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“So where will you be staying while this fine house of yours is being built?”
“We’ll be living in the wagon on our property. Davis wants to be close by so he can get an early start each day and work until dark.”
“No, no, that won’t be so.” Mae shook her head. “You must come and stay with me and Hans while your husband stays out there. A woman in your condition needs rest, and everyone knows you can’t rest in those infernal things. I can’t imagine how you managed to come all the way from Missouri in that wagon. When my Hans and I came from the old country, we came by boat, and th
at was bad, but at least we didn’t bake in the sun.”
“No, I could never impose like that,” Emma said.
“You don’t impose. We have all those rooms from my sons that nobody uses. I can take you upstairs and show you a nice room you can have until the house is ready. My Hans made all the furniture in that room, and believe me, it’s sturdy.” She took Emma by the hand and continued talking as she walked her upstairs.
“It will be fun to have a young person around again. Hans would be so happy.” She opened the door to a cozy bedroom. A massive bed, dresser and mirror filled the room. Even with the dreary day outside, Emma could see where this would be a fine room to have to herself. Light yellow paint covered the walls, with gingham curtains at the windows. She could see emerald green rolling hills behind the store that continued on for miles. There was even a fireplace that could keep her warm in the evenings.
“Mae, I would have to talk this over with Davis, but if I do stay, I insist on paying my way, or at least helping in the store while I’m here.” When Mae started to speak, Emma held up her hand. “No, there is no argument there. Davis would never allow me to accept charity.”
“Oh, missy, it wouldn’t be charity. We would love to have you, but if you insist, then helping out in the store it is. I could use a break every once in a while during the day, and Hans, he doesn’t like to talk to people. In fact, I better get back down to the store now, or he’ll have put the closed sign on the door and gone back to his work.” She laughed out loud and preceded Emma down the stairs and back into the kitchen.
“I’ll clean up the tea things, Mae, and you can go and relieve Hans.” Emma gathered up the dishes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She left the mercantile, promising to stop back as soon as she spoke with Davis. Perhaps living with Mae while Davis built the house would work out well. Even though Mae talked a lot, her cheerful, friendly manner helped Emma miss her own mother a little less.
Before crossing the busy street she spotted Nate on the other side, standing in front of the barber shop. She slowed her steps, but he saw her, and walked briskly to her side.
“Emma, it’s so good to see you. I haven’t been able to catch up with you since we all left the wagon train.” Taking her hands, he reached down and kissed her on the cheek.
A bit uncomfortable, Emma pulled her hands free. “It is good to see you. What have you been doing since then? Shouldn’t you have returned to Fort Laramie by now?”
“No, actually, I resigned my commission with the army. I’ve decided to stay in Oregon City for now.”
“Resigned?” Emma gasped. “Why did you do that? I thought you liked being in the army?”
“I think you know why.” He glanced around to be sure no one could hear their conversation. “I want to check into the validity of your marriage. I have an appointment with a lawyer tomorrow.”
“Nate, I really don’t want you doing that. Whether Davis and I were forced to marry or not, I don’t intend to break my marriage vows. Especially with the baby coming.” She regarded him with pursed lips as she placed her hands on her slight protuberance.
“Just let me do this, Emma. Please. I know you would prefer to go back to Indiana, and I’ll take you there. We could get a house close to your parents.” He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll let you know what he says.”
Frustrated at his stubbornness, Emma just shook her head and continued on her way.
“There you are, darlin’.” Davis glanced up from the paper he studied. “I was just beginning to wonder what happened to you. Did you get what you needed at the mercantile?”
Emma laughed. “Actually, I never did get around to it, now that I think about it. Mae kept me so busy the whole time, I forgot.”
“We’ll go back when we’re done here. I’ll just be another few minutes.”
Emma wandered around the store, looking at nails, hammers, shovels and other things of absolutely no interest to her. She thought back on her conversation with Nate. She’d been completely taken aback by his decision to leave the army. And this obsession to find out if her marriage could be annulled was becoming frightening. Jeb had blessed their union, and as far as Emma could see, that was the end of it.
She placed her hand on her stomach. If her marriage to Davis was annulled, her baby would be a bastard. The whole thing was ridiculous. The pull of Indiana had weakened over the last few weeks. But in any event, whether to return or not was a decision best left alone until after the baby came. In the meantime, she just had to make sure she didn’t do anything to encourage Nate.
“I’m ready if you are,” Davis said as he walked up behind her, taking her arm in his.
“I’m ready. And I need to talk to you about something.”
“It’s getting close to dinnertime, let’s go over to the hotel dining room, and we can talk there.”
Emma frowned. “I’m worried we’re spending too much money on the hotel and meals. And we have to pay Mr. Hastings for the lumber. I’m concerned our money is going to run out.”
