Bright Morning Star by J. R. Biery Read Free Book Online

the women looked at the men. Claire didn’t see her father, but the man past his shoulder. A man she now resented, even though he wasn’t the husband who had forsaken Bella. She tried to think of something in his defense. Remembered Bonnie’s words from the night before. At least he never hit her, and they had overheard enough arguments between the couple to know that he was a far better man than most in that respect. He let his wife yell at him and nag without abusing her in return. But wasn’t ignoring her, keeping secrets from her, doing only what he wanted as bad? Claire had no answers.
    Bonnie rushed to pass out the meal of bread, cheese, and apples. In minutes they were underway.
     
    <><><>
     
    As Claire mounted the wagon, she was aware of Henry, standing and staring at his wife. He leaned forward to give her a hand up with the boy. Bella stared down at him from the seat, still not ready to forgive or forget his behavior of the night before. He looked curious, clearly wondering what the women had been talking about. He didn’t ask.
    As he turned to walk to the lead animal on their team and goad the animals into motion, Claire saw the sad lines of despair clearly etched on his face.
    Did he feel cut out of the group? Seeing others offer Bella sympathy, did he fear no one would speak to him now?
     
    <><><>
     
    Claire felt her stomach growl as Father began calling to the twins and Henry to move them off the road. To the right was a wooded tree line. As soon as possible, Claire climbed down. Then she reached back under the high bench seat for a bucket and sack.
    She might not spend the day walking and gathering wood for the fire, but she tried to help. On her way into the trees anyway, she always tried to find something to add to the fire or for Bonnie to use in cooking. And she didn’t want Bonnie to point out again that at least she could have brought a bucket of fresh water back.
    Usually she only found wild onions, strong for eating, but good when added to the pot of beans. As soon as the meal ended every day, Bonnie would move her pot of soaked beans over the cooling fire to give them a chance to cook a little. Claire didn’t want to think of another dinner that was mostly beans.
    For once, Claire was enjoying just walking about, listening to the birds, and the chattering squirrels in the tall trees. It was beautiful weather, the country peaceful. With luck, her father would find another fat farmer to buy fresh vegetables, eggs, and meat from. Although she had almost stopped minding the beans and bread. By the end of a long day, she was ready to eat her plateful of whatever Bonnie cooked.
    His voice startled her, “I don’t know why I thought this made sense. This trip will never end.”
    Claire stood still, staring up into Henry Lambton’s face. She was so startled, she couldn’t breathe. For the first time in a week, she would need to speak to Bella’s husband.
    “Are you talking to me?” she asked.
    He stared at her, his light eyes probing hers. He shook his head. “What would be the point? I’m invisible to you and everyone else on this trip.”
    With that, he moved around her into the woods. Standing still, holding her breath, Claire listened. In the distance she could hear his angry muttering. Rushing, she hurried back to the campfire, handing her onions to Bonnie and dropping her bundle of dried brush with what the others had gathered.
    “What’s wrong goose? You look like you’ve seen another snake,” Bonnie said.
    Claire raised her hands to her cheeks, looked around for the others. Her father and the twins were leading the cattle back from the stream. Bella and Mary Anne sat with Barney, who was trying to walk on his own around the two on the bench watching him.
    Claire reached out and grabbed Bonnie’s hand and drew her back behind the nearest wagon. “It’s Henry Lambton. He’s wandering around in the woods, talking to himself. He said he was invisible.”
    Bonnie stared at Claire,