she had no idea. She turned her
attention to what Cooper was saying.
"I asked around and found out there's a
decent hotel in the heart of town. Also, we'll probably want to shop prices on
supplies. After I get you and Tim settled in the hotel, I'll start making
inquiries about oxen and a wagon." He lowered his voice. "Um, excuse
me if I’m being indiscreet, but are we still working with the same availability
of funds you divulged to me in Jebson, ma'am?"
Hallie lowered her own voice. "Oh, yes, of
course. I have four thousand dollars from the sale of my farm and another
thousand remaining in savings after Thomas purchased our land in Oregon."
Cooper nodded. "That relieves my mind. I
think I'll be able to outfit you very well and get your cabin built in Oregon."
Hallie leaned closer and said softly,
"Please don't forget your wages, sir. Whatever you would have profited on
the sale of your crops…and a little more, should be fair."
Hallie got the feeling Cooper was amused when he
responded, "Yes, ma'am." But he sounded serious when he continued,
"You know, a woman running a farm alone is risky business."
Hallie sighed. "Yes, I realize that, but as
I explained during our initial meetings, because of his disability, my husband was
unable to do the manual labor associated with planting and harvesting, so we
hired hands specifically for those tasks. Because we paid them well, they did
an excellent job. And except for one year with inclement weather, we always
made a tidy profit come harvest time. My husband was a very astute planner and
I was prudent with our funds. And if there's one thing I know how to do, it’s
farm. So, having said all that, I have no doubt I can continue that same
practice. I have enough funds to keep me going until the first harvest and
possibly beyond. Of course, I realize there are always unknowns in any
equation, but I must fortify my courage and continue on. Farming is what I know
and what I love. So please, Mr. Jerome, do not trouble yourself on my account."
She heard Cooper puff a breath and decided to
change the subject. Turning to look at his profile, she asked a question that
had been on her mind for some time. "Cooper, I'd like to ask you
something."
He faced her. "Shoot."
His response made her smile. "You always
call my son Tim, never Timmy, like everyone else. I was just wondering
why."
Cooper studied her eyes for a second and then
returned his gaze to the road. Maneuvering the reins, he guided the horses
around a bend before responding. When he did, his answer surprised her.
"Well, Hallie, I'll tell you why, but you
may not like what I have to say."
Hallie furrowed her forehead, then said hesitantly,
"Please continue."
Cooper readjusted his hat, which sent splashes
of water onto the floorboard and sprinkles across Hallie's skirt. Finally, he spoke.
"Your boy may be young, Hallie, but he's havin' to grow up fast. Calling
him Timmy is like…well…not lettin' him grow up…like keepin' him a toddler. Now the
name Tim, it's a man's name, something your boy is going to become faster
because of losin' his pa." Cooper paused, and Hallie saw him glance at her
profile and then back at the road. "I hope you understand what I'm trying to
say. I don't mean any offense."
Hallie fingered a tear, turning so that Cooper
could only see the back of her head. When she felt like her voice wouldn't
tremble, she looked straight ahead again and replied, "I do understand.
Thank you for telling me. I'm going to ponder your words and talk to
Timmy…" she smiled slightly, "…Tim …about what you've said."
Unexpectedly, Cooper reached and covered her
hands folded tightly in her lap with one of his big ones. The contact only
lasted a second, but it comforted Hallie.
Chapter 10: Gee Haw
Over the next few days, Hallie's mind swam with
all the information she'd gleaned from Cooper, Emmett, and other emigrants
flooding Westport. The town was a beehive of activity from sunrise until well
after sundown.
attention to what Cooper was saying.
"I asked around and found out there's a
decent hotel in the heart of town. Also, we'll probably want to shop prices on
supplies. After I get you and Tim settled in the hotel, I'll start making
inquiries about oxen and a wagon." He lowered his voice. "Um, excuse
me if I’m being indiscreet, but are we still working with the same availability
of funds you divulged to me in Jebson, ma'am?"
Hallie lowered her own voice. "Oh, yes, of
course. I have four thousand dollars from the sale of my farm and another
thousand remaining in savings after Thomas purchased our land in Oregon."
Cooper nodded. "That relieves my mind. I
think I'll be able to outfit you very well and get your cabin built in Oregon."
Hallie leaned closer and said softly,
"Please don't forget your wages, sir. Whatever you would have profited on
the sale of your crops…and a little more, should be fair."
Hallie got the feeling Cooper was amused when he
responded, "Yes, ma'am." But he sounded serious when he continued,
"You know, a woman running a farm alone is risky business."
Hallie sighed. "Yes, I realize that, but as
I explained during our initial meetings, because of his disability, my husband was
unable to do the manual labor associated with planting and harvesting, so we
hired hands specifically for those tasks. Because we paid them well, they did
an excellent job. And except for one year with inclement weather, we always
made a tidy profit come harvest time. My husband was a very astute planner and
I was prudent with our funds. And if there's one thing I know how to do, it’s
farm. So, having said all that, I have no doubt I can continue that same
practice. I have enough funds to keep me going until the first harvest and
possibly beyond. Of course, I realize there are always unknowns in any
equation, but I must fortify my courage and continue on. Farming is what I know
and what I love. So please, Mr. Jerome, do not trouble yourself on my account."
She heard Cooper puff a breath and decided to
change the subject. Turning to look at his profile, she asked a question that
had been on her mind for some time. "Cooper, I'd like to ask you
something."
He faced her. "Shoot."
His response made her smile. "You always
call my son Tim, never Timmy, like everyone else. I was just wondering
why."
Cooper studied her eyes for a second and then
returned his gaze to the road. Maneuvering the reins, he guided the horses
around a bend before responding. When he did, his answer surprised her.
"Well, Hallie, I'll tell you why, but you
may not like what I have to say."
Hallie furrowed her forehead, then said hesitantly,
"Please continue."
Cooper readjusted his hat, which sent splashes
of water onto the floorboard and sprinkles across Hallie's skirt. Finally, he spoke.
"Your boy may be young, Hallie, but he's havin' to grow up fast. Calling
him Timmy is like…well…not lettin' him grow up…like keepin' him a toddler. Now the
name Tim, it's a man's name, something your boy is going to become faster
because of losin' his pa." Cooper paused, and Hallie saw him glance at her
profile and then back at the road. "I hope you understand what I'm trying to
say. I don't mean any offense."
Hallie fingered a tear, turning so that Cooper
could only see the back of her head. When she felt like her voice wouldn't
tremble, she looked straight ahead again and replied, "I do understand.
Thank you for telling me. I'm going to ponder your words and talk to
Timmy…" she smiled slightly, "…Tim …about what you've said."
Unexpectedly, Cooper reached and covered her
hands folded tightly in her lap with one of his big ones. The contact only
lasted a second, but it comforted Hallie.
Chapter 10: Gee Haw
Over the next few days, Hallie's mind swam with
all the information she'd gleaned from Cooper, Emmett, and other emigrants
flooding Westport. The town was a beehive of activity from sunrise until well
after sundown.
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