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lifetime. Lying flat on her back all day staring up at a wagon roof was enough to send a body mad. The compresses Adele applied to the injured ankle three times a day helped, but the throbbing never let up. Pain was a constant companion, and the laudanum was now limited to nighttime use. Because of her folly, she’d wasted some of the precious supply, and now she had to tolerate the anguish until evenings when she could take the medication and drop into oblivion.
    She’d spent most of this morning dressing. What used to be a ten-minute duty had turned into a two-hour ordeal. First she would pull on her pantaloons and then her dress. Then sit for ten minutes to gain enough strength to button the bodice. Lacing up her shoe and then brushing her hair left her exhausted. She had to lie down to recuperate.
    By the noon hour, she was ready and intent on rejoining the world. She had determined on that frightful night Redlin had carried her, helpless and terrified, back to Adele’s wagon that she would not give that man another moment’s trouble. If it killed her, she would keep her thoughts and criticisms to herself and simply pray for him—for surely if any man needed her prayers, it was he. She’d not seen him in a couple of days and she was grateful she didn’t have to face his glee that her plan had fallen flatter than a pancake.
    Most had eaten their fare of cold soda biscuits and fat pork when she eased from the back of the wagon. Some chose to spread the biscuit with thick beans that had jelled overnight. Either fare stemmed hunger and kept the travelers eager for a hot supper. Eyes turned to acknowledge her appearance. A couple of men sprang to their feet and came to her assistance but she brushed the help aside.
    â€œThank you, but I have to learn to manage, and I’d prefer to do this on my own.” When the words came out more stridently than she intended, she softened the objection. “You are very kind, but please, I need to do this alone.”
    The men nodded and stepped back as she slowly hobbled to where women and children grouped. Adele and Sadie stood up, but Copper waved their help aside. “I thought I’d enjoy a few minutes of fresh air.” Her eyes focused on Redlin, who was engrossed with Frank Richardson, second in command. Josh glanced her way, frowned, but continued with his conversation.
    Copper dropped down on a fallen tree trunk and set aside the crutches Sadie had dropped by the wagon last night, saying they’d belonged to her deceased husband, andshe had no use for them. At the time Copper had seriously doubted that she would ever have use for them, but a new day often brought new hope, and this day she’d wakened with fresh determination. Now Eli wouldn’t have to make her a pair.
    When she looked up she encountered so many pairs of eyes focused on her she burst out laughing. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    Uneasy snickers broke out. Adele said, “We’re just not used to seeing you up and about. Shouldn’t you be…?”
    â€œSleeping? No. If I’m ever to survive this ordeal, I’ll have to help with the process.” She smiled. “Please, don’t let me disturb you.” She drew her shawl closer against a bitter cold wind. “I’ll visit a moment and then return to the wagon.”
    â€œWe’ll be pulling out shortly,” an older woman observed. “Take care that you don’t catch a chill.”
    Copper’s gaze traveled to a small cluster of children huddled around a tree base. Wind ruffled the pages of the open book a teenage girl was reading. Rapt eyes focused on her. She inclined her head toward the gathering. “What’s going on?”
    â€œThat’s Reba. She’s reading to the children like she does every day at the noon hour.”
    They seemed to be enjoying it immensely. From this distance Copper recognized the title: Tom Brown’s