They ambled to that building, the one they’d been told was the governor’s palace and where locals displayed their wares for sale.
Judith held a silver cross suspended on a chain. “Mama, look at this. Isn’t it lovely?” The cross was inset with turquoise. She paid the seller, pretending she had only a small amount of money.
Abigail purchased a similar one. “I like this one for me. They will help us on our journey.”
The man whose wares they were viewing held up a medal. “If you are on a journey, you each should carry this image of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child.”
Judith reached for it. “How much for this?”
He named an amount.
“I haven’t much money and I wish to protect all those going on our travels. If I were to buy six of these, would you make a special price?”
His eyes widened. “Six? Sí, Señora, for you I would if I could but I don’t have so many. I have five. For these I will give you one for free if you buy four.”
Abigail frowned at her. “We do not need these. You are being foolish with the small amount of money we have to last us.”
The man held up a hand and reduced the price. “I will include a chain for one of them. That is my final offer, Señora.”
Judith appeared to think it over. “I’ll take them and the chain.”
She couldn’t keep from smiling as they strolled on.
Abigail waited until they were far enough that the jeweler couldn’t hear. “I didn’t know we were Catholic.”
Judith laughed and hugged Abigail. “I didn’t know we were anything in particular. Don’t you agree we can use all the help we can get? This will be a difficult journey.”
“I sure will be glad to see my boy again. Look over there—see that street stall with shawls for sale? I believe I’ll get one.”
The two of them looked their fill at the wide variety of items available but their purchases were few. She had hoped they’d cross paths with Peyton if for no other reason than to learn his progress.
Abigail wore the cross she’d purchased but carried her shawl. “I’m ready for lunch and then a siesta.”
“Mama, do you want to eat at a stall or go to the hotel?”
Abigail gestured to one of the stalls. “I say we sample what that man is cooking that smells so good.”
“Then we should go to that church at the end of the street. It looks really old, doesn’t it?”
“That is the one the man in the hotel mentioned. Don’t you remember he said it was built in 1610? Imagine, baby, that church was there before the Pilgrims reached Plymouth Rock.”
Chapter Seven
Peyton hurried to where Jeff had said the wagonmaker was. With all the folks coming this way on the Santa Fe Trail there might be used wagons for sale. He sure couldn’t wait for one to be built to specifications.
Jeff leaned against the side of the building but straightened when Peyton approached.
Peyton asked, “You get your saddle and horse squared away?”
“I did for a fact. You’re here a lot sooner than I expected.”
“My wife is stubborn about many things but about this she saw right away it was best.” Even saying ‘my wife’ was foreign. Sure made him feel uncomfortable. He wished he could get rid of this morning’s memory of her lying in bed with her hair spread out on the pillow. Leaving her was harder than it should have been.
They went into the barn-like structure with a sign proclaiming Ferguson and Son Wagonmasters. The owner took them to the wagon yard where there were several wagons for sale. Peyton inspected each one, for they were not duplicates. He chose two with ribs and canvas covers. Both had room for a bed, trunks, and storage.
Mr. Ferguson tapped the floor of one with his cane. “This one has a secret hidey-hole in the floor right here behind the bench.”
Peyton saw the benefit for Red’s money and the deed. “Aw, I don’t know what we’d use it for. Still, my wife and her mother may want to store something there.”
Jeff said, “Be a handy place for bandages, ointments, and such.”
Peyton purchased the two wagons. “You’ll have the cover in place on each as we agreed? I’ll be bringing supplies to the wagon yard on and off all day.”
Ferguson used his cane to gesture to the large space where several folks had parked their wagons. “I charge rent for those that leave their wagons here. Since you bought these two and won’t be here long, I won’t charge you for the spaces.”
The wagon maker used his cane to point at the two wagons Peyton had just purchased. “Soon as you get your teams I ask that you move them away from the shed. I don’t want someone trying to buy those two.”
“You can count on it. That’s the next item on my list.”
He and Jeff strode to the livery stable.
On the way, Jeff gestured to the corral. “Don’t know if you planned to use oxen or mules or horses. Sanders has a dozen mules for sale. He knows someone who has about that many oxen.”
“Mules will be faster and that’s what my wife and her mother want. They’re worried about the brother and can’t get there fast enough to suit them.”
By noon, Peyton had secured a dozen mules, eight horses, eight barrels for water, and was ready to start on the furniture and food lists.
“I’d like to meet the two men you mentioned. You know where they’ll be at this time of day?”
“Reckon they’re the same place you found me. If not, I know where they’re staying.”
They made their way to the eatery.
Jeff scanned
