Page 17 of Caroline’s Compass

“You could have led with that.”

“You were apologizing. I did not wish to interrupt.”

Chapter Four

May 1, 1854

Open Prairie

The rider's arrival interrupted a disagreement over Nathaniel's breakfast. Eleanor believed a man with a healing shoulder required porridge. Nathaniel believed marriage had not transferred ownership of his appetite.

“I can eat bacon,” he said.

“You can also lift a wagon tongue,” Eleanor replied. “Neither is happening this morning.”

Thomas dismounted beside them. “Should I report a domestic emergency?”

“Report that marriage is tyranny,” Nathaniel said.

Eleanor handed him the porridge. “Report that the tyrant added honey.”

Nathaniel ate.

The breakfast argument ended when an eastbound rider arrived before the fires were cold.

He carried mail, news, and the dust of several hundred miles. Nathaniel traded information with him near the lead wagon while the company prepared to move. Thomas recognized the man as Caleb Marsh, a chainman he had worked with two years earlier.

Caleb recognized him at the same moment.

“Reed!” He swung down and struck Thomas's shoulder in greeting. “I heard you were somewhere on the trail.”

“That narrows the country.”

Caleb laughed. “Still measuring your jokes before you speak them.”

Thomas saw Caroline at the Whitaker wagon. She was fastening Father's pouch beneath the bench. She did not appear to listen.

She listened to everything.

Caleb lowered his voice only slightly. “Major Whitcomb needs a man near Fort Kearny. Mapping wagon roads, water, ground fit for camps. Paid through summer, perhaps longer. I told him you were the best available.”

“You told him I was available?”

“You always are.”

The words were meant kindly.

Thomas looked west. Fort Kearny meant steady pay, organized work, and a room that did not move every morning. It meant measuring a defined district instead of following a family toward an Oregon settlement he had never seen.

Three months ago, he would have accepted before Caleb finished the sentence.

“I am traveling with this company,” Thomas said.

“The post is on their road. Decide when you reach it.” Caleb handed him a folded paper. “Whitcomb will hold the place if you arrive promptly.”

Thomas put the letter inside his coat.

When he looked toward the Whitaker wagon again, Caroline was helping Lucy tighten a bootlace.