Mona Hodgson - [Hearts Seeking Home 01]

by Prairie Song

  “No need to apologize.” Anna wove a peacock feather through the band on the straw hat she was designing.

  “Anna’s right.” Hattie smoothed the toe of the sock. “Neither one of us are porcelain dolls that break at the mention of our losses.”

  Anna looked up to respond. Instead, she watched Boney and Caleb walk toward them. Hattie and Mary Alice had apparently noticed too, for they both quieted. Still dressed in clean Sunday shirts, the two men were engaged in deep conversation as if they’d lost track of where they were headed.

  Hattie pinched the brim of her hat, her pinkie finger extended. “You two gents look mighty serious. Solving all of the world’s problems, are you?”

  Boney lifted the floppy hat from his head. “Just discussing how lovely you look on this fine Sunday.”

  “You are quite the flatterer, Mr. Boney.”

  Anna nodded in agreement, though it wasn’t Boney who held her attention, but the man with the disarming brown eyes. The one who couldn’t tell her the secrets behind them.

  “It’s good to see you again, Anna.”

  “And you, Caleb.”

  Boney cleared his throat. “Anna. Caleb. Since when did you two become so friendly?”

  “Since he helped us with the wagon.”

  “And I heard her singing to an ox.” Caleb grinned, revealing the dimple in his left cheek.

  Anna pressed her hand to her lips. She was able to stifle the giggle, but not the memory of standing in the pasture with him and not wanting to be anywhere else.

  Boney chuckled and slapped Caleb on the shoulder. “S’pose we better move along and let these ladies get back to their work.”

  Both men brushed the brims of their hats and walked away, but not before Caleb caught her eye again and dipped his chin.

  She needed to guard her heart against the distraction that was Caleb Reger. She needed to concentrate on her work and on seeing to Großvater and Mutter’s well-being.

  Didn’t she?

  Garrett took quick steps past the supply wagon. Away from the swagger and bluster of his trail hands, he tugged his sleeves straight and smoothed his collar.

  The good Lord willing, the caravan would arrive on the outskirts of Independence on Saturday afternoon, but that had little to do with the grasshoppers sprinting in his belly today. He waved at the Becks on his way by their breakfast fire, then cut across toward the farm wagon that housed the three youngest Kamden children and a certain redhead.

  He had to find out how permanently he’d alienated Caroline Milburn in his attempts to appease Davonna Kamden.

  The Kamden camp was quiet. He didn’t find the family at their wagon. The young widow turned nanny wasn’t there either. The Kamdens had likely gone to the creek, and it wasn’t hard to guess that Caroline would take the opportunity for a break. He looked up at the grasses and trees behind the wagons and saw her seated on a quilt under a cottonwood tree.

  While he didn’t wish to disturb her, he did prefer to speak to her without interruption. He repositioned his slouch hat and tugged his coat straight before taking long strides toward the tree. He’d only stay long enough to plead his case for having no choice but to follow up on Mrs. Kamden’s claim that Caroline had taken the locket.

  When she saw him approaching, she stood and adjusted her straw hat. To block the sun or her view of him? He couldn’t say until she looked up, straight into his eyes.

  His mouth went dry. All he could hear was her speech in the dry goods store about him purporting to be a Southern gentleman yet referring to Anna Goben as a dithering wife. Yesterday, he’d questioned Caroline about being a thief. Coming to see her so soon was a bad idea.

  “To what do I owe the honor of this visit, Captain Cowlishaw?”

  He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. “I count it a pleasure you’re still speaking to me, ma’am.”

  “And well you should.” She tugged her apron straight and met his gaze. Her lips were pursed, but a teasing sparkle lit her green eyes. Emeralds: the only thing that would come close.

  Now the dryness affected his throat. No woman, including the one who had left him and moved on, had ever affected him as Caroline Milburn did.

  She moistened her lips. “I suppose you’ve heard the wonderful news by now? Mrs. Kamden found her locket.”

  “Yes.” He pulled his hands from his pockets and then quickly returned them. “It was wonderful news, but no surprise. You are many things.” Passionate. Resourceful. Patient. Determined. Lovely. A flush warmed his ears. “But a thief? No.” Unless he considered the fact that she may have stolen his heart while he was looking. Staring, according to Caleb.

  “You believed in me.”

  “I can’t help myself.”

  Her warm smile sent a chill up his spine. “Thank you, Captain.”

  “Garrett, please.”

  “You were only doing your job, Garrett. And you’re actually good at leading our sundry bunch of sojourners.” She hadn’t looked away from him. He knew, because he’d been staring.

  She glanced down at her black boots then drew in a deep breath and moistened her lips. “Was there something else?”

  Yes. A kiss would be real nice. And premature.

  He blinked. “Only to say that I’m glad the matter of the locket is settled.”

  “Not as much as I am.”

  “And to say that I’m disappointed.”

  “Disappointed?” Her lips pushed into a pout. “You relished the idea of seeing me on trial, did you?”

  “Actually.” He swallowed hard. “I was looking forward to having the excuse to see you more.”

  One of her eyebrows shot upward.

  He’d said too much. Why couldn’t he have settled for her speaking to him at all? He blew out a long breath. “I’m sorry if that bothers you.”

  She tucked an errant red curl into the loose knot of hair at the back of her neck, then met his gaze. “Surprisingly, it doesn’t.”

  “It doesn’t?” Those were all the words he could push past the knot in his throat.

  “I would, however, prefer more pleasant circumstances than an investigation into my secret life as a locket thief.” Her lips curved into a coy smile, begging to be kissed.

  “So, you wouldn’t mind if I came around more often. Maybe to whisk you away for a walk?”

  A slow grin lifted her mouth. “A two-thousand-mile walk isn’t enough for you?”

  He chuckled, giving himself time to think. Was she actually open to another idea, or was that just wishful thinking on his part? “Perhaps Anna Goben would let you borrow her pony for a Sunday afternoon ride sometime.”

  “I’ll ask her.”

  While the grasshoppers in his belly jumped for joy, he gave her a quick nod, lest she change her mind. “I best leave you to your solace, then.” He brushed the brim of his hat and turned back toward camp.

  Either he had missed any indications of Caroline Milburn’s growing attraction toward him, or the young woman was simply desperate to escape the Kamdens.

  Either way, he would enjoy her company.

  20

  Hattie spread several of her hats from one end of the Pembertons’ camp table to the other. Anna studied them with a designer’s eye for style and grace. Any hats she made wouldn’t be as flamboyant, of course, but she did like the placement of feathers on the yellow hat and the ribbon banding another.

  “Anna?”

  She looked at Hattie, who sat beside her at the table. Had she ever seen her friend in public without a hat on her head?

  “I think Boney likes me.”

  Anna lifted a red straw hat and tipped it, looking at the angle of the brim. “Everyone likes you. Why wouldn’t he?”

  Hattie sighed. “You know what I mean. Likes me in a way that could lead to amour.”

  Hattie being the romantic that she was, of course love would be one of the first words she’d want to learn. In any language.

  “You know Boney better than anyone here. What do you think?
” Hattie asked.

  “I think he’s a fine man, who just two weeks ago was ready to marry me for reasons other than amour. I think you should give him a little time.” To say the least.

  “I can do that. Why, we’ve got at least another four or five months together on the road.”

  Anna nodded, at a loss for how to answer such a self-assured declaration. If only she possessed even a thin slice of Hattie’s confidence. About wearing sometimes preposterous hats. About learning another language. About men. It didn’t seem there was anything her friend wasn’t willing to attempt.

  She, on the other hand, found herself tongue-tied whenever Caleb Reger showed up. Never worse than when he appeared in the pasture Sunday morning and told her she had a lovely voice. Why couldn’t she be as comfortable as Hattie was with men? She hadn’t had much experience around them. Boney moved to Saint Louis, the war broke out, and Dedrick died, all at about the time she was reaching courting age. All those who were left in town were women, children, and old men.

