Chapter Thirty-Four
Loretta spots the rudimentary farm just as the sun disappears beneath a horizon of brown prairie grass. Her horse is tired and thirsty but she knows he can endure the last mile.
Though Luda’s winter site is a few day’s journey when pulling a travois, a determined horsewoman, departing at dawn, can cover the distance in one day, with a strong horse.
Having spent the past weeks enjoying her return to the plantation, mother Buelah finally suggested that Loretta visit Aunt Luda.
“Luda’s shark is dried out, Loretta, and I dare say you’ve bent every field hand over that bench of yours in the barn. Your arm must be tiring,” Buelah suggested in jest.
And so Loretta agreed that a respite was in order. She had not before realized how quickly she could make a man beg for mer
