Mama's Bible

by Mildred Colvin

  Susanna reached for Katie as they got close, and Jason set her down. Katie pulled her into her arms and cried as she buried her face in her little sister’s soft neck. Susanna’s tears mixed with hers.

  The little girl pulled back and patted her sister’s face. “I’m sorry, Katie. I won’t do that ever again.”

  “Susanna, I told you not to unless me or Tommy help you. You knew better. You could have been killed.”

  Fresh tears gathered in Susanna’s large brown eyes. “I know, Katie. I was scared. Jason gotted me.”

  Katie took Jason’s offered hand and stood, setting Susanna beside her. They all began walking as she held Susanna’s hand. Susanna clung to Jason with her other hand.

  Katie looked up at Jason. “How do you do that?”

  He frowned. “Do what?”

  “Show up every time I need you.” Of course, there was the fire he built without her permission and the time Nanny butted her. She wrinkled her nose. “And sometimes when I don’t.”

  Jason threw back his head and laughed. He pointed to the side. “Mr. and Mrs. Taylor’s wagon is in the line next to yours. I saw what was happening, handed the reins to Mr. Taylor, and ran as fast as I could.”

  “Oh.” Katie hadn’t known where his wagon was. She liked the idea of him being close by. “I guess we should be thankful you can run fast.”

  Jason laughed again.

  ~*~

  “Ash Hollow.” Katie stood in the middle of the beautiful oasis in such a barren countryside. The name didn’t seem to fit as nothing she saw reminded her of ashes. When they stopped early in the day she found waving green grass as far as she could see, cedar trees in clusters dotted the countryside, and clear, sparkling streams of good water to drink and bathe in. The name didn’t matter. She took a deep breath. Finally, she would get the bath she had craved for so long.

  Katie ran toward the wagon next to theirs to find Rachel. They met halfway. “Will you go with me to the stream?”

  “Of course.” Rachel turned back calling over her shoulder as she walked away. “I’ll get the things I need and meet you at your wagon.”

  Katie ran back to find her mother getting Suzy ready to joined several other girls and women who were as eager to soak in the clear water as they were. Katie grabbed what she needed and fell into step with Rachel. They found a quiet spot a short way from camp and, leaving their outer clothes hanging on nearby bushes, slipped into the refreshing water.

  Some swam in small circles, while a few women washed quickly and climbed from the water almost as soon as they stepped in. Katie sank beneath the cleansing, cool waves while weeks of grime and dust floated off and away. She laid her head back soaking her long hair. “Oh, this feels so good.”

  “Turn around and I’ll wash your hair, then you can wash mine.” Rachel tugged on her shoulder until she obeyed.

  Rachel’s fingers massaging her scalp was so relaxing, she didn’t even mind the tickle against her legs and feet as small fish swam past.

  After the older women and young children went back, several of the young women stayed to enjoy the water as long as they could. The girls released emotions that had been suppressed on the hard trail and acted silly as they played in the water. They giggled and splashed while they bathed and washed their hair. Finally, in groups of two or three, they pulled themselves from the creek and dressed. Several had already started back when Katie and Rachel climbed the bank of the stream.

  Katie dressed then slipped on her shoes. She bent over to tie the laces when she felt a touch on her arm.

  “Finish tying your shoe, but do it quickly.” Rachel’s voice came out in a hoarse whisper.

  “What is it, Rachel?”

  “Indians are watching us.”

  Weakness poured through Katie as the blood drained from her face. She couldn’t faint! Just the thought of what would happen if she did caused her to panic even more. Then Rachel’s quiet voice calmed her fears.

  “We’ll be all right. God is with us. If we walk back quietly, I don’t think they will follow us. Help me tell the others. I doubt the Indians can understand our language.”

  With something to do, Katie felt better. She and Rachel moved through the girls and told them to walk back to camp as quickly as possible without acting frightened. Most of the girls did as they were told. A few at a time started the walk back to the wagons and safety.

  Rachel spoke to Tommy’s friend, Amanda, who had been combing her long, blond hair without paying attention to the others. Before Rachel could stop her, Amanda whirled toward the opposite bank, her eyes wide with fright. Her hand flew to her mouth and a piercing scream erupted.

