Candle Glow and Mistletoe: Romance on the Oregon Trail Book 5 Read online

  Candle Glow and Mistletoe

  Romance on the Oregon Trail Book 5

  Kathleen Ball

  Copyright © 2019 by Kathleen Ball

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  To all my readers! Merry Christmas

  And as always to Bruce, Steven, Colt, Clara and Mavis because I love them.

  Contents

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

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  We’ve Only Just Begun

  About the Author

  Other Books by Kathleen

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  Chapter One

  Each step was colder then the previous one. He’d had a nearly impossible time getting over the mountains that some called the Cascades, but finally he was here. Crouching behind some low bushes, he examined the area. From his vantage point, he made out six rather big houses, arranged in a huge circle as if to give each other room. Three barns stood just outside the circle. One was long and narrow, probably for horse stalls. Beyond those, he could see a few buildings in the distance. Bunk houses, he assumed.

  He smiled deeply. His friends had done well for themselves. He closed his eyes and thought about the last time he had seen Luella. Did her blue eyes still sparkle when she was happy? Their paths had been meant to cross but never to be joined. Yet he’d thought of her often in the last few years and prayed for good things for her and her family. Was she a mother?

  He studied the homestead again. Which house belonged to which of his friends? He knew them all… or maybe not. There was an extra house. Had someone joined them? Maybe someone’s family had come out to stay. He wouldn’t be able to remain this close to the homes for much longer. He was starting to shiver, though he had a buffalo robe over him.

  He was suddenly grabbed from behind, and the next thing he knew he was on the ground. He looked up into giant pools of green though the eyes were narrowed with fury.

  “Wait.” He held his arm across his face to ward off possible blows. “I wish you no harm.”

  “Hiding and watching our houses means you’re planning harm. You must’ve lost your edge. You didn’t hear me coming. Now, should I slit your throat or would stabbing you in the heart be best?”

  She was strong, but he was stronger, and in one quick move, he had her on her back with her hands pinned to the ground. “Now, tell me again how you plan to kill me?”

  “Any way I can.”

  “Are you always so suspicious?” he asked, smiling down at her.

  “Don’t smile at me. And don’t pretend you don’t plan to do me much harm before you kill me.” She said something in an Indian language he wasn’t familiar with, and he loosened his grip.

  “A captive? It’s a hard thing to get past. I hope Dawn is well?” He felt her body relax a tiny bit.

  “Yes, she is married and has one child, a boy.” She narrowed one eye and shot him a suspicious glare. “How do you know Dawn?”

  “My tribe, the Lakota took her. I saved her and brought her to Luella.”

  With a gasp, she quit struggling. “Swift Eagle? Well, I’ll be. You’re a legend around here. I’ve heard all the stories, and Luella still has her eagle feather.” A smile lit up her face. “My name’s Rhetta. Let me up so I can bring you to my pa. He’s likely to shoot you if he just sees me with you. He’s one of a kind.”

  He slowly let her up, after taking the knife from her, but she laughed. “You don’t think I have just one do you?”

  “If you are Luella’s friend, you won’t kill me.” He helped her up and followed her through the deep snow to one house; the one without a wraparound porch. This one had a much smaller porch, and it seemed more practical.

  “Does your father hate Indians because they took you?”

  She sadly shook her head. “My people didn’t want me back, so Big Red took me in. He’s my new pa. He’s a trapper and the strongest man I know.” She angled her head and gave him a warning glance. “So be on your best behavior.”

  Swift Eagle turned away as he smiled about her unspoken threat. He followed her up the steps and stamped his feet on the porch to dislodge much of the snow packed on his fur-lined boots.

  She opened the door and hollered, “Pa! We have a visitor! He’s an Indian and says he knows Luella.”

  A commotion rose from inside and a figure came barreling through the door. He was a large man with hair like a flame. This must be the man named Big Red. Swift Eagle stiffened. He hoped he would not have to fight this man.

  “You must be Swift Eagle! Come in and get yourself warm.” Big Red held the door and gestured for them to enter.

  Swift Eagle followed the girl inside, then Big Red led him to the fireplace. “Coffee?”

  “Please.”

  Big Red left the room through a doorway toward the back of the house.

  “Is it true you rescued Luella from the very brink of death?” Rhetta stared at him with adoration in her eyes.

  It made him uncomfortable. “I just helped her out of the water is all.”

  Big Red returned and handed him a cup of coffee, and it felt wonderfully warm going down. “I have my horse tied not too far away with my supplies. I just wanted to see that Luella was doing fine before I headed north.”

  “Rhetta, yell out the back for John to take care of the horse.” He turned to Swift Eagle. “Where is it?”

  “Two miles out, right near the beginning of some cleared land. There’s so much snow I couldn’t tell what you’d planted.”