  “Hmm.” Hattie nudged Anna’s shoulder toward the center of camp. “Speaking of fine men, I’d say Mr. Reger seems most eager to see you.”

  He was practically marching, his arms swinging at his sides. “Too eager. Something is wrong.” Anna set the hat on the table and stood. “Caleb? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s your grandfather. He’s hot with fever.” Caleb held his hand out to her, obviously intending to take her to Großvater.

  “Let me know, Anna,” Hattie said.

  Anna nodded but didn’t look at Hattie. She snatched Caleb’s warm hand.

  He led her onto the open road. “Me and Boney took him to your wagon.”

  At the far end of the line. “Boney’s there?”

  “Yes. When I left, a couple of the guys were going to move Otto’s hammock in closer to your camp.”

  “Thank you.” Short of breath, Anna pressed her free hand to her throat.

  Caleb slowed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drag you.”

  “I just have shorter legs.” Slowing, she drew in a deep breath. “My mother? Is she all right?” Except for probably wishing she had a bottle.

  “She was doing some cooking and got frightened when she saw him. But Boney gave her a job to do and that seemed to calm her.”

  Boney had a way with Mutter, and Caleb had a way with Anna. A way of always being there when her family needed him. Anna glanced at their joined hands.

  “What happened?” She meant the question to concern Großvater, but she could just as well have been talking about her and Caleb.

  “He was playing dominoes with Boney. Didn’t quite seem himself but said he was fine.”

  “He said he’d been working too hard and not getting enough sleep?”

  Caleb nodded. “Yes. Same as Saturday morning when Boney and I noticed he was moving pretty slow.”

  “The doctor?”

  “I stopped there first. He and his daughter headed down there straightaway.”

  Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked hard against them. She needed to be strong. For Mutter.

  Caleb squeezed Anna’s hand, sending another wave of warmth through her and making it even harder to quench the tears. “Your grandfather will be all right. They both will.”

  She nodded, hoping he was right. But she knew too much. She knew how fragile Großvater and Mutter were before they ever left Saint Charles. If something happened to Großvater …

  The closer they came to her camp, the faster Anna’s heart pounded.

  After another squeeze of her hand, Caleb let go. A chill shimmied up her spine as she stepped over the tongue on their wagon.

  Großvater lay in his hammock, now tethered to the same tree as hers at one end and the front wagon wheel on the other. Boney’s arm held Mutter off to one side while Dr. Le Beau examined Großvater. Camille stood opposite her father, holding her papa’s medical bag.

  When Mutter saw Anna, she broke free from Boney and darted toward her. “Your grandfather is very ill.” Her tears flowing, Mutter stepped into Anna’s embrace.

  “The doctor will help him. He’ll be all right.” Anna prayed she wasn’t lying and looked at Boney, who stood beside the firepit. “Do we know anything?”

  Boney shook his head. “No word yet.”

  Dr. Le Beau left Großvater’s side and approached them, Camille at his side. “He has a high fever,” his daughter translated.

  “Why? What is wrong with him?” Mutter’s volume escalated with each word.

  Anna laid an arm across Mutter’s back. Caleb and Boney stepped up beside them like bookends. She didn’t understand it, but just having Caleb at her side seemed to give Anna strength.

  “Papa says he does not yet know the cause, but that we must break the fever. It is the reason Monsieur Goben trembles.” Camille tucked threads of black hair behind her ear while communicating with her papa. “He asks of any other symptoms you might remember.”

  “Coughing,” Mutter spit out. “Vater was coughing. He said it was the wedding flowers.”

  “That was two weeks ago, and he only coughed for two or three days.” Anna shuddered. She’d heard stories of sickness on the trail west that devastated caravans. That was fifteen and twenty years ago, but if this was cholera or yellow fever …

  “Vater has seemed out of wind and tired since …” Mutter raised her hands and let them drop. “I don’t know.”

  “Saturday is when we first saw him return with the oxen and rest before yoking them.” Anna struggled to fight the fear welling inside her. “He insisted nothing was wrong. Nothing serious. Mutter was worried and wanted to talk to the doctor then. I should have—”

  Caleb seized her hand, drawing her attention to his brown eyes. “This isn’t your fault, Anna. You could not have known.”

