Page 5 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
“Not at all.” She bowed her head. Surely a man who prayed could be trusted. But then she remembered the preacher back at Gunders Corner who would have married her against her will. Maybe praying wasn’t evidence enough.
At his ‘Amen’ she lifted her head and began to eat, savoring each mouthful.
The murmur of the nearby stream of water, the chirps of birds in the trees, and the clang of a metal spoon against a metal dish were the only sounds.
“Would you like tea?”
His question jolted her. “Yes, please.”
“Good thing I always carry two cups.” He reached into the box he’d taken the beans from and pulled out tin mugs. “It’s something my pa taught us. Always be ready to offer hospitality.”
“‘For thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’” The verse had sprung from her lips without forethought. No wonder Ma was always reminding her to think before she spoke. Would he be offended by her ‘preaching’ as some were, or would he even know the words were from the Bible?
He hooted. “A verse-quoting stowaway!” He looked friendly enough when he laughed.
“Didn’t know if you’d recognize it as a Bible verse.” Embarrassment and surprise turned her words into a mumble.
“I’ll have you know I’m a Bible-believing, church-going man. My mother often quoted that verse among others.” He poured tea into the cups, set one within her reach, and sat back with the other between his palms to study her openly. “I have my doubts about entertaining angels.”
He meant her. Of course, she wasn’t an angel and didn’t expect him to think so. She studied the liquid in her cup although her senses were alert to every sound, every movement. And her mind raced with possible solutions to the quandary she found herself in.
A sip of the warm tea emboldened her. “How far to the nearest town?”
“That would be Gunders Corner.” The lazy drawl of his voice did nothing to ease the tension making her struggle to swallow the next mouthful of tea without choking. “I’m guessing you don’t want to go that direction.”
A shake of her head sent her hair flapping about her face. It had come loose as she caught her head on the canvas covering the wagon. Not that she cared. It was the least of her worries even though Ma warned her repeatedly that at seventeen she was now a young woman and should wear her hair up.
He nodded. “I’m afraid there isn’t anything within a day’s ride.” His shoulders rose and fell in a heavy sigh. “This is quite the predicament.”
“Indeed.” She glanced in the direction they’d come. A swirl of dust lifted. She was on her feet in a flash, tossed aside her cup, and lifted the axe, the weight offering a pinch of reassurance. “Someone’s coming. Please don’t tell him I’m here.” She dashed into the trees and followed them along the river. Her thudding heart drowned out the sound of her running feet. Anyone would be able to hear her, and she ducked behind thin trunks and hunkered down in the nearby bushes praying she was out of sight.
Leaves tickled her skin. Branches jabbed into her back. Strength left her legs forcing her to her knees. The air trapped in the shrub was heavy with remnants of the day’s heat. The trickle of air reaching her lungs caused her head to spin.Breathe. Breathe.At least Ma hadn’t come. Mr. Hartman would have overpowered her. Della had only to find a way home and let Ma know the truth about that awful man.
The rattle of a wagon sent shards of fear down her throat and into her heart. She sank deeper into the bushes, curling herself into a ball.
Lord God Almighty, hide me. Help me.
* * *
Andy moseyed to the wagon,picked up his rifle, and prepared to wait. His camp was out of view, but if they were looking for him, or someone, they’d notice the tracks leaving the trail.
He glimpsed the hat of a man and the bonnet of a woman. The rumble of wheels informed him they rode a heavy conveyance. It trundled down the road. He remained on guard until the dust disappeared below a dip in the road.
“A man and a woman in a wagon,” he called. “They didn’t stop.”
He waited but not a sound came from the direction in which his guest had disappeared.
No doubt she would take her time before she came back, making doubly certain any danger had passed. He hunkered down by the fire again and drained his now-tepid tea. And waited. And waited.
She should have returned by this time. Unless…
His scalp tightened and inch by slow inch, he rose, taking his rifle in hand. Moving on silent feet, he went in the direction she’d gone. She hadn’t made any attempt to hide her trail. He shook his head. Had she learned nothing from reading dime novels?
Her tracks turned into the trees. “Miss Epps?”
No response though he did hear rustling. Might be the wind.
“Miss Epps. They’ve passed on down the road. It’s safe to come out.”
