The Wagon (Carter Sisters Series #1)

by Morgan Dawson

  My heart skips a beat as he smiles at me. I almost wonder if Ma hasn't sent him to help us.

  I reach out and take his hand. "All right, follow me."

  Chapter 14

  Robert moves ahead of me, looking around on the ground by the shed. "Do you know where your Pa kept the farming tools?"

  "Uh... yes, in that old shed. But are you sure your parents won't miss you? You could just build a wagon and go home if you wanted to." I ask, running to catch up to him.

  Robert turns to face me, a serious look on his face. "My parents won't miss me. All they care about is my little brother. It's been like that since Alice died, and I find my little brother an awful pain in the behind. So, I left home and have been living in that wagon, finding work where I can. I'm in no rush, trust me."

  I look at up at him, and stare into his blue eyes that seem to be sparkling. "I never knew that Robert. I'm sorry."

  "Yah, well it's all in the past now." He says looking down at his feet. We walk quietly towards the shed and I open the door. Inside, leaning on the back wall, is Pa's scythe. It has a sharp blade for cutting the crop.

  "All right, so in order for the crop to be taken off in time, we're all going to need to help out. Including your sisters. Do you know of any neighbors around here that may be willing to help?" He shakes his head slowly. "If not, we're going to be cutting it close." Robert takes the scythe handle in his hand.

  I nod, annoyed at myself for not thinking of this sooner. "Yes, there are a few who I'm sure would help. Shall I send Adeline to ask?"

  Robert walks out the door and doesn't answer. After a while, he replies. "No, it's already noon. We can start on our own, then tomorrow we can see if some people could come help. Oh, we need this."

  I look at the small red wagon used for holding the crops. "I will get Old Red and come back here to get this. I can assign my sisters to come help. Hazel and Lydia could be of some use, I'm sure."

  Robert nods and smiles at me. "All right, let's get started then. You get the wagon and get your sisters sorted. I'll start harvesting the crop."

  I watch Robert walk towards the field, scythe in hand, and smile to myself. I finally feel like things will be better, that the farm may be saved.

  I find my sisters all sitting by the collapsed barn where I'd left them. Unsure how much Adeline has told them about what's going on with the farm, I'm not sure how much to say. But, I want to give them some hope.

  "Here's the plan. Robert's already out in the field. Adeline and Genevieve, you're going to come with me, and get Old Red attached to the crop wagon. We'll get pitchforks and move what Robert has already done into the wagon, moving forward and collecting more as he goes. Oh, and Lydia and Hazel, you two are in charge of fetching water and making meals for us. It doesn't have to be much. A sandwich will do. In order to save the farm, we're all going to need to help out and work together."

  I finish explaining, and smile at them as they all jump up to their feet.

  Lydia and Hazel go to the house, while Genevieve and Adeline follow me to get Old Red. Genevieve, being the lover of horses she is, leads him to where the red wagon sits, talking to him soothingly the whole way.

  At the shed, we tie him up to the wagon and decide to let Genevieve lead Old Red and the wagon through the field, while Adeline and I find some pitchforks.

  We walk to the field where I see Robert busy cutting the crops. He's done quite a bit already. He flashes a quick smile at us and then continues with his work.

  Genevieve stops Old Red near the first area of cut wheat, and Adeline and I use the pitchforks to throw it into the wagon. I sigh, looking at the tiny amount we've done out of the whole field. Robert is probably feeling the same way.

  We keep this pattern going. Genevieve leads Old Red forward while Adeline and I pitch the wheat into the wagon, and Robert's still cutting it off in front of us. I smile, relieved as Hazel and Lydia come and give us each a glass of water. We all stop and take a minute to drink our water before handing the glasses back to them.

  "Oh my goodness, thank you." Adeline gives a happy laugh, handing her now empty glass to Hazel.

  Lydia and Hazel leave us to get back to our work, and we begin making progress again. We each make our way, silently focusing on our task at hand. Later on, Hazel brings down a plate of chicken sandwiches. I eat mine quickly, barely tasting it.

