Maria looked from one parent to the other. “I think so,” she said hesitantly.
“It’s too much for her, Mac,” Jenny protested. She turned to her daughter. “Talk to Esther and Hannah. They’ll help.”
Mac sighed. “I’ll speak with them, Maria. In the meantime, your mother is not to leave this room.” He turned to Jenny. “Agreed?”
Jenny murmured, “All right, Mac.” She turned her face toward the wall and wept. Where was William? Would her coming child live? Finally, worn out from anxiety and tears, she slept.
The next morning, Esther Abercrombie and Hannah Pershing visited. Esther was only weeks from delivering her own child and seemed to take up half of Jenny’s bedroom. “I’ll be glad when this one’s out,” she declared, clasping her swollen belly. Then in a hushed voice, she said, “I’m sure you’ll be fine, Jenny. You and your baby.”
“You haven’t heard anything from Jonah, have you?” Jenny asked.
Esther shook her head. “Not a word. Daniel has asked everyone. No one saw the boys leave. No one’s seen ’em since.”
“They’ll turn up,” Hannah said, plumping Jenny’s pillows and helping her to sit up. “This too shall pass.”
“Hannah and I have sorted everything out,” Esther said. “Maria?” she called the girl, and Maria joined them.
“Now, Maria,” Esther continued, “this is what we’ll do. Hannah will bake Nate’s cake, and we’ll all celebrate at my house on Saturday afternoon. Just our three families, but we’re large enough to throw a good party for the boy.” Esther prattled on about her children’s excitement over hosting the celebration. “We’ll take care of everything. Maria, all you need to do is get your family ready. I assume Mac can drive you all to my house.”
“Yes, Mrs. Abercrombie.” Maria’s head bobbed.
“And your ma will stay home quietly and rest.” Esther turned to Jenny. “Won’t you, dear?”
“Yes, Esther,” Jenny whispered. When Esther was in her bossy mode, it was best to accommodate her. But oh, how Jenny would hate missing Nate’s birthday.
Mac’s business interests in Eugene weighed on him, but he didn’t want to leave town. He only left the house to pick up mail and check his office for deliveries or notices. Otherwise, he worked out of his small home study.
Byron Pengra had written to inform Mac the Eugene investors wanted to meet to outline their plans for the road survey. But with Will missing and Jenny confined to bed, Mac didn’t see any way he could leave Oregon City.
Will and Jonah had been gone a week now with no news. The other children alternated between their usual exuberance and tears over their missing brother. Maria seemed particularly depressed. When Mac asked her what was wrong one evening, she wailed, “What if he’s dead? What if we never see Will again?”
Mac wasn’t used to dealing with female hysterics—Jenny usually handled the girls’ upsets. But he didn’t want to bother Jenny with Maria’s fears, so he tried to calm his daughter. “I’m sure he’s fine,” he told her. “Will and Jonah are capable fellows.”
Mac chafed at his inability to manage both family and business. He needed to stay home during Jenny’s illness, but he also needed to travel to handle his investments. Their child wasn’t due until October. Would Jenny be restricted to bed for the next five months? How would the family cope without her?
Then there was Jacob Johnson—another reason Mac dared not leave town. The man hadn’t been seen since the attack on Jenny and Will, or so Sheriff Thomas reported. Where could Johnson have gone? Mac didn’t believe he’d left Oregon quietly.
Sighing, Mac re-read Pengra’s letter, then drafted a response:
May 5, 1864
Dear Mr. Pengra:
Unfortunately, pressing personal matters keep me in Oregon City for the foreseeable future. I trust in your judgment regarding the road survey and schedule.
I firmly support the need for a new road from Oregon to Boise. Any improved connections between our State and places east of us will improve our economy. While we cannot predict future rail development, I am convinced road travel will be essential in any event.
Please continue to keep me informed as to your progress. And rest assured that you will have my funds when needed for this enterprise.
Respectfully,
Mac signed the letter and sealed it. After the noon meal, he would post it.
That evening Mac spent an hour with Jenny in their room before supper. “So Esther and Hannah visited,” he said. “Did they plan the party?”
Jenny laughed. “Oh yes. If the Union Army had them for generals, the War would be long over.”
“What orders did they leave for me?” Mac asked.
“Only to drive the family to Esther’s house on Saturday afternoon.”
“I think I can manage that,” he said, chuckling.
“Don’t be so sure,” Jenny said with a smile. “The children will be excited. Especially Nate. You’ll need to be sure they all have clean clothes and faces.”
“They’ll get dirty again out on the farm,” Mac said, leaning over to kiss Jenny’s cheek.
“But they need to present a good image at the start,” she replied. “Oh, Mac,” she said, turning serious, “what are we going to do about Will?”
