A bonus story from the Rifters universe…

Cordelia hardly knew what to think of the Oregon Territory, which was mostly fir trees and volcanic rock. Winter had been long and harsh. Here it was July, and the mornings were brisk enough to require her to wear two shawls. She would have preferred to wear the bearskin coat, but her mother said it wasn’t proper with new families coming to town.

Snorting out some porridge with a laugh she couldn’t fully contain, Cordelia gulped down some lukewarm rosehip tea to wash down her breakfast and her mirth. Her mother didn’t care for frivolity.

However, there was no one else in Settler to see whether Cordelia wore a proper coat besides Chuck from a nearby tribe who had taken a liking to Pops. Sometimes Chuck brought his wife and children around, which hardly added up to a town. Most times Cordelia believed she, her brother, and parents lived in the world alone.

Wiping her mouth, she also removed the grin from her face. “Do the new people have kids?” she asked brightly.

Across the table, her brother ate his porridge in two bites and finished his tea in one long draught. “Thanks for breakfast, Mams,” he said. Robust and tall for his age, Rick took after Mams with a lot of red peppering is brown hair.

“P. Rick,” their mother inhaled with a disapproving air. Maybe the frown came from the hair coiled tightly atop her head. Her swelling stomach was more likely. Mams was always tired and feeling poorly lately, taking away the usual hints of amusement that usually graced her face. “Eating that quickly is hardly civilized. The steer will still be in the pasture ten minutes from no.” She loomed over him and grabbed him by the ears, turning his head one way then the other. “You could use a more thorough washup. Behind your ears is filthy.” Scrunching up her face, she let go of his ear and thoroughly wiped her hands on her apron.

Getting up from the table, my brother stood as tall as his nine-year-old body would allow. “Calling someone pee isn’t civilized. I am Rick. Just Rick. And I’m just going to get dirty again. I’ll washup later.” He grabbed a beat-up guitar hanging on a peg by the door and ran outside.

Cordelia hid her giggle behind her hands.

Mam came over to Cordelia, smoothed her brown hair and examined behind her ears. “You’re a good example for your older brother, and I’m glad you’re already consuming your meal like a lady. Mostly.” She handed Cordelia an apron. “We’ve chores and baking to get done.”

“Can’t I go help with the herd?” Cordelia preferred working outside and had put on her worn gray dress for that purpose.

“May, it’s may not can. And no, you may not. Despite our surroundings, I will raise you to be a lady. If you ever return to the more refined world, I do not wish for anyone to wag their fingers or tongues at you.” Her face softened while her hands supported the small of her back. “I need the help. Will you not stay inside and help your poor mother?”

Doing her best to hide her disappointment, Cordelia finished her breakfast and donned the apron. Without being asked, she washed the dishes and dried them, swept the floors, and then helped her mother knead bread.

Her mother’s swelling belly made some chores more difficult for her. However, Cordelia wasn’t any better equipped as a six-year-old to lift and carry things. She got inventive and stole a wheelbarrow from her father’s worksite. The grand house they lived in was still only partially finished. Household chores were accompanied by the sounds of hammers, saws, and men’s gruff voices. Well, two men. Chuck had come to assist Pops again.

Beautiful planks of buffed cedar graced the floors. Plastered boards comprised the walls. Mams had chosen a stately blue to paint the rooms downstairs after reading the color was fashionable in the fine houses back East. Later, she confessed she would seek out cheerier colors once Pops was done with the house.

During the lull between chores and lunch, her mother went to rest. Cordelia snuck up the stairs and watched her father and Chuck erect another wall. Once the second floor was completed, the family would sleep up here, and she’d get her own private room instead of sharing with Rick.

After getting her fill of construction, Cordelia skipped down the stairs and went out to the cow field to find her brother. Rick preferred hanging out with the cows over the sheep. As usual, he sat on a fallen tree and strummed his awful guitar. Sometimes he sang to the cows.

“They make for a poor audience, P,” she said while settling on the log beside him. She was the only one he let get away with calling him P. “With how their legs bend and having hooves instead of hands, they’ll never be able to clap.”

“Sometimes they stop and listen,” he answered. “That’s good enough.”

“You should give more of your time to the sheep. They must feel lonely.”

He laughed. “They’re in a flock. They don’t get lonely. Besides, they have the dog and the donkey to keep them company.”

Cordelia squinted across the meadow at the sheep. “You think so?”

“Don’t you worry.” He smiled kindly at her. “Girls don’t need to know about ranching. I’ve got it covered.”

Her gaze shifted to the sky. “When the sun is straight over, lunch will be on the table. You should come in early and wash up to please Mams. She’s been so tired.”

“Her stomach keeps swelling. Do you think she’s sick?”

“She won’t talk about it.”

“What’s for lunch?”

“Chuck brought some fish. There’ll be bread and stewed greens too. I was going to go look to see if there are any more wild strawberries for some berries and cream.”

