Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,68

all right?”

Faith put her hand on the older woman’s shoulder. “So far everything is fine. Just make sure she stays in bed and drinks plenty.”

Connie followed Faith to the door. Faith put her bag back into the burlap sack. “I’ll be back after dark,” Faith promised.

Outside, the two girls walked back to the Browning house. Faith kept her voice a hushed whisper. “Ruth told me about a house where Sam goes every day.”

“What about it?” Connie kept watch around them. Ever since her evening walk with Tom, she’d been rather spooked. She had known Tom was afraid that night, and the thought filled her with worry. Were any of them really safe if a war was about to start?

Faith’s voice was barely a whisper. “She said it’s full of guns—rifles.”

Connie looked at Faith. “Was she certain?”

“Oh yes. She said Sam is always talking about the war he’s going to help start. He wants to kill as many white men as possible. He believes once the Native peoples rise up, the government will have no choice but to set them free. Ruth said she had to tell us because she doesn’t want anyone to be hurt.”

“We need to talk to my father. And Tom too.” Connie scanned the area, more worried than ever before.

When they cleared the trees, Connie had to fight to keep from running across the clearing. She felt a great sense of dread. What was going to happen and when? Should they leave the area? Should they call for the army?

“Where’s Papa?” she asked as they came through the back door into the kitchen. “I need to speak to him and Tom.”

Her mother and Hope had been working at the stove, canning more jelly. “What’s the matter? What’s going on?” her mother asked.

“There’s going to be trouble.” Connie moved from the kitchen into the dining room. “Papa, where are you?”

“We’re in the front room,” he answered.

When she and Faith entered the room, Connie was relieved to find that Uncle Lance and Tom were with her father. What she didn’t like was the worry in their expressions.

“Connie says there’s going to be trouble,” Mama said from behind her.

It was only then that Connie realized her mother and aunt had followed her and Faith into the living room.

“What do you know?” Tom asked.

“Faith was tending Sam Sheridan’s wife, over at Ann’s house. I’ll let her explain.”

They all looked at Faith.

“Ruth said there’s a house where Sam goes every day. She said it’s full of rifles for the war that’s being planned. The war to kill all white people.”

Chapter 16

It was hard to know what to do. No one had any idea where this house might be. Papa suggested the women pack up and return to Portland, but no one knew how that could be accomplished without arousing suspicion.

“It’s clear we can’t do anything drastic without causing people to wonder why,” Uncle Lance said. “Maybe we could spread the word that we’re leaving. That our visit is over, and we’re heading home and taking Mercy and Connie with us to see the rest of the family. That would make total sense.”

Papa nodded. “It would. I like that idea. Especially since you planned to leave in a couple of days anyway.”

“Meanwhile, we can just go about our business,” Mama suggested. “Faith can go with Hope and me to gather herbs. That will give us an opportunity to search areas that aren’t well traveled.”

“I used to be a fairly decent tracker,” Lance added. “I’ll go along and keep an eye out for signs of foot traffic. No one will think it strange for me to be there to guard the women.”

Papa nodded. “That sounds good. Connie and Tom can move about doing interviews. There’s one couple, the Menards, who live not far from the river to the east. They’re past the other landholdings, so you’ll need to ride. Maybe take the wagon. James Menard is a good friend. Tell him we need information—that I have asked. See if he knows about any strange things going on. Ask if he knows about a house where weapons are being kept, and tell him it must remain a secret between us. He can be trusted.”

“I could go visit them alone,” Tom suggested.

Connie could see he was concerned about her. “I know the place. It’s not easy to find. I need to go with you.”

Tom shrugged. “If I look lost, no one will suspect that I’m doing anything untoward. That might well work to our benefit by