Come Home to Me by Peggy L Henderson

say. Thomas Parker evidently thought it was finally time to get up. The man grunted and groaned, and hiked his suspenders up and over his shoulders. He loudly hacked up some phlegm, and spit it on the ground.
    Jake turned to face Thomas. His eyes narrowed. Didn’t the bastard realize he was the luckiest man in the world? Thomas met Jake’s gaze with a brief surprised look on his face.
    “Bring me some coffee, Rachel,” he said, his voice gravelly, and headed for the front of the wagon. He reached under the seat and produced a clay flask. Rachel walked past Jake to meet her husband.
    “Good grief, Thomas, not this early in the morning.” She handed him the coffee cup, and stared at the liquor bottle in his hand.
    “Just a touch to the coffee to help me get rid of my headache,” he said gruffly.
    Left standing by the fire, Jake clenched his jaw. Thomas Parker was the biggest fool in the world.
    “Jake, can me and Billy take turns and ride with you today?”
    Jake tore his eyes away from the couple at the wagon to stare down into the hopeful blue eyes of Tommy and Billy Parker gazing up at him. Neither one of the boys had even acknowledged their father.  Jake knelt to be at eyelevel with the boys.
    “I don’t see why not, but I think you’d better ask your mama if it’s all right with her.”
    Billy and Tommy exchanged puzzled looks. “How can we ask our mama?” Tommy asked.
    Jake gestured with his chin toward the wagon. “She’s right over there,” he said.
    Tommy and Billy looked at each other again. “That ain’t our mama. That’s Aunt Rachel. Our mama’s in heaven.”
    Jake blinked, wondering if he had heard correctly. Adrenaline raced through him. He stared from the boys to Rachel. Aunt Rachel? She wasn’t their mother? What about David?
    “That’s your papa over there, ain’t it?” Jake asked.
    “Yeah,” Tommy said, and sighed. His chin dropped nearly to his chest, a sad look on his face. “Papa hasn’t been happy since Mama died. That’s why he drinks so much medicine. He says it makes the pain go away.”
    Jake couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had to ask the next question. “What happened to your mama?”
    “She went to heaven when David was born,” Billy chimed in.
    None of these boys were Rachel’s sons! Jake didn’t know what to think. His heart suddenly sprang to life in his chest. If these weren’t her kids, then . . .
    “Is your Aunt Rachel your mama’s sister?”
    “No, she’s Papa’s sister, silly. Don’t you know anything, Jake?” Billy said, a very stern grown-up look on his face.
    Jake’s mouth widened in a slow smile. He almost laughed out loud. Rachel wasn’t married to Thomas Parker. They were siblings. This day had suddenly become a whole lot brighter.
     

 
     
    Chapter 9
     
     
    Rachel knelt by the stream, and stuck her hands in the water. The gentle current slid around her wrists as she swirled her fingers in the soothing cold liquid. Cupping her hands, she splashed water on her face. For the first time in two weeks, she could enjoy water that didn’t need to be strained of silt and sand before it was fit for consumption.  Late yesterday, Jake Owens had chosen a good spot for them to camp. Apparently Mr. Wilson had agreed. He called for a day of rest, and Rachel knew that this quiet spot along the creek wouldn’t be secluded for long.  Everyone was eager to wash the grit and trail dust from their clothes and bodies. Out in the open, a full bath was out of the question. Just for a few minutes, while it was still early morning, the cold air was a small price to pay in exchange for privacy. 
    Rachel removed her worn shoes and stockings, and sat at the water’s edge. She suppressed a gasp when she dangled her feet in the cold stream. Lifting her skirts past her ankles, she stood. The soft sandy bottom massaged her aching soles. Rachel hiked her skirt higher and waded further into the creek. She closed her eyes as the water lapped over her