A Dream Unfolding (28 page)

Drew watched Hannah as she danced with the young boy, swirling about the room with a smile on her face.
 
She seemed to be having a good time.
 
The dust from the dirt floor and the
cigarritos
smoke grew thicker, but Drew easily kept his wife in sight, should she need rescued.

A smile teased the corners of his lips.
 
Sometime during the last month, things seemed to improve between them, despite Hannah’s tiredness.
 
She smiled at him.
 
She spoke with him, without sharpness.
 
Ever since the near miss at Devil’s Gate.
 
His heart lurched with the memory.
 
For a few minutes he thought she might fall off the wagon, down over the edge into the canyon far below.
 
Since then, he could hardly wait for a moment alone each day to wrap her in his arms or shower her with kisses.

As the song came to an end, Hannah looked around agitatedly.
 
The smile on her face faded and the slump returned to her shoulders.
 
Standing, Drew pushed through the crowd and grasped her hand.
 
She looked near tears.
 
He led her from the
sala
to a quieter area nearby.
 
He placed one hand on the small of her back then clasped her hand with his other hand.
 
Stepping forward, he led her in a brief waltz in the fresh air of the outdoors to the tune of the strange music echoing from the dance hall.
 
When the song ended, he brought Hannah close, brushing a light kiss across her lips.
 
He was rewarded with her lovely smile.

“You, dear wife,” Drew said, “are amazing.”
 
He wanted to say more—to tell her how much her willingness to move clear across the country meant to him—but his own guilt blocked the words from forming.

He continued to hold her close for some time, swaying back and forth, not really keeping time with the music.
 
He missed just holding his wife, resting her head over his heart.
 
He missed a great deal about their life in Ohio.
 
The routine of daily life without fear of danger.
 
The warm bed shared at night.
 
The privacy.
 
Perhaps tomorrow he would find a way to get some time alone with his wife, apart from the crowded camp.

The next morning came sooner than expected.
 
The noise from the dance hall increased in volume throughout the night keeping Drew from a peaceful sleep.
 
As their neighbors returned to camp, many stumbled and tripped making more noise.
 
He worried that one might lose their way and end up in his tent, so he stirred at every sound.

The smell of flapjacks grilling motivated him to rise.
 
Hannah already started breakfast.
 
He could hear her chattering with Betty about the events of last night.
 
Exiting the tent, Drew moved next to her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

“After breakfast, the wagon master said we would have the day to relax,” Hannah said.

“I am assuming you will want a bath then, Mrs. Anderson?” Drew teased.

“Oh, Mr. Anderson, don’t think you will be skipping by without one, too,” she shot back quickly, her smile giving away her lightheartedness.
 
He smiled back as he turned to go check on the stock.
 
It had been a long time since his wife teased him.
 
He forgot how much he missed it.

Drew welcomed the idea of a bath.
 
He could not recall the last time he had a bath.
 
What a luxury to bathe as often as he desired—one he took for granted back in Ohio.
 
Along the trail, washing up two consecutive mornings seemed a luxury.
 
A bath was out of the question.
 
But, camping near the river, he would gladly fill the water barrels and roll them up the bank so he and Hannah could indulge.

His mind began to wander as he made sure the oxen had plenty of food and water.
 
How was Hannah really doing?
 
The fear in her eyes last night at the
sala
had little to do with losing sight of him.
 
There was something much worse troubling her, and had been for some time now.
 
He knew this trip was hard on her—probably harder than she let show.
 
Was this whole venture a mistake?
 
Should he have done as she suggested and settled in Indiana instead?
 

No matter, they had come much too far to turn around now.

Perhaps they should go to Granite Creek, instead of La Paz.
 
Paul and Betty would be there.
 
A fort would be located nearby according to Harrison.
 
The government seemed likely to set up the capital there.

Mulling over the idea, Drew recalled all of the things discussed over the meals with the governor.
 
The place sounded far more picturesque than La Paz.
 
Tall pines and junipers.
 
Rivers and creeks.
 
Several industries besides mining.
 
A place like that would grow quickly.

Being deep in the wilderness, any medical care he could provide would be so much better than a complete lack of care.
 
He could barter his services for goods.
 
If there were several hundred men, it might mean sparse work at first, but over time as new settlers arrived, he would have more work.
 
Maybe he could even help with animals.

 
“You seem deep in thought for such an early morning,” remarked Lieutenant Harrison as he hobbled his horse with the others.

“Just thinking about how hard this trip has been, especially on my wife,” Drew said.

“Mrs. Anderson?
 
She appears very confident and capable of dealing with the duties of a woman on the trail.”

“Well, I am relieved to know she doesn’t show it,” Drew said.

Wanting to shift the focus away from such personal discussions, Drew asked, “How much longer before we reach the Arizona Territory?”

“We are more than a week from Fort Wingate, which is last stop in New Mexico.
 
Much of it depends on the weather and the Indians.
 
From Fort Wingate, we expect the trip to take another four to six weeks.”

“That will put us there around the beginning of January, right?”

“Most likely we will stop for a few days at Fort Wingate before heading out again, but it is possible we will be there by the beginning of the year,” Harrison said.

