Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,59
father and brother were part Cherokee, and while their percentage might not be considered all that much, there were those who said that even a drop of Indian blood was too much.
The world was going mad. Their country had abolished slavery, but there were still so many who hated the former slaves that secret organizations had formed for the sole purpose of killing them. The government had rounded up all the Indians—at least they were attempting to do so—and now was considering options for getting rid of them altogether. There were anti-Chinese leagues and people who had no tolerance of anyone whose skin color was different. Grief, there were even those who felt that anyone who spoke a language other than English should be forced out. It was madness.
“Where are my favorite girls?” Connie’s father called as the men returned to the house through the back door.
“We’re in the front room, waiting for you fellas to return so we can eat,” Mama replied, getting to her feet. “Come along, ladies.”
“I’m sure you’re happy to see your aunt and uncle again,” Tom said as he and Connie worked on their notes that evening. Connie was rewriting what they’d learned for the official report.
“Yes, I love my family. They’re all so good to one another. I’ve seen and heard of other families fighting and purposely harming each other, but that has never occurred in our family. Since I was quite young, all I’ve ever known from them is love. Of course, they have their disagreements, and once in a while someone gets their feelings hurt, but they always make up.”
Tom nodded. “My brothers and sister fought all the time as children and still fight to this day. They neither seek each other’s company nor enjoy it when they’re together. My father died over ten years ago, and they’re still fighting over the estate. I think I’ve fallen in love with your family.”
Connie laughed. “They are a good bunch. I tell you what—we’ll just adopt you and make you a part of our family. There’s always room for one more.”
Tom let his gaze settle on her for a long moment. She had no idea how much he wanted to be a part of her family, but not for the reasons she might think. Working with Connie and living so near her, Tom couldn’t deny his heart. The question was, how could he make her see his feelings? Should he just tell her how he felt and see how she responded?
“Your drawings are so good, Tom. I know this will be a special part of our report. I only wish I could draw as you do.”
“Maybe I could show you some techniques sometime,” he offered.
Connie smiled. “That could be fun.” She paused, and her expression changed. “By the way, did you know that Clint is in Portland?”
“I knew he hasn’t been around.”
“Mama said he had business with some of his brother’s associates. I wonder if it has anything to do with the whiskey smuggling.”
Tom had wondered how much Clint knew about the smuggling himself. “Has he talked to your father about it?”
“I don’t know how much, but he has in the past. He told me that Papa observed one of the deliveries. He told me not to tell my father what I saw that night at the river because he’d be upset.”
“How well do you really know Clint Singleton?”
Connie considered this for a moment. “He’s always been good help for my father. He came here and worked with Papa long before he was assigned as an agent. His father wanted him to join their cause to see the Indians properly treated. So even when he wasn’t getting paid, Clint worked with my father. I think his own father paid him a stipend.
“Clint has always been eager to please his father. As far back as I can remember, he’s talked about how important that is to him. His family has always cared deeply about the Indian cause. They are strong believers in seeing the Native peoples given citizenship and treated as equals.”
“What about Clint’s spiritual feelings?”
Connie shrugged. “He always shows up for church. We never talked about it before I left home, and now that I’m back, all he wants to talk about is giving him a chance to prove he’s worthy of my love.”
Tom looked at her. “He said that?”
She chuckled. “Yes, but he said a lot of things. He even had some opinions of you and your feelings for me.”