Unconquerable Callie Read Free Page B

takin’ it pretty hard.”
    “And your mother?” Callie knew it was impertinent of her to ask such a personal question, but she was genuinely interested in this family’s plight.
    “Ma’s a believer. She says ain’t no wind don’t blow somebody good.” He raised his head, giving her the full benefit of the sadness in his eyes. “Don’t know about wind, Ma’am, but Pa says if something don’t happen soon, we’ll have to turn tail and head for Ma’s folk’s place. We left pretty proud and sure of ourselves. Grandpa and Pa had words over him taking Ma and me on such a journey.” He stared back down at his oversized feet. He was a picture of dejection, arms hanging at his side, shirt too small for his fast-growing body, its cuffs ending short of thin, knobby wrists.
    He gulped again, cleared his throat, and in a voice that raised and lowered indiscriminately said, “Miss Collins, Ma’am, would that job you was offerin’ still be open?”
    “Job?”
    “Yes’m. The one you mentioned to my pa. You, uh, you said you would hire me to drive your wagon and help you along the trail West. Do you remember, Ma’am?” he asked in a hopeful voice.
    “Of course I remember. And yes, the job is still open. But—.” She raised a hand, stopping the smile forming on his lips. “Your father refused that offer. Has he changed his mind?”
    Caleb dug at a dirt lodged pebble with the toe of his boot. “No, Ma’am. He hasn’t. But,”-and the smile won out—“Ma said to find you and we’d find a way to turn Pa around. She said that sometimes the good Lord just needs some help in getting that wind to blow right.”
    “Oh, Caleb. You have no idea how much this relieves my mind. We can do it, I know we can. We’ll win over your father; we’ll outfit my wagon.” Then she added under her breath, “When I get one.”
    She finished with confidence. “We’ll join that train headed for Oregon.”
    Caleb’s smile took over his face. “Yes, Ma’am, you’re right. We surely can. Speakin’ of wagons,” he added, lowering his voice, “I know where there’s a right good-un for sale. Fella’s askin’ pretty dear for it, but I heard Pa say it’s built like it’ll last. Light, but sturdy. Bed and running gear are hardwood, but the axle and tongue is hickory.”
    “Bed?” Callie asked. It was like hearing a foreign language.
    “Yes’m. The bed is, well, you know, the bed . . . the floor?”
    “Oh, yes, of course. Go on, Caleb. This is exciting.” Her eyes lit with anticipation.
    “Well, the bed is about ten feet long and a good four feet wide. It’s like a box, Ma’am, with the sides and ends about three feet high. The wheels got iron rims which are darn tough.” He eyed Callie speculatively, obviously hoping she was impressed with his knowledge.
    “Why, he’s even got an extra axle to go with it. They’s seven hoops holding up the canvas. It’s been rubbed real good with oil, so it oughta keep out rain and some of the hot sunshine. It be waterproof all right.” He nodded, agreeing with every word he spoke.
    “Ma said she wished ours was that roomy and well equipped. ‘Course she didn’t say that so Pa could hear. She surely liked all the hooks inside hanging from the hoops. They’re right handy, Ma’am, for clothes, milk cans, guns, anything that you need be hanging up offa the bed.” He paused and gave Callie an assessing look. “Bet you could stand up in it less’en a few inches. It’s a good five feet high at the peak.”
    Callie clapped her hands together. Now, not only did she have the chance to buy her wagon, but she might have four oxen to pull it. And, best of all, with a little, well, maybe a lot of convincing from Phyllis Monroe, she’d not only have a strong, young man, but his family to help her on this journey to independence.

Chapter 4
    Seth had been in the saddle too long. He straightened his spine, shifted in the saddle, and rotated his shoulders. There were several more hours