Read Journey of Hope: A Novel of Triumph and Heartbreak on the Oregon Trail in 1852 for Free Online Page A

separated himself from the group of men, walked over to Emily, and tipped his hat.
    “Afternoon, Miss Emily. If I could have a word with you?” He was secretly amused by the little drama, but he played along with the men and did his part. He was supposed to distract Emily while the other men unloaded the wagon and transferred everything to boats for the crossing.
    Emily liked Abel. He was polite and good-looking, and he always paid her a compliment when he saw her. She smiled at him tightly.
    “Don’t think for one minute, Mr. Brown, that you’re going to talk me into crossing that river.”
    Abel regarded her studiously. “Ma’am, I will personally guarantee that you will arrive on the other side safe and sound. Don’t you worry one little hair on that pretty head of yours.” His dark eyes regarded her solemnly, but she detected a glint of humor around the corners. Behind Emily, men had commenced unloading the Hintons’ wagon. Abel kept her attention on him and off the activity.
    “Why Mr. Brown, you are too kind. I thank you, but I will not be needing your assistance today. Perhaps Mr. Hinton and I will cross over in a few days when the water settles down a bit.”
    Abel looked up at the gathering clouds in the sky and then back to Emily. His eyes seemed to be calculating the best strategy to convince this obstinate but very pretty woman to cross the river.
    “Ma’am, that river isn’t going to settle down, and if it rains it will only get worse. Today is the best day to cross. Believe me; most of the wagons have had no trouble, and we haven’t lost any stock. I know it looks fearsome, but it’s an easy crossing.”
    Emily’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched a wagon maneuver through the muddy water. Many men were helping to keep it stable through the deepest part of the river. She shivered as she thought of herself tipping out of the boat and being swept downstream. Abel watched the play of emotions across her face. He knew Ernest was sometimes beside himself over her stubbornness, but he admired her feminine wiles, and he couldn’t help but be drawn to her compelling eyes and the firm set to her chin when she made up her mind.
    “Mr. Brown, I do appreciate your offer, but I must decline.” A motion caught her eye and she turned and saw some men carrying pieces of her furniture from the wagon to a boat. “No! Wait!” she cried. She ran up to one of the men to detain him, but Ernest stepped in front of her. His expression was stony and his voice was low and controlled.
    “Emily, we’re crossing today, and I don’t want to hear any more objections.”
    Emily stamped her foot angrily. “We are not going near that river, Mr. Hinton. Have I made myself clear?”
    Ernest looked at his wife. Her hands were on her hips and her stormy eyes regarded him fiercely. Behind her Abel tried to hide a smile, and Nellie looked distraught.
    “Emily, you have no choice,” Ernest said, and then he bent down, grabbed her behind her knees, and threw her over his shoulder. She screamed and kicked and beat his back with her fists.
    “Put me down, you brute!” she cried. “I will never forgive you for this! I insist that you put me down this minute!”
    The men carrying her possessions snickered under their breath. One guffawed loudly.
    Nellie followed Ernest. “Mr. Hinton! Put Miss Emily down! Please!” Buster yipped and jumped up on the back of Ernest’s knees trying to lick Emily’s face. Emily continued her tirade all the way to the boat where Ernest deposited her. Nellie grabbed Buster and scrambled in beside Emily, and Ernest swiftly pushed off. He and two other men forded the river, guiding the boat through the deepest water as Emily shrieked and clung to the sides. Brenna and Conor Flannigan were standing on the other side of the river with other families and watched the frantic woman rocking the boat in her panic.
    “If she would just sit still the boat wouldn’t tip like that,” Conor observed