Crossing The Prairies

Next Day

   After going down to the river with the other women to wash the dishes, blankets, clothes and what not, many children went running through the water losing more clothing the farther they went until finally they were naked. All the women, besides Hattie and myself, had bathed before washing our things and we had been put on babysitting patrol.
   So after the young children, including Bennie, Hattie's brother who is only two, emerged from the water completely naked, Hattie and I looked at one another and after looking around to find our mothers weren't anywhere in sight and the men were far down stream bathing. We made our way to the river bank, and took off as much as we could without being completely bare, we stepped into the cool water that rushed across our sore feet and walked out until we were waist deep, when we sat down our shoulders were under water but the sun was beaming down on us and we knew we would get sun burnt, so we walked downstream to a spot where the near by bushes created some shade.
   We sat down again and this time took off the rest of what we were wearing and let our braids loose. We washed ourselves until we could no longer feel the dirt that covered our skin, then began to splash and play like we were once again children.
It was only after that we realized our camisoles had floated far downstream were the men were bathing. That's when we realized the fun was over.
   We also learned it is extremely difficult to swim upstream without your backside showing. Thankfully we were saved by two grandmothers who held out blankets for us, we were overjoyed to see them!
   When we finally got back to camp, wearing all of our clothes, it was nearly dark and once again, Gideon asked me to dance. I felt bad leaving Hattie all alone but Pa told me Gideon was a good young man, and I would be wise not to ignore him.
   Gideon told me how he felt during the end of the last dance, I wanted to scream in excitement, instead I kindly bowed because the dance had just ended and told him I was pleased he told me. We walked the camp hand in hand the rest of the evening, Hattie held my other hand and the three of us were so happy, the only thing that could have made it better was if Wade had been there to enjoy it with us.
   I hope he recovers soon, I miss him so much!

A/N: So I know the relationship here seems to progressing really fast, but for those who don't read or know a lot of this time frame, this was VERY common. In fact it wasn't unheard of for a man to propose after only a week! Anyway, I hope ya'll enjoyed it, and be sure to vote, comment, and if you aren't already, follow!