Forsythia took Starbright’s reins from Lilac. “Not vomiting, but she’s so weak. Robbie’s napping by his ma.”
If only the sleep would give Alice some strength to recover and carry the baby to term. Please, Lord.
Lark walked with the lead ox, watching to see if any of them were limping. Anders had reminded her several times how to care for their mode of transportation.
She added grain to the list growing in her mind. It would be good to stock up before they reached Independence, as prices might be higher there.
It wasn’t long before they reached the outskirts of the town, which boasted a shady, fenced pasture and a well, just as the woman had promised.
“You’ll enjoy that, won’t you?” Lark gave Sadie a scratch behind her stubby horns. She halted the oxen next to the fence, where a gangly young man leaned against the gate.
“A lady in a buggy a ways back told us we could spend the night here.”
“Sure.” The boy straightened and took a piece of grass out of his mouth. “Cost you a dollar per wagon.”
“A dollar?” Lark stared. “Just to camp?”
“Take it or leave it.” He shrugged and put the grass back in his mouth.
Lark glanced back at Forsythia. Atop Starbright, her sister tipped her head toward the Durhams’ wagon. They didn’t have much choice, not with Alice’s condition. And they needed supplies. But Lark nearly choked as she placed the dollar in the boy’s hand, then another for the Durhams. She doubted they had that kind of money to spare. At least she had her gambling winnings, strange as that still felt.
“Make yourselves comfortable.” He swung the gate open for the wagons to pass through.
They stopped the wagons under some spreading oaks near the well, unhitched the oxen, and lifted their yokes. Sam and Soda immediately started grazing, while Sadie and Sarge took time to rub the day’s weariness from their heads and necks against the tree trunks first.
“A whole dollar?” Lilac crossed her arms. “That’s pure robbery.”
“I know.” Lark lifted her hat and let the breeze blow through her hair. “We’ll stay just one night, especially since they don’t have a doctor here. Want to come with me to the mercantile?”
“Sure.” Lilac retied her sunbonnet strings. “Man and wife again?”
Her sister’s teasing wink made Lark smile. Thank God for her sisters.
The mercantile was well stocked, at least. They refilled their stores of beans, flour, bacon, and even fresh eggs to pack in the cornmeal. The store sold wood for those staying in the camp overnight. Lark eyed the tagged bundles with a raised brow. Would they at least let them gather kindling for free?
The bell on the store door jangled.
“Ah, you found us.” The lady they’d met on the road swept up beside Lark, red flower still bobbing in her hat. “I trust you are finding all you need?”
Lark met her gaze. “You didn’t mention the charge for camping here.”
“Are you not satisfied with the site?”
“It’s fine, but—”
“Nothing comes free, you know. Water, safety, rest—we provide all these for weary travelers. You can always go elsewhere.” The woman smiled, but a hint of steel laced her voice.
Savvy businesswoman, Lark would give her that. This close to Independence, weary travelers must be aplenty.
Lilac stepped up, eyes alight.
“Look, Lar—Clark.” She held out two tablets and fresh pencils. “Can we? For Sythia and me?”
Lark checked the price. Not as high as she’d feared, considering. “All right.” Her sisters deserved a treat for all they’d put up with on her account and for serving as God’s angels to the Durhams. Not that they’d been raised to do any differently.
The total for their purchases still made Lark swallow, but at least they’d be stocked for a while. No doubt prices might still be higher in Independence. She tried not to let her mind start running numbers again.
“So that lady owns this place?” Lark counted out coins after the woman had swept out of the store.
The mustached man behind the counter chuckled. “And half the town. Even the saloon.”
No wonder. A regular monopoly.
“We should have gotten something for Robbie.” Lilac glanced at the jars of candy on the counter.
“Your son?” The store clerk cut a length of brown paper to wrap their bacon.
“A little boy in a wagon traveling with us,” Lark said, lest Lilac forget and say something to give them away. “His ma’s been sick.”
“Here. Take him a peppermint stick.” The clerk lifted a glass lid and handed the candy to Lilac.
Something in Lark’s chest eased. So generosity did exist in this town.
“Thank you kindly.” Arms laden, they stepped out into the sunshine.
As their wagons rumbled out of the pasture the next morning at first light, Lark rode up next to Forsythia. “Someday wherever we end up, we’re going to start a boardinghouse or hotel. A place that will treat folks right.”
12
I’d like to have stayed there another day, but I can’t afford it,” Mr. Durham said.
“You’re sure your wife is strong enough to go on?” Lark asked from Starbright’s back.
“She says she is.” Durham looked to Forsythia, who shrugged. “Thanks to Miss Forsythia.”
“We might have layover time in Independence. Depending on when the wagon trains leave.”
Lark knew her concern was showing. If it weren’t for Forsythia making sure his wife was as comfortable as possible . . . She still wished the Durhams had turned back and stopped at the Herrons’, but they were insistent that they continue. She’d heard rumors that wagon masters could refuse a wagon if there was sickness. If Sythia could get Alice strong enough to sit up on the wagon seat . . . Lord, you know this situation. What do we do?
Traffic increased the closer they drew to Independence. Late in the afternoon, they stopped at a general store for information. Inside, the man behind the counter gave them instructions as to where the wagon trains formed up.
“The wagon master, name of Ephraim Hayes, told me they’re waiting on a couple more
