Prairies of Heart

Chapter 12

PA NO; Henry screamed in his sleep

Summer nudged him awake and he startled

You alright; She asked

Henry looked at her tiredly and breathed heavy

I think so; Henry said

You told how your mama passed, how did your daddy; Summer asked

He shot himself and landed over the cliff; Henry said looking out into the distance

I'm sorry for your loss; Summer said

Truth being I would be doing the same thing if yall had not shown up; Henry said and Summer looked at her if she understood

God always has a plan and Im glad you didn't; Summer said with a wink

Where are we; Henry asked

In some place called Green Valley. I asked a local and they said its about 2 hours from San Francisco; Summer said

Can't believe we made it far; Henry said

Summer began humming a song and slapped the horses rear to get them moving faster. Fate was there. Summer knew that in San Francisco, Henry would not be an outlaw there. It was a big city and many looked alike. They had enough gold to get them a house. It amazed her how much he got from the town of Dimley. They had been on the road for weeks and could have taken train but being the fewest of civilization who mainly depended on trading to make pay, it was tough and traveling with two children in tow was also harsh. It was better this way. Plus they found a new friend as well. They had travelled tiredlessy staying up all day and only stopping to at or to dispose of waste. There had been no rain which she had been grateful for. Storms would wash away everything. Summer heard of stories where people who travelled by wagon passed on.  Madison grew even fonder of Henry and Mason so it had made Summer wonder what it was going to be like once she left her with her father if they found him

Mama, whats that; Mason asked in the back

Henry looked behind him and saw a dust funnel then in the background there was a wave of fog. He knew immediately what it was and quickly tied the horses to a tree then got Summer off the wagon into the back. Coughing they all huddled over one another while Piggy barked at the storm and eventually curled up into a ball. The wind around them howled loudly and Mason began to cry but there was nothing Summer could do as both her and Henry huddled over the children with their dressings. When the storm died down, they found the wagon completely shadowed in dust. Summer ran over to the horses who had been caked in sand. She got a blanket and began to wipe down each horse then went to the back. Mason immediately wrapped his arms around Summer and Madison held tight to Henry

Its okay, its over now; Summer said reassuring the kids as she looked at Henry

How much longer; Madison asked

Soon, honey; Henry said

Madison and Mason went back to themselves and began to play make believe with the dolls. Even getting Piggy into the story while Summer went back to driving the wagon and Henry slept beside her. She glanced at him. Henrys hair was all fuzzy and his white shirt was now brown. He was sleeping peacefully