Free Ripples Along the Shore by Mona Hodgson Page A

brother-in-law?”
    “They’re not going.”
    “Oh.” The woman’s lips formed an elongated O that shrank, while her eyes did the same. “Well, with all that man’s talk of death and peril”—Mrs. Kamden looked at the little girl—“I’m having second thoughts about going.” Her ability to whisper hadn’t improved in the least.
    Caroline noticed Anna’s attention drift away from their conversation, then saw that Boney Hughes was approaching.
    Mrs. Kamden glanced down at Maisie. “It’s time we return to the rest of the family.” She looked up. “The Lord bless you and keep you, dear. And you, too, Miss Goben.”
    Caroline smiled. “And you, Mrs. Kamden.”
    “Thank you.” Anna’s gaze darted to the woman, then back to the young man now standing at her side.
    “Have a pleasant evening, Mrs. Kamden. Miss Maisie.” Boney tipped his hat, and the woman shuffled away.
    Caroline needed to do the same. “If you two will excuse me—”
    Anna grasped Caroline’s cape. “No need for you to leave. Please stay. We don’t want to make it difficult for Charles to round us up when he’s ready to leave, now, do we?”
    “All right.” She looked at the young man, feeling like a third wheel on a pushcart.
    Boney cleared his throat. “About the other day …”
    Caroline looked down at Anna’s hand, which still had a firm grip on the edge of her wrap. “I don’t wish to intrude.”
    Anna drew in a deep breath. “Please stay. Any friend of mine is a friend of Boney’s. He said so himself.”
    “I did indeed.” He removed his hat and faced Anna. “I saw the chairs he ain’t fixing, Anna. And I saw the way she is. I’ve heard how hard you’ve been working since Dedrick died.”
    “Großvater has been under the weather. Mutter too.”
    “You don’t have to hide the truth from me.”
    “They’re my family.”
    “Marry me.”
    Caroline barely heard Anna’s gasp over her own.
    “Come with me on the wagon train as my wife. You deserve to be taken care of.”
    Tears stung the backs of Caroline’s eyes and she turned away. Since when had she become such a romantic?
    “I … uh.” Anna held firmly to Caroline’s cape. “You’ve been gone for five years. We’re not children in the schoolyard anymore.”
    “No. We’re not.” He stepped forward, his gaze tender. “Anna, you’re a beautiful young woman with lots of life left in you. If you don’t squander it.”
    Letting go of Caroline’s cape, Anna reached for Boney’s arm. “You are a dear to notice and to care.” Her shoulders rose and fell. “This is so sudden.”
    Boney nodded. “Will you think on it?”
    “Yes.” Her hand swung to her side. “I will think about it.”
    An idea dawned …
    Yes, Anna would think on it. And so would Caroline. If she had a man willing to marry her, that would put an end to Mr. Cowlishaw’s concerns about her going west with the caravan.
    Caroline couldn’t help herself.
    She smiled.

Eleven
    B raying donkeys woke Garrett on Wednesday morning. Or was he awake? Perhaps he was dreaming.
    Rolling, he pulled the wool blanket back over his face. After all, he had behaved like a donkey last evening. Caroline Milburn lived in a hopeless house. She obviously dreamed of starting a new life out west. He’d puffed up under the guise of captain and crushed her hope of a new beginning.
    “For her own good.”
    Yawning, he tossed to his other side, tangling himself in the blankets. Rimming the edge of the cot, he rolled out of bed. His covers went with him. “What a mess!”
    “Couldn’t, in good conscience, approve of her foolish plans.” He had a responsibility to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. Garrett swatted at the blankets anchoring his feet, then stood. “What kind of a leader would I be if I caved in simply because she was a charming woman?” If she had simply been a charming woman, he would’ve slept better. “Caroline Milburn. Of all people.” He cringed at his reflection