Mona Hodgson - [Hearts Seeking Home 01]

by Prairie Song

  Anna needed to keep going. Needed to get past Dedrick’s death and Mutter’s desperation. She had to believe she could, that God had a purpose and a plan in all of this.

  Mary Alice was right—Boney wasn’t the only man in the camp. And she had definitely noticed Caleb.

  No. Anna shook her head. Marriage wasn’t the answer. It couldn’t be. If she couldn’t marry Boney despite their long friendship, she’d never be able to marry someone simply to continue with the wagon train. Doing chores together, taking walks to the creek, and sharing a brief, interrupted kiss didn’t mean Caleb intended to marry her. She didn’t know what it meant, but she was desperate to stay and find out.

  Back at the wagon with Mutter and Großvater, Anna set her chair at the cookfire but she had no intention of sitting down. Instead, she pulled her hammock from the wagon and slid the loop at one end over a hook on the wagon and played out the rope to tie it around a tree. Perhaps if Mutter saw her preparing her bed, she would do the same and forget the ridiculous notion to give up so soon into the journey.

  “Vater.” Mutter carried her chair to the fire. “There is something we need to talk to you about.”

  Anna sighed, her lips pressed together. Mutter hadn’t forgotten. Nor had she lost her determination.

  Großvater pulled up the third chair and added a dried branch to the fire before sitting down. “Have the two women in my life been plotting against me?”

  Anna shook her head. More like Mutter was plotting against her.

  “Nothing like that, Vater.” Mutter lighted on her chair beside Großvater and waved Anna over. “Come sit with us, dear.”

  Anna let go of the end of her bed, watching the ropes drop to the ground. Hopefully, her dream of a fresh start out west wouldn’t do the same. Should she let go of it and let it fall, or hang on? She’d never done well standing up to Mutter. Neither had Großvater. But maybe it was time one of them did.

  Anna wrapped the ends of her shawl over her arms and seated herself.

  Flickering light from the fire showed the deep lines framing Großvater’s mouth. “This seems serious.”

  It was, especially if he voted for setting up housekeeping in Independence. Anna opened her mouth to speak but wasn’t fast enough.

  “Anna and I had a lovely time in Independence this afternoon, and we came up with an idea. A wonderful idea.”

  We? Anna rubbed her arms, battling a chill inside and out. If Mutter wasn’t going to clarify her involvement, Anna would. “It is Mutter’s idea.”

  “And you don’t like it?” he asked.

  Anna shook her head. “Mutter wants to stay in Independence.”

  “To live?” Großvater stood, looking at Mutter. “You’ve come so far. We all have. Why would you want to quit now?”

  “Anna makes it sound bad. Like I’m giving up. That’s not what I’m doing, Vater. My daughter was wise to lead us out of Saint Charles, to drag me out of the pit I was in. I did need a change. But I’m better now. And you were terribly sick just eleven days ago. Now it seems the poor mother of all those children is ill. Not to mention the thief in our Company.” Mutter straightened in her chair, stacking her hands on her lap. “Must we deplete ourselves and our resources completely, chasing an unknown future in the Wild West, when Independence is a fine city?”

  Großvater paced between the fire and the back of the wagon.

  Anna watched him, trying to discern what he was thinking and prepare for what he’d say.

  Mutter stood, looking small and frail. She reached for the knot at her neck and untied her bonnet strings. “Making our home in Independence would give us the new beginning and still let us remain in our beloved Missouri.”

  God, help me. Am I being selfish? Should we stay? If that’s what’s best for Mutter, please change my heart. Give me peace.

  Großvater warmed his hands above the flames then returned to his cane chair. “You are right, my dear tochter.”

  Anna’s heart sank.

  Mutter smiled and sat down, perched on the edge of her chair like a bird expecting a worm to come to her.

  “Your Anna is wise. We were smart to let her lead us out of our Egypt.” Großvater lifted his arms, swiveling side to side. “Out here, on the road, I feel freer than I have in years.”

  “But, Vater, what about that frightening fever?”

