“That’s true, but with God’s help we’ll make it.” Tommy glanced toward the wagon.
Jason turned to see what had caught his attention. Suzy climbed down the ramp and ran toward them. “Hi, Jason.”
She patted his knee. “Can I sit here with you and Davy?”
At Katie’s sharp intake of air, Jason guessed she would protest her sister’s forward behavior. He didn’t mind, though. He liked Suzy. Before Katie spoke, he did. “Sure, climb on up. There’s room for you and Davy both.”
“Susanna Donovan,” Katie called from the campfire. “You’d better thank Jason for being so nice to you.
Jason chuckled as Suzy gave him a sweet smile. “Thank you, Jason.”
“You’re welcome.” Jason pulled her back against him.
Tommy shook his head. “I hope you find a good, Christian woman who shares your love of kids so you can fill up that farm you’re planning on.”
Jason grinned. He’d like nothing better. Only problem was, he’d already found the good, Christian woman he wanted. Too bad Monroe had beat him to her. It might be a long while before he found another to fill the space she’d left.
~*~
Katie rode behind the cattle as the train neared Fort Hall. “Haw, move on there.” She drove her cows into the valley where the other animals where gathering and breathed a sigh of relief. Another day behind the cattle ended so she could get back to Mama and Davy. Mama spent most of her time in the wagon caring for Davy or sleeping. She was better, but not well enough to do any work. If not for Rachel’s help during the day, Katie didn’t know what they would do.
Fort Hall stood between the Portneuf and Snake Rivers. Halfway to their new home. They couldn’t get there soon enough for Katie. She turned Star loose and walked toward camp. Another train had also set up camp nearby, giving the appearance of small communities grouped together into one large city of white canvas homes. Hundreds of people milled about over the countryside. They would be stopping for a short rest according to Mr. Colton. Maybe Mama would regain her strength while they were here.
As soon as she found their wagon, she started building a fire then went in to check on her mother and the baby. “How are you feeling, Mama?”
Mama sat leaning against the side of the wagon with Davy in her arms. I’m fine, Katie. I just wish I could do more.”
“We’ll handle the work. You just get well.”
Mama smiled. “I’m trying to, darling.” She nodded toward a couple of bottles lying beside her. “I don’t like giving you more work, but when you get some water boiling, could you put these in for several minutes and when they are clean, bring them to me?”
Katie took the baby bottles and several nipples from the bed and went outside without asking the questions that burned in her head. She had them boiling when Tommy stopped beside her. “Have you been in to see Mama?”
At her nod, he asked, “How is she?”
“I don’t know, Tommy. She has so little strength.” Katie looked up at him. “Actually, I’m worried about her. She asked me to boil these baby bottles and nipples for her. I’m sure she never used a bottle with the rest of us. I didn’t even know she had any.”
Tommy frowned and nodded. “I’ll step in and see her before I go up to the fort. With this mob here, there probably won’t be a speck of anything left on the shelves, but at least I’ll try.”
Tommy moved to the wagon and disappeared inside.
Katie watched the water boil around the bottles and thought of her little brother. There was a special bond already forming between them that Katie attributed to the part she had played in his birth. She felt closer to him than she’d expected. She had been the first to see him and hold him. She smiled as she visualized his little round face topped by a thin layer of fuzzy, light orange-tinted hair. Already, he looked like Karl had as a baby.
She took the bottles out to cool and began preparing supper. As soon as she got some biscuits made she would check on Mama again.
Tommy came back from the fort carrying a slab of bacon and a sack of flour. “That was pretty much a waste of time.”
Katie put them away. “Do you think you could ask the doctor to look at Mama?”
Tommy frowned. “Why? Is she worse?”
“I don’t know. I looked in on her while ago and I think she’s got fever. Something’s wrong, Tommy. She won’t admit it, but I think she hurts somewhere.”
Tommy nodded and started back the way he’d come. “I saw Doctor Clark at the storehouse. I’ll go get him.”
