Gabriel's Atonement (26 page)

“No, but before, the goats were penned and Michael knew his boundaries. It's far different here. And I don't even know if anyone will be left here once the race starts.”

Jo swatted her hand in the air. “Of course there will. Not all of these wagons will be racing. Half of them wouldn't make it two miles at a fast pace, and many folks have a passel of little kids. They can't race with them.”

“All right. I'm counting on you to stay here in camp and protect our belongings and Grandpa and Michael—and yourself. No wandering off today.”

“Stop worryin' so much. We'll be fine. Just see that you get a claim.”

“I aim to try hard.” Lara peeked under the wagon at Grandpa and pulled the quilt up to cover his chest. Though barely past midmorning, the sun had already warmed the day so that she didn't need a cloak, but with his fever, he was probably chilled.

She started to back away, but Grandpa grasped her hand, heat radiating from his.

“Lara, you have to ride.”

“I know.”

“Take a gun. Be careful. And ride toward Guthrie.” He took a labored breath. “My gut says that's the best area.”

She nodded. “Can you eat something?”

He turned up his nose. “Jo cooked.”

Lara smiled. “I'm sorry about that, but she allowed me to sleep in so I'd be well rested.”

“That was nice of her.” He scratched his chest. “I might could drink some coffee and maybe get down a slice of bread if we have any left.”

She smiled. “Good. I'll get it.”

“No, tell Jo. You need to prepare for the ride and get to the starting line.”

She listened closely as he explained that she was to ride due south and whenever she had to adjust her direction, to take a small tack to the east. The Guthrie Station was almost due south of Caldwell. If she went too far east, she'd ride out of the Unassigned Lands. He explained how she needed to find a place with water. That was the most important. Also a somewhat flat section of land to make farming easier.

Lara's mind swirled. How was she supposed to do that while trying to beat thousands of other racers to the land? The burden of it all weighed her down. What if she failed?

“Lara. Look at me.”

She did as he asked. “You can do this. You're the strongest, most capable woman I know. You will succeed.”

His pride in her lifted her spirits. “I'll do my best.”

“That's all I can ask for. Be careful, punkin. I don't want anything to happen to you. You're far more precious to me than any piece of land.”

Tears stung her eyes. “I feel the same way. Love you, Grandpa.”

He nodded and closed his eyes, obviously spent. Lara pushed into action. She had so much to do. She should have thought to check Sunny's hooves yesterday, but after Gabe's kiss, she'd been able to think of little else. “Jo, Grandpa would like some coffee and bread.”

She nodded. “The coffee's ready. You want some?”

“Yes, but let me milk the goats first.” She checked to see where Michael was and saw that he'd crawled under the wagon and now sat beside Grandpa, playing with some rocks and sticks. She grabbed a clean bucket and hurried to Mildred, who greeted her with a long, complaining, where-have-you-been bleat.

“I know I'm late, but there were extenuating circumstances.” Thirty minutes later, both female goats were in a much better mood. Lara set the buckets of milk on the tailgate then hurried to see to Sunny. Thank goodness, Jo had fed the horse earlier. She quickly verified his hooves were in good condition then saddled him and tied a bedroll behind as well as her bag of food. She stuck the flag she'd use to claim their land down firmly into the bag. She didn't dare lose it.

Excitement bubbled up within her now that the time had come, and it suddenly struck her that she was actually happy she was the one to participate in this great historical event. All around her, others were packing and moving forward toward the starting line. She was relieved to see that some campers looked settled in for the duration, most of those with small children. With Sunny ready, Lara strode over to Betty's camp. The woman had become a friend, and she wanted to say farewell.

She wasn't surprised to see Betty's campsite packed up. She waved when the woman turned her way. “So you're leaving?”

Betty nodded. “Lester wants me to drive to Guthrie, and he'll come find me there.”

“By yourself? Are you sure that's safe?”

Betty shrugged. “I had hoped Sam would stay with me, but he's bent on riding in the race and getting his own land.”

“I don't like the idea of you traveling alone.”

“I'll be fine. There are too many folks around for something to happen.”

She was probably right, but it angered her that Lester and Sam would leave her. “Thank you so much for all you did to help us.”

“Happy to do it.” Her gaze shifted past Lara, and her brow pinched. “Is Daniel all right? It's not like him to stay in his bed so late in the morning.”

Lara knew the kindhearted woman had taken a shine to Grandpa. “He's had one of his malaria spells. He'll be better in a few days. What he needs now is rest.”

Surprise engulfed Betty's chubby face. “But what about the land rush? Are you folks giving up on it?”

“No. I'm riding.”

Betty gasped. “They let women do that?”

Lara smiled. “Yes, ma'am, they do.”

“Well, I wish you luck, and I certainly hope to see you again.” She glanced wistfully toward Lara's camp. “If I hadn't promised Lester I'd be in Guthrie by nightfall, I'd stay and tend Daniel.”

“That's mighty kind of you. I'm sure he'd favor your cooking over Jo's.”

They shared a chuckle and another hug.

Lara backed up a step, knowing she needed to go. “If you find a bulletin board in Guthrie, leave me a note as to whether or not you got land and where you'll be going. I'd like to stay in touch.”

“Bless you, dear.” Betty placed her palm on Lara's cheek. “You be careful out there. And good luck to you.”

“Thank you. You be careful, too.”

As she walked the short distance to her camp, she felt she knew what having a mother at this age might feel like. Betty sure was talkative, but she was as kindhearted as any woman Lara knew.

She checked on Grandpa a final time then squatted next to Michael. “You be good for Aunt Jo, and say a prayer that I get a claim today.”

“I will. How long you gonna be gone?”