  “And all the help we received?” Großvater met Anna’s gaze, his look tender, then turned back to Mutter. “Wilma, it has taken great courage to come this far. Courage I feared our losses had taken from us.” The fire crackled, drawing his attention. “Will we doubt God now when He has brought us this far?”

  Mutter rose from her chair and crossed her arms. “And what if the West isn’t our promised land?”

  Großvater held his hands up to the fire. “What if Moses had given in?”

  When the crowd had dispersed, Garrett looked at his men. “That was some meeting.”

  Isaac gave a low whistle. “Yessir. I’m afraid those two men left on their own; someone could get hurt.”

  “We’ll just have to see that it doesn’t happen.” Garrett glanced toward the Kamdens’ Conestoga.

  “No one likes to lead or trail Emery Beck’s wagon.” Boney shook his head. “That man is pure sour, and nobody wants it rubbin’ off on them.”

  They all chuckled. Leave it to Boney to make sure they had a laugh before the day was through.

  “I think I’ll leave you fellows to think on that while I go check on Rhoda Kamden,” Garrett said.

  “She’s got five children. She’s probably just … uh, fruitful.” Frank shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “Be that as it may, Caroline seemed quite concerned about her.”

  “And you’re quite, uh, concerned with Mrs. Milburn.” Tiny pressed fingertips to his round cheeks and lolled his head.

  “Love is in the air, all right.” Boney locked gazes with Caleb. “But it seems to be avoidin’ most of us.”

  Garrett sighed. He had a feeling something was afoot he should know about, but he didn’t have the patience for it now. “I’ll leave you all to sort that out for Boney.” He waved and walked up the line, looking straight ahead until he reached the Conestoga.

  Ian and his mother, Davonna, stood outside talking with Dr. Le Beau and Camille. “Captain.” The father of five sighed. “We didn’t want to disrupt the meeting.”

  “Don’t worry about that. You certainly weren’t the first ones.” Garrett smiled.

  Ian nodded. “I figure Mr. Beck and the doctor’s hurly-burly was enough to make any of us sick.” His voice flattened on the last word.

  “Any news?” Garrett asked, looking from Ian to Dr. Le Beau.

  “I thought perhaps she carried another child, but the doctor doesn’t seem to think that’s the cause of her pain.”

  “Does she have a fever like Otto Goben had last week?”

  “No.” Ian shook his head. “Only sharp pain that started in the mid o’ her belly. Mostly lower, on the right side now. She was ne’er sick with any of our bairns.”

  Garrett was sure the Scotsman hadn’t spoken so many words to him the whole time they’d been on the road. He glanced from the doctor to the daughter. “What do you think is wrong?”

  Camille translated. “Papa says no, it is not like Monsieur Goben’s ailment. He is not sure of the cause. But no one else has made complaints of any such sign. We will keep watch for any others who take ill.”

  “Good. Thank you.” Garrett looked up just as Caroline peeked through the opening in the front of the wagon.

  “I thought I heard your voice.” Caroline looked through the darkness, toward the clearing. “The meeting is over, then?”

  “Thankfully, yes.”

  She turned her attention to Ian. “Rhoda is asking for you.” That said, she stepped over the seat and down the wheel spokes.

  Ian nodded, then looked at Davonna. “Mither, could you go see about the children?”

  Davonna huffed.

&nb
sp; “I’ll let you know if anything changes, Mither.”

  Caroline glanced at the grandmother. “I’ll be along in just a few minutes, Davonna.”

  When the older woman skulked toward the farm wagon, Dr. Le Beau and Camille followed Ian up and into the wagon.

  Garrett looked Caroline in the eyes, a mesmerizing green even in the faint light the campfire offered. He swallowed and glanced toward the Conestoga with a nod. “How is she?”

  “The pain is easing. Hopefully, it was just a fluke. The children …” Caroline lowered her voice. “And her mother-in-law can be a handful, at times.”

  “Yes. I do know a little something about folks bein’ a handful.” He shook his head. “Under the tree last Sunday, you praised my leadership.”

  “I remember that.”

  “Well, I’m certain tonight you were having second thoughts.”

  “Not at all.” She pressed her hand to the lace collar, drawing his attention to the red curl dangling at her neck. “I think it takes strong leadership skills to refrain from knocking heads together when grown men forget how to behave.”

