Read Online Mona Hodgson - [Hearts Seeking Home 01] by Prairie Song - Free Book Online

hard against the tears pooling in his eyes. “I’m terribly sorry for your loss. For all you suffered. That’s how you got the scar on your face?”
    Nodding, Isaac brushed his cheek. “Yes. And if it weren’t for the Lord’s surrounding love and goodness … well, I’d hate to even have to think about livin’ without that.”
    Garrett reined his horse and gave the command to continue up the road. His companion’s faith was a beacon for all who had been lost in a sea of sorrow.
    “What about you, Mister Garrett? You can’t be so young that you never had a woman in your life.”
    His history with love wasn’t something he cared to discuss. Or even think about.
    Isaac wiped his hand on his trousers. “Don’t you worry, if you’d rather not tell.”
    Garrett looked at the clearing ahead of them. “I did have a woman in my life.” The good memories were what made him afraid to trust his heart to any woman ever again. They’d set him up for the pain of loss. “I married her.” Garrett blew out a breath. Nobody but family and folks back in Virginia knew this about him.
    Silent, Isaac patted the shoulder of the gray he rode. Patience was a real good quality in a trail hand. Especially good for someone facing several months of hard travel with folks with troubles.
    “My father owned a tobacco plantation in Richmond.” Garrett placed both hands on the saddle and pushed himself upright, trying to ease the ache in his leg. “Unlike most Confederate soldiers, I didn’t join the war efforts in a patriot’s fervor.”
    “I know most men didn’t have a choice.”
    “The folks my family considered slaves, I loved more deeply than my own family.” He watched as two squirrels skittered up a tree. Anything to avoid looking Isaac in the eye. “I joined thinking I could earn my father’s pride and equal standing with my brother. But my heart wasn’t in it.”
    Isaac glanced at Garrett’s outstretched leg.
    “My regiment was charged with rounding up runaways.”
    A shadow hid the whites of Isaac’s eyes. “That how you hurt your leg?”
    “I was standing in front of a boy, barely thirteen, when one of my own men threw a knife.”
    “Bless my soul.” Isaac patted his chest over his heart. “You done stood up for him, didn’t you?”
    “When I returned to Richmond with my injured leg, the plantation had been burned to ash. Neither my family nor my wife would have anything to do with me.”
    Isaac’s shoulders sagged.
    “Now that the telegraph’s in most every town, news like what I did travels faster than a lightning bolt.”
    Except for chirping birds and rustling leaves, they rode the next mile in silence.
    Satisfied with the road directly ahead of them, Garrett pulled up on the reins. “This looks like a good place for the Company’s noon meal.” He turned toward the available grass along the small creek, with room enough for the thirteen wagons and all the livestock. Garrett didn’t expect any trouble from outsiders this close to town, but it was best they stay together. He reckoned their caravan had traveled about eight or more miles, and scores of tender feet would need some tending.
    Isaac swung down from the saddle. “Truth is, my hindquarters could use a break.”
    Garrett chuckled. “We’re of a like mind, my friend.”
    A smile fairly lit Isaac’s face. Surely God had sent this unassuming man as a liniment for hurting souls.

    Caroline turned to face the three youngest Kamden children, now at a standstill behind her.
    “My toes hurt.” Maisie, the three-year-old, clung to a cloth rabbit.
    “Miss Caroline.” Nearly five, Lyall always had to be sure he had her full attention before continuing.
    “Yes, Lyall.”
    “My legs hurt.” Lyall had a mess of wavy brown hair and a permanent frown on his face.
    “Well, I’m hungry.” Duff, age six, wore a blue kerchief around his neck.
    “I’m sure we’ll stop soon for a rest.” If not,
she
would take to whining. Caroline looked at