The Journey Quotes

“Micah set down his gift and wrapped his arms around both of them. Alex leaned down and lifted the boy with one arm. The other he put around Samantha. “I no longer have an income, or a position for that matter, but we can find our way together, can’t we?” Samantha smiled. “I have a surprise for you.” He kissed the top of her head. Micah grinned. “Does this mean you’re going to marry her?” “If your sister says it is all right.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. “It’s fine with me.” Alex looked into her eyes, and she never wanted him to look away again. “Is there a reverend around here?” he asked. Samantha laughed. “I believe we can find one.” He leaned close to her. “Will you marry me, Miss Waldron?” She put her hands on her hips. “Only if you’ll stop calling me ‘Miss Waldron.’” “All right.” He paused, leaning closer as he whispered in her ear, “How would you like to be called Mrs. Clarke?” “Samantha,” she insisted. He smiled. “I think I’ll just call you Sam.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“Lord Alexander Clarke stood before her, looking quite regal in his frock coat and top hat. She couldn’t breathe. “You’re supposed to be on that boat,” she said, her voice trembling. “Going to London.” “London is no longer my home.” “But Lady Judith—” He stopped her. “She did not want to stay here.” “You were supposed to marry.” He shook his head. “I did not love her, nor did she love me.” She brushed her hands over her yellow apron, streaking dirt down the front of it as he stepped closer to her. The pounding of her heart seemed to echo in her ears. “Why do you Waldrons keep running?” “Micah and I—” she whispered. “We had to finish our journey.” He reached for her hand, and her heart leaped as he wrapped his strong fingers over hers and placed them on his heart. “The trail ends right here, Miss Waldron. With you and me.” “If you don’t call me ‘Samantha’—” He leaned forward and drowned her words with his kiss. Her body warmed in his embrace, her skin fluttering at his touch. Strong and tender. Powerful and passionate. Alex Clarke hadn’t gone to London. He was here, and he wanted to be with her.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“Do you know a woman by the name of Samantha Waldron?” he asked. “Of course I do.” The woman tilted her head. “But how do you know her?” “I met her at Fort Vancouver.” “And you came all the way down here looking for her.” He nodded. “I have come to ask her to be my wife.” With a big smile, the woman directed him to the house where she said Samantha lived. He crossed the grassy field, eyeing a small wooden home with a split-rail fence circling it. Then he took a deep breath and knocked on the front door. When it opened, he bit back a gasp. There in front of him, with a hammer in his hands, was Jack Doyle. Stunned, Alex stared at the man. “I am sorry—I thought this was Miss Waldron’s house.” “It is.” “What—what are you doing here?” Doyle lifted the hammer. “Just fixing up a few things. What are you doing here?” Alex didn’t answer his question. “I thought you married.” “I did,” Doyle said with a laugh. “My wife is in the garden out back.” His heart seemed to stop. He was too late. Samantha had thought he was on the ship back to London. She thought he was getting married.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“I asked her to marry me,” Huey continued, staring at Alex. “But she said her heart belonged to someone else.” The man’s words emboldened him, calming his fury. Perhaps she had run for the same reason he’d decided to stay. Perhaps she did love him as much as he loved her. His heart raced. “What did they take with them?” “They both had packs...and their dog was carrying supplies on his back too.” At least they had Boaz.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“Alex stepped forward. “Who is gone?” Both men turned, and Huey’s eyes filled with surprise. And then fear. “Who is gone?” he repeated. Huey cleared his throat. “Samantha and the boy.” Alex clutched his fists. “Where did they go?” “Across the river.” Alex grabbed the man’s collar, pushing him up against the wall. “What do you mean, they went across the river?” “I told her you wouldn’t like it if she left.” “Told her?” Alex raged. “Why didn’t you stop her?” “I couldn’t. She insisted on paddling herself across the river.” He shook his head. Samantha had almost drowned on that river. Why would she insist on leaving on her own? He relaxed his grip on Huey’s collar. “What did she say when you told her I wouldn’t like it?” “She said it didn’t matter, that you were leaving first.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“Those kids are going to eat her alive,” Simon said, walking up to stand beside Alex. “I am not so sure. She has spirit.” “I don’t know about spirit, but she’s about the loveliest lady I’ve ever seen.” Alex bristled. He knew that many of these men were already hounding her with marriage proposals, but he didn’t want her to have to marry one of them for provision. “You had better take care not to make a fool of yourself, my friend.” Simon laughed, clapping him on the back. “L’amour always makes a fool of itself.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“I do not disapprove of you personally, Miss Waldron. These children are an unruly group. I do think we need a man to temper them before any teaching is done. We have had so many teachers...” A slight smile crept up her lips. “‘Unruly’ doesn’t frighten me.” “I wonder, Miss Waldron,” He leaned toward her. “What does frighten you?” She glanced out the window, at Micah and his friend walking away from her. “Losing someone else I love.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“I wanted you to know...” he started and then hesitated. “What?” she asked. “I did not vote to kill the dogs.” She caught her breath, surprise mixing with relief. Jack had stood up for what was right. “You only wanted me to trust you.” He nodded. “One day you’ll love a man, Samantha. A man you will trust.” She hoped he was right. One day she hoped to marry a man she trusted with her life and her heart.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“Look at this view, Papa.” Samantha gently lifted his head so he could see the splendor outside. “You made it to the Columbia River.” He rested against her. “The Columbia,” he said slowly. “We did it.” “Yes, we did.” She lay Papa back down to rest, but moments later he sat up again, his voice more urgent this time. “I haven’t been a good father to you.” “Yes, you have.” He shook his head. “Forgive me?” She had nothing to forgive him for, but she kissed his forehead anyway. “Of course.” “You take care of Micah, good care of him.” She looked over at her brother, asleep under the blanket. “We’ll both take care of him.” Papa shook her arm with surprising strength, like he had to make Samantha understand. “You need to care for him.” She choked out, “I will, Papa. Don’t worry.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“Papa stirred in the candlelight, opening his eyes. “Oh, Samantha,” he murmured, his smile weak. “You’re as pretty as your mother.” She shook her head. Her body was covered with dust, her hair windblown, her nose burnt from the sun. And she was tired to her core. “I’m not pretty, Papa.” “Yes, you are.” Papa reached for her hand, squeezed it. “And you are strong—much stronger than your mama, and stronger than me.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail

“Jack rode back into the river, steering his horse toward their raft. Samantha couldn’t see his dark brown hair under his wide-brimmed hat, but she could see the focus in his face, the strength of his arms as he guided his horse. When he glanced over at her, she blushed. Micah elbowed her. “Someone’s sweet on you.” “Hush,” she whispered. “Papa says you’re going to marry him.” She elbowed him back. “I told you to hush.” Micah tipped his hat low over his shaggy hair, but she could still see the grin on his face.”
― Melanie Dobson, Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail