Chapter Eleven
The clouds loomed overhead, so heavy and gray that they hid the sunset.
It had been days since the sun had appeared through the darkness of the storms, and a small part of Ethan wondered if he would ever see sunlight again.
The world seemed perpetually dark and damp.
Wind whipped the dirt up to such a frenzy that it stung, even through Ethan’s clothing.
He clenched his jaw and shifted a little, trying to find any small amount of shelter in the wagon.
Lightning streaked across the sky, accompanied by the roar of distant thunder.
The men stood clustered together, Amos eyeing them sternly, while the women worked frantically to repair the damage caused by the recent hailstorm.
“I regret to tell y’all this,” Amos said, “but the weather ain’t going to get any better. It’s going to be worse from here on out.”
Derek whistled between his teeth. “Well, no one said the trail would be easy.”
Derek was right, but that was the least helpful comment to make given the situation.
Didn’t he realize how dire things might become?
Storms would likely cause mudslides, making the already difficult terrain even harder to cross.
Rivers might flood and wash away roads, and hail could injure the animals and rip through the canvas of the wagons like paper.
“So what’s to be done?” asked Luke, crossing his arms. “Should we just politely ask the Lord to stop?”
A few of the men shot him sharp looks.
“It wouldn’t hurt,” Amos said dryly. “But I also believe that God helps those who help themselves.”
“What if we just wait for awhile?” asked Zachariah. “Can’t we seek shelter and wait out the storms?”
“Doubtful,” Amos said. “These storms are frequent this time of year, and they spring up very quickly. We’re not going to be able to outwait them, no matter how hard we try. We don’t have the supplies for that.”
“Are the storms really that bad?” Thomas asked. “I mean, the hail was rough, but it ain’t nothing compared to the storms we have in Tennessee. I don’t see why we can’t just keep traveling like we have been.”
“Certainly not without making some changes in how we’re doing things,” Amos said, irritation creeping into his voice. “One of my concerns is that we don’t want anyone getting separated from the group.”
“We aren’t fools! That wouldn’t happen,” Luke said.
“And if a horse bolts?” Amos asked. “If a wagon is lost in a mudslide or swept into a river? It don’t matter how careful we are, the danger’s always there.
I’m suggesting that we break into three separate parties.
Each group will have a captain in charge.
If there are any problems, the captain of each group will see to it. ”
“And what?” Zachariah asked. “The rest of us will continue traveling on without them?”
“If necessary,” Amos said. “If a single group meets with some disaster, the others may continue until we find shelter. We can turn back to help when the weather is better. The smaller numbers will also help ensure that people don’t get lost so easily.”
“So, you’re saying you can’t manage the entire group,” Luke concluded.
“I am not saying that,” Amos replied, nostrils flaring. “But in a disaster, I have a duty to look after the whole of the group. It will be safer if we have people looking after each other in smaller groups.”
“I agree,” Richard said.
The man might have intended for his words to build support for the plan, but instead they sparked mutinous mumbling from a few of the men to Ethan’s right.
Despite Richard helping with many of the chores and working just as hard as the rest of them watching the herds, gathering firewood, and taking watches at night, not all of the men had been won over by his efforts.
They still perceived him as a high-class interloper, just as they did Grace.
“I appreciate that,” Amos said. “But it really don’t matter if people agree or not.
I’m meant to be guiding you along this trail, and I intend to do that as best I can.
This isn’t the first time I’ve had to do this, and I know how the alternatives end.
So—do I have anyone willing to come forward and lead a party? ”
“Ethan and I will,” Derek piped up.
Ethan’s head snapped in Derek’s direction.
The man grinned, clearly unconcerned that maybe he ought to have asked before volunteering them for anything.
Not to mention, the thought of Derek being in charge of anyone was almost as horrifying as the weather.
Once, Pa had gotten Derek a hound for his birthday, and Derek hadn’t even been able to manage a puppy.
The animal had wandered around heedlessly, jumping all over everyone in town while Derek chased after the creature and stammered apologies.