Rick licked his lips. “Maybe you can help me with the sheep after lunch.”

“Maybe.” She smiled and scampered back into the house before Mams missed her.

Cordelia wasn’t allowed to help with the sheep after lunch, and there was no sign of the new families her mother had mentioned at breakfast. Once dinner was finished, the family retired to their seats in front of the fireplace. Mams and Pops sat in matching upholstered wingback chairs. Cordelia and Rick sat on the hearth made of rocks quarried from the area.

The fire crackled warmly on Cordelia’s back. She faced her parents, waiting for Pops or her mother to begin a story. Her father puffed on a pipe while Mam rested her eyelids.

“This is a story about a great secret in the woods,” Pops started. He wore his dark brown hair in the current style, and his blue eyes twinkled. Despite making a profession of making a living off the land, he had a sophisticated air, as if the land worked for him.

“In these woods?” Cordelia asked.

“No, just in any forest.”

This was going to be one of his wilder tales instead of a recounting of life events. Cordelia liked the stories about his and Mam’s younger days better, but any story was welcome.

“In the forest, a person can find survival. There’s food, shelter, fuel, and companionship.”

“Companionship?” Rick laughed. “Like make friends with animals and birds?”

“Trees are friendly too,” Pops said. His mouth quivered with amusement. “I met one the other night.”

Cordelia glanced out the window. Trees surrounded the house. “What do you mean?”

“The tree walked up to me and bowed. Chuck said it wanted to pass us and take root on this world, but it couldn’t be allowed.”

“Did it talk?” Cordelia studied her father. He didn’t make the knotted expressions he usually did when making up a story.

“It spoke in a sort of music. I have no idea how Chuck understood it. But he didn’t seem like himself. Now off to bed before the trees come alive and come to get you.” Pops chuckled and ushered them off to their room.

Rick was asleep as soon as he lay down, as always. Cordelia’s mind churned. Talking trees? At night?

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, then the front door softly shut. She peered out the window. Her father strolled into the forest. She had to see this singing tree. Grabbing her bearskin coat from the coat tree by the door, she trotted after him. A worn path led out to the mountain of shiny black rock. Chuck met her father there, and they proceeded to a small clearing with two shiny black pillars. The two of them perched on a boulder and stared at the pillars.

Cordelia hunched behind a bush. She had to see this tree. The night grew darker and colder, and she was glad she had taken the coat instead of the shawls. As she blew on her hands, blue light ignited around the two pillars. The light danced like lightning, growing brighter and larger until it formed a ball. Out of the ball came a bulky creature with a bulbous head and green eyes that sliced through the darkness like lanterns.

Gasping, Cordelia left the safety of the bush. She wanted to meet the creature who had appeared like magic. Maybe its magic could make Mams better and less tired. It had quills and patches. Patches of what? She inched closer, reaching out a hand.

Pops roared and snatched her up. Chuck shoved the creature into the blue light. Both disappeared, and the night became still once more.

“That didn’t look like a tree,” she said to Pops.

He carried her with all haste through the trees and back into the house. “You are never to come out there at night. Never.”

She had never seen him so angry. He pulled off her coat and grabbed her shawls off the coat tree. Then he grabbed all the coats and shawls took them with him into his and Mam’s room.

Sleep was impossible. Cordelia mulled over what she had seen and could make little sense of the sphere of blue and the fanciful creature. In the morning, Mams rushed into Cordelia and Rick’s room and packed their belongings into a trunk.

“What are you doing?” Cordelia rubbed her eyes and frowned. On the verge of tears her chin quivered. “I’m sorry, Mams. So sorry. I’ll never do it again.”

“You and Rick were invited to Aunt Wilma’s for the summer. You’ll have so much fun.”

Pops strode in and dragged the trunk out to a waiting wagon. Chuck held the reins, and the horses stomped restlessly.

“I don’t want to go,” Cordelia pleaded. “I’m sorry Pops.” She wasn’t sure what she had done wrong.

The wagon lurched forward, and her parents turned their backs. Rick put his arm around her while she struggled not to cry.

“What did you do?” he asked.

“I followed Pops out into the woods last night.” She told him what she saw.

“The devil is here?” Rick glanced nervously around the valley that had become home. “We should have stayed in Missouri.”

“Why would Mams and Pops stay here in danger?”

“No danger,” Chuck assured her. He word his long dark hair pulled back and had the looks and build like a prince in some of Cordelia’s story books. “Your Pops needs time to make your Mams well. That’s all.”

The wagon lumbered west then north, rolling over rough roads for hours. The hours turned into days. Cordelia wondered if Aunt Wilma had gone back to Missouri. This trip felt like the one that had brought them to Oregon.

“I wish I could take it back and not follow Pops,” she whispered to Rick. “I’m sorry.”

When they reached a grand river, the road became wider and smoother. Civilization sprang up with houses and shops and businesses. Chuck dropped off the two of them in front of a fancy, lacy house painted the prettiest yellow.