  “I like the way you think.” Garrett rubbed his bearded chin, holding her gaze. “You may think me uncaring for asking, under Mrs. Kamden’s circumstances, but—”

  She lifted an eyebrow, her mouth tipped in a crooked smile.

  “Will you need to help out tomorrow, or can we still plan on taking our horseback ride?”

  “I’m still counting on it.” Caroline clasped her hands below her waist. “If need be, Lorelei Beck or Hattie can sit with Rhoda or help Davonna with the children.”

  “That is good news, ma’am. Real good news.”

  She tilted her head. “I think so too, Captain.”

  Suddenly, he was all the more anxious to welcome tomorrow.

  27

  Anna had mixed feelings about Rutherford Wainwright’s prayer of benediction. She wasn’t ready to leave the service yet. Not if it meant parting company with Caleb. He stood on one side of her, Großvater on the other. Mutter hadn’t joined them.

  She and Caleb hadn’t had a chance to speak privately since their kiss and Boney’s interruption yesterday. She hoped they would have an opportunity this afternoon, but Großvater would expect his supper soon.

  Großvater set his hat on his head, her signal that it was time to go back to camp.

  Caleb brushed her hand, sending a shiver up her spine, and she met his brown-eyed gaze. “Anna, will I see you later?”

  Nodding, she moistened her lips. “You could join us for supper if you’d like.”

  Boney sauntered up. “You comin’ to Sunday supper too?” he asked Caleb.

  Anna’s mouth dropped open. “You’re coming?”

  Boney grinned. “Do you have to sound so disappointed?”

  “I’m not. Just surprised, is all.” Anna looked at Großvater.

  Großvater nodded, and she was pretty sure she saw a twinkle in his eyes.

  “The more the merrier is how I think.” Boney clapped Caleb on the shoulder. “We accept.”

  Caleb nodded, a grin deepening the dimple in his cheek.

  The more the merrier, unless you’re interrupting a kiss. Or you were once the intended of the woman who invited another man to supper. Anna sighed, and took the lead to their camp while the men talked about greasing wagon wheels, fording rivers, and trappers named Skins.

  She served the food, and soon everyone was happily filling their stomachs.

  Caleb took a second bread roll from the basket. “You made these?” he asked Anna.

  “I did. And the veal potthast.”

  “Best I’ve ever tasted.”

  Anna moistened her lips. “You like German foods?”

  “I do now.”

  Anna’s cheeks warmed.

  Boney cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t be too flattered, Anna. Caleb’s told me he likes my cookin’ too.”

  Anna smiled.

  “Him, on the other hand.” Boney looked at Caleb, his mouth turned up in a grin. “Well, Caleb’s cookin’ can leave a wild animal feeling hungry.”

  Caleb peered at Boney over his forkful of potato.

  Boney shrugged. “Just sayin, you’re gonna need a woman who can cook.”

  Grinning, Caleb looked directly into her eyes. Good thing she was seated. “It’s the truth.”

  Großvater lifted his coffee cup. “Which part is the truth?”

  “Otto’s got a point there, Tennessee,” Boney said. “You agreein’ your cookin’ is too bad for even a wild animal, or you lookin’ for a woman who can cook?”

  Caleb scooped a generous bite of veal onto his fork. “Yes.”

  Anna pressed her bottom lip between her teeth but was still having trouble containing a giggle. This was more fun than she would’ve guessed possible.

  “Well, I can see we’re gettin’ nowhere with Caleb. Not while there’s still food here.” Boney glanced at the wagon. “Where’s your mother? Is she ill?”

  Anna drew in a deep breath. “She wasn’t feeling her best today and decided to rest before our departure in the morning.”

  “My daughter is pouting.”

  “Großvater!” Anna squared her shoulders.

  He shrugged. “These young men need to know right here and now that you women pout.”

  Anna drew in a slow, deep breath, refusing to offer any hint of a pout. Boney’s and Caleb’s mouths tipped into not-so-subtle grins.

  Großvater focused on the young men. “When females don’t get their way, that’s what they do. At any age. Every age.”

