Read Online All Together in One Place by Jane Kirkpatrick - Free Book Online

from experience “Won't spur solutions into daylight, either.”
    “I didn't think women could go without a man's help assigned,” Tipton said. “You wouldn't want to let your wagons get behind, not with children along. Mister Bacon would fairly sizzle at such an idea.”
    “Why is it people think only bad things can happen to women alone? If something happened to Jed, Betha would have to cover for him. I don't see the point of such thinking.”
    Tyrell picked up his nippers.
    “Fine,” Ruth said. She'd thought this out before, knew the subject would come up more than once, and she had to sound as confident and secure as she was but without challenging the men. They didn't like that, she'd found.
    Ruth said, “I can take on a teamster at Fort Laramie if need be Between here and there, the trail's easy enough Don't see it'll be a problern.If I absolutely have to name someone wearing pants who'll walk beside me while I bullwhip, 111 find a kid. Someone fifteen or so, not otherwise committed It's no small irritation though, for a kid to be considered more reliable than a woman who's already come alone all the way from Missouri.”
    Tyrell gazed at Ruth long enough that she felt uncomfortable. She turned to scratch the horse's nose. “We'll be just fine, won't we, Koda? You and me and Jumper and all the rest.” The horse shifted weight again. “Whoa, now,” Ruth cautioned.
    “Don't let yourself get dirtied, Tip,” Tyrell said, his hand urging the girl back. “You looking so pretty Why don't you wait at the wagon? I'll find you later”
    He'd patted the girl's head. Ruth saw her fury from the corner of her eye just before she swung her parasol and quick-walked away.

    Tipton didn't know when she'd felt more like a kite tail, up and down and swirled around. She'd felt so unburdened by the mere mention that Tyrell had held her in his mind and shared a pleasant thought about her with another—about her sketching and that she looked like a “china doll.” Then she'd plummeted like a kite dropping in a dying wind when he'd dismissed her like a child.
    She'd seen the way Tyrell looked at that Martin woman. Admiration. That's what she saw in his eyes. Admiration for Ruth Martin while his betrothed got a dog's pat to the head.
    Her breathing tightened as she walked away, nodding and swirling her parasol at those who stood beside their wagons. She didn't hear them, just a buzz of words, harmonica music in the distance. What if Tyrell left the Bacon train, if he decided to go with a different group? He didn't need Mr. Bacon's money if what the Martin woman said was true about the demand for farriers, and of course it was. Tiptons worry racedon What if when we get to wherever were going, he doesn't want to settle near the Bacons? She hadn't thought of that before either. He'd have a dozen offers, and who wouldn't want to desert Mr. Bacon if the chance arose?
    She shook her head, pasted on her smile, and headed back to the wagon to secure her pencils. Never let them see you fret, her mother always said. She'd pretend all was well. She'd get that look of admiration Tyrell had so easily given away.

    She spent the day with her stomach aching until Mrs. Mueller insisted they walk through the town, buying pins and palm-leaf sun hats and extra saleratus for keeping the biscuits raised. Mrs. Mueller traded plant cuttings, and they listened to rumors about the Missouri crossing. Then Miz Bacon sent them back to buy up matches corked in a bottle and another whetstone for honing the knives. Mrs. Mueller kept up a running chatter “Talkfixl” was how Tipton thought of Mrs. Mueller, and she noticed with reluctance that the older woman's presence had kept her mind from Tyrell and his smiling at Ruth Martin.
    In the evening, everyone in the vicinity was urged to attend a gathering to express their opinions about the upcoming journey. Dancing was said to follow
    “Not necessary,” Mr. Bacon said over the meal that Tyrell