Land of My Heart by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online

the reality of her pregnancy. She certainly couldn’t tell anyone. Daniel Keefer, the wagon master Dianne had signed them on with, would no doubt turn their application away should he learn of her condition. From what Dianne had showed her in a letter from Keefer, he was apprehensive enough about taking on a widowed mother, despite the fact she had three boys who could do the heavy work.
    Of course, when Dianne had written the letter on her mother’s behalf, she had believed Trenton would change his mind about accompanying them west. Susannah hoped the issue of Trent’s absence wouldn’t come up until long after they began their journey. Just as she hoped the issue of her pregnancy wouldn’t come up until it was too late to turn her back.
    Given that the baby wasn’t due until December, Susannah felt there was no need to inform Mr. Keefer. They were assured they would reach the Idaho Territory before August ended. That would give her plenty of time. By the time she started showing, they would be in the middle of the prairie wilderness. Surely then Mr. Keefer would just have to allow for it. Besides, women of proper upbringing simply didn’t discuss such matters with gentlemen. Mr. Keefer would just have to understand.
    She toyed with some wool yarn dyed a pale yellow. The color pleased her senses, and she picked up several skeins and placed them in her basket. If any of the children asked, she’d just say that she intended to make a shawl.
    That thought brought her to the idea of keeping the pregnancy from the children. She couldn’t very well tell them without risking their accidental announcement to other people. Betsy could never keep anything secret; in fact, she had told everyone she’d encountered that her family was headed to Virginia. This in turn prompted Susannah to explain they were heading for Virginia City, in the Idaho Territory, and not the warridden state of the Southern Confederacy.
    Betsy’s excitement over their adventure west had no doubt filled her head with wild imaginings. She told people about Indians and about the dog they would have when the trip concluded. Most of the matrons laughed with amusement at the child, while men seemed to catch her animation and questioned Susannah about the gold possibilities and whether her brother had struck it rich.
    “Can I help you with anything here?” a stern-faced older woman questioned.
    The voice brought Susannah back into the present and she nodded. “I’d like to buy a bolt of white flannel. I’ll also take a bolt of the white cotton and two bolts of the brown wool.”
    “You must be going to sew up a storm,” the woman commented.
    “We’re heading west. I have a large inventory of goods and want to add this to it.” Susannah caught sight of several sunbonnets and motioned. “I think I’d better have a look at some of those. I was sold out and couldn’t get any more before coming to St. Louis.”
    The woman quickly complied. “These are the best,” she told Susannah. “With the longer untrimmed brims you’ll keep more sun off your face and not have to worry about the edging going bad or getting torn. And with the bavolet, your neck won’t get burned. A lot of women forget about protecting their necks.”
    Susannah looked the pieces over and nodded. “I’ll take these four. By the way, do you have anything that would fit younger girls? I have two daughters, six and ten, who would never be able to keep these on.”
    “I do have some. Wait right here.” The woman disappeared into the back, and Susannah took the opportunity to continue her perusal. Nothing else struck her fancy, however. There were far too many trinkets designed for the happily settled homeowner. They would be nothing but burdensome for the long trip to Virginia City. Besides, as Bram had pointed out long ago, the territory was ninety-nine percent men. Of course, that had probably changed by now with the gold rush and all, but men would still outnumber the women,