Chapter 7

Neelie’s boots sank into the damp grasses where the caravan had pastured its livestock during the midday rest. Scattered showers had chased them for most of the morning, and now the company prepared to roll out again under blue skies. Walking beside Caleb, Neelie went to the oxen that pulled his wagon and reached for the lead ropes on two of them. One of the other women looked up from the mules she led and waved at her, and Neelie returned the greeting. Anna had been inviting various women in the group to walk with them so Neelie could get better acquainted. Mary Alice Brenner was one of three who had invited her to join them in the sewing circle Sunday afternoon.

Caleb snagged a couple of oxen leads. “Only been a couple of weeks since you joined us and you seem comfortable enough.”

“You surprised?”

He pushed the derby back on his head and wiped his brow. “Didn’t know what to expect.”

“I’m sure not.” Neelie tapped the brim of her sombrero, wondering if it might be time to replace it with one of the sunbonnets Anna had offered her. “I know I’m surprised. I didn’t expect to stick around any longer than it took to get a good meal, a horse, and supplies.”

“Until you saw that your dear brother was alive and you could spend time with him.”

“With my sister-in-law, actually.” Neelie smiled and Caleb chuckled. “Not surprising, seeing as how I enjoy Anna’s company, too.”

“Neelie!”

Ian took long strides toward them, one hand holding his cap in place.

Caleb cleared his throat. “You and Ian Kamden seem to be more comfortable with one another, too.”

Neelie shot her brother a look that she hoped told him to keep his notions to himself.

Ian stopped in front of Neelie and her brother, his mouth suddenly dry. He’d rehearsed what he wanted to say, but now the words seemed to have vanished with the clouds.

“Ian.” A grin filled Caleb’s face.

Ian focused on Neelie. “Anna said you were out here.”

“You wanted to speak to me?” Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Yes, I hoped for a word with you.”

He and Neelie both looked at Caleb, whose eyes widened. “I take it this is meant to be a private conversation.”

“If it’s all right with your sister,” Ian said.

Neelie handed the leads she held to Caleb. “I think the captain intends to roll out soon, but—”

“Good,” Ian said. “It won’t take long. I know we don’t have much time.”

While they walked away from Caleb and the others in the pasture Ian watched Neelie out of the corner of his eye. She wrung her hands, moistened her lips, and then pushed the sombrero from her head and let it fall to the ground behind her. Was she intentionally ridding herself of the hat, or was she too nervous to care that she’d dropped it? He’d never known a woman who wore her hair short, but it was quite becoming. On her, anyway. He stopped at the edge of the pasture and faced Neelie. She brushed at a curl that dangled at the top of her ear.

His mouth dry, Ian moistened his lips. “We don’t have much time, so …” He looked her in the eye. “You are a capable woman, Neelie, wouldn’t you say?”

“I like to think so.”

“You don’t seem squeamish.”

“No. Not usually.” A shadow darkened her brown eyes.

“My children have really taken a shine to you.”

“They’re good kids. Active, mind you.” She giggled, something he hadn’t heard her do a lot of. “But enjoyable enough.”

“When Blair needed help, you jumped right in and prepared the meal.”

“It’s what any woman here would’ve done, is it not?”

“That shows strength of character.”

Neelie flung her hands into the air then let them drop. “You’ve lost me. What is going on here, Ian? I don’t recall asking you for a reference.” Her eyebrows arched. “Is Hattie tired of helping out, is that it? You’re looking for a nanny and wondering if I qualify?”

“Marry me.” There, he’d said it.

“What?”

“Your brother is a preacher. He could marry us.”

“But why?”

“We need each other. I need someone to help me with the children. And Mither. You are a widow, a woman alone out here.”

“You don’t even know me. We only met two weeks ago.”

“After our talks the night you thought about leaving the caravan and the day you helped prepare our midday meal, I know you well enough.” It wasn’t how he’d felt about Rhoda when they’d married, but drastic circumstances demanded drastic measures. At least, that was what he’d grown up hearing his father say. Besides, he liked Neelie—the way she helped look after his children without having to be asked to do so. And he couldn’t explain it, but he felt more lighthearted around her.

