Mona Hodgson - [Hearts Seeking Home 01]

by Prairie Song

  Making him all the more determined to never fail again.

  24

  The next morning, a scraping sound woke Anna and she opened one eye. Darkness greeted her. She lifted her head. The noise hadn’t come from Großvater’s hammock, farther out between two trees.

  Whatever the noise, it didn’t matter. The horn hadn’t sounded yet. Settling her head back onto the pillow, she listened, waiting for the hammock to quit swinging. The noises had come from inside the wagon. Mutter was up. Why so early?

  Mutter stuck her head out the back flap. “It’s Saturday, dear. You know what that means.”

  It meant she wouldn’t get any more rest. “Some of us are still trying to sleep.”

  “We’re going to the city today.”

  Großvater walked up, rubbing his eyes, his hammock rolled under one arm. “Wilma, we’ve gone by many towns—Warrenton, Columbia, Boonville—since we’ve left home. What’s so special about Independence?”

  “Don’t be silly, Vater. Independence is bigger. Besides, we’ll be there for a couple of days. The rest will do us all good.”

  Anna buried her head on the pillow. “Speaking of rest, I wish to return to sleep.”

  She’d just closed her eyes when the horn blasts started.

  Maybe she’d get some rest in Independence. She rolled out of her swinging bed and untied the ropes at the wagon and at a young buttonwood tree. Großvater started the cookfire. Remembering the letter she’d written to Emilie, Anna took quick steps to the table where she’d left the paper folded under the inkwell the night before.

  Now that she thought about it, she was anxious for their arrival in Independence too. Or at least, their arrival to the campsite where Caleb Reger awaited them.

  Caroline walked the road with the youngest of the Kamden children. Most everyone’s feet had developed calluses that protected them against blisters. In the meantime, the mint Garrett gave her for a poultice helped calm the children’s leg cramps and her nerves.

  Angus, the eldest of the five Kamden children, held the lead rope for the canvassed farm wagon while his grandmother rode in the seat, munching a hard, dry biscuit. After another battle to get his mother going after the horn blew, Ian Kamden told Davonna she could ride until they came to any uphill stretches. The elder Mrs. Kamden seemed strong of body but hadn’t adjusted to the constant change the journey forced upon them. Caroline didn’t understand why she preferred the torturous bumps and rattles of the wagon to standing on her own two feet.

  “Miss Caroline.”

  “Yes, Lyall?”

  “What will you do in the city?”

  “She’ll prob’ly buy a dress or sumpin’.” Duff whacked a bush with the stick he’d been carrying. “That’s what ladies do in the city.”

  Caroline smiled. As much as this family exasperated her at times, she was thankful for the children. She still missed her sister and being called Auntie, but these little ones had eased the pain of separation some. “Actually, I expect our camp will be a few miles out of town, and I’m not planning to make a special trip into Independence.”

  No, she had other plans.

  “We get candy.” Maisie licked her lips. “Faither said so.”

  “If there’s a confectionary,” Duff said.

  Lyall kicked a rock. “Or if the general store has candy.”

  “Me and Floppy”—Maisie raised her cloth bunny into the air—“are getting a pink rock candy.”

  Their expected arrival in the city of Independence later that day didn’t hold much shine for Caroline, but the promise of tomorrow—Sunday—dangled before her like a bauble for a princess. If six months ago, even two months ago, anyone would have told her she’d look forward to spending time with a man like Garrett Cowlishaw, she would have pronounced them daft. But things were ever changing. All around her, as well as in her heart.

  Maisie tugged on Caroline’s skirt. “Can I walk with Gabi? Or the twins?”

  “If she gets to do that, I want to walk with Jules and Henri.” Lyall kicked another rock. “Their Mama lets them catch frogs.”

  “Then she cooks ’em.” Duff licked his lips.

  “Just their legs!” Maisie shook her head in disgust.

  “You ever eat a frog, Miss Caroline?”

  “No.” She scrunched her face, just to hear the children giggle. Lyall’s laugh sounded like an out-of-practice foghorn. “I can’t say I could ever consider frog legs a treat.” She looked at Maisie. “But if you want to bring me back a rock candy, that I would enjoy.” Caroline tapped her chin. “What do you say we have a visiting walk?”

