Hope by Barbara Goss (best novels for beginners .txt) 📕

Hope didn’t know what Daniel was thinking or feeling, but she found lying close to him cozy and secure. She trusted him more than she’d ever trusted anyone in her life. His body warmth was more than inviting at night. Her back was always to him, but she often felt his warm breath on the back of her neck, which was soothing.

Daniel must have had a dream because during the night he slipped his arm around her. Before she could jump up, he moaned, “Nancy!”

Hope sprung up and pushed him into the side of the tent.

“Hey, what d'you do that for?”

“I want the tablecloth back.”

Daniel sat up. “What happened, Hope?”

“You put your arm around me and called me Nancy.”

Hope couldn’t see him in the dark, but he was silent for so long, she wondered what he was doing or thinking.

“I’m so sorry,” he murmured. “I think the tablecloth's a good idea. I’m not sure how we came to forget it.” She heard him fumbling around near her feet and then she felt the rolled-up tablecloth. “I promise it will never happen again…well, my putting my arm around you, that is. I can’t control what I say in my sleep. I must have thought you were Nancy.”

“That’s why we need the separation.”

“You’re absolutely right. I apologize again.”

“Forgiven. Now, go to sleep,” Hope said. She felt more hurt by him calling her Nancy than she had after he’d put his arm around her, though she knew how dangerous an act like that could be, given their situation.

Chapter Ten

The wagons finally arrived at the Rocky Mountains. It wasn’t so treacherous at first, and Daniel felt relieved. They’d found a trail called South Pass that wasn’t bad at all. The hunting wasn’t good, however, and they’d left the river that provided them with fresh fish, so they had to be content with the smoked meats for the next stretch of the journey.

August was warm at the foot of the mountains and cold when they reached higher ground, so they didn’t know how to dress in the morning. Hope tied her cape around her waist so she'd have it for warmth when they reached higher ground. Daniel wore a long-sleeved shirt and rolled his sleeves up or down as needed.

Hope and Daniel worked together to push or pull the wagon where it needed to go, but they worried because they came upon more dead oxen every day. The grass the oxen fed on was scarce, and many oxen starved. Also, there were pools of contaminated water that some of the oxen had consumed. Daniel always took the time to stop and let the oxen feed whenever they found a patch of grass even if it meant ending up at the end of the train.

Shank knew where to find the good water as there were several rivers in the Rockies and when they found them, they fished, swam, and stored water for later use.

Daniel grew more impressed with Hope all the time. She pulled her weight, as slight as it was, and she worked hard and never complained. His meals were always as interesting as they could be, given their present circumstances.

Hope’s looks had changed. Her hair lacked its brilliant shine, and her eyes looked tired. She’d lost weight, and she couldn’t stand to lose much more. Some nights they were too tired to even start a fire, and they ate whatever they could find in the wagon.

There weren’t any more episodes or discomfort at night. Daniel didn’t think he talked in his sleep anymore, and he was sure to put the tablecloth between them.

Daniel and Hope trudged along, pushing and pulling their wagon along the trails through the Rockies. The going was rough, but they slept like babies at night.

One afternoon in late September, they finally reached Oregon. Hope looked haggard, and Daniel imagined he did, too. The wagon train camped for a final time on a broad creek-side meadow near the Williamette River.

Daniel rushed to get his homemade fishing pole to catch them dinner while Hope prepared the tent and fire for their final night on the trail.

Just about every male fished with Daniel at the creek. Several men had pulled in some huge fish, like sturgeon, salmon, and rainbow trout. Daniel hoped for Salmon but caught a good-sized rainbow trout and brought it to Hope, proudly.

Hope had a fire going, but she seemed preoccupied.

“Is something wrong?” Daniel asked as she watched him clean the fish.

“No, it’s just that… well, now that we’re here, I’m not sure what to do.”

“What do you mean? I thought you were going with Anna and Walter.”

“I suppose I am, but I don’t want to lose touch with you. You promised me land and a home and an annulment.”

“I’ll find out where you’ll be. I’ll see my father and begin on my plans as soon as I can. I’ll come for you; I promise.”

Hope smiled slightly. “Anna said we’ll be spending the winter in Oregon City where her sister lives. Then, in the spring, they’ll find their homestead land.”

“My father’s place isn’t far, just about fifteen or twenty miles away in the Portland area.”

“I’m praying he’s still alive.”

“Me, too. I’ll give Anna and Walter some money since there are bound to be expenses, and I feel, as your husband—at least for now—that I need to pay your share.”

“That’s very kind. I hadn’t thought about that. I could pay you back someday.”

“You’re my wife. It isn’t necessary. I’ll build you a cute little cottage near to where my father’s home is. You’ll always be safe.”

“I could start a garden and grow most of my food.”

“You’ll do just fine.” He studied her for several