A Dream for Tomorrow by Melody Carlson Page A

bringing the team over to hitch, and Elizabeth had to scurry to finish up her chores.
    “Grandpa said I can ride Molly and help get the livestock across the river,” JT informed her.
    Elizabeth frowned. “He did, did he?”
    “Please, Ma. I know I can do it.”
    She took in a slow breath. “JT, I’m sure you can do it.” She glanced at Brady, who seemed a bit uncertain too. “But I would prefer to have Brady handle the livestock today. He will ride Molly.”
    “Yes’m.” Brady nodded with a relieved expression.
    “But, Ma—”
    “I need you to help me drive the wagon, JT. Uncle Matthew said it has to be done just right. I need a good driver at my side.”
    JT brightened.
    “I best go see to the animals,” Brady said. “Your Pa wants them to get across ahead of the wagons.”
    “Yes.” She smiled at him. “Thank you.”
    Elizabeth did a quick check of her team and then asked JT to go and fetch Mrs. Taylor. “We need to load up and be ready to go.”
    “Does she still have to ride with us?” he complained.
    “ JT .” She gave him a warning look.
    “I know, I know. She’s a poor widow and we should be kind to her…” He wrinkled his nose. “But she smells funny.”
    Elizabeth pulled off his felt hat and ruffled his hair. “JT! Even if that’s true, I don’t want to hear you saying anything disrespectful like that about your elders.”
    “Sorry, Ma.” He looked down at his feet.
    “And I don’t want you to say anything unkind about her…uh, her little escapade last night.”
    “Escapade?” His brow creased.
    “It means adventure…a jaunt…an exciting incident.”
    He grinned. “ Mrs. Taylor’s escapade . I might write about that in my journal tonight.”
    She winked at him. “You won’t be the only one.”
    Soon they were loaded and moving toward the river. To Elizabeth’s relief, Mrs. Taylor chose to ride in the back of the wagon. Elizabeth suspected she wanted to lie down, probably still recovering from last night’s antics. Because Father had rearranged the lineup, Elizabeth’s wagon was now following the Flanders’. Theirs was the lead wagon for their unit. She tried not to feel worried for their welfare, but it concerned her that with Bert and Flo and their five children, the wagon was heavy. And despite Bert’s attempts to strengthen the wagon, it wasn’t the same caliber as the wagons Elizabeth’s family had brought from Kentucky. She said a silent prayer for their safe crossing.
    The river looked just as muddy as it had all week. However, it didn’t seem to be moving as rapidly today, and it had definitely receded some. The wagon crossing right now, the last one in unit four, didn’t seem to be having any trouble. But then it was a big sturdy-looking wagon with a strong team of oxen pulling. Even so, it was hard to watch. She knew that in the blink of an eye, something could go wrong.
    Elizabeth tugged her driving gloves on tighter, redirecting her attention to a group of women and children, members of their wagon train who were drawing water from the river. She grimaced to see one of the mothers dipping a drinking cup into her bucket and allowing her little ones to drink that dirty water. Hopefully Elizabeth’s mother had been wrong about the rumors of cholera on this river. Just in case, she said a silent prayer for those children and the other families, praying that God would keep them healthy.
    Now it was time for the Flanders to cross. “Let’s pray for them,” she said to JT. And together they said a quick prayer for the Flanders’ safety. Fortunately, Bert must have heard Eli’s advice and taken it seriously because he drove his team fast and hard, and they made it through without incident.
    “Time for us to go.” JT pointed to Captain Brownlee, who was waving his hat at them—the sign to go.
    She released the brake and snapped the reins. “Gid-up!” she shouted, snapping the reins again. “Let’s go! Gid-up! ”
    “Gid-up!” JT yelled, slapping