Journey Toward Home by Carol Cox

Author:Carol Cox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing Inc
Published: 2014-11-13T16:00:00+00:00

eight

By the next morning, it was clear that Abby was going to rally, and I readied myself for my first church service in weeks. Was it really possible that only a week before I had been rolling along in a wagon with only the Parkers for company?

I hummed a happy little tune as I tried to decide which dress to wear. Truly, there was a great deal to be thankful for on this Lord’s Day.

I chose a sprigged muslin with ruffles at the wrists and throat. Vera had thoughtfully provided a number of hairpins, so I was able to dress my hair more elaborately than usual.

I looked in the mirror for a final appraisal and saw a sparkle in my eyes and a pink flush on my cheeks, due, I assured myself, to the excitement of going to a church service. How wonderful it would be to worship in company with other believers and hear the Bible taught by this learned man from the east!

Muffins and coffee were waiting in the kitchen. Every-one was too tired from the strain of the day before to care much about a formal meal.

A glance out the window showed a team and wagon approaching the house, so I gathered up my Bible and a light shawl and hurried outdoors. Jeff sprang down to help me up to the wagon seat and handed me my shawl.

“We’ll be all set as soon as our other passengers are ready,” he said, smiling up at me. Good heavens! Up to then I had completely forgotten the need for a chaperon. I smiled to cover my confusion and said a silent prayer of thanks that he was gentleman enough to have thought of it as a matter of course. After my experiences on the trail, I knew I would be perfectly safe with him or any of the cowboys, but we were heading for civilization of sorts, where tongues would wag if given half a chance.

I turned at the sound of footsteps and drew a quick breath in astonished delight. Lizzie and Willie stood beside the wagon, scrubbed and dressed in their Sunday best.

Willie looked gentlemanly, if uncomfortable, with his stiff collar and slicked-down hair. And Lizzie was the very picture of an angel with her hair neatly combed and in, wonder of wonders, a dainty ruffled dress. Jeff lifted them into the back of the wagon, where they scooted up behind the seat and looked at me shyly.

“One more and we’ll be off,” said Jeff. I looked at him in surprise. Neither Abby nor Charles would be in any condition to stir today. Perhaps Vera was coming. A broad smile broke out on Jeff’s face and I followed his gaze to see Jake emerge from the bunkhouse and walk our way.

His hair was plastered as close to his head as Willie’s, and he wore what must have been his best pair of work clothes. I hoped he hadn’t felt it necessary to borrow Shorty’s cologne.

His expression, his walk, his every move showed resignation rather than pleasure at the prospect of going to church.

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