Aunt Wilma ran out and gathered Cordelia and Rick in a hug. “Welcome, welcome.”

“Thanks for inviting us,” Cordelia said.

“Of course. Your mother needs her time, and I had promised I would have the two of you for the summer.” Piles of blond curls adorned Aunt Wilma’s head, and she wore a fashionable gauzy dress in a yellow to match her house.

Cordelia’s brows knotted. She had no idea what her aunt meant. “Is Mams illness something we can catch?”

“No. Don’t worry, child. Her illness is completely curable.” Aunt Wilma patted Cordelia’s back and showed her to a room decorated with pink frills “You’ll share with your cousin, Rachel. Go get washed up, then come find me in the kitchen.” She dragged Rick off down the hall.

Instead of just a bucket and cloths, there was an entire bath chamber in the house with a clawfoot tub and a marble washstand. The water was still cold, however. This town by a formidable river was hotter than at the homestead, so Cordelia didn’t mind.

After cleaning up, she found her clothes unpacked on the bed. She changed into her nicer blue frock. The armoire was open with space for hanging and some empty drawers pulled out. She put away her things and went downstairs to the kitchen. A woman Cordelia hadn’t met was making biscuits.

“Have a seat,” the woman said. She was pleasantly plump with the rosiest cheeks.

“I can help you bake the biscuits,” Cordelia offered, searching for another apron.

“The cooking is my job. Are ya trying to put me out of work?” She wiped her hands on her apron before grabbing a knife to chop some pickles. “I’m Mrs. Lewis.”

Minding her manners, Cordelia curtsied. “Cordelia Swit.”

“Have a seat, Miss Swit.”

Before Cordelia was settled in her seat, Mrs. Lewis set down a platter of pickles, cheese, radishes, and cucumbers. “The first batch of biscuits will be just a few more minutes. Then you can assemble your own biscuits by putting what you like on them.” She nodded at the brimming platter. Before Cordelia could form a reply, butter was set down, a dish of chopped tomatoes, and a glass of lemonade.

“Don’t be shy, Miss Swit. You must be parched after your long journey.”

Cordelia sipped the refreshing lemonade. Before she knew it, she had drained the glass. Mrs. Lewis promptly refilled her glass.

A cleaner than usual Rick entered the kitchen and joined Cordelia at the table. Hot biscuits were placed on their plates and the feasting began. Cordelia ate until she thought she might puke. Rick ate until the platter was emptied.

They spent a happy summer running in the garden with their cousins and exploring along the river. They ate lovely meals and enjoyed baths in the tub. Aunt Wilma and Uncle Horace pampered the both of them. Sometimes Aunt Wilma looked incredibly sad. When packing them up to return home, she finally revealed why.

“I want to tell you this before you get home, because I feel the shock will be too great. Between now and then, you’ll have some time to adjust to the idea.”

“What do you mean?” Cordelia asked.

Her aunt relayed the most awful and perplexing news. Their mother had left for heaven, and they would never see her again. Cordelia didn’t believe her and remained silent the entire trip back to Settler. Rick often wept beside her, but she wouldn’t cry for what couldn’t possibly be true.

When they arrived, Chuck took their trunk into the house. The house had changed and had two full stories now. Inside, she and her brother were greeted by a confusing maze of hallways and doors. Chuck guided them through many doors to the stairwell. Upstairs, Cordelia found a new kitchen and hearth. A baby wailed in a cradle, and her father sat beside the babe with his head in his hands.

Finally, Cordelia realized her aunt had told the truth. The house felt wrong and empty and sad. Her father’s sorrow permeated every board and nail. His eyes glanced her way but didn’t focus for long.

“Wallace is your responsibility now.” He got up and left without a hello.

Cordelia stared after him.

“Make it stop crying,” her brother begged, tears soaking his cheeks.

Cordelia had no idea what to do, but she went and picked up the baby. For a few moments she sobbed with the boys, then determinedly wiped away her tears. Her gaze fell on Chuck. “Can your wife come and teach me?”

He nodded.

She carried the baby to a desk under the window and penned a note to her aunt and another to Mrs. Lewis. Surely, these ladies would have the best advice for her.

Rick searched the pantry for something to nibble on and came up with a hunk of stale bread. “This house is a little crazy.”

“It’s like Pops erased Mams.” Cordelia handed her baby brother to Rick and went to heat up the kettle. Some weak rosehip tea to dip the bread in would make it more edible. After they ate, she’d make fresh bread, and she and Rick would map every inch of this crazy house. She’d not let her father shut them out.

Her attention drifted out the window and into the woods, wondering how much of a part the secrets in the woods had played in the changes. The forest hadn’t kept Mams safe, but Pops had said, a person could find survival, food, shelter, fuel, and companionship.

She tightened her hold on Wallace. She would make sure this town and her family thrived.