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Beth laughed, "That's good. That's really good."
Beth watched the kids for a long time, but a part of her wanted to be with Wade and although she knew she'd miss everyone when she left, she couldn't wait to get home again.
~*~
The day she left for the boat, Mother Cahill came to her and grabbed her hands. "Thank you for opening your home to me. Tell Wade I love him and he's in my prayers. And bless you child, be safe on your journey."
"Don't you fret we'll be fine. Jacob knows these hills well. We will keep low and out of sight as much as we can. Jacob may be a great help to Wade too. He needs someone to help him, and I'm not much but moral support."
"You're more than that. And he certainly needs you, even I know that."
Beth came into Mother Cahill's arms. "I want to have his children, Mother and I don't want to wait until this darn war is over. Who knows how long that will take." She cried.
Mrs. Cahill smiled sympathetically, "I'm glad. There is nothing that puts iron in a man's back more than knowing he is a father. You are right."
"Take care of yourself, and if you need me, just send a wire. It might take a while, but I'll come and get you or send John to."
"Alright dear. I'm sure I can be of some help around here even if I am in this old chair. Your mother is the sweetest thing and we get along wonderfully. And I love the children scattering about every day, takes my mind off of all the other things going on." She smiled into her face.
Beth got to her feet and packed her things.
"Ma's making sure Jacob's got all he'll need. Don't you fret, everything is going to work out…it has to."
Mother Cahill nodded, but Beth saw the tear in her eyes and bent once more to kiss her cheek. "I love you…"
"I love you too dear." She held her close for a moment.
Beth took some time to tell all the kids she was leaving and get some major hugging. Joan was trying to be a big girl but Beth saw her tears too. She hugged her to her. "Don't cry dear, I'll be back…"
"Promise?"
"Promise." Beth smiled.
When Jacob was packed and ready, Beth realized she had to say goodbye to her folks. Her mother held her tears, but again Beth saw them. Her Pa was his same old self, fidgeting at goodbyes.
"We'll be back when we can get back…" Beth promised.
"Jacob, take the back roads as much as you can, if you suspect Indians or soldiers don't light a fire. Take the old back road to the river and stay low as much as you can. Ma packed you some vitals, that'll hold you a while." His Pa shook his hand. "And good luck son."
There was something about the parting that was more than a little sad. Beth couldn't shake it. Perhaps it was because Jacob worked hand in hand with her father for so long, or that her Pa simply understood the dangers Jacob might face, but she was moved by their goodbyes.
They took the buggy, but anytime Jacob heard or suspected anyone coming, he hid the buggy in the brush or bushes until they passed. The last thing they needed was someone knowing they were traveling.
Obviously from his careful maneuvers Beth knew Jacob had planned the trip out, knowing which old roads to take, and which would be washed out or unsafe. He also knew how to hide. Beth felt safe traveling with him. What shocked her was how quickly Jacob had grown up.
She'd never noticed before.
The first night they didn't light a fire, there were soldiers camped everywhere and they didn't need to run into them.
The second night Jacob knew of a cave and they were very safe inside it for the night. They even lit a fire and had some good groceries their mother had packed.
"We're making good time…" Beth smiled at him as she watched him gobble up his supper. It was the first good meal they had since their trip began.
" I figure another two or three days, if we don't run into any trouble…" Jacob told her.
"How'd you get to be so good at this?" She asked him.
"It was Pa mostly. Soldiers have been in and around our place many times and the Indians, but Pa showed me places to go, how to hide, and where. We went all the way to the river several times. Going through Louisiana will be different, but using the same tactics, of staying low, hiding and not using fires will pay off. Funny thing, I didn't know Pa knew so much about tracking, hunting and skulking, but he's right good at it."
