And the biggest question of all…where was her husband?
He looked around, thinking he’d see a man in the scrubby trees, but nobody emerged. “Is your husband close by? I can wait a little while, or else give you directions to the main road.”
Her pert chin tipped up. “I’m not married. But if you’ll give me those directions, I won’t hold you up any longer.”
Not married.
The words sunk like a weight around his shoulders. He couldn’t let her go alone. Especially not with that tiny bundle in her arms.
He needed to get her to Jedidiah. And he had to get the powder there quickly.
He glanced at her wagon. She didn’t have much loaded in it—just a few crates and a rocking chair. He could probably fit them in the wagon with the blasting powder. Except the rocking chair. He couldn’t lay anything heavy on the powder, so that would have to stay.
“I’ll tell you what. Let me get my team and wagon ready, then we’ll move your things into mine, and I can drive both of you. That way you can have your hands free to take care of Little Bit there.” He nodded to the babe, who’d begun to make little mewling noises.
The woman frowned. “I’d rather take my wagon. If you’ll just tell me how to get there, I’ll be on my way.”
He fought to hold in his sigh. “I can tell you, ma’am, but Jedidiah would not look on me kindly for sending his daughter and grandbaby off into the wilderness on their own. ‘Specially when I’m headed the same way with a wagon that has plenty of room for you both.”
She added a pinched mouth to her frown. “I don’t want to be a bother.”
Was there a polite way to say how much more frustrating she was being keeping him standing here when he had a schedule to keep? His brother Gil could have managed it, but Sampson would do best not to try. He did offer a smile. “I’d appreciate you letting me help, ma’am, your father being Jedidiah and all.”
That last bit seemed to bring her around, for she finally sighed. “All right then. Should I follow you with my team?”
He shook his head. “Stay here and get your things packed up. I’ll be back soon.”
He’d better make up all the time he could, for surely traveling with a woman and babe would slow him down. And he didn’t relish Jedidiah’s reaction if he kept the man waiting.
CHAPTER2
Grace Hampton’s heart pounded against her ribs. Was it really a good idea to travel with a man she'd just met? Leave her own wagon and team behind, putting her and Ruby at his mercy?
If he was as trustworthy as he seemed, she would be much better off not having to worry about handling the team. And he was Father’s employee.
But she would need the wagon and horses to start her new life once she spoke with her father. Maybe what the man needed to carry could be packed in her rig.
He didn’t return right away, so she used the time to dress Ruby. “I’m sorry I kept you in the blanket so long, sweet one.” She pulled on the babe’s long-sleeved undergarment and her flannel gown before swaddling her again in the blanket—this time far more securely than before.
All their belongings were still packed, so she should be ready for whatever they decided to do when he brought his wagon.
Her only other choice would be to follow his wagon with her own rig, driving and caring for Ruby as best she could. That meant Ruby would have to lie in her basket most of the time. Then she’d have to stop the wagon to feed her. The trip would take longer than the day he’d said.
And now that the weather had turned cold, she needed to find her father as quickly as possible, get enough money to live on for a little while, and find a safe place for them to settle.
She worked to still her whirling thoughts. Whatever it took to reach her father, she had to do it quickly. Even if that included riding with this stranger for a day.
Besides, she wasn't completely defenseless. In addition to the revolver she had tucked in the hidden pocket of her skirt, she also had the rifle. She wouldn't hesitate to pull either weapon if she needed to protect herself and Ruby.
The crunching of wagon wheels across the ground sounded behind her, and she turned to see two horses pulling a wagon into view. One of the animals had the same coloring as one of the horses that pulled Oren’s wagon—brown with black main and tail.
This wasn’t her old delivery driver, though, but the man she’d met earlier driving the team. He halted them when his wagon was alongside hers. A number of crates filled part of his wagon bed, but there looked to be enough room in her rig to hold them.
She forced confidence into her tone. “I won’t be coming back this direction, so I need to take my wagon and team. Will your supplies fit in my wagon?”
He set his brake and eyed her load, then his. “Looks like it might.” He jumped to the ground, then started hauling the boxes from his bed and positioned them in her wagon. Thankfully, she’d kept her load to a minimum.
She’d debated over what to bring, ending up packing most of their clothes and blankets and food, as well as a few books. She’d not known whether she should bring furniture or not. It seemed like each house would have its own, so carrying hers would be a waste. But then, she’d never purchased a new house, nor rented a room, so she hadn’t been sure. Mama’s rocker was the one piece that felt like it belonged more to Grace than to their house.