  “Is that another game?” Duff twirled his stick.

  “Not exactly. While we walk, we’ll visit with different families. That way you’ll each see your friends.” Caroline looked ahead to the Gobens’ wagon. They’d start with her friend.

  “We like that game.” Maisie gave Floppy a twirl, dropping her in the dirt. Maybe Floppy would get a scrubbing too.

  “First, we’ll walk fast to catch up with Miss Anna’s wagon so I can speak to her, then we’ll wait for the others to catch up to us.”

  After Caroline explained their plan to Angus and his grandmother, she took Maisie’s hand. Duff and Lyall joined them with quick steps up the line of wagons.

  Anna walked on one side of the team while her mother held the lead on the other. No doubt hearing the children’s chatter, Anna turned and smiled. “We love company.” She gave Caroline a quick hug then looked at the children. “How is everyone today?”

  “I’m getting candy tomorrow.” Maisie waved her cloth bunny. “Floppy is too.”

  “Miss Anna, Miss Caroline’s never eaten frog legs,” Lyall said. “Have you?”

  Anna tugged the brim of Lyall’s floppy hat. “No. I’ve never eaten frog legs, and I don’t care to.”

  Lyall chuckled. “That’s what Miss Caroline said.”

  While the boys walked ahead of them, Caroline moved closer to Anna. “We’re on a visiting walk to see our friends.”

  “That sounds like fun.”

  “Not ’til I see Gabi.” Maisie wiggled her bunny as if it were doing the talking.

  Caroline drew in a deep breath. “Since we’re all a little impatient today, I best get right to the point of my visit. Your horse.”

  “You need Molasses? Not this afternoon, I hope. If we arrive at camp early enough, Mutter and I will ride into Independence.”

  “Tomorrow. For a ride.”

  Anna lifted the brim on her bonnet and leaned toward Caroline. “A Sunday ride?”

  “Yes.”

  Her eyebrows lifted higher. “With the captain?”

  Caroline glanced at the little girl at her side and nodded.

  Anna nodded, her grin brightening her blue eyes. “It’s about time you two noticed each other’s finer qualities.”

  “I agree.”

  Anna’s grin deepened. “Molasses will be yours tomorrow. Have you ridden?”

  “Thank you. Yes.” Hopefully, in the lapse of time since her last ride, she hadn’t forgotten what she’d learned. “And Anna, Garrett and I aren’t the only ones who should … uh, note each other’s finer qualities.”

  Anna blushed with pleasure but then glanced at her mother. “I don’t know.”

  Caroline knew what her friend wasn’t saying. “I’m sure your family wants you to find love.”

  A shadow darkened Anna’s blue eyes. “I’ll think about it.”

  Caroline waved good-bye to Anna, slowing her pace to wait for the Wainwrights to catch up for Maisie’s visit with Gabi.

  Anna had let her family’s needs consume her, but Caroline knew she wasn’t so different. She’d let her ties to Phillip bind her heart. Anna may not be ready to accept a man’s attentions, but Caroline was finally beginning to feel like she could. Again.

  Anna shifted the lead rope to her other hand. She was tired of looking at the back of the Le Beaus’ wagon. Tired of walking the road.

  But mostly, she missed Caleb.
A most surprising and foreign feeling. All she’d thought about since Dedrick died was how to help Mutter and Großvater feel better. How to make enough money to support them. What to cook that might make them want to eat again. How to protect Mutter from herself and the rumors swirling about her in Saint Charles.

  Until encountering Caleb Reger at Heinrich’s Dry Goods store. Until he looked up and saw her, and spilled coffee beans on the floor.

  Boney had done the Bible reading these past two mornings, but it wasn’t the same. She missed seeing Caleb at their camp for early morning trips to the creek with her to fill their water buckets. She missed hearing his laugh. Seeing his smile and that lock of hair that stood at attention when he removed his hat.

  A huffy sigh drew Anna’s gaze to her chestnut horse and Mutter sitting on the sidesaddle. She’d been riding since their noon stop. “I’m beginning to wonder if we’ll ever arrive at Independence.”

