Chapter 32
Three days later, after Papa had been buried, after the neighbors had paid their final respects and gone home, George watched as Captain Marriott rode away on Bella, leading Salida. He knew he’d done the right thing, but it broke his heart to see the two mares trotting away, especially when Salida stopped and glanced behind her, no doubt wondering why George wasn’t on her back.
Then they turned the corner and were gone.
Captain Marriott had told George he planned to find work as a wagon master taking immigrants west out of St. Joe or Independence, and if George ever needed him, to come find him.
George sighed and walked toward the front door. He’d see how Mama was doing, and then he’d walk to Hudson’s and see if his boss had a cab he could take out.
A buggy pulled into the