  We keep working, taking a break every now and then, and by the end of the evening, we have done about one and a half rows. Whenever the wagon gets full, we take it back to the empty space by the shed to empty it.

  "It's getting late. Tomorrow morning, someone can go see if any neighbors can help, because as you can see, we're going to need it."

  Chapter 15

  It's late when we all get inside, so I tell all of my sisters to get ready for bed.

  Taking some blankets and a pillow from the spare supply we have in the chest at the back of the house, I lay them on the floor by the fireplace.

  "I know it won't be that comfortable, but I hope it's good enough for you." Robert bends down to take off his boots, then lies down on it, grinning up at me.

  "It's the most comfortable place I've ever slept!" He laughs sarcastically, then winks at me.

  I smile at him. "Well then, goodnight."

  I turn and climb the ladder to our loft. In the room, Adeline is hugging a crying Lydia, while Genevieve and Hazel sit on the bed, quietly watching them.

  I go over to them and Lydia stands on the bed, wrapping her arms around my neck.

  "What's wrong?" I ask, stroking her long blonde hair.

  She sniffs before answering. "Sorry, I'm just having a hard time with Pa not being around to help us anymore. I miss Ma, but I miss him too. I feel like I'm not helping you as much as I should. I want to help, but I don't know how."

  Biting my lip, I squeeze her tighter. "Lydia, you're only thirteen years old. I don't expect you to be doing big jobs yet. You and Hazel have really shown me how mature and strong you are these past few weeks. You do the dishes and the laundry, you fetch water and are making food for us while we are in the field. Honestly, I couldn't ask for better sisters than I have. All of you have been wonderful since Ma died. You've been strong, sweet and made everything a lot easier. Ma would've been so proud of you, I know it."

  I look up at my sisters, tears blurring my vision for a quick second until I blink them away. Hazel sits down on the bed and wipes her eyes. Smiling at them, I feel like we've all become closer as a family, not including Pa. Genevieve has her arm around Hazel, and Adeline is now stroking Lydia's hair.

  "Thank you Darlene. You're exactly like Ma was. She'd do anything for everyone, and she always seemed to understand." Hazel looks up at me with wet eyes.

  I swallow the lump in my throat as the love I have for these girls overwhelms me.

  "Now, time for bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." I say, laughing as Hazel flops onto the bed, sprawling her arms and legs out.

  "Scooch, you silly goose." Genevieve tickles her back causing Hazel to roll over laughing hysterically.

  Eventually, I manage to get the laughing Hazel tucked into bed while the rest of them crawl under the covers. Sighing, feeling content and hopeful for the first time in a long time, I take my brush from my bag. The brush pulls through my hair easily leaving it soft beneath my fingers.

  Standing up, I meander to the window where the full moon light shines brightly. I'm able to see the grass easily under the moon's light.

  Desire to feel the grass beneath my toes wins over me. I creep back down and ladder and sneak past Robert, who's fast asleep on the floor by the unlit fire.

  I walk away from the house onto the cool grass, sighing happily. The air is fresh and cool, with not a breath of wind. The moon is as bright as ever shining over me. I begin to hum one of my favorite songs that Ma used to sing to me when she brushed my hair.

  Humming, I slowly walk away from the house but keep it in sight.

  Once I am farther from
the house, I let myself sing the words, letting them pour out of me. Singing has always been something I love to do because it calms me and makes me feel safe.

  I was young when Ma introduced me to singing when she would sing me lullabies. She always told me she hadn't been able to do as many lullabies for the rest of my sisters because she was so busy with toddlers and young children by then.

  The words of the song come easily to me as I close my eyes, imagining my Ma sitting on the edge of the bed, singing to me to help me get to sleep. The last word of the song comes and I open my eyes. Everything is silent now, only the sound of croaking frogs coming from the creek.

  I walk over to a large tree and grasp my hands onto the lowest branch, pulling myself up on top of it. I grab the next branch above it, and keep climbing until I am near the middle of the tree where a large branch comes out to the side.

