Free Come Home to Me by Peggy L Henderson Page A

idea would brighten his spirits. He’d gone along with her suggestion at first, seemed almost eager at the idea, but it hadn’t taken long for his broodiness to return. She glanced up, squinting into the sun that slowly descended into the far off horizon, and tried to envision the Oregon territory she’d heard so much about.  Perhaps when Thomas saw the lush green valleys of Oregon, and laid claim to the 320 acres of land that would be theirs to farm, he would finally return to the man she’d known before . . .
    Loud giggles penetrated her mind, and she held her hand to her forehead to shield her eyes from the wind and sun. A rider on a buckskin horse galloped toward the line of wagons, heading directly for her. Jake Owens. Rachel’s heart fluttered in her chest. The man sat his horse as if he were one with the animal. She hadn’t seen him much over the last three days, after that first night when he ate supper at her wagon.
    Rachel scoffed. Thomas had probably scared him off, just like he scared off all the other people in their group. She shook her head. On second thought, it was a ridiculous notion. She couldn’t imagine Jake Owens being afraid of anything. Quiet throughout the meal, Thomas had nevertheless offered him a cup of his corn liquor, which the scout declined to Rachel’s great surprise. When Mr. Owens had casually mentioned that Thomas might feel better and see to his family more effectively if he didn’t drink so heavily, Thomas had shouted loud enough to be heard throughout the camp for Mr. Owens to mind his own business. Rachel had never wanted to sink into quicksand as badly as she did at that moment. She remembered the scowl of disapproval Mr. Owens had cast her way, just before he excused himself from their campsite. His eyes were filled with contempt and anger, but when he darted a final glance her way, there was something else written there, something she couldn’t name, or perhaps was afraid to acknowledge. 
    “We caught your bonnet,” Tommy yelled from behind the man approaching her on horseback. Rachel blinked to get a better look. Mr. Owens’ broad body hid Tommy’s slight form until he reined his horse in right next to her. Tommy sat behind the scout, his arms wrapped tightly around the man’s middle. The boy purely glowed from happiness. The scene reminded her of how much Billy and Tommy needed their father. Each time Mr. Owens came around, the boys buzzed to him like bees to honey. And the scout didn’t seem to mind.
    The horse stopped in front of Rachel, and Jake held Tommy’s arm while the boy scrambled off the mare’s back. Tommy ran for their wagon, shouting excitedly for his brother. It was Billy’s turn to watch little David inside the wagon.
    “You shouldn’t be out in the sun without your hat, Rachel,” Mr. Owens said, leaning over the saddle and holding the bonnet out to her. The leather of the saddle creaked. He rested his forearm on the saddle horn, his hand dangling over his mare’s neck. “It would be a shame if you burned that pretty face of yours.”
    Heat crept up Rachel’s neck and into her cheeks, heat that had nothing to do with the sun. She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it again. No words came to mind. With a trembling hand, she reached for her hat. Mr. Owens didn’t release his hold on the fabric. In fact, he tugged it toward him, causing Rachel to take an involuntary step closer to the horse.  He leaned down further.
    “How’s that husband of yours holding up?” Jake didn’t disguise the dislike in his voice when he whispered to her in a low tone. His penetrating eyes locked onto hers, and Rachel swallowed. She sensed he wasn’t asking out of concern for Thomas.
    “We manage,” she said, tearing her eyes away from him. “Please, let me have my bonnet. I need to catch up with our wagon.” She glanced at the line of rigs moving past. Annabelle Edwards and her mother shot her a disapproving look from atop their wagon as it rolled