“Then let’s gather rocks for Nancy’s grave.”
“That’s a great idea, Hope. Let’s do.”
The women stood and walked through the surrounding fields, gathering rocks by carrying them in their aprons. When they had as many as they could carry, they went to Nancy’s grave.
Anna asked Daniel, “We’ve gathered rocks for the grave—may we set them on it for you?”
“Rocks?” the man asked with a bewildered expression.
“To keep her safe from predators,” Hope answered.
Daniel looked at her strangely as if to say, “Who are you?” but then he simply nodded.
Hope thought Daniel a very handsome man. He was tall and slim, with green eyes and brown hair. He was clean-shaven, unlike most of the men, although he hadn’t shaved in a day or two. His face looked drawn and his eyes red and swollen. He must have loved Nancy very much.
The women made their way back to Anna and Walter’s wagon.
“The poor man,” Hope said.
“Yes, indeed,” Anna said. “Let’s wash up and make lunch. Walter is still in the corral caring for our oxen.”
“Wait, here comes Mr. Shank and Walter,” Hope said. She had a sick feeling in her stomach when she saw the haggard look on Mr. Shank’s face. He looked as if he had an unhappy duty to perform.
Shank spoke as soon as he approached the women. “Mrs. Butler, to stay with the wagon train, you must pair up with Mr. Townsend.”
Stunned, Hope looked from Shank to Walter, who nodded. He’d told Shank their idea.
“If he agrees, I suppose I will. Does this pairing mean we have to marry?”
“Not right away,” he said. “You two can get acquainted for a few hundred miles until we reach Fort Laramie. There’s a minister there who can perform the ceremony, or you can stay in Laramie. It’s completely up to you two. In the meantime, you’ll continue to sleep in your tent by Mr. and Mrs. Cummings.”
Hope felt relieved. “So, I’m to cook for him from my wagon, do his chores at his wagon, and then he'll take care of my wagon and his?”
“No, you will leave your wagon here and split up your supplies with some others, but give Daniel first chance at them. Then, pass the word around that you have supplies to offer anyone who needs them.
“You’ll go to Daniel’s wagon, fix his meals, walk alongside and tend to the chores for his wagon, and at bedtime, you'll go back to your tent with Anna and Walter. Is that clear?”
Hope nodded.
“That’s the plan, but I haven’t gotten an approval from Daniel yet. He’s had a very stressful day, but I can’t hold the train up for much longer. We have to get moving, fevers or not. The doctor has agreed to stay with us for a time.”
“Thank you, Mr. Shank,” Hope said. “You’ll stop by and let me know if Daniel approves?”
“Yes.” Shank shrugged. “He really doesn’t have much choice in the matter if he wants to stay with the train.”
Shank walked back to Hope’s wagon. “Well, Mr. Townsend finally agreed to join forces with you. He argued that he could manage alone, but I reminded him that though he might do that for a while, he couldn’t push a wagon up and down a mountain alone. I’ve already used all the single men I have to accompany the other widows. You two are the only ones left.”
After Hope learned that Daniel had reluctantly agreed to the plan, she walked over to offer him whatever he needed from her wagon. He took enough of everything to top off his food supply before Hope offered the rest to the neighboring wagons. The people swarmed over and soon every single scrap had been claimed. Daniel had taken a few tools from the sides of the wagon, and the neighbors took the rest. Shank pulled Callum’s wagon from the circle and left it on the side of the trail.
Hope was unsure whether she was welcome with Daniel. He either wasn't friendly or still grieving from his loss. Of course, he would be. She watched him from Anna and Walter’s wagon, sitting on the ground beside the grave. He’d refused supper, again.
In the morning, Hope went over to Daniel’s wagon and took out some cheese and apples. She cut the food and put it on a plate for them. Once again, Daniel sat before the fire, his head in his hands. He simply stared at the plate when she handed it to him.
Finally, he took a piece of apple and ate a few bites of cheese. “I can’t just leave her here. I feel as though I’m abandoning her.”
“You aren’t. She’ll be with you in spirit.”
He looked up at her. “She will?”
“Of course. She would never leave you.”
“She wouldn’t.” He picked up a wedge of apple. “She’ll be traveling with me… here.” He touched his shirt pocket over his heart.
Hope noticed a small lump in the breast pocket of his shirt, but she wasn’t sure what it was.
“You need to hurry and eat. The oxen need harnessing.”
He left his seat on the log and moved to the corral. Hope cleaned up after their meal and prepared to walk beside the wagon.
After Daniel had the oxen in place, he stood over Nancy’s grave and spoke soft words to her. Hope walked over and said, “She’s not there anymore, Daniel. That’s just the body she used while she was alive. She’s a spirit now, and she's probably with God this very moment.”
Daniel actually smiled at her words, but Hope prayed she gave him comforting advice. Was what she’d told him true? She thought so, but she certainly wasn’t an authority.
They took a brief noon meal because Shank wanted to press forward and try to make up