  Balancing carefully, I crawl along the branch until I am on the end of it, where I have a clear view of the stars. I sit down and dangle my legs from the side of the branch, and sing another song that Adeline and I always liked to sing when we were young. It's about a young girl who goes on an adventure, and I am guessing that's why we liked it so much.

  Smiling when I finish the song, I think of how much I used to sing before Ma died. It had been so long since I sang now. When Ma was alive, I was so happy, but it seemed like lately everything had changed me. Sighing I look up at the sky again, mesmerized by its beauty.

  "That was beautiful." I hear a voice break through the silence.

  Chapter 16

  It startles me and I fall backwards off the branch. I hear myself scream, and I feel the air rushing by me as I fall to the ground. I land on my back, knocking the wind out of me. Gasping for air, I sit up and see Robert running from the other side of the tree.

  When he reaches me, he bends over and offers me his hand.

  "Sorry I startled you. That song you were singing; what was it?" He looks down at me, gazing into my eyes with a look I've never seen before.

  I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear nervously, only to have it fall out immediately. "Well uh... I don't really know. My Ma taught it to Adeline and I when we were little and umm..." I reply nervously. No one had ever heard me sing before, besides my family.

  Robert laughs quietly. "Well, you are wonderful singer."

  I feel my face heat up, and I look down at my bare toes. "Wait...could you hear me? So it woke you?"

  "No. I saw you sneak out, and when you didn't come back for a while, I thought I better check on you. I was pleasantly surprised to see your feet dangling from the tree and to hear an angelic voice singing in the darkness." He takes a piece of my hair in his fingers and strokes it. He must notice my discomfort because he lets go quickly.

  "I'm really not that good of a singer you know. I only came out here because it was so hot inside and I wasn't ready to sleep yet, I guess. Actually, I haven't sung anything since before Ma died. I suppose I haven't been happy enough. But, now with you here and the crop actually making progress, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders." I am feeling nervous at being out here alone with him like this.

  "Thank you, by the way. For helping us, I mean. I'm truly grateful, although I may not be good at showing it."

  Robert takes my hand and looks down at me. "You don't have to thank me. I hate to see people struggle. Especially someone with circumstances like what you've been through." He stops and looks around us.

  "I was actually wondering if you'd like to go for a walk? It's so hot inside, and to be honest, I'm not that tired either."

  Feeling a smile spread across my face, I reply. "I'd love to, Robert. Maybe I could show you some places I love, like my favorite tree and the creek and..."

  Robert cuts me off, laughing. "You have a favorite tree?"

  I slap him lightly on his arm with the hand he isn't holding. "You know what I mean. It's a tree I have the most memories with."

  "You're are a strange girl Darlene, but I'm kind of getting used to it." He laughs, squeezing my hand.

  We walk quietly down the worn dirt path as I lead him towards the creek. The crickets sing their songs loudly as we walk past them. Soon we are at the creek that is bubbling along slowly, with the moon's reflection shining in the rippling water.

  I let go of Robert's hand and kneel down in the wet mud, letting my fingers trace swirls in the water. Roberts sits down beside me and picks up a flat grey stone. He tosses it up and down in his hand then throws it back into the water. It lands it with a quiet splash, and I watch as it disappears beneath the water's surface.

  Robert puts his arm around my shoulder and sighs. "This is a nice place. Do you come here often?"

  "Yes, I do. Sometimes when I'm doing laundry. But, I tend to get distracted a lot." I admit giggling.

  He just laughs deeply. I yawn, resting my head on his shoulder smiling.

  "Robert?"

  "Yes?"

  "I want you to be honest, okay? Do you think we'll actually be able to get the crop off in time? Or, do you think this is a complete waste of time and that I should just give up?"

  He's quiet for a moment and I'm afraid to hear his answer.

  "Darlene, don't think like that. Of course we'll get it done in time and save your family's farm. Don't worry."

  We sit there quietly, and I can feel my head move as his chest rises and falls. I close my eyes feeling content, listening to the water and the crickets. Robert strokes my hair slowly.