  Katie stared at Rachel while her heart almost stopped before taking off as fast as Amanda, who ran toward camp screaming all the way.

  What could they do? There was no reason to act brave now. A splash behind them spurred Katie into motion as she grabbed Rachel’s hand and ran after Amanda.

  Whoops filled the air.

  Katie didn’t dare look behind. The Indians were gaining. She was sure she felt their breath and the brush of their hands reaching for her, yet how could they possibly have crossed the stream and climbed the bank so quickly?

  ~*~

  Jason turned the oxen into the makeshift pen for the animals. They’d done a good job of pulling the Taylor’s wagon all this way. He looked at the lush grass in the valley and breathed in the welcome scent of pine and fresh air. If only it would be like this the rest of the way to Oregon. The land they’d traveled through was fickle—never staying the same. The occasional oasis such as this one gave hope for a similar home at the end of the trail.

  “Might as well enjoy it while we can.” He spoke to himself and started back toward the wagon when a scream came from the direction the girls had gone earlier.

  Katie! She’d been with them. His heart leapt and pounded as he took off running toward the screams that didn’t stop. Other men joined his race toward the stream. He met the first group of women, but Katie wasn’t with them.

  “What’s wrong?” He shouted out.

  “Indians.” The one word brought terror to his already frightened heart. He didn’t have his rifle. He’d be no help, but he wouldn’t return without Katie.

  One girl ran toward him screaming. Then he saw the Indians. Three youth, who appeared to be barely in their teens, stopped chasing the girls and fled. He saw Katie with Rachel and his fear left as he slowed to a walk. The danger was over this time.

  ~*~

  Katie’s breath came in short pants more from fright than the run. Her heart pounded against her chest as if it would burst. Through a haze, she saw Amanda a few steps ahead, then men from camp ran toward them, rifles in hand.

  Her confidence restored by the presence of the men, Katie glanced behind her and was amazed to see grins on the Indians’ faces that quickly faded when they saw the men. With one last yell, all three young Indians turned and ran back the way they had come.

  Katie slowed her pace to a walk. Her lungs burned with each intake of air. She and Rachel walked together, gasping for each breath.

  Amanda flew toward Tommy and fell into his arms. She clung to him crying. Katie winkled her nose in disgust when he put his arm around her and led her back to camp while he talked in low tones. She glanced at Rachel and saw that she, too, had witnessed the exchange.

  “You like Tommy, don’t you?”

  Rachel glanced quickly at Katie. “Of course, I like him.”

  Katie shook her head. “No, I mean you really like him.”

  “I know what you mean.” Rachel’s voice was so low Katie had to listen carefully. “But it doesn’t matter how I feel. I’m a Christian, and I don’t think Tommy is serving the Lord.”

  “What difference does that make?”

  Rachel sighed. “God’s word tells us that if two oxen are unequally matched they will be unable to pull together. It’s the same with people. We should marry someone of like faith. My faith is more important to me than anyt
hing.”

  “Even the man you love?”

  Rachel looked at Katie and nodded. “Yes, even the man I love.”

  So, she did love Tommy. A flash of anger toward her brother hit Katie. If he would just grow up and do the things he should, he could have Rachel. She was so much nicer then Amanda ever would be. Definitely a lot smarter.

  Rachel’s father held her in a close hug before walking away with his arm around her shoulders. Katie’s father and Jason met her together.

  “Can you tell us what happened?” Jason looked into her eyes.

  She thought of the three Indians running behind her with silly grins on their faces. “I don’t think those Indians were trying to catch us. I think they were just big boys playing a prank. They were trying to scare us because they thought it was funny.”

  Jason lifted his eyebrows. “Did their prank work?”

  Katie nodded. “Oh, yes. I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.”

  Chapter 9

  Katie pulled her bonnet further forward. Maybe walking the short distance to look at a rock wasn’t such a good idea. Not even one with a name like Chimney Rock. She turned and looked at Rachel. “Just look at me. I’m so burned, my skin is peeling off.”