  Anna nodded. “I’m fighting that notion too, but the camp shouldn’t be too much farther.”

  “I hope not. Or there won’t be time to go into town before supper.”

  “And the millinery won’t be open on Sunday.”

  “That’s right. You’ve worked so hard making those hats.” Mutter pulled Molasses to a stop and climbed down.

  “I suppose we’ll have to leave setting up the camp to Großvater. Do you think he’s up to it?”

  Mutter nodded. “It’s been a week and a half since his fever, and he says he already feels better than he has since we left Saint Charles.”

  Which meant Großvater had mostly likely accepted Caleb’s recent help only to appease Mutter’s concerns for her vater’s well-being. Or for Anna’s sake. Either way, Caleb’s assistance had afforded her more time with the intriguing trail hand.

  “Besides, the way Caleb hangs around our camp lately, he would no doubt be happy to help Vater.”

  “If he isn’t going into town.”

  “My guess is that if you are, he will.” A smirk brightened Mutter’s blue eyes.

  “Afternoon, Miss Anna. Missus Goben.” Isaac Jackson sat large on the back of his gray, his flop hat in hand. Anna straightened. He had gone on the scouting trip with Caleb.

  “Good afternoon, Isaac. You had a good scouting trip, did you?” Anna asked.

  “Yes ma’am. Had me a good time visitin’ with Mister Caleb.”

  “He’s a pleasant man.” Anna glanced behind Isaac, looking for a Tennessee Pacer that wasn’t there.

  A grin widened Isaac’s face. “He stayed behind at the camp we found.”

  “Oh.”

  “Just a mile on up the road, is all. At Little Blue River, this side of Independence.”

  “That’s good news,” Mutter said. “Thank you. My daughter and I plan to ride into town this afternoon.”

  “That shouldn’t be a problem, Missus Goben.” Isaac glanced up at the sun. “Got us a few hours of light left.” After setting his hat on his head, he raised his reins. “Best let the boss know about it all.”

  When Isaac rode on up the line, Anna exchanged lead ropes with Mutter and climbed onto Molasses. Riding her horse the last mile might pass the time more quickly than staring at the wagon in front of them. She wouldn’t have much time with Caleb at camp, but she hoped to at least see him before she and Mutter rode into Independence. Maybe Mutter was right, and he’d go into town with them.

  Less than half an hour later, Anna rode Molasses into the camp at Little Blue River. Großvater was helping Mutter, guiding their wagon into place. Boney stood beside the chuck wagon at the front of the line, and the last of the wagons soon rolled in, completing the semicircle. But she didn’t see Caleb on either end.

  Anna looked at Mutter. “I’ll be right back, and then we can go on into town.”

  Mutter nodded. “Don’t be too long.”

  Anna clicked her tongue for Molasses to move forward. Caleb could have been behind the line, guiding the first wagons into place.

  “Anna.”

  Her shoulders relaxed as she twisted toward the familiar voice. Caleb appeared from behind the chuck wagon and strolled toward her.

  “There you are,” she said, unable to control the size of her smile.

  “You were looking for me?” A grin showed off the dimple in his cheek. “You missed me?”

  “I did.”

  “I’m glad to see you too.” He rolled his derby in his hand. “Anna, I had a lot of time to think out here last night.” Drawing in a deep breath, he held it for a few seconds then blew it out through his teeth. “I have something I need to tell you. When you’ve set up camp, do you think we could go sit by the river?”

  Anna’s breath caught. “I’d really like to, but I need to ride into town with my mother. Those hats I’ve made since we left Saint Charles?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m hoping to sell them to the millinery in Independence, and the shop will be closed tomorrow.”

  “Of course.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t want to sit with you … to hear what you have to say.”

  “I understand.”

  “Are you going into town this afternoon?”

  “I rode in this morning with a list of supplies. Told the captain I’d stay here this afternoon to help folks grease up their wagon wheels and such.” Caleb shook his head. “Now I wish I hadn’t agreed to that. I’d rather go back into town since that’s where you’ll be.”

  Anna smiled, despite the fact that she felt torn. She’d rather stay here since that was where he’d be.

  “We’ll camp here until Monday. Perhaps we could have some time alone tomorrow?”

