Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,56
have made Rosy sick.
“I hope they can figure out if it’s really the flour, and if so, why it’s making people ill,” Connie said as they left the house. “We really don’t need one more issue to deal with.”
“No. That’s true enough. But I’m not sure we’ll ever really know.” Tom shook his head and shrugged. “If it was poisoned, no one is going to admit to doing it. The excess flour has been confiscated, and folks were told to turn in any flour they’d purchased from this shipment. Hopefully that will be the end of it.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen again. I honestly don’t understand the heartlessness of people. Their hate is so intense.”
“Have you heard anything more from Clint about the shipments?” Tom asked, changing the subject.
“No. I was talking to him earlier about my disgust at artifacts being all but stolen from the Indians, as well as the grave robbing that goes on, and all he wanted to talk about was his feelings for me.”
Tom could well imagine. It seemed Clint was always watching Connie. “I know it probably doesn’t make sense to you, but I don’t trust him.”
“Why not?” She looked at him but continued to walk. “Just because he thinks he’s in love with me doesn’t make him untrustworthy.”
“I don’t know. I guess it’s just a feeling. He often has meetings with the Indians that no one else is invited to attend.”
“He’s the Indian agent. I would hope he has meetings with them.”
“In the middle of the night?”
“How do you know he’s doing that?” This time she stopped and waited for his response.
“You wanted us to prove your parents’ innocence, and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’ve been getting up in the night and watching him. He often has meetings with as many as ten men.”
“That is rather strange.” Connie frowned. “Have you any idea what he’s up to?”
“No. I can never get close enough to the house. They always post lookouts. Whatever they’re discussing, they don’t want anyone to know about it.”
Chapter 13
The Fourth of July passed without much ado. The Indian children performed a play about the birth of America, but Connie doubted they did it by choice. Independence Day meant very little to a people who weren’t free.
Rosy’s health improved, but Connie’s mother reminded her that Rosy was up in years and probably didn’t have much more time. The Indians had suffered such malnutrition and endured so many struggles that it had taken a big toll on their life expectancy. It troubled Connie. Why had a government who held life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness so dear believed themselves justified in treating the Indians so poorly?
Near the middle of the month, Isaac left for Oregon City in order to bring back a small herd of sheep he’d purchased from their aunt Hope and uncle Lance. On August first, he returned, and with him came Hope and Lance Kenner and Connie’s cousin Faith. Just their presence managed to cheer everyone.
“I’ve missed you too. It’s hard not having you and Adam close by.” The sisters pulled away and just looked at each other for a moment. There were many untold secrets between them after all they’d gone through together. Especially when they’d been held hostage at the Whitman Mission.
“How is Grace doing?” Mama asked.
Hope smiled. “She’s doing very well. She sent a few gifts and told me to tell you that she’s almost convinced Alex and Gabe to come for a visit as well.”
“That would be wonderful,” Connie interjected. “Maybe they could advise the Indians on the best way to get the mill back up and running.”
“I’m sure they would,” Aunt Hope said, turning to Connie. “It’s hard to believe you’re all grown up.”
“I hardly recognized her when she showed up at Nancy’s,” Faith said, laughing. “I suppose we all have to accept that time will never stand still.”
“Speaking of Nancy,” Mama asked, “how is she? How is poor Seth?”
“He’s recovering well,” Faith replied. “They’re both doing quite well, and little Jack is growing so fast. He’s a little cherub.”
Connie looked around. “Where did Isaac get off to?”
“The men are moving the sheep into one of the fenced pastures. After the sheep are secured, Isaac and your father hope to convince the others to help them put up fencing for another pasture so the sheep can be moved around.” Her mother turned to Aunt Hope.