  Rachel smiled. “Yes, but your skin will heal and you’ll be just as beautiful as you were before.”

  Katie looked at Rachel’s golden toned skin and for the first time in her life wished she was dark. It didn’t seem fair that she burned while everyone else got a little darker.

  She gave a very unladylike snort. “What I will be is freckled and splotchy from burning. Besides, my face hurts and so does the back of my neck. Tommy is fair, too, but he isn’t burning like this. I’m thirsty, too.”

  Rachel sighed. “I know. I miss Ash Hollow already.” She laughed. “All but the Indians.”

  Katie looked about the barren, sandy countryside. Scraggly-looking brush seemed to be the only vegetation and odd-looking rock formations rose out of the sand. Jason had told her after reading from his guide that Chimney Rock was the beginning of several landmarks they would see.

  Susanna ran ahead of them, obviously anxious for the outing.

  “Hey, wait and I’ll walk with you.” The girls turned at Tommy’s voice.

  “I thought you went to see Amanda. What happened?” Katie asked.

  Tommy shrugged. “She said she didn’t feel well.”

  Concern shone from Rachel’s eyes. “Nothing serious, I hope?”

  Tommy turned his smile on her. “No, I don’t think so. Now, how about I escort you three ladies to see the famous Chimney Rock?”

  Katie glanced at Rachel who smiled at Tommy. “That would be fine, wouldn’t it, Katie?”

  Before she could answer, they heard Jason’s voice calling. “Hey! Wait a minute.”

  They stopped until he caught up. “Mind if I tag along?”

  Tommy grinned. “Might as well. That’s what I’m doing.”

  Susanna ran back to them and reached for Jason with her head tilted. Will you carry me, Jason?”

  “Suzy!” Katie felt her face grow even hotter than the burn on it. “You can’t be asking people things like that.”

  “That’s all right.” Jason squatted in front of Susanna. “Hop on my back and I’ll give you a piggy-back ride.”

  Susanna giggled as she obeyed. “I’m riding a piggy’s back.”

  “Susanna Donovan!” This time Katie felt the flush all the way to her toes.

  Tommy and Jason laughed. Rachel touched Katie’s arm. “It’s all right, Katie. I don’t think Jason minds. Actually, it looks like he’s having as much fun as Suzy is.”

  Katie watched Jason run ahead with the little girl bouncing on his back and she had to agree with Rachel. He didn’t seem to mind. He obviously cared for her little sister. Admiration for a man who would play with a child when he didn’t have to crept into Katie’s heart.

  The rock was a large outcropping of sandstone that sloped gently upward to an eroded spiral that looked very much like a finger pointing at the sky. Others milled around the wide base of the rock commenting on interesting things about it. A man pointed toward the top of the formation. “I read in the guide book that the top of the spiral reaches 350 feet above the ground we’re standing on right now.”

  Katie turned to Jason with a teasing smile. “Now why didn’t you tell us that?”

  He grinned. “Hadn’t got to it yet.”

  Tommy grabbed Rachel’s hand and tugged. “Come on. Let’s see what it looks like from the other side.”

  Rachel laughed and ran with him as they hurried away. Katie stared at them before she realized she needed to close her mouth. Maybe Tommy liked Rachel after all. When they disappeared from view, she turned back toward Jason and Suzy as they inspected the rock. Suzy looked down at Katie from her superior height on Jason’s shoulders and a frown crossed her face.

  “I’m sorry, Katie, but I guess you’re too big for Jason to pick up, so you can’t see as good as me.”

  Katie stared at the rock while her face burned.

  Still, she heard the laughter in Jason’s voice. “Oh, I don’t know. Katie’s not so big. I think I might be able to manage.”

  Katie whirled away and sat on a nearby rock with her back to them. This was the absolutely last time she would take Susanna anywhere near other people. Never had she been so embarrassed. Jason’s amused chuckle did nothing to help her mood. Tommy and Rachel’s voices, chatting like old friends, drifted to her. She stood and called to them. “We need to get back.”

  “Aw, Katie, do we have to?” Susanna’s mouth drew down in a pout.

