“Hi, honey, how are you doing?”
Emma blinked furiously, refusing to let the tears burning her eyes fall. “I don’t know what to do. Davis was just here and he still thinks we should marry. Besides the fact that we’re virtual strangers, I want to go back home when this nightmare of a trip is over. I can’t get married again.”
“Oh dear. I understand, but this is just the first day of being on your own. Look how tired you are. Do you really think you can do this for another four or five months? Be realistic, this is much too difficult for a woman alone.”
“I know, Sarah,” Emma sighed, “but I can’t get married again. I just can’t.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It didn’t seem possible, but the next day was even worse. Emma barely got bacon cooked and coffee made when the wagons started to roll. She threw everything into the wagon, doused the fire and ran to get her oxen. Tugging, pulling, and sweating, she dragged the first one, then returned for the other. When she turned around the first one had followed her to his comfortable spot, and began to munch on the grass again.
As she arrived at the wagon with the second ox, she heard noises behind her. She turned and narrowed her eyes at Davis pulling the first ox along. What was he doing, watching her every move? Her annoyance quickly faded, and she smiled gratefully in his direction. Within minutes Davis had both oxen yoked. He tugged at the brim of his hat, mounted his horse and was off. Emma grabbed hold of the animals and trudged forward.
Two hours into the trip, Ezra halted the wagons and passed word down that they were entering an area where there was a slight downhill incline. Since none of the wagons had brakes, either chains would have to be fastened to one of the wheels, or a log had to be tied to the back of the wagon to slow it down.
Emma rummaged around in the wagon looking for the chains she knew Peter had brought with them. She tried to move a barrel to look behind it and banged the drum against her foot. Yelping and hopping up and down as much as she could in the small confines of the wagon, Emma let out a curse word she didn’t even realize she knew. She located the chain and dragged it out. Up and down the row of wagons men worked on their wagons to make them safe to travel downhill. Not seeing Davis anywhere, she attempted to wrap the chain around the front wheels. She no sooner got the chain wrapped than Jeb came along.
“Emma, that’s not where you put the chain.”
“What do you mean? I thought it was wrapped around the wagon wheels.” She grunted as she moved her stiff muscles to rise from the ground, wiping her forehead, and brushing her dress.
“Yes, you do wrap it around the wagon wheels, but you need to put it on the back wheels. You want to slow the wagon down, not flip it over. Here, let me help you.” He bent and undid her work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma had never prayed so hard in her life. She tried to steer the wagon down the incline, but even with the chain wrapped securely over the back wagon wheels, she felt completely out of control. Gritting her teeth, she pulled again on the reins, trying desperately to keep the wagon from careening down the hill. Panting, sweating profusely, she ended up standing on the front seat, pulling hard with both hands on the reins. Eventually the wagon reached a flat surface and she sat down. She put her hands over her face and burst into tears.
“Emma.” That voice again.
Where was he when I was desperately trying to kill myself and the oxen?
“What?” She wiped her face and glared at Davis.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help ya, darlin’. Ezra had me up front supervising the wagons coming down the incline. Do you want me to take the chain off the wheel?” He jumped from his horse as he spoke. Emma looked down at him and nodded. She clutched her body as it shook uncontrollably. Davis went around to the back of the wagon and took the chain off. He dropped it in the wagon and returned to her.
“We’re going to take a short break now.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you all right?”
She continued to stare at him, unable to form words.
“I think you ought to take a rest in your wagon. You’re looking a bit poorly.”
Emma studied him for evidence of laughter in his eyes. She couldn’t stand it if he laughed at her right now. Instead, she saw sympathy and something else she couldn’t identify, an intense regard that had her heart speeding up again.
The racing heart, combined with a lack of food, fatigue, and worry over the incline caused things to look fuzzy. Then there was a loud buzzing in her ears as she tumbled off the seat and toppled to the ground as Davis reached out and grabbed her.
When Emma awoke, she was lying flat on the ground with a wet cloth over her forehead. Davis was kneeling next to her, concern written on his face. Sarah and Ezra stood behind him.
“Oh, thank goodness, she’s awake.” Sarah exclaimed.
“What happened?” Emma asked as she struggled to sit up.
“Whoa, little lady,” Ezra said as Davis put his hand gently on Emma’s shoulder to keep her from getting up.
“Just give yourself a bit of time before you go hopping up,” Davis added.
“I’m fine, really,” Emma said, “I think skipping breakfast was not a good thing. I’ll be right as rain in no time.”
Davis accepted a cup of water from Sarah and held it to Emma’s lips. He put his hand behind her head to help her drink. She took a few sips. “Thank you.”