well as herself if necessary. “If you have to use it, don’t hesitate. Aim at a button and pull the trigger.”
Amelia nodded her understanding before she tucked the pistol into her pocket.
Clint jumped in the saddle. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
* * *
Anxiously awaiting Clint’s return, Amelia wouldn’t allow the girls out of her sight. Along with Mrs. Nelson, they joined the children at the creek to pan for gold. The children were not aware of the three men who’d rode into their camp the previous night. The women didn’t want to frighten them, but they stressed the importance of staying together.
On Clint’s return to camp later that day, Amelia thought the men were as relieved as she was to have him back. She didn’t want to think about him leaving for La Grange, but she understood he had to go. For the remainder of the day, Clint panned for gold, keeping Amelia and all the children within his sight at all times. He panned in the same location where he’d had some luck the prior day. Within a few hours, he’d found several small nuggets.
After they took a break to have something to eat, the children rested along the bank under the warmth of the afternoon sun. Clint watched Amelia pan at the bank for a while, but the next time he glanced her way she was lying in the grass with a blanket covering her. The three strangers had unnerved her last night, and Clint knew she hadn’t slept well. It wasn’t until Mrs. Nelson brought him some coffee at the lake that he learned the real reason Amelia was resting.
“Amelia’s not feeling well. I told her to go to our wagon to rest, but she wants to stay near the girls. I’ve worried about someone getting sick ever since Ben Wilburn came to our camp and told us his boy was sick. Ben said the boy had influenza, but the symptoms are the same as yellow fever. And Amelia told me one of those strangers last night looked sickly.”
“Ben said his son has improved when I saw him earlier today,” Clint replied.
“Maybe we’re all on edge because of the fever. We don’t want anyone bringing it to our camp.”
* * *
Later that evening, Mrs. Nelson insisted Amelia go to the wagon to rest.
“I’ll be fine right here by the fire,” Amelia replied.
“You’re as pale as an apparition. Now go on to the wagon so you can get some sleep. We’ll look after the girls.”
Clint agreed with Mrs. Nelson, Amelia was very pale, and that worried him.
“Ma, Annie and I will help Mrs. Nelson,” Katie offered.
“Thank you, girls. I think I will lie down for a few minutes.” Amelia stood, took one step toward the wagon and slumped to the ground.
Clint tossed his cup of coffee aside and ran to her. Turning her over on her back, Clint gently shook her. “Amelia!” When she didn’t respond, he propped her upper body against his thigh and shook her again. “Amelia!” By this time, everyone had gathered around him, and Clint heard the girls crying behind him.
Slowly, Amelia’s eyes opened, and she was surprised to see Clint was holding her in his arms. “What happened?”
Mrs. Nelson leaned over and felt her forehead. “Honey, you fainted. You’ve worn yourself out from worry and taking care of everyone else. You’re burning up.” Mrs. Nelson turned toward the wagon. “Mr. Mitchum, give me a few minutes to get some things from the wagon, then take her inside. The girls and I will sleep out by the fire tonight.”
“I’m fine, girls,” Amelia assured Katie and Annie when she saw their tears.
Clint saw Mrs. Nelson whisper something in her husband’s ear. Mr. Nelson nodded and followed his wife to the wagon. Once they removed some belongings from the wagon, Mrs. Nelson motioned for Clint to carry Amelia inside.
Despite Amelia’s protest, Clint carried her to the wagon and gently laid her on a stack of blankets Mrs. Nelson had arranged for her.
“I’m fine now, Mr. Mitchum. I just remember getting a little dizzy.”
“Would you like some coffee or water?” Clint asked.
“No, thank you. I think all I need is some rest. Please tell Mrs. Nelson to keep the girls with her.”
As soon as Clint jumped from the wagon, Katie, Annie, and Mrs. Nelson were waiting for him.
“Is Ma going to be okay?” Katie asked.
“You’re ma just needs some rest. She wants you to stay with Mrs. Nelson.”
“Does she have the fever? We don’t