A Home at Trail's End Read online

  HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

  EUGENE, OREGON

  Cover by Koechel Peterson & Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota

  Cover photos © Koechel Peterson & Associates / iStockphoto / Thinkstock

  Backcover author photo Ruettgers Photography

  A HOME AT TRAIL’S END

  Copyright © 2013 by Melody A. Carlson

  Published by Harvest House Publishers

  Eugene, Oregon 97402

  www.harvesthousepublishers.com

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Carlson, Melody.

  A home at trail’s end / Melody Carlson.

  pages cm—(Homeward on the Oregon Trail Series; Book 3)

  ISBN 978-0-7369-4875-3 (pbk.)

  ISBN 978-0-7369-4876-0 (eBook)

  1. Widows—Fiction. 2. Women pioneers—Fiction. 3. Oregon Territory—History—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3553.A73257H56 2013

  813'.54—dc23

  2012044765

  All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—without the prior written permission of publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a non-transferable, non-exclusive, and non-commercial right to access and view this electronic publication and agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author’s and publisher’s rights is strictly prohibited.

  Contents

  Primary Returning Characters from A Dream for Tomorrow

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Discussion Questions

  About the Publisher

  Primary Returning Characters from

  A Dream for Tomorrow

  Elizabeth Anne Martin

  JT (12) and Ruth Anne (8)

  Eli Kincaid, former wagon train scout

  Asa and Clara Dawson, Elizabeth’s parents

  Matthew and Jess Dawson, Elizabeth’s brother and sister-in-law

  Brady, Elizabeth’s farmhand and a freed slave

  Malinda Martin, Elizabeth’s widowed sister-in-law

  Todd (15), Emily (13), Bart (12), and Susannah (9)

  William Bramford, a widowed lawyer from Boston

  Jeremiah (18), Belinda (17), and Amelia (16)

  Hugh and Lavinia Prescott, friends of William Bramford, also from Boston

  Julius (19), Evelyn (16), and Augustus (13)

  Bert and Florence Flanders

  Mahala (18), Ezra (16), Hannah (13), Walter (11), and Tillie (8)

  Jane Taylor, fellow emigrant whose husband was killed on the wagon train

  Chapter One

  October 1857

  Elizabeth felt a spring in her step as she guided Eli around the borders of her property. At the corner, she paused to point out the land adjoining hers. “That section combined with my acreage equals a whole parcel. But because I’m single, I could only file for a half parcel.”

  “I see.” He surveyed the meadow that ran clear down to the river and then up into the wooded hills behind it.

  “John and Malinda had been saving a whole parcel for us…” She stopped herself. “I mean, for James and me.”

  He nodded. “I understand.”

  “And of course, both John and James are gone now.” She didn’t want to dwell too much on this sad fact. It seemed more important to go forward than to look back. “So I claimed this half when we arrived.” She waved her hand toward her land. “Because it was closer to Malinda as well as my family’s parcels. But the other half is still available.”

  He smiled at her. “So you don’t mind if I file a claim on it.”

  She laughed. “Being that you’ve filed a claim on my heart, it seems you are entitled to the land as well.”

  “This is fine land, Elizabeth. I can see why you and your family felt it was worth the effort to come out this way.”

  “Father thinks the meadows along the river are perfect for grazing.”

  “Yes.” Eli’s brow creased. “It’s hard to believe the government is selling this land for so cheap. But I know they want it settled.” He glanced over to the river. “Are there any Indians around here? I know that’s the Coquille River, and I heard the Coquille tribe is friendly. This looks like the kind of place Indians would be quite comfortable in.”

  “To be honest, I haven’t seen a single Indian since we left Empire City,” she told him. “But Malinda wrote to me, saying there had been trouble in these parts. Perhaps the Indians have moved on.” For some reason this wasn’t a topic that many of the settlers spoke of…whether it was because it made them uncomfortable or because the Indians were not a problem was unclear.

  “I know the ocean isn’t too far away. It’s possible they’ve gone over there to fish for salmon or collect clams.”

  “I’m looking forward to seeing the ocean,” she told him.

  He grinned. “Yes, we’ll have to do that together.” He looked intently into her eyes. “Now that you’ve agreed to become my bride, is there anyone I should see to get permission? Asa perhaps?”

  She laughed. “No, I do not need my father’s permission to marry, but I would like my parents’ blessing. However, there is someone you should ask. Rather, two someones. And school let out a bit ago, so I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”

  “I can’t wait to see them.”

  Now she told him about JT helping to drive the livestock along the Columbia River. “It was almost as if he left a boy and grew into a man while he was gone. He’s still talking about the adventures they had.”

  “Did he take his Bowie knife?”

  “He certainly did. And I let him take your canteen as well.”

  Eli chuckled. “I’m glad you did.”

  “And Ruth is turning into quite an artist. You’ll have to ask her to show you the drawings she did while we traveled down the Columbia River. She says she’s saving them for her children.” She laughed. “Can you imagine? Ruth planning for her own children?”

