The wagon train stopped at the river. Joey helped Fiona build a fire and she was making a Vinson stew from a deer one of the men had killed. She was glad it was the custom to share the meat when a big animal was killed so the meat wouldn’t go bad. She turned from the fire and caught her breath. Clint had Hope in his arm and he was helping Rose from the wagon. “What...”
“I decided I wanted to join the family for supper tonight.” Rose smiled at her. “I told Clint, I’d been in that wagon long enough.”
“I’m delighted you feel like getting out, Rose.” Fiona hurried to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“I even borrowed a camp chair for her,” Clint said. “I thought she’d be more comfortable than she would be sitting on a bucket.”
“I’m glad you’re so thoughtful, Clint.”
“Joey, I propped the chair up there at the end of the wagon. Will you get it?”
“Sure, Uncle Clint.”
When Rose was settled in the chair, Sarah came over to see the baby. She was followed by Hannah.
“She sure is a cutie, Rose,” Hannah said.
“Yes she is,” Sarah said. “Enjoy her while she’s little. It doesn’t seem any time since Benny was little.”
“That’s what I’ve heard.” Rose looked at the two sisters. “Would you like to hold her?”
“Since I helped her into the world, I sure would,” Hannah said.
“Take this chair.” Rose handed her the baby and stood. “I was thinking of making some biscuits to go with our stew tonight. If you’ll baby sit, I’ll do it now.”
“Rose, I can make my pan bread,” Fiona said.
“I know you would, my friend, but I bet these guys would like to have one of Rose’s biscuits.” She looked at Clint and Joey. “Wouldn’t you?”
“I sure would. I love Aunt Rose’s biscuits.”
Clint ruffled Joey’s hair. “I love her biscuits, too, Joey, but I don’t want Rose to over do. She’s still a weak woman.”
“It will do me good, Clint. Now it’s settled. I’m going to make biscuits.”
Rose did make her biscuits and they all ate their fill. Before and after supper several neighbors came by to see the baby. While Rose was busy entertaining friends, Fiona slipped down to the river and took a bath.
It felt good to have the cool water flowing over her tired body. She ducked her head and washed her hair with the scented soap Rose had lent her. There were a few other women at the river so she had a nice chat with them. She felt reluctant to go back to the camp, but she knew she needed to help Rose back to bed. The woman had been up long enough. She pulled her waist-long hair back, plaited it into one long braid down her back, and slipped into her clothes. Gathering the few pieces of clothing she’d washed, she headed toward the wagon.
As she walked up she heard Clint ask, “Are you tired, Rose?”
“Not bad. In fact, if Fiona doesn’t mind helping me, I think I’d like to go to the river and wash.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“I’m sure.”
Fiona approached them. “I’d be glad to accompany you, Rose.”
“Good. Hope’s asleep.” She turned to Clint. “If you’ll put her to bed and watch her, I promise not to be gone long. All I need to do is get some clean clothes.”
“I’ll get them for you, Rose.” Fiona hung the wet clothes on the makeshift line and went into the wagon.
When they got to the river Fiona took a seat on the bank and Rose stepped into the water. “This feels so good,” she said and giggled. “It’s the first time I’ve had my whole body in water since we left Independence.”
“It made me feel good, too.”
Rose splashed about then washed her hair. “Fiona, this has been one of the best nights since we left on this trip. It feels good to know I’m with people who care for me.”
“Of course we care, Rose. You’re such a special woman.”
She laughed. “If you knew some of the secrets I have you might not like me at all.”
“Don’t you know you and Clint have become like family to me?”
“I’m glad.” She rinsed her hair then raised her head. “You like Clint a lot, don’t you, Fiona?”
Fiona was glad it was almost dark because she was sure she blushed. “Of course. I told you I think of you both as family.”
“I think it’s more than that, but I won’t go into it now.”
What was Rose getting at? Fiona was confused. “Let me assure you, there’s nothing...”
“Don’t take offense, Fiona. I want you to like Clint. I think it was meant for all of us to meet.”
“I don’t understand.”
She smiled and came out of the water. Taking the towel Fiona held out for her, she looked into Fiona’s eyes. “When I’m gone, Clint will have you.”
