“I don’t know why Almanzo is still sleeping.”
For a moment, she thought he was going to argue with her but he didn’t. Instead he said, “I brought you something. Well, actually, Sarah wanted you to have it.”
Johanna flushed with guilt. “I am so sorry. I haven’t even asked you how she and Carrie are. I have been so caught up...”
“Jo, don’t apologize. Sarah is alive thanks to you and both girls are fine. Sarah thought this might be able to help Almanzo.”
Johanna opened the parcel. Inside was Sarah’s favorite book about castles and princesses. Her throat choked up. She had to wipe her eyes too. She looked up at him to see concern and love reflected in his eyes.
“She didn’t mean to make you cry. She also suggested that you change the princesses to princes or you may offend Almanzo.”
“She is so sweet. Tell her thank you and I will come and see her as soon as I can. I don’t want to see her now in case I make her sick again.”
“Jo, I know why you are looking after the boy and I admire you for it. But...”
“But?”
“Just let others help. You are very tired after the last bought of illness. I don’t want to lose you. If that makes me selfish then I am sorry.”
She wrapped her arms around herself, holding the book close to her chest.
“If I wasn’t afraid of being contagious I would hug you right now,” she whispered.
He moved closer, putting his arms around her.
“I will take my chances.”
He brought his lips down to meet hers. It was a firm but gentle kiss.
“You are a very special lady, Miss Thompson.”
She lay her head on his chest, needing his strength.
“I best get back to the girls.” His reluctance to leave her made her feel better.
“Tell them I will see them soon. And give Sarah an extra big cuddle for the book.”
Johanna climbed back into the wagon, checked on Almanzo before taking a seat and opening the book. Starting at page one she began to read, but mindful of Sarah’s remark, she changed the story to fit that of a young prince. Every so often, she checked her patient, but if he heard the story or was aware she was there, he gave no sign.
A few hours later, Becky came in and more or less threw her out of the wagon.
“You have to sleep for a few hours. Captain Jones’ orders. Now get. I will come and get you if he wakes.”
Johanna wanted to argue with her sister but she didn’t have the energy. She climbed down from the wagon as quietly as possible so as not to disturb her ma and pa who were asleep underneath. Then she made her way into the tent, where without bothering to change she lay down. She was asleep almost before her head hit the pillow.
Chapter 33
The next few days passed pretty much the same as before. Almanzo’s fever broke and stayed down but he did not recover consciousness.
“Maybe he hit his head and there are internal injuries we cannot see?”
“Perhaps, Johanna, or maybe he just doesn’t want to wake up,” Ma said. She’d helped Johanna change the young boy’s position in the makeshift bed.
“Why wouldn’t he want to wake up?” Johanna asked, not trying to hide her disbelief.
Her ma put an arm around her shoulders. “Sometimes life can be very painful, Johanna. We don’t fully understand the body and mind. Maybe by letting him sleep, God is allowing him to build up his strength to deal with his new... situation.”
Johanna looked from the unconscious child to her ma and back again. Maybe her ma was right. But she really wished Almanzo would wake up. Only when she heard him speak would she stop worrying about him.
“Him waking up won’t stop you worrying. If anything, you will worry more.”
“How do you know exactly what I am thinking?” Johann asked in a bemused tone.
“‘Cause I am your ma. Now leave me to watch him for a while. You need to eat and look after yourself. I also think you should do some visiting.”
“Visiting?” Johanna’s cheeks warmed as she tried to busy herself around the tiny space in the wagon.
“Yes, dear. There is a certain young man who would benefit from seeing you. Now don’t go pretending you don’t know whom I am speaking about. But have a wash first, darling. The wagon is stifling.”
Johanna grinned at her mother. She was lucky to have such wonderful parents.
She had a quick wash and then changed her dress and rebraided her hair before making her way to see Rick and the girls. Carrie saw her first and came running toward her.
“Jo, we missed you. Are you coming to see us?”
“Yes, Carrie, I missed you too. How are you? How is Sarah?”
The girl’s mouth turned down. “She’s back to normal. She was shouting at me earlier.”
Johanna laughed. “You missed her doing that. You told me remember?”
Carrie grinned up at her. “I guess I did but now I don’t think I meant it.”
They held hands until they reached the wagon where Sarah was waiting.
“Would you like some coffee, Jo? I made it and Uncle Rick says it’s not too bad.”
“I would love some, thank you, Sarah. You look so much better.”
“I am, thanks to you and Uncle Rick.”
Johanna sat wondering where Rick was but she didn’t want the girls to think she had only come to see him.
“Uncle Rick had to go over to the Freeman’s. Sheila came over earlier to say her pa was worried about one of his tires. It looked as if it was loose.”
Johanna almost gasped out loud at the twinge of jealousy she felt over Rick going to help Sheila. Of course he would do that. Just as he would go to the aid of Mrs. Newland or anyone else.
“Jo, how is Almanzo? Are we allowed to visit him yet?”