  “I think we would make fine grandparents.”

  Elizabeth was touched but didn’t respond as she pointed to where her horse Molly, with JT and Ruth on her back, was coming toward them. “There they are.” She clutched her hands together anxiously. What if the children were unhappy about her engagement to Eli? Perhaps this was a conversation she should have privately with them. And yet she knew they needed to hear this news now—she had promised them that they would be the first to know.

  “Oh, dear,” she said quietly to Eli as she smiled and waved to Ruth and JT. “I’m feeling extremely n
ervous right now.”

  “So am I,” Eli admitted.

  “Eli!” JT yelled from the horse, nudging Molly to go faster.

  Eli went to meet them, helping Ruth from the horse as JT hopped down. Both children hugged Eli. “When did you get here?” JT asked with enthusiasm.

  “Just now,” Eli told him.

  “How long will you stay?” Ruth asked.

  “That depends,” he told her.

  “On what?” JT peered curiously at him.

  “Well…your mother and I want to ask you both about something.” He tossed her an uneasy glance.

  “That’s right,” she added. “Eli has asked me a very important question.” She looked back at him, hoping he’d take it from here.

  “I came here to ask your mother to become my wife,” he said bravely.

  JT looked stunned, but Ruth just grinned. “I knew it!” she exclaimed.

  “But your mother said she can’t marry without her children’s approval. What do you think about me marrying your mother…and hopefully becoming your father?” He cleared his throat. “Someday…”

  “I like it!” Ruth declared. “I wanted Mama to marry you a long time ago, back on the wagon train. Didn’t I, Mama?”

  Elizabeth just chuckled and nodded. But her eyes were fixed on JT. He was being awfully quiet just now. And his expression was very somber and hard to read. What was he thinking?

  “I appreciate you giving your consent, Ruth. But we need the approval of both of you.” Eli looked at JT now. “What do you think about this, JT? I realize you’ve been the man of the house.” Eli glanced over to the stone foundation. “Well, there’s not much house yet, but you’ve been playing the role of the man in this family. And doing an excellent job of it too.” He grinned. “Your ma told me about how you helped drive the livestock through the Columbia Gorge. Takes a man to do that.”

  JT nodded proudly. “I know.”

  “So, JT,” Elizabeth began, “what do you think? And please be honest.”

  JT looked from Eli to Elizabeth, and then a slow smile broke over his face. “I think it’s a good idea. I approve.” He stuck out his hand to Eli, and they shook on it.

  “I appreciate that,” Eli told him. “You had me worried there for a bit.”

  JT chuckled. “Sorry. I just wanted to give it my careful consideration.”

  Elizabeth laughed, patting him on the back. “I appreciate that, son.”

  “Does anyone else know about this?” Ruth asked. “Grandma and Grandpa or—”

  “Nobody but you two,” Elizabeth assured her. “Remember what I told you—you and JT would be the first to know.”

  “Can we go tell them now?” Ruth asked.

  Elizabeth glanced at Eli, and he just shrugged. “Don’t see why not.”

  “Yes, but let’s ask them to keep it to themselves until after Malinda and Will’s party tomorrow. I don’t want to steal their thunder.”

  “Good thinking,” Eli agreed.

  And so they all headed over to share the good news with Asa and Clara and Matthew and Jess and Brady. Naturally, everyone was nearly as happy as Elizabeth and Eli, and they all promised to keep it under their hats.

  “We don’t see anyone out here much anyway,” Jess assured her. “Besides our own family, that is.”

  “And now our family is getting bigger,” Ruth said proudly.

  “In more ways than one,” Elizabeth added mysteriously. She glanced at Jess, who was expecting her first baby in the spring. However, other than immediate family, Jess was keeping this to herself. “How are you doing?”

  Jess grinned. “I’ve never felt better.”

  “And the house is coming along nicely?” Elizabeth asked. Since Matthew and Jess’ house was farther away, she hadn’t been out there in a few weeks.

  “Oh, yes! Matthew and Pa and Brady are quite the carpenters.”

  “So when is the big date?” Matthew asked Elizabeth. “I’ll need to warm up my fiddle for the dancing afterward.”

  “I’m not sure,” Elizabeth admitted.

  “We haven’t really discussed that yet,” Eli told them. “But I say the sooner the better.” He looked at Elizabeth again. “But I don’t want to rush you.”

  She laughed nervously. “I don’t really know. Maybe we should think on that a bit. And let’s not forget that we don’t even have a place to live yet.”

  “I s’pect Lizzie told you we were making her wait until last for her house,” Asa told Eli. “We hadn’t really planned it that way. We thought she was going to live with Malinda.”

  “And I don’t know why you and the children don’t do that,” Clara told Elizabeth. “Seems you could stay up there—at least until the wedding.”

