guilty.” Corinne said with a frown.

“I do believe you had a cook growing up.” Lucas said. He raised an an eyebrow.

“Well yes, and my Grandmother lived with us too. She would sometimes help my mom in the kitchen.  Frequently, my grandmother and my mother were occupied in the gardens and my mom also helped the doctor sometimes at the fort when the militia needed care.” Corinne said. She knew that he knew all this.

“So everyone was fed and the women had purpose and meaning. Was your mother often wallowing in guilt about her meals being cooked by someone else?” Lucas asked with just the tiniest hint of sarcasm.

“Well, no, she kept herself useful in her community.” Corinne said.

“Well then, like mother, like daughter.” Lucas stole the slice of cobbler that Corinne had left untouched on the plate and scooped a big bite while Corinne laughed.

“Point taken, leave me a bite, you fool.” Corinne stabbed at the plate with her fork to get any portion she could before her husband stole the rest.

* * * * *

Corinne watched Lucas and Russell working side by side in the mid-afternoon. They were close in age, Russell just two years his senior but they were not very competitive. Lucas told stories how their mother had been on them early to appreciate their siblings and had harsh punishment for disloyalty to the family. She would always talk about when her own brother had died when she was young and she always felt it keenly. A cohesive and loving family was her main focus in their upbringing and she focused on raising children filled with God’s Wisdom.

Russell was quick to help out with any needs Lucas had and the same went the other way. Labor hands were scarce with the promise of gold only a state away. The flyers printed in town said men were gaining mass fortunes and it all was spreading around on waggling tongues. The 'gold widows' were gaining in numbers.

Corinne had finished hanging a few necessities, she was going to go into town tomorrow to see if she could ask Clive’s son J.Q. for some news. She knew Clive would be back soon from California territory. Perhaps with a few letters too. Corrine also wanted to step into Doc's and have him look at a rash on her neck. It was something she was unfamiliar with and perhaps she needed better protection for her skin while making her oils. They were strong and the vapors could be causing issues to any exposed skin.

She would ask the doctor though, it was never a bad idea, Corinne was decent at emergency medicine on the trail but her day-to-day knowledge wasn't complete like a doctor’s education, she was always the first to admit that.
 

She rode Clover slowly into town. Her furs were warm around her. She had received them from the Indians while on the Oregon Trail and they were handsome. Clive had taken the furs and did his magic on them. She was always complimented when she wore them into town.

Doctor Vincent Williams was in his office and he thought that maybe the rash was related to her work too. “Maybe you and your employees should wear protective clothing while near the distillation process.” Dr. Williams suggested.

They talked and pondered the ideas. He recommended a few ointments that she could get at the apothecary and was told to wash the rash often.

Corinne and Persephone had a nice chat after the doctor’s appointment. Little by little Corinne could see that Persephone was opening up. She knew that her shyness would probably fade over time once she got to know people in town. Corinne was hoping to be a closer friend eventually. She invited the doctor and his wife to the Spring Creek Church meeting for that Sunday. She knew that Lucas would be playing violin and someone would be singing. Persephone had said that the church in town was pretty with new stained glass windows. But she hadn’t made any good friendship connections.

“You are more than welcome. We aren’t anything fancy, but I do love the preacher and his wife. We are meeting in the schoolhouse for now. But we are talking about building a church near the creek.” Corinne shared. She hoped she didn’t sound like she was pressuring them.

Persephone and her husband said with a smile that they would consider it. Corinne grinned and left and few minutes later.

She was pleasantly surprised to see them at service that very Sunday. After the lovely service and music the Williams couple both proclaimed they enjoyed it very much. They even stayed after the service for the discussion about the opportunity to build a church the next spring. The thoughts were to expand the small cabin of the preacher and to build a church building closer to the main farm road, right near the creek. The church agreed to the budget and all voted “yes” to build. Within a week the members who could afford to pitch in supplied the money needed for the budget.

Corinne was learning to lean on God as she waited. She knew that with spring would come many good things.

* * * * *

Angela Fahey

San Francisco

The stationery store was full of wonders, Angie thought. The fancy goods section kept her enthralled while waiting for the owner of the shop to help her and Clive. The fancy quills, pencils and many styles of paper goods filled the walls from floor to ceiling. The other wall was filled with ornamental inkwells and stationery cases, from the simple to the extravagant. Clive showed her one that was particularly lovely with polished wood and mother of pearl artfully decorating it. It was grand indeed.

