Drabble 23: The Ride Gets Rougher
The horses were tired from trotting behind, but they hadn't been pulling so the ride was faster for a while. Then they too slowed.
Reno brought word of a small rock slide ahead. Victoria gripped hard as Buck drove around it over bumpy ground. The buckboard bounced as they returned to the road.
The ruts and dry rills in the road were almost as bad.
Between her labor and the bumpy ride, Victoria gritted her teeth, trying to be strong, not wanting to cry out, but it became too much.
Mano held her close, wiping tears from his sister's cheeks.
~HC~
Author's Note: Muchas gracias to Nillis82, Cathy, and Junebug for the really nice comments on Drabble 22. I'm glad to see the tension the characters are experiencing is showing through in the writing and that readers are feeling engaged with it. Your thoughts and comments are encouraged and welcomed! Thanks!
Also, I want to do a special thank you callout to MJRod for her recent lovely review on my earlier story, "The Fight." If you're a High Chaparral fan and haven't had the opportunity yet, I encourage you to read MJ's stories written in partnership with her friend that round out the somewhat abbreviated Season 4 of the series. I'm currently half way through the first story and am really enjoying it. Please consider reading and letting her know what you think since reviews and comments encourage our HC writers to add to our High Chaparral "library."
Finally, since this story is getting close to the end:
Will Buck and Mano get Victoria to the doctor in time? Will she and the baby make it? Will John get there for her? The answers to these questions and more await the reader in the final two drabbles that will wrap up the story over the next couple of days! Hope to see you then!