Courage to Love (Flynn Family Saga) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mud.
    Jed Barrett was already there, organizing a group of men to help push the wagon free.  Maggie rode up to the crowd and dismounted.
    Flynn grabbed her arm and shook his head.  “No, Maggie!  Not this time!”
    Maggie looked down at her belly and nodded.
    Flynn limped over to the crew.  He put his back to the wagon and helped push.  Rain poured from his hat and down his neck.  The wagon lurched—and rolled back.  He heard a scream of pain, and for a moment, he was back on Mount Dolorosa as Scout, his chestnut stallion, slid over the edge.  He heard Scout scream as his cannon bone snapped, and he felt his own pain as Scout’s body crushed his leg.
    “Flynn?”  Maggie touched his arm.
    Shivering, Flynn pushed himself away from the wagon.
    Jed Barrett lay face down in the mud, with the axle across his back.
    Maggie ran to him.  She organized the men to lever up the wagon, and then she dragged Jed out from under it.  Ben and Frank lifted Jed and carried him into the Barrett wagon.
    Abby knelt beside him.  “Oh, Jed.”
    He tried to speak and couldn’t.  He closed his eyes.  His breathing was labored.
    Maggie climbed into the wagon.  She examined him.  Then, she touched Abby’s shoulder.  “Stay with him, Abby.  We’ll stay here for as long—as long as you need.”
    Abby nodded.  She turned and took her husband’s hand.  “You old fool!”
    Jed smiled weakly.
    Flynn helped Maggie out of the wagon.  Then, he went back to the Worthington wagon.  He put his back to the wheel again.  “All right, on my count: one, two, three!”
    They heaved, and the wagon wheel broke free with a horrible sucking sound.  Samantha slapped the reins on the horses’ backs, and the wagon lurched forward.  As soon as the wagon was safe, Samantha climbed down.  “How is he, Mr. Flynn?”  She looked genuinely concerned.
    Flynn shook his head.  “It’s bad, Mrs. Worthington.”
    Samantha nodded.  “I’m sorry.”  She looked back at the Barrett wagon.  “Is there anything I can do?”
    Flynn shrugged.  “You can pray, Mrs. Worthington.”
    Samantha nodded.
    Flynn turned and limped back to the Barrett wagon.
    Maggie came to him.  She chewed her lower lip.
    “Maggie, we need to keep moving,” he said gently.
    Maggie hesitated.  “No.  Sam wouldn’t abandon them.”
    “Maggie, he has left people behind,” Flynn said gently.  “When there was no other choice.  He wouldn’t let me chase after the Vaughns, remember?”
    Maggie sighed.  “You’re right.”  Tears shone in her eyes.  “Flynn, do you think you could run the train for a day or two?  It won’t be any longer than that.”
    Flynn squeezed her shoulder.  “I think Ben could handle it for a day or two.  I’m not leaving you alone.”
    Maggie shut her eyes.  “Thank you.”  She opened them and climbed into the Barrett wagon.

 
    CHAPTER THREE
     
    That night, Maggie and Flynn slept outside the Barrett wagon.  Maggie lay for a long time staring at the stars.  Flynn simply held her.  Eventually, they fell asleep.  A cry woke Maggie.  She got up instantly and climbed into the wagon.
    Abby sat with her head bowed, holding Jed’s hand.
    His eyes stared at the canvas wagon top without seeing it.
    Maggie touched Abby’s shoulder.  “I’m sorry.”
    Abby smiled wanly at her.  “It’s not your fault, Maggie.”
    Maggie nodded.  “Do you want some time alone with him?”
    Abby nodded.
    Maggie sighed.  “Come and get me when you’re ready to prepare his body.”
    Abby’s breath caught.  “Do we have to bury him here?  In this godforsaken spot?”
    Maggie nodded again.  “I’m sorry, Abby.  But we can’t take him with us to San Francisco.”
    Abby took a deep breath and composed herself.  “Of course we can’t.  I don’t know what I was thinking.”
    Maggie smiled sadly.  “You just lost your husband.  You’re not supposed to think.  You’re supposed to mourn.”
    Abby looked at Maggie for a long