“Clive Quackenbush, to what do I owe this grand visit, with a young lady I see. Those are rare in these parts.” The elder man gave a bow and Angela felt a little self-conscious.

“Well Waverly, I am needin’ your wood carving skills. I have a need for an advertisement for this young lady. We have thought it all out and had a friend draw this up, simple and neat.” He handed the owner the paper.

Family member looking for Sean Fahey: last known address California territory in the Company of Ol’ Willie. For more information: Seek Quakenbush Mercantile, San Francisco.

“Looks easy enough. How many copies you needing?” Waverly rubbed his jaw. His hands had the look of a wood worker, callused and cracked but capable.

“We can start with seventy-five. I will take a few up to Sacramento when they are finished. Maybe head to a few places around Sutter’s and a few of the booming places.” Clive kept his ear to the ground and always seemed to know what was happening. 

Waverly quoted a price and Angela insisted on paying. Clive harrumphed but allowed her to pay. It chafed him in any way to allow a woman to pay for anything. It was just his way. He could imagine his Ma, God bless her soul, would have cuffed the back of his head just now had she been here.

Waverly told them to wait a few days and come back for the advertisements. Angela and Clive walked back to the mercantile, the town square was rebuilding quickly after the fire. The buildings were not as tall as they were but several have taken the advice of some and start building in brick and iron. It wasn’t disaster-proof but it took a lot to burn down a brick house.

“I am so hopeful about my brother, Clive, I hope I haven’t put all this effort into this and nothing comes of it. It feels like such a vague wish.” Angie wrung her hands while walking through the muddy streets. “The thought of going back without him is worse. It would feel like giving up. I cannot do that, yet.”

Clive kept her company all the way and reminded her of something before he left.

“I will be leaving tomorrow for Willamette Valley, I am taking Ted with me.” Clive saw an odd look cross her face after mentioning Ted’s name. He waited a moment before adding a little fuel to the fire. “I will send Ted by later to get any letters and such if you care to send some.” Clive had the oddest smirk on his face and Angela couldn’t help but notice.

“Stop yer teasing Clive.”

“I know nothin’ of your meaning, child.” Clive tried to look innocent and failed.

Angela shook her head and walked into the new mercantile without a word. Clive just laughed and did a quickstep around to the warehouse chuckling the whole way. Young folks and their feelings, everyone else in the world saw it first before these two shy kids would do a thing about it. He and Gabe have started a pool in the warehouse to see how long it took before these young kids decided to start courting.

Angela found Amber at the counter, Gabe was next to her but her face was distressed.

“Are ya feeling poorly Amber?” Angela went to her quickly to see if there was anything to do. She rubbed a hand soothingly down Amber’s back.

“Just achy and the baby keeps kicking me in all the wrong ways. I keep telling him that I am not amused.” Amber sounded worn out and crabby.

“Him?” Gabe and Angela said together.

“Well, just a feeling I have had lately. It just slipped out. He or she will have to answer for a few things when it comes out.” Amber allowed Gabe to rub her back slowly. She closed her eyes and winced.

“Another kick?” Angela asked.

“No just a squeezing cramp that has been off and on today.” Amber took a few deep breaths then asked Angela to help her up the stairs. Gabe interrupted and volunteered to do it. Angela could see a little worried frown creased above his eyebrows.

Angie spent the afternoon at the counter with a tablet scribbling out a practice letter to Corinne, she would probably not have long to write out the letter tonight. Amber would need help with preparing dinner.

When the last customer was served and the store was closed Angela got a surprise with dinner already on the table.

“I thought for certain I would be making dinner.” Angela grabbed a few bowls and set them on the table. The tablecloth was new and Angela was again impressed at how elegant the place was. So different from the rough interior of the mercantile they lived above just last month.

“Angela, I appreciate how much you help around here but I have no desire to make you feel like you are expected to make dinner.” Gabe said sternly, Angie wasn’t sure if she had upset him. Her stomach churned into a knot of worry in half a second.

“I didn’t mean… I just thought since Amber wasn’t feeling well. I do apologize.” Angie didn’t know what to say to make it right. When she was a servant everything was always her fault. Even if it wasn’t, it was still was her fault. The consistent rule of a servant, just say you are sorry and it won’t happen again.