  Katie refused to give in. “Yes, I don’t want to leave Mama with all the work.”

  She was glad when the others seemed ready to go. But as soon as she reached their wagon and saw her mother’s face, she knew something was wrong. “Mama, what is it? Are you all right?”

  Mama shook her head. “I’m fine, Katie. A baby died today. He was stillborn. His parents are taking it awfully hard.”

  An innocent baby. Why did that have to happen? Katie’s head spun as her heart ached for the parents who’d lost a child. “Who was it, Mama?”

  “Their name is Parker. Just a young couple. This was their first child.” She leaned against the wagon as if her strength gave out.

  “Is the mother. . . ?” Katie’s heart pounded. If the mother died, too . . .

  “No, she’s fine. It’s just one of those things, Katie.” Mama straightened and smiled. “I’m sure they’ll have more children later. It’s just hard for them right now.”

  But that wasn’t all that was bothering Mama. Katie stood still while her mother turned away. Was there a problem with Mama’s baby? Did she fear she’d lose him as she’d lost Karl? She very well might. Katie folded her arms across her chest and looked up at the sky. Why? What is the reason for suffering? The innocent shouldn’t die. They shouldn’t be burned like poor little Mary Beth. Why must this happen?

  When no answer came she closed her eyes and lowered her face. This horrible trail had no respect for the children regardless of their innocence. First Karl and Mary Beth. Now a baby boy died for no reason. He hadn’t even had a chance to live. Why did God allow it? How many more would die before they reached Oregon?

  ~*~

  Jason laughed out load.

  “Mind sharing the joke?” Ma Taylor sat beside him on the wagon seat. Pa was walking. Said he needed to stretch his legs. More likely he wanted to lighten the load.

  Jason grinned. “No joke. I just thought of something funny.”

  “Tell me what it is. I need a laugh.” Ma waited with a half-smile on her face.

  Oh sure, tell about how Katie got so embarrassed by her little sister’s comments? Ma would be sure to make something out of him remembering the look on her face after so many days had passed. He shook his head.

  “Hmm. Did something happen I don’t know about?” She kept her attention on him.

  He chuckled
. “It isn’t anything really funny. Remember, I’ve told you about the Donovans.”

  “The ones who lost their young son before we left Kansas?” Her voice softened.

  He nodded. “Yeah, Karl’s family. His little sister is a real cute kid. I gave her a piggy-back ride out to Chimney Rock when we were stopped back there.”

  “This must be funny. That was a while back.” She waited as if there were more.

  He shrugged. “That’s it.”

  “What do you mean, that’s it?” She huffed. “I’m waiting to hear what Suzy’s older sister did.”

  Jason swung to stare at her. “I take it you know the family better than I thought.”

  Ma laughed. “Do you think I sit right here in camp while you’re out gallivanting around making friends. I’ve made my share of friends, too. This may be a large company, but we’re usually pretty close to the Donovan wagon as if you haven’t noticed.”

  His heart took a nosedive before it began pounding just as it had when she’d caught him in a forbidden act when he was a kid. Only this time he hadn’t done anything wrong. Certainly not forbidden. Well, sort of discouraged maybe. Okay, strongly cautioned against. Becoming romantically attracted to Katie Donovan wasn’t the best thing he could do. How many times had Ma and Pa both cautioned him to find a girl who believed and shared his commitment to the Lord? No matter how he tried to twist the truth, Katie had all but told him she didn’t believe.

  But maybe he’d read the situation wrong. She’d gone through a hard time and still hurt from the loss of her brother. With time and patience, she’d come through and grow even stronger in her faith. At least, that’s what he hoped.

  “It’s Katie Donovan, isn’t it?” Ma’s soft voice penetrated his thoughts.

  He blinked and slanted a look toward her. “How do you do that? I didn’t want you to know how I feel about her. I don’t know if she’s serving the Lord. I’ve been holding off, waiting to find out first.”

  “That’s wise.” Ma patted his hand. “I’ve been praying with her mother for the salvation of the entire family. That poor woman. Her husband doesn’t believe, and neither do her children. She carries a heavy load.”