“I don't know, sweetie. Probably a day or two. Give me a hug and kiss.” He crawled out from under the wagon, smelling of dirt and boy, and wrapped his arms around her neck. “I love you.”

“Me, too.” He scrambled back to his spot under the wagon, and Lara stood.

Jo approached. “I wish I were the one riding. I know I could get land.”

And there it was—the challenge she'd half expected. “I'll do my best, but you and I both know there isn't enough property for everyone. Not by far.”

“Just don't let any rowdy men push you out of the competition. Ride like I know you can. Like you did when we were girls racing Grandpa's horses back at the ranch.”

Lara smiled. “That's what I'll do. I'll pretend I need to outrun you. That should give me the motivation I need.”

Jo grinned. “I'm sure it would.”

Lara enjoyed the rare close moment with her sister. “I'm trusting you to take care of everything here—and take care of yourself. No wandering off.”

“And I'm trusting you to get some land. No getting lost.”

“I'll do my best.” She gave her sister a quick hug and then checked Sunny over one last time to make sure she had all she needed. She strode to the wagon, tugged Grandpa's extra pair of trousers out of his crate of clothing and hurried to the tent. Inside, she donned the britches under her petticoats. Having such stiff fabric hugging her legs felt odd, but she didn't want to have to worry about her skirts flying up and revealing something she preferred to keep hidden. Next, she strapped on Grandpa's holster and made sure the pistol was fully loaded. He'd taught her and Jo how to shoot it, although she hadn't done so in years—and she hoped she wouldn't need it today. But if God blessed her and allowed her to get land, then she might find herself in the position of having to defend her claim from others who'd like to take it from her.

Outside the tent, Jo looked her over, raising one brow as she did. “Going huntin'?”

“I hope not, but I plan to be prepared just in case.”

She mounted Sunny then waved good-bye to her family and rode toward the very crowded starting line. Being on horseback, she was able to look around and see where there were places she could squeeze the horse through and move forward. Excitement filled the air as if lightning had struck the area. Like the air on a humid day, the buzz of expectancy was so thick, it seemed it could almost be cut with a knife.

A man sitting on a horse beside her glanced over then eyed her pistol. She smiled, and he nodded.

Her stomach swirled, and her limbs felt weak from anticipation. Sidestepping, Sunny obviously sensed her excitement as he bumped the rider on her right. “My apologies, mister.”

“Don't worry about it, ma'am. All these horses are anxious.” The man, who looked to be about her grandfather's age, grinned and tipped his hat at her.

She glanced up at the sun nearing its zenith. It wouldn't be long now.

The morning of April 22, Gabe slowly reined Tempest through the massive crowd, gaining scowls from many folks. Trying to weave through the tight throng of horses, wagons, and buggies, all squeezed in as close to the starting line of the race as they could get, was like trying to walk through a massive buffalo herd without making it stampede.

“Just park yerself somewhere and wait for the bugle call, mister.”

Gabe nodded and offered the man a smile as he barely squeezed in front of the stranger's horse. “I would, except I was supposed to meet someone, and I can't seem to find her.”

Hoots sounded around him from the high-spirited crowd.

“The biggest race of all time is about to start, and he's looking for a woman,” someone to his right shouted.

Cackles filled the air, much to Gabe's chagrin. He shouldn't have spent so much time over breakfast and making sure Luke knew where to look for him after the race. If they failed to meet up later, he instructed Luke to wait for him in Guthrie near the depot.

An army captain rode along the river's edge, where soldier after soldier had sat for hours to keep the Boomers from crossing the river early. Three soldiers left their posts and rode up to the officer. The minute they stopped their horses, several riders on horseback let out a
yeehaw
and shot through the gap their leaving created and plunged into the river. Angry roars filled the air from the Boomers, and two soldiers charged after the men.

The disruption and the space their absence created left room for Gabe to ride down the line to where Lara should be. He was making the assumption she'd ride straight south from her campsite, and he sure hoped he was right. He glanced at the sun, which had nearly reached high noon. He only had minutes left to find her. His gut twisted. He couldn't stand the thought of Lara out there all alone with unscrupulous men willing to steal her claim. Was she armed? Did she even know how to shoot?

Maybe if he helped her get land he could atone for accidentally killing her husband. At least he'd sleep better knowing she had a place to call her own. He might even hang around long enough to help her build a house.

Standing in his stirrups, he searched the infinite line of racers, all wearing eager expressions with eyes filled with hope. When he didn't see her, he changed plans and looked for Sunny's buckskin coloring. He'd seen few of the light-colored horses in the past few days, and that should make it easier to find—his pulse stumbled. There! He spotted her, but she was still a good twenty yards away.

A soldier rode down the river's edge, shouting, “No one crosses the river until the bugles sound and rifles fire. If you do, you will be tracked down and removed from the race. Follow the rules, folks, and this will be a good day for all of us. Two more minutes.”

Cheers filled the air, so loud they made Tempest prance sideways. Gabe searched for a way to get to Lara, but it was impossible. With the two-minute warning, everyone had eased forward. He was so close to the riders on either side of him, if he had a razor, he could have given them a shave. He smiled at the thought and focused forward. Those on horseback would have the early advantage. They could cross the river far easier than the heavy buggies and wagons. As soon as he got across, he'd angle his way toward Lara. She didn't need to know he was there to watch over her. He just hoped she rode as well as she claimed she did, because if he dawdled, he'd have no chance at getting land himself.

Maybe he should worry about himself and forget about the feisty widow who despised his choice of careers. As soon as the thought breached his mind, he knew he couldn't let her ride alone. Even if she hated him, too much of his heart was invested in her well-being. He could at least see that she got a spot of land. She needed it far more than he.