Later that day, she was packing the wagon when Henry appeared. The shy young man removed his hat and started twisting it in his hands. "Uh, Mrs. Schneider, may I have a word with you?" She nodded. "I won't be going on the shortcut, ma'am. Mister Applegate has hired me on. He's needed a replacement since Carl got drowned, and ... uh, frankly, he'd be easier to work for than Mister Schneider. I sure hate to leave you, ma'am."

Another disappointment. She had counted on steady, reliable Henry to help her through the grueling days ahead. She didn't blame him for leaving, though. Abner's overbearing, self-righteous att.i.tude made him a hard man to work for. She patted his arm rea.s.suringly. "Why, that's fine. I don't blame you at all, and I wish you well."

Henry looked greatly relieved. "At least you'll have someone to drive the second wagon. Mister Schneider told me he's talked the Butler Brothers into coming along."

She stared at him in astonishment. "The Butler Brothers? Are you sure?"

"Yes, ma'am. Mister Schneider told me so."

"Uh, yes, of course." Her mind was totally distracted. Along with everything else, now she'd have to put up with those three rowdy, hard-drinking lowlifes.

In a miserable state of mind, she continued making preparations for their departure. Where had Clint gone? Why wasn't he here when she needed him so desperately? She had so much to tell him, whether he wanted to hear or not. Now she'd never have the chance.

She felt such an acute sense of loss she couldn't imagine she'd ever be happy again, but she kept reminding herself she mustn't break down in despair. Noah needed her. Martha needed her. She must carry on.

Chapter 16.

Early the next morning, four wagons set forth on the Thompson Cutoff: the Butler Brothers' two wagons, followed by Abner and Martha's wagon, and Lucy's wagon, driven by Erasmus Butler, at the rear. Lucy wasn't happy about the proximity of the smelly and disgusting Erasmus, but at least he left her free to tend to Noah, who lay pale and feverish in the back.

From the very first, the cutoff proved to be a nightmare, even worse than Charlie predicted. With each pa.s.sing hour, every jolting turn of the wheels, Lucy's concern increased. Heavy rain the night before had turned parts of the trail into such a bog that one of the Butlers' wagons immediately sunk into the muddy mess and got stuck. Lucy felt like covering her ears so she couldn't hear the uncouth brothers' grunts and curses as they strained to push it out.

The faint trail-what there was of it-grew rougher and steeper as they went along. To make matters worse, Noah's fever shot higher. "Ma, my stomach hurts," he kept crying in a weak little voice. "My head hurts, too."

She kept applying cool cloths to his forehead, caring for him as best she could in the back of the cramped, bouncing wagon, but his plaintive cries grew ever more heart-wrenching. To make matters worse, whenever she checked with Martha, the pregnant woman complained her stomach felt queasy, a result of the wagon's constant lurching and pitching. Lucy didn't bother to complain to Abner. He wouldn't do a thing except quote some useless scripture.

When the wagons finally got beyond the mud, they encountered a hill so steep the oxen hadn't the strength to pull them to the top. Lucy was in the wagon tending to Noah when Abner poked his head in. "You and Noah must get out and walk. Everything's got to be unloaded or we'll never reach the top."

Was he insane? Lucy pointed at Noah, lying pale and limp on the mattress. "Take a look at him. He's terribly sick. Feel his forehead; it's burning hot. You expect him to get out and walk?"

Abner's gaze lingered over his nephew until he finally seemed to realize how sick the boy was. "Very well, let him stay in the wagon. You must come out and help us push. Martha, too."

Seething with resentment, Lucy climbed from the wagon and helped poor Martha down. If only Father could see his elegant, pampered daughter now! Lucy was becoming ever more resentful. If she were home, at this very minute she might be having a lovely visit with her sister or perhaps the seamstress might be fitting her for a new gown. No! Here she was, wearing an old, patched dress, expected to push wagons up hills while enduing the obscene curses of the Butler Brothers who had to be three of the crudest men on the face of the earth. Worst of all, forced to obey the commands of a man who treated her as if she were no better than an animal.

All my own fault. If she hadn't been so anxious to escape Pernelia, she would never have rushed into marriage with Jacob. He would've married someone else, and then she-whoever she was-would be the miserable woman in the middle of nowhere, all sweaty and gasping for breath, pushing a wagon uphill with all her might, ears burning from the vile curses of the Butler Brothers. Oh, life was not fair!

