CHAPTER SIX
Molly's Plan

Deep into the night, Molly hid in the shadows beneath the giant staircase.

Uncle Devon had arrived just a few moments ago and was seated in the living room with Connie McBride, Papa, Jonathan, Jamey and John Douglass. Connie was telling them about his plans on searching for Mama and the missing sisters.

"I am hoping to receive word from Donald Shane within a month's time. Until we do, I will need to tell you my plans.

"Papa O'Kelley and I will travel to New York as soon as we get Donald's letter. I wish everyone could go, but that would be impossible. Grey Feather's canoe will hold eight people. That means Papa and myself, Donald Shane, Grey Feather and his son, and Mama and the girls."

"But that is nine people," Papa said. "Mama, Kirsten, Sally and Danielle are four and then us five men."

Connie nodded and continued, "Yes, but Danielle would still be quite small. Mama could hold her in her lap."

A sigh of relief came from both Papa and Devon as Connie went on. "We will go up the St. Lawrence River like we did when we searched for you, Papa, but this time we will bypass all islands already searched."

John Douglass spoke up. "What if Mama and the sisters are not alone? Katy said they were in the same raft with a couple of Molly's friends."

Connie frowned and admitted, "I had not thought about other survivors except for the family members. You are right."

"Perhaps Grey Feather has an extra canoe, one he could ride in and one his son could use. Then Jon and Jamey could go, too," Papa said.

Jonathan said, "I think Jamey and I should stay here and help Katy with the farm. When the baby comes, she's going to need us men folk around, especially if our brother-in-law has to work his banking business in town."

Jamey was the quiet brother. He nodded in agreement.

"All right," Connie began. "I will post a letter to Donald on Monday morning about trying to get a larger boat in case we find others with Mama and the sisters. We will need to get a few warmer clothes for Papa and myself. The ice floats on the St. Lawrence this time of year."

Molly waited until Uncle Devon walked outside to go home. After everyone else went up the stairs to their rooms, and Molly sneaked up the stairs after them to her own room. She carefully clicked the door closed and crawled beneath the thick multi-colored quilt Katy made for her last Christmas.

Her head was crowded with ideas on how she could steal away and be with Papa and Connie. It had been a long two years since she last saw them. She thought if she could figure out a way to stow away to New York, that when they finally found her it would be too late for them to send her back home.

Connie said he would write to his friend about using a bigger boat, so she could fit right on in there with them.

Molly would have to plan long and hard, in her head and on paper, to pull off this idea.

She did not want to be away from Papa again. Sitting up in bed, she shook her head.

These thoughts must be emptied from her brain if she was to get any sleep.

Looking out her window at the thousands of stars in the ebony sky, Molly silently prayed, "Oh, dear Father in Heaven up above. Let thine eyes watch us like a dove. Let my folks be found by my friend, and me find safe passage to the end. In thy Son's name I pray. Amen."

Molly turned on her side and warmed her hands beneath her left cheek. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.