  Caleb glanced at Anna, mischief brightening his face. “That’s good to know, sir.”

  “My daughter, she wants to stay in Independence.”

  Boney set his half-eaten bread on his plate, no doubt surprised and concerned. But it was Caleb’s reaction, not Boney’s, Anna cared most about. She met his pensive gaze.

  A frown creased Caleb’s sun-kissed brow. “You’re not leaving the Company, are you?”

  “No,” Großvater said. “I told her no.”

  The smile on Caleb’s face added to Anna’s joy. In their first meetings, she wouldn’t have guessed the two of them could be friends, but now …

  Boney blew out a long breath. “Safe to say we’re both thankful you’re staying with us.”

  Caleb looked straight at Anna. “Yes, very grateful.”

  Anna nodded, her list of reasons not to leave Caleb Reger growing fast. His willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. The tenor of his voice when he read Scripture. His good humor in Boney’s relentless teasing. The way he smiled after every bite of her cooking …

  Caroline stood beside Anna’s horse, Molasses. Had horses grown taller, or was she shrinking? When Garrett Cowlishaw suggested a Sunday ride, she’d ignored the fact that it had been nearly six years since she’d ridden a horse.

  Yet, here she was in a skirt, with a man who rode a horse every day.

  It seemed she had only three choices. One, attempt to climb up by herself, risk falling to the ground, or worse, dangling with her foot caught in the stirrup. Two, tell Garrett the truth, that she felt insecure about her riding skills. Or three, she could suddenly feel ill and cancel the ride.

  Talking herself into spending time with any man other than Phillip, much less this particular one, had been no easy task. Steeling herself, Caroline turned to face her companion. Garrett stood beside his black stallion looking every bit a seasoned horseman.

  “Mr. Cowlishaw.”

  “Garrett.”

  “Garrett.” She dropped her hands to her sides. “I’m not a horsewoman.”

  “You’ve never ridden?”

  “Twice. But it’s been a long while.”

  He smiled. “I didn’t consider that being from the city, you may—”

  Caroline raised her gloved hand to stop him. “I’m not opposed to riding. I’m just not sure where to begin so as to land on the saddle”—she looked at their feet—“and not on the ground.
”

  His chuckle tender, Garrett stepped toward her. “Not that I’m an expert in the art of landing in a sidesaddle, mind you, but I’m happy to help.”

  She pressed her lips together, holding back a giggle. “Please.”

  Garrett held the stirrup for her. When he pointed to her left foot, she took the prompt and raised her leg. Once she had her foot in the stirrup, Garrett moved to her side and placed his hands around her waist. Her breaths quickened. Until now, no one but Phillip had ever touched her in such an intimate way. The blend of amusement and awareness she detected in Garrett’s eyes did nothing to calm the flutters in her stomach.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  She was better now than she’d been in a long time.

  When she nodded, Garrett lifted her into position, helping her right leg over the pommel.

  Caroline settled into the saddle then took the reins from him. “I am quite certain that went much more smoothly with your help than it would’ve without it. Thank you.”

  Garrett swung into the saddle on his stallion and leaned toward her. “You’re most welcome, ma’am.” He brushed the brim of his white hat.

  “Caroline. Please call me Caroline. You did, after all, keep me from taking a tumble.” She smiled.

  “I’m happy to oblige.” He lifted the reins. “Are you ready, Caroline?”

  Yes. No. Nodding, she raised her eyebrows. “I think so.” Please let me be ready, Lord.

  Garrett clicked a command to the horses, and they sauntered across the lush meadow toward a stand of trees. Molasses’s first steps made Caroline feel like cream sloshing in a bucket. She gripped the front edge of the saddle with her right hand to steady herself. Soon, her body began to sway with the bay’s steady rhythm.

  Following Garrett, she couldn’t help but note that he’d given her space to reacquaint herself with the feel of a horse in movement without the embarrassment of a watchful eye. A helpful teacher, and a thoughtful one too.

  She managed to ride up beside the stallion and guide Molasses to match the pace of the taller black horse. Garrett glanced at her but remained silent, looking peaceful and at home on horseback. Or with her?