Hope

there anything else I can get you or do for you?”
Hope shook her head and whispered, “Thank you.”
“I’ll need to check on the animals. Shall I send Anna over?”
“No need,” a voice from the rear flap answered. “I came to see how Hope’s doing. I’ll sit with her while you do your chores.”
“Thank you, Anna.”
Daniel returned as soon as it was dark and Anna had left. Hope was almost asleep when she felt a warm body snuggle close to her side—it was Daniel.
Her throat burned, and she still felt weak and feverish, but she was aware of her surroundings now, and she couldn’t believe Daniel’s gentle caring and nursing. She decided that he had to be a good man, unlike Callum, and she began to feel differently about him.
Anna had told her they’d reach Fort Laramie the very next day. What would she do then? Daniel’s cadent breathing told her he was asleep, and it soothed her to know he was near. She soon fell asleep herself.
Daniel stayed with her throughout the next day. She was now more aware and stronger. Her throat was not as sore, and she was sitting up more than she had before. She could also speak without sounding like a bullfrog.
For the noon meal, Daniel brought her cold soup, but this time she reached for the spoon. “I think I can manage, now.”
Daniel smiled. “I’m glad. I’ll bring you a cup of cool water. I put the boiled water in the stream and it's… well, almost cold.” He stood and climbed out the back flap.
When he returned, he brought her a cup of water and one for himself and sat cross-legged at her side. “I’m relieved that you seem on the mend. You sure had us all scared.”
Hope fingered the soft, thick quilts beneath her. “Where did you get these lovely quilts? They’re so comfortable.”
“It doesn’t matter. When in need, you find what’s needed. Just continue to get better.” He sipped his water. “On a good note, Shank reckons we’ll reach Fort Laramie in about two hours.”
Reaching Fort Laramie meant that Hope had some serious decisions to make. She’d rethought her options after receiving Daniel's tender care. She’d asked God to show her what to do, and she was certain He had.
She looked up at Daniel. “I’m not sure I’m ready for Fort Laramie.”
“Me either. I’ll miss Anna, Walter and you.”
“I haven’t completely ruled out your offer. I’m praying about it.”
“Don’t tax yourself, Hope. I understand, and I’ll be fine. I don’t want you to reconsider out of pity. I won’t allow that. Just concentrate on getting well,” he said with a wink.
“All right.” Hope finished her water and handed him the cup. “It was refreshing.” She blushed and asked, “Is Anna coming soon? She takes care of my personal needs.”
Daniel rose quickly and turned to the rear flap of the wagon. “I’ll get her.” He disappeared out the back of the wagon.
When Anna arrived, she helped Hope with her nature call, and then sat with her. “So, our next stop will be Fort Laramie.” The thought didn’t bring Hope any joy. “The three-day rest will be nice.”
Once again, Hope ran her fingers along the soft quilts. “I love these quilts. Are they yours?”
“No, those were in Nancy’s hope chest. Daniel fetched them as soon as he heard you were ill. He also dumped the hope chest and the rocking chair to make room for you to lie here.”
Hope’s heart nearly stopped. “He did that? On his own?”
“Yes. And without hesitation.”
Tears filled Hope's eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. “I’m rethinking my previous decision. Maybe I should marry him so he can stay with the train. We can always undo it as long as we don’t consummate the marriage. What could it hurt? I realize what a good man he is, Anna. He’s done so much for me these past few days. I have to help him.”
“I agree. He’s a good man, and like you said: you can always undo it.”
Hope smiled. “So, my mind's made up. All I have to do is let Daniel know in such a way as he won't think I’m doing it out of sympathy.”

Chapter Eight
The wagons stopped to cross the river to access Fort Laramie. Hope expressed a desire to see the fort, so Daniel helped her out of the wagon to look at it while the men worked to prepare the wagons to cross the water where the Laramie and North Platte Rivers met.
Hope couldn’t believe the size of the fort. The river separated it from the land, making it the perfect location. The land was flat, and the guards could see anyone approaching from any direction, well in advance.
She leaned against a tree. Hope still hadn’t gotten her full strength back, but her throat no longer hurt, and she no longer had a fever..
Soon, Daniel returned to help her back into the wagon. “This will be a gentler crossing. The river isn’t wide at this point or too deep, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
“Daniel, I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
“We can talk as soon as I settle you and the wagon safely inside the fort.” He jumped out through the back flap and was gone. Moments later she felt the wagon moving and then floating.
The water swirled outside the rear flap, and she prayed it wouldn’t pour in and drown her; she’d never learned to swim.
The next thing she knew, she was being shifted toward the rear flap as the wagon was being pulled up the river bank. Again, she feared falling out of the back and drowning, so she grabbed ahold of a barrel and prayed. Soon, the wagon leveled out, and she breathed a