Read Online Gabriel's Atonement by Vickie Mcdonough - Free Book Online Page B

friend. “So…what’s the news?”
    â€œOh, it’s so exciting I can hardly stand it.” She squeezed her soda bottle with both hands, her face beaming. “Jeremiah Watson has been courting me and has asked me to marry him.”
    Stunned, Jo blinked her eyes and tried to understand what her friend had said. “Jerry Watson? Jokin’ Jerry?”
    Alma Lou hiked up her chin. “Don’t call him names. He’s not like that anymore.”
    â€œWell…” Jo searched her mind for something to appease Alma. “I haven’t seen him much since we finished school, so I suppose he could have matured.” The picture of Jokin’ Jerry that came to mind was of him dipping her braids in the inkwell and stealing her lunch while she ran screaming mad after him.
    â€œYou’re invited to the wedding.” Alma Lou sniffed. “I wanted to have you stand up with me, but Mother thinks I should ask Jeremiah’s sister.”
    The root beer turned sour in Jo’s stomach. All their growing-up years, she and Alma Lou had talked arm in arm about being each other’s maid of honor when they got married. They even talked about having a double wedding. But that would never happen now. She could hardly get married without a groom.
    Jo stood, searching for something to say. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you.”
    â€œYou won’t be upset if I have Sally Watson stand up with me, will you?”
    Biting back her overwhelming disappointment, Jo shook her head. “Lara will be mad if I don’t get back home soon. Thank you for the soda pop. It was mighty tasty.”
    Jo stepped into the store and set the half-empty bottle on the counter then slipped out the back door, lest Alma Lou see her tears. Jo hated crybabies, and it made her mad that she couldn’t stop her own tears.
    Nothing would be the same between her and Alma Lou again. Why, by this time next year, her friend might even be a mother. The thought of losing her best friend brought fresh tears. Jo swiped at them and plodded down the road.
    Why did things always have to change? She didn’t mind it so much when she was the one causing the changes, but she didn’t like it one bit when that change was beyond her control.

    When she returned home, Lara searched the valley and along the creek for Jo but didn’t see her sister. Maybe she was off hunting something for dinner or fishing. A mess of trout fried in cornmeal would taste delicious.
    She slipped inside the soddy and allowed her eyes to adjust to the dimness. She could hear Michael’s soft breathing as she spied him curled up on his quilt in the corner.
    â€œWhat d’you find out in town?” Grandpa whispered as he turned on his side to face her.
    Lara felt his forehead, relieved that it was cooler than last time she’d checked. “It’s pretty much what you said. A quarter section of land—if you get a claim. Plus, there will be town lots available. There sure are a lot of people in Caldwell, though. I would guess the population has doubled—several times over. Do you think there will be enough land for everyone who wants it?”
    â€œProb’ly not. Elsewise there’d be no need for a race.”
    â€œI suppose you’re right. I have to admit there’s land rush fever in town—and it’s contagious. If only we
could
get a claim…”
    â€œWe need to pray.” Grandpa glanced up at the sod roof, where roots of prairie grass hung down like cheap chandeliers.
    â€œWe’d need a horse. Our poor old mule wouldn’t stand a chance winning that race. Why, Grandpa, there’s folks in town with racehorses and even those two-wheeled bicycle contraptions.”
    He chuckled and shook his head. “I cain’t see how one of those fancy conveyances would have a chance against a fast horse.”
    â€œI can’t even imagine how someone could stay on one of