  “Our wheat. Rhetta—”

  “I heard him Pa.” She disappeared through the front door.

  “So, tell me, why are you headed north? Are the Lakota moving?”

  “It’s been bad with the white soldiers, and I had a vision that it was time to move on. In my vision I came to see Luella—that’s why I came here first. When her group traveled through, there weren’t as many wagons, but now there are wagons constantly moving toward this place, Oregon. I heard of California too, but this man doesn’t believe in roads paved in gold. Too much killing going on. I was always a peaceful man. It took me a long time to get here, but I knew I couldn’t wait for spring. The Creator urged me to go.”

  “Getting over the mountains must have been bad.”

  “The mountains were covered in snow, and the valleys have very high snow. Hard to walk through, especially with my horse, but it was just a matter of doing it. I made myself caves in the snow at night unless I could find other shelter. Going north will be just as bad.”

  “My daughter…” Big Red made a helpless gesture with one hand. “Well I’m surprised she didn’t kill you.”

  Swift Eagle smiled. “She tried.”

  The front door opened, and Luella ran in with her arms open wide. She didn’t look a day older than the last time Swift Eagle had seen her. Her cheeks were rosy, and her nose was red. Before Swift Eagle knew it, she was in
his arms. It had been a dream a few years ago to have her in his arms. He’d never married because no one else would do, but somehow the dream had faded. He still had much love in his heart for her but not in the same way.

  Luella kissed his cheek and stepped back. “You don’t know just how timely it is you’re here. We celebrated Thanksgiving last week, and your friendship was one thing we were thankful for. How long can you stay?” Her eyes widened as though a thought had just stricken her. “Oh my! Why are you here? Is something wrong? Are you sick? On the run?”

  “Now, Luella…” Big Red gently guided her into a chair. “The man can only answer one question at a time.”

  She sat and laughed. “Of course, you’re right. Just tell me you’ll stay a few days?”

  How could he deny his Lu-ella? It had taken him a bit of practice to pronounce her name correctly. He didn’t have the heart to tell her he hadn’t planned to make himself known.

  “A few days, and then I need to keep going north.” He could see the questions in her eyes but he said nothing more.

  The front door burst open, and Rhetta rushed inside.

  “Luella!” she shouted upon entering. “Declan says only for Swift Eagle would you run out on your three children. He wants to know if he should invite everyone to your house.”

  “Rhetta, close the door. You’re letting the cold in,” Big Red told her.

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “I’m still looking for John.” Then she ran out again, closing the door behind her.

  Swift Eagle turned to Big Red. “She told me she was a captive. Is she doing well now?”

  Big Red nodded. “She still has nightmares, but they were trying to adopt her and get her adapted to their way. She learned a lot, but her adoptive father thought she was hopeless. We were able to trade for her. She’s my daughter now, and I treat her with gentleness and respect. Not right certain what she plans to do with her life, but I don’t think she ever wants to marry.”

  Swift Eagle grinned. “I understand. I’m not looking for a wife at the moment. My vision stopped here, but I feel that Canada is the place for me.”

  Luella stood. “We might as well go to my place. We built it extra big to hold us all on occasions such as this. Wait until you see all the children. We have been abundantly blessed.” She started for the door.

  Swift Eagle wrapped his buffalo hide around him and looked at Big Red.

  “Go on ahead. I need to bank the fire. Did either of you notice if Rhetta had gloves on?”

  “Not when she was holding a knife on me but afterward, I am not sure.”

  Luella gasped.

  Big Red threw back his head and laughed. “That’s my girl.”

  Luella’s house was two houses away. It had an enormous porch. It was good that she’d made all her friends into her family. From her smile, he bet Declan Leary was a good husband to her.

  They walked into the house and Swift Eagle was greeted warmly by Declan and all three boys who looked like little Declans.

  Declan kneeled. “Boys, this is the man who saved your mother when the wagon tipped in the water. She was swept away, and I couldn’t find her. I looked everywhere but Swift Eagle found her and brought her back to me. Swift Eagle, this is Levi, Simon, and the little one here is Alex.”

  Levi put out his hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, sir.”

  Swift Eagle shook his hand. “Nice to meet you too, Levi. How old are you?”

  “Eight years old, sir.”

  “You can all just call me Swift Eagle. Simon, it’s nice to meet you.” He placed his hand on the boy’s red hair. Then he lifted Alex and smiled at him. “Yes indeed, three little Declans.”

  Declan looked proud while Luella’s lips twitched.

  “Let’s go into the sitting room,” Luella said as she ushered everyone into a big room on the right. The fireplace was massive and took up most of one wall. The furniture was covered with fabric, and a great circle above their heads held candles that lit the farthest corners of the room.

  “You have a very nice house.”

  The door exploded inward, and Rhetta ran into the room bringing in a fresh burst of icy wind with her. “I didn’t miss anything, did I?”