  “Except that Malinda will have a full house before long. I heard that Will’s girls are going to move in with her soon. Will and Jeremiah will keep working on the cabin on his unit…although it sounds like that house might go to Jeremiah now that he and Mahala are planning to wed.”

  “So many weddings.” Clara rubbed her hands together. “Won’t it be fun!”

  Elizabeth looked at Eli. “Maybe we shouldn’t make plans for our wedding until after we get our cabin built.”

  He just nodded. “That makes sense.”

  She was glad he agreed, but she also wondered how good a plan it really was. Having a cabin finished sounded like a long way down the road. Still, she wasn’t going to worry about it today.

  “Where will you stay?” Asa asked Eli.

  Eli scratched his chin. “I hadn’t given it much thought. But I can camp most anywhere.”

  Clara made a concerned frown. “Anywhere…except on Elizabeth’s land.”

  “But we have lots of room,” Ruth injected.

  Asa tweaked one of her braids and then grinned. “Why don’t you stay here with us?” he asked Eli.

  “I’d be much obliged.”

  “Watch out,” Elizabeth teasingly warned Eli. “They’ll probably try to put you to work if you’re living here.”

  “No,” Asa assured her. “I’ll bet Eli will want to get to work on your place as soon as possible.”

  “Elizabeth has already made a nice start with that stone foundation,” Eli said with pride. “It looks good and square.”

  “’Ceptin’ that she made it a might too big,” Matthew teased. “Did you notice?”

  Eli shook his head. “I thought it was a good size for a family—with room to grow.”

  For the past couple of weeks, Elizabeth had capitalized on the good weather by sprouting seeds. As a result she now had dozens of tiny delicate plants—apples, peaches, pears, plums, and berries that were nearly ready to be planted in soil. JT was helping his uncle today, but Ruth was on hand to help Elizabeth with the task of planting. Their first task was to finish the stick fence they’d been building to protect the plants from foraging critters. Elizabeth was well aware of the damage deer and rabbits could do to young plants.

  “Is this going to be high enough to keep deer out?” Ruth asked as they pounded sticks into the ground.

  “No,” Elizabeth admitted. “But I plan to put tall poles every few feet. I’ll string wire about this tall.” She held her hand up as high as she could reach. “And then I’ll tie colorful rags that will flutter in the wind. Hopefully they will dissuade the deer from jumping the fence.”

  “And Flax will help too. He’s a good watchdog.”

  As she and Ruth worked, Elizabeth was surprised that Eli didn’t come by to say hello. In fact, as she strung the wire, she realized how much she would have appreciated his help. Even so, they were making good progress. And by late afternoon, not only was the seedling fortress fairly secure, but she and Ruth had planted most of the young plants as well. How many would survive remained to be seen. But hopefully by next fall, she would have enough little trees to transplant into a small fruit orchard.

  Just as she and Ruth were finishing, JT came home from helping with the men. “We started putting up Uncle Matthew’s
roof,” he told her as he came over to see the progress in the seedling garden. “Eli was there to help, and that made it go lots faster.”

  “So that’s where Eli was today.” She stood up straight and brushed the dirt from her hands.

  “He said he’ll be here around six to take us to the barn dance at Aunt Malinda’s,” JT told her as he dipped a cupful of water from one of the buckets she’d been using to water the seedlings.

  “Yes.” She rubbed the sore spot in her back and nodded. “He told me he would.” She pointed to the water buckets. “Why don’t you run down to the creek and refill those. Then you can help us water the seedlings and we’ll call it a day.”

  “And then I’ll jump in the creek and take a bath,” he called out as he grabbed both buckets.

  “Me too,” Ruth called out.

  Elizabeth looked up at the clear sky overhead. “You might as well make the most of this summerlike weather while we have it.”

  When JT returned, the three of them finished watering the seedlings. “Just enough to moisten the soil,” Elizabeth reminded JT. “We don’t want to drown them.”

  “Eli had to quit working early in order to go to town and buy some tools from the Prescotts,” JT explained as he dropped the water cup into the nearly empty bucket. “I reckon he got tired of having to borrow tools from everybody.”

  “The Prescotts aren’t open for business yet,” Elizabeth said as she dripped some water on the last tiny seedling. “I hope Hugh will have some tools available to sell to him.”

  “Oh, I’m sure they do,” JT assured her. “According to Augustus they have a little bit of everything.”

  “Wait until you see their mercantile,” Ruth said as she wiped her dirty hands onto her work dress. “We’ve been watching it get bigger and bigger every day on our way to school. It looks just like a real building.”

  “A real building?” Elizabeth frowned.

  “I mean with real wood,” Ruth explained. “Not just logs, like Grandpa and Uncle Matthew are using.”

  “Augustus said his pa went to the lumber mill in Empire City and brought back a bunch of milled wood. That’s why they were able to build it so fast.”

  “I’ll bet that cost a lot of money,” Ruth added.