  "Darlene?"

  "Hmm?"

  "I think that I'm..." Robert starts, but is interrupted by a loud rustling in the bush. I open my eyes quickly and sit up, looking toward the noise.

  "Robert? What was that?" I try not to let the fear in my voice show.

  He raises his finger to his lips and stands up. Hearing grunting and sniffing in the bushes is enough to get me to my feet and take Robert's arm. He finds a large stick on the ground and moves forward toward the bush.

  I hesitate, but follow after him, staying close behind.

  Hearing a low growl as an animals steps out of the bush, with glowing yellow eyes staring us down, I jump back.

  We are face to face with a large black bear.

  Chapter 17

  His teeth are bared and he lunges at Robert, but gets hit in the face by the stick in his hand. That just angers the bear more, and he pushes Robert to the ground.

  I scream, feeling tears well in my eyes. Horrified, I watch the bear stand over Robert who is still on the ground. Unsure of what to do, I pick up a large rock and hurl it at the bear, hitting its back paw.

  The world seems to stop as I watch the bear turn and look at me. The bear lunges toward me now, and I try to scream, but no sound comes from my throat.

  I am unable to move as I hear Robert yelling.

  The bear swipes at me, digging its sharp claws into my shoulder. I feel the instant pain and I'm sure I can hear it rip.

  Shrieking, I fall to the ground, clutching my shoulder. The bear comes toward me again, and I try to get up. The pain from my shoulder rushes down my arm, stopping me from moving any more.

  The bear pushes me down and I scrape my cheek on the ground, burning the skin. The pain in my shoulder is agonizing, and I sob, feeling like my chest is unable to take a full breath.

  I cry to myself thinking about my sisters. How will they manage without me?

  I scream again. Why couldn't he just kill me and get it over with?

  Robert is whacking the bear ferociously now, but it's paying no attention to him as it swipes at me again. It just misses my face by a few inches.

  I can hear the fear in Robert's voice as he yells for me to run, but I can't.

  Then I think of my sisters again, asleep in their beds. I think about how upset they'll be if I'm not there in the morning. I must fight for them.

  I roll over, feeling pain throbbing in my shoulder as I grab a stick into my hand. I wait for the bear to put its face right close to me before I jab the stick
into the bear's face, hitting one of its eyes. The bear roars and runs off into the bush. Robert runs over to me.

  "Darlene! Oh Darlene. Let me get you to the house. It will be all right, I promise!" He's shaking and I can tell he's upset. I try to give him a reassuring smile as I hold my shoulder tightly. He lifts me into his arms and I wince in pain.

  Robert runs quickly toward the house, and I bury my head into his chest, crying. He strokes my hair muttering. "It's okay. It's okay."

  Relief spreads through me when Robert sets me down on the floor inside the house.

  "Oh, please. Where are the towels? Or the...I don't know what to do!" Robert covers his face with his hands.

  "Robert. Get Adeline and Genevieve." I say, trying to help him. He nods, running over to the ladder as he shouts up to them.

  "Oh Darlene! It'll be all right. Genevieve, get the water and a cloth! Robert, watch her while I fetch some things!" Adeline hasn't wasted any time flying down the ladder to come and help me.

  Robert kneels down beside me once Adeline and Genevieve are gone.

  He strokes my hair and keeps smiling at me. I reach for his hand with my good arm and he squeezes it tightly.

  "Robert, it's okay. I'm fine. It isn't as bad as you think." I look up at him. His eyebrows are furrowed and he's biting his lip.

  Genevieve and Adeline come back with their things, and Robert moves out of their way. Adeline dunks the cloth into the water while Genevieve rips the sleeve of my dress. I look down to see the damage.

  Regretting it instantly, I look away from the blood soaked shoulder as I feel nausea start to take over me.

  Adeline takes the cloth and dabs it gently, although it still hurts. Robert must notice because he kneels back down and takes my hand again. Eventually, Adeline finishes cleaning it and Genevieve wraps some cloths around it.