Free An Unexpected Love (The Colorado Brides Series Book 5) by Carré White Page A

the supply trains and now this.”
    Hannah glanced over her shoulder. “Nathan! We should go.” Her gloved hands held a drawstring purse. “We need to go home quickly.”
    “Can’t they be beaten off with flails?” I asked.
    “That would require dozens of men,” said Louisa.
    “What if we all pulled together and worked one field at a time? Even women and children?”
    “That’s an idea,” said Paulina. “My field is gone, but Hannah still has hers. But, maybe they won’t find it. They seem to swarm haphazardly.”
    “I’ll speak with my husband. I wonder how much time we have before they come?”
    “I don’t know.” Paulina hugged Hannah. “Oh, how I shall pray this pestilence goes away. Maybe you’ll be spared.”
    “We’ll know soon enough,” said Hannah. “We’ve things preserved and plenty of stored wheat and corn. If we lose the crop this year, it’ll hurt, but we won’t starve.”
    “Other families aren’t as prepared, Hannah,” said Louisa. “We don’t farm, so we’ll have to buy our things at higher prices.”
    “They’ve already risen because of the attacks on the supply trains,” said Paulina. “It surely can’t get any worse.”
    “Let us know, if you need help,” said Louisa. “I had best be going. I’ll try to save what I can from the kitchen garden.”
    People had begun to settle in their wagons, the children sitting in the back. I would be with Fanny and Jack on the bench. I waited for them, as Jack finished speaking with several parishioners. The conversation home was one of worry, especially over the wheat and corn that might be in danger. The Bailey farm wasn’t nearly as large as Hannah’s, but the loss of revenue would be felt. Once home, Fanny and I hurried to the garden, harvesting whatever vegetables we could find, ripe or not. Mary and Susanna helped, and, by the time we were finished, we had several baskets full of edibles, most of which would be canned and preserved before they spoiled.
    That night, a knock on the door sounded while we were in the parlor reading aloud to the children, which was how we typically ended most evenings. Jack, knowing that something was wrong, hurried to the door, opening it.
    A disheveled looking Nathan appeared. “They came today.”
    “I’m sorry, Nathan. What can we do to help?”
    “I’ve made the rounds tonight. Mathias and Samuel and their families will be at our place in the morning. We’re gonna try a coupla things, starting with beating the critters with flails. We might dig some ditches and fill ‘em with coal tar and set it on fire. The smoke should drive ‘em away. We’re gonna try our best to save our crop.”
    “I understand,” said Jack. “We’ll be there first thing in the morning to help. The children will have to miss school. We need everyone.” A chorus of happy voices greeted this announcement.
    “Oh, don’t think it’ll be easy,” warned Fanny. “After working the fields, you’ll be wishing you were in school doing sums.”
    “We’re ready to help,” said Peter. “I’ll show you how well I can kill bugs. Me and Connor are gonna kill ‘em all.”
    “Now that’s the spirit.” Nathan grinned. “I’ll be on my way. You all take care. Thank you in advance for your help.”
    After he had gone, the mood shifted, and, sensing Fanny and Jack’s concern, I shepherded my siblings upstairs, preparing them for bed. When I returned, I found them seated together on the sofa, holding hands. They had been praying.
    “I’d like to pray too.”
    Jack smiled warmly. “That would be wonderful, Jane.”
    I sat across from them in a rocking chair. “Lord, please keep the pests from our fields. Have them go elsewhere to eat. Please save Hannah and Nathan’s crops. Help us tomorrow to be victorious in this endeavor, and thank you for all your blessings. Thank you for watching over us and keeping us safe. Amen.”
    “Thank you, Jane,” said Fanny.
    “I’ll say more prayers before