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

reaching out to touch her pale face. “He’s been getting stranger, ever since our visit to the Switzer’s. He didn’t harm you?”
    Claire shook her head, “No, he just frightened me.” Claire turned and looked back toward the fire. “It’s a shame he is so unhappy. Look, Bella now seems happier than him. Isn’t that strange.”
    “Part of married life. Someday you’ll understand,” Bonnie said.
    Claire shook her head. “I don’t want a marriage like that. Mother and Father don’t play those kinds of games.”
    Bonnie shrugged, “I never knew how to do it anyway, Tarn was always in charge.”
     
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    That night Henry Lambton started complaining about Father Wimberley’s leadership and the rest of the voices around the campfire grew silent.
    Claire watched her Father’s face start to glow. Everyone sat up and listened at his sharp voice.
    “I realize it will take time, but we are saving the expense of train travel, three to five hundred per person to reach Utah. We are both saving a fortune in shipping costs since we’re each hauling a wagon full of goods to sell. Finally, I’ve put a lot of work and money into building these wagons. This is the most economical way to transport them west,” Father said.
    He stood up, glaring down at the younger man. “Henry, I explained all of this to you back in Boston. You don’t like it, go your own way. Otherwise, shut your yap and don’t bring it up again. I don’t care if we’re the only ones on the road, it makes it safer and faster for us to travel.”
    Without another word, he stomped off and Claire watched her mother stand up to join him. Claire watched as Henry’s eyes looked around at the circle of children and young women. He rose and rushed Bella and the sleeping boy off to their wagon.
    As Claire crawled into bed, she managed to smile at the little girl who lay there waiting for her nighttime story. As soon as Claire finished reading, she blew out the candle and stared out through the flapping canvas. She could not remember her Father getting so upset at anyone. He meant it. Maybe she would never see the Lambton’s again. Troubled, she wondered if that would be good or bad. Softly she prayed, then relaxed.
     
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    Claire was relieved to see Henry the next day walking alongside his wagon, without speaking to anyone, even his wife. The next day, when she saw him at breakfast, he smiled wryly at her. Claire tossed her blonde hair and said “Good morning, Henry.”
    Looking over, she noticed Bella standing at her wagon. The woman’s dark eyes grew brighter, like a hungry raven.
    Ignoring her look, Claire sat beside Henry, taking her plate from Bonnie and thanking her. Henry looked at Claire and waited. “Father says it’s going to rain.”
    “Yes, I think he’s right.” If he hadn’t sighed, the conversation would be like the ones they used to have. To keep from starting a fight with Bella, Claire spoke to her next as she sat, trying to position Barney so she could manage her plate and feed him too.
    “He looks happy this morning. I thought the rain bothered him,” Claire said in her normal voice.
    Bella stared at the girl, then smiled. “Sometimes, I guess he is better today. I’m glad we get to sit in the wagons.”
    Claire nodded, “Definitely, but it may just keep things cooled down.” Her Mother stood and walked over to assist Bella. She smiled at her daughter, then spoke to Henry. In minutes, the terrible tension of the last few days was gone. As though the group hadn’t been divided, everyone was back talking to each other.
     
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    At the farmer’s market that Saturday in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, they found the right two horses to buy. The gentle pair of bays were solid animals, well trained, with gentle temperaments. The gelding and mare were named Bob and Sue. Claire thought the matched pair of bays were lovely, like something out of a picture book. They had rich brown coats, black legs and muzzles,