Where was Clint when she needed him? Clint, who as much as said he loved her?

When she stopped to brush away a tear, she heard Martha puffing and panting beside her. "The baby just kicked me hard." The poor woman put her hand over her stomach. "Oh, Lucy, I'm so scared. What if it comes early, out here in the middle of nowhere?"

Seeing Martha's distress jarred Lucy to her senses. I think I have it bad. I must stop feeling sorry for myself. "You're going to be fine." She addressed Martha's bulging stomach, "You're going to be fine, too, little one. Don't you dare decide to come out and see the world just yet! You've got to wait till we get to California."

They finally reached the top. Despite her new resolve, Lucy took one look ahead and her heart sank. Now they would have to go down again on a trail so steep the wagon would overrun the poor oxen unless they pulled on ropes to hold it back.

Ahead, another hill, even steeper, and then another.

For the rest of the grueling day, Lucy alternated between caring for Noah and lending what strength she possessed to pushing the wagons up impossibly steep hills, then pulling on ropes to ease them down. At least Abner had relented after his wife collapsed in a heap, announcing she couldn't go another step. He allowed her to rest in Lucy's wagon where she could keep an eye on Noah.

By late afternoon, exhausted, they came upon a flat, gra.s.sy area beside a creek and made an early stop for the day. Lucy checked on Noah. He wasn't better, but at least he seemed no worse. She started to build a campfire. "How far have we come today on this wonderful cutoff of yours?" she asked Abner as he unhitched the oxen. After such a difficult day, she couldn't hide her sarcasm.

"Far enough."

His curt answer so incensed her she knew she'd better keep her mouth shut. Otherwise, she'd surely let loose her scathing opinion concerning his heartless inconsideration for Noah and Martha, as well as his utterly stupid decision to leave the wagon train. She wagered he already knew. The worried knit in his brows told her he was beginning to realize taking the shortcut was a big mistake.

To make a horrible situation even worse, The Butler Brothers, who had built their own campfire nearby, were already pa.s.sing a jug around. What lowlifes, all three. Huge, burly Sam with his tangled beard. Snaggle-toothed Emery. Sly-eyed Erasmus. She suspected they hadn't bathed since the start of the journey, if then. It seemed highly unlikely that their rag-tag, smelly clothes had ever seen soap and water.

A burst of drunken laughter caused Abner to scowl in the direction of the slovenly three. "Ephesians five, Verse eight. Be not drunk with wine, where is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.' "

"Corn liquor's the only spirit they're interested in," she snapped. He started to reply, but she cut him off. "You have no right to complain. You knew what they were like before you started."

He made no reply, which indeed was for the best because she was so disgusted and distraught she would've pounced on anything he said.

Later that night, when Lucy laid her hand on Noah's forehead, she found it alarmingly hot. Each breath seemed more labored than the last. Helplessly, he looked up at her with fever-dulled eyes. "Ma ... I don't ... feel good."

"I'm going to get you well, sweetheart. Don't you worry." This was Abner's fault. How could he have allowed his own nephew to be bounced around all day in the wagon, knowing the boy was so ill? Why had Abner insisted on this insane shortcut in the first place? Now was not the time for recriminations. She waited until she calmed down, then went to Abner's wagon. "You both had better come. Noah has taken a turn for the worse."

During the following hours, Lucy fought to bring down Noah's fever by bathing his heated body with cold water from the creek. Martha and Abner, Bibles and prayer books in hand, sat beside the boy and prayed.

Their efforts failed. Around midnight, Noah fell into a coma. By dawn, the beautiful little boy Lucy had grown to love so dearly had slipped away.

Next morning the Butler Brothers dug Noah's grave, m.u.f.fling their curses, at least for a little while. "Dig it deep," Abner ordered. "I don't want the wolves to dig him up."

Even through her overwhelming grief, Lucy felt disgust for Abner's handling of his nephew's death. At first, he'd put on a display of deep mourning, holding the dead child in his arms and weeping aloud. Now, only hours later, he'd a.s.sumed a cloak of stoic composure. Not even when he said a few, final words over the little boy's grave did she see a trace of a tear.

"Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Death, nothing but death. Her clamped lips imprisoning a sob, Lucy stood by the grave listening to Abner's dismal words. What use were tears? How could she go on when all she wanted was to lie across her little stepson's grave and wait for the wolves to take her?

"We'll leave right away." Abner closed his Bible.

"All right." She felt icy calm now, beyond tears, beyond everything but a numb sorrow that left her close to complete despair. She wasn't the only one. Martha, wan and pale, sank down beside Noah's grave. "Where's the end of it?" she cried in a tortured voice. "First Jacob, then Roxana, then Bessie ... Nathaniel ... Benjamin-"

"Try not to think of it," Lucy broke in. "You must have faith G.o.d will watch over you." By now, she wasn't at all sure about G.o.d, but she said what she knew Martha needed to hear. She pulled Martha to her feet. "You must be strong for your baby's sake."

She was pleased to see that her words had their effect, for Martha squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "For my baby's sake." Her voice was stronger than Lucy had ever heard it. "I shall carry on."

They traveled all day, making little headway over an ever more difficult trail. That night Lucy lay in her wagon, trying to get some precious sleep. Outside, a wolf began to howl and was soon joined by several others. Exhausted though she was, she lay awake listening. The wolves' mournful cries made her feel even more alone, more isolated than ever in this endless, unforgiving wilderness. She thought of her father, the house on Beacon Street, her cozy room with the sunbonnet babies quilt Mother had made that covered her snug, warm bed. She thought of dear Sarah, so far away ...

Oh, Sister, if only you knew about Noah. How I yearn for your comfort right now. How I would like to be home. I miss you more than words can express. I yearn to see you again, and if ever I'm able, I will go back. Oh, how I want to go home!

Early the next morning, Lucy was bent over the campfire cooking breakfast when Abner approached. "At least you'll be able to give us more help today."

Was she hearing him right? Hardly able to contain herself, Lucy slowly straightened and looked Abner in the eye. "You mean now that Noah is dead, I can devote more time to pushing the wagons? Is that what you mean?"

Abner met her gaze with eyes like cold stones. "You know what I mean. I know you're grieving, but you'll still be expected to do your part, especially now that Martha's not well."

"You know I always do my part." In a sudden rage, she turned her back on him and bent over the fire. The truth dawned on her as she dished up the biscuits. Her rage disappeared, replaced by wonderment.

Noah was gone, so Abner's hold on her was also gone.

She didn't have to do Abner's bidding anymore! The thought made her giddy with relief. She rose up, pan of biscuits in hand, and gazed at the tall, majestic trees that surrounded her. "I'm free," she whispered to herself. Free! Her grief for Noah prevented her from feeling even the slightest joy, and yet ...

When all this was over, how wonderful her life was going to be. She need no longer cater to Abner's commands. She could be independent. Go where she pleased. Talk to Clint-make love with Clint-without having to fear Abner's wrath. She would be financially independent, too. With a deep satisfaction, she thought of that bag of gold buried in the flour barrel.

Not quite yet. Her life was going to be good-very good, just as soon as they came to the end of this wretched, cursed Thompson Cutoff.

Later the same morning, they were on the trail again when Martha whispered to Lucy, "I keep getting these little twinges of pain-" she touched her lower abdomen "-and I don't want to tell Abner because he'd just start to yell."

"I'm sure it's just a touch of indigestion." Lucy ignored Martha's complaint because for her to go into labor now would be unthinkable.

Lucy spent the morning walking beside her wagon, grieving in silence over Noah. As the day wore on, she grew increasingly concerned about their progress. They seemed to be aimlessly wandering first in one direction then another. Around noon she looked up at Abner on the driver's seat. "Do you think we're lost?"

Abner regarded her with scorn. "Of course we're not lost."

"Don't you think you should check?"

Abner's jaw tightened. "I know where I'm going."

By now, the last vestiges of a visible trail had disappeared. At least the steepest hills lay behind them, but as they pushed on, they encountered a forest that grew increasingly thicker. At last they came to a cliff with a drop of several hundred feet. "It looks as if we've come to a dead end." Lucy tried to sound utterly calm. Martha, walking beside her, had experienced two more twinges of pain. Surely it was only indigestion. Surely there was nothing to worry about.

