Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,13
hit up and down the coast of Oregon and even the Washington Territory. Your mother wrote to the family that things were bad at Grand Ronde as well.”
“I did have a letter from Mama about it.” Connie glanced around the area. “But Portland looks quite repaired. They must have worked very hard.”
“Yes, the entire city really came together,” Nancy said, smiling. “It blessed my heart to see so many people helping out.”
“I believe I’ll see to our bags,” Tom said. “Where will I find you ladies?”
Nancy pointed across the street to a waiting carriage. “I can call a baggageman, if you need help.”
“No, I’m sure I can manage. I’ll have to make arrangements for the larger crates to be stored here at the docks until we head to Grand Ronde.”
Connie laughed. “Aunt Phinny sent every imaginable thing for Mama and Papa. She sent Papa a dozen new books and so much more, and then there are fabrics and shoes for the Indians.”
“I’ve no doubt. Go ahead and make your arrangements, Tom. We’ll wait for you at the carriage.” Nancy put her arm around Connie. “Come. We have so much to catch up on.”
To Tom, sitting at the boardinghouse table was akin to sitting at a political dinner. Comments were volleyed back and forth, and dishes passed in a whirlwind of constant activity. He hadn’t expected so much candor and insight from the ladies, but they were intelligent and full of opinions.
“Mr. Lowell, do you care for candied carrots?” one of the Clifton sisters asked.
Tom couldn’t remember which one she was, Bedelia or Cornelia. “Thank you, I do.”
She passed him the bowl, then turned her attention immediately to a bowl of potatoes. Tom wasn’t sure what else was in the concoction, but it looked as if the potatoes had been diced and mixed with bacon.
“This is a warm potato salad that the Germans make,” Miss Clifton explained, passing the bowl to him. “It’s quite tasty. Clementine, Nancy’s sister-in-law, learned how to make it from one of her young students’ mothers. Of course, she doesn’t teach now that she’s married to Nancy’s brother.”
Tom nodded, trying to keep up with all the names and people.
Miss Clifton continued to speak. “We often find it quite satisfying for our main meal. However, since we knew you and Miss Browning were to join us today, we made certain to offer more than just the potato salad. There’s sliced honeyed ham and bread as well.”
“That was most considerate, Miss Clifton.”
“Indeed.” Connie joined in the conversation from across the table. “Riverboat food is hardly the best. I was glad Tom thought to pick up apples and cheese in Astoria rather than depend on the boat’s fare.”
Miss Clifton nodded. “Cheese and apples were a good choice. Quite filling.”
Tom met Connie’s amused expression and raised his brows, mock-challenging her to suggest otherwise. Instead, she merely nodded.
“Was it a decent trip?” Nancy Carpenter asked Tom.
“Decent enough. There were a couple of delays, but it wasn’t bad.” Tom sampled the potato concoction and found it quite satisfying. There was a sweet vinegar dressing that surprised his taste buds in a pleasant manner. He’d have to ask for the recipe so that he could have it from time to time. “Train travel is improving all the time,” he continued. “I am happy to see that greater care was given to providing a restful sleep for travelers. The trains were equipped with sleeping quarters for men and women.”
“I doubt I could sleep amongst strangers,” Miss Clifton declared, shaking her head. “It wouldn’t be restful at all.”
“I am afraid I was so desperate for sleep, at times, that I slept sitting upright in my seat.” He leaned a bit closer to the older woman. “I was in good hands, however. Connie watched over me.”
“It is important to be able to place trust in one’s traveling companions,” Miss Clifton declared.
“True,” Connie said. “I think I slept better in my seat because I knew Tom was there. But I very much enjoyed the ride, despite it wearing me out. I didn’t observe much on my trip to Washington. I suppose my young age kept me from appreciating everything as much as I did on the return trip. It was fascinating to see the changing landscape. There are so many areas of wilderness that just go on and on, as well as huge farms that were cultivated in wheat and corn. The mountains were exceptionally beautiful and still had snow on the highest peaks.”