Anders stared at her, tapping a forefinger against his chin. “If you want to go, Jonah had an interesting idea earlier. Do you think you can turn into Clark again?”
“Become a man again?” Larkspur raised her eyebrows. When a letter from Anders during the war had told them he was injured and in a prison camp, Lark had turned herself into Clark. Taking a horse and wagon, she had driven behind Confederate lines and brought him back. Anders had been certain it was just in time for him to be buried next to their parents in the church graveyard, but with the good nursing of his sisters and nourishing food, his strength returned. While he still limped and always would, and he had lost part of one hand, he took over the family store from Lark once he had healed. “Yes. I think I can.”
“You mean travel on the train, right?” Forsythia asked.
“No, it doesn’t go far enough yet,” Lark said. “But we could take that covered wagon Anders got all outfitted for that man who changed his mind when his wife died.” She looked at her brother. “Should we get oxen or mules?”
“I’d say oxen, slower but more dependable. And besides I know a man who has four up to sell.”
“The same man?”
Anders nodded.
“I don’t want to go west in a wagon. It’ll take forever.” Forsythia shuddered. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m entitled to an opinion.” She hugged her arms over her chest. “Besides, where would we go? All the way to Oregon?”
“I think it’s too late in the spring to go that far. We’d have to overwinter somewhere or settle somewhere on the way.” Del set the cookie jar in the middle of the table. “The coffee should be hot pretty soon.”
Lark stared at her. “How do you know all that?”
“I’ve been reading accounts from folks who survived the journey. Some of the letters could break your heart.”
Anders stood and crossed to the parlor, where his father’s desk and bookshelves took up one corner. He returned with a pad of paper, a pen, and an inkwell. Pulling his chair up to the table and sitting down, he continued. “Ma always said start with a list, so that’s what we’re doing.” He looked at his sisters. “What?”
“You look and sound so like Pa.” Lilac blinked and sniffled.
Anders started writing. “Kansas is closer, and so is Nebraska.”
“I’ve read good things about the land in Nebraska.” Delphinium leaned forward. “And it might be far enough not to worry about the gambler tracking you down.”
“May I make a suggestion?” Mr. Holt took another chair. At their nods, he continued. “We have to get Lark out of town by morning. I heard what Ringwald said, and he meant business.” He looked at her. “You can pack a few things into saddlebags and take Lilac’s mare to the lake. Pack food, too, although there are staples in the pantry. One of my friends up there makes sure the house is always ready. We used to go up there when we could. Nora loved the lake. Meanwhile, we’ll figure things out. If you all decide to do this, we’ll get the wagon ready and packed, and the girls can stop there and pick you up the next day.”
Lark shook her head. “Impossible.”
Anders studied their friend. “No, no, pay attention. I think he’s got a point. Protecting Lark is the first thing, and you need to leave before dawn.”
“I’ll go along and make sure she gets there, then turn around and ride back. We could take the buggy. . . .” Holt thought a moment. “But riding is faster and would draw less attention.”
“Why do I feel like I’m being railroaded here?” Lark asked.
“Because you have to listen to someone else for a change.” Del patted her sister’s shoulder as she made the rounds refilling coffee cups. “We’re all agreed, right?”
Lark looked around the table and saw slow nods from everyone there. “But how will you know what to pack of mine? This is moving, not just going for a visit.”
“Don’t worry, none of us gets to take much.” Forsythia looked at Anders, who nodded. “I’ll make sure the trunk contains the Bible and a few other books.” She heaved a deep sigh. “I’m sure there is no room for my piano, but we can tuck the fiddle into the wagon, and the mouth organ won’t take up any room at all.” She gave Jonah a pointed look. “If you join us someday, you can bring the guitar.”
“Take it now.” Jonah shrugged. “Maybe the rest of us will come someday.” He looked to Anders, who was shaking his head.
The grandfather clock in the parlor chimed three times.
“I’ll go home, get saddled up, and be back within half an hour,” Mr. Holt said. “Jonah, would you please take care of my animals this morning?”
Jonah nodded.
“Lilac, go saddle up Starbright. And not with the sidesaddle. Remember, Lark will be Clark.” Anders raised his eyebrows. “You still have that slouch hat?”
Lark nodded. She’d kept the hat she had worn as Clark. That trip had taken her a month, but they had returned. This time they likely would not.
While they’d been talking, her mind had been running around, calculating how many miles they could travel in a day, how many weeks traveling time they had till frost, how far their money would go. But she needed to focus on the present. What could fit in her saddlebags for tonight? She’d need the rifle scabbard and ammunition. Good thing their father had made sure all his children could shoot straight. Forsythia even had a knack for knife throwing.
Lark rose. “I’ll be ready.” Her mouth said the words, but her mind screamed, I don’t want to leave home. Were they really doing this? “Forsythia, make sure you pack Ma’s flower seeds and whatever vegetable seeds
