Read Online A Home in Drayton Valley by Kim Vogel Sawyer - Free Book Online

thatcame from the camp. The whole lot of them from youngest to oldest gathered together before bedtime and delivered song after song in low-toned, husky voices. It was haunting. Joss shivered despite the early evening warmth.
    From behind him in the wagon bed, beneath the stained canvas covering, one of the children began singing, “Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt-land . . .” Joss jerked upright and barked out his first words since they’d left Des Moines. “You hush that up right now!” The song ceased, followed by a childish whimper and Tarsie’s soothing voice. Joss didn’t turn around to determine which child he’d wounded with his harsh command. Didn’t matter, as long as he was obeyed. He’d never laid a hand on Emmy or Nathaniel—he wasn’t like his pa when it came to using a strap—but if either one of his young’uns picked up any habits from those people in the wagon train, he’d cut a switch and chase it right out of them again.
    The dust cloud ahead settled. Murphy must’ve brought them all to a halt. Joss squinted at the sun, then frowned. Stopping early tonight. He preferred pressing onward till dusk. Sooner they reached Kansas, sooner he could be shed of their company.
    As Joss had come to expect, Murphy’d led the wagons off the road a piece. The wagons formed a rough circle with children darting here and there between the wheels, braids bobbing and squeals ringing. Women with kerchiefed heads gathered twigs and buffalo chips for fires. The men unhitched mules or oxen from wagons and led them to a trickling stream. Murphy separated himself from the group and jogged to meet Joss’s wagon. Although he didn’t smile, neither did he avoid Joss’s eyes. Joss’s fiercest glares hadn’t managed to intimidate the wagonmaster. Another reason Joss resented the man.
    â€œHold up a minute,” Murphy called, jamming his palm in the air.
    With a grunt, Joss drew his wagon to a halt. Tarsie leaned over the back of the seat, her shoulder brushing against Joss. “What is it, Mr. Murphy?”
    Murphy removed his hat when addressing Tarsie. “Wanted to let you folks know, might be delayed in startin’ out tomorruh mornin’. One of the women—Minnie Jenkins—is near her time. Wanna give her at least a few hours’ rest before jostlin’ her around in a wagon aftuh her babe is born.”
    Joss let out a mighty huff. The woman better drop her whelp soon. He didn’t have the patience to sit around waiting.
    Tarsie clicked her teeth with her tongue, a sympathetic sound. “Are you needin’ a midwife? My great-aunt did midwifery and taught me what she knew. I’d be pleased to see to the mother.”
    Murphy shook his bald head. “Appreciate the offer, Miss Tarsie, but Minnie’s mama is travelin’ with her, and she’ll see to the birthin’.”
    â€œAll right, then. If something changes and she has need of some extra hands, please tell her—”
    â€œYah!” Joss brought down the reins on the horses’ rumps, and the beasts lurched forward, sending Tarsie into the wagon bed. She let out a disgruntled squawk, but Joss ignored her and guided the team upstream of the circled wagons. He brought the horses to a stop and set the brake, then turned and scowled into the back of the wagon. “You won’t be going to that camp.”
    Tarsie folded her arms over her chest and matched his glower with one of her own. “Joss Brubacher, the good Lord gave me an ability and He expects me to use it. I brought my medicinal cures, and if someone in the Murphy wagon train has need of tending, I’ll be tending ’em and that’s that!” With her nose in the air, she flounced to the back of the wagon and climbed out. “Come along, Emmy and Nathaniel. Youcan help me gather fuel for our cooking fire.” The children scrambled after her.
    Joss