Abner looked ahead at the Butler Brothers' two wagons leading the way. "Those idiots have lost the trail. I'll go talk to Sam." For once, he didn't sound quite so sure of himself.

When Abner returned, his face was etched with concern. "We're lost, aren't we?"

He replied with a reluctant, "It's possible we've lost sight of the trail."

"We must go back." She tried not to show her distress over their having wasted the entire morning and gotten nowhere.

Abner squinted up at the sun. "I need to get my bearings first. Sam and I will saddle up, go back, and find the trail."

She jammed her hands on her hips. "Leave us here alone with Emery and Erasmus? Those two paragons of virtue?"

"What would you have me do? I admit they're a crude pair, but they're not going to hurt you."

Martha clutched his arm. "Please, I've been having these pains-"

"Don't bother me now." Abner jerked his arm away. "This is not the time to be having any pains. I shall be back shortly. Stay in your wagons. Don't go near the Butler Brothers, and you'll be fine."

What could she say? At this point, Abner had no choice but to go look for the trail. He could let Sam go alone. No use arguing, though. She c.o.c.ked her head and had a wicked little smile. "You'd better get going then. I do believe we'll have a party with Emery and Erasmus while you're gone. I've just been dying for a big slug of that corn whiskey." Abner's face began to cloud. The man had absolutely no sense of humor. "Only joking. You go ahead. We'll be fine, won't we, Martha?"

Clint Palance rode back into camp with the satisfaction of a job well done. He had scouted the best routes ahead for the next two days. After a lengthy search, he'd found the easiest place for the wagon train to cross the swift river they'd reach tomorrow and left a marker.

As always, his gaze swept the circle of wagons, not for his own but hers. Not there? He looked around again. Sure enough, the Schneider wagons were missing. So were those belonging to the Butler Brothers.

What the h.e.l.l?

At his own wagon, he swung from his horse and headed straight to Charlie who sat by the campfire, intent on writing in his journal. "Where'd they go?"

Charlie slowly raised his head. "Schneider got his pride hurt when he got demoted. Figured he'd be better off on his own, so he decided to take the Thompson Cutoff. Good thing is, he took the Butler boys with him. Bad thing is, he took Lucy and Noah, too. That poor little wife of his, of course."

"Son of a b.i.t.c.h!"

"Well, that's the truth of it. Lucy's gone, and there ain't nothing you can do about it."

"When did they leave?

"Two days ago." Charlie laid down his journal. "I know you're fit to be tied. Right now you're thinking you'll go after her, but you've got to remember she ain't married to you and she's got her obligations."

Clint clamped down his rising anger. "I'd wager she didn't want to go."

"Not hardly. She was going to stay, but the little boy got sick, mountain fever, I think, and that jacka.s.s Schneider said he'd take the boy whether she went along or not." Charlie shook his head in disapproval. "That little wife of his wasn't looking any too perky before she left, either."

"What was Schneider thinking? The Thompson Cutoff's a death trap."

"Be that as it may. Just remember Lucy's obligated to Abner Schneider, such as he is, and it ain't much. You'd better not even think about going to rescue her. It ain't none of your business, and you'd best not forget it."

Chapter 17.

This can't be happening.

But it is happening.

But it can't be!

Martha was having her baby.

Lucy huddled in the back of Abner's wagon giving what comfort she could to her sister-in-law, who lay on her narrow bed twisting this way and that, gritting her teeth as each pain struck. Once she looked up at Lucy with wide, frightened eyes. "I'm scared I'm going to die, just like Bessie."

"Nonsense! You'll be fine." Lucy's attempt at rea.s.surance sounded weak, even to her own ears. Where is Abner? He'd been gone for hours. He should be back by now. He must help her. There was no one else.

She peered out the back flap of the wagon. Nothing in sight except dense forest and the loathsome Butler Brothers sitting around their campfire. They'd been pa.s.sing the jug around for hours. Their campsite was fifty feet away, yet she could still hear their drunken laughter loud and clear.

She got a towel, dipped it in water, and wiped the sweat from Martha's forehead. "You're doing fine." Truth be told, she had no idea if Martha was doing fine or not. Oh, dear G.o.d! Everything struck her at once. All alone ... Martha's baby coming ... Abner not back yet ... the Butler Brothers ...

Abner, please, please, come back. You must come back. I can't do this alone!