After lunch, Faith seemed far less agitated, and Andrew decided against asking her anything more about Berkshire and Lakewood’s doings. Instead, he would go see Seth and let him know what had transpired in the past and what Berkshire had just asked of him regarding supplies in Astoria that he wanted delivered to Wheatland. Wheatland would put them in a perfect location to take on to Grand Ronde, and Andrew figured that, as large as the order was, they might very well be ready to push for their hostilities.
“Thank you for the lunch,” Faith said as she prepared to leave.
He wanted to encourage her to stay but knew he had plenty of work to do. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you could make it, but I’m sorry for the circumstances of your open schedule.”
She sighed and looked so sad that Andrew wished he could take her in his arms. “I know God has a plan even in this, but I’m afraid I can’t see it. I’m trying hard not to lean on myown understanding, but honestly ... my heart is broken. I’ve planned for my surgeon’s certificate for a long time. I wanted to have it so people would take me seriously as a physician.”
He smiled. “I think when they see your work, they’ll take you plenty seriously.”
“Yes,” she murmured, “but they have to be willing to let me perform first in order to see what I can do. Without the certificate, I doubt that will happen.”
Andrew again fought the urge to embrace her and assure her that everything would be all right—that he would see to it. He cared for her more than he could ever admit, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t try to right some of the wrongs done to her.
Faith noted the time as she caught the trolley. It wouldn’t be long before her friends gathered for their afternoon study period. Hopefully they would go to one of their regular places, and she could meet with them and explain what happened. She would start with Brickerson’s, and if they weren’t there, she’d go to one of their other favorites.
Thankfully, Brickerson’s was the restaurant of choice. Faith was once again frozen to the bone and wanted no part of a citywide search. Malcolm was already seated and sipping hot coffee when Faith made her way to his table. He put the cup aside and jumped to his feet to help her with a chair. “At last. Where have you been? You never came to class.”
“I was expelled.” She said it so matter-of-factly that it sounded as though it was nothing of importance. She sat and began to remove her gloves.
“Expelled? For how long and why?” Malcolm’s tone wasdisbelieving, and his gaze searched her as if waiting for her to tell him it was all a joke.
“Permanently. They were livid at my having spoken on behalf of Indians. Well, let me restate that. Lakewood was livid. He made them dismiss me.”
“But graduation is just weeks away, and you hold the highest marks.”
“I know.” Malcolm sank to his chair, and Faith continued. “I wanted to come and let you know what happened. I’m not sure what I’m going to do regarding school. I’ll speak to my father. As a lawyer, he may know recourses that elude me. As for our lectures, I plan for them to go on. In fact, I’m more devoted to them than ever before and plan to let everyone know what has happened to me. I’m going to get in touch with Mrs. Jackson and implore her to come. I’m sure once she hears what happened, she’ll be more than willing.”
Malcolm had grown quiet, and for a minute Faith thought he was going to suggest they cancel the lectures.
“I can’t bear that they’ve done this to you. It’s not fair. I intend to go speak to the president on your behalf. I’m sure we’ll all be willing to do that.”
“I don’t want you to risk your own well-being. As you said, graduation is just a few weeks away. I suggest you focus on that, and I’ll take care of the lectures. Distance yourself so that the school will have no reason to expel you as well.”
“No. You don’t understand, Faith.” He paused a moment and looked away. “I care for you.”
She was touched. It had been evident for some time that Malcolm had feelings for her. “Malcolm, it’s important that you finish your college studies and get your certificate. Your family is counting on you. I cherish you as a dear friend, but Ihave no other feelings for you. My heart, unfortunately, belongs to another.”
“That riverboat captain?” he asked, lifting his gaze. He looked so unhappy.
Faith smiled and nodded. “Yes, but nothing is going to come of that either. I am devoted to doing what I can to help the Indians, and I doubt being involved with Captain Gratton will allow for that. So you see, I am called of God to remain single so that I can do His work.”
“It hardly seems fair of God to demand you be alone.”
“But I’m not alone.” She did her best to convince her heart of this truth. “I’ll always have God, and I have my friends and family. Nothing else matters.”
CHAPTER18
Andrew approached the boardinghouse with several ship logs tucked under his arm. Since learning the truth about Pritchard and the other men, he wanted to do whatever he could to keep the worst from happening. If only he’d known what they were up to. Pritchard had told him they were selling weapons to those living well away from any town or city. He insisted that storing them along the river made it easier for his drummers to pick up their supplies and get packed for their routine selling expeditions. Pritchard was smart too. He didn’t just buy guns and ammunition, he purchased traps and tools, whiskey and tins of crackers and meat. For all intents and purposes, he appeared to be doing nothing out of the ordinary—just a merchant supplying his customers with what they needed. Now, however, Andrew knew the truth.
Seth’s sister opened the door, and Andrew smiled. “Miss Carpenter.”
“Good evening, Captain Gratton. Faith said you’d be stopping by. Won’t you come in? I’ll take your coat.”
“It was just starting to rain, so beware. I wouldn’t want to damage the fine furnishings.”
She smiled. “There are rumors that it will turn to snow beforemidnight. Wouldn’t that be something?” She hung his coat on the coat tree and motioned toward the open archway. “The others are gathered just through here in the front room. You’ll find Faith there as well. We’ve been working on my wedding gown.”
“When’s the big day?”