As soon as Katie saw Tommy and Dr. Clark coming, she picked up the baby and told Susanna to follow her. She sat with the baby cuddled close in her arms and waited while the doctor entered the wagon.
Susanna pressed close to Katie’s side, her brown eyes wide and serious. “Katie, is Mama going to Heaven with Daddy and Karl?”
Katie’s breath caught in her throat. She looked over Susanna’s head to Tommy. What could she say?
Tommy knelt beside his little sister. He put his arms around her, turning her to face him. “Suzy, we don’t know if Mama is leaving us. But we want you to know if she does, we’ll take very good care of you. You do know that, don’t you?”
Susanna nodded even as tears sparkled in her eyes. Katie blinked to keep her own in check as her little sister began to sob. “I don’t want Mama to go away. I want her to stay here with me.”
Tommy held her close. “I don’t want her to go either, Suzy, but I know if she does, she’ll be happy. God’s home is much nicer than it is here, and someday if we love Him we’ll all get to go there, too.”
Susanna pulled away from Tommy and looked into his face. “I guess Daddy and Karl miss Mama, don’t they?”
Tommy nodded. “I’m sure they do.”
The doctor climbed from the wagon, and Tommy rose to meet him. “Doctor Clark, is she . . . ?”
The older man shook his head. “She’s got a fever. There’s infection inside. We’ll fight it as best we can, but I don’t know—I just don’t know. I’m sorry, kids.”
When he left, Katie looked at Tommy. “I keep remembering what Mama told us when we were in Independence after she sold her organ about this move being hardest on us. Somehow she must have known. I’m glad we’re both serving the Lord now. We need Him so much.”
“Tommy.” Jason strode into their camp and glanced briefly at her before turning to Tommy. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“What do you have in mind?” Tommy frowned.
Jason rubbed the back of his neck. “I saw the doctor just now and know your mother isn’t well. I figured that’s putting a lot off on Katie and thought maybe I could help out some.”
Katie rocked the baby and watched Jason. He still hadn’t spoken to her although he seemed to have no trouble talking about her.
Tommy nodded. “All right, I’m listening.”
“I don’t need to drive the Taylor’s wagon. Pa Taylor can do it himself. That will leave me free to ride herd on your cattle. What do you say? Will you let me help you out like a Christian brother should?”
A slow grin spread across Tommy’s face, and he held out his hand for Jason to shake. “When you put it that way, how can I refuse?”
“What about me?” Katie straightened. “Do I have a say in any of this?”
Both men turned to look at her as if just realizing she was there. Tommy frowned at her. “Katie, Jason offered to help us out. I don’t see how we can refuse because, the truth be known, we need it.”
“I know that, Tommy.” Katie looked at Jason although she still talked to her brother. “I appreciate the offer of help from Mr. Barnett, but since I’m the one who will benefit most from this help, I’d like to at least be included in the decision.”
“We’ll all benefit, Katie.” Tommy sounded tired. “You’ll not have to work so hard, Mama will get better care, and I can stop worrying so much about you all.”
Katie felt the reprimand for her pettiness and was instantly sorry
, but Jason spoke first. “I apologize, Katie. It was not my intention to ignore you. I just felt that Tommy, as head of the house now, would be the one to speak to.”
Katie looked into the sky blue eyes that always made her feel as if her very thoughts were known. Her heart thumped loud in the silence before she spoke.
“You were right, Jason. Thank you for what you’re doing. We are worried about Mama. Maybe if I’m here with her all the time, she’ll get better.”
Jason’s smile warmed Katie’s heart. “That’s what I’m hoping for, too. The Taylors and I have been praying for her. I know God is with her. I don’t think I’ve ever met a godlier woman than your mother.”
Katie stayed close to her mother for the next few days. Some days she felt better than others. One day when they were halfway between Fort Hall and Fort Boise, she stayed up most of the day and took care of Davy without help. That afternoon, Katie left her and Tommy with the two small children while she walked with Rachel to the creek.
