Mona Hodgson - [Hearts Seeking Home 01] by Prairie Song Read Free Book Online

“You needn’t worry about my age. There’s plenty of men exploring, mining, even ranching in their fifties.”
    Emery Beck was Otto’s age, if not older. Did Otto really think that was the concern?
    “It’s not your age.” Garrett glanced first at the open doorway, then at the open window behind them before looking back at the older man. “It’s the women.” He spoke just above a whisper. “Your daughter doesn’t get out much. I don’t know her, except for an occasional greeting, but she seems a little—”
    “Fragile?”
    “Yes sir. It’s a very long and arduous journey.” Garrett blew out a long breath. “Are you certain your daughter is well enough for the trip?”
    “Losih’ her son took the starch out of my Wilma.” Rubbing his bearded jaw, Otto glanced at the door. “Grief can do that to a person.”
    Garrett nodded. “It surely can.”
    Caleb worried the brim on his derby. Was that why Miss Goben had wavered in her decision to marry Boney? Because of her mother’s frailties? Because of grief?
    “I’ve given it a lot of thought. And my granddaughter is right.” Otto scrubbed his cheek. “We can’t just sit here and wallow in Dedrick’s death. Languish in our loss. We have to get up and move toward a brighter future.”
    Caleb gulped. Miss Goben had said that? That was what he was doing, trying to move into a brighter future. Perhaps he had more in common with the young woman than he’d given her credit for.
    “If you’re worried about my granddaughter being able to make the trip, you can ask her about it yourself.” He angled his head toward the road.
    Caleb turned. Miss Goben fairly bounced up the street until she glanced at the porch and met his gaze. Her steps slowing, she squared her shoulders.
    Following his boss’s lead, Caleb rose to his feet. Her steps measured, Miss Goben strolled up the gravel walk toward them.
    Caleb nodded. “Miss Goben.”
    “Mr. Reger.” He’d handled ice warmer than her stare. “What is it? You didn’t have your full say at the dry goods store?”
    Caleb glanced at the hat in his hand. “I owe you an apology.”
    “You do.” A statement, not a question.
    Not having a clue what to do with his arms, Caleb let them hang at his side. “I allowed past experience with women to cloud my judgment where your actions were concerned.”
    “I see.” Her lips pursed, she raised an eyebrow. “That is your apology?”
    Her grandfather’s hand flew to his mouth too late to muffle a snort.
    Anna Goben was a tough one. Caleb doubted she’d have any trouble facing down a bear. “Ma’am, I misthought and misspoke, and for that I am sorry. Please accept my humble apology.”
    “You did. I do.” A blush pinked her neck and turned her cheeks red. She moistened her lips. “Apology accepted, Mr. Reger.”
    “Thank you.” Despite the cool breeze causing the curtains in the window to flutter, Caleb fought the impulse to fan himself with his hat. Miss Goben’s effects on him were puzzling, to say the least. He wanted to maintain that she was fickle and remain angry with her. But at the same time, he felt her grief over the loss of her brother and the frailty of her mother.
    They’d made their peace, but would it make this trip west, in such close proximity, any easier? He still didn’t believe the trail was the proper place for this single young woman and her fractured family.

5
    A whistled tune floated on the air from Blanchette Creek. Anna looked up from the worktable, her quill poised over the stationery. Her bay pony stood tethered to a nearby tree, ears perked. A crooked row of wagons wearing new white bonnets lined the edge of Boone’s Lick Road. Großvater, like many of the other folks in the Company, had sold his house and most of his belongings. Now they were living out of a more portable accommodation, camped between the creek and the road. As of that afternoon, the dressed-up buckboard wagon was to be their home for the next five months. This