Will rubbed his cheek as he glanced at Jonah.

“I wanted to prospect,” Jonah said. “I knew Joel was minin’ near Jacksonville. We went to find him, only to learn he’d signed on with the militia to pack mules.”

“And you?” Mac asked Will again.

Will shrugged. “Jonah asked me to go. Nothing better to do.”

Mac’s lips tightened and he looked angry. But he remained silent.

“Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to prospect?” Daniel asked Jonah. “We coulda written Joel first. Asked him, or at least let him know you was comin.’ We wouldn’t have worried so.”

“Esther would never let me go,” Jonah protested. “And you kept me farmin’ dawn till night. I wanted to make my own fortune, not work for you. I still got years afore I can file a land claim.”

“I meant to give you your own land for your birthday,” Daniel said. “But seeing’s how you don’t want—”

“My own land?” Jonah said, his eyebrows shooting up. “Really?”

“Forty acres,” Daniel said. “It ain’t much, but it’s enough for a cabin and some crops.”

“I could get hitched with forty acres,” Jonah said.

“Get hitched?” Daniel looked surprised. “You want to marry?”

“Iris Hayes,” Jonah said. “I want to wed her soon as I can build her a home.”

Daniel swore. “You’re only seventeen.”

Jonah sat up straight. “You was only nineteen when you married, and Esther just fifteen.”

Will listened to Jonah and Daniel argue. At least they talked—he and Mac seemed to have nothing to say.

After the four of them finished their meal, Daniel and Jonah ambled off to find Joel. Mac and Will cleaned up the stew pot in silence, then Mac said, “Walk with me, son.” Mac noticed Will’s jaw clench, but the boy nodded.

They walked along a path outside the fort along a little bubbling stream. “Does this creek have a name?” Mac asked.

Will shrugged. “It’s just called Fort Creek.”

Mac wasn’t sure how to get the boy talking. A few minutes later, he said, “You have a new brother. His name is Andrew. Born on your birthday. We named him after my father.”

Will glanced at him, eyebrows raised.

“He came early,” Mac added.

Will stopped abruptly. “Is Mama all right?”

Mac was glad Will cared about Jenny. “She’s fine. So is the baby.” Then he tried again. “My father died in September.”

Will resumed walking. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he said in a stilted tone.

Mac sighed. “We’d been estranged for many years. Ever since I left home in forty-seven. My father was a hard man to please. I never wanted to be that kind of father.”

“You haven’t been.” Will’s response lifted Mac’s heart.

“I don’t feel I’ve done well by you, son.” Will winced as Mac called him “son.” So the boy still hadn’t come to terms with his paternity. Mac tried again to reach him. “Your mother has missed you. So have I.”

Will nodded.

Mac patted his pocket. “I have a letter for you from Cal.” He handed it to Will.

Will read it aloud, “‘Dear Will, I’m sorry I said I hated you. I don’t. I didn’t mean to make you leave. Please come home with Pa. Your brother, Cal.’” He gave a short laugh. “I didn’t leave because of Cal.”

“I know,” Mac said. “You had a lot more on your mind than a brothers’ squabble.” He sighed, wishing Will’s stiffness with him could be settled as easily as the dispute between the two boys. “You will come home with me, won’t you?”

Will shrugged. “Well, I don’t want to stay with the militia.”

Chapter 58: Authorities Clash

Mac had more to do before taking Will home to Jenny. He and Daniel spent the afternoon purchasing food and supplies at the fort. They had their horses and mule examined by the stable master and made sure the boys’ horses were also inspected.

That evening, Mac found Joel drinking with other mule packers and called him aside. “What were you thinking, taking those boys on the expedition?” Mac demanded.

Joel eyed him. “I already discussed this with Daniel.”

“Well, you’re discussing it again with me.”

“I signed on as a packer afore the boys arrived. I couldn’t back out, not and keep my good name in these parts. The militia needed more packers, and Jonah and Will were eager to go along.”

“Why didn’t you send the boys home? Or send me a telegram—there’s a direct line through Oregon now? Or at least have Will and Jonah write home before they left?”

Joel shrugged. “They’s old enough to make their own decisions. As old as I was when we set out for Oregon. I did a man’s job then. I figured they could do the same.”

“What’s your plan now? Are you coming north with us?”

Joel stared at the darkening sky. “Told Daniel I’m staying put here.”

“Will said you’d told him you were returning to Oregon City.”

“Changed my mind.”

“Why?” Mac asked.

“Bein’ with family makes me feel trapped. Like I can’t get any air. I need open space. I need to be able to move on.”

“This expedition kept you trapped, doing what the Army required.”