  “No, we were just getting seated,” Luella told her, offering an indulgent smile.

  * * *

  Rhetta tried to slow down her breathing. She had run fast to tell the others of Swift Eagle’s visit and then get back again. This was the most exciting thing to happen in a very long time. He was very handsome, with his thick black hair that hung just past his shoulders. Indians typically wore their hair much longer. Why had he cut it? She studied his face, intrigued. His brown eyes were filled with light instead of the dark she remembered from her captivity. She should have been afraid, but somehow, something within him beckoned to her, even though she would have stuck a knife in him when she saw him earlier had she been given the chance.

  She took off her coat and hung it on a peg near the front door. Hopefully the seat next to their visitor was free. Luella wouldn’t sit next to him, would she? After all, she had Declan. She stopped. Was she really going to do this? Seek the attention of an Indian? Swift Eagle was much older and seemed kinder than her captors had been. And she already knew she wasn’t marriageable. The people of the town had let her know it outside of the church of all places. They didn’t want her in their church either.

  When Big Red and Tara had inquired about her family, the whole town found out she was a captive. She had only been ten when she was taken, but that didn’t matter in the town’s eyes. As far as they were concerned, she still had lived like a savage, and that made her undesirable for “polite society.” Well, it was done and it couldn’t be undone. She couldn’t have fanciful thoughts of any man being handsome and wanting her as a wife.

  She strolled with her head held high and sat in a chair across the room from Swift Eagle. He was being climbed on by the boys, and there wasn’t room for her anyway. A tiny part of her wished she wasn’t wearing her buckskins.

  Cora and Harrison came in next with their three children Essie, Jordon, and Chad. Swift Eagle cradled Essie’s face and smiled. “You are so hopa… beautiful. I thought you a beautiful baby but you are growing into an even more o iyokipi… lovely young lady.” He turned to Jordon and Chad. “It is an honor to meet you both.”

  As Rhetta watched the exchanges, a sigh slipped out. What would it be like to be called beautiful by someone who wasn’t your family? A restlessness she didn’t recognize came over her. What was wrong with her? She should be happy that Big Red had taken her in and was keeping her safe. She certainly didn’t miss being a captive of the Indians. Why was her heart beating so fast when she looked at Swift Eagle? Why did it feel as though her next breath was trapped in her lungs?

  The door opened again, and Tara and her husband Zander entered, seeming just as happy as the rest to see Swift Eagle. They had two children; Patrick who looked like Zander with his dark hair and blue eyes and their daughter Hannah who had strawberry blond hair and eyes the color of the sky.

  Rhetta’s glance darted around at those gathered in the room. Most of the families and their children had gathered. She loved them all, but she wished there was someone her age.

  Once more, the door opened, this time admitting Heath Leary, carrying a young girl child, and his wife Dawn. With a happy cry, she threw off her wrap and ran to Swift Eagle. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. “I can’t believe you’re here. I never thought I’d see you again. I want to thank you—”

  “Your smile and happy family are thanks enough.” He then shook Heath’s hand and smiled at their daughter.

  “This is Maura,” Dawn said with pride.

  “She favors the Learys with her red hair.” Smiling, Swift Eagle reached out to touch one of her fiery locks with a gentle finger.

  “We named her after their sister who died during the Irish Famine.”

  Swift Eagle nodded. “It’s the highest of honors to be n
amed after another.”

  Rhetta was surprised by Maura’s big smile. She was usually a serious type of girl.

  It seemed as though all the grown-ups talked at once and they began reliving the old days. Well, it was only nine years ago, but she’d heard their stories a time too many. When Big Red came in, she offered him her chair. With the unsettling feelings roaring through her, this gathering was becoming too much. She wanted to help Amy, their housekeeper.

  * * *

  Swift Eagle looked at all the happy faces. It had been a while since he seen anything similar. It was a balm to his soul. He’d grown tired of rallying for peace when his people didn’t want it, especially Kills Many, who was still bitter about Dawn and her big magic.

  He’d caught Kills Many staring at him more than once with hate in his eyes. When he’d set out to follow the wagon trains west, it had been time to move on. He didn’t long for the fine houses or the things most washicu—white people had. He longed to be part of a family again. It had been a long time since he could speak without having to watch what he said. Perhaps it was time to find a wife while he was still young.

  His friends had many fine children to keep their legacies alive. A man should have such a thing.

  “Have you ever scalped anyone?” Luella’s son Levi asked.

  “Levi!” Heath admonished. “I’m sorry, Swift Eagle. Boys live for stories like, that but he shouldn’t have asked.”

  Levi looked puzzled about the whole thing.

  “Once in my youth,” Swift Eagle responded carefully. “But it made me sick to my stomach. Don’t tell anyone, though. I don’t want to be laughed at by the other Indians.”