“You said we should marry because we need each other, but you must admit, your need is far greater than mine.” Neelie rubbed her arms as if she’d taken a chill. “Right now, my brother is providing for me until I can get to the job awaiting me.”

Ian stepped closer. “Can you say you’re content with living your life alone? A life without family?”

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

“I’ve seen you with Anna. You enjoy her company. And your brother’s. And the way you interact with my children.” Ian squinted into the sun. “You were made for more than entertaining strangers. Will you at least consider my proposal?”

“I’ll think about it. But right now I need to help Anna.” She glanced toward the wagons.

He nodded. “First, there’s something else you should know.”

“Besides the fact that you have five active children and a mother who struggles with the vapors?”

“Yes.” Fine time for his eyelid to start jumping. “I loved Rhoda, and I still miss her. You would sleep in the farm wagon with the younger children and Mither.”

“I understand.” The stunned look in her eyes told him she’d already thought about his proposal and hadn’t decided in his favor. Good chance he’d have his answer by the time they reached camp that evening.

Then what would he do?

Neelie wasted no time leaving Ian at the pasture. She didn’t know whether to feel flattered or pitied. A proposal of marriage hadn’t played a part in any of the scenarios she’d imagined when first seeing Ian Kamden perched in a cottonwood tree.

The landmark that had dominated her view of the prairie the past couple of days taunted her. In the distance, Chimney Rock’s towering peak rose hundreds of feet from the earth, reminding her of hearth and home.

Her heart racing, Neelie recalled what Anna had said about her and Caleb being antagonistic toward each other when they first met. That aptly described some of her first encounters with Ian. She took quick steps toward the farm wagon at the center of the semicircle. She needed to speak to Anna privately. That was what sisters were for, wasn’t it? Sisters confided in one another, or at least that was how her dreams of having a sister had unfolded.

Women packed up foodstuffs and gathered children, while men greased wagon wheels and secured harnesses. The area around her family’s wagon was tidy and empty except for the four yoked oxen.

“Neelie? Is that you?” Anna’s voice came from inside the wagon.

“Yes.” Neelie stepped up onto the wheel spoke and pulled back the flap. Anna knelt in front of an open trunk and waved her inside.

Neelie climbed over the rim and onto the seat. She hadn’t been inside the wagon yet. Trunks, barrels, and a couple pieces of furniture crowded the floor except for a narrow aisle down the middle. A hammock hung suspended between a couple of bows.

Anna closed the lid of the trunk then sat on it and looked at Neelie. “Caleb said Ian Kamden asked to speak with you.”

Neelie sank onto a cask. “He did.” She leaned closer to Anna, fearing someone would overhear her. “Ian suggested that we marry.”

“Each other?” The second word went up an octave.

“Yes. Him. Me. Marry.”

Anna pressed her hand to her eyelet collar. “What did you tell him?”

“That we don’t really know one another, and that I have a job waiting for me.”

“What did he say to that?”

“Basically, that I’m a very capable woman and that we could help one another. He asked me to consider it. But I’d be crazy to marry a man I hardly know, and what I do know is that he lost his wife only a couple of months ago and has five children and a mother who requires special attention.”

“That right there says why marrying you might help him, but do you think marrying him could help you?”

Neelie shifted her position on the cask. She wanted to say she didn’t need help from him or from anyone else. But being here with Anna and these people was making it more and more difficult for her to lie to herself.

“There isn’t much protection for a woman out on her own, even one who can shoot. Getting lost in the middle of that family would give me added protection. Hattie is doing her best to help out, but she has her own family to think of.”

Anna tapped her finger against her cheek. “How does that help you?”

“I’d have the satisfaction that I’d done something good. For his children.”

“Sounds to me like you’re considering it.”

Was she?

“Neelie?” A man’s voice with a Scottish burr derailed the question. Did he expect an answer already? An impatient sort.

Neelie poked her head out of the puckered cloth at the grub box. Ian stood with arms akimbo, her sombrero atop his head.

She couldn’t help but smile.

“You dropped your hat in the pasture. I thought you might miss it on the trail.”

He’d noticed her hat missing and gone back for it? He wasn’t impatient, just thoughtful. And surprisingly likable.

God help her, she had her answer.