The trip to Nebraska took nearly three weeks. They slept fitfully in the buggy on rainy nights. Other nights, under. When they found wood and the wind was low and didn’t blow sparks across the dry fall grass, they slept around small campfires. They spent nights in haylofts and twice in rough homes that welcomed a preacher and his unlikely family.
As the days dragged on, Bridget bounced in the cart on a crate stuffed with Effie’s dresses. More often, she walked alongside. She ached for Grandma Teegan and one of her stories. The story of Salt Woman said only by refusing to look back could you walk forward. Even the ancient gods advised against looking back. But how could she give up thinking about Grandma Teegan?
With each day’s westward travel toward the Big Sioux River, Effie’s uncertain