“In a couple of days. He is getting better but is still very tired.”
“Is it true, he was left there alone?” Sarah whispered probably hoping her younger sister wouldn’t hear her.
“We don’t know anything for sure yet. So tell me your news. Have you been doing your reading, Carrie?”
“Yes, ma’am. Sarah said I am getting better. Didn’t you?” Carrie looked up at her big sister for confirmation.
“She is. She is working so hard. Ma would be very proud of her.”
Johanna choked up at the look of love the girls exchanged. While they had always been close despite the fact they bickered, there seemed to be a new depth to the relationship between them. She spent a while with them, taking turns to listen to Carrie’s reading and then reading them a bedtime story.
“I better get back to my wagon. Goodnight, girls.”
“Goodnight, Jo. Uncle Rick will be sorry he missed you.”
“No doubt I will see him around tomorrow.”
Johanna walked slowly back to her wagon and was almost there when suddenly hands grabbed her, pulling her behind one of the wagons.
“I thought I would never get away. I’ve missed you.”
“Rick, you almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Is that why your heart is racing? I thought you were just pleased to see me.”
She was about to protest but as she looked up at him, her eyes focused on his lips. She leaned up on her toes and kissed him.
“I am.”
“Show me.”
She kissed him again, this time using her lips to explore his. His hands moved up her back, one playing with her hair while another caressed the back of her neck. She closed the distance between them as their kiss deepened. Her heart raced as her breathing quickened. Panting she pulled away, laying her head on his shoulder.
“You are so beautiful and you smell so good. I thought I was never going to see you. I came to the wagon a couple of times but you were so busy with Almanzo. How is he?”
Tears sprang into Johanna’s eyes.
“He is so hurt, he cannot even talk to me. He won’t admit they left him behind to die. I can’t believe it but Cap
tain Jones said he had proof.”
“Jones is an honest man.”
“Yes, but how could any parent leave their own child like that? He’s only a young boy not an animal.”
Rick pulled her closer as she wept out her fears for Almanzo on his shoulder.
“I can’t bear the thought of him being left alone.”
“Will he not continue to travel with your folks?”
“Yes, of course, but I meant when we get to Oregon. I don’t know if my parents will want to keep him. Another boy on top of Stephen might prove too much for them.”
“Don’t worry about that now. We won’t let him be alone. I promise.”
He bent down to kiss her, this time the kiss full of reassurance. She clung to him taking strength from his embrace.
“I best get back. Ma will wonder where I am.”
“Goodnight, sweetheart. Promise me you will look after yourself.”
She blew him a kiss and walked quickly back to the wagon. There she met her ma.
“Looks like that visit cheered you up some.”
“Yes, Ma, thank you. How is Almanzo?”
“He’s sleeping. Now get to bed Johanna. You won’t be good to man or beast if you keep burning the candle at both ends.”
“Night, Ma.”
“Sweet dreams, darling.”
Chapter 34
“You are awake.” Johanna beamed at the small boy who looked even younger than his ten years. He had lost a lot of weight. But that wasn’t her concern. The lack of interest in his eyes hurt her. She wanted to gather him close to her and tell him how much he was loved. But she couldn’t move. She sensed he wouldn’t welcome her embrace—not yet.
“Yes, I woke up a while ago. Why am I traveling in your wagon?”
“You have been very ill.”
“But why your wagon?”
Johanna wasn’t sure how to answer the child. Did he remember anything? Was he testing her?
“Almanzo what do you remember?”
“About what?”
“Being ill?”
“I remember Pa leaving the wagon train with the others. Your family was sick and you had to stay behind.” Almanzo lay on his side, his head resting on his elbow. “Ma and Pa argued a lot about it. Ma wanted to stay but Pa said we had to think about our future. We traveled for some hours before people started slowing down. They were sick too. Pa got very angry.”
“Was your Pa ill?”
“No, he wasn’t. Ma was but he told her she had to keep going. We couldn’t stop or we would get caught in the snows. You know like the people in those stories.”
Johanna didn’t want to think about them. ”So how did you come to us? Did you come to find help?”
Almanzo lay back down on the covers. “I am tired. Can we talk later.”
“Yes, of course, you rest. I will come back when the wagon stops again. I have filled the water bottle beside you.”
“Thank you, Jo.” His voice skipped slightly.
She pretended not to notice the tears that slipped out of his closed eyes. She forced herself to sound cheerful.
“You woke up on the best day. Mr. Clarke and Mr. Hughes found some buffalo yesterday. A young cow so the meat will be tender.”
There was no response. Johanna climbed down from the wagon carefully. Her pa wasn’t driving fast but still she didn’t want to have an accident.
“Captain Jones wants us to keep traveling today and not stop at noon. He said to make extra food at breakfast. He’s concerned about the lack of wood around. Ideally, we want to find an area of wood and good grass and water.”
“Not asking for much, is he?” Ma asked, smiling.
