Westward the Dream by Tracie Peterson, Judith Pella Page A

looked at her sympathetically. “It is possible to keep you at Deighton. I’ve already checked into the matter.”
    â€œBrenton Baldwin, how could you even think such a thing!”
    â€œIf it meant your well-being, I would bear your wrath and do it.”
    â€œI would run away,” Jordana declared, hands on hips.
    Brenton offered her a weak smile. “Well, it isn’t something that has to be decided this day. I still have time before my apprenticeship is over. Perhaps you could stay at the boardinghouse, and Mrs. Clairmont would look after both you and Caitlan.”
    Jordana instantly forgave his indiscretion. “That would be more reasonable, but I still won’t allow you to go.” She took hold of him again. “It’s always possible that because of the war we could take advantage of the situation and deal with Caitlan’s problem ourselves.”
    â€œAnd how do you figure that?”
    â€œWell, we could take her west to Kiernan. She wouldn’t have to travel alone, and we wouldn’t be anywhere near the fighting. It would fulfill our family’s suggestion that we stay out of harm’s way, and it would solve Caitlan’s problem as well.”
    â€œYou and me?” Brenton questioned. “You’re suggesting that we arrange to take Caitlan from New York to California? It costs money, you know.”
    â€œYes, but you’ve already said we would have a healthy stipend. And I know you’ve saved money from both of our accounts. Surely we would have enough to purchase tickets for as far west as the train goes, and then we could travel with one of those bands of settlers who are moving west. Or we could go by ship.”
    Brenton shook his head. “I hardly think it would work. We would be completely out of our element.”
    â€œDon’t be so negative. You consider throwing yourself into a war where people are bound to be killed, but you hesitate to participate in the trip of your dreams? Think of what you could accomplish on the way.”
    â€œI can’t run away from my obligations,” Brenton replied softly. “I can’t just sweep this issue aside because it makes you uncomfortable. I haven’t decided what I will do, but it isn’t a decision that I will allow my sixteen-year-old sister to make for me.” Jordana pouted and he added, “No matter how intelligent she is.” He smiled at her and continued. “Come now, let us have a good evening together.”
    Jordana realized there was little more she could say to convince him. “Would you at least think about the idea?”
    Brenton sighed. “All right. I’ll at least consider it.”
    She gave him a generous smile. “Wonderful. Let’s go to supper. I’m positively famished.” Brenton nodded, but Jordana could see the heaviness in his expression. This struggle of conscience would not be easily resolved.

6
    â€œIt isn’t much to look at,” Kiernan told Victoria as they surveyed Dutch Flat.
    â€œLooks like most of the other mining towns we’ve lived in or around,” Victoria replied.
    He stopped and looked at his young wife. She had once worn beautiful party clothes and known a life much easier than this one. Her hands, now callused and scarred from heavy work, were once smooth and soft. He hated knowing that he had taken her from that life. That he alone had been responsible for bringing her west and losing her fortune. He had only been able to see the possibility of being his own man, of earning enough to bring his family from Ireland to America, and of supporting the woman he loved without using her inheritance to see them through.
    He felt a deep, abiding sorrow that she suffered for his choices. He knew what it was to live his life in a tent. He knew what it was to go hungry. But she didn’t, and she shouldn’t have had to know. He had taken her away from security and plunged her into the