The girls filled their buckets of water and set them aside while they fell back against the creek bank to rest before starting back to camp. Katie looked up at the white clouds floating above and sighed.
“Have you ever tried to find shapes in the clouds?”
Rachel laughed. “Yes, and I see one now. There’s an alligator over there.”
“An alligator!” Katie glanced at her friend before pointing to another place in the sky. “You can see alligators if you want, but I see a huge ear of corn covered with yellow butter.”
Rachel’s laughter was contagious and soon Katie joined in. “I should have known you would see food. As tiny as you are, that seems to be your favorite subject.”
“Katie.”
The girls were still laughing when someone called Katie’s name. She sat up and saw Rachel’s brother running toward them.
“Katie, Tommy sent me for you. He says to hurry. Your mother is worse.”
“She was better today.” Katie scrambled to her feet. “How could she be worse?”
“That’s what Tommy said.” Daniel repeated his message. “Don’t worry about your water. I’ll bring it to you.”
Chapter 14
Katie gathered her skirt and ran toward camp. When she got to the wagon, she climbed in and found Tommy and Susanna kneeling beside the bed where their mother lay. She had lost so much weight; the quilt barely rose off the bed over her body. Her baby slept beside her, snuggled in the crook of her arm.
Katie knelt by Tommy and took her mother’s hand. “Mama, what can I do?”
Mama smiled and shook her head. “I’ll be all right in a while. I’m going home.”
As if Mama’s words were a heavy hand pushing against her chest, Katie moved backward. “No, Mama, please don’t say that. We need you here.”
Tommy’s arm slipped around Katie’s shoulders. He gave comfort even while tears streamed down his face. Susanna began crying, and he pulled her close, too.
Mama’s gaze rested on Katie. “No, you don’t need me. Children, you have Someone now who is able to take care of you much better than I can. He will see you through whatever comes.”
Her eyes drifted closed. “I must tell you some things. The little ones need you.” She stirred, looking from Tommy to Katie. “You will marry soon and begin homes of your own. Suzy must be allowed to choose where she wants to live. Please, promise me you will let her.”
Tommy nodded. “We will, Mama.”
“David needs a mother most right now.” Mama turned to spear Katie with her gaze. “I want you to be his mother. Will you do that for me?”
Tears blurred Katie’s eyes, and she didn’t trust her voice, but she managed to whisper. “I will.”
Mama smiled. “You’ll be a good mother.”
Then she turned to Tommy. “My Bible is for you all to read and study, but Tommy, I want you to keep it as your own. The answers to life’s problems are in its pages. Please, read it to Suzy and Davy.”
Next she slipped her wedding band easily from her thin finger and placed it in Tommy’s hand. “I want you to have this.”
A look of bewilderment crossed his face as he took the wide, plain, gold band from her hand.
“It’s a new country you’re going to. You need a good wife to help you. Promise me you’ll find a Christian girl.”
Tommy looked steadily at his mother. “I promise. I wouldn’t want any other now.”
A faint smile touched Mama’s face. “If she will, I’d like for her to wear my ring.”
Tommy looked at the ring in his hand. “I’ll try my best to find a wife worthy of the honor you’ve given her.”
Mama touched Tommy’s hand that held the ring. “Remember, Son, I’m not perfect and neither will she be.”
She took Katie’s hand and placed it beside Tommy’s then covered theirs with her hand. “Pray for God to show you who He wants to be your companions. Both of you are babes in Christ. My heart is so blessed that you have turned to God. Now I can go home knowing you will continue living for Him and guiding the two little ones in the right way. Remember, as your lives have been influenced by those who went before you, so will you touch the lives of those who follow.”
Mama’s eyes closed, and her hand relaxed. “I’m tired now.”
Katie held back the sob that threatened to escape and reached for her baby brother. She had been right in thinking he was more than a brother to her. Someday he would also be her son.