Fiona started to speak, but Rose went on. “There’s a lot about Clint and me you can’t know now, Fiona, but one day you will. One day he’ll be able to tell you the whole story.”
“Rose...I...”
“Come now. Let’s not talk about it anymore.” She started toward the wagon.
Fiona fell into step beside her. “Rose, please tell me what you’re talking about.”
“Not now. I just want you to promise me you’ll remember this conversation one day. When you do, I want you to know I’m happy for you and Clint. You’re both wonderful people and you deserve happiness.”
No matter what Fiona asked, Rose wouldn’t explain any further.
* * * *
“What is this slop?” Leo glared into the bowl Ira handed him.
“It supper. Eat or go hungry. I don’t care.”
“Leo, it’s some kind of stew. I think this one is made of pork. Probably bacon. Eat it and be grateful.”
“But it’s the same thing we’ve had every night. I want something different. Maybe chicken or at least eggs.”
“I take it. You no eat till morning.” Ira reached for the bowl.
“No. No. I’ll eat it.” Leo began to shovel the food in his mouth.
Ira laughed and Wade dropped his head to hide a smile.
The sound of a horse came from outside the wagon. Ira looked out. “Eat. I be back. No yelling.”
As soon as Ira stepped out of the wagon, Wade set his bowl on the floor. “Now, Leo, I want you to listen and keep your mouth shut,” he whispered.
“What?”
“I said be quiet. I have a plan to get us out of here.”
“Great. What is it?” Leo was excited, but he did whisper.
“They’re probably going to gag you again, so don’t fight him. Relax.”
“I’ll try.”
“The blacksmith hasn’t been tying my hands very tight. I think I can untie them when no one’s around.”
Leo grinned. “I like this plan.”
“Do as I say and I think we’ll be able to escape.” He picked up his bowl. “Now hurry and start eating again.”
Leo nodded. For the first time there was a glint in his eyes. He knew he was going to see Rose again. Before he could dwell on it, Ira climbed back into the wagon.
“Mr. Smith have broke wheel. I go fix. You stop to eat now.” He took Leo’s bowl and gagged him and tied his wrists. He then took Wade’s bowl and tied his wrists. As before, he left the man’s mouth uncovered.
As soon as Ira stepped out of the wagon, Leo began to wiggle. Wade frowned at him, but he only continued.
“For God’s sake, be still, Leo. He’s out there gathering tools or something. Don’t be so impatient.”
After a few minutes Wade said, “It’s time.” He began working with the rawhide around his wrists.
It took a while, but he finally got the rawhide off and turned to Leo. As soon as his partner was free, Leo reached up and grabbed off the gag. They both untied their feet and moved to the back of the wagon.
“Look, Wade. Here’s a pistol. It’s loaded. Should we take it?”
“Let me have it.”
“Don’t you trust me?” Leo whined.
“I’m not as apt to get excited and shoot it.”
“Well, here.” He handed the gun over. “Let’s get out of here.”
Wade put the gun in the back of his waist band and the two men jumped to the ground. The wagon train was circled. “Do you think they’re expecting Indians?”
Wade chuckled. “No, Leo. I think they’re circled because they have the livestock inside the circle.”
“Oh.” He looked around. “Now which one of these silly looking wagons belongs to Larson?”
“Why don’t we circle around the outside and see if we can figure it out?”
“It’s an awfully long way around,” Leo whispered. “It’ll take us a while.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“We could ask someone.”
“Leo, I didn’t realize what a fool you are.” Wade stared at him. “These people don’t know us and they certainly wouldn’t trust us. Do you think they would tell us anything?”
Leo sighed. “I guess we might as well get started around then.”
The night was warm and there was a half moon and a spectrum full of stars. They didn’t have any trouble seeing where they were walking as they moved from one wagon to the other. They heard families talking together, men discussing their destination, a man playing a fiddle softly, and a baby crying.
“Wade...” Leo stopped suddenly and said in an excited voice, “I see Rose.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” He started clapping his hands. “Yes it’s her. It’s beautiful Rose.”
Before Wade could stop him Leo went running between the wagons and bounded toward the Larsons’ campsite. He was shouting, “Rose, my beautiful Rose. We’ve found you at last. Thank God we found you.”