Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) by Leah Banicki Read Free Book Online

from Boston for the both of us.  In it was another letter from Sean. He is in California territory now with his friend Old Willie. I am uncertain if he is involved with the gold that has been found in that territory. Everyone is buzzing about it in Fort Kearney. Any man with a strong back is threatening to leave his military post in the spring and head off to the west. The correspondence is saying that gold is just lying about the ground and you have to just go pick it up, it is so plentiful. I fear that many men will be pulled into a lie. Maybe I have seen too much pain in my young life but I do not believe in silly stories anymore. Wisdom says that these are false hopes. I have to work hard at believing in people. I have known too many liars.
    I am getting stronger every day and dreaming of being with you again my friend.
     
    Sincerely,
    Angie Fahey
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    March 28 th 1849
     
    Henry Sparks burst through the front door with a spring in his step. Angela and Edith were playing checkers at the table.  Angela had won the previous game and Edith was competitive enough to challenge Angela to a rematch. They both looked up from the game as Henry grunted out of his coat.
    “You seem to be back from your rounds early.” Edith said with a grin. Henry bent and kissed his wife on the cheek.
    “Got news.” He said and sat with emphasis in the empty chair. He raised an eyebrow to see who would ask for the news first. He was enjoying himself.
    “I’ll bite.” Angela said finally after a minute of watching his eyes travel humorously between the two women. “What’s the news?” Angela said sarcastically.
    They all laughed.
    “A small wagon train is a few days out. A scout had been riding ahead to see how well the store was stocked. Already have a few running out of supplies.” Henry Sparks shook his head at the stupidity of some.
    “Well, with the talk of gold spreading like a brush fire the fools will be out in the multitudes.” Edith said and moved a checker thoughtfully.
    Angela’s heart jumped at the thought. It has been nearly a year of her life spent here waiting. She has been walking and exercising all through the winter to be ready for the journey. Now the days were drawing close. She would be back on the open road soon. Lord willing … She thought.
    She dreaded the harsh weather and conditions, but knowing her life would no longer be on hold was what kept her working so hard.
    “It scares and excites me.” Angela finally shared after she made a move on the checkerboard herself.
    Edith took a checker piece and jumped over two of Angela’s pieces.
    “I can tell you are distracted.” Edith smirked and grabbed Angela’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
    “I am.” Angela admitted and rolled a checker piece under her fingers nervously. She kept her eyes lowered because she felt slightly ashamed of herself.
    “You can talk when you are ready child.” Edith said in a motherly voice.
    “You nervous going by yourself?” Henry asked. “You know we will find a good God fearing family to take you.” Henry put his hand on her shoulder and gave her one of his squeezes.
    “Yes and no.” Angela said and wiped a tear. “I know God has a hold of me and will get me across somehow. I just have that last little remnant of fear. I need to let God talk me out of it.” Angela felt better having confessed her fear.
    “I wish we could take you ourselves, my child. I have filed my papers to retire from the military, but cannot go until I have a replacement.” Henry rubbed his hand over his jaw; it was his way to think. “That could take a year or more.”
    “I do not want you both to worry over me. I just had a moment of being scared of the open road again. I know it’s foolish. There is nothing that can happen to me out there that couldn’t happen here.” Angela knew that the Sparks were going to miss her. They spoke often of how much nicer it would be if they could have taken her to Oregon. “We are