Mary Donovan died in her sleep that night. When Katie found her the next morning she held Davy and Susanna and cried with them until she had no more tears. Then she washed her face and went to find Tommy.
The funeral was held just before they pulled the wagons out for another day’s travel. Katie stood beside her mother’s grave and held the baby. She felt a comforting presence warm her heart as she stood there and knew it was God who strengthened her in her grief. This funeral seemed so different from the others. How had she ever managed to live before without God’s uplifting help?
Then someone stepped close to her and without looking, she knew it was Jason. “I want you to know I’m here for you anytime you need me. If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”
She turned to meet his concern. “Jason you are already driving the cows for me.”
“Yes, and I intend to keep doing that.” He grinned. “Actually, I enjoy it.”
“I’m glad someone does.”
He touched the baby’s tiny hand. Surprise crossed his face as the tiny, soft fist closed around his large, work-roughened finger. “Well, look at that. Does that mean he likes me?”
Katie shook her head. “I’m sure he likes you, but to be honest, all babies grab whatever is placed in their hands.”
Jason slid his finger free. “What I know about babies wouldn’t fill a teaspoon. Except how to hold them.” He grinned. “Maybe I could visit young Mr. Donovan from time to time so he can teach me a few things. Would that be all right?”
He looked hopefully from Katie to Tommy who was approaching with Susanna clinging to his hand.
Tommy nodded. “You’re welcome anytime. Why don’t you stop by tonight? Rachel said she missed the evenings we spent reading the Bible by the campfire before Mama got sick. I think Mama would want us to start again. How about it, Katie? Why don’t you invite Rachel, too?”
Katie nodded. “All right, I will.”
Jason turned away promising to see them later that evening, and Katie walked with Tommy back to their wagon. When they reached camp, Tommy let out a huff of air and leaned his shoulder against the wagon. “Three hundred more miles. Do you reckon any of us will be left to enter our ‘Promised Land’?”
Katie searched Tommy’s face and saw tension that shouldn’t be there. The brunt of the responsibility for their remaining family had already settled on his young shoulders. He looked tired—and older. There was maturity about him she hadn’t noticed before. She straightened her own shoulders and lifted her chin. She would do what she could
to share that responsibility.
“We’ll make it, Tommy, you’ll see. Only three hundred miles more? Just think how far we’ve come already and now that we’re both serving the Lord, we have help we didn’t have before.”
~*~
Jason headed back to the Taylor’s camp. He wanted to take Katie in his arms and soothe her. He’d been with her through the other times when Karl drowned and her father was shot, but this time was different. She didn’t need him, and he felt the loss while he rejoiced in her trust in God. Katie had changed. More than he’d dreamed was possible.
Ma Taylor was putting things away, getting ready to head out when he walked up behind her. What would he do if he lost either of the Taylors? He’d taken them for granted most of his life when he shouldn’t have. They were young enough now, only in their upper forties, but each day that passed brought them closer to the day they’d be taken from him. His heart constricted at the thought.
“Hey, Ma.” He called out as he approached. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
She turned with a laugh and covered her heart with her hand. “You startled me, Jason. I didn’t know you were anywhere about. No, there’s not much to do.”
“No heavy loads to lift, huh?” He grinned at her.
She patted his arm. “Not a one.”
Her smile faded. “How are the kids taking this latest loss?”
“Better than I expected. They’ve been through a lot on this journey, but they aren’t the same as when they started out. Katie has changed so much.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t need—”
Ma folded her arms and looked at him. “She doesn’t need what, Jason? You? She has the Lord to see her through life’s hurts now, and you’re feeling just a bit left out. Is that it?”
Jason took a deep breath and let it ease out. Ma was right. He was feeling a little sorry for himself. He’d gone up to Katie earlier, hoping to be a comfort to her. Well, maybe he had been, but she hadn’t really needed him. When Clay hadn’t stood with Katie during the funeral, he’d entertained the idea he might have a chance with her, but did he? He didn’t know.
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