It was so nice to see her ma and pa smiling again. Johanna didn’t have any reply. She trusted Captain Jones to do what was best for them. He hadn’t failed them yet. And if they kept moving, she could avoid the conversation she knew she would have to have with Almanzo.
They finally found a campsite providing much of what Captain Jones had wanted. The water was slightly warm but not unpleasant tasting. As they were setting up the fire, the children came running over.
“Jo, look. There’s lots of them. Come pick them with us, please.”
The children ran around Johanna showing her the black currants they had already picked.
“Go with them, dear. Maybe I can make a cobbler later.”
“Ma, you need to rest. We can eat them as they are. They will be a nice change from dried apple.”
Becky and Milly came with them, and together they picked a wonderful amount of berries. There would be enough for everyone. The children came back with their mouths covered in purple juice. Rick Hughes burst out laughing as the girls ran up to him.
“Look, Uncle Rick, I got lots and lots,” Carrie said beaming up at him.
“You look as if you each ate half a bush,” he said teasingly, his eyes greeting Johanna warmly.
“You look better today, Miss Thompson. I hope you are feeling well.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“How is your patient?”
“He is improving. He may be able to walk a little bit tomorrow.”
“Did he like my book?”
“Yes, Sarah, darling, he loved it. But I did have to follow your advice and change the princesses into princes.”
“Yeah, boys don’t like princesses.”
“Now I wouldn’t say that, Sarah. Most men want to treat their lady like a princess but often the lady won’t let them.” Johanna couldn’t look at him as he spoke to his niece. She knew he was talking about her. Hadn’t her ma said something similar? About letting a man help a woman out. She should be less independent but she wasn’t sure she knew how.
Later when they set up camp, Rick called to check on Almanzo.
“Sarah was wondering if she could come and visit with Almanzo. But I said I would check with you first. I don’t want Sarah becoming ill again.”
Johanna pulled at Rick’s arm to get his attention before gesturing they should walk.
“I didn’t want Almanzo to hear me.”
“Pity, I thought you just wanted to be alone with me.” He waggled his eyebrows at her making her laugh. His kiss drove away all thoughts of laughter. When they finally broke apart, she had to wait a couple of seconds for her pulse to stop racing.
“What was I saying?”
“I don’t know. If I kiss you again, maybe you will remember?”
She smiled up at him. “Kissing you makes me forget everything. You are a total distraction.”
He rubbed his chin pretending to be insulted. “Well, I guess I’ve been called worse.” He touched her face tenderly. “You wanted to tell me something Almanzo couldn’t hear.”
“Poor boy. He is getting better and is no danger to Sarah. What he has, she can’t catch.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, Rick, he’s brokenhearted. You should see the look in his eyes. He cries when he thinks nobody can hear him. I just want to cuddle him but something about him stops me. I wish I could reach him.”
“He must have got a real fright. Alone and ill, not to mention wondering about his parents.”
“That’s the key. I think he remembers them leaving, but he just won’t talk about it. He won’t eat and doesn’t seem to care whether we make progress or not. He just lies there. He’s wasting away right before my eyes.”
“You got to force him to talk to you. You can do it. If anyone can. People trust you. You got to trust yourself.”
“I don’t know how to handle his hurt. Or his questions about the future. What can I promise him? I know nothing of Oregon.”
“You can do the same for him as you did for Sarah and Carrie. Show him he is loved and will never be alone. That’s all you can do. You will never take the place of his parents, but you can show him people care about him. What did you say to me? Children can get over most things if they know they are loved.”
She smiled at him ruefully as he used her own words to pers
uade her.
“Come here.”
She obeyed his softly spoken order as she moved into his arms. He held her tight, caressing the top of her head. “I never met anyone with a heart as pure as yours. You can do this, I know you can.”
She looked up into his eyes, the strength of his feelings taking her breath away. Reaching up on her tippy toes she dragged his head towards hers, her lips meeting his with a burning intensity. She loved him desperately and wanted to show him just how much. He returned her kiss, pushing her gently backwards until she was resting against a tree. His hands moved around her back before lingering at her waist as his mouth explored hers. She completely forgot about everything apart from the feel of his body next to hers. For a couple of precious minutes, they could put aside all their worries and just enjoy being with one another under the starry evening sky.
Chapter 35
The next evening, Almanzo got up and walked around the camp site, leaning on Johanna’s arm. He was weak so she didn’t let him go far. He sat on a stone beside the fire. Everyone else seemed to have business elsewhere. Johanna knew they were giving her space to speak to the boy in private.
“Did you enjoy the story from Sarah’s book?”
Almanzo nodded. Johanna wasn’t sure how to get him speaking but she had to try.
“Sarah is an orphan, isn’t she?” Almanzo asked surprising Johanna.
“She probably is. We don’t know for definite. Her pa hasn’t been heard from in some time.”
“What will she do when she goes to Oregon? Is she and her sister going to live with Mr. Hughes?”
“That’s the plan. Why?”
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