“You two?” Amos himself sounded doubtful, which Ethan hoped was directed at Derek, as Ethan could easily understand that. But he would hope Amos had a higher opinion of Ethan.
“We don’t have any children or wives to worry about,” Derek said. “We ought to be the ones taking on the most risks and responsibilities. We’re both pretty familiar with rough terrain, too. Living in Missouri wasn’t always perfect, and we aren’t afraid of a little hard work. Right, Ethan?”
“Right,” Ethan said.
He reluctantly had to admit that most of what Derek said was true.
Missouri was getting more built-up these days, but where they’d lived in Clay County wasn’t exactly a place of ease.
There’d been plenty of summer storms, and even some tornadoes, along with horse stampedes and the occasional trouble from bandits and gangs.
Ethan had survived through all that, making sure his ma and Hannah did as well, and he supposed he had to concede that Derek had indeed survived it, too.
Ethan certainly had no qualms with a little hard work.
He would also begrudgingly admit that Derek, when he wasn’t drinking and roughhousing with the other men, did actually seem to possess some work ethic.
If anyone except Derek had nominated Ethan to take on this responsibility, he’d have been honored and wouldn’t have hesitated to help.
But when it was Derek speaking for Ethan, acting as if he knew Ethan well enough to do so…
Ethan couldn’t stand it. Already, he imagined that Derek would want them to work together, and had probably proposed them both volunteering as a plot to bring them closer together “as a family.”
“Are you sure this is something you’re up for?” Amos asked. “It’s a lot of responsibility.”
“I think they’d be good for it,” Zachariah spoke up
Ethan wondered if Zachariah’s agreement was more for Derek’s benefit than his own. Either way, it made him bristle. For all that these men’s support bothered him, Ethan knew he’d have been equally vexed if they hadn’t agreed that he’d be a good choice.
“Sure,” Will chipped in.
“Now, hold on there,” Luke interjected as he glanced at Derek. “I think that maybe someone a little more experienced should take this on. Even if you’ve had some experience with hardship, you don’t have experience with the trail.”
“Neither do you,” Derek pointed out. “Amos and Jonathan have experience, but they can’t take care of everyone. If we’re going to have more leaders, at least a few of us won’t have any experience at all.”
Ethan clenched his jaw. Did Derek have to sound so chipper about taking on this responsibility?
The way he spoke, you’d think Derek was volunteering to escort a pretty lady to the local fair, or take on a few extra chores —not to be the one to take charge of keeping people safe in the event of a natural disaster.
“You’re being awful quiet,” Thomas noted as he looked to Ethan, “when it’s your name being brought up, too.”
Ethan watched everyone’s eyes turn to him. What could he say? ‘I don’t want to do it if he is?’ That would sound absurdly childish, and Ethan had to admit the excuse sounded poor, even to himself. Especially not when he knew he wouldn’t hesitate for a second if it wasn’t for Derek.
But Ethan would sooner be shot than admit that Derek was his main deterrent. So, he only shrugged.
“I don’t have a problem with it. Derek is right,” Ethan admitted, though it pained him to say it. “I don’t have a problem with it. Not the first time I’d be responsible for other people.”
He’d kept Ma and Hannah alive after his worthless father abandoned them for his new family, after all. While he didn’t want to get into details in front of the whole wagon train, that was much more than Derek, or most of these men, could probably claim.
“You did rescue Grace and Emily from that river a few miles back,” Derek added. “I’d say that right there’s a shinin’ example of how fit you are for the job!”
Derek’s attempt to help resulted in a few nods but also another wave of scoffs and mutters. Ethan heard someone—maybe Luke or Will—say, “The woman is dead weight.”
His blood boiled, and he dug his nails into his palms. Derek had made it sound as if Grace was some silly woman who had just fallen into the river, when the truth was far from it.
She had dove in with no thought to her own safety to rescue her imperiled little sister.
The other members of the wagon train stayed eagle-eyed for anything about Grace they could criticize, and offered no praise at all, even as she’d improved.
