“I wonder what’s wrong,” Hope said.
Anna wiped her hands on her apron. “Watch the fire. I’m going over there.”
When Anna returned, Hope knew it wasn’t good news by her worried and pale expression.
“His wife, Nancy, has the fever. The poor man doesn’t know what to do.”
“Oh, no. How can we help?”
“When Walter returns from checking our cattle, I’ll ask him if he minds if I go over there and nurse the woman. Would you take care of Walter and my duties while I’m gone?”
“Of course.”
Hope handed Walter a plate of pancakes. “I know it won’t be as good as Anna’s but I followed her directions.”
Walter put a huge piece in his mouth. “Just as good.”
“Do you think we’ll travel tomorrow?”
Walter shrugged. “We buried four people this morning. I don’t know.”
“I shiver each time we pass graves on the trail. It's downright scary how many people never made it to Oregon or California.”
Anna’s husband was a burly man of about forty-five. He had a bushy beard and mustache. He looked scary, but he was kind and soft-spoken. Hope wished she could find a husband like him.
“I don’t know what they’ll do about my wagon. Will I be able to lead the oxen?”
“Maybe, but you can’t hitch and unhitch them. I don’t think Shank will allow you to continue with the train if you don't have a man.”
“What will happen to me?”
Walter shrugged again. “Sometimes they drop people in nearby towns.”
“It doesn’t matter much. I have no one anywhere waiting for me.”
“I wouldn’t mind hitching and unhitching your team, but there are other jobs that the men do that I couldn’t. Shank’s been too busy with the fevers to decide your fate yet.”
“Have you met the couple that Anna’s helping?”
“Yes. He's a nice young man named Daniel Townsend, and his wife, Nancy. She’s pretty bad, I hear.”
“How sad. She must have been so excited to set up a new life in Oregon, and then to get this sick on the way… I wish there were something I could do for her.”
“You’re doing it, Hope. You’re tending to Anna’s job so she can nurse Nancy.”
“I guess. I’m praying for her and the others, too.”
“Sometimes prayer is the best thing you can do for someone.”
“I wonder where Mr. Shank will drop me off. I don’t even know where we are.”
“We’re in Nebraska somewhere.” Walter rubbed his forehead. “There is another option. I hate to mention it without talking it over with Anna though.”
“What? Tell me so I have something to pray for.”
“All right. You could split your supplies with some of the others, ditch your wagon altogether and come with Anna and me.”
“Oh, I’d love that. You and Anna are like the parents I never had.”
Walter reached over and squeezed her hand. “And you, our daughter. We have one, and we miss her, but you’re just like a second daughter to us.”
“How would we go about splitting my supplies?”
“Since you’d be coming with us, we’d take some, and then pass the word around that we have extra supplies and the people will come. It’s a long trip, and no one wants to run out of food.”
“Here comes Anna,” Hope said, pointing.
As soon as they saw the look on Anna’s face, they stood and walked to meet her.
“What is it, darlin’?” Walter asked, reaching for his wife.
Anna collapsed into his arms, crying. “We lost her. Nancy just died. I did all I could for her.”
Chapter Five
Anna took a plate of pancakes over to Daniel the morning of his wife’s burial. He sat by his fire. Hope saw him look up from staring into the flames long enough to shake his head and refuse the food.
Shank had told everyone that the train would move the following day, no matter what. “If we’re lucky,” he’d said, “we’ll reach Chimney Rock tomorrow.”
Anna returned to her wagon, clucking softly and shaking her head. “The poor man is broken-hearted. He and Nancy had only been married a few months. He refused the breakfast. Not that I blame him. I haven’t much appetite myself.”
“You aren’t ill, are you?” Hope asked, laying a hand on Anna’s forehead.
“No, just emotionally worn out.”
“Is there anything we can do for him?”
“I think right now he needs time alone,” Anna said. “What about you? Are you willing to come with me and Walter? If so, we’ll split up your supplies before the day is over.”
Hope was about to accept their gracious offer, then she stopped and thought for a moment. “Wait—what about Daniel? He has no one to cook for him, do his dishes, or pick up firewood and buffalo chips. What will he do now?”
“That’s a good point, Hope. Maybe we can somehow pair you two together.”
Walter stood from where he’d been sitting on a log, eating his pancakes. “Wait a minute— it wouldn’t be decent for the two to pair up if they aren’t married. Shank would never allow that. He’s a very pious man.”
Anna turned to him. “But they’re both in need of what the other can offer.”
Walter put his hands up in defense. “All I’m saying is there has to be another way.”
Anna turned back to Hope. “After Nancy's buried, we’ll talk to Mr. Shank.”
Hope and Anna watched Daniel sitting by his wife’s grave, weeping.
“I passed so many graves the other day along the trail, and I noticed people putting rocks on top. Is there a reason for this?”
Anna nodded. “The rocks will keep the coyotes and wolves from digging up
