Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,19

including two pieces of pie.”

They moved as one into the house without another word to Connie and Tom. Connie found herself feeling a bit envious of their adoration for each other. Laughter rose up from the house, as well as conversation. She liked the feel of this home. It was full of life and love, just as a house should be.

“Now where has your mind gone?” Tom asked.

She couldn’t see his face very well and figured he couldn’t see hers either. “I was just taking a moment to be happy for Faith. I meant what I said. If anyone deserves love, it’s her. She has always been the most giving and loving of all my cousins and family. She has always sacrificed of herself and shown great concern for those around her, and yet she could never expect to marry and felt very alone, I’m sure.”

“Why did she not expect to marry?”

“I thought I told you. Faith is half Cayuse. Her mother—my aunt—was one of those at the Whitman Mission massacre. She was sorely abused, and Faith was the result. We don’t bring it up because . . . well, for obvious reasons, but I tell you positively everything. I really thought I’d told you about her.”

“No, but you can trust me to keep her secret.”

“Keep this one too, then. The captain is also part Indian. It was perfectly legal for them to wed.”

“Tom,” Nancy said, coming outside, “Seth was hoping you might play some chess with him. It helps his mind, you know.”

“I’d be happy to. If you ladies will excuse me.” He got to his feet. “I’ll go and see how badly I can be beaten.”

Connie smiled. Tom was an excellent chess player and would no doubt win.

“Jack is finally asleep,” Nancy said, leaning against the porch rail. “I love it when he sleeps. I can’t help wondering what he’s dreaming of.”

“Are you certain he dreams? Perhaps babies don’t.”

Nancy chuckled. “I remember once an old lady told me that babies soar with angels when they sleep. I used to try to remember when I was a baby, to see if I could recall any such trips, but sadly I couldn’t.”

“People get some strange notions, don’t they?”

“That’s for sure. Especially with all the nonsense going on at the reservation.” Nancy fell abruptly silent.

“What do you know about it?” Connie asked. “Have you heard the rumors about Mama and Papa?”

“I . . . well, yes. I wasn’t sure that you had. What do you know?”

“I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

“I know they’re innocent, Connie. I know Aunt Mercy and Uncle Adam are good people and would never do the things they’re accused of. My first husband had a hand in smuggling whiskey and weapons onto the reservation. It floored me to hear your folks accused of being involved.” She kept her voice very low. “Did you know that Seth came to Portland to learn the truth?”

“No. I wonder if Tom knows.”

“He does. He and Seth had a talk.”

“Funny. He never said anything to me.” Connie frowned.

“Well, there hasn’t exactly been time. You haven’t been alone—not really. Maybe it’s best not to say anything and let him bring it up. Maybe he didn’t want to worry you with it.”

“We tell each other everything. It’s always been that way in the seven years I’ve known him. He was one of Uncle Dean’s students and spent more time at our house than anywhere else. Of course, his mother died shortly before I arrived, and his father was always preoccupied with business. He had very little time for Tom.” She paused to make sure they weren’t overheard. “In fact, Tom’s father was quite cruel to the family. Uncle Dean was one of Tom’s teachers, and he was so supportive and sweet to him. He encouraged him to continue with college and not allow his grief to make his choices. Aunt Phinny mothered him tenderly. Well, she mothers everyone.” Connie couldn’t help but laugh. “And did so quite well.”

Connie remembered those days with bittersweet contemplation. They had been like a little family, and yet she had missed her own family. Her brother, Isaac, had headed off to college prior to her leaving home but returned not long after she’d left. Her mother and father were faithful to write, but it wasn’t the same. They all kept thinking there would be time for a trip to bring them all together again, but it never developed, and Connie had been devastated. What if