  “I’d like that. Yes.”

  Mutter rode up on Großvater’s sorrel with Boney on his mule at her side. “Caleb, are you coming with us?”

  “No ma’am. Thank you. Seems I have work to do around here.” He set his hat on his head and looked at Anna. “Have a nice time.”

  “Thank you. And I’ll see you when we get back?”

  “I hope so.”

  When Caleb strolled toward the Zanzucchis’ wagon, Anna looked at Boney. Her friend wore a grin as wide as the river. “We’ll need to stop by the wagon to pick up the hats,” she said.

  Now, thanks to Caleb, all Anna could think about was getting to town and back as quickly as possible. Her curiosity mounted as she wondered what it was Caleb needed to tell her. More about the depth of his feelings for her? Perhaps his intentions? Or was it the secret that sometimes clouded his eyes and weighed on his shoulders?

  She glanced at Mutter, who rode beside her. If he did share his past mistake and regret, should Anna confide her secret?

  25

  Saturday afternoon, Anna glanced out at the bench in front of the millinery, where Mutter awaited her. She slipped the dollar notes into her pocket and fairly floated out the door. The kindly proprietor had purchased all five hats from her. Before Anna left the store, she’d helped pin the puffed hat onto the silver head of a customer.

  Mutter was right to joyously anticipate this day and their arrival in the fair city. Independence, Missouri, was grand in its appearance, especially the view of Courthouse Square, the site where she was to meet the others who had ridden into town. The stately brick building with a chimney on each of four corners was trimmed in white marble, as was its magnificent spire. A wood-rail fence ringed the manicured lawns. Horse-drawn carriages, families on foot, and road-ready wagons with clean white cloth dotted the surrounding streets.

  Mutter waved, her smile a warming sight.

  As Anna approached the bench, she fanned her fingers and wiggled them.

  Mutter’s eyes widened. “You have no hats!”

  “She bought them all.” Anna sat on the bench.

  “That’s wonderful, dear.” Mutter patted Anna’s knee as she had when Anna was a young girl.

  Anna wanted to feel like that little girl again—innocent and trusting—but she’d seen the sack on the other side of Mutter. It wasn’t big enoug
h to hold a bottle, but that didn’t mean Mutter hadn’t purchased one. But when? Every time she’d looked, Mutter had been seated on the bench.

  Sighing, Anna rested against the back of the bench. What kind of daughter would distrust her mother, not believe someone she loved could get better? Be better?

  One who had heard too many promises that hadn’t been kept.

  Mutter smoothed her shawl over her calico sleeves and looked out at the square. “This city is quite charming, don’t you think?”

  Anna breathed in the sweet scent of bread baking in the shop up the street. “Like an oasis. You were right, Mutter; it is nice to be in the city at least for a day or two.”

  Mutter shifted on the bench to face her. “Dear, I don’t think a day or two here is enough.” She clasped her hands on her lap. “I think we should stay.”

  “In Independence? For how long?”

  “To live.”

  “But we haven’t even left Missouri.”

  Mutter stared at the Square and heaved a deep sigh. “It wasn’t my idea to leave.”

  Anna shivered, pulling her shawl higher on her neck. What about her friends? Caleb Reger? She was just beginning to appreciate his finer qualities. Could she watch them all leave her behind? She hadn’t come this far to stop now, had she? Surely Mutter didn’t mean to give up now. Anna hoped a new place and a fresh start would do Großvater and Mutter good. Do them all good. That was, after all, why she’d suggested they move west.

  She twisted on the bench to face Mutter. “What about Großvater? He’s enjoying the journey.”

  “The trip made him very ill. We could have lost him.” Mutter pressed her lips together.

  “But we didn’t, and he’s quite well again. And I’ve not seen Großvater so happy in a long time.”

  Mutter drew in a deep breath, straightening against the back of the bench. “We’ll ask him what he thinks we should do.”

  If Mutter insisted on staying, Großvater would give in to her. He, too, was eager to please his little girl. He’d do anything if he thought it would keep her clearheaded.

  “All right, Mutter.” Anna saw no benefit in aggravating her mother right now and spoiling their time in the city together.