It just wasn’t fair, and he had to bite back the impulse to tell them just what he thought of it all.
There were more important things to worry about than defending Grace Hawthorne’s honor, and Ethan had the sneaking suspicion that even if he did defend her, Grace would only be irritated by it.
She’d probably demand to know why he’d chosen not to ignore the comment when there were far more serious matters to consider.
“You were very brave, Ethan,” Richard said. “And I’m grateful to you for saving my daughter.”
‘Daughters,’ Ethan thought, the omission catching his attention for some reason. Maybe Richard just hadn’t mentioned Emily because no one else had.
“However,” Richard continued. “I don’t think this is a task that ought to be left to you and Derek. I would feel much safer if there was an older man in charge of this, someone with more experience.”
“Yourself, perhaps?” Luke asked with a snort.
Richard sent him a withering glare. “Did I say that? Unlike some men here, I’m well-aware of where my faults lie, and I’m unfamiliar with the terrain and the sorts of emergencies Amos spoke of. But I think at least one older man in these positions would be best.”
Ethan bristled. He wouldn’t have been offended if Richard hadn’t wanted Derek to lead them, but the man had specifically said Derek and Ethan.
Richard claimed he wanted an older and more experienced man looking after them, which meant that he believed Ethan was incapable of doing that.
Was that truly how Richard saw Ethan, even after everything he had done for the man’s family?
After he had saved the lives of both of Richard’s daughters?
After he had nursed Grace’s injury and assisted her with her chores, despite her protestations, while she was injured?
“I don’t think a man’s age is any indication of his ability to take care of people,” Ethan shot back.
His own father had proved that true. When Pa had walked out and into the arms of another woman, acting as though his first family no longer existed, he’d proven himself far less able to take care of anyone than Ethan was, even as just a boy.
Since then, Ethan had spent the better part of his life being responsible for other people, and hearing Richard insist that Ethan’s age meant he wasn’t good enough just burned him up.
“I agree with my brother,” Derek said brightly. “You don’t have to worry, Richard, I swear it. We’ll prove that we’re the best men for the job!”
Well, Ethan would, at least. He supposed that he’d have to look after Derek, too, and ensure he took the position seriously. If Derek failed, the people he was responsible for could be injured, or they might lose their supplies or even their wagon…or worse. Ethan couldn’t let that happen.
“I still have doubts,” Richard said. He didn’t even look at Ethan; instead, his eyes remained fixed on Amos, as though his voice was the only one that mattered.
“I don’t hear anyone else stepping up,” Amos pointed out. “If someone wants to step forward and can claim to do better…”
Thomas snorted. “I think this whole thing is unneeded.”
“I don’t have any problem with Derek and Ethan volunteering,” Zachariah said.
Ethan watched many heads nod along. While several of the men, including Richard, still looked hesitant, far more of them clearly agreed with those supporting Ethan and Derek. Ethan inhaled deeply, steadying himself. He was doing this.
No, he and Derek were doing this.
“Well, I suppose that’s settled,” Amos said. “And the two of you are driving different wagons anyway, which works out well.”
“That’s right,” Derek said, his expression brightening. “It’s almost like a sign that it ought to be us!” He laughed, even though nothing about the situation was remotely funny.
“We’ll do our best,” Ethan said, forcing his gaze away from where Grace’s father looked at him with doubt still present in his eyes.
Of all the men there, Ethan was most determined to prove himself to Richard. He could admit that the older man’s doubt had stung, his pride now bruised. Ethan had already done so much for the man and his family, yet apparently it had not been enough to make Richard to respect him.
If the man needed more proof, that was fine.
Ethan had proven himself time and again before, so what was once more?
At least, that was what he tried to tell himself.
There was a small part of Ethan that wondered if there was another reason, specifically a woman named Grace.
He couldn’t imagine why he’d care about what she thought, but for some reason he did.
Maybe it was because she’d almost drowned, and likely would have if he hadn’t saved her. If he was in charge, it would be that much easier to ensure she was safe.