“Might I ask a favor?” Drew hesitated, wishing he had thought through his forthcoming words more carefully.
 
“You see…that is…”
 
Drew stumbled to a halt.
 
Perhaps it was ludicrous to ask the lieutenant to teach him how to shoot a gun.
 
He was embarrassed to admit he had yet to learn.

“Drew, it would please me greatly to be able to help you with whatever you are about to ask.
 
I can never repay you for saving my life,” Harrison said.

“I thought you might be able to teach me to shoot my rifle,” Drew said looking off into the distance.
 
“We left in such a hurry, I had no opportunity to learn.
 
I purchased extra ammunition with the intention of practicing, but…”

Harrison’s astonished look further embarrassed Drew.
 
But, he spoke kindly, “I don’t suppose I would have thought a doctor would be particularly handy with a gun, given your nature to save lives rather than take them.
 
Let’s meet tomorrow morning for your first lesson.”

Drew nodded, relieved that he would not be required to call upon Hannah’s skill should they encounter trouble.

Then Harrison turned to look directly at Drew with a rather serious expression.
 
He opened and closed his mouth several times, as if weighing his words carefully.
 
“Drew, I wanted to thank you for all you have done for me.
 
Between you and Mrs. Lancaster, I have been able to let go of the past and start fresh with our Lord.”

Drew smiled, very pleased with the news.
 
Thank you, Lord, for the work you are doing in the lieutenant’s heart.

The lieutenant continued, “Might I ask, how does one grow deeper with God?”

“Well, prayer is one way.
 
Just talk to him like you are talking to me now.
 
Another way is to read the Bible.
 
Everything in it is from God and as one verse says, it is useful for teaching and rebuking.
 
That is how I learn more about God.”

Lieutenant Harrison looked down at the ground.
 
“I…do not…that is…have a Bible.”

“You may have mine.”

Harrison’s eyes went wide.
 
“But, what of you?”

Drew smiled at his friend’s concern.
 
“I can borrow Hannah’s.”

Harrison nodded and grew quiet as he followed Drew back to camp.

Drew climbed up into the wagon and quickly located his black leather Bible.
 
He rubbed his long slender fingers over the well worn cover of the book that belonged to his father.
 
He always thought he would pass it along to his son, but giving it to his friend now seemed so much more important.
 
He would say nothing of its sentimental value to Harrison, for he doubted his friend would take the gift then.
 
Lord, let your words bring life to my friend.

Clearing his throat to dislodge the emotion forming, Drew climbed back down from the wagon.
 
Standing before his waiting friend, he stretched out his arm and offered the Bible to Harrison.
 
The lieutenant looked down, hesitating for the briefest of seconds before taking the book.

“You might start with the gospel of John,” Drew suggested, showing Harrison where to find it.

The expressions moving across Harrison’s face went from awe to humility to appreciation as the silence stretched.
 
His gaze remained focused on the words at the beginning of John.
 
He ran his thick fingers over the words as if they were the most precious of jewels.

“If I have questions, may I come to you?” Harrison asked.

“Certainly.
 
I will do my best to answer what I can,” Drew said as Harrison turned and walked back to the cavalry camp.

After Lieutenant Harrison left, Drew thought back to what he said about the rest of the journey.
 
Six more weeks.
 
Maybe longer if we run into any trouble.
 
Reality dawned on him.
 
They were just over half way to their destination.
 
Dejected, he sat down near the camp fire, just as Hannah dished up the meal.
 
He was unable to push aside the regret and guilt storming in his mind.

---

Sensing her husband’s troubled mood, Hannah gave him an inquisitive look as she handed him his plate.
 
They bowed their heads as usual while Drew led them in prayer.
 
She felt a modicum of guilt as she realized her mind was working through what might be concerning Drew, rather than giving the Lord his proper reverence.
 
The rest of the meal passed in silence.

Immediately following the meal, Drew stood and grabbed the water barrel, heading for the stream before Hannah could ask questions.
 
Resigning herself to finding out what was troubling him later, she quickly cleaned up the breakfast dishes.
 
She dug the tub out of the wagon and placed it in the tent.
 
Then she made sure the fire was still stoked so she could heat the water.
 
With the temperatures so cool, she would need to make sure the water was nice and hot.
 

Drew rolled the barrel back into camp next to their fire.
 
The process of heating the water bucket-full by bucket-full took a fair amount of time.
 
Hannah bathed first taking time to wash her hair.
 
It felt so good to be clean.
 
As she dried her hair by the fire, he took his turn.
 
When he finished she was still drying her hair by the fire.
 
He made quick work of emptying the tub and stowing it back in its proper place, before joining her by the fire.

His gaze was intense as he studied her.
 
Hannah smiled, waiting to see if he would speak of his concerns, whatever they may be.

“The wagon master says that the Indians are calm right now and we can go outside the city for a short distance.
 
I thought it might be nice to find a scenic lookout,” Drew said.

Delight filled Hannah.
 
Time away from the noise of camp and gossiping tongues was rare.
 
What a treat to get time alone!
 
She quickly gathered a few blankets and the canteens of water while Drew ensured the rifle was loaded.