Page 13 of Caroline’s Compass

Lucy sat on the wagon tongue while Caroline stitched the ribbon. “I am holding still.”

“Your head moved.”

“My head is attached to me.”

“An inconvenience.”

Martha called from the fire. “The sugar chest is low.”

“Charlotte recorded two pounds lost at the river.”

“I know what was lost. I am telling you what remains.”

Mr. Coleman approached, leading his ox. “Miss Rebecca said the sore is improved, but I should ask whether your family has more clean cloth.”

“Martha has cloth.”

“Caroline,” Martha said.

Caroline tied off the ribbon. “I am merely directing him.”

“Direct him somewhere else.”

Caroline sent Mr. Coleman to Rebecca, gave Lucy her bonnet, checked the sugar, reduced the amount planned for biscuits, and returned to the wagon before the company moved.

Thomas sat on the tailboard copying mileage figures from Charlotte's book.

“What are you doing?” Caroline asked.

“Writing.”

“I can see that.”

“Then the lesson yesterday was successful.”

Charlotte sat beside him, smiling over her inventory. “He is copying the corrected distances into his route book.”

“That is his work.”

“He is also adding the supply camps,” Charlotte said. “Which is mine.”

Caroline looked between them. “Why?”

Thomas dipped the pen. “Because accurate routes include places where a wagon company can remain without starving its animals.”

“You should prepare your horse.”

“Already done.”

“Your equipment?”

“Packed.”

“Nathaniel may need—”

“He sent me here.”

Caroline stopped.