Safe Thus Far by Theresa Hupp

Author:Theresa Hupp [Hupp, Theresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rickover Publishing via Indie Author Project
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Jenny waited for Mac all afternoon, though she knew the steamboat wouldn’t arrive until evening. As she stitched a pillowcase in the parlor, Cal wandered into the room. “Can I talk to you, Mama?” he asked.

“Of course, Caleb.” She looked up from her needlework with a smile, then frowned when she examined his demeanor. Cal was an easy-going child, but now his face contorted in a grimace. “What’s wrong, dear?”

“Is Pa going to bring Will home?” he asked.

“I hope so, though probably not on this trip.” Jenny beckoned to Cal, and he sat beside her. “Don’t you want to see your brother?” She put an arm around his shoulders.

Cal nodded, his expression still sober. “Is it my fault he’s gone?”

Jenny leaned away from him to peer into his face. “Why would it be your fault?”

“We fought after I took Maria’s horse. Will don’t like me much.”

Jenny smoothed Cal’s hair. “Doesn’t, son. And you’re wrong—William likes you. All brothers squabble sometimes.” Mac had assured her that was true.

Cal shook his head. “It’s more’n that. He’s jealous of me, but I don’t understand why. He’s oldest. He gets to do more’n me. I don’t know why he don’t—doesn’t—like me, but he doesn’t.”

Jenny stroked his hair again. “It isn’t your fault William left, Caleb. Sometimes boys have growing pains and need to get away.” She hugged him. “But when they leave, it hurts their parents terribly.” She tipped his chin toward her. “Can you promise me you’ll never run away? Come talk to your father or me if something bothers you?”

Cal nodded. But would a twelve-year-old remember his promise? He hadn’t faced any challenges beyond arithmetic yet. Jenny wondered what future heartaches her children would bring her. William was only the first of her offspring to test his wings.

After supper, Jenny paced in the parlor, waiting for Mac. Finally, Maria told her to rest. Jenny tried to calm down, but she couldn’t concentrate on her needlework.

Sunset came late in Oregon in June, but it was after dark before Mac let himself in the house. Jenny ran to him. “William?” she asked. “Is there any news? Did you find him?”

Mac shook his head.

“What did you learn?” she asked, grabbing his arms.

“Nothing.” Mac sighed. “It was a waste of time.”

“Nothing?” Jenny’s heart fell.

He led her into the parlor, and they sat. Maria was the only child still awake, and she followed them. “We talked to the storekeeper I’d seen before,” Mac said. “He didn’t remember anything more. We talked to other men in the area—none of them remembered the boys or their horses.”

Pain radiated throughout Jenny’s body, from her womb where the baby kicked to her heavy heart. She groaned low in her throat and sagged against Mac.

“You shouldn’t be up,” he said, lifting her into his arms.

She sobbed. “William. Where’s my boy?” As Mac carried her up to bed, Jenny heard Maria crying as well.

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