Free Love's Long Journey (Love Comes Softly Series #3) by Janette Oke

unwelcome surprise that probably awaited them at the Big River, but he sensed the growing impatience to be rolling again. The ground in the immediate vicinity was dry enough to travel and the people were beginning to get restless. He did not want to risk trouble developing from tense nerves and idle hands, so he reluctantly called for the travelers to break camp.
    Nonetheless, the six days had not been lost in inactivity. Harnesses had been repaired, wagons reinforced, canvases carefully patched and oiled where the relentless rain had found a way in. Clothes were washed and mended, blankets aired and bodies scrubbed. A hunting party had also been sent out. The men returned to camp with two deer, which were shared by all. The fresh meat was a welcome change from the dried and canned food diet.
    The scent of frying steak wafted over the camp that evening, bringing an unusually intent interest in the supper preparations.
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    The women had found a berry patch and in short order stripped it clean. The tangy fruit made that special meal seem like a banquet. All were refreshed and ready to begin the journey again.
    It took the train three days to reach the Big River. When they finally arrived, Mr. Blake found exactly what he had expected to find--a current far too strong and swift to allow safe wagon passage. He again called a meeting and explained the situation to the entire train. Another camp would have to be made beside the river until the waters subsided. The travelers were all disappointed, but even the most impatient agreed with the decision.
    So camp was set up and the people again tried to establish some sort of daily routine to keep boredom from overtaking them. The men formed regular hunting parties and the women again ranged out in search of berries. Missie spent a part of each day gathering wood, as did the women who did not have children to assign to the task. As she gleaned her daily supply, she also added to her stack of surplus piled under her wagon. If the rains should come again, Mrs. Schmidt would not be the only one who was prepared.
    Some of the older ladies began to suspect that Missie was "in the family way." Although no comments were made, Missie often noticed the motherly looks that they bestowed upon her. The birth of her baby was almost five months away by Missie's reckoning, and that seemed like a long, long time into the future.
    Missie enjoyed the company of Becky Clay. There was no doubt in anyone's mind as to Rebecca's condition, and the women of the train found many little ways to make the girl's work load lighter. Dry sticks were tossed on her pile as the women walked by with their load of wood, extra food was presented at her campfire, and her pail went along to the stream with someone who had a free hand.
    Missie felt concern over the travel delay, for Becky's sake. She was hoping with Becky that they would reach Tettsford Junction and the doctor in time. Each day Missie wished that by some miracle the swollen waters would be down and the train could be on its way. But just when the river appeared to be going down, somewhere along its banks another storm would raise the waters again. Day after day passed, and the wagons were still
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    unable to cross. Rafting the wagons to the other side was out of the question in this deep, swift river.
    On the fifteenth day by the Big River, the whole camp came alive as another wagon train made its appearance, slowly wending its way down a distant hill. Many went out to meet it. Those who remained behind waited in feverish eagerness for any news that the newcomers might bring.
    It was a smaller train than the Blake group and the wagon master seemed a good deal more impatient. After sitting down- river for only two days, he decided that the water had gone down enough for him to get his wagons across. Mr. Blake tried to dissuade him but the man laughed it off, declaring Blake to be as skitterish as an old woman. He had taken wagons across safely when the water