Cavalcade by K'Anne Meinel

Author:K'Anne Meinel [Meinel, K'Anne]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Shadoe Publishing, LLC
Published: 2018-06-23T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

It started to rain. Cold spring rains caused the wheels to sink into the ruts before them on the road. It also turned the compacted dirt into mud that sucked at the wheels. Riding along on the path between the ruts and along the sides of the road only increased the width of the road, and they weren’t the only ones doing that. People seemed to be coming from all over with their wagons overloaded, white canvas holding everything they held dear inside the wagons as they plodded along towards Independence. Some started traveling together since they were headed in the same direction, but Erin far preferred the comfort and peace of her own family. Jeb had no problem making acquaintances, riding off on the mare or stallion, depending on which he was riding that day. It annoyed Erin no end as he was not only using their horses but also spreading tales. Already, she had caught a few people looking at her oddly, but not because she looked like a man and they might think her a woman. No, it was because of the story of what happened in St. Charles. Jeb’s spin on events made them sound worse than they were, and Erin was embarrassed.

“We don’t talk about that,” Erin corrected Theo angrily when she caught him bragging about her.

“But Jeb said–” he began to defend himself.

“I don’t care what Jeb said. You do as I say. I don’t want you spreading tales about that incident,” she retreated into very clear, precise, and proper speech as she admonished the child.

“But–” he began again.

“No, Theo. I don’t want you spreading tales. No more. You hear me?”

Hanging his head, the boy nodded. Erin felt bad, but she didn’t want it discussed. “I can’t hear you?” she asked, to make her point but hating that she had to do this to the boy. Still, she couldn’t have him disobeying her if she was to keep the children in line.

“Yes, Pa,” he agreed, sounding crushed.

Molly and Erin discussed it later and hoped they could be soon rid of Jebediah Mackenzie. He was not a good influence on the children at all. His tales were getting longer and longer. They were obvious fabrications, and his voracious appetite was cutting into their supplies at an alarming rate. He was far too expensive a friend to have. Still, he had given them some good advice, and for that, Erin was grateful. Fortunately, with the new people around, and him being so friendly, he had been invited to share other meals with the newcomers, and they were glad to let him. Erin angrily retrieved her mare when he decided to sleep with some widow woman he met on their way. He didn’t own the horse, and she felt he was taking advantage of their generosity.

“I tell you, it’s The Great American Desert,” one of the newcomers, a Mrs. Bozeman declared.

“Now, that is pure rubbish,” Jeb contested. “I done see that there desert, and it hain’t no desert.

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