  “Monsieur Reger, he is right.” Camille pulled a small cloth sack from the black leather bag. “Willow-bark tea is known for bringing fever down. We’ll give him that first.”

  “Boney had me boil water. I’ll use it to brew the tea.” Mutter took the dried bark.

  When Mutter went to the kettle hanging from a hook above the firepit, Anna decided to ask the question tearing at her heart. “Camille.” Anna looked directly into the seventeen-year-old’s face. “Could this be something contagious?”

  Camille sighed. “Papa does not believe it to be so. Your grandfather is the only one reported sick, and fever is all he is suffering. But we will be keeping an eye on others in the Company.”

  “Thank you for all you’re doing.” She hated feeling helpless. “When you talked about the tea, you said first. What else can we do?”

  “We need to cool your grandfather with a wet bed sheet.”

  “I know about that from the war.” Caleb pulled a pail from a hook on the wagon. “I’ll take a bucket to the creek.”

  “I’ll get the bed sheet.” Anna took quick steps to the wagon and scrambled onto the spokes and over the seat. In mere moments, she found a sheet in her trunk and carried it outside.

  “Your grandfather is asking for you.” Camille glanced toward the hammock, then took the sheet from Anna and stepped out of her way.

  Her heart quickening, Anna approached Großvater.

  “Anna.” His weak voice tore at her insides. His eyelids fluttered open, and she looked into his unfocused eyes.

  “I’m here.” Drawing in a fortifying breath, she captured his hand. Its warmth seared her skin and tightened her throat. She couldn’t lose him. Mutter couldn’t bear it.

  “I’m so sorry, Großvater, I should’ve known you were sick. I should have—”

  “Take care.” His chest heaving, he struggled for breath. “Of your mutter.”

  “Everything will be all right. Don’t waste your breath trying to speak right now.”

  “Take care of her.”

  Tears stung her eyes again. “Only until you get better.”

  “Otto, we have something for you to drink.” Boney stepped up with Mutter. Mutter held a t
in cup, the steam mingling with the tears staining her face. Boney helped Großvater sit up enough to take a drink. “Now, I know you prefer your strong coffee, but when men get sick, the womenfolk like to make us pay for it by stickin’ tea in our faces.” Boney braced Großvater with one arm and used his other hand to support the cup. “Tonight, it’s your turn.”

  While Boney and Mutter got the tea in him, Anna took the sheets from Camille and met Caleb at the bucket several yards away.

  “How is he?”

  Tears pooled her eyes. “He’s so hot. And weak. He could barely speak.”

  Caleb rested his hand on her forearm. “I’m praying with you, Anna.”

  She nodded. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  He took the sheet from her and dunked it into the water pail. When it was soaked through, he pulled it out. “You take two corners, and I’ll take the others.”

  Following Caleb’s lead, Anna pulled the sheet taut, and they waved it up and down until it billowed in the air. Then they took quick steps to the hammock. Mutter stepped away with the cup, and Caleb laid the cold sheet over Großvater. His trembling intensified, and Anna’s insides shivered in sympathy.

  “I’m sorry, Großvater.”

  Camille stepped up beside her. “You did the right thing. You will see.”

  “I hope you’re right. I hope I do see him better.”

  “The sheet warms quickly, so you’ll need to repeat this several times.”

  Three hours later, Anna lay in her hammock, listening to Großvater’s sleep breathing and thanking God. The shivering had finally stopped, and the fever had broken as the moon arced overhead. When Dr. Le Beau and Camille left, Mutter had gone in to her bed. Boney and Caleb lingered for a few minutes while Anna got more tea into Großvater.

  The doctor couldn’t say for sure what had caused the fever, but since it had broken, he believed Großvater would be well again. His peaceful sleep told Anna it was true, but sleep still evaded her.

  Now, all she could think about was Caleb. The way he’d found her. Held her hand. Stood beside her. Helped her with the sheet. Said he was praying with her. In just one week, her estimation of him had drastically changed.