Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,12
both together. “How wonderful to see you again. You both look just as you did seven years ago.”
“I seriously doubt that,” Faith declared. “Those years have put a few wrinkles on my face.”
Connie laughed and touched Faith’s cheek. “Mama says they are proof of experience and wisdom.”
“She would say that.” Faith grinned. “Speaking of your parents, have you let them know you’re back in Oregon?”
“I sent a telegram from Astoria. Of course, who can tell when they’ll actually get it. I do wish Mama and Papa could have been here to meet us. I’m so anxious to see them again.” She pulled back and motioned to a man standing behind her. “I’m being very rude. This is my good friend Thomas Lowell. You can just call him Tom.”
Tom raised his hat to the ladies. “I’m pleased to meet you both. I’ve heard so much about Connie’s family.”
“We’re rather a lot to deal with when we’re all gathered in one place,” Faith declared. “I’m Faith Gratton. Just call me Faith.”
“Faith is the one who recently married a riverboat captain.” Connie’s explanation brought something else to mind. “I have a gift for you, to celebrate your marriage. I hope you’ll like it. I have something for you as well, Nancy.”
Tom looked at the other woman. “You must be Mrs. Carpenter.”
“I am,” Nancy replied. “But please call me Nancy.”
“Did Clint arrive?” Connie asked, looking around. She had been both dreading and looking forward to seeing him again. There was a time when she had been madly in love with him.
“He’s in town but thought we might like to meet up with you first. He said he’d join us for supper. That way you’d have time to rest and visit with us.” Nancy paused with a shrug. “Of course, at the boardinghouse there isn’t a lot of privacy to be had, but we can still catch up.”
Connie nodded and looked around. “I don’t remember much about Portland before I left, but I know it wasn’t anywhere near this big.”
“No,” Faith agreed. “It’s been growing daily. I’d wager to guess that it’s doubled in size almost every year these past seven years. It’s such a vivacious town, and we have just about any amenity you could want now. Opera, ballet, theater, wonderful restaurants, and so much more. We get some of the best speakers too. I recently invited Helen Hunt Jackson to speak to the town regarding the plight of the Indian Nations, and she said she would come in September. I’m so excited to hear what she has to say.”
“That’s wonderful,” Connie said. “Perhaps we’ll all get a chance to attend together.”
Faith smiled. “I asked Mr. Singleton to speak too, but he conveyed that the government would not allow it. I thought it might be refreshing to hear his perspective, since he lives with the Indians and tends to their needs.”
Tom jumped in at this. “I’m sure he’s right. The government wouldn’t appreciate the son of a senator and brother of a bureau official spouting off about reservation problems.”
“He could focus on other things,” Faith protested. “Although I admit mentioning the problems is more likely to raise funds than talking about all the good things.” She shrugged. “I just want people to understand what’s happening and why the Indians need our support and consideration.”
“Well, it’s nearly lunchtime, and the ladies of the boardinghouse helped me prepare a wonderful meal. I think you’ll enjoy it, as well as meeting all the boarders. They’ve become like a family to me,” Nancy said. “And besides, Seth and our little son, Jack, are there, and you must meet them. After lunch, we’ll let you rest. Faith is going to put you up, Tom. And Connie can stay with the ladies at the boardinghouse.”
“Are you averse to sleeping on a riverboat?” Faith asked Tom.
“Not at all.” He grinned. “Over the last two weeks I’ve slept on trains and ships. I even dozed on the lovely boat that brought us to Portland. I find that I can sleep anywhere—any port in the storm, so to speak.”
Faith smiled. “That’s good to hear. Captain Gratton, my husband, will be back with our ship, the Morning Star, very soon. We’ll give you a room there, since the boardinghouse is women-only, with exception to Nancy’s husband and the occasional family member.” She turned to Connie. “Did your folks write you about the bad storm we had last January? We lost over half the trees in the city. We’re still working toward recovery. The storm