Page 57 of Caroline’s Compass

On the fifth, Rebecca said, “If you long for it, we can turn your wagon around.”

He did not mention it again.

Caroline drove the lead Whitaker wagon, checked every team at the halt, divided the best grazing among the weakest oxen, and revised the flour ration by half an ounce per person. Work filled the spaces where Thomas's voice had been.

The longer route seemed determined to punish everyone who had voted for it. Dust coated the bread before it reached anyone's mouth. The incline forced walkers from the wagon seats. A cloud of small insects selected Mr. Daugherty as their preferred destination.

“They recognize leadership,” he said, swatting his neck.

“They recognize moisture,” Rebecca replied.

The day on the established road lengthened beneath a cloudless sky. The company stopped twice for teams that needed rest and once when a water barrel loosened. Each delay confirmed the cost of rejecting the cutoff, and Mr. Daugherty made certain everyone understood that he could count hours.

At noon he confronted Caroline beside the flour wagon. “We would be a day farther west if caution had not won.”

Caroline opened the supply ledger. “We would be at the ravine, unloading twelve wagons.”

“According to Reed.”

“According to the broken axle we found, the water in Rebecca's handprint, and the grade I measured.”

Daugherty looked toward Thomas, perhaps expecting him to claim the decision. Thomas continued repairing his map case and said, “Mrs. Whitaker's estimate was conservative by forty minutes. I allowed an hour.”

Caroline nearly smiled. Daugherty did not.

Later, Eleanor offered to drive the lead wagon while Caroline checked stores. Caroline refused too quickly. Eleanor rested one hand on the wheel and said, “I am not asking because you failed. I am asking because I can drive.”

The distinction struck the same defended place Thomas had named. Caroline moved aside for one hour. She walked beside the second wagon with Rebecca and reviewed grazing instead. When she returned to the lead bench, Eleanor surrendered the reins without advice or inspection. Trust could move in both directions. Caroline was still considering that when the company started forward again.

The longer road demanded more of everyone. Caroline reduced the morning flour ration by a cup and shifted the noon halt toward better grazing. Mr. Daugherty complained that the company's caution had created the shortage. Caroline showed him the ledger and asked which meal he recommended removing. He decided the ration was adequate.

At the noon halt, Martha discovered a stone in the flour scoop. Lucy claimed it had been there for weight. Charlotte asked why flour needed encouragement to remain in a sack. Lydia suggested serving the stone to Mr. Daugherty because he had requested larger portions.

Grace offered to season it. Martha said their remaining salt was too valuable.

“We could boil it,” Lucy suggested. “Mrs. Bell told a story about stone soup.”

“The point of the story was that everyone added food,” Charlotte said.

Lucy looked toward Mr. Daugherty. “Then he may add his larger portion.”

Caroline removed the stone before the discussion became a recipe. Lydia asked whether it should be entered in the supply ledger as uneaten provisions. Caroline said it should be entered as evidence that all seven of them required more work.

Caroline rearranged the remaining flour while her sisters argued. Thomas worked thirty feet away, honoring the paused courtship. Every time Caroline heard his laugh from another fire, she became angry that he was capable of amusement. Then she became angry with herself for noticing.

Eleanor handed her a cup. “You cannot punish him by refusing coffee.”

“I am drinking coffee.”

“That is hot water with a memory.”

Caroline had made it while distracted. She drank anyway. Eleanor said heartbreak did not require bad coffee and remade the pot. The kindness nearly undid her more than the argument had.

Eleanor climbed onto the wagon seat beside her after noon. “Nathaniel says I can take the lead wagon this afternoon.”

“His shoulder is not ready